Once Trump is out of office, how can we convince the news media to STOP reporting about him? If they simply don’t give him any energy or air time with him what a relief it would be!!!
Donald J. Trump can learn something from the Seventeenth Century Spanish Jesuit scholar, Baltasar Gracian, whose “Art of Worldly Wisdom” is still pertinent today, if he had only read it five years ago. In Number 59 of his ”Pocket Oracle,” Gracian commented on things “Ending Well.”
He wrote that “If you enter the house of Fortune through the door of pleasure, you will leave through the door of sorrow, and vice versa. So be careful of the way you end things and devote more attention to a successful exit than to a highly applauded entrance. Fortunate people often have favorable beginnings and very tragic endings. What matters isn’t being applauded when you arrive - - - for that is common - - - but being missed when you leave. Rare are those who are still wanted. Fortune seldom accompanies someone to the door. She is as courteous to those who are coming as she is rude to those who are going.”
Since Trump spent two years at Fordham University, a Jesuit school, it is conceivable that he was exposed to such ideas, that is if he ever showed up in class or did any of the assigned readings.
If he did show up at Fordham, he certainly wasn't a Jesuit scholar! His tribe worshipped Norman Vincent Peale, attended the Marble Collegiate Church, and read "The Power of Positive Thinking." But to your point, he doesn't (can't?) read.
Wise words. But wasted on T if he ever was exposed to them. I don't think he has the ability or the desire to parse the meaning in this kind of writing. That's at the root of the problems he creates.
Trump was always "the dumbest f-ing student who ever walked into my classroom" in the memory of the professor whose class at Wharton he was allowed to AUDIT (being too stupid to be allowed entry to the school as a regular student, even back then in the days of lowered entry requirements)
One afternoon, feeling the need to relieve himself, he might have gone into the Wharton School's building, used the facilities there, and since then has been saying that he attended Wharton. Quite likely, that was the extent of his "going" there.
I've never been quite clear as to T's status at Wharton. He transferred to the U of P, and somehow parlayed that into attending Wharton. What does his diploma, if he ever got one, read? Was he ever a 'regular' student there? I'm sure his records have been shredded.
Don't know if he has a diploma, but colleges and universities are anal about records. I once needed to prove I'd taken a particular class, almost 50 years after the fact. 3 days after my inquiry I got a call: they had found my records in the archives and where would I like my copy sent?
Yes, they must stop giving him free airtime, and I suspect most will. However, what concerns me is that his ‘cult’ followers don’t watch mm anyway. They follow Fox, Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, the QAnon folks. Are those sources of so called ‘news’ going away? And these reports that Trump wants to start his own news station. SMH! His followers will continue to be all pumped up, our country will continue to be divided, and if Trump passes away, his kids will take up the rein. The followers wouldn’t care what his kids would say, they would continue following the Trump ‘brand’. I suspect, at least hope, that Biden and his people have a plan to combat this madness. It is so refreshing to read about a true leader putting together a team of experienced and knowledgeable people...it gives me hope. When reading about Biden touching base with Republicans, I wonder if he should reach out to other ‘news’ sources, the right-wing ones? Would they be compelled to actually say something positive about Biden? Somehow, real news that doesn’t misinform needs to get through to these Trump cult followers.
They shouldn't be allowed to label themselves as 'news', though. That's what my mom uses when she quotes their twisted 'truths' at me, 'But they are a news program.' Umm, no, they're not, mom. 🙄😔
I try to stay off the subject of politics with people who've drunk the Kool-Aid, but one Trumpie acquaintance told me that Fox isn't "news," but "opinion." She still takes all that they spout as gospel, though. Bottom line, you just can't reason with these people.
I've done the same, and told my mom repeatedly that it's not a topic we can rationally discuss, but she spouts it off at times. I've stopped attempting to correct her statements and usually ignore them, at this point. Makes for a strained relationship, to say the least. Chalk that up against Trump, too.
I totally understand. You can lose a friend who drives you crazy, but "unfriending" a parent is not an option. In this case, just another travesty that the Menace has visited upon us. That's what he thrives on - division.
I believe the supporters are undermining the healing and bipartisan ship of our country. If we could get some of them to reconnect with reality, perhaps they can influence others to do so. I know many are a lost cause but I also believe there is strength in numbers and right now, based on the numbers who voted for Trump, there are too many of them.
There has been plenty of opportunity to connect with reality. Conscious choice to immerse themselves in the Rush Limbaughs of the world (who has been around for what seems like forever). Unfortunately, now that they live in an alternate reality, it will take time to deprogram. And that’s only if they want to. And as long as the far right media has followers who succumb to the click bait, making $$ for those medias (even on FB), they’re not going anywhere. Greed is the motivator. Not leaving the world a better place. :/
Yep, and now they're moving in droves to Parler, where they can egg each other on. I haven't looked at it, myself, but a few friends have (out of curiosity) and the screenshots they've shared are pretty sick.
Check out HRC Twitter feed where she cited a thread from someone researching the origins of Parler and following the money. It seems to be very Russian based
A human -unlike a God or Goddess -is mortal with limited power and energy. The country has experienced years of neglect- feel and see: bridges collapsing, Flint lead pipe water poisoning, jobs given to other countries, explosion of homelessness, millions without health care, opioid crisis, skyrocketing school loan debt, one-check-away from destitution, robotization, monopolies instead of competition, Covid catastrophe, massive bird die offs, acidification of the oceans....more and more.We have a choice: Concentrate energies or split them. Important too is to ask ourselves: When and how often have we witnessed Republicans working hard to improve the material conditions of the People's life in the foregoing areas? Name two. Consider too: Under whose watch was the
lie-based invasion of Iraq? the crappy response to helping our New Orleans' brothers and sisters during Katrina? Substantive experiential betterment in living conditions is the biggest opinion-shaper. Appearances of "reaching out to the other (obstinate, defiant, anti-science, rigid, absolutistic, bullying prone, lying) side" has echoes of Obama-ism, strong on sounding good, hollow on actualized betterment.
It might be nice to have a standard of fact based journalism in order to be called "news." Otherwise a media outlet should be labelled as opinion. Which I believe Tucker Carlson was declared such by a judge, if I'm not mistaken. Labels matter so consumers can make informed choices.
That is not something to be taken on by the government. That is our responsibility as citizens when we make choices to support one source of info over another. WE create the labels and the environment for responsible news reporting and analysis. WE are responsible for informing ourselves about what various media can do so that we can make informed choices. WE should not be expecting our government to be setting standards for journalism or for expression of opinion. That would create a base that could be exploited in the future to control content.
Agree -- denying Trump media oxygen is just good sense, especially when he is no longer President. But, I think we have to remember that it is mainstream media that have reported, and grossly over-reported, on every bit of Trump's nonsense and provocations since 2016. Simply put, it sells papers. In my view, NYT and WaPo, etc. have made this breathless Trump over-reporting central to their business models. Democratic-leaning readers should be demanding much more from the outlets we tend to read the most.
I heard yesterday in an LP podcast that Fox gets its revenues from the cable companies that carry it—like $x per household, not advertisers. It’s an unusual setup, but it’s your cable providers who need to know how you feel about Fox keeping the “base” stoked.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a digital service was available that offered a menu approach to selecting your cable channels. But then even the mains on the restaurant menu come with starches included. However, most do allow you to tailor the dishes to your satisfaction. I suppose that is why my cable service allows me to select a favorites channel list that excludes many of the channels that do not interest me at all. Although, it does not reduce my monthly bill or the fees they pay for availability of those channels. Perhaps they could offer packages for “informed and interested” viewers and another package for “uninformed, disinterested dullards?” Probably need to give some thought to renaming those packages with help from the marketing department.
HCR covered the bundling of Fox into cable packages in one of the H&P chats a couple weeks ago (a Tuesday I think, if you are interested). I had no idea this was the main source of revenue for them.
There are options to accessing TV without cable. I use an antenna inside the home, get 29 channels. It may not work for every location, but for enough that if big numbers of customers closed their cable accounts to protest the likes of Fox, it might matter. (I’m not a fan of bundling, so it was an easy choice for me.)
Ok, I think now I know which of Heather's lectures I missed, gotta pick it up. As for cable, I've never had it, having lived most of my adult life where it was not available. (Ironic, since I grew up where it was first invented, though I think several places make that claim). I am not much for watching tv (or going to movies) anyway. I watch stuff on my computer. My big escape is binge watching mystery series streamed by PBS. Need one now.
That is the financial basis for all cable entities. A certain $ percentage of all households that have cable contribute to the income of ALL the programming. The more popular or powerful companies (Fox) can demand a higher percentage. But if you have cable you are paying for everything on your system. Another good reason to "cut the cord".
I’ve said the same thing. Two things come to mind. Boycott them for a while til they get the message and send thousands of letters. Those r the two things that work conclusively.
I routinely write letters to media when they overstep. I am polite, and I am clear about exactly what bothers me and I detail why. Sometimes I get a reply, sometimes not. I am selective about it: there are some media outlets I read/watch just so I have an idea where they are in the scheme of things. I don't bother contacting those that focus on negativity and clickbait stories. But an outlet I respect: yes, I will call them out, or send words of appreciation, as appropriate. I have no doubt that even one well-written letter can make a difference. Not sure that a blitz makes a difference, and it could do damage.
I also believe in supporting both outlets and their staff who are trying, even if they sometimes miss (and by support, I mean I subscribe as well as write letters). They are all working with reduced staff, reduced income, reduced resources, and many are going under. Staff morale is low because none of them know if they will have a job the next day. Can you imagine what it must feel like to be working your rear off, sometimes risking your life to get a story that matters, and then get letters from people who are mad because you didn't cover it the way they wanted? Give them the respect they deserve, and let them know gently when you feel they have messed up.
He is not as eloquent as Obama. He is sincere, humble and hardworking. Biden is a soothing tonic to help the nation reestablish its efforts towards becoming a more perfect union. America has always been a work in progress. Biden will get us back on track and will undo much of the division, contempt for the rule of law, dismissive attitude towards allies and chaos that have been hallmarks of the past four years.
My take away is this, no one person is going to save us. We have to do the work! I hope we have all learned our lesson and we are prepared to be constantly involved with this government no matter who is elected.
I concur that no one man can save. The most frightening thing Trump said in 2016 was that he alone could save us. Biden alone is not our savior; he doesn’t suffer from a Messiah complex. He recognizes the necessity of a talented, intelligent, diverse supporting cast with him in government and the support of the electorate. We, as you rightly point out, must be involved at all times, not just the constantly remind our elected officials of our needs, but also to keep them operating within appropriate guardrails so that our democracy is maintained regardless of the party in power.
I think the sign of real intelligence is to know your own limitations and to seek intelligent help when needed. Surrounding yourself with independent thinking, intelligent advisors (not sycophants) is NOT a sign of weakness, but of strength.
Hi Prof R, here’s my Thursday history chat suggestion: please do a history of indigenous peoples of America.
