We’re in this weird eddy where Republicans are trying to cling to past politics to gain advantage and the Biden administration is trying to move forward.
Remember that there was puzzlement about why Trump suddenly appointed a person in the pentagon in January. Now we know why. That’s the only way he works. Appointments to people with complete loyalty to him. So Cheeto Velveeto was that desperate that he cooked up this plot—it’s gonna be wild. And he was delighted to watch the chaos unfold...and the governors of Texas and Mississippi are willing to unleash more strains of Covid on their people and hence the rest of us to stay on his good side—Neanderthal fascists indeed. We’re in trouble for sure.
For sure— I remember reading an editorial in Nytimes by David Brooks saying he had been invited to a party at Cheeto’s glossy palace and he felt like he was surrounded by gangs tag types.
Stuart, hopefully you're not mocking zoot-suit wearers. Their outfits looked strange in the 1940s and now, but it was a significant statement of ethnic culture among Hispanics. Their expression of cultural pride brought frequent assaults and harassment from police and residents in CA. As of 2020 it was still illegal to wear zoot suits in LA.
Perhaps this is an “exciting” or “interesting” time to be alive and witness all that is happening, and has happened, in the US. Journalists, media, talking heads, etc. For an average citizen like me, it’s damn distressing and scary. My hope is that I live long enough to see that our Democracy holds together and ends up even stronger.
Let's not confuse "Texans" with all Texans. Don't forget that millions of us voted for Biden and work hard to further the agenda of his administration.
“We must now demonstrate — with a clarity that dispels any doubt — that democracy can still deliver for our people and for people around the world. We must prove that our model isn’t a relic of history; it’s the single best way to realize the promise of our future.”
Pres Biden is more plain-spoken, but there's still something Rooseveltian, even Lincolnesque, about his words today.
The US Senate is preparing to take up S-1, the “For the People” voting rights act.
121 years ago this month, the following speech was made on that same Senate floor.
“... And he [Senator John C. Spooner, of Wisconsin] said we had taken their rights away from them. He asked me was it right to murder them in order to carry the elections. I never saw one murdered. I never saw one shot at an election. It was the riots before the elections precipitated by their own hot-headedness in attempting to hold the government, that brought on conflicts between the races and caused the shotgun to be used. That is what I meant by saying we used the shotgun.
I want to call the Senator’s attention to one fact. He said that the Republican party gave the negroes the ballot in order to protect themselves against the indignities and wrongs that were attempted to be heaped upon them by the enactment of the black code. I say it was because the Republicans of that day, led by Thad Stevens, wanted to put white necks under black heels and to get revenge. There is a difference of opinion. You have your opinion about it, and I have mine, and we can never agree.
I want to ask the Senator this proposition in arithmetic: In my State there were 135,000 negro voters, or negroes of voting age, and some 90,000 or 95,000 white voters. General Canby set up a carpetbag government there and turned our State over to this majority. Now, I want to ask you, with a free vote and a fair count, how are you going to beat 135,000 by 95,000? How are you going to do it? You had set us an impossible task. You had handcuffed us and thrown away the key, and you propped your carpetbag negro government with bayonets. Whenever it was necessary to sustain the government you held it up by the Army.
Mr. President, I have not the facts and figures here, but I want the country to get the full view of the Southern side of this question and the justification for anything we did. We were sorry we had the necessity forced upon us, but we could not help it, and as white men we are not sorry for it, and we do not propose to apologize for anything we have done in connection with it. We took the government away from them in 1876. We did take it. If no other Senator has come here previous to this time who would acknowledge it, more is the pity. We have had no fraud in our elections in South Carolina since 1884. There has been no organized Republican party in the State.
We did not disfranchise the negroes until 1895. Then we had a constitutional convention convened which took the matter up calmly, deliberately, and avowedly with the purpose of disfranchising as many of them as we could under the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments. We adopted the educational qualification as the only means left to us, and the negro is as contented and as prosperous and as well protected in South Carolina to-day as in any State of the Union south of the Potomac. He is not meddling with politics, for he found that the more he meddled with them the worse off he got. As to his “rights”—I will not discuss them now. We of the South have never recognized the right of the negro to govern white men, and we never will. We have never believed him to be equal to the white man, and we will not submit to his gratifying his lust on our wives and daughters without lynching him. I would to God the last one of them was in Africa and that none of them had ever been brought to our shores. But I will not pursue the subject further.
I want to ask permission in this connection to print a speech which I made in the constitutional convention of South Carolina when it convened in 1895, in which the whole carpetbag regime and the indignities and wrongs heaped upon our people, the robberies which we suffered, and all the facts and figures there brought out are incorporated, and let the whole of the facts go to the country. I am not ashamed to have those facts go to the country. They are our justification for the present situation in our State. If I can get it, I should like that permission; otherwise I shall be forced to bring that speech here and read it when I can put my hand on it. I will then leave this matter and let the dead past bury its dead.”
Source: "Speech of Senator Benjamin R. Tillman, March 23, 1900," Congressional Record, 56th Congress, 1st Session, 3223–3224. Reprinted in Richard Purday, ed.,Document Sets for the South in U. S. History (Lexington, MA.: D.C. Heath and Company, 1991), 147.
Wow. If racism, disinformation, rule by minority, gerrymandering, dark money to PACs, Republican court packing, the new wave of Republican state legislature voter suppression laws, and perpetuation of The Big Lie of election fraud were to continue unchecked, this speech of 1900 could be the same speech given in the Senate how far off in the near future--2024? 2028?
",,,with a free vote and a fair count, how are you going to beat 135,000 [Negroes] by 95,000 [white men]? ...you propped your carpetbag negro government with bayonets. Whenever it was necessary to sustain the government you held it up by the Army.
...I want the country to get the full view of the Southern side of this question and the justification for anything we did. We were sorry we had the necessity forced upon us, but we could not help it, and as white men we are not sorry for it, and we do not propose to apologize for anything we have done in connection with it. We took the government away from them in 1876. We did take it. If no other Senator has come here previous to this time who would acknowledge it, more is the pity. We have had no fraud in our elections in South Carolina since 1884...
and this is why ALL of us need to support HR1/S1 For the People Act, a comprehensive bill to include:
"automatic voter registration and other steps to modernize our elections;
a national guarantee of free and fair elections without voter suppression, coupled with a commitment to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act;
small donor public financing to empower ordinary Americans instead of big donors (at no cost to taxpayers) and other critical campaign finance reforms;
an end to partisan gerrymandering;
and a much-needed overhaul of federal ethics rules."
I’m copying this link here about a zoom call being hosted by Mobilize regarding the For the People Act HR 1 that is happening tonight at 8:00 EST. Any one can sign up. Hope this works.
Democracy For the People: What's Next with Rep. John Sarbanes and Rep. Mondaire Jones
Stunning revelations so those many years ago. How about instead of suppressing the vote, the Republicans listen to the desires of the majority of the citizens in the country and change their platform to more properly reflect who they want to govern
If the Repugnants listen they will have to understand that people are worthy because they exist. Their raison d’etre will cease to exist and they will no longer be Repugnant!
I listened to Tuesday's SCOTUS hearing. Michael Carvin's arguments and responses stunned me. Republicans have chosen to unmask themselves completely. I hope it's their ruination.
It’s as if they are cocksure of their success. They evidently believe that SCOTUS no longer gives a damn about the Constitution? Sure hope they are wrong!
That didn't stop them in 2000. The argument was that a legitimate vote count had to be stopped because the results might harm Bush. I'm really surprised more connections have not been made to this.
Cheeto had said this months ago and it just blew right by most news outlets. NPR was one of the few that kept on mentioning it. The argument of the Fascisto-publicans that they would lose elections if people were actually allowed to engage their obligation as citizens and vote was designed to appeal to the three newly-appointed Fascisto-publicans in the SCOTUS propped up by McConnell and his Murderous Minions. Just as Cheeto thought that "his" justices would side with him and overturn the election, they continue to think that gaslighting will work with the SCOTUS. It might with an idiot like Kavanaugh (and of course the ever-appalling Thomas), but I suspect that Barrett is sufficiently worried about her status to pause before rubber stamping the suppression of voters' rights.
You're welcome - I had the same thought. I believe it would be a worthwhile project to pair the speeches and other public announcements of those initiating and supporting voter suppression legislation today, with the words of those like Tillman and his ilk.
Oh wait it has been going on since Reagan! All of those who couldn’t keep winning without gerrymandering have been benefitting. It just took an oaf like tRump to voice their concerns. He was voted in because he had the courage to speak out giving voice to the evil that was in their hearts!
It would be helpful for Dems to understand that gerrymandering is a non-partisan endeavor. Whichever party controls the state does the gerrymandering. I live in a state controlled by Dems. They have mercilessly gerrymandered the state. Congressional District 3 is a prime and notorious example. Could the MD Dems win if they didn't gerrymander the cities? If the only way to retain power is to gerrymander, what does that mean for a democracy?
You should read Charles Blow's new book, The Devil You Know. What if Black voters had remained in the south and Reconstruction had not been bargained away? What if Black voters return to the south? (And makes you think what if D voters concentrated in large population centers move to sparsely populated R districts and states?)
As an East Coast Dem who now lives in a Dem enclave in one of the most stupidly red states in the USA, I can say that this is not always a strategy that works. The rural parts of the state have far more representation in the state legislature than the urban centers, even though KC and StL have double the population of the the rest of the state. We are able to do some stuff to benefit our city and region, but we are surrounded by racist rednecks whose only purpose seems to be to destroy the two cities that provide virtually 100% of the economic engines of the state. They are the epitome of ideologues operating against their own self interest because they hate us so much. And the covidiot governor is enabling them. Never underestimate the hatred and animus of white folks who think that they should rule the world even though they have no education or teeth.
Can we please stop with the no teeth comments? I don't have any teeth because I knocked out my front teeth when I was in grade school. Back then they didn't worry about the gap and even if they did, my family couldn't afford it.
So I spent most of my school years being bullied. And finally got my teeth fixed when I turned 16.
But that wasn't the end of my issues, so I got implants. Due to bone loss those fell out.
I spent three years (long story) getting dentures and guess what, they won't stay because I supposedly have a flat pallette.
I love wearing masks, because no one can see that I look like a muppet puppet. So please let's stop shaming people based on looks.
I'd like all name calling to stop, actually. Throughout letters. It's amazing to me that Dr. Richardson, who started this blog, does not moderate these comments. Racism, bigotry, masochism, hate language. It seems to be difficult for some to describe the problems of a civilized society and democracy within a republic, and the actions of human beings worldwide, without resorting to school yard name calling. I've seen members of other blogs be booted for less.
Not quite sure where to put this response. I just want to clarify something for folks who entered this forum after it was in full flower. Dr. Richardson is aware of the negative comments, and has expressed worry about them several times. She is *one* person who does EVERYTHING associated with this newsletter, in addition to teaching at a university, and all the other things life entails. There is no way for her to monitor comments and actually get some sleep. (This is why we worry about her and nag her to get some rest!) Nonetheless, apparently she does take the time to clean them out from time to time.
She finally found someone (a student, perhaps?) to assist with the madness of the comment feed during her live videos on FB, and to get rid of the trolls before posting.
I do not follow the comments on FB at all, either live or posted. For the most part, I prefer the posts here, until so many of them became snarky and sometimes even vituperous. Then I take a break for a while and hope that people come to their senses and remember why we are here. This isn't a competition: it is, at it's best, and exchange of ideas and insights. There are times when Heather's letter sets the stage for some amazing conversations. Others when circumstances in the world or negativity here seem to bring the worst out in us. I admit that at times I've allowed myself to lapse. (That's when I know I need to take a break.)
Largely we are self-monitoring. In general, the best thing to do with trolls is to not respond. They go away. And the best thing to do with people who seem to be having a bad day is do the same, or if it is someone you are familiar with, reach out with a few soothing words.
And please, give Heather a break. Criminy, what stress she must carry. She's carrying the same stress as the rest of us. Plus there is researching, making up notes, getting the computer set up in time, having a lot of uncertain people depend on her, having too many of us compete with each other (and her) to see who sounds most erudite.
We expect too much of her. This is a different place than it was when she started, and yet she sticks with us, and helps us understand the back story to what is going on, and eagerly and patiently answers the questions we ask (often the same ones as new people come in, because she's a teacher and gets that we are not all on the same page. And each time, I learn something new, or get a deeper sense of the history.)
From time to time, I remember to just say, "Thank you, Heather".
Please, let's all remember that what she is doing is a great gift to us, that she does because she truly loves it and she sincerely cares about us.
Thank you for this response. I'd like to clarify, and it's written in my brief comment, that the sentiment behind noticing a blog needs moderating is not directed at the goodness or the writing gifts of Dr. Richardson. Online communities can become vicious very quickly. And the person who creates one may not have time time, energy, or skill to take that on. It is not a negative reflection of Dr. Richardson. It's a realization that the blogging world is complicated and time consuming. I appreciate her work just as much as everyone else and have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with others for the most part.
Again, noticing hateful language and the troll like behaviors, and actually cliques and bullies here is not about Dr. Richardson's work. I'm glad she realizes what is going on. Perhaps she will ask someone to help her.
Wise and sensible words Annie. Thank you. And thank Dr Richardson for her her calm and shrewd assessments of the complexity of American politics in a time of both Trump and coronavirus. I look forward to the daily briefings. Much appreciated from across the pond.
Without actually having consulted the authorities, I feel that it might be time to extend an invitation to the descendants of those who came to your country on the Mayflower to consider a return to the motherland. The UK is not perfect but it is a Trump free zone. The coast of North Norfolk where I live has plenty of sandy beaches where small boats can land unseen. I am sure there would be a warm welcome for the odd group of huddled masses yearning to breathe free of the Republcans.
I agree with the call to maintain civil language. As to Dr. Richardson moderating these comments -- do you know how long each day it takes to read them all? She can't possibly moderate this community -- which should be able to moderate itself -- and get anything else done in her day.
No one can deny emotion. Uncivil language is an emotional reaction. None of us are perfect. But it doesn’t take much to learn how to take a deep breath, or two!, re-read what we have written, and then re-cast our thoughts in a manner that is civil but just as strong, before we hit “send”.
Perhaps she didn't know how popular her blog would be. I've moderated blogs before when the creator just couldn't manage it anymore or did not want to manage it. I've seen blogs reported to ACLU before and shut down. This is not a slam against Dr. Richardson, who is beloved by many here. It is a simple acknowledgement that this is a blog that is not being monitored for civil discourse.
It is my understanding that this site is moderated for trolls, but not necessarily content. I have been impressed with how folks have been responding to offensive or thoughtless comments here, asking for fairness and kindness. And I have been even more impressed with how the "offenders" usually agree, and temper their comments. Much for all of us to learn and practice again after 4 years+ of government garbage.
I totally agree, Tricia. Sadly, I have pled for civility on this site several times, with apparently little, if any, success. Name calling, etc., certainly isn't a step toward the unity that Biden is working toward. It also makes the “other side” more intransigent.
Thank you, Sara. I'm at the point where I am deciding if I'm going to read the letters and stop reading the comments. If so I'll end my subscription and perhaps Dr. Richardson will have a comment section asking why .. in which I'll provide endless examples of hate language throughout the letters.
We're in a difficult situation that includes outright traitors, including Former Occupant, who are using propaganda, conspiracy, sedition, libel, slander, name-calling, lies, gaslighting, and violence to undermine our lawful elected government. That's not name-calling: that's intended as descriptive, and I believe it to be accurate. I say it, and I mean it as it stands. I won't water it down.
It is very hard to keep a tight lid on language in this context. It's also hard to keep anger toward the human vermin who deserve harsh judgment from bleeding over into those who support them. Are the supporters co-conspirators? Some are, most are not. Are they complicit? Yes. Are they fools? Almost certainly: since their rallying cry is "freedom," they are certainly going to be sorely disappointed by a "successful" outcome. They're cleaning a loaded gun with a hair-trigger and looking down the barrel.
I try to keep a lid on gratuitous insults. I'm not always successful.
I’m relatively new to this website but most of us are quite upset and concerned about what’s happening to our country. I have found that this is a place to say what you mean and not to worry about keeping the lid on. Say exactly what you mean and don’t think about tamping down your emotions. This is a safe place with lots of people who really care and try to discuss what’s happening. Heather sets the tone of the day with her clear reportage about what’s happening and setting the events within a historic context and then we all share our thought and interact. I agree with all you said and I think I’m as upset as you are.
Gosh— I haven’t been on this site for long but the only character we have been perhaps disparaging is Cheeto Velveeto.I have one implant for a tooth that cracked but I did not enjoy the process. I’m sorry to hear about your being bullied. That can be so painful.
Apologies from me too, Beth. Sometimes snark is overly tempting. I almost posted a remark about "sinking our teeth into" Oatmeal TX, but thought better of it.
It is wrong to show hostility to our companions here at LFAA, and I've advocated for more civility more than once. However, I believe criticizing public figures is rather different, especially when we see them harming others with words or deeds. For example, criticism of the Unnamed Former is seldom too harsh or unwarranted.
Sincere apologies...I have full dentures, in part due to the 'sweet tea' we were given to drink year round in rural Alabama. I am toothless, in one sense, and having left that noxious sickness of a culture at 15 and found education to be my way out, I am quite toothful. Sometimes, I find the humor around teeth = intellect amusing. Other times, it disgusts me. Depends to what uses tis put.
Teeth are so interesting— my mother didn’t take me to the dentist until I was about eleven with a mouthful of cavities. I still remember how painful the drilling was—education also was my way out. You’re the only person I know from Alabama— I’m glad you’re on this site.
It exists in pockets of academia, educated publics, makers; but I assure you, dear reader, that the 'good ole boys' and their wives and parents are teaching the children racism, misogyny, homophobia, white supremacy, and the mass psychosis of fundamentalism in religion.
The notion of being 'better' reaches back to when the 'po' white trash' were made overseers on the lands of enslavement.
The embedded structural insanity perpetuates white rage, inchoate though it may be, and precludes resolution within the existing framework.
Yes, the suggestion is to move out of the areas of concentration into the less-populated counties or districts that are currently controlled by the people who are doing bad things. The county just south of me could turn with not that many new D voters there. Look at where the difference is least and go there. At least in our state we have a D governor to veto the R legislature, but if they voter suppress enough to win the governor's sear next time, we are truly doomed along with remaining clean air and water, public schools, climate work, local control, and more.
Well, Cate, I believe Mr. Blow moved to Atlanta from NYC--not exactly a part of Georgia lacking a concentration of BIPOC. Also, jobs tend to dictate where one lives, especially in a rural states with specific urban concentrations where there are things like colleges and universities. Finally, I deeply empathize with people who don't want to do this because they don't want to die, have their house burned down by neighbors, or their children attacked. The problem with asking individuals to assume the responsibilities that should be assumed by the government--including guaranteeing equity and safety for all--is that it demands that individuals be martyrs. I have a problem with that.
This is so true. I do not return to Alabama because physical safety is at risk. I could tolerate the verbal assaults, but my brother has shot and killed a man, and the judge apologized to him for losing his rifle in the evidence room, and said he had every right to self-protection. Even though the man was shot in the back of the head as he was running away.
The re-development of communities of color would not address these problems. And martyrdom is not my cup of tea. HR 1 is a good start to clean up the messes of suppression and gerrymandering, and yet, we have the ego-maniacal Mansion and strange Sinema apparently holding up the process.
It is a lot to ask people to move the shift a political balance. There are few migrants who make that a top priority; in fact, we're more likely to go where we fit in already. BTW, Mr Blow is a telecommuter with primary residence in Atlanta.
