Tag: NeverFeartheDream

Posted in Political

Can our Democracy survive divided?

Posted on by simplebender

As we celebrate the country’s birth are we witness to its demise? Democracies haven’t historically been conquered but have fallen by implosion. Our divided country is amid concurrent and sequential civil wars. Can the great divides be breached? Does anyone really want to try? We have blindly marched down polarizing paths of ideology. With every step moving further apart and less tolerant. Every step closer to tribalism. The Democrats are fighting between the Progressives and the Traditionalist. The Republicans are clearly in a civil war between the MAGA/TEA (aka MAGAT) and their centralists (aka RINO). The Southern Baptists are infighting between those supporting MAGATs, and intragroups who have called them out as ‘political whores’. This on top of their schism associated with sex offenders, groomers, their defenders and those horrified and abused.

Extreme ideology is more rigid and focused on retaining power and less about compromise. We listen only to those who believe as we do. A country which once prided itself on the art of compromise, compassion, and dialog has become an angry cesspool of intolerance. And the Supreme Court upending abortion rights has thrown fuel on an incendiary scene.

In this civil war, public meetings are now yelling forums. Elected officials and volunteers have been threatened and harassed. Protestors keep vigils outside of private homes and threaten assignation. We have been seduced by leaders who will propagate lies, spin the details, and publicly seek revenge upon those who counter their propaganda. They have not only lost their moral fiber but have also lost their moral compass. A civil war of words, of ideals, and of principles has been corrupted and weaponized. The truth twisted my knaves’ setting traps for fools, believed by the ill and uniformed.

The hate speech and now the drumbeat of religious violence have reached a crescendo. The first physical skirmishes of the civil war they spawned have taken place. We now have two forms of civil wars, a war of words and one of escalating open conflict. Intolerant racial groups plan and execute violence on other races. Intolerant organizations and legislators plan and wage siege on minority groups. Not because they are bad people but because they are a minority and are simply different. A scourge on the country, or so are told. And so, the means justifies the actions. We have been whipped into a frenzy. We have breached the halls of Congress and violently attacked the very standard of our Democracy. We have rioted in the street and the factions are violently collided at an increasing rate.

The extremists are getting what they have wanted; an excuse to ‘burn it down’. It isn’t about building together anymore. It is about isolating, excluding, and forcing an agenda, regardless of impact. Commonality, civility, compassion have been replaced with tribalism, hate speech, vulgarity, and violence. The implosion of our democracy has started; but it can be stopped. Those who have tried to tear her down have to be held accountable. We must be a country where no one is above the law. The consequences of placing anyone above the law, in the long term, is worse than the threat of potential conflict. We already face the conflict. There is a difference between free speech and hate speech. One results in communal growth along common lines and the latter yields visceral threats and physical conflict. It’s ours to choose. Democracy isn’t just a word. This Democracy is bigger than each of us because it is all of us. But these civil wars can be the beginning of the end. If we let them. #NeverFeartheDream

Posted in Political

SCOTUS: Just Calling Strikes and Balls

Posted on by simplebender

The recent SCOTUS rulings could, or should, maybe teach us one thing. The Justices aren’t concerned with public opinion or consequences of their rulings. They are, self-proclaimed, ‘Originalists’ and are therefore simply calling strikes and balls. Is it in the Constitution or not? If not explicitly in the Constitution, or in Federal legislation, then it’s out.

It is really simple; just like the baseball umpire calls inside or outside the strike zone. The umpire doesn’t pause to consider consequences of the call. Is a full count and the pick is a ball with runner advancing; are the bases loaded? Is the home team ahead or behind with bases loaded? How many outs in the inning? Will a strike call end the inning or the game? Will the fans agree with the call, or get irate?

Nope, doesn’t happen. The umpire calls it without consideration of the unending scenarios which might play out. And so it is with the SCOTUS, or so it seems. It also appears historic precedent is immaterial. And common practice and national acceptance isn’t going to be considered. It’s simple; in the Constitution or not; make the call. Protected by explicit federal law, yes or no; make the call.

