Your kicker ending chokes me up and, at the same time, fills me with hope — hope that the musician has identified what indeed is bubbling up among the people. And it follows an inspirational sentence about Teddy Roosevelt. I believe anyone running for president should pledge to do what he dedicated himself to do as president: work "to defend ordinary Americans from the overreach of corporations, and to use the government to help everyone rather than a select few."
Michael, I believe the budget reconciliation plan (BBB) reflects the pledge you referenced to help remedy the country’s grotesque inequalities of wealth and income. I also believe, when reconciliation failed to pass, that Dems, rightfully, expected Biden to go make the argument in West Virginia, and also in the red parts of Mississippi and Alabama, and in other states and say, “This is what we have tried to deliver and these folks have voted against it.” Simply stated, Dems have to be willing to engage in war. One can’t play fair with people who don’t play fair. There are no rules. The other side has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to attain power. Therefore, Democratic leadership has got to say, “America, when they didn’t care about you, we did.”
Imagine the impact if everyday people across the country were asked, “Who do you want here—somebody who doesn’t want to cut the price of insulin or those who do”? What about the child tax credit? Affordable, quality childcare? Universal Pre-K? Investments in housing? In elder care? In climate? My point, and note I haven’t covered what Biden and the Party have accomplished, is that Democrats have an extraordinary narrative if only they would deliver it.
We are not loud enough. We need to tell it, repeat it, tell it over and over. Do it loudly and just don't stop. We have the proof, we have the winning arguments. We just don't drown out the lies.
When I read that Tucker Carlson has the highest rated show on cable, it almost caused my heart to stop. How can an honest dialogue take place with the Fox propaganda machine churning out lies and bull Schitt with rapid fire precision. This is not new but the ammo has become more deadly since chump. No lie is too bizarre, no logic acceptable. The Ukraine war stopped Rupert in his tracks for a nanosecond, but the evil does not rest. Tucker is leading the charge, but there are plenty of adherents who gum up the democratic works and the air we all breathe in every state. May the musician be on to something, preferably in my lifetime.
We all know too many that are overdosed on TC’s lies & DT’s influence but unless we want this country to turn into an anarchy WE need to stand up to this ignorance & try to help them see the light.
Right you are, Randy. Sometimes we need to throw in the towel on some people. We don’t need every last person to agree. Focus on those with whom we have a chance because they’re already victims of the current situations but are still unaware. Plenty for us to work with here. Steady drip.
It's hard to remember that sometimes, but good to be reminded of it. I'm reading From Dictatorship to Democracy, by Gene Sharp who spent his life articulating non-violent strategies that ordinary people could use to defeat dictators. I recommend it.
I think that any time Tucker Carlson is mentioned in the media or during a conversation, it needs to be hammered home that the guy’s attorneys successfully defended him against a slander lawsuit by asserting that (I’m paraphrasing here) ‘any reasonable person would conclude that he is not telling the truth’. Thus, by his own admission, he thoroughly lacks credibility, and thinks that any of his viewers who actually believe him aren’t reasonable people. This needs to be repeatedly shouted from the rooftops.
Trump lawyer Sidney Powell voiced the same defense of her own nutty claims, if I recall correctly. Or is this just the standard GOP line for all their big liars now?
This is exactly what Sen. McMorrow did with a very strong, almighty voice of reason. This is what Jamie Raskin did the other day after marjorie t-g spewed her tripe. Every lie needs to be immediately answered with a truth and call them out. That is maybe one way to not allow the brainwashing to cement into their cerebellums in the silence instead of strong voices stopping the brainwashing. But Rupert should be stopped for anti-Democracy behavior. Seditious behavior. I would donate to that cause.
Great thoughts, Jeri. It's mind-numbing that so many Americans believe TC's drivel. I've been watching more interviews with Trump supporters who attend his rallies. The stupidity that comes out of their mouths, that Democrats are communists, for example, is good for a laugh but points to a new reality: A new intellectual class system now exists. The woke vs. the
those with their heads in the sand; those who study issues and those who get their information from entertainers like Tucker C. Common sense in our country is fading fast.
Randy. It's perhaps mind-numbing, but not surprising. There has always been a bedrock of anti-intellectualism in American culture. This glorification of it is more blatant, but not unexpected. And somehow, these past few years have brought it into the open in the crudest possible ways. The people who stormed the capitol, for example, were such parodies of every joke ever told about dumb, backwoods rednecks, that it was almost hard to believe they weren't sent from Central Casting. It all, obviously, is not a joke at all. It is deadly serious that all the darkest underbelly of this culture has now been exposed and is being celebrated by people with real power to effect (or stop) change. The foundations for all of this were laid a long time ago, but even just in our particular dreadfulness, go back to Reagan and move forward to the Federalist Society and their list of judges. And look what's happening in the Supreme Court--the number of cases now considered by the Shadow Docket has nearly doubled. Before now, half of us never heard of the Shadow Docket. They're hiding as much as they can. What they can't hide, they flaunt. And, in spite of Dr. Richardson's unfailing optimism, it looks to me at the moment as if they're winning. I think we are facing a paradigm shift and we just don't know what the hell that's going to mean.
Dean, As much as I find your thesis spot on, I haven’t ruled out the possibility of a moral awakening, a spirituality, if you will, of genuine questioning and dialogic exchange grounded in mutual respect, personal responsibility, and social accountability. Hence, amid one of the most terrifying moments in our nation’s history, I remain steadfastly resilient and resistant and encourage the same for others.
And don't forget the fun fact that Fox News comes with every cable package, you CAN'T not have it! Tucker operates at a loss (no advertisers) but Fox News makes way more than CNN or MSNBC because of it's carriage fee deals! Plenty of people who aren't watching it are paying for it! If that apple cart were to fall over...
According to NYT series, advertisers fled and Fox filled the void with in-house promos for other shows using Tucker’s “popularity”.Fox also increased direct-to-consumer advertising (My Pillow). The result…ad dollars almost doubled. In house critics were also silenced. $$$
New study is out showing Carlson has the “racist” show. Just saw it on MSNBC, haven’t looked for the link or verified yet, but certainly no surprise there.
I will be interested to hear what Dr. Richardson and all of you think about the NYT front page, 3- part series on Carlson. My first thought is - finally. Then when I looked at the optics - multiple photos, even a multi-colored blinking image of his face, I wasn't sure what the impact would be on readers. Does it condemn or in a twisted way celebrate his behavior?
actually, i don't have a minute to waste on Tucker Carlson, even to read a NYT treatment of him and his notoriety. Perhaps someone can summarize it in 50 words or less...
Wow Nancy I'm grateful to you for pointing this out. It reinforces my main reason for cancelling my subscription to the NYTimes this year--after so many years as a subscriber that I literally can't remember not having it. First, to answer your immediate question, they are indeed celebrating his behavior. In the same exact way they "celebrated" Donald Trump's behavior from his campaigns against his fellow Republicans and Secretary Clinton to his instigation of the Jan 6 insurrection. They pointed out and even condemned his behavior but they followed his every move. The result was that the worst criticism somehow had the effect of making him more intriguing and more popular. I'll guarantee you the Times coverage will give Carlson's ratings a serious boost. The only way for the press to do their part to fight these monsters is to not write about them at all. But the NYTimes follows the money and dramatic evil sells newspapers. Even on this very unusual forum, we spend a lot more time on Carlson, Trump, McConnell, et. al., than on Biden, Warren, Blinken. It's very frightening to me.
It's disgusting. I am grateful not only for seeing the danger in this but for identifying it so clearly. Your notice of the impact of the photographs is brilliant.
Tucker Carlson is the Disinformer-In-Chief, and I certainly agree that mis- and disinformation is a major threat, but I fear that the creation of a government agency to combat disinformation is an open invitation to rabid and virulent right wing outrage and mockery. Already the media is filled with condemnation of an Orwellian "Ministry of Truth".....
More important than the yapping of disinformation dogs, is the fact that a government anti-disinformation agency is one bit-flip fro a government disinformation agency.
Yes, I really think the "manliness" thing is something really powerful. I am not totally sure how to spread all these messages far and wide without a airplane dropping "fliers with messages" in all the red areas. today one would get a huge fine for littering... But that mass messaging is the way besides-- what is our power for shutting down fox propagandist lies? Bring back the Fairness Doctrine? We need a really concerted effort across the country in all media. And marches.
Bill…absolutely! An old adage comes to mind, “a strong offense is the best defense!” It’s often considered an apt stratagem when associated with warfare…and it’s warfare were embroiled in and, it’s our Democracy that’s the target!
I'd take it even a step further...the label they have attached to us is "radical". We all know that that is a misnomer. To further riff on what you wrote above, Barbara: Is it "radical to want to cut the price of insulin? Is it "radical" to want a child tax credit for struggling families? Is it "radical" to want affordable, quality childcare? Is it "radical" to want universal pre-k? Is it "radical" to want investments in affordable housing? Is it "radical" to want adequate elder care? Is it "radical" to be concerned about our climate changing? Is it "radical" to [insert countless other concerns]? If wanting things like that is "radical", then count me in. In response to our concerns of overreach of corporations (like those of circa 1890), THEIR concern is of government overreach, and it is a powerful weapon, as we have seen. In their eyes overreach is overreach. We believe a government should be bound to provide a number of resources to its citizens. To them that smacks of "socialism", and they raise that bugaboo at every turn. But then they take it further and further, beyond all rational reasoning, into the realm of cultural wars, e.g. "keeping the woke mob from indoctrinating our children", to quote from an ad by candidate David Perdue. We HAVE to counter this at every turn, expose the lies (or ask for proof), keep harping on the truth, but do it in a non-hysterical, non-name-calling, non-demeaning, calm, sane manner--difficult though that may be sometimes. Some of those "over there" are lost causes, not worth wasting the energy, but plenty of others are not. There are some very smart and concerned Republicans out there and it's those we need to reach. Together we can be a potent force to overturn these anti-democratic forces, even in spite of some restrictions on voting. We do have a good message to deliver and we need to stand up and TELL IT.
[Today's sermon by yet another musician was brought to you by...]
Is it radical to want gun control? Is it radical to want access to healthcare, including women's reproductive healthcare? Is it radical to want commonsense immigration laws? If the republicans neutralize/eliminate government agencies it will be radical to want a safe, abundant food supply, clean air and water, safe pharmaceuticals, safe workplaces, safe and fuel efficient cars....the list is very long.
What we really need to do is go out knocking on doors and talking to people. Get phone lists of people who have voted in Dem primaries and call them to get them on board. Not everyone can be activists but all of us can be active in telling the story.
Bruce, Thank you for taking my comment “a step further.” I merely would add, fair or not, that politics largely is perception, and though Republicans have no ideas aside from those arising from greed and self-serving impulses, their strategy of wanting to fight the culture wars and of running on divisiveness, far too often, wins them elections.
Nonetheless, I would predict that the more compelling our messaging, the angrier the far right would become, because the one thing they loathe more than liberals is the truth. And the quickest way to be damned by them as “radicals” or as “socialists” is to tell the truth.
Thank you, Frank. In many respects, I view our collective goal as organizing and mobilizing enough people to reach a sort of critical mass that would allow for a whole new set of people, values, and needs to emerge as the foremost influences.
Do you think part of the reason the gop has a hammerlock on the “dirty Libs” is because getting Biden to West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama to really stand and talk with the people impacted by all the policies NOT passed and highlighting the ones benefiting them that DO exist, is stalled by real concerns of safety? The gop supporters are armed to the teeth, fed a cult narrative about baby-eating, god-killing libs, that most likely BIden would be assassinated? That seems to be a pretty good strategy. “Don’t allow the message to get through”. The gop by their incendiary, intentionally fear-mongering messaging has led to closed minds encircled by very real assault weapons. Reading the history of the Freedom Riders sends chills down me. We are still confronting that same “over-my-dead-body” resistance to living out our ideals of equality before the law and equality in access to resources to build a life.
OTOH, Speaker Pelosi, a congressional delegation, and Secretaries Blinken (State) and Austin (Defense) have managed to visit Ukraine, where the risk has to be comparable. If the Biden team thinks it's a good idea for the president to go to various red states, I have little doubt that the president will go. My guess is that plans are influenced both by the president's schedule and by advice from organizers on the ground in those states.
Neo-Nazis haven't gone extinct in Ukraine, and IMO it's safe to assume that Russian sympathizers exist, and not only in the eastern provinces -- though they may be keeping a low profile just now.
Jon, Thank you for your kind words. Frankly, my frustration, particularly at the national level, has been that we’re treated too much as an audience and not enough as citizens. We’re invited to look through the window but too infrequently to come through the door and to participate, to make government “of, by, and for the people”truly public. Meanwhile, we’ll keep writing letters and making phone calls to pertinent leadership.
What Democrats have to deliver to win is their voters. They have enough voters to win but must get them to cast ballots. That takes boots on the ground. Thousands and thousands of them. Republicans know they cannot win if a high percentage of the electorate votes. That’s why they are working so hard to undermine the election system. Messaging is not the problem except to the extent that the only message that motivates the Republican base is a promise to preserve systemic advantages for white people, and that’s a message that Democrats, to their credit, cannot endorse,
Rex, Respectfully, I don’t believe we can afford to take for granted that Dems “have enough voters to win.” Dems, I would note, frequently are quoted as saying, “we’re going to focus on kitchen table issues.” Though that might sound good, in the past 15 months, Dems haven’t been able to extend the child tax credit or lower prescription drug costs or improve childcare or raise the minimum wage to $15…, legislation that actually would make people’s lives easier and would be counter-inflationary.
Fair or not, politics largely is perception, and, though Republicans have no ideas aside from those arising from greed and self-serving impulses, their strategy of running on divisiveness, far too often, wins them elections. Hence, the urgency for compelling countervailing messaging, combined, I would grant, with your call for aggressively enlisting “boots on the ground,” to galvanize the base and turbo-charge turnout.
Better messaging can’t hurt, but I think it’s unlikely that Republicans have better message creators than Democrats. The problem is the message. Most white Americans want to retain their advantages, and they don’t much care what it costs to do that. This political priority is unforgivable but extremely easy to communicate. Currently, one four-letter word, “woke,” is sufficient to get the Republican message across to its willing recipients. Unfortunately, this despicable Republican message is extremely appealing to 60% of white Americans, 70% of white working class Americans, and 80% of white evangelical Americans. Converting those people to the side of human decency is a project that requires, in almost all cases, hundreds of hours of patient, expert, one-on-one counseling. No significant progress can be made on that project between now and November, nor even between now and the 2024 elections. I conclude that GOTV is the only effective way to invest whatever resources we have. If we survive past 2024, which is at best a dicey prospect, then maybe we can afford to invest some resources in changing hearts and minds. Or, maybe not. Converting racists to decent human beings is damn near impossible. We may just have to hope the arc of justice trends in the direction of decency. I certainly hope it does but am not optimistic about it.
