I see Joe wanting unity. I see millions voted for unity.

[LakeArenal]

But it seems more than half of DU is in the “punish and shun club” and in no way ready to accept anyone that isn’t Democratic.

I think that goes against everything we have tried to do over the last year.

It actually saddens me.

Not asking anyone to “Love your neighbor” but a little acceptance for the sake of the future might be nice.

[fantase56]

1. They need to make amends, period!

[edhopper]

2. The Capitol was under siege

and they still voted to stop the certification. That was the time they could have worked for Unity, they didn't.
Fuck Unity!

[Demsrule86]

22. I doubt any but fervent Democrats give two shits about the vote. They want an end to the

pandemic and the economy rescued. And that musts be our first priority. There will be consequences for Trump but it can't be our mission...the country must be saved. And consider the money the GOP has lost and the press those asshats have received.

[edhopper]

23. We can walk

and chew gum.

But I was talking more about the bullshit of reaching across and compromise for Unity.
Fuck that shit. It is all on them to make the effort for Unity. When they had a chance, they spit on us.

[LakeArenal]

27. I agree that unity is a two way street.

[edhopper]

35. And they need to be the first to make a move.

All I see is them doubling down.

[LakeArenal]

36. No Joe Biden is the first one to make a move.

And I support him.

[edhopper]

39. Fuck that shit.

Didn't he learn anything when Obama tried to make nice with the Repugs?

[LakeArenal]

45. Apparently not. As he announced his platform was healing the nation and unity.

I suggest you tell Joe to fuck his own shit.

You sound just like a trumper.

[edhopper]

61. No,

I am a Democrat that remembers that reaching across and letting bygones be bygones got us nothing, zip, zero.

And now you want us to forgive insurrection and let traitors go unpunished. Fuck that shit.

Let me ask you, what sign have you gotten that the Repukes are willing to work with us on anything? I guarantee the Biden COVID relief plan will get 0 GOP votes.

[LakeArenal]

66. Of course you read what you want.

You refuse to hear anything but your own words.

Forgiveness is total unnecessary. And no one but you mentioned it. But you keep twisting the words to your advantage.

You don’t sound like a Biden Democrat.

[edhopper]

81. Please

spare me the acrimony, You are not the arbitrator of what a Democrat is, Biden or otherwise.

[LakeArenal]

86. First you swear at me then you accuse me of the acrimony.

Seems a tactic used by others lately.

You read what you want in a post. You are as unreachable as anyone. You prove my thread with every comment. You are the hothead here.

No I’m no arbitrator of who is a Democrat. But I know the guy I voted for on a ticket of unity and diversity is a real Democrat.

That’s who I’m supporting. It’s that simple.

You don’t have to. But it might be better to disparage him than me. Because that’s the lead I’m following.

[edhopper]

106. I apologize

I wasn't swearing at you. "Fuck that shit" is my response to the Repubican call for unity after what they did.
It was not aimed at you, just a general exclamation.

[Demsrule86]

31. We really can't in this instance. if we make punishing the GOP and Trump our major endeavor, there

will be no cooperation even from those GOP who might cooperate under other circumstances. We have a 50 50 majority in the Senate and a very small majority in the House. We lost a million jobs last week and we have a more contagious version of Covid and no vaccine. We simply don't have time for revenge. We must move forward and save this country. Joe Biden ran on unity and won a midterm...shocking really. Very few have won midterms from incumbent presidents. The country is expecting us to act in their best interests...and make them the priority not making Trump pay a price for his terrible actions...which he deserves to of course.

[edhopper]

33. We did nothing to the people who

help crash the economy and lead us into an illegal war the last time.
How did that work for that.

If you are saying not to punish Trump and the Congresspeople who helped the rioters on Jan 6th, FUCK THAT SHIT!

[LakeArenal]

50. The hot heads here seem to think accountability is unity.

No one is suggesting no accountability.

