Today, at the initiative of the George W. Bush Institute, U.S. presidential foundations and centers for thirteen presidents since Herbert Hoover released a statement expressing concern about the health of American democracy. The statement notes that while the diverse population of the United States means we have a range of backgrounds and beliefs, “democracy holds us together. We are a country rooted in the rule of law, where the protection of the rights of all people is paramount.”
It is good that the presidential foundations and centers warned of the present dangers to democracy. It is too bad that did not have the courage to clearly stat that the MAGA wing of the Republican party including Trump and his acolytes and imitators are the present threat to democracy in America.
Trump would have immediately sued them all for defamation and raised millions from it.
We cannot be apathetic and the former Presidents and their representatives weren't. We need more of this to combat the MSM's BS about Biden's age.
Trump is almost as aged as Biden and worked about 25-30 hours a week. Every decision of import ran through him and he surrounded himself with rich white MAGA sycophantic elitists. Fail the loyalty test or upstate TFFG and you were history. If you have two X chromosomes you were ineligible to do anything but get him coffee and be office candy.
Biden has the most diverse and competent staff and cabinet of any President ever. Biden has delegated decisions to his cabinet, whereas Trump never did. Biden works 7 days a week at least twice as long as Trump ever did. But if he became demented like Reagan did his last 4 years in office, I for one have confidence his cabinet, VP and advisors could run the government just fine.
Thank you. It seems that every time I turn on MSNBC or CNN they feel compelled to talk about Biden's age. WAPO and NYT -- same thing.
Thank goodness Jennifer Rubin and HCR and many other columnists write about the positive things the Biden WH has done.
Who isn't impressed with the work Secretaries Deb Harland, Janet Reno, Anthony Bilnken and many others? Biden's economic advisors have done a fantastic job of digging us out from the mess TFFG left us.
Agreed.....a lot of it comes from these "polls". In my opinion, the people they find to do the polls and participate are not an accurate representation. The whole age thing is total BS. There's a reason we elect both a president and a vice president. If he, God forbid, doesn't finish his term, his administration goes on.
The polls are like a$$holes in that every body's got one of their own. Using a composite model, we all cobble together our personal vision of how things are from day to day. Putin has masterfully boxed us in as we swirl in a massive vortex of stupid talk, and crazy talk. (Neil Postman). With our big kaleidoscope of social distractions which keeps our monkey minds unable to self-correct. WE're either evolving, or we are devolving. Impermanence in all things in this life is a permanent state of being.
Nicely put Jim. I pay no attention to polls. When we had the Maddow blog, one of the posters, the lovely Carolina Lady With Fan, had worked for years in polling and she let us know how they worked which should cause everyone to ignore them. And social media provides people with lots of misinformation which can become dangerous if wing nuts decide to act. We have a poster down the street, who twice has dangerously stirred the pot on Nextdoor about her neighbor across the street. We have always taken a screenshot of the thread for him and his wife just in case someone shows up to do damage and/or violence. And people don't need social media. I was once waiting at the dentist's office for them to open and a dip also waiting went into a climate denial rant. Since I was there for teeth, I decided to remain silent.
I hope the polls are the problem. The obvious alternative is that USians are "too stupid for democracy" (as Eileen McGann sang, before concluding that "all of the alternatives are worse"). However, watching the way voters have come through in places like Kansas, Kentucky, and Montana to oppose restrictions on reproductive choice -- that gives me hope.
I do not accept or believe in the results of any polls. Many have them have been bought up by the right. But it's all in the questions they ask and they way they ask them. Also, if the pollsters make comments beforehand, for example, "Given the extreme gas prices, which candidate would get your vote?" this will skew the answers.
You are absolutely right. Polls 14 months before the elections are especially meaningless, but even a week before, they're crap. And journalists who use them to write pieces about the elections are lazy bastards.
+ Younger people tend to use cell phones, & it's technically illegal to call a cell for any sort of solicitation. Not that the scammers care, but the legit pollsters probably do.
