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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI just received a donation request from my Senator, Tom Cotton. Here's my reply:
Yes, Tom, I saw your note. There is no way I can support a person, especially a veteran like yourself, who did not defend a fellow veteran, namely Senator John McCain, when he is disparaged by the President of the United States, who, by the way, claimed he had bone spurs so he wouldn't have to serve. For the President to say such things about a man after his death is reprehensible.
I sent you an email asking for your opinion on this matter, but you didn't see fit to answer them. I assumed from your silence that you are OK with a draft dodger who denigrates a man who served his country honorably during war, who was held as a POW for over 5 years and who served his country honorable in Congress for many years.
My brother, 3 sons, a grandson and granddaughter have all served in the United States Armed Services. I feel that President Trump's disrespect for Senator McCain also shows a lack of respect for their service.
Therefore, I will not be sending you or your campaign any money and I will also be telling all my family and friends how I feel about your inexcusable silence about the treatment that Senator McCain received from President Trump. In my mind that makes you just as guilty as he. I'm ashamed to have such a coward represent me in the Senate.
I can hardly wait until you are voted out of office.
I don't expect he will actually read the email and I certainly don't expect a response, but it sure as hell felt good to vent a little.
ETA: Please disregard the typos. I was seeing too much red to proof read efficiently.
Wounded Bear
(58,441 posts)BBG
(2,478 posts)Thank you for having raised your sons to be patriots and to raise their own offspring to serve this Nation, as well.
My hat's off to you (after the salute).
So's my hair.
TomSlick
(11,035 posts)Here ma'am.
marble falls
(56,371 posts)sarge43
(28,939 posts)Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)Ohiogal
(31,672 posts)backtoblue
(11,324 posts)All I get back from him are generic robot responses. Have you any idea who is going to run against him?
Arkansas Granny
(31,484 posts)I don't think anyone has announced a run against Cotton yet.
LiberalArkie
(15,686 posts)but some billionaire would have to take an interest in us like Wintrop Rockefeller did.
backtoblue
(11,324 posts)I'm trying to remember because we've had Democrats here before. I hope someone announces to run soon so they can start fundraising and getting word around. There's lots of billboards here
LiberalArkie
(15,686 posts)I look at Win Rockefeller winning 2 terms as governor as a liberal during the civil rights era.
We could have had a Democratic Senator after Blanche Lincoln if the state party had allowed it.Bill Halter could have won, but the party closed a lot of voting places in Hot Springs for the run off and Blanche won and lost to John Boozman (R).
For some reasons the candidates that are a little to the right get the party support, those to the left of the republican don't seem to even get recognized.
The state used to be pretty liberal, but lost it when both parties decided to move to the right.
Even the stand in the door of Central High School governor Orval Faubus went to college at a Socialist college.
backtoblue
(11,324 posts)We have been overtaken by the GOP. Every day in the paper it seems like there's something that's being pushed through.
Not sure how it turned out, but I read about a state bill to give the government secrecy. That's unsettling to put it mildly.
My county doesn't even have an organized democratic group! There's one listed, but it's the number to a lawyers office...
When I canvassed this last election I talked with a few people who wanted to get organized, but haven't heard from them.
Its truly grassroot efforts in order to grow our party around here. If you hear of anyone braving 2020 against Cotton please let me know so I can help.
Glorfindel
(9,706 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(107,112 posts)True Blue American
(17,972 posts)But his staff will. The more they get the better.
Thank goodness Sherrod Brown answers.You get a form letter right away then in a few weeks he replies to your complaint or Praise.
spanone
(135,637 posts)sinkingfeeling
(51,280 posts)know that immigration from Cental America is the number one cause of crime? That women shouldn't have special laws for their protection? That the US must drill for oil in the Artic and our oceans? That Iran is a threat to our peace? Or that Mueller completely exonerated IQ45 and no one needs to see the report?
Just a small example of Tom Treason's thinking.