Rex, To be clear, my comments, which are mere extensions of my focus on midterms, largely, relate both to ginning up voter enthusiasm and to representing the interests of as wide a range of voters as possible.
Hence, aside from writing post cards and phone banking, I submit suggestions to whoever might listen. For example, contrary to Trump, who declared the White House is not a shipping clerk, I note that the current Administration has saved our lives by making the vaccine, free of charge, available to everyone, a factor, in my view, that has contributed to saving our jobs (creating over 8 million) and saving the economy (effecting historically low unemployment). I point out that now Democrats are trying to save democracy from a Republican Party that no longer believes in it, while also imploring DOJ to start issuing indictments to top-level perpetrators, members of Congress, for example, whom we know, through text messages, are criminally accountable.
In a word, I know of no other way than to trust that my energy, my caring, and my engagement can make a difference.
I think you’re right on all counts and that your postcard and phonebanking efforts will help. We will need the efforts of many thousands more like you to save democracy from the 60% of white people who are intent on destroying democracy to preserve their systemic advantages.
My message to the Democrat Party and its candidates is simple - No one will know you are even in the parade if you don't blow your horn loud and clear.
Pardon me, but it’s the DEMOCRATIC Party. Republicans have been calling us the Democrat party since the ‘40s. It’s a slur. Don’t let them get away with it.
Noting that the Farmer's Alliance “believed that all humans should have dignity, whatever their economic status, gender or race,” anyone running for president should pledge to do what he OR SHE dedicated to do. "For the people"--all of us this time!
Just like "republicans" are no longer the party of Lincoln, "populists" are now like demagogues. We need a new definition of socialism. Wait, that would require study.
Yup. Sadly the elements of "socialism" that would appeal to most Americans (healthcare, education, regulation of industry, food and water security) are dashed to to death by the instantaneous repellency of the word. A political term that could offer relief and opportunity has been murdered. Just like the word "conservative". Study? Research? Learn? No, listening to bobble heads on TV is much easier.
“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man’s oldest exercises in moral philosophy, that is the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” John Kenneth Galbraith Such
An excellent quote! My take is that conservative is just a long high falutin’ way to spell GREED! There are reasons Carnegie and his ilk were called robber barons. The libraries and museums are all wonderful, but they came at such a great cost of opportunity for so many people. Who knows what brilliance might have been shut down by the actions of people like Andrew Carnegie and Cornelius Vanderbilt. They were spouting the “voodoo economics” of supply-side before Reagan withi his bs.
My thoughts exactly. Right now the term is the kiss of death for almost any pol. All the R adverts here are screaming (sometimes literally) about crime, schools, homelessness, mandates, etc. One of the worst R candidates for governor (a former school superintendent in a very small place) who defied health mandates leads in some kind of poll. Ballots are out and we have voted although we have to find someplace to mail our ballots other than our local communal mailbox as someone broke into it Friday night. The latter was only a matter of time.
Martin Hagglund is reminding of a major point from Karl Marx, that has been totally ignored by all who ever pretended to practice socialism: labour, our daily work, should be organized so as to favour the development of the individual to his or her best potential. - Those who control the selling will also come to control the production in the future. IKEA as a concept, with forerunners from the 1700 hundreds. - Just to mention some possible starts for study.
Dance. Dance with me. “It’s high time you joined in the dance”. This dance is for you. This dance is for us. Welcome to the dance. Come on down to the dance hall bring pot luck. Would you dance with me? Who are you not inviting to the dance? Let’s go out on the floor and figure out this Texas Two Step. Maybe everyone could learn to dance with each other. Just a real nice social event.
Lynn, I like Bruce's take on that, to take the labels back and re-legitimize them. In his letter sometime about an hour before this one, he takes off using the term "radical",
A quote from Bruce's letter: ". . . the label they have attached to us is "radical". We all know that that is a misnomer. To further riff on what you wrote above, Barbara: Is it "radical to want to cut the price of insulin? Is it "radical" to want a child tax credit for struggling families? Is it "radical" to want affordable, quality childcare? Is it "radical" to want universal pre-k? Is it "radical" to want investments in affordable housing? Is it "radical" to want adequate elder care? Is it "radical" to be concerned about our climate changing? Is it "radical" to [insert countless other concerns]? . . ."
I like this. In polls and studies, people do want all those things. By disconnecting the label, I think we can find ways to reach past it to the common support of the things that help all of us.
Getting his message to the people is the hard part when they have already chosen their team. We need to find a way to be foot soldiers - maybe barbecues and picnics would get people away from Fox and social media!
Michael, our feelings about American Workers echo. I went to a source of what appears to be the rebirth of the labor movement in the USA.
'AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler on the future of America's labor movement'
April 07, 2022'
• John Ringer
• Meghna Chakrabarti
'FILE - Staten Island-based Amazon.com Inc distribution center union members celebrate after getting the voting results to unionize on Friday, April 1, 2022, in New York. Amazon workers in Staten Island voted to unionize, marking the first successful U.S. organizing effort in the retail giant's history and handing an unexpected win to a nascent group that fueled the union drive.'
Liz Shuler is the first woman ever elected president of the AFL-CIO.'
'She took over a time when the world of work has been turned upside down.
WBUR is a nonprofit news organization. Our coverage relies on your financial support. If you value articles like the one you're reading right now, give today.'
'Union organizing is happening in some unexpected places, and sometimes in ways that disrupt the traditional union playbook.'
"If you have established unions, it's great to have their support," Brett Daniels, an Amazon union organizer, said. "But if they're not the ones that are actually on the inside, maybe workers can't relate to that as much, because who knows the warehouse conditions better than Amazon workers themselves?"
'Today, On Point: A conversation with AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler.
Guest'
'Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO president. (@lizshuler)'
'MEGHNA CHAKRABARTI: This is On Point, I'm Meghna Chakrabarti. In 1955, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged to form the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in America. Separately, the two labor organizations date back further to the 19th century. From 1955 to 2005, AFL-CIO member unions represented nearly all organized workers in the United States.
'Union membership peaked in 1979, when the AFL-CIO counted nearly 20 million members. Women have consistently played a critical role in the labor movement. Their influence grew as their presence in the labor market grew, as union member Wanda Garrett describes in the 1981 documentary A Time of Challenge.'
'WANDA GARRETT [Archival Tape]: There's a definite place for women in the labor movement. Just for the simple fact women make up a very large part of the national labor force. More women coming out of the family circle and working, having to be far more aggressive and being aggressive means looking out for what is yours. And of course, the best way to do that is belonging to a union.'
'CHAKRABARTI: However, throughout its long history, the AFL-CIO never had a woman president. Until last year, when longtime President Richard Trumka suddenly died. Liz Shuler was the union's secretary treasurer, the number two at the AFL-CIO. And she became the union's president, the first ever woman to lead the AFL-CIO and the most powerful woman in the history of the American labor movement.'
'She leads the union at a remarkable point in American labor history. Overall, membership remains at a moribund low in comparison to Labor's heyday, while at the same time unions are experiencing something of a renaissance in new sectors of the American workforce. So, she joins us today to talk about that. Liz Shuler, welcome to On Point.'
'LIZ SHULER: Thank you so much, Meghna. It's an honor to be with you.'
'CHAKRABARTI: Well, first of all, I'd love to get to know sort of how long unions and the labor movement has been in your life, or in your family's life.'
'SHULER: Absolutely. I grew up in a union household. My whole family worked for the electric utility company in Portland, Oregon. So I grew up very familiar with the power of what unions can do. My dad was a power lineman. My mom worked in service and design and I worked at the utility going through college as a clerical worker. So when I saw how the power linemen were treated, because they were in the union, and then the clerical workers were not in the union, it became really clear to me, up close and personal, what a difference that can make to have a voice on the job.'
'CHAKRABARTI: What can you tell me more about that? Because your father, Lance, right? So he was the unionized lineman for PG&E and your mother was not. I mean, what difference did you see in even how your father and mother were treated by the utility?'
'SHULER: Absolutely. The power lineman had obviously good wages and benefits. They had a union contract, but they also had a measure of dignity and respect that it's almost hard to put into words. Because once you have that contract, you have a measure of security. You know that you can speak out and not be afraid. Whereas the clerical workers would often feel just grateful to have their job and afraid to step out or speak out when something might be going wrong in the workplace.'
'So I saw that very much upfront and personal. And then we tried to organize a union, and we knew that the electrical workers union would be a good fit because they were already representing the power linemen. And what a great opportunity it would be to have your working conditions in writing, to have a grievance procedure that you could turn to with the union if something happened. ... Like sexual harassment or discrimination on the job, which we see so often.'
'CHAKRABARTI: Well, hang on here for just a second. So first of all, did you and your mom ever talk about sort of the differences that you observed?'
'SHULER: ... Absolutely, yeah. And in fact, when ... the women in the clerical unit at Portland General Electric decided to form a union. I was just having graduated from the University of Oregon hearing about this. And so that's how I got involved in the labor movement, is joining that organizing campaign. Because I knew a lot of those women that worked there and my mom was still working there. So we actually were on the organizing campaign together. We knocked doors and, you know, visited workers in their homes to talk about their concerns.'
'
'And the company did what most companies did, which was to do the union-busting tactics that we see so often, like we see at Amazon. Where workers become very afraid to to join a union because they're intimidated, they're harassed, they're threatened, they have captive audience meetings to talk about, Oh, you don't need the union, it's just you and me, the company and you. You don't need a third party in between us. You know, they pull out all the tactics. So I saw that firsthand. And unfortunately, the campaign was not successful. But that's where I turn to the union itself. And went on to work for the local union. And bringing a voice to working people has become my passion.'
'CHAKRABARTI: So to not put too fine a point on it, your first endeavor in unionizing failed. Correct?'
'SHULER: Yes. But failures aren't failures. They're learning experiences. Right?'
'CHAKRABARTI: That sounds like it was a real turning point in your life. Because it wasn't clear whether or not sort of becoming a union activist, union leader was sort of what you had dreamt of growing up. Because you went to journalism school at the University of Oregon, right?'
'SHULER: That's right. Yeah, I wanted to be Nina Totenberg on NPR.'
'CHAKRABARTI: Don't we all?'
'SHULER: Yeah, exactly. But you're right. Our lives take different twists and turns in unexpected ways. And once that campaign quote 'failed,' I had the opportunity to join the staff of the local union that was organizing. And I thought, Gosh, if I can, you know, bring justice to the workplace for other people. Maybe it didn't happen in our workplace at Portland General Electric, but you know, this could be something that I could lend my passion and enthusiasm to as a young person.
'And certainly that's what happened. And shortly thereafter, Enron purchased the utility, and not many people know the name Enron anymore. But basically, this fast talking company from Texas took over the sleepy little utility company. And they went into bankruptcy. And unfortunately, many of my family friends, people that I had grown up with, my dad's friends on the power line side had lost their pensions, including my own father.''(WBUR) Link below.
This piece is what happens when labor fails to establish a union. There are far worse consequences for workers who do not succeed. Even death. Business owners push far beyond the safe endurance of the work force. In high risk operations such as mining, fishing, logging, truck driving, and many others which depend on voluble production, men and women sacrifice their lives. Many of us have lived through these tragedies. For what? To make one man a legend? To perpetuate our own serfdom?
I really don’t remember far enough back in my life of 71 years to remember when I didn’t have to work . The very best year of memory was when I was 7. Aside from in sundry ranch chores, I exhilarated that last year of being a free boy!! I liked to work and my dad defined me for all ages. “If there is a hard way to do it, Pat will find it”. Even my children subscribed. I wanted the whole world and no one got in line to give it to me. Sooo eventually I found myself remarried to a Scotch Norwegian woman who taught special Ed for a living. Apparently she had never had a living wage. She had really big fingers from pinching pennies, creating an actual written budget with .50 surplus each month. I had been on the big road driving truck and made it home only every 60 days. I went to work for a local heavy haul delivery company. This was the second most appalling trucking company I ever worked for. The drivers were separated from the dock workers who were separated from the office workers who were separated from the local delivery drivers of which all were separated from the owners. The owners were distracted with a moving van franchise, but more importantly they busy putting together a banking empire from their trucking profits. The workers were all very good people, hard working! After about a year they asked me to find a way to talk to the owners. They felt that if it went south I might be able to survive while they feared economic disaster. I agreed! I was asked by the owners to share their decision to do nothing while their funds were tied up in bank building. They promised to look into better dock facilities in the next 5 or so years. They rented half of the dock space to Roadway a company that had union benefits. We were paid 8/hr they got 25/hr. They had insurance benefits, not us. They had a forklift, not us. Our side was open air to -30. They had heat. My day usually started at 3 pm. I usually got off the next morning at 10am but quite often extended until noon. Off to bed for 3 hours as I had to be back to start again at 3pm. My longest days I left Missoula after transferring freight in a semi and a pup and pulled Rocky Mountain Doubles to Post Falls, Idaho where I dropped my pup took my main box into the dock in Spokane and swapped east west freight and took it back to Post Falls, dropped the main box, picked up the pup took it in to Spokane , switched freight, took it back to Post Falls, rebooked the set and headed back over the pass to Missoula. I don’t think I mentioned chaining and unchaining over Lookout Pass and 4th of July pass. Both ways. You probably don’t realize what a chore throwing the iron 8 times is like, especially when you will have to do it again 4 times to make MacDonald Pass in and out of Helena. That is the first 500 mile leg of your day. Take a breath! Arriving in Missoula you take both wagons the dock swap freight re-hook your wagons and beat feet to Helena. There you split your wagons, swap freight (they had a forklift and warmed docks, whew!) and beat feet back to Missoula, swap and hook a run for Kalispell. Finally you get to run for Missoula swap freight go home to bed for a few hours. That’s more fun than you can shake a stick at. One of the kids who worked the freight dock in Billings who rendezvoused with me in Helena died enroute Helena when he missed a corner. I’m sure it was too much. 8 hours heaving freight and then the long night drive to Helena. He couldn’t make enough money. Twenty five tons of freight crushing him and the cab of the semi. We dried our tears and pushed for a union to protect ourselves better. I met with union reps in Missoula. We jumped through all the hoops finally coming to a vote. 250,000 dollars was spent by the owners. Our union rep disappeared. We never saw him again. The company included all of their family members, office personnel and others to the voting roles. We still had em beat. One by one we had “training sessions “ The vote was restricted to the Helena office, meaning employees from all other cities had to travel to Helena to vote. The vote was during working hours. You were to be ferried by the owners. A penalty for missing work on that day was subliminal. Our union rep was gone, I tried for weeks afterward but never a reply. We lost. There was no resolution.
Pat, Before seeing this piercing report covering of your work experience, I was going to delete my question of whether you could tell us more about your work life. I thought that it may have been rude of me to make such a request. Instead, you produced a paper unlike any I remember reading before. Pat, you have reported tortuous conditions and extraordinary pain inflicted upon I don't know how many working American people in this day and age. I hope to have a chance to talk with you. With gratitude and appreciation, Fern
Wow, Pat, what a tragic story. Unions, like any large organizations, have problems, but this trucking company's unrestrained exploitation is clearly what unions were invented to restrain--in the name of human life. Thank you for your effort on behalf of your co-workers and for sharing your experience with us.
