Last Thursday, October 6, the Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee tweeted: “Kanye. Elon. Trump.” On Sunday, October 10, after his Instagram account was restricted for antisemitism, rapper Kanye West, now known as “Ye,” returned to Twitter from a hiatus that had lasted since the 2020 elections to tweet that he was “going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” This was an apparent reference to the U.S. military’s “DEFCON 3,” an increase in force readiness.
Brilliant. Once again pulling all the threads and grave concerns together of this point in time when we are at the precipice. Thanks so much Heather. So grateful that you are doing this for us and democracy. Now get some rest and feel better
What a sad catalogue. What happened to Republicans? Have they all lost their connection to reality. Perhaps. Although my personal favorite is “ On October 6, New Hampshire Senate nominee Don Bolduc defended the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent loss of recognition of the constitutional right to abortion. The issue of abortion “belongs to the state,” he said. “It belongs to these gentlemen right here, who are state legislators representing you. That is the best way I think, as a man, that women get the best voice.” Republican super PACs are pouring money behind Bolduc.” Women’s reproductive rights - or lack of same - belongs to gentlemen. Seriously??
I was floored when Trump made that statement about nuclear information. Of course he kept info on how to build a nuclear weapon “cheaply.” I hope he is put away for good.
“But there is an interesting dynamic afoot. In some cases, Republican lawmakers, especially Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Liz Cheney (R-WY), have urged voters to back Democrats rather than election-denying extremist Republicans. And, as historical essayist Sarah Vowell noted on October 6, in deep red states like Montana and Utah where voters will not consider voting for a Democrat, Democrats have teamed up with never-Trump Republicans to back Independents who are now running strong against the radical extremists.”
“Democrats have teamed up with never-Trump Republicans to back Independents who are now running strong against the radical extremists.” This is keeping hope alive as we get closer to Nov 8! Thank you.
What a scary and well documented warning you’ve written tonight, Professor. I won’t copy the repub and trumpian insanity you describe except this: “Scholars who study how to defeat rising authoritarianism agree that such cross-party cooperation is vital. And we have an illustration of just how that has worked here before.” I live in a rural Northern California county that is now split Blue and Red. And we already have our ballots. Plus daily texts asking if we’ve received it and who to contact with problems. Now is the time to seriously encourage every voter to Vote and inform people they have choices to cross-party vote. I mailed 200 postcards today that will go to Arizona registered Dem voters, same as many all over the country. DEMS must get in high gear now. We’ve all donated and it’s time to see that money supporting high risk or vulnerable candidates and stop the real Red Scare.
This is a brilliant piece of writing that ties seemingly disparate news into a cohesive — and frightening — whole. And then adds a kicker ending of historical context that hints at hope for our terribly troubled times. (Raise your hand if you knew that Lincoln represented the National Union Party when first elected and not the Republican Party?)
Are Republicans now overtly brandishing their racism and other immoral attributes because they think that's the only way to win in November? True, but there's more to it. They also likely feel no need to hide their shameful but true selves.
This is all pretty horrifying except that last part about a cross-party coalition. I mean, how do you write these letters? They are lights in the darkness for many of us but for you, sifting through the news I can't imagine it is easy. It's very hard to understand why so many people have gone off the deep end over someone like Trump. But power corrupts, and that may explain Elon and Kanye- and the loud elephant in the room. They are all loud elephants. It's really encouraging to think of building coalitions with those who do not find inspiration in what is going on in the party. The problem is building in the Democratic party which is fractured into so many factions. Bernie Sander's piece in the Guardian was right on.
Humans are incapable of comprehending randomness. That is a foundation of Behavioral Economics. But Heather tonight shocked me about the chance re-election of Lincoln and made me think 'what if Atlanta had fallen after the election'? A divided continent with 2 countries, Lincoln is a one term failed President, no 13th Amendment and slavery suffers on for who knows how long in the South? What if SCOTUS had given the election to Gore? No invasion in Iraq, maybe no Afghanistan, climate change would not be a current disaster, if only some clown had used a better ballot in Palm Beach. Unnerving.