But that’s the message. That should we want unity we are rolling over. That’s kinda scary.

[edhopper]

63. No

accountability is justice.

You want a false, one sided act of unity instead of justice.

[Phoenix61]

3. It's not about punish and shun it's about accountability.

Last I checked Biden is calling for unity with those who want it. Not those who are entrenched in their belief the election was stolen. Acceptance of bad behavior just leads to more bad behavior in the future. This isn’t the time to play around. White nationalists pose a serious threat to the safety of all our nation and every single one of us. There are elected officials who openly support them.

[catbyte]

4. Emotions are high--especially when almost half of republicans thought that

storming the Capitol and trying to undo the most secure election in US history was a good idea. And over 3/4 of republicans still support that vile thing currently infesting the White House.

Give folks some time to process this. For us to forgive and move on, they have to admit that Dear Leader was attempting to install himself as Dictator, disenfranchising over 81,000,000 people, and destroying the Constitution. It won't do anybody any good for them to try to just sweep under the rug the biggest betrayal of our country since the Civil War.

[Demsrule86]

21. It won't be swept under the rug. But Trump will find a way to pardon himself...and even if

doesn't what jury wouldn't have one Trumper on it to acquit? We should go after his money and his brand which is already in the toilet. Also, there are state charges. But we have a choice policy or vengeance. I say policy. People should consider how much pain we have already caused Trump by making him lose the election and now putting down his insurrection which has already cost him and the GOP big money. Now with an economy in the toilet and 400,000 people dead and a new even more contagious Covid here, we simply can't put time and energy into Trump. Americans deserve better from us. And if they don't get it, we will be punished next election.

[Wounded Bear]

5. Unity is meaningless if it means seditionists and law-breakers receive no accountability...

Ford went the "unity" route by pardoning Nixon.

Bush Sr pardoned Reagan people for Iran/Contra.

Bush Jr/Cheney saw no accountability for unneccessarily embroiling us in Middle Eastern wars for a generation.

You see a pattern here? We are still feeling the sting of those crimes, the people involved are still around, trying to undermine our democratic republic.

Accountability first, then unity.

[Demsrule86]

18. No I don't see a pattern. You will never stop bad guys by punishing other bad guys that is

the basis for the death penalty...it is supposed to be a deterrent. But it doesn't work...people still commit awful crimes. The new bad guy thinks he is smart enough to get away with it. You know what matters saving our economy and the lives of Americans. Americans voted for unity. If we pursue vengeance, they will toss us out. And who could blame them? People are desperate. If we go that route means we will end up with another presidential term where we play defence having lost the House and don't out policy enacted. In this case Trump and the GOP would have won.

We should let the AG pursue any federal charges, let the states do what they do and have an outside investigation of the insurrection. Let's get the Senate trial over as fast as possible. I wouldn't even begin it until a Pandemic rescue package is done and we have more vaccine in people's arms. This isn't or shouldn't be about how much we hate Trump but about serving our country...saving our Republic.

[Wounded Bear]

26. I think you missed my point...

President Biden will stay above the fray. He will allow the AG and DOJ to do their jobs, and he won't pardon anybody involved with this fiasco. I'm good with all that. I nowhere said "deterrence" though there is some involved when people like Stone, who has been in the RW dirty tricks club since Nixon get away with shit. When they do get off without accountability, they repeat, and will recruit others.

The Senate can walk and chew gum at the same time. Biden's Rescue Package will probably clear the House in a couple of weeks, the Senate may be more problematic, but I bet they can squeeze it through on reconciliation somehow. Meanwhile, the administration will be exploring opportunities to get shit done through Executive action.

Nothing to do with hating Trump. The impeachment trial might drag out a little, but this Senate will get things done. In many ways, it's a bit of a side show now. The important thing is to root out as many of the seditionists as we can, as fast as we can.

