Anti-abortion Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker did not, in fact, sue the Daily Beast over the story he paid for an ex-girlfriend’s abortion. Instead, his son Christian Walker took to social media to call his father out for lying, abuse, and abandonment and to call out MAGA Republicans for continuing to support his father while claiming to believe in “family values.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a senator or House member were killed.” That was the chilling comment from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) about escalating threats of violence and other intimidating acts against members of Congress. We would like to think the senator was being hyperbolic, but it’s hard to look at the surge in violent threats and confrontations and not fear the worst.’
‘Political violence has occurred throughout U.S. history, but what is new in modern times — and alarming — is its journey from the fringes to center stage, thanks largely to the dangerous rhetoric of former president Donald Trump. According to the Times, in the five years after Mr. Trump was elected in 2016, following a campaign marked by his virulent discourse, the number of threats recorded by the Capitol Police against members of Congress increased more than tenfold, to 9,625 in 2021; the first quarter of 2022 saw 1,820 cases opened.’
‘Members of Congress from both parties have been targeted, but the Times’s review showed that more than a third of the threats were made by Republican or pro-Trump individuals against Democrats or Republicans seen as disloyal to Mr. Trump. Nearly a quarter were made by Democrats targeting Republicans, while party affiliations could not be determined in the other cases. Particularly vulnerable are lawmakers of color.’
The preceding was and an excerpt from today’s Washington Post OPINION, By the Editorial Board
I am amazed at the ability of the republicans to lie and cheat so easily and blame the democrats and the non-republicans of lying. What happened to ethics, decency and standing up for the truth?
There are days when the news is so damned frustrating, as the country keeps banging its head against the walls. Today is one of those.
I came to the realization this year that having a history in America that goes back to 100 years before America was America can be a useful defense when I consider that my Quaker ancestors spent 175 years advocating for Abolition before Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
As much as we all keep looking for simple solutions and quick fixes, there are none available and never have been. It's 243 years we've had the Constitution and we're still trying to get it right.
There is no "The End" fade to black and walk out of the theater with a sense of fulfillment.
Thank you Professor for highlighting today’s History in the Making. A new voice in The Supreme Court:
“Jackson then turned on its head the so-called “originalism” that has taken over the court. “I understood that we looked at the history and traditions of the Constitution and what the framers and founders thought about,” she said, “and when I drilled down to that level of analysis, it became clear to me that the framers themselves adopted the equal protection clause, the 14th Amendment, the 15th Amendment in a race-conscious way.”
This excellent lecture on Zelenskyi and Havel, and "essence precedes existence" is explaining how Russia and the US are going astray for the same reason. It is not a coincidence that Putin and Trump are best friends. Also clear that support for Ukraine is support for the healthy parts of the US, Europe, and Russia. We don't want to be in the boots and uniforms of Ukraine, but we sure want to be with their hearts.
The letter tonight with the supporting notes is a powerful read. I especially appreciated Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's comments regarding Merrill v. Milligan. She, much like yourself, is a much needed breath of thoughtful and learned fresh air!
11th Cir reversed Trump's newly appointed (November after losing election) clowns on Dis. Ct. Aileen 'Loose' Cannon that protected him from DOJ reviewing seized CLASSIFIED documents. Trump has appealed 11th Cir. to S.Ct.. GUESS who gets the case at S.Ct. Case goes to the 'Circuit Justice for the 11th Cir., Clarence Thomas'.
Congressman Scott DesJarlais, R-TN, a doctor, paid for an abortion for a former patient years ago. He got re-elected. Repubs don’t actually care about abortion when someone has an R after their name. Like everything else, it’s performative.
“Dana Loesch….made the position of party leaders clear: ‘I don’t care if Herschel Walker paid to abort endangered baby eagles,’ she said. “‘I want control of the Senate.’”
Saying out loud what the GOP’s actions have indicated over the last four decades; political power is everything, culminating in the nomination, election, and continuing support for a moral/ethical cretin for President. Family values, personal responsibility, the moral high ground, (hah!) school prayer, etc. were talking points; election-time smoke and mirrors.
Kentanji Brown Jackson hit the ground running today and what she said was perfect. Alabama and Mississippi are the two most fascist states yet their black population is large. They are continuing to try and throw blacks under the bus by challenging Section 2 of I believe, the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. It reads in part:
“Section 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the executive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such state.”
This unfortunately, has gone to SCOTUS where we have a majority conservative (and obnoxious) court. Wake me up when we expand this court!
Thank you Heather for today's newsletter. Hurrah for Kentanji Brown Jackson. She is a voice of reason among the troglodyte majority in the Supreme Court. As for Hershel Walker, by any honest accounting he should be toast. Dana Loesch pretty much stated the entire republican party's goal: It doesn't matter how we get there, but the Senate rule must be returned to the Republicans. I take this as a warning to expect more dirty tricks from their side.
How wise is it to have a US Senate candidate that has been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, a history of domestic violence, multiple personalities, and voices in his head? Herschel wrote a book ( with help) about his personal struggle with mental health. Academically he never graduated from college, because he never truly graduated from high school.As a young man he was exploited for his athleticism and as an old man for his celebrity and identity, not for any communications skill. He lacks knowledge of important issues and policy understanding. What stressors of the job are ahead for Herschel should he win? What will be the consequences to himself or constituents should he forget to take his meds?
Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorderhttps://a.co/d/1mDYWBn
I am so impressed with Ketanji Brown Jackson. Her integrity, intelligence and Grace put the five dark money federalists on the court to shame.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a senator or House member were killed.” That was the chilling comment from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) about escalating threats of violence and other intimidating acts against members of Congress. We would like to think the senator was being hyperbolic, but it’s hard to look at the surge in violent threats and confrontations and not fear the worst.’
‘Political violence has occurred throughout U.S. history, but what is new in modern times — and alarming — is its journey from the fringes to center stage, thanks largely to the dangerous rhetoric of former president Donald Trump. According to the Times, in the five years after Mr. Trump was elected in 2016, following a campaign marked by his virulent discourse, the number of threats recorded by the Capitol Police against members of Congress increased more than tenfold, to 9,625 in 2021; the first quarter of 2022 saw 1,820 cases opened.’
‘Members of Congress from both parties have been targeted, but the Times’s review showed that more than a third of the threats were made by Republican or pro-Trump individuals against Democrats or Republicans seen as disloyal to Mr. Trump. Nearly a quarter were made by Democrats targeting Republicans, while party affiliations could not be determined in the other cases. Particularly vulnerable are lawmakers of color.’
The preceding was and an excerpt from today’s Washington Post OPINION, By the Editorial Board
I am amazed at the ability of the republicans to lie and cheat so easily and blame the democrats and the non-republicans of lying. What happened to ethics, decency and standing up for the truth?
There are days when the news is so damned frustrating, as the country keeps banging its head against the walls. Today is one of those.
I came to the realization this year that having a history in America that goes back to 100 years before America was America can be a useful defense when I consider that my Quaker ancestors spent 175 years advocating for Abolition before Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
As much as we all keep looking for simple solutions and quick fixes, there are none available and never have been. It's 243 years we've had the Constitution and we're still trying to get it right.
There is no "The End" fade to black and walk out of the theater with a sense of fulfillment.
Thank you Professor for highlighting today’s History in the Making. A new voice in The Supreme Court:
“Jackson then turned on its head the so-called “originalism” that has taken over the court. “I understood that we looked at the history and traditions of the Constitution and what the framers and founders thought about,” she said, “and when I drilled down to that level of analysis, it became clear to me that the framers themselves adopted the equal protection clause, the 14th Amendment, the 15th Amendment in a race-conscious way.”
Listen to her voice:
https://youtu.be/PMgkI2yiw2U
If democracy holds, a Third Founding must follow.
This excellent lecture on Zelenskyi and Havel, and "essence precedes existence" is explaining how Russia and the US are going astray for the same reason. It is not a coincidence that Putin and Trump are best friends. Also clear that support for Ukraine is support for the healthy parts of the US, Europe, and Russia. We don't want to be in the boots and uniforms of Ukraine, but we sure want to be with their hearts.
https://snyder.substack.com/p/thinking-truth-and-freedom-with-zelenskyi#details
The letter tonight with the supporting notes is a powerful read. I especially appreciated Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's comments regarding Merrill v. Milligan. She, much like yourself, is a much needed breath of thoughtful and learned fresh air!
11th Cir reversed Trump's newly appointed (November after losing election) clowns on Dis. Ct. Aileen 'Loose' Cannon that protected him from DOJ reviewing seized CLASSIFIED documents. Trump has appealed 11th Cir. to S.Ct.. GUESS who gets the case at S.Ct. Case goes to the 'Circuit Justice for the 11th Cir., Clarence Thomas'.
Congressman Scott DesJarlais, R-TN, a doctor, paid for an abortion for a former patient years ago. He got re-elected. Repubs don’t actually care about abortion when someone has an R after their name. Like everything else, it’s performative.
“Dana Loesch….made the position of party leaders clear: ‘I don’t care if Herschel Walker paid to abort endangered baby eagles,’ she said. “‘I want control of the Senate.’”
Saying out loud what the GOP’s actions have indicated over the last four decades; political power is everything, culminating in the nomination, election, and continuing support for a moral/ethical cretin for President. Family values, personal responsibility, the moral high ground, (hah!) school prayer, etc. were talking points; election-time smoke and mirrors.
But we knew that, didn’t we.
Kentanji Brown Jackson hit the ground running today and what she said was perfect. Alabama and Mississippi are the two most fascist states yet their black population is large. They are continuing to try and throw blacks under the bus by challenging Section 2 of I believe, the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. It reads in part:
“Section 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the executive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such state.”
This unfortunately, has gone to SCOTUS where we have a majority conservative (and obnoxious) court. Wake me up when we expand this court!
Thank you Heather for today's newsletter. Hurrah for Kentanji Brown Jackson. She is a voice of reason among the troglodyte majority in the Supreme Court. As for Hershel Walker, by any honest accounting he should be toast. Dana Loesch pretty much stated the entire republican party's goal: It doesn't matter how we get there, but the Senate rule must be returned to the Republicans. I take this as a warning to expect more dirty tricks from their side.
The news that Associate Justice Jackson came to the “party” and “danced” has just made me “giddy”. Judge Breyer must be proud.
Thank you, Professor. Thank you. 💙
How wise is it to have a US Senate candidate that has been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, a history of domestic violence, multiple personalities, and voices in his head? Herschel wrote a book ( with help) about his personal struggle with mental health. Academically he never graduated from college, because he never truly graduated from high school.As a young man he was exploited for his athleticism and as an old man for his celebrity and identity, not for any communications skill. He lacks knowledge of important issues and policy understanding. What stressors of the job are ahead for Herschel should he win? What will be the consequences to himself or constituents should he forget to take his meds?
Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorderhttps://a.co/d/1mDYWBn