On this fifth day of the pause in the fighting between Hamas and Israel, Hamas released 10 Israeli and dual-national hostages and two Thai nationals; Israel said it released another 30 Palestinians from imprisonment. An Israeli official told the Washington Post
Thank you Heather. Never in my post-Dick Cheney lifetime did I expect to admire anyone from the Cheney family. While I disagree with many of the positions Liz Cheney has or would advocate, I applaud her courage in placing the Constitution above ‘GOP-power-before-country’ which is commonplace among post-Eisenhower Republicans.
‘Cheney wrote of how she and then–House speaker Nancy Pelosi came to respect each other over their common defense of the Constitution, a nonpartisan stance that foreshadows her conclusion that Trump is dangerous to the country. “Every one of us—Republican, Democrat, Independent—must work and vote together to ensure that Donald Trump and those who have appeased, enabled, and collaborated with him are defeated,” she writes. “This is the cause of our time.”’
What struck me most when watching the January 6 Committee in action was the apparent respect the committee members showed for one another. Apparently that was not an illusion. I attribute that in large part to the tone set by Bennie Thompson (sp). I will never forget how refreshing it was to hear intelligent, civil discourse from politicians at that time.it struck me then how much people can overcome their differences when working together for a common cause.
Nothing Trump has ever touched has gone untainted. Integrity and Trump are two words that can rarely if ever be found in the same sentence or even paragraph.
Shakespeare has Rosencrantz say "many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills and dare scarce come thither." Joseph Welch skewered Joseph McCarthy with "At long last, have you left no sense of decency?".
Of course, decency can be in the eye of the beholder, as "in olden days a glimpse of stocking was thought of as something shocking", but lies, persecution, and character assassination stand out as indecent across, the arc of history; and yet they remain popular. That would seem to be at work in the McCarthyesque techniques were part of Nixon's character, and now subsequently define the modern "Republican" Party.
Essentially the whole damned party have been accessories before and after the fact. And the more subtle but most instrumental Big Lie goes at least as far back as Reagan, that "The love of money" is society's benefactor, not " government of the people, by the people, for the people". We have met this enemy and they is us.
Democracy is herding cats. It's messy and chaotic, and easy to make fun of, but that's where liberty and justice are born. It requires engagement, solidarity and good faith.
I'm not sure reasonable is the right adjective.They all seem to be cowards, afraid of DJT publicly calling them out. He also likes to publish their addresses and phone numbers so they receive death threats.
Heather writes today - "She notes that now-chair of the House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan (R-OH) didn’t appear to care about rules or legal processes surrounding the election results. “The only thing that matters is winning,” he told her."
He's been elected and re-elected 8 times and done absolutely nothing for his constituents. What does this say about his constituents?
God bless you! It is unfair to paint all members of any community with a single brush.
I hope you also support Sherrod Brown for Senate. From what I've seen if him, he works hard for Ohio and. If I am wrong, please correct me because,I am supporting him.
We wish you well. I wish the list of states I plan to avoid wasn’t so long. I know there are good people everywhere, but going to visit my sister in Kansas is like visiting aliens.
I lived in Cincinnati for four years in the early 1970s, having moved there after growing up in Missouri. I loved the "Queen City," and found most of the people I met to be kind, decent and welcoming toward me. When my then-husband was offered a job opportunity in Boston, I was heartbroken at the idea of leaving the mid-west. I think it might have taken me a week to get over the heartbreak, and immerse myself in discovering the rich history of Massachusetts and New England. I still live here.
I have friends who live in Ohio (Dayton, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus), all of them dissatisfied by the steady "reddening" and "MAGAfication" of the place they call home, not sure how they can reverse the trend. I think they're facing the same issues that so many people across the country are, and until they decide to unite and mobilize to change things, people like Jordan will continue to dominate them.
As we have seen repeatedly, the MAGAs are very good at making threats not only to individuals, but also to their families. Good old mafia style M.O. Most of them sorta keep their hands clean by making public statements to stir up the nutty base who do their dirty work for them. And let's do nothing about guns, so the lower level mafia can be well armed.
Apparently all they needed was two. And being drummed out of the party was a glowing validation in my view. This ain’t your mother’s GOP. It’s a pit of vipers.
It demands a LONG list of those who turned tail on THEIR oath to protect our country NEVER EVER see public service again. The wish wash wobble of far too many trying to keep their ‘good standing’ goes down like the sorry Santos story . It’s so amazingly ridiculous. Playing the GOP game of shallow integrity. They put on masks of acceptance, no big deal, that’s politics.
NOT IN MY BOOK OF ETHICAL EXPECTANCY.
Cheney and Kinzinger are THE two of too few who survived the coup.
“Turned tail” reminds me of the security cam video showing the escort of VP Pence from the senate chamber juxtaposed with the exit of the junior senator from Missouri across a hallway.
Note to my fellow members of GPD*: lack of proper capitalization in listing his title is intentional.
*GPD: Grammar Police Department: To correct and to serve.
I need to hire FT one of them GPD…thanks great post…maybe we can add to it by a CDH:closed door hearing …on the ‘list’ mentioned in my first post today…just sayin’😏
Appears to be a large number who have no stomach! Letting a small number (House) of nitwits scare them out of the Congress rather than be brave(?) enough to do the jobs they were elected to do does show their lack of what public service used to mean!
Cheryl, regarding Jeff Flake, if he lacks the stomach to defend his principles, it is my understanding that historically that would be the definition of a person who lacks principles.
I may be naively optimistic -I do think a resurgence of ‘Kitchen Table Democracy’ can help shift many away from the polarization common in today’s Fox ‘News’ America.
The first step is outlining what a shared future vision of America looks like and then working together toward electing and supporting competent leadership.
It would be nice to have two political parties focusing on implementing the democratic process (one person, one vote, majority rule) with fair elections and no gerrymandering; however, the extreme MAGA/KKK Republicans, as Jim Jordan admitted, are only interested in winning elections, including by hook or crook. In fact, we are now at war to save our system. The enemy is our fellow Americans who want to turn the USA into a white Protestant autocracy. These white evangelical Christians are, sadly, racist to the core. We are presently engaged in our SECOND CIVIL WAR.
Very true Richard. In fact, in can be argued, we've never finished the first. Rights, in which people suffered, sacrificed, and died for, should not be a political football used to divide us through the courts, and corrupt/incompetent so-called 'leadership'. We should be moving forward together confronting the challenges of our time, not relitigating the past.
George, we have huge economic problems coming down the road fast. Electric-powered vehicles will replace those powered by internal combustion engines. Electric-powered vehicles are easier to make and don't need the servicing of the gas powered. Millions of jobs will be lost in the manufacturing process and in the service industry. The Jiffy Lubes will disappear. What then, when the national debt is $200 trillion and not even the interest on the debt can be paid? I feel for my two daughters and my 4-year old granddaughter.
I suspect opportunity will be there. There are many of us old people needing care and new jobs rewiring the grid and installing and maintaining solar energy. There is a massive amount of crumbling infrastructure to care for. People seem to forget cars and planes were new just over a century ago. I would not have prepared for a technology job in the 70's but those industries employ many people. Who knows what will develop over the next century assuming we can deal with the challenges of climate change, mass migration and the resultant conflict.
My husband who is very involved in alternative energy research at an international level, has noticed a recent massive effort by unidentified groups who have been placing ads opposing solar, wind and other forms of alternative energy. They are particularly active in spreading lies about the effects of electric vehicles and wind generated energy. Every time I ask him about one of these declarations by these groups he gives me the scientific facts debunking all of them. It was even mentioned in a recent conference in which he was involved. I hope one of our good investigative reporters goes after the source of the disinformation so they can be called out.
I have confidence in what Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, is also doing for our economy. When I am politically down, I watch another of his infrastructure building site videos.
Yes. And the displacement of labor demand attributable to AI. There will need to be a significant transformation of the economic system toward fairness if society has the political will to avoid a massive disruption and resultant suffering. Climate, resource scarcity, and economics will supersede the ridiculous issues society is presently misdirected toward.
I dont think this is a drumbeat on Bloomberg business. The problem of employment displacement due to new technologies has been around for a very long time. Robotics has already taken up much of the labour needs in vehicle etc manufacturing factories. You could also mention AI driving inroading on long-distance trucking. But i can't deny there aren't long term issues over displacement the rest of the economy can't absorb, and with comparable incomes. Right now, at full employment, US economy runs a 3% unemployment rate. Part of the problem of this is further concentration of wealth. But we also know a well paid "middle class" is a potent source of demand in any economy. Likely beyond pure marketplace logic.
We will have to go back to growing our own vegetables, educating ourselves about all sorts changes as we try to survive climate change. There will be jobs we haven’t dreamed of, but it will only be if we recognize that world population must be reduced and learn the importance of adoption and birth control. Your granddaughter and your daughters can have gratifying lives but only if they take into account that they will have many different decisions that are different from our generation. Having had one child who also had one, I hope that my grandson will either adopt or enjoy not having children. “Be fruitful and multiply” is no longer possible if we want to continue as a species.
You are so right. The hate of “others,” and democrats is at the core, having had that hate burnished by the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Lee Atwater and their ilk since Ronnie approved such. And use Christianity to make the Schitt smell like roses. Glad so many of us didn’t buy it, but the fight continues.
Mary, thank you for sharing that. Goldwater hit the nail on the head - how can one compromise when one has the "Absolute Truth?" This is where the train has jumped off the rail - the MAGA/KKK evangelical Republicans, manipulated by the extremely wealthy, have no clue or desire to know what their function as government officials is. Given that we have about 70 million of these people here in the U.S., we've got a problem that will take decades to undo.
With all the writing there is, history books fill volumes and yet- new renditions are on Best Seller lists of similar ( and here comparison)and yet - blow for blow similarities...and yet- country after country falling prey or under siege ...and yet.
I’ve done my best to insulate myself ( ourselves) ..my children ( in their 50’s) really don’t think it will happen...I hope they’re right...I can’t imagine the conversation then if they manage to get here to survive ...if it does. The only saving grace is in every instance ..it.didn’t.end.well.for.the.bad.guys.but a lot of innocents died proving it.
Frankly, the only way that we're going to keep the world "safe for democracy" along with the rule of law is to out-vote the dark forces. Absolutely, we need to be involved more than ever before in our lives.
We can dream and hope! Imagine if Fox and Breitbart injected a bit of truth into their broadcasts...just a little at a time...so their listeners gradually realized that what they consider fake news isn't fake at all.
