113 Comments

Dear HCR Letter Readers,

Anyone see poor Heather repeatedly sweltering in what she said was 100 degree heat during her video talk today? Some comments suggested a GoFundMe account to get her a fan. Problem is, the beneficiary has to be willing to accept the funds. And having Mainer ancestry, I can attest to the firmly entrenched trait of Yankee stubbornness to support my bottom dollar bet that dear Heather would decline.

However, what if there were a subtle surge in gift subscriptions to HCR Letters from an American? A nice quiet Dyson fan at $300, divided by 60 subscriptions for $5 a month? Or 6 subscriptions for $50 a year? Or some combination thereof? Win-win-win for your gift subscription recipient, for Heather's sustenance, and for our ongoing political illumination!

Dear Heather,

Many readers advocate for your self-care. How about a nice quiet Dyson fan (not an endorsement--just a suggestion for starters) to get you through those rare but suffocatingly hot Maine summer days when you are stuck inside a little room, sweating in your unwavering commitment to a one hour video talk to spread the word for the preservation of American democracy!

Your dedicated readers would be tickled to see proof of purchase, and a fan would certainly help dissipate any heat-related distraction from a cool, clear-headed thinking enterprise!

Suggested with kindest regards!

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As an Ohioan living just south of Jim Jordan's gerrymandered district, i PARTICULARLY appreciate your description of this alleged congressman's tactics and behavior. He embarrasses us every time he opens his mouth. Thank you for your accurate representation!

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I was determined to watch the entire hearing and it was very difficult. I wish the Democrats would spend more effort on taking oxygen out of the room as you put it. It felt like the Republicans put energy into preparing while the Democrats just showed up. It was educational to watch but not for the reasons I’d hoped. There is compelling footage of peaceful demonstrators being attacked and federal police dressed like military just in from Afghanistan, and it seems like a huge opportunity untaken that none of it made it into the record of the hearing. Not to mention not pressing Barr on why his police are dressed up in military uniforms that has outraged military leadership.

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I am not sure how Democrats counter and evil force like barr. They are still holding on to civility with people who don't deserve it. There needs to be a new generation of Democrats who will use everything in their power to fight Republicans and not capitulate.

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Time indeed for everyone to stand up and be counted in the defense of the people, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence...and to act to ensure the freedoms that they guarantee and the future the country.

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“umbrella man” was caught on video smashing windows near the site of Floyd’s murder, starting a wave of fires and looting. He is allegedly a 32-year-old member of the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang.

Didn’t President Trump say the bikers were with him...Yes here it is March 2019. https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/03/14/trump-breitbart-interview-tough-supporters-cortes-boykin-burnett-ebof-vpx.cnn

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A couple years ago I attended a Dorothea Lange exhibit at the Oakland Art Museum. I expected to see the famous photos but the real treasure was the education I got in FDR’s recognition that his New Deal would fail unless he could communicate it to the common voter. His use of art, especially photography, was a central and strategic part of doing that. Today’s Democrats have forgotten that, outside of a few exceptions like AOC.

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I couldn't watch the "show" yesterday. bArr has done nothing but lie since the hearings to approve his nomination. I think he should be disbarred for his lying and behavior as the "nations lawyer." It continues to amaze me that there are daily violations of our constitutional rights perpetrated by the tRump goon squad. I just hope we can hold things together long enough to sweep the swamp in Nov. And, that bArr says he will leave office if tRump is not re-elected is a joke, because he'll be replaced immediately. And then, hopefully, will find himself in jail!

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Reading through these comments makes me think I watched a different hearing - did no one see Representative Pramila Jayapal's (D-WA) calling-out of Barr? While I agree that the Democrats need a unified message and often come with the knife to the gunfight, Jayapal makes me proud, always, to the one.

In addition, the idea that we are "stooping" to the level of the Republicans when combating their blatantly racist, systematic and unflinching bulldozing through what we thought was a near iron-clad democracy is nothing short of dangerous in and of itself. The idea that we are of higher moral character and must practice meeting people half-way is an invalid construct. One does not meet murderers and racists "half-way." These are perilous times and while we debate nuances, people, mostly Black people, are being ravaged by Covid-19; they and POC, Indigenous people, and all other marginalized folks are suffering from the unending ravages wrought by systemic oppression. Those who are not fighting back against the present-day architects like Barr, Cruz, Jordan, and McConnell (the list goes on) are in essence complicit.

Unified and loud is what we need to be - defunding of the police, protesting, calling on our representatives at all levels of government - and championing those who are willing to literally put their lives on the line (AOC being one of them).

