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Polly Frost's avatar

I love this! Thank you, Mark. You nailed it.

I was a Democrat from the time I could vote, although my first time I picked Nixon because despite my teenage dislike of him, he was the only candidate who seemed serious about getting us out of Vietnam.

I voted twice for Obama. I don't apologize - McCain was not an option for me. But during Obama's terms I protested against his policies more than I had any other president. I was living in NYC and the protests against his love of surveillance and drones took place at Union Square - yet I never saw a single NYC liberal friend of mine participate. It began to shock me how much they believed in Obama's saintliness, despite clear evidence that he was taking the Clintons love of bombing and tracking opponents more seriously than even they did.

In 2015 I was out for the regular Chinatown dim sum a writer friend of mine and I had, and she talked about Obama with this glow. She was disappointed in Clinton over his treatment of Monica, but said, “Obama would never have thrown her under the bus like that.” I blurted out, “That's just because he's gay and not interested in that kind of blow job.” She stared at me. How could I? He and Michelle and those daughters - what a wonderful American family. I said, “I'm beginning to think he doesn't like America much at all.” She was visibly shocked.

That was the beginning of the rift between me and my longtime, hardcore liberal NYC friends. I loved living there. I loved being a minority in my neighborhood in Greenwich Village - a straight married woman - while most of my friends were gay, polyamorous or trans.

When I moved to my hometown of Santa Barbara to help my elderly mom, it was during the beginning of the 2016 election. I missed my friends in NYC, but while they were starting to spew their hatred of Trump, I was beginning to see that he was all that could save us from Hillary. When they'd write me rants about Trump I'd write them back that I couldn't vote for Hillary after her boasting about killing Gaddafi. That's when I realized I had moved completely away from the Democrats. My friends all supported Hillary for killing him. They told me I was insane to think she did it because she didn't want him creating an independent economic system for his people. They told me I had to vote for Hillary because the self esteem of American girls depended on it. They told me Trump was a worse womanizer than Clinton. My brilliant cutting-edge friends in NYC had not only lost their minds but dropped 50 IQ points. And then they stopped being my friends because I refused to hate Trump. Many told me I'd become a White Supremacist.

But Santa Barbara liberals were even worse to deal with because when they would spew their hate rants about Trump's pussy grabbing or Russian Collusion, I'd hear the words of the latest NYC media propaganda they'd believed - and often I knew the writer whose words they were regurgitating. At least when my NYC friends got angry at me I was getting the original bile.

I no longer feel heartbroken about losing friends because their hatred of Trump was more important than our friendship. It is what it is. I have friends now I respect and enjoy because, like Trump, they have values instead of insanity.

And unlike my old liberal friends, they haven't lost their sense of humor. Trump isn't just making America great again. He's making us laugh again. And boy, do we need to.

Polly Frost's avatar

And this is my last comment here before Tuesday. You guys have been a wonderful bunch to hang with during the craziest election year. My blood pressure is telling me to get my mind off the election and focus on creative projects, and after landing me in the hospital a year and a half ago I learned my BP can¡t be a nasty brat if I don't pay attention to it. Thank you! ❤️

DLDawson's avatar

Wise words from a friend:

November 7 is another big building tension day.

From then until late June '25, it looks to be 'tense' on many different levels.

A good strategy for this period will be to be self-centered and self-protecting.

Let Humanity and the world sort itself out.

Work on getting your body & mind calm on a daily basis to build up a reserve to tap into as needed.

Be as detached from events as possible KNOWING that it's all temporary and that more clarity will emerge later.

Practice armed defense. Stay mentally flexible.

LT's avatar

Sounds like some good advice.

Monica Bond's avatar

It has and is a crazy election year but you've done what you can to support your team so rest on your laurels for a while with some fun projects and we all hope to hear from you on the 6th!

Earl Brown's avatar

Gotta keep an eye on the old ticker, kid. I sure do, cause every once in awhile the a-fib kicks up.

