Two years ago today, rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop the counting of electoral ballots that would put a Democrat in the White House. There was no doubt Joe Biden had won: his majority in the popular vote was more than 7 million and he won the electoral college by 306 votes to 232, the same margin that the incumbent Republican had called a “landslide” four years earlier when it favored him. But supporters of that incumbent, Donald Trump, believed that Democrats could not possibly have won fairly and that if they had, it simply meant their voters were illegitimate.
Statement of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee
Commemorating the 2nd Anniversary of the Assault on the U.S. Capitol:
Two years on and the mere mention of “January 6th” is still enough to stir the vast majority of Americans to the same sense of outrage as the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Assassination of JFK and the 9/11 terrorist assaults: each one a day that shall live in infamy.
Thousands of armed insurrectionists staged an assault upon our democracy unseen since the Civil War, wounding hundreds of law enforcement officers in an attempt to stop the peaceful transition of Presidential power that is at the core of our American democracy.
As has been outlined in brilliant detail by the January 6th Committee, those who stormed the Capital were whipped into a frenzy through weeks and months of countless Republican elected officials attending “Stop the Steal” rallies touting the “Big Lie” that the presidential election was stolen.
On November 8, 2020, one of the nation’s earliest “Stop the Steal” rallies took place in Loudoun County, in Purcellville, with then-Del. Dave LaRock, a far right-wing, Republican extremist, being joined at the podium by Elmer “Stewart” Rhodes, head of the anti-government Oath Keepers militia. Rhodes has been convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in organizing the January 6 insurrection. While LaRock attended Trump’s January 6th warmup rally, he apparently lacked the courage of his convictions and didn’t march into the Capitol.
Another headliner at the Nov. 8th rally: Geary Higgins, currently a Republican candidate for Virginia’s 31st State Senate District.
One week later, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman, a Republican, headlined another Stop the Steal rally in Purcellville.
Multiple prominent Loudoun County Republicans were at the forefront of promoting the “Big Lie” and advocating extreme efforts to stop the peaceful transfer of power. Many of these Republicans will be on the ballot in 2023, running for state and county offices. As the campaigns take shape, we will keep track and let you know who among them played a role when our democracy was in peril in 2020 -2021.
We Democrats must not forget January 6th. We must embrace our sense of revulsion at those who sought to destroy our precious and delicate constitutional democracy. And we must honor all of those – law enforcement officers, members of Congress and all the public servants who risked their life that day to defend our democracy – who are devoted to doing the right things.
Amen and hallelujah. The 3rd Bloc ( and I will refer to them as Blocheads) are totally unimpressive and boring even after being given a moment in the spotlight by the sycophant media.
You have just given me an idea for a Lego project. They market these these sets called "Brickheadz" that use Lego bricks to make figures with large heads and small bodies. There are certain physical attributes to some of the Sedition Caucus that may lend themselves nicely to caricature. I am thinking of the 6 RepubliQans that voted "Present" in a playpen...
Oh yes, Ally. Wonderful idea. I am just up, so I haven't read an account of exactly what happened except that in keeping with South Carolina tradition, a Rep from that state attacked Hair Gaetz. And voting present is so chicken poop. I like the idea of Blocheads and Brickheadz. We were wondering this am what this group of Blocheads will actually do beside throw feces around.
I’m not sure what the insurrectionist blocheads will actually do, but I’m pretty sure there first goals are to throw democracy under the bus, put our country in default, eliminate social/safety net programs and cut taxes on the wealthy. Along with their idiotic investigations they have ranted on about incessantly. I love the Lego idea Ally! And we certainly have our work cut out for us over the next 2 years!
Alt, Thanks! Your idea made me smile, but you need a much larger/bigger game-plan. First, this works for the repugnant “present” six, but we really need to include the 100+ traitors who voted on January 6,2021, to overthrown our government.
Your game is a good start, but let’s come up with a grander scale play. I’m going with the ground game. I intend to continue making calls to both teams. Pushing team Blue to remain focused; team Red, to be held accountable to any/all insane actions—by ME! Also, I will be motivating others to register to vote and become more active. We CAN do this!
Ally, this is such a creative and fabulous idea. You need to set up your phone to take videos or still pics when the 💩 literally hits the fan! Quite frankly, 20 of the Sedition Caucuss (did that on purpose) should be sharing a playpen or a pig pen, which ever you choose.
I'd love to although I have been working on my own project which involves squirrels brining down autocrats. Maybe we could do some kind of collaboration going forward? Could be fun.
There is a W VA attendee at the Jan 6 insurrection who spent 3 months in jail who is now running for state office and his supporterrs say to him "thank you" for entering the Capitol that day, a real patriot saving democracy! He was interviewed by Lisa DesJardins of PBS Newshour this week and he has no regrets.
Derrick Evans is his name, an x-State Delegate now announced his bid for US Congressional seat.
J6 2023 was much like J6 2021 with democracy attacked at its most vulnerable spot: the lawful transfer of power. Like J6 2021, necessary procedural matters were not settled until the early hours of J7. How do you build any kind of speakership on 6 "present" votes on the rubble of 14 failed rounds that may have reduced the House to being ungovernable?
I say 'reduced' because I believe there are parliamentarian-approved ways lor 212 united Dems to bring bills to the House Floor needing only 7 to 9 r's. But, I need to research the one (1) such path that has occurred in the last 10 years or consult with Nancy P unless someone in the Community knows the House approved pathway. Updated: My younger Brother says you only need six (6) r's IF one needed a TOTAL tally of 218: Assuming 212 + 6 = 218. Update: i added "House Floor Today" via the Libray of Congress to my email updates diet.
God help us. Seriously. This is getting so scary. So many brainless people in this country. They have no idea what a patriot is or what democracy is. Sickening.
Thanks for sharing. That’s why Dems must engage with the constituency in places like WV. I believe they’ve been sold a bill of goods by both parties when you factor in Senator Manchin’s lack of support for programs that were bringing people up from poverty. WV is a beautiful place, I travel through often on my way to NC. Top to bottom most people are friendly and speak their minds. Poverty is heartbreaking there. It’s about time Republicans to stop using red states as vote markers and start treating people with decency and respect. Voting fixes these sorts of things. Know who and what you’re voting for.
Agree wholeheartedly Karen. I've been preaching that for years now, to no one who would listen, including the D party. Not just WVa, but all rural and urban areas of Appalachia, then west - or all together, but you have to start somewhere. Appalachia regions encompass many states, including Ohio, Kentucky, etc. So far though, it's just you and me 'talking' and you may know what they say in Appalachia about 'talking' instead of action. *edit in - Among the things those in Appalachia and beyond need to recall or have proven to them via historical facts; The dreadful 'liberals' did not close coal mines; in the case of most of the WVa mines, it was G.W. Bush who approved legislation restricting certain forms of coal that produced acid rain, in response to not 'liberals' and environmentalists, but in response to pleas from several states and our Canada neighbors, who suffered greatly from our acid rain producers. That's just one fact - there's many more, but I'll leave that for our good Doctor.
Poverty is associated with poor education. Those poorly educated are easier to govern, that's why Reps pander to the poor in places such as Appalachia. I'm not sure what Manchin's angle is, unless he just misleads his constituents to believe he is all for them.
I heard the Lisa DesJardins interview and was saddened and sickened by the thinking of the man from W VA. I do not understand at all why people (especially from southern states) want to destroy our country. It also shocks me that people like him are given the “bully pulpet.” Derrick Evans should be apologizing not bragging.
I call them the Coup Caucus - the Insider Insurrectionists. We know them all by name. And we must work to support any Democrat who runs against them race after race - the next one being 2024.
By secret ballot the majority of the party voted for the Coup Caucus to be their leaders. And not one of the entire party had the courage nor the will to vote against being ruled by law breaking fascists by voting for a law-abiding, decent man just because he is a Democrat. This cancer is larger and deeper than many are willing to recognize.
Thanks for the link. I thought the 'secret' ballot was something nefarious but it's just 'private' like our votes. Oh, heavens, how could I even think the Republicans would do anything nefarious. Shame on me. :)
Agree. The current bunch of Republicans in the House, and probably the Senate as well, are like a path of crumbs left by Trump and his fascist influencers. If we Americans, Democrats/Independents/Responsible Republicans - as strange as that sounds these days - thought we had tough fights in 2020 and 2022, it was nothing compared to what is ahead. Trump's MAGA crowd has gotten control of too many state legislatures who have passed anti-democratic voter suppression laws, gerrymandered voting districts, and taken control of too many media outlets to give fair and legal elections a chance. For the Republican Party to support a complete fraud (Santos) just to grab one more place at the table says there is no standard of integrity in that political party. And for the Democrat Party to have been so lax to have failed to vet an opposition candidate demonstrates an equal failure which our democracy cannot tolerate. I once thought state elections should never be subject to outside financial support for any candidate. I've changed my mind. All Americans need to get involved in every election in every state. This past week has shown us how even a corrupt core of 5, who were insider insurrectionists to begin with, can and will hold hostage the government and political will of all of us.
Lynell, yes, we must support those sacrificial souls who demonstrate respect for our country, our form of self-governance and who work so hard everyday for freedom. May our actions be steady, strong and respectful regarding our laws and language .
It is obvious that power fueled by self-serving ignorance has taken over what once was the Republican Party......it's end is coming but how our great nation will suffer.....as well as those whom we support around the world. Our enemies are smiling.
Their definition of “others” is “not ourselves.” “Each other” doesn’t seem related to their definition. An “Us vs. Them” system requires a Them to oppose. Make one up if it doesn’t exist. Cannibalistic, pedophile Marxist Democrats? As for Us, it is a shrinking pool, a puddle soon to contain only Me, Myself, and I.
I wish the self-described evangelical Christians would read the gospels now and then. They seem fixated on the scriptures which celebrate the horrible punishment of people who are not themselves.
Carol, I fear many of the faithful are listening to others fill them with their opinions and their interpretations of scripture.
Jesus loved everyone. He did not force Himself on anyone. When He spoke to people, or individuals, they experenced the inner knowledge that He knew them to the depth of their souls. Those who choose or chose to listen were free to receive Him or free to reject Him. He doesn't need our money or allegiance....He doesn't need us at all. For those who want to know Him and to receive Him....they are free to do so. One may discover more about Him through reading the Bible but we may also learn
of Him from others.
Actually He loves Republicans and Democrats, and even Independants. He loves people of all colors, shapes and sizes. He loves people from all over the world. He even loves people of other faiths or no faiths. If anyone wants to know Him better, just ask in your heart. You may or may not experience Him in your life immediately but He will come to you, you will see Him....maybe through another person's acts.
When we receive Him and experience His love and forgiveness and encouragement, we often want to emulate that love through some expression of service and sharing and acts of encouragement.
Also choosing to receive Him does not make us "little Jesuses". We still mess up but we can always ask for forgiveness. Look at President Joe Biden and his wife Jill. Look at the way they live, look at their priorities....what do you think? Do they know Jesus?
You might want to check out the sunrise prayer service that Faithful America held in front of the Capitol yesterday morning. I think you would really find it of interest.
Especially the latter. Proven by their ongoing efforts to make money regardless of the impact on other HUMANS, the land, and the planet, where everyone lives.
Sorry Christine but at 90 with knees that refuse to support me and a lumbar that is as bad as the knees plus living in California, my campaigning days are over. I retired in 2021.
Fay I’m only 89 with four compression fractures of my lower back. And I’ve just begun to fight! I’m thinking of putting a Battle Hymn of the Republic horn on my walker.
Keith, I'm starting a Fund Me project to book you and Fay on a luxury cruise, but only if you promise to mount that bullhorn on your walker :-) Loved your comment!
Keith, Oh! I would so do that! I can hear it now! My mom is 92 and in thank goodness in good health both physically and mentally, but the thought of her walking down the hall in her senior living apartment with so many old racist republicans blasting the Battle Hymn of the Republic from her walker has me laughing so hard! Do it for me! Do it for Mom! Do it for the good of our nation!
Fay Reid and Keith Wheelock, bless both of you. You can be like me (70 this year and paralyzed from the waist down), all I can do is post online and make phone calls to legislators (which I do all day long). I desperately want to be out in the world interacting with others, but that is no longer a possibility. Again, we do what we can do, but it's time to let the younger generation take the lead...and they are doing an amazing job. Wish my own kids had the same fire their mother does.
We all have our ways of fighting. And whatever our age and physical condition, we keep on. I am also retired.(with bad knees and spinal collapse)But all of us vote. One doesn´t have to canvess and walk in the protests to be part of the ongoing support of the good people and try to stop the crazies. Hopefully more and more young people will be angry at the country they have inherited and become involved in putting this poor country of ours back on the right track. I continue to have hope that this will happen. The alternative is despair. I refuse to do that.
It does seem that many of those who comment here are older - I'm 71- and are part of the choir. One way we can all contribute is to try to engage younger people in dialogues about all of this with the goal of inspiring them to "join" our side, or to become more active in the struggle.
A while back there was a comment from a much much younger (self-described) commenter…..I was OVERJOYED to see him here…LFAA needs to be shared far and wide to all the cohorts that comprise forward thinking, democracy supporting folks….this includes younger folks….we need torch bearers to carry on when we “oldsters” lag a bit [hmmm….Jackson Browne lyric “I’ll swing that chain ‘til I go down” maybe morphed to “I’ll swing that cane ‘til I go down”….has a nice ring to it.] Never, ever, give up the fight.
I have had two knee replacements, and am having treatment for my back. What keeps me from writing postcards or calling voters is the fact that, although I vote (online) in NM., I live in Mexico and have for the last 50 years. Unfortunately, our mail service is horrible, and it would be extremely expensive to send postcards. And maybe have the opposite effect if someone received a postcard from Mexico ??
Fay, I enjoyed your post on your newsletter. I don’t know who you are exactly, but I’d love to know more! I’m at present a non-payee, but will in future subscribe if I figure out who you are, lol!
Fay, I’m only 80 and have no health problems. I wanted to help but do not want to phone or go door to door. I joined Postcards to Voters and have found that to be a very satisfying and helpful way to “put my feet where my mouth is”.
Kathleen, I did Vote Forward letters and postcards as well in this past election for similar reasons as other commenters (orthopedic etc). I also drove canvassers for door knocking.
There are ways to get necessary matters to the House Floor with 212 united Dems & 7 to 9 r's willing to pass a bill for whatever reasons (plural). To Be Updated: My younger brother advises that you only need 218 votes as one way to get a bill to the House Floor assuming you need 218: 212 + 6 r,'s equals 218.
Morning Lynell! Well, looks like we are "in it" for another term as the anger-filled, hate-mongering Republican big mouths in Congress take over. Let's see what happens. Too bad those that are moderate are having their voices overrun by these folks.
I am only a few miles away from Loudon, and I must say I appreciate what the Democratic Committee is doing there. I hope they continue to post the types of stats and info they put in this missive. It will be interesting to see if it has an effect on how people vote. It should at least make people stop and think. One would hope anyway...
