• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

‘TERMINATED!’ Trump Calls to End FEMA and Let States Manage Disasters for ‘BIG SAVINGS’

Vote to overhaul FEMA canceled after leaked report

The FEMA Review Council was scheduled to approve its recommendations for overhauling the agency Thursday.

The move came after Trump officials were angered that CNN had obtained a copy of the FEMA Review Council’s final report and published an article on its website Wednesday, according to two people who are close to the panel. One review council member told a person close to the panel that officials canceled the meeting to demonstrate that the leaked report has not been finalized and is subject to change.

The Trump-appointed 13-member council, led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been working for months on recommendations to streamline FEMA and speed up disaster aid.

The cancellation apparently occurred at the last minute.

Shortly after noon Thursday, Noem was testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee and left the hearing before it ended to attend the review council meeting.

“I have to actually leave this hearing early because the FEMA Review Council is giving their report today on suggestions for changes to FEMA, and I have to co-chair it,” Noem told Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), who had asked her a question.

--

Council members were expected to vote on proposed cuts that would alter the way the federal government responds to declared emergencies.

The draft of the report signaled the review council’s plan to dramatically cut the agency even as climate change-fueled disasters increase, provoking swift condemnation from advocacy groups and emergency management experts. Critics panned the draft as a blueprint for weakening the nation’s primary emergency-response agency and shifting responsibility onto states unequipped and unprepared to manage crises alone.

The Washington Post reported that senior administration officials were displeased with the document’s abstract plan to restructure FEMA, prescribing huge cuts without providing specifics.

“It is time to close the chapter on FEMA,” the leaked report states, according to CNN, which reported that the draft calls for the most sweeping transformation of FEMA since its creation nearly five decades ago, including cutting half of the agency’s staff.

FEMA’s annual workload has more than doubled over the past two decades, as the warming climate supercharges Atlantic hurricanes, accelerates wildfire seasons and drives inland flooding with record rainstorms. What happens next with the review council’s recommendations may determine how the United States navigates a worsening era of climate extremes

Shana Udvardy, a policy analyst for The Union of Concerned Scientists, warned in a statement Thursday that the reported recommendations would “gut FEMA, leaving states to shoulder the burden of disasters and putting disaster victims at risk of serious harm.”

Many of the government’s most seasoned FEMA staff were already pushed out or sidelined in recent months, replaced, in some instances, by officials with minimal disaster management experience.
  • Informative
Reactions: wing2000
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Fact or fiction? 9 popular myths about Our Lady of Guadalupe

Almost 500 years after the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe — whose feast the Church celebrates Dec. 12 — the image of Our Lady has become the subject of several popular myths and legends, especially in Mexico, where she appeared.

Father Eduardo Chávez, a priest of the Archdiocese of Mexico, was the postulator for Juan Diego’s canonization and is a renowned expert on the apparitions. He is also director of the Institute for Guadalupan Studies.

Speaking to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, in 2019, Chávez separated fact from fiction.

Is it true the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has the same temperature as a human body?​


Continued below.

Jelly Roll Shares on ‘Joe Rogan’ How God Has Worked in His Life—Then Gets a Surprise Opry Invitation

Rapper and country artist Jelly Roll testified to God’s work in his life throughout his recent conversation on Joe Rogan’s podcast, which was released Wednesday, Dec. 10. At the end of the podcast, an emotional Jelly Roll learned that a dream of his has been fulfilled: He was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Editor’s note: This video contains language some might find offensive.

“I just never thought this was the journey, dude. I thought I’d die young or I thought I’d kill myself. I didn’t think I was going to be able to figure it out,” said Jelly Roll.

“You figured it out, and you’re figuring it out more every day,” Rogan told him.

Continued below.

Hidden Error

I like what you said, but I'm not sure of what you mean here. Thanks!
I was just thinking about Romans 8:1. It comes right after chapter 7's discusion of the conflicts inside a person who serves God with his mind but serves sin with the flesh (Ro 7:25 b) and it expounds upon the victory Christ gives us over the wretchedness we feel for being so close to sin (Ro 7:24-25a).

