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Tony Brunello's avatar

Just a great victory. I can not stop being relieved when good triumphs over evil.

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Bob George's avatar

I saw someone saying "Yes we lost but we will keep fighting, even if we lose." This is about taking away a woman's right to control her own body. How cruel do you have to be to keep fighting to put woman in their place as a second class citizen.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

They have been fighting since _Roe v. Wade_ was decided. They are in it for the long haul. Many of them literally believe they're on the side of God and the angels (including all the unborn angels). They think pro-choice advocates are the cruel ones.

But this isn't primarily about "the unborn." It's primarily about the plutocrats maintaining control of the economy and thus the country. They don't have nearly enough votes to do it alone, of course; I'm not sure they have enough votes to win a school board race in my small town. So they use abortion, guns, (what they call) CRT, drag queens, etc., etc., to keep their voters riled up, and their legislative, congressional, and judicial lackeys to make it hard for their opponents to vote.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

What do these people love? Do they like people, liberty, freedom, or America? What harm is done when rights are expanded and supported for any group? What is lost to the nation? Meanwhile, what they wanted was to hurt people, and be cruel and to also cause more death, poverty and disease. If in Ohio women gain the right to choose, and sovereignty over their own bodies--especially in their personal health--Ohio will benefit. People will benefit--and a greater happiness is possible. You pose a great question, Robert.

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Betsy Todd's avatar

Power must have pathophysiologic effects. It scrambles your brain and makes you think cruelty is a virtue.

And PS, Bad Guys: Human rights are not like pie. My having more doesn't leave less for you.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

No. In my life it is clear true that the rising tide of rights and liberties floats all boats. No one has ever lost rights as another gains. It is not a zero-sum game. Justice is an unlimited good. No one can ever have "too much" justice.

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Amy G's avatar

I think, my friend, what they love is power and money, but even more, for those who do not have it, being white is for too many an identity and about being better than. It is just not surprising; as the country would become less white this was always going to happen, bc identity is such a weird psychological thing. As for hating women, (which is not recognized as that; it is about power and how people see (or really do not see women) I dunno, it seems almost like it has been forever. Something about being physically stronger than, and a macho ethos that teaches that as a primary value. We are stronger in many ways, we women, but we don't think that means we should oppress people. Well occasionally the partner, but only when they deserve it lol.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

I think you are right. In the end I keep hearing versions of the "replacement theory" and "fear of replacement" clearly inspires ignorant rage, anger, ugly tribalism, resentment and hatred. But...that fear is only possible if you really believed you were entitled to some kind of superior status.

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MARTHA ESKEW's avatar

Just say it, Turnout matters. What is the best communication strategy and pathway to getting big turnouts in all states? The more people that vote and better the outcome.

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Callie Palmer's avatar

Whew. I'm so relieved I'm almost not unhappy that I didn't win the Mega Millions jackpot. Dan is right, there are lots of things in the works all over the country, and we will have to stay vigilant and work hard. I am toying with a run for the school board to disrupt the takeover by the MAGAs. Not sure what it would take, but I need to do something.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

But I wish you had won the Mega Millions. Just saying.

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Callie Palmer's avatar

Thanks! I like to think I would have handled it well ;)

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Amy G's avatar

Or me. I will do it for Callie. And share.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

Well, sharing is good!

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Carrie's avatar

Thank you for considering running!

My recommendation would be to talk to as many current and/or recent non-MAGA school board members as you can. Ask for their insights, their advice, their cautions. Also, if you're not involved with your county Dem party, reach out and get involved. If you run, even if the positions are non-partisan, a decent county party will consider giving you their endorsement and supporting your campaign in their GOTV efforts. Good luck and keep us posted!

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Lisa's avatar

A great win but you are right that the fight is not over in Ohio. The fight is it over in every state. This drove home for me how crucial down ballot elections are.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

The fight is national for sure, and unless we think Gilead is OK, we need to be all in this together.

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Amy G's avatar

It is not over for sure, but also we have been shown we have a big chance in Ohio. It is where I come from, and go back a lot, and I do believe Ohio is worth fighting to regain.

