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Elder Maniac's avatar

Recently Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski admitted that lawmakers are "afraid" to criticize Trump’s trade war, mass federal layoffs, proposed Medicaid cuts, defiance of court orders, illegal deportations, and the dismantling of key government agencies because “retaliation is real.” She doesn't seem to get it that acquiescence now, will only lead to years & years of misery under a despot. We all need to grow a pair and RESIST, RESIST, RESIST! [edited for spelling error]

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Lisa Jean Walker's avatar

The full quote is below. It seems to me that Murkowski, a woman, is speaking to an emotional experience that her male colleagues are mum about. She should not be criticized for this. It is a strength. She says she is anxious about threats but she is going to use her voice. We can pile on or we can listen to and hear her. This week’s Democracy Index made me aware that it is better to embrace this statement is a sign of progress than to castigate her:

“We’re in a time and place where — I don’t know, I certainly have not — I have not been here before. And I’ll tell you, I’m oftentimes very anxious myself about using my voice because retaliation is real. And that’s not right. But that’s what you’ve asked me to do and so I’m going to use my voice to the best of my ability.”

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Elder Maniac's avatar

Lisa Jean Walker - Well stated and a viewpoint I clearly didn't pick up on. I stand by my statement that we all must bull past our fear and resist. It sounds like you have done so, which I totally respect!

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Irena's avatar

Retaliation is real, Ms. Murkowski. You are going to lose your job because you don't know how to stand up to a bully.

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Lisa Jean Walker's avatar

She is speaking of a kind of retaliation she has not experienced before. She says that it is not right that she is anxious about using her voice and that she will use her voice to the best of her ability. We need her to use her voice: “We’re in a time and place where — I don’t know, I certainly have not — I have not been here before. And I’ll tell you, I’m oftentimes very anxious myself about using my voice because retaliation is real. And that’s not right. But that’s what you’ve asked me to do and so I’m going to use my voice to the best of my ability.”

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Irena's avatar

I understand that she is afraid in a "new" way. What I am saying is that she will/may face the "retaliation" of losing her job if she does not speak out because her constituents need her to speak up.

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KnockKnockGreenpeace's avatar

A man who has a bucket of only 10 thoughts can't fathom that there are infinite ways to think. Just as the Loser cannot erase business and academic interests in diversity and inclusion, he cannot erase the entire universe of diversity in thought. Science--and everything else--will prevail, while one orange carbon life form will die. That's right, Trump: you really are going to die.

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Ellie Alive In 25's avatar

We made it through the "Dark Ages." Mankind will make it through again, but in what lifetime?

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Lisa Jean Walker's avatar

This is a painful cartoon. The lives of young people are being affected now. Yet another urgent reason to take action.

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