I have to say that I find Platner inspiring in his ability to navigate the shoals of political white water. I don't know a lot of men who have survived war work and the darkness it brings into their lives who are able to be as self-reflective and articulate about the emotional challenges it has presented to them. The reports of the sexual abuse are very disturbing but have themselves a level of complexity in terms of who done what and why. Very hard to sort this all out...but do we really want to take our judgments about a person's past in assessing their capabilities for leadership in these present, very challenging times? Reading and seeing the information I am able to access in the media - there seems to be clear evidence of significant contributions Platner is able to make ---raising important issues, building community across differences right now in Maine. Finally I must say I value the human ability to be open, vulnerable and forthcoming in taking perspectives on our evolving selves. Wanting to stay open here too.
HI Marcy, I appreciate your thoughtfulness here. And Platner is clearly very talented. The problems for me are that it's not about Platner's past but about his present: dishonesty about the tattoo and sexting all within the past year. Wish I could buy into him, but to me he's just not a credible messenger. And having us all collectively casually normalize Nazi iconography seems to me deeply problematic.
Well stated! It is time to coalesce behind #Platner. REAL candidates like Platner of by and for the American people. Not canned candidates who rubber stamp everything Trump wants like the #SCOTUS Kavanaugh Judge vote that #Maine #Senator #Collins gave to hand control to the Republicans for generations.
The real life story of #Platner is marred with the scars that life deals to every single one of us. We learn, we repent, accept responsibility and we move on as better americans. We are redeemed. To beleive there aren't candidates who come flawless with all that life is about, isn't true. At a time when Trump has been forgiven by some americans for the unforgivable without as much as an inkling of repentance allows the space for a candidate for #Maine US #Senate that rises for your #vote to parilticipate in a government #ForThePeopleByThePeople #WeThePeople will continue to make our government a more perfect union.
Proud Minnesota native here—thanks for the heads up on the honoring of their inspiring efforts!
And you are no doubt correct about the necessity of virtue in the People for the long-term sustainability of our Republic. As the little remembered, but highly influential constitutional framer James Wilson said, “For a people wanting to themselves, there is indeed no remedy in the political dispensary.”
By owning up to your mistake, you provide the perfect example of the virtuous behavior required of citizens.
While I agree with most of this post, and I truly don't look forward to another abuser in elected office, the prospect of re-electing Collins is much worse in several ways. She gave us Kavanaugh who has hurt women and continues to do so on the Court. She voted to confirm the deplorables running cabinet departments. Her votes hurt millions of people beyond Maine. I could go on about her. Also, if the Senate remains in the hands of the GOP which funds DHS and ICE/CBP and votes on a big ugly bill that rips healthcare from millions and gives billionaires a massive tax break they do not need, then millions will be hurt and some will die (estimates are 51,000 will die from lack of access to healthcare). This dilemma is fraught with ethical constraints worthy of King Solomon. I am leaning into the question, how do we benefit the most and harm the fewest, but even that frame is troubling in the extreme. I am not sure of the right question, let alone the answer.
Why? Site examples why Collins, the status quo has the remedy to change the collision to financial breakdown that she and Trump have set to collide into.
go sell soap we are going to hit a financial cliff in July when the oil reserves play out and by October 60% of Americans will no longer be able to pay the bills. Our political class is less than useless, maybe find a real problem to write about someday
The Massie example is too purity pure. If you are in politics long enough, you are going to associate with people who may espouse repulsive views on any number of issues. Association is not endorsement.
Massie is certainly against Israeli money in American politics and is very outspoken about that, but nobody is claiming that he is antisemitic, which would be a different charge.
It is easy to find purity with non-politicians, like Powell. The question is do we have the courage to find strength in imperfect politicians that respect, support, and uphold the constitution.
So important to be able to admit a mistake and learn from it!
