Today, America passed 150,000 deaths from the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, Covid-19. America has suffered more than a fifth of the world’s recorded deaths. At TalkingPointsMemo, Josh Marshall likened the U.S. to an abuse victim, its citizens unable to see just how badly we are suffering from the virus because we have come to think “catastrophe feels normal without grasping that in most other countries with a similar set of tools to the United States things really are close to normal.”
How is it possible that Trump can make so many decisions unilaterally, for example removing troops, withdrawing from WHO, etc, without approval from Congress?
I would really love to see Biden use the open letter sent to Trump, signed by Republican Members of Congress, as a campaign ad. No frills, not a lot of explanation needed. Just plaster it everywhere and show people Trump's traitorous nature. I do not understand how right wing, supposed patriots, countenance this man as president.
I think, now, he will do anything to inspire indignation in others. He's a spoiled brat who has been refused something. He's capable of announcing any senselessly destructive policy to enjoy the shocked headlines that he has the power to generate for all the people who "look down on him" and he despises. It's part of this "child's" revenge on the world and his perpetual pursuit of his fathers elusive approval.
I had a moment of “clarity” when reading today’s letter with regards to Putin. I believe that Putin has promised to make tRump a powerful “world leader”, with his help. tRump makes frequent calls to him to get instructions for his next move. tRump envisions a world where he and Putin rule together, side by side. What tRump doesn’t see is that, like the biblical parable of the snake, once he delivers everything that Putin needs to succeed, Putin will have no further need for him and will quickly cast him aside.
Stunned again by yet another series of events orchestrated by Trump to destroy this country and empower Russia. Rhetorical question but, HOW CAN ONE PRESIDENT have this kind of power to betray our country and its principles? Pulling our troops out of Germany, ignoring the pandemic crisis and rising death toll, revoking the anti-segregation housing rule, showing no leadership or care for the millions who have been economically impacted by covid-19, and the list goes on... heartbreaking and frightening. Our country's future looks bleak. And inexplicably, he supports Russia in all matters. So sad, how one corrupt man is allowed to get away with this.
Sigh...... All this tRump nonsense takes the air out of 150,000. I had a meltdown yesterday listening to a story of a 9 year old who died from Covid-19. How can the goon squad sit and let this happen? "We don't care" says it all, I guess. It's just a matter of time before those of us who do care will stand up and say "ENOUGH" I'm not sure we can wait until November to do that.
"They Refused to Wear Masks" should be the title of a book about the malignant soul of the Republican Party... AKA the Grand Old Plague. Fifty years ago, this group would have sprayed DDT on Bald Eagle nesting sites just to prove to themselves how mighty they were.
I heard the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on an old radio. He was talking about the philosophy and discipline of nonviolence. He said we are all complicit when we tolerate injustice. He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out. When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself. John Lews
It is past time for Democrats to start using the power of the purse to punish this administration and their policies. Not warning shots across the bow, but serious, attention commanding curtailments to Trump’s most precious programs and political appointees.
The overload of awfulness is a deliberate tactic. I keep going back to the early morning of the day after the 2016 election. I sat on the cold floor of my bathroom, not wanting to wake my husband. I checked Nate Silver‘a blog on my phone for confirmation of what I’d suspected before I took to my bed the night before, and cried. And it’s actually as bad - if not worse- than I actually imagined. Truly, truly grateful for your voice in the wilderness.
I’m not old enough to remember anything before Obama but like there’s no waaaay any of this would fly in any other generation! Insane if you think about the fact that other countries are literally waging psychological warfare on Americans through the Internet. There is no way that any significant number of Americans would accept the current reality unless they didn’t believe in that reality at all. This is really the beginning of the scary Internet age. I wonder if the United States being the first country to develop the Internet + the uniqueness of our free speech culture (and other factors) is what makes it so vulnerable for exploitation from other countries.
Today I received an election postcard in the mail that exhibited barely hidden antisemitism. Jim Linderman is the Republican running for re-election as Emmet County, Michigan, Prosecutor. His opponent, also a Republican, is Jewish. In my area of rural Michigan, we have few Democratic candidates even showing up on the ballot.
The card features a picture of a baby, with the words "Vote Life. Vote Christian Values. Vote Family. Vote Linderman." On the flip side, it says, "Jim Linderman, a Candidate for Emmet County Prosecuting Attorney is truly a CHRISTIAN" (emphasis in the original).
I have pointed this out on a Facebook post because I think in this area of the country, which is monocultural with few minorities, my neighbors and friends don't recognize antisemitism when it stares them right in the face.
I just don't understand how we got here so quickly. I feel like I've blinked and my world has changed. I expected this kind of thing from Trump and Trumpism, but "normal" Republicans? This is why their winner-take-all mentality is so dangerous. Once they've won, which they will blithely cheat to do, they become despots, and the people they rule have no idea what they are living under.
I have spent this week wrapped up in the back and forth decisions of my school district! We have to open our schools, or not get funding! Governor Abbott went against Attorney General Ken Paxton, and TEA Mike Morath to say each district could make their decisions on going virtual. And Monday Paxton and Morath said no schools have to open to get the economy going. Teachers and children are pawns in this struggle and I’m afraid of the impending outcome. Worried for my own health and safety! These politicians that won’t meet in person are requiring me to be around 715 children a week! So I really appreciate this, Heather, for wrapping my head around the bigger problems! I hear it all, but can’t take it in and translate it especially right now! Thank you! 💙
How is it possible that Trump can make so many decisions unilaterally, for example removing troops, withdrawing from WHO, etc, without approval from Congress?
