36 Comments
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Rosalind kurzer's avatar

I wrote my senators regarding the stress of the immigrant/ refugee community in RI. I asked them to advocate for me. We need to protect people from craziness.

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Mary W Maxwell's avatar

Ms Williamson, You are a heavyweight of gentleness and reason.

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Carol McLoughlin's avatar

My biggest question right now about using words is ....do I share words with my friends (they still are my friends) who are on the right!!

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Marianne Williamson's avatar

Eisenhower said "the American mind at its best is both liberal and conservative." Many conservatives are deeply concerned and unhappy with some if not much of what's happening. Some however are just into Trump no matter what he does. You have to gauge it. I have a close girlfriend who's very pro-Trump and I don't even feel like asking her. Better if I don't know lol. With others, a conversation would be helpful. But never insult, or demonize, or attack. That's the key to non-violence. Show respect. Otherwise we're just adding to the problem

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Maryanna Eagleson's avatar

Agree. I spoke with a Healthcare provider who wasn't necessarily pro Trump but is a republican who basically is for smaller government. We had a very good open conversation and I have to say I understood their point of view. I felt much better after the talk.

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Maryanna Eagleson's avatar

And I do relate to being both liberal and conservative...

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Fanny Bea Wilde's avatar

I’m glad they are still your friends, Carol! That’s how we’re going to get here. We’ve got to work together or at least talk to each other. And by the way, I tried to call my Congress people couldn’t leave a message, couldn’t talk to anyone… But I’ll keep trying.

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Jill Perin's avatar

I love you !!! Thank you for actually showing me how to empower myself daily during this time !

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Viccus's avatar

So now that it was just revealed that the federal government was bribing media outlets to run propaganda through USAID do any of you lefties wonder what sort of misinformation you’ve assumed as true? Anything related to Russia collusion, or the Ukraine war, or a sus election, or an “insurrection” of unarmed prediabedics, or “safe and effective” or any of the odd shenanigans of the last few years?

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Marianne Williamson's avatar

I ran against Biden. I have criticized the Democratic Party plenty. So "us lefties" don't need to respond to your question as though you "caught" us on something. Are there problems with the USAID? We've been saying that for a long time. But it's NOT a reason to cut the whole agency, given the extraordinary work it does with people literally around the world. It saves lives. I'll repeat that. It saves lives.

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Viccus's avatar

We can’t trade our first amendment rights (free press) to save a few lives. We have to do a complete audit and keep what’s good and cut the rest. Considering that so many worthless NGOs have gotten so much. So many children have been trafficked at the hands of USAID it should go and those responsible must be prosecuted.

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Viccus's avatar

Then you support DOGE efforts to end the corruption?

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Fanny Bea Wilde's avatar

Thank you Viccus for the nice reply, I typically read responses with 1 eye closed!

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Viccus's avatar

Thank you

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Fanny Bea Wilde's avatar

If they were “efforts” and thought through first I certainly would. This drinking from the firehose the last few weeks does not build trust or confidence in the new administration. American standards are deteriorating so quickly I can’t lower my expectations fast enough.

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Viccus's avatar

Your son will not be cut off. In fact they just announced they found $100b in waste and fraud in Medicare. In order to protect these vital services we have to get control of the budget. They are using super high tech coding to literally map where every dollar goes in real time. They’re finding a lot of nefarious people pocketing cash at your son’s expense. These kids are showing us how to run a government.

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Viccus's avatar

Look at it a different way. When Doge gets to the Pentagon they will find every single dollar. There’s so much waste and incompetence in that trillion dollar mess that we all stand to benefit from a top down review.

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Viccus's avatar

I don’t think you understand how well thought out it is. I wouldn’t underestimate the work these nerds are doing.

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Fanny Bea Wilde's avatar

You might be right. But I have a disabled son. And I pray to God his monies aren’t cut off. And I also pray to God we come together as a nation because America is better than this spirit.

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Jacqueline Penny's avatar

Amen! Yup agreed. Well said

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Nancy Labov's avatar

Thank you what great practical tasks for us to do

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Kathleen Belle DeVizia's avatar

Dear Marianne, Thank you for your unwavering passion, dedication. With heartfelt thanks, I feel comforted by your teaching of history, your wisdom ,and gift of clarity. To say these sinister human beings are ruthless is the only expression I can write without diving into expletives. It is my prayer to navigate current events with a tone that promotes love and abolishes fear. God go with us all. "First they fascinate fools, then they muzzle the intelligent." Russell Bertrand: How Fascism Manifests.

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DocSue's avatar

Most people are unaware that USAID, gifted in 2016, $310 million of taxpayer money to start a Palestinian cement factory project. The project was a private venture, by a company called Sanad, to create cement mills and factories, Helping build Hamas' terror tunnels in Gaza.

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Lynn Kay's avatar

“It’s about what you and I can do!”…

Also being direct and specific! Vs. general**

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Lynn Kay's avatar

Just found this! I can’t be silent for 4 years and I know some that are not keeping informed.. There is momentum

In acting each day. If we all took one action each day… ok if I took one action each day i can make a difference. Together it represents a force and resistance is important right now!

I remember you discussing your work project angel food. You definitely weren’t on the sidelines! More power to you and what a gift! Did I hear you were speaking or being honored soon on an anniversary!

Thank you Marianne and thank you for staying out front! You deserve to be seen and heard more! Please take care! You are a powerful force for good! You’ve worked your whole life to prepare for these times. Uniquely and exceptionally qualified!!!

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DocSue's avatar

A publication of the Middle East Forum (MEF), has just published a major study, “Terror Finance at the State Department and USAID.” It uncovers $164 million in taxpayer-funded U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) grants to Islamist organizations, including $122 million in federal funds to groups aligned with designated terrorist entities. The study compiles nearly a decade of MEF research and public advocacy.

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DocSue's avatar

This is one of the reasons Trump is slashing the agency-USAID.

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Carol McLoughlin's avatar

Thanks Marianne

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