Fred, TC and I had an exchange. His point was that Pat's experience is all too common in the country for workers in various fields -- the reason this country is 'f___ked'!
This is compelling, Fern! The fact there is the first woman ever as the head of the AFL-CIO is remarkable. Biden, in several of his speeches, has pushed for unions to come alive again. With Liz Shuler at the helm, she brings a whole new perspective that hasn’t been touched on, ever! Women have always been in a “labor” movement. They gave birth to the most esteemed and the most despised men in our nation.
Marlene, It's a better morning having seen your face. Shuler and more on behalf of working, retired and the younger Americans who will grow our democracy, determine fair pay and equality...Onward! Happy Sunday, Marlene.
I can only imagine which musician you are referring to, Heather. One of my favorites sings an old Phil Ochs song entitled "When I'm Gone" , one line of which states "I can't sing louder than the guns, when I'm gone, so I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here" Thanks HCR!!
Let's hope that what the musician is feeling in her travels is a ground swell of people who have had enough with the bullies, crooks and scoundrels of the last administration and not the other way around. I know I have had enough! Thank you very much Dr. Richardson. I wish I could take one of your classes. I learn so much every day from your letters!
Maybe, just maybe, the Republicans' outrageous actions have made more people wake up. Jacked up prices for everything while companies record sky-high prices, attacks on women's reproductive rights, rampant voter suppression, and so much more.
Yes, one thing I have not understood is how so many Republicans are blaming Biden for rising prices. Biden has not raised even one price.
Corporations, after having recieved more than two years of direct funding from the Fed in the form of corporate bond ETF purchases (directly from printed money fed to direct purchases NOT booked to the Federal budget but to the Fed "balance sheet"). A way to hide the massive corporate welfare from view.
Those same corporations have paid America back for their free money by jacking prices while raking in historically high profits. This a just a fact of reality.
I have to conclude, honestly, that the overall ability of Americans to discern reality has deteriorated so badly due to many factors that, although I love today's optimistic 1890 story, I do think in 1890 Americans were better informed, better critical thinkers and more likely to be able to tell that:
Corporations are giving them the shaft, not Biden and the "Dems". Slavish Americans today watching Fox News all day with a slack jaw and a beer in hand are seemingly easily fooled.
However, perhaps today's history lesson is also a warning of sorts. Don't be pessimistic.
Things might be able to turn again while the rich are sleeping at the wheel of their yachts.
Michael, I don't have the musician's perspective being that I've barely travelled more than 60 miles in the past nearly three years but I do know - and provide small monthly investments to - a relatively new and utterly inspiring collection of activists, journalists and "poor peoples'" organizations, each mirroring the 1890's effort. A great many of these efforts predate both the Womens March of 2017 and BLM - Jolt the Vote in Texas, for example or For the Many in New York's Hudson Valley - but the energy unleashed by both the March & BLM is considerable, and considerably under reported, Stacy Abrams notwithstanding.
On the journalism side Pro Publica is deservedly well known but there are scrappy, state-focused publications like The Texas Tribune and the Arizona Mirror that are doing amazing reporting, and from a non-profit model, which I suspect is being replicated in many states, and likely down to the neighborhood level. (Please provide examples, dear reader!). And then there is this extraordinary effort by an American hero, called "Letters from an American."
I've no idea what the coming election cycles hold but I do know that by giving $25 or $50 each month to these organizations I'm totally convinced that I am making the best investment I can in moving the country towards a better place.
And I hold dearly the musician's optimism. In 2020 we voted out authoritarianism, a unique moment in world history, and millions of both new & non-voters came out to make that happen....it is true that a couple million watch dead enders like Hannity & Tucker C but seventy-seven million voted for Biden.
My blood-red state is fortunate to have something of a counterpart to the Texas Tribune. I don’t love absolutely everything they do, and there are some problems with the model. But they employ a great poverty reporter who has blown the lid off one of the biggest scandals in modern state history.
Thanks for this link; I'm hoping to create a list of at least 50 of these vital publications. The redder the state, the more important the potentiality for disruption. Imperfect as they might be MS Today will start receiving a few dollars from me each month.
For sure. My main criticism is that they do like to indulge in the horse-race style of political coverage. But I manage to get over that pretty easily given their other work.
Wonderful & thank you. Excited to know about Spotlight. Are you familar with penncapital-star.com? It is part of a https://statesnewsroom.com, which appears to be working to build - or link? - non-profit news platforms state by state. Curious to have your opinion.
The thing that bothers me is that President Biden, House and Senate Democrats and the media aren't talking enough about all the accomplishments since he has been in the WH. We need to be talking more about accomplishments and how people have already been helped, and talk less about the former administration. The GOP has been very effective at stoking fears and using the chaos that occurs to influence uninformed people. Dumpf wants to stay in the news, and the media is helping him...
In some fairness, when you are doing all the things expected of a congress person, it is hard to find time to do marketing. There are talkers and there are doers. I trust the doers, those who work together behind the cameras. But, of course that is not the new way of governing where grabbing headlines instead of working on policy that actually achieves something for us, including squabbling over the details, is considered failure.
I truly hope you are right, Michael, I've been thinking that too. The trouble is that so many have learned to accept the lies that are promoted by the likes of the FNC.
Thank you. In general, I prefer to read because the rate of information transfer is 10X that of video and audio. But, I will take a listen. Maybe audio has another demension.
Mike, my brother from another mother! My primary processing style is auditory, I find that watching videos is no way for me to learn things; I have found that if I have a task to hand (puttering while organizing a project, or painting are the main ones; I can also play mindless video games like solitaire or Tetris) I can listen to the Tue/Thur Facebook lectures while otherwise engaged. Podcasts while driving are NOT for me…
Ally Each of us learns (and remembers) in different ways. I gather that you are a reader. So am I, from an early age. I also find videos helpful, while stopped watching cable news since September 15, 2021.
I’ve just been re-watching the PBS American Experience Presidents Series—ah ha Truman, FDR, ah Wilson, Teddy, oophs Nixon, and honest, well-intentioned Georgia peach Carter. Also, Watergate 30 years later, Gettysburg (a near thing), and Midway (aHail Mary worked).
Also, Joseph Campbell’s The Power of Myth and Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation. With a reader’s foundation, I find that these visuals capture spirit and the soul of those times. Within today’s context, I was captivated by the Watergate Senate hearings in 1973. Rewatching videos and re-reading favorite books provide me insights in assessing current-day shenanigans.
I am also heartened by the bright lights in our history.
Ally, I am much the same. But Heather's videos are simply talks, and you can listen as if it were radio, if you wish, without having to watch. I do like being able to see Heather's face as she talks- it's very expressive - but often get up and do things as I listen.
Heather's chats (both her answers to readers' questions and her history lessons) are often better watched/listened to after the fact, since there are often transmission interruptions when they're live.
But Colette, you ARE enrolled in one of Dr. Richardson’s classes, as are the rest of us (without the hefty Harvard tuition). There was so much embedded in that last letter that I don't even know where to begin, so I won't. I'll just say that her writing inspires me and makes me wish I'd put a lot more emphasis on the study of history when I was younger. I'll see you in class Monday ;-)
Colette, I already feel like we are taking one of her classes. I've learned more from these letters than any class I've ever taken. I am so happy my priest brought her to my attention. HCR is one of the best I've come across in a very long time!
My nun friends, yes, but the priests? no. I am truly envious. Although I am perhaps being a bit unfair to them. I do remember once, when I was on Parish Council, a letter came from the bishop, stating that parishes should prefer male altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers over females. The priest read it, and said "well, that belongs in the circular file" and just simply pitched it.
Reuters numbers from the 2020 election are important to remember. 239,000,000 citizens eligible to vote. 206,000,000 of those registered to vote. 159,000,000 actually voted. There is a lot of slack here that could be addressed with voter registration drives, and get-out-the-vote efforts. Less than 60,000,000 voters believe the Big Lie.
I cannot thank you enough for your clear-eyed, deep wisdom, the product of your many years of study, research and understanding of our beautiful, troubled country, our not-yet-failed-but-close-to-the-brink democratic republic. No one ~ and I mean this sincerely ~ connects all the dots on a daily basis like you do, Heather Cox Richardson. I am so grateful. Have a beautiful Sunday…May Day. Gather flowers and know how much we appreciate the work you do for us all. 💐
Heather, I hope you will write a sequel to this Letter on how do we find this Alliance and how do we support it and become part of it. In part it sounds like what join the Union is trying to do -- jointheunion.us -- but it also sounds like the message is even stronger. If you want the Rich to get Richer at your expense vote Republican. If you want a fair deal for all the people vote Democrat. We, the People, All of us this time!
"If you want the Rich to get Richer at your expense vote Republican. If you want a fair deal for all the people vote Democrat" should be the Democrats' slogan.
Sadly, I think the Dems have already cashed that chip and it didn't cover the bill. You saw it in the enthusiasm for Obama, but he was handcuffed the day he walked in the door, by his own party. It seemed the Dems didn't fully coalesce behind him because he had sidestepped the establishment. They didn't see their opportunity as limited and prescious. By the time the midterms came, the Rs had mobilized against his message, leveraging racism and the desperate circumstances of folks who only had enough hope to take Obama over the finish line, but not to hold their locals to the fire to move legislation. Instead, folks who felt let down by the party got bitter. My Trumpy mom rejected the tea party out of hand, but now thinks Ted Cruz isn't half bad. He's the same wannabe actor he's been since high school, but she can't see it. What she sees are empty promises, by and large, programs that don't work for her, and a deep distrust of 'help'.
President Obama is highly intelligent and very able to see the extreme racist and violent reaction to his election to the highest office in our country. Out of a love for all of us and wanting to mute that reaction I think he felt pressured to constrain his very progressive nature. I will never forget his pain at Sandy Hook and then breaking out in the song of Amazing Grace at the service after the church massacre in Charleston. 💔
Steph, thank you for reminding us of the challenges President Obama faced when he took office. In addition to the orange clown’s birther lie, he had Pelosi saying they would not rubber stamp everything he wanted. That to me was the beginning of cracks in Democratic chances for progress. I didn’t connect it with besting Hillary. Most of us have tr$mpies in the family and I share your pain.
Ally You mentioned elsewhere (can’t find it) that you weren’t at your computer and thus couldn’t find one of my comments. Is there a way on LFAA to easily recover comments by you, me, or whoever? I feel that all these comments are blown into the wind and gone forever. That’s for any assistance to this hi tech dunderhead.
As kids, we thought that two cans linked by a wire was Buck Rogers technology. And Dick Tracy with a phone wrist watch—would never happen.
“If you want the Rich to get Richer at your expense vote Republican. If you want a fair deal for all the people vote Democrat. We, the People, All of us this time!”
Cathy, I’m picturing huge billboards all over the country (but concentrated in trumpland) with just these words!! I would donate to put these up. The message needs to be spread far and wide!
"she feels something powerful building under the radar" (from Heather's letter). Nothing said about an "Alliance" (from your comment). And I think everyone here (on the substack) is thinking way to small... Cathy, the link you posted previously relating to Positive Psychology may have touched on it.
In the Seattle area, where I live, I have noticed an uptick in clients seeking Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent resident status. These clients are feeling a lot of anxiety about the upcoming mid term elections and what they are perceiving as an increased probability that TFG will win in 2024. Some tell me they feel helpless, witnessing a slow moving tsunami of hate, corroding our country into something unrecognizable. I tell them this is happening in Canada as well. There really is no escape but we can certainly take agency on a local level and turn the tide drop by drop. That's what I am doing. There are many folks here who feel the same and are acting on this. There is power in persistence...and we are finding ways to push back local Republicans who think it is their way or the highway. Maybe your musician friend is sensing that folks with common sense are fed up with the lies being paraded as truths and are doing something about it too.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I guess my father drilled into us at a very young age that when the going gets tough the tough get going. I am old enough to retire (no spring chicken) and have to focus everyday at keeping myself energized with solid self-care but I’ve never considered running away. Some days I do dream of rewarding myself with a couple of weeks in Kauai though 🤪
Here’s an interesting link to consider for those wanting to save our democracy:
Christy You may be ‘no spring chicken’—I may be past a ‘stewing chicken.’ Please don’t chicken out. If the Ukrainians can fight and die for their country, shouldn’t we, at a minimum, stay and cluck? Let’s make an omelette out of the wicked wolves—save other chickens and our country and preserve sheep for our victory lamb chops.
Apropos of nothing in HCR's newsletter, I just want to tell the political junkies here that you definitely want to catch "Gaslit." It's on Starz and you can get both Episode 1 and 2 on Sunday night. This very picky screenwriter, historian and political junky liked it on all levels - writing, directing, casting. Julia Roberts as Martha Mitchell, Sean Penn as John Mitchell. Shea Whigham scares and confounds simultaneously as G. Gordon Liddy.
Logline: "A modern take on the 1970s political Watergate scandal centering on untold stories and forgotten characters of the time."
Tagline: "Watergate was wrong. Martha was right."
It's really good. I couldn't see anyone struggling to pull the rabbit out of the hat, a good sign. The creator and writer/director was head writer on the first season (the good one) of "Mr. Robot."
Also, for any Tony Hillerman fans, George R.R. Martin and Robert Redford (who's owned the rights to the series of books since Thief of Time came out) are doing "The Dark Winds" as a six-part limited series on AMC starting June 12. If this is successful, they plan to do the books as a limited series/season for each. Filmed on location in the Navajo Nation, with a Writer's Room that is all Native-American writers. Looks really good to this picky Hillerman fan.
TC, Americans, in addition to knowing and contributing with their own stories to the world of work in the USA, for journalists and other storytellers relating the experiences of individuals within a company self-employed, unemployed in our 'system' and by the rules of the country's leaders/power-brokers need to be conveyed. The stories of individuals, such as Pat, reach people more than statistics do. We identify with the experiences of others and often see our own situations better through them. You, more than most, know this to be true.
Hi Tom. It is one of the ways for Biden and the Democrats to communicate/message America's story and relating to one another . The vast majority support Ukraine, including support from the USA. We do have a lot of heart, most of us.
I am a fan of Hillerman's books too. But not of the hash that Redford made of the movie, especially Leaphorn's character. Tony was disappointed too. Too bad Redford has the rights, but maybe it will work out better with writers with more insight into the culture.
TC I’v been a Hillerman fan ever since I tried, with the NEH, to establish a summer teacher’s enhancement program for teachers at Native American colleges in the late 1990s. I visited a number of Native American colleges (almost all community)and encountered major alcoholism. At these colleges, the largest quadrant of students often were women around 30. The colleges ranged from several four-year institutions to the normal normal two-year community college on a shoe string. In Montana I had to push a college president’s car to get it started.
