Today, the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol sent a letter to Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), asking for his voluntary cooperation in their investigation. The committee members believe he has “information regarding a tour you led through parts of the Capitol complex on January 5, 2021,” the day before the January 6 insurrection.
I have several friends who were born and raised in Hungary, who no longer live there, because of Orban. They're not lefty intellectuals or political activists. They're just intelligent people with families who as one said "don't want to live in a country where the morons are in control." Orban's rule is responsible for a major Hungarian brain drain. My friends are so opposed to what has happened that they have applied for citizenship in the EU countries where they now live; they have no plans on going back.
This is what happens when the right wing takes power: since they are ipso factor braindead morons, that's who ends in running things.
Further proof that Truman was right 74 years ago: "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies."
Sorry, if this makes me ‘elitist,’ but I too ‘don’t want to live in a country where the morons are in control.’ No point mincing words. It’s looking more and more like that’s the case here in the US. (And, the true elitists are the MAGA minority that think they should be in charge and who will do anything to get power.)
We haven't lost yet. The pendulum swings both ways. It is swinging right now, but the vast majority of us are alarmed and will voice such. Our job now is to get that majority to vote.
Bill, I think you are quite right. We do need to focus and while acknowledging that most if not all of the Republican Party is anti-democratic we need to push back hard. Banning books, banning the truth, lying to the public, supporting the obscene inequality in this country, hypocritical actions criticizing “big government“ turning around and using government to suppress voting rights, punishing even Disneyland, and generally trying to move us to more of an oligarchy than we already are, we cannot and should not shirk from our obligations to prevent our Country from devolving into the country these Republicans are trying to create.
J Horowitz, tell that to the Republicans when they use “big“ government to suppress the vote, ban books, use their megaphone to speak lies like the “big lie”, give the wealthiest people in this country a tax break increasing the deficit, go to Hungary to have their convention and support Orban’s type of government. Orban is the keynote speaker. It’s not too late for you to get tickets to the CPAC convention if you’d like to live under a ruler like Orban. Certainly he does have a face. Unfortunately it’s politically ugly. Our government is not faceless and the Republicans faces I’m not liking so much as they try to push their anti-democratic agenda creating even more of an oligarchy and obscene inequality in our Country. Democrats are not against big corporations but they are for competition in order to keep prices low for consumers and foster innovation. Democrats are not against capitalism but want the government to assure an even playing field for all the participants.You wished me to have a nice day but based on your comments I think that was a bit insincere.
That's pretty simplistic. A partnership between business and government makes sense. There is more to governing than making money. You have a good day as well. Cheers.
Elitist??? Why would anyone see someone who savors democracy as an elitist? We get to choose the neighborhood, city, and country we want to live in based on what we deem to be shared basic principles. Never would I have fathomed that I would I see what is being tossed around here in America in broad daylight! I've been holding on to the notion that "good" and "intelligence" would prevail, but what I am observing is that this country is growing badder and dumber by the day. I feel like I'm fighting to keep my side of the street clean, but if that day comes, we have plans to infiltrate into Canada....
One problem here is that the loudmouths have the MAGAphone and keep using it ad nauseum(sp). there are a lot of caring and intelligent people out there but we have to find our voice and one another. This happened during the Civil Rights Movement, and also during the Viet Nam War. I think we're building a movement but it hasn't emerged just yet. I think the way we write and respond to this column and to each other is helping shape it. I'm a ceramic artist, so I know that you have to start with a lump of clay and then shape it into what you want.
We have our voice, but why do we have to appear so dignified? We need louder mouths. It's just going so slow...and I know how fast a ceramics wheel spins....
Just a cavil “ipso facto brain dead morons” could justly apply to many followers but leaves out the deadly truth-Trump was shrewd. So dumb he ran casinos into the ground, but shrewd. And some of his advisors were smart (evil geniuses) and shrewd. And they instill voter discipline from radio waves and pulpits and those GOTV tactics WORK. Those American citizens vote. Often in shrewdly-manipulated, gerrymandered districts. And that’s how we got here. The Trump cultists take pride in ignorance and like to say (read in un-Eastern-Seaboard accent of choice:) “I may be stupid, but I ain’t dumb.”
I would have agreed but recently had this conversation with someone else, looked up “sociopathy” and found this: “In a nutshell, people with sociopathy may have little empathy and a habit of rationalizing their actions. But they do know the difference between right and wrong.
Psychopathy, according to Hare, involves no sense of morality or empathy.” I know the DSM latest edition doesn’t contain either term and uses the “AntiSocial Personality Disorder” to cover all so it’s somewhat theoretical, but do you believe the state in under Hitler was able to propagandize away a moral sense in the entire populace or do you think those people retained a moral compass and remained reachable, but the resistance just wasn’t effective enough? I honestly think that’s what we need to be figuring out in the US in 2022. Who will say out loud “Have you no shame, sir?” In Congress and in our media--and are people (Dittoheads &c) still reachable? Obvs Professor HCR thinks so, and that’s why she never rests. Me, I’m doubting Thomas but do have a shred of hope.
Fear is a powerful motivator. My grandfather’s writings on the rise of Nazism in Germany spoke a lot about the rising danger of speaking out. There came a tipping point, and moral people were silenced, or they were imprisoned (and we know what that looked like), or they were executed.
We still can speak out, we still can vote, and we must, while we still can.
That is exactly right. The moral people went underground. My neighbor's father was a Lutheran minister in Germany at the time and my neighbor, who was a young child, remembers people coming and going through their house. They were Jews being smuggled out of Germany into Switzerland. Her father (and perhaps her entire family) could have been killed for doing that.
I’d certainly appreciate knowing your grandfather’s name since I can’t guess from your initials. Like most of us here, have read a bit (someone’s recommendation about Anne Appelbaum below was a good one, I thought (Twilight of Democracy good popular history) but always appreciate recommendations.
I'm about 150 pages into Tim Snyder's book (from 2010) "Bloodlands". A compelling read, but I'm getting more depressed by the day. I fear that violence and bloodlust are wired into the human race, at least the male half.
By the way, in regard to KR's comment (below), my late wife lived through the Nazi occupation of Holland as a child during WWII. Our grandchildren called us Oma and Opa. It's a gift.
These were just private recollections in an autobiography written for the family, badly translated by my dad from German. Nothing published. I treasure it, but only because my beloved Opa wrote it. It’s rough reading because the translation is so bad.
I wish so much I had been able to read them while he was alive. So many questions! And nowhere to get answers anymore. But yes, so compelling. My grandfather only learned in 1938 that his parents were Jews, who had fled from Lithuania/Belarus because they were socialists. They hadn’t registered as Jews, because they were atheist socialists. That part was dramatic for sure! They arrived in Switzerland, where my grandfather was born, but settled in Germany, where my grandfather’s siblings were born. They all survived the war in Switzerland, while my grandparents and father emigrated under the Swiss quota. Most of my great grandfather’s family, who were in Belarus, did not survive, although there were others who emigrated to the US in the 20s, and who were my grandparents’ sponsors here. I’d love to know more than just those bare bones.
You may doubt, but you are a warrioress and I doubt your brain takes a rest often from the conflagration burning in the lost soul of the Republican Party. Here’s their tent, Laura…..🌋
Good point. Just like hard core Nazis in 1945 who fantasized that Hitler had a miracle weapon as the Reich became a smoldering ruin over run by hundreds of thousands of Allie’s forces.
Right now their tribal beliefs are completely entangled with their identities, changing those beliefs would require a huge sea change rippling through everything that touches their lives. So sadly, they are entrenched. The only thing I think that would ever reach them is some kind of direct primal threat, i.e. when the MAGAs need NEW scapegoats and come for THEM! Nonetheless, I think there is still a big, lazy "middle" in this country that will briefly look up from their phones this fall - and make a choice in favor of Democracy!!
We need doubt, but more than that, we need to "stand up and be counted," as my mother used to say. We need to take action, not just swear at the radio as I did when Lindsay Grahm was giving Judge Jackson the fifth degree.
Pushing up daisies? Never heard that, but I’m going to use it, a lot. Your friends’ experience illustrates why democracy is superior to authoritarianism, even when the democracy is highly imperfect. One of the best arguments against immigration is never raised: the effect of the drain of the most intelligent and talented upon the nation that they leave. Making that case would reveal almost all of those who oppose immigration for their bigotry.
The Republicans embrace Myth because the myth of patriarchal, Christian American exceptionalism gives them a smokescreen behind which they hide their treachery. The Democrats embrace Facts and the Rule of Law. Jettison the myths and embrace the facts.
I "don't want to live in a country where the morons are in control," either, but at my age and with my health conditions and all my "stuff," I simply cannot pick up and go anywhere else. This is not how I envisioned my "golden years." Not. At. All.
After my parents passed away and I was in a job in NYC I was going nowhere in after 18 years (though it was wonderful working for my bosses, who remained friends with me all their remaining lives), I decided I had enough snow and ice and was debating between Atlanta and Tucson and chose metro Atlanta because of the better job opportunities at the time and because Atlanta has four seasons (and short winters) and because I could buy my own house and have a garden.
As it turned out, I did get a job, but three weeks after I moved into my house, the company "downsized," and I was left unemployed, with a brand-new mortgage. I had been doing part-time oral history interview transcription while in NY and decided to make it a full-time profession. I created my company, found my first clients online, and the rest came via word of mouth and through professional organizations I joined. It was a rewarding, educational experience for twenty-four years, working from my home office doing the transcriptions and editing/proofreading. Then came COVID, at which point my clients' programs shut down. I decided then to call it quits, myself, and am enjoying retirement and my garden (which has been approved by Georgia Audubon as a certified wildlife sanctuary), though I still do pro bono proofreading for several nonprofits.
BTW, When the heart button doesn’t turn red, refresh your page and it should then show it’s red. If not, just click on it again, and it should turn red.
Wow, Mim, I’ve been your fan and kindred, grammatical spirit…but wow, touch envious of that dreamy, home-based career you made for yourself! Thrilled to hear you’re enjoying your wildlife sanctuary in retirement.
Thanks so much, Ashley. My property is simply a ranch-style home on one-third of an acre, but I have many trees and shrubs and native (and not native) plants and a simple pan of water for the birds and critters. I used to have a little patio fountain, but it broke and I haven't yet replaced it. I use no herbicides or pesticides and try to buy plants grown without neonicotinoids that kill the very pollinators attracted to them by what the big-box stores sell. I get my plants at native plant sales or trusted online sources.
Ranch style homes are so important-it's easier to transition when you become less mobile. My mom, who wasn't an architect, designed our spacious one in the 60's and it had 44" wide halls which can make managing mobility easier if one needs a wheelchair. I didn't keep it after she died but did rent one for 15 years then bought one where I've lived for the past 22 years and I had a ramp installed out back. (She trained me up right LOL!)
TC, Who is the American Expert on Hungarian history? Someone who has really detailed Orban, his rise to power, his tactics to subvert free press and democratic institutions etc.
He is a liberal. He created the Open Society Foundation which poured many millions into supporting progressive movements in countries behind the iron curtain. He has recently funded the political action committee to support liberal district attorneys around the country. Larry Krasner won the office in Philadelphia with his support, and has exonerated 28 wrongfully arrested long-term convicts.
Looking for the Dr, Richardson of Hungarian history. We could learn how, and what Orbon did over the course of time to learn how to prevent it happening here.
Check out the Know Your Enemy podcast from 10/25/21. Entitled The American Right's Hungary Hearts with Lauren Stokes and John Ganz. I found it very informative
The one thing that keeps the score in positive numbers for this country is that it officially aspires to be better, and has done so on occasion (with lots of effort on the part of the successful side), with only having to have a civil war once.
Well, since most MAGA are of European descent, why don’t we just start shouting at them to “Go back where you came from”? Let them move to Orban’s Hungary.
I believe this first of three WaPo articles was posted yesterday. I think reading them today in light of today's LFAA is important. All three links are unlocked for non-subscribers. I've shared them plus today's LFAA on my FB page as well. I hope my posts with pertinent excerpts will be shared widely. We are teetering on a razor's edge.
Yes, they are and the party of death. It's too bad about Hungary for many reasons and it's really telling that CPAC is there. We visited Budapest several years ago when Orban wasn't in power and enjoyed it.
I can remember the Hungarian Revolution. And the tens of thousands of Hungarians who were able to cross into Austria and freedom. And the Olympics in Sydney during the fighting, when the Hungarian water polo team took on the USSR. The pool ran red with blood--it was the only place where the Hungarians could be on equal terms (I almost wrote "equal footing," but that wouldn't be right) with the Soviets.
If you go to Paris and walk down the Boul' Mich from the Luxembourg past the Ecole des Mines, you can still see the bullet marks from the fighting when the Resistants rose against the Germans in August 1944, as the city was liberated. They have preserved portions of the façade with the pockmarks there.
Been to Prague twice. The first time was just before the Russians rolled in to suppress the Czechs. They were so excited and then the tanks arrived. We left the day before. Not many tourists that trip. The last trip was the same one as Budapest. Very busy with tourists. Our guide arranged for a Lebanese meal near the embassies. It was fabulous. I love Prague and Budapest as cities.
