436 Comments

As the son of diplomats I very much appreciate your summary of such a dramatic recovery after a devastating four years.

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@David, Were there a way the media could render the “dramatic recovery” of State through a split screen, I imagine the bifurcated imagery would speak volumes. I mention this, in part, because I believe split screen imagery is a powerful tool for rendering poignant divergence relative to a host of issues. The current Administration repeatedly claims it has a story to tell. I say, let the public not only hear it, but also see it.

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I totally agree. Biden has a 41% approval rating. His administration is doing great things, but they are so piss poor at promoting and using the media to publicize their accomplishments. Fox News is a cancer. It’s time to take the gloves off and go after them publicly and through lawsuits.

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President Biden and his administration shouldn't have to "promote and use the media". The media's job is to cover the administration thoroughly, and they're NOT! It is totally sickening. IMNSHO. (In my not so humble opinion.)

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It is both - the admin must use the bully pulpit effectively and the press must grow a pair - they are so hell bent to show they are non partisan after 4 years of reporting on craziness that they are loath to write positives about what is happening. The press sees controversy as profit. They are part of the problem, as are the cobwebs growing on the bully pulpit.

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The Biden administration is BUSY WORKING. The onus on them is to govern, it is then media's job is to report the truth ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING. And just a note, the American citizens' job is to be a fully informed electorate, not a part of a violent extremist cult of ignorance.

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Liz, As to your final point, I would note that the presence or absence of democratic principles (e.g., open, vibrant, and diverse coverage) governing media practices likely would influence the ability of citizens to think critically about important issues.

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“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.” —U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

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Good points, Steve. Thank you.

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Steve, Though I’m with you relative to the Administration, my views on the media are not quite as harsh. While the media, admittedly, constitute a commercial, profit-driven enterprise, I would submit, at least theoretically, it also should provide open, vibrant, and diverse coverage. The debate, as I understand it, relates to whether the media can meaningfully engage in “public service” and nurture the “public trust” and still make the sort of money they currently do, or whether the desire to make bigger profits increasingly will drive media owners to provide expedient rather than useful content.

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Judith, Quoting media critics John Nichols and Robert McChesney, “Democracy-sustaining journalism has three components: It must be a rigorous watchdog of those in power and those who wish to be in power; it must present a wide range of informed views on the most pressing issues of the day; and it must be able to expose deception and permit the truth to rise to the top.” Though each medium need not do all of the above, Nichols and McChesney assert, in my view, rightly that “the media system as a whole must assure that the whole package is delivered to the whole population.”

I would note, though Nichols and McChesney are not my only sources, I often consider their views when asserting my own thoughts relative to the media.

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Barbara, (Barbara Jo?) -- Thank you. I have not heard of either of these two media critics.

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Judith, McChesney is author, activist, and Professor of Communication at the University of Illinois and Nichols is a journalist and author and National Affairs correspondent for the Nation. Barbara

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The press is owned by Murdock. We must do something about him, don't you think?

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Susan, I understand that Murdock’s empire in the States includes Fox News, the Fox Network, the Wall Street Journal, and HarperCollins.Perhaps we would benefit from regulations that restricted the amount of media one could own. Meanwhile, everyday citizens can choose not to consume any of the products associated with or advertised on any of Murdock’s acquisitions.

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I agree, Judith. The media has been so influenced and corrupted by the money on the right, and so loosely committed to equal time, that it is very hard to find the quality that we witnessed 60-70 years ago. Also the elimination of the Fairness Act has had an awful effect.

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I thought the Securities and Exchange Commission was to govern buy outs and mergers. A strong government agency could have stopped the a Murdock or Bezo or now a Elon Musk.

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Anna, do you think that the New York Times and/or the Wall Street Journal have been corrupted by "the money on the right?" My own media sources are liberal, except when we're bombarded with Fox News clips. I lack the proper time to investigate thoroughly "right wing" media -- in great part because I don't relish the nauseous feeling of my skin crawling.

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There was a recent experiment where Fox viewers were paid to watch something else for a month. Those viewers actually changed their views on issues… But when it was over, they went back to FN. Is it like an addiction, or what?

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In other words, once off meth their brains functioned normally but then the allure of the drug sucked them back in.

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Watching Fox “News” is like eating the strip of fat around a steak. It may taste good in the moment but it will kill you in the long run.

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I absolutely agree, the promotional effect Fox has had for criminals, insurrection, and money-launderers has been like a cancer. What way is there, though, through lawsuits, to bring fox down? I don’t see that happening.. they’ve been challenged for gender discrimination and sexual assault cases (and have paid a lot of money to settle) but no cases for fraud or money laundering or supporting insurrections.

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Dominion. Smartmatic.

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Hi, Dillard. Yep. Fox is powerful and has done a considerable amount of damage. But I think the mainstream media have done as much, possibly more, just because they are "mainstream" and fly under the radar and can, except on very close examination, appear to be on the side of the angels. Indeed, they declare themselves exactly that. I remember my outrage when, after drooling around after Trump during his campaign against Clinton and publishing, front page, large all-cap headlines, the news that "the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails has been re-opened, two weeks before the election, I received an email from the paper's Editor congratulating his paper for its neutral stance during the campaign. Fox is disgusting but their sliminess is right out there for all to see.

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Fox News is a parasite. All they seem capable of is stirring up dissent. Tucker Carlson should be ashamed of himself, not covered in money. Somehow, we have to move beyond this.

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David. I completely agree. I don't understand why they didn't put Jen Psaki front and center everyday given her popularity. Too late now.

It's a shame given her ability to relate to many age brackets and demographics. They had an excellent resource and never used it. I have a Republican colleague that told me how the Biden Administration would present itself even before he took office. I told my colleague her was full of shit. He has been spot on.

I owe him lunch.

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Maybe Psaki in private mainstream media job is what is needed.

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David, in the back of my mind, I am wondering if her leaving to go to MSNBC is intentional.

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I think they are a bunch of steps ahead of us :)

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I wondered about that. I really like her. Maybe in mainstream media, she can outfox Fox. But I'm sorry she's not still part of the administration. She was such a relief.

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Susan, I know. I watched the White House briefings to hear what she says before it gets twisted in the wind by the media. As much as you can trust anyone in the White House, I do trust her.

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Since herding cats is virtually impossible, she might do even better touting the Democratic agenda AND accomplishments on MSNBC. Nobody else in government seems capable of that, and CNN appears to be moving to the dark side.

