As I try to cover the news tonight, I am struck by how completely the Republican Party, which began in the 1850s as a noble endeavor to keep the United States government intact and to rebuild it to work for ordinary people, has devolved into a group of chaos agents feeding voters a fantasy world.
As always -very grateful for your continuing work to inform, educate, and engage Heather. Unfortunately our democracy suffers from the demise of the fourth estate -news media, now beholden to profit, substitutes entertainment for news. Is it newsworthy to see diplomacy, compromise, and negotiations unfold for a U.S. budget that is fiscally responsible, and yet ensures a vibrant economy, climate action, and focus on societal imperatives? NO! Media would rather put a camera in front of a sociopathic circus clown like Gaetz, Taylor-Greene, Boebert, DeSantis, or Abbott. They would rather provide 24x7 coverage of a corrupt narcissist pretend mob boss like Trump -because who knows what he'll say or do.
This fourth estate vacuum makes your work, and the work of others to educate, inform, and engage society vital. In many respects, you and a small group of others are the last defenders of democracy -which requires an educated, informed, and engaged society.
George, yes — the media attention to tffg's antics rather than Biden's accomplishments is so distressing, and no doubt helped him get elected in 2016. And there's another incredibly alarming development since 2015-16 — Facebook and Twitter now actively block Democratic and democratic political posts, by not amplifying them. Those of us who constantly TRY to amplify rational, annotated analysis , like HCR's posts, have been silenced on platforms that reach more than the choir (which much as I love all you people, we ARE). If anyone has any ideas of other platforms where we can disseminate information outside of our own comforting but converted bubble, I would be extremely grateful to hear.
Alexandra, fortunately, HCR does have a FB page and her daily LFAA are also posted there. From a quick glance, she receives a daily average of 45K “likes”, 2K comments and hundreds of shares.
Holy smokes! I went to FB. Opened HCR’s account. Shared today’s letter, and now my FB account is RESTRICTED FOR 11 HOURS. My free speech just got shut down while TFG can run roughshod over Free Speech?
Damn Ronald Reagan and his eliminating the Fairness Doctrine, among other precious policies protecting “equity” in media, the environment, people with mental illness, and on and on. I wish all the people who love him so knew how much harm he and his cronies did. Thugs with a puppet. Hmmm. TFG is a thug who is a puppet. Bought. Delivering. God help us. And about my FB? Did that happen to anyone else? Try to share today’s HCR and get banned for 11 hours?
I am not on FB--not on any social media actually--however, I forward the daily letter via email. This was how I was introduced to it. I suggest that all here consider the old fashioned way of getting the news out.
BTW, I sometimes also print out and mail/hand letters to family who are elderly and don't have a computer!!
Miselle, Every individual effort, no matter how small, is worthwhile and further disseminates accurate information. I'll have to try your methods. I don't use FB for many reasons.
Miselle, you are posting solutions again, imagine that. 🌷 Community, over at Joyce Vance's Civil Discourse she has posted another of her "5
Questions" (5Q's) this time with the Nations top 1st Amendment Appellate attorney. Get empowered to counter misinformation about "FREE SPEECH". Don't even need a JD.
I'm wondering if you got banned because one of the readers of your share complained. It may not be FB algorithms targeting truth, but MAGA zombies complaining when they hear/read it.
I don't know about you, but I started seeing some FB friends' true colors after Trump was elected, after Me Too, after BLM, after Ukraine, etc. Some unfriended me when I tried to logically ask a question, and I unfriended one and unfollowed several to preserve my blood pressure. I will share today's HCR post - I usually don't - but don't expect to be reported because of the whitling down of fringe friends that happened just before the pandemic.
Yes, I have been sanctioned by FB over the years when someone (unknown who) filed a complaint about me. Occasionally, FB eventually says they punished me in error but the damage is done. Keep posting anyway; that’s what I do. I share HCR’s Letter to my friends every day but only to them as I have my account set to “Friends only” and not “Public.”
Ive shared Heather's letters at various times, including to MSNBC news group, and did again just now. No problems. Maybe FB doesn't have a "north of the border" (technically east for me)
I share an occasional HCR newsletter on FB and have not had any repercussions. I don't know why FB would care since she has a FB site where ALL of the Letters get posted anyway. I find a more elevated discussion here on Substack than on the HCR FB site. I'm not sure why. I get the impression a higher percentage of FB subscribers like to fight than discuss than are in the group that frequents this site. Someone stooging for a political party may have reported your post to try to harass you and shut you up just because the Letter contradicted their agenda.
Rose, the problem is that those "Shares" from her readers aren't reaching anywhere near the audience that they did a few years ago, because FB's algorithm does not promote them any more. And anything linked from Substack is NOT disseminated (it helps marginally to put the link in the Comments of the FB post rather than the body of the post.
Which means on FB HCR and others are now only reaching a committed audience of people with the same politics as probably well over 90% of her audience here.
The one upside is that HCR keeps “us” engaged daily, so it is up to us to talk about Bidenomics. When someone says something about gas prices you can respond with- at least we aren’t paying $10+ a gallon like they are in England. Same idea with inflation. Our country could have come out of this pandemic so much worse off, and if voters hand it back to the circus now, they WILL screw it up with the wrong decisions.
Want to get those people back - remind them their retirement funds rely on a strong economy, and will you trust that clown to protect that?
The Maui fire may convince some of climate change which is a driver of food inflation. There’s that to add to your excellent suggestions, JaneDough56. (Love the spelling!)
I send daily HCR to two friends (maybe the only non-subscribers I know), but indeed I recognize that we are a choir. Perhaps the most important contribution we can make to spreading the word is to get involved in national campaigns of which there will be many for the rest of this year and encompassing most of the next.
I was forced by my boss to activate a personal fb account in order to post on the organization's official fb account regarding what I did or was thinking of about the organization. That is, they forced me to do official work off the books thru the official fb account for reasons impossibly explained. I think I only used the site 4 or 5 times in those years before I retired. The day I retired I erased my fb account.
On top of all that, the adverts were extremely objectionable. I've not had a television in the house for over 30 years because the adverts were so pathetic and sickening. Fb was worse. Why anyone would deliberately invite that crap into their home is beyond me.
Same for Fox. Seen it once, seen all you need to see.
As social media platforms have consolidated to the hands of a few, I've been working with a small group to provide a platform that will be partially owned by subscribers, and committed to facts, evidence, science, and strengthening democracy.
A platform where different perspectives (predicated upon factual information) are embraced, conversations are respectful -and we codify places where there is societal agreement into effective action -whether through elections, initiatives, referendums, and policy. A very small pilot exists at social.civ.works -however there are major plans underway, and includes web, iOS, and Android.
Cool idea. I do have one question, since I cannot see anything without registering, and the front page won't load for me unless I unblock FB and Google first:
I get that letting people log in with FB or Google can help speed things up for the impatient, but if the interface won't work when they are completely blocked, then I do not know what level of privacy is actually being provided. I keep FB and Google from loading on third-party pages precisely because they could not care less about my privacy.
If I were to enable FB and Google access, but did not log in with either of them, do you know what information they would be collecting? Is there a way to make this web app work without requiring that their servers are contacted upon loading the front page?
The platform allows people to authenticate via their existing FB or Google accounts however access to civ.works is completely independent. For example you could use your email to register on civ.works without any active account or connection to any other platform.
Optional Integration with the Fediverse is on our roadmap and we do not share email or any subscriber data without a subscriber’s permission.
I'll see if I can register and then log in and turn off the calls to FB and Google. I'm on Firefox on Linux, which is a niche inside a niche, but many of us privacy geeks hang out in it because it works well for keeping the web navigable for the paranoid. :)
My technology career began long ago in the UNIX realm. These days I painfully admit to relying upon windows to manage stuff and iOS to mobile manage stuff.
I’ve become the person I used to make fun of. Do keep in mind we are in very early stages on the platform. We have solid plans and I’m working to raise money for an important round of new engineering work.
I have noticed that on Facebook, when I post family/ pet pics, I immediately gets several likes/comments. When I share HCR or other relevant political information, not a peep. I have discovered that for some reason, no one sees them. 😡
Cathy I have a solution to your problem. When I am posting something serious, I ALWAYS include a pic of my dog. And I always use some kind of intro such as "Bertie the Poodle and I were thinking about this the other day . . . " It confounds the FB logarithms. Of course, my FB page is not open access because I don't like getting trolled by strangers, so it's my friends who are not responding--and they get announcements about my posts, I am sure. But it also encourages THEM to take a look.
Linda Mitchell -- such a brilliant idea to post a photo of your dog (or in my case another kind of photo)! I had just started wondering about that idea when I read what you suggest. I usually copy and paste HCR's LFAA to my FB page when it is particularly poignant. Even that garners only 1 or 2 responses.
It can also be useful to post the link to HCR (or whatever other politically-charged post you might want to share) in the comments instead of in the main post, and add something like "see comments for more links" to the main post.
Cathy, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I've heard the same from other activist friends. My political posts and shares on FB often used to get hundreds of comments, and not just from liberal friends. It was real discussion. Now the only things I post that get reactions are pretty travel pictures and movie reviews. It's a deliberate policy.
I want to know more about what FB does with, say, Heather's Letters. I post them often. I get 3-4 likes––usually the same people. That's not zero but it's not the same number I used to get. Do some people see them and others are barred? I had been thinking people are so overwrought about politics that fatigue has set in and they skip what I post. Any thoughts on that?
I think that's what FB WANTS us to think. It's not at all true. It's not just you. The algorithm is now filtering out political posts so none (or a handful) of your followers are seeing them. What I don't know is whether Republican-leaning posts are being filtered as aggressively
There are many official government postings on Facebook from a variety of officials . They are informative. However, I have spent literally hours deleting trolls, bots, you name them, MAGA hateful, radically so, threatening, comments to such posts. Of course, that does nothing to the feed that others read. I report but have no sense that my reports are acted upon in any way as the categories of offensive do not apply. I have no reason to think that Mark Zuckerburg gives a damn about this nation. He’s in it for the 💰. If there is no censorship this violent leaning rhetoric, our nation could be lost on Facebook alone. A salient point is no one under a certain age goes there anymore. We must engage younger voters ie Gen Z and millennials on other platforms like TikTok, help me here, others? Where they engage with one another. Only problem there is their speech patterns and acronyms are difficult for we intellectual leaning older people to use. I recall another; CHAT Box? In any event you get my meaning. Facebook is not a place that will be helpful to get to our goals of Democracy. There is another thought that comes to mind inadequately; there are three reasons why we have offended younger people (the Courts) . The cancellation of the hold on repayment of massive student loan debts is not well received by graduates who were unemployable with degrees in subjects that provide no jobs. Another is the absence of attention to climate change (yes, I know, coming) but Biden campaigned on this & has violated his promises with Willow, the MVP and the approval to drill again in the Gulf with the auction of leases there.
If he would only share his reasoning it would be most helpful. The third obstacle to reaching young voters is: ???
Could be the astronomical cost of housing virtually everywhere.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Letter to Gen Z rep Maxwell Frost who undoubtedly has his finger on the pulse of not only his
constituents but his peers; WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM GOVERNANCE? We need these young people to win 2024.
I actually tried advising people on "your story" of important stuff I posted on FB. Didn't work, I think because such "your story"s were shown to very few people.
There’s a way to fix that, which might take Congressional action to make happen but FB etc could choose to do it on their own. Platforms should provide an easy to use settings tool that allows users to choose what kind of posts they most want to see. Maybe that’s cats, or cousins; maybe politics, or anger, or music; or a particular mix. Whatever.
They won't do it without Congress requiring it, because now they make money by selling your eyeballs to advertisers, which includes constantly changing their algorithms to keep you engaged as they define it.
Everybody on this Substack page should go over to FB and like Heather’s latest post. On FB this morning it says that HCR has 11.7 million followers. It also says that 11 people are following. Odd isn’t it? Old Elon may be at work with his band of elves.
The 11 is who Heather is following. I have her as a favorite along with other commentators I follow. I go to my feed choices and click on favorites. I do this specifically for all the reasons that have been said. It’s the way I ignore the algorithms.
I understand the point of your suggestion, but it is not even remotely possible for me to post something positive about the mango baboon. (My apologies to baboons)
Alexandra Sokoloff... TWO SUGGESTIONS, EACH OPINING ON SUBSTACK, WITH ONE A LEGITIMATE ACADEMIC WRITING AND THINKING: STEVE SCHMIDT AND YALE HISTORY PROFESSOR TIMOTHY SNYDER... 1) Steve Schmidt does the job... THE WARNING WITH STEVE SCHMIDT is not a mindless recitation of established fact, an idiot savant’s history; rather, Steve Schmidt is in a DAILY controlled rage attacking the disgusting MSM - leading with FOX, but including the rest, and the meaningless clap trap on cable and elsewhere... and 2) THINKING ABOUT by Timothy Snyder... far the best historian writing today on current events and their meaning regarding FASCISM... SNYDER features decay in democracy and speaks the languages of Eastern Europe... and sorts out the needed... the lack of newspapers... in the USA today... remember the thing about the three branches of government, legislative, judicial, executive... with the 4th being more valuable than the three: a free press, journalism, now nearly destroyed by the hugely profitable entertainment industry or MAIN STREAM MEDIA, MSM, THAT SMOTHERS THE OTHER THREE...
Alexandra Sokoloff... SUBSTACK is another indication of what’s wrong... and we are all in this.. in the name of history, SUBSTACK ENTERTAINS, SUBSTACK DOES NOT REPLACE THE 4TH ESTATE OR HISTORIANS... YET SUBSTACK IS THE SHORT CUT TO KNOWLEDGE THAT APPEALS TO YOU AND ME... AND TRULY STUNTS OUR EDUCATION AND WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS... SCHMIDT AND SNYDER - THE FEW THAT I HAVE FOUND - ATTEMPTS TO FILL THE VOID...
SB: I don't mean to offend, but your writing would be better organized and easier to read if you used standard punctuation marks rather than ellipsis, and followed standard usage of upper and lower case in your sentences. Given all the daily comments here and on other platforms, I skim and skip over those too difficult to grasp. Your otherwise excellent point gets left behind. (Sorry!)
Sandy, I have a mental image of you crouched in the dark, madly typing away, trying not to wake your wife.
Listen, point taken. Maybe Substack is not a substitute for the 4th estate but... selective consumption ( as you point out) helps incredibly as the conventional 4th estate is having its identity crisis and social media is a teen-ager driven by hormones!
Also, (you and others here are great examples) we are not passive consumers; we are interactive, most often politically and socially active, intellectually broad ( we read and think and argue and learn and change) and each one of us is at the hub of an array of family, friends and acquaintances. We are exponentially relevant. As I see it, this substack is a launching pad for informed action, far from the mindless, soul destroying kind of amusement so much "entertainment" has become today.
Please don't leave HCR out of your list of important substack writers. I just know you secretly "love her to death", as we say so innocently in the south.
Slainte ( to your health). Always glad when you " write madly in your sleep" and are here with us.
Substack by itself is insufficient. We need to ramp up civics and history education. We need to preserve responsible local news. Billionaires should invest in both if they actually believe in democracy
Just fyi: Billionaire governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, signed into legislation the requirement that middle schools must be taught one semester of civics. This just was signed in the last day or two.
Miselle, Besides doing a wonderful job as governor, he is a huge Democratic donor. He could fund a Presidential campaign with his own money. I don't want to lose him as governor, perhaps he could fund another Democratic candidate in 2028.
Looking back at the various inflection points in my life, mainly involving interactions with people who either helped or hurt me, what I really remember is not what they said or even did, but the feelings they evoked at the time. Face Book et. al., have developed algorithms to capitalize on this. Like it or not, the MSM has followed suit. Content, especially "above the fold" content, must evoke an emotion - any emotion, to gain attention and be memorable. Now, we seem to call this "traction". The MAGA-verse has made appealing to negative emotions (fear, anger, outrage) their focus, and they're very good at it. So far, they've even found fairly creative ways to combat the "outrage fatigue" that has plagued such tactics in the past. The problem with that type of thinking is that it is isolating to those who engage in it.
To counter this, I posit that we must appeal to an even more fundamental trait of humans - we are highly cooperative. The only truly eusocial large animal, in fact. Pocket book issues can appeal to this, as do fighting for other's rights - remember how same sex marriage was passed a few yeas ago, or abortion rights have traction in red states today? The reality that none of us do well when some of aren't is not simply a feel-good tag line. It is a basic fact of human psychology, one we have not learned nearly enough about. I'm sure there is good work being done on this that can be applied to social and other media. I am unaware of any now, however.
Barbara S, you mentioned "Global stability and NATO solidarity."