I've been so sure from the very beginning that Trump would not only win, but it's gonna be a 'Trump-Romp'! (I wonder if he can use that slogan - I'll ask him next time I see him).

Howard Walther's avatar

A word on former President Obama. If you know what to "Look For" then you will understand

how he got into Power, maintained that Power and still is involved in that Power.

A hint ................ you all want to Bang Away at the "Deep State" then you are over

the Target when discussing Democrat Politicians, some who had a very different

beginning. Here is some interesting reading .......................

https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/the-cias-long-and-dangerous-history-of-refusing-to-answer-absurdly-obvious-questions

https://intelligence.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1432

https://www.aei.org/articles/its-no-secret-the-cia-plays-politics/

https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2021/11/the-cia-and-the-new-dialect-of-power/

Happy CIA reading.

Howard Walther, member of a Military Family

Earl Brown's avatar

"I voted twice for Obama. I don't apologize . . " Young lady, shame on you!

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Oct 31, 2024Edited
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Polly Frost's avatar

“Dreams from My Father” was really icky, wasn't it?

Interesting that you say you were ever naive. In your comments here you strike me as one of the least naive people in Santa Barbara.

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Oct 31, 2024
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Thomas John's avatar

Even Fox news booted Palin....

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Nov 1, 2024
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Thomas John's avatar

I'm guessing you're not a "typical" demographic of anything. You probably don't trust Pew either. But it seems like Fox news is quite well watched and regarded by conservatives. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/04/08/five-facts-about-fox-news/

Polly Frost's avatar

I personally think it's good to have hopes. People who use their cynicism to avoid any engagement with their dreams are bores. As the Von Bondies sang “you really haven't lived life if you ain't got no regrets.”

LT's avatar

Interesting. For me it started off with Ronald Reagan and Republicans the whole way, the exception being Bill Clinton. Sure, Clinton was a liar and philander, but a skilled politician none the less. Hey, he managed our last balanced budget. As for Obama, shifty and a closet racist, but again a skilled politician. Then there’s Kamala…a real case study in buffoonery!

Brian MacIsaac's avatar

Great article. Welcome back to sanity. Let’s hope he truly can cut the bloated government back by 80% and “keep their dirty little fingers out of everybody’s pies“

Monica Bond's avatar

Uplifting article, Mark. It's nice to hear about a group of like minded people wishing for a brighter future for America and instead of violence and hostility to get their way, find unity in a powerful and peaceful sounding gathering. Thank you.

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Oct 31, 2024
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CarsAreBasic's avatar

A car unattended? Not a scratch and your badge still there?

A crowd that had all strips and it was civil? Try that with the opposition rallies.

Thanks for the letter.

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Oct 31, 2024Edited
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Bonnie Donovan's avatar

With fishing line have him tie aluminum cans to it. I have a extra, what address?

Earl Brown's avatar

Love that idea - make your Trump sign out of metal and plug it into your house.

DLDawson's avatar

Cool Story. Great to see another fellow Patriot that has awaken from the psyops. This is not about Republicans versus Democrats. Our Country has been captured, along with most of the World.

Their thirst for a one world order [destruction of national sovereignty] serves to obtain control over America [and her allies [think EU]] by diluting your vote to oblivion and installing a new one world ruling party. The start of this concept began with organizations such as: world health org, world trade org, united nations, ICC, NATO, etc., [all meant to weaken the United States]…also the formation of EU through threat [con] of close proximity attack [attack on one is an attack on all – sales pitch to general public – fear control].

Like past battles fought, we now face our greatest battle at present, a battle to save our Republic, our way of life, and what we decide (each of us) now will decide our future. This is about preserving our way of life. If America falls, the World falls. Vote accordingly.

PS. Fight 4 Trump, he's fighting for each & everyone.

rita murdoch's avatar

Hopefully, the left is waking up to the destruction of America by the progressive mother have taken over our country.

Earl Brown's avatar

"progressive mother . ." Rita, you left out a word to finish that thought dear heart.

Loy Beardsmore's avatar

Like you, I also attended the rally and your summary was spot on and your sentiments reflect mine on so many levels.