Indeed it is! And I can tell you that many "lost" Canadians in the U.S. are busily seeking to obtain Canadian Certificates of Citizenship for their U.S. born children who qualify. All of my "lost" Canadian current clients have said the same thing: they do not want to be trapped in the U.S. if TFG is elected again. They have also expressed an intense anxiety over mid-terms.
The GOP/Tucker Carlson "replacement theory" is just doublespeak for the strategy of white, heterosexual, self-righteous men stealing the fruits created through the efforts of non-white men & women. First they murdered and looted the Native Americans who honored a peaceful and cooperative life, then they kidnapped and enslaved Black people from other lands and considered them to be mere property, then they murdered them at will if they dared to create a good life for themselves, then they made sure that women who dared to leave the home that was meant to cater to their white male whims would only earn a fraction of what those white males earned. Empowered by those successes, they shamelessly pretend that anyone not like them is trying to steal their rightful places. Makes me sick to my stomach. Literally sick to my stomach.
Taking in your literal words, Janet Sobel, this liberal elderly woman, reports progressively worsening constant nausea even to the point of literal vomiting the end of April. I am so grateful for Heather Cox Richardson's keen mind and this forum. Today's Letter is brilliant. She zeroes right into the historical context and present sleights of hand of the once respected Republican party. What's going on in Hungary (size of our state of Michigan), Orban, and the "right wing" (sounds so innocuous) here in the US is frightful - scary beyond words and my comprehension. I, too, am sick to my stomach and very angry but now no longer feeling powerless. I have a voice. Remembering my own liberation from my white middle class proper New England patriarchal family where fathers knew best, belting out Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman Hear Me Roar..." sometime in 1977 in my kitchen while my five kids slept upstairs, their father living elsewhere.
Thank you, Christine, I appreciate your feedback. I'm a newcomer to Substack. As an octogenarian who grew up in a deadly silent "nuclear" family, conversations other than "Please pass the oleo" and others in that vein did not exist. I'm happy to read helpful definitions to expressions I might not readily know. Wasn't certain that "barn burner" was a "good" expression or not.
Want to clarify to those responding to my comment on Heather Cox Richardson's Substack Newsletter, that I am not a newcomer to her Letters to an American. I find it fascinating that she writes from Round Pond, Maine. I lived there for 4 years in early 1990s next door to a Poland family. Not sure what exact relationship Buddy Poland is to that Poland family. A close friend of mine posted one of Buddy's photographs on facebook and I was blown away when I started reading Heather's Letters and watching her Tues/Thurs politics/history "classes." High school and college history teachers/professors (all men from football coaches to Shakespeare scholars) until Heather, I got all meaningful history/politics learning from reading historical fiction because I wanted to know more than a linear summation of the battle details of what happened in the past. I wanted to know what people's lives were like.
So good. It refers to an impressive sentence and thought. Especially when it ends the piece. Trying to remember…historically it was a term “Barnburner” given to a progressive Dem party faction I think in New York during the 1800’s sometime.
I can so see you in your kitchen roaring, you lioness.
I confess when I hear the word barnburner I think of Paul Newman in I think it was it Cat on the Hat Tin Roof. In the 19th century upper New York was the "burnt over" district which was a reference to Christian revival going on there. Now I will have to learn about progressive D barnburners.
Had to look it up and see that once again a word has morphed from its original negative use to a variety of meanings, some positive, some not so much. This one, excerpted from the Merriam-Webster article on the term seems pertinent to an apparent majority of today's Republicans. The article is worth a read.
"We do not know to what particular class the new epithet of “Barn burners” is intended to be applied, but it strikes us as highly characteristic of those who trample upon the rights of citizens and the laws of the land. —Public Ledger [Philadelphia, PA], 17 April 1840"
Whoa, Jean in Florida. That is the first time I’ve heard that thought put so succinctly.
Salud! (Certainly explains the entire Republican legislature and Guv in Florida. What immature scairdy cats. I would’ve whipped their bully selves on a playground growing up while defending something or someone.)
I love this. It echoes what the LGBTQ+ community has been banging on about all along. "We don't want special privileges, we just want equal privileges." It stands to reason that conservatives who tend to so vociferously resist change would not want these minority groups to be on an equal footing with the rights they enjoy. They instantly feel threatened, and I have never understood why. I guess, chalk it up to fear that comes from simple ignorance--lack of empathy?--with other peoples and cultures.
May I suggest you do understand it, Bruce? Any white person can. When one is the majority race, then “privilege” isn’t really that as one grows up, but just the way things come to us is our nurtured expectation. But there comes a seminal moment(s) in EVERY WHITE PERSON’s LIFE (and I’ve never found out different from anyone) that one either is threatened or accepting of the litmus test of skin color and the litany of “things” that means on the ladder of caste.
I can recall feeling ambiguous about the use of racial slurs emanating from my family and in general the suburban white upbringing that was my privilege. It was not until I was much more grown and more familiar with other skin colors and cultures that I let go of the ingrained belief that somehow white is “best”. I find it telling when I ask people, “if you woke up tomorrow and could be a different color than white, are you ok with that?” “Why or why not?””What color will you choose?” (to a yes answer). But if you had to, what color? (to a no answer).
In white people’s minds, privilege as a right means that there is not enough to go around. That belief has been cultivated for hundreds of years. The middle class has been taught to “save for a rainy day”. Which means one believes the rainy day is coming so one is forgiven greed in serving preparation.
It’s all about having more.
Sooooo, changing a belief to we are ALL in this together. (we the people I thought was in our founding documents, right?). There is enough to go around.
Original download from the Creator. A lot of white people have really not taken that to heart in relation to “race” (a construct, not a truth).
I used to say “I don’t understand why white people are so crazy
about race. Now I say, I do understand why white people are so crazy about race. But I believe differently and accept we all have equal share from the Creator.
I’m blessed every day that the opportunity to believe differently was at an intersection I chose to recognize. And still choose.
If one gives the “others” equal footing, then maybe one has to look in the mirror and finally see that one is not superior in any way, and maybe one cannot stand to admit to that.
Janet, you have just written the synopsis of a US History book for a high school Civics class. Alas, let’s not hold our breath that it will end up in the hands of students living in red states.
Janet, I've had to save your comment so I can keep rereading it. You have really summed it up perfectly. When I say to myself, "This can't be happening, this is unbelievable." I can remind myself that it's just history repeating itself. My Christian mind just doesn't understand the lust for power and the mindset of superiority. Underneath the surface, they are all scared little children. Will they ever realize that this life is just a blink of an eye but eternity is a long time.
No, Jeanne, they will never realize that their lives will come to an end. They want to rule the roost with an iron fist. Women have to come out fighting with everything we’ve got because we aren’t gonna take it anymore! We cannot (will not) succumb to the wills of man.
While everything you say is true, it is important to hammer home that "replacement theory" is a tacit acknowledgement of their own fear of inferiority - i.e, that if they were required to compete on a level playing field with all members of all genders, races, cultures and ethnic group, they would fail. Shout it from the rooftops - Tucker Carlson is saying that "the other" must be excluded because white males can't afford the heat of competition.
Janet, I absolutely agree that "men" are at the tip of the spear you describe. But lets not tip over the edge. There are women out there, dare I evoke MTG and Ginny Thomas, that are equally rapacious in terms of whatever it is they see to be their birthright. Conservatives in general show up big on FMRI studies correlating politically charged phrases with activity in the fear and anger centers in the brain. Add a dash of testosterone and you've got a gender shift going. But please, don't lay it all at the feet of "white men". Some of us guys (not necessarily deficient in testosterone, to be clear) are equally disgusted .
I am so glad you made this comment, so I can clarify. Of course you're right to make your point. Throughout "modern" history, there have been women who side with those white, heterosexual, self-righteous men and, thank God, there are large numbers of white men who don't abide by the self-righteous attitude that nobody matters but white people. The white men who committed acts against non-white people surely meant to assure their women were awarded the benefits of their bounty; after all, they took care of the women who kept their homes and raised their children, and many women--through the present time--liked that role. In fact, women who wanted to do more than keep house and raise children found other women to oppose their efforts.
I defined the white men who committed this wrongdoing against their non-white and female brothers and sisters narrowly to include only those white men who sought to use their power to suppress the advancement of non-white and female brothers and sisters in order to prevent any competition for the material and economic fruits of power. The truth, though, as I see it is this: it has been primarily white men throughout American history who have suppressed the advancement of anyone unlike them. Thankfully, times have changed in large part because many white men have refused to participate in the suppression and have stood beside minorities, immigrants, women, LGBTQ, and other marginalized groups. Were it not for men like you, change would not have brought us this far. But the truth is that there is far to go.
Recent (since the mid-20th century) history has shown us that the power in this country still remains in the hands of those same white men (and their adoring women) that control large segments of American society, notably the Republican party and the legal profession. Since the legal profession has a strong hand in the substance of laws and the power of our police forces, the fact it is systemically connected to the white men who established the legal organizations that rule our legal system is, to me, especially problematic. The faces of the people who control our largest law firms tell the story in spades. The faces of the people who control the Federalist Society shape that story. The identity of our SCOTUS members and what they are doing with their unbridled power is all that needs to be said regarding the hands that are shaping our country right now.
Janet, thank you for your clarification. You may have been over generous to us empathetic white guys, as we surely could be doing more, but at least we try to be supportive of women like yourself with justifiably passionate views. If you've read Howard Zinn's powerful "A people's history of the United States..." you'll have a great example of an old white guy that got it right and has made a huge difference. Don't look for it in high school classrooms, however.
My apology to Ginni Thomas for misspelling her nickname. I know she's an avid reader of Heather's letters ;-)
So now Orban and Schlap are saying the quiet part out loud—they’re not outlawing abortion to produce more brown/black skinned babies, they want white women to have more babies. They also want to get rid of rights of people who are not white, non-LGTBQ, and male. Could they be tired of competing against smart educated women in the workplace? When women could not prevent pregnancy, many (including RBG) could not get hired because employers were loath to invest training someone who was deemed likely to leave the workforce in a little while to bear babies.
Methinks you are absolutely correct, Mary. They “are tired of competing against smart, educated women” as well as equally intelligent and well-educated LGBTQ individuals and immigrants of color!
Furthermore, at one with Yale philosophy professor Jason Stanley, I say: “Oh come on US conservatives, stop embarrassing yourselves. Have some dignity and national pride.”
They hate Jews because they are smart, they hate peoples of color because they think they are not, they hate anyone who questions their mind set, they just hate because they must. Hey idjits, the cradle of civilization was staffed by brown people, not many whities in the Bible either. Maybe you just hate yourselves, and fear all else.
They’re scared. They are scared that there will enough procreation between whites and people of color that the population will no longer include the white race. In the name of Hitler, the “Aryan Race” would be no more.
Yes, that’s the agenda, reverse every civil rights law possible. These racists “leaders” must get together for brainstorming sessions and yell out every racist possibility that will revive pre-civil war demographics.
Yes, Mary, exactly! “When women could not prevent pregnancy, many (including RBG) could not get hired because employers were loath to invest training someone who was deemed likely to leave the workforce in a little while to bear babies.” In a 1981 interview for my first teaching position, I was asked by the male superintendent if I was planning on having more children. I had two. I said no. Three years later my family adopted a child. I was tenured by then. That question eventually was “illegal.”
An excellent book is “Founding Mothers” by Cokie Roberts. This book details the lives of the women who were spouses and relatives of the “Founding Fathers.” If not for those brilliant, capable women managing everything back home-families, farms, businesses,etc.- those men would not have been able to be away debating politics and listening to themselves talk. The men did go home occasionally, and the women generally wound up pregnant again.
The women did what they had to do to care for their households. Women have always had to be superheroes!
David, I thought it would be on the "banned" list and now see that it is banned in Idaho schools, permanently! I am hazy on the details of the story after some years, but I recall that Congress had been assassinated (?) by the new regime. That makes me think of the insurrection, and the churning out of white babies. How prescient Margaret Atwood was! I haven't seen the TV series, even more brutal than the book I hear.
I’d like to recommend the novel Vox by Christina Dalcher. If you haven’t read it I suggest you do. Seems like a blueprint for where we’re heading if the far right extremists get their way.
You are absolutely correct, Mary. And this is what is really riling up the next gens of women. A man determining what “place” a woman may occupy in todays world is ignorant, passé, and gender prejudiced.
And men thinking the women’s marches this month around the country downplayed by the press with the excuse that all news was “overshadowed by Buffalo” have no idea what is coming.
The odd thing is, that well over half of all abortions are sought by women of color; white women account for only about 39% of abortions. Outlawing abortion will contribute to our changing demographics, not prevent them. Especially because wealthier women will still have the resources to seek abortions elsewhere, and they tend to be whiter.
This occurred to me too. It seems like white supremacists would be applauding abortion, since it is statistically more common among women of colour. "The less little Brown/Black babies the better", in their eyes. They then want to totally prevent White women from being able to get abortions because it will add to the White race? Talk about "cutting off your nose to spite your face"! Dear God, these people are clueless!!
1. Carlson doesn’t embrace Orban despite corruption, lack of legal accountability, and attacks on the press. He embraces Orban BECAUSE of those things.