I hope you will consider the possibility that Biden's Ukraine policy (with NATO the flip side of the IMF) risks pushing us toward nuclear confrontation with a well-armed, vengeful Russia (because the "Shock Therapy" genocide that we imposed on them in the 1990s killed off all their old people).
No idea what you are talking about. Russia outwitted the IMF when their own oligarchs took Russia"s money and power away from the would-be IMF oligarchs. Russia is the one that is now imposing shock therapy and war crimes on Ukraine. Your comments are uniformly uninformed as you parrot right wing disinformation.
Thank you for your response, but the dismissive tone is not appreciated, especially the slap in the face about "parroting right wing disinformation." For example, published just before the frozen civil war in the Donbass unfroze:
"Ukraine is brutally repressing the left, criminalizing socialist parties, imprisoning activists"
Steve Abbott, empathy is a trait that allows humans to genuinely feel for others in difficult circumstances that they themselves are not experiencing. I don't see this trait In tfg's supporters and republicans in general. They are out for themselves, perhaps their family (tribe), but anyone at a distance or different they are indifferent to their suffering. I believe that this country is not divided, that most people have empathy and concern for those less fortunate, but the mainstream media, as many her have noted, is the culprit in creating a culture of division.
One of Roy Cohan's lessons that trump absorbed in his pea brain was that there is no such thing as bad publicity. He just keeps being as outrageous as usual. His big mouth should be cause for him being jailed and an earlier than planned for trial. If and when he is convicted all law abiding people and those who know how critical the rule of law is will see justice served putting him in prison and let his support fuss and or riot. Putting a political candidate in prison who needs to be president so he can pardon himself is his prime motive for running again, because he knows he is GUILTY and is terrified of being put in prison. (No doubt a federal prison, which is like a country club compared to a state prison and like a prison compared to a country club.)
I listen to Thom Hartmann every week day for the last 20 years on Free Speech TV, read his reports. Thom and Heather are priceless but I am so tired of the same ole crap over and over again. The dems foolishly don't know how to wield power when they are in control and could get things done. Obama was a capitulator.
Today Dr. Richardson's voice does stand out for her definition of Biden's and Democrats work and for her able and honest definition of Republicans. Republicans are hiding under rocks in fear of losing the next election if they speak up (since the real problem is Americans, not Trump).
However, something may be afoot among the Far Right (those that can read anyway).
The below is what I have been saying since January 7th, 2021. Of course, I am a nobody engineer who read the fourteenth amendment in my high school history class when I was 16.
In particular, the fourteenth amendment included specific words to keep former Confederate soldiers from holding office. But, the words were not "Confederate soldiers", the words were "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the United States.
From the NY Times today (link above and below)
"Two prominent conservative law professors have concluded that Donald J. Trump is ineligible to be president under a provision of the Constitution that bars people who have engaged in an insurrection from holding government office. I do think Dr. Richardson has mentioned this in one of her letters in the past.
The professors are active members of the Federalist Society, the conservative legal group, and proponents of originalism, the method of interpretation that seeks to determine the Constitution’s original meaning.
The professors — William Baude of the University of Chicago and Michael Stokes Paulsen of the University of St. Thomas — studied the question for more than a year and detailed their findings in a long article to be published next year in The University of Pennsylvania Law Review. (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4532751)
“When we started out, neither of us was sure what the answer was,” Professor Baude said. “People were talking about this provision of the Constitution. We thought: ‘We’re constitutional scholars, and this is an important constitutional question. We ought to figure out what’s really going on here.’ And the more we dug into it, the more we realized that we had something to add.”
"Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits anyone who has previously taken an oath of office (Senators, Representatives, and other public officials) from holding public office if they have "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the United States.
He summarized the article’s conclusion: “Donald Trump cannot be president — cannot run for president, cannot become president, cannot hold office — unless two-thirds of Congress decides to grant him amnesty for his conduct on Jan. 6.”"
“The question of should Donald Trump go to jail is entrusted to the criminal process,” he said. “The question of should he be allowed to take the constitutional oath again and be given constitutional power again is not a question given to any jury.”
Indeed. Too many stir up their base with anti-government rhetoric and then seek to destroy democratic institutions from within. While this certainly dates back to the Civil War era, in modern times we had Reagan joking about government while Grover Norquist wanted a government so small he could drown it in a bathtub. The attacks upon government in the form of an incompetent fringe working to control the House is not a competition of ideas on how to grow the economy in a sustainable manner. It is an attack upon our very system. Trump, his co-conspirators, and accessories after the fact should all be expelled and/or barred from ever “serving” in an elected position or in the public sector for which they have declared as the enemy.
Reagan only attacked that part of the government that worked for the majority of Americans.
He fully supported massive increases in government spending for military contractors including initiating and spending $1 Trillion ($3.1 Trillion in today's dollars) on the failed "Star Wars" missile system. Mostly, this increase was to fund his big donors from Southern California.
Reagan was a big fan of Big government where it came to making military contractors richer and making the rich even richer through government programs.
He called this "small government" but in reality it was Huge Government for Military Contractors and Wealthy Donors and "small government" for the majority of Americans.
It is a myth that Reagan supported "small government".
Thank you, George. That we have to be reminded or the constitution re-evaluated and conveniently misconstrued in that process are the basic tenants of authoritarian takeover. There’s little doubt in my mind . It seems only a matter of time before Jack extends this process, the indictments to further eradicate the complicits.
The undermining has been long in its arm of dogged stealth, this movement as most of us have now become aware of , educated about, and now opposing has got to be stopped or we lose America.
It’s a grand thanks to Heather and her able constituents as well as the many of you commenters.
It was via substack I learned of and support this organization.
TurnUp organized by far the largest youth-led youth voter registration and turnout operation in the 2020 election, the 2022 midterms and the 2021 & 2022 Georgia runoff elections based on publicly available data.
They need our support. Read about them at their website
Our youth is a vibrant , smart ‘up and coming’ set , I was a little ahead of that crowd in the late 60’s but joined their antidisestablishmentarianism work/chant/cause feeling the focus was accountability as well as FOR THE PEOPLE. We made history then as they will now.
So, here we are again , the fight never ends keeping people honest. Many have been led astray before and so will be in our future. Evil does not rest.
Prof. Lawrence Tribe gets it. He’s mature. Bill Baude is young. His interpretation is correct. The 14th amendment protects all citizens from racist creeps in sheep’s KKK clothing.
Thanks Mike for pointing this out.I have wondered about why the 14th hasn’t been invoked since Jan 7 2021 too. Lots of Congress members no longer were qualified to hold office, but....Here in New Mexico it was used to keep the Cowboys for Trump leader from returning to his position of county commissioner. After that I expected to hear a lot more about using the 14th but, nada,nothing until now. Better late than never, I suppose.
Educated, informed, and engaged, and prepared to accept (emotional) adult responsibility for the requirements of successful self-governance. To turn down most of the "junk-food" news and to seek and demand useful, accurate, actionable information, as if outcomes mattered. This site can't do it all, but certainly exemplifies the sort of thing that's needed.
And I'm not against important information disseminated through entertainment. Programs like Star Trek, Norman Lear's "All in the Family", MASH, Smothers Brothers, and Rod Serling's "The Twilight Zone" are all important examples of encapsulating provocative social commentary in a manner which made it accessible to far more people. Nevertheless, it should not be offered instead of investigative journalism and analysis -it should be in conjunction with.
The is a need in life for silliness, and powerful truths are often delivered most effectively by fiction, and by other forms of art. I am more concerted when a product purporting to be "news" is mostly beside-the -point fluff, or in the case Fox, a pack of lies. I stopped watching TV news in the run-up to Bush II's Iraq War. The coverage I was seemed like cheer-leading for the war. I began reading the Guardian instead and there found a great deal on useful information about our war adventures that did not show up in local sources until weeks later, if at all. If we are really going to try to be a self-governing nation, of, by and for the people, etc., then we need to find better protocols for informing the public about stuff that matters.
"...informing the public." Yes, that is a tough issue. HCR quotes from the Nixon adviser that it's more effective to appeal to emotions rather than reason. Some wonder why Trump has the support that he does. It's exactly because Trump appeals to emotion rather than reason, i.e., they favor white Christian Nationalism over democracy. The Opinion Today piece in the New York Times by Michelle Cottle, "Why Trump? Why, oh Why? [8/11/2023] puzzles over the enduring grip that Trump holds on a portion of the American electorate. Ms. Cottle writes that there is no easy answer. She's wrong. There is an easy answer. David Norman Smith and Eric Hanley, professors at the Univ. of Kansas, researched and published a study in the peer-reviewed journal, Critical Sociology in February 2018 entitled, "The Anger Games: Who Voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 Election, and Why? Their conclusion? The people who voted for Trump did so because he represents their prejudices, and in particular: racism, misogyny and xenophobia. So, what do these prejudices represent? They represent white Christian Nationalism. The three main idols of white Christian Nationalism are power, fear and violence, according to a recent book by Andrew L Whitehead entitled, "American Idolary."
MAGA Republicanism is nothing new on the American scene. Timothy Egan, in his riveting book, "A Fever in the Heartland," about the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the American Midwest in the 1920's left me with this realization: The 2020's MAGA are the "grandchildren" of the 1920's KKK. It's the same - white Protestantism now and white Protestatism forever. Trump's supporters care more about power than they do democracy.
Totally agree with your point about the KKK's grandchildren. It's a fascinating read, certainly nauseating trial. I remember my mother becoming disturbed when she found out some John Birchers joined our church, even with our pastor heavily involved in JFK's campaign (and later the Paris Peace Talks).
Fever left me feeling that things never change....they may go underground for a while, but as soon as someone like death star gives carte blanche they explode right out of the swamp. I belong to a group on Facebook about my hometown and this week an old building is being demolished and there was a constant lament that my town (Elkhart, Indiana) does not save old buildings and a love for the downtown that once existed. But first they went to Walmart and now probably to Amazon. None of them ever talk about supporting local businesses, but complain about the service at some fast food joint.
What comes to my mind? This: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Perspective is difficult to grasp. Do the MAGA types have no clue as to what they're doing, and why?
I tend to think that easy answers are inadequate where human behavior is involved, including my own theories, because we are inter-interactive, and I imagine that even the most rational of us are capable of doublethink. That said, I agree that there is a broad pattern, an "elephant in the room" about which there is far too little discussion. I am sure I oversimplify, but while "natural selection" ultimately favors the survival and "prosperity" of species, not individuals, we are reactive and of necessity pursue our own self interest. However, unlike so-called "social Darwinists" (who slander Darwin) evolution selected a host of "better angel" characteristics in humans that has enabled us to prosper, in fact, over-prosper as a species; self-reflection, compassion, conscience, artistic expression, appreciation of beauty, abstraction, exceptionally articulate verbal communication and it preservation and portability in writing, disciplined logic, "wisdom", among other traits which while sometimes recognizable in other species are uniquely developed and diversely expressed in our own. I think the "easy" answer is that the rewards of disciplined and sustained effort skills are, while potentially compelling, a much harder sell than appeals to our evolutionarily older "reptile brain", in any case the part of us that is self-obsessed. If one overarching quality exudes from Donald Trump, it is that he is self-obsessed and grants salient permission for his followers to be self-obsessed themselves.
And what is political power except the process that determines whose will prevails, be it collaboratively as is would be with a loving couple deciding what to have for dinner, or a good-faith society making inclusive policy decisions? Or a bully of any age and status abusing some advantage by forcing his or her will on others lacking the justification of compelling self-defense? In the authoritarian society, integrated self-interest rules the roost. Modern Republicans bristle at complying with even their own rules, let alone those advocated by others, yet ache to impose their own preferences on everybody else, and insist on their right to do so. They want to be self-righteous bullies and flatter themselves that it demonstrates their superiority. It's a pattern we see around the world and throughout history. I believe is creates most of the preventable misery our species endures. It has the potential to bring our species to an end. It's malignant narcissism; hubris; "Mr. Hyde"; evil.
It isn't a pretty picture. We are literally destroying our own environment, not only for ourselves but for the other creatures that inhabit this planet. In the end, it may be that we were just smart enough to manufacture our own doom. Imagine, a world with no more humans.
And an added benefit to subscribing to The Guardian (which can be for free, although I support it monthly): because of the time difference, we get the news 5 hours earlier!
I couldn't agree more, George. Mass entertainment doesn't even have to be overtly provocative to change hearts, minds and laws. The tipping point for marriage equality and wider acceptance and tolerance for LGBQ (not T yet) was in large part due to filmmakers and showrunners' behind the scenes fight to include multidimensional gay characters, especially in sitcoms.
And the Barbie movie is a feminist and queer classic! It's going to do more for female empowerment than most laws are able to do.
I have a special love for screenwriters (and filmmakers/showrunners who have the courage) to embrace provocative dialogue catalyzing empathy and understanding in society. It's telling that one can seem to track a steady erosion of educational level in what is considered accessible to American society.
As much as I hate to admit it, for years (when he was active) I got all my political news and analysis from Berkeley Breathed’s Bloom County. Humor really is a great way to get a point across - especially when a pudgy-toed penguin is involved.
Agreed. Allow me to offer one addition: "Law and Order". As I watch old episodes, I am impressed by the range of topics covered by that series, and the discussions engendered. Including its spinoffs (SVU and Criminal Intent).
Law & Order is one of my favorite programs. Specifically, while Steven Hill portrayed the Manhattan DA -his portrayal reminded me so much of my dad -the weight of the world, "seen it all" character. And of course the "Criminal Intent" spinoff with Vincent D'Onofrio was excellent. The writing was terrific on those programs for many years.
Exactly! While I'm not a big television fan, I do read quite a bit. I accidentally stumbled upon a book that gently, gently plants the seeds of thought about how to be a good human--and then became a fan of the author and have read many of his books (Roland Merullo, I've suggested his books on this forum several times.)
My lifelong dream was to be an author, and I was inspired to write in the same way. This is my retirement "job" and I have finished one novel (and submitted it for publication---fingers crossed!) and am editing second novel. Partly through novel #3. If nothing else, when the news overwhelms and dismays me, I seek solace in writing, and I hope for better days.
I remember, even as a kid, not liking All in the Family at all.
The old guy in the show who sat on his arse in a chair all the time ranting about something or the other offput me as an older kid then as a teenager. My family (which includes a Dad from Mexico) never watched the show for the most part.
I do remember the old guy was overtly racist. What was the point of that show anyway? That an old, lazy, white guy can make fun of EVERYONE else??
I think (white) America liked that show because it made white folks feel OK about being racist. If Archie Bunker can do it so can I.
Although I was too young to understand this when the show started, by the time I was in high school it seemed clear to me that it was not celebrating Archie's behavior but poking fun at it without demonizing the character himself. A delicate balance, so the satire had to be subtle.
I don't know how many viewers got the message. I lived in the Deep South, where the show was just as popular as it was anyplace else, but I don't recall it changing anyone's behavior. Maybe it changed some minds? Or maybe it mostly joked with the choir.
George, I got onto Substack because of Heather and Steve Schmidt (the Warning). I could say a lot about the pathetic state of our mainstream media but I’ve said it so many times it’s even boring me. I have however shortened it to a quote by Jesse Jackson “If I walked on water, the headline in the New York Times would be Jesse Jackson can’t swim.”
Interestingly, during Trump's repeated attacks on media as an "Enemy of the people" I found myself unable to criticize them (while holding them partially responsible for Trump's rise to power). However after Reagan eviscerated the Fairness Doctrine, and the subsequent erosion of broadcast news from "crown jewel" of a network to "Entertainment Tonight" -an important pillar of democracy is gone.
I am grateful for your comments, and would like to add my own on your "fourth estate vacuum." While it might feel like a vacuum to those of us who are used to a particular way the fourth estate has functioned in the USA, it is in fact a transformation. Heather hints at it when she quotes from an unidentified Nixon campaign worker. Social media and corporate interests in media have transformed the field into an affective rather than informative entity. Voters may well be lazy, as Nixon's counsel points out. When the media is compensated by attention-getting (which is how the Internet monetizes), they will seek to get it in the most efficient way possible: using emotion and our attraction-aversion that follows. And the fourth estate has been transformationally co-opted by media interests. As a result, while we still get occasional actual journalism from the more reputable sources (e.g., NYT, The Guardian, the Wall Street Journal), that's just a brand item to keep us coming back for the emotion-led click$.
This transformation has created the ideal medium for segmenting engagement, providing pre-approved data that passes for "information," and inoculating the educated against continuing that education.
