Yesterday Mitch McConnell got on the airwaves to characterize (with indignation) the Democrats’ push to pass voting rights legislation as “a unilateral power grab”, and in doing so he got wide airplay. Whether they’re the underdog or the party in power, the Republicans in Congress will always have someone in front of a microphone announcing what greedy, unpatriotic, power-hungry characters the Democrats are. The Democrats, most of whom seem to be doing all the heavy lifting of democracy, write out statements explaining their procedures, and simply don’t have anyone standing at the megaphones the way the Republicans do. It can certainly be argued that the Republicans spend most of their time at the megaphones, rather than doing the work of governing, but my point is that their loud voices capture attention and spread their talking points, regardless of how fair or accurate those points are. Knife to gunfight partly describes it, but it’s something more, I believe; it’s how disinformation starts and spreads, how lies gain acceptance as truth. Newt Gingrich did it every day in the Clinton administration, and proved how destructive a simple sound bite or two can be. I’d love it if the Democrats had some more vocal representatives to counter the disingenuous lying that has become Republican second nature. (It doesn’t help when all the media — mainstream and not — echoes the lies, and characterizes the Democrats as “struggling”, “crumbling”, etc., rather than reporting on the careful work they are doing to recovery small-d democracy.)
Democrats bend over backwards to be reasonable. Did you ever try to reason with a child in full tantrum? The republicans have taken political tantrums to a new level - but unlike children who are caught in a storm of emotion they don’t understand, republicans know exactly what they are doing and in fact get pleasure out of their own outrageous theatrical tantrum displays. And the media eats it up! Shameless, theatrical predators!!
The Beltway Media stand as stenographers, never questioning the historic or moral roots of Republican intransigence. Thank goodness we have Heather and Charlie Pierce and a few others I call the "insurgents in the hills" to carry on the battle for responsible journalism.
And yes, the Democrats REALLY need to get down in the mud with the Republikkkans and show them for the filth they are.
In 2004, a Bush II staffer now believed to be Karl Rove told journalist Ron Suskind, "We make our own reality now, and you just report it." Seems it was a more accurate prediction than I originally believed.
I understand that Reagan’s folks met every morning to determine what actor Reagan’s script would be for the day. One day Reagan got muddled when he read the wrong cue cards in a meeting with auto executives.They seem puzzled. But hey, this was Reagan. Trump didn’t use cue cards. Probably because they would expose him to ‘false facts.’
Excellent! Last lines: “The media are compelled to level with voters: The two parties are not equivalent, in part because one treats its crackpot leader like a messiah. Unfortunately, there are no signs the media are ready for such candor.” Truth is so far down on the list of what some voters value.
I agree with almost all of what you say. I just respectfully want to suggest that there is a certain energy that happens when we name-call our opponents (e.g. filth that they are) that is not the most effective in making change happen. We can powerfully describe their actions (e.g. make clear the filthy lies that they are promoting). But if we want to call on any version of non-physical energy (God/Spirit/Universe/Atman/Buddha etc) to support our efforts we would do well to heed Dr. King's "Hate cannot overcome hate; only love can do that." He's not talking about sentimental love that depends on how lovable we find the other, but rather on joining forces with the power of agape love to support our efforts. Here's a nine-minute message from Dr. King on "Love your enemies." Not the easiest "commandment" to follow; Dr. King makes it seem not only important but essential to effect lasting change. https://youtu.be/6Fs8vSsJg-A
Now just what is getting down in the mud with the Republicans going to show ? That the Dems are on the same level? Doesn't sound like good strategy to me. Yes, we all need to make sure that Republicans are called out loudly, but please, let's not be what they are.
I think the Administration would do well to put on the payroll an expert in messaging and public speaking. Regardless of expertise in whatever cabinet role he or she might have, in my view, there are only two right now who almost always seem to hit the mark: Jan Psaki (who occasionally steps in it) and Pete Buttigieg. They seem to have the right skills and the ability to speak succinctly in words that the average person can understand AND the right delivery (which sounds assured and confident and NOT whiny, disparaging, or apologetic.) Hand wringing and high-pitched anxious voices do not transmit well.
Agree. The administration also needs a large enough budget to retain an outside firm that specializes in developing bold and broad messaging campaigns. Democratic leaders in the Senate and House need to do the same thing as well. I admire Nancy Pelosi, not so much Chuck Schumer. Both aren't exactly exciting spokespeople. There's a stable of younger more exciting and articulate members. At the party's grassroots level, the DNC appears to suffer from less-than-dynamic leadership, as it has for years now. It's a shame that Stacy Abrams wasn't enticed to run the DNC, though her desire to run for Georgia governor again is understandable.
Agree, but by and large the Democrats do a terrible job of explaining their goals and accomplishments. The Republicans stay on message with the same easy-to-understand talking points, which these days tend to be despicable lies but breakthrough all the noise.
Well I'm doing my best right now by posting Prof. Heather's newsletter daily on FB and Twitter. And I'm developing a project of 30 second interviews with folks who are benefitting from Democratic policies or would if we could get them passed, to post on my youtube channel and then promote on FB and Twitter - and Tik Tok when I learn how to go where the young folks go! I'd love to hear more about what you are doing (PacNW?). Thanks!
Fantastic, Chaplain Terry! I love your idea of the 30 second interviews. I've been living in Vermont for a couple decades, but from PacNW and keep active ties with Oregon and WA, follow politics there. Here in VT, I'm active with the Dem party, somehow got on both county and state executive committees. I ask hard questions, and people are responding!. One of our people also talked about doing interviews- I'll pass your letter on for ideas on approach. I really like yours. If my energy holds, I want to start talking to people door to door (I live in a village), get people excited about this years elections, let them know how they can help in small ways (soon as the snow lets up- we got lots).
I'll probably take over the newsletter here too, and am going to take it beyond email to other venues. Also write short articles and get away from the stiff overlong press releases. Writing and organizing are things that I can do within my energy limits, and fortunately they are things needed here.
Thanks for taking my question seriously. I'd love to see lots of people here talk about the things they are doing.
Even small simple actions, like writing our reps in support of something they are doing, can make a difference.
I'm not sure the Democrats need to get down in the mud, but they do need to take control of the messaging, and make it loud and clear. Biden's January 6 speech was a good one; we need more of him doing this, and certainly many more other measured and thoughtful voices not just calling out lies, but asserting the direction and import of Democratic initiatives.
I always mute Mitch as I can no longer stand the nonsense that comes out of his mouth and the mouth of every greedy, unpatriotic, power-hungry R. As for the media if I see the struggling headline, I don't read it.
Closer to home we have an issue with Nick Kristoff who wants to run for Oregon governor and the secretary of state has ruled against him on the residency issue. The Oregon Constitution says three years residency. Although he is from Oregon and has owned property here, he voted in NY, had a NY driver's license, etc. He has appealed her decision (made by her and her election team) to the Oregon Supreme Court. Instead of just appealing and leaving it at that, he has made some unfortunate statements which has made him sound entitled. So locally the threads are busy with that. I have no idea how the court will rule, but either way, it won't be a blow to democracy like the voting rights problem described here.
The news last night said that Russia could invade Ukraine at any moment. I hope that does not happen, but I fear that it will.
Finally, kudos to the January 6th committee in the their pursuit of the truth on what happened on January 6th.
That I don't know. The thread I was on was about whether he should be allowed to run or not. A person started it by comparing him to the tennis player who had to leave Australia. I noted that Kristoff was acting like an entitled asshat. Shame on me as I got tasked by someone later for making that "juvenile" observation. This poster happens to be the son of someone famous and has a rather prestigious resume himself. I didn't know him from Adam. I said I was worried about the precedent if the court rules in Kristoff's favor. He said the law applies to everyone no matter their party. I wanted to laugh at that one. I did tell him in the end that I thought what we are discussing on this thread is much more a threat to democracy than rather or not Kristoff is allowed to run. He ended by liking that comment. I have no idea of what the court will decide and if Kristoff is allowed to run and is the D in the general, I will vote for him Perish the idea of Betsy Johnson or some crazy down the rabbit hole R.
The "tennis player" who was NOT vaccinated had no business traveling to another country - much less doing so intentionally unvaccinated! No matter how famous or entitled he is! That whole mess was unnecessary.
Me too Michele. The profound unabashed displays of ignorance from a people, in spite of having grown up in the relative safety of a country with a functioning government "by the people.., for the people" and with the premiss "all men are created equal".!
Thank you. That makes me feel better because I was told it was juvenile and not productive. I spend my career with juveniles and never heard them use that term. The favored female pejoratives and Anglo Saxon terms. Never have heard that from the middle schoolers going by either. They like biased slurs and those Anglo Saxons words.
Kristoff is a passionate believer in Democracy and a brilliant commentator and writer. Sad that he is taking this "entitled" position regarding his qualifications to run. That said, were those who decided against him republicans trying to thwart a popular, articulate and passionate candidate?
No. The Republicans in Oregon have a multitude of problems. Repubs likely would welcome a Dem who could ball up the governor's race. Dems don't support Kristoff, in general, so I wouldn't call him exactly popular. These are the people who've worked hard under difficult situations for years to keep Oregon functioning on an even keel. Where was Kristoff all that time? Playing farmer where Oregon is concerned- certainly not living there. The people who made the ultimate decision against him were the Justices on the Oregon Supreme Court, whose ruling is based solidly on the provisions of the Oregon Constitution. Kristoff doesn't come close to meeting its requirements to be on the ballot for governor. The only one complaining about it is Kristoff.
I don't happen to think he is all that "insightful", nor brilliant. He is copycatting people who are. If he cared about what has been going on in Oregon, there were lots of ways he could have used his passion to help. He didn't. A friend of mine who was been considering running for gov (someone I admire both personally and politically) told me he wasn't worried about Kristoff. (This in a rather dry tone of voice.)
I, PacNW expat, still follow things there closely. I think I might have a pretty good idea who the next gov will be. And that was before Kristoff deciding he was god. He is just a disraction and trying hard to stay one. No doubt for the future. He should look back at the history of Oregon's leadership. He might change his mind.
Thanks for clarifying, Annie. I have long admired Kristoff's writing and didn't understand the specifics of his run for Governor. Sad to get these important facts from you, but grateful.
Interesting observations. I agree that the Rs here have a multitude of problems, namely that they are following death star donny and his minions. They certainly would love some kind of distraction on the D side. The Oregon Supreme Court as far as I know, unless they made the decision today, has not ruled on his appeal. The secretary of state's office told him he did not meet the requirement. The decision will be soon because ballots have to be printed. I will check the news after i write this to see if there is actually a decision. I agree that lots of people have tried to keep things running here under difficult situations. Kate Brown would have liked to work on different things, but had to make the hard decisions for the pandemic. I think she has done a good job under the circumstances. She is truly hated by many...lots of f...Kate Brown signs around. We have some progressives who do not understand the hard work many people here in Marion County, for example, have put in. They have been busy dissing Biden instead of mentioning the things he has been able to achieve. I have no idea who the next governor will be. I am not even sure who all is running on the D side at this point. Some research to do. Thanks for your perspective.
I so agree with you, Michele. I miss Oregon so very much and would love to move back, at least to the NW. Though I'm pretty entrenched in Vermont now, I still have close friends and family in OR and WA- and then there is the sheer beauty of the place.
BTW, I just checked news and you're right: I'd misread trying to catch up after a couple weeks of insanity here: Back-to-back blizzards with ice gluing them together, digging car out every 6 inches or so, and then having to reschedule appts because sneaky over-night ice storm glued my car shut. Geez. Plus relatives having to postpone urgent surgery because UNVACCINATED people are filling all the beds in hospitals. <mild curse>
Thanks for your comment about my perspective. It's shot about now due to lack of organization in the local political party I am (trying) to work with. It is a matter of old hands used to old ways and new hands desperate to get moving to build an effective organization but not familiar with the skills we need to use. This is not age-related. It's a matter of human beings having different perspectives.
The good news is that in between blizzards I did manage to stop by the Humane Society for a dog fix. And left with a dog. That was not planned; my little dog died recently and I didn't think I was ready. But she is perfect. She picked me, but if I were to make a list of the things I would look for, she is all of them. And I am the right person for her, because she has partially expressed albinism with light-sensitive eyes, and so do I. They thought she didn't want to go out because of the snow (Texas dog). I learned that she loves the snow, but can't see because of the glare. Just like me: I have to wear enclosed sunglasses. I have doggy goggles on order for her, and in the meantime we go out early in the morning and in the evening. What a delight to offset some of the uncertainty we all are experiencing.
He should have just said he was appealing and left it at that. And his comments since then have been entitled, no quotes. The sec of state is a D. I don't know about her election staff. I don't see this as a partisan decision, but rather adhering to the words of the Oregon Constitution in a literal manner, knowing that it would go to court. The court can then rule on what residency means. I have no problems with his views and will vote for him if he is the candidate. One person on the thread was a journalist who interviewed him for a length of time and got nothing specific. Several were attorneys who did not speak as one voice. I would say that most, if not all, of the posters were Ds leaning to the progressive side. Perhaps if the court rules against him, he can run at another time or another office at some point.
Kristof has many qualities. I've read his work for years. But I question his planning skills. To run for governor he should have moved back to Oregon several years ago, established his residency, and built a foundation for his candidacy. I doubt he gets on the ballot. If he does, he will lose in the primary.
The thread I was one had people who were both for and against Kristoff and as I noted, were probably all Ds on the progressive side. We will have to see what happens and if he alienates enough people. If he happens to be the D candidate, I will have to vote for him, but not in the primary.
Nick Kristoff is hardly trump or hitler. He may not win, but I think he’s a serious candidate with knowledge of the issues and actual policy goals. Have you ever read one of his columns?
He needs to be more specific in terms of what he would do as governor. Right now he is coming off as a crybaby because things have not gone his way...that may change. But we and he will have to wait for the court's decision. They will have to decide what residency entails.
No. I haven't. But I was responding to the sentence, "He is just a moment of levity." Evidently, being a moment of levity doesn't mean the individual won't get elected.
The thread I was one was rather impassioned with several people who are attorneys weighting in. The pros want someone fresh who is not part of the state Ds. Goldschmidt and Kitzhaber even made an appearance even though both are old news.
Someone needs to sit down with Joe and Kyrsten and ask them to envision what Mitch McCannot would do if he were MajLdr. It doesn't take much imagination. When it was needed to overcome objections to court packing, Mitch simply changed the rules. of COURSE he's being a two-faced hypocrite, now. What would you expect from past behavior? Calling him out just gives him air time.
While I tend to agree that the Dems should be seeking bipartisanship, that assumes that the other party is acting in good faith and is doing their job. That assumption, IMO, is misplaced when the debate is public. The face save for the recalcitrant Senators is for them to support the old-style speaking filibuster in this case only, suspending the short-cut filibuster. The rules were changed back in the day to make legislation move more smoothly. Instead, it's been used to enforce minority (of the Senate!!) rules.
