Heather, you wrote, "A senior official told CNN that the goal is 'to set so many fires that it will be hard for the Biden administration to put them all out.'" If it is true that Trump is intentionally sabotaging the Biden administration, isn't that treason?
It is treason, but with an enabling Senate and barr nothing will be done. I can only hope that federal charges will be filed against trump after he leaves office and that there will be no pardons. However, trump can't escape criminal charges brought against him by states.
Mitch McConnell and the US senate have no intention of aiding the Biden Administration and will, if still in power, block his every move just as they did Obama's. We must capture the senate or it will be a stalemate.
Thanks HR for being measured and rational so your community can express our anger and distress in an appropriate venue where real conversation can take place. This quote from your letter today: "Trump’s erratic behavior is starting to alarm even Republican lawmakers, who have kept silent as Trump has done pretty much whatever he wished for the past four years." This struck me as profoundly optimistic. My take on this? Too little too late: the timidity of these guys and their terror at displeasing their Dear Leader amounts to criminal negligence. And I don't trust any of them because they will deny ever disagreeing with their Capo as they all apparently are beholden to him or he has been collecting all kinds of "data" on them in order to gain even more power and control.
This person--I refuse to refer to him as president--has decided that death, destruction, and chaos is an appropriate response to losing an election. This person has decided that destroying American democracy, destroying the government, destroying society, killing his followers and minions are all solutions to alleviate the blow to his ego that losing the election has caused. This person is enabled by an amoral, criminally cynical, and power mongering group of thugs who do NOT represent the majority, do NOT represent their own constituents--and they are happy to see them fall prey to a preventable epidemic because it suits their purposes to cloak themselves in ill-gotten power. When we refer to these appalling despicable creatures as "toddlers" we are defaming toddlers.
I used to believe that the president was more of a puppet controlled by the powers that be. Will I still believe there is truth to this, this Man-child has done so much damage it is unbelievable. No he never shot someone on 5th Avenue but 250k lives are on his hands and nothing is being done. Almost a year into this pandemic and we are still fighting for a 2nd $1200 check. This is absolutely ridiculous. How long do we continue to sit back and watch this happen to we the people? What can we do to make a difference?
The Senate “ I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”
The House of Representatives -“I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
The President –“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Neither the President nor the congressional GOP are upholding their oaths.
If there are not consequences for not upholding their oaths, including the President and Cabinet then they are meaningless. It needs to fixed along with so many loophole violations this Administration abused.
AND will create the opportunity for any future pres & administration to do the same with NO consequences. Remember - the idjit occupying the WH has NEVER suffered consequences EVER for anything in his whole life! Guess thats why hes taking the loss so hard, right?
The news of 250,000 American dead sickens me. That the majority of these deaths were likely preventable enrages me. So many loved ones lost. Those who survive will reflect symptoms of PTSD for literally generations to come.
I can hear the low toll of new alarm bells in the distance and it worries me. A news story about Russian war ships harassing Alaskan fishing boats a week ago or so that never seemed to be repeated or get any traction in the firehose stream of news. The situations with Iran (nukes and him wanting to make a strike). Letting covid run rampant (a sick population cannot defend itself). The sudden elevation of Special Ops in light of a speculated coup. Refusal to concede or allow the Biden-Harris team to have any information. The list goes on. His salt the earth approach to smashing everything on his way out, while denying he is on his way out, is as ludicrous as it is tragic. Childish. That is is now verified as intentional is unforgivable.
There was a hand wringing op-ed headline earlier this week asking how we can uphold the rule of law if he is not prosecuted. WHY WOULD WE NOT PROSECUTE HIM FOR BREAKING THE LAW??? He absolutely MUST be held accountable, along with anyone else in his regime who has broken the law. In my opinion, he should also be tried at The ICC (International Criminal Court) for crimes against humanity related to the national and worldwide impact of his refusal to deal the covid in the US. I have seen others say he should be tried at The Hague but the correct body would be the ICC. If a certain German Fuhrer hadn’t committed suicide he would have been tried. So should he. I can’t even bring myself to write his name or even one of the many euphemisms used for it/him. I can only hope and pray that we succeed in transitioning to a Biden-Harris administration on January 20 and that 2021 is truly a new year in which we put the horrors of 2020 and the current regime far behind us.
Thank you, Karen, for the ICC correction. I’m one who believed it to be The Hague. Trump is no Nixon. Trump has committed treasonous acts and should be put on trial for that and for crimes against humanity at the border and for the Covid deaths due to his neglect and lies. No pardon for the Orange Hitler. ❤️🤍💙
Not just you, Deborah, and not just here. And I thought myself that was the correct body until I looked it up. No worries and that was definitely not directed at you!
I submit that our political infrastructure was on life support prior to 2016. Since then the plug has been pulled.
In other words, THE SUBJECT IS DEAD...DOA...RIP.
Our job, should we accept the mission, is to redesign our governmental structures. The two-party system and the U.S. Congress ceased to produce anything of value for the American people a long time ago. The primary function of the parties and the officials they get elected, is to gain re-election...time after time after time.
I don’t know what form the end product of our united efforts will take, but I am confident that whatever “we the people” create will be far superior to the criminally embarrassing shambles that currently misrepresent us.
It’s high time we bring to life President Lincoln’s glorious vision: a government of, by, and for the people!
As John Adams so eloquently put it "The two-party system would be the worst evil to befall the Constitution." And, doubly so with the legalized corruption of Citizens United. Wonder what we get us first -- nuclear war, herd immunity, climate catastrophe, or the silence of the GOP Senators. Do hope it is not too late because I am hopeful that the Black Lives Matter movement with so many people from different walks of life supporting social justice would finally get us to President Lincoln's glorious vision.
It’s clear trump doesn’t care who and how many die as long as he continues his temper tantrum. Republican leaders are starting to become “alarmed.” That horse fled the barn four years ago. I am beyond disgusted.
I agree. As long as tRump's name is in the headlines, he doesn't care why. "Let more people die if it means people are still talking about ME" is the name of his game.
The utter impotence of our inability to rein in a rogue President is captured in these pathetic words about his latest outrage: "...but they have at least highlighted that Trump has violated normal procedures to make a sale that will dramatically change the balance of power in the Middle East." For four years, the 24/7 "breaking news" has highlighted his daily violation of "normal procedures". How am I to distinguish Donald J. Trump from Timothy McVeigh?
It seems to me the most important thing we need to achieve is getting GSA Emily to sign the damn papers and let Biden-Harris Transition Team get up to speed.
And if she is fired, so what? She can go out with her head held high (or maybe not so high, since she's waited so long), like Christopher Krebs, the cybersecurity official who reported that the elections were secure. Might help her get a better job afterwards!
Sorry, community, but I must remind everyone that the media are not the government. CNN and Co. "calling" the election is not an official act. Mitch McConnell, my namesake (!) and (sadly) also my newly re-elected senator, is absolutely right to point this out. GSA Emily has said she cannot release the transition funds until the election results are certified. Sorry folks, but she is within her rights to do that, even though it's "traditional" to release the funds as soon as the election is "called". We have gotten far too comfortable in accepting the outsized role that the media have arrogated to themselves. The Reps are taking full advantage, and at least some of them, inlcuding the Big Man himself, are determined to fight this out to the end.
Please, everyone, wake up and smell the coffee. Screaming about violated "norms" is entirely insufficient in these circumstances. We are learning that so-called "norms" have no force when a sitting president is determined to ignore or trample on them. I see two possibilites, neither of them good: a coup via hamstringing the EC and throwing the election to the House, or failing that (Rep. legislators may not go so far as to name electors determined to overturn the elections results in their states), scorched earth. Biden and co. are trying all sorts of workarounds, but the weaknesses of that are clear for all to see. He needs something analogous to FDR's "kitchen cabinet" and "brain trust" - people prepared to do NEW things, not just administer what's already there. If this is done openly, with full media coverage, the constrast to DT's destructive obstruction will be clear.
All GSA Emily needs, according to law, is that there is “an apparent” winner. That’s a soggy but clearly recognizable condition that prevails today. She is in violation of the law governing her paid position.