In some places I encountered strong tribal chief opposition to enhancing local college education. In part this was because Native Americans who left for higher education seldom returned (unless to join the college administration). {In the 1960s I found the same opposition in Chilean villages to bright students going to the provincial capital for higher education—-they seldom returned to village life.)
I still recall the president of Dine College (Navajo—NX/AR) ‘slow driving’ me as he sought funding for a course on pijote.
Nothing ever came of this NEH-supported endeavor. The different tribes. could never agree to work together. I was severely disappointed at the time.
It shows the open and blatant lying that the Bush adminstration promulgated on America and the world around "Weapons of Mass Destruction" in Iraq while the CIA was actively trying to get the facts on the ground in Iraq out.
But, the facts on the ground were already known from 15 years of UN weapons inspectors on the ground.
We watched episode one. I concur on the acting. The three actors you mentioned are at the top of their game. And the subject matter...it's a reminder that our democracy has been threatened from the day it was created - by men who thought they knew better than the voters.
Martha Mitchell was a refreshing hero during the Nixon Watergate coverup. Early on she believed that Nixon was throwing her husband, Attorney General Mitchell, under the bus. Her screaming to reporters was stopped by ‘security officers’ yanking the phone, disconnecting it, and seriously sedating her.
I’m delighted that her integrity is being highlighted 50 years after the Watergate saga commenced. Indeed, 30 years after Jeb McGruder, then White House staff and, after jail, a minister, stated that he had overheard Nixon ordering Mitchell (then head of CREP) to follow Liddy’s recommendation and break into Democratic headquarters in Watergate.
I’m still curious about the ‘eye-witness’ report that John Wilkes Booth died in Texas decades after his purported killing after assassinating Lincoln. There was a video on this that included some semi-credible ‘facts.’
Ah, history. Will we ever know the irrefutable ‘truth?’
TC, I would like you to read the response that Pat Cole gave to my question about his work experience. Near the beginning of today's forum, my comment consisted of an interview with Liz Shuler, the first woman ever elected president of the AFL-CIO, on the future of America's labor movement. Pat's response was detailed and piercing. It came after my question if could he could share any of his work experience with us. I've copied his reply but cannot attach it on this format. When you have a chance, after reading it, you can reach me here on the forum because I cannot communicate on Thats Another Fine Mess. Thanks.
Pat's story sounds like a lot of stories you can find everywhere. I don't mean that as a put-down, but to say this is the problem everywhere and not just for truckers. It's why things are fucked in this country.
Yes, TC. What made me jump was to read his account on the forum. A cousin gave him some quotes of Heather's, which he thought came from another planet. He was in complete agreement with Heather and found her on Facebook. He likes my comments , so we became subscriber friendly. Thanks for responding Tony.
UPDATE - the show is based on Rick Perlstein's "Nixonland," the second of his trilogy on the Rise of the Right, and the best overall book on Nixon and Watergate. And Perstein is an Associate Producer on the project, which means he has Input. This is why the show's so good - they went to the guy who knows the best story and got him.
Morning, all!! Morning, Dr. R!! I have yet to read today's Letter, because I first wanted to share this video of Nancy Pelosi and our delegation meeting with President Zelenskyy on May 1, 2022.
Morning Lynell. Pelosi and Co's meeting with Zelenski didn't "merit" the 5 Russian rocket fanfare that the head of the UN got.....but was definitely more important for the future. At least Putin's close attention brought an admission from Guterres that the 5 permanent vetoes in the UN Security Council were ruining the UN
I had heard that it was going to happen...but not when evidently...but missile targeting is a question of minutes and seconds+ a nearby spy with a telephone.
"The invasion of Iraq was neither in self-defense against armed attack nor sanctioned by UN Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force by member states and thus constituted the crime of war of aggression, according to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) in Geneva."
Well, one thing about the UN is that everyone ignores the veto and does whatever they want anyway Hugh.
Like US for example.
:-)
The war in Iraq was widely unpopular at the UN and France in particular openly referred to it as in illegal invasion as did Russia.
google: "The Iraq War and the UN".
The US totally ignored the UN concerns. In fact, even Tony Blair had a hard time lying enough in England to convince the Brits to come to the table for the war.
A womain in MI5 outed a letter from Bush to Blair which sort of indirectly indicated Bush was lying about weapons of mass destruction.
BUT, US, we went ahead and illegally invaded Iraq.
Then the US China and Russia would probably leave...or just ignore totally and stop funding the UN. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. This system only works when either nobody can dominate and the other members were willing to gang up on a recalcitrant member. Currently you have 3 powers that are opposing each other and assuring paralysis
Stuart Like the ‘unthinkable’ compromises made to achieve our extraordinary Constitution, the same was true in creating the United Nations. While the General Assembly was a broad body with no executive power, the Security Council was created to make ‘consensus’ decisions. Five countries, US, Soviet Union, Great Britain, France, China were granted veto power.
At the time, clearly Stalin wouldn’t agree without veto power. (Given the issue of ‘sovereignty, I seriously doubt that the Senate would have given our ‘sovereignty’ over to a veto-less Security Council—ditto Britain and France.
We did get Security Council approval for a UN military force in South Korea because the Soviets, Security Council chair in June, 1950, boycotted because China (Taiwan) was still filling the China SC seat after the Mao takeover in 1949.
The Soviets have exercised the veto most on the SC, but, on occasion, we have vetoed also. Those are the rules of the game. Were there no such rules, there would be no game—going back to the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
You’ve been busy this morning! Thanks for that link. I guess the delegation will be speaking sometime this morning in Poland. I am glad their visit was unknown until now.
Thank you Lynell, it’s good to see that our representatives have the courage of their convictions to not only vote from the saftey of our capitol (that has been put into doubt), but to also visit our ally in his capitol while it is under attack on a daily basis. My hats off to them, I wish they had invited me to go along, I would have been happy to have accompanied them and would have considered it an honor to shake President Zelenskyy”s hand. 👍🇺🇦
A historian’s knowledge and perspective helps the understanding that the nation has been through similar political division and struggles in the past and survived them. This letter is just that ray of sunshine that announces the dawning of a new day, one in which property and business are no longer deemed superior to individual citizens; that with the privilege of great wealth comes even greater responsibilities to the country and the workers who helped make that wealth possible. Thank you for sharing your historical perspective.
Dear Prof -- I wish that you had been my US History teacher! -- Thanks always for educating me and filling in some of the important gaps in what I was taught.
If Elon Musk and other billionaires really supported free speech, they would devote billions of $$ to funding the launch of hundreds of local newspapers and TV news stations across the country, to help revitalize the vigorous, honest, and fair local reporting in this country. They would also fund a major lobbying effort to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine that was repealed in 1987 under Reagan, which required any entity with a broadcast license to devote air time to reporting in the public interest, and also required that that reporting be honest and balanced.
It's also worth noting that in 2011, Obama's FCC chair, Genachowski—who ran the media/tech wing of Obama's presidential campaign, and has since walked through the revolving door to The Carlyle Group—removed the language supporting the Fairness Doctrine from the federal register, thus driving the last nail in the coffin of regulation requiring truly fair and balanced reporting in this country.
The death of the Fairness Doctrine paved the way for conservative talk radio hosts like Limbaugh, and eventually for Fox News becoming Trump's propaganda arm. Between that and the not-unrelated rise of the unregulated internet, honest local investigative reporting in the US has been decimated.
I recognize that my fantasy about billionaires funding the revitalization of local reporting and lobbying for reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine is antithetical to the very proliferation of billionaires, who generally would rather dictate the story than enable it.
Prof and fellow readers: I would love to know more about what exactly this traveling musician has been seeing, what it looks like on the ground, and how to support it. To any and all of you: if you have more intel on this topic, please share, I would eagerly read up on this.
Mine too. I was thrilled (and embarrassed) to be schooled by Keith Wheelock (hope I have the name right) regarding the downfall of the Nixon presidency ( I have lacked the time or ability to relocate the statement without my computer). I learn a lot at LFAA-U.
Me too. I alternate between fiction and historical stuff - bios in particular. The more I read, the more I realize how little I know. I was looking for something to dig into and decided to use the "favorite author path". Ron Chernow is at the top of my list. I don't care about plays of any kind but Hamilton was one of the best books I have ever read. And his Grant was a revelation.
Here is an interesting convergence of events. HCR writes about this time of our history and all the parallels with now. We watched "The Gilded Age" - HBO Max, but sort of PBS feeling. A portrait of obscene wealth and an uber classist society. And what else did Chernow write?
"Titan" bio of John D. Rockefeller. I am living in the late 19th century and it doesn't feel a lot different....
Early am, have my coffee and Heather’s letter enlarging my historical and political knowledge, but wait, what? A conversation with a musician regarding something powerful building in the country? A cliffhanger? I hope it’s an indication of a positive groundswell.
Yes indeed. I was talking with my dear friend recently as we bounced along in the cab of a 20’ U-Haul regarding the dearth of protest music/songwriters. This gives me hope that I’m just not looking in the right places.
Thanks for this letter! I’ve got a nephew. He’s 22. He’s working for Amazon in Staten Island NY. He’s been busy talking to others, sharing stories and food. He’s been helping organize and gather votes. They managed to unionize the first Amazon warehouse and they are working on the second. He’s been very busy so I haven’t gotten to talk to him much but, from what I can tell, it’s been a person to person, below the radar movement of people coming together to help each other have better lives.
Thanks, Tony. Also, if you would like to see the two guys from NJ who were the main organizers of unionizing that Staten Island warehouse, check out the Democracy Now! show that interviewed them just after the vote.
Your kicker ending chokes me up and, at the same time, fills me with hope — hope that the musician has identified what indeed is bubbling up among the people. And it follows an inspirational sentence about Teddy Roosevelt. I believe anyone running for president should pledge to do what he dedicated himself to do as president: work "to defend ordinary Americans from the overreach of corporations, and to use the government to help everyone rather than a select few."
Michael, I believe the budget reconciliation plan (BBB) reflects the pledge you referenced to help remedy the country’s grotesque inequalities of wealth and income. I also believe, when reconciliation failed to pass, that Dems, rightfully, expected Biden to go make the argument in West Virginia, and also in the red parts of Mississippi and Alabama, and in other states and say, “This is what we have tried to deliver and these folks have voted against it.” Simply stated, Dems have to be willing to engage in war. One can’t play fair with people who don’t play fair. There are no rules. The other side has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to attain power. Therefore, Democratic leadership has got to say, “America, when they didn’t care about you, we did.”
Imagine the impact if everyday people across the country were asked, “Who do you want here—somebody who doesn’t want to cut the price of insulin or those who do”? What about the child tax credit? Affordable, quality childcare? Universal Pre-K? Investments in housing? In elder care? In climate? My point, and note I haven’t covered what Biden and the Party have accomplished, is that Democrats have an extraordinary narrative if only they would deliver it.
We are not loud enough. We need to tell it, repeat it, tell it over and over. Do it loudly and just don't stop. We have the proof, we have the winning arguments. We just don't drown out the lies.
When I read that Tucker Carlson has the highest rated show on cable, it almost caused my heart to stop. How can an honest dialogue take place with the Fox propaganda machine churning out lies and bull Schitt with rapid fire precision. This is not new but the ammo has become more deadly since chump. No lie is too bizarre, no logic acceptable. The Ukraine war stopped Rupert in his tracks for a nanosecond, but the evil does not rest. Tucker is leading the charge, but there are plenty of adherents who gum up the democratic works and the air we all breathe in every state. May the musician be on to something, preferably in my lifetime.
But Carlson speaks only to a small portion of the American electorate. Always remember that. It’s easy to overstate his influence.
We all know too many that are overdosed on TC’s lies & DT’s influence but unless we want this country to turn into an anarchy WE need to stand up to this ignorance & try to help them see the light.
Unforrtunately, I know too many who do though 😖
Right you are, Randy. Sometimes we need to throw in the towel on some people. We don’t need every last person to agree. Focus on those with whom we have a chance because they’re already victims of the current situations but are still unaware. Plenty for us to work with here. Steady drip.
But look at gerrymandering and the electoral college. A small portion of the electorate can elect a president with a minority of the popular vote.
It's hard to remember that sometimes, but good to be reminded of it. I'm reading From Dictatorship to Democracy, by Gene Sharp who spent his life articulating non-violent strategies that ordinary people could use to defeat dictators. I recommend it.
I think that any time Tucker Carlson is mentioned in the media or during a conversation, it needs to be hammered home that the guy’s attorneys successfully defended him against a slander lawsuit by asserting that (I’m paraphrasing here) ‘any reasonable person would conclude that he is not telling the truth’. Thus, by his own admission, he thoroughly lacks credibility, and thinks that any of his viewers who actually believe him aren’t reasonable people. This needs to be repeatedly shouted from the rooftops.
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/29/917747123/you-literally-cant-believe-the-facts-tucker-carlson-tells-you-so-say-fox-s-lawye
Trump lawyer Sidney Powell voiced the same defense of her own nutty claims, if I recall correctly. Or is this just the standard GOP line for all their big liars now?
This is exactly what Sen. McMorrow did with a very strong, almighty voice of reason. This is what Jamie Raskin did the other day after marjorie t-g spewed her tripe. Every lie needs to be immediately answered with a truth and call them out. That is maybe one way to not allow the brainwashing to cement into their cerebellums in the silence instead of strong voices stopping the brainwashing. But Rupert should be stopped for anti-Democracy behavior. Seditious behavior. I would donate to that cause.
Great thoughts, Jeri. It's mind-numbing that so many Americans believe TC's drivel. I've been watching more interviews with Trump supporters who attend his rallies. The stupidity that comes out of their mouths, that Democrats are communists, for example, is good for a laugh but points to a new reality: A new intellectual class system now exists. The woke vs. the
those with their heads in the sand; those who study issues and those who get their information from entertainers like Tucker C. Common sense in our country is fading fast.
Randy. It's perhaps mind-numbing, but not surprising. There has always been a bedrock of anti-intellectualism in American culture. This glorification of it is more blatant, but not unexpected. And somehow, these past few years have brought it into the open in the crudest possible ways. The people who stormed the capitol, for example, were such parodies of every joke ever told about dumb, backwoods rednecks, that it was almost hard to believe they weren't sent from Central Casting. It all, obviously, is not a joke at all. It is deadly serious that all the darkest underbelly of this culture has now been exposed and is being celebrated by people with real power to effect (or stop) change. The foundations for all of this were laid a long time ago, but even just in our particular dreadfulness, go back to Reagan and move forward to the Federalist Society and their list of judges. And look what's happening in the Supreme Court--the number of cases now considered by the Shadow Docket has nearly doubled. Before now, half of us never heard of the Shadow Docket. They're hiding as much as they can. What they can't hide, they flaunt. And, in spite of Dr. Richardson's unfailing optimism, it looks to me at the moment as if they're winning. I think we are facing a paradigm shift and we just don't know what the hell that's going to mean.
