After Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced this weekend that he would not support either the For the People voting act or an attempt to break the filibuster for a voting measure, but would work to get bipartisan agreement on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, today Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pulled the rug out from under him.
Welcome to our beautiful state. May we begin to oust those who’ve long exploited her with stewards who will protect her fragile environment and restore honor in leadership.
Look, everybody, I am trying to do my day job, then I make the mistake of reading Heather's letter. Then I compound it by seeing what the first comments are, made worse by delving deeper into the views of this eclectic group. And in next to no time I have lost a good 30 minutes of precious working time. There is much wisdom seeping through these pages, and then there are cars, Chardonnay and cucumber sandwiches. Thanks everyone for enlightening me but please be more boring in future so that I can get back to work more easily.
I have developed a pattern that works for me. I arise earlier than "normal" and get a jump on my day by starting with LFAA. I budget an hour (with a half hour buffer zone) for reading the letter and the comments. My enjoyment of my first (and second, and sometimes third) cup of coffee is greatly enhanced by the LFAA community.
Aye, Linda, cheerio! "Keep calm and carry on" and all that rot! Speaking of rot, is "rotgut" not whiskey? If I could handle more than three sips, it would be a preferable hydration to caffeine whilst dealing with the seditious shenanigans.
Good morning Penelope! Exactly correct , rotgut is a whiskey term of sort. Stay clear of that ! There are days when coffee is just not enough. A nice Pino Grigio will do. Besides, it could easily past for ginger ale in a pinch.....😁
I often read the letter in the morning on my phone (in bed with a cup of coffee brought to me by my early-rising, enabling spouse, yet!), then do my morning chores (while drinking cup #2) before sitting in front of my laptop to read comments with a third cup of coffee. Then, I leave the page up throughout the day to revisit with subsequent cups of coffee. Since I'm now retired and we make our coffee with half decaff (in order to be able to withstand the multiple pots we drink daily), I can make my daily dose of Heather and friends last all day, some days.
I know! I do occasionally brew the coffee and bring him a cup, but he's an early to bed, early to riser, while I'm more of a night owl - plus, he doesn't like to drink coffee in bed. But yes, he is an excellent spouse.
I don't get the attraction to tea, and I love good coffee more than any food item I ingest, as well as coffee house atmosphere. As a Bostonian, I like to joke that the colonists threw the tea into the harbor because they found it so inferior to coffee.
Despite all that, if it makes you even half as happy as coffee makes me, you should keep drinking the tea, and don't let my (hopefully humorous) derision bother you in the least!
You obviously have not tasted proper tea! One has to wonder whether, if coffee beans had instead been thrown into Boston Harbour, the course of history might have been altered and you would have remained our colony. Personally I run on dual fuel - tea and coffee depending on the time of day, so covering all bases (or arses [asses to you - I keep forgetting my American])
I prefer the word "derriere" for the sexually attractive body part that evolved so that H. sapiens could run. Both arse and ass deny any beauty. And regarding English vs. American more generally, I find much English charming--like "dust bin lorries".
I actually have some pretty decent tea at my house, which I keep mostly for guests who prefer it, although I drink it on exceptionally rare occasion. Its an Earl Grey from a fine merchant on Cape Cod, the Atlantic Spice Co.
In taking both tea and coffee regularly, I suspect you're exceptional. Most people I know take one or the other--and probably at least four out of five take coffee.
But I have to say that I have always found American tea pretty insipid, not unlike gnats's pee. I would agree so long as it is strong English breakfast tea.
My British husband would have agreed completely with you. We had to bring boxes of tea back here from every trip to the UK. Then, all family members knew to bring loads more when they visited! Now that he sailed into the sunset, I have enough left to have a giant party in the Boston harbor!
Good to know that there are still some things the Brits are good for. We have a similar issue with chocolate. Stepdaughter #1 is a doctor in Melbourne and we have to keep her supplied with British chocolate as the Australian version is inferior!
Of course the Brits have terrible taste in tea, it goes without saying that a country that prefers a blend of inferior bottom-of-the-barrel swill like Fortnum & Mason's will not have an excellent relationship to tea.
I get my single estate Darjeeling either direct from India, from a local Seattle merchant, or from Upton Tea in Boston. Now I sound like a real tea snob, which I probably am!
You haven't lived until you've tasted a good first-flush Darjeeling.
That is interesting. I am able to drink my espressos con leche by using Barista brand oat milk instead of regular milk (much less added sugar than others; I don't know if the others would work or not). I suspect that the oat milk is somewhat basic, and I think the regular milk is slightly acidic. Anyway, it's worked well for me for a number of months, and brought much happiness since my espressos are more important to me than any single food item.
Before I gave up dairy, I enjoyed my daily lattes at my favorite University District coffeehouse. Since I can't really digest milk anymore, I seldom drink lattes - because it seems the non-dairy alternatives are always sweetened - and I can't stand even a hint of sugar with my beloved coffee. So now I've reverted to black drip French or Italian roast, fresh-ground beans. If I have coffee from one of the local baristas with skill at leaving a gorgeous crema on top, I'll have an 8 oz doppio americano. (And though I keep trying to love tea, too, even watching multiple videos by Brits explaining how to make a good cuppa, it just cannot measure up to a cup of Joe.)
You're making me nostalgic for my home of early childhood. I remember fondly the probably long-gone Kelly's barbecue, but the last U District coffeehouse I ever went to--summer of '75 when I spent three weeks there before bicycling to Boston--the Last Exit to Brooklyn--was not very good. (Luckily at that stage of my life, I wasn't that picky.)
I did have excellent espresso in Seattle at I forget which coffee house--might have been Vivace--in the summers of '12 and '15.
I do highly recommend the Barista oat milk. Very little sugar or sweetness. Some taste, but despite my incredible pickiness about my coffee, I got used to it very quickly. Some coffee houses offer it.
Yeah, the Last Exit was not excellent at making coffee - but it was a popular hangout for board gamers (chess, etc.), art students, and theater geeks. My favorite has always been the Allegro, in the alley around the corner from Magus Books. My favorite routine as a student was to grab a cheap paperback at Magus, eat a slice of pizza on the Ave, then head around to the alley for coffee and studying at Allegro. The one winter I spent in Boston some time in the late 80's, I had trouble finding a barista who met my pickily high standards. (I was a pain in the butt, I'm sure.)
Barista brand oat milk (which has less added sugar than other brands) does that for me in my espresso au lait but it's good to know about the baking soda.
Glad I'm sitting in a parking lot waiting for my husband to get out of knee surgery. The time is flying by and thinking cucumber sandwiches for lunch would be delicious 🙃
Yes, I sometimes think, why am I not getting anything done? I waste so much time on LFAA. Then I remember that I am part of a coalition learning about our world and saving our democracy. That is not a waste of anyone's time!! That is pure dedication to our country and keeping one another sane whilst we do that.
Richard you and TPJ are both brilliant. Just this one post of yours, about precious worktime being squandered, is proof positive. A complete delight to read.
I think I have encountered more brilliant people in this one location than the rest of my life combined. Probably by a factor of 10. Likely that is a very conservative and misleading estimate.
That's very kind of you Roland and a nice boost in an otherwise unpromising day. I think you're wrong but I'll let it pass this time. There are a lot of brilliant people in this group who leave my poor old brain standing and swirling next to the North Sea! I just try to introduce the occasional piece of levity from this side of the pond!
I am so tired of the emotional blackmail being perpetuated on the American people by a few people who don't deserve the name "politician". These people are not politicians. What they are after is power, not the process of decision-making that politics is supposed to be about. This pattern of stripping dignity from not only the process but those we interact with has been seeping through all our interactions. It is poisoning not just our ability to seek solutions, but even the foundations on which we try to build that "more perfect union". If we the people keep adopting the demeaning manners and rhetoric, there will be nothing left to make working on worthwhile. I'm tired of the name-calling, the questioning of motives, the snarky comments that are replacing the spirited and thoughtful discussions. I'm sad. And I'm feeling sickened. I am a natural optimist, and I do believe that if we keep focused on the potential of democracy we will not only save it, we will strengthen it. But we have fallen into the trap that the Trump republicans set and that the McConnell republicans have coopted to use to manipulate us.
I disagree with one sentence- actually one word in your letter tonight, Heather. You wrote "To say there is no threat to the voting rights law is delusional." McConnell is not delusional. He knows full well what he is saying, and it is an attempt (yet another) to manipulate us into his trap of controlling how we respond. We jump right into it, and weaken our ability to work together.
I have come to appreciate the people here, and some I truly cherish. But I need people who are putting their energy into making things change.
I've spent the last week following indigenous women who are standing up against power. Listening to discussions among people who are giving me ways of looking at what is going on that show how to meet it head on. Listening to poets, watching artists turn their art toward peaceful protest. Watching old people speak out, and young people join them. I am too.
Washington DC is not the only game, and I think focusing overmuch on it makes us miss the things that are going on all over our country (and in others, including Canada) where people are questioning and standing against this negative way of responding. Biden has been in office for less than 6 months and already there are intellectual wanna-bes looking for ways to sound as if they are too sophisticated to stand up and support him.
If all we can do is form a circle around Biden with our letters and comments so he and Harris can keep going until we can breathe a bit more easily, then that's what we do. Those who can do more, do more but please try to stay out of each other's way. There is room for multitudes of kinds of action. Act with fierceness and dedication, but act with kindness. And act locally: pay attention to what's going on in your state and in your city or county. Fight.
Don't give up and become like the people who are trying to trip us up.
Things may improve for tribal people because Deb Haaland got elected to Congress and then appointed to Interior. And she’s pretty fierce, having gone up against some really ingrained prejudice. We may as well be praying for rain like the Utah legislature if magical thinking is our strategy. I’m not advocating for becoming lying hypocrites like the current GOP but good grief, bullies need to get smacked down sometimes.
Absolutely Annie. Find a worthy cause, preferably close to home, and put your heart and soul into it. There are many paths to a more just world, just pick one.
Hearing that Val Demings just announced her campaign for Senate in Florida has clarified my path. A singular focus will be energizing.
Bipartisanship is like the mirage of an oasis in the Sahara. Why Democrats, including the president, at this point don't accept this fact and act accordingly is beyond baffling. Pass a big, bold infrastructure plan under reconciliation and let the country see what Democrats can deliver and go from there. Tamping down the pandemic and beginning to rebuild the nation's infrastructure are the only sure bets to deliver votes, helping to win Senate and House seats in 2022. The rest is just theater. Manchin and Sinema will never budge on the filibuster. They don't care about voting rights.
I don’t understand why they won’t change the filibuster back to the marathon monologue that it was, for which Manchin has said he would vote yea. Make it harder at the very least.
Michael I agree with you but unfortunately, Manchin and Sinema won't vote for the infrastructure bill in any form unless they have their fingers deep in the pie. This does not derive from legislative wisdom or a concern for their constituents. It derives from a personal titillating delight in the unexpected level of power they now wield. Continuing to pay attention to them is a perverse incentive for them to continue to obstruct. However, they are necessary to the process because of the past failures of the Dems to actually prosecute their case and secure local and federal representation in the wake of Repugnican takeover of the grassroots and of local politics. So Biden and Harris are over a particularly bizarre barrel, one that the DNC had a hand in making when it decided not to push against the expansion of the autocratic right wing in legislative races it decided it would lose "anyway." If they had exercised even a modicum of energy in pursuing seats in state legislatures, as well as House and Senate seats, that were not shoe-ins 20 years ago, not only would we have a workable majority today--because state legislatures would be configured differently--we would have the supportive underpinnings of a strong federal government that could combat the Forces of Evil that now manipulate everything.
Like charity, activism and political effectiveness begins at home.
Hi Michael, it’s sad that I had to scroll this far down to see anyone call out congressional democrats for playing Charlie Brown to a republican Lucy that keeps yanking the football away just before he can kick it. Although, more infuriating is that democrats not fighting ferociously for actual bipartisanly (voter-wise) popular legislation has much more to do with being corrupted by the same corporate donors that drive the ruthless, heartless McConnell and the other Rs who are different only in the sense that they care even less about how their corruption looks to the rest of us.
Dear me! Whatever happened to the Maginot line? De Gaulle was one of the few French Tank Commanders and with very few machines that actually moved to count on.
We must realize that we have bipartisanship/multi-partisanship (don't forget the Independents and Libertarians, and all the other small parties) across the People of this nation. Like the 79% of West Virginians who support the For the People Act. The politicians like Senator Manchin, Senate Minority Leader McConnell and almost all the Republicans are nothing but obstructionists who are focused only on power and money. They are representatives of Koch and the like and the Russian Oligarchs. These are the only "constituents" they obey. They do not represent the People. The People must stand together to win this battle for the democratic soul of America. The People, all of them, must speak. Re-elect No One.
And the Koch coalition has been playing this long game for over 30 years. For details see Jeff Sharlet’s The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, Harper, 2008.
A very tough read, then a terrifying realization for me and my sister thst one of her highschool pals is among the the "holiest of holies" in The Family. He was such a nice state senstor when I lobbied him decades ago. Criminy.
I'm trying to figure that out myself. In the past if there is enough of a movement involving great numbers of people, it has been enough to sway the politicians. Now the politicians are ignoring the people.
There is nothing like 10 million people peacefully taking to the streets in Washington DC to "encourage the GOP to rethink their opposition to necessary Dem measures especially if 1 million more do the same in SF, LA, NYC, Chicago, Houston, Denver, Atlanta and Miami......and if they all did it every week until the recalcitrant Senators finally understand....and the people triumphed.
The vote is not the only way to "scare the pants off" McConnell and make them fade away. I'm sure that dedicated, coordinated work by serious investigative journalists could spill the beans on GOP sleaze. It's time to resuscitate McClure's Muckrakers and splash their financial, racial, personal and other illegal, anti-social iniquities all over the face of the world's media and in the headlines of local news. Then the DOJ can pick them off one by one to the great satisfaction of everyone concerned. We need 20 more Gaetz... pedophile, sex trafficer and thieving, lying scoundrel....investigations. More ressources for the FBI!That shouldn't be hard to find to get at those around McC!
The women's march in January 2017 brought out 10's of millions of peaceful protesters in cities around the world. It was a definitely a feel good day (and it was only one day) and changed nothing. mcconnell and the rest of the republican criminal cabal could care less. The democrat leadership, the DOJ, and every other institution needs to stop pandering to these low lifes, get going on indictments and use every arrow in the (legal) quiver to play hardball and cut the stranglehold of a few senators from irrelevant states who are holding the rest of the country hostage. The dems need to seize the moment with air time and media coverage and not let up. One cannot come to a "gunfight with a knife".