Stuart, whether a "vacuum" or a transition to a "monitized" wasteland, it still sucks. It's the logical conclusion of the "corporatization" of America, and the NYT and WAPO are the standard bearers at the head of that light brigade,in my opinion. So we are in agreement, I think. And hopefully, with the help of a few enlightened individuals like HCR, Thom Hartmann, Robert Reich, etc., publishing on platforms like Substack, we will emerge better informed than we have ever been. I say hopefully....And then the question remains, who are "we", and what possible difference can "we" make?
Terrific and well-thought-out Stuart. Thank you. I think it's also important to mention media consolidation. It's much easier to "Manufacture Consent" when there are only a handful of media enterprises that remain.
Note: I wrote this in response to a MUCH earlier post from Mr Polisner.
When you denigrate the “fourth estate” and “news media,” George A. Polisner, could you please be more specific about what exactly you are referring to?
Not meaning to single you out for criticism, Mr. Polisner, but when I hear this sweeping ire directed at “news media” (my dear, departed dad did the same thing), it is especially annoying to me to hear such dismissives as “now beholden to profit” when thousands of award-winning newspapers, local, regional, national, in the last decade have been silenced, killed off in some cases by the very forces that today have the fate of our democratic republic in a death grip.
As well, I would like to repeat your assessment of our beloved Heather Cox Richardson:
“You are truly a hero.” Yes, she certainly is. Also be aware that she is a vital, active, invaluable, brilliant (so many praise-directed adjectives) member of this country’s “news media.” (As are so many other contributors on Substack.)
Let’s all try to be more precise, more mindful about directing our criticism when we get pissed about the kind of “news” we’re having to consume. Otherwise, we start siding with the Orange Idiot and his Henchflock that the “media is the enemy of the people.”
The media, or at least much of it, now opt for the easy way out — it's easy to cover the freak show of MTG, Boebert, Jordan, Gaetz, Comer, and way too many others. Just record and play back the conspiracy theories of lies they spout while clicks and ratings flow in. It's much more difficult to do hard-nosed reporting and provide context and analysis. Costs more, too.
There's very good journalism available every day but often is overlooked or too expensive for some people to afford.
Very true Michael. Just as cheap, vacuous “reality” shows have taken over from scripted high quality programming, so called news puts a microphone and a camera in front of an elected official complaining about Jewish space lasers, or solar panels will drain the sun -instead of a serious focus on issues.
It would seem that the fourth estate is now merely the marketing arm of political, financial, social extremists seeking power and wealth above any other goal or ideology. They have broken their vows and become, essentially, traitorous to our Consitution. "And the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made."
The Republican game plan for the 2024 election includes exploiting widespread repressed popular revulsion against the transgender phenomenon, painting the Democrats as Gomorric perverts.
Thank you Dr. Richardson, when the world seems to be tilting and spinning, your letter helps to make some sense of it all. But I have to say it may get worse before it gets better.
The firehose of excrement "flooding the zone" by Rethuglicans is definitely getting worse but, a smaller-but-significant window on the "getting better" side is something that has not yet picked up steam but should soon, which is a long and in-depth study of the 14th Amendment by two prominent conservative legal scholars who are active members of the Federalist Society. Their conclusion: “Donald Trump cannot be president — cannot run for president, cannot become president, cannot hold office — unless two-thirds of Congress decides to grant him amnesty for his conduct on Jan. 6.” A summary is linked below:
Thom Hartmann has been covering this and that national orgs are moving for removal of his name from the ballot in key swing states. This would make it impossible for him to achieve the electoral votes needed and would have nothing to do with First Amendment rights.
BK, welcome news. One has to wonder though, what took them till now ? I could speculate as could others here. When I caught wind of this development, my immediate thought was the last minute 'hail Mary' into some hopeful end zone to salvage that party from themselves, given the mountains of facts in evidence. We shall see.
Let's consider who funds the Federalist Society. They don't operate in a virtuous vacuum of originalist constitutional theories and legal exercises.
The Federalists are an extension of the oligarchs who fund it and every election they feel will lead to greater influence in court or in the floor of a legislature. Thank you Citizens United.
The FS watched and promoted the presidency of a known con man crook because it served their money grubbing needs. But now, they may see Trump as a bit too disruptive and they are not stupid. They realize that the powerful backlash against their schemes may make them targets of a new revolution. That young people will see how a bunch of old white rich guys have been pulling the strings of government while the Earth we need as viable planet is raped and pillaged for immediate profit.
I think the FS players who wrote that assessment were guided by their masters who realized that their puppet is out of control. Who are those puppet masters? Just ask Clarence Thomas and John Roberts. Always follow the money.
I do agree with your well stated assessment of that potential, Bill. At numerous times over the past few years it has been more-than possible that we witness the GOP's not-so-hidden moves (or lack thereof) to allow the Dems to do their "dirty work" of taking him out for them. It allows them the goal of his departure while using it as means for their traditional full-on role as victims with grievance and rationale for retribution.
I just wonder who the FS and their funders are eyeing as a replacement for Trump? These people are always planning long term-I look at all the usual suspects and I just don’t see anyone worth being anointed. I can’t see Liz being willing to go into harness for them-she’s got her own agenda. It’s troubling.
A legit concern. Here is a possibility. They have an empty bench. And they are realizing that there is nobody available. Nobody who has the charismatic bullshit factor they need.
I think the Oligarchs are in a panicked disarray. Good.
Excellent comment about being afraid of young people who are suffering the effects of 40 years of Republican policy as Uber contract drivers with low pay and no benefits.
But, those Oligarchs are trying to make elections pointless and passé as well. So, young folks won't matter.
Or self preservation. Should we achieve a trifecta ( all Dem) in 2024 hopefully the first order of business will be campaign finance reform, aka getting rid of Citizens United, rendering their organization moot. If so their plan will have failed.
They are not done yet. Were he dead and done-for, the wingers would ship him through a mortuary back room and then sit him up dressed in a R/W/& blue necktie and revived by movieland tech, so those seeing him through the windows of his personal show-off vehicle wld believe he is still with us. A stuffed TV horror-style specimen of all that's ugly in the politics of our country.
The best information to come from The Federalist Society ever. And perhaps the best way to get tffg to stand down and enter much needed - and deserved - irrelevancy.
BK....thank you for including these excellent pieces "a long and in-depth study of the 14th Amendment by two prominent conservative scholars who are active members of the Federalist Society." "True Patriots" is another description I would add to these men of character!!!!
Beware! The Federalist Society still supports a very conservative agenda and there are plenty of MAGA minded hopefuls to jump right in and take Trump’s place.
"Men of character" might be going way too far when they are funded by dark money and have egregious goals for America.
But my greatest hope for months has been the 14.3 Amendment. I had to look it up again to see the text because the "two thirds of Congress really bothered me as the majority are, well, let's say, tainted. Here is the text that could change the ruling of this clause, which actually involves BOTH houses, not just the majority. Much more fair and winnable for the non-radicals in our government:
"No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability." (Interesting they call a traitor to our country "a disability"...and the past, so-called "disability" to our democracy horribly mocked a reporter with a physical disability whilst giving a talk at one of his rallies). That old saying about coming home to roost...
This is the best news in a long time and it will have some impact for TFG. Looking back , the Federalist Society judges have often not been helpful to MAGA.
I do not believe in Australia we can ever have the vote rigging and disenfranchising attempts going on there. Our system is quite simple. An independent electoral commission is in charge of electorates based on population. All citizens must vote or face a fine. Yes, it’s a conundrum … to protect democracy ALL citizens are forced to vote. Social dues.
"Republicans" are putting a lot of effort into reducing the number of people who vote. Something makes me a bit uneasy with mandatory voting, but it may make sense here as it seems to me that voting is a responsibility as well as a choice since one's input, or lack of it can bring harm to others when poor choices drive policy and law. Typically it is they who are already deprived who suffer the most when votes are not responsibly cast. For that matter, irresponsible choices made today may seriously plague our posterity. We need to improve both participation and preparedness.
JL...there is a lot of "gameplaying" amongst those who want to win at any cost....including the stealing of our freedoms for their empty or dangerous power. Sadly there are too many who brandish guns rather than care for the people and progress of freedom and peace and care for all citizens and for the survival of our planet home.
I agree with you, JL, "mandatory ......" can be a dangerous word.
It is especially sad that places of worship are being used to brainwash people. Hatred and separation from members of our American family is being encouraged through lies. There are many places of worship and many choices for worship and the freedom not to worship which in my opinion is better than being a fake worshiper.
When we vote, it counts for all of us...it counts for our example to continue to strive to be a free country in a world where many leaders want to decide for their population "who they want you to be (to take away your freedoms). What kind of legacy do we want to leave, what will my vote mean not only to me but to my fellow citizens...young, old, strong, healthy... those who struggle with disease or disabilities, long time citizens, refuges longing for a home....longing for freedom... voting for an excellent education system or NOT...one that helps us to think on our own...work out ideas and opinions or would we rather have others "think for us?" Partcipating by voting is the right of every US citizen and we should do all we can to encourage free and fair elections, in person or by mail.
And now, across the South, most people will vote inside Christain church. For several years now, due to school shootings, voting has been removed from public schools. There simply aren't enough other public community buildings available in which to conduct in person voting. My own voting precinct votes in a Catholic church's community hall. It's not the sanctum, but there IS a massive cross painted on one wall. I work that poll occasionally and once had a voter insist on pointing to that cross and gifting me a scripture book to indicate that we should all be voting "under his eye" (to use the Handmaid's Tale quote as a context shortcut.) I'm not comfortable holding elections in churches. I'm not religious and believe in separation of church and state. Think how comfortable other religious people of different religions feel about voting in these churches. All 4 of the precincts closest to me are in churches, and many are withing walking district so they should really be combined, but this is a Republican voting area so of course they will not be. The only good thing is that they have the parking to support the activity.
Couldn't agree more, separation of church and state is being washed away with the tide. Erosion of a bedrock. What a sign of "republican times" when schools aren't being used because of the prevalence of nuts with guns. Makes one think that it might be deliberate.
The other thing is that if our whole way of life is predicated on the need to vote, why would there not be secure, readily available public spaces in which to vote; a multipurpose room (or rooms) in a town's governmental infrastructure? Even renting a hall. Whatever it takes, if we take democracy seriously.
And no, I don't think is church is an appropriate venue. Muddling church and state corrupts both.
I know my experience is statistically next to meaningless, but I have throughout my life attended various denominational services because of who I was with, a funeral, or very occasional curiosity. It may be a trick of memory, but even in those services that are not overtly right wing, it seems to me that those I experienced in my youth were more moral-lesson oriented, and those of today more focused on a hard-sell sales pitch for the benefits that accrue from believing in the divinity of Jesus; and little else.
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people". Everyone has heard it, like "Peace on Earth" banners in Christmas shopping malls; but what would a faithful implementation of that formula actually look like? Would there be gerrymandering? Would the "News" episodically report that the will of the public was again thwarted by a "powerful lobby", with the implied resignation of a parade cancelled for bad weather? Should anything be done about social injustices, and if so, who's going to do it? We are regularly encouraged to "vote" by public service announcements, but are we adequately prepared to make our vote meaningful?
As in encouraging wise public health regimens, is there more that can be done to encourage a framing of citizen engagement in thinking about the wider implication of platforms and policy, and helping to develop them instead of just picking from somebody else's menu? It it any wonder that those who feel that politics is oblivious to their concerns ignore the vote or carelessly vote for a conman (or woman) who only pretends to care? Even though my 1950's schooling included lessons in "Civics", which I am now told is out of favor, I don't feel we scratched the surface of addressing the needed individual skills to be a well informed, engaged, social, economic and environmental decision-maker.
Definitions, 'legal definitions' with consequences seem in order as well. Specifically definitions surrounding the words "news" as it relates to a responsible and constitutionally protected fourth estate. Is that possible ? It certainly seems necessary given the 24/7 "news" cycle of today's world. Problematic... Would reinstatement of a modern "Fairness Doctrine" help, or would it create a new regulatory morass ? We do live in interesting times.
Mandatory is word that rankles Americans - we were raised to think of ourselves as "pull yourself up by the boot straps" cowboys. And cowgirls who will stand by their man. I almost vomited writing that. But the American ideal has been this phony vision of a tiny government and independent good guys with white hats who will always save the lady. Gag again. TV promoted nonsense myths.
But I agree with you. A lot of things are already "mandatory". Like paying taxes, following traffic laws, not attacking your neighbor, need I go on? If we require people to wear seat belts to save their lives why wouldn't we require voting to save the Republic?
Here's my idea. Voter registration would start at birth - at least with the issue of a Social Security Card. There it is. A card that encrypts the number but gives you an ID that automatically is your entry pass to the voting booth when you reach the eligible age - in person or on line, whatever.
Citizens would vote for anyone in a ranked choice voting system. As a result, the complaint that all politicians are the same falls apart. You could write in your own name or check "none of the above". But you must participate because it is your moral and social responsibility. If you don't vote, you won't be able to work, fuel your vehicle or buy beer.
The thing is Anne, the populations of Australia and Canada are fewer than the population of California. Both Countries (I was born a Canadian but have been an American for more than sixty years) have a more cohesive population than ours. We have become harder to control as we have grown so large. If we tried to fine people just in my State (California) we'd have an open rebellion on our hands. In the 2022 elections every registered voter in the State of California was mailed a ballot with a prepaid return envelope. 50% of the registered voters actually voted. 22 million people were registered, more than 80% of those eligible and still they couldn't take a half hour to sit with their voters manual and mark the ballot, sign the envelope and drop it in the mail
I get your comment Fay. Small populations. Large populations can do the same thing if it is a mark of adulthood, of coming of age, a point of pride for the young coming of age and the many newcomers. People from third world countries are not stupid. Young are not stupid. They want respect, law And order and the ability to vote. To say. Small thing in the sea of unfairness sweeping the world.
You'd think the explanation accompanying the Fitch downgrading might perhaps strike a chord with the people responsible for the problematic governance. Mr MuX could put it out on X. A cage of chimpanzees would exhibit greater collaborative understanding.
They (the people responsible for the problematic governance -- not the chimps) see the benefit of throwing sand in the gears of progress when said progress is effectuated by Bidenomics. Politics is very often a zero sum game.
To put it another way, they don't care, and anyway, have no rational unified counterproposals if they did.
Sorry for my mistake. I must have been overwhelmed with the negativity of the blockages by blockheads holding the US hostage. Certainly chimps are more intelligent than the "representatives" throwing feces at all of us.
The Republican Party is indeed using up all the oxygen and drowning out everyone and everything else. It’s what bullies do. Prison sentences for those who instigated the coup may go a long way towards silencing the harpies. 🙏🏻
Op-eds appear acknowledging that the way the mainstream media covered Trump in 2016 helped him win and criticizing the continuation of that type of coverage. But then the mainstream media keeps on letting him and his acolytes "flood the zone." "What bleeds leads". Are these the profits of doom? (Yes, I meant "profits.")
When we are angry at the media for what the cover and what they don't, we need to ask ourselves, "What stories am I clicking on and reading?" because that's how they decide how to allocate their resources of reporter time and publication space.
So they can decide our way to doom?That tells the story of the irresponsible, greedy, corporation-owned news media. Have they deluded themselves that they’ll be spared from this doom?
I will be surprised if Trump is able to comply with the order. Self regulation is not seemingly in his DNA. He and his followers ignore subpoenas, orders, laws, and the Constitution with a self-absorbed arrogance beyond comprehension. I don't even grace the Republican operatives with the name "Party" any longer. They are a mobster group in much the same way as the Sacklers' "Purdue Pharmacy" was a drug cartel with articles of incorporation. The operatives have as much in common with their rank and file members as the addicts created by the Purdue corporation have in common with the Sacklers. I believe the party took the path it did because they did not hold their own accountable for malfeasance and punished those who opted for governance as a priority over seizing power. Lest we Democrats feel smug, don't even think that it cannot happen to us by the same path.
In his 2016 election campaign, I thought he was trying to lose the election by alienating at least half the human population, starting with women, and just did not want the job because of all the work that came with the status. The result was more white women voting for him than for Hillary Clinton. Go figure.
It may be that outrageous "childishly deliberate" behavior has worked for him all his life, and there is not a doubt in his mind that it will work just fine right here and now too.
When communicating in acronyms and abbreviations, the meaning easily gets lost. Such is the case here. Sorry, but I have no idea what you are referring to.
No problem just a lot going on behind the Platform curtain, meaning the Substack Inc. Publisher Agreement of 2023 specifically whether Substack Inc will abide by the contract that it created for this digital Community.
Thanks! I even wondered if "JS" was possibly referencing Jon Stewart. :) Thanks for getting me back in the ballpark.
I actually find this email group higher quality than HRC's Facebook group WRT trolling. Try to suggest holding the Democratic Party accountable for anything over there, and one risks doxxing and lots of partisan stooging. Here, reasoned dialogue tends to bring reasoned conversation and discussion.