Are the ‘rights’ you think you have protected explicitly in the Constitution or Federal statutes; or are they inferred by implication and interpretations? If not explicitly or by statute, they may not be your ‘rights’ for long. So, ponder for a moment; marriage isn’t in the Constitution. Not just same sex, or interracial, just simply marriage. The right to ‘own’ a firearm isn’t explicitly protected. The right to ‘keep and bear Arms’ is; but not ‘own’. Maybe the Founders considered a ‘regulated militia’ as citizens to whom the government issued weapons. Not for their ownership but for them to keep and be prepared to use. If the government has the authority to distribute, they also have the inverse, of collection and control. Oh, and just for fun, those ‘Arms’ aren’t defined. So, is it the ‘Arms’ of the day or ‘Arms’ of today? What else is out there, the right to medical care, nope; the right to own a home, nope; voting rights, well maybe sorta; but the list will likely just keep growing.

The ‘interpretist’ of SCOTUS past have been displaced. Ok, new umpires, new rules. Defining and protecting historic rights is now, as it should be, the obligation of the state and federal legislators. In this world of robust gerrymandering, visceral rancor, and open violence it doesn’t seem likely there will be any compromises coming anytime soon. The irony is all this could have been avoided if federal legislators had codified all this over the last fifty years.

Remember, SCOTUS is not obliged to consider consequences, even if they should. However, the further SCOTUS veers away from public opinion the more they lose credibility, not authority unfortunately, just credibility. Consequences and public policy are the roles of legislators, not judges. It’s just strikes and balls. #NeverFeartheDream

Posted in Political

Decide and vote by asking the hard questions

Posted on by simplebender

The primaries are almost over. The November ballots are almost set. Now the independent and non-affiliated voters get a chance to express their preferences. There’s only one thing worse than a non-voter; an uninformed voter. Take your time, study the issues, ask the candidates the hard questions and don’t accept the cheap throw away rhetoric.

Free speech: Ask what is the difference between protesting discrimination in a park versus storming the Capital and are both really ‘legitimate political discourse’? Ask what part of book banning is acceptable in defense of free speech? And ask how voting restrictions fits within promoting free speech?

Critical race or replacement theory: Ask if schools should teach unvarnished history or nostalgia. One is what really happened, the full story, and the other a fantasy with selective facts in order not disturb our fragile feelings. If they choose real history, they are likely critical thinkers, if not maybe they should be replaced, especially if they are an incumbent.

Pro-life or pro-choice: Ask, if they profess pro-life, what government infant/childcare, adoption programs, and medical subsidy programs for the fetal deformed are they proposing? If there aren’t any, they really aren’t problem solvers. To the contrary. They are simply pandering for right wing votes without consideration of consequences.

Immigration: Ask if they support immigration policies which promote legal entry and paths to citizenship or blind isolationism? Recognizing this is a country of immigrants and some are only a generation or two from their fore parents coming here.

Climate change: Ask if they have considered the socio-economic impacts of both continued development and dependence of fossil fuel as well as renewable energy? Have them articulate the impacts and their mitigation plans.

Federal Transfer Spending: Ask them what their plan is to control federal transfer spending, which is now more than 70% of the federal budget. Ask them between these federal transfer programs: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Student Assistance, Civil Service retirement, Veteran’s compensation, supplemental nutrition assistance program, and Hospital and medical care for veterans would they cut and why?

Rule of Law: Ask them if anyone is above the law and if so, why? Ask if they support justice inequality if it reduces crime? Ask if they support law enforcement ‘qualified immunity’ and then ask how they intend to hold rogue police and departments accountable? And really press when you ask them what their plan is to stop mass shootings and let’s hope it’s more than an elevator speech on mental health. Ask why we can ban alcohol sales to those under 21 but not gun sales? Ask, how many innocent children must lay down their lives to protect twenty-seven words?

However, before you ask any of these questions; maybe, you should ask them of yourself. Don’t be skittish. Ask yourself the hard questions. Challenge everything you’ve thought you always knew. Challenge yourself to articulate the opposing positions. Engage in dialog with people and groups who espouse contrary positions. Study and read. Venture out and absorb media news which opposes your norm.

Please don’t get your guidance from your religious leader or your drinking buddy. Be independent. Please don’t be a single-issue voter. Reach out to the League of Women Voters and study the Voter Information Guide.

