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Sharon Lawrence's avatar

As I've said before, Trump is like the abusive boyfriend. We stick with him because of the initial impression we had of him (which is a calculated cover story). We ignore all the signs that he's not who we think because we are naive and hopeful - and don't want to admit we are wrong. So we either end up dead or wake up and finally kick him to the curb.

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Frances Burger's avatar

I suppose that's one way to look at it. But if it's true that politics is the theater of the industrial war machine then we gotta hand it to Trump for originality in showmanship.

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Ralph Rosenberg's avatar

Thanks Doug. Important read, since other media has not covered these contexts.

I am not necessarily a Sinatra fan. But...despite his rough edges and controversial associations, Sinatra quietly helped countless people behind the scenes. He paid medical bills for strangers, supported civil rights causes, and used his influence to help friends and fans in need, showing genuine compassion beneath his tough exterior.

Other writers have commented that Trump's bill has done more to hurt more Americans than any other piece of legislation in our 250 years.

I think Sinatra would have lobbied against it.

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Brian Elvin's avatar

Let them cheer the individual who gutted the future of Iowa Farmers by destroying their overseas markets , then Defecating on the carcass. The damage he has done already will take over a generation to repair and too many Farmers don’t have that much time

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MGLady's avatar

This is very sad because it depicts a rural America still drinking the koolaide!

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Keith A Moyer's avatar

He may have the Sinatra swagger, but he totally lacks any charm. 1-Why only farmers? If you make exceptions for them, what about all the other jobs that don't pay enough to get employees? 2-Trump knows business and how to run them in the ground. What casino loses money? He does know how to sell stuff though! 3- UFC just what the country needs. 4-He knows bravado and claims triumph where it is not real, LA and Iran. 5- Applause for trampling LGBTQ+ rights of course draws a big cheer in Des Moines! First in the nation, baby! 6- Trump can't stand anyone who is ethnically different, so he reverts to name calling. 7-new hat ASS, bunch of ASS hats. 8-surprised it was so few. 9-they were really reaching for that one, long hard search to find another Bragg hero to rename it after. 10-that is a remarkable load of BS. But it happens almost every day on FOX "News" ( Propaganda network)

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Kathi Zimpleman's avatar

Thank you for the great wrap of trump's speech, Doug. Also, thank you for going to these s*%t shows and reporting on what happened so we don't have to go.

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Dennis Litfin's avatar

Sorry Boustad butTrump despises normal people. That is why he is taking services away from them so he can give those rich people, like him, all of those tax breaks.

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PJO22's avatar

I’d say those 10 takeaways are pretty sad just like the people that attended his rally.

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Mary C. McCarthy's avatar

Brave soul you are Doug to sit through that rant. Your journalist self shines through

I would of preferred to go to the new citizen ceremony with your sister if I was in Des Moines. The fealty if the Iowa Congressional reps continue to give me pause, they are content with authoritarian and destructive behavior. Grassley was about as incoherent as Trump in his babbling. Sad day in our state and national history. Thanks for your report.

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Jane Nguyen's avatar

Doug, Braving that heat was no joke. I was at the I-Cubs, but could seek shade and a slushie margarita.

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Marcy Russell's avatar

Disclaimer….I’m not being snarky with you, but truly sincere when I say….Thanks for summarizing that thing I was too sickened to bother with. It’s a daily balancing act between too much firehose news and not enough to justify being an “ informed citizen”. I appreciate your summary and am confident you hit the key points from that Whatever the Hell That Was event. Appreciated.

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D Shaw's avatar

Holy fuckballs, these people are a special kind of stupid.

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Phoebe Wall Howard's avatar

Doug Burns captures tone and texture in a way that puts readers on site -- with humor and insight and honestly. Exceptionally well done.

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Canikttifun's avatar

Who cares.

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Blue Thoughts From a Red State's avatar

Your writing is more effective than any swizzle stick I ever once used.

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