Thank you so much @HeatherCoxRichardson. This passage is vital and I hope more highly-visible "political opposites" who fundamentally think democracy and justice are vital lowest common denominator agreements between liberals, moderates, and conservatives in the U.S.
"On this day four years ago, I recorded that “more than 80 national secu…
Thank you so much @HeatherCoxRichardson. This passage is vital and I hope more highly-visible "political opposites" who fundamentally think democracy and justice are vital lowest common denominator agreements between liberals, moderates, and conservatives in the U.S.
"On this day four years ago, I recorded that “more than 80 national security professionals broke with their tradition of non-partisanship to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden for president, saying that while they were from all parties and disagreed with each other about pretty much everything else, they had come together to stand against Trump.”"
I wrote about this yesterday (and mentioned your book along with Timothy Snyder's, Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Madeline Albright.
Thank you for your writing.. It is comforting to know that all those national security professionals came together 4 years ago to stand against Trump. It is happening now among former Trump cabinet members and other members of his administration. Also prominent Republicans from other eras. Dick Cheney is in a video warning the American people that Trump is a very real threat to the survival of our democracy. Never thought I’d say this, but I am grateful to Dick Cheney for speaking out.
Thank you Mary Ann -"thank you Dick Cheney" are words I thought I'd never say either. I become optimistic when total opposites unite over a common purpose. People suffering through tragedies, neighbors and communities helping people after the consequences of catastrophic weather events -without regard to who has a red hat or a blue hat. That is the thread of hope I have in trying to inform and educate -knowing that not everyone can be reached. If people around the world could heed Carl Sagan's words -that we are moving through space on a tiny blue life raft together -how that might change perspectives and inspire a more collaborative and peaceful world.
If a planet killing meteor were on its way -all nations would work together to try to stop it and defend earth. Who knew that the planet killing meteor would be a small group of corrupt, narcissistic men like Trump, Putin, Bolsonaro, Netanyahu, and fundamentalist extremists like Hamas.
He sure did. He wrote in support of of the Iran-Contra affair and thought that at times a President must operate outside the law (Chump thought that meant -all of the time).
Someone said ..’seems like maybe they know something we don’t’…it boggles my mind this ‘justice’ thing thrown out the windows within semantical debate . Where does principle belong , along side semantics? More than 3/4 of the WORLD has watched this circus witnessing disgust, violence, division, eyes rolling, vocally critical waving their warning flags with the notable exceptions of Putin, Orban, and a murky band of billionaires..has the slow stacking the (deck?) plan succeeded close enough to pull off the Fall of America .
My hope remains still in the numbers of Dems winning race after race as if this ‘woke’ crowd is gaining numbers, is really waking up !
Is this the justice , or principle, I expected ? No, not people continue to get prominently placed/supporting the lies, supported by the liars . Those following those dictators -the world’s worst con men, will they ever be held accountable ? Will a blue wave accomplish what’s needed…it’ll take long term consistent focus folks , that’s guaranteed.
Fully agree Patricia -in fact, the DOJ should actively be indicting the complicit, a real Congress would be expelling them, and a clear Congressional majority should be expanding SCOTUS and expelling 'Justices' who are too busy accepting fabulous gifts and prizes.
I wonder when we win, take the house,senate,and presidency will we put in place clear language ..laws?…to guard against such as is happening …will the coup ever end? Can we protect with laws , censure or impeach the lawless, that define proper and principle?
There really needs to be a coherent and comprehensive set of laws and policy to do just that. And remnants of America's racism (such as the filibuster) needs to be torn down faster than you can say "treasonous confederate" or "MAGA".
I live in WV, so red it bleeds. Like other poor rural ‘ extraction ‘states , things like our Gov elected under Dem status and after elected switched to Repub..🤦♀️ It wasn’t illegal! No finish out yer term and then could switch? Nope!
Turned our head(s) too often ? And here we are? Payback? Complacency? All of the above? Is the suspected demise inevitable?
Seems strong support both sides . Is the only win getting out the vote? Or has ‘dark’ money already closed that gate?
