For all that the news has gotten much calmer and more straightforward since Wednesday, we did indeed get an old-fashioned (or at least a past-administration typical) news dump tonight.
Today I talked politics with woman who voted for DT on the single issue of being against abortion. We had a good, very civil discussion. We both enjoyed the conversation. I was surprised that she was afraid of Biden because she didn't want to have to use transgender bathrooms. While she thought it wasn't right that social media was biased against the right, but then she was believing the conspiracy theories which pervades social media. So, we did agree on two things: social media needed some sort of regulation akin to the news media has. No, we didn't know what that would be. And, second, we (everyone) did need to talk to each other and try to avoid all the hate speech. This gave me hope that we really could become a more united country again.
Most people already use co-ed bathrooms - in our homes, we don't have separate facilities for males and females. Plus, I wonder what the people afraid to use the same bathroom with someone who is transgender do in bathrooms? I think we should be afraid to use the bathrooms with them! SMH
This is this very bizarre response of many people--including members of the LGBQ community (note I removed the T from that acronym)--that shows up a lot. It is as though they demand that everyone adhere to the gender assigned to them at birth and its biological appendages. Perhaps they fear that they are not sufficiently cis-gendered? I think this is also something that has been part of the Christian messaging for centuries. For instance, in the Middle Ages, there were specific times/festivals when MEN crossdressed as a kind of "world turned upside-down" (obvious pre-Christian overtones here!) method of inducing the world to "right" itself. However, it was considered HERESY and TREASON for women to wear men's clothing. Joan of Arc was not accused of witchcraft, she was accused of heresy for refusing to wear women's clothes. Men wearing women's clothing was not an illegal act, but the opposite was.
I was at a medical appointment this morning, and had to sit there listening to some Ga-Ga Old Boomer listening to his hate radio on his damn phone. I was actually amazed how extreme the guy on the radio was - what he was ranting would have likely made more sense in the original German. Truly "Nazi Radio." I really thought long and hard about going over, plucking his damn phone from his hands and throwing it through a window. So far as I am concerned, the majority of that generation (I'm a war baby, thank god, not a damn boomer) has been fucking morons since I had to put up with their stupidity in elementary school, and the whole damn generation can't die off soon enough. (True fact: only 15% of Boomers participated in "the Sixties" to any serious degree - most of them thought it was no more than not visiting a barber and smoking dope. As if...)
Hey TC, I’m a boomer and proud of it! I am a fierce liberal and was raised and educated with an intense commitment to social and civil causes and firmly believe that we must be part of the ‘solutions’ in our society. At 69 years of age, I have always been disappointed in the reality of the ‘80/20’ rule. 80% of the people nothing extraordinary, and 20% are truly driven to make the exceptional their driving force. This applies in everything. The workplace, the community, and all the way up the line.
This group I would believe falls in the 20%. We are hungry for truths and a fair and compassionate world. Perhaps 80/20 is better represented by a spectrum, but I’m sure that you understand what I am saying. It’s so tragic that so many people weren’t raised with a sense of determination to make the world a better place (forgive the cliche). I believe that it starts in the home, but if our schools, our entire education system, doesn’t make the sense of responsibility to the greater good the guiding principle throughout the curriculum we all will fall into the low end of the spectrum.
When we honor Officer Goodman my heart pounds with pride. Why is it so hard for the average person to reach out, stand up, speak up and ache to know the truth? It’s not that they are morons, but the basic principles that were instilled in them as they grew up.
It’s so hard to de-program selfishness, greed, jealousy, which are all the seeds tossed into our gardens as children. It is up to all of us guide those who come after us with wisdom, generosity of goodness, and compassion.
‘When we were born’ as a factor of who we become is a narrow perspective I think compared to how we were guided in our early lives. As in ‘it takes a village’!
I accepted the 80/20 ratio early in my advocacy career (and in my PTA years, and when I ran the state nursing association). That's how it is in our human groups, whether by anthropological design, or hell raising for change only requires 1/5 of a set population to succeed. What I focused on instead was identifying young upstarts who just needed some confidence building and direction to be an active participant. The issue that concerns me is what percentage vote. THAT should ne 100%. Might be time to make it mandatory.
Yes! I believe that should be! I read earlier last year, I think it was Australia, where voting is mandatory and if you don’t vote you are fined $1.00 on your income taxes. Small penalty, but inescapable! I believe that they have about a 99% rate of success?! My memory is a classic boomer memory, so I will do some research and return to confirm or amend!
So, I was close. I am attaching a link, but I was wrong about the $ of the fine. $20 for the first offense, $50 for the second! I wonder if we could ever pass a law like that?
As a "Boomer" who was pepper sprayed on my campus while protesting the Viet Nam War and the Kent State debacle, I take issue with your hate speech directed toward Boomers and I take issue with your "True fact." There would be many more male boomers alive today, but hundreds of thousands were killed in Viet Nam (my best friend and family members, included.) The man in your doctor's waiting room should have been quietly reported to the office staff. Often, TCinLA I find what you write to be cogent and of interest. This time, I just read a message of hate and I hope for better days ahead for you and for us all.
Thousands of Vietnam veterans became homeless and suffered from mental illness. When I volunteered in the homeless shelters the majority of people were in that category. This has continued with veterans even now. They were drafted, they didn’t all run or buy their way out of the war. They served. Vietnam was the last war we used the draft. We need to do better with the men and women who were sent off to war.
Total casualties for Viet Nam are just over 52,000 which includes just under 41,000 directly combat deaths, roughly 1900 accidents and 360 in-country suicides. Sadly, there is no measure of the suicides/accidents/service related deaths that occurred after deployment that I could find. (Stats are from the National Archives). Higher numbers such as you post also deal with civilian casualties.
I am a tag-end Boomer who replies to those "OK, Boomer" catch-all statements with either a "you're welcome" or "thanks, Socrates."
No, I saw it as clarification. I wss about to look up the nimber of American soldiers in Vietnam because I thought her numbet was high. Thanks Carol & Jim.
Me as well. At 69 I take real offense to the "Ok Boomer" attitude that young people have. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and make the changes. The blame game is destructive and disenfranchising and we need all the unity we can muster. You'd hear a big, hollow echo in this room if all the boomers walked out.
Yep! Moi aussi. Get off your high horse TC--you're no saint and your generation isn't the be-all. Indeed, your generation invented the Yuppie Handbook.
There are indeed. Including me. But I hate to tell you we're a minority of the generation. Go look at the voting statistics for "over 65." And the generation has been like that ALWAYS. For the vast majority of them, "The Sixties" never happened.
18 months ahead of the boomers, close enough to spend a lot of time in school with them before escaping public miseducation, then immersed in them at college when I came back from the Navy.
Hello TC, thank you for feeling safe enough to. vent your frustration here. I’ve learned so many things about you, both here and over on Lucian’s substack site. I know (or I think I know) that you are a published author with a wiki page, a script writer, a very interesting and smart individual, I like well over 90% of what you say, and I like you. What I don’t know is what on earth you’re talking about in this post. Could you be a bit more specific? Do you have the baby boomer generation associated with Rush Limbaugh or something? I’m not quite informed enough to know what was pissing you off, other than right wing radio, and if that’s the primary irritation and you said you wanted to take the phone and slam it through the guys head instead of just a window I would understand that too. Since your handle sounds like you are TC who lives in LA, LA is not exactly known for a high concentration of right wing jerks. Numerically of course there are surely millions, but percentage wise they are in a distinct minority in Southern California. Not exactly a right wing paradise. Like any intelligent person you don’t suffer fools gladly, thank goodness for that. Would you be willing to share a few more specific complaints?
Love you Roland! If I could express myself that well, I would start my own blog! And I agree, I always look forward to hearing from TC... but admittedly today startled me!
Yeah it’s a little jarring. But I think he means well. Somethings clearly going on that he’s not talking about. And I meant what I said about him feeling safe to express that here. You don’t start venting unless you’re in a place where you feel safe to do it. I don’t make assumptions about people I don’t know, and I have a lot of latitude for mental and emotional disturbance. We have no idea what TC has gone through. Chances are good that what he wrote about has absolutely nothing to do with what’s really going on with him. I’ve spent too much time in my life studying people and studying psychology to just fall for the surface presentation. The loving thing to do is to give him space to heal whatever he needs to heal.
Another Boomer here. One who volunteered for the Peace Corps and served two years. I came home and dedicated the rest of my life to teaching, primarily ESL students. Many Boomers, including myself, continued, and continue, the work for progressive change that was such a driving force during the 60s and 70s.
I have nephews and nieces whom I love dearly and am amazed at their single-minded focus on success and making money. I believe part of this is due to the shift that began with Reagan that made it difficult, if not impossible, for many Americans to have a good life as part of the middle class.( see air traffic controllers' strike) Many of their generation (GenXers) came to believe/understand that there would be winners and losers and that they needed to "win" (Greed is good.) The idea, perhaps the mirage, of "we're all in this together", disappeared.
I see a glimmer of hope in the younger generation who have rallied for Black Lives Matter, to support efforts to curb climate change and to do the social and political work necessary to support our democratic principles, such as securing the right to vote for everyone.
Thank you for the reminder that we are all in this together! I wholeheartedly agree. As a Gen Xer, raised by a boomer, but I am NOT driven by greed. I AM turned off with the divisiveness of pitting generations against each other! I could really do without the labels.
I’m a “boomer” and I feel your rhetoric is a huge part of our problem. I bet I’m farther left than most here and so are my friends and acquaintances. Lumping people into separate boxes makes lots of people feel safer but does absolutely nothing to bring peace. It’s just another form of school yard name calling and bullying. There’s no room for that here amongst civilized educated and aware people, such as this group. I’ve never read anything like this on this platform but I have read it plenty on others. Maybe this is not the place you need to express your thoughts.
And "the original German." Is that the original German of the Brahms Requiem and of Friedrich Schiller, as opposed to the degraded and corrupted German of "Es war ein Kleines Birdie" by P.D.Q. Bach?
Well, TC you have created such a firestorm here. I get that you were probably angry and frustrated at the idiot in the waiting room and having to listen to that stuff probably raised your ire. But what you posted here, among like minded folks, was really offensive to so many of us "boomers" who have actually championed liberal causes for so long. In my case, among other things, closing down St. John's University after the Cambodian invasion was one of these protests. Remember what RBG said: "Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that brings others with you".
I have never been so offended by a comment in this forum.
If you can’t discern that there are good people and bad people no matter when they were born you have some serious issues. I’m offended that you would come out here and wish us all dead. We have a good 20 to 30 years left.
The proper thing to do if the man’s radio bothered you so much was to move your seat or better yet politely ask him to turn it down or put in headsets. It’s appalling that your reaction was violence.
I don’t know what you consider participating in the 60’s but the last Baby Boomer was born in 1964. What did you expect them to be doing at that age?
Are you currently, or have you ever, taken any actions to stop the right wing Nazi type rhetoric on the radio and TV? Perhaps your only participation has been to criticize others.
May I inquire if perhaps something completely different is going on? Chronic health issue? I know a lot about that. Financial crunch? That’ll make anyone cranky. Perhaps something more personal, maybe you lost a person close to you?
I’m a boomer though on the younger side. I know a lot of boomers. Vast majority are flaming liberals. I think your bias speaks more to the company you keep. Most of the Trumpsters I know are under 40. Though I do think there is way too much brainwashing of the elderly by Fox News. But television in and of itself has had a terrible negative effect on the health of older populations. I hate the thing.
Wow. Ouch. Well I can agree that the Baby Boomer generation has been a big disappointment in moving steadily over the years from the left to the right in disappointing numbers. But wishing all of us dead. Really? So many of us "damn boomers" are intelligent, well educated, very active liberals. While I see the kind of person you are talking about, usually at medical appointments (the only place I go this year), I surround myself with so many family and friends who are decidedly liberal that I would have to go looking for the others. I worry much more about how many very young adults are caught up in Trumpism. Can they ever moderate their politics after this? And the children of Trumpers. Very concerning.
Boomer here...as they said in Monty Python, "theese ones not dead yet"...Prefer to be known as an American...labeling groups just propagates all the us n them disease. I will also note that many generations were well represented in the Jan 6th riot...so lets set aside incendiary comments directed at specific age groups. We have too much work to do to get this country back on track to be pointing fingers at each other.
Netflix had a great documentary out last year called The Social Dilemma. If you haven't seen it, check it out. Part of the issue is that artificial intelligence algorithms track what you do on social media and then feed you similar stories based on your interest.
