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Robert Alberts's avatar

“Even our failures to hold Nixon to account for Watergate,…”. THAT was the biggest, most blatant turning point in our modern history. Because of Gerald Ford’s decision to pardon Nixon all future generations of high-positioned criminals were given carte blanc to do whatever they wanted. The veering of the political landscape towards the right was encouraged and hastened by this contemptible act.

Your statements on how both sides are complicit only proves to me what Alan Watts said decades ago; that we get the government we deserve.

Great article, keep it going!

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Gail Clough's avatar

We lost our moral compass with Nixon, Kissinger and Viet Nam. We could have gotten it back with Kamala and Tim, but Elon and Starlink threw the election. I am waiting for Elon to acknowledge it.

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Mattie's avatar

Nailed it. It’s really started to unravel with the civil rights act. The stupid and evil things people tolerate or embrace because of racism is astounding.

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Lana Bostic's avatar

Thanks as always. I always feel better after reading your comments! I’m in Washington and we had lots of peaceful protests here. We’re in a bit of a blue bubble and I love that. Will keep showing up as I have wise(aka old) white privilege which comes with responsibility!!🩵

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Gail Clough's avatar

Reagan started it, Trump is finishing it and the GOP will be DOA in November 2026, if not sooner. Your posts are brilliant and uplifting, thank you for helping us keep the faith, dear Frederic.

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Geoff Anderson's avatar

Reagan was just a waypoint on the path. It really started with Goldwater in 64, with Nixon and Atwater tossing fuel on the fire.

Reagan just picked up the torch, handing it to Gingrich, and now Trump.

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Sue Campbell's avatar

I hope you are right Frederick, but I'm not a history scholar like yourself. You radiate positive vibes about what's ahead, and that is very encouraging​.

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Ellen's avatar

Absolutely.

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GL's avatar

Frederic, I repeat what I said before, namely, you should teach. This content. Now. A Ted talk even. You have the gifts of intelligent and important context combined with superb commutation skills. At the very least, use your writing skills to expand to major newspapers.

Thank you for your effort and insight.

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Foye's avatar

Eat the rich!

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Connie Golds's avatar

Thank you for this. I really enjoy your writings and learn from them as well.

I am cautiously optimistic (this helped!). But I am really curious what you think should happen vs. what will likely happen?

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Everett H Young's avatar

It felt good to read this. I want this to be right, and I don’t see why it shouldn’t be.

I think you mean inflection, not infection?

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Mary Catherine Redmon's avatar

Well said!

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SPW's avatar

We have. We’ve always opted for the easy way out; the most expedient “for the country’s sake”. I remember how disgusted I was when Pres. Ford pardoned Nixon, for the country’s sake; just move along now. There’s nothing to see here anymore. It’s almost as though this select group of men(so far)is covering each other’s backside. They are privy to information that no one else has so the unwritten rule is no ratting out because I can always know where your skeletons are hidden.

I don’t know. It just seems like it to this little peon in the US soup.

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MorganX's avatar

BOOM.

Hard, hard agree.

However, I was a little during Watergate and remember watching the broadcasts as required family viewing thanks to my woke AF parents. And the resulting GOP reaction, after: "We'll NEVER be Watergated, again"

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Richard Jasper's avatar

Uh, Gore very much DID call for a recount in Florida in 2000. It was the subject of the Brooks Brothers riot orchestrated by right-wing provocateur Roger Stone; it resulted in a law suit that went all the way to the Florida Supreme Court; and it was only stopped by a completely partisan 5-4 ruling by SCOTUS on such flimsy reasoning that the majority itself "never use this as precedent." The fact that Gore lost Gore v. Bush didn't mean that Gore didn't contest the vote. It means the Republican majority showed that they were perfectly willing to put party above country and THAT was the direct ancestor of last year's appalling "sure, do whatever you like" decision in Trump v. United States.

Otherwise, great post. I hope that we're at the end of 40 years of Reaganism but I guess I will believe it when I see it.

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bluePNWcats's avatar

They must all be held to account and made into an objective lesson so that anyone who every considers anything like this treasonous crap ever again is overcome with fear at the thought of being found out. We fucked up big time when we brought over breeding pairs of Nazis after the war ended.

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