I don't want to hear, again and again, how democracy is at stake, how voters are being disenfranchised, how it's all the fault of the former President. That starts to sound like blah blah blah blah blah after only a short while, and it's been going on for months. If he can't get Joe and Kyrsten to change, then Chuck should call the Senate into a closed session (turn off CSPAN), call all Senators into the chamber, take away their cell phones, and have an open conversation about the future of the country, invoke the Chatham House rule. Every Senator should be allowed to speak for maybe 5 minutes, without fear of the soundbite but also without typical Parliamentary games. Then, take ANONYMOUS votes on the parts of the bills to see if there's support for compromise without public scrutiny or on-the-record voting. Then work to pass the things that are agreed on, and table the things that aren't. At the very least, that'd be a hard core bipartisanship play without everyone trying to score political points in the media.
They probably have a slew of even more arcane "rules" that would prevent this, but I LIKE the way you think. Perhaps you could email this post to Schumer himself? He seems to need some fresh ideas. (Someone should tell him that "mark my words" needs to be stricken from his notes. The minute he says this, my mind shuts down.)
Which Republican Senators would show up at such a closed session? Maybe Romney, Murchowski and Collins. Who else? Now if McConnell endorsed such a closed session, it might work. Otherwise, don't think so.
There must be a way to force it--all Senators had to be planted in their seats for the impeachments. Penalty of censure, perhaps? I dunno. There are also ways to lock cell phones up and maintain privacy--they can get guidance from the Jan 6 House committee if they need help on plugging leaks :-). If the rules were released publicly, then there's a chance that McCannot would be hard pressed to object. He does back down on occasion.
Exactly! However, if McDik failed to inform NumNutz.., Elaine would get pulled over for DUI and jailed. McDik would be castrated, and sent to the loonie bin, and replaced by faithful Kevin...until he misbehaved. And, anyone naive enuf to think attending ANY such meeting would not have serious consequences...is.. well...(this story does not end well).
Jonathan, the moment he found out back-door..., these guys would be history but not before being punished. And 'HE' would find out. It's a noble idea, but this bunch would cave and be used as 'tools' to suck out other potential 'mutineers'. DT would probably win again, and we sure don't want that.
Yeah. I don't buy 45 as omnipotent or even potent. Frankly, I think we should all register as Republicans. And vote Democrat (or more appropriately for the less insane candidate). The only control we have over the process is in the primaries (sadly), and gerrymandering is computed by party affiliation, not actual votes. If the ones who draw boundaries lack data on how the group inside the lines is gonna vote, then it becomes a pointless exercise.
It's an Article I issue, not Article II. POTUS can bully pulpit it, but (gulp!) it's up to Chuck (and maybe Joe/Kyrsten). If McCannot really had balls, he would've blindsided 45 with a real impeachment vote, and we'd be on the other side of this. Sadly that wasn't the case. If I were Chuck, I'd point that out, and give him (MinLdr) a chance to share in the credit while being able to avoid the blame (classic political value proposition).
Kay.., I think Biden has backbone. Only he knows what his limitations are in these unprecedented times. I refuse to join the choir calling Joe the worst president ever. 'Joe' is the best hand we've got, so we need to send the message that we are going to kick their mutherfooken azz..., nuthin less!! Bang!
Exactly. Biden speech on January 6 was a great example of this, standing up to the lies and was a powerful soundbite for progress being made. Democrats need to be smarter and realize they need to control the narrative and not just work hard, keep their heads down, and hope we all notice.
Listened to his press conference this afternoon. I think he touched openly and honestly on these questions. Looking forward to more. And to Heather's letter tomorrow.
It's no secret that Vladimir Putin wants to establish hegemony over what was once the USSR and it's no secret that the House Select Committee will ultimately place the blame for the January 6 attack on the Capitol where it belongs, on the defeated former President. But these issues should not deter Democrats from focusing on the November elections! In view of the imminent defeat of their voting rights legislation, HCR reports points out that they will break it up into individual pieces, forcing senators to take positions against the various pieces of the law, generally popular with the people. Every word spoken by Senators Ron Johnson and Marco Rubio, who are running for re-election and who will certainly vote against voter rights legislation, should be vehemently thrown back at them repeatedly, every day, from now until Election Day. Right now, these two seats, and successfully defending Democratic seats which will be contested, are more important than the January 6 investigation and Putin’s ambitions.
Your points are well made but I disagree that the points you make about the 2022 election are *more* important than the January 6 investigation but would agree that they are equally important. In fact, I believe that what has been and is being uncovered by the 1/6 Committee may be essential in turning some voters against radical Republican (redundant these days) candidates and helping to retain or even expand Democratic seats in both houses.
What the House Select Committee comes up with may swing some votes, but we cannot wait for that to happen nor let it delay nor deter us from mobilizing to win in 2022. That should be the highest priority right now.
I agree 100% that the Senate is where the action has to be. But Little Marco and Ron the Pawn will scream "witch hunt" regardless, and voters need to have someone to vote *for*. I hope that Tom Nelson and Val Demings don't just run against 45 and will consider making news by bucking the stereotype and honestly questioning some of Biden's actions--it worked for Kamala, after all. I think that midterms are about buyer's remorse when in comes to POTUS, so establishing at least a little daylight there will make it easier to vote out an incumbent.
Yes! And not Schumer. He is just not a convincing speaker. And I love E. Warren, but last night she was on the Senate floor citing case law to support voting rights. It was brilliant and coherent but not moving/ persuasive. I would like to see Durban, Klobuchar and Warnock speaking all over the media. They all have different styles, but each convincing in its own way.
And enough with the tweets. Get on talk radio, tv and CSpan to make your case. Constantly and with strong, clear messages that are simple yet powerful.
Agree with your comments about Schumer. Although he can play the part. And, Liz Warren's educating us on case law, but wil we really experience a Behavioral Change? Was Mid-America even listenng? Give me Durban and Warnock. Klobuchar's attempt to say anything that Mid-America relates to suffers from her higher education skills. Give me a Gaetz or Jordan..yeah one who believes in the truth and can articulate something Mid-American's relate to. We need to quit meay-mouthing this stuff.
I heard Steve Scalise on ABC yesterday. He was asked repeatedly about his objections to the voting rights bill and its various components, and his response was the same—we should be concentrating on the “failures “ of the Biden administration, inflation, Afghanistan etc. Irish the media would stop giving these jokers a megaphone! The stick to their script and their responses to serious questions are entirely predictable—but Biden!!!
Seems that the Democrats are complacent in deceiving themselves into a comfortable reliance upon the "Talk-Show-Hosts" & "Late-Night-Comedians" as their megaphonic P. R. apparatus...
(Just for clarity, which "they" are you referring to-Democrats or Republicans?) The entry above yours is referencing Democrats so I was unsure which party you were talking about.
"announcing what greedy, unpatriotic, power-hungry characters the Democrats are" Interestingly, this is exactly how the right-wing FB or Twitter responses react. They don't present any evidence or information. They just call Democrats derogatory names and blame for things they didn't do. The newest one is that the Democrats in the 7 red states committed voter and election fraud. I pointed out it was the Republicans that filed the fake elector vote certificates, and I get a laughing emoji. I've concluded that a laughing emoji indicates they have no information for a response.
Indeed, it would help if we had more Representatives being vocal, being concise, with specifics that take issue with the faux facts being gurgitated by "the Party of No". By the way Debbie, you going to the APBA mtg in Orlando?
Well, there! I'd be more likely to go to an ASTA (American Sail Training Association) gathering, but thanks for your kind comment ~ I'm really grateful to your fellow Mainer (HCR) for her daily dispatches.
So is “journalist” Rupert Murdoch. Why is he never mentioned since he has a rat hole thru to Vlad. Ex Wendy Deng (Ivanka BFF) took up with Vlad after the divorce I read. shouldn’t some “probing journalist” look into that. A few facts might shine a little light on Rupert’s Russia love. Or it just might be a visceral hatred of Dems since he helped Reagan get elected. Only the shadow knows at this point.
I'm wondering if Homeland Security isn't looking in to Rupert's shit. He's naturalized, so they can strip his citizenship if he screws up. Personally, I think his media empire has collectively done more to contribute to our current situation than any one individual, even the late loser Limbaugh.
If he had a wagon he would be a snake oil salesman traveling from village to village selling elixirs that caused blindness. As long as he gets his money and brief moment in the sun, he will say anything, sell anything. He has no soul. He sold it. As I find his advertisers I add them to the bann. As he ages and can no longer do a days work he will become a full time politician.
Where does he think he’s going to take all of his wealth when he passes, which from the looks of him will be soon, not a penny will cross over with him, but his karma most certainly will, just like the imbecilic clown that we had for president I wouldn’t trade all of his wealth which will be useless on the other side, for the karma he will get to keep. I would call that a deal with the devil.
Isn't it sad that even here, tabloid "journalists" and their networks get name recognition for spewing out frank lies and outrageous theories under the guise of constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech. Since when was the constitution interpreted to include blatant falsehoods under freedom of speech? Rupert Murdoch condones this behavior and the best way to throttle the garbage that Fox spews out on a daily basis is to go after Murdoch with every tool within the law. Hit him where it hurts most; in the pocket book. Libel, slander, defamation of character, incitement of violence, things within both the civil and criminal realm of the law could tie him up in every jurisdiction in the country until he finally decides to broadcast verified news rather than the shlock that gets Fox such attention by its gullible followers.
I do not understand that Fox, in particular Carlson, is not named as a coconspirator in the attempt to destroy democracy in the US. Clearly he is in the pocket of Russian aggression against the democratic world at large.
Well, in spirit true, but in terms of libel, I'm guessing not so much. I mean, if he's SPECIFICALLY involved in 1/6/21, my guess is he'll come up soon in the Comission--much the way Sean Hannity did. But in terms of his general leanings, speech, etc? Nah. And think about the cast of characters ranging from Father Coughlin to Lyndon LaRouche to G. Gordon Liddy who've come before--all of them probably worse (although two of them DID go to jail. Hmmm...). My guess is that Carlson has been EXTREMELY careful with what he's said/not said and knows exactly what the boundaries are of what he can get away with.
Rupert knows how to walk that line, but he has overstepped ad nauseam in my view, for what that’s worth. I was subjected to Fox at friends house early on. They had it on 24/7, literally. I would comment about something being not true. Then I started to ask people “where did you hear that” as they repeated lies. Always from Fox. That was back when they didn’t rule the world. One could see the train a’coming.
Murdoch should have never been allowed citizenship here, nor allowed to buy into media markets here. I believe this happened on Reagan’s watch. All part of a multi decades effort to destroy efforts to create a representative democracy. It appears that the trump years have brought all these efforts into clearer view, having turned the rock over, allowing the light of day to shine on it all, and daring the rest of the country to try and thwart their efforts. Battle royale it is. We have a front row seat. Put your seatbelt on!
Unless Dems still think it’s a game. Quote from Jack Kemp at dinner to honor Rupert for work on behalf of Reagan, Jan 1981 “Rupert Murdoch used the editorial page, the front page, and every other page necessary to elect Ronald Reagan President.” And Reagan gave him carte Blanche. Bill Moyers told us, over and over. He was our Paul Revere, but too many had tuned in to the shinny bauble…
I believe that many Dems truly get the severity of the current situation. Will their clarion call be loud or convincing enough? Only time will be the judge of that. I wish that historians had more quickly sounded the alarm. For many, they remained at some distance from the fray, observing this train wreck. I remember when Jon Meacham, almost overnight, went from observer to alarmist. Our wonderful and insightful historians hold great ability to help us connect the dots in this movement to keep our fragile vision on track. I liken the idea, the vision of representative democracy, to a baby. You don’t just place it a crib with a bottle and expect it to raise itself. I suppose a garden would be another good analogy. That idea reminds me of the Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13…oh well…
Agree Nathan. I cringe even seeing Tuckems name mentioned. How dare he defy the President of the United States to curry favor with the likes of Putin. I imagine a dunce cap on his head anytime I hear his name or his blathering rhetoric.
For the life of me, I do not understand my contemporaries (and those a few years older) who served in the armed forces during the Cold War that are now lapping up the drivel that Faux Noise spews out like it is mother's milk. Do they not see what they are lapping up is what they fought for their careers?
A November NPR article on how the Murdochs are endorsing Carlson’s incendiary “journalism” and prime-timing other of the network's Trumpian “news” programs, leading true newscasters to resign in protest, made me cringe:
I believe Fox is bundled in with cable packages and needs high viewer ratings, so this kind of crap draws viewers. Thank you for this link. I will watch.🌹
The linked piece actually focuses on two other newscasters that NPR appears to consider conservative journalists. I agree with your reluctance regarding Wallace, but at least he did set a few records (and some of his Fox peers) straight, if only occasionally. Now even that is missing from that network.
Not “ALL”. Money is part of it no doubt, but there is an ideology mixed in, an elitism that is centuries old. He knew that he could bring his brand of journalism here, having bribed his way in, and be protected by the 1st Amendment. He was a known and fairly disliked entity in Australia and the UK.
Parents of one of the children who died at Sandy Hook School did that to Alex Jones. He’s still blowing out Crap in his Megaphone. Hope he’s on the list of the 1/6 Committee.
I want to know why Rupert Murdoch and kids want to destroy the US. They certainly can’t miss that’s what they’re doing. Zuckerberg is pure power, so at least his motivation is clear.
Greed and Power, I'd say. Rupert did say that when he called the PM of UK, he wanted him to answer the phone. Tony Blair at the time. Behind the scenes POWER
I suspect it’s the same ideology in which most Republicans are engaged. That the rich(powerful) are the ones who should rule(lord)over the rest of us. In the modern context, that sentiment is squarely at odds with Democracy, and often finds itself at odds with our Constitution, and subsequent amendments. I get the idea that anything short of a rewrite of the Constitution and many of our laws will not ultimately suffice for them.
Good news is that Emily’s List, the largest donor to Sinema, has said she will lose their support if she votes against the Voting Rights Bill. Would that Manchin had donors with a moral compass and not just keeping a failing industry alive.
I also think being from a backwater like West Virginia, he loves all the attention and being the decider. The fact that he and the Miss Lala Land from Arizona are standing in the way of the voting rights act and doing what needs to be done with the filibuster, just fries me. Yes, I know that the Rs are guilty too, but they have become the party of death.
Yes, a failing industry that has sickened or killed most of those West Virginians who work in the mines. He is getting his money at the cost of black-lung among his constituents.
Sinema is going to vote for the Voting Rights Bill. She knows it won't pass because of the fillibuster. She won't vote to make a carve out. So Emily's List (if that's what they said) will continue to support her.
I certainly hope not. Last night's NY Times article indicate Emily's list will withdraw their support if she doesn't support amending the filibuster so the bill can pass:
"One of the largest contributors to Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s political rise announced on Tuesday that it would cut off its financial support if the senator continues to refuse to change the Senate’s filibuster rules to allow for passage of far-reaching voting rights legislation."
As if there isn’t enough stomach-turning news, in Florida today:
From AP-“A Florida bill that would prohibit public schools and private businesses from making white people feel “discomfort” when they teach students or train employees about discrimination in the nation’s past received its first approval Tuesday.”🧐🤬
“Discomfort" is the code word Republicans are using in schools and workplaces in order to suppress decency and conscience. They want to mold a population that looks the other way and stays silent about violence and racism.