That last paragraph about Eugene Goodman made me so emotional. Watching the video of Officer Goodman being sort of chased by a mob, and at the same time holding them at bay, filled me with fear for him. When news came out that he was leading that group away from the Senators—by himself and at his own peril— I was so grateful and amazed! Such courage! And commitment to his duty in the face of mortal danger. Comparing that with trump, Barr, Graham, Cruz, Hawley, McConnell, McEnany and countless others— some of whom were the very Americans Goodman protected with his own life—who so easily disregarded their commitments to the Constitution and their constituents for money and power, we see a stark contrast indeed. His name fits him. He is most highly deserving of the Congressional Medal of Honor
I see comments over and over about teaching character and more civics in schools. My school district is a prime example of how it’s not that easy. See NBC’s news about a rich school district coming to terms with racism. Yep, that’s where I teach! We do have a program for teaching integrity and inclusion. But there is so much more at play here! We cannot keep expecting teachers to do it all and solve it all, while trashing them as well! Like I told someone I blocked on Facebook just the other day, if you’re not happy with schools get involved and vote! Politicians make up our curriculum, training, objectives, our textbooks. If one more teacher tells me they aren’t political, my brain will explode! Ok, I’m better done with my vent and rant. Thanks for providing a safe space!
You are so right! As I raised my daughter (I was a late bloomer!Married at 41 and gave birth at 42) and I was stunned by the 180 degree turn in the relationship between parents and school! If we came home with a note, or God forbid, a teacher called our parents, it was guilty until proven innocent. But the reality in my daughter’s schools was extremely different. Teachers were assigned an impossible amount of responsibility, so many families had both parents working (no problem) and except for those who were blessed with families that helped or exceptional care-givers the schools were expected to fill in the blanks. But at the same time, the teachers were handcuffed by demanding parents who couldn’t see or wouldn’t see the unraveling in their own kids. What a nightmare.
We had teachers at our school quietly just not teach mandatory curriculum because it didn't match their values. So once certain parents whose kids had other teachers heard, the accusations began to fly about teaching their children "inappropriate" curriculum. Ugh. One of the many things I do not miss after retiring this past June after 33 years teaching 8 the grade. My job changed dramatically over the years. When I first started, kids and parents respected educators and education. Over time that changed. More testing. More data collection. And the demands of more parents than expected who treated teachers like we were below them, their servant, and the entitlement they and their children feel was so disheartening. I had hope when we were held up last spring, but that didn't last into the new school year. As frustration over closures has grown - not educator's fault - the vitriol of the entitled grew louder. Of course, these entitled are the loud minority. But we have been for several decades now the scapegoats of society. Thank God we have an educator in the White House and educated and competent people in positions of leadership. I had a wonderful career with mostly delightful parents and students, but I am grateful I could retire early. It was time. My emotional health was being challenged by the mounting pressures of doing more with much less. Hang in there. Your students need teachers like you.
At the university level I had students whose parents would phone me up and yell at me about their kid's grade. The argument had always to do with the child's grade point average and nothing whatsoever to do with the child's education. It's hard to imagine that those students could become genuinely productive and engaged citizens.
Jeez! Think about that?! And I bet they were the loudest screams when some of our Hollywood royalty spent $$$ on getting their kids into great colleges! Sometimes I want to scream ‘What’s wrong with you people!!?’
No wonder people grow up so resentful (more Trumpism seeds) when their expectations that they are so special that success is a ‘given’!
Same in my school. It isn't about the grade, the "trophy", it's about the valuable skills being learned. These parents are raising kids who will never be able to problem solve and self advocate because Mommy and Daddy have always cleared the path of any obstacle. How is this helpful to them? The fact parents call professors is ridiculous. My older sister is in upper regional management at Home Depot. She says parents call to excuse their child from work and to intervene when any disciplinary actions occur. She simply say she cannot talk to them about an employee and that said employee needs to be making these calls. Crazy.
Exactly! I love my job so much, but this year is a game changer. Everyone in my age bracket is retiring early. I don’t have that option. Even my side job involved teaching and that dried up too. Sadly, if I had the means I’d get out too. And looks like I didn’t win the mega millions billion dollar jackpot. Heavy sigh!
I have heard your story from so many of my friends who were teachers... it’s so sad, and paves the way for huge problems going forward. Perhaps these are the children, through no fault of their own, become the folks who TC has identified in his comments above! Thank you for all you gave over the years... and congratulations on your retirement!? So glad that you are here’
I was so dismayed by the school system when my daughter changed schools from KS to AZ that I wanted to run for the school board to make changes. Unfortunately I was working full time with a travel schedule and going to school myself. When she dropped from an A student to a D student in one semester the teacher never contacted me. She have emotional issues after her grandmother died. It showed in her school work. Parents need to be proactive in their children’s education but they can’t be if they don’t know what’s happening. I now raise my grandson and kept an eye on his online grades and assignments after his mother passed away.
I see many parents complain about how difficult it is for them to have to help their children with their education with the schools shut down. For the parents that have to balance this with full-time work that risks their health every day I feel for them. I have to remind myself they are less fortunate as I live in a neighborhood where there were regular Facebook postings for nanny’s and even some that wanted someone to come in daily to unload their dishwasher and change their sheets. This is just privilege to the Nth degree for me. I worked full time and went to school while raising my family. Teach your kids to do chores.
Not a rant - just commons sense. And kids NEED to learn how to take care of themselves - like doing a load of clothes - washing the dishes (by hand - how awful) feeding pets. The excuse of "its easier to do it myself" doesnt hack it. Have to admit thats one I was guilty of!!
Our local paper ran an opinion from a parent complaining about her daughter's treatment during the closure and it quickly turned into a rant against the Teacher's Union whom she blamed obstructed the opening of the school district. Thank God teachers have the right to unionize because the union is the only advocate they have as parents seek to blame the teachers for all their woes and whom they claim are overpaid which is the most ridiculous statement ever uttered.
Yes, I was just explaining the great things unions do for people in many positions. My mother was in one and it kept us going with decent pay and many benefits even during the times she was laid off. My father wasn’t in one and often worked 3 jobs.
When I read this newsletter I am heartened that details will come forth that will show the depth of depravity of djt and those close to him. They must be accountable for their actions. All four years of this terror. In my mind, his whole tenure was a high crime(and no simple misdemeanor).
Never forget that djt did attempt to extort a political favor from Ukraine. Each republican senator perjured themselves with their vote. Oops! Except Romney.
Never forget that djt allowed mass kidnapping at our southern border. Mass child abuse. And not one Republican said no.
Never forget that djt willfully mismanaged our current pandemic. We have him on the Woodward tapes admitting that he knew the truth about the virus, and yet lied for all these months. Not one republican (to my knowledge) broke with the president when Woodward’s book was published! Not one. 400 THOUSAND DEATHS, AND COUNTING!
Never forget that every republican would have accepted djt as president if he had won re-election.
In the next two years and beyond, we need to Benghazi djt’s administration till it bleeds the truth all over the Republican Party.
If we don’t hold them accountable, it will happen again. I can’t fathom how much worse it will be! Yet my trumper acquaintances say look at the stock market, it’s still doing great because of trump. Such a small measure of a legacy!
You could always reply to that Trumper with innocent, wide-eyes, and say, “Oh yeah!!! So many Americans are too dumb to take advantage of the market!! I read that about half of all citizens are missing out on such a great benefit. They must be really ignorant.” Be sure to shake your head and roll your eyes when delivering this barb. 😉😂😂
Oh I take up oxygen with innocent eyes all the time! You don’t like how much people get with assistance because they make more than when they work? Oh so you’re for increasing minimum wage! I told one co worker maybe you should read the news instead of listening to talk radio. Ha! We’re still cordial but just!
Thanks for the question, Cherie--I didn't know either. And thanks for that link, Chris. I think Hillary Clinton will go down as one of the most wrongfully maligned public servants in American history.
Not susceptible of a sound bite but Schumer’s (so far) refusal to give in to McConnell’s appeals to tradition and “civility” indicate that a good chunk of the Democrats are unwilling to forget or forgive the roughshod treatment they’ve received from Republicans over the last eight years. That is good news, indeed.
You know, I think Democrats are really waking up to how they have been abused and taken advantage of by malignant jerks like MM and DT. I am reading articles that say Biden is not doing a “reset“ with Republicans. No more forgive and forget. It’s high time those pigs got a taste of their own medicine.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. A mouthfuls of beautiful and true words. I am so happy to have President Biden's partner step forward and meet the National Guard with kindness and grace. Small, kind gestures can be remembered for a long time.
1. As I said a bit ago to a friend who also labored in Okeefenokee West as a screenwriter, if we had ever pitched a story as crazy insane as the story of Trump's attempted coup in the Justice Department, we wouldn't have just been shown the door, but would have been kicked through it, for bringing something so obviously nuts and unrealistic.
2. As regards the 1 in 5 traitors being military/ex-military, I am reminded I never knew so many white male morons in one place at one time as in the US military. Lots of excellent people, but waaaaay too many morons. I have a good friend who is "former special ops" and still active in that community. He tells me there is about 1/3 of those people - the "super soldiers" who have the kind of training to seriously mess things up - who advocate treason. They are, however, opposed by a larger group; he knows people he has turned over to the FBI during the Trump time as potential terrorists, so it's a real threat. This isn't surprising - in the 20s and 30s, it was the elite Sturmtruppen of WW1 who became brownshirts, and the elite Arditti (mountain troops) of the Italian Army who became blackshirts after the war.
3. As a knowledgeable "Washington hand" said to me tonight, Shumer would never have turned down McConnell as directly as he did today if he didn't have 50 votes in his hip pocket to kill the filibuster if McConnell keeps it up. That would include Manchin, who my friend says is rumored to be "dismayed" by the lack of cooperation in the face of a national emergency (what planet he grew up on is anybody's guess, but it wasn't this one).
As Lawrence said, as of Wednesday, he hoped he would only be bringing Trump's name up in the news for the impeachment, but "How can I say good-bye if you won't go away?" As the Georgia ex-US Attorney said, "The last bird may be gone, but you can't get the stink out of the henhouse." But Trump is now open to federal and state charges of Election Fraud for "attempting to influence the counting of votes." As has been the case with him forever, everything he says about others is projection of what he's doing.
TC, while I agree with some of your statements, I have to call out your generalization of our folks in the military. Most of the people who volunteer for service are NOT “morons” as you call them. When deployed, they put their lives on the line every day in service to our country.
Whether or not you agree with the US’s involvement in a war, these men and women are there at the behest of our government. In some cases, protecting our democracy and your right to express your opinion.
I’m so sorry if this sounds harsh, but my son-in-law spent 2 tours in Iraq. He slept, ate, and went to the latrine with his rifle. His base was bombed so frequently that he wouldn’t eat in the mess area, as it was a target. He often led his group in escorting convoys out of the base, as the operator of an enormous “tow truck” to retrieve tanks and other vehicles that were attacked when on missions. They also brought back the bodies of fellow servicemen who were in those vehicles. His stories are difficult to hear...I cannot imagine living through them.
These “morons” as you call them, are trained to never question the authority of their commanders. That’s the way our military is designed.
Maybe we should rethink how we over-generalize. Many servicemen and women who enlist may not have the career opportunities you’ve had.
Some people in our military may be a part of the problem we face today, just as in policing, and firefighting, and in the entertainment field. I would hope that we can avoid painting them all with that broad brush of judgment.
My thought about soldiers is helping them with the return to civilian life and providing them with a safety network of education, job, emotional support. A family member committed suicide after his time in Afghanistan. Our loss has had enormous repercussions! He needed so much more than just returning to his parents. I don’t know about their intellect but I do feel they need more from the country that they risked their life for.
Our communities and especially the Veterans Administration need to step up and provide much needed support, in so many areas. Hopefully, with the commitment of our new Administration, we’ll see an improvement in services.
I’m so hopeful that we now have a president that has real life experience that gives him empathy. His losses are so deep! So personal! He’s been where we’ve all been. And Dr Biden is going to continue to teach! Feeling so much hope and relief!
I come from a military family and worked for 28 years full time and now 7 years part time with a Sheriff's Office which includes a lot of former military, and my career has spanned having veterans from Korea through GWOT. My Dad was WWII. I have noted a change since the demise of the Fairness Doctrine and the advent of the "freedom" of the internet with the proliferation of conspiracy theories and how points of view have been altered. I've lost friends to suicide directly related to their combat service, and fully agree with the need for better "after care" following deployment.
I came across this article from Military Times last night, shared by a Facebook friend with whom I have had some thorny arguments. It is a good read.