To add to your exiting comments, I walked out about 1 1/2 miles with my friend to where we could catch a ride, as there were problems with exiting, but I believe it was due to the unexpected crowd size. In talking with a journalist friend that covered the Harris DC rally, they had many issues with their exit plan as well. Hmmm, are we reading about that??!!!

As we walked out of the Coachella rally, I asked the many sheriffs we passed about crowd size. I received varied answers that ranged from 30-40k with one saying 50k!The ranch was permitted for 15k since that was the expected crowd size, we far surpassed that number, and that was also a motivation for my attendance. I wanted to be one more body in the crowd to let the world know that not everyone that lives in California is a liberal! It was an amazing experience I will remember for a lifetime!

LT's avatar

Did anyone else happen to read the hit piece about T. Cole on the cesspool site Edhat? Ya, typical cast of victim hood. Talk about garbage journalism!

Peter Scott's avatar

In the Edhat “Hit Piece”, the author stated that they (Edhat) asked the Cole campaign for a response, but have yet to receive one. Perhaps candidate Cole could address these allegations at this late hour.

LT's avatar

Why? Edhat has consistently proven to be a bias, partisan den of self wallowing losers! Yes, a real echo chamber of garbage.

Thomas John's avatar

Harris went on Fox. Cole could reply.

LT's avatar

You’re right TJ, I’ll let him respond for himself.

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Oct 31, 2024Edited
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Polly Frost's avatar

The commenters were all clearly “paid fors.” Have you read about how Musk is going to investigate the Dem “paid for” commenters on X? Yay, Elon! I honestly think the Dems' “racist” thing is over. Although it will probably linger on in Santa Barbara because white people live in such a white bubble here they really can be made to believe anything about the threat of racism in America.

Earl Brown's avatar

And Trumpy is suing CBS for the Commies 'refining' Kamala's '60 Minutes' 'interview' answers. It's only 10B. No problem, the Dems will just raise taxes to pay.

Howard Walther's avatar

I read this perspective on US Politics by Mark Rock titled "Finding Fellowship At Coachella"

that was a "Trump Rally" and I quote from same "Notwithstanding the Cheney-constructed neocon war machine (which, at this writing, has defected to the Democrat ticket anyway), it’s embarrassing to disclose how long it took me to entertain the possibility that the deeply personal aspects of my experiences with progressives clearly begged for an alternative.

A new title should be "Finding and Illiminating The HUGE Threats Now In America"

Most folks have no idea what lurks in thier own back yard like here in Santa Barbara or

for that matter California. The Drug Cartel, Terrorists, Murderers, Rapists, Con Artists, Predator Attorneys and in fact Corrupt Politicians seeking Power and Wealth abound and now all around us.

How did our Country ever get to this Point you all may ask?

It ain't gonna be "Finding Fellowship"with the So-Called-Leaders of this State or this City.

Read here on Threats to and in America and I quote>>>

https://www.gao.gov/international-security

""A variety of challenges, including terrorism, the trafficking of humans, narcotics and firearms,

and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, threaten the security of the United States

and of its allies."

And now we are almost in a full-scale-war with Russia and here is what will be used>>>

https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/Americas-Nuclear-Triad/

From the above Link click on 2 FROM SEA .............. That is the WYOMING SSBN 742

In the 1980s, yearly, I maxxed-out on my Dosimeter spending so much time down in

the Ohio Class Subarmine.

Vote Wisely in this Election, you and your children's life may depend on it.

Howard Walther, member of a Military Family

Pat Fish's avatar

What a fine article, an expression of the validation of camaraderie. The loud Left controls much of the media, and the brainwashed minds of those who have TDS. So those of us who see Trump as our chance for a last-gasp change in our political system must balance avoidance of confrontation with the relief of finding like-minded associates. I myself voted Peace & Freedom Party until Trump came along, and to my own astonishment I changed my registration to Republican to be able to vote for him in his first primary. I see most politicians as venial grifters, but I do look to next week as an opportunity. And with "power of positive thinking" ferver I pray.