Yes. the system is set up to accommodate an "apparent winner" and make the transition work, not to demand absolute certainty. Even the "AW" knows that the legal process has to be carried out but it is detrimental to governance to wait for that to play out.
A concession from the current president is not necessary. The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 states that the GSA administrator will ascertain the apparent successful candidate when the election results are clear. The intent, according to Denise Turner Roth, who was the GSA administrator during the 2016 election, is that the decision is to be based on “reasonable judgment of the administrator,” which does leave room for discretion. However, the last time there was a delay was in 2000 when the vote count was extremely close and neither candidate had the necessary 270 electoral votes. It is a stretch to argue that the current GSA administrator’s delay is reasonable, given the wide margins by which Biden is, and has been, leading for 10 days now.
The ascertainment is extremely important. The Presidential Transition Act was written to insure a smooth transition of government, to preserve democracy and insure that government services continue uninterrupted. The President-elect needs to fill more than 4000 government positions, 1200 of which require congressional approval. Teams cannot be sent into more than 100 agencies to acquaint themselves with the activities and status of the agencies before the GSA administrator ascertains the election. And as we all are acutely aware, the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic makes the communication and smooth transition all the more important.
One thing very wrong with our government is the checks and balances are gone. Having unilateral power like GSA Emily has, that Grim Reaper McConnell (it isn't just bills he's killing - people) has, and that Malignant Narcissist Trump who thrives on destroying people and creating chaos has is so the anti-thesis of democracy. We took one step in the right direction electing President-elect Biden. We must do more and sooner.
How long ago was it that the person "in charge" in one state refused to sell a marriage license to a gay couple? Remember that - remember how praised she was for doing that? Sound familiar?
Yes - the other side of that coin - when you perform well in your government position, you’re part of the deep state; your work is demeaned, and your performance is punished. Just ask Col Vindman.
The checks and balances aren't entirely gone. The courts are doing their job rather well thus far. The GSA was created by an act of Congress, not by executive fiat. The regulations GSA Emily appears to be following are not only lawful, but in normal times would be regarded as good policy. Election certification is taking the path it has always taken - which means it's taking some time to be sure all valid votes have actually been counted. That's why certification deadlines are late in November, and not before.
Checks and balances have failed in the legislative branch, due to the two houses having different majorities. This has happened before also; the problem now is the unwillingness of the Reps. even to consider compromise proposals on most issues. McConnell's blockade-policies since the day of Obama's election can and should be condemned, but they are not the anti-thesis of democracy. American voters have had multiple chances to change this situation by voting for Dem senators, but have consistently refused to do so, while at the same time complaining bitterly about nothing useful getting done in Washington. Confusion, ignorance, hypocrisy or all of the above - you choose!
As for DT: His actions often appear to be chaotic in the heat of daily Cable-driven news cycles, but there is more going on than many media people, driven and fascinated as they are by the daily chaos, are willing or able to get their minds around. I suggested that DT is seeking to upend the election results by legal means. Is that "anti-democratic"? Maybe, especially if you define "democracy" simply as direct elections, one person one vote. But "democracy" also includes the rule of law, and the tactics DT is using are legal. The laws were made by somebody who got elected, right?
Cathy, your last two sentences are exactly right. Put them together with my proposals in the final sentences of my first comment, and you'll see that we agree on quite a lot.
Mitch, Yes, I think we agree on quite a lot. On up-ending election results by legal means, what I don't like is the continuous sound bites about so much election fraud without any proof or even examples. And, how many people are being swayed by that rhetoric if you can call anything DT says rhetoric which implies artful language. Although it does imply persuasive language which it is for too many people. I personally blame our poor education system on that and how easily the use of social media can influence people to believe just about anything because we don't seem to question its veracity anymore. Nor do we seem to care about ethics and decency in our representatives. What happened to Honest Abe and "I will never tell a lie." Washington. On the courts, the Senate just spent its "valuable" time confirming a "judge" for life at 33 years old with the main qualification that she is a member of the Federalists Society. So wouldn't count on the courts as this continues as a check on the other two branches. The power that McConnell has to stop everything is authoritarian and not democratic in my opinion. Just because he can get away with it under the autocratic rules of the Senate doesn't mean what he is doing is OK. It isn't. You are right to condemn him. One person should not have such unilateral power. Impeachment is now a joke no matter if the Senate is the same party as the President. So no check there. Yes, a number of things are still working in our democracy but the erosion continues. That the Republicans received 70 million votes is astounding to me ... and dangerous. I will defend each person's right to vote how they see fit; but I don't understand the appeal of this malignant narcissist in the White House. Quite frankly I'd vote for Hitler before I'd vote for DT, that's how dangerous I see him. You're right that the media is hooked by the nose to DT's distracting shiny objects which blinds us to what he is really doing. In conclusion, we can barely call ourselves a democracy. We are very much an oligarchic kleptocracy now. Enough ramblin'. Enjoy!
Mitch, I have to grudgingly agree with you. I have bristled at the many articles I have read that highlight the many "norms" that have been violated by this administration and the Republicans while at the same time hoped nobody noticed that no laws have actually been broken. Still rootin' for my side to prevail in the end, though, also with no laws broken.
I, too, must acknowledge that media “calling” the election is a norm and not law. It is unfortunate for America that this regime continues their practice of destructively smashing norms while remaining just within the letter of the law. At least in this case. It is my opinion that they have broken enough laws otherwise that they should be held accountable.
With all humility, I would advise people to not travel to “home” for even small re-unions. It is the exact catalyst that could overwhelm the care system in the entire nation. Zoom, skype, FaceTime or just call. We are close to having vaccines. We are in the home stretch, so stay the course.
I have been pondering the question of who is behind the strategy of djt’s moves to place political acolytes in positions of power. Surely he did not conjure these moves on his own.
Influence from the Saudi’s and Israel? They would benefit from a US move against Iran. China? Russia?
I would be interested in what others think. But for now, Covid remains our greatest immediate threat. Stay home and safe.
I hate to sound pessimistic but it seems that almost everything is a threat right now! I agree about Covid overwhelming the healthcare system after Thanksgiving. The vaccines put us in the home stretch, but we need to be sensible in the meantime. For my part, I'll be alone and not with family, ordering what I need online from my grocery store.
I feel a persistent sense of foreboding regarding our country’s future. Yet I have an inkling of hope our military leaders—who have taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic—will fulfill the spirit of that oath by refusing to execute any orders which would in the long term endanger our nation.
Heather, I agree with you regarding the voter suppression caper not producing their desired election outcome, especially for the presidential race. I also agree that they DIDN’T have a plan to deal with the pandemic (God forbid they would have used the plan the previous administrations left for them). However, I believe that the deranged “plan” this administration is now pushing is Scott Atlas’s “herd immunity” scam. That’s why this president is so detached. He’s sown the seeds of COVID-19 throughout the land via rallies and such (just like Johnny Appleseed) and he’s just sitting back and watching the spread. “Herd Immunity”...that’s his dastardly, disgusting dangerous plan 🦠
Where and Who is our Superhero? We need them to act NOW!
Side observation from this larger discussion: I think the Superhero concept has gotten entirely out of hand. From police departments getting military surplus that makes them look like faceless, heartless, armored robots, to the dream of some Hulk or Wonderwoman coming to rescue us ordinary people from the baddies, the saturation of our culture by superhero storylines in everything from movies to reality TV shows has done us no good. We are all humans needing to live in community with each other. We are all flawed, we are all gifted with different talents. And to paraphrase the old typing exercise, "Now is the time for all good men & women to come to the aid of their country."
We citizens still have our voices, and we should use them to hold our elected officials (I'm thinking of the Senate in particular) accountable. We made a huge effort before the election. People of conscience speaking up at all levels (thank you, Ned Staebler) may shift the Republican stance further in favor of a peaceful and respectful transition, despite the indecent actions and inactions of Trump and McConnell. Not superheroes, but US citizens must make this happen.
Well said, Deborah. Years ago when I was in training to become an EMT our instructor related a scenario and then asked what we would do in that situation. One of the other students said “call EMS” to which I replied “we ARE EMS”. Same concept here. My comment below about Joe notwithstanding, we are the superheroes.