I was so proud that my rep from VA 2, Elaine Luria was on the Jan 6 committee. Serving probably cost her her reelection in our swingy district, but she did her duty.
Absolutely, Susan. How much could be accomplished by respectfully hammering out differences instead of wrong-headed shouts and name calling! Filling voters' and politicians' heads with anger and fear accomplishes nothing.
In my day, that was the way members of Congress always behaved when conducting official business. That all changed starting in 1995, when Newt Gingrich broke politics in America, when collegiality and compromise were frowned on.
I’m a lifelong Wyoming Republican, the only time I’ve voted for Liz Cheney was the 2022 primary, I had a 4’x 8’ sign on my fence, several people thanked me quietly and some chided me, my response was that I couldn’t stand crybaby losers.
Cheney voted with Trump 90% of the time. She is a climate change denier. She only stood against Trump after it became clear he wanted to destroy democracy. That she found the courage of her convictions then is a fortunate choice for the country at that point is something we can all be thankful for. I doubt if many of the rest of her positions have changed.
Its OK to disagree. it's OK to have different positions. That's inevitable when you have 435 (House) people who come from Cities and Prairies, Mountains and Low Country. But if you tell the truth, provide time for your opponent to have his/her full say, and then open the floor to fair voting, a reasonable path forward is likely to emerge. There really isn't room for people like Gym Jordan in power. Whenever I see him speak, I am further convinced that he cares only for his own power, not for the good of the country. He's consistent, while also un-American.
Agreed on her Republican "me vs we" bonafides. She advocates for the rich and would support the disenfranchisement of minorities and women in general. And the climate denial is as stupid and evil as it gets. Actually, it's bought and paid for by you know who.
But she is offering us an important gift. Let's accept it with gratitude. And then if we are still standing and she runs for office again, fight with every political might to be sure she doesn't serve again. So kudos to Liz for believing in our democracy to the degree she does. But yeah, I wouldn't want her as mayor of my small town.
What you said, definitely. Sad, too. Her Dad was THE most corrupt Republican in office in my lifetime. It would be hard for her to be ethical, honest and concerned with America. Dick never was.
I agree, it seems unlikely that she HASNT changed some of her views. And, this is the perfect window of opportunity for her to say so, and hopefully be truthful and sincere
I think she is truthful. I agree with her stance on dealing with insurrectionists and treasonous ex-Presidents. I don’t agree with her stance on climate change, government regulation of polluting business, and reproductive freedom, is all.
When facts and evidence are rejected by MAGA -it is impossible to have any meaningful discussion about anything. And I suppose I've become too old and impatient for discussions that are not meaningful.
I wish she would throw her hat into the ring as an independent. It would divert votes away from Trump. She has professed to do anything to thwart him. She's a smart cookie - what can she do?
Hey, Matt! HCR Reader Ally House is also a tuba player! She is a member of the Eugene Symphonic Band in Eugene, Oregon, I hope you hook up with her here soon!
Define "carry a tune" Bill. I sing no matter what, when, where. And, I'm told it's bad. But if only the good singers would sing, we wouldn't hear enough of the joy.
It is hard to play, but the key with brass instruments is to pick the range that your lips naturally vibrate in (your lips vibrating produce the sound into the mouthpiece). In my case, I started out on trumpet through high school and suffered from a lack of endurance and range on that instrument. In college I switched to tuba which was a giant leap but it worked out! Fingerings are the same between trumpet, tuba, euphonium, except for the extra 4th valve on tuba for hitting the low notes.
Congratulations, Matt! The tuba has always been a favorite of mine. I have pleasant memories of hearing The Wedding March played on that instrument as the bride and groom strolled down the "aisle" to the background accompaniment of waving wheat and clanking oil derricks on a fine spring afternoon in Shidler, Oklahoma. Good times--
I loved playing in elementary school but quit in college when a much better player joined the band. A tuba is so necessary to a band I'm glad we had a replacement .
Matt Kudos! I love playing the tuba solos of the New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band. Sadly the tuba soloist died some years ago, but the CD still blasts forth in my car.
"What an epic humiliation for our colleagues and what a frank confession that they are simply not interested in the facts and have no confidence in their own case or the ability of their own Members to pursue it."
A great martial arts move. Use the very force of the opponents attack against them.
Once again Jamie Raskin has spoken the truth of the matter to us. Republicans are all about performance not substance. They say "Look at my magic cards, don't look behind the curtain."
Because when we look behind the curtain there is nothing there. Well, maybe an orange clown.
I remember in the late 70s (or early 80s?) when Pillsbury was attempting a hostile takeover of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, they (Ben and Jerry) launched an ad campaign titled "What's the Dough-Boy Afraid Of?" To expose Pillsbury's strong-arm business tactics. It worked.
The Democrats need to launch just such a campaign to expose the shenanigans of the various MAGA-led House committees. Why are the MAGAs afraid of public testimony? Why do MAGAs lie so much? Jamie Ruskin could lead the effort, but a group of aids should be employed to translate his ideas into language relatable to the average American (i.e. those of us without a law degree and a stratospheric-ally high IQ). :)
"those of us without a law degree and a stratospheric-ally high IQ"
That could be Lincoln, who managed to be insightful, eloquent, even poetic, memorably accurate, and plain spoken all in one go. Not every word, but more than enough. How do you improve " government of the people, by the people, for the people" as a democratic goal? You can write volumes about how to achieve it, while maintaining justice, but it's a yardstick you could hold to any aspect of governance as a foundational guide.
So much of our language today is sales pitch, even most of the email I get from my representatives. It the manipulative language of our over-commercialized culture. It is an algorithm, not heart-to-heart communication. I think messages that are taken to heart have to be disarmingly honest; but also smart about clarification of the choices before us. And it's tempting to bury the public with evidence, but like the "Gettysburg Address", most people remember a few key points. Or "As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy." In a sandstorm of lies, I believe we need to find ways to deliver heart-of-the-matter truths.
From Israel, to Gaza, to Hunter Biden and now Nikki Haley...Fake 45’s goose is cooked. Koch wants Christian”values” to be the main topic so he takes money from the rapist and gives it to the female white nationalist. It’s a very bad joke and we can only rely on our sacrifices and graces to make certain Joe stays and the others go off into a fiery sunset.
Bless the hostages who have returned. Keep the ones who haven’t in your hearts. Also, the innocent Palestinians deserve our embrace, as well.
Koch has ALEC. ALEC is his organization that wants to ratify the Constitution to say one thing...we own you. They have been going state to state to make this happen. They have spent billions controlling our politics over the years. His father made his fortunes fueling the Nazi and Russian wars. They were raised with the Nazi mindset. They would have us all working, living and dying in a toxic dump so they can rule and expand their fortunes.
My father was a vice president for a company that built their coal-fabricated plants and refineries. And yes I read it. They want to tap into prison labor, so they can pay them .50 an hour.
ALEC, Americans for (Koch industries) Prosperity and hundreds of other like minded groups whose sole purpose is to maintain white supremacy power at the expense of the common folk and the less fortunate! Those billions of dollars could be better served to provide affordable healthcare here and in the third world countries!
They don't care about humanity unless they can profit from it. Have you ever read the Federalist News sites? Omg, they were reporting that more Blacks love Trump. That democrats have divided Black families. Because Black families during slavery were encouraged to stay together. Black families always stayed together. I fell off my chair. They just make up shit. Fucking billionaires.
I’m sure that doesn’t bother her. She’s simply trading one master for another. And the fact remains that she is an election denier and was the face of the Trump administration in the UN. She was nothing more than a Trump puppet.
Koch stepping out and publicly endorsing a presidential candidate is a big step. Something new that suggests even he is worried about a psychopath in the WH.
He and his fellow oligarchs prefer to hide in the shadows and pull strings. They prefer to employ monsters like Leonard Leo to do their fascist bidding. Very effectively.
So, more sunshine on Koch and his network of "nobles". Let the "peasants" see what he is really about. One of the most dangerous and evil humans in America.
Have been waiting for a substantial split in the Republican party and certainly cracks are showing. They all pledge to abide with/support the nominee, but ,if it is 45, will some veer off to try to find someone this side of his radical policies.
I woke up at 3am today with a nightmare that Trump was going to win. I got up and read today"s Letter from Heather and was able to feel reconnected with the good work so many are actively doing each day to protect our Democracy. Thank you Heather and my great respect for our leaders and individuals that are speaking truth and decency!
Bill, I have had many hopes that Trump's supporters would realize how unhinged and dangerous he is, but i have finally realized that's NOT going to happen.
It would surely be a nightmare if he were to win the election.
I saw an interview with Bob Woodward in which he was asked by the moderator, "Do you think Trump can win?" His answer was "Yes!"
Thank you Professor for this important information, actual news which doesn’t seem to make it into the headlines. Could you please explain how tfg can be called the front runner when there have been no primary elections held, only polls of relatively few people and a couple of debates tfg did not attend? To me, his front runner status is smoke and mirrors aided by the media’s fascination with him, similar to its coverage of a horrific traffic accident.
I have thought for a long time now that Trump would not be the Republican nominee because the billionaire oligarchs want to implement the Project 2025 manifesto to gut the executive branch and implement the unitary executive policy. Trump was inept at policy implementation. I believe their initial candidate was DeSantis because he essentially was trial running their policies in Florida and had many close connections with the libertarian/conservative right wing and the Heritage Foundation. But the AFP Action 6 million person polling effort found Haley to be the more appealing candidate, and they apparently will tolerate her slightly moderated culture war stances to get the big prize--a low tax, low regulation, limited government, privatized social safety net America.
Read the original AFP Action documents here. Just like Project 2025 the are boasting about their power.
"privatized social safety net" ??? How about "marketing survival for-profit "? Unfortunately there are enough Democrats backing the playing of keepaway ball of universal health care from American citizens to give the AFP aspirations a tailwind.
I agree with your assessment Georgia. I think Nikki Haley will be their nominee, which is why she probably cut a deal with the deep pockets and political reach of AFP. Haley will grab attention and votes after the trump clown car drives itself off the cliff, which it seems to slowly be doing. Koch made a calculated bet that American wants not only a younger president, but a woman. Nikki Haley is not a friend of women. But she’s packagable ( I know I’m making up that term) in a more intelligent way than their Sarah Palin debacle.haley is already actually talking about slight moderations to the abortion laws pushed through in the reddest of States. She knows she cannot win without women, so she’s betting on slivering off the less anti-abortion women voters from Biden. She’s good looking which is important to gop and most men. Can’t have a woman in sensible pantsuits or shoes, even though she’s the smartest person in the room! Koch is making a calculated bet on Haley. He’s many things I detest, but he’s not stupid.
