Today while the other news was "predictable" in many ways, I called the Wall Street Journal to cancel my subscription based on the defense by the Opinion Editor for the Op Ed by Joseph Epstein. Nondr. Epstein taught at Northwestern University for thirty years without a doctorate or even an advanced degree. It opens with:
"Madame First Lady—Mrs. Biden—Jill—kiddo: a bit of advice on what may seem like a small but I think is a not unimportant matter. Any chance you might drop the “Dr.” before your name? “Dr. Jill Biden ” sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic." To me this sounds like a bitter old man disappointed in his life. "kiddo" for any adult woman is not a term of endearment but a put down so this poor man can somehow feel he did more with his life by putting down the accomplishments of others. The "I have to be one up or I will feel one down" syndrome. So, the Op Ed had no validity as a piece that should appear in the Wall Street Journal if it is still the paper it use to be. When the Opinion Editor defended publishing it, that confirmed the WSJ is no longer the paper it was or needs to be. Perhaps I am reacting a bit personally because I have a B.S.E.E. from M.I.T. and I tell you I've never worked so hard in my life to earn it. When I was showing a couple of friends my "Brass Rat", the M.I.T. class ring with the engineer of the animal world, the beaver, featured -- a gold beaver, hence affectionately called the Brass Rat, one guy said "I didn't realize a spouse could have a ring." Why can't we celebrate the accomplishments of women rather than dismissing them? I told the WSJ that I'm expecting the Opinion Editor to apologize but I'm not holding my breath. We critically need the Black Lives Matter movement for Social Justice for all of us. We need a rebirth of democracy that has equity and well-being for every single one of us.
Congrats on canceling your subscription. I like to vote with my feet to make the most impactful point. I also hated this article for its slam against the advanced degree award process. He presented no evidence that the process of awarding advanced degrees has degraded. His point seems to be that students and professors have friendlier relationships than they should and doctoral candidates weren't shaking in their boots during an occasion he had to witness them. We have seen decades of abuse of studies in literature, science, math, history, social studies, and health education at the K-12 levels by conservatives. The result is our children know less than they should and the public has declining trust in Americans with university level educations. We certainly see the problems that this has caused this year when Public Health Directors, Epidemiologists, Medical Doctors, Nurses and others speak out about handling the pandemic. The WSJ supporting this pathetic drivel, attacking Jill Biden, attacking educated women and attacking our higher education system is shocking and sad.
Agree on all counts. And fir the record, my dissertation chair scared the life out of me. But I’m finally “Dr.” Defended in a Zoom call last April. One of the best days of my life.
This has been an ongoing discussion in my FB circle of fellow PhDs. The general agreement is that this is a sexist and misogynist rant--but also that the WSJ has always been a sexist and misogynist paper, especially its editorial pages, which are notorious for being radically capitalist in their economic approach and radically neoliberal in their politics. And all of us medievalists have been pointing out to others that the word doctor means teacher, it was invented to refer to people who excelled in teaching theology, and it includes the moniker Doctor of the Church--which was awarded to St. Catherine of Siena way back in the 14th century. The word never referred to medical professionals until the 19th c in the US (and still does not refer to specialists in the UK and Commonwealth countries) because medical practitioners were licensed through guilds and were considered artisans, not academics. The medical "doctors" who received advanced degrees from places like the University of Montpellier and the University of Salerno (two medieval universities that early on developed medical degrees) did not actually practice medicine: they studied Aristotle, Galen, and Hippocrates.
My PhD (Doctoratus in Philosophia, as Stuart says) is in Public Theology from a European University. It took me most of the 1990's and a lot of blood sweat and tears to get it done. I taught and worked while writing the dissertation. It is a demanding process but a real accomplishment. I turned 50 in the middle of it all........
The Catholic Church has officially named 30+ people as " Doctors of the Church", only four of them women--Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, Hildegarde of Bingen, Therese of Lisieux--all nuns and noted for their spiritual writings which contributed to Church life and teaching and spirituality. Though not officially named I consider myself a "Doctor of the Church" ...having written, taught and in a 21st cent twist, produced television and video and art contributing to the life of the church.
I never capitalized on my PhD title "Doctor", not wishing to seem pretentious in "redneck" Florida, but I did " defend my title" in a bout with a Bishop who was reprimanding me for publically calling a priest by his first name (preferred by said priest, a good friend) rather than "Father"". I told the Bishop I would indeed comply as long as he (the Bishop) would stop publically calling me by my first name and refer to me from then on only as DOCTOR Stanton.
From now on, when I speak of her, I will exclusively refer to our new First Lady as DOCTOR Biden.
Thanks for this Carol! I agree: the Church has been pretty remiss about naming women as Doctors of the Church but at least they have done so (Protestant denominations rarely if ever acknowledge any women as significant theologians in their history, as far as I know). And I have had similar interesting conversations with (men) who insist on their titles but call me by my first name. One of my most interesting experiences was in my first bout with cancer, my oncologist (a man) and my plastic surgeon (a woman) both called me "Dr. Mitchell" and insisted that their residents and interns do so as well, which caused no small amount of consternation among some of the male students.
Since "nerd" really just means "someone with intense curiosity about the world in which they live," please "nerd out" as much as possible! And thank you for pointing out that the "traditions" that conservatives crow about are often fairly recent inventions, sometimes even taken up within their pompous lifetimes.
"Consultants" in UK hospitals...the specialists...are addressed as Mr or Mrs and not Dr. and one must not forget also what PhD actually means...Doctor of Philosophy!
Mr and Ms, Stuart: not all consulting physicians who are female are married. The persistence of identifying women by their marital status is part of the problem.
Yes but traditionally you would refer to any woman over 25 (and all married ladies) as Misses (which is what Mrs.actually stands) for as Miss (Ms) refers only to younger single females. Where the "r" in Mrs is another question! The plural of Mrs would be Mesdames. Always blame it on the French!
I just checked and of course the origin of Mrs is "mistress" which is the feminine of Mister or Master and thus does not necessarily signify marital status!
Actually it does: it is a legal designation. Mistress referred to the female head of a household, which presumed being married at some point. It was also an "honorific" when referring to madams who ran brothels (!). The term in Middle English used for a widow who was the head of a household was "Goody" (perhaps recognizable from Miller's The Crucible), which was derived from the male term Goodman. Singlewomen were not recognized as heads of households under most British laws, except when they had to pay taxes, at which point their status sometimes changed to "Mistress" but usually not. They had to be substantial property owners to be so called, which means that more commonly they were called "Dame," which until women were knighted did not refer to a woman who was knighted, but rather to a woman who owned property on the level of an esquire or a knight that was not held in dower. Sometimes (such as Chaucer's Wife of Bath, Dame Alysoun) women with substantial dower properties (she was married five times . . .) were also called Dame if at least one of the husbands had been a knight or an esquire. And usually, even when married, professional women in the UK are referred to as Miss--this is the case, for instance, with female barristers.
Sorry: you're talking to someone who has to spend a lot of time unpacking this in her own research and scholarship. :-)
They were called barber-surgeons. Physician was a specific term for a man with a university degree--who did not actually practice medicine most of the time (these were the guys who examined urine to determine what it would take to balance one's humors). The guild that oversaw the training of barbers trained people to cut hair, set bones, pull teeth, and sew people up when they hurt themselves. Herbal medicine was the purview of women, who were trained as both midwives and medical practitioners but they were not allowed to form guilds. If a physician did practice medicine, it was on very elite people and usually involved bleeding them--and the survival rate was much worse than with a guild-licensed barber-surgeon or female medical practitioner! One of the most popular medical treatises was written in the 12th century and attributed to a woman known as Dame Trotula of Salerno.
Thank you! All this medieval history makes me think of St. Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th century polymath, who wrote on herbal medicine and is credited as the founder of opera. One of my favorite books is God's Hotel by Dr. Victoria Sweet. She goes draws from the writings of von Bingen and medieval, pre-industrial medicine in the last almshouse in San Francisco to treat the whole person. Beautiful book.
Ironically, for those like my grandmother who had hemachromatosis, bleeding was the treatment. Sadly she was born after bleeding was deemed quackery and before donating blood to the Red Cross once a month was the prescribed treatment. Terribke fatigue, weakness, pain, organ damage, mental fog.
This WSJ story absolutely enraged me and I find it difficult to discuss for that reason. I, too, earned a doctoral degree “late in life” - a clinical doctorate in nursing. I do not routinely use my title because it can confuse patients but they call me “doc” anyway and I have learned to just roll with it. However, I EARNED that challenging degree and the right to be acknowledged for it with my academic credentials - DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). I am licensed and board certified. The correct title for the “other” kind of doctor who practices medicine is physician or M. D. (Medical Doctor / Doctor of Medicine). Public misunderstanding should not prevent me, Dr Biden, or anyone else from using our earned titles.
