White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre began her first press briefing today by noting its significance. “I just want to say a few words about how honored I am to be here with all of you today in this role, in this room, standing behind this podium,” she said. “I am obviously acutely aware that my presence at this podium represents a few firsts. I am a Black, gay, immigrant woman, the first of all three of those to hold this position. I would not be here today if it were not for generations of… barrier-breaking people before me. I stand on their shoulders…. I benefit from their sacrifices. I have learned from their excellence, and I am forever grateful to them. Representation does matter.”
Only in America are political donations considered free speech. It simply means the wealthy have more free speech than regular people. But after a while, It means that they get all the free speech, or as HCR says ‘minority rule”. Sorry Justice Roberts, but you are the fat cat’s lacky. Any American that believes otherwise is naïve, a fool, or believes more in corruption than democracy.
With each revelation of wrong doing and delay of justice, I understand the villagers with pitchforks and torches better. I don't know what will break the Trump spell but it needs to happen soon.
I am scared of what SCOTUS is doing to our country with their abortion decision and "how much of their own money a political candidate could recoup after an election" decision.
I wonder if the DOJ could investigate the 6 conservative justices for aiding and abetting the insurrectionist Senator(s) who would be permitted by this decision on donations "recoupment after election" allowing other insurrectionists more formal and permanent access to the government in which they bypass vetting process because they gave the Senator(s) a bribe for contract. I believe the Senator(s) would find a way a to do this.
' they enrich the candidate personally “at a time when he can return the favor—by a vote, a contract, and appointment.” Post-election contributions “pose a special danger of corruption.” '
Morning, all!! Morning, Dr. R!! Tonight's Letter covers a lot of bases, all deserving of our attention.
Meanwhile, as the U.S. is leading in the race to the bottom (just my humble opinion), there are some countries who have been taking a 7th Generation view toward leadership.
"It’s part of a growing, global movement to protect future generations. Sweden introduced a Ministry of the Future in 2014, Scotland decided to appoint a future generations commissioner in 2021, and the United Arab Emirates made a similar commitment to future generations."
McDonald's leaving Russia is more important to our democracy than we are noting. Just as Disney's dispute with DiSantis is. In both cases, as well as with Roe v Wade being gutted or overturned and Governor Abbott's disruptions of trucking at the border, authoritarians here and abroad are disruptive and costly to business far more than taxes and regulations designed to protect the economy, consumers and citizens.
Healthy democracies provide far more opportunities for business than authoritarian one party oligarchies like Russia and nations transforming into Russia's pattern of disposing of freedoms, equality, and voting rights. China's President becoming President for life is likely to have a similar negative impact on China's innovation economy.
I was at the first McDonalds in Beijing over 25 years ago. After a week or so of incredible Chinese food, the small group I was with decided to check it out. Over one hour wait time, our recollections don’t agree on the time, we were served the Diet Coke and fries we ordered. We were surrounded by people every second, wondering what the instructions were to devour this strange fruit, observing us closely.
If I could be a fly on the wall listening to Russian's reactions to the closing of 850 McDonalds, I would think the average consumer would try to reconcile this with the content of the evening news. A highly successful, well liked business is abruptly shutting down across the country, and no indication that it is in financial trouble anywhere in the world...wouldn't that make them want to say "hmm..." along with the disappearance of every manner of imported consumer goods from the isles of their grocery and department stores. When the number of virtual private network downloads exceeds 100,000/day, that suggests there is a hunger for news that isn't censored. If the dead/wounded are approaching 50,000, that means roughly 500,000 greater family members directly effected, meaning more 10% of the Russian population now knows someone directly who has either lost a son, grandson, sibling, cousin, classmate, civilian workmate, etc. Propaganda may shape their understanding of the rationale for what's happening, but it can hardly paper over the magnitude of the evolving disruption to their society. The Russians, particularly those who came to adulthood before 1989, have a great deal of experience with propaganda. The recent disappearance of all independent news sources from their radios and televisions is telling them something, to be sure. The internet is very porous, as are cell phone connections. The war may drag on until it becomes old news, but the geopolitical isolation will grow on the Russian people as months turn into years and the flow of oil exports slows to a trickle in coming months and years. I think Putin has signed his retirement papers, if not worse; don't expect any contrition, but don't be surprised if there will be some shuffling within whatever remains of the Politburo and someone's name and face begins to rise as Putin attempts to put a figurehead in place whom he can manipulate from behind the curtains. There's really no where else on earth for him to retire to, so he faces some kind of sleight of hand to dump the consequences of this fiasco in someone else's lap, or a more frightful fall from power. I wouldn't put it past the Russian military to stage a coup if they tire sufficiently of sacrificing their soldiers and hardware against an inspired opponent with nothing to lose from fighting to the last man. Whose job will it ultimately be to attempt to pacify several million very angry people in anything less than a full withdrawal back to pre-2014 borders?
