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PJO22's avatar

It’s important what you are doing and passing on to your readers. What Trump is doing with the National Guard and the Marines in LA is disrespectful to them.

Trump cut the park employees in WDC from 200 to 20 that’s why the Guard is picking up garbage and gardening. The Republican Congress also cut a billion dollars from the WDC budget that exacerbated crime issues. Trump and Republicans create problems then try to take credit for fixing them. All at a huge cost to taxpayers.

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Dave Busiek's avatar

Thank you for pointing out the foolishness of this deployment while also being respectful to the service members being put in a difficult position through no fault of their own.

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Barry Piatt's avatar

Thank you, Dave.

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Connie Taylor's avatar

Thank you, Barry, for having the conversations with the service members and reporting on them. So much going on in DC right now, and I appreciate you keeping us informed.

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susaniniowa's avatar

Thanks for this thoughtful essay. One quibble: martial, not marshal law.

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Barry Piatt's avatar

Oops. Fortunately, I haven’t had much need to use that word or write it in my life in America, so not much experience spelling it. I’ll correct it. Thanks for catching it!

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Denise OBrien's avatar

I appreciate you talking with the National Guard folks. You are right about them being mostly young and doing duty outside of what they are trained for. Thanks for letting them know they don’t have to obey a batshit crazy man who is using them for dangerous purposes.

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Kathi Zimpleman's avatar

Well done, Barry. Thank you.

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Tim Wagner's avatar

I agree completely, Barry, that trump's narrative about DC crime to justify the presence of 2000+ troops is a complete smokescreen. Seems obvious that they will be there through and past the '25 midterms in order to squelch protests over the election, since DC is likely where it will start. Full-on fascism is at play here. But if you watch FOX, you would not have a clue.

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Tim Wagner's avatar

"26" midterms.

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Dean Weitenhagen's avatar

Your TDS has reached new heights: 45/47 shutting down general elections? Wow. Poll your MAGA readers - if there are more than me - to see how many would be willing to give up free elections just to give DJT another term. You obviously don’t understand his supporters. We like the job he’s doing, but not at the expense of our freedoms, like choice.

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