Scarsdale
(9,426 posts)is a fraud. How was he EVER elected, anyway?
sinkingfeeling
(51,280 posts)sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)Cotton is a chump and a mediocrity and if he werent a conservative there is no way hed be in Congress.
https://m.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2014/03/20/can-the-kochs-buy-a-us-senate-seat-for-tom-cotton-theyre-trying
calimary
(80,700 posts)sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)And we should use every opportunity to tell him that.
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,790 posts)Much healthier for you and more effective.
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)I've tried everything to stop my anger from spilling over like an unwatched pot on the stove, but nothing works for long.
Any suggestions ?
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,790 posts)I sometimes act angry to overcome some obstruction that might crop up in an ordinary life, like a lazy official or somebody who needs to correct an error now rather than next year. But even though it is for effect, it is never acting hot anger. The feeling I project is great determination and focus.
Sometimes something happens and I get angry or even very angry, but as soon as I realize that is happening, I let it go. I take a deep breath or two and come back to basic concepts of equilibrium. Mind you I've been doing so for years. Meditation is a big help, though I rarely do formal meditation. Instead I cultivate a constant meditative frame of mind.
But I don't carry rage.
I don't feed rage. North American First Nations would say "Feed the good wolf."
For me, zen philosophy was the purest distillation of what needs to be done. Life is short. Why fill the Now with rage and anger and fuming? Especially since it doesn't work. Understand that and you will be released. Keep coming back to that.
Another excellent distillation is this: "Give me the power to change what I can, the peace to accept the rest, and the wisdom to tell the difference between the two."
Two books were key for me understanding zen:
"Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" by Shunryu Suzuki
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few."
I say always be beginning, even when you have great skill.
"The Zen Experience" by Thomas Hoover
I just now see it is republished in a millennium edition with a foreword by 14th Dalai Lama
A long time ago I heard a zen monk say to imagine opening a door or window in your mind and letting a breeze blow the emotion out. That has been helpful over the years. Letting out the deep breath is a breeze and it can carry out the emotions.
However, simply letting go is not enough. The irritant is still there so something needs to replace the rage, otherwise it will soon be back. That's why I say replace it with "cold calculating loathing" re tRump and the Republicon-Trump Party. This is feeding the good wolf. Loathing, because the irritant is still a problem that must not be neglected, in this case a big problem. Loathing is not being enraged, no seeing red, no blood pressure issues. Cold, so that there is no rage. Calculating to devise and execute actions.
"Nothing works for long"? If it works even for a short time, keep doing it (except self-medicating!). Practice is key. Never get angry at yourself for failing. Get up, carry on.
Musashi was a duellist (non-firearms) in old Japan and never lost, even though his opponents were fearsome and formidable. Musashi on using anger, great story. I got carried away on the quotes below, but use what helps and read the Book of Five Rings if you at all can.
On self
If you wish to control others you must first control yourself
― Miyamoto Musashi, A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy
If you are not progressing along the true way, a slight twist in the mind can become a major twist. This must be pondered well.
― Miyamoto Musashi, The Complete Book of Five Rings
On speed (a frequent result of rage)
Whatever the Way, the master of strategy does not appear fast
.Of course, slowness is bad. Really skillful people never get out of time, and are always deliberate, and never appear busy.
― Miyamoto Musashi, A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy
Fighting (apply this to political fights)
The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him.
― Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
I apply this one to impeachment of tRump: If you can't cut him down with conviction in the Senate, impeachment that fails will only make him stronger.
When your opponent is hurrying recklessly, you must act contrarily and keep calm. You must not be influenced by the opponent.
― Miyamoto Musashi, A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy
In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
― Miyamoto Musashi, Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy
The heart of Stepping on the Sword, something used principally in the martial arts, is that even with bows and firearms, you must act quickly while they are being discharged: if you charge quickly, it will be difficult to notch another arrow to a bow or discharge a firearm. In all things, when your opponent sets up a tactic, respond to it immediately according to its own principles and, stepping on his actions, defeat him...This is, therefore, the mind of taking the initiative in everything. It does not mean attacking at the same time as your opponent. Stepping on the Sword is taking your action immediately upon your opponent's action.
― Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
Note: This requires preparation (analysis) and planning.
"Chance favors the prepared mind." -- Louis Pasteur
Public justice
The important thing is to polish wisdom and the mind in great detail. If you sharpen wisdom, you will understand what is just and unjust in society and also the good and the evil of this world; then you will come to know all kinds of arts and you will tread different ways. In this manner, no one in this world will succeed in deceiving you. It is after this stage that you will arrive at the wisdom of strategy. The wisdom of strategy is entirely distinct. Even right in the middle of a battle where everything is in rapid movement, it is necessary to attain the most profound principle of strategy, which assures you an immovable mind. You must examine this well.
― Miyamoto Musashi, The Complete Book of Five Rings
On alertness and spirit
Both in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. Even when your spirit is calm do not let your body relax, and when your body is relaxed do not let your spirit slacken. Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body be influenced by your spirit.
― Miyamoto Musashi, A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy
In the Way of the Martial Arts, do not let your frame of mind be any different from your everyday mind. In both everyday and military events, your mind should not change in the least, but should be broad and straightforward, neither drawn too tight nor allowed to slacken even a little.... Do not let your mind stand still even when you are in repose, but do not let it speed up even when you are involved in quick actions. The mind should not be distracted by the body, nor the body distracted by the mind.
― Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
"1. Accept everything just the way it is.
3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.
4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
5. Be detached from desire your whole life long.
6. Do not regret what you have done.
7. Never be jealous.
8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.
9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.
...
18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
20. You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor.
21. Never stray from the Way.
― Miyamoto Musashi
c-rational
(2,581 posts)FakeNoose
(32,356 posts)infullview
(978 posts)Clearly conveys your views and contempt for this man.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I hope he reads it!
Karadeniz
(22,283 posts)sheshe2
(83,356 posts)PeeJ52
(1,588 posts)letters and haven't received a reply since tRump has been elected. I wonder if they check the party affiliation and only reply to members of their own party now days or if they even bother to reply to anyone. I used to get regular replies from Bill Nelson, even if just mostly generic position papers, but since tRump has been in, nothing. Is anyone getting any responses from their representatives?
WhiskeyWulf
(569 posts)gratuitous
(82,849 posts)I'm not going to forget that one for a while.
csziggy
(34,120 posts)If I get spammed with Republican requests, I respond, telling them that every single time I hear from them I will give or increase my donations to Democratic candidates. It's especially effective if I name whoever is running against them as the one who will receive that donation.
BBG
(2,478 posts)They make good wrappers for bricks.
csziggy
(34,120 posts)My husband picks up and sorts the mail, both that which comes to our street box or to the post office box. Useless crap received at the PO Box goes in their recycle bins, that received at the street box goes in ours.
Gore1FL
(21,035 posts)You can do other things, but it may not work depending on how their reply ail is set up.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/bank-junk-mail-brick/
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)I have a huge black magic marker and I scribble "STOP SENDING ME YOUR FILTH" across the envelope (and mail refused). The USPS just throws such things out as they usually come "pre-sort" mail. But I get a thrill out of doing this.
BBG
(2,478 posts)Appreciate that update.
TheBlackAdder
(28,076 posts)Dem_4_Life
(1,765 posts)Well done.
grantcart
(53,061 posts)50 Shades Of Blue
(9,777 posts)TryLogic
(1,721 posts)Arkansas Pilot
(20 posts)Suggest a similar note to John Boozman
MBS
(9,688 posts)brooklynite
(93,880 posts)Leghorn21
(13,520 posts)Fantastic!
THANK YOU
LiberalArkie
(15,686 posts)AllaN01Bear
(17,384 posts)samnsara
(17,572 posts)..i just write a huge FUCK YOU and send it back in their prepaid envelope. But then, I am no better than they are. So..I shall try to be more polite and express to them why I dont support their views. Whew.. thats gonna be a tough one!