Dean, As much as I find your thesis spot on, I haven’t ruled out the possibility of a moral awakening, a spirituality, if you will, of genuine questioning and dialogic exchange grounded in mutual respect, personal responsibility, and social accountability. Hence, amid one of the most terrifying moments in our nation’s history, I remain steadfastly resilient and resistant and encourage the same for others.
And don't forget the fun fact that Fox News comes with every cable package, you CAN'T not have it! Tucker operates at a loss (no advertisers) but Fox News makes way more than CNN or MSNBC because of it's carriage fee deals! Plenty of people who aren't watching it are paying for it! If that apple cart were to fall over...
So that's the business model? Carrier fees? Might we lean on the cable companies to refuse? (I don't know as I don't watch TV anymore.)
According to NYT series, advertisers fled and Fox filled the void with in-house promos for other shows using Tucker’s “popularity”.Fox also increased direct-to-consumer advertising (My Pillow). The result…ad dollars almost doubled. In house critics were also silenced. $$$
🤮
New study is out showing Carlson has the “racist” show. Just saw it on MSNBC, haven’t looked for the link or verified yet, but certainly no surprise there.
Is this the one? Anyway. NYT has an excellent 3 part expose on Carlson. Here is the link to Part 1.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/30/us/tucker-carlson-gop-republican-party.html#:~:text=How%20Tucker%20Carlson%20Stoked%20White%20Fear%20to%20Conquer%20Cable
I refuse to read the NYT article. It's the only way I know of trying to lessen his grip & noise.
I will be interested to hear what Dr. Richardson and all of you think about the NYT front page, 3- part series on Carlson. My first thought is - finally. Then when I looked at the optics - multiple photos, even a multi-colored blinking image of his face, I wasn't sure what the impact would be on readers. Does it condemn or in a twisted way celebrate his behavior?
actually, i don't have a minute to waste on Tucker Carlson, even to read a NYT treatment of him and his notoriety. Perhaps someone can summarize it in 50 words or less...
I cant bring myself to read the story but looking at the optics I think they support an expose. my opinion.
Agree on expose, albeit late to the game.
From my Morning NYT newsletter. Encouraged me to read the series…however painful it may be !
“The Fox News host Tucker Carlson built what may be cable news’ most racist show while embracing Trumpism without Trump, a Times investigation found.”
Wow Nancy I'm grateful to you for pointing this out. It reinforces my main reason for cancelling my subscription to the NYTimes this year--after so many years as a subscriber that I literally can't remember not having it. First, to answer your immediate question, they are indeed celebrating his behavior. In the same exact way they "celebrated" Donald Trump's behavior from his campaigns against his fellow Republicans and Secretary Clinton to his instigation of the Jan 6 insurrection. They pointed out and even condemned his behavior but they followed his every move. The result was that the worst criticism somehow had the effect of making him more intriguing and more popular. I'll guarantee you the Times coverage will give Carlson's ratings a serious boost. The only way for the press to do their part to fight these monsters is to not write about them at all. But the NYTimes follows the money and dramatic evil sells newspapers. Even on this very unusual forum, we spend a lot more time on Carlson, Trump, McConnell, et. al., than on Biden, Warren, Blinken. It's very frightening to me.
It's disgusting. I am grateful not only for seeing the danger in this but for identifying it so clearly. Your notice of the impact of the photographs is brilliant.
Ignore statistics. Forge on.
That is really what this post was about: what everyone expected got turned upside-down.
Exactly! Macron! 5 more years!
👍🏾
Maybe we should do a show on tanning our testicular area with red lights too😵💫
Tucker Carlson is the Disinformer-In-Chief, and I certainly agree that mis- and disinformation is a major threat, but I fear that the creation of a government agency to combat disinformation is an open invitation to rabid and virulent right wing outrage and mockery. Already the media is filled with condemnation of an Orwellian "Ministry of Truth".....
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/disinformation-governance-board-russia-us-mexico-border/
More important than the yapping of disinformation dogs, is the fact that a government anti-disinformation agency is one bit-flip fro a government disinformation agency.
Tucker is into something about testicles. Not sure why. This letter offers him a definition of manliness.
Yes, I really think the "manliness" thing is something really powerful. I am not totally sure how to spread all these messages far and wide without a airplane dropping "fliers with messages" in all the red areas. today one would get a huge fine for littering... But that mass messaging is the way besides-- what is our power for shutting down fox propagandist lies? Bring back the Fairness Doctrine? We need a really concerted effort across the country in all media. And marches.
A lot are people like us to see what the clown has to say. I know I’m guilty
I cannot stand tc's voice (does not deserve capitals) nor trump and those in his caravan of lying clowns.
Bill…absolutely! An old adage comes to mind, “a strong offense is the best defense!” It’s often considered an apt stratagem when associated with warfare…and it’s warfare were embroiled in and, it’s our Democracy that’s the target!
I was heartened to hear Don Winslow last evening. Giving up writing novels to engage more fully in activism.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/author-don-winslow-on-why-hes-retiring-from-writing-and-turning-his-attention-to-activism
Being from WV I was particularly heartened by this episode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uymZAy1gDaY
And he has more.
It's great - "Lifestyles of the Rich - and Corrupt'!
💕Love it!
Ah, another PBSNewsHour fan! It's the only news program I watch consistently (well, except for Rachel again, now that she's back)
I'd take it even a step further...the label they have attached to us is "radical". We all know that that is a misnomer. To further riff on what you wrote above, Barbara: Is it "radical to want to cut the price of insulin? Is it "radical" to want a child tax credit for struggling families? Is it "radical" to want affordable, quality childcare? Is it "radical" to want universal pre-k? Is it "radical" to want investments in affordable housing? Is it "radical" to want adequate elder care? Is it "radical" to be concerned about our climate changing? Is it "radical" to [insert countless other concerns]? If wanting things like that is "radical", then count me in. In response to our concerns of overreach of corporations (like those of circa 1890), THEIR concern is of government overreach, and it is a powerful weapon, as we have seen. In their eyes overreach is overreach. We believe a government should be bound to provide a number of resources to its citizens. To them that smacks of "socialism", and they raise that bugaboo at every turn. But then they take it further and further, beyond all rational reasoning, into the realm of cultural wars, e.g. "keeping the woke mob from indoctrinating our children", to quote from an ad by candidate David Perdue. We HAVE to counter this at every turn, expose the lies (or ask for proof), keep harping on the truth, but do it in a non-hysterical, non-name-calling, non-demeaning, calm, sane manner--difficult though that may be sometimes. Some of those "over there" are lost causes, not worth wasting the energy, but plenty of others are not. There are some very smart and concerned Republicans out there and it's those we need to reach. Together we can be a potent force to overturn these anti-democratic forces, even in spite of some restrictions on voting. We do have a good message to deliver and we need to stand up and TELL IT.
[Today's sermon by yet another musician was brought to you by...]
Is it radical to want gun control? Is it radical to want access to healthcare, including women's reproductive healthcare? Is it radical to want commonsense immigration laws? If the republicans neutralize/eliminate government agencies it will be radical to want a safe, abundant food supply, clean air and water, safe pharmaceuticals, safe workplaces, safe and fuel efficient cars....the list is very long.
What we really need to do is go out knocking on doors and talking to people. Get phone lists of people who have voted in Dem primaries and call them to get them on board. Not everyone can be activists but all of us can be active in telling the story.
Heart.
Bruce, Thank you for taking my comment “a step further.” I merely would add, fair or not, that politics largely is perception, and though Republicans have no ideas aside from those arising from greed and self-serving impulses, their strategy of wanting to fight the culture wars and of running on divisiveness, far too often, wins them elections.
Nonetheless, I would predict that the more compelling our messaging, the angrier the far right would become, because the one thing they loathe more than liberals is the truth. And the quickest way to be damned by them as “radicals” or as “socialists” is to tell the truth.
Barbara--your words are an exact summary of what many have commented.Well done.
Thank you, Frank. In many respects, I view our collective goal as organizing and mobilizing enough people to reach a sort of critical mass that would allow for a whole new set of people, values, and needs to emerge as the foremost influences.
Do you think part of the reason the gop has a hammerlock on the “dirty Libs” is because getting Biden to West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama to really stand and talk with the people impacted by all the policies NOT passed and highlighting the ones benefiting them that DO exist, is stalled by real concerns of safety? The gop supporters are armed to the teeth, fed a cult narrative about baby-eating, god-killing libs, that most likely BIden would be assassinated? That seems to be a pretty good strategy. “Don’t allow the message to get through”. The gop by their incendiary, intentionally fear-mongering messaging has led to closed minds encircled by very real assault weapons. Reading the history of the Freedom Riders sends chills down me. We are still confronting that same “over-my-dead-body” resistance to living out our ideals of equality before the law and equality in access to resources to build a life.
OTOH, Speaker Pelosi, a congressional delegation, and Secretaries Blinken (State) and Austin (Defense) have managed to visit Ukraine, where the risk has to be comparable. If the Biden team thinks it's a good idea for the president to go to various red states, I have little doubt that the president will go. My guess is that plans are influenced both by the president's schedule and by advice from organizers on the ground in those states.
In Ukraine, there aren't any crazed redneck Trumpmorons.
Neo-Nazis haven't gone extinct in Ukraine, and IMO it's safe to assume that Russian sympathizers exist, and not only in the eastern provinces -- though they may be keeping a low profile just now.
Heart.
We need to get you out on the road, Barbara. You have sketched out the Democratic playbook.
Jon, Thank you for your kind words. Frankly, my frustration, particularly at the national level, has been that we’re treated too much as an audience and not enough as citizens. We’re invited to look through the window but too infrequently to come through the door and to participate, to make government “of, by, and for the people”truly public. Meanwhile, we’ll keep writing letters and making phone calls to pertinent leadership.
What Democrats have to deliver to win is their voters. They have enough voters to win but must get them to cast ballots. That takes boots on the ground. Thousands and thousands of them. Republicans know they cannot win if a high percentage of the electorate votes. That’s why they are working so hard to undermine the election system. Messaging is not the problem except to the extent that the only message that motivates the Republican base is a promise to preserve systemic advantages for white people, and that’s a message that Democrats, to their credit, cannot endorse,
Rex, Respectfully, I don’t believe we can afford to take for granted that Dems “have enough voters to win.” Dems, I would note, frequently are quoted as saying, “we’re going to focus on kitchen table issues.” Though that might sound good, in the past 15 months, Dems haven’t been able to extend the child tax credit or lower prescription drug costs or improve childcare or raise the minimum wage to $15…, legislation that actually would make people’s lives easier and would be counter-inflationary.
Fair or not, politics largely is perception, and, though Republicans have no ideas aside from those arising from greed and self-serving impulses, their strategy of running on divisiveness, far too often, wins them elections. Hence, the urgency for compelling countervailing messaging, combined, I would grant, with your call for aggressively enlisting “boots on the ground,” to galvanize the base and turbo-charge turnout.
Better messaging can’t hurt, but I think it’s unlikely that Republicans have better message creators than Democrats. The problem is the message. Most white Americans want to retain their advantages, and they don’t much care what it costs to do that. This political priority is unforgivable but extremely easy to communicate. Currently, one four-letter word, “woke,” is sufficient to get the Republican message across to its willing recipients. Unfortunately, this despicable Republican message is extremely appealing to 60% of white Americans, 70% of white working class Americans, and 80% of white evangelical Americans. Converting those people to the side of human decency is a project that requires, in almost all cases, hundreds of hours of patient, expert, one-on-one counseling. No significant progress can be made on that project between now and November, nor even between now and the 2024 elections. I conclude that GOTV is the only effective way to invest whatever resources we have. If we survive past 2024, which is at best a dicey prospect, then maybe we can afford to invest some resources in changing hearts and minds. Or, maybe not. Converting racists to decent human beings is damn near impossible. We may just have to hope the arc of justice trends in the direction of decency. I certainly hope it does but am not optimistic about it.
Rex, To be clear, my comments, which are mere extensions of my focus on midterms, largely, relate both to ginning up voter enthusiasm and to representing the interests of as wide a range of voters as possible.
Hence, aside from writing post cards and phone banking, I submit suggestions to whoever might listen. For example, contrary to Trump, who declared the White House is not a shipping clerk, I note that the current Administration has saved our lives by making the vaccine, free of charge, available to everyone, a factor, in my view, that has contributed to saving our jobs (creating over 8 million) and saving the economy (effecting historically low unemployment). I point out that now Democrats are trying to save democracy from a Republican Party that no longer believes in it, while also imploring DOJ to start issuing indictments to top-level perpetrators, members of Congress, for example, whom we know, through text messages, are criminally accountable.
In a word, I know of no other way than to trust that my energy, my caring, and my engagement can make a difference.
I think you’re right on all counts and that your postcard and phonebanking efforts will help. We will need the efforts of many thousands more like you to save democracy from the 60% of white people who are intent on destroying democracy to preserve their systemic advantages.
We need to get ad’s on fox networks etc preach the truth of what president Biden agenda is. They won’t hear it anywhere else
That rings true. Thanks.
My message to the Democrat Party and its candidates is simple - No one will know you are even in the parade if you don't blow your horn loud and clear.
Pardon me, but it’s the DEMOCRATIC Party. Republicans have been calling us the Democrat party since the ‘40s. It’s a slur. Don’t let them get away with it.
Noting that the Farmer's Alliance “believed that all humans should have dignity, whatever their economic status, gender or race,” anyone running for president should pledge to do what he OR SHE dedicated to do. "For the people"--all of us this time!
https://magazine.tcu.edu/summer-2021/gregg-cantrell-texas-populist/
Just like "republicans" are no longer the party of Lincoln, "populists" are now like demagogues. We need a new definition of socialism. Wait, that would require study.
Yup. Sadly the elements of "socialism" that would appeal to most Americans (healthcare, education, regulation of industry, food and water security) are dashed to to death by the instantaneous repellency of the word. A political term that could offer relief and opportunity has been murdered. Just like the word "conservative". Study? Research? Learn? No, listening to bobble heads on TV is much easier.
“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man’s oldest exercises in moral philosophy, that is the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” John Kenneth Galbraith Such
An excellent quote! My take is that conservative is just a long high falutin’ way to spell GREED! There are reasons Carnegie and his ilk were called robber barons. The libraries and museums are all wonderful, but they came at such a great cost of opportunity for so many people. Who knows what brilliance might have been shut down by the actions of people like Andrew Carnegie and Cornelius Vanderbilt. They were spouting the “voodoo economics” of supply-side before Reagan withi his bs.
My thoughts exactly. Right now the term is the kiss of death for almost any pol. All the R adverts here are screaming (sometimes literally) about crime, schools, homelessness, mandates, etc. One of the worst R candidates for governor (a former school superintendent in a very small place) who defied health mandates leads in some kind of poll. Ballots are out and we have voted although we have to find someplace to mail our ballots other than our local communal mailbox as someone broke into it Friday night. The latter was only a matter of time.
Perhaps a new term to encompass those concepts, and make it sound pro-American, such as American Fairness, Americans for All . . . brainstorming here.