It does rather fascinate me, for us who vote every time /have since the begin…the stats were ( but the 2020 presidential) 35-45% voter participation . 🤷♀️
That and .50 cents ..’ is heard too frequently as are the orange mobsters.
There's direct voter suppression, and indirect. I've noticed that negative ads and campaigns have a double benefit. They are persuasive (playing into base fears) as well as causing people to say "politics are a toxic mess -I'm going to put my head down and keep working paycheck to paycheck (it they are fortunate enough to do so)." Over time, people will self-disenfranchise.
It's why a mantra of mine is that any meaningful democracy requires an educated, informed, and engaged society.
Jeri -do not challenge the former GOP to a limbo competition. Every time I think "they can't possibly go lower" they manage to surprise. With criminal Trump on top, fringe extremist Mike Johnson with the House gavel and people like Comer Pyle, effectively inviting testimony from foreign agents, I really don't know how anyone could vote for any of them.
From my years being subjected to Fox crap, I saw that they never aired so much of the repub despicable actions (during W/Dickie's fiasco). What was aired was pure fantasy, especially the Iraq invasion. Even after the Dominion verdict, they just tossed the scapegoat and kept right on with their "alternative facts." Foxers and their clones have no clue. Of course, the puppet masters know exactly what they are doing.
Rupert Murdoch's Fox 'News' is an important media centerpiece for the obscenely wealthy -it keeps average Americans divided (and thus conquered) while the quality of life for this and future generations is siphoned away by Murdoch, Koch, Musk, Ellison, Mercer, and a handful of others.
The reason for our discontent. I'm sure there are others but you nailed the worst offenders. In fact, I could scare up a list that would equal chump's enemies list.
George A. Polisner -- Particularly your last paragraph struck me!!
"If a planet killing meteor were on its way -all nations would work together to try to stop it and defend earth. Who knew that the planet killing meteor would be a small group of corrupt, narcissistic men like Trump, Putin, Bolsonaro, Netanyahu, and fundamentalist extremists like Hamas."
Dick Cheney's warnings will not move the needle at all. Neither will Liz. They were written off long ago by the faithful. Now all the generals and admirals of the armed forces - now that might help. Only thing is, I think that as right wing as the military is, for every top ranking general who warns against Trump, there is one who will endorse him. Could be a minefield.
Military and minefield. I see what you did there Jay, well-played.
I do think it helps to persuade, again not those lost in MAGA/Putin/Trump/Orban-world, however the moderates/independents and lean left/lean right.
When I was Chair of a county Democratic party -one of the fastest growing segments of voter registration were voters who were "unaffiliated". They did not want to be part of the toxic arguments between the parties -they knew voting was important, and would decide on the basis of each race. I ran the county party differently -instead of the typical "rah rah -we're democrats" I brought speakers in to talk about key societal issues. It expanded the array of people who were interested in issues as opposed to just business as usual party politics. State and National dem organizations should consider an educational approach instead of "Mitch McConnell just sneezed!!! Sign my petition, send me money, and tell Mitch no more sneezing!"
I fully embrace the dem party platform -it's just the organization that seems to just cater to party leadership ego instead of what really needs to be done at the national, state, regional, and local level (in my less than humble opinion). I've talked ad-nauseum to state and national leadership, however they really seem to have a "not invented here, or by me -so it can't be of value". Even George Lakoff's work -which was tremendous in understanding political communications and framing -went unheeded (and likely lost John Kerry the Presidency as a result).
I read that George. Well done! I believe however that we are all preaching to the choir. We are doing nothing more than honing our message, but not spreading it to much extent. The percentage of likely voters who will read HCR's words of wisdom, or yours, and will switch allegiances, hovers around zero % IMHO. There needs to be another way to break through. The best idea I have seen lately is for all the generals in the armed forces to put together a message to the American people. Something that cannot be misconstrued as RHINO's and never-Trumpers endlessly complaining. I can assure all of us, Pence's announcement that he is not endorsing Trump will move the needle not one iota, for example. I am at a loss for other ideas, and only hope the DNC can work some magic. In the mean time, the pressure is on the Biden administration to continue to perform well, commit no self-inflicted wounds, and hope fate does not deal us an unfortunate blow beyond his control that Republicans can blame on him none the less.
