Today, in Racine, Wisconsin, President Joe Biden announced that Microsoft is investing $3.3 billion dollars to build a new data center that will help operate one of the most powerful artificial intelligence systems in the world. It is expected to create 2,300 union construction jobs and employ 2,000 permanent workers.
Biden should expand the thought that we are in this together and remind voters that his policies can succeed only if we elect congressmen who will work with with his administration to serve the people who they represent
"Citizens United" is mentioned in this article about the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.
Excerpt: "...The minority argued that the court erred in allowing unlimited corporate spending, arguing that corporate spending posed a particular threat to democratic self-government.[19]
President Barack Obama expressed his concern over the Supreme Court's decision during his 2010 State of the Union Address, delivered January 27, saying, "With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests—including foreign corporations—to spend without limit in our elections. I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people..."
Citizens United was the third of three decisions that have legalized political bribery, the other two were Buckley v. Valeo (1976) and First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti (1978.) I don’t look for this problem to be solved soon. Our broken political system may give us our first dictator, which is entirely unacceptable.
And while we're at it, let's keep an eye on the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). As noted by The New Republic yesterday: "Last week, FEC Commissioner Allen Dickerson [a Trump appointee] requested that the commission consider making it easier for political groups to conceal information about their donors in their public filings with the commission. The new procedure, if approved by the commission, could be a sea change in the FEC’s disclosure requirements." More about this proposal and a recent decision that could cut both ways: https://newrepublic.com/article/181376/fec-ballot-initiatives-money-in-politics-problem
While we’re at it, it’s long past time to remove other tffg appointments like the postmaster, who has already slowed down mail delivery. Local mail in ballots here go to another state first, purposely slowing down mail in votes. Start planning now for November.
Yes Gigi, it does seem odd that our boy DeJoy is still directing traffic at USPS. All I would offer is that our "postal service" is crucial to the survival of this country. It ties our nation together and it does so almost without us realizing that. We used to think 'Ma Bell' was indispensable, but it wasn't, even tho it too, was kind of a fixture in the lives of us Americans. The USPS '"IS"" indispensable. Attempts to overhaul it have have threatened our very way of life. So, if people like DeJoy are not kept an eye on, it is ripe, and the (R)ss-holes will
find a subtle way to shove it to us, just like we had it done to us with Citizens United. We will be fooled again by the same Federalist membership 'm'aking 'A'mericans 'g'ive 'a'gain.
This doesn't just happen to ballots. I live on Martha's Vineyard. The Vineyard has six towns, each with its own PO. It used be that if I mailed a card in West Tisbury to a friend in Oak Bluffs, it would go direct. Now it goes via Rhode Island. This happened quite a while before DeJoy came along, however. I assume mail-in ballots are treated the same way.
Campaigns cost money. TV time is expensive, unless you are tfg who gets free coverage for ...The FCC needs to require some free time to major candidates and a limit on spending is necessary.
Sorry this will get a bit nasty but under cross, Stormy ad it Ted that she once said that she wished “the orange turd would get flushed down the toilet. Yes, I’m in the overflow court in New York this morning.
Agreed and apologies. I struggled to find the proper way to frame that thought and gave in…. My daughter, a senior official in the Democratic Administration of one of our major cities would likely say “Daaaaad!”
Apology appreciated, Neil, along with your graciousness … no harm, no foul!
Isn’t it interesting how language perpetuates various isms (racism, sexism, ableism et. al.) which are so ingrained and systemic that we often unthinkingly participate in continuing them?
It’s not wrong of us to do so; rather it reflects that the inclusion of women and people of color in political, financial and governmental systems/structures is a recent change. For many, the default is a ‘Father Knows Best’ mindset.
hi Zella....A not completely related comment on you language point. I just read a report on Women in Architecture in Canada. Quebec has the best record with a graduating class of 50% now reflected in hiring. An interesting intersection was that those numbers shot up when Quebec introduced $10 a day child care. AND their and other women freed to study or work....largely paid for the service in their contributions to the tax base!
From the urban dictionary 10/23/2007 by Grinning Cat
A congresswoman or congressman: an elected official who serves in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the United States Congress. "Congresscritters" can also, loosely, include U.S. Senators. The term is gender-neutral, and also attempts to remove these elected representatives from their pedestals.
"Writing to your congresscritters about an issue may seem pointless, but when enough people -- you and your friends and their friends and THEIR friends -- make their voices heard, the congresscritters will realize that their chances of reelection ARE affected by doing the right thing."
My family has been on this for nearly 50 years, and my mother before that, but ingrained habits die hard. And sometimes there is suspicion. But when you meet the image of the divine as a father, you know there is a looooong way to go.
Frank.., and Zella, frankly what a bunch of bullshit. You're both on the right track though with the "hu-MAN-kind" angle. Let's just fix that right here and now shall we. From now on into eternity we shall be known as Hu's. Like, look!! there goes another "Hu". Or.., Hey! That Hu just shot another Hu. Then, you might wonder just wtf Hu's are doing, only to conclude that it's just Hu nature.. err, behavior. Okay, so.., how're Hu doing? No.., not you Zella or Frank, but Hu's in general. Next we'll have to work on changing the name of the "Isle of Man" where the famous TT motorcycle races are held on the 39 mile road which runs around the island. Been there? I've run it.., TT80. Check it
In fact, "woman" derives from the Old English word "wifman," from the roots "wif" and "man." A woman (wifman) was a "wife-person." ("Man" was the generic word for human being.Nov 23, 1995
And Barbara Mullen, Simon Rosenberg is another writer where I choose to get my news and current information. I am in good company here and together we can make a difference.
Simon and Jessica both endorse FT 6, participated in the FT 6 Summit.
To protect American democracy, reach out to millions of unregistered likely Democrats using a dedicated database using every outreach method possible (phone and text, postcard, email and targeted ad, and in-person too), where new Democratic voters will make the most impact – in the most flippable states and districts.
I just heard Kamala Harris say on CSPAN that working to improve our country is a like a relay race. People do what they can, then they pass the baton. Reading the words of Teddy Roosevelt is proof of that. The very same issues we face today. It is an ongoing struggle between those that share and those that horde.
Didn’t know I was quoting Joyce Vance when I wrote her words on endless GOTV and RTV postcards. Don’t think she’ll be upset about non-attribution, however. It’s just plain truth.
Because magnuts believe in dirty politics not legislative SERVICE/ public SERVICE. It’s the “what’s in it for me” approach mastered by 😱😔💩🤡🎃 the most dishonest president in history.
Compare to the Trump approach, "Onlly I can fix it." Then he spent his term distracting us with self-created crises until covid came along and revealed him as incapable of dealing with a true crisis, much less solve it.
“Political philosophers studying the rise of authoritarianism note that strongmen rise by appealing to a population that has been dispossessed economically or otherwise. By bringing jobs back to those regions that have lost them over the past several decades and promising “the great comeback story all across…the entire country,” as he did today, Biden is striking at that sense of alienation.”
Suzette, yes indeed -- the differences between the two major party candidates makes the choice clear: Biden in '24. Despite 9 years of experience, I'm still astonished that trompy attracts followers when he alienates large segments of our population to puff up his "base", and his policies run counter to what most Americans want: reproductive choice, clean water and air, a sense of being safe from guns, equal opportunities in the workforce and elsewhere, confidence that our food supply is safe, affordable access to healthcare, acknowledging the existence of and working to prevent climate change, global respect as an honest and loyal ally, and on and on.
That's right, Doug, and the much greater popularity of Democrats' policies are why when more people vote, Democrats win more elections. GET OUT THE VOTE!
In Texas that is certainly true. I don't remember the exact percentages, but our last election that gave Abbott, Paxton on Patrick their thrones again occured because about twice as many Republicans showed up at the polls than Democrats.
Doug, I always like to see a recitation of some of the many things we wish for in our society. One of the things I like best about President Biden is that he is actually doing what I have wished Democratic Presidents would do. The private sector, acting alone without the active help of the public sector, have demonstrated that they are incapable of lifting people up out of poverty and into prosperity for all. Indeed, it can be argued that without a vast class of people who are desperate to find jobs to earn money to pay the cost of living, the outrageous wealth of the billionaires would not be possible. The federal government, of, by, and for the people, takes a different view. The federal government is We The People helping each other to prosper. And that is what President Biden is doing. The people are working together, helping each other to prosper.
I would change one of your sentences a bit....The private sector acting alone without active help of the public sector have demonstrated they are unwilling to lift people out of poverty.
In my internal dialogue, I believe it's not merely a question of money. Some people show blatant disdain for poor folks. "Disdain" is probably too mild: I think there are more than a few who are sociopathic, following the example of their dear leader. I would go so far as to say that some people do not want to fix the roads and bridges because a benefit would accrue to people who don't deserve anything good. To them it's better that nobody should get infrastructure improvements, just to make sure that people who "don't deserve" those improvements won't get them.
For the answer, Listen to one episode of Decoding Fox News on Substack. Here, with HCR, we all get a complete picture of reality. On Fox News, all they show is Trump promising the 8th Wonder of the World and Wisconsinites cheering, and… THAT’S where THEIR story ends. So if you only watch FOX, you don’t know you are voting against your interest.
Decoding Fox News condenses a week of Fox into 45 min.
One listen, and you’ll understand that MAGA isn’t dumb, just intentionally misinformed. That will change your heart and your approach to reaching them. Or at least accepting their POV as a targeted assault by a billion-dollar corporation, not obstinance.
You said it, Lynn. I recently listened to a Joe Rogan podcast episode. Like Fox, it’s the #1 most listened to podcast. It went on for over two hours spewing falsehoods. The guest, Tulsi Gabbard and Joe Rogan laughed and laughed and giggle about an AOC comment that illegal immigration was the result of climate change.
It was painful. So painful to hear them bantering and guffawing at the notion that illegal immigration and climate change were connected.
They didn’t reference reports or organizations or data proving otherwise. They just bashed AOC.
And my friend who’s voting for RFK recommended the episode. That’s where he gets his news.
I cannot compete with 2+ hours of daily lies that people tune into in droves. Lemmings. I feel badly for them. And frustrated that boldface lying isn’t easily identified by otherwise intelligent people. (He’s a software engineer who employs 9 other people)
Share the the news of Team Biden’s accomplishments in your area!
“This website provides an interactive map that illustrates the impact of these record-breaking levels of public and private investment across states and territories under the Biden Administration.”
That is a terrific map. Just for the heck of it, I looked at one of the red states I visited recently, and thousands of jobs are being created there. Biden's investments are leveraging private spending and making a difference nationwide.
Don't forget the evangelical driving force behind the GOP/MAGA and the many years they have been involved in GOP policy and attitude - since Nixon and moreso since.
Sadly most, if not all Magats believe the economic recover, low employment, the rebuilding our roads and bridges, bringing jobs and manufacturing back to the USA etc was done by Trump. They have said (literally) Biden is taking credit for things Trump has done.
They have blinders on. They can’t see the Bipartisan Infastrucure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act are all the Biden administrations achievements. It’s truly baffling they believe all these economic improvements are Trump’s achievements. The Kool Aid of Trump propaganda as well as the far right’s propaganda runs so deep in their veins they have become totally deluded. They cannot see the forest for the trees.
Well, yes, but at this point it is the same rhetoric that Trump/Walker used to sell the grift about FoxConn. Nothing has yet come to fruition, as far as I know, and it won't translate into votes until it does and people recognize it. Certainly, I'd take Biden's word over Trump, but the MAGA folks won't, and neither will those on the fence. So let's not "rah-rah" this till it happens or we will be suffering the same delusion.
Ah yes, the punishing angels of the Left. Fill in the blank with the screed du jour. And trivialize every profound tragedy for a moment of spite.
And on the day we find out that the Biden administration stopped a shipment of bombs to the Netanyahu regime.
While Trump still has a settlement named after him in occupied territory and is floating the notion of transferring the Palestinians of Gaza to camps in the Negev desert and then developing the waterfront property in Gaza.
This is a different conversation, but the same bullying attitude, rhetorical tricks, and, most offensively, exploiting the dead for your own purposes.
Yes, shipments of offensive weapons to the criminal Netanyahu regime ought to have been paused earlier.
Even before Oct 8. Because there are years of credible evidence that some IDF units have been in violation of US and international humanitarian law. In Gaza and on the West Bank. And the small degree to which offenders have been punished does not reach the bar of credible evidence of compliance. The most harsh criticism of successive and increasingly extremist Netanyahu regimes comes from within Israel itself. Read Haaretz.
Those struggling against Trump, MAGA, and the American right wing ought have some empathy for Israelis struggling against Netanyahu. As well as for Palestinians caught between Hamas terrorism and Israeli militarism.
". . . between Hamas terrorism and Israeli militarism," lin?
Let's expand the scenario, so we can say "among," adding in the ayatollahs in Iran backing Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis, and also adding in the genocidal Putin, his fellow mad oligarchs, and their heavily bejeweled, long-skirted eastern Orthodox priests praying for blood.
It's a mad, mad, world, lin. And in addition to the criminals and murderers listed above, let's add in their lying Republican fellow travelers in the U.S., still howling for more of their low-life, orange-encrusted-face fat guy.