Cathy Learoyd, B.S.E.E. M.I.T. my wife just said “they really are going after women and black people.” I agree with you that nondr. Epstein must be a bitter old man disappointed in his life. It is particularly galling to have an opinion like this printed as it is not anything but a giant slap to the face. Disgusting people say things like this privately. Reprehensible, pathetic patriarchs publish these epithets.
Another great example of double standards. NonDr. Joe Epstein teaches at a premier mid-western university with no advanced degree but he wants Dr Jill Biden to drop the Dr. See Volume 42, Page 467 of the Book of Double Standards (available at your local library) for additional info on this behavior.
"Northwestern’s Department of English removed Epstein’s web page from its list of emeritus faculty and also released its own response to the op-ed, reiterating that Epstein has “not taught here in nearly 20 years” and his piece “casts unmerited aspersion on Dr. Jill Biden’s rightful public claiming of her doctoral credentials and expertise.”
“The Department rejects this opinion as well as the diminishment of anyone’s duly-earned degrees in any field, from any university,” the statement said."
Oh, thank you . Northwestern is where I earned my undergraduate degree ( before I went on, elsewhere, to earn a juris doctorate—maybe I will start referring to myself as Doctor, just to annoy ) and I was horrified and ashamed to read Epstein’s op ed. “Kiddo”. What a small minded, jealous, presumptuous, misogynistic, and disrespectful person this Epstein seems to be.
I am so looking forward to the grace and intelligence of Dr. Biden in the White House to show our nation again what is good and right. Also, I am so glad to see that Northwestern stood up for what is good and right.
I can never understand them. Can they just not see where all of this is taking us? Is all the money and power in the world really more important the life for future generations? Scary scary people.
The short answer for them is of course YES! But this sort of canabalistic, capitalistic system has already run 500 years. Will it continue in the Age of Aquarius?
It’s so typical that the next FL is being slammed for being an accomplished academician in her own right. “Kiddo” alone should have killed that op ed. We do indeed need that movement for social justice for all of us. ❤️🤍💙
Yup, when a man says “sweetheart” to me I exit stage left. Also gorgeous, darlin’, doll and on and on. If he’s past the age of 80...I allow. Different consciousness.
I like to check to be sure the lady I am speaking to feels securely old enough for me to call her "young lady". I really do not need to start any more trouble in my life than I already have.
I will be particularly careful in every instance from now forward to always refer to Dr. Jill Biden, Ph.D. in the future for no other reason than to show my offense and repulsion at this ignorant, sexist, mysogenistic column by Joseph Epstein. What an "A$$****."
Well if I have this correct, the WSJ is owned by News Corp which Rupert Murdoch has been the executive chairman since 2013. Follow the money. Maybe now he wants to turn all news into Fox News. We should basically all boycott anything owned by NewCorp and/or has Murdoch's sent on it. 🤮
I have mixed feelings about Mitchell. Nice to hear the principled and correct statements and that he's left the R party. But how convenient that it's right before he retires. Free to speak his mind? They're ALL free to do that but have acted as a herd because of their individual fears, reinforcing each other's silence. Had a cadre been willing to speak up and openly deplore or, God forbid, oppose dt's actions in the last five years, at least some of them, things might have been a bit different. But no cadre and no guardrails on him, just obeisance. So thanks, Paul Mitchell and the rest of you folks who found your voices and scrubbed your consciences clean on your way out the door.
Republicans lost their backbones when McCain died. I think I saw Lindsey Graham collapse when he lost his. That was the biggest flip flop of principles seen during djt’s administration.
And those who copped out and did not run for re-election in 2018 - too frightened to speak out while they needed votes. Not up to the challenge of fighting for their values? Because we know that those who remained have no values.
Sandra Lindsay’s words will go down in history. I saw her on MSNBC tonight and she thanked her staff for all of the efforts that they continue to give. I thought that was wonderful to say. It was very befitting to have an African American doctor administer the vaccine to an African American nurse. It actually gave me chills too watch it live. They are the ones putting their lives on the line to save ours. They don’t care what the color of your skin is, whether you’re rich or poor... they took an oath to help and save. They have my utmost respect and will forever be in my heart.
So much happened today that was positive, finally! Bring on 1/6/21 and just try questioning those electoral votes, you lousy cheating Repubs. I double dare you!
As an RN it has been so hard to watch what nurses across the country have endured and continue to fight with COVID-19, for all of us. Yes, this first vaccine was historic and wonderful and I got chills, too! And a new feeling - HOPE!!
I've had a number of medical issues this year (none life-threatening) which gave me the opportunity to express my huge appreciation of the dangers they face every day to everyone in the various facilities I've been to. This actually brought tears to one young man's eyes!
I asked FB friends to give me some funny stuff to write on my cast (fell off bike - broke wrist trying to protect the [unopened] bottle of single malt in my pannier) for the staff at my orthopaedist's. They were very appreciative of the humor and laughs. (a sampling: "Temporary Exoskeleton", "The other option was amputation", "I busted my wrist punching a fascist")
Even when the pandemic is over (assuming I survive - no guarantee for any of us, even with proper precautions), I vow to continue expressing my appreciation to all the essential workers who are keeping us going.
Those who are lawyers can be, the more doubtful issue is if they will be. "Go along to get along" still controls a lot of Congressional behavior and any action there would be a battle royale.
This is sedition and cannot be overlooked as just a little burp. This was an attempt to overthrow our democracy. Pretty f'ing serious to many of us Americans who have been abused and lied to for the past five years. They do not get a free get out of jail pass from me.
My congressman, a republican who's tied his fortune to trump, signed his name in support of the Texas lawsuit. I sent him a letter so scathing I almost didn't send it. No foul language, but I cut pretty hard. I did send it because I felt if he was foolish and reckless enough to attack the election proces in his official capacity as my representative, he needed to know of my anger. Then I wrote another scorcher to my local paper's editor for good measure. It may not be much, but far better than keeping quiet.
I think all of us who want justice should do the same and not allow them to get a pass. Thank you-- it is another writing and calling adventure for us.
Mine, who fits the description also, got the same from me but, having just been re-elected by a 70/30 margin, unless Congress acts, I don't expect it to have much impact. I don't know if individual citizens or even groups of us would have standing to initiate a criminal sedition action.
I did the same thing and also wonder if there is anything that we as citizens can do to initiate some sort of legal rebuke? If there are any lawyers or other knowledgeable folks on this forum, please let us know. I’m in Florida by the way.
I agree, and I think this is much more serious even than the criminal Nixon presidency. I can’t condone a pardon for any of them, especially the head of Trumpistan. ❤️🤍💙
But overthrow by politicians cannot be done unless many people support it. Trump and his cronies are a RESULT OF the lack of awareness and education here. It’ll be done again unless we recognize ALL our citizens. That means equal education, including college and training. Free medical healthcare etc. these people are angry and I get it! I’m angry too but the only difference tween me and them, is some sort of awareness I’ve self developed over my 70 years or I might have been a trump supporter also. It’s a finer line than one would think.
Agree. On all points. Education is lacking, and poverty is eroding the education of vast numbers of our citizens. I’ve talked with middle school children who have no hopes, no dreams for their future. No after school programs. No money for college. No jobs ahead. It radicalized me years ago. ❤️🤍💙
Nor will mine from me, but all either of us can do is vote for their opponents and advocate for action by the appropriate bodies which, for the signers of the brief, is Congress. I'm all in favor of at least a motion to censure but don't expect even that.
I keep wondering if I can sue trump&company for harassment. And I’m serious! And I thought people could be taken to task legally for frivolous lawsuits.
It is actually much worse than harassment. This is sedition and crimes against humanity, the overthrowing of our democracy at a time when we are sick, dying and out of work. They created a Constitutional crisis. If nothing happens to all these liars, anti-Americans and Seditionists--the American people should file a class action lawsuit against all of them. We need a savvy lawyer...Glenn Kirshner comes to mind... I am serious, too. Criminals need consequences in order to learn. Our children need to see that serious crimes do not go unpunished.
You can bring suit for just about anything, all you need is a supportive attorney and the money to pay for it. I don't have the background to predict how far such a suit would get in court.
Attorneys can be disbarred for bringing frivolous actions but that's up to each state's bar association and your guess is as good as mine for whether or not that will happen.
Maybe we can get someone “pro-Bono”. And not sure how much progress we can make in Florida where Ashley Moody is AG, signed on to the brief, and is another sycophant.