Actually there was a significant after effect from the Women’s March. Many young women were inspired to get into politics. Organizations that gathered names and did follow up found new members. Not enough, but, let’s acknowledge small wins too.
Thank you. I was there with my daughter. The inspiration has been measurable. The right has directed the conversation for far too long. We need a succinct counter to guns and abortion.
Former PBS employee here laughing my socks off at this one. Fortunately, I think Dems are learning to lock and load. We need to make calls, send letters, be fierce in defense of democracy. I am already engaged for 2022 elections. Lots to do. Lets be unrelentingly active together! We the People. All of us this time.
We need to keep the pressure up by continuing the marches. One march is not enough-- most of those old, white patriarchs are rather deaf. We need to provide direct pressure on these bleeding wounds of our democracy. Comrade Mitch hates certain monikers-- if there are rallies, it is time for marches and protests to be much louder and consistent.
What Stuart said. There is a couple of Pulitzer Prizes in here for some crackerjack investigative reporters. Indeed the pen (and keyboard today) is mightier than the sword.
Yes. I’ve been reading the work of young journalists and authors rising. I find their viewpoints refreshing…even when their age is evident. However, what is not different from me is they are stern and diligent about the truth and like me, can feel the immediacy of the current political climate. Their disdain is quite evident. And there is no having to convince them about inequality and systemic racism. They are not having it.
What ever happened to the investigation into Elaine Chao's misuse of her office? the House and Senate's "guided tours" prior to the insurrection? Are these still being investigated, or just buried?
Yes!! I am waiting for indictments! And what about the legislator whose panic button was disabled in her office? I heard about that in a couple of different forums. I don’t know if it was really true for sure but if so, that is calculated and vicious.
My first was in London in '69 against the Vietnam war and it has been a little lackadaisical ever since. It might not always get you instantly where you want to go but it helps build the pressure. Seeing a million people on the streets is very impressive, i assure you.
It's always a lot easier to contemplate such action when one isn't dealing with generational transitions in the family. We are about finished with my mother-in-law.
Hi Anne. cheerio is speaking for me. It’s not about money, it’s about time commitment. I have a full-time job, I can’t just get away to go to demonstrations. I drive 2000 miles a week. When I take a vacation, I need the downtime. As soon as I retire, which isn’t all that far away, that all changes
There are demonstrations every week somewhere. You can afford to fly? Surely a little research will reveal something going on close to home where your presence will have more impact. I'm going to try to get to Minnesota for the big anti-pipeline protest later this month, sponsored by the Water Protectors. We need lots of people. Come join us
I can’t really afford to fly. But I want to bring my kids to some of these events. I will always regret not taking them out of preschool and elementary school for Barack Obama’s inauguration. Even if they didn’t understand the historical importance of his inauguration at the time they would have always remembered how important it was to me and my husband.
Bla bla bla. Stop the fake wrestling match and get some work done Schumer. Pass the bill in pieces if necessary. Use reconciliation or reform the filibuster or twist arms. Get done what you can - quickly.
I completely agree. Easy dark money, hubris, and more than enough opportunity have lured many a politician to his (usually a "his") doom. The gawkers at Gaetz's nude pics are probably among that lot. There's certainly more than one way to change the math for 2022 and it's by changing the math BEFORE 2022.
When TFG was "in office" (I use that euphemistically since he was never actually "working" as one might expect in an "office" and was on the golf course or in front of the TV for most of his four years) I began to notice a strange phenomenon occurring with his sycophants - their faces began to "melt" before our very eyes. I attributed it to a modern day version of the Pinocchio effect - the more they lied, the more melting seemed to occur. Now, I wonder if that was caused also by drugs or alcohol in addition to spending lots of sleepless nights with their newfound demons. The mafia boss, with the able assistance of his favorite son-in-law, no doubt acquired SCADS of iniquities on those folks and if he was able to do it so efficiently, the FBI should have no trouble at all unearthing the many secrets these obstructionists are holding close.
Your comment about male weakness is completely on target, imo. That’s why I was a little flummoxed by the Jill Stein comment. I had totally forgotten that she met with Putin. So you know she’s worthless. But she is the exception. Over on Greg Olear’s page, you can read all about them, and the every detail of the male politicians in America who kiss Putin‘s ass. After they take his money
Thank you for your kindness. I just got unexpectedly slammed by a "new" subscriber who either misunderstood my post or took the opportunity to APPEAR to misundstand (I gave her several opportunities) before I realized who I was dealing with. I thank you most sincerely for that awareness.
This morning I'm thinking how to get these "representatives" to heel. Is there any way to sanction them. Freeze their money. Not just their petty Congressional salaries but their millions. That might get their attention, but don't know how that would get implemented. How about "No representation without taxation." How about a People's Suffrage movement? Half the population fought for the right to vote a hundred years ago. They weren't "given" the vote. They demanded it. We need the entire population, the People, to fight for true universal suffrage. Talk about "Stop the Steal" of democracy. We need People Power! Power to the People! Power of the People. Congress is in contempt of the Constitution by not acting for the People! Ideas? Implementation methods?
I really like the People's Suffrage Movement and Stop of Steal of Democracy! I propose we all write to our Congress people today and tell them to Stop the Steal of Democracy.
I see every Republican opposed to HR1 or S1 as a treasonous criminal who should be locked up for life for trying to throw out our constitution and overthrow our government. This is way beyond partisan politics. This is theft and war, invasion by Russia and stolen by American corporate oligarchs. Yes, sanction them, freeze their money, take away their Twitter accounts. LOCK THEM UP.
It's tempting to say "Vote them out," but "follow the money," might be a more immediate measure. I do believe that so many members of (alas, both parties) Congress are in fealty to large corporations. Exposing their relationship to the corporations they seek to protect might be the key.
I think HCR used the most appropriate (and polite) term available when she used, "delusional," to describes Mr. McConnell's position on the events of the day. It is, indeed, rich, for him...now...to declare that the age/time of bipartisanship is, "over." I'm not sure what planet he normally resides on, but that is an adverb that has not applied nor been seen in DC for a long time (as we all know). It seems to me as I watch various old white Republicans make sound-bite statements, that they are simply without any other options other than to retreat back to their position they had with President Obama: we simply don't support anything you (Dems) do. I would point out, too, that their resistance is always based on money and where it comes from and rarely on principle, but there always seems to be an underlying current that they will always object to anything that seeks to elevate the marginalized in America...draw your own conclusions on that one...
HCR has been good (and consistent) in pointing out that EVERYTHING that has come down the pike in this administration's agenda has been supported, in some case overwhelmingly so, by a majority OF THE COUNTRY. How the good Senator from Kentucky can continue in his rhetoric about how there is, "no problem," and that everything is fine is, unquestionably, delusional. Sadly: all of them speak, nay, SHOUT to their base that they are correct in their thinking and position(s) but it is clear that they are shouting at an increasingly diminishing group of AMERICANS. It is truly sad that the Country WILL move on (apparently with their supporters clinging to fantasies and false promises) without them. As the ProPublica piece indicates, this Country is truly subsidizing millionaires, even billionaires, at the expense of the rest (the 90+%) and thus, what has the Repulican party done for rest, lately? (you don't have to answer)
While I am a 50 yo white male who would love to be on capital hill helping shape the future, I sadly see people like Mr. Manchin trying to split the baby or at worst enjoy his moment of power and relevance by saying, "no." It begs the old question of, "with friends like this who needs enemies?" I would do better and he should do better. Mr. Manchin should recognize that there is a very small window that the Country has (through its legislative process and current representational position) to make some serious and needed changes to the way it does its electoral business. Very. Narrow. And much depends on it. Much. Depends. On. It.
I sincerely hope the Good Senator from West Virginia takes a big cup of Wake UP and realizes that his, dare I say, "delusional," objections to making this electoral process right are going to place him on the wrong side of history if not the immediate trajectory of the Country.
As always, thank you HCR for all you do and that you have continued to do so. Your hosting this platform and informing the conversation is, to me, critical. Many blessings.
Roland~ mucho gusto and many thanks. I want you and others to know that I used that appellation for Mr. McConnell out of respect for the office, not the person. There are evil people in this Country and, let's not mince words here: they are racist. I will go on record saying that Mr. McConnell is such a person and is dangerous as a result of his ascendance to his position of power. Based on his comments of late, the only thing missing is a white hood.
To be sure, someone is "here" monitoring this open forum and that is ok. If Mitch has a good explanation for his objection to expanding (nee, honoring) voters' rights, he has this forum and many others to do so. Explain please!
Until such time I am comfortable calling his position on S1: racist.
“I used that appellation for Mr. McConnell out of respect for the office, not the person.”
Mr. Kantrud, you are a wise, wise man, and I welcome your arrival here in this community.
*Welcome*
By the way, we have a long history here of naming (generally white) racist, (male) sexist, and other similar behavior when we see it. I myself have posted many many times about the death of the Republican Party, and the linked gradual demise of the old social order, the order of racism, sexism, genderism (straights come first), moneyism (rich people before not-rich people), et al.
Every long-time member of this community, before the recent influx of international observers, is in complete agreement with you that the only thing missing in Mitch’s press conferences is the white sheets.
Why does McConnell hold any power? Why can’t he give it up and fade away! He’s done more to undermine democracy than anyone else ever. He always stands in the way of progress and bipartisanship. I only see him as a traitor. There’s so much hope and then enters Moscow Mitch!
Ya think maybe the voting in certain states ie Kentucky and South Carolina might be “rigged”? Seems everything these guys accuse others of is exactly what they are doing.
Agreed. More people voted than live in certain counties of Kentucky. And they used different voting machines than the ones that Trump and company claimed were rigged.
Why do these old rich white guys stay on when they could retire and go play golf or relax on their yachts? They bring out the worst in me. Waiting for some evil people to be smote. Hoping I don’t get smote for my own reactions to them.
They stay on because they love the game. And they know how to play to win. And they will play as dirty as they have to to stay in power. And why not? There have been no repercussions to their behavior. In fact just the opposite. They’ve been rewarded with reelection and the ability to obstruct anything by filibustering. They don’t care about their constituents nor their “legacy” only their current position of power and winning, which is apparently defined as denying anything “the other side” wants.
Denise he’ll just be replaced by some other loser. They are lining up to take his place. Opportunists. Look at the House. Kevin McCarthy. What a completely worthless wind sock, about as spineless as they get, blows around just like a wind sock with every political breeze and with every donor’s and benefactor’s smile or frown. A complete and total embarrassment to California. These are not real people, people with character and spine and integrity. The Kremlin can’t get real people into its back pocket, only dish rags. No offense, Peter, but you can only buy people who are weak.
"Blaming the Democrats for advancing what he calls “partisan” bills, McConnell pointed to the equal pay act as a sign that the "era of bipartisanship is over.” - McConnell is delusional. The era of bipartisanship has not existed since he has been Majority/Minority leader
But Harry Reid was the first to use the Nuclear Option over federal judges. That lead to McConnell expanding it to cover the Supreme Court as well. We all know how that turned out.
Obstruction by the minority party is the norm in the House and Senate so what we are seeing today comes at no surprise.
Weren’t the Dems happy to have the filibuster to stop Trumps legislation ?
Also, I rarely hear mentioned WHY Harry Reid did that. It was a last resort in the face of relentless obstruction by the R's, who were more than happy to grind government to a dead stop under Democratic leadership, so come election time they could have a campaign talking point of do-nothing Democrats. Reid was desperate to accomplish something, anything.
Harry himself is pretty tattered these days. My point is that McC had a similarly oriented predecessor and the particular politics of either wasn't as important as the behavior. Not everything is posed in partisan terms and one should be careful about making assumptions of other people's political views.
I make no assumption about other people's political views. My point is that many of my Conservative friends do bring up Reid when in discussion about the filibuster-- it is their "what about" herring instead of having the conversation about the actual issue using the filibuster prevents and whether preventing debate and discussion of the merits of a bill in an effort to gain political points degrades or contaminates our government, ultimately making compromise and solving the problems of our nation an executive order or Court decision solution-- basically ceding the power and function of the Congress to the other branches of government.
I can think of several pejorative terms to describe Mitch McConnell, “vile” comes to mind most often, but delusional he is not. Joe Manchin fits the description rather well if he continues to believe there is any chance of bipartisan support for any congressional initiative that might make the Democrats look good in 2022.
I don’t think Joe Manchin really thinks there is much bipartisanship in the Senate to be had. He is using the hunt for bipartisanship as a cover so he doesn’t have vote on difficult issues. He is not fighting for the voters of WV, but for the Koch network. Bipartisanship does exist for the For the People Act, just not in the Senate.
Democrats need a Koch network of their own. Someone so powerful, they can control and even the playing field. Not that I really mean this(as such power is not good), but something/someone who could show Republicans we are not to be discarded, which is what I feel like they are doing now even more so after being empowered by Trump and friends.
My father fought in Nam as a Green Beret. He said we were losing because the US followed normal fighting protocols while the North Vietnamese used gorilla warfare. Dems don’t have to be evil but they need to put on their big boy/girl pants and stop believing and hoping that things will get better. This has wasted precious time, which is exactly what Mitch wants.
While we’re on the topic of how to lose a war, and I might be stretching a bit here, but I see a parallel between the North Vietnamese Army win in Vietnam and the Republican strategy. The NVA won simply by not losing. The leaders of North Vietnam knew that, like the British in the American Revolutionary War, the US would eventually get tied and go home. At this juncture Republicans are playing the long game; they win not by allowing popular Democratic programs to become law. They don’t have to propose anything, they only need to drag out “negotiations” and fight on procedural process. (BTW: read the Wiki entry on the history of the filibuster). We can discuss the shortsighted strategies of apparently dim and corrupt politicians until we are blue in the face. But the way to surest way to succeed at this game is to actually WIN seats in state and federal offices. The Democrats need a long game, and they need to put as much effort into gaining seats as on current skirmishes.
Oh so much more effort than that! Time to really get down into the "trenchs" and engage bayonets for the charge. Up and at 'em again and again till the seats are taken. At least the GOP have seriously underlined the imporant lesson that local seats can give power. I trust that the Dems have understood now.
Morning, Stuart!! Just voted yesterday in VA Dem's primary for up coming election for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General. Had a discussion with a past delegate who lamented the Dems' penchant to sit on their laurels after a big win. Just as you say, Stuart, "Up and at 'em again and again"!
A positive press release - 'It don't mean a thing, If it ain't got that swing'
We need short term wins as well. A good enough Jobs Plan and an expanded John Lewis Voting Rights Act would go a long way. The American people are looking for competence and results.
They knew what they were fighting for and used whatever ressources they could muster to fight for their lives. I hesitate to say "fight for their freedom" as that didn't seem to be on the cards then any more than now. When you get into a war you have to know why you are doing it, how you are going to win it and what you want to do with the victory thereafter. Hence the "debacles" of Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq etc The US has lost sight of all 3 since Korea....and even then.....perhaps since 1945.
