16 Comments
User's avatar
Barbara's avatar

Isn't it just like them to gang up on one person! Bully politicians are inserted into office by cheating machines and uninformed voters!

Expand full comment
Kenneth Culbertson's avatar

And the Republicans don’t do this? Both parties do these things. I haven’t trusted our government a whole lot since Vietnam , but let’s try something a little different.

Let’s step back to 1985 — because I was there — and look what has happened over the last 40 years. Because of the federal government we now have cleaner air, cleaner water, cancer treatments have saved lives, better foods, and the conveniences we have. If not for the federal government internet would had evolved more slowly, Bill Gates would not had created Microsoft, we have laptops and smartphones that are basically computers, safer cars, better medical care, and so on. These are conveniences we take for granted, all of us. All these things were due to the federal government and its programs that provided funding and grants. From programs this administration are defunding now. So this administration is rolling back all the advantages these conveniences have given us and will give our children less conveniences in their future.

So whenever politicians, leaders, people begin to divide our society into “us” and “them”, [the right (conservatives) or the left (progressive liberals)]we begin to travel down this path that destroys a part of our humanity. The two most dangerous words in our society is “us” and “them”. We need to take a step back and contemplate what “us” and “them” has done to our society and to ourselves.

People around the world are having an “empathy gap” where we are unable to understand others pain and anxiety. Plato once said: ““The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world.” In a world where social media platforms are prevalent it makes it hard to express empathy or understand others pain and anxiety as we are unable to see them.

Religion wise whenever the Christian faith is politicize, churches become repositories not of grace but of grievances, places where “tribal”/group identities are reinforced, where fears are nurtured, and where aggression and nastiness are sacralized.

It’s likely you, I am assuming, will say you’re not going to listen to me woke crap. And that’s your choice as we have in my America the Freedom of Speech. On by the way I grew up in the military and federalizing the National Guard and deploying Marines is not appropriate. This is my perspective.

Expand full comment
Barbara's avatar

Everyone has their take on it! Political leaders are responsible for much division. Political corruption comes from both sides, Bill Gates of Hell is a worthless human being and should be charged with crimes against humanity! We could do much better if regular people ran for seats in government instead of career politicians. As far as the advancement in technology it's invaded privacy on many levels. I don't trust the political class that is for communism or socialism. Politicians are inserted in not Voted in, our elections are Rigged! That's my take! I trust Our Constitution and what our fore father's had invisioned for generations of the future! It's up to the people to keep it for future generations! Thank you for taking time to explain your take on it!

Expand full comment
Kenneth Culbertson's avatar

I would suggest reading:

Rage in the Streets: A History of American Riots by Jules Archer

The Los Angeles Riots: Lessons for the Urban Future by Mark Baldassarre

Riots and Political Theory: A Reading List by Jonathan Havercroft

Expand full comment
Kenneth Culbertson's avatar

When one looks at the history of protests that turn into riots one common factors that turns a protest into riots is authorities using excessive force — George Floyd, Rodney King, ‘68 Democratic Convention, The Watts Riot, Spelman College, Evansville Race Riots, Dayton Race Riot, Cincinnati Riots, The Battle in Seattle 1999, Riots after the assassination of MLK, Newark Riots, and more. I agree with peaceful protests

https://journalistsresource.org/criminal-justice/police-reasonable-force-brutality-race-research-review-statistics/

Expand full comment
Avery Burns's avatar

A mayor and governor abdicate, neglect, their clear duty to act on behalf of their citizens and in support of aggressive attacks against the property, citizens and government and in defiance of law. These two at the least should be removed from office and charged. Negligence is the smallest of their criminal acts.

Expand full comment
Kenneth Culbertson's avatar

Well my understanding was the LAPD did respond and by the time National Guard got there not much was going as curfew was being followed but for a few.

https://apnews.com/article/insurrection-act-trump-troops-newsom-military-national-guard-a842f79e1c0e244039be274a6f266a7a

Expand full comment
Carol Blankenship's avatar

No regrets “ambushing” Hegseth. He can talk tough, act tough, and continue to destroy our constitutional republic. He’s incompetent.

Expand full comment
Mark's avatar

💪🏻❤️🙏🏻🇺🇸

Expand full comment
Synickel's avatar

There does seem to be some unpreparedness there. Some fair questions with weak answers, and I'm on Hegseth's side.

Expand full comment
Kenneth Culbertson's avatar

Why?

Expand full comment
Roberta Raymond's avatar

I read it because I thought it would be satire. I responded because I read it. Thanks for the heads up for the future.

Expand full comment
Roberta Raymond's avatar

As per usual, MAGA right wing individuals create faulty analogies, use non sequitur, appeal to authority, hyperbole, all loudly and bombastically. This 'argument ' that 'silenced' someone is nothing more than BS. Waste of time reading this rather long story.

Expand full comment
Margaret Romero's avatar

So, why did you read it...AND comment on it.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
3dEdited
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Roberta Raymond's avatar

Do you know what RNA is, where it's found, what it does?

Expand full comment
Kenneth Culbertson's avatar

Yes I do. Was around when they figured out mRNA and what it does. Had cell biology, genetics, as well as epidemiology at my university in the mid ‘70s. Research continued and expanded in the early 2000s. They were actually looking at mRNA as a vaccine in the early 2000s. RNA is present in all life forms. RNA, has various roles that influence how genes are read, which determines characteristics like observable features and physiology.

Expand full comment