As I've noted before and surely will again, because it's the truth, the slavish devotion of almost all Republicans to Donald Trump mirrors the slavish devotion of cult members to their own Dear Leader who, in their eyes, can do no wrong.
Further proof of this was on plain display today after the president of Ukraine, Zelensky, met with Trump at the White House to sign a deal they'd negotiated regarding the mining of mineral deposits in Ukraine, along with discussing how to end Ukraine's war with Russia.
That meeting started off fine (a full video is here), but degenerated at the end into a shouting match in which Zelensky bravely attempted to speak the truth about the Russian dictator, Putin, and Ukraine's valid concerns about making a bad deal with Putin.
But in what appeared to be a pre-planned effort by Vice-President Vance and President Trump to undermine Zelensky and promote Putin, the last part of the meeting featured Vance and Trump acting like the cowardly dictator-lovers that they are, talking over Zelensky in a bizarre attempt to prevent him from speaking the proverbial truth to power.
This video shows Trump and Vance acting like mafia bosses, threatening Zelensky with the loss of his country if he doesn't express enough fawning appreciation to Trump.
Zelensky is a real man, a warrior who has been fighting on behalf of his people for the past three years after Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Trump, on the other hand, is a weak cry-baby who has so little confidence in himself, he looks upon any criticism as a vicious attack rather than as something to be discussed and coherently responded to.
That's why Trump abruptly ended his meeting with Zelensky. The Ukrainians wanted to stay, have lunch, and then proceed with what had been planned for the rest of the day. However, Trump kicked Zelensky out because he can't tolerate anyone correcting his lies -- which in this case were plentiful. PolitiFact highlighted three of them.
How this meeting ended was disturbing enough. Almost as disturbing was the virtually universal support Trump got for his outrageous behavior from his fellow Republican politicians. Senator Lindsey Graham has been a strong supporter of Ukraine. A few weeks ago he lavishly praised Zelensky at a European security conference.
But since he belongs to the Cult of Trump, Graham issued a statement condemning Zelensky. That's what Republican politicians have to do these days: kiss Trump's fat ass out of a fear that if they don't, Trump and his billionaire buddy, Elon Musk, will fund a primary challenge to them next time they run for re-election.
This is the political equivalent of followers of a religious cult leader keeping their mouths shut about the immoral and illegal things they know the leader is doing, but can't talk about because they're afraid of what will happen to them if they do. Being ostracized, for sure. Facing physical danger, a real possibility.
Cult leaders get their power from the subservience of their followers. Whether it be Trump's authoritarianism or a religious cult leader's dominance over helpless followers (often women abused by the leader, which Trump also has done), the key to their success is creating a climate where criticism of the leader is a thought-crime and praise of the leader keeps a follower out of trouble.
To which I say, to hell with that. I'll never be silenced, nor will the majority of Americans who disapprove of the horrible way Trump is acting as president. European leaders were quick to support Zelensky, a great sign. Hopefully now they will be even more inclined to give aid to Ukraine, which already surpasses the value of American aid (Trump lied about that).
Thomas Friedman, a New York Times opinion writer, had a great short piece today about the meeting between Zelensky and Trump, "This Never Happened With an American President Before." Here's the whole essay.
What happened in the Oval Office on Friday — the obviously planned ambush of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine by President Trump and Vice President JD Vance — was something that had never happened in the nearly 250-year history of this country: In a major war in Europe, our president clearly sided with the aggressor, the dictator and the invader against the democrat, the freedom fighter and the invaded.
You want an analogy? Imagine if, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel came to the White House this month, Trump and Vance told him that the war with Hamas had gone on too long, too many lives had been lost and it was costing America too much money, so it was time for Bibi and the Israeli people to do a deal with the Hamas aggressor.
Because Russia did to Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, what Hamas did to Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 — a surprise invasion, murder and the ensuing sexual violence to wreak destruction on another nation and its society. Trump took Bibi’s side 110 percent against Hamas, and now he is taking Putin’s side 110 percent against Zelensky and Ukraine.
It is hard to express what a break this is in American foreign policy. We stood on the side of liberty and those fighting for it around the world. There are times the isolationist forces in our population have held us back and had to be persuaded. There have been times when — in support of the larger cause of liberty — against dangerous foes like Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, we had to align ourselves temporarily with dictators.