Last week over coffee with a colleague we were discussing the amount of scandals, illegal activities or what have you that this Country is dealing with is astronomical. I suggested to replace the names with a Democrat in these cases. Can you imagine how incredibly different everything would be.
Imagine if President Obama incited the January 6th Insurrection. Elizabeth Warren lied under oath like MTG.
I watched the first press briefing from the new Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. I think she may have given some/many members of the Press Corp more credit than they deserve. This is an incredibly difficult position she now has, though not new to this department. She is bringing much to the table.
She is correct in saying "Representation does matter".
"The court struck down that limit on the grounds that the limit on reimbursements violated the First Amendment right to free speech." Wow, free speech being threatened again? Do tell.
"Joined by Justices Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Elena Kagan wrote the dissent. Contributions after an election to repay a loan are not about free speech to influence an election, she said; they enrich the candidate personally
“at a time when he can return the favor—by a vote, a contract, and appointment.” Post-election contributions “pose a special danger of corruption.”"
And there you have it. While all of America was either focussed on the sad spectacle of Americans being shot up for an accident of birth, being black, OR focussed on the ridiculous spectacle of another accident of birth, being born white and being replaced.......
The Pubs got their Supreme Court to issue yet another ruling that allows rich white folks to purchase the politican of their liking.
So, nobody will notice but people who read this board.
The Pubs really know how to play. Everything they do is similar to how criminals operate.
Thank you Heather and welcome White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. You got this and we got you!
We do not hate Russia or the Russian people. But there are war criminals, military and governmental, who must be held accountable for their atrocities.
Likewise, may tfg , Matt Gaetz and other conspiracy spouting anti-democracy demagogues face the music for their dangerous, foolish and treasonous treacheries.
The current SCOTUS majority is hellbent on anti-democratic activism. Is there nothing that can be done to rein them in and/or get them fired?
The baby formula fiasco has sickened and killed and endangered precious lives. This is not only shameful but perhaps criminal.
Yeah, I’m paying attention - thanks in no small measure to HRC.
Only in America are political donations considered free speech. It simply means the wealthy have more free speech than regular people. But after a while, It means that they get all the free speech, or as HCR says ‘minority rule”. Sorry Justice Roberts, but you are the fat cat’s lacky. Any American that believes otherwise is naïve, a fool, or believes more in corruption than democracy.
Welcome and congratulations to Karine Jean-Pierre!
Let's wish her the very best.
With each revelation of wrong doing and delay of justice, I understand the villagers with pitchforks and torches better. I don't know what will break the Trump spell but it needs to happen soon.
I watch Karine Jean-Pierre and see the greatness of America. Republicans see the enemy.
Thank you, Heather.
I am scared of what SCOTUS is doing to our country with their abortion decision and "how much of their own money a political candidate could recoup after an election" decision.
I wonder if the DOJ could investigate the 6 conservative justices for aiding and abetting the insurrectionist Senator(s) who would be permitted by this decision on donations "recoupment after election" allowing other insurrectionists more formal and permanent access to the government in which they bypass vetting process because they gave the Senator(s) a bribe for contract. I believe the Senator(s) would find a way a to do this.
' they enrich the candidate personally “at a time when he can return the favor—by a vote, a contract, and appointment.” Post-election contributions “pose a special danger of corruption.” '
Morning, all!! Morning, Dr. R!! Tonight's Letter covers a lot of bases, all deserving of our attention.
Meanwhile, as the U.S. is leading in the race to the bottom (just my humble opinion), there are some countries who have been taking a 7th Generation view toward leadership.
"It’s part of a growing, global movement to protect future generations. Sweden introduced a Ministry of the Future in 2014, Scotland decided to appoint a future generations commissioner in 2021, and the United Arab Emirates made a similar commitment to future generations."
https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2022/5/11/23064319/longtermism-sophie-howe-future-generations-wales
So I'm not always in sync with the topic of the day, but I just published this:
https://themonthebard.org/2022/05/16/the-bells/
McDonald's leaving Russia is more important to our democracy than we are noting. Just as Disney's dispute with DiSantis is. In both cases, as well as with Roe v Wade being gutted or overturned and Governor Abbott's disruptions of trucking at the border, authoritarians here and abroad are disruptive and costly to business far more than taxes and regulations designed to protect the economy, consumers and citizens.
Healthy democracies provide far more opportunities for business than authoritarian one party oligarchies like Russia and nations transforming into Russia's pattern of disposing of freedoms, equality, and voting rights. China's President becoming President for life is likely to have a similar negative impact on China's innovation economy.
"That give-and-take is…incredibly healthy, and it’s a part of our democracy.”
It is certainly more healthy than the take-and-take we've seen from the prior administration and its dregs.