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I've been watching CNN much more recently than in years. Why? Its coverage of the invasion of Ukraine is next to none. That said, its reporting about Washington and national politics is abysmal.

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My biggest disappointment with the Biden Administration and democrats is their unwillingness to fight Trump and the Republican Party lies and misinformation. A few elected democrats have begun to challenge them but it may be to little to late. I am also disappointed with the media, in trying to look non partisan they are helping the authoritarians take over our country. I live in a very red state, people here are hearing from Fox News that Biden and his son will be in jail when the republicans take over the senate and the house and Trump will be president again. Some of them truly believe this. Who knows maybe it could happen, I hope behind the scenes the Biden administration is doing more to combat the authoritarians than we know. If we lose our democracy, in my opinion democrats will share some of the blame. Our country has changed so much already. I know there were always racist people here but they used to mostly contain their speech. I was talking to a young black girl at the grocery store today. She grew up in Germany (parent was military) she said in all white Germany she was never called the n word. People were nice to her. Here in my state (her home state) she said people are so mean and cruel. She said she has been called the n word so many times to her face here. She said I came home to my country and state and I hate living here. It was awful to hear the hurt and pain this girl has had to endure. I blame Trump, people feel they now have a right to say whatever they want, have no filters on their speech. I told her I was sorry and that not every white person was like that. People can think whatever they want and say what they want in private but in public there has to be common decency.

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That is really sad. We can blame Trump who certainly made things worse on so many levels, but at some point, people have to accept that they have a choice about being decent or not. Being civil is necessary to create a civil society. All the braying back and forth is simply exhausting and a waste of time and energy. We can do better.

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You are right, people always have a choice to be civil and decent. People are responsible for themselves.

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What are you talking about? I see Jen Psaki on television every day.

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It has been all over the media that she will be leaving for MSNBC. As Linda Bailey suggested, but I hadn't thought of, it's possible that Biden has decided she could do a great job of promoting all of this administration's good deeds. The messaging has been lacking so far, but Psaki could be exactly what the Dems need prior to the midterms. The fact that the Right doesn't watch MSNBC can be offset by Faux shadowing her in order to criticize. I love it when she skewers the right-wing twits. Biden has done a great job in choosing his staff, and I trust that he'll find a good replacement.

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I watch her daily press briefings on C span too. Other than the 10 other people that do, she's under the radar

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She is out front every day; however the MSM will not show her the way they did Trump mouth pieces.

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As I said, I watch her everyday there are briefings, maybe you do, but its far from a commanding audience. The White House does not have a platform to reach the masses. No idea what her vehicle will be. Isn't Maddow down to once a week?

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Rupert's news monopoly must be broken up and sold off to individual owners. We have seen how dangerous news can become when the majority of outlets are owned by one individual.

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Plus Rupert Murdock is a creepy right-winger. So over those guys.

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And now we have the issue of Twitter, one of the board of directors is James Murdoch!!! And Musk wants free speech and since Twitter will become a private company there will be no government oversight.

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That's probably why we are all on Substack right now. I just read an article in the Atlantic where the author talked about "the exhausted middle" and that is me right now.

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I would agree that the Biden Administration isn't very good at public relations via the mainstream media, but I am also coming to believe that doing that is not actually possible. When I read what's being written about Biden today--regardless of what he is or is not doing--my conclusion is that it has little to do with the lack of skill at manipulating or using the media. The NYTimes, for example, is driven by money. Bad news sells better than good news. Reports of Biden's accomplishments do not sell subscriptions the way the long, bloody descriptions and film of the disaster in Afghanistan. And in those reports an analysis of only the failure and fault to be laid at Biden's feet. I think the press is looking to maximize profit and Biden is expendable. And, yes, they are also lousy at using the press.

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I agree with everything you've said. I try not to allow myself to give in to paranoia and consider that dark money and foreign powers are behind some of it. What I do believe, though, is that Biden's plate is so full that he can't spend any energy hitting back. He has actually commented on that point - once. When you see how he methodically goes from one fire to the next, then accomplishes so much, and has to manage the expectations of his party, it's mind boggling. Just mending the NATO relationships, especially since the entire world is wary of trusting us after four years of insanity, was nothing short of a miracle. A lesser person couldn't handle all of it. Those who continue the hateful reactions to him are doing so willfully, not because they really believe it. They're threatened.

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Dean, that is a fact. When I was growing up, one of the local news anchors lived right around the corner from us and was a good friend. I will never forget a conversation I had with Nancy regarding exactly that. Good news has a very short shelf life, negative news goes on for a long time or as long as the media wants it to. That conversation was about 50 years ago. The premise hasn't changed at all.

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David, In my view, the split screen is one way of “tak[ing] the gloves off and go[ing] after [Fox News]… publicly…”. Fox News ideologues embrace a world view that can’t be proven wrong because they will admit no evidence to the contrary. Imagine their anger if public spaces were filled with split screens, wherein one side was getting it right—rendering indisputable truths the far right didn’t want exposed.

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You are absolutely right about that. The bullies seem not to have any problem grabbing the bullhorn and subjecting us to all kinds of nonsense. It is time to cheer the good work this administration has done and broadcast that work loud and clear.

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I agree that the administration's is doing great things and I mention this often. Last night's news featured his endorsement of the awful Kirk Schrader. I do think he will win the primary and I also think this is a ploy to keep the House. But this sort of thing isn't going to help when many progressives here are already dissing Biden. Maybe at least wait until after the primary.

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Michele, every Democrat needs to understand the alternative - getting everything they want, or losing it all to the current GOP criminals. We need to grit our teeth and support those who have a decent chance of being elected, maintain a large enough majority that we won't be held hostage to Manchin, Sinema, and other grandstanders, then fine-tune what we all hope to accomplish. The fact that progressives are dissing Biden proves that they have very limited memory. The only thing that I wish we could learn from the Rethuglicans is that they march in lockstep to accomplish their goals. Instead of being our usual fractious selves, perhaps we should consider uniting for the common good. Otherwise, our country is headed for Hell in a handbasket.

