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  • #211
    Anna rRxia
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    Rise of Republican Zombies
    Joe Scarborough, morning talk-show host and former Republican Congressperson, has released a book in a media blitz that is timed to try to influence the 2016 presidential elections. The book is called: “The Right Path: From Ike to Reagan, How Republicans Once Mastered Politics--and Can Again,” The gist? "We can win again and we will. And we can do it by following the right paths of Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower. We can do it by fighting for the core principles of conservatism and emphasizing those values that most Americans agree with. There will also be times when we will follow the lead of Reagan and Eisenhower by putting principled pragmatism before ideological battles that will undermine our ability to win elections, elect majorities, and take back control of the White House." The air goes right out of his prognostication with the election of Chris Christy and the inevitable comparisons between a moderate Republican an a centrist Democrat. Christy gets crushed by the colored ascendency (Black, brown, yellow, whatever, the whole rainbow knows whose side their bread is buttered on) by 30 points in the polls if the election were held today. He offends the purist Right-wing Kingmakers. With Republicans efforts to stop colored people (and their children who come of age) from voting and stopping immigration reform it is insuring their own defeat. I, for one, urge them on to greater and greater heights of rigid ideology as they fossilize in their rockers listening to Rush Limbaugh. Look for Hillary Clinton to stomp any sacrificial offering put on the Republican altar. The saddest fact? It won't make any difference to working class American who gets elected, or environmentalists, or gun-control advocates, or doves, or anybody with an intelligent brain. Sorry Hillary, don't hit your head too hard on the glass ceiling.
  • #212
    Anna rRxia
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    Amen, Trailbird
    The dysfunctional Congress is, er, disturbing (since we are toning down our speech per the mod.) What is even more frightening is that there is very little difference between old-line mainstream Republicans and and old-line mainstream Democrats. That used to be the core of our political sysytem and the core of our problem. No meaningful choices. Well, that pat little theory got blown out of the water! The Republicans have now gone far to the right and dragged the traditional leadership behind them to ruin. The Democrats are timidly standing behind the president without much enthusiasm. What should be Obama's crowning achievement has turned into a high-tech quagmire that will eventually be fixed. The Congress, probably not. And that is more frightening than the whole health care crisis. The strangest thing? One of the longest bull markets ever under a Democrat. See my following post.
  • #213
    trailbird
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    for your info
    in my earlier post I did not say,or intend to imply, that I hope Obamacare fails, or should be repealed, or that everyone does not deserve health-care, not in the least. It was only meant to show the frustration that most Americans feel about the total dysfunction going on in Washigton has been going on for years.
  • #214
    Randall Lard
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    Tolokonnikova 'Missing In Siberia'
    'The husband and supporters of a jailed Pussy Riot band member are trying to find her in Russia's Siberian prison camp system on her 24th birthday. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is being transferred to a different prison but her husband Pyotr Verzilov says he has heard nothing from her for 19 days.' Please read the article here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24848893 Pyotr Verzilov is using the Twitter account gruppa_voina - https://twitter.com/gruppa_voina You can get in touch directly here - 6046040@gmail.com
  • #215
    marye
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    please
    take the personal stuff offline. Reasonable people differ as to how to frame an issue or define a problem, and what they see as the appropriate way to address the matter. If you go around blasting or sneering at everyone who sees things differently from you, it's bad for the vibe, bad for the dialogue, and bad for getting things done, because it rapidly devolves into who's got the biggest and noisiest mob and that's where the energy goes. This is not the venue. Please. Thank you. (mod off)
  • #216
    unkle sam
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    sorry
    sorry anna, quess you are one of the poor souls who need health care, maybe in a decade or more I might need it and when I do I will pay for it, but the government ain't gonna tell me to do it cause you need health insurance.
