37 Comments

As I followed you both on Twitter (agree on the name X), I pretty much knew your likes/dislikes.

SS, sorry, but I agree with OS, PO1135809 is a racist, was raised to be racist & other racists have flocked to him. Haitians eating cats & dogs, Kill the Muslims, etc.

OS, sorry, SS is right, all trumpers are not the same, ignorant or delusional, uninformed or not aware.

However, I think they all see something in him they wish to be. What that is, I cannot fathom.

Great introduction & I hope this silent podcast lives long!

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You had me at ‘agree with OS’ 💙😏

So good to see you here, Tracy.

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😄

Thanks for this, seriously.

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Nice intro. Looking forward to more from both of you.

I agree. Twitter is a much better name than it's lazy-ass letter.

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Thanks very much, D. X doesn’t always mark the spot 😏

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Thank you. I think I'm going to like this conversational style (banter) that you offer with your newsletter. It's like sitting down with a couple of friends who are knowledgeable and engaged. I look at "Banters" as a support group in the dangerous times we find ourselves.

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"Feroce Padovana" is my BlueSky account

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Ahh. Hey Linda - very nice to meet you.

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Nice to meet you!

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Can we banter about the following topic: Discussing problems (e.g. the orange menace) is useless without action. For example, everyone seems to like discussing and raging, but I don’t see the point in doing that. It seems like a waste of time and energy. Can’t we discuss an issue and solutions too, and then actually implement those solutions? I have solutions to discuss.

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It's crucial that we do exactly that - discuss solutions. Sometimes, we'll incorporate that into issues of Banters, and it is always fair game to toss ideas out in the Comments and we'll respond. Soon, we'll turn on Chat and then participate actively in that. Thanks for the comment. :)

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After reading the introduction I am really looking forward to reading your thoughts and ideas on everything concerning the state of our country. Followed you both on twitter and here. Thank you in advance for coming together and helping

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Thank you for your feedback. Glad you’re here with us.

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Great insights, enjoyable read. Barney's picture looks like it is framed. If not, it certainly is a portrait to be treasured! (Lat428 on Bluesky).

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Hi, Louann. Thanks for the kind words. Nice to match the name to the handle, which of course I very much recognize. The photo of Barney, taken a short time after I had adopted him (although I prefer to say 'after we adopted each other') is one of my favorites. Outspoken is a talented graphic artist and she enhanced it for the newsletter, adding the frame. Thanks for noticing and for commenting. - H

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congrats on the new gig and can't wait to read more!

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Thank you and glad you're here with us!

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Excellent start!! I love the conversational style and feel like I’m right in the same room listening.

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Thank you, we were hoping for that. :)

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I absolutely agree with OS there’s no way that you can see someone who is a blatant bigot, racist and entertains Nazis and vote for him , unless you’re secretly or openly voting for white supremacy, as far as the ignorant part, I believe all trump supporters know exactly what and who they voted for, he is the vessel they need to carry out the hate they harbor, he is unintelligent speaks with a 5th grade vocabulary, he filed bankruptcy over six times so spare me with the “we voted for him because he was a good businessman” BS you think if you say it enough times that it becomes truth well there are some people that are not stupid we’re called free thinkers he put out a full page article asking for five black men to be hung and they were found innocent and exonerated 40 years later he took away their entire childhood, those that overlook that which is a serious thing, could you imagine someone calling for five white boys to be hung? It’s because you don’t care and will continue to make excuses for the people that voted for him without care or concern

This is a good intro and hopefully can provide tools and resources that will assist people coming to this platform with credible information and an ability to voice the unspoken

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Thank you for YOUR voice, Kay! - OS

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I agree with both of you - hate Trump - but agree Trumpism is more dangerous bc it is here to stay. Looking forward to both of your thoughts and opinions as we move into 2025. Best to you both. 💟☮️

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Trumpism is indeed the the true danger. I think it's also always been here, Trump brought it out -- Happy 2025 and thanks for reading us!, - OS ;)

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Cool format! I've followed you both on Twitter (still there only to follow a few of my favs who remain), and if I haven't already subscribed to you both on Bluesky, that will happen in a few minutes. I'm looking forward to many more Banters!

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Hi Lucy! Thank you for your wonderful feedback, see you here and there and over there, too ;)

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Thanks

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I LIKE what this site's about based on the opening discussion. Is it fair for me to ask: do you have personal or other vested interests OTHER than helping to contribute to the/a Greater Good and truth (translation in this case: counter the overt inhumanity of GOP/MAGA types) ?

As we learn more of misinformation and mainstream media normalizing lies and bs, not to mention outsiders (Russia, China, etc) delight and interest in contributing to disrupting our society... "we" learn the need to find trusted sources of info; those who we trust are transparent and genuine in efforts to disseminate the truth (as best we can determine it at the time), and correct misinformation if/when it's discovered.

so,

1) financial transparency (all about the money) ... sponsors/stocks/bonds/investments Are you billionaires:) Clearly NOT otherwise you'd be on the liar's short list for some damn position so he can GET some of your cash...

2) no other way to put it... do you believe in any kind of god, and if I do or don't, would it matter?

3) what is your personal philosophy of life? (addresses vested interest)

4) perhaps already answered, but: are humans 'basically' "good" or "bad" (whatever those terms mean)

5) do you believe in human equality? If so HOW are we equal? am i "equal" to, say Giuliani or to AOC?

signed, as angry and concerned as you, and looking for trusted sources of information;

thanks for your apparent goals AND your time time time and efforts

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I think our next edition will answer some of this for you. The more you read, the more you’ll know.

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Thanks for your individual introductions. I've followed SS from Twitter to Bluesky but was unaware of Outspoken. Nice to meet you both and thanks for effort.

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Hi :)

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Oz should be piss boy.

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Great first newsletter - count me in.

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Thanks, Ellen.

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