Here's my Christmas letter to Chief Justice Roberts and a similar one to Justice Sotomayor. Enjoy!
The Honorable Chief Justice John G. Roberts
The Supreme Court of the United States
One First Street N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20543
Dear Chief Justice Roberts,
On this Christmas Day 2021, I feel the most important thing I can do is write to you and Justice Sotomayor on my concerns with the loss of democracy in many states and the United States Supreme Court's role in dismantling our republican form of government. Texas, the state I live in, is now an autocracy under minority rule and is blatantly and with audacity taking away my Constitutional rights.
First, I'd like to commend you for your courage and fortitude in speaking up on the Solemn Mockery now hanging over the Supreme Court. I also commend Justice Sotomayor for her statement on the stench permeating the current state of the Supreme Court.
Three points I'd like to call to your attention:
1. Rulings of the ilk of Citizens United which says money is free speech and corporations have the same rights as people are basically legalized bribery of elected representatives. Ninety-five percent of the time they now vote with their donors ignoring the wishes of the People which has made the United States into an oligarchic kleptocracy, no longer a democratic republic.
2. The gutting of the Voting Rights Act in 2013 stating that pre-clearance was no longer needed has led to extreme partisan discriminatory gerrymandering and voter suppression to assure the minority rulers stay in power assuring autocratic rule for decades to come.
3. The recent rulings by the Supreme Court on the Texas anti-abortion vigilante injustice law seem to be based on anticipating the overturn of the Roe v. Wade precedence and totally ignoring the existing Constitutional Rights of women. In my opinion, that means the Supreme Court is in Contempt of the Constitution.
While I'm not a lawyer, I am a concerned citizen who carries a copy of the U.S. Constitution with me at all times and refers to it frequently. I'm finding so many of the questions and arguments being made in recent hearings fallacious.
1. I want to hear the answers to Justice Sotomayor's fine and relevant questions about why the rights of a potential person, a fetus, is given total priority over the rights of an existing person, the pregnant woman, no matter what the risk is to her. No exceptions. My sister was a Type 1 diabetic and giving birth put her life in a precarious situation. She chose to have two sons but at great risk to her life and the life of the babies. Saying she has no choice and the government decides in a situation like this is simply cruel and inhumane. Justice Barrett's contention that is no problem to carry a fetus to term and then you can just throw away your parental responsibility by dumping the baby at the nearest fire station makes me sick. For me, Roe v. Wade strikes a fair and just balance protecting both the woman and the developing fetus.
2. I bristle when Justice Gorsuch points out the word "abortion" isn't in the Constitution and therefore the Supreme Court should just be silent about abortion. Neither is the word "woman"! So that means women have no rights under the Constitution at all?
The Guarantee Cause seems to me the relevant clause here -- that a Republican form of government (by the People or their freely elected representatives) is guaranteed in every state by the United States Constitution.
3. I bristle at the vigilante injustice Texas is invoking to get around the Constitution. That means the rich bounty hunters get to bankrupt people who can't afford to defend themselves whether they are innocent or not. This isn't Justice; it's anarchy. All rights are now at risk across the United States.
4. I believe that two of the last three Justices joining the Court are illegitimate because of then Majority Leader McConnell's contempt of the Constitution and due process and the third is unqualified. Justice Gorsuch and Justice Barrett should not be on the Court after those shenanigans. Justice Kavanaugh would have had his nomination pulled if he had been a woman blubbering in the hearings like he did. I also feel, Justice Thomas and Justice Kavanaugh should be recused from any ruling on women's rights even if justice has not yet been served on the credible claims of sexual harassment.
In conclusion, I find the Supreme Court of the United States in Contempt of the Constitution of the United States for being an anti-democratic, anti -republican force leading toward the imminent demise of the experiment with democracy. I keep thinking about women scorned and how the country will erupt when the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
That's the legacy of the current Supreme Court - your legacy! I so hope you can turn it around to the Supreme Court who saves our American democratic republic. In addition, it may be notorious for being the first Court to take away rights rather than expand them.
Please stay strong and use a lot of air freshener! I admire you greatly.
Respectfully but emphatically,
Catherine Learoyd
We, the People, all of us this time!
In Texas, where a virus has reproductive rights and a woman doesn't!
Cathy, I cannot think of a single word of this letter I would change or add to. It is powerful and extremely well crafted. As others have, I urge you to submit it as an opinion column to at least one national publication for publishing. I understand the challenge of getting such a piece published and suggest you reach out to a well recognized figure such as a respected progressive Texas political figure or university professor to write a letter in support of publishing this piece or perhaps even listing them as a coauthor for its submission. It may increase the chance of its publication in the NY Times or Washington Post.
I'm not sure that's a good idea. I think that would be an obvious ploy. I also think it's extremely compelling and I think it would have a good chance of being published. I ***could*** see getting someone with a name to send it somewhere, FOR Cathy, simply saying they read HCR and this was among the comments, and they thought it merited publication, but making it clear it's Cathy's. But even that might not be necessary.
The Washington Post oped submission form does ask for both the author and the submitter separately. In any case, the letter must stand on its own merits.
Isn't it interesting that corporations and fetuses are "persons" but the rest of us don't matter, particularly if female or black. We need to shout loudly and often that we do matter, such as you have done in this letter. Thank you.
For purposes of litigation corporations are considered persons in order to allow them to be sued or to sue. However how that got morphed into other legal issues like voting rights and donating to political campaigns Is to my way of thinking too broad a use of that legal construct to consider them “persons”.
Cathy! This letter is so compelling! I couldn’t stop reading! (I can’t stop using exclamation points, either, apparently!)
I agree with Michele L-R, you should submit this to some publications. This is brilliant. Someone thanked you for putting their thoughts into words, and my immediate thought was, I wish I had the intelligence and writing skills to have these coherent, compelling thoughts to put into words. But I can recognize their righteousness! And so could many readers if this could be published somewhere.
Your letter was wonderful to read. Thank you for your stellar effort. I hope to see it soon in LTTEs across the nation. An aside: I wonder if you think it was appropriate and necessary for SCJ Thomas to recuse himself in all cases involving groups with which his wife, Ginni, has prominently figured in fund raising and leadership for decades and from which those groups would stand to gain immense benefits from favorable SCJ decisions involving them? Ginni Thomas' active leadership and fundraising for right wing conservative (as I understand it, often extreme "Christian" organizations) is rather akin to her husband sitting on the court with three day old fish in his lap. Her right to full freedom to exercise her duties and privileges of US citizenry should not, IMHO, override the expectation of US citizens to "blind" justice, a full and unbiased consideration of the issues to come before SCOTUS. In this case, the appearance of bias is unavoidable. Surely, SCJ Thomas should be obligated to remove himself from the case. Why this is not happening in this case and others is a problem for me. I wonder how others feel about this, especially you, Cathy, since your letter is so carefully and thoughtfully crafted?
To me that would be self-evident for him to recuse himself when there is a clear conflict of interest as is expected in every other court in the nation. This is something that needs to be clarified as a result of tfg's flagrant disregard for the law. I once had a District Court Judge tell me that we would be OK if the Rule of Law held. I'd love to ask him today if the Rule of Law has held. Certainly not in the Supreme Court although I do see tfg's appointed judges upholding the law and taking seriously their oath to the Constitution and not to an individual. But, the rule of law has the same problem with the oligarchy kleptocracy where the rich aren't held accountable while especially minorities get more punishment than would be fair in a fair system. And, this vigilante injustice that Texas is putting in place is as horrendous as taking away women's rights. In fact, it gives states a way around Constitutional rights so all our rights are now in jeopardy.
Cathy, Thank you for an extremely well written summary of some of the most severe and persistent problems America now faces. Everyone should read this clear summary.
But, I do have a question for you?
How can Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Sotomayor help outside of writing dissenting opinions when they have them?
It seems to me that the Republicans "play to win" while, in some ways, Democrats sleep at the wheel. Ginsburg's ego would not let her retire under Obama, right? Whereas Scalia picked a nice resort down in Texas to vanish himself into the ether under a Republican.
We demonize McConnell for not allowing a vote on Merrick Garland, but, honestly, the current structure of US law enables him to do that and Democrats should be playing the same game instead of whining and crying about somebody who is playing to WIN.
At any rate, your writing is quite honestly a must read summary, but, ALL Democrats should read it and get their veritable "arses" in gear and stop whining about Republicans playing to win and GET IN THE GAME and play to WIN.
A way for Biden to do this, and, the Democrats, is to immediately and forthwith return to majority rule and get rid of the filibuster and laugh at any Republican who whines and complains and then tell them, aye, we are going to win. You? Republican whiner? Are going to lose.
I don't think your collective opinion of Democrats is accurate. Democrats are doing good things and doing them within the framework of the law, as the impeachments and Jan 6 investigation reveal. To stoop to renegade tactics is to become the problem. I think that good prevails, ultimately. Indeed, as today's substack letter tells us, the problem is deep with powerful, even criminal elements that are deeply entrenched in our country and our body politic. Small voices of individual citizens, such as this letter will have an impact if enough of us rally.
Yes, the Democrats are doing excellent things but not getting credit for them partly because they are using good messaging and partly the way the media has to cover controversy rather than the positive. Listen to Representative Jayapal, head of the House Progressive caucus for excellent messaging. Other Democrats should follow her lead.
Hope, I completely agree with you. May I simply add that I believe our Democratic leaders have indeed acted with deliberate brilliance — while republicans are perverting the laws to destroy the law, democrats are using the law in order save Democracy. I also believe that millions of democratic (I can’t figure out when to capitalize the party names) voters are still not energized, which weakens our leaders in D.C. and state capitals. Our leaders need us voters more solidly behind them in this crucial hour! Thank you for your comment. May you be well.
Our leaders need our votes to be counted. In Repugnant Party states, that is no longer a guarantee. DO WE HAVE A FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS LAW? Only 11 months before the next election, WTF are the Dems waiting for?
Hi Gus, Here is my little essay on you capitalization question:
small "d", small "r"
In our bifurcated political world, we have two major political parties - Democrats with a capital D and Republicans with a capital R. As John Adams warned when he said "a two-party system would be the greatest evil to befall the Constitution", these two parties now represent an ever more extreme left and extreme right and, I'll posit, leaving the vast moderate middle without representation. On Inauguration Day for President Biden, a Gallup Poll showed party affiliation as 25% Republican, 50% Independent and 25% Democrat. Are we forgetting what small r republic and small d democracy mean? The United States is a constitutional democratic republic, "if we can keep it", as Benjamin Franklin said coming out of the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Small d democracy (from Greek dēmos ‘the people’ + -kratia ‘power, rule’) is defined as government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. Another definition of democracy is a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges. Stockholm-based International IDEA think tank has rated the United States as a back-sliding democracy.
A small r republic (from Latin res publica 'public affair') is a form of government in which "supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives". In republics, the country is considered a "public matter", not the private concern or property of the rulers. Our Constitution in Article 4 Section 4 states: "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government ... " This is a guarantee!
Instead of over-emphasizing the "OR", let's see our country as the "AND" of small d democracy and small r republicanism. Let's talk to each other and discuss our common values in civilized discourse. I believe in Synergy, meaning together we can come up with better solutions if we consider our many perspectives rather than declaring one as inherently better than the other.
To quote the late, great, Ray Charles: “Hallelujah, I just love her so!”
A deep and most respectful bow to Ms Catherine Learoyd, and to her awesome Constitutional scholarship!
Of the many debts of gratitude we owe the Founders, we must include their more profound and prophetic utterances. Few of their statements can be considered more impactful than that of John Adams: “a division of the republic into two great parties … is to be dreaded as the great political evil.” (That’s the version that I have.)
And our nation’s “Father”, George Washington warned: “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism.”
However you slice it, there were those among the Founders who feared the end result of “two-partyism”. We can now view––and experience––the end product for ourselves.
I think Cathy is on to something when she counsels, “Let's talk to each other and discuss our common values in civilized discourse. I believe in Synergy, meaning together we can come up with better solutions if we consider our many perspectives rather than declaring one as inherently better than the other.”
Hear, hear, dear Cathy! E pluribus unum, that unofficial motto of our nation, inscribed on its Great Seal, says it all. “Out of Many, One.” In other words, from disunity––the clamor of many ideas and opinions––to unity! That is: the melding of various lesser perspectives into one concept that is greater than the sum of its parts.