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I try, but got called "toxic" at one point. And I understand this, but these people often don't because they are locked in on Bernie for starters and will not understand the HRC would have been a much better alternative to death star. Also they want everyone to check all the progressive boxes. I am noting right now that some have started to understand that even if they don't, the alternative is awful. The primary is three weeks away. One person has put together a who to vote for in nonpartisan races and it is a good guide. We have a former judge who would not marry same sex couples trying to get on the Court of Appeals and I hope people will just vote for the incumbent in this case. For some reason in this election we are seeing a lot of the bad old names resurfacing.

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I think these (truly) toxic people smell blood in the water, so they're up for another try. We are all focused on national elections, but we must understand that it all starts and the local level - so we must shut off the spigot at its source.

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That is beautifully written. Thank you for so eloquently saying what I've been thinking for a long time.

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Why are so many progressives dissing Biden? Why don't we help this guy out? Nobody gets everything they want right away and this administration not only has to try to achieve its objectives but also undo much of the terrible, horrible, really bad damage TFG left being.

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They are Bernie followers by and large and define progressive very narrowly. Now that the primary election is much closer, they are coming to their senses somewhat and realizing that faced with, for example, someone promoted by the Chamber of Horrors, that the other candidate would be preferably even if he doesn't hit all the progressive buttons. He is a former deputy sheriff I believe, and has served well on the City Council. This is for the mayor of Salem. Biden did not help himself endorsing Schrader who is disliked by all but the most conservative Ds. In Salem we are largely, if not totally, in the new congressional district 6 and that seat is wide open. We have flannel shirt crypto guy, Carrick Flynn, and I think, 18 others on the D side. I will be voting for Salinas who has a solid legislative record and is Hispanic within this district which is heavily Hispanic. The problem with Biden, as these folks see it is that he is an establishment D and for some, a corporate D. In many ways, they are true believers.

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How to do this, please

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Great idea, I remember all this and it’s the reason for my “treading water” stance on so much. Every day there was another broadside hit on our “administrative state.” All Biden’s efforts will be undone in a nanosecond if chump cheats his way back. The Republican Party is a greater threat than Russia…

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Seems to me that there’s a simple solution to the threat—and as a trial lawyer I distrust simple answers almost as much as I distrust long drawn-out ones. The Democrats should campaign against Trump, non-stop and full-time. Let Democratic candidates remind the voters over and over that Trump is a crook, tried to overthrow the Constitution, and was in bed with Putin. Don’t mince words and don’t hold back. When the question is about something else, pivot it to Trump: inflation? Trump gave hundreds of billions to the rich and the nation lost tens of millions of of jobs while he was president. President Biden has added tens of millions of jobs, unemployment is at a record low and wages are going up faster than they have in 75 years. The coup de grace comes when the Democratic candidate calls on her Republican opponent to say clearly whether he supports Trump or not. Make Trump the overriding issue and we win, because he is much less popular than he was in 2020, and he loses support every day.

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Simply brilliant, Jon!

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The Republican Party is working with Russia. They have been since 2015, and they make little effort to hide it.

Such as… https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/27/rand-paul-blinken-ukraine-russia-nato/

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I watched the clip of Rand Paul trying to argue that Ukraine used to be part of Russia (though he did correct to Soviet Union) as if that's an acceptable reason to ignore Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Georgia and, potentially, other former satellites. I almost couldn't believe my ears! Secretary Blinken's response was excellent, emphasizing that each country has the right of self-determination and that neither Russia nor any other country has the right to take over a sovereign nation.

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👍👍

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Trump already lost once because so many people came out to vote against what he represents. He lost the House, then the WH, then, against all odds, the Senate. If he runs again, it will be the best possible thing that can happen for democracy, because it wakes people up and gets them to vote.

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Yay, Roland! And consider that Biden wasn't every Democrat's dream candidate. We voted for an elderly candidate with little charisma, but hoped his experience and decency would serve him well, and he certainly acquitted himself beyond our wildest expectations . We just can't go back.

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And Biden is a decent man in a world awash in indecency.

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True, but he's no babe in the woods. He knows exactly how filthy politics is, and he has learned to slough it off, unlike our reaction.

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If Republicans control enough Secretaries of State and State Legislatures, vote totals in 2024 won’t matter. Republicans will scream “fraud” and select their own slate of electors. This is what they’ve been working on for the past two years.

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Roland, I wish I could share your confidence; however, it haunts me that but for a mere 33,000 votes, give or take, in 3 states—Arizona, Georgia, and Wisconsin—Trump would have been re-elected.

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I don't really see the difference between radical tumplicans and russia. They both want to destroy democracy in their ramfshod race to power and maintaining the rich, white caste systems in the world.

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Correct! The Russians fool nobody. (except our defeated former president). The Republicans, however, fool millions of Americans every day by wrapping themselves in phony patriotism as they accept white nationalists, assorted bigots and those who preach that a government which puts the interests of people ahead of those of business is 'socialism' into their fold. Democracy allows them to do this. That is a problem with our 'freedoms' that will persist so long as too many Americans are 'treading water' instead of fighting back. That fight starts locally, with the bigot who lives down the street from you and is encouraged by those who choose to 'tread water.'

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Jack, Though your analysis is brilliantly spot on, if, amid one of the most terrifying moments in our nation’s history, one’s head still is above water, I interpret that to mean he or she is “fighting back.”

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The 'partisans' in France, Poland and in the rest of Europe during the Nazi occupation of their countries were indeed 'fighting back.' But if they showed their heads 'above water,' they were shot at ... so they remained in the forests or underground elsewhere, blowing up bridges or whatever they could do. (See Hemingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls.) We are far from that point, but with all three branches of our government in authoritarian hands, we might have to go there , as John Brown did in 1859.

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Jack, Though your original response was not addressed to me, but to someone who had replied to me, I, nonetheless, am questioning whether your interpretation / critique of that subscriber’s mention of “treading water” is consistent with the person’s intended meaning. Please note I doubt I would have intervened had I not read your take as decisively judgmental.

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Jeri, I sense from your reply that, like me, these split screens live in your mind 24/7.

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The Lincoln Project is good at this. The Pod Save America/Crooked Media people talk a lot about messaging, but I don’t think they have budgets to do it.

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The Lincoln Project has launched Join the Union jointheunion.us to unite all of us who want to recover democracy. I encourage everyone to join and work together for democracy.