💕Thank you for your commentary and lectures on TTh during pandemic too by the way. You motivated me to care about what is going on & I ended up volunteering for Disability Vote California during September-October 2020.💕
I am listening to her book How the South Won the Civil War..there is a ton of information about Native American people and their genocide...doesn’t seem to be any other word for. It. It’s a struggle to get through, but very important to know.
There is a lot of work that's been done in the last few decades to illuminate and correct the distortions in the history of Native American peoples: much of it has been done by Native American scholars. We have a complex history: I'd encourage anyone interested to explore it.
What I'd love to hear from Heather, using her approach of using American history to establish context, is an exploration of what is going on right now that impacts Native peoples evolved, what *they* consider issues and how *they* want them addressed. One BIG thing that I know Heather is aware of but that seems to fly past most Euro-Americans, is that we are not one people. We are many cultures, with different world-views and different expectations, different ways, different stories, different philosophies (though there are common threads that tie people together, just as there was in Europe and Asia and Africa).
An example: in a recent multi-racial seminar, I was in a break-out group of 30 or so. We were discussing healing. A Euro-American woman talked about the necessity for each person to explore their own wounds, seek out therapy and heal individually before they could heal others. she used her own experience as an example The "room" grew very quiet.
As a white-appearing woman who identifies as Indigenous, I realized that perhaps the silence was waiting for my voice, and I waited for the words to come. I gently pointed out that different cultures had different ways to looking at things, and that while what she courageously shared was true in one way, she was from a culture that highly valued individualism, and tended to define things in terms of individual action and accomplishment. But there were other ways to look at healing. When "we" (I indicated the rest of the folks in the room, some of whom I could not see) speak of healing, we are talking about healing as a community, because that's how we define ourselves. People have been part of communities for longer than we've been people. And at that, the mikes opened and there was a chorus of voices affirming that sense of community as defining who we are, and inviting her to join us.
At the end, as the session ended we all reached out with warm smiles, and maybe a few tears as we said good-bye. This very diverse group, in just 45 minutes, was already finding itself a community.
Thank you for your thoughtful response, Annie. Certainly being able to understand and appreciate the diversity of indigenous peopleS would be so valuable! Is there a work that covers this field of research that you would recommend. I am swimming in a sea of ignorance and don't know where to start. Thank you!
I've been pondering this for a week, and wondering what might work. There is a huge body of work out there. It is easy to find, the only problem being that some is good and some is not worth the time. And no one work is going to be enough to even begin with. There is one common thread that ties us all together, though, and it's a place to start to get a sense of indigenous people in today's America.
I came across this beautiful program "Broken Treaties",, from Oregon Public Broadcasting. It tells the story of what happened to the Oregon peoples beautifully and honestly. At the same time, it tells the story of all indigenous peoples on this continent, with the main differences being the cultural details. One thing I especially like about this telling is how it shows the many peoples of Oregon and the surrounding areas, and what happened to them, and where they are now, how they survived and became who they are now. In spite of everything, they survived. I grew up in Oregon, and I am descended from people who were originally in the Great Basin area. I saw many people I could be related to, or who look like me.
Start here. Then perhaps find a college with a native american studies program, or a museum that focuses on both history and modern times in American indigenous culture. If you are near a good college with someone whose specialty is native american history, maybe ask that person for suggestions about books and other resources. If you are near a reservation that sponsors public events, go to one of them (many reservations have their own museums, too). A suggestion: be prepared to watch and learn by listening. If you are in a situation where questions are encouraged, ask questions about what is going on, but not personal questions. If you see a white-looking person wearing traditional dress, please allow that person to simply be there. He/she/they are not there for you: they are there because they need to be who they truly are without having to explain.
Thank you Annie. I have bookmarked and look forward to learning from the documentary series you suggested. Also I have started reading A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki, which begins with the history of the devastating interaction between the European and indigenous nations in America.
The Tweet of condolence for the members of the team that were killed in the helicopter crash and exchange of human concerns with Francis compared to usual Trump drivel marks a separation of the light bursting at the end of a long dismal night.
I can see the results of a highly structured knowledgeable mind at work with the basics of forming a new Government begin with consultations and recruitment of experienced talent rather than headline seeking announcements and empty promises.
I may be reaching but I have a growing sense of the Camelot promise of the Kennedy era blooming. The solid credentials of his Chief of Staff and advisors already bulge with hope. Consulting with a cooperative Mattis speaks volumes. General Mattis is truly one of the great leaders of our time. His books are filled with erudition and wisdom.
I see Biden as a wedge of light piercing the fog of ignorance and uncertainty that has dominated the White House for four years. Worth the wait.
I thought the exact same thing when I read Biden's message to the families of the helicopter crash: THIS is how a leader acts. I too feel relieved that we may finally be on the cusp of some normalcy returning to the highest office in the land. Of course, we have to get the current interloper out and hope he doesn't burn everything down before we're rid of him. IMO, though, current GOP leaders defending this miscreant and even daring to say he's entitled to challenging all these results should DEFINITELY have to answer for their negligence in defending the democratic norms of this republic and placing the whims of one person over the will of the people. They are traitors in my eyes. We cannot let them forget what they have done.
This thread could have stopped right here and it would have been fine. Instead, sadly it deteriorated into something that might appear in a third-rate newspaper. I feel disappointed because you all clearly are intelligent. But perhaps still too caught up in something that has already been settled: the election. Let it play out on its own, please. We know the background; we know where it is going. There is nothing we can accomplish by yelling at each other over the details. Do we really need to keep reverting to Trump? He really has dug himself deeply into people, hasn't he? How can we pry him loose from our psyches?
Wow...I step away from y'all for a while and all hell breaks loose! Sorry if I started something that devolved into a flame war. I've been away because I've been in the ER for the past 4 hours trying to see what's wrong with my mom--still waiting. Anxious. Im sorry to see everybody yelling. That shouldn't happen. Trump always seems to bring out the worst in folks. That's his legacy, IMO. He's a horrid horrid man. I'm proud to report that when the RN was asking my mom some questions to check her state of mind, he asked her, "who is the President?", my sweet little 97-year old lifelong Republican mum sais quite resolutely, "that ASS, Trump!!" Yup...she's my mum alright. Y'all please take a breather and try to refrain from personal stuff. There's no reason why we have to sink to Trump’s level. I just walk away from arguments and these kinds of exchanges. NOTHING is worth the negativity and anxiety, y'know. Peace y'all.
Bruce, sorry you came back from a stressful situation only to find more stress. It wasn't anything you did that started this. Somebody got bent out of shape over something and couldn't let go. I have to say I haven't seen anything like this for years (I avoid these kinds of thing too. Or try.)
I think it's settled down now. The discussion here is usually so level-headed and thoughtful. Let's hope it gets back to our usual communal good-natured grouse and info exchange. Scroll down a bit and there's some good info and discussion.
How's your mom doing? Hope she's ok. Have you found out anything yet? BTW, I loved her answer when the doc asked her who the president is! Good for her! Be praying for her. And you.
Bruce, as I recall, Stacy Abrams, a darling of the Democratic Party, took 10 days to concede her loss in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race. Didn’t she also file several lawsuits challenging the outcome of the election? I don’t support Trump or his behavior. Trump clearly lost the election, but he has a legal right to challenge election results and those rights should be respected by all. Let’s be consistent.
She lost the gubernatorial race by 55,000 votes. Leading up to that election there had been incident after incident of issues with voter rolls (illegally, as it turned out) being artificially purged of names on the shakiest of reasons. This was seen as overwhelmingly occurring in places with higher proportions of African-American voters. There are some poor rural counties in south GA where they are 40-60% of the population. The rules for what IDs would be acceptable to register to vote, or to even vote, were found to be discriminatory and disproportionately penalized poorer folks who could not afford a car or who could not provide all the documents needed for an ID. The numbers of polling places in larger more rural counties were extremely sparse and made getting to the polls extremely difficult for some people. The voting machines themselves were 20+ years old and far from secure. There was NO paper back-up system as there is now. These and other issues are all matters of public record now and the whole system in GA was overhauled and improved. Though drug kicking and screaming into reforms, the GOP in GA is to be credited with getting these things done within a fairly narrow time-frame. The messes around the June primaries were also remedied as they were an embarrassment to the state. Abrams, if my memory serves, filed 2 lawsuits, and in light of all these, and more, improprieties I alluded to, she was more than within her rights to demand things be looked into. This she did, and the results of more than 66,000 black voters added to the rolls in GA (African-Americans constitute 32% of the population in GA, BTW). It doesn't take advanced mathematics to see that the # of voters she helped add constitutes more than the margin she lost by in '18. So...one can see why her contesting the results was more than logical. Trump, on the other hand, is contesting/suing in states where there is no conceivable way that results could be overturned. (He lost by over 100,000 votes in Michigan--hello? WHY sue them???) These are even in states that are Republican-run! No, these lawsuits are purely frivolous and defy any logical reasoning. The outcomes will NOT be changed. BIG difference, IMO.
Well said. Stacey also was announcing the end of 160 years of the end of the war of rebellion by which the enemies of the United States determined to deny the end of slavery by denial of the equal status of Black Americans.
Many of the attempts at manipulation of her support was born of segregation and denial of citizenship by the Dixie Aristocrats still in power in Georgia.
Trump merely reflects the tantrum of a spoiled child to reality.
Trump has a legal right to challenge the election results. Whether or not he has a leg to stand on is for the courts to determine. Do I think it's petty, quixotic, boorish, dangerous, etc.? Yes. Legal? Yes.
Stacey felt there were true improprieties and suppression going on in her election. Trump et al doesn’t think there was true fraud: their allegations are to keep the base angry for senate runoff races. So yes, it is consistent to support what Stacey did post-election and to denounce what trump is doing. The Abrams/Trump situations are a false equivalency.
It's not about what she "thinks." There WERE major irregularities in that Georgia election, spurring her to do the work that has won the state for Biden.
Oh please. You want to talk about hypocrisy? How about not filling a SC seat 9 months before an election then rushing to fill one only days before? (“Play the tape” Lindsey ) How about McConnell blocking everything that President Obama tried to do, including judges, so he would fail? How about all the Republicans who denounced tRump as being unhinged, a kook, whatever and are now kissing up to him and threatening our democracy? How about the Senate intelligence committee knowing all about the election interference and then keeping mum. I could go on but I won’t. So don’t talk to this group about hypocrisy.
Situations need to be equivalent in order to show the hypocrisy. And how do you know they’re the same? I know they’re different because Trump censors/fires people and experts on his “side” who tell him his allegations are false. He does not want to hear the truth from his own circle. They even know his allegations are wrong.
If you're talking about me (CAG)...I'm 70 years old, 6' 1" tall, 155 pounds with an IQ in the 140's. Skipped 4th grade. Graduated high school at age 16. BS and MS from the University of California. I live in a basementless house in a coastal golf community with my spouse, the retired part-owner, president and CEO of a company with 170 employees. We are top 5%'ers. And you?
I see a new troll has showed up in our comments. Posing as an anti-trumper like the others, while still defending his illegal, unethical or outright insane actions.