There is only one thing worse than a nonvoter and that’s an uninformed voter. A voter who votes based on ignorance. This Republic was based on the electorate to be knowledgeable, inquisitive, and challenging. Ask the hard questions and if you don’t know; don’t vote your ignorance. If your candidate didn’t win, you get a do-over. Be open to the idea the best candidate may be from the ‘other’ party. #NeverFeartheDream

Posted in Favoites

Old Glory and Her Companions

Posted on by simplebender

Recently, I’ve spent some time driving through several urban and rural parts of America and something struck me. I noticed a lot of American flags flying. Some were crisp, clean, and clearly new. Some were tattered and worn. Some were damaged by smoke and flames from forest fires, yet they survived. I saw the red strip as well as the blue strip.  Most waved majestically, stars aloft. A very few flew resolutely upside-down declaring distress. The flag of the Republic fluttering in the breeze silently representing all of us regardless of our political position. You see the flag doesn’t know or care what you believe. It simply waves, the light dancing off the symbolic colors and independent, yet clustered, stars.

What struck me the most was the flags which joined Old Glory. Those are the flags which might just tell the real story of belief and maybe disbelief. I saw the State’s flag symbolically flying subserviently. I saw the flag remembering those Missing In Action (MIA) and the sacrifice they and their families have made and solemnly wished them well. I saw crisp, new, clean Ukrainian flags the bright yellow and blue sending a strong message and wished them peace and strength. I saw the Rainbow flag. I saw the Gadsden flag and pondered if the those flying it knew its history and that of the Continental Marines which it represented. I saw flags of the failed Confederacy and of South Vietnam and wondered.

But the grouping which was most gripping was a tri-pole flying an inverted, half-staffed, American in the center, a ‘Brandon’ flag to the left and a Russian flag to the right. As I passed, I was glad those responsible for the display had the right and freedom to do so. And yet wondered about those flying the MIA and/or the Ukraine flags and the messages each cluster was sending.

Maybe the few inverted flags were the most symbolically honest. Maybe we are a divided country in distress. Division only benefits our detractors and enemies. Maybe we should disarm our polarized positions and recognize, despite ourselves, we are stronger together than apart. Let’s not let them win.

#NeverFearthe Dream

Posted in Political

What would you do?

Posted on by simplebender

What would you do if everything you see around you points to the degradation and dissolution of principles you were taught? You believe the moral fiber of your life is being threatened and challenged. You believe the social system you’ve come to rely upon is being torn apart and there seems to be so little you can do.

What would you do if the media you rely upon repeatedly tells you exactly what you have come to believe? In-fact, the only news you see and hear tells you it’s worse, much worse, than you ever imagined. They espouse there are forces working every day to undermine the social order. They proclaim those forces are deeply embedded in the fabric of the government and constantly working to undermine and change history.

What would you do if the social media you follow is deluged by your online friends, those people you’ve never met all over the country, advocating the same rhetoric? A country wide collection of groupthinks. All forwarding more links to corroborating websites promoting unsubstantiated conspiracy theories and dark projections of your and the country’s future.

What would you do if the leaders whom you trust and adore, as if they were bigger than life, re-enforce everything you’ve seen, read, heard, and now completely believe? They tell you the fate of life and social order as you know it is at a dire tipping point. You are told, repeatedly, the fate of everything you believe in is at risk and it is up to you to rise up. They feed your fear and champion a calling for your action. Claiming it to be a calling only true believers can understand and follow.

What would you do if your religious leaders and teachers told you every time you entered the house of worship the moral fabric of the country is under attack? If you were told by your faith leader every moral fiber and the soul of your country and religion was under attack by the great Satan.

What would you do? Would you become flagrantly intolerant of anyone not believing like you? Would you become reclusive? Would you pick up arms and seek others like yourself? Would you become radicalized and become a jihadist, Antifa, or storm the Capital? Would you plot, with your brothers, an insurrection to defend your country and religion beliefs? What would you do? What will you allow yourself to become? This is us. This is where we are. This is where the world is to a greater or lesser degree. We see it play out across the world. No place is immune.

Or, would you pause for a few moments and ask yourself, challenge yourself, to look critically and dispassionately at everything you’ve seen or have been told? Would you question and seek alternatives? Would you just for a moment, consider maybe just maybe, you might not be completely correct, and other’s might be just as correct, and wrong, as you? Would you consider, just for a fleeting moment, another person’s perspective might have as much legitimacy as yours? Would you, could you, because you certainly should.   #NeverFeartheDream

Please consider “following” and if you have comments please let me know…

Posted in Political

Democracy’s Greatest Threat: Angry White Men

Posted on by simplebender

The greatest threat to American Democracy is angry, right wing, white men. They are no longer just angry but also mad and acting upon their frustration and fear. Anger is a state of mind.  An emotion we choose. It is a weakness; one we accept, give in to and act upon. Mad is an out-of-control reaction.

