An argument for bipartisanship

[Hamlette]

I started working for democrats when I was 6 so don't even.

I feel a sense of comfort with Cheney and Kinzinger on the 1/6 panel. They know what Republicans think/do/say so they are navigating some landmines for us. We all know we can't reach the likes of Cruz/MTG etc but the fewer reasonable republicans and independents we piss off the better. (I will defend to my death the ideas behind "Defund the Police" but I wish we hadn't said it out loud because they just stop listening when they get a sound bite to beat the shit out of us with.)

I know there are not many reasonable republicans left (the 16 who voted to impeach?) but by walking that fine line between producing the evidence and screaming "you racist traitors" might prove productive. They know the triggers and can help us around them.

I suppose that's how it worked in the olden days. Democrats and Republicans coming together to compromise such that each side took their best arguments back to their constituents. Which is better then saying "they are coming for your guns/killing babies/etc."

[TigressDem]

1. Just got a book, Verbal Judo, to help me talk to my son who is drinking the koolaid

I know there are many MAGATS that are completely gone and don't want to come back to reality.

BUT politics makes strange bedfellows is truer now than when that phrase originated.

I doubt we'll be singing Kumbaya together anytime soon, but WHEN Republicans DO the RIGHT thing (and by RIGHT I mean CORRECT/ETHICAL/LEGAL) their actions make them our allies in this struggle against people trying to destroy Democracy AND The Republic as we know it.


After watching the Jan 6 hearing I tweeted to Liz Cheney, thanking her for her courage.

I think Pence did what he needed to do to stay true to his Constitutional Oath and it kept those electors being swapped and four more years of tRump.

Raffensberger not only refused to "find" votes for tRump, he recorded the call so the World would know tRump was doing something unethical and illegal.

And 10 in the Senate worked on a bi-partisan gun regulation bill that just might be the start of something good.


SO if these people are braving the worst their party throws at them, up to and including a threat of assignation by public hanging in Pence's case. IF they can swim upstream through their party's BS, then I can believe bipartisanship can happen again.

Doesn't mean I will trust EVERY THING they might say.

[Hamlette]

4. we used to play this game . . .

what is the saying/cliche you remember most. Mine is from my husband who always says "act, don't react". It has served me well. Wish I obeyed it more. (After 50 years I'm getting better). I'm gonna check out that book. Good luck with your son.

[TigressDem]

8. "act, don't react" - that is a gem. Thanks

Along those lines I learned a long time ago how to get away from the whole passive/aggressive circle of pain.
(Thanks for reminding me. Sometimes I forget who I really can be when I am blinded by fear.)

Healthy people don't do passive or aggressive.

They are assertive and resilient.

What IS assertive?

I assert my rights while respecting yours.

I stand my ground. I don't hide behind passive screens or attack with aggression.

What is resilient?

Like the palm tree I can survive the hurricanes that come my way even if I have to bend nearly to the ground.
But then I get right back up because I am grounded with solid roots.

I make sure to get my own needs met so I am able to give from myself without depleting myself.

[Doc Sportello]

2. There are more than 16 reasonable repubs

Unfortunately they are all cowards, so they won't vote for impeachment or take on dump the way Kinzinger and Cheney have. That's disgusting but maybe when the orange shitheel dies a few more will go back to being regular asshole repubs who the Dems can work with occasionally and we can go back to having the semblance of a democracy. At least I hope.

[Walleye]

3. Liz Cheney is the present day Howard Baker in this situation. From Watergate

Only I think the question now should be “what did the president do and when did he do it?”

[Hamlette]

5. She knows the answer and it isn't good for him

but I appreciate that she can maybe lead more people in this country to believe it, two hours at a time.

[Walleye]

6. I have really been impressed with her presentation.

I just keep thinking she must be one hell of a lawyer

[TigressDem]

9. Riiight? nt

[JanMichael]

7. The only believable bi-whatever was in "It Can't Happen Here".

When the crazy conservatives actually took over everything and non-fascist repukes joined the Socialists to fight the Fascists. Really only to avoid being murdered. Like Pence hasn't yet even though they want to murder him.

Fantasy in anything past 2016 outside of the January 6th panel which is fairly protected. Liz is the spawn of Dick Satan. She hates that the great unwashed right wingers are close to power. And trashed her daddies empire chambers. It makes her feel icky. She is an elitist and the though of something like trump or that horns guy makes her ill

[TigressDem]

10. Whatever it takes. She's kicking ass for the Constitution, whatever her motives.

Up against tRump and his machine we need a berserker, and here she is.

She may not really be on "our side" but her actions will help preserve Democracy, so at this point she is an ally.

When she and we successfully repel the invaders of our Democracy, it might strengthen more of the rethugs to rethink and rally for justice. Mostly for the optics, but whatever.