Please keep it up and hold firm. This is a totalitarian bill, we need to oppose it and save our government. Negotiation is great, but if you can also protect our country from a military-like ICE force equal to many countries' complete militaries, please address that as well. Thanks.

the slow-moving, now accelerated coup, the lack of clearly reassuring response to hearing that he scares people, & the nature of bullies. It does suggest need for a knee-jerk reaction on your part; and there may be something to the adage, 'keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.'

Case in point --Tucker Carlson's visit with Putin, in which he left the interview marveling at the congenial visit, and what a nice guy Putin was. 6) Worth it then perhaps to be sure not to make this your 'Tucker Carlson moment.' Consider:

5) Many dictators have had an engaging side--Mussolini to Putin. There is charm in that they have the power to crush their visitors, yet offer them grace--to the relief & gratitude of their guests (a brief version of Stockholm syndrome)--the power of many bullies with a modicum of social skill.

Another perspective: he has been described as an empty vessel--as Joseph Conrad (in Heart of Darkness) stated of a character: "There was nothing inside of him--not even a little loose dust.' The character of your host may be extremely fluid, given his history and purported vacancy.

and given his longstanding outlook and habits, he likely knows how to use that side of himself in his own best interest (i.e., to schmooze people when he prefers to, toward his own ends).

4) You host has long been a showman, focused on his 'brand,' & how to get the most out of social contacts. He has to have some skills in this area, including how to schmooze people. In interviews in his youth, he did sound sincere. Two things--he probably has a sincere side (?), as most people do;

3)Your guest, Josh Rogin, asserted (and you seemed to take umbrage) that, while your intentions were sincere, the other party's may not have been (e.g.,there could be an ulterior/transactional motive). For example, your followers might a good target, be persuaded that he is 'not such a bad guy.'

Taking the long view: 1) Maybe you are all done mulling it over, but it seemed you were still considering your experience. 2) As a backdrop/timeline--you have long been telling us there was a 'slow-moving' coup in progress. Now it has happened. It is no longer slow-moving.

2) The pivotal point may be your comment that when you told him he scares people--while you could not recall his response--he did not say something reassuring, e.g., that he would stop.

Last night's show: elephant in the room was the visit to the White House--about which you gave your impressions & current reaction, Bill. Pls all bear with me re: several posts. 1) You registered surprise that your host was genial, showing, sense of humor, & tolerating confrontation.

Not a pretty picture.

Don't pander, Bill Maher. I have been keeping up with Bill Maher,who helped us through the first #45 presidency. I see too many ill-considered thoughts now--about recent conflicts, and in dismissing concerns about the new administration. Who was it who said it was "a slow moving coup?'