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P.J. Trombley

@ptrombley.bsky.social

Formerly Sunflower Seeds on twitter 1. Fox "news" is the ringleader of a multi-billion dollar agit-prop machine. 2. SLAVA UKRAINI! 3. Dogs rule. 4. Avid member of The Bulwark 5. TB Lightning HOCKEY! 6. Florida Water Family, Gulf of Mexico

930 Posts2989 Follower1512 Folgt
Dave Tait@davetait.bsky.social · 6d ago

Interesting: "We may disagree passionately about policy or ideology, but few would argue that honesty, humility, courage, and responsibility are obsolete virtues." Yes…Folks mostly won't argue against these concepts…but how many can actually recognize them in the wild, or think of them at all? /3

Dave Tait@davetait.bsky.social · 6d ago

Key players in the lives of young people can't model these qualities if they live largely oblivious to them (even if they mostly get things right). We need to have and use a vocabulary for the elements of good character. If we can name it when we see it, we can name what's missing when we don't. /4

Excerpt from article: "I’m not suggesting we can—or should—recreate the America of my youth. Every generation must prepare its citizens for the world they will inherit, not the one their parents knew. But one principle has not changed: Character development doesn’t just happen. It grows where families, schools, coaches, employers, congregations, professions, and communities intentionally cultivate it and then expect it. Parents who insist that integrity matters when no one is watching. Teachers who refuse to lower standards. Coaches who value sportsmanship as highly as championships. Mentors who teach service before recognition. Employers who reward honesty as much as performance. Professionals who understand that authority is ultimately an act of stewardship."
Dave Tait@davetait.bsky.social · 6d ago

Hertling: "If each person sees teaching others, especially the next generation, wisdom, humility, respect, conscientiousness, duty, and service as part of their basic responsibility as a citizen—as a person—then we will end up with fewer individuals of low character seeking positions of power." /5

Dave Tait@davetait.bsky.social · 5d ago

This from today's "news" shows how far "character" has fallen as a criteria for choosing leaders and the urgency of Hertling's call. Democrats may score "better," but even those levels are shameful. Distance in time and steps to atone are relevant for some of these, but really…how can this be? /6

Christopher Webb@cwebbonline.com · 5d ago

Republicans spent years lecturing Democrats about “family values.” This poll says the lecture is over. Moral bankruptcy is not a dealbreaker for most Republican voters. And we can see it in the candidates they nominate and continue to support.

Dave Tait@davetait.bsky.social · 6d ago

I've long been uncomfortable with calling journalism a "profession" because it invites talk of entry standards, regulation, enforcement and dues ― each of which can be misused. Hertling's definition here, though, is one I can accept, since it's based on purpose and responsibility, not control. /2

Excerpt from article: "THE ARMY HAS LONG DESCRIBED ITSELF as a profession of arms, and rightly so. Like medicine, law, education, journalism, or the ministry, it is a profession because society entrusts it with responsibilities carrying profound consequences for others. Technical competence is indispensable, but character ultimately determines how that competence is exercised. That is why I have come to believe that service in the military does not create character, but tests it."
Dave Tait@davetait.bsky.social · 6d ago

To truly understand what character is, we need to see leaders or neighbours speak of it and act with it when doing so runs counter to their own interests, doing what's right because it is right. Only then can witnesses see the real difference between character and just smooth tactics and charm.

Excerpt from article: "Character is easy to admire when it appears and easy to condemn when it fails. But it does not suddenly emerge when an individual runs for office. It is not conferred by elections, and it should not be judged because of promotions, uniforms, titles, wealth, or fame. It is, rather, built patiently over years, long before it is ever tested. The real question may not be whether we still value character, but whether we still understand what it is and how it is formed."
P.J. Trombley@ptrombley.bsky.social · 6d ago

Character Is Countercultural "Most Americans, regardless of political affiliation, still admire leaders whose actions consistently match their words, whose integrity survives public pressure, and whose decisions reflect something larger than personal ambition." www.thebulwark.com/p/character-...

Anat Shenker-Osorio@anatosaurus.bsky.social · 6d ago

The pedophile protector regime wants to force kids to beg for their lives alone in immigration court. Call your Member of Congress, tell them to demand HHS pay what they owe the lawyers representing 20,000 unaccompanied kids & let them keep doing their jobs. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

Thousands of immigrant children risk losing lawyers after Trump aid cuts

More than 20,000 unaccompanied children risk going to US immigration court alone after federal funding cuts

theguardian.com

Greg Sargent@gregsargent.bsky.social · 2w ago

Susan Collins voted for $70 billion in ICE funding just before an ICE agent gunned down a young immigrant father in Maine. Collins also voted against an amendment requiring bodycams. These votes will now be hung around her neck, Dems in the state tell me. New piece: newrepublic.com/article/2133...

Trump Badly Screws Susan Collins as Maine ICE Death Takes Darker Turn

Collins cast some recent votes that can help likely Democratic challenger Troy Jackson tie her to Trump and to ICE. And there’s evidence that both liberals and moderates will listen.

newrepublic.com