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Oct 31, 2024
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Pat Fish's avatar

Totally agree. Our System has evolved into a UniParty of self-serving Deep State Players, and it deserves a spanking !

Jeff barton's avatar

The opposition does tend to wallow in victimhood. Your point that Trump's resilience is consequently particularly threatening is a great one. Not sure it excuses you for voting for Obama but I lean toward forgiveness. Great job.

Bill Russell's avatar

Joe is the gift that keeps on giving. An angel says in Joe’s ear, "Tell the world MAGA followers are garbage." And afterwards, the angel says to Joe, "We'll work on something else in a few days, like how close you and Kamala worked together to bring this country around." It's interesting how the word "garbage" if used by Republicans would be considered "hate speech." But it's OK for a Dem President of the U.S. to address half the country as "garbage." This is an attempted character assassination on half the country! And even more disgusting is anyone putting a baby’s foot in their mouth. I sure hope that baby had stepped in a pile of shit before having its foot sucked by Joe.

Carl Lindberg's avatar

What do you see in trumps past that makes you think he is fit to be president of this great country?

Robert Johnson's avatar

Well, I've sat and read through many a video clips and links you all have posted, so I hope you'll indulge me and watch this one. I don't expect it will change any minds but it is truthful and may give you a different perspective on your candidate. Thanks for all your passion. It's an understatement to say this election will be interesting! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy0zq8YzY9w

DLDawson's avatar

I saw this one. Sorry, no sale. different perspective? same ol same ol. Kimmel is just another dead voice from the past, as demonstrated by the number of people who watch his show. same small group that believe the narratives promoted by “Mainstream” media on CNN, MSNBC, Fox, et al.

It’s time to shed the psyops…it’s a new day for America. Here’s a different perspective…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2qIXXafxCQ&list=PL5d2xsorBunwW3bbSJhSpGhQ25Lrty72L&index=1

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Nov 1, 2024
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DLDawson's avatar

Same slice & dice of Trump, with extra heaping of (canned laughter) humor…those still asleep are in for a rude awakening…

https://x.com/FNowisthetime/status/1786832203516952819

Lou Segal's avatar

Personally, I don't understand why people go to political rallies and swoon over a politician. They do it on both sides, so it's not a phenomenon that exists for only one group of people. They are politicians, not saviors or people who deserve to be worshiped. We hire them and fire them if they are no good at their jobs, which is true of many of them. There is something about human beings who need someone to save them from themselves and are willing to follow them over a cliff.

Monica Bond's avatar

Well I suppose in the case of Donald Trump, he is not your average politician.

I wish we could fire some of the politicians as easily as you indicate for them never to reign again but that doesn't seem to be possible as we see the same faces again and again over the years. Perhaps when we institute term limits one day.

Lou Segal's avatar

I am voting for Trump. What I am saying is not just reserved for him. It's the phenomenon throughout history that people are looking for saviors and will slavishly follow them even if they are proposing crazy stuff. Whether it's Hitler (look at his rallies), Peron in Argentina, Castro in Cuba, Chavez in Venezuela, the maniacs in North Korea and Iran. I am not saying Trump is like any of these guys, just that he is not going to be a miracle worker or will make everything great. He can't cure cancer. In the end, he's just the better alternative (way better) than the other guy. If you want to fix your life, the only way is to do it yourself. No one else is going to do it for you.

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Oct 31, 2024
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Lou Segal's avatar

True, but experience in the private sector doesn't necessarily mean you're equipped to fix what's broken in the public sector. I guess what I am saying is a lot of what's broken in the public sector is never going to be fixed because of the inherent nature of govt. When you don't have a profit motive and almost everything is political, it becomes almost impossible to measure performance or promote and fire people based on merit. Having worked in govt many many years ago, I saw it up close. I think Elon Musk is a genius but even he isn't a god and won't be able to wring out the waste in govt.

Joan Esposito's avatar

Great article. Thank you for all your insights 🥰🙏🥰