We have a name for this in librarianship - "vocational awe." Many in the profession view it almost as a sacred calling, and this leads to believing librarians are saviors or some sort. It's very toxic and damaging to the profession.
I've always been bothered by the glorification of the military, and now we're seeing the same attitude has morphed into the "blue lives matter" mentality that LE is infallible.
I must really be in need of help if/since I have nothing better to do than politely note that the typing exercise you advert to was actually “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”—using all 26 letters of the alphabet. Sorry. I’ll go take my nap now. 🙃
Actually, Eliot, my typing teacher, a staunch American citizen, required us (in 1969) to type Patrick Henry's "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party" over and over again; she was determined to instill in us our patriotic duty. She did have us do the quick brown fox bit because, as you note, it uses all 26 letters, but Henry's quote was the one we had to warm our fingers up with at the start of each class. I believe it was given as a standard typing exercise in the early 20th century, interweaving a bit of civics education into typing class.
Apparently, typing had "progressed" some by that time. I was doing the quick brown fox bit back in the 50s! Altho only good MEN at the time??? No women allowed I guess.
Just to keep us from reverting to watching the news right now, I'll keep this banter going by noting that in the '50s very few good men were taking typing. Fortunately, I was one of them, and it stood me in good stead when I became (briefly) a soldier who, because of my typing skills, got to do administrative work in a seaside office in Long Beach, CA, after boot camp at Fort Ord ended, while my confreres were shipped off to decidedly less appealing venues!
Ahhh yes - I remember typing that over & over so many long years ago! Have to admit tho it really IS time for GOOD men & women to come to the aid of their country - past time, actually!
We are the super heroes! I just need some direction and guidance knowing where to start! God knows I have enough time on my hands right now. Any ideas?
Yes! There are still 2 Senate seats in play in Georgia. If you can, donate through ActBlue to the campaigns of Warnock and Ossoff for the January 5th runoff election. This would give Biden the majority he needs, take power away from Mitch McConnell and allow Biden to more quickly and efficiently undo much of the harm Trump has done. Even turning one of these senate seats blue would give Biden a tremendous boost. In addition, you don’t need to be a Georgia resident to work the phone or text banks for these campaigns. We do have the power to make a difference, especially if we work together!
I like Stacey Abrams's Fair Fight Action (fairfight.com) because it mobilizes Georgia voters to register, to vote, and to demonstrate their electoral power.
Whatever the outcome of the January 5 Senatorial races in Georgia (and I hope both Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff win), building the electorate from the ground up, especially in minority communities, is a plus in my book.
imho, the ONLY place of action right now is with you local and state dynamics. Learn about your state Sen and House composition. Is it in Republican hands? Or, do Democrats control your state legislature?
This year’s election determined the elected officials who will be making the reapportionment choices of political boundaries for EVERY US Congressional district, as well as EVERY state legislative district. If Republicans control the state legislature, they control all of these political boundaries. In general, be aware of the partisan makeup of your state, and watch for the leadership decisions soon to be announced, in your state.
Secondly, look for independent efforts addressing climate, equality, racial and economic efforts. Many of Biden’s efforts could be either amplified, or thwarted, by local support, or antagonism. For example, here In Maine, we are making MAJOR strides with a state-wide effort entitled, the Maine Climate Council. Maine is literally speeding ahead with policy proposals toward a sustainable economy and energy base. More than 200 people have been meeting for nearly one year now, and their proposals will be sent tot he governor in early December.
Jennifer, stay more aware and engaged of your local and state issues
I wish I could be more positive regarding your suggestion. But here in Florida, our governor (DeSantis) is a Trump mini-me. Our two Senators (Rick Scott and Marco Rubio) are full on Trump supporters. Our legislature is in the hands of Republicans and gained even more seats this time around. I have never before felt so helpless in my state.
It is discouraging. The answer is probably that we need to “Stacey Abrams” the state and dramatically increase voter registration. Concurrently, we need to find better ways to educate voters. How can we excite people, like HCR does, about engaging in discussions of state and national policies and how they actually impact voters. Knowledge is power. Also, people must come to understand the ways in which democracy is threatened, recognize when it is happening, and be able to consciously choose the type of government they want to live under. This is surely a daunting task, but when I look at what Heather and Stacey Abrams have accomplished out of sheer will and determination, I think Why not? Here’s hoping for a new Florida and so much more.
Totally agree with some of the comments here. Perhaps after the elections in Georgia we can find/start some type of grass roots movement here in Florida similar to Stacey's. If any of you have some ideas, please put them out there. I am all in.
I’ve just remembered that the Dem Party is usually organized around the counties. Here’s my suggestion; find your Dem Party county coordinators. I bet they know of organized, voter registration and education efforts in FL. I would ultimately love to see the party organized around precincts (neighborhoods). THIS would be a monumental task.
I just recently re-stated your post; I totally agree with you Marilyn, about taking lessons from Stacey. And she has said that this is a long term effort, but FL Dems are not so far behind, as we were in both AZ and GA.
Remember, not long ago at all (two years and four years respectively), Georgia and AZ were in the same position as FL - completely dominated by Republicans. Activists in both states incorporated grass roots activism to recruit and educate voters.
NOW is the time to start thinking about a brad based canvass throughout FL, akin to the efforts of Stacy Abrams. We should learn from whatever Ms Abrams and others reveal about their efforts in GA.
Democrats and progressives must no longer wait until the election season, but make our ideals, values and policies a daily affair, with a healthy approach (rather than obsession)
So right about the top echelon!! Am here in Orlando and grateful for the way Jerry Demings has handled COVID for Orange Co....always trying to stay one step ahead of it. But neighboring Counties are close....sometimes seamless....so the state wide coordination is critical. Back in May I spent literally an entire week trying to get to anyone on the State level about initiating contact tracing!! I finally called the Communications office and got a very savvy and helpful exec asst who navigated the system and got me to a real person in the "COVID office". They were not even discussing contact tracing!!!
Perhaps you have enough support win your state legislature for Dems (and liberal Repugs) to facilitate a comprehensive ‘Climate Action Plan’ to ~
Better yet, link with ours in Maine. NH and ME are closer than MOST states’ sizes. We’re so links with sources of energy, food and agriculture, forestry, transportation. Simply link to Maine Climate Council, and check the six major topics. We should discuss this further, with all sympathetic ‘actors’ (activists) in NH
We are!! We always have been. If nothing else the last four years has taught me that it is a total responsibility for every American to be engaged in our process. There is no one person or one party that will ever save us. If that’s the only Takeaway we have, then we are way ahead of the game.
Kari. I completely agree. Reality is this election is far from over. There is no one on this planet that can convince me that COVID-19 is just a random virus that happened to get out of hand. There isn't a Super Hero, my friend.
This is long so I get it if you skip it, I just need to get this off my chest.
Are we, as a nation, even governable? I started asking myself this question several years ago when I lived in a county where it became legal to open carry any firearm you chose anywhere, indoors or out of doors, with a few exceptions. Going to the grocery in my rural area of the county was an exercise in fear, with the rabid aggression of the gun rights advocates using their ability to carry a way to intimidate folks going about their day to day lives. And then came Trump, giving people permission to openly denigrate and disrespect "the other". Police violence against Black US Americans escalated, cops walked free. Children from Latin America were ripped from their parents and confined in kennels, where hundreds still sit today, their parents are who knows where. Then coronavirus and the one opportunity for the country to act as one was demolished by the ego, callousness and greed of the one person who could have engaged an entire nation into acting responsibly. Coronavirus has simply become another device to antagonize Trump's base and drive a wedge ever deeper between those moved by the common good and those for whom the common good is a dirty word. And now, now we have the Election, the results of which are clear. The majority voted for a quiet man of reason who has the experience to lead, the ability to choose qualified, competent advisors, cabinet members and support staff, the humility and intelligence to reach out and seek the guidance of experts so decisions can be fact based not ego driven. And what is standing in our way forward? One man, most Republicans in the House and Senate, a cadre of appointees willing to suck up to a maniac and 70 plus million people who believe that their president is doing what's right for them, not what's right for the entire country, for them.