They are angry because they no longer hold a place of superiority. Angry their inherited privilege is being slowly eroded. Angry that women, LGBQT, racial, and religious minorities are being recognized and treated as equals, rather than subservient members of society. Gnashing their teeth about how things have changed as they look through the narrow distorted rearview mirror of American history. Angry they must share power, jobs, and educational opportunities. Incensed their children are exposed to Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American History months. And angry about the rise of alternate religions and cultures, fearing the loss of prestige in Christianity and lashing out against others, especially those of Islamic and Jewish faith.

Anger now manifested in acts of mad rage. PRRI 2021 American Values Survey: 30% Republicans and 26% white evangelical protestants believe: ‘True American patriots may have to resort to violence if that’s what it takes to save the country.’ We’ve gone from ‘What Would Jesus Do’, to ‘What Keeps Us In Power’.  They are yelling and threating local elected officials from school boards to city/county councils.  They are armed and staging protests inside state legislative buildings. Wondering through the halls brazenly attempting to bully and intimidate law makers. They dominated the January 6th insurrection and invasion of our Nation’s Capital. Their madness has spilled into the streets as they carry torches through Charleston, ramming crowds with cars, and white nationalist marching on the Lincoln Memorial.  School shootings are almost the sole domain of white men with almost 70% of mass shootings by white males (Statistica 2021). 

They have been consumed by the power of the mob and can no longer think as individuals.  What was once their greatest asset has been self-surrendered out of anger. They are a threat to our democracy because they think and act with the emotion of a mob because mobs have no intelligence.

Terrified their dominate position of power is so sufficiently eroded they will never be able to recover without threating, bullying, and restricting the voting rights of others. Their anger is the fuel of those who want to manipulate and stay in power. ‘We’re (GOP) not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business (power) for the long term’ (Sen L. Graham R-SC, 2012). They have been targeted, prodded and are now the willing gullible patsies of conspiracy theories and any charlatans claiming they will protect, defend, and restore their predominance in society. The lack of interest in the truth and honesty is shocking as their leaders unabashedly lie and twist the truth.

Democracy requires all voices to be heard. Not just those brandishing guns and yelling. The Truth is an amalgamation of everyone’s perspectives. Truth is forged by the relentless pounding of facts between the unyielding anvil of history and the merciless, endless swings of the hammer of investigation. There must be a thirst for honesty and integrity in a democracy. In 1787 John Adams wrote; ‘,…if the common people in America lose their integrity, they will soon set up tyrants of their own’.  Tyrants only protect you if it benefits them, and not a second longer. As of now there seems to be no appetite for the truth. These are America’s radicalized jihadists and zealots and are a clear threat to democracy. They are on the wrong side of history, just as the Nazi brownshirts were.  Let me just ask; what would we collectively say if these acts were perpetrated by Black Muslims?  #NeverFeartheDream

Posted in Political

Let Businesses Manage COVID Policy

Posted on by simplebender

The inconvenient truth is we will live with COVID-19 and its many devilish variants for the rest of our lives.  As the nation approaches 80% with at least one dose, the kids can now get the vaccine, and a pill may be soon available.  Maybe it’s time for a less polarizing discussion of COVID-19, the vaccine, and the mandates.

Government has multiple roles which at times of crisis are likely juxtapose and in conflict.  On one hand they are responsible for setting and enforcing policies which protect the population in total.  On the other they are the ardent protector of civil and individual liberties.  Private citizens are also faced with similar conflicts.  In a civil society we try to support and aid those most needy in our community while we also are passionate about our individual rights.  We might be willing to, temporarily, yield our rights to help those in need.

The obligation to protect the general public and those most needy versus the rights of individuals to choose clouds the issues surrounding the pandemic.  We, within reason, reluctantly support the social distancing and masks.  We generally support the vaccine and its distribution.  However, the imposition of government dictated mandates, to many, crosses the line of individual rights.  Is it at all possible for both positions to be reasonably satisfied?  Maybe, but the discussion needs to be open and without rancor.