I’ve not heard her questioned on Project 2025 and the idea of a unitary executive. A question sadly lacking in the debates. This backing may back her into a (unpopular) corner.
Georgia, these documents are very helpful. Thanks. QUESTION: Do you know any source that can fact-check Haley's assertions about where the nation stands economically? F.ex.: "Half of American families can't afford diapers?" Really? Where would she get such a stat and who can address it? I just picked one straightforward claim from her website. The rest are generalities that prick my lie-detector nerves.
You can try fact checking it yourself. Do half of American families have children in diapers is the first question I would ask (under age 3 to be generous)?
Then I might try to find out some stats on median family income of families with children in that age bracket.
TUMP is only a front runner in a contest to win the world's worst human being in history unseating the one and only Adolf Hitler. These bogus and horribly inaccurate polls are best not worthy of any attention from our side. Media propaganda is all they are.
Believe. me I try to ignore the polls John but the same poll keeps persisting in the news longer than any good things the Biden Administration does! Times Sienna. Ugh 😤🤬😖
I try very hard to ignore the polls too, but i can't completely do that. Maybe, the very negative results of these propaganda polls will start to wake some voters up and see what danger we could be in if the Orange baboon has a chance to win in 2024. If only a fraction of the great news from Biden could be heard by everyone, i believe that would make President Biden's chances so much better. For me, personally, i am in the best financial shape than i have been in 20 years, i know that is really irrelevant to anyone else, but Biden's presidency has been really great for me. I think he has been a very good President. Now only if the MSM would cooperate and broadcast his good deeds.
"Taft was the most obese president. He was 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and his weight was between 325 pounds (147 kg) and 280 pounds (130 kg) toward the end of his presidency. He had difficulty getting out of the White House bathtub, on June 10, 1909, so he had a 7-foot (2.1 m) long, 41-inch (1.0 m) wide tub installed. This tub could accommodate four normal-sized people. It was replaced in 1951 with a modern tub of similar size." BMI(45) to BMI(39)
Gigi, I agree re Trump’s status being smoke. Small, mediocre polls and mediocre journalism contribute to this development I think. Recently I’ve been amazed to hear past Trump supporters in my community admit they’ve had enough. So I’m hopeful.
Haley is now the puppet of the Koch network. That means she has more appeal to moderates than Trump and would be more effective at implementing their policies. And Americans for Prosperity Action, the PAC now behind her have a highly deceptive recruiting campaign for idealistic younger voters and grass root organizers. It has a "plague on both your houses" flavor.
I am way more pessimistic now about Biden's chances then before Trump's being thrown under the bus.
I believe that Nikki “Tell-The-People-What-They-Want-To-Hear” Haley is almost as dangerous as Donald ”Say-The-Quiet-Stuff-Out-Loud” Trump. Though she doesn’t exhibit the significant mental illness of Malignant Narcissism that Trump has. I’m surprised that has been placed on a back burner.
The stupids are going to be jettisoned along with Trump. They are sacrificial lambs. They don't fit with the agenda, and they have ineffectual in bringing about the demise of the "administrative deep state."
The Koch play here is to market Haley to grievance Republicans and remnants, and the center independents and Democrats where there is "true love" for American ideals. The go to idea is that both the far right and far left are destroying America...
Unfortunately their vision for America is REALLY about further upward concentration of wealth and privitization of healthcare, education, government land and resources....
In the short run, Trump seems like one of the most dangerous humans on Earth. He is, of course. But his expiration date is quite soon. Thanks to the Koch oligarchy and maybe too many cheeseburgers. Oh, and 91 felony indictments.
Nikki Haley is a shape shifting ambitious tool. She is just another snake like Nixon, Reagan or Bush. Power to the rich. Preach platitudes to the poor. Let them eat Cheetos could be her mantra.
Agreed. But she packages up nice...And the Koch network is going all in for the win. The AFP Action "grassroots" website looks like it was written for Young Democrats... You have to look under the hood for the real policy agenda.
"NikkiHaley is a presidential candidate who would not ruin our democracy…." Way to the contrary. She is far more dangerous, agreeing to implement Project 25 - to disembowel our national government. Let's not start down the 'lesser of two evils' road because it's actually not true. This is a serious proposition the Koch brothers are funding - a way to gut all the accomplishments that have made us a healthier economy and social support network, leader of nations,
for 80 years. They shouldn't get to play around with that basic construction no matter what Nikki Haley says to fool us.
Also - beware the appeal of supporting her because of 'wanting a woman in the White House'.
Any woman? No matter what she stands for? That sort of tokenism would get us a Government Wrecker regardless of sex. Definitely not worth it.
Yes, it really was. What was even worse was that both Republicans who served on the Committee were driven out of office by their fellow Republicans. And for what? Donald Trump? Jim Jordan? MTG? Basically for nothing.
The most important part of Dr. Richardson's summary was at the end--The endorsement of Nikki Hailey by the Koch network Americans for Prosperity Action. These are the big guns of dark money.
Every American who is interested in preserving our democracy needs to read the original documents
This is a direct repudiation of Trump and will fracture the Former Republican Party (FRG), the current unstable coalition, and cleave off the chaos caucus. You can more about how the pieces fit together at the links below.
DeSantis, in spite of being the Republican primary candidate most tightly aligned to the Koch agenda, blew it in the vast 6 million person polling effort by AFP Action. Compare that to the 3600 people interviewed in the recent infamous New York Times/Siena poll.
This is the true power of Citizens United and unlimited funding in political campaigns. They can spend as much money as they need to to find a candidate that advances their policy objectives and is most palatable to their base.
I have a sense that being "rescued" by the Koch brothers may be akin to drowning in a river and being thrown a boat anchor from a nearby yacht to "hold on to".
It is illegal to bribe federal employees, that is why they want the regulatory agencies eliminated, but they can legally bribe politicians thanks to CU.
You might have to know some old WWII Tin Can Sailors to appreciate the cleaned up version of an incident the movie, "The Cain Mutiny" was based on (though long denied) by Herman Wouk, if I recall correctly, much like the surviving crew denied the lack extreme differences that could have led to a mutiny (or legal Relief of a Commanding Officer by a Subordinate). Unfortunately didn't override the at least temporarily dangerously incompetent Captain. In the movie, the crew, with the agreement of the Executive Officer (Vice Captain if you will), did takeover and save the ship, only to face trial for the mutiny.
Makes me wish we had people with the real world guts to do the legal “Relief of a Commanding Officer by a Subordinate” per the 25th Amendment 1st used for the milder seeming approval of Representative Gerald Ford as Vice President in time to prevent the nightmare that had the thought of Spiro Agnew being in line to replace Nixon. I seriously doubt Agnew would step up like Chester Arthur did following Garfield's death. As described at https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/chester-a-arthur/
"...During his brief tenure as Vice President, Arthur stood firmly beside Conkling in his patronage struggle against President Garfield. But when Arthur succeeded to the Presidency, he was eager to prove himself above machine politics....
...To the indignation of the Stalwart Republicans, the onetime Collector of the Port of New York became, as President, a champion of civil service reform. Public pressure, heightened by the assassination of Garfield, forced an unwieldy Congress to heed the President.
In 1883 Congress passed the Pendleton Act, which established a bipartisan Civil Service Commission, forbade levying political assessments against officeholders, and provided for a “classified system” that made certain Government positions obtainable only through competitive written examinations. The system protected employees against removal for political reasons..."
It seems less than perfect Vice Presidents can step up to their new responsibilities as President.
24-year-old Boatswain’s Mate First Class John Ray Schultz was probably the most experienced seaman taking some actions, ignoring the orders of Captain Marks, that saved some lives.
"...Schultz was furious at Marks. In the words of Gerstley’s son, writer Greil Marcus, the boatswain “begged my father—who was trusted as the captain was not, admired as the captain was reviled—to seize the ship: to place the captain under arrest, take command, and save the ship; in other words, to lead a mutiny.” Marks ignored Schultz’s plea. Gerstley briefly considered taking action, but then said to the boatswain, “If I take over and save the ship, he’ll say it was mutiny. If we don’t all drown, he’ll have me tried and hanged.” And with that the ship’s fate was sealed..."
The movie version had the Executive Officer Lt Maryk (Lt Greil Gerstly, X-O of the Hull in real life) taking over, saving the ship and surviving to facing trial. Lt Gerstly was actually one of the 11 officers and 191 enlisted sailors lost with the USS Hull ((DD-350).
"...On the fourth day of the proceedings, Jim Marks read his statement to the court in front of his ship’s surviving men. “In endeavoring to alleviate the heavy rolling of the ship, I tried every possible combination of rudder and engine, with little avail. It was apparent that no matter what was done, the ship was being blown bodily before the wind and sea.” He told the board that the high winds “laid the ship steadily over on her starboard side and held her down in the water.” After completing his statement, the court asked Marks if he had any complaints to make about the conduct of his crew. “No,” he said. “The performance of duty was at all times highly creditable.”
The survivors were asked the same question of their captain’s conduct. “No,” they responded. The insolence displayed by Boatswain’s Mate First Class John Ray Schultz in the wheelhouse and the talk of mutiny with Lieutenant Greil Gerstley was never mentioned..."
(paragraph) 1088. Relief of a Commanding Officer by a Subordinate.
1. It is conceivable that most unusual and extraordinary circumstances may arise in which the relief from duty of a commanding officer by a subordinate becomes necessary, either by placing the commanding officer under arrest or on the sick list. Such action shall never be taken without the approval of the Commandant of the Marine Corps or the Chief of Naval Personnel, as appropriate, or the senior officer present, except when reference to such higher authority is undoubtedly impracticable because of the delay involved or for other clearly obvious reasons. In any event, a complete report of the matter shall be made w the Commandant of the Marine Corps or the Chief of Naval Personnel, as appropriate, and the senior officer present, setting forth all facts in the case and the reasons for the action or recommendation, with particular regard to the degree of urgency involved.