This on top of DeSantis' proposed an Office of Election Crimes and Security that would empower police to investigate elections and arrest people who are accused of violating election laws makes Florida look more and more like a fascist state.
It would seem that perhaps the 650,000 Jewish people living primarily in the southern areas of Florida might be especially sensitive to Repugnican's fascist bastardization of election laws, Eh!? This might be the great untapped astute equalizing voting power to force DeSantis and his ilk to their knees for reasons atypical from 'De Rigueur'
No, Carol. “Blacks” are used to not feeling comfortable apparently according to Gov DeSantis. “Whites” need a law to govern how they feel. I was not aware that people do not own their feelings.
Florida white folks are so fragile, so easily traumatized, so used to someone telling them they are special, so used to "easy" that we cannot even read a story to them from HCR's "To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party".
Like how John Wilkes Booth heard Lincoln's speech describing a slave free America with Black folks being treated as human, even (GASP) voting, and then killed him for that perspective.
Florida white folks are so weak, so fragile, that the truth might just shatter them.
The school district I work in the word they’re using is uncomfortable. We are not to teach anything that makes a student feel uncomfortable by associating with their heritage or race. White washing history.
I’m assuming when the parents complain that their child was exposed to something they don’t agree with. That’s how teachers ended up getting reprimanded before. I always wanted my kids to be smarter than me because they are going to take care of me one day.
Actually it comes down from the state. It’s written into the new rules for this year. But we’ve latched onto the word uncomfortable. Then we got even more changes a couple of weeks ago. Nine superintendents in our area in North Texas have put in their resignations. Most will be there until the end of the year. But if this new conservative christian school board were to select our superintendent there’s no telling what our district would look like!
Denise, resignations from that many superintendents is depressing, clearly opening the doors to hire senior leadership in the districts who will march to the party rules. I am so sorry.
What are they going to do when the children of color report being uncomfortable about the whitewashed history? Geez, Denise, I'm sorry you have to deal with this.
Our local school board is already reviewing complaints from Moms (not) For Liberty.
Especially concerning is our local Fl Repub Rep Is chair of K-12 appropriations committee. He is also the Rep who bullied/encouraged bullying of our school board member.
Unrelated but also happening in Florida, The Professions and Public Health Subcommittee already holding hearings -TODAY - about HB5/SB146 Reducing Fetal Infant Mortality AKA Camouflaged Abortion Ban With No Exceptions For Rape/Incest After 15 Weeks
Need an action item to work through that anger ?? Link below has committee members. It took me less an hour to email the group.
Have you ever seen the film King of Hearts, in which the inmates of an asylum take over a town in WWI when the townspeople flee enemy troops and leave the asylum doors unlocked?
"Last week, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), a Constitutional law professor and a member of the January 6 committee, said that the committee hearings, planned for later this year, will 'blow the roof off the House.'"
How I would love to be a fly on the wall behind this committee's closed doors! Even Romney, predicts that Raskin's prediction will prevail. Which brings me to a question which has been needling me: where has Romney been of late and why isn't he speaking up more these days? I was counting on him to be the renegade repug. Darn!
One certainly is right to think so, Rowshan. Especially since his life was saved when a Capitol police officer turned him away from the mob breaching the doors he was heading towards and directed him to safety. Is that not enough to speak up for Democracy?
Correct. Romney was trained at a Hedge fund that destroyed one small town after another by purchasing their local manufacturing plants, firing everyone, selling the technology to China, and dismantling the manufacturing plant.
Romney is an American Traitor for which "It's Money That Matters".
I keep wondering if these Republicans who aren’t in the former presidents camp, or their family members, are being threatened with physical violence. We already know of several instances of this on local levels, causing moderate Republicans to “retire” from their school boards, town Councils, etc.
I’ve been wondering the same thing about Romney. I thought he’d “grown some” or at least had an ethical epiphany somewhere along the way since Trump days. And one more thought: I wonder what would be happening at DOJ if Jamie Raskin were in the attorney general’s seat. Sparks would be flying out the door!
Romney is up for re-election in ‘24. Before he comes out on any issues he needs to see who way the UT political winds are blowing. Then he will take a highly principled stand. Just your basic politician.
Does anyone know what exactly is in the voting rights bills that would cause Romney to say they "weaken voter ID" or "weaken voter registration safeguards" or "uses federal funding for campaigns"? This is a real question. I don't see how you get those objections out of the language of the voting rights legislation.
It's all a part of Republicans claiming that the voting rights bills would be "federalizing" state elections. I've read and heard this several times now.
Romney gave a great speech yesterday calling Democrats hysterical and claiming the country already had voting rights protected by states. He sounded very stressed and hysterical himself.
Will Tucker Carlson and Fox still spew Russian propaganda if Putin orders an invasion of Ukraine? Will they change their tune when the world sees the mass slaughter of civilians and the destruction of a sovereign democratic nation? Count me as skeptical. Also, I'll be watching how the Putin fanboys among GOP Republicans in the Senate react. Perhaps they'll plan another Fourth of July trip to Moscow.
No, he'll continue to construe it as "the U.S. antagonized the Russians into doing this," which of course, is laughable. Make that contemptible. Traitorous? FC (his initials. Think about it) is an AINO: American In Name Only. He's Meta Father Coughlin...
Ouch. Father Coughlin broadcast anti-Semitic and fascist propaganda in the name of Social Justice. Glad we got to reclaim that one! Today we reclaim Patriot.
You're welcome, and thank you. Well, to be a bit more concise, my moniker wasn't about the specifics of his pursuits/ideology--probably Huey Long would've been a better comp in that regard. It more referred to his general tone, wrapping around something inherently bad (authoritarianism vs. anti-capitalism & antisemitism), especially his affinity for media/attention and using that platform to great effect, that he's not an elected official, and the fact he's become so popular. He's worse than Coughlin in the sense that he's actually an expert on politics, and not as flat-out loopy (but give him time, FC didn't really go off the rails until the 60s). I thought of him when I thought of FDR's assessment that FC was the second-most dangerous man in America (Long was first, McArthur 3rd).
*** Just laughingly realized I've created TWO "FCs." From henceforth, FC1 will be Coughlin; FC2 is *ucker Carlson, (for those that didn't pick that up)
Well Micheal..., so far Putin has ordered an invasion of Crimea, an integral part of the Ukraine and Putin also ordered an invasion of eastern Ukraine. Tucker Carlson is still spewing Russian propaganda. Why would he stop now? Incidentally, Putin ordered the poisoning of a former Prime Minister of Ukraine and also the poisoning of a critic of his residing in Britain. Tucker is still a fan boy. Putin was complicit in the downing of a Dutch passenger airliner. Tucker?? ... well tucker is still his greatest cheerleader. How can you even imagine Tucker is going to change/
I can't imagine Carlson will change. In my comment, I said I'm skeptical. Make that, he'll change when hell freezes over. He's on brand, which means taking the most controversial and outrageous right-wing stances that he can get away with. I believe Carlson wants authoritarian right-wing rule here and thus works to promote Putin, Viktor Orbán, and others of their ilk.
I'm a child of the Cold War who experienced the Cuban Missile Crisis up close in Central Florida at an impressionable age. Until convinced otherwise, I presume every Russian government leader to be vile, duplicitous, power-hungry creatures without a shred of human decency. Just like their pals in the U.S., including Carlson, Murdoch, and Trump, as well as a good number members of Republicans in Congress.
Since white Americans are at best indifferent to preserving democracy in their own country (if it mattered to them, they would insist that Republicans, who represent almost exclusively white Americans, pass a bill to protect voting rights), it is naïve to imagine that white Americans will change their tune when Russia marches into Ukraine. White Americans are marching with the likes of Tucker Carlson, and he’s marching with Putin and other autocrats of eastern Europe.
Many years ago, I remember when Russian athletes and performing artists were closely watched by their accompanying government "chaperones" lest they try to "defect" (escape) a totalitarian regime to the prosperity of a democracy where people were generally well off, well housed, well fed, enjoyed freedom of press, and were free from fear. Fast forward to the present and you don't hear much about defections to the U.S. from countries run by dictators and "political parties" that persecute and terrorize their opposition-- parties that are little more than gangs run by families in power. Paradoxically, Russia happens to a destination to flee from being imprisoned in America if you are a whistle blower or publisher that reports government malfeasance and war crimes. We may be less of a destination of choice since we transitioned toward becoming increasingly like the totalitarian regimes people once tried to flee from. If that change is not a case of Russia becoming any better, it is because our government, two parties, and our ruling class has guided this nation into becoming much worse.
I can't help but imagine the kinds of positive work that we would be reading about right now and what exciting things an ethical government that seriously practiced providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare would be doing right now. I doubt it would be consuming itself and us in the spectacles that we are reading about here.
As a white American, I resent your tarring all white Americans as indifferent to preserving democracy in the U.S. Just because Republicans are almost exclusively white Americans doesn't mean that there aren't millions of white Americans who are concerned about and fighting to preserve democracy. It wasn't exclusively People of Color who elected Biden. Hundreds of thousands of the white Americans you claim are indifferent are messaging their Senators to pass the voting rights act and are supporting in many ways Americans - both white and non-white - who are standing for election against Republican candidates at all levels of government.
I was in Turkey, in a NATO billet in 2014, when Russia invaded Crimea (how badly did I want to go 300 miles north and kick a bully's @ss? REALLY badly. It sucked). Shortly after, I posited to my boss (Corps G2) that if Russia wanted to invade Ukraine proper, they would probably just move by rail and road through Belarus--unannounced; similar to what Hitler did in Belgium--only much faster. (I drew this on a map, which was observed and promptly stolen by our higher HQS; released as an intel forecast 3 weeks later. Good times!!) The reason is pretty basic--it positions them much closer, and with high-speed avenues of approach to Kiev. They won't want to get bogged down, take casualties and have this take days/look bad--they'll want to quickly get to Kiev, force the government to flee and take over--overnight, if possible. They don't want this to look like even Eastern Ukraine--they'll want something that eliminates the Ukraine government as quickly as possible, then they'll deal with the rest. Before that, they'll try to do the paratrooper/little green men thing to some degree (that would be a lot harder to do here than it was in Afghanistan and Crimea). If Russia launches a large military exercise in the coming 90 days, GET READY (they typically use such things to "boil the frog" by getting troops moving and then blend into actual operations).
I hated when President Obama openly declared, after the invasion, that the U.S. wouldn't use force (old maxim: never tell an enemy what you WON'T do. Frankly, if Ukraine even slightly trusts NATO still, it's a miracle of faith, TBH); on the surface, it might appear Biden is doing the same here, but I detect a difference. First, I've seen no mention of ruling-out such a thing (or any means of retaliation. I suspect we've at least one OTHER in mind), and second Putin actually did Crimea and...it really hurt economically; we know it. So the threat of sanctions--esp. ones that eject them from SWIFT, et al, do have meaning (although not as much as we tend to think. Russian leaders don't mind inflicting pain on their own people--in fact, they often use it to embolden the populace/further vilify external foes). Hard to know what Putin's long game is here--or if he really has one. But, NATO partners are (so far) FAR better this time around in anticipating and messaging something stronger than, oh, Merkle's infamously spineless/oblivious comments about the Baltic states or other countless examples of ally fecklessness during one Putin's countless gas shut-off threats. Biden's (and NATO have) done seemingly (I'm not plugged-in now--can't say for sure) much better this time around. We shall see...
Yeah, this is pretty good, thanks. About 1 para into it I wondered, "Oh, he's got to bring up the Kievan Rus-Made-Russia Myth...bingo!" I'd add a couple small complications that would make invasion horrendous for Russia: invading Eastern Ukraine, heavily pro-Russian (although NOT mostly ethnic-Russian (Crimea was, not the rest)--the maintream media annoyingly failed to fact-check that one for weeks as well), is one thing. Invading all of Ukraine (nearly the size of Texas), esp its western half that is strongly ANTI-Russian is a whole different, spicy bowl of borscht. It doesn't mean Putin's not dumb enough to try (Wait! I thought Putin was a purely Machiavellian genius? No, he's not. He's not a stupid man, but he can be amazingly short-sighted as well)...so, we shall see. One other thought: as the author alluded to, in order to invade in '14, Russia big-time robbed Peter-to-pay-Paul w/its military (the media was oblivious--"The Russian Army's fearsome again!"). Units were crunched together (usually, two used to plus up one) to achieve the "cherry," better-than-it-looked bullying--er, I mean, INVASION force. While they ARE in better shape now (they've been modernizing, effectively and ineffectively, for 20 years now), they would STILL have to do the same thing again (they are now, trust me. Those 100k didn't come out of the woodwork) to pull this off. This undoubtedly weakens them in their even BIGGER paranoia-driven Prime Directive: defending Russia's impossibly expansive borders (it is primal for them--going back to Napoleon and before. SO many of their military exercises are about moving planes, boats and people thousands of miles to defend places like the freakin' Lyakhovsky Islands). If I were President Biden, I'd've been unable to contain myself and probably said, with mocking concern, "Vlad, I'm concerned for Russia's safety in that, if it invades Ukraine, it will SO strategically vulnerable to outside forces--what can I do to help?" <wink>.
Thank you. Probably more history between Ukraine and Russia that we don't get but a clear and present picture of the danger these two countries have involved this country and other European democracies in.
I think Putin’s hard game is overtaking the world’s nations. He was behind Brexit, infiltrated our government by getting his hacks to manipulate social media, as well as encouraging voters to go with TFG. Now he is trying to create chaos over Ukraine. He’s a big bully…like a steam engine, he mows everything or everyone down who tries to defy him. Tuck is his American mouthpiece on national “news” because TFG lost his place on Twitter and television.
I do hope that Biden and NATO follow through with their sanction threats. They will hurt innocent people but it would be a an effective tool to help tie Putin’s hands.
It's not overtaking--he has no such delusions on a world scale. It's weakening the linkages between western nations & institutions, and using our strengths (deliberation, consensus-to-make-decision, need for public backing) against us so that we are no longer in a position to impede his actions/path. He's not looking for world domination, he just wants a world in which liberal, democratic norms that he sees as weak/ineffective can't limit his will to do what he thinks is best.
Robert Teague, I believe you’ve analyzed this best. Putin wants to resurrect the former Russian-controlled satellite states and delink them from western influence. He’s playing a real world game of RISK and we are in a weaken position to do anything about it. Our internal discord and polarization is aided and abetted by Russian disinformation towards this end. Putin knows to agitate certain social buttons (race especially) to achieve weakness in us. (Poke old wounds. Flame embers of enduring resentments.) My worry is that he will obviously invade Ukraine (through Belarus would be the most logical) and we will sit wagging our finger, but ultimately not care. Or we send troops and poor Ukraine becomes the slaughter ground. But after our Middle East war debacles, I cannot imagine the stomach to send troops no matter what Russia does “over there”.
Well, stealing is a well-known thing in the military, because the truth is, few ideas are original anyway--and we don't copyright.make money off it. It was a NATO organization, actually, but yes, it was an American who "borrowed" it. I laughed actually. When they published it, weeks later, I took it to my boss and said, "Hey, does this look familiar?" He looked and said,"This was what you showed me on that map!" We just laughed. That HQs was starved for creative thinking--glad I could be of help. LOL.