[Demsrule86]

44. No, Joe Biden is the head of the Democratic Party and the 'fray' will affect policy...it just

will. And for what? Trump isn't worth it. Getting the rescue package through is not going to be as easy as you think. We have a bare majority. Also the pandemic must be dealt with quickly. And there is way more policy than that...we have two years. I don't want to waste it on Trump and have another presidential term watching the GOP shutdown the government and playing defense with few policy achievements. Firstly, Social Security and Medicare won't survive that nor will our economy. The idea that we can go after Trump and pass legislation some of which will need GOP votes is simply untrue. We have a great opportunity here. I would hate to see us squander it.

[LakeArenal]

54. Also we need to look down the road.

Pissing half the populace off for the next fours years is perpetrating what exists now.

[LakeArenal]

28. No one suggests there shouldn't be accountability.

[Wicked Blue]

6. There is no reconciliation without admission of guilt,

acknowledgment of the harm caused, and atonement

[Demsrule86]

15. Oh please. We have a million people losing jobs a week. This is our chance to get policy we

have long wanted. And Social Security and Medicare must be addressed. It is nearly bankrupt. I don't care if they apologize. And they never will apologize. How about wishing for a unicorn. We have 400,000 dead and an economy on life support. Now some here are on fixed income but good luck if you lose your social security and you will in a couple of years if it isn't addressed...we must put out the fires...get the trial over with for God sakes and help people. I bet much money that the GOP will not convict and will try to drag it out so we don't get stuff done.

[LakeArenal]

29. Thanks for your comments.

[Demsrule86]

37. You are right. Biden ran on unity. And he doesn't want to spend his term pursuing Trump...we

have way more important policy that needs to be addressed. Funny how some here were going after Joe for the $2000. Why he promised don't you know. But it is perfectly fine with them to ignore his unity promise which was one of the most important part of his campaign and likely why people voted for him in many instances.

[LakeArenal]

38. ❣️🇺🇸🤜🏻🤛🏻🇺🇸❣️

[Demsrule86]

46. Thanks

[LakeArenal]

7. All these comments prove my point.

Thanks.

[Klaralven]

19. Hopefully there will be some cooling off before the riots start in the summer.

[mvd]

8. It sounds good, but when..

one side is radicalized and doesn’t want unity, there’s not much we can do. There’s certainly no unity possible with people like Trump and the Capitol rioters.

[Demsrule86]

10. And making voters angry so they elect Republicans in 22 is helpful how?

Does that punish Republican? I think not. We need to get Joes Agenda passed.

[Demsrule86]

9. I agree...and if we don't get stuff done instead another opportunity will be lost...we had the

same thing after Bush left...and Obama was stabbed in the back in 10 and 14...we need to get as much stuff done as possible before 22 as we are likely to lose the house and possibly the Senate.

[secondwind]

11. What would this UNITY look like??

Pls explain.

Sometimes, a situation is either black or white. I truly believe there is no GRAY in this argument. Have you listened to Steve Schmidt’s interview with Nicole Wallace? If not, please do, it’s an eye-opener.

[LakeArenal]

30. Democrats are not black grey or white. We are colorful.

[Iwasthere]

49. Would like to watch that video. Link?

[LakeArenal]

60. Ohhhh an ex Republican that brought us Pallin is a okay.

One that said horrible things about Hillary Clinton. Yeah he’s great. Now that we gave him a chance.

[Caliman73]

109. Wait, so you are attacking a former Republican who helped defeat Trump?

AND arguing for Unity? Which is it? Dismissing people who said, "horrible things about Hillary Clinton" or Unity?

You didn't answer the question either. What does UNITY look like?

[notinkansas]

12. Criminal activity requires accountability.

Anything less is dangerous. No one is above the law.

After accountability is the time for talk of unity.

[Demsrule86]

52. You mistake unity for reconciliation which won't happen...we need unity of purpose...to serve

the American people. The GOP are not sorry in the least and Trump either...so what would be point of any 'apology' they make? We need to work with some of them not like them.