Agreed! There is the question of who Trump will chose as his running mate. Has he been asked? Do his fans even care, or do they see him as immortal? The Kamala Harris haters are ready with their talking points in service of electing Trump. I wonder what R-leaning independents would think of Marjorie Taylor Greene or Kari Lake or even Sarah Palin as vice president.
MTG :( Imagine if she became president in light of trump's age. At least we know she will attend every train derailment and shoot own every Chinese "weather" balloon. She would need to get a new boyfriend. Having one who dressed in drag is not a good look on her.
Polls at this point don't really mean this much. They are the same as the results of the election before the votes are all in. Didn't trump get all excited and said he won before the votes were all tallied? Election results will not be a Tues night announcement of a winner which is what the juvenile trump thought would happen. This election the purple states like GA will probably have their votes counted three times ( and republicans STILL won't be happy.
If the media start accurately presenting the achievements of the Biden administration, the failed former president will shortly become a political irrelevancy and cost them both income and the convenience of reporting the same event daily. They'd have to become real journalists, work for their 500 words a day, and possibly make government a little more transparent. Much easier to whine about Biden's age and Harris's lack of positive presence.
More publicity for Biden. People see the price of food and gas go up so they don't believe inflation is down, jobs are up, more manufacturing jobs, etc. It is all Biden' fault.
Yes, if ever thee was a true conspiracy, this is one. These articles suddenly appeared EVERYWHERE - right and left media. Within a matter of weeks, the media has been saturated with them. We expected this sort of thing from the right. All it tells me is who really owns the media and lays bare the "MSM is liberal media" lie.
As of today, Joe Biden is best positioned to beat Trump. He's been an historically stellar president, overcoming many complex challenges. But my admiration for him doesn't blind me to a pragmatic reality: his age is clearly a major liability, and it will be widely exploited as the election draws near. Is it fair considering his performance? Absolutely not. Is it fair considering the undeniable fact that people in their 80s suffer mental and physical decline of varying degrees? Absolutely yes.
I say all this as someone who is approaching age 73, though people often think I'm younger.
If Kamala Harris had wide appeal (she likely never will), Biden would have been smart to pass the torch. Or even have announced to start this year that he would not run again and open the nomination to all entrants (Gretchen Whitmer-Ralphael Warnock would have been a dream team.)
We should also consider what happens if Trump isn't the GOP nominee and someone like Glenn Youngkin emerges. He would be seen as young, dynamic and not — yet — tainted with fascism despite odious policy views. Maybe someone like him would still come up short. But the situation is a legitimate concern.
If the electorate as a whole was far more engaged and informed and motivated — no worries The abortion issue will obviously help a great deal. But leaving anything to chance with democracy at stake should make us alert to the uncomfortable reality of Biden's vulnerabilities.
Give me a break. Nothing I wrote indicated any such thing. Trump is unqualified to be president not just because he is immoral and a grotesque criminal, he's a walking physical disaster who also happens to be poorly educated and lack in IQ. And Biden is three years older on paper but younger than Trump physically and mentally.
I like Whitmer. I like Raskin, too. But we really need him in the House. We can't lose any seats. Hopefully we will pick up some. Boeber might be on the way out.
Also, redistricting battles in Alabama and Florida could well lead to a couple of Democratic pickups. Mark Elias's Democracy Docket has won court fights in both states.
There are quite a few Democrats who like BIden and would support him more vigorously with a different VP behind him. It wouldn't require passing the torch today. But they don't like the potential it gets passed before 2028.
Oops. I meant Yellen of course. How embarrassing. Thanks for pointing that out. And yes, Janet Reno died the day before Trump was elected President in 2016. A day that shall live in infamy. (I mean the Election Day not the day she died.)