But I can’t think of a single time when an American president declared that the democratically elected leader of a country preserving liberty was a “dictator” who started the war with his neighbor — when it was the vicious neighboring dictator who actually started the war.
If you listen to Trump, everything we have done for Ukraine is pure altruism. We have no actual interests at stake ourselves in its fate or the triumph of liberty there. We have no actual interest in the fact that Ukraine is protecting the European Union — a giant, pro-American alliance of free markets and free people. It doesn’t matter a whit to Trump what happens to the E.U. or Ukraine. All that matters is that Zelensky says “thank you” louder for our altruism and that, in the middle of his war of survival, sign over a generation of Ukraine’s mineral wealth to us.
This is a total perversion of U.S. foreign policy practiced by every president since World War I. My fellow Americans, we are in completely uncharted waters, led by a president, who — well, I cannot believe he is a Russian agent, but he sure plays one on TV.
---------------------
Thomas L. Friedman is the foreign affairs Opinion columnist. He joined the paper in 1981 and has won three Pulitzer Prizes. He is the author of seven books, including “From Beirut to Jerusalem,” which won the National Book Award.
It's so much fun to watch Brian predictably react like a progressive wind-up toy, parroting whatever his favorite progressive pundits tell him to think, and then labeling anyone who disagrees with it a fascist, or here, a "cult member."
His critique makes zero sense. Lindsey Graham is one of the biggest war hawks in Congress, particularly with the Ukraine war. Graham has shifted in his overweening support for that war for the same reason many others have: The realization that there is no way for Ukraine to win that war.
Added to that are the recent revelations of Ukraine's violent kidnapping of its citizens to force them into the lost cause of defeating the Russian army. Added to that is Z's pouting admission that "Yes, you sent us 350 billion, but we don't know where half it went." Added to that is that Z and all who support him have played a dangerous game of attacking Russia and possibly causing WWIII.
In other words, there are lots and lots of rational reasons for the US to end its unconditional support of this failed war and get a cease-fire in place. You know, a cease-fire? That thing where non-violence and diplomacy take the lead instead of mass slaughter that achieves nothing? One needs to remind today's progressives of the virtues of non-violence and the threat of a world war. Their hated of all things Trump is the lodestar of all their moral evaluations.
Trump and JD did precisely the right thing in yesterday's interview with Z. They were cordial with this little man in his ridiculous arrogant superhero fake veteran costume until he began lecturing us that we had no right to dictate anything to him because he was saving the United States from a a Russian invasion.
You're free to believe such nonsense, but America voted for the guy who pledged to end the Ukraine war, a war that the nitwit who last held office pumped billions into thought it was clear to some of us that this was the most foolhardy and futile military endeavor of all time.
Cult members. Dear Friedman and every other pundit who avoided Vietnam: Ukraine needs soldiers desperately. By all means, go fly over there and fight the good fight to save the world from Putin. The rest of us have more sense than to fund a war that Western neocons started, a war where billions have been stolen by the ostensible good guys.
Posted by: sant64 | March 01, 2025 at 06:55 AM
Well, Sant64, you have all the hallmarks of a prime candidate for a cult—perhaps an ex-member who never quite shook the habit. I’d wager good money you’ve spent some time in the ranks of a group where the leader’s word is gospel and critical thinking is optional.
Now, as for your take on that White House moment, you’re as mistaken as someone bringing a chessboard to a knife fight. I watched the interview live—relatively speaking—and what turned it ugly wasn’t Zelensky. No, it was Vance, who seemed less interested in listening and more interested in demonstrating how little he understands. Zelensky, poor guy, was just trying to explain (in between the incessant interruptions) why a ceasefire isn’t worth the paper it's written on if the other side—Putin, in case you forgot—treats agreements like napkins at a steakhouse.
Did Trump and Vance answer his very reasonable question? Of course not. Instead, they embarked on an extended therapy session about how unappreciated they feel, lamenting the apparent tragedy of not being thanked enough—as if Zelensky doesn’t already send his gratitude via every conceivable medium short of skywriting. Then Trump, ever the statesman, swerved into one of his greatest-hits rants: Obama! Hillary! The Media! Biden! Biden’s Kids! I half expected him to throw in a weather report and a movie review just to round it out.
