"...these aren't our kids."

My mind keeps going back to a quote from Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade, which I know was posted on DU back when he made the statement. Kilmeade remarked, "And these are not -- like it or not, these aren't our kids. Show them compassion, but it's not like he is doing this to the people of Idaho or Texas. These are people from another country..."

Let's say a mother and child trying to escape an abusive situation fled one state for another. And let's say their new state separated the mother and child. And let's say their new state put both the mother and child into cages (without, mind you, any plans to reunite the mother and child). And let's say people in their new state said, "These aren't our people. It's not like the governor is doing this to one of our kids or one of our mothers. These are people from another state."

This is so disturbing, and in light of Trump anointing Fox as unofficial State TV, I think Democrats need to highlight Republican inhumanity. They really need to make it abundantly clear that we're engaged in a battle of good vs. evil, and not a dispute over political differences.

Perhaps it's time to start an ad campaign featuring quotes such as the one above, followed by narration and images that demonstrate why Democrats will Make America Humane Again.

Anyway, I can't seem to get that Kilmeade quote out of my head, and I guess it's because I know he's speaking for tens of millions of our fellow citizens, who feel emboldened. Let's make it clear that they are not the majority. Let's make it clear that, while we honor freedom of speech, those who promote racism will be shamed. They can change their ways or just deal with being on the wrong side of history, but the rest of us refuse to pretend that racism (including xenophobia) constitutes a valid opinion. There will be no compromising with racists or sexists.

Democratic Party leadership and mainstream media, give up the pretense and call a spade a spade.

I know some will immediately dismiss this as Democratic Party bashing. It isn't, but whatever.

When Schumer and Pelosi (and others, including members of the media) say Trump must make it clear to Putin that the US will not tolerate Russia meddling in US elections, this gives a false impression, especially to the ignorant masses. It suggests that Trump is on the side of the US (vs. Russia) and that Trump might actually do what they're calling on him to do. That is, of course, lunacy.

Trump is, say it with me now, a traitor. A traitor. A traitor. He is a liar. A liar. A liar. He is a criminal. A criminal. A criminal.

From Sabraw's order to the Flores Settlement to the emoluments clause to federal records law regarding communication with world leaders, Trump is - beyond a shadow of a doubt - breaking laws. And the Republican Party is enabling him. They are the law-breaking and disorder party.

Trump lies every time he speaks.

We are not dealing with mere political differences. We're dealing with a criminal, traitorous, cheating, lying Republican Party and Russian president.

If roles were reversed, does anyone think Republicans would hesitate to call a spade a spade? Does anyone think they would cling to pretenses and 'civility'?

Traitor. Liar. Criminal. Use those words. Be provocative. It's the only way to take control of the narrative, which is crucial to winning *big* in November.

"Marine turtles dying after becoming entangled in plastic rubbish"

For the umpteenth time, most independents are highly partisan.

They are not swing voters. Swing voters do exist, but they are relatively few in number and dispersed across 50 states. You don't run a campaign by focusing resources on turning them out for your side. One thing Republicans understand is the importance of focusing on turning out the base. Along with doing that for our side, Democrats do need to register young people (my hat's off to the Parkland kids doing just that throughout the summer) and combat voter suppression efforts. We are the majority. Turn out the base, turn out the base, turn out the base.

Anyway, I find myself constantly having to reply to posts that demonstrate a misunderstanding of who independents are. And I'm tired of doing so. Therefore, for the last time, I'm starting a thread on this topic. Here is one of the numerous articles I've posted previously:
https://www.thenation.com/article/what-everyone-gets-wrong-about-independent-voters/

The concept of not worrying about that which you can't control.

I think there was a thread recently reminding people not to worry about things they can't control. I regret that I didn't get around to reading it, and now I can't find it. I'm just wondering how people feel about the standard advice that one not worry about things one can't control.

How do you determine (or define) what's within your control? Isn't there very little that is truly within an individual's control? How much control do I have, for instance, over Trump's zero tolerance policy?

Aren't many of the threads started on DU all about things virtually none of us can control? Or do we have control simply by virtue of being able to vote? If that's the case, then I suppose you could argue that almost everything is within an individual's control, but that seems to be stretching what constitutes control. And, even if being able to vote does in fact mean almost everything is within our control, that would mean we should worry about virtually everything. That can't be healthy, right?

Perhaps it would also be good to define 'worry'.

Anyway, these are genuine questions with which I struggle (I've read articles on how to not worry about things one can't control, but I haven't found them to be particularly helpful). I'm hoping some DU posters will offer up some insight.

We don't need Oprah to run for POTUS. We don't need Avenatti to run for POTUS.

There are dozens of Democrats who are more qualified and more likely to beat Trump. Including a 53-year-old, charismatic US Senator who was California's Attorney General for 6 years.

There is one thing other than voting that could put an end to this madness.

And that's a general strike. If enough people (say 50-75 million) went on strike to protest this fascist regime, we wouldn't have to wait for a new Congress.

The problem, of course, is organizing such a thing. Getting enough people to put their livelihoods on the line, and at the same time. Most individuals can't risk a strike, unless they know for certain that tens of millions of others (including immediate co-workers) are doing the same. Even in this social media age, it's hard to envision organizing a massive general strike.

But absent such a strike, I'm afraid voting in November is all we've really got. Because even indefinite detention of families with young children, along with separation of young children from their parents, is acceptable to Republicans in Congress.

Democratic Party slogan

An article was posted with which I (and clearly many others) take some exception. However, the article made a valid point about the Democratic Party slogan. I think it needs to be provocative and pack a punch.

I suggest the following: "Saving America from Traitors and Bigots"

It's not about f***ing "political differences."

It's one thing to agree on facts but differ about how to respond to said facts, or about the causes. It's one thing to differ over the role of government. It's one thing to differ over tax rates. And so on.

But constantly lying, misleading and obfuscating is another thing.

Denying facts and inventing "alternative facts" is another thing.

Fomenting and exploiting racism, sexism, misogyny and xenophobia is another thing.

Separating families, and caging asylum-seekers (including children) is another thing.

Bragging openly about sexual assault and defending serial assaulters is another thing.

Suggesting that your supporters find a "2nd amendment solution" for your political opponent is another thing.

Refusing to show your tax returns, stiffing contractors and operating a phony "University" is another thing.

Violating the emoluments clause (that alone would have had Obama impeached) is another thing.

Race-based voter suppression and gerrymandering is another thing.

Obstructing justice is another thing.

Blatant hypocrisy about SCOTUS nominees - and everything else under the sun - is another thing.

Colluding with a foreign adversary is another thing.

Befriending vicious dictators and alienating vital allies is another thing.

There's nothing "uncivil" about protesting any and all of that. There's nothing uncivil about protesting those who are committing crimes against an entire nation, or aiding and abetting said criminals. On the contrary, it would be indecent to not do so.

So, anyone who is concerned about supposed acts of incivility toward SHS or Stephen Miller or Nielsen or McConnell or any of the Trumps, just fuck off. Those inhumane criminals are actively destroying lives and any semblance of democracy that remained. I don't give a shit if they can't eat dinner in peace or if they get shouted at. They should be in prison.

Political differences?!? Are you fucking kidding me?!?

Is there any chance the 2016 election results and everything done since then could be nullified?

I find myself feeling hopeless and clinging to what I'm sure is an unrealistic fantasy.

The daily horrors brought on by the Trump Administration and Republicans as a whole are overwhelming.