Trump challenging election results may seem insane, but it is not unethical nor illegal. Had you been reading comments for the last few months, you would know I am not new. Just because someone has a different perspective than the prevailing sentiment on this site does not make them a troll.
Trump has been challenging the election results before the election has ever happened; he cast doubt on mail-in voting and absentee ballots; he has delayed the postal service; he wanted to stop counting military ballots; he made unsubstantiated claims and it has done so much damage to undermine the trust in our elections. This isn’t a situation of your “different perspective or opinion;” it is our bafflement that an intelligent person like you would support this corrupt man and his damage to one of our most prized freedoms: elections.
I don't support Trump, but the fact is he delivered on his economic and deregulation promises. You might not like what he did, but a significant portion of the population support him based on what he did for their pocketbook. And, whether or not we like what he is doing, he does have a legal right to challenge election results.
Yes! Please God, in the name of all that is holy, let's be consistent! A good place to start would be in support of the democratic processes that make our country strong, whaddaya say? Perhaps respecting elections and the will of the people could be on the list. And maybe we could agree to denounce the practice of gaming the electoral college to put people in office who only win the minority of the vote. Although, on reflection, Republicans are pretty consistent with that one.
I completely agree with you, and want so desperately to feel optimism. However, I know a few trumpsters, and they are so far down the rabbit hole I feel Biden will be "up against it" for his entire term, especially if cheeto tries to remain in the spotlight.
“Troll” is the Democratic equivalent of Republican “Fake News.” Both monikers attempt to silence or discredit voices with a different perspective. I’m glad to be a troll if that’s what it takes to speak freely. 🤗
Yesterday my grandsons' schools in Kentucky went back to total virtual learning. The two in elementary school had attended in person during October after virtual during September. The oldest in high school attended the hybird version that the high school and middle school were set up on. Despite the leadership of our governor but in spite of those who refuse to take the virus seriously, our numbers are rising along with hospital admissions. the governor, Andy Beshear, has had to fight the Republican establishment in the state over his attempts to contain the virus here, including a court case which he won. They have called him a dictator and other names.
But I digress, Because of work schedules, I oversaw the two younger sibling (2nd and 4th grade) as they met with their classes. The younger grandson's teacher asked the class what they liked and did not like about virtual learning. Most said they liked being home, they liked being on the computer, etc. Almost to a child, they all said they did not like being apart physically from their teacher and each other. Most said they cried when they heard they were gong back to total virtual. I wanted to cry.
My oldest grandson is missing playing with the band during his junior year. He is a talented trumpeter who is continuing to hone his talent but having lessons virtually. When he was going i person two days a week, he was able to meet with his band director in person, but now that is out. My second grandson is a budding artist and was looking forward to art lessons. My second granddaughter in another household was awarded a scholarship to study architecture for four weeks at an out-of-state school through a STEM program but cannot take advantage of this. My oldest granddaughter graduated from high school virtually last May and is attending college but with most classes virtually.
I am angry with the current federal administration and with my state politicians who refused to take this pandemic seriously at the first and continue to refuse to take it seriously. However, these children are future voters and if other children are like my grandchildren, they are taking notes on who has really looked after their future and who has not. I feel I have been rather disjointed in this comment but my emotions are high about this.
My third grade grandson from KY is with us, and we spent nearly ALL DAY (or so it seems) supervising his virtual schoolwork. I find some things about computer learning and teaching innovation and clever; other things about virtual school are short changing the kids. Your governor (whom I encouraged my daughter and her family to vote for) is swimming upstream in a state that seems to think Republicans, do or die!
I'm guessing this infectious disease expert was choosing her words? “that in schools where students and staff are always wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, this virus does not spread as easily as it does in other places where these strategies are not always used.” Well DUH????? That would seem to be the understatement of the week.
Morning, all!! Dr. R's Letter tonight is full of Biden news, giving a what's up report as well as future plans for after January 20, 2021, and an ever empathetic future President that we the people have elected. Feels great!
With President-elect Biden's announcement on Ron Klain to become his Chief of Staff, I am getting excited about seeing who he chooses for all the Cabinet position. Klain was interviewed by Lawrence O'Donnell this evening and was most impressive. I'd like to see the Cabinet reflect an emphasis on social justice with women and minorities much more the norm than the exception and giving voice to the lived experience so these diverse perspectives make policies and legislation so much stronger and more successful in solving the inequities in our institutions. I'd like to see a couple of moderate Republicans in the Cabinet like Governor William Weld who did great things as Governor of Massachusetts, a pretty liberal state overall. Governor Weld would be a great Attorney General. Then I could see Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of State. He speaks five languages, a Rhodes scholar, a US Navy intelligence officer. I could see Senator Elizabeth Warren as Secretary of Commerce and Congresswoman Val Demings of Secretary of Homeland Security. Congresswoman Karen Bass could take on any of several positions. Perhaps Roger Ferguson for Secretary of the Treasury. How about Andrew Yang as Secretary of Health and Human Services with his new economic ideas? With the revolution in technology we'll see over the next couple of decades it would be prudent to have a new position - Secretary of Science and Technology. Michele Flournoy for Secretary of Defense. And, Governor Inslee for Secretary of the Interior with his focus on climate change. There are a million combinations of extremely fine candidates possible. Lots of fun to speculate. Enjoy!
I agree about Warren, but someone pointed out yesterday that Biden needs Warren in the Senate. If he appoints her, our Republican governor, although somewhat moderate might choose a republican to fill her seat until 2022. That would change the senate a lot.
Right now paying attention to Science and Technology is existential when we've lost four years to science deniers. Technology is in the midst of coming of age with AI which will drastically change our economics for one thing. So, I could see it needing Cabinet level priority although the Dept. of Interior can take the lead on climate technology and policy. We also need someone championing net neutrality and regulating the giant tech companies in a number of ways.
A Secretary of Arts and Culture would fit with my long term goal of having the primary measure of a country be a Well-Being Index rather than solely GNP. Money doesn't buy happiness... Engagement in the arts is a way to enhance one's well-being. Engagement is one of the five elements of Dr. Martin Seligman's theory of Well-Being. See authentichappiness.com for more on his theory. Dr. Seligman states: Engagement is about flow: being one with the music, time stopping, and the loss of self-consciousness during an absorbing activity. How many times have you experience being lost in the music and then feeling good the rest of the day. I've been fortunate as a professional musician as a segment of my life to have many of those experiences.
Think about who a Trump or Bush would appoint to that seat and the harm they would do to the arts in this country. We have the National Endowment for The Arts. That's enough.
Yes, it certainly would be a hard decision on where she would be most valuable and with a Republican governor in Massachusetts right not I wouldn't want to see a Republican appointed to her seat in the Senate. Nevertheless, it is fun to think about having her stand up against Wall Street.
I agree with almost everything you suggest except for Weld. IMHO, Bill Weld never had the nerve to speak out against Trump in 5 years, through 2 elections. He was late to the COVID fight, ignored the nursing home problem and is a politician rather than a public servant. While I would like to see him out of the State House, I don’t want to see him in DC. following the slippery footsteps of Mitt Romney and Scott Brown. Every one of the impeachment managers especially Adam Schiff and Val Demings deserve serious consideration. And the Cabint Room, White House and VP house need serious sterilization.
How embarrassing! That’s what I get for writing in the middle of the night. I was picturing Baker and Weld’s name never registered. I had high hopes for his campaign against Trump.
Gigi, I think you are confusing Former Governor Bill Weld with the current governor of Massachusetts. Bill Weld has always been very critical of DT rightfully calling DT a malignant narcissist and has run against him both in 2016 as the VP nominee of the Libertarian Party with Gary Johnson and in 2020 as a Republican alternative to DT in the Republican primary in many states. He was Governor in the 1990s and did an excellent job. He was Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division and did a great job fighting corruption. I've voted for him three times - twice for governor when I was living in Massachusetts in the 1990s and once for President in 2016. I'd vote for again in a heartbeat.
I can think of half-a-dozen people of Indigenous descent who are well qualified to be Secretary of the Interior. And it would be about time. Nope, not naming names. We don't do things that way.
As a Massachusetts resident I think Bill Weld would be awesome but I’m not sure his brand of Republicans would be welcome by the “Dixie-cans” and no nothings entrenched in Congress.
The point is to have a couple of moderate, honest, competent Republicans in the Cabinet. Bill Weld is one person who meets that criteria extremely well and isn't tainted the way most of the Republican sycophants are. Eighty-five is the new middle age anyway, didn't you hear? No I don't want the entire Cabinet to be filled with more progressive candidates. I want Independents and moderates to be well represented and even some conservatives rather than go from ultra conservative to ultra progressive and ignoring the huge middle. Democrats represent just 33% of the voting population; 29% are Republicans, 34% are Independent. Quite frankly I would like many progressive policies but only when how we will pay for it is carefully understood. None of this comes for free! We are strong and come up with better solutions for all when all voices are heard! My favorite word is Synergy where the whole is greater than the sum of any one perspective.
I’m not a Weld fan; I think he’s a professional opportunist who checks the wind direction instead of his own conscience before he makes a move. I did vote for him in the Republican Presidential primary, though (in MA we unenrolled voters can choose the primary in which we want to vote). I wasn’t concerned about a Democratic candidate, and it was clear Trump would win the Republican nomination, but I was happy to throw an opposition vote at the Trump juggernaut.
Yes, Bill Weld is an honest, ethical and competent man who has fought corruption very effectively. No, the typical DT sycophants who are so disgusting in their dishonesty and lack of ethics.
Have read about the crappy treatment indigenous people have received for years - I believe it was in 2018 how hard it was for some of the people on reservations to have access to voting because they didnt have "911" addresses! At the time, there were volunteers & others trying to correct this. Glad Biden-Harris are addressing the problems! There needs to be much done in all the tribal reservations - far & near!
Thank you, Joan, for this link. Hopefully, these peoples will not be forgotten. I will put them on my nudge list when I contact my Senators and Congresswoman!
I am so angry that the administration is totally ignoring this country, and the suffering happening to us all. And, by the administration I mean Republicans in positions of power. The Senate sits by while people are dying, jobs are lost, businesses are closing their doors, family struggle to get by. And all they can do is coddle a very sick sociopath who is doing NOTHING....NOTHING. In one day, Biden has done more to begin to help this nation than tRump and the swamp rats have done in 4 years. January 20 cannot come soon enough.
I am wondering if the current situation in the WH is not like an armed person standoff? Insiders may be trying to talk djt back to reality without a real physical catastrophe happening. If they can cajole him to accept the loss and become neutral in the next 2 months( at least in actions, if not rhetoric) then the country benefits. I would suggest that a bucket of his favorite KFC with several soft drinks could help.
Stacey Abrams was my initial choice for the VP position. She will definitely play a huge role in leadership in the future.