I would really love to see Biden use the open letter sent to Trump, signed by Republican Members of Congress, as a campaign ad. No frills, not a lot of explanation needed. Just plaster it everywhere and show people Trump's traitorous nature. I do not understand how right wing, supposed patriots, countenance this man as president.
I think, now, he will do anything to inspire indignation in others. He's a spoiled brat who has been refused something. He's capable of announcing any senselessly destructive policy to enjoy the shocked headlines that he has the power to generate for all the people who "look down on him" and he despises. It's part of this "child's" revenge on the world and his perpetual pursuit of his fathers elusive approval.
I had a moment of “clarity” when reading today’s letter with regards to Putin. I believe that Putin has promised to make tRump a powerful “world leader”, with his help. tRump makes frequent calls to him to get instructions for his next move. tRump envisions a world where he and Putin rule together, side by side. What tRump doesn’t see is that, like the biblical parable of the snake, once he delivers everything that Putin needs to succeed, Putin will have no further need for him and will quickly cast him aside.
If there was any question remaining about Trump’s fidelity to Putin, it’s gone now. Where are the Republicans who could stop this country’s ruin?
Stunned again by yet another series of events orchestrated by Trump to destroy this country and empower Russia. Rhetorical question but, HOW CAN ONE PRESIDENT have this kind of power to betray our country and its principles? Pulling our troops out of Germany, ignoring the pandemic crisis and rising death toll, revoking the anti-segregation housing rule, showing no leadership or care for the millions who have been economically impacted by covid-19, and the list goes on... heartbreaking and frightening. Our country's future looks bleak. And inexplicably, he supports Russia in all matters. So sad, how one corrupt man is allowed to get away with this.
Sigh...... All this tRump nonsense takes the air out of 150,000. I had a meltdown yesterday listening to a story of a 9 year old who died from Covid-19. How can the goon squad sit and let this happen? "We don't care" says it all, I guess. It's just a matter of time before those of us who do care will stand up and say "ENOUGH" I'm not sure we can wait until November to do that.
"They Refused to Wear Masks" should be the title of a book about the malignant soul of the Republican Party... AKA the Grand Old Plague. Fifty years ago, this group would have sprayed DDT on Bald Eagle nesting sites just to prove to themselves how mighty they were.
Heather's column today-- that the Republicans have lowered the bar below the Willie Horton ad in every media possible-- is frightening. I went to directly to read John Lewi's last opinion piece published in the NYT https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/opinion/john-lewis-civil-rights-america.html.
Let not read Heather and John and weep. Lets do something. Citizen's Against Racism in Campaigns.
I heard the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on an old radio. He was talking about the philosophy and discipline of nonviolence. He said we are all complicit when we tolerate injustice. He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out. When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself. John Lews
It is past time for Democrats to start using the power of the purse to punish this administration and their policies. Not warning shots across the bow, but serious, attention commanding curtailments to Trump’s most precious programs and political appointees.
The overload of awfulness is a deliberate tactic. I keep going back to the early morning of the day after the 2016 election. I sat on the cold floor of my bathroom, not wanting to wake my husband. I checked Nate Silver‘a blog on my phone for confirmation of what I’d suspected before I took to my bed the night before, and cried. And it’s actually as bad - if not worse- than I actually imagined. Truly, truly grateful for your voice in the wilderness.
Well, we have been expecting this..... And here it is....
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/509738-trump-suggests-delaying-election
I’m not old enough to remember anything before Obama but like there’s no waaaay any of this would fly in any other generation! Insane if you think about the fact that other countries are literally waging psychological warfare on Americans through the Internet. There is no way that any significant number of Americans would accept the current reality unless they didn’t believe in that reality at all. This is really the beginning of the scary Internet age. I wonder if the United States being the first country to develop the Internet + the uniqueness of our free speech culture (and other factors) is what makes it so vulnerable for exploitation from other countries.
Today I received an election postcard in the mail that exhibited barely hidden antisemitism. Jim Linderman is the Republican running for re-election as Emmet County, Michigan, Prosecutor. His opponent, also a Republican, is Jewish. In my area of rural Michigan, we have few Democratic candidates even showing up on the ballot.
The card features a picture of a baby, with the words "Vote Life. Vote Christian Values. Vote Family. Vote Linderman." On the flip side, it says, "Jim Linderman, a Candidate for Emmet County Prosecuting Attorney is truly a CHRISTIAN" (emphasis in the original).
I have pointed this out on a Facebook post because I think in this area of the country, which is monocultural with few minorities, my neighbors and friends don't recognize antisemitism when it stares them right in the face.
I just don't understand how we got here so quickly. I feel like I've blinked and my world has changed. I expected this kind of thing from Trump and Trumpism, but "normal" Republicans? This is why their winner-take-all mentality is so dangerous. Once they've won, which they will blithely cheat to do, they become despots, and the people they rule have no idea what they are living under.
I'm losing hope that we can change this....
I have spent this week wrapped up in the back and forth decisions of my school district! We have to open our schools, or not get funding! Governor Abbott went against Attorney General Ken Paxton, and TEA Mike Morath to say each district could make their decisions on going virtual. And Monday Paxton and Morath said no schools have to open to get the economy going. Teachers and children are pawns in this struggle and I’m afraid of the impending outcome. Worried for my own health and safety! These politicians that won’t meet in person are requiring me to be around 715 children a week! So I really appreciate this, Heather, for wrapping my head around the bigger problems! I hear it all, but can’t take it in and translate it especially right now! Thank you! 💙