As Rep. Jayapal so adeptly pointed out, white supremacists not only stormed the state capitol in Michigan but also threatened to behead the governor with NO consequence, yet those who are protesting in cities like Portland, Minneapolis, NYC, Seattle in support of Black Lives Matter are being met by federally sponsored thugs in rented mini vans who are beating, pepper spraying, shooting with rubber bullets and grabbing protesters off the street. We're, nor Congress, aren't even certain as to where these people are coming from - and they are being sent in by the guy who holds the highest position in law enforcement. Does that not laser focus the issue more clearly?

Barr, Trump, and all the rest of his cronies are laying concrete plans on how to stay in power by any means necessary, including ignoring the results of the upcoming election. They are making that very, very clear. The quick creation of a militia in order to squelch the "anarchists and mayhem" both legitimizes and normalizes the existence of this force that answers to them (and not the US Military) and only a few months prior to November's looming election. They are worried, very, that it's not going to go their way. The real question is not whether Democrats are playing nice or stooping, but how we are going to usher this administration out of the White House without lighting the match next to the powder keg that is the logical next step - dictatorship.

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After watching the PBS Frontline piece, "United States of Conspiracy", aired last night, I wonder how Barr will finesse his support of Roger Stone? Anyone who's paid attention to politics since Nixon, of course, is familiar with just how legitimate Stone is. But what really rattled my cage was seeing just how bat-*hit crazy Alex Jones is. Of course, I knew he was a conspiracy theorist to the max, and had been sued by one of the Sandy Hook dads (rightly so), and perpetuated the Pizzagate BS, but he's way crazier than I realized. And is followers, many of whom are probably my neighbors, are even more rabid, apparently, if that's possible. And around here, they are armed to the teeth. I hear automatic weapons fire every weekend 360 degrees around my rural home. (I often wonder how these folks can afford to blow through so much ammo every weekend; obviously, they are re-loaders.)

Watching clips of Barr's testimony (like Pam Peterson, I couldn't watch the whole thing - my gag reflex isn't that strong), I am more convinced than ever that should Trump lose, he not only won't go peacefully, but his base won't let him. They will, quite literally, defend him to the death. My question is, "Whose?"

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I also watched part of the hearing. While I agree that Barr was not only evasive, but also contradicted parts of his confirmation testimony, I was upset that Rep. Pramila Jayapal did not give him the opportunity to answer some of her accusations. She asked a question and then interrupted him with another question before he got more than ten words out. I think she was more keen to make her points in her allotted time than to hear his responses, which was a shame.

As for Jim Jordan, I find the man despicable and wonder how his constituency can put up with a representative so bombastic and unpleasant.

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I think we all would have liked the Dems to ask more follow-up questions and not let him—again—get away with obfuscation. Yes, the best part of the hearing was Rep. Pramila Jayapal. The worst, again, was Jim Jordan's bombast.

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Posted this as a "reply" a minute ago, but decided to repost on the main thread. Hope this is ok. (Thanks for your calm voice, Heather)

I agree Democrats should not sink to the Rep level (Jim Jordan is at the bottom of the ladder). However, the Democrats excell at not being able to get a succinct message out there (listen to Schumer sometime; just flat and complex sentences). They should have had a strong counter message, not just questions with lying answers, at the hearing. Yes, how about a counter video. Where is an articulate NATIONAL VOICE that consistently calls out Trump/Trumpster lies in such a way that the national media report it every day? There needs to be a constant drumbeat---I don't think the Dems understand that. We are NOT dealing with a rational or honest president, and you can say the same of McConnell and the whole bunch of enablers. Reasoned argument will no do the job. Read Greg Palast on RSN on election hijacking. Coming to a precinct near you. Sorry to be in a rant mood this morning, but that's the way it is. Perilous times on all fronts. Peace and Courage

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My sister lives in Portland where she said the protesting groups had dropped significantly in numbers until the DHS troops arrived. What she has been surprised about (she moved from Arizona) is the number of older Americans that have taken up standing on street corners there with Black Lives Matter signs. The sheer diversity of current protestors is pretty amazing. But what is disheartening is my feeling that things are being falsely stirred up by white supremacists like the man with the umbrella and hammer in Minnesota. Troops were sent in for graffiti and a political video it seems. The only cure it seems is to overwhelmingly vote Trump out.

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I hate to say this, but I can’t watch these official government hearings anymore. Republicans trounced Democrats again. I don’t know how they do it. We need more strong, smart, people like AOC, Katie Porter, etc.

I honestly think we’re going to end up having to exact change by force, which is a problem, because those who don’t want tolerance, fairness, and equality know they’re backing us into a corner and have prepared. Clearly Law Enforcement prefers Trump’s & Barr’s world view, and we have the highly weaponized militia, & bikers gangs, etc. I don’t think we’d win.

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"Committee Republicans cheered Barr on."

Was this a committee hearing or a sporting event? I guess we can always count on infantile behavior from the Republicans on this committee. When are they going to grow up and take their jobs seriously?

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