Stacey Abrams was my first choice, too. But, now I think Biden made the right choice. Stacey will have her moments in the ☀️ sun. Already she has earned the gratitude and respect of many. ❤️🤍💙
She is set and determined to win the governorship, since she basically got robbed of it in 2018. If she can keep motivating the voters of the state, and now that we have improved voting apparatuses, there's no doubt she'll be a strong contender in 2022. Kemp is a joke. He reminds me of every Southern good-old-boy redneck I was in college with at UGA, who all were rich frat rats looking to party their way through college and who got everything they had through white privilege and daddy's money. His accent GRATES on my nerves...and I'm Southern!! Abrams will be a force to be reckoned with in GA politics, and I welcome it!!
From what I've been told, Stacey isn't interested in a national position at this point - has her eye on the Georgia governor office that was stolen last time around. If she'd won, Georgia might not currently be a "red zone" right now. We'll see her nationally when she's ready, in my opinion.
I know your comment in the Thursday live chat about Stacey Abrams turning Georgia blue "almost single-handedly" was deliberate hyperbole and I agree with your enthusiastic admiration. She's definitely the future of the party...and she's a Buffy fan! In an interview on the 11/12 episode of Pod Save America, Abrams provides context on the voter registration initiative that started in 2010 and credits the many POC-led grassroots organizations that have contributed to the 2020 GOTV effort. Recent news stories have grossly oversimplified this brilliantly coordinated movement as a one-woman miracle, verging on tokenism and the "Magical Negro" trope.
I think that we need to be cautious, that we don't allow "returning to normal" mean returning to the "propaganda" of the parties and the media. We will be easily swayed by the return to "mature" speech. We are so hungry for "normal." But normal also reflects a process of what is hidden versus what is the truth. The TRUTH has rarely been the result of a billion dollar election. But, it can be the result of our demand for it. That Abrams is lifted by the media for her considerable skills is a truth. But the hidden part is, as you say, the brilliance and tenacity of many others who worked with her, trusted her, and organized with her throughout the country. We must not let the "same old words" comfort us. I hear them ringing loud and, for me, they represent a return to a "normal" which was a shoddy denial of inequality, injustice, corporate control, financial rigging, military buildup and sales, and worse, failure to significantly deal with the climate change catastrophe. Stay vigilant.
Very well said, Jan. Stacey's brilliance is her ability to get other people to recognize and act on their own gifts. I saw stories about men and women refusing to give up as they worked to raise the vote in GA. They are an example of what's possible when people work together, even when it seems impossible at first. Your warning is so true. I watched the state I grew up in come close to falling apart last year and it near broke my heart. Similar dynamics. They managed to pull together enough to address the many crises this year, but I feel so alienated from the state now even as I miss it terribly (one of this continent's most beautiful places, but some ugly ugly politics). But I also watched as a few brave people crossed lines so they could get the state going again. I think many states may have to go through that, and face some unpleasant truths about themselves. And we all will have to help that happen.
Thank you, HCR. My earliest childhood memory is thinking that organized religion made no sense. Plus, my family had some Christian hypocrites and bigots that I was always standing up to call out. Today, I’m more accepting of the good and caring behaviors that people of faith exhibit - like Pope Francis and Joe Biden. With death all around us, I’m very grateful for Biden’s considerate remarks and actions rooted, as he states, in his faith and experiences. And, please, Joe and Kamala, bring as many intelligent capable people as possible back to restore our damaged government machinery. ❤️🤍💙
Wow! I’m actually not dreading the news, but excited about it. First, some Republicans have finally come forth to say Biden should receive briefings. Second, Biden is talking to Republicans, I assume to rebuild bridges. Third, he is talking with former experienced, knowledgeable DOD people. Fourth, he has ppl doing reviews of agencies to make recommendations, including DOJ, thank God. Finally, as a Pope Francis-supporting (but clear-eyed Catholic, I was heartened to read about the call to and conversation with Biden. I wish this would shut up PF’s oppositional defiant critics, but they’re mean spirited, so it won’t. To see my country’s president interested in implementing humane and long-held human principles, my day just got better! Sorry to gush so long.
According to the NYTimes and the WaPo, which are both publishing extracts from the court hearings and judges' responses to the Cheeto's lawyers, they are creating a radically schizoid universe between what they are saying on court--where they can be fined and cited as engaging in frivolous lawsuits and charged with fraud--and their public media statements, which are of course totally and insanely deceptive. The whole point is not to win the lawsuits, which they know they cannot. The whole point is to radicalize even further the Cheeto's most violent supporters in order to foment attacks on Dems in general, on the PE and VPE in particular, and to gin up the fascists in Georgia to suppress the Dem vote in the runoff. This is tin-pot dictatorship tactics, enabled by criminals like Moscow Mitch and his minions in the Senate and House, and its design is to destroy democracy as we know it. Gingrich was unable to do this in the 1990s and the GOP has been enraged ever since. Every tactic, every electoral strategy has been designed with one end: to create a one-party system of authoritarian government run by the minority of the extreme Right that dominates the Republican Party.
The Dems completely screwed it up in the 1990s and early 2000s because they would not recognize that their lack of grassroots organizing, the poor performance at the local and state levels, and the outright appropriation of all the tools of government locally and statewide in the Rust Belt, the Midwest, and the Southwest (forget about the South: what they all need is Stacey Abrams clones to get them going) was going to destroy any chance of creating change, which always happens from the bottom-up. It might be that the recognition of this mess at the local level has come too late to save democracy. But I hope not.
Linda, I think things were more complex than that. At the local and state levels, things played out differently in different regions, because the factors each faced were different. I watched an amazing Dem grassroots outreach take place in the NW, where I lived and worked all my life until the late 90s. Until the Reagan years, the Republicans had a strong presence, and a number of highly respected Republican politicians in both OR and WA. Then there was the Tea Party takeover, and the Republicans blew it. It destroyed the party, they lost some remarkable leaders. The people in it now are not the quality we used to see. As a result, both states are now strongly Dem, and the Republican leadership (esp at the legislative level) cannot recognize that they are paying the price for their own shortsightedness. BTW, almost all of Oregon's top elected officials are women; the legislature has more women than men (Woot!), and has a strong BIPOC caucus.
The media failed in it's coverage of what was happening: the dominant tv station sent two reporter/camera crews to the legislature during the unrest. One crew focused on the trucks circling the Capitol bldg and the other took photos of a near empty Senate chamber while the Republican Senators went on strike to prevent a caucus from forming, bringing business to a halt. Neither reporter even went in the House Chamber, where the Dems and Repubs had worked out a method to work together to fast-track the huge backlog of bills, many budget related, before the session ended. None of the media even covered it (some national media were alerted and they did cover it, to the well-deserved embarrassment of the locals).
Eventually a couple of Repub Senators, good people I admire even if I don't agree with their political stance, came in for a special session and the Senate passed most of the essential bills and a few truly remarkable bills. Some other good bills got left behind because they were Repub leadership pet political holdouts.
A lot of this was blamed on an"urban/rural" and "east/west" divide that, while real, was not a real issue until the Republicans found it a useful political tool. The media bought it, though, and then it became real.
I'm going into this detail, because I compared it to the rust belt in a comparative analysis. On the surface the two areas seem similar, but the apparent drivers are not. The one thing that unites them is class and the willingness of far-right politicians to pit one group of people against another using whatever issue pops to the top of the list, for the simple purpose of establishing power. Who the groups are depends on wherever it is easiest to draw a line and create an identity for each side, whether it applies in reality or not.
T saw this and took it as far as he could, and tried to use it to cripple our country, as right-wingers throughout the country also tried to do. He failed, and we are seeing the turnabout of many of the states, but we are still left with a mess to clean up. Right now, because of the uncertainty he persists in sowing, it still seems overwhelming. But I am optimistic. Georgia has Stacy and a fantastic group of folks working. But there are people doing similar things in other regions too, and some of them are surprising. LOL, like Arizona. Man, who saw that coming? You are right: we are not out of the woods yet. But we can see the sky from where we are.
I would love to see Lieutenant Colonel Vindman have a place in this administration.
Yes, preferably one where the Army officers who wouldn't protect his back have to answer to him.
Hear, Hear
and his brother!
Once Trump is out of office, how can we convince the news media to STOP reporting about him? If they simply don’t give him any energy or air time with him what a relief it would be!!!
Donald J. Trump can learn something from the Seventeenth Century Spanish Jesuit scholar, Baltasar Gracian, whose “Art of Worldly Wisdom” is still pertinent today, if he had only read it five years ago. In Number 59 of his ”Pocket Oracle,” Gracian commented on things “Ending Well.”
He wrote that “If you enter the house of Fortune through the door of pleasure, you will leave through the door of sorrow, and vice versa. So be careful of the way you end things and devote more attention to a successful exit than to a highly applauded entrance. Fortunate people often have favorable beginnings and very tragic endings. What matters isn’t being applauded when you arrive - - - for that is common - - - but being missed when you leave. Rare are those who are still wanted. Fortune seldom accompanies someone to the door. She is as courteous to those who are coming as she is rude to those who are going.”
Since Trump spent two years at Fordham University, a Jesuit school, it is conceivable that he was exposed to such ideas, that is if he ever showed up in class or did any of the assigned readings.
I dispute the idea that Trump can learn anything.
He's been called "impervious to information."
You forget "Trump doesnt like to read"? I agree its really doubtful he either showed up or did any assignments! And that comment? Very wise!
If he did show up at Fordham, he certainly wasn't a Jesuit scholar! His tribe worshipped Norman Vincent Peale, attended the Marble Collegiate Church, and read "The Power of Positive Thinking." But to your point, he doesn't (can't?) read.
Wise words. But wasted on T if he ever was exposed to them. I don't think he has the ability or the desire to parse the meaning in this kind of writing. That's at the root of the problems he creates.
Given he's semi-literate at best, surprise surprise.
Trump was always "the dumbest f-ing student who ever walked into my classroom" in the memory of the professor whose class at Wharton he was allowed to AUDIT (being too stupid to be allowed entry to the school as a regular student, even back then in the days of lowered entry requirements)
One afternoon, feeling the need to relieve himself, he might have gone into the Wharton School's building, used the facilities there, and since then has been saying that he attended Wharton. Quite likely, that was the extent of his "going" there.
Actually, he was allowed to "audit" classes as a non-admitted student, for no credit. he did one or two.
I've never been quite clear as to T's status at Wharton. He transferred to the U of P, and somehow parlayed that into attending Wharton. What does his diploma, if he ever got one, read? Was he ever a 'regular' student there? I'm sure his records have been shredded.
He was allowed to "audit" classes at Wharton. His degree is UP.
Don't know if he has a diploma, but colleges and universities are anal about records. I once needed to prove I'd taken a particular class, almost 50 years after the fact. 3 days after my inquiry I got a call: they had found my records in the archives and where would I like my copy sent?
Has anyone actually seen his diploma? Some people say he got it from a University in Kenya!