Thank you for sharing this article. We need to bring this issue, as well as the dangerous white supremacy that is woven into community law enforcement, into the bright light of public scrutiny. I am at a loss to know how to combat the negative impact of these dark, dishonest influences on my own son, whose values and beliefs have shifted dramatically in a direction that is appalling and heartbreaking, since he became a police officer. He is someone who was committed to social justice issues and multiculturalism, raised to believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every living being, and he really did live those principles, until he went through police training and joined the ranks of community police departments. He has revealed enough for us to know that his police training and subsequent associations as an officer, including the Fraternal Order of Police, have had a profound negative influence on him. These negative, bigoted attitudes have been reaffirmed by whatever “professional” networks, social media and news sources he now chooses as his primary sources of information. As parents, my husband and I have failed to bring him back from the dark side. We know that he is one of many. It is going to take unilateral changes in senior military and law enforcement leadership to change the training and culture of community law enforcement departments in order to shift the negative, racist influences that are capturing the minds of far too many who choose law enforcement as a career. The leadership and mandate has to come from the top down and needs to be combined with a change in the prevalence of disinformation that has infiltrated our communication and news sources. It is a powerful, negative behemoth to tame. I don’t know how the necessary changes can be accomplished.
Ally, this is such an important piece in the Military Times! I’m hoping that everyone reads it. You’re right, misinformation is so dangerous...somehow it needs to be reigned in. Whether it’s the Fairness Doctrine or some other regulation should be reconsidered and implemented.
This perspective is more helpful than name-calling and blame. I always say...dig down for the truth. Thank you so much for sharing!
I have close relationships with many who are retired military and who would benefit from this oped, so I've shared it with them. They are experiencing stressful fallout from the news that one in five rioters have been identified as military although they themselves are about as "liberal" as one might ever hope to be! Thank you for posting this excellent read.
Yeah, I'm sorry. I was there, you're wrong. The majority are not morons. But *that* majority includes everybody. When you limit it to the white people, they're as majority morons as they are elsewhere. Go read Nick Turse's "Kill Everything That Moves," a very difficult read about US war crimes in Vietnam, based on files from a special secret US Army unit that was formed to "debunk" returning GIs who claimed to have witnessed war crimes - except their investigations PROVED every allegation was true. And they ALMOST ALL involved white GIs. White racism is bone-deep in the DNA, and unless we white people admit that, we are never going to get at the root of this problem.
Maj. Danny Sjursen (West Point, retired, tours in Afghanistan and Iraq) writes clearly that the military by and large is hardly defending our so-called "democracy"(itself a questionable assignation)("citizens-have-little-impact-on-public-policy.... Even though our Constitution laid the plans for a democracy, by fiat we now have a plutarchy (plutocratic oligarchy) ......Gilens and Page have shown that our
Majoritarian Electoral Democracy has "only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy," see://pnhp.org/2014/04/21/gilens-and-page-average-citizens-have-little-impact-on-public-policy/)(See also Wolin - "inverted totalitarianism").....that it is defending chiefly corporate interests and empiric aims. Moreover, in light of continued military failures, he's critical of the vaunted status many if not most of the "commanders" are awarded by politically heated (faux?) patriots. War - a terrific money making adventure. ( [See https://www.pogo.org/report/2018/11/brass-parachutes/....." A POGO investigation found that from 2008 to the present over 380 high-ranking Department of Defense officials and military officers became lobbyists, board members and military officers became lobbyists, board members , executives, or consultants for defense contractors within two
Dear Kari: A few years ago the military had to lower their standards in order to fill their quotas. While I too support the young men who volunteer for combat TC has a valid point as the military encourages blind obedience not unlike those who fall prey to conspiracy theories and Trump culture more or less setting them up for recruiting. The roll of soldier can be seductive. You belong to a huge gang, you're allowed to fire powerful weapons which can be empowering and addictive. These conditions allow for some bizarre behavior which could be called moronic.
In rereading both yours and TCinLA's post, I'm not sure where you have disagreement with TC's remarks. I didn't see blanket condemnation in the former's remarks about personal experience and that of friends, but an illustration of the dismaying fact of there being "waaaaay too many morons" in the military - including highly trained and dangerous special ops drawn to sedition - who were "opposed by a larger group". It seems to me that your son is likely to have served with some less stellar and admirable soldiers.
Actually, Lanita, I do agree with much of what TC states. I just dislike a broad brush approach to describe anyone.
This thread had prompted an in depth discussion with my son-in-law regarding the group with whom he served. He described that when out on missions, each had to depend on one another for their lives...in spite of their political party.
I will be listening closely for any updates from the intelligence community and the Department of Defense as they address this important issue.
I found this article that addressed the issue of racism in the military:
Yes, interesting, isn't it? When I was in Vanuatu years ago, I noticed that they do offshore banking, similar to the Caymman Islands, which is illegal for US citizens. That would be of interest to the previous president and his family also, I'd think.
Maybe his talk about running again and his “movement” that has “just begun” are akin to OJ’s search for the “real killer” of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.
Jeanne Doyle, I am still trying to find out what the “movement “is that Trump keeps referring to. Does anybody know? Whatever it might be, I find it very scary.
If you go to any of the right wing media sites and social platforms you will see an amazing amount of passion for Trump. In some places you'll find vitriol and calls for violence against "libs", dems, never trumpers, those who turned their backs on trump, election officials, judges...you name it. Some of these folks look on their allegiance to and fight for Trump as a holy crusade and invoke Jesus quite regularly. It is frankly alarming. If you are easily upset use caution.
Watch the full video of the terrorists who stormed the White House on the 6th. At one of the quiet moments on the Senate floor, one of them breaks into prayer and asks for the Lord's blessings on their holy mission. To see these misguided men lift their hands up in supplication is quietly terrifying.
I think he was referring to the people who came to his rally on January 6 and ended up attacking the Capitol. It’s dying ir dead already. Hundreds have been arrested, the Proud Boys have denounced Trump as weak. QAnon is off the air I think. I think the movement moved on.
Why are we not clamoring for an investigation into the US military culture itself? WHY are people who have had the most sacred duty of protecting us turning against everything the US stands for? What is it about the culture that it is spawning such hatred and distrust?
We need answers to this BIG problem. Changes need to be made.
Reference your point #2: Being of that old category yes there are about 1/3 who would volunteer for moron duty. But there are more of 'the other' than there is of 'them'. Cryptic enough for early AM?
None of this news bodes well for Biden's predecessor. Although my lawyer daughter repeatedly tells me not to play lawyer. I can't see how any of his last minute actions at DoJ, his riot rousing speech on the 6th or the deadly organizing efforts of his beloved domestic terrorists cannot be major charges by the prosecution side in the Senate. Same goes for Graham, Hawley and all the others in the House and Senate who dared to overturn a free and fair election.
Democrats cannot waiver this time, it's not an option.
Obviously the Republican Congressmen (and women if there are any in that group) have legal exposure from that Jan.6 vote, but the Orange Jumpsuit has far and away the lion’s share.
You're correct, of course - he's guilty as sin. However, I continue to fear that we'll not be able to manage to get 17 Rethuglicans to convict. If not, there's also the 14th Amendment, and the civil courts have plenty of fodder. I hope that my pessimism is unfounded, but we've watched these miscreants for years, much to the detriment of our country. Let's hope that Biden will hold their feet to the fire.
Same as it ever was for them. I prefer to ignore most of that and instead push all the inconvenient truths they don't want to hear. Then need to be reacting to us imho.
I’m worried about this, too.. and the fact that there is uncertainty about prosecuting some of the insurrectionists that entered the Capitol who weren’t “violent.” Isn’t being a part of an insurrection in itself, violent? And I hear the Repugs running back to Trump and moving to censure those that acknowledged the fair and clean election... I’m afraid we are back-stepping, here, on holding those accountable for what went on on 1/6, and that the Repugs are lining up with their mob boss and smearing those that took a stand for decency. And will Biden be able to get things done? Feeling let-down after our inauguration high.😕
"It turns out that, in the last, desperate days of his attempt to keep his grip on the presidency, Trump plotted with a lawyer in the Department of Justice, Jeffrey Clark, to oust the acting attorney general."
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Kudos to the top Justice Dept lawyers who told Trump to his face, through a representative at a White House meeting, they would resign, en masse, all of them, if he carried out his plan. They came down on the right side of history, as did acting AG Rosen.
The impeachment vote will give Senators the same opportunity. I agree with HCR that that is one signifigant aspect of the impeachment vote. Another one is that, if convicted, Trump won't be able to run for office again thus signifigantly reducing his political sway over the Republican Party. He also won't be able to raise money for another presidential run, and then siphon funds off to say, pay legal bills or hold off creditors who speak with a Russian accent.
And kudos to President Biden, who, in his first two full days in office, has shown that he has indeed been busy since the election. He didn't hit the ground running, he hit the ground sprinting, in spite of Trumpist foot-dragging.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do!
Several months ago, my wife directed my attention to one of your Letters on Facebook, suggesting that I read it. After reading the first paragraph, I stopped and said to my wife, "This is some of the best writing I have ever read." You continue to confirm that initial judgment. -- G
The irony of this ... and the stupidity. ... is that changing one state would not have changed the result. Maybe they thought other swing states would follow suit if Georgia went along with Clark. I hope that by adding two weeks to the start of the Impeachment Trial will bring out more evidence of sedition forcing the Republican Senators to vote to "convict" the former President and keep him from ever holding office again.
Yes, you’re absolutely right, and remember, this guy is not the brightest bulb on the circuit. There’s a really good reason why he threatened his schools so that they wouldn’t leak his academic records to the press.
The whole intention was to give the (R) legislatures in Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania the "OK" they needed to follow Georgia had it happened.
And Arizona's wackadoodle GOP legislators are still trying to overturn the election. They have finally gotten the Maricopa County Supervisors to turn over all of our ballots to review. It is shocking and horrifying that these extreme right wingers will actually put their hands on my ballot. Our GOP Governor and our very conservative GOP Attorney General had repeatedly stood up for the results of our vote and have now stepped aside. These are people ready strip away the very well performing mail in ballot process Arizona has had for over 20 years. These people are unbelievable
You may be right, there may be a deeper story about Georgia, but I also remember news reports about him harassing governors and election officials in Michigan and Pennsylvania as well.
Heather, while it may be true that one in five rioters is a veteran, there are two other things which also need to be pointed out. First, at least one of those veterans was discharged from the military for failure to perform his duties. The other, more important fact, is that both Officer Eugene Goodman, and Officer Brian Sicknick served proudly and honorably in the military, before once again risking, and in Officer Sicknick’s case, losing their lives to protect democracy.
Good morning everyone! Even TC--although I do wish you would stop making such typically mansplaining statements that are unnecessarily combative in this forum. Thank you especially, HCR, for continuing to give us your presentation of the day's news. May the events of the day in Washington continue to be positive rather than the continuous stream of "What NOW?!" news of the last 4 years. I saw the NYTimes story on the DoJ debacle last night and thought I could no longer be surprised by the depths of mania to which the EX-POTUS could go, but I was wrong. Perhaps I was just surprised that someone with supposed credibility in the DoJ was willing to go so low. However, I am sure that as the weeks go on--especially since the impeachment trial is being delayed by two weeks--we will be hearing more about the ethical and moral vacuum that was the Drumpf Whitehouse in the last 14 months.
In the continuing "WTF" world of trying to keep up with Josh Hawley's growing narcissism and desperation (lots of Missouri former supporters are really piling on) he sent me the most inane and self-serving "reply" (I am sure it was a form letter) to my letters to him about his behavior on January 6th. My reply was a little more personal and specific. I would be happy to share to anyone who wants it--I posted it on FB. One of the things he did yesterday was reveal that he really is the most egregious racist: he was one of only two senators to vote no to confirm Lloyd Austin (although 5 senators failed to vote or abstained, which is weird) as Secretary of Defense. Not even the execrable Ted Cruz voted against Austin. So evidently Joshy is trying to out-Cheeto the Cheeto. It will be interesting to see if he starts sporting spray tans. . .
Okay, there has been a lot of interest in my letter to Hawley. Feel free to borrow if you're writing your own representatives in Congress, although my response to him was specific to his letter, in which he claims he was doing nothing different from what Democrats had done in 2000, 2004, and 2016.
Mr. Hawley (Joshy):
To reply and refute your claims that you were merely doing what Democrats had done in years past.
