(1) We all knew there weren't the votes to convict Trump this month. That aside, the events reveal a lot of things about those who were involved.

I've learned how to spot abusive behavior: domestically & politically. This guy is a shocker.

thehill.com/homenews/senat…
(2) I watched his 7 minute interview with CBS after the trial. I was stunned by the amount of it that exposed van der Veen's attitude to his work.

Trump defenders lauded his performance, saying he "destroyed" the interviewer.

No. It was the opposite.

independent.co.uk/news/world/ame…
(3) Van der Veen comes across as a spoilt child. He doesn't need to; he would be far more effective in his work if behaved at least a little bit professionally.

He loses his cool and plays the victim.

Observing "playing the victim" is a very good way to spot an abuser.
(4) "Gaslighting" was once a term that really only those in the domestic violence / therapy community used.

In recent years it's gone mainstream and is routinely deployed by both sides politically.

It can be hard to understand but it's a useful term worth knowing about.
(5) Here's one definition of gaslighting:

"manipulate (someone) by psychological means into questioning their own sanity."

It's a brainwashing technique. I'm here to help anyone who wants to undo any kind of brainwashing they've received.
(6) A common slur on Trump is that he has narcissistic personality disorder (NPD.) I remember trying to educate people about the rare disorder & the more common "narcissistic traits" of many successful pols/execs.

Same people argued their leaders were pure as the driven show.
(7) There are already several people with NPD or a dysfunctional level of narcissistic traits in your family, workplace, and street.

They seek new targets all the time. Some of us are prime targets because we don't know enough about it.

Even then, it takes work to avoid them.
(8) There are many types of diagnosable personality disorder & they are clustered together in groups. The bad news is that attempted treatment is usually ineffective because the person lacks insight. Many of them have to be incarcerated to protect the community.
(9) Yes I know that lawyers, especially the kind who want to represent a high profile politician, are often "street fighters" from way back.

Doesn't matter to me. They can be effective without constant tantrums. Plenty of lawyers achieve that.
(10) I'm struggling to think of any example of a known-in-public* Trump lawyer since the election that I'd want to hire. Maybe Schoen, but I haven't studied him in detail.

*I can think of at least one, on a lower rung, that I certainly would hire. So, no offense Sir.
(11) I still believe the election should be properly audited, but I watched for months and gradually realized Trump never intended to be effective in contesting it. You can tell that by the lawyers, what they filed, & what they said to us.

Trump let his supporters down.
(12) It's 2/17/21 and there are still Trump supporters active on social media platforms who appear to believe Trump will become President again in early March.

They might want to read some history:

britannica.com/topic/millenni…
(13) There are conspiracy theorists on the left and the right.

An enormous number of Trump 2020 voters reject and denounce the Qanon phenomenon, and similar scams targeting the right. They did so before the election, too.

Unlike Trump, who claimed to not know much about it.
(14) Trump made this claim about the Qanon phenomenon during the 2020 campaign. The idea that he was being honest about it is laughable. He knew all about it.

I've been trying to figure out which person or persons have been behind the supposed Q "drops" for years...
(15) You can be certain that the FBI is investigating Trump's actions and omissions in the months before 1/6. And those of his inner circle, too.

The person most frequently appearing to align with the Q narrative of the day was Dan Scavino.

I will wait to see what happens.
(16) Narcissism and related personality disorder traits usually come out as bullying, in childhood.

Most of us know that the best way to deal with a bully is to stand up to him or her.

That can be extremely difficult to do. But there is safety in numbers.
(17) The narrative woven by Trump and his defenders is slowly coming undone. Many on the left don't realize the impact of the narrative on individual men and women who supported him, or still do. Some of them have lost their lives for it.

The gaslighting is extensive:
(18) I think most of us can tell why van der Veen took the job.

Fame and money.

BTW I'm aware of all the talking points and excuses used by Trump supporters right now. None of them work with me.
(19) I will always be proud to have supported the policies Trump implemented and helped to implement.

That's the reason I am speaking out about him now. Because he threw it all away, and he threw Americans, esp. his supporters, under the bus.

In spectacular fashion.
(20) I've survived a lot of personal tragedies in my life. I've learned you can always salvage something from even the most negative experiences.