I agree that refusal to seat or even formal censure motions won't make it through Congress, and as others debate here, it's tough to determine the political gains and losses in trying to do so. However, there are several groups of lawyers across the country banding together to advocate for the Reps/Sens who signed on to be disbarred by their state associations.
That's good to hear Tom and we can hope that enough of them will be successful to put a scare into the rest. If you've seen anywhere that this effort can be responsibly supported please post it.
Here's one of the groups, and a link to their letter. Please note that any person can support their efforts, but that only current or previous bar members can sign on. Spread the word.
While the criminal cabal jumps ship, trump will be waving his pardoning wand over a vast array of undeserving evil people. His disrespect of Joe Biden and the very basis of our government has reached a level that is a violation of their oath of office. While trump is without a doubt, batcrap nuts, it does not absolve him or any of those who signed the absurd Texan petition. They need to face the consequences of their actions. The representatives who signed should not be allowed to take their seats in Congress and should be assessed a significant fine. The SDNY should be able to step in and prosecute trump and a few of the others on state offenses; preferably handing out subpoenas at 2:00, January 20th. That would be a reality show worth watching!
Rep. Bill Pascrell is "calling on House leaders to refuse to seat any Members trying to overturn the election and make donald trump an unelected dictator."
Rep. Adam Schiff has a great legal mind and is so eloquent in his arguments, but he disappointed me that he seems to want to just leave it for the voters. As Chris Hayes asked, Schiff does not want to "fight fire with fire with procedural maximalism" but instead with "restraint, stewardship."
I think the argument is that it was legal to file the Texas lawsuit. But a layperson like me sees that when they signed their names to a legal document, they crossed a line in violation of their oath to the Constitution. As someone replied to Schiff, "refuse to seat them using the 14th Amendment, MAKE them fight for their seats, drag it to Scotus, who will rule their Sedition does not rise to the level of Insurrection and they should be seated. But MAKE them do it, a Lesson must be given."
Hmmm. I hadn't thought of it from Schiff's perspective, but I think now I may agree. We need a full, congenial, respectful Congress seated and ready in January to begin the critical task of enacting legislation to literally save our country. I completely agree that what my Representative Jack Bergman did by signing onto the Texas lawsuit against his own state of Michigan is SEDITION. He is a despicable traitor and vile enemy of democracy in my book, and -WHOA! I am riled up enough right now to punch him out! Schiff is right - fighting fire with fire only produces ashes. We need a fully operational and focused Congress from the get go. Let us citizens vote the snakes out.
I unfortunately agree. “Fighting fire with fire only produces ashes.” I do however want to see some form of censure for the seditious acts that Lindsey Graham perpetrated in regards to Georgia’s election. Maybe djt will include him in the list of those culpable, by giving him a pardon.
MaryPat, that might work if you lived in a district that wasn't so heavily gerrymandered your vote wouldn't count, as I do. Yes, I can vote for senator without the handicap of gerrymander, but in a red state with two GOP senators, anyone not in the Trump tribe right now doesn't have a prayer. So the ballot box is, effectively, a dead letter box for us.
Actually I feel your pain - in the same boat here. Except, we have HOPE now because Michigan voted for creation of a Citizens Redistricting Commisson! "Every 10 years following the U.S. Census, district lines for political offices must be redrawn in states across the country to accurately reflect their population. In Michigan, a randomly selected commission of citizens is responsible for drawing U.S. Congressional and Michigan State House and Senate district lines. Voters amended the state constitution in the November 2018 general election to make citizens — not legislators or special interests — responsible for drawing district lines (called “redistricting”). The commission will be composed of 13 randomly selected Michigan registered voters: four who affiliate with the Democratic Party, four who affiliate with the Republican Party, and five who do not affiliate with either major political party." It was an exciting process with input and nominees from all over the state. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is amazing!
Still, vote, please. Even if your "side" loses, your vote becomes a dissent. And as Ms. Ginsberg proved to all and sundry, a dissent has a way of becoming the majority (and vice versa), if consistently applied.
I am sorry, but I believe they need to be held over a very hot fire. This was, maybe, their last attempt to overthrow our democracy. I am not having any of it. There is nothing respectful or bi-partisan about this GOP congress, esp. with mitch the obstructionist.
These people have committed crimes and have been intentionally derelict in their duties to our democracy and abusive in the process. It is criminal. Teflon don and his regime need to be held accountable because the next con man that comes along might just succeed in creating the autocracy these people want. Stay awake even if you are exhausted. This is not over.
So sorry to disagree with Schiff, who I admire, but for far too long Dems have tried to play nice. At every turn, the Republicans have gotten worse and worse and this latest stunt, out in the open, cannot be ignored. If we just let it go, it will send the message that it is ok to subvert our democracy. What will they try next?
As the Dems currently have the House majority (and if we all continue to support the Dems for Senate in the Georgia runoff election - Ossoff & Warnock) and have a chance at achieving at least 50% in the Senate, some heavy censuring is certainly in order. Maybe some good old-fashioned shunning?
Fortunately or unfortunately, the Dems are rather badly hampered in this fight, and have been for the past 50 years. You see, the Dems want a functioning government, while the Republicans are willing to destroy everything, so long as their own bank accounts (wherever they may be located), still work. These Trump supporters seem to think they can burn the house down, but still find their places set for breakfast in the morning.
This behavior needs a firm and meaningful rebuke. Comity is a fine ideal to reach for, but to leave these seditious acts unanswered invites a repeat. Dems need to put on their creativity hats and come up with a way to make the point clear, with a sting, without having to actually burn down congress.
"One Republican state representative in Michigan hinted at potential violence against the delegates to the Electoral College; leadership later stripped him of his committee assignments." It's not much of a consequence, but it's the first one I've seen. May it be the first of many. . . .
That's a pretty firm punishment, I believe. It neuters him politically. Committees are where all the action takes place. Most of the horse trading is done well before a bill makes it to the floor, to my understanding.
"The National Popular Vote bill will take effect when enacted into law by states possessing 270 electoral votes (a majority of the 538 electoral votes). As of July 2020, it has been enacted into law in 16 jurisdictions possessing 196 electoral votes, including 4 small states (DE, HI, RI, VT), 8 medium-sized states (CO, CT, MD, MA, NJ, NM, OR, WA), 3 big states (CA, IL, NY), and the District of Columbia.
The bill will take effect when enacted by states possessing an additional 74 electoral votes."
This path is seen as more likely in the nearer future than an Amendment to the Constitution. However, the Interstate Compact based on electoral votes means that not all states would be in agreement, thereby exacerbating the current mistrust in our democratic process--a hurdle to restoring a loyal opposition. Thoughts?
The Democrats only have to win the state-wide elections in the recalcitrant States to improve the numbers, don't they? As long as you have one State not accepting the NPV, that State will in a partisan way bias the results by remaining in a winner-take-all posture. The Republican States would have no incentive to support NPV as the current system... with its inherent bias towards the rural vote... is the only one that can potentially permit them to win despite their declining demographics. A "Fair" system in democratic terms will always be "unfair" to them as they see the election as a power and money game to be won rather than the representation of the wishes of the majority of the people. They fix the rules and cheat as suits the needs of the moment to ensure that they prevail; controlling the rules allows you to control the game. Another way of saying this of course is that the Republicans do not have the same definition of the words "People" or "Fair".......and function only in relation to their own definition.....and not either the dictionary's or the Democrats' point of view. This, to them, is non-negotiable as they are not suicidal!
Republicans (red states) will never agree to ANY measure that in any way threatens their tenuous hold on power. NEVER. And to that end, they will gum up the works at every given opportunity. Bank on it.
I had been unaware of the Interstate Compact until this weekend when I checked into my own state's electors. Until reading up on our alliance with the Compact, I hadn't realized that, since joining the compact in 2009, Washington's electors have been required to cast their votes according to the national popular vote, rather than the state totals.
In 2016, four of our Democratic electors decided to cast their votes for someone other than HRC (3 for Colin Powell, 1 for Faith Spotted Eagle), were fined $1,000 each. (By the way, our Secretary of State, Kim Wyman, is a Republican and she was re-elected by a substantial margin this year because this Blue state trusts her to run a clean election.)
This appears to be the only viable path. But as the map at the link shows, getting enough states to go along is a heavy lift. It requires overcoming gerrymandering that keeps Republicans in control of legislatures, including in some states that went for Biden. Not impossible but the Democratic Party must make it a priority.
Word is, Fatso wrote Barr's letter of resignation (or at least dictated it). Given it reads like the Public Praise he received in the cabinet back in 2017, and what a j7uvenile ignorant piece of shit he is, it sounds like something His Illieracy would do.