2. Schlapp’s take on the effect of banning abortion is rich. The ban will have a disproportionate impact on people of color, who will not be able to afford to travel for an abortion. That means we will have more of the people CPAC doesn’t want to have. The ban will promote “replacement,” not stop it.
These conservatives are a whole lot dumber than I thought.
Actually, the people who are most likely to get abortions are white women. The rate of abortions for minority women has remained about the same. Minority families band together to care for children who come into their midst. But when I was reading about abortion and the possible ban, it occurred to me that the intent is to produce more white babies. Alito even mentioned the “supply” of infants available for adoption being low, and people going to Eastern Europe to adopt. “Supply” like human babies are comparable to baby chicks and women are just incubators. Alito’s form of “Christianity” doesn’t look like anything that Jesus preached.
Just by virtue of numbers, white women are more likely to get abortions. But by virtue of economics, they are more likely than women of color to be able to travel to other states to avoid bans and continue to have abortions. That’s why the burden of a ban will have a disproportionate impact on women of color. And that means more babies of color. Not the outcome the Christian white supremacists wanted. another irony. Garry Wills has written that there is no textual basis for opposition to abortion in Christian writings. So if you want to think these folks are at least following a religious belief without regard to the racial impact, they’re in error on that count, too.
I ask them if they’re willing to register for bone marrow and organ donations while they’re still alive to save lives. If they say yes, then I ask if they want the government to require that everyone do so—put their health at risk to save just one other person’s life.
Oh, yeah. Narcissist patriarchy. Actually, now they are neo-fascists. They are anti-America and need to be reigned-in, tightly and behind bars. Cheaper to just deport them or not let them back in.
Not to mention riling up American voters, especially women, with banning abortion & contraception, with more coming regarding interracial marriage (will be interesting to see how that might play out given a few high-profile individuals who married non-white women), LGBTQ+ rights and now moving toward nullifying the delegation of implementing laws to agencies under the Executive Branch (EPA, Labor, Education....). You'd think it would have been smarter to wait until after their hoped-for takeover of government before pursuing all of these hot-button issues.
"And yet, when CPAC leader Matt Schlapp met U.S. journalists outside, he said that ending abortion rights would address the great replacement myth: “If you say there is a population problem in a country, but you’re killing millions of your own people through legalized abortion every year, if that were to be reduced, some of that problem is solved,” Schlapp said. “You have millions of people who can take many of these jobs. How come no one brings that up? If you’re worried about this quote-unquote replacement, why don’t we start there? Start with allowing our own people to live.”
Translation: "We corporate whores in the legislature want cheap labor that won't offend the sensibilities of our racist followers by being brown, black, or slant-eyed. So, we are conscripting American women to be our hatchery for cheap Caucasian labor because, like the Confederacy, we consider them now as white slaves and our property, certainly not as citizens with autonomy and equal rights. But don't question us; we know what God wants."
We will arm our young women with switchblades and weapons to fight these horrid creatures off. In Israel, every man and woman has been trained in warfare. There is little gun fighting among themselves but terrible conflicts on the West Bank with Palestinians. That conflict will never rnd, unfortunately.
First, it isn't a "population problem" (implying overpopulation instead of too many non-whites in the population). Second, abortions will continue to take place just as they did before Roe v. Wade. Yet, after the first few years following 1973 when abortion numbers increased, abortion numbers began and have continued to fall, largely I believe due to the easier availability of contraception and morning-after meds.
The relable Hugo Lowell of The Guardian's DC Office has posted a 5/19/22 15:23 EDT article wherein Lowell writes in Paragraphs 9-10 that Dems on the House Admimistration Committe have already turned over "some of that [Jan 5th security camera ] footage " to the US Attorneys DC Office that is prosecuting seditious conspiracy cases. Note also, that the "Capitol Breach Resouce Page" (doj.com) has already reported that two (2) Oath Keppers, Joshua James & Brian Ulrich have pled gulity to Seditious Conspiracy & have turned as Government Witnesses in a trial set before Judge Amit Mehta per Kyle Cheney at Politico on 5/17/22 at 5:10 PM EDT. As I have already posted here, Ken Polite's DOJ Team has over 600 diligent prosecutors & significant evidence already in hand. Multiple tracks are picking up speed- buckle up.
When I read that yesterday in the Guardian, I practically rubbed my hands together in glee. I’m hoping the noose is tightening. Gonna be a hot summer either way....
Representative Loudermilk's denials notwithstanding, the January 6 Select Committee may already have rosters and sign-in sheets of all persons who visited the Capitol in the days preceding the January 6 insurrection, and who may have been given tours of the facility. It's really a bad idea to lie about something that can be easily disproved. Representative Loudermilk's false denials lay the foundational groundwork for a disciplinary referral to the House Ethics Committee, and conceivably, a criminal referral to the Department of Justice to look into charges that Loudermilk acted as an Accessory before the Fact, and that he is suspected of aiding and abetting the insurrection that occurred the following day. That makes him guilty of conspiracy. Rather than issuing blanket denials, Loudermilk should be looking around for a really good criminal defense lawyer.
Arthur, An unusual amount of traffic around the Capitol about a week before 1/6 was reported to Capitol police.
'(CNN)Days before the violent insurrection at the US Capitol, the then-US House Sergeant at Arms sent a memo to members of Congress banning tours of buildings on January 6, the day lawmakers gathered inside to certify Joe Biden's victory, according to a copy of the memo obtained by CNN.'
'The lockdown was in response to alarm from some congressional members who were growing concerned about seeing large groups of pro-Trump supporters walking around the Capitol the week around the swearing in of the new Congress leading up to the January 6. It was a level of traffic that had not taken place since officials tightened access to the building in March of last year to limit spread from the coronavirus pandemic, multiple Democratic lawmakers and aides told CNN.'
'Capitol Police said Friday that they are investigating allegations by Democratic members of Congress that Republican lawmakers gave tours of the Capitol to supporters of President Donald Trump a day before a pro-Trump mob rioted there.'
'Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J. had said Tuesday that on Jan. 5 she saw “members of Congress who had groups coming through the Capitol ... a reconnaissance for the next day.”
Sherrill vowed to hold accountable “those members of Congress that incited this violent crowd, those members of Congress that attempted to help our president undermine our democracy.”
'She has said that tours were highly unusual both because of the timing just before the invasion of the halls of Congress, and because of Covid-19 restrictions that have limited public access to congressional buildings.'
'On Wednesday, Sherrill and more than 30 other Democrats in Congress in a letter asked Capitol Police and the acting sergeants at arms in both the House and Senate to investigate the “suspicious behavior and access given to visitors to the Capitol Complex” on Jan. 5.
Eva Malecki, spokeswoman for the Capitol Police, told NBC News on Friday, “it is under investigation.”
'The Jan. 6 riot caused members of Congress, along with Vice President Mike Pence, to flee ongoing proceedings in the Senate and House of Representatives to seek safety in secure locations, while a horde of Trump supporters rampaged through the complex.' (cnbc)
The trumpeters and their repub leaders committed sedition and attempted murder against the United States of America on the most sacred, important day in a democracy. The noose is actually tightening for these fascist, anti-Americans. Cannot wait to see the perp walks. Can. Not. Wait. Lady Justice, let her rip!
🗽 This is my power emoji. And I’ll add the scales. Let her rip them to shreds and pile them neatly into a pile for the National Archives to box up and hold. 💫
The Republicans are terrible liars. It's as if Loudermilk isn't even trying or thinks his lame statement is going get traction, especially when it's clear the J6 committee has the goods on him. I can't wait to see the footage when the public hearings begin next month. Looks like they're going to be electric.
It was reported (briefly and not very widely) a few days after Jan. 6 that a group of intruders walked right past some windows and on to other ones fthat had not been reinforced and broke those to enter the building.
Putting my order in to Traverse City's Right Brain Brewery for their decadent Front Street Blend (chedder popcorn + Carmel corn) with Irish Goodbye red ale for the January 6th S**t Show. I will drink to the committee!
So-called Conservatives worry about “others” replacing them and destroying their way of life.
Mostly they do not consider what global warming will do, is already doing, to everyone’s way of life. Events and evil people are doing everything they can think of to distract us from facing the climate crisis. They are succeeding. Is climate even a voting issue? Not compared to gasoline prices.
I had a Jewish friend who escaped within inches of his life in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He had to flee to Salzburg with nothing but the clothes on his back. He eventually ended up in New York, then made a good life in Los Angeles. When the Wall came down in 1989 he decided to go back to Hungary where he enjoyed opera and the rich cultural opportunities that are hard to find for the average person in America. He said he’d had it with the dumbing down of Americans. We lost touch, but I wonder what he thinks now….
What he probably thinks is “I just cannot believe it has happened here.” The black sucking vacuum of fascism finds any place where culture and creative freedoms bloom.
I’ve got news for them. Their vacuums are not rechargeable. The Light is.
Toqueville observed and recorded the inclinations of white Americans in the ignorant yokelism direction a long time ago. Some progress has been made in the intervening 250 years. Used to be 90% of white Americans. Now it’s “only” 60%.
Good morning all. Last week I mentioned that my camera crew was shooting the 2022 Bradley Prizes produced at the National Building Museum in DC and that I'd report back. Here's my Cliff Notes version of this years Bradley Prizes event. The Miles Stiebel Orchestra & singer were excellent. If you have $15,000 to $20,000 to spend on a band, consider these folks. They played from the "American Songbook". A video was rolled to intro them that showed the likes of Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis jr. Not a very conservative collection of musical talent. Made me laugh.
Kim Strassel of the WSJ and Fox was the hostess of the show & moderator of their "round table" conversation. She was the only person on stage who spoke into a microphone that used the term "counter culture". Several times.
It felt like "diversity" was on the minds of their award board chaired by Richard W. Graber who had been W Bush's Ambassador to the Czech Republic. The winners were:
Wilfred M. McClay, a white, of Irish descent history professor who wrote "Land of Hope".
Glen C. Loury a black professor of Economics who writes and studies on "racial inequality".
The star of the show and VERY impressive human being was Chen Guangcheng. A blind Chinese man who is a human rights activist. He escaped China in 2012 and wrote "The Barefoot Lawyer", which I want to read. In the written program for the event he thanks Hillary Clinton as Sec of State for granting him sanctuary at our Beijing Embassy. He never mentioned Clinton or the Obama Administration by name from the stage. His individual story of bravery is incredible and should be a film. He is not an authoritarian.
It felt like the event organizers and folks with prepared remarks were working to sound like middle of the road America. The true patriots. The name Trump never was uttered on stage, nor was Obama, Biden, Clinton or Pelosi...or Bush for that matter. They talk about "American exceptionalism" as their central belief system.
I did not recognize anyone in the crowd. None of their former winners like Jeb Bush, Bill Kristol, Gary Sinese or George Will. Nor was Bill Barr in attendance, who had been at the last event.
We were told that this was a "hot conservative ticket" to acquire.
There was no "battle plan" or specific examples presented for winning elections. No mention of Dr. Oz. Abortion was not mentioned once. Nor were gun rights. No candidates were endorsed or directly criticized by name.
Except for Chen, it all felt very academic. Kind of like "We are the guys who understand the truth about America". We know the way. Follow us if you are a real patriot....and this audience was the choir eating up this message.
I did not "mingle" in this mostly un-masked crowd to chat as I intended. Recent Covid numbers kept me on my riser 4' above them and to the edge of the crowd.
There was no press riser, nor cameras from CNN, Fox or MSNBC or any network.
The building looked great and a good time seemed to be had by all.
I had a copy of Heather's "To Make Men Free...a history of the Republican Party" sitting out on my camera riser, for anyone to see. No one in the 99% white audience that was also about 70% male mentioned it. The only "minority" folks I could identify in the audience were the family members of the 2 winners.
My crew was exceptional. Can we please get a liberal/progressive gig from someone ? We like to travel.
Hey, Mike. I saw your email to me sometime late last night, and was too pooped to read (absorb) it right then, thinking I'd get back to it today. Thank you for posting it here.
So the moral of the story is as long as we have the numbers, and stick to noncontroversial topics, we can all project to the world how agreeable we are?
As to Heather's book, I can only imagine what kind of conversation you would have had had someone picked it up; perhaps you could have made some converts!
And your offer to cover a liberal/progressive gig: truth be told, my gathering is a party of two, so not enough to make your offer worthwhile. Maybe someone else on this page could use your services.
I found it really interesting how they espouse conservative values and "American exceptionalism" but really stayed away from any concrete specifics or naming names. If Trump is a firebrand, these folks were really bland...and I can see how he ran over the establishment Republicans in his 2016 primary....and then played divide and conquer, one at a time. He picks a target and pummels it. Chen really stood out from the pack at this event. I'd love to have heard their award nominating process.
I was hoping someone would take the bait with Heather's book...but no bites.
We work all kinds of events and this organization does make this video public. My key observation is every group, no matter where they are on the political spectrum believes they are the true patriots.
