Jeffries' speech was riveting and inspiring. I didn't mean to watch the whole thing but I couldn't look away. Ending with calling out election denialism was brilliant and crucial, considering what came next. Johnson's speech started out reasonable and humble and then turned into a soft-spoken nightmare of religious fanaticism. He quoted the Declaration of Independence as a dog whistle to the Christofascists that God was the basis of the US. He used that phrase "called by God to the role" as those fanatics always say about tffg to justify their support of a criminal sociopath. At one point he actually said, "My wife has been on her knees for the last two weeks." He quickly added, "In prayer" - but "on their knees" is exactly where these zealots want women.
I hope he tanks quickly, because he scares the **** out of me.
I think it's vital to watch the two speeches because they're about as indicative as you can get of the parties right now.
And maybe the most surreal aspect of all the dangerous and frightening things. I don't know how a major political leader is still allowed to stand up in the House and use "Scripture" as a basis for government.
"I don't know how a major political leader is still allowed to stand up in the House and use "Scripture" as a basis for government."
As a freshman in College, for a couple of weeks, I became a member of the Baptist Student Union at my University. I had joined to attempt to defeat a sense of being totally alone but surrounded by thousands of people.
However, in that group, I met the leader, a guy named "Ron". Ron frequently used language that indicated his "extra close relationship with God".
Now, here is the important part: Because of his representing himself as having a closer relationship to God than others, others BELIEVED he had a closer relationship with God.
When Ron walked into a room, people acted as if God had walked in the room and wanted to touch him and follow him.
To say this made me feel creepy and freaked out would be an understatement. I stopped going to meetings and just got used to being alone but surrounded by thousands of strangers. A month or so.
However, I learned something important. IF you claim you are God's chosen, then, a significant fraction of humanity will BELIEVE you simply because you have proclaimed that mantle.
Johnson completely understands this dynamic having emanated from the deep south. His behavior is completely in line with a normal Baptist Preacher who ALSO claims an extra close "relationship with God".
So, I would say, look out. Maybe Johnson knows what he is saying is BS but he is smart enough to understand the power of the words.
Or, worse, maybe he actually believes he is one of God's chosen.
Either way, he is dangerous.
But, I hypothesize that the above dynamic is the "how" you are asking about.
That was a very interesting personal experience you had to share. By your age I'd shifted from my Baptist upbringing to pro-science generally. He is probably a True Believer, self-appointed, that's how God's Chosen feel about themselves. Gonna be interesting how the next several weeks are going to be. I can't condone Hamas' suicidal war effort, Palestinians are dying now by the multi-thousands (7k as of yesterday), and GOP leadership is merciless about them as a whole: where does this leave Ukraine? and government funding???
In fact, the dynamic I observed was my last contact with the Baptist Church. After that I attended the Methodist Church and in that Church felt a sense of normalcy. The preacher was a guy named Bob Waters who, every Sunday, gave short sermon related to the folks life there (students) and how to navigate college without flunking out.
Truly useful stuff from that guy. Not once did Waters ever self proclaim a "special" relationship with God. In fact, he seemed to be part of the struggle of life, not above that struggle.
Like the Dobbs decision, the elevation of this fanatic to Speaker will strongly motivate our side to vote in the next election. In politics, as in physics, every action causes an equal and opposite reaction, although with less precision than in physics.
My Boyte family heritage in Mississippi is Southern Baptist. My grandmother was Methodist, but the Union Baptist church cemetery is full of my past Boyte generations of the 19th Century.
One of my uncles was a Deacon of his Southern Baptist church and was also in the Ku Klux Klan. I think it is a requirement in the KKK to be Protestant "Christian," preferably Southern Baptist.
Mike, thanks for that story. I believe you're absolutely right about that dynamic. I suspect Johnson is one of those who understands how to manipulate it. And I'm so glad that your own obviously strong connection to your center and what people call "spirit" or soul guided you away from that group and that pretender. But I don't have to tell you how many millions of sheep are out there.
Good call out. Mike. This type of behavior is very real and very dangerous. College life can be challenging and I hope you find your tribe. Know this, if you are feeling alone chances are there is someone else on campus feeling the same. Like I told my kids when they went off to college, it just takes one connection but to get there you have to be uncomfortable and start the conversation. It doesn't have to be something big or bold, it can be something like if you see the same person sitting in the open space (the University I worked at we called it the Quad) make a comment. University food is usually a safe bet. Good luck.
It isn't just that he's from the Deep South, or that he's a Baptist. It's that he's an extreme extremist who was lead counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom and founder of "Freedom Guard," a legal "ministry" that represents Christian clients in lawsuits. He's truly a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Every religion has been started by a person claiming extra closeness to God.
Whether it is the Hindu scriptures written by men who claimed they were relaying the word of God, or to similar claims about the Talmud, the Bible, the Gospels, the Qu'ran, the Guru Granth Sahib, the Book of Mormon, etc. there is no exception.
The greater mystery is why the average person BELIEVES such people.
It will be interesting how that fractured Republic party will work with Johnson. From the way they yell, тАЬLIAR!тАЭ and тАЬSHUT UP!тАЭ they donтАЩt sound too тАЬGod fearingтАЭ.
Bad as that is, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole idea of 'electing' people to office who admit they don't believe in a democratic government! Someone said, "That's like hiring an arsonist to provide you with homeowners' insurance".
Absolutely true. Or even believe that government has a role in the betterment of life for its citizens. All we can hope and strive for is to defeat them in 2024 and take back the reins of good governance. Jeffries will serve us well.
The separation of church and state does not even pretend to exist! Our congress opens every session with a prayer offering, which I think is totally inappropriate and then we have the pledge тАЬunder god.тАЭ How is this separation of church and state???
Christine, I couldn't agree more. And we don't have a separation of church and state when every presidential candidate has to affirm a belief in god to have a chance in hell of getting elected.
I have wondered why the traditional prayers, etc. in the тАЬPeopleтАЩs HouseтАЭ have not been replaced with perhaps a collective moment of silence, which would respect any and all theories of our existence. I do believe, however, that some sort of inspirational support is both useful and necessary when making decisions about so many lives. A variety of contributors could be called upon, with the understanding that no particular religious belief is expected from any American.