Thank you Jay -I do agree with much of what you say. I do think there's important value in, at a minimum, supporting each other through these challenging times -so the choir doesn't have to sing solo (except for when in the shower).
I find that other social platforms constrain content distribution -unless it's paid for, and even then, I am not optimistic. Zuckerberg and Musk want tension and conflict through propaganda and disinformation -that gets them ad revenue, and likely more data for Steve Bannon and Emerdata (the former Cambridge Analytica). I've been working with a small team of volunteers on a civic social network (https://civ.works) and there's an important new release coming soon.
I do agree, respected authority figures can help move the needle. For the most part I've written MAGA off as a cult -you don't bring a gallows, zip ties, and assorted weapons the nations capitol, and then kill and injure law enforcement if you have any respect for law and order. Interestingly perhaps -I also write off the deep left who, after the appointments of Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Coney-Barrett think Jill Stein will be the best President ever.
As I see it the battle is for the middle, as well as the pragmatic left and the lean conservative (but fundamentally believe in democracy and justice).
Jay, it really takes a gentle approach and a lot of time and patience to bring someone around on some recognition that their "sincerely held beliefs" are detrimental to society and culture. It took my nephew (in his estimation) 12 years of gentle conversation with his Dad to bring him around to the realities of economic struggle that Millennials were confronted with, and how different that was from what my former brother-in-law had grown up with.
It's going to be up to the voters. Organizing always helps if you have a message worth selling. I'm sure all this matters in stimulating Dems organizing efforts. Money is looking good so far ...
Thank you so much @HeatherCoxRichardson. This passage is vital and I hope more highly-visible "political opposites" who fundamentally think democracy and justice are vital lowest common denominator agreements between liberals, moderates, and conservatives in the U.S.
"On this day four years ago, I recorded that “more than 80 national security professionals broke with their tradition of non-partisanship to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden for president, saying that while they were from all parties and disagreed with each other about pretty much everything else, they had come together to stand against Trump.”"
I wrote about this yesterday (and mentioned your book along with Timothy Snyder's, Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Madeline Albright.
https://open.substack.com/pub/bomdia/p/red-state-blue-state
Thank you for your writing.. It is comforting to know that all those national security professionals came together 4 years ago to stand against Trump. It is happening now among former Trump cabinet members and other members of his administration. Also prominent Republicans from other eras. Dick Cheney is in a video warning the American people that Trump is a very real threat to the survival of our democracy. Never thought I’d say this, but I am grateful to Dick Cheney for speaking out.
Thank you Mary Ann -"thank you Dick Cheney" are words I thought I'd never say either. I become optimistic when total opposites unite over a common purpose. People suffering through tragedies, neighbors and communities helping people after the consequences of catastrophic weather events -without regard to who has a red hat or a blue hat. That is the thread of hope I have in trying to inform and educate -knowing that not everyone can be reached. If people around the world could heed Carl Sagan's words -that we are moving through space on a tiny blue life raft together -how that might change perspectives and inspire a more collaborative and peaceful world.
If a planet killing meteor were on its way -all nations would work together to try to stop it and defend earth. Who knew that the planet killing meteor would be a small group of corrupt, narcissistic men like Trump, Putin, Bolsonaro, Netanyahu, and fundamentalist extremists like Hamas.
Dickie helped pave the way for chump, would be nice to hear an apology.. won’t hold my breath
He sure did. He wrote in support of of the Iran-Contra affair and thought that at times a President must operate outside the law (Chump thought that meant -all of the time).
Someone said ..’seems like maybe they know something we don’t’…it boggles my mind this ‘justice’ thing thrown out the windows within semantical debate . Where does principle belong , along side semantics? More than 3/4 of the WORLD has watched this circus witnessing disgust, violence, division, eyes rolling, vocally critical waving their warning flags with the notable exceptions of Putin, Orban, and a murky band of billionaires..has the slow stacking the (deck?) plan succeeded close enough to pull off the Fall of America .
My hope remains still in the numbers of Dems winning race after race as if this ‘woke’ crowd is gaining numbers, is really waking up !
