On CNN this morning, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), a member of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, said: “New evidence is breaking every single day now. Suddenly, a lot of people want to tell the truth.”
All the attorneys who supported the plan of the former president should be permanently disbarred. I am going to pester the ABA, and ask everyone I know to do the same.
I have profound respect for Judge Luttig. Today, he clearly articulated what must happen in order for us to resume our journey towards a true democracy. Regardless of party, each of us must take the time to reflect on the importance of democracy and what we can do, as individuals, to restore sanity and thoughtfulness in politics and legislation.
Was Mike Pence a marionette (with strings) or a manikin as he quietly stood behind Trump in the White House for four years. It was easy to make fun of him, and as HCR pointed out in the Letter, he was no hero then.
Without dramatic music or strong commentary, we saw from footage during yesterday's House committee hearing how close Mike came to losing his life. The growing awareness of his peril, led me to think about the former president some more. We know Trump's sins and his ugliness, but yesterday it was a though I was watching him come close to murdering Pence. He would not have cared if that happened. We know all this, yet, still, as I watched Pence in hiding it was the void in Trump's conscience that stood out most to me.
I’m also concerned about the DOJ now wanting everything now. Even if they are finally ready for action, the information wouldn’t be so clearly presented to the public if the committee turned it over before they’re finished presenting and airing it. They have to be allowed to continue.
The January 6th Committee hearings have only become more specific and powerful as they drive unrelentingly to the conclusion that Donald Trump was and remains, a cancer on the nation, its political culture and its very foundation.
Yesterday’s witnesses were men whose political views differ significantly from my own, who careers are rooted in the Republican party , and in the case of the Greg Jacob, legal counsel to VP Pence, continued to work in the administration of Donald Trump until its final tragic end.
That said, Mr. Jacob’s testimony was clear and probative to the issue of Trump’s knowledge and intent (as well as that of key advisors) to proceed unlawfully to remain in power. But it was Judge Luttig whose grave demeanor spoke to the heart of every citizen who holds true to the idea – however flawed in its execution - of the great experiment of American Democracy.
His distress was evident in his every utterance – his sincerity of belief in the rule of law undeniable.
There can be no person of honest heart who was not moved by his words and by his warning that Donald Trump and his political minions present a real and ongoing threat to our form of government.
One can only hope those who embraced Donald Trump’s lies, will hear him and be moved to act accordingly.
The Proud Boys may still try to kill Mike Pence. His murder would have plunged our country into complete chaos. Who knows who else these fiends would have killed in defense of their “fever dreams” fueled by 45? Isn’t the power of the Republicans to block every vote in the Senate for any decent legislation for the American people, another form of hijacking our democracy? Mitch McConnell is as responsible for the failure of getting anything done, as was 45. Time to end the filibuster and abolish the Electoral College, a remnant of racism and white supremacist control of our election process. Let’s get the popular vote to determine our elections! And yes, Spooky Singer, disbar them all!
We're only halfway through the hearings and each successive one is more revealing, more jaw-dropping. Even barring new shocking disclosures and new witnesses coming forward, we know that all the way up to Trump, major unprecedented felonies were committed. In fact, as we already suspected, Trump orchestrated everything.
And who would have imagined that the Justice Department would be angrily demanding transcripts from the J6 Committee? Or that the wife of a Supreme Court Justice appears to be a pivotal player in the attempted coup?
Your summary of retired judge Luttig’s pronouncements was especially helpful. I was unable to watch the full hearing during the day and only heard excerpts later. If we can get his words out to the Trump supporter Masses, this could be very persuasive! Thank you!
Dan Rather's assessment of the hearing is worth everyone's time:
"The twists and turns to come will likely still force us to contemplate that which is now beyond the limits of our imagination. Yesterday’s hyperbole is tomorrow’s old news. One thing we can all be thankful for is that truth is being served and history will know that a president attacked his own country. What that means for the man or the nation remains to be seen. It can get worse, a lot worse. But that might also be the path by which we get better."
I bet if Congresswoman Cheney and I, an old queer, lefty pagan, sat down to compare notes we would find very little upon which to agree. But I swear she has garnered my utmost respect with her ability to articulate and guide the discussion and keep her aim steady and focused. Her ability to stand up to the stupidity of members of her own party is breathtaking.
She is demonstrating what bipartisanship is all about and she is an example for all Democrats, Republicans and Independents. She deserves our nations thanks.
I only hope that she is successful in making Trump obsolete and his followers forever shamed.
Powerfully written and thoughtfully researched , thank you! I had to watch later in the evening because of work, and Heather your recap encompassed a third hearing of the most important events in my American adult life.
The GASLIGHTING is getting hotter - the "wolves in sheeps clothing" are barring their teeth. The watch words for the Jan 6th Committee members to the American people should be - DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT THE TRUMPLICANS SAY, WATCH WHAT THEY DO. 🐺
All the attorneys who supported the plan of the former president should be permanently disbarred. I am going to pester the ABA, and ask everyone I know to do the same.
