Why Does ANY Conservative Still Support #45TheTraitor?

There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river.  We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.
—    Bishop Desmond Tutu
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On This Day In:
2021	The Mirror Would Know
	Mamasaydobeddyalong
2020	Why #45 Is Always Crying
	Watching #45 Hold A Rally
2019	I Think Reading Books Is A Good Place To Start
2018	And Pay In Full
2017	If Only
2016	Equal Justice
2015	Not Enough
2014	Are You Even Listening?
2013	Namaste
2012	Looking Up
2011	Et Tu Brute?

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More Like 60 To 70 Years

The rich are always going to say that, you know, just give us more money and we’ll go out and spend more and then it will all trickle down to the rest of you.  But that has not worked the last 10 years, and I hope the American public is catching on.
—     Warren Buffett
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On This Day In:
2021	Hold That Thought
	Got Love?
2020	Everyone I’ve Ever Met
	A Secret Chord
2019	A Big “IF”
2018	Silence Presence
2017	Feeling Small Standing In Front Of My Shelves
2016	Show Willing
2015	If He Only Knew…
2014	Dared To Love
2013	Strong Kung-Fu
2012	Two Tribes
2011	Made Any Assumptions Lately?

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A Duty To Disobey

As citizens, we knew we had ceded some of our individual rights to society in order to live together as a community.  But we did not believe this social contract included support for an immoral system.  Since the people invested government with its authority, we understood that we had to obey the law.  But when law became suppressive and tyrannical, when human law violated divine principles, we felt it was not only our right, but our duty to disobey.  As Henry Thoreau strongly believed, to comply with an unjust system is to accept abuse.  It is not the role of the citizen to follow the government down a path that violates his or her own conscience.
―     John Lewis
From his book: “Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change“
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On This Day In:
2021	Vote NO In The California Recall
	On And On
2020	The Importance You Can Have
	Slow Dancin’
	Trump Reaffirms His Administration Is The Cause Of West Coast Wildfires
2019	A Lifestyle
	Day 16: Cheat Day
2018	The Children Are Our Future
2017	And Three
2016	Nine Parts Mystery
2015	Little Or No Common Ground
2014	Just Between Me
2013	Beyond The Strings
2012	Saving The Union
2011	Still And Too Often

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In Less Than 70 Days…

Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness.  Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
—    George Santayana
From:  “The Life of Reason“
[In less than 70 days, we (the U.S.) will be having our “mid-term” elections.  This is typically a referendum on the sitting President and his / her policies.  It sometimes results in a change in majority party in the House of Representatives, the Senate – or, less frequently, both.  At the moment, both are “controlled” by the Democrats, but it is generally believed the Republicans will “flip” both come November.  I believe this will almost certainly happen if Democrats fail to get off their “duffs” and vote – much as they failed to do in the Presidential election of 2016 – which resulted in the election of Trump to President, to Republican control of both sides of Congress (House and Senate) and, ultimately, to Republican control of the Supreme Court.  (How has that worked out for us, folks?)
Elections have consequences!  Register early.  Confirm your registration.  Talk to your friends and family.  Ask them to register AND to vote.  And you VOTE, too!!  Elections are NOT won by the majority of the people.  They are won by the majority who VOTE.  Make your voice heard:  VOTE!    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	You Really Are
	What You Want
2020	So Far The Only Burden Shifted Has Been The Cost
	Rockin’ The Hammond
2019	The Powers Of Mind
	Day 10: Into Double Digits
2018	Up For Progress
	Day 1.5: Done (For Now)
2017	And Second By Second
2016	Bakeries And Coffee Shops
2015	Spirit Not Form
2014	Sometimes Even Kneeling Seems Insufficient
2013	Hobgoblins
2012	Got Sleep?
2011	Not Another Barren Corner

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Count And Be Heard!

Voting is your chance to be heard!
If you are registered:  VOTE in November!!  And tell your eligible family, friends and neighbors to do the same.
Vote by mail, by drop-box, or in-person;  vote early or vote on election day.
If you are not currently registered, see if your state will still let you register.  If not, see if they will let you register and vote on the same day.
Take the time to learn about your local issues / candidates and vote down ticket as well as for your Congressional House District Representative (or Senator if they are running).
Your vote ONLY counts IF you (they) actually cast your (their) vote.     —     kmab
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On This Day In:
2021	Practically Worthless In Every Way
	It Never Was
	Frustrating Incentive
2020	You Too?
	Six Degrees
2019	A Branching Stream
	Day 9: One Day At A Time
2018	Pity The Nation (Part 2)
	Day 1: Redux
2017	Good Blogs, Too
2016	My Prediction For #AmnestyDon
2015	Worth A Try
2014	I’m Feeling It
2013	May I Have A Little More, Please?
2012	Increasing Doubt
2011	You Can’t Touch This

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Guard Rails: Feeling Gravity’s Pull