What would be so wrong with both camps stepping back from the line of confrontation and agree on some common goals.  Such as, individual rights must be respected and acknowledging there must be individual accountability.  The government has the obligation of promoting and defending the greater public welfare by what means necessary, until the crisis is abated.

Therefore, indue consideration, let business set their own standards and policies.  Let the government, at all levels, as a major employer, set its policies as it deems necessary and stay out of the private sector decisions. Each company, government included, might consider a decision tree approach to this issue and let the employees decide their own fate.  Corporate policy should be to require vaccination but allow for an alternative.  Employees who are vaccinated are within compliance of the highest standard.  Employees who decide not to be vaccinated should be required to have a weekly test, at their cost, and their insurance rates should be increased commensurate with their probability of elevated medical costs.  There shouldn’t be any reason why the taxpayers, or fellow employees, should be paying for, or subsidizing, any testing of those who choose this path.  Their rights their responsibility, their accountability.  The third branch of the tree is, if the employee chooses not to be vaccinated or tested then they should be terminated.  Again, their choice, their accountability.  In addition, companies should be allowed to require proof of vaccination or proof of negative test, as well as masks for entry, if they so choose.  If a company wants to exclude those with masks or those vaccinated that’s alright as well, it’s their shop.  Furthermore, those who knowingly expose others should be held accountable.

Each of us are responsible for ourselves and must be respectful of others.  Yet, your rights, and evaluation of risk, should not place others and their families at risks which they deem unacceptable.  We must live with this for the rest of our lives; but we don’t have to make it so darn hard.  #NeverFeartheDream

Posted in Communication

Censorship Kills….Be respectful, listen and learn

Posted on by simplebender

Censorship kills…. freedom, liberty, democracy, ideas, dialog, and souls.  We pride ourselves in our First Amendment Rights, yet often fail to recognize, as we shout down others, they too have those same rights.  Ironically, real cancel culture isn’t asking questions to probe for the truth.  It is the obstruction and restriction of asking those questions.  Censoring by yelling down those who have a different opinion.  Censorship, in the hands of the critical race, is a uniquely powerful form of cancel culture.

The Truth is an amalgamation of everyone’s perspectives of facts.  Truth, the real whole truth, is forged by the relentless pounding of facts between the unyielding anvil of history and the merciless, endless swings of the hammer of investigation.

And History; History isn’t supposed to tell you what you want to hear.  History is supposed to be challenging.  True history is unearthed by wrestling with and confronting difficult topics.  Not shying away from uncovering what is uncomfortable but embracing the opportunity to really know.

Like looking at a diamond, each facet gives a unique view, each is right from the perspective of the viewer but not from any other.  Only by taking time and expending the energy to focus and look at each facet and merging their images can we see the whole Truth the Full History.  But we don’t have the time or patience to do the hard work, to do what’s right.  It’s just easier to yell someone down, ban a book, and censor authors, artists, activists, and ideas.  People aren’t wrong just because they disagree with you.

Most people, and news outlets, don’t intentionally lie.  Most just knowingly highlight their ‘facts’ without mention of, and may be intentionally ignoring, the ‘facts’ of others.  Most don’t purposefully lie; but some do, and you must be informed to know the truth.  (Yes, Biden won; No, the election wasn’t rigged; Yes, the climate is changing; No, COVID isn’t a hoax; and Yes, Black Lives DO Matter.)

Rarely is it a matter of you being right or them being wrong.  It’s about finding and exploiting the areas in which we agree and being respectful where we disagree.  We live in what should be a civil society.  As such, diversity breeds disagreement as much as it does agreement.  None of us own the whole truth just our little part of it.

America has been a world model for many things.  A shining beacon of freedom and representative government to some.  A sought-after sanctuary for the oppressed.  Juxtapose this with our Jim Crow, citizenship and miscegenation laws being used as the basis for Nazi Germany’s antisemitic and racist Nuremberg Laws. (Hitler’s American Model, J.Q. Whitman).  History is messy and we are viewed from all angles.  Great nations and people don’t take, overthrow, or seduce for control.  They subdue and control their voice and lead by example.

