I enjoy reading your letters every night. I want to take issue of the way you and other media outlets frame criticism of the Republican Party. You cite reasons for Republicans refusing to aid Ukraine as not wanting to give Pres. Biden a win or because they want to keep the immigration issue front center to take attention off of abortion.…
I enjoy reading your letters every night. I want to take issue of the way you and other media outlets frame criticism of the Republican Party. You cite reasons for Republicans refusing to aid Ukraine as not wanting to give Pres. Biden a win or because they want to keep the immigration issue front center to take attention off of abortion. As if there is actually a Republican "Party."
Can we drop this fantasy? Republicans are completely loyal to authoritarian Donald Trump. Trump orders and they follow. So please start framing it correctly. Say 'Donald Trump has ordered Republicans not to aid Ukraine.' Say 'Donald Trump is ordering Republicans to hold a non-transparent impeachment inquiry of Pres. Biden.' Doesn't that make it much clearer? With this frame, we instantly understand that immigration and abortion are just distractions. Whereas we know for a fact that Trump and Putin are allies who wish to destroy NATO. Trump told this to us and the world for four years. The formula "Trump orders Republicans to..." really stops a lot of stupid debate. It also might make us Democrats not sound like imbeciles—like when we express dismay that Republicans don't seem to understand that withholding aid to Ukraine endangers our American freedom. Didn't we get the memo on January 6? Republicans want an end to our Constitution and American freedom. Let's start acting like we got the message. Please!
Agree with you, Russell. It does seem as though some members of Congress ignore the needs of their constituents to appease Trump and he is pulling their strings, to include Speaker Johnson, but I don’t think Heather would put that in writing without source links. Maybe Republicans will “get it” when we’re in WW III and our kids are being drafted.
Appreciate your comment. I'm trying to persuade Democrats to drop the fantasy that Republicans at some point will "get it." They've made their choice. It's us Democrats who need to face reality. We need to ask ourselves why we're continuing to be led by the nose with Republican distractions. In the case of Ukraine, why isn't the Democratic leadership or the media just matter-of-factly ignoring the distracting Republican immigration argument and instead instantly pointing out that Republicans are following Trump's wishes to aid Putin and undermine NATO? Why should we Democrats let Trump frame every issue the way he wants? That's the real question. Republicans made their choice collectively on January 6. Why are Democrats pretending otherwise? Why aren't we taking the lead and demanding Republicans defend any action they take as not being specifically at Trump's bidding to destroy our democracy. Don't you think we need that clarity and should be demanding it from our elected officials and the media generally?
While I really want to, I cannot disagree with this assessment, Russell. I am not sure that tfg is all that, because I think that the billionaire-to-excess class (Leo and Koch being in the foreground of that group) are the ones really pulling the strings, and there is also the heavy influence of those $$$ in today's batch of traitorous RepulbiKans along with having to kiss tfg's ...er, ring. Or orange posterior (which is probably pasty white because it doesn't take makeup well, but I digress)
But for some grotesque reason, Trump is their chosen balloon... it seems no matter how horrible and unAmerican....unpatriotic his choices are ...Trump is elevated....paraded out front....
Trump is just a tool that was thrust into this oversized fantasy roll by Republican voters. American oligarchs would probably prefer a candidate with some intelligence and restraint, but voters want the entertainment Trump provides. MAGA is more than Donald Trump. It's the Frankenstein story. Who can control the monster and who is the monster?
You're welcome. Yes, when we frame Republicans exclusively as loyal vassals to Trump, all the distractions melt away. Impeachment inquiry to Pres. Biden without charges? Trump's revenge for his own trials. Withholding aid to Ukraine (and probably Israel too)? Trump's alliance with Putin. Draconian immigration restrictions? Trump preparing Americans for detention and concentration camps. Barbaric abortion policies and threats to prosecute women traveling out of state? Easing Americans into restrictions of our most basic rights. Tommy Johnson delaying military promotions? Giving Trump an easy path forward to build a military loyal only to him. Not allowing Congress to pass anything substantial? Yes to ensure Democrats have no legislative victories, but also to pave the way for Trump to control the Legislative Branch once he returns to office.
Isn't it something how all the other rationalizations for Republican stances and actions just magically disappear? We have to remember that Republicans dutifully avoid any governing platform other than loyalty to Trump. If we frame everything then as following the wishes of Trump, we stop chasing our tails and can react rationally. For instance, Trump proudly states he'll only be a dictator his first day in office. Our media can then calmly translate, "Oh, Trump and his machine are confident they now have methods to overcome all the safeguards that prevented his successful insurrection 3 years ago."
More importantly, instead of screaming at Republicans as most liberal media insist on doing (an insane reaction in my opinion), we can focus asking some important questions to the Democratic Party and to the federal government. Such as, why are you all incapable of protecting our Constitution? How in any rational interpretation of the Constitution is a professed despot who openly fomented an insurrection allowed to run again for office? Is your fear of reprisal that great that you are reluctant to defend our liberties? Yeah, those kinds of questions. And do it in a public forum, perhaps in the way University presidents were asked to justify their refusal to condemn students calling for Jewish genocide.
Exactly, Russell! It’s about time we call it what it is: Putin owns Trump and the Republican party, and they will execute his orders. The decision to stop funding for Ukraine isn’t “astonishing” at all, it’s just puppets following orders.
I enjoy reading your letters every night. I want to take issue of the way you and other media outlets frame criticism of the Republican Party. You cite reasons for Republicans refusing to aid Ukraine as not wanting to give Pres. Biden a win or because they want to keep the immigration issue front center to take attention off of abortion. As if there is actually a Republican "Party."
