First off: the party is not the people. It became clear a long time ago in American politics that whatever the Red or Blue corners spit out is different than what they're made of. I don't believe for a second that your average Republican supports the far-right any more than the Dems do. Several candidates did compete with Diaper Don for the Republican ticket this year, and if they had won, most of us would have breathed a sigh of relief. Don't strawman your fellow man, RL - you have a bad habit of vilifying people based on the actions of others.

Second: The king is beholden to the barons, not the peasants. Once someone from either side is in office, there is very little the average american can do to counter his influence, save speak to our local land lords, and hope they act favorably on our behalf (money helps). You can't really be accused of turning a blind eye to the actions of a man you no longer influence (and assuming we ever did is a stretch). Remember, the majority of the people, in both elections, voted AGAINST him - the College was how he scored his victory, and that's a private interests group, as far as I'm concerned. Besides, the sad truth is that most citizens, red or blue, will "turn a blind eye" to government, as long as the trains run on time. How many Dems fought mass surveillance in the Obama years? How many Republicans pushed back against the War in Iraq? Truth is, we're all guilty there.

Third: You have called for blood. Holy Hell, you have called for blood. You want hyperbole? Every other post you make, you're calling for the "evil Trump Supporters" to suffer in new and creative ways. I already called you out for that here (https://www.habitablezone.com/2020/06/22/seek-out-people-that-disagree-with-you/), in my response. And that was just one thread. You have a problem.

Fourth: Show me those photos. "if you had been on at the time" is a common phrase I'm hearing from you, and it seems you're using it as a base support for whatever you post.

Fifth: There are repentant Republicans. Repentance is difficult, when people like you are calling for blood. Noone wants to be marched to the stocks, and have their name dragged through the mud as their price for freedom. This isn't Salem - leave them their name! Doing otherwise - doing what you do know - that's the sign of smug, self-centered idiocy. Best case scenario, you're the pot to their kettle.

Sixth: Most politicians have "zero" political experience. Their way in office is due to their business connections, not their political level. Trump and the reds are no exception. While the cursus honorum can and should be followed, it's main route nowadays seems to be leveling up connections as fast as possible. The barons will support the most favorable, not the righteous.

Seventh: Don't give me that "If I knew, I wouldn't have" bullshit. Before his first election, Clinton had the Whitewater Controversy. Before his second, he had Chinagate, DOMA, and the NAFTA signatures. You knew. You knew, and you did the very thing you're accusing Republicans of - "turning a blind eye". Obama supported the PATRIOT act, and bills increasing his power, before both terms. You knew.

Eighth: Be VERY careful with those words.

I'll forgive you, the same time I forgave the repentant Republicans: the moment they stopped spreading hate. It wasn't all of them, but they're not the representative of their whole party. They are NOT their brother's keeper.

You're voicing your "outrage" on the wrong forums to the wrong people. If it was the right forums, that would be democracy in action. Here, at best, it's a circlejerk in a safe space; at it's most likely, it's an salty old nursing home reject raving to himself.

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Eight years ago, I drifted from the Zone, due to real life - and it's been a hell of a ride. When I orbited back, imagine my surprise to see that half my old friends were missing - chiefly, because both halves had decided to go to war with each other, and it was a war that frankly destroyed the Zone. Now, it's just a few people camped out in the ruins, with one old man who won't let the fires die. His target audience, and the targets of his ridicule don't care, and more often than not can't hear him. But I'm young, and I have good ears. And right now, I just wish that you'd shut up about this! I don't want to hang around a community, much less live in a country where people act as you do - as I've outlined in my posts! I want my neighbors to be neighborly, I want my friends to be friendly. Even if we don't agree, I want us to get along, and move along.

The sad part is, this is talk from your generation. I'm guessing you grew up in the 60s, surrounded by flower power. Ironically enough, I feel more in touch with that spirit right now, than you do. Quit the hate, and let love and peace have a chance.