Yes, one can quibble over the words. "fight for their independence" would be more accurate and to the people on that side I have had the privilege of interviewing "fighting for the freedom to be independent" is more accurate yet. One of the things I found that I took as hopeful while researching my coming Vietnam book "The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" was that many of the Naval Aviators have gotten to know their "opposite numbers" they flew against, and friendships and visits to each others' homes have happened.
As to Korea, one of the vets I interviewed for "MiG Alley" told me he knew it was all worthwhile the first time he saw a photo from space of Asia at night: all lit up except for one dark hole with no light - North Korea. As he put it "Looking at the Korean peninsula at night from up there, it's easy to see who won."
Or rather, it's easy to see who lost - the North Korean people, who were plunged into a nightmarish world where the Kim family starves the common people they are growing fat on. One of the most sickening sights of the former guy's foreign visits was to see him and Kim together fawning over one another. Two of a kind (and TFG is still hoping to become our own Dear Leader).
Good point. The war won includes the peace achieved least a new war emerge when the devastation is replaced by ordinary or the next generation does not achieve historical memory. I think one of the most important combinations following WWII was that of aid in rebuilding the vanquished, prosecution of those who advanced anti-humanitarian goals of the Nazi's, and intergeneralatioanry education and memorials to the victims of fascism. When the generals leave, diplomats, institutions of good purpose help restore the decency and humanity of defeated people.
If you aren't willing to bring a gun to a gunfight, and recognize The Enemy as The Enemy when you see them acting like The Enemy, then go back to munching cucumber sandwiches and swilling Chardonnay in your Saab somewhere else.
Hmm. The cucumber sandwich sounds good, but I’ve never liked wine, liquor for me on the rare occasions I partake, nor does the Saab sound appealing. I drive a pick-up truck. Sometime back I owned a ‘68 Mustang convertible, black over red, original interior that was deteriorating but I didn’t care, which I wouldn’t mind getting back but too late for that. Everybody has the one car that got away, for my dearest friend (female) it was a cherry red Plymouth Valiant, slant 6. Nothing Swedish for me.
I had a Dodge 150, slant six, and a Plymouth wagon, slant six. Bulletproof engines. Any good MOPAR mechanic could recognize them by their sound, and they would give you a little TLC,
Had a slant six engine myself, but don't remember the make. It got totaled by a drunk driver while it was parked on a street. We actually sold it for more than what we owed on it. Best car ever.
Had an old Saab in ‘78. Best damn snow drift jumping car I’ve ever known. Man I miss that car. Cucumber sandwiches sound like a nice snack, but I’m not so sure about the chardonnay choice. BTW, none of the above prevents one from putting up a good fight—whatever the terrain or weapons required. What say we pull together and focus on what matters, the protection of our democracy.
ROLAND FOR PRESIDENT! ROLAND FOR PRESIDENT! Roland, you have a lot of good ideas and are very articulate, plus you have a pickup!! Do you have a dog and a rifle too? You'd garner a wide base for the Dems and we'd win for sure!
I believe the original is "don't bring a knife to a gunfight" which implies what you are saying TCinLA in a stronger metaphor. The dems are bringing knives to a gunfight with the thuglicans.
Yes, I got that. I wasn't disputing what he was saying. Dems SHOULD be armed appropriately but they stand there with 'knives' and wonder why the scene ends like in "Raiders of the Lost Ark' :)
He's not advocating that kind of violence, rather the violence of getting off the couch, doing something concrete to help, keep hammering away, hammering away, hammering away until we win!
No, I don’t plan on it. We have the heart, the talent, the truth and the Cause. If we had to get evil and dirty and cheat, we’d lose! They are pros at that, we would be newbies.
I am not saying "get evil and dirty." I don't think we got "evil and dirty" in WW2, but we damn well did let them know we were there. I AM saying "get the hell up, insert a backbone, and get in there!"
I think the Dems are investing time and demonstrating an effort to get bipartisan support in order to show the voters of this country that McConnell really means what he says — and that the repetrolicans will follow him like sheep. This will give us real-time information to use as we campaign for Dems next year; however, we are running out of time NOW.
Reconciliation is a lengthy process, bidding and contracts and land acquisition don’t happen overnight. Vetting of healthcare workers and childcare workers isn’t quickly accomplished. Construction trades must be trained and hired, and so on. Candidates can’t just run on an anti- R platform, Dems must be able to give Americans passed legislation and shovels in the dirt. Federal standard election law, the end of the filibuster on Constitutional legislation — which includes the right to vote! And so on, deliver something the candidates can run on, and we can help them win with! Time to play ball, NOW
We have some of the best leaders and legislators the Democrats have had, but they are up against some of the best players they have ever faced. Time for us to get mobilized. Michael Steele said last night that 2022 is going to require 10 times the effort from us than we gave in 2020. Give me the ball, coach!
Heather, I find your letter verging on heartbreaking. At 74 years of age, I have watched these Republican tactics used over and over again. Now I am reading about them being in books you have written. It is time for the Democrats to enact the change needed for the needy and disenfranchised. As you wrote today, "The Republican position took a hit this morning, when ProPublica published an investigation based on leaked tax documents. It revealed that America’s 25 richest people—some with more than $100 billion in wealth—pay remarkably little in federal income taxes…sometimes nothing. They can avoid taxes through various accounting methods, while ordinary Americans pay full fare."
Either that, or she has distanced herself well away and has her own adequate income so that she needn't have any connection at all with that chapter of her past.
Heather found gold with the Letter of 302 heroic organizations stepping up to speak up to petition Biden and Harris on behalf of the For the People Act. These are the groups for us to join--find our peeps, channel our energy and knowledge into constructive action. There is something for everyone: advocacy, civic, faith and labor groups in 43 states and DC. If we are not already among these 2.5 million Americans working in these organizations, then we need to pick one. Now.
I am loathe to take up a lot of real estate in these posts, but this is a critical list of groups we must support. Are you already with one of them?
(list of A-L)
Action for a Better Tomorrow - Sauk Valley - Dixon, Illinois
Action Together Florida - Bradenton, Florida
Action Together New Jersey - Madison, New Jersey
Activate America - Oakland, California
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Council 12 - Los Angeles, California
African American Christian Clergy Coalition - Phoenix, Arizona
Alabama Association for the Arts - Huntsville, Alabama
Alabama Black Women's Roundtable North - Birmingham, Alabama
Alabama State Association of Cooperatives - Gainesville, Alabama
Alaskans Take A Stand - Anchorage, Alaska
Amalgamated Transit Union - Local 1212 - Chattanooga, Tennessee
American Federation of Governmental Employees - Local 2400 - Nashville, Tennessee
APIA Vote Colorado - Westminster, Colorado
Arizona Dream Act Coalition - Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona Faith Network - Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona Students’ Association - Phoenix, Arizona
Arrowhead Indivisible - Grand Marais, Minnesota
Hawaiian Airlines Association of Flight Attendants - CWA, AFL-CIO - Honolulu, Hawaii
Avondale ACTion - Avondale Estates, Georgia
Baltimore County Progressive Democrats Club - Towson, Maryland
Be the Change Bmore - Baltimore, Maryland
Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Champaign-Urbana - Champaign, Illinois
Ellie's comment above, which lists 302 people's organizations petitioning Biden and Harris in favor of the For the People Act, highlights the direction I believe we must go. Action on behalf of Democracy, including For the People Act, must be taken by the American people, all of us.
At this time in 2021, when hundreds of bills have been created to increase voter suppression, many of us remember the 1950’s and 60’s when we joined the Civil Rights Movement.
'The catalyst that ignited the modern Civil Rights Movement was the 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. When Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, the black community organized a boycott of the city buses. After 13 months, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Alabama’s laws segregating buses were unconstitutional, and the boycott ended in success. During the Montgomery boycott, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. rose to prominence, and in 1956 the Southern Christian Leadership Council was created to coordinate and support non-violent protests against segregation and discrimination.'
'The Civil Rights Movement was a grassroots effort, that took root as African American citizens decided to speak up, walk out, or engage in civil disobedience to bring attention to the racial injustices that permeated Southern society. In February 1960, students in Greensboro, North Carolina, began the sit-in movement, when they refused to leave a segregated lunch counter at a Woolworth’s store. Their actions set off a wave of sit-ins and other non-violent protests against segregation. Later that year, students founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee as an outlet for younger African Americans who wanted to take part in the movement. In 1961, the Freedom Riders risked their lives trying to desegregate interstate travel facilities, such as bus stations across the South. Beginning their rides in Washington, D.C., the riders were arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina, and they encountered increasing resistance as they traveled deeper into the South. In Alabama and Mississippi, the riders were beaten and arrested. The next year, violent vigilantes rioted in Oxford, Mississippi, as James Meredith, by order of the U.S. courts, enrolled in the traditionally white University of Mississippi.' (Miller Center)
Please find an organization to join from the list that Ellie provided above or Ballot Ready,
for other major national organizations advocating stronger voting rights, providing legal and other expertise as well as helping to organize campaigns state by state go to:
On May 9th1966, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech in Kingstree, SC, about the importance of voting.
“Let us on that glad day in June march on ballot boxes, for this is the way we’re going to straighten up the South and the nation.
Let us march on ballot boxes until somehow we will be able to develop that day men will have food and material necessities for their bodies, freedom and dignity for their spirits, and education and culture for their mind.
Let us march on ballot boxes so that men and women will no longer walk the streets in search of jobs that do not exist.
Let us march on ballot boxes until the empty stomachs of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina are filled.
Let us march on ballot boxes until the idle industries of Appalachia are revitalized.
Let us march on ballot boxes until 'brotherhood' is more than a meaningless word and at the end of a prayer but the first order of business on every Legislature’s slate or agenda. Let us march on ballot boxes.
Let us march on ballot boxes until every valley shall be exalted, until every mountain and hill shall be made low, until the rough places are made plain and the crooked places straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all of bloods shall sing together.
Let us march on ballot boxes until we are able to send to the State Houses of the South, men who would do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God. Let us march on ballot boxes.
One day, Mississippi, which has an affinity for the bottom will be Mississippi which has an affinity for the top.
One day, Alabama, the heart of Dixie, will be Alabama the heart of democracy.
One day, South Carolina will be a better state. One day, Georgia will be a better state.
And why is this true? Because mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. Glory.
And all over the South and the nation we can sing ‘Glory, hallelujah. Glory, hallelujah, our God is marching on.
And so I say, walk together children, don’t you get weary. There’s a great camp meeting in the Promised Land.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. told us ‘don’t you get weary’. John Lewis and Jim Clyburn would echo Martin’s words, along with "Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America."
I have requested admission to the private facebook group for CT Shoreline Indivisible - Guilford, CT (close enough to my home, and near the shore, so a monthly Saturday morning meeting is not a great burden).
Mitch McConnell does not give one inch, illustrating with every decision that he is totally partisan, that he will do everything he can do to protect the Republican Party....... country and Constitution and democracy be damned. If he were able to think beyond his nose and his ambition to return to Majority Leader, he could have scored some points with the American people by supporting the For the People Voting Act. It is clear now, as it should have been before, that there is no there there in McConnell when it comes to bipartisanship. Democrats should proceed as rapidly as possible to get any bill they can get passed with budget reconciliation. McConnell will filibuster anything which even remotely threatens a Republican majority. He could care less about the great leading lights of the American Republic, Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, nor the great senatorial deal makers and compromisers of the past. He is all about the naked use of power. Period. Unfortunately, McConnell is a very limited person. What is scary is that he may be the best of the leadership that the current Republican Party is capable of. God help us.
I think that McConnell is the textbook example of partisan. Period. I don't think that man has a bone in his body that gives a whit about bipartisan legislation; his way or the highway.
If Manchin is an idiot, Sinema needs to be seen for what she is: a troll. She's a "Democrat" who's proud to have more Republican friends in the Senate than friends among her fellow Democrats. She started her political career as a far left Green Democrat self-proclaimed "bomb thrower" who found she could advance herself by claiming friends with Republicans. I personally think she's like most Greens, who can't be trusted further than you can see them with your eyes closed, who are just fine with running Republican-financed campaigns against Democrats as paid "spoilers," that and Russian-paid trolls, like Jill Stein.
Interesting. As usual, I’m learning from you TC. I wasn’t aware of Sinema’s career history. You’re calling Jill Stein Russian-paid? You are obviously far more educated about these things than I am. I’m going to have to do a little research to see if you know what you’re talking about, which generally you are.
If you are willing and have the time, or if anybody else is looking at this discussion, I could use a link to educate myself about Jill Stein. I already believe you about Sinema.
By the way, I would probably call myself a Green. And I would agree with you that the American Green political candidates seem to have generally been saps and not necessarily trustworthy. Well-meaning, but not up to the challenge.
I fear you are right - even here in Oz - Greens are full of idealism and damn near zero in political acumen. So they quite contentedly promote policies that are the opposite of each other. sigh!
Heather found gold with the Letter of 302 heroic organizations stepping up to speak up to petition Biden and Harris on behalf of the For the People Act. These are the groups for us to join--find our peeps, channel our energy and knowledge into constructive action. There is something for everyone: advocacy, civic, faith and labor groups in 43 states and DC. If we are not already among these 2.5 million Americans working in these organizations, then we need to pick one. Now.
I am loathe to take up a lot of real estate in these posts, but this is a critical list of groups we must support. Are you already with one of them?
(list of M-Z)
Maine Citizens for Clean Elections - Portland, Maine
Maine People's Alliance - Portland, Maine
Mainers for Accountable Leadership - Maine
Mainstream Coalition - Merriam, Kansas
Mary F. Handy Women's Missionary Society - Huntington, West Virginia
Maryland Latinos Unidos - Baltimore, Maryland
Media Voices for Children - Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
Mi Familia Vota - Phoenix, Arizona
Michigan People's Campaign - Detroit, Michigan
Michigan United - Detroit, Michigan
Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action - Parkersburg, West Virginia
Missouri Voter Protection Coalition - Missouri
Mountaintop Progressives - Greene County, New York
National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA Local 59051 - SF, California
National Association of Social Workers - West Virginia chapter - Charleston, West Virginia
National Council of Jewish Women - Greater New Orleans Section - New Orleans, Louisiana
National Council of Jewish Women - PA - Pennsylvania
National Council of Jewish Women - CA - California
National Council of Jewish Women - Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio
National Council of Jewish Women - Greater New Orleans Section - New Orleans, Louisiana
National Council of Jewish Women - Illinois - Illinois
National Council of Jewish Women - Louisville Section - Louisville ,Kentucky
National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan - Michigan
National Rural Social Work Caucus - Murray, Kentucky
National Council of Jewish Women - Essex Section - Livingston, New Jersey
Necessary Trouble - Atlanta, Georgia
Neighbors Organizing for Power & Equality - Washington, D.C.