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A few days ago, I posted a request that we HCR readers send a postcard to the WH (1600 Pennsylvania AV NW, Washington DC 20500) simply stating "I SUPPORT DEMOCRACY" (and Cathy L added the jointheunion.us --great idea, and I did!) I saw almost 130 hearts on my comment. Personally, I put 4 postcards in the mail and I asked 8 friends to do so. I hope that those who added a heart to my comment have sent their card(s) and have posted on their social media! Another HCR reader also make the great suggestion to send a card of thanks to the January 6th Select Committed (Longworth House Office Bldg Washington DC 20505--I did!)

We can't just sit back and bemoan the lack of media coverage! Somehow we need to endorse the positive coverage which we can find, and also to create it ourselves. If we can create a simple gesture that becomes viral, we are helping promote the positive. Years ago there was a widely read news item; the advice columnist "Dear Abby" asked for postcard votes on her query "Would you have kids again?"--and if you recall the story, many many said no! It created quite a stir. Perhaps bags and bags of postcards to the WH might create another stir?

Please--send a card. No postcard? Write on the back of a sealed envelope. Ask your friends and family to do so. Post on your social media. It might be a futile gesture but I am so sick of all of these antics by the GOP! I have written to voters, I donate to candidates, I have worked for causes--to me, sending a postcard to the WH or the Select Committee is like voting, my single vote might not make a difference but all those votes put together move history.

Thank you.

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Why send it to the White House? Isn’t that just preaching to the choir master? Why not send it to Mitch McConnell, Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, Kevin McCarthy or for that matter Rupert Murdoch and some of his minions?

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My thought is they would just toss it/them. Yes, preaching to the choir, but my idea is to start something that will garner media attention. I feel thousands of supportive postcards to the WH WOULD somehow be made known to the media.

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Miselle, Thank you for the reminder. I'm one of those hearts that did not follow through. I appreciate you including the addresses. I'm on it!

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I have sent my cards and thanks for your suggestion. I also do Postcards to Voters for specific campaigns. The Union is making phone calls to Toyota, calling them out for supporting insurrectionists.

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That's a really good suggestion and I'm going to send a postcard today. I also joined The Union, which looks like a very proactive organization with young people to push back against The Mob. Thanks.

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I received an email from The Union this morning with the information that Toyota is again funding several insurrectionists, after promising last fall to stop doing that. Though as the owner of a Toyota I’m boiling angry, thanks to The Union, I know exactly what to do - call my local Toyota dealer and complain loudly. There is even a script to use.

Thanks to The Union, I’m able to punch back and let the grifters know we’re watching and that there are other options for cars. Join The Union!!!! (Thanks Cathy!!)

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Sheila!

Calling local is a wonderful idea! I can’t wait. Plus, it’s personal with me. I had a vehicle serviced regularly at Toyota for well over a decade.

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I did, the barbarians are at our door.

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And Pod Save America has votesaveamerica.com for those who want to help with the midterms.

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Yep! And last night on Ari Member’s show, Rick Wilson said that the Union members would be organizing a campaign to call Toyota to tell them we are unhappy with their funding to the seditionist Republicans. The call to action email came this morning encouraging us to call the Toyota dealerships in our area and ask to speak to the manager.

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Just joined "Join the Union." Thank you. It's important!

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Thanks, Cathy. I'm in.

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Done. Thanks for the heads up.

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Sad that a small minority of Republicans are more appropriately vocal than our Dems. Rupert still rules the fools

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It’s not just vocal it’s ORGANIZED/muscular. Republicans (of whom I am not one) clean D’s clocks at GOTV, at organizing, at messaging, at showing the f’ahem on time. Seen it year after year teaching Young Repubs/Federalist Soc types and well-intentioned hippies. Latter throw a hunger strike for justice; former GETS THE PERMITS and throws a campus barbecue for Fed Soc right next door to troll. It’s not who is right it’s who is CLEVER in tactics, my friends.

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The organization is coming out of their state conventions, recently held. One of the organization meetings was how to subvert ranked choice voting, which we have in Alaska. Another one was how to use school boards to promote culture wars. I couldn't believe what I was hearing on talk radio yesterday. It is out there.

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Rules the fools is a wonderful turn of phrase.

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POD Save America Proudcers: Daniel Pfeiffer, Tommy Vieto & the '2 Jons', Jon Favreau & Jon Lovett. Daniel hosts a Digital Community focused on Dem camapign messaging called: 'The Message Box'.

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The tRUMP side of the screen will be blank except for a YouTube video showing the Saudis dismembering a live journalist

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I agree with you 100% Barbara!

After 4+ years of the media’s nauseating overuse of the adjective “unprecedented” to report on the norm-busting, destructive doings of tfg (i.e. emoluments, Helsinki, Charlottesville, Jan. 6/21 etc etc).

The media should invest heavily on your “Then&Now” split screen approach for reporting the news. Thanks to the work of the 1/6/21 commission, we now have some context!

IMO, it’s valuable to remember where we were, helpful to know where we are and hopeful to see where we can be

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Yes, before and after. Would love to see it.

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@M Figueroa, Thank you for your validating reply. I plan to start writing letters to whomever I can think of who would have the requisite resources and contacts.

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Read an interesting article a few days ago about the differences between Democratic and Republican campaign rallies.

A Democratic shows up with a one hour Power Point presentation full of charts and data. Fifteen minutes later the audience is nodding off.

A Republican shows up with brief talking points and bumper sticker slogans. The audience goes wild.

Who most effectively fired up the base?

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"Brief talking points and bumper sticker slogans "

backed up by no facts, no truth and no evidence

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William, Of course, you’re right, but that wasn’t the question. Bottom line: one can and must do both.

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@H. H. Rose, Your point is spot on. Hence, why I keep writing letters to whomever might listen suggesting that Dems ought to be telling their story as opposed to talking about abstract legislation and non-relatable numbers and data.

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As the dismantling and dismembering of the State Department was taking place during tfg's stint in office, I remember my outrage quite vividly, not to mention my alarm at how such well-trained, career diplomats and personnel could ever be replaced. I can only imagine how you must have felt, David!

I'm so delighted that you took a slightly different path tonight, Heather, as this letter contains fundamental and compelling gems! Thank you!

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The recovery is still on going. President Biden just nominated career diplomat Bridget Brink to be Ambassador to Ukraine after the position has been vacant for three years.