Republicans have FAILED TO WIN THE POPULAR VOTE in the vast majority of presidential elections; instead your party has gamed the system of the Electoral College in order to create the illusion that you actually had the mandate of the majority of the population. You have not: Not in 2000, not in 2004, and certainly not in 2016. In addition, your party has engaged in voter suppression through gerrymandering, poll taxes, absurd ID requirements, etc. in order to prevent Black people, people of color, and people who do not support you from voting. In 2020, you made invidious, untruthful, and ridiculous claims of voter irregularities FOR WHICH YOU HAD AND CONTINUE TO HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE. I thought you were supposed to be a lawyer?? Oh right: there is a move afoot to disbar you because you have abrogated your oaths of office.
You contested the votes of the ELECTORAL COLLEGE in states over which you HAVE NO JURISDICTION. You did so even though YOUR OWN MINIONS tried to overthrow the government, were interested in lynching Democratic members of Congress and YOUR OWN VICE PRESIDENT. This is not what the Democrats did in 2000, 2004, or 2016.
You are a disgrace to the office of Senator. You do not represent me or anyone like me in Missouri. You have consistently deployed an appalling lack of rational judgement, you have whined and moaned and had tantrums instead of acting like an adult. You have nullified your rights to legitimacy because you have denigrated your oath to protect the Constitution of the United States.
The reckoning will, I hope, come soon. You do not deserve to hold the seat you hold. Even your mentor Senator Danforth was vociferous in his regret that he had had anything to do with your political career. You are shameful, hypocritical, and mendacious. You don't even live in Missouri.
Oh my heart Linda, I ❤️ your letter! I read it to my husband it was so good! I'd love to see his reply. (Or did you say it was a form letter?) Thank you for sharing!
Linda, I'm interested in seeing your response to Hawley.
In re the DoJ debacle, I almost fell off the sofa while reading that article. I'm not sure how many more Trump plants are embedded in government but I'm afraid it could be enough to cause serious damage. One thing is clear, from day one, Trump was the Supplanter in Chief whose intent was to damage the people of the US beyond repair. He came mighty close to doing so.
Yeah--my parents were not super creative and the original family name is both unspellable and unpronounceable in English so the grandfather settled on Mitchell as the nearest equivalent to the Greek original. When I was living in western NY State there was another Linda Mitchell with the SAME BIRTHDAY (one year apart!), the SAME doctors, using the SAME hospital. It was kind of a nightmare for both of us. I am happy to befriend you Daria!
Well, Roland, it's in Maniote dialect (making it even more interesting as Greek names go) and I can't figure out how to change to a Greek alphabet keyboard in Substack. So sorry: can't entertain you!
Hi, Daria.......maybe I can send you a friend request also? I appreciate all your comments and I have unfriended so many T supporters that I would like to really change the profile of my friends group. Thanks!!
It seems there is sufficient interest that I'll copy it here. Annette, I'm the LM in KC--there are a bunch of namesakes on FB so not sure if you'll be able to find me. It might be that working through befriending one of our colleagues here and then using that to find me would be the way to go.
Linda, I would really like to friend you on Facebook. I always appreciate what you write. My name is Wendy Raksin. I'm looking forward to reading the letter.
The plot thickens. And not only is there more evidence this time, the legislators themselves are witnesses.
I hope Eugene Goodman, already promoted to acting deputy sergeant-at-arms, also gets the Presidential Medal of Freedom, honoring his service and at the same time restoring the prestige of that award.
I hope not, Ally. I think there should just be asterisks after the names of all those given the medal during the last administration and that the medal should continue to be viewed as a great honor.
I know I’ve asked this before: is there a way we will learn what becomes of the hundreds of millions of dollars $$$$ raised by Trump and Pence for the so-called‘Election Defense Fund’ following the November 3 election? Consider this in light of how much start and federal taxpayer money was spent responding to Trump’s and Pence’s challenges to a fair election. The result is Americans collectively spent untold amounts of money in courts and election divisions (and to pursue and prosecute insurrectionists and put the Capitol back in order) while Trump, Pence and the RNC made one of the largest two-month political fundraising hauls in American history. Their base (who probably could not afford it) got nothing in the end. Their haul would not have been possible without taxpayer supported recounts, state and DOJ investigations and court expenses. And now, apparently, Trump is stiffing his bottom dredging legal team — unwilling to use donations from his deceived base to pay them.
Back to his old tricks—stiffing people who have worked for him. He stiffed contractors in NYC, claiming they didn’t do the job right. I was living in the NYC area when he had his affair with Marla Maples and Ivana claimed he abused her. After their expensive divorce, she was suddenly quiet. Anyway, I loved that someone on tv said, “Trump was a common criminal before he became President.”
Totally agree. I live in NYC area and know one of those contractors which is why my former biz didn’t work for Trump. It’s maddening and sad when an artisan isn’t paid for their work and experiences financial hardship, as a result. The Grifter Criminal in Chief was and is no surprise to us. Looking forward to the investigations, charges, trials, and - justice prevailing - convictions. ❤️🤍💙
What are the chances he tries to skip the country - that money could pay his expenses for a while, maybe pay off some of his debts - or swing a deal to build a new hotel in his eventual destination ... like Sochi ...?
Well, I think he's a flight risk. And he probably used the months since he lost the election in November to give away a lot of things that weren't, strictly speaking, his, and now he has some IOU's he can call in.
I watched a short program on PBS last night and this topic was briefly discussed. I didn’t hear where the money currently is or where it will go but the commentator did say it is illegal for Trump to use any of it to pay off any personal debts or to spend it outside of a campaign.
I loved the cookies moment. I saw the video on Facebook. I commented "Humans are back in the White House". I am also happy Officer Goodman is getting honored. Every time I watch that video I get chills.
I never thought I would hear myself saying that Mike Pence would one day do the right thing. By refusing to continue his embarrassing devotion to Trump and refusing to accept the lie he has done service to our country. I believe in redemption and I wish the other legislators in Congress would follow his lead. Mike Pence seemed like a happier man at the inauguration. I wonder if the others understand what a relief it would be to crawl out from under the huge weight of Trumps destructive lie.
I'm not quite there to give pence the benefit of the doubt or much redemption. He had four years to do the right thing, and he waited until the last 2 weeks!
Well like I said I'm no big Pence fan. In fact, Ive always found him very creepy but I live in a world surrounded by Trump supporters. Many of whom are my brothers and sisters. I am watching them coming to terms with the obvious, that Trump is a reckless, lawless and very dangerous man. They are really struggling with admitting this because during his four years everything they have wanted for decades came to fruition. Just two months ago my brother told me that Trump is the most successful President ever, Ever! I'm simply glad that, in the end, Pence did the right thing.
Today's Letter from an American elucidates the greater calm since president Joe Biden took over; another act by Trump to overturn the presidential election, this time with the help of a Justice Department lawyer (it didn't work); touches upon the filibuster along with a carrot and stick political maneuver (outcome to be determined) and two outstanding acts of humanity. Heather's letter illustrates the power of the free press; the lower depths of Trump's corruption; the machinations of government; the thoughtfulness of First Lady Jill Biden and the life saving bravery of capitol police officer, Eugene Goodman.
This letter was an American harvest that read more like the FDR or Eisenhower years than 2021. I look back at yesterday's Letter as one of great importance. In it, Heather approached the impact that lies, conspiracies and 'false news' have had on our country. One of the observations from reading today's Letter was the reintroduction of truth by the Biden administration. We must return to the issue of lies and truth over and over again as truth has been overwhelmed in the last five years and before Trump. Big lies need to be raked away as they destroy democracies and are at the root of totalitarianism The function of government was the other subject of yesterday's Letter. We need to learn more about why our government is not functioning and what can been done about it. Most of us need to return to civics and be much more informed citizens, so that our government passes crucial legislation on behalf of the people.
Day 2 B.A. (Biden Administration)
Today I talked politics with woman who voted for DT on the single issue of being against abortion. We had a good, very civil discussion. We both enjoyed the conversation. I was surprised that she was afraid of Biden because she didn't want to have to use transgender bathrooms. While she thought it wasn't right that social media was biased against the right, but then she was believing the conspiracy theories which pervades social media. So, we did agree on two things: social media needed some sort of regulation akin to the news media has. No, we didn't know what that would be. And, second, we (everyone) did need to talk to each other and try to avoid all the hate speech. This gave me hope that we really could become a more united country again.
Most people already use co-ed bathrooms - in our homes, we don't have separate facilities for males and females. Plus, I wonder what the people afraid to use the same bathroom with someone who is transgender do in bathrooms? I think we should be afraid to use the bathrooms with them! SMH
This is this very bizarre response of many people--including members of the LGBQ community (note I removed the T from that acronym)--that shows up a lot. It is as though they demand that everyone adhere to the gender assigned to them at birth and its biological appendages. Perhaps they fear that they are not sufficiently cis-gendered? I think this is also something that has been part of the Christian messaging for centuries. For instance, in the Middle Ages, there were specific times/festivals when MEN crossdressed as a kind of "world turned upside-down" (obvious pre-Christian overtones here!) method of inducing the world to "right" itself. However, it was considered HERESY and TREASON for women to wear men's clothing. Joan of Arc was not accused of witchcraft, she was accused of heresy for refusing to wear women's clothes. Men wearing women's clothing was not an illegal act, but the opposite was.
Wow! I never knew that about Joan of Arc?!
That fear trades on demonizing trans people as predators.
I was at a medical appointment this morning, and had to sit there listening to some Ga-Ga Old Boomer listening to his hate radio on his damn phone. I was actually amazed how extreme the guy on the radio was - what he was ranting would have likely made more sense in the original German. Truly "Nazi Radio." I really thought long and hard about going over, plucking his damn phone from his hands and throwing it through a window. So far as I am concerned, the majority of that generation (I'm a war baby, thank god, not a damn boomer) has been fucking morons since I had to put up with their stupidity in elementary school, and the whole damn generation can't die off soon enough. (True fact: only 15% of Boomers participated in "the Sixties" to any serious degree - most of them thought it was no more than not visiting a barber and smoking dope. As if...)
Hey TC, I’m a boomer and proud of it! I am a fierce liberal and was raised and educated with an intense commitment to social and civil causes and firmly believe that we must be part of the ‘solutions’ in our society. At 69 years of age, I have always been disappointed in the reality of the ‘80/20’ rule. 80% of the people nothing extraordinary, and 20% are truly driven to make the exceptional their driving force. This applies in everything. The workplace, the community, and all the way up the line.
This group I would believe falls in the 20%. We are hungry for truths and a fair and compassionate world. Perhaps 80/20 is better represented by a spectrum, but I’m sure that you understand what I am saying. It’s so tragic that so many people weren’t raised with a sense of determination to make the world a better place (forgive the cliche). I believe that it starts in the home, but if our schools, our entire education system, doesn’t make the sense of responsibility to the greater good the guiding principle throughout the curriculum we all will fall into the low end of the spectrum.
When we honor Officer Goodman my heart pounds with pride. Why is it so hard for the average person to reach out, stand up, speak up and ache to know the truth? It’s not that they are morons, but the basic principles that were instilled in them as they grew up.
It’s so hard to de-program selfishness, greed, jealousy, which are all the seeds tossed into our gardens as children. It is up to all of us guide those who come after us with wisdom, generosity of goodness, and compassion.
‘When we were born’ as a factor of who we become is a narrow perspective I think compared to how we were guided in our early lives. As in ‘it takes a village’!
I accepted the 80/20 ratio early in my advocacy career (and in my PTA years, and when I ran the state nursing association). That's how it is in our human groups, whether by anthropological design, or hell raising for change only requires 1/5 of a set population to succeed. What I focused on instead was identifying young upstarts who just needed some confidence building and direction to be an active participant. The issue that concerns me is what percentage vote. THAT should ne 100%. Might be time to make it mandatory.
Yes! I believe that should be! I read earlier last year, I think it was Australia, where voting is mandatory and if you don’t vote you are fined $1.00 on your income taxes. Small penalty, but inescapable! I believe that they have about a 99% rate of success?! My memory is a classic boomer memory, so I will do some research and return to confirm or amend!
So, I was close. I am attaching a link, but I was wrong about the $ of the fine. $20 for the first offense, $50 for the second! I wonder if we could ever pass a law like that?
https://www.aec.gov.au/faqs/
Cynthia, I wish I could "like" this 100 times! Well stated!
Aww, thanks Carla!
I’ll second what happens in the home! I can teach integrity until I’m blue but if it’s not taught in the home it’s a losing battle!
Well said, Cynthia!
Thanks Larry!
Bravo. Well said. It indeed does take a village.