Neighbors Who Vote - Chicago, Illinois
Network Delaware - Delaware
New Hampshire Youth Movement - New Hampshire
North Carolina Council of Churches - North Carolina
NorthEast Polk Democratic Club - Davenport, Florida
Northern Progressives - Cook, Minnesota
Northridge Indivisible - Northridge, California
NWGSD - Portland, Oregon
NY Indivisible - New York, New York
NYCD16-Indivisible - Yonkers, New York
Oblong Valley Indivisible - Millerton, New York
Ohio Progressive Action Leaders - Ohio
Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition - Huntington, West Virginia
Omaha Action Coalition - Omaha, Nebraska
One Queens Indivisible - Queens County, New York
Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 277 - Nashville, Tennessee
Our Revolution Greater Fall River - Fall River, Massachusetts
Peace Action Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Physicians for a National Health Program - Rhode Island chapter - Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Plymouth Area Indivisible - Plymouth, Minnesota
Poder Latinx - Orlando, Florida
Polk County Democratic Club - Lakeland, Florida
Progress Arizona - Phoenix, Arizona
Progressive Democrats of America - Arizona - Phoenix, Arizona
Progressive Democrats of America - California - Los Angeles, California
Progressive Democrats of America - Central New Mexico - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Progressive Democrats of America - Colorado - Denver, Colorado
Progressive Democrats of America - East Los Angeles County - Whittier, California
Progressive Democrats of America - Maryland - Baltimore, Maryland
Progressive Democrats of America - Nebraska - Omaha, Nebraska
Progressive Democrats of America - Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Progressive Democrats of America - Virginia - Alexandria, Virginia
Progressive Mariposa - Mariposa, California
Progressive Rural Overhill Women for Democracy - Sweetwater, Tennessee
Progressive Yamhill - McMinnville, Oregon
Putnam Progressives - Mahopac, New York
Reclaim Our Democracy - Concord, Massachusetts
Renew Rhode Island - Providence, Rhode Island
Represent Georgia Institute - Atlanta, Georgia
Represent George Action Network - Macon, Georgia
RepresentUs New Mexico - New Mexico
Resist 45 Bremerton - Bremerton, Washington
Rhode Island Democratic Women's Caucus - Providence, Rhode Island
Rhode Island Healthcare Access & Affordability Partnership - Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Rhode Island Political Cooperative - Providence, Rhode Island
Rights & Democracy - Vermont - Burlington, Vermont
Rights & Democracy - New Hampshire - Manchester, New Hampshire
Rise Up Western Mass Indivisible - Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Rise Up WV - Charleston, West Virginia
Rooted in Resistance - Pasadena, California
Sierra Madre Activists Rebuilding Together - Sierra Madre, California
Silver Spring Progressive Action - Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver State Equality - Nevada
Sister District Marin - Novato, California
SNCC Legacy Project - Washington, D.C.
Sneakers Laced Up South Shore - Marshfield, Massachusetts
SOMA Action - South Orange-Maplewood, New Jersey
Sonoma Valley Resistance - Sonoma, California
South Central Brooklyn United for Progress - Brooklyn, New York
Southern Appalachian Labor School - Kincaid, West Virginia
Stand up Alaska - Anchorage, Alaska
Indivisible Michigan - Michigan
Summit Area Indivisible - Summit, New Jersey
Sunrise Tacoma - Tacoma, Washington
SURJ Marin - Showing UP for Racial Justice - Marin County, California
Swing Left Austin - Austin, Texas
Swing Left Greater Boston - Boston, Massachusetts
Swing Left Marin - San Rafael, California
Swing Left of North and Central New Jersey - New Jersey
Swing Left San Francisco - San Francisco, California
Swing Left Sonoma County - Santa Rosa, California
Swing Left Target Majority NYC - New York, New York
Teamsters Local 519 - Knoxville, Tennessee
Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council - Nashville, Tennessee
The Order of the Phoenix - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Womxn Project - Wakefield, Rhode Island
Tennessee Democratic Party Labor Caucus - Knoxville, Tennessee
Towards Justice Committee, First Unitarian Church of St. Louis - St. Louis, Missouri
Town of Callicoon Democratic Club - Callicoon, New York
Truth and Democracy Coalition - Whittier, California
U-Act (Ulster Activists) - New Paltz, New York
United Vision for Idaho - Boise, Idaho
Upper West Side MoveOn/Indivisible Action Group - New York, New York
Voices of Reason - Normal, Illinois
Wallingford Indivisible - Seattle, Washington
We Are One Sullivan - Sullivan County, New York
Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club - Oakland, California
Westchester United - Hastings on Hudson, New York
Westfield 20/20 - Westfield, New Jersey
Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church - Washington, D.C.
Women of Color Coalition - Multi-state
Writers for Democratic Action - Multi-state
WV Citizen Action - Charleston, West Virginia
WV Citizens for Clean Elections - Charleston, West Virginia
WV FREE - Charleston, West Virginia
Young Democrats of Arizona - Phoenix, Arizona
Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County - Overland Park, Kansas
13 PAGES Indivisible - Oakland, California
159 Georgia Together - Hinesville, Georgia
350 Bay Area Action - San Francisco East Bay, California
These lists are incredible. Thank you. I had not seen them when I wrote my somewhat "rosy" post earlier and I must say, knowing that SO MANY organizations are actively fighting the good fight just made my day!
STOP THE PRESSES - BREAKING NEWS!!
Val Demings just announced she’s running for Senate in Florida against Marco Rubio.
All Florida Democrats need to pull out the stops and fight like hell for this incredible woman. Finally a sliver of hope in Florida.
Let us also hope that she has a Democratic successor in the House.
Yessss! Come on, my friends, let's rally around her!!!!
Yes!!!! Great news and I will actively work for her! Also, for the Democrat who runs for her seat in the House.
Please keep us posted on Dems running for her seat. Thanks!
YES!!!
Yeah!!!!!
Yes Diane! I'm relocating to Bradenton next month (from LA) and super excited about my first campaign; already signed up!
Welcome to our beautiful state. May we begin to oust those who’ve long exploited her with stewards who will protect her fragile environment and restore honor in leadership.
Yes! Welcome to Bradenton soon, Rose.
Thank you - I am counting the days and look forward to contributing!
Best news this week. Already working with PAC that supports Val Demings and Nikki Fried.
Great news. I think we need to work hard to keep the Senate/House and add more Dems. It's the best way out of this gridlock.
THAT IS GREAT NEWS!!!
She'll certainly get MY full support albeit from afar...
YES!!!
Look, everybody, I am trying to do my day job, then I make the mistake of reading Heather's letter. Then I compound it by seeing what the first comments are, made worse by delving deeper into the views of this eclectic group. And in next to no time I have lost a good 30 minutes of precious working time. There is much wisdom seeping through these pages, and then there are cars, Chardonnay and cucumber sandwiches. Thanks everyone for enlightening me but please be more boring in future so that I can get back to work more easily.
I have developed a pattern that works for me. I arise earlier than "normal" and get a jump on my day by starting with LFAA. I budget an hour (with a half hour buffer zone) for reading the letter and the comments. My enjoyment of my first (and second, and sometimes third) cup of coffee is greatly enhanced by the LFAA community.
Ally, I do the same, if not I could easily stay on here for hours.
You are all so entertaining with your specialized morning libations!! Love that I stop thinking about coup d'stats for a little bit!
Penelope, I think its very important to stay properly hydrated whilst the opposition is up to their shenanigans 😉
Aye, Linda, cheerio! "Keep calm and carry on" and all that rot! Speaking of rot, is "rotgut" not whiskey? If I could handle more than three sips, it would be a preferable hydration to caffeine whilst dealing with the seditious shenanigans.
Good morning Penelope! Exactly correct , rotgut is a whiskey term of sort. Stay clear of that ! There are days when coffee is just not enough. A nice Pino Grigio will do. Besides, it could easily past for ginger ale in a pinch.....😁
I'm obviously going to have to follow your example, though with a third cup of coffee I might find myself crawling up the wall!
Two cups usually suffices for me, but I enjoy them so much I find myself sorry that I don't want more.
I often read the letter in the morning on my phone (in bed with a cup of coffee brought to me by my early-rising, enabling spouse, yet!), then do my morning chores (while drinking cup #2) before sitting in front of my laptop to read comments with a third cup of coffee. Then, I leave the page up throughout the day to revisit with subsequent cups of coffee. Since I'm now retired and we make our coffee with half decaff (in order to be able to withstand the multiple pots we drink daily), I can make my daily dose of Heather and friends last all day, some days.
You have an excellent spouse!
I know! I do occasionally brew the coffee and bring him a cup, but he's an early to bed, early to riser, while I'm more of a night owl - plus, he doesn't like to drink coffee in bed. But yes, he is an excellent spouse.
In some ways, for some of us, better than family.
Same. (and very annoyed at that phone call that threw off my morning plan)!
As a long time tea drinker, I cannot understand how America is so caught up with coffee.
My bumper sticker says "Make Tea not War".
I don't get the attraction to tea, and I love good coffee more than any food item I ingest, as well as coffee house atmosphere. As a Bostonian, I like to joke that the colonists threw the tea into the harbor because they found it so inferior to coffee.
Despite all that, if it makes you even half as happy as coffee makes me, you should keep drinking the tea, and don't let my (hopefully humorous) derision bother you in the least!
You obviously have not tasted proper tea! One has to wonder whether, if coffee beans had instead been thrown into Boston Harbour, the course of history might have been altered and you would have remained our colony. Personally I run on dual fuel - tea and coffee depending on the time of day, so covering all bases (or arses [asses to you - I keep forgetting my American])
I prefer the word "derriere" for the sexually attractive body part that evolved so that H. sapiens could run. Both arse and ass deny any beauty. And regarding English vs. American more generally, I find much English charming--like "dust bin lorries".
I actually have some pretty decent tea at my house, which I keep mostly for guests who prefer it, although I drink it on exceptionally rare occasion. Its an Earl Grey from a fine merchant on Cape Cod, the Atlantic Spice Co.
In taking both tea and coffee regularly, I suspect you're exceptional. Most people I know take one or the other--and probably at least four out of five take coffee.
But I have to say that I have always found American tea pretty insipid, not unlike gnats's pee. I would agree so long as it is strong English breakfast tea.
My British husband would have agreed completely with you. We had to bring boxes of tea back here from every trip to the UK. Then, all family members knew to bring loads more when they visited! Now that he sailed into the sunset, I have enough left to have a giant party in the Boston harbor!
Good to know that there are still some things the Brits are good for. We have a similar issue with chocolate. Stepdaughter #1 is a doctor in Melbourne and we have to keep her supplied with British chocolate as the Australian version is inferior!
Thanks for a good laugh!
Of course the Brits have terrible taste in tea, it goes without saying that a country that prefers a blend of inferior bottom-of-the-barrel swill like Fortnum & Mason's will not have an excellent relationship to tea.
I get my single estate Darjeeling either direct from India, from a local Seattle merchant, or from Upton Tea in Boston. Now I sound like a real tea snob, which I probably am!
You haven't lived until you've tasted a good first-flush Darjeeling.
I grant you that Darjeeling tea is excellent, though I am obviously not in your league. The local supermarket version will do me!
Hear Hear!! My Irish eyes are smilin'.
LOVE Love Buzz!!!
That is interesting. I am able to drink my espressos con leche by using Barista brand oat milk instead of regular milk (much less added sugar than others; I don't know if the others would work or not). I suspect that the oat milk is somewhat basic, and I think the regular milk is slightly acidic. Anyway, it's worked well for me for a number of months, and brought much happiness since my espressos are more important to me than any single food item.
Before I gave up dairy, I enjoyed my daily lattes at my favorite University District coffeehouse. Since I can't really digest milk anymore, I seldom drink lattes - because it seems the non-dairy alternatives are always sweetened - and I can't stand even a hint of sugar with my beloved coffee. So now I've reverted to black drip French or Italian roast, fresh-ground beans. If I have coffee from one of the local baristas with skill at leaving a gorgeous crema on top, I'll have an 8 oz doppio americano. (And though I keep trying to love tea, too, even watching multiple videos by Brits explaining how to make a good cuppa, it just cannot measure up to a cup of Joe.)
You're making me nostalgic for my home of early childhood. I remember fondly the probably long-gone Kelly's barbecue, but the last U District coffeehouse I ever went to--summer of '75 when I spent three weeks there before bicycling to Boston--the Last Exit to Brooklyn--was not very good. (Luckily at that stage of my life, I wasn't that picky.)
I did have excellent espresso in Seattle at I forget which coffee house--might have been Vivace--in the summers of '12 and '15.
I do highly recommend the Barista oat milk. Very little sugar or sweetness. Some taste, but despite my incredible pickiness about my coffee, I got used to it very quickly. Some coffee houses offer it.
Yeah, the Last Exit was not excellent at making coffee - but it was a popular hangout for board gamers (chess, etc.), art students, and theater geeks. My favorite has always been the Allegro, in the alley around the corner from Magus Books. My favorite routine as a student was to grab a cheap paperback at Magus, eat a slice of pizza on the Ave, then head around to the alley for coffee and studying at Allegro. The one winter I spent in Boston some time in the late 80's, I had trouble finding a barista who met my pickily high standards. (I was a pain in the butt, I'm sure.)
Barista brand oat milk (which has less added sugar than other brands) does that for me in my espresso au lait but it's good to know about the baking soda.
Glad I'm sitting in a parking lot waiting for my husband to get out of knee surgery. The time is flying by and thinking cucumber sandwiches for lunch would be delicious 🙃
Best wishes for healing and recovery for your husband 💜
Sending healing thoughts and a speedy recovery! Cucumber sandwiches are the best!
"for a speedy recovery", NOT "and"
Lol, it is very hard to return to the job when forthright thought is presented.
😂
😂😂😂😂😂 But seriously, it IS hard to get back to work again!
Yes, I sometimes think, why am I not getting anything done? I waste so much time on LFAA. Then I remember that I am part of a coalition learning about our world and saving our democracy. That is not a waste of anyone's time!! That is pure dedication to our country and keeping one another sane whilst we do that.
"Saving our Democracy"!
Absolutely, Penelope!
🙂🙂🤣
“Thanks everyone for enlightening me but please be more boring in future so that I can get back to work more easily.”
I remember back in about February when TPJ joined us. He said words to the effect “why do you all have to be so INTERESTING.“
Obviously great minds (TPJ and mine)......
Richard you and TPJ are both brilliant. Just this one post of yours, about precious worktime being squandered, is proof positive. A complete delight to read.
