What we needed was for him to call out the filibuster, to say what Clyburn suggested this weekend. Michael Steele's review of the speech tonight on 11th Hour was exactly right about how not to play the game. I have to agree with Steve Schmidt's analysis of Shumer as not being "the leader for this time." The Democrats are playing tiddly-winks while the Republicans are planning a blitzkrieg. If they don't get things together, they're going to be about as useful as the Maginot Line when the Blitzkrieg comes calling next year. Do a carve-out from the filibuster for constitutional/voting issues, give West Virginia $500 million in infrastructure, and point out to that Green-moron-pretending-to-be-a-"Democrat" Sinema that if she likes being a Senator she'd better do something to protect herself come re-election time. Whatever it takes. Then get a few more Democrats into the Senate and expel those two.
My guess is that VP Harris has got the carving knife in her hands behind the public stage. Clyburn is calling the Dem shots, not Shumer. I figure it’s his due after pulling Biden’s candidacy from near obscurity to front of the pack. Manchin will agree to carve out the fili. I believe Sinema believes her political life rests with Repub approval. She may as well been at CPAC last weekend (“Caucasian People Are Complaining” according to Colbert).
The President has prime time town hall next week. Personally I feel what he is doing now, using the pulpit, speaking directly to the people is necessary and presidential once again. For myself, I need that from my president. Because 4 yrs of bullsh*t from the former leaves a streak that must be cleaned up to establish some public decorum in the democracy’s rules of order and visible to the world. And that returning order is going to force the Hail Mary pass from Trump. Not sure what that looks like and is the only thing causing any nervous sweat on my brow.
Hmmm, what else? I sense a not-so-long longshot that might boot the Manchin-Sinema ad nauseum drama to the woodshed where it belongs. There just might be a majority vote for the Dems that includes a few purple Repubs. This will assure the country of a strong chance of a free and fair election in 2022 through passage of both voting acts into law. The fact that it is our constitutional right to vote and more importantly as Pres Biden said, to have it counted correctly in a nonpartisan way, will prevail.
Blessings to all. Thank you always for sharing what you know with this community.
Yes, after “4 years of bullshit from the former leaves a streak that must be cleaned up” we’ll need more than Tide to clean up the nation’s underpants. We need a tsunami of Democratic voters to do the job.
Your comments leave me cautiously optimistic. I live in Florida now as well. Still haven’t met a purple Republican, but I’m definitely rooting for your well laid out predictions of strategy Christine.
I am remiss for not mentioning Senator Bernie Sanders as a shot putter right now. He’s never been this busy…or what appears to me as energized and grinning like he has several tricks up his sleeve.
Christine, I sincerely hope you are right. My impression is that there "must" be actions going on behind the scenes, but my frustration is that not a lot seems to
break thru to block the juggernaut that is headed toward our democratic institutions.
"few purple repubs" - do they exist? I used to think so, but why the heck doesn't Romney stand up? He has no real reason to fear McConnell or ex-45, does he? I'm curious to see what happens to Murkowski in Alaska with a challenger. Whatever Secret Sauce Mitchey puts in everyone's coffee every morning I wish Schumer would steal some. I continue to fear that Dems will not prevail by foolishly seeking "bipartisansh*t" (because that's what it is right now) and playing to nice.
Purple is there in the ranks. Timing is a strength for Dems. I know a lot of people do not credit that. Repubs are impetuous and careless with timing under Trump because that’s how opposition is…reactive and loud.
I’m watching closely as to the Dems reveal. It’s a small bit of entertainment for me in this current miasma of politics.
Democrats squabble while Republicans line up with their marching orders. Democrats act the way they would like things to be, not how they are. The results are that Democratic strategy is weak. Democrats have to have a super-majority to get anything they want done. Republicans know how to obstruct Democratic simple majorities. This has been true for years. And I'm a Democrat.
Democrats are not so feckless. The main difference that I see between Republicans and Democrats is that Democrats are committed to making government work, and Republicans want to see it fail. It’s much easier to obstruct than it is to build. So what we see as Republican obeisance to “marching orders” is mostly them yelling “you’re not the boss of me”. Republicans have no platform, except for “block Biden”, “cut taxes on the wealthy” and “pack the courts”. What we see as Democrats squabbling is them debating policy. Democrats have gotten a lot done, considering their narrow majority. Hopefully enough voters understand this difference. Trump showed us that there are a LOT of ignorant voters.
“ Democrats have gotten a lot done, considering their narrow majority.”
I agree. However they seem far from getting the main thing done. If they fail at that, they will be avalanched in the next elections.
Biden’s speech and Clyburn’s comments, along with the grit being shown by Texas Democrats, seem to indicate that we are close to the watershed moment.
The sheer momentum the Republicans have built up over the last six months is a force. Regardless of how much we consider it to be noise, they are passing laws.
Trump’s contribution is noise.
On a wry note, if Sinema and Manchin (finally) can bring themselves to agree to a change in some form to the filibuster, what will the Republican Senate response be? Will they deny a quorum by fleeing to Canada? They’d get a cold, cold reception here. :)
I also believe Biden and the Democrats are getting things done in spite of the Republicans obstructing progress at every turn. I cannot believe that Biden is naive to the Republican playbook.
Block Biden, pack the courts and cut taxes, when coupled with don’t let Democrats vote is the recipe for the end of our democracy and the beginning of the fourth reich
I find I am agreeing with both of you. However, that "Hopefully enough voters understand" part, while desperately true, gives me no confidence for positive change. At least as a stand alone strategy. The real trick would be educating people to understand their agency in civic affairs, and inspiring and motivating them to participate, and especially to vote.
Too much apathy and/or indifference, or maybe just not paying attention right now. That Texas effort to include purging voter rolls monthly is alarming!
Bide is still pretty much a corporate democrat. Having said that, he is doing a lot better than I thought he would, but he is still trying to cater to some of the big money interests.
As for the filibuster he doesn’t want to completely get rid of it because to do so would make some good legislation easier to pass, and he wants to keep something in place to be able to block some things that might effect some of the things that might hurt the special interests.
Just to clear up where I’m coming from, I am very much a progressive democrat, very much a Bernie supporter!!!
TC - it’s easy to castigate Sinema (and Manchin). We should not pretend to know more about their voters than they do. Sinema doesn’t serve us (in LA or NYC or Boston). She serves Arizona, and she knows what it takes to get elected (and re-elected) there as a Democrat. The same goes for Manchin in WVa. We should respect that. It’s far better to have Democrats in those seats who will vote our way some of the time than to have Trumpist idiots like McSally.
As for “get a few more Democrats into the Senate” - that’s the rub, isn’t it. Writing such wishful words doesn’t make it so.
The same goes for ending the filibuster for “voting issues”. Ending the filibuster for presidential nominations worked out well, didn’t it? If the filibuster for nominees hadn’t been ended (by Reid for most nominations, leading to McConnell ending it for SCOTUS), Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Bryant would not be SCOTUS justices today. I’m not arguing in favor of the filibuster, just pointing out that ending it is a double-edged sword, favoring whichever party holds the Senate majority. Imagine what Mitch will do if we don’t hold the Senate come 2022.
JR - No argument here with your analysis. I just want to add that Reid acted out of near desperation in the face of consolidated Repuglican intransigence to Democratic rule. His only other option was to allow them to halt almost all appointments to the Federal judiciary during Obama's term. A well played hand, I'll give them that, although utterly despicable and a continuation of their strategy of eroding democratic norms.
Regarding Sinema, according to friends in AZ who I think pay attention to these things, she already made a reputation in the state legislature for running as a Democrat and acting as a Republican - when she didn't have to, going out of her way to make "friends across the aisle" and ignoring her own side. As one of them put it, "She was better than McSally - barely."
I don’t understand why people think Sinema doesn’t know what she’s doing, or is a traitor. She’s a senator from Arizona. She knows Arizona voters. She beat a Republican in a red state by 2 points. We should applaud her.
Sinema’s problem (our problem, really) is that she’s the 50th senator in a Senate that’s split between the parties 50-50. If Dems had a 5-6 seat majority, we wouldn’t focus so fiercely on Sinema, and she’d be free to go about doing what she needs to do to represent Arizona and get re-elected. If Sinema was more liberal, she’d be a visiting professor at Arizona State, instead of a US senator.
We are ordinary citizens, not people whose *life work* is to serve America.
If we can recognize that this is a seminal moment in American history, in a worst case scenario perhaps *the* seminal moment, then surely we can expect Sinema and Manchin to recognize this also.
They have witnessed the daily criminality and thuggery of the Trump administration up close.
They - at least Manchin - bore witness to the crimes against humanity of the deliberate separation of parent and children, and the caging of the latter.
They saw the malefactions of Barr and DeJoy, to pick two somewhat randomly, more closely than we ever did.
They witnessed the terrible spectacle of hundreds of thousands of Americans dyin from coronavirus while the president recommended bleach and watched the stock market.
Sinema and Manchin watched the month after the election when the big lie was born and hammered home in the interregnum. That lie should have been gasping for air on the floor after 60 failed legal challenges.
But it got new, possibly permanent life, when the insurrection of 1/6 was carried out. Sinema and Manchin were in the building, their lives threatened, when that occurred. They bore witness.
And now they have borne witness to a crush of new laws being enacted to repress voting.
In light of all this, how much does the fact that they represent red states and might possibly lose their cushy jobs if they had the sense and courage to oppose incipient fascism, matter?
How can they possibly square this with their consciences? This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a moral dilemma for them. This is an MLK moment and they are playing “look at me” politics. How dare they?
And then they feel sheltered by a supposedly pragmatic Democratic view, which amounts to “Better the devil you know…”.
Sorry, that doesn’t wash with me. The seats the Democrats lose in AZ and WV will be barely noticeable in the tidal wave of seats that will turn red by 2030 if the voting rights acts are not protected. Now.
I am utterly out of patience with those two. America is facing incipient fascism, possibly prefaced with extreme violence, if the playing field for voting - voting! - is not leveled by legislation. This is a desperate moment. I cannot pretend to know their deepest motivations, but those two should be tossed aside if the filibuster is not amended. They are blind or false.
I think I can tell how you feel. How is it that you know so much more than Sinema and Manchin? Do you really think that they are only people standing between us and incipient fascism? How does that work, exactly? Do we end the filibuster and Republicans surrender? Does the Roberts court suddenly stop overturning laws that protect voting rights, regulate campaign finance reform and prevent voter suppression, as they have been doing for the past decade? We had the Voting Rights Act, we had McCain-Feingold, we had FEC regulations - all tossed aside by our Republican SCOTUS. If we pass the same provisions in For the People will SCOTUS go, “okay, you win, this time we won’t overturn that stuff”? And how do you plan to “toss them aside”?
I think those are good points if I’m interpreting them correctly. From what you write I think you believe that Manchin and Sinema are making a pragmatic stand because a voting rights law passed by filibuster would not stand up to SCOTUS scrutiny.
For me it’s a “fog of war “situation”. I don’t *know” that Manchin and Sinema are of the conviction that only bipartisanship will work. Maybe they are. There is also the long term view that carve outs will become a tit for tat dance, with Republicans doing the same thing on some important question when they next gain power.