Someone needs to read the demographics of who has children and who has abortions. That is, if these children are predominantly of mixed, black, brown and or yellow than the “replacement” idea is more of a reality. Fewer pure white (are there really any) children will be birthed. There will be more workers of a perceived subordinate status. The idea of birthing more children for adoption purposes also surprises me. Those children will be graded on their acceptability. Shall we have orphanages for the “lesser” children where they will be groomed as workers not future doctors, lawyers, sociologists, etc.? …I’m thinking Dickensian social commentary.
Don't forget you CAN edit. Click on the 3 dots and an edit function will pop up. Click on "Edit comment" and your post returns for you to change or correct. Sometimes when you hit "Save" it won't readily show up, but just wait or click the refresh button on your browser and it will show up.
This is an older video but still relevant. I think the problem is more white women get abortions because of cost and health insurance and sometimes careers. So Republicans are most likely only thinking of the need for more white babies ,as if anyone wanted a" baby" I think there are certainly many who desperately need a home. There are so many aspects to this whole issue that Republican's haven't bothered to even think about. Listened on NPR how a Pro-life organization proudly says how they will offer support for those women who are victims of rape or incest.... by giving them access to adoption! I thought they were going to say how to emotionally handle this horrible violence committed upon these women then being forced to carry for 9 month- but no their offer of support meant adoption. .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD0kIFp_zzI
Loudermilk's response reminds me of the old line, "have you stopped beating your wife ?". He walked into an unanswerable question. You can't say yes and you can't say no. He has shit on his shoes at this point that he couldn't remove with a blow torch.
And he walked right into it.
I think it was a brilliant line of questioning to a person who was not until this point a major player mentioned in the Insurrection. I also think he is not the only one giving "tours". As you may recall, Perjury Taylor Greene also denied tours were given....under oath.
Will it matter to the Party of deniers? Probably not, but atleast we will get a clearer view of the destruction of Democracy.
I could go on all day about the choice of Hungary for CPAC , but we all know why.
Morning, Linda! As for CPAC/Hungary, is it bad form to bring that up as an argument to the voters to choose a Democrat? If I was on the fence about who to vote for, I would not be inclined to mark my ballot for someone whose party chose to go to a foreign country to have their "pow wow."
Good morning Lynell ! Least we forget the 8 GOP members that met in Moscow on July 4th . The GOP certainly has a penchant for meeting in the most inappropriate locations, don't they?
I’d love to hear you go on about it, Linda. I’m furious that they have the balls to deny journalists access but their fave “journalist” (not) Tuckems is a keynote speaker. I’m glad Professor Richardson included the quote from the Yale professor as a barn burner at end of letter. CPAC conservatives. So totally ignorant and such an uncouth sty of a conference. I vote that Tuckems wear a “Scarlet Letter” upon his return. Make up your own def for the “A”.
Good morning Christine! I think the fact that they don't even try to hide their alliances to foreign countries is mind blowing. How will this play at the local truck stops this morning ? Maybe we are assuming this crowd understands the implications. I'm inclined to think they are under the impression that CPAC is the machine you wear at night for sleep apnea.
... about that 'Great Replacement Theory' ... would it be more accurate/truth-full to say the real 'race replacement' trend has been the onslaught of 'white' Europeans to replace indigenous cultures - world-wide - ((in the name of God, no less)) and the so-called 'Great Race Replacement' of white folks by non-whites reflects the reality that people of color don't just die and disappear - moreover, stand up and claim the respect and fairness, justice and equity owed to all ...?
... just saying ...
*******
Why are we afraid to look at the facts and even have the conversation about justice and equity for people of color in America? Are we afraid an honest examination of the facts will reveal that our gains are ill-gotten? Will we have to admit that the properties upon which our wealth is built (including lives of the enslaved) are not, and never were ours to own, possess, buy and sell?
Can we face the facts now - before we dig the ditches of injustice even deeper - lest they become the our graves - consequent of our denial?
What goes around, comes around.
Can we please invite happy endings for one and all?
Vote for fairness and equity - open the door (and the floor) to address these questions now ....
************
What are we talking about when we talk about Reparations.
It's on YouTube and they ask us to do a visualization, please stop the video at that point in do it so we can look at what we came up with before we watch the video and then please do it again after listening to the video to get a sense whether the video changed your mind at all.
Ta-Nehisi Coates, “The Case for Reparations,” the Atlantic. “Beautifully written, meticulously reported, highly persuasive …” “The most powerful essay of its time.” “Ground breaking.” “It influenced the public conversation so much that it became a necessary topic in the presidential debate.”
"Won’t reparations divide us? Not any more than we are already divided. The wealth gap merely puts a number on something we feel but cannot say—that American prosperity was ill-gotten and selective in its distribution. What is needed is an airing of family secrets, a settling with old ghosts. What is needed is a healing of the American psyche and the banishment of white guilt."
"What I’m talking about is more than recompense for past injustices—more than a handout, a payoff, hush money, or a reluctant bribe. What I’m talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal. Reparations would mean the end of scarfing hot dogs on the Fourth of July while denying the facts of our heritage. Reparations would mean the end of yelling “patriotism” while waving a Confederate flag. Reparations would mean a revolution of the American consciousness, a reconciling of our self-image as the great democratizer with the facts of our history."
I, for one, faced those facts after I witnessed the death of George Floyd, in real time. Reparations should be granted, I agree, and screw those who don’t believe it should happen!
In what way is this all-too-typical--and signaled MONTHS AGO to almost utter silence--strategy of the US Right Wingnut Crew unusual? In what way have they NOT been embarrassing? In what way have they EVER demonstrated "national pride" (whatever the heck that is supposed to be)? Why is everyone being so timid and mealy-mouthed? Why is anyone in public life saying ANYTHING conciliatory about the American Fascist Party that is masquerading as a supposed legitimate political bloc? Give me an effing break.
I have never--and I mean NEVER--been as existentially terrified as I am now. Wake up. Marching and all of that--and the occasional chalked message in front of Susan Collins's door, which apparently she considers an act of terrorism--is fine but it is, in the long run, meaningless unless people VOTE. VOTE THE FU**ERS OUT AND SEND THEM TO JAIL WHERE THEY BELONG.
Aaannnddd there it is - the real reason conservatives want to end a woman’s right to choose her own fate: white women are the key in “producing” a white majority. This is a war, and white women are the canons that shoot out white babies.
If there would be any reason to this "conservatism", it is also monumentally self centered. Is there any indication that outlawing abortions would lead to more whites?
“Monumentally self-centered” is right. There is the “gimme” selfishness and also the ignorance that results from thinking only of oneself.
White conservatives seem unaware that their own offspring will replace them. The next generation will have their own ideas, in spite of parents who attempt to keep them ignorant of history and science and the wide world which isn’t visible from inside their bubble.
I have several friends who were born and raised in Hungary, who no longer live there, because of Orban. They're not lefty intellectuals or political activists. They're just intelligent people with families who as one said "don't want to live in a country where the morons are in control." Orban's rule is responsible for a major Hungarian brain drain. My friends are so opposed to what has happened that they have applied for citizenship in the EU countries where they now live; they have no plans on going back.
This is what happens when the right wing takes power: since they are ipso factor braindead morons, that's who ends in running things.
Further proof that Truman was right 74 years ago: "the only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies."
The. Republicans. Are. America's. Enemy.
Sorry, if this makes me ‘elitist,’ but I too ‘don’t want to live in a country where the morons are in control.’ No point mincing words. It’s looking more and more like that’s the case here in the US. (And, the true elitists are the MAGA minority that think they should be in charge and who will do anything to get power.)
We haven't lost yet. The pendulum swings both ways. It is swinging right now, but the vast majority of us are alarmed and will voice such. Our job now is to get that majority to vote.
Bill, I think you are quite right. We do need to focus and while acknowledging that most if not all of the Republican Party is anti-democratic we need to push back hard. Banning books, banning the truth, lying to the public, supporting the obscene inequality in this country, hypocritical actions criticizing “big government“ turning around and using government to suppress voting rights, punishing even Disneyland, and generally trying to move us to more of an oligarchy than we already are, we cannot and should not shirk from our obligations to prevent our Country from devolving into the country these Republicans are trying to create.
Absolutely. None of this makes sense and I do not want to have madmen at the helm of our country.
Big government bad: we don't want faceless bureaucrats running our lives. Big business good: Amazon, Facebook, Walmart,... . Have a nice day!
J Horowitz, tell that to the Republicans when they use “big“ government to suppress the vote, ban books, use their megaphone to speak lies like the “big lie”, give the wealthiest people in this country a tax break increasing the deficit, go to Hungary to have their convention and support Orban’s type of government. Orban is the keynote speaker. It’s not too late for you to get tickets to the CPAC convention if you’d like to live under a ruler like Orban. Certainly he does have a face. Unfortunately it’s politically ugly. Our government is not faceless and the Republicans faces I’m not liking so much as they try to push their anti-democratic agenda creating even more of an oligarchy and obscene inequality in our Country. Democrats are not against big corporations but they are for competition in order to keep prices low for consumers and foster innovation. Democrats are not against capitalism but want the government to assure an even playing field for all the participants.You wished me to have a nice day but based on your comments I think that was a bit insincere.
Relax. I was being sarcastic.
That's pretty simplistic. A partnership between business and government makes sense. There is more to governing than making money. You have a good day as well. Cheers.
And so many just don't give a damn and won't until it is too late!
And that makes me so sad! I am glad I am elderly but still fighting for my nine-year-old granddaughter and her friends!
I'm right there with you!!! Keep it up.
Elitist??? Why would anyone see someone who savors democracy as an elitist? We get to choose the neighborhood, city, and country we want to live in based on what we deem to be shared basic principles. Never would I have fathomed that I would I see what is being tossed around here in America in broad daylight! I've been holding on to the notion that "good" and "intelligence" would prevail, but what I am observing is that this country is growing badder and dumber by the day. I feel like I'm fighting to keep my side of the street clean, but if that day comes, we have plans to infiltrate into Canada....
One problem here is that the loudmouths have the MAGAphone and keep using it ad nauseum(sp). there are a lot of caring and intelligent people out there but we have to find our voice and one another. This happened during the Civil Rights Movement, and also during the Viet Nam War. I think we're building a movement but it hasn't emerged just yet. I think the way we write and respond to this column and to each other is helping shape it. I'm a ceramic artist, so I know that you have to start with a lump of clay and then shape it into what you want.
We have our voice, but why do we have to appear so dignified? We need louder mouths. It's just going so slow...and I know how fast a ceramics wheel spins....
Agree! (but "nauseam") :)
Just a cavil “ipso facto brain dead morons” could justly apply to many followers but leaves out the deadly truth-Trump was shrewd. So dumb he ran casinos into the ground, but shrewd. And some of his advisors were smart (evil geniuses) and shrewd. And they instill voter discipline from radio waves and pulpits and those GOTV tactics WORK. Those American citizens vote. Often in shrewdly-manipulated, gerrymandered districts. And that’s how we got here. The Trump cultists take pride in ignorance and like to say (read in un-Eastern-Seaboard accent of choice:) “I may be stupid, but I ain’t dumb.”
Shrewd amoral sociopaths. The characteristics of those who “followed orders” in Nazi Germany
I would have agreed but recently had this conversation with someone else, looked up “sociopathy” and found this: “In a nutshell, people with sociopathy may have little empathy and a habit of rationalizing their actions. But they do know the difference between right and wrong.
Psychopathy, according to Hare, involves no sense of morality or empathy.” I know the DSM latest edition doesn’t contain either term and uses the “AntiSocial Personality Disorder” to cover all so it’s somewhat theoretical, but do you believe the state in under Hitler was able to propagandize away a moral sense in the entire populace or do you think those people retained a moral compass and remained reachable, but the resistance just wasn’t effective enough? I honestly think that’s what we need to be figuring out in the US in 2022. Who will say out loud “Have you no shame, sir?” In Congress and in our media--and are people (Dittoheads &c) still reachable? Obvs Professor HCR thinks so, and that’s why she never rests. Me, I’m doubting Thomas but do have a shred of hope.
Fear is a powerful motivator. My grandfather’s writings on the rise of Nazism in Germany spoke a lot about the rising danger of speaking out. There came a tipping point, and moral people were silenced, or they were imprisoned (and we know what that looked like), or they were executed.
We still can speak out, we still can vote, and we must, while we still can.
Your "while we still can" ending gave me a heart attack....
Yes. Alarming. More people should be alarmed.
That is exactly right. The moral people went underground. My neighbor's father was a Lutheran minister in Germany at the time and my neighbor, who was a young child, remembers people coming and going through their house. They were Jews being smuggled out of Germany into Switzerland. Her father (and perhaps her entire family) could have been killed for doing that.
I’d certainly appreciate knowing your grandfather’s name since I can’t guess from your initials. Like most of us here, have read a bit (someone’s recommendation about Anne Appelbaum below was a good one, I thought (Twilight of Democracy good popular history) but always appreciate recommendations.
I'm about 150 pages into Tim Snyder's book (from 2010) "Bloodlands". A compelling read, but I'm getting more depressed by the day. I fear that violence and bloodlust are wired into the human race, at least the male half.
By the way, in regard to KR's comment (below), my late wife lived through the Nazi occupation of Holland as a child during WWII. Our grandchildren called us Oma and Opa. It's a gift.