Jon Favreau (head of Obama speechwriting team) and Dan Pfeiffer (long-time Obama aide) of Pod Save America had a really good conversation on how to handle the age thing, including how the MSM is keeping it alive by the way they are reporting on it. "MAGA says X; Is it true?" instead of pointing out all the ways Biden is working so well. https://youtu.be/kJdIy4PlJ04?si=qty3ug70lMItLaRg
Until Biden begins to exhibit clear signs that he is becoming non compos mentis or that he has a health issue similar to, perhaps even graver than, Mitch McConnell, the responsibility for all Democrats is clear. Support him for a second term. Do whatever you can to further his re-election. And vote with conviction.
America is at an astonishing and troubling crossroads. It stands in danger of slowly bleeding into an authoritarian state. The election of 2024 thus becomes the most important since the Civil War élections. The same was said, correctly, in 2020. It was not hyperbole then nor is it now to point this out. At that point we knew the general direction of civil society was too frightening to countenance re-election of Trump. Now we know with certainty how deeply the rot has spread and stopping it is the one chance left.
There is a profound difference now however. For years the movement was directed from the top down. Now MAGAism is fully established on its own terms. It will line up behind Trump. Should he be somehow removed from the picture it will be a blessing. However state officials, a Supreme Court of dubious worth, and foreign actors will continue to fight to topple America. Now the script has flipped. The drip-drip of authoritarian “Stop me if you dare” actions has become a steady flow. The movement is now bottom-up and deeply more lethal.
I am uneasy about the *concept* of electing an 82 year old man. My wish would have been for him to have this glorious term and ten ride off into the sunset, giving way generously to a younger candidate. But I would never tell a pollster that. Never.
Democrats need to present a united front from now through November 2024. They must give no hope or solace to this predatory enemy through less than enthusiastic support in the polls. They must exploit the advantage of having an opposition candidate who faces a clearly determined judicial system.
And then the party must ramp up for the probability that the same fierce determination may well be needed in 2028. Time, an implacably severe but fair series of court rulings, and an immovable wall of voters will eventually quash this deep threat.
People who quibble about Biden’s age publicly infect the party with doubt and defeatism. They are a prissy, self-absorbed menace from within, typical of a party with a large tent. In ordinary times Biden’s age could be fodder for a serious internal debate. Not now.
“People who quibble about Biden’s age publicly infect the party with doubt and defeatism. …... In ordinary times Biden’s age could be fodder for a serious internal debate. Not now.” Completely agree, and that is the point of bringing up the BS concerning age. It isn't 'age' per se that matters, of course, but whether an individual of any age is capable of doing a given job. At 85, I can match wits with anyone but not my physical endurance, for sure. Then I look at the senators Chuck Grassley, Diane Feinstein, and Mitch McConnell, and I think “too old”….but it really isn't age here, it’s what is happening to their brains that matters.
Unfortunately, trying to get people to think deeply ..or even clearly…about anything is a Sisyphean effort. How do I know this? I taught for 35 years!
True that dementia is no respecter of age. It is a medical condition that can occur in people much younger than Joe Biden. Feinstein and McConnell both suffered head injuries from which they seem to be suffering serious aftereffects. McConnell's doctor is not being honest about his condition, but medical diagnoses are private and cannot be divulged without the patient's consent. In both their cases, head trauma brought on their symptoms.
Biden has been one of the best presidents we've seen in decades. If he has dementia, there's no sign of it.
It seems to be a trend for doctors to no9t be truthful. I realize about the patients privacy, but don't say he' good when he's almost on a respirator. No comment would be more appropriate. Keep us guessing.
I've noticed in some glimpses I get from right-wing media (however briefly I can stand to endure them) there is clip after clip headlined with "Biden Appears Not Able to Find the Limousine", or "Biden Wanders Off from White House Ceremony Before Final Prayer", etc. etc. ETC. Any and every tiny little thing they can portray as signs of Biden's senility they slather all over their media. (Watching right-wing media is like diving into a whole other universe with regard to what they consider "headlines".) I am fully convinced Russian and Chinese disinformation campaigns are working overtime to -- among other things -- show Biden as a senile old fossil, not capable of being President. They're able to easily take advantage of our open press and social media outlets (thanks to Musk-Rat, made even more open), while it isn't possible in their closed authoritarian societies.