As a "Boomer" who was pepper sprayed on my campus while protesting the Viet Nam War and the Kent State debacle, I take issue with your hate speech directed toward Boomers and I take issue with your "True fact." There would be many more male boomers alive today, but hundreds of thousands were killed in Viet Nam (my best friend and family members, included.) The man in your doctor's waiting room should have been quietly reported to the office staff. Often, TCinLA I find what you write to be cogent and of interest. This time, I just read a message of hate and I hope for better days ahead for you and for us all.
Thousands of Vietnam veterans became homeless and suffered from mental illness. When I volunteered in the homeless shelters the majority of people were in that category. This has continued with veterans even now. They were drafted, they didn’t all run or buy their way out of the war. They served. Vietnam was the last war we used the draft. We need to do better with the men and women who were sent off to war.
It’s so shameful that we turned our backs on them .... who knows how many seeds of resentment that bloomed into Trumpism?!
Total casualties for Viet Nam are just over 52,000 which includes just under 41,000 directly combat deaths, roughly 1900 accidents and 360 in-country suicides. Sadly, there is no measure of the suicides/accidents/service related deaths that occurred after deployment that I could find. (Stats are from the National Archives). Higher numbers such as you post also deal with civilian casualties.
I am a tag-end Boomer who replies to those "OK, Boomer" catch-all statements with either a "you're welcome" or "thanks, Socrates."
Approximately 3.3 million Vietnamese people died in the American war.
Ohh. That is incredibly sad. I may have once known it, but now I feel it.
Ha ! Great!
I’m replying to Ally’s comment...substack can sometimes make me feel like Lucy (chocolate factory?)
Fifty thousand or so died in Vietnam. That’s bad, bit it’s not like what WW1 did to the British countryside.
Seems sad to be competitive about the number of deaths?
No, I saw it as clarification. I wss about to look up the nimber of American soldiers in Vietnam because I thought her numbet was high. Thanks Carol & Jim.
Mea culpa
I’m so sorry....
Please do not use profanity, thank you. Also, there are many “boomers” who are liberal, myself being one of them.
Me as well. At 69 I take real offense to the "Ok Boomer" attitude that young people have. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and make the changes. The blame game is destructive and disenfranchising and we need all the unity we can muster. You'd hear a big, hollow echo in this room if all the boomers walked out.
Yeah!!!
Yep! Moi aussi. Get off your high horse TC--you're no saint and your generation isn't the be-all. Indeed, your generation invented the Yuppie Handbook.
Me too!
There are indeed. Including me. But I hate to tell you we're a minority of the generation. Go look at the voting statistics for "over 65." And the generation has been like that ALWAYS. For the vast majority of them, "The Sixties" never happened.
But I thought you were a war baby?
18 months ahead of the boomers, close enough to spend a lot of time in school with them before escaping public miseducation, then immersed in them at college when I came back from the Navy.
Maybe they were part of the backlash to the sixties cultural and political revolution
Martha Donovan Updahl wins the intertoobz for today!! :-)
Hmm, I have to think about that...
(Replying to TC)
Hello TC, thank you for feeling safe enough to. vent your frustration here. I’ve learned so many things about you, both here and over on Lucian’s substack site. I know (or I think I know) that you are a published author with a wiki page, a script writer, a very interesting and smart individual, I like well over 90% of what you say, and I like you. What I don’t know is what on earth you’re talking about in this post. Could you be a bit more specific? Do you have the baby boomer generation associated with Rush Limbaugh or something? I’m not quite informed enough to know what was pissing you off, other than right wing radio, and if that’s the primary irritation and you said you wanted to take the phone and slam it through the guys head instead of just a window I would understand that too. Since your handle sounds like you are TC who lives in LA, LA is not exactly known for a high concentration of right wing jerks. Numerically of course there are surely millions, but percentage wise they are in a distinct minority in Southern California. Not exactly a right wing paradise. Like any intelligent person you don’t suffer fools gladly, thank goodness for that. Would you be willing to share a few more specific complaints?
Love you Roland! If I could express myself that well, I would start my own blog! And I agree, I always look forward to hearing from TC... but admittedly today startled me!
Yeah it’s a little jarring. But I think he means well. Somethings clearly going on that he’s not talking about. And I meant what I said about him feeling safe to express that here. You don’t start venting unless you’re in a place where you feel safe to do it. I don’t make assumptions about people I don’t know, and I have a lot of latitude for mental and emotional disturbance. We have no idea what TC has gone through. Chances are good that what he wrote about has absolutely nothing to do with what’s really going on with him. I’ve spent too much time in my life studying people and studying psychology to just fall for the surface presentation. The loving thing to do is to give him space to heal whatever he needs to heal.
Words matter! I put the request out here for him to rephrase that so we can all have dialog rather than defense. I’m open!
Of course... you are a kind and compassionate person!
Startle indeed!
And I love you too Cynthia you’re very sweet to say that
What war does “I am a war baby” refer to? I’m confused.
Me too!
I take exception to calling people to be certain ways because of the time span they were born in. It's foolish and untrue. Nor is it respectful.
Another Boomer here. One who volunteered for the Peace Corps and served two years. I came home and dedicated the rest of my life to teaching, primarily ESL students. Many Boomers, including myself, continued, and continue, the work for progressive change that was such a driving force during the 60s and 70s.
I have nephews and nieces whom I love dearly and am amazed at their single-minded focus on success and making money. I believe part of this is due to the shift that began with Reagan that made it difficult, if not impossible, for many Americans to have a good life as part of the middle class.( see air traffic controllers' strike) Many of their generation (GenXers) came to believe/understand that there would be winners and losers and that they needed to "win" (Greed is good.) The idea, perhaps the mirage, of "we're all in this together", disappeared.
I see a glimmer of hope in the younger generation who have rallied for Black Lives Matter, to support efforts to curb climate change and to do the social and political work necessary to support our democratic principles, such as securing the right to vote for everyone.
I still believe we're all in this together.
Thank you for the reminder that we are all in this together! I wholeheartedly agree. As a Gen Xer, raised by a boomer, but I am NOT driven by greed. I AM turned off with the divisiveness of pitting generations against each other! I could really do without the labels.
So TC, you are a generationalist but not a racist nor misogynist we may presume? Raise your consciousness man.
I'm disappointed in the tone of your post TC, it's bigoted and hateful and tarnishes my ability to take you seriously going forward.
Maybe he was drinking?
Even if he was, that’s only the symptom. There’s pain. Somethings going on and it has nothing to do with the intellectual conversation.
Roland you are a role model. Thank you.
I’m a “boomer” and I feel your rhetoric is a huge part of our problem. I bet I’m farther left than most here and so are my friends and acquaintances. Lumping people into separate boxes makes lots of people feel safer but does absolutely nothing to bring peace. It’s just another form of school yard name calling and bullying. There’s no room for that here amongst civilized educated and aware people, such as this group. I’ve never read anything like this on this platform but I have read it plenty on others. Maybe this is not the place you need to express your thoughts.
Wholly agree.
Got a source for that "true fact"?
And "the original German." Is that the original German of the Brahms Requiem and of Friedrich Schiller, as opposed to the degraded and corrupted German of "Es war ein Kleines Birdie" by P.D.Q. Bach?
P.D.Q.Bach - yes!!
Bob, thank you for a real chuckle this morning!!
Well, TC you have created such a firestorm here. I get that you were probably angry and frustrated at the idiot in the waiting room and having to listen to that stuff probably raised your ire. But what you posted here, among like minded folks, was really offensive to so many of us "boomers" who have actually championed liberal causes for so long. In my case, among other things, closing down St. John's University after the Cambodian invasion was one of these protests. Remember what RBG said: "Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that brings others with you".
I have never been so offended by a comment in this forum.
If you can’t discern that there are good people and bad people no matter when they were born you have some serious issues. I’m offended that you would come out here and wish us all dead. We have a good 20 to 30 years left.
The proper thing to do if the man’s radio bothered you so much was to move your seat or better yet politely ask him to turn it down or put in headsets. It’s appalling that your reaction was violence.
I don’t know what you consider participating in the 60’s but the last Baby Boomer was born in 1964. What did you expect them to be doing at that age?
Are you currently, or have you ever, taken any actions to stop the right wing Nazi type rhetoric on the radio and TV? Perhaps your only participation has been to criticize others.
Reply to TC #2:
May I inquire if perhaps something completely different is going on? Chronic health issue? I know a lot about that. Financial crunch? That’ll make anyone cranky. Perhaps something more personal, maybe you lost a person close to you?
No internal critic most likely.
Hacked?
I’m a boomer though on the younger side. I know a lot of boomers. Vast majority are flaming liberals. I think your bias speaks more to the company you keep. Most of the Trumpsters I know are under 40. Though I do think there is way too much brainwashing of the elderly by Fox News. But television in and of itself has had a terrible negative effect on the health of older populations. I hate the thing.
Wow. Ouch. Well I can agree that the Baby Boomer generation has been a big disappointment in moving steadily over the years from the left to the right in disappointing numbers. But wishing all of us dead. Really? So many of us "damn boomers" are intelligent, well educated, very active liberals. While I see the kind of person you are talking about, usually at medical appointments (the only place I go this year), I surround myself with so many family and friends who are decidedly liberal that I would have to go looking for the others. I worry much more about how many very young adults are caught up in Trumpism. Can they ever moderate their politics after this? And the children of Trumpers. Very concerning.
It is so frightening...
Boomer here...as they said in Monty Python, "theese ones not dead yet"...Prefer to be known as an American...labeling groups just propagates all the us n them disease. I will also note that many generations were well represented in the Jan 6th riot...so lets set aside incendiary comments directed at specific age groups. We have too much work to do to get this country back on track to be pointing fingers at each other.
I have a neighbor who feels the same way.
Netflix had a great documentary out last year called The Social Dilemma. If you haven't seen it, check it out. Part of the issue is that artificial intelligence algorithms track what you do on social media and then feed you similar stories based on your interest.
Excellent recommendation, thank you!
That last paragraph about Eugene Goodman made me so emotional. Watching the video of Officer Goodman being sort of chased by a mob, and at the same time holding them at bay, filled me with fear for him. When news came out that he was leading that group away from the Senators—by himself and at his own peril— I was so grateful and amazed! Such courage! And commitment to his duty in the face of mortal danger. Comparing that with trump, Barr, Graham, Cruz, Hawley, McConnell, McEnany and countless others— some of whom were the very Americans Goodman protected with his own life—who so easily disregarded their commitments to the Constitution and their constituents for money and power, we see a stark contrast indeed. His name fits him. He is most highly deserving of the Congressional Medal of Honor
I loved that he was Kamala Harris's official escort during the inauguration. How fitting that he be given such a role.
Well said. I teared up a little knowing that Officer Goodman is being recognized in such a rare way.
Jeanne, when reading about hi heroic action, I was pronouncing it "Good-min" in my head but Good-Man is so yes!
I see comments over and over about teaching character and more civics in schools. My school district is a prime example of how it’s not that easy. See NBC’s news about a rich school district coming to terms with racism. Yep, that’s where I teach! We do have a program for teaching integrity and inclusion. But there is so much more at play here! We cannot keep expecting teachers to do it all and solve it all, while trashing them as well! Like I told someone I blocked on Facebook just the other day, if you’re not happy with schools get involved and vote! Politicians make up our curriculum, training, objectives, our textbooks. If one more teacher tells me they aren’t political, my brain will explode! Ok, I’m better done with my vent and rant. Thanks for providing a safe space!
You are so right! As I raised my daughter (I was a late bloomer!Married at 41 and gave birth at 42) and I was stunned by the 180 degree turn in the relationship between parents and school! If we came home with a note, or God forbid, a teacher called our parents, it was guilty until proven innocent. But the reality in my daughter’s schools was extremely different. Teachers were assigned an impossible amount of responsibility, so many families had both parents working (no problem) and except for those who were blessed with families that helped or exceptional care-givers the schools were expected to fill in the blanks. But at the same time, the teachers were handcuffed by demanding parents who couldn’t see or wouldn’t see the unraveling in their own kids. What a nightmare.
I hear you! What a nightmare indeed.
We had teachers at our school quietly just not teach mandatory curriculum because it didn't match their values. So once certain parents whose kids had other teachers heard, the accusations began to fly about teaching their children "inappropriate" curriculum. Ugh. One of the many things I do not miss after retiring this past June after 33 years teaching 8 the grade. My job changed dramatically over the years. When I first started, kids and parents respected educators and education. Over time that changed. More testing. More data collection. And the demands of more parents than expected who treated teachers like we were below them, their servant, and the entitlement they and their children feel was so disheartening. I had hope when we were held up last spring, but that didn't last into the new school year. As frustration over closures has grown - not educator's fault - the vitriol of the entitled grew louder. Of course, these entitled are the loud minority. But we have been for several decades now the scapegoats of society. Thank God we have an educator in the White House and educated and competent people in positions of leadership. I had a wonderful career with mostly delightful parents and students, but I am grateful I could retire early. It was time. My emotional health was being challenged by the mounting pressures of doing more with much less. Hang in there. Your students need teachers like you.