Hey, and morning, Alexander! Here in Loudoun County, I think you could say we're purple. My little town in particular, if yard signs are any indication! For the 2020 election, we had Biden signs right next door to tfg signs all up and down the roads I travel.
LaRock (the guy who attended the insurrection) is my delegate, and for some years ran unopposed. The last election he had an opponent but still won. So frustrating!
Anyway, I admit it's only recently that I've tried to weigh into our local government, so I welcome any info you can provide. All I know is Democrats hold the State Senate while Republicans hold the House:
Plus: "State Sen. Jennifer McClellan is on track to become the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress after she won the Democratic primary Thursday to fill the seat of Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin, who died last month from cancer." That election is February 21, 2023.
Beware of purple Lynell (unless that's an improvement). I considered Ohio as purple for a time; that is until it was too late. The R's finished the job of gerrymandering and snatching the small town, city, and state gov't. BTW, I spent considerable time in your beautiful state, including some time in Loudoun Co., but most of my time was in Fairfax Co. I have relatives all around D.C. in both Va. and Md.
Here you are, D4N! I could see that when J.D. Vance won in your state; and so sorry for that. Maybe I'm just being simple-minded but it'd be nice if gerrymandering were outlawed. Also, we should eliminate the Electoral College and give Ranked Choice voting a try.
As for Loudoun County, purple is an improvement. I think it gets that way partly due to its proximity to Fairfax County, and also where I am there is a Marc Train commuter line to D.C. that has made Loudoun County more accessible to folks who think left-leaning but want to live in a rural place while having access to their job in D.C. The train is a 50-minute or so ride. I used it when I was working and it was a perfect 50 minutes to not have to drive and get work done at the same time!
We all need to stand strong and stand together to fight for democracy. It seems the battle is beginning. January 6th was the warning. I pray our DOJ truly has the teeth needed to take some of these traitors in Congress out. We know they were involved and aided their fellow insurrectionists that day. It is unthinkable that Kevin McCarthy just handed them the “keys to the city”.
Duck & cover. They did not go away, they did not examine the facts and realize the extreme danger to our way of life in our Democracy. The radical right makes absolutely zero sense. Those with all the billion$ are only thinking of their billion$ and caring nothing for democracy. They have sold their souls to the devil and are trying to do the same with all of our freedoms and our way of life.
Thank you for this excellent post, Lynell. It is amazing to me that these insurrectionists are actually running for public office. I do hope that you and other Ds in the area can make sure they are not elected. This D will never forget January 6th and as I have said before, I still have a hard time seeing the Capitol Building.
Morning, Michele! I surely plan to do my part to keep them from being elected.
In the late seventies/early eighties, I would take a cab from my office to the Capitol two to three times a week to cover hearings, usually on the Senate side. I'd be staring out the window during the ride until the cabdriver made that left turn. Suddenly, the entirety of the Capitol came into full view. Sitting in the backseat, I became transfixed, never taking my eyes off of that grand building, giddy as a tourist seeing it for the first time, full of pride to be an American headed to the seat of democracy.
To be sure, there are many statues, buildings, and monuments that grace the city, places that I have admired as I passed them by on my way to my intended destination. But none (including the White House!) have captivated me as that stately building has, and always will, if even only in my memory.
Morning, Lynell. Yes, it is a grand building, but now hard to look at, at least for me, because of the desecration that those insurrectionists did. I had had a massage that am and my LMT and I were celebrating the election of the two D Senators from Georgia and then I was home, glued to the TV and totally sickened by what I was seeing. I too am on the older side, but we make sure we vote (easy by mail here in Oregon) and donate to pols all over the country.
There are times when I, too, have a hard time, knowing what these insurrectionists did once inside. But when they screamed "This is our house," as they defecated and waved their flag throughout the halls, I cannot help but want to push back. This is my (yours and mine) House, too.
Anyway, being a nonviolent activist, I can only applaud the plans for a bronze statue of the 16-year-old protester, Barbara Rose Johns, who in 1951 led a strike to protest the deplorable conditions that she and her classmates had to endure at their high school. As one of two contributions by Virginia, her statue will be placed in Statutory Hall at the U.S. Capitol, replacing the one of Robert E. Lee already removed in December 2020.
Please no apologies Lynell. Speak on. I identify very closely with your words and feelings as well I think anyway. *edit - As a young man I spent a lot of time in Fairfax Co. as I said another time. I also spent my some years after my birth in Arlington, Va., when Dad was in the USMC during the Korean war. We lived just off base (Henderson Hall).
Thanks, D4N. It is an honor to be commended by one coming from a military family. When I lived right across the river, first in D.C. and then in Montgomery County, MD, I never spent much time in either Fairfax or Arlington counties; mostly because I always got lost whenever I tried to navigate my way around. These last several years have been in Loudoun County, VA; a further excuse to avoid getting lost!
Anyway, I'm very glad you found a close identity with this post. Thank you, once again.
Thank you for this, Barbara. I do remember seeing the double rainbow above the Capitol, but it is well worth a rerun today; and, reading the article showing all the different views people captured of it was breathtakingly beautiful!
“We Democrats must not forget January 6th.” An important communication you have shared, Lynell. But it’s so so disturbing that this is considered a party-line issue and not an American concern.
Lynell, I'd love to copy and paste that to my somewhat useful FB wall, but in redacted form; I'd leave out the partisan word "Democrats" so as to not have R's run right by it in revulsion.
It is much worse than: A morally bankrupt party is now in control with a weak and morally bankrupt “leader”.
Because, those "morally bankrupt" folks who are, as you note, NOT leading, are fully supported by the (large number of) votes of morally bankrupt Americans.
It is not that Trump supporters are dumb, or stupid, or ignorant. Some of them are quite bright.
OK, a small portion are truly misguided, nice people. I know (a FEW) of them.
BUT, a VERY large portion of Trump supporters, Lauren Bobert supporters, Matt Gaetz (teenage rapist that he is) supporters??
Are geniuinely nasty people.
AND?
That is a LOT (as Trump would say) of Americans.
I mean, think about it, just an eyeblink in history ago, it was completely legal in these United States to rape a black woman (who was also enslaved) and SELL her child.
Rape for profit was LEGAL in these United States. Yes it was.
TODAY: It is completely legal to tweet some nasty lie about a black woman volunteering to help our election process. Not quite rape, but, in terms of upending that woman's life, not far away.
Perfect description, Mike. I am watching people I thought I knew carry that nastiness out. I had one say to me "Not gay people like you and Karyn; the bad ones, like drag queens and pedophiles". This guy was a detective who investigated a lot of child abuse cases and knows that it is most often the father of a child (who, ergo, is at least heteronormative some of the time) who perpetrates that abuse and is not gay.
As of June 24, 2022, SCOTUS upended the lives of women, and especially women of child-bearing age, when it overturned Roe. Since then, 15 states not only ban abortion but make no exception for women who become pregnant as a result of rape and incest. Essentially, these states, aided and abetted by SCOTUS, sanction the rape of women. Upending the life of a black woman who served her country by working the polls during a national election when the loser, a real LOSER, cried foul, is a variation on this dangerous, misogynistic theme.
The President of The United States publicly attacked this mother and daughter without evidence because they were black, and he knew their “otherness” would inflame and inspire his racist followers to open their wallets for the big grift.
Suzanne, In my view, we have one immediate play. The House rules package, which won’t be released until Monday, includes at least half of what McCarthy has promised to the Freedom Caucus to get the votes for Speaker. Considering forty or so more reasonable establishment Republicans have held their seats, were they to oppose the more egregious parts of the package they could prevent McCarthy from implementing what he had promised.
I would note that just before posting this comment, I went on-line and started collecting names and numbers from the House bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. This weekend, I will be dialing up Republicans from the list, urging them to vote against the package that not only is screwing the country, but also is screwing them, given, for example, the significant number of coveted committee assignments already pledged to the Freedom Caucus.
Barbara Jo, what a great idea this is! Is there a list somewhere of those 40? I had already planned to contact Majority Whip Tom Emmer but a list would be helpful if it’s available. No, Emmer is not more reasonable - he voted with the seditionists. He’s just a fellow Minnesotan who pisses me off with his traitorous suck-up behavior and I will do everything in my power to remind him that he lives in a Majority blue state. Just want him to feel all the blue love, Happy to spread that around......!
Sheila, Aside from visiting the House bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus mentioned in my comment, here is a go-to list of seemingly moderate establishment Republicans I received last week from a Robert Reich Substack subscriber.
(1) Brian Fitzpatrick (202) 225-4276, (2) Andrew Garbarino (202) 225-7896, (3) Ken Calvert (202) 225-1986, (4) Mike Carey (202) 225-2015, (5) John Curtis (202) 225-7751, (6) Mike Gallagher (202) 225-5665, (7) Ashley Hinson (202) 225-2911, (8) David Joyce (202) 225-5731, (9) Blake Moore (202) 225-0453, (10) Nicole Maliotakis (202) 225-3371, (11) Dan Newhouse (202) 225-5816.
Ken Calvert was my rep for 25 years until redistributing this past election and he is nothing more than a Republican puppet. He will do whatever the party asks/needs.
Cynthia, This past month, a number of staffers took my calls when I prevailed upon seemingly more moderate Republicans, who already had signaled a willingness to work with people from across the aisle, to join with Democrats to find a consensus Speaker. The alternative is to call after hours and leave a voicemail message.
As for talking points, in my view, the focus rests with McCarthy’s willingness, solely to get votes, to give a small cabal of extremists more power, more authority, and more ability to play a larger role in the Party. In turn, the other 200 that sat silently with McCarthy had to give up stuff because McCarthy did their dealing for them.
As an example, presuming the extremists are given key committee assignments, that would leave less slots for the other 200. Additionally, I would note another concession McCarthy gave away is that his leadership PAC cannot get involved in primaries. This helps the radical right in closed primaries get a leg up because they won’t have to compete against the money from the leadership PAC. I imagine this provision will be particularly troubling to the relatively large Republican Governance/Tuesday Group PAC, a compilation of so-called Republican moderates, who support the governing wing of the House Republican Conference.
I would conclude by saying that one way to stop empowering these extremists ideologues, several of whom were enablers of the insurrection and driven by a cynical will to power, is not to give McCarthy the votes to implement the rules package.
As a final point, I would note, if you are leaving a voicemail message, while you likely would be able to append your comment, you might, instead, prefer to edit it down to the allotted time.
Joan, Thank you for the link. Because I had suspected the list from which I was working had not been updated prior to the 22 midterms, I had to confirm the names I was collecting had been re-elected.
The Nazi party did not implode. Quite the opposite. It grew exponentially as Germans enthusiastically joined that party.
Rather, saturation bombing of all German cities into dust was the only thing that rid the world of Nazi's.
We killed Nazi's until they were gone.
Otherwise? They would still be running (a large fraction of Europe).
Remember: The French ENTHUSIASTICALLY embraced the Germans upon their arrival and happily emptied out the Jewish segments to put French jews on trains to Auschwitz. Then, they moved in to those apartments.
Unfortunately, the only thing Nazis and fascists and autocrats seem to understand is brute force. It's how they ultimately deal with everything. They are extreme ideologues who will simply not listen to reason. It's what happens when one replaces almost everything of meaning on one's life with a demented ideology. It becomes the obsession. How many times has it happened in human history, yet as a species we never seem to learn. What happened in the 1920s and '30s is happening all over again with a few changes: it's the same wine in different bottles. And social media, along with right-wing media, is pouring gasoline on all this and allowing it to become an inferno. The shit-show that took place last night--I watched the whole sad spectacle--as well as the events of 2 years ago, is, as HCR reminds us in this Letter, the culmination of a myriad factors coming to a head that have been stewing over the last decades. Last night, and all of the past week, it once again showed it can enter the very halls of our government. I said as much on my own FB page last week that watching this charade showed me once again how even a small cadre of Nazis were able to take over Germany. We cannot wait for them merely to implode because they can do a LOT of damage in the meantime. We cannot assume they are a tiny irrelevant minority anymore. They are a very real and present danger that have to be dealt with by whatever means necessary. We have to "keep our powder dry". I'm NOT advocating violence, but if it comes to that--as it did 2 years ago--we HAVE to be ready to respond.
I don't know what you mean by "I'm NOT advocating violence, but if it comes to that--as it did 2 years ago--we HAVE to be ready to respond."
I witnessed Jan6 (or MAGA3, as former Chief Sund calls it) from the Mall and the Ellipse and the Supreme Court and the Capitol grounds, just as I watched MAGA1 and MAGA2 the previous 2 months. I live here and try to witness whenever possible. Having read enough reporting about the megamagas and their intentions to assume it would be really bad that day, I was not surprised as I watched the instigators and their braying sheep recruits attack the vastly overwhelmed police forces, with a sound track of droning prayer supplied by the god-botherers' sideshow.
What is it that you would have done had you been there? Sure, it would be fun in a twisted way to punch nazis. But unless you are monitoring bus rental companies, freeway traffic, small plane traffic, small boat traffic, and all the other venues that support movement of very large numbers of anonymous people from many locations to one specific location then you'll be outflanked.
In any case, it's almost assured that the NEXT attack won't be like the last one. Maybe the instigators will be as stupid as the last ones, and maybe the intelligence agencies will pick up most of the communications traffic beforehand, and maybe they will coordinate to prepare an adequate plan in response, and maybe their executives will sign off on the plan, and maybe choose to implement it in time.
Or maybe not.
The warm war we are in now is one-off attacks scattered around the entire nation, carried out by individuals. This war is "just right" (not too hot, not too cold) for "the brains" behind the punk losers who carry out the mass murders.
"Being ready" for violence is something individual citizens could take upon themselves, but beyond observing – witnessing – there's not much in the way of rational response in the moment. I for one won't be walking (or riding my bike) around DC carrying weapons just in case.
Meanwhile, those deemed “useful” were invited to the US, scientists like Werner VonBraun, and hundreds of officers were allowed to emigrate via a “ paper clip program” first outlined in 1982 in “The Belarus Secret” a wonderful book by former Army intelligence officer John Loftus.
Inflation should be coming down any moment now along with gasoline prices. They most definitely will continue to implode upon themselves, we’ve been watching it for years. You know those 118 congresspeople who refuse to recognize President Biden as a legitimate president? That’s called sedition. It’s illegal, but here we are. They’ll burn hotter before they’re jettisoned from their seats. Then corrupt judges will hand them a pass. Unless our DOJ steps in, which doesn’t look like anytime soon. We must vote in every election no matter how small. They don’t control us, we control them.
Remember that Social Security you paid into is now on the chopping block. Announce that at EVERY senior citizen event, home, family that has parents and grandparents. Republicans want to take your earned income and give it to their wealthy friends while you gotta quit your job to take care of yourself, your elderly relatives just like The Waltons, but not nearly as civil.
Cyndy, mine,too! You have my sympathy. I gave up on the state. Maybe you are young enough and will live long enough to see the destructive Texas Republican regime booted out. I couldn’t wait..not enough years.
