Today the Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked, 11 to 11, on whether to send Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court to the full Senate for a vote.
Me! Just up and resending. Only about 8000 got it, apparently. That's not the usual glitch about notes; it's an IT issue. Sigh. By the way, I'm traveling in the Pacific Northwest. Nice waterfalls you got out here, folks. And good beer and coffee, too. :)
Yes, and some superb wines, and food cart Heaven, and the Oregon Coast, the Columbia River Gorge, the Cascades and Siskiyous, Blue and Wallawa Mountains - rainforests, desserts, flora and fauna… TMI? ;-)
I’m reading “How the South Won the Civil War” now and am looking forward to your presentation at the Schnitz next week!
Safe travels, Professor. I hope to be joining you via Zoom. Not sure I can swing a visit to Portland. Message me if you want beer referrals. I hope that you get to have some Stumptown Coffee. It is well worth a side trip.
Since there's only 37 more comments when there's usually hundreds, I say everyone. She forgot to hit "send"! Happens to me all the time. OMG, she's normal!
Me too. I had to open it elsewhere. Meanwhile, with members like Hungary, NATO is weakened. If our defeated former president had prevailed in 2020 (or on Jan. 6, 2021), would we be on Russia's side today in Ukraine as Orban appears to be? Putin is no more likely to be punished for his army's atrocities than is our defeated former president is for his malfeasance.
Orban's model is definitely in the Republican Party here. The EU does have a way to hold Orban accountable...didn't they pass a guideline or law prohibiting countries from choosing autocratic policy over democratic? I am kinda fuzzy on it. Definitely the election in Hungary was not free and fair...nor has it been for years. Watch what happens in France.
Sick, sick, sick and perverted ... from the Republicans on the Judiciary Committee who questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Ron de Santis to the GOP glee at Orbán's victory! Their own minds are so skewed and distorted that they project their abusive images upon others!
This is all carefully orchestrated. That means the there are writers writing out the whole scenario of who's going to say what words when. A cacophonous play of creepy slime.
I agree, this was all planned out many years ago, and there was always a small group headed this way... But now I wonder just how much of this exploded into mainstream by Putin seeing the base ideology and knowing just how to use our own propaganda against us.
Political Machines and Backroom Strategists. It’s a game of control and
power that opposes the Constitution and Democracy. And Truth. And every human right people in fascist countries battle. So what is this country if we don’t work to keep our Democracy alive?
Every night when I read HCR's letter, I imagine what I would say to my Mom if she magically came back to life. She passed in 2006, and toward the end of her life, she tried to warn us about the rise of White Nationalists worldwide as well as the power multinational corporations were gaining over governments. I thought she was totally blowing things out of proportion. I think about how I could gently break it to her that her country is in grave danger due to the very things she tried to warn us about. And, then I think of the comparison of a frog being thrown into hot water vs. being placed in cool water that gradually came to a boil. She would be the first frog, and I am the second frog.
And I am the fireman putting out the flame. Racism, sexism and the R dictators wanting to force us back into that miserable old society is the gas flame heating up the frog. [R = Repuklican or Russian, take your pick]
Your mother is a wise woman. She would be a subscriber here.
She would have adored Professor Richardson! And, she would be so proud of me for reading it daily and for getting multiple people reading it. It's my healthy addiction.
Same here. Usually the email has ended up in my spam folder due to capricious algorithms, but nothing today at all. I checked FB first to see if today's article was posted - it was - and then came to substack from yesterday's letter. 😕
“In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28 signed a bill banning kindergarten through third-grade public school teachers from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity, a measure its opponents have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. “
And how many teachers at the K-3 level talk to their students about sex?
I think a lot of legislation like this is simply designed to make liberal heads explode and give the Republican base another reason to send in campaign donations.
Surely there are more pressing issues to deal with.
Truth matters. I contend this issue matters to our children and teachers thus all of society.
An evangelical woman I know plans to “home school” her children because of her fears that her 1 and 3 year olds will be taught about sex in kindergarten now. Tip of the iceberg?
Teachers will be leaving the profession as more and more laws restrict what can be said in their classrooms.
It is fascinating to watch the Republiqans obsession with sex. I had a dialogue (again violating my self-preservation about not engaging with cultists) with someone who thought that what goes on in the classroom of K-3 is filled with sexuality, images, "how-to", and the like. I asked him (all of my vocal ones are "him", for some reason....) how he would handle one kid bullying another who had two dads without mentioning that there were some families that were "like that". He ranted about how inappropriate that was, until I asked him "are you talking about bullying or having two dads. When he said the talking about two dads, I asked "so are two mom's OK, or do you hate me that much as well?" No. Reply. Dialogue ended. I got my answer.
People who are obsessed with sex are often hiding their own sexual practices and fantasies. How many times have those who have ranted long and loud about something have actually been doing it themselves. Not saying it is the case you are describing, however. I can't imagine the things that this person was describing being taught in any early elementary classroom. I have a relative who has fallen for the QANON nonsense about sexual trafficking of children and I have had to explain that this sort of talk gets in the way of dealing with the actual sexual trafficking and exploitation of children. Not surprised to read that Rs are not too bothered if the guilty party is one of their own. As an aside, one of my fav books on the sexual obsessions of the religious is Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven which is about all the prohibitions of sexual activity in the history of the Catholic Church. I was pretty amazed on what some of those folks dreamed up in terms of what women in particular were doing. When I finished it, I thought no wonder many religious people have problems with it.
So true. It dovetails with something I learned when interviewing people about their disputes/disagreements: The person who accuses the other of conduct (most frequently drug use or infidelity) is almost 80% more likely to be engaging in that conduct themselves. No room for cognitive dissonance there.
Since today's LFAA is shorter than usual due to Substack's or HCR's error, there might be room for this very short, short story I recently wrote for a writing group to which I belong.