Don’t forget “feeble,” this man who is on call for his job 24/7/365, who travels and hits the ground running, over and over. Feeble is golfing instead of “presidenting” and riding a golf cart when all the other world leaders walked to the ceremony. Lame is complaining that Fox used his particularly orange and jowly photo.
Years ago a co-worker from FL said, " I never trust a man that cheats and golf and lies about fishing."
Turns out he was a Republican. I wonder if he feels differently about Trump being a golf cheat or whether he blindly accepts his cheating now that Trump is the GOP savior.
We don't have to look at China or Russia for disinformation campaigns, although they are certainly involved. The Republican Party is fully engaged in a disinformation and propaganda campaign the likes of which we have never seen before. Sadly, the legitimate press seems too often to be as bamboozled as Joe the Plumber. Noise is deafening and adroitly applied, an effective weapon against reason.
I was more or less echoing what HCR had written about in this letter. We know full well the disinformation coming from the Republican party. What is so insidious is the degree to which foreign intervention (as HCR discusses in paragraphs 14-17) has been ramped up. The fact that all the presidential foundations and centers for 13 Presidents have taken the unprecedented step to unite in their calling of attention to the increasing threats to our democracy attests to the gravity of the situation. I commend especially paragraphs 16 & 17 in today's Letter as being especially concerning. Again, where is the money coming from to fund all these attacks?? I think we know . . . the Kremlin and Bejing are helping stoke the flames.
The picture of trump trailing toilet paper on the way to the airplane would be good. Kicking his golf ball, the world leaders laughing at him (there is a video with sound), walking in front of the Queen, shoving some guy out of the way so trump could be in the front row for a picture, etc.
To me the old is represented by the neoconservative movement that has been in place since 1981. It is on its deathbed and refuses to yield to the changes that Biden has brought.
I guess I don't fit that description. I went to Province Town and "grooved" with the the drag queen performing a song. I campaigned for Pete B. He would be my choice but with the hate going around...... Neo conservative? I don't think so. I even burned a stolen (how appropriate) trump lawn sign and burned it.
"If you have two X chromosomes you were ineligible to do anything but get him coffee and be office candy." Please don't forget Cassidy Hutchinson, who appears to have been doing all the "work" in that administration.
Bear in mind that Biden's age is non-news, crap that the media fixates on so that they don't have to do the job of writing about and analyzing real news.
What they love doing is playing on people's fears and prejudices, and the public follows along. I'm more than ready to stop reading "news."
I've been in the news business 60 years, and I've never seen such poor coverage of politics and government. If some of these so-called news organizations don't wake up and start providing responsible coverage, the next five years will be the worst in American history.
Dan Froomkin just tore WaPo's Dan Balz a new one for a piece Balz has in today's paper. Both sides "journalism" is killing us. That piece is evidence. I'm tired of the media's lazy willingness to cover everything Trump pukes up on his Truth Social, yet they won't report on Biden's successes with the economy. Hunter Biden's laptop is obviously more fun to report about than the looming debt ceiling crisis.
Unfortunately I think trumpers' minds have been in a trump mode for so long, they can't accept any thing else. It would mean that they had to admit that they were wrong. People hate having to do that and lose face. Cult members have an extremely difficult time to break away (Moonies, Waco people, Jim Jones, etc)
How many blacks had positions of importance in the trump regime? One. Republicans (trump) basically wants to make it very easy to fire anyone who does not tow the line, Wants ALL departments to report to him. That might be interesting if Tuberville never allows the armed forces to get their commanders. trump has said he knows more than HIS generals.
Having no accountability for elected officials and the billionaire who are funding these people for decades give rise to more corruption. Trump proved that are system is broken.
Many of these politicians on both sides have been around for these 4/5 decades that allowed the take over by the these same millionaires who grew into billionaires.
How I wish former African presidents can emulate their American counterparts who have come forward to defend the democracy of America and legal institutions that form the basis of civilization. But unfortunately we don't have former presidents. They have been swallowed by junta and others followed wealth that they had hid overseas.