At the university level I had students whose parents would phone me up and yell at me about their kid's grade. The argument had always to do with the child's grade point average and nothing whatsoever to do with the child's education. It's hard to imagine that those students could become genuinely productive and engaged citizens.
Jeez! Think about that?! And I bet they were the loudest screams when some of our Hollywood royalty spent $$$ on getting their kids into great colleges! Sometimes I want to scream ‘What’s wrong with you people!!?’
No wonder people grow up so resentful (more Trumpism seeds) when their expectations that they are so special that success is a ‘given’!
Same in my school. It isn't about the grade, the "trophy", it's about the valuable skills being learned. These parents are raising kids who will never be able to problem solve and self advocate because Mommy and Daddy have always cleared the path of any obstacle. How is this helpful to them? The fact parents call professors is ridiculous. My older sister is in upper regional management at Home Depot. She says parents call to excuse their child from work and to intervene when any disciplinary actions occur. She simply say she cannot talk to them about an employee and that said employee needs to be making these calls. Crazy.
😔
Exactly! I love my job so much, but this year is a game changer. Everyone in my age bracket is retiring early. I don’t have that option. Even my side job involved teaching and that dried up too. Sadly, if I had the means I’d get out too. And looks like I didn’t win the mega millions billion dollar jackpot. Heavy sigh!
Rumor has it someone in Michigan won it so we are all being extra nice to our neighbors and coworkers.
I have heard your story from so many of my friends who were teachers... it’s so sad, and paves the way for huge problems going forward. Perhaps these are the children, through no fault of their own, become the folks who TC has identified in his comments above! Thank you for all you gave over the years... and congratulations on your retirement!? So glad that you are here’
I was so dismayed by the school system when my daughter changed schools from KS to AZ that I wanted to run for the school board to make changes. Unfortunately I was working full time with a travel schedule and going to school myself. When she dropped from an A student to a D student in one semester the teacher never contacted me. She have emotional issues after her grandmother died. It showed in her school work. Parents need to be proactive in their children’s education but they can’t be if they don’t know what’s happening. I now raise my grandson and kept an eye on his online grades and assignments after his mother passed away.
I see many parents complain about how difficult it is for them to have to help their children with their education with the schools shut down. For the parents that have to balance this with full-time work that risks their health every day I feel for them. I have to remind myself they are less fortunate as I live in a neighborhood where there were regular Facebook postings for nanny’s and even some that wanted someone to come in daily to unload their dishwasher and change their sheets. This is just privilege to the Nth degree for me. I worked full time and went to school while raising my family. Teach your kids to do chores.
Okay, sorry that last part was a rant.
Rant away Sharon, you are safe here.... ❤️
Not a rant - just commons sense. And kids NEED to learn how to take care of themselves - like doing a load of clothes - washing the dishes (by hand - how awful) feeding pets. The excuse of "its easier to do it myself" doesnt hack it. Have to admit thats one I was guilty of!!
Our local paper ran an opinion from a parent complaining about her daughter's treatment during the closure and it quickly turned into a rant against the Teacher's Union whom she blamed obstructed the opening of the school district. Thank God teachers have the right to unionize because the union is the only advocate they have as parents seek to blame the teachers for all their woes and whom they claim are overpaid which is the most ridiculous statement ever uttered.
Yes, I was just explaining the great things unions do for people in many positions. My mother was in one and it kept us going with decent pay and many benefits even during the times she was laid off. My father wasn’t in one and often worked 3 jobs.
I love these sites! Thanks for the links, Rachel. I have been a fan of Angela Duckworth‘s but I’ve never seen this Character Lab before.
Great reminder, and great quote!
When I read this newsletter I am heartened that details will come forth that will show the depth of depravity of djt and those close to him. They must be accountable for their actions. All four years of this terror. In my mind, his whole tenure was a high crime(and no simple misdemeanor).
Never forget that djt did attempt to extort a political favor from Ukraine. Each republican senator perjured themselves with their vote. Oops! Except Romney.
Never forget that djt allowed mass kidnapping at our southern border. Mass child abuse. And not one Republican said no.
Never forget that djt willfully mismanaged our current pandemic. We have him on the Woodward tapes admitting that he knew the truth about the virus, and yet lied for all these months. Not one republican (to my knowledge) broke with the president when Woodward’s book was published! Not one. 400 THOUSAND DEATHS, AND COUNTING!
Never forget that every republican would have accepted djt as president if he had won re-election.
In the next two years and beyond, we need to Benghazi djt’s administration till it bleeds the truth all over the Republican Party.
If we don’t hold them accountable, it will happen again. I can’t fathom how much worse it will be! Yet my trumper acquaintances say look at the stock market, it’s still doing great because of trump. Such a small measure of a legacy!
You could always reply to that Trumper with innocent, wide-eyes, and say, “Oh yeah!!! So many Americans are too dumb to take advantage of the market!! I read that about half of all citizens are missing out on such a great benefit. They must be really ignorant.” Be sure to shake your head and roll your eyes when delivering this barb. 😉😂😂
😂
👍🏻 Always happy to help.😉
Oh I take up oxygen with innocent eyes all the time! You don’t like how much people get with assistance because they make more than when they work? Oh so you’re for increasing minimum wage! I told one co worker maybe you should read the news instead of listening to talk radio. Ha! We’re still cordial but just!
Yay!
That’s great I suppose for the less than 50% who invest in stocks but it’s zero indicator of the state of the economy ie. real peoples finances.
The Stock Market: classic red herring for the repubs. Despicable lying, graft, greed, destruction...but LOOK, over here! The Stock Market!!
but her emails!
Agree. Give the administration the 12 hour HRC treatment. They'll never hold up the way she did!
Hello, not sure what the 12 hour HRC means. Could you please elaborate? TIA
https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/10/22/451012235/clinton-endures-an-11-hour-grilling-before-benghazi-committee
Thanks for the question, Cherie--I didn't know either. And thanks for that link, Chris. I think Hillary Clinton will go down as one of the most wrongfully maligned public servants in American history.
Hope you can see the reference posted by Chris Terenzi about Hilary Clinton's marathon testimony.
Well said Bill!!!🤔👍
This week is just full of beautiful beautiful things.
Some of the most beautiful words in the English language this week are right here in Heathers post:
“ Minority Leader Mitch McConnell ”
Now aren’t those just some of the sweetest words you ever saw.
Why not give us your favorite English words this week:
“Former president trump”. Until he became former, I never put the words president and trump together.
I’m holding out for “convicted insurrectionist”.
“Vice President Kamala Harris”!
Yeah Baby🎉😊🎉😊🇺🇸🇺🇸
Yes!
President Biden.
"In another bipartisan move, lawmakers of both parties..."
Not susceptible of a sound bite but Schumer’s (so far) refusal to give in to McConnell’s appeals to tradition and “civility” indicate that a good chunk of the Democrats are unwilling to forget or forgive the roughshod treatment they’ve received from Republicans over the last eight years. That is good news, indeed.
Yes I agree this is excellent news.
You know, I think Democrats are really waking up to how they have been abused and taken advantage of by malignant jerks like MM and DT. I am reading articles that say Biden is not doing a “reset“ with Republicans. No more forgive and forget. It’s high time those pigs got a taste of their own medicine.
Any part of Amanda Gorman’s poem! I would probably quote it wrong. But the feel of it and her presentation of it! Love it!
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. A mouthfuls of beautiful and true words. I am so happy to have President Biden's partner step forward and meet the National Guard with kindness and grace. Small, kind gestures can be remembered for a long time.
“President Trump departs White House for the final time in his presidency on Jan. 20.”
The word “bipartisan” sounds just fine.
Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff.
"...brave enough to see the light...brave enough to be the light."
Time to make a poster for my classroom!
Great idea! Also maybe share the video of her presentation...almost like an elegant rap!!!!
Vice President Kamala Harris
Perhaps not the most beautiful words, but they make me smile every time I hear them: "Bernie's Mittens."
That “Bernie’s mittens”game has been an absolute delight.
Better: Former Senator McConnell, Ex Minority Leader!!
Hey, I love you Maggie, I love that‼️ [ex-Senator MM]
Several thoughts on today;
1. As I said a bit ago to a friend who also labored in Okeefenokee West as a screenwriter, if we had ever pitched a story as crazy insane as the story of Trump's attempted coup in the Justice Department, we wouldn't have just been shown the door, but would have been kicked through it, for bringing something so obviously nuts and unrealistic.
2. As regards the 1 in 5 traitors being military/ex-military, I am reminded I never knew so many white male morons in one place at one time as in the US military. Lots of excellent people, but waaaaay too many morons. I have a good friend who is "former special ops" and still active in that community. He tells me there is about 1/3 of those people - the "super soldiers" who have the kind of training to seriously mess things up - who advocate treason. They are, however, opposed by a larger group; he knows people he has turned over to the FBI during the Trump time as potential terrorists, so it's a real threat. This isn't surprising - in the 20s and 30s, it was the elite Sturmtruppen of WW1 who became brownshirts, and the elite Arditti (mountain troops) of the Italian Army who became blackshirts after the war.
3. As a knowledgeable "Washington hand" said to me tonight, Shumer would never have turned down McConnell as directly as he did today if he didn't have 50 votes in his hip pocket to kill the filibuster if McConnell keeps it up. That would include Manchin, who my friend says is rumored to be "dismayed" by the lack of cooperation in the face of a national emergency (what planet he grew up on is anybody's guess, but it wasn't this one).
As Lawrence said, as of Wednesday, he hoped he would only be bringing Trump's name up in the news for the impeachment, but "How can I say good-bye if you won't go away?" As the Georgia ex-US Attorney said, "The last bird may be gone, but you can't get the stink out of the henhouse." But Trump is now open to federal and state charges of Election Fraud for "attempting to influence the counting of votes." As has been the case with him forever, everything he says about others is projection of what he's doing.
TC, while I agree with some of your statements, I have to call out your generalization of our folks in the military. Most of the people who volunteer for service are NOT “morons” as you call them. When deployed, they put their lives on the line every day in service to our country.
Whether or not you agree with the US’s involvement in a war, these men and women are there at the behest of our government. In some cases, protecting our democracy and your right to express your opinion.
I’m so sorry if this sounds harsh, but my son-in-law spent 2 tours in Iraq. He slept, ate, and went to the latrine with his rifle. His base was bombed so frequently that he wouldn’t eat in the mess area, as it was a target. He often led his group in escorting convoys out of the base, as the operator of an enormous “tow truck” to retrieve tanks and other vehicles that were attacked when on missions. They also brought back the bodies of fellow servicemen who were in those vehicles. His stories are difficult to hear...I cannot imagine living through them.
These “morons” as you call them, are trained to never question the authority of their commanders. That’s the way our military is designed.
Maybe we should rethink how we over-generalize. Many servicemen and women who enlist may not have the career opportunities you’ve had.
Some people in our military may be a part of the problem we face today, just as in policing, and firefighting, and in the entertainment field. I would hope that we can avoid painting them all with that broad brush of judgment.
Please, dig deeper to find the truth. ❣️
My thought about soldiers is helping them with the return to civilian life and providing them with a safety network of education, job, emotional support. A family member committed suicide after his time in Afghanistan. Our loss has had enormous repercussions! He needed so much more than just returning to his parents. I don’t know about their intellect but I do feel they need more from the country that they risked their life for.
A rifle has two ends. Neither is safe.
Agreed, Denise. I’m so sorry for your loss. 💕
Our communities and especially the Veterans Administration need to step up and provide much needed support, in so many areas. Hopefully, with the commitment of our new Administration, we’ll see an improvement in services.
Thank you!
I’m so hopeful that we now have a president that has real life experience that gives him empathy. His losses are so deep! So personal! He’s been where we’ve all been. And Dr Biden is going to continue to teach! Feeling so much hope and relief!
With improved funding they can.
So, so sorry for your loss. You are so right.
I come from a military family and worked for 28 years full time and now 7 years part time with a Sheriff's Office which includes a lot of former military, and my career has spanned having veterans from Korea through GWOT. My Dad was WWII. I have noted a change since the demise of the Fairness Doctrine and the advent of the "freedom" of the internet with the proliferation of conspiracy theories and how points of view have been altered. I've lost friends to suicide directly related to their combat service, and fully agree with the need for better "after care" following deployment.
