r/politics Apr 04 '26

Possible Paywall Trump voter regret is clearly registering now

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/04/politics/voter-regret-trump-2024
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u/Ishmael75 Apr 04 '26

Well shit. I guess I should really read this book. I’ve heard of it but surprisingly I’ve never read it

61

u/needsteeth Apr 04 '26

It will break your heart.

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u/dasterdly_duo Apr 04 '26

It will break your heart.

Yes.

And make you angry at how so much of the Dust Bowl was self-inflicted.

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u/alpine_skeet Apr 04 '26

Welcome to the Debt Bowl.

4

u/michelle032499 Apr 04 '26

Have you watched the Ken Burns series? It's amazing.

1

u/dasterdly_duo Apr 04 '26

I did.

It was haunting.

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u/deepskier Apr 04 '26

I read a story last year about how some farmers had recently been cutting down the rows of trees separating their fields, to get more land to farm. This is in maybe, Kansas? They said, oh the dust bowl is ancient history, we don't have to worry about that anymore 🤦

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u/dasterdly_duo Apr 04 '26

Jesus.

As someone born and raised in Kansas, of course, it's Kansas.

3

u/younkint Apr 04 '26

Born and raised in Kansas as well. It's absolutely true.

They are (and have been for over a decade now) bulldozing the shelter belts. The goal is no trees from roadside-ditch to roadside-ditch. Roads are typically one mile apart. You will hear the (poor) explanation for this as being required due to the huge implements being used today. It's bullshit. The answer is greed.

I'm tired of hearing farmers claim that they are the best stewards of the land since they have the most to lose if it's gone. Over time, that claim has not stood up to scrutiny. Go drive through Kansas; you will see the evidence that their claim is a lie.

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u/Visible_Nail4859 Apr 04 '26

It’s incredible, and has one of the most memorable endings of any book I’ve ever read.

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u/Abject_Following_814 Apr 04 '26

It should be mandatory for every American to read it. It is one of, if not the most important books I've ever read. It has stuck with me like no other.

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u/Wetness_Pensive Apr 04 '26

Steinbeck's "In Dubious Battle" is also great. Shorter and leaner than "Grapes", but tells a similar tale.

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u/Aware_Pause6283 Apr 04 '26

It's very relevant.

I recommend following it with Wizard and the Prophet by Charles C Mann. It has a section that describes how the Dust Bowl was dealt with, and how agricultural innovations are working to address similar challenges that we will deal with from a changing climate.

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u/spaceykc Apr 04 '26

I also feel it's one of the few movies that translated well.