Enola ...
Jack Lippman ...
Jim had an idea why he had been called into the principal’s office. He knew when he accepted the assignment to teach the advanced placement course in history at the high school that he would be dealing with subjects which some considered to be controversial, but he felt that he could successfully handle them.
Mr. Carlucci smiled. “Jim, I want you to know that you are probably the most highly respected social studies teacher not only in South High School but in the entire district. That’s why you were selected to teach this advanced placement course.”
“Mr. Carlucci, please get to the point. I know you didn’t ask for this meeting just to compliment me.”
“Please, Jim. We’ve known each other for a long time. Please call me Paul.”
“Okay, Paul, but what’s the deal? Why are we talking?”
“There’ve been complaints, Jim. Parents.”
Jim relaxed a bit and interrupted. “As I anticipated. Particularly when we got to the end of World War Two in the Pacific. There are some issues there, I know, and I believe I touched all the bases, leaving no opinions out. But what’s the complaint?”
“Hiroshima, Jim, it’s what happened there.”
Jim stiffened a bit, replying to the principal. “Sure, President Truman authorized the use of the atomic bomb to end the war, killing over a hundred thousand innocent civilians in Hiroshima. And a load more a few days later in Nagasaki to show that we weren’t kidding. We all know that but consider the alternative he faced. I explained to the kids that our not using the bomb would have meant invading Japan itself to end the war. That would have meant a lengthy struggle taking many years perhaps, presenting tremendous logistical problems, and costing many lives. Knowing the ferocity of the Japanese soldiers, losing 200,000 American lives in such an invasion was a conservative estimate. We wrote papers on both sides of the argument, held debates, and spent two weeks on the unit. I think the kids learned a lot.”
“I know, I know. You did a great job, Jim.”
“So what’s the complaint?” Jim answered. “Could it have been on our discussions of nuclear disarmament, never using such weapons again? Making them illegal? Or talking about the morality of using the wholesale killing of an innocent civilian population as a weapon? Or maybe how nuclear weapons served to deter a future war where everyone would be a loser so long as both sides had the ability to vaporize the other’s major cities? Both having the power to initiate mutual annihilation would serve to prevent that awful thing from happening. That’s the way it seems to have worked out, Paul, over the years since Hiroshima. Like I asked you, what’s wrong with teaching the kids about the way things are? What’s the complaint?”
“Jim, there’s not a word you’ve said that I don’t agree with,” answered the principal.
“So what, specifically, is it that these parents are complaining about? Jim asked. “Why are we talking?”
“The bombing of Hiroshima, Jim.”
“What about it? We covered it thoroughly.”
“Two of your students’ parents objected to your identifying the plane which dropped the bomb.”
“Sure, it was a B-29 Super Fortress, right?”
“Yes, yes, but the crew had painted a nickname on the plane’s nose. You mentioned that.”
“Of course, of course. It became famous!”
Jim hesitated, holding his hand to his mouth. “Oh my God!” he exploded, “Oh my God!”
“Yes, Jim. That’s it. From now on, when you teach this course, and I want you to continue teaching it, you cannot mention that B-29’s nickname. This is Florida, you know. You risk losing your job, and the school district stands to lose some State funding, if we permit you to mention that plane’s name in your classroom.”
Jim got up and ran out of the principal’s office into the hallway, screaming at the top of his lungs, “ Oh my God, Enola Gay! Enola Gay! Enola Gay!”
That is hilarious but No doubt in my mind that would happen here.I really don’t think they understand all the Laws they are passing are about being just Anti-Democrat. If you recall TFG was so greedy for Votes he was inviting toward the Gay community until he was elected. I think all this stuff that DeSantis is doing is having a negative effect toward the party as a whole. People aren’t saying anything because they know they will be a Target and get Harassed. We used to be called “ Friendly Floridians “. That does not apply to Political Debate any longer.I guess time will tell. When a Political Party can cause Ppl to get divorced that’s not a positive sign. In my entire life that’s never happen before TFG. And what or who you believe created this planet, nothing goes backwards.
It's meant to intimidate teachers into spouting the reactionary right party line. Barring talk of gender identity taken at face value would also prohibit teachers from referring to Jack as a boy. It would make illegal not only references to Heather's two mommies, but also to Janet's mom and dad. But everyone knows that is not the intention. It's also meant to get voters so freaked out that they will agree to any garbage the authoritarians feed them. The worst part is, it works.
I would’ve enjoyed having two mommies. Well, in a sense I did, because my mother and her sister were so close, they lived in the same building or down the street from each other when I was young. That sister, my aunt Gertrude, is my godmother. It was the father’s side I could’ve done without. Sheesh. But it gives me deep insight into the other side’s thinking and game strategy. At a price.
“Surely there are more pressing issues to deal with.
Move on to something that matters.”
Exactly! Floridians on both sides of the aisle shroud be outraged. A local Fl House. Rep just announced he would push IN 2023 to make gender-affirming care for minors felony child abuse.
IN 2022, we have skyrocketing ( up 30-40%)homeowner’s insurance, a lack of affordable housing, a broken unemployment system.
The recent session of the Florida legislature found time to deal with what books were unacceptable in schools and limited discussions of gender there. They didn't find time to deal with homeowners' insurance crsis and several other important issues. And when these legislators, they're all Republicans, get re-elected as most of them will be, we can stop criticizing them and start criticizing the voters who put them into office. And that means attacking the democratic process itself and when we do that, we are in real trouble.
If it wasn’t so pathetic it would be funny.The Trauma the Repub. parents are putting their kids through . And they can’t do anything that really matters cuz then they might be called “ Socialist ! “
Thank you, Heather, for once again tying all the loose threads together to show the pattern. There were warnings that, once the conservatives abolished abortion, they’d take aim at contraception. Now we see them doing exactly that. One has to wonder how C. and G. Thomas can support a group that would make their marriage illegal; perhaps they, like so many of Hitler’s supporters, think that they will be exempted from the law due to their service.