These last couple mornings I have been in a different mood. I think it started with the rebuke to the president and the republicans by the Supreme Court. But mostly because I am listening to President Obama read his own words in “A Promised Land”. I have only managed to get to Chapter 7. It is difficult to turn off. I miss his raw intelligence, wit and wisdom. I miss his humanity.
It is the essence of humanity, the natural caring for each other, that is lacking in djt and his acolytes. Some will not change, but some will see the light. It will take time, but the sorrow for their willful mistakes will come eventually. Now with the Electoral College vote final we should turn attention to the pandemic and encourage all to get the vaccine when they have the opportunity. This is a true monumental accomplishment of science. Let us be thankful. Let us lead in the effort to make available this miracle to the world.
Elaine, you are soooo correct! What an example for the rest of the world. A Prime Minister with magic in her smile and knowledge in her consciousness leads the country to unity and victory.
New Zealand isn’t a capitalist society. People come first and the people there are deliriously happy. When Lucinda locked down the country people didn’t protest and defy because they trusted she was there for them and that she was putting them before money and fame.
and that they are starting to find a new strain of the virus in London which has them distinctly worried. Will the Covid transmute faster than they can develop vaccines?
I was cooking dinner last night when my wife called down to say that CA electoral votes had been submitted, I actually started to dance! One dance step closer to removing the menace from the WH. Then, Biden finally ripped into tRump and the rethuglicans (he referred to them as his "former colleagues") to express what we all have been waiting for him to do. His speech was a nice combination of rage at the efforts to destroy our democracy and a plea to come together and move on. This morning tRump is crowing that with a new AG he will "finally have someone who will show the truth of the rigged election." He just can't quit, can he? His voice will be silenced when the law comes after him for his ongoing greed. I will do another dance the day Biden is inaugurated, and another the day that tRump is arrested and taken into custody!
Republican politicians often seem to find their voice when they are about to retire but even that's not always true. I see no reason to praise Republicans for doing the bare minimum. The bar is so low for them that it's underground.
Thank you, Heather, and maybe you can go to sleep before 4am now! I was just listening to your talk with Bill Moyers and Steven Harper when your letter came in. Fascinating, and yet Dec. 10th seems so long ago when there is So. Much. in your letter just now. Earlier, on the NewsHour, it was said that there is a wrench that can be thrown into the count of states' electors on January 6th. If one Republican in the House and one in the Senate each dispute the count, it can all continue to be delayed and put to another vote. Did I misunderstand that? Can that really happen? I am going to try and get some sleep myself now! Phew. We all have PTSD but it's really the doctors, nurses and essential workers who will need serious R&R when this is all over.
Cong. Mitchell has been properly recognized for leaving the GOP all of 3 weeks before he leaves office but his actions would be more meaningful if he planned to stay. It's more like "na, na, na, you can't catch me" than a profile in courage.
I too thought it rather cowardly. But perhaps in establishing his bona fides in respect to being a dyed in the wool Republican he is making the appropriate point that continuing power politics at this point is too much for our Republic to bear.
And today as the New Mexico Electoral College delegates after the New Mexico votes, the Republican Party filed a lawsuit stating illegal ballot boxes were used without proper authorization. A similar law suit was filed in October but withdrawn after changes were made. George Conway talked about it in an interview with Anderson Cooper tonight on CNN about just how ridiculous it is stating Trump lost NM by 100,000 votes and ten percentage points. So, more of the same craziness. To me it was more about another Trump supporter, former NM Rep. Steve Pearce (now state Republican Party Chair) taking orders from his Dark Lord. Pearce lost to Michelle Lujan Grisham in the last election for Governor.
But, it all appears to be about how much money can be squeezed (conned) out of his base. He will need money to support staff and family. I just hope cities get money up front for rallies now that he won't be President. No more Air Force One or Marine One for dramatic entrances, no Presidential limo, etc. and less Secret Service Agents.
As a taxpayer, I am willing to contribute $.02 for his presidential library and not a penny more. What the heck will he put in it. Bound volumes of his tweets and executive orders? The rest was all secret.
His "presidential" "library" will be gold-plated, completely tacky, shelfless (because there will be nothing to put on them), and admission will be members only. It will be surrounded by a golf course where the official "score"-keeping when T**** plays will stop at 18 for him, and any further strokes by the orange man will be added to opponents' scores. (Sorry to golfers for incorrect terminology.)
I like it. Definitely immense gold-painted signage with lots of "presidential" photomontages. But I see the empty-shelves problem differently. All members will be given 512k thumb drives (you can buy them by the box really cheaply) with the entire collection of the glorious policy victories of the administration achieved through TrumpTweets. The castoff drives will of course be monogrammed with flaking gilt DJTs.
We should not spend another penny on this vulgar human nor protect him with agents. He has attempted to destroy our democracy, overthrow our government, have secret meetings with a hostile foreign entity who has made threats on our soldiers. Really, wake up my dear fellow citizens. I do not want my tax dollars to go towards these abusers who also have committed crimes against humanity by doing nothing while our people die of this horrific pandemic. Oust them all. I have no more American patience with any of them, and we need to ditch mitch immediately so our government can work again.
I suspect few presidents have taken office for the first time facing the challenges and opposition that will await Joe Biden. So many complex challenges (domestically and globally) and so much hateful, anti-democracy opposition. If that wasn't enough, he's succeeding a president hell-bent on making the job as difficult as possible. There's no corollary in my long life, and I suspect there's nothing comparable in the nation's history (though HCR can address this with academic authority).
While Trump will inflict more damage, at least now that the Electoral College has voted, we can focus on the new president as he prepares to lead under extraordinary pressure.
Seriously concerning is the Russian hack. PE Biden needs to really soup up a tight cyber security force. Maybe replace the space force. Makes more sense to me.
Today while the other news was "predictable" in many ways, I called the Wall Street Journal to cancel my subscription based on the defense by the Opinion Editor for the Op Ed by Joseph Epstein. Nondr. Epstein taught at Northwestern University for thirty years without a doctorate or even an advanced degree. It opens with:
"Madame First Lady—Mrs. Biden—Jill—kiddo: a bit of advice on what may seem like a small but I think is a not unimportant matter. Any chance you might drop the “Dr.” before your name? “Dr. Jill Biden ” sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic." To me this sounds like a bitter old man disappointed in his life. "kiddo" for any adult woman is not a term of endearment but a put down so this poor man can somehow feel he did more with his life by putting down the accomplishments of others. The "I have to be one up or I will feel one down" syndrome. So, the Op Ed had no validity as a piece that should appear in the Wall Street Journal if it is still the paper it use to be. When the Opinion Editor defended publishing it, that confirmed the WSJ is no longer the paper it was or needs to be. Perhaps I am reacting a bit personally because I have a B.S.E.E. from M.I.T. and I tell you I've never worked so hard in my life to earn it. When I was showing a couple of friends my "Brass Rat", the M.I.T. class ring with the engineer of the animal world, the beaver, featured -- a gold beaver, hence affectionately called the Brass Rat, one guy said "I didn't realize a spouse could have a ring." Why can't we celebrate the accomplishments of women rather than dismissing them? I told the WSJ that I'm expecting the Opinion Editor to apologize but I'm not holding my breath. We critically need the Black Lives Matter movement for Social Justice for all of us. We need a rebirth of democracy that has equity and well-being for every single one of us.
Congrats on canceling your subscription. I like to vote with my feet to make the most impactful point. I also hated this article for its slam against the advanced degree award process. He presented no evidence that the process of awarding advanced degrees has degraded. His point seems to be that students and professors have friendlier relationships than they should and doctoral candidates weren't shaking in their boots during an occasion he had to witness them. We have seen decades of abuse of studies in literature, science, math, history, social studies, and health education at the K-12 levels by conservatives. The result is our children know less than they should and the public has declining trust in Americans with university level educations. We certainly see the problems that this has caused this year when Public Health Directors, Epidemiologists, Medical Doctors, Nurses and others speak out about handling the pandemic. The WSJ supporting this pathetic drivel, attacking Jill Biden, attacking educated women and attacking our higher education system is shocking and sad.
Agree on all counts. And fir the record, my dissertation chair scared the life out of me. But I’m finally “Dr.” Defended in a Zoom call last April. One of the best days of my life.
Congratulations, Doctor!
Congratulations!!
Congratulations Dr. Arcidiacono!!
Congrats!!
Congrats!!!!