Can we drop this fantasy? Republicans are completely loyal to authoritarian Donald Trump. Trump orders and they follow. So please start framing it correctly. Say 'Donald Trump has ordered Republicans not to aid Ukraine.' Say 'Donald Trump is ordering Republicans to hold a non-transparent impeachment inquiry of Pres. Biden.' Doesn't that make it much clearer? With this frame, we instantly understand that immigration and abortion are just distractions. Whereas we know for a fact that Trump and Putin are allies who wish to destroy NATO. Trump told this to us and the world for four years. The formula "Trump orders Republicans to..." really stops a lot of stupid debate. It also might make us Democrats not sound like imbeciles—like when we express dismay that Republicans don't seem to understand that withholding aid to Ukraine endangers our American freedom. Didn't we get the memo on January 6? Republicans want an end to our Constitution and American freedom. Let's start acting like we got the message. Please!
Agree with you, Russell. It does seem as though some members of Congress ignore the needs of their constituents to appease Trump and he is pulling their strings, to include Speaker Johnson, but I don’t think Heather would put that in writing without source links. Maybe Republicans will “get it” when we’re in WW III and our kids are being drafted.
Not unless the kids of members of congress are sent to fight, and this seldom happens- also congress people don't care a bit about our kids.
The repubs respond to their donors only.
Exactly. Ukraine doesn’t have a PAC like AIPAC.
Appreciate your comment. I'm trying to persuade Democrats to drop the fantasy that Republicans at some point will "get it." They've made their choice. It's us Democrats who need to face reality. We need to ask ourselves why we're continuing to be led by the nose with Republican distractions. In the case of Ukraine, why isn't the Democratic leadership or the media just matter-of-factly ignoring the distracting Republican immigration argument and instead instantly pointing out that Republicans are following Trump's wishes to aid Putin and undermine NATO? Why should we Democrats let Trump frame every issue the way he wants? That's the real question. Republicans made their choice collectively on January 6. Why are Democrats pretending otherwise? Why aren't we taking the lead and demanding Republicans defend any action they take as not being specifically at Trump's bidding to destroy our democracy. Don't you think we need that clarity and should be demanding it from our elected officials and the media generally?
While I really want to, I cannot disagree with this assessment, Russell. I am not sure that tfg is all that, because I think that the billionaire-to-excess class (Leo and Koch being in the foreground of that group) are the ones really pulling the strings, and there is also the heavy influence of those $$$ in today's batch of traitorous RepulbiKans along with having to kiss tfg's ...er, ring. Or orange posterior (which is probably pasty white because it doesn't take makeup well, but I digress)
Ally!! I'm eating breakfast as I read! I didn't need the image of the Trump butt!
But I will keep it in mind when the neighbors start delivering all the home-made Christmas treats. Might keep off a few holiday pounds.
Yeah, I hate it when my mind does that... especially before breakfast. 🤮
So glad to hear that tradition continues.
Leo, Koch, Putin...
Ally House,
But for some grotesque reason, Trump is their chosen balloon... it seems no matter how horrible and unAmerican....unpatriotic his choices are ...Trump is elevated....paraded out front....
Trump is just a tool that was thrust into this oversized fantasy roll by Republican voters. American oligarchs would probably prefer a candidate with some intelligence and restraint, but voters want the entertainment Trump provides. MAGA is more than Donald Trump. It's the Frankenstein story. Who can control the monster and who is the monster?
Thank you. That’s exactly what I believe. The Republicans take their orders from Trump. We need to frame the conversation that way.
You're welcome. Yes, when we frame Republicans exclusively as loyal vassals to Trump, all the distractions melt away. Impeachment inquiry to Pres. Biden without charges? Trump's revenge for his own trials. Withholding aid to Ukraine (and probably Israel too)? Trump's alliance with Putin. Draconian immigration restrictions? Trump preparing Americans for detention and concentration camps. Barbaric abortion policies and threats to prosecute women traveling out of state? Easing Americans into restrictions of our most basic rights. Tommy Johnson delaying military promotions? Giving Trump an easy path forward to build a military loyal only to him. Not allowing Congress to pass anything substantial? Yes to ensure Democrats have no legislative victories, but also to pave the way for Trump to control the Legislative Branch once he returns to office.
Isn't it something how all the other rationalizations for Republican stances and actions just magically disappear? We have to remember that Republicans dutifully avoid any governing platform other than loyalty to Trump. If we frame everything then as following the wishes of Trump, we stop chasing our tails and can react rationally. For instance, Trump proudly states he'll only be a dictator his first day in office. Our media can then calmly translate, "Oh, Trump and his machine are confident they now have methods to overcome all the safeguards that prevented his successful insurrection 3 years ago."
More importantly, instead of screaming at Republicans as most liberal media insist on doing (an insane reaction in my opinion), we can focus asking some important questions to the Democratic Party and to the federal government. Such as, why are you all incapable of protecting our Constitution? How in any rational interpretation of the Constitution is a professed despot who openly fomented an insurrection allowed to run again for office? Is your fear of reprisal that great that you are reluctant to defend our liberties? Yeah, those kinds of questions. And do it in a public forum, perhaps in the way University presidents were asked to justify their refusal to condemn students calling for Jewish genocide.
Exactly, Russell! It’s about time we call it what it is: Putin owns Trump and the Republican party, and they will execute his orders. The decision to stop funding for Ukraine isn’t “astonishing” at all, it’s just puppets following orders.