Thursday’s public hearing by the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol brought to its logical conclusion the story of Trump’s attempt to overturn our democracy. After four years of destroying democratic norms and gathering power into his own hands, the former president tried to overturn the will of the voters. Trump was attacking the fundamental concept on which this nation rests: that we have a right to consent to the government under which we live.
I will lay it as a failure of the nation's media... Biden's presidency to date has done a lot in correcting the foolishness of the trump years. But does one read about it in the daily paper? No. What makes headline is the polling of the 46th president... comparing it to the previous glorious leader. While trump thought kissing up to Kim Jong-un was historic, the work of bringing the NATO countries back together was actually good diplomacy. Will this goodness continue? It's going to be difficult as long as the Republican lawmakers are comfortable standing firmly against the firm will of the people. And the future with the November election coming... what with the the refusal of Republicans and Democratic senator Joe Manchin (WV) to get out of their self-serving mind-set and begin serving the people they represent November doesn't look good. Sad.
Thank you, HCR... keep telling it like it is... some of us are listening!
Biden is indeed a true American hero in the manner of a John Adams.
I will also say that Biden’s successful confirmation management for Clarence Thomas may stand as one of the worst Supreme Court confirmation outcomes in history.
Another unsung American is Fani Willis, of Georgia, who looks to be at the ready to prosecute Trump for his illegal and violent coup attempt.
It looks like Ms. Willis will take up the heavy lifting of enforcing the law in America where others shudder and shrink from that prospect.
"Whether it will be enough to prove that democracy is still a viable form of government is up to us."
At the risk of sounding like the bastard child of Cassandra and The Ancient Mariner, I have no hope of the Republican party - the cynical leadership who know better and the craven voters to whom I give the benefit of the doubt by saying that knowing is beyond them - and no hope of convincing leftish opposition voters to unite behind the Democratic party. Both groups are self blinkered and inertial in marching lock step into the abyss. Both march under the banner of 'apocalypse now' as though the body politic can submit to a baptism of fire and rise phoenix like from the ashes. While the world literally burns.
Enough of that. No party loyalist here, and left of Bernie and AOC, I'm knocking doors for Democratic candidates a couple of days a week. Please join me wherever you are and whenever you are able. No need to be hopeful. Just get the job done - and stay hydrated.
It's worth staying up late to read your commentary before I go to sleep, I think I rest a little easier, so thank you again, Dr. Richardson, for this. I appreciate that you wrote of Biden's accomplishments, I have read nothing but negative reviews on his presidency and I think it's very unfair. Is this coming from the GOP? Why are people trying to sabotage this man? I voted for him and I'm not sorry. I wonder if Merrick Garland's snail-paced investigation is playing into that. I tend to think it is. There's a lot of talk about his age, Biden will be 80 in November. Trump is 76 but clearly not of sound mind and physically, there is no comparison, Biden jogs every day.
As an outsider in the sense that I am from the land Down Under, that the events of and since January 6 have and continue to take place is beyond perplexing. The roots of these events are deep and can be traced back to America's Founders and the Constitution they produced. That states write the rules about who can vote etc in a national election is beyond comprehension. I have read many explanations of why this occurred, but at the end of the day, it is the Constitution that is the problem. That it is so revered across the political spectrum is also perplexing. It is, for many reasons, fundamentally flawed. In an ideal world it would be scrapped completely, but that won't happen, but another January 6 or something along those lines, almost certainly will. The land Down Under is no paradise, but our Trump-light Prime Minister lost an election a month or so ago and conceded it on the night, even though it was not clear that the opposition would win a majority in the Parliament. American could learn a lot from Australian election laws.
My husband said today that a simple explanation of Trump’s dismantling of democracy started with a tantrum he had over not getting a two gallon flush with his toilet. We are all now dealing and weeping with the authoritarian result of his battle against rules. The guy is an oxymoron. Ignores rules and laws made by others for common good, and insists on conformity to rules that disregard large chunks of the population. I’m really tired of the selfishness, meanness, and just crude behaviors.