My question, nonetheless, would be, “How much more evidence is needed, before they believe that getting a bipartisan bill passed on civil rights legislation has a chance so scant as to be negligible”?
If they are sincere in striving for this, then I need to be convinced that this is not the ultimate fool’s errand. Republicans *survive* the next two sessions at least, only if they have significantly decimated blocs of the voting public. McConnell would not even have to call in a personal favor to get 41 votes to defeat either or both bills.
As for SCOTUS, I think there’s not much room for me to disagree there. One could only hope that at the least, going through all of the work to get it in front of the judges would consume enough time that we could be assured that the 2022 election would be at least fair-ish.
It’s got to be block by block street fighting to turn this around. The Democrats would win easily if purity of intentions was the objective. Sadly, it isn’t.
Morning, TC!! I read an article about Sinema a while back. Can't find it now, but here's one from the NYT written back in 2018 when she was elected to the Senate. That she won in a particularly "red" state, I think mirrors Manchin's position in his state. Both are "tethered" to their constituents. Hard to swallow when we're in this moment, but may explain their thinking. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/us/kyrsten-sinema-senate-arizona.html
Does it even occur to those two that some things are more important than keeping a particular job? Neither of them would be lining up at food banks if they left the Senate.
The problem being, as it stands any vacancy their departure created would likely be filled by a Repuglican. I see Sinema in particular as a pivot point. She is acting and reacting in ways that give her positive feedback from her electorate. The most effective strategy for her to come around would be an effective progressive ground game in AZ. Coordinate, consolidate and empower the community voices within the state that will benefit from progressive Democratic leadership. This is the only way I can see to give her the confidence to vote her conscience.
Don’t you know that’s right, they were looking for a job when they got the one they have now, they are both wealthy enough to not have to worry about their ability to live comfortably, so why does a paycheck have anything to do with how they vote. Their oath to protect the constitution is the only thing in the end that matters.
It is difficult to get politicians to “Do The Right Thing.” To get them to “Take a Knee” knowing that they will lose their over-inflated paying career. Unlike some athletes, that takes real courage that is lacking in most politicians.
Agreed! ‘Do the right thing!’ Indeed! For whom! In a culture where all too many people have blind loyalty to ‘dopey don’ and his ego centric reason for being, ‘up is down and down is up’!
Do the right thing , for whom? Tragically, our elected politicians ‘the right thing’ is to get re-elected! A two year term in the House is useless, in the second year of the term raising re-election $$$ is the ONLY priority! Back in the day when the government was being formed, a two year term was a burden and a hardship to those elected Today it is a seat on the gravy train!!mThe length of the term should be 6 years and like the President limited to two terms.
Consider this since 1980, young people in America have witnessed a totally dysfunctional government! Led by ‘sainted’ Ronnie R, the grand cheerleader, their ‘government is the problem’ mantra has been repeated ad nauseum! The gop has worked steadily at proving that the. Government is the problem. Through their control of the federal budget programs essential for the commonweal of our fellow citizens have been starved for essential funds!
Tragically, the answer to do the right thing for whom is do what it takes to get re-elected!
If Sinema and Manchin block the necessary carve-out from filibuster of voting rights, it won't matter to the rest of us whether they stay in the Senate or not, because the radical right will have taken over the place.
I am not certain that Manchin is tethered to anyone except the corporate donors that finance his campaigns because the median income and education in W VA certainly can't support a major campaign.
Apparently there is a tête-à-tête going on between Clyburn and Manchin going on, if his comments on TRMS are sincere. Whether it will bear fruit remains to be seen, but it is a grain of hope.
Not sure where that would leave Sinema and her vote.
What irks me is that we hippies and campus radicals already saw this American brand of fascism coming down the pike in 1968 with the election of Richard Nixon, and we said so, vociferously.
Almost no one in media or politics believed us at the time, of course.
Our message back then -- that democracy might die in the US -- has been hanging in the air for more than 50 years, but the people who need to hear it still have their ears closed.
What has always bothered me about Democratic politicians is that they don't fight to win; they fight to avoid losing. That's a different mind set which results in reactive messaging, instead of proactive actions.
People gravitate to winners and unfortunately, too many partisan people on the right justify winning by any means. Democrats to their credit take the high road, but when your enemy doesn't play fair, then claiming the high road doesn't win the day. If the Democratic Party is to survive and more importantly our democratic republic, then the Democrats need to up their game and giving as good as their getting. Stop calling people who are defending an insurrection and attempting treason your friends or colleagues. These are the equivalent of terrorists and should be treated and prosecuted accordingly.
There needs to be a major reckoning in Congress! Every member of Congress took this oath:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.” That oath is unambiguous and there are ample examples of members who have disobeyed and forsworn their oath and they should be expelled from Congress.
We keep talking about how the Constitution has no teeth and that it's a guiding document. Well, there should be no ambivalence about the oath taken by members of Congress, and if they fulfilled their oath of office, the Constitution would stand strong! Democrats need to purge the House and Senate of terrorists and traitors. Even if they fail, patriotic Americans will back them to the end and I firmly believe that most Americans are patriotic, respect the Constitution, and support the Rule of Law. Yes, our slow demise has been going on for the last 50 years but we all need to treat this time as now or never.
It seems to me that right now Republican politicans are fighting with all their raggedy might and right to avoid losing. Every voter suppression law and vocal protection of the electoral college is because either they can’t win the presidency with the popular vote and they don’t want certain demographics to vote.
There is nothing to qualify that as proactive action unless you are deliberately subverting democracy.
I don’t know what you are talking about. Some things to think about:
Nancy Pelosi is a fighter and a winner. As is Liz Warren. AOC. Adam Schiff. Clyburn. And others. Lots of Democrats are fighters, and they win. Just not every time.
You may think that oath is unambiguous (personally, to me, it seems lofty and vague) but the Constitution is open to interpretation. Take religion, for one of many examples. Are Republicans who say that a baker who won’t bake a cake for a gay wedding following the Constitution? Do we have a Constitutional right to assault rifles? I’m not trying to open up debates about these issues. Just to point out that your statement that “most Americans respect the Constitution and support the Rule of Law” does not mean that most Americans agree on what the Constitution says or what the rule of law means.
There is no blanket mechanism for Democrats in Congress to just remove Republicans in Congress they deem traitors. Think that through for a second. Imagine the chaos, if there was. Voters decide who gets to serve in Congress. Congress can hold hearings (such as Pelosi’s Jan 6th commission). But they can’t just say “you’re fired” to some idiot like Josh Hawley or MT Greene, no matter how deserving. Their voters have to do that. If Democrats tried to fire MTG there’d probably be an armed protest by her followers.
Think about it. In the fight in Congress between Kevin McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi, who are you picking? I’m betting on Pelosi.
McCarthy isn’t a serious person either. But the point I think, is that there are quite a few ( fewer than there were, but still ) Dems who are just as beholden to the status quo as their GOP counterparts. And they’d better see the writing in the wall, since there is no status quo now.
Ralph, you are absolutely correct. The demise of Democracy has been a battle cry for those that protested in the 60's. Yet, here we are in 2021 and we are watching its final breaths . I do not blame the GOP for taking it away, we let them.
The burgeoning fascists hadn’t gone so far as to deny science at that point either. Nixon’s plan for healthcare would be called socialism now and his environmental initiatives would be called anti- religion these days.
In fact I do blame the GOP which, only a few years after the death of Abraham Lincoln, ran fast and hard away from the credo "All men are created equal."
The Constitution was drafted with an inherent bias in favor of the slave states. As a result of that bias, the Constitution made it easy for Republican politicians to abandon their principles. But no one forced them to become the amoral cowards we see in their party today.
Perhaps not, but this behavior and mantra has worked perfectly for the GOP. One other tactic they have used is that they are proficient at being proactive which leaves the Democrats as reactive. They have the upper hand on us Ralph.
I agree the Democrats spend far too much time being reactive rather than being proactive. I wish I knew why they act that way, and I wish they would change, and start proposing a lot of innovative ideas. So, yes, in that respect I agree that Democrats come up short.
Dems are not listening either. We're shouting at them to stand up and push back on this attack and **crickets** from them. Biden is doing pretty well but he's not lit a fire under collective butts.
I think one of the reasons is because we have become a very greedy materialistic society and we don’t want anything to get in the way of enjoying our rich lifestyles. We have become deaf dumb and blind for the most part. And everyone else is too busy working two or three jobs just trying to pay their taxes. It feels like a well thought out scheme.
“Are you on the side of truth or lies; fact or fiction; justice or injustice; democracy or autocracy?” Of course you are on the side of truth, fact, justice, and democracy.
In Heather’s video chat today (7/13/2021), she discussed the threats to our democratic process and noted that people ask her, “What can we do?”
Heather’s answer: “Make our voices heard…call your representatives…protesting in a nonviolent way…change the public conversation, like on Facebook, with your neighbor, in the newspapers…to change the way people think…step up, run for office.”
If you think you can stay kicked back in your comfy chair and pontificate about how evil the Repubs are and how the Dems should be doing this and that, then you are the proverbial frog in slowly boiling water. Stop being just a spectator. Sit up and do 2 things:
1. Reclaim the name PATRIOT!
2. Click on one of these links. It is really easy to DO SOMETHING TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD! If you have questions, just post it and we will help you!
Still think, “Oh, someone else will.” Well, Heather has over 20,000 subscribers to Letters From An American. Watch how many “likes” or comments follow, calculate the percentage, and you will conclude that more people have to step up!
I am willing to donate money but I don’t know that it will be used effectively by the Democratic Party. I donated directly to my US Representative Elisa Slotkin but where else can I donate where I can be confident my donation won’t be frittered away or end up in someone’s pocket?
When I donate I donate directly to the person not to the Democratic Party. That way I am assured that the money is going to the person and not the organization.
Indivisible.org is an exciting group of people with Washington insider experience who came together with one Goal: Fight the former guy. They became nationally known because of an online Guide, based on their DC experience. It is brilliant. Go to the website, cruise around, and if you like what you see, push the red button in the right upper corner. We don’t waste the money. The total assets in the treasury of my district group last month was less than $1,500. ALL volunteers. But I would much rather you join first, and if I have misled you you should banish me from this group. Their theme? “We beat Trump, now let’s save Democracy.” And they (we) mean it.
This was the first political group I have ever joined (also member of Fair Fight), and I have witnessed their incredible effectiveness. I had to write an essay and be passed by a committee back then, don’t know how they do it now. But hey, if they put up with ancient fossils like me on their rolls, I bet they’ll take you.
I joined the Las Vegas group way back when. I was very active and made some very special friends.
Sadly, my time to do things that I used to do is getting and less as my husband progresses.
I gave up donating to anything political other than my time about two years ago. I just can't get over how much money we give to these politicians, especially when we have children hungry and people homeless.
We need to get the money out of politics and back to the people.
Another thing, I hear people complain all the time about how bad out schools are and in the next breathe they complain about having to pay more to fund our schools.
But heck, we have a brand new stadium that I know a lot of locals here (myself included) will never set foot inside due to the the cost.
Sorry about your situation Beth. Caregiving can absorb everything you have to give. Thanks for all you have done, we'll take it from here, you take care of your husband.
