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	<title>Comments on: &#8216;Why can&#8217;t we be friends&#8217;? The answer to your question is simple&#8230; would the &#8216;you&#8217; of 2014 want to call you a friend now?</title>
	<atom:link href="http://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/</link>
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		<title>By: podrock</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47689</link>
		<dc:creator>podrock</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 12 Dec 2021 14:51:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47689</guid>
		<description>Exhibit:

&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.axios.com/trump-hunt-disloyal-republicans-28e98f47-1b33-492c-bb66-b6da606b55f9.html&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;https://www.axios.com/trump-hunt-disloyal-republicans-28e98f47-1b33-492c-bb66-b6da606b55f9.html&lt;/a&gt;</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Exhibit:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-hunt-disloyal-republicans-28e98f47-1b33-492c-bb66-b6da606b55f9.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.axios.com/trump-hunt-disloyal-republicans-28e98f47-1b33-492c-bb66-b6da606b55f9.html</a></p>
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		<title>By: Sui</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47683</link>
		<dc:creator>Sui</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 12 Dec 2021 05:31:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47683</guid>
		<description>For some reason I thought it was off topic. I was surprised, in the midst of insomnia, that apparent disagreements were still causes of flames sux years on, not that the issue was still an issue, I am aware of just how much it is one.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For some reason I thought it was off topic. I was surprised, in the midst of insomnia, that apparent disagreements were still causes of flames sux years on, not that the issue was still an issue, I am aware of just how much it is one.</p>
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		<title>By: RL</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47674</link>
		<dc:creator>RL</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2021 16:40:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47674</guid>
		<description>For over 2 decades the response has been that my claims are hyperbole, silly exaggeration, liberal hand-wringing. 

And here we are now. Yes, Trump was defeated in the election, and the violent coup failed... but Trumpism, fascism, authoritarianism is winning. Draconian voter suppression measures are being enacted all over our nation. Election officials that resisted the attempted coup are being terrorized and replaced by Trump conspiracy nuts, a large fraction of the republican party believes in a repackaged &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/blood-libel-history-magda-teter-review/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;Blood Libel&lt;/a&gt;, where democrats are feeding off the blood of children, and sexually abusing them. The Republican base is straining at the leash waiting for permission to kill people that Fox news tells them are the enemy... and more and more they are slipping the leash and engaging in violence. We have 2 political parties in the US, and one of them has gone utterly, and violently, insane.

With the voter suppression and corruption they have put in place it will be a miracle if they don&#039;t take the senate and house next year- despite being a minority, if that happens they will never lose power again.... and our democrat president will either be forced out of office, or lose in the next presidential election.

So I can&#039;t just let it go. &lt;strong&gt;There has been no time in history when the proper response to fascism was to make the fascists feel more comfortable.&lt;/strong&gt; The people throughout history that have taken that approach are remembered as collaborators and appeasers- &lt;a href=&quot;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidkun_Quisling&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;their names joining the lexicon as an epithet&lt;/a&gt;. The barbarians at our gate don&#039;t just need a friend, or to be listened to... they will only accept total power, and when they get it they will make sure to kill and destroy all those people that make them feel ashamed of themselves.

Rob willingly joined in an assault on our democracy, and aggressively defended it... I sure as hell will not let him feel that its all ok now. If he had any decency, if he were a man, he would feel deep shame and work to repair the immeasurable harm he helped do. But he is not a man... so fuck him. He can burn in hell, or freeze in Canada for all I care... he literally cheered the stealing of children from undocumented refugees. 
&lt;img src=&quot;https://i.imgur.com/Ghrr6uY.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;600&quot; /&gt;
I will never consider him a friend, he is an enemy, he is one of the millions of barbarians at our gate, and I refuse to open the gate and invite him in to tea. If you think that is harsh, I can assure you its not anywhere close to harsh enough. He deserves to live a long life with guilt, shame, and regret until he draws his last worthless breath. But he won&#039;t, because he isn&#039;t man enough to face what he has done honestly.

My entire life I dreamed of being able to work on helping humanity explore and expand into the universe... by incredible luck and chance I got to do that... only to watch in slow motion as &#039;men&#039; like Rob bring a gun to humanity&#039;s head and pull the trigger... while wearing a red hat and a shit-eating grin.

Those that are easily led and controlled by someone like Trump, easily swayed by normalization of bigotry, fantasizing about violence- they are NOT reasonable people- the only point in debating them is to sway those in the audience that may be on the fence- you will NOT succeed in using reason to reach the people converted by conspiracy theory- all you can do is try to defeat them, make an example out of them, and prevent them from ever gaining power.   