I came across this article from Military Times last night, shared by a Facebook friend with whom I have had some thorny arguments. It is a good read.
https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2021/01/20/when-the-truth-and-the-constitution-are-threatened-military-personnel-and-veterans-have-a-responsibility-to-protect-both/
Thank you for sharing this article. We need to bring this issue, as well as the dangerous white supremacy that is woven into community law enforcement, into the bright light of public scrutiny. I am at a loss to know how to combat the negative impact of these dark, dishonest influences on my own son, whose values and beliefs have shifted dramatically in a direction that is appalling and heartbreaking, since he became a police officer. He is someone who was committed to social justice issues and multiculturalism, raised to believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every living being, and he really did live those principles, until he went through police training and joined the ranks of community police departments. He has revealed enough for us to know that his police training and subsequent associations as an officer, including the Fraternal Order of Police, have had a profound negative influence on him. These negative, bigoted attitudes have been reaffirmed by whatever “professional” networks, social media and news sources he now chooses as his primary sources of information. As parents, my husband and I have failed to bring him back from the dark side. We know that he is one of many. It is going to take unilateral changes in senior military and law enforcement leadership to change the training and culture of community law enforcement departments in order to shift the negative, racist influences that are capturing the minds of far too many who choose law enforcement as a career. The leadership and mandate has to come from the top down and needs to be combined with a change in the prevalence of disinformation that has infiltrated our communication and news sources. It is a powerful, negative behemoth to tame. I don’t know how the necessary changes can be accomplished.
Ally, this is such an important piece in the Military Times! I’m hoping that everyone reads it. You’re right, misinformation is so dangerous...somehow it needs to be reigned in. Whether it’s the Fairness Doctrine or some other regulation should be reconsidered and implemented.
This perspective is more helpful than name-calling and blame. I always say...dig down for the truth. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for your commitment and service!
I have close relationships with many who are retired military and who would benefit from this oped, so I've shared it with them. They are experiencing stressful fallout from the news that one in five rioters have been identified as military although they themselves are about as "liberal" as one might ever hope to be! Thank you for posting this excellent read.
Ally, I hope is ok...I just reposted your link to the MT article. I truly feel it needs more attention. 💕
Yeah, I'm sorry. I was there, you're wrong. The majority are not morons. But *that* majority includes everybody. When you limit it to the white people, they're as majority morons as they are elsewhere. Go read Nick Turse's "Kill Everything That Moves," a very difficult read about US war crimes in Vietnam, based on files from a special secret US Army unit that was formed to "debunk" returning GIs who claimed to have witnessed war crimes - except their investigations PROVED every allegation was true. And they ALMOST ALL involved white GIs. White racism is bone-deep in the DNA, and unless we white people admit that, we are never going to get at the root of this problem.
Yikes! Seems I hit a nerve. I’m just wondering what you meant when you state, “...I was there...”. Were you in Viet Nam? Afghanistan? Iraq?
All involved the horrors of war. Systemic racism DOES exist.
Maj. Danny Sjursen (West Point, retired, tours in Afghanistan and Iraq) writes clearly that the military by and large is hardly defending our so-called "democracy"(itself a questionable assignation)("citizens-have-little-impact-on-public-policy.... Even though our Constitution laid the plans for a democracy, by fiat we now have a plutarchy (plutocratic oligarchy) ......Gilens and Page have shown that our
Majoritarian Electoral Democracy has "only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy," see://pnhp.org/2014/04/21/gilens-and-page-average-citizens-have-little-impact-on-public-policy/)(See also Wolin - "inverted totalitarianism").....that it is defending chiefly corporate interests and empiric aims. Moreover, in light of continued military failures, he's critical of the vaunted status many if not most of the "commanders" are awarded by politically heated (faux?) patriots. War - a terrific money making adventure. ( [See https://www.pogo.org/report/2018/11/brass-parachutes/....." A POGO investigation found that from 2008 to the present over 380 high-ranking Department of Defense officials and military officers became lobbyists, board members and military officers became lobbyists, board members , executives, or consultants for defense contractors within two
years of leaving the Department.)
Dear Kari: A few years ago the military had to lower their standards in order to fill their quotas. While I too support the young men who volunteer for combat TC has a valid point as the military encourages blind obedience not unlike those who fall prey to conspiracy theories and Trump culture more or less setting them up for recruiting. The roll of soldier can be seductive. You belong to a huge gang, you're allowed to fire powerful weapons which can be empowering and addictive. These conditions allow for some bizarre behavior which could be called moronic.
If only we could elect leaders who would be invest in peace the way the money/power grabbers invest in war and the military/industrial complex.
In rereading both yours and TCinLA's post, I'm not sure where you have disagreement with TC's remarks. I didn't see blanket condemnation in the former's remarks about personal experience and that of friends, but an illustration of the dismaying fact of there being "waaaaay too many morons" in the military - including highly trained and dangerous special ops drawn to sedition - who were "opposed by a larger group". It seems to me that your son is likely to have served with some less stellar and admirable soldiers.
Actually, Lanita, I do agree with much of what TC states. I just dislike a broad brush approach to describe anyone.
This thread had prompted an in depth discussion with my son-in-law regarding the group with whom he served. He described that when out on missions, each had to depend on one another for their lives...in spite of their political party.
I will be listening closely for any updates from the intelligence community and the Department of Defense as they address this important issue.
I found this article that addressed the issue of racism in the military:
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/02/06/signs-of-white-supremacy-extremism-up-again-in-poll-of-active-duty-troops/
1. Agree completely. I’ve caught myself repeatedly making similar statements.
2. Still digesting that history, thank you TC. As for the military, what a mess. Big big mess.
3. The Jan. 5 Georgia election result is so vital, so major. Flipping the Senate: what an impact that will have for the next 2 years.
Roland, re #2, the military is a reflection of the society that it is drawn from.
"How can I say good-bye if you won't go away?" Love this, TC.
What are the chances he will skip the country to avoid federal/state prosecution? Extradition, if unavoidable would keep his headlines alive ... no?
I had wondered that too, and thought he might run to Scotland. They don't want him, though and he could be extradited anyway. This is an interesting website I just found: https://www.offshore-protection.com/offshore-blog/non-extradition-countries-the-best-place-to-run-to
A wonderful find. I did not expect this service (and web site) would exist, but OF COURSE IT DOES. Thank you for posting the link.
Yes, interesting, isn't it? When I was in Vanuatu years ago, I noticed that they do offshore banking, similar to the Caymman Islands, which is illegal for US citizens. That would be of interest to the previous president and his family also, I'd think.
Russia...
If he does skip the country, will he be allowed back in in 2024 when/if the majority of voters elect him again via write-in ballots?
Maybe his talk about running again and his “movement” that has “just begun” are akin to OJ’s search for the “real killer” of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman.
Jeanne Doyle, I am still trying to find out what the “movement “is that Trump keeps referring to. Does anybody know? Whatever it might be, I find it very scary.
If you go to any of the right wing media sites and social platforms you will see an amazing amount of passion for Trump. In some places you'll find vitriol and calls for violence against "libs", dems, never trumpers, those who turned their backs on trump, election officials, judges...you name it. Some of these folks look on their allegiance to and fight for Trump as a holy crusade and invoke Jesus quite regularly. It is frankly alarming. If you are easily upset use caution.
Watch the full video of the terrorists who stormed the White House on the 6th. At one of the quiet moments on the Senate floor, one of them breaks into prayer and asks for the Lord's blessings on their holy mission. To see these misguided men lift their hands up in supplication is quietly terrifying.
That is very concerning!
I think he was referring to the people who came to his rally on January 6 and ended up attacking the Capitol. It’s dying ir dead already. Hundreds have been arrested, the Proud Boys have denounced Trump as weak. QAnon is off the air I think. I think the movement moved on.
I hope it’s over.
He will leave just ahead of jail, but not until then - he likes Mar-A-Lago too much to move to Dubai before it is necessary.
Why are we not clamoring for an investigation into the US military culture itself? WHY are people who have had the most sacred duty of protecting us turning against everything the US stands for? What is it about the culture that it is spawning such hatred and distrust?
We need answers to this BIG problem. Changes need to be made.
Reference your point #2: Being of that old category yes there are about 1/3 who would volunteer for moron duty. But there are more of 'the other' than there is of 'them'. Cryptic enough for early AM?
None of this news bodes well for Biden's predecessor. Although my lawyer daughter repeatedly tells me not to play lawyer. I can't see how any of his last minute actions at DoJ, his riot rousing speech on the 6th or the deadly organizing efforts of his beloved domestic terrorists cannot be major charges by the prosecution side in the Senate. Same goes for Graham, Hawley and all the others in the House and Senate who dared to overturn a free and fair election.
Democrats cannot waiver this time, it's not an option.
Obviously the Republican Congressmen (and women if there are any in that group) have legal exposure from that Jan.6 vote, but the Orange Jumpsuit has far and away the lion’s share.
You're correct, of course - he's guilty as sin. However, I continue to fear that we'll not be able to manage to get 17 Rethuglicans to convict. If not, there's also the 14th Amendment, and the civil courts have plenty of fodder. I hope that my pessimism is unfounded, but we've watched these miscreants for years, much to the detriment of our country. Let's hope that Biden will hold their feet to the fire.
No, Democrats cannot waiver. But already the Rethuglicans are casting blame elsewhere. I saw this article this morning about Kevin McCarthy and nearly threw up my breakfast. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kevin-mccarthy-everybody-capitol-attack_n_600b9785c5b6f401aea48948
Same as it ever was for them. I prefer to ignore most of that and instead push all the inconvenient truths they don't want to hear. Then need to be reacting to us imho.
I’m worried about this, too.. and the fact that there is uncertainty about prosecuting some of the insurrectionists that entered the Capitol who weren’t “violent.” Isn’t being a part of an insurrection in itself, violent? And I hear the Repugs running back to Trump and moving to censure those that acknowledged the fair and clean election... I’m afraid we are back-stepping, here, on holding those accountable for what went on on 1/6, and that the Repugs are lining up with their mob boss and smearing those that took a stand for decency. And will Biden be able to get things done? Feeling let-down after our inauguration high.😕
"It turns out that, in the last, desperate days of his attempt to keep his grip on the presidency, Trump plotted with a lawyer in the Department of Justice, Jeffrey Clark, to oust the acting attorney general."
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Kudos to the top Justice Dept lawyers who told Trump to his face, through a representative at a White House meeting, they would resign, en masse, all of them, if he carried out his plan. They came down on the right side of history, as did acting AG Rosen.
The impeachment vote will give Senators the same opportunity. I agree with HCR that that is one signifigant aspect of the impeachment vote. Another one is that, if convicted, Trump won't be able to run for office again thus signifigantly reducing his political sway over the Republican Party. He also won't be able to raise money for another presidential run, and then siphon funds off to say, pay legal bills or hold off creditors who speak with a Russian accent.
And kudos to President Biden, who, in his first two full days in office, has shown that he has indeed been busy since the election. He didn't hit the ground running, he hit the ground sprinting, in spite of Trumpist foot-dragging.
Almost another Saturday Night Massacre
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do!
Several months ago, my wife directed my attention to one of your Letters on Facebook, suggesting that I read it. After reading the first paragraph, I stopped and said to my wife, "This is some of the best writing I have ever read." You continue to confirm that initial judgment. -- G
My late brother introduced me to HCR and I too had that VERY reaction immediately!
Thank you, Ellen. It's fun to find a kindred spirit. I'm sorry about your brother. -- Gary
The Jeffrey Clark treachery sends chills about what could have happened if Rosen and other Justice Dept. Lawyers didn’t protest.
The irony of this ... and the stupidity. ... is that changing one state would not have changed the result. Maybe they thought other swing states would follow suit if Georgia went along with Clark. I hope that by adding two weeks to the start of the Impeachment Trial will bring out more evidence of sedition forcing the Republican Senators to vote to "convict" the former President and keep him from ever holding office again.
Yes, you’re absolutely right, and remember, this guy is not the brightest bulb on the circuit. There’s a really good reason why he threatened his schools so that they wouldn’t leak his academic records to the press.
I have thought the same thing: why be so obvious in strong-arming GA when that wouldn’t change the election result?
I hope more evidence comes to light as well, Cathy!
The whole intention was to give the (R) legislatures in Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania the "OK" they needed to follow Georgia had it happened.