2. In order that a subordinate officer, acting upon his, or her own initiative, may be vindicated for relieving a commanding officer from duty, the situation must be obvious and clear, -and must admit of the single conclusion that the retention of command by such commanding officer will seriously and irretrievably prejudice the public interests. The subordinate officer so acting
a. Must be next in succession to command.
b. Must be unable to refer the matter to a common superior for the reasons set forth in the preceding paragraph.
c. Must be certain that the prejudicial actions of the commanding officer are not caused by instructions unknown to him or her.
d. Must have given the matter much careful consideration, and have made such exhaustive investigation of all the circumstances maybe practicable.
e. Must bs thoroughly convinced that the conclusion to relieve the commanding officer is one which a reasonable, prudent and experienced officer would regard as a necessary consequence from the facts thus determined to exist.
3. Intelligent fearless initiative is an important trait of military character, It is not the purpose of these regulations to discourage its employment in cases of this nature. However, because the action of relieving a senior from command involves most serious possibilities, a decision to do so, or to so recommend, must be based upon facts established by substantial evidence, and upon the official views of others in a position to form valid opinions, especially of a technical character. An officer relieving his or her commanding officer, or recommending such action, together with all others who so counsel, must bear the legitimate responsibility for, and must be prepared to justify, such action.
It would have been great for the country if done on or about January 6th, 2021
Re: "weakening Trump so he is defeated in the general election would get rid of the MAGA base"
No, the base isn't going to just go away. It will change form, just as the Tea Party became MAGA. It's a certain strain of Americanism that has long been here and won't dissolve just because they lose an election or a candidate.
My current self styled Libertarian Board of Supervisors (past chairman) member was doing work on my house the other day. He was leaning for Haley. He had never heard of Project 2025. I sent him the info. Scared the sh*t out of me.
Heather, I posted this question on FB - and wonder if you could address it in either a letter or a politics chat: Could you explain the disconnect between what Biden and Blinken have done and continue to do in Israel/Palestine and articles like this in the NY Times that describe anger and frustration at what is happening? https://www.nytimes.com/.../biden-israel-hamas-divisions...
just search for world, click on the link, will be NYT but the Wordle, Spelling bee and connections are free. You can also find an unlimited world, spelling bee and word search in the top response to the search
search for worldle. you will find both NYT and another unlimited one. Both allows free Wordle and Spelling Bee. The NYT site also lets you play connections and other games for free. ( not all the games but several)
Yes, of course you are right.I guess it is me copping out on cutting the umbilical cord to the NYT.I have been threatening to do this for some time but then I see the perfect” recipe”.Thanks for illuminating me further.
The puzzles are great. The NYT cooking pages are excellent (as are other sites, it's true). I also enjoy reading some of the columnists without having to pay extra, and I read the arts pages.
just type in worldle in search, you will find the NYT one which also gives spelling bee and connections, there is also another link to all you can play world, spelling bee and word search
Thank you. That works. Pretty much what I expected. Joe Biden is a smart sensitive man with many decades of experience. He is given no credit for this truce and the criticisms he has leveled at Israel for its strong retaliation. Too much criticism of Israel invites Russians and other enemies to move against it. It’s a damned if you do and damned if you don’t situation that hopefully this current pause will bring the temperature down. ( and hAve to say any of his presumed opponents would have totally messed up.)
The Bible says; “ The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.’ It also says; “The truth shall set you free.” The GOP haven’t read the Scriptures they claim to follow. There is nothing Christian about their fascistic attempts to destroy the Biden Administration, democracy, or our Constitution. That Pence needed to be reminded of his oath of office is sickening. That Speaker Johnson accepted Russian funds for his campaign is unAmerican. That Santos was not immediately removed from office by his colleagues is reprehensible. That the entire GOP bow to tfg is an abomination. That so many of our fellow citizens still want to vote for him is pure madness. How will it all end?
None of the momentous problems we face can be fully addressed with a divided government. Especially when one side is a purveyor of lies and false conspiracies. Limited government can only provide a limited response to those problems. We need a unified approach crafted by dedicated people anxious to solve the
problems. We don’t need anti government ideologues who set out to prevent governmental action. The GOP and Trump are dedicated to governmental inaction.
Thank you Heather. Never in my post-Dick Cheney lifetime did I expect to admire anyone from the Cheney family. While I disagree with many of the positions Liz Cheney has or would advocate, I applaud her courage in placing the Constitution above ‘GOP-power-before-country’ which is commonplace among post-Eisenhower Republicans.
‘Cheney wrote of how she and then–House speaker Nancy Pelosi came to respect each other over their common defense of the Constitution, a nonpartisan stance that foreshadows her conclusion that Trump is dangerous to the country. “Every one of us—Republican, Democrat, Independent—must work and vote together to ensure that Donald Trump and those who have appeased, enabled, and collaborated with him are defeated,” she writes. “This is the cause of our time.”’
What struck me most when watching the January 6 Committee in action was the apparent respect the committee members showed for one another. Apparently that was not an illusion. I attribute that in large part to the tone set by Bennie Thompson (sp). I will never forget how refreshing it was to hear intelligent, civil discourse from politicians at that time.it struck me then how much people can overcome their differences when working together for a common cause.
It is too bad that there were only two Republicans reasonable enough to serve on that committee, isn’t it…
Too bad they we drummed out of the party for the sin of integrity.
Nothing Trump has ever touched has gone untainted. Integrity and Trump are two words that can rarely if ever be found in the same sentence or even paragraph.
NEVER! Integrity needs and understanding of what is good for the commonweal, the orange creature is void of such human quality!
And just think.....there are people out there who look up to him.
Swbv, those two words can never be found together. Death star is one huge festering example of the lack of integrity or anything decent.
Shakespeare has Rosencrantz say "many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills and dare scarce come thither." Joseph Welch skewered Joseph McCarthy with "At long last, have you left no sense of decency?".
Of course, decency can be in the eye of the beholder, as "in olden days a glimpse of stocking was thought of as something shocking", but lies, persecution, and character assassination stand out as indecent across, the arc of history; and yet they remain popular. That would seem to be at work in the McCarthyesque techniques were part of Nixon's character, and now subsequently define the modern "Republican" Party.
That is the real crime, JL
Essentially the whole damned party have been accessories before and after the fact. And the more subtle but most instrumental Big Lie goes at least as far back as Reagan, that "The love of money" is society's benefactor, not " government of the people, by the people, for the people". We have met this enemy and they is us.
Democracy is herding cats. It's messy and chaotic, and easy to make fun of, but that's where liberty and justice are born. It requires engagement, solidarity and good faith.
Wyoming replaced her with a true nutter.
Perhaps they will see what they get and feel the pain of being hit with the results over time.
Sadly its more likely that we ALL will "feel the pain"!
I'm not sure reasonable is the right adjective.They all seem to be cowards, afraid of DJT publicly calling them out. He also likes to publish their addresses and phone numbers so they receive death threats.
Heather writes today - "She notes that now-chair of the House Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan (R-OH) didn’t appear to care about rules or legal processes surrounding the election results. “The only thing that matters is winning,” he told her."
He's been elected and re-elected 8 times and done absolutely nothing for his constituents. What does this say about his constituents?
Gerrymandering keeps him in place
The way his district is drawn, it almost looks like a salamander...and he is just as slimy as one!
That they deserve him. And that says the world about Ohio. I have a friend who lives there and cannot wait to retire and leave.
Some of us Ohioans are working for change!
God bless you! It is unfair to paint all members of any community with a single brush.
I hope you also support Sherrod Brown for Senate. From what I've seen if him, he works hard for Ohio and. If I am wrong, please correct me because,I am supporting him.
We wish you well. I wish the list of states I plan to avoid wasn’t so long. I know there are good people everywhere, but going to visit my sister in Kansas is like visiting aliens.
Yes! Look at the recent votes. Having written GOTV postcards to help Ohioans, it’s gratifying to see them working for change.
Yes you are, Godspeed! Our neighbors here at the resort in AZ are from Cleveland, Republicans but never voted for tfg
Good luck !!!
I lived in Cincinnati for four years in the early 1970s, having moved there after growing up in Missouri. I loved the "Queen City," and found most of the people I met to be kind, decent and welcoming toward me. When my then-husband was offered a job opportunity in Boston, I was heartbroken at the idea of leaving the mid-west. I think it might have taken me a week to get over the heartbreak, and immerse myself in discovering the rich history of Massachusetts and New England. I still live here.
I have friends who live in Ohio (Dayton, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus), all of them dissatisfied by the steady "reddening" and "MAGAfication" of the place they call home, not sure how they can reverse the trend. I think they're facing the same issues that so many people across the country are, and until they decide to unite and mobilize to change things, people like Jordan will continue to dominate them.
As we have seen repeatedly, the MAGAs are very good at making threats not only to individuals, but also to their families. Good old mafia style M.O. Most of them sorta keep their hands clean by making public statements to stir up the nutty base who do their dirty work for them. And let's do nothing about guns, so the lower level mafia can be well armed.
They aren't very smart or maybe just lazy! Pretty much the same with Indiana.
Hoosiers tend to take too much for granted and resist things (and people) they don’t understand.
Apparently all they needed was two. And being drummed out of the party was a glowing validation in my view. This ain’t your mother’s GOP. It’s a pit of vipers.
Kind of a glaring example of the hold of MAGA on the GOP.
Mit Romney can be added to that list and maybe a few others who’ve decided to quite rather than stay in and try to fight.
It demands a LONG list of those who turned tail on THEIR oath to protect our country NEVER EVER see public service again. The wish wash wobble of far too many trying to keep their ‘good standing’ goes down like the sorry Santos story . It’s so amazingly ridiculous. Playing the GOP game of shallow integrity. They put on masks of acceptance, no big deal, that’s politics.
NOT IN MY BOOK OF ETHICAL EXPECTANCY.
Cheney and Kinzinger are THE two of too few who survived the coup.
The GOP shit show shot ‘the right’ ...dead.
💙💙VOTE ALL THE COMPLICIT OUT💙💙
“Turned tail” reminds me of the security cam video showing the escort of VP Pence from the senate chamber juxtaposed with the exit of the junior senator from Missouri across a hallway.
Note to my fellow members of GPD*: lack of proper capitalization in listing his title is intentional.
*GPD: Grammar Police Department: To correct and to serve.
I need to hire FT one of them GPD…thanks great post…maybe we can add to it by a CDH:closed door hearing …on the ‘list’ mentioned in my first post today…just sayin’😏
I put him in with Jeff Flake. Both have principles, but not the stomach for a tough fight.