Good attitude and approach to staying positive. I cannot say I feel/felt the same way when I outlined some technology idea to my boss that took synthesis of years of education and cross platform technology and his (always a his) response was, even though the thought had never and could never cross his mind:
"THAT IS WHERE I WAS HEADED ALL ALONG".
But, killing is illegal so, I managed to stay out of jail for 30 of my 40 years. For 10 years I endured BEING the manager so I could say: "Dang GREAT IDEA, that would never have crossed my mind."
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S ‘LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL’
“We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom.” (1963)
Quotes:
-We have waited for (340) now it is 399 years for our constitutional and God-given rights-
-the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that “an unjust law is no law at all"-
-Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust-
-I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens’ Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection -
-Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be coworkers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation -
-freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed-
-privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily- Link to the Letter below.
'MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S ‘LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL’ was written in 1963. It is 2022, take a look at us now.
'Income inequality in the U.S. is the highest of all the G7 nations, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development' (Pew)
"but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection"
Thanks Fern. I have this copied for posterity. Absolutely brilliant and accurage quote applicable to Rochester, NY TODAY.
The good is often the enemy of the best. Thanks for being God's coworker, Fern. What the moderate Republicans and Democrats fail to realize is that they are accepting the worst of both worlds. Silence/inaction is tacit agreement with the antidemocratic push currently underway. "Lukewarm" agreement will not earn them a place in Trump's world, only full throated support. Inaction will at best result in others being able to label them as they please, and at worst cost careers and lives. History will not be kind to these people. Neither will the present.
Manchin has already come out tonight and said he's not in favor of the talking filibuster f or this, even after being in favor or such a reform before. The man is not dealing in good faith. He's a Republican in all but name, and he won't do that because then he'd just be #51, instead of Da Man. Can't live with him, can't afford for him to be guest of honor at a single-fatality houseboat sinking.
Today, Manchin said “the government” will have people’s backs for their right to vote! Really?!? What government? The state governments that are passing dozens of laws that make it harder to vote? Then he mentioned that Marc Elias has all of this covered with plenty of lawsuits. Bottom line: He is actually saying that the voting rights legislation isn’t needed and he is abdicating his responsibility to Marc Elias. His statements today were the death knell for voting rights. He’s a duplicitous shill.
Manchin and Sinema both are snakes. They really need to move over to republican quarters. They are pariahs in their party at the moment. I hope they feel the gavel slamming in the end of their careers.
This is what I cling to, ¨ “This is the most bipartisan committee I’ve ever been on, with a great Democratic chair and a great Republican vice chair and what I see is constitutional patriots working every single day and every single evening to get the truth out to the American people before it’s too late,” Raskin said.¨
And news dropped this morning that the AG of NY is about to lay some very serious indictments against the Trump Organization for fraud and tax evasion because they have good evidence of both. So that is going to be an interesting event when it happens. Guilfoyle is now engaged to Trumpette, probably in order to prevent her from being compelled to testify against him. But that doesn't protect his daddy.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said that former President Donald J. Trump's family organization used "fraudulent or misleading" asset valuations to obtain economic benefits, including loans, insurance coverage, and tax deductions.
James also took legal action to compel Trump and his children Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump to appear for sworn testimony.
The other positive about state crimes versus federal, is that presidential pardons do not extend to state crimes so, from that perspective, it doesn’t matter who wins in ‘24.
Being engaged doesn't protect Jr either. So they better hurry up...but I don't think Congress is under that rule at all. Guilfoyle is guilty herself re the election, (she wasn't just a witness) and they were not the only witnesses to their part. It all depends on how deep is her love for him, if she can buy herself a lighter sentence. She wasn't in his life before Trump was in the Whitehouse so she is no help on the financial shenanigans. Of course she is always free to talk what she knows, if she chooses, even if married.
Just heard a Republican senator from Texas speak out against Carlson. But the purpose, dividing our country, is working and to prevent Putin from invading Ukraine we need to be united.
"Tucker Carlson is echoing Russian propaganda, suggesting that the U.S. is the aggressor against Russia rather than that Russia is moving against Ukraine without provocation. He appears to be taking a stand against the U.S. president, who is standing with NATO and our traditional democratic allies, and instead standing with Russia much as Trump did."
OK, now, does that not mean that it is Tucker Carlson who is a "Communist"?
Does this not mean that, here in America where being an old syle Stalinist Communist one can get you arrested, that Carlson should be arrested?
Is not openly supporting Russia on a progapaganda platform illegal? Is that not treason?
I am in full support of free speech but, is Tucker Carlson's support for an open, blatant, sworn enemy of the United States not just simple, straightforward, arrest him NOW....
Nope. He would have to be levying a war with them against our country and/or give aid and comfort to our countries enemies. So while he’s enjoying the privileges and benefits of a free country. Those in Belarus who are protesting are being sentenced to prison for 18-20 years. Talk is not cheap anymore.And the less ethics, good character , integrity you have it pays real good.
I don't know if he can be arrested, but surely the FBI is investigating him? What does puzzle me though is that when he uses his platform to openly ADVOCATE for a foreign government and its actions and policies, doesn't that make him a "foreign agent"? As such, doesn't he need to register?
Many years ago there used to be what was called the “Red Phone”. It was a direct line to the White House and not sure what beyond that ? It was a very secure landline. Most former Presidents didn’t want it. H.W.Bush did. Now let’s say I have a Rally and I say things like “ I really love Putin, he’s a great guy. A very, very strong President ! “That is protected Free Speech. I know that he didn’t want his personal phone secure as president. Not sure what they ended up doing ? He has Secret Service guarding him for life.Not being president he can’t help the way they would want him to. I know he says some crazy stuff . But I don’t recall him advocating for anyone other than the Republicans . Well the ones he’s not kicking to the curb.
Sharing my letter sent today to The Daily podcast team at the New York Times:The focus of today's podcast on voting rights was important, but the approach of making it about a failure of the President instead of about a convention (the current approach to the filibuster) that easily enables obstruction was lazy. Why not use the time allotted to the podcast to debunk the myths that will be trotted out during Republican speeches as the bill is brought to a vote? This piece from the Brennan Center could have served as a road map for that discussion: Debunking False Claims About the John Lewis Voting Rights Act | Brennan Center for Justice
In Iowa, Senator Grassley has claimed the bill is unconstitutional, so many Iowans will be predisposed to believe the Republican party saved them from injustice by blocking the bill. The Times (and The Daily) should be shedding light on such false claims instead of making out the upcoming vote as a "win" by Minority Leader McConnell. In accepting the Iowa Author Award in November 2021, Nikole Hannah-Jones remarked that she believes Americans will look back fifty years from now and find the press contributed to the decline of democracy. Your podcast similarly mentioned looking back, but failed to place blame where it belongs. Press concession to the false narrative that Mitch McConnell is some sort of master strategist who has outwitted the President and the democratic party contributes to the demise of democracy.
Amen to that and that and that! It’s not Joe Biden who is in trouble, it is our country. As for Grassley’s claim, put up some billboards that quote the Constitution Article 1 Section 4.
Yesterday Mitch McConnell got on the airwaves to characterize (with indignation) the Democrats’ push to pass voting rights legislation as “a unilateral power grab”, and in doing so he got wide airplay. Whether they’re the underdog or the party in power, the Republicans in Congress will always have someone in front of a microphone announcing what greedy, unpatriotic, power-hungry characters the Democrats are. The Democrats, most of whom seem to be doing all the heavy lifting of democracy, write out statements explaining their procedures, and simply don’t have anyone standing at the megaphones the way the Republicans do. It can certainly be argued that the Republicans spend most of their time at the megaphones, rather than doing the work of governing, but my point is that their loud voices capture attention and spread their talking points, regardless of how fair or accurate those points are. Knife to gunfight partly describes it, but it’s something more, I believe; it’s how disinformation starts and spreads, how lies gain acceptance as truth. Newt Gingrich did it every day in the Clinton administration, and proved how destructive a simple sound bite or two can be. I’d love it if the Democrats had some more vocal representatives to counter the disingenuous lying that has become Republican second nature. (It doesn’t help when all the media — mainstream and not — echoes the lies, and characterizes the Democrats as “struggling”, “crumbling”, etc., rather than reporting on the careful work they are doing to recovery small-d democracy.)
Democrats bend over backwards to be reasonable. Did you ever try to reason with a child in full tantrum? The republicans have taken political tantrums to a new level - but unlike children who are caught in a storm of emotion they don’t understand, republicans know exactly what they are doing and in fact get pleasure out of their own outrageous theatrical tantrum displays. And the media eats it up! Shameless, theatrical predators!!
The Beltway Media stand as stenographers, never questioning the historic or moral roots of Republican intransigence. Thank goodness we have Heather and Charlie Pierce and a few others I call the "insurgents in the hills" to carry on the battle for responsible journalism.
And yes, the Democrats REALLY need to get down in the mud with the Republikkkans and show them for the filth they are.
In 2004, a Bush II staffer now believed to be Karl Rove told journalist Ron Suskind, "We make our own reality now, and you just report it." Seems it was a more accurate prediction than I originally believed.
That explains how they pick QOP presidents now. “Central casting…”
😂 👍
I understand that Reagan’s folks met every morning to determine what actor Reagan’s script would be for the day. One day Reagan got muddled when he read the wrong cue cards in a meeting with auto executives.They seem puzzled. But hey, this was Reagan. Trump didn’t use cue cards. Probably because they would expose him to ‘false facts.’
and Jennifer Rubin at WaPo: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/01/18/dear-media-stop-giving-republicans-benefit-doubt/
Excellent! Last lines: “The media are compelled to level with voters: The two parties are not equivalent, in part because one treats its crackpot leader like a messiah. Unfortunately, there are no signs the media are ready for such candor.” Truth is so far down on the list of what some voters value.
Remember how long it took for the media to actually state that Trump was telling lies.
terrific column!
I agree with almost all of what you say. I just respectfully want to suggest that there is a certain energy that happens when we name-call our opponents (e.g. filth that they are) that is not the most effective in making change happen. We can powerfully describe their actions (e.g. make clear the filthy lies that they are promoting). But if we want to call on any version of non-physical energy (God/Spirit/Universe/Atman/Buddha etc) to support our efforts we would do well to heed Dr. King's "Hate cannot overcome hate; only love can do that." He's not talking about sentimental love that depends on how lovable we find the other, but rather on joining forces with the power of agape love to support our efforts. Here's a nine-minute message from Dr. King on "Love your enemies." Not the easiest "commandment" to follow; Dr. King makes it seem not only important but essential to effect lasting change. https://youtu.be/6Fs8vSsJg-A
Wonderful. Thank you.
Excellent video.
At least get in front of microphone and be as forthright as Liz Cheney about Republican lies.
Now just what is getting down in the mud with the Republicans going to show ? That the Dems are on the same level? Doesn't sound like good strategy to me. Yes, we all need to make sure that Republicans are called out loudly, but please, let's not be what they are.
I think the Administration would do well to put on the payroll an expert in messaging and public speaking. Regardless of expertise in whatever cabinet role he or she might have, in my view, there are only two right now who almost always seem to hit the mark: Jan Psaki (who occasionally steps in it) and Pete Buttigieg. They seem to have the right skills and the ability to speak succinctly in words that the average person can understand AND the right delivery (which sounds assured and confident and NOT whiny, disparaging, or apologetic.) Hand wringing and high-pitched anxious voices do not transmit well.
Agree. The administration also needs a large enough budget to retain an outside firm that specializes in developing bold and broad messaging campaigns. Democratic leaders in the Senate and House need to do the same thing as well. I admire Nancy Pelosi, not so much Chuck Schumer. Both aren't exactly exciting spokespeople. There's a stable of younger more exciting and articulate members. At the party's grassroots level, the DNC appears to suffer from less-than-dynamic leadership, as it has for years now. It's a shame that Stacy Abrams wasn't enticed to run the DNC, though her desire to run for Georgia governor again is understandable.
I would think that the DNC would be providing this service.
Yes. And more than one voice, I think.
Agree, but by and large the Democrats do a terrible job of explaining their goals and accomplishments. The Republicans stay on message with the same easy-to-understand talking points, which these days tend to be despicable lies but breakthrough all the noise.
I am going to repeat something that Heather talks about frequently: So, what are you doing about it? The action verb, not the easy words online.
Well I'm doing my best right now by posting Prof. Heather's newsletter daily on FB and Twitter. And I'm developing a project of 30 second interviews with folks who are benefitting from Democratic policies or would if we could get them passed, to post on my youtube channel and then promote on FB and Twitter - and Tik Tok when I learn how to go where the young folks go! I'd love to hear more about what you are doing (PacNW?). Thanks!
Fantastic, Chaplain Terry! I love your idea of the 30 second interviews. I've been living in Vermont for a couple decades, but from PacNW and keep active ties with Oregon and WA, follow politics there. Here in VT, I'm active with the Dem party, somehow got on both county and state executive committees. I ask hard questions, and people are responding!. One of our people also talked about doing interviews- I'll pass your letter on for ideas on approach. I really like yours. If my energy holds, I want to start talking to people door to door (I live in a village), get people excited about this years elections, let them know how they can help in small ways (soon as the snow lets up- we got lots).
I'll probably take over the newsletter here too, and am going to take it beyond email to other venues. Also write short articles and get away from the stiff overlong press releases. Writing and organizing are things that I can do within my energy limits, and fortunately they are things needed here.
Thanks for taking my question seriously. I'd love to see lots of people here talk about the things they are doing.
Even small simple actions, like writing our reps in support of something they are doing, can make a difference.
I'm not sure the Democrats need to get down in the mud, but they do need to take control of the messaging, and make it loud and clear. Biden's January 6 speech was a good one; we need more of him doing this, and certainly many more other measured and thoughtful voices not just calling out lies, but asserting the direction and import of Democratic initiatives.
charlie pierce? please send links love heather but presently only one I see with factual historical comparisons to current events
Look at the Esquire magazine site and click on "politics." Bloggers are Charles Pierce and Jack Holmes, both excellent writers.
I always mute Mitch as I can no longer stand the nonsense that comes out of his mouth and the mouth of every greedy, unpatriotic, power-hungry R. As for the media if I see the struggling headline, I don't read it.
Closer to home we have an issue with Nick Kristoff who wants to run for Oregon governor and the secretary of state has ruled against him on the residency issue. The Oregon Constitution says three years residency. Although he is from Oregon and has owned property here, he voted in NY, had a NY driver's license, etc. He has appealed her decision (made by her and her election team) to the Oregon Supreme Court. Instead of just appealing and leaving it at that, he has made some unfortunate statements which has made him sound entitled. So locally the threads are busy with that. I have no idea how the court will rule, but either way, it won't be a blow to democracy like the voting rights problem described here.
The news last night said that Russia could invade Ukraine at any moment. I hope that does not happen, but I fear that it will.
Finally, kudos to the January 6th committee in the their pursuit of the truth on what happened on January 6th.