Third in line, but frightening all the same. Such ignorance boggles the mind, particularly in a country that claims to be тАЬexceptional.тАЭ Maybe itтАЩs time to recognize that the principles of democracy underlie the claim and we are rapidly leaving them for authoritarianism.
On the Line of Succession, an accessible reference to many is Wikipedia: "The Order of succession goes to VP ..." then to speaker of the House of Representatives then to the President protem of the Senate.
Like Paxlovid for Covid, the therapeutic dose (voting against Republicans) is associated with relapses and doesn't protect us from new strains bent on our destruction.
David, it IS frightening, because these hypocritical "Christians" want to make everyone live by what THEY see is the right way to live. If they have their way, no longer can we think for ourselves, live peacefully in a lifestyle that suits us, worship as we choose, attend schools who challenge us instead of telling teachers how and what to teach, have access to literature because they deem it unfit, or question those in power.
It IS dangerous because one dangerous, unhinged man seems to be able to frighten and intimidate Republicans into doing his bidding.
What has happened to rational, sane, honest, intelligent men and women in Congress who used to fight for the rights of their constituents? Now, all their doing is fighting for the right of Donald Trump to lie and cheat his way into the presidency, where he can intimidate and control anyone who dares question his maniacal words and actions.
The House Republicans are after only one thing. That is to appease Donald Trump so that they can keep their jobs.
Pam - House Republicans are not only hoping to keep their JOBS by appeasing TFG, they are worried for their safety and that of their family if they cross the mob boss. Mitt Romney has admitted to hiring 'protection' for himself and his family since he has stood against Trump. Many other lesser figures don't have the money to do so and thus stay quiet, but safe.
Julia, that's true! How sad that our representatives are afraid for themselves and their families!! How unbelievable that they have to cave in to the threats of Trump's thugs, who are being encouraged to intimidate by a presidential candidate. A presidential candidate!! When did we start allowing tyrants to get away with everything without consequences??
I'll go to my grave not understanding how anyone with morals could support a criminal like Donald Trump.
Going forward, I'm going to use the term CINO (Christians in Name Only) pronounced sin-o, to describe the MAGAts in the House and the Senate and the rest of the Fascist MAGAts running around out there.
I hope the House CINOs didn't change the rule that ONE of them can call for a vote to oust MJ the lesser.
Gary, I get what you're trying to do here, but I believe they're best described as Christofascists, or Chrifas, as that appellation more completely describes their goals. I'm even having a hard time calling them Magas as Making America Great Again is not where they're headed. (Maybe MAGARCs? Making America Great Again for Racist Christians?)
My big issue with them is them totally discounting every single lesson Jesus taught in the New Testament. I totally agree they are Fascists as well as xenophobes, misogynists, anti-LGBTQers and whatever else HCR mentions in today's post. MAGAts is my usual term of endearment for them but I cannot call them Christians when they are so filled with hate, anger and fear. I am an non-theist, but I try to live by the Christian principles in the New Testament. Just not Paul's as he was a misogynist.
MAGAs, particularly the evangelicals, prefer the Old Testament, because it has a lot more "smiting" of enemies & people they just don't like. They love the "smiting" part. The New Testament, particularly Jesus's Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, has way too much love & forgiveness for them.
Excellent idea because they are CINOs....Jesus would have thrown them out of the Temple and proclaimed that they were hypocrites who were loudly praying in the Temple. I love Jeffries' speech which speaks so clearly to adversity and our ideals in the country. I am trying to be hopeful, but I confess this new Speaker makes me want to vomit. I am now wondering if he will ever go to meet with Biden, Schumer, and Mitch about issues. I think the Rs want to shut the government down, but I don't think that will help them. And he speaks like he is a chosen one who has a close relationship with God....pffft....he has a close relationship with hatred, prejudice, intolerance, and hubris. He represents all that I despise about fundamentalists of every stripe.
At least Johnson admitted that the religiousification began in ernest in the 1950s, and was not a tenet of our founding fathers. Alas, that wonтАЩt stop the so-called тАЬoriginalistsтАЭ from embracing religious zealotry.
Imagine that the Republicans refuse to vote funds to keep the government going. What then? They simply cut off the life support. The government falls without a single shot being fired. I think that we are now in dire crisis mode.
I have to stop reading these comments, as my level of dismay is leading to despair. But it's like trying to avert your eyes from a highway accident scene.
Doug, I get it and understand. I'll relate to you what my mom wrote to me when I was serving with the U.S. Army on Okinawa in 1963: "Richard," she wrote, "just remember that Faint Heart never won Lady Fair." She was right, there are times when we need to tough it out. Take a deep breath and rejoin the fray, with vigor. Everything is at stake.
They used violence and failed. Throughout history, those that use political violence do not stop using it, either in the name of patriotism (ultra nationalism), or in the name of a god, in the name of the law, it was, it is still a crime.
They will not stop until they are either in prison or dead. They will not stop inciting political violence. We hear their speeches, soundbites, and in open conversations.
We know because they are telling us. The results are more Americans buying more and more guns. We see a rising amount of violence perpetrated by the most vulnerable in society, the mentally challenged with known anti social disorders. The opposition is well armed, and makes it easy for any man of any mental condition to buy military arms and use indiscriminately.
Collectivity, Democracy Defenders, itтАЩs time to dig in. Speak out. Vote. Educate and inspire others to do the same. Organize, organize, organize. тАЬI can no longer stand asideтАЭ.
Well said, Ted. We've got a problem. Here in Lakeland, Florida, tonight we're having a get-together for Democrats who live in a townhouse development. One of the primary purposes is to let them know who the other Democrats are. This will improve their quality and enjoyment of life. And, we hope that some will become more active politically. We're doing this in as many neighborhoods as possible. We get the info from the Supervisor of Elections. We know who the Democrats are. All of the Democratic clubs and caucuses could and should be doing this everywhere.
Could martial law be invoked , especially if this new speaker goes down? IтАЩm watching the Virginia vote, hoping for further Democratic successes , indicative every time WE THE BLUE TEAM is making the dent SO NEEDED!!!!
Alexandra, a Barry Goldwater quote comes to mind: "Mark my word, if and when 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."