I think I have encountered more brilliant people in this one location than the rest of my life combined. Probably by a factor of 10. Likely that is a very conservative and misleading estimate.
That's very kind of you Roland and a nice boost in an otherwise unpromising day. I think you're wrong but I'll let it pass this time. There are a lot of brilliant people in this group who leave my poor old brain standing and swirling next to the North Sea! I just try to introduce the occasional piece of levity from this side of the pond!
We love our commenters from the Mother Country
Thank you David. I do try!
“We love our commenters from the Mother Country”
I am so tired of the emotional blackmail being perpetuated on the American people by a few people who don't deserve the name "politician". These people are not politicians. What they are after is power, not the process of decision-making that politics is supposed to be about. This pattern of stripping dignity from not only the process but those we interact with has been seeping through all our interactions. It is poisoning not just our ability to seek solutions, but even the foundations on which we try to build that "more perfect union". If we the people keep adopting the demeaning manners and rhetoric, there will be nothing left to make working on worthwhile. I'm tired of the name-calling, the questioning of motives, the snarky comments that are replacing the spirited and thoughtful discussions. I'm sad. And I'm feeling sickened. I am a natural optimist, and I do believe that if we keep focused on the potential of democracy we will not only save it, we will strengthen it. But we have fallen into the trap that the Trump republicans set and that the McConnell republicans have coopted to use to manipulate us.
I disagree with one sentence- actually one word in your letter tonight, Heather. You wrote "To say there is no threat to the voting rights law is delusional." McConnell is not delusional. He knows full well what he is saying, and it is an attempt (yet another) to manipulate us into his trap of controlling how we respond. We jump right into it, and weaken our ability to work together.
I have come to appreciate the people here, and some I truly cherish. But I need people who are putting their energy into making things change.
I've spent the last week following indigenous women who are standing up against power. Listening to discussions among people who are giving me ways of looking at what is going on that show how to meet it head on. Listening to poets, watching artists turn their art toward peaceful protest. Watching old people speak out, and young people join them. I am too.
Washington DC is not the only game, and I think focusing overmuch on it makes us miss the things that are going on all over our country (and in others, including Canada) where people are questioning and standing against this negative way of responding. Biden has been in office for less than 6 months and already there are intellectual wanna-bes looking for ways to sound as if they are too sophisticated to stand up and support him.
If all we can do is form a circle around Biden with our letters and comments so he and Harris can keep going until we can breathe a bit more easily, then that's what we do. Those who can do more, do more but please try to stay out of each other's way. There is room for multitudes of kinds of action. Act with fierceness and dedication, but act with kindness. And act locally: pay attention to what's going on in your state and in your city or county. Fight.
Don't give up and become like the people who are trying to trip us up.
Things may improve for tribal people because Deb Haaland got elected to Congress and then appointed to Interior. And she’s pretty fierce, having gone up against some really ingrained prejudice. We may as well be praying for rain like the Utah legislature if magical thinking is our strategy. I’m not advocating for becoming lying hypocrites like the current GOP but good grief, bullies need to get smacked down sometimes.
Absolutely Annie. Find a worthy cause, preferably close to home, and put your heart and soul into it. There are many paths to a more just world, just pick one.
Hearing that Val Demings just announced her campaign for Senate in Florida has clarified my path. A singular focus will be energizing.
This.
Thank you!
Bipartisanship is like the mirage of an oasis in the Sahara. Why Democrats, including the president, at this point don't accept this fact and act accordingly is beyond baffling. Pass a big, bold infrastructure plan under reconciliation and let the country see what Democrats can deliver and go from there. Tamping down the pandemic and beginning to rebuild the nation's infrastructure are the only sure bets to deliver votes, helping to win Senate and House seats in 2022. The rest is just theater. Manchin and Sinema will never budge on the filibuster. They don't care about voting rights.
I don’t understand why they won’t change the filibuster back to the marathon monologue that it was, for which Manchin has said he would vote yea. Make it harder at the very least.
B
I
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G
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…and Bingo was his name-o.
Michael I agree with you but unfortunately, Manchin and Sinema won't vote for the infrastructure bill in any form unless they have their fingers deep in the pie. This does not derive from legislative wisdom or a concern for their constituents. It derives from a personal titillating delight in the unexpected level of power they now wield. Continuing to pay attention to them is a perverse incentive for them to continue to obstruct. However, they are necessary to the process because of the past failures of the Dems to actually prosecute their case and secure local and federal representation in the wake of Repugnican takeover of the grassroots and of local politics. So Biden and Harris are over a particularly bizarre barrel, one that the DNC had a hand in making when it decided not to push against the expansion of the autocratic right wing in legislative races it decided it would lose "anyway." If they had exercised even a modicum of energy in pursuing seats in state legislatures, as well as House and Senate seats, that were not shoe-ins 20 years ago, not only would we have a workable majority today--because state legislatures would be configured differently--we would have the supportive underpinnings of a strong federal government that could combat the Forces of Evil that now manipulate everything.
Like charity, activism and political effectiveness begins at home.
Hi Michael, it’s sad that I had to scroll this far down to see anyone call out congressional democrats for playing Charlie Brown to a republican Lucy that keeps yanking the football away just before he can kick it. Although, more infuriating is that democrats not fighting ferociously for actual bipartisanly (voter-wise) popular legislation has much more to do with being corrupted by the same corporate donors that drive the ruthless, heartless McConnell and the other Rs who are different only in the sense that they care even less about how their corruption looks to the rest of us.
I sometimes feel like Democrats are the French in 1940, confronting the German blizkrieg for the first time and saying "Mon dieu!"
Dear me! Whatever happened to the Maginot line? De Gaulle was one of the few French Tank Commanders and with very few machines that actually moved to count on.
Yes indeed. "fighting the last war" is always a good way to be defeated. In politics, too.
Exactly.
We must realize that we have bipartisanship/multi-partisanship (don't forget the Independents and Libertarians, and all the other small parties) across the People of this nation. Like the 79% of West Virginians who support the For the People Act. The politicians like Senator Manchin, Senate Minority Leader McConnell and almost all the Republicans are nothing but obstructionists who are focused only on power and money. They are representatives of Koch and the like and the Russian Oligarchs. These are the only "constituents" they obey. They do not represent the People. The People must stand together to win this battle for the democratic soul of America. The People, all of them, must speak. Re-elect No One.
And the Koch coalition has been playing this long game for over 30 years. For details see Jeff Sharlet’s The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, Harper, 2008.
Sharlet's book goes well with "Democracy in Chains"-McClean
Just don't read them back to back if you don't have a Prozac prescription.
Thanks for that reference. I will check it out
A very tough read, then a terrifying realization for me and my sister thst one of her highschool pals is among the the "holiest of holies" in The Family. He was such a nice state senstor when I lobbied him decades ago. Criminy.
They should be smote by the bad karma they generate. Along with so many other evil actors.
I definitely should add the Green party to this list!
Been tried Any advice on how. Vote sure. But they are stopping that at every pole. How can we stop them?
I'm trying to figure that out myself. In the past if there is enough of a movement involving great numbers of people, it has been enough to sway the politicians. Now the politicians are ignoring the people.
There is nothing like 10 million people peacefully taking to the streets in Washington DC to "encourage the GOP to rethink their opposition to necessary Dem measures especially if 1 million more do the same in SF, LA, NYC, Chicago, Houston, Denver, Atlanta and Miami......and if they all did it every week until the recalcitrant Senators finally understand....and the people triumphed.
The vote is not the only way to "scare the pants off" McConnell and make them fade away. I'm sure that dedicated, coordinated work by serious investigative journalists could spill the beans on GOP sleaze. It's time to resuscitate McClure's Muckrakers and splash their financial, racial, personal and other illegal, anti-social iniquities all over the face of the world's media and in the headlines of local news. Then the DOJ can pick them off one by one to the great satisfaction of everyone concerned. We need 20 more Gaetz... pedophile, sex trafficer and thieving, lying scoundrel....investigations. More ressources for the FBI!That shouldn't be hard to find to get at those around McC!
The women's march in January 2017 brought out 10's of millions of peaceful protesters in cities around the world. It was a definitely a feel good day (and it was only one day) and changed nothing. mcconnell and the rest of the republican criminal cabal could care less. The democrat leadership, the DOJ, and every other institution needs to stop pandering to these low lifes, get going on indictments and use every arrow in the (legal) quiver to play hardball and cut the stranglehold of a few senators from irrelevant states who are holding the rest of the country hostage. The dems need to seize the moment with air time and media coverage and not let up. One cannot come to a "gunfight with a knife".
Actually there was a significant after effect from the Women’s March. Many young women were inspired to get into politics. Organizations that gathered names and did follow up found new members. Not enough, but, let’s acknowledge small wins too.
Totally agree, Diane. Women and men that marched still recall it with pride. And they will match again this time.
Thank you. I was there with my daughter. The inspiration has been measurable. The right has directed the conversation for far too long. We need a succinct counter to guns and abortion.
I agree with everything you said here! Only thing is the Dems keep showing up to a gun fight with a NPR tote bag.
Former PBS employee here laughing my socks off at this one. Fortunately, I think Dems are learning to lock and load. We need to make calls, send letters, be fierce in defense of democracy. I am already engaged for 2022 elections. Lots to do. Lets be unrelentingly active together! We the People. All of us this time.
Sharon, when they are really mad, they bring their NPR mug as well. 😆. You are 100% correct.
So funny. And the bag contains ????
😂
We need to keep the pressure up by continuing the marches. One march is not enough-- most of those old, white patriarchs are rather deaf. We need to provide direct pressure on these bleeding wounds of our democracy. Comrade Mitch hates certain monikers-- if there are rallies, it is time for marches and protests to be much louder and consistent.
What Stuart said. There is a couple of Pulitzer Prizes in here for some crackerjack investigative reporters. Indeed the pen (and keyboard today) is mightier than the sword.
Yes. I’ve been reading the work of young journalists and authors rising. I find their viewpoints refreshing…even when their age is evident. However, what is not different from me is they are stern and diligent about the truth and like me, can feel the immediacy of the current political climate. Their disdain is quite evident. And there is no having to convince them about inequality and systemic racism. They are not having it.
What ever happened to the investigation into Elaine Chao's misuse of her office? the House and Senate's "guided tours" prior to the insurrection? Are these still being investigated, or just buried?
Elaine Chao should be paying fines and spending time in prison, where, unfortunately, our tax dollars would pay for her care. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
And her handsome husband should retire. Unfortunately, he enjoys his power too much to do that.
Yes!! I am waiting for indictments! And what about the legislator whose panic button was disabled in her office? I heard about that in a couple of different forums. I don’t know if it was really true for sure but if so, that is calculated and vicious.
Yes. That was AOC’s office. And her telling of the experience in the near days after the insurrection was chilling.
Thank you Stuart. When I retire, I’m thinking about participating in demonstrations.
My first was in London in '69 against the Vietnam war and it has been a little lackadaisical ever since. It might not always get you instantly where you want to go but it helps build the pressure. Seeing a million people on the streets is very impressive, i assure you.
It's always a lot easier to contemplate such action when one isn't dealing with generational transitions in the family. We are about finished with my mother-in-law.
My last was on March 15, 2003 against going to war in Iraq. 300 protestors out millions in Miami-Dade County. You see how effective it was. :(
Ah, Stuart, ah...what do you mean you are about finished with your MIL? It sounds...sort of ...ominous.
Oh my, Stuart. She hasn’t responded to correction?
Please don't wait!!!
Some of us are essential personnel.
Hi Anne. cheerio is speaking for me. It’s not about money, it’s about time commitment. I have a full-time job, I can’t just get away to go to demonstrations. I drive 2000 miles a week. When I take a vacation, I need the downtime. As soon as I retire, which isn’t all that far away, that all changes
If someone organizes that, I would fly out for one overnight with my three teenagers.
There are demonstrations every week somewhere. You can afford to fly? Surely a little research will reveal something going on close to home where your presence will have more impact. I'm going to try to get to Minnesota for the big anti-pipeline protest later this month, sponsored by the Water Protectors. We need lots of people. Come join us
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/6/7/activists-and-tribal-groups-prepare-minnesota-pipeline-protests
I can’t really afford to fly. But I want to bring my kids to some of these events. I will always regret not taking them out of preschool and elementary school for Barack Obama’s inauguration. Even if they didn’t understand the historical importance of his inauguration at the time they would have always remembered how important it was to me and my husband.
😘
So Schumer’s strategy is to force votes to “put the Republicans on record”.
Well. If that’s all that needs to be done...
Bla bla bla. Stop the fake wrestling match and get some work done Schumer. Pass the bill in pieces if necessary. Use reconciliation or reform the filibuster or twist arms. Get done what you can - quickly.
However, their votes (or non-votes) can be brought up again and again in 2022 (or whenever the run for re-election).
And it worked so well on the vote for the commission! 😳
It feels like that’s all he CAN do. He can’t force Manchin or Sinema to get in line.
doesn't sound to me that this makes the slightest dent!
I completely agree. Easy dark money, hubris, and more than enough opportunity have lured many a politician to his (usually a "his") doom. The gawkers at Gaetz's nude pics are probably among that lot. There's certainly more than one way to change the math for 2022 and it's by changing the math BEFORE 2022.
When TFG was "in office" (I use that euphemistically since he was never actually "working" as one might expect in an "office" and was on the golf course or in front of the TV for most of his four years) I began to notice a strange phenomenon occurring with his sycophants - their faces began to "melt" before our very eyes. I attributed it to a modern day version of the Pinocchio effect - the more they lied, the more melting seemed to occur. Now, I wonder if that was caused also by drugs or alcohol in addition to spending lots of sleepless nights with their newfound demons. The mafia boss, with the able assistance of his favorite son-in-law, no doubt acquired SCADS of iniquities on those folks and if he was able to do it so efficiently, the FBI should have no trouble at all unearthing the many secrets these obstructionists are holding close.
Your comment about male weakness is completely on target, imo. That’s why I was a little flummoxed by the Jill Stein comment. I had totally forgotten that she met with Putin. So you know she’s worthless. But she is the exception. Over on Greg Olear’s page, you can read all about them, and the every detail of the male politicians in America who kiss Putin‘s ass. After they take his money
Ellen, as always, your posts are brilliant, insightful, educational, and heartwarming.
Thank you for your kindness. I just got unexpectedly slammed by a "new" subscriber who either misunderstood my post or took the opportunity to APPEAR to misundstand (I gave her several opportunities) before I realized who I was dealing with. I thank you most sincerely for that awareness.