The entire idea of Kristoff running for governor strikes me as bizarre. I wonder what (or who) is behind it.
That I don't know. The thread I was on was about whether he should be allowed to run or not. A person started it by comparing him to the tennis player who had to leave Australia. I noted that Kristoff was acting like an entitled asshat. Shame on me as I got tasked by someone later for making that "juvenile" observation. This poster happens to be the son of someone famous and has a rather prestigious resume himself. I didn't know him from Adam. I said I was worried about the precedent if the court rules in Kristoff's favor. He said the law applies to everyone no matter their party. I wanted to laugh at that one. I did tell him in the end that I thought what we are discussing on this thread is much more a threat to democracy than rather or not Kristoff is allowed to run. He ended by liking that comment. I have no idea of what the court will decide and if Kristoff is allowed to run and is the D in the general, I will vote for him Perish the idea of Betsy Johnson or some crazy down the rabbit hole R.
The "tennis player" who was NOT vaccinated had no business traveling to another country - much less doing so intentionally unvaccinated! No matter how famous or entitled he is! That whole mess was unnecessary.
Oh, I agree. I am very tired of the unvaccinated, famous and not famous.
Me too Michele. The profound unabashed displays of ignorance from a people, in spite of having grown up in the relative safety of a country with a functioning government "by the people.., for the people" and with the premiss "all men are created equal".!
You've hit that nail squarely on the head. Kristof is an entitled asshat.
Thank you. That makes me feel better because I was told it was juvenile and not productive. I spend my career with juveniles and never heard them use that term. The favored female pejoratives and Anglo Saxon terms. Never have heard that from the middle schoolers going by either. They like biased slurs and those Anglo Saxons words.
Kristoff is a passionate believer in Democracy and a brilliant commentator and writer. Sad that he is taking this "entitled" position regarding his qualifications to run. That said, were those who decided against him republicans trying to thwart a popular, articulate and passionate candidate?
No. The Republicans in Oregon have a multitude of problems. Repubs likely would welcome a Dem who could ball up the governor's race. Dems don't support Kristoff, in general, so I wouldn't call him exactly popular. These are the people who've worked hard under difficult situations for years to keep Oregon functioning on an even keel. Where was Kristoff all that time? Playing farmer where Oregon is concerned- certainly not living there. The people who made the ultimate decision against him were the Justices on the Oregon Supreme Court, whose ruling is based solidly on the provisions of the Oregon Constitution. Kristoff doesn't come close to meeting its requirements to be on the ballot for governor. The only one complaining about it is Kristoff.
I don't happen to think he is all that "insightful", nor brilliant. He is copycatting people who are. If he cared about what has been going on in Oregon, there were lots of ways he could have used his passion to help. He didn't. A friend of mine who was been considering running for gov (someone I admire both personally and politically) told me he wasn't worried about Kristoff. (This in a rather dry tone of voice.)
I, PacNW expat, still follow things there closely. I think I might have a pretty good idea who the next gov will be. And that was before Kristoff deciding he was god. He is just a disraction and trying hard to stay one. No doubt for the future. He should look back at the history of Oregon's leadership. He might change his mind.
Thanks for clarifying, Annie. I have long admired Kristoff's writing and didn't understand the specifics of his run for Governor. Sad to get these important facts from you, but grateful.
Interesting observations. I agree that the Rs here have a multitude of problems, namely that they are following death star donny and his minions. They certainly would love some kind of distraction on the D side. The Oregon Supreme Court as far as I know, unless they made the decision today, has not ruled on his appeal. The secretary of state's office told him he did not meet the requirement. The decision will be soon because ballots have to be printed. I will check the news after i write this to see if there is actually a decision. I agree that lots of people have tried to keep things running here under difficult situations. Kate Brown would have liked to work on different things, but had to make the hard decisions for the pandemic. I think she has done a good job under the circumstances. She is truly hated by many...lots of f...Kate Brown signs around. We have some progressives who do not understand the hard work many people here in Marion County, for example, have put in. They have been busy dissing Biden instead of mentioning the things he has been able to achieve. I have no idea who the next governor will be. I am not even sure who all is running on the D side at this point. Some research to do. Thanks for your perspective.
I so agree with you, Michele. I miss Oregon so very much and would love to move back, at least to the NW. Though I'm pretty entrenched in Vermont now, I still have close friends and family in OR and WA- and then there is the sheer beauty of the place.
BTW, I just checked news and you're right: I'd misread trying to catch up after a couple weeks of insanity here: Back-to-back blizzards with ice gluing them together, digging car out every 6 inches or so, and then having to reschedule appts because sneaky over-night ice storm glued my car shut. Geez. Plus relatives having to postpone urgent surgery because UNVACCINATED people are filling all the beds in hospitals. <mild curse>
Thanks for your comment about my perspective. It's shot about now due to lack of organization in the local political party I am (trying) to work with. It is a matter of old hands used to old ways and new hands desperate to get moving to build an effective organization but not familiar with the skills we need to use. This is not age-related. It's a matter of human beings having different perspectives.
The good news is that in between blizzards I did manage to stop by the Humane Society for a dog fix. And left with a dog. That was not planned; my little dog died recently and I didn't think I was ready. But she is perfect. She picked me, but if I were to make a list of the things I would look for, she is all of them. And I am the right person for her, because she has partially expressed albinism with light-sensitive eyes, and so do I. They thought she didn't want to go out because of the snow (Texas dog). I learned that she loves the snow, but can't see because of the glare. Just like me: I have to wear enclosed sunglasses. I have doggy goggles on order for her, and in the meantime we go out early in the morning and in the evening. What a delight to offset some of the uncertainty we all are experiencing.
He should have just said he was appealing and left it at that. And his comments since then have been entitled, no quotes. The sec of state is a D. I don't know about her election staff. I don't see this as a partisan decision, but rather adhering to the words of the Oregon Constitution in a literal manner, knowing that it would go to court. The court can then rule on what residency means. I have no problems with his views and will vote for him if he is the candidate. One person on the thread was a journalist who interviewed him for a length of time and got nothing specific. Several were attorneys who did not speak as one voice. I would say that most, if not all, of the posters were Ds leaning to the progressive side. Perhaps if the court rules against him, he can run at another time or another office at some point.
Kristof has many qualities. I've read his work for years. But I question his planning skills. To run for governor he should have moved back to Oregon several years ago, established his residency, and built a foundation for his candidacy. I doubt he gets on the ballot. If he does, he will lose in the primary.
Yes, he should have read the Constitutional requirement in terms of residency. I am about to check the news if the court has made a decision.
Doubt it. He's sure been busy digging his hole deeper. That sort of thing goes over better with reactionary Repubs than progressive anythings.
The thread I was one had people who were both for and against Kristoff and as I noted, were probably all Ds on the progressive side. We will have to see what happens and if he alienates enough people. If he happens to be the D candidate, I will have to vote for him, but not in the primary.
His ego. The people I know are not worried about him. He is just a moment of levity.
That's what we said about trump. And that's what was said about hitler.
Nick Kristoff is hardly trump or hitler. He may not win, but I think he’s a serious candidate with knowledge of the issues and actual policy goals. Have you ever read one of his columns?
He needs to be more specific in terms of what he would do as governor. Right now he is coming off as a crybaby because things have not gone his way...that may change. But we and he will have to wait for the court's decision. They will have to decide what residency entails.
No. I haven't. But I was responding to the sentence, "He is just a moment of levity." Evidently, being a moment of levity doesn't mean the individual won't get elected.
The thread I was one was rather impassioned with several people who are attorneys weighting in. The pros want someone fresh who is not part of the state Ds. Goldschmidt and Kitzhaber even made an appearance even though both are old news.
Someone needs to sit down with Joe and Kyrsten and ask them to envision what Mitch McCannot would do if he were MajLdr. It doesn't take much imagination. When it was needed to overcome objections to court packing, Mitch simply changed the rules. of COURSE he's being a two-faced hypocrite, now. What would you expect from past behavior? Calling him out just gives him air time.
While I tend to agree that the Dems should be seeking bipartisanship, that assumes that the other party is acting in good faith and is doing their job. That assumption, IMO, is misplaced when the debate is public. The face save for the recalcitrant Senators is for them to support the old-style speaking filibuster in this case only, suspending the short-cut filibuster. The rules were changed back in the day to make legislation move more smoothly. Instead, it's been used to enforce minority (of the Senate!!) rules.
I don't want to hear, again and again, how democracy is at stake, how voters are being disenfranchised, how it's all the fault of the former President. That starts to sound like blah blah blah blah blah after only a short while, and it's been going on for months. If he can't get Joe and Kyrsten to change, then Chuck should call the Senate into a closed session (turn off CSPAN), call all Senators into the chamber, take away their cell phones, and have an open conversation about the future of the country, invoke the Chatham House rule. Every Senator should be allowed to speak for maybe 5 minutes, without fear of the soundbite but also without typical Parliamentary games. Then, take ANONYMOUS votes on the parts of the bills to see if there's support for compromise without public scrutiny or on-the-record voting. Then work to pass the things that are agreed on, and table the things that aren't. At the very least, that'd be a hard core bipartisanship play without everyone trying to score political points in the media.
They probably have a slew of even more arcane "rules" that would prevent this, but I LIKE the way you think. Perhaps you could email this post to Schumer himself? He seems to need some fresh ideas. (Someone should tell him that "mark my words" needs to be stricken from his notes. The minute he says this, my mind shuts down.)
Thanks. I'll see what I can do :-)
Yaa ya, but NumNutz would rather experience the "healing effect" he gets from Ms White's bra size.
Which Republican Senators would show up at such a closed session? Maybe Romney, Murchowski and Collins. Who else? Now if McConnell endorsed such a closed session, it might work. Otherwise, don't think so.
There must be a way to force it--all Senators had to be planted in their seats for the impeachments. Penalty of censure, perhaps? I dunno. There are also ways to lock cell phones up and maintain privacy--they can get guidance from the Jan 6 House committee if they need help on plugging leaks :-). If the rules were released publicly, then there's a chance that McCannot would be hard pressed to object. He does back down on occasion.
"Back down"....? I agree. But, very selectively, so as not to offend and be punished by U NO HU.
Exactly! However, if McDik failed to inform NumNutz.., Elaine would get pulled over for DUI and jailed. McDik would be castrated, and sent to the loonie bin, and replaced by faithful Kevin...until he misbehaved. And, anyone naive enuf to think attending ANY such meeting would not have serious consequences...is.. well...(this story does not end well).
I think that if McConnell majority leader, Manchin would officially change parties.
Jonathan, the moment he found out back-door..., these guys would be history but not before being punished. And 'HE' would find out. It's a noble idea, but this bunch would cave and be used as 'tools' to suck out other potential 'mutineers'. DT would probably win again, and we sure don't want that.
Yeah. I don't buy 45 as omnipotent or even potent. Frankly, I think we should all register as Republicans. And vote Democrat (or more appropriately for the less insane candidate). The only control we have over the process is in the primaries (sadly), and gerrymandering is computed by party affiliation, not actual votes. If the ones who draw boundaries lack data on how the group inside the lines is gonna vote, then it becomes a pointless exercise.
great idea- oops- takes a president with some backbone and I don't think Joe has it.
It's an Article I issue, not Article II. POTUS can bully pulpit it, but (gulp!) it's up to Chuck (and maybe Joe/Kyrsten). If McCannot really had balls, he would've blindsided 45 with a real impeachment vote, and we'd be on the other side of this. Sadly that wasn't the case. If I were Chuck, I'd point that out, and give him (MinLdr) a chance to share in the credit while being able to avoid the blame (classic political value proposition).
Kay.., I think Biden has backbone. Only he knows what his limitations are in these unprecedented times. I refuse to join the choir calling Joe the worst president ever. 'Joe' is the best hand we've got, so we need to send the message that we are going to kick their mutherfooken azz..., nuthin less!! Bang!
Exactly. Biden speech on January 6 was a great example of this, standing up to the lies and was a powerful soundbite for progress being made. Democrats need to be smarter and realize they need to control the narrative and not just work hard, keep their heads down, and hope we all notice.
I will ask that they still work hard. But acquire better communication skills.
And got called "unpresidential" by McConnell. Guess Republicans can't take the truth.
Listened to his press conference this afternoon. I think he touched openly and honestly on these questions. Looking forward to more. And to Heather's letter tomorrow.
I watched all of it, too. I thought he did a great job. He inherited a disastrous America.
It's no secret that Vladimir Putin wants to establish hegemony over what was once the USSR and it's no secret that the House Select Committee will ultimately place the blame for the January 6 attack on the Capitol where it belongs, on the defeated former President. But these issues should not deter Democrats from focusing on the November elections! In view of the imminent defeat of their voting rights legislation, HCR reports points out that they will break it up into individual pieces, forcing senators to take positions against the various pieces of the law, generally popular with the people. Every word spoken by Senators Ron Johnson and Marco Rubio, who are running for re-election and who will certainly vote against voter rights legislation, should be vehemently thrown back at them repeatedly, every day, from now until Election Day. Right now, these two seats, and successfully defending Democratic seats which will be contested, are more important than the January 6 investigation and Putin’s ambitions.
Your points are well made but I disagree that the points you make about the 2022 election are *more* important than the January 6 investigation but would agree that they are equally important. In fact, I believe that what has been and is being uncovered by the 1/6 Committee may be essential in turning some voters against radical Republican (redundant these days) candidates and helping to retain or even expand Democratic seats in both houses.
What the House Select Committee comes up with may swing some votes, but we cannot wait for that to happen nor let it delay nor deter us from mobilizing to win in 2022. That should be the highest priority right now.
I agree 100% that the Senate is where the action has to be. But Little Marco and Ron the Pawn will scream "witch hunt" regardless, and voters need to have someone to vote *for*. I hope that Tom Nelson and Val Demings don't just run against 45 and will consider making news by bucking the stereotype and honestly questioning some of Biden's actions--it worked for Kamala, after all. I think that midterms are about buyer's remorse when in comes to POTUS, so establishing at least a little daylight there will make it easier to vote out an incumbent.
Yes! And not Schumer. He is just not a convincing speaker. And I love E. Warren, but last night she was on the Senate floor citing case law to support voting rights. It was brilliant and coherent but not moving/ persuasive. I would like to see Durban, Klobuchar and Warnock speaking all over the media. They all have different styles, but each convincing in its own way.
And enough with the tweets. Get on talk radio, tv and CSpan to make your case. Constantly and with strong, clear messages that are simple yet powerful.
Watching the Senate right now, and want to add Whitehouse to my list of preferred speakers.
Agree with your comments about Schumer. Although he can play the part. And, Liz Warren's educating us on case law, but wil we really experience a Behavioral Change? Was Mid-America even listenng? Give me Durban and Warnock. Klobuchar's attempt to say anything that Mid-America relates to suffers from her higher education skills. Give me a Gaetz or Jordan..yeah one who believes in the truth and can articulate something Mid-American's relate to. We need to quit meay-mouthing this stuff.