Fact checked the quote and saw that Wikipedia accredited the quote to Barry Goldwater. I'm not sure these days what's true, so like to confirm facts, particularly if I'm sending it to others.
Mary, I have a slightly different interpretation of what motivates the MAGA Republicans to follow Trump instead of Jesus: Trump preaches hate, Jesus preached love. These MAGA Republicans are racist to the core and are, in my opinion, the 21st century version of the KKK. These "Christians" want to have their cake and eat it, too" so to speak. That want eternal life, but they don't want to do the heavy lifting. They're racists.
тАЬDuring a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Mike Johnson attacks Roe v. Wade, insisting that if only women were compelled to bring more "able-bodied workers" into the world, Republicans wouldnтАЩt need to slash Social Security and Medicare.тАЭ
Kathy, this is a point that should be pushed in the 2024 election. There are opinions all over the place in terms of abortion (total ban, weeks of gestation, rape or incest exclusions) but I'm betting most of the people nowadays use birth control.
And get that statement about SS and Medicare front and center!!
If we need more workers, why not allow in more immigrants? I mean, it takes about 20 years to bring a fetus to worker status , wouldn't this be quicker? (oh, wait! The GOP wants to change the child labor laws! OK, let's say 15 years)
Back to the birth control: I will never forget about 40 years ago, a coworker told me that she was one of 8 kids. She said that after the 8th, her mother went to her doctor and said "I can't handle another child. I CANNOT". So, the doctor scheduled and performed a hysterectomy. Good grief!!
To which this should have been the reply: If only Republicans were compelled to raise the the cap on incomes subject to payroll taxes (which includes payments to SS and Medicare) then NO ONE would need to slash Social Security and Medicare.
This is BS...a lousy excuse to control women's bodies. There are other paths available to add to the Social Security Trust Fund without requiring women to be baby-producing- machines. That is Johnson's evangelical/dominionist crapola coming out.
JohnsonтАЩs election to position of Speaker is extremely worrisome. The fact that every single Republican voted for him was, in large part, due to the deep desire to put the embarrassment of the past three weeks behind him. It goes without saying that he does not have the actual heartfelt support of all those who voted yes, perhaps even dozens of them. However he has miles of runway and is free to indulge in whatever fever dreams he wishes. The GOP is not going back to that well again. It is dispiritingly clear how shackled Republicans in office are to Trump.
Somehow the radicals, those who are in government only to smash the crockery, have emerged with a victory that even they could not have dreamed of. The next year will be one of utter chaos and May cast far reaching shadows.
There is only one bright spot - it is one more year of rampaging only if the Americans get their act together and deliver a crushing blow at the polls to this slimy cult whose members hide with equal nimbleness behind God and Trump.
This fever will not abate until Democrats win an unambiguous victory at all levels in 2024. The scoundrels must be routed.
He will be easily out maneuvered by much smarter people than he is.
McCarthy sort of knew how things worked, but this idiot weak minded jackass from Loosiana will fail. McCarthy couldnтАЩt get crap done without Democrats.
Nancy Pelosi got stuff done with a majority smaller than this fool.
Thank goodness they only control (barely) the House, for now. Let's make it a sweep for democracy in 2024, with a greater Senate majority, winning the House, and reelect Joe Biden.
I left my rep Ken Buck another message last night, thanking him for once again showing me who he really is.
I suspect he like most was just sick of the charade, but his тАЬprincipledтАЭ stand against election deniers pissed of the rabid mob, who will primary him. And betrayal of that тАЬprincipleтАЭpissed off any moderates who might have supported him.
IтАЩm hoping the successful primary candidate will be soundly defeated next year. Not optimistic as last years Democratic challenger told me heтАЩs dropping out til 2028. Anyone who reads my posts knows IтАЩm temperamentally unsuited to run, or IтАЩd go kick Bucks ass myself.
Hey, we could use a "Give 'em Hell, Harry (or Harriet) style of old-fashioned impassioned Dem! How could you possibly be any less suited to be a Rep than some of the yahoos who have already gotten elected from the far far right fringe??? You read Lucian, so already you are far smarter and better informed than two of the female Repubbie Reps I could name.
I am mistaken. This PoS was the primary strategist for the lawsuit that targeted Roe in the retrograde 5th circuit.
He might want to consider attending to the needs of the people of his district rather than attacking womenтАЩs rights. Which doesnтАЩt benefit the people of his district.
Thank you, Alexandra, for the link to Jeffries' speech. It was wonderfully worded and said what needed to be said! May I be so bold as to say only that it might be more effectively delivered if Jeffries were coached in its delivery? Pausing (a bit more) to let the applause sink in would lend more power to the beautifully flowing words IMHO.
To тАЬuseтАЭ God merely shows his ignorance of the God of the Enlightenment. He obviously knows nothing of the writers behind the concept of Democracy that the Founding Fathers espoused. He comes from Louisiana. What and where his schooling? Time to hear from James Carville. What we have as speaker may be worse than Tea Party and as ignorant as Donald Trump. How to teach these ignoramuses that they are out to destroy the country? They may know it and not care, authoritarians that they are.
"Instead, Aguilar said, тАЬthis has been about one thingтАжwho can appease Donald Trump. House Republicans have put their names behind someone who has been called the most important architect of the [2020] electoral college objections.тАЭ A Republican yelled back: 'Damn right!'"
" . . . there can be no appeasement with ruthlessness." (FDR). The "majority party" is a party of lemmings racing over the Far Right Cliff.
Read The Book of Job... and compare: Hakeem JeffriesтАЩs remarks to those of Speaker Johnson... itтАЩs all there... in The Book of Job and in our politics...
I am a Christian and I for most of the last 30 years, I have taught adults in Sunday school. But I must confess that JohnsonтАЩs facile assumption that his ascension to the speakership is the will of God scares the ****.out of me.
For some reason it brings to mind Jacob BronowskiтАЩs quoting Oliver Cromwell, in a PBS series filmed years ago on the grounds of Auschwitz, where many members of BronowskiтАЩs family died.
Cromwell, addressing the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said, тАЬIs it therefore infallibility agreeable to the Word of God all that you say? I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistakenтАЭ
Certainly there is no comparison between the two Reprentatives or their speeches but your fear has moved me to watch the speeches again because I may have missed a thing or two.