INdemo
(6,994 posts)gademocrat7
(10,623 posts)Burgholzli
(1 post)Thank you for this intelligent response to Senator Cotton. Republicans have become non-thinking yes men for tRump. As a vet, I always admired McCain for his military service, although I disagreed with political leanings.
Well Done,
glenn
catbyte
(34,174 posts)hermetic
(8,258 posts)cp
(6,543 posts)Well done.
catbyte
(34,174 posts)A truly righteous rant. I salute you.
Fla Dem
(23,354 posts)ashling
(25,771 posts)vlyons
(10,252 posts)and feel deep shame to be serving a reprehensible coward and quit. That's a nice thought.
Smackdown2019
(1,169 posts)A staffer would most likely save it into the disgruntled voter file, which is most likely full by now. GOP senators should be worried about their election. Good letter!
CaptainTruth
(6,546 posts)Good for you!
cate94
(2,797 posts)I wonder if you could make a few changes, so that it could be sent as a letter to the editor of your paper. Its a damn good letter and It would be great for more people in Arkansas to see it. Just a thought.
Me.
(35,454 posts)"an email asking for your opinion on this matter, but you didn't see fit to answer them"
Perhaps could be changed to:
an email asking for your opinion on this matter, but you didn't see fit to answer it
or
emails asking for your opinion on this matter, but you didn't see fit to answer them
lordsummerisle
(4,649 posts)you are awesome...
marble falls
(56,371 posts)took 2nd and 3rd degree burns rescuing single handedly another flyer on the Forrestal whose plane was bburning when an air to air missile went off on deck. the fires killed 134 and injured 161.
Actual footage. I first saw footage of this during a fire fighting class in boot camp in 1972.
McCain was a hero long before he became a POW. He was a Republican, but more importantly he was Navy.
ooky
(8,889 posts)I saw that training film in boot camp in Orlando in 1973, also recall refueling the Forrestal
later during my enlistment while serving on an oiler.
marble falls
(56,371 posts)ooky
(8,889 posts)I was your friendly Personnelman, eventually. That said, being on an oiler we all did a lot of different jobs, some not so desirable as you probably already know, especially before making Petty Officer. I reported for duty as an E2 and promptly found myself working side by side with the BMs!
marble falls
(56,371 posts)no KP.
Went into boot camp E-3, and got my crow before I got to fleet. Missed a lot of the initiation BS work. I was company clerk and and only stood one watch, went to A school and because the quartermaster screwed up, never ended up on a watch section and when they caught the screw up I had just gotten married and was put on a 13 section duty and stood maybe 2 or 3 watches that never lasted more than three or four hours. I never stood an inspection until I was in sub school. And because I was mustering petty officer for the transient barracks, I never stood a night watch. I spent almost two years in school before I went to fleet.
Life was good; very, very good!
ooky
(8,889 posts)before I started my day job in the personnel office I got the pleasure of participating in one of what has to be one of the dirtiest jobs the Navy has to offer, called "mucking tanks". Every so often an oiler needs to clean out the sludge in the bottom of its oil cargo tanks. Its pretty simple, after pumping out oil from the tanks we climb down the ladder inside the vast tanks and remove the sludge from the bottom - using ropes and buckets.
While it isn't the ultimate sacrifice, one must love his country greatly to do this.
marble falls
(56,371 posts)scale. Life was pretty cush.
ooky
(8,889 posts)I hope that all Republicans who didn't stand up for Captain McCain should all be shamed in their reelection runs.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)oasis
(49,152 posts)Soxfan58
(3,479 posts)workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)NNYCDN51
(58 posts)UTUSN
(70,497 posts)Takket
(21,425 posts)clayton72
(135 posts)I've never done this and I'm sharing this thought purely for humor. I'm a good person in action, you should be too.
If you get a postage paid envelope, you can put it on a brick and send it back.