The future of our nation, and of humanity, is very grim because of little &#039;men&#039; like him, it is immoral, and suicidal to act like we are ok with that. We may be doomed to have them drag us down into the abyss, but we are morally obligated to go down swinging. </description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For over 2 decades the response has been that my claims are hyperbole, silly exaggeration, liberal hand-wringing. </p>
<p>And here we are now. Yes, Trump was defeated in the election, and the violent coup failed&#8230; but Trumpism, fascism, authoritarianism is winning. Draconian voter suppression measures are being enacted all over our nation. Election officials that resisted the attempted coup are being terrorized and replaced by Trump conspiracy nuts, a large fraction of the republican party believes in a repackaged <a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/blood-libel-history-magda-teter-review/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Blood Libel</a>, where democrats are feeding off the blood of children, and sexually abusing them. The Republican base is straining at the leash waiting for permission to kill people that Fox news tells them are the enemy&#8230; and more and more they are slipping the leash and engaging in violence. We have 2 political parties in the US, and one of them has gone utterly, and violently, insane.</p>
<p>With the voter suppression and corruption they have put in place it will be a miracle if they don&#8217;t take the senate and house next year- despite being a minority, if that happens they will never lose power again&#8230;. and our democrat president will either be forced out of office, or lose in the next presidential election.</p>
<p>So I can&#8217;t just let it go. <strong>There has been no time in history when the proper response to fascism was to make the fascists feel more comfortable.</strong> The people throughout history that have taken that approach are remembered as collaborators and appeasers- <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidkun_Quisling" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">their names joining the lexicon as an epithet</a>. The barbarians at our gate don&#8217;t just need a friend, or to be listened to&#8230; they will only accept total power, and when they get it they will make sure to kill and destroy all those people that make them feel ashamed of themselves.</p>
<p>Rob willingly joined in an assault on our democracy, and aggressively defended it&#8230; I sure as hell will not let him feel that its all ok now. If he had any decency, if he were a man, he would feel deep shame and work to repair the immeasurable harm he helped do. But he is not a man&#8230; so fuck him. He can burn in hell, or freeze in Canada for all I care&#8230; he literally cheered the stealing of children from undocumented refugees.<br />
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/Ghrr6uY.jpg" alt="" width="600" /><br />
I will never consider him a friend, he is an enemy, he is one of the millions of barbarians at our gate, and I refuse to open the gate and invite him in to tea. If you think that is harsh, I can assure you its not anywhere close to harsh enough. He deserves to live a long life with guilt, shame, and regret until he draws his last worthless breath. But he won&#8217;t, because he isn&#8217;t man enough to face what he has done honestly.</p>
<p>My entire life I dreamed of being able to work on helping humanity explore and expand into the universe&#8230; by incredible luck and chance I got to do that&#8230; only to watch in slow motion as &#8216;men&#8217; like Rob bring a gun to humanity&#8217;s head and pull the trigger&#8230; while wearing a red hat and a shit-eating grin.</p>
<p>Those that are easily led and controlled by someone like Trump, easily swayed by normalization of bigotry, fantasizing about violence- they are NOT reasonable people- the only point in debating them is to sway those in the audience that may be on the fence- you will NOT succeed in using reason to reach the people converted by conspiracy theory- all you can do is try to defeat them, make an example out of them, and prevent them from ever gaining power.   </p>
<p>The future of our nation, and of humanity, is very grim because of little &#8216;men&#8217; like him, it is immoral, and suicidal to act like we are ok with that. We may be doomed to have them drag us down into the abyss, but we are morally obligated to go down swinging.</p>
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		<title>By: podrock</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47673</link>
		<dc:creator>podrock</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2021 05:53:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47673</guid>
		<description>The threat is ongoing.

The Former Guy still holds sway over the Republican Party. January 6 was a practice run. The party is infiltrated by people who pose with guns for their Christmas cards. Seriously?

</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The threat is ongoing.</p>
<p>The Former Guy still holds sway over the Republican Party. January 6 was a practice run. The party is infiltrated by people who pose with guns for their Christmas cards. Seriously?</p>
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		<title>By: podrock</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47672</link>
		<dc:creator>podrock</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2021 05:52:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47672</guid>
		<description>Welcome to the Zone</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Welcome to the Zone</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>By: podrock</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47671</link>
		<dc:creator>podrock</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2021 05:49:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47671</guid>
		<description>Well, it is the Flame Board.

Spit on the floor. Call the cat a bastard.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Well, it is the Flame Board.</p>
<p>Spit on the floor. Call the cat a bastard.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>By: RL</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47670</link>
		<dc:creator>RL</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2021 04:51:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47670</guid>
		<description>And, very likely, in a few years our democracy will die as a result... as will many more people.