The thought of Trump deliberately courting jail time would seem to fit my assessment of the Republican game plan:
This time around, the Republican leadership has cynically and hypocritically covered its message with a veneer of "traditional values," luring centrist voters who privately reject gay marriage and the trans phenomenon.
Trump is being packaged as a martyr, and his legal defense (with accompanying truck-loads of spin) will be a fundamental element of his campaign -- with the absurd potential conclusion that Trump "wins" the election and takes the oath of office in his prison cell and then promptly pardons himself.
On Jan. 6, Trump "needed" the mob to take over in both the Senate and the House, so he could call out the National Guard while his minions sent pizzas and sleeping bags to the demonstrators who would continue holding the Capitol building as Trump patiently negotiated with them and promised to get to the bottom of things. (When Ashli Babbitt was killed, that plan collapsed.)
Trump couldn't have imagined succeeding if he wasn't confident of being backed up by both the military and the Supreme Court. This has to mean that either Trump was deluded or he had solid but classified information about election fraud.
If he did have such information, he could charge the plotters with insurrection and and have them tried in military courts (to protect the secret information, of course).
And then there would have to be an appeal to the Supreme Court, just for show.
Gen Milley was not in Trump’s camp Trump knew that ahead of time, hence the multiple directives that handcuffed police and military prior to the coup attempt
Trump is not deluded. He’s evil. There was no election fraud. Yet you offer up the possibility. Why?
The Supreme Court is corrupt. Its evident in the Gang of Six Cabal rulings, however American citizens are wise to the corruption as is the military
I was presenting my assessment, without feeling the need to debate. You are welcome to disagree, and I will point out what seem to be weaknesses in your reasoning.
First of all, you assume that a "corrupt" Supreme Court was in league with Trump's presumed effort at a coup d’etat. That, in my mind, is an unreasonable stretch of the imagination.
Furthermore, multiple directives that handcuffed the police and military would have been meaningless if it really was a coup attempt.
Think it through: An unarmed mob takes over the Capitol Building and chases Congress out. Then Trump declares martial law. And then???
All over the country, would you expect statehouses and military bases to signal support of Trump's effort?
I hardly think so. There had to be something else going on. Whatever Trump was up to, he didn't have a prayer without solid support from the military leadership. That is my assessment, and I already mentioned what I suspect.
The Sackler family and the damage they have done to our people is well demonstrated in the Netflix series “PainKiller”. I understand your comments thanks to seeing this series.
Thanks. I've not watched the series, but will do so.
The Sacklers are now seen as exemplary of a wealthy ruling class corporate oligarchy being just able to pay some money and skip out of prison. Their malfeasance actually killed people.
In other countries, drug cartel managers get life in prison or executed for doing so. In the USA, corporations and their enablers in government are seen as colluding in such crimes with impunity. This makes a mockery of every American politician claiming "We are a nation of law" while doing nothing to regulate or punish the criminal celebrities from the wealthy ruling class.
I agree with your assessment, but I think tfg can’t back down or be seen doing so. Part of his standing in the way of “them” (the ubiquitous “they”) coming for you shtick.
Great wrap- up of the multitude of events today and how they relate to other recent developments. But where was John Stewart today reminding the nation of how important that legislation has been. We all know easily he can scream and yell about issues, so it would not have been a surprise to see him in Cleveland or Milwaukee or Phoenix touting this success. Yes, I know Hunter Biden topped the charts today, but Stewart could have then screamed for a special prosecutor to look into Clarence Thomas to assure us that nobody is above the law!
Or how about the Kushner couple? How did they get even richer, by hundreds of millions of dollars, while (incompetently and nepotically) "serving" in government, something HB hasn't done?
Regretfully, this is blocked in Canada where I live. "This video contains content from MPI Media, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds"
Well said. I worked in New York State politics from 1989 to 2015. My boss, a Democrat would try to explain a position while her Republican opponent would say some (often untrue) soundbite that had visceral impact. He won...
We seem substantially more inured to dishonesty than in the Watergate era. Lies cannot always be excused as "free speech" from a legal standpoint, and even when they are so protected, the "court of public opinion" needs to be ready to reject significant lies and liars, even when the liar is in the same is a member of the clan. Lies about COVID rendered the wealthy and technically advanced US the least successful nation in minimizing per capita COVID deaths. Lies dress up aggression in wars and propagate racism and sexism. We are fools if we do not fight them persistently.
I've thought a lot about Watergate and why Nixon was called out by his fellow republicans. Most of the people in the Senate and House, at that time, were World War II veterans. They saw the horrors of war and witnessed first hand what happens when dictators take over a country. These people fought and their friends and relatives died to protect the United States. They knew they could not let Nixon get away with any crimes. So they fought for their country once again.
Right now in the Senate and House few members have served in the military and fought in a war. This has made a huge difference in the way the Republicans behave.
Interesting comment….my daddy and many like him gave up YEARS of their lives to serve our country in WW2….honor, commitment, duty, courage, responsibility, citizenship….united them and most all of America. What has happened to you, Republicans? If my daddy and others like him can leave their families, homes, careers, hopes and dreams to fight in islands in the Pacific or the shores of Normandy to literally save the world, why can’t you summon up the courage to call out trump and all he stands for? You know, in your hearts, right from wrong. You were elected to work for US! You were not elected to create or support chaos, to condone or remain silent when outright lies are told, to waste precious time instead of meeting and addressing the multitude of challenges that we face.
Nixon's folly was not unique. A thorough reading of our history reveals that every generation or so, this has happened before. History in general is circular, owing to the natures of humankind. Law, and checks and balances and a few brave souls with actual honor have saved this nation thus far. New checks and balances may be in order it does seem though. Cheers ff
My point from a couple of days ago when HCR documented this path for the Republican party. "Again, a most important documentation by Dr Richardson: The inevitable decline of a once competing political party as it chooses the path of expediency with impudence with the yet likely result that our two-party political system is no longer a protection for American democracy. Rules of law and political conventions have become nuisances around which aspiring political thugs, in concert with lawyers of low ethics, skirt and remove not for merits but for the desire to achieve immediate and deadly benefits for the few. It began with Nixon and tested by Reagan, signed off on by Ford, Barr, and Bush Senior, and institutionalized as once party of Lincoln found their perfect instrument in a celebrity candidate in 2015. In deeds and through acts and obeiesence, that party has bought into it belief that it's followers are deserving of the mantle once know as a democracy. "
Agree JL - wholeheartedly. See above ↑. A rinse and repeat (briefer though) of remarks I've made here and elsewhere regarding "news" and what may legally be called, and protected as 'news'.
The lazy way of the media. It drives our so distracted population as set up by capitalism. Equals very low voter turnout and victory for those who have no incite into their part of this pathetic path we’re on.
Support “turnout.us” It is their mission to get the vote out especially of the young.
Thank you as always, Dr. Richardson for provoking us to think. The GOP of Nixon were absolutely correct. A too large portion of Americans don't want to think, they want to feel. So, the GOP sends them pretend leaders, in the 60's they gave us George Murphy, a second rate song and dance man, In the 80's Ronald Reagan, a second rate actor with an appealing voice, followed by Arnold Schwarzenegger a body builder turned ham actor, and finally Trump, a failure as a business men a total ham actor/clown. And apparently a very large percentage of the "I don't want to think, I want to feel" crowd were absolutely enthralled. My youngest brother was part of that crowd. Very intelligent man, or at least an excellent test taker, he consistently scored in the 97th percentile on tests such as college entrance exams. But he told me he didn't like to think, he really liked to feel. That type of person is what other people think of as a great guy always ready with a smile and a helping hand. But they fall right into the mesmerizing spell of anyone who entertains them and tells them, it's okay, I will think for you.
We Democrats do not appeal to them, we want them to think, we want them to analyze, we want them to care about others. We want them to accept differences in appearance and behavior. The GOP says it's ok to hate or fear people your friends and relatives hate or fear, we understand, we're with you.
My youngest brother is dead now. He voted for Trump in 2016, because his brother-in-law told him to.
Biden appeals to me not because he isn't Trump, but because he has learned over a long career in politics. Because he has made mistakes and has learned from them. Biden is intelligent, capable of thinking critically. He knows what behavior is expected of him. He understand he is representing all of America, especially in international relations. He does and will continue to do the best possible job for the American people. He understands why we are angry about the huge imbalance of wealth. I cannot conceive of Joe Biden standing at a microphone and telling us it's okay that 10% of the people own more than 70% of the wealth and that it will magically trickle down to us, if only we are patient.
You are so right, intelligence does not inoculate one against the lure of the emotional, mesmerizing entertainment. I once thought it might, til my very smart friend proved otherwise
I wonder whether AG Garland isn't trying to finally clear the air around Hunter Biden. Having special counsel and advancing an investigation can either demonstrate wrong-doing or can close the matter if no corruption or wrong-doing is present. MSM is way too much of an echo chamber for the GQP hysteria about this matter. Talking heads speculating about what it all means. Let it play out. Don't speculate.
One thing I did notice yesterday in the media I watched (PBS, local networks and Spectrum), although there were too many images of Trump for my taste, they were mostly unflattering. He can only hold it together momentarily. But, of course, Biden's age is always mentioned, not the substance of his actions, and Merrick Garland never seems to make anyone happy. The Iowa State Fair sounded like an RNC convention, and I would like to see every Republican candidate questioned about their position on the plans put forward by the Heritage Foundation and others for a unitary executive. When DeS spoke of cutting throats the other day, my blood ran cold.
Could the White House just please erect a website on everything “Bidenomics”? Wouldn’t it be easier for Americans to simply log on themselves and few the entire campaign and policy? I have to subscribe to independent reliable sources to get information myself. It would be so much easier to direct someone or sit beside someone and review the magnificence of the facts and relate back to an ordinary conversation. All the White House has to do is keep it simple, factual and accessible (many languages) and stay on message. After all we’re building the infrastructure to provide internet access everywhere.
Thank you. Now a National campaign on that website would be a themed MESSAGING strategy. Include it on all democrats website for wide spread visibility. If you eliminate the #1 Republican campaign agenda ISSUE the ‘Economy’ from their campaign stage then Republicans have a hard time legitimizing all their garbage politics.
I will suggest that Biden's spending programs (just like Trump before) are hustling us along to a brutal day of reckoning, because they don't pay for themselves.
Servicing our unpayable debt is using up an ever-larger percentage of the yearly federal budget -- up to 14% now.
I agree with the general point, but the "Bidenomics" approach is just a drop in the bucket that doesn't meet the needs of our financial and economic and strategic situation. In a nutshell, Bidenomics is improving the look up on the top deck of the Titanic, ignoring what's going down below, as the incoming flood of unpayable debt rises and rises.
The GOP needs to join the Know-Nothing Party in the dustbin of history. Sane conservatives can form their own and leave the GOP MAGA Trump Party to wither and die.
The Know-Nothing (or "American") party was an attempted response to all the partisan hatred of the 1850s for and against slavery. They attracted a lot of people by redirecting partisan venom against immigrants, especially Catholics.
As always -very grateful for your continuing work to inform, educate, and engage Heather. Unfortunately our democracy suffers from the demise of the fourth estate -news media, now beholden to profit, substitutes entertainment for news. Is it newsworthy to see diplomacy, compromise, and negotiations unfold for a U.S. budget that is fiscally responsible, and yet ensures a vibrant economy, climate action, and focus on societal imperatives? NO! Media would rather put a camera in front of a sociopathic circus clown like Gaetz, Taylor-Greene, Boebert, DeSantis, or Abbott. They would rather provide 24x7 coverage of a corrupt narcissist pretend mob boss like Trump -because who knows what he'll say or do.
This fourth estate vacuum makes your work, and the work of others to educate, inform, and engage society vital. In many respects, you and a small group of others are the last defenders of democracy -which requires an educated, informed, and engaged society.
You are truly a hero.
George, yes — the media attention to tffg's antics rather than Biden's accomplishments is so distressing, and no doubt helped him get elected in 2016. And there's another incredibly alarming development since 2015-16 — Facebook and Twitter now actively block Democratic and democratic political posts, by not amplifying them. Those of us who constantly TRY to amplify rational, annotated analysis , like HCR's posts, have been silenced on platforms that reach more than the choir (which much as I love all you people, we ARE). If anyone has any ideas of other platforms where we can disseminate information outside of our own comforting but converted bubble, I would be extremely grateful to hear.
Alexandra, fortunately, HCR does have a FB page and her daily LFAA are also posted there. From a quick glance, she receives a daily average of 45K “likes”, 2K comments and hundreds of shares.
https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson?mibextid=b06tZ0
Holy smokes! I went to FB. Opened HCR’s account. Shared today’s letter, and now my FB account is RESTRICTED FOR 11 HOURS. My free speech just got shut down while TFG can run roughshod over Free Speech?
Damn Ronald Reagan and his eliminating the Fairness Doctrine, among other precious policies protecting “equity” in media, the environment, people with mental illness, and on and on. I wish all the people who love him so knew how much harm he and his cronies did. Thugs with a puppet. Hmmm. TFG is a thug who is a puppet. Bought. Delivering. God help us. And about my FB? Did that happen to anyone else? Try to share today’s HCR and get banned for 11 hours?
I am not on FB--not on any social media actually--however, I forward the daily letter via email. This was how I was introduced to it. I suggest that all here consider the old fashioned way of getting the news out.
BTW, I sometimes also print out and mail/hand letters to family who are elderly and don't have a computer!!
Miselle, Every individual effort, no matter how small, is worthwhile and further disseminates accurate information. I'll have to try your methods. I don't use FB for many reasons.
Miselle, you are posting solutions again, imagine that. 🌷 Community, over at Joyce Vance's Civil Discourse she has posted another of her "5
Questions" (5Q's) this time with the Nations top 1st Amendment Appellate attorney. Get empowered to counter misinformation about "FREE SPEECH". Don't even need a JD.
That’s a stretch. Blaming Reagan for FB malfeasance. Good one.
MIKE lamb, if you are replying to me, I don't understand that comment at all.
I'm wondering if you got banned because one of the readers of your share complained. It may not be FB algorithms targeting truth, but MAGA zombies complaining when they hear/read it.
I don't know about you, but I started seeing some FB friends' true colors after Trump was elected, after Me Too, after BLM, after Ukraine, etc. Some unfriended me when I tried to logically ask a question, and I unfriended one and unfollowed several to preserve my blood pressure. I will share today's HCR post - I usually don't - but don't expect to be reported because of the whitling down of fringe friends that happened just before the pandemic.
Yes, I have been sanctioned by FB over the years when someone (unknown who) filed a complaint about me. Occasionally, FB eventually says they punished me in error but the damage is done. Keep posting anyway; that’s what I do. I share HCR’s Letter to my friends every day but only to them as I have my account set to “Friends only” and not “Public.”
I just shared today's post as a test, but I limited it to friends only, too.
I guess "complaints" tool has got weaponized too!
Wow. Just, wow.
I’ve shared several times in the past and nothing happened. This is new.
Ive shared Heather's letters at various times, including to MSNBC news group, and did again just now. No problems. Maybe FB doesn't have a "north of the border" (technically east for me)
I realize you are frustrated by FB but remember that the 1st amendment is about the government taking your free speech not a private company.
I share an occasional HCR newsletter on FB and have not had any repercussions. I don't know why FB would care since she has a FB site where ALL of the Letters get posted anyway. I find a more elevated discussion here on Substack than on the HCR FB site. I'm not sure why. I get the impression a higher percentage of FB subscribers like to fight than discuss than are in the group that frequents this site. Someone stooging for a political party may have reported your post to try to harass you and shut you up just because the Letter contradicted their agenda.
Rose, the problem is that those "Shares" from her readers aren't reaching anywhere near the audience that they did a few years ago, because FB's algorithm does not promote them any more. And anything linked from Substack is NOT disseminated (it helps marginally to put the link in the Comments of the FB post rather than the body of the post.
Which means on FB HCR and others are now only reaching a committed audience of people with the same politics as probably well over 90% of her audience here.
The one upside is that HCR keeps “us” engaged daily, so it is up to us to talk about Bidenomics. When someone says something about gas prices you can respond with- at least we aren’t paying $10+ a gallon like they are in England. Same idea with inflation. Our country could have come out of this pandemic so much worse off, and if voters hand it back to the circus now, they WILL screw it up with the wrong decisions.
Want to get those people back - remind them their retirement funds rely on a strong economy, and will you trust that clown to protect that?
The Maui fire may convince some of climate change which is a driver of food inflation. There’s that to add to your excellent suggestions, JaneDough56. (Love the spelling!)
I see your point, Alexandra!