I will listen for his quote about The Declaration of Independence. I have no idea how it could be used as a dog whistle for anything. There must be some kind of misunderstanding here.
Perhaps a discussion about The First Amendment and the life and letters of Thomas Jefferson would be appropriate here, as well as the influence of the Enlightenment at that time period.
Hakeem Jeffries received the most votes from the beginning but the Republicans were determined to elect a Republican for Speaker so they held our country hostage for 3 weeks.
But by electing Johnson our country will continue to be held hostage possibly forever as it is the SpeakerтАЩs responsibility to certify the election; something Johnson fought when President Biden won. Johnson believes Trump is the President. Johnson is a very dangerous man for our country, our constitution and our Democracy.
Then we double down on that fact of his r├йsum├й. Every time he is spoken of, it is mentioned that he worked to disenfranchise a million US CitizenтАЩs votes in the Electoral College. He backed proven false and corrupt theories of voter fraud. Be relentless.
Presently, a court in CO is hearing a case against Trump being on the ballot as he participated in an insurrection. And yet this Speaker of the House was the ARCHITECT of trying to overturn the Presidential election. IsnтАЩt that unconstitutional and isnтАЩt that being culpable in an insurrection? Should he even BE in office?
There is not one Republican. They have become RepbuliQans, and therefore subject to the whims of the culture warriors. That party has sold its soul to the devil, and that price is going to come due. Sadly, it is the rest of us who will suffer in the payment.
I hope they all get voted out. ThatтАЩs the only way this will end and that is by the Dems taking back the house. Newly elected are the ones that certified the election of the president.
Really hard to vote them out when Big Oil et al have bought their seats. In Michigan's 1st Congressional District (of "Line 5" fame - Enbridge's dangerous crude oil pipeline at the bottom of where Lake Michigan's and Lake Huron's tumultous waters meet) we have 2 excellent Democratic candidates. Contributions to either or both gratefully accepted:
As Robert Hubbell has stated, it is unlikely that Johnson will be the Speaker after January 3, 2025, when a new Congress convenes. We hope the Democrats will regain control of the House, but if not, Johnson is the least likely Republican to have contributed to a possible rebirth of the Republican Party.
If only the "doj" would of acted earlier after Jan 6th and got all those insurrectionists out of office like they should of been, we would be in a truly better position. Repugs always take control by corruption of their words and actions. But dems allow it.????
I completely agree with you, Ted. Jeffries has been a pillar of integrity and clear thinking for several years and we are so fortunate to have him at the forefront of the House Democrats. I would like to see him elevated to an even more impactful position in Congress.
By selecting Mike Johnson as the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, the Republican Party has put on irrefutable display what it offers the American people. This is nothing less than a combination of dystopian dysfunction and feckless cowardice.
The GOP House caucus might just as well have selected Jim Jordan. The only difference between the two is a suit jacket. Good luck keeping the government operating in a time of multiple crises just a few short weeks hence.
I like reading what Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said and how he says it. The man is a leader.
Jeffries' speech was riveting and inspiring. I didn't mean to watch the whole thing but I couldn't look away. Ending with calling out election denialism was brilliant and crucial, considering what came next. Johnson's speech started out reasonable and humble and then turned into a soft-spoken nightmare of religious fanaticism. He quoted the Declaration of Independence as a dog whistle to the Christofascists that God was the basis of the US. He used that phrase "called by God to the role" as those fanatics always say about tffg to justify their support of a criminal sociopath. At one point he actually said, "My wife has been on her knees for the last two weeks." He quickly added, "In prayer" - but "on their knees" is exactly where these zealots want women.
I hope he tanks quickly, because he scares the **** out of me.
I think it's vital to watch the two speeches because they're about as indicative as you can get of the parties right now.
The evangelical religiousification of our government is dangerous and frightening.
And maybe the most surreal aspect of all the dangerous and frightening things. I don't know how a major political leader is still allowed to stand up in the House and use "Scripture" as a basis for government.
Alexandra,
"I don't know how a major political leader is still allowed to stand up in the House and use "Scripture" as a basis for government."
As a freshman in College, for a couple of weeks, I became a member of the Baptist Student Union at my University. I had joined to attempt to defeat a sense of being totally alone but surrounded by thousands of people.
However, in that group, I met the leader, a guy named "Ron". Ron frequently used language that indicated his "extra close relationship with God".
Now, here is the important part: Because of his representing himself as having a closer relationship to God than others, others BELIEVED he had a closer relationship with God.
When Ron walked into a room, people acted as if God had walked in the room and wanted to touch him and follow him.
To say this made me feel creepy and freaked out would be an understatement. I stopped going to meetings and just got used to being alone but surrounded by thousands of strangers. A month or so.
However, I learned something important. IF you claim you are God's chosen, then, a significant fraction of humanity will BELIEVE you simply because you have proclaimed that mantle.
Johnson completely understands this dynamic having emanated from the deep south. His behavior is completely in line with a normal Baptist Preacher who ALSO claims an extra close "relationship with God".
So, I would say, look out. Maybe Johnson knows what he is saying is BS but he is smart enough to understand the power of the words.
Or, worse, maybe he actually believes he is one of God's chosen.
Either way, he is dangerous.
But, I hypothesize that the above dynamic is the "how" you are asking about.
That was a very interesting personal experience you had to share. By your age I'd shifted from my Baptist upbringing to pro-science generally. He is probably a True Believer, self-appointed, that's how God's Chosen feel about themselves. Gonna be interesting how the next several weeks are going to be. I can't condone Hamas' suicidal war effort, Palestinians are dying now by the multi-thousands (7k as of yesterday), and GOP leadership is merciless about them as a whole: where does this leave Ukraine? and government funding???
Frank,
In fact, the dynamic I observed was my last contact with the Baptist Church. After that I attended the Methodist Church and in that Church felt a sense of normalcy. The preacher was a guy named Bob Waters who, every Sunday, gave short sermon related to the folks life there (students) and how to navigate college without flunking out.
Truly useful stuff from that guy. Not once did Waters ever self proclaim a "special" relationship with God. In fact, he seemed to be part of the struggle of life, not above that struggle.