Nonetheless, the decision by American presidents to take a bold stance on democracy came at a time when the US needed a United voice more than ever as you approach towards 2024 elections. Politics is currently polarising and politicians are adopting radical opinions and making them as absolute truths.
There has been complete disregard for the constitution with politicians adopting extreme stance on various issues affecting the country. Democracy is a work in progress and it must be continually build and strengthened to ward off autocratic tendencies. Political parties, entrusted with building democracy and inclusivity, are nowadays a threat to the same ideals.
Extremist and unconstitutionalism have become so pervasive in the country and if other civil rights groups, citizens, former politicians, and churches do not raise their voices on time, the country will submerge into an irreversible oblivion.
Again, the biggest threat again to democracy is misinformation from Russia, China, and even politicians themselves. Misinformation is a form of social radicalism that penetrates into core, civil values of the society and replace them with extremism that threatens the whole of humanity. Meta, Instagram, and Twitter have emerged as mediums for misinformation because they can reach large audience.
Misinformation is Africa is as well threatening our quest towards civilization. Unverified data and details are pushed forward through algorithms.
Like my work? My underserved community in my newsletter corner will welcome you. It is free to be my subscriber.
Edwin Kiptoo Ngetich, are you always at the beginning of the line because you have a reply you want to make to one of the first three or four to post or because you want to be seen first thing as you are also in the business of selling your newsletter when you come to the forum? Thank you for letting us know that subscribing to it is free. If you posted when you arrived here you would not be second in line or among the first 20 who posted. It feels like an imposition if you jump the line.
Perhaps because of the time difference Edwin just happens to be up and at the start of his day and gets notified when Heather posts. Just like some of Heather's European posters are. Others are "first in line" because they are still up and are just ending their day when Heather posts. And many here have their own substacks that they mention.
A week ago or so, I asked all "users", defined "Authors" & defined "Readers" on LFAA to refrain from commercial advertising , a commercial form of trolling.
Commercial Advertisements are not "Comments" under Substack Inc's Terms of Use (TOU). I realize that HCR's remarkable LFAA Community does attract users, abusers & on specific occasions tortfeasors.
But, the "just don't look" posture fails to understand the gravity of the Professor's Letter this morning. The Ostrich strategy is part of the problem.
One need only look at the sheer volume of commenters on this forum who themselves have pages on Substack and who never once promote their writing to see why Edwin's self-promotion seems a bit out of line. If everybody begins to tout their own Substack writing on here this site will end up one gigantic ad. If one genuinely likes a commenter's writing and opinions on here, and then when one sees that commenter has his or her own "letter", then it is as easy as one click on their page (the link seen just to the right of their name) to go there and sign up for free, or pay for it. THAT should be all the self-advertising necessary on here. It isn't necessary to badger people to sign up for your writing. If they like what you have to say and are genuinely interested to read more of your opinions, they will come to your page under their own volition. You don't have to KEEP reminding them you're out here. We're high-order primates. We know already!
Bryan Sean McKown - "A week ago or so, I asked all "users", defined "Authors" & defined "Readers" on LFAA to refrain from commercial advertising , a commercial form of trolling."
Again, I ask, what is the difference between "Like my work? My underserved community in my newsletter corner will welcome you. It is free to be my subscriber." and "Writes <insert name> Substack"?
I was addressing Edwin as it is appropriate that he speak for himself. In addition, you have no knowledge of my reading practice on the forum, so hardly in a position to 'advise' me in that regard.
Sure Georgia. By the time HCR posts, it is already morning here and I am starting my day and checking my email. So, I normally get HCR post on time. At this time, I am as well active. I mostly find the first 2 or 3 comments with interesting conversations but I normally take time to respond.
Edwin, I see that you haven't answered my question to you about whether you jump the line -- go ahead of others for the purpose of being seen at the front of line. Comments are interesting up and down the line as they are, for the most part. in response to the Letter. Do you not consider responding to what HCR has written and post according to the time you arrive on the forum with your comment or reply?