I think we need to turn out in numbers on the streets to raise our voices louder than Fox and OAN. We are being so quiet whilst our country continues this ridiculous slide into authoritarian rule, run by the seditionists we pay in our governments. It is insane. What is the matter with us? We need to move into the streets.
The R's are throwing so much complete stupidity out there that we can't see clearly what we are even fighting against. (what good would it do to protest against things that are imaginary)? The logical thing to do is ignore the crazies, but being logical is hurting us.
We do need to start with getting the word out about what a truly good job Biden is doing. And mobilize our side to get out and vote. You are correct that we are being too quiet.
Heck, there are so many things to demonstrate for and protest against. If we protest we can be heard in large numbers. The cult do not read our facts and writings or watch intelligent speakers. They need soundbites and visuals. They need demonstrations with signs, pictures and chants. They need to hear the everyday person talk about how close we are to losing our rights and becoming authoritarian. They need to hear exactly what an authoritarian regime is-- like in Russia. It is a rigged democracy much like the repubs want in our country and are very close to that. They need to hear stories from repubs who wrangled themselves out of cults and how hard that neurolinguistic program is to unwind. We need to educate the masses on saving our democracy from totalitarians who just want power and will lie and destroy everyone's rights. Voting. The white privileged Caste system where only they are on top. Civil Rights. Women's Rights to their own bodies. Against Putin and genocide. Power to Ukraine and other democracies around the world. Protest ridiculous amounts of money in politics and corporatocracy. Free thinking people vs politicians and radicals strangling our educational systems and teachers.
Cults and Conspiracies. Propaganda vs Facts and Truth. and Justice for Americans who are paying the wages of seditionists in our own governments. I could go on, but it is time to get off our keyboards and into the streets. They can be peaceful vigils, one hour a week. Whatever floats your boat. But it needs to come from Us. Our systems are failing and we need to gain power and strength to create new ones that protect all the people. We need to do this globally, not just locally. Everytown needs to let their people know they do not want wackos on their school boards. Talk about the right's fight for freedom of guns, of suppressing votes and rigging systems. Pick anything or pick them all. The cult does not really read, they are visual learners and sound-biters. They need to be flooded with louder voices than their cult leaders. They need to be, in the least, offered Truth. They need to learn about what social programs do for them--roads, bridges, schools, mental health, healthcare, ambulances, hospitals, Urgent Care, fostercare, foodstamps and unemployment, medicare, social security, WIC, child tax credits, social services, women's crisis centers, Child Protective Services, prisons, courts, police, national parks and recreational parks, museums, the arts and entertainment. The republicans want to do by cutting our government to fit in a small bathtub, with no checks and balances. No care for the environment or human life. But they want to force babies to be born into a system that cares nothing about them. Stand up for something. Help them to see a broader vision before the water is too hot to get out of the kettle. Let them imagine living without all of these socially funded programs. Do not call it "socialism" because that cannot break through their conditioning (brainwashing). I could go on but I better get to work to pay my taxes to fund the fricking seditionists in D.C..
The idea of protests makes sense. Civil Rights, The Climate Strike, a worldwide protest to call attention to the climate crisis and the Women’s protest after Trumps inauguration. And then the many anti-war protests, wars our government supported with funding and /or military presence. The list goes on because joining together is a way to be heard. A big challenge is how a divided America could come together. Half listen to the demagogues and criminals of the repub party. And I worry how they tried to destroy Black Lives Matter with riots and lies. Still, what other choices do we have than standing UP and speaking out? What else is working?
Thank you, Professor. Your letter is objective and complete. I could predict today’s news as long as it’s about the repubs, how they vote, what they say and why. No, I’m not clairvoyant. They have continued their opposition of democratic values and constitutional law. Not one good reason to oppose the nomination of Judge Jackson for Supreme Court Justice. Their questions and their responses during the hearings and reasons to oppose are exactly as Grassley said. Well, no. I interpret them as racist and basically undemocratic. Dems need a majority in next election or we will be in even more trouble.
On the atrocities in Bucha Ukraine, see the NYT's Visual Investigation team's work in today's edition & the use of Maxar satellite imagery to detail the dates Bucha civilians were murdered along Yablonska Street near the Bucha train station. A Human Rights Watch level of documentation is required to prove War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and /or Genociide to be presented in Ukraine's domestic Courts or in International Tribunals. At least three ( 3 ) nation states including the United States are securing evidence as well.
Update: Per NYT at 8:40 am Eastern, Zelensky will address the UN Security Council today giving Worldwide norice of over 300 murdered Ukranian civilians in Bucha.
I don't understand why we are all shocked, considering Putin's record in so many other countries. This has happened over and over and over again and we turned a blind eye. Why is it different now?
You are correct Steph including a thin eastern strip of Moldova literally on the western border of Ukraine. Why is it different now? Many reasons but, just one is the Biden Team`s ability to swiftly use real time natjonal security intelligence to keep the world up to speed to fight disinformation. Another reason is the widespread use of private Satellite Technology such as Maxar which is in use today.. Another is the development inside national media companies of "Visual Investigation" teams also in evidence today at the NYT. And, of course the development of disciplined digital comminities such as LFAA.
Not sure why but for the first time since i subscribed, I did not receive todays letter in my email. I was notified yesterday that my account would be auto-renewing soon … I would like to keep receiving the emails. How do I contact tech support? Thanks
“What now for the European Union’s most challenged and compromised democracy? The scale of Viktor Orbán’s fourth consecutive election victory in Hungary was crushing, comprehensive and unexpected. Faced for the first time with a united opposition alliance that put internal differences aside, predictions of a close race – or at least a competitive one – were confounded. On a high turnout, Mr Orbán’s Fidesz party actually won a greater number of seats than it held previously while Péter Márki-Zay, the opposition’s candidate for prime minister, failed even to win the local constituency he was contesting. Once again, resistance to Mr Orbán’s brand of authoritarian, conservative nationalism was largely confined to Budapest and other urban centres.“
And here is the key.