I heard Steve Scalise on ABC yesterday. He was asked repeatedly about his objections to the voting rights bill and its various components, and his response was the same—we should be concentrating on the “failures “ of the Biden administration, inflation, Afghanistan etc. Irish the media would stop giving these jokers a megaphone! The stick to their script and their responses to serious questions are entirely predictable—but Biden!!!
Seems that the Democrats are complacent in deceiving themselves into a comfortable reliance upon the "Talk-Show-Hosts" & "Late-Night-Comedians" as their megaphonic P. R. apparatus...
Yes, the Repubs understand marketing far better than Dems. If they didn't, they wouldn't have so much success peddling nonsense.
They only exist to be the counter party, they really don't know or have any interest in governance.
(Just for clarity, which "they" are you referring to-Democrats or Republicans?) The entry above yours is referencing Democrats so I was unsure which party you were talking about.
"announcing what greedy, unpatriotic, power-hungry characters the Democrats are" Interestingly, this is exactly how the right-wing FB or Twitter responses react. They don't present any evidence or information. They just call Democrats derogatory names and blame for things they didn't do. The newest one is that the Democrats in the 7 red states committed voter and election fraud. I pointed out it was the Republicans that filed the fake elector vote certificates, and I get a laughing emoji. I've concluded that a laughing emoji indicates they have no information for a response.
We are too nice!
Indeed, it would help if we had more Representatives being vocal, being concise, with specifics that take issue with the faux facts being gurgitated by "the Party of No". By the way Debbie, you going to the APBA mtg in Orlando?
MadRussian, if you are speaking to me I think you have another Deborah Howe in mind (I have no idea what the APBA is!). I'm in MA
Small world - yes. APBA is American Power Boat Assoc. We'reboat racers in ME., pretty close though. I like your posts.
Well, there! I'd be more likely to go to an ASTA (American Sail Training Association) gathering, but thanks for your kind comment ~ I'm really grateful to your fellow Mainer (HCR) for her daily dispatches.
Tucker, with his permanent, serious, knitted eyebrows, is a traitor.
So is “journalist” Rupert Murdoch. Why is he never mentioned since he has a rat hole thru to Vlad. Ex Wendy Deng (Ivanka BFF) took up with Vlad after the divorce I read. shouldn’t some “probing journalist” look into that. A few facts might shine a little light on Rupert’s Russia love. Or it just might be a visceral hatred of Dems since he helped Reagan get elected. Only the shadow knows at this point.
It's the bro-mance of two oligarchs who have nobody to stand in their way.
I'm wondering if Homeland Security isn't looking in to Rupert's shit. He's naturalized, so they can strip his citizenship if he screws up. Personally, I think his media empire has collectively done more to contribute to our current situation than any one individual, even the late loser Limbaugh.
Indeed he has, he is no American, real or imagined
If he had a wagon he would be a snake oil salesman traveling from village to village selling elixirs that caused blindness. As long as he gets his money and brief moment in the sun, he will say anything, sell anything. He has no soul. He sold it. As I find his advertisers I add them to the bann. As he ages and can no longer do a days work he will become a full time politician.
Where does he think he’s going to take all of his wealth when he passes, which from the looks of him will be soon, not a penny will cross over with him, but his karma most certainly will, just like the imbecilic clown that we had for president I wouldn’t trade all of his wealth which will be useless on the other side, for the karma he will get to keep. I would call that a deal with the devil.
Those vacant souls first became distracted by fame & fortune.
Then a cancerous greed metastasized into total enslavement by the great deceiver permanently transfiguring them into the walking dead.
There will come a day they will catch a brief glimmer of themselves through a darkened mirror.
It is then they will see what they have become.
That shock will scare them to death!
Perpetually constipated. That’s the face he makes.
The Indignant Hubris of the Super Rich when some little kid rides his bike on their lawn
Traitor, yes, but I have other names for him.....not proper to use here.
I hope that the FBI has Carlson on their watch list.
Tucker’s career goal: become the lead anchor on RT.
Still getting the Russian paycheck.
Putin needs to send for him, so we no longer have to hear people quote his traitorous spewage even.
Perhaps if he wore the proper sized underware his eyebrows wouldn't be so 'knitted'.
I actually LOL at this comment. Thanks!
His expression reminds me of infants trying to do a bowel movement.
Yes! It does!
Sociopath in my observation.
Truth. Succinct!
Should be rewarded as traitors are.
Isn't it sad that even here, tabloid "journalists" and their networks get name recognition for spewing out frank lies and outrageous theories under the guise of constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech. Since when was the constitution interpreted to include blatant falsehoods under freedom of speech? Rupert Murdoch condones this behavior and the best way to throttle the garbage that Fox spews out on a daily basis is to go after Murdoch with every tool within the law. Hit him where it hurts most; in the pocket book. Libel, slander, defamation of character, incitement of violence, things within both the civil and criminal realm of the law could tie him up in every jurisdiction in the country until he finally decides to broadcast verified news rather than the shlock that gets Fox such attention by its gullible followers.
I do not understand that Fox, in particular Carlson, is not named as a coconspirator in the attempt to destroy democracy in the US. Clearly he is in the pocket of Russian aggression against the democratic world at large.
Well, in spirit true, but in terms of libel, I'm guessing not so much. I mean, if he's SPECIFICALLY involved in 1/6/21, my guess is he'll come up soon in the Comission--much the way Sean Hannity did. But in terms of his general leanings, speech, etc? Nah. And think about the cast of characters ranging from Father Coughlin to Lyndon LaRouche to G. Gordon Liddy who've come before--all of them probably worse (although two of them DID go to jail. Hmmm...). My guess is that Carlson has been EXTREMELY careful with what he's said/not said and knows exactly what the boundaries are of what he can get away with.
Rupert knows how to walk that line, but he has overstepped ad nauseam in my view, for what that’s worth. I was subjected to Fox at friends house early on. They had it on 24/7, literally. I would comment about something being not true. Then I started to ask people “where did you hear that” as they repeated lies. Always from Fox. That was back when they didn’t rule the world. One could see the train a’coming.
His daddy and his boss as well
Murdoch should have never been allowed citizenship here, nor allowed to buy into media markets here. I believe this happened on Reagan’s watch. All part of a multi decades effort to destroy efforts to create a representative democracy. It appears that the trump years have brought all these efforts into clearer view, having turned the rock over, allowing the light of day to shine on it all, and daring the rest of the country to try and thwart their efforts. Battle royale it is. We have a front row seat. Put your seatbelt on!
Unless Dems still think it’s a game. Quote from Jack Kemp at dinner to honor Rupert for work on behalf of Reagan, Jan 1981 “Rupert Murdoch used the editorial page, the front page, and every other page necessary to elect Ronald Reagan President.” And Reagan gave him carte Blanche. Bill Moyers told us, over and over. He was our Paul Revere, but too many had tuned in to the shinny bauble…
I believe that many Dems truly get the severity of the current situation. Will their clarion call be loud or convincing enough? Only time will be the judge of that. I wish that historians had more quickly sounded the alarm. For many, they remained at some distance from the fray, observing this train wreck. I remember when Jon Meacham, almost overnight, went from observer to alarmist. Our wonderful and insightful historians hold great ability to help us connect the dots in this movement to keep our fragile vision on track. I liken the idea, the vision of representative democracy, to a baby. You don’t just place it a crib with a bottle and expect it to raise itself. I suppose a garden would be another good analogy. That idea reminds me of the Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13…oh well…
The Good Soil now being destroyed by the "Climate" Change Catastrophe
Truth!
Agree Nathan. I cringe even seeing Tuckems name mentioned. How dare he defy the President of the United States to curry favor with the likes of Putin. I imagine a dunce cap on his head anytime I hear his name or his blathering rhetoric.
For the life of me, I do not understand my contemporaries (and those a few years older) who served in the armed forces during the Cold War that are now lapping up the drivel that Faux Noise spews out like it is mother's milk. Do they not see what they are lapping up is what they fought for their careers?
A November NPR article on how the Murdochs are endorsing Carlson’s incendiary “journalism” and prime-timing other of the network's Trumpian “news” programs, leading true newscasters to resign in protest, made me cringe:
https://www.npr.org/2021/11/21/1052837157/fox-resignations-tucker-carlson-patriot-purge-documentary
I believe Fox is bundled in with cable packages and needs high viewer ratings, so this kind of crap draws viewers. Thank you for this link. I will watch.🌹
I won’t watch, has made me heave for decades. Other countries have banned Fox. We are too “awed” by his journalistic credentials. Hahahahahaha
How do we submit the same ban of Fox propaganda in our country?
Aggressively, boisterously, continuously boycott their advertisers en masse
And let the advertisers know. Like Mike S and Ron Boyd state below, it’s the money what matters to them…
Will never as long as the family owns the airwaves, and thus the magats
Unfettered capitalism. The US doesn’t care if it’s Hitlerian levels of propaganda as long as it’s free market profit and donations.
Cris was never a journalist, he spewed Rupert’s crap as much as anybody.
The linked piece actually focuses on two other newscasters that NPR appears to consider conservative journalists. I agree with your reluctance regarding Wallace, but at least he did set a few records (and some of his Fox peers) straight, if only occasionally. Now even that is missing from that network.
I hope Mike was as disgusted as I was. However, since he had to bury one son, he may have forgiven the other one.
Have you ever listened the Randy Newman's song: "It's Money That Matters". ??
for Murdoch, that is ALL that matters.
Of all of the people that I used to know
Most never adjusted to the great big world
I see them lurking in book stores
Working for the Public Radio
Carrying their babies around in a sack on their back
Moving careful and slow
It's money that matters
Hear what I say
It's money that matters
In the USA
All of these people are much brighter than I
In any fair system they would flourish and thrive
But they barely survive
They eke out a living and they barely survive
When I was a young boy, maybe thirteen
I took a hard look around me and asked what does it mean?
So I talked to my father, and he didn't know
And I talked to my friend and he didn't know
And I talked to my brother and he didn't know
And I talked to everybody that I knew
It's money that matters
Now you know that it's true
It's money that matters
Whatever you do
Then I talked to a man lived up on the county line
I was washing his car with a friend of mine
He was a little fat guy in a red jumpsuit
I said "You look kind of funny"
He said "I know that I do"
"But I got a great big house on the hill here
And a great big blonde wife inside it
And a great big pool in my backyard and another great big pool beside it
Sonny it's money that matters, hear what I say
It's money that matters in the USA
It's money that matters
Now you know that it's true
It's money that matters whatever you do"
Songwriter: Randy Newman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eaiZ6sdYnE
Golden rule be damned. And prosperity gospel sealed the deal
Even GOD likes people with money better. Yep. :-)
Yes, indeed. Randy Newman saw it clearly.
Not “ALL”. Money is part of it no doubt, but there is an ideology mixed in, an elitism that is centuries old. He knew that he could bring his brand of journalism here, having bribed his way in, and be protected by the 1st Amendment. He was a known and fairly disliked entity in Australia and the UK.
And he’s a foreigner who’s permitted to spew this s**t all he wants with no repercussions.
Hey, jumping on that xenophobic thought: What kind of name is RUPERT anyway?
:-)
His name used to be Mephistopheles, until he changed it to become an American citizen!
I have a friend who named her cat Rupert.
I can see it for a cat! :-)
No, no cat of mine
He is a US citizen.
Oh indeed he is, he found fertile ground and is destroying it. But he’s got compounds all around everybody’s land.
Since 1985 so he could then own a TV network.
He has been a U.S. citizen since 1985. I imagine it's dual citizenship with Australia. Reportedly, it is so he can own a tv network.
He did have a burning love for Reagan
Absolutely! He is ultimately responsible for what comes out of the mouths of his employees.
Attica maybe
Parents of one of the children who died at Sandy Hook School did that to Alex Jones. He’s still blowing out Crap in his Megaphone. Hope he’s on the list of the 1/6 Committee.
Plenty of rich donor's no doubt, probably includes Rupert
I want to know why Rupert Murdoch and kids want to destroy the US. They certainly can’t miss that’s what they’re doing. Zuckerberg is pure power, so at least his motivation is clear.
Greed and Power, I'd say. Rupert did say that when he called the PM of UK, he wanted him to answer the phone. Tony Blair at the time. Behind the scenes POWER
I suspect it’s the same ideology in which most Republicans are engaged. That the rich(powerful) are the ones who should rule(lord)over the rest of us. In the modern context, that sentiment is squarely at odds with Democracy, and often finds itself at odds with our Constitution, and subsequent amendments. I get the idea that anything short of a rewrite of the Constitution and many of our laws will not ultimately suffice for them.
Here, here. So much could be uncovered sniffing around his evil life. Could help Succession with plot lines for eternity.
Nathan, works for me....thank you!
Oh, from your mouth...!
Absolutely!!!
Good news is that Emily’s List, the largest donor to Sinema, has said she will lose their support if she votes against the Voting Rights Bill. Would that Manchin had donors with a moral compass and not just keeping a failing industry alive.
Sinema is a Republican in Democrat's robes. She is a grandstander and an impediment to what her party is trying to achieve.
2015 her net worth = $35,000.00
Today it is $1,000,000.00
Hmmm...she must have "Earned" a raise, Eh!?
Exactly-gotta "earn" those donations, right?
The fact that he has a penis means he feels inviolate. Also he is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Koch Industries and the Coal and Petroleum lobby.
I also think being from a backwater like West Virginia, he loves all the attention and being the decider. The fact that he and the Miss Lala Land from Arizona are standing in the way of the voting rights act and doing what needs to be done with the filibuster, just fries me. Yes, I know that the Rs are guilty too, but they have become the party of death.
KKKoch Sucker!
(What a good moniker for those type of folks w/o breaking any posting rules!)
No Dem, just blackmailer
Yes, a failing industry that has sickened or killed most of those West Virginians who work in the mines. He is getting his money at the cost of black-lung among his constituents.
Sinema WONT vote against the bill — she heartily, publicly “supports” it.
She will NOT, however, support the ONLY way to get it passed.
A technicality — she’ll still get her Emily money. So sleazy.
Emily's List said they withdrew support in 2018.
If only that were true. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/18/us/politics/sinema-filibuster-emilys-list.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuonUktbfqYhkSVUaCybIRp8_qRmHmfnE2_snh3nzKSHQRzdGzu4IGJSN4QLAYKtndsB22zWAWJlBLLorDrRU_9NoAnZMGUOus4fW39MMOTk0ooa-GW860s-VA-xptDa2MzH8dbsunvi2sR-IdTO6DKSP0iAmIAsxqIB3Ng3_gQx-zanPFeJx09J0zK1hUsg8HWFcEXHM6_r4CBx-O8GEbgXf4mQ2WOJaWjLQm72M-u5KMVUSWR-dEiQJsStr48hcOdgXIK__MxcgHcH-ir0RAWRiR5y73tzltq9zy97kIGGOHi3U2A&smid=url-share
AZ Republic article by Yvonne Wingate Sanchez: Jan 18.
EL president Laphonza Butler noted the organization has not endorsed or contributed to Sinema since her election in 2018.
Does she have any other corporate donors that need some pressure?
Yes. A list. Check out Open Secrets.
https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup
Thank you for the followup.