The point is that God corrects us whenever we go astray (Heb 12). His correction does not come with condemnation. Instead, It comes with love. And His correction is not pleasant, but painful. But it still does not come with condemnation. Yes, the sin is condemned, but the child is still loved. And the pain of His correction goes away and peace is restored when His correction has it's intended effect.

We all sin (even though a select few deny it). If a preacher does not preach the whole truth about sin including that those who are in Christ face no condemnation even while they are being corrected, then they are not preaching the whole gospel. They are just preaching against sin but don't help their flock understand how to deal with their sins. This makes for a legalistic congregation that I have no desire to be a part of (unless God gives me that mission). Been there, done that.
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Stryper’s Michael Sweet Has Been Diagnosed With Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Stryper frontman Michael Sweetrecently informed fans that he has been diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer.

“A lot of you have been asking about my health and well being so I wanted to give you an update,” Sweet said in a social media post on Tuesday (Dec. 9).

Sweet cofounded the iconic Christian metal band in 1983. The band has influenced many Christian rock bands and artists today, including Skillet frontman John Cooper. Throughout the band’s career, Stryper, a name inspired by Isaiah 53:5, has received a Grammy Award nomination and won two Dove Awards.

After thanking his social media followers for their “thoughts and prayers,” Sweet shared that his endocrinologist told him that a nodule in his right thyroid that was biopsied on Nov. 17 came back positive for cancer.

Continued below.

Ohio doctor indicted after forcing abortion drugs into pregnant woman's mouth

An Ohio surgeon who had his medical license suspended has been indicted on federal charges after he allegedly tried to force crushed abortion drugs into his pregnant girlfriend’s mouth after she refused to abort her baby.

A Lucas County Grand Jury indicted Dr. Hassan-James Abbas, 32, on Dec. 3 for six felony charges, including abduction, tampering with evidence, disrupting public services, unlawful distribution of an abortion-inducing drug, identity fraud and deception to obtain a dangerous drug.

Continued below.

Tim Walz Vows to Bring More Somalis to Minnesota, Despite Growing Fraud Scandal Reaching Into the Billions

“We are going to defend our neighbors,” Walz said at a Tuesday fundraiser, according to the Center Square. “Instead of demonizing our Somali community, we’re going to do more to welcome more in.”

He always appears to know what is best for the rest of us.
Another misleading article. Here is a more truthful version:

AI Generated
The extensive Minnesota fraud scandal, centered on the Feeding Our Future non-profit and its partners, exploited federal child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the theft of an estimated over $1 billion across multiple social service programs. The core of the scheme occurred from 2020 through 2021, bridging both the Trump and Biden administrations; state officials first spotted signs of fraud under the Trump administration in 2019, but the federal indictments and subsequent convictions of over 60 individuals have taken place under the Biden administration, with more charges and trials expected as the investigation continues. As Governor, Tim Walz and his administration are responsible for state oversight of the programs, and critics allege a failure to act on early warnings and slow action in halting the theft. Walz has publicly accepted responsibility for the failures in oversight, asserting his team caught the fraud and referred it to the FBI. While the vast majority of Minnesota's Somali community—estimated to be over 76,000 people—were not involved, the actions of dozens of charged individuals, some of whom are of Somali descent, are not representative of the community at large, and the fraud had nothing to do with the Somali people currently residing in Minnesota. This fact is in stark contrast to the disgusting act of conflating the criminal scheme with the entire community, with President Trump publicly attacking the state's Somali population and calling them "garbage" in connection with the scandal. The stolen money was used for luxury cars, high-end real estate, and international travel, rather than for the thousands of meals they falsely claimed to serve to children in need who were the intended beneficiaries of the program.
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Texas AG, securities board offer conflicting takes on latest lawsuit against proposed Muslim-focused community

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit targeting a proposed Muslim-focused residential community in North Texas, accusing developers of an "illegal development scheme" that violated state securities laws.