“Resistance to Mr Orbán’s brand of authoritarian, conservative nationalism was largely confined to Budapest and other urban centres.“
Just like here, Democrats mostly control the urban inner city and Republicans mostly control the rest of America.
How does the Democratic Party make inroads into rural America?
Orban is showing us exactly how Republicans will rule when they take Congress (2022) and the White House (2024). They will immediately abandon Ukraine and declare fealty to Putin. They will end any pretense at free and fair elections, installing their voter suppression and outcome control systems in every state. The 14th amendment will be repealed, and all of the civil rights of minorities (Black, immigrants, LGBTQ, etc) will be eliminated. Their distorted view of "Religious freedom" will become the law, and Christianity will become the official national religion. Abortion, inter-racial marriage, gay marriage, birth control, atheism, etc will become illegal.
You may think I'm exaggerating (I wish that I was). Only a few short years ago we thought that Republicans would never elect dangerous wackos like Trump, MTG, Boebert, Gosar, Cawthorn, Hawley, etc. Now these wackos are the heart and soul of their party, and Republicans like Grassley and Graham who were once somewhat reasonable have fully embraced Trump and Qanon. To understand the future under Republican rule, look to Orban, Tucker Carlson and MTG. That, I fear, is where we're headed.
I watched the coverage of the tie vote (11-11) yesterday . The typical drama Llama Republicans showing their revolt against Judge Brown. I wouldn't say this nomination is in the can just yet. I don't trust Collins, Murkowski or Romney. Sinema is completely untrustworthy.
My understanding is this could be finalized by the end of the week. One way or the other.
I'm finding the lack of blow back from the GOP Members that are continuing to publicly idolize Putin and Orban to be expected. Why?
How did we get to this painfully low level, this quickly under the tenure of the man we thought would save us? I remember sitting in a parking lot listening to the radio and hearing that Biden won. It seems like a lifetime ago.
I remember seeing different scenes of people going outside (masked up and some emerging from homes to socialize for first time) celebrating the Biden-Harris victory after some days of waiting for official announcement. The joy and the community celebration across the US was more contagious than COVid on that day.
Christine, I remember it well. I went into a large grocery store right after and people were in absolute jubilation. The underlying tone was we're going to be okay. We will be safe now. People were crying they were so happy.
Thanks ! It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Recent article (behind a pay wall) in the Orlando Sentinel stated Disney and related businesses in Florida bring in over 18 BILLION/year.$$$$
I know what else they hate. They hate that her last name is JACKSON, like Jesse Jackson. They hate that her first name is not a WASP name like Amy or Ruth. They hate having to work their mouths to say Ketanji. No one in THEIR world has a name ending in i. They hate that she isn't a Caucasoid narrow-nosed light-skinned African American. They hate having such a distinctly non-male non-Caucasian face sitting in judgment on WHITE MEN.
Is there anybody else who didn’t get their letter in their email?
Me! Just up and resending. Only about 8000 got it, apparently. That's not the usual glitch about notes; it's an IT issue. Sigh. By the way, I'm traveling in the Pacific Northwest. Nice waterfalls you got out here, folks. And good beer and coffee, too. :)
🙏🏼 Hi Heather! I’m glad you are enjoying your time there!
Thank you for each and every day of my stellar education and improved awareness of the facts.
The waterfalls during the spring are really impressive.....even the ones in Spokane, WA.
Definitely one of my more effective comments😆. All better now; have a fabulous day everyone.
There was panic rather than joy in Mudville today!
Heather, have fun in your travels!!
Glad you are enjoying the amenities of the PNW. The wine is good too. I am fond of the darker beers here, porters and stouts.
Thank you, Heather. The only waterfall today in Atlanta is a thunderstorm. Enjoy your trip. We love you!
Did not get the email. I logged in and read it.
You must be in the Gorge. Was just out there myself.
Starbucks origin, but other great brands also. I am anxious to get to AK for my Kaladi coffee.
Yes, and some superb wines, and food cart Heaven, and the Oregon Coast, the Columbia River Gorge, the Cascades and Siskiyous, Blue and Wallawa Mountains - rainforests, desserts, flora and fauna… TMI? ;-)
I’m reading “How the South Won the Civil War” now and am looking forward to your presentation at the Schnitz next week!
Safe travels, Professor. I hope to be joining you via Zoom. Not sure I can swing a visit to Portland. Message me if you want beer referrals. I hope that you get to have some Stumptown Coffee. It is well worth a side trip.
I’ve a friend in Depot Bay who roasts his own coffee. It’s as good as the fantastic view of Little Whale Cove from he and his wife’s home.
Lucky you! Salmon, clams and Dungeness crab are all worth it. Enjoy!
It's still not in my inbox.
Thank you. Enjoy your trip!
I didn’t receive it in email. I opened the letter through the website.
Same here, but I persevered :)
Yes! We have our ways!
Same here! Wonder what’s up?
Since there's only 37 more comments when there's usually hundreds, I say everyone. She forgot to hit "send"! Happens to me all the time. OMG, she's normal!
😂
I thought my outlook was not working—went through the website. Thanks for your comment!
Me too. I had to open it elsewhere. Meanwhile, with members like Hungary, NATO is weakened. If our defeated former president had prevailed in 2020 (or on Jan. 6, 2021), would we be on Russia's side today in Ukraine as Orban appears to be? Putin is no more likely to be punished for his army's atrocities than is our defeated former president is for his malfeasance.