My hair is on fire! 🔥 TX Dem legislators showing need for help. Where is Washington? Biden and Schumer? Where is their courage? Their leadership? Well-stated above thoughts. Thank you for listing. Just curious: Where are the HCR video chats? Listened to a few podcasts, but HCR solo writing is best. ❤️🤍💙
Deborah, you should be watching these! They're so good. As Lynell says, they are live on Facebook on Tuesdays at 4 pm (EST) on politics and Thursdays at 1 pm on history. Both are great! Even better, they are recorded, and you can access them on FB for a while afterward. Go to Heather's Facebook page and open the More menu to find Videos. Older video chats are available on her YouTube channel. Here is a link to yesterday's chat: https://www.facebook.com/100044557238708/videos/841118663447730
Brava Ellie! We need less ‘crystal ball gazing’ and more what can I do today! And in all the ‘today’s to come! We must be consistent in heralding the good that has been done with our governmental system! Don’t allow the sound bite ‘socialism’ to go unchallenged for example!
In each succeeding election we need more of ‘us’ than ‘the number of them’, especially in state elections.
This is our nation's second Civil War. I am most astounded by our US Supreme Court, regardless of or because it is a conservative majority, should be protecting our civil/voting rights as the core purpose of our US Constitution. Instead, they are giving space and opportunity for the "Big Lie" and every lie to flourish.
Once upon a time, when I was a Republican, the Republican Party advocated against passing new laws, claiming that we had enough laws, that they just had to be enforced. Today Republicans believe that we do not and cannot have enough laws to suit their purposes. Those and every law that they have advocated within recent time have been aimed at "others" while they as Donald Trump proposed "can shoot someone on 5th Avenue in broad daylight" and get away with it.
Arguing against mask wearing and refusing civid19 vaccines based on lies sure looks and smells like premeditated murder or at the very least manslaughter. Lying about the 2020 election sure looks like the greatest election fraud ever carried out in broad daylight.
Last summer, people throughout our nation protested systemic racism following the murder of George Floyd - along with several other awful and unjust killings. This summer, perhaps it’s time to protest corrupt and anti-democratic civil servants.
One of the Trumpian insights might be called a flood the zone strategy. If outrages perpetrated by his corrupt and anti-democratic faction are few, they can be easily targeted with protests. However, if Trump and his cronies, indeed his entire party, lie constantly, commit corrupt acts every day, and revel openly in their anti-democratic behavior, then there are so many acts and actors deserving protest that it is hard to target any one of them. And, we see the result of that approach to politics - an existential threat to our nation itself. Joe Biden is right to call that out, but even as he uses the power of his pulpit to condemn the Big Lie and anti-democratic initiatives launched all across our country, he has shied away from a full throated support of the use of Democrat's power to put a stop to it. He has a narrow governing majority for at least another year and a half. He has to know that a failure to use that majority will likely lead to its loss, and the loss of the democratic structures that have made the United States a great nation. And yet, our leaders still shy away from the muscular application of the power we have together. The Republican super-power is shamelessness. The Democratic super-power has to be unity to deliver justice and groceries. Making that happen requires both empathy and a warrior spirit. We have empathy in abundance, now let's see some warriors.
Yes, more "flooding the zone" should be addressed more aggressively. If all you state are lies, then how does one even begin? Dems are at extreme disadvantage because any little misstep stands out from the truths. GOP lies all blend into the background.
Look what happened to Katie porters garden discussion? People came in and threatened lives. It’s so scary right now. And that’s the way they want it, to suppress us
It is very important that Biden spoke about how the R’s are grasping at all of their good ole Jim Crow “laws”. I wish, however, he would have addressed the need to pass the John Lewis Act. I personally want to give Mitch the big finger and abolish the filibuster. If only the Texas Dems can continue meeting with Manchin and put further pressure on him to change his mind. Can you imagine him doing that? That would blow the R’s right up but most importantly, stop Mitch dead in his little turtle tracks.
She's all "You're not the boss of me" to borrow a phrase. Being one of her constituents I am embarrassed by her actions as a Senator. And she does not seem to read my letters to her nor the calls to her office - which go to voice mail. I'm an independent voter and right now I'd take a moderate AZ Republican (looking at you Mr. Flake) over her in the next election.
Charlie, the post you responded to was deleted so I’m assuming you mean
Kyrsten Sinema. Please don’t even consider voting Republican. While Sinema is no help, she is essential to hold the majority. A place holder is better than loosing the Senate altogether. As my mom would say “ don’t cut off your nose to spite your face”. You’re lucky to have Mark Kelly at least.
While Texas Gov. Abbott is a disgusting Repugnant Party fascist politician trying to destroy democracy, don’t forget our own racist piece of work, Gov. DeSantis who seems to be in a race to the bottom with Abbott. He also meddled with our voting laws here in Florida and I have yet to find out if I am going to have to stand in line at my polling place for the first time in decades.
I have been voting by mail-in ballot for years. I find it convenient and not rushed especially on those long 5-page or more ballots with many issues. Also, at 76, I have balance and back problems that make standing for a long time an uncomfortable & painful experience. The last time I went to my polling place was November 2018 to hold a sign campaigning against Ron DeSantis.
Also, this week we are seeing the racist implications of the “Anti-Riot” Law that the Repugnants made and DeSantis signed in April this year because of the Black Lives Matter Protests in 2020 (After George Floyd was murdered by the police) where the protestors angrily blocked an expressway here. Yesterday Cuban protestors blocked major expressways here and the new law calls for their arrest for “aggravated rioting” if they obstruct traffic, which they did for hours. The police did NADA. Fascists are not obliged to observe EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW. This selective non-enforcement looks a little racist and a lot hypocritical, which is the domain of the Repugnant Party.
I’m so flipping outraged about Desantis’s latest assault on public education using CARES money no less for his racist, pejorative edicts, I am beside myself. He ripped apart and vetoed planned civics literacy education after Heritage Foundation warned that “action civics” (designed to get students participating and involved in school and all levels of govt) would prompt students to attend protests rather than study. Now he and Comm Corcoran are rushing new civics program in development somehow to “be ready” for September. Eerily similar to whitewashed civics with roots in conservative media taught in far right based run charter schools in FL. Using CARES package $ to bonus teacher $3k for completing a program named by DeSanitize as “FL civic seal of excellence”. I relayed breaking news to several teacher associates of mine with congrats, Gov will be paying you to be in his racist civics club.
A friend sent me this video, so I forwarded it to everyone with my own message about Honest History:
Critical Race Theory is a big issue with Conservatives (AKA The Repugnant Party)
They know nothing about it but believe it is un-American and will "distort American History."
As for "distorting American History," nothing could be further from the Truth. Fact is, muct of the American History we have been fed is a Lie, and CRT would dispel much of that lie and give us a more accurate image of what America is about. (It ain't all spacious skies & amber waves of grain)
How many knew about the Oklahoma Massacre before this year? Even history grads did not. It's as if it were purposely neglected, along with the Tuskegee Experiments & Rosewood Massacre. All, United States Crimes Against Humanity. (Not counting our crimes against Native Americans)
When my generation who witnessed Segregation in the South, anti-miscegenation laws among all the Jim Crow laws then that too may be whitewashed over in mainstream education.
So, here is something else you may not know about American History of the Old West
Nice comment, Rob. Hypocrisy is the most notable characteristic of the modern GOP. I wonder how many people on that side of the political spectrum have no idea -- or a wrong idea -- of what the word even means. How many, hearing themselves described as hypocrites, might respond "Damn right DEM-LIB MF!" All we need are unjust laws applied unfairly, another GOP specialty. Time for Biden and Schumer to lower the boom on Manchin and Sinema.
I feel that since hypocrisy is so engrained in the modern GOP, it has become a personality trait of which they see nothing wrong with it. Maybe even pride themselves on using it often. What I have noticed is that all GOP live by the mantra "don't do as I do, but do as I say."
"It’s time,” Frum said, “to start using the F-word.” The word he meant is “fascism.”
It's long past time. In today's Washington Post there is a fairly lengthy article about Tucker Carlson and his almost lifelong devotion promoting racism and division. As his influence grows his rhetoric becomes more hateful, inflammatory and alarming. The tactics Carlson uses are the same ones Trump used/uses to light the fires of discontent while fanning the flames day after day. Right now, Carlson is one of the right's most valuable assets; he comes off as polished, educated, and in the know so that he appeals to the moneyed conservative while his vulgar, base aspect appeals to a less articulate crowd. He is the total racist, fascist package. He knows it. Fox knows it. They'll support Carlson and his poison, regardless of his impact on our country, as long as the money continues to flow their way. All at our peril.
Hi Daria and thank you for usual “Daria get to the point comment”.
I can’t stand that thin lipped ratcaster. I don’t even credit Carlson or Trump anymore with lying. That would credit them with self reflection on the truth which is requirement for telling the opposite…a lie. All they spew is bullsh*t…over and over and over. No evidence or truth needed whatsoever. They can make up bullsh*t and convince listeners they are not lying. It’s what the lawyers are getting in trouble for now…no proof, no evidence of fraud, etc. But a lawyer has legal obligation to evidence and proof. Ratcasters do not. It’s all “entertainment”. So Giuliani was a damn good master puppeteer. It was he who told Trump on election night…just go on air and SAY you won MI and PA. All bullsh*t. It’s always been like the air he breathes or wheezes for Trump to SAY what he WANTS his audience to lap up. He does not process or entertains “losing”. Hence the bs.
So I’m discarding the phrase “The Big Lie”. It’s now, for me, “The Big Sack of Bullsh*t”.
I’ve already emailed this little nugget of wisdom regarding “liar vs bullshiiter” that I found on TC’s blog from which I made my own conclusion to Comm Director for White House, Jen Psaki. I’ll let you know if I hear back, n’est se pas
Carlson and his followers are an excellent example of an echo chamber. Carlson is much like a rat in a Skinner box, spewing his trash and getting a great lift from the responses of his audience. That audience, in turn, experiences a great lift from having their expressions of support acknowledged and reinforced by the rat-in-chief. It is a never ending cycle of circular reinforcement.
Thanks, Gus. You're very kind. I do believe he is one of the most insidious and dangerous people in the US today. That he maintains high profile corporate sponsors indicates how far in the pit we've fallen. Cash is king, the people be damned.
There is a 4 season show on HBO called "The Lady and the Dale" about a woman who tried to take on the 'Big Three' in the auto industry. A journalist by the name of Dick Carlson went to great lengths to out her as trans, and successfully destroyed her career (not that her style of business was above reproach). Dick Carlson did pretty well for himself, though his son Tucker took misogyny and hate to whole new levels. Take a look at his millions that he made by spreading hate and fear. The wormy apple does not fall far.
Jon Stewart took him down quite a while ago, and the show Crossfire was taken off the air. The little weasel found himself a way back onto the airwaves with Fox News (sic).
Me too, Nancy. But as long as he is supported by corporate sponsors who pay Fox handsome sums to advertise during his air time he's not going anywhere.
Fox News is not funded by advertisers. That's why boycotting the advertisers makes little difference. They are funded by the the cable companies who pay hefty fees to make their particular brand of excrement available.