I send daily HCR to two friends (maybe the only non-subscribers I know), but indeed I recognize that we are a choir. Perhaps the most important contribution we can make to spreading the word is to get involved in national campaigns of which there will be many for the rest of this year and encompassing most of the next.
Hard pass on anything facebook.
Bern - "Hard pass on anything facebook."
FWIW, is the same rationale used by those who watch Fox News exclusively.
I was forced by my boss to activate a personal fb account in order to post on the organization's official fb account regarding what I did or was thinking of about the organization. That is, they forced me to do official work off the books thru the official fb account for reasons impossibly explained. I think I only used the site 4 or 5 times in those years before I retired. The day I retired I erased my fb account.
On top of all that, the adverts were extremely objectionable. I've not had a television in the house for over 30 years because the adverts were so pathetic and sickening. Fb was worse. Why anyone would deliberately invite that crap into their home is beyond me.
Same for Fox. Seen it once, seen all you need to see.
BUT FB is supposedly (?) for everyone - remember? Not for one side or another. Or used to be. For "friends", right?
Have to admit - not a fan - not interested - always too much drama.
I'd have used a stronger term than 'drama', but yeah.
As social media platforms have consolidated to the hands of a few, I've been working with a small group to provide a platform that will be partially owned by subscribers, and committed to facts, evidence, science, and strengthening democracy.
A platform where different perspectives (predicated upon factual information) are embraced, conversations are respectful -and we codify places where there is societal agreement into effective action -whether through elections, initiatives, referendums, and policy. A very small pilot exists at social.civ.works -however there are major plans underway, and includes web, iOS, and Android.
Cool idea. I do have one question, since I cannot see anything without registering, and the front page won't load for me unless I unblock FB and Google first:
I get that letting people log in with FB or Google can help speed things up for the impatient, but if the interface won't work when they are completely blocked, then I do not know what level of privacy is actually being provided. I keep FB and Google from loading on third-party pages precisely because they could not care less about my privacy.
If I were to enable FB and Google access, but did not log in with either of them, do you know what information they would be collecting? Is there a way to make this web app work without requiring that their servers are contacted upon loading the front page?
The platform allows people to authenticate via their existing FB or Google accounts however access to civ.works is completely independent. For example you could use your email to register on civ.works without any active account or connection to any other platform.
Optional Integration with the Fediverse is on our roadmap and we do not share email or any subscriber data without a subscriber’s permission.
I'll see if I can register and then log in and turn off the calls to FB and Google. I'm on Firefox on Linux, which is a niche inside a niche, but many of us privacy geeks hang out in it because it works well for keeping the web navigable for the paranoid. :)
My technology career began long ago in the UNIX realm. These days I painfully admit to relying upon windows to manage stuff and iOS to mobile manage stuff.
I’ve become the person I used to make fun of. Do keep in mind we are in very early stages on the platform. We have solid plans and I’m working to raise money for an important round of new engineering work.
I have noticed that on Facebook, when I post family/ pet pics, I immediately gets several likes/comments. When I share HCR or other relevant political information, not a peep. I have discovered that for some reason, no one sees them. 😡
Cathy I have a solution to your problem. When I am posting something serious, I ALWAYS include a pic of my dog. And I always use some kind of intro such as "Bertie the Poodle and I were thinking about this the other day . . . " It confounds the FB logarithms. Of course, my FB page is not open access because I don't like getting trolled by strangers, so it's my friends who are not responding--and they get announcements about my posts, I am sure. But it also encourages THEM to take a look.
Linda Mitchell -- such a brilliant idea to post a photo of your dog (or in my case another kind of photo)! I had just started wondering about that idea when I read what you suggest. I usually copy and paste HCR's LFAA to my FB page when it is particularly poignant. Even that garners only 1 or 2 responses.
Linda - genius.
It can also be useful to post the link to HCR (or whatever other politically-charged post you might want to share) in the comments instead of in the main post, and add something like "see comments for more links" to the main post.
Cathy, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I've heard the same from other activist friends. My political posts and shares on FB often used to get hundreds of comments, and not just from liberal friends. It was real discussion. Now the only things I post that get reactions are pretty travel pictures and movie reviews. It's a deliberate policy.
I want to know more about what FB does with, say, Heather's Letters. I post them often. I get 3-4 likes––usually the same people. That's not zero but it's not the same number I used to get. Do some people see them and others are barred? I had been thinking people are so overwrought about politics that fatigue has set in and they skip what I post. Any thoughts on that?
I think that's what FB WANTS us to think. It's not at all true. It's not just you. The algorithm is now filtering out political posts so none (or a handful) of your followers are seeing them. What I don't know is whether Republican-leaning posts are being filtered as aggressively
They are not. My cousin posts at least 10 pro-Trump, anti- Biden posts a day.
There are many official government postings on Facebook from a variety of officials . They are informative. However, I have spent literally hours deleting trolls, bots, you name them, MAGA hateful, radically so, threatening, comments to such posts. Of course, that does nothing to the feed that others read. I report but have no sense that my reports are acted upon in any way as the categories of offensive do not apply. I have no reason to think that Mark Zuckerburg gives a damn about this nation. He’s in it for the 💰. If there is no censorship this violent leaning rhetoric, our nation could be lost on Facebook alone. A salient point is no one under a certain age goes there anymore. We must engage younger voters ie Gen Z and millennials on other platforms like TikTok, help me here, others? Where they engage with one another. Only problem there is their speech patterns and acronyms are difficult for we intellectual leaning older people to use. I recall another; CHAT Box? In any event you get my meaning. Facebook is not a place that will be helpful to get to our goals of Democracy. There is another thought that comes to mind inadequately; there are three reasons why we have offended younger people (the Courts) . The cancellation of the hold on repayment of massive student loan debts is not well received by graduates who were unemployable with degrees in subjects that provide no jobs. Another is the absence of attention to climate change (yes, I know, coming) but Biden campaigned on this & has violated his promises with Willow, the MVP and the approval to drill again in the Gulf with the auction of leases there.
If he would only share his reasoning it would be most helpful. The third obstacle to reaching young voters is: ???
Could be the astronomical cost of housing virtually everywhere.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Letter to Gen Z rep Maxwell Frost who undoubtedly has his finger on the pulse of not only his
constituents but his peers; WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM GOVERNANCE? We need these young people to win 2024.
💡💡💡Thoughts, people?
I actually tried advising people on "your story" of important stuff I posted on FB. Didn't work, I think because such "your story"s were shown to very few people.
Not that I have seen. I still see 5 or more bizarre political posts from the MAGAt community that exists in my friends circle.
There’s a way to fix that, which might take Congressional action to make happen but FB etc could choose to do it on their own. Platforms should provide an easy to use settings tool that allows users to choose what kind of posts they most want to see. Maybe that’s cats, or cousins; maybe politics, or anger, or music; or a particular mix. Whatever.
Somehow I lack hope that FB will do even that.
They won't do it without Congress requiring it, because now they make money by selling your eyeballs to advertisers, which includes constantly changing their algorithms to keep you engaged as they define it.
Everybody on this Substack page should go over to FB and like Heather’s latest post. On FB this morning it says that HCR has 11.7 million followers. It also says that 11 people are following. Odd isn’t it? Old Elon may be at work with his band of elves.
The 11 is who Heather is following. I have her as a favorite along with other commentators I follow. I go to my feed choices and click on favorites. I do this specifically for all the reasons that have been said. It’s the way I ignore the algorithms.
Thanks for the information.
But Elon doesn't own Facebook. He owns Twitter.
Is this why? The same thing happens to me .
ME TOO!
Same with me
Have you tried out sharing something positive about Trump as a little exercise?
Ugh!
I understand the point of your suggestion, but it is not even remotely possible for me to post something positive about the mango baboon. (My apologies to baboons)
That would be an utter impossibility.
Alexandra Sokoloff... TWO SUGGESTIONS, EACH OPINING ON SUBSTACK, WITH ONE A LEGITIMATE ACADEMIC WRITING AND THINKING: STEVE SCHMIDT AND YALE HISTORY PROFESSOR TIMOTHY SNYDER... 1) Steve Schmidt does the job... THE WARNING WITH STEVE SCHMIDT is not a mindless recitation of established fact, an idiot savant’s history; rather, Steve Schmidt is in a DAILY controlled rage attacking the disgusting MSM - leading with FOX, but including the rest, and the meaningless clap trap on cable and elsewhere... and 2) THINKING ABOUT by Timothy Snyder... far the best historian writing today on current events and their meaning regarding FASCISM... SNYDER features decay in democracy and speaks the languages of Eastern Europe... and sorts out the needed... the lack of newspapers... in the USA today... remember the thing about the three branches of government, legislative, judicial, executive... with the 4th being more valuable than the three: a free press, journalism, now nearly destroyed by the hugely profitable entertainment industry or MAIN STREAM MEDIA, MSM, THAT SMOTHERS THE OTHER THREE...
Alexandra Sokoloff... SUBSTACK is another indication of what’s wrong... and we are all in this.. in the name of history, SUBSTACK ENTERTAINS, SUBSTACK DOES NOT REPLACE THE 4TH ESTATE OR HISTORIANS... YET SUBSTACK IS THE SHORT CUT TO KNOWLEDGE THAT APPEALS TO YOU AND ME... AND TRULY STUNTS OUR EDUCATION AND WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS... SCHMIDT AND SNYDER - THE FEW THAT I HAVE FOUND - ATTEMPTS TO FILL THE VOID...
SB: I don't mean to offend, but your writing would be better organized and easier to read if you used standard punctuation marks rather than ellipsis, and followed standard usage of upper and lower case in your sentences. Given all the daily comments here and on other platforms, I skim and skip over those too difficult to grasp. Your otherwise excellent point gets left behind. (Sorry!)
Agree. I write in my sleep to please my wife.
Sandy, I have a mental image of you crouched in the dark, madly typing away, trying not to wake your wife.
Listen, point taken. Maybe Substack is not a substitute for the 4th estate but... selective consumption ( as you point out) helps incredibly as the conventional 4th estate is having its identity crisis and social media is a teen-ager driven by hormones!
Also, (you and others here are great examples) we are not passive consumers; we are interactive, most often politically and socially active, intellectually broad ( we read and think and argue and learn and change) and each one of us is at the hub of an array of family, friends and acquaintances. We are exponentially relevant. As I see it, this substack is a launching pad for informed action, far from the mindless, soul destroying kind of amusement so much "entertainment" has become today.
Please don't leave HCR out of your list of important substack writers. I just know you secretly "love her to death", as we say so innocently in the south.
Slainte ( to your health). Always glad when you " write madly in your sleep" and are here with us.
Crouched? No. In the fetal, eyes closed, dreaming off. Once upon a time, Republicans were the party of Lincoln, not Adolf Hitler.
Carol Stanton, we sleep in different bedrooms..
Love her to death... manner of speech 🎤 I can do without.
And she rarely reads Substack. She’s intelligent.
Cheers!
Yea, team.
I'm chuckling over this comment. (I do like it.)
I write for my friends and my amusement. Requires thought 💭 in the reader.
Work harder. It’s fun.
Substack by itself is insufficient. We need to ramp up civics and history education. We need to preserve responsible local news. Billionaires should invest in both if they actually believe in democracy
Just fyi: Billionaire governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, signed into legislation the requirement that middle schools must be taught one semester of civics. This just was signed in the last day or two.
Miselle, Besides doing a wonderful job as governor, he is a huge Democratic donor. He could fund a Presidential campaign with his own money. I don't want to lose him as governor, perhaps he could fund another Democratic candidate in 2028.
Billionaires invest in venture capital.
Billionaires “invest” (= purchase) in the Republican “party”
On the cheap.
Soros invests some $ for progressives Carnegie invested in libraries
George invests in his sleep. In Prayer.
Ten to one to 1,000 to one.
S B Lewis,
I was very disappointed with Snyder's routine support of Ukraine's oppressive right-wing undemocratic thug regime.
Yale History Professor Timothy Snyder has my respect. 110%
I shouldn't disagree further without bringing some evidence to the table.
Good day.
Looking back at the various inflection points in my life, mainly involving interactions with people who either helped or hurt me, what I really remember is not what they said or even did, but the feelings they evoked at the time. Face Book et. al., have developed algorithms to capitalize on this. Like it or not, the MSM has followed suit. Content, especially "above the fold" content, must evoke an emotion - any emotion, to gain attention and be memorable. Now, we seem to call this "traction". The MAGA-verse has made appealing to negative emotions (fear, anger, outrage) their focus, and they're very good at it. So far, they've even found fairly creative ways to combat the "outrage fatigue" that has plagued such tactics in the past. The problem with that type of thinking is that it is isolating to those who engage in it.
To counter this, I posit that we must appeal to an even more fundamental trait of humans - we are highly cooperative. The only truly eusocial large animal, in fact. Pocket book issues can appeal to this, as do fighting for other's rights - remember how same sex marriage was passed a few yeas ago, or abortion rights have traction in red states today? The reality that none of us do well when some of aren't is not simply a feel-good tag line. It is a basic fact of human psychology, one we have not learned nearly enough about. I'm sure there is good work being done on this that can be applied to social and other media. I am unaware of any now, however.
If you value:
• Women's reproductive freedom
• Governmental action, not theatrics
• Climate crisis reversal
• Election integrity
• Law and order
• Responsible gun ownership
• Responsible investment in technology, infrastructure, education
• Decency and dignity in the Office of the President
• Moderation and bipartisanship in your president
• Cabinet level leadership with qualifications and integrity
• Holding a president accountable under the law
• Supreme Court ethics
• Continued economic recovery from COVID
• Global stability and NATO solidarity
• Responsible and equitable deficit reduction
. . . then the Democratic Party is for you.
If you value:
• Constant chaos
• Destruction of long-standing, vital institutions and laws
• Safe harbor for bigotry, fascism, authoritarianism
• No prosecution for criminals who perpetrated crimes against our nation, and pardons for those already found guilty
• Government gridlock and endless, needless, and pointless investigations
• Rising deficits
• Tax relief for the wealthy subsidized by the middle class
• Culture of cheating
. . . then today’s Republican Party is for you.
I'd be on board owning responsible guns if there were any...
Barbara S, you mentioned "Global stability and NATO solidarity."
I hope you will consider the possibility that Biden's Ukraine policy (with NATO the flip side of the IMF) risks pushing us toward nuclear confrontation with a well-armed, vengeful Russia (because the "Shock Therapy" genocide that we imposed on them in the 1990s killed off all their old people).
No idea what you are talking about. Russia outwitted the IMF when their own oligarchs took Russia"s money and power away from the would-be IMF oligarchs. Russia is the one that is now imposing shock therapy and war crimes on Ukraine. Your comments are uniformly uninformed as you parrot right wing disinformation.
Barbara S,
Thank you for your response, but the dismissive tone is not appreciated, especially the slap in the face about "parroting right wing disinformation." For example, published just before the frozen civil war in the Donbass unfroze:
"Ukraine is brutally repressing the left, criminalizing socialist parties, imprisoning activists"
https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2022/03/21/ukraine-repressing-left-criminalizing-socialist-parties/
And here's an earlier one:
"Neo-Nazis and the Far Right are on the March in Ukraine"
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
And if you prefer a British source:
"Ukraine's Neo-Nazi Problem"
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cohen-ukraine-commentary-idUSKBN1GV2TY
And the Washington Post:
"Neo-Nazis are exploiting Russia’s war in Ukraine for their own purposes"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/03/14/neo-nazi-ukraine-war/
I sincerely hope that you will reconsider your slap in the face about "parroting right-wing disinformation.
One final source, written by Russian President Yeltsin's Minister of Foreign Economic Relations:
"Genocide: Russia and the New World Order"
https://archive.org/details/AGenocideRussiaAndTheNewWorldOrder1999
Steve Abbott, empathy is a trait that allows humans to genuinely feel for others in difficult circumstances that they themselves are not experiencing. I don't see this trait In tfg's supporters and republicans in general. They are out for themselves, perhaps their family (tribe), but anyone at a distance or different they are indifferent to their suffering. I believe that this country is not divided, that most people have empathy and concern for those less fortunate, but the mainstream media, as many her have noted, is the culprit in creating a culture of division.
🤣now two F’s ...!!
Well, we're all thinking it anyway....
One of Roy Cohan's lessons that trump absorbed in his pea brain was that there is no such thing as bad publicity. He just keeps being as outrageous as usual. His big mouth should be cause for him being jailed and an earlier than planned for trial. If and when he is convicted all law abiding people and those who know how critical the rule of law is will see justice served putting him in prison and let his support fuss and or riot. Putting a political candidate in prison who needs to be president so he can pardon himself is his prime motive for running again, because he knows he is GUILTY and is terrified of being put in prison. (No doubt a federal prison, which is like a country club compared to a state prison and like a prison compared to a country club.)