Orban's model is definitely in the Republican Party here. The EU does have a way to hold Orban accountable...didn't they pass a guideline or law prohibiting countries from choosing autocratic policy over democratic? I am kinda fuzzy on it. Definitely the election in Hungary was not free and fair...nor has it been for years. Watch what happens in France.
Yes. I've contacted Substack.
Me. Had to go to the website.
I went through the website after searching all my email folders and not finding it.
No - I did not get an emailed letter today.
I also had to go directly to website
Did not get it either.
Same here….
No letter here either...
Same!
I did not receive it either.
Likewise
Each day grows more surreal. Stupidity reigns in the GOP. But then I think “crazy like a Fox”[News].
Sick, sick, sick and perverted ... from the Republicans on the Judiciary Committee who questioned Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Ron de Santis to the GOP glee at Orbán's victory! Their own minds are so skewed and distorted that they project their abusive images upon others!
This is all carefully orchestrated. That means the there are writers writing out the whole scenario of who's going to say what words when. A cacophonous play of creepy slime.
I agree, this was all planned out many years ago, and there was always a small group headed this way... But now I wonder just how much of this exploded into mainstream by Putin seeing the base ideology and knowing just how to use our own propaganda against us.
Political Machines and Backroom Strategists. It’s a game of control and
power that opposes the Constitution and Democracy. And Truth. And every human right people in fascist countries battle. So what is this country if we don’t work to keep our Democracy alive?
❤️
Every night when I read HCR's letter, I imagine what I would say to my Mom if she magically came back to life. She passed in 2006, and toward the end of her life, she tried to warn us about the rise of White Nationalists worldwide as well as the power multinational corporations were gaining over governments. I thought she was totally blowing things out of proportion. I think about how I could gently break it to her that her country is in grave danger due to the very things she tried to warn us about. And, then I think of the comparison of a frog being thrown into hot water vs. being placed in cool water that gradually came to a boil. She would be the first frog, and I am the second frog.
And I am the fireman putting out the flame. Racism, sexism and the R dictators wanting to force us back into that miserable old society is the gas flame heating up the frog. [R = Repuklican or Russian, take your pick]
Your mother is a wise woman. She would be a subscriber here.
She would have adored Professor Richardson! And, she would be so proud of me for reading it daily and for getting multiple people reading it. It's my healthy addiction.
This didn’t come thru my email this am. I’m guessing that is why the numbers for likes and comments are low?
Same here. Usually the email has ended up in my spam folder due to capricious algorithms, but nothing today at all. I checked FB first to see if today's article was posted - it was - and then came to substack from yesterday's letter. 😕
Me too Christy. I just Googled "LFAA April 4, 2022" then opened the Link to get another HCR gem.
Didn’t come to my box either.
Same.
I must be the only one who regularly goes to the website. Just another normal day for me, sorry the rest of you were inconvenienced.
“In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis on March 28 signed a bill banning kindergarten through third-grade public school teachers from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity, a measure its opponents have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. “
And how many teachers at the K-3 level talk to their students about sex?
I think a lot of legislation like this is simply designed to make liberal heads explode and give the Republican base another reason to send in campaign donations.
Surely there are more pressing issues to deal with.
Move on to something that matters.
Truth matters. I contend this issue matters to our children and teachers thus all of society.
An evangelical woman I know plans to “home school” her children because of her fears that her 1 and 3 year olds will be taught about sex in kindergarten now. Tip of the iceberg?
Teachers will be leaving the profession as more and more laws restrict what can be said in their classrooms.
And that is how the dumbing down of America continues. Authoritarians know educated, critical thinking people are hard to dominate.
It is fascinating to watch the Republiqans obsession with sex. I had a dialogue (again violating my self-preservation about not engaging with cultists) with someone who thought that what goes on in the classroom of K-3 is filled with sexuality, images, "how-to", and the like. I asked him (all of my vocal ones are "him", for some reason....) how he would handle one kid bullying another who had two dads without mentioning that there were some families that were "like that". He ranted about how inappropriate that was, until I asked him "are you talking about bullying or having two dads. When he said the talking about two dads, I asked "so are two mom's OK, or do you hate me that much as well?" No. Reply. Dialogue ended. I got my answer.
People who are obsessed with sex are often hiding their own sexual practices and fantasies. How many times have those who have ranted long and loud about something have actually been doing it themselves. Not saying it is the case you are describing, however. I can't imagine the things that this person was describing being taught in any early elementary classroom. I have a relative who has fallen for the QANON nonsense about sexual trafficking of children and I have had to explain that this sort of talk gets in the way of dealing with the actual sexual trafficking and exploitation of children. Not surprised to read that Rs are not too bothered if the guilty party is one of their own. As an aside, one of my fav books on the sexual obsessions of the religious is Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven which is about all the prohibitions of sexual activity in the history of the Catholic Church. I was pretty amazed on what some of those folks dreamed up in terms of what women in particular were doing. When I finished it, I thought no wonder many religious people have problems with it.
So true. It dovetails with something I learned when interviewing people about their disputes/disagreements: The person who accuses the other of conduct (most frequently drug use or infidelity) is almost 80% more likely to be engaging in that conduct themselves. No room for cognitive dissonance there.
Since today's LFAA is shorter than usual due to Substack's or HCR's error, there might be room for this very short, short story I recently wrote for a writing group to which I belong.
Enola ...
Jack Lippman ...
Jim had an idea why he had been called into the principal’s office. He knew when he accepted the assignment to teach the advanced placement course in history at the high school that he would be dealing with subjects which some considered to be controversial, but he felt that he could successfully handle them.
Mr. Carlucci smiled. “Jim, I want you to know that you are probably the most highly respected social studies teacher not only in South High School but in the entire district. That’s why you were selected to teach this advanced placement course.”
“Mr. Carlucci, please get to the point. I know you didn’t ask for this meeting just to compliment me.”
“Please, Jim. We’ve known each other for a long time. Please call me Paul.”