  • #217
    Randall Lard
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    thinking machine
    i agree with you anna, regarding healthcare. and others... please think of the sentiment and concern being expressed here, not necessarily the approach and language used.
  • #218
    Anna rRxia
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    I don't think they are harsh words..
    Rather, they are words for people who do not wish to live up to inconvenient realities. Unkle Sam, you speak of people who are never sick and don't need medical insurance. Who are these human beings you are talking about? I have never known one person in my whole life who was never sick, never had an accident and never needed the services of the medical profession. Not one. Further, you lump them in a group who can't have one more dime coming out of their paychecks. I can relate, totally. I'm one of those Americans who is losing. More money going out than coming in every month (because I save for retirement). This category of people is usually the working class. They are mortal and are in need of even more medical insurance due to the nature of their working class jobs. You assert that they pay out of pocket (the name for this is self-insurance) every time they are sick. But they can't afford a dime. But they pay the bill the whole time. Doesn't make sense. The point is there are NO superhuman healthy people who never get sick. None that are never subject to accidents. Even if you hide in your own home you can slip and fall and break something. Most of us go out every day and participate in a very hazardous activity -- driving -- where other selfish people share the road with us texting and talking on their phones causing the most completely insane and avoidable accidents. You can have a history of no illness and have an accident. God bless you if you fall into the superhuman category of people who went through war and never got a scratch or came down with any malaise in the desert of wherever they were. I am not conversant with VA benefits. Do they amount to a major medical plan for those sicknesses and accidents that have nothing to do with war? That would be a very generous benefit of serving four or six years in the armed services. As I recall my father never used his VA benefits as a major medical even though he faced kamikazes in WWII. He had to pay for insurance. And if you really hate it so much that you might be subsidizing some other person less fortunate than yourself is it so insane to ask for a tax equal to 1% of your taxable income? You couldn't find some tax loophole out there to take care of some or all of it? Corporations sure do. There ought to be a provision that you can pay for that tax with a pre-tax dollar medical flex spending account. The main thing I am saying is that we all get sick, sooner or later. It is denial to think that we don't. If we all pay into the pool then there is enough for everybody. If we don't then we face massively crowded emergency rooms crammed with all those people who don't pay because they never get sick or have accidents. This is what amounts to a callous disregard for those who are less fortunate. But don't don't worry. It's a brave new world. With the human genome mapped there will be more and more precise measurements of who will become sick and who have a lesser chance of becoming so and people will pay premiums accordingly. I have a friend who gladly pays the 1% tax in Ma.. He'd rather pay for good organic food than pay for health insurance. The point is he pays his dues and doesn't bellyache about it. I like his approach better than those who would act like right-wing talk show hosts and continually screech about those people they perceive to be leaching off of them. The very worst thing is that with all the problems the very group we are arguing about will not sign up in sufficient numbers and the whole thing will go into a death spiral, unable to sustain itself
  • #219
    marye
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    and, in fact
    please tone down the abusive language and name-calling. People of good will can and do differ profoundly, and if we cannot respect that here, it's time to give up.
  • #220
    Anna rRxia
    Joined:
    Well, what can you say?
    He nails his balls to the ground, sews his lips together and wraps himself in barbed wire... For various causes. This latest stunt to protest police day. The same things that are happening in Russia are happening in America. Except we don't have any performance artists with big enough balls!
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Submitted by marye on
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News and Talk
What's happening out in the world? Did it matter, does it now?
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Sun, 02/01/2015 - 15:24