And yet you, dear Sant64, have the gall to lecture about Zelensky’s character while defending a guy who dodged the draft with imaginary bone spurs. Zelensky, on the other hand, has lost friends, allies, and nearly his country to Putin—a man whose primary skillset includes looting national wealth and turning dissenters into missing persons. But sure, let's pretend Trump was some Gandhian peacemaker. After all, nothing says "non-violence" like approving a $47 million arms deal to Ukraine in 2018.
A ceasefire, in theory, is great. But in reality? Meaningless if the other side treats it like a joke. And the real tragedy here is that if we had a President and Vice-President who actually listened—instead of using every moment to posture and grandstand—maybe there could have been an adult conversation, even if there were disagreements.
Sorry, Sant64, but your apologetics are about as persuasive as a televangelist’s plea for more donations. And just so we’re clear, I am a staunch Republican. I voted for Trump. I, unlike you, actually fought in the Vietnam War. So spare me the cultish devotion—you sound like a man who never quite left his first guru behind.
Here’s a challenge for you: ask yourself this—would Trump and Vance have treated Putin the way they treated Zelensky?
Not a chance. And there lies the sabotage.
Posted by: Vietnamveteran | March 01, 2025 at 07:46 AM
One of the most striking things about yesterday’s Zelensky press conference was Lindsey Graham’s reaction to it. The two are old friends, but Graham disavowed him within the hour. This was more than just transactional disloyalty. It was scapegoating. Lindsey Graham knows what’s coming. Over the past three years, with the tacit support of its Western patrons, the Ukrainian government has committed a remarkable number of serious crimes. The Ukrainians sold huge quantities of American weapons on the international black market at twenty cents on the dollar. These weapons are now in the hands of armed groups around the world, including Hamas, the Mexican drug cartels and the forces now controlling Syria. God knows what the Ukrainians have done with the pathogens in American biolabs in their country. Even US intel agencies aren’t sure. The Ukrainians have also murdered a number of people in various countries in political assassinations, and tried to murder others, including American journalists and a European head of state. This is all true, and it’s all going to come out at some point. Better to start blaming it on Zelensky now.
Or just say that Graham is a "cult member." whee!
It's fascinating to me to watch as progressives style themselves as stalwart patriots. The party of Give Peace a Chance is now the party of We Want World War III.
But one must remember, these are the same people who were all for the Iraq war when it first started. Or have confused ideas about what wars they support, and why. As one wrote:
"Being a baby boomer (I was born in 1948), my life as an American liberal has featured several wars that I opposed. Notably the Vietnam and Iraq wars, at least the second Iraq war. I was fine with us going into Afghanistan to take down Al Qaeda and the first Iraq war seemed justified. Then there's been U.S. involvement in a bunch of military actions. Can't remember much about them."
I'll bet. I get a kick out of people who never served saying it was "fine" for young Americans to go, excuse me, be sent over to the other side of the world to fight a war that can't be won, costing billions of dollars and thousands of American lives. All for nothing.
Yet these progressives somehow think of themselves as anti-war. In a way, they're honest about their pacifism, or half honest. They chose to never serve themselves, but think it's grand when other people are killing and dying in wars they find interesting or can't remember much about. It's an enlightened kind of pacifism.
But alas, someone planted in their mind the idea that Putin is Kal, and so they believe every bit of nonsense from the people responsible for sending young Americans overseas to die that Russia is trying to take over the world and must be stopped, and the way to do that is to send guns and money to a tiny country so they can somehow defeat the Russian army before Putin rolls his tanks into Portland.
Never mind that thousands of people have died needlessly and their support of this war means many more will die. Putin! Trump! Putin! Trump!
Myself, I never for a moment supported any war, and never will. I never served, and I believe people who never served have zero to say about other people fighting their wars.
So here's to genuine non-violence -- it's what Americans voted for. We're seeing the unraveling of the Biden era's stupid warmongering fueled by Putin Trump animus. If Kamala was elected we may have seen World War III. Instead, we're seeing Zelinkskyy revealed as the weasely little tick I always suspected him to be. The money spigot into that ridiculous war is about to be turned off, peace is hopefully nigh, and a huge blow has been dealt to the neocons who've caused more death and destruction in this century than anyone else. I'm happy about it. Those who are not can cry cult for all the good it does them.