[LakeArenal]

62. I dread any claim for an (half/hearted at best) apology.

It’s a stupid road block that puts shit in limbo. They don’t apologize. They wouldn’t mean it.

If apology means they suddenly roll over every opinion they have then it truly is a unicorn.

Meaningless tactics are not needed.

[dlk]

13. Where do repentance and atonement fit in?

I understand the desire for unity and the peace that comes with it. I think there are a few steps that come first.

[SheltieLover]

14. Unity begins with thorough, vigorous prosecutions & max sentences for ALL involved

10 of >200 repuke House members voted for impeachment.

[Towlie]

16. A little acceptance of what? I see no aspect of Trump supporters remotely worthy of acceptance.

 
?

Should we all become less skeptical and more naive, and hope they'll meet us in the middle?

Should we all become less moral and more evil, and hope they'll meet us in the middle?

Should we all become less altruistic and more selfish, and hope they'll meet us in the middle?

Should we all become less respectful of science and give more credence to unfounded claims, and hope they'll meet us in the middle?

Should we all become less liberal and more conservative, and hope they'll meet us in the middle?

[LakeArenal]

32. Acceptance that they are human beings.

Acceptance that not everyone is a Democrat.

Acceptance as is that was the past.
It’s important to move forward.

Acceptance of the fact that not everyone that’s a repub supported that insurrection.

Acceptance of Joe Biden’s agenda.

Accept some people will never change.

Accept what Jesus would do even tho I don’t believe in divinity.

Accept the future is what we make it.

[durablend]

56. They want you dead

Do you not get this?

[LakeArenal]

58. I don't give a care what they want.

I’m not dead. I’m not even threatened.
That’s simply hyperbole.

[Humanist_Activist]

73. That's your mistake, you don't take the threat seriously.

That's the problem.

[LakeArenal]

74. Ohhhhh now I'm the problem. Great deflection.

[Humanist_Activist]

84. You fail to acknowledge how dangerous right wing terrorism is.

Seriously, what do you think think would have happened to our representatives if this job would have gotten their hands on them?

[LakeArenal]

89. You fail to acknowledge that wveryone that is a Republican is not a sedition traitor.

The insurrection was just as dangerous for Republican leaders as it was Democrats.

Reports since show republicans lost even more followers after it.

I just refuse to lump them altogether. That’s a problem for you. Just as you are lumping them in a pile is off putting to me.

[Humanist_Activist]

108. I see only one person lumping them together, you, so who are you arguing against?

Notice that the people we are asking for accountability from are those elected officials pushing the conspiracies theories about voting fraud as a bad faith argument to undermine the security of our electoral system and those who provided material support for this coup attempt.

[LakeArenal]

112. You are someone lumping all Republicans together

Not me. I’m the one supporting Joe Biden’s agenda and I have since before he announced. I knew he would win because of his desire to heal this country.

You are one that lumps Republicans as one hateful group.

That group includes my father, my father in law who raised seven kids to be ideal humans even tho he’s so hateful to you.
Also includes a SIL whose hateful husband just died of cancer.

They and other considered hateful Republicans did not support an insurrection. Never would and think it’s awful.

You can hate them and disparage me but yes I will stand up for them just like I willJoe and his agenda.

You have your life. Hate is learned. I hope you can find a better route. But actually I only care for Joe and the future. Will still love humans and work toward a better way.

Not a reactionary.

[Towlie]

103. "Acceptance that they are human beings"? Yes, I accept that...

... but it's not saying much.

Movie quote: "You're an animal!" "No, worse! Human!"

There used to be an ad on TV about drunk drivers. It expressed sympathy for victims of alcoholism and how they need help, and then concluded with "But get them off the road!"

We can have sympathy for right-wingers, many of whom could be regarded as innocent victims of evil charismatic leaders, but get them out of power!

