15 Comments
Sep 9Liked by Peter Pappas

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

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Change the outfits and these could be part of Trump / Vance / Project 2025 pitch.

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Is it just me, or could many of those postcards be depictions of women at a Trump rally?

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Sep 9·edited Sep 9Author

Women at a Trump really mystify me.

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As a woman, mystification does not even cover what I think about MAGA women. The more we move ahead in this gut-wretching time, the more I believe that the ultimate problem is what I call a 'theoretical fiction'. The fiction that has been with us since time immemorial is needing a figure to worship unconditionally, one who remains a mystique, nevertheless 'near' through our prayers and worship. And, needless to say, a 'fiction' that we can never question lest the whole structure fall apart. This is Jesus/christianity and Trump. I think no accident that Trump massively attracts evangelicals who are captured by the theoretical fiction of Jesus as the lynchpin of Christianity. I think that 'training' people to think of themselves as 'sinners' is an abomnation to the wonder, kindness and capabilities of all of us.

Not enough time and space here to parse this important topic which I ultimately see as an inability for humans to grasp and accept their power without having to relinquish it to a 'god.'

Otherwise, as I've commented to you more than several times, you are a treasure and, again, I thank you for a wondorously enlightening posting.

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Always appreciate your comments. Let’s hope round 2 of debates goes to Kamala.

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Sep 9Liked by Peter Pappas

That picture of the chair over a serene river is chilling. Thank you for the great post today. I’ll restack.

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HI Kate, great to get your feedback. I've been working on this since all the "crazy cat lady" stuff dropped. The same playbook.

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Truth! It’s insane we’re still playing this f’ing game. Enough already!

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I noticed the paucity of cats in the illustrations. Must be a more recent movement. Let's hear it for cats, taking over humanity, one childless lady at a time!

I also projected forward to my own early years, when the slanderings were aimed at the little old ladies in tennis shoes (as if wearing comfortable footwear and walking about were inappropriate and/or laughable actions).

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Honestly, I Began researching this post by looking for childless cat ladies. Bern, you nailed it.

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Sep 11Liked by Peter Pappas

Now I think on it, the best thing (that I can think of right now – it's early) that can be said about the very responsible ladies is they had their pets spayed or neutered to ensure childless cats.

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Fantastic column! Just discovered you via a link by a reader of Heather cox Richardsons Letters From an American substack. Great research by you. Learned so much. Thank you!

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Debra, thanks for the kind words. Glad you connect with the work.

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Me too. In fact, unless they're a paid participant, as some apparently are, why any female or person of color would attend one is baffling.

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