Appears to be a large number who have no stomach! Letting a small number (House) of nitwits scare them out of the Congress rather than be brave(?) enough to do the jobs they were elected to do does show their lack of what public service used to mean!
And remember Ben Sasse?
Cheryl, regarding Jeff Flake, if he lacks the stomach to defend his principles, it is my understanding that historically that would be the definition of a person who lacks principles.
I may be naively optimistic -I do think a resurgence of ‘Kitchen Table Democracy’ can help shift many away from the polarization common in today’s Fox ‘News’ America.
The first step is outlining what a shared future vision of America looks like and then working together toward electing and supporting competent leadership.
It would be nice to have two political parties focusing on implementing the democratic process (one person, one vote, majority rule) with fair elections and no gerrymandering; however, the extreme MAGA/KKK Republicans, as Jim Jordan admitted, are only interested in winning elections, including by hook or crook. In fact, we are now at war to save our system. The enemy is our fellow Americans who want to turn the USA into a white Protestant autocracy. These white evangelical Christians are, sadly, racist to the core. We are presently engaged in our SECOND CIVIL WAR.
Very true Richard. In fact, in can be argued, we've never finished the first. Rights, in which people suffered, sacrificed, and died for, should not be a political football used to divide us through the courts, and corrupt/incompetent so-called 'leadership'. We should be moving forward together confronting the challenges of our time, not relitigating the past.
George, we have huge economic problems coming down the road fast. Electric-powered vehicles will replace those powered by internal combustion engines. Electric-powered vehicles are easier to make and don't need the servicing of the gas powered. Millions of jobs will be lost in the manufacturing process and in the service industry. The Jiffy Lubes will disappear. What then, when the national debt is $200 trillion and not even the interest on the debt can be paid? I feel for my two daughters and my 4-year old granddaughter.
I suspect opportunity will be there. There are many of us old people needing care and new jobs rewiring the grid and installing and maintaining solar energy. There is a massive amount of crumbling infrastructure to care for. People seem to forget cars and planes were new just over a century ago. I would not have prepared for a technology job in the 70's but those industries employ many people. Who knows what will develop over the next century assuming we can deal with the challenges of climate change, mass migration and the resultant conflict.
My husband who is very involved in alternative energy research at an international level, has noticed a recent massive effort by unidentified groups who have been placing ads opposing solar, wind and other forms of alternative energy. They are particularly active in spreading lies about the effects of electric vehicles and wind generated energy. Every time I ask him about one of these declarations by these groups he gives me the scientific facts debunking all of them. It was even mentioned in a recent conference in which he was involved. I hope one of our good investigative reporters goes after the source of the disinformation so they can be called out.
cars replaced buggies, computers replaced type writers..things change.
I have confidence in what Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, is also doing for our economy. When I am politically down, I watch another of his infrastructure building site videos.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/595142717910172/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
Yes. And the displacement of labor demand attributable to AI. There will need to be a significant transformation of the economic system toward fairness if society has the political will to avoid a massive disruption and resultant suffering. Climate, resource scarcity, and economics will supersede the ridiculous issues society is presently misdirected toward.
I dont think this is a drumbeat on Bloomberg business. The problem of employment displacement due to new technologies has been around for a very long time. Robotics has already taken up much of the labour needs in vehicle etc manufacturing factories. You could also mention AI driving inroading on long-distance trucking. But i can't deny there aren't long term issues over displacement the rest of the economy can't absorb, and with comparable incomes. Right now, at full employment, US economy runs a 3% unemployment rate. Part of the problem of this is further concentration of wealth. But we also know a well paid "middle class" is a potent source of demand in any economy. Likely beyond pure marketplace logic.
Hardly a soul ,either side, talks 1) taxes 2) military reductions both eating us alive.
We will have to go back to growing our own vegetables, educating ourselves about all sorts changes as we try to survive climate change. There will be jobs we haven’t dreamed of, but it will only be if we recognize that world population must be reduced and learn the importance of adoption and birth control. Your granddaughter and your daughters can have gratifying lives but only if they take into account that they will have many different decisions that are different from our generation. Having had one child who also had one, I hope that my grandson will either adopt or enjoy not having children. “Be fruitful and multiply” is no longer possible if we want to continue as a species.
Well, e-vehicles can allow us a liveable earth, but so far they're limited to fairly short driving radii.
Re: "we've never finished the first."
https://crosscut.com/video/crosscut-festival-main-stage/how-south-won-civil-war-dr-heather-cox-richardson
Didn't someone write a book about that?
Amen👏
You are so right. The hate of “others,” and democrats is at the core, having had that hate burnished by the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Lee Atwater and their ilk since Ronnie approved such. And use Christianity to make the Schitt smell like roses. Glad so many of us didn’t buy it, but the fight continues.
it is manufactured performative hate, hate for profit and power
Exactly
"Mark my words if these preachers get control
of the (Republican) party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly,
these people frighten me.
Politics and governing
demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've
tried to deal with them."
REPUBLICAN BARRY GOLDWATER
Mary, thank you for sharing that. Goldwater hit the nail on the head - how can one compromise when one has the "Absolute Truth?" This is where the train has jumped off the rail - the MAGA/KKK evangelical Republicans, manipulated by the extremely wealthy, have no clue or desire to know what their function as government officials is. Given that we have about 70 million of these people here in the U.S., we've got a problem that will take decades to undo.
With all the writing there is, history books fill volumes and yet- new renditions are on Best Seller lists of similar ( and here comparison)and yet - blow for blow similarities...and yet- country after country falling prey or under siege ...and yet.
I’ve done my best to insulate myself ( ourselves) ..my children ( in their 50’s) really don’t think it will happen...I hope they’re right...I can’t imagine the conversation then if they manage to get here to survive ...if it does. The only saving grace is in every instance ..it.didn’t.end.well.for.the.bad.guys.but a lot of innocents died proving it.
Yes Mary! Nothing pissed off Jesus more than these types of uber hypocrites....
Can we use our votes and the rule of law to keep the world "safe for democracy"?
Frankly, the only way that we're going to keep the world "safe for democracy" along with the rule of law is to out-vote the dark forces. Absolutely, we need to be involved more than ever before in our lives.
We can dream and hope! Imagine if Fox and Breitbart injected a bit of truth into their broadcasts...just a little at a time...so their listeners gradually realized that what they consider fake news isn't fake at all.
Heads would explode (and average IQ would subsequently rise). :)
As I read George's post the first step is ousting all Republicans.
Sadly, I don't think there are any left. It is really about the Democratic Party versus the anti-democracy party.
That’s the intent...💙💙VOTE ALL THE COMPLICIT OUT💙💙
I was so proud that my rep from VA 2, Elaine Luria was on the Jan 6 committee. Serving probably cost her her reelection in our swingy district, but she did her duty.
I hope she’ll be back. Let the MAGAts crawl back under their rocks in Virginia.
I echo Gail, she should run again, perhaps for senate.
What a shame Elaine Luria wasn’t re-elected in your district. She and all the others did a magnificent job serving on the Jan 6 committee.
👍We’ll support her next run.✔️
E Pluribus Unum
Absolutely, Susan. How much could be accomplished by respectfully hammering out differences instead of wrong-headed shouts and name calling! Filling voters' and politicians' heads with anger and fear accomplishes nothing.
In my day, that was the way members of Congress always behaved when conducting official business. That all changed starting in 1995, when Newt Gingrich broke politics in America, when collegiality and compromise were frowned on.
Yes. well said Susan. And that cooperation and respect is refreshing in a time of such ego driven political discourse.
I’m a lifelong Wyoming Republican, the only time I’ve voted for Liz Cheney was the 2022 primary, I had a 4’x 8’ sign on my fence, several people thanked me quietly and some chided me, my response was that I couldn’t stand crybaby losers.
Cheney is impressive. It’s seems impossible that she would have approved of Trump’s 7 trillion dollar debt that Haley pointed out.
Cheney voted with Trump 90% of the time. She is a climate change denier. She only stood against Trump after it became clear he wanted to destroy democracy. That she found the courage of her convictions then is a fortunate choice for the country at that point is something we can all be thankful for. I doubt if many of the rest of her positions have changed.
Its OK to disagree. it's OK to have different positions. That's inevitable when you have 435 (House) people who come from Cities and Prairies, Mountains and Low Country. But if you tell the truth, provide time for your opponent to have his/her full say, and then open the floor to fair voting, a reasonable path forward is likely to emerge. There really isn't room for people like Gym Jordan in power. Whenever I see him speak, I am further convinced that he cares only for his own power, not for the good of the country. He's consistent, while also un-American.
Agreed on her Republican "me vs we" bonafides. She advocates for the rich and would support the disenfranchisement of minorities and women in general. And the climate denial is as stupid and evil as it gets. Actually, it's bought and paid for by you know who.
But she is offering us an important gift. Let's accept it with gratitude. And then if we are still standing and she runs for office again, fight with every political might to be sure she doesn't serve again. So kudos to Liz for believing in our democracy to the degree she does. But yeah, I wouldn't want her as mayor of my small town.
What you said, definitely. Sad, too. Her Dad was THE most corrupt Republican in office in my lifetime. It would be hard for her to be ethical, honest and concerned with America. Dick never was.
Our parents do matter.
After having laid bare so much in the J6 investigations, I’d be surprised if her views have not changed. Maybe her new book will tell us.
One can hope. I will read her book.
I agree, it seems unlikely that she HASNT changed some of her views. And, this is the perfect window of opportunity for her to say so, and hopefully be truthful and sincere
I believe there’s good reason to regard Liz as a truthful person.
I think she is truthful. I agree with her stance on dealing with insurrectionists and treasonous ex-Presidents. I don’t agree with her stance on climate change, government regulation of polluting business, and reproductive freedom, is all.
Yeah no.
"Rep. Cheney: Dems Turn Maternity Ward to Murder Field"https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1084075128431295
George, I'm right there with ya. Whoever said "politics makes strange bedfellows" was spot on.
The key word here is "respect" which is something I find very hard to do towards much of the MAGA fools.
When facts and evidence are rejected by MAGA -it is impossible to have any meaningful discussion about anything. And I suppose I've become too old and impatient for discussions that are not meaningful.
I wish she would throw her hat into the ring as an independent. It would divert votes away from Trump. She has professed to do anything to thwart him. She's a smart cookie - what can she do?
She might agree to be Haley’s VP and try to play the same role her father did to W. Ugh.