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Lisa's avatar

I live in NJ but my daughter went to college in Ohio so I was there often. It’s definitely worth fighting for.

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Amy G's avatar

How do we say this to Biden, Dan? I could circulate a letter if I had everyone's email. You are all welcome to email me: aigcontemporary@gmail.com

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Terri's avatar

When people poo-poo that Republicans want to get rid of Obamacare, Social Security, Medicare, etc., I bring up abortion and say I now listen to what they say. They’ve played the long game on abortion and they are working on the rest. I’ve not had anyone have a response to that.

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Alan Levy's avatar

Dan, you say it’s not likely that Pres. Biden will expend resources in Ohio. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to do so now in advance of November? Generates publicity, shows he’s vigorously on the attack, highlights infrastructure and chips act, makes republicans think the dems might make a play for Ohio next year, seeds the ground for that if it becomes possible, and gives him a win when the voters enshrine abortion rights in the Ohio constitution.

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Alan Levy's avatar

All at a low cost since it’s not taking away from crucial campaigning during the home stretch.

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Amy G's avatar

Yes. It is opportunity for the taking.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

The wording of that Gallup poll makes me so angry: using "pro-life" as a synonym for "anti-abortion" or "anti-choice."

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belf's avatar

TY-just the boost and push we need today. Rs will not stop ever, until nature calls them. There's already 1 lawsuit by Rs challenging the Nov. ballot pro-rights language before the notorious OH Sup Ct. That's despite prior approval of the language by OH Secy of State, now an opponent of Sen S Brown. They will not stop. Ever.

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Edward Grandi's avatar

Dan, I hope there is another word or phrase to use in place of abortion... that word is so loaded and a favorite cudgel on the right. Freedom of choice, reproductive rights, something.

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Betsy Todd's avatar

"Reproductive rights" says so much more, and these guys [sic] are after all of it. Using this term gives us a chance to emphasize that the Rs want to take away access to abortion, birth control, fertility treatments, and (if you're LGBTQ) adoption.

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Amy G's avatar

And even, the right to live, in case you have a messed up pregnancy. Surreal.

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Cheryl F.'s avatar

Taking away women’s reproductive freedoms.

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Amy G's avatar

Thanks god my home state, where I have not lived for decades but my family still does, did the right thing! I was texting with my cousin all day. The ballot was defeated by a solid 13 points! This makes me wonder why we and Biden WOULDN't spend money trying to change Ohio to blue! It is not impossible. I am so happy about Ohio and it does bode well. And for those interested, you may know that the guy who wrote "Talking Back to Prozac" long time ago, a psychiatrist, has written a novel about: what if T had won a second term, and what if he demanded that a certain psychiatrist treated him. It is honestly painful to read, but interesting. Good news: "the great man" dies right at the start. So its all reminiscence. And sadly: fiction. The writing is interesting and thoughtful.

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Amy G's avatar

So, this article in NYT. There are many midwest states worth investing in. I am no political strategist but it seems wrong and bad strategyu to just focus on the already blue states. What happened in Ohio is really telling. Read: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/09/us/ohio-voters-issue-1-constitution.html

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Mark Krebs's avatar

Why does GOP want to die on this hill? What is the benefit of supporting a non-financial policy that bosses other people around in their personal life? SCOTUS we remember, didn't take a moral stand but employed a "states' rights" whitewash. Is this in someway the main plank of their tribal platform?

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Tony Brunello's avatar

Super question. I have long believed it is tangled up in racism, religious extremism, and misogyny. If this is not about oppressing women, and punishing non-white people--especially the women and children of the poor--then what is this about.? The belief system must be rooted somewhere in resentment, fear and anger. So--I look for who is targeted for the hate, fear, resentment and anger. I do understand that good people might differ over the issue of abortion--but that is something that could be addressed through civil discourse, medical science, empathy and understanding.

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Jane Kauer   she/her's avatar

Misogyny. Misogyny. Misogyny.

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Cheryl F.'s avatar

Their base really believes in and seeks to secure the US as a Christian Nationalist country.

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Tony Brunello's avatar

Gilead.

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