Martin Hagglund is reminding of a major point from Karl Marx, that has been totally ignored by all who ever pretended to practice socialism: labour, our daily work, should be organized so as to favour the development of the individual to his or her best potential. - Those who control the selling will also come to control the production in the future. IKEA as a concept, with forerunners from the 1700 hundreds. - Just to mention some possible starts for study.
Dance. Dance with me. “It’s high time you joined in the dance”. This dance is for you. This dance is for us. Welcome to the dance. Come on down to the dance hall bring pot luck. Would you dance with me? Who are you not inviting to the dance? Let’s go out on the floor and figure out this Texas Two Step. Maybe everyone could learn to dance with each other. Just a real nice social event.
Ok ok you win. Take my hands, let’s jitterbug. Might as well have fun too.
Here’s a great dance tune with two stepping-the Taos variety. https://youtu.be/ku_Tj8mMk8A
Yup! Great home feeling too. I’m the fat guy that helped her on the horse. My twin. Notice those hands?
Thanks for this. Almost got lost in there somewhere. Like going home.
When I see your name I think of my old friend Skip Stratton. He jumped the White House lawn as a smokejumper, lived in Missoula.
Lynn, I like Bruce's take on that, to take the labels back and re-legitimize them. In his letter sometime about an hour before this one, he takes off using the term "radical",
A quote from Bruce's letter: ". . . the label they have attached to us is "radical". We all know that that is a misnomer. To further riff on what you wrote above, Barbara: Is it "radical to want to cut the price of insulin? Is it "radical" to want a child tax credit for struggling families? Is it "radical" to want affordable, quality childcare? Is it "radical" to want universal pre-k? Is it "radical" to want investments in affordable housing? Is it "radical" to want adequate elder care? Is it "radical" to be concerned about our climate changing? Is it "radical" to [insert countless other concerns]? . . ."
I like this. In polls and studies, people do want all those things. By disconnecting the label, I think we can find ways to reach past it to the common support of the things that help all of us.
DOH!
Ellie,
A spectacular link. Thank you. Really. My sisters might read this link.
Here is the history book link
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300100973/?tag=yaleunivpres-20
I just ordered Gregg's book.
Glad you like it so much! I just opened the link from Heather's citation list and copied it, since I quoted from the article. :)
And isn't this what President Biden is doing? I think so.
Yes, when he is not saving the world from Russian aggression or saving the US from Fascism.
Biden certainly is busy.
:-)
Getting his message to the people is the hard part when they have already chosen their team. We need to find a way to be foot soldiers - maybe barbecues and picnics would get people away from Fox and social media!
Michael, our feelings about American Workers echo. I went to a source of what appears to be the rebirth of the labor movement in the USA.
'AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler on the future of America's labor movement'
April 07, 2022'
• John Ringer
• Meghna Chakrabarti
'FILE - Staten Island-based Amazon.com Inc distribution center union members celebrate after getting the voting results to unionize on Friday, April 1, 2022, in New York. Amazon workers in Staten Island voted to unionize, marking the first successful U.S. organizing effort in the retail giant's history and handing an unexpected win to a nascent group that fueled the union drive.'
Liz Shuler is the first woman ever elected president of the AFL-CIO.'
'She took over a time when the world of work has been turned upside down.
WBUR is a nonprofit news organization. Our coverage relies on your financial support. If you value articles like the one you're reading right now, give today.'
'Union organizing is happening in some unexpected places, and sometimes in ways that disrupt the traditional union playbook.'
"If you have established unions, it's great to have their support," Brett Daniels, an Amazon union organizer, said. "But if they're not the ones that are actually on the inside, maybe workers can't relate to that as much, because who knows the warehouse conditions better than Amazon workers themselves?"
'Today, On Point: A conversation with AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler.
Guest'
'Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO president. (@lizshuler)'
'MEGHNA CHAKRABARTI: This is On Point, I'm Meghna Chakrabarti. In 1955, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged to form the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in America. Separately, the two labor organizations date back further to the 19th century. From 1955 to 2005, AFL-CIO member unions represented nearly all organized workers in the United States.
'Union membership peaked in 1979, when the AFL-CIO counted nearly 20 million members. Women have consistently played a critical role in the labor movement. Their influence grew as their presence in the labor market grew, as union member Wanda Garrett describes in the 1981 documentary A Time of Challenge.'
'WANDA GARRETT [Archival Tape]: There's a definite place for women in the labor movement. Just for the simple fact women make up a very large part of the national labor force. More women coming out of the family circle and working, having to be far more aggressive and being aggressive means looking out for what is yours. And of course, the best way to do that is belonging to a union.'
'CHAKRABARTI: However, throughout its long history, the AFL-CIO never had a woman president. Until last year, when longtime President Richard Trumka suddenly died. Liz Shuler was the union's secretary treasurer, the number two at the AFL-CIO. And she became the union's president, the first ever woman to lead the AFL-CIO and the most powerful woman in the history of the American labor movement.'
'She leads the union at a remarkable point in American labor history. Overall, membership remains at a moribund low in comparison to Labor's heyday, while at the same time unions are experiencing something of a renaissance in new sectors of the American workforce. So, she joins us today to talk about that. Liz Shuler, welcome to On Point.'
'LIZ SHULER: Thank you so much, Meghna. It's an honor to be with you.'
'CHAKRABARTI: Well, first of all, I'd love to get to know sort of how long unions and the labor movement has been in your life, or in your family's life.'
'SHULER: Absolutely. I grew up in a union household. My whole family worked for the electric utility company in Portland, Oregon. So I grew up very familiar with the power of what unions can do. My dad was a power lineman. My mom worked in service and design and I worked at the utility going through college as a clerical worker. So when I saw how the power linemen were treated, because they were in the union, and then the clerical workers were not in the union, it became really clear to me, up close and personal, what a difference that can make to have a voice on the job.'
'CHAKRABARTI: What can you tell me more about that? Because your father, Lance, right? So he was the unionized lineman for PG&E and your mother was not. I mean, what difference did you see in even how your father and mother were treated by the utility?'
'SHULER: Absolutely. The power lineman had obviously good wages and benefits. They had a union contract, but they also had a measure of dignity and respect that it's almost hard to put into words. Because once you have that contract, you have a measure of security. You know that you can speak out and not be afraid. Whereas the clerical workers would often feel just grateful to have their job and afraid to step out or speak out when something might be going wrong in the workplace.'
'So I saw that very much upfront and personal. And then we tried to organize a union, and we knew that the electrical workers union would be a good fit because they were already representing the power linemen. And what a great opportunity it would be to have your working conditions in writing, to have a grievance procedure that you could turn to with the union if something happened. ... Like sexual harassment or discrimination on the job, which we see so often.'
'CHAKRABARTI: Well, hang on here for just a second. So first of all, did you and your mom ever talk about sort of the differences that you observed?'
'SHULER: ... Absolutely, yeah. And in fact, when ... the women in the clerical unit at Portland General Electric decided to form a union. I was just having graduated from the University of Oregon hearing about this. And so that's how I got involved in the labor movement, is joining that organizing campaign. Because I knew a lot of those women that worked there and my mom was still working there. So we actually were on the organizing campaign together. We knocked doors and, you know, visited workers in their homes to talk about their concerns.'
'
'And the company did what most companies did, which was to do the union-busting tactics that we see so often, like we see at Amazon. Where workers become very afraid to to join a union because they're intimidated, they're harassed, they're threatened, they have captive audience meetings to talk about, Oh, you don't need the union, it's just you and me, the company and you. You don't need a third party in between us. You know, they pull out all the tactics. So I saw that firsthand. And unfortunately, the campaign was not successful. But that's where I turn to the union itself. And went on to work for the local union. And bringing a voice to working people has become my passion.'
'CHAKRABARTI: So to not put too fine a point on it, your first endeavor in unionizing failed. Correct?'
'SHULER: Yes. But failures aren't failures. They're learning experiences. Right?'
'CHAKRABARTI: That sounds like it was a real turning point in your life. Because it wasn't clear whether or not sort of becoming a union activist, union leader was sort of what you had dreamt of growing up. Because you went to journalism school at the University of Oregon, right?'
'SHULER: That's right. Yeah, I wanted to be Nina Totenberg on NPR.'
'CHAKRABARTI: Don't we all?'
'SHULER: Yeah, exactly. But you're right. Our lives take different twists and turns in unexpected ways. And once that campaign quote 'failed,' I had the opportunity to join the staff of the local union that was organizing. And I thought, Gosh, if I can, you know, bring justice to the workplace for other people. Maybe it didn't happen in our workplace at Portland General Electric, but you know, this could be something that I could lend my passion and enthusiasm to as a young person.
'And certainly that's what happened. And shortly thereafter, Enron purchased the utility, and not many people know the name Enron anymore. But basically, this fast talking company from Texas took over the sleepy little utility company. And they went into bankruptcy. And unfortunately, many of my family friends, people that I had grown up with, my dad's friends on the power line side had lost their pensions, including my own father.''(WBUR) Link below.
https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2022/04/07/afl-cio-president-liz-shuler-on-the-future-for-americas-labor-movement
This piece is what happens when labor fails to establish a union. There are far worse consequences for workers who do not succeed. Even death. Business owners push far beyond the safe endurance of the work force. In high risk operations such as mining, fishing, logging, truck driving, and many others which depend on voluble production, men and women sacrifice their lives. Many of us have lived through these tragedies. For what? To make one man a legend? To perpetuate our own serfdom?
Additionally, teachers are sacrificing their values because their unions have been abolished in some states and are not strong in other states.
Pat, Can you tell us more about what you have experienced and witnessed as a worker?
I really don’t remember far enough back in my life of 71 years to remember when I didn’t have to work . The very best year of memory was when I was 7. Aside from in sundry ranch chores, I exhilarated that last year of being a free boy!! I liked to work and my dad defined me for all ages. “If there is a hard way to do it, Pat will find it”. Even my children subscribed. I wanted the whole world and no one got in line to give it to me. Sooo eventually I found myself remarried to a Scotch Norwegian woman who taught special Ed for a living. Apparently she had never had a living wage. She had really big fingers from pinching pennies, creating an actual written budget with .50 surplus each month. I had been on the big road driving truck and made it home only every 60 days. I went to work for a local heavy haul delivery company. This was the second most appalling trucking company I ever worked for. The drivers were separated from the dock workers who were separated from the office workers who were separated from the local delivery drivers of which all were separated from the owners. The owners were distracted with a moving van franchise, but more importantly they busy putting together a banking empire from their trucking profits. The workers were all very good people, hard working! After about a year they asked me to find a way to talk to the owners. They felt that if it went south I might be able to survive while they feared economic disaster. I agreed! I was asked by the owners to share their decision to do nothing while their funds were tied up in bank building. They promised to look into better dock facilities in the next 5 or so years. They rented half of the dock space to Roadway a company that had union benefits. We were paid 8/hr they got 25/hr. They had insurance benefits, not us. They had a forklift, not us. Our side was open air to -30. They had heat. My day usually started at 3 pm. I usually got off the next morning at 10am but quite often extended until noon. Off to bed for 3 hours as I had to be back to start again at 3pm. My longest days I left Missoula after transferring freight in a semi and a pup and pulled Rocky Mountain Doubles to Post Falls, Idaho where I dropped my pup took my main box into the dock in Spokane and swapped east west freight and took it back to Post Falls, dropped the main box, picked up the pup took it in to Spokane , switched freight, took it back to Post Falls, rebooked the set and headed back over the pass to Missoula. I don’t think I mentioned chaining and unchaining over Lookout Pass and 4th of July pass. Both ways. You probably don’t realize what a chore throwing the iron 8 times is like, especially when you will have to do it again 4 times to make MacDonald Pass in and out of Helena. That is the first 500 mile leg of your day. Take a breath! Arriving in Missoula you take both wagons the dock swap freight re-hook your wagons and beat feet to Helena. There you split your wagons, swap freight (they had a forklift and warmed docks, whew!) and beat feet back to Missoula, swap and hook a run for Kalispell. Finally you get to run for Missoula swap freight go home to bed for a few hours. That’s more fun than you can shake a stick at. One of the kids who worked the freight dock in Billings who rendezvoused with me in Helena died enroute Helena when he missed a corner. I’m sure it was too much. 8 hours heaving freight and then the long night drive to Helena. He couldn’t make enough money. Twenty five tons of freight crushing him and the cab of the semi. We dried our tears and pushed for a union to protect ourselves better. I met with union reps in Missoula. We jumped through all the hoops finally coming to a vote. 250,000 dollars was spent by the owners. Our union rep disappeared. We never saw him again. The company included all of their family members, office personnel and others to the voting roles. We still had em beat. One by one we had “training sessions “ The vote was restricted to the Helena office, meaning employees from all other cities had to travel to Helena to vote. The vote was during working hours. You were to be ferried by the owners. A penalty for missing work on that day was subliminal. Our union rep was gone, I tried for weeks afterward but never a reply. We lost. There was no resolution.
Pat, Before seeing this piercing report covering of your work experience, I was going to delete my question of whether you could tell us more about your work life. I thought that it may have been rude of me to make such a request. Instead, you produced a paper unlike any I remember reading before. Pat, you have reported tortuous conditions and extraordinary pain inflicted upon I don't know how many working American people in this day and age. I hope to have a chance to talk with you. With gratitude and appreciation, Fern
Wow, Pat, what a tragic story. Unions, like any large organizations, have problems, but this trucking company's unrestrained exploitation is clearly what unions were invented to restrain--in the name of human life. Thank you for your effort on behalf of your co-workers and for sharing your experience with us.
This is an amazing story. Chilling. Depressing.
Trying to "heart" this, but Substack isn't playing. Thank you for this detailed account of appalling conditions.
Wow, Pat!! Just WOW!
Wow.
Fred, TC and I had an exchange. His point was that Pat's experience is all too common in the country for workers in various fields -- the reason this country is 'f___ked'!
Thank you, Pat.
This is compelling, Fern! The fact there is the first woman ever as the head of the AFL-CIO is remarkable. Biden, in several of his speeches, has pushed for unions to come alive again. With Liz Shuler at the helm, she brings a whole new perspective that hasn’t been touched on, ever! Women have always been in a “labor” movement. They gave birth to the most esteemed and the most despised men in our nation.
Marlene, It's a better morning having seen your face. Shuler and more on behalf of working, retired and the younger Americans who will grow our democracy, determine fair pay and equality...Onward! Happy Sunday, Marlene.
It is a good morning, Lynell, knowing that you and I are always on the same page! Democracy NOW to us all!
💙💙
I can only imagine which musician you are referring to, Heather. One of my favorites sings an old Phil Ochs song entitled "When I'm Gone" , one line of which states "I can't sing louder than the guns, when I'm gone, so I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here" Thanks HCR!!
The language of "ordinary Americans" has to be used. The headliners now are not ordinary.
IT iS!!