I have profound respect for Judge Luttig. Today, he clearly articulated what must happen in order for us to resume our journey towards a true democracy. Regardless of party, each of us must take the time to reflect on the importance of democracy and what we can do, as individuals, to restore sanity and thoughtfulness in politics and legislation.
Was Mike Pence a marionette (with strings) or a manikin as he quietly stood behind Trump in the White House for four years. It was easy to make fun of him, and as HCR pointed out in the Letter, he was no hero then.
Without dramatic music or strong commentary, we saw from footage during yesterday's House committee hearing how close Mike came to losing his life. The growing awareness of his peril, led me to think about the former president some more. We know Trump's sins and his ugliness, but yesterday it was a though I was watching him come close to murdering Pence. He would not have cared if that happened. We know all this, yet, still, as I watched Pence in hiding it was the void in Trump's conscience that stood out most to me.
I’m also concerned about the DOJ now wanting everything now. Even if they are finally ready for action, the information wouldn’t be so clearly presented to the public if the committee turned it over before they’re finished presenting and airing it. They have to be allowed to continue.
The January 6th Committee hearings have only become more specific and powerful as they drive unrelentingly to the conclusion that Donald Trump was and remains, a cancer on the nation, its political culture and its very foundation.
Yesterday’s witnesses were men whose political views differ significantly from my own, who careers are rooted in the Republican party , and in the case of the Greg Jacob, legal counsel to VP Pence, continued to work in the administration of Donald Trump until its final tragic end.
That said, Mr. Jacob’s testimony was clear and probative to the issue of Trump’s knowledge and intent (as well as that of key advisors) to proceed unlawfully to remain in power. But it was Judge Luttig whose grave demeanor spoke to the heart of every citizen who holds true to the idea – however flawed in its execution - of the great experiment of American Democracy.
His distress was evident in his every utterance – his sincerity of belief in the rule of law undeniable.
There can be no person of honest heart who was not moved by his words and by his warning that Donald Trump and his political minions present a real and ongoing threat to our form of government.
One can only hope those who embraced Donald Trump’s lies, will hear him and be moved to act accordingly.
The Proud Boys may still try to kill Mike Pence. His murder would have plunged our country into complete chaos. Who knows who else these fiends would have killed in defense of their “fever dreams” fueled by 45? Isn’t the power of the Republicans to block every vote in the Senate for any decent legislation for the American people, another form of hijacking our democracy? Mitch McConnell is as responsible for the failure of getting anything done, as was 45. Time to end the filibuster and abolish the Electoral College, a remnant of racism and white supremacist control of our election process. Let’s get the popular vote to determine our elections! And yes, Spooky Singer, disbar them all!
We're only halfway through the hearings and each successive one is more revealing, more jaw-dropping. Even barring new shocking disclosures and new witnesses coming forward, we know that all the way up to Trump, major unprecedented felonies were committed. In fact, as we already suspected, Trump orchestrated everything.
And who would have imagined that the Justice Department would be angrily demanding transcripts from the J6 Committee? Or that the wife of a Supreme Court Justice appears to be a pivotal player in the attempted coup?
Heather, another terrific post. The overflow of information and reaction(s) perfectly distilled. Thank you, thank you. Peace and Courage to All.
Your summary of retired judge Luttig’s pronouncements was especially helpful. I was unable to watch the full hearing during the day and only heard excerpts later. If we can get his words out to the Trump supporter Masses, this could be very persuasive! Thank you!
Dan Rather's assessment of the hearing is worth everyone's time:
"The twists and turns to come will likely still force us to contemplate that which is now beyond the limits of our imagination. Yesterday’s hyperbole is tomorrow’s old news. One thing we can all be thankful for is that truth is being served and history will know that a president attacked his own country. What that means for the man or the nation remains to be seen. It can get worse, a lot worse. But that might also be the path by which we get better."
https://steady.substack.com/p/the-more-we-learn?r=57fmo&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
And you know what Tucker Carlson was whining about today? The ban on menthol cigarettes! How pathetic!
I bet if Congresswoman Cheney and I, an old queer, lefty pagan, sat down to compare notes we would find very little upon which to agree. But I swear she has garnered my utmost respect with her ability to articulate and guide the discussion and keep her aim steady and focused. Her ability to stand up to the stupidity of members of her own party is breathtaking.
She is demonstrating what bipartisanship is all about and she is an example for all Democrats, Republicans and Independents. She deserves our nations thanks.
I only hope that she is successful in making Trump obsolete and his followers forever shamed.
I’m hoping that Judge Luttig’s closing remarks reach enough people to make a difference. https://youtu.be/tpKI12L1bEI
Powerfully written and thoughtfully researched , thank you! I had to watch later in the evening because of work, and Heather your recap encompassed a third hearing of the most important events in my American adult life.
The GASLIGHTING is getting hotter - the "wolves in sheeps clothing" are barring their teeth. The watch words for the Jan 6th Committee members to the American people should be - DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT THE TRUMPLICANS SAY, WATCH WHAT THEY DO. 🐺
Equal time? That’s too funny. All he has to
do is testify.