This is *totally off topic*. But I can't help but share. I'm joining the St. Paul Civic Symphony on tuba! I just wanted to share the joy! Matt.
Hey, Matt! HCR Reader Ally House is also a tuba player! She is a member of the Eugene Symphonic Band in Eugene, Oregon, I hope you hook up with her here soon!
Thanks, Lynell!
Sherrif's Sonorous Sounds?
Yup.
Have a great oom-pa, Matt!
Congrats! Good for you!
I admire musical talent from afar. I heard that the tuba is extremely challenging to play. In my next life, I hope I can read music and carry a tune.
Define "carry a tune" Bill. I sing no matter what, when, where. And, I'm told it's bad. But if only the good singers would sing, we wouldn't hear enough of the joy.
It is hard to play, but the key with brass instruments is to pick the range that your lips naturally vibrate in (your lips vibrating produce the sound into the mouthpiece). In my case, I started out on trumpet through high school and suffered from a lack of endurance and range on that instrument. In college I switched to tuba which was a giant leap but it worked out! Fingerings are the same between trumpet, tuba, euphonium, except for the extra 4th valve on tuba for hitting the low notes.
FREBO!!! Is it possible? God bless you!
Congratulations, Matt! The tuba has always been a favorite of mine. I have pleasant memories of hearing The Wedding March played on that instrument as the bride and groom strolled down the "aisle" to the background accompaniment of waving wheat and clanking oil derricks on a fine spring afternoon in Shidler, Oklahoma. Good times--
I hope that our LFAA-sister, Ally, who is also a tube player sees this!
Make a joyful noise, Matt!
Great news and I love that you shared it with our community.
Fantastic Matt! Enjoy. And thanks for sharing. It's always good to hear good news.
Congratulations!!
As a parent of a tuba player I'm happy for you!
congrats! Blow your own horn!!!
Ms Ycaza a tuba soloist I really enjoy. Another cool lady on the tuba!
About — Stephanie F. Ycaza https://stephanieycaza.com/about?shem=ssusxt
https://youtu.be/686Kzwlnk4M?si=Yj2twQydKzagdjfB
She's a wonderful player with a great sound. Much better than me!
I loved playing in elementary school but quit in college when a much better player joined the band. A tuba is so necessary to a band I'm glad we had a replacement .
"Its all about the bass".
Thanks, I will check it out. Also the all women brass ensemble Ten Thing is really great.
Matt Kudos! I love playing the tuba solos of the New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band. Sadly the tuba soloist died some years ago, but the CD still blasts forth in my car.
Blow them away Matt! Congratulations and much success. Thanks for changing the topic. Now back to MAGAts.
Joy is important. Music is life!
Congratulations are in order!
"What an epic humiliation for our colleagues and what a frank confession that they are simply not interested in the facts and have no confidence in their own case or the ability of their own Members to pursue it."
A great martial arts move. Use the very force of the opponents attack against them.
Once again Jamie Raskin has spoken the truth of the matter to us. Republicans are all about performance not substance. They say "Look at my magic cards, don't look behind the curtain."
Because when we look behind the curtain there is nothing there. Well, maybe an orange clown.
Jamie Raskin could read the phone book out loud and make it sound compelling. He is an inspiring speaker and fine public servant.
With a frown and a gun.
I remember in the late 70s (or early 80s?) when Pillsbury was attempting a hostile takeover of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, they (Ben and Jerry) launched an ad campaign titled "What's the Dough-Boy Afraid Of?" To expose Pillsbury's strong-arm business tactics. It worked.
The Democrats need to launch just such a campaign to expose the shenanigans of the various MAGA-led House committees. Why are the MAGAs afraid of public testimony? Why do MAGAs lie so much? Jamie Ruskin could lead the effort, but a group of aids should be employed to translate his ideas into language relatable to the average American (i.e. those of us without a law degree and a stratospheric-ally high IQ). :)
"those of us without a law degree and a stratospheric-ally high IQ"
That could be Lincoln, who managed to be insightful, eloquent, even poetic, memorably accurate, and plain spoken all in one go. Not every word, but more than enough. How do you improve " government of the people, by the people, for the people" as a democratic goal? You can write volumes about how to achieve it, while maintaining justice, but it's a yardstick you could hold to any aspect of governance as a foundational guide.
So much of our language today is sales pitch, even most of the email I get from my representatives. It the manipulative language of our over-commercialized culture. It is an algorithm, not heart-to-heart communication. I think messages that are taken to heart have to be disarmingly honest; but also smart about clarification of the choices before us. And it's tempting to bury the public with evidence, but like the "Gettysburg Address", most people remember a few key points. Or "As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy." In a sandstorm of lies, I believe we need to find ways to deliver heart-of-the-matter truths.
You can always count on Jamie Raskin! I thank God for him every day.
From Israel, to Gaza, to Hunter Biden and now Nikki Haley...Fake 45’s goose is cooked. Koch wants Christian”values” to be the main topic so he takes money from the rapist and gives it to the female white nationalist. It’s a very bad joke and we can only rely on our sacrifices and graces to make certain Joe stays and the others go off into a fiery sunset.
Bless the hostages who have returned. Keep the ones who haven’t in your hearts. Also, the innocent Palestinians deserve our embrace, as well.
Koch has ALEC. ALEC is his organization that wants to ratify the Constitution to say one thing...we own you. They have been going state to state to make this happen. They have spent billions controlling our politics over the years. His father made his fortunes fueling the Nazi and Russian wars. They were raised with the Nazi mindset. They would have us all working, living and dying in a toxic dump so they can rule and expand their fortunes.
NAILED IT ‼️‼️‼️
So very true. The ALEC is a dangerous group. You must have read Kochland....
My father was a vice president for a company that built their coal-fabricated plants and refineries. And yes I read it. They want to tap into prison labor, so they can pay them .50 an hour.
Koch. Another highly toxic billionaire. 😡
I hate hearing that acronym because my son’s name is Alec and he is as kind, caring, and loving as they come. The Koch version is anything but.
ALEC, Americans for (Koch industries) Prosperity and hundreds of other like minded groups whose sole purpose is to maintain white supremacy power at the expense of the common folk and the less fortunate! Those billions of dollars could be better served to provide affordable healthcare here and in the third world countries!
They don't care about humanity unless they can profit from it. Have you ever read the Federalist News sites? Omg, they were reporting that more Blacks love Trump. That democrats have divided Black families. Because Black families during slavery were encouraged to stay together. Black families always stayed together. I fell off my chair. They just make up shit. Fucking billionaires.
Stay together during slavery?!!! Up is down.
That's wild. I'm sure they get their information from that joke called the Hoover Institute.
Or Prager U?
Right you are Louis. To say nothing of mitigating the impending climate catastrophe - what does David Koch care - like me he'll be dead,
Koch will now own Nikki Haley.
I’m sure that doesn’t bother her. She’s simply trading one master for another. And the fact remains that she is an election denier and was the face of the Trump administration in the UN. She was nothing more than a Trump puppet.
Koch stepping out and publicly endorsing a presidential candidate is a big step. Something new that suggests even he is worried about a psychopath in the WH.
He and his fellow oligarchs prefer to hide in the shadows and pull strings. They prefer to employ monsters like Leonard Leo to do their fascist bidding. Very effectively.
So, more sunshine on Koch and his network of "nobles". Let the "peasants" see what he is really about. One of the most dangerous and evil humans in America.
"One of the most dangerous and evil humans in America."
you mean a guy whose lineage harkens back to Nazi Germany is not a nice guy?
go figure.
:-)
Here’s my shocked face: 😑
Have been waiting for a substantial split in the Republican party and certainly cracks are showing. They all pledge to abide with/support the nominee, but ,if it is 45, will some veer off to try to find someone this side of his radical policies.
Brava!
I woke up at 3am today with a nightmare that Trump was going to win. I got up and read today"s Letter from Heather and was able to feel reconnected with the good work so many are actively doing each day to protect our Democracy. Thank you Heather and my great respect for our leaders and individuals that are speaking truth and decency!
Koch backing Haley should make the Republican Nominating Convention very interesting. And scary!
Bill, I have had many hopes that Trump's supporters would realize how unhinged and dangerous he is, but i have finally realized that's NOT going to happen.
It would surely be a nightmare if he were to win the election.
I saw an interview with Bob Woodward in which he was asked by the moderator, "Do you think Trump can win?" His answer was "Yes!"
This is why I want TFG tried in Georgia live in August. For all to see and hear.
Go back to your nightmare is a real possibility of becoming real. Sorry to say. Please read my piece.
Thank you Professor for this important information, actual news which doesn’t seem to make it into the headlines. Could you please explain how tfg can be called the front runner when there have been no primary elections held, only polls of relatively few people and a couple of debates tfg did not attend? To me, his front runner status is smoke and mirrors aided by the media’s fascination with him, similar to its coverage of a horrific traffic accident.
I have thought for a long time now that Trump would not be the Republican nominee because the billionaire oligarchs want to implement the Project 2025 manifesto to gut the executive branch and implement the unitary executive policy. Trump was inept at policy implementation. I believe their initial candidate was DeSantis because he essentially was trial running their policies in Florida and had many close connections with the libertarian/conservative right wing and the Heritage Foundation. But the AFP Action 6 million person polling effort found Haley to be the more appealing candidate, and they apparently will tolerate her slightly moderated culture war stances to get the big prize--a low tax, low regulation, limited government, privatized social safety net America.
Read the original AFP Action documents here. Just like Project 2025 the are boasting about their power.
https://afpaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AFPA-Endorsement-Memo-.pdf
https://afpaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AFPA-Haley-Policy-One-Pager.pdf
https://afpaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AFP-Action-Internal-Polling-Memo.pdf
"privatized social safety net" ??? How about "marketing survival for-profit "? Unfortunately there are enough Democrats backing the playing of keepaway ball of universal health care from American citizens to give the AFP aspirations a tailwind.
"marketing survival for profit." That's it. Thank You, Ed.
That's our current healthcare system!
I agree with your assessment Georgia. I think Nikki Haley will be their nominee, which is why she probably cut a deal with the deep pockets and political reach of AFP. Haley will grab attention and votes after the trump clown car drives itself off the cliff, which it seems to slowly be doing. Koch made a calculated bet that American wants not only a younger president, but a woman. Nikki Haley is not a friend of women. But she’s packagable ( I know I’m making up that term) in a more intelligent way than their Sarah Palin debacle.haley is already actually talking about slight moderations to the abortion laws pushed through in the reddest of States. She knows she cannot win without women, so she’s betting on slivering off the less anti-abortion women voters from Biden. She’s good looking which is important to gop and most men. Can’t have a woman in sensible pantsuits or shoes, even though she’s the smartest person in the room! Koch is making a calculated bet on Haley. He’s many things I detest, but he’s not stupid.