The 21-page complaint, filed Dec. 5 in Collin County, names the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), its affiliate Community Capital Partners (CCP), and several leaders involved with the targeted development, once known as EPIC City and now called The Meadow. Spanning over 400 acres in Collin and Hunt counties, plans for The Meadow include over 1,000 homes, a K-12 faith-based school, a mosque, elderly and assisted living facilities, apartments, clinics, retail shops, a community college, and sports fields, envisioned as a supportive enclave for Muslim families.

Continued below.

James Comey case: Ex-special counsel John Durham undercut case against James Comey in interview with prosecutors: Sources

Justice Department defends Trump's post as it urges judge to reject Comey's effort to dismiss case

I mean, I'm not sure what else we could expect DOJ to do.

Prosecutors defended President Donald Trump’s September social media post demanding that action be taken in the Comey investigation, contending it reflects “legitimate prosecutorial motive” and is no basis to dismiss the indictment accusing Comey of lying to Congress in 2020.

Are presidents prosecutors now? The number of firings at DOJ for people who don't do what Trump tells them to do suggests that experienced prosecutors don't see these cases the same way as the President.
Not surprised at all.
If experienced prosecutors are anti-Trumpists, then... it makes total sense that they fleece the law wherever they can, to obstruct Trump's agenda.

They fleeced the laws since 2018, to manufacture reasons to go after Trump... so of course they'll fleece the laws TODAY to protect those who committed that lawfare against Trump.
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The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the nations...

Peace in Christ.

His people are to manifest the Son of man through their mortal bodies to the people of the outside world who are sitting in deep darkness.

We lift Him up from out of the earth when we keep His “daily” sacrifice in our mortal bodies….and this lifting up will draw all unto Him….a great multitude.

This is the “death” we are to die: to keep the dying of our Lord in our mortal bodies so that His life is made manifest in this earth thereby lifting Him up.

Joh 12:32-36 KJV
(32) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
(33) This he said, signifying what death he should die.
(34) The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

(35) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

We who believe in the light shining within our hearts when we hear His voice (as He opens up the Scripture of Truth to our hearing ears) are to become children of light that will shine His light to the people of the outside world who are in deep darkness. They will then see the light and come to it/us.

(36) While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them
(37) But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

We shall then become children of light in this world...and the nations shall come to His/our light. There will be a “great multitude” of them coming to Him. It will start small and will progress until it is seen openly in this world. It cannot stay unnoticed as the increase will be dramatic. They will see a "cloud" of eyewitnesses praising God...which will cause a panic among the unbelievers of this world.

This drawing/dragging of the believers of this world to Him are the “clouds” of heaven. Clouds of people = a great multitude. They are the clouds of eyewitnesses who will “see” Him through us who will reveal the Son of man to their seeing eyes. They will gather to Him/us. It starts small....a trickle...and then progresses into a flood of people that can't stay unnoticed.

Mat 24:30 KJV
(30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

He comes with the clouds….and every eye shall see Him. It will eventually become noticeable in this world as a "great multitude" will be gathered together to Him/us.

The unbelievers of this earth will eventually see this cumulative effect of the manifestation of His presence (through us) as the people of the outside world (those who see and believe among them) will gather with us in increasing numbers.

They will eventually become a great multitude…. “clouds” of people….the clouds of eyewitnesses …of His glory that we manifest to them. .

Rev 1:5-7 KJV
(5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
(6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

(7) Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen

The unbelievers of the world will then panic when they see the Son of man coming in a “cloud” ….a great multitude of believers among the people of the outside world.
There will be “distress of nations” with perplexity...as they breathe out in a state of quandary.... when they will see a great multitude of people praising God….where they had not before. They will see the kingdom of God coming upon the earth….His government that cannot be shaken as the temporary earthly kingdoms shake at the apprehension of what is happening.

Luk 21:25-27 KJV
(25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
(26) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.


