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Given the circumstances, I think Biden did a masterful job.

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My husband is a Vietnam vet. He, his buddies, their wives...we all strongly support honoring those who have served, taking care of our veterans, etc.

But we have often discussed that Memorial Day is not to highlight our veterans but rather those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It has seemed to us this year that the accurate purpose of Memorial Day is more broadly understood. Our pastor yesterday, rather than asking veterans to stand, started the service with a prayer of Thanksgiving for those lost. That was the right thing to do.

Maybe it’s my imagination, but I think we’re seeing a realization that our democracy is not guaranteed and is, in fact, under threat at a high level. As I’m registering voters or writing posts cards or knocking on doors, I sometimes think that even if I did those things all day every day, I still go home to my family at night, whereas the families of those we honor today will never be the same.

Pretty overwhelming day of gratitude but also resolve.

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PBS had a very moving Memorial Day program tonight.

They did a good job of discussing the many courageous Americans who have fought for our country in brutal wars in far away places. As I watched the show describe the huge sacrifices, both physical and mental, by so many Americans willing to defend our democracy, I could not help but think about the shocking contrast between the actions of those soldiers and the behavior of the Republicans in Congress now.

I'm very proud of all of those soldiers, men and women, of all races. And my heart goes out with gratitude and sadness to them and to their families. who also carried and still bear, the weight of those wars though miles away from the battle fields.

If anyone wants to see the PBS Memorial Day Concert online, you can click the link below.

https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/national-memorial-day-concert/episodes/2023-national-memorial-day-concert-live-stream

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day.

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I spent the weekend in Normandy, France, site of the legendary D-Day Landings of WWII, where so many fought bravely, and so many died. I have a photo similar to the one you posted, Robert, except the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, where some 10,600 fallen soldiers lie beneath a vast field of crosses and occasional stars, is many times bigger. The cemetery is set among the famous beaches Omaha, Utah,Juno, and other familiar code names. In the surrounding villages, many of which were destroyed by Allied bombings causing 20,000 civilian casualties, there are American flags flying everywhere. Whereas in certain places of the US, to see a big US flag flying could signal someone with an arsenal of guns behind the door, here it is a sign of friendship and gratitude. (It is, of course, a big tourist destination, so folks want to attract customers, but still.) I have been and still am anti-war deep in my heart, but WWII has remained in a different category, probably for all of us. Now in Ukraine, it once again looks like a just war, which the Ukrainians have been forced to fight. At the same time, I know our soldiers fight with valor regardless of the wisdom or folly of the war they are in. We went to the memorial ceremony at the cemetery, which was solemn and dignified, and very moving. Heroism and sacrifice were remembered. A small US air force band played, from a base in Germany, and a large French military band played. At one point a helicopter flew overhead and I was surprised I felt both thrilled and grateful for US might. I do not know if military budgets need to be increased or decreased, but we must not cut veterans' services, no matter what. And if we can help Ukraine, then the big budgets are worth it.

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founding

Ah! Hang on folks... if MAGA wing nuts blow up McCarthy’s deal and even consider dumping him as Speaker, President Biden might still invoke the 14th Amendment to pass the original debt ceiling - and be in a good position to justify this on appeal given his beyond good faith effort to negotiate with Congress, leaving all of those negotiated terms in the dust. It probably won’t come to this, but it’s fun to think about!😋

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“For now, we should again acknowledge how fortunate we are to have Joe Biden as our president during this challenging moment in our nation’s history.”

Amen, Robert! A restful day to you!

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As we take this day to honor our fallen Americans and their families - many never fully formed - it is heartening to read your positive analysis of the deal our President Biden orchestrated for the country. Best to make Republican lawmakers think we're unhappy so they'll be sure to pass the bill to "stick it to us libs"!

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It’s easy to play armchair politics and second guess Biden’s strategy, but with his many years in the senate and the Whitehouse, I’m giving Joe the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he’s doing.

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Thank you for your tribute to Veterans, and your support for our domestic supporter of democracy in the Presidency.

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Thats the best and most clear summation (of the deal that was tentatively struck) that I have read so far. I agree that Dark Brandon handled this masterfully, though I also wish he hadn’t had to. But it is a huge win for America, because as you point out, the House was never going to concede to any other better budget deals and this got us over the 2024 line. In a way, President Biden turned the debt ceiling crisis around on the hostage takers and they seem to have been given just enough rope to hang themselves with. None of us like that we had to sacrifice aspects of our agenda, but as you point out, these budgetary issues were already “baked in” as long as we have the House as it is. Joe Biden keeps proving what an 80 year old with decades of experience in Congress and years of wisdom, can do. He’s fighting today for democracy, as imperfect as ours is, still. Just as fervently as all those we honor today, have.

It strikes me how peaceful that beautiful picture is, of the glade in the woods where the orderly crosses mark lives lost. The battle for democracy is now closer to home and more urgent than ever. Joe Biden is the right man for this moment.

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The GOP wants a bad economy they can blame on Biden. You can see it in everything they say and do, knowing that the details are beyond the public’s understanding and that the “both ism” of the media will further their claims. So the smart politics is to make a deal even though it is with dishonest hostage takers.

Politics is a tough playing field where winning elections is all that counts.

Look, coming close to keeping control of the House by stopping the Red wave was not good enough. Democracy and the values most of us here have depend on winning the 2024 election. Giving a little to defang the other side is smart.

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Nice how the poor folks who need the SNAP benefits get targeted but not a peep about the tax breaks for the ultra wealthy! And why even mention cuts in SS, Medicare and Medicaid. Biden basically got that agreement at the State of the Union address.

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It's way too early for a victory dance. The ability of the Freedom caucus and fellow travelers like JD Vance to drive into the guard rails and flip the car over can not be under estimated. Let's hold off on any jubilation until McCarthy survives and Biden signs an actual bill to push out the debt ceiling to the next presidency.

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I have read the preliminary outline of the debt ceiling agreement. Both sides will claim a win but I hope the media will give credit to Biden and his experienced team that they did not allow us to default and they did not allow the Republicans to hold the country hostage. Once more than ever we all need to explain in plain English what the deal means to all voters and their individual needs and programs. We protected many American voters and they need to understand what that means.

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Thanks once again for lifting my spirits with your analysis of the debt limit deal!

Judy DC

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founding

I hope all will remember those who served. Not just those killed in battle, but those wounded and the people who died of disease while in the nation’s service, for we are in debt to all of them. As we are to people who put aside educations and careers and time with our family to serve.

As regular readers may know, I inveighed for months about why Biden should use the cudgel of the 14th Amendment, and the inherent illegality of the debt ceiling, to make Republicans eat crow. I am here today to say that I was wrong. What I neglected was the need for a budget. Beating Republicans over the debt ceiling would have been cold comfort when no budget could be passed. The compromise is no triumph, but it is an achievement. And if it fails—unless too many Democrats refuse to hold their noses and vote for it—it will be a Republican debacle we can hang around their necks for years.

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