True, but mistakes made in our governance can be costly to all of us.
I would have preferred the Dems take the high road and nominate someone like Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger. Having a person who cares about the rule of law and democracy would be better than the fiasco to which we are headed.
I hope but I don't feel certainty. They are certainly showing us the leaks in the hose in this country, I just hope the hose holds. McCarthy's giveaways concern me but I did hear that there are some checks in place. Don't plan on a boring year any time soon.
The big split is coming. They have shown their hand: govt shutdown/default. This would collapse our greatest strength, the financials. There is no way corporate America/Wall Street could support a gov shutdown nor default. Business has to split from the QOP now. If they wait it’s too late.
They won't, not publicly, while they might incur some right wing customer wrath. They'll sit back until Q3 and depend on the Democrats and some targeted Republicans to save our credit rating. God knows where we'll be by then.
Defaulting would be catastropic to our economy and the world. This would be like a nuclear bomb to global finance, manufacturing, supply chains including energy and food, and eliminate the social safety net. It would most likley result in a 1930's Great Depression but worse. The tools to combat a global depression would evaporate. The dollar would be replaced as the worlds currency by the Euro and Yuan. Not sure if there could be quantitative easing like in 2007-2009, without a creditble Central Bank, interest rates skyrocket to higher than anything in recent history, and on an on. It makes me think it is just a farce of somekind? Levarage agaist China who owns most of the debt? Could that be? Defaulting is crazy to think about. It is unfathomable.
For regular people, I would say "plant a garden" in order to survive.
Listen to Ted! He captures what's at stake. As I stated in another comment, the key is to now start boycotting the products and services of companies that legally bribe the legislative insurrectionists with campaign money.
The consequences of a default are incalculable. Everyone would pay a price, some even with their life without Medicare and SS.
Jeri, I used to minimize bad things by saying, “what can they do, send me back to Vietnam?” or, “At least they can’t send me back to Vietnam.” Then I would feel a little better. That doesn’t work anymore.
Now, there are some days I wish someone WOULD send me back....but I always recover from the thought. It does appear that I will be having that thought every day for the foreseeable future.
Let me offer my best thanks to you and the others for your act of kindness to an old warrior on Robert Hubble. I was so touched, and felt so responsible to write something wise enough to deserve the gift, that I haven’t been able to write almost anything since! I will get over it soon, but thanks again.
I agree. I think indicting Trump will be a good step toward getting these traitors in the House( and Senate) out in the open. These people should not be legislating-if that is what you can call it-at all. That they and the putrid members of the House have held Americans hostage all week long is despicable. I also worry that all of the good accomplishments that the Biden administration has succeeded in doing will somehow be diminished if Trump and company are not held accountable for their many lawless and traitorous acts. I don't know how this will all play out. Maybe We The People will see justice after all but each passing day lessens my hope for seeing this done.
I just wish every Democrat in Congress would go home soon and instead of repeating the “indict Trump” narrative, they hold town meetings and explain and promote all those good things Biden has done for the country in these past 2 years. It’s not talked about enough and certainly not often and loud enough to out shout the Biden haters.
There’s nothing stopping us from picking up the phone or going online to let them know! This forum helps us with the Truth of what’s happening. Now that we’re aware, it’s up to each & everyone of us to do what we have to do to make our government work in the best interest of the Majority of the American People!
For two years I've been disappointed in the Democratic leadership for being so quiet with what President Biden and his administration have been accomplishing. I think they all need to be replaced, but they are quite worthless. Pres. Biden started doing his own informing Americans a year ago.
I still do not know whether Trump and his fellow conspirators will be prosecuted. I think they will because the injustice if they are not, is far too great.
I do not see how Rule of Law can survive in this country without prosecution of the insurrection plotters.
I am old enough to remember when Geral Ford pardoned Nixon. I was irate then, and I am still! Reagan should have been impeached for Iran-Contra, but he was popular with many and slipped through.
Trump is the 3rd President to overtly commit crimes against our Republic. We cannot afford to let this pass! At least the others left Office, but Trump presents a clear and present . . . and continuing danger. He must be prosecuted for his crimes. And not just him. Trumpism has taken hold of too many. All the conspirators need to be prosecuted. There is plenty of evidence.
But they hold the purse strings. They could turn the lights out at the DOJ. I heard a discussion between Lawrence Tribe and Jeffrey Toobin and Toobin was saying that everything would be ok because the democrats will still have the senate and the presidency and Tribe quickly corrected him by pointing out the the house can take money away from anything. They will have the capability to stop investigations. We can only hope there are enough republicans who aren't too terrified to do the right thing.
The slow-moving coup continues it's march. McCarthy will be a pitiful excuse of a speaker. He easily could have avoided this debacle by reaching out to a handful of moderate Democrats with minor concessions, yet he choose to sell his soul to Gaetz, et. al., guaranteeing that Movement Conservatives will hogtie the government for at least the next two years.
The closet insurrectionists are winning, but they haven't won... yet.
He didn't just sell his soul (which is worthless) to Gaetz, He sold the whole Country to the very people who have openly declared their desire to bring down the entire government of the United States in favor of a dictatorship. I only hope that somewhere along the line a huge majority of Americans will recognize this appetite to destroy and fight for our rights.
McCarthy put on display two years ago what a weak excuse for a human being he is, much less a credible legislator or negotiator. He will be remembered for condemning Trump (rightly) for fomenting the riot at the Capitol, then immediately slithering on his belly down Mar-a-Lago to lick Trump's feet when it became clear that Trump would retain much of his base's support. In doing so he lost any respect he may have had, even within his own framented party. The good news is this: if Gaetz, MTG and the other wacko's make good on their threat to hold the country hostage over the debt ceiling, McKarthy will likely reneg on his assurance to honor this blatant extortion. And if I'm wrong and McKarthy's cowadice runs so deep as to give these criminals their way, one tactic Democrats might use would be to take any shortfall straight off the top of the nearly Trillion dollar annual Military budget, one of the few things Republicans seem to hold dear. (And no, I don't think that would weaken us militarily or hurt our troops because I don't think either the Executive or even SCOTUS would allow it, through extrordinary measures, to come to pass). The other thing that Biden and the Dems need to do is to get very tough on the likes of Tucker Carlson and Fox News, Brightbart and the rest, First Amendment arguments be damned! What these miscreants broadcast to the radicalized mob of red voters daily is tantamount to sedition, and some reasonable limits must be established. We're down to bare nuckles, folks; desperate times call for desperate action, and we'd better start getting serious.
I feel your frustration and I will bet that most here do, but as soon as 1st Ammendment is altered, you would watch it further segregate those that have from those that don't. The people who need a voice would have none.
The law is a blunt instrument. Once written, it takes the responsibility from us to behave as a kind, compassionate and responsive society. It puts the responsibility on authoritarian aspects (law enforcement) to keep peace, instead of citizens stepping up on an individual basis to take pride and responsibility in our community. It also seems to have the effect of devaluing our investment to a certain extent.
Aargh, what happened to the spell checker at 3AM? (Just re read my comment and I'm chagrinned, but oh well.)
Jean, I somewhat agree with you, but we already have that separation between the "haves and the have nots" - see Citizens United. And there already exist constraints against abuse of the 1st, as in the "shouting 'fire' in a crowded theater" case. It's time to apply a few additional reasonable ones, such as prohibiting a defeated president from thundering "fight like hell" to an armed, angry mob and fining media moguls for allowing demonstrably false claims of election fraud to permeate and percolate through a large and very gullible segment of the electorate for years, destabilizing our very democracy. I don't believe this would actually damage the First Amendment or put our citizens at great risk.
Long before Citizens United, classicism existed, but Citizens United did us no favors. I am all for repealing that horrifying decision. As for himself, he can be prosecuted on any number of crimes. The media is another matter. I read, then restrict my own watching to pbs because I don't like to listen to the snarky, derogatory the tone on other stations. I haven't listened to Fox since the days of Rush and Bill O. People shouldn't have to hear opinion told as truth, and they should not be able to tell lies. This, by the way, has nothing to do with "free speech". Spreading a deliberate lie is a different ballpark from opinion. I agree, there needs to be accountability.
Yes, McCarthy and the repubs sold us all down the river. Not his soul, not their souls, if they have souls, but the soul of America. We watched it happening in real time and we are paying the price. And will continue to pay. While President Biden honored heroes with Presidential Citizens Medals, the repubs were making backroom deals to destroy our Democracy. Like high schoolers running for student body to impress their friends, or for some coveted prize, they gave away the Democracy and that should shock anyone who has a clue how government works. And who is watching? On the anniversary of the Insurrection, who’s in jail? Justice is too slow.
Without a doubt, you are spot on. What I saw was a plan. I don't believe they were ever against McCarthy, nor he them. They had this opportunity to bargain "rules" so they could further 'legitimize' their intent. They work for the exclusive wealth, like their leader, those that don't intend to pay taxes on what they accumulate. Isn't that why they act like they are immune?
When you sign on to support the insurrection against the people by overturning the people's election, there's nothing "closet" about those insurrectionists. And they are being seated now without objection. Seems like the 14th Amendment just got overturned without a vote.
If McCarthy gets his way, not just the 14th Amendment but the whole Constitution will be burned at the stake in favor of a Fascist Dictator. He has openly declared his intention to dissolve the Ethics Committee. To defund the Restoration Act along with a lot more idiocies
Cynthia I believe what the Ethics Committee will laser focus on is shielding the House members that were involved in the J6 Insurrection off the hook. It also involves oversee of distribution of monies received by House members. Who paid whom off for favors. In a nutshell, McCarthy gave the elected Insurrectionists their get out of jail free card.
More un-irony, giving the keys to the house to the crooks who tried to burn it down. This happens when there are no consequences for the criminals. It’s simple parenting. Or politics.
Infuriating. My anger at this knows no bounds. I wonder how many of us it would take to... lawsuit? How about we sue the DOJ for not protecting our government from seditionists? I mean the law IS in place. Just us ordinary citizens make them enforce this. We’ve seen the danger they foment. We have their names and proof they refused to certify the votes. What’s the hold up?
I agree with what you are saying.A class action lawsuit by WeThe People against legislators who tried to negate citizens legally cast ballots.Another suit against the DOJ for not enforcing the law of the land.I, like you, am infuriated by all of this.
We need more like minded folk! Michael Moore has been pushing this narrative for months and he’s asking questions of the DOJ and the federal government. I want to know WHY? Why is the law being ignored? Why are these seditionists seated in our hallowed halls of government? We need more people to demand their immediate removal.
Thank you, Dr. Richardson, for giving us a summary of the history of how we got to the current day, ending up with a weasel like McCarthy as Speaker... A total disgrace to our beautiful country when there are people like Hakeem Jeffries
Thank you for this link. If you have not listened to Hakeem Jeffries speech I urge you to do so. If we cave into hopelessness and defeat than we are truly the losers. Look what was accomplished in the last two years. We must persist for Democracy for our children and grandchildren.
His speech was wonderful and worth staying up for. His clever alphabetical, almost-a-rap, was a delight. As soon as he handed off the gavel, I was DONE! The thought of listening to McCarthy acting as if he won the gavel on the first vote was nauseating.
Thank you for posting this 🙏🙏🙏 I couldn’t stick with news in the making into the wee hours. Jeffries focusing on caucus accomplishments (so many and so big) and the desire/need to keep working to benefit we the people. Sounded like he was booed (?) when beginning to talk about the next two years. If those fascist insurrectionists think our elected representatives are simply going to rollover and let them take a wrecking ball to all the good stuff they have accomplished I hope they (the fascists) spend the next two years facing the criminal charges they deserve. Again, thank you for the link to Jeffries great speech. 🙏
I watched that, and his speech just before handing the Speaker's gavel to McCarthy. Jeffries will be an excellent Minority Leader and, hopefully the next Speaker. I found his words inspirational, and enjoy his clear penchant for alliteration. He is strong, clear, and has sense of humor which, I believe, will help sustain him through the pressures and stresses of the job.
Thank you. That was a great speech by Jeffries and I was glad of 2 things. 1 - Nancy Pelosi didn't have to hand off the gavel. 2. McCarthy and the republicans had to listen to it even though they didn't applaud any of it.
I saw a bit of Rep. Jeffries speech last night, which he gave at 1 AM EST. He is a superb orator, had a well thought out set of things to say, and he for sure needs our support! (Easier to watch. On PST because I can't stay up as late as he can!)
A great point to make Frank, that at 1am after toiling thru all that crazy 🦇💩 he appears as fresh and invigorating as ever. A true warrior for democracy to overcome this rising fascist element in our midst. 🙏🙏 and yes we can support him best by winning local elections and showing up locally for democratic values. ❤️
Another way to support Jeffries could be to throw support behind the hopeful 213th Democratic member of the 118th Congress. Every vote is very important in this Congress.
Thank you so much Marli for posting this link to Jeffries’ speech. After listening to it I went from despair into hope and even joy. And even though he did not explicitly quote these words, their message underwrote all of his words: “we shall overcome” darkness and despair.
It is truly frightening to watch the Republicans in action. There is nothing redeeming about them. McCarthy is just slime personified. So the way I see the next 2 years is the Republican House proposing outrageous bills, which they need a simple majority of 218 to pass. The Democrats can probably not get their issues heard because McCarthy will not let them. However, fortunately we can count on the Senate to not pass these bills when they come to them. Biden can veto them too. If a budget is going to be passed in the fall, the Democrats in the House better get on convincing 6 Republicans to vote with them now. I also think that the Democrats should be trying to pass all of the legislation that they want to anyway, and let the public see what is voted down by Republicans. Unfortunately, this country seems to have too many people who cannot imagine things they have never experienced, which is how the Republican Party likes it. I am not looking forward to these 2 years.
With 3 MAGA crazies on the Rules Committee there is little hope that Democrat sponsored legislation will ever reach the floor of the House for debate. It obviously can be introduced in the Senate and voted on. But McCarthy caved to the insurrectionists by giving them so much power on the Rules Committee.
I also think it's time to start calling the core 20 and their followers by their true name--the Insurrectionist Caucus. To keep calling them the "Freedom Caucus" is an insult to American ideals.
I totally agree. The core20 were part of the treasonous coup and should have been arrested or at least removed from Congress but that does not include mtg and George Santos and ... Wait, can we just call it the Insurrectionist Party? It’s not like those who supported McCarthy have any morals or cojones.
Insurrection/Sedition/Coup Caucus. Their theft of the word "Freedom" is insulting to all Americans, even the ones who crave a fascist government under their definition of what "freedom" is.
..the Democrats should be trying to pass all of the legislation that they want to anyway, and let the public see what is voted down by Republicans.¨ YES!!
...”Democrats should be trying to pass all of the legislation that they want to anyway, and let the public see what is voted down by Republicans.” YES!