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Will republicans stall and refuse to confirm, or will Manchin

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Both of those. Stall and "no"

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Dear Jeri, I vote we don’t give such thoughts words. 🤞🏻💙

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Ambassador Brink, currently in Slovakia, is a superbly qualified Foreign Service Officer well-versed in Eastern European affairs. I find it appalling that it has been nearly three years since Ambassador Yanocovich, another uncommon professional FSO, was ousted in a Trump/Giuliani/Pompey hatchet job. Thankfully, the State Department, under SecState Blinken, is again becoming professional with Blinkin working hand-in-glove with President Biden and FSO Burns, director of CIA.

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I agree. It was a positive message about work that is actually getting done on our behalf by an Administration that actually cares about the country.

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I REMEMBER THAT, in the Beginning of it, Rowshan.

IT was Gutwrenching!!!!😡😡😡😡

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Trump wanted the power of a dictator. A normally functioning State Department wouldn't have allowed him to become what he wanted — Kim Jong-un on a larger stage, acting on his whim of the moment and engaging in rank corruption.

It's sobering to imagine what the world would be today if Trump was still in power. And it's breathtaking to grasp the media's failure to accurately convey the damage that Trump had done to the State Department and Biden's success in rapidly rebuilding it.

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Biden has been fighting the extreme right reach for authoritarianism as well as the media. He has been standing between democracy and fascism.

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I knew it was bad, but not HOW truly catastrophic that "bad" really was. This LFAA left me breathless.

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I too am a son of parents who both worked for AID overseas for 10 years. That work helps countries thrive and avoid conflicts with their neighbors. Lessen the need to migrate to safer countries.

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I wonder if any Republicans and Fox News watchers have any idea this even happened.

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The one State Department employee who was the biggest thorn in Putin’s side is HRC. Whatever she did over there for the sake of promoting American values, like feminism, she really pissed him off. He hates her. Easy to do, considering he’s sexist and racist.

So one of the first things that Orange Sewage does, in his central role as Putin’s puppet: he idles the State Dept. Putin gets his choice for Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson is a friend and a member of this unholy alliance, like certain Republican politicians.

Now here’s a curious thought: Putin is lulled into a false sense of security by having his paid goon holding office as President of the U.S. He is seemingly so smitten with the idea of having controlling influence over the White House that he neglects to pursue his other global ambitions, like invading neighboring countries to revive the Soviet Union.

In 2021 Trump is booted out of the WH, despite threats that he won’t leave. Next thing you know, the Russian dictator and thug is invading Ukraine.

Why Ukraine? Because the three non-NATO countries providing a buffer, in his mind, between Russia and the Big Bad West, are Belarus and Ukraine [and Finland]. Belarus is already in his back pocket, but Ukraine is moving decisively towards democracy. When you’re a dictator, democracy looks like a threat. Ask Elon Musk.

So, ironically, he missed his best chance to carry out his goal of annexing Ukraine. During the Trump administration would’ve been the time.

Instead, he waits until he is feeling threatened again, by the Biden administration. Only this time, by waiting until a hostile enemy occupies the WH, he ruins his chances of taking over one of the last non-NATO European countries. The entire escapade is backfiring badly, accelerating the disappearance of that non-NATO buffer he wants to expand. Ukraine will probably slip away forever, and will certainly hate everything Russian forever. Finland and Sweden will probably be in NATO very soon. And who knows about Belarus, but it doesn’t look good.

You have to question what kind of intelligence is at work here. Whatever you do, members of the media, stop lauding this guy.

[I am purposely leaving Finland out of this conversation, there’s a different history there; it wasn’t technically part of the Soviet Union, apparently he didn’t fear their tilt towards democracy, and/or he didn’t want to annex it for some other reason, maybe their defensive preparedness]

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/22/how-finland-bunker-mania-made-sense

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Morning Roland! Good post. You said: "You have to question what kind of intelligence is at work here. Whatever you do, members of the media, stop lauding this guy."

My two cents: Putin is very clever. But clever is not always smart. He and TFG have something in common (a lot, actually). They don't listen to true experts and advisers. They think they are "smarter than the generals". And now it's clear that they think they don't really need diplomats because they get in the way of their "clever ideas". Let's hope this all leads to their personal demise.

Merrick Garland must act now or he should be replaced. Install an "acting AG" with impeccable credentials who is more of a prosecutor and less an uber careful judge. If Biden waits for a Senate confirmation, the sun will have set on democracy.

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I'm seeing news items this morning suggesting Putin may have Parkinson's Disease.

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Yes, I’ve been reading that for several days. He is deteriorating.

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Grim Reaper, speed thyself along!!

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A special several years ago said they thought Hitler also had Parkinson’s. Maybe the demise of a dictator.

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“Merrick Garland must act now or he should be replaced.”

I am debating whether I should have quoted as follows:

“Merrick Garland . . . should be replaced.”

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This is good...morning, Roland!

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Morning Lynell!

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Missed "morning" you this morning, Ally. Will look for you tomorrow!

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Morning Lynell!

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A thoughtful analysis. My take on the invasion is a tad different. Putin knew the State Department had been compromised, it was a well known fact and therefore there would be at best a fly-by-the-seat -of the-reaction by the State Department - it would become reactive, not proactive. He knew Trump had given him permission to do what he thought was right in Ukraine given his, and Maniford's maneuverings. He saw how Trump severely compromised and weakened NATO, as he saw Brexit as another weakening of European resolve. He believed the US press that Biden was senile and weak and he felt Biden, given the current political sewer, would be preoccupied and compromised so badly he would not respond with necessary resolve, and he knew Europe's strongest leader, Merkel, was stepping down. He saw the other strongest European player, France, in disarray. The time was ripe and the action was slow and poorly planned. Hubris? Incompetence? Both? In any event, given his mindset of the old Soviet fear of the West surrounding Russia, he saw the hand he was given and invaded so he would be remembered as the ruler who reinstated the Russian empire and supremacy.

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Excellent summary! It had not occurred to me, but it sure feels right.

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Great summary Roland. Thanks.

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Sadly, all he has to do is wait if the prevailing wisdom becomes the reality. We must fight with all our might.

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“It is only natural you bring a rain jacket when there could be clouds.” Wonderful article on Finland's intelligent preparedness. Not lulled into complacency when the bear seemed to go into hibernation!!! Thank you, Roland.

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You’re welcome Carol

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Right now, all of Europe is seeing the folly of going to sleep on the threat of Russia. But not Republicans! Oh no!

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Excellent, informative thought-provoking article linked in The Guardian! Thank you.

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You’re welcome

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I read somewhere that he didn't want to cause problems for trump while he was in office and was waiting for trumps second term. Biden will surely have a huge historical moment.