[still_one]

17. Until they admit that this election was legitimate, and there was no fraud, how can there be unity?

[Demsrule86]

24. They won't admit that ever. As for unity...all we really need is to peel off a few GOP types

now again to get our legislation passed...people don't care if we like them or they like us...they simply want us to act in their interest.

[LakeArenal]

34. Best comment of my thread.

[Demsrule86]

47. Thank you!

[still_one]

69. There will never be a dialog, yet alone unity for anyone in Congress who won't admit that. I agree

with you, the handful of republicans who acknowledge reality will be the ones we engage with

[Caliman73]

110. So then unity is "peeling off a few Republicans"?

That sounds like politics.

Unity is defined as: the state of being united or joined as a whole.

How does "peeling off a few Republicans" equal being united or joined as a whole.

We all know that Democrats ALWAYS govern for EVERYBODY regardless of how they voted. Democrats believe in using the power of government to benefit all citizens and people in the United States. That is just how we approach government. Biden will do everything in his power to end the pandemic, give economic relief to all of the people suffering, and fix the economy. Not because "then Democrats will win" but because that is what ANY Democratic President would do.

SO, what does Unity look like to you?

Getting Democratic legislation passed? That is unity? Getting Democratic legislation passed will piss off a lot of Republicans. That to them is the march toward Socialism. A large portion of the population, does not even see Biden's election as legitimate, and this is not the same as how we saw Trump's election as tainted by Russian interference and other dirty tricks. We did not try to overturn the results of the election by force. They literally believe that the election was stolen and that Trump should get his second term.

So, please, explain exactly what you mean by unity.

[EndlessWire]

20. Lock all the Seditionists up

and we'll send them all to therapy. But, it's unreasonable to expect that, so soon after a frickin coup attempt, we would be interested in shaking hands and forgetting it.

I expect my professional politicians to know how to handle the problems that the other side brings to the table. I will not be shamed into being happy with those aholes that wanted me to submit to a wannabe dictator who was hellbent to destroy the history of my country and turn it into Trumplandia. They can all go to hell. LET THEM do something to demonstrate good will, because they sure haven't done anything to show me anything positive.

Almost all Republicans will now turn into Libertarians. That's a dodge, too.

[Hotler]

25. The repug party is now the fascist party. I don't play nice with fascist (Nazi).

I played nice with repugs for decades until the orange one was installed. I think I have a reason to be a bit pissed at the right.

[DFW]

40. It sounds great, but it takes two to tango

They want to „lock us up“ for crimes we haven‘t committed, yet they want pardons for the crimes they are proud to have committed.

They want us to accept „surprise Republican upset victories“ in elections they win by cheating, and yet when we win legitimately, „the vote was rigged,“ except, of course, those portions of the same ballot where Republicans won down-ticket. That portion of the ballot that was for president was fake, but five inches down, where the Republican candidate for the House won, THAT part was perfectly legit?

I understand that they want to kick us in our collective shin. I have a harder time accepting that we are supposed to help them repair the damage to their shoes afterward. Unity comes when they ask us to sit down at a table for a talk, and don‘t kick us to begin the discussion.

[LakeArenal]

70. Yeah hard to accept getting kicked in the shins.

But you do. You pull your pants up and move forward.

Besides no one has kicked me in the shins.

They disagree with me.

[DFW]

80. Son't get me wring. I'm fine with Biden as president

But I‘m not ready to make nice with people who break in the windows and doors of the Capitol in an attempt to negate Biden‘s victory, just because they didn‘t succeed this time. Nor am I ready to make peace with the ones who sent them there and paid their expenses.

I have lived in a country where people like that led an insurrection and won. It took them forty years to climb out of that abyss. I don‘t have that much time left.

[LakeArenal]

82. Not asking any to make nice.

Though you have connections, tell Joe you aren’t going to “make nice” that you want to continue the drama and demand things you know you won’t get.

