I have started this post several times and decided not to complete it. I'm sure some will

[Atticus]

think I should not have changed my mind, but I have. You may call it wrong, but do not doubt that it is sincere.

Some things are "complicated"; some are MADE complicated.

Lies are not complicated. They reveal fundamental dishonesty on the part of those who utter them about significant issues. I do not speak of the weight of the bass you landed, your golf score or even whether you've "had work" on your crow's feet. I am speaking about issues like whether the light was red or green, whether you've cheated on your spouse or partner or whether you truly love them. These lies hurt people.

And, at last, here's my point: some liars do so reflexively, without shame and---here's what stopped this from being posted earlier---will not stop until their lies start costing them teeth---or legally equivalent prompt penalties.

We are way past "enough"!

[iemanja]

1. I think some, like Trump, can't be stopped

regardless of the consequences.

[lpbk2713]

2. He's 76 years old.

He will be stopped sooner or later. Forever.

[Harker]

3. Tonight would be good. n/t

[Walleye]

4. Yes, and, as Cheney said, his supporters' dishonor will remain

[Joinfortmill]

21. 👍

[PatSeg]

19. Yes, I've known compulsive liars

like Trump and no amount of consequences will stop them from lying. After years of dishonesty, they are wired that way and really don't know how to tell the truth.

He won't stop. As he gasps his last breath, his final words will be a lie.

[wnylib]

27. But they can have their ability to influence people curtailed.

Criminal charges and a no nonsense judge would be a step in that direction.

They can be publicly ridiculed so badly that their message falls flat. For example, I would love it if someone played a LOUD laugh track outside of one of his rallies. Loud enough for people inside to hear. Better yet if it's an outdoor rally.

[soldierant]

29. +1000

That is exactly where we are - and lays out the terms we should be thinking in.

[kentuck]

5. I don't think people can put up with this crap much longer.

The lies just wear people down.

When they lie about trying to overthrow our government or stealing national secrets, and there are no consequences, it creates great doubt in those who truly believe in our democracy.

[debm55]

8. I agree and the gaslighting

Still can't see how, with all that Trump has done, how he is still in the public eye. My mind ponders, isn't he embarrassed? Does he not feel guilt and shame for what he did and is still doing to our country. Has he no moral compass. To be honest I have watched some of his rallies--it's almost like a study in unreality. I taught school for 40 years, K-6 and his words and behavior are so much like some of my ex students. I don't watch anymore as they trigger me.

[orleans]

15. "it's almost like a study in unreality." you hit the nail on the head. nt

[Lonestarblue]

16. And the Washington Post this morning ran an article on what another Trump presidency would be.

As if he is a legitimate candidate and not a criminal. The Post has been a big disappointment lately as they build up Republicans and run negative articles about Biden. They called Biden a failure for not getting OPEC+ to increase oil output, as if he could easily overcome the MBS-Putin pact from hell. And what were Trump and Kushner, especially Kushner, whispering in MBS’ ear about the need to keep gas prices high so Republicans win. Not to mention most likely having sold MBS top-secret US intelligence.

[debm55]

20. He has no shame.

I can't even imagine Trump as President again.

[kentuck]

24. He has no shame, no guilt...

and he is very good at distracting people by trying to re-define reality.

The only problem is that there are crimes that have been committed. No amount of distraction or re-defining will change that fact.

I think it is a question of whether or not he is competent to stand trial? He is a narcissist that turned to criminality. He confesses in broad daylight. "They're mine!", he says. But, they are not his. They were stolen.

[BOSSHOG]

12. I'm slightly optimistic about the reaction to liars.

August in Kansas, anti abortion zealot liars got their collective radical ass kicked by literally, the silent majority. Those who don’t go to rally’s or engage in public voted. They aided and abetted those of us who, shall I say are more extroverted. And we got the job done. We did the good deed.

I was sweating that vote for six months. I’m hoping for a whole bunch of voters who ain’t putting up with this crap much longer who keep that fact to themselves to make a big difference next month. They showed up in Crimson Red Kansas in August despite the nonstop lies and manipulations and expenditure of tax exempt Bucks of “Christian’s.”

Or I’m Senile, or I’m naive.

[Joinfortmill]

22. 👍

[kentuck]

26. It's time for the American people to stand together.

I'm hoping Kansas was just the first of many more.

[BOSSHOG]

28. Imagine. And a red state shall lead them.

I would not want the land of Oz to be more conservative then it is, but spend your bucks to piss off the “wrong” constituency and let me live my life in the land of LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

[ThoughtCriminal]

6. Evil is also not complicated

Humanity has been debating this since the beginning of civilization and invoking all kinds of explanations of why it exists - Original Sin, Satan, Free Will, etc.

It's not complicated.

Evil exists because we reward it.

[Stuart G]

10. Trump will be gone, but another liar evil as**ole will come along.

Nixon and then Trump and another and another. Why? "That is how life is" (currently: "Putin.." )

[Meadowoak]

7. I don't have time for liars period. Too many decent people around

To waste time on liars.

[debm55]

9. Well thought out and right to the point.

Thank you, for your post, Atticus. I feel in a sane world he would be shuned. Still can't figure out if it is an act or is he that evil.

[Joinfortmill]

23. It's real. Guy's evil and stupid, cunning though

[Srkdqltr]

11. You know this will not end with Trump.

It didn't start with him and will not end when he is gone.

[Mr. Ected]

13. His lies encourage others to lie too

They embolden those who weave alternative realities into our mainstream discussions to push their mendacity further and further.

A nation's people that draw their facts and truths from separate and opposed sources cannot co-exist peacefully for long. We cannot have a normal and sustained debate with our ideological opposition when each point is countered by "what about...?" rather than a direct response.

Trump took right wing radio blabbering into the White House, meshed it with classless posturing and an infinite cascade of lies. He's ruined us.

[appleannie1]

14. You won't get an argument from me except to say for some people

lies are such an everyday thing about everything that they begin believing their own lies because they don't even realize they are lying anymore. I had a boss like that. Unfortunately he was the Chief of Police. You could not believe anything the man said or rely on him for anything either. I thought he was one of a kind until trump ran for president. Then I realized there were more like that out there.
I think trump has lied and manipulated so much that it is finally catching up with him but because he believes his own lies, he thinks he is the victim.

[BOSSHOG]

25. Mark Twain explained it in a way conservatives can not understand.

“Always tell the truth and you’ll never have to remember anything.”

Trumps strategy, can’t remember shit, gotta hire more lawyers.

I have every faith, the good folk will succeed in the end.

[moondust]

17. Epidemic of dishonesty.

Did they never as children have their mouths washed out with soap for lying? Apparently not.

[The Wizard]

18. I used to work for a trial lawyer

His tag line was everything changes once the lying starts. Witness how Trump's lies changed the well armed loons who are waiting for the order to attack.

[Talitha]

30. Liars are always cowards and bullies, too - the three traits go hand in hand.

Eventually liars can't believe what anyone else says, especially about them being a liar. So they accuse everyone else of lying - and become the victim. It's a vicious circle.

[CaptainTruth]

31. Please continue with posts like this. Do not hesitate.

We appreciate it.

And observations like this are particularly astute:

"Some things are "complicated"; some are MADE complicated."

I would say that sentence says SO much. Too many things are MADE complicated by the right, so they can use them to manipulate their gullible base.