At last attention is turning towards the counting of the voting accessibility, voting process, vote counting and the certification in Republican States which can render null any "Abrams" effect.
Truly, Stuart. That’s the real issue: elections won’t matter, voting rights won’t matter, no amount of registered Dems will matter if state legislatures can overturn elections they don’t like. And that’s what they are trying to do. This is the main reason we need a national law.
THIS! If Republicans with the help of the Supreme Court can overturn legitimate election results the game is all over. Democrats must respond accordingly and attack with every tool at their disposal.
They can hold hearings about the 2020 election and expose the truth about the Big Lie. They also can reinvestigate Kavanaugh and Barrett. Those two did not get properly vetted when Republicans ran the confirmation process. They may not get removed but at least their legitimacy will be called into question in a very public way. What McConnell pulled off with Obama's appointment was an over-the-top unconstitutional powerplay. Time for Democrats to serve tit for tat. They need to be proactive!!
Yea, I think the rules in these pieces of legislation that take power to oversee elections from Secretaries of State are very dangerous. The GOP runs on the defense of the 2nd Amendment; Dems need to take protecting the 14th!
As I read your word I’m also realizing today is July 14th and I’m thinking of my French friends celebrating their version of revolution celebration. Theirs was so much bloodier in my mind at least. However as I ponder our situation as a country and if we think about all of the mass shootings we’ve had over the last 20 years…the future is grim. And I’m an optimist. We have to protect our voting rights and defeat these repugs and do whatever we can to support Biden’s efforts. Prayers will go a long way too.
Croissants come first here in France today...breakfast of the stars! It would be a mistake to see the French Revolution as a revolution of the people; a revolt of the people was instrumentalized and included as an integral part of the strategy but in the end of the day their situation had improved little under the bloody dictatorship that was quickly imposed. The winners were the professional and entrepreneurial bourgeoisie who managed to throw off the shackles of the Aristocracy and the Catholic Church, increase their freedom of action and reduce their taxes. The people stayed where they were ...at the bottom and heavily taxed. More like the barons' Magna Carta and far from the peoples' Charter of the Forest.
The mass shootings (matters of chagrin) and armed popular revolutions (matters of celebration) are part and parcel of the modern human experience. Just wait until the flood of climate refugees boil up to the ramparts.
It is time, passed time, to get rid of the filibuster. It was created to empower slave-holders, and it continues to empower those who, rightly, see fair, honest, open elections as a threat to their political goals of sending us back to the plantation and the company town, all run by white Christian males.
Republican state efforts to suppress the Democratic vote must be snuffed by new federal regulations before the 2022 election. The filibuster must be gone for that to happen.
Good morning Ralph. Being carved perhaps? I’m looking forward to the platter of Republican senators having to defend their traitorous views right there at the podium instead of an absence that translates into the current filibuster.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your work. You are one of so few brave enough to voice truth to power, and have resurrected the importance of history, so long denigrated by many. Sigh. I worry about you. I worry that you will <or have> become a target. Please keep safe!
Supporters of democracy in the United States are in a position where we cannot lose. And yet we might. I don't like the odds of that happening, and I am finding that I must think about what would be next, non-violent steps after an autocratic takeover. The Republican Party is dominated by its autocratic wing that will rule if it regains the presidency and will totally obstruct if it flips the Senate or the House. Already Republicans are succeeding in enforcing a Senate stalemate. Despite much study, I don't understand what motivates Joe Manchin or Kyrsten Sinema to withhold their power to save the country by ending or carving out the filibuster with a voting rights exception. What then? President Biden is directing the Department of Justice to fight a tidal wave of Republican state legislation to subvert free and fair elections. Such efforts will land on the steps of an originalist-stacked Supreme Court. I don't know what would be next other than reaching out to my conservative neighbors to explore each others' views and allegiances and challenge the autocratic wing.
That belief easily leads to the kinds of non-stop, out-of-control demonstrations that we had in Portland, which the Right uses to justify aggressive police and military responses to peaceful protest. We are not yet Myanmar.
Hopefully, they fit where General Milley fit this past year, according to the stories about the end of Camp Runamuck that are now coming out. We owe him a sincere debt of thanks for standing up to El Blobbo del Mar A Lardo like he did and if the US military can stick to that, an authoritarian takeover won't be easy. However, for every Milley there really is a General Jack D. Ripper.
I heard on some MSNBC podcast that those justice dept efforts will take years to get through the Supreme Court. I find myself thinking all the time about Germany and Nazis. I just read "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah, about Nazi occupied France. Will that be us? Will we have to form an underground resistance?
Yes, I do, and I am reading organization psychologist Adam Grant's <i>Think again: The power of knowing what you don't know</i>, which has thorough coverage of how to have useful conversations with people who have a very different point of view.
Getting rid of the filibuster is a double edged sword. You and use it, and it can be used against you. If you don't have it, you can't use it. So the question becomes, what would happen if you don't have it and feel that you need it -- what can you do? The Texas State Senate Democrats seem to have used the exisiting quorum rules to create a filibuster. That's one option. Realizing that no filibuster could mean a see-saw effect where legislation takes on the same "permanance" as executive orders is worth considering. Playing out the possible ramifications of change is an important process. I hope they find a reasonable solution.
As I understand it, there are proposals to keep the filibuster but carve out exceptions and that this can be done for a single vote as well as for a category of legislation. This kind of approach is being discussed by James Clyburn, the Majority Whip in the House.
Unfortunately, Stuart Scott (the producer) is dying of cancer - so there's a bit of an apologia for his input at the start). I strongly recommend everyone to watch this - it sets out the sad reality of what we are facing, and the other sad reality, that despite Biden's Roosevelt-ian ambitions, he is still a cold war warrior. Maybe it's a case of not letting the perfect get in the way of the good, but we have to realise that all is not wonderful in Camelot.
For heaven's sake! Fine, I was using Camelot somewhat ironically, which seem to be lost on folks. I'll bet no one will bother to watch this video presentation - maybe this group is becoming an echo chamber as well - that would be very (very) sad - but it seems to be the way.
Great! - and what he's saying is essentially what we are all saying - get out on the streets - clicking internet boxes is basically valueless - writing REAL PHYSICAL letters (ooh, how?) is worth vastly more, and actually physically confronting your elected officials works well too (leave the 4x2 with the nail in it, behind tho)
Big fan of Chomsky here. Thank you for posting the links! I hope to remember to take a look when I get home. I'm on a Counterpunch e-mail list also. But the time! It's hard to keep up.
Thanks Danielle,Syd and Kathy for the feedback - one always wonders whether this information is of use - or just evaporates. And yes, Syd, there is so much information floating around (the good, bad and ugly) that it can eat your day!
I wasn't frankly taking your Camelot metaphore in any way other than you intended, Hugh. I do appreciate the irony. I've just been reading a lot of ancient British history lately...and do not think that history will be particularly kind to Kennedy.
Well, the Dems have just announced agreement on 3.5 trillion infrastructure bill. I'm thinking there is a lot of negotiating and talking going on. I anticipate congresscritter actions soon.
What we needed was for him to call out the filibuster, to say what Clyburn suggested this weekend. Michael Steele's review of the speech tonight on 11th Hour was exactly right about how not to play the game. I have to agree with Steve Schmidt's analysis of Shumer as not being "the leader for this time." The Democrats are playing tiddly-winks while the Republicans are planning a blitzkrieg. If they don't get things together, they're going to be about as useful as the Maginot Line when the Blitzkrieg comes calling next year. Do a carve-out from the filibuster for constitutional/voting issues, give West Virginia $500 million in infrastructure, and point out to that Green-moron-pretending-to-be-a-"Democrat" Sinema that if she likes being a Senator she'd better do something to protect herself come re-election time. Whatever it takes. Then get a few more Democrats into the Senate and expel those two.
Morning TC. Sizzlin’ as usual.
My guess is that VP Harris has got the carving knife in her hands behind the public stage. Clyburn is calling the Dem shots, not Shumer. I figure it’s his due after pulling Biden’s candidacy from near obscurity to front of the pack. Manchin will agree to carve out the fili. I believe Sinema believes her political life rests with Repub approval. She may as well been at CPAC last weekend (“Caucasian People Are Complaining” according to Colbert).
The President has prime time town hall next week. Personally I feel what he is doing now, using the pulpit, speaking directly to the people is necessary and presidential once again. For myself, I need that from my president. Because 4 yrs of bullsh*t from the former leaves a streak that must be cleaned up to establish some public decorum in the democracy’s rules of order and visible to the world. And that returning order is going to force the Hail Mary pass from Trump. Not sure what that looks like and is the only thing causing any nervous sweat on my brow.
Hmmm, what else? I sense a not-so-long longshot that might boot the Manchin-Sinema ad nauseum drama to the woodshed where it belongs. There just might be a majority vote for the Dems that includes a few purple Repubs. This will assure the country of a strong chance of a free and fair election in 2022 through passage of both voting acts into law. The fact that it is our constitutional right to vote and more importantly as Pres Biden said, to have it counted correctly in a nonpartisan way, will prevail.
Blessings to all. Thank you always for sharing what you know with this community.
Yes, after “4 years of bullshit from the former leaves a streak that must be cleaned up” we’ll need more than Tide to clean up the nation’s underpants. We need a tsunami of Democratic voters to do the job.
I think we need to “Shout” it out.
Your comments leave me cautiously optimistic. I live in Florida now as well. Still haven’t met a purple Republican, but I’m definitely rooting for your well laid out predictions of strategy Christine.
I hope you’re right. ❤️🤍💙
I am remiss for not mentioning Senator Bernie Sanders as a shot putter right now. He’s never been this busy…or what appears to me as energized and grinning like he has several tricks up his sleeve.
🎼The wheels on the bus go round and round…..
Christine, I sincerely hope you are right. My impression is that there "must" be actions going on behind the scenes, but my frustration is that not a lot seems to
break thru to block the juggernaut that is headed toward our democratic institutions.
May it be so!
"few purple repubs" - do they exist? I used to think so, but why the heck doesn't Romney stand up? He has no real reason to fear McConnell or ex-45, does he? I'm curious to see what happens to Murkowski in Alaska with a challenger. Whatever Secret Sauce Mitchey puts in everyone's coffee every morning I wish Schumer would steal some. I continue to fear that Dems will not prevail by foolishly seeking "bipartisansh*t" (because that's what it is right now) and playing to nice.
Purple is there in the ranks. Timing is a strength for Dems. I know a lot of people do not credit that. Repubs are impetuous and careless with timing under Trump because that’s how opposition is…reactive and loud.
I’m watching closely as to the Dems reveal. It’s a small bit of entertainment for me in this current miasma of politics.
Still holding the Statue of Liberty in your mind’s eye, I see! ❤️ My rose colored glasses are looking out for that long shot you describe also.
Yes Sharon, I do! She was grinning on Juneteenth and 4th of July. 💫
Democrats squabble while Republicans line up with their marching orders. Democrats act the way they would like things to be, not how they are. The results are that Democratic strategy is weak. Democrats have to have a super-majority to get anything they want done. Republicans know how to obstruct Democratic simple majorities. This has been true for years. And I'm a Democrat.