I watch all this happen from Merida, Yucatan, so I am one step removed from the aggression and hatred. I see it and read about it and it frightens me, but it doesn't touch me in the same way it touches you, in the US, day in and day out. I'm afraid for my grown daughter who is living in isolation, teaching (online) at an east coast university and working on her MFA. Her room here is ready should things escalate to a point of total madness. I'm afraid for every one of you who are in the US right now because, despite following health and safety protocols and voting for new leadership, the muscle behind the madness really hasn't changed. They are still in positions of power and the have deeply sown the seeds of hatred into those who follow them. The money behind the madness is still there, too. So again, I ask, are we governable?
Daria, these are things I wonder as well...I came across this this morning and was going to share it on here. This place is as good as any--and I may post it again up "newer" in the postings. The author basically is exploring how the Left always seems the more willing to appease the Right--rather than the other way around--and how that has NOT turned out the way it should. It's a VERY interesting take on where we seem to be in this country--indeed, ARE we governable? The writer compares us now like a dysfunctional marriage...the Left is like the nurturing, kind mother, and the Right like the abusive, domineering father. In the past (before feminism, the author posits), the woman was expected to submit to the will of the father and continually compromise and acquiesce, even if she was being abused. Trying to reason with or placate the Right, especially now that they've become SO extreme, should NOT be encouraged. I mean, you cannot and SHOULD not try and reason with a base that includes Nazis and White supremacists. Centrism doesn't cut it with these folks, and this silly naive idea that one can reason with these people so we can all be "one happy family" is going to end up costing us ALL dear. Read the article. It states it all REALLY articulately.
"Are we as a nation even governable?" I'd be willing to bet (and I'm not a betting woman) that a lot of us have the same question. A friend and I have talked about what it would look like to divide the country into five countries by region with unifying pacts for defense, trade, transportation, et al. We acknowledge that it's not realistic, it will never happen, but it helps us get through the worst moments.
I wonder how confident we can be that this crew WON'T hit Iran. More, I wonder how much more of this toxic explosion it will take before the Senate puts its foot down. Even more, I wonder if anyone knows what motivates McConnell?
Not confident at all that he won't strike Iran and confident the Party of Trump has lost the ability to put its fut down on anything but the necks of the public. McConnell is motivated by perpetuating the system in which he has the most power.
All this is just my opinion, and right now I am as angry/frustrated as I have been during the last four years. DT is salting the earth as he prepares his retreat - it appears his wickedness knows no bounds.
no worries - your meaning was absolutely clear to everyone here, I'm sure. And I agree wholeheartedly. This is a reach but isnt there anything ANYONE would be able to DO about this idjit? Thats what really scares me - there are NO more checks & balances available to us - the people - the ones who PAY this crew of crooks!
Honestly, I don’t know – which is why this situation is so intolerable. If he were to attempt to take us to war, Congress could deny funding. But the President has a variety of emergency tools that have been given to the office of the President by Congress in dereliction of its responsibility. So short of an actual Declaration of War, he could probably get away with quite a bit.
But here’s the rub, the military might refuse to carry out his orders. If that happens, we would be in Coup territory. It would not/might not, be a full Coup because I find it impossible to imagine our military would assume executive powers. But defying a legal order of the POTUS would be a serious offense. Stalling or delaying might be the best we can hope for if it came to that. I defer to more knowledgeable folks on this.
Again the deafening silence of Republicans as Trump breaks and burns everything he can on the way out to make governing as difficult as possible for the Biden Administration. Patriotism at its finest.
re: The arms/technology sale to UAE; didn't I read something somewhere about a UAE entity bailing Kushner out of his fiasco of a real estate deal involving a Manhatten sky-scraper to the tune of several hundred million dollars? Being the administration's point man in the Middle East has its perks, doesn't it.
I was heartbroken to read the hospital system that serves my hometown is getting overwhelmed by COVID-19. The system is having to consider opening a recently shuttered hospital. It is just unbelievable. I am going home for Thanksgiving. It makes me a little nervous, however, I am making a plan to limit the contact to just my family. That said PCP sent an email indicating the office is limiting in person office visits. My county with a population of 83,000 has an average of 80 cases per day. I am trying to keep the faith and take it one day at a time, however, it is difficult. That said I am firing off an email to my Republican congressman about my disgust over his party's sycophancy.
Daria Wilber, thank you for your concern 😊 I am thinking I should be OK. I can get there and back on a tank of gas, so I should be able to just limit my contact to family members.
I hope you are safe, Sharon. My daughter & granddaughter live in PA - about 2 hours away, I havent seen them since Christmas & we arent planning visits either way for Thanksgiving or Christmas. For their sake and mine. Its just not safe right now. So be really careful
I am waiting for them to tell not to come. However, we are a small group. There will only be five of us. None of us are working outside the home at this time and avoid crowds when out. I hoping for the best.
I hope so. I'm fortunate - my son & his family are close by - on the other hand, I dont plan on going there either - my son comes over often but they have young kids & others coming & going so I'm going to stick it out here with my dog & cat (and I know there will be food deliveries made) Could be worse - and it is for lots of people. So I'm pretty darn lucky. Hope you are too.
Governor Whitmer just asked that folks NOT travel for Thanksgiving and limit meal/celebration to current households. I am making turkey dinner for my elderly neighbors who canceled their trip to be with grandkids downstateI will put it on their porch). They are insisting on buying the groceries for it, so I added toilet paper, chocolate bars, wine....
Thats really nice MaryPat - if everyone had that mindset & caring feeling, we wouldnt be in this hole we're in. Right?
One thing tho - I really dont get why NYC mayor shut schools down - when the percentage of virus positives there was so low - yet allowed restaurants & bars (gyms?) to remain open! Doesnt make sense to me at all. Especially after watching the many parents who are extremely pissed off - may not make as much sense to HIM either! Glad I dont live in the city - any city - at this point.
Heather, you wrote, "A senior official told CNN that the goal is 'to set so many fires that it will be hard for the Biden administration to put them all out.'" If it is true that Trump is intentionally sabotaging the Biden administration, isn't that treason?
Yes, he and others need to be held accountable. Their response to the pandemic is genocide in my opinion.
Very good question.
I would say yes.
I would like to know the answer to that question also.
It is treason, but with an enabling Senate and barr nothing will be done. I can only hope that federal charges will be filed against trump after he leaves office and that there will be no pardons. However, trump can't escape criminal charges brought against him by states.
Mitch McConnell and the US senate have no intention of aiding the Biden Administration and will, if still in power, block his every move just as they did Obama's. We must capture the senate or it will be a stalemate.
Thanks HR for being measured and rational so your community can express our anger and distress in an appropriate venue where real conversation can take place. This quote from your letter today: "Trump’s erratic behavior is starting to alarm even Republican lawmakers, who have kept silent as Trump has done pretty much whatever he wished for the past four years." This struck me as profoundly optimistic. My take on this? Too little too late: the timidity of these guys and their terror at displeasing their Dear Leader amounts to criminal negligence. And I don't trust any of them because they will deny ever disagreeing with their Capo as they all apparently are beholden to him or he has been collecting all kinds of "data" on them in order to gain even more power and control.
This person--I refuse to refer to him as president--has decided that death, destruction, and chaos is an appropriate response to losing an election. This person has decided that destroying American democracy, destroying the government, destroying society, killing his followers and minions are all solutions to alleviate the blow to his ego that losing the election has caused. This person is enabled by an amoral, criminally cynical, and power mongering group of thugs who do NOT represent the majority, do NOT represent their own constituents--and they are happy to see them fall prey to a preventable epidemic because it suits their purposes to cloak themselves in ill-gotten power. When we refer to these appalling despicable creatures as "toddlers" we are defaming toddlers.
I used to believe that the president was more of a puppet controlled by the powers that be. Will I still believe there is truth to this, this Man-child has done so much damage it is unbelievable. No he never shot someone on 5th Avenue but 250k lives are on his hands and nothing is being done. Almost a year into this pandemic and we are still fighting for a 2nd $1200 check. This is absolutely ridiculous. How long do we continue to sit back and watch this happen to we the people? What can we do to make a difference?
I couldn't have said it better. I am sick of the cowardice of so many white men and women. When will someone stop this insanity????