“Okay, Paul, but what’s the deal? Why are we talking?”
“There’ve been complaints, Jim. Parents.”
Jim relaxed a bit and interrupted. “As I anticipated. Particularly when we got to the end of World War Two in the Pacific. There are some issues there, I know, and I believe I touched all the bases, leaving no opinions out. But what’s the complaint?”
“Hiroshima, Jim, it’s what happened there.”
Jim stiffened a bit, replying to the principal. “Sure, President Truman authorized the use of the atomic bomb to end the war, killing over a hundred thousand innocent civilians in Hiroshima. And a load more a few days later in Nagasaki to show that we weren’t kidding. We all know that but consider the alternative he faced. I explained to the kids that our not using the bomb would have meant invading Japan itself to end the war. That would have meant a lengthy struggle taking many years perhaps, presenting tremendous logistical problems, and costing many lives. Knowing the ferocity of the Japanese soldiers, losing 200,000 American lives in such an invasion was a conservative estimate. We wrote papers on both sides of the argument, held debates, and spent two weeks on the unit. I think the kids learned a lot.”
“I know, I know. You did a great job, Jim.”
“So what’s the complaint?” Jim answered. “Could it have been on our discussions of nuclear disarmament, never using such weapons again? Making them illegal? Or talking about the morality of using the wholesale killing of an innocent civilian population as a weapon? Or maybe how nuclear weapons served to deter a future war where everyone would be a loser so long as both sides had the ability to vaporize the other’s major cities? Both having the power to initiate mutual annihilation would serve to prevent that awful thing from happening. That’s the way it seems to have worked out, Paul, over the years since Hiroshima. Like I asked you, what’s wrong with teaching the kids about the way things are? What’s the complaint?”
“Jim, there’s not a word you’ve said that I don’t agree with,” answered the principal.
“So what, specifically, is it that these parents are complaining about? Jim asked. “Why are we talking?”
“The bombing of Hiroshima, Jim.”
“What about it? We covered it thoroughly.”
“Two of your students’ parents objected to your identifying the plane which dropped the bomb.”
“Sure, it was a B-29 Super Fortress, right?”
“Yes, yes, but the crew had painted a nickname on the plane’s nose. You mentioned that.”
“Of course, of course. It became famous!”
Jim hesitated, holding his hand to his mouth. “Oh my God!” he exploded, “Oh my God!”
“Yes, Jim. That’s it. From now on, when you teach this course, and I want you to continue teaching it, you cannot mention that B-29’s nickname. This is Florida, you know. You risk losing your job, and the school district stands to lose some State funding, if we permit you to mention that plane’s name in your classroom.”
Jim got up and ran out of the principal’s office into the hallway, screaming at the top of his lungs, “ Oh my God, Enola Gay! Enola Gay! Enola Gay!”
That is hilarious but No doubt in my mind that would happen here.I really don’t think they understand all the Laws they are passing are about being just Anti-Democrat. If you recall TFG was so greedy for Votes he was inviting toward the Gay community until he was elected. I think all this stuff that DeSantis is doing is having a negative effect toward the party as a whole. People aren’t saying anything because they know they will be a Target and get Harassed. We used to be called “ Friendly Floridians “. That does not apply to Political Debate any longer.I guess time will tell. When a Political Party can cause Ppl to get divorced that’s not a positive sign. In my entire life that’s never happen before TFG. And what or who you believe created this planet, nothing goes backwards.
😄😆😄
The poor teachers. No one who hasn’t taught elementary aged children for at least five years should have any say in what teachers talk to kids about.
It's meant to intimidate teachers into spouting the reactionary right party line. Barring talk of gender identity taken at face value would also prohibit teachers from referring to Jack as a boy. It would make illegal not only references to Heather's two mommies, but also to Janet's mom and dad. But everyone knows that is not the intention. It's also meant to get voters so freaked out that they will agree to any garbage the authoritarians feed them. The worst part is, it works.
Heather has two mommies? My niece has two mommies.
So does my daughter.
❤️❤️
I would’ve enjoyed having two mommies. Well, in a sense I did, because my mother and her sister were so close, they lived in the same building or down the street from each other when I was young. That sister, my aunt Gertrude, is my godmother. It was the father’s side I could’ve done without. Sheesh. But it gives me deep insight into the other side’s thinking and game strategy. At a price.
hugs
🤗 back atcha
Yeah, it works with the feeble minded
“Surely there are more pressing issues to deal with.
Move on to something that matters.”
Exactly! Floridians on both sides of the aisle shroud be outraged. A local Fl House. Rep just announced he would push IN 2023 to make gender-affirming care for minors felony child abuse.
IN 2022, we have skyrocketing ( up 30-40%)homeowner’s insurance, a lack of affordable housing, a broken unemployment system.
The recent session of the Florida legislature found time to deal with what books were unacceptable in schools and limited discussions of gender there. They didn't find time to deal with homeowners' insurance crsis and several other important issues. And when these legislators, they're all Republicans, get re-elected as most of them will be, we can stop criticizing them and start criticizing the voters who put them into office. And that means attacking the democratic process itself and when we do that, we are in real trouble.
If it wasn’t so pathetic it would be funny.The Trauma the Repub. parents are putting their kids through . And they can’t do anything that really matters cuz then they might be called “ Socialist ! “
Thank you, Heather, for once again tying all the loose threads together to show the pattern. There were warnings that, once the conservatives abolished abortion, they’d take aim at contraception. Now we see them doing exactly that. One has to wonder how C. and G. Thomas can support a group that would make their marriage illegal; perhaps they, like so many of Hitler’s supporters, think that they will be exempted from the law due to their service.
“But we people are special, dontcha know”
Greg Olear’s take on Ginni and Clarence:
The Skinny on Ginni
https://gregolear.substack.com/p/whats-the-frequency-clarence-the?s=r
Lucian Truscott’s take on Ginni and Clarence:
https://luciantruscott.substack.com/p/a-hard-truth?s=r
Thank you Heather.