Are we too tired to dream about giant billboards sprouting up all over America like wildflowers, informing Americans what President Biden and his administration have accomplished for them and for America? Or are trying to accomplish. And phone numbers for accessing some of these services. Keep it simple, Big Blue letters on a white background with a little red and our American Flag and the Statue of Liberty in the background. High school and College art and design Students collaborating to get it out fast. On the freeways and backroads. From my travels in other countries I have seen these billboards with slogans. They call it propaganda. America needs to wake up. Too many people aren’t connecting their blind trust in their repub reps to the reality of Fascism, And the end of Democracy and their dreams. Sleep on that.
Regarding GOP "(t)hey have embraced the idea that state legislatures should dominate our political system"....ah NOoooooooo! When California wanted its own gas mileage rules, when states sought more protection against Covid in schools, when states sought greater protections for the environment the GOP challenged undermined states and withheld Congressionally appropriated funds. What GOP is really about is autocracy. They sell it with labels like 'state's rights', freedom, Originalist but it is all a fraud! It is naked grabbing of power by a few contrary to the will of the many. Buying into their sales pitches like 'state's rights' and 'originalist' dignifies the indefensible.
Thank you, professor, for setting the record straight about President Biden. Never before has a president achieved so much under very trying circumstances and received so little credit.
I would add to the list of accomplishments the successful roll out of an aggressive vaccination program that saved countless lives. Perhaps my own.
Don't give up, Americans. It's exhausting, and despairing, but since I've gone back to dipping into WaPo to take the pulse of the comments column, I find that there's actually a huge groundswell of love and support where it's needed right now - for President Biden. He's pouring out his courage and life-experience, for the good of the nation, never flinching under the constant barrage. Yes, he's going on eighty, but he doesn't miss a thing. And listens to wise counsel. Not an orator? Is that how that vain 76-year-old failed would-be TV star and fraudulent "businessman" is described, an orator? And incidentally, what a bizarre spectacle, his attendance at the funeral of the woman who divorced him 20 years ago because of what he did and what he is!
Thank you Heather! You said what news columnists have not. Given the ratings that President Biden has been getting, Americans need to hear of ALL his accomplishments. What is going on within the press that they do not give him the positive coverage that he deserves?
Today's Letter indicts the Republican Party for the anti-democratic laws it has passed and positions it fosters as the Party turned against the consent of the governed. It is a very strong case to be put before the American people.
Alongside the indictment of the Republican Party, President Biden's defense of democracy and his commitment to the welfare of the American people were highlighted. The proof is in the pudding. The president demonstrated his support for families with his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan; unemployment has fallen to 3.6%, the cost of gasoline has come down and he signed the bipartisan FORMULA (which stands for “Fixing Our Regulatory Mayhem Upsetting Little Americans”— really!
There is bad news, however, about '... a deal between Russia and Ukraine with Turkey and the United Nations yesterday to enable Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and Russia to export grain and fertilizer to developing countries that were facing famine because of Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports.' (Letter)
'Russian missiles hit the Black Sea port of Odessa on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said, imperiling a deal Moscow and Kyiv reached a day earlier to allow shipment of millions of tons of trapped grain and ease a global food crisis.'
'The military command in southern Ukraine said two Kalibr cruise missiles hit the port’s infrastructure but not the grain silos in Odessa — one of the country’s largest and most important seaside trading cities.'
'A keystone of the deal is Russia’s promise not to attack Odessa and two other ports involved in the shipments. The deal includes security assurances for both Ukraine and Russia, which agreed not to “undertake any attacks against merchant vessels and other civilian vessels and port facilities” tied to the initiative.'
'Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey said the attack showed the deal with Russia wasn’t “even worth the signed paper,” while a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry official called it a “spit in the face” of the U.N. chief and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.'
“This proves only one thing: No matter what Russia says and promises, it will find ways not to implement it,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.' (WAPO) See gifted link below.
INTRANSIGENCE -- Putin's war against the world and the Republican Party's war against American Democracy and the American people.
Today's Letter ended with message to Americans. Whether '... democracy is still a viable form of government is up to us.'
Thank you for the great summary of all the good work President Biden is doing for us! I am so angry with the Republican radicals. What on earth is wrong with them???
Really, It boggles the mind that he doesn’t get more credit for his accomplishments!