I don’t think we have enough “Band-aids” to heal our broken nation and its peoples. And I don’t believe that the ultimate remedy will come forth from the District of Columbia!
Only “We, the People, all of us this time”, can concoct the balm with the power to mend our broken body politic.
Thank you for your kind words, Bill. I'll give you the Kansas state motto as our next step: Ad astra per aspera. To the stars through difficulties! Let's reach for stars! All of us this time.
Since we just talked about Digital Equipment Corporation, here is a bit of trivia. John Adams, the first born of the first born of the first born ... descendant of Founder John Adams was a Vice President at Digital and lived in Concord, Massachusetts. One question I haven't figured out is what do you call a follower/supporter of Adams and his writings -- an Adamsist?
He blocked Scalia’s replacement for basically a year. I think McConnell’s game playing with the Scalia replacement, Gorsuch, was dereliction of duty. But the Republicans have shown that that oaths of office are worthless without someone to hold the officeholders accountable. The Republicans have no shame. They don’t care when their hypocrisy is displayed for all the world to see.
Thank you, Michael, To answer your question, Chief Justice Roberts has his legacy to consider. This is the Roberts Court. He does not want the demise of democracy on his watch. I see him trying to balance the court's rulings. He is clearly frustrated with the current shenanigans of "his" Court. Because this a very politically influenced Court, they will be influenced by public opinion at least to some degree. Maybe that will be choosing to modifying Roe v. Wade versus throwing it out all together. Both Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Sotomayor are showing the courage to speak up which is unusual for SC Justices. I want to applaud them and encourage them in that. They need the support of all of us, the People! And, this letter goes beyond the two recipients. The staff member who reads it may pass it on to other staff members. Hopefully, they'll pass it on to all the Justices as well. If SCOTUS does overturn Roe v. Wade, I do believe the eruption of women's voices is going to be a major factor in the November 2022 election. I believe the Texas Republicans don't realized what they are unleashing here. Even my very conservative Tea Party brother fully agrees with me on women's rights. He thought Governor Abbott's remark that he would make it his top priority to eliminate rape (therefore, no need for any exceptions in the anti-abortion law) from Texas was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard a politician say! So, perhaps we'll see action in the Senate (the House has already passed a Women's Rights bill) on Women's Rights or the make-up of the Court. Perhaps even censure Senator McConnell. Just because the Senate rules allows you to stretch them beyond ethical boundaries doesn't mean you should do so. And, then all the people here on LFAA who are saying this letter needs to be shared can snowball across the country and hopeful move people to action and even start a movement. One stone thrown into a pond can send out many ripples. I think of this letter and its shared copies as seeds being tossed out to find futile ground. Not all the seeds will find futile ground, but other places they will blossom into something beautiful!
Ah! Exactly where my mind went again! Good memory, Ellie! I cannot wait to get my writing spade out this morning and zing Cathy's letter to local papers, commentators, and many of our Vermont elected officials who who listen to The People. Time to seemingly frozen yet fertile terre firma that awaits our actions. "Ad astra per aspera. To the stars through difficulties! Let's reach for stars! All of us this time." I have so much gratitude to Heather and to all commenters here. I love this your inspiration as I begin my day!
It's a bit lengty for publication in such major papers (unless you have a "name"), but Cathy, consider submitting it to local publications in Texas, those beyond Dallas and Houston.
Dear Catherine... I just read HCR's piece and your response to my 83 year old mother. She says this is one hell of a letter that should be published for all to see (perhaps in a book that you author), and that you should run for office. I agree!
Thank you KC and thank your mother for such kind words. On running for office, I think I'd prefer more of a back room job like working on messaging and strategy.
Cathy, once again, every word simply brilliant. Common language, easy to understand, this could be a letter to the whole country. Thank you for your effort.
(Of course he WON'T listen- that might hurt his "reputation" w/ The Federalist Society and its corporate donors, which gave him his job. One might wonder if the money continues to flow now that he's Chief "Justice".)
Yes, BRILLIANT, Cathy!! And one of the most important pieces I have had the honor to read on our constitutional rights and their current sabotage by this "court" (not capitalizing it anymore). May I copy, post and credit you? Maybe we should ALL copy and send to each Supreme Court Justice, as well as to our own congresspeople. Democracy is being overruled.
I think she should try to get it published rather than simply sending it to Roberts. I think it will be much more powerful that way. And I think it will be published if she tries. Once it's published, people can cut it out of the publication and send it to Roberts. I would advise people not to send it as is to Roberts unless Cathy says she does not want to publish it.
In my year plus as a subscriber, I haven't seen any comment here that approaches the merit of this one. I mean, people have made plenty of good comments, but this one is eminently publishable (with minor edits that Cathy need not worry about).
Let this column not only give Roberts superb advice, but let it tell the world that the trump justices are illegitimate and that Barrett's incompetent.
Thank you so much for you kind words, David. Yes, I would like people to share this letter or write their own and share it widely. I have submitted to the Washington Post as an oped.
sharing ok. but high level publications specify that anything to be published must not have been posted somewhere--as in on FB, or in comments on articles in newspapers. (don't think it's a problem that it's been posted here, as I don't think they'd have any way of finding out that it's been posted here, but I think it WILL be published, and I think it's best to be careful until it is.
I dont' think it's a good idea to post this anywhere. Most high level publications stipulate that they won't print anything that has been posted somewhere.
This is an interesting point, David. I will wait to hear from Cathy once it is published and then send it out. But it is difficult to not want to shout it from the rooftops...
I use to submit a readers response question to the WSJ 10-point column when they were asking big issue questions like what did you think of tfg's first budget. Here is what I said. It's a hoot to be quoted in the WSJ!
March, 2017: “Mr. Trump’s budget proposal is one I would expect from some third-world, despot dictator who has no empathy for the well-being of its citizenry. This does not make us safer since it encourages an arms race; it does make us dumber by devaluing the arts and science. The world loses because climate catastrophe can only be diverted by world cooperation. In buying Mr. Trump’s narcissistic, vindictive reality, Earth is headed for the failure of its experiment with civilization. If I have a choice between Sesame Street and another new fighter, I choose the Big Bird that doesn’t fly or carry nuclear weapons.”
AMEN...! I am old now too but hey, I'll take 85 to mean "middle-age". Angry that women are constantly being trampled on. If men would think with their tiny brains instead of their lower extremities, they'd realize that without women, they wouldn't even exist. I do believe that is why you see our birthing population decreasing here in the U.S.. Women cannot afford to have children and they do not want to raise them in this very volatile society. Can't blame them and that's why the issue of getting a safe abortion or getting ahold of the abortion pill is so crucial to their continued existence.
Roberts is no longer the center balance point of SCOTUS, so why should he bother to do anything? Even when he was the supposed balance point, he went along w/ allowing Citizens United and Shelby v. Holder; both of those decisions are a direct result of his being Chief Justice. As far as judicial reform, that won't happen either if the R's take back the Senate. The ultra right wing of SCOTUS is now in charge and we can expect that things will get much worse for women, POC., and non-Christians. We already know that if the R's take the Senate, they will do anything to keep any nominee from being appointed if Biden were to choose anyone but a ultra RW nominee. They've got a definite bad faith record. As far as Justice Sotomayor, currently she's one of only 3 liberal justices; The balance will be 7-2 if Breyer retires/dies, even if Biden is still in office. God help all of us when that happens if Republicans win back the Senate and/or Presidency. Gotta keep the RW white "christian" men happy, right? S/
I love everything you wrote except the air freshener part, because they’re made with many problematic chemicals which are allowed because of regulation loopholes.
Loopholes given as a gift to the Flavors & Fragrances Industry which polices itself (just like our police and look how well that is working out).
Now scented products are one the biggest contributors of indoor AND outdoor air pollution.
Hi Lisa, I didn't know that about the Flavors & Fragrances Industry. Thank you for the education! I always use Scent-free and Fragrance-free products. Can't stand the fragrance added to anything. Just needed some way express getting rid of the stench. I'll keep this in mind from now on.
White supremacists, Movement Conservatives, oligarchs, fascists, trumpist Republicans have all utilized othering to exploit the divisions in service of their rise to power. We do well to heed the wisdom of recently passed Desmond Tutu:
"When we see others as the enemy, we risk becoming what we hate. When we oppress others, we end up oppressing ourselves. All of our humanity is dependent upon recognizing the humanity in others.”
And for our work ahead, says Tutu:
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
And as you have often said...."Follow the money"....and destroy its all consuming influence
on our lives. We are in danger now because we have allowed the moneyed ideologues to put a price on everything reducing the people to wage slave consumers only allowed the freedom of increasing material inequalities in favour of those now imposing the rules. Many things in humane existence should have no price and this is what makes our society good for the wellbeing of everyone.
Follow the money. It’s always the money. We have always had this lawless accumulation of wealth group, previously called robber barons, now called kleptocratic oligarchs who want license to take advantage of and steal from everyone else. They do just enough good to distract everyone from their crimes. Think Andrew Carnegie endowing universities and libraries.
So, where will the money be in the future? I wonder if 'the American consumers', or the lack of them, will not have the greatest impact on the world economy if the US is splitting up like the USSR. In any case it would probably have much further reach than any of the present US sanctions imposed on certain countries. And China should be aware. - Wallenberg, the old Swedish capitalist, once referred to 'the Swedish engineer' with a sigh of great reliance. Since, I have been thinking of 'the American consumer' with a sigh of gratitude; at least until we have finished the earth.
A very interesting question, Olof. One fact that will militate against a USSR-style breakup of the American states: in US federal income taxes paid vs federal government money received by states, the Blue states are significantly the net benefactors, while the red states for all their politicians' bitching about creeping Democratic "socialism" are in fact the net takers by a significant margin They would fight like hell to keep us susidizing their states, if a breakup ever truly threatened.
“. . . just enough good”—Jeff Bezos gets our purchases delivered so fast we hardly notice what that has meant for so many small businesses. Who cares what he contributes in taxes (or doesn’t)? He’s going to save us by building living quarters on Mars. Or is that Elon Musk?
Mars is Musk. There is one good thing to be said about Bezos: Amazon pays on time each quarter for my books they have sold, which means I see that on time in my royalty payments. There's a silver lining in everything:-)
Sadly, the same cannot be said about the independents. I wish it was otherwise.
The MBAs - the one class of people who should be OBLITERATED - are the living embodiment of what was said of Accountants: they know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Yeah. Who knew Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness equaled huge Debt. I have been saying for years that all’s we are to them is Consumers and Commodities .Abortion in their eyes screws up their idea of ‘ Recycling ‘. China figured out that the “1 Child law “ was a mistake. In the ‘50’s ‘ we were around 160 million pop. Now , 340 mil minus all the old Ppl CoVid took out ? We still have a large Senior Pop. But mostly retired, sick and poor. Before CoVid we had 60 mil. Homeless Seniors. Bet that number has dropped ? We need them ‘Worker Bee’s ‘ just like China. Who is going to buy a home for 250K at 50 yrs old now and retire at 67 ? On not near enough to live on for the average person ? I hope I’m not here to see the Chaos .Looks so similar to the USSR when it fell.I’ve read so many have Cashed out of their 401 K’s to get through the Pandemic .
We treat the symptoms inorder to correct the behavior or the disease, too often though failing to achieve such as we keep treating the label (the symptom) as though it were such. Tutu's admonition is so important, at least to me, as I struggle to separate my abhorrence with conservative mongering while yet am coming to espose similar demonization of Republicans.
But they have had free rein for 40 years, while Dems thought it was politics as usual. We were warned. Article in the St Louis Post Dispatch, Mar 17, 1985, Lewis Lehrman, “Conservative Revolution will alter all policies, Spokesman Says. We are at the very beginning of this conservative Revolution…not even in the middle of it… The President hasn’t even begun the program of constitutional reform and the change in social policy…”.
Gorbachev said Friday that with the collapse of the Soviet Union, "They grew arrogant and self-confident. They declared victory in the Cold War."
He wasn't parroting Putin when he said that. Many Russians involved in the Cold War have made that observation since it ended.