Posted by: sant64 | March 01, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Vietnamveteran, great comment. Really well said. You made some terrific observations that Trump, and Trump defenders, wouldn't be able to refute, so like you noted, they drag out pathetic talking points about irrelevant and inaccurate things -- like Hunter Biden's laptop.
I especially liked that you voted for Trump. I just wish all Trump voters were as clear-headed as you are. My mother was deeply conservative, a lifelong Republican, so I understand the appeal of conservatism. It's the fact-denying authoritarian-loving nature of today's Republican party that concerns me.
The party of Reagan -- "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall!" -- has turned into the party of Trump, "Mr. Putin, I like that you're a dictator, that you murder dissidents, that you invade other countries. You're a role model."
Posted by: Brian Hines | March 01, 2025 at 10:45 AM
If one takes even a cursory glance at Sant64’s posts, it becomes glaringly obvious that his so-called analysis lacks even a modicum of clear-eyed objectivity. His relentless, frothing-at-the-mouth screeds against all things Zelensky—peppered with juvenile ad hominem attacks—are especially rich coming from an armchair warrior whose greatest battlefield experience is likely a heated Twitter debate. Here’s a man who has never seen war, never had to lift a finger in the defense of his own country, yet feels entitled to issue sweeping proclamations from behind the safe glow of his computer screen, presumably after an extended binge of whatever insular news source spoon-feeds his opinions.
And yet, in all this foaming rage, Sant64 somehow manages to conveniently ignore a rather crucial set of facts—namely, what Vladimir Putin has actually done. To Ukraine. To his own country. To dissenters who mysteriously drop dead (ah, another poisoning? Must be Tuesday in Moscow). This is the same Putin who jails, silences, or outright eliminates those who dare to contradict him. But sure, let’s all pretend that Zelensky—who is literally fighting to keep his country from being swallowed whole—is the real problem.
And let’s talk about objectivity regarding Trump and Musk. I appreciate strong rhetoric backed by integrity, but let’s be clear: when Trump goes completely off the rails and refuses to utter even a whisper of criticism against Putin—a man who, by every reasonable definition, is a dictator—what exactly are we supposed to call that? It’s not “diplomacy” or “wanting peace,” it’s capitulation. Worse, it’s an alignment with Russian objectives that would undermine the very reason this war started in the first place.
Want a ceasefire? Fine. But without ironclad assurances and consequences, it’s just an invitation for Putin to regroup and do it all over again. We’ve seen this playbook before.
And Trump—well, he lives rent-free in his own head, a prisoner of his own ego. Yes, I voted for him, but unlike some people, I don’t feel the need to prostrate myself before every single thing he does. Being a critical thinker means acknowledging the good while calling out the bad. And here’s a hard truth for the terminally sycophantic: politicians are not gods. They are fallible, self-interested, and—more often than not—deeply flawed human beings.
So, Sant64, if you want to claim any credibility at all, maybe step outside your echo chamber for once. Read something that challenges your assumptions. Engage with reality, not just whatever neatly packaged narrative keeps you comfortably outraged.
Because if your idea of "analysis" is just parroting whatever fits your bias, then congratulations—you’re not thinking. You’re just reacting.
Posted by: Vietnamveteran | March 01, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Trump and Vance were using bullying tactics. They care not one iota about the war.
They care only about money.
so all they want is to steal ukraine's minerals. They don't even want to pledge security in return.
They completely refuse to give any benefit in return for the minerals.
instead Trump says, "our people, on site, will be enough"
What absolute nonsense.
Trump will not support europe either. Trump just wants the mineral rights for free.
Zekensky should have walked out, and told him to go visit his friend Putin.
What Trump does not realize is, if Putin continues to fight and take country after country, he will be ready to attack the USA directly, especially if china offer support.
Trump is playing a dangerous game. He is nobody's friend. His allies can now see that.
what Trump wanted:
sign the deal, get a ceasefire, job done. He takes credit. then putin breaks the agreement, war starts again, and Trump does nothing. He just wants the minerals, which are his once the deal is signed.
Zelensky should say "no minerals" and leave. Trump is a tramp. he only want money.
he says he is a great peacemaker. peacemakers don't lose their cool so easily.