I will lay it as a failure of the nation's media... Biden's presidency to date has done a lot in correcting the foolishness of the trump years. But does one read about it in the daily paper? No. What makes headline is the polling of the 46th president... comparing it to the previous glorious leader. While trump thought kissing up to Kim Jong-un was historic, the work of bringing the NATO countries back together was actually good diplomacy. Will this goodness continue? It's going to be difficult as long as the Republican lawmakers are comfortable standing firmly against the firm will of the people. And the future with the November election coming... what with the the refusal of Republicans and Democratic senator Joe Manchin (WV) to get out of their self-serving mind-set and begin serving the people they represent November doesn't look good. Sad.
Thank you, HCR... keep telling it like it is... some of us are listening!
Biden is indeed a true American hero in the manner of a John Adams.
I will also say that Biden’s successful confirmation management for Clarence Thomas may stand as one of the worst Supreme Court confirmation outcomes in history.
Another unsung American is Fani Willis, of Georgia, who looks to be at the ready to prosecute Trump for his illegal and violent coup attempt.
It looks like Ms. Willis will take up the heavy lifting of enforcing the law in America where others shudder and shrink from that prospect.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/23/us/politics/trump-georgia-election-interference.html?
Godspeed Ms. Willis. Thank you.
"Whether it will be enough to prove that democracy is still a viable form of government is up to us."
At the risk of sounding like the bastard child of Cassandra and The Ancient Mariner, I have no hope of the Republican party - the cynical leadership who know better and the craven voters to whom I give the benefit of the doubt by saying that knowing is beyond them - and no hope of convincing leftish opposition voters to unite behind the Democratic party. Both groups are self blinkered and inertial in marching lock step into the abyss. Both march under the banner of 'apocalypse now' as though the body politic can submit to a baptism of fire and rise phoenix like from the ashes. While the world literally burns.
Enough of that. No party loyalist here, and left of Bernie and AOC, I'm knocking doors for Democratic candidates a couple of days a week. Please join me wherever you are and whenever you are able. No need to be hopeful. Just get the job done - and stay hydrated.
It's worth staying up late to read your commentary before I go to sleep, I think I rest a little easier, so thank you again, Dr. Richardson, for this. I appreciate that you wrote of Biden's accomplishments, I have read nothing but negative reviews on his presidency and I think it's very unfair. Is this coming from the GOP? Why are people trying to sabotage this man? I voted for him and I'm not sorry. I wonder if Merrick Garland's snail-paced investigation is playing into that. I tend to think it is. There's a lot of talk about his age, Biden will be 80 in November. Trump is 76 but clearly not of sound mind and physically, there is no comparison, Biden jogs every day.
As an outsider in the sense that I am from the land Down Under, that the events of and since January 6 have and continue to take place is beyond perplexing. The roots of these events are deep and can be traced back to America's Founders and the Constitution they produced. That states write the rules about who can vote etc in a national election is beyond comprehension. I have read many explanations of why this occurred, but at the end of the day, it is the Constitution that is the problem. That it is so revered across the political spectrum is also perplexing. It is, for many reasons, fundamentally flawed. In an ideal world it would be scrapped completely, but that won't happen, but another January 6 or something along those lines, almost certainly will. The land Down Under is no paradise, but our Trump-light Prime Minister lost an election a month or so ago and conceded it on the night, even though it was not clear that the opposition would win a majority in the Parliament. American could learn a lot from Australian election laws.
My husband said today that a simple explanation of Trump’s dismantling of democracy started with a tantrum he had over not getting a two gallon flush with his toilet. We are all now dealing and weeping with the authoritarian result of his battle against rules. The guy is an oxymoron. Ignores rules and laws made by others for common good, and insists on conformity to rules that disregard large chunks of the population. I’m really tired of the selfishness, meanness, and just crude behaviors.
Are we too tired to dream about giant billboards sprouting up all over America like wildflowers, informing Americans what President Biden and his administration have accomplished for them and for America? Or are trying to accomplish. And phone numbers for accessing some of these services. Keep it simple, Big Blue letters on a white background with a little red and our American Flag and the Statue of Liberty in the background. High school and College art and design Students collaborating to get it out fast. On the freeways and backroads. From my travels in other countries I have seen these billboards with slogans. They call it propaganda. America needs to wake up. Too many people aren’t connecting their blind trust in their repub reps to the reality of Fascism, And the end of Democracy and their dreams. Sleep on that.