These were just private recollections in an autobiography written for the family, badly translated by my dad from German. Nothing published. I treasure it, but only because my beloved Opa wrote it. It’s rough reading because the translation is so bad.
So true, KR. And wow, your grandfather’s writings must be chillingly powerful!
I wish so much I had been able to read them while he was alive. So many questions! And nowhere to get answers anymore. But yes, so compelling. My grandfather only learned in 1938 that his parents were Jews, who had fled from Lithuania/Belarus because they were socialists. They hadn’t registered as Jews, because they were atheist socialists. That part was dramatic for sure! They arrived in Switzerland, where my grandfather was born, but settled in Germany, where my grandfather’s siblings were born. They all survived the war in Switzerland, while my grandparents and father emigrated under the Swiss quota. Most of my great grandfather’s family, who were in Belarus, did not survive, although there were others who emigrated to the US in the 20s, and who were my grandparents’ sponsors here. I’d love to know more than just those bare bones.
You may doubt, but you are a warrioress and I doubt your brain takes a rest often from the conflagration burning in the lost soul of the Republican Party. Here’s their tent, Laura…..🌋
They will become a wasted volcano.
Haha just give me a tent peg and call me Ja’el wife of Heber 😂
I’m a ordinary citizen who is not a psychopath. They are not reachable. People who believe that may be in for a rude awakening.
Good point. Just like hard core Nazis in 1945 who fantasized that Hitler had a miracle weapon as the Reich became a smoldering ruin over run by hundreds of thousands of Allie’s forces.
Right now their tribal beliefs are completely entangled with their identities, changing those beliefs would require a huge sea change rippling through everything that touches their lives. So sadly, they are entrenched. The only thing I think that would ever reach them is some kind of direct primal threat, i.e. when the MAGAs need NEW scapegoats and come for THEM! Nonetheless, I think there is still a big, lazy "middle" in this country that will briefly look up from their phones this fall - and make a choice in favor of Democracy!!
It’s ambiguous. Perhaps socially induced psychopathy is a fitting term.
I like that because it accounts for historical models like Salem...I just don’t want my last words to be “more weight.”
We need doubt, but more than that, we need to "stand up and be counted," as my mother used to say. We need to take action, not just swear at the radio as I did when Lindsay Grahm was giving Judge Jackson the fifth degree.
Pushing up daisies? Never heard that, but I’m going to use it, a lot. Your friends’ experience illustrates why democracy is superior to authoritarianism, even when the democracy is highly imperfect. One of the best arguments against immigration is never raised: the effect of the drain of the most intelligent and talented upon the nation that they leave. Making that case would reveal almost all of those who oppose immigration for their bigotry.
B-I-N-G-O, jon. Salud.
Pushing up daisies? very old - listen to the last verse of "Minnie the Moocher".
Friends of mine, same story. They are still mourning their beloved Hungary.
The Republicans embrace Myth because the myth of patriarchal, Christian American exceptionalism gives them a smokescreen behind which they hide their treachery. The Democrats embrace Facts and the Rule of Law. Jettison the myths and embrace the facts.
I "don't want to live in a country where the morons are in control," either, but at my age and with my health conditions and all my "stuff," I simply cannot pick up and go anywhere else. This is not how I envisioned my "golden years." Not. At. All.
How did a NYer get to GA to begin with? Asking for a friend. :-)
After my parents passed away and I was in a job in NYC I was going nowhere in after 18 years (though it was wonderful working for my bosses, who remained friends with me all their remaining lives), I decided I had enough snow and ice and was debating between Atlanta and Tucson and chose metro Atlanta because of the better job opportunities at the time and because Atlanta has four seasons (and short winters) and because I could buy my own house and have a garden.
As it turned out, I did get a job, but three weeks after I moved into my house, the company "downsized," and I was left unemployed, with a brand-new mortgage. I had been doing part-time oral history interview transcription while in NY and decided to make it a full-time profession. I created my company, found my first clients online, and the rest came via word of mouth and through professional organizations I joined. It was a rewarding, educational experience for twenty-four years, working from my home office doing the transcriptions and editing/proofreading. Then came COVID, at which point my clients' programs shut down. I decided then to call it quits, myself, and am enjoying retirement and my garden (which has been approved by Georgia Audubon as a certified wildlife sanctuary), though I still do pro bono proofreading for several nonprofits.
That was probably more than you expected to hear.
More than expected, but entirely interesting.
Thanks.
Love your story, Mim.
So do I. My "heart" isn't working well this morning.
Thanks, Anne-Louise.
BTW, When the heart button doesn’t turn red, refresh your page and it should then show it’s red. If not, just click on it again, and it should turn red.
Many thanks, Christine.
Wow, Mim, I’ve been your fan and kindred, grammatical spirit…but wow, touch envious of that dreamy, home-based career you made for yourself! Thrilled to hear you’re enjoying your wildlife sanctuary in retirement.
Thanks so much, Ashley. My property is simply a ranch-style home on one-third of an acre, but I have many trees and shrubs and native (and not native) plants and a simple pan of water for the birds and critters. I used to have a little patio fountain, but it broke and I haven't yet replaced it. I use no herbicides or pesticides and try to buy plants grown without neonicotinoids that kill the very pollinators attracted to them by what the big-box stores sell. I get my plants at native plant sales or trusted online sources.
Ranch style homes are so important-it's easier to transition when you become less mobile. My mom, who wasn't an architect, designed our spacious one in the 60's and it had 44" wide halls which can make managing mobility easier if one needs a wheelchair. I didn't keep it after she died but did rent one for 15 years then bought one where I've lived for the past 22 years and I had a ramp installed out back. (She trained me up right LOL!)
TC, Who is the American Expert on Hungarian history? Someone who has really detailed Orban, his rise to power, his tactics to subvert free press and democratic institutions etc.
The Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor, George Soros, is an important writer/thinker on all things Hungarian....
And the Republicans hate him! To them he is Satan! These are words from very "the right Christians". They worship the Koch bothers as their Saviors!
Actually, Trump is Satan. Are there any of the 10 Commandments that he hasn't broken?
I don't know. Most of my knowledge about him is anecdotal. He actually started out as a liberal.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat https://lucid.substack.com/ and Timothy Snyder https://substack.com/profile/30618158-timothy-snyder
Both recommended to me by this group.
I follow both as well, and Robert Hubbell and Robert Reich.
They wanted power???? We had 4 Republicans running for sheriff. No Democrats were on the primary ballot! That scares the hell out of me!
Paul Lendvai is a very good resource. I think Madeleine Albright’s book “Fascism” is also.
He is a liberal. He created the Open Society Foundation which poured many millions into supporting progressive movements in countries behind the iron curtain. He has recently funded the political action committee to support liberal district attorneys around the country. Larry Krasner won the office in Philadelphia with his support, and has exonerated 28 wrongfully arrested long-term convicts.
Zbigniew Brzezinski ...?
Anne Applebaum is a reliable source for information about Eastern European politics.
https://www.anneapplebaum.com/
And Timothy Synder as well
Historian Timothy Snyder
I don’t think Dr Snyder has a detailed book just focusing on Hungry. He does explain many Euro countries, but looking at just Hungry.
Don't you hate autocorrect sometimes? 🤣
Send him a tweet or comment via substack.
Looking for the Dr, Richardson of Hungarian history. We could learn how, and what Orbon did over the course of time to learn how to prevent it happening here.
Paul Lendvai and Madeleine Albright
Check out the Know Your Enemy podcast from 10/25/21. Entitled The American Right's Hungary Hearts with Lauren Stokes and John Ganz. I found it very informative
🙏
Sounds a lot like the Russian/Ukraine standoff. Orban is a lot like the South American dictators eg Brazil
Did I make the right choice in choosing this country?
The one thing that keeps the score in positive numbers for this country is that it officially aspires to be better, and has done so on occasion (with lots of effort on the part of the successful side), with only having to have a civil war once.
Yes! (For us, anyway.)
YES!
Salud, Sister.
I hope so! Please keep participating!
Well, since most MAGA are of European descent, why don’t we just start shouting at them to “Go back where you came from”? Let them move to Orban’s Hungary.
I believe this first of three WaPo articles was posted yesterday. I think reading them today in light of today's LFAA is important. All three links are unlocked for non-subscribers. I've shared them plus today's LFAA on my FB page as well. I hope my posts with pertinent excerpts will be shared widely. We are teetering on a razor's edge.
https://wapo.st/3yTPLFw
https://wapo.st/3PARxS3
https://wapo.st/3NqFTaf
Indeed they are.
Yes, they are and the party of death. It's too bad about Hungary for many reasons and it's really telling that CPAC is there. We visited Budapest several years ago when Orban wasn't in power and enjoyed it.
I've always wanted to go to Budapest just to eat. But not until the fascist is out.
I remember bullet holes in walls from the Hungarian Revolution and a boat trip on the Danube. Maybe we had dinner on the boat.
I can remember the Hungarian Revolution. And the tens of thousands of Hungarians who were able to cross into Austria and freedom. And the Olympics in Sydney during the fighting, when the Hungarian water polo team took on the USSR. The pool ran red with blood--it was the only place where the Hungarians could be on equal terms (I almost wrote "equal footing," but that wouldn't be right) with the Soviets.
The 1956 Olympics were in Melbourne (and so was I) - the Sydney Olympics were in 2000. Yes - there was blood in the water.
Sigh. Pardon me while I wipe the egg from my face.
I don't remember much about the Hungarian Revolution. We just checked our pics from Budapest and no pics of restaurants.
Plenty of restaurants - but they aren't as obvious, and often in a cellar or upstairs.
I was about to say the same thing (I first visited in the 1990s and the bullet holes were still there. Likewise in Prague.)
If you go to Paris and walk down the Boul' Mich from the Luxembourg past the Ecole des Mines, you can still see the bullet marks from the fighting when the Resistants rose against the Germans in August 1944, as the city was liberated. They have preserved portions of the façade with the pockmarks there.
Thanks, Jon. I’ll be there in just over a week, must try to see!
Been to Prague twice. The first time was just before the Russians rolled in to suppress the Czechs. They were so excited and then the tanks arrived. We left the day before. Not many tourists that trip. The last trip was the same one as Budapest. Very busy with tourists. Our guide arranged for a Lebanese meal near the embassies. It was fabulous. I love Prague and Budapest as cities.
Love this. Thanks.
👌🏼
Where can we go to escape as those in Hungary have done?
I’m staying and fighting.
My folks came from Ireland, mid 1800’s. Looks like a good place to me.
Pity about "Give me your poor, your tired, etc" - couple of nice little Statues of Liberty copies in Paris.
I saw that back in 1975 on my trip to Europe! We ended our tour in Paris!
France, now that Macron has been re-elected. Or perhaps Canada.
I believe Canada would be closer!
Indeed it is! And I can tell you that many "lost" Canadians in the U.S. are busily seeking to obtain Canadian Certificates of Citizenship for their U.S. born children who qualify. All of my "lost" Canadian current clients have said the same thing: they do not want to be trapped in the U.S. if TFG is elected again. They have also expressed an intense anxiety over mid-terms.
Yes, but the weather's not as good, nor is the food.
You don't cook? :)
The GOP/Tucker Carlson "replacement theory" is just doublespeak for the strategy of white, heterosexual, self-righteous men stealing the fruits created through the efforts of non-white men & women. First they murdered and looted the Native Americans who honored a peaceful and cooperative life, then they kidnapped and enslaved Black people from other lands and considered them to be mere property, then they murdered them at will if they dared to create a good life for themselves, then they made sure that women who dared to leave the home that was meant to cater to their white male whims would only earn a fraction of what those white males earned. Empowered by those successes, they shamelessly pretend that anyone not like them is trying to steal their rightful places. Makes me sick to my stomach. Literally sick to my stomach.
Taking in your literal words, Janet Sobel, this liberal elderly woman, reports progressively worsening constant nausea even to the point of literal vomiting the end of April. I am so grateful for Heather Cox Richardson's keen mind and this forum. Today's Letter is brilliant. She zeroes right into the historical context and present sleights of hand of the once respected Republican party. What's going on in Hungary (size of our state of Michigan), Orban, and the "right wing" (sounds so innocuous) here in the US is frightful - scary beyond words and my comprehension. I, too, am sick to my stomach and very angry but now no longer feeling powerless. I have a voice. Remembering my own liberation from my white middle class proper New England patriarchal family where fathers knew best, belting out Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman Hear Me Roar..." sometime in 1977 in my kitchen while my five kids slept upstairs, their father living elsewhere.
Your last sentence is a barn burner, Marcia. A compliment.
Salud! United 🗽
Thank you, Christine, I appreciate your feedback. I'm a newcomer to Substack. As an octogenarian who grew up in a deadly silent "nuclear" family, conversations other than "Please pass the oleo" and others in that vein did not exist. I'm happy to read helpful definitions to expressions I might not readily know. Wasn't certain that "barn burner" was a "good" expression or not.