He is just a bully.
Posted by: Trump is Tramp | March 01, 2025 at 06:35 PM
one more thing
"why don't you wear a suit?"
"do you own a suit?"
my reply would be
"shut the fuck up you pompous fat bastard. Fuck you and your suits. There are thousands of people dying and you DARE to talk to me about suits?"
Zelensky correctly said he'll wear a suit when the war is over.
America no linger stands on the side of justice. It would be great if we now had something like the twin towers attack and nobody supports America. Then Trump will realise what a dangerous game he is playing.
it's easy when you don't need your allies.
what about when you need them? they will remember how you treated them.
America is not standing by europe or UK.
UK should withdraw their invitation to visit the King. but of course they cannot because then even the pretence of unity is gone.
Trump is saying to Putin "carry on, we will not intervene"
Putin is nobody's friend
Trump is nobody's friend
they have that much in common.
Trump has zero morals
Posted by: Trump is Tramp | March 01, 2025 at 06:53 PM
"he has tremendous hatred against putin" - Trump.
of course he has, you retard. so would you if Putin attacked america. Until Putin attacked, he had no hatred.
Have you forgotten 9-11? America decided it was Bin Ladin and didn't rest until he was killed. It's easy to say things to others.
Trump needs to calm down and offer support instead of counting the cost.
but of course he cannot. he just wants the minerals, for free, no offer of security in return. Zelensky is a hero, he's not going to hand over his country's minerals for free
Posted by: Trump is tramp | March 01, 2025 at 07:09 PM
Where does this notion that the US gave Ukraine $350 billion ?
It's easy to prove that the US pledged old military equipment and munitions that had expired and were scheduled for destruction. Then we ordered replacement munitions and equipment be built by US businesses. The deal actually saved taxpayers the cost of destroying the materials. Even then it was $89 billion. A few billion was sent to uphold basic infrastructure and keep the economy stable, but it was only about $50 billion.
This claim that over $100 billion is missing has been tracked back to the fact it was pledged but never sent. It's not missing.
This sounds like propaganda to try to discredit Lewinsky just like the so called missing emails and a supposed laptop.
The only good part of this story is that European countries are coming to Ukraine's defense. They have already given far more money than the US, but now will rally to their support.
Russia is losing the way. They've lost thousands of soldiers. Spent far more than the defense and their economy is faltering.
Trump is a Russian asset , knowingly or just by stupidity. He has disgraced the US.
Posted by: Susann Kaltwasser | March 02, 2025 at 12:36 AM
why doesn't Zelensky tell Trump to do one, and keep the minerals. That is all Trump is interested in.
keep the minerals and SELL them at a discount to the allies who help ukraine, instead of handing them to Trump for free
Posted by: Peter simpson | March 02, 2025 at 01:21 AM
This latest essay perfectly exposes the problem I have with people who preach hard determinism. They use the hard determinist "no free will" philosophy to dun people who disagree with that as "cult members," while holding themselves to be impeccably unbiased, wise, and admirably moral in their views.
It is so lame. I suggest a better way: Make an actual argument, get actual facts to back it up, and take a minute to consider there's always another side to your views. You're not impressing anyone with this "they're all cult members" bull.
Posted by: sant64 | March 02, 2025 at 06:20 AM
When you support Ukraine, this is what you're supporting:
https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1895752927991792126
In other words, Vance was right -- Ukraine indeed has "problems." It's forcing its own people into the military. If you're a draft dodger, do the moral math.
Moreover, you're supporting Tick Man's shutting down elections (ie democracy) and banning opposition political parties. The Tick is a genuine dictator.
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1896145498853290277
PS: No, Ukraine's minerals are "not going to Trump for free." Ludicrous propaganda, like the idea that young people working for Elon as stealing SS numbers. The idea is that these mineral rights benefit the United States in return for the many billions of dollars Joe Biden gave Ukraine scot-free -- an investment that America is paying for in inflated costs of goods.
Posted by: sant64 | March 02, 2025 at 06:34 AM
A genuine dictator? Geez, if you need a role model for that look no further than Putin. But of course don't put that in the equation. Too confusing. It is perfectly okay to invade a country and then lambast the one invaded and then say zip about the invader.