Yes, they must stop giving him free airtime, and I suspect most will. However, what concerns me is that his ‘cult’ followers don’t watch mm anyway. They follow Fox, Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, the QAnon folks. Are those sources of so called ‘news’ going away? And these reports that Trump wants to start his own news station. SMH! His followers will continue to be all pumped up, our country will continue to be divided, and if Trump passes away, his kids will take up the rein. The followers wouldn’t care what his kids would say, they would continue following the Trump ‘brand’. I suspect, at least hope, that Biden and his people have a plan to combat this madness. It is so refreshing to read about a true leader putting together a team of experienced and knowledgeable people...it gives me hope. When reading about Biden touching base with Republicans, I wonder if he should reach out to other ‘news’ sources, the right-wing ones? Would they be compelled to actually say something positive about Biden? Somehow, real news that doesn’t misinform needs to get through to these Trump cult followers.
I’d like to see a return to the Fairness Doctrine, including cable. Or if they don’t they can’t have “news” in their name.
Good idea. Maybe offer an interview with Chris Wallace at Fox
"real news that doesn't misinform," I'm in with that, Terry!
Right wing "news" sources (Fox, Breitbart) don't need to be legitimized. Their purpose is to cause dissention, so they'll never change that.
They shouldn't be allowed to label themselves as 'news', though. That's what my mom uses when she quotes their twisted 'truths' at me, 'But they are a news program.' Umm, no, they're not, mom. 🙄😔
I try to stay off the subject of politics with people who've drunk the Kool-Aid, but one Trumpie acquaintance told me that Fox isn't "news," but "opinion." She still takes all that they spout as gospel, though. Bottom line, you just can't reason with these people.
I've done the same, and told my mom repeatedly that it's not a topic we can rationally discuss, but she spouts it off at times. I've stopped attempting to correct her statements and usually ignore them, at this point. Makes for a strained relationship, to say the least. Chalk that up against Trump, too.
I totally understand. You can lose a friend who drives you crazy, but "unfriending" a parent is not an option. In this case, just another travesty that the Menace has visited upon us. That's what he thrives on - division.
Family, the gift that keeps on *living*! :-)
LOL! Too right. 😊
Why? Just ignore them. What you focus on gets bigger. Focus on reform and let the supporters do what they want. No?
I believe the supporters are undermining the healing and bipartisan ship of our country. If we could get some of them to reconnect with reality, perhaps they can influence others to do so. I know many are a lost cause but I also believe there is strength in numbers and right now, based on the numbers who voted for Trump, there are too many of them.
There has been plenty of opportunity to connect with reality. Conscious choice to immerse themselves in the Rush Limbaughs of the world (who has been around for what seems like forever). Unfortunately, now that they live in an alternate reality, it will take time to deprogram. And that’s only if they want to. And as long as the far right media has followers who succumb to the click bait, making $$ for those medias (even on FB), they’re not going anywhere. Greed is the motivator. Not leaving the world a better place. :/
Yep, and now they're moving in droves to Parler, where they can egg each other on. I haven't looked at it, myself, but a few friends have (out of curiosity) and the screenshots they've shared are pretty sick.
Definitely no deprogramming going on in there.
Check out HRC Twitter feed where she cited a thread from someone researching the origins of Parler and following the money. It seems to be very Russian based
A human -unlike a God or Goddess -is mortal with limited power and energy. The country has experienced years of neglect- feel and see: bridges collapsing, Flint lead pipe water poisoning, jobs given to other countries, explosion of homelessness, millions without health care, opioid crisis, skyrocketing school loan debt, one-check-away from destitution, robotization, monopolies instead of competition, Covid catastrophe, massive bird die offs, acidification of the oceans....more and more.We have a choice: Concentrate energies or split them. Important too is to ask ourselves: When and how often have we witnessed Republicans working hard to improve the material conditions of the People's life in the foregoing areas? Name two. Consider too: Under whose watch was the
lie-based invasion of Iraq? the crappy response to helping our New Orleans' brothers and sisters during Katrina? Substantive experiential betterment in living conditions is the biggest opinion-shaper. Appearances of "reaching out to the other (obstinate, defiant, anti-science, rigid, absolutistic, bullying prone, lying) side" has echoes of Obama-ism, strong on sounding good, hollow on actualized betterment.
The Fairness Doctrine kept the crazy over on the margins, where it belongs, that's why we need it returned.
Wow, it sounds like you hope Biden and his people have a plan to restrict freedom of the press.
It might be nice to have a standard of fact based journalism in order to be called "news." Otherwise a media outlet should be labelled as opinion. Which I believe Tucker Carlson was declared such by a judge, if I'm not mistaken. Labels matter so consumers can make informed choices.
That is not something to be taken on by the government. That is our responsibility as citizens when we make choices to support one source of info over another. WE create the labels and the environment for responsible news reporting and analysis. WE are responsible for informing ourselves about what various media can do so that we can make informed choices. WE should not be expecting our government to be setting standards for journalism or for expression of opinion. That would create a base that could be exploited in the future to control content.
"Biden and his people'? Are you lost?
You're a persistent fat little four-eyed moron down in mommy's basement with dreams of glory, aren't you?
Agree -- denying Trump media oxygen is just good sense, especially when he is no longer President. But, I think we have to remember that it is mainstream media that have reported, and grossly over-reported, on every bit of Trump's nonsense and provocations since 2016. Simply put, it sells papers. In my view, NYT and WaPo, etc. have made this breathless Trump over-reporting central to their business models. Democratic-leaning readers should be demanding much more from the outlets we tend to read the most.
I heard yesterday in an LP podcast that Fox gets its revenues from the cable companies that carry it—like $x per household, not advertisers. It’s an unusual setup, but it’s your cable providers who need to know how you feel about Fox keeping the “base” stoked.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a digital service was available that offered a menu approach to selecting your cable channels. But then even the mains on the restaurant menu come with starches included. However, most do allow you to tailor the dishes to your satisfaction. I suppose that is why my cable service allows me to select a favorites channel list that excludes many of the channels that do not interest me at all. Although, it does not reduce my monthly bill or the fees they pay for availability of those channels. Perhaps they could offer packages for “informed and interested” viewers and another package for “uninformed, disinterested dullards?” Probably need to give some thought to renaming those packages with help from the marketing department.
Ah, yes, Bruce, the UDDs.
Yes UDDs, also sometimes referred to as the Deplorables
LOL, Bruce, LOL!
HCR covered the bundling of Fox into cable packages in one of the H&P chats a couple weeks ago (a Tuesday I think, if you are interested). I had no idea this was the main source of revenue for them.
There are options to accessing TV without cable. I use an antenna inside the home, get 29 channels. It may not work for every location, but for enough that if big numbers of customers closed their cable accounts to protest the likes of Fox, it might matter. (I’m not a fan of bundling, so it was an easy choice for me.)
I love knowing this is possible, someplace.
Ok, I think now I know which of Heather's lectures I missed, gotta pick it up. As for cable, I've never had it, having lived most of my adult life where it was not available. (Ironic, since I grew up where it was first invented, though I think several places make that claim). I am not much for watching tv (or going to movies) anyway. I watch stuff on my computer. My big escape is binge watching mystery series streamed by PBS. Need one now.
That is the financial basis for all cable entities. A certain $ percentage of all households that have cable contribute to the income of ALL the programming. The more popular or powerful companies (Fox) can demand a higher percentage. But if you have cable you are paying for everything on your system. Another good reason to "cut the cord".
I think once he's out of office, he'll be out of a Twitter account. I suspect the press will lose interest then.
Several of them have already stopped following his tweets. If they’d only done it sooner!
And cutting off his TV rants.
Yes, it's already been noted that his violations of the Twitter rules will be enforced once he is no longer "newsworthy" as president.
l certainly hope so!
I’ve said the same thing. Two things come to mind. Boycott them for a while til they get the message and send thousands of letters. Those r the two things that work conclusively.
I routinely write letters to media when they overstep. I am polite, and I am clear about exactly what bothers me and I detail why. Sometimes I get a reply, sometimes not. I am selective about it: there are some media outlets I read/watch just so I have an idea where they are in the scheme of things. I don't bother contacting those that focus on negativity and clickbait stories. But an outlet I respect: yes, I will call them out, or send words of appreciation, as appropriate. I have no doubt that even one well-written letter can make a difference. Not sure that a blitz makes a difference, and it could do damage.
I also believe in supporting both outlets and their staff who are trying, even if they sometimes miss (and by support, I mean I subscribe as well as write letters). They are all working with reduced staff, reduced income, reduced resources, and many are going under. Staff morale is low because none of them know if they will have a job the next day. Can you imagine what it must feel like to be working your rear off, sometimes risking your life to get a story that matters, and then get letters from people who are mad because you didn't cover it the way they wanted? Give them the respect they deserve, and let them know gently when you feel they have messed up.
Definitely. Cut off his oxygen. We can hope that he'll be occupied by the multiple legal issues he's facing.
Complain to whoever advertises on their channel
He is not as eloquent as Obama. He is sincere, humble and hardworking. Biden is a soothing tonic to help the nation reestablish its efforts towards becoming a more perfect union. America has always been a work in progress. Biden will get us back on track and will undo much of the division, contempt for the rule of law, dismissive attitude towards allies and chaos that have been hallmarks of the past four years.
My take away is this, no one person is going to save us. We have to do the work! I hope we have all learned our lesson and we are prepared to be constantly involved with this government no matter who is elected.
I concur that no one man can save. The most frightening thing Trump said in 2016 was that he alone could save us. Biden alone is not our savior; he doesn’t suffer from a Messiah complex. He recognizes the necessity of a talented, intelligent, diverse supporting cast with him in government and the support of the electorate. We, as you rightly point out, must be involved at all times, not just the constantly remind our elected officials of our needs, but also to keep them operating within appropriate guardrails so that our democracy is maintained regardless of the party in power.
He's got the intelligence to hire historian Jon Meacham as a speechwriting consultant, which is why everything in the past six weeks has been so good.
I think the sign of real intelligence is to know your own limitations and to seek intelligent help when needed. Surrounding yourself with independent thinking, intelligent advisors (not sycophants) is NOT a sign of weakness, but of strength.
The opposite of what was done in the last 4 years!
Hi Prof R, here’s my Thursday history chat suggestion: please do a history of indigenous peoples of America.
💕Thank you for your commentary and lectures on TTh during pandemic too by the way. You motivated me to care about what is going on & I ended up volunteering for Disability Vote California during September-October 2020.💕
Linda in Lomita, CA
I am listening to her book How the South Won the Civil War..there is a ton of information about Native American people and their genocide...doesn’t seem to be any other word for. It. It’s a struggle to get through, but very important to know.
Yes - absolutely - its past time for their history to be addressed AND corrected!
I second that request!
There is a lot of work that's been done in the last few decades to illuminate and correct the distortions in the history of Native American peoples: much of it has been done by Native American scholars. We have a complex history: I'd encourage anyone interested to explore it.
What I'd love to hear from Heather, using her approach of using American history to establish context, is an exploration of what is going on right now that impacts Native peoples evolved, what *they* consider issues and how *they* want them addressed. One BIG thing that I know Heather is aware of but that seems to fly past most Euro-Americans, is that we are not one people. We are many cultures, with different world-views and different expectations, different ways, different stories, different philosophies (though there are common threads that tie people together, just as there was in Europe and Asia and Africa).