"then" = at that time...they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud of eyewitnesses with power and great glory (as their earthly kings shall even see Him and praise God and bring their glory to Him).

(27) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

The sea and the waves roar….that is, the people of this earth make a loud noise in their rejoicing in Him and sing His praise.

Psa 98:4 KJV
(4) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

The sea roars and the fullness thereof….the believing people of the outside earth will praise Him. The "roar" shall be heard around the world...and cause panic.

Psa 98:7-9 KJV
(7) Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

(8) Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together

They will be joyful “before”….that is, to the FACES (plural) of the LORD. We manifest His “face” by reflecting Him with an “open face” to the people of the world.

(9) Before (to the FACES) the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

The LORD makes known His salvation….OPENLY SHOWS it in the “sight” of the people of the outside world (the “heathen”). All the ends of the earth shall SEE the salvation of our God. The unbelievers of this world shall panic about what they see coming upon the earth.

Psa 98:2-3 KJV
(2) The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

(3) He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

We all with "open face" shall show forth His glory to the people of the outside world. Even their kings and lords (the "mountains and the hills" shall break forth in the FACES of us into singing. They will rejoice when they will look upon our face as we manifest His glory to them.

Isa 55:12-13 KJV
(12) For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before (in the FACES) you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

(13) Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

The "cloud" shall be seen by "every eye".

And with this “cloud” of people….the myriads of His saints…He comes to execute judgment upon all….

Jud 1:14-15 KJV
(14) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands (MYRIADS) of his saints,

(15) To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

The unbelieving man-based churches will then be judged for all of their hard speeches that they had spoken against Him as they will not have believed Him when they heard His voice speaking to them the Word of Truth.

The unbelieving man-based churches will then see the sign of the prophet Jonah as the men of Nineveh (the people of the outside world) shall rise up in the judgment of them and condemn it. It will be a “cloud” of people that will see Him and believe. By then, it is too late for they will all be shut out from His presence.

Mat 12:39-41 KJV
(39) But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
(40) For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

(41) The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

If a man loves Jesus and keeps His words that he will hear (hearing and believing in the Word of Truth that He speaks to us), Jesus and His Father will come unto him and make their abode with Him.

Joh 14:23 KJV
(23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

We are the light of the world…of the people who are sitting in deep darkness. We are the city that is set on a hill that cannot be hid.

Mat 5:14-16 KJV
(14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
(15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.


We are to shine His light before men rather than hide it so that they may see our good works and glory our Father which is in heaven. It is not the good works that give us this light as the light comes from the glory of God and the Lamb. We get their attention with the light so that they may see our good works afterwards.

(16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The “city” is lit by the glory of God and the Lamb. They make their abode with us. His glory appears over us…and the nations that are saved shall walk in the light of it.

Rev 21:22-26 KJV
(22) And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

(23) And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

The kings of this earth will bring their glory and honor into it. They will come to us. The Son of man comes with the clouds of heaven with power and great glory as the glory and honor of the nations shall be brought into it. He shall beautify the place of His sanctuary (He makes His abode in us) by the kings of the earth bringing their glory and honor into it.

(24) And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
(25) And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

(26) And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

He will make the place of His feet glorious. He will beautify the place of His sanctuary…of His abode…as the glory and honor of the earth shall be brought to Him/us. We are the "city of the LORD."

Isa 60:13-14 KJV
(13) The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.


The sons of the man-based churches (those that will have afflicted us and despised us) shall come bending unto us....calling us the "city of the LORD."

(14) The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Indiana Senate Republicans reject Trump’s redistricting push

But the USA is not a African Banana Republic - is it?

Of course not, the USA has not bananas, nor is it in Africa. (Banana republics are in Central America and fruit companies no longer control any nations.
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Weekly homilies

Homily, Saturday, December 13 2025



Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11

“How awesome are you, Elijah! Whose glory is equal to yours?”



Elijah was a friend of God; he received Him from within.