[FelineOverlord]

41. I see Joe wanting unity. I see millions voted for unity.

Those who still support Trump can burn in hell. I have no intention of “unifying” with them.

Anyone who still supports Trump is a monster.

Just how are cooperative will Republicans be with Biden? They will do everything they can to sabotage him.

There’s no more “moving on” or unity with Republicans.

We must make SURE they NEVER get Congress or the Presidency back.

NEVER.

[LakeArenal]

68. You don't know what will happen.

[FelineOverlord]

91. You don't know what will happen.

We’re already working on next year’s elections. Lots of vulnerable Republican seats for the taking.

Lots of hard work ahead. At least we won’t have a Presidential election next year to distract us.

We MUST use Republican support of terrorism against them. The GOP is imploding. Let’s help them in their destruction of the GOP.

We can do it.

Link to tweet

[electric_blue68]

105. I do remember that like day before Obama's ...

Inauguration the head Republicans met at a restaurant to discuss blocking every single thing Obama was going to propose.

[Sympthsical]

42. We have to clamp down hard on insurrection

I'm with your sentiment. Our side has its little blood-thirst going on. And I hate that impulse. It's so basic.

However.

Attempted insurrection? Ehhhhh. This one has to be come down hard on, in no uncertain terms. So my empathy is on hold in this one instance. We have to be harsh.

Insurrection was a harsh thing.

[LakeArenal]

94. But no one here has suggested illegality should have no consequences.

Too many view struggle for unity as a sissy rollover to fascism.

Biden is no sissy.

[Sympthsical]

102. Look at the FBI

They are taking this deadly seriously. I'm completely satisfied with how they're handling it. These people are not effing around. They're going after everyone they can manage.

Good.

[albacore]

43. The Compromise of 1877 started us down the road of racism, Jim Crow, sectionalism,

and a continuation of the Civil War. The South never conceded...like trump will never concede... they just became a political and military insurgency.
Time to put an end to that.
Statehood for PR and DC. End gerrymandering. End voter suppression.
Do those things and the Republicans will never have a chance for sedition again.

We can all join hands and sing Kumbaya when the unreconstructed rebels are crushed.

[LizBeth]

48. The difference between addressing a real life and death issue or sweeping it under the rug.

I personally feel it is sad when someone does not have the insight to see the harm in ignoring a very real wrong to move forward in kumbaya. It is not going to happen. I would rather do the hard work now so we can actually have that peace and kumbaya.

[Bayard]

51. My brother is a trumper

As well as, a very good girlfriend. I love both of them dearly, and vice versa. They have many redeeming qualities, but they are sadly and monumentally misinformed. We have tacitly degreed not to discuss politics.

As for the rest of rethuglicans:

[JHB]

53. Where's THEIR work toward unity? What are THEY doing?

I recall about 16 years where two separate Democratic administrations wanted to work together and find solutions everyone could live with. In return, Republicans were tireless in their search for any excuse to discredit, obstruct, and impeach them.

Bookending them were two Republican administrations. Rather that reaching for consensus, both of them gave us the middle finger and went on joyrides to enact their pet policies and agenda points. They openly gloated about how they could get everything they wanted and we couldn't do jack about it.

There's no such thing as unilateral unity.

Unity is not possible when one side doesn't have the slightest interest in it.

[Bettie]

67. I think we're supposed to suck it up and

tell them all is forgiven, even as they declare that Biden isn't a legitimately elected president.

Not happening here. I avoid all the Trumpers in my stupid little town. It's easy right now because I barely go out and about among the maskless idiots.

[JHB]

76. I don't have a problem with Joe calling for unity. From him it's the proper thing...

...as the president to make a show of rising above it all. Just as long as he has a "plan B" in place for when (it's not even really an "if" ) Republicans greet the outstretched hand with chainsaws.

It's not up to us to convince the foamers that we're not communists trying to turn the country into one big gulag.

It's up to the Republicans to stop accusing us of stuff like that, and for then to shut down their own people who won't stop.