Georgi Arbatov, the USSR's leading "Americanist" and a face of the USSR on American TV in the 80s because he was fluent in English, observed on December 26, 1991: "We are going to do a terrible thing to you. We are going to deprive you of an enemy.” He went on to say: “It’s historical, it’s human, you have to have an enemy. So much was built out of this role of the enemy. Your foreign policy, quite a bit of your economy, even your feelings about your country. To have a really good empire, you have to have a really evil empire. I cannot imagine that we will play this game again, and without us you cannot play it either.”
"Winning" the Cold War is a major reason why we are falling apart now. It's something I'm going to write about tomorrow at TAFM.
Sallust, the first major historian of the Roman Republic, witnessed the Republic’s collapse into civil war. He said that the reason for internal discord was that Rome had defeated its adversary Carthage. As long as Hannibal and his elephants stalked the Italian peninsula, Roman citizens put their differences aside. But after Rome destroyed Carthage in 146 BCE, Romans turned on each other. “When the minds of the people were relieved of that dread, wantonness and arrogance naturally arose.” As a result, “the peace for which they had longed in time of adversity, after they had gained it proved to be more cruel and bitter than adversity itself. The community was split into two parties, and between these the state was torn to pieces.”
Macchiavelli observed in "The Prince": “The cause of the disunion of republics is usually idleness and peace. The cause of union is fear and war.”
In his Lyceum Speech in 1838, Lincoln observed the same thing: Across the United States, Lincoln saw his country coming apart, with social division, lawlessness, and mob rule. His explanation was peace and security. The American Founders’ struggle against Britain had channeled the United States’ energies outward. “The deep-rooted principles of hate, and the powerful motive of revenge, instead of being turned against each other, were directed exclusively against the British nation.”He pointed out that America was now safe from harm with a rapidly growing population and economy. Unfortunately, it was also safe to start tearing itself to pieces. “If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
We are actually safer now than the country has been since the 1920s - a time no one alive has any direct experience of. And that period saw the rise of the KKK and the restrictive immigration laws.
We may be going through something we have seen before, but never before was there technology to magnify the divisiveness.
We are also going through a period where the western political, economic and social elites are collectively characterized by their mediocrity and by their affinity with each other rather than with their fellow citizens in each country. The result has been a dissolution of each people's idea of itself in favour of being simple producing and consuming pawns in the globalized market place.
Small quibble: there are still people alive and coherent who were born in the 1920s and therefore experienced that time directly as children. One of them is my mother, born in 1924. (She reads this newsletter every day.)
And some not very coherent, like the old crone I sat next to last week who screamed to all around that Democrats were taking our freedom away. My mama was one; she had a fit in 70’s when some genius floated a plan to mess with social security. “I earned it,” and she did, working at hosiery mill all my childhood and participating in a protest as a young woman.
"but never before was there technology to magnify the divisiveness."
I am not so sure TC. "Colt revolvers and Springfield muskets were the Civil War's most popular firearms, but the era also gave rise to some of the earliest machine guns. Of these, perhaps none is more infamous than the Gatling gun, a six-barreled piece that was capable of firing up to 350 rounds a minute."
The 1920s had John Reed. Real good true believer communists. FDR saved us. He risked it all and had no choice. Study 1938. The bottom fell out. The New Deal was not working. Japan solved our problem. The GOP had fucked up again.
but it really set up the dominance of the "military industrial complex" which continues today...see the recently passed, expanded defense appropriation!
TC, You have been observing and writing about one of the biggest horrors over the past fifty+ years. Any chance for another screen writing venture by you, on land this time, 'O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!'?
You would bring the bar way up, TC. How about more American youngsters and their parents and grandparents learning about what's going on in the USA? They won't get it from the media or the in the schools of:
Well, maybe not with SUPERheroes, but with Johnny Everyman...
Johnny Everyman appeared in World's Finest Comics #15 through #26 (Autumn 1944 - 1946)
The stories were "produced in cooperation with The East and West Association"... The president of this group was Pearl S. Buck, the 1938 Nobel Prize winning author
Each Johnny Everyman tale preached liberal ideas, usually involving understanding and respect for other races and nationalities. They often gave a detailed look at the lives and problems of these groups, in an almost documentary like way. They embedded this mix of educational information and social commentary in what the writers hoped would be an exciting adventure framework
So we had 20 years of war in the middle east. A whole generation of young people duped again.
John Prine said it in his song, Some Humans Ain’t Human.
“Have you ever noticed, when you’re feeling really good. There’s always a pigeon, that’ll come shit on your hood. Or you’re feeling your freedom, and the worlds off your back. Some cowboy from Texas, starts his own war in Iraq.”
Thank you, Paul C., John Prine and TCinLA. You have brought us a combination of feeling, perspective, World and American history from which to see how our radical individualistic credo and kleptomania are turning America into the evil force at home. After listening to 'Some Humans Ain't Human', I thought to post its lyrics.
Some Humans Ain’t Human
Song by John Prine
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind
You open up their hearts, and here's what you'll find
A few frozen pizzas, some ice cubes with hair
A broken popsicle, you don't wanna go there
Some humans ain't human, though they walk like we do
They live and they breath, just to turn the old screw
They screw you when you're sleeping, they try to screw you blind
Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind
You might go to church and sit down in a pew
Those humans who ain't human, be sitting right next to you
They talk about your family, they talk about your clothes
When they don't know their own ass from their own elbows
Jealousy and stupidity don't equal harmony
Jealousy and stupidity don't equal harmony
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good
There's always a pidgeon that'll come shit on your hood?
Or you're feeling your freedom and the world's off your back
Some cowboy from Texas starts his own war in Iraq
Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind
They lie through their teeth with their head up their behind
You open up their hearts, and here's what you'll find
MaryPat, I just responded to Cathy with the idea that her Letter be read out-loud by her or a well known person she respects and distributed on social media and other media throughout the country. It is a 'cri de coeur' - a cry from the heart by one of us; our song for all of the people to hear. What do you think?
MaryPat, This is Cathy's call, if she's interested or not. There are quite a number of 'stars' born in Texas. I have no idea whether any of them appropriate or willing. Cathy's letter is not chicken liver. This is all a speculation on my part. It is Cathy's call to begin with.
My sister just asked if my daughter, who is a voice actor and reads news for smart speakers and ads for spotify could do it. She doesn't control content, but might know someone(s) who does.
ScannyDo, You took me to 'Summer's End'. So glad you did. It brought humanity to this day of learning and figuring. I'm with ScannyDo, take a listen and look folks.
A friend of mine sang and performed Summers End on guitar for a funeral. It’s so beautiful! Evokes a sense of longing and wanting to hold onto every minute. That whole album is so good. Boundless Love is another favorite and of course When I get to Heaven.
Tim Snyder's column today is an another excellent take on the same worrying western stagnation of the people's vision of itself and its place in the collectivity of nations.
Lord TC, bingo. Reagan started the division, or pushed it into high gear and opened the floodgates for the ‘conservative Revolution,” which was nothing more than a power at any cost movement.
Yes, what is that? Tossing out acronyms can be frustrating.
Great read Professor Richardson. I remember that history well but the background you’ve added explains so much that has occurred since. Also the comment about the age of a growing number of government representation being AFTER the end of the Cold War would spot on too
TAFM “That’s Another Fine Mess” TCinLA’s very readable Substack column.
Terry combines his personal experiences in the Viet Nam war on which he has published extensively with his knowledge of Greek and Roman history to give an often illuminating perspective.
Together with TCinLA’s often personal background to illustrate how he arrived at his viewpoints I find his a thought stimulating forum well worth the subscription and even worth the $7 per month extra to be a participant.
“Gorbachev, Last Soviet Leader, Resigns; U.S. Recognizes Republics’ Independence.”
Yes, the real tragedy of the narrative of the 1980's is that Reagan "won" the cold war.
Nothing, I mean, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Gorbachev, having watched his country drift ever further into poverty and having watched in horror as the Soviet Chernobyl nuclear facility turned thousands of acres of land into radioactive waste, killed an entire town, while a cloud of radioactivity threatened the world, DECIDED the cold war was over.
Reagan just happened to be President when a truly great man came into power in the Soviet Union. Gorbachev.
Subsequently, Republicans have always referred to Reagan's irresponsible and gross military spending as the reason for the end of the cold war.
That is a lie told for more mind control of the masses.
Reagan's military spending, in particular the $1 Trillion dollar (1987 dollars) "Star Wars" spending, produced nothing that helped end the cold war, in fact, produced nothing at all.
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was and remains one of the greatest men of all time.
Reagan, like many of the managers I have worked with, just took credit when something good happened that he had nothing at all to do with and did not even see coming.
Not that I like saying anything even slightly positive about Ronnie the Ray-Gun, but several former Soviet commentators have talked about the fact that things like Star Wars (which was so far beyond the technology of the time, but who knew - maybe?) and the rest, which they realized they could never match because they didn't have the industrial/technological/financial base to do so, was one of the arguments about it now being time to "throw in the towel." It's not a huge complement to Ray-Gun; the USSR couldn't have survived another ten years even without that. And your point about the "victors" being merely the ones who were there the day it happened is exactly accurate.
HCR has brilliantly stitched together a thread cementing the 1990s “Movement Conservatives” to the present day Republican Party, both of which have subscribed to an alternate reality and to tribal inclinations wholly rooted in greed and an unrestrained will to power. Though hardly unexpected, I, nonetheless, was struck by how, both then and now, the Party has persisted in employing the same fear tactics of accusing its adversaries of “bringing ‘socialism’ to America.”
Regrettably, unlike several of our European counterparts which, for decades, have appeared duly able to differentiate between some version of “Democratic Socialism” that merely calls for a more equitable distribution of a Nation’s wealth and “Socialism” that advocates for government control and ownership of the means of production, Americans largely are susceptible to Republicans conflating the two to serve their own interests. I would hope no one would consider it hyperbolic to identify HCR’s post-Christmas history lesson as an urgent plea to unwitting fellow citizens to revisit the likes of the prescient James Madison, who foresaw that “a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.”
Daria, well said doesn’t make it right. The plot. The demon individualist represented by Reagan against Neo Democratic Socialism BBB style. And Kindly old Joe seeking to root out corruption and protect the independent press is laughable. To that I point out Viktor Shokin, Burisma, Tony Bobulinski, and the Laptop from Hell. Throw in the suppression of the story before the election and you used to have Woodward and Bernstein on your trail. Not anymore. The Press and tech are in on it. Just because a narrative is how one wants it to be does not actually mean it is so. The facts play to the willing “ crowd” don’t check out. Sorry Professor. Joe and his family have issues that are institutionally ignored and hang in plain sight. Both sides play false narrative’s and justify it as the ends justifying the means. Please, tell me I have gone round the bend and am wrong.
David, what is it you want? You have spent your time as a subscriber to this page bashing all things NOT Republican or Conservative while ignoring the obvious deficiencies and delinquencies of conservatives and Republicans. In fact, you embody what one might call the Biden Derangement Syndrome. Is that a fair assessment? I think so. You howl about Biden Family Issues being institutionally ignored but never once mention the issues around the McConnell/Chao family, the Trump family, most of the Trump Cabinet, and dozens of Republican lawmakers also being institutionally ignored. The people you seem to have aligned yourself with politically have no problem ripping apart the physical, social and political infrastructures of the United States for their gain. Where you once said, "But Hillary" you now say "But Joe". (And no, I was not and am not a huge Hillary fan.)
So, tell me, how happy are you with the cesspool of a situation the prior administration created for us? How comfortable are you with the fact that there was not a willing and smooth transition of power because one man's ego was more important than 330+ million people? And still, you say, " But Joe"!
(I agree that both sides can and do play false narratives in order to gain traction and votes. Politicians exist to get themselves elected/reelected and, therefore, are willing to say whatever it takes to do so. How much politicians actually accomplish once elected is entirely up for debate...)
Miselle, There are others on this page I identify as trolls and won't respond to. I view David as a confused contrarian. There's a difference. (Just remember, should we venture onto a site populated by conservatives we would be considered trolls.)
Other than this dude, whatever trolls I've found seem to post once and disappear. I don't view him as "confused contrarian"--I really do view him as the modern day equivalent of the old heavy-breather on the landline, wanting to upset/stir people up. I wouldn't have even replied as he will view this and be getting his yayas going, but I look for your posts among the comments and I hated to see you going up against him, although I agree with you 100%. I will not reply to you as I don't want to give him a banquet to feed on. As for conservative sites, sadly, I have too many conservative friends and family I deal with, I feel no need to seek out others! Have a great holiday, daria!