Mazel Tov! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
This has been an ongoing discussion in my FB circle of fellow PhDs. The general agreement is that this is a sexist and misogynist rant--but also that the WSJ has always been a sexist and misogynist paper, especially its editorial pages, which are notorious for being radically capitalist in their economic approach and radically neoliberal in their politics. And all of us medievalists have been pointing out to others that the word doctor means teacher, it was invented to refer to people who excelled in teaching theology, and it includes the moniker Doctor of the Church--which was awarded to St. Catherine of Siena way back in the 14th century. The word never referred to medical professionals until the 19th c in the US (and still does not refer to specialists in the UK and Commonwealth countries) because medical practitioners were licensed through guilds and were considered artisans, not academics. The medical "doctors" who received advanced degrees from places like the University of Montpellier and the University of Salerno (two medieval universities that early on developed medical degrees) did not actually practice medicine: they studied Aristotle, Galen, and Hippocrates.
Sorry: just had to nerd out about this.
Thanks for this! More nerd out here.
My PhD (Doctoratus in Philosophia, as Stuart says) is in Public Theology from a European University. It took me most of the 1990's and a lot of blood sweat and tears to get it done. I taught and worked while writing the dissertation. It is a demanding process but a real accomplishment. I turned 50 in the middle of it all........
The Catholic Church has officially named 30+ people as " Doctors of the Church", only four of them women--Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, Hildegarde of Bingen, Therese of Lisieux--all nuns and noted for their spiritual writings which contributed to Church life and teaching and spirituality. Though not officially named I consider myself a "Doctor of the Church" ...having written, taught and in a 21st cent twist, produced television and video and art contributing to the life of the church.
I never capitalized on my PhD title "Doctor", not wishing to seem pretentious in "redneck" Florida, but I did " defend my title" in a bout with a Bishop who was reprimanding me for publically calling a priest by his first name (preferred by said priest, a good friend) rather than "Father"". I told the Bishop I would indeed comply as long as he (the Bishop) would stop publically calling me by my first name and refer to me from then on only as DOCTOR Stanton.
From now on, when I speak of her, I will exclusively refer to our new First Lady as DOCTOR Biden.
Thanks for this Carol! I agree: the Church has been pretty remiss about naming women as Doctors of the Church but at least they have done so (Protestant denominations rarely if ever acknowledge any women as significant theologians in their history, as far as I know). And I have had similar interesting conversations with (men) who insist on their titles but call me by my first name. One of my most interesting experiences was in my first bout with cancer, my oncologist (a man) and my plastic surgeon (a woman) both called me "Dr. Mitchell" and insisted that their residents and interns do so as well, which caused no small amount of consternation among some of the male students.
Bravo for holding your ground!!
Since "nerd" really just means "someone with intense curiosity about the world in which they live," please "nerd out" as much as possible! And thank you for pointing out that the "traditions" that conservatives crow about are often fairly recent inventions, sometimes even taken up within their pompous lifetimes.
"Consultants" in UK hospitals...the specialists...are addressed as Mr or Mrs and not Dr. and one must not forget also what PhD actually means...Doctor of Philosophy!
Mr and Ms, Stuart: not all consulting physicians who are female are married. The persistence of identifying women by their marital status is part of the problem.
Yes but traditionally you would refer to any woman over 25 (and all married ladies) as Misses (which is what Mrs.actually stands) for as Miss (Ms) refers only to younger single females. Where the "r" in Mrs is another question! The plural of Mrs would be Mesdames. Always blame it on the French!
I just checked and of course the origin of Mrs is "mistress" which is the feminine of Mister or Master and thus does not necessarily signify marital status!
Actually it does: it is a legal designation. Mistress referred to the female head of a household, which presumed being married at some point. It was also an "honorific" when referring to madams who ran brothels (!). The term in Middle English used for a widow who was the head of a household was "Goody" (perhaps recognizable from Miller's The Crucible), which was derived from the male term Goodman. Singlewomen were not recognized as heads of households under most British laws, except when they had to pay taxes, at which point their status sometimes changed to "Mistress" but usually not. They had to be substantial property owners to be so called, which means that more commonly they were called "Dame," which until women were knighted did not refer to a woman who was knighted, but rather to a woman who owned property on the level of an esquire or a knight that was not held in dower. Sometimes (such as Chaucer's Wife of Bath, Dame Alysoun) women with substantial dower properties (she was married five times . . .) were also called Dame if at least one of the husbands had been a knight or an esquire. And usually, even when married, professional women in the UK are referred to as Miss--this is the case, for instance, with female barristers.
Sorry: you're talking to someone who has to spend a lot of time unpacking this in her own research and scholarship. :-)
Fascinating. Had no idea and love learning this. Thank you medievalist!🥰
And, in medieval times wasn't it the barbers that were the "physicians"?
They were called barber-surgeons. Physician was a specific term for a man with a university degree--who did not actually practice medicine most of the time (these were the guys who examined urine to determine what it would take to balance one's humors). The guild that oversaw the training of barbers trained people to cut hair, set bones, pull teeth, and sew people up when they hurt themselves. Herbal medicine was the purview of women, who were trained as both midwives and medical practitioners but they were not allowed to form guilds. If a physician did practice medicine, it was on very elite people and usually involved bleeding them--and the survival rate was much worse than with a guild-licensed barber-surgeon or female medical practitioner! One of the most popular medical treatises was written in the 12th century and attributed to a woman known as Dame Trotula of Salerno.
Thank you! All this medieval history makes me think of St. Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th century polymath, who wrote on herbal medicine and is credited as the founder of opera. One of my favorite books is God's Hotel by Dr. Victoria Sweet. She goes draws from the writings of von Bingen and medieval, pre-industrial medicine in the last almshouse in San Francisco to treat the whole person. Beautiful book.
Ironically, for those like my grandmother who had hemachromatosis, bleeding was the treatment. Sadly she was born after bleeding was deemed quackery and before donating blood to the Red Cross once a month was the prescribed treatment. Terribke fatigue, weakness, pain, organ damage, mental fog.
Paracelsus would contest that only the women practiced herbal remedies.
Surgeons
Wow!! Excellent synopsis! Thank You.
Thank you!
Thank you! I shared what you wrote with Facebook friends (who know I have a history PhD).
This WSJ story absolutely enraged me and I find it difficult to discuss for that reason. I, too, earned a doctoral degree “late in life” - a clinical doctorate in nursing. I do not routinely use my title because it can confuse patients but they call me “doc” anyway and I have learned to just roll with it. However, I EARNED that challenging degree and the right to be acknowledged for it with my academic credentials - DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). I am licensed and board certified. The correct title for the “other” kind of doctor who practices medicine is physician or M. D. (Medical Doctor / Doctor of Medicine). Public misunderstanding should not prevent me, Dr Biden, or anyone else from using our earned titles.
Cathy Learoyd, B.S.E.E. M.I.T. my wife just said “they really are going after women and black people.” I agree with you that nondr. Epstein must be a bitter old man disappointed in his life. It is particularly galling to have an opinion like this printed as it is not anything but a giant slap to the face. Disgusting people say things like this privately. Reprehensible, pathetic patriarchs publish these epithets.
He stinks of sour grapes
Another great example of double standards. NonDr. Joe Epstein teaches at a premier mid-western university with no advanced degree but he wants Dr Jill Biden to drop the Dr. See Volume 42, Page 467 of the Book of Double Standards (available at your local library) for additional info on this behavior.
"Northwestern’s Department of English removed Epstein’s web page from its list of emeritus faculty and also released its own response to the op-ed, reiterating that Epstein has “not taught here in nearly 20 years” and his piece “casts unmerited aspersion on Dr. Jill Biden’s rightful public claiming of her doctoral credentials and expertise.”
“The Department rejects this opinion as well as the diminishment of anyone’s duly-earned degrees in any field, from any university,” the statement said."
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-dr-jill-biden-northwestern-wall-street-journal-20201214-46kkdafuxzfkfnkzchlgu7gdh4-story.html?outputType=amp
Oh, thank you . Northwestern is where I earned my undergraduate degree ( before I went on, elsewhere, to earn a juris doctorate—maybe I will start referring to myself as Doctor, just to annoy ) and I was horrified and ashamed to read Epstein’s op ed. “Kiddo”. What a small minded, jealous, presumptuous, misogynistic, and disrespectful person this Epstein seems to be.
I am so looking forward to the grace and intelligence of Dr. Biden in the White House to show our nation again what is good and right. Also, I am so glad to see that Northwestern stood up for what is good and right.
He was an adjunct lecturer...how could he possibly think he was in a position to disdain Dr. Biden?
Let's not forget that the paper is owned by Murdoch...also owner of Fox News....and Koch has sat on the Board at one point...if not still.
Not forgotten for sure. But a new low for their attack on liberals, women and education for the masses.