You can't sing a duet of "Kumbaya" when one person has their head up their ass. It leaves the other doing all the work.

[Bettie]

85. Exactly!

At some point, the people who think that the other side is willing to make nice will have to recognize that, for the most part, they aren't.

For many of them, "unity" means everyone doing what they want when they want it and they will accept nothing less.

[LakeArenal]

90. No one has suggested Democrats suck any illegality up.

You just throw that in there.

[JHB]

100. I remind you that your OP characterized "more than half of DU" as ...

... “the punish and shun club”.

There were no caveats or list of acceptable points where accountability for wrongdoing made a bit of punishing and shunning the proper course of action.

Once people started pointing out in detail why they had good reasons to not blindly embrace Republicans for an ill-defined "unity", you started to "throw in" those caveats.

And here in post #90 you're accusing someone else of doing that, implying they are putting words in your mouth when, effectively, you've done that to other people, including "more than half of DU," all through this thread.

Please consider working on expressing your thoughts better, especially when you're chiding other people for not acting in a way that you perceive they should.

[BlueLucy]

55. They caused too much pain for people of color.

[Bettie]

57. If there are no consequences for what has happened

it will happen again, with more competent criminals.

Trump is the result of letting it all go with Reagan, with HW Bush, with W Bush...there were no real consequences for anything.

We can't let this go and if we do? If we let it go then it will be much worse and it will be OUR fault.

[LakeArenal]

93. Again no one said no consequences for insurrectionists.

[Bettie]

101. Do you realize that most of the people who still support that orange thing

are beyond help?

They. Hate. Everyone. Who. Doesn't. Support. Their. Worldview.

Literally, they hate people who aren't Q-anon fans, who don't believe that that the election was stolen from that orange pustule.

How does one give unity to those people? Why would we want to?

[Dem4Life1102]

59. I'm willing to accept anyone who

acknowledges that Biden won the election and denounces the terrorist attack on the capitol. But won’t accept anyone still spouting RW bs about how the election was stolen and the attack was justified.

[Spider Jerusalem]

64. Calling for unity with people who want you dead is fucking insane (n/t)

[LakeArenal]

72. That's hyperbole but the swearing is going to help. It always does.

(That was sarcastic hyperbole)

[Spider Jerusalem]

79. It 100% is not hyperbole

have you not been paying attention? An insurrectionist mob stormed the US Capitol, and they were probably aided and abetted by Republican members of Congress. There can be no unity with these people.

[Voltaire2]

87. how the fuck is that hyperbole?

[Iwasthere]

65. Squash them like a bug Joe

We need to come down hard. No tiptoeing around. We won't lose in 2022 if we stand up to evil. It's going to take 8 years to move the needle back to the middle, but we'll do it. McConnell did his hateful, vile and evil work for decades, virtually untethered. We need a counter balance. NO MORE MISTER NICE GUY!

[LakeArenal]

75. That's not going to happen.

Better start asking to the DOJ because that is to whom Joe is referring legal action

[peggysue2]

77. I think we all want unity but . . .

That will never happen without a reckoning, a thorough investigation of what happened and who was involved. It means weeding out those representatives, senators, other government officials as well as private citizens who were complicit and holding participants accountable.

This isn't simply a revenge thing. It's excising a deadly infection in the body politic. To do anything less is asking for continued ideological spread, then another push to overwhelm the system.

We cannot, must not allow that to happen.

There's no reason why the Biden Administration cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. Maybe we've become too accustomed to total incompetence over the last 4 years. Biden has assembled the best of the best to head his Administration. That's not to minimize the extent of the rubble Trump and his goons have left behind or the gargantuan task Biden is facing: Covid, economy, social injustice, environment, immigration, etc.
But pretending that the hateful, disgraceful, dangerous display we saw on January 6th can be swept under the rug without repercussions is ignoring the warnings of history.