Want to clarify to those responding to my comment on Heather Cox Richardson's Substack Newsletter, that I am not a newcomer to her Letters to an American. I find it fascinating that she writes from Round Pond, Maine. I lived there for 4 years in early 1990s next door to a Poland family. Not sure what exact relationship Buddy Poland is to that Poland family. A close friend of mine posted one of Buddy's photographs on facebook and I was blown away when I started reading Heather's Letters and watching her Tues/Thurs politics/history "classes." High school and college history teachers/professors (all men from football coaches to Shakespeare scholars) until Heather, I got all meaningful history/politics learning from reading historical fiction because I wanted to know more than a linear summation of the battle details of what happened in the past. I wanted to know what people's lives were like.
I like your phrase "linear summation" which applies to what is taught in too many history classes well beyond accounts of battles.
So good. It refers to an impressive sentence and thought. Especially when it ends the piece. Trying to remember…historically it was a term “Barnburner” given to a progressive Dem party faction I think in New York during the 1800’s sometime.
I can so see you in your kitchen roaring, you lioness.
Salud, Marcia. 🗽
Thank you again, Christine. You write well. Barnburner rings a bell. I think I absorbed more language than I was aware of.
I confess when I hear the word barnburner I think of Paul Newman in I think it was it Cat on the Hat Tin Roof. In the 19th century upper New York was the "burnt over" district which was a reference to Christian revival going on there. Now I will have to learn about progressive D barnburners.
Had to look it up and see that once again a word has morphed from its original negative use to a variety of meanings, some positive, some not so much. This one, excerpted from the Merriam-Webster article on the term seems pertinent to an apparent majority of today's Republicans. The article is worth a read.
"We do not know to what particular class the new epithet of “Barn burners” is intended to be applied, but it strikes us as highly characteristic of those who trample upon the rights of citizens and the laws of the land. —Public Ledger [Philadelphia, PA], 17 April 1840"
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/barn-burner
I'm almost an octogenarian - and proud of it!
Glad to have you here with us, Marcia, Beautifully-Roaring Woman!
"Heart".
I call it the "wrong wing."
Works for me: Wrong Wing. I like alliterations.
Wingnuts
My usual name for them. When we were on a European tour, our Brit guide had not heard this before and I had to explain it to him.
I’m with you! Helen Reddy sang in my kitchen last night & my husband sang along! “Hear us ROAR in numbers too big to IGNORE”!!!
I remember that song inspired me, too, Marcia...and I roared.
When you are accustomed to privilege, equality seems like oppression.
Whoa, Jean in Florida. That is the first time I’ve heard that thought put so succinctly.
Salud! (Certainly explains the entire Republican legislature and Guv in Florida. What immature scairdy cats. I would’ve whipped their bully selves on a playground growing up while defending something or someone.)
I ran across it a while ago - don’t remember where - & took it for my own.
I love this. It echoes what the LGBTQ+ community has been banging on about all along. "We don't want special privileges, we just want equal privileges." It stands to reason that conservatives who tend to so vociferously resist change would not want these minority groups to be on an equal footing with the rights they enjoy. They instantly feel threatened, and I have never understood why. I guess, chalk it up to fear that comes from simple ignorance--lack of empathy?--with other peoples and cultures.
May I suggest you do understand it, Bruce? Any white person can. When one is the majority race, then “privilege” isn’t really that as one grows up, but just the way things come to us is our nurtured expectation. But there comes a seminal moment(s) in EVERY WHITE PERSON’s LIFE (and I’ve never found out different from anyone) that one either is threatened or accepting of the litmus test of skin color and the litany of “things” that means on the ladder of caste.
I can recall feeling ambiguous about the use of racial slurs emanating from my family and in general the suburban white upbringing that was my privilege. It was not until I was much more grown and more familiar with other skin colors and cultures that I let go of the ingrained belief that somehow white is “best”. I find it telling when I ask people, “if you woke up tomorrow and could be a different color than white, are you ok with that?” “Why or why not?””What color will you choose?” (to a yes answer). But if you had to, what color? (to a no answer).
In white people’s minds, privilege as a right means that there is not enough to go around. That belief has been cultivated for hundreds of years. The middle class has been taught to “save for a rainy day”. Which means one believes the rainy day is coming so one is forgiven greed in serving preparation.
It’s all about having more.
Sooooo, changing a belief to we are ALL in this together. (we the people I thought was in our founding documents, right?). There is enough to go around.
Original download from the Creator. A lot of white people have really not taken that to heart in relation to “race” (a construct, not a truth).
I used to say “I don’t understand why white people are so crazy
about race. Now I say, I do understand why white people are so crazy about race. But I believe differently and accept we all have equal share from the Creator.
I’m blessed every day that the opportunity to believe differently was at an intersection I chose to recognize. And still choose.
Salud, Bruce! United.
If one gives the “others” equal footing, then maybe one has to look in the mirror and finally see that one is not superior in any way, and maybe one cannot stand to admit to that.
Excellent observation. I will have to remember this one.
Perfectly stated. 😎
I am unabashedly stealing this phrase. Succinct and on target.
Exactly!!! Couldn't have stated THAT any better, Jean!!!👏
Janet, you have just written the synopsis of a US History book for a high school Civics class. Alas, let’s not hold our breath that it will end up in the hands of students living in red states.
Janet, I've had to save your comment so I can keep rereading it. You have really summed it up perfectly. When I say to myself, "This can't be happening, this is unbelievable." I can remind myself that it's just history repeating itself. My Christian mind just doesn't understand the lust for power and the mindset of superiority. Underneath the surface, they are all scared little children. Will they ever realize that this life is just a blink of an eye but eternity is a long time.
No, Jeanne, they will never realize that their lives will come to an end. They want to rule the roost with an iron fist. Women have to come out fighting with everything we’ve got because we aren’t gonna take it anymore! We cannot (will not) succumb to the wills of man.
Cue the 1984 one-hit wonder… Twisted Sister’s We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4xmckWVPRaI
Hahahahahahahahaha. Bringing back a perfect one, Lena. The vid is great.
Couldn’t have said it better. Thank you. I have the same digestive malady
"White" history in a nutshell. Thank you, Janet. And, this...."Makes me sick to my stomach. Literally sick to my stomach." Every. Day.
Me too. I am older and this is not how I envisioned spending my later years.
While everything you say is true, it is important to hammer home that "replacement theory" is a tacit acknowledgement of their own fear of inferiority - i.e, that if they were required to compete on a level playing field with all members of all genders, races, cultures and ethnic group, they would fail. Shout it from the rooftops - Tucker Carlson is saying that "the other" must be excluded because white males can't afford the heat of competition.
Powerful stuff, Janet.
Omygosh Janet, YOU SAID A MOUTHFUL!!!!
I would LOVE for THIS to be on EVERY FRONT PAGE of EVVERY NEWSPAPER in the USA 🙂🙃😚💓
Wow. Thank you!
Janet, I absolutely agree that "men" are at the tip of the spear you describe. But lets not tip over the edge. There are women out there, dare I evoke MTG and Ginny Thomas, that are equally rapacious in terms of whatever it is they see to be their birthright. Conservatives in general show up big on FMRI studies correlating politically charged phrases with activity in the fear and anger centers in the brain. Add a dash of testosterone and you've got a gender shift going. But please, don't lay it all at the feet of "white men". Some of us guys (not necessarily deficient in testosterone, to be clear) are equally disgusted .
I am so glad you made this comment, so I can clarify. Of course you're right to make your point. Throughout "modern" history, there have been women who side with those white, heterosexual, self-righteous men and, thank God, there are large numbers of white men who don't abide by the self-righteous attitude that nobody matters but white people. The white men who committed acts against non-white people surely meant to assure their women were awarded the benefits of their bounty; after all, they took care of the women who kept their homes and raised their children, and many women--through the present time--liked that role. In fact, women who wanted to do more than keep house and raise children found other women to oppose their efforts.
I defined the white men who committed this wrongdoing against their non-white and female brothers and sisters narrowly to include only those white men who sought to use their power to suppress the advancement of non-white and female brothers and sisters in order to prevent any competition for the material and economic fruits of power. The truth, though, as I see it is this: it has been primarily white men throughout American history who have suppressed the advancement of anyone unlike them. Thankfully, times have changed in large part because many white men have refused to participate in the suppression and have stood beside minorities, immigrants, women, LGBTQ, and other marginalized groups. Were it not for men like you, change would not have brought us this far. But the truth is that there is far to go.
Recent (since the mid-20th century) history has shown us that the power in this country still remains in the hands of those same white men (and their adoring women) that control large segments of American society, notably the Republican party and the legal profession. Since the legal profession has a strong hand in the substance of laws and the power of our police forces, the fact it is systemically connected to the white men who established the legal organizations that rule our legal system is, to me, especially problematic. The faces of the people who control our largest law firms tell the story in spades. The faces of the people who control the Federalist Society shape that story. The identity of our SCOTUS members and what they are doing with their unbridled power is all that needs to be said regarding the hands that are shaping our country right now.
Men like you are our salvation.
Janet, thank you for your clarification. You may have been over generous to us empathetic white guys, as we surely could be doing more, but at least we try to be supportive of women like yourself with justifiably passionate views. If you've read Howard Zinn's powerful "A people's history of the United States..." you'll have a great example of an old white guy that got it right and has made a huge difference. Don't look for it in high school classrooms, however.
My apology to Ginni Thomas for misspelling her nickname. I know she's an avid reader of Heather's letters ;-)
Really? Avidly follows this Letter? Well, that's proof that reading sensible articles can pass by without contemplation.
So now Orban and Schlap are saying the quiet part out loud—they’re not outlawing abortion to produce more brown/black skinned babies, they want white women to have more babies. They also want to get rid of rights of people who are not white, non-LGTBQ, and male. Could they be tired of competing against smart educated women in the workplace? When women could not prevent pregnancy, many (including RBG) could not get hired because employers were loath to invest training someone who was deemed likely to leave the workforce in a little while to bear babies.
https://news.ufl.edu/articles/2018/07/how-roe-v-wade-changed-the-lives-of-american-women.html
“Ouch” as Heather states!
Methinks you are absolutely correct, Mary. They “are tired of competing against smart, educated women” as well as equally intelligent and well-educated LGBTQ individuals and immigrants of color!
Furthermore, at one with Yale philosophy professor Jason Stanley, I say: “Oh come on US conservatives, stop embarrassing yourselves. Have some dignity and national pride.”
They hate Jews because they are smart, they hate peoples of color because they think they are not, they hate anyone who questions their mind set, they just hate because they must. Hey idjits, the cradle of civilization was staffed by brown people, not many whities in the Bible either. Maybe you just hate yourselves, and fear all else.
They’re scared. They are scared that there will enough procreation between whites and people of color that the population will no longer include the white race. In the name of Hitler, the “Aryan Race” would be no more.
Yes, that’s the agenda, reverse every civil rights law possible. These racists “leaders” must get together for brainstorming sessions and yell out every racist possibility that will revive pre-civil war demographics.
With Orban, it's the Roma.
......“Oh come on US conservatives, stop embarrassing yourselves. Have some dignity and national pride.” Not possible for this group.
Yes, Mary, exactly! “When women could not prevent pregnancy, many (including RBG) could not get hired because employers were loath to invest training someone who was deemed likely to leave the workforce in a little while to bear babies.” In a 1981 interview for my first teaching position, I was asked by the male superintendent if I was planning on having more children. I had two. I said no. Three years later my family adopted a child. I was tenured by then. That question eventually was “illegal.”
An excellent book is “Founding Mothers” by Cokie Roberts. This book details the lives of the women who were spouses and relatives of the “Founding Fathers.” If not for those brilliant, capable women managing everything back home-families, farms, businesses,etc.- those men would not have been able to be away debating politics and listening to themselves talk. The men did go home occasionally, and the women generally wound up pregnant again.
The women did what they had to do to care for their households. Women have always had to be superheroes!
Even in Sparta they ran the estates and farms while the males were being trained from an early age in the barracks.
I am struck by the similarity to The Handmaid's Tale, which I thought unbelievable when I read it. Now, maybe not.
“I invented Gilead.The Supreme Is Court Is Making It Real.”
Great take on SC position. Margaret Atwood in the Atlantic
https://apple.news/AaetyTfapS1Gmk3BuX-ukPg
Thank you, I thought it was "far-fetched fiction" too, until 2016.
Thank you for posting that link.
I actually had a sense of dread when I read it. Foreboding.
I read it when it first came out and thought it was the most terrifying book I'd ever read. I still think that.
Same here, Galilee. I remembered too much.
Sally, I just read it a couple of months ago, and I found I was nodding and saying to myself "Yup, uh huh, nailed it!" all the way through.
David, I thought it would be on the "banned" list and now see that it is banned in Idaho schools, permanently! I am hazy on the details of the story after some years, but I recall that Congress had been assassinated (?) by the new regime. That makes me think of the insurrection, and the churning out of white babies. How prescient Margaret Atwood was! I haven't seen the TV series, even more brutal than the book I hear.
She was indeed. Me, not so much. I thought we were better than this. I still think the majority of us are.
I totally agree, Jeri, 1000%.
Salud! United. 🗽
The majority, yes. But not a majority of white Americans. Not even close.