Blow's described reasons for moving were far broader than just voting. We have been asking people to be martyrs for voting rights for centuries. Thanks to our foremother martyrs, I can vote today. It's just an idea, but Blow discusses the Vermont experiment, too, in his book, which seemed to have an effect on that state's politics.
Yes, people who have been willing to be martyrs are exceptional people and I am deeply grateful to them. But we should not--especially in this day and age--request or expect people to do that.
I’ll have to get it— I so admire Blow. It’s fascinating to ponder all the ways people can conspire how to make certain people have a great deal of difficulty casting their vote. What I loved about the Georgia elections was their amazing persistence, the lines that went on and on et cit too an heroic effort to vote but they did it and I think that whatever curve ball these haters are going to throw, people will be ready to tackle.
I have to admit ignorance about the "Vermont experiment". For some reason I live in VT now. I have Blow's book on my list, but wondering if you could give a brief description so I don't die of curiosity before it gets here. Two or 3 sentences?
They lack education because the best teachers work in the urban centers where they get paid more. Their teeth are missing because the best dentists live in urban centers miles away. Ask yourself, why is that? Why do their children leave the town they grew up in, never to return? Why are they so angry they wish the cities did not exist as infernal "economic engines"? Why do urban folks think rural folks can not live without them?? Why do urban folks not recognize their responsibility for rural poverty?
Return migration of Blacks to the south has been going on for some time. The volume is seldom high enough to affect state politics, but it may help at the local level. The superb ethnography below dates from 1996.
As a Democrat in a Democratic oasis in deep red Indiana, that's exactly what I thought about when I heard Charles Blow interviewed about his new book. Yes, it could be a game changer if Democrats moved from densely Democratic districts to states where their vote could really make a difference. I heard reports during the past year about remote workers moving away from expensive cities to less costly parts of the country, and hoped that might be a step in this direction.
B'ton, LH? I was there in grad school, when it was a bit more purple, and it was super amusing to see that the attempts by the Despicables to gerrymander the Congressional districts resulted in TWO dems elected to Congress (Frank and Lee) rather than getting rid of them, as they had intended. There was a time when Indiana actually had a principled legislature and executive, but that was long ago.
Yes, Bton. Now, unfortunately, we have no Dem in Congress with the city split. My side of town is represented by Tennessee Trey (Hollingsworth). We do have a Dem representing us in the statehouse.
I am sorry to hear that. Of course, IN has gotten far more deeply red than it was in the 1980s, when the legacy of Birch Bayh was still respected (even though his son was a horse's ass).
I can Identify Bton as Bloomington because I studied African languages there. It's an island of liberalism in a sea of Mike Pences. It was a wonderful summer even though I've forgotten most of my chiChewa. My best friends there came from Colombia, Czech Republic, Japan, Rwanda and Tunisia. The only ones missing were an Australian and a penguin.
I've seen several posts here recommending good books that explain a lot of what is going on. I think reading is the whole key to understanding. I just finished reading Rachel Maddow's "Blowout" and it was very enlightening. Much of our country's problem is ill-educated people. They either don't have time to read, don't want to read, or can't read well enough to comprehend so they don't bother. Education and critical thinking is key to keeping our democracy. There are numerous quotes from our founding fathers on education, but here is one from Benjamin Franklin, "On education all our lives depend. And few, to that, too few, with care attend." Seems to describe our current situation.
The strength of a book is the coherent presentation by one human brain concerning one coherent topic. When our primary sources of information come from reading several articles, with several TedTalks, and meshed with NYT, WaPo, and the Atlantic, we create an omelet of our individual understanding. Some people would label that "thinking for yourself". But really, what good is that for the rest of the community around you?
We need to read the books of giants like Historians Heather Richardson and Joseph A. Tainter; contemperary comentators like Rachael Maddow; economist's like Joseph Stiglitz; and philosophers such as Jacques Ellul and Jurgan Habermas., to name a few off the top of my head.
His thesis that societies fail because of complexity is still being quoted. It is especially pertinent to our digital society. The computer programmers should have consulted librarians before establishing "key word searching". What a disaster for controlled vocabulary and knowledge management! Now knowledge is homogenized and scattered into the Ethernet waiting to be found and recognized. No more "standing on the shoulders of giants" in this dancing landscape.
Couple that complexity with a short public citizen attention span, a dwindling sense of History, little discernment for verification of facts and we end up reinventing the same mistakes!
Could it be that many authoritarian parents and a formal education based on creating good worker bees work to stifle innate curiosity rather than nurturing it?
Maybe a child development professional would step up to correct us, but here is my guess after raising two sons. Curiosity is like a muscle; everyone has muscles, but the ones we use are the ones that get strong. Becoming a good worker bee would be one good outcome regardless of how someone learned it. Their curiosity would be focused on how to get work done.
Authoritarian parents would only stifle curiosity if the parents did not love their child.
An authoritarian parent that is present to direct their child may be better than an absent parent who only as time to survive as long as both are non-violent. Love is the beginning of curiosity. Curiosity is the spark for imagination, however it will be the quality of love a person has that will determine the quality of the imagination.
With the migration of work from urban centers to online, there is less reason to live in high rise suites, or Condos, or apartments due to pandemics. Online workers can move to rural towns and live in renovated houses. I can promise you, your perspective will change. However, insread of becoming red neck, you would find solutions to why urban centers prosper, while rural towns are bearly getting by. You will not buy a gun, but put pen to paper with your astonding new insights about class!
Out of 70 million baby boomers, there was an estimated 400,000 hippies and activists who demonstrated against the war in Vietnam and later, in the 1980's, protested nuclear testing at the Nevada test site. Millions of African American boomers were put in prison so that they lost the right to vote in many states. We banned aerosol sprays that were creating a hole in the ozone. We protsted the mixing of higher education and ROTC military influence in creating Napalm and other hazardous weapons of mass destruction. They got shot at Kent State and beaten at sitdown protests on college campus at Madison.
Baby boomers were born between 1946 after the military returned with victory over Hitler. I do not know why the last date is determined, but boomers end at 1961, before the Beatles played in New York on the Ed Sullivan Show. Boomers follow behind the Reagan generation. Boomers did not have a majority in Congress until President Clinton's first term (both republicans and democrats). Baby boomers burned their bras as a symbol against sexism. Baby Boomers wrote and sang great music. To identify Baby Boomers as the ones who created "such a mess" is propoganda created by the Reagan generation to deflect the reality that they drove the Exxon Valdez onto the rocks and have denied climate change since the 1970s!
In other words, the Boomers did not create the Great Hot Mess. It has been the Reagan generation. Boomers have been rebeling against and cleaning up after their consumer life style since they were teenagers!
There is a blip in the baby boomer generation. Those between 1955 - 1961 did not experience the Vietnam draft when they turned age 18. They were too young to march for civil rights or take much notice of Watergate. Lots of them think Reagan was a great president.
"...we will not submit to his gratifying his lust on our wives and daughters without lynching him." I guess he forgot about white masters raping their black female slaves with impunity.
Benjamin R. Tillman speaks for the Republican Party now and for White Supremacy, which has been woven into the USA from its beginning. Thank you, R Dooley, for providing us with this hymn to oppression.
The news is sickening...the pieces of the puzzle are coming into place.
Is this why all of the top officials at the Pentagon were suddenly replaced with loyalists back in November 2020, at the tail end of the last guy’s administration? Once they knew they’d lost the election, even with the Big Lie, were the plans for a Coup underway? The Big Plan?
God help us...the Republicans are once again circling the wagons, time for shiny objects: COVID spread, immigration blame, voter suppression, etc. The Big Lie and the Big Plan, a takeover of the United States by the former demon and his followers by any means possible. Nothing is coincidental. They’re not finished yet.
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."
Despair is my mortal enemy. I try to offer hope whenever readers' morale sags, and you all do the same for me. Fortunately America has a wealth of great historical figures whose words and deeds bring credit to humanity. The past isn't dead; the best of it lives forever.
Thanks TPJ: the First Inaugural Address. a prayer of hope and optimism. Unfortunately, there are no "better angels" in this crowd--just as there were no "better angels" among the Confederates.
Thanks Linda. You are correct, but at least some redeemed themselves after the war. James Longstreet, John Mosby, and especially Grant's AG Amos Akerman are among those who became Republicans and supported freedpeoples' rights, at least to some degree. In 1879 Grant enjoyed a reunion with his old foe Mosby, then serving as US consul in Hong Kong.
I hesitated to say this, because it may be misconstrued as disrespectful, but we need to keep God out of this. Having "God on our side", no matter which side or which God tends to cause a lot of problems for " the other side". Each person's faith in God can be a powerful guide to their actions and each person who uses God as part of their justification for anything on the sociopolitical spectrum believe that they're position is the righteous one. No, we have, literally, thousands of years of history to support keeping God out of our political rhetoric, now more than ever.
The people that I know who are most vehemently supportive of trump and qanon call themselves christians and demand that the god (lower case intended) they worship be the 'head' of everything. But their god despises anyone who does not fit into their cookie mold, and therefore those people must be crushed and molded into the 'right shape', for their own good, of course. 😒 And we've all witnessed the effects of this demanding belief system.
Let people choose whichever god they want, but said god has no place within the government of a country.
I understand and generally use the lower case god. I was being intentionally emphatic. We are in such a precarious place. Proud Boy, Ethan Nordean, stated that "Americans must “desensitize” themselves to violence..." You can bet your bottom dollar their god and what "he" wants will be cited as a justification for violence.
Thankful that you spoke out. the use of religion, a father figure, and fundamentalism contribute to the embedding of the former guy's cult. the father figure is the model for white male supremacy.
I watched Beto being interviewed by Nicole Wallace yesterday. He could barely contain his anger and utter bewilderment at Abbott. And, I believe the news of Abbott's twitter had not made it to national level. I'm sure many Texans will ignore the latest Abbott announcement about opening up, and will continue to practice safety. Beto will continue his fight to reach those most in need. And, I'm glad he's getting the national coverage he deserves. At least it shows there are Texans who care about the future of the country, not just the future of Texas.
Dear Friends, rise and go forth today in joy and appreciation. It is March 4, a date that resonates with our finest democratic traditions. 160 years ago today Abraham Lincoln became president and gave his first inaugural address, ushering in the better angels of our nature. The youth of his day had hearts touched with fire, as do our Youngers now. Let us walk in the light of their inspiration, and hold them always in the light.
Now as I multitask in front of MSNBC we have to wonder if the capitol has been set up for another type of disaster—something more deadly and pernicious or nothing but we still have to worry about it? Truly domestic terrorism is even worse than international terrorism— it’s like you have a large family and there’s one determined to destroy all you have but all you see are smiles and people you even sleep near.
The fact that Congress shut down today (3/4) fearing violence suggested by QAnon social media postings unfortunately gives right wing domestic terrorists a reason to believe their movement “has legs.” I would hope that the shutdown is merely an overreaction on the side of caution. If it is more than that, it is time for drastic military action against the forces which would continue the insurrection against our government which they carried out on January 6.
Well said TPJ and we should support those youth as many of our parents supported us. I am concerned though that the House's decision not to be in session today is a tacit acknowledgement that the insurrectionists are ahead and we have more catching up to do than we thought.
BTW, there will be a response to your comment from yesterday as soon as I can find it in the raft of information that followed the Professor's letter. Be well, this too shall pass.
Thanks. We're very much agreed on the value of and moral obligation to wear masks and engage in all other available mitigation efforts. My comment on posturing referred to the imposition of unenforceable mandates on which your observation is correct in theory but was rendered invalid by the initial behavior of the disgraced former president (dfp) in his obdurate refusal to even entertain a mask or recognize the impact of the disease. The philosophy behind that we could discuss at length and, if we did, I suspect we'd find ourselves in substantial agreement there too.
Your letter today clearly shows that President Biden wants to be the President for all Americans, even for those who didn't vote for him. It is painful to watch Governor Abbott and other radical Republicans get help and respect from Biden and reject him at the same time. It makes me wonder if it's not like trying to put a democratic government in place around the world. Democracy just won't work in some areas in the world and it doesn't seem to be working anymore for some Republicans.
I had heard, back in the day, that the "out there" wing of liberals was called "radicals" and that the "out there" wing of conservatives was called "reactionary".
Let’s try it this way. January 6 was the Trump show, motivated by Trump’s enduring life long inherited hatreds and his deep belief that we, as a white nation threatened by color, are, as he is, essentially white racists, fascists and violently intolerant at our core. Trump’s bold and bankrupt strategy will be exposed as it moves now from the Trump Show to the Merritt Garland show, guided by President Biden, Vice President Harris, Majority Whip Clyburn, Chairman Adam Schiff, my friend Cory Booker, the Democrat Manager’s Show and good souls everywhere that need a jolt. Trump and his loose and illegal command will be prosecuted. A president will see jail. The nation and the world will learn how deadly this soap opera was and still is. Trump sought help from Pence to derail the orderly transfer, destroy our democracy, throw out certain states, and guide the election away from the Electoral College to the individual states, one vote per, dominated by the GOP. Pence refused. Flat out. More than once. Abd he went to work for the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas. Stay tuned there. So.. to accomplish his long held goal and stay out of jail, Trump sought to kill Pence and Pelosi, and any that resisted. His apex command was instructed in the language of a mob boss. See Michael Dean Cohen Esq. Michael knows his old boss, and was spot on. He knows. And he said it. More than once. Trump then planned to institute martial law with Flynn 1 now pardoned to deal with the national reaction to dumping Biden Harris which would have been absolutely staggering. Flynn 2 took orders from Trump via Flynn 1, his felon brother, stalling the National Guard for three critical murderous hours. Two fraternal suicides suggest guilt in the complicit. Too many heard the word and were complicit. Sens. Hawley, Johnson, and Cruz were hoping for chaos and control positions. They now must worry about FBI tapes of their calls. The Bureau was corrupted at Barr’s level, not where it matters, which is why Barr resigned. Hawley is worried about tapes. Says this. Barr knew what was coming. Sort of. He stayed off the phone. It did not take long once the White House tapes were turned over. Think back. It won’t take long with the taxes turned over. Who thinks the Trump CFO in his 70s is not talking? In the aftermath, with Covid-19 and mutations in sharp focus, and Israel in the clear, America will stumble around as we seek to address obesity and its cause in farming and livestock, and gun violence will be linked to tetracycline in the water of our beef cattle ostensibly curing while spreading anaplasmosis, as our young and very confused males, our messed up lone murderers, seek suicide killing others. We spent over $600,000 over ten years at Bard College trusting that place to prefer integrity in food. Our best school food service directors are often bribed. Aramark’s New England team of two confessed. And retired, one in tears. The two men that truly know well what’s coming are Anthony Scaramucci and his friend Michael Dean Cohen, both lawyers. These two men have returned to balanced sanity proving their decency after a long period of the other kind. They’ve become friends. Trump does not stand a chance. Georgia will get him. Stacie Abrams is right up there with James Clyburn and the wonderful Mara Gay. This story has its bad guys and its good guys. Our young nation is learning that liars are deadly. The founders did their best. We must now deal with where they messed up terribly. Slavery’s trail is long. Those most trashed have saved us. We must honor them, for their very future is ours.
To Sandy Lewis and all who "liked" his comment: Your reply is long and rambling. While I see truth in some of your comments, please know your statement, “Two fraternal suicides suggest guilt in the complicit” is shocking and unacceptable. Permit me a bit of Kevin Bacon-like relationships in that Howard Liebengood, Capitol Police Officer was a legacy. I grew up in his hometown and have friends who know him well. Not only that, Howard is a legacy Capitol police officer because his father was also one as well as being Sergeant-at-Arms. His friends on elementary school field trips recall not knowing Howard’s connections and seeing him speak with Congressmen in the halls of the Capitol because he had so often accompanied his father there. He was not a person to brag about his connections. Again, please know that you’ve made a leap you should not have made. No one can know what a person is thinking when they take this end of their existence. There is not a suggestion here of guilt. Moreover, there is a fact that our democracy was dealt a terrible blow which continues to this day.
The fascistic twitch of the uniformed and their saluting admirers is holy and sacred to some and the monarchy. To me it’s trouble. It’s a wise man that knows he does not know. The most wise ask the questions that matter, are most willing to be wrong. Again and again. January 6 and the whole stinking mess is the most dangerous thing we’ve experienced since the Civil War, President Lincoln’s assassination, and WW II. May DOJ under AG Garland not pull a punch. The Big Lie from a president is dangerous. When that president is owned by others and facing jail and bankruptcy again, we get January 6 and uniformed flunkies dancing under Flynn, Flynn and another acting idiot with no name. I know suicide. No one kills himself with pride. These two were shame and fear driven. That’s all we know. I feel both shame and fear. I am hoping with words to awaken the patriots that love the law and our people, starting with those most trashed: Black Women. Black Women. Black Women save The United States of America.
You may be brilliant and well read but you are wrong on this. you may know suicide, but you do not know every man. Pain is the single greatest driver of suicide. I can't imagine your reaction (actually I can) if a psychiatrist tried to tell you what you should invest in. I think I'm done being curious here. How arrogant to diminish a dead man to fear, shame, pride or something out of a Dicken's novel or a fictional movie. How ironic that you "rant" about being wise enough to know you don't know.
Substack is where many come to hide. Not me. I do not know. I question. I do not concern myself about the view of others I do not know, those that those hiding accuse. I am Sandy Lewis, aka Salim Bonnor Lewis, born 1/27/39 and I have no hesitation. When murder happens, and suicide is against the law, I ask why. January 6 is about criminal stuff in thousands. Many Capitol Cops were complicit. Knew what was coming. DOD knew. This was a massive disaster, a massive earthquake in magnitude, we have survived a tsunami from Trump et al. Thousands buy the big lie. Millions of USA Whites buy the big lie. I do not. I question murder, self pity, self murder: suicide. Mussolini and Hitler rose with the Big Lie. Yale’s History Professor Timothy Snyder feels right to me. On Tyranny is a modest masterpiece. I’ve lost a few to suicide. Two spoke of their intent. I tried to end my life on earth at five years of age. A Black woman saved my life. She was dying of terminal syphilis. She lived for me. Saved me. I would eat for no other person, wanted to go to Heaven. Perhaps those two rose. We can hope.
“The two fraternal suicides”.... accusation was ugly. You say you don't care but your words and reported actions say you do. You have survived much that has been deadly for others. But, those two men have families who knew them (you didn't it appears), but you have harmed them all with your words. It was a slap in the face to read it. I agree with most of what you write and learn much new, but the irreverence towards possibly our best (or at the very least unknown) diminishes your other words. Especially so, in light of the plethora that are so deserving of your irreverence today. We will certainly not know if they "rose" but if we believe in democracy, laws, justice and truth why would we condemn them as guilty based on our bias? Such irreverent “small” thoughts and deeds cultivate the rich soil for that which Snyder speaks of. Words matter, yes they do! And one last question, why does a person need a last name to matter? In my husbands indigenous/traditional culture, last names were not given.
Suicide is ugly. Horid for those left behind. Cowardly. Expresses a guilt in thus case. Too many uniformed US employees, some elected, are traitors, seditionists and disloyal. Their calls were monitored. They spoke on government property using regulated means. Stay tuned. This is a fight to the truth. The two that killed themselves had their reasons. I fear what they may be. They are 1-5% of the problem. More to come. FBI knows.