They're all living in mad self-deception, so much in contrast to the many positive, constructive things our many good Dems have done -- which we can all hope they'll all the more in unison celebrate as Heather does today for the latest job builders and return to good, needed in-U.S.A. union manufacturing.
"... so much in contrast to the many positive, constructive things our many good Dems have done -- which we can all hope they'll all the more in unison celebrate as Heather does today for the latest job builders and return to good, needed in-U.S.A. union manufacturing."
That's for sure, and Bibi had plenty of weapons on hand to kill all he did, knowing full well the attack was coming a year in advance. The treaty to supply those weapons was signed in the 1950s.
If paid for by our dollars matters, what about the other millions who were killed by our dollars over the past sixty years or so.
I wanted to add some links to Israeli documentaries. There are many more. In The Gatekeepers, former heads of the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet expressed doubts about the continued occupation of Palestinian territories. Spotlighting it's demoralizing effect on those serving, on society, and on the state.
(Do such introspective critiques of their own abuses in the conflict come out of Arab and Muslim countries?)
Mehdi Hassan? Has tweeted regrets for "having expressed offensive & illiberal views in the past on everything from homosexuality to abortion." And for calling non- Muslims "cattle, people of no intelligence, and animals." Not that Hassan is always entirely off point, but ... shall we say impulsive, complex? Not the most reliable source.
We as a nation have been bought and paid for by special lobby interests that has given Isreal the green light to do whatever it has wanted and this fully crosses party lines so stop with your partisan nonsense.
Exactly Biden could have prevented this genocide 7 months ago. If he really represented everyone he would pay attention to all the protesters on college campuses and in Chicago last night. As Chris Hedges has said the Democrats have become the party of war and there is no longer a lot of difference between the two parties. It’s just sad and depressing.
"Exactly Biden could have prevented this genocide 7 months ago . . . the Democrats have become the party of war and there is no longer a lot of difference between the two parties. It’s just sad and depressing."
Those assertions are disinformation. There are accurate critiques to be made. Those aren't them.
Spell out exactly how Biden could have stopped the Netanyahu regime? In context of the realities of military aid appropriation, delivery, and oversight and in context of national policy and foreign relations. Seriously spell it out. You might start with the complexities of enforcing the Leahy Laws.
The fallacious assertion that there is no difference between the Republican and Democratic parties - with emphasis on damning the Democratic party - is effectively right wing voter suppression in service of electing Trump. Again. You feel sad and depressed. That's exactly what they want.
It's a fucking war fought for a rational reason. The 34,000 deaths are horrific, but Hamas started this phase of the war by its actions on Oct 7, 2023 and continues it by hiding behind civilians while promising to repeat what it did on that day until Israelis are all dead. THAT's truly genocidal. It has been shooting rockets at civilian areas in Israel almost weekly for 2 decades. That's genocidal.
In contrast, the Gaza population has grown from under 300,000 in 1960 to over 2,000,000 today. That isn't genocidal. The Israeli military has been calling Gaza residents, dropping leaflets, and audibly signaling before an attack so residents can escape a target area before an attack. That's not genocidal.
To repeat, Hamas chooses to fight from behind civilians, in a war it started. The civilian deaths are on them.
Could Israel conduct the war differently? Sure. It could just use Assad-style total indiscriminate bombing like in Syria. Or it could slow down and fight like the US did in Iraq. Except Iraqi combatants didn't have a tunnel network.
I'll ask you: if you're my neighbor and you keep shooting at my family, should I not respond? At home, I might succeed by calling 911. Who can Israel call?
to erase the other. That never changes in any of the talks. No one will give an inch. It will stay this way forever. It is clearly a standstill. It is a big move to withhold bombs that would be used against a population that has nowhere to go for safety. A big move and appreciated for
Tee. One side is genocidal because it promises to annihilate the other. The other side is defending itself by trying to reduce the first side's military capability. Your both-sides-ism sounds like Trump acolytes yelling, "but Hunter!".
It’s all just murder in my opinion. My point is that being anti-Biden because of one’s perception that he might be pro Israel, will get us Trump. That’s it. That’s my whole point.
Yes, it's all killing, and all horrific, and all at least partially avoidable. That's war. But to imply any kind of equivalence punishes one side while elevating the other.
I agree that those liberals pissed at Biden for supporting Israel could help swing the election to Trump, and that possibility of an ironic outcome is a chilling thought. But I rail against oversimplification of complex issues.
All the puzzlement expressed in these comments about how anyone could support Trump ignore the genuine concerns that his supporters have about the direction of the country. Heather Cox Richardson wisely places the Right's stance as being on the same continuum as the apologists for slavery 2 centuries ago. She rightly dismisses the pro-business Reaganite policies. However, that doesn't explain the appeal those arguments have to half the population nor how to tease out inconsistencies contained within emotional opinions.
Taking the mental shortcut by putting forward a "both-sides" argument is at best unhelpful in this polarized political climate.
When one makes an apt comment, one is not obliged to do a complete analysis. Of course I understand the grays, but voting is a choice, very black and white in the booth, wouldn’t you say? “That’s war?” How black and white is THAT? lol.
I am saying that if young progressives, who are approaching this issue in a very black and white way, don’t start seeing the effect of calling Biden Genocide Joe, thereby promoting Trump, then we are in deep trouble. They simply and ignorantly can’t see their way past their hatred.
In the words of Bruno Mars: “Don’t believe me? Just watch.”
Reality Check: Citizens of Gaza elected Hamas in 2006.
"Seventy-two percent of respondents said they believed the Hamas decision to launch the cross-border rampage in southern Israel was "correct" given its outcome so far, while 22% said it was "incorrect". The remainder were undecided or gave no answer. The Palestinian Center for Policy Survey and Research (PCPSR) findings were published as international alarm grows over the spiralling Palestinian civilian toll in the Israeli counter-offensive against Hamas, now in its third month." https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/poll-shows-palestinians-back-oct-7-attack-israel-support-hamas-rises-2023-12-14/
I'm a believer:) I believe that while epiphanies happen, it is the slow, studied, incremental changes that are the most lasting. I believe that while we need effective leaders, it is the rank-and-file workers who actually get the job done. I believe there is a difference between making an honest mistake and premeditated malice. I believe President Biden has, and will continue to make, mistakes. I believe Trump's premeditated malice has led to dozens of felony charges and militates against the democracy at the center of our way of life.
Remember all of the devastation from the mishandling of the E-bola outbreak during the Obama administration in 2014.
It wasn't just luck that kept the E-bola outbreak from becoming a pandemic in the US.
And Trump threw away the playbook they used to prevent Ebola from becoming a pandemic in the US.
Ebola virus cases in the United States
2014-15 Ebola virus disease epidemic in the United States
Four laboratory-confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease occurred in the United States in 2014. Eleven cases were reported, including these four cases and seven cases medically evacuated from other countries. The first was reported in September 2014. Nine of the people contracted the disease outside the US and traveled into the country, either as regular airline passengers or as medical evacuees; of those nine, two died. Two people contracted Ebola in the United States.
They were definitely contrived, but not phony. Accomplished musicians and performers, and although they were kinda bubble gum, their tv show was joyously playful and fun.
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart wrote and played the instruments early on but Mike, Mickey and Peter actually learned to play the instruments they faked early on.
My next door neighbor owned a pillow factory and when I was a pre-teen I would "turn the ticks" for a penny a tick. I wore out the first four Monkees albums listening to them over and over on my crappy little record player.
They performed some very good songs and their harmonies were very good.
They were suppose to be phony, but the actors had a lot more respect for their audience than the network execs who dreamed up the show. Hats of the Mike, Mickey, Peter, and Davy.
How could they not? Republicans under the "leadership" of John Boehner brought him here to address our Congress on what our foreign policy should be while not inviting our elected President to that address, and they are about to do it again.
About 38(?) states have "loyalty oaths" to the Israeli government making it illegal to do what thousands of courageous college students just did—use the freedom of speech to advocate for boycotting divestment from investments that are supporting something they find evil. The exception making it illegal to use that freedom is to organize divestment from something the government of Israel does not want us to divest from. It's a good thing we didn't have "loyalty oaths" not to criticize South Africa's government when we organized to boycott things that support apartheid.
Odds are about 38 to 12 that you live in such a state where American citizens are already governed indirectly through Netanyahu because American politicians enabled him to, so you had better learn who he is and what he represents.
Michele, I share many of the same concerns you. I suspect that I am far from alone in that. Nevertheless, as Lin stated above, you are seeking to hijack a different discussion. Grand-standing with loaded words like "genocide" does no one any good.
Michele, you are entitled to your opinion, as we all are here. Personally I do not see the Biden/Harris admin as war criminals, far from it. IMHO those who focus on a single issue, no matter how fraught (and this is gut wrenching…but so are many critical conflicts in the world), w/o looking at the big picture, risk ushering in a 2nd presidency for TFFG & his sycophants….an admin that would SUPPORT Netanyahu’s efforts….choose your path wisely. Also, I hazard there is a lot going on behind the scenes to put pressure on the far-right regime in Israel, but the Biden/Harris admin does not govern them!
What an ego. No, you have not shined a light, you’ve simply been an annoyance. Your repetitive posts have not started a conversation, these conversations take place often, even on the days you’re absent. You remind me of myself when I was young, sure that my overly simplistic viewpoint must surely best those with a more comprehensive view, and my unwillingness to explore those issues changed only when I abandoned the idea that the world is black and white.
Michele, obviously this is all very simple and you have it figured out. Everyone here supports 'war criminals'. Stop subscribing to HCR. Text Trump campaign and volunteer, unless you already have? You know where to find him 4 days a week. (If he invites you to dinner, I'd decline. I digress.) He has this all figured out! "Trump also said, in a separate interview with Fox News on Friday, that Hamas’ invasion “would have never happened if I was president”! He also claims he will end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. He is suffering for your sins! A martyr! He is your retribution. How did you end up on this substack?
Michele, respectfully, how is Biden supposed to demand what other countries do and don't do?
I too am outraged by the loss of innocent life. I abhor my tax dollars being spent this way too.
Is it your belief Bibi would not have retaliated if the US did not show support to Israel when Hamas struck Israel on 7 Oct? Bibi was going to retaliate with or without aid from US or anywhere is my belief.
There is a complicated history in this area of the world and blaming Joe Biden & HCR for this is unwarranted imho.
Give it up. Biden is working overtime to help negotiate peace in the Middle East with all the players involved. If you haven’t been paying attention to all the moving parts and understand World War 111 is upon us otherwise, then maybe you should read up instead of just following the crowd.
Have you heard of Iran? I know that we are all extremely distressed and/or angry about the deaths and misery in Gaza. But you are focused on a tree in a forest. Are you interested in the forest?
Iran's crazy religious leaders have one policy and one policy alone. Just like Hamas. That is the destruction of Israel. All of Israel. "Death to Israel. Death to America" are their official slogans. Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah are their religiously driven puppets of death. Those three proxy war mongers have been raining rockets on Israel for years. Israelis have safe rooms and rush to them regularly. And those three entities are callously willing to sacrifice their own parents, wives and children for their sick perverted cause. Doesn't that make Hamas complicit with crooked madman Netanyahu?
For decades, Israel has been attempting a rapprochement with Iran - only to be rebuffed. Iran has refused. Iran is the only nation in the region whose primary purpose is to eliminate a neighbor. BTW, have you been protesting how women are treated in Iran?
That's not to say that there might have been another way to eliminate Hamas. I haven't heard a suggestion on how that can be done, but I am all ears. Your ideas?
Keep in mind that Iran has allies that benefit nicely from this distraction. Russia and North Korea. BTW, have you been posting about the "genocide" in Ukraine? Have we been doing enough, in your opinion, to stop that?
I have a lot of problems with the "ultra orthodox" Israelis who murder Palestinians and steal their land in the West Bank. I have trouble with the fact that the Nakba has never been properly addressed. There is a lot wrong with the Israeli situation.
But if I had lived peacefully on the kibbutz in southern Israel and watched my wife raped and murdered...if I had watched my infants slaughtered...what would I feel? Especially after I read that the majority of Gazans approved of those acts...what should I feel?
There is an answer, if you want to look at the forest. There is some "hope".
Thanks for responding. I disagree with your first statement but totally agree that our meddling in Iran was stupid and planted the seeds for the revolution that followed. One of our many international blunders that we will pay a price for over several generations.
Maybe the people of Iran will rise up again? Especially the women?
Thank you Dr. Richardson. Joe Biden is probably the most pro- union and pro- labor president we have had in a very long time. It is refreshing to see this turn away from the failed Reaganomics policies. We should repeal the tax cuts put in place since the 1980’s.
They're all stealing our dime. The Walton family are the absolute worst among some very bad actors. The county their headquarters is in has among the highest per capita income in the US, yet the child poverty rate there is also among the highest.
They won't even feed the poor in their own hometown and yet Walmart rakes in 1 out of every 3 dollars spent on groceries in the US.
Please watch Food Inc. 2 for more fun tidbits on the food monopolies the Republicans have helped to achieve their status.
Also, check out the $250 million yacht Nancy Walton bought last year with the profits from the overpriced food in Walmart.