In my view, Judge Jackson will make a fine SCOTUS justice - although, for now, she’ll be in a 6 to 3 minority.
Are we going the way of Hungary?
Not if we Democrats turn out our voices and votes. If not…
I think we need to turn out in numbers on the streets to raise our voices louder than Fox and OAN. We are being so quiet whilst our country continues this ridiculous slide into authoritarian rule, run by the seditionists we pay in our governments. It is insane. What is the matter with us? We need to move into the streets.
The R's are throwing so much complete stupidity out there that we can't see clearly what we are even fighting against. (what good would it do to protest against things that are imaginary)? The logical thing to do is ignore the crazies, but being logical is hurting us.
We do need to start with getting the word out about what a truly good job Biden is doing. And mobilize our side to get out and vote. You are correct that we are being too quiet.
Heck, there are so many things to demonstrate for and protest against. If we protest we can be heard in large numbers. The cult do not read our facts and writings or watch intelligent speakers. They need soundbites and visuals. They need demonstrations with signs, pictures and chants. They need to hear the everyday person talk about how close we are to losing our rights and becoming authoritarian. They need to hear exactly what an authoritarian regime is-- like in Russia. It is a rigged democracy much like the repubs want in our country and are very close to that. They need to hear stories from repubs who wrangled themselves out of cults and how hard that neurolinguistic program is to unwind. We need to educate the masses on saving our democracy from totalitarians who just want power and will lie and destroy everyone's rights. Voting. The white privileged Caste system where only they are on top. Civil Rights. Women's Rights to their own bodies. Against Putin and genocide. Power to Ukraine and other democracies around the world. Protest ridiculous amounts of money in politics and corporatocracy. Free thinking people vs politicians and radicals strangling our educational systems and teachers.
Cults and Conspiracies. Propaganda vs Facts and Truth. and Justice for Americans who are paying the wages of seditionists in our own governments. I could go on, but it is time to get off our keyboards and into the streets. They can be peaceful vigils, one hour a week. Whatever floats your boat. But it needs to come from Us. Our systems are failing and we need to gain power and strength to create new ones that protect all the people. We need to do this globally, not just locally. Everytown needs to let their people know they do not want wackos on their school boards. Talk about the right's fight for freedom of guns, of suppressing votes and rigging systems. Pick anything or pick them all. The cult does not really read, they are visual learners and sound-biters. They need to be flooded with louder voices than their cult leaders. They need to be, in the least, offered Truth. They need to learn about what social programs do for them--roads, bridges, schools, mental health, healthcare, ambulances, hospitals, Urgent Care, fostercare, foodstamps and unemployment, medicare, social security, WIC, child tax credits, social services, women's crisis centers, Child Protective Services, prisons, courts, police, national parks and recreational parks, museums, the arts and entertainment. The republicans want to do by cutting our government to fit in a small bathtub, with no checks and balances. No care for the environment or human life. But they want to force babies to be born into a system that cares nothing about them. Stand up for something. Help them to see a broader vision before the water is too hot to get out of the kettle. Let them imagine living without all of these socially funded programs. Do not call it "socialism" because that cannot break through their conditioning (brainwashing). I could go on but I better get to work to pay my taxes to fund the fricking seditionists in D.C..
The idea of protests makes sense. Civil Rights, The Climate Strike, a worldwide protest to call attention to the climate crisis and the Women’s protest after Trumps inauguration. And then the many anti-war protests, wars our government supported with funding and /or military presence. The list goes on because joining together is a way to be heard. A big challenge is how a divided America could come together. Half listen to the demagogues and criminals of the repub party. And I worry how they tried to destroy Black Lives Matter with riots and lies. Still, what other choices do we have than standing UP and speaking out? What else is working?
Thank you, Professor. Your letter is objective and complete. I could predict today’s news as long as it’s about the repubs, how they vote, what they say and why. No, I’m not clairvoyant. They have continued their opposition of democratic values and constitutional law. Not one good reason to oppose the nomination of Judge Jackson for Supreme Court Justice. Their questions and their responses during the hearings and reasons to oppose are exactly as Grassley said. Well, no. I interpret them as racist and basically undemocratic. Dems need a majority in next election or we will be in even more trouble.
Not sure even a majority will save us. Voting is rigged.
The truth shall set us free. Or so it’s been said. But in this case, the truth is a big warning. IF. So the next “honest” election.
On the atrocities in Bucha Ukraine, see the NYT's Visual Investigation team's work in today's edition & the use of Maxar satellite imagery to detail the dates Bucha civilians were murdered along Yablonska Street near the Bucha train station. A Human Rights Watch level of documentation is required to prove War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and /or Genociide to be presented in Ukraine's domestic Courts or in International Tribunals. At least three ( 3 ) nation states including the United States are securing evidence as well.
Update: Per NYT at 8:40 am Eastern, Zelensky will address the UN Security Council today giving Worldwide norice of over 300 murdered Ukranian civilians in Bucha.
Thank you for update, Bryan.
I don't understand why we are all shocked, considering Putin's record in so many other countries. This has happened over and over and over again and we turned a blind eye. Why is it different now?
You are correct Steph including a thin eastern strip of Moldova literally on the western border of Ukraine. Why is it different now? Many reasons but, just one is the Biden Team`s ability to swiftly use real time natjonal security intelligence to keep the world up to speed to fight disinformation. Another reason is the widespread use of private Satellite Technology such as Maxar which is in use today.. Another is the development inside national media companies of "Visual Investigation" teams also in evidence today at the NYT. And, of course the development of disciplined digital comminities such as LFAA.