This morning I'm thinking how to get these "representatives" to heel. Is there any way to sanction them. Freeze their money. Not just their petty Congressional salaries but their millions. That might get their attention, but don't know how that would get implemented. How about "No representation without taxation." How about a People's Suffrage movement? Half the population fought for the right to vote a hundred years ago. They weren't "given" the vote. They demanded it. We need the entire population, the People, to fight for true universal suffrage. Talk about "Stop the Steal" of democracy. We need People Power! Power to the People! Power of the People. Congress is in contempt of the Constitution by not acting for the People! Ideas? Implementation methods?
I really like the People's Suffrage Movement and Stop of Steal of Democracy! I propose we all write to our Congress people today and tell them to Stop the Steal of Democracy.
I’m thinking hard about this today, Cathy.
I see every Republican opposed to HR1 or S1 as a treasonous criminal who should be locked up for life for trying to throw out our constitution and overthrow our government. This is way beyond partisan politics. This is theft and war, invasion by Russia and stolen by American corporate oligarchs. Yes, sanction them, freeze their money, take away their Twitter accounts. LOCK THEM UP.
It's tempting to say "Vote them out," but "follow the money," might be a more immediate measure. I do believe that so many members of (alas, both parties) Congress are in fealty to large corporations. Exposing their relationship to the corporations they seek to protect might be the key.
I think HCR used the most appropriate (and polite) term available when she used, "delusional," to describes Mr. McConnell's position on the events of the day. It is, indeed, rich, for him...now...to declare that the age/time of bipartisanship is, "over." I'm not sure what planet he normally resides on, but that is an adverb that has not applied nor been seen in DC for a long time (as we all know). It seems to me as I watch various old white Republicans make sound-bite statements, that they are simply without any other options other than to retreat back to their position they had with President Obama: we simply don't support anything you (Dems) do. I would point out, too, that their resistance is always based on money and where it comes from and rarely on principle, but there always seems to be an underlying current that they will always object to anything that seeks to elevate the marginalized in America...draw your own conclusions on that one...
HCR has been good (and consistent) in pointing out that EVERYTHING that has come down the pike in this administration's agenda has been supported, in some case overwhelmingly so, by a majority OF THE COUNTRY. How the good Senator from Kentucky can continue in his rhetoric about how there is, "no problem," and that everything is fine is, unquestionably, delusional. Sadly: all of them speak, nay, SHOUT to their base that they are correct in their thinking and position(s) but it is clear that they are shouting at an increasingly diminishing group of AMERICANS. It is truly sad that the Country WILL move on (apparently with their supporters clinging to fantasies and false promises) without them. As the ProPublica piece indicates, this Country is truly subsidizing millionaires, even billionaires, at the expense of the rest (the 90+%) and thus, what has the Repulican party done for rest, lately? (you don't have to answer)
While I am a 50 yo white male who would love to be on capital hill helping shape the future, I sadly see people like Mr. Manchin trying to split the baby or at worst enjoy his moment of power and relevance by saying, "no." It begs the old question of, "with friends like this who needs enemies?" I would do better and he should do better. Mr. Manchin should recognize that there is a very small window that the Country has (through its legislative process and current representational position) to make some serious and needed changes to the way it does its electoral business. Very. Narrow. And much depends on it. Much. Depends. On. It.
I sincerely hope the Good Senator from West Virginia takes a big cup of Wake UP and realizes that his, dare I say, "delusional," objections to making this electoral process right are going to place him on the wrong side of history if not the immediate trajectory of the Country.
As always, thank you HCR for all you do and that you have continued to do so. Your hosting this platform and informing the conversation is, to me, critical. Many blessings.
“How the good Senator from Kentucky . . . “
Oh my goodness, Mr. Kantrud, you impress me. I wonder how many people even in his home state would use these words. I applaud you Sir.
And I agree with absolutely everything you have written, including and especially the part about Republicans and money and principle.
Roland~ mucho gusto and many thanks. I want you and others to know that I used that appellation for Mr. McConnell out of respect for the office, not the person. There are evil people in this Country and, let's not mince words here: they are racist. I will go on record saying that Mr. McConnell is such a person and is dangerous as a result of his ascendance to his position of power. Based on his comments of late, the only thing missing is a white hood.
To be sure, someone is "here" monitoring this open forum and that is ok. If Mitch has a good explanation for his objection to expanding (nee, honoring) voters' rights, he has this forum and many others to do so. Explain please!
Until such time I am comfortable calling his position on S1: racist.
I would add to his position the labels "classist", "misogynist", "misanthropist".
Agreed!
“I used that appellation for Mr. McConnell out of respect for the office, not the person.”
Mr. Kantrud, you are a wise, wise man, and I welcome your arrival here in this community.
*Welcome*
By the way, we have a long history here of naming (generally white) racist, (male) sexist, and other similar behavior when we see it. I myself have posted many many times about the death of the Republican Party, and the linked gradual demise of the old social order, the order of racism, sexism, genderism (straights come first), moneyism (rich people before not-rich people), et al.
Every long-time member of this community, before the recent influx of international observers, is in complete agreement with you that the only thing missing in Mitch’s press conferences is the white sheets.
Gee, I love this kind of talk. Greetings, Honored Colleague H. Alan, from The Great State of Virginia!
Isn’t Mr. Kantrud fabulous?
My Dear Mr. Kantrud:
I take the gratitude
of you and your friends into my heart. ❤️🙏❤️
It is a great pleasure and a joy to have you here
THANK YOU
Why does McConnell hold any power? Why can’t he give it up and fade away! He’s done more to undermine democracy than anyone else ever. He always stands in the way of progress and bipartisanship. I only see him as a traitor. There’s so much hope and then enters Moscow Mitch!
Ya think maybe the voting in certain states ie Kentucky and South Carolina might be “rigged”? Seems everything these guys accuse others of is exactly what they are doing.
YES! Thar"s where the votes neede to be recounted.
Agreed. More people voted than live in certain counties of Kentucky. And they used different voting machines than the ones that Trump and company claimed were rigged.
Yep, it is these voting machines that actually need to be reviewed. Who has assessed the software in them?
Exactly! Why is the recount not happening? The numbers just do not add up. Or, they add up and over!
That’s exactly what they do!
Why do these old rich white guys stay on when they could retire and go play golf or relax on their yachts? They bring out the worst in me. Waiting for some evil people to be smote. Hoping I don’t get smote for my own reactions to them.
They stay on because they love the game. And they know how to play to win. And they will play as dirty as they have to to stay in power. And why not? There have been no repercussions to their behavior. In fact just the opposite. They’ve been rewarded with reelection and the ability to obstruct anything by filibustering. They don’t care about their constituents nor their “legacy” only their current position of power and winning, which is apparently defined as denying anything “the other side” wants.
Power is intoxicating.
And money I guess. They make me sick.
I am not sure whether it's the people or the money and power that make you sick, but I'm kind of sick of all three.
Power is dog doo
Denise he’ll just be replaced by some other loser. They are lining up to take his place. Opportunists. Look at the House. Kevin McCarthy. What a completely worthless wind sock, about as spineless as they get, blows around just like a wind sock with every political breeze and with every donor’s and benefactor’s smile or frown. A complete and total embarrassment to California. These are not real people, people with character and spine and integrity. The Kremlin can’t get real people into its back pocket, only dish rags. No offense, Peter, but you can only buy people who are weak.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
He controls the $$$ Repubs need to run (or run again) for office.
"Blaming the Democrats for advancing what he calls “partisan” bills, McConnell pointed to the equal pay act as a sign that the "era of bipartisanship is over.” - McConnell is delusional. The era of bipartisanship has not existed since he has been Majority/Minority leader
McConnell isn’t delusional. He’s just gaslighting. As usual.
Cherish, absolutely true. He is far from delusional. Every step he makes is finely calculated.
Sorry Cheri. My autocorrect is on overtime.
Substack needs an edit function!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I kinda liked that, "Cherish"
One could argue effectively that bi-partisan days ended under Harry Reid. McConnell obviously learned a lot from him.
If that is so, McConnell perfected it.
Agreed, and, like a Top 40 record, has now played it well past the point of death.
Harry Reid's leadership is a spector or flag that my Republican/Conservative friends wave but it is getting tattered.
But Harry Reid was the first to use the Nuclear Option over federal judges. That lead to McConnell expanding it to cover the Supreme Court as well. We all know how that turned out.
Obstruction by the minority party is the norm in the House and Senate so what we are seeing today comes at no surprise.
Weren’t the Dems happy to have the filibuster to stop Trumps legislation ?
SOS in high stakes politics.😩
McConnell let the Dems do that. So he didn’t have to go on record and have HIS caucus do it.
Also, I rarely hear mentioned WHY Harry Reid did that. It was a last resort in the face of relentless obstruction by the R's, who were more than happy to grind government to a dead stop under Democratic leadership, so come election time they could have a campaign talking point of do-nothing Democrats. Reid was desperate to accomplish something, anything.
As was McConnell in the last administration; he couldn't get anything else done so he did judges.
Harry himself is pretty tattered these days. My point is that McC had a similarly oriented predecessor and the particular politics of either wasn't as important as the behavior. Not everything is posed in partisan terms and one should be careful about making assumptions of other people's political views.
I make no assumption about other people's political views. My point is that many of my Conservative friends do bring up Reid when in discussion about the filibuster-- it is their "what about" herring instead of having the conversation about the actual issue using the filibuster prevents and whether preventing debate and discussion of the merits of a bill in an effort to gain political points degrades or contaminates our government, ultimately making compromise and solving the problems of our nation an executive order or Court decision solution-- basically ceding the power and function of the Congress to the other branches of government.
I can think of several pejorative terms to describe Mitch McConnell, “vile” comes to mind most often, but delusional he is not. Joe Manchin fits the description rather well if he continues to believe there is any chance of bipartisan support for any congressional initiative that might make the Democrats look good in 2022.
I don’t think Joe Manchin really thinks there is much bipartisanship in the Senate to be had. He is using the hunt for bipartisanship as a cover so he doesn’t have vote on difficult issues. He is not fighting for the voters of WV, but for the Koch network. Bipartisanship does exist for the For the People Act, just not in the Senate.
As always, follow the money. I think his shelf date is past.
I do believe it's fair to say that Manchin is a Koch sucker.
Is it on record that he receives support from the Kochs? I’m just sick that he is gumming up the works with the rest of the Trumpublicans.
If Biden and the Democrats can’t get anything passed, at least they can shine a light on Trumpublican shenanigans. No more hiding.
It was in either the NYT or the WaPo yesterday. I read both, can't remember which.
Agree. 70-79% of West Virginians support h.r.1 and s.1 and infrastructure. You are 100% correct.
Democrats need a Koch network of their own. Someone so powerful, they can control and even the playing field. Not that I really mean this(as such power is not good), but something/someone who could show Republicans we are not to be discarded, which is what I feel like they are doing now even more so after being empowered by Trump and friends.
It’s time for Dems to drop that “when they go low, we go high” belief.
So we should become like them?
My father fought in Nam as a Green Beret. He said we were losing because the US followed normal fighting protocols while the North Vietnamese used gorilla warfare. Dems don’t have to be evil but they need to put on their big boy/girl pants and stop believing and hoping that things will get better. This has wasted precious time, which is exactly what Mitch wants.
Just for the record it's "guerilla" (Spanish for "little war") Gorillas are actually known pacifists unless you go out of your way to bother them. :-)
Also, the Vietnamese won because they were fighting for their country while we were fighting to survive "365 days, or life, whichever comes first."
Nobody can spell guerilla, so the military uses “asymmetrical warfare” now. Nobody can spell that either....
😂
Lol make me remember that scene in the movie Captain Ron. Thanks
While we’re on the topic of how to lose a war, and I might be stretching a bit here, but I see a parallel between the North Vietnamese Army win in Vietnam and the Republican strategy. The NVA won simply by not losing. The leaders of North Vietnam knew that, like the British in the American Revolutionary War, the US would eventually get tied and go home. At this juncture Republicans are playing the long game; they win not by allowing popular Democratic programs to become law. They don’t have to propose anything, they only need to drag out “negotiations” and fight on procedural process. (BTW: read the Wiki entry on the history of the filibuster). We can discuss the shortsighted strategies of apparently dim and corrupt politicians until we are blue in the face. But the way to surest way to succeed at this game is to actually WIN seats in state and federal offices. The Democrats need a long game, and they need to put as much effort into gaining seats as on current skirmishes.
Oh so much more effort than that! Time to really get down into the "trenchs" and engage bayonets for the charge. Up and at 'em again and again till the seats are taken. At least the GOP have seriously underlined the imporant lesson that local seats can give power. I trust that the Dems have understood now.
Morning, Stuart!! Just voted yesterday in VA Dem's primary for up coming election for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General. Had a discussion with a past delegate who lamented the Dems' penchant to sit on their laurels after a big win. Just as you say, Stuart, "Up and at 'em again and again"!
Another few Senate wins for Dems and Manchin becomes irrelevant. His time as king maker is short.
A positive press release - 'It don't mean a thing, If it ain't got that swing'
We need short term wins as well. A good enough Jobs Plan and an expanded John Lewis Voting Rights Act would go a long way. The American people are looking for competence and results.
That's a very interesting, excellent analysis.
They knew what they were fighting for and used whatever ressources they could muster to fight for their lives. I hesitate to say "fight for their freedom" as that didn't seem to be on the cards then any more than now. When you get into a war you have to know why you are doing it, how you are going to win it and what you want to do with the victory thereafter. Hence the "debacles" of Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq etc The US has lost sight of all 3 since Korea....and even then.....perhaps since 1945.
Yes, one can quibble over the words. "fight for their independence" would be more accurate and to the people on that side I have had the privilege of interviewing "fighting for the freedom to be independent" is more accurate yet. One of the things I found that I took as hopeful while researching my coming Vietnam book "The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club" was that many of the Naval Aviators have gotten to know their "opposite numbers" they flew against, and friendships and visits to each others' homes have happened.
As to Korea, one of the vets I interviewed for "MiG Alley" told me he knew it was all worthwhile the first time he saw a photo from space of Asia at night: all lit up except for one dark hole with no light - North Korea. As he put it "Looking at the Korean peninsula at night from up there, it's easy to see who won."
Or rather, it's easy to see who lost - the North Korean people, who were plunged into a nightmarish world where the Kim family starves the common people they are growing fat on. One of the most sickening sights of the former guy's foreign visits was to see him and Kim together fawning over one another. Two of a kind (and TFG is still hoping to become our own Dear Leader).
Good point. The war won includes the peace achieved least a new war emerge when the devastation is replaced by ordinary or the next generation does not achieve historical memory. I think one of the most important combinations following WWII was that of aid in rebuilding the vanquished, prosecution of those who advanced anti-humanitarian goals of the Nazi's, and intergeneralatioanry education and memorials to the victims of fascism. When the generals leave, diplomats, institutions of good purpose help restore the decency and humanity of defeated people.