I worked for Walmart back in their early days when Sam Walton, the founder, was alive. Sam tried to make the company a partnership with employees, who he called "Associates". We had profit-sharing, stock-purchase plans, and bonuses based on how well our individual stores did after annual inventory. We also were deeply involved in charitable foundations, especially benefitting children. I met Sam and worked at 4 different stores. The moment he died, his greedy kids took over and eliminated all that. I suffered a breakdown that has left me disabled ever since. I can't even enter a Walmart without an overwhelming panic attack. I haven't shopped there in over 30 years.
I am so sorry that happened to you Paula. I'm sure you're not alone. When my wife was going to University Missouri at Rolla in 1987 they had just built a new Walmart to replace the smaller original Walmart. Since Rolla was so close to Bentonville, they were one of the earliest towns with a Walmart in Missouri.
Walmart put most of the retail businesses in Rolla out of business over a period of about seven years. Walmart could sell most of the products these retailers sold at less than they could buy them for. And as you know, when Sam was alive, it was all about buy American, but when he died, almost everything came from China further shuttering American businesses.
We rarely go to Walmart and would never buy groceries there if no other reason than to keep the other two grocery stores in town in business.
At least Amazon has been able to put a small dent in their revenues and profits. Not that Jeff Bezos is a saint either.
There are so many trustifarians that have no interest in keeping the good name of the company their parents built. They are mostly lazy morons that are worthless eaters. But yet, the Republicans keep giving them tax cuts.
Recently, Linda Bean died. She was another trustifarian who was a die hard MAGA Republican. LL would not have been proud. She hated anyone that was LGBTQ+ and did nothing for the people of Maine.
Thank you Gary. I quit buying from LL Bean when I heard about their anti-LGBT stance. My youngest son is trans-gay. I wish I could buy less from Amazon, but as a disabled senior I depend on deliveries, AND KINDLE BOOKS! At this moment I am propped in bed with my tablet and after I finish reading the news and Substack posts I will dive back into the new John Connelly. His Charlie Parker series is my favorite and this new one is incredible,
I just asked my wife if she had read any John Connelly and she said she had. We listen to books on tape together in the evening so we'll put the Charlie Parker series on our list. We've been listening to the Thursday Murder Club books which they are going to make into a series and the Slough Horses series by Mick Herron which, is already a series.
One of my daughter's child hood playmates is transgender. They transitioned (sorry don't know the right word) several years ago and they are very happy with their partner.
Please give it a rest. Yes, it is a horror story of apartheid and genocide and Zionism (which is the malignant offspring of Judaism disavowed by many).. but the big-picture calculus of trying to keep the Middle East from completely erupting and starting WWIII is infinitely more complex than you or I fully understand; we are not privy to all the facts that he and the State Dept. are. The only viable long-term solution is a major powers collaboration to realize a 2-state solution and reparations and some war crimes trials. Biden alone can NOT orchestrate that - but it is his goal.
Characterizing Zionism as "the malignant offspring of Judaism" is exactly what the rest of your comment warns against - that is acting on few facts when the story is infinitely more complex. Your charge is reductionist and revisionist - eliding some facts and skewing others.
Including, the historical circumstances out of which the Zionist movement grew, its own internal conflicts between socialism and capitalism, and how the appropriation of Zionism by religious extremists -Jewish and Christian, Israeli and American - has contributed to the catastrophe.
Lin, I must admit that I am very confused about what Zionism is vs anti-semitism and all the other “ism” is in this. I am not by any means knowledgeable about the Middle East, only know that it is one dropped match away from regionally exploding (if I read news/opinion pieces correctly). Like paying a game of Twister in a minefield. My thoughts go back to a public service commercial I saw many years ago of a young child sitting in a chair at the United Nations (if I recall it correctly) and he speaks into the mic “why can’t we all just get along”…..we need more of THAT kid in the world. I’ve wondered, too, if there was a deep DNA dive of the inhabitants of that region that many folks would/might find they have common ancestors…if true, would that fact alter perceptions/beliefs? Dunno.
I thought I would write a summary, but realizing it would be long and winding, I found it already written and clear, and Zionism explained far better than I could. I particularly like the explanation of how it has changed over time. Please take a look at this; I hope you will get some helpful information. https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/zionism
The focus now must be forward looking - to the establishment of two sovereign and geographically autonomous states.
There is no doubt that Zionism is fraught. There are many Zionisms. From the beginning through today, some of the most profound and unflinching critique comes from within Israel.
Regarding Zionism and antisemitism, this early statement from the Vatican gives a sense of the terrain.
"Shortly after the First Zionist Congress, the semi-official Vatican periodical (edited by the Jesuits) Civiltà Cattolica gave its biblical-theological judgement on political Zionism: "1827 years have passed since the prediction of Jesus of Nazareth was fulfilled ... that [after the destruction of Jerusalem] the Jews would be led away to be slaves among all the nations and that they would remain in the dispersion [diaspora, galut] until the end of the world."[267] The Jews should not be permitted to return to Palestine with sovereignty: "According to the Sacred Scriptures, the Jewish people must always live dispersed and vagabondo [vagrant, wandering] among the other nations, so that they may render witness to Christ not only by the Scriptures ... but by their very existence".
Thanks, Lin, for the links…all of this makes my head, and heart, hurt. Made me recall this Kingston Trio song: The Merry Minuet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVUh5OaiADc. Like Gilda Radner said “it’s always something”.
LOL…Marc…reading her comments my mind, too, shouted “give it a rest already!!!”. I can only posit that Michele is especially empathic and sensitive to this suffering that she feels it acutely….being so many thousands of miles away and helpless to be actually able to “do” anything. Both painful and frustrating.
Yes, most of us are "distant observers" with minimal "skin in the game" other than empathy and a sincere (albeit 2nd-hand) advocacy. She may very well be one of the many directly affected (in near real-time) by the feelings and experiences of close family/friends over there. It is also true that like many umbrella terms, Zionism gets pigeon-holed and hijacked for the worst of its' manifestations.
Marc, I have a friend who in the early 2000’s traveled to Israel and Palestine to see things for himself. He participated in a non-violent peace march with Palestinians in Gaza supporting a non- apartheid relationship w/ Israel. I get that it’s complicated, but despair as we humans continue to muck up cooperation and coexistence.
As a Jew I visited Israel in 1995. My overwhelming feeling was fear because it was common to see young military men and women in the streets carrying machine guns.
I remember wondering why these people couldn't all just get along and share this beautiful land and I believe many do. Very simplistic I realize.
Fast forward and find that today I live in a country with the same kind of division and this division is getting scarier each day that passes.
Will republicans and democrats become Hamas and Israel?
When I read that 8,000 Palestinian children have been killed in the war, a while ago, I couldn’t see how the bombing of Gaza could be justified. If the reports I read are correct, nor does Joe Biden. A cease fire is urgent ply needed.
What does a cease fire accomplish? There is no place for people to go for safety. A cease fire Might permit humanitarian aid but then what??? Let’s take care of these millions of people who desperately need aid and then
what, start the killing all over again??? Doesn’t make sense to me.
Yes,but I read it now though and for nearly 20 years , I have heard how difficult it is and I understand that. But for all these years a bad situation for Palestinians only grows worse and a cease fire would at least stop or slow down the killing. One side wants Israel from the river to the sea and the other side shouts death to Israel. Where do you go from there? You can’t broker a two state solution when neither side wants it. Both sides want total victory and nothing less. A cease fire would mean less dead people, at least for a while, and that is what I am in favor of. A cease fire would be better than what we have now.
Per the 5/8 "Just Security", "Early Edition" the United States report that the IDF "... has violated International Humanitarian law since the War began ... " has been paused which I assume is a negotiating tactic
I assume the current "pause" in delivery of weapons to Israel including 2000 lb bombs is part of broader negotiations for a three 40 day periods with a 120 day reduction of hostilities in an agreed framework.
The principals negotiators are Israel's War Cabinet, U.S. CIA Chief, William J. Burns, the Biden Administration, Qatar, Egypt & Hamas intermediaries. The Israeli Public is a major factor. 'Palestinians' must include the West Bank. "GAZA" has been cut in half, North & South, separated by a broad, pulverized strip from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean. Proxies extend from Yemen to every country in between including parts of Syria southern Lebanon & Iraq.
For a reality check, see satellite imagery that documents current conditions including the initial incursion into Rafah. See also, Belingcat & other fact sources.
With skill, the appalling loss of life of all nationalities --- the continuing Fire in the Middle East will be extinguished.
I bet that if Hamas cared a damn, and wanted to save lives, they would have reached a deal in principle to get a cease fire and agree to work out the details later, which has always been on the table. Only they won't come to the table.
What you miss is that half the dead, at least, are Hamas. They also fudge the numbers. If you want to protest, MSM does not report that Netanyahu has support from only about 15% of the Israeli population in most polls and that Ganz is a greater threat to him than Hamas. Want to get rid of Netanyahu? Ganz is the best bet.
Qatar and Egypt are not "mediators" or "negotiators" as they have granted amnesty to Hamas murderers and rapists, and are not honest brokers. Egypt and Jordan, close neighbors, have refused to give asylum to the innocent Gazans who want to leave.
I don't know this as a fact, but I bet that the Arab Party in Israel supports Ganz.
Congress, not the president, appropriates funds. Biden clandestinely has withdrawn some of them. Behind the scenes is diplomacy. All secret. Give Biden a break.
Good morning Daniel. Yesterday, Given that many on LFAA are in North America, I mentioned a few Platforms where one can get some light on all the machinations, heroics & yes genocidal tactics.
Per "Just Security" the "Early Edition"which arrived at 2:19 AM EDT, "A member of Hamas's political office, in Qatar said yesterday [5/8] that the group would not make further concessions to Israel beyond the ceasefire proposal it accepted on Monday." I doubt Arthur Burns is walking away.
As an undergraduate in the late 60's I studied Air Warfare over all the countries in SE Asia & countermeasures. So I do not accept anyone's body counts which is one reason I mentioned the "appalling loss of life" yesterday. Since the IDF has specifically targeted the vast underground network of tunnels, I do not doubt your estimates & fear the worst.
I agree with your assessment of Ganz which is why I mentioned the "Israeli Public" yesterday. Interestingly, you mentioned the "Arab Party" position. Do you monitor Haretz? I know there are some astute Israeli bloggers. Can you name any reliable or useful sources?
I am not criticizing Biden, the U.S. Dept of State or Burns. Respectfully, the 'rest of the story' is far from over.
Whatever his faults, Biden has the vision to help us achieve the balance that Teddy Roosevelt talked about. We need him to continue the work that his administration has started. The questions that I have, though, after reading here about what he is providing for the future of our country, are the following: How many people were at his speech at the college in Racine? How many people heard it on the news, or on whatever their usual source of news is? How is the campaign planning on reaching a wider audience and making millions of voters aware of all of the positive projects that this administration is bringing to the people and the states and the country and the world? Stuck here in my bubble, I have no sense of how Biden's words and actions are permeating into the consciousness of people elsewhere. Is reaching a wider audience happening so I can afford to feel encouraged, or is that only my hopeful delusion?
What Betsy said. It’s not that Biden isn’t doing enough. It’s just that we don’t seem to tell the people who most need to hear it. Billboards and straight-talking ads on local Fox stations.
If you watch some of the interviews with TFGs most ardent followers, the sources they get their “news” from are all the way out podcasts and newsletters, etc. Many claim they don’t watch any MSM. There is no reaching people who openly state that if TFG stood on the capitol steps and killed someone that he’d still be their man, or if he doesn’t win, they’ll just die. I worry most about the normal people who will vote Republican because that’s what they always do. And people like Barr and others who openly state that TFG is not fit to be president but will vote for him. My spouse says he’s going to write someone in, and we “discuss” what this means often. He’s smart, reads, and yet still believes that our system will take care of a president trying to run off the rails. I no longer believe that, especially with SCOTUS actively or maybe passively allowing a person accused of the things our president and others have done to be able to run again and face no consequences. Heartsick doesn’t begin to describe how I feel daily.
Oh, I've seen those. The ones I don't get are my former LEO friends. They watch/read those same podcasts/tv shows/blogs but absolutely believe them. One of them has told me (repeatedly) "Everything you believe about us, we believe about you".
Taking comfort (momentarily) in the truth of "...every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand."
You are so right. Ally. Fear is a powerful instigator and it is also a perverse and powerfully addictive drug. It gives one an adrenaline boost not unlike the Facebook doom loop. It sounds counterintuitive but it’s real.
Face to face every where you go on your daily activities… gym clean up people, and gym users, and golf club members and bartenders and garbage collectors and your best friends
Each of us here ( on Ltr from an American) needs to ck in all along our daily paths to include conversations about the Biden admin huge projects /successes.
DT has absconded w the loudest fog horns we call ‘news’ disseminators…
Our commitment to Democracy now must daily/hourly when possible, include upbeat, engaging convos w friends, family, coworkers, counter coffee purveyors, etc spreading our support for BIDEN w all our reasons in short blurbs… go PEOPLE! Talk, Smile, ENGAGE! I don’t have bucks to send but I DO HAVE commitment to my COUNTRY! Let’s keep talking, writing, passing in in easily understood language the great positive actions thus far achieved by the BIDEN administration!