I agree with your last point emphatically. I grew up in DC and know the town well. I joined this forum on the recommendation of friend who is a subscriber and a plugged in career Democratic player. I find Washington delusional these days. Frankly the Democratic Party of the Progressive Left is nothing like the Democratic JFK family that I was born. For that matter the Republican Party or Nationalist Populist Party inhabited by Trump bears no resemblance to say George "HW" Bush. I find the present administration reckless, disingenuous and unhinged. These Letters ignore the reality and promote what it wants to believe in my humble opinion. Joe Biden was elected to lead us back to normality. Instead we have seen him push us recklessly, many times with little preparation, into grand schemes. His public life is mirroring what we are now learning his private life too has been operating. I do not think he is up to the task and fear following him from one disaster into another virtue signaling the whole time will lead us further astray. I take no pleasure getting pounded by the readers here time and again. It would be much easier to go with the crowd. Thank you as always for your thoughtful reply. D
Right now, David, your choice is the Trumpers or the others. The others are not planning to destroy your life. If the Never-Trumpers can figure this out, so can you.
Notice how Contrarians and right-wingers OVER GENERALIZE, USE VAGUE REFERENCES, NAME CALL —and consider GIBBERISH somehow “in the know?” What “plot”? What “narrative”, “The Press”—and why toss in Woodward & Bernstein? WTF is the “laptop from hell?” Of course, there’s the arrogant, know-it-all attitude, certainly with the way Pres. Biden is referenced by David…
Let me be the one to tell this BS-er that yes, David, you have “gone round the bend and [are] wrong. Actually, you never made it to “the bend”—you just typed gibberish.
None of what you said is connected to reality. You have gone around the bend and your brain has been turned into mush watching way too much Faux Snooze. Stop watching/reading the far right propaganda/disinformation/big lie and you will recover.
TC, You try to convert trolls! Is there a farm that is most susceptible to your persuasion? I've thought of the word for your pursuit. but I'm sure you know it.
TC, Sometimes, you are beyond inspiring, but I don't have a word or it. On the other side of the moon, I have never been as concerned about where this country is headed. Have you written more extensively about its trajectory than has appeared here? Your thoughts would encourage more work and reflection on my part.
As a young adult, I experienced the deregulation that Reagan brought us, paying a whopping 13% interest on my first mortgage. As a retired school principal, now working part-time as a banker, I have been watching the new laws regarding money laundering with great interest. This might be a game changer. If successful in rounding up those “contributors” to illegal accounts, this could be Biden’s legacy for our country.
One of the partners in an EOE focused firm where I was a young paralegal commented after Reagan's win that one of the first thing the new Administration would do was to cut back Legal Services. Until then a middle income wage earner could have access to affordable legal help. Sure enough, the income limit went way down, and essentially only people below poverty level (working 3 jobs, etc) could get help. After that, no matter what bill passed ensuring rights was easily circumvented by the wealthy .
Did anybody else see Kathryn Grody call out HCR as someone everyone should be listening to, when she was on Jonathan Capehart this morning, and her husband Mandy Patinkin nodding a vigorous "yes"??
TC, I didn’t see Capehart but truly believe HCR should get more airtime on mainstream media. I wish “real” news stations would have her on as a regular contributor.
She’s doing a great job building her audience. Her voice should be amplified.
Maybe during this year on sabbatical (to write a new book) HCR will have more airtime. Listen to Thursday's History Chat! Powerful call to action for us!! See our democracy as ever evolving, be a part if that hooeful and important conversation! (Will look for link)
TC, I did not see Kahryn but I DID get my little sister, a CPA in Houston, TX, to read HCR's letter today. Big step. She voted for Trump. But, she has intermittently been reading my strategic HCR forwards.
She is a CPA. Her son is planning a career in forensic accounting.
In healthcare & elsewhere big problems have their root in systems issues. You show us that so clearly and eloquently in your essay today. POTUS Biden seems to recognize this as well. The usual reporting of the President’s focus on corruption hasn’t really effectively reported /analyzed the ‘why’ the anticorruption executive action is needed and the ‘how’ it will be accomplished. But you have. Thank you for helping me be a bit less ignorant.
Well said Tina. Underreporting on financial corruption - and its accompanying political and corporate influence- has always frustrated me. Yet, can it effectively be done this far into the Con Mov? How intertwined are the financials of the leading media organizations with corrupt money, to report on it? I enjoy HCR’s newsletter because it is outside of this traditional information network of watch the evening news and read the paper.
I read on Twitter that Steve Jobs’ widow owns The Atlantic, and saw a photo of her relaxing poolside with Ghislaine Maxwell. I didn’t investigate the truth of either the claim or the photo. It just feels sad and true. I don’t know her politics but Ghislaine Maxwell is a criminal.
Exactly. It is a systemic issue. We get distracted by all the 'noise' in the media. The real issue lies deeper. But the good news is that dysfunctional systems eventually destroy themselves by running out of control. I humbly submit that today's US healthcare is going to be the one which brings this point when the proverbial wheels come off the wagon.
And that's the problem. There is no systems feedback mechanism which promotes and values individual wellbeing and community resiliency. Healthcare (at least in the US) as constituted does NOT operate to be life affirming. https://media.awakeningtowholeness.net/newusa-part-3/
I hope that I am not the only person to realize that describing a political opponent as the enemy in speeches and the press undermines our democracy. The OPPONENT is not the enemy but an adversary. The opponent labeled an enemy feeds the division in our country.
I hope the good people of our country would help correct this narrative.
Heather please help send this message using your pros.
Thanks so much for connecting the dots once again. How these deep pockets of laundered money affect public policy and put a blight on democracy is a story we do not read about even in our respectable press. But what's really encouraging is that the eternally underestimated Joe Biden is on to it and trying to do something about it. Add yet another accomplishment of this administration that deserves far greater recognition.
Thank goodness for you, Heather, for your knowledge and insights! The connections you have made tonight make so much sense to someone like me who can still recall the demise of the USSR. Mind you, not having the power of memory -- such as in the case of Cawthorn's youth -- cannot, nay, must not serve as a pretext for throwing our country into disarray and to the brink of de-democratisation.
Your voice and the power of your pen allow us to see truths and links as we work our way through living history. Thank you for this privilege!
Without a common foe to unite us, we have turned on one another. Even threats like climate change and Covid aren’t enough to bring us together.
We are at a very vulnerable place right now, under the ether of a roaring stock market. But look under the sheets, and there’s a very sick America. Income inequality has created a burgeoning underclass, public health and education are woefully underfunded. The wealthy have seized the opportunity to tilt the political tables to ensure they can control our democracy from a minority position.
Dr. Richardson, when I read your book, “How the South Won the Civil War”, you opened my eyes to what we see playing out today. Did you have any idea that it would happen so quickly?
Waving the flag of "external enemy" threatening our doorstep is exactly what Putin is doing with Ukrain. If he can't maintain the myth of "America, the potential oppressor", he is lost and the vision that he has imposed on the Russian people would disintegrate. In this we insist frequently in providing grist for Putin's mill.
This strikes me as a brilliant analysis, just as it does other readers. The hubris of the winner is a constant theme in history. We did not handle the fall of the wall very well. The increasing arrogance of American political attitudes has been demoralizing to endure. The correction the Biden administration has tried to effect with considerable success has been nothing short of miraculous considering the tenor of congressional debate and news ops. There is a lot of room for hope.
Here's my Christmas letter to Chief Justice Roberts and a similar one to Justice Sotomayor. Enjoy!
The Honorable Chief Justice John G. Roberts
The Supreme Court of the United States
One First Street N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20543
Dear Chief Justice Roberts,
On this Christmas Day 2021, I feel the most important thing I can do is write to you and Justice Sotomayor on my concerns with the loss of democracy in many states and the United States Supreme Court's role in dismantling our republican form of government. Texas, the state I live in, is now an autocracy under minority rule and is blatantly and with audacity taking away my Constitutional rights.
First, I'd like to commend you for your courage and fortitude in speaking up on the Solemn Mockery now hanging over the Supreme Court. I also commend Justice Sotomayor for her statement on the stench permeating the current state of the Supreme Court.
Three points I'd like to call to your attention:
1. Rulings of the ilk of Citizens United which says money is free speech and corporations have the same rights as people are basically legalized bribery of elected representatives. Ninety-five percent of the time they now vote with their donors ignoring the wishes of the People which has made the United States into an oligarchic kleptocracy, no longer a democratic republic.
2. The gutting of the Voting Rights Act in 2013 stating that pre-clearance was no longer needed has led to extreme partisan discriminatory gerrymandering and voter suppression to assure the minority rulers stay in power assuring autocratic rule for decades to come.
3. The recent rulings by the Supreme Court on the Texas anti-abortion vigilante injustice law seem to be based on anticipating the overturn of the Roe v. Wade precedence and totally ignoring the existing Constitutional Rights of women. In my opinion, that means the Supreme Court is in Contempt of the Constitution.
While I'm not a lawyer, I am a concerned citizen who carries a copy of the U.S. Constitution with me at all times and refers to it frequently. I'm finding so many of the questions and arguments being made in recent hearings fallacious.
1. I want to hear the answers to Justice Sotomayor's fine and relevant questions about why the rights of a potential person, a fetus, is given total priority over the rights of an existing person, the pregnant woman, no matter what the risk is to her. No exceptions. My sister was a Type 1 diabetic and giving birth put her life in a precarious situation. She chose to have two sons but at great risk to her life and the life of the babies. Saying she has no choice and the government decides in a situation like this is simply cruel and inhumane. Justice Barrett's contention that is no problem to carry a fetus to term and then you can just throw away your parental responsibility by dumping the baby at the nearest fire station makes me sick. For me, Roe v. Wade strikes a fair and just balance protecting both the woman and the developing fetus.
2. I bristle when Justice Gorsuch points out the word "abortion" isn't in the Constitution and therefore the Supreme Court should just be silent about abortion. Neither is the word "woman"! So that means women have no rights under the Constitution at all?
The Guarantee Cause seems to me the relevant clause here -- that a Republican form of government (by the People or their freely elected representatives) is guaranteed in every state by the United States Constitution.
3. I bristle at the vigilante injustice Texas is invoking to get around the Constitution. That means the rich bounty hunters get to bankrupt people who can't afford to defend themselves whether they are innocent or not. This isn't Justice; it's anarchy. All rights are now at risk across the United States.
4. I believe that two of the last three Justices joining the Court are illegitimate because of then Majority Leader McConnell's contempt of the Constitution and due process and the third is unqualified. Justice Gorsuch and Justice Barrett should not be on the Court after those shenanigans. Justice Kavanaugh would have had his nomination pulled if he had been a woman blubbering in the hearings like he did. I also feel, Justice Thomas and Justice Kavanaugh should be recused from any ruling on women's rights even if justice has not yet been served on the credible claims of sexual harassment.
In conclusion, I find the Supreme Court of the United States in Contempt of the Constitution of the United States for being an anti-democratic, anti -republican force leading toward the imminent demise of the experiment with democracy. I keep thinking about women scorned and how the country will erupt when the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
That's the legacy of the current Supreme Court - your legacy! I so hope you can turn it around to the Supreme Court who saves our American democratic republic. In addition, it may be notorious for being the first Court to take away rights rather than expand them.
Please stay strong and use a lot of air freshener! I admire you greatly.
Respectfully but emphatically,
Catherine Learoyd
We, the People, all of us this time!
In Texas, where a virus has reproductive rights and a woman doesn't!
Cathy, I cannot think of a single word of this letter I would change or add to. It is powerful and extremely well crafted. As others have, I urge you to submit it as an opinion column to at least one national publication for publishing. I understand the challenge of getting such a piece published and suggest you reach out to a well recognized figure such as a respected progressive Texas political figure or university professor to write a letter in support of publishing this piece or perhaps even listing them as a coauthor for its submission. It may increase the chance of its publication in the NY Times or Washington Post.
Thank you, BruceC. I have submitted it as an oped to the Washington Post.
YAYAY!!
Perhaps even Dr. Richardson may agree to support its publication?
Yes !
HEAR! HEAR!
Yes !