I was at the first McDonalds in Beijing over 25 years ago. After a week or so of incredible Chinese food, the small group I was with decided to check it out. Over one hour wait time, our recollections don’t agree on the time, we were served the Diet Coke and fries we ordered. We were surrounded by people every second, wondering what the instructions were to devour this strange fruit, observing us closely.
If I could be a fly on the wall listening to Russian's reactions to the closing of 850 McDonalds, I would think the average consumer would try to reconcile this with the content of the evening news. A highly successful, well liked business is abruptly shutting down across the country, and no indication that it is in financial trouble anywhere in the world...wouldn't that make them want to say "hmm..." along with the disappearance of every manner of imported consumer goods from the isles of their grocery and department stores. When the number of virtual private network downloads exceeds 100,000/day, that suggests there is a hunger for news that isn't censored. If the dead/wounded are approaching 50,000, that means roughly 500,000 greater family members directly effected, meaning more 10% of the Russian population now knows someone directly who has either lost a son, grandson, sibling, cousin, classmate, civilian workmate, etc. Propaganda may shape their understanding of the rationale for what's happening, but it can hardly paper over the magnitude of the evolving disruption to their society. The Russians, particularly those who came to adulthood before 1989, have a great deal of experience with propaganda. The recent disappearance of all independent news sources from their radios and televisions is telling them something, to be sure. The internet is very porous, as are cell phone connections. The war may drag on until it becomes old news, but the geopolitical isolation will grow on the Russian people as months turn into years and the flow of oil exports slows to a trickle in coming months and years. I think Putin has signed his retirement papers, if not worse; don't expect any contrition, but don't be surprised if there will be some shuffling within whatever remains of the Politburo and someone's name and face begins to rise as Putin attempts to put a figurehead in place whom he can manipulate from behind the curtains. There's really no where else on earth for him to retire to, so he faces some kind of sleight of hand to dump the consequences of this fiasco in someone else's lap, or a more frightful fall from power. I wouldn't put it past the Russian military to stage a coup if they tire sufficiently of sacrificing their soldiers and hardware against an inspired opponent with nothing to lose from fighting to the last man. Whose job will it ultimately be to attempt to pacify several million very angry people in anything less than a full withdrawal back to pre-2014 borders?
A violation of free speech is to political contributions what oil is to water. That’s absurd and ludicrous.
SCOTUS judges should be voted upon by we the people, and they should face reelection.
Sheesh!
Thank you Heather.
Last week over coffee with a colleague we were discussing the amount of scandals, illegal activities or what have you that this Country is dealing with is astronomical. I suggested to replace the names with a Democrat in these cases. Can you imagine how incredibly different everything would be.
Imagine if President Obama incited the January 6th Insurrection. Elizabeth Warren lied under oath like MTG.
I watched the first press briefing from the new Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. I think she may have given some/many members of the Press Corp more credit than they deserve. This is an incredibly difficult position she now has, though not new to this department. She is bringing much to the table.
She is correct in saying "Representation does matter".
Be safe. Be well.
MONEY SPEAKS... 70 TO 150dB
If H.G. Wells had been writing today, he'd have added The Country of the Deaf to his terrible warning, The Country of the Blind.
As for our shared mythology, Robin Hood's the villain now, and the hero of the tale is the oppressor, the Sheriff of Nottingham...
"The court struck down that limit on the grounds that the limit on reimbursements violated the First Amendment right to free speech." Wow, free speech being threatened again? Do tell.
"Joined by Justices Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Elena Kagan wrote the dissent. Contributions after an election to repay a loan are not about free speech to influence an election, she said; they enrich the candidate personally
“at a time when he can return the favor—by a vote, a contract, and appointment.” Post-election contributions “pose a special danger of corruption.”"
And there you have it. While all of America was either focussed on the sad spectacle of Americans being shot up for an accident of birth, being black, OR focussed on the ridiculous spectacle of another accident of birth, being born white and being replaced.......
The Pubs got their Supreme Court to issue yet another ruling that allows rich white folks to purchase the politican of their liking.
So, nobody will notice but people who read this board.
The Pubs really know how to play. Everything they do is similar to how criminals operate.
In the dark.
Thank you Heather and welcome White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. You got this and we got you!
We do not hate Russia or the Russian people. But there are war criminals, military and governmental, who must be held accountable for their atrocities.
Likewise, may tfg , Matt Gaetz and other conspiracy spouting anti-democracy demagogues face the music for their dangerous, foolish and treasonous treacheries.
The current SCOTUS majority is hellbent on anti-democratic activism. Is there nothing that can be done to rein them in and/or get them fired?
The baby formula fiasco has sickened and killed and endangered precious lives. This is not only shameful but perhaps criminal.
Yeah, I’m paying attention - thanks in no small measure to HRC.