And Arizona's wackadoodle GOP legislators are still trying to overturn the election. They have finally gotten the Maricopa County Supervisors to turn over all of our ballots to review. It is shocking and horrifying that these extreme right wingers will actually put their hands on my ballot. Our GOP Governor and our very conservative GOP Attorney General had repeatedly stood up for the results of our vote and have now stepped aside. These are people ready strip away the very well performing mail in ballot process Arizona has had for over 20 years. These people are unbelievable
That is so disheartening, Linda. I'll remember that the next I hear of "cries" to unify the country.
GOP unification = GOP principles: Guns, Money, White Male Privilege
You bring up a good point, Cathy: Why the emphasis on Georgia. There may be a story there that could unfold in the future.
I think because the two Rs were clearly on the ropes, GA had been a reliably R state, and Trump couldn’t imagine anyone voting for a black senator.
You may be right, there may be a deeper story about Georgia, but I also remember news reports about him harassing governors and election officials in Michigan and Pennsylvania as well.
Heather, while it may be true that one in five rioters is a veteran, there are two other things which also need to be pointed out. First, at least one of those veterans was discharged from the military for failure to perform his duties. The other, more important fact, is that both Officer Eugene Goodman, and Officer Brian Sicknick served proudly and honorably in the military, before once again risking, and in Officer Sicknick’s case, losing their lives to protect democracy.
Good morning everyone! Even TC--although I do wish you would stop making such typically mansplaining statements that are unnecessarily combative in this forum. Thank you especially, HCR, for continuing to give us your presentation of the day's news. May the events of the day in Washington continue to be positive rather than the continuous stream of "What NOW?!" news of the last 4 years. I saw the NYTimes story on the DoJ debacle last night and thought I could no longer be surprised by the depths of mania to which the EX-POTUS could go, but I was wrong. Perhaps I was just surprised that someone with supposed credibility in the DoJ was willing to go so low. However, I am sure that as the weeks go on--especially since the impeachment trial is being delayed by two weeks--we will be hearing more about the ethical and moral vacuum that was the Drumpf Whitehouse in the last 14 months.
In the continuing "WTF" world of trying to keep up with Josh Hawley's growing narcissism and desperation (lots of Missouri former supporters are really piling on) he sent me the most inane and self-serving "reply" (I am sure it was a form letter) to my letters to him about his behavior on January 6th. My reply was a little more personal and specific. I would be happy to share to anyone who wants it--I posted it on FB. One of the things he did yesterday was reveal that he really is the most egregious racist: he was one of only two senators to vote no to confirm Lloyd Austin (although 5 senators failed to vote or abstained, which is weird) as Secretary of Defense. Not even the execrable Ted Cruz voted against Austin. So evidently Joshy is trying to out-Cheeto the Cheeto. It will be interesting to see if he starts sporting spray tans. . .
Okay, there has been a lot of interest in my letter to Hawley. Feel free to borrow if you're writing your own representatives in Congress, although my response to him was specific to his letter, in which he claims he was doing nothing different from what Democrats had done in 2000, 2004, and 2016.
Mr. Hawley (Joshy):
To reply and refute your claims that you were merely doing what Democrats had done in years past.
Republicans have FAILED TO WIN THE POPULAR VOTE in the vast majority of presidential elections; instead your party has gamed the system of the Electoral College in order to create the illusion that you actually had the mandate of the majority of the population. You have not: Not in 2000, not in 2004, and certainly not in 2016. In addition, your party has engaged in voter suppression through gerrymandering, poll taxes, absurd ID requirements, etc. in order to prevent Black people, people of color, and people who do not support you from voting. In 2020, you made invidious, untruthful, and ridiculous claims of voter irregularities FOR WHICH YOU HAD AND CONTINUE TO HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE. I thought you were supposed to be a lawyer?? Oh right: there is a move afoot to disbar you because you have abrogated your oaths of office.
You contested the votes of the ELECTORAL COLLEGE in states over which you HAVE NO JURISDICTION. You did so even though YOUR OWN MINIONS tried to overthrow the government, were interested in lynching Democratic members of Congress and YOUR OWN VICE PRESIDENT. This is not what the Democrats did in 2000, 2004, or 2016.
You are a disgrace to the office of Senator. You do not represent me or anyone like me in Missouri. You have consistently deployed an appalling lack of rational judgement, you have whined and moaned and had tantrums instead of acting like an adult. You have nullified your rights to legitimacy because you have denigrated your oath to protect the Constitution of the United States.
The reckoning will, I hope, come soon. You do not deserve to hold the seat you hold. Even your mentor Senator Danforth was vociferous in his regret that he had had anything to do with your political career. You are shameful, hypocritical, and mendacious. You don't even live in Missouri.
Resign, resign, resign, resign.
Dr. Linda Mitchell
Oh my heart Linda, I ❤️ your letter! I read it to my husband it was so good! I'd love to see his reply. (Or did you say it was a form letter?) Thank you for sharing!
Yeah it was a form letter--I cannot imagine he wrote it himself. Thanks Peri!
Linda, I'm interested in seeing your response to Hawley.
In re the DoJ debacle, I almost fell off the sofa while reading that article. I'm not sure how many more Trump plants are embedded in government but I'm afraid it could be enough to cause serious damage. One thing is clear, from day one, Trump was the Supplanter in Chief whose intent was to damage the people of the US beyond repair. He came mighty close to doing so.
Daria, if you're on FB you can "friend" me: I use my actual name. :-) And I can then message you my letter.
Haha! There are a bazillion Linda Mitchells. If you want you could friend me: Daria Welch Wilber. I'm the only one. :)
Yeah--my parents were not super creative and the original family name is both unspellable and unpronounceable in English so the grandfather settled on Mitchell as the nearest equivalent to the Greek original. When I was living in western NY State there was another Linda Mitchell with the SAME BIRTHDAY (one year apart!), the SAME doctors, using the SAME hospital. It was kind of a nightmare for both of us. I am happy to befriend you Daria!
How unfortunate. I love Greek names, they’re colorful and actually they’re delightful to me.
Well, Roland, it's in Maniote dialect (making it even more interesting as Greek names go) and I can't figure out how to change to a Greek alphabet keyboard in Substack. So sorry: can't entertain you!
Oy! I'll bet having a name twin was a nightmare! And thanks, Linda. I just responded to your msg.
Hi, Daria.......maybe I can send you a friend request also? I appreciate all your comments and I have unfriended so many T supporters that I would like to really change the profile of my friends group. Thanks!!
Annette, absolutely! I'd like that. Msg Daria Welch Wilber :)
So Daria, I sent you a message on FB Messenger . . .
Which Linda Mitchell are you?
I’m the only Marcy Meldahl—perhaps you could friend me?
I'll friend you then!
Would LOVE to see your response to Hawley. I can use some of it when I send letters to Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.
It seems there is sufficient interest that I'll copy it here. Annette, I'm the LM in KC--there are a bunch of namesakes on FB so not sure if you'll be able to find me. It might be that working through befriending one of our colleagues here and then using that to find me would be the way to go.
Linda, I would really like to friend you on Facebook. I always appreciate what you write. My name is Wendy Raksin. I'm looking forward to reading the letter.
Hi Wendy, I'll change some of my settings and message you and then you'll know you have the right Linda Mitchell (!)
The plot thickens. And not only is there more evidence this time, the legislators themselves are witnesses.
I hope Eugene Goodman, already promoted to acting deputy sergeant-at-arms, also gets the Presidential Medal of Freedom, honoring his service and at the same time restoring the prestige of that award.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the equivalent of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from the Congressional branch of government.
I know. Is there any reason why a person cannot get both?
I think that coming from the Congress that he saved is incredibly valuable. And I think that the last PosPOTUS forever damaged that medal.
I hope not, Ally. I think there should just be asterisks after the names of all those given the medal during the last administration and that the medal should continue to be viewed as a great honor.
Good point
I suspected that. Thank you for confirming.
I know I’ve asked this before: is there a way we will learn what becomes of the hundreds of millions of dollars $$$$ raised by Trump and Pence for the so-called‘Election Defense Fund’ following the November 3 election? Consider this in light of how much start and federal taxpayer money was spent responding to Trump’s and Pence’s challenges to a fair election. The result is Americans collectively spent untold amounts of money in courts and election divisions (and to pursue and prosecute insurrectionists and put the Capitol back in order) while Trump, Pence and the RNC made one of the largest two-month political fundraising hauls in American history. Their base (who probably could not afford it) got nothing in the end. Their haul would not have been possible without taxpayer supported recounts, state and DOJ investigations and court expenses. And now, apparently, Trump is stiffing his bottom dredging legal team — unwilling to use donations from his deceived base to pay them.
Back to his old tricks—stiffing people who have worked for him. He stiffed contractors in NYC, claiming they didn’t do the job right. I was living in the NYC area when he had his affair with Marla Maples and Ivana claimed he abused her. After their expensive divorce, she was suddenly quiet. Anyway, I loved that someone on tv said, “Trump was a common criminal before he became President.”
Totally agree. I live in NYC area and know one of those contractors which is why my former biz didn’t work for Trump. It’s maddening and sad when an artisan isn’t paid for their work and experiences financial hardship, as a result. The Grifter Criminal in Chief was and is no surprise to us. Looking forward to the investigations, charges, trials, and - justice prevailing - convictions. ❤️🤍💙
My husband was born and raised in NYC, which is where we met. He has always said, New Yorkers knew Trump was a grifter.
So, so glad he can be prosecuted now!
I believe Trump's complaints about the MarA Lago remodel is all about trying to stiff the contractors who did the work there. Hus usual m.o.
What are the chances he tries to skip the country - that money could pay his expenses for a while, maybe pay off some of his debts - or swing a deal to build a new hotel in his eventual destination ... like Sochi ...?
Well, I think he's a flight risk. And he probably used the months since he lost the election in November to give away a lot of things that weren't, strictly speaking, his, and now he has some IOU's he can call in.
Can an ex-president's passport be taken away from him?
Oh please god, LEAVE THE COUNTRY!!
One-way ticket.
Brazil. No extradition.
I'd like to see this fleshed out as well, David.
I watched a short program on PBS last night and this topic was briefly discussed. I didn’t hear where the money currently is or where it will go but the commentator did say it is illegal for Trump to use any of it to pay off any personal debts or to spend it outside of a campaign.
I loved the cookies moment. I saw the video on Facebook. I commented "Humans are back in the White House". I am also happy Officer Goodman is getting honored. Every time I watch that video I get chills.
Two very heart-warming news moments!
Yes, they were!
I never thought I would hear myself saying that Mike Pence would one day do the right thing. By refusing to continue his embarrassing devotion to Trump and refusing to accept the lie he has done service to our country. I believe in redemption and I wish the other legislators in Congress would follow his lead. Mike Pence seemed like a happier man at the inauguration. I wonder if the others understand what a relief it would be to crawl out from under the huge weight of Trumps destructive lie.
I'm not quite there to give pence the benefit of the doubt or much redemption. He had four years to do the right thing, and he waited until the last 2 weeks!
Well like I said I'm no big Pence fan. In fact, Ive always found him very creepy but I live in a world surrounded by Trump supporters. Many of whom are my brothers and sisters. I am watching them coming to terms with the obvious, that Trump is a reckless, lawless and very dangerous man. They are really struggling with admitting this because during his four years everything they have wanted for decades came to fruition. Just two months ago my brother told me that Trump is the most successful President ever, Ever! I'm simply glad that, in the end, Pence did the right thing.
FERN MCBRIDE4 min ago
Today's Letter from an American elucidates the greater calm since president Joe Biden took over; another act by Trump to overturn the presidential election, this time with the help of a Justice Department lawyer (it didn't work); touches upon the filibuster along with a carrot and stick political maneuver (outcome to be determined) and two outstanding acts of humanity. Heather's letter illustrates the power of the free press; the lower depths of Trump's corruption; the machinations of government; the thoughtfulness of First Lady Jill Biden and the life saving bravery of capitol police officer, Eugene Goodman.
This letter was an American harvest that read more like the FDR or Eisenhower years than 2021. I look back at yesterday's Letter as one of great importance. In it, Heather approached the impact that lies, conspiracies and 'false news' have had on our country. One of the observations from reading today's Letter was the reintroduction of truth by the Biden administration. We must return to the issue of lies and truth over and over again as truth has been overwhelmed in the last five years and before Trump. Big lies need to be raked away as they destroy democracies and are at the root of totalitarianism The function of government was the other subject of yesterday's Letter. We need to learn more about why our government is not functioning and what can been done about it. Most of us need to return to civics and be much more informed citizens, so that our government passes crucial legislation on behalf of the people.
Thank YOU Fern!!!💞👍
Glad to know you liked it.