Paul Symmonds
@paulsym.bsky.social
Father, grandfather, husband, dog lover. Retired psychiatric social worker. Former high school teacher. Travel enthusiast. Occasional poet. Hater of fascist assholes. Proud liberal in Arizona.
That’s my wife they are talking about. She was an Army brat born in Germany.
February 13, 2026 at 6:26 PM
That’s my wife they are talking about. She was an Army brat born in Germany.
Marcus Aurelius was one of the most interesting people in history and should be much more well known than he is.
February 13, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Marcus Aurelius was one of the most interesting people in history and should be much more well known than he is.
Their outrage is an admission that they know Trump is a pedophile. Sad that they don’t care.
February 13, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Their outrage is an admission that they know Trump is a pedophile. Sad that they don’t care.
Do Republicans ever realize how stupid they sound when they try to defend this regime?
February 13, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Do Republicans ever realize how stupid they sound when they try to defend this regime?
Well, John, the agencies you mention have already been gutted by Trump flunkies, so your argument is pretty weak.
February 13, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Well, John, the agencies you mention have already been gutted by Trump flunkies, so your argument is pretty weak.
I prefer to be optimistic and active rather than dismissive and defeatist.
February 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM
I prefer to be optimistic and active rather than dismissive and defeatist.
Another reason to vote all blue in November so we can start impeachment proceedings on these clowns.
February 13, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Another reason to vote all blue in November so we can start impeachment proceedings on these clowns.
Knee jerk numbskullery at its finest.
February 13, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Knee jerk numbskullery at its finest.
Congress should nullify any pardons for members of this regime.
February 13, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Congress should nullify any pardons for members of this regime.
Floating petri dishes.
February 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Floating petri dishes.
Republicans are a death cult that believes somehow they will survive while all their enemies die. Weird.
February 13, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Republicans are a death cult that believes somehow they will survive while all their enemies die. Weird.
I have been to Hungary. Budapest has more graffiti than New York City and the people are largely prejudiced towards “others.” I don’t want America to be like that, any more than it already is.
February 13, 2026 at 4:41 PM
I have been to Hungary. Budapest has more graffiti than New York City and the people are largely prejudiced towards “others.” I don’t want America to be like that, any more than it already is.
it’s true that Democrats are easily divided because they try to please too many factions and usually manage to offend some of them. It’s also true that voters who have a hard time seeing the big picture compound this problem. But there is no excuse for not voting against fascism.
February 13, 2026 at 4:01 PM
it’s true that Democrats are easily divided because they try to please too many factions and usually manage to offend some of them. It’s also true that voters who have a hard time seeing the big picture compound this problem. But there is no excuse for not voting against fascism.
With people of all races that I began to seriously challenge the values and attitudes I grew up with. Humans tend to fear what they don’t know or understand, and that is where aversion grows into hate if unchecked by growth and experience.
February 13, 2026 at 3:56 PM
With people of all races that I began to seriously challenge the values and attitudes I grew up with. Humans tend to fear what they don’t know or understand, and that is where aversion grows into hate if unchecked by growth and experience.
The hate comes from insecurity and the bad lessons from their families and peers. It is an environmental as much as a personality issue. I carried many of those prejudices growing up in a mostly white community and it wasn’t until I joined the military where I regularly interacted
February 13, 2026 at 3:56 PM
The hate comes from insecurity and the bad lessons from their families and peers. It is an environmental as much as a personality issue. I carried many of those prejudices growing up in a mostly white community and it wasn’t until I joined the military where I regularly interacted
I know a bit about Spanish Mexican and Native history and their intermingling over centuries. Wasn’t trying to leave anyone out . Just addressing the group that was attacked.
February 13, 2026 at 6:15 AM
I know a bit about Spanish Mexican and Native history and their intermingling over centuries. Wasn’t trying to leave anyone out . Just addressing the group that was attacked.
If you remember “that guy” growing up—the one that was so obnoxious it was easier to humor him than try to argue reasonably. Extrapolate that and you have the mentality of modern Republicans in office. And America elected them.
February 13, 2026 at 4:06 AM
If you remember “that guy” growing up—the one that was so obnoxious it was easier to humor him than try to argue reasonably. Extrapolate that and you have the mentality of modern Republicans in office. And America elected them.
Embarrassing, but so appropriate for her.
February 13, 2026 at 3:55 AM
Embarrassing, but so appropriate for her.
The two party system is too constricting for a multicultural society. You can’t jam so many interests into one party and expect it to function efficiently on controversial subjects. Republicans narrow their interests and priorities and pander to wedge issues. Dems try to do everything else.
February 13, 2026 at 3:46 AM
The two party system is too constricting for a multicultural society. You can’t jam so many interests into one party and expect it to function efficiently on controversial subjects. Republicans narrow their interests and priorities and pander to wedge issues. Dems try to do everything else.
I do not understand the reasoning behind this decision. It is not ”political“ to want to honor fallen friends.
February 13, 2026 at 3:39 AM
I do not understand the reasoning behind this decision. It is not ”political“ to want to honor fallen friends.
This was her “They're eating the pets!” moment.
February 13, 2026 at 3:33 AM
This was her “They're eating the pets!” moment.
Republicans are unwilling to legislate, so they just do what their donors tell them to do.
February 13, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Republicans are unwilling to legislate, so they just do what their donors tell them to do.
True, but they aren’t Latino.
February 13, 2026 at 3:03 AM
True, but they aren’t Latino.
Loved the book. Haven’t seen the movie. Does it measure up to the book?
February 12, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Loved the book. Haven’t seen the movie. Does it measure up to the book?