Right now, thanks to the US Supreme Court I clearly live in a theocracy. I have been studying the map of where women can get abortion in the USA this evening. That is by state law.
However, the fact that the Catholic Church is taking over more and more hospitals in the USA, in essence it does not matter whether you live in a state that has strong abortion protection laws or not if you have to get your health care at a Catholic run hospital because they will not cover abortion or birth control no matter the reason.
So instead of living in the United States of America, thanks to some evil, vicious men, and one evil woman, I live in the THEOCRATIC STATES OF AMERICA! This is not the country I am supposed to be a citizen of and I did not get asked or even vote for an amendment to it. Currently I belong to a medical hospital group that is not run by the Catholic hospital system, in a state that protects abortion rights, but at this point my daughter's friends do not know where to go to college. It is quite a debilitating choice. They can choose an elite school like Barnard in New York which is cost and entrance prohibitive for many and be assured of access to abortion care and birth control.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/health/abortion-pills-barnard.html Her friends might be able to afford this, or rather their parents, though not all, many girls in this country will not know to go to colleges that will provide for birth control or abortions.--- I too read the article analyzing what a renewal of Trump's term in the White House would be like after I read an article about how he gave access to a Chinese Con Man who might have been part of their intelligence agency.
So, there is national security, of which we will have none, and neither will anyone else if Trump gets it into his head to be a menace. As far as I am concerned, if Trump or a Trump-like person wins we can kiss the planet good bye much, much sooner than if we have Biden. MAGAs do not believe in Climate change, nor do they care. The faster it heats up the more likely we are to have global wars over resources and space. We are also talking about a climate that humans can tolerate in terms of temperature as well as access to drinking water.
That is the world the MAGA Republicans have in store for us along with poor health care, underfunded education, underfunded social security, crumbling infrastructure, lack of oversight and consumer protections, lack of job protections, and civil war according to Professor Barbara F. Walter.
Putin has upset people so much on energy and inflation they are less excited about his nuclear threats. We know that he is part of the reason why people are scrambling to pay exorbitant costs for energy. Even more Ukrainians are going to probably have to crowd into other European countries as they face Putin bombing their electric infrastructure just as he is trying along with his OPEC buddies to raise fossil fuel prices on everyone. However, he is making most of Europe want to get off of Fossil fuel energy, each time that he does these things, and that is making less of a market in the long run. People are going to suffer a big hurt this winter but with that memory will not want to be dependent on that dirty energy. Everyone needs to forge ahead to renewables.
Republicans oppose innovation when it comes to replacing oil and gas, but they’re all in favor of it if it’ll produce new drugs. But then again they oppose easier access to older proven drugs through negotiation over pricing. And they oppose funding for the national science foundation or other public funding for addressing the most common diseases.
Try as one might, it’s impossible to find any any other rationale for these positions than money. Is legislating to override citizens union viewed as even more of a fool‘s errand than gun regulation?
I just want to stuff Elon Muck into one of his tinny cars and stick it in one of his rockets and fire it into the sun. You know, Make the Universe Great Again. The scumbag's an embarrassment to Aspergians everywhere.
As far as the Republicans are concerned, they have become the epitome of what President Truman was talking about 74 years ago when he said "The only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies."
As Rachel is demonstrating in her new podcast, Ultra, they've been traitors before, back when they played footsie with Hitler to oppose Roosevelt and the New Deal.