I’d like to recommend the novel Vox by Christina Dalcher. If you haven’t read it I suggest you do. Seems like a blueprint for where we’re heading if the far right extremists get their way.
An oldie but goodie: Sinclair Lewis, It Can't Happen Here.
Margaret Atwood says she thought it was unbelievable when she wrote it.
And she said “ now the Supreme Court has made it real “!
So sadly.
You are absolutely correct, Mary. And this is what is really riling up the next gens of women. A man determining what “place” a woman may occupy in todays world is ignorant, passé, and gender prejudiced.
And men thinking the women’s marches this month around the country downplayed by the press with the excuse that all news was “overshadowed by Buffalo” have no idea what is coming.
Salud, Mary! United.
God, I hope you are right
Like, Jeri.....I hope you're right, Christine.
The odd thing is, that well over half of all abortions are sought by women of color; white women account for only about 39% of abortions. Outlawing abortion will contribute to our changing demographics, not prevent them. Especially because wealthier women will still have the resources to seek abortions elsewhere, and they tend to be whiter.
Source: https://givingcompass.org/article/the-demographic-breakdown-of-women-who-are-getting-abortions
My thought exactly. Wealthier (read, white) women have always "found a way."
This occurred to me too. It seems like white supremacists would be applauding abortion, since it is statistically more common among women of colour. "The less little Brown/Black babies the better", in their eyes. They then want to totally prevent White women from being able to get abortions because it will add to the White race? Talk about "cutting off your nose to spite your face"! Dear God, these people are clueless!!
Mary it has been ever thus.
1. Carlson doesn’t embrace Orban despite corruption, lack of legal accountability, and attacks on the press. He embraces Orban BECAUSE of those things.
2. Schlapp’s take on the effect of banning abortion is rich. The ban will have a disproportionate impact on people of color, who will not be able to afford to travel for an abortion. That means we will have more of the people CPAC doesn’t want to have. The ban will promote “replacement,” not stop it.
These conservatives are a whole lot dumber than I thought.
Stan Crock
Actually, the people who are most likely to get abortions are white women. The rate of abortions for minority women has remained about the same. Minority families band together to care for children who come into their midst. But when I was reading about abortion and the possible ban, it occurred to me that the intent is to produce more white babies. Alito even mentioned the “supply” of infants available for adoption being low, and people going to Eastern Europe to adopt. “Supply” like human babies are comparable to baby chicks and women are just incubators. Alito’s form of “Christianity” doesn’t look like anything that Jesus preached.
Just by virtue of numbers, white women are more likely to get abortions. But by virtue of economics, they are more likely than women of color to be able to travel to other states to avoid bans and continue to have abortions. That’s why the burden of a ban will have a disproportionate impact on women of color. And that means more babies of color. Not the outcome the Christian white supremacists wanted. another irony. Garry Wills has written that there is no textual basis for opposition to abortion in Christian writings. So if you want to think these folks are at least following a religious belief without regard to the racial impact, they’re in error on that count, too.
They are following religious dogma, but so were the perpetrators of the Inquisition.
Stan, they’re using “thou shalt not kill.”
I ask them if they’re willing to register for bone marrow and organ donations while they’re still alive to save lives. If they say yes, then I ask if they want the government to require that everyone do so—put their health at risk to save just one other person’s life.
I've always thought, at its heart, the anti-abortion movement was racist, wanting more white babies.
Oh, yeah. Narcissist patriarchy. Actually, now they are neo-fascists. They are anti-America and need to be reigned-in, tightly and behind bars. Cheaper to just deport them or not let them back in.
I was thinking much the same thing.
Not to mention riling up American voters, especially women, with banning abortion & contraception, with more coming regarding interracial marriage (will be interesting to see how that might play out given a few high-profile individuals who married non-white women), LGBTQ+ rights and now moving toward nullifying the delegation of implementing laws to agencies under the Executive Branch (EPA, Labor, Education....). You'd think it would have been smarter to wait until after their hoped-for takeover of government before pursuing all of these hot-button issues.
"And yet, when CPAC leader Matt Schlapp met U.S. journalists outside, he said that ending abortion rights would address the great replacement myth: “If you say there is a population problem in a country, but you’re killing millions of your own people through legalized abortion every year, if that were to be reduced, some of that problem is solved,” Schlapp said. “You have millions of people who can take many of these jobs. How come no one brings that up? If you’re worried about this quote-unquote replacement, why don’t we start there? Start with allowing our own people to live.”
Translation: "We corporate whores in the legislature want cheap labor that won't offend the sensibilities of our racist followers by being brown, black, or slant-eyed. So, we are conscripting American women to be our hatchery for cheap Caucasian labor because, like the Confederacy, we consider them now as white slaves and our property, certainly not as citizens with autonomy and equal rights. But don't question us; we know what God wants."
Easy accessible sex too - the younger and fresher the better ...!!
We will arm our young women with switchblades and weapons to fight these horrid creatures off. In Israel, every man and woman has been trained in warfare. There is little gun fighting among themselves but terrible conflicts on the West Bank with Palestinians. That conflict will never rnd, unfortunately.
I am determined my baby grands will be resourceful in every way.
Salud, Marlene.
First, it isn't a "population problem" (implying overpopulation instead of too many non-whites in the population). Second, abortions will continue to take place just as they did before Roe v. Wade. Yet, after the first few years following 1973 when abortion numbers increased, abortion numbers began and have continued to fall, largely I believe due to the easier availability of contraception and morning-after meds.
The relable Hugo Lowell of The Guardian's DC Office has posted a 5/19/22 15:23 EDT article wherein Lowell writes in Paragraphs 9-10 that Dems on the House Admimistration Committe have already turned over "some of that [Jan 5th security camera ] footage " to the US Attorneys DC Office that is prosecuting seditious conspiracy cases. Note also, that the "Capitol Breach Resouce Page" (doj.com) has already reported that two (2) Oath Keppers, Joshua James & Brian Ulrich have pled gulity to Seditious Conspiracy & have turned as Government Witnesses in a trial set before Judge Amit Mehta per Kyle Cheney at Politico on 5/17/22 at 5:10 PM EDT. As I have already posted here, Ken Polite's DOJ Team has over 600 diligent prosecutors & significant evidence already in hand. Multiple tracks are picking up speed- buckle up.
When I read that yesterday in the Guardian, I practically rubbed my hands together in glee. I’m hoping the noose is tightening. Gonna be a hot summer either way....
... Yes. a very warm June.
Related: Scott MacFarland reported 2 days ago that the defendants on trial are petitioning to get their cases moved out of DC. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/january-6-defendants-trying-to-get-trials-moved-out-of-washington-d-c/vi-AAXu8LI?category=foryou
Representative Loudermilk's denials notwithstanding, the January 6 Select Committee may already have rosters and sign-in sheets of all persons who visited the Capitol in the days preceding the January 6 insurrection, and who may have been given tours of the facility. It's really a bad idea to lie about something that can be easily disproved. Representative Loudermilk's false denials lay the foundational groundwork for a disciplinary referral to the House Ethics Committee, and conceivably, a criminal referral to the Department of Justice to look into charges that Loudermilk acted as an Accessory before the Fact, and that he is suspected of aiding and abetting the insurrection that occurred the following day. That makes him guilty of conspiracy. Rather than issuing blanket denials, Loudermilk should be looking around for a really good criminal defense lawyer.
Arthur, An unusual amount of traffic around the Capitol about a week before 1/6 was reported to Capitol police.
'(CNN)Days before the violent insurrection at the US Capitol, the then-US House Sergeant at Arms sent a memo to members of Congress banning tours of buildings on January 6, the day lawmakers gathered inside to certify Joe Biden's victory, according to a copy of the memo obtained by CNN.'
'The lockdown was in response to alarm from some congressional members who were growing concerned about seeing large groups of pro-Trump supporters walking around the Capitol the week around the swearing in of the new Congress leading up to the January 6. It was a level of traffic that had not taken place since officials tightened access to the building in March of last year to limit spread from the coronavirus pandemic, multiple Democratic lawmakers and aides told CNN.'
'Capitol Police said Friday that they are investigating allegations by Democratic members of Congress that Republican lawmakers gave tours of the Capitol to supporters of President Donald Trump a day before a pro-Trump mob rioted there.'
'Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J. had said Tuesday that on Jan. 5 she saw “members of Congress who had groups coming through the Capitol ... a reconnaissance for the next day.”
Sherrill vowed to hold accountable “those members of Congress that incited this violent crowd, those members of Congress that attempted to help our president undermine our democracy.”
'She has said that tours were highly unusual both because of the timing just before the invasion of the halls of Congress, and because of Covid-19 restrictions that have limited public access to congressional buildings.'
'On Wednesday, Sherrill and more than 30 other Democrats in Congress in a letter asked Capitol Police and the acting sergeants at arms in both the House and Senate to investigate the “suspicious behavior and access given to visitors to the Capitol Complex” on Jan. 5.
Eva Malecki, spokeswoman for the Capitol Police, told NBC News on Friday, “it is under investigation.”
'The Jan. 6 riot caused members of Congress, along with Vice President Mike Pence, to flee ongoing proceedings in the Senate and House of Representatives to seek safety in secure locations, while a horde of Trump supporters rampaged through the complex.' (cnbc)
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/15/politics/tours-memo-capitol/index.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/15/gop-trump-supporters-tours-before-capitol-riot.html
The trumpeters and their repub leaders committed sedition and attempted murder against the United States of America on the most sacred, important day in a democracy. The noose is actually tightening for these fascist, anti-Americans. Cannot wait to see the perp walks. Can. Not. Wait. Lady Justice, let her rip!
🗽 This is my power emoji. And I’ll add the scales. Let her rip them to shreds and pile them neatly into a pile for the National Archives to box up and hold. 💫
We'll need to be certain that those boxes for the National Archives do not find their way to Merd-A-Largo.
🌻
Not just actual, small fry rioters, but politicians who made such violence possible. Elected office should NOT be a get-out-jail-free card.
❤️
Thanks, Fern.
Good to see you, Jeff. Thank you for stopping by.
All the ones available in DC are taken.
I still can't believe they don't know who planted the bombs? That seems strange to me.
The Republicans are terrible liars. It's as if Loudermilk isn't even trying or thinks his lame statement is going get traction, especially when it's clear the J6 committee has the goods on him. I can't wait to see the footage when the public hearings begin next month. Looks like they're going to be electric.
It was reported (briefly and not very widely) a few days after Jan. 6 that a group of intruders walked right past some windows and on to other ones fthat had not been reinforced and broke those to enter the building.
Funny that. And that it was reported and then not. Funny that.
Salud, Carol.
Yup. Get out the popcorn and settle in to the hearings. They will be rich.
Putting my order in to Traverse City's Right Brain Brewery for their decadent Front Street Blend (chedder popcorn + Carmel corn) with Irish Goodbye red ale for the January 6th S**t Show. I will drink to the committee!
So-called Conservatives worry about “others” replacing them and destroying their way of life.
Mostly they do not consider what global warming will do, is already doing, to everyone’s way of life. Events and evil people are doing everything they can think of to distract us from facing the climate crisis. They are succeeding. Is climate even a voting issue? Not compared to gasoline prices.
We look past the obvious
I had a Jewish friend who escaped within inches of his life in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He had to flee to Salzburg with nothing but the clothes on his back. He eventually ended up in New York, then made a good life in Los Angeles. When the Wall came down in 1989 he decided to go back to Hungary where he enjoyed opera and the rich cultural opportunities that are hard to find for the average person in America. He said he’d had it with the dumbing down of Americans. We lost touch, but I wonder what he thinks now….
I’ve had it with the dumbing down of America too. Rupert and clones have done a spectacular job…
What he probably thinks is “I just cannot believe it has happened here.” The black sucking vacuum of fascism finds any place where culture and creative freedoms bloom.
I’ve got news for them. Their vacuums are not rechargeable. The Light is.
Salud, Kristin.
Toqueville observed and recorded the inclinations of white Americans in the ignorant yokelism direction a long time ago. Some progress has been made in the intervening 250 years. Used to be 90% of white Americans. Now it’s “only” 60%.
Good morning all. Last week I mentioned that my camera crew was shooting the 2022 Bradley Prizes produced at the National Building Museum in DC and that I'd report back. Here's my Cliff Notes version of this years Bradley Prizes event. The Miles Stiebel Orchestra & singer were excellent. If you have $15,000 to $20,000 to spend on a band, consider these folks. They played from the "American Songbook". A video was rolled to intro them that showed the likes of Cole Porter, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis jr. Not a very conservative collection of musical talent. Made me laugh.
Kim Strassel of the WSJ and Fox was the hostess of the show & moderator of their "round table" conversation. She was the only person on stage who spoke into a microphone that used the term "counter culture". Several times.
It felt like "diversity" was on the minds of their award board chaired by Richard W. Graber who had been W Bush's Ambassador to the Czech Republic. The winners were:
Wilfred M. McClay, a white, of Irish descent history professor who wrote "Land of Hope".
Glen C. Loury a black professor of Economics who writes and studies on "racial inequality".