Democrats are not so feckless. The main difference that I see between Republicans and Democrats is that Democrats are committed to making government work, and Republicans want to see it fail. It’s much easier to obstruct than it is to build. So what we see as Republican obeisance to “marching orders” is mostly them yelling “you’re not the boss of me”. Republicans have no platform, except for “block Biden”, “cut taxes on the wealthy” and “pack the courts”. What we see as Democrats squabbling is them debating policy. Democrats have gotten a lot done, considering their narrow majority. Hopefully enough voters understand this difference. Trump showed us that there are a LOT of ignorant voters.
“ Democrats have gotten a lot done, considering their narrow majority.”
I agree. However they seem far from getting the main thing done. If they fail at that, they will be avalanched in the next elections.
Biden’s speech and Clyburn’s comments, along with the grit being shown by Texas Democrats, seem to indicate that we are close to the watershed moment.
The sheer momentum the Republicans have built up over the last six months is a force. Regardless of how much we consider it to be noise, they are passing laws.
Trump’s contribution is noise.
On a wry note, if Sinema and Manchin (finally) can bring themselves to agree to a change in some form to the filibuster, what will the Republican Senate response be? Will they deny a quorum by fleeing to Canada? They’d get a cold, cold reception here. :)
I also believe Biden and the Democrats are getting things done in spite of the Republicans obstructing progress at every turn. I cannot believe that Biden is naive to the Republican playbook.
Block Biden, pack the courts and cut taxes, when coupled with don’t let Democrats vote is the recipe for the end of our democracy and the beginning of the fourth reich
All very good points. Both can be true.
I find I am agreeing with both of you. However, that "Hopefully enough voters understand" part, while desperately true, gives me no confidence for positive change. At least as a stand alone strategy. The real trick would be educating people to understand their agency in civic affairs, and inspiring and motivating them to participate, and especially to vote.
Too much apathy and/or indifference, or maybe just not paying attention right now. That Texas effort to include purging voter rolls monthly is alarming!
The trouble with Democrats? They don’t know how to think like criminals.
And that’s a bad thing?
Bide is still pretty much a corporate democrat. Having said that, he is doing a lot better than I thought he would, but he is still trying to cater to some of the big money interests.
As for the filibuster he doesn’t want to completely get rid of it because to do so would make some good legislation easier to pass, and he wants to keep something in place to be able to block some things that might effect some of the things that might hurt the special interests.
Just to clear up where I’m coming from, I am very much a progressive democrat, very much a Bernie supporter!!!
TC - it’s easy to castigate Sinema (and Manchin). We should not pretend to know more about their voters than they do. Sinema doesn’t serve us (in LA or NYC or Boston). She serves Arizona, and she knows what it takes to get elected (and re-elected) there as a Democrat. The same goes for Manchin in WVa. We should respect that. It’s far better to have Democrats in those seats who will vote our way some of the time than to have Trumpist idiots like McSally.
As for “get a few more Democrats into the Senate” - that’s the rub, isn’t it. Writing such wishful words doesn’t make it so.
The same goes for ending the filibuster for “voting issues”. Ending the filibuster for presidential nominations worked out well, didn’t it? If the filibuster for nominees hadn’t been ended (by Reid for most nominations, leading to McConnell ending it for SCOTUS), Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Bryant would not be SCOTUS justices today. I’m not arguing in favor of the filibuster, just pointing out that ending it is a double-edged sword, favoring whichever party holds the Senate majority. Imagine what Mitch will do if we don’t hold the Senate come 2022.
As for Schumer, meh. I’ve never been a fan.
JR - No argument here with your analysis. I just want to add that Reid acted out of near desperation in the face of consolidated Repuglican intransigence to Democratic rule. His only other option was to allow them to halt almost all appointments to the Federal judiciary during Obama's term. A well played hand, I'll give them that, although utterly despicable and a continuation of their strategy of eroding democratic norms.
His heart is golden. His delivery, disappointingly meh.
Regarding Sinema, according to friends in AZ who I think pay attention to these things, she already made a reputation in the state legislature for running as a Democrat and acting as a Republican - when she didn't have to, going out of her way to make "friends across the aisle" and ignoring her own side. As one of them put it, "She was better than McSally - barely."
And she beat McSally. Just barely.
I don’t understand why people think Sinema doesn’t know what she’s doing, or is a traitor. She’s a senator from Arizona. She knows Arizona voters. She beat a Republican in a red state by 2 points. We should applaud her.
Sinema’s problem (our problem, really) is that she’s the 50th senator in a Senate that’s split between the parties 50-50. If Dems had a 5-6 seat majority, we wouldn’t focus so fiercely on Sinema, and she’d be free to go about doing what she needs to do to represent Arizona and get re-elected. If Sinema was more liberal, she’d be a visiting professor at Arizona State, instead of a US senator.
We are ordinary citizens, not people whose *life work* is to serve America.
If we can recognize that this is a seminal moment in American history, in a worst case scenario perhaps *the* seminal moment, then surely we can expect Sinema and Manchin to recognize this also.
They have witnessed the daily criminality and thuggery of the Trump administration up close.
They - at least Manchin - bore witness to the crimes against humanity of the deliberate separation of parent and children, and the caging of the latter.
They saw the malefactions of Barr and DeJoy, to pick two somewhat randomly, more closely than we ever did.
They witnessed the terrible spectacle of hundreds of thousands of Americans dyin from coronavirus while the president recommended bleach and watched the stock market.
Sinema and Manchin watched the month after the election when the big lie was born and hammered home in the interregnum. That lie should have been gasping for air on the floor after 60 failed legal challenges.
But it got new, possibly permanent life, when the insurrection of 1/6 was carried out. Sinema and Manchin were in the building, their lives threatened, when that occurred. They bore witness.
And now they have borne witness to a crush of new laws being enacted to repress voting.
In light of all this, how much does the fact that they represent red states and might possibly lose their cushy jobs if they had the sense and courage to oppose incipient fascism, matter?
How can they possibly square this with their consciences? This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a moral dilemma for them. This is an MLK moment and they are playing “look at me” politics. How dare they?
And then they feel sheltered by a supposedly pragmatic Democratic view, which amounts to “Better the devil you know…”.
Sorry, that doesn’t wash with me. The seats the Democrats lose in AZ and WV will be barely noticeable in the tidal wave of seats that will turn red by 2030 if the voting rights acts are not protected. Now.
I am utterly out of patience with those two. America is facing incipient fascism, possibly prefaced with extreme violence, if the playing field for voting - voting! - is not leveled by legislation. This is a desperate moment. I cannot pretend to know their deepest motivations, but those two should be tossed aside if the filibuster is not amended. They are blind or false.
Some day I’ll tell you how I really feel. :)
I think I can tell how you feel. How is it that you know so much more than Sinema and Manchin? Do you really think that they are only people standing between us and incipient fascism? How does that work, exactly? Do we end the filibuster and Republicans surrender? Does the Roberts court suddenly stop overturning laws that protect voting rights, regulate campaign finance reform and prevent voter suppression, as they have been doing for the past decade? We had the Voting Rights Act, we had McCain-Feingold, we had FEC regulations - all tossed aside by our Republican SCOTUS. If we pass the same provisions in For the People will SCOTUS go, “okay, you win, this time we won’t overturn that stuff”? And how do you plan to “toss them aside”?
I think those are good points if I’m interpreting them correctly. From what you write I think you believe that Manchin and Sinema are making a pragmatic stand because a voting rights law passed by filibuster would not stand up to SCOTUS scrutiny.
For me it’s a “fog of war “situation”. I don’t *know” that Manchin and Sinema are of the conviction that only bipartisanship will work. Maybe they are. There is also the long term view that carve outs will become a tit for tat dance, with Republicans doing the same thing on some important question when they next gain power.
My question, nonetheless, would be, “How much more evidence is needed, before they believe that getting a bipartisan bill passed on civil rights legislation has a chance so scant as to be negligible”?
If they are sincere in striving for this, then I need to be convinced that this is not the ultimate fool’s errand. Republicans *survive* the next two sessions at least, only if they have significantly decimated blocs of the voting public. McConnell would not even have to call in a personal favor to get 41 votes to defeat either or both bills.
As for SCOTUS, I think there’s not much room for me to disagree there. One could only hope that at the least, going through all of the work to get it in front of the judges would consume enough time that we could be assured that the 2022 election would be at least fair-ish.
It’s got to be block by block street fighting to turn this around. The Democrats would win easily if purity of intentions was the objective. Sadly, it isn’t.
Sen Chuck Schumer is nothing special. Sen. Michael Ferrand Bennet is special.
He has had a pretty significant career in public education also.
Morning, TC!! I read an article about Sinema a while back. Can't find it now, but here's one from the NYT written back in 2018 when she was elected to the Senate. That she won in a particularly "red" state, I think mirrors Manchin's position in his state. Both are "tethered" to their constituents. Hard to swallow when we're in this moment, but may explain their thinking. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/13/us/kyrsten-sinema-senate-arizona.html
Does it even occur to those two that some things are more important than keeping a particular job? Neither of them would be lining up at food banks if they left the Senate.
The problem being, as it stands any vacancy their departure created would likely be filled by a Repuglican. I see Sinema in particular as a pivot point. She is acting and reacting in ways that give her positive feedback from her electorate. The most effective strategy for her to come around would be an effective progressive ground game in AZ. Coordinate, consolidate and empower the community voices within the state that will benefit from progressive Democratic leadership. This is the only way I can see to give her the confidence to vote her conscience.
Assuming she has one.
Lol. Ouch!
Good point!!!
Don’t you know that’s right, they were looking for a job when they got the one they have now, they are both wealthy enough to not have to worry about their ability to live comfortably, so why does a paycheck have anything to do with how they vote. Their oath to protect the constitution is the only thing in the end that matters.
It is difficult to get politicians to “Do The Right Thing.” To get them to “Take a Knee” knowing that they will lose their over-inflated paying career. Unlike some athletes, that takes real courage that is lacking in most politicians.
Agreed! ‘Do the right thing!’ Indeed! For whom! In a culture where all too many people have blind loyalty to ‘dopey don’ and his ego centric reason for being, ‘up is down and down is up’!
Do the right thing , for whom? Tragically, our elected politicians ‘the right thing’ is to get re-elected! A two year term in the House is useless, in the second year of the term raising re-election $$$ is the ONLY priority! Back in the day when the government was being formed, a two year term was a burden and a hardship to those elected Today it is a seat on the gravy train!!mThe length of the term should be 6 years and like the President limited to two terms.
Consider this since 1980, young people in America have witnessed a totally dysfunctional government! Led by ‘sainted’ Ronnie R, the grand cheerleader, their ‘government is the problem’ mantra has been repeated ad nauseum! The gop has worked steadily at proving that the. Government is the problem. Through their control of the federal budget programs essential for the commonweal of our fellow citizens have been starved for essential funds!
Tragically, the answer to do the right thing for whom is do what it takes to get re-elected!
Hey, Joan. What Syd says about being replaced by a Republican is something to consider for those two states.
If Sinema and Manchin block the necessary carve-out from filibuster of voting rights, it won't matter to the rest of us whether they stay in the Senate or not, because the radical right will have taken over the place.