An example: in a recent multi-racial seminar, I was in a break-out group of 30 or so. We were discussing healing. A Euro-American woman talked about the necessity for each person to explore their own wounds, seek out therapy and heal individually before they could heal others. she used her own experience as an example The "room" grew very quiet.
As a white-appearing woman who identifies as Indigenous, I realized that perhaps the silence was waiting for my voice, and I waited for the words to come. I gently pointed out that different cultures had different ways to looking at things, and that while what she courageously shared was true in one way, she was from a culture that highly valued individualism, and tended to define things in terms of individual action and accomplishment. But there were other ways to look at healing. When "we" (I indicated the rest of the folks in the room, some of whom I could not see) speak of healing, we are talking about healing as a community, because that's how we define ourselves. People have been part of communities for longer than we've been people. And at that, the mikes opened and there was a chorus of voices affirming that sense of community as defining who we are, and inviting her to join us.
At the end, as the session ended we all reached out with warm smiles, and maybe a few tears as we said good-bye. This very diverse group, in just 45 minutes, was already finding itself a community.
Thank you for your thoughtful response, Annie. Certainly being able to understand and appreciate the diversity of indigenous peopleS would be so valuable! Is there a work that covers this field of research that you would recommend. I am swimming in a sea of ignorance and don't know where to start. Thank you!
I've been pondering this for a week, and wondering what might work. There is a huge body of work out there. It is easy to find, the only problem being that some is good and some is not worth the time. And no one work is going to be enough to even begin with. There is one common thread that ties us all together, though, and it's a place to start to get a sense of indigenous people in today's America.
I came across this beautiful program "Broken Treaties",, from Oregon Public Broadcasting. It tells the story of what happened to the Oregon peoples beautifully and honestly. At the same time, it tells the story of all indigenous peoples on this continent, with the main differences being the cultural details. One thing I especially like about this telling is how it shows the many peoples of Oregon and the surrounding areas, and what happened to them, and where they are now, how they survived and became who they are now. In spite of everything, they survived. I grew up in Oregon, and I am descended from people who were originally in the Great Basin area. I saw many people I could be related to, or who look like me.
Start here. Then perhaps find a college with a native american studies program, or a museum that focuses on both history and modern times in American indigenous culture. If you are near a good college with someone whose specialty is native american history, maybe ask that person for suggestions about books and other resources. If you are near a reservation that sponsors public events, go to one of them (many reservations have their own museums, too). A suggestion: be prepared to watch and learn by listening. If you are in a situation where questions are encouraged, ask questions about what is going on, but not personal questions. If you see a white-looking person wearing traditional dress, please allow that person to simply be there. He/she/they are not there for you: they are there because they need to be who they truly are without having to explain.
Here's the link to the program:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHq6ncJJ35w
Thank you Annie. I have bookmarked and look forward to learning from the documentary series you suggested. Also I have started reading A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki, which begins with the history of the devastating interaction between the European and indigenous nations in America.
That's a good one. So is Jill Lepore's book "The Name of War".
The Tweet of condolence for the members of the team that were killed in the helicopter crash and exchange of human concerns with Francis compared to usual Trump drivel marks a separation of the light bursting at the end of a long dismal night.
I can see the results of a highly structured knowledgeable mind at work with the basics of forming a new Government begin with consultations and recruitment of experienced talent rather than headline seeking announcements and empty promises.
I may be reaching but I have a growing sense of the Camelot promise of the Kennedy era blooming. The solid credentials of his Chief of Staff and advisors already bulge with hope. Consulting with a cooperative Mattis speaks volumes. General Mattis is truly one of the great leaders of our time. His books are filled with erudition and wisdom.
I see Biden as a wedge of light piercing the fog of ignorance and uncertainty that has dominated the White House for four years. Worth the wait.
I thought the exact same thing when I read Biden's message to the families of the helicopter crash: THIS is how a leader acts. I too feel relieved that we may finally be on the cusp of some normalcy returning to the highest office in the land. Of course, we have to get the current interloper out and hope he doesn't burn everything down before we're rid of him. IMO, though, current GOP leaders defending this miscreant and even daring to say he's entitled to challenging all these results should DEFINITELY have to answer for their negligence in defending the democratic norms of this republic and placing the whims of one person over the will of the people. They are traitors in my eyes. We cannot let them forget what they have done.
This thread could have stopped right here and it would have been fine. Instead, sadly it deteriorated into something that might appear in a third-rate newspaper. I feel disappointed because you all clearly are intelligent. But perhaps still too caught up in something that has already been settled: the election. Let it play out on its own, please. We know the background; we know where it is going. There is nothing we can accomplish by yelling at each other over the details. Do we really need to keep reverting to Trump? He really has dug himself deeply into people, hasn't he? How can we pry him loose from our psyches?
Wow...I step away from y'all for a while and all hell breaks loose! Sorry if I started something that devolved into a flame war. I've been away because I've been in the ER for the past 4 hours trying to see what's wrong with my mom--still waiting. Anxious. Im sorry to see everybody yelling. That shouldn't happen. Trump always seems to bring out the worst in folks. That's his legacy, IMO. He's a horrid horrid man. I'm proud to report that when the RN was asking my mom some questions to check her state of mind, he asked her, "who is the President?", my sweet little 97-year old lifelong Republican mum sais quite resolutely, "that ASS, Trump!!" Yup...she's my mum alright. Y'all please take a breather and try to refrain from personal stuff. There's no reason why we have to sink to Trump’s level. I just walk away from arguments and these kinds of exchanges. NOTHING is worth the negativity and anxiety, y'know. Peace y'all.
Bruce, sorry you came back from a stressful situation only to find more stress. It wasn't anything you did that started this. Somebody got bent out of shape over something and couldn't let go. I have to say I haven't seen anything like this for years (I avoid these kinds of thing too. Or try.)
I think it's settled down now. The discussion here is usually so level-headed and thoughtful. Let's hope it gets back to our usual communal good-natured grouse and info exchange. Scroll down a bit and there's some good info and discussion.
How's your mom doing? Hope she's ok. Have you found out anything yet? BTW, I loved her answer when the doc asked her who the president is! Good for her! Be praying for her. And you.
Bruce, as I recall, Stacy Abrams, a darling of the Democratic Party, took 10 days to concede her loss in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race. Didn’t she also file several lawsuits challenging the outcome of the election? I don’t support Trump or his behavior. Trump clearly lost the election, but he has a legal right to challenge election results and those rights should be respected by all. Let’s be consistent.
She lost the gubernatorial race by 55,000 votes. Leading up to that election there had been incident after incident of issues with voter rolls (illegally, as it turned out) being artificially purged of names on the shakiest of reasons. This was seen as overwhelmingly occurring in places with higher proportions of African-American voters. There are some poor rural counties in south GA where they are 40-60% of the population. The rules for what IDs would be acceptable to register to vote, or to even vote, were found to be discriminatory and disproportionately penalized poorer folks who could not afford a car or who could not provide all the documents needed for an ID. The numbers of polling places in larger more rural counties were extremely sparse and made getting to the polls extremely difficult for some people. The voting machines themselves were 20+ years old and far from secure. There was NO paper back-up system as there is now. These and other issues are all matters of public record now and the whole system in GA was overhauled and improved. Though drug kicking and screaming into reforms, the GOP in GA is to be credited with getting these things done within a fairly narrow time-frame. The messes around the June primaries were also remedied as they were an embarrassment to the state. Abrams, if my memory serves, filed 2 lawsuits, and in light of all these, and more, improprieties I alluded to, she was more than within her rights to demand things be looked into. This she did, and the results of more than 66,000 black voters added to the rolls in GA (African-Americans constitute 32% of the population in GA, BTW). It doesn't take advanced mathematics to see that the # of voters she helped add constitutes more than the margin she lost by in '18. So...one can see why her contesting the results was more than logical. Trump, on the other hand, is contesting/suing in states where there is no conceivable way that results could be overturned. (He lost by over 100,000 votes in Michigan--hello? WHY sue them???) These are even in states that are Republican-run! No, these lawsuits are purely frivolous and defy any logical reasoning. The outcomes will NOT be changed. BIG difference, IMO.
Well said. Stacey also was announcing the end of 160 years of the end of the war of rebellion by which the enemies of the United States determined to deny the end of slavery by denial of the equal status of Black Americans.
Many of the attempts at manipulation of her support was born of segregation and denial of citizenship by the Dixie Aristocrats still in power in Georgia.
Trump merely reflects the tantrum of a spoiled child to reality.
Trump has a legal right to challenge the election results. Whether or not he has a leg to stand on is for the courts to determine. Do I think it's petty, quixotic, boorish, dangerous, etc.? Yes. Legal? Yes.
Stacey felt there were true improprieties and suppression going on in her election. Trump et al doesn’t think there was true fraud: their allegations are to keep the base angry for senate runoff races. So yes, it is consistent to support what Stacey did post-election and to denounce what trump is doing. The Abrams/Trump situations are a false equivalency.
How do you know what anyone thinks? Situations don’t have to be equivalent to shed light on hypocrisy.
It's not about what she "thinks." There WERE major irregularities in that Georgia election, spurring her to do the work that has won the state for Biden.
Please read the entire exchange. "Thinks" refers to Sheri's claim of her knowing what Trump thinks; I maintain that is not possible.
Oh please. You want to talk about hypocrisy? How about not filling a SC seat 9 months before an election then rushing to fill one only days before? (“Play the tape” Lindsey ) How about McConnell blocking everything that President Obama tried to do, including judges, so he would fail? How about all the Republicans who denounced tRump as being unhinged, a kook, whatever and are now kissing up to him and threatening our democracy? How about the Senate intelligence committee knowing all about the election interference and then keeping mum. I could go on but I won’t. So don’t talk to this group about hypocrisy.
Situations need to be equivalent in order to show the hypocrisy. And how do you know they’re the same? I know they’re different because Trump censors/fires people and experts on his “side” who tell him his allegations are false. He does not want to hear the truth from his own circle. They even know his allegations are wrong.
Stop giving this fat little permanent-preteen four-eyed moron down in his mommy's basement the oxygen of replies.
If you're talking about me (CAG)...I'm 70 years old, 6' 1" tall, 155 pounds with an IQ in the 140's. Skipped 4th grade. Graduated high school at age 16. BS and MS from the University of California. I live in a basementless house in a coastal golf community with my spouse, the retired part-owner, president and CEO of a company with 170 employees. We are top 5%'ers. And you?
Oh, I do wear glasses--you nailed it.
Hmmm, yes, you are lost. Shall we call someone who can take you home?
I see a new troll has showed up in our comments. Posing as an anti-trumper like the others, while still defending his illegal, unethical or outright insane actions.
Trump challenging election results may seem insane, but it is not unethical nor illegal. Had you been reading comments for the last few months, you would know I am not new. Just because someone has a different perspective than the prevailing sentiment on this site does not make them a troll.