Let's hope that what the musician is feeling in her travels is a ground swell of people who have had enough with the bullies, crooks and scoundrels of the last administration and not the other way around. I know I have had enough! Thank you very much Dr. Richardson. I wish I could take one of your classes. I learn so much every day from your letters!
Maybe, just maybe, the Republicans' outrageous actions have made more people wake up. Jacked up prices for everything while companies record sky-high prices, attacks on women's reproductive rights, rampant voter suppression, and so much more.
Michael,
Yes, one thing I have not understood is how so many Republicans are blaming Biden for rising prices. Biden has not raised even one price.
Corporations, after having recieved more than two years of direct funding from the Fed in the form of corporate bond ETF purchases (directly from printed money fed to direct purchases NOT booked to the Federal budget but to the Fed "balance sheet"). A way to hide the massive corporate welfare from view.
Those same corporations have paid America back for their free money by jacking prices while raking in historically high profits. This a just a fact of reality.
I have to conclude, honestly, that the overall ability of Americans to discern reality has deteriorated so badly due to many factors that, although I love today's optimistic 1890 story, I do think in 1890 Americans were better informed, better critical thinkers and more likely to be able to tell that:
Corporations are giving them the shaft, not Biden and the "Dems". Slavish Americans today watching Fox News all day with a slack jaw and a beer in hand are seemingly easily fooled.
However, perhaps today's history lesson is also a warning of sorts. Don't be pessimistic.
Things might be able to turn again while the rich are sleeping at the wheel of their yachts.
Michael, I don't have the musician's perspective being that I've barely travelled more than 60 miles in the past nearly three years but I do know - and provide small monthly investments to - a relatively new and utterly inspiring collection of activists, journalists and "poor peoples'" organizations, each mirroring the 1890's effort. A great many of these efforts predate both the Womens March of 2017 and BLM - Jolt the Vote in Texas, for example or For the Many in New York's Hudson Valley - but the energy unleashed by both the March & BLM is considerable, and considerably under reported, Stacy Abrams notwithstanding.
On the journalism side Pro Publica is deservedly well known but there are scrappy, state-focused publications like The Texas Tribune and the Arizona Mirror that are doing amazing reporting, and from a non-profit model, which I suspect is being replicated in many states, and likely down to the neighborhood level. (Please provide examples, dear reader!). And then there is this extraordinary effort by an American hero, called "Letters from an American."
I've no idea what the coming election cycles hold but I do know that by giving $25 or $50 each month to these organizations I'm totally convinced that I am making the best investment I can in moving the country towards a better place.
And I hold dearly the musician's optimism. In 2020 we voted out authoritarianism, a unique moment in world history, and millions of both new & non-voters came out to make that happen....it is true that a couple million watch dead enders like Hannity & Tucker C but seventy-seven million voted for Biden.
https://www.joltinitiative.org/
https://forthemany.org/
https://wokevote.us/
https://campaignzero.org/#vision
https://www.texastribune.org/
https://www.azmirror.com/
My blood-red state is fortunate to have something of a counterpart to the Texas Tribune. I don’t love absolutely everything they do, and there are some problems with the model. But they employ a great poverty reporter who has blown the lid off one of the biggest scandals in modern state history.
https://mississippitoday.org/the-backchannel/
Thanks for this link; I'm hoping to create a list of at least 50 of these vital publications. The redder the state, the more important the potentiality for disruption. Imperfect as they might be MS Today will start receiving a few dollars from me each month.
For sure. My main criticism is that they do like to indulge in the horse-race style of political coverage. But I manage to get over that pretty easily given their other work.
Thank you for sharing these links. An addition for your consideration is PA. Spotlight at https://www.spotlightpa.org. Thanks again.
Wonderful & thank you. Excited to know about Spotlight. Are you familar with penncapital-star.com? It is part of a https://statesnewsroom.com, which appears to be working to build - or link? - non-profit news platforms state by state. Curious to have your opinion.
Hello! No, I am not familiar with Pennsylvania Capital Star but plan to remedy that situation. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
"Jolt the Vote," what a great slogan! Thank you for posting these resources.
A group of HCR Substackers has formed to turn good talk here into effective action, including by sharing resources. For more info, email:
heathersherd@gmail.com
Thank you for these links, Abu.
The thing that bothers me is that President Biden, House and Senate Democrats and the media aren't talking enough about all the accomplishments since he has been in the WH. We need to be talking more about accomplishments and how people have already been helped, and talk less about the former administration. The GOP has been very effective at stoking fears and using the chaos that occurs to influence uninformed people. Dumpf wants to stay in the news, and the media is helping him...
In some fairness, when you are doing all the things expected of a congress person, it is hard to find time to do marketing. There are talkers and there are doers. I trust the doers, those who work together behind the cameras. But, of course that is not the new way of governing where grabbing headlines instead of working on policy that actually achieves something for us, including squabbling over the details, is considered failure.
We need bumper stickers directing people to a website of Biden's achievements, or signs to put in our windows or on our lawns.
“This is just a fact of reality” immortal! Clap, clap, clap, clap
Republicans have forgotten that trump started the supply-demand crisis by raising tariffs on goods imported from China.
You are so right, Michael!
I truly hope you are right, Michael, I've been thinking that too. The trouble is that so many have learned to accept the lies that are promoted by the likes of the FNC.
Heather's video chats are free classes: Facebook on Tuesdays and Thursdays, then posted on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=heather+cox+richardson
She and Prof. Joanne Freeman also do a great weekly podcast, Now & Then:
https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/now-then
Ellie,
Thank you. In general, I prefer to read because the rate of information transfer is 10X that of video and audio. But, I will take a listen. Maybe audio has another demension.
Mike, my brother from another mother! My primary processing style is auditory, I find that watching videos is no way for me to learn things; I have found that if I have a task to hand (puttering while organizing a project, or painting are the main ones; I can also play mindless video games like solitaire or Tetris) I can listen to the Tue/Thur Facebook lectures while otherwise engaged. Podcasts while driving are NOT for me…
Ally Each of us learns (and remembers) in different ways. I gather that you are a reader. So am I, from an early age. I also find videos helpful, while stopped watching cable news since September 15, 2021.
I’ve just been re-watching the PBS American Experience Presidents Series—ah ha Truman, FDR, ah Wilson, Teddy, oophs Nixon, and honest, well-intentioned Georgia peach Carter. Also, Watergate 30 years later, Gettysburg (a near thing), and Midway (aHail Mary worked).
Also, Joseph Campbell’s The Power of Myth and Kenneth Clark’s Civilisation. With a reader’s foundation, I find that these visuals capture spirit and the soul of those times. Within today’s context, I was captivated by the Watergate Senate hearings in 1973. Rewatching videos and re-reading favorite books provide me insights in assessing current-day shenanigans.
I am also heartened by the bright lights in our history.
Ally, I am much the same. But Heather's videos are simply talks, and you can listen as if it were radio, if you wish, without having to watch. I do like being able to see Heather's face as she talks- it's very expressive - but often get up and do things as I listen.
Mike, I find it wonderful to look at Heather's expressive face and hear her voice, and I can also listen if I am doing chores.
Sally, I didn't see your post until after I posted mine- saying almost the exact same thing!
I find her chats so valuable and can watch them live, or later.
WOW! Thanks Ellie!
Cannot recommend these enough .... been watching and listening since the beginning
Thanks Ellie for that - will have to put it on a text file - or it will get lost in the chaos!
❤️
Ellie and all,
Heather's chats (both her answers to readers' questions and her history lessons) are often better watched/listened to after the fact, since there are often transmission interruptions when they're live.
But Colette, you ARE enrolled in one of Dr. Richardson’s classes, as are the rest of us (without the hefty Harvard tuition). There was so much embedded in that last letter that I don't even know where to begin, so I won't. I'll just say that her writing inspires me and makes me wish I'd put a lot more emphasis on the study of history when I was younger. I'll see you in class Monday ;-)
Just to be clear she teaches at BC but attended Harvard herself.
Thank you.
Colette, yes. I hope so too.
But, in 1890, Fox News did not exist and Tucker Carlson was not being confused with Jesus Christ out west.
Colette, I already feel like we are taking one of her classes. I've learned more from these letters than any class I've ever taken. I am so happy my priest brought her to my attention. HCR is one of the best I've come across in a very long time!
Your priest?! I never had a priest like that. Jealous.
I have several friends who are priests…all quite in tune with us here.
My nun friends, yes, but the priests? no. I am truly envious. Although I am perhaps being a bit unfair to them. I do remember once, when I was on Parish Council, a letter came from the bishop, stating that parishes should prefer male altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers over females. The priest read it, and said "well, that belongs in the circular file" and just simply pitched it.
KR Kudos to Nunsense on all of this ‘false fact’ Nonsense. Jesus was spot on and Judas was an early Trumpista. Oi vey, Mother of Mary, Allah u Ahkbar
Yeah there are a few retro bishops. There are also plenty of priests whose philosophy is what you describe.
+She is an Episcopal priest but now retired.
Reuters numbers from the 2020 election are important to remember. 239,000,000 citizens eligible to vote. 206,000,000 of those registered to vote. 159,000,000 actually voted. There is a lot of slack here that could be addressed with voter registration drives, and get-out-the-vote efforts. Less than 60,000,000 voters believe the Big Lie.
I totally agree with you!
I agree!!
I cannot thank you enough for your clear-eyed, deep wisdom, the product of your many years of study, research and understanding of our beautiful, troubled country, our not-yet-failed-but-close-to-the-brink democratic republic. No one ~ and I mean this sincerely ~ connects all the dots on a daily basis like you do, Heather Cox Richardson. I am so grateful. Have a beautiful Sunday…May Day. Gather flowers and know how much we appreciate the work you do for us all. 💐
Rep.Jamie Raskin’s powerful and forceful speech this week offered hope for our nation! He is one of our finest and most influential speakers today!!!
I agree, Margaret. Jamie Raskin puts every rethuglican to shame with his genius and ability to so strongly articulate that genius.
Heather, I hope you will write a sequel to this Letter on how do we find this Alliance and how do we support it and become part of it. In part it sounds like what join the Union is trying to do -- jointheunion.us -- but it also sounds like the message is even stronger. If you want the Rich to get Richer at your expense vote Republican. If you want a fair deal for all the people vote Democrat. We, the People, All of us this time!
"If you want the Rich to get Richer at your expense vote Republican. If you want a fair deal for all the people vote Democrat" should be the Democrats' slogan.
Sadly, I think the Dems have already cashed that chip and it didn't cover the bill. You saw it in the enthusiasm for Obama, but he was handcuffed the day he walked in the door, by his own party. It seemed the Dems didn't fully coalesce behind him because he had sidestepped the establishment. They didn't see their opportunity as limited and prescious. By the time the midterms came, the Rs had mobilized against his message, leveraging racism and the desperate circumstances of folks who only had enough hope to take Obama over the finish line, but not to hold their locals to the fire to move legislation. Instead, folks who felt let down by the party got bitter. My Trumpy mom rejected the tea party out of hand, but now thinks Ted Cruz isn't half bad. He's the same wannabe actor he's been since high school, but she can't see it. What she sees are empty promises, by and large, programs that don't work for her, and a deep distrust of 'help'.
President Obama is highly intelligent and very able to see the extreme racist and violent reaction to his election to the highest office in our country. Out of a love for all of us and wanting to mute that reaction I think he felt pressured to constrain his very progressive nature. I will never forget his pain at Sandy Hook and then breaking out in the song of Amazing Grace at the service after the church massacre in Charleston. 💔
Exactly, Christy!!💙
Steph, thank you for reminding us of the challenges President Obama faced when he took office. In addition to the orange clown’s birther lie, he had Pelosi saying they would not rubber stamp everything he wanted. That to me was the beginning of cracks in Democratic chances for progress. I didn’t connect it with besting Hillary. Most of us have tr$mpies in the family and I share your pain.
Good morning, Lynell!
Yes, that should be the slogan.
Ally You mentioned elsewhere (can’t find it) that you weren’t at your computer and thus couldn’t find one of my comments. Is there a way on LFAA to easily recover comments by you, me, or whoever? I feel that all these comments are blown into the wind and gone forever. That’s for any assistance to this hi tech dunderhead.
As kids, we thought that two cans linked by a wire was Buck Rogers technology. And Dick Tracy with a phone wrist watch—would never happen.
Use Control F to search for Ally's name, or a key word. Substack loads comments in groups, so you may have to go through the maneuver a few times.
Diana Thanks! YOU ARE A GODDESS!!
LOL.
I can (usually) follow the email link that tells me there’s a comment on my comment. Easy from the laptop, much harder from the phone.
Alley I was hoping for a slam dunk, but then I am a curmudgeonly optimist.
Lynell More crudely put “Bullshit to the Republican Billionaires”
“If you want the Rich to get Richer at your expense vote Republican. If you want a fair deal for all the people vote Democrat. We, the People, All of us this time!”
Cathy, I’m picturing huge billboards all over the country (but concentrated in trumpland) with just these words!! I would donate to put these up. The message needs to be spread far and wide!
YES!!!
"she feels something powerful building under the radar" (from Heather's letter). Nothing said about an "Alliance" (from your comment). And I think everyone here (on the substack) is thinking way to small... Cathy, the link you posted previously relating to Positive Psychology may have touched on it.
In the Seattle area, where I live, I have noticed an uptick in clients seeking Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent resident status. These clients are feeling a lot of anxiety about the upcoming mid term elections and what they are perceiving as an increased probability that TFG will win in 2024. Some tell me they feel helpless, witnessing a slow moving tsunami of hate, corroding our country into something unrecognizable. I tell them this is happening in Canada as well. There really is no escape but we can certainly take agency on a local level and turn the tide drop by drop. That's what I am doing. There are many folks here who feel the same and are acting on this. There is power in persistence...and we are finding ways to push back local Republicans who think it is their way or the highway. Maybe your musician friend is sensing that folks with common sense are fed up with the lies being paraded as truths and are doing something about it too.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I guess my father drilled into us at a very young age that when the going gets tough the tough get going. I am old enough to retire (no spring chicken) and have to focus everyday at keeping myself energized with solid self-care but I’ve never considered running away. Some days I do dream of rewarding myself with a couple of weeks in Kauai though 🤪
Here’s an interesting link to consider for those wanting to save our democracy:
https://now.tufts.edu/2022/04/06/where-young-voters-could-decide-elections-2022
Christy You may be ‘no spring chicken’—I may be past a ‘stewing chicken.’ Please don’t chicken out. If the Ukrainians can fight and die for their country, shouldn’t we, at a minimum, stay and cluck? Let’s make an omelette out of the wicked wolves—save other chickens and our country and preserve sheep for our victory lamb chops.
I hope to have many more years, to at the very least, keep on clucking 🤣. The menu sounds delish, I’m all in ❤️
Christy She who clucks last clucks best==a.chicken tontine
You’re the best Keith, the one and only Not-Doc Wheelock who is professorial times a thousand+.