A good question…how many were there in Racine to hear Biden and where was it reported, in the MSM? MSM is obsessed about Cheetolinni and his trials. Biden is rarely mentioned and rarely is the headliner in the daily news like he should be. We are being force-fed several daily news stories about the former guy which would lead an outside observer to think reporting on how many times he farts or falls asleep in the courtroom is newsworthy. I am so tired of the constant coverage of the former guy and he is laughing at all of us…he gets daily attention, and even negative attention keeps him on our minds every single day, I’d say stop catering to his foolishness and give us daily news about the good Biden is doing. But, alas, that won’t profit the news people like the former guy does.
Who's to say Biden's success won't turn a media profit? They owe it to the American People to report both sides! We ought to make a law that says any media company with the word 'News' in it should be accountable to the truth and penalized if found otherwise.
IMHO, part of the issue is that so much of our “news/information” is now siloed into “group-think”….gone are the days of Cronkite delivering the news to most households so we all got a no-spin delivery. It’s like we are all living in different realities depending on “who/what” we watch. Came across this & it took me down memory lane…even to the old B&W TV days of my youth: https://www.ranker.com/list/the-most-influential-news-anchors-of-all-time/ranker-news
I've had conversation with a good friend about this; we have lost a continuity in our collectiveness when we all got the same news from the same sources that were produced with journalistic integrity. I remember my Dad would watch CBS, then wander over to see what the "conservatives" on NBC had to say (their 30 minute news broadcasts were off-set.) With the advent of the 24 hour cable "news cycle" we've lost the true news and are now subject to "infotainment" that is incredibly biased and (in many cases) lacking in journalistic integrity.
The same goes with TV shows; for my cohort, it was watching Star Trek: The Next Generation with a subset watching Xena, Warrior Princess. For others it was Mork and Mindy, ER, and other good TV shows in the 80's and 90's. We had a common frame of reference. Fast forward (and I use that term very intentionally) to Game of Thrones. So, so many conversations begin with "Don't tell me about GoT; I had a meeting/game/event last night and recorded is." The shared experience began to dwindle, and now we are into "binge watching" shows.
Betsy - Hamas planned this war to throw America into even more confusion on a highly emotional issue of the attack on Israel and make it more difficult to achieve peace in the Middle East.
William, I would add that the fairly normal guy and his admin are ACTUALLY getting the job done instead of just talking about it. I’ll take wisdom & experience & humility over a carney barker any day (no shade intended to actual carney barker’s who probably work hard).
My spouse thinks Biden is too old and will not make it. He says dementia, I say old age faltering. What I look at is the cadre of competent, committed people he has around him who have and continue to do their jobs. I contrast that with TFG who has demonstrated incompetence, is showing increasing signs of real dementia, and who promises to surround himself with other thugs and extremists and loyalists who may or may not have an idea of what their actual responsibilities are. There is no choice.
I know many folks who are in their 80’s and 90’s who still have their shit together. May I be so blessed. My mom was 90 when she passed away. Did she have age related issues? Yep. A little hard of hearing, sometimes forgetful but her thought processes were still sharp. I am so tired of this age argument!
My Mom (a lifetime smoker) passed from pneumonia at age 82. She was as sharp as a tack right up to the end. Her sister passed at 94, sharp as a tack as well, as did my Dad's sister who, at 96, was still leading book groups and discussion sessions.
Seemed that for some, a vote for Trump was just a shot in the dark, but the gunfire hit the Constitution. We can't pretend to be a functioning self-governing nation if we fail to study what we are voting for as an informed electorate; garbage in, garbage out.
"I alone can fix it" is an ipso facto scam when speaking of leading a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Biden is what Jim Collins labeled a “level 5 leader”. It’s a national tragedy that there are so few leaders in all organizations both private and public, but thankfully we have one in one of the most important jobs on earth at a critical time. With a little luck, maybe Americans will step up and vote for character and ability rather than show and blow.
Glenn, I see Biden and his admin as true public servants, in it to make progress for us all. None of them appear to show self aggrandizement and thus fly under the radar, quietly doing the work of state and international affairs. What a steady, competent, contrast to the carney barking (still, to this day) of the previous admin and its holdovers presently (looking at you MTG) performing in Congress.
Biden has studied the past and is making policy inroads based on the lessons learned. I am feeling very grateful that he is our president. We need him to finish the job. Four more years!
A stipulation of Republican areas receiving these funds should be that every contractor working these jobs provide proof that they are informing their labor that they are getting jobs because of these programs. R governors and other elected persons will undoubtedly be taking credit for these programs that they voted against and they need to be called out…loudly and often.
I am glad Pres. Biden mentioned, on a human scale, what was taken by Walker's folly. It was not just the broken promises of job's and prosperity. Homes, farms, communities were bought out, forced out, and bulldozed. A friend took me to see the site. It was a razing of the earth on an apocalyptic scale. For the grandiosity of rotten schemes. As Biden said about Walker and Trump with their golden shovels - they dug a hole.
The Shahnahmeh, Persian Book of Kings talks of an animal that suddenly appeared on the plains. It fought all the other animals. It shone like gold, but all was corruption within. The book tells another story. A king ordered his troops to destroy a city. His advisor said "No, if you do that everyone will hate you. Instead appoint a loud mouthed ignoramus to govern this city. And he will destroy it." The Persians play a long game.
WE ARE NOW IN A LONG GAME… Bring your hiking boots and your warmest smile… Biden has spent his whole adult life learning what he brings to us every minute of each of these days as our President. He’s a Learn-Ed Politician/human . Willing to continue to meet each day w good energy and HOPEFUL programs that ARE ACTUALLY BEING ACHIEVED .
None of this is being touted by The New York Times… which I would drop if I didn’t have an attachment to their damn games!
To protect American democracy, reach out to millions of unregistered likely Democrats using a dedicated database using every outreach method possible (phone and text, postcard, email and targeted ad, and in-person too), where new Democratic voters will make the most impact – in the most flippable states and districts.
ThankYou for your comment, your work, and for posting the link!
The pre-stamped USPS postcards are least expensive. I try to make them more eye catching with colored inks - but these Field Team 6 postcards are irresistible
Or you could just help a self-serving, loudmouthed, ignoramus get elected in a nation you want to destroy, which I assume is the inspiration for the comparison.
This chokes me up. We need a really good sunrise, no matter the weather, on 5 November. I even think this President and his team will know how to harness Microsoft.
Carol, I see Biden/Harris as a “collective” of smart, capable, caring folks that staff his admin….he does not micromanage, instead gets the best to lead in their area of expertise….to me he is a grandmaster at the chess board—overseeing, yet encouraging each “piece” to do its job.
And after Nov 5, because once we prove we want to keep democracy, we need to continue working to clean up the mess the republicans have made de-regulating both democracy and our judicial system.
"It is no easy matter to keep the balance level and make it evident that we have set our faces like flint against seeing this government turned into either government by a plutocracy, or government by a mob." -Theodore Roosevelt. We need BOTH Roosevelts now. Urgently!
Unless one resided in Wisconsin prior to the installation of Scott Walker via Koch Brothers, one can "know about" but not really know the profound damage that was done to this state's environment, education, economy, and governance by this disservice. Wisconsin was the Koch beta-test for how to take over a government. It is a credit to the magnificent citizens that they were able to break the chains and restore some semblance of sanity. It may be decades before the State recovers completely from the damage.
Ed! You got it! "Wisconsin was the Koch beta-test for how to take over a government." Yes, we're a smallish state and the Kochs thought they could buy it. They succeeded for a while and it's been hard, dirty, expensive work fighting the Republican regressive State legislature. Yes, it will take decades, but we are battling for our lives and livelihoods. Republicans, Scott Walker especially, are the worst thing that ever happened to Wisconsin.
“We’re the United States of America,” President Biden said today, “And there’s nothing beyond our capacity when we work together.”
As Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together."
Biden should expand the thought that we are in this together and remind voters that his policies can succeed only if we elect congressmen who will work with with his administration to serve the people who they represent
How about instead we elect Congressional representatives instead of Congressmen? Thanks! ☮️
How about we pass John McCain’s long awaited campaign finance reform in order to eradicate big money in politics that has created trickle down.
Friendly reminder that it was the McCain-Feingold Act, more formally the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.
"Citizens United" is mentioned in this article about the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.
Excerpt: "...The minority argued that the court erred in allowing unlimited corporate spending, arguing that corporate spending posed a particular threat to democratic self-government.[19]
President Barack Obama expressed his concern over the Supreme Court's decision during his 2010 State of the Union Address, delivered January 27, saying, "With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests—including foreign corporations—to spend without limit in our elections. I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people..."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipartisan_Campaign_Reform_Act#:~:text=In%20January%202010%2C%20the%20Supreme,speech.%22%20Specifically%2C%20Citizens%20United
Citizens United was the third of three decisions that have legalized political bribery, the other two were Buckley v. Valeo (1976) and First National Bank of Boston v. Bellotti (1978.) I don’t look for this problem to be solved soon. Our broken political system may give us our first dictator, which is entirely unacceptable.
Lest we forget.
This was also the occasion where Alito scowled, shook his head, and mouthed, “Not true” as Obama spoke.
We should also pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act!
And while we're at it, let's keep an eye on the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). As noted by The New Republic yesterday: "Last week, FEC Commissioner Allen Dickerson [a Trump appointee] requested that the commission consider making it easier for political groups to conceal information about their donors in their public filings with the commission. The new procedure, if approved by the commission, could be a sea change in the FEC’s disclosure requirements." More about this proposal and a recent decision that could cut both ways: https://newrepublic.com/article/181376/fec-ballot-initiatives-money-in-politics-problem
While we’re at it, it’s long past time to remove other tffg appointments like the postmaster, who has already slowed down mail delivery. Local mail in ballots here go to another state first, purposely slowing down mail in votes. Start planning now for November.
No kidding. I have no idea why DeJoy wasn't dismissed and replaced years ago, or why there are still two vacancies on the USPS Board of Governors.
Yes Gigi, it does seem odd that our boy DeJoy is still directing traffic at USPS. All I would offer is that our "postal service" is crucial to the survival of this country. It ties our nation together and it does so almost without us realizing that. We used to think 'Ma Bell' was indispensable, but it wasn't, even tho it too, was kind of a fixture in the lives of us Americans. The USPS '"IS"" indispensable. Attempts to overhaul it have have threatened our very way of life. So, if people like DeJoy are not kept an eye on, it is ripe, and the (R)ss-holes will
find a subtle way to shove it to us, just like we had it done to us with Citizens United. We will be fooled again by the same Federalist membership 'm'aking 'A'mericans 'g'ive 'a'gain.
This doesn't just happen to ballots. I live on Martha's Vineyard. The Vineyard has six towns, each with its own PO. It used be that if I mailed a card in West Tisbury to a friend in Oak Bluffs, it would go direct. Now it goes via Rhode Island. This happened quite a while before DeJoy came along, however. I assume mail-in ballots are treated the same way.
Thank you. Every DeJoy reminder I get I sign. He MUST be out ASAP. He could wreck mail-in ballots.
Campaigns cost money. TV time is expensive, unless you are tfg who gets free coverage for ...The FCC needs to require some free time to major candidates and a limit on spending is necessary.
Sorry this will get a bit nasty but under cross, Stormy ad it Ted that she once said that she wished “the orange turd would get flushed down the toilet. Yes, I’m in the overflow court in New York this morning.
That was SCOTUS and Citizens United too.
Agreed and apologies. I struggled to find the proper way to frame that thought and gave in…. My daughter, a senior official in the Democratic Administration of one of our major cities would likely say “Daaaaad!”
Sounds like you raised a very sharp daughter.
Apology appreciated, Neil, along with your graciousness … no harm, no foul!
Isn’t it interesting how language perpetuates various isms (racism, sexism, ableism et. al.) which are so ingrained and systemic that we often unthinkingly participate in continuing them?
It’s not wrong of us to do so; rather it reflects that the inclusion of women and people of color in political, financial and governmental systems/structures is a recent change. For many, the default is a ‘Father Knows Best’ mindset.
Change is slow, but irrepressible. ☮️
hi Zella....A not completely related comment on you language point. I just read a report on Women in Architecture in Canada. Quebec has the best record with a graduating class of 50% now reflected in hiring. An interesting intersection was that those numbers shot up when Quebec introduced $10 a day child care. AND their and other women freed to study or work....largely paid for the service in their contributions to the tax base!
Architecture is still a male dominated industry, so this is wonderful news to celebrate! Thank you for sharing it, Elizabeth!
No worries, Neil!
Yves Smith, of nakedcapitalism dot com fame, uses the term "CongressCritters".
That's what Heather uses. I've only heard her use it for a long time. She might have gotten it from Jim, though. It does sound a bit Low Downish.
I view CongressCritters as a term of affection. It is gender-neutral, and maybe reminds us of pets.
But remember, many of those critters are varmints!
Molly Ivins used to use that term when she referred (affectionately, of course) to the elected Representatives from Texas.
David H, Agreed. I can't quite associate Empty Greene with the word "critter". Clutter, maybe. Jusss tryin to be nice.
From the urban dictionary 10/23/2007 by Grinning Cat
A congresswoman or congressman: an elected official who serves in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the United States Congress. "Congresscritters" can also, loosely, include U.S. Senators. The term is gender-neutral, and also attempts to remove these elected representatives from their pedestals.