But that is unlikely to worry them inordinately
I can never understand them. Can they just not see where all of this is taking us? Is all the money and power in the world really more important the life for future generations? Scary scary people.
The short answer for them is of course YES! But this sort of canabalistic, capitalistic system has already run 500 years. Will it continue in the Age of Aquarius?
Not if we run out of air, water, food.
I hope others have canceled their subscriptions as well!!
My wife Mackenzie and I will be cancelling ours today. First time we will actively join the cancel culture.
It’s so typical that the next FL is being slammed for being an accomplished academician in her own right. “Kiddo” alone should have killed that op ed. We do indeed need that movement for social justice for all of us. ❤️🤍💙
Totally support your action and position! I hope you “tore them a new one.”
PS. “Kiddo”? Really? Good one “sweetheart.”
Yup, when a man says “sweetheart” to me I exit stage left. Also gorgeous, darlin’, doll and on and on. If he’s past the age of 80...I allow. Different consciousness.
Seriously! Hello non-dr Epstein - the 1950s called. They want their misogyny back.
I like to check to be sure the lady I am speaking to feels securely old enough for me to call her "young lady". I really do not need to start any more trouble in my life than I already have.
I will be particularly careful in every instance from now forward to always refer to Dr. Jill Biden, Ph.D. in the future for no other reason than to show my offense and repulsion at this ignorant, sexist, mysogenistic column by Joseph Epstein. What an "A$$****."
I think we all need "Dr. Jill Biden, Ph.D." t-shirts! :-)
And the WSJ Opinions Editor defended publishing it!
Small minded non-dr.Epstein, WSJ owner Rupert Murdoch and buddy DJT aka. Fake 45,
enough said?
Well if I have this correct, the WSJ is owned by News Corp which Rupert Murdoch has been the executive chairman since 2013. Follow the money. Maybe now he wants to turn all news into Fox News. We should basically all boycott anything owned by NewCorp and/or has Murdoch's sent on it. 🤮
Unfortunately he also owns the Times/Sunday Times of London and that is still an excellent newspaper!
I call it Pox Noise
I have mixed feelings about Mitchell. Nice to hear the principled and correct statements and that he's left the R party. But how convenient that it's right before he retires. Free to speak his mind? They're ALL free to do that but have acted as a herd because of their individual fears, reinforcing each other's silence. Had a cadre been willing to speak up and openly deplore or, God forbid, oppose dt's actions in the last five years, at least some of them, things might have been a bit different. But no cadre and no guardrails on him, just obeisance. So thanks, Paul Mitchell and the rest of you folks who found your voices and scrubbed your consciences clean on your way out the door.
Republicans lost their backbones when McCain died. I think I saw Lindsey Graham collapse when he lost his. That was the biggest flip flop of principles seen during djt’s administration.
I totally agree with you! I certainly do not see him as a shining example. More like an opportunist. This comes about 4 years late for me.
"Opportunist" is the right term. Good point.
Herd mentality
And those who copped out and did not run for re-election in 2018 - too frightened to speak out while they needed votes. Not up to the challenge of fighting for their values? Because we know that those who remained have no values.
Sandra Lindsay’s words will go down in history. I saw her on MSNBC tonight and she thanked her staff for all of the efforts that they continue to give. I thought that was wonderful to say. It was very befitting to have an African American doctor administer the vaccine to an African American nurse. It actually gave me chills too watch it live. They are the ones putting their lives on the line to save ours. They don’t care what the color of your skin is, whether you’re rich or poor... they took an oath to help and save. They have my utmost respect and will forever be in my heart.
So much happened today that was positive, finally! Bring on 1/6/21 and just try questioning those electoral votes, you lousy cheating Repubs. I double dare you!
As an RN it has been so hard to watch what nurses across the country have endured and continue to fight with COVID-19, for all of us. Yes, this first vaccine was historic and wonderful and I got chills, too! And a new feeling - HOPE!!
Thank you for what you do!❤️❤️
I've had a number of medical issues this year (none life-threatening) which gave me the opportunity to express my huge appreciation of the dangers they face every day to everyone in the various facilities I've been to. This actually brought tears to one young man's eyes!
I asked FB friends to give me some funny stuff to write on my cast (fell off bike - broke wrist trying to protect the [unopened] bottle of single malt in my pannier) for the staff at my orthopaedist's. They were very appreciative of the humor and laughs. (a sampling: "Temporary Exoskeleton", "The other option was amputation", "I busted my wrist punching a fascist")
Even when the pandemic is over (assuming I survive - no guarantee for any of us, even with proper precautions), I vow to continue expressing my appreciation to all the essential workers who are keeping us going.
At least your priorities are in order!
Can the members of Congress who signed the amicus be rebuked or censured? Along with the 17 State Attorney Generals?
Inquiring minds need to know!
Those who are lawyers can be, the more doubtful issue is if they will be. "Go along to get along" still controls a lot of Congressional behavior and any action there would be a battle royale.
This is sedition and cannot be overlooked as just a little burp. This was an attempt to overthrow our democracy. Pretty f'ing serious to many of us Americans who have been abused and lied to for the past five years. They do not get a free get out of jail pass from me.
My congressman, a republican who's tied his fortune to trump, signed his name in support of the Texas lawsuit. I sent him a letter so scathing I almost didn't send it. No foul language, but I cut pretty hard. I did send it because I felt if he was foolish and reckless enough to attack the election proces in his official capacity as my representative, he needed to know of my anger. Then I wrote another scorcher to my local paper's editor for good measure. It may not be much, but far better than keeping quiet.
I think all of us who want justice should do the same and not allow them to get a pass. Thank you-- it is another writing and calling adventure for us.
Mine, who fits the description also, got the same from me but, having just been re-elected by a 70/30 margin, unless Congress acts, I don't expect it to have much impact. I don't know if individual citizens or even groups of us would have standing to initiate a criminal sedition action.
I did the same thing and also wonder if there is anything that we as citizens can do to initiate some sort of legal rebuke? If there are any lawyers or other knowledgeable folks on this forum, please let us know. I’m in Florida by the way.
And I’m in Minnesota. Three of our Representatives signed the brief. None of them are my representatives but I can still write to them.
I agree, and I think this is much more serious even than the criminal Nixon presidency. I can’t condone a pardon for any of them, especially the head of Trumpistan. ❤️🤍💙
But overthrow by politicians cannot be done unless many people support it. Trump and his cronies are a RESULT OF the lack of awareness and education here. It’ll be done again unless we recognize ALL our citizens. That means equal education, including college and training. Free medical healthcare etc. these people are angry and I get it! I’m angry too but the only difference tween me and them, is some sort of awareness I’ve self developed over my 70 years or I might have been a trump supporter also. It’s a finer line than one would think.
Agree. On all points. Education is lacking, and poverty is eroding the education of vast numbers of our citizens. I’ve talked with middle school children who have no hopes, no dreams for their future. No after school programs. No money for college. No jobs ahead. It radicalized me years ago. ❤️🤍💙
Nor will mine from me, but all either of us can do is vote for their opponents and advocate for action by the appropriate bodies which, for the signers of the brief, is Congress. I'm all in favor of at least a motion to censure but don't expect even that.
I keep wondering if I can sue trump&company for harassment. And I’m serious! And I thought people could be taken to task legally for frivolous lawsuits.
It is actually much worse than harassment. This is sedition and crimes against humanity, the overthrowing of our democracy at a time when we are sick, dying and out of work. They created a Constitutional crisis. If nothing happens to all these liars, anti-Americans and Seditionists--the American people should file a class action lawsuit against all of them. We need a savvy lawyer...Glenn Kirshner comes to mind... I am serious, too. Criminals need consequences in order to learn. Our children need to see that serious crimes do not go unpunished.
IMO, the letter sent to Iran disregarding the treaty that Obama signed also reeks of sedition. Nothing said there either!
You can bring suit for just about anything, all you need is a supportive attorney and the money to pay for it. I don't have the background to predict how far such a suit would get in court.
Attorneys can be disbarred for bringing frivolous actions but that's up to each state's bar association and your guess is as good as mine for whether or not that will happen.
Maybe we can get someone “pro-Bono”. And not sure how much progress we can make in Florida where Ashley Moody is AG, signed on to the brief, and is another sycophant.
Same situation in Indiana but I'm sure there are attorneys who read Heather's letter and can provide more than conjecture on this.
I agree that refusal to seat or even formal censure motions won't make it through Congress, and as others debate here, it's tough to determine the political gains and losses in trying to do so. However, there are several groups of lawyers across the country banding together to advocate for the Reps/Sens who signed on to be disbarred by their state associations.