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For the majority of us, the recent let-up in prices at the pump have certainly helped ease the monthly budget. It cost me $20 to fill up yesterday. I remember talking to someone last year, and he told me that he hasn't filled his tank in years. Of course, his workhorse is a diesel and diesel hasn't been impacted as much as gasoline with the recent lowering in oil prices. For those of us that like to delve deeper into the economics, it's interesting to observe the way the Saudis are increasing output, and keeping it high, in order to put the squeeze on newer technologies like shale drilling and the Canadian tar sands which require higher prices per bbl to be cost effective. The economics here are intriguing, and so far the consumer is coming out the winner. How long will this last?
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Sat, 04/11/2015 - 12:21

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What the Ottawa Senators/Andrew Hammond have been able to do in the last two months of the NHL season is nothing short of incredible. Five Canadian teams in this year. Let the real season begin.
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Submitted by C c on Sat, 04/18/2015 - 03:57

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Probably talking out of turn. And not in any loop at all so other than what the website shows not sure where the project is. But, if these really are the last shows. Hope they never stop. Shouldn't something be done for the furtherdowntheroad project to save and preserve the bus. If not only for Neal and Kesey but to preserve our history. A future with no bus to get on would stink. NFA
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Submitted by Gr8fulTed on Sun, 08/02/2015 - 12:40

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Rough day up in Toronto. Blue Jays are being a bit too hot-headed as KC comes back!
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Sun, 08/02/2015 - 14:02

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Sure I guess...but rightly so. Personally i blame the incompetent boob calling the plays at the plate. To give a warning in the first and than NOT back it up throughout the game was disgraceful. Then to throw out Sanchez on a 2/0 pitch for grazing the batters knee? Anyways...the good guys won. Hopefully they meet again in October.
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Submitted by Gr8fulTed on Wed, 08/05/2015 - 12:52

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I'm still befuddled that the Yankees are in first : Toronto with Price will be a real contender.
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Submitted by Gr8fulTed on Fri, 08/14/2015 - 07:17

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How was the event at the Giants game last night? I saw a video clip of Annabelle throwing a pitch and also singing with Bill Walton. Was the 8/13/75 40th celebration after the game at GAMH? List of musicians sure looked impressive. Sounds like a busy and hectic evening!
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Sat, 09/05/2015 - 08:26

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Gonna be a fun race to the finish between the Yanks and Jays. Both teams seem to be firing on all cylinders. Lets go Jays!!
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Fri, 09/18/2015 - 05:17

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Going to my first CRB show tonight in Buffalo. Its been a very long time since I've travelled a long distance to hear great music. Can't wait for this.
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Submitted by hockey_john on Sat, 09/19/2015 - 06:04

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I am a born and raised New England guy love my teams Red Sox don't do it for me this year though nor last for that matter. I am routing for the Mets which is rather unusual for me seeing as we are almost against teams from New York. There is something about the Mets magic this year though. Just my 2 cents worth
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Sun, 09/20/2015 - 10:00

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What a chill night that was. Great band, great crowd, great venue and no hassles at the border. Neal Casal took a photo of the crowd after the encore and posted it on their facebook page. Im the bald dude in front. I'll never forget it.
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Fri, 10/02/2015 - 17:05

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Can we have a sports section for this paper?
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Submitted by marye on Sat, 10/03/2015 - 08:39

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one moment...
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Sun, 02/14/2016 - 04:34

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Justice Scalia (RIP) anyone? It's a great time to be a political junkie. There is plenty of intrigue and subterfuge on the horizon to be sure...
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Submitted by mkav on Tue, 02/16/2016 - 16:33

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I can't imagine what Jason Callahan's family have been through in the last 20 years. I'm sure they "knew" but now they know precisely. That has to be a smidgen of comfort.
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9 years 5 months

Submitted by liketohike on Thu, 02/18/2016 - 09:14

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I'll bite... you wanna discuss politics let me know. The Universe said times up for Antonin...karma is comin' round for those in the political sphere...and the rest of us for sure. Sure to be a fight to the end on both sides... But please, for the love of all that's holy...NO President Trump!
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Thu, 02/18/2016 - 09:43

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I don't see why we cannot discuss, it's free to live. Please, discuss away...I'll be happy to chime in! :-)
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Submitted by liketohike on Thu, 02/18/2016 - 10:00

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Well alrighty then...for now...Im just gonna say, GO BERNIE!!!
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Submitted by marye on Fri, 02/19/2016 - 08:27

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respect, civility, and recognition that a person of good will and intellect can look at the same thing you're looking at and come to a different conclusion--essential. Discuss on!
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8 years 9 months

Submitted by Stickers on Tue, 02/23/2016 - 11:42

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Attention all Dead Heads! We’re working on Vol 2 of an art history book focusing on the culture & history of STICKERS. Please let us know if you have, or know of any fan created Dead stickers! We would like to feature them alongside official stickers from the band throughout the years. If have anything at all, please contact us at whoMadeThatSticker@gmail.com Thank you!  Lauren 
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 03:59

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Or, is that an effin' toy truck in your hand!?! Quick, on your belly and do a crab walk! I said last week! wtf?
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Submitted by liketohike on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 07:10