Those who have an open mind, I'm willing to help you.

Conservatism will be back one day.🇺🇸

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More from @FreedomFriesInc

18 Feb
(1) Love this. Been thinking lately that at times like this our forbears would say to each other "don't you know there's a war on?"

The pandemic + flow on effects make life extra hard for most people. For at least 2 years. Pace yourself.

Choose perspective, empathy & wisdom.
(2) I think almost everyone, if they're honest, will agree that the politicization of the pandemic is a bad thing.

I get few RTs these days because I started openly questioning the actions & omissions of former President Trump in Nov-Dec 2020.

And I don't support the left.
(3) If I'm proud of anything, it's my willingness to make political "conscience" decisions regardless of the fallout.

I used to think everyone was willing to do this at some point. Disheartened to learn yet again that most prefer to stay in their tribe.

Oh well.
Read 21 tweets
18 Feb
(1) I've been reading about some of those already charged from 1/6. I noticed this one because his photo was so... alarming.

In his case there's a range of comments and video to draw on. Including a softball interview from a local conservative media org...
(2) There's this video clip... what a douche. This is why most people don't want to run for office locally. You have to deal with this kind of person.

(3) One of the documents filed in court so far. Compare and contrast with the narrative he wants you to believe (next tweet).

htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/fitzsimo…
Read 7 tweets
16 Feb
TY, longsuffering US Secret Service for all the times you have to go above & beyond for protectees, (incl Ds & Rs, BTW.)

Every time Trump drives close to crowds, esp. without warning, he makes their job harder.

Even if he paid for private security, the agency can't let him.
Just to clarify, the Secret Service protection for every former POTUS & FLOTUS for life is done for the benefit of the country.

The agency cannot end it when a protectee demands. If Trump wants that then Congress will have to decide what to do.

He should back the blue.
Trump promised to back the blue and used terms like "always" hundreds of times, including a few short months ago.

He broke this promise, multiple times, not just on 1/6, though that is the most egregious example.

That alone is reason enough to leave him. And it takes courage.
Read 6 tweets
15 Feb
(1) Thread: Why it might be a good idea for you to look at these photos and share the link.

Below I list some reasons and offer points on replying to the usual criticisms about it.

fbi.gov/wanted/capitol…
(2) Some of the pix are very clear and if you know of the person you will easily recognize them.

There's an old saying "snitches get stitches." We each have a choice whether we want to help the cops prevent crime & maybe even save lives, or not.

Both options carry some risk.
(3) It is possible to anonymously report info to law enforcement. If you want to, then don't use your own phone, etc.

Giving them your name and details can be helpful if they want more info later. Alternatively, putting it in writing gives you greater control of your message.
Read 15 tweets
15 Feb
(1) Thoughts from a radical centrist in 2021.

I never liked that kind of label but it's one of a few that partially express where I'm at.

I'm a conservative & not a "centrist" by ideology. But I become an independent to escape the extremism of the far right AND the far left.
(2) I say this bc my online life became less easy when I started speaking up about the events that led to the 1/6 Capitol riot.

I'm not complaining about that. I knew it'd happen & I did it anyway.

I was a firm Trump fan bc of his policy results. Then he let the mask drop.
(3) In before the far left tell me I'm evil because I once supported Trump...

Have you ever changed your mind about something? We all have.

If you want to stop the carnage you should embrace folk like me. We can help those who want peace.
Read 19 tweets
14 Feb
(1) Thread: Suicide prevention is always an important cause.

Multiple stressors are driving up the suicide rate in 2021. Chief among them is the pandemic & flow-on effects. I also add politics is a factor.

Going to add examples below over time.

suicidepreventionlifeline.org
(2) I hesitated but it's now time. Talking about suicide prevention and response is one way to reduce the harm.

Several groups are at increased risk, esp first responders & health providers.

This case involved a political consultant:

heavy.com/news/chris-dil…
(3) From the story, Chris Dillard attended a local "Stop The Steal" event. It would not surprise me to see a number of people suicide as a result of the tense political situation in the US at the moment.

Politicizing these deaths only makes it worse.
Read 5 tweets

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