You are right, I was there, I know.
Sounds like the minutemen fighting the red coats
If you aren't willing to bring a gun to a gunfight, and recognize The Enemy as The Enemy when you see them acting like The Enemy, then go back to munching cucumber sandwiches and swilling Chardonnay in your Saab somewhere else.
Fan of TCinLA
Big Fan of TCinLA
Dang, MaryPat. You get to be president of the club!
Will have TCinLA Fan Club T-shirts made up! What color?
Hmm. The cucumber sandwich sounds good, but I’ve never liked wine, liquor for me on the rare occasions I partake, nor does the Saab sound appealing. I drive a pick-up truck. Sometime back I owned a ‘68 Mustang convertible, black over red, original interior that was deteriorating but I didn’t care, which I wouldn’t mind getting back but too late for that. Everybody has the one car that got away, for my dearest friend (female) it was a cherry red Plymouth Valiant, slant 6. Nothing Swedish for me.
Love you TC ❤️
I had a Dodge 150, slant six, and a Plymouth wagon, slant six. Bulletproof engines. Any good MOPAR mechanic could recognize them by their sound, and they would give you a little TLC,
Push button transmission. Fantastic car.
Actually that was a Dodge Dart.
Old AMC Ramblers also had pushbutton gearshift.
Plymouth Fury wagon!
Had a slant six engine myself, but don't remember the make. It got totaled by a drunk driver while it was parked on a street. We actually sold it for more than what we owed on it. Best car ever.
Had an old Saab in ‘78. Best damn snow drift jumping car I’ve ever known. Man I miss that car. Cucumber sandwiches sound like a nice snack, but I’m not so sure about the chardonnay choice. BTW, none of the above prevents one from putting up a good fight—whatever the terrain or weapons required. What say we pull together and focus on what matters, the protection of our democracy.
It was all metaphor - California metaphor at that. No California Saab driver would know any of that. :-)
ROLAND FOR PRESIDENT! ROLAND FOR PRESIDENT! Roland, you have a lot of good ideas and are very articulate, plus you have a pickup!! Do you have a dog and a rifle too? You'd garner a wide base for the Dems and we'd win for sure!
Dog yes, rifle no. I’m closer to TPJ than TC on that issue. Now cars, that’s a different story. I like cars.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXFFLuoaMzM
Sizzling TC. Sizzling. Made me put some rashers of bacon in the pan this morning. 😜
I believe the original is "don't bring a knife to a gunfight" which implies what you are saying TCinLA in a stronger metaphor. The dems are bringing knives to a gunfight with the thuglicans.
Hey, Barbara. If you read what he said, "If you AREN'T willing to bring a gun to a gunfight..." it is exactly what he intended to say.
Yes, I got that. I wasn't disputing what he was saying. Dems SHOULD be armed appropriately but they stand there with 'knives' and wonder why the scene ends like in "Raiders of the Lost Ark' :)
Duh. My bad, Barbara! I read your comment wrong the first time around. Thanks.
Unfortunately, as things stand the Dems are not even carrying a knife, just talking about its necessity....perhaps.
TC. Sometimes you get so caught up in your words you forget what you are actually saying. Please think about it a little more deeply.
I may be wrong, but I don't think TC is advocating violence like we experienced on January 6.
He's not advocating that kind of violence, rather the violence of getting off the couch, doing something concrete to help, keep hammering away, hammering away, hammering away until we win!
No, but it is the constant us vs them mentality that is wearing and non-productive.
It is indeed wearying, but the other side has declared the war.
You must be thinking of someone else.
Burn!
No, I don’t plan on it. We have the heart, the talent, the truth and the Cause. If we had to get evil and dirty and cheat, we’d lose! They are pros at that, we would be newbies.
I am not saying "get evil and dirty." I don't think we got "evil and dirty" in WW2, but we damn well did let them know we were there. I AM saying "get the hell up, insert a backbone, and get in there!"
I agree with you completely, Gustav. It’s a pleasure and a joy working with you. 😘
No, worse. Kidnappings, ransom, assault, smear campaigns like never been seen, etc. Time to win.
No, we should be bigger, better and stronger. Confrontation is the only way to take down a bully.
Yes indeed!!
Think about it
Never should have been adopted starting with Reagan.
What would that actually look like when we don't have THE VOTES to pass things in the Senate and have a very slim majority in the House?
I think the Dems are investing time and demonstrating an effort to get bipartisan support in order to show the voters of this country that McConnell really means what he says — and that the repetrolicans will follow him like sheep. This will give us real-time information to use as we campaign for Dems next year; however, we are running out of time NOW.
Reconciliation is a lengthy process, bidding and contracts and land acquisition don’t happen overnight. Vetting of healthcare workers and childcare workers isn’t quickly accomplished. Construction trades must be trained and hired, and so on. Candidates can’t just run on an anti- R platform, Dems must be able to give Americans passed legislation and shovels in the dirt. Federal standard election law, the end of the filibuster on Constitutional legislation — which includes the right to vote! And so on, deliver something the candidates can run on, and we can help them win with! Time to play ball, NOW
We have some of the best leaders and legislators the Democrats have had, but they are up against some of the best players they have ever faced. Time for us to get mobilized. Michael Steele said last night that 2022 is going to require 10 times the effort from us than we gave in 2020. Give me the ball, coach!
Repetrolicans. Yes.
I’m personally loving “McManchin”.
Gustav, you’re the man‼️
Heather, I find your letter verging on heartbreaking. At 74 years of age, I have watched these Republican tactics used over and over again. Now I am reading about them being in books you have written. It is time for the Democrats to enact the change needed for the needy and disenfranchised. As you wrote today, "The Republican position took a hit this morning, when ProPublica published an investigation based on leaked tax documents. It revealed that America’s 25 richest people—some with more than $100 billion in wealth—pay remarkably little in federal income taxes…sometimes nothing. They can avoid taxes through various accounting methods, while ordinary Americans pay full fare."
Mitch and Elaine are two of those wealthy repubs. After his first wife he said he was going to find himself a rich woman. And he did.
I hope number one gets a more than healthy spousal check!
Either that, or she has distanced herself well away and has her own adequate income so that she needn't have any connection at all with that chapter of her past.
Part 1 of 2 (Substack space limitation)
Heather found gold with the Letter of 302 heroic organizations stepping up to speak up to petition Biden and Harris on behalf of the For the People Act. These are the groups for us to join--find our peeps, channel our energy and knowledge into constructive action. There is something for everyone: advocacy, civic, faith and labor groups in 43 states and DC. If we are not already among these 2.5 million Americans working in these organizations, then we need to pick one. Now.
I am loathe to take up a lot of real estate in these posts, but this is a critical list of groups we must support. Are you already with one of them?
(list of A-L)
Action for a Better Tomorrow - Sauk Valley - Dixon, Illinois
Action Together Florida - Bradenton, Florida
Action Together New Jersey - Madison, New Jersey
Activate America - Oakland, California
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Council 12 - Los Angeles, California
African American Christian Clergy Coalition - Phoenix, Arizona
Alabama Association for the Arts - Huntsville, Alabama
Alabama Black Women's Roundtable North - Birmingham, Alabama
Alabama State Association of Cooperatives - Gainesville, Alabama
Alaskans Take A Stand - Anchorage, Alaska
Amalgamated Transit Union - Local 1212 - Chattanooga, Tennessee
American Federation of Governmental Employees - Local 2400 - Nashville, Tennessee
APIA Vote Colorado - Westminster, Colorado
Arizona Dream Act Coalition - Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona Faith Network - Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona Students’ Association - Phoenix, Arizona
Arrowhead Indivisible - Grand Marais, Minnesota
Hawaiian Airlines Association of Flight Attendants - CWA, AFL-CIO - Honolulu, Hawaii
Avondale ACTion - Avondale Estates, Georgia
Baltimore County Progressive Democrats Club - Towson, Maryland
Be the Change Bmore - Baltimore, Maryland
Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Champaign-Urbana - Champaign, Illinois
Beth Tikvah Congregation Tzedek - Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Bethlehem NY Indivisible - Bethlehem, New York
Bible Study for Progressives - Whittier, California
BLM Rhode Island PAC - Providence, Rhode Island
Blue Wave Postcard Movement - Boulder, Colorado
Blue Wave Postcarders - Los Angeles, California
Broward for Progress - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Build Back Better - Olympia, Washington
Build Back Better Thurston - Olympia, Washington
Butternut Valley Indivisible - Gilbertsville, New York
Call 4 Change - Ross, California
Carolina For All - Columbia, South Carolina
Carroll County Democratic Club - Westminster, Maryland
CBFD Indivisible San Diego - San Diego, California
CCoHOPE Indivisible, Croton On Hudson - New York
Change Begins With ME - Indivisible - San Diego, California
Citizen Action of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Civic Sundays - Los Angeles, California
Clayton Huddle - Indivisible Chapter - Clayton, Missouri
Clean Elections Texas - Dallas, Texas
Climate Reality Bay Area - San Francisco Bay Area, California
Coast Democratic Club - Mendocino, California
Commit To Democracy - Walnut Creek, California
Communication Workers of America Local 9333 - Modesto, California
Communications Workers of America District 9 - Santa Fe Springs, California
Communications Workers of America Local 39000 - Santa Fe Springs, California
Communications Workers of America Local 9003 - Burbank, California
Communications Workers of America Local 9408 - Fresno, California
Communications Workers of America Local 9413 - Nevada
Communications Workers of America Local 9416 - Bakersfield, California
Communications Workers of America Local 9505 - Monrovia, California
Communications Workers of America Local 9511 - Escondido, California
Communications Workers of America Local 9412 - Hayward, California
Communications Workers of America Arizona State Council - Tucson, Arizona
Congregation Hakafa - Glencoe, Illinois
Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes - Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries- Greater Boston, Massachusetts
Crooked River Action - Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
CT Shoreline Indivisible - Guilford, Connecticut
Democracy NC - Morrisville, North Carolina
Democratic Women of Knoxville - Knoxville, Tennessee
Downtown East for Progress - New York, New York
East Bay Activist Alliance - Berkeley, California
East Valley Indivisibles - San Fernando Valley, California
Equality California - Los Angeles, California
Equity Action Collective - Blue Springs, Missouri
Evanston North/Shore Branch NAACP - Evanston, Illinois
Face the Music Collective - San Francisco, California
Field Team 6 - Los Angeles, California
Fix Democracy First - Seattle, Washington
Forward United NEO - Macedonia, Ohio
Fuse Washington - Seattle, Washington
GA Familias Unidas - Gainesville, Georgia
Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda - Atlanta, Georgia
Get Money Out - Maryland - Baltimore, Maryland
Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition - New York, New York
Grove City Urbancrest Progress - Grove City, Ohio
Hillcrest Indivisible - San Diego, California
Hold the Line - Maryland - Clarksville, Maryland
Hometown Action - Montevallo, Alabama
Hoosier Action - New Albany, Indiana
Hudson Valley Indivisible - Hudson Valley, New York
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 492 - Nashville, Tennessee
Indivisible Action Tampa Bay - Tampa, Florida
Indivisible Acton Area - Acton, Massachusetts
Indivisible Beach Cities - Los Angeles South Bay, California
Indivisible Bemidji - Bemidji, Minnesota
Indivisible Brooklyn - Brooklyn, New York
Indivisible CA-33 - Los Angeles, California
Indivisible CA-39 - Brea, California
Indivisible California Green Team - California
Indivisible Cayuga - Auburn, New York
Indivisible Chicago Alliance - Chicago, Illinois
Indivisible Clackamas District OR-5 - Milwaukie, Oregon
Indivisible Claremont/Inland Valley - Claremont, California
Indivisible Columbia NY - Chatham, New York
Indivisible Colusa County - Arbuckle, California
Indivisible District 12 - Statesboro, Georgia
Indivisible DuPage - Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Indivisible East Bay - Alameda County, California
Indivisible Elmwood - Berkeley, California
Indivisible Euclid - Berkeley, California
Indivisible Georgia Coalition - Georgia
Indivisible Guilford County - Greensboro, North Carolina
Indivisible Harlem - New York City, New York
Indivisible Hawaii - Hawaii
Indivisible Howard County - Ellicott City, Maryland
Indivisible Hudson Valley - Hudson Valley, New York
Indivisible Huron Valley - Huron Valley, Michigan
Indivisible Illinois - Illinois
Indivisible KC - Kansas City, Missouri
Indivisible Lancaster - Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Indivisible Little Rock and Central Arkansas - Arkansas
Indivisible Lumpkin - Dahlonega, Georgia
Indivisible Madison - Madison, Wisconsin
Indivisible Marin - San Rafael, California
Indivisible Massachusetts Coalition - Massachusetts
Indivisible Media City Burbank - Burbank, California
Indivisible Mendocino - Mendocino, California
Indivisible Missouri - Missouri
Indivisible MN-03 - Minnetrista, Minnesota
Indivisible Mohawk Valley - Utica, New York
Indivisible Nantucket - Nantucket, Massachusetts
Indivisible Napa - Napa, California
Indivisible Nation BK - Brooklyn, New York
Indivisible Normal Heights - San Diego, California
Indivisible Northampton - Northampton, Massachusetts
Indivisible Northern Nevada - Reno, Nevada
Indivisible NWIL Crystal Lake - Crystal Lake, Illinois
Indivisible OH-15 - Grove City, Ohio
Indivisible Oregon - Oregon
Indivisible Outer Cape - Truro, Massachusetts
Indivisible Sacramento - Sacramento, California
Indivisible San Jose - San Jose, California
Indivisible Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, California
Indivisible Scarsdale - Scarsdale, New York
Indivisible SEMO - Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Indivisible SF - San Francisco, California
Indivisible Shawnee - Cobden, Illinois
Indivisible Sonoma County - Sonoma, California
Indivisible South Bay LA - Los Angeles, California
Indivisible South Peninsula - Sunnyvale, California
Indivisible St. Louis - St. Louis, Missouri
Indivisible St. Peter/Greater Mankato - Saint Peter, Minnesota
Indivisible Stephentown - Stephentown, New York
Indivisible Tacoma - Tacoma, Washington
Indivisible TX Lege - Texas
Indivisible Ulster - Kingston, New York
Indivisible Upper East Side - New York, New York
Indivisible Ventura - Ventura, California
Indivisible West Marin - Point Reyes Station, California
Indivisible West Suburban Action League - Riverside, Illinois
Indivisible Western Springs - Western Springs, Illinois
Indivisible Yolo - Yolo County, California
Indivisible: OH-12 East, Licking and Muskingum Counties - Ohio
Inwood Indivisible - New York, New York
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement - Des Moines, Iowa
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 226 - Chattanooga, Tennessee
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 226 - Chattanooga, Tennessee
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 437 - Knoxville, Tennessee
Jersey Girls for Democracy - Trenton, New Jersey
Jobs with Justice of East Tennessee - Knoxville, Tennessee
Knox County Dems in District 9 - Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville-Oak Ridge Area Central Labor Council - Knoxville, Tennessee
Lake Street Speaks - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Larchmont Mamaroneck Indivisible - Mamaroneck, New York
Liberty Neighbor to Neighbor - Liberty, New York
Licking County NAACP - Newark, Ohio
Lift Our Vote - Huntsville, Alabama
Lisle Township Democratic Organization - Lisle Township, Illinois
Live Oak County Democrats - Three Rivers, Texas
LP Indivisible - Detroit, Michigan
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mQKvy0Wc6mV-hPoGEhxu_vYwiJOEJ67lcvOr9dUIkJ0/edit
Ellie's comment above, which lists 302 people's organizations petitioning Biden and Harris in favor of the For the People Act, highlights the direction I believe we must go. Action on behalf of Democracy, including For the People Act, must be taken by the American people, all of us.