"Writing to your congresscritters about an issue may seem pointless, but when enough people -- you and your friends and their friends and THEIR friends -- make their voices heard, the congresscritters will realize that their chances of reelection ARE affected by doing the right thing."
That phrase comes originally from the late, great Mollie Ivins. How I miss her incisive and witty commentary!
I thought it was Jim Hightower who came up with that one.
I'm not certain of the origin of CongressCritters. I got it from Yves Smith when I began my retirement in 2010.
Yes...I think he used to use that term--perhaps Ivins got it from Hightower.
I found this when I got curious and asked the googles:
https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/107530/did-the-term-congresscritter-originate-in-sf-and-if-so-who-first-used-it
Professor Richardson also uses it quite a bit.
It's the "little things" that make a big difference Zella, like the language we use!!
Yes!
My family has been on this for nearly 50 years, and my mother before that, but ingrained habits die hard. And sometimes there is suspicion. But when you meet the image of the divine as a father, you know there is a looooong way to go.
Diedra. I have long ago stopped calling the divine a male. I have certain friends who use she. I prefer no gender and refer to energy.
Agreed, Zella. Or Congressmembers!
Legislators
There are so many now that we think about it...lawmakers!
I like this idea too!
I think of legislators as STATE legislators - that's what they're called in my state.
Ok. How about using solely Representatives and Senators, and retiring “congressmen?”
Right on! Thank you.
"mankind" still seems to hang on, i thought "humankind" was gonna take over back in the 70s, was so wrong!
Frank.., and Zella, frankly what a bunch of bullshit. You're both on the right track though with the "hu-MAN-kind" angle. Let's just fix that right here and now shall we. From now on into eternity we shall be known as Hu's. Like, look!! there goes another "Hu". Or.., Hey! That Hu just shot another Hu. Then, you might wonder just wtf Hu's are doing, only to conclude that it's just Hu nature.. err, behavior. Okay, so.., how're Hu doing? No.., not you Zella or Frank, but Hu's in general. Next we'll have to work on changing the name of the "Isle of Man" where the famous TT motorcycle races are held on the 39 mile road which runs around the island. Been there? I've run it.., TT80. Check it
out on Hu-Tube. :))
What is the root word for woman?
In fact, "woman" derives from the Old English word "wifman," from the roots "wif" and "man." A woman (wifman) was a "wife-person." ("Man" was the generic word for human being.Nov 23, 1995
Great! It's good to have a laugh while considering such serious subjects!
Thanks Barbara. Levity - Agreed. And.., It was a calculated risk, but worth it.
Amen!
Your lips to Biden's ear!
Truly.
And as Simon Rosenberg says, "Do More, Worry Less "
And Barbara Mullen, Simon Rosenberg is another writer where I choose to get my news and current information. I am in good company here and together we can make a difference.
Rosenberg is a treasure for sure.
And as Jessica Craven espouses, Chop Wood/Carry Water!
Simon and Jessica both endorse FT 6, participated in the FT 6 Summit.
To protect American democracy, reach out to millions of unregistered likely Democrats using a dedicated database using every outreach method possible (phone and text, postcard, email and targeted ad, and in-person too), where new Democratic voters will make the most impact – in the most flippable states and districts.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/actions
This is really great! I just donated and bought a shirt. Quick question. The bar code on the back of the shirt registers someone Democratic?
Postcarding for FT6!
And I’d rather be us than them…
Yes. We are changing the world. Someone on the Lincoln Project said something like this:
There are more of us than them. And we will win.
President Biden is spot on with economic policy. Honest actions speak louder than words or any 'strong' man.
JustRaven, Joyce Vance is another of my favorite published writer on stubstack and she is so right, "we are in this together".
I just heard Kamala Harris say on CSPAN that working to improve our country is a like a relay race. People do what they can, then they pass the baton. Reading the words of Teddy Roosevelt is proof of that. The very same issues we face today. It is an ongoing struggle between those that share and those that horde.
Didn’t know I was quoting Joyce Vance when I wrote her words on endless GOTV and RTV postcards. Don’t think she’ll be upset about non-attribution, however. It’s just plain truth.
“President Biden promised to be the president of all Americans—whether you voted for him or not.”. Makes him a fool in MAGAs eyes.
Because magnuts believe in dirty politics not legislative SERVICE/ public SERVICE. It’s the “what’s in it for me” approach mastered by 😱😔💩🤡🎃 the most dishonest president in history.
And people support tRump?
Compare to the Trump approach, "Onlly I can fix it." Then he spent his term distracting us with self-created crises until covid came along and revealed him as incapable of dealing with a true crisis, much less solve it.
Thank you, Heather!
“Political philosophers studying the rise of authoritarianism note that strongmen rise by appealing to a population that has been dispossessed economically or otherwise. By bringing jobs back to those regions that have lost them over the past several decades and promising “the great comeback story all across…the entire country,” as he did today, Biden is striking at that sense of alienation.”
Let that continue!
Suzette, yes indeed -- the differences between the two major party candidates makes the choice clear: Biden in '24. Despite 9 years of experience, I'm still astonished that trompy attracts followers when he alienates large segments of our population to puff up his "base", and his policies run counter to what most Americans want: reproductive choice, clean water and air, a sense of being safe from guns, equal opportunities in the workforce and elsewhere, confidence that our food supply is safe, affordable access to healthcare, acknowledging the existence of and working to prevent climate change, global respect as an honest and loyal ally, and on and on.
That's right, Doug, and the much greater popularity of Democrats' policies are why when more people vote, Democrats win more elections. GET OUT THE VOTE!
In Texas that is certainly true. I don't remember the exact percentages, but our last election that gave Abbott, Paxton on Patrick their thrones again occured because about twice as many Republicans showed up at the polls than Democrats.
And be prepared for an ugly backlash once again by the angry orange planet. 🎃💰🤡💩
Doug, I always like to see a recitation of some of the many things we wish for in our society. One of the things I like best about President Biden is that he is actually doing what I have wished Democratic Presidents would do. The private sector, acting alone without the active help of the public sector, have demonstrated that they are incapable of lifting people up out of poverty and into prosperity for all. Indeed, it can be argued that without a vast class of people who are desperate to find jobs to earn money to pay the cost of living, the outrageous wealth of the billionaires would not be possible. The federal government, of, by, and for the people, takes a different view. The federal government is We The People helping each other to prosper. And that is what President Biden is doing. The people are working together, helping each other to prosper.
I would change one of your sentences a bit....The private sector acting alone without active help of the public sector have demonstrated they are unwilling to lift people out of poverty.
Susan, I agree.
In my internal dialogue, I believe it's not merely a question of money. Some people show blatant disdain for poor folks. "Disdain" is probably too mild: I think there are more than a few who are sociopathic, following the example of their dear leader. I would go so far as to say that some people do not want to fix the roads and bridges because a benefit would accrue to people who don't deserve anything good. To them it's better that nobody should get infrastructure improvements, just to make sure that people who "don't deserve" those improvements won't get them.
Don’t get this either. Why do people vote against their own interests? The hard core MAGA are the ones who have the most to lose.
For the answer, Listen to one episode of Decoding Fox News on Substack. Here, with HCR, we all get a complete picture of reality. On Fox News, all they show is Trump promising the 8th Wonder of the World and Wisconsinites cheering, and… THAT’S where THEIR story ends. So if you only watch FOX, you don’t know you are voting against your interest.
Decoding Fox News condenses a week of Fox into 45 min.
https://substack.com/@decodingfoxnews?r=4j5a4&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile
One listen, and you’ll understand that MAGA isn’t dumb, just intentionally misinformed. That will change your heart and your approach to reaching them. Or at least accepting their POV as a targeted assault by a billion-dollar corporation, not obstinance.
I would almost call it "disinformed".
I do listen to that. Appreciate that someone with a brain is willingly listening for the rest of us who can’t stomach it.
You said it, Lynn. I recently listened to a Joe Rogan podcast episode. Like Fox, it’s the #1 most listened to podcast. It went on for over two hours spewing falsehoods. The guest, Tulsi Gabbard and Joe Rogan laughed and laughed and giggle about an AOC comment that illegal immigration was the result of climate change.
It was painful. So painful to hear them bantering and guffawing at the notion that illegal immigration and climate change were connected.
They didn’t reference reports or organizations or data proving otherwise. They just bashed AOC.
And my friend who’s voting for RFK recommended the episode. That’s where he gets his news.
I cannot compete with 2+ hours of daily lies that people tune into in droves. Lemmings. I feel badly for them. And frustrated that boldface lying isn’t easily identified by otherwise intelligent people. (He’s a software engineer who employs 9 other people)
Talk about this w/ everyone you can. The large “news outlets” continue to misrepresent Biden’s achievements ..
Feels like they’re caught (NYT,
I try to forward the What has President Biden Done today Substack daily
Share the the news of Team Biden’s accomplishments in your area!
“This website provides an interactive map that illustrates the impact of these record-breaking levels of public and private investment across states and territories under the Biden Administration.”
📣 https://www.whitehouse.gov/build/maps-of-progress/
That is a terrific map. Just for the heck of it, I looked at one of the red states I visited recently, and thousands of jobs are being created there. Biden's investments are leveraging private spending and making a difference nationwide.
On DNC REACH, you can send the Biden campaign's messages directly to the media, just like a press release. https://democrats.org/reach/
List of press outlets. https://www.topicfinder.com/free-sites-press-release/
They promote an app which allows you to build/participate in pro Dem networking
Great resource, thanks, although the map wouldn’t download the morning. Will try again later!
I forward Heather's letter on X everyday and today on Facebook.
There be the crux of our discontent
Don't forget the evangelical driving force behind the GOP/MAGA and the many years they have been involved in GOP policy and attitude - since Nixon and moreso since.
Sadly most, if not all Magats believe the economic recover, low employment, the rebuilding our roads and bridges, bringing jobs and manufacturing back to the USA etc was done by Trump. They have said (literally) Biden is taking credit for things Trump has done.
They have blinders on. They can’t see the Bipartisan Infastrucure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act are all the Biden administrations achievements. It’s truly baffling they believe all these economic improvements are Trump’s achievements. The Kool Aid of Trump propaganda as well as the far right’s propaganda runs so deep in their veins they have become totally deluded. They cannot see the forest for the trees.
Well, yes, but at this point it is the same rhetoric that Trump/Walker used to sell the grift about FoxConn. Nothing has yet come to fruition, as far as I know, and it won't translate into votes until it does and people recognize it. Certainly, I'd take Biden's word over Trump, but the MAGA folks won't, and neither will those on the fence. So let's not "rah-rah" this till it happens or we will be suffering the same delusion.
"You deserve Trump if ____ "
Ah yes, the punishing angels of the Left. Fill in the blank with the screed du jour. And trivialize every profound tragedy for a moment of spite.
And on the day we find out that the Biden administration stopped a shipment of bombs to the Netanyahu regime.
While Trump still has a settlement named after him in occupied territory and is floating the notion of transferring the Palestinians of Gaza to camps in the Negev desert and then developing the waterfront property in Gaza.
Well put lin!
This is a different conversation, but the same bullying attitude, rhetorical tricks, and, most offensively, exploiting the dead for your own purposes.
Yes, shipments of offensive weapons to the criminal Netanyahu regime ought to have been paused earlier.
Even before Oct 8. Because there are years of credible evidence that some IDF units have been in violation of US and international humanitarian law. In Gaza and on the West Bank. And the small degree to which offenders have been punished does not reach the bar of credible evidence of compliance. The most harsh criticism of successive and increasingly extremist Netanyahu regimes comes from within Israel itself. Read Haaretz.
Those struggling against Trump, MAGA, and the American right wing ought have some empathy for Israelis struggling against Netanyahu. As well as for Palestinians caught between Hamas terrorism and Israeli militarism.
Well said.
Spot on, Lin! 👍
". . . between Hamas terrorism and Israeli militarism," lin?
Let's expand the scenario, so we can say "among," adding in the ayatollahs in Iran backing Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis, and also adding in the genocidal Putin, his fellow mad oligarchs, and their heavily bejeweled, long-skirted eastern Orthodox priests praying for blood.
It's a mad, mad, world, lin. And in addition to the criminals and murderers listed above, let's add in their lying Republican fellow travelers in the U.S., still howling for more of their low-life, orange-encrusted-face fat guy.
They're all living in mad self-deception, so much in contrast to the many positive, constructive things our many good Dems have done -- which we can all hope they'll all the more in unison celebrate as Heather does today for the latest job builders and return to good, needed in-U.S.A. union manufacturing.
"... so much in contrast to the many positive, constructive things our many good Dems have done -- which we can all hope they'll all the more in unison celebrate as Heather does today for the latest job builders and return to good, needed in-U.S.A. union manufacturing."
Yes! This!
Lin…Michele, if that’s her name, is always doom and gloom. She will always have a comeback. You might know that already, though.
That's for sure, and Bibi had plenty of weapons on hand to kill all he did, knowing full well the attack was coming a year in advance. The treaty to supply those weapons was signed in the 1950s.
If paid for by our dollars matters, what about the other millions who were killed by our dollars over the past sixty years or so.