Brilliant. Once again pulling all the threads and grave concerns together of this point in time when we are at the precipice. Thanks so much Heather. So grateful that you are doing this for us and democracy. Now get some rest and feel better
An indictment of the defeated former president would help a lot : Article in the Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2022/10/merrick-garland-donald-trump-investigation-indictment/671683/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=atlantic-daily-newsletter&utm_content=20221011&utm_term=The%20Atlantic%20Daily
What a sad catalogue. What happened to Republicans? Have they all lost their connection to reality. Perhaps. Although my personal favorite is “ On October 6, New Hampshire Senate nominee Don Bolduc defended the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent loss of recognition of the constitutional right to abortion. The issue of abortion “belongs to the state,” he said. “It belongs to these gentlemen right here, who are state legislators representing you. That is the best way I think, as a man, that women get the best voice.” Republican super PACs are pouring money behind Bolduc.” Women’s reproductive rights - or lack of same - belongs to gentlemen. Seriously??
I was floored when Trump made that statement about nuclear information. Of course he kept info on how to build a nuclear weapon “cheaply.” I hope he is put away for good.
“But there is an interesting dynamic afoot. In some cases, Republican lawmakers, especially Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Liz Cheney (R-WY), have urged voters to back Democrats rather than election-denying extremist Republicans. And, as historical essayist Sarah Vowell noted on October 6, in deep red states like Montana and Utah where voters will not consider voting for a Democrat, Democrats have teamed up with never-Trump Republicans to back Independents who are now running strong against the radical extremists.”
I’m counting on these movements.
“Democrats have teamed up with never-Trump Republicans to back Independents who are now running strong against the radical extremists.” This is keeping hope alive as we get closer to Nov 8! Thank you.
What a scary and well documented warning you’ve written tonight, Professor. I won’t copy the repub and trumpian insanity you describe except this: “Scholars who study how to defeat rising authoritarianism agree that such cross-party cooperation is vital. And we have an illustration of just how that has worked here before.” I live in a rural Northern California county that is now split Blue and Red. And we already have our ballots. Plus daily texts asking if we’ve received it and who to contact with problems. Now is the time to seriously encourage every voter to Vote and inform people they have choices to cross-party vote. I mailed 200 postcards today that will go to Arizona registered Dem voters, same as many all over the country. DEMS must get in high gear now. We’ve all donated and it’s time to see that money supporting high risk or vulnerable candidates and stop the real Red Scare.
I hope Merrick Garland reads your newsletter Heather !!
I think GenX, GenZ, and GenA will kick butt at the poles by both influencing their families and by voting blue.
This is a brilliant piece of writing that ties seemingly disparate news into a cohesive — and frightening — whole. And then adds a kicker ending of historical context that hints at hope for our terribly troubled times. (Raise your hand if you knew that Lincoln represented the National Union Party when first elected and not the Republican Party?)
Are Republicans now overtly brandishing their racism and other immoral attributes because they think that's the only way to win in November? True, but there's more to it. They also likely feel no need to hide their shameful but true selves.
This is all pretty horrifying except that last part about a cross-party coalition. I mean, how do you write these letters? They are lights in the darkness for many of us but for you, sifting through the news I can't imagine it is easy. It's very hard to understand why so many people have gone off the deep end over someone like Trump. But power corrupts, and that may explain Elon and Kanye- and the loud elephant in the room. They are all loud elephants. It's really encouraging to think of building coalitions with those who do not find inspiration in what is going on in the party. The problem is building in the Democratic party which is fractured into so many factions. Bernie Sander's piece in the Guardian was right on.
Humans are incapable of comprehending randomness. That is a foundation of Behavioral Economics. But Heather tonight shocked me about the chance re-election of Lincoln and made me think 'what if Atlanta had fallen after the election'? A divided continent with 2 countries, Lincoln is a one term failed President, no 13th Amendment and slavery suffers on for who knows how long in the South? What if SCOTUS had given the election to Gore? No invasion in Iraq, maybe no Afghanistan, climate change would not be a current disaster, if only some clown had used a better ballot in Palm Beach. Unnerving.