I listen to Thom Hartmann every week day for the last 20 years on Free Speech TV, read his reports. Thom and Heather are priceless but I am so tired of the same ole crap over and over again. The dems foolishly don't know how to wield power when they are in control and could get things done. Obama was a capitulator.
Yes, but Joe Biden is targeting his opponents more and more specifically, and with a bit of a sneer. maybe his delivery will catch on.
But politeness or unwillingness to engage the enemy sends a weak message.
And it's the media's job to sell advertising, less to inform.
Today Dr. Richardson's voice does stand out for her definition of Biden's and Democrats work and for her able and honest definition of Republicans. Republicans are hiding under rocks in fear of losing the next election if they speak up (since the real problem is Americans, not Trump).
However, something may be afoot among the Far Right (those that can read anyway).
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/us/trump-jan-6-insurrection-conservatives.html
The below is what I have been saying since January 7th, 2021. Of course, I am a nobody engineer who read the fourteenth amendment in my high school history class when I was 16.
In particular, the fourteenth amendment included specific words to keep former Confederate soldiers from holding office. But, the words were not "Confederate soldiers", the words were "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the United States.
From the NY Times today (link above and below)
"Two prominent conservative law professors have concluded that Donald J. Trump is ineligible to be president under a provision of the Constitution that bars people who have engaged in an insurrection from holding government office. I do think Dr. Richardson has mentioned this in one of her letters in the past.
The professors are active members of the Federalist Society, the conservative legal group, and proponents of originalism, the method of interpretation that seeks to determine the Constitution’s original meaning.
The professors — William Baude of the University of Chicago and Michael Stokes Paulsen of the University of St. Thomas — studied the question for more than a year and detailed their findings in a long article to be published next year in The University of Pennsylvania Law Review. (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4532751)
“When we started out, neither of us was sure what the answer was,” Professor Baude said. “People were talking about this provision of the Constitution. We thought: ‘We’re constitutional scholars, and this is an important constitutional question. We ought to figure out what’s really going on here.’ And the more we dug into it, the more we realized that we had something to add.”
"Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits anyone who has previously taken an oath of office (Senators, Representatives, and other public officials) from holding public office if they have "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the United States.
He summarized the article’s conclusion: “Donald Trump cannot be president — cannot run for president, cannot become president, cannot hold office — unless two-thirds of Congress decides to grant him amnesty for his conduct on Jan. 6.”"
“The question of should Donald Trump go to jail is entrusted to the criminal process,” he said. “The question of should he be allowed to take the constitutional oath again and be given constitutional power again is not a question given to any jury.”
Indeed. Too many stir up their base with anti-government rhetoric and then seek to destroy democratic institutions from within. While this certainly dates back to the Civil War era, in modern times we had Reagan joking about government while Grover Norquist wanted a government so small he could drown it in a bathtub. The attacks upon government in the form of an incompetent fringe working to control the House is not a competition of ideas on how to grow the economy in a sustainable manner. It is an attack upon our very system. Trump, his co-conspirators, and accessories after the fact should all be expelled and/or barred from ever “serving” in an elected position or in the public sector for which they have declared as the enemy.
Reagan only attacked that part of the government that worked for the majority of Americans.
He fully supported massive increases in government spending for military contractors including initiating and spending $1 Trillion ($3.1 Trillion in today's dollars) on the failed "Star Wars" missile system. Mostly, this increase was to fund his big donors from Southern California.
Reagan was a big fan of Big government where it came to making military contractors richer and making the rich even richer through government programs.
He called this "small government" but in reality it was Huge Government for Military Contractors and Wealthy Donors and "small government" for the majority of Americans.
It is a myth that Reagan supported "small government".
Thank you, George. That we have to be reminded or the constitution re-evaluated and conveniently misconstrued in that process are the basic tenants of authoritarian takeover. There’s little doubt in my mind . It seems only a matter of time before Jack extends this process, the indictments to further eradicate the complicits.
The undermining has been long in its arm of dogged stealth, this movement as most of us have now become aware of , educated about, and now opposing has got to be stopped or we lose America.
It’s a grand thanks to Heather and her able constituents as well as the many of you commenters.
Stay the course and for the rest.....
💙💙GET OUT AND VOTE 💙💙
It was via substack I learned of and support this organization.
TurnUp organized by far the largest youth-led youth voter registration and turnout operation in the 2020 election, the 2022 midterms and the 2021 & 2022 Georgia runoff elections based on publicly available data.
They need our support. Read about them at their website
turnup.us
I am supporting them. 🙌
Our youth is a vibrant , smart ‘up and coming’ set , I was a little ahead of that crowd in the late 60’s but joined their antidisestablishmentarianism work/chant/cause feeling the focus was accountability as well as FOR THE PEOPLE. We made history then as they will now.
So, here we are again , the fight never ends keeping people honest. Many have been led astray before and so will be in our future. Evil does not rest.
Nor will WE.
Keep the word going out 🤝and ..
💙💙VOTE💙💙
I have supported them and will continue to do so. They are our future.
Prof. Lawrence Tribe gets it. He’s mature. Bill Baude is young. His interpretation is correct. The 14th amendment protects all citizens from racist creeps in sheep’s KKK clothing.
SB,
AND, prevents those who run an insurrection against the government from holding any public office after that.
That is the existing law of the land.
Mike S -- Thanks so much for the NYTimes link! It's an article worthy to be thoughtfully sent to ALL of our senators and congressmen/women.
Mike S, thank you for the NYT link. Hopefully, the ideas therein will gain traction, especially keeping tfg off the ballots.
Beth B,
Hopefully the American people, who mostly have read zero of the Constitution, will read the 14th Amendment.
Because, the 14th Amendment is not an idea per se, although it contains ideas.
It is the Law of the United States of America.
Thanks Mike for pointing this out.I have wondered about why the 14th hasn’t been invoked since Jan 7 2021 too. Lots of Congress members no longer were qualified to hold office, but....Here in New Mexico it was used to keep the Cowboys for Trump leader from returning to his position of county commissioner. After that I expected to hear a lot more about using the 14th but, nada,nothing until now. Better late than never, I suppose.
"I have wondered about why the 14th hasn’t been invoked since Jan 7 2021 too."
Deborah, So few Americans read the 14th amendment I would propose that American just have no idea about anything, anywhere, in the US constitution.
Not only should trump go to jail, he should be put in solitary confinement. Than should solve the need for secret service protection....
How do we get from where we are now to there?
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/august-11-2023/comment/22253858
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipM0Yjxf95b0299_nG7z-Ozw0E-SmZmJX-PkgFfA3ajNibSWzbVC9aEp13wxRAFLnQ/photo/AF1QipPhfo33bJhFpSLYxbZCLLXuzqANIZ7LH6RtfeLd?key=WElyaWVJQ3ZUU0ZYemVBZzFNMjcyOG8xN0ExaTBB
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DaB4mSJDxYe2UCJHA
Educated, informed, and engaged, and prepared to accept (emotional) adult responsibility for the requirements of successful self-governance. To turn down most of the "junk-food" news and to seek and demand useful, accurate, actionable information, as if outcomes mattered. This site can't do it all, but certainly exemplifies the sort of thing that's needed.
Very true.
And I'm not against important information disseminated through entertainment. Programs like Star Trek, Norman Lear's "All in the Family", MASH, Smothers Brothers, and Rod Serling's "The Twilight Zone" are all important examples of encapsulating provocative social commentary in a manner which made it accessible to far more people. Nevertheless, it should not be offered instead of investigative journalism and analysis -it should be in conjunction with.
The is a need in life for silliness, and powerful truths are often delivered most effectively by fiction, and by other forms of art. I am more concerted when a product purporting to be "news" is mostly beside-the -point fluff, or in the case Fox, a pack of lies. I stopped watching TV news in the run-up to Bush II's Iraq War. The coverage I was seemed like cheer-leading for the war. I began reading the Guardian instead and there found a great deal on useful information about our war adventures that did not show up in local sources until weeks later, if at all. If we are really going to try to be a self-governing nation, of, by and for the people, etc., then we need to find better protocols for informing the public about stuff that matters.
"...informing the public." Yes, that is a tough issue. HCR quotes from the Nixon adviser that it's more effective to appeal to emotions rather than reason. Some wonder why Trump has the support that he does. It's exactly because Trump appeals to emotion rather than reason, i.e., they favor white Christian Nationalism over democracy. The Opinion Today piece in the New York Times by Michelle Cottle, "Why Trump? Why, oh Why? [8/11/2023] puzzles over the enduring grip that Trump holds on a portion of the American electorate. Ms. Cottle writes that there is no easy answer. She's wrong. There is an easy answer. David Norman Smith and Eric Hanley, professors at the Univ. of Kansas, researched and published a study in the peer-reviewed journal, Critical Sociology in February 2018 entitled, "The Anger Games: Who Voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 Election, and Why? Their conclusion? The people who voted for Trump did so because he represents their prejudices, and in particular: racism, misogyny and xenophobia. So, what do these prejudices represent? They represent white Christian Nationalism. The three main idols of white Christian Nationalism are power, fear and violence, according to a recent book by Andrew L Whitehead entitled, "American Idolary."
MAGA Republicanism is nothing new on the American scene. Timothy Egan, in his riveting book, "A Fever in the Heartland," about the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the American Midwest in the 1920's left me with this realization: The 2020's MAGA are the "grandchildren" of the 1920's KKK. It's the same - white Protestantism now and white Protestatism forever. Trump's supporters care more about power than they do democracy.
Totally agree with your point about the KKK's grandchildren. It's a fascinating read, certainly nauseating trial. I remember my mother becoming disturbed when she found out some John Birchers joined our church, even with our pastor heavily involved in JFK's campaign (and later the Paris Peace Talks).
The trial was tough to navigate. The pain that Madge had to endure, knowing what her fate was, was difficult, even now.
Fever left me feeling that things never change....they may go underground for a while, but as soon as someone like death star gives carte blanche they explode right out of the swamp. I belong to a group on Facebook about my hometown and this week an old building is being demolished and there was a constant lament that my town (Elkhart, Indiana) does not save old buildings and a love for the downtown that once existed. But first they went to Walmart and now probably to Amazon. None of them ever talk about supporting local businesses, but complain about the service at some fast food joint.
What comes to my mind? This: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Perspective is difficult to grasp. Do the MAGA types have no clue as to what they're doing, and why?
Thank you for the references... two more on my 'must read' list.
The takeaway, in my view, is simply this: While Trump's people are fighting like hell, we've got to vote like hell. It is that clear cut.
I tend to think that easy answers are inadequate where human behavior is involved, including my own theories, because we are inter-interactive, and I imagine that even the most rational of us are capable of doublethink. That said, I agree that there is a broad pattern, an "elephant in the room" about which there is far too little discussion. I am sure I oversimplify, but while "natural selection" ultimately favors the survival and "prosperity" of species, not individuals, we are reactive and of necessity pursue our own self interest. However, unlike so-called "social Darwinists" (who slander Darwin) evolution selected a host of "better angel" characteristics in humans that has enabled us to prosper, in fact, over-prosper as a species; self-reflection, compassion, conscience, artistic expression, appreciation of beauty, abstraction, exceptionally articulate verbal communication and it preservation and portability in writing, disciplined logic, "wisdom", among other traits which while sometimes recognizable in other species are uniquely developed and diversely expressed in our own. I think the "easy" answer is that the rewards of disciplined and sustained effort skills are, while potentially compelling, a much harder sell than appeals to our evolutionarily older "reptile brain", in any case the part of us that is self-obsessed. If one overarching quality exudes from Donald Trump, it is that he is self-obsessed and grants salient permission for his followers to be self-obsessed themselves.
And what is political power except the process that determines whose will prevails, be it collaboratively as is would be with a loving couple deciding what to have for dinner, or a good-faith society making inclusive policy decisions? Or a bully of any age and status abusing some advantage by forcing his or her will on others lacking the justification of compelling self-defense? In the authoritarian society, integrated self-interest rules the roost. Modern Republicans bristle at complying with even their own rules, let alone those advocated by others, yet ache to impose their own preferences on everybody else, and insist on their right to do so. They want to be self-righteous bullies and flatter themselves that it demonstrates their superiority. It's a pattern we see around the world and throughout history. I believe is creates most of the preventable misery our species endures. It has the potential to bring our species to an end. It's malignant narcissism; hubris; "Mr. Hyde"; evil.
It isn't a pretty picture. We are literally destroying our own environment, not only for ourselves but for the other creatures that inhabit this planet. In the end, it may be that we were just smart enough to manufacture our own doom. Imagine, a world with no more humans.
Yes -very true. And "The Guardian" is excellent. Very grateful for them (and support them).
And an added benefit to subscribing to The Guardian (which can be for free, although I support it monthly): because of the time difference, we get the news 5 hours earlier!
Very true. I wish that worked for the stock market!
Love The Guardian!
I couldn't agree more, George. Mass entertainment doesn't even have to be overtly provocative to change hearts, minds and laws. The tipping point for marriage equality and wider acceptance and tolerance for LGBQ (not T yet) was in large part due to filmmakers and showrunners' behind the scenes fight to include multidimensional gay characters, especially in sitcoms.
And the Barbie movie is a feminist and queer classic! It's going to do more for female empowerment than most laws are able to do.
While we desperately need evidence-based facts, I think our cultural values are probably most effectively transmitted though the arts.
I have a special love for screenwriters (and filmmakers/showrunners who have the courage) to embrace provocative dialogue catalyzing empathy and understanding in society. It's telling that one can seem to track a steady erosion of educational level in what is considered accessible to American society.
Case in point: watch "PainKiller" on Netflix. It explains and skewers OxyContin and the Sackler family in ways that teams of print stores cannot.
Thanks for the reminder, Kathleen. DOPESICK was another great book and TV series on the same subject. The Sacklers should be in prison for life.
As much as I hate to admit it, for years (when he was active) I got all my political news and analysis from Berkeley Breathed’s Bloom County. Humor really is a great way to get a point across - especially when a pudgy-toed penguin is involved.
"We have met the enemy, and he is us."
Pogo!!!
Indeed. Especially when it comes to climate. Angry penguins tell it like it is -especially those from Bloom County.
Agreed. Allow me to offer one addition: "Law and Order". As I watch old episodes, I am impressed by the range of topics covered by that series, and the discussions engendered. Including its spinoffs (SVU and Criminal Intent).
Very true James!
Law & Order is one of my favorite programs. Specifically, while Steven Hill portrayed the Manhattan DA -his portrayal reminded me so much of my dad -the weight of the world, "seen it all" character. And of course the "Criminal Intent" spinoff with Vincent D'Onofrio was excellent. The writing was terrific on those programs for many years.
And remember that Steven Hill's character was named "Adam Schiff" ? A great character, a great actor, and a great congressman!
Exactly! While I'm not a big television fan, I do read quite a bit. I accidentally stumbled upon a book that gently, gently plants the seeds of thought about how to be a good human--and then became a fan of the author and have read many of his books (Roland Merullo, I've suggested his books on this forum several times.)
My lifelong dream was to be an author, and I was inspired to write in the same way. This is my retirement "job" and I have finished one novel (and submitted it for publication---fingers crossed!) and am editing second novel. Partly through novel #3. If nothing else, when the news overwhelms and dismays me, I seek solace in writing, and I hope for better days.
Miselle, Congratulations on realizing your lifelong dream!
Aristotle: entertainment softens the soul.
George,
I remember, even as a kid, not liking All in the Family at all.
The old guy in the show who sat on his arse in a chair all the time ranting about something or the other offput me as an older kid then as a teenager. My family (which includes a Dad from Mexico) never watched the show for the most part.
I do remember the old guy was overtly racist. What was the point of that show anyway? That an old, lazy, white guy can make fun of EVERYONE else??
I think (white) America liked that show because it made white folks feel OK about being racist. If Archie Bunker can do it so can I.
Although I was too young to understand this when the show started, by the time I was in high school it seemed clear to me that it was not celebrating Archie's behavior but poking fun at it without demonizing the character himself. A delicate balance, so the satire had to be subtle.
I don't know how many viewers got the message. I lived in the Deep South, where the show was just as popular as it was anyplace else, but I don't recall it changing anyone's behavior. Maybe it changed some minds? Or maybe it mostly joked with the choir.
Well said.
Thank you.
George, I got onto Substack because of Heather and Steve Schmidt (the Warning). I could say a lot about the pathetic state of our mainstream media but I’ve said it so many times it’s even boring me. I have however shortened it to a quote by Jesse Jackson “If I walked on water, the headline in the New York Times would be Jesse Jackson can’t swim.”