The final solution for two cowards in uniform. They were busted fiduciaries. Suicide is murder. Nasty to those left behind. Very. Gutless. Heaven or hell, nihilistic, and shame driven. Terry Gross interviewed The New Yorker photo journalist that tracked them all through the Capitol. No arrests. A social event. Guiltless guilty. Rape of the government they hate, whites obeying Trump, the liar in chief, the grifter group dynamic, Flynn & Flynn, a complete breakdown of the prejudiced whites led by Hawley, Cruz, Graham, Trump, Trump, Trump. The Capitol police and our military genuflected from the top, led by neo fascist elements, The Big Lie, put a uniform on a fascist, you get cops with a knee. The utter failure of our culture is on display where ever we look. Two checked out, the rest acted out. I sorted out President Bill Clinton in 45 minutes of directed monologue, he listened, two witnessed. He had no conscience, has no conscience, will not talk. I talked to him. Owned his brain for the moment. But his brain is wired to chase, not love. The man is alone. HRC is pissed off. She targeted him. Nuts. Our nation is represented by Trump, 70 million racist triggered Black fearing fascists, so, so many in uniform. Hitler’s offspring, anti Semitic Jews like Miller. The Civil War emancipated and the KKK then savaged people of color. Lynching was common. Without Sanctuary, Lynching Photography in America is proof. Buy it. Sleep with it. Cry. And ask why. Human beings are savage. Cops are not civil. Our male teen murderers killing daily across America are committing suicide. The nation ignores its own, the founders were refugees from monarchy, they killed to thrive, the only good Indian is a dead Indian, we slaughtered in Oklahoma and never apologized. That’s Trump land today. The suicidal Capitol cop is a coward. Flynn & Flynn and Donald Barr and Bill Barr are Epstein ghosts, with hundreds of girls raped, killed, ignored, Les Wexner, my client, bragged. Tell your father I’ve learned how to undress them, said he to our fifth at Goldman Sachs. We jail the Black man for J walking, we give a pass to white trash that obey Trump, the cowards commit suicide, the rest hide, inside they are all dead. and Letters by HRC is an obituary for America written late at night by a color blind historian educated at PEA, another heartless cold prep school chute to the Ivy League. Our kids rose there and now know the racism of the rich. To Biden, Harris and Obama, not Clinton, not Gore, not Bush, Bush, Bush, Bush... we turn, but the White Trash historian needs a mirror, not SubStack. Matt Taibbi will not speak with his dad. That’s a start. We will not save this planet with platitudes or suicides. We must speak, write, and care. We must worship the truth 24/7/365.25. Now and forever. Mars won’t help. We must save the smallest living things right here. And those most trashed can lead us: Black Women. Start with Mara Gay. Read her beautiful face, hear her voice, watch her breathe, learn to love her. She and Majority Whip Clyburn and his lady in the first pew are the future - or we have none. Mara on MSNBC is a treat. MSNBC has the beat. The Fox Fix belongs at The Orthogenic School run by Emmy Sylvester, but Bruno Bettelheim pushed her out. Elect women. Boot most men. The message is so clear. South Carolina flipped with Black Women hearing three words: Joe Knows Us. Saved by those most trashed. No rant. The truth. James Clyburn felt the words, I needed to hear that. And he acted. Bless Clyburn. Bless Black Women. And give your name, date of birth and your story. @SBLewisSB
Thank you once again, Carla. I recall your similar comment from last month. We need to read it more than once, without passing judgment, to avoid compounding tragedy. Time and investigations will reveal some of the truth, and CP officers should not be accused of conspiracy or dereliction without proof. Please post again as needed, and most likely it will be.
NB, we may share people in common. I have family in Fairfax County, and greatly enjoyed Thanksgivings there before the pandemic. Especially our tradition of "History Friday."
Again, with suicide, two, following an inside job fomented by Trump, Flynn, Flynn, Hawley, Cruz, DeSantis, even dodo Pence, with selfies flashing and the FBI arresting hundreds - our military and police are involved, complicit, fascists elements.. we do not know.. let the FBI with an honest AG, not complicit Barr, do the job. Hundreds of uniformed and retired uniformed are involved. This layered criminal behavior was supported by President Trump. A man proud of his job, a true patriot, does not commit suicide with an inside fascist eruption designed to knock off a VP and a Speaker. This whole damn mess is beyond incredible. It’s racist. It’s the stuff of cowards. Suicide in a pro is a message. It smells.
Sandy, many of us have grown used to your almost incoherent ramblings, and just pass them by. Once in a while you say something that is meaningful, so I scan just to see if maybe. Not this one. You stepped way over a line when you pretend to "know" what was in the mind of someone who committed suicide. It is at best pretentious and arrogant. It is also hurtful, but you appear to be so full of yourself that you fail to be able to consider even that small insight. Yep, next time I won't bother even skimming. Nothing worthwhile to see here.
I believe what I said. Deeply. Suicide is final. I do not care about the profile. Schizophrenia rules. Cider House Rules. 105 North Tower. It’s a far, far better ... Dickens. Dr. B came to declare his intent. He heard my response. He acted. I’ve known a few. Those so inclined are dealing with issues that collide. January 6th was a cataclysmic collision and two men acted to end what now will happen to the many that knew and did not kill themselves. Now, as & when DOJ returns to integrity, due process will jail many. Lead us not into temptation ... Trump led all. I do hope Garland justice will replace Barr and Epstein and Wexner and Ghislaine and Dershowitz and Trump and Clinton. It’s a mess. As for the suicidal, keep an eye on Trump and his misbegotten. Kushner is ripe.
Agree ... but let's not get sidetracked by the farming and livestock issues. What do we do with millions of gullible and ignorant voters, the voices of whom are guaranteed by our democratic principles, and whose bigotry, racism and downright hatred, cause them to accept Trumpublican lies? Their votes put these charlatans into positions of power? That's how this harm has all come to pass. This is a flaw in our democratic process, embedded in the Constitution, which sooner or later must be addressed.
(As for the 45th president's culpability, Michael Cohen's book, "Disloyal" is required reading. A bit more esoteric is Herman Melville's "The Confidence Man," a Nineteenth Century preview of Trump's big lie.)
Michael @ mdcohen212@ is sound minded...a good father, husband, son, with a truly great father...himself. Yet, he fell for DJT, as have millions and millions and Anthony Scaramucci a smart good Harvard law grad ... two intelligent good men, misled by the devil incarnate... FASCISTS sell a line... an appealing line that grabs the insecure among us like an aphrodisiac... group dynamic takes over and we have Nazism or Trumpism or Communism or the BIG LIE of Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny... January 6th brought those that hate... whites inspired by color rising in the USA... the insecure white among us that are still fighting the Civil War... folks that confront their ambivalence about color... which is especially strong where Black women raised their grandparents, nursed their grandparents, and - yes - had sex with their white boys as teens to make men out of dweebs ... when they were sent to the other side of the tracks to learn how... and the southern system of racial inequities kicked in to establish the unspoken bond between them... that can only be understood with tolerance and the informed heart of man...and love for our children and our families and our fellow man... we must be color blind and care deeply, our children must not see color, all kids are beautiful...
Marcy Meldahl, sadly, I write as I think... and think as I write... and this saved me as a child... at The Orthogenic School of Bruno Bettelheim... I got there by biting a DDS in Manhattan, and spent the next 6.5 years in The Pirates, a dorm of 8 boys, that formed my peer... three of us are still alive... that group taught me how to merge American Express and Shearson Loeb Rhodes and deal with alcoholics in Wall Street and the criminal element that is absolutely everywhere, including SDNY and the SEC... the congress and NYSE and ASE... NASD... children feel this stuff... and can go mad if they are stuffed.. as I was. My dad was Cy Lewis. He was honest when he arrived at Salomon Brothers & Hutzler, and dishonest when he died as managing partner of Bear, Stearns in 1978... a good man blasted by Gus Levy at Goldman, Sachs, his best friend.. it was tragic to watch... Levy’s daughter Betty was my first date, as arranged by our parents... she lasted one evening with me... boring as a fence post. Gus was brilliant and totally honest/dishonest, with counsel to protect him... and that story is a book.
You were doing well until you got into farming and livestock. These are the Left's favourite conspiracy theories. Stick with fighting the Right's conspiracy theories.
Well not sure about conspiracies, but the present way "food" animals are now raised and the inhumanity & brutality involved, plus the heavy antibiotic use in food animals is a huge part of why there is such obesity and morbidities in our population. As to whether that is a "left conspiracy"? It isnt.
Not yours, Maggie (and Allen) -- it's the oddity plunked down in the midst of a discussion about prosecuting insurrectionists. I never reply to that person or mention by name. You two folks with food-industry experience have a lot to share. Thank you both, A and M.
I have to admit - Allen has experience there. I dont. The past ten/twenty years have read & listened to many people who obviously dont feel the same way he does. The way I feel about animals influences my feelings. Got caught up in the whole Wild Horse issue & the damage done to public lands with the livestock grazing program. That issue is as divisive as our current politics!!!
I spent my entire life working in the livestock industry and can assure you that your comment above contains very little if any truth. While any animal abuse is too much it is something the industry itself is always concerned about and is far far less prevalent then the makers of anti-animal videos would have you believe. As to antibiotic use, it is used sparingly to treat disease and the industry, especially the feedlot industry is very conscious of any possible resistance and monitors it constantly. The obesity of which you speak is a result of too much consumption of carbohydrates plant based oils and fats and not enough consumption of red meat and concomitant saturated fat. From an environmental perspective the world needs MORE grasslands which are more efficient than forests in absorbing and storing carbon. These grasslands need to be properly managed by grazing ruminants which recycle the carbon and other nutrients. The key is PROPERLY MANAGED. See Allan Savory's TED Talk in that regard.
Well, having read Mr Savory's views & having read others views on the opposite side - not anti-animal activists - but people who researched his ideas & followed up on them - I tend to disagree. And as TPJ says below, this really isnt the place for this subject. Sorry for sort of going off on a tangent!
I know,, Syd, but it appears the main interest is politics and what politics has become! Sometimes a steady diet gets old. Not that it isnt important but after the last 4 years of beating our heads against a brick wall - I just feel there are a lot of other problems that people just arent aware of, and these are important too.
Agree, except with your contention that the two "fraternal suicides" (Capitol Police) suggest complicity. One HCR reader has written about her knowledge of one of the officers and his family, and their fierce loyalty to The Constitution, not the person abusing the office.
Mr. Lewis. Try sticking to one subject. Say: Agribusiness. "America will stumble around as we seek to address obesity and its cause in farming and livestock, and gun violence will be linked to tetracycline in the .." Seems like you might have an informed position on this. Let's hear it.
Starting 1950 or so, Oppenheimer Industries, founder and CEO Harold Louis Oppenheimer, author of 5 books, invented the tax roll... reducing 91% ordinary to 25% LTCG... with cattle.. writing off all expenses, scoring the body parts of the cut plan as pieces of the whole as long term, 6 months and a day, holdings. using a cocktail of antibiotics placed in soybeans, corn and the water... to jack growth, harvesting at 11 months, it takes 28 on organic grass.. destroying the microbiome or immune system of the livestock, fattening them and those that eat them, destroying human microbiome as well... to this day; it’s anaplasmosis driven today, with that bacterial illness used to slide by the law... with complicit dishonest DVMs and the grad schools like Cornell all complicit... feeding tetracycline in the water to suppress, not cure, anaplasmosis, killing the smallest living things in the soil, starving insect food, killing 40% of insect life... starving birds... leading to an epidemic of non-communicable disease... Rodney Reynolds Dietert’s good book almost gets there... Rod blinked on parenteral in humans, ducked the complicit use of tetracycline advised by Dean Lorin Dean Warnick the man just renewed at Cornell for another 6 years... I call him Dr. Feasibility.. he is a total fraud... as the better student knows... livestock and the -cides - insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, Glyphosate... these all kill to grow... we need labor to farm, small farms to produce safe food... and AG schools need to stop taking money from pharmaceuticals, same with medical schools and microbiologists nation wide..
Well, that's bold. I'm 100% with you on the deleterious nature of industrial agriculture and factory farming. I'm a long time vegetarian in part for those reasons. People would do well to better understand where their food comes from, and how. It's an extremely important message. But one phone call at a time? Man, that's a tough slog.
Syd Griffin, big or small, plenty of noncommunicable disease and cancer. Check out chicken feed at Tractors & Supply. It’s at the register. The cheap is loaded with antibiotics, sells well. The dear is clean, used by mom & pop for what they eat, if their IQ is above 80. Farmers cheat just like Goldman. Small is not always better.
Faux News was announcing that as factual! It's so painful to watch members of the GOP (god off-full people) lie, cheat, and commit criminal activities without consequences.
So imagine being one of them— I guess they just think they have a special patent on their fictions as they make it up and have each others’ backs— it’s such a ludicrous way to live or in some cases hopefully die.
Yes millions will and he’s hoping they’ll vote for him again unfortunately though I think he forgot to factor in how many of these people will be dying before they can vote.
When I read the account of Ronny Jackson's drinking on the job while traveling overseas with President Obama (and probably on other occasions), I was struck that the president's Secret Service detail was derelict in their duty. It is one thing to be abusive and inappropriate with your staff and another for the White House Physician to be drunk if the President of the United States has a health emergency.
Gosh that would be so utterly flagrant to be the way esteemed medical professional to two presidents in a row and tipsy at the same time. I read President Obama’s recent biography and mostly he wouldn’t even have a drink during the week.
It is against the regulations governing that job for the White House Physician to be drinking on overseas missions or within a certain time of being on duty. I wonder if there is a similar culture among those guarding or attending POTUS to what you see in police culture. If a member of such details is very powerful they may feel compelled to look the other way and look after their own, so to speak.
Is it, though, if some members of the same detail are guarding POTUS now? I don't care about blaming anybody but in guarding the president's safety competently, when incompetence and corruption seem increasingly rampant.
It was imperative to jettison 45's SecServ men to remove any risk or taint in the WH. As president-elect Biden replaced them his own security detail, mostly people who had earned his trust guarding him as VP. I feel confident that Biden's personal safety is in good hands.
It appears to me that the two governors ending the mask mandate and opening things back up could be more of an attempt to sabotage Joe Biden's presidency than restoring their citizens' "freedoms." If President Biden cannot get the virus under control and get the economy going, he will be seen as a failed president. It is appalling and sickening to me to see how vicious politics is and to what lengths the other side will go to retain power. I also think it is suspicious that three women are just now coming forward with accusations against Governor Cuomo as well.
Abbott the Idiot has other motives as well as the one you so accurately call out above: 1) he is desperately trying to divert attention away from his disastrous handling of the horrible winter storm here that left thousands without power or water for days on end and which cost many their very lives. While he hides behind a "we're wide open for business" media blitz, Beto is steadily increasing his statewide coalition, helping those in need, and demonstrating real leadership at a time when it is most needed. The Beto for Governor campaign is building strength day by day. And 2) the Texas scuttlebutt is that Abbott the Idiot has presidential aspirations for 2024 and is ginning up the flash mob base here by tossing some "red meat freedom" their way. Now, given that most of us do not want to die, our self imposed quarantine will continue (sadly) while these folks cavort around infecting each other and ending up overloading our hospitals and morgues. As odious a strategy that may be, it certainly is on par with the one you described - the attempt to sabotage Biden in any way possible, even if it costs lives. What is not getting much media traction though, is that communities which have reeled from Covid deaths have begun to take charge of their own lives and well being. Town by town, businesses are finding support to continue the mask/social distancing requirement from their local customers. I speak from personal experience. Via social media, lists of "safe" businesses are being circulated widely. I predict soon there will be some form of a Texas Yelp that will essentially wipe out bars and joints that are frequented by the vacuous crowd of mouth breathers. The TexasQAnon can gerrymander us out of the polls, but it cannot gerrymander us out of taking back our state in other ways. Eventually, by dent of death from Covid or death from Spring Break or death from hanging out of the back of a trumpet pickup truck while drunk, the numbers of the "base" will diminish. I have hope.
Discontinue mask mandates and then blame Biden for letting people in the country when covid surges. The states that relax are creating potential disaster for the entire world. Such gross negligence of communal responsibility...shouldn't that be something unacceptable in a legal sense? (clearly not a lawyer)
Remember when Trump tried to blame China for causing COVID-19? What will happen if the United Nations points the finger at the US for creating the future variants that mutated in the bodies of the Americans that refused to be vaccinated? The US may become the breeding ground for future COVID diseases that spread to the rest of the world through our trade. This is the way America ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.
Sorry, I have been watching the short stories of Philip K. Dick, bleak science fiction dystopias.
So glad that China Virus or Wuhan Virus never caught on, not even among Deplorables. Naming diseases after places or animals (bird flu, swine flu) is inherently prejudicial. It's prompted attacks on Asian Americans, and the death of millions of blameless beasts.
Don't you think they ended the mask mandate as a tactic to divert attention from the power grid debacle in Texas and the drinking water failure in Tennessee? That can't be a coincidence.
There was an interesting piece in today's Tampa Bay Times. The gist of it is basically that people continue to elect their representatives and governors based on partisanship and not really the job they do, good or bad. "Symbolic politics" seem to matter more than policy missteps, never more so than in Texas politics where Texas Republicans, who have had won every statewide race since 1994, have had a God-awful month of governing. https://tampabaytimes-fl.newsmemory.com/?publink=071fa27b7_1345ca4
I would agree with that. Most people I know--family and friends--vote their party because they've always voted their particular party as have their parents and grandparents. They don't want to get into the "weeds" of paying attention and studying policies and governance. It is a sad commentary on our country and one which could ultimately bring about the demise of our democracy. I get very discouraged with folks like this. They just want to go about their lives and do what they want without participating in their government.
Yes. Isn't it frustrating to see people vote against their best interests? 'Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right' is an excellent read that speaks of this as well. I also liked 'Hillbilly Elegy'.
Thanks very much for the link to GoodReads review page for Strangers in Their Own Land, Tricia. There is one reader review in particular that I recommend reading, even if you skip the rest. Someone named Julie wrote it. It is actually a short essay that takes the reader on a journey, beginning with the book, turning to Julie's own experiences and observations, and then returns to the book almost as if she is handing it to you to read. Right now I am surprised I haven't yet. Time to call the library and ask them to put it in a pile for me to pick up (curbside service!)
Will read through the comments. I love doing that before purchasing a book and to get so many unique perspectives. It can be a real learning experience.
I, having lived and worked in West Virginia, did not agree with the morose picture painted by Vance in Hillbilly Elegy. He had his own demons to profit from. But, yes, it is frustrating - and so bad for democracy - to see people vote against their own interests, anywhere in this country.
About corrupt Sec. Elain Chao .... Barr's DOJ refused to investigate, as it did for other high-level appointees who were referred to the DOJ by IGs, such as Wilkies, Zinke, et. al.
Can Garland's DOJ review the IGs' requests, overturn Barr's DOJ, and investigate?
While I don't like an administration investigating its predecessor, I abhor criminal activity being ignored, especially since Trump's team was so corrupt. They must be held accountable as part of an effort to restore faith in government.
To be accurate, the investigations were done in the previous administration; the new sanctions could move forward under a Justice Department that is not corrupt.
Texans and Americans. Abbott gave voice to what was obvious all along: Texans do not consider themselves Americans, they see these as two distinct groups.
I'm a Texan now and I have no problem being a Texan AND an American. Please don't throw all Texans into your bifurcation OR thinking. I'm an AND thinker. My parents, grandparents AND great grandparents are buried a mile from the Texas Capitol building in Austin. I wasn't born here but I have a lot of Texas history in my blood. Let's all stop this insane black and white thinking -- that all Rottweilers are vicious. That all Texans think alike. Let's stop this OR hate. We're all on this planet together! I'm so angry that Governor Abbott is being such a dork and putting me personally in danger of death because I am so vulnerable to the virus. Six feet apart or six feet under are my choices. It is just pure luck if you can get scheduled for the vaccine. Another gift from the Texas state government.