I am not certain that Manchin is tethered to anyone except the corporate donors that finance his campaigns because the median income and education in W VA certainly can't support a major campaign.
Hey, Pamela. This is very true.
Lynell, there was also a good one about Sinema in Mother Jones, probably in early June.
Thanks, Grace. I'll see if I can find it.
High school brat acting out.
If only Schumer had Pelosi’s cojones!
Well said. Hers are made of steel....
Stainless Steel Ovaries.
Tough to agree with Schmidt, but I’m fearing he’s right. ❤️🤍💙
Excellently said.
Apparently there is a tête-à-tête going on between Clyburn and Manchin going on, if his comments on TRMS are sincere. Whether it will bear fruit remains to be seen, but it is a grain of hope.
Not sure where that would leave Sinema and her vote.
Sinema as the most powerful (controlling) woman in the Senate?
What irks me is that we hippies and campus radicals already saw this American brand of fascism coming down the pike in 1968 with the election of Richard Nixon, and we said so, vociferously.
Almost no one in media or politics believed us at the time, of course.
Our message back then -- that democracy might die in the US -- has been hanging in the air for more than 50 years, but the people who need to hear it still have their ears closed.
What has always bothered me about Democratic politicians is that they don't fight to win; they fight to avoid losing. That's a different mind set which results in reactive messaging, instead of proactive actions.
People gravitate to winners and unfortunately, too many partisan people on the right justify winning by any means. Democrats to their credit take the high road, but when your enemy doesn't play fair, then claiming the high road doesn't win the day. If the Democratic Party is to survive and more importantly our democratic republic, then the Democrats need to up their game and giving as good as their getting. Stop calling people who are defending an insurrection and attempting treason your friends or colleagues. These are the equivalent of terrorists and should be treated and prosecuted accordingly.
There needs to be a major reckoning in Congress! Every member of Congress took this oath:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.” That oath is unambiguous and there are ample examples of members who have disobeyed and forsworn their oath and they should be expelled from Congress.
We keep talking about how the Constitution has no teeth and that it's a guiding document. Well, there should be no ambivalence about the oath taken by members of Congress, and if they fulfilled their oath of office, the Constitution would stand strong! Democrats need to purge the House and Senate of terrorists and traitors. Even if they fail, patriotic Americans will back them to the end and I firmly believe that most Americans are patriotic, respect the Constitution, and support the Rule of Law. Yes, our slow demise has been going on for the last 50 years but we all need to treat this time as now or never.
It seems to me that right now Republican politicans are fighting with all their raggedy might and right to avoid losing. Every voter suppression law and vocal protection of the electoral college is because either they can’t win the presidency with the popular vote and they don’t want certain demographics to vote.
There is nothing to qualify that as proactive action unless you are deliberately subverting democracy.
I don’t know what you are talking about. Some things to think about:
Nancy Pelosi is a fighter and a winner. As is Liz Warren. AOC. Adam Schiff. Clyburn. And others. Lots of Democrats are fighters, and they win. Just not every time.
You may think that oath is unambiguous (personally, to me, it seems lofty and vague) but the Constitution is open to interpretation. Take religion, for one of many examples. Are Republicans who say that a baker who won’t bake a cake for a gay wedding following the Constitution? Do we have a Constitutional right to assault rifles? I’m not trying to open up debates about these issues. Just to point out that your statement that “most Americans respect the Constitution and support the Rule of Law” does not mean that most Americans agree on what the Constitution says or what the rule of law means.
There is no blanket mechanism for Democrats in Congress to just remove Republicans in Congress they deem traitors. Think that through for a second. Imagine the chaos, if there was. Voters decide who gets to serve in Congress. Congress can hold hearings (such as Pelosi’s Jan 6th commission). But they can’t just say “you’re fired” to some idiot like Josh Hawley or MT Greene, no matter how deserving. Their voters have to do that. If Democrats tried to fire MTG there’d probably be an armed protest by her followers.
Think about it. In the fight in Congress between Kevin McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi, who are you picking? I’m betting on Pelosi.
You could trim your comment down to "Democracy is hard to sustain and easy to destroy."
And with the built-in bias toward the slave states written into our Constitution, this is doubly true for democracy in the US.
Pretty well put for an old liberal.....
McCarthy isn’t a serious person either. But the point I think, is that there are quite a few ( fewer than there were, but still ) Dems who are just as beholden to the status quo as their GOP counterparts. And they’d better see the writing in the wall, since there is no status quo now.
@JR "I don’t know what you are talking about." Well, at least you're right about one thing!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Ralph, you are absolutely correct. The demise of Democracy has been a battle cry for those that protested in the 60's. Yet, here we are in 2021 and we are watching its final breaths . I do not blame the GOP for taking it away, we let them.
The burgeoning fascists hadn’t gone so far as to deny science at that point either. Nixon’s plan for healthcare would be called socialism now and his environmental initiatives would be called anti- religion these days.
In fact I do blame the GOP which, only a few years after the death of Abraham Lincoln, ran fast and hard away from the credo "All men are created equal."
The Constitution was drafted with an inherent bias in favor of the slave states. As a result of that bias, the Constitution made it easy for Republican politicians to abandon their principles. But no one forced them to become the amoral cowards we see in their party today.
Perhaps not, but this behavior and mantra has worked perfectly for the GOP. One other tactic they have used is that they are proficient at being proactive which leaves the Democrats as reactive. They have the upper hand on us Ralph.
I agree the Democrats spend far too much time being reactive rather than being proactive. I wish I knew why they act that way, and I wish they would change, and start proposing a lot of innovative ideas. So, yes, in that respect I agree that Democrats come up short.
Who do you mean by “we” when you say “we let them”?
The Democratic elite. The ones we put in office to sit with their hands on their collective asses and not listen to the will of the people.
The ones not listening to the will of the people are those that lose and attack viciously rather than accept with grace.
Dems are not listening either. We're shouting at them to stand up and push back on this attack and **crickets** from them. Biden is doing pretty well but he's not lit a fire under collective butts.
Both sides are tone deaf. This is why Democracy is fleeing us, rapidly.
I think one of the reasons is because we have become a very greedy materialistic society and we don’t want anything to get in the way of enjoying our rich lifestyles. We have become deaf dumb and blind for the most part. And everyone else is too busy working two or three jobs just trying to pay their taxes. It feels like a well thought out scheme.
Indeed!
“Are you on the side of truth or lies; fact or fiction; justice or injustice; democracy or autocracy?” Of course you are on the side of truth, fact, justice, and democracy.
In Heather’s video chat today (7/13/2021), she discussed the threats to our democratic process and noted that people ask her, “What can we do?”
Heather’s answer: “Make our voices heard…call your representatives…protesting in a nonviolent way…change the public conversation, like on Facebook, with your neighbor, in the newspapers…to change the way people think…step up, run for office.”
If you think you can stay kicked back in your comfy chair and pontificate about how evil the Repubs are and how the Dems should be doing this and that, then you are the proverbial frog in slowly boiling water. Stop being just a spectator. Sit up and do 2 things:
1. Reclaim the name PATRIOT!
2. Click on one of these links. It is really easy to DO SOMETHING TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD! If you have questions, just post it and we will help you!
https://americansofconscience.com/
www.commoncause.org
https://deadlinefordemocracy.org/
https://www.mobilize.us/
https://resist.bot/
https://5calls.org/
Other patriotic HCR Substackers can add to this list and offer tips.
Can donate money? Go for it!
https://blueprint.swingleft.org/
https://changetherules.org/
Still think, “Oh, someone else will.” Well, Heather has over 20,000 subscribers to Letters From An American. Watch how many “likes” or comments follow, calculate the percentage, and you will conclude that more people have to step up!
But write bloody physical letters, put them in an envelope, put a stamp on it and hope that the somewhat emasculated USPS can deliver them.
Paper cuts can be neutering.
More great organizations to put your belief in democracy, free and fair elections, social justice and equality to work:
https://indivisible.org/
https://www.lwv.org/
https://fairfight.com/
Thank you Fern!l
I am willing to donate money but I don’t know that it will be used effectively by the Democratic Party. I donated directly to my US Representative Elisa Slotkin but where else can I donate where I can be confident my donation won’t be frittered away or end up in someone’s pocket?
See Ellie Kona’s list just above. Also, I donate monthly to Stacey Abrams’ group Fair Fight: fairfight.com
When I donate I donate directly to the person not to the Democratic Party. That way I am assured that the money is going to the person and not the organization.
Indivisible.org is an exciting group of people with Washington insider experience who came together with one Goal: Fight the former guy. They became nationally known because of an online Guide, based on their DC experience. It is brilliant. Go to the website, cruise around, and if you like what you see, push the red button in the right upper corner. We don’t waste the money. The total assets in the treasury of my district group last month was less than $1,500. ALL volunteers. But I would much rather you join first, and if I have misled you you should banish me from this group. Their theme? “We beat Trump, now let’s save Democracy.” And they (we) mean it.
This was the first political group I have ever joined (also member of Fair Fight), and I have witnessed their incredible effectiveness. I had to write an essay and be passed by a committee back then, don’t know how they do it now. But hey, if they put up with ancient fossils like me on their rolls, I bet they’ll take you.
I joined the Las Vegas group way back when. I was very active and made some very special friends.
Sadly, my time to do things that I used to do is getting and less as my husband progresses.
I gave up donating to anything political other than my time about two years ago. I just can't get over how much money we give to these politicians, especially when we have children hungry and people homeless.
We need to get the money out of politics and back to the people.
Another thing, I hear people complain all the time about how bad out schools are and in the next breathe they complain about having to pay more to fund our schools.
But heck, we have a brand new stadium that I know a lot of locals here (myself included) will never set foot inside due to the the cost.
Sorry about your situation Beth. Caregiving can absorb everything you have to give. Thanks for all you have done, we'll take it from here, you take care of your husband.
Risking banishment, Gus? Not a chance, with Indivisible and Gus Koch on your side, Democracy and good cheer abound!
Good! Don't want the dungeon, don't want banishment!
Took a chance....
You can also donate directly to other races in other states - like the campaigns of other Democrats like Slotkin in competitive places.
My hair is on fire! 🔥 TX Dem legislators showing need for help. Where is Washington? Biden and Schumer? Where is their courage? Their leadership? Well-stated above thoughts. Thank you for listing. Just curious: Where are the HCR video chats? Listened to a few podcasts, but HCR solo writing is best. ❤️🤍💙
Deborah, you should be watching these! They're so good. As Lynell says, they are live on Facebook on Tuesdays at 4 pm (EST) on politics and Thursdays at 1 pm on history. Both are great! Even better, they are recorded, and you can access them on FB for a while afterward. Go to Heather's Facebook page and open the More menu to find Videos. Older video chats are available on her YouTube channel. Here is a link to yesterday's chat: https://www.facebook.com/100044557238708/videos/841118663447730
HCR does videos on FB on Tuesdays (4:00pm politics) and Thursdays (1:00pm history). Is that what you mean?
Brava Ellie! We need less ‘crystal ball gazing’ and more what can I do today! And in all the ‘today’s to come! We must be consistent in heralding the good that has been done with our governmental system! Don’t allow the sound bite ‘socialism’ to go unchallenged for example!