I’ve not heard her questioned on Project 2025 and the idea of a unitary executive. A question sadly lacking in the debates. This backing may back her into a (unpopular) corner.
So mote it be!
Georgia, these documents are very helpful. Thanks. QUESTION: Do you know any source that can fact-check Haley's assertions about where the nation stands economically? F.ex.: "Half of American families can't afford diapers?" Really? Where would she get such a stat and who can address it? I just picked one straightforward claim from her website. The rest are generalities that prick my lie-detector nerves.
"Diapers for all of us!" Sounds like a "chicken in every pot!" Sorry, couldn't resist.
Well, it all depends...
😆
You can try fact checking it yourself. Do half of American families have children in diapers is the first question I would ask (under age 3 to be generous)?
Then I might try to find out some stats on median family income of families with children in that age bracket.
https://library.csi.cuny.edu/c.php?g=619342&p=4310783
https://toolbox.google.com/factcheck/explorer/search/Nikki%20Haley;hl=en
https://guides.libraries.psu.edu/c.php?g=620262&p=4319365
https://www.statista.com/accounts/pa
Statista is a huge data base of statistics but the data there on your question is behind a paywall.
Thanks!
TUMP is only a front runner in a contest to win the world's worst human being in history unseating the one and only Adolf Hitler. These bogus and horribly inaccurate polls are best not worthy of any attention from our side. Media propaganda is all they are.
Believe. me I try to ignore the polls John but the same poll keeps persisting in the news longer than any good things the Biden Administration does! Times Sienna. Ugh 😤🤬😖
I try very hard to ignore the polls too, but i can't completely do that. Maybe, the very negative results of these propaganda polls will start to wake some voters up and see what danger we could be in if the Orange baboon has a chance to win in 2024. If only a fraction of the great news from Biden could be heard by everyone, i believe that would make President Biden's chances so much better. For me, personally, i am in the best financial shape than i have been in 20 years, i know that is really irrelevant to anyone else, but Biden's presidency has been really great for me. I think he has been a very good President. Now only if the MSM would cooperate and broadcast his good deeds.
Well, Trump is the front runner if you go by weight/mass.
He is, by far, the most fat/fattest candidate attempting to win the Presidency. WAY, WAY out in front on the fat scale.
So, if you imagine a gigantic fat dude waddling along out in front, then, there you have it.
🤣 ok! He’s the front waddler😂 I can go with that! Thanks. Now I’m ready to go back to sleep.
Gigi,
I love it, Trump is the FRONT WADDLER in the RACE TO BE THE FATTEST.
Here is a picture of fat boy attempting to play tennis but the mass is just too large.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/V2tWyXCRYKsVyyUo7
OMG Mike. Now that's a disgusting image!
Just a photo of Trump as he really is. Capped from the internet.
A funny yet revolting image which I need to get out of my head before breakfast. 🥴🤢
His Tighty Whiteys are showing
:-)
Just Trump as he really is.
🤣🤣🤣
Little Feat “Fat Man in the Bathtub”
https://youtu.be/80TUlmVOEAQ?si=WNb4rAH304syAzt8
Thank you for the video link!
The best live album ever. I'll put some money in your meter baby so you don't run down.
Spotcheck Billy was an Allman fan
Fattest candidate to attempt winning the presidency?
You have forgotten about William Howard Taft.
Well, I guess we can say in 2024. Taft was pretty OB.
Indeed he was. I think he weighed over 300 pounds when he became president, and gained even more weight during his time in the White House.
But not the fattest ever (yet).
"Taft was the most obese president. He was 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and his weight was between 325 pounds (147 kg) and 280 pounds (130 kg) toward the end of his presidency. He had difficulty getting out of the White House bathtub, on June 10, 1909, so he had a 7-foot (2.1 m) long, 41-inch (1.0 m) wide tub installed. This tub could accommodate four normal-sized people. It was replaced in 1951 with a modern tub of similar size." BMI(45) to BMI(39)
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Howard_Taft
Gigi, I agree re Trump’s status being smoke. Small, mediocre polls and mediocre journalism contribute to this development I think. Recently I’ve been amazed to hear past Trump supporters in my community admit they’ve had enough. So I’m hopeful.
Haley is now the puppet of the Koch network. That means she has more appeal to moderates than Trump and would be more effective at implementing their policies. And Americans for Prosperity Action, the PAC now behind her have a highly deceptive recruiting campaign for idealistic younger voters and grass root organizers. It has a "plague on both your houses" flavor.
I am way more pessimistic now about Biden's chances then before Trump's being thrown under the bus.
https://afpaction.com/
My son and daughter-in-law attended a packed rally for Nikki Haley in deep south tRump country yesterday. I'm hopeful, too!
Your arrow flies straight and true.
I believe that Nikki “Tell-The-People-What-They-Want-To-Hear” Haley is almost as dangerous as Donald ”Say-The-Quiet-Stuff-Out-Loud” Trump. Though she doesn’t exhibit the significant mental illness of Malignant Narcissism that Trump has. I’m surprised that has been placed on a back burner.
More so because she is now backed by unlimited resources as the Koch network AFP Action announcement literally crows about.
https://afpaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AFPA-Endorsement-Memo-.pdf
Georgia, so it becomes the unlimited wealth of Koch vs the unlimited evil of MAGA Stupids
Koch would need to buy out Murdoch to win that battle, cuz the Stupids don’t understand a thing unless Fox tells them to
The stupids are going to be jettisoned along with Trump. They are sacrificial lambs. They don't fit with the agenda, and they have ineffectual in bringing about the demise of the "administrative deep state."
The Koch play here is to market Haley to grievance Republicans and remnants, and the center independents and Democrats where there is "true love" for American ideals. The go to idea is that both the far right and far left are destroying America...
Unfortunately their vision for America is REALLY about further upward concentration of wealth and privitization of healthcare, education, government land and resources....
In the short run, Trump seems like one of the most dangerous humans on Earth. He is, of course. But his expiration date is quite soon. Thanks to the Koch oligarchy and maybe too many cheeseburgers. Oh, and 91 felony indictments.
Nikki Haley is a shape shifting ambitious tool. She is just another snake like Nixon, Reagan or Bush. Power to the rich. Preach platitudes to the poor. Let them eat Cheetos could be her mantra.
Agreed. But she packages up nice...And the Koch network is going all in for the win. The AFP Action "grassroots" website looks like it was written for Young Democrats... You have to look under the hood for the real policy agenda.
"NikkiHaley is a presidential candidate who would not ruin our democracy…." Way to the contrary. She is far more dangerous, agreeing to implement Project 25 - to disembowel our national government. Let's not start down the 'lesser of two evils' road because it's actually not true. This is a serious proposition the Koch brothers are funding - a way to gut all the accomplishments that have made us a healthier economy and social support network, leader of nations,
for 80 years. They shouldn't get to play around with that basic construction no matter what Nikki Haley says to fool us.
Also - beware the appeal of supporting her because of 'wanting a woman in the White House'.
Any woman? No matter what she stands for? That sort of tokenism would get us a Government Wrecker regardless of sex. Definitely not worth it.
A dangerous Koch puppet! Nuf said!
Yes, it really was. What was even worse was that both Republicans who served on the Committee were driven out of office by their fellow Republicans. And for what? Donald Trump? Jim Jordan? MTG? Basically for nothing.
For not being MAGA enough to lie.
The most important part of Dr. Richardson's summary was at the end--The endorsement of Nikki Hailey by the Koch network Americans for Prosperity Action. These are the big guns of dark money.
Every American who is interested in preserving our democracy needs to read the original documents
https://afpaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AFPA-Endorsement-Memo-.pdf
https://afpaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AFP-Action-Internal-Polling-Memo.pdf
https://afpaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AFPA-Haley-Policy-One-Pager.pdf
This is a direct repudiation of Trump and will fracture the Former Republican Party (FRG), the current unstable coalition, and cleave off the chaos caucus. You can more about how the pieces fit together at the links below.
https://georgiafisanick.substack.com/p/the-fracture
https://georgiafisanick.substack.com/p/more-cracks-in-the-frp
DeSantis, in spite of being the Republican primary candidate most tightly aligned to the Koch agenda, blew it in the vast 6 million person polling effort by AFP Action. Compare that to the 3600 people interviewed in the recent infamous New York Times/Siena poll.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/06/us/politics/times-siena-poll-methodology.html
This is the true power of Citizens United and unlimited funding in political campaigns. They can spend as much money as they need to to find a candidate that advances their policy objectives and is most palatable to their base.
Hmmm......
I have a sense that being "rescued" by the Koch brothers may be akin to drowning in a river and being thrown a boat anchor from a nearby yacht to "hold on to".
Actually drowning in a cesspool!
It is illegal to bribe federal employees, that is why they want the regulatory agencies eliminated, but they can legally bribe politicians thanks to CU.
And, Rickey, you have nailed the very heart of the fundamental flow in "American Democracy".
The representatives we vote for MUST cater to campaign contributors FIRST and the voter, second.
Yes, that is a representative government, but, not what John Adams had in mind.
Correct and exactly why contributions must have strict limits.
Rickey Wood, you put a very clear frame around this issue!!! Thank you!!!!
You might have to know some old WWII Tin Can Sailors to appreciate the cleaned up version of an incident the movie, "The Cain Mutiny" was based on (though long denied) by Herman Wouk, if I recall correctly, much like the surviving crew denied the lack extreme differences that could have led to a mutiny (or legal Relief of a Commanding Officer by a Subordinate). Unfortunately didn't override the at least temporarily dangerously incompetent Captain. In the movie, the crew, with the agreement of the Executive Officer (Vice Captain if you will), did takeover and save the ship, only to face trial for the mutiny.
Our 52nd wedding anniversary happened to be the 50th anniversary of day the Senate became the first legislative house to act under the 25th Amendment, described at https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/on-this-day-the-25th-amendment-gets-its-first-test
Makes me wish we had people with the real world guts to do the legal “Relief of a Commanding Officer by a Subordinate” per the 25th Amendment 1st used for the milder seeming approval of Representative Gerald Ford as Vice President in time to prevent the nightmare that had the thought of Spiro Agnew being in line to replace Nixon. I seriously doubt Agnew would step up like Chester Arthur did following Garfield's death. As described at https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/chester-a-arthur/
"...During his brief tenure as Vice President, Arthur stood firmly beside Conkling in his patronage struggle against President Garfield. But when Arthur succeeded to the Presidency, he was eager to prove himself above machine politics....