The Senate “ I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”
The House of Representatives -“I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
The President –“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Neither the President nor the congressional GOP are upholding their oaths.
When I write to my congressmen, that is how I start my letters. I need to start putting “and domestic” in boldface.
If there are not consequences for not upholding their oaths, including the President and Cabinet then they are meaningless. It needs to fixed along with so many loophole violations this Administration abused.
AND will create the opportunity for any future pres & administration to do the same with NO consequences. Remember - the idjit occupying the WH has NEVER suffered consequences EVER for anything in his whole life! Guess thats why hes taking the loss so hard, right?
So what are you going to do about it? Fill their inboxes with ignored messages and their wastebaskets with unread letters?
The news of 250,000 American dead sickens me. That the majority of these deaths were likely preventable enrages me. So many loved ones lost. Those who survive will reflect symptoms of PTSD for literally generations to come.
I can hear the low toll of new alarm bells in the distance and it worries me. A news story about Russian war ships harassing Alaskan fishing boats a week ago or so that never seemed to be repeated or get any traction in the firehose stream of news. The situations with Iran (nukes and him wanting to make a strike). Letting covid run rampant (a sick population cannot defend itself). The sudden elevation of Special Ops in light of a speculated coup. Refusal to concede or allow the Biden-Harris team to have any information. The list goes on. His salt the earth approach to smashing everything on his way out, while denying he is on his way out, is as ludicrous as it is tragic. Childish. That is is now verified as intentional is unforgivable.
There was a hand wringing op-ed headline earlier this week asking how we can uphold the rule of law if he is not prosecuted. WHY WOULD WE NOT PROSECUTE HIM FOR BREAKING THE LAW??? He absolutely MUST be held accountable, along with anyone else in his regime who has broken the law. In my opinion, he should also be tried at The ICC (International Criminal Court) for crimes against humanity related to the national and worldwide impact of his refusal to deal the covid in the US. I have seen others say he should be tried at The Hague but the correct body would be the ICC. If a certain German Fuhrer hadn’t committed suicide he would have been tried. So should he. I can’t even bring myself to write his name or even one of the many euphemisms used for it/him. I can only hope and pray that we succeed in transitioning to a Biden-Harris administration on January 20 and that 2021 is truly a new year in which we put the horrors of 2020 and the current regime far behind us.
https://www.icj-cij.org/en/frequently-asked-questions
https://www.icc-cpi.int/about
Thank you, Karen, for the ICC correction. I’m one who believed it to be The Hague. Trump is no Nixon. Trump has committed treasonous acts and should be put on trial for that and for crimes against humanity at the border and for the Covid deaths due to his neglect and lies. No pardon for the Orange Hitler. ❤️🤍💙
Not just you, Deborah, and not just here. And I thought myself that was the correct body until I looked it up. No worries and that was definitely not directed at you!
I had shared this story from the NY Times on FB and had one person comment how what ever trial Trump may face he was sure someone(friend or someone blackmailed) on the jury would make sure he got off.https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/magazine/trump-investigations-criminal-prosecutions.html?referringSource=articleShare&fbclid=IwAR30HFgN87-saNFbQtWW9TIHKh5kmv7UqAH1mjZ6_II_GNtHTJ9AmlKI-sc
I submit that our political infrastructure was on life support prior to 2016. Since then the plug has been pulled.
In other words, THE SUBJECT IS DEAD...DOA...RIP.
Our job, should we accept the mission, is to redesign our governmental structures. The two-party system and the U.S. Congress ceased to produce anything of value for the American people a long time ago. The primary function of the parties and the officials they get elected, is to gain re-election...time after time after time.
I don’t know what form the end product of our united efforts will take, but I am confident that whatever “we the people” create will be far superior to the criminally embarrassing shambles that currently misrepresent us.
It’s high time we bring to life President Lincoln’s glorious vision: a government of, by, and for the people!
^^^^"The primary function of the parties and the officials they get elected, is to gain re-election...time after time after time."^^^^
100% Truth.
As John Adams so eloquently put it "The two-party system would be the worst evil to befall the Constitution." And, doubly so with the legalized corruption of Citizens United. Wonder what we get us first -- nuclear war, herd immunity, climate catastrophe, or the silence of the GOP Senators. Do hope it is not too late because I am hopeful that the Black Lives Matter movement with so many people from different walks of life supporting social justice would finally get us to President Lincoln's glorious vision.
Right between the eyes, Bill. An impossible mission? I think not!
It’s clear trump doesn’t care who and how many die as long as he continues his temper tantrum. Republican leaders are starting to become “alarmed.” That horse fled the barn four years ago. I am beyond disgusted.
I am too, no respect for any of the "enablers"!
I agree. As long as tRump's name is in the headlines, he doesn't care why. "Let more people die if it means people are still talking about ME" is the name of his game.
The utter impotence of our inability to rein in a rogue President is captured in these pathetic words about his latest outrage: "...but they have at least highlighted that Trump has violated normal procedures to make a sale that will dramatically change the balance of power in the Middle East." For four years, the 24/7 "breaking news" has highlighted his daily violation of "normal procedures". How am I to distinguish Donald J. Trump from Timothy McVeigh?
Trump is far more dangerous.
Timothy McVeigh didn't have the nuclear codes and 70 million supporters.
It seems to me the most important thing we need to achieve is getting GSA Emily to sign the damn papers and let Biden-Harris Transition Team get up to speed.
She needs to pull up her big-girl panties and risk being fired--because once the papers are signed they cannot be unsigned.
And if she is fired, so what? She can go out with her head held high (or maybe not so high, since she's waited so long), like Christopher Krebs, the cybersecurity official who reported that the elections were secure. Might help her get a better job afterwards!
Sorry, community, but I must remind everyone that the media are not the government. CNN and Co. "calling" the election is not an official act. Mitch McConnell, my namesake (!) and (sadly) also my newly re-elected senator, is absolutely right to point this out. GSA Emily has said she cannot release the transition funds until the election results are certified. Sorry folks, but she is within her rights to do that, even though it's "traditional" to release the funds as soon as the election is "called". We have gotten far too comfortable in accepting the outsized role that the media have arrogated to themselves. The Reps are taking full advantage, and at least some of them, inlcuding the Big Man himself, are determined to fight this out to the end.
Please, everyone, wake up and smell the coffee. Screaming about violated "norms" is entirely insufficient in these circumstances. We are learning that so-called "norms" have no force when a sitting president is determined to ignore or trample on them. I see two possibilites, neither of them good: a coup via hamstringing the EC and throwing the election to the House, or failing that (Rep. legislators may not go so far as to name electors determined to overturn the elections results in their states), scorched earth. Biden and co. are trying all sorts of workarounds, but the weaknesses of that are clear for all to see. He needs something analogous to FDR's "kitchen cabinet" and "brain trust" - people prepared to do NEW things, not just administer what's already there. If this is done openly, with full media coverage, the constrast to DT's destructive obstruction will be clear.
All GSA Emily needs, according to law, is that there is “an apparent” winner. That’s a soggy but clearly recognizable condition that prevails today. She is in violation of the law governing her paid position.
Yes. the system is set up to accommodate an "apparent winner" and make the transition work, not to demand absolute certainty. Even the "AW" knows that the legal process has to be carried out but it is detrimental to governance to wait for that to play out.
Does the sitting president need to concede before this can happen? Or once the winner is apparent, the funds should then be released?
A concession from the current president is not necessary. The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 states that the GSA administrator will ascertain the apparent successful candidate when the election results are clear. The intent, according to Denise Turner Roth, who was the GSA administrator during the 2016 election, is that the decision is to be based on “reasonable judgment of the administrator,” which does leave room for discretion. However, the last time there was a delay was in 2000 when the vote count was extremely close and neither candidate had the necessary 270 electoral votes. It is a stretch to argue that the current GSA administrator’s delay is reasonable, given the wide margins by which Biden is, and has been, leading for 10 days now.