I'm sorry, but those are not bombs. Those are lit paper bags of 🐂💩they are flinging. Intent on destruction, yes. I finally understand my Dad's favorite epithet, "flaming sack of 💩"
Interesting that the first legislation McCarthy will put up is to cut back on the increase in IRS funding. I can't help but wonder if that was his quid pro quo to get Trump to talk to the 6 holdouts last night. And of course the Republicans sowed disinformation that it was about an "army" of IRS agents coming to get you as opposed to total employees needed ot staff the service to be added to the IRS after a decade of underfunding.
I am wondering how much of the of the next two years will be about MAGA crazies putting up show piece legislation that does not get approved in the Senate or gets vetoed by Biden. Of course it will be "unfair" that the Democrats will be able block their legislation in the Senate and by Presidential veto...
A few other thoughts on yesterday's proceedings:
a) I wonder who will be the first Member to call for a confidence vote on McCarthy and how long it will be before it happens.
b) I found the body language interesting between McCarthy and Marjorie Taylor Greene who seemed glued to his side.
c) Personally currently being down with covid for the second time after all vaccinations and boosters and masking and limiting close contacts I am wondering how many members of the House will be ill after the many long hours, stress, close contact and spitting mad spittle spewing interactions there were on the House floor.
d) I wonder who will be the first Republican to bring a gun onto the floor of the House with open carry now that the metal detectors have been removed.
i understand the distress...almost like if you say it, you've warned someone...so sorry for the stress that group of selfish ones have brought on everyone...greed takes such a razor to a society
Well, TWO YEARS LATER, Trump is still golfing at Mara Lago, fundraising on the backs of the believers, golfing at Mara Lago, spinning out lies about Ruby Freeman, golfing at Mara Lago, spinning out hate to his believers, golfing at Mara Lago and.......
well, I think you get the picture that America offers it's people.
If you screw enough people to the wall, are white, get enough money, then?
You can absolutely WHATEVER YOU WANT, WHENEVER YOU WANT TO WHOMEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT TO.
It certainly seems that way on this dark day. I was hoping for a miracle—FBI coming on the floor to arrest Santos and the riot planners. Is there any hope left for Justice? Remember what was happening 2 years ago on Jan 7.
It took the DOJ 2 years to even start investigating trump and then they only did it because of the pressure from the House Jan 6 committee. I don't have much confidence in them.
These last two Letters have opened my eyes. Yesterday's Letter included a phrase that I found illuminating - my emphasis:
"Lawmakers like Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO) are clearly enjoying the power they are currently wielding, but their larger project is the one the party has advertised SINCE THEY WERE CHILDREN: stopping the government from any of the actions it has called “Marxist” or “socialist,” burning it all down to make white Americans free."
I grew up inside a New Deal ideology, in a multiracial city, while labor unions were strong, before deindustrialization, decades before Gaetz, Boebert, et al were born. Thus I've seen what CAN work, and they haven't. I can't account for their dearth of imagination - maybe I should say, for their lurid imaginations - but I can see their lack of experience of a society that began to work better for everyone.
Re your mention of FDR’s Four Freedoms speech: BBC radio dedicated its annual Reith Lecture series for 2022 to the Four Freedoms of the speech and had four speakers each one addressing one of the freedoms. The lectures are available online and are worth listening to.
Fundamental freedom includes certain freedoms from as well as freedom to. FDR articulated that. Some of the freedoms from, rape and murder for example is exactly what keeps many choices out of the "freedom" category' i.e. genuine freedom in interdependent with responsibility. Modern Republicans seem to push the idea that "freedom" is permission to do as one pleases, so long as it pleases Republicans.
Radical Republican leaders, although they don't recognize themselves as such, are anarchists, not libertarians, and without ethics. Their sense of exceptionality blinds them. Their mass following clings to its leadership to mask a deep sense of insecurity and marginalization, IMO.
They are not anarchists—they are the very opposite of anarchists. Anarchists do not believe in hierarchy, and they strive for government by consensus. These people believe in fascist autocracy and apparently favor civil war over consensus.
I think that both you (Mary) and Judith are correct here; Judith is using what has begun as the "anarchist movement" here in the Pacific Northwet and came to its own in the demonstrations against the WTO in Seattle in 1999 to describe the current crop of extremist RepubliQans.
I note that a definition of anarchist that I found in a Google search is this: "Anarchy is a society without a government. It may also refer to a society or group of people that entirely rejects a set hierarchy. Anarchy was first used in English in 1539, meaning "an absence of government"."
This is not government by consensus, it is the lack of government. That is what the sedition caucus (I've also heard "coup caucus" as a label) want to do. Destroy our government.
The anarchist movement you describe as beginning in the PNW (though anarchism began in France in the 18th century, a political philosophy that's been behind many anti-fascist and anti-monarchist movements since) is the farthest thing imaginable from the pure chaos frothing and bubbling in the US House of Representatives. I study and teach utopian social movements so I've read a lot about anarchism. The most famous American adherent in our own time is probably Prof. Noam Chomsky.
I just know that I have dealt, professionally, with these "anarchists" who really do want to "burn it all down" with no thought as to what to do afterwords, only to destroy what exists. The classical definition of anarchist that you deal with professionally has as much to do with my group of anarchists as today's RepubliQan Coup Caucus has to do with real conservatism.
Thank you. I will listen. And I will continue to post HCR's "Letters" far and wide -- truth matters and must remain exposed. The chaos and horror I see looming on the horizon, not just for America, but for so much of the world, as these 20. elected insurrectionists vie for power and control..... Almost unimaginable. Yes, McCarthy is the puppet and the insurrectionists are the strings. But we must do all that we can to expose the Dark Money puppet masters who were not elected by the majority of the American voters.
we need a "Citizens Ignited" group to push back on the horrors unleashed by the 2010 "Citizens United" ruling ... which seems to have been another inflection point along this road to chaos.
The first of the four 2022 Reith Lectures, “Freedom of Speech”—delivered by best-selling author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie—is available at the link below and includes a link to the other three lectures.
"it took money from wealthy people and redistributed it through government programs to poorer Americans"
Gravity can be a drag, but we al; benefit from it's presence. That said, you want to stay away from "black holes" in space that draw in everything in their vicinity. Monopoly is roughly the economic equivalent of that. Feudalism sucked. Bad Old Days Gilded Age monopolies oppressed workers and warped democracy, and yet that is what Republicans are selling. Admittedly, in retirement I am living on investments, but money can snowball like a black hole, and what does that do to the neighborhood? At some point big money has more to do with controlling money than than fair exchange, and that can be a problem. Billionaires don't like to be told they can't have everything.
“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” - Lincoln
Thank You JL Graham for this post with the wonderful Lincoln quote about labor. I also like the visual of monopolies being like Black Holes. “Billionaires don’t like being told they can’t have everything” is an extension of the truth that most people don’t want something taken from them. Yet we are loath to price things to accurately reflect the external costs to society.
I recall a news report in the midst of the Vietnam War about how affordable housing in Saigon was disappearing because American GI's were renting out apartments for their time off and were able to outbid residents. Why would they not, and yet it was a problem.
I have more than once seen the same thing when city investment capital flows into a rural area. Money is a species of power and economics shapes societies. Theory can enable liberation and justice, yet can also obscure crucial realities on the ground, and it appears to me the routes to optimum justice are to some degree complex and messy, as is a robust democracy. That messiness and demand for heightened effort makes functional democracy an easy target for charlatan Snake-oil promoters with simplistic nostrums, so we need a lot more reality checks.
Yes. Good society usually involves awareness, which takes time. In a sped-up, treadmill existence, having a reality check doesn’t happen often, because we have succeeded in making “slow” synonymous with “stupid” or “foolish”. Yet, slowing down reveals the important things we need to see and work on.
Love this quote about Wales, I lived there in 1980 and 81 along with my spouse and 3 young children. My company had built a plant there in the mid 1970s with new technology 3000 miles from it's technological base. Big mistake, it was losing 4 million a month, a lot of money back then. A number of us were sent and we reached break even. The Welsh hated the English, with good reason because of years of exploitation especially in the coal mines of south Wales. (Mine owners were English).
It was hard work and long hours but I sure learned a lot. One key learning was that there is more ways than one to get the job done, your way may not be the be the best way after all.
Dave According to my fuzzy family history, I have Welsh roots. As the story goes, my name comes from the Wheel Lock gun in the 14th century. It was considered the ‘ultimate weapon’ and was banned by the Holy Roman Empire.
Under the Stench Court and the 2nd Amendment I can take my Wheel Lock gun anywhere, while feasting on Welsh rabbit.
Your positive last paragraph seems like an epitaph for the life we have known. McCarthy has sold, not only his soul, but sold out the country as well. Dems were gleeful watching McCarthy’s humiliation but now the crazies have the power to destroy us. They will destroy McCarthy as well. Poor consolation.
Jeri, I fear these next two years will stage a reenactment of the earlier version of McCarthyism. Interestingly, parallels between the two leading actors have already become evident:
“McCarthyism, name given to the period of time in American history that saw U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin produce a series of investigations and hearings during the 1950s in an effort to expose supposed communist infiltration of various areas of the U.S. government. The term has since become a byname for defamation of character or reputation by means of widely publicized indiscriminate allegations, especially on the basis of unsubstantiated charges.” [Britannica]
We always get side tracked by the spectacle. It’s our form of “owning the libs”, and does not serve the cause of making this government work. McCarthy is vain and willing to go along with the nihilists because at heart he believes the same thing. At any point “sane gop” could have seen the direction this would take and send back-channel overtures to the dems to craft a middle way. They did not. Now it looks like the they caught the tiger by the tail. They really will have the power to default the US (and by extension the world) financial system, which leads us into uncharted territory. Their chokehold on the the purse-strings for implementing the IRS reforms gives a huge relief to all the gop tax cheats. It appears like the Insurrectionist won after all.
I wonder how "they' will be served by defaulting the world financial system. Find out that, and maybe there is a way to expose, head off, something. If the tax cheats are going this far, they are close to being caught or thrown off their course. I don't know really, but i wonder about these things. Following trails often leads to thinking in another way.
At some point I assume that some portion of the *reasonable* Republicans are going to have to cross the aisle and sacrifice their seats for the sake of the country. But maybe I'm being too optimistic. By Q3, many of the reasonable Republicans may already start thinking they won't be reelected.
Statement of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee
Commemorating the 2nd Anniversary of the Assault on the U.S. Capitol:
Two years on and the mere mention of “January 6th” is still enough to stir the vast majority of Americans to the same sense of outrage as the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Assassination of JFK and the 9/11 terrorist assaults: each one a day that shall live in infamy.
Thousands of armed insurrectionists staged an assault upon our democracy unseen since the Civil War, wounding hundreds of law enforcement officers in an attempt to stop the peaceful transition of Presidential power that is at the core of our American democracy.
As has been outlined in brilliant detail by the January 6th Committee, those who stormed the Capital were whipped into a frenzy through weeks and months of countless Republican elected officials attending “Stop the Steal” rallies touting the “Big Lie” that the presidential election was stolen.
On November 8, 2020, one of the nation’s earliest “Stop the Steal” rallies took place in Loudoun County, in Purcellville, with then-Del. Dave LaRock, a far right-wing, Republican extremist, being joined at the podium by Elmer “Stewart” Rhodes, head of the anti-government Oath Keepers militia. Rhodes has been convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in organizing the January 6 insurrection. While LaRock attended Trump’s January 6th warmup rally, he apparently lacked the courage of his convictions and didn’t march into the Capitol.
Another headliner at the Nov. 8th rally: Geary Higgins, currently a Republican candidate for Virginia’s 31st State Senate District.
One week later, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman, a Republican, headlined another Stop the Steal rally in Purcellville.
Multiple prominent Loudoun County Republicans were at the forefront of promoting the “Big Lie” and advocating extreme efforts to stop the peaceful transfer of power. Many of these Republicans will be on the ballot in 2023, running for state and county offices. As the campaigns take shape, we will keep track and let you know who among them played a role when our democracy was in peril in 2020 -2021.
We Democrats must not forget January 6th. We must embrace our sense of revulsion at those who sought to destroy our precious and delicate constitutional democracy. And we must honor all of those – law enforcement officers, members of Congress and all the public servants who risked their life that day to defend our democracy – who are devoted to doing the right things.
Amen and hallelujah. The 3rd Bloc ( and I will refer to them as Blocheads) are totally unimpressive and boring even after being given a moment in the spotlight by the sycophant media.
Salud, Lynell.
🗽
You have just given me an idea for a Lego project. They market these these sets called "Brickheadz" that use Lego bricks to make figures with large heads and small bodies. There are certain physical attributes to some of the Sedition Caucus that may lend themselves nicely to caricature. I am thinking of the 6 RepubliQans that voted "Present" in a playpen...
Oh yes, Ally. Wonderful idea. I am just up, so I haven't read an account of exactly what happened except that in keeping with South Carolina tradition, a Rep from that state attacked Hair Gaetz. And voting present is so chicken poop. I like the idea of Blocheads and Brickheadz. We were wondering this am what this group of Blocheads will actually do beside throw feces around.
I’m not sure what the insurrectionist blocheads will actually do, but I’m pretty sure there first goals are to throw democracy under the bus, put our country in default, eliminate social/safety net programs and cut taxes on the wealthy. Along with their idiotic investigations they have ranted on about incessantly. I love the Lego idea Ally! And we certainly have our work cut out for us over the next 2 years!
Sedition Caucus says it all. I like it.
Oh, my goodness, LOL and yes, Ally! How can I help?
I'm going to chat with my Lego friends today (when they are up). I am thinking either a playpen, or a zoo like setting. All ideas welcome!
I'd prefer the playpen. Zoos are for animals, which to my mind have higher intelligence!
The zoo setting gives me opportunities to fling 💩, however.
Who would go to such a zoo ? (worse thought yet, if called a 'petting zoo'. Ick !) *edit to close parenthesis
Alt, Thanks! Your idea made me smile, but you need a much larger/bigger game-plan. First, this works for the repugnant “present” six, but we really need to include the 100+ traitors who voted on January 6,2021, to overthrown our government.
Your game is a good start, but let’s come up with a grander scale play. I’m going with the ground game. I intend to continue making calls to both teams. Pushing team Blue to remain focused; team Red, to be held accountable to any/all insane actions—by ME! Also, I will be motivating others to register to vote and become more active. We CAN do this!
Ally, this is such a creative and fabulous idea. You need to set up your phone to take videos or still pics when the 💩 literally hits the fan! Quite frankly, 20 of the Sedition Caucuss (did that on purpose) should be sharing a playpen or a pig pen, which ever you choose.
ooo; I like that - "Sedition Caucus". Has a realistic thud to it to match actors.
I like that too. So excited about your art project. I'm working on a series of squirrels dedicated to protecting us all from bullying autocrats.
Sounds good to me. Do it!
Join me! 💙
I'd love to although I have been working on my own project which involves squirrels brining down autocrats. Maybe we could do some kind of collaboration going forward? Could be fun.
Blocheads. I love it.
Blocheads, yes! Morning, Christine!
Listen to this Lynell. Just read this from Roy Blount Jr
Regarding the Blocheads making a whippin’ boy out of McCarthy…..