Trump has been challenging the election results before the election has ever happened; he cast doubt on mail-in voting and absentee ballots; he has delayed the postal service; he wanted to stop counting military ballots; he made unsubstantiated claims and it has done so much damage to undermine the trust in our elections. This isn’t a situation of your “different perspective or opinion;” it is our bafflement that an intelligent person like you would support this corrupt man and his damage to one of our most prized freedoms: elections.
I don't support Trump, but the fact is he delivered on his economic and deregulation promises. You might not like what he did, but a significant portion of the population support him based on what he did for their pocketbook. And, whether or not we like what he is doing, he does have a legal right to challenge election results.
Stop giving this fat little permanent-preteen four-eyed moron down in his mommy's basement the oxygen of replies.
Yes! Please God, in the name of all that is holy, let's be consistent! A good place to start would be in support of the democratic processes that make our country strong, whaddaya say? Perhaps respecting elections and the will of the people could be on the list. And maybe we could agree to denounce the practice of gaming the electoral college to put people in office who only win the minority of the vote. Although, on reflection, Republicans are pretty consistent with that one.
Voter suppression should always be challenged.
You're a persistent piece of shit, aren't you?
I completely agree with you, and want so desperately to feel optimism. However, I know a few trumpsters, and they are so far down the rabbit hole I feel Biden will be "up against it" for his entire term, especially if cheeto tries to remain in the spotlight.
Onward and upward!!
"...Government begin with consultations and recruitment of experienced talent rather than headline seeking announcements and empty promises." Yes!
Novel idea, isnt it - after the past 4-5 years.
Also thanks for the info on the "political to civil service" information - good site.
“Empty promises”? Sorry, Trump fulfilled many of his promises, not just the ones you wanted.
Oh. You're just a troll. Bye.
“Troll” is the Democratic equivalent of Republican “Fake News.” Both monikers attempt to silence or discredit voices with a different perspective. I’m glad to be a troll if that’s what it takes to speak freely. 🤗
Stop giving this fat little permanent-preteen four-eyed moron down in his mommy's basement the oxygen of replies.
Yesterday my grandsons' schools in Kentucky went back to total virtual learning. The two in elementary school had attended in person during October after virtual during September. The oldest in high school attended the hybird version that the high school and middle school were set up on. Despite the leadership of our governor but in spite of those who refuse to take the virus seriously, our numbers are rising along with hospital admissions. the governor, Andy Beshear, has had to fight the Republican establishment in the state over his attempts to contain the virus here, including a court case which he won. They have called him a dictator and other names.
But I digress, Because of work schedules, I oversaw the two younger sibling (2nd and 4th grade) as they met with their classes. The younger grandson's teacher asked the class what they liked and did not like about virtual learning. Most said they liked being home, they liked being on the computer, etc. Almost to a child, they all said they did not like being apart physically from their teacher and each other. Most said they cried when they heard they were gong back to total virtual. I wanted to cry.
My oldest grandson is missing playing with the band during his junior year. He is a talented trumpeter who is continuing to hone his talent but having lessons virtually. When he was going i person two days a week, he was able to meet with his band director in person, but now that is out. My second grandson is a budding artist and was looking forward to art lessons. My second granddaughter in another household was awarded a scholarship to study architecture for four weeks at an out-of-state school through a STEM program but cannot take advantage of this. My oldest granddaughter graduated from high school virtually last May and is attending college but with most classes virtually.
I am angry with the current federal administration and with my state politicians who refused to take this pandemic seriously at the first and continue to refuse to take it seriously. However, these children are future voters and if other children are like my grandchildren, they are taking notes on who has really looked after their future and who has not. I feel I have been rather disjointed in this comment but my emotions are high about this.
My third grade grandson from KY is with us, and we spent nearly ALL DAY (or so it seems) supervising his virtual schoolwork. I find some things about computer learning and teaching innovation and clever; other things about virtual school are short changing the kids. Your governor (whom I encouraged my daughter and her family to vote for) is swimming upstream in a state that seems to think Republicans, do or die!
THIS is my state. Just announced yesterday, as our hospitals are full.
https://www.ky3.com/2020/11/12/missouri-gov-parson-announces-changes-in-quarantine-guidance-for-schools/
I'm guessing this infectious disease expert was choosing her words? “that in schools where students and staff are always wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, this virus does not spread as easily as it does in other places where these strategies are not always used.” Well DUH????? That would seem to be the understatement of the week.
It's really too bad the coronavirus isn't 100% fatal to Republicans.
Morning, all!! Dr. R's Letter tonight is full of Biden news, giving a what's up report as well as future plans for after January 20, 2021, and an ever empathetic future President that we the people have elected. Feels great!
With President-elect Biden's announcement on Ron Klain to become his Chief of Staff, I am getting excited about seeing who he chooses for all the Cabinet position. Klain was interviewed by Lawrence O'Donnell this evening and was most impressive. I'd like to see the Cabinet reflect an emphasis on social justice with women and minorities much more the norm than the exception and giving voice to the lived experience so these diverse perspectives make policies and legislation so much stronger and more successful in solving the inequities in our institutions. I'd like to see a couple of moderate Republicans in the Cabinet like Governor William Weld who did great things as Governor of Massachusetts, a pretty liberal state overall. Governor Weld would be a great Attorney General. Then I could see Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of State. He speaks five languages, a Rhodes scholar, a US Navy intelligence officer. I could see Senator Elizabeth Warren as Secretary of Commerce and Congresswoman Val Demings of Secretary of Homeland Security. Congresswoman Karen Bass could take on any of several positions. Perhaps Roger Ferguson for Secretary of the Treasury. How about Andrew Yang as Secretary of Health and Human Services with his new economic ideas? With the revolution in technology we'll see over the next couple of decades it would be prudent to have a new position - Secretary of Science and Technology. Michele Flournoy for Secretary of Defense. And, Governor Inslee for Secretary of the Interior with his focus on climate change. There are a million combinations of extremely fine candidates possible. Lots of fun to speculate. Enjoy!
And balance Science and Technology with a Secretary of Arts and Culture?
It’ll hurt to lose Elizabeth Warren from the Senate!
I agree about Warren, but someone pointed out yesterday that Biden needs Warren in the Senate. If he appoints her, our Republican governor, although somewhat moderate might choose a republican to fill her seat until 2022. That would change the senate a lot.
Worse, Baker might resign as Governor to get appointed himself, then run for the rest of the term. We need Democrats in the Senate, thanks.
Right now paying attention to Science and Technology is existential when we've lost four years to science deniers. Technology is in the midst of coming of age with AI which will drastically change our economics for one thing. So, I could see it needing Cabinet level priority although the Dept. of Interior can take the lead on climate technology and policy. We also need someone championing net neutrality and regulating the giant tech companies in a number of ways.
A Secretary of Arts and Culture would fit with my long term goal of having the primary measure of a country be a Well-Being Index rather than solely GNP. Money doesn't buy happiness... Engagement in the arts is a way to enhance one's well-being. Engagement is one of the five elements of Dr. Martin Seligman's theory of Well-Being. See authentichappiness.com for more on his theory. Dr. Seligman states: Engagement is about flow: being one with the music, time stopping, and the loss of self-consciousness during an absorbing activity. How many times have you experience being lost in the music and then feeling good the rest of the day. I've been fortunate as a professional musician as a segment of my life to have many of those experiences.
Here is Robert Frost's poem about the Arts:
In A Glass of Cider
It seemed I was a mite of sediment
That waited for the bottom to ferment
So I could catch a bubble in ascent.
I rode up on one till the bubble burst,
And when that left me to sink back reversed
I was no worse off than I was at first.
I'd catch another bubble if I waited.
The thing was to get now and then elated.
Enjoy!
Think about who a Trump or Bush would appoint to that seat and the harm they would do to the arts in this country. We have the National Endowment for The Arts. That's enough.
Good point!
Yes, it certainly would be a hard decision on where she would be most valuable and with a Republican governor in Massachusetts right not I wouldn't want to see a Republican appointed to her seat in the Senate. Nevertheless, it is fun to think about having her stand up against Wall Street.
I agree with almost everything you suggest except for Weld. IMHO, Bill Weld never had the nerve to speak out against Trump in 5 years, through 2 elections. He was late to the COVID fight, ignored the nursing home problem and is a politician rather than a public servant. While I would like to see him out of the State House, I don’t want to see him in DC. following the slippery footsteps of Mitt Romney and Scott Brown. Every one of the impeachment managers especially Adam Schiff and Val Demings deserve serious consideration. And the Cabint Room, White House and VP house need serious sterilization.
(Our governor has been Charlie Baker since 2015.)
How embarrassing! That’s what I get for writing in the middle of the night. I was picturing Baker and Weld’s name never registered. I had high hopes for his campaign against Trump.
Scott Brown --"America's sexiest man” — Cosmo centerfold in 1982.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jan/20/scott-brown-massachusetts-senator
I humbly apologize to Bill Weld for confusing you with Charlie Baker at 4 AM. 😆☺️
Gigi, I think you are confusing Former Governor Bill Weld with the current governor of Massachusetts. Bill Weld has always been very critical of DT rightfully calling DT a malignant narcissist and has run against him both in 2016 as the VP nominee of the Libertarian Party with Gary Johnson and in 2020 as a Republican alternative to DT in the Republican primary in many states. He was Governor in the 1990s and did an excellent job. He was Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division and did a great job fighting corruption. I've voted for him three times - twice for governor when I was living in Massachusetts in the 1990s and once for President in 2016. I'd vote for again in a heartbeat.
You are right Cathy and I agree with you about Weld. Thanks for correcting me.
Well, dang, Cathy; it looks like we're all set!!
I’d like him to consider Deb Haaland for Secretary of the Interior.
I can think of half-a-dozen people of Indigenous descent who are well qualified to be Secretary of the Interior. And it would be about time. Nope, not naming names. We don't do things that way.
Didn't she just get elected to Congress? What would happen to her congressional seat if she became Sec of the Interior?
As a Massachusetts resident I think Bill Weld would be awesome but I’m not sure his brand of Republicans would be welcome by the “Dixie-cans” and no nothings entrenched in Congress.
Bill Weld is seventy-five. Surely we have younger and more progressive candidates.
The point is to have a couple of moderate, honest, competent Republicans in the Cabinet. Bill Weld is one person who meets that criteria extremely well and isn't tainted the way most of the Republican sycophants are. Eighty-five is the new middle age anyway, didn't you hear? No I don't want the entire Cabinet to be filled with more progressive candidates. I want Independents and moderates to be well represented and even some conservatives rather than go from ultra conservative to ultra progressive and ignoring the huge middle. Democrats represent just 33% of the voting population; 29% are Republicans, 34% are Independent. Quite frankly I would like many progressive policies but only when how we will pay for it is carefully understood. None of this comes for free! We are strong and come up with better solutions for all when all voices are heard! My favorite word is Synergy where the whole is greater than the sum of any one perspective.