Interestingly, during Trump's repeated attacks on media as an "Enemy of the people" I found myself unable to criticize them (while holding them partially responsible for Trump's rise to power). However after Reagan eviscerated the Fairness Doctrine, and the subsequent erosion of broadcast news from "crown jewel" of a network to "Entertainment Tonight" -an important pillar of democracy is gone.
Well said. I agree.
Very well said George and you hit precisely on the head; The fourth estate vacuum.
Thank you, Mr. Polisner. You are exactly right, and said it beautifully. And thank you again, Dr. Richardson!
Hear Hear George, well said!🙌👏
And I concur...
💙💙VOTE💙💙
George,
I am grateful for your comments, and would like to add my own on your "fourth estate vacuum." While it might feel like a vacuum to those of us who are used to a particular way the fourth estate has functioned in the USA, it is in fact a transformation. Heather hints at it when she quotes from an unidentified Nixon campaign worker. Social media and corporate interests in media have transformed the field into an affective rather than informative entity. Voters may well be lazy, as Nixon's counsel points out. When the media is compensated by attention-getting (which is how the Internet monetizes), they will seek to get it in the most efficient way possible: using emotion and our attraction-aversion that follows. And the fourth estate has been transformationally co-opted by media interests. As a result, while we still get occasional actual journalism from the more reputable sources (e.g., NYT, The Guardian, the Wall Street Journal), that's just a brand item to keep us coming back for the emotion-led click$.
This transformation has created the ideal medium for segmenting engagement, providing pre-approved data that passes for "information," and inoculating the educated against continuing that education.
Stuart, whether a "vacuum" or a transition to a "monitized" wasteland, it still sucks. It's the logical conclusion of the "corporatization" of America, and the NYT and WAPO are the standard bearers at the head of that light brigade,in my opinion. So we are in agreement, I think. And hopefully, with the help of a few enlightened individuals like HCR, Thom Hartmann, Robert Reich, etc., publishing on platforms like Substack, we will emerge better informed than we have ever been. I say hopefully....And then the question remains, who are "we", and what possible difference can "we" make?
Terrific and well-thought-out Stuart. Thank you. I think it's also important to mention media consolidation. It's much easier to "Manufacture Consent" when there are only a handful of media enterprises that remain.
Note: I wrote this in response to a MUCH earlier post from Mr Polisner.
When you denigrate the “fourth estate” and “news media,” George A. Polisner, could you please be more specific about what exactly you are referring to?
Not meaning to single you out for criticism, Mr. Polisner, but when I hear this sweeping ire directed at “news media” (my dear, departed dad did the same thing), it is especially annoying to me to hear such dismissives as “now beholden to profit” when thousands of award-winning newspapers, local, regional, national, in the last decade have been silenced, killed off in some cases by the very forces that today have the fate of our democratic republic in a death grip.
As well, I would like to repeat your assessment of our beloved Heather Cox Richardson:
“You are truly a hero.” Yes, she certainly is. Also be aware that she is a vital, active, invaluable, brilliant (so many praise-directed adjectives) member of this country’s “news media.” (As are so many other contributors on Substack.)
Let’s all try to be more precise, more mindful about directing our criticism when we get pissed about the kind of “news” we’re having to consume. Otherwise, we start siding with the Orange Idiot and his Henchflock that the “media is the enemy of the people.”
George, now that is one spot on comment. Good work!!
Couldn’t have said it better. Thank you HCR!
I second that!
The media, or at least much of it, now opt for the easy way out — it's easy to cover the freak show of MTG, Boebert, Jordan, Gaetz, Comer, and way too many others. Just record and play back the conspiracy theories of lies they spout while clicks and ratings flow in. It's much more difficult to do hard-nosed reporting and provide context and analysis. Costs more, too.
There's very good journalism available every day but often is overlooked or too expensive for some people to afford.
Very true Michael. Just as cheap, vacuous “reality” shows have taken over from scripted high quality programming, so called news puts a microphone and a camera in front of an elected official complaining about Jewish space lasers, or solar panels will drain the sun -instead of a serious focus on issues.
It would seem that the fourth estate is now merely the marketing arm of political, financial, social extremists seeking power and wealth above any other goal or ideology. They have broken their vows and become, essentially, traitorous to our Consitution. "And the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made."
Yes! So many of us who no longer watch network “news” depend upon Heather to keep us educated, informed and engaged. Thank you!!
The Republican game plan for the 2024 election includes exploiting widespread repressed popular revulsion against the transgender phenomenon, painting the Democrats as Gomorric perverts.
Thank you Dr. Richardson, when the world seems to be tilting and spinning, your letter helps to make some sense of it all. But I have to say it may get worse before it gets better.
The firehose of excrement "flooding the zone" by Rethuglicans is definitely getting worse but, a smaller-but-significant window on the "getting better" side is something that has not yet picked up steam but should soon, which is a long and in-depth study of the 14th Amendment by two prominent conservative legal scholars who are active members of the Federalist Society. Their conclusion: “Donald Trump cannot be president — cannot run for president, cannot become president, cannot hold office — unless two-thirds of Congress decides to grant him amnesty for his conduct on Jan. 6.” A summary is linked below:
https://morningshots.thebulwark.com/p/does-the-constitution-disqualify
Thom Hartmann has been covering this and that national orgs are moving for removal of his name from the ballot in key swing states. This would make it impossible for him to achieve the electoral votes needed and would have nothing to do with First Amendment rights.
https://hartmannreport.com/p/how-can-we-ban-trump-and-his-cultists-234
BK, welcome news. One has to wonder though, what took them till now ? I could speculate as could others here. When I caught wind of this development, my immediate thought was the last minute 'hail Mary' into some hopeful end zone to salvage that party from themselves, given the mountains of facts in evidence. We shall see.
Let's consider who funds the Federalist Society. They don't operate in a virtuous vacuum of originalist constitutional theories and legal exercises.
The Federalists are an extension of the oligarchs who fund it and every election they feel will lead to greater influence in court or in the floor of a legislature. Thank you Citizens United.
The FS watched and promoted the presidency of a known con man crook because it served their money grubbing needs. But now, they may see Trump as a bit too disruptive and they are not stupid. They realize that the powerful backlash against their schemes may make them targets of a new revolution. That young people will see how a bunch of old white rich guys have been pulling the strings of government while the Earth we need as viable planet is raped and pillaged for immediate profit.
I think the FS players who wrote that assessment were guided by their masters who realized that their puppet is out of control. Who are those puppet masters? Just ask Clarence Thomas and John Roberts. Always follow the money.
I do agree with your well stated assessment of that potential, Bill. At numerous times over the past few years it has been more-than possible that we witness the GOP's not-so-hidden moves (or lack thereof) to allow the Dems to do their "dirty work" of taking him out for them. It allows them the goal of his departure while using it as means for their traditional full-on role as victims with grievance and rationale for retribution.
This is my impression as well. Thanks for putting it into words.
I just wonder who the FS and their funders are eyeing as a replacement for Trump? These people are always planning long term-I look at all the usual suspects and I just don’t see anyone worth being anointed. I can’t see Liz being willing to go into harness for them-she’s got her own agenda. It’s troubling.
A legit concern. Here is a possibility. They have an empty bench. And they are realizing that there is nobody available. Nobody who has the charismatic bullshit factor they need.
I think the Oligarchs are in a panicked disarray. Good.
Excellent comment about being afraid of young people who are suffering the effects of 40 years of Republican policy as Uber contract drivers with low pay and no benefits.
But, those Oligarchs are trying to make elections pointless and passé as well. So, young folks won't matter.
We shall see, I trust them not
My guess is that they recognize Trump is very unlikely to win a general election so they want him out before they are stuck with him
Or self preservation. Should we achieve a trifecta ( all Dem) in 2024 hopefully the first order of business will be campaign finance reform, aka getting rid of Citizens United, rendering their organization moot. If so their plan will have failed.
Exactly!!!! Plus many more! Like SCOTUS oversight being what it should be!!
And expanding the Supreme Court and mandating that justices follow a stringent ethics policy.
They are not done yet. Were he dead and done-for, the wingers would ship him through a mortuary back room and then sit him up dressed in a R/W/& blue necktie and revived by movieland tech, so those seeing him through the windows of his personal show-off vehicle wld believe he is still with us. A stuffed TV horror-style specimen of all that's ugly in the politics of our country.
Just like mortally wounded Charlton Heston in the 1961 movie "El Cid."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ILqbD6XXkA
The best information to come from The Federalist Society ever. And perhaps the best way to get tffg to stand down and enter much needed - and deserved - irrelevancy.
BK....thank you for including these excellent pieces "a long and in-depth study of the 14th Amendment by two prominent conservative scholars who are active members of the Federalist Society." "True Patriots" is another description I would add to these men of character!!!!
Beware! The Federalist Society still supports a very conservative agenda and there are plenty of MAGA minded hopefuls to jump right in and take Trump’s place.
Yes, and if trump doesn’t run they may come up with someone who could win. Despite the risk, TFG running may be our best shot at a trifecta wipeout.
"Men of character" might be going way too far when they are funded by dark money and have egregious goals for America.
But my greatest hope for months has been the 14.3 Amendment. I had to look it up again to see the text because the "two thirds of Congress really bothered me as the majority are, well, let's say, tainted. Here is the text that could change the ruling of this clause, which actually involves BOTH houses, not just the majority. Much more fair and winnable for the non-radicals in our government:
"No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability." (Interesting they call a traitor to our country "a disability"...and the past, so-called "disability" to our democracy horribly mocked a reporter with a physical disability whilst giving a talk at one of his rallies). That old saying about coming home to roost...
This is the best news in a long time and it will have some impact for TFG. Looking back , the Federalist Society judges have often not been helpful to MAGA.
Why is not Trump charged with contempt of court?
I do not believe in Australia we can ever have the vote rigging and disenfranchising attempts going on there. Our system is quite simple. An independent electoral commission is in charge of electorates based on population. All citizens must vote or face a fine. Yes, it’s a conundrum … to protect democracy ALL citizens are forced to vote. Social dues.
"Republicans" are putting a lot of effort into reducing the number of people who vote. Something makes me a bit uneasy with mandatory voting, but it may make sense here as it seems to me that voting is a responsibility as well as a choice since one's input, or lack of it can bring harm to others when poor choices drive policy and law. Typically it is they who are already deprived who suffer the most when votes are not responsibly cast. For that matter, irresponsible choices made today may seriously plague our posterity. We need to improve both participation and preparedness.
JL...there is a lot of "gameplaying" amongst those who want to win at any cost....including the stealing of our freedoms for their empty or dangerous power. Sadly there are too many who brandish guns rather than care for the people and progress of freedom and peace and care for all citizens and for the survival of our planet home.
I agree with you, JL, "mandatory ......" can be a dangerous word.
It is especially sad that places of worship are being used to brainwash people. Hatred and separation from members of our American family is being encouraged through lies. There are many places of worship and many choices for worship and the freedom not to worship which in my opinion is better than being a fake worshiper.
When we vote, it counts for all of us...it counts for our example to continue to strive to be a free country in a world where many leaders want to decide for their population "who they want you to be (to take away your freedoms). What kind of legacy do we want to leave, what will my vote mean not only to me but to my fellow citizens...young, old, strong, healthy... those who struggle with disease or disabilities, long time citizens, refuges longing for a home....longing for freedom... voting for an excellent education system or NOT...one that helps us to think on our own...work out ideas and opinions or would we rather have others "think for us?" Partcipating by voting is the right of every US citizen and we should do all we can to encourage free and fair elections, in person or by mail.
I remember in 2004, Karl Rove basically made Christian churches arms of the Repub party. I went to one then, no more. It’s one reason W “won” in 2004
And now, across the South, most people will vote inside Christain church. For several years now, due to school shootings, voting has been removed from public schools. There simply aren't enough other public community buildings available in which to conduct in person voting. My own voting precinct votes in a Catholic church's community hall. It's not the sanctum, but there IS a massive cross painted on one wall. I work that poll occasionally and once had a voter insist on pointing to that cross and gifting me a scripture book to indicate that we should all be voting "under his eye" (to use the Handmaid's Tale quote as a context shortcut.) I'm not comfortable holding elections in churches. I'm not religious and believe in separation of church and state. Think how comfortable other religious people of different religions feel about voting in these churches. All 4 of the precincts closest to me are in churches, and many are withing walking district so they should really be combined, but this is a Republican voting area so of course they will not be. The only good thing is that they have the parking to support the activity.
Couldn't agree more, separation of church and state is being washed away with the tide. Erosion of a bedrock. What a sign of "republican times" when schools aren't being used because of the prevalence of nuts with guns. Makes one think that it might be deliberate.
The other thing is that if our whole way of life is predicated on the need to vote, why would there not be secure, readily available public spaces in which to vote; a multipurpose room (or rooms) in a town's governmental infrastructure? Even renting a hall. Whatever it takes, if we take democracy seriously.
And no, I don't think is church is an appropriate venue. Muddling church and state corrupts both.
I know my experience is statistically next to meaningless, but I have throughout my life attended various denominational services because of who I was with, a funeral, or very occasional curiosity. It may be a trick of memory, but even in those services that are not overtly right wing, it seems to me that those I experienced in my youth were more moral-lesson oriented, and those of today more focused on a hard-sell sales pitch for the benefits that accrue from believing in the divinity of Jesus; and little else.
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people". Everyone has heard it, like "Peace on Earth" banners in Christmas shopping malls; but what would a faithful implementation of that formula actually look like? Would there be gerrymandering? Would the "News" episodically report that the will of the public was again thwarted by a "powerful lobby", with the implied resignation of a parade cancelled for bad weather? Should anything be done about social injustices, and if so, who's going to do it? We are regularly encouraged to "vote" by public service announcements, but are we adequately prepared to make our vote meaningful?
As in encouraging wise public health regimens, is there more that can be done to encourage a framing of citizen engagement in thinking about the wider implication of platforms and policy, and helping to develop them instead of just picking from somebody else's menu? It it any wonder that those who feel that politics is oblivious to their concerns ignore the vote or carelessly vote for a conman (or woman) who only pretends to care? Even though my 1950's schooling included lessons in "Civics", which I am now told is out of favor, I don't feel we scratched the surface of addressing the needed individual skills to be a well informed, engaged, social, economic and environmental decision-maker.
Definitions, 'legal definitions' with consequences seem in order as well. Specifically definitions surrounding the words "news" as it relates to a responsible and constitutionally protected fourth estate. Is that possible ? It certainly seems necessary given the 24/7 "news" cycle of today's world. Problematic... Would reinstatement of a modern "Fairness Doctrine" help, or would it create a new regulatory morass ? We do live in interesting times.
Mandatory is word that rankles Americans - we were raised to think of ourselves as "pull yourself up by the boot straps" cowboys. And cowgirls who will stand by their man. I almost vomited writing that. But the American ideal has been this phony vision of a tiny government and independent good guys with white hats who will always save the lady. Gag again. TV promoted nonsense myths.
But I agree with you. A lot of things are already "mandatory". Like paying taxes, following traffic laws, not attacking your neighbor, need I go on? If we require people to wear seat belts to save their lives why wouldn't we require voting to save the Republic?
Here's my idea. Voter registration would start at birth - at least with the issue of a Social Security Card. There it is. A card that encrypts the number but gives you an ID that automatically is your entry pass to the voting booth when you reach the eligible age - in person or on line, whatever.
Citizens would vote for anyone in a ranked choice voting system. As a result, the complaint that all politicians are the same falls apart. You could write in your own name or check "none of the above". But you must participate because it is your moral and social responsibility. If you don't vote, you won't be able to work, fuel your vehicle or buy beer.
Bill Alstrom -- Superb suggestions and insights! Thanks for sparking further thinking on my part.
The thing is Anne, the populations of Australia and Canada are fewer than the population of California. Both Countries (I was born a Canadian but have been an American for more than sixty years) have a more cohesive population than ours. We have become harder to control as we have grown so large. If we tried to fine people just in my State (California) we'd have an open rebellion on our hands. In the 2022 elections every registered voter in the State of California was mailed a ballot with a prepaid return envelope. 50% of the registered voters actually voted. 22 million people were registered, more than 80% of those eligible and still they couldn't take a half hour to sit with their voters manual and mark the ballot, sign the envelope and drop it in the mail
I get your comment Fay. Small populations. Large populations can do the same thing if it is a mark of adulthood, of coming of age, a point of pride for the young coming of age and the many newcomers. People from third world countries are not stupid. Young are not stupid. They want respect, law And order and the ability to vote. To say. Small thing in the sea of unfairness sweeping the world.
Always seemed wise to me.
Contempt of court may yet come. Right now Judge Chutkan is proceeding slowly. I think she will not hesitate if it comes to that.