When you look at all of these people, breaking all of these laws, all over the country, thinking that they live in a world that’s not only a post-fact world, but a post-law world, and they really believed because Donald Trump always seemed to get away with breaking the law.  That they could just break the law.  And now we’re seeing that actually, they’re all feeling gravity’s pull.  That this was not a vacation from history.  This is not a vacation from criminality.
…
I think for millions and millions of Americans that probably don’t even like what Joe Biden is doing right now, this is a relief, this is a relief that actually in America, if you break the law, you still — there are consequences.
But I think it’s a relief for a lot of independents, a lot of swing voters, a lot of people who aren’t a member of either tribe, that, my God, laws still matter in this country, and these people are getting rolled up by authorities for going out of their way to breaking the law, whether it was battering and abusing cops on Jan. 6, trying to beat them to death with American flags, or whether it’s, you know, and it’s not just criminal, it’s also civil.  If you lie about election workers, you’re going to pay the consequences, like there are actually guard rails in America’s democracy, even if Donald Trump tried to convince millions of Americans that there were not.
—     Joe Scarborough
Co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe“
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On This Day In:
2021	Practically Worthless In Every Way
	It Never Was
	Frustrating Incentive
2020	You Too?
	Six Degrees
2019	A Branching Stream
	Day 9: One Day At A Time
2018	Pity The Nation (Part 2)
	Day 1: Redux
2017	Good Blogs, Too
2016	My Prediction For #AmnestyDon
2015	Worth A Try
2014	I’m Feeling It
2013	May I Have A Little More, Please?
2012	Increasing Doubt
2011	You Can’t Touch This

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Why Today’s “NO” Republicans Can’t Govern

It’s an old split.  Like the one between art and art history.  One does it and the other talks about how it’s done and the talk about how it’s done never seems to match how one does it.
—    Robert M. Pirsig
From:  “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance“
[If you aren’t willing to make “some” compromises, you are not able to govern in a democracy.  We’ve known this since (at least) the Greek city states.  This is why Republicans are better in opposition than they are when trying to run things.  The same would be true for a “radical” left party, if the United States ever developed one.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Back To Paying Dues
	Keep Rollin’
2020	Diets And Lifestyle Changes
	Pay Attention
	Just Not Sure, And That’s Okay
2019	The Right Questions
	Day 3: Still Difficult
2018	A Thought For Those Continuing To Support President Trump
	Day 36: Pushing On
2017	Imagining Humor
2016	So Go On And Deal With It
2015	From A Letter To A Friend
2014	Your Part (Here)
2013	Complements
2012	Sound And Light
2011	Two Politicians Visit A Farm…
2010	Labor Day And Honorable Men

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#45: Guilty As Sin And Still The Biggest Loser

We know the truth, not only by the reason, but also by the heart.
—     Blaise Pascal
[The sooner #45 is charged and brought to trial, the safer the country will be.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Helping Refugees
	2016 A.D.
2020	Imagine That!
	Call Me Sometime
	Before It’s Gone
2019	Imagine If…
2018	How Many Now?
	Day 29: Tied (By The Time You Read This)
2017	Earn The Gift
2016	Still Loud
2015	Surprise! No Evidence
2014	Real Ideals
2013	A Happiness Weapon
2012	An Eagle Has Departed
	Ummm
	And In My Prayers
2011	Welcome Doubt
2010	Talk, Talk, Talk…
	Every Day At Least
	Democratic Suicide
	Pleasurable Reading
	Loose Joy
	Do, Er, Write – Whatever
	This Glorious Company
	Relax With A Good Book
	Neither Vice Nor Weakness
	That’s Rich!
	Man Will Prevail!!!
	Frankly Speaking to Arizona
	Brother By Another Mother

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Getting Into Good Trouble

Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.
—     U.S. Representative John Lewis
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On This Day In:
2021	Universal Vibrations
	Stitched With Love
2020	Weakness In The Oval Office
	Doo Wop (1961)
2019	A Temporary Surrender
2018	I Am Spartacus
	The Privilege Of Milking
	Day 20: Relief
2017	Try Not To Run Short, Too
2016	I Feel The Same (Thankful)
2015	It Couldn’t Hurt
2014	Sir, I Have Reasoned It Out!
2013	What Are We Becoming?
2012	Miracles
2011	“W” Finds A Nut!
2010	No Strain At All, But I’m Not Sure About Stress…
	An Evening at the Pavilion…

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Arming Teachers Will NOT Prevent Or Minimize School Shootings (IMHO)

Cherishing children is the mark of a civilized society.
—     Joan Ganz Cooney
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On This Day In:
2021	In A Way
	Solo In The Middle Of The Backroads
2020	What’d I Miss?
	A Little Closer
	But I Grew Up A Niner Fan…
2019	Tragedy
2018	The Beam In Your Eye Adds Up
	Day 18: My Body Mass Index (BMI)
2017	Open Your Eyes (And Your Heart)
2016	Privilege Too…
2015	Otherwise Obscured
2014	Fundamentals
2013	Proof – ing
2012	Deluge, n.
2011	Hail, Caesar!
	Why Were You Sent?