“What good is a gavel you have to grovel for?”
Isn’t that the sorry truth?
Their level of self awareness is so minimal. Everything is rationalized by them with mostly imaginary reality created by mis- and disinformation.
Salud, compatriot. I’m appointing Ally as Lego commander.
🗽
It definitely is the sorry truth, Christine.
Good to have Ally at the helm. She will be very effective.
There is a W VA attendee at the Jan 6 insurrection who spent 3 months in jail who is now running for state office and his supporterrs say to him "thank you" for entering the Capitol that day, a real patriot saving democracy! He was interviewed by Lisa DesJardins of PBS Newshour this week and he has no regrets.
Derrick Evans is his name, an x-State Delegate now announced his bid for US Congressional seat.
J6 2023 was much like J6 2021 with democracy attacked at its most vulnerable spot: the lawful transfer of power. Like J6 2021, necessary procedural matters were not settled until the early hours of J7. How do you build any kind of speakership on 6 "present" votes on the rubble of 14 failed rounds that may have reduced the House to being ungovernable?
May have reduced? ? Think with the new rules that is a forgone conclusion.
I say 'reduced' because I believe there are parliamentarian-approved ways lor 212 united Dems to bring bills to the House Floor needing only 7 to 9 r's. But, I need to research the one (1) such path that has occurred in the last 10 years or consult with Nancy P unless someone in the Community knows the House approved pathway. Updated: My younger Brother says you only need six (6) r's IF one needed a TOTAL tally of 218: Assuming 212 + 6 = 218. Update: i added "House Floor Today" via the Libray of Congress to my email updates diet.
Very good questions, Bryan.
God help us. Seriously. This is getting so scary. So many brainless people in this country. They have no idea what a patriot is or what democracy is. Sickening.
Thanks for sharing. That’s why Dems must engage with the constituency in places like WV. I believe they’ve been sold a bill of goods by both parties when you factor in Senator Manchin’s lack of support for programs that were bringing people up from poverty. WV is a beautiful place, I travel through often on my way to NC. Top to bottom most people are friendly and speak their minds. Poverty is heartbreaking there. It’s about time Republicans to stop using red states as vote markers and start treating people with decency and respect. Voting fixes these sorts of things. Know who and what you’re voting for.
Agree wholeheartedly Karen. I've been preaching that for years now, to no one who would listen, including the D party. Not just WVa, but all rural and urban areas of Appalachia, then west - or all together, but you have to start somewhere. Appalachia regions encompass many states, including Ohio, Kentucky, etc. So far though, it's just you and me 'talking' and you may know what they say in Appalachia about 'talking' instead of action. *edit in - Among the things those in Appalachia and beyond need to recall or have proven to them via historical facts; The dreadful 'liberals' did not close coal mines; in the case of most of the WVa mines, it was G.W. Bush who approved legislation restricting certain forms of coal that produced acid rain, in response to not 'liberals' and environmentalists, but in response to pleas from several states and our Canada neighbors, who suffered greatly from our acid rain producers. That's just one fact - there's many more, but I'll leave that for our good Doctor.
Poverty is associated with poor education. Those poorly educated are easier to govern, that's why Reps pander to the poor in places such as Appalachia. I'm not sure what Manchin's angle is, unless he just misleads his constituents to believe he is all for them.
Joe is beholden to the fossil fuel industry.
Here, here!
I heard the Lisa DesJardins interview and was saddened and sickened by the thinking of the man from W VA. I do not understand at all why people (especially from southern states) want to destroy our country. It also shocks me that people like him are given the “bully pulpet.” Derrick Evans should be apologizing not bragging.
So sad.
This is pathetic.
Dear Lord!
Should be barred from serving in a public office, in my opinion, as a traitor.
Oh Lord help us!
How disturbing.
I call them the Coup Caucus - the Insider Insurrectionists. We know them all by name. And we must work to support any Democrat who runs against them race after race - the next one being 2024.
By secret ballot the majority of the party voted for the Coup Caucus to be their leaders. And not one of the entire party had the courage nor the will to vote against being ruled by law breaking fascists by voting for a law-abiding, decent man just because he is a Democrat. This cancer is larger and deeper than many are willing to recognize.
sad to say, this is precisely how i see it. i am truly shocked by this reality.
how do you know about the secret ballot?
I researched it. It’s standard procedure for the GOP. Here’s a news article that talks about it for your reading pleasure. https://newjerseymonitor.com/2022/11/15/u-s-house-gop-picks-leadership-team-for-next-congress-mccarthy-scalise-and-emmer/
Thanks for the link. I thought the 'secret' ballot was something nefarious but it's just 'private' like our votes. Oh, heavens, how could I even think the Republicans would do anything nefarious. Shame on me. :)
Agree. The current bunch of Republicans in the House, and probably the Senate as well, are like a path of crumbs left by Trump and his fascist influencers. If we Americans, Democrats/Independents/Responsible Republicans - as strange as that sounds these days - thought we had tough fights in 2020 and 2022, it was nothing compared to what is ahead. Trump's MAGA crowd has gotten control of too many state legislatures who have passed anti-democratic voter suppression laws, gerrymandered voting districts, and taken control of too many media outlets to give fair and legal elections a chance. For the Republican Party to support a complete fraud (Santos) just to grab one more place at the table says there is no standard of integrity in that political party. And for the Democrat Party to have been so lax to have failed to vet an opposition candidate demonstrates an equal failure which our democracy cannot tolerate. I once thought state elections should never be subject to outside financial support for any candidate. I've changed my mind. All Americans need to get involved in every election in every state. This past week has shown us how even a corrupt core of 5, who were insider insurrectionists to begin with, can and will hold hostage the government and political will of all of us.
Rusty-you're not the only person using the term "Coup Caucus"-I've heard it on MSNBC.
We must vote! Gerrymander and suppress all you like. Math is the same as it ever was. We can out vote them. Vote! (I know, preaching to the choir).
We must vote them out.
Lynell, yes, we must support those sacrificial souls who demonstrate respect for our country, our form of self-governance and who work so hard everyday for freedom. May our actions be steady, strong and respectful regarding our laws and language .
It is obvious that power fueled by self-serving ignorance has taken over what once was the Republican Party......it's end is coming but how our great nation will suffer.....as well as those whom we support around the world. Our enemies are smiling.
Don't forget the genuine nastiness of these people. Their hatred of all of us "others".
Their definition of “others” is “not ourselves.” “Each other” doesn’t seem related to their definition. An “Us vs. Them” system requires a Them to oppose. Make one up if it doesn’t exist. Cannibalistic, pedophile Marxist Democrats? As for Us, it is a shrinking pool, a puddle soon to contain only Me, Myself, and I.
I wish the self-described evangelical Christians would read the gospels now and then. They seem fixated on the scriptures which celebrate the horrible punishment of people who are not themselves.
Carol, I fear many of the faithful are listening to others fill them with their opinions and their interpretations of scripture.
Jesus loved everyone. He did not force Himself on anyone. When He spoke to people, or individuals, they experenced the inner knowledge that He knew them to the depth of their souls. Those who choose or chose to listen were free to receive Him or free to reject Him. He doesn't need our money or allegiance....He doesn't need us at all. For those who want to know Him and to receive Him....they are free to do so. One may discover more about Him through reading the Bible but we may also learn
of Him from others.
Actually He loves Republicans and Democrats, and even Independants. He loves people of all colors, shapes and sizes. He loves people from all over the world. He even loves people of other faiths or no faiths. If anyone wants to know Him better, just ask in your heart. You may or may not experience Him in your life immediately but He will come to you, you will see Him....maybe through another person's acts.
When we receive Him and experience His love and forgiveness and encouragement, we often want to emulate that love through some expression of service and sharing and acts of encouragement.
Also choosing to receive Him does not make us "little Jesuses". We still mess up but we can always ask for forgiveness. Look at President Joe Biden and his wife Jill. Look at the way they live, look at their priorities....what do you think? Do they know Jesus?
You might want to check out the sunrise prayer service that Faithful America held in front of the Capitol yesterday morning. I think you would really find it of interest.
Got a link Susan ? I'm interested.
“Self-serving ignorance”...and greed.
Especially the latter. Proven by their ongoing efforts to make money regardless of the impact on other HUMANS, the land, and the planet, where everyone lives.
Good luck with your daunting task, I admire your courage and will power to protect our Democracy
Isn’t it your task also, Fay? Sounds like you are handing it off to others? Who would that be besides We the People?
🗽
Sorry Christine but at 90 with knees that refuse to support me and a lumbar that is as bad as the knees plus living in California, my campaigning days are over. I retired in 2021.
Fay I’m only 89 with four compression fractures of my lower back. And I’ve just begun to fight! I’m thinking of putting a Battle Hymn of the Republic horn on my walker.
Keith, I'm starting a Fund Me project to book you and Fay on a luxury cruise, but only if you promise to mount that bullhorn on your walker :-) Loved your comment!
Keith, Oh! I would so do that! I can hear it now! My mom is 92 and in thank goodness in good health both physically and mentally, but the thought of her walking down the hall in her senior living apartment with so many old racist republicans blasting the Battle Hymn of the Republic from her walker has me laughing so hard! Do it for me! Do it for Mom! Do it for the good of our nation!
Love this!!!
Fay Reid and Keith Wheelock, bless both of you. You can be like me (70 this year and paralyzed from the waist down), all I can do is post online and make phone calls to legislators (which I do all day long). I desperately want to be out in the world interacting with others, but that is no longer a possibility. Again, we do what we can do, but it's time to let the younger generation take the lead...and they are doing an amazing job. Wish my own kids had the same fire their mother does.
We all do what we can, Fay. Just showing up here and rendering support is significant. Good for you and keep it up!
We all have our ways of fighting. And whatever our age and physical condition, we keep on. I am also retired.(with bad knees and spinal collapse)But all of us vote. One doesn´t have to canvess and walk in the protests to be part of the ongoing support of the good people and try to stop the crazies. Hopefully more and more young people will be angry at the country they have inherited and become involved in putting this poor country of ours back on the right track. I continue to have hope that this will happen. The alternative is despair. I refuse to do that.
It does seem that many of those who comment here are older - I'm 71- and are part of the choir. One way we can all contribute is to try to engage younger people in dialogues about all of this with the goal of inspiring them to "join" our side, or to become more active in the struggle.
A while back there was a comment from a much much younger (self-described) commenter…..I was OVERJOYED to see him here…LFAA needs to be shared far and wide to all the cohorts that comprise forward thinking, democracy supporting folks….this includes younger folks….we need torch bearers to carry on when we “oldsters” lag a bit [hmmm….Jackson Browne lyric “I’ll swing that chain ‘til I go down” maybe morphed to “I’ll swing that cane ‘til I go down”….has a nice ring to it.] Never, ever, give up the fight.
I had knee a replacement last year. But, it didn’t keep me from writing letters and postcards to reluctant voters.
I have had two knee replacements, and am having treatment for my back. What keeps me from writing postcards or calling voters is the fact that, although I vote (online) in NM., I live in Mexico and have for the last 50 years. Unfortunately, our mail service is horrible, and it would be extremely expensive to send postcards. And maybe have the opposite effect if someone received a postcard from Mexico ??
It's more than enough to know you are on our side, Fay. Thank you!
Fay, I enjoyed your post on your newsletter. I don’t know who you are exactly, but I’d love to know more! I’m at present a non-payee, but will in future subscribe if I figure out who you are, lol!
Fay, I’m only 80 and have no health problems. I wanted to help but do not want to phone or go door to door. I joined Postcards to Voters and have found that to be a very satisfying and helpful way to “put my feet where my mouth is”.
Kathleen, I did Vote Forward letters and postcards as well in this past election for similar reasons as other commenters (orthopedic etc). I also drove canvassers for door knocking.
Fay, Thank you for standing up for us for so long. Rest up.
Thank you Kay for all you have done!
Fay?
There are ways to get necessary matters to the House Floor with 212 united Dems & 7 to 9 r's willing to pass a bill for whatever reasons (plural). To Be Updated: My younger brother advises that you only need 218 votes as one way to get a bill to the House Floor assuming you need 218: 212 + 6 r,'s equals 218.
Morning Lynell! Well, looks like we are "in it" for another term as the anger-filled, hate-mongering Republican big mouths in Congress take over. Let's see what happens. Too bad those that are moderate are having their voices overrun by these folks.
I am only a few miles away from Loudon, and I must say I appreciate what the Democratic Committee is doing there. I hope they continue to post the types of stats and info they put in this missive. It will be interesting to see if it has an effect on how people vote. It should at least make people stop and think. One would hope anyway...
Hey, and morning, Alexander! Here in Loudoun County, I think you could say we're purple. My little town in particular, if yard signs are any indication! For the 2020 election, we had Biden signs right next door to tfg signs all up and down the roads I travel.
LaRock (the guy who attended the insurrection) is my delegate, and for some years ran unopposed. The last election he had an opponent but still won. So frustrating!
Anyway, I admit it's only recently that I've tried to weigh into our local government, so I welcome any info you can provide. All I know is Democrats hold the State Senate while Republicans hold the House:
https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_House_of_Delegates_elections,_2023
State:
https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_State_Senate_elections,_2023#:~:text=Candidates
Special elections:
https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_state_legislative_special_elections,_2023
Plus: "State Sen. Jennifer McClellan is on track to become the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress after she won the Democratic primary Thursday to fill the seat of Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin, who died last month from cancer." That election is February 21, 2023.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/virginia-track-send-first-black-woman-congress-rcna62185
I want to focus on Democrats taking the House this year if at all possible!
(Links were provided only if you're interested!)
Beware of purple Lynell (unless that's an improvement). I considered Ohio as purple for a time; that is until it was too late. The R's finished the job of gerrymandering and snatching the small town, city, and state gov't. BTW, I spent considerable time in your beautiful state, including some time in Loudoun Co., but most of my time was in Fairfax Co. I have relatives all around D.C. in both Va. and Md.
Here you are, D4N! I could see that when J.D. Vance won in your state; and so sorry for that. Maybe I'm just being simple-minded but it'd be nice if gerrymandering were outlawed. Also, we should eliminate the Electoral College and give Ranked Choice voting a try.
As for Loudoun County, purple is an improvement. I think it gets that way partly due to its proximity to Fairfax County, and also where I am there is a Marc Train commuter line to D.C. that has made Loudoun County more accessible to folks who think left-leaning but want to live in a rural place while having access to their job in D.C. The train is a 50-minute or so ride. I used it when I was working and it was a perfect 50 minutes to not have to drive and get work done at the same time!
We all need to stand strong and stand together to fight for democracy. It seems the battle is beginning. January 6th was the warning. I pray our DOJ truly has the teeth needed to take some of these traitors in Congress out. We know they were involved and aided their fellow insurrectionists that day. It is unthinkable that Kevin McCarthy just handed them the “keys to the city”.
Praying with you, Sharon, to give DOJ the strength they need.