The ascertainment is extremely important. The Presidential Transition Act was written to insure a smooth transition of government, to preserve democracy and insure that government services continue uninterrupted. The President-elect needs to fill more than 4000 government positions, 1200 of which require congressional approval. Teams cannot be sent into more than 100 agencies to acquaint themselves with the activities and status of the agencies before the GSA administrator ascertains the election. And as we all are acutely aware, the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic makes the communication and smooth transition all the more important.
Thank you for this information, Mary Anne. I appreciate it.
Thanks for this clarification. Strange that media reports I've seen haven't mentioned that weasel word "apparent".
All prior certifications were timely and were based on there being an "apparent" winner.
I have heard that. Not sure where, but the "apparent winner" has been mentioned in the media.
One thing very wrong with our government is the checks and balances are gone. Having unilateral power like GSA Emily has, that Grim Reaper McConnell (it isn't just bills he's killing - people) has, and that Malignant Narcissist Trump who thrives on destroying people and creating chaos has is so the anti-thesis of democracy. We took one step in the right direction electing President-elect Biden. We must do more and sooner.
Now, it’s a “Badge of Honor” to refuse to do your job.
How long ago was it that the person "in charge" in one state refused to sell a marriage license to a gay couple? Remember that - remember how praised she was for doing that? Sound familiar?
Wasn't that Kim Davis? Also from Kentucky.
Yes - couldnt remember her name.
And, get fired like Mr. Krebs for doing his job so well.
Yes - the other side of that coin - when you perform well in your government position, you’re part of the deep state; your work is demeaned, and your performance is punished. Just ask Col Vindman.
Speaking of the Vindman brothers, they should both be given positions in the Biden administration to justify their faith in America.
The checks and balances aren't entirely gone. The courts are doing their job rather well thus far. The GSA was created by an act of Congress, not by executive fiat. The regulations GSA Emily appears to be following are not only lawful, but in normal times would be regarded as good policy. Election certification is taking the path it has always taken - which means it's taking some time to be sure all valid votes have actually been counted. That's why certification deadlines are late in November, and not before.
Checks and balances have failed in the legislative branch, due to the two houses having different majorities. This has happened before also; the problem now is the unwillingness of the Reps. even to consider compromise proposals on most issues. McConnell's blockade-policies since the day of Obama's election can and should be condemned, but they are not the anti-thesis of democracy. American voters have had multiple chances to change this situation by voting for Dem senators, but have consistently refused to do so, while at the same time complaining bitterly about nothing useful getting done in Washington. Confusion, ignorance, hypocrisy or all of the above - you choose!
As for DT: His actions often appear to be chaotic in the heat of daily Cable-driven news cycles, but there is more going on than many media people, driven and fascinated as they are by the daily chaos, are willing or able to get their minds around. I suggested that DT is seeking to upend the election results by legal means. Is that "anti-democratic"? Maybe, especially if you define "democracy" simply as direct elections, one person one vote. But "democracy" also includes the rule of law, and the tactics DT is using are legal. The laws were made by somebody who got elected, right?
Cathy, your last two sentences are exactly right. Put them together with my proposals in the final sentences of my first comment, and you'll see that we agree on quite a lot.
Mitch, Yes, I think we agree on quite a lot. On up-ending election results by legal means, what I don't like is the continuous sound bites about so much election fraud without any proof or even examples. And, how many people are being swayed by that rhetoric if you can call anything DT says rhetoric which implies artful language. Although it does imply persuasive language which it is for too many people. I personally blame our poor education system on that and how easily the use of social media can influence people to believe just about anything because we don't seem to question its veracity anymore. Nor do we seem to care about ethics and decency in our representatives. What happened to Honest Abe and "I will never tell a lie." Washington. On the courts, the Senate just spent its "valuable" time confirming a "judge" for life at 33 years old with the main qualification that she is a member of the Federalists Society. So wouldn't count on the courts as this continues as a check on the other two branches. The power that McConnell has to stop everything is authoritarian and not democratic in my opinion. Just because he can get away with it under the autocratic rules of the Senate doesn't mean what he is doing is OK. It isn't. You are right to condemn him. One person should not have such unilateral power. Impeachment is now a joke no matter if the Senate is the same party as the President. So no check there. Yes, a number of things are still working in our democracy but the erosion continues. That the Republicans received 70 million votes is astounding to me ... and dangerous. I will defend each person's right to vote how they see fit; but I don't understand the appeal of this malignant narcissist in the White House. Quite frankly I'd vote for Hitler before I'd vote for DT, that's how dangerous I see him. You're right that the media is hooked by the nose to DT's distracting shiny objects which blinds us to what he is really doing. In conclusion, we can barely call ourselves a democracy. We are very much an oligarchic kleptocracy now. Enough ramblin'. Enjoy!
Consider trump & company’s actions as an information warfare campaign:
https://twitter.com/jon_rauch/status/1329051154609790980?s=21
Mitch, I have to grudgingly agree with you. I have bristled at the many articles I have read that highlight the many "norms" that have been violated by this administration and the Republicans while at the same time hoped nobody noticed that no laws have actually been broken. Still rootin' for my side to prevail in the end, though, also with no laws broken.
Me too - but boy this is even more stressful than the last 4 years! And THATS saying a lot.
I, too, must acknowledge that media “calling” the election is a norm and not law. It is unfortunate for America that this regime continues their practice of destructively smashing norms while remaining just within the letter of the law. At least in this case. It is my opinion that they have broken enough laws otherwise that they should be held accountable.
California has the last certification deadline - 12/11. Hopefully that will end the logjam.
With all humility, I would advise people to not travel to “home” for even small re-unions. It is the exact catalyst that could overwhelm the care system in the entire nation. Zoom, skype, FaceTime or just call. We are close to having vaccines. We are in the home stretch, so stay the course.
I have been pondering the question of who is behind the strategy of djt’s moves to place political acolytes in positions of power. Surely he did not conjure these moves on his own.
Influence from the Saudi’s and Israel? They would benefit from a US move against Iran. China? Russia?
I would be interested in what others think. But for now, Covid remains our greatest immediate threat. Stay home and safe.
I hate to sound pessimistic but it seems that almost everything is a threat right now! I agree about Covid overwhelming the healthcare system after Thanksgiving. The vaccines put us in the home stretch, but we need to be sensible in the meantime. For my part, I'll be alone and not with family, ordering what I need online from my grocery store.
I feel a persistent sense of foreboding regarding our country’s future. Yet I have an inkling of hope our military leaders—who have taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic—will fulfill the spirit of that oath by refusing to execute any orders which would in the long term endanger our nation.
Heather, I agree with you regarding the voter suppression caper not producing their desired election outcome, especially for the presidential race. I also agree that they DIDN’T have a plan to deal with the pandemic (God forbid they would have used the plan the previous administrations left for them). However, I believe that the deranged “plan” this administration is now pushing is Scott Atlas’s “herd immunity” scam. That’s why this president is so detached. He’s sown the seeds of COVID-19 throughout the land via rallies and such (just like Johnny Appleseed) and he’s just sitting back and watching the spread. “Herd Immunity”...that’s his dastardly, disgusting dangerous plan 🦠
Where and Who is our Superhero? We need them to act NOW!
Side observation from this larger discussion: I think the Superhero concept has gotten entirely out of hand. From police departments getting military surplus that makes them look like faceless, heartless, armored robots, to the dream of some Hulk or Wonderwoman coming to rescue us ordinary people from the baddies, the saturation of our culture by superhero storylines in everything from movies to reality TV shows has done us no good. We are all humans needing to live in community with each other. We are all flawed, we are all gifted with different talents. And to paraphrase the old typing exercise, "Now is the time for all good men & women to come to the aid of their country."
We citizens still have our voices, and we should use them to hold our elected officials (I'm thinking of the Senate in particular) accountable. We made a huge effort before the election. People of conscience speaking up at all levels (thank you, Ned Staebler) may shift the Republican stance further in favor of a peaceful and respectful transition, despite the indecent actions and inactions of Trump and McConnell. Not superheroes, but US citizens must make this happen.
Well said, Deborah. Years ago when I was in training to become an EMT our instructor related a scenario and then asked what we would do in that situation. One of the other students said “call EMS” to which I replied “we ARE EMS”. Same concept here. My comment below about Joe notwithstanding, we are the superheroes.