Like the Dobbs decision, the elevation of this fanatic to Speaker will strongly motivate our side to vote in the next election. In politics, as in physics, every action causes an equal and opposite reaction, although with less precision than in physics.
Agree 1,000%.
My Boyte family heritage in Mississippi is Southern Baptist. My grandmother was Methodist, but the Union Baptist church cemetery is full of my past Boyte generations of the 19th Century.
One of my uncles was a Deacon of his Southern Baptist church and was also in the Ku Klux Klan. I think it is a requirement in the KKK to be Protestant "Christian," preferably Southern Baptist.
How can they not see the HYPOCRISY?
Mike Johnson is my worst nightmare!
he thinks he is so cute. I hope Nancy Pelosi gets a chance to chew him up.
Mine also
Mike, thanks for that story. I believe you're absolutely right about that dynamic. I suspect Johnson is one of those who understands how to manipulate it. And I'm so glad that your own obviously strong connection to your center and what people call "spirit" or soul guided you away from that group and that pretender. But I don't have to tell you how many millions of sheep are out there.
Many people leverage the perception of God to ease the pains that come in life.
But. Many people also seek a leader who can make them feel as if they are close to God since God herself talks to nobody.
Those folks who understand how to use the power of a тАЬclose relationship to GodтАЭ with others are always dangerous.
There is a saying " if you meet Buddha on the road, kill him".
ЁЯШм
Good call out. Mike. This type of behavior is very real and very dangerous. College life can be challenging and I hope you find your tribe. Know this, if you are feeling alone chances are there is someone else on campus feeling the same. Like I told my kids when they went off to college, it just takes one connection but to get there you have to be uncomfortable and start the conversation. It doesn't have to be something big or bold, it can be something like if you see the same person sitting in the open space (the University I worked at we called it the Quad) make a comment. University food is usually a safe bet. Good luck.
Maureen. I graduated long ago but appreciate your note.
It isn't just that he's from the Deep South, or that he's a Baptist. It's that he's an extreme extremist who was lead counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom and founder of "Freedom Guard," a legal "ministry" that represents Christian clients in lawsuits. He's truly a wolf in sheep's clothing.
who is "God" anyway? and what about the separation of church and state....I am confused!
Especially as we have come to learn about God through the Mega group
Mike
Every religion has been started by a person claiming extra closeness to God.
Whether it is the Hindu scriptures written by men who claimed they were relaying the word of God, or to similar claims about the Talmud, the Bible, the Gospels, the Qu'ran, the Guru Granth Sahib, the Book of Mormon, etc. there is no exception.
The greater mystery is why the average person BELIEVES such people.
They're stupid.
Which "Gawd"?
Sounds just like the one down below. The "Adversary".
It will be interesting how that fractured Republic party will work with Johnson. From the way they yell, тАЬLIAR!тАЭ and тАЬSHUT UP!тАЭ they donтАЩt sound too тАЬGod fearingтАЭ.
тАЬ... he is dangerous.тАЭ As dangerous as a rattlesnake.
If I use the word theorem, however, it sounds more like something that is true than "hypothesis", which, is open to debate and may not be true.
Many, many, many Americans feel alone. Trump has managed to touch these Americans with his own words of superiority "I am the one", "Only I", etc.
That talk really works with those on the losing side of America and feeling alone.
Bad as that is, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole idea of 'electing' people to office who admit they don't believe in a democratic government! Someone said, "That's like hiring an arsonist to provide you with homeowners' insurance".
Absolutely true. Or even believe that government has a role in the betterment of life for its citizens. All we can hope and strive for is to defeat them in 2024 and take back the reins of good governance. Jeffries will serve us well.
Seriously, I feel this every day.
The separation of church and state does not even pretend to exist! Our congress opens every session with a prayer offering, which I think is totally inappropriate and then we have the pledge тАЬunder god.тАЭ How is this separation of church and state???
Christine, I couldn't agree more. And we don't have a separation of church and state when every presidential candidate has to affirm a belief in god to have a chance in hell of getting elected.
On my USD, it still says: IN GOD WE TRUST......... Is "God" in charge of the US Treasury?
I fear for our country. When I saw the House asking for Trump's approval I saw a very poor future.
That is the dream of Dominionists, and democracyтАЩs nightmare.
I have wondered why the traditional prayers, etc. in the тАЬPeopleтАЩs HouseтАЭ have not been replaced with perhaps a collective moment of silence, which would respect any and all theories of our existence. I do believe, however, that some sort of inspirational support is both useful and necessary when making decisions about so many lives. A variety of contributors could be called upon, with the understanding that no particular religious belief is expected from any American.
Exactly
A 5th string MAGAt subvariant was "designated" & Apex Predator approved in LESS than 24 hours to be 2nd in line to the Presidency What could go wrong?
What a description of the new speaker. Excellent rhetorical question, the answer to which is far, far too much.
Third in line, but frightening all the same. Such ignorance boggles the mind, particularly in a country that claims to be тАЬexceptional.тАЭ Maybe itтАЩs time to recognize that the principles of democracy underlie the claim and we are rapidly leaving them for authoritarianism.
On the Line of Succession, an accessible reference to many is Wikipedia: "The Order of succession goes to VP ..." then to speaker of the House of Representatives then to the President protem of the Senate.
Right you are, but as long as we have a president..
Like Paxlovid for Covid, the therapeutic dose (voting against Republicans) is associated with relapses and doesn't protect us from new strains bent on our destruction.
And so, we need to keep voting. Pass the word.
That is the real nightmare. This nitwit is 2nd in line for the Presidency.
David, it IS frightening, because these hypocritical "Christians" want to make everyone live by what THEY see is the right way to live. If they have their way, no longer can we think for ourselves, live peacefully in a lifestyle that suits us, worship as we choose, attend schools who challenge us instead of telling teachers how and what to teach, have access to literature because they deem it unfit, or question those in power.
It IS dangerous because one dangerous, unhinged man seems to be able to frighten and intimidate Republicans into doing his bidding.
What has happened to rational, sane, honest, intelligent men and women in Congress who used to fight for the rights of their constituents? Now, all their doing is fighting for the right of Donald Trump to lie and cheat his way into the presidency, where he can intimidate and control anyone who dares question his maniacal words and actions.