You'd think the explanation accompanying the Fitch downgrading might perhaps strike a chord with the people responsible for the problematic governance. Mr MuX could put it out on X. A cage of chimpanzees would exhibit greater collaborative understanding.
They (the people responsible for the problematic governance -- not the chimps) see the benefit of throwing sand in the gears of progress when said progress is effectuated by Bidenomics. Politics is very often a zero sum game.
To put it another way, they don't care, and anyway, have no rational unified counterproposals if they did.
Hence Fitch.
Exactly. And the McCarthy gang can say post-Fitch "This is what Biden has caused blah blah blah." And people buy their nothingness.
Standard & Poor had already wielded the razor during the previous administration, but they won't mention that. That didn't matter.
Well put, Anne-Louise. Ook. 🐒
But instead "the people responsible for the problematic governance" are, like caged chimps, flinging feces at each other.
That's not actually the way chimps behave - they are generous,
playful and affectionate. And demonstrably intelligent.
Sorry for my mistake. I must have been overwhelmed with the negativity of the blockages by blockheads holding the US hostage. Certainly chimps are more intelligent than the "representatives" throwing feces at all of us.
btw, I said "caged chimps," not Jane Goodall's "generous, playful and affectionate" chimps. Caged animals develop neurotic behaviors.
Thank you Heather.
The Republican Party is indeed using up all the oxygen and drowning out everyone and everything else. It’s what bullies do. Prison sentences for those who instigated the coup may go a long way towards silencing the harpies. 🙏🏻
Op-eds appear acknowledging that the way the mainstream media covered Trump in 2016 helped him win and criticizing the continuation of that type of coverage. But then the mainstream media keeps on letting him and his acolytes "flood the zone." "What bleeds leads". Are these the profits of doom? (Yes, I meant "profits.")
When we are angry at the media for what the cover and what they don't, we need to ask ourselves, "What stories am I clicking on and reading?" because that's how they decide how to allocate their resources of reporter time and publication space.
The choices are narrow and loaded… sad to say
So they can decide our way to doom?That tells the story of the irresponsible, greedy, corporation-owned news media. Have they deluded themselves that they’ll be spared from this doom?
I will be surprised if Trump is able to comply with the order. Self regulation is not seemingly in his DNA. He and his followers ignore subpoenas, orders, laws, and the Constitution with a self-absorbed arrogance beyond comprehension. I don't even grace the Republican operatives with the name "Party" any longer. They are a mobster group in much the same way as the Sacklers' "Purdue Pharmacy" was a drug cartel with articles of incorporation. The operatives have as much in common with their rank and file members as the addicts created by the Purdue corporation have in common with the Sacklers. I believe the party took the path it did because they did not hold their own accountable for malfeasance and punished those who opted for governance as a priority over seizing power. Lest we Democrats feel smug, don't even think that it cannot happen to us by the same path.
It seems childishly deliberate. Is he trying to get himself jailed, to stir the hornets' nest?
The more he's perceived as a victim the stronger he becomes with his followers. It's his proven formula for power.
In his 2016 election campaign, I thought he was trying to lose the election by alienating at least half the human population, starting with women, and just did not want the job because of all the work that came with the status. The result was more white women voting for him than for Hillary Clinton. Go figure.
It may be that outrageous "childishly deliberate" behavior has worked for him all his life, and there is not a doubt in his mind that it will work just fine right here and now too.
Ed, caution with JS' projection. Update: The chronological sequence of JS's trolling efforts is quite revealing.
When communicating in acronyms and abbreviations, the meaning easily gets lost. Such is the case here. Sorry, but I have no idea what you are referring to.
No problem just a lot going on behind the Platform curtain, meaning the Substack Inc. Publisher Agreement of 2023 specifically whether Substack Inc will abide by the contract that it created for this digital Community.
Thanks! I even wondered if "JS" was possibly referencing Jon Stewart. :) Thanks for getting me back in the ballpark.
I actually find this email group higher quality than HRC's Facebook group WRT trolling. Try to suggest holding the Democratic Party accountable for anything over there, and one risks doxxing and lots of partisan stooging. Here, reasoned dialogue tends to bring reasoned conversation and discussion.
The thought of Trump deliberately courting jail time would seem to fit my assessment of the Republican game plan:
This time around, the Republican leadership has cynically and hypocritically covered its message with a veneer of "traditional values," luring centrist voters who privately reject gay marriage and the trans phenomenon.
Trump is being packaged as a martyr, and his legal defense (with accompanying truck-loads of spin) will be a fundamental element of his campaign -- with the absurd potential conclusion that Trump "wins" the election and takes the oath of office in his prison cell and then promptly pardons himself.
John, an interesting pov; rolling the dice once betting on a Yahtzee
Dave Dalton,
Here is part of my assessment:
On Jan. 6, Trump "needed" the mob to take over in both the Senate and the House, so he could call out the National Guard while his minions sent pizzas and sleeping bags to the demonstrators who would continue holding the Capitol building as Trump patiently negotiated with them and promised to get to the bottom of things. (When Ashli Babbitt was killed, that plan collapsed.)
Trump couldn't have imagined succeeding if he wasn't confident of being backed up by both the military and the Supreme Court. This has to mean that either Trump was deluded or he had solid but classified information about election fraud.
If he did have such information, he could charge the plotters with insurrection and and have them tried in military courts (to protect the secret information, of course).
And then there would have to be an appeal to the Supreme Court, just for show.
Gen Milley was not in Trump’s camp Trump knew that ahead of time, hence the multiple directives that handcuffed police and military prior to the coup attempt
Trump is not deluded. He’s evil. There was no election fraud. Yet you offer up the possibility. Why?
The Supreme Court is corrupt. Its evident in the Gang of Six Cabal rulings, however American citizens are wise to the corruption as is the military
Protect the “secret information”? Really?
Try better
Dave Dalton,
I was presenting my assessment, without feeling the need to debate. You are welcome to disagree, and I will point out what seem to be weaknesses in your reasoning.
First of all, you assume that a "corrupt" Supreme Court was in league with Trump's presumed effort at a coup d’etat. That, in my mind, is an unreasonable stretch of the imagination.
Furthermore, multiple directives that handcuffed the police and military would have been meaningless if it really was a coup attempt.
Think it through: An unarmed mob takes over the Capitol Building and chases Congress out. Then Trump declares martial law. And then???
All over the country, would you expect statehouses and military bases to signal support of Trump's effort?
I hardly think so. There had to be something else going on. Whatever Trump was up to, he didn't have a prayer without solid support from the military leadership. That is my assessment, and I already mentioned what I suspect.
The Sackler family and the damage they have done to our people is well demonstrated in the Netflix series “PainKiller”. I understand your comments thanks to seeing this series.
Thanks. I've not watched the series, but will do so.
The Sacklers are now seen as exemplary of a wealthy ruling class corporate oligarchy being just able to pay some money and skip out of prison. Their malfeasance actually killed people.
In other countries, drug cartel managers get life in prison or executed for doing so. In the USA, corporations and their enablers in government are seen as colluding in such crimes with impunity. This makes a mockery of every American politician claiming "We are a nation of law" while doing nothing to regulate or punish the criminal celebrities from the wealthy ruling class.
I agree with your assessment, but I think tfg can’t back down or be seen doing so. Part of his standing in the way of “them” (the ubiquitous “they”) coming for you shtick.
Great wrap- up of the multitude of events today and how they relate to other recent developments. But where was John Stewart today reminding the nation of how important that legislation has been. We all know easily he can scream and yell about issues, so it would not have been a surprise to see him in Cleveland or Milwaukee or Phoenix touting this success. Yes, I know Hunter Biden topped the charts today, but Stewart could have then screamed for a special prosecutor to look into Clarence Thomas to assure us that nobody is above the law!
Or how about the Kushner couple? How did they get even richer, by hundreds of millions of dollars, while (incompetently and nepotically) "serving" in government, something HB hasn't done?
Andrew, along with Jon Stewart, I miss George Carlin (who seemingly endlessly spoke truth to power). Here is one of my favorites on pro-life:
https://youtu.be/K98TQJ5ldW0
Mary, I did go to YouTube and found some short snippets of his great raves!
He was so great—imagine what he could do with today’s news!
Regretfully, this is blocked in Canada where I live. "This video contains content from MPI Media, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds"
So sorry.
Thanks, Mary Hardt. I was able to go to YouTube and find lots of Carlin on the subject! He's pretty outrageous -- I'd forgotten!
Well said. I worked in New York State politics from 1989 to 2015. My boss, a Democrat would try to explain a position while her Republican opponent would say some (often untrue) soundbite that had visceral impact. He won...
We seem substantially more inured to dishonesty than in the Watergate era. Lies cannot always be excused as "free speech" from a legal standpoint, and even when they are so protected, the "court of public opinion" needs to be ready to reject significant lies and liars, even when the liar is in the same is a member of the clan. Lies about COVID rendered the wealthy and technically advanced US the least successful nation in minimizing per capita COVID deaths. Lies dress up aggression in wars and propagate racism and sexism. We are fools if we do not fight them persistently.
I've thought a lot about Watergate and why Nixon was called out by his fellow republicans. Most of the people in the Senate and House, at that time, were World War II veterans. They saw the horrors of war and witnessed first hand what happens when dictators take over a country. These people fought and their friends and relatives died to protect the United States. They knew they could not let Nixon get away with any crimes. So they fought for their country once again.
Right now in the Senate and House few members have served in the military and fought in a war. This has made a huge difference in the way the Republicans behave.
Interesting comment….my daddy and many like him gave up YEARS of their lives to serve our country in WW2….honor, commitment, duty, courage, responsibility, citizenship….united them and most all of America. What has happened to you, Republicans? If my daddy and others like him can leave their families, homes, careers, hopes and dreams to fight in islands in the Pacific or the shores of Normandy to literally save the world, why can’t you summon up the courage to call out trump and all he stands for? You know, in your hearts, right from wrong. You were elected to work for US! You were not elected to create or support chaos, to condone or remain silent when outright lies are told, to waste precious time instead of meeting and addressing the multitude of challenges that we face.
My dad was a WWII vet too. He passed down to me the devotion I feel for American democracy BECAUSE of his service. I think you make a good point.
Nixon's folly was not unique. A thorough reading of our history reveals that every generation or so, this has happened before. History in general is circular, owing to the natures of humankind. Law, and checks and balances and a few brave souls with actual honor have saved this nation thus far. New checks and balances may be in order it does seem though. Cheers ff
My point from a couple of days ago when HCR documented this path for the Republican party. "Again, a most important documentation by Dr Richardson: The inevitable decline of a once competing political party as it chooses the path of expediency with impudence with the yet likely result that our two-party political system is no longer a protection for American democracy. Rules of law and political conventions have become nuisances around which aspiring political thugs, in concert with lawyers of low ethics, skirt and remove not for merits but for the desire to achieve immediate and deadly benefits for the few. It began with Nixon and tested by Reagan, signed off on by Ford, Barr, and Bush Senior, and institutionalized as once party of Lincoln found their perfect instrument in a celebrity candidate in 2015. In deeds and through acts and obeiesence, that party has bought into it belief that it's followers are deserving of the mantle once know as a democracy. "
Agree JL - wholeheartedly. See above ↑. A rinse and repeat (briefer though) of remarks I've made here and elsewhere regarding "news" and what may legally be called, and protected as 'news'.
Sadly.
The lazy way of the media. It drives our so distracted population as set up by capitalism. Equals very low voter turnout and victory for those who have no incite into their part of this pathetic path we’re on.
Support “turnout.us” It is their mission to get the vote out especially of the young.
Thank you as always, Dr. Richardson for provoking us to think. The GOP of Nixon were absolutely correct. A too large portion of Americans don't want to think, they want to feel. So, the GOP sends them pretend leaders, in the 60's they gave us George Murphy, a second rate song and dance man, In the 80's Ronald Reagan, a second rate actor with an appealing voice, followed by Arnold Schwarzenegger a body builder turned ham actor, and finally Trump, a failure as a business men a total ham actor/clown. And apparently a very large percentage of the "I don't want to think, I want to feel" crowd were absolutely enthralled. My youngest brother was part of that crowd. Very intelligent man, or at least an excellent test taker, he consistently scored in the 97th percentile on tests such as college entrance exams. But he told me he didn't like to think, he really liked to feel. That type of person is what other people think of as a great guy always ready with a smile and a helping hand. But they fall right into the mesmerizing spell of anyone who entertains them and tells them, it's okay, I will think for you.
We Democrats do not appeal to them, we want them to think, we want them to analyze, we want them to care about others. We want them to accept differences in appearance and behavior. The GOP says it's ok to hate or fear people your friends and relatives hate or fear, we understand, we're with you.
My youngest brother is dead now. He voted for Trump in 2016, because his brother-in-law told him to.
Biden appeals to me not because he isn't Trump, but because he has learned over a long career in politics. Because he has made mistakes and has learned from them. Biden is intelligent, capable of thinking critically. He knows what behavior is expected of him. He understand he is representing all of America, especially in international relations. He does and will continue to do the best possible job for the American people. He understands why we are angry about the huge imbalance of wealth. I cannot conceive of Joe Biden standing at a microphone and telling us it's okay that 10% of the people own more than 70% of the wealth and that it will magically trickle down to us, if only we are patient.
You are so right, intelligence does not inoculate one against the lure of the emotional, mesmerizing entertainment. I once thought it might, til my very smart friend proved otherwise
Fay, thank you. I love your prose.
Fay, a beautiful description of Biden. He’s learned from his mistakes; he’s a critical thinker.
I wonder whether AG Garland isn't trying to finally clear the air around Hunter Biden. Having special counsel and advancing an investigation can either demonstrate wrong-doing or can close the matter if no corruption or wrong-doing is present. MSM is way too much of an echo chamber for the GQP hysteria about this matter. Talking heads speculating about what it all means. Let it play out. Don't speculate.
I think that’s why Jordon is screaming. Took the wind out of their sails. Now he’s big mad lol.
Of course, Jordan screams no matter what..
Can the New York Times Editor responsible please be sent to jail for abetting witness tampering? Please? I don’t ask for much....
One thing I did notice yesterday in the media I watched (PBS, local networks and Spectrum), although there were too many images of Trump for my taste, they were mostly unflattering. He can only hold it together momentarily. But, of course, Biden's age is always mentioned, not the substance of his actions, and Merrick Garland never seems to make anyone happy. The Iowa State Fair sounded like an RNC convention, and I would like to see every Republican candidate questioned about their position on the plans put forward by the Heritage Foundation and others for a unitary executive. When DeS spoke of cutting throats the other day, my blood ran cold.
Could the White House just please erect a website on everything “Bidenomics”? Wouldn’t it be easier for Americans to simply log on themselves and few the entire campaign and policy? I have to subscribe to independent reliable sources to get information myself. It would be so much easier to direct someone or sit beside someone and review the magnificence of the facts and relate back to an ordinary conversation. All the White House has to do is keep it simple, factual and accessible (many languages) and stay on message. After all we’re building the infrastructure to provide internet access everywhere.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/therecord/
um...isn't this what you are asking for?
Thank you. Now a National campaign on that website would be a themed MESSAGING strategy. Include it on all democrats website for wide spread visibility. If you eliminate the #1 Republican campaign agenda ISSUE the ‘Economy’ from their campaign stage then Republicans have a hard time legitimizing all their garbage politics.
I don't do FB, there is a lot of discussion about it on here today. Perhaps people could keep posting that web address on their FB posts?
Thanks Georgia, this is what I direct MAGAts on Yahoo to look up. They probably don't ever do it, but I try.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/august-11-2023/comment/22275963
Thank you!!
I will suggest that Biden's spending programs (just like Trump before) are hustling us along to a brutal day of reckoning, because they don't pay for themselves.
Servicing our unpayable debt is using up an ever-larger percentage of the yearly federal budget -- up to 14% now.
https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/national-debt/#:~:text=As%20of%20July%202023%20it,over%20the%20past%20ten%20years.
Spending or Investments? Bidenomics are Policies of Investments. The military complex is Spending.
Jeanine Feaman,
I agree with the general point, but the "Bidenomics" approach is just a drop in the bucket that doesn't meet the needs of our financial and economic and strategic situation. In a nutshell, Bidenomics is improving the look up on the top deck of the Titanic, ignoring what's going down below, as the incoming flood of unpayable debt rises and rises.
The GOP needs to join the Know-Nothing Party in the dustbin of history. Sane conservatives can form their own and leave the GOP MAGA Trump Party to wither and die.
The Know-Nothing (or "American") party was an attempted response to all the partisan hatred of the 1850s for and against slavery. They attracted a lot of people by redirecting partisan venom against immigrants, especially Catholics.