That's good to hear Tom and we can hope that enough of them will be successful to put a scare into the rest. If you've seen anywhere that this effort can be responsibly supported please post it.
Here's one of the groups, and a link to their letter. Please note that any person can support their efforts, but that only current or previous bar members can sign on. Spread the word.
https://lawyersdefendingdemocracy.org/
https://lawyersdefendingdemocracy.org/ag-paxton/
Thanks Tom.
While the criminal cabal jumps ship, trump will be waving his pardoning wand over a vast array of undeserving evil people. His disrespect of Joe Biden and the very basis of our government has reached a level that is a violation of their oath of office. While trump is without a doubt, batcrap nuts, it does not absolve him or any of those who signed the absurd Texan petition. They need to face the consequences of their actions. The representatives who signed should not be allowed to take their seats in Congress and should be assessed a significant fine. The SDNY should be able to step in and prosecute trump and a few of the others on state offenses; preferably handing out subpoenas at 2:00, January 20th. That would be a reality show worth watching!
Here is a list of the 126 Representatives (and their Twitter handles) who signed the Texas lawsuit:
https://twitter.com/HelenArmstrong5/status/1337275190145818625?s=20
Rep. Bill Pascrell is "calling on House leaders to refuse to seat any Members trying to overturn the election and make donald trump an unelected dictator."
https://twitter.com/BillPascrell/status/1337482153752453120?s=20
Rep. Adam Schiff has a great legal mind and is so eloquent in his arguments, but he disappointed me that he seems to want to just leave it for the voters. As Chris Hayes asked, Schiff does not want to "fight fire with fire with procedural maximalism" but instead with "restraint, stewardship."
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/schiff-on-seating-gop-reps-who-joined-trump-stunt-we-don-t-want-to-become-them-97589317970
I think the argument is that it was legal to file the Texas lawsuit. But a layperson like me sees that when they signed their names to a legal document, they crossed a line in violation of their oath to the Constitution. As someone replied to Schiff, "refuse to seat them using the 14th Amendment, MAKE them fight for their seats, drag it to Scotus, who will rule their Sedition does not rise to the level of Insurrection and they should be seated. But MAKE them do it, a Lesson must be given."
https://twitter.com/ReubensSweater/status/1337844806186397696?s=20
Can people here weigh in on the pros and cons of censure and/or not seating the 126 pursuant to the 14th Amendment?
Hmmm. I hadn't thought of it from Schiff's perspective, but I think now I may agree. We need a full, congenial, respectful Congress seated and ready in January to begin the critical task of enacting legislation to literally save our country. I completely agree that what my Representative Jack Bergman did by signing onto the Texas lawsuit against his own state of Michigan is SEDITION. He is a despicable traitor and vile enemy of democracy in my book, and -WHOA! I am riled up enough right now to punch him out! Schiff is right - fighting fire with fire only produces ashes. We need a fully operational and focused Congress from the get go. Let us citizens vote the snakes out.
I unfortunately agree. “Fighting fire with fire only produces ashes.” I do however want to see some form of censure for the seditious acts that Lindsey Graham perpetrated in regards to Georgia’s election. Maybe djt will include him in the list of those culpable, by giving him a pardon.
MaryPat, that might work if you lived in a district that wasn't so heavily gerrymandered your vote wouldn't count, as I do. Yes, I can vote for senator without the handicap of gerrymander, but in a red state with two GOP senators, anyone not in the Trump tribe right now doesn't have a prayer. So the ballot box is, effectively, a dead letter box for us.
Actually I feel your pain - in the same boat here. Except, we have HOPE now because Michigan voted for creation of a Citizens Redistricting Commisson! "Every 10 years following the U.S. Census, district lines for political offices must be redrawn in states across the country to accurately reflect their population. In Michigan, a randomly selected commission of citizens is responsible for drawing U.S. Congressional and Michigan State House and Senate district lines. Voters amended the state constitution in the November 2018 general election to make citizens — not legislators or special interests — responsible for drawing district lines (called “redistricting”). The commission will be composed of 13 randomly selected Michigan registered voters: four who affiliate with the Democratic Party, four who affiliate with the Republican Party, and five who do not affiliate with either major political party." It was an exciting process with input and nominees from all over the state. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is amazing!
That's wonderful news! Congrats to any of my outlaws up there who voted for it! Maybe, in some distant century far, far away, NC will wise up.
Still, vote, please. Even if your "side" loses, your vote becomes a dissent. And as Ms. Ginsberg proved to all and sundry, a dissent has a way of becoming the majority (and vice versa), if consistently applied.
I am sorry, but I believe they need to be held over a very hot fire. This was, maybe, their last attempt to overthrow our democracy. I am not having any of it. There is nothing respectful or bi-partisan about this GOP congress, esp. with mitch the obstructionist.
These people have committed crimes and have been intentionally derelict in their duties to our democracy and abusive in the process. It is criminal. Teflon don and his regime need to be held accountable because the next con man that comes along might just succeed in creating the autocracy these people want. Stay awake even if you are exhausted. This is not over.
So sorry to disagree with Schiff, who I admire, but for far too long Dems have tried to play nice. At every turn, the Republicans have gotten worse and worse and this latest stunt, out in the open, cannot be ignored. If we just let it go, it will send the message that it is ok to subvert our democracy. What will they try next?
As the Dems currently have the House majority (and if we all continue to support the Dems for Senate in the Georgia runoff election - Ossoff & Warnock) and have a chance at achieving at least 50% in the Senate, some heavy censuring is certainly in order. Maybe some good old-fashioned shunning?
Fortunately or unfortunately, the Dems are rather badly hampered in this fight, and have been for the past 50 years. You see, the Dems want a functioning government, while the Republicans are willing to destroy everything, so long as their own bank accounts (wherever they may be located), still work. These Trump supporters seem to think they can burn the house down, but still find their places set for breakfast in the morning.
This behavior needs a firm and meaningful rebuke. Comity is a fine ideal to reach for, but to leave these seditious acts unanswered invites a repeat. Dems need to put on their creativity hats and come up with a way to make the point clear, with a sting, without having to actually burn down congress.
"One Republican state representative in Michigan hinted at potential violence against the delegates to the Electoral College; leadership later stripped him of his committee assignments." It's not much of a consequence, but it's the first one I've seen. May it be the first of many. . . .
That's a pretty firm punishment, I believe. It neuters him politically. Committees are where all the action takes place. Most of the horse trading is done well before a bill makes it to the floor, to my understanding.
May today be the last Electoral College vote that we have to witness.
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact needs to be a priority.
https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/
As explained on the National Popular Vote site:
"The National Popular Vote bill will take effect when enacted into law by states possessing 270 electoral votes (a majority of the 538 electoral votes). As of July 2020, it has been enacted into law in 16 jurisdictions possessing 196 electoral votes, including 4 small states (DE, HI, RI, VT), 8 medium-sized states (CO, CT, MD, MA, NJ, NM, OR, WA), 3 big states (CA, IL, NY), and the District of Columbia.
The bill will take effect when enacted by states possessing an additional 74 electoral votes."
This path is seen as more likely in the nearer future than an Amendment to the Constitution. However, the Interstate Compact based on electoral votes means that not all states would be in agreement, thereby exacerbating the current mistrust in our democratic process--a hurdle to restoring a loyal opposition. Thoughts?
The Democrats only have to win the state-wide elections in the recalcitrant States to improve the numbers, don't they? As long as you have one State not accepting the NPV, that State will in a partisan way bias the results by remaining in a winner-take-all posture. The Republican States would have no incentive to support NPV as the current system... with its inherent bias towards the rural vote... is the only one that can potentially permit them to win despite their declining demographics. A "Fair" system in democratic terms will always be "unfair" to them as they see the election as a power and money game to be won rather than the representation of the wishes of the majority of the people. They fix the rules and cheat as suits the needs of the moment to ensure that they prevail; controlling the rules allows you to control the game. Another way of saying this of course is that the Republicans do not have the same definition of the words "People" or "Fair".......and function only in relation to their own definition.....and not either the dictionary's or the Democrats' point of view. This, to them, is non-negotiable as they are not suicidal!
Republicans (red states) will never agree to ANY measure that in any way threatens their tenuous hold on power. NEVER. And to that end, they will gum up the works at every given opportunity. Bank on it.
Well, we need to work harder, pay attention and make a LOT of noise.
I had been unaware of the Interstate Compact until this weekend when I checked into my own state's electors. Until reading up on our alliance with the Compact, I hadn't realized that, since joining the compact in 2009, Washington's electors have been required to cast their votes according to the national popular vote, rather than the state totals.