Duck & cover. They did not go away, they did not examine the facts and realize the extreme danger to our way of life in our Democracy. The radical right makes absolutely zero sense. Those with all the billion$ are only thinking of their billion$ and caring nothing for democracy. They have sold their souls to the devil and are trying to do the same with all of our freedoms and our way of life.
Thank you for this excellent post, Lynell. It is amazing to me that these insurrectionists are actually running for public office. I do hope that you and other Ds in the area can make sure they are not elected. This D will never forget January 6th and as I have said before, I still have a hard time seeing the Capitol Building.
Morning, Michele! I surely plan to do my part to keep them from being elected.
In the late seventies/early eighties, I would take a cab from my office to the Capitol two to three times a week to cover hearings, usually on the Senate side. I'd be staring out the window during the ride until the cabdriver made that left turn. Suddenly, the entirety of the Capitol came into full view. Sitting in the backseat, I became transfixed, never taking my eyes off of that grand building, giddy as a tourist seeing it for the first time, full of pride to be an American headed to the seat of democracy.
To be sure, there are many statues, buildings, and monuments that grace the city, places that I have admired as I passed them by on my way to my intended destination. But none (including the White House!) have captivated me as that stately building has, and always will, if even only in my memory.
Morning, Lynell. Yes, it is a grand building, but now hard to look at, at least for me, because of the desecration that those insurrectionists did. I had had a massage that am and my LMT and I were celebrating the election of the two D Senators from Georgia and then I was home, glued to the TV and totally sickened by what I was seeing. I too am on the older side, but we make sure we vote (easy by mail here in Oregon) and donate to pols all over the country.
There are times when I, too, have a hard time, knowing what these insurrectionists did once inside. But when they screamed "This is our house," as they defecated and waved their flag throughout the halls, I cannot help but want to push back. This is my (yours and mine) House, too.
Anyway, being a nonviolent activist, I can only applaud the plans for a bronze statue of the 16-year-old protester, Barbara Rose Johns, who in 1951 led a strike to protest the deplorable conditions that she and her classmates had to endure at their high school. As one of two contributions by Virginia, her statue will be placed in Statutory Hall at the U.S. Capitol, replacing the one of Robert E. Lee already removed in December 2020.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/maryland-sculptor-selected-to-honor-memory-of-civil-rights-icon-barbara-johns-with-bronze-statue-at-us-capitol/ar-AA15Z2R4
Sorry to be so lengthy!
Please no apologies Lynell. Speak on. I identify very closely with your words and feelings as well I think anyway. *edit - As a young man I spent a lot of time in Fairfax Co. as I said another time. I also spent my some years after my birth in Arlington, Va., when Dad was in the USMC during the Korean war. We lived just off base (Henderson Hall).
Thanks, D4N. It is an honor to be commended by one coming from a military family. When I lived right across the river, first in D.C. and then in Montgomery County, MD, I never spent much time in either Fairfax or Arlington counties; mostly because I always got lost whenever I tried to navigate my way around. These last several years have been in Loudoun County, VA; a further excuse to avoid getting lost!
Anyway, I'm very glad you found a close identity with this post. Thank you, once again.
Wow! Thanks for the link. Good news!
Lynell-have you ever seen the photo that I've seen on line?-a rainbow over the Capitol! Here's the WaPo post about it and the image. The article also includes that rainbow over the Washington Monument. https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/04/12/supernumerary-rainbow-washington-dc/
Thank you for this, Barbara. I do remember seeing the double rainbow above the Capitol, but it is well worth a rerun today; and, reading the article showing all the different views people captured of it was breathtakingly beautiful!
“We Democrats must not forget January 6th.” An important communication you have shared, Lynell. But it’s so so disturbing that this is considered a party-line issue and not an American concern.
To be sure, Irenie.
Morning, Lynell. Thanks for posting what your Democratic party is doing locally. I watched the latter part of that debacle last night. Oh. My.
Thanks, Ally! Have a great day!
Thank you for posting this Lynell. Why is a 'free press' not doing the same ?
So beautifully said and thanks for volunteering to keep us informed.
Amen!
TY, Sharon!
Lynell, I'd love to copy and paste that to my somewhat useful FB wall, but in redacted form; I'd leave out the partisan word "Democrats" so as to not have R's run right by it in revulsion.
I'd be pleased to have you do so, D4N!
Such a sad day for our country. A morally bankrupt party is now in control with a weak and morally bankrupt “leader”.
Suzanne,
It is much worse than: A morally bankrupt party is now in control with a weak and morally bankrupt “leader”.
Because, those "morally bankrupt" folks who are, as you note, NOT leading, are fully supported by the (large number of) votes of morally bankrupt Americans.
It is not that Trump supporters are dumb, or stupid, or ignorant. Some of them are quite bright.
OK, a small portion are truly misguided, nice people. I know (a FEW) of them.
BUT, a VERY large portion of Trump supporters, Lauren Bobert supporters, Matt Gaetz (teenage rapist that he is) supporters??
Are geniuinely nasty people.
AND?
That is a LOT (as Trump would say) of Americans.
I mean, think about it, just an eyeblink in history ago, it was completely legal in these United States to rape a black woman (who was also enslaved) and SELL her child.
Rape for profit was LEGAL in these United States. Yes it was.
TODAY: It is completely legal to tweet some nasty lie about a black woman volunteering to help our election process. Not quite rape, but, in terms of upending that woman's life, not far away.
"genuinely nasty people"
Perfect description, Mike. I am watching people I thought I knew carry that nastiness out. I had one say to me "Not gay people like you and Karyn; the bad ones, like drag queens and pedophiles". This guy was a detective who investigated a lot of child abuse cases and knows that it is most often the father of a child (who, ergo, is at least heteronormative some of the time) who perpetrates that abuse and is not gay.
Nasty, hateful people.
Whaaaaat?!?!?
Well said.
As of June 24, 2022, SCOTUS upended the lives of women, and especially women of child-bearing age, when it overturned Roe. Since then, 15 states not only ban abortion but make no exception for women who become pregnant as a result of rape and incest. Essentially, these states, aided and abetted by SCOTUS, sanction the rape of women. Upending the life of a black woman who served her country by working the polls during a national election when the loser, a real LOSER, cried foul, is a variation on this dangerous, misogynistic theme.
The President of The United States publicly attacked this mother and daughter without evidence because they were black, and he knew their “otherness” would inflame and inspire his racist followers to open their wallets for the big grift.
Frightening and oh so true.
Suzanne, In my view, we have one immediate play. The House rules package, which won’t be released until Monday, includes at least half of what McCarthy has promised to the Freedom Caucus to get the votes for Speaker. Considering forty or so more reasonable establishment Republicans have held their seats, were they to oppose the more egregious parts of the package they could prevent McCarthy from implementing what he had promised.
I would note that just before posting this comment, I went on-line and started collecting names and numbers from the House bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. This weekend, I will be dialing up Republicans from the list, urging them to vote against the package that not only is screwing the country, but also is screwing them, given, for example, the significant number of coveted committee assignments already pledged to the Freedom Caucus.
I hope others will join me.
Barbara Jo, what a great idea this is! Is there a list somewhere of those 40? I had already planned to contact Majority Whip Tom Emmer but a list would be helpful if it’s available. No, Emmer is not more reasonable - he voted with the seditionists. He’s just a fellow Minnesotan who pisses me off with his traitorous suck-up behavior and I will do everything in my power to remind him that he lives in a Majority blue state. Just want him to feel all the blue love, Happy to spread that around......!
Sheila, Aside from visiting the House bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus mentioned in my comment, here is a go-to list of seemingly moderate establishment Republicans I received last week from a Robert Reich Substack subscriber.
(1) Brian Fitzpatrick (202) 225-4276, (2) Andrew Garbarino (202) 225-7896, (3) Ken Calvert (202) 225-1986, (4) Mike Carey (202) 225-2015, (5) John Curtis (202) 225-7751, (6) Mike Gallagher (202) 225-5665, (7) Ashley Hinson (202) 225-2911, (8) David Joyce (202) 225-5731, (9) Blake Moore (202) 225-0453, (10) Nicole Maliotakis (202) 225-3371, (11) Dan Newhouse (202) 225-5816.
Ken Calvert was my rep for 25 years until redistributing this past election and he is nothing more than a Republican puppet. He will do whatever the party asks/needs.
@TLH, Thank you for your comment. I will pass it to the person who included Calvert on his list.
Will they take the calls? How would you suggest positioning our comments to them? I tend to get tongue tied...
Cynthia, This past month, a number of staffers took my calls when I prevailed upon seemingly more moderate Republicans, who already had signaled a willingness to work with people from across the aisle, to join with Democrats to find a consensus Speaker. The alternative is to call after hours and leave a voicemail message.
As for talking points, in my view, the focus rests with McCarthy’s willingness, solely to get votes, to give a small cabal of extremists more power, more authority, and more ability to play a larger role in the Party. In turn, the other 200 that sat silently with McCarthy had to give up stuff because McCarthy did their dealing for them.
As an example, presuming the extremists are given key committee assignments, that would leave less slots for the other 200. Additionally, I would note another concession McCarthy gave away is that his leadership PAC cannot get involved in primaries. This helps the radical right in closed primaries get a leg up because they won’t have to compete against the money from the leadership PAC. I imagine this provision will be particularly troubling to the relatively large Republican Governance/Tuesday Group PAC, a compilation of so-called Republican moderates, who support the governing wing of the House Republican Conference.
I would conclude by saying that one way to stop empowering these extremists ideologues, several of whom were enablers of the insurrection and driven by a cynical will to power, is not to give McCarthy the votes to implement the rules package.
As a final point, I would note, if you are leaving a voicemail message, while you likely would be able to append your comment, you might, instead, prefer to edit it down to the allotted time.
Hope I’ve been helpful.
Thank you so much! We have to try and fight every way we can, and I have been feeling SO discouraged and helpless...!
What a great suggestion. With useful talking points. I'm sorry there's so little time left (at 5am Sunday morning) to reach relevant reps.
Thank you! Now I know what I’m doing this weekend!
Great!
Thanks for the guidance on the house rules package opposition.
Mike, My pleasure, and thank you for responding.
I found this link to the problem solvers. It looks up to date.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_Solvers_Caucus
We must contsct the Republicans listed and ask them to simply defend democracy and vote agsinst the anarchy proposed by the chaos caucus.
Indeed!
Joan, Thank you for the link. Because I had suspected the list from which I was working had not been updated prior to the 22 midterms, I had to confirm the names I was collecting had been re-elected.
Sign me up!
Woe be to all of us, and the world
No. Woe be to them. Weak at the core. They will implode upon themselves.
🗽
Christine,
The Nazi party did not implode. Quite the opposite. It grew exponentially as Germans enthusiastically joined that party.
Rather, saturation bombing of all German cities into dust was the only thing that rid the world of Nazi's.
We killed Nazi's until they were gone.
Otherwise? They would still be running (a large fraction of Europe).
Remember: The French ENTHUSIASTICALLY embraced the Germans upon their arrival and happily emptied out the Jewish segments to put French jews on trains to Auschwitz. Then, they moved in to those apartments.
So, we cannot count on implosion.
Unfortunately, the only thing Nazis and fascists and autocrats seem to understand is brute force. It's how they ultimately deal with everything. They are extreme ideologues who will simply not listen to reason. It's what happens when one replaces almost everything of meaning on one's life with a demented ideology. It becomes the obsession. How many times has it happened in human history, yet as a species we never seem to learn. What happened in the 1920s and '30s is happening all over again with a few changes: it's the same wine in different bottles. And social media, along with right-wing media, is pouring gasoline on all this and allowing it to become an inferno. The shit-show that took place last night--I watched the whole sad spectacle--as well as the events of 2 years ago, is, as HCR reminds us in this Letter, the culmination of a myriad factors coming to a head that have been stewing over the last decades. Last night, and all of the past week, it once again showed it can enter the very halls of our government. I said as much on my own FB page last week that watching this charade showed me once again how even a small cadre of Nazis were able to take over Germany. We cannot wait for them merely to implode because they can do a LOT of damage in the meantime. We cannot assume they are a tiny irrelevant minority anymore. They are a very real and present danger that have to be dealt with by whatever means necessary. We have to "keep our powder dry". I'm NOT advocating violence, but if it comes to that--as it did 2 years ago--we HAVE to be ready to respond.
I don't know what you mean by "I'm NOT advocating violence, but if it comes to that--as it did 2 years ago--we HAVE to be ready to respond."
I witnessed Jan6 (or MAGA3, as former Chief Sund calls it) from the Mall and the Ellipse and the Supreme Court and the Capitol grounds, just as I watched MAGA1 and MAGA2 the previous 2 months. I live here and try to witness whenever possible. Having read enough reporting about the megamagas and their intentions to assume it would be really bad that day, I was not surprised as I watched the instigators and their braying sheep recruits attack the vastly overwhelmed police forces, with a sound track of droning prayer supplied by the god-botherers' sideshow.
What is it that you would have done had you been there? Sure, it would be fun in a twisted way to punch nazis. But unless you are monitoring bus rental companies, freeway traffic, small plane traffic, small boat traffic, and all the other venues that support movement of very large numbers of anonymous people from many locations to one specific location then you'll be outflanked.
In any case, it's almost assured that the NEXT attack won't be like the last one. Maybe the instigators will be as stupid as the last ones, and maybe the intelligence agencies will pick up most of the communications traffic beforehand, and maybe they will coordinate to prepare an adequate plan in response, and maybe their executives will sign off on the plan, and maybe choose to implement it in time.
Or maybe not.
The warm war we are in now is one-off attacks scattered around the entire nation, carried out by individuals. This war is "just right" (not too hot, not too cold) for "the brains" behind the punk losers who carry out the mass murders.
"Being ready" for violence is something individual citizens could take upon themselves, but beyond observing – witnessing – there's not much in the way of rational response in the moment. I for one won't be walking (or riding my bike) around DC carrying weapons just in case.
But their demented ideology lives on, fascism. Not all we’re eliminated, South American countries became havens for thousands of Nazis!
Meanwhile, those deemed “useful” were invited to the US, scientists like Werner VonBraun, and hundreds of officers were allowed to emigrate via a “ paper clip program” first outlined in 1982 in “The Belarus Secret” a wonderful book by former Army intelligence officer John Loftus.
Mike, one correction to your worthwhile (they always are, actually) comment: plural of Nazi is just nazis, no ‘
Enthusiastically embraced them? Have you ever seen the pictures of THE FRENCH watching the Germans arrive?
Agree with your main point but you paint the French with way too board of a brush.
Inflation should be coming down any moment now along with gasoline prices. They most definitely will continue to implode upon themselves, we’ve been watching it for years. You know those 118 congresspeople who refuse to recognize President Biden as a legitimate president? That’s called sedition. It’s illegal, but here we are. They’ll burn hotter before they’re jettisoned from their seats. Then corrupt judges will hand them a pass. Unless our DOJ steps in, which doesn’t look like anytime soon. We must vote in every election no matter how small. They don’t control us, we control them.