Is this the justice , or principle, I expected ? No, not people continue to get prominently placed/supporting the lies, supported by the liars . Those following those dictators -the world’s worst con men, will they ever be held accountable ? Will a blue wave accomplish what’s needed…it’ll take long term consistent focus folks , that’s guaranteed.
💙💙VOTE ALL THE COMPLICIT OUT💙💙
Fully agree Patricia -in fact, the DOJ should actively be indicting the complicit, a real Congress would be expelling them, and a clear Congressional majority should be expanding SCOTUS and expelling 'Justices' who are too busy accepting fabulous gifts and prizes.
I wonder when we win, take the house,senate,and presidency will we put in place clear language ..laws?…to guard against such as is happening …will the coup ever end? Can we protect with laws , censure or impeach the lawless, that define proper and principle?
Can we define WHY we aren’t doing that now?
There really needs to be a coherent and comprehensive set of laws and policy to do just that. And remnants of America's racism (such as the filibuster) needs to be torn down faster than you can say "treasonous confederate" or "MAGA".
I live in WV, so red it bleeds. Like other poor rural ‘ extraction ‘states , things like our Gov elected under Dem status and after elected switched to Repub..🤦♀️ It wasn’t illegal! No finish out yer term and then could switch? Nope!
Turned our head(s) too often ? And here we are? Payback? Complacency? All of the above? Is the suspected demise inevitable?
Seems strong support both sides . Is the only win getting out the vote? Or has ‘dark’ money already closed that gate?
It does rather fascinate me, for us who vote every time /have since the begin…the stats were ( but the 2020 presidential) 35-45% voter participation . 🤷♀️
That and .50 cents ..’ is heard too frequently as are the orange mobsters.
There's direct voter suppression, and indirect. I've noticed that negative ads and campaigns have a double benefit. They are persuasive (playing into base fears) as well as causing people to say "politics are a toxic mess -I'm going to put my head down and keep working paycheck to paycheck (it they are fortunate enough to do so)." Over time, people will self-disenfranchise.
It's why a mantra of mine is that any meaningful democracy requires an educated, informed, and engaged society.
I agree with you George!!Very very true!!
He was at the top of my “traitor” list for so long. How could the GOP go lower??? Well, there is no longer a GOP. Gone, gone, gone
Jeri -do not challenge the former GOP to a limbo competition. Every time I think "they can't possibly go lower" they manage to surprise. With criminal Trump on top, fringe extremist Mike Johnson with the House gavel and people like Comer Pyle, effectively inviting testimony from foreign agents, I really don't know how anyone could vote for any of them.
From my years being subjected to Fox crap, I saw that they never aired so much of the repub despicable actions (during W/Dickie's fiasco). What was aired was pure fantasy, especially the Iraq invasion. Even after the Dominion verdict, they just tossed the scapegoat and kept right on with their "alternative facts." Foxers and their clones have no clue. Of course, the puppet masters know exactly what they are doing.
Rupert Murdoch's Fox 'News' is an important media centerpiece for the obscenely wealthy -it keeps average Americans divided (and thus conquered) while the quality of life for this and future generations is siphoned away by Murdoch, Koch, Musk, Ellison, Mercer, and a handful of others.
The reason for our discontent. I'm sure there are others but you nailed the worst offenders. In fact, I could scare up a list that would equal chump's enemies list.
George A. Polisner -- Particularly your last paragraph struck me!!
"If a planet killing meteor were on its way -all nations would work together to try to stop it and defend earth. Who knew that the planet killing meteor would be a small group of corrupt, narcissistic men like Trump, Putin, Bolsonaro, Netanyahu, and fundamentalist extremists like Hamas."
Whether collaborative science can save us, And/or Taylor Swift. (Happy she's on our side!) :)
Me too! Taylor Swift has a lot of influence!
Far more than me. I’d be happy to ghostwrite some political posts for her!
Good idea, George! How could you offer this service to her? And it makes me wonder if she already has some sort of a "machine" at her disposal?