We have a name for this in librarianship - "vocational awe." Many in the profession view it almost as a sacred calling, and this leads to believing librarians are saviors or some sort. It's very toxic and damaging to the profession.
I've always been bothered by the glorification of the military, and now we're seeing the same attitude has morphed into the "blue lives matter" mentality that LE is infallible.
I must really be in need of help if/since I have nothing better to do than politely note that the typing exercise you advert to was actually “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”—using all 26 letters of the alphabet. Sorry. I’ll go take my nap now. 🙃
Actually, Eliot, my typing teacher, a staunch American citizen, required us (in 1969) to type Patrick Henry's "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party" over and over again; she was determined to instill in us our patriotic duty. She did have us do the quick brown fox bit because, as you note, it uses all 26 letters, but Henry's quote was the one we had to warm our fingers up with at the start of each class. I believe it was given as a standard typing exercise in the early 20th century, interweaving a bit of civics education into typing class.
I love your typing teacher. Might not pass muster with some boards of education around the country now, but we need her and her kin desperately!
Apparently, typing had "progressed" some by that time. I was doing the quick brown fox bit back in the 50s! Altho only good MEN at the time??? No women allowed I guess.
Just to keep us from reverting to watching the news right now, I'll keep this banter going by noting that in the '50s very few good men were taking typing. Fortunately, I was one of them, and it stood me in good stead when I became (briefly) a soldier who, because of my typing skills, got to do administrative work in a seaside office in Long Beach, CA, after boot camp at Fort Ord ended, while my confreres were shipped off to decidedly less appealing venues!
Yes youre right - VERY few good or any other men were in my typing class - maybe 1 or 2. It did work out well for you tho.
Ahhh yes - I remember typing that over & over so many long years ago! Have to admit tho it really IS time for GOOD men & women to come to the aid of their country - past time, actually!
And a big AMEN! to that...!
“We are the Superheroes”🦸🏻🦸🏼♀️ 🦸🏽♂️ 🇺🇸🗽☺️❤️
“We are the champions”.
We are the super heroes! I just need some direction and guidance knowing where to start! God knows I have enough time on my hands right now. Any ideas?
Yes! There are still 2 Senate seats in play in Georgia. If you can, donate through ActBlue to the campaigns of Warnock and Ossoff for the January 5th runoff election. This would give Biden the majority he needs, take power away from Mitch McConnell and allow Biden to more quickly and efficiently undo much of the harm Trump has done. Even turning one of these senate seats blue would give Biden a tremendous boost. In addition, you don’t need to be a Georgia resident to work the phone or text banks for these campaigns. We do have the power to make a difference, especially if we work together!
fairfight.com is another way to donate money or time
I like Stacey Abrams's Fair Fight Action (fairfight.com) because it mobilizes Georgia voters to register, to vote, and to demonstrate their electoral power.
Whatever the outcome of the January 5 Senatorial races in Georgia (and I hope both Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff win), building the electorate from the ground up, especially in minority communities, is a plus in my book.
Thanks - done!
You're on the team! Great!
imho, the ONLY place of action right now is with you local and state dynamics. Learn about your state Sen and House composition. Is it in Republican hands? Or, do Democrats control your state legislature?
This year’s election determined the elected officials who will be making the reapportionment choices of political boundaries for EVERY US Congressional district, as well as EVERY state legislative district. If Republicans control the state legislature, they control all of these political boundaries. In general, be aware of the partisan makeup of your state, and watch for the leadership decisions soon to be announced, in your state.
Secondly, look for independent efforts addressing climate, equality, racial and economic efforts. Many of Biden’s efforts could be either amplified, or thwarted, by local support, or antagonism. For example, here In Maine, we are making MAJOR strides with a state-wide effort entitled, the Maine Climate Council. Maine is literally speeding ahead with policy proposals toward a sustainable economy and energy base. More than 200 people have been meeting for nearly one year now, and their proposals will be sent tot he governor in early December.
Jennifer, stay more aware and engaged of your local and state issues
I wish I could be more positive regarding your suggestion. But here in Florida, our governor (DeSantis) is a Trump mini-me. Our two Senators (Rick Scott and Marco Rubio) are full on Trump supporters. Our legislature is in the hands of Republicans and gained even more seats this time around. I have never before felt so helpless in my state.
It is discouraging. The answer is probably that we need to “Stacey Abrams” the state and dramatically increase voter registration. Concurrently, we need to find better ways to educate voters. How can we excite people, like HCR does, about engaging in discussions of state and national policies and how they actually impact voters. Knowledge is power. Also, people must come to understand the ways in which democracy is threatened, recognize when it is happening, and be able to consciously choose the type of government they want to live under. This is surely a daunting task, but when I look at what Heather and Stacey Abrams have accomplished out of sheer will and determination, I think Why not? Here’s hoping for a new Florida and so much more.
Totally agree with some of the comments here. Perhaps after the elections in Georgia we can find/start some type of grass roots movement here in Florida similar to Stacey's. If any of you have some ideas, please put them out there. I am all in.
I’ve just remembered that the Dem Party is usually organized around the counties. Here’s my suggestion; find your Dem Party county coordinators. I bet they know of organized, voter registration and education efforts in FL. I would ultimately love to see the party organized around precincts (neighborhoods). THIS would be a monumental task.
I just recently re-stated your post; I totally agree with you Marilyn, about taking lessons from Stacey. And she has said that this is a long term effort, but FL Dems are not so far behind, as we were in both AZ and GA.
Good to hear.
Remember, not long ago at all (two years and four years respectively), Georgia and AZ were in the same position as FL - completely dominated by Republicans. Activists in both states incorporated grass roots activism to recruit and educate voters.
NOW is the time to start thinking about a brad based canvass throughout FL, akin to the efforts of Stacy Abrams. We should learn from whatever Ms Abrams and others reveal about their efforts in GA.
Democrats and progressives must no longer wait until the election season, but make our ideals, values and policies a daily affair, with a healthy approach (rather than obsession)
So right about the top echelon!! Am here in Orlando and grateful for the way Jerry Demings has handled COVID for Orange Co....always trying to stay one step ahead of it. But neighboring Counties are close....sometimes seamless....so the state wide coordination is critical. Back in May I spent literally an entire week trying to get to anyone on the State level about initiating contact tracing!! I finally called the Communications office and got a very savvy and helpful exec asst who navigated the system and got me to a real person in the "COVID office". They were not even discussing contact tracing!!!
I agree. I heard this years ago that it should start at the bottom and then it works its way up. I think you are very correct.
Thank you! Im your neighbor over here in New Hampshire!
Perhaps you have enough support win your state legislature for Dems (and liberal Repugs) to facilitate a comprehensive ‘Climate Action Plan’ to ~
Better yet, link with ours in Maine. NH and ME are closer than MOST states’ sizes. We’re so links with sources of energy, food and agriculture, forestry, transportation. Simply link to Maine Climate Council, and check the six major topics. We should discuss this further, with all sympathetic ‘actors’ (activists) in NH
You might try to help elect two Georgia Democrats to the United States Senate. Here are some links:
You can send postcards by going to https://www.gapostcard.org or at https://postcardstoswingstates.com
Help get out the vote by going to https://fairfight.com/join-our-fight.
Write letters to Georgia voters by going to https://votefwd.org.
Phone and/or texting: https://www.mobilize.us/fairfightaction or go to https://www.georgiademocrat.org/events/
You can also contact Georgia Democrats by phone at https://www.mobilize.us/georgiademocrtas/event/362919/
You can donate to the campaigns by going to: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/wfg_ff_lgw for Ralph Warnock or https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tjorunoffabrams for Jon Ossoff.
Want to write letters through the Sierra Club? https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/363079/
Moveon.org. Lots of groups to contact who need help fighting the good fight.
We are!! We always have been. If nothing else the last four years has taught me that it is a total responsibility for every American to be engaged in our process. There is no one person or one party that will ever save us. If that’s the only Takeaway we have, then we are way ahead of the game.
Joe Biden. But the republicans are holding kryptonite.
Kari. I completely agree. Reality is this election is far from over. There is no one on this planet that can convince me that COVID-19 is just a random virus that happened to get out of hand. There isn't a Super Hero, my friend.