I wanted to add some links to Israeli documentaries. There are many more. In The Gatekeepers, former heads of the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet expressed doubts about the continued occupation of Palestinian territories. Spotlighting it's demoralizing effect on those serving, on society, and on the state.
(Do such introspective critiques of their own abuses in the conflict come out of Arab and Muslim countries?)
2005
https://www.npr.org/2005/07/05/4729478/israeli-documentary-criticizes-jewish-settlers
2012
https://www.npr.org/2013/02/28/172706218/the-gatekeepers-offer-candid-assessment-of-israels-security
2017
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/documentary-the-settlers-on-control-of-the-west-bank/
2021
https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-11-10/sobering-israeli-documentary-voices-opposition-to-the-occupation-of-palestine.html
2022
https://jfi.org/year-round/jfi-on-demand/h2-the-occupation-lab
Yes, well stated.
Your comments are always right on point. Thank you.
"Did you know they banned Haaretz...."
This is you doing you.
They? Banned? Actually - No.
Israel's Communications Minister Threatens Haaretz, Suggests Penalizing Its Gaza War Coverage
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-23/ty-article/israels-communications-minister-threatens-haaretz-suggests-penalizing-its-war-coverage/0000018b-fd0c-de73-a9bb-ffefb9f10000
Mehdi Hassan? Has tweeted regrets for "having expressed offensive & illiberal views in the past on everything from homosexuality to abortion." And for calling non- Muslims "cattle, people of no intelligence, and animals." Not that Hassan is always entirely off point, but ... shall we say impulsive, complex? Not the most reliable source.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehdi_Hasan
We as a nation have been bought and paid for by special lobby interests that has given Isreal the green light to do whatever it has wanted and this fully crosses party lines so stop with your partisan nonsense.
Keep it up and you get Putin too. How can you be so completely blind to this?
Exactly Biden could have prevented this genocide 7 months ago. If he really represented everyone he would pay attention to all the protesters on college campuses and in Chicago last night. As Chris Hedges has said the Democrats have become the party of war and there is no longer a lot of difference between the two parties. It’s just sad and depressing.
"Exactly Biden could have prevented this genocide 7 months ago . . . the Democrats have become the party of war and there is no longer a lot of difference between the two parties. It’s just sad and depressing."
Those assertions are disinformation. There are accurate critiques to be made. Those aren't them.
Spell out exactly how Biden could have stopped the Netanyahu regime? In context of the realities of military aid appropriation, delivery, and oversight and in context of national policy and foreign relations. Seriously spell it out. You might start with the complexities of enforcing the Leahy Laws.
The fallacious assertion that there is no difference between the Republican and Democratic parties - with emphasis on damning the Democratic party - is effectively right wing voter suppression in service of electing Trump. Again. You feel sad and depressed. That's exactly what they want.
It's a fucking war fought for a rational reason. The 34,000 deaths are horrific, but Hamas started this phase of the war by its actions on Oct 7, 2023 and continues it by hiding behind civilians while promising to repeat what it did on that day until Israelis are all dead. THAT's truly genocidal. It has been shooting rockets at civilian areas in Israel almost weekly for 2 decades. That's genocidal.
In contrast, the Gaza population has grown from under 300,000 in 1960 to over 2,000,000 today. That isn't genocidal. The Israeli military has been calling Gaza residents, dropping leaflets, and audibly signaling before an attack so residents can escape a target area before an attack. That's not genocidal.
To repeat, Hamas chooses to fight from behind civilians, in a war it started. The civilian deaths are on them.
Could Israel conduct the war differently? Sure. It could just use Assad-style total indiscriminate bombing like in Syria. Or it could slow down and fight like the US did in Iraq. Except Iraqi combatants didn't have a tunnel network.
I'll ask you: if you're my neighbor and you keep shooting at my family, should I not respond? At home, I might succeed by calling 911. Who can Israel call?
You need to look up the definition of genocide. You have bought into a PR lie.
It’s genocide on both sides, so quit blaming the current administration, or you WILL get Trump. How could you not think otherwise?
The sleazy Jared Kushner gave up his bed as a teen to Netanyahu. The Trump administration did everything they could to keep Netanyahu in power.
Follow the money and it's likely the Trump families profited mightily from the Netanyahu administration.
There's something happening here
But what it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking' their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
It's time we stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?
What a field day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly saying, "hooray for our side"
It's time we stop
Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look - what's going down?
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
Step out of line, the man come and take you away
For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
It is both populations vowing
to erase the other. That never changes in any of the talks. No one will give an inch. It will stay this way forever. It is clearly a standstill. It is a big move to withhold bombs that would be used against a population that has nowhere to go for safety. A big move and appreciated for
the message it sends.
Tee. One side is genocidal because it promises to annihilate the other. The other side is defending itself by trying to reduce the first side's military capability. Your both-sides-ism sounds like Trump acolytes yelling, "but Hunter!".
The world is messy and full of shades of gray.
It’s all just murder in my opinion. My point is that being anti-Biden because of one’s perception that he might be pro Israel, will get us Trump. That’s it. That’s my whole point.
Yes, it's all killing, and all horrific, and all at least partially avoidable. That's war. But to imply any kind of equivalence punishes one side while elevating the other.
I agree that those liberals pissed at Biden for supporting Israel could help swing the election to Trump, and that possibility of an ironic outcome is a chilling thought. But I rail against oversimplification of complex issues.
All the puzzlement expressed in these comments about how anyone could support Trump ignore the genuine concerns that his supporters have about the direction of the country. Heather Cox Richardson wisely places the Right's stance as being on the same continuum as the apologists for slavery 2 centuries ago. She rightly dismisses the pro-business Reaganite policies. However, that doesn't explain the appeal those arguments have to half the population nor how to tease out inconsistencies contained within emotional opinions.
Taking the mental shortcut by putting forward a "both-sides" argument is at best unhelpful in this polarized political climate.
When one makes an apt comment, one is not obliged to do a complete analysis. Of course I understand the grays, but voting is a choice, very black and white in the booth, wouldn’t you say? “That’s war?” How black and white is THAT? lol.
I am saying that if young progressives, who are approaching this issue in a very black and white way, don’t start seeing the effect of calling Biden Genocide Joe, thereby promoting Trump, then we are in deep trouble. They simply and ignorantly can’t see their way past their hatred.
In the words of Bruno Mars: “Don’t believe me? Just watch.”
Reality Check: Citizens of Gaza elected Hamas in 2006.
"Seventy-two percent of respondents said they believed the Hamas decision to launch the cross-border rampage in southern Israel was "correct" given its outcome so far, while 22% said it was "incorrect". The remainder were undecided or gave no answer. The Palestinian Center for Policy Survey and Research (PCPSR) findings were published as international alarm grows over the spiralling Palestinian civilian toll in the Israeli counter-offensive against Hamas, now in its third month." https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/poll-shows-palestinians-back-oct-7-attack-israel-support-hamas-rises-2023-12-14/
Oh, I guess you didn't hear about Biden stopping the shipment of arms to Israel!
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/israel-weapons-white-house-shipments/
This is a President who listens to the People!
I really think I like Joe Biden even more than 10 year old me liked Davy Jones of the Monkees. How can you not like a guy who gives you hope.
I'm a believer:) I believe that while epiphanies happen, it is the slow, studied, incremental changes that are the most lasting. I believe that while we need effective leaders, it is the rank-and-file workers who actually get the job done. I believe there is a difference between making an honest mistake and premeditated malice. I believe President Biden has, and will continue to make, mistakes. I believe Trump's premeditated malice has led to dozens of felony charges and militates against the democracy at the center of our way of life.
Not to mention the countless needless loss of life during Covid due to the tfg.
Remember all of the devastation from the mishandling of the E-bola outbreak during the Obama administration in 2014.
It wasn't just luck that kept the E-bola outbreak from becoming a pandemic in the US.
And Trump threw away the playbook they used to prevent Ebola from becoming a pandemic in the US.
Ebola virus cases in the United States
2014-15 Ebola virus disease epidemic in the United States
Four laboratory-confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease occurred in the United States in 2014. Eleven cases were reported, including these four cases and seven cases medically evacuated from other countries. The first was reported in September 2014. Nine of the people contracted the disease outside the US and traveled into the country, either as regular airline passengers or as medical evacuees; of those nine, two died. Two people contracted Ebola in the United States.
I didn’t like the Monkeys even as a 12 year old. We considered them phony and contrived.
They were definitely contrived, but not phony. Accomplished musicians and performers, and although they were kinda bubble gum, their tv show was joyously playful and fun.
Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart wrote and played the instruments early on but Mike, Mickey and Peter actually learned to play the instruments they faked early on.
My next door neighbor owned a pillow factory and when I was a pre-teen I would "turn the ticks" for a penny a tick. I wore out the first four Monkees albums listening to them over and over on my crappy little record player.
They performed some very good songs and their harmonies were very good.
They were suppose to be phony, but the actors had a lot more respect for their audience than the network execs who dreamed up the show. Hats of the Mike, Mickey, Peter, and Davy.
Yes, it was Paul McCartney for me!
Have you heard of Netanyahu?
How could they not? Republicans under the "leadership" of John Boehner brought him here to address our Congress on what our foreign policy should be while not inviting our elected President to that address, and they are about to do it again.
About 38(?) states have "loyalty oaths" to the Israeli government making it illegal to do what thousands of courageous college students just did—use the freedom of speech to advocate for boycotting divestment from investments that are supporting something they find evil. The exception making it illegal to use that freedom is to organize divestment from something the government of Israel does not want us to divest from. It's a good thing we didn't have "loyalty oaths" not to criticize South Africa's government when we organized to boycott things that support apartheid.
Odds are about 38 to 12 that you live in such a state where American citizens are already governed indirectly through Netanyahu because American politicians enabled him to, so you had better learn who he is and what he represents.
Michele, I share many of the same concerns you. I suspect that I am far from alone in that. Nevertheless, as Lin stated above, you are seeking to hijack a different discussion. Grand-standing with loaded words like "genocide" does no one any good.
Maybe Michelle is from Vladivostok?
Ned - thank you.
We can be torn to bits about what’s happening there and still find things to be hopeful about.
Michele, you are entitled to your opinion, as we all are here. Personally I do not see the Biden/Harris admin as war criminals, far from it. IMHO those who focus on a single issue, no matter how fraught (and this is gut wrenching…but so are many critical conflicts in the world), w/o looking at the big picture, risk ushering in a 2nd presidency for TFFG & his sycophants….an admin that would SUPPORT Netanyahu’s efforts….choose your path wisely. Also, I hazard there is a lot going on behind the scenes to put pressure on the far-right regime in Israel, but the Biden/Harris admin does not govern them!
Second day in a row, Barbara. Thank you for notching down Michele's vitriol.
What an ego. No, you have not shined a light, you’ve simply been an annoyance. Your repetitive posts have not started a conversation, these conversations take place often, even on the days you’re absent. You remind me of myself when I was young, sure that my overly simplistic viewpoint must surely best those with a more comprehensive view, and my unwillingness to explore those issues changed only when I abandoned the idea that the world is black and white.
Perhaps you should spend your time filling your empty "Michele' s Substack" instead of trolling here.
Michele, obviously this is all very simple and you have it figured out. Everyone here supports 'war criminals'. Stop subscribing to HCR. Text Trump campaign and volunteer, unless you already have? You know where to find him 4 days a week. (If he invites you to dinner, I'd decline. I digress.) He has this all figured out! "Trump also said, in a separate interview with Fox News on Friday, that Hamas’ invasion “would have never happened if I was president”! He also claims he will end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. He is suffering for your sins! A martyr! He is your retribution. How did you end up on this substack?
I find it troubling that you are so troubled…all of the time!
Michele, respectfully, how is Biden supposed to demand what other countries do and don't do?
I too am outraged by the loss of innocent life. I abhor my tax dollars being spent this way too.
Is it your belief Bibi would not have retaliated if the US did not show support to Israel when Hamas struck Israel on 7 Oct? Bibi was going to retaliate with or without aid from US or anywhere is my belief.
There is a complicated history in this area of the world and blaming Joe Biden & HCR for this is unwarranted imho.
she is historian of American history, and repeatedly has said the situation in the Middle East is for others to document and dissect.
Give it up. Biden is working overtime to help negotiate peace in the Middle East with all the players involved. If you haven’t been paying attention to all the moving parts and understand World War 111 is upon us otherwise, then maybe you should read up instead of just following the crowd.
If this conflict were recent, as opposed to over 100 years in existence, I could maybe see the criticism as justified.
Michele,
Have you heard of Iran? I know that we are all extremely distressed and/or angry about the deaths and misery in Gaza. But you are focused on a tree in a forest. Are you interested in the forest?
Iran's crazy religious leaders have one policy and one policy alone. Just like Hamas. That is the destruction of Israel. All of Israel. "Death to Israel. Death to America" are their official slogans. Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah are their religiously driven puppets of death. Those three proxy war mongers have been raining rockets on Israel for years. Israelis have safe rooms and rush to them regularly. And those three entities are callously willing to sacrifice their own parents, wives and children for their sick perverted cause. Doesn't that make Hamas complicit with crooked madman Netanyahu?