Stalin 101. George Orwell would be proud of you.
Posted by: Stalin in the house | March 02, 2025 at 11:37 AM
"PS: No, Ukraine's minerals are "not going to Trump for free." Ludicrous propaganda, like the idea that young people working for Elon as stealing SS numbers. The idea is that these mineral rights benefit the United States in return for the many billions of dollars Joe Biden gave Ukraine scot-free -- an investment that America is paying for in inflated costs of goods". sant64
really? give help first, then say you want payment! should have made it clear BEFORE giving the help.
you can't demand it afterwards- that is unfair.
i come to your house and spend a week helping you out. Then i send you a bill for £1000 for time i had to take off work to help you. would you pay? no!
neither will zelensky. Biden made that decision - not trump
Posted by: Trump is Tramp | March 02, 2025 at 12:15 PM
when putin is in the thick of war with you, taking over your country....
you think it's time to go to the polls? election?
there will not be a country left to govern.
putin is attacking in the present - not a fictional threat.
in such extreme circumstances when your country is about to be taken over- they are the exact circumstances that such actions may be justified. if putin takes over, you think that will be pleasant?
get real sant24
Posted by: Trump is Tramp | March 02, 2025 at 05:33 PM
Trump is playing a very dangerous game, by saying he is not backing europe, he is giving Putin free licence to attack europe.
When did America start supporting perpetrators of war?
All the allies were with USA in the afghanistan fight against taliban.
Biden made some huge mistakes and left rinning scarred, leaving behind valuable aircraft and weapons for the Taliban.
The Taliban did not allow the allies enough time to leave. Biden should have cancelled the withdrawal at that point and attacked Taliban. Instead USA gave the terrorist Taliban legitimacy by giving them afghanistan. One day, they will attack other countries. Those were not the terms of withdrawal. All the allies supported usa in this error of judgement. now the allies need help and Trump says no.
way out of line. Trump is not fit for president - all he is interested in is free money from ukraine, which he is not entitled to.
That meeting was an attempt to bully Zelensky to sign away mineral rights free.
Is Trump afraid of Putin? He sure acts like it. or has he teamed up with him?
Trump tells zelensky he is risking WW3 - it's Trump's cowardly stance that is risking WW3
Posted by: Trump is Tramp | March 02, 2025 at 06:08 PM
Here's the official video of this historic meeting, that typifies Trump's statesmanlike approach to governance and world affairs: Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUpOMSJ1MdU
Posted by: Appreciative Reader | March 03, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Musk and Trump are perfectly right to denounce comedians that satirize them. Thing is, no comedic genius can ever match up to the cringe quotient of the real thing, when it's Trump and his orcs that we're talking about. Truth truly is stranger, and way more bizarre, and not to mention barf-inducing, than fiction can ever be.
Every American that isn't themselves a complete, irredeemable douche should hang their head in shame at what this once-great nation has been reduced to.
Posted by: Appreciative Reader | March 03, 2025 at 11:14 AM
But on the other hand: While agreeing fully with the entirety of this article, there's one bit here that I must emphatically disagree with. And that would be Friedman's take on the Gaza-Israel situation. That, I'm afraid, is just as much douchebaggy and cringemaking as was this vile performance by Trump and his bootlicker-bully-sidekick Vance.
(But not to hold forth on this any more, beyond just briefly but clearly pointing this out, given that I've done that more than once in the past, and given this is just an incidental part of this blog post, and so off-topic, really.)
Posted by: Appreciative Reader | March 03, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Also, appreciate @VietnamVeteran's comments. That's what principled, rational political views, and political disagreements, should be like. Disagreements are a thing to be welcomed and celebrated, is what I say --- provided they are engaged with clearly, rationally, coherently, and respectfully. Disagreements can then be a vehicle for growth, and better understanding, for everyone concerned.
Glad someone that's voted Republican this time, is clear-headed enough not be blinkered into blindly supporting the clearly demonstrated vileness of Dear Leader and his sidekicks. ...Which really shouldn't need saying, in a decent rational world. ...But we're not living in a decent rational world any more, and in this age of Caliban, this does definitely need saying, and appreciating, and applauding.
Posted by: Appreciative Reader | March 03, 2025 at 11:26 AM