Dear Cathy, your superb comment arrived just before mine. We the People, All of Us This Time. Every Time, for All Time.
Abbott is a bad American, but he's only one Texan and a bad one at that. He speaks for and serves a segment of people, but a minority, not the whole. The state is filled with tens of millions of decent fellow citizens, necks under the knee of a cruel party that abandons them to lethal danger. Millions of them also long to escape the crushing burdens of past and present. I've made sweeping, unkind or mocking remarks about all Texans over the years. Not now. I have never felt so much love and concern for our fellow Americans in the Lone Star state. How can we help?
Thank you TPJ. Texas is turning blue. We almost unseated Senator Cruz with Beto O'Rourke in 2018. What I'm doing about it is now that the Republican Party is the party of hate, conspiracy theories, violence, insurrection and lies I will not vote for any candidate with an R by their name even if I like them individually. If the Party splits and there is a clear Party of Lincoln I will consider voting for those candidates. We need to make sure the current "Republicans" have a lot of pressure to have split or to reach out beyond their base which I believe has shrunk a bit already. The militias and white nationalists type organizations have now been emboldened and will be causing a lot of problems over the next few years whether TЯ☭💀p is their leader or not. I did write to Governor Abbot this morning:
Dear Governor Abbott, I am extremely disappointed and even angry that you have dropped the mask mandate. It is too early. I'm in the 1B group and have not been able to schedule a vaccine shot. So you are putting my very life in jeopardy! I have NOT volunteered to die for the economic "health" of Texas. Wearing a mask in a pandemic is a responsibility to the community. You can't carry a gun that randomly fires at people killing some of them. One's very breath is a lethal weapon until we get the majority of the people vaccinated! With a right comes responsibility to others and one's community. If there is no responsibility to others than this First Amendment excuse just becomes anarchy. I also am angry and disgusted by your negative fear mongering statements trying to put the blame on President Biden and the immigrant policies that the Congress has been so reticent to fix. In this pandemic and economic crisis we don't have time for the hate and fingering pointing politics. You could have done more for the economy in Texas by having required the energy utilities to weatherize. But, no you did NOTHING. Nothing is not a good answer. Stop the hate. Stop the black and white thinking that is dividing people and spreading fear. That is NOT leadership. That is NOT what I want in our government leadership. I am now not voting for any candidate with an R by their name. None of them. And, I really like my Texas Rep and my US Rep. When the Republican Party is once again the party of Lincoln then I will consider Republican candidates once again. But, not now. Please start acting responsibility and show the leadership we need. You are making Texas the laughing stock of the nation with how poorly our state government is operating. Catherine Learoyd Kerrville, TX
Dear Cathy and all, please keep contacting your elected officials, even if replies are canned or nonexistent. Their office keep track of communications. While messages that oppose bad policy may not count for much, when they come in quantity it can help shape policy.
I donated to TX relief through a program organized by my Rep Ayanna Pressley. She is committed to working for all Americans as well as MA residents.
It is especially troubling that the TX legislature seems to be drawing up articles of secession and it is not clear to me if that will require an actual vote of the residents of TX to pass. If they think that reconstructing their bizarre "Republic" of 1836-1846 will spur immigration into the state, they might be surprised: the mass exodus of rational beings out of TX will be epic. They might pick up some deranged militia types from Montana and the Dakotas, but that's about it.
The unique about Texas is that it is the only state to become a state through a Treaty with the United States. It wasn't until the Civil War that the question of seceding was put to bed. Still think Texas could argue an exception if the US violates the Treaty. But, this isn't going any place except for jokes about building the wall not on the Mexican border but the border with other states. That would actually be cheaper because it is fewer miles...
My father, a lifelong voter for Republicans and a John Birch Society supporter (!), used to joke that there should be a national border to the north and east of California rather than to the south. It's only recently that I realized his little joke was essentially racist.
TPJ, TX also pays a hell-of-a-lot of federal taxes. The chart I found said TX is ranked 29th in dependency on federal funds with $.88 to the dollar return on the federal taxes paid. So Texas is right in the middle of all the states. Look at McConnell's Kentucky if you want to see a state dependent on funds from federal taxes.
Cathy, I am not sure I am relieved by that knowledge! 🤣 I have many dear friends and colleagues in TX and I worry about them a lot. But it has been pretty bizarro as state politics go for as long as it has been a state, so I admit to wondering if we would be better off without it.
I'm hoping that a majority of Texans even staunch "real" Republicans are seeing we aren't getting what we need from our government. I plan to work hard to get some competent people elected. Texas certainly has a large enough economy, resources, and ports to go it alone but I don't particularly like that idea. I think it interesting that the treaty with the old Republic of Texas and the US for Texas to become a state allows Texas to split into as many as five states if it wants to.
Agreed! The only way Abbott and the other detrimental Texas Republicans have been in office is through cheating! I’m furious with the lifting of this mandate! It’s going to be a dangerous mistake! I just want the vaccine. I want to not be so overwhelmingly stressed out. We the people need Abbott to step down! More local leaders are outraged about this and we need a champion to fight Abbott! He’s a complete political tool!
Cathy, of course you are right. I poked fun at Texas yesterday cause I too have many roots there (my test for when I meet a Texan = ever hear of Oatmeal, Tx? I now reside in Floriduhhhhh, which also deserves a shake up. Oathkeepers blatantly flying nazi flags from their front porch in my neighborhood. Wearing a mask a political statement.
If they lived in Germany, they would be at least, heavily fined or imprisoned for not more than three years. Germans understand the mercilessness represented by a Nazi symbol. ("Strafgesetzbuch section 86a: Whoever domestically disseminates or produces, stocks, imports or exports or makes publicly accessible through data storage media for dissemination domestically or abroad, means of propaganda: of a party which has been declared to be unconstitutional by the Federal Constitutional Court...the contents of which are intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organization (Nazi Party), shall be punished with imprisonment for not more than three years or a fine.")
Singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic while waving the Confederate flag deserves a year in prison. That song is not for traitors who admire slavers and traitors.
I know, I live here too and it is upsetting to drive by these big flags every day and have the big trucks with the big flags aggressively driving by me. Since the pandemic started, the people that I thought were sane and who have been “friends,” turned out to be anti-maskers and armed against the “threat of Antifa” invading their neighborhoods. It has been a shocking revelation.
Those monster truck parades are unnerving. I drive a Mini and had been surrounded by one of those trump trains. It was frightening, because that occurred shortly after they had forced the bus off the road in San Marcos.
I'm in the same boat as you regarding the 'friends' situation. For me, every one of those 'friends' professes to be christian and it's both sad and disturbing to me.
Big hugs to you, Pamsy. Stay safe and stay strong!
Ah, Laureen thank you! And big hugs back to you! I can only imagine the feeling of being in a Mini surrounded by these goons especially after the Biden bus being forced off the road. Why aren’t those guys in jail??? I hope that justice is coming on that. I can’t believe they can get away with that. This is what is most upsetting to me.. that there haven’t been as many repercussions for these violent acts and that the Congress people who voted to overturn the election and who may have aided and abetted the insurrectionists haven’t been expelled. I can only hope that it is that is is a function of time and the wheels of justice moving slowly thing. You stay strong too!
I think that is so far gone from their minds due to all the other things that have occurred since then, and no one will follow up on it. I hope I'm wrong, but I haven't heard anything about it since it happened. :(
My older sister posted the video of the Biden bus being attacked by the truckf***ers with a typical coo of delight. That was one of the last straws with my family last year. Shortly after I deFriended those whose political views and posts are so viscerally repulsive that I couldn't stand one more, she sent me a birthday card saying it was crazy to argue over political views. I'm still contemplating my response. While glad she realized that she could still reach me if she wanted to, I am not ready yet to tell her that political views say a great deal about the character and level of selfishness/generosity of spirit of the person holding those views. How can I tell her that her ongoing gleeful support of that monster baby makes me very sad about what that tells me about her depth/shallowness of character? That conversation might be just too hurtful.
I hadn't heard of Oatmeal, TX. Driven up 281 many times so came close. Have you heard of Comfort, Texas. Comfort is on the other side of Center Point from Kerrville out Rt. 27.
I've heard of Comfort, but haven't been there. I've seen towns named Ding Dong, Dimebox, Smiley, and (of course) Paris. I did stop at Italy while I was moving to Texas. That was a fun little town. 😀
Lynn, I have a photo of the very small fairgrounds of Oatmeal. 😀 My sister was visiting me from Seattle, and we took a drive to Marble Falls one day, with a side trip to Oatmeal out of curiosity.
I have a fond memory of sitting on a beach in Maine...springtime with a little snow still on the dune...and seeing close by an enormous Rottweiler sitting amongst a group of infants which quite obviously he was guarding. Everytime one of the nippers tried to crawl away, the dog would swifltly catch them by the diapers and carry them back to the "fairy" circle. Not a sound was heard!
Sensible people and fools everywhere of course. The Lone Star State has made something of a habit of going alone though....electrical supply systems for instance and of course a little bit of history between ceasing to be part of Mexico and becoming part of the US!
Courage, the rest of the people will not take umbrage and leave you out in the dark.
Yes. There are good and bad people everywhere, along with a variety on in-between. For that matter, there is good and bad in each of us that makes up our wholeness. Republicans, ultra-conservatives, QAnons, insurrectionists, and/or trumpists are in every state of the union, including the so-called blue states of the United States of America.
Thank you for your letter. It is so easy to slip into self righteous and black and white thinking. I confess reading about Abbott’ s decision to lift wearing masks at this juncture when we are so close to the end of the tunnel is insane and irresponsible. Thank you for reminding me he does not speak for all the people in Texas. My heart goes out to you and you will get your vaccine soon.
Your comments would be good for all Texans to see. Also include TPJs response to your comments. Maybe in a local newspaper or other publication that many would see?
Cathy Learoyd, my niece is now a Texan too. Her husband is originally from Texas. He made it his life mission to move back to Texas from Georgia. They are both middle school teachers. I hope with the priority given to teachers on the vaccine they will get their vaccine soon.
Maybe there is a demographic that is more likley to get scheduled for an appointment. Such as a Trump supporters WITHOUT guns. Those gun owners will be dangerous to Trump when they find out their services are no longer required. Autocrats do not believe in gun rights.
Some people predicted that the period between the election in November and Inauguration Day would be the most dangerous time. Many other countries have shorter periods in between the transfer of power.
Yes. Why else were Trump loyalists installed as post-election last-minute replacements at the Pentagon?
I speculate that the plan was to declare martial law, enforced by the military, as pardoned Michael Flynn had been promoting.
But after Jan 6, the Joint Chiefs sent a message both to all troupes and to the civilian commanders: "the U.S. military will obey lawful orders from civilian leadership, support civil authorities to protect lives and property, ensure public safety in accordance with the law, and remain fully committed to protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
This was a warning shot that the military would not follow unlawful orders, as most definitely any invocation of martial law would have been.
100%, Cig. Like Marc Esper in June 2020, in 2021 the military establishment shielded democracy by adhering to the rule of law.
As for Flynn, he is a rank traitor. He's sly but not well served by his cunning, as shown by his multiple blunders, confessions and convictions. I hope Merrick finally nails him good this time and Flynn gets his just desserts.
Also curious was Attorney General William Barr's abrupt resignation. All along, Barr politicized the Justice Department to protect Trump and his loyalists. But at the very end, Barr refuted Trump's false election claims, declaring the election results legitimate. Certainly Barr knew such a statement would eject him from Trump's orbit. Why did he do it?
I suspect that Barr and Chao (who is now being investigated--imagine that!) knew that Cheeto wouldn't pardon them if they went along with the Big Lie so they bailed. Also, Chao was probably told by hubby Mitch to get out so that he could continue to manipulate the situation. It would not be a good look if wifey were seen as supporting a coup d'etat.
Don't think the 2 are mutually exclusive - carefully planned a reckless endeavor, only stymied by courageous Capitol Police, and terrified Mike Pence (when he realized tRump's plan was to have him killed, he authorized National Guard with Pelosi).
Yes but badly planned with incompetent leaders and insufficient ressources; somehow they didn't care enough to do it properly! What does that say about them? ...nihilists all
We are of like minds TPJ—very long sentences that impede their first amendment rights to conspire and tweet and escape. Throw away the keys for treason. They betrayed our trust and were working for their own self-aggrandizement— it’s very clear. They tried to undermine our rule of law. They are very very low. We should all be outraged and do what we can to air our grievances tour congressmen and let them know we’re dead serious.
There is pressing need for strong deterrents against future coups and treason. I think you can rest easy about communicating from prison. Med and max-security inmates lose those privileges. Convicted Trumpsky admin members will almost certainly be in min security, but loss of privileges could be part of sentencing.
Remember that there was puzzlement about why Trump suddenly appointed a person in the pentagon in January. Now we know why. That’s the only way he works. Appointments to people with complete loyalty to him. So Cheeto Velveeto was that desperate that he cooked up this plot—it’s gonna be wild. And he was delighted to watch the chaos unfold...and the governors of Texas and Mississippi are willing to unleash more strains of Covid on their people and hence the rest of us to stay on his good side—Neanderthal fascists indeed. We’re in trouble for sure.
I just don’t think he was smart enough to figure that out all on his own. I smell Stephen Miller, big time.
And perhaps Steve Bannon. I understand they still talk.
Didn’t they always appear to be shady looking guys???
Bannon is the picture of Dorian Gray, his sins indelibly marked on his face.
Was that the Dorian Gray; Penny Dreadful or the figment of Oscar Wilde's vivid imagination. Somehow i think that Bannon would vote for the former.
https://penny-dreadful.fandom.com/wiki/Dorian_Gray
It's Oscar, and also the 1945 film. I barely know anything about penny dreadfuls after their 19C heyday.
BTW many thanks for yesterday's French history list. Some are familiar, many are future pleasures.
For sure— I remember reading an editorial in Nytimes by David Brooks saying he had been invited to a party at Cheeto’s glossy palace and he felt like he was surrounded by gangs tag types.
HA!
It’s amusing but I think at a certain age we all have sin etchings—Bannon’s are just way obvious as are Cheeto velveto’s indescribable petulant scowl
Sins, as well as, perhaps, large quantities of alcohol and tobacco.
Rather obvious I think.
Oh yes and Trump too! Ask New Yorkers on the later but.......
And Roger Stone, perhapst to work with the radical talk show hosts to spread disinformation?
He sure is a special case..I wouldn’t buy a used anything from that interesting flamboyant human being.
And other squirmy cockroaches
And remember that Bannon has never been far out of the picture.
Miller, and Putin working the marionette strings.
Oui oui oui tres vite aussi 🤌🏻
I agree!
Me too! Me too!
I almost wished I could have been at this bash.
But almost treated it as if it was a schoolboy prank! He really doesn't understand the forces he was playing toy soldiers with.
Way past time for the school yard bully to suffer consequences for his imbicilic actions. Cheeto velveeto, love this
Me too cuz our anti hero Cheeto is by far the cheesiest oui oui???
Oui! And the stinkiest one of them all, at that!
You said it Laureen.
No kidding and the word I was trying to peck out was gangstas
I get a vision of guys in Loud, striped suits with wide lapels and built up shoulders.
Sounds like Roger Stone.
Stuart, hopefully you're not mocking zoot-suit wearers. Their outfits looked strange in the 1940s and now, but it was a significant statement of ethnic culture among Hispanics. Their expression of cultural pride brought frequent assaults and harassment from police and residents in CA. As of 2020 it was still illegal to wear zoot suits in LA.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/zoot-suit-riots
Zoot alors! Which is a polite alternative to "oh dear!"
Kudos for a bilingual pun, S. Here's another from my semester in France.
What is a dolphin?
Le premier fils du roi de France.
I think he fully understood. tRump has no conscience.
Putin developed those character reading skills in the KGB and he was clearly the dominant one in that bromance
Perhaps this is an “exciting” or “interesting” time to be alive and witness all that is happening, and has happened, in the US. Journalists, media, talking heads, etc. For an average citizen like me, it’s damn distressing and scary. My hope is that I live long enough to see that our Democracy holds together and ends up even stronger.
May you live in interesting times—Chinese proverb.
Or a curse.
That was indeed the polite intention.
:-D
Hmmm
My fervent desire as well.
Let's not confuse "Texans" with all Texans. Don't forget that millions of us voted for Biden and work hard to further the agenda of his administration.
“We must now demonstrate — with a clarity that dispels any doubt — that democracy can still deliver for our people and for people around the world. We must prove that our model isn’t a relic of history; it’s the single best way to realize the promise of our future.”
Pres Biden is more plain-spoken, but there's still something Rooseveltian, even Lincolnesque, about his words today.
Yes and he looks so comfortable and presidential thank goodness.
And we have to be on guard every day for the next successful fascist—
The US Senate is preparing to take up S-1, the “For the People” voting rights act.
121 years ago this month, the following speech was made on that same Senate floor.
“... And he [Senator John C. Spooner, of Wisconsin] said we had taken their rights away from them. He asked me was it right to murder them in order to carry the elections. I never saw one murdered. I never saw one shot at an election. It was the riots before the elections precipitated by their own hot-headedness in attempting to hold the government, that brought on conflicts between the races and caused the shotgun to be used. That is what I meant by saying we used the shotgun.
I want to call the Senator’s attention to one fact. He said that the Republican party gave the negroes the ballot in order to protect themselves against the indignities and wrongs that were attempted to be heaped upon them by the enactment of the black code. I say it was because the Republicans of that day, led by Thad Stevens, wanted to put white necks under black heels and to get revenge. There is a difference of opinion. You have your opinion about it, and I have mine, and we can never agree.
I want to ask the Senator this proposition in arithmetic: In my State there were 135,000 negro voters, or negroes of voting age, and some 90,000 or 95,000 white voters. General Canby set up a carpetbag government there and turned our State over to this majority. Now, I want to ask you, with a free vote and a fair count, how are you going to beat 135,000 by 95,000? How are you going to do it? You had set us an impossible task. You had handcuffed us and thrown away the key, and you propped your carpetbag negro government with bayonets. Whenever it was necessary to sustain the government you held it up by the Army.
Mr. President, I have not the facts and figures here, but I want the country to get the full view of the Southern side of this question and the justification for anything we did. We were sorry we had the necessity forced upon us, but we could not help it, and as white men we are not sorry for it, and we do not propose to apologize for anything we have done in connection with it. We took the government away from them in 1876. We did take it. If no other Senator has come here previous to this time who would acknowledge it, more is the pity. We have had no fraud in our elections in South Carolina since 1884. There has been no organized Republican party in the State.
We did not disfranchise the negroes until 1895. Then we had a constitutional convention convened which took the matter up calmly, deliberately, and avowedly with the purpose of disfranchising as many of them as we could under the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments. We adopted the educational qualification as the only means left to us, and the negro is as contented and as prosperous and as well protected in South Carolina to-day as in any State of the Union south of the Potomac. He is not meddling with politics, for he found that the more he meddled with them the worse off he got. As to his “rights”—I will not discuss them now. We of the South have never recognized the right of the negro to govern white men, and we never will. We have never believed him to be equal to the white man, and we will not submit to his gratifying his lust on our wives and daughters without lynching him. I would to God the last one of them was in Africa and that none of them had ever been brought to our shores. But I will not pursue the subject further.