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A Caution To The 99% About The Mid-Terms…

Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.
—     George Bernard Shaw
[To all you Independents and “conservative” Democrats who want to send a “message” to President Biden by voting for Republicans in the November mid-terms, remember in doing so, you are voting against supporting the middle-class worker, against voting rights, against national health care, against personal privacy and against reducing climate change.  If you are “okay” with the Republican stand on all of those issues / positions – fine.  Vote your conscious.  Otherwise, I suggest you find and support EVERY Democrat at your local, state and national level – and vote for them.  Elections have consequences.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Awaiting The Polisher
	With Old Friends (And Family)
	…Before You Leap!
2020	I Don’t Want To Get Any Older…
	Maybe I’ll See You There
2019	Free At Last!
2018	Some Basic Virtues
	Day 17: Fit In 48’s
2017	Too Soon We Part…
	Rigorous And Difficult
2016	Where And Why
2015	The Beauty Of Thy Voice
2014	Faith In Men
2013	An Average Verge
2012	Dew Drop Secrets
2011	Champion Freedom

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Re-election Time!

Last evening we attended the kick-off re-election gathering / party for my daughter (Rebecca), who is running to keep her seat on the Contra Costa County Community College Board.  If re-elected, this will be her second four-year term on the board.  Even though a junior member of the Board, she has already completed a year long rotation assignment as Board president and she hopes to be able to continue to bring her energy / exuberance to bear helping students achieve their life ambitions via affordable education.
Ever the proud dad, I encourage everyone reading this to make a donation at:  Rebecca Barrett for Community College Board 2022
If a donation is beyond your means, I hope you will get involved in your local politics and make your part of the world a better place for all.  Believe it or not, your limits ARE your imagination and your willingness to stand up and participate in making the future you want to see.
If nothing else, please be a part of the solution:  register for and VOTE in the upcoming election(s)!
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On This Day In:
2021	Living At The Edge
	A Simple Song
	More Sounds (Guitar Review)
2020	Poor Proof
	Right From The Start
	You Voted For An Incompetent And Corrupt Business Person To Drain A Political Swamp
2019	I Wish This Were More True
2018	Used To Rejection
	Day 16: Looking Ahead (Just A Little)
2017	Tonight
	I Rejoice
2016	Conscientious Courage
	Speaking Of Which…
2015	The Beautiful Snow
2014	Nurtured By The Voices
2013	Précis
2012	Fear And Understanding
2011	Just Being Human

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Faux “News”: Why Wait? We’re Entertainment, Not News

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.
—     Mark Twain
[Why do viewers watch a channel that’s been demonstrated to lie to them.  Oh yeah…  Because they (the viewers) want to believe the lies.  Why does Faux do it?  …To laugh all the way to the bank.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Living At The Edge
	A Simple Song
	More Sounds (Guitar Review)
2020	Poor Proof
	Right From The Start
	You Voted For An Incompetent And Corrupt Business Person To Drain A Political Swamp
2019	I Wish This Were More True
2018	Used To Rejection
	Day 16: Looking Ahead (Just A Little)
2017	Tonight
	I Rejoice
2016	Conscientious Courage
	Speaking Of Which…
2015	The Beautiful Snow
2014	Nurtured By The Voices
2013	Précis
2012	Fear And Understanding
2011	Just Being Human

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The Arc Of Justice Sometimes Bends Too Slowly

Rivers know this:  There is no hurry.  We shall get there some day.
—    Winnie the Pooh
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On This Day In:
2021	Still Stumbling
	Make It Your Own…
2020	#45: Diarrhea Of The Mouth, Constipation Of The Brain
	Not As Often As I Used To
2019	Four Buffett’s
2018	Change Happens
	Day 13: Ginger / Mint Relief
2017	Still Removing Bricks
2016	Namaste
2015	Still Learning
2014	Dark Processes
2013	To The Last Link
2012	Slept In Again
2011	Home Again, Naturally
2009	Thoughts after a long day of OT…

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Wake Up Call For November 2022

Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps.  The sleeper must awaken.
—     Frank Herbert
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On This Day In:
2021	And It Will Be Here Last
	Still Goode 40 Years Later
2020	Necessary And Desirable
	Who Made The Rules?
2019	The Far Side
2018	Hold On
	Day 11: Just Plain Tired
2017	Why Don’t You Tell Us What You Really Think?
2016	Discontent
2015	Do You Know Me?
	Appetite For Life Update
2014	Tough Journalism
2013	Things I’ve Learned
2012	Abstainer, n.
2011	Rain, Rain, Rain
	Test Your Strength
2009	End the mistakes…

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