In 2016, four of our Democratic electors decided to cast their votes for someone other than HRC (3 for Colin Powell, 1 for Faith Spotted Eagle), were fined $1,000 each. (By the way, our Secretary of State, Kim Wyman, is a Republican and she was re-elected by a substantial margin this year because this Blue state trusts her to run a clean election.)
Interesting!
This appears to be the only viable path. But as the map at the link shows, getting enough states to go along is a heavy lift. It requires overcoming gerrymandering that keeps Republicans in control of legislatures, including in some states that went for Biden. Not impossible but the Democratic Party must make it a priority.
Breathing a small sigh of relief for democracy and reserve my remaining breath for all the shenanigans yet to come.
Word is, Fatso wrote Barr's letter of resignation (or at least dictated it). Given it reads like the Public Praise he received in the cabinet back in 2017, and what a j7uvenile ignorant piece of shit he is, it sounds like something His Illieracy would do.
Hmmm...you’re all probably right. What does the “word is” think is the reason for the Barr chess move? ❤️🤍💙
That was exactly MY thought too. Sounds familiar, doesnt it?
These last couple mornings I have been in a different mood. I think it started with the rebuke to the president and the republicans by the Supreme Court. But mostly because I am listening to President Obama read his own words in “A Promised Land”. I have only managed to get to Chapter 7. It is difficult to turn off. I miss his raw intelligence, wit and wisdom. I miss his humanity.
It is the essence of humanity, the natural caring for each other, that is lacking in djt and his acolytes. Some will not change, but some will see the light. It will take time, but the sorrow for their willful mistakes will come eventually. Now with the Electoral College vote final we should turn attention to the pandemic and encourage all to get the vaccine when they have the opportunity. This is a true monumental accomplishment of science. Let us be thankful. Let us lead in the effort to make available this miracle to the world.
I just wanted to mention New Zealand has zero covid cases and NEVER got vaccinated.
Elaine, you are soooo correct! What an example for the rest of the world. A Prime Minister with magic in her smile and knowledge in her consciousness leads the country to unity and victory.
New Zealand isn’t a capitalist society. People come first and the people there are deliriously happy. When Lucinda locked down the country people didn’t protest and defy because they trusted she was there for them and that she was putting them before money and fame.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she is 'not willing to put the lives of her citizens in danger.' Now, that's leadership, what a concept.
and that they are starting to find a new strain of the virus in London which has them distinctly worried. Will the Covid transmute faster than they can develop vaccines?
Listening to Obama narrate his book was good medicine!
Just hearing his voice calms my shattered nerves.
I was cooking dinner last night when my wife called down to say that CA electoral votes had been submitted, I actually started to dance! One dance step closer to removing the menace from the WH. Then, Biden finally ripped into tRump and the rethuglicans (he referred to them as his "former colleagues") to express what we all have been waiting for him to do. His speech was a nice combination of rage at the efforts to destroy our democracy and a plea to come together and move on. This morning tRump is crowing that with a new AG he will "finally have someone who will show the truth of the rigged election." He just can't quit, can he? His voice will be silenced when the law comes after him for his ongoing greed. I will do another dance the day Biden is inaugurated, and another the day that tRump is arrested and taken into custody!
Couldn’t resist this bit of humor...
https://twitter.com/hamillhimself/status/1338660322555543553?s=21
Thank YOU!!!
I saw this a few days ago and posted it on FB. It is very clever.
P.S. Do you have a labradoodle/goldendoodle?
Yes, a doodle—a rescue poodle mix smaller than a lab. Love her! And you?
labradoodle...our second one. Love him, but our first left a big hole in my heart.
Aw, sadly know the feeling. Our first doodle left a big hole in my heart a year ago. He was a real people person. Poodle mixes are such great dogs!
Republican politicians often seem to find their voice when they are about to retire but even that's not always true. I see no reason to praise Republicans for doing the bare minimum. The bar is so low for them that it's underground.
Thank you, Heather, and maybe you can go to sleep before 4am now! I was just listening to your talk with Bill Moyers and Steven Harper when your letter came in. Fascinating, and yet Dec. 10th seems so long ago when there is So. Much. in your letter just now. Earlier, on the NewsHour, it was said that there is a wrench that can be thrown into the count of states' electors on January 6th. If one Republican in the House and one in the Senate each dispute the count, it can all continue to be delayed and put to another vote. Did I misunderstand that? Can that really happen? I am going to try and get some sleep myself now! Phew. We all have PTSD but it's really the doctors, nurses and essential workers who will need serious R&R when this is all over.
Teri Kanefield addresses the January 6th scenario: https://terikanefield-blog.com/what-to-expect-on-january-6th/
Thanks for this. Interesting but so dang frustrating that we are being further subjected to shenanigans by “yours truly”. I am so done!
I feel we are being abused and beaten up. The whole country needs a shelter from the republicans further abuse. Can we get a Cease and Desist Order?
I support the Sedition suit against all of these mongrels who are anti-American.
Thank you Jennifer, very helpful. I am so tired of this kind of drama, I want to go back to the real kind on stage!
Thank You. This is an excellent resource.
Cong. Mitchell has been properly recognized for leaving the GOP all of 3 weeks before he leaves office but his actions would be more meaningful if he planned to stay. It's more like "na, na, na, you can't catch me" than a profile in courage.
I too thought it rather cowardly. But perhaps in establishing his bona fides in respect to being a dyed in the wool Republican he is making the appropriate point that continuing power politics at this point is too much for our Republic to bear.
And today as the New Mexico Electoral College delegates after the New Mexico votes, the Republican Party filed a lawsuit stating illegal ballot boxes were used without proper authorization. A similar law suit was filed in October but withdrawn after changes were made. George Conway talked about it in an interview with Anderson Cooper tonight on CNN about just how ridiculous it is stating Trump lost NM by 100,000 votes and ten percentage points. So, more of the same craziness. To me it was more about another Trump supporter, former NM Rep. Steve Pearce (now state Republican Party Chair) taking orders from his Dark Lord. Pearce lost to Michelle Lujan Grisham in the last election for Governor.
But, it all appears to be about how much money can be squeezed (conned) out of his base. He will need money to support staff and family. I just hope cities get money up front for rallies now that he won't be President. No more Air Force One or Marine One for dramatic entrances, no Presidential limo, etc. and less Secret Service Agents.
We shall see how he spends the money.
As a taxpayer, I am willing to contribute $.02 for his presidential library and not a penny more. What the heck will he put in it. Bound volumes of his tweets and executive orders? The rest was all secret.
His "presidential" "library" will be gold-plated, completely tacky, shelfless (because there will be nothing to put on them), and admission will be members only. It will be surrounded by a golf course where the official "score"-keeping when T**** plays will stop at 18 for him, and any further strokes by the orange man will be added to opponents' scores. (Sorry to golfers for incorrect terminology.)
I like it. Definitely immense gold-painted signage with lots of "presidential" photomontages. But I see the empty-shelves problem differently. All members will be given 512k thumb drives (you can buy them by the box really cheaply) with the entire collection of the glorious policy victories of the administration achieved through TrumpTweets. The castoff drives will of course be monogrammed with flaking gilt DJTs.
We should not spend another penny on this vulgar human nor protect him with agents. He has attempted to destroy our democracy, overthrow our government, have secret meetings with a hostile foreign entity who has made threats on our soldiers. Really, wake up my dear fellow citizens. I do not want my tax dollars to go towards these abusers who also have committed crimes against humanity by doing nothing while our people die of this horrific pandemic. Oust them all. I have no more American patience with any of them, and we need to ditch mitch immediately so our government can work again.
I suspect few presidents have taken office for the first time facing the challenges and opposition that will await Joe Biden. So many complex challenges (domestically and globally) and so much hateful, anti-democracy opposition. If that wasn't enough, he's succeeding a president hell-bent on making the job as difficult as possible. There's no corollary in my long life, and I suspect there's nothing comparable in the nation's history (though HCR can address this with academic authority).
While Trump will inflict more damage, at least now that the Electoral College has voted, we can focus on the new president as he prepares to lead under extraordinary pressure.
Seriously concerning is the Russian hack. PE Biden needs to really soup up a tight cyber security force. Maybe replace the space force. Makes more sense to me.
Remember that Trump fired the head of cybersecurity, Christopher Krebs.
Krebs filed a lawsuit against Fake 45’s lawyers. Would be great if Biden invites them him back.
Exactly.
Krebs said that he knew and trusted the remaining team and that they were prepared and able to handle it.
Of course, he did.
Yeah, I wonder which dog in our White House left the back doors open for Russian hacking at this moment in time...
"Space Force? We don't need no stinking Space Force!"