Remember that Social Security you paid into is now on the chopping block. Announce that at EVERY senior citizen event, home, family that has parents and grandparents. Republicans want to take your earned income and give it to their wealthy friends while you gotta quit your job to take care of yourself, your elderly relatives just like The Waltons, but not nearly as civil.
My relatives, here in Texas, will just blame Biden, Nancy & Hillary (eye roll).
Cyndy, mine,too! You have my sympathy. I gave up on the state. Maybe you are young enough and will live long enough to see the destructive Texas Republican regime booted out. I couldn’t wait..not enough years.
Joan, I'm 70, so I probably won't see it in my lifetime. I was so disappointed that Texas didn't elect Beto as governor.
“When your enemy is making mistakes, don’t interrupt them.” Napoleon
Yes, but look what happened to Napoleon. Yikes!
True, but mistakes made in our governance can be costly to all of us.
I would have preferred the Dems take the high road and nominate someone like Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger. Having a person who cares about the rule of law and democracy would be better than the fiasco to which we are headed.
Do you think the Republicans would have voted for Cheney or Kiinzinger? Highly unlikely.
Let's see, if Dems were united, all they needed was 6 votes
I hope but I don't feel certainty. They are certainly showing us the leaks in the hose in this country, I just hope the hose holds. McCarthy's giveaways concern me but I did hear that there are some checks in place. Don't plan on a boring year any time soon.
The big split is coming. They have shown their hand: govt shutdown/default. This would collapse our greatest strength, the financials. There is no way corporate America/Wall Street could support a gov shutdown nor default. Business has to split from the QOP now. If they wait it’s too late.
They won't, not publicly, while they might incur some right wing customer wrath. They'll sit back until Q3 and depend on the Democrats and some targeted Republicans to save our credit rating. God knows where we'll be by then.
Defaulting would be catastropic to our economy and the world. This would be like a nuclear bomb to global finance, manufacturing, supply chains including energy and food, and eliminate the social safety net. It would most likley result in a 1930's Great Depression but worse. The tools to combat a global depression would evaporate. The dollar would be replaced as the worlds currency by the Euro and Yuan. Not sure if there could be quantitative easing like in 2007-2009, without a creditble Central Bank, interest rates skyrocket to higher than anything in recent history, and on an on. It makes me think it is just a farce of somekind? Levarage agaist China who owns most of the debt? Could that be? Defaulting is crazy to think about. It is unfathomable.
For regular people, I would say "plant a garden" in order to survive.
Listen to Ted! He captures what's at stake. As I stated in another comment, the key is to now start boycotting the products and services of companies that legally bribe the legislative insurrectionists with campaign money.
The consequences of a default are incalculable. Everyone would pay a price, some even with their life without Medicare and SS.
Not soon enough!
Ain’t that the truth!
We can only hope.
Jeri, I used to minimize bad things by saying, “what can they do, send me back to Vietnam?” or, “At least they can’t send me back to Vietnam.” Then I would feel a little better. That doesn’t work anymore.
Now, there are some days I wish someone WOULD send me back....but I always recover from the thought. It does appear that I will be having that thought every day for the foreseeable future.
Let me offer my best thanks to you and the others for your act of kindness to an old warrior on Robert Hubble. I was so touched, and felt so responsible to write something wise enough to deserve the gift, that I haven’t been able to write almost anything since! I will get over it soon, but thanks again.
I agree. I think indicting Trump will be a good step toward getting these traitors in the House( and Senate) out in the open. These people should not be legislating-if that is what you can call it-at all. That they and the putrid members of the House have held Americans hostage all week long is despicable. I also worry that all of the good accomplishments that the Biden administration has succeeded in doing will somehow be diminished if Trump and company are not held accountable for their many lawless and traitorous acts. I don't know how this will all play out. Maybe We The People will see justice after all but each passing day lessens my hope for seeing this done.
I just wish every Democrat in Congress would go home soon and instead of repeating the “indict Trump” narrative, they hold town meetings and explain and promote all those good things Biden has done for the country in these past 2 years. It’s not talked about enough and certainly not often and loud enough to out shout the Biden haters.
There’s nothing stopping us from picking up the phone or going online to let them know! This forum helps us with the Truth of what’s happening. Now that we’re aware, it’s up to each & everyone of us to do what we have to do to make our government work in the best interest of the Majority of the American People!
For two years I've been disappointed in the Democratic leadership for being so quiet with what President Biden and his administration have been accomplishing. I think they all need to be replaced, but they are quite worthless. Pres. Biden started doing his own informing Americans a year ago.
I still do not know whether Trump and his fellow conspirators will be prosecuted. I think they will because the injustice if they are not, is far too great.
I do not see how Rule of Law can survive in this country without prosecution of the insurrection plotters.
I am old enough to remember when Geral Ford pardoned Nixon. I was irate then, and I am still! Reagan should have been impeached for Iran-Contra, but he was popular with many and slipped through.
Trump is the 3rd President to overtly commit crimes against our Republic. We cannot afford to let this pass! At least the others left Office, but Trump presents a clear and present . . . and continuing danger. He must be prosecuted for his crimes. And not just him. Trumpism has taken hold of too many. All the conspirators need to be prosecuted. There is plenty of evidence.
exactly. the apparent lack of alacrity in pursuing prosecution puzzles and worries me.
Me too. I hope Jack Smith will move things along.
Cheryl, Every Word, 150%
They can do all they want in the House. Thanks God that None of it will ever pass in the Senate!
But they hold the purse strings. They could turn the lights out at the DOJ. I heard a discussion between Lawrence Tribe and Jeffrey Toobin and Toobin was saying that everything would be ok because the democrats will still have the senate and the presidency and Tribe quickly corrected him by pointing out the the house can take money away from anything. They will have the capability to stop investigations. We can only hope there are enough republicans who aren't too terrified to do the right thing.
My understanding is that they cannot take $ away from Special Counsel, that has separate funding. Go Jack!
Do you think that there's any chance of indictments now?
The slow-moving coup continues it's march. McCarthy will be a pitiful excuse of a speaker. He easily could have avoided this debacle by reaching out to a handful of moderate Democrats with minor concessions, yet he choose to sell his soul to Gaetz, et. al., guaranteeing that Movement Conservatives will hogtie the government for at least the next two years.
The closet insurrectionists are winning, but they haven't won... yet.
He didn't just sell his soul (which is worthless) to Gaetz, He sold the whole Country to the very people who have openly declared their desire to bring down the entire government of the United States in favor of a dictatorship. I only hope that somewhere along the line a huge majority of Americans will recognize this appetite to destroy and fight for our rights.
McCarthy put on display two years ago what a weak excuse for a human being he is, much less a credible legislator or negotiator. He will be remembered for condemning Trump (rightly) for fomenting the riot at the Capitol, then immediately slithering on his belly down Mar-a-Lago to lick Trump's feet when it became clear that Trump would retain much of his base's support. In doing so he lost any respect he may have had, even within his own framented party. The good news is this: if Gaetz, MTG and the other wacko's make good on their threat to hold the country hostage over the debt ceiling, McKarthy will likely reneg on his assurance to honor this blatant extortion. And if I'm wrong and McKarthy's cowadice runs so deep as to give these criminals their way, one tactic Democrats might use would be to take any shortfall straight off the top of the nearly Trillion dollar annual Military budget, one of the few things Republicans seem to hold dear. (And no, I don't think that would weaken us militarily or hurt our troops because I don't think either the Executive or even SCOTUS would allow it, through extrordinary measures, to come to pass). The other thing that Biden and the Dems need to do is to get very tough on the likes of Tucker Carlson and Fox News, Brightbart and the rest, First Amendment arguments be damned! What these miscreants broadcast to the radicalized mob of red voters daily is tantamount to sedition, and some reasonable limits must be established. We're down to bare nuckles, folks; desperate times call for desperate action, and we'd better start getting serious.
I feel your frustration and I will bet that most here do, but as soon as 1st Ammendment is altered, you would watch it further segregate those that have from those that don't. The people who need a voice would have none.
The law is a blunt instrument. Once written, it takes the responsibility from us to behave as a kind, compassionate and responsive society. It puts the responsibility on authoritarian aspects (law enforcement) to keep peace, instead of citizens stepping up on an individual basis to take pride and responsibility in our community. It also seems to have the effect of devaluing our investment to a certain extent.
Aargh, what happened to the spell checker at 3AM? (Just re read my comment and I'm chagrinned, but oh well.)
Jean, I somewhat agree with you, but we already have that separation between the "haves and the have nots" - see Citizens United. And there already exist constraints against abuse of the 1st, as in the "shouting 'fire' in a crowded theater" case. It's time to apply a few additional reasonable ones, such as prohibiting a defeated president from thundering "fight like hell" to an armed, angry mob and fining media moguls for allowing demonstrably false claims of election fraud to permeate and percolate through a large and very gullible segment of the electorate for years, destabilizing our very democracy. I don't believe this would actually damage the First Amendment or put our citizens at great risk.
Long before Citizens United, classicism existed, but Citizens United did us no favors. I am all for repealing that horrifying decision. As for himself, he can be prosecuted on any number of crimes. The media is another matter. I read, then restrict my own watching to pbs because I don't like to listen to the snarky, derogatory the tone on other stations. I haven't listened to Fox since the days of Rush and Bill O. People shouldn't have to hear opinion told as truth, and they should not be able to tell lies. This, by the way, has nothing to do with "free speech". Spreading a deliberate lie is a different ballpark from opinion. I agree, there needs to be accountability.
Yes, McCarthy and the repubs sold us all down the river. Not his soul, not their souls, if they have souls, but the soul of America. We watched it happening in real time and we are paying the price. And will continue to pay. While President Biden honored heroes with Presidential Citizens Medals, the repubs were making backroom deals to destroy our Democracy. Like high schoolers running for student body to impress their friends, or for some coveted prize, they gave away the Democracy and that should shock anyone who has a clue how government works. And who is watching? On the anniversary of the Insurrection, who’s in jail? Justice is too slow.
True, it’s not just his putrid soul
Without a doubt, you are spot on. What I saw was a plan. I don't believe they were ever against McCarthy, nor he them. They had this opportunity to bargain "rules" so they could further 'legitimize' their intent. They work for the exclusive wealth, like their leader, those that don't intend to pay taxes on what they accumulate. Isn't that why they act like they are immune?
The irony is that this political attack on our country has occurred exactly two yrs after the horrific physical attack.
Was it ironic or planned? There are some highly intelligent immoral (not immortal as they believe) people in our government, elected or groupies.
When you sign on to support the insurrection against the people by overturning the people's election, there's nothing "closet" about those insurrectionists. And they are being seated now without objection. Seems like the 14th Amendment just got overturned without a vote.
If McCarthy gets his way, not just the 14th Amendment but the whole Constitution will be burned at the stake in favor of a Fascist Dictator. He has openly declared his intention to dissolve the Ethics Committee. To defund the Restoration Act along with a lot more idiocies
He has been very clear in his intentions , now he has the path.
I'm embarrassed to admit, but can someone please explain exactly how the ethics committee work?
Cynthia I believe what the Ethics Committee will laser focus on is shielding the House members that were involved in the J6 Insurrection off the hook. It also involves oversee of distribution of monies received by House members. Who paid whom off for favors. In a nutshell, McCarthy gave the elected Insurrectionists their get out of jail free card.
More un-irony, giving the keys to the house to the crooks who tried to burn it down. This happens when there are no consequences for the criminals. It’s simple parenting. Or politics.
I agree 100% Irenie.
Well that's unbelievable... I'm depressed and devastated. And I feel so helpless.
Oh, I'll keep writing, calling and speaking out... but I feel like we're sliding down an elevator shaft covered in butter...
Infuriating. My anger at this knows no bounds. I wonder how many of us it would take to... lawsuit? How about we sue the DOJ for not protecting our government from seditionists? I mean the law IS in place. Just us ordinary citizens make them enforce this. We’ve seen the danger they foment. We have their names and proof they refused to certify the votes. What’s the hold up?
I agree with what you are saying.A class action lawsuit by WeThe People against legislators who tried to negate citizens legally cast ballots.Another suit against the DOJ for not enforcing the law of the land.I, like you, am infuriated by all of this.
We need more like minded folk! Michael Moore has been pushing this narrative for months and he’s asking questions of the DOJ and the federal government. I want to know WHY? Why is the law being ignored? Why are these seditionists seated in our hallowed halls of government? We need more people to demand their immediate removal.
And just maybe, a lot more people are starting to notice. Republicans going rouge should be hung around there necks. Calling Jack Smith.
Republicans going rogue with rouge is even worse. 😗
Especially when pushing a ruse.
Ha!
Hahahaha!
Watch this: https://youtu.be/-1It5Z7dfMY
Thank you, Dr. Richardson, for giving us a summary of the history of how we got to the current day, ending up with a weasel like McCarthy as Speaker... A total disgrace to our beautiful country when there are people like Hakeem Jeffries
Thank you for this link. If you have not listened to Hakeem Jeffries speech I urge you to do so. If we cave into hopelessness and defeat than we are truly the losers. Look what was accomplished in the last two years. We must persist for Democracy for our children and grandchildren.
His speech was wonderful and worth staying up for. His clever alphabetical, almost-a-rap, was a delight. As soon as he handed off the gavel, I was DONE! The thought of listening to McCarthy acting as if he won the gavel on the first vote was nauseating.
Wow. A speech to energize and feel proud to hear. Thank you for posting, Marli.
Thank you for posting this 🙏🙏🙏 I couldn’t stick with news in the making into the wee hours. Jeffries focusing on caucus accomplishments (so many and so big) and the desire/need to keep working to benefit we the people. Sounded like he was booed (?) when beginning to talk about the next two years. If those fascist insurrectionists think our elected representatives are simply going to rollover and let them take a wrecking ball to all the good stuff they have accomplished I hope they (the fascists) spend the next two years facing the criminal charges they deserve. Again, thank you for the link to Jeffries great speech. 🙏
Great speech. Thanks for posting.
What you said, Marli. A total disgrace....it is very depressing that McCarthy will dismantle so much good for so much terrible!
I watched that, and his speech just before handing the Speaker's gavel to McCarthy. Jeffries will be an excellent Minority Leader and, hopefully the next Speaker. I found his words inspirational, and enjoy his clear penchant for alliteration. He is strong, clear, and has sense of humor which, I believe, will help sustain him through the pressures and stresses of the job.
God bless him!
He is and She does.
Thank you. That was a great speech by Jeffries and I was glad of 2 things. 1 - Nancy Pelosi didn't have to hand off the gavel. 2. McCarthy and the republicans had to listen to it even though they didn't applaud any of it.
The lack of civility by the republicans is outrageous, but almost understandable when looking at their leaders, past and present...
I saw a bit of Rep. Jeffries speech last night, which he gave at 1 AM EST. He is a superb orator, had a well thought out set of things to say, and he for sure needs our support! (Easier to watch. On PST because I can't stay up as late as he can!)