The House Republicans are after only one thing. That is to appease Donald Trump so that they can keep their jobs.
Indeed, it is dangerous and frightening.
Their view will become predominant if voters don't elect Dems across the board in 2024. Our future is literally hanging on a thread.
Doug , a very thin, tattered thread.
It puts T in charge of the House. So if they cant overturn the election , they can put him in charge of the House
Carole, what a mess we're in!!
And give tRump a get-out-of-jail-free card.
Pam - House Republicans are not only hoping to keep their JOBS by appeasing TFG, they are worried for their safety and that of their family if they cross the mob boss. Mitt Romney has admitted to hiring 'protection' for himself and his family since he has stood against Trump. Many other lesser figures don't have the money to do so and thus stay quiet, but safe.
Julia, that's true! How sad that our representatives are afraid for themselves and their families!! How unbelievable that they have to cave in to the threats of Trump's thugs, who are being encouraged to intimidate by a presidential candidate. A presidential candidate!! When did we start allowing tyrants to get away with everything without consequences??
I'll go to my grave not understanding how anyone with morals could support a criminal like Donald Trump.
Going forward, I'm going to use the term CINO (Christians in Name Only) pronounced sin-o, to describe the MAGAts in the House and the Senate and the rest of the Fascist MAGAts running around out there.
I hope the House CINOs didn't change the rule that ONE of them can call for a vote to oust MJ the lesser.
Gary, I get what you're trying to do here, but I believe they're best described as Christofascists, or Chrifas, as that appellation more completely describes their goals. I'm even having a hard time calling them Magas as Making America Great Again is not where they're headed. (Maybe MAGARCs? Making America Great Again for Racist Christians?)
My big issue with them is them totally discounting every single lesson Jesus taught in the New Testament. I totally agree they are Fascists as well as xenophobes, misogynists, anti-LGBTQers and whatever else HCR mentions in today's post. MAGAts is my usual term of endearment for them but I cannot call them Christians when they are so filled with hate, anger and fear. I am an non-theist, but I try to live by the Christian principles in the New Testament. Just not Paul's as he was a misogynist.
MAGAs, particularly the evangelicals, prefer the Old Testament, because it has a lot more "smiting" of enemies & people they just don't like. They love the "smiting" part. The New Testament, particularly Jesus's Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, has way too much love & forgiveness for them.
Gary, I take your point, and completely agree that these folks are Un-Christian. So, maybe UnChristofascists? Too long. CINOfas, perhaps? I give up.
I like MAGARCs because this sounds like some evil monsters spreading utter destruction across the land.
Excellent idea because they are CINOs....Jesus would have thrown them out of the Temple and proclaimed that they were hypocrites who were loudly praying in the Temple. I love Jeffries' speech which speaks so clearly to adversity and our ideals in the country. I am trying to be hopeful, but I confess this new Speaker makes me want to vomit. I am now wondering if he will ever go to meet with Biden, Schumer, and Mitch about issues. I think the Rs want to shut the government down, but I don't think that will help them. And he speaks like he is a chosen one who has a close relationship with God....pffft....he has a close relationship with hatred, prejudice, intolerance, and hubris. He represents all that I despise about fundamentalists of every stripe.
...and of course that will be appreciated by the Christofascist members of SCOTUS, who are working in sync with them...
At least Johnson admitted that the religiousification began in ernest in the 1950s, and was not a tenet of our founding fathers. Alas, that wonтАЩt stop the so-called тАЬoriginalistsтАЭ from embracing religious zealotry.
Paul, I wouldn't say he was admitting it, exactly. At any rate that would've gone straight over his intended audience's heads.
True on both counts.
From Jeffries' speech: And, he concluded, тАЬ[e]very time we faced adversity, the good news here in America is that we always overcomeтАж.тАЭ
That is true, but it is no guarantee that the Fascist forces will not prevail this time. We've got to get the votes out. If not, we could lose it all.
Absolutely
Imagine that the Republicans refuse to vote funds to keep the government going. What then? They simply cut off the life support. The government falls without a single shot being fired. I think that we are now in dire crisis mode.
I have to stop reading these comments, as my level of dismay is leading to despair. But it's like trying to avert your eyes from a highway accident scene.
Doug, I get it and understand. I'll relate to you what my mom wrote to me when I was serving with the U.S. Army on Okinawa in 1963: "Richard," she wrote, "just remember that Faint Heart never won Lady Fair." She was right, there are times when we need to tough it out. Take a deep breath and rejoin the fray, with vigor. Everything is at stake.
They used violence and failed. Throughout history, those that use political violence do not stop using it, either in the name of patriotism (ultra nationalism), or in the name of a god, in the name of the law, it was, it is still a crime.
They will not stop until they are either in prison or dead. They will not stop inciting political violence. We hear their speeches, soundbites, and in open conversations.
We know because they are telling us. The results are more Americans buying more and more guns. We see a rising amount of violence perpetrated by the most vulnerable in society, the mentally challenged with known anti social disorders. The opposition is well armed, and makes it easy for any man of any mental condition to buy military arms and use indiscriminately.
Collectivity, Democracy Defenders, itтАЩs time to dig in. Speak out. Vote. Educate and inspire others to do the same. Organize, organize, organize. тАЬI can no longer stand asideтАЭ.
Well said, Ted. We've got a problem. Here in Lakeland, Florida, tonight we're having a get-together for Democrats who live in a townhouse development. One of the primary purposes is to let them know who the other Democrats are. This will improve their quality and enjoyment of life. And, we hope that some will become more active politically. We're doing this in as many neighborhoods as possible. We get the info from the Supervisor of Elections. We know who the Democrats are. All of the Democratic clubs and caucuses could and should be doing this everywhere.
Could martial law be invoked , especially if this new speaker goes down? IтАЩm watching the Virginia vote, hoping for further Democratic successes , indicative every time WE THE BLUE TEAM is making the dent SO NEEDED!!!!
OMG!! What makes you even think that? There's something going on of which I have no awareness. Martial Law?
I hope Rep. Jeffries is right, that we shall overcome.
Alexandra, a Barry Goldwater quote comes to mind: "Mark my word, if and when 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."
That Goldwater quote is one if my favorites.
Wowza. What a prescient quote.