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Thank you, HCR for pointing out dramatic differences between the administrations of President Biden and TFG. From 2016 to 2020 we witnessed amateur hour. Four years of unqualified family members, friends and unfilled positions, understaffed departments and agencies. A revolving door and Twitter terminations of key cabinet members. And now we’re back in the world with experienced and intelligent people working with other diplomats to help countries build Democracies. It’s about time that the office of president meet minimum standards like other professionals. Teachers, lawyers, physicians, accountants, etc. all must be trained, educated and experienced. Not a popularity contest. A President is not an apprentice.

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Woohoo on that last sentence

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I believe that passing the USA citizenship exam should be a prerequisite for running for any federal office. If we expect immigrants to know American history and civics, should we expect any less of our elected representatives?

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Yes, imagine asking immigrants to prove their knowledge of history and government, but not candidates for president. Many government jobs do require a placement test to qualify for interview. The presidency has turned into a popularity contest. Scary.

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Yes! Yes! Yes!

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After Guilty Donnie was dislodged many of us saw that the historic honor-based system we'd relied on was open to exploitation. It was clear that it had been composed in the belief that our elected officials would consistently work toward the best interests of the American people and the nation. A sociopathic or corrupt leader was never anticipated, and that we'd have one who was under foreign influence was inconceivable.

Thus, when the Trump administration dismantled our State Department, we had no ability to respond. We'd left ourselves powerless to stop him, and the damage was incalculable. If an external power had done what he did as our President we'd have called it an act of war.

Myself, I cannot imagine Trump was bright enough to have orchestrated the act himself, but whoever did his thinking and planning for him remains unidentified. Suspects abound, because the US has dedicated enemies, but no conclusions have been reached.

To guard against future abuses in the same vein though, last December the House passed H.R.5314: the Protecting Our Democracy Act . It has since gone on to the Senate where it's been sitting in Committee ever since. It would be worth a call or note to your senator(s) to remind them that this legislation should be prioritized for the safety of us all.

The next time a Donald Trump takes office it shouldn't be so damn easy.

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"A sociopathic or corrupt leader was never anticipated, and that we'd have one who was under foreign influence was inconceivable."

Actually, during the 1787 convention and in John Adams and Thomas Jefferson's writings, demigods were considered. Some of the balance of power between the executive branch and the congress and courts was put in place precisely to insure that balance of power would prevent a demigod.

HOWEVER, what John Adams did not anticipate was the near total corruption of Congress with money and then, the near total takeover of one party by monied interests.

Trump was not alone in the White House. The entire Republican Party, and, many monied interests were working mightily to overthrow our government.

IF the US Army leadership had gone along, it would be over here now.

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And the threat is still very much alive

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Yes indeed. Clear and Present.

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Well said.

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My mistake, I should have added this link:

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr5314

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What a Bill! The authoritarians in the Senate will kill it. I'll contact Warner and Kaine although I assume they are on board.

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Thanks, Gary. I will check it out; then contact my two senators.

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Lynell, Just to let you know, I hear from Marcus Flowers for Georgia's campaign team and the candidate himself thanks to you asking us to support his determination to unseat you know who:

'Team, I'll get straight to the point: last month, my opponent, Marjorie Taylor Greene, made a further embarrassment of herself by heckling the President throughout his speech including when he was talking about the tragic death of his son Beau Biden.'

'But here’s the silver lining in all of this: Marjorie Taylor Greene will not be able to heckle President Biden at the next State of the Union, because I will have taken her job.'

'The people of Georgia are sick and tired of being embarrassed by Marjorie Taylor Greene - and now it’s up to us to flip this seat into Democratic hands.'

'Marjorie Taylor Greene is a bully - and it’s time we stand up to her. Will you donate to my campaign right now to help us stand up to the radical right?'

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Boy Howdy, Fern. I just two minutes ago read that email from Marcus. Loved it, especially the "promise" that MTG will not be able to heckle President Biden..."because I will have taken her job"! I had to hold myself back from hitting the donate button again, as I have already donated twice this April. (I melt every time I see him wearing his cowboy hat LOL!)

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LOL, Know what you mean about Flowers under his cowboy hat! 🎉

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Yes, I donated from California and I have HOPE!! MTG and the repubs must go.

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Cruz won’t, not sure about Cornyn. Will make my wishes known. Wish they could be demands

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Hope, Jeri, there's always hope!

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“3% chance of being enacted.” That’s where our Republican friends are today.

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IMHO Gail referring to them as "the authoritarians in the Senate" is apropos

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And we got 2-in-1: sociopathic AND corrupt

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“Suspects abound, because the US has dedicated enemies, but no conclusions have been reached.” Perhaps our biggest threat, now, is from within. Is TFG a puppet? Domestic or international?

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Trump spent a lot of time dismantling Gov. Departments.

There are pages of links to articles for each cabinet dept under Trump when googled paint a picture of a clear movement to shrink expertise, safety nets, research and development and necessary and needed programs for the citizens of the United States. He was getting rid of the

Federal Government.

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Puppeteer Putin was getting rid of our Federal Government by pulling tRump's strings.

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As they promised to do from the git go. It is still the “go to.” Ask Grover…

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Why is it so hard to believe that the hard work of rebuilding what was systematically torn down starting in January of 2017 will be durable beyond the end of this presidential term. That's all we really have; belief. There's no assurance. The rise of autocracy didn't all start with His Royal Orangeness. He was an opportunist; A grifter extraordinaire who rode the dark side of our nature right into the halls of power. The seeds of that nightmare were already sown in Congress years ago, in local, regional, state governments and within a party that realized in order to govern from the minority, like-minded people would need to be placed in strategic positions across 50 states, within the courts and ultimately in Congress and the White House as well. Institutions would have to be infiltrated, mechanisms to move vast amounts of dark money would need to be created and a few key rulings within the highest courts in the land would need to happen that enabled the erosion of the guardrails of our democracy. Finally, the ceaseless trumpets of disinformation would need to blare out doubt and distrust against the sources of information that the public used to make decisions about their leaders and understand the policy implications of legislation written and promoted by their own elected officials. The genius, the profound shame of it was/is that for most of the strategy, winning wasn't actually necessary; simply poisoning the well would be sufficient to forward the agenda.