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the best/worst part of the story is that when the victim asked the officer why he shot him, the officer replied "I dont know"...Houston we have a problem.
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Submitted by Parkas4Kids on Thu, 09/08/2016 - 09:45

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Any Deadheads in either North or South Dakota have any news about what's going on with the oil pipeline constructions going on in your neck of the woods? The only "news" coverage I've seen has been spread via Social Media, and it's being done by no one I know of that lives out that way. I live in Maryland and haven't heard a thing about it.
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Submitted by DeadAnt on Fri, 11/11/2016 - 07:34

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A contemplative Veterans day message: Speak with those who have survived to take down walls. Remember those who were lost during WW1, or in any battle, with admiration and thanks. Respect the freedoms that sacrifice brought us. And now some opinions about the election. I know I know, this is very touchy shit, but I feel the message is important. So, why not, on a website so deadicated to the crimson-white-indigo, express my opinions. I dont go many other places on the internet is my other excuse. Maybe ill post something similar on NPR... The media seem to be trolling for hate, like the fact Trump wins means we go back to a segregated America, back to hate. That we forget about science, and environmental facts. All of my neighbors feel the opposite of this perceived hate. The eldest, most conservative of them, notice the change in the environment. In-fact, no matter who voted for who, we mostly see eye-to-eye. And some neighbors I have not talked with in so long, which is the point, communication, which is why we are where we are, or where we could be going. Maybe this hate is mostly media influence? I can not say, but just in-case: I am a patriotic person, and I believe this incoming government change needs a chance to prove themselves, but hardly any plans they say they want to do are on my lists, except of course supporting our troops, especially if that means bringing them home, and making a strong economy. Although nothing we really need, including money, is shipped here from mars, food grows on trees, love grows in the heart. I do like the idea of infrastructure fixes, who does not like nice roads for trips, but not at the expense of quality of life for all, not at the expense of the Earth herself. Im pro-life, but even i cant find a fair way to force people...ok, ok, going to far, sorry. Very polarizing world. Debates everyone should have a voice in, people way smarter than myself. But then the weight falls on us all to seek the best path. I believe we cannot sit by and complain about what Trump does in office AFTER he does it. We have to be ready to stop actions we all know will not benefit a future and freedom. We cant live in a world that reacts more like a tv show, like we are in a zombie apocalypse, more then a world that reacts of kindness and logic. Even the idea of race-color-creed, is just fabricated to keep us distracted. There is only one race, the human race. Social-cultural-religious differences are a challenge to break through and communicate or commune with, no doubt, but not an excuse to look the other way or grow hate. Until you drag yourself out from the depths of oppression, and poverty, you never know how hard that is. Compassion. Empathy. We can never afford to be naive, but we can always start with the good. We can start with trust. I find it easy to define hate acts of any kind, neo-nazi=isis, and beyond extremes of that ilk, i think we should be able to find a way to coexist, and write those ways down for all to attempt. "Fighting for peace is like fucking for virginity."- Some Hippie “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” – Thomas Jefferson Remember who the government work for, the people, and a million more of us voted against new walls. This is a minority-minded government with what seems like all the power. An unfortunate reminder that we cannot sit by and watch choices be made for us. We must be ready to peacefully enforce our true ideals as a country. True equality. To protect each and everyone of us who believes in peaceful existence. I believe we needed the election to go this way to shake us out of our comfort zone, from behind screens, from behind doors. Im not truly freaking out, I dont put all my hopes-wishes-fears on the shoulders of one person/president. My neighbors, my local government, thats where to really start. But the grand stage will need many players to pull off this show, to make sure the ending is good enough for us and our children's children. That means putting all of our best-feet forward and being proactive. Petitions, peaceful protests, fighting internal and external fear. We have enough to worry about with corporations, oligarchies around the world, Monsanto, natural resources. Now the things we have all been opposed to have all the friends, in all the highest positions? If ever we needed the spirit of the 60s, we need that spirit now. Get out and show your face somewhere, maybe somewhere that takes you out of your own comfort zone, but shows you are with peace. This new "Not My President," movement isnt exactly my cup-of-tea. I support whoever is our president, hard as it is, even Trump-the-pizza-commercial-reality tv star, but with watchful eyes, my voice at the ready, my boots tied tight. I am going to a gathering to show my face. I may have to watch someone burn a flag, not a fan, but i can express my distaste for the act and still be there in support of freedom, be there to show my face, to say, hey, we are all in this together. I can be there for Black Lives Matter, because if those lives matter all lives do. I can be there for the LGBT, even if i can not completely understand those lives. I can stand for women's rights. I can stand with any group who demand equal rights if their views include themselves and all others. I can walk to say no to pipelines for oil when we have the brains to invent new, better, ways. Walk against money ruling all. Walk for universal healthcare. And many many other reasons that promote individuality without destroying any one unique group. I dont have many answers, just know how I feel inside, I know how wonderful life can be, I am privileged to be an American, and don't see why everyone who wants too, cant have that feeling. I now, gladly, hop down from the soap-box. Cheers, heres to love winning. "If a reckoning comes maybe we'll know what to do then." -Words by John Barlow, sung by Brent Mydland
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Submitted by _ on Fri, 11/11/2016 - 08:22