Here are the details on Sinema
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/kyrsten-sinema/summary?cid=N00033983
I just tweeted and FBooked this link. Thanks!
That info should b public info
It is.
I strongly urge Emily's List to dump her whether or not she votes for the voting rights bill.
Damn, what the hell. Should have happened eons ago.
Sinema is going to vote for the Voting Rights Bill. She knows it won't pass because of the fillibuster. She won't vote to make a carve out. So Emily's List (if that's what they said) will continue to support her.
I certainly hope not. Last night's NY Times article indicate Emily's list will withdraw their support if she doesn't support amending the filibuster so the bill can pass:
"One of the largest contributors to Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s political rise announced on Tuesday that it would cut off its financial support if the senator continues to refuse to change the Senate’s filibuster rules to allow for passage of far-reaching voting rights legislation."
We'll see. . . .
Well, if Emily's List continues to support her, I'm one who will cut off MY support for Emily's List!
me too and anyone else who supports Trojan Horses
Thanks for this quote. I just emailed Emily's List to support this cut-off.
Hope true, money is ALL that talks
The Republicans will lead her to a new donor to replace Emily’s List-lots of money floating around..Rupert can help her out..
True
Excellent. Good to know.
We know what you are Emily’s list. Sinema and pretending you’re not
As if there isn’t enough stomach-turning news, in Florida today:
From AP-“A Florida bill that would prohibit public schools and private businesses from making white people feel “discomfort” when they teach students or train employees about discrimination in the nation’s past received its first approval Tuesday.”🧐🤬
https://apnews.com/article/business-florida-lawsuits-ron-desantis-racial-injustice-3ec10492b7421543315acf4491813c1b?utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow
“Discomfort" is the code word Republicans are using in schools and workplaces in order to suppress decency and conscience. They want to mold a population that looks the other way and stays silent about violence and racism.
This on top of DeSantis' proposed an Office of Election Crimes and Security that would empower police to investigate elections and arrest people who are accused of violating election laws makes Florida look more and more like a fascist state.
It would seem that perhaps the 650,000 Jewish people living primarily in the southern areas of Florida might be especially sensitive to Repugnican's fascist bastardization of election laws, Eh!? This might be the great untapped astute equalizing voting power to force DeSantis and his ilk to their knees for reasons atypical from 'De Rigueur'
They know what speaking out can get you, with fascists in charge
Anyone would certainly think so, right?!
That’s the plan man
Are Blacks also to be shielded from “discomfort”?
No, Carol. “Blacks” are used to not feeling comfortable apparently according to Gov DeSantis. “Whites” need a law to govern how they feel. I was not aware that people do not own their feelings.
I thought it was Democrats who were so "feeling" based?
Turns out it is Republicans that melt when confronted with truth.
Always has been! He who cries “Snowflake” is the first to melt.
Very, very, very true.
(In Death Santis's opinion, Blacks' feelings aren't real, right? S/)
Answer: Florida will put a law in place that is LEGAL for whites to make blacks uncomfortable in any setting.
Wait, that law is already there. I forgot.
Wow.
Florida white folks are so fragile, so easily traumatized, so used to someone telling them they are special, so used to "easy" that we cannot even read a story to them from HCR's "To Make Men Free: A History of the Republican Party".
Like how John Wilkes Booth heard Lincoln's speech describing a slave free America with Black folks being treated as human, even (GASP) voting, and then killed him for that perspective.
Florida white folks are so weak, so fragile, that the truth might just shatter them.
How did we get to THIS point??
40 years of preparation.
Hideous development!
The school district I work in the word they’re using is uncomfortable. We are not to teach anything that makes a student feel uncomfortable by associating with their heritage or race. White washing history.
And how does one define/measure an individual’s “uncomfortable-ness”?
I’m assuming when the parents complain that their child was exposed to something they don’t agree with. That’s how teachers ended up getting reprimanded before. I always wanted my kids to be smarter than me because they are going to take care of me one day.
Actually it comes down from the state. It’s written into the new rules for this year. But we’ve latched onto the word uncomfortable. Then we got even more changes a couple of weeks ago. Nine superintendents in our area in North Texas have put in their resignations. Most will be there until the end of the year. But if this new conservative christian school board were to select our superintendent there’s no telling what our district would look like!
Denise, resignations from that many superintendents is depressing, clearly opening the doors to hire senior leadership in the districts who will march to the party rules. I am so sorry.
I am so sorry to hear about this.
What are they going to do when the children of color report being uncomfortable about the whitewashed history? Geez, Denise, I'm sorry you have to deal with this.
This is crazy on SO many levels.
Boys are to be taught that they're proud?
Germany 1933-45
Oh Jeri, this comment makes me uncomfortable. (Not, I can take it)
Granted, it's hard. Milton Mayer told the tale. They Thought They Were Free
Wow, the proud boys crying foul, all in suits and ties.
Our local school board is already reviewing complaints from Moms (not) For Liberty.
Especially concerning is our local Fl Repub Rep Is chair of K-12 appropriations committee. He is also the Rep who bullied/encouraged bullying of our school board member.
Unrelated but also happening in Florida, The Professions and Public Health Subcommittee already holding hearings -TODAY - about HB5/SB146 Reducing Fetal Infant Mortality AKA Camouflaged Abortion Ban With No Exceptions For Rape/Incest After 15 Weeks
Need an action item to work through that anger ?? Link below has committee members. It took me less an hour to email the group.
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?SessionId=93&CommitteeId=3093&emci=4a0506d0-8274-ec11-94f6-c896650d4442&emdi=6500612f-0b77-ec11-94f6-c896650d4442&ceid=18726531
The inmates have taken over the asylum, and expect there to be no sanity anywhere
Have you ever seen the film King of Hearts, in which the inmates of an asylum take over a town in WWI when the townspeople flee enemy troops and leave the asylum doors unlocked?
I have, several times. Haven't forgotten it. Life imitating art, or something like that
And in Texas: Texas scrambles to fix mail ballot application problems https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Texas-Secretary-of-State-scrambles-to-address-16786098.php. Every day I’m glad to say I’m a former Texan as of Jan 1
Will probably die here, unless I save enough for New Zealand. Ha
NZ was a first choice for us but Delaware turned out to be a bit easier move after retirement. Favorable for seniors! And Blue!
"Last week, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), a Constitutional law professor and a member of the January 6 committee, said that the committee hearings, planned for later this year, will 'blow the roof off the House.'"
How I would love to be a fly on the wall behind this committee's closed doors! Even Romney, predicts that Raskin's prediction will prevail. Which brings me to a question which has been needling me: where has Romney been of late and why isn't he speaking up more these days? I was counting on him to be the renegade repug. Darn!
One certainly is right to think so, Rowshan. Especially since his life was saved when a Capitol police officer turned him away from the mob breaching the doors he was heading towards and directed him to safety. Is that not enough to speak up for Democracy?
Exactly, Christine!
You've got that right, Christine. What does it take for anyone to stand up?
No, not for that coward
"where has Romney been of late and why isn't he speaking up more these days?"
Romney wants to be on the "winning" side and he is not sure who that will be.
Hence, he is keeping his head in the FoxHole while his buddies get shot up trying to win the war.
I agree. Romney hasn't an ounce of courage nor does he have a scrap of integrity.
Correct. Romney was trained at a Hedge fund that destroyed one small town after another by purchasing their local manufacturing plants, firing everyone, selling the technology to China, and dismantling the manufacturing plant.
Romney is an American Traitor for which "It's Money That Matters".
Randy Newman's wonderful song about America.
Excellent visual.
Yes, why? I hoped for more from Mitt.
I keep wondering if these Republicans who aren’t in the former presidents camp, or their family members, are being threatened with physical violence. We already know of several instances of this on local levels, causing moderate Republicans to “retire” from their school boards, town Councils, etc.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat says threatening perceived opponents is a classic strongman trait.
Repubs knew that from copying German fascists.
No white roses on our shores
I agree! Once Bold Mitt has become Mute Mutt
I’ve been wondering the same thing about Romney. I thought he’d “grown some” or at least had an ethical epiphany somewhere along the way since Trump days. And one more thought: I wonder what would be happening at DOJ if Jamie Raskin were in the attorney general’s seat. Sparks would be flying out the door!
Jamie Raskin would be a GREAT AG.
After that, he'd make a great president.
Uh…no
Leopard…..spots…
Romney is still the guy who raided companies, laid off employees and siphoned off the cash.
Romney is up for re-election in ‘24. Before he comes out on any issues he needs to see who way the UT political winds are blowing. Then he will take a highly principled stand. Just your basic politician.
Even his daddy’s ghost thinks he’s lost it. I think he never had it. George did.
I wouldn’t count on Mitt. Although I did write to him. Check out his “Latest”
https://www.romney.senate.gov/
Does anyone know what exactly is in the voting rights bills that would cause Romney to say they "weaken voter ID" or "weaken voter registration safeguards" or "uses federal funding for campaigns"? This is a real question. I don't see how you get those objections out of the language of the voting rights legislation.
It's all a part of Republicans claiming that the voting rights bills would be "federalizing" state elections. I've read and heard this several times now.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2747
He's lying even on his website.
Romney gave a great speech yesterday calling Democrats hysterical and claiming the country already had voting rights protected by states. He sounded very stressed and hysterical himself.
This old Dem is hysterical, thanks to arses like Romney who have forgotten the republicans of old, like his dad
Will Tucker Carlson and Fox still spew Russian propaganda if Putin orders an invasion of Ukraine? Will they change their tune when the world sees the mass slaughter of civilians and the destruction of a sovereign democratic nation? Count me as skeptical. Also, I'll be watching how the Putin fanboys among GOP Republicans in the Senate react. Perhaps they'll plan another Fourth of July trip to Moscow.
No, he'll continue to construe it as "the U.S. antagonized the Russians into doing this," which of course, is laughable. Make that contemptible. Traitorous? FC (his initials. Think about it) is an AINO: American In Name Only. He's Meta Father Coughlin...
Ouch. Father Coughlin broadcast anti-Semitic and fascist propaganda in the name of Social Justice. Glad we got to reclaim that one! Today we reclaim Patriot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Coughlin
P.S. Sincere thank you for your service.
You're welcome, and thank you. Well, to be a bit more concise, my moniker wasn't about the specifics of his pursuits/ideology--probably Huey Long would've been a better comp in that regard. It more referred to his general tone, wrapping around something inherently bad (authoritarianism vs. anti-capitalism & antisemitism), especially his affinity for media/attention and using that platform to great effect, that he's not an elected official, and the fact he's become so popular. He's worse than Coughlin in the sense that he's actually an expert on politics, and not as flat-out loopy (but give him time, FC didn't really go off the rails until the 60s). I thought of him when I thought of FDR's assessment that FC was the second-most dangerous man in America (Long was first, McArthur 3rd).
*** Just laughingly realized I've created TWO "FCs." From henceforth, FC1 will be Coughlin; FC2 is *ucker Carlson, (for those that didn't pick that up)
Well your door knob comment about MacArthur (Gen., presumably?) is a tale to be told. Do you have a thumbnail version on why he was dangerous?
Ellie,
Thank you for your ever excellent and informative posts.
Read the wiki link and now I understand the Tucker/Coughlin parallel. Big UGH!
Robert, excellent point. HUA the rest. (For our non-military community members, HUA means Heard, Understood, Acknowledged).
That is not what my Dad taught me it meant... Head...Up... fill in the anatomical part that shares its vulgar name with a donkey.
Hey, Ally. It could mean that too!
Thanks, Gus!
Well Micheal..., so far Putin has ordered an invasion of Crimea, an integral part of the Ukraine and Putin also ordered an invasion of eastern Ukraine. Tucker Carlson is still spewing Russian propaganda. Why would he stop now? Incidentally, Putin ordered the poisoning of a former Prime Minister of Ukraine and also the poisoning of a critic of his residing in Britain. Tucker is still a fan boy. Putin was complicit in the downing of a Dutch passenger airliner. Tucker?? ... well tucker is still his greatest cheerleader. How can you even imagine Tucker is going to change/
I can't imagine Carlson will change. In my comment, I said I'm skeptical. Make that, he'll change when hell freezes over. He's on brand, which means taking the most controversial and outrageous right-wing stances that he can get away with. I believe Carlson wants authoritarian right-wing rule here and thus works to promote Putin, Viktor Orbán, and others of their ilk.
I'm a child of the Cold War who experienced the Cuban Missile Crisis up close in Central Florida at an impressionable age. Until convinced otherwise, I presume every Russian government leader to be vile, duplicitous, power-hungry creatures without a shred of human decency. Just like their pals in the U.S., including Carlson, Murdoch, and Trump, as well as a good number members of Republicans in Congress.
Since white Americans are at best indifferent to preserving democracy in their own country (if it mattered to them, they would insist that Republicans, who represent almost exclusively white Americans, pass a bill to protect voting rights), it is naïve to imagine that white Americans will change their tune when Russia marches into Ukraine. White Americans are marching with the likes of Tucker Carlson, and he’s marching with Putin and other autocrats of eastern Europe.
Many years ago, I remember when Russian athletes and performing artists were closely watched by their accompanying government "chaperones" lest they try to "defect" (escape) a totalitarian regime to the prosperity of a democracy where people were generally well off, well housed, well fed, enjoyed freedom of press, and were free from fear. Fast forward to the present and you don't hear much about defections to the U.S. from countries run by dictators and "political parties" that persecute and terrorize their opposition-- parties that are little more than gangs run by families in power. Paradoxically, Russia happens to a destination to flee from being imprisoned in America if you are a whistle blower or publisher that reports government malfeasance and war crimes. We may be less of a destination of choice since we transitioned toward becoming increasingly like the totalitarian regimes people once tried to flee from. If that change is not a case of Russia becoming any better, it is because our government, two parties, and our ruling class has guided this nation into becoming much worse.
I can't help but imagine the kinds of positive work that we would be reading about right now and what exciting things an ethical government that seriously practiced providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare would be doing right now. I doubt it would be consuming itself and us in the spectacles that we are reading about here.
Odious Tucker acts as if he speaks for White America. Rex apparently agrees.
I believe that it is unhelpful to treat any ethnic group as a monolith.
Carlson speaks for the approximately 60% off white Americans who vote for Republicans.
As a white American, I resent your tarring all white Americans as indifferent to preserving democracy in the U.S. Just because Republicans are almost exclusively white Americans doesn't mean that there aren't millions of white Americans who are concerned about and fighting to preserve democracy. It wasn't exclusively People of Color who elected Biden. Hundreds of thousands of the white Americans you claim are indifferent are messaging their Senators to pass the voting rights act and are supporting in many ways Americans - both white and non-white - who are standing for election against Republican candidates at all levels of government.
fomenting chaos, which energizes their idjt's poison message
Why would they stop spewing the propaganda then? I don't see them doing anything except worshiping authoritarian leaders.