At this time in 2021, when hundreds of bills have been created to increase voter suppression, many of us remember the 1950’s and 60’s when we joined the Civil Rights Movement.
'The catalyst that ignited the modern Civil Rights Movement was the 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. When Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, the black community organized a boycott of the city buses. After 13 months, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Alabama’s laws segregating buses were unconstitutional, and the boycott ended in success. During the Montgomery boycott, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. rose to prominence, and in 1956 the Southern Christian Leadership Council was created to coordinate and support non-violent protests against segregation and discrimination.'
'The Civil Rights Movement was a grassroots effort, that took root as African American citizens decided to speak up, walk out, or engage in civil disobedience to bring attention to the racial injustices that permeated Southern society. In February 1960, students in Greensboro, North Carolina, began the sit-in movement, when they refused to leave a segregated lunch counter at a Woolworth’s store. Their actions set off a wave of sit-ins and other non-violent protests against segregation. Later that year, students founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee as an outlet for younger African Americans who wanted to take part in the movement. In 1961, the Freedom Riders risked their lives trying to desegregate interstate travel facilities, such as bus stations across the South. Beginning their rides in Washington, D.C., the riders were arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina, and they encountered increasing resistance as they traveled deeper into the South. In Alabama and Mississippi, the riders were beaten and arrested. The next year, violent vigilantes rioted in Oxford, Mississippi, as James Meredith, by order of the U.S. courts, enrolled in the traditionally white University of Mississippi.' (Miller Center)
Please find an organization to join from the list that Ellie provided above or Ballot Ready,
https://www.ballotready.org
Campaign Legal Center
campaignlegalcenter.org
Common Cause
commoncause.org
FairVote
fairvote.org
for other major national organizations advocating stronger voting rights, providing legal and other expertise as well as helping to organize campaigns state by state go to:
https://reclaimtheamericandream.org/organizations-vote/
On May 9th1966, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a speech in Kingstree, SC, about the importance of voting.
“Let us on that glad day in June march on ballot boxes, for this is the way we’re going to straighten up the South and the nation.
Let us march on ballot boxes until somehow we will be able to develop that day men will have food and material necessities for their bodies, freedom and dignity for their spirits, and education and culture for their mind.
Let us march on ballot boxes so that men and women will no longer walk the streets in search of jobs that do not exist.
Let us march on ballot boxes until the empty stomachs of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina are filled.
Let us march on ballot boxes until the idle industries of Appalachia are revitalized.
Let us march on ballot boxes until 'brotherhood' is more than a meaningless word and at the end of a prayer but the first order of business on every Legislature’s slate or agenda. Let us march on ballot boxes.
Let us march on ballot boxes until every valley shall be exalted, until every mountain and hill shall be made low, until the rough places are made plain and the crooked places straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all of bloods shall sing together.
Let us march on ballot boxes until we are able to send to the State Houses of the South, men who would do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God. Let us march on ballot boxes.
One day, Mississippi, which has an affinity for the bottom will be Mississippi which has an affinity for the top.
One day, Alabama, the heart of Dixie, will be Alabama the heart of democracy.
One day, South Carolina will be a better state. One day, Georgia will be a better state.
And why is this true? Because mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. Glory.
And all over the South and the nation we can sing ‘Glory, hallelujah. Glory, hallelujah, our God is marching on.
And so I say, walk together children, don’t you get weary. There’s a great camp meeting in the Promised Land.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. told us ‘don’t you get weary’. John Lewis and Jim Clyburn would echo Martin’s words, along with "Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America."
Thank you Sister Fern for the echo of Reverend Martin Luther King. I love hearing his voice. It energizes and calms me at the same time.
Let’s focus!
Thanks for taking up space with this important info, Ellie!!
I have requested admission to the private facebook group for CT Shoreline Indivisible - Guilford, CT (close enough to my home, and near the shore, so a monthly Saturday morning meeting is not a great burden).
There are several Indivisible groups in Vermont also
Thanks for taking the time and effort to post these!
Thanks, Ellie!
Mitch McConnell does not give one inch, illustrating with every decision that he is totally partisan, that he will do everything he can do to protect the Republican Party....... country and Constitution and democracy be damned. If he were able to think beyond his nose and his ambition to return to Majority Leader, he could have scored some points with the American people by supporting the For the People Voting Act. It is clear now, as it should have been before, that there is no there there in McConnell when it comes to bipartisanship. Democrats should proceed as rapidly as possible to get any bill they can get passed with budget reconciliation. McConnell will filibuster anything which even remotely threatens a Republican majority. He could care less about the great leading lights of the American Republic, Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, nor the great senatorial deal makers and compromisers of the past. He is all about the naked use of power. Period. Unfortunately, McConnell is a very limited person. What is scary is that he may be the best of the leadership that the current Republican Party is capable of. God help us.
I think that McConnell is the textbook example of partisan. Period. I don't think that man has a bone in his body that gives a whit about bipartisan legislation; his way or the highway.
If Manchin is an idiot, Sinema needs to be seen for what she is: a troll. She's a "Democrat" who's proud to have more Republican friends in the Senate than friends among her fellow Democrats. She started her political career as a far left Green Democrat self-proclaimed "bomb thrower" who found she could advance herself by claiming friends with Republicans. I personally think she's like most Greens, who can't be trusted further than you can see them with your eyes closed, who are just fine with running Republican-financed campaigns against Democrats as paid "spoilers," that and Russian-paid trolls, like Jill Stein.
Interesting. As usual, I’m learning from you TC. I wasn’t aware of Sinema’s career history. You’re calling Jill Stein Russian-paid? You are obviously far more educated about these things than I am. I’m going to have to do a little research to see if you know what you’re talking about, which generally you are.
If you are willing and have the time, or if anybody else is looking at this discussion, I could use a link to educate myself about Jill Stein. I already believe you about Sinema.
Remember the famous pre-elections meeting of Dr.Stein with Puton in Russia? Most candidates don't leave empty handed.
And the dinner with Mike Flynn and Putin? No innocent, Jill Stein.
By the way, I would probably call myself a Green. And I would agree with you that the American Green political candidates seem to have generally been saps and not necessarily trustworthy. Well-meaning, but not up to the challenge.
I fear you are right - even here in Oz - Greens are full of idealism and damn near zero in political acumen. So they quite contentedly promote policies that are the opposite of each other. sigh!
Part 2 of 2 (Substack space limitation)
Heather found gold with the Letter of 302 heroic organizations stepping up to speak up to petition Biden and Harris on behalf of the For the People Act. These are the groups for us to join--find our peeps, channel our energy and knowledge into constructive action. There is something for everyone: advocacy, civic, faith and labor groups in 43 states and DC. If we are not already among these 2.5 million Americans working in these organizations, then we need to pick one. Now.
I am loathe to take up a lot of real estate in these posts, but this is a critical list of groups we must support. Are you already with one of them?
(list of M-Z)
Maine Citizens for Clean Elections - Portland, Maine
Maine People's Alliance - Portland, Maine
Mainers for Accountable Leadership - Maine
Mainstream Coalition - Merriam, Kansas
Mary F. Handy Women's Missionary Society - Huntington, West Virginia
Maryland Latinos Unidos - Baltimore, Maryland
Media Voices for Children - Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
Mi Familia Vota - Phoenix, Arizona
Michigan People's Campaign - Detroit, Michigan
Michigan United - Detroit, Michigan
Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action - Parkersburg, West Virginia
Missouri Voter Protection Coalition - Missouri
Mountaintop Progressives - Greene County, New York
National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA Local 59051 - SF, California
National Association of Social Workers - West Virginia chapter - Charleston, West Virginia
National Council of Jewish Women - Greater New Orleans Section - New Orleans, Louisiana
National Council of Jewish Women - PA - Pennsylvania
National Council of Jewish Women - CA - California
National Council of Jewish Women - Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio
National Council of Jewish Women - Greater New Orleans Section - New Orleans, Louisiana
National Council of Jewish Women - Illinois - Illinois
National Council of Jewish Women - Louisville Section - Louisville ,Kentucky
National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan - Michigan
National Rural Social Work Caucus - Murray, Kentucky
National Council of Jewish Women - Essex Section - Livingston, New Jersey
Necessary Trouble - Atlanta, Georgia
Neighbors Organizing for Power & Equality - Washington, D.C.
Neighbors Who Vote - Chicago, Illinois
Network Delaware - Delaware
New Hampshire Youth Movement - New Hampshire
North Carolina Council of Churches - North Carolina
NorthEast Polk Democratic Club - Davenport, Florida
Northern Progressives - Cook, Minnesota
Northridge Indivisible - Northridge, California
NWGSD - Portland, Oregon
NY Indivisible - New York, New York
NYCD16-Indivisible - Yonkers, New York
Oblong Valley Indivisible - Millerton, New York
Ohio Progressive Action Leaders - Ohio
Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition - Huntington, West Virginia
Omaha Action Coalition - Omaha, Nebraska
One Queens Indivisible - Queens County, New York
Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 277 - Nashville, Tennessee
Our Revolution Greater Fall River - Fall River, Massachusetts
Peace Action Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Physicians for a National Health Program - Rhode Island chapter - Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Plymouth Area Indivisible - Plymouth, Minnesota
Poder Latinx - Orlando, Florida
Polk County Democratic Club - Lakeland, Florida
Progress Arizona - Phoenix, Arizona
Progressive Democrats of America - Arizona - Phoenix, Arizona
Progressive Democrats of America - California - Los Angeles, California
Progressive Democrats of America - Central New Mexico - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Progressive Democrats of America - Colorado - Denver, Colorado
Progressive Democrats of America - East Los Angeles County - Whittier, California
Progressive Democrats of America - Maryland - Baltimore, Maryland
Progressive Democrats of America - Nebraska - Omaha, Nebraska
Progressive Democrats of America - Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Progressive Democrats of America - Virginia - Alexandria, Virginia
Progressive Mariposa - Mariposa, California
Progressive Rural Overhill Women for Democracy - Sweetwater, Tennessee
Progressive Yamhill - McMinnville, Oregon
Putnam Progressives - Mahopac, New York
Reclaim Our Democracy - Concord, Massachusetts
Renew Rhode Island - Providence, Rhode Island
Represent Georgia Institute - Atlanta, Georgia
Represent George Action Network - Macon, Georgia
RepresentUs New Mexico - New Mexico
Resist 45 Bremerton - Bremerton, Washington
Rhode Island Democratic Women's Caucus - Providence, Rhode Island
Rhode Island Healthcare Access & Affordability Partnership - Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Rhode Island Political Cooperative - Providence, Rhode Island
Rights & Democracy - Vermont - Burlington, Vermont
Rights & Democracy - New Hampshire - Manchester, New Hampshire
Rise Up Western Mass Indivisible - Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Rise Up WV - Charleston, West Virginia
Rooted in Resistance - Pasadena, California
Sierra Madre Activists Rebuilding Together - Sierra Madre, California
Silver Spring Progressive Action - Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver State Equality - Nevada
Sister District Marin - Novato, California
SNCC Legacy Project - Washington, D.C.
Sneakers Laced Up South Shore - Marshfield, Massachusetts
SOMA Action - South Orange-Maplewood, New Jersey
Sonoma Valley Resistance - Sonoma, California
South Central Brooklyn United for Progress - Brooklyn, New York
Southern Appalachian Labor School - Kincaid, West Virginia
Stand up Alaska - Anchorage, Alaska
Indivisible Michigan - Michigan
Summit Area Indivisible - Summit, New Jersey
Sunrise Tacoma - Tacoma, Washington
SURJ Marin - Showing UP for Racial Justice - Marin County, California
Swing Left Austin - Austin, Texas
Swing Left Greater Boston - Boston, Massachusetts
Swing Left Marin - San Rafael, California
Swing Left of North and Central New Jersey - New Jersey
Swing Left San Francisco - San Francisco, California
Swing Left Sonoma County - Santa Rosa, California
Swing Left Target Majority NYC - New York, New York
Teamsters Local 519 - Knoxville, Tennessee
Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council - Nashville, Tennessee
The Order of the Phoenix - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Womxn Project - Wakefield, Rhode Island
Tennessee Democratic Party Labor Caucus - Knoxville, Tennessee
Towards Justice Committee, First Unitarian Church of St. Louis - St. Louis, Missouri
Town of Callicoon Democratic Club - Callicoon, New York
Truth and Democracy Coalition - Whittier, California
U-Act (Ulster Activists) - New Paltz, New York
United Vision for Idaho - Boise, Idaho
Upper West Side MoveOn/Indivisible Action Group - New York, New York
Voices of Reason - Normal, Illinois
Wallingford Indivisible - Seattle, Washington
We Are One Sullivan - Sullivan County, New York
Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club - Oakland, California
Westchester United - Hastings on Hudson, New York
Westfield 20/20 - Westfield, New Jersey
Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church - Washington, D.C.
Women of Color Coalition - Multi-state
Writers for Democratic Action - Multi-state
WV Citizen Action - Charleston, West Virginia
WV Citizens for Clean Elections - Charleston, West Virginia
WV FREE - Charleston, West Virginia
Young Democrats of Arizona - Phoenix, Arizona
Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County - Overland Park, Kansas
13 PAGES Indivisible - Oakland, California
159 Georgia Together - Hinesville, Georgia
350 Bay Area Action - San Francisco East Bay, California
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mQKvy0Wc6mV-hPoGEhxu_vYwiJOEJ67lcvOr9dUIkJ0/edit
These lists are incredible. Thank you. I had not seen them when I wrote my somewhat "rosy" post earlier and I must say, knowing that SO MANY organizations are actively fighting the good fight just made my day!
Yup.
Yep Yep.