I would recommend taking a look at this article: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/05/massie-trump-maga-loyalty/687238/?gift=iriDSrxlDYm9llQtHCDnS6GkRaRsjdbD36_tayXP7Sk&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
I have to say that I find Platner inspiring in his ability to navigate the shoals of political white water. I don't know a lot of men who have survived war work and the darkness it brings into their lives who are able to be as self-reflective and articulate about the emotional challenges it has presented to them. The reports of the sexual abuse are very disturbing but have themselves a level of complexity in terms of who done what and why. Very hard to sort this all out...but do we really want to take our judgments about a person's past in assessing their capabilities for leadership in these present, very challenging times? Reading and seeing the information I am able to access in the media - there seems to be clear evidence of significant contributions Platner is able to make ---raising important issues, building community across differences right now in Maine. Finally I must say I value the human ability to be open, vulnerable and forthcoming in taking perspectives on our evolving selves. Wanting to stay open here too.
HI Marcy, I appreciate your thoughtfulness here. And Platner is clearly very talented. The problems for me are that it's not about Platner's past but about his present: dishonesty about the tattoo and sexting all within the past year. Wish I could buy into him, but to me he's just not a credible messenger. And having us all collectively casually normalize Nazi iconography seems to me deeply problematic.
Well stated! It is time to coalesce behind #Platner. REAL candidates like Platner of by and for the American people. Not canned candidates who rubber stamp everything Trump wants like the #SCOTUS Kavanaugh Judge vote that #Maine #Senator #Collins gave to hand control to the Republicans for generations.
The real life story of #Platner is marred with the scars that life deals to every single one of us. We learn, we repent, accept responsibility and we move on as better americans. We are redeemed. To beleive there aren't candidates who come flawless with all that life is about, isn't true. At a time when Trump has been forgiven by some americans for the unforgivable without as much as an inkling of repentance allows the space for a candidate for #Maine US #Senate that rises for your #vote to parilticipate in a government #ForThePeopleByThePeople #WeThePeople will continue to make our government a more perfect union.
Proud Minnesota native here—thanks for the heads up on the honoring of their inspiring efforts!
And you are no doubt correct about the necessity of virtue in the People for the long-term sustainability of our Republic. As the little remembered, but highly influential constitutional framer James Wilson said, “For a people wanting to themselves, there is indeed no remedy in the political dispensary.”
By owning up to your mistake, you provide the perfect example of the virtuous behavior required of citizens.
While I agree with most of this post, and I truly don't look forward to another abuser in elected office, the prospect of re-electing Collins is much worse in several ways. She gave us Kavanaugh who has hurt women and continues to do so on the Court. She voted to confirm the deplorables running cabinet departments. Her votes hurt millions of people beyond Maine. I could go on about her. Also, if the Senate remains in the hands of the GOP which funds DHS and ICE/CBP and votes on a big ugly bill that rips healthcare from millions and gives billionaires a massive tax break they do not need, then millions will be hurt and some will die (estimates are 51,000 will die from lack of access to healthcare). This dilemma is fraught with ethical constraints worthy of King Solomon. I am leaning into the question, how do we benefit the most and harm the fewest, but even that frame is troubling in the extreme. I am not sure of the right question, let alone the answer.
HI Arlene, Thanks for thinking out loud on this. I don't want to pretend it's an easy one.
Bye aipac dem
Real democratic dialogie to feal problems. What do you disagree with? Be specific. No pre canned talking points.
Cant see since I blocked em; but if you wanna repost Ill address
With respect to Platner, I respectfully disagree.
Why? Site examples why Collins, the status quo has the remedy to change the collision to financial breakdown that she and Trump have set to collide into.
go sell soap we are going to hit a financial cliff in July when the oil reserves play out and by October 60% of Americans will no longer be able to pay the bills. Our political class is less than useless, maybe find a real problem to write about someday
Thats why we need Platner. A REAL candidate of for and by the PEOPLE, not a canned candidate like Collins of by and for the special interest!
The Massie example is too purity pure. If you are in politics long enough, you are going to associate with people who may espouse repulsive views on any number of issues. Association is not endorsement.
Massie is certainly against Israeli money in American politics and is very outspoken about that, but nobody is claiming that he is antisemitic, which would be a different charge.
It is easy to find purity with non-politicians, like Powell. The question is do we have the courage to find strength in imperfect politicians that respect, support, and uphold the constitution.