I'm not sure that's a good idea. I think that would be an obvious ploy. I also think it's extremely compelling and I think it would have a good chance of being published. I ***could*** see getting someone with a name to send it somewhere, FOR Cathy, simply saying they read HCR and this was among the comments, and they thought it merited publication, but making it clear it's Cathy's. But even that might not be necessary.
The Washington Post oped submission form does ask for both the author and the submitter separately. In any case, the letter must stand on its own merits.
What you said has all the merits it needs.
Isn't it interesting that corporations and fetuses are "persons" but the rest of us don't matter, particularly if female or black. We need to shout loudly and often that we do matter, such as you have done in this letter. Thank you.
For purposes of litigation corporations are considered persons in order to allow them to be sued or to sue. However how that got morphed into other legal issues like voting rights and donating to political campaigns Is to my way of thinking too broad a use of that legal construct to consider them “persons”.
Yes, only power matters and their privileges.
Cathy! This letter is so compelling! I couldn’t stop reading! (I can’t stop using exclamation points, either, apparently!)
I agree with Michele L-R, you should submit this to some publications. This is brilliant. Someone thanked you for putting their thoughts into words, and my immediate thought was, I wish I had the intelligence and writing skills to have these coherent, compelling thoughts to put into words. But I can recognize their righteousness! And so could many readers if this could be published somewhere.
BRAVA!! BRAVA!!
!!!!!!!!!!!! Helps all of us that Cathy Learoyd is President of her area League of Women Voters in Texas. So accurate and powerful!
Although I'm speaking for myself in this letter, I do believe it is largely consistent with the League's advocacy positions on its major points.
Thank you for your kind words! Please share it as widely as you can.
Your letter was wonderful to read. Thank you for your stellar effort. I hope to see it soon in LTTEs across the nation. An aside: I wonder if you think it was appropriate and necessary for SCJ Thomas to recuse himself in all cases involving groups with which his wife, Ginni, has prominently figured in fund raising and leadership for decades and from which those groups would stand to gain immense benefits from favorable SCJ decisions involving them? Ginni Thomas' active leadership and fundraising for right wing conservative (as I understand it, often extreme "Christian" organizations) is rather akin to her husband sitting on the court with three day old fish in his lap. Her right to full freedom to exercise her duties and privileges of US citizenry should not, IMHO, override the expectation of US citizens to "blind" justice, a full and unbiased consideration of the issues to come before SCOTUS. In this case, the appearance of bias is unavoidable. Surely, SCJ Thomas should be obligated to remove himself from the case. Why this is not happening in this case and others is a problem for me. I wonder how others feel about this, especially you, Cathy, since your letter is so carefully and thoughtfully crafted?
To me that would be self-evident for him to recuse himself when there is a clear conflict of interest as is expected in every other court in the nation. This is something that needs to be clarified as a result of tfg's flagrant disregard for the law. I once had a District Court Judge tell me that we would be OK if the Rule of Law held. I'd love to ask him today if the Rule of Law has held. Certainly not in the Supreme Court although I do see tfg's appointed judges upholding the law and taking seriously their oath to the Constitution and not to an individual. But, the rule of law has the same problem with the oligarchy kleptocracy where the rich aren't held accountable while especially minorities get more punishment than would be fair in a fair system. And, this vigilante injustice that Texas is putting in place is as horrendous as taking away women's rights. In fact, it gives states a way around Constitutional rights so all our rights are now in jeopardy.
Cathy, Thank you for an extremely well written summary of some of the most severe and persistent problems America now faces. Everyone should read this clear summary.
But, I do have a question for you?
How can Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Sotomayor help outside of writing dissenting opinions when they have them?
It seems to me that the Republicans "play to win" while, in some ways, Democrats sleep at the wheel. Ginsburg's ego would not let her retire under Obama, right? Whereas Scalia picked a nice resort down in Texas to vanish himself into the ether under a Republican.
We demonize McConnell for not allowing a vote on Merrick Garland, but, honestly, the current structure of US law enables him to do that and Democrats should be playing the same game instead of whining and crying about somebody who is playing to WIN.
At any rate, your writing is quite honestly a must read summary, but, ALL Democrats should read it and get their veritable "arses" in gear and stop whining about Republicans playing to win and GET IN THE GAME and play to WIN.
A way for Biden to do this, and, the Democrats, is to immediately and forthwith return to majority rule and get rid of the filibuster and laugh at any Republican who whines and complains and then tell them, aye, we are going to win. You? Republican whiner? Are going to lose.
I don't think your collective opinion of Democrats is accurate. Democrats are doing good things and doing them within the framework of the law, as the impeachments and Jan 6 investigation reveal. To stoop to renegade tactics is to become the problem. I think that good prevails, ultimately. Indeed, as today's substack letter tells us, the problem is deep with powerful, even criminal elements that are deeply entrenched in our country and our body politic. Small voices of individual citizens, such as this letter will have an impact if enough of us rally.
Yes, the Democrats are doing excellent things but not getting credit for them partly because they are using good messaging and partly the way the media has to cover controversy rather than the positive. Listen to Representative Jayapal, head of the House Progressive caucus for excellent messaging. Other Democrats should follow her lead.
Hope, I completely agree with you. May I simply add that I believe our Democratic leaders have indeed acted with deliberate brilliance — while republicans are perverting the laws to destroy the law, democrats are using the law in order save Democracy. I also believe that millions of democratic (I can’t figure out when to capitalize the party names) voters are still not energized, which weakens our leaders in D.C. and state capitals. Our leaders need us voters more solidly behind them in this crucial hour! Thank you for your comment. May you be well.
Our leaders need our votes to be counted. In Repugnant Party states, that is no longer a guarantee. DO WE HAVE A FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS LAW? Only 11 months before the next election, WTF are the Dems waiting for?
Hi Gus, Here is my little essay on you capitalization question:
small "d", small "r"
In our bifurcated political world, we have two major political parties - Democrats with a capital D and Republicans with a capital R. As John Adams warned when he said "a two-party system would be the greatest evil to befall the Constitution", these two parties now represent an ever more extreme left and extreme right and, I'll posit, leaving the vast moderate middle without representation. On Inauguration Day for President Biden, a Gallup Poll showed party affiliation as 25% Republican, 50% Independent and 25% Democrat. Are we forgetting what small r republic and small d democracy mean? The United States is a constitutional democratic republic, "if we can keep it", as Benjamin Franklin said coming out of the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Small d democracy (from Greek dēmos ‘the people’ + -kratia ‘power, rule’) is defined as government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. Another definition of democracy is a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges. Stockholm-based International IDEA think tank has rated the United States as a back-sliding democracy.
A small r republic (from Latin res publica 'public affair') is a form of government in which "supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives". In republics, the country is considered a "public matter", not the private concern or property of the rulers. Our Constitution in Article 4 Section 4 states: "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government ... " This is a guarantee!
Instead of over-emphasizing the "OR", let's see our country as the "AND" of small d democracy and small r republicanism. Let's talk to each other and discuss our common values in civilized discourse. I believe in Synergy, meaning together we can come up with better solutions if we consider our many perspectives rather than declaring one as inherently better than the other.
To quote the late, great, Ray Charles: “Hallelujah, I just love her so!”
A deep and most respectful bow to Ms Catherine Learoyd, and to her awesome Constitutional scholarship!
Of the many debts of gratitude we owe the Founders, we must include their more profound and prophetic utterances. Few of their statements can be considered more impactful than that of John Adams: “a division of the republic into two great parties … is to be dreaded as the great political evil.” (That’s the version that I have.)
And our nation’s “Father”, George Washington warned: “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism.”
However you slice it, there were those among the Founders who feared the end result of “two-partyism”. We can now view––and experience––the end product for ourselves.
I think Cathy is on to something when she counsels, “Let's talk to each other and discuss our common values in civilized discourse. I believe in Synergy, meaning together we can come up with better solutions if we consider our many perspectives rather than declaring one as inherently better than the other.”
Hear, hear, dear Cathy! E pluribus unum, that unofficial motto of our nation, inscribed on its Great Seal, says it all. “Out of Many, One.” In other words, from disunity––the clamor of many ideas and opinions––to unity! That is: the melding of various lesser perspectives into one concept that is greater than the sum of its parts.
I don’t think we have enough “Band-aids” to heal our broken nation and its peoples. And I don’t believe that the ultimate remedy will come forth from the District of Columbia!
Only “We, the People, all of us this time”, can concoct the balm with the power to mend our broken body politic.
Thank you for your kind words, Bill. I'll give you the Kansas state motto as our next step: Ad astra per aspera. To the stars through difficulties! Let's reach for stars! All of us this time.
Since we just talked about Digital Equipment Corporation, here is a bit of trivia. John Adams, the first born of the first born of the first born ... descendant of Founder John Adams was a Vice President at Digital and lived in Concord, Massachusetts. One question I haven't figured out is what do you call a follower/supporter of Adams and his writings -- an Adamsist?
"... republicans are perverting the laws to destroy the law, ..."
Perfectly stated, Gus.
Understood.
This, Hope. Exactly.
Justice Scalia left the court because he died. McConnell would have blocked a nomination for Ginsburg's replacement under Obama.
He blocked Scalia’s replacement for basically a year. I think McConnell’s game playing with the Scalia replacement, Gorsuch, was dereliction of duty. But the Republicans have shown that that oaths of office are worthless without someone to hold the officeholders accountable. The Republicans have no shame. They don’t care when their hypocrisy is displayed for all the world to see.
Joan, you make two very real points. Thank you.
He is dead. No doubt. How that occurred remains unknown.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/16/donald-trump-antonin-scalia-death-conspiracy-theories
Justice Scalia’s family declared natural causes for his death. The conspiracy theories otherwise come from known peddlers of fiction.
Thank you, Michael, To answer your question, Chief Justice Roberts has his legacy to consider. This is the Roberts Court. He does not want the demise of democracy on his watch. I see him trying to balance the court's rulings. He is clearly frustrated with the current shenanigans of "his" Court. Because this a very politically influenced Court, they will be influenced by public opinion at least to some degree. Maybe that will be choosing to modifying Roe v. Wade versus throwing it out all together. Both Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Sotomayor are showing the courage to speak up which is unusual for SC Justices. I want to applaud them and encourage them in that. They need the support of all of us, the People! And, this letter goes beyond the two recipients. The staff member who reads it may pass it on to other staff members. Hopefully, they'll pass it on to all the Justices as well. If SCOTUS does overturn Roe v. Wade, I do believe the eruption of women's voices is going to be a major factor in the November 2022 election. I believe the Texas Republicans don't realized what they are unleashing here. Even my very conservative Tea Party brother fully agrees with me on women's rights. He thought Governor Abbott's remark that he would make it his top priority to eliminate rape (therefore, no need for any exceptions in the anti-abortion law) from Texas was the stupidest thing he'd ever heard a politician say! So, perhaps we'll see action in the Senate (the House has already passed a Women's Rights bill) on Women's Rights or the make-up of the Court. Perhaps even censure Senator McConnell. Just because the Senate rules allows you to stretch them beyond ethical boundaries doesn't mean you should do so. And, then all the people here on LFAA who are saying this letter needs to be shared can snowball across the country and hopeful move people to action and even start a movement. One stone thrown into a pond can send out many ripples. I think of this letter and its shared copies as seeds being tossed out to find futile ground. Not all the seeds will find futile ground, but other places they will blossom into something beautiful!
Some seeds will find futile ground. Let’s toss a bunch more onto fertile ground!
😬
We shall proudly be your gardeners!!
Earlier this year, Penelope Simpson described our work as “deep gardening.”
Ah! Exactly where my mind went again! Good memory, Ellie! I cannot wait to get my writing spade out this morning and zing Cathy's letter to local papers, commentators, and many of our Vermont elected officials who who listen to The People. Time to seemingly frozen yet fertile terre firma that awaits our actions. "Ad astra per aspera. To the stars through difficulties! Let's reach for stars! All of us this time." I have so much gratitude to Heather and to all commenters here. I love this your inspiration as I begin my day!
You give me hope in Texas. I needed that. Thank you.
Cathy, I appreciate your detailed and very helpful and clearly written expansion. I understand now.
So everyone, SHARE THIS PIECE FAR AND WIDE AND TO CRUCIAL PEOPLE!!
Yes, thank you!
Exactly my question and my thoughts!!! Thank you Cathy and Michael!
