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Mimi Evans's avatar

That is my next protest sign: “Why do you put up with these lies? Why do you just stare at the table?” — Alexei Navalny

It’s getting harder and harder to find people to get out there with me with a raised voice.

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SUE Speaks's avatar

Check me out.

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Tawwaba's avatar

I just made a paid subscription to be able to comment in order to express my appreciation. And to support you as you may face consequences, in this toxic time, for your courage and clarity. I have been taste testing a variety of Substacks, as I come to see that this is a source of independent journalism and commentary in a time when this is so essential. Miles, you offer depth, reason, balance without both siderism. Your guests are truly value added. I hope that this paid subscription will give access to recordings of live interviews that don’t fit my schedule. I have to say I appreciate that you don’t need to use expletives to express outrage. I have enough outrage within my own heart.

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Miles Taylor's avatar

Thank you. Great to have you here.

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Stacey S.'s avatar

I followed what was happening to Alexei Navalny with great sadness, wondering what it must be like for him, his family & his supporters. In the end, my heart broke a little. We cannot say nothing as they stare at the table. Resistance, resilience along with hope are powerful motivators. We are with you Miles, stay strong!

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Elidema's avatar

He was a towering hero. So humble, wise and brave. Looking at the table, silence, shame. Every single word in that statement applies to our lives under Trump regime. We lie to ourselves if we think we are not yet in the same circumstances he described and stood before. Stark truths. Stark warning.

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Star Aasved's avatar

So many in our country starring at the table, thinking it's happening to others, not to me. Republicans swallow the lies as if they are a delectable treat, not caring if it impacts those around them negatively.

With the threat to the imagined AntiFa "organization" even more people are retreating in fright. People have stopped interacting with me unless I post a funny meme or uplifting cat story. They ignore the destruction of our country that is underway.

I try to hang on to hope but there are days when holding back tears is difficult. Why can't they see? Why won't they speak out?

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

“Alexei Navalny knew what it meant to defy a dictator. The Russian dissident and opposition leader was poisoned, imprisoned, and ultimately died in captivity under Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia just last year. But before he was silenced, Navalny spoke often, and with moral clarity, about the true nature of authoritarianism.”

I’ll never understand why Navalny went back to Russia after being poisoned the first time by Putin’s thugs. He is a hero, but he didn’t have to become a martyr; especially in the social media age where people’s attention spans last as long as a gnats!

Honestly, he could have done more good by staying alive in the West, and using his bully pulpit to continue his political activities and hold Putin to account. It’s sad the world lost a man of such great character and integrity, as he truly is missed.

As far as the Comey investigation? Something fishy is up. Trump should understand that any indictment will most likely be thrown out by a judge, or fail miserably during the grand jury. Presidents can’t force prosecutors to arrest people: YET!

However, this is a test case, and another way MAGA is puncturing holes in our legal system and slowly eroding our rights. And thanks to a complicit and corrupt SCOTUS, it’s possible he’ll eventually get away with it.

Bottom line: SCOTUS has been destroying our republic for the last two and half decades. We’ve been experiencing a slow painful death, by a thousand judicial cuts; starting with the Bush v Gore decision, as well as gutting the Civil Rights Act and allowing dark money and unlimited money into politics.

Regardless of the outcome, this is just a new beginning of this never ending nightmare! IMHO…:)

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It's Come To This's avatar

Yes. It's an attack alright, torn from the pages of Let's-Throw-This-Shit-Against-the-Wall-and-See-if-it-Sticks school of fascism. I remain fairly confident no grand jury would do this in Eastern Virginia but you never know. We must never comply.

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SUE Speaks's avatar

Why are we staring at the table instead of organizing -- not for the next election, but now? Why hasn't anyone -- maybe you -- put up a flagpole for signatories to a coalition? That could get millions of people to take the same actions -- boycotts, marches, whatever. We are all still gadlflies, where as such we are getting a much-needed education, but with overshoot such a threat from nature, we are endangering all of our lives by letting this administration continue.

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