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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 6h

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

- Mark Twain

Reposted by David Pepper

David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

Honor Veterans — for their service and their lives after

A 🧵

On this Veterans Day, I want to re-share a story that shakes me to my core every time I think of it.

It’s about a family friend.

At 19 or so, he went to Vietnam.

Army.

Never talks about it. But it’s…

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a group of soldiers holding an american flag with the words happy veterans day written on the bottom

ALT: a group of soldiers holding an american flag with the words happy veterans day written on the bottom

media.tenor.com

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

experience (and trauma) the rest of their lives, right under the surface, but often don’t share it with even friends or loved ones.

But it’s all still there.

Always.

Honor veterans, today and every day.

END

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

…still there. He’s reliving it. His first concern is helping those he served with

Think about that.

What we ask of young people.

How much they give.

How even those who return without physical injuries still live with their wartime…

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

Think about it:

He was 19.

It’s more than 50 years later.

He’s lived a whole live since returning.

He never talks about it…ever.

But when he comes to after anesthesia, that tour and whatever hell he went through are still so close to the surface, he thinks he’s…

8/

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

When this veteran’s relatives entered the room, he still was talking as if he was in a hospital in Vietnam, was still asking about his tank mates, and was still eager to leave to get up, go and rejoin them.

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

One of the nurses asked this veteran’s family—in the waiting room—if he had served in Vietnam.

“Yes. Why?”

The nurse told the story. And then added: “this happens a lot with Vietnam vets. They wake up and still think they’re there.”

6/

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

Because he wanted to know what had happened to put him there, if his tankmates were ok, and he wanted to leave the hospital right away so he could get back out there to be with them.

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

It was successful

But the real story is what happened when he awoke from anesthesia.

Nurses told his family that when he awoke, he was alarmed to be in the hospital.

Why?

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

A few years back, his family convinced him to access the VA, so he finally did.

And it’s made a huge difference in his health care.

During one health screening, they found that a skin growth was cancerous, and scheduled surgery to remove it.

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

clear he saw and experienced horrific, traumatizing things while there.

He came home, worked hard, and raised a family.

He’s now retired.

He never even sought help from the VA because he felt that that was for veterans who’d endured injuries and challenges he hadn’t.

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 13h

Honor Veterans — for their service and their lives after

A 🧵

On this Veterans Day, I want to re-share a story that shakes me to my core every time I think of it.

It’s about a family friend.

At 19 or so, he went to Vietnam.

Army.

Never talks about it. But it’s…

1/

a group of soldiers holding an american flag with the words happy veterans day written on the bottom

ALT: a group of soldiers holding an american flag with the words happy veterans day written on the bottom

media.tenor.com

4 17 52

Reposted by David Pepper

Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 19h

🚨 NEW: ADP report: U.S. LOST an average of 11,000 jobs per week in October 2025.

Let’s compare, shall we:

In 2024, the economy ADDED about 2.2 million jobs in 2024 — an average monthly GAIN of 186,000.

From steady climb to sudden slide.

230 2.5K 5K

Reposted by David Pepper

David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 20h

🚨

Cartoon Tuesday: Top-Down Delusion

By @knecessary.bsky.social

For more cartoons, go here: open.substack.com/pub/davidpep...

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 19h

“…I have changed my voter registration to independent and am no longer a dem. We have a crazy man in the White House and no one with any gumption to stand up to him. We are hopeless.

I just thought you should know how this is going down out here.”

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 19h

Here’s the damage that happens when you cave. From a longtime friend and supporter of all things good:

“I have to tell you how upset I am the dems caved on the shutdown. I am truly gutted and feel completely disenfranchised; I have no voice….”

1/

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 20h

🚨

Cartoon Tuesday: Top-Down Delusion

By @knecessary.bsky.social

For more cartoons, go here: open.substack.com/pub/davidpep...

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 20h

Very clear pattern: voters care about their schools, and don’t want crazy or chaos on their school boards.

Same thing happened in Anderson Township near Cincinnati. Dems swept.

signalohio.org/culture-warr...

Culture warriors lost school board races all around Ohio - Signal Ohio

In cities large and small around Ohio, conservative incumbents who ran for school boards on culture war agendas lost re-election.

signalohio.org

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Reposted by David Pepper

David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 1d

Through the long lens of history, last week’s results were enormously important.

And what we achieve in the coming year, even more so.

Here’s why:

The Urgency of Now

Why Last Week, and the Coming Year, Matter So Much

open.substack.com

2 11 47

David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 1d

Through the long lens of history, last week’s results were enormously important.

And what we achieve in the coming year, even more so.

Here’s why:

The Urgency of Now

Why Last Week, and the Coming Year, Matter So Much

open.substack.com

2 11 47

David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 1d

People want results.

In their lives.

Only in DC does getting a promise that “we get to vote on something” get categorized as progress.

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 2d

When voters hear fiery words but see weak actions:

- some disbelieve your WORDS because they expect people w fiery words to take appropriate action

- others disbelieve YOU, because they believe your words, but you’re not willing to back up those words w action.

Either way, you lose…

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Reposted by David Pepper

Dr. Amy Acton @amyactonoh.bsky.social · 2d

This shutdown deal does nothing to help those in our state struggling with the cost of healthcare. Half a million Ohioans will face skyrocketing premiums because once again Washington politicians have made a mess.

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 2d

In recent years, Paul Tagliabue used his voice and influence to encourage voter registration and engagement among NFL players and fans.

A model of how to do it.

I was honored to speak w him about the work, and his passion and commitment came through.

May he rest in peace 🙏

ProFootballTalk @profootballtalk.bsky.social · 2d

Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has died. He was 84.
www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootb...

Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue dies at 84

Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has died.

www.nbcsports.com

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David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 2d

Was a big week.

Savor it this Sunday.

Then get back to work tomorrow!

David Pepper @davidpepperoh.bsky.social · 2d

🚨 🚨

New painting:

“Hidden Falls”, Jackson County

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