So, not only is the State Department undergoing a complete rebuild from rubble, its doors are open and it's reaching out to the very branch of government complicit in its prior destruction. Previously I mistrusted the executive branch, but now my mistrust has transferred to Congress and the Supreme Court. In one, the minority has the power of NO (veto) and in the other, the power of appointments for life.

How am I going to resurrect my ability to believe once more? I think watching a bunch of key players be indicted, tried and punished for crimes against the constitution would help. Sufficient? I don't know. I guess time, and a couple of elections will tell.

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"The seeds of that nightmare were already sown in Congress years ago, in local, regional, state governments and within a party that realized in order to govern from the minority, like-minded people would need to be placed in strategic positions across 50 states, within the courts and ultimately in Congress and the White House as well."

Yes, it is important to remember that just because Trump could not quite pull off autocracy at the national level, autocracy at the local level is, in many states, already in place.

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True in Texas and Florida, with others chomping at the bit…

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To me, one of the scariest parts of “in order to govern from the minority, like-minded people would need to be placed in strategic positions across 50 states…” is how McConnell so deeply understands the significance of “judicial gerrymandering”. He has perfected a game plan to impact who is in charge of the courts - the chief-judge positions. The chief influences which judges are assigned to which panels. A panel of three judges decides every appellate case and the composition of those panels can swing the conservative weight of the court. McConnell has been pushing forward nominees by very specific ages so that as their lifetime positions play out they will consecutively gain the chief judge positions and maintain control of the courts. According to The Atlantic article “Trump’s Power Won’t Peak for Another 20 Years,” we’ll see the real results of these efforts in 2040 and 2041 when all those appointees become chief judges.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/04/trump-circuit-court-judges/618533/

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McConnell planned for future republican power, long after he is gone. Wonder if he ever considered how the power he put his faith in would be the agent of America’s destruction.

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Power corrupts and McConnell cares about power not the survival of this country.

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Ah but they think that they are "saving" "the American Enterprise" [which is money, according to them]

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Excellent recounting of my dilemma too, especially transferring suspicion to Congress and SC for bad actions. I used to respect the SC and think of it as the last bulwark against eroding democracy. Not anymore.

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Nailed the problem. It has been decades in the making. Chump just saw the flame and gravitated to it like the moth he is…

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Nathan, great timeline and copy of the repub playbook. You wrote, “The genius, the profound shame of it was/is that for most of the strategy, winning wasn't actually necessary; simply poisoning the well would be sufficient to forward the agenda.“ we have endless work to do to dig out.

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This is very heartening news against the backdrop of the brutal war with its staggering losses for the Ukrainian people. This effective leadership and recalibration in our government is sadly not well understood, and is certainly not garnering enough attention. Your report demonstrates that a responsible defense will work in tandem with diplomacy to achieve security before it would jump to sending soldiers into danger, as Sec. Austin has done. Thanks for this great news.

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“Cui bono?” of course the seminal question to ask when confronted with inexplicably cretinous behavior (even from a groping grifter who ran a casino into the ground), and seminally has our beloved HCR begun to answer it.

Beyond the excellence of today’s column (and comments here-thanks as always, fellow-strugglers!) can we just acknowledge what HCR is doing? Besides providing essentially in-depth daily journalism-inflected-with-desp-historical-wisdom, she is simultaneously engaging in the sort of broad, analytical synthesis that scholars employ decades after a crisis to ground our understanding of the present-an equally important endeavor that is not usually performed this close to history and not on top of daily work of such demanding, grueling nature! This is like running two separate marathons while teaching at a day gig that isn’t easy either. Astounding. Needed. Appreciated.

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Yes, and yes. It’s why I am thinking of “gifting” to a friend

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Heather needs to be recognized by Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom…or renamed medal to take the stench of Rush Limbaugh, Devine Nunez, Jim Jordan from it. Can a group such as this send that suggestion to him?

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H’ahem to the f’ahem yes!!!🙌

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Today, another brilliant letter from HCR. 🙏 I read it in context of “the beginning years,” and I found myself reading more forgotten names. Tillerson and Priebus filled a patch of screen today. Long lost crew of some berserk, farcical occupation of the OVAL OFFICE at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Also today, I love the lid popping off the can full of dens of thieves…more released tapes from the upcoming book THIS WILL NOT PASS.

McCarthy is caught in so many lies, McConnell is sweating above his upper lip and at his dainty temples when asked by reporters to comment.

There are a lot of folk stuttering, Who? Me?

Yup.

You.

😊

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Are the right ones stuttering, not where I live. Rupert gives no air to truth, it’s just F the Dems, all day long. Funny how the national empathy for Ukraine must be giving Rupert and clones the headache of their lives. They can ignore Biden’s Herculean efforts, but the national (and international) support for Ukraine must be giving even Tucker headaches. Waiting for a U-turn, but in which direction…

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Tucker is so freaked out, he is publicly radiating his reproductive parts.

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My sincere hope is the same followers who drank the bleach and ingested the horse dewormer are all on board. Darwin Awards.

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Bravo, Antony Blinken and Joe Biden. Brava, Dr Richardson.

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And don't forget Lloyd Austin!

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Makes one so hopeful to see the US and its representatives - with all the faults, warts and all - being back, talking sense, and holding up the ideals as they are supposed to do. You're not perfect - who is after all? - but I believe still our best chance to get things right in the future. Just lock your former president and his lot up, so they won't be elected again, would ya, please?

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Such excellent reportage! Thank you.

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As Heather's daily letters clearly demonstrate, there is no moral equivalence between the two parties. The Republicans have sunk lower than perhaps any party since the Civil War- they are slaves and sycophants to a truly evil human being. The best of the Republicans suffer him- the majority enable him. The democrats are led by an honest, humble, man with a strong moral compass who subscribes to the basic tenets of democracy- rule of law, peaceful transfer of power, careful deliberation before taking action, and use of government as a force for improving the lives of its citizens. So why isn't Biden's approval ratings at 90% and why isn't Trump and company at -5%? True- Republicans are busy rigging the next elections. But they do actually have a lot of popular support. While I deplore that support, I also believe enough in democracy that we must go deeper to understand why it exists, and what the only party that upholds democracy must do to reach those voters. There are millions of American voters- not just the upper .1%- who believe that the democratic party does not have their back. Why is that and what has to happen to bring them back or bring them forward?

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A Rupert with a conscience and a megaphone. Well, hopefully with a different name. That one is tainted and should be retired forever.