I just sent that quote to Don Bacon. Many thanks Mary.
If you have a few minutes please send your elected officials this quote or call them.
Just did. Thanks so much for this powerful quote.
Fact checked the quote and saw that Wikipedia accredited the quote to Barry Goldwater. I'm not sure these days what's true, so like to confirm facts, particularly if I'm sending it to others.
Sandra, thanks for backing up my attribution to Marry Goldwater.
Mary, I have a slightly different interpretation of what motivates the MAGA Republicans to follow Trump instead of Jesus: Trump preaches hate, Jesus preached love. These MAGA Republicans are racist to the core and are, in my opinion, the 21st century version of the KKK. These "Christians" want to have their cake and eat it, too" so to speak. That want eternal life, but they don't want to do the heavy lifting. They're racists.
Sounds like the Middle East in some ways.
Scary! So scary!
Mary - yes - and coming from a conservative like that it has all the more resonance.
Share:тмЗя╕П
тАЬDuring a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Mike Johnson attacks Roe v. Wade, insisting that if only women were compelled to bring more "able-bodied workers" into the world, Republicans wouldnтАЩt need to slash Social Security and Medicare.тАЭ
https://twitter.com/HouseJudiciary/status/1717183190463336780
Kathy, this is a point that should be pushed in the 2024 election. There are opinions all over the place in terms of abortion (total ban, weeks of gestation, rape or incest exclusions) but I'm betting most of the people nowadays use birth control.
And get that statement about SS and Medicare front and center!!
If we need more workers, why not allow in more immigrants? I mean, it takes about 20 years to bring a fetus to worker status , wouldn't this be quicker? (oh, wait! The GOP wants to change the child labor laws! OK, let's say 15 years)
Back to the birth control: I will never forget about 40 years ago, a coworker told me that she was one of 8 kids. She said that after the 8th, her mother went to her doctor and said "I can't handle another child. I CANNOT". So, the doctor scheduled and performed a hysterectomy. Good grief!!
To which this should have been the reply: If only Republicans were compelled to raise the the cap on incomes subject to payroll taxes (which includes payments to SS and Medicare) then NO ONE would need to slash Social Security and Medicare.
ЁЯШк
Good grief!
This is BS...a lousy excuse to control women's bodies. There are other paths available to add to the Social Security Trust Fund without requiring women to be baby-producing- machines. That is Johnson's evangelical/dominionist crapola coming out.
ThatтАЩs the dumbest comment I ever heard. Dumb + Speaker = SCAREY!
JohnsonтАЩs election to position of Speaker is extremely worrisome. The fact that every single Republican voted for him was, in large part, due to the deep desire to put the embarrassment of the past three weeks behind him. It goes without saying that he does not have the actual heartfelt support of all those who voted yes, perhaps even dozens of them. However he has miles of runway and is free to indulge in whatever fever dreams he wishes. The GOP is not going back to that well again. It is dispiritingly clear how shackled Republicans in office are to Trump.
Somehow the radicals, those who are in government only to smash the crockery, have emerged with a victory that even they could not have dreamed of. The next year will be one of utter chaos and May cast far reaching shadows.
There is only one bright spot - it is one more year of rampaging only if the Americans get their act together and deliver a crushing blow at the polls to this slimy cult whose members hide with equal nimbleness behind God and Trump.
This fever will not abate until Democrats win an unambiguous victory at all levels in 2024. The scoundrels must be routed.
Total agreement: Trump must be handed a defeat so total and complete that it cannot be overturned, questioned or handed to the Stench Court.
Called by God my aтАФ.
He will be easily out maneuvered by much smarter people than he is.
McCarthy sort of knew how things worked, but this idiot weak minded jackass from Loosiana will fail. McCarthy couldnтАЩt get crap done without Democrats.
Nancy Pelosi got stuff done with a majority smaller than this fool.
He canтАЩt begin to compare, and will fail.
And weтАЩll get rid of these thugs.
Thank goodness they only control (barely) the House, for now. Let's make it a sweep for democracy in 2024, with a greater Senate majority, winning the House, and reelect Joe Biden.
They control nothing, certainly not themselves.
I left my rep Ken Buck another message last night, thanking him for once again showing me who he really is.
I suspect he like most was just sick of the charade, but his тАЬprincipledтАЭ stand against election deniers pissed of the rabid mob, who will primary him. And betrayal of that тАЬprincipleтАЭpissed off any moderates who might have supported him.
IтАЩm hoping the successful primary candidate will be soundly defeated next year. Not optimistic as last years Democratic challenger told me heтАЩs dropping out til 2028. Anyone who reads my posts knows IтАЩm temperamentally unsuited to run, or IтАЩd go kick Bucks ass myself.
Hey, we could use a "Give 'em Hell, Harry (or Harriet) style of old-fashioned impassioned Dem! How could you possibly be any less suited to be a Rep than some of the yahoos who have already gotten elected from the far far right fringe??? You read Lucian, so already you are far smarter and better informed than two of the female Repubbie Reps I could name.
I am mistaken. This PoS was the primary strategist for the lawsuit that targeted Roe in the retrograde 5th circuit.
He might want to consider attending to the needs of the people of his district rather than attacking womenтАЩs rights. Which doesnтАЩt benefit the people of his district.
Yep. He is on the payroll of those who DO know how to play.
Is there a link to watch HakeemтАЩs speech?
Here you go, Marlo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oxWPEc9nLo
Thank you for the link!!!!
Thank you!!
Thank you, Alexandra, for the link to Jeffries' speech. It was wonderfully worded and said what needed to be said! May I be so bold as to say only that it might be more effectively delivered if Jeffries were coached in its delivery? Pausing (a bit more) to let the applause sink in would lend more power to the beautifully flowing words IMHO.
To тАЬuseтАЭ God merely shows his ignorance of the God of the Enlightenment. He obviously knows nothing of the writers behind the concept of Democracy that the Founding Fathers espoused. He comes from Louisiana. What and where his schooling? Time to hear from James Carville. What we have as speaker may be worse than Tea Party and as ignorant as Donald Trump. How to teach these ignoramuses that they are out to destroy the country? They may know it and not care, authoritarians that they are.