I want to ask permission in this connection to print a speech which I made in the constitutional convention of South Carolina when it convened in 1895, in which the whole carpetbag regime and the indignities and wrongs heaped upon our people, the robberies which we suffered, and all the facts and figures there brought out are incorporated, and let the whole of the facts go to the country. I am not ashamed to have those facts go to the country. They are our justification for the present situation in our State. If I can get it, I should like that permission; otherwise I shall be forced to bring that speech here and read it when I can put my hand on it. I will then leave this matter and let the dead past bury its dead.”
Source: "Speech of Senator Benjamin R. Tillman, March 23, 1900," Congressional Record, 56th Congress, 1st Session, 3223–3224. Reprinted in Richard Purday, ed.,Document Sets for the South in U. S. History (Lexington, MA.: D.C. Heath and Company, 1991), 147.
"There is a difference of opinion. You have your opinion about it, and I have mine, and we can never agree."
Wow, this this both-sides BS goes back a long time. Even in 1900 the Right wasn't part of the reality-based community.
This speech took place 35 years after the Civil War. The wounds were still open. Some are not yet healed 156 years after that struggle ended.
Oh, we have so much work to do.
Yes, I often think that when I hear the non-stop refrain about how we have never been more divided.
Wow. If racism, disinformation, rule by minority, gerrymandering, dark money to PACs, Republican court packing, the new wave of Republican state legislature voter suppression laws, and perpetuation of The Big Lie of election fraud were to continue unchecked, this speech of 1900 could be the same speech given in the Senate how far off in the near future--2024? 2028?
",,,with a free vote and a fair count, how are you going to beat 135,000 [Negroes] by 95,000 [white men]? ...you propped your carpetbag negro government with bayonets. Whenever it was necessary to sustain the government you held it up by the Army.
...I want the country to get the full view of the Southern side of this question and the justification for anything we did. We were sorry we had the necessity forced upon us, but we could not help it, and as white men we are not sorry for it, and we do not propose to apologize for anything we have done in connection with it. We took the government away from them in 1876. We did take it. If no other Senator has come here previous to this time who would acknowledge it, more is the pity. We have had no fraud in our elections in South Carolina since 1884...
We did not disfranchise the negroes until 1895."
and this is why ALL of us need to support HR1/S1 For the People Act, a comprehensive bill to include:
"automatic voter registration and other steps to modernize our elections;
a national guarantee of free and fair elections without voter suppression, coupled with a commitment to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act;
small donor public financing to empower ordinary Americans instead of big donors (at no cost to taxpayers) and other critical campaign finance reforms;
an end to partisan gerrymandering;
and a much-needed overhaul of federal ethics rules."
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/congress-must-pass-people-act
I’m copying this link here about a zoom call being hosted by Mobilize regarding the For the People Act HR 1 that is happening tonight at 8:00 EST. Any one can sign up. Hope this works.
Democracy For the People: What's Next with Rep. John Sarbanes and Rep. Mondaire Jones
Thursday, Mar 4, 2021
8pm EST
Stunning revelations so those many years ago. How about instead of suppressing the vote, the Republicans listen to the desires of the majority of the citizens in the country and change their platform to more properly reflect who they want to govern
Where's the Money in That?
For sure, Rob. I should've put a "/s" afterward.
A 7-figure donation guarantees a hearing.
If the Repugnants listen they will have to understand that people are worthy because they exist. Their raison d’etre will cease to exist and they will no longer be Repugnant!
That would be "loverly," David!
Or, just yesterday: https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2021/03/listen-rnc-lawyer-makes-stunning-admission-to-supreme-court-justices-that-gop-needs-voter-suppression-laws-to-win/
I listened to Tuesday's SCOTUS hearing. Michael Carvin's arguments and responses stunned me. Republicans have chosen to unmask themselves completely. I hope it's their ruination.
It’s as if they are cocksure of their success. They evidently believe that SCOTUS no longer gives a damn about the Constitution? Sure hope they are wrong!
It echoes of when KKK stopped hiding their faces under hoods.
Yes, yes, too true! It will be interesting to see what SCOTUS makes of it.
And now that SCOTUS knows this is not a question of law but a matter of favoring the R party, if they agree they will be part of the immorality.
That didn't stop them in 2000. The argument was that a legitimate vote count had to be stopped because the results might harm Bush. I'm really surprised more connections have not been made to this.
Thanks for mentioning this. I do believe I forgot. Time to refresh myself.
Cheeto had said this months ago and it just blew right by most news outlets. NPR was one of the few that kept on mentioning it. The argument of the Fascisto-publicans that they would lose elections if people were actually allowed to engage their obligation as citizens and vote was designed to appeal to the three newly-appointed Fascisto-publicans in the SCOTUS propped up by McConnell and his Murderous Minions. Just as Cheeto thought that "his" justices would side with him and overturn the election, they continue to think that gaslighting will work with the SCOTUS. It might with an idiot like Kavanaugh (and of course the ever-appalling Thomas), but I suspect that Barrett is sufficiently worried about her status to pause before rubber stamping the suppression of voters' rights.
Gosh, I hope you are right (that's my Catholic school voice talking).
Yes, I read about that in Amy Howe's post last night.
“History Doesn't Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes” – Mark Twain
That was the thought that prompted me to post this, Ellie.
Thank you for sharing that speech. Aside from the somewhat antiquated language it contains, this could easily have been made yesterday, or today.
You're welcome - I had the same thought. I believe it would be a worthwhile project to pair the speeches and other public announcements of those initiating and supporting voter suppression legislation today, with the words of those like Tillman and his ilk.
Then, spread them far and wide.
Astounding. And timely and revealing, and nausesting.
Why wait how about 2021!
Oh wait it has been going on since Reagan! All of those who couldn’t keep winning without gerrymandering have been benefitting. It just took an oaf like tRump to voice their concerns. He was voted in because he had the courage to speak out giving voice to the evil that was in their hearts!
It would be helpful for Dems to understand that gerrymandering is a non-partisan endeavor. Whichever party controls the state does the gerrymandering. I live in a state controlled by Dems. They have mercilessly gerrymandered the state. Congressional District 3 is a prime and notorious example. Could the MD Dems win if they didn't gerrymander the cities? If the only way to retain power is to gerrymander, what does that mean for a democracy?
Not anymore in Michigan.
You should read Charles Blow's new book, The Devil You Know. What if Black voters had remained in the south and Reconstruction had not been bargained away? What if Black voters return to the south? (And makes you think what if D voters concentrated in large population centers move to sparsely populated R districts and states?)
As an East Coast Dem who now lives in a Dem enclave in one of the most stupidly red states in the USA, I can say that this is not always a strategy that works. The rural parts of the state have far more representation in the state legislature than the urban centers, even though KC and StL have double the population of the the rest of the state. We are able to do some stuff to benefit our city and region, but we are surrounded by racist rednecks whose only purpose seems to be to destroy the two cities that provide virtually 100% of the economic engines of the state. They are the epitome of ideologues operating against their own self interest because they hate us so much. And the covidiot governor is enabling them. Never underestimate the hatred and animus of white folks who think that they should rule the world even though they have no education or teeth.
Can we please stop with the no teeth comments? I don't have any teeth because I knocked out my front teeth when I was in grade school. Back then they didn't worry about the gap and even if they did, my family couldn't afford it.
So I spent most of my school years being bullied. And finally got my teeth fixed when I turned 16.
But that wasn't the end of my issues, so I got implants. Due to bone loss those fell out.
I spent three years (long story) getting dentures and guess what, they won't stay because I supposedly have a flat pallette.
I love wearing masks, because no one can see that I look like a muppet puppet. So please let's stop shaming people based on looks.
I'd like all name calling to stop, actually. Throughout letters. It's amazing to me that Dr. Richardson, who started this blog, does not moderate these comments. Racism, bigotry, masochism, hate language. It seems to be difficult for some to describe the problems of a civilized society and democracy within a republic, and the actions of human beings worldwide, without resorting to school yard name calling. I've seen members of other blogs be booted for less.
Not quite sure where to put this response. I just want to clarify something for folks who entered this forum after it was in full flower. Dr. Richardson is aware of the negative comments, and has expressed worry about them several times. She is *one* person who does EVERYTHING associated with this newsletter, in addition to teaching at a university, and all the other things life entails. There is no way for her to monitor comments and actually get some sleep. (This is why we worry about her and nag her to get some rest!) Nonetheless, apparently she does take the time to clean them out from time to time.
She finally found someone (a student, perhaps?) to assist with the madness of the comment feed during her live videos on FB, and to get rid of the trolls before posting.
I do not follow the comments on FB at all, either live or posted. For the most part, I prefer the posts here, until so many of them became snarky and sometimes even vituperous. Then I take a break for a while and hope that people come to their senses and remember why we are here. This isn't a competition: it is, at it's best, and exchange of ideas and insights. There are times when Heather's letter sets the stage for some amazing conversations. Others when circumstances in the world or negativity here seem to bring the worst out in us. I admit that at times I've allowed myself to lapse. (That's when I know I need to take a break.)
Largely we are self-monitoring. In general, the best thing to do with trolls is to not respond. They go away. And the best thing to do with people who seem to be having a bad day is do the same, or if it is someone you are familiar with, reach out with a few soothing words.
And please, give Heather a break. Criminy, what stress she must carry. She's carrying the same stress as the rest of us. Plus there is researching, making up notes, getting the computer set up in time, having a lot of uncertain people depend on her, having too many of us compete with each other (and her) to see who sounds most erudite.
We expect too much of her. This is a different place than it was when she started, and yet she sticks with us, and helps us understand the back story to what is going on, and eagerly and patiently answers the questions we ask (often the same ones as new people come in, because she's a teacher and gets that we are not all on the same page. And each time, I learn something new, or get a deeper sense of the history.)
From time to time, I remember to just say, "Thank you, Heather".
Please, let's all remember that what she is doing is a great gift to us, that she does because she truly loves it and she sincerely cares about us.
Well said, Annie - thank you!
Thank you for this response. I'd like to clarify, and it's written in my brief comment, that the sentiment behind noticing a blog needs moderating is not directed at the goodness or the writing gifts of Dr. Richardson. Online communities can become vicious very quickly. And the person who creates one may not have time time, energy, or skill to take that on. It is not a negative reflection of Dr. Richardson. It's a realization that the blogging world is complicated and time consuming. I appreciate her work just as much as everyone else and have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with others for the most part.
Again, noticing hateful language and the troll like behaviors, and actually cliques and bullies here is not about Dr. Richardson's work. I'm glad she realizes what is going on. Perhaps she will ask someone to help her.
Wise and sensible words Annie. Thank you. And thank Dr Richardson for her her calm and shrewd assessments of the complexity of American politics in a time of both Trump and coronavirus. I look forward to the daily briefings. Much appreciated from across the pond.
Without actually having consulted the authorities, I feel that it might be time to extend an invitation to the descendants of those who came to your country on the Mayflower to consider a return to the motherland. The UK is not perfect but it is a Trump free zone. The coast of North Norfolk where I live has plenty of sandy beaches where small boats can land unseen. I am sure there would be a warm welcome for the odd group of huddled masses yearning to breathe free of the Republcans.
Think on it!
I agree with the call to maintain civil language. As to Dr. Richardson moderating these comments -- do you know how long each day it takes to read them all? She can't possibly moderate this community -- which should be able to moderate itself -- and get anything else done in her day.
No one can deny emotion. Uncivil language is an emotional reaction. None of us are perfect. But it doesn’t take much to learn how to take a deep breath, or two!, re-read what we have written, and then re-cast our thoughts in a manner that is civil but just as strong, before we hit “send”.
Perhaps she didn't know how popular her blog would be. I've moderated blogs before when the creator just couldn't manage it anymore or did not want to manage it. I've seen blogs reported to ACLU before and shut down. This is not a slam against Dr. Richardson, who is beloved by many here. It is a simple acknowledgement that this is a blog that is not being monitored for civil discourse.
It is my understanding that this site is moderated for trolls, but not necessarily content. I have been impressed with how folks have been responding to offensive or thoughtless comments here, asking for fairness and kindness. And I have been even more impressed with how the "offenders" usually agree, and temper their comments. Much for all of us to learn and practice again after 4 years+ of government garbage.
MaryPat, many of my friends and I have commented to each other that our language has cleaned itself up over the past couple of months....😊
I totally agree, Tricia. Sadly, I have pled for civility on this site several times, with apparently little, if any, success. Name calling, etc., certainly isn't a step toward the unity that Biden is working toward. It also makes the “other side” more intransigent.
Thank you, Sara. I'm at the point where I am deciding if I'm going to read the letters and stop reading the comments. If so I'll end my subscription and perhaps Dr. Richardson will have a comment section asking why .. in which I'll provide endless examples of hate language throughout the letters.
Largely agree.
We're in a difficult situation that includes outright traitors, including Former Occupant, who are using propaganda, conspiracy, sedition, libel, slander, name-calling, lies, gaslighting, and violence to undermine our lawful elected government. That's not name-calling: that's intended as descriptive, and I believe it to be accurate. I say it, and I mean it as it stands. I won't water it down.
It is very hard to keep a tight lid on language in this context. It's also hard to keep anger toward the human vermin who deserve harsh judgment from bleeding over into those who support them. Are the supporters co-conspirators? Some are, most are not. Are they complicit? Yes. Are they fools? Almost certainly: since their rallying cry is "freedom," they are certainly going to be sorely disappointed by a "successful" outcome. They're cleaning a loaded gun with a hair-trigger and looking down the barrel.
I try to keep a lid on gratuitous insults. I'm not always successful.
Hi Joseph,
I’m relatively new to this website but most of us are quite upset and concerned about what’s happening to our country. I have found that this is a place to say what you mean and not to worry about keeping the lid on. Say exactly what you mean and don’t think about tamping down your emotions. This is a safe place with lots of people who really care and try to discuss what’s happening. Heather sets the tone of the day with her clear reportage about what’s happening and setting the events within a historic context and then we all share our thought and interact. I agree with all you said and I think I’m as upset as you are.
Gosh— I haven’t been on this site for long but the only character we have been perhaps disparaging is Cheeto Velveeto.I have one implant for a tooth that cracked but I did not enjoy the process. I’m sorry to hear about your being bullied. That can be so painful.
I apologize to you, Beth.
No worries Linda.
Apologies from me too, Beth. Sometimes snark is overly tempting. I almost posted a remark about "sinking our teeth into" Oatmeal TX, but thought better of it.
It is wrong to show hostility to our companions here at LFAA, and I've advocated for more civility more than once. However, I believe criticizing public figures is rather different, especially when we see them harming others with words or deeds. For example, criticism of the Unnamed Former is seldom too harsh or unwarranted.
Sincere apologies...I have full dentures, in part due to the 'sweet tea' we were given to drink year round in rural Alabama. I am toothless, in one sense, and having left that noxious sickness of a culture at 15 and found education to be my way out, I am quite toothful. Sometimes, I find the humor around teeth = intellect amusing. Other times, it disgusts me. Depends to what uses tis put.
Teeth are so interesting— my mother didn’t take me to the dentist until I was about eleven with a mouthful of cavities. I still remember how painful the drilling was—education also was my way out. You’re the only person I know from Alabama— I’m glad you’re on this site.
laughing out loud, and crying in my coffee.
the "New South" is a joke.
It exists in pockets of academia, educated publics, makers; but I assure you, dear reader, that the 'good ole boys' and their wives and parents are teaching the children racism, misogyny, homophobia, white supremacy, and the mass psychosis of fundamentalism in religion.
The notion of being 'better' reaches back to when the 'po' white trash' were made overseers on the lands of enslavement.
The embedded structural insanity perpetuates white rage, inchoate though it may be, and precludes resolution within the existing framework.
pickup line in Alabama: "I like yer tooth"
Meet the new south
Same as the old south
-- adapted from The Who, "Won't get Fooled Again"
Yes, the suggestion is to move out of the areas of concentration into the less-populated counties or districts that are currently controlled by the people who are doing bad things. The county just south of me could turn with not that many new D voters there. Look at where the difference is least and go there. At least in our state we have a D governor to veto the R legislature, but if they voter suppress enough to win the governor's sear next time, we are truly doomed along with remaining clean air and water, public schools, climate work, local control, and more.
Well, Cate, I believe Mr. Blow moved to Atlanta from NYC--not exactly a part of Georgia lacking a concentration of BIPOC. Also, jobs tend to dictate where one lives, especially in a rural states with specific urban concentrations where there are things like colleges and universities. Finally, I deeply empathize with people who don't want to do this because they don't want to die, have their house burned down by neighbors, or their children attacked. The problem with asking individuals to assume the responsibilities that should be assumed by the government--including guaranteeing equity and safety for all--is that it demands that individuals be martyrs. I have a problem with that.
This is so true. I do not return to Alabama because physical safety is at risk. I could tolerate the verbal assaults, but my brother has shot and killed a man, and the judge apologized to him for losing his rifle in the evidence room, and said he had every right to self-protection. Even though the man was shot in the back of the head as he was running away.
The re-development of communities of color would not address these problems. And martyrdom is not my cup of tea. HR 1 is a good start to clean up the messes of suppression and gerrymandering, and yet, we have the ego-maniacal Mansion and strange Sinema apparently holding up the process.
Indeed.
Prof M hits it out of the park!
It is a lot to ask people to move the shift a political balance. There are few migrants who make that a top priority; in fact, we're more likely to go where we fit in already. BTW, Mr Blow is a telecommuter with primary residence in Atlanta.
Beautifully said, Linda. Thank you.
Blow's described reasons for moving were far broader than just voting. We have been asking people to be martyrs for voting rights for centuries. Thanks to our foremother martyrs, I can vote today. It's just an idea, but Blow discusses the Vermont experiment, too, in his book, which seemed to have an effect on that state's politics.
Yes, people who have been willing to be martyrs are exceptional people and I am deeply grateful to them. But we should not--especially in this day and age--request or expect people to do that.
I’ll have to get it— I so admire Blow. It’s fascinating to ponder all the ways people can conspire how to make certain people have a great deal of difficulty casting their vote. What I loved about the Georgia elections was their amazing persistence, the lines that went on and on et cit too an heroic effort to vote but they did it and I think that whatever curve ball these haters are going to throw, people will be ready to tackle.
I have to admit ignorance about the "Vermont experiment". For some reason I live in VT now. I have Blow's book on my list, but wondering if you could give a brief description so I don't die of curiosity before it gets here. Two or 3 sentences?
I read his bio years ago-/ such a brilliant and fascinating man.
They lack education because the best teachers work in the urban centers where they get paid more. Their teeth are missing because the best dentists live in urban centers miles away. Ask yourself, why is that? Why do their children leave the town they grew up in, never to return? Why are they so angry they wish the cities did not exist as infernal "economic engines"? Why do urban folks think rural folks can not live without them?? Why do urban folks not recognize their responsibility for rural poverty?
Return migration of Blacks to the south has been going on for some time. The volume is seldom high enough to affect state politics, but it may help at the local level. The superb ethnography below dates from 1996.
C Stack, The Call to Home
As a Democrat in a Democratic oasis in deep red Indiana, that's exactly what I thought about when I heard Charles Blow interviewed about his new book. Yes, it could be a game changer if Democrats moved from densely Democratic districts to states where their vote could really make a difference. I heard reports during the past year about remote workers moving away from expensive cities to less costly parts of the country, and hoped that might be a step in this direction.
B'ton, LH? I was there in grad school, when it was a bit more purple, and it was super amusing to see that the attempts by the Despicables to gerrymander the Congressional districts resulted in TWO dems elected to Congress (Frank and Lee) rather than getting rid of them, as they had intended. There was a time when Indiana actually had a principled legislature and executive, but that was long ago.