For decades, Israel has been attempting a rapprochement with Iran - only to be rebuffed. Iran has refused. Iran is the only nation in the region whose primary purpose is to eliminate a neighbor. BTW, have you been protesting how women are treated in Iran?
That's not to say that there might have been another way to eliminate Hamas. I haven't heard a suggestion on how that can be done, but I am all ears. Your ideas?
Keep in mind that Iran has allies that benefit nicely from this distraction. Russia and North Korea. BTW, have you been posting about the "genocide" in Ukraine? Have we been doing enough, in your opinion, to stop that?
I have a lot of problems with the "ultra orthodox" Israelis who murder Palestinians and steal their land in the West Bank. I have trouble with the fact that the Nakba has never been properly addressed. There is a lot wrong with the Israeli situation.
But if I had lived peacefully on the kibbutz in southern Israel and watched my wife raped and murdered...if I had watched my infants slaughtered...what would I feel? Especially after I read that the majority of Gazans approved of those acts...what should I feel?
There is an answer, if you want to look at the forest. There is some "hope".
I wrote about it here.
https://billalstrom.substack.com/p/the-path-to-peace
Thanks for responding. I disagree with your first statement but totally agree that our meddling in Iran was stupid and planted the seeds for the revolution that followed. One of our many international blunders that we will pay a price for over several generations.
Maybe the people of Iran will rise up again? Especially the women?
Have you heard about the population that lives and supports that? That is not our problem to fix! Both Palestine and Israel are guilty of hating
the other and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Thank you Dr. Richardson. Joe Biden is probably the most pro- union and pro- labor president we have had in a very long time. It is refreshing to see this turn away from the failed Reaganomics policies. We should repeal the tax cuts put in place since the 1980’s.
Jack - Yes absolutely repeal the tax cuts. They’re all living off our dime.
They're all stealing our dime. The Walton family are the absolute worst among some very bad actors. The county their headquarters is in has among the highest per capita income in the US, yet the child poverty rate there is also among the highest.
They won't even feed the poor in their own hometown and yet Walmart rakes in 1 out of every 3 dollars spent on groceries in the US.
Please watch Food Inc. 2 for more fun tidbits on the food monopolies the Republicans have helped to achieve their status.
Also, check out the $250 million yacht Nancy Walton bought last year with the profits from the overpriced food in Walmart.
I worked for Walmart back in their early days when Sam Walton, the founder, was alive. Sam tried to make the company a partnership with employees, who he called "Associates". We had profit-sharing, stock-purchase plans, and bonuses based on how well our individual stores did after annual inventory. We also were deeply involved in charitable foundations, especially benefitting children. I met Sam and worked at 4 different stores. The moment he died, his greedy kids took over and eliminated all that. I suffered a breakdown that has left me disabled ever since. I can't even enter a Walmart without an overwhelming panic attack. I haven't shopped there in over 30 years.
I am so sorry that happened to you Paula. I'm sure you're not alone. When my wife was going to University Missouri at Rolla in 1987 they had just built a new Walmart to replace the smaller original Walmart. Since Rolla was so close to Bentonville, they were one of the earliest towns with a Walmart in Missouri.
Walmart put most of the retail businesses in Rolla out of business over a period of about seven years. Walmart could sell most of the products these retailers sold at less than they could buy them for. And as you know, when Sam was alive, it was all about buy American, but when he died, almost everything came from China further shuttering American businesses.
We rarely go to Walmart and would never buy groceries there if no other reason than to keep the other two grocery stores in town in business.
At least Amazon has been able to put a small dent in their revenues and profits. Not that Jeff Bezos is a saint either.
There are so many trustifarians that have no interest in keeping the good name of the company their parents built. They are mostly lazy morons that are worthless eaters. But yet, the Republicans keep giving them tax cuts.
Recently, Linda Bean died. She was another trustifarian who was a die hard MAGA Republican. LL would not have been proud. She hated anyone that was LGBTQ+ and did nothing for the people of Maine.
Again, I'm sorry that happened to you.
Thank you Gary. I quit buying from LL Bean when I heard about their anti-LGBT stance. My youngest son is trans-gay. I wish I could buy less from Amazon, but as a disabled senior I depend on deliveries, AND KINDLE BOOKS! At this moment I am propped in bed with my tablet and after I finish reading the news and Substack posts I will dive back into the new John Connelly. His Charlie Parker series is my favorite and this new one is incredible,
Thanks again, Paula D Coykendall
I think the anti-LGBT stance was from one of the heirs, Linda, to the LL Bean fortune who recently passed away. Employees report that the company has a vigorous DEI program and various advocacy groups support its efforts in this realm. See this from 2017: https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/11/09/hrc-scores-ll-bean-incs-lgbtq-inclusive-workplace-policies-new-corporate
I just asked my wife if she had read any John Connelly and she said she had. We listen to books on tape together in the evening so we'll put the Charlie Parker series on our list. We've been listening to the Thursday Murder Club books which they are going to make into a series and the Slough Horses series by Mick Herron which, is already a series.
One of my daughter's child hood playmates is transgender. They transitioned (sorry don't know the right word) several years ago and they are very happy with their partner.
Happy reading!
“local host Roop Raj provided a “reality check,” noting that Michigan gained 24,000 jobs between January 2021, when Biden took office, and May 2023.”
Hopefully this type of reporting will become the norm instead of the exception.
Thank goodness for a president, like Biden, who is concerned about ordinary Americans.
Please give it a rest. Yes, it is a horror story of apartheid and genocide and Zionism (which is the malignant offspring of Judaism disavowed by many).. but the big-picture calculus of trying to keep the Middle East from completely erupting and starting WWIII is infinitely more complex than you or I fully understand; we are not privy to all the facts that he and the State Dept. are. The only viable long-term solution is a major powers collaboration to realize a 2-state solution and reparations and some war crimes trials. Biden alone can NOT orchestrate that - but it is his goal.
Characterizing Zionism as "the malignant offspring of Judaism" is exactly what the rest of your comment warns against - that is acting on few facts when the story is infinitely more complex. Your charge is reductionist and revisionist - eliding some facts and skewing others.
Including, the historical circumstances out of which the Zionist movement grew, its own internal conflicts between socialism and capitalism, and how the appropriation of Zionism by religious extremists -Jewish and Christian, Israeli and American - has contributed to the catastrophe.
Lin, I must admit that I am very confused about what Zionism is vs anti-semitism and all the other “ism” is in this. I am not by any means knowledgeable about the Middle East, only know that it is one dropped match away from regionally exploding (if I read news/opinion pieces correctly). Like paying a game of Twister in a minefield. My thoughts go back to a public service commercial I saw many years ago of a young child sitting in a chair at the United Nations (if I recall it correctly) and he speaks into the mic “why can’t we all just get along”…..we need more of THAT kid in the world. I’ve wondered, too, if there was a deep DNA dive of the inhabitants of that region that many folks would/might find they have common ancestors…if true, would that fact alter perceptions/beliefs? Dunno.
I thought I would write a summary, but realizing it would be long and winding, I found it already written and clear, and Zionism explained far better than I could. I particularly like the explanation of how it has changed over time. Please take a look at this; I hope you will get some helpful information. https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/zionism
I cannot really begin to sort it all out for you.
The focus now must be forward looking - to the establishment of two sovereign and geographically autonomous states.
There is no doubt that Zionism is fraught. There are many Zionisms. From the beginning through today, some of the most profound and unflinching critique comes from within Israel.
Regarding Zionism and antisemitism, this early statement from the Vatican gives a sense of the terrain.
"Shortly after the First Zionist Congress, the semi-official Vatican periodical (edited by the Jesuits) Civiltà Cattolica gave its biblical-theological judgement on political Zionism: "1827 years have passed since the prediction of Jesus of Nazareth was fulfilled ... that [after the destruction of Jerusalem] the Jews would be led away to be slaves among all the nations and that they would remain in the dispersion [diaspora, galut] until the end of the world."[267] The Jews should not be permitted to return to Palestine with sovereignty: "According to the Sacred Scriptures, the Jewish people must always live dispersed and vagabondo [vagrant, wandering] among the other nations, so that they may render witness to Christ not only by the Scriptures ... but by their very existence".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Zionism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_antisemitism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism_in_the_United_States
Thanks, Lin, for the links…all of this makes my head, and heart, hurt. Made me recall this Kingston Trio song: The Merry Minuet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVUh5OaiADc. Like Gilda Radner said “it’s always something”.
LOL…Marc…reading her comments my mind, too, shouted “give it a rest already!!!”. I can only posit that Michele is especially empathic and sensitive to this suffering that she feels it acutely….being so many thousands of miles away and helpless to be actually able to “do” anything. Both painful and frustrating.
Yes, most of us are "distant observers" with minimal "skin in the game" other than empathy and a sincere (albeit 2nd-hand) advocacy. She may very well be one of the many directly affected (in near real-time) by the feelings and experiences of close family/friends over there. It is also true that like many umbrella terms, Zionism gets pigeon-holed and hijacked for the worst of its' manifestations.
Marc, I have a friend who in the early 2000’s traveled to Israel and Palestine to see things for himself. He participated in a non-violent peace march with Palestinians in Gaza supporting a non- apartheid relationship w/ Israel. I get that it’s complicated, but despair as we humans continue to muck up cooperation and coexistence.
As a Jew I visited Israel in 1995. My overwhelming feeling was fear because it was common to see young military men and women in the streets carrying machine guns.
I remember wondering why these people couldn't all just get along and share this beautiful land and I believe many do. Very simplistic I realize.
Fast forward and find that today I live in a country with the same kind of division and this division is getting scarier each day that passes.
Will republicans and democrats become Hamas and Israel?
Here's the history. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/05/gaza-palestinians-tortured-summarily-killed-by-hamas-forces-during-2014-conflict/
Excellent thanks.
When I read that 8,000 Palestinian children have been killed in the war, a while ago, I couldn’t see how the bombing of Gaza could be justified. If the reports I read are correct, nor does Joe Biden. A cease fire is urgent ply needed.
What does a cease fire accomplish? There is no place for people to go for safety. A cease fire Might permit humanitarian aid but then what??? Let’s take care of these millions of people who desperately need aid and then
what, start the killing all over again??? Doesn’t make sense to me.
Jack - you didn’t read Marc’s comment above.
Yes,but I read it now though and for nearly 20 years , I have heard how difficult it is and I understand that. But for all these years a bad situation for Palestinians only grows worse and a cease fire would at least stop or slow down the killing. One side wants Israel from the river to the sea and the other side shouts death to Israel. Where do you go from there? You can’t broker a two state solution when neither side wants it. Both sides want total victory and nothing less. A cease fire would mean less dead people, at least for a while, and that is what I am in favor of. A cease fire would be better than what we have now.
Per the 5/8 "Just Security", "Early Edition" the United States report that the IDF "... has violated International Humanitarian law since the War began ... " has been paused which I assume is a negotiating tactic
I assume the current "pause" in delivery of weapons to Israel including 2000 lb bombs is part of broader negotiations for a three 40 day periods with a 120 day reduction of hostilities in an agreed framework.
The principals negotiators are Israel's War Cabinet, U.S. CIA Chief, William J. Burns, the Biden Administration, Qatar, Egypt & Hamas intermediaries. The Israeli Public is a major factor. 'Palestinians' must include the West Bank. "GAZA" has been cut in half, North & South, separated by a broad, pulverized strip from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean. Proxies extend from Yemen to every country in between including parts of Syria southern Lebanon & Iraq.
For a reality check, see satellite imagery that documents current conditions including the initial incursion into Rafah. See also, Belingcat & other fact sources.
With skill, the appalling loss of life of all nationalities --- the continuing Fire in the Middle East will be extinguished.
I bet that if Hamas cared a damn, and wanted to save lives, they would have reached a deal in principle to get a cease fire and agree to work out the details later, which has always been on the table. Only they won't come to the table.
What you miss is that half the dead, at least, are Hamas. They also fudge the numbers. If you want to protest, MSM does not report that Netanyahu has support from only about 15% of the Israeli population in most polls and that Ganz is a greater threat to him than Hamas. Want to get rid of Netanyahu? Ganz is the best bet.
Qatar and Egypt are not "mediators" or "negotiators" as they have granted amnesty to Hamas murderers and rapists, and are not honest brokers. Egypt and Jordan, close neighbors, have refused to give asylum to the innocent Gazans who want to leave.
I don't know this as a fact, but I bet that the Arab Party in Israel supports Ganz.
Congress, not the president, appropriates funds. Biden clandestinely has withdrawn some of them. Behind the scenes is diplomacy. All secret. Give Biden a break.
And that's the rest of the story.
Good morning Daniel. Yesterday, Given that many on LFAA are in North America, I mentioned a few Platforms where one can get some light on all the machinations, heroics & yes genocidal tactics.
Per "Just Security" the "Early Edition"which arrived at 2:19 AM EDT, "A member of Hamas's political office, in Qatar said yesterday [5/8] that the group would not make further concessions to Israel beyond the ceasefire proposal it accepted on Monday." I doubt Arthur Burns is walking away.
As an undergraduate in the late 60's I studied Air Warfare over all the countries in SE Asia & countermeasures. So I do not accept anyone's body counts which is one reason I mentioned the "appalling loss of life" yesterday. Since the IDF has specifically targeted the vast underground network of tunnels, I do not doubt your estimates & fear the worst.