"Instead, Aguilar said, тАЬthis has been about one thingтАжwho can appease Donald Trump. House Republicans have put their names behind someone who has been called the most important architect of the [2020] electoral college objections.тАЭ A Republican yelled back: 'Damn right!'"
" . . . there can be no appeasement with ruthlessness." (FDR). The "majority party" is a party of lemmings racing over the Far Right Cliff.
Well said.
Fascism with a friendly face. I nod to Bertram Gross who warned us in the 1970s.
I know you're being serious, and I know he has an awful agenda, but I can't look at him and not see Stephen Colbert. I just want to laugh.
Read The Book of Job... and compare: Hakeem JeffriesтАЩs remarks to those of Speaker Johnson... itтАЩs all there... in The Book of Job and in our politics...
Why us, Lord?
I am a Christian and I for most of the last 30 years, I have taught adults in Sunday school. But I must confess that JohnsonтАЩs facile assumption that his ascension to the speakership is the will of God scares the ****.out of me.
For some reason it brings to mind Jacob BronowskiтАЩs quoting Oliver Cromwell, in a PBS series filmed years ago on the grounds of Auschwitz, where many members of BronowskiтАЩs family died.
Cromwell, addressing the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said, тАЬIs it therefore infallibility agreeable to the Word of God all that you say? I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistakenтАЭ
Alexandra,
Certainly there is no comparison between the two Reprentatives or their speeches but your fear has moved me to watch the speeches again because I may have missed a thing or two.
I will listen for his quote about The Declaration of Independence. I have no idea how it could be used as a dog whistle for anything. There must be some kind of misunderstanding here.
Perhaps a discussion about The First Amendment and the life and letters of Thomas Jefferson would be appropriate here, as well as the influence of the Enlightenment at that time period.
It was one dog whistle after another.
Hakeem Jeffries received the most votes from the beginning but the Republicans were determined to elect a Republican for Speaker so they held our country hostage for 3 weeks.
But by electing Johnson our country will continue to be held hostage possibly forever as it is the SpeakerтАЩs responsibility to certify the election; something Johnson fought when President Biden won. Johnson believes Trump is the President. Johnson is a very dangerous man for our country, our constitution and our Democracy.
Then we double down on that fact of his r├йsum├й. Every time he is spoken of, it is mentioned that he worked to disenfranchise a million US CitizenтАЩs votes in the Electoral College. He backed proven false and corrupt theories of voter fraud. Be relentless.
Presently, a court in CO is hearing a case against Trump being on the ballot as he participated in an insurrection. And yet this Speaker of the House was the ARCHITECT of trying to overturn the Presidential election. IsnтАЩt that unconstitutional and isnтАЩt that being culpable in an insurrection? Should he even BE in office?
https://apnews.com/article/congress-house-speaker-2024-election-certification-8cd7c5a9e6ae69635bbb4624cc78e5c5
From your lips to godтАЩs ears
Is there not ONE Republican out there who isnтАЩt a culture warrior and evangelical fanatical?
Ummmm?
Answer: No
What? No prison guard? No probation officer? They'll be tfgs friends soon.
There is not one Republican. They have become RepbuliQans, and therefore subject to the whims of the culture warriors. That party has sold its soul to the devil, and that price is going to come due. Sadly, it is the rest of us who will suffer in the payment.
Unfortunately Kinzinger & Cheney were outed. Apparently the Republican Party doesnтАЩt have a backbone to stand up to the minority.
Romney
Romney will be leaving office. He is retiring.
Here's hopeful wishing that at least 5 of them in strong blue districts see the light between now and next Nov. and switch parties.
I hope they all get voted out. ThatтАЩs the only way this will end and that is by the Dems taking back the house. Newly elected are the ones that certified the election of the president.
Really hard to vote them out when Big Oil et al have bought their seats. In Michigan's 1st Congressional District (of "Line 5" fame - Enbridge's dangerous crude oil pipeline at the bottom of where Lake Michigan's and Lake Huron's tumultous waters meet) we have 2 excellent Democratic candidates. Contributions to either or both gratefully accepted:
Dr. Bob Loriner
Atty Callie Barr
Rhetorical question MLMnET?
Yes
As Robert Hubbell has stated, it is unlikely that Johnson will be the Speaker after January 3, 2025, when a new Congress convenes. We hope the Democrats will regain control of the House, but if not, Johnson is the least likely Republican to have contributed to a possible rebirth of the Republican Party.
A party that is RINO.
If only the "doj" would of acted earlier after Jan 6th and got all those insurrectionists out of office like they should of been, we would be in a truly better position. Repugs always take control by corruption of their words and actions. But dems allow it.????
Agree. But perhaps he was trying to set an example by going after the masses first so others wouldnтАЩt dare to repeat.
I completely agree with you, Ted. Jeffries has been a pillar of integrity and clear thinking for several years and we are so fortunate to have him at the forefront of the House Democrats. I would like to see him elevated to an even more impactful position in Congress.
And that man can PREACH, I tell you.
Thank you! I look forward to watching this speech later today.
Have admired him since I heard him interviewed on NPR several years ago.
he talks with his hands.......reminds me of someone.
Laurie, he will be. :)
Great words.
I believe he will be our future President.
In time, I may agree with you Ted. I'm watching him.
American Voters at the Crossroads
Independent Voters ? Constitution or MAGA?
Democrat Voters? Democracy
Republican Voters? Dictatorship as witnessed by the selection of TrumpтАЩs Puppet as House Speaker
Read todayтАЩs LFAA. It spells out what Democrats support in favor of our citizens, a clear divide from MAGA Extremism
Its gonna be a rough 13 months, buckle up
Yes. I wish this was repeated in the news. People need to hear his speech.
By selecting Mike Johnson as the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, the Republican Party has put on irrefutable display what it offers the American people. This is nothing less than a combination of dystopian dysfunction and feckless cowardice.
The GOP House caucus might just as well have selected Jim Jordan. The only difference between the two is a suit jacket. Good luck keeping the government operating in a time of multiple crises just a few short weeks hence.
Agree 100%.
You should call and tell him. (202) 225-5936. I think he would love to hear it. I will too.
Promise of Presidential qualityЁЯШЙ
Why donтАЩt you call and tell him. I think he would welcome your compliment. (202) 225-5936
clear and down to the point no BS