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Hey now I’m related to some Surname-Ruperts so ❤️ but yeah.

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Richard, you said, “Republicans … do actually have a lot of popular support. … I … believe enough in democracy that we must go deeper to understand why it exists, and what the only party that upholds democracy must do to reach those voters. … Why is that and what has to happen to bring them back or bring them forward?”

These are the $64,000 questions! (Does anyone know the provenance of that figure? They’d have to be showing their years, as I am… 😂)

My guess leans more to our collective DIS-engagement from the apparatus of small d-democracy and the disruption caused by BigMedia. Just as BigAg or BigOil or BigPharma — I think the massive corporatization and monopolistic tendency of the operators (especially on the far right) renders us quite siloed and un-knowledgeable about matters that affect us but seem, nevertheless, remote.

This isn’t a function of education, or even oft cited demographic schisms but another sort of cleaving — one of trust — one of a sense of common effort. Those aren’t one thing or wholly another thing, but rather a series of small, well-stitched little things in our daily lives that are frayed and don’t support the broader American tapestry as well.

I recommend David Pepper’s (former head of Ohio Dems) book — his riff on Justice Brandeis’ guiding philosophy — “Laboratories of Autocracy.” It helps explain the layered fractures of American governments and what villainy continues to strip the vast majority of Americans of access to those governments as (part) means to redress existential challenges.

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Wondering if deleting any mention of trump et al, and as Barbara Jo suggested, using bifurcated screens, listing bills being held up in the Senate and saying”Are you in favor of reducing medical prescription costs? Split screen. “Contact Senators McConnell, and (Senators from the States the ad is viewing), tell them to Vote yes on this bill.”

List both Democratic and Republican Senators so it’s not an attack.

Very brief clear ads ere more effective, not diatribes.

This will not automatically turn off the emotionally fueled followers of the ex-president. He needs to be erased from what they read.

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I agree. But separately I want the T administration’s misdeeds kept in public view. As for clear and brief, the brief part is easy. “But her emails” and “Benghazi.” “Black Lives Matter” was able to be twisted. “Loose Lips Sink Ships” was not.

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A parallel phenomenon is the support Putin gets from mostly the older Russians, like the mothers who won’t believe their children living in Ukraine who report they are being bombed by Russia.

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Dr. Richardson, This LFAA is a clear reminder of the truism to never underestimate the other guy’s greed. The quiet dark money forces are always lurking in our capitalistic economy and became visible when their bumbling example gained control of the executive branch of the government and began using the power of the Presidency and the courts to reward his family and friends. Organizations such as the Heritage Society and others like it that are funded by legally protected anonymous non-taxable donor organizations are filling the judiciary with their operatives. Just witness the SCOTUS as the prime example. The courtrooms have become the battle field in America for the next multiple election cycles. Dark money plays the long game, and fortunately good journalists keep trying to expose how it is done. You are the emerging leader of that journalistic force. Thanks so much for doing the research and putting out the information so clearly.

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"The quiet dark money forces are always lurking in our capitalistic economy".

I might augment the sentence with:

"The quiet dark money forces are always lurking in our capitalistic economy"

+ especially in a governmental system set up to acquire money for both becoming elected and staying elected and then voting for legislation that you have been paid to vote for.

Who among us, really, besides perhaps Barbara Lee, would reject a giant wad of cash AFTER taking money to be elected then, again, to vote for something that, say, at least the first time you took cash, you actually believed would be good legislation??

The slope is steep and slippery and most of our representatives have already taken the slide to the bottom of the slope.

Many of the "representatives of Democracy" are not representing us, but, rather, they are paid prostitutes for monied interests.

I try not to write this perspective on this board every day because of Dr. Richardson's vision of America as seen by Lincoln is so compelling that I WANT to believe in it.

But, in practical reality, the US has been FAR from Lincoln's vision since 5 minutes after he was shot.

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Love the “paid prostitutes”, but wait, given the majority of members of Congress are male, should it not Ben gigolos! Hmm, doesn’t sound harsh enough, maybe

gigolo-stitutes!

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Exactly!!

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be not Ben

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Destroying State by demoting or firing seasoned foreign service officers was infuriating. The fact that it barely made a blip in the media and almost zero in Congress was heartbreaking. The tweets from Alt State told the story and it read like a fast-moving disaster movie. If the Republicans regain control of Congress in the mid-terms it might be almost impossible to fill diplomatic posts and get adequate funding for training and retention of personnel.

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Not “might” “will”

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I faithfully read but rarely post. After a cursory glance at today’s comments, I want to offer that perhaps more helpful than complaining about the dem’s messaging would be to boost the amazing messaging we get every day from HCR. I frequently forward all or part of these Letters when my someone in my social circle is bemoaning our current realities. Perhaps we need to be quicker to say “Biden is doing a great job!” than to say “The dems are terrible at messaging.”

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Indeed!

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Thank you, Carol!

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I repost what I have already posted above (and you could certainly add a comment about Biden to the postcards)

A few days ago, I posted a request that we HCR readers send a postcard to the WH (1600 Pennsylvania AV NW, Washington DC 20500) simply stating "I SUPPORT DEMOCRACY" (and Cathy L added the jointheunion.us --great idea, and I did!) I saw almost 130 hearts on my comment. Personally, I put 4 postcards in the mail and I asked 8 friends to do so. I hope that those who added a heart to my comment have sent their card(s) and have posted on their social media! Another HCR reader also make the great suggestion to send a card of thanks to the January 6th Select Committed (Longworth House Office Bldg Washington DC 20505--I did!)

We can't just sit back and bemoan the lack of media coverage! Somehow we need to endorse the positive coverage which we can find, and also to create it ourselves. If we can create a simple gesture that becomes viral, we are helping promote the positive. Years ago there was a widely read news item; the advice columnist "Dear Abby" asked for postcard votes on her query "Would you have kids again?"--and if you recall the story, many many said no! It created quite a stir. Perhaps bags and bags of postcards to the WH might create another stir?

Please--send a card. No postcard? Write on the back of a sealed envelope. Ask your friends and family to do so. Post on your social media. It might be a futile gesture but I am so sick of all of these antics by the GOP! I have written to voters, I donate to candidates, I have worked for causes--to me, sending a postcard to the WH or the Select Committee is like voting, my single vote might not make a difference but all those votes put together move history.

Thank you.

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Thank you. Good suggestion!

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