Yes, Bton. Now, unfortunately, we have no Dem in Congress with the city split. My side of town is represented by Tennessee Trey (Hollingsworth). We do have a Dem representing us in the statehouse.
I am sorry to hear that. Of course, IN has gotten far more deeply red than it was in the 1980s, when the legacy of Birch Bayh was still respected (even though his son was a horse's ass).
I can Identify Bton as Bloomington because I studied African languages there. It's an island of liberalism in a sea of Mike Pences. It was a wonderful summer even though I've forgotten most of my chiChewa. My best friends there came from Colombia, Czech Republic, Japan, Rwanda and Tunisia. The only ones missing were an Australian and a penguin.
It's an interstate AND an inTRAstate project.
yes indeed
I've seen several posts here recommending good books that explain a lot of what is going on. I think reading is the whole key to understanding. I just finished reading Rachel Maddow's "Blowout" and it was very enlightening. Much of our country's problem is ill-educated people. They either don't have time to read, don't want to read, or can't read well enough to comprehend so they don't bother. Education and critical thinking is key to keeping our democracy. There are numerous quotes from our founding fathers on education, but here is one from Benjamin Franklin, "On education all our lives depend. And few, to that, too few, with care attend." Seems to describe our current situation.
My favorite quote (not on beer) attributed to Ben Franklin:
"WINE; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy!"
But that's only because Reese's wasn't invented in the 18C.
Librarians use the phrase "life long learners".
The strength of a book is the coherent presentation by one human brain concerning one coherent topic. When our primary sources of information come from reading several articles, with several TedTalks, and meshed with NYT, WaPo, and the Atlantic, we create an omelet of our individual understanding. Some people would label that "thinking for yourself". But really, what good is that for the rest of the community around you?
We need to read the books of giants like Historians Heather Richardson and Joseph A. Tainter; contemperary comentators like Rachael Maddow; economist's like Joseph Stiglitz; and philosophers such as Jacques Ellul and Jurgan Habermas., to name a few off the top of my head.
Kudos for mentioning Tainter. I read Collapse of Complex Societies a millennium ago.
His thesis that societies fail because of complexity is still being quoted. It is especially pertinent to our digital society. The computer programmers should have consulted librarians before establishing "key word searching". What a disaster for controlled vocabulary and knowledge management! Now knowledge is homogenized and scattered into the Ethernet waiting to be found and recognized. No more "standing on the shoulders of giants" in this dancing landscape.
Couple that complexity with a short public citizen attention span, a dwindling sense of History, little discernment for verification of facts and we end up reinventing the same mistakes!
Could it be that many authoritarian parents and a formal education based on creating good worker bees work to stifle innate curiosity rather than nurturing it?
Maybe a child development professional would step up to correct us, but here is my guess after raising two sons. Curiosity is like a muscle; everyone has muscles, but the ones we use are the ones that get strong. Becoming a good worker bee would be one good outcome regardless of how someone learned it. Their curiosity would be focused on how to get work done.
Authoritarian parents would only stifle curiosity if the parents did not love their child.
Rather than worry about authoritarian parents, how many parents allow their 13 year old to have their curiosity stmulated by unsupervised YouTube?
An authoritarian parent that is present to direct their child may be better than an absent parent who only as time to survive as long as both are non-violent. Love is the beginning of curiosity. Curiosity is the spark for imagination, however it will be the quality of love a person has that will determine the quality of the imagination.
With the migration of work from urban centers to online, there is less reason to live in high rise suites, or Condos, or apartments due to pandemics. Online workers can move to rural towns and live in renovated houses. I can promise you, your perspective will change. However, insread of becoming red neck, you would find solutions to why urban centers prosper, while rural towns are bearly getting by. You will not buy a gun, but put pen to paper with your astonding new insights about class!
In my imagination, it's called, "Retired boomers save the world." It's the least we could do after getting things to such a mess.
Out of 70 million baby boomers, there was an estimated 400,000 hippies and activists who demonstrated against the war in Vietnam and later, in the 1980's, protested nuclear testing at the Nevada test site. Millions of African American boomers were put in prison so that they lost the right to vote in many states. We banned aerosol sprays that were creating a hole in the ozone. We protsted the mixing of higher education and ROTC military influence in creating Napalm and other hazardous weapons of mass destruction. They got shot at Kent State and beaten at sitdown protests on college campus at Madison.
Baby boomers were born between 1946 after the military returned with victory over Hitler. I do not know why the last date is determined, but boomers end at 1961, before the Beatles played in New York on the Ed Sullivan Show. Boomers follow behind the Reagan generation. Boomers did not have a majority in Congress until President Clinton's first term (both republicans and democrats). Baby boomers burned their bras as a symbol against sexism. Baby Boomers wrote and sang great music. To identify Baby Boomers as the ones who created "such a mess" is propoganda created by the Reagan generation to deflect the reality that they drove the Exxon Valdez onto the rocks and have denied climate change since the 1970s!
In other words, the Boomers did not create the Great Hot Mess. It has been the Reagan generation. Boomers have been rebeling against and cleaning up after their consumer life style since they were teenagers!
You said it - 400,000/70 million. I like to think I'm one of the "good" ones, but here we are.
There is a blip in the baby boomer generation. Those between 1955 - 1961 did not experience the Vietnam draft when they turned age 18. They were too young to march for civil rights or take much notice of Watergate. Lots of them think Reagan was a great president.
Ds of any race could do this.
Yes. Not even Ds necessarily. Anti-Rs.
Covid and internet access has helped the latter along somewhat. For Maine at least, out of staters are moving in, but not so much to the very rural red parts of the state. https://www.newscentermaine.com/mobile/article/money/economy/south-portland-real-estate-market-is-booming/97-773b725e-99c4-4538-8961-9c6ca46d0c19
"...we will not submit to his gratifying his lust on our wives and daughters without lynching him." I guess he forgot about white masters raping their black female slaves with impunity.
It's a classic case of projection. smh
Pitchfork Ben Tillman hailed from Edgefield SC, the most violent county in America.
O Burton, In my Father's House are Many Mansions
We really really need NEVER to forget.
I highly commend this opinion from this morning’s Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/things-are-about-to-get-a-lot-harder-for-joe-biden/2021/03/03/473c562a-7c5b-11eb-b3d1-9e5aa3d5220c_story.html
I need a vomit emoji.
Benjamin R. Tillman speaks for the Republican Party now and for White Supremacy, which has been woven into the USA from its beginning. Thank you, R Dooley, for providing us with this hymn to oppression.
The news is sickening...the pieces of the puzzle are coming into place.
Is this why all of the top officials at the Pentagon were suddenly replaced with loyalists back in November 2020, at the tail end of the last guy’s administration? Once they knew they’d lost the election, even with the Big Lie, were the plans for a Coup underway? The Big Plan?
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/10/politics/pentagon-policy-official-resigns/index.html
God help us...the Republicans are once again circling the wagons, time for shiny objects: COVID spread, immigration blame, voter suppression, etc. The Big Lie and the Big Plan, a takeover of the United States by the former demon and his followers by any means possible. Nothing is coincidental. They’re not finished yet.
Help! Some wisdom and encouragement please.
On this date, exactly 160 years ago:
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."
-- A Lincoln, March 4, 1861
We are fellow citizens under this Constitution and for that fact alone we should be respectful friends.
Thank you TPJ. This was exactly what I needed today. It will be my prayer for the days ahead.
Despair is my mortal enemy. I try to offer hope whenever readers' morale sags, and you all do the same for me. Fortunately America has a wealth of great historical figures whose words and deeds bring credit to humanity. The past isn't dead; the best of it lives forever.
Thanks TPJ: the First Inaugural Address. a prayer of hope and optimism. Unfortunately, there are no "better angels" in this crowd--just as there were no "better angels" among the Confederates.
Thanks Linda. You are correct, but at least some redeemed themselves after the war. James Longstreet, John Mosby, and especially Grant's AG Amos Akerman are among those who became Republicans and supported freedpeoples' rights, at least to some degree. In 1879 Grant enjoyed a reunion with his old foe Mosby, then serving as US consul in Hong Kong.
J Young, Around the World with General Grant
Timeless gift of words.
I think God will help us figure this out
I hesitated to say this, because it may be misconstrued as disrespectful, but we need to keep God out of this. Having "God on our side", no matter which side or which God tends to cause a lot of problems for " the other side". Each person's faith in God can be a powerful guide to their actions and each person who uses God as part of their justification for anything on the sociopolitical spectrum believe that they're position is the righteous one. No, we have, literally, thousands of years of history to support keeping God out of our political rhetoric, now more than ever.
I agree with you 100% on that, Daria.
The people that I know who are most vehemently supportive of trump and qanon call themselves christians and demand that the god (lower case intended) they worship be the 'head' of everything. But their god despises anyone who does not fit into their cookie mold, and therefore those people must be crushed and molded into the 'right shape', for their own good, of course. 😒 And we've all witnessed the effects of this demanding belief system.
Let people choose whichever god they want, but said god has no place within the government of a country.
I understand and generally use the lower case god. I was being intentionally emphatic. We are in such a precarious place. Proud Boy, Ethan Nordean, stated that "Americans must “desensitize” themselves to violence..." You can bet your bottom dollar their god and what "he" wants will be cited as a justification for violence.
Thankful that you spoke out. the use of religion, a father figure, and fundamentalism contribute to the embedding of the former guy's cult. the father figure is the model for white male supremacy.
Correct. To presume to understand God is the definition of hubris, I believe.
St. Augustine. Try Thomas Aquinas or Marcus Borg.
Their not they're. Oy!
"The judgments of the lord are true and righteous altogether"
-- Abraham Lincoln, 156 years ago today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUZGGFOV6FM
I agree 100%. Well said!
I watched Beto being interviewed by Nicole Wallace yesterday. He could barely contain his anger and utter bewilderment at Abbott. And, I believe the news of Abbott's twitter had not made it to national level. I'm sure many Texans will ignore the latest Abbott announcement about opening up, and will continue to practice safety. Beto will continue his fight to reach those most in need. And, I'm glad he's getting the national coverage he deserves. At least it shows there are Texans who care about the future of the country, not just the future of Texas.
I hope he decides to run for Governor of Texas. He would be a strong candidate.
Dear Friends, rise and go forth today in joy and appreciation. It is March 4, a date that resonates with our finest democratic traditions. 160 years ago today Abraham Lincoln became president and gave his first inaugural address, ushering in the better angels of our nature. The youth of his day had hearts touched with fire, as do our Youngers now. Let us walk in the light of their inspiration, and hold them always in the light.
Now as I multitask in front of MSNBC we have to wonder if the capitol has been set up for another type of disaster—something more deadly and pernicious or nothing but we still have to worry about it? Truly domestic terrorism is even worse than international terrorism— it’s like you have a large family and there’s one determined to destroy all you have but all you see are smiles and people you even sleep near.
The fact that Congress shut down today (3/4) fearing violence suggested by QAnon social media postings unfortunately gives right wing domestic terrorists a reason to believe their movement “has legs.” I would hope that the shutdown is merely an overreaction on the side of caution. If it is more than that, it is time for drastic military action against the forces which would continue the insurrection against our government which they carried out on January 6.
I’ll let president Biden decide when it’s time.
Hopefully with bipartisan support from both Houses of Congress.
As if..I have no confidence in that development within this next 5 year period— heels are so dug into positions.
International terrorism unites us; domestic terrorism divides us. So, Putin wisely and cleverly uses our own homegrown militias for his dirty work.
Clever Putin.
And they don't know that they're being used ... just like the former president.
Well said TPJ and we should support those youth as many of our parents supported us. I am concerned though that the House's decision not to be in session today is a tacit acknowledgement that the insurrectionists are ahead and we have more catching up to do than we thought.
BTW, there will be a response to your comment from yesterday as soon as I can find it in the raft of information that followed the Professor's letter. Be well, this too shall pass.
Thanks Dave. Don't be concerned with the previous comment; rummaging through past LFAAs is an unnecessary burden.
Thanks. We're very much agreed on the value of and moral obligation to wear masks and engage in all other available mitigation efforts. My comment on posturing referred to the imposition of unenforceable mandates on which your observation is correct in theory but was rendered invalid by the initial behavior of the disgraced former president (dfp) in his obdurate refusal to even entertain a mask or recognize the impact of the disease. The philosophy behind that we could discuss at length and, if we did, I suspect we'd find ourselves in substantial agreement there too.
Your letter today clearly shows that President Biden wants to be the President for all Americans, even for those who didn't vote for him. It is painful to watch Governor Abbott and other radical Republicans get help and respect from Biden and reject him at the same time. It makes me wonder if it's not like trying to put a democratic government in place around the world. Democracy just won't work in some areas in the world and it doesn't seem to be working anymore for some Republicans.
please change "radical" to "irrational" Republicans
I had heard, back in the day, that the "out there" wing of liberals was called "radicals" and that the "out there" wing of conservatives was called "reactionary".
Yes, you heard right.
I agree. I prefer to reserve the noble connotation of "radical" as used by Angela Davis, "to the root."
Angela Davis is an icon for many of today's Youngers.
As she was in her younger days for us.
Yes
We seniors on LFAA are still in our younger days!
Or "criminal" Republicans
I think that they must tell themselves that they’re whipping up some brand mew version of democracy that gives our constitution wiggle room.
Let’s try it this way. January 6 was the Trump show, motivated by Trump’s enduring life long inherited hatreds and his deep belief that we, as a white nation threatened by color, are, as he is, essentially white racists, fascists and violently intolerant at our core. Trump’s bold and bankrupt strategy will be exposed as it moves now from the Trump Show to the Merritt Garland show, guided by President Biden, Vice President Harris, Majority Whip Clyburn, Chairman Adam Schiff, my friend Cory Booker, the Democrat Manager’s Show and good souls everywhere that need a jolt. Trump and his loose and illegal command will be prosecuted. A president will see jail. The nation and the world will learn how deadly this soap opera was and still is. Trump sought help from Pence to derail the orderly transfer, destroy our democracy, throw out certain states, and guide the election away from the Electoral College to the individual states, one vote per, dominated by the GOP. Pence refused. Flat out. More than once. Abd he went to work for the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas. Stay tuned there. So.. to accomplish his long held goal and stay out of jail, Trump sought to kill Pence and Pelosi, and any that resisted. His apex command was instructed in the language of a mob boss. See Michael Dean Cohen Esq. Michael knows his old boss, and was spot on. He knows. And he said it. More than once. Trump then planned to institute martial law with Flynn 1 now pardoned to deal with the national reaction to dumping Biden Harris which would have been absolutely staggering. Flynn 2 took orders from Trump via Flynn 1, his felon brother, stalling the National Guard for three critical murderous hours. Two fraternal suicides suggest guilt in the complicit. Too many heard the word and were complicit. Sens. Hawley, Johnson, and Cruz were hoping for chaos and control positions. They now must worry about FBI tapes of their calls. The Bureau was corrupted at Barr’s level, not where it matters, which is why Barr resigned. Hawley is worried about tapes. Says this. Barr knew what was coming. Sort of. He stayed off the phone. It did not take long once the White House tapes were turned over. Think back. It won’t take long with the taxes turned over. Who thinks the Trump CFO in his 70s is not talking? In the aftermath, with Covid-19 and mutations in sharp focus, and Israel in the clear, America will stumble around as we seek to address obesity and its cause in farming and livestock, and gun violence will be linked to tetracycline in the water of our beef cattle ostensibly curing while spreading anaplasmosis, as our young and very confused males, our messed up lone murderers, seek suicide killing others. We spent over $600,000 over ten years at Bard College trusting that place to prefer integrity in food. Our best school food service directors are often bribed. Aramark’s New England team of two confessed. And retired, one in tears. The two men that truly know well what’s coming are Anthony Scaramucci and his friend Michael Dean Cohen, both lawyers. These two men have returned to balanced sanity proving their decency after a long period of the other kind. They’ve become friends. Trump does not stand a chance. Georgia will get him. Stacie Abrams is right up there with James Clyburn and the wonderful Mara Gay. This story has its bad guys and its good guys. Our young nation is learning that liars are deadly. The founders did their best. We must now deal with where they messed up terribly. Slavery’s trail is long. Those most trashed have saved us. We must honor them, for their very future is ours.
To Sandy Lewis and all who "liked" his comment: Your reply is long and rambling. While I see truth in some of your comments, please know your statement, “Two fraternal suicides suggest guilt in the complicit” is shocking and unacceptable. Permit me a bit of Kevin Bacon-like relationships in that Howard Liebengood, Capitol Police Officer was a legacy. I grew up in his hometown and have friends who know him well. Not only that, Howard is a legacy Capitol police officer because his father was also one as well as being Sergeant-at-Arms. His friends on elementary school field trips recall not knowing Howard’s connections and seeing him speak with Congressmen in the halls of the Capitol because he had so often accompanied his father there. He was not a person to brag about his connections. Again, please know that you’ve made a leap you should not have made. No one can know what a person is thinking when they take this end of their existence. There is not a suggestion here of guilt. Moreover, there is a fact that our democracy was dealt a terrible blow which continues to this day.
I almost missed that entire sentence. I appreciate that you addressed it. 🙏
The fascistic twitch of the uniformed and their saluting admirers is holy and sacred to some and the monarchy. To me it’s trouble. It’s a wise man that knows he does not know. The most wise ask the questions that matter, are most willing to be wrong. Again and again. January 6 and the whole stinking mess is the most dangerous thing we’ve experienced since the Civil War, President Lincoln’s assassination, and WW II. May DOJ under AG Garland not pull a punch. The Big Lie from a president is dangerous. When that president is owned by others and facing jail and bankruptcy again, we get January 6 and uniformed flunkies dancing under Flynn, Flynn and another acting idiot with no name. I know suicide. No one kills himself with pride. These two were shame and fear driven. That’s all we know. I feel both shame and fear. I am hoping with words to awaken the patriots that love the law and our people, starting with those most trashed: Black Women. Black Women. Black Women save The United States of America.
You may be brilliant and well read but you are wrong on this. you may know suicide, but you do not know every man. Pain is the single greatest driver of suicide. I can't imagine your reaction (actually I can) if a psychiatrist tried to tell you what you should invest in. I think I'm done being curious here. How arrogant to diminish a dead man to fear, shame, pride or something out of a Dicken's novel or a fictional movie. How ironic that you "rant" about being wise enough to know you don't know.
Substack is where many come to hide. Not me. I do not know. I question. I do not concern myself about the view of others I do not know, those that those hiding accuse. I am Sandy Lewis, aka Salim Bonnor Lewis, born 1/27/39 and I have no hesitation. When murder happens, and suicide is against the law, I ask why. January 6 is about criminal stuff in thousands. Many Capitol Cops were complicit. Knew what was coming. DOD knew. This was a massive disaster, a massive earthquake in magnitude, we have survived a tsunami from Trump et al. Thousands buy the big lie. Millions of USA Whites buy the big lie. I do not. I question murder, self pity, self murder: suicide. Mussolini and Hitler rose with the Big Lie. Yale’s History Professor Timothy Snyder feels right to me. On Tyranny is a modest masterpiece. I’ve lost a few to suicide. Two spoke of their intent. I tried to end my life on earth at five years of age. A Black woman saved my life. She was dying of terminal syphilis. She lived for me. Saved me. I would eat for no other person, wanted to go to Heaven. Perhaps those two rose. We can hope.