In each succeeding election we need more of ‘us’ than ‘the number of them’, especially in state elections.
Emily's List is another good one. You can support candidates in many states. www.emilyslist.org
This is our nation's second Civil War. I am most astounded by our US Supreme Court, regardless of or because it is a conservative majority, should be protecting our civil/voting rights as the core purpose of our US Constitution. Instead, they are giving space and opportunity for the "Big Lie" and every lie to flourish.
Once upon a time, when I was a Republican, the Republican Party advocated against passing new laws, claiming that we had enough laws, that they just had to be enforced. Today Republicans believe that we do not and cannot have enough laws to suit their purposes. Those and every law that they have advocated within recent time have been aimed at "others" while they as Donald Trump proposed "can shoot someone on 5th Avenue in broad daylight" and get away with it.
Arguing against mask wearing and refusing civid19 vaccines based on lies sure looks and smells like premeditated murder or at the very least manslaughter. Lying about the 2020 election sure looks like the greatest election fraud ever carried out in broad daylight.
I wish you would tell us what’s on your mind, David....
That is a big grateful Like!
Last summer, people throughout our nation protested systemic racism following the murder of George Floyd - along with several other awful and unjust killings. This summer, perhaps it’s time to protest corrupt and anti-democratic civil servants.
One of the Trumpian insights might be called a flood the zone strategy. If outrages perpetrated by his corrupt and anti-democratic faction are few, they can be easily targeted with protests. However, if Trump and his cronies, indeed his entire party, lie constantly, commit corrupt acts every day, and revel openly in their anti-democratic behavior, then there are so many acts and actors deserving protest that it is hard to target any one of them. And, we see the result of that approach to politics - an existential threat to our nation itself. Joe Biden is right to call that out, but even as he uses the power of his pulpit to condemn the Big Lie and anti-democratic initiatives launched all across our country, he has shied away from a full throated support of the use of Democrat's power to put a stop to it. He has a narrow governing majority for at least another year and a half. He has to know that a failure to use that majority will likely lead to its loss, and the loss of the democratic structures that have made the United States a great nation. And yet, our leaders still shy away from the muscular application of the power we have together. The Republican super-power is shamelessness. The Democratic super-power has to be unity to deliver justice and groceries. Making that happen requires both empathy and a warrior spirit. We have empathy in abundance, now let's see some warriors.
Yes, more "flooding the zone" should be addressed more aggressively. If all you state are lies, then how does one even begin? Dems are at extreme disadvantage because any little misstep stands out from the truths. GOP lies all blend into the background.
The president must realize the cordiality he experienced while a senator is long gone. Time for the long knives.
Long arms work well, too.
Bravo!
Empathy + warrior spirit… Both are stimulated when I consider my granddaughter.
Well said.
Yet protesting is becoming more and more dangerous due to the Kyle Rittenhouse's in the crowd.
And January 6.
Fuck Kyle Rittenhouse and all of his ilk!
Or as Firesign Theater would have more politely put it, 'Intercourse the Penguin'.
Look what happened to Katie porters garden discussion? People came in and threatened lives. It’s so scary right now. And that’s the way they want it, to suppress us
Always has been
Hey, in Florida you can legally drive into a crowd you disagree with.
It is very important that Biden spoke about how the R’s are grasping at all of their good ole Jim Crow “laws”. I wish, however, he would have addressed the need to pass the John Lewis Act. I personally want to give Mitch the big finger and abolish the filibuster. If only the Texas Dems can continue meeting with Manchin and put further pressure on him to change his mind. Can you imagine him doing that? That would blow the R’s right up but most importantly, stop Mitch dead in his little turtle tracks.
She's all "You're not the boss of me" to borrow a phrase. Being one of her constituents I am embarrassed by her actions as a Senator. And she does not seem to read my letters to her nor the calls to her office - which go to voice mail. I'm an independent voter and right now I'd take a moderate AZ Republican (looking at you Mr. Flake) over her in the next election.
Charlie, the post you responded to was deleted so I’m assuming you mean
Kyrsten Sinema. Please don’t even consider voting Republican. While Sinema is no help, she is essential to hold the majority. A place holder is better than loosing the Senate altogether. As my mom would say “ don’t cut off your nose to spite your face”. You’re lucky to have Mark Kelly at least.
Didn't Biden appoint Flake to an ambassadorship?
Yes. Ambassador to Turkey.
While Texas Gov. Abbott is a disgusting Repugnant Party fascist politician trying to destroy democracy, don’t forget our own racist piece of work, Gov. DeSantis who seems to be in a race to the bottom with Abbott. He also meddled with our voting laws here in Florida and I have yet to find out if I am going to have to stand in line at my polling place for the first time in decades.
I have been voting by mail-in ballot for years. I find it convenient and not rushed especially on those long 5-page or more ballots with many issues. Also, at 76, I have balance and back problems that make standing for a long time an uncomfortable & painful experience. The last time I went to my polling place was November 2018 to hold a sign campaigning against Ron DeSantis.
Also, this week we are seeing the racist implications of the “Anti-Riot” Law that the Repugnants made and DeSantis signed in April this year because of the Black Lives Matter Protests in 2020 (After George Floyd was murdered by the police) where the protestors angrily blocked an expressway here. Yesterday Cuban protestors blocked major expressways here and the new law calls for their arrest for “aggravated rioting” if they obstruct traffic, which they did for hours. The police did NADA. Fascists are not obliged to observe EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW. This selective non-enforcement looks a little racist and a lot hypocritical, which is the domain of the Repugnant Party.
I’m so flipping outraged about Desantis’s latest assault on public education using CARES money no less for his racist, pejorative edicts, I am beside myself. He ripped apart and vetoed planned civics literacy education after Heritage Foundation warned that “action civics” (designed to get students participating and involved in school and all levels of govt) would prompt students to attend protests rather than study. Now he and Comm Corcoran are rushing new civics program in development somehow to “be ready” for September. Eerily similar to whitewashed civics with roots in conservative media taught in far right based run charter schools in FL. Using CARES package $ to bonus teacher $3k for completing a program named by DeSanitize as “FL civic seal of excellence”. I relayed breaking news to several teacher associates of mine with congrats, Gov will be paying you to be in his racist civics club.
A friend sent me this video, so I forwarded it to everyone with my own message about Honest History:
Critical Race Theory is a big issue with Conservatives (AKA The Repugnant Party)
They know nothing about it but believe it is un-American and will "distort American History."
As for "distorting American History," nothing could be further from the Truth. Fact is, muct of the American History we have been fed is a Lie, and CRT would dispel much of that lie and give us a more accurate image of what America is about. (It ain't all spacious skies & amber waves of grain)
How many knew about the Oklahoma Massacre before this year? Even history grads did not. It's as if it were purposely neglected, along with the Tuskegee Experiments & Rosewood Massacre. All, United States Crimes Against Humanity. (Not counting our crimes against Native Americans)
When my generation who witnessed Segregation in the South, anti-miscegenation laws among all the Jim Crow laws then that too may be whitewashed over in mainstream education.
So, here is something else you may not know about American History of the Old West
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aREe23AL5I
Thanks Rob.
Rob!!!!!!!!!! I watched video. What in the world? African Native American women?
Seeing that I’m reading of it for the first time on an iPhone Mamés a statement of history books.
*makes
Nice comment, Rob. Hypocrisy is the most notable characteristic of the modern GOP. I wonder how many people on that side of the political spectrum have no idea -- or a wrong idea -- of what the word even means. How many, hearing themselves described as hypocrites, might respond "Damn right DEM-LIB MF!" All we need are unjust laws applied unfairly, another GOP specialty. Time for Biden and Schumer to lower the boom on Manchin and Sinema.
I feel that since hypocrisy is so engrained in the modern GOP, it has become a personality trait of which they see nothing wrong with it. Maybe even pride themselves on using it often. What I have noticed is that all GOP live by the mantra "don't do as I do, but do as I say."
"It’s time,” Frum said, “to start using the F-word.” The word he meant is “fascism.”
It's long past time. In today's Washington Post there is a fairly lengthy article about Tucker Carlson and his almost lifelong devotion promoting racism and division. As his influence grows his rhetoric becomes more hateful, inflammatory and alarming. The tactics Carlson uses are the same ones Trump used/uses to light the fires of discontent while fanning the flames day after day. Right now, Carlson is one of the right's most valuable assets; he comes off as polished, educated, and in the know so that he appeals to the moneyed conservative while his vulgar, base aspect appeals to a less articulate crowd. He is the total racist, fascist package. He knows it. Fox knows it. They'll support Carlson and his poison, regardless of his impact on our country, as long as the money continues to flow their way. All at our peril.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/tucker-carlson/2021/07/13/398fa720-dd9f-11eb-a501-0e69b5d012e5_story.html
Hi Daria and thank you for usual “Daria get to the point comment”.
I can’t stand that thin lipped ratcaster. I don’t even credit Carlson or Trump anymore with lying. That would credit them with self reflection on the truth which is requirement for telling the opposite…a lie. All they spew is bullsh*t…over and over and over. No evidence or truth needed whatsoever. They can make up bullsh*t and convince listeners they are not lying. It’s what the lawyers are getting in trouble for now…no proof, no evidence of fraud, etc. But a lawyer has legal obligation to evidence and proof. Ratcasters do not. It’s all “entertainment”. So Giuliani was a damn good master puppeteer. It was he who told Trump on election night…just go on air and SAY you won MI and PA. All bullsh*t. It’s always been like the air he breathes or wheezes for Trump to SAY what he WANTS his audience to lap up. He does not process or entertains “losing”. Hence the bs.
So I’m discarding the phrase “The Big Lie”. It’s now, for me, “The Big Sack of Bullsh*t”.
I’ve already emailed this little nugget of wisdom regarding “liar vs bullshiiter” that I found on TC’s blog from which I made my own conclusion to Comm Director for White House, Jen Psaki. I’ll let you know if I hear back, n’est se pas
Ha! Christine, I think you are spot on. It is a big sack of bullsh!t, well beyond lies. I sometimes think I can't read or watch another item of news.
Carlson and his followers are an excellent example of an echo chamber. Carlson is much like a rat in a Skinner box, spewing his trash and getting a great lift from the responses of his audience. That audience, in turn, experiences a great lift from having their expressions of support acknowledged and reinforced by the rat-in-chief. It is a never ending cycle of circular reinforcement.
That is a perfect description, John. Thanks!
And everyone with cable helps to pad their pockets. That's where most of the money comes from.
Also if I go to a store and faux is on, I ask them to change the channel, if they dont', well they lost my business.
Daria, I believe this is your best comment yet. Carlson is a very scary man.
Thanks, Gus. You're very kind. I do believe he is one of the most insidious and dangerous people in the US today. That he maintains high profile corporate sponsors indicates how far in the pit we've fallen. Cash is king, the people be damned.
There is a 4 season show on HBO called "The Lady and the Dale" about a woman who tried to take on the 'Big Three' in the auto industry. A journalist by the name of Dick Carlson went to great lengths to out her as trans, and successfully destroyed her career (not that her style of business was above reproach). Dick Carlson did pretty well for himself, though his son Tucker took misogyny and hate to whole new levels. Take a look at his millions that he made by spreading hate and fear. The wormy apple does not fall far.