So, no, I can&#039;t just let it go.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>And, very likely, in a few years our democracy will die as a result&#8230; as will many more people.</p>
<p>So, no, I can&#8217;t just let it go.</p>
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		<title>By: Sui</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47669</link>
		<dc:creator>Sui</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2021 04:01:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47669</guid>
		<description>It’s nearly six years ago guys…let it go ?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s nearly six years ago guys…let it go ?</p>
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		<title>By: Sui</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47668</link>
		<dc:creator>Sui</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2021 03:58:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47668</guid>
		<description>Why the unpleasantness?</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Why the unpleasantness?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>By: RL</title>
		<link>https://habitablezone.com/2021/12/09/why-cant-we-be-friends-the-answer-to-your-question-is-simple-would-the-you-of-2014-want-to-call-you-a-friend-now/#comment-47667</link>
		<dc:creator>RL</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Dec 2021 19:25:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://habitablezone.com/?p=89989#comment-47667</guid>
		<description>&lt;a href=&quot;https://habitablezone.com/2016/06/26/do-you-know-an-anti-fascist-when-you-see-one/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;&#039;Hyperbole&#039; you ignored...&lt;/a&gt; 


&lt;img src=&quot;https://www.habitablezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/refresher.jpg&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; /&gt;

more- 10-4-2016:


&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://habitablezone.com/2016/10/04/preaching-to-the-choir-i-know/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;My hope is that the reluctant Trump voter can be talked off the ledge&lt;/a&gt;.

Perhaps you are deeply disturbed by Trump’s statements and actions, but feel you must vote for him because he is your party’s nominee? You have to realize by now that Trump does not represent your party’s ideology- Trump only has his ego as his agenda.

Perhaps you have told yourself that as unprepared as Trump is, he will have advisers that will guide his actions to a sane course? This past week alone should convince you that is a futile hope. Trump, with his polls falling ignored all his advisers and went on a late night misogynistic rant. He boasts about his lack of preparation for the debate. You must know by now that Trump will only tolerate those advisers that tell him what he wants to hear.

At this point there simply is no reasonable excuse for voting for Trump for president. He has explicitly shown you what he really is.
Those that will cast their votes for a demagogue that has stoked their fears of immigrant hordes and other religions somehow destroying ‘Their America’ need only look in the mirror to see the true barbarians at the gates.&lt;/blockquote&gt;

Predicting the January 6th 2021 violence &lt;a href=&quot;https://habitablezone.com/2020/11/19/trump-invites-michigan-republican-leaders-to-meet-him-at-white-house-as-he-escalates-attempts-to-overturn-election-results/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;nofollow&quot;&gt;in November 2020&lt;/a&gt;:


&lt;blockquote&gt;You know that if and when this latest atrocity falls apart, Trump will call on you to rise up violently in his defense… what will you do then?
You support all of this with your silence- either you fully endorse it, or you are too cowardly to raise your voice against it- which is it?

‘WIN’ or LOSE I can promise you one thing for certain- you WILL regret choosing the side you have.
Your place in history as bigoted fascist traitors is certain now… the only thing you have a choice about now is just how hated you will be.&lt;/blockquote&gt;

</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://habitablezone.com/2016/06/26/do-you-know-an-anti-fascist-when-you-see-one/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&#8216;Hyperbole&#8217; you ignored&#8230;</a> </p>
<p><img src="https://www.habitablezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/refresher.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>more- 10-4-2016:</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://habitablezone.com/2016/10/04/preaching-to-the-choir-i-know/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">My hope is that the reluctant Trump voter can be talked off the ledge</a>.</p>
<p>Perhaps you are deeply disturbed by Trump’s statements and actions, but feel you must vote for him because he is your party’s nominee? You have to realize by now that Trump does not represent your party’s ideology- Trump only has his ego as his agenda.</p>
<p>Perhaps you have told yourself that as unprepared as Trump is, he will have advisers that will guide his actions to a sane course? This past week alone should convince you that is a futile hope. Trump, with his polls falling ignored all his advisers and went on a late night misogynistic rant. He boasts about his lack of preparation for the debate. You must know by now that Trump will only tolerate those advisers that tell him what he wants to hear.</p>
<p>At this point there simply is no reasonable excuse for voting for Trump for president. He has explicitly shown you what he really is.<br />
Those that will cast their votes for a demagogue that has stoked their fears of immigrant hordes and other religions somehow destroying ‘Their America’ need only look in the mirror to see the true barbarians at the gates.</p></blockquote>
<p>Predicting the January 6th 2021 violence <a href="https://habitablezone.com/2020/11/19/trump-invites-michigan-republican-leaders-to-meet-him-at-white-house-as-he-escalates-attempts-to-overturn-election-results/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">in November 2020</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>You know that if and when this latest atrocity falls apart, Trump will call on you to rise up violently in his defense… what will you do then?<br />
You support all of this with your silence- either you fully endorse it, or you are too cowardly to raise your voice against it- which is it?</p>
<p>‘WIN’ or LOSE I can promise you one thing for certain- you WILL regret choosing the side you have.<br />
Your place in history as bigoted fascist traitors is certain now… the only thing you have a choice about now is just how hated you will be.</p></blockquote>
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