Not sure why but for the first time since i subscribed, I did not receive todays letter in my email. I was notified yesterday that my account would be auto-renewing soon … I would like to keep receiving the emails. How do I contact tech support? Thanks
Me too Emily. I just Googled " letters from an american april 4, 2022" to get HCR`s real time history and your comment.
It happens occasionally . Go to yesterday’s letter for the link
From The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/04/the-guardian-view-on-hungarys-election-a-dismal-day-for-democracy
“What now for the European Union’s most challenged and compromised democracy? The scale of Viktor Orbán’s fourth consecutive election victory in Hungary was crushing, comprehensive and unexpected. Faced for the first time with a united opposition alliance that put internal differences aside, predictions of a close race – or at least a competitive one – were confounded. On a high turnout, Mr Orbán’s Fidesz party actually won a greater number of seats than it held previously while Péter Márki-Zay, the opposition’s candidate for prime minister, failed even to win the local constituency he was contesting. Once again, resistance to Mr Orbán’s brand of authoritarian, conservative nationalism was largely confined to Budapest and other urban centres.“
And here is the key.
“Resistance to Mr Orbán’s brand of authoritarian, conservative nationalism was largely confined to Budapest and other urban centres.“
Just like here, Democrats mostly control the urban inner city and Republicans mostly control the rest of America.
How does the Democratic Party make inroads into rural America?
Need to figure that out before midterms.
Education and exposure. Here’s to Judy Garland. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2URLyxcdpgA
Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking
Said his wifey dear
Now that all is peaceful and calm
The boys will soon be back on the farm
Mister Reuben started winking and slowly rubbed his chin
He pulled his chair up close to mother
And he asked her with a grin
How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
After they've seen Paree'
How ya gonna keep 'em away from Broadway
Jazzin around and paintin' the town
How ya gonna keep 'em away from harm, that's a mystery
They'll never want to see a rake or plow
And who the deuce can parleyvous a cow?
How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
After they've seen Paree'
Rueben, Rueben, you're mistaken
Said his wifey dear
Once a farmer, always a jay
And farmers always stick to the hay
Mother Reuben, I'm not fakin
Tho you may think it strange
But wine and women play the mischief
With a boy who's loose with change
How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
After they've seen Paree'
How ya gonna keep 'em away from Broadway
Jazzin around and paintin' the town
How ya gonna keep 'em away from harm, that's a mystery
Imagine Reuben when he meets his Pa
He'll kiss his cheek and holler "OO-LA-LA!
How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
After they've seen Paree'?
Orban is showing us exactly how Republicans will rule when they take Congress (2022) and the White House (2024). They will immediately abandon Ukraine and declare fealty to Putin. They will end any pretense at free and fair elections, installing their voter suppression and outcome control systems in every state. The 14th amendment will be repealed, and all of the civil rights of minorities (Black, immigrants, LGBTQ, etc) will be eliminated. Their distorted view of "Religious freedom" will become the law, and Christianity will become the official national religion. Abortion, inter-racial marriage, gay marriage, birth control, atheism, etc will become illegal.
You may think I'm exaggerating (I wish that I was). Only a few short years ago we thought that Republicans would never elect dangerous wackos like Trump, MTG, Boebert, Gosar, Cawthorn, Hawley, etc. Now these wackos are the heart and soul of their party, and Republicans like Grassley and Graham who were once somewhat reasonable have fully embraced Trump and Qanon. To understand the future under Republican rule, look to Orban, Tucker Carlson and MTG. That, I fear, is where we're headed.
Thank you Heather.
I watched the coverage of the tie vote (11-11) yesterday . The typical drama Llama Republicans showing their revolt against Judge Brown. I wouldn't say this nomination is in the can just yet. I don't trust Collins, Murkowski or Romney. Sinema is completely untrustworthy.
My understanding is this could be finalized by the end of the week. One way or the other.
I'm finding the lack of blow back from the GOP Members that are continuing to publicly idolize Putin and Orban to be expected. Why?
How did we get to this painfully low level, this quickly under the tenure of the man we thought would save us? I remember sitting in a parking lot listening to the radio and hearing that Biden won. It seems like a lifetime ago.
Be safe. Be well.
I remember seeing different scenes of people going outside (masked up and some emerging from homes to socialize for first time) celebrating the Biden-Harris victory after some days of waiting for official announcement. The joy and the community celebration across the US was more contagious than COVid on that day.
Salud, Linda!
Christine, I remember it well. I went into a large grocery store right after and people were in absolute jubilation. The underlying tone was we're going to be okay. We will be safe now. People were crying they were so happy.
Today they cry, but for other reasons.
My Washington Post subscription allows me to share access to great journalism. Check out this gift article, at no cost to you.
Ron DeSantis’s repulsive war on Disney will soon face a reckoning
Read here: https://wapo.st/3u8FZws
Thanks ! It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Recent article (behind a pay wall) in the Orlando Sentinel stated Disney and related businesses in Florida bring in over 18 BILLION/year.$$$$
Mickey, Minnie & Friends are formidable opponents.
Thanks Christopher, Greg Sargent aka " The Plum Line" is very readable & capable analytically.
Sargent points out that the number of Disney employees is multiple times greater than DeathSantis' electoral margin last time.
I know most readers here are also consumers of Crooked Media, but for those who aren’t, wanted to make sure this was seen:
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-04-03/what-if-fox-news-viewers-watched-cnn-instead
Thank you Beth, I first read Matthew Yglesias through Paul Krugman (NYT) references & links.
Nope. Behind paywall.
I know what else they hate. They hate that her last name is JACKSON, like Jesse Jackson. They hate that her first name is not a WASP name like Amy or Ruth. They hate having to work their mouths to say Ketanji. No one in THEIR world has a name ending in i. They hate that she isn't a Caucasoid narrow-nosed light-skinned African American. They hate having such a distinctly non-male non-Caucasian face sitting in judgment on WHITE MEN.