You see, it isn’t treasonous to challenge the accepted view of history or the truth.  In fact, it’s essential.  Healthy societies like, healthy ecosystems, are diverse and contrasting not uniform and inbreed.  We should be embracing the hard messy chore of unearthing our full history and the truth.  We are destined to repeat ‘history’ because we refuse to fully understand the whole history.  We only have ‘our’ history without regard to ‘their’ history, which won’t play out well in the long run.  #NeverFeartheDream

Posted in Philosophy

Fifteenth and First, Celebrate Both

Posted on by simplebender

Fifteen years ago, on Father’s Day, June 19th, a soft-spoken, conservative, stoic, son of Georgia, member of the Band of Brothers 101St Airborne, and my Dad past away, losing his battle with cancer.  And today we also celebrate the first anniversary of Juneteenth, as a recognized National Holiday.

I think my Dad would be very happy with how these are now forever tied together.  You see, he and his twin sister were orphaned very early and were raised by various aunts and uncles in and around Atlanta.  His life was not easy, but it was so very full.  He lost half his fingers and fractured his back parachuting into combat in WWII but never missed a chance play baseball with me and my brother.  He was always there for us, no matter what, no matter when, no matter where.

He was careful with his words and by being so he quietly taught many valuable lessons.  You knew, when he said something, it was worth listening to.  He said, ‘treat everyone with respect until they prove otherwise.’ and ‘never let your handicaps define you’ These were not just words with him.  He lived them and taught them by example.

So today, we celebrate the life he led, the lessons he taught, and the power of respect as we recognize, and welcome the celebration of, Juneteenth.  Too long in coming but with us now forever and rightfully so.   #NeverFeartheDream, #Juneteenth, #respect

Posted in Philosophy

What have we become; what are we afraid of?

Posted on by simplebender

We have witnessed and experienced a lot in the last year, as individuals and as a country.  However, the capitulation and implosion of the Republican party maybe the most shocking.  The Grand Ole Party which once championed global influence based on principles and global trade has become a Group of Patsies wallowing in self-delusion, fearful of shining the light of truth, and idolatry.  The party, in my lifetime, faced down the tyranny of Soviet Russia now embraces its own form of tyranny, race-based caste system, and isolation.  It is now a party which advocates hiding behind walls rather than tearing walls down.

The party, which once proudly advocated for fact-based decision making, is now advocating hiding from the investigation of the January 6th insurrection.  Burying their collective head in the sand trying to make believe it did not happen.  That a mob; flying the flags of a corrupt defeated dictatorship, the flag of racism and slavery, and those of idol worship; did not attack the Capital, did not assault Capital Police and the foundations of our Constitution.  Nope, didn’t happen.  It is fake news and was a group of peaceful, law abiding citizens exercising their freedom of speech and having a ‘tour of the Capital’.  Denial does not mean it did not happen.  Denial does mean it will happen again.  How many members of Congress will stand up for the Constitution and this country and try to determine what happened on the days before and after January 6th.  And how many will prove they are panderers and patsies only vying for votes from those who are too afraid to seek truth.

What are we afraid of?  As we consciously and unconsciously practice our unique form of race-based caste system.  What are we afraid of?  Are we afraid of losing some of our race-based privileges?  Are we afraid of equal rights, equal treatment, and equal access?  Are we afraid, that on any given level playing field, we can no longer compete?  That maybe, just maybe there are those who are better who have never had a chance to show just how good they are?  If we consider ourselves a team; TEAM USA is failing.  It is failing to play the best the players or even to let them try-out for the team.  We must look forward and recognize everyone has more talents and more to offer.  Exclusion based on race, gender, creed, orientation, nationality, education, or anything else succeeds in maintaining a false based caste system and inhibits all of us from moving forward toward greater goals.  It succeeds in allowing those who strive to see us fail drive wedges of misinformation into the fabric of our nation.

The principles of fiscal discipline, personal responsibility and accountability, global leadership and trade, and social compassion have been cast aside.  Cast aside for denial, scapegoating, isolation, and radical racial divide.  The Republican Party I was a part of for more than half a century has been displaced by a cult, worshiping a demigod in the hopes of maintaining a failing direction and whose leaders care more about being re-elected than taking a stand for the principles of the country.  The Party was bigger than one person and now is as small, and as shallow, as one.  The party, whose leaders, once stood in defiance of tyrants and dictators now embrace them rather than standing for freedom, truth, and democracy.  The idea of ‘truth will set you free’ can only come to reality if we actually seek the truth. 

#NeverFeartheDream #GOP #Jan6 #BigLie