Regarding GOP "(t)hey have embraced the idea that state legislatures should dominate our political system"....ah NOoooooooo! When California wanted its own gas mileage rules, when states sought more protection against Covid in schools, when states sought greater protections for the environment the GOP challenged undermined states and withheld Congressionally appropriated funds. What GOP is really about is autocracy. They sell it with labels like 'state's rights', freedom, Originalist but it is all a fraud! It is naked grabbing of power by a few contrary to the will of the many. Buying into their sales pitches like 'state's rights' and 'originalist' dignifies the indefensible.
Thank you, professor, for setting the record straight about President Biden. Never before has a president achieved so much under very trying circumstances and received so little credit.
I would add to the list of accomplishments the successful roll out of an aggressive vaccination program that saved countless lives. Perhaps my own.
Thank you for restoring my hope and sanity each day.
Don't give up, Americans. It's exhausting, and despairing, but since I've gone back to dipping into WaPo to take the pulse of the comments column, I find that there's actually a huge groundswell of love and support where it's needed right now - for President Biden. He's pouring out his courage and life-experience, for the good of the nation, never flinching under the constant barrage. Yes, he's going on eighty, but he doesn't miss a thing. And listens to wise counsel. Not an orator? Is that how that vain 76-year-old failed would-be TV star and fraudulent "businessman" is described, an orator? And incidentally, what a bizarre spectacle, his attendance at the funeral of the woman who divorced him 20 years ago because of what he did and what he is!
Thank you Heather! You said what news columnists have not. Given the ratings that President Biden has been getting, Americans need to hear of ALL his accomplishments. What is going on within the press that they do not give him the positive coverage that he deserves?
Today's Letter indicts the Republican Party for the anti-democratic laws it has passed and positions it fosters as the Party turned against the consent of the governed. It is a very strong case to be put before the American people.
Alongside the indictment of the Republican Party, President Biden's defense of democracy and his commitment to the welfare of the American people were highlighted. The proof is in the pudding. The president demonstrated his support for families with his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan; unemployment has fallen to 3.6%, the cost of gasoline has come down and he signed the bipartisan FORMULA (which stands for “Fixing Our Regulatory Mayhem Upsetting Little Americans”— really!
There is bad news, however, about '... a deal between Russia and Ukraine with Turkey and the United Nations yesterday to enable Ukraine to export 22 million tons of grain and Russia to export grain and fertilizer to developing countries that were facing famine because of Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports.' (Letter)
'Russian missiles hit the Black Sea port of Odessa on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said, imperiling a deal Moscow and Kyiv reached a day earlier to allow shipment of millions of tons of trapped grain and ease a global food crisis.'
'The military command in southern Ukraine said two Kalibr cruise missiles hit the port’s infrastructure but not the grain silos in Odessa — one of the country’s largest and most important seaside trading cities.'
'A keystone of the deal is Russia’s promise not to attack Odessa and two other ports involved in the shipments. The deal includes security assurances for both Ukraine and Russia, which agreed not to “undertake any attacks against merchant vessels and other civilian vessels and port facilities” tied to the initiative.'
'Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey said the attack showed the deal with Russia wasn’t “even worth the signed paper,” while a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry official called it a “spit in the face” of the U.N. chief and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.'
“This proves only one thing: No matter what Russia says and promises, it will find ways not to implement it,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.' (WAPO) See gifted link below.
INTRANSIGENCE -- Putin's war against the world and the Republican Party's war against American Democracy and the American people.
Today's Letter ended with message to Americans. Whether '... democracy is still a viable form of government is up to us.'
https://wapo.st/3z6DagE
Thank you for the great summary of all the good work President Biden is doing for us! I am so angry with the Republican radicals. What on earth is wrong with them???
Thank you Heather.
As most always, there’s plenty to unpack.
And as most always, the last word offers a profound takeaway.
“Whether it will be enough to prove that democracy is still a viable form of government is up to us.”