This is long so I get it if you skip it, I just need to get this off my chest.
Are we, as a nation, even governable? I started asking myself this question several years ago when I lived in a county where it became legal to open carry any firearm you chose anywhere, indoors or out of doors, with a few exceptions. Going to the grocery in my rural area of the county was an exercise in fear, with the rabid aggression of the gun rights advocates using their ability to carry a way to intimidate folks going about their day to day lives. And then came Trump, giving people permission to openly denigrate and disrespect "the other". Police violence against Black US Americans escalated, cops walked free. Children from Latin America were ripped from their parents and confined in kennels, where hundreds still sit today, their parents are who knows where. Then coronavirus and the one opportunity for the country to act as one was demolished by the ego, callousness and greed of the one person who could have engaged an entire nation into acting responsibly. Coronavirus has simply become another device to antagonize Trump's base and drive a wedge ever deeper between those moved by the common good and those for whom the common good is a dirty word. And now, now we have the Election, the results of which are clear. The majority voted for a quiet man of reason who has the experience to lead, the ability to choose qualified, competent advisors, cabinet members and support staff, the humility and intelligence to reach out and seek the guidance of experts so decisions can be fact based not ego driven. And what is standing in our way forward? One man, most Republicans in the House and Senate, a cadre of appointees willing to suck up to a maniac and 70 plus million people who believe that their president is doing what's right for them, not what's right for the entire country, for them.
I watch all this happen from Merida, Yucatan, so I am one step removed from the aggression and hatred. I see it and read about it and it frightens me, but it doesn't touch me in the same way it touches you, in the US, day in and day out. I'm afraid for my grown daughter who is living in isolation, teaching (online) at an east coast university and working on her MFA. Her room here is ready should things escalate to a point of total madness. I'm afraid for every one of you who are in the US right now because, despite following health and safety protocols and voting for new leadership, the muscle behind the madness really hasn't changed. They are still in positions of power and the have deeply sown the seeds of hatred into those who follow them. The money behind the madness is still there, too. So again, I ask, are we governable?
Daria, these are things I wonder as well...I came across this this morning and was going to share it on here. This place is as good as any--and I may post it again up "newer" in the postings. The author basically is exploring how the Left always seems the more willing to appease the Right--rather than the other way around--and how that has NOT turned out the way it should. It's a VERY interesting take on where we seem to be in this country--indeed, ARE we governable? The writer compares us now like a dysfunctional marriage...the Left is like the nurturing, kind mother, and the Right like the abusive, domineering father. In the past (before feminism, the author posits), the woman was expected to submit to the will of the father and continually compromise and acquiesce, even if she was being abused. Trying to reason with or placate the Right, especially now that they've become SO extreme, should NOT be encouraged. I mean, you cannot and SHOULD not try and reason with a base that includes Nazis and White supremacists. Centrism doesn't cut it with these folks, and this silly naive idea that one can reason with these people so we can all be "one happy family" is going to end up costing us ALL dear. Read the article. It states it all REALLY articulately.
https://lithub.com/rebecca-solnit-on-not-meeting-nazis-halfway/
Now THAT is a hummer! And so were the comments - most anyway. And the following sentence? So true!
"Who the hell wants unity with Nazis until and unless they stop being Nazis?
Solnit states the issues really well. Thanks Bruce.
As Japan residents, my husband & I look on aghast at this circus; we empathize with all sane-thinking Americans.
"Are we as a nation even governable?" I'd be willing to bet (and I'm not a betting woman) that a lot of us have the same question. A friend and I have talked about what it would look like to divide the country into five countries by region with unifying pacts for defense, trade, transportation, et al. We acknowledge that it's not realistic, it will never happen, but it helps us get through the worst moments.
I wonder too. It seems questionable right this minute.
You have very eloquently stated what has been rolling through my mind for some time now.
I wonder how confident we can be that this crew WON'T hit Iran. More, I wonder how much more of this toxic explosion it will take before the Senate puts its foot down. Even more, I wonder if anyone knows what motivates McConnell?
Not confident at all that he won't strike Iran and confident the Party of Trump has lost the ability to put its fut down on anything but the necks of the public. McConnell is motivated by perpetuating the system in which he has the most power.
All this is just my opinion, and right now I am as angry/frustrated as I have been during the last four years. DT is salting the earth as he prepares his retreat - it appears his wickedness knows no bounds.
"foot" not "fut" ... Is an edit function possible here?
no worries - your meaning was absolutely clear to everyone here, I'm sure. And I agree wholeheartedly. This is a reach but isnt there anything ANYONE would be able to DO about this idjit? Thats what really scares me - there are NO more checks & balances available to us - the people - the ones who PAY this crew of crooks!
Honestly, I don’t know – which is why this situation is so intolerable. If he were to attempt to take us to war, Congress could deny funding. But the President has a variety of emergency tools that have been given to the office of the President by Congress in dereliction of its responsibility. So short of an actual Declaration of War, he could probably get away with quite a bit.
But here’s the rub, the military might refuse to carry out his orders. If that happens, we would be in Coup territory. It would not/might not, be a full Coup because I find it impossible to imagine our military would assume executive powers. But defying a legal order of the POTUS would be a serious offense. Stalling or delaying might be the best we can hope for if it came to that. I defer to more knowledgeable folks on this.
I think, if I'm right, I read about some of those stalling & delaying tactics already being used. If so - more power to them.
“Fut” is close!
Again the deafening silence of Republicans as Trump breaks and burns everything he can on the way out to make governing as difficult as possible for the Biden Administration. Patriotism at its finest.
re: The arms/technology sale to UAE; didn't I read something somewhere about a UAE entity bailing Kushner out of his fiasco of a real estate deal involving a Manhatten sky-scraper to the tune of several hundred million dollars? Being the administration's point man in the Middle East has its perks, doesn't it.
I was heartbroken to read the hospital system that serves my hometown is getting overwhelmed by COVID-19. The system is having to consider opening a recently shuttered hospital. It is just unbelievable. I am going home for Thanksgiving. It makes me a little nervous, however, I am making a plan to limit the contact to just my family. That said PCP sent an email indicating the office is limiting in person office visits. My county with a population of 83,000 has an average of 80 cases per day. I am trying to keep the faith and take it one day at a time, however, it is difficult. That said I am firing off an email to my Republican congressman about my disgust over his party's sycophancy.
Sharon, please, please be careful.
Daria Wilber, thank you for your concern 😊 I am thinking I should be OK. I can get there and back on a tank of gas, so I should be able to just limit my contact to family members.
I hate to tell you but the gatherings of "just" family members is what is now spreading the virus. Please reconsider your plans.
I hope you are safe, Sharon. My daughter & granddaughter live in PA - about 2 hours away, I havent seen them since Christmas & we arent planning visits either way for Thanksgiving or Christmas. For their sake and mine. Its just not safe right now. So be really careful
I am waiting for them to tell not to come. However, we are a small group. There will only be five of us. None of us are working outside the home at this time and avoid crowds when out. I hoping for the best.
I hope so. I'm fortunate - my son & his family are close by - on the other hand, I dont plan on going there either - my son comes over often but they have young kids & others coming & going so I'm going to stick it out here with my dog & cat (and I know there will be food deliveries made) Could be worse - and it is for lots of people. So I'm pretty darn lucky. Hope you are too.
Governor Whitmer just asked that folks NOT travel for Thanksgiving and limit meal/celebration to current households. I am making turkey dinner for my elderly neighbors who canceled their trip to be with grandkids downstateI will put it on their porch). They are insisting on buying the groceries for it, so I added toilet paper, chocolate bars, wine....
To their list!
Thats really nice MaryPat - if everyone had that mindset & caring feeling, we wouldnt be in this hole we're in. Right?
One thing tho - I really dont get why NYC mayor shut schools down - when the percentage of virus positives there was so low - yet allowed restaurants & bars (gyms?) to remain open! Doesnt make sense to me at all. Especially after watching the many parents who are extremely pissed off - may not make as much sense to HIM either! Glad I dont live in the city - any city - at this point.
My PCP has COVID. It is put of control in Michigan. Stay Safe, Sharon!!