I’m not a Weld fan; I think he’s a professional opportunist who checks the wind direction instead of his own conscience before he makes a move. I did vote for him in the Republican Presidential primary, though (in MA we unenrolled voters can choose the primary in which we want to vote). I wasn’t concerned about a Democratic candidate, and it was clear Trump would win the Republican nomination, but I was happy to throw an opposition vote at the Trump juggernaut.
Yes, Bill Weld is an honest, ethical and competent man who has fought corruption very effectively. No, the typical DT sycophants who are so disgusting in their dishonesty and lack of ethics.
I am watching Ron Klain being interviewed on "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell". What a change listening to a grown-up talk.
The Biden-Harris win was a collaborative effort, with all parts needed. Here is an article on the critical role the Navaho played in Arizona: https://www.vox.com/21559183/navajo-nation-arizona-biden-indigenous-voters
We really needed them in Arizona. It was getting close. Ahe'hee my Navajo neighbors.
Have read about the crappy treatment indigenous people have received for years - I believe it was in 2018 how hard it was for some of the people on reservations to have access to voting because they didnt have "911" addresses! At the time, there were volunteers & others trying to correct this. Glad Biden-Harris are addressing the problems! There needs to be much done in all the tribal reservations - far & near!
Thank you, Joan, for this link. Hopefully, these peoples will not be forgotten. I will put them on my nudge list when I contact my Senators and Congresswoman!
I am so angry that the administration is totally ignoring this country, and the suffering happening to us all. And, by the administration I mean Republicans in positions of power. The Senate sits by while people are dying, jobs are lost, businesses are closing their doors, family struggle to get by. And all they can do is coddle a very sick sociopath who is doing NOTHING....NOTHING. In one day, Biden has done more to begin to help this nation than tRump and the swamp rats have done in 4 years. January 20 cannot come soon enough.
I am wondering if the current situation in the WH is not like an armed person standoff? Insiders may be trying to talk djt back to reality without a real physical catastrophe happening. If they can cajole him to accept the loss and become neutral in the next 2 months( at least in actions, if not rhetoric) then the country benefits. I would suggest that a bucket of his favorite KFC with several soft drinks could help.
Stacey Abrams was my initial choice for the VP position. She will definitely play a huge role in leadership in the future.
Stacey Abrams was my first choice, too. But, now I think Biden made the right choice. Stacey will have her moments in the ☀️ sun. Already she has earned the gratitude and respect of many. ❤️🤍💙
Maybe in the future—right now her organizing and training skills are needed all over the country.
We need her in Georgia for now.
She is set and determined to win the governorship, since she basically got robbed of it in 2018. If she can keep motivating the voters of the state, and now that we have improved voting apparatuses, there's no doubt she'll be a strong contender in 2022. Kemp is a joke. He reminds me of every Southern good-old-boy redneck I was in college with at UGA, who all were rich frat rats looking to party their way through college and who got everything they had through white privilege and daddy's money. His accent GRATES on my nerves...and I'm Southern!! Abrams will be a force to be reckoned with in GA politics, and I welcome it!!
My name for Kemp is "shotgun." It was clear from the outset that he was pandering to Turmpies. "Boy, I'm warmin' on you." Ugh.
From what I've been told, Stacey isn't interested in a national position at this point - has her eye on the Georgia governor office that was stolen last time around. If she'd won, Georgia might not currently be a "red zone" right now. We'll see her nationally when she's ready, in my opinion.
And we should all help her with that run. GA needs her.
I plan to do just that, as well as volunteering for Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.
We might want to provide a 90 day supply of Prozac along with those KFC buckets.
For us? I suspect this will be a rough ride.
Can’t they sedate him just a little?! Calm him down where they can talk to him!
Maybe slip him a mickey - LOL
That would be the Putin go-to!
And Burger KING
Maybe DJIT -digit????
I know your comment in the Thursday live chat about Stacey Abrams turning Georgia blue "almost single-handedly" was deliberate hyperbole and I agree with your enthusiastic admiration. She's definitely the future of the party...and she's a Buffy fan! In an interview on the 11/12 episode of Pod Save America, Abrams provides context on the voter registration initiative that started in 2010 and credits the many POC-led grassroots organizations that have contributed to the 2020 GOTV effort. Recent news stories have grossly oversimplified this brilliantly coordinated movement as a one-woman miracle, verging on tokenism and the "Magical Negro" trope.
I think that we need to be cautious, that we don't allow "returning to normal" mean returning to the "propaganda" of the parties and the media. We will be easily swayed by the return to "mature" speech. We are so hungry for "normal." But normal also reflects a process of what is hidden versus what is the truth. The TRUTH has rarely been the result of a billion dollar election. But, it can be the result of our demand for it. That Abrams is lifted by the media for her considerable skills is a truth. But the hidden part is, as you say, the brilliance and tenacity of many others who worked with her, trusted her, and organized with her throughout the country. We must not let the "same old words" comfort us. I hear them ringing loud and, for me, they represent a return to a "normal" which was a shoddy denial of inequality, injustice, corporate control, financial rigging, military buildup and sales, and worse, failure to significantly deal with the climate change catastrophe. Stay vigilant.
Very well said, Jan. Stacey's brilliance is her ability to get other people to recognize and act on their own gifts. I saw stories about men and women refusing to give up as they worked to raise the vote in GA. They are an example of what's possible when people work together, even when it seems impossible at first. Your warning is so true. I watched the state I grew up in come close to falling apart last year and it near broke my heart. Similar dynamics. They managed to pull together enough to address the many crises this year, but I feel so alienated from the state now even as I miss it terribly (one of this continent's most beautiful places, but some ugly ugly politics). But I also watched as a few brave people crossed lines so they could get the state going again. I think many states may have to go through that, and face some unpleasant truths about themselves. And we all will have to help that happen.
Thank you, HCR. My earliest childhood memory is thinking that organized religion made no sense. Plus, my family had some Christian hypocrites and bigots that I was always standing up to call out. Today, I’m more accepting of the good and caring behaviors that people of faith exhibit - like Pope Francis and Joe Biden. With death all around us, I’m very grateful for Biden’s considerate remarks and actions rooted, as he states, in his faith and experiences. And, please, Joe and Kamala, bring as many intelligent capable people as possible back to restore our damaged government machinery. ❤️🤍💙
Wow! I’m actually not dreading the news, but excited about it. First, some Republicans have finally come forth to say Biden should receive briefings. Second, Biden is talking to Republicans, I assume to rebuild bridges. Third, he is talking with former experienced, knowledgeable DOD people. Fourth, he has ppl doing reviews of agencies to make recommendations, including DOJ, thank God. Finally, as a Pope Francis-supporting (but clear-eyed Catholic, I was heartened to read about the call to and conversation with Biden. I wish this would shut up PF’s oppositional defiant critics, but they’re mean spirited, so it won’t. To see my country’s president interested in implementing humane and long-held human principles, my day just got better! Sorry to gush so long.
Thank you for gushing so long!
According to the NYTimes and the WaPo, which are both publishing extracts from the court hearings and judges' responses to the Cheeto's lawyers, they are creating a radically schizoid universe between what they are saying on court--where they can be fined and cited as engaging in frivolous lawsuits and charged with fraud--and their public media statements, which are of course totally and insanely deceptive. The whole point is not to win the lawsuits, which they know they cannot. The whole point is to radicalize even further the Cheeto's most violent supporters in order to foment attacks on Dems in general, on the PE and VPE in particular, and to gin up the fascists in Georgia to suppress the Dem vote in the runoff. This is tin-pot dictatorship tactics, enabled by criminals like Moscow Mitch and his minions in the Senate and House, and its design is to destroy democracy as we know it. Gingrich was unable to do this in the 1990s and the GOP has been enraged ever since. Every tactic, every electoral strategy has been designed with one end: to create a one-party system of authoritarian government run by the minority of the extreme Right that dominates the Republican Party.
The Dems completely screwed it up in the 1990s and early 2000s because they would not recognize that their lack of grassroots organizing, the poor performance at the local and state levels, and the outright appropriation of all the tools of government locally and statewide in the Rust Belt, the Midwest, and the Southwest (forget about the South: what they all need is Stacey Abrams clones to get them going) was going to destroy any chance of creating change, which always happens from the bottom-up. It might be that the recognition of this mess at the local level has come too late to save democracy. But I hope not.
💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 to what you said.
Linda, I think things were more complex than that. At the local and state levels, things played out differently in different regions, because the factors each faced were different. I watched an amazing Dem grassroots outreach take place in the NW, where I lived and worked all my life until the late 90s. Until the Reagan years, the Republicans had a strong presence, and a number of highly respected Republican politicians in both OR and WA. Then there was the Tea Party takeover, and the Republicans blew it. It destroyed the party, they lost some remarkable leaders. The people in it now are not the quality we used to see. As a result, both states are now strongly Dem, and the Republican leadership (esp at the legislative level) cannot recognize that they are paying the price for their own shortsightedness. BTW, almost all of Oregon's top elected officials are women; the legislature has more women than men (Woot!), and has a strong BIPOC caucus.
The media failed in it's coverage of what was happening: the dominant tv station sent two reporter/camera crews to the legislature during the unrest. One crew focused on the trucks circling the Capitol bldg and the other took photos of a near empty Senate chamber while the Republican Senators went on strike to prevent a caucus from forming, bringing business to a halt. Neither reporter even went in the House Chamber, where the Dems and Repubs had worked out a method to work together to fast-track the huge backlog of bills, many budget related, before the session ended. None of the media even covered it (some national media were alerted and they did cover it, to the well-deserved embarrassment of the locals).
Eventually a couple of Repub Senators, good people I admire even if I don't agree with their political stance, came in for a special session and the Senate passed most of the essential bills and a few truly remarkable bills. Some other good bills got left behind because they were Repub leadership pet political holdouts.
A lot of this was blamed on an"urban/rural" and "east/west" divide that, while real, was not a real issue until the Republicans found it a useful political tool. The media bought it, though, and then it became real.
I'm going into this detail, because I compared it to the rust belt in a comparative analysis. On the surface the two areas seem similar, but the apparent drivers are not. The one thing that unites them is class and the willingness of far-right politicians to pit one group of people against another using whatever issue pops to the top of the list, for the simple purpose of establishing power. Who the groups are depends on wherever it is easiest to draw a line and create an identity for each side, whether it applies in reality or not.
T saw this and took it as far as he could, and tried to use it to cripple our country, as right-wingers throughout the country also tried to do. He failed, and we are seeing the turnabout of many of the states, but we are still left with a mess to clean up. Right now, because of the uncertainty he persists in sowing, it still seems overwhelming. But I am optimistic. Georgia has Stacy and a fantastic group of folks working. But there are people doing similar things in other regions too, and some of them are surprising. LOL, like Arizona. Man, who saw that coming? You are right: we are not out of the woods yet. But we can see the sky from where we are.
Can we dispense with the name calling. The healing you so fervently desire will not happen if you and your supporters continue with the vitriol.
Yes, how dare you call the Asswipe Occupying the White House a "Cheeto."
Chester is offended.
I'm kind of partial to Orange ShitGibbon, myself. 😁
"You and your supporters." Hmmmm.