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Amen brother.... give peace a chance....
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Submitted by DeadAnt on Fri, 11/18/2016 - 05:07

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So, my wife, a friend, and I, took to the streets in Philadelphia. Third night of protests. Some of the chants we skipped. Some we joined in on. The youth running things were fairly competent. They did a good job of getting rid of trouble makers. A lot of people spoke, some of them harder to listen to then others, but some really excellent young speakers mixed in. Completely peaceful interaction between the many many police officers and the crowd of about 300-400 people. A few police officers dressed all in black with red-arm bands did there best to intimidate, they didnt. Bicycles are a much better choice to follow the march then horses and hoses. Bicycles say, hey, we are here for the protestors and non-protestors. Traffic was briefly stopped, news crews blinded us with camera lights. People looked from the sidewalks, people stared motionless from windows. All in all this was a positive experience. I felt better just getting out there, showing the masses that we are watching, that we expect the best from the incoming administration, that we will be back if need be to petition those expectations. My protest offended a few friends and family members, I dont see it that way, but i try to be understanding. History tells me that we have to be ready, and getting out there is indeed the very thing democracy demands. America has been different for me after 9/11. People seem quieter, reserved. At shows, out on the streets. I think finding our voice is a good thing. That voice is almost a caricature of the sixties at-this-point. The shy sibling of the sixties trying to grow-up, and we will. We will get our protest-legs under us, peacefully, eventually, defiantly. Removing the media influence, being with a true mix of people on the train, through the protests, and back is a much better litmus for how America really is, who America really is, and that alone was helpful. We will get by, we will survive. Chin-up America.
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Submitted by dwlemen on Fri, 11/18/2016 - 08:03

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Hey, I am glad to hear that you are out there, and joined by at least a few hundred supporters. Numbers in Indiana were rather low, but that's not unexpected. You mentioned not having the voice of the 60's. I have been giving the 60's a lot of thought since this. Maybe I am being overly dramatic, but to me, this feels like the establishment's final push to undo the progresses that the 60's brought us. If I was to categorize the things the 60's brought forth, I would say: civil rights, women's rights, anti-war, and environmentalism. Since the 60's movement faded out, the right has been pushing towards reversing all of those things. With the new administration, further armed with congress and the Supreme Court, I fear a 4 years assault on all of that. I feel let down by the Democratic Party who chose to not listen to so many (on both sides) crying for a change in the normal political structure. I think HRC would have done a good job as President, but this was not the election for career politicians. We (progressives, lefties, hippies) need to rebuild the movement. Things are very much stacked against us. As much now as back in the day. We should have the numbers, but we need to organize, fight them as best we can these 2-4 years, and be prepared to do true political battle. Well, OK, I was going to just write a "good for you!" message but apparently I had more to get off my chest. Sorry for the soap box. Peace, -Dave
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Submitted by dwlemen on Sat, 11/26/2016 - 15:00

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Hello fellow hippies! I have a question... Where online are the best sites/blogs/reddits/etc. to read or subscribe to? I obviously am on here each day, but where else? I am looking for communities of like minded folks to hopefully join in with. Peace, -Dave