Apropos of nothing in HCR's newsletter, I just want to tell the political junkies here that you definitely want to catch "Gaslit." It's on Starz and you can get both Episode 1 and 2 on Sunday night. This very picky screenwriter, historian and political junky liked it on all levels - writing, directing, casting. Julia Roberts as Martha Mitchell, Sean Penn as John Mitchell. Shea Whigham scares and confounds simultaneously as G. Gordon Liddy.
Logline: "A modern take on the 1970s political Watergate scandal centering on untold stories and forgotten characters of the time."
Tagline: "Watergate was wrong. Martha was right."
It's really good. I couldn't see anyone struggling to pull the rabbit out of the hat, a good sign. The creator and writer/director was head writer on the first season (the good one) of "Mr. Robot."
Also, for any Tony Hillerman fans, George R.R. Martin and Robert Redford (who's owned the rights to the series of books since Thief of Time came out) are doing "The Dark Winds" as a six-part limited series on AMC starting June 12. If this is successful, they plan to do the books as a limited series/season for each. Filmed on location in the Navajo Nation, with a Writer's Room that is all Native-American writers. Looks really good to this picky Hillerman fan.
Outstanding news! I’ve been a Hillerman fan for years. (More accurately a Jim Chee/Joe Leaphirn fan)
The two actors playing those characters are Native American and they are definitely students of Wes Studi.
TC, Americans, in addition to knowing and contributing with their own stories to the world of work in the USA, for journalists and other storytellers relating the experiences of individuals within a company self-employed, unemployed in our 'system' and by the rules of the country's leaders/power-brokers need to be conveyed. The stories of individuals, such as Pat, reach people more than statistics do. We identify with the experiences of others and often see our own situations better through them. You, more than most, know this to be true.
Yes, his story is very important.
Hi Tom. It is one of the ways for Biden and the Democrats to communicate/message America's story and relating to one another . The vast majority support Ukraine, including support from the USA. We do have a lot of heart, most of us.
❤️
*Leaphorn
Substack wouldn't let me heart your comment so instead I had to comment, but I too am a fan of that series of Hillerman books!
I am a fan of Hillerman's books too. But not of the hash that Redford made of the movie, especially Leaphorn's character. Tony was disappointed too. Too bad Redford has the rights, but maybe it will work out better with writers with more insight into the culture.
Dang fat fingers…
I read about this. Very exciting project!
TC I’v been a Hillerman fan ever since I tried, with the NEH, to establish a summer teacher’s enhancement program for teachers at Native American colleges in the late 1990s. I visited a number of Native American colleges (almost all community)and encountered major alcoholism. At these colleges, the largest quadrant of students often were women around 30. The colleges ranged from several four-year institutions to the normal normal two-year community college on a shoe string. In Montana I had to push a college president’s car to get it started.
In some places I encountered strong tribal chief opposition to enhancing local college education. In part this was because Native Americans who left for higher education seldom returned (unless to join the college administration). {In the 1960s I found the same opposition in Chilean villages to bright students going to the provincial capital for higher education—-they seldom returned to village life.)
I still recall the president of Dine College (Navajo—NX/AR) ‘slow driving’ me as he sought funding for a course on pijote.
Nothing ever came of this NEH-supported endeavor. The different tribes. could never agree to work together. I was severely disappointed at the time.
That's a story too well-told too many times.
Netflix "Fair Game" is also very good.
It shows the open and blatant lying that the Bush adminstration promulgated on America and the world around "Weapons of Mass Destruction" in Iraq while the CIA was actively trying to get the facts on the ground in Iraq out.
But, the facts on the ground were already known from 15 years of UN weapons inspectors on the ground.
Anyway, Bush's lies won.
It was a grand example of Americans not knowing how to think. The whole idea was preposterous.
We watched episode one. I concur on the acting. The three actors you mentioned are at the top of their game. And the subject matter...it's a reminder that our democracy has been threatened from the day it was created - by men who thought they knew better than the voters.
It looks great in previews. I wish it didn’t require a paid subscription.
I'm going to take advantage of the 30 day free trial to view Gaslit, then most likely cancel
My son-in-law told me recently he could put me on their subscription. At the time I wasn't interested. Think I'll check in with him on that.
Martha Mitchell was a refreshing hero during the Nixon Watergate coverup. Early on she believed that Nixon was throwing her husband, Attorney General Mitchell, under the bus. Her screaming to reporters was stopped by ‘security officers’ yanking the phone, disconnecting it, and seriously sedating her.
I’m delighted that her integrity is being highlighted 50 years after the Watergate saga commenced. Indeed, 30 years after Jeb McGruder, then White House staff and, after jail, a minister, stated that he had overheard Nixon ordering Mitchell (then head of CREP) to follow Liddy’s recommendation and break into Democratic headquarters in Watergate.
I’m still curious about the ‘eye-witness’ report that John Wilkes Booth died in Texas decades after his purported killing after assassinating Lincoln. There was a video on this that included some semi-credible ‘facts.’
Ah, history. Will we ever know the irrefutable ‘truth?’
TC, I would like you to read the response that Pat Cole gave to my question about his work experience. Near the beginning of today's forum, my comment consisted of an interview with Liz Shuler, the first woman ever elected president of the AFL-CIO, on the future of America's labor movement. Pat's response was detailed and piercing. It came after my question if could he could share any of his work experience with us. I've copied his reply but cannot attach it on this format. When you have a chance, after reading it, you can reach me here on the forum because I cannot communicate on Thats Another Fine Mess. Thanks.
Pat's story sounds like a lot of stories you can find everywhere. I don't mean that as a put-down, but to say this is the problem everywhere and not just for truckers. It's why things are fucked in this country.
Yes, TC. What made me jump was to read his account on the forum. A cousin gave him some quotes of Heather's, which he thought came from another planet. He was in complete agreement with Heather and found her on Facebook. He likes my comments , so we became subscriber friendly. Thanks for responding Tony.
UPDATE - the show is based on Rick Perlstein's "Nixonland," the second of his trilogy on the Rise of the Right, and the best overall book on Nixon and Watergate. And Perstein is an Associate Producer on the project, which means he has Input. This is why the show's so good - they went to the guy who knows the best story and got him.
Morning, all!! Morning, Dr. R!! I have yet to read today's Letter, because I first wanted to share this video of Nancy Pelosi and our delegation meeting with President Zelenskyy on May 1, 2022.
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1520644107751809024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1520644107751809024%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Flive%2F2022%2F05%2F01%2Fworld%2Fukraine-russia-war-news
Morning Lynell. Pelosi and Co's meeting with Zelenski didn't "merit" the 5 Russian rocket fanfare that the head of the UN got.....but was definitely more important for the future. At least Putin's close attention brought an admission from Guterres that the 5 permanent vetoes in the UN Security Council were ruining the UN
Apparently Pelosi and Co. did not publicize their visit until after they had left.
I had heard that it was going to happen...but not when evidently...but missile targeting is a question of minutes and seconds+ a nearby spy with a telephone.
Morning, Stuart. Seems the Ukrainians are good at intercepting much of what the Russians "share" on their unencrypted messages.
With a little help from their friends
Morning Pam.
I so admire them for that, but at the same time....
They really have to ditch the veto option - it is totally destructive of the rationale of the UN.
"The invasion of Iraq was neither in self-defense against armed attack nor sanctioned by UN Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force by member states and thus constituted the crime of war of aggression, according to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) in Geneva."
Well, one thing about the UN is that everyone ignores the veto and does whatever they want anyway Hugh.
Like US for example.
:-)
The war in Iraq was widely unpopular at the UN and France in particular openly referred to it as in illegal invasion as did Russia.
google: "The Iraq War and the UN".
The US totally ignored the UN concerns. In fact, even Tony Blair had a hard time lying enough in England to convince the Brits to come to the table for the war.
A womain in MI5 outed a letter from Bush to Blair which sort of indirectly indicated Bush was lying about weapons of mass destruction.
BUT, US, we went ahead and illegally invaded Iraq.
Just like Russia is illegally invading Ukraine.
Only, now??? WE CARE.
Back in 2003, we did not.
Then the US China and Russia would probably leave...or just ignore totally and stop funding the UN. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. This system only works when either nobody can dominate and the other members were willing to gang up on a recalcitrant member. Currently you have 3 powers that are opposing each other and assuring paralysis
Stuart Like the ‘unthinkable’ compromises made to achieve our extraordinary Constitution, the same was true in creating the United Nations. While the General Assembly was a broad body with no executive power, the Security Council was created to make ‘consensus’ decisions. Five countries, US, Soviet Union, Great Britain, France, China were granted veto power.
At the time, clearly Stalin wouldn’t agree without veto power. (Given the issue of ‘sovereignty, I seriously doubt that the Senate would have given our ‘sovereignty’ over to a veto-less Security Council—ditto Britain and France.
We did get Security Council approval for a UN military force in South Korea because the Soviets, Security Council chair in June, 1950, boycotted because China (Taiwan) was still filling the China SC seat after the Mao takeover in 1949.
The Soviets have exercised the veto most on the SC, but, on occasion, we have vetoed also. Those are the rules of the game. Were there no such rules, there would be no game—going back to the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
"Then the US China and Russia would probably leave".
Exactly. See my other post to Stuar'ts post. (just a little before you posted.
Morning, Stuart! Above my pay grade, so I defer to your sound analysis!
And now for the speech by Pelosi and Zelenskyy
https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1520672718823297032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1520672718823297032%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Flive%2F2022%2F05%2F01%2Fworld%2Fukraine-russia-war-news
Hopefully, this link will get you to the article about the trip:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/05/01/world/ukraine-russia-war-news/here-are-the-latest-developments-in-the-war-in-ukraine?smid=url-copy
You’ve been busy this morning! Thanks for that link. I guess the delegation will be speaking sometime this morning in Poland. I am glad their visit was unknown until now.
I was lucky, Marlene. It was front in center in my inbox; a rare thing for me to have. Morning!
Thank you Lynell, it’s good to see that our representatives have the courage of their convictions to not only vote from the saftey of our capitol (that has been put into doubt), but to also visit our ally in his capitol while it is under attack on a daily basis. My hats off to them, I wish they had invited me to go along, I would have been happy to have accompanied them and would have considered it an honor to shake President Zelenskyy”s hand. 👍🇺🇦
I'd been happy to go, too, Dick!
Wow! That was amazing to see❤️🌻🇺🇦🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇸🇺🇦!
Caught out by the calendar again. I'm not sure if it's more surprising that Pelosi is in Ukraine or that it's May.
Thanks Lynell. Nothing like a Sunday morning cry. ❤️
Thank you!!!
A Kodak moment for sure...
Indeed, Kim!
A historian’s knowledge and perspective helps the understanding that the nation has been through similar political division and struggles in the past and survived them. This letter is just that ray of sunshine that announces the dawning of a new day, one in which property and business are no longer deemed superior to individual citizens; that with the privilege of great wealth comes even greater responsibilities to the country and the workers who helped make that wealth possible. Thank you for sharing your historical perspective.
This, especially the last paragraph, gives me hope. Thank you, Dr. Richardson.
Dear Prof -- I wish that you had been my US History teacher! -- Thanks always for educating me and filling in some of the important gaps in what I was taught.
If Elon Musk and other billionaires really supported free speech, they would devote billions of $$ to funding the launch of hundreds of local newspapers and TV news stations across the country, to help revitalize the vigorous, honest, and fair local reporting in this country. They would also fund a major lobbying effort to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine that was repealed in 1987 under Reagan, which required any entity with a broadcast license to devote air time to reporting in the public interest, and also required that that reporting be honest and balanced.
It's also worth noting that in 2011, Obama's FCC chair, Genachowski—who ran the media/tech wing of Obama's presidential campaign, and has since walked through the revolving door to The Carlyle Group—removed the language supporting the Fairness Doctrine from the federal register, thus driving the last nail in the coffin of regulation requiring truly fair and balanced reporting in this country.
The death of the Fairness Doctrine paved the way for conservative talk radio hosts like Limbaugh, and eventually for Fox News becoming Trump's propaganda arm. Between that and the not-unrelated rise of the unregulated internet, honest local investigative reporting in the US has been decimated.
I recognize that my fantasy about billionaires funding the revitalization of local reporting and lobbying for reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine is antithetical to the very proliferation of billionaires, who generally would rather dictate the story than enable it.
Prof and fellow readers: I would love to know more about what exactly this traveling musician has been seeing, what it looks like on the ground, and how to support it. To any and all of you: if you have more intel on this topic, please share, I would eagerly read up on this.
Check out hotel magnate Stewart Bainum and his efforts to save local journalism. https://www.poynter.org/business-work/2022/philanthropist-stewart-bainum-jr-launch-baltimore-banner/
The republican paradox never ends: Musk and republicans want "free speech," but they're banning books.
Thank you, M.S.
Brilliant, hopeful, dangerous and timely!
Thanks to you Heather - and to your new (and my fellow) musician friend.
Finding optimism in historically similar situations of today?
Well done indeed Dr. Richardson. Thank you.
Also, thanks for the pointers to more history I have never heard of.
It seems my ignorance of American history is bottomless.
Mine too. I was thrilled (and embarrassed) to be schooled by Keith Wheelock (hope I have the name right) regarding the downfall of the Nixon presidency ( I have lacked the time or ability to relocate the statement without my computer). I learn a lot at LFAA-U.
As do most of us, dear Ally❣️
Me too. I alternate between fiction and historical stuff - bios in particular. The more I read, the more I realize how little I know. I was looking for something to dig into and decided to use the "favorite author path". Ron Chernow is at the top of my list. I don't care about plays of any kind but Hamilton was one of the best books I have ever read. And his Grant was a revelation.
Here is an interesting convergence of events. HCR writes about this time of our history and all the parallels with now. We watched "The Gilded Age" - HBO Max, but sort of PBS feeling. A portrait of obscene wealth and an uber classist society. And what else did Chernow write?
"Titan" bio of John D. Rockefeller. I am living in the late 19th century and it doesn't feel a lot different....
Early am, have my coffee and Heather’s letter enlarging my historical and political knowledge, but wait, what? A conversation with a musician regarding something powerful building in the country? A cliffhanger? I hope it’s an indication of a positive groundswell.
Yes indeed. I was talking with my dear friend recently as we bounced along in the cab of a 20’ U-Haul regarding the dearth of protest music/songwriters. This gives me hope that I’m just not looking in the right places.
Thanks for this letter! I’ve got a nephew. He’s 22. He’s working for Amazon in Staten Island NY. He’s been busy talking to others, sharing stories and food. He’s been helping organize and gather votes. They managed to unionize the first Amazon warehouse and they are working on the second. He’s been very busy so I haven’t gotten to talk to him much but, from what I can tell, it’s been a person to person, below the radar movement of people coming together to help each other have better lives.
Here’s and article about them…
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/02/business/amazon-union-christian-smalls.html?smid=url-share
Thanks, Tony. Also, if you would like to see the two guys from NJ who were the main organizers of unionizing that Staten Island warehouse, check out the Democracy Now! show that interviewed them just after the vote.
💙