I agree with your assessment of Ganz which is why I mentioned the "Israeli Public" yesterday. Interestingly, you mentioned the "Arab Party" position. Do you monitor Haretz? I know there are some astute Israeli bloggers. Can you name any reliable or useful sources?
I am not criticizing Biden, the U.S. Dept of State or Burns. Respectfully, the 'rest of the story' is far from over.
Regards
Michelle - you’re wrong there.
https://substack.com/@ireadbannedbooks/note/c-55947976?r=brih&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Whatever his faults, Biden has the vision to help us achieve the balance that Teddy Roosevelt talked about. We need him to continue the work that his administration has started. The questions that I have, though, after reading here about what he is providing for the future of our country, are the following: How many people were at his speech at the college in Racine? How many people heard it on the news, or on whatever their usual source of news is? How is the campaign planning on reaching a wider audience and making millions of voters aware of all of the positive projects that this administration is bringing to the people and the states and the country and the world? Stuck here in my bubble, I have no sense of how Biden's words and actions are permeating into the consciousness of people elsewhere. Is reaching a wider audience happening so I can afford to feel encouraged, or is that only my hopeful delusion?
☝️☝️☝️
What Betsy said. It’s not that Biden isn’t doing enough. It’s just that we don’t seem to tell the people who most need to hear it. Billboards and straight-talking ads on local Fox stations.
My experience has been and continues to be that the MAGATs don’t believe a single part of this.
For a MAGA reality is blasphemy.
If you watch some of the interviews with TFGs most ardent followers, the sources they get their “news” from are all the way out podcasts and newsletters, etc. Many claim they don’t watch any MSM. There is no reaching people who openly state that if TFG stood on the capitol steps and killed someone that he’d still be their man, or if he doesn’t win, they’ll just die. I worry most about the normal people who will vote Republican because that’s what they always do. And people like Barr and others who openly state that TFG is not fit to be president but will vote for him. My spouse says he’s going to write someone in, and we “discuss” what this means often. He’s smart, reads, and yet still believes that our system will take care of a president trying to run off the rails. I no longer believe that, especially with SCOTUS actively or maybe passively allowing a person accused of the things our president and others have done to be able to run again and face no consequences. Heartsick doesn’t begin to describe how I feel daily.
How frustrating, Lynn. Many don’t see Project 2025 as the threat it presents, the culmination of decades of planning and manipulation.
I totally get your frustration with the arguement your husband makes. Shortsighted at best. Hang in there Lynn.
Oh, I've seen those. The ones I don't get are my former LEO friends. They watch/read those same podcasts/tv shows/blogs but absolutely believe them. One of them has told me (repeatedly) "Everything you believe about us, we believe about you".
Here's a little bit of good news: FreedomWorks is no more - https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/05/08/freedomworks-is-closing-and-blaming-trump-00156784
Taking comfort (momentarily) in the truth of "...every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand."
You are so right. Ally. Fear is a powerful instigator and it is also a perverse and powerfully addictive drug. It gives one an adrenaline boost not unlike the Facebook doom loop. It sounds counterintuitive but it’s real.
Face to face every where you go on your daily activities… gym clean up people, and gym users, and golf club members and bartenders and garbage collectors and your best friends
Each of us here ( on Ltr from an American) needs to ck in all along our daily paths to include conversations about the Biden admin huge projects /successes.
DT has absconded w the loudest fog horns we call ‘news’ disseminators…
Our commitment to Democracy now must daily/hourly when possible, include upbeat, engaging convos w friends, family, coworkers, counter coffee purveyors, etc spreading our support for BIDEN w all our reasons in short blurbs… go PEOPLE! Talk, Smile, ENGAGE! I don’t have bucks to send but I DO HAVE commitment to my COUNTRY! Let’s keep talking, writing, passing in in easily understood language the great positive actions thus far achieved by the BIDEN administration!
A good question…how many were there in Racine to hear Biden and where was it reported, in the MSM? MSM is obsessed about Cheetolinni and his trials. Biden is rarely mentioned and rarely is the headliner in the daily news like he should be. We are being force-fed several daily news stories about the former guy which would lead an outside observer to think reporting on how many times he farts or falls asleep in the courtroom is newsworthy. I am so tired of the constant coverage of the former guy and he is laughing at all of us…he gets daily attention, and even negative attention keeps him on our minds every single day, I’d say stop catering to his foolishness and give us daily news about the good Biden is doing. But, alas, that won’t profit the news people like the former guy does.
Who's to say Biden's success won't turn a media profit? They owe it to the American People to report both sides! We ought to make a law that says any media company with the word 'News' in it should be accountable to the truth and penalized if found otherwise.
IMHO, part of the issue is that so much of our “news/information” is now siloed into “group-think”….gone are the days of Cronkite delivering the news to most households so we all got a no-spin delivery. It’s like we are all living in different realities depending on “who/what” we watch. Came across this & it took me down memory lane…even to the old B&W TV days of my youth: https://www.ranker.com/list/the-most-influential-news-anchors-of-all-time/ranker-news
I've had conversation with a good friend about this; we have lost a continuity in our collectiveness when we all got the same news from the same sources that were produced with journalistic integrity. I remember my Dad would watch CBS, then wander over to see what the "conservatives" on NBC had to say (their 30 minute news broadcasts were off-set.) With the advent of the 24 hour cable "news cycle" we've lost the true news and are now subject to "infotainment" that is incredibly biased and (in many cases) lacking in journalistic integrity.
The same goes with TV shows; for my cohort, it was watching Star Trek: The Next Generation with a subset watching Xena, Warrior Princess. For others it was Mork and Mindy, ER, and other good TV shows in the 80's and 90's. We had a common frame of reference. Fast forward (and I use that term very intentionally) to Game of Thrones. So, so many conversations begin with "Don't tell me about GoT; I had a meeting/game/event last night and recorded is." The shared experience began to dwindle, and now we are into "binge watching" shows.
Betsy - Hamas planned this war to throw America into even more confusion on a highly emotional issue of the attack on Israel and make it more difficult to achieve peace in the Middle East.
So at the moment, we’ll have three choices in November:
1. The 81 year-old fairly normal guy;
2. The mobster; or
3. The brain worm guy.
Unless we get hit by an asteroid or something in the interim, I think I’ll go with the fairly normal guy.
William, I would add that the fairly normal guy and his admin are ACTUALLY getting the job done instead of just talking about it. I’ll take wisdom & experience & humility over a carney barker any day (no shade intended to actual carney barker’s who probably work hard).
My spouse thinks Biden is too old and will not make it. He says dementia, I say old age faltering. What I look at is the cadre of competent, committed people he has around him who have and continue to do their jobs. I contrast that with TFG who has demonstrated incompetence, is showing increasing signs of real dementia, and who promises to surround himself with other thugs and extremists and loyalists who may or may not have an idea of what their actual responsibilities are. There is no choice.
I don’t know about others, but
I know many folks who are in their 80’s and 90’s who still have their shit together. May I be so blessed. My mom was 90 when she passed away. Did she have age related issues? Yep. A little hard of hearing, sometimes forgetful but her thought processes were still sharp. I am so tired of this age argument!
My Mom (a lifetime smoker) passed from pneumonia at age 82. She was as sharp as a tack right up to the end. Her sister passed at 94, sharp as a tack as well, as did my Dad's sister who, at 96, was still leading book groups and discussion sessions.
Good genes Ally👍. Makes me wish that Joe was a woman. I’m hoping we don’t have to do another Ronald Reagan tour.😵💫
Good one, William!😄
Worm brain would be different, but is that good?
I'd need to hear what the worm has to say before I'd seriously consider changing away from the normal guy
- Is the worm someone you could have a beer with? - Is he Black? - What are his pronouns?
Gary - he’s a nut case.
I think the worm just just a generic brain-eater. It eats logic and poos MAGA.
That’s why many people voted for TFG the first time around. He was different all right!
Seemed that for some, a vote for Trump was just a shot in the dark, but the gunfire hit the Constitution. We can't pretend to be a functioning self-governing nation if we fail to study what we are voting for as an informed electorate; garbage in, garbage out.
"I alone can fix it" is an ipso facto scam when speaking of leading a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
JL Graham - hell no.
Biden is what Jim Collins labeled a “level 5 leader”. It’s a national tragedy that there are so few leaders in all organizations both private and public, but thankfully we have one in one of the most important jobs on earth at a critical time. With a little luck, maybe Americans will step up and vote for character and ability rather than show and blow.
Glenn, I see Biden and his admin as true public servants, in it to make progress for us all. None of them appear to show self aggrandizement and thus fly under the radar, quietly doing the work of state and international affairs. What a steady, competent, contrast to the carney barking (still, to this day) of the previous admin and its holdovers presently (looking at you MTG) performing in Congress.
Barbara - thank you very much. It needed to be said.
Heather, it is truly astounding and awe inspiring to receive the information you provide us each day. I truly wonder when you sleep.
Remarkably clear thinker.
Biden has studied the past and is making policy inroads based on the lessons learned. I am feeling very grateful that he is our president. We need him to finish the job. Four more years!
🗳️🗳️🗳️🗳️🗳️🗳️🗳️🗳️
Go for it cForrestM… send your notes to your email list!
A stipulation of Republican areas receiving these funds should be that every contractor working these jobs provide proof that they are informing their labor that they are getting jobs because of these programs. R governors and other elected persons will undoubtedly be taking credit for these programs that they voted against and they need to be called out…loudly and often.
Truly. Talking point to carry in your pocket..
Great idea!
Love it!
👍🫶🏻
I am glad Pres. Biden mentioned, on a human scale, what was taken by Walker's folly. It was not just the broken promises of job's and prosperity. Homes, farms, communities were bought out, forced out, and bulldozed. A friend took me to see the site. It was a razing of the earth on an apocalyptic scale. For the grandiosity of rotten schemes. As Biden said about Walker and Trump with their golden shovels - they dug a hole.
The Shahnahmeh, Persian Book of Kings talks of an animal that suddenly appeared on the plains. It fought all the other animals. It shone like gold, but all was corruption within. The book tells another story. A king ordered his troops to destroy a city. His advisor said "No, if you do that everyone will hate you. Instead appoint a loud mouthed ignoramus to govern this city. And he will destroy it." The Persians play a long game.
WE ARE NOW IN A LONG GAME… Bring your hiking boots and your warmest smile… Biden has spent his whole adult life learning what he brings to us every minute of each of these days as our President. He’s a Learn-Ed Politician/human . Willing to continue to meet each day w good energy and HOPEFUL programs that ARE ACTUALLY BEING ACHIEVED .
None of this is being touted by The New York Times… which I would drop if I didn’t have an attachment to their damn games!
"Willing to continue to meet each day w good energy and HOPEFUL programs that ARE ACTUALLY BEING ACHIEVED . "
This really personifies Biden - and his administration! It is truly remarkable.
To protect American democracy, reach out to millions of unregistered likely Democrats using a dedicated database using every outreach method possible (phone and text, postcard, email and targeted ad, and in-person too), where new Democratic voters will make the most impact – in the most flippable states and districts.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/actions
ThankYou for your comment, your work, and for posting the link!
The pre-stamped USPS postcards are least expensive. I try to make them more eye catching with colored inks - but these Field Team 6 postcards are irresistible
- hope potential voters think so!
I did drop NYT and the damn games can be replaced.
Or you could just help a self-serving, loudmouthed, ignoramus get elected in a nation you want to destroy, which I assume is the inspiration for the comparison.
This chokes me up. We need a really good sunrise, no matter the weather, on 5 November. I even think this President and his team will know how to harness Microsoft.
We must SUPPORT BIDEN NOW… and everyday until Nov 5th…
Carol, I see Biden/Harris as a “collective” of smart, capable, caring folks that staff his admin….he does not micromanage, instead gets the best to lead in their area of expertise….to me he is a grandmaster at the chess board—overseeing, yet encouraging each “piece” to do its job.
And after Nov 5, because once we prove we want to keep democracy, we need to continue working to clean up the mess the republicans have made de-regulating both democracy and our judicial system.
"It is no easy matter to keep the balance level and make it evident that we have set our faces like flint against seeing this government turned into either government by a plutocracy, or government by a mob." -Theodore Roosevelt. We need BOTH Roosevelts now. Urgently!
Such a great quote
Get up and carry the ROOSEVELT’s MESSAGES
So true!
Unless one resided in Wisconsin prior to the installation of Scott Walker via Koch Brothers, one can "know about" but not really know the profound damage that was done to this state's environment, education, economy, and governance by this disservice. Wisconsin was the Koch beta-test for how to take over a government. It is a credit to the magnificent citizens that they were able to break the chains and restore some semblance of sanity. It may be decades before the State recovers completely from the damage.
But their GIFT to us all… Wisconsin has taken control back!!
So right, Carol!
Ed! You got it! "Wisconsin was the Koch beta-test for how to take over a government." Yes, we're a smallish state and the Kochs thought they could buy it. They succeeded for a while and it's been hard, dirty, expensive work fighting the Republican regressive State legislature. Yes, it will take decades, but we are battling for our lives and livelihoods. Republicans, Scott Walker especially, are the worst thing that ever happened to Wisconsin.