A great point to make Frank, that at 1am after toiling thru all that crazy 🦇💩 he appears as fresh and invigorating as ever. A true warrior for democracy to overcome this rising fascist element in our midst. 🙏🙏 and yes we can support him best by winning local elections and showing up locally for democratic values. ❤️
Another way to support Jeffries could be to throw support behind the hopeful 213th Democratic member of the 118th Congress. Every vote is very important in this Congress.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/22/politics/jennifer-mcclellan-virginia-donald-mceachin/index.html
Thank you for posting this link. Very much.
Thank you for this link. Just listened to Jeffries’ speech. Too bad he is not Speaker.
Thank you for this link. Jeffries' speech was inspirational. He will be a great leader of our team, and learned from a great leader as well.
YES!!!! My husband and I watched live last night (sans ads), cheering him on! His ABCs of governing are for the ages. 🤗💙
Thank you so much Marli for posting this link to Jeffries’ speech. After listening to it I went from despair into hope and even joy. And even though he did not explicitly quote these words, their message underwrote all of his words: “we shall overcome” darkness and despair.
And the battle for our Democracy continues. I hope I live to be in the time that truth prevails and good wins over evil.
I know I won’t but wish you all the luck, for my grands and yours
You will be because we are there now.
🗽
Huh?
It is truly frightening to watch the Republicans in action. There is nothing redeeming about them. McCarthy is just slime personified. So the way I see the next 2 years is the Republican House proposing outrageous bills, which they need a simple majority of 218 to pass. The Democrats can probably not get their issues heard because McCarthy will not let them. However, fortunately we can count on the Senate to not pass these bills when they come to them. Biden can veto them too. If a budget is going to be passed in the fall, the Democrats in the House better get on convincing 6 Republicans to vote with them now. I also think that the Democrats should be trying to pass all of the legislation that they want to anyway, and let the public see what is voted down by Republicans. Unfortunately, this country seems to have too many people who cannot imagine things they have never experienced, which is how the Republican Party likes it. I am not looking forward to these 2 years.
With 3 MAGA crazies on the Rules Committee there is little hope that Democrat sponsored legislation will ever reach the floor of the House for debate. It obviously can be introduced in the Senate and voted on. But McCarthy caved to the insurrectionists by giving them so much power on the Rules Committee.
I also think it's time to start calling the core 20 and their followers by their true name--the Insurrectionist Caucus. To keep calling them the "Freedom Caucus" is an insult to American ideals.
I totally agree. The core20 were part of the treasonous coup and should have been arrested or at least removed from Congress but that does not include mtg and George Santos and ... Wait, can we just call it the Insurrectionist Party? It’s not like those who supported McCarthy have any morals or cojones.
Giving, I've been calling them that for some time. If the shoe fits.......
Insurrection/Sedition/Coup Caucus. Their theft of the word "Freedom" is insulting to all Americans, even the ones who crave a fascist government under their definition of what "freedom" is.
Love the Coup Caucus
More like the Koo-koo Caucus...
love this! has a certain ring to it. ring of truth!
..the Democrats should be trying to pass all of the legislation that they want to anyway, and let the public see what is voted down by Republicans.¨ YES!!
...”Democrats should be trying to pass all of the legislation that they want to anyway, and let the public see what is voted down by Republicans.” YES!
There is no Speaker of the House; there is a puppet whose strings are held by a small group of bomb-throwing zealots bent on destruction.
Seems MTG beat out Boebert this round! The self-loathing women behind the reprehensible cowboys and army soldiers!
Speaker Charlie McCarthy!
perfect analogy..made me laugh out loud
I think of McCarthy as House Clerk for the MAGAs. Always one vote call away from being dismissed for spilling their Kickapoo Joy Juice.
I'm sorry, but those are not bombs. Those are lit paper bags of 🐂💩they are flinging. Intent on destruction, yes. I finally understand my Dad's favorite epithet, "flaming sack of 💩"
Interesting that the first legislation McCarthy will put up is to cut back on the increase in IRS funding. I can't help but wonder if that was his quid pro quo to get Trump to talk to the 6 holdouts last night. And of course the Republicans sowed disinformation that it was about an "army" of IRS agents coming to get you as opposed to total employees needed ot staff the service to be added to the IRS after a decade of underfunding.
I am wondering how much of the of the next two years will be about MAGA crazies putting up show piece legislation that does not get approved in the Senate or gets vetoed by Biden. Of course it will be "unfair" that the Democrats will be able block their legislation in the Senate and by Presidential veto...
A few other thoughts on yesterday's proceedings:
a) I wonder who will be the first Member to call for a confidence vote on McCarthy and how long it will be before it happens.
b) I found the body language interesting between McCarthy and Marjorie Taylor Greene who seemed glued to his side.
c) Personally currently being down with covid for the second time after all vaccinations and boosters and masking and limiting close contacts I am wondering how many members of the House will be ill after the many long hours, stress, close contact and spitting mad spittle spewing interactions there were on the House floor.
d) I wonder who will be the first Republican to bring a gun onto the floor of the House with open carry now that the metal detectors have been removed.
Ironic that the people who scream the loudest about the national debt are the first to hamstring the IRS collection of unpaid taxes.
They will come in carrying as a group..make it a media event, turn it into a Christmas card or a Twitter gif.
In bed this morning I wondered who the first person will be that shows his gun on the house floor too.
I was wondering who was going to shoot whom. No joke.
i understand the distress...almost like if you say it, you've warned someone...so sorry for the stress that group of selfish ones have brought on everyone...greed takes such a razor to a society
Marj I'm sure some of them have been this week. The metal detectors were removed.
I worry more about concealed carry than open carry.
Well said! Thank you!
Well said! Thank you!
Two years ago?
Well, TWO YEARS LATER, Trump is still golfing at Mara Lago, fundraising on the backs of the believers, golfing at Mara Lago, spinning out lies about Ruby Freeman, golfing at Mara Lago, spinning out hate to his believers, golfing at Mara Lago and.......
well, I think you get the picture that America offers it's people.
If you screw enough people to the wall, are white, get enough money, then?
You can absolutely WHATEVER YOU WANT, WHENEVER YOU WANT TO WHOMEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT TO.
It certainly seems that way on this dark day. I was hoping for a miracle—FBI coming on the floor to arrest Santos and the riot planners. Is there any hope left for Justice? Remember what was happening 2 years ago on Jan 7.
It took the DOJ 2 years to even start investigating trump and then they only did it because of the pressure from the House Jan 6 committee. I don't have much confidence in them.
These last two Letters have opened my eyes. Yesterday's Letter included a phrase that I found illuminating - my emphasis:
"Lawmakers like Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO) are clearly enjoying the power they are currently wielding, but their larger project is the one the party has advertised SINCE THEY WERE CHILDREN: stopping the government from any of the actions it has called “Marxist” or “socialist,” burning it all down to make white Americans free."
I grew up inside a New Deal ideology, in a multiracial city, while labor unions were strong, before deindustrialization, decades before Gaetz, Boebert, et al were born. Thus I've seen what CAN work, and they haven't. I can't account for their dearth of imagination - maybe I should say, for their lurid imaginations - but I can see their lack of experience of a society that began to work better for everyone.
Re your mention of FDR’s Four Freedoms speech: BBC radio dedicated its annual Reith Lecture series for 2022 to the Four Freedoms of the speech and had four speakers each one addressing one of the freedoms. The lectures are available online and are worth listening to.
Fundamental freedom includes certain freedoms from as well as freedom to. FDR articulated that. Some of the freedoms from, rape and murder for example is exactly what keeps many choices out of the "freedom" category' i.e. genuine freedom in interdependent with responsibility. Modern Republicans seem to push the idea that "freedom" is permission to do as one pleases, so long as it pleases Republicans.
Radical Republican leaders, although they don't recognize themselves as such, are anarchists, not libertarians, and without ethics. Their sense of exceptionality blinds them. Their mass following clings to its leadership to mask a deep sense of insecurity and marginalization, IMO.
They are not anarchists—they are the very opposite of anarchists. Anarchists do not believe in hierarchy, and they strive for government by consensus. These people believe in fascist autocracy and apparently favor civil war over consensus.
I think that both you (Mary) and Judith are correct here; Judith is using what has begun as the "anarchist movement" here in the Pacific Northwet and came to its own in the demonstrations against the WTO in Seattle in 1999 to describe the current crop of extremist RepubliQans.
I note that a definition of anarchist that I found in a Google search is this: "Anarchy is a society without a government. It may also refer to a society or group of people that entirely rejects a set hierarchy. Anarchy was first used in English in 1539, meaning "an absence of government"."
This is not government by consensus, it is the lack of government. That is what the sedition caucus (I've also heard "coup caucus" as a label) want to do. Destroy our government.
The anarchist movement you describe as beginning in the PNW (though anarchism began in France in the 18th century, a political philosophy that's been behind many anti-fascist and anti-monarchist movements since) is the farthest thing imaginable from the pure chaos frothing and bubbling in the US House of Representatives. I study and teach utopian social movements so I've read a lot about anarchism. The most famous American adherent in our own time is probably Prof. Noam Chomsky.
I just know that I have dealt, professionally, with these "anarchists" who really do want to "burn it all down" with no thought as to what to do afterwords, only to destroy what exists. The classical definition of anarchist that you deal with professionally has as much to do with my group of anarchists as today's RepubliQan Coup Caucus has to do with real conservatism.
Thank you. I will listen. And I will continue to post HCR's "Letters" far and wide -- truth matters and must remain exposed. The chaos and horror I see looming on the horizon, not just for America, but for so much of the world, as these 20. elected insurrectionists vie for power and control..... Almost unimaginable. Yes, McCarthy is the puppet and the insurrectionists are the strings. But we must do all that we can to expose the Dark Money puppet masters who were not elected by the majority of the American voters.
we need a "Citizens Ignited" group to push back on the horrors unleashed by the 2010 "Citizens United" ruling ... which seems to have been another inflection point along this road to chaos.
The first of the four 2022 Reith Lectures, “Freedom of Speech”—delivered by best-selling author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie—is available at the link below and includes a link to the other three lectures.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fmtz
Yes, they are indeed!
"it took money from wealthy people and redistributed it through government programs to poorer Americans"
Gravity can be a drag, but we al; benefit from it's presence. That said, you want to stay away from "black holes" in space that draw in everything in their vicinity. Monopoly is roughly the economic equivalent of that. Feudalism sucked. Bad Old Days Gilded Age monopolies oppressed workers and warped democracy, and yet that is what Republicans are selling. Admittedly, in retirement I am living on investments, but money can snowball like a black hole, and what does that do to the neighborhood? At some point big money has more to do with controlling money than than fair exchange, and that can be a problem. Billionaires don't like to be told they can't have everything.
“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” - Lincoln
Thank You JL Graham for this post with the wonderful Lincoln quote about labor. I also like the visual of monopolies being like Black Holes. “Billionaires don’t like being told they can’t have everything” is an extension of the truth that most people don’t want something taken from them. Yet we are loath to price things to accurately reflect the external costs to society.
I recall a news report in the midst of the Vietnam War about how affordable housing in Saigon was disappearing because American GI's were renting out apartments for their time off and were able to outbid residents. Why would they not, and yet it was a problem.
I have more than once seen the same thing when city investment capital flows into a rural area. Money is a species of power and economics shapes societies. Theory can enable liberation and justice, yet can also obscure crucial realities on the ground, and it appears to me the routes to optimum justice are to some degree complex and messy, as is a robust democracy. That messiness and demand for heightened effort makes functional democracy an easy target for charlatan Snake-oil promoters with simplistic nostrums, so we need a lot more reality checks.
Yes. Good society usually involves awareness, which takes time. In a sped-up, treadmill existence, having a reality check doesn’t happen often, because we have succeeded in making “slow” synonymous with “stupid” or “foolish”. Yet, slowing down reveals the important things we need to see and work on.
Wonderful. Thank you!
In A Man for All Seasons Sir Thomas More says
“Ah, but Richard it profits a man nothing to gain the whole world if he should lose his soul….BUT FOR WALES, RICHARD”
BUT FOR A TARNISHED SPEAKERSHIP, KEVIN
Love this quote about Wales, I lived there in 1980 and 81 along with my spouse and 3 young children. My company had built a plant there in the mid 1970s with new technology 3000 miles from it's technological base. Big mistake, it was losing 4 million a month, a lot of money back then. A number of us were sent and we reached break even. The Welsh hated the English, with good reason because of years of exploitation especially in the coal mines of south Wales. (Mine owners were English).
It was hard work and long hours but I sure learned a lot. One key learning was that there is more ways than one to get the job done, your way may not be the be the best way after all.
Dave According to my fuzzy family history, I have Welsh roots. As the story goes, my name comes from the Wheel Lock gun in the 14th century. It was considered the ‘ultimate weapon’ and was banned by the Holy Roman Empire.
Under the Stench Court and the 2nd Amendment I can take my Wheel Lock gun anywhere, while feasting on Welsh rabbit.
Thank you Heather.
And just like that, the January 6th Coup 2.0 occurred and the radical right insurrectionists took control of the House.
Be safe. Be well. It's just beginning.
Your positive last paragraph seems like an epitaph for the life we have known. McCarthy has sold, not only his soul, but sold out the country as well. Dems were gleeful watching McCarthy’s humiliation but now the crazies have the power to destroy us. They will destroy McCarthy as well. Poor consolation.
Jeri, I fear these next two years will stage a reenactment of the earlier version of McCarthyism. Interestingly, parallels between the two leading actors have already become evident:
“McCarthyism, name given to the period of time in American history that saw U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin produce a series of investigations and hearings during the 1950s in an effort to expose supposed communist infiltration of various areas of the U.S. government. The term has since become a byname for defamation of character or reputation by means of widely publicized indiscriminate allegations, especially on the basis of unsubstantiated charges.” [Britannica]
I don't think the dems were or are gleeful regarding the continued destruction of the repubs.
The governance of our great nation and our relationships with world leaders has been damaged.
This is a nightmare for all humans on planet earth,
We always get side tracked by the spectacle. It’s our form of “owning the libs”, and does not serve the cause of making this government work. McCarthy is vain and willing to go along with the nihilists because at heart he believes the same thing. At any point “sane gop” could have seen the direction this would take and send back-channel overtures to the dems to craft a middle way. They did not. Now it looks like the they caught the tiger by the tail. They really will have the power to default the US (and by extension the world) financial system, which leads us into uncharted territory. Their chokehold on the the purse-strings for implementing the IRS reforms gives a huge relief to all the gop tax cheats. It appears like the Insurrectionist won after all.
I wonder how "they' will be served by defaulting the world financial system. Find out that, and maybe there is a way to expose, head off, something. If the tax cheats are going this far, they are close to being caught or thrown off their course. I don't know really, but i wonder about these things. Following trails often leads to thinking in another way.
At some point I assume that some portion of the *reasonable* Republicans are going to have to cross the aisle and sacrifice their seats for the sake of the country. But maybe I'm being too optimistic. By Q3, many of the reasonable Republicans may already start thinking they won't be reelected.
I am holding back.
I dare not express the horror I feel.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.