“The two fraternal suicides”.... accusation was ugly. You say you don't care but your words and reported actions say you do. You have survived much that has been deadly for others. But, those two men have families who knew them (you didn't it appears), but you have harmed them all with your words. It was a slap in the face to read it. I agree with most of what you write and learn much new, but the irreverence towards possibly our best (or at the very least unknown) diminishes your other words. Especially so, in light of the plethora that are so deserving of your irreverence today. We will certainly not know if they "rose" but if we believe in democracy, laws, justice and truth why would we condemn them as guilty based on our bias? Such irreverent “small” thoughts and deeds cultivate the rich soil for that which Snyder speaks of. Words matter, yes they do! And one last question, why does a person need a last name to matter? In my husbands indigenous/traditional culture, last names were not given.
Suicide is ugly. Horid for those left behind. Cowardly. Expresses a guilt in thus case. Too many uniformed US employees, some elected, are traitors, seditionists and disloyal. Their calls were monitored. They spoke on government property using regulated means. Stay tuned. This is a fight to the truth. The two that killed themselves had their reasons. I fear what they may be. They are 1-5% of the problem. More to come. FBI knows.
The final solution for two cowards in uniform. They were busted fiduciaries. Suicide is murder. Nasty to those left behind. Very. Gutless. Heaven or hell, nihilistic, and shame driven. Terry Gross interviewed The New Yorker photo journalist that tracked them all through the Capitol. No arrests. A social event. Guiltless guilty. Rape of the government they hate, whites obeying Trump, the liar in chief, the grifter group dynamic, Flynn & Flynn, a complete breakdown of the prejudiced whites led by Hawley, Cruz, Graham, Trump, Trump, Trump. The Capitol police and our military genuflected from the top, led by neo fascist elements, The Big Lie, put a uniform on a fascist, you get cops with a knee. The utter failure of our culture is on display where ever we look. Two checked out, the rest acted out. I sorted out President Bill Clinton in 45 minutes of directed monologue, he listened, two witnessed. He had no conscience, has no conscience, will not talk. I talked to him. Owned his brain for the moment. But his brain is wired to chase, not love. The man is alone. HRC is pissed off. She targeted him. Nuts. Our nation is represented by Trump, 70 million racist triggered Black fearing fascists, so, so many in uniform. Hitler’s offspring, anti Semitic Jews like Miller. The Civil War emancipated and the KKK then savaged people of color. Lynching was common. Without Sanctuary, Lynching Photography in America is proof. Buy it. Sleep with it. Cry. And ask why. Human beings are savage. Cops are not civil. Our male teen murderers killing daily across America are committing suicide. The nation ignores its own, the founders were refugees from monarchy, they killed to thrive, the only good Indian is a dead Indian, we slaughtered in Oklahoma and never apologized. That’s Trump land today. The suicidal Capitol cop is a coward. Flynn & Flynn and Donald Barr and Bill Barr are Epstein ghosts, with hundreds of girls raped, killed, ignored, Les Wexner, my client, bragged. Tell your father I’ve learned how to undress them, said he to our fifth at Goldman Sachs. We jail the Black man for J walking, we give a pass to white trash that obey Trump, the cowards commit suicide, the rest hide, inside they are all dead. and Letters by HRC is an obituary for America written late at night by a color blind historian educated at PEA, another heartless cold prep school chute to the Ivy League. Our kids rose there and now know the racism of the rich. To Biden, Harris and Obama, not Clinton, not Gore, not Bush, Bush, Bush, Bush... we turn, but the White Trash historian needs a mirror, not SubStack. Matt Taibbi will not speak with his dad. That’s a start. We will not save this planet with platitudes or suicides. We must speak, write, and care. We must worship the truth 24/7/365.25. Now and forever. Mars won’t help. We must save the smallest living things right here. And those most trashed can lead us: Black Women. Start with Mara Gay. Read her beautiful face, hear her voice, watch her breathe, learn to love her. She and Majority Whip Clyburn and his lady in the first pew are the future - or we have none. Mara on MSNBC is a treat. MSNBC has the beat. The Fox Fix belongs at The Orthogenic School run by Emmy Sylvester, but Bruno Bettelheim pushed her out. Elect women. Boot most men. The message is so clear. South Carolina flipped with Black Women hearing three words: Joe Knows Us. Saved by those most trashed. No rant. The truth. James Clyburn felt the words, I needed to hear that. And he acted. Bless Clyburn. Bless Black Women. And give your name, date of birth and your story. @SBLewisSB
Thank you once again, Carla. I recall your similar comment from last month. We need to read it more than once, without passing judgment, to avoid compounding tragedy. Time and investigations will reveal some of the truth, and CP officers should not be accused of conspiracy or dereliction without proof. Please post again as needed, and most likely it will be.
NB, we may share people in common. I have family in Fairfax County, and greatly enjoyed Thanksgivings there before the pandemic. Especially our tradition of "History Friday."
Thank you, TPJ.
Carla, you are totally justified in reposting whenever the subject comes up.
Again, with suicide, two, following an inside job fomented by Trump, Flynn, Flynn, Hawley, Cruz, DeSantis, even dodo Pence, with selfies flashing and the FBI arresting hundreds - our military and police are involved, complicit, fascists elements.. we do not know.. let the FBI with an honest AG, not complicit Barr, do the job. Hundreds of uniformed and retired uniformed are involved. This layered criminal behavior was supported by President Trump. A man proud of his job, a true patriot, does not commit suicide with an inside fascist eruption designed to knock off a VP and a Speaker. This whole damn mess is beyond incredible. It’s racist. It’s the stuff of cowards. Suicide in a pro is a message. It smells.
Sandy, many of us have grown used to your almost incoherent ramblings, and just pass them by. Once in a while you say something that is meaningful, so I scan just to see if maybe. Not this one. You stepped way over a line when you pretend to "know" what was in the mind of someone who committed suicide. It is at best pretentious and arrogant. It is also hurtful, but you appear to be so full of yourself that you fail to be able to consider even that small insight. Yep, next time I won't bother even skimming. Nothing worthwhile to see here.
Swell.
Try reading.
I agree. I stopped reading Sandy Lewis. He is kin to ignore at Thanksgiving. Don't encourage him with a reply. He himself brags that does not care.
I believe what I said. Deeply. Suicide is final. I do not care about the profile. Schizophrenia rules. Cider House Rules. 105 North Tower. It’s a far, far better ... Dickens. Dr. B came to declare his intent. He heard my response. He acted. I’ve known a few. Those so inclined are dealing with issues that collide. January 6th was a cataclysmic collision and two men acted to end what now will happen to the many that knew and did not kill themselves. Now, as & when DOJ returns to integrity, due process will jail many. Lead us not into temptation ... Trump led all. I do hope Garland justice will replace Barr and Epstein and Wexner and Ghislaine and Dershowitz and Trump and Clinton. It’s a mess. As for the suicidal, keep an eye on Trump and his misbegotten. Kushner is ripe.
Agree ... but let's not get sidetracked by the farming and livestock issues. What do we do with millions of gullible and ignorant voters, the voices of whom are guaranteed by our democratic principles, and whose bigotry, racism and downright hatred, cause them to accept Trumpublican lies? Their votes put these charlatans into positions of power? That's how this harm has all come to pass. This is a flaw in our democratic process, embedded in the Constitution, which sooner or later must be addressed.
(As for the 45th president's culpability, Michael Cohen's book, "Disloyal" is required reading. A bit more esoteric is Herman Melville's "The Confidence Man," a Nineteenth Century preview of Trump's big lie.)
Michael @ mdcohen212@ is sound minded...a good father, husband, son, with a truly great father...himself. Yet, he fell for DJT, as have millions and millions and Anthony Scaramucci a smart good Harvard law grad ... two intelligent good men, misled by the devil incarnate... FASCISTS sell a line... an appealing line that grabs the insecure among us like an aphrodisiac... group dynamic takes over and we have Nazism or Trumpism or Communism or the BIG LIE of Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny... January 6th brought those that hate... whites inspired by color rising in the USA... the insecure white among us that are still fighting the Civil War... folks that confront their ambivalence about color... which is especially strong where Black women raised their grandparents, nursed their grandparents, and - yes - had sex with their white boys as teens to make men out of dweebs ... when they were sent to the other side of the tracks to learn how... and the southern system of racial inequities kicked in to establish the unspoken bond between them... that can only be understood with tolerance and the informed heart of man...and love for our children and our families and our fellow man... we must be color blind and care deeply, our children must not see color, all kids are beautiful...
Sandy, your long posts are hard to read, albeit interesting. Could you do some paragraphs for easier reading? Thanks.
Marcy Meldahl, sadly, I write as I think... and think as I write... and this saved me as a child... at The Orthogenic School of Bruno Bettelheim... I got there by biting a DDS in Manhattan, and spent the next 6.5 years in The Pirates, a dorm of 8 boys, that formed my peer... three of us are still alive... that group taught me how to merge American Express and Shearson Loeb Rhodes and deal with alcoholics in Wall Street and the criminal element that is absolutely everywhere, including SDNY and the SEC... the congress and NYSE and ASE... NASD... children feel this stuff... and can go mad if they are stuffed.. as I was. My dad was Cy Lewis. He was honest when he arrived at Salomon Brothers & Hutzler, and dishonest when he died as managing partner of Bear, Stearns in 1978... a good man blasted by Gus Levy at Goldman, Sachs, his best friend.. it was tragic to watch... Levy’s daughter Betty was my first date, as arranged by our parents... she lasted one evening with me... boring as a fence post. Gus was brilliant and totally honest/dishonest, with counsel to protect him... and that story is a book.
Liked "boring as a fence post" (although I shouldn't!)
You were doing well until you got into farming and livestock. These are the Left's favourite conspiracy theories. Stick with fighting the Right's conspiracy theories.
Well not sure about conspiracies, but the present way "food" animals are now raised and the inhumanity & brutality involved, plus the heavy antibiotic use in food animals is a huge part of why there is such obesity and morbidities in our population. As to whether that is a "left conspiracy"? It isnt.
True about the issue of food hazards, thanks Mags. But in the prior comment it sticks out like a bunion on an old foot. It belongs elsewhere
Sorry - sore subject & youre right - wrong place to get into it.
Not yours, Maggie (and Allen) -- it's the oddity plunked down in the midst of a discussion about prosecuting insurrectionists. I never reply to that person or mention by name. You two folks with food-industry experience have a lot to share. Thank you both, A and M.
I have to admit - Allen has experience there. I dont. The past ten/twenty years have read & listened to many people who obviously dont feel the same way he does. The way I feel about animals influences my feelings. Got caught up in the whole Wild Horse issue & the damage done to public lands with the livestock grazing program. That issue is as divisive as our current politics!!!
I spent my entire life working in the livestock industry and can assure you that your comment above contains very little if any truth. While any animal abuse is too much it is something the industry itself is always concerned about and is far far less prevalent then the makers of anti-animal videos would have you believe. As to antibiotic use, it is used sparingly to treat disease and the industry, especially the feedlot industry is very conscious of any possible resistance and monitors it constantly. The obesity of which you speak is a result of too much consumption of carbohydrates plant based oils and fats and not enough consumption of red meat and concomitant saturated fat. From an environmental perspective the world needs MORE grasslands which are more efficient than forests in absorbing and storing carbon. These grasslands need to be properly managed by grazing ruminants which recycle the carbon and other nutrients. The key is PROPERLY MANAGED. See Allan Savory's TED Talk in that regard.
Well, having read Mr Savory's views & having read others views on the opposite side - not anti-animal activists - but people who researched his ideas & followed up on them - I tend to disagree. And as TPJ says below, this really isnt the place for this subject. Sorry for sort of going off on a tangent!
It's an open forum. There are worse topics.
I know,, Syd, but it appears the main interest is politics and what politics has become! Sometimes a steady diet gets old. Not that it isnt important but after the last 4 years of beating our heads against a brick wall - I just feel there are a lot of other problems that people just arent aware of, and these are important too.
Agree, except with your contention that the two "fraternal suicides" (Capitol Police) suggest complicity. One HCR reader has written about her knowledge of one of the officers and his family, and their fierce loyalty to The Constitution, not the person abusing the office.
Mr. Lewis. Try sticking to one subject. Say: Agribusiness. "America will stumble around as we seek to address obesity and its cause in farming and livestock, and gun violence will be linked to tetracycline in the .." Seems like you might have an informed position on this. Let's hear it.
Crap. Don't encourage this. It's been bad enough as it is.
Annie 100%
Starting 1950 or so, Oppenheimer Industries, founder and CEO Harold Louis Oppenheimer, author of 5 books, invented the tax roll... reducing 91% ordinary to 25% LTCG... with cattle.. writing off all expenses, scoring the body parts of the cut plan as pieces of the whole as long term, 6 months and a day, holdings. using a cocktail of antibiotics placed in soybeans, corn and the water... to jack growth, harvesting at 11 months, it takes 28 on organic grass.. destroying the microbiome or immune system of the livestock, fattening them and those that eat them, destroying human microbiome as well... to this day; it’s anaplasmosis driven today, with that bacterial illness used to slide by the law... with complicit dishonest DVMs and the grad schools like Cornell all complicit... feeding tetracycline in the water to suppress, not cure, anaplasmosis, killing the smallest living things in the soil, starving insect food, killing 40% of insect life... starving birds... leading to an epidemic of non-communicable disease... Rodney Reynolds Dietert’s good book almost gets there... Rod blinked on parenteral in humans, ducked the complicit use of tetracycline advised by Dean Lorin Dean Warnick the man just renewed at Cornell for another 6 years... I call him Dr. Feasibility.. he is a total fraud... as the better student knows... livestock and the -cides - insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, Glyphosate... these all kill to grow... we need labor to farm, small farms to produce safe food... and AG schools need to stop taking money from pharmaceuticals, same with medical schools and microbiologists nation wide..
973.379.4446 iPhone
Well, that's bold. I'm 100% with you on the deleterious nature of industrial agriculture and factory farming. I'm a long time vegetarian in part for those reasons. People would do well to better understand where their food comes from, and how. It's an extremely important message. But one phone call at a time? Man, that's a tough slog.
Syd Griffin, big or small, plenty of noncommunicable disease and cancer. Check out chicken feed at Tractors & Supply. It’s at the register. The cheap is loaded with antibiotics, sells well. The dear is clean, used by mom & pop for what they eat, if their IQ is above 80. Farmers cheat just like Goldman. Small is not always better.
Much rings true, but time will tell. Hope is our friend.
What a blatant lie Governor Abbott is spreading! It would be laughable except thousands of Texans will believe it.
Faux News was announcing that as factual! It's so painful to watch members of the GOP (god off-full people) lie, cheat, and commit criminal activities without consequences.
Or remorse or even just a little twinge of guilt. I wonder at the end of the day how they keep track of all the lies.
They can not keep their lies straight. They do not bother to try.
So imagine being one of them— I guess they just think they have a special patent on their fictions as they make it up and have each others’ backs— it’s such a ludicrous way to live or in some cases hopefully die.
Yes millions will and he’s hoping they’ll vote for him again unfortunately though I think he forgot to factor in how many of these people will be dying before they can vote.
I’m praying rational minds will prevail. My friend in TX doesn’t fall for this BS.
I don’t think he forgot anything. Rather he’s counting on it. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/hospitalization-death-by-race-ethnicity.html
When I read the account of Ronny Jackson's drinking on the job while traveling overseas with President Obama (and probably on other occasions), I was struck that the president's Secret Service detail was derelict in their duty. It is one thing to be abusive and inappropriate with your staff and another for the White House Physician to be drunk if the President of the United States has a health emergency.
Look at the bright side. At least Ronny doesn't discriminate -- he's equally drunk for both presidents.
Gosh that would be so utterly flagrant to be the way esteemed medical professional to two presidents in a row and tipsy at the same time. I read President Obama’s recent biography and mostly he wouldn’t even have a drink during the week.
It is against the regulations governing that job for the White House Physician to be drinking on overseas missions or within a certain time of being on duty. I wonder if there is a similar culture among those guarding or attending POTUS to what you see in police culture. If a member of such details is very powerful they may feel compelled to look the other way and look after their own, so to speak.
I think that’s how the signals work -/ if your boss orders a martini you follow suit or at least have a Negroni or Long Island ice tea
Interesting— I thought he was Cheeto’s doctor.
He was. Ran for office more recent;ly.
Hmmm
That’s water under the bridge.
Is it, though, if some members of the same detail are guarding POTUS now? I don't care about blaming anybody but in guarding the president's safety competently, when incompetence and corruption seem increasingly rampant.
It was imperative to jettison 45's SecServ men to remove any risk or taint in the WH. As president-elect Biden replaced them his own security detail, mostly people who had earned his trust guarding him as VP. I feel confident that Biden's personal safety is in good hands.
And whiskey
It appears to me that the two governors ending the mask mandate and opening things back up could be more of an attempt to sabotage Joe Biden's presidency than restoring their citizens' "freedoms." If President Biden cannot get the virus under control and get the economy going, he will be seen as a failed president. It is appalling and sickening to me to see how vicious politics is and to what lengths the other side will go to retain power. I also think it is suspicious that three women are just now coming forward with accusations against Governor Cuomo as well.
Abbott the Idiot has other motives as well as the one you so accurately call out above: 1) he is desperately trying to divert attention away from his disastrous handling of the horrible winter storm here that left thousands without power or water for days on end and which cost many their very lives. While he hides behind a "we're wide open for business" media blitz, Beto is steadily increasing his statewide coalition, helping those in need, and demonstrating real leadership at a time when it is most needed. The Beto for Governor campaign is building strength day by day. And 2) the Texas scuttlebutt is that Abbott the Idiot has presidential aspirations for 2024 and is ginning up the flash mob base here by tossing some "red meat freedom" their way. Now, given that most of us do not want to die, our self imposed quarantine will continue (sadly) while these folks cavort around infecting each other and ending up overloading our hospitals and morgues. As odious a strategy that may be, it certainly is on par with the one you described - the attempt to sabotage Biden in any way possible, even if it costs lives. What is not getting much media traction though, is that communities which have reeled from Covid deaths have begun to take charge of their own lives and well being. Town by town, businesses are finding support to continue the mask/social distancing requirement from their local customers. I speak from personal experience. Via social media, lists of "safe" businesses are being circulated widely. I predict soon there will be some form of a Texas Yelp that will essentially wipe out bars and joints that are frequented by the vacuous crowd of mouth breathers. The TexasQAnon can gerrymander us out of the polls, but it cannot gerrymander us out of taking back our state in other ways. Eventually, by dent of death from Covid or death from Spring Break or death from hanging out of the back of a trumpet pickup truck while drunk, the numbers of the "base" will diminish. I have hope.
Discontinue mask mandates and then blame Biden for letting people in the country when covid surges. The states that relax are creating potential disaster for the entire world. Such gross negligence of communal responsibility...shouldn't that be something unacceptable in a legal sense? (clearly not a lawyer)
Remember when Trump tried to blame China for causing COVID-19? What will happen if the United Nations points the finger at the US for creating the future variants that mutated in the bodies of the Americans that refused to be vaccinated? The US may become the breeding ground for future COVID diseases that spread to the rest of the world through our trade. This is the way America ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.
Sorry, I have been watching the short stories of Philip K. Dick, bleak science fiction dystopias.
So glad that China Virus or Wuhan Virus never caught on, not even among Deplorables. Naming diseases after places or animals (bird flu, swine flu) is inherently prejudicial. It's prompted attacks on Asian Americans, and the death of millions of blameless beasts.
I believe it’s even more sinister, given the mortality rate from Covid is twice as high in non-whites.
Don't you think they ended the mask mandate as a tactic to divert attention from the power grid debacle in Texas and the drinking water failure in Tennessee? That can't be a coincidence.