So well put! Why not make it an open-letter opinion piece to the Wall Street Journal, Washington post and New York Times?
It's a bit lengty for publication in such major papers (unless you have a "name"), but Cathy, consider submitting it to local publications in Texas, those beyond Dallas and Houston.
The Washington Post wants opeds that are 800 words or less. I did some slight edits to get it right under 800.
Then give it a shot!
WONFERFUL!!
I LOVE wonferful! I’m happy the auto-correct ogre didn’t eat it!
Perfect!!!!
Cathy has a name as President of her area League of Women Voters in Texas. Each of us should share this as well.
But I thinks it very expensive to do that.
Dear Catherine... I just read HCR's piece and your response to my 83 year old mother. She says this is one hell of a letter that should be published for all to see (perhaps in a book that you author), and that you should run for office. I agree!
Thank you KC and thank your mother for such kind words. On running for office, I think I'd prefer more of a back room job like working on messaging and strategy.
You are certainly well suited for that as well!
Cathy, once again, every word simply brilliant. Common language, easy to understand, this could be a letter to the whole country. Thank you for your effort.
Yes! Every person needs to have the opportunity to read this!
Please feel free to share it to others. Thank you.
What a well thought out letter. Thank you for put my thoughts into words.
Bravo, wish I thought he would listen.
(Of course he WON'T listen- that might hurt his "reputation" w/ The Federalist Society and its corporate donors, which gave him his job. One might wonder if the money continues to flow now that he's Chief "Justice".)
That's presumably why Cathy has submitted it to the Washington Post.
Yes, BRILLIANT, Cathy!! And one of the most important pieces I have had the honor to read on our constitutional rights and their current sabotage by this "court" (not capitalizing it anymore). May I copy, post and credit you? Maybe we should ALL copy and send to each Supreme Court Justice, as well as to our own congresspeople. Democracy is being overruled.
I think she should try to get it published rather than simply sending it to Roberts. I think it will be much more powerful that way. And I think it will be published if she tries. Once it's published, people can cut it out of the publication and send it to Roberts. I would advise people not to send it as is to Roberts unless Cathy says she does not want to publish it.
In my year plus as a subscriber, I haven't seen any comment here that approaches the merit of this one. I mean, people have made plenty of good comments, but this one is eminently publishable (with minor edits that Cathy need not worry about).
Let this column not only give Roberts superb advice, but let it tell the world that the trump justices are illegitimate and that Barrett's incompetent.
Thank you so much for you kind words, David. Yes, I would like people to share this letter or write their own and share it widely. I have submitted to the Washington Post as an oped.
Glad to submitted to the WaPo. If they have good sense they'll publish it!! Keep us posted!!
Yes, all are welcome to freely copy and share the letter. Thank you!
sharing ok. but high level publications specify that anything to be published must not have been posted somewhere--as in on FB, or in comments on articles in newspapers. (don't think it's a problem that it's been posted here, as I don't think they'd have any way of finding out that it's been posted here, but I think it WILL be published, and I think it's best to be careful until it is.
I dont' think it's a good idea to post this anywhere. Most high level publications stipulate that they won't print anything that has been posted somewhere.
I've only sent it to the WaPo. I'll wait for their reply. They are good about telling you that they will not be using it ... or will be.
I hope you can somehow tell us all when it's published. I will be very happy, and I'll certainly send a copy to Roberts.
This is an interesting point, David. I will wait to hear from Cathy once it is published and then send it out. But it is difficult to not want to shout it from the rooftops...
Brilliant. Can I be your friend? I feel like Big Bird has met the sensible Ms Rogers.
Sure! Love that you mention Big Bird.
I use to submit a readers response question to the WSJ 10-point column when they were asking big issue questions like what did you think of tfg's first budget. Here is what I said. It's a hoot to be quoted in the WSJ!
March, 2017: “Mr. Trump’s budget proposal is one I would expect from some third-world, despot dictator who has no empathy for the well-being of its citizenry. This does not make us safer since it encourages an arms race; it does make us dumber by devaluing the arts and science. The world loses because climate catastrophe can only be diverted by world cooperation. In buying Mr. Trump’s narcissistic, vindictive reality, Earth is headed for the failure of its experiment with civilization. If I have a choice between Sesame Street and another new fighter, I choose the Big Bird that doesn’t fly or carry nuclear weapons.”
IMHO, you were ahead of the curve. Am enjoying your posts for their edge and substance.
Damn You’re Good ! My Sentiments Exactly ! Being a Senior woman isn’t much better.
I am a Senior woman although I hear middle age now goes to 85. And, I'm livid about my rights being stomped on. Thank you.
AMEN...! I am old now too but hey, I'll take 85 to mean "middle-age". Angry that women are constantly being trampled on. If men would think with their tiny brains instead of their lower extremities, they'd realize that without women, they wouldn't even exist. I do believe that is why you see our birthing population decreasing here in the U.S.. Women cannot afford to have children and they do not want to raise them in this very volatile society. Can't blame them and that's why the issue of getting a safe abortion or getting ahold of the abortion pill is so crucial to their continued existence.
An outstanding letter. We said. Well constructed. You may not be a lawyer, but I think I want you on my side of the courtroom!
We, the People, all of us this time! ❤️ Thank you, Cathy
Great letter, but what do we expect Robert’s and Sotomayor to be able to do about the present state of the court?
Roberts is no longer the center balance point of SCOTUS, so why should he bother to do anything? Even when he was the supposed balance point, he went along w/ allowing Citizens United and Shelby v. Holder; both of those decisions are a direct result of his being Chief Justice. As far as judicial reform, that won't happen either if the R's take back the Senate. The ultra right wing of SCOTUS is now in charge and we can expect that things will get much worse for women, POC., and non-Christians. We already know that if the R's take the Senate, they will do anything to keep any nominee from being appointed if Biden were to choose anyone but a ultra RW nominee. They've got a definite bad faith record. As far as Justice Sotomayor, currently she's one of only 3 liberal justices; The balance will be 7-2 if Breyer retires/dies, even if Biden is still in office. God help all of us when that happens if Republicans win back the Senate and/or Presidency. Gotta keep the RW white "christian" men happy, right? S/
And that title of ‘Christian ‘ is in name only also. We’re Screwed !
I usually use a small "c" w/that word; since I was describing those not of that persuasion, I used the "C" to emphasis the difference.
I love everything you wrote except the air freshener part, because they’re made with many problematic chemicals which are allowed because of regulation loopholes.
Loopholes given as a gift to the Flavors & Fragrances Industry which polices itself (just like our police and look how well that is working out).
Now scented products are one the biggest contributors of indoor AND outdoor air pollution.
Hi Lisa, I didn't know that about the Flavors & Fragrances Industry. Thank you for the education! I always use Scent-free and Fragrance-free products. Can't stand the fragrance added to anything. Just needed some way express getting rid of the stench. I'll keep this in mind from now on.
Lord, I agree. Hate the false scents
White supremacists, Movement Conservatives, oligarchs, fascists, trumpist Republicans have all utilized othering to exploit the divisions in service of their rise to power. We do well to heed the wisdom of recently passed Desmond Tutu:
"When we see others as the enemy, we risk becoming what we hate. When we oppress others, we end up oppressing ourselves. All of our humanity is dependent upon recognizing the humanity in others.”
And for our work ahead, says Tutu:
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
And as you have often said...."Follow the money"....and destroy its all consuming influence
on our lives. We are in danger now because we have allowed the moneyed ideologues to put a price on everything reducing the people to wage slave consumers only allowed the freedom of increasing material inequalities in favour of those now imposing the rules. Many things in humane existence should have no price and this is what makes our society good for the wellbeing of everyone.
Follow the money. It’s always the money. We have always had this lawless accumulation of wealth group, previously called robber barons, now called kleptocratic oligarchs who want license to take advantage of and steal from everyone else. They do just enough good to distract everyone from their crimes. Think Andrew Carnegie endowing universities and libraries.
(Sweden)
So, where will the money be in the future? I wonder if 'the American consumers', or the lack of them, will not have the greatest impact on the world economy if the US is splitting up like the USSR. In any case it would probably have much further reach than any of the present US sanctions imposed on certain countries. And China should be aware. - Wallenberg, the old Swedish capitalist, once referred to 'the Swedish engineer' with a sigh of great reliance. Since, I have been thinking of 'the American consumer' with a sigh of gratitude; at least until we have finished the earth.
A very interesting question, Olof. One fact that will militate against a USSR-style breakup of the American states: in US federal income taxes paid vs federal government money received by states, the Blue states are significantly the net benefactors, while the red states for all their politicians' bitching about creeping Democratic "socialism" are in fact the net takers by a significant margin They would fight like hell to keep us susidizing their states, if a breakup ever truly threatened.
“. . . just enough good”—Jeff Bezos gets our purchases delivered so fast we hardly notice what that has meant for so many small businesses. Who cares what he contributes in taxes (or doesn’t)? He’s going to save us by building living quarters on Mars. Or is that Elon Musk?
Try to completely avoid using Amazon. Refusing to put dollars in Jeff Bezos' pocket is one of the ways t Resist.
Agree!
Mars is Musk. There is one good thing to be said about Bezos: Amazon pays on time each quarter for my books they have sold, which means I see that on time in my royalty payments. There's a silver lining in everything:-)
Sadly, the same cannot be said about the independents. I wish it was otherwise.
The MBAs - the one class of people who should be OBLITERATED - are the living embodiment of what was said of Accountants: they know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Yeah. Who knew Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness equaled huge Debt. I have been saying for years that all’s we are to them is Consumers and Commodities .Abortion in their eyes screws up their idea of ‘ Recycling ‘. China figured out that the “1 Child law “ was a mistake. In the ‘50’s ‘ we were around 160 million pop. Now , 340 mil minus all the old Ppl CoVid took out ? We still have a large Senior Pop. But mostly retired, sick and poor. Before CoVid we had 60 mil. Homeless Seniors. Bet that number has dropped ? We need them ‘Worker Bee’s ‘ just like China. Who is going to buy a home for 250K at 50 yrs old now and retire at 67 ? On not near enough to live on for the average person ? I hope I’m not here to see the Chaos .Looks so similar to the USSR when it fell.I’ve read so many have Cashed out of their 401 K’s to get through the Pandemic .
Ellie, thank you for sharing the wisdom of Tutu. He was a fine man.
We treat the symptoms inorder to correct the behavior or the disease, too often though failing to achieve such as we keep treating the label (the symptom) as though it were such. Tutu's admonition is so important, at least to me, as I struggle to separate my abhorrence with conservative mongering while yet am coming to espose similar demonization of Republicans.
Beautiful. 🕊🕊
Love it, Ellie.
Thanks, Ellie.
This is a MasterClass in How we got here. I wish I could see it broadcast on every station in every channel around the world for the next 24 hours.
Yes!
I like this dream.
Biden is making a lot of powerful people uncomfortable...it’s so overdue and under appreciated.
Thanks, Dr. Richardson.
But they have had free rein for 40 years, while Dems thought it was politics as usual. We were warned. Article in the St Louis Post Dispatch, Mar 17, 1985, Lewis Lehrman, “Conservative Revolution will alter all policies, Spokesman Says. We are at the very beginning of this conservative Revolution…not even in the middle of it… The President hasn’t even begun the program of constitutional reform and the change in social policy…”.
Gorbachev said Friday that with the collapse of the Soviet Union, "They grew arrogant and self-confident. They declared victory in the Cold War."
He wasn't parroting Putin when he said that. Many Russians involved in the Cold War have made that observation since it ended.
Georgi Arbatov, the USSR's leading "Americanist" and a face of the USSR on American TV in the 80s because he was fluent in English, observed on December 26, 1991: "We are going to do a terrible thing to you. We are going to deprive you of an enemy.” He went on to say: “It’s historical, it’s human, you have to have an enemy. So much was built out of this role of the enemy. Your foreign policy, quite a bit of your economy, even your feelings about your country. To have a really good empire, you have to have a really evil empire. I cannot imagine that we will play this game again, and without us you cannot play it either.”
"Winning" the Cold War is a major reason why we are falling apart now. It's something I'm going to write about tomorrow at TAFM.