...To the indignation of the Stalwart Republicans, the onetime Collector of the Port of New York became, as President, a champion of civil service reform. Public pressure, heightened by the assassination of Garfield, forced an unwieldy Congress to heed the President.
In 1883 Congress passed the Pendleton Act, which established a bipartisan Civil Service Commission, forbade levying political assessments against officeholders, and provided for a “classified system” that made certain Government positions obtainable only through competitive written examinations. The system protected employees against removal for political reasons..."
It seems less than perfect Vice Presidents can step up to their new responsibilities as President.
In real life the USS Hull did sink as described at https://www.historynet.com/during-halseys-typhoon-two-captains-fight-a-stormy-fate/
24-year-old Boatswain’s Mate First Class John Ray Schultz was probably the most experienced seaman taking some actions, ignoring the orders of Captain Marks, that saved some lives.
"...Schultz was furious at Marks. In the words of Gerstley’s son, writer Greil Marcus, the boatswain “begged my father—who was trusted as the captain was not, admired as the captain was reviled—to seize the ship: to place the captain under arrest, take command, and save the ship; in other words, to lead a mutiny.” Marks ignored Schultz’s plea. Gerstley briefly considered taking action, but then said to the boatswain, “If I take over and save the ship, he’ll say it was mutiny. If we don’t all drown, he’ll have me tried and hanged.” And with that the ship’s fate was sealed..."
The movie version had the Executive Officer Lt Maryk (Lt Greil Gerstly, X-O of the Hull in real life) taking over, saving the ship and surviving to facing trial. Lt Gerstly was actually one of the 11 officers and 191 enlisted sailors lost with the USS Hull ((DD-350).
"...On the fourth day of the proceedings, Jim Marks read his statement to the court in front of his ship’s surviving men. “In endeavoring to alleviate the heavy rolling of the ship, I tried every possible combination of rudder and engine, with little avail. It was apparent that no matter what was done, the ship was being blown bodily before the wind and sea.” He told the board that the high winds “laid the ship steadily over on her starboard side and held her down in the water.” After completing his statement, the court asked Marks if he had any complaints to make about the conduct of his crew. “No,” he said. “The performance of duty was at all times highly creditable.”
The survivors were asked the same question of their captain’s conduct. “No,” they responded. The insolence displayed by Boatswain’s Mate First Class John Ray Schultz in the wheelhouse and the talk of mutiny with Lieutenant Greil Gerstley was never mentioned..."
https://www.secnav.navy.mil/doni/US%20Navy%20Regulations/Chapter%2010%20-%20Precedence,%20Authority%20and%20Command.pdfChapter 10
PRECEDENCE, AUTHORITY AND COMMAND
Section 4. Succession to Command
(paragraph) 1088. Relief of a Commanding Officer by a Subordinate.
1. It is conceivable that most unusual and extraordinary circumstances may arise in which the relief from duty of a commanding officer by a subordinate becomes necessary, either by placing the commanding officer under arrest or on the sick list. Such action shall never be taken without the approval of the Commandant of the Marine Corps or the Chief of Naval Personnel, as appropriate, or the senior officer present, except when reference to such higher authority is undoubtedly impracticable because of the delay involved or for other clearly obvious reasons. In any event, a complete report of the matter shall be made w the Commandant of the Marine Corps or the Chief of Naval Personnel, as appropriate, and the senior officer present, setting forth all facts in the case and the reasons for the action or recommendation, with particular regard to the degree of urgency involved.
2. In order that a subordinate officer, acting upon his, or her own initiative, may be vindicated for relieving a commanding officer from duty, the situation must be obvious and clear, -and must admit of the single conclusion that the retention of command by such commanding officer will seriously and irretrievably prejudice the public interests. The subordinate officer so acting
a. Must be next in succession to command.
b. Must be unable to refer the matter to a common superior for the reasons set forth in the preceding paragraph.
c. Must be certain that the prejudicial actions of the commanding officer are not caused by instructions unknown to him or her.
d. Must have given the matter much careful consideration, and have made such exhaustive investigation of all the circumstances maybe practicable.
e. Must bs thoroughly convinced that the conclusion to relieve the commanding officer is one which a reasonable, prudent and experienced officer would regard as a necessary consequence from the facts thus determined to exist.
3. Intelligent fearless initiative is an important trait of military character, It is not the purpose of these regulations to discourage its employment in cases of this nature. However, because the action of relieving a senior from command involves most serious possibilities, a decision to do so, or to so recommend, must be based upon facts established by substantial evidence, and upon the official views of others in a position to form valid opinions, especially of a technical character. An officer relieving his or her commanding officer, or recommending such action, together with all others who so counsel, must bear the legitimate responsibility for, and must be prepared to justify, such action.
It would have been great for the country if done on or about January 6th, 2021
Re: "weakening Trump so he is defeated in the general election would get rid of the MAGA base"
No, the base isn't going to just go away. It will change form, just as the Tea Party became MAGA. It's a certain strain of Americanism that has long been here and won't dissolve just because they lose an election or a candidate.
My current self styled Libertarian Board of Supervisors (past chairman) member was doing work on my house the other day. He was leaning for Haley. He had never heard of Project 2025. I sent him the info. Scared the sh*t out of me.
All they see is white supremacy. They don’t see what is in store for the 98%.
Exactly correct.
Too true.
Heather, I posted this question on FB - and wonder if you could address it in either a letter or a politics chat: Could you explain the disconnect between what Biden and Blinken have done and continue to do in Israel/Palestine and articles like this in the NY Times that describe anger and frustration at what is happening? https://www.nytimes.com/.../biden-israel-hamas-divisions...
Ah, yes, the NYT. I highly recommend the puzzles and Cooking. The bird can shit on the rest and no one would notice. No harm, no fowl?
Yes, I keep my subscription for the puzzles and cooking.
So, we agree that NYT = 🦃?
NYT = 💩, actually.
thus you are paying for the damaging editorial decisions
Now do “People Who Keep Xitter Accounts Going.” Thanks in advance.
LOL. Your slip is showing 🍷. Don’t think it will work for taxes, but I consider the NYT a charity.
And, thanks for the wine!
OOPS!! I meant cooking... can I edit my comment?
just search for world, click on the link, will be NYT but the Wordle, Spelling bee and connections are free. You can also find an unlimited world, spelling bee and word search in the top response to the search
spelling keeps correcting to word instead of Wordle!
I agree. I play Wordle and Spelling Bee. That is the only reason I haven't cancelled my subscription. I enjoy these two games.
I play those for free, no subscription necessary
I didnt know that was possible. How do you do that?
search for worldle. you will find both NYT and another unlimited one. Both allows free Wordle and Spelling Bee. The NYT site also lets you play connections and other games for free. ( not all the games but several)
Also, Webster has some wordle and word blossom games that are good to play!!
Thank you! I will do some searching. 😊
I also play them for free. No subscription necessary
Yes.I keep the NYT on-line for the cooking.I am still on the fence about cancelling the whole darn thing.
Oh, come on! The internet and YouTube are ultra-full of cooking. What's so good about the NYT?
Yes, of course you are right.I guess it is me copping out on cutting the umbilical cord to the NYT.I have been threatening to do this for some time but then I see the perfect” recipe”.Thanks for illuminating me further.
The puzzles are great. The NYT cooking pages are excellent (as are other sites, it's true). I also enjoy reading some of the columnists without having to pay extra, and I read the arts pages.
I cancelled for this reason awhile back and I wrote and told them why
John, that was a great and humorous comment.
Remove your blinders. You need to see the light.
just type in worldle in search, you will find the NYT one which also gives spelling bee and connections, there is also another link to all you can play world, spelling bee and word search
The article you sent a link for is gone.
However, this one remains.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/us/politics/biden-israel-hamas-divisions.html?unlocked_article_code=1.CE0.NicI.DUQfOQlD_9jN&smid=url-share
Honestly, this seems fairly well done to me.
Link is not working. Please resend. I agree with others here and am thisclose to canceling my subscription.
Trying again... I hope this works: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/us/politics/biden-israel-hamas-divisions.html
Thank you. That works. Pretty much what I expected. Joe Biden is a smart sensitive man with many decades of experience. He is given no credit for this truce and the criticisms he has leveled at Israel for its strong retaliation. Too much criticism of Israel invites Russians and other enemies to move against it. It’s a damned if you do and damned if you don’t situation that hopefully this current pause will bring the temperature down. ( and hAve to say any of his presumed opponents would have totally messed up.)
The Bible says; “ The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.’ It also says; “The truth shall set you free.” The GOP haven’t read the Scriptures they claim to follow. There is nothing Christian about their fascistic attempts to destroy the Biden Administration, democracy, or our Constitution. That Pence needed to be reminded of his oath of office is sickening. That Speaker Johnson accepted Russian funds for his campaign is unAmerican. That Santos was not immediately removed from office by his colleagues is reprehensible. That the entire GOP bow to tfg is an abomination. That so many of our fellow citizens still want to vote for him is pure madness. How will it all end?
Cheney Quote: " ... those that appeased, enabled & collaborated" in other words seditionists more specifically co-cpnspirators.
JACK SMITH need only prove tfg attacked through many overt acts the J6 certification.
Michael Pence will be called to the stand on direct after Judge Michael Luttig explains the historic truth of his multiple tweets on January 2, 2021.
Pre-trial conduct in the days and weeks ahead will likely require the Pre-trial incarceration of Donald J Trump.
I sure hope your assessment is on target, Counselor. Jack Smith has a heavy load.
Very heavy Officer but, Pence quotes lighten the load a bit .....
“Cheney wrote of how she and then–House speaker Nancy Pelosi came to respect each other over their common defense of the Constitution,”
EXACTLY how it was designed to work
None of the momentous problems we face can be fully addressed with a divided government. Especially when one side is a purveyor of lies and false conspiracies. Limited government can only provide a limited response to those problems. We need a unified approach crafted by dedicated people anxious to solve the
problems. We don’t need anti government ideologues who set out to prevent governmental action. The GOP and Trump are dedicated to governmental inaction.
Unity is key.