People need to be held accountable because we can't expect anything approaching justice without it. Yes, we need to heal and want unity. But regardless of political leanings, IMHO we all need a large dose of truth before that happens, as in how did we get here, how do we make sure this never happens again?

Because on a next round? We won't have a choice.

[Turin_C3PO]

78. I want these terrorists to be crushed like bugs

and I make absolutely no apologies for that. The ones who want unity can dump their cult and join us in the real world. The rest can go jump off a cliff as far as I'm concerned.

[avebury]

83. Failure to hold everyone involved in the insurrection at the capitol accountable,

including elected officials, will guarantee the ultimate destruction of this country. We are in the situation we face today because no one had been held accountable for their illegal acts for decades. These people will remain emboldened to participate in actions against this country. They remain emboldened because Democrats have routinely operated under the ideology that we need to work together and unify the country which results in a new round of bad/illegal acts by the other side. It has been a vicious cycle. The "love your neighbor" philosophy has gotten us to where we are. I don't think that you realize that the insurrection at the capitol is the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back and people are no longer willing to sit back and accept the status quo. These people need to be rounded up, prosecuted and sent to prison for a very long time. Actions should have consequences and we want to see that consequence dealt out. People do not have patience for this shit any longer. There is a real possibility that, if nothing is done about it, there is a potential for backlash from the left

The insurrection at the Capitol should be a wake up call to those who have not been paying attention that the shit needs to stop now and we need to be going after the participants in a unrelenting manner. Even Manchin, who is hardly the most reliable Democrat in Congress, is calling for the members of the House and Senate who were involved in the insurrection be held accountable for their actions.

[LakeArenal]

97. Geez did you read any of this?

Again for the umpteenth time.

NO ONE IS SUGGESTING THAT THE ILLEGALITY OF REPUBLICANS SHOULD NOT BE HELD TO CONSEQUENCES.

[Voltaire2]

117. When you have to restate your position

“Umpteen times”, perhaps just maybe the original post sucked.

[Voltaire2]

88. how many coup attempts do they get before we give them a time out?

[LakeArenal]

96. That's flippant and not what anyone has suggested.

[Voltaire2]

99. a) no it isn't, b) yes it is.

[LanternWaste]

114. All prior suggestions have so far been diaphanous

No concrete ideas or examples of how bottom-up unity that only one side works towards have been offered, only t-shirt slogans and bumper stickers.

I see on this thread no practical sequence of objective measures or standards to achieve unity with a demographic known best for telling us "fuck your feelings, libtard!"

I'm not going to help a man out of a hole as long as he's doing his best to drag me down into that same hole only to bury me. If he repents his actions, if not his ideas, I may reconsider.

[Iggo]

92. Acceptance? Of what exactly?

[LakeArenal]

95. Don't jump into the end of a lengthy convo and ask folks to repeat what was said in the text.

[Iggo]

104. You could have just put a link instead of being a complete jerk.

Have yourself a nice fucking day.

[demmiblue]

107. Oh my!

[Initech]

98. How do you make amdends with the Q Anon people?

How can you possibly reach across the aisle to people who think that you eat babies and engage in satanic witchcraft? It's going to take some serious cult deprogramming to accomplish that.

[Montauk6]

113. I voted to stop the continuing rightward plunge of this country. As for unity...

I'd much prefer a concerted effort to build coalitions and trust with the left and THEN try to work with ONLY those on the right that don't want you out of existence. Remember that our incoming Attorney General wouldn't in that position were it not for those very people on the other side of the aisle.

Just sayin'.

[friendly_iconoclast]

115. What you want is a nice idea. What we'd actually *get* is Reconstruction 2.0

Remember how the original one turned out?

I'll give "a little acceptance" to the ones who make amends.

The rest need to suffer the well-earned consequences of their own actions

[In It to Win It]

116. I'm all for unity but that requires cooperation from the other side

... and I dont think we're gonna get that