Matthew 17:10-13

“Also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”



Let’s learn how to recognize the beauty of God in a person.



Biblical texts: NAB-RE

Normand Thomas.
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anyone know anything about Gematria?

God is really big. Unfathomably big. God is everywhere, being all-knowing along with that. The universe is more limited, observable and all of it beyond that. How can God have concern for you and anything smaller? God, the Creator, isn’t limited even to any scales. But you would need to talk with God, for having a relationship with God. God has the love, without limit, and provides for that relationship being available to us who would respond to God. I do what I see to do according to what God's will is, which we can do, and trust God as I know I can, in doing this to walk with God.
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Is Hell Annihilationism or Eternal Torment

Thanks for sharing with you. I like having discussions with civil manners. Yeah, people IMHO have their own prerogative & aptitude to seek what they wish. I am a novice astrologer whose always in awe when witnessing the wonders of space. Just witnessing M31, Saturn, Jupiter all point to a Divine Maker. Physics or natural laws all also point to a designer. I am now studying Quantum Physics & Micro Biology: Human Cells (Mitosis).

All that being said, doesn't reveal what God has accomplished in His Son for His people. The historical record of the eschatological consummation of God's Redemptive Plan is what I am interested in. That to me is more awe taking that anything else I have read. I am only sharing with you.

Thanks again for sharing.​

You're welcome. Thank you for also sharing your thoughts on these matters in turn. I appreciate your brotherly composure. :cool:
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Donald Trump Says US To Launch Land Action in Venezuela ‘Very Soon’

Reuters reports the administration has a list of sanctioned oil tankers that could be interdicted in the coming days. Oil tanker operators are starting to suspend previously scheduled voyages from Venezuela.

The new U.S. tactic focuses on the activities of what is called the shadow fleet of tankers that transports sanctioned oil to China, the largest buyer of crude from Venezuela and Iran. A single vessel will often make separate runs on behalf of Iran, Venezuela and Russia, the sources added.



One other note: The U.S. Coast Guard, with Navy resources, led the interdiction. I suppose blowing up a loaded oil tanker was a bridge too far.
No the tanker grab was a professional operation. Blowing up the narco boats was just a side show Trump put on for his Christian supporters.
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Stephen Miller Says Trump White House Has Offered to Put Him on CNN at ‘Any Time’ to Respond to Their Numerous Lies But They Won’t Have Him On (VIDEO)

I have asked that people not demonize their political opponents, and I am asking again. Name-calling is typically because of a lack of substance to an argument. Although a bit further back than President Trump's, Stephen Miller's (a family man with three children) ancestry is one of immigration. Miller, like Trump, is concerned about the children lost under the Biden administration, concerned about the victims of horrible crimes perpetrated by unvetted and illegal immigrants allowed into our country by the Biden administration, and concerned about the damage that has been done by letting in large populations that do not care for America and wish to keep allegiance to their countries of origin. Conservatives want LEGAL IMMIGRANTS who respect our laws, love America and our way of life, and have a desire to assimilate into our culture.

Name-calling, whether in politics or daily interactions, is generally regarded as a sign of weakness. Individuals who resort to profanity often appear to lack the knowledge to express their opinions or frustrations in a more articulate and constructive manner.

In this millennium, political discourse has visibly deteriorated, with politicians openly accusing each other of lying, warmongering, and using other insults.

it doesn’t help when political leader call other politician name like : Little Marco, Crooked Hilary, Sleepy Joe, “lying Ted”, “Pocahontas” , “Crazy Nancy”, “Shifty Schiff” ,
“Ron DeSanctimonoius” , and many more names!

Name-calling does nothing to improve politics, and voters who back these politicians but tell others not to name-call reveal their own hypocrisy.

If, as a regular voter, I want to improve our political system, it begins with choosing not to support politicians who behave provocatively. I cannot vote multiple times for a candidate who consistently resorts to provocative language when referring to opponents or reporters, and then, without irony, calls for civility among Americans.
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