Got any suggestions for what I might take for anxiety? Holy cow, the news is making me more and more nervous. ;)
Right now, thanks to the US Supreme Court I clearly live in a theocracy. I have been studying the map of where women can get abortion in the USA this evening. That is by state law.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/24/abortion-state-laws-criminalization-roe/
However, the fact that the Catholic Church is taking over more and more hospitals in the USA, in essence it does not matter whether you live in a state that has strong abortion protection laws or not if you have to get your health care at a Catholic run hospital because they will not cover abortion or birth control no matter the reason.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/10/10/abortion-catholic-hospitals-birth-control/
So instead of living in the United States of America, thanks to some evil, vicious men, and one evil woman, I live in the THEOCRATIC STATES OF AMERICA! This is not the country I am supposed to be a citizen of and I did not get asked or even vote for an amendment to it. Currently I belong to a medical hospital group that is not run by the Catholic hospital system, in a state that protects abortion rights, but at this point my daughter's friends do not know where to go to college. It is quite a debilitating choice. They can choose an elite school like Barnard in New York which is cost and entrance prohibitive for many and be assured of access to abortion care and birth control.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/health/abortion-pills-barnard.html Her friends might be able to afford this, or rather their parents, though not all, many girls in this country will not know to go to colleges that will provide for birth control or abortions.--- I too read the article analyzing what a renewal of Trump's term in the White House would be like after I read an article about how he gave access to a Chinese Con Man who might have been part of their intelligence agency.
https://www.propublica.org/article/liu-tao-trump-meeting-china-investigation
So, there is national security, of which we will have none, and neither will anyone else if Trump gets it into his head to be a menace. As far as I am concerned, if Trump or a Trump-like person wins we can kiss the planet good bye much, much sooner than if we have Biden. MAGAs do not believe in Climate change, nor do they care. The faster it heats up the more likely we are to have global wars over resources and space. We are also talking about a climate that humans can tolerate in terms of temperature as well as access to drinking water.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2022/extreme-heat-risk-map-us/
That is the world the MAGA Republicans have in store for us along with poor health care, underfunded education, underfunded social security, crumbling infrastructure, lack of oversight and consumer protections, lack of job protections, and civil war according to Professor Barbara F. Walter.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2022/03/08/they-are-preparing-war-an-expert-civil-wars-discusses-where-political-extremists-are-taking-this-country/
Putin has upset people so much on energy and inflation they are less excited about his nuclear threats. We know that he is part of the reason why people are scrambling to pay exorbitant costs for energy. Even more Ukrainians are going to probably have to crowd into other European countries as they face Putin bombing their electric infrastructure just as he is trying along with his OPEC buddies to raise fossil fuel prices on everyone. However, he is making most of Europe want to get off of Fossil fuel energy, each time that he does these things, and that is making less of a market in the long run. People are going to suffer a big hurt this winter but with that memory will not want to be dependent on that dirty energy. Everyone needs to forge ahead to renewables.
https://whyy.org/articles/un-ipcc-climate-change-report-uninhabitable-planet-code-red/
Republicans oppose innovation when it comes to replacing oil and gas, but they’re all in favor of it if it’ll produce new drugs. But then again they oppose easier access to older proven drugs through negotiation over pricing. And they oppose funding for the national science foundation or other public funding for addressing the most common diseases.
Try as one might, it’s impossible to find any any other rationale for these positions than money. Is legislating to override citizens union viewed as even more of a fool‘s errand than gun regulation?
I just want to stuff Elon Muck into one of his tinny cars and stick it in one of his rockets and fire it into the sun. You know, Make the Universe Great Again. The scumbag's an embarrassment to Aspergians everywhere.
As far as the Republicans are concerned, they have become the epitome of what President Truman was talking about 74 years ago when he said "The only 'good Republicans' are pushing up daisies."
As Rachel is demonstrating in her new podcast, Ultra, they've been traitors before, back when they played footsie with Hitler to oppose Roosevelt and the New Deal.