Jon Stewart took him down quite a while ago, and the show Crossfire was taken off the air. The little weasel found himself a way back onto the airwaves with Fox News (sic).
Ooops, I mean a 4 episode show (one season).
I don't know that I can get HBO here in MX without paying for it, which I won't do.
Disgusting.
I just keep thinking that there must be a way to get him off the air? His hate & lies are so extreme.
Me too, Nancy. But as long as he is supported by corporate sponsors who pay Fox handsome sums to advertise during his air time he's not going anywhere.
Fox News is not funded by advertisers. That's why boycotting the advertisers makes little difference. They are funded by the the cable companies who pay hefty fees to make their particular brand of excrement available.
We all need to cancel our Cable or Satellite subscriptions in protest. I did and I can still find the news that I need. Most of it right here!!!
You're right. My bad. Fox should be "de-bundled" from cable packages.
https://patrickjkearney.wordpress.com/2021/07/07/dear-tucker-carlson/
Ha! That would be like taking Trump off Facebook and Twitter!
No more Fox!
I was surprised to see Tucker included in the CPAC poll of possible 2024 presidential candidates, among those who ranked at 1%.
That group of possible presidential candidates, the 1 Percenters, makes my skin crawl.
At last attention is turning towards the counting of the voting accessibility, voting process, vote counting and the certification in Republican States which can render null any "Abrams" effect.
Truly, Stuart. That’s the real issue: elections won’t matter, voting rights won’t matter, no amount of registered Dems will matter if state legislatures can overturn elections they don’t like. And that’s what they are trying to do. This is the main reason we need a national law.
THIS! If Republicans with the help of the Supreme Court can overturn legitimate election results the game is all over. Democrats must respond accordingly and attack with every tool at their disposal.
They can hold hearings about the 2020 election and expose the truth about the Big Lie. They also can reinvestigate Kavanaugh and Barrett. Those two did not get properly vetted when Republicans ran the confirmation process. They may not get removed but at least their legitimacy will be called into question in a very public way. What McConnell pulled off with Obama's appointment was an over-the-top unconstitutional powerplay. Time for Democrats to serve tit for tat. They need to be proactive!!
Yea, I think the rules in these pieces of legislation that take power to oversee elections from Secretaries of State are very dangerous. The GOP runs on the defense of the 2nd Amendment; Dems need to take protecting the 14th!
"...take up protecting..."
about time, IMO. There be danger.
As I read your word I’m also realizing today is July 14th and I’m thinking of my French friends celebrating their version of revolution celebration. Theirs was so much bloodier in my mind at least. However as I ponder our situation as a country and if we think about all of the mass shootings we’ve had over the last 20 years…the future is grim. And I’m an optimist. We have to protect our voting rights and defeat these repugs and do whatever we can to support Biden’s efforts. Prayers will go a long way too.
Croissants come first here in France today...breakfast of the stars! It would be a mistake to see the French Revolution as a revolution of the people; a revolt of the people was instrumentalized and included as an integral part of the strategy but in the end of the day their situation had improved little under the bloody dictatorship that was quickly imposed. The winners were the professional and entrepreneurial bourgeoisie who managed to throw off the shackles of the Aristocracy and the Catholic Church, increase their freedom of action and reduce their taxes. The people stayed where they were ...at the bottom and heavily taxed. More like the barons' Magna Carta and far from the peoples' Charter of the Forest.
Morning, Stuart!! Sounds very much like what lots of us ordinary people end up getting after we revolt.
But at least, as you say, croissants serve to soothe even we here in the U.S.!
Mornin Lynell— croissants are so yummm.
Mais, bien sûr! Bring on the croissants! 🇫🇷
Oui oui des croissants sont delicieux tous les jours—🥂
Ladies...go on with your bad selves!
Bonjour Stuart,
Thank you for that point well made. Enjoy your lucious croissants!
The mass shootings (matters of chagrin) and armed popular revolutions (matters of celebration) are part and parcel of the modern human experience. Just wait until the flood of climate refugees boil up to the ramparts.
We don’t even have to wait for that William—depending on whose ramparts.
We must stop appeasing slave-holders.
It is time, passed time, to get rid of the filibuster. It was created to empower slave-holders, and it continues to empower those who, rightly, see fair, honest, open elections as a threat to their political goals of sending us back to the plantation and the company town, all run by white Christian males.
Republican state efforts to suppress the Democratic vote must be snuffed by new federal regulations before the 2022 election. The filibuster must be gone for that to happen.
Good morning Ralph. Being carved perhaps? I’m looking forward to the platter of Republican senators having to defend their traitorous views right there at the podium instead of an absence that translates into the current filibuster.
Sharpen the Saw….Stephen Covey.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your work. You are one of so few brave enough to voice truth to power, and have resurrected the importance of history, so long denigrated by many. Sigh. I worry about you. I worry that you will <or have> become a target. Please keep safe!
I also worry, Heather is our most valuable resource.
Supporters of democracy in the United States are in a position where we cannot lose. And yet we might. I don't like the odds of that happening, and I am finding that I must think about what would be next, non-violent steps after an autocratic takeover. The Republican Party is dominated by its autocratic wing that will rule if it regains the presidency and will totally obstruct if it flips the Senate or the House. Already Republicans are succeeding in enforcing a Senate stalemate. Despite much study, I don't understand what motivates Joe Manchin or Kyrsten Sinema to withhold their power to save the country by ending or carving out the filibuster with a voting rights exception. What then? President Biden is directing the Department of Justice to fight a tidal wave of Republican state legislation to subvert free and fair elections. Such efforts will land on the steps of an originalist-stacked Supreme Court. I don't know what would be next other than reaching out to my conservative neighbors to explore each others' views and allegiances and challenge the autocratic wing.
If there's an autocratic takeover, non-violent steps will get you what the people of Myanmar are getting these days.
Indeed, the more liberal crowd needs to appreciate the 2nd Amendment belongs to them, as well.
That belief easily leads to the kinds of non-stop, out-of-control demonstrations that we had in Portland, which the Right uses to justify aggressive police and military responses to peaceful protest. We are not yet Myanmar.
Can we have nonstop, in control demonstrations please? These loud, brazen, minority nazis need to see the silent, seemingly asleep majority.
Will someone help me understand where our military fits into an autocratic takeover, please?
Hopefully, they fit where General Milley fit this past year, according to the stories about the end of Camp Runamuck that are now coming out. We owe him a sincere debt of thanks for standing up to El Blobbo del Mar A Lardo like he did and if the US military can stick to that, an authoritarian takeover won't be easy. However, for every Milley there really is a General Jack D. Ripper.
I’ll bet on Milley and the likes of him.
I'm stealing: "El Blobbo del Mar A Lardo." Perfect!
It's "open source." :-)
General Flynn will defend your precious bodily fluids from liberal corruption - lol!
I heard on some MSNBC podcast that those justice dept efforts will take years to get through the Supreme Court. I find myself thinking all the time about Germany and Nazis. I just read "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah, about Nazi occupied France. Will that be us? Will we have to form an underground resistance?
If you have truly conservative neighbors, and not extremists or radicalized folks, you have a plan.
Yes, I do, and I am reading organization psychologist Adam Grant's <i>Think again: The power of knowing what you don't know</i>, which has thorough coverage of how to have useful conversations with people who have a very different point of view.
Just listened to a 38 minute interview with him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbqqIYTHuwM, and my library has the book! Will check it out. Thanks!
WOW! Thank You!
Living Room Conversations also promotes people connecting across the political divide. https://livingroomconversations.org/
This is important........ Looking for the book.thank you.
Wow! Thamks!
Getting rid of the filibuster is a double edged sword. You and use it, and it can be used against you. If you don't have it, you can't use it. So the question becomes, what would happen if you don't have it and feel that you need it -- what can you do? The Texas State Senate Democrats seem to have used the exisiting quorum rules to create a filibuster. That's one option. Realizing that no filibuster could mean a see-saw effect where legislation takes on the same "permanance" as executive orders is worth considering. Playing out the possible ramifications of change is an important process. I hope they find a reasonable solution.
As I understand it, there are proposals to keep the filibuster but carve out exceptions and that this can be done for a single vote as well as for a category of legislation. This kind of approach is being discussed by James Clyburn, the Majority Whip in the House.
I'm not a coffee drinker, but I sure do like me a cup'o'Joe.
Gotta like that star buck!
I have that mug, from his first campaign! Just came in the mail, months after he lost.
A sad but very perceptive commentary about where the USA is headed (and if they go this way, so are a lot of countries).
https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/07/12/a-world-of-total-illusion-and-fantasy-an-interview-with-noam-chomsky/. (28 min video as well)
The video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8gXe6fejew&t=2s
Unfortunately, Stuart Scott (the producer) is dying of cancer - so there's a bit of an apologia for his input at the start). I strongly recommend everyone to watch this - it sets out the sad reality of what we are facing, and the other sad reality, that despite Biden's Roosevelt-ian ambitions, he is still a cold war warrior. Maybe it's a case of not letting the perfect get in the way of the good, but we have to realise that all is not wonderful in Camelot.
Who said anything about Camelot? That, I believe, was in the 60’s.
The year 760 in mythical England? Washington DC has never been Camelot neither under Kennedy/Johnson nor anyone else.
Oooo yes. Of course mythical England for those in the know.
Morning Stuart!
And I was referring to the myth of Camelot in 60’s Washington. Such a strange publicity staging that was.
Certainly that stunt does not reference here in 2021.
For heaven's sake! Fine, I was using Camelot somewhat ironically, which seem to be lost on folks. I'll bet no one will bother to watch this video presentation - maybe this group is becoming an echo chamber as well - that would be very (very) sad - but it seems to be the way.
I did read the Chomsky article, Hugh. And have seen him speak before.
Great! - and what he's saying is essentially what we are all saying - get out on the streets - clicking internet boxes is basically valueless - writing REAL PHYSICAL letters (ooh, how?) is worth vastly more, and actually physically confronting your elected officials works well too (leave the 4x2 with the nail in it, behind tho)
Big fan of Chomsky here. Thank you for posting the links! I hope to remember to take a look when I get home. I'm on a Counterpunch e-mail list also. But the time! It's hard to keep up.
Watched it. It’s worth the 28 minutes.
I very much appreciate the links and further info presented by folks
here......more education. Thanks. Not sure Bernies kids would get the Camelot reference though. Are they on this page?
I know several that read Letter every morning. Not commenters.
Thanks Danielle,Syd and Kathy for the feedback - one always wonders whether this information is of use - or just evaporates. And yes, Syd, there is so much information floating around (the good, bad and ugly) that it can eat your day!
Except maybe with Bernie Sanders and his raucous round table of 18-29 yr old young voters.
You surprise me Stuart.
I wasn't frankly taking your Camelot metaphore in any way other than you intended, Hugh. I do appreciate the irony. I've just been reading a lot of ancient British history lately...and do not think that history will be particularly kind to Kennedy.
Well, the Dems have just announced agreement on 3.5 trillion infrastructure bill. I'm thinking there is a lot of negotiating and talking going on. I anticipate congresscritter actions soon.