Sallust, the first major historian of the Roman Republic, witnessed the Republic’s collapse into civil war. He said that the reason for internal discord was that Rome had defeated its adversary Carthage. As long as Hannibal and his elephants stalked the Italian peninsula, Roman citizens put their differences aside. But after Rome destroyed Carthage in 146 BCE, Romans turned on each other. “When the minds of the people were relieved of that dread, wantonness and arrogance naturally arose.” As a result, “the peace for which they had longed in time of adversity, after they had gained it proved to be more cruel and bitter than adversity itself. The community was split into two parties, and between these the state was torn to pieces.”
Macchiavelli observed in "The Prince": “The cause of the disunion of republics is usually idleness and peace. The cause of union is fear and war.”
Continuing:
In his Lyceum Speech in 1838, Lincoln observed the same thing: Across the United States, Lincoln saw his country coming apart, with social division, lawlessness, and mob rule. His explanation was peace and security. The American Founders’ struggle against Britain had channeled the United States’ energies outward. “The deep-rooted principles of hate, and the powerful motive of revenge, instead of being turned against each other, were directed exclusively against the British nation.”He pointed out that America was now safe from harm with a rapidly growing population and economy. Unfortunately, it was also safe to start tearing itself to pieces. “If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
We are actually safer now than the country has been since the 1920s - a time no one alive has any direct experience of. And that period saw the rise of the KKK and the restrictive immigration laws.
We may be going through something we have seen before, but never before was there technology to magnify the divisiveness.
We are also going through a period where the western political, economic and social elites are collectively characterized by their mediocrity and by their affinity with each other rather than with their fellow citizens in each country. The result has been a dissolution of each people's idea of itself in favour of being simple producing and consuming pawns in the globalized market place.
Small quibble: there are still people alive and coherent who were born in the 1920s and therefore experienced that time directly as children. One of them is my mother, born in 1924. (She reads this newsletter every day.)
And some not very coherent, like the old crone I sat next to last week who screamed to all around that Democrats were taking our freedom away. My mama was one; she had a fit in 70’s when some genius floated a plan to mess with social security. “I earned it,” and she did, working at hosiery mill all my childhood and participating in a protest as a young woman.
You're right, but they're gettingrare. None of the people who are in my WW2 history books are with us now.
"but never before was there technology to magnify the divisiveness."
I am not so sure TC. "Colt revolvers and Springfield muskets were the Civil War's most popular firearms, but the era also gave rise to some of the earliest machine guns. Of these, perhaps none is more infamous than the Gatling gun, a six-barreled piece that was capable of firing up to 350 rounds a minute."
https://www.history.com/news/8-unusual-civil-war-weapons#:~:text=3.,to%20350%20rounds%20a%20minute.
Plus, canon and wagons (the North clear cut nearly the entire northeastern hardwood forest to build wagons for canon hauling).
The north did not win just because Sherman was angry and tired of wasting time and decided to burn everything.....
the north won because of more advanced technology and way more manufacturing.
the internet and 24 hour "news" are the greatest weapons of all time
Nah, Goebbels and Murdoch right up there
Goebels and Murdoch need to internet and 24-hr news cycle to magnify their effect.
I'm thinking here of the information technology, and things like social media that are designed to work in such a way as to magnify these differences.
Understood.
Nukes may tip the scale at some critical juncture.
In my lifetime that has been done twice. My Stepdad built a Bomb Shelter here in Fl in the late ‘60’s ‘. Lots of Ppl did.
Exactly so; magnify and accelerate the pipeline of "information".
Or another blast of propaganda from a Goebbels wannabe to amplify each and every crack in the liberty bell.
And cracks there are
The 1920s had John Reed. Real good true believer communists. FDR saved us. He risked it all and had no choice. Study 1938. The bottom fell out. The New Deal was not working. Japan solved our problem. The GOP had fucked up again.
but it really set up the dominance of the "military industrial complex" which continues today...see the recently passed, expanded defense appropriation!
We buy the generals to quash Trump.
If you can buy them then so can anyone else eventually. Be sure that you are buying them and that they are not holding you to ransome.
TC, You have been observing and writing about one of the biggest horrors over the past fifty+ years. Any chance for another screen writing venture by you, on land this time, 'O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!'?
Have you seen what Hollywood produces nowadays? :-)
You would bring the bar way up, TC. How about more American youngsters and their parents and grandparents learning about what's going on in the USA? They won't get it from the media or the in the schools of:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Georgia
Idaho
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
West Virginia
Wyoming
Yeah, but you can't do it with superheroes.
Well, maybe not with SUPERheroes, but with Johnny Everyman...
Johnny Everyman appeared in World's Finest Comics #15 through #26 (Autumn 1944 - 1946)
The stories were "produced in cooperation with The East and West Association"... The president of this group was Pearl S. Buck, the 1938 Nobel Prize winning author
Each Johnny Everyman tale preached liberal ideas, usually involving understanding and respect for other races and nationalities. They often gave a detailed look at the lives and problems of these groups, in an almost documentary like way. They embedded this mix of educational information and social commentary in what the writers hoped would be an exciting adventure framework
No!
So we had 20 years of war in the middle east. A whole generation of young people duped again.
John Prine said it in his song, Some Humans Ain’t Human.
“Have you ever noticed, when you’re feeling really good. There’s always a pigeon, that’ll come shit on your hood. Or you’re feeling your freedom, and the worlds off your back. Some cowboy from Texas, starts his own war in Iraq.”
“Jealousy and stupidity, don’t equal harmony.”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uIWotODqidE
Thank you, Paul C., John Prine and TCinLA. You have brought us a combination of feeling, perspective, World and American history from which to see how our radical individualistic credo and kleptomania are turning America into the evil force at home. After listening to 'Some Humans Ain't Human', I thought to post its lyrics.
Some Humans Ain’t Human
Song by John Prine
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind
You open up their hearts, and here's what you'll find
A few frozen pizzas, some ice cubes with hair
A broken popsicle, you don't wanna go there
Some humans ain't human, though they walk like we do
They live and they breath, just to turn the old screw
They screw you when you're sleeping, they try to screw you blind
Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind
You might go to church and sit down in a pew
Those humans who ain't human, be sitting right next to you
They talk about your family, they talk about your clothes
When they don't know their own ass from their own elbows
Jealousy and stupidity don't equal harmony
Jealousy and stupidity don't equal harmony
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good
There's always a pidgeon that'll come shit on your hood?
Or you're feeling your freedom and the world's off your back
Some cowboy from Texas starts his own war in Iraq
Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind
They lie through their teeth with their head up their behind
You open up their hearts, and here's what you'll find
Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Ummm-hmmm, ummm-hmmm
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: John E Prine
Some Humans Ain’t Human lyrics © Tommy Jack Music
Thank You Fern. Just copied and posted lyrics on fb with the link to the song from Paul C.
MaryPat, I just responded to Cathy with the idea that her Letter be read out-loud by her or a well known person she respects and distributed on social media and other media throughout the country. It is a 'cri de coeur' - a cry from the heart by one of us; our song for all of the people to hear. What do you think?
YES!!
MaryPat, This is Cathy's call, if she's interested or not. There are quite a number of 'stars' born in Texas. I have no idea whether any of them appropriate or willing. Cathy's letter is not chicken liver. This is all a speculation on my part. It is Cathy's call to begin with.
Ethan Hawke
Renée Zellweger
Eva Longoria
Jennifer Garner
Matthew McConaughey
Willie Nelson
Kelly Clarkson
Don Henley
Sissy Spacek
Johnny Horton
Beyoncé Knowles
Lyle Lovett
Ashlee Simpson
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Steve Martin
My sister just asked if my daughter, who is a voice actor and reads news for smart speakers and ads for spotify could do it. She doesn't control content, but might know someone(s) who does.
John Prine, taken by covid while still producing beautiful songs. Like Summer’s End.
ScannyDo, You took me to 'Summer's End'. So glad you did. It brought humanity to this day of learning and figuring. I'm with ScannyDo, take a listen and look folks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbEFTv9zr0
You know, Fern, I had some work to do today...Maybe THIS is my work today. Thank You. And Paul C.
A friend of mine sang and performed Summers End on guitar for a funeral. It’s so beautiful! Evokes a sense of longing and wanting to hold onto every minute. That whole album is so good. Boundless Love is another favorite and of course When I get to Heaven.
Bummer, I hadn't heard that he had died. What a great song-writer!
Thank You.
Tim Snyder's column today is an another excellent take on the same worrying western stagnation of the people's vision of itself and its place in the collectivity of nations.
Just read it and hoped someone would post it here
Oh, I posted the link before reading the other comments.
Excellent post and perspective TCinLA.
Sallust and Barbara Tuchman (The March of Folly) and HRC. Civilisation is to be saved by its historians.
Lord TC, bingo. Reagan started the division, or pushed it into high gear and opened the floodgates for the ‘conservative Revolution,” which was nothing more than a power at any cost movement.
TAFM? What is that?
Yes, what is that? Tossing out acronyms can be frustrating.
Great read Professor Richardson. I remember that history well but the background you’ve added explains so much that has occurred since. Also the comment about the age of a growing number of government representation being AFTER the end of the Cold War would spot on too
Look at what it says behind my name, as to what I write here on Substack.
'That's Another Fine Mess on SUBSTACK ...
TAFM “That’s Another Fine Mess” TCinLA’s very readable Substack column.
Terry combines his personal experiences in the Viet Nam war on which he has published extensively with his knowledge of Greek and Roman history to give an often illuminating perspective.
Together with TCinLA’s often personal background to illustrate how he arrived at his viewpoints I find his a thought stimulating forum well worth the subscription and even worth the $7 per month extra to be a participant.
Thomas McKelvey Cleaver is TCinLA. Check out his books, too.
“Gorbachev, Last Soviet Leader, Resigns; U.S. Recognizes Republics’ Independence.”
Yes, the real tragedy of the narrative of the 1980's is that Reagan "won" the cold war.
Nothing, I mean, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Gorbachev, having watched his country drift ever further into poverty and having watched in horror as the Soviet Chernobyl nuclear facility turned thousands of acres of land into radioactive waste, killed an entire town, while a cloud of radioactivity threatened the world, DECIDED the cold war was over.
Reagan just happened to be President when a truly great man came into power in the Soviet Union. Gorbachev.
Subsequently, Republicans have always referred to Reagan's irresponsible and gross military spending as the reason for the end of the cold war.
That is a lie told for more mind control of the masses.
Reagan's military spending, in particular the $1 Trillion dollar (1987 dollars) "Star Wars" spending, produced nothing that helped end the cold war, in fact, produced nothing at all.
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was and remains one of the greatest men of all time.
Reagan, like many of the managers I have worked with, just took credit when something good happened that he had nothing at all to do with and did not even see coming.
Standard operating procedure in Reagan's culture.
Not that I like saying anything even slightly positive about Ronnie the Ray-Gun, but several former Soviet commentators have talked about the fact that things like Star Wars (which was so far beyond the technology of the time, but who knew - maybe?) and the rest, which they realized they could never match because they didn't have the industrial/technological/financial base to do so, was one of the arguments about it now being time to "throw in the towel." It's not a huge complement to Ray-Gun; the USSR couldn't have survived another ten years even without that. And your point about the "victors" being merely the ones who were there the day it happened is exactly accurate.
Thanks TC.
"Star Wars" Technology never produced a single outcome....it produced nothing...at..all.
Bill Clinton scrapped the program.
https://www.history.com/news/reagan-star-wars-sdi-missile-defense
Star Wars had zero impact on Gorbachev opening the old Soviet Union.
Yes, it never happened, but it was used in arguments such as:
"Look what they're doing!"
"Never mind, it's impossible, don't worry."
"That's what we said about the last thing they did that was impossible!"
"Look, it's impossible to do that."
"But what if it isn't, hmmmmm??
(furrowed brow and silence for reply)
Maybe, but, I think the probability Reagan mattered in any way, even a fake way, is low to naught.
Ray-Gun. Thanks TC.
Well put Micheal Sanchez. Thank you.
Thank you.
🥺. Yes indeed. 😢
HCR has brilliantly stitched together a thread cementing the 1990s “Movement Conservatives” to the present day Republican Party, both of which have subscribed to an alternate reality and to tribal inclinations wholly rooted in greed and an unrestrained will to power. Though hardly unexpected, I, nonetheless, was struck by how, both then and now, the Party has persisted in employing the same fear tactics of accusing its adversaries of “bringing ‘socialism’ to America.”