I was in Turkey, in a NATO billet in 2014, when Russia invaded Crimea (how badly did I want to go 300 miles north and kick a bully's @ss? REALLY badly. It sucked). Shortly after, I posited to my boss (Corps G2) that if Russia wanted to invade Ukraine proper, they would probably just move by rail and road through Belarus--unannounced; similar to what Hitler did in Belgium--only much faster. (I drew this on a map, which was observed and promptly stolen by our higher HQS; released as an intel forecast 3 weeks later. Good times!!) The reason is pretty basic--it positions them much closer, and with high-speed avenues of approach to Kiev. They won't want to get bogged down, take casualties and have this take days/look bad--they'll want to quickly get to Kiev, force the government to flee and take over--overnight, if possible. They don't want this to look like even Eastern Ukraine--they'll want something that eliminates the Ukraine government as quickly as possible, then they'll deal with the rest. Before that, they'll try to do the paratrooper/little green men thing to some degree (that would be a lot harder to do here than it was in Afghanistan and Crimea). If Russia launches a large military exercise in the coming 90 days, GET READY (they typically use such things to "boil the frog" by getting troops moving and then blend into actual operations).
I hated when President Obama openly declared, after the invasion, that the U.S. wouldn't use force (old maxim: never tell an enemy what you WON'T do. Frankly, if Ukraine even slightly trusts NATO still, it's a miracle of faith, TBH); on the surface, it might appear Biden is doing the same here, but I detect a difference. First, I've seen no mention of ruling-out such a thing (or any means of retaliation. I suspect we've at least one OTHER in mind), and second Putin actually did Crimea and...it really hurt economically; we know it. So the threat of sanctions--esp. ones that eject them from SWIFT, et al, do have meaning (although not as much as we tend to think. Russian leaders don't mind inflicting pain on their own people--in fact, they often use it to embolden the populace/further vilify external foes). Hard to know what Putin's long game is here--or if he really has one. But, NATO partners are (so far) FAR better this time around in anticipating and messaging something stronger than, oh, Merkle's infamously spineless/oblivious comments about the Baltic states or other countless examples of ally fecklessness during one Putin's countless gas shut-off threats. Biden's (and NATO have) done seemingly (I'm not plugged-in now--can't say for sure) much better this time around. We shall see...
Tank's for that Robert. Another good read: https://snyder.substack.com/p/how-to-think-about-war-in-ukraine?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyNzA2OTI0NiwicG9zdF9pZCI6NDczMjQxNTQsIl8iOiJwUXVrVyIsImlhdCI6MTY0MjU4NDc4NSwiZXhwIjoxNjQyNTg4Mzg1LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMzEwODk3Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.bhP4DedyyQP3W8CGwJw3iJRY5yZVV61r4n2qSWff5qY
Yeah, this is pretty good, thanks. About 1 para into it I wondered, "Oh, he's got to bring up the Kievan Rus-Made-Russia Myth...bingo!" I'd add a couple small complications that would make invasion horrendous for Russia: invading Eastern Ukraine, heavily pro-Russian (although NOT mostly ethnic-Russian (Crimea was, not the rest)--the maintream media annoyingly failed to fact-check that one for weeks as well), is one thing. Invading all of Ukraine (nearly the size of Texas), esp its western half that is strongly ANTI-Russian is a whole different, spicy bowl of borscht. It doesn't mean Putin's not dumb enough to try (Wait! I thought Putin was a purely Machiavellian genius? No, he's not. He's not a stupid man, but he can be amazingly short-sighted as well)...so, we shall see. One other thought: as the author alluded to, in order to invade in '14, Russia big-time robbed Peter-to-pay-Paul w/its military (the media was oblivious--"The Russian Army's fearsome again!"). Units were crunched together (usually, two used to plus up one) to achieve the "cherry," better-than-it-looked bullying--er, I mean, INVASION force. While they ARE in better shape now (they've been modernizing, effectively and ineffectively, for 20 years now), they would STILL have to do the same thing again (they are now, trust me. Those 100k didn't come out of the woodwork) to pull this off. This undoubtedly weakens them in their even BIGGER paranoia-driven Prime Directive: defending Russia's impossibly expansive borders (it is primal for them--going back to Napoleon and before. SO many of their military exercises are about moving planes, boats and people thousands of miles to defend places like the freakin' Lyakhovsky Islands). If I were President Biden, I'd've been unable to contain myself and probably said, with mocking concern, "Vlad, I'm concerned for Russia's safety in that, if it invades Ukraine, it will SO strategically vulnerable to outside forces--what can I do to help?" <wink>.
Digging into Thinking About, I realize this is the same Timothy Snyder who wrote On Tyranny. Thanks for this.
Thanks for pointing this out. It got me to read this informativ article.
Thank you. Probably more history between Ukraine and Russia that we don't get but a clear and present picture of the danger these two countries have involved this country and other European democracies in.
I think Putin’s hard game is overtaking the world’s nations. He was behind Brexit, infiltrated our government by getting his hacks to manipulate social media, as well as encouraging voters to go with TFG. Now he is trying to create chaos over Ukraine. He’s a big bully…like a steam engine, he mows everything or everyone down who tries to defy him. Tuck is his American mouthpiece on national “news” because TFG lost his place on Twitter and television.
I do hope that Biden and NATO follow through with their sanction threats. They will hurt innocent people but it would be a an effective tool to help tie Putin’s hands.
It's not overtaking--he has no such delusions on a world scale. It's weakening the linkages between western nations & institutions, and using our strengths (deliberation, consensus-to-make-decision, need for public backing) against us so that we are no longer in a position to impede his actions/path. He's not looking for world domination, he just wants a world in which liberal, democratic norms that he sees as weak/ineffective can't limit his will to do what he thinks is best.
Robert Teague, I believe you’ve analyzed this best. Putin wants to resurrect the former Russian-controlled satellite states and delink them from western influence. He’s playing a real world game of RISK and we are in a weaken position to do anything about it. Our internal discord and polarization is aided and abetted by Russian disinformation towards this end. Putin knows to agitate certain social buttons (race especially) to achieve weakness in us. (Poke old wounds. Flame embers of enduring resentments.) My worry is that he will obviously invade Ukraine (through Belarus would be the most logical) and we will sit wagging our finger, but ultimately not care. Or we send troops and poor Ukraine becomes the slaughter ground. But after our Middle East war debacles, I cannot imagine the stomach to send troops no matter what Russia does “over there”.
Great analysis of what Russia is probably doing. Thanks for posting. Sounds like the US army is much like corporate america.
The boss, who has the creative, synthetic bone of a dinasaur, steals all ideas and takes credit.
I guess the army, and corporate america are all organized around the old British fiefdom.
A King. Lords, and.....
serfs.
Well, stealing is a well-known thing in the military, because the truth is, few ideas are original anyway--and we don't copyright.make money off it. It was a NATO organization, actually, but yes, it was an American who "borrowed" it. I laughed actually. When they published it, weeks later, I took it to my boss and said, "Hey, does this look familiar?" He looked and said,"This was what you showed me on that map!" We just laughed. That HQs was starved for creative thinking--glad I could be of help. LOL.
Good attitude and approach to staying positive. I cannot say I feel/felt the same way when I outlined some technology idea to my boss that took synthesis of years of education and cross platform technology and his (always a his) response was, even though the thought had never and could never cross his mind:
"THAT IS WHERE I WAS HEADED ALL ALONG".
But, killing is illegal so, I managed to stay out of jail for 30 of my 40 years. For 10 years I endured BEING the manager so I could say: "Dang GREAT IDEA, that would never have crossed my mind."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNCrMEOqHpc
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity" ~MLK Jr
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S ‘LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL’
“We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal of America is freedom.” (1963)
Quotes:
-We have waited for (340) now it is 399 years for our constitutional and God-given rights-
-the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that “an unjust law is no law at all"-
-Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust-
-I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens’ Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection -
-Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be coworkers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation -
-freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed-
-privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily- Link to the Letter below.
'MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S ‘LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL’ was written in 1963. It is 2022, take a look at us now.
'Income inequality in the U.S. is the highest of all the G7 nations, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development' (Pew)
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/02/letter-from-a-birmingham-jail/552461/
"but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection"
Thanks Fern. I have this copied for posterity. Absolutely brilliant and accurage quote applicable to Rochester, NY TODAY.
“I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”! Sounds exactly like Manchin and Sinema.
The good is often the enemy of the best. Thanks for being God's coworker, Fern. What the moderate Republicans and Democrats fail to realize is that they are accepting the worst of both worlds. Silence/inaction is tacit agreement with the antidemocratic push currently underway. "Lukewarm" agreement will not earn them a place in Trump's world, only full throated support. Inaction will at best result in others being able to label them as they please, and at worst cost careers and lives. History will not be kind to these people. Neither will the present.
Manchin has already come out tonight and said he's not in favor of the talking filibuster f or this, even after being in favor or such a reform before. The man is not dealing in good faith. He's a Republican in all but name, and he won't do that because then he'd just be #51, instead of Da Man. Can't live with him, can't afford for him to be guest of honor at a single-fatality houseboat sinking.
Today, Manchin said “the government” will have people’s backs for their right to vote! Really?!? What government? The state governments that are passing dozens of laws that make it harder to vote? Then he mentioned that Marc Elias has all of this covered with plenty of lawsuits. Bottom line: He is actually saying that the voting rights legislation isn’t needed and he is abdicating his responsibility to Marc Elias. His statements today were the death knell for voting rights. He’s a duplicitous shill.
He's actually worse than that.
Manchin and Sinema both are snakes. They really need to move over to republican quarters. They are pariahs in their party at the moment. I hope they feel the gavel slamming in the end of their careers.
My donations go to the two best senate candidates to make them irrelevant. I hope Joe B has gotten the message. Mitch surely has…
Mole. Two moles.
This is what I cling to, ¨ “This is the most bipartisan committee I’ve ever been on, with a great Democratic chair and a great Republican vice chair and what I see is constitutional patriots working every single day and every single evening to get the truth out to the American people before it’s too late,” Raskin said.¨
Almost every other republican discounts Liz Cheney as a RINO. She's not one of them as far as they're concerned.
Because she has the cojones they do not.
And news dropped this morning that the AG of NY is about to lay some very serious indictments against the Trump Organization for fraud and tax evasion because they have good evidence of both. So that is going to be an interesting event when it happens. Guilfoyle is now engaged to Trumpette, probably in order to prevent her from being compelled to testify against him. But that doesn't protect his daddy.
Letitia James is a bad ass. I so admire her quiet strong methodical approach to this prosecution. Go get ‘em Tish…
Same story from Reuters.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said that former President Donald J. Trump's family organization used "fraudulent or misleading" asset valuations to obtain economic benefits, including loans, insurance coverage, and tax deductions.
James also took legal action to compel Trump and his children Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump to appear for sworn testimony.
The other positive about state crimes versus federal, is that presidential pardons do not extend to state crimes so, from that perspective, it doesn’t matter who wins in ‘24.
Yep 👍
Being engaged doesn't protect Jr either. So they better hurry up...but I don't think Congress is under that rule at all. Guilfoyle is guilty herself re the election, (she wasn't just a witness) and they were not the only witnesses to their part. It all depends on how deep is her love for him, if she can buy herself a lighter sentence. She wasn't in his life before Trump was in the Whitehouse so she is no help on the financial shenanigans. Of course she is always free to talk what she knows, if she chooses, even if married.
She isn’t Martha Mitchell
That made me laugh.
Glad somebody knew who she was
She would have to be married to him in order to decline to testify against him. Engagement doesn't count.
Tucker Carlson is just plain vile. That millions of people take their cue from him speaks very poorly of this country.
Division is the goal, period
Just heard a Republican senator from Texas speak out against Carlson. But the purpose, dividing our country, is working and to prevent Putin from invading Ukraine we need to be united.
"Tucker Carlson is echoing Russian propaganda, suggesting that the U.S. is the aggressor against Russia rather than that Russia is moving against Ukraine without provocation. He appears to be taking a stand against the U.S. president, who is standing with NATO and our traditional democratic allies, and instead standing with Russia much as Trump did."
OK, now, does that not mean that it is Tucker Carlson who is a "Communist"?
Does this not mean that, here in America where being an old syle Stalinist Communist one can get you arrested, that Carlson should be arrested?
Is not openly supporting Russia on a progapaganda platform illegal? Is that not treason?
I am in full support of free speech but, is Tucker Carlson's support for an open, blatant, sworn enemy of the United States not just simple, straightforward, arrest him NOW....
TREASON??
Nope. He would have to be levying a war with them against our country and/or give aid and comfort to our countries enemies. So while he’s enjoying the privileges and benefits of a free country. Those in Belarus who are protesting are being sentenced to prison for 18-20 years. Talk is not cheap anymore.And the less ethics, good character , integrity you have it pays real good.
Marcia, yes, "the less ethics, good character, integrity you have it pays real good".
Exactly. And nobody thinks that the quality of who they are matters anymore.
"It's money that matters". As Randy Newman says.
Don’t forget Ratings ! I got rid of Cable over 10 yrs ago because of where this was all going.
I don't know if he can be arrested, but surely the FBI is investigating him? What does puzzle me though is that when he uses his platform to openly ADVOCATE for a foreign government and its actions and policies, doesn't that make him a "foreign agent"? As such, doesn't he need to register?
Many years ago there used to be what was called the “Red Phone”. It was a direct line to the White House and not sure what beyond that ? It was a very secure landline. Most former Presidents didn’t want it. H.W.Bush did. Now let’s say I have a Rally and I say things like “ I really love Putin, he’s a great guy. A very, very strong President ! “That is protected Free Speech. I know that he didn’t want his personal phone secure as president. Not sure what they ended up doing ? He has Secret Service guarding him for life.Not being president he can’t help the way they would want him to. I know he says some crazy stuff . But I don’t recall him advocating for anyone other than the Republicans . Well the ones he’s not kicking to the curb.
No, Mike S, b/c … First Amendment.
Sharing my letter sent today to The Daily podcast team at the New York Times:The focus of today's podcast on voting rights was important, but the approach of making it about a failure of the President instead of about a convention (the current approach to the filibuster) that easily enables obstruction was lazy. Why not use the time allotted to the podcast to debunk the myths that will be trotted out during Republican speeches as the bill is brought to a vote? This piece from the Brennan Center could have served as a road map for that discussion: Debunking False Claims About the John Lewis Voting Rights Act | Brennan Center for Justice
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/debunking-false-claims-about-john-lewis-voting-rights-act
In Iowa, Senator Grassley has claimed the bill is unconstitutional, so many Iowans will be predisposed to believe the Republican party saved them from injustice by blocking the bill. The Times (and The Daily) should be shedding light on such false claims instead of making out the upcoming vote as a "win" by Minority Leader McConnell. In accepting the Iowa Author Award in November 2021, Nikole Hannah-Jones remarked that she believes Americans will look back fifty years from now and find the press contributed to the decline of democracy. Your podcast similarly mentioned looking back, but failed to place blame where it belongs. Press concession to the false narrative that Mitch McConnell is some sort of master strategist who has outwitted the President and the democratic party contributes to the demise of democracy.
Amen to that and that and that! It’s not Joe Biden who is in trouble, it is our country. As for Grassley’s claim, put up some billboards that quote the Constitution Article 1 Section 4.
Thank you for calling them out. I'm about to cancel my online subscription.