Thus far, she seems very astute with respect to civics and encouraging people to register and vote. But I'm here if she needs me! :)
Always thought we would unite if aliens attacked us. Not so sure though. Putin would try to make a deal with them…
Dick Cheney's warnings will not move the needle at all. Neither will Liz. They were written off long ago by the faithful. Now all the generals and admirals of the armed forces - now that might help. Only thing is, I think that as right wing as the military is, for every top ranking general who warns against Trump, there is one who will endorse him. Could be a minefield.
Military and minefield. I see what you did there Jay, well-played.
I do think it helps to persuade, again not those lost in MAGA/Putin/Trump/Orban-world, however the moderates/independents and lean left/lean right.
When I was Chair of a county Democratic party -one of the fastest growing segments of voter registration were voters who were "unaffiliated". They did not want to be part of the toxic arguments between the parties -they knew voting was important, and would decide on the basis of each race. I ran the county party differently -instead of the typical "rah rah -we're democrats" I brought speakers in to talk about key societal issues. It expanded the array of people who were interested in issues as opposed to just business as usual party politics. State and National dem organizations should consider an educational approach instead of "Mitch McConnell just sneezed!!! Sign my petition, send me money, and tell Mitch no more sneezing!"
I fully embrace the dem party platform -it's just the organization that seems to just cater to party leadership ego instead of what really needs to be done at the national, state, regional, and local level (in my less than humble opinion). I've talked ad-nauseum to state and national leadership, however they really seem to have a "not invented here, or by me -so it can't be of value". Even George Lakoff's work -which was tremendous in understanding political communications and framing -went unheeded (and likely lost John Kerry the Presidency as a result).
It'd be very interesting to be in on what lurks within the military, voting wise is there a track record? Here's some from four years ago. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2019/07/10/trump-draws-stronger-support-from-veterans-than-from-the-public-on-leadership-of-u-s-military/
I read that George. Well done! I believe however that we are all preaching to the choir. We are doing nothing more than honing our message, but not spreading it to much extent. The percentage of likely voters who will read HCR's words of wisdom, or yours, and will switch allegiances, hovers around zero % IMHO. There needs to be another way to break through. The best idea I have seen lately is for all the generals in the armed forces to put together a message to the American people. Something that cannot be misconstrued as RHINO's and never-Trumpers endlessly complaining. I can assure all of us, Pence's announcement that he is not endorsing Trump will move the needle not one iota, for example. I am at a loss for other ideas, and only hope the DNC can work some magic. In the mean time, the pressure is on the Biden administration to continue to perform well, commit no self-inflicted wounds, and hope fate does not deal us an unfortunate blow beyond his control that Republicans can blame on him none the less.
Thank you Jay -I do agree with much of what you say. I do think there's important value in, at a minimum, supporting each other through these challenging times -so the choir doesn't have to sing solo (except for when in the shower).
I find that other social platforms constrain content distribution -unless it's paid for, and even then, I am not optimistic. Zuckerberg and Musk want tension and conflict through propaganda and disinformation -that gets them ad revenue, and likely more data for Steve Bannon and Emerdata (the former Cambridge Analytica). I've been working with a small team of volunteers on a civic social network (https://civ.works) and there's an important new release coming soon.
I do agree, respected authority figures can help move the needle. For the most part I've written MAGA off as a cult -you don't bring a gallows, zip ties, and assorted weapons the nations capitol, and then kill and injure law enforcement if you have any respect for law and order. Interestingly perhaps -I also write off the deep left who, after the appointments of Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Coney-Barrett think Jill Stein will be the best President ever.
As I see it the battle is for the middle, as well as the pragmatic left and the lean conservative (but fundamentally believe in democracy and justice).
Jay, it really takes a gentle approach and a lot of time and patience to bring someone around on some recognition that their "sincerely held beliefs" are detrimental to society and culture. It took my nephew (in his estimation) 12 years of gentle conversation with his Dad to bring him around to the realities of economic struggle that Millennials were confronted with, and how different that was from what my former brother-in-law had grown up with.
It's going to be up to the voters. Organizing always helps if you have a message worth selling. I'm sure all this matters in stimulating Dems organizing efforts. Money is looking good so far ...