Regrettably, unlike several of our European counterparts which, for decades, have appeared duly able to differentiate between some version of “Democratic Socialism” that merely calls for a more equitable distribution of a Nation’s wealth and “Socialism” that advocates for government control and ownership of the means of production, Americans largely are susceptible to Republicans conflating the two to serve their own interests. I would hope no one would consider it hyperbolic to identify HCR’s post-Christmas history lesson as an urgent plea to unwitting fellow citizens to revisit the likes of the prescient James Madison, who foresaw that “a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.”
Well said, Barbara. Thank you.
Daria, well said doesn’t make it right. The plot. The demon individualist represented by Reagan against Neo Democratic Socialism BBB style. And Kindly old Joe seeking to root out corruption and protect the independent press is laughable. To that I point out Viktor Shokin, Burisma, Tony Bobulinski, and the Laptop from Hell. Throw in the suppression of the story before the election and you used to have Woodward and Bernstein on your trail. Not anymore. The Press and tech are in on it. Just because a narrative is how one wants it to be does not actually mean it is so. The facts play to the willing “ crowd” don’t check out. Sorry Professor. Joe and his family have issues that are institutionally ignored and hang in plain sight. Both sides play false narrative’s and justify it as the ends justifying the means. Please, tell me I have gone round the bend and am wrong.
David, what is it you want? You have spent your time as a subscriber to this page bashing all things NOT Republican or Conservative while ignoring the obvious deficiencies and delinquencies of conservatives and Republicans. In fact, you embody what one might call the Biden Derangement Syndrome. Is that a fair assessment? I think so. You howl about Biden Family Issues being institutionally ignored but never once mention the issues around the McConnell/Chao family, the Trump family, most of the Trump Cabinet, and dozens of Republican lawmakers also being institutionally ignored. The people you seem to have aligned yourself with politically have no problem ripping apart the physical, social and political infrastructures of the United States for their gain. Where you once said, "But Hillary" you now say "But Joe". (And no, I was not and am not a huge Hillary fan.)
So, tell me, how happy are you with the cesspool of a situation the prior administration created for us? How comfortable are you with the fact that there was not a willing and smooth transition of power because one man's ego was more important than 330+ million people? And still, you say, " But Joe"!
(I agree that both sides can and do play false narratives in order to gain traction and votes. Politicians exist to get themselves elected/reelected and, therefore, are willing to say whatever it takes to do so. How much politicians actually accomplish once elected is entirely up for debate...)
oh daria, as I have said before, don't feed the troll!
Miselle, There are others on this page I identify as trolls and won't respond to. I view David as a confused contrarian. There's a difference. (Just remember, should we venture onto a site populated by conservatives we would be considered trolls.)
Other than this dude, whatever trolls I've found seem to post once and disappear. I don't view him as "confused contrarian"--I really do view him as the modern day equivalent of the old heavy-breather on the landline, wanting to upset/stir people up. I wouldn't have even replied as he will view this and be getting his yayas going, but I look for your posts among the comments and I hated to see you going up against him, although I agree with you 100%. I will not reply to you as I don't want to give him a banquet to feed on. As for conservative sites, sadly, I have too many conservative friends and family I deal with, I feel no need to seek out others! Have a great holiday, daria!
I agree with your last point emphatically. I grew up in DC and know the town well. I joined this forum on the recommendation of friend who is a subscriber and a plugged in career Democratic player. I find Washington delusional these days. Frankly the Democratic Party of the Progressive Left is nothing like the Democratic JFK family that I was born. For that matter the Republican Party or Nationalist Populist Party inhabited by Trump bears no resemblance to say George "HW" Bush. I find the present administration reckless, disingenuous and unhinged. These Letters ignore the reality and promote what it wants to believe in my humble opinion. Joe Biden was elected to lead us back to normality. Instead we have seen him push us recklessly, many times with little preparation, into grand schemes. His public life is mirroring what we are now learning his private life too has been operating. I do not think he is up to the task and fear following him from one disaster into another virtue signaling the whole time will lead us further astray. I take no pleasure getting pounded by the readers here time and again. It would be much easier to go with the crowd. Thank you as always for your thoughtful reply. D
Right now, David, your choice is the Trumpers or the others. The others are not planning to destroy your life. If the Never-Trumpers can figure this out, so can you.
Ok, I’ll bite. You have gone round the bend and you are wrong.
Notice how Contrarians and right-wingers OVER GENERALIZE, USE VAGUE REFERENCES, NAME CALL —and consider GIBBERISH somehow “in the know?” What “plot”? What “narrative”, “The Press”—and why toss in Woodward & Bernstein? WTF is the “laptop from hell?” Of course, there’s the arrogant, know-it-all attitude, certainly with the way Pres. Biden is referenced by David…
Let me be the one to tell this BS-er that yes, David, you have “gone round the bend and [are] wrong. Actually, you never made it to “the bend”—you just typed gibberish.
None of what you said is connected to reality. You have gone around the bend and your brain has been turned into mush watching way too much Faux Snooze. Stop watching/reading the far right propaganda/disinformation/big lie and you will recover.
TC, Did you succumb to DC script? I thought 'it' least likely to entrap you.
I'll try and convert anyone. I've actually been successful a few times.
TC, You try to convert trolls! Is there a farm that is most susceptible to your persuasion? I've thought of the word for your pursuit. but I'm sure you know it.
TC, Sometimes, you are beyond inspiring, but I don't have a word or it. On the other side of the moon, I have never been as concerned about where this country is headed. Have you written more extensively about its trajectory than has appeared here? Your thoughts would encourage more work and reflection on my part.
Christian Zjust now
David Carroll. I got it now!!
National Enquirer.
I saw the same headline concerning Biden at the supermarket checkout being screamed in the National Enquirer Headline banner this week.
Frankly I find the Elvis sighting and Martian 👽 impregnating stories much more believable coverage than National Enquirer politics.
Hmmmm David, I do recognize a similarity in style. Are your posts here moonlighting from NQ??
Inquiring minds want to know?🤨 🧐
As a young adult, I experienced the deregulation that Reagan brought us, paying a whopping 13% interest on my first mortgage. As a retired school principal, now working part-time as a banker, I have been watching the new laws regarding money laundering with great interest. This might be a game changer. If successful in rounding up those “contributors” to illegal accounts, this could be Biden’s legacy for our country.
Reagan’s legacy will go down as a destroyer of democracy, unless Grover Norquist rewrites history.
When Reagan was re-elected, I flew my flag at half staff to show I was mourning.
When Reagan was elected I left the country.
When Reagan was elected I screamed "NOOOOoooo..." still echoes
One of the partners in an EOE focused firm where I was a young paralegal commented after Reagan's win that one of the first thing the new Administration would do was to cut back Legal Services. Until then a middle income wage earner could have access to affordable legal help. Sure enough, the income limit went way down, and essentially only people below poverty level (working 3 jobs, etc) could get help. After that, no matter what bill passed ensuring rights was easily circumvented by the wealthy .
Did anybody else see Kathryn Grody call out HCR as someone everyone should be listening to, when she was on Jonathan Capehart this morning, and her husband Mandy Patinkin nodding a vigorous "yes"??
TC, I didn’t see Capehart but truly believe HCR should get more airtime on mainstream media. I wish “real” news stations would have her on as a regular contributor.
She’s doing a great job building her audience. Her voice should be amplified.
Maybe during this year on sabbatical (to write a new book) HCR will have more airtime. Listen to Thursday's History Chat! Powerful call to action for us!! See our democracy as ever evolving, be a part if that hooeful and important conversation! (Will look for link)
https://fb.watch/a9HVxHo42M/
HRC (Hillary Rodham Clinton)? Did you mean Heather Cox Richardson (HCR)?
corrected to the latter.
Edit function is a great Christmas present.
Oh, we can edit niw?! (This is a test).
Wow! It works!! NOW!! Follow the 3 dots!!
I missed it but love this.
TC, I did not see Kahryn but I DID get my little sister, a CPA in Houston, TX, to read HCR's letter today. Big step. She voted for Trump. But, she has intermittently been reading my strategic HCR forwards.
She is a CPA. Her son is planning a career in forensic accounting.
COOL!
Fantastic for Midnighters on the West Coast.
In healthcare & elsewhere big problems have their root in systems issues. You show us that so clearly and eloquently in your essay today. POTUS Biden seems to recognize this as well. The usual reporting of the President’s focus on corruption hasn’t really effectively reported /analyzed the ‘why’ the anticorruption executive action is needed and the ‘how’ it will be accomplished. But you have. Thank you for helping me be a bit less ignorant.
Well said Tina. Underreporting on financial corruption - and its accompanying political and corporate influence- has always frustrated me. Yet, can it effectively be done this far into the Con Mov? How intertwined are the financials of the leading media organizations with corrupt money, to report on it? I enjoy HCR’s newsletter because it is outside of this traditional information network of watch the evening news and read the paper.
How intertwined? Very. Look at who owns various media sources.
I read on Twitter that Steve Jobs’ widow owns The Atlantic, and saw a photo of her relaxing poolside with Ghislaine Maxwell. I didn’t investigate the truth of either the claim or the photo. It just feels sad and true. I don’t know her politics but Ghislaine Maxwell is a criminal.
Exactly. It is a systemic issue. We get distracted by all the 'noise' in the media. The real issue lies deeper. But the good news is that dysfunctional systems eventually destroy themselves by running out of control. I humbly submit that today's US healthcare is going to be the one which brings this point when the proverbial wheels come off the wagon.
Buckle up buttercup.
...and the people Charlie? You know what happens for the vast majority of the people.
And that's the problem. There is no systems feedback mechanism which promotes and values individual wellbeing and community resiliency. Healthcare (at least in the US) as constituted does NOT operate to be life affirming. https://media.awakeningtowholeness.net/newusa-part-3/
More to follow in 2022.
Thank you, Charlie, for the return visit with a care package.
I hope that I am not the only person to realize that describing a political opponent as the enemy in speeches and the press undermines our democracy. The OPPONENT is not the enemy but an adversary. The opponent labeled an enemy feeds the division in our country.
I hope the good people of our country would help correct this narrative.
Heather please help send this message using your pros.
Thanks so much for connecting the dots once again. How these deep pockets of laundered money affect public policy and put a blight on democracy is a story we do not read about even in our respectable press. But what's really encouraging is that the eternally underestimated Joe Biden is on to it and trying to do something about it. Add yet another accomplishment of this administration that deserves far greater recognition.
Thank goodness for you, Heather, for your knowledge and insights! The connections you have made tonight make so much sense to someone like me who can still recall the demise of the USSR. Mind you, not having the power of memory -- such as in the case of Cawthorn's youth -- cannot, nay, must not serve as a pretext for throwing our country into disarray and to the brink of de-democratisation.
Your voice and the power of your pen allow us to see truths and links as we work our way through living history. Thank you for this privilege!
Without a common foe to unite us, we have turned on one another. Even threats like climate change and Covid aren’t enough to bring us together.
We are at a very vulnerable place right now, under the ether of a roaring stock market. But look under the sheets, and there’s a very sick America. Income inequality has created a burgeoning underclass, public health and education are woefully underfunded. The wealthy have seized the opportunity to tilt the political tables to ensure they can control our democracy from a minority position.
Dr. Richardson, when I read your book, “How the South Won the Civil War”, you opened my eyes to what we see playing out today. Did you have any idea that it would happen so quickly?
Waving the flag of "external enemy" threatening our doorstep is exactly what Putin is doing with Ukrain. If he can't maintain the myth of "America, the potential oppressor", he is lost and the vision that he has imposed on the Russian people would disintegrate. In this we insist frequently in providing grist for Putin's mill.
How did we get the Corporate Transparency Act under Trump? Pelosi is brilliant, it had to be Pelosi, right...?
And I remember that Trump vetoed it but congress overrode the veto. Hehehe. 🙂
TFG was probably thinking of his own debts to such illegitimate Russian "black money" property deals.
This strikes me as a brilliant analysis, just as it does other readers. The hubris of the winner is a constant theme in history. We did not handle the fall of the wall very well. The increasing arrogance of American political attitudes has been demoralizing to endure. The correction the Biden administration has tried to effect with considerable success has been nothing short of miraculous considering the tenor of congressional debate and news ops. There is a lot of room for hope.