The star of the show and VERY impressive human being was Chen Guangcheng. A blind Chinese man who is a human rights activist. He escaped China in 2012 and wrote "The Barefoot Lawyer", which I want to read. In the written program for the event he thanks Hillary Clinton as Sec of State for granting him sanctuary at our Beijing Embassy. He never mentioned Clinton or the Obama Administration by name from the stage. His individual story of bravery is incredible and should be a film. He is not an authoritarian.
It felt like the event organizers and folks with prepared remarks were working to sound like middle of the road America. The true patriots. The name Trump never was uttered on stage, nor was Obama, Biden, Clinton or Pelosi...or Bush for that matter. They talk about "American exceptionalism" as their central belief system.
I did not recognize anyone in the crowd. None of their former winners like Jeb Bush, Bill Kristol, Gary Sinese or George Will. Nor was Bill Barr in attendance, who had been at the last event.
We were told that this was a "hot conservative ticket" to acquire.
There was no "battle plan" or specific examples presented for winning elections. No mention of Dr. Oz. Abortion was not mentioned once. Nor were gun rights. No candidates were endorsed or directly criticized by name.
Except for Chen, it all felt very academic. Kind of like "We are the guys who understand the truth about America". We know the way. Follow us if you are a real patriot....and this audience was the choir eating up this message.
I did not "mingle" in this mostly un-masked crowd to chat as I intended. Recent Covid numbers kept me on my riser 4' above them and to the edge of the crowd.
There was no press riser, nor cameras from CNN, Fox or MSNBC or any network.
The building looked great and a good time seemed to be had by all.
I had a copy of Heather's "To Make Men Free...a history of the Republican Party" sitting out on my camera riser, for anyone to see. No one in the 99% white audience that was also about 70% male mentioned it. The only "minority" folks I could identify in the audience were the family members of the 2 winners.
My crew was exceptional. Can we please get a liberal/progressive gig from someone ? We like to travel.
Hey, Mike. I saw your email to me sometime late last night, and was too pooped to read (absorb) it right then, thinking I'd get back to it today. Thank you for posting it here.
So the moral of the story is as long as we have the numbers, and stick to noncontroversial topics, we can all project to the world how agreeable we are?
As to Heather's book, I can only imagine what kind of conversation you would have had had someone picked it up; perhaps you could have made some converts!
And your offer to cover a liberal/progressive gig: truth be told, my gathering is a party of two, so not enough to make your offer worthwhile. Maybe someone else on this page could use your services.
Thanks, Mike.
I found it really interesting how they espouse conservative values and "American exceptionalism" but really stayed away from any concrete specifics or naming names. If Trump is a firebrand, these folks were really bland...and I can see how he ran over the establishment Republicans in his 2016 primary....and then played divide and conquer, one at a time. He picks a target and pummels it. Chen really stood out from the pack at this event. I'd love to have heard their award nominating process.
I was hoping someone would take the bait with Heather's book...but no bites.
Mike I feel like we have a mole on the inside! Fascinating. Thank you for posting.
We work all kinds of events and this organization does make this video public. My key observation is every group, no matter where they are on the political spectrum believes they are the true patriots.
What an interesting summary, Mike. Fascinating actually. Thank you. I’ll pass your info on.
Salud!
Thank you. When the event video gets posted, I'll pass along the link.
Will ask for contact details if I run for Congress!
You are thinking of that, Laura? I’m organizing a second run for the local county school board.
Salud!
Someone needs to read the demographics of who has children and who has abortions. That is, if these children are predominantly of mixed, black, brown and or yellow than the “replacement” idea is more of a reality. Fewer pure white (are there really any) children will be birthed. There will be more workers of a perceived subordinate status. The idea of birthing more children for adoption purposes also surprises me. Those children will be graded on their acceptability. Shall we have orphanages for the “lesser” children where they will be groomed as workers not future doctors, lawyers, sociologists, etc.? …I’m thinking Dickensian social commentary.
The plan, man
Scary!
Kazoo Ishiguro’s novels come to mind
Kazuo Ishiguro - sorry about the autocorrect
Don't forget you CAN edit. Click on the 3 dots and an edit function will pop up. Click on "Edit comment" and your post returns for you to change or correct. Sometimes when you hit "Save" it won't readily show up, but just wait or click the refresh button on your browser and it will show up.
Thanks!! Is that new?
Not really. It's been around for maybe a year or so? It just kinda showed up with no fanfare, so it slipped under the radar.
Thanks
Ducking autocorrect.
This is an older video but still relevant. I think the problem is more white women get abortions because of cost and health insurance and sometimes careers. So Republicans are most likely only thinking of the need for more white babies ,as if anyone wanted a" baby" I think there are certainly many who desperately need a home. There are so many aspects to this whole issue that Republican's haven't bothered to even think about. Listened on NPR how a Pro-life organization proudly says how they will offer support for those women who are victims of rape or incest.... by giving them access to adoption! I thought they were going to say how to emotionally handle this horrible violence committed upon these women then being forced to carry for 9 month- but no their offer of support meant adoption. .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD0kIFp_zzI
Thank you Heather.
Loudermilk's response reminds me of the old line, "have you stopped beating your wife ?". He walked into an unanswerable question. You can't say yes and you can't say no. He has shit on his shoes at this point that he couldn't remove with a blow torch.
And he walked right into it.
I think it was a brilliant line of questioning to a person who was not until this point a major player mentioned in the Insurrection. I also think he is not the only one giving "tours". As you may recall, Perjury Taylor Greene also denied tours were given....under oath.
Will it matter to the Party of deniers? Probably not, but atleast we will get a clearer view of the destruction of Democracy.
I could go on all day about the choice of Hungary for CPAC , but we all know why.
Be safe. Be will.
Morning, Linda! As for CPAC/Hungary, is it bad form to bring that up as an argument to the voters to choose a Democrat? If I was on the fence about who to vote for, I would not be inclined to mark my ballot for someone whose party chose to go to a foreign country to have their "pow wow."
Good morning Lynell ! Least we forget the 8 GOP members that met in Moscow on July 4th . The GOP certainly has a penchant for meeting in the most inappropriate locations, don't they?
I never forget them, especially Kay Geanger
Let's let Jordan Klepper weigh in here! https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-fc-2212&ei=UTF-8&hsimp=yhs-2212&hspart=fc¶m1=7¶m2=eJw1jc0KgzAQBl9ljwqybswaER%2BjpyI9pJraYDTiD5Y%2BfbfQ3mbmY9nB921zu1wVkdas2%2Bw2i4vVgt%2BJmFRRiHTfXgn4RcgwVjWWjAWxtMFFiccmeFihKb59CDYvkSA5%2FdzHc4N5B0VIDUgw3MDLcAp2WYI73X30e17qCrWBZHzuU8gg%2BNHB4LoxptA91zi5XJFCQq5LhYZhsw%2B7%2Bv%2BZ64ffrgr5w9UH5nY%2Few%3D%3D&p=jordan+klepper+goes+to+hungary&type=fc_A30C76C6185_s58_g_e_d040122_n1009_c17#id=3&vid=9121187497dff859e7c31e8e2a48d7e1&action=click
Yet another good messaging point we will be smart to use.
Salud, Lynell.
I’d love to hear you go on about it, Linda. I’m furious that they have the balls to deny journalists access but their fave “journalist” (not) Tuckems is a keynote speaker. I’m glad Professor Richardson included the quote from the Yale professor as a barn burner at end of letter. CPAC conservatives. So totally ignorant and such an uncouth sty of a conference. I vote that Tuckems wear a “Scarlet Letter” upon his return. Make up your own def for the “A”.
Salud, Linda! Have a good weekend.
Good morning Christine! I think the fact that they don't even try to hide their alliances to foreign countries is mind blowing. How will this play at the local truck stops this morning ? Maybe we are assuming this crowd understands the implications. I'm inclined to think they are under the impression that CPAC is the machine you wear at night for sleep apnea.
Hahahahahahahaha. We better get loud about busting that misperception.
🤣
How many guesses do they get? LOL!
Christine's got the zinger of the day!
Perjury Taylor Greene gave me a good guffaw. Thank you-needed it!
Linda has the most fabulous dry humor on the forum. And “guffaw” is usually my response to her zingers.
Thank you Christine 💕
REPLACEMENT ..., or REPARATIONS ...?
... about that 'Great Replacement Theory' ... would it be more accurate/truth-full to say the real 'race replacement' trend has been the onslaught of 'white' Europeans to replace indigenous cultures - world-wide - ((in the name of God, no less)) and the so-called 'Great Race Replacement' of white folks by non-whites reflects the reality that people of color don't just die and disappear - moreover, stand up and claim the respect and fairness, justice and equity owed to all ...?
... just saying ...
*******
Why are we afraid to look at the facts and even have the conversation about justice and equity for people of color in America? Are we afraid an honest examination of the facts will reveal that our gains are ill-gotten? Will we have to admit that the properties upon which our wealth is built (including lives of the enslaved) are not, and never were ours to own, possess, buy and sell?
Can we face the facts now - before we dig the ditches of injustice even deeper - lest they become the our graves - consequent of our denial?
What goes around, comes around.
Can we please invite happy endings for one and all?
Vote for fairness and equity - open the door (and the floor) to address these questions now ....
************
What are we talking about when we talk about Reparations.
It's on YouTube and they ask us to do a visualization, please stop the video at that point in do it so we can look at what we came up with before we watch the video and then please do it again after listening to the video to get a sense whether the video changed your mind at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2bB2D2gTKw
*******
Congressman Jamaal Bowman
https://bowman.house.gov/
WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE
1605 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2464
Fax: (202) 225-5513
https://bowman.house.gov/contact
*******
HR 40 and Reparations
https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/hr_40_toolkit_final_0.pdf
*******
Reparations, H.R. 40 and the Path Forward
https://www.aclu.org/news/topic/reparations-h-r-40-and-the-path-forward
*******
Ta-Nehisi Coates, “The Case for Reparations,” the Atlantic. “Beautifully written, meticulously reported, highly persuasive …” “The most powerful essay of its time.” “Ground breaking.” “It influenced the public conversation so much that it became a necessary topic in the presidential debate.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/
https://soundcloud.com/user-154380542/the-case-for-reparations-the-atlantic-ta-nehisi-coates
*******
"Won’t reparations divide us? Not any more than we are already divided. The wealth gap merely puts a number on something we feel but cannot say—that American prosperity was ill-gotten and selective in its distribution. What is needed is an airing of family secrets, a settling with old ghosts. What is needed is a healing of the American psyche and the banishment of white guilt."
"What I’m talking about is more than recompense for past injustices—more than a handout, a payoff, hush money, or a reluctant bribe. What I’m talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal. Reparations would mean the end of scarfing hot dogs on the Fourth of July while denying the facts of our heritage. Reparations would mean the end of yelling “patriotism” while waving a Confederate flag. Reparations would mean a revolution of the American consciousness, a reconciling of our self-image as the great democratizer with the facts of our history."
*******
The Story of the Contract Buyers League
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxPX_uJ36bg
*******
Book - Crabgrass Frontier - A History of Sub-urbanization
https://www.amazon.com/Crabgrass-Frontier-Suburbanization-United-States/dp/0195049837
I, for one, faced those facts after I witnessed the death of George Floyd, in real time. Reparations should be granted, I agree, and screw those who don’t believe it should happen!
Wow, “Reparations would mean the end of yelling “Patriotism” while waving a confederate flag.”
Kathleen, Excellent post! 🎯Thank you!!! 🙏🏼🙏🏿🙏
In what way is this all-too-typical--and signaled MONTHS AGO to almost utter silence--strategy of the US Right Wingnut Crew unusual? In what way have they NOT been embarrassing? In what way have they EVER demonstrated "national pride" (whatever the heck that is supposed to be)? Why is everyone being so timid and mealy-mouthed? Why is anyone in public life saying ANYTHING conciliatory about the American Fascist Party that is masquerading as a supposed legitimate political bloc? Give me an effing break.
I have never--and I mean NEVER--been as existentially terrified as I am now. Wake up. Marching and all of that--and the occasional chalked message in front of Susan Collins's door, which apparently she considers an act of terrorism--is fine but it is, in the long run, meaningless unless people VOTE. VOTE THE FU**ERS OUT AND SEND THEM TO JAIL WHERE THEY BELONG.
Another B-I-N-G-O of the day goes right to Linda. Vote.Them.Out.
I voted In Texas yesterday. I was the only one there at noon…. The case of the missing mob…
Georgia is trying to show up to vote.
Yes... when my son and I went we were the only ones there.... very scary!
Aaannnddd there it is - the real reason conservatives want to end a woman’s right to choose her own fate: white women are the key in “producing” a white majority. This is a war, and white women are the canons that shoot out white babies.
We have come too far, we will not go back!
If there would be any reason to this "conservatism", it is also monumentally self centered. Is there any indication that outlawing abortions would lead to more whites?
“Monumentally self-centered” is right. There is the “gimme” selfishness and also the ignorance that results from thinking only of oneself.
White conservatives seem unaware that their own offspring will replace them. The next generation will have their own ideas, in spite of parents who attempt to keep them ignorant of history and science and the wide world which isn’t visible from inside their bubble.
Not really. It’s about combatting the refusal though.