There was an interesting piece in today's Tampa Bay Times. The gist of it is basically that people continue to elect their representatives and governors based on partisanship and not really the job they do, good or bad. "Symbolic politics" seem to matter more than policy missteps, never more so than in Texas politics where Texas Republicans, who have had won every statewide race since 1994, have had a God-awful month of governing. https://tampabaytimes-fl.newsmemory.com/?publink=071fa27b7_1345ca4
I would agree with that. Most people I know--family and friends--vote their party because they've always voted their particular party as have their parents and grandparents. They don't want to get into the "weeds" of paying attention and studying policies and governance. It is a sad commentary on our country and one which could ultimately bring about the demise of our democracy. I get very discouraged with folks like this. They just want to go about their lives and do what they want without participating in their government.
Completely agree with you, Julie, and I've experienced this as well.
Yes. Isn't it frustrating to see people vote against their best interests? 'Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right' is an excellent read that speaks of this as well. I also liked 'Hillbilly Elegy'.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28695425-strangers-in-their-own-land
Thanks very much for the link to GoodReads review page for Strangers in Their Own Land, Tricia. There is one reader review in particular that I recommend reading, even if you skip the rest. Someone named Julie wrote it. It is actually a short essay that takes the reader on a journey, beginning with the book, turning to Julie's own experiences and observations, and then returns to the book almost as if she is handing it to you to read. Right now I am surprised I haven't yet. Time to call the library and ask them to put it in a pile for me to pick up (curbside service!)
Will read through the comments. I love doing that before purchasing a book and to get so many unique perspectives. It can be a real learning experience.
I had the author as a professor at UC Berkeley in the mid-'70s, and I thought she was excellent. I read Strangers, and was similarly impressed.
I will have to get those books and read them. Thanks for the suggestions.
I don't recommend Hillbilly Elegy - not the real picture of "hillbilly families", whom I found loving and caring in a family-centered culture.
Excellent book! I enjoyed it too!
I, having lived and worked in West Virginia, did not agree with the morose picture painted by Vance in Hillbilly Elegy. He had his own demons to profit from. But, yes, it is frustrating - and so bad for democracy - to see people vote against their own interests, anywhere in this country.
Hillbilly Elegy is overrated. Vance is no oracle, and his experience is rather distinctive. He doesn't represent all of Appalachia.
I wholeheartedly agree with your comment. Very well said. Thank you!
About corrupt Sec. Elain Chao .... Barr's DOJ refused to investigate, as it did for other high-level appointees who were referred to the DOJ by IGs, such as Wilkies, Zinke, et. al.
Can Garland's DOJ review the IGs' requests, overturn Barr's DOJ, and investigate?
While I don't like an administration investigating its predecessor, I abhor criminal activity being ignored, especially since Trump's team was so corrupt. They must be held accountable as part of an effort to restore faith in government.
To be accurate, the investigations were done in the previous administration; the new sanctions could move forward under a Justice Department that is not corrupt.
Texans and Americans. Abbott gave voice to what was obvious all along: Texans do not consider themselves Americans, they see these as two distinct groups.
I'm a Texan now and I have no problem being a Texan AND an American. Please don't throw all Texans into your bifurcation OR thinking. I'm an AND thinker. My parents, grandparents AND great grandparents are buried a mile from the Texas Capitol building in Austin. I wasn't born here but I have a lot of Texas history in my blood. Let's all stop this insane black and white thinking -- that all Rottweilers are vicious. That all Texans think alike. Let's stop this OR hate. We're all on this planet together! I'm so angry that Governor Abbott is being such a dork and putting me personally in danger of death because I am so vulnerable to the virus. Six feet apart or six feet under are my choices. It is just pure luck if you can get scheduled for the vaccine. Another gift from the Texas state government.
We the People, All of Us This Time.
Dear Cathy, your superb comment arrived just before mine. We the People, All of Us This Time. Every Time, for All Time.
Abbott is a bad American, but he's only one Texan and a bad one at that. He speaks for and serves a segment of people, but a minority, not the whole. The state is filled with tens of millions of decent fellow citizens, necks under the knee of a cruel party that abandons them to lethal danger. Millions of them also long to escape the crushing burdens of past and present. I've made sweeping, unkind or mocking remarks about all Texans over the years. Not now. I have never felt so much love and concern for our fellow Americans in the Lone Star state. How can we help?
Bravo. "There are no red states, only voter suppression states." S. Abrams Let's leave behind the very concept of divisiveness.
Thank you TPJ. Texas is turning blue. We almost unseated Senator Cruz with Beto O'Rourke in 2018. What I'm doing about it is now that the Republican Party is the party of hate, conspiracy theories, violence, insurrection and lies I will not vote for any candidate with an R by their name even if I like them individually. If the Party splits and there is a clear Party of Lincoln I will consider voting for those candidates. We need to make sure the current "Republicans" have a lot of pressure to have split or to reach out beyond their base which I believe has shrunk a bit already. The militias and white nationalists type organizations have now been emboldened and will be causing a lot of problems over the next few years whether TЯ☭💀p is their leader or not. I did write to Governor Abbot this morning:
Dear Governor Abbott, I am extremely disappointed and even angry that you have dropped the mask mandate. It is too early. I'm in the 1B group and have not been able to schedule a vaccine shot. So you are putting my very life in jeopardy! I have NOT volunteered to die for the economic "health" of Texas. Wearing a mask in a pandemic is a responsibility to the community. You can't carry a gun that randomly fires at people killing some of them. One's very breath is a lethal weapon until we get the majority of the people vaccinated! With a right comes responsibility to others and one's community. If there is no responsibility to others than this First Amendment excuse just becomes anarchy. I also am angry and disgusted by your negative fear mongering statements trying to put the blame on President Biden and the immigrant policies that the Congress has been so reticent to fix. In this pandemic and economic crisis we don't have time for the hate and fingering pointing politics. You could have done more for the economy in Texas by having required the energy utilities to weatherize. But, no you did NOTHING. Nothing is not a good answer. Stop the hate. Stop the black and white thinking that is dividing people and spreading fear. That is NOT leadership. That is NOT what I want in our government leadership. I am now not voting for any candidate with an R by their name. None of them. And, I really like my Texas Rep and my US Rep. When the Republican Party is once again the party of Lincoln then I will consider Republican candidates once again. But, not now. Please start acting responsibility and show the leadership we need. You are making Texas the laughing stock of the nation with how poorly our state government is operating. Catherine Learoyd Kerrville, TX
Dear Cathy and all, please keep contacting your elected officials, even if replies are canned or nonexistent. Their office keep track of communications. While messages that oppose bad policy may not count for much, when they come in quantity it can help shape policy.
I donated to TX relief through a program organized by my Rep Ayanna Pressley. She is committed to working for all Americans as well as MA residents.
Gurl, you're amazing! Go get him!
Thank you for your kind words. I'm going to continue to speak up.
Hang in there, Cathy. You can share my comments with other Lone Stars if it boosts their spirits.
BRAVO! I hope someone in your governor's office has a soul and reads this important letter.
Nicely put TPJ.
It is especially troubling that the TX legislature seems to be drawing up articles of secession and it is not clear to me if that will require an actual vote of the residents of TX to pass. If they think that reconstructing their bizarre "Republic" of 1836-1846 will spur immigration into the state, they might be surprised: the mass exodus of rational beings out of TX will be epic. They might pick up some deranged militia types from Montana and the Dakotas, but that's about it.
Secession is unconstitutional, so there will be no Republic for people to come to or leave. This is pure legislative theater.
The unique about Texas is that it is the only state to become a state through a Treaty with the United States. It wasn't until the Civil War that the question of seceding was put to bed. Still think Texas could argue an exception if the US violates the Treaty. But, this isn't going any place except for jokes about building the wall not on the Mexican border but the border with other states. That would actually be cheaper because it is fewer miles...
My father, a lifelong voter for Republicans and a John Birch Society supporter (!), used to joke that there should be a national border to the north and east of California rather than to the south. It's only recently that I realized his little joke was essentially racist.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Ay?
Let TX secede from their bloated share of the federal budget.
TPJ, TX also pays a hell-of-a-lot of federal taxes. The chart I found said TX is ranked 29th in dependency on federal funds with $.88 to the dollar return on the federal taxes paid. So Texas is right in the middle of all the states. Look at McConnell's Kentucky if you want to see a state dependent on funds from federal taxes.
Linda, The secession bill is more of a tradition of every TX legislative session rather than anything that will actually take hold.
Cathy, I am not sure I am relieved by that knowledge! 🤣 I have many dear friends and colleagues in TX and I worry about them a lot. But it has been pretty bizarro as state politics go for as long as it has been a state, so I admit to wondering if we would be better off without it.
I'm hoping that a majority of Texans even staunch "real" Republicans are seeing we aren't getting what we need from our government. I plan to work hard to get some competent people elected. Texas certainly has a large enough economy, resources, and ports to go it alone but I don't particularly like that idea. I think it interesting that the treaty with the old Republic of Texas and the US for Texas to become a state allows Texas to split into as many as five states if it wants to.
This.
Thanks. I rely on your inspiration.
Agreed! The only way Abbott and the other detrimental Texas Republicans have been in office is through cheating! I’m furious with the lifting of this mandate! It’s going to be a dangerous mistake! I just want the vaccine. I want to not be so overwhelmingly stressed out. We the people need Abbott to step down! More local leaders are outraged about this and we need a champion to fight Abbott! He’s a complete political tool!
Denise, aren't you also in Texas--working as a teacher?
Yep
Prayers for your safety.
Cathy, of course you are right. I poked fun at Texas yesterday cause I too have many roots there (my test for when I meet a Texan = ever hear of Oatmeal, Tx? I now reside in Floriduhhhhh, which also deserves a shake up. Oathkeepers blatantly flying nazi flags from their front porch in my neighborhood. Wearing a mask a political statement.
On and on.... stay safe
I think flying a Nazi flag should be deemed a hate crime.
If they lived in Germany, they would be at least, heavily fined or imprisoned for not more than three years. Germans understand the mercilessness represented by a Nazi symbol. ("Strafgesetzbuch section 86a: Whoever domestically disseminates or produces, stocks, imports or exports or makes publicly accessible through data storage media for dissemination domestically or abroad, means of propaganda: of a party which has been declared to be unconstitutional by the Federal Constitutional Court...the contents of which are intended to further the aims of a former National Socialist organization (Nazi Party), shall be punished with imprisonment for not more than three years or a fine.")
You can add the Stars And Bars’ flag to that list.
Singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic while waving the Confederate flag deserves a year in prison. That song is not for traitors who admire slavers and traitors.
Ty for this thought, a few neighbors got it shouted down. I would bet our local deputies are sympathizers. :(
You're not wrong. Sadly.
I know, I live here too and it is upsetting to drive by these big flags every day and have the big trucks with the big flags aggressively driving by me. Since the pandemic started, the people that I thought were sane and who have been “friends,” turned out to be anti-maskers and armed against the “threat of Antifa” invading their neighborhoods. It has been a shocking revelation.
Those monster truck parades are unnerving. I drive a Mini and had been surrounded by one of those trump trains. It was frightening, because that occurred shortly after they had forced the bus off the road in San Marcos.
I'm in the same boat as you regarding the 'friends' situation. For me, every one of those 'friends' professes to be christian and it's both sad and disturbing to me.
Big hugs to you, Pamsy. Stay safe and stay strong!
Ah, Laureen thank you! And big hugs back to you! I can only imagine the feeling of being in a Mini surrounded by these goons especially after the Biden bus being forced off the road. Why aren’t those guys in jail??? I hope that justice is coming on that. I can’t believe they can get away with that. This is what is most upsetting to me.. that there haven’t been as many repercussions for these violent acts and that the Congress people who voted to overturn the election and who may have aided and abetted the insurrectionists haven’t been expelled. I can only hope that it is that is is a function of time and the wheels of justice moving slowly thing. You stay strong too!
I think that is so far gone from their minds due to all the other things that have occurred since then, and no one will follow up on it. I hope I'm wrong, but I haven't heard anything about it since it happened. :(
My older sister posted the video of the Biden bus being attacked by the truckf***ers with a typical coo of delight. That was one of the last straws with my family last year. Shortly after I deFriended those whose political views and posts are so viscerally repulsive that I couldn't stand one more, she sent me a birthday card saying it was crazy to argue over political views. I'm still contemplating my response. While glad she realized that she could still reach me if she wanted to, I am not ready yet to tell her that political views say a great deal about the character and level of selfishness/generosity of spirit of the person holding those views. How can I tell her that her ongoing gleeful support of that monster baby makes me very sad about what that tells me about her depth/shallowness of character? That conversation might be just too hurtful.
I hadn't heard of Oatmeal, TX. Driven up 281 many times so came close. Have you heard of Comfort, Texas. Comfort is on the other side of Center Point from Kerrville out Rt. 27.
I've heard of Comfort, but haven't been there. I've seen towns named Ding Dong, Dimebox, Smiley, and (of course) Paris. I did stop at Italy while I was moving to Texas. That was a fun little town. 😀
Comfort, no. Kerrville yes!!
Lynn, I have a photo of the very small fairgrounds of Oatmeal. 😀 My sister was visiting me from Seattle, and we took a drive to Marble Falls one day, with a side trip to Oatmeal out of curiosity.
Gigantic oatmeal canister!! Yes! I've traveled that scenic drive between oatmeal and marble falls routinely.
Yes! :) I think I managed to get a few bluebonnets in the photo, too.
I was hoping someone in this group would know where Oatmeal is. Ty!
Thanks for Oatmeal TX- a fun new factoid!
I have a fond memory of sitting on a beach in Maine...springtime with a little snow still on the dune...and seeing close by an enormous Rottweiler sitting amongst a group of infants which quite obviously he was guarding. Everytime one of the nippers tried to crawl away, the dog would swifltly catch them by the diapers and carry them back to the "fairy" circle. Not a sound was heard!
Sensible people and fools everywhere of course. The Lone Star State has made something of a habit of going alone though....electrical supply systems for instance and of course a little bit of history between ceasing to be part of Mexico and becoming part of the US!
Courage, the rest of the people will not take umbrage and leave you out in the dark.
Stuart, you must have seen Carl, the Rottweiler hero of the children's book my children grew up on:
https://www.secondsale.com/i/carl-s-afternoon-in-the-park/9780374311049?gclid=CjwKCAiAp4KCBhB6EiwAxRxbpIfxIRoIIug-t32e8GqhSISr1LKNOmMyYMOWyPEDSmJB3VSEY46D3BoCts4QAvD_BwE
Not me Ellie, i inherited my wife's children when my adopted son was 15 and with my granddaughters all was in French. Perhaps the dog's owners though.
Yes. There are good and bad people everywhere, along with a variety on in-between. For that matter, there is good and bad in each of us that makes up our wholeness. Republicans, ultra-conservatives, QAnons, insurrectionists, and/or trumpists are in every state of the union, including the so-called blue states of the United States of America.
And hopefully we successfully master the nastier bits without projecting them on the "other" .
Thank you for your letter. It is so easy to slip into self righteous and black and white thinking. I confess reading about Abbott’ s decision to lift wearing masks at this juncture when we are so close to the end of the tunnel is insane and irresponsible. Thank you for reminding me he does not speak for all the people in Texas. My heart goes out to you and you will get your vaccine soon.
Your comments would be good for all Texans to see. Also include TPJs response to your comments. Maybe in a local newspaper or other publication that many would see?
Great Idea!
Please share my comment, with citation credited to LFAA.
Cathy Learoyd, my niece is now a Texan too. Her husband is originally from Texas. He made it his life mission to move back to Texas from Georgia. They are both middle school teachers. I hope with the priority given to teachers on the vaccine they will get their vaccine soon.
Very well said. There is a lot of generalizations on this blog and I'm sorry for those who are pulled into it like you.
All of us this time.
Maybe there is a demographic that is more likley to get scheduled for an appointment. Such as a Trump supporters WITHOUT guns. Those gun owners will be dangerous to Trump when they find out their services are no longer required. Autocrats do not believe in gun rights.
Do we know yet if Jan 6 plans are what kept the president-elect’s team in the dark re: Pentagon briefings?
Some people predicted that the period between the election in November and Inauguration Day would be the most dangerous time. Many other countries have shorter periods in between the transfer of power.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/10/politics/pentagon-policy-official-resigns/index.html
Nothing was coincidental. Was it all carefully planned?
Yes. Why else were Trump loyalists installed as post-election last-minute replacements at the Pentagon?
I speculate that the plan was to declare martial law, enforced by the military, as pardoned Michael Flynn had been promoting.
But after Jan 6, the Joint Chiefs sent a message both to all troupes and to the civilian commanders: "the U.S. military will obey lawful orders from civilian leadership, support civil authorities to protect lives and property, ensure public safety in accordance with the law, and remain fully committed to protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
This was a warning shot that the military would not follow unlawful orders, as most definitely any invocation of martial law would have been.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/us/politics/joint-chiefs-capitol-constitution.html
100%, Cig. Like Marc Esper in June 2020, in 2021 the military establishment shielded democracy by adhering to the rule of law.
As for Flynn, he is a rank traitor. He's sly but not well served by his cunning, as shown by his multiple blunders, confessions and convictions. I hope Merrick finally nails him good this time and Flynn gets his just desserts.
With his brother to keep him company during incarceration.
Another one owned by Putin.
In this case, I'd wager it's a pair.
Also curious was Attorney General William Barr's abrupt resignation. All along, Barr politicized the Justice Department to protect Trump and his loyalists. But at the very end, Barr refuted Trump's false election claims, declaring the election results legitimate. Certainly Barr knew such a statement would eject him from Trump's orbit. Why did he do it?
Neithe he nor McC's wife wanted to be there on the day and to be faced with a demand by Cabinet to unseat T.
I suspect that Barr and Chao (who is now being investigated--imagine that!) knew that Cheeto wouldn't pardon them if they went along with the Big Lie so they bailed. Also, Chao was probably told by hubby Mitch to get out so that he could continue to manipulate the situation. It would not be a good look if wifey were seen as supporting a coup d'etat.
Yes, when Barr resigned I was at a loss to figure our what, for him, might be a Bridge too Far.
My guess is that Goodwife Chao resigned to avoid 25A-ing Trumpsky, and Barr resigned to distance himself from the coup conspiracy.
Thank you Karl for refreshing my memory. I remember feeling queasy when this happened.
Sure looks that way to me though I’d change the word carefully to recklessly
Don't think the 2 are mutually exclusive - carefully planned a reckless endeavor, only stymied by courageous Capitol Police, and terrified Mike Pence (when he realized tRump's plan was to have him killed, he authorized National Guard with Pelosi).
It’s a both and very not mutually exclusive.
And intentional.
Yes but badly planned with incompetent leaders and insufficient ressources; somehow they didn't care enough to do it properly! What does that say about them? ...nihilists all
We’re learning more every day in these hearings.
And none of it is good, unless it leads to convictions with stiff sentences.
We are of like minds TPJ—very long sentences that impede their first amendment rights to conspire and tweet and escape. Throw away the keys for treason. They betrayed our trust and were working for their own self-aggrandizement— it’s very clear. They tried to undermine our rule of law. They are very very low. We should all be outraged and do what we can to air our grievances tour congressmen and let them know we’re dead serious.
There is pressing need for strong deterrents against future coups and treason. I think you can rest easy about communicating from prison. Med and max-security inmates lose those privileges. Convicted Trumpsky admin members will almost certainly be in min security, but loss of privileges could be part of sentencing.