Sorry for anyone who feels offended by my style of reply., I think I like mostly engaging with other commenters in line with what HCR has posted and I think that's most likely where there is a dispute. Also, due to time differential, I receive HCR post on time (morning) and at a time even when there isn't any comment but I have to reread and take time to write a response. I don't know how Substack rearranges comments or replies, so I only post what I have written as per that time. Thank you for inquiring 🙏
This article doesn't give proper credit to Rebecca Solnit, who mainstreamed the term several years ago when a man began talking at her about a subject she wrote an entire book about.
Marycat2021, the mansplaining was addressed to Georgia Fisanick who spoke for Edwin, to whom my question was addressed, without her knowing his situation. She also advised me as if she knew my reading practice on the forum, which she does not. I thought that 'mansplaining' was a perfect description of Georgia's behavior. I hope she reads that description of her aggressiveness and reflects on it.
Fern, in addition to the time differential, there also seems to be cultural differences in how Edwin expresses himself that seem to be annoying you. I see Edwin working to relate what is happening here in North American politics to what is happening across Africa, (which is a much more complicated situation!) for his readers in Africa. Edwin is willing to engage in discussions around interpretation and priorities. Maybe give him a little credit here?
Notes On Useful Beauty, I suggest that you reread my comment. I made no judgements about Edwin's writing style or the quality of his comments. You are attributing thoughts and a negativity to me that cannot be based on what I have written. Please reflect on why you have made such assumptions. Thank you.
Sorry Fern, I was replying to EKN's comment but I probably appear the same way. I don't have a newsletter, but I will try to do better. Thanks for the reminder. (sad face)
Nail head Anne-Louise ...didn’t see it coming, huh?
Again such inventions appear so wonderful for the good hearted , certainly. But then 🎶along comes Mary🎶....and human nature rides the waves again ( such a great song, thanks🫶) .
We have consistently risen to the cause and prevailed.....
Why are the believers in democracy and fair elections playing victimage rather than playing creative offense? Navarro is a criminal who claims himself a "patriotic victim" of a corrupt justice system. That's offensive.
If you watch any of the “cable” news stations it’s 80% who is ahead for an election that is over a year away. They are all making money on Trump, pro or con. The world is burning, we are being swamped with false information, people are being shot every day, the Supreme Court is corrupt... those things are hardly mentioned.
Since the cell phones replaced land lines the polls have been wildly skewed. It's my belief (without proof) that 18-30 year olds are rarely represented in polls. My daughter is 29 and hangs up on pollsters. I can't believe she's the only one under 30 who refuses to respond to polls, And yet, she votes every time. Same with all of her cousins. I may be wrong about polls, but with 52 million potential voters that have turned 18 since 2016, I want to believe they are under represented in the polls.
Yet we suddenly get treated to endless articles - both right wing propaganda sites and MSM - about Biden's age being SUCH a worry and so scary (with dog whistles that we could end up with a female black person in the White House), while it's crickets on Trump's age (3 years younger) and general unhealthiness. He dementia is obvious but not being called out. Media is putting its thumb on Trump's side of the scale so they can have a better horse race to report. It's all about the money.
Here's an experiment, go to any media site, both MSM and heavily trafficked right wing. Count how many "Biden's age" articles you see on the front pages. Almost ALL of them are going on and on about it.
Interesting who Trump might chose as running mate. I can’t imagine anyone not a scary as himself being his pick. He will draw it out as much as he can.
Actually it’s hard to have a heart when you haven’t much brain. But then what parental beatings do to brains is not something we discuss. Stalin: son of a drunken cobbler who beat him.
And Hitler's stepfather repeatedly beat him bloody, and reports say nearly to death once. Trumps father was known to hit Donald with punches. To make a conservative, you must beat the child, or as the religionists say, "break its spirit." I grew up with them. Everyone I knew in Kansas in the 50's beat their children with belts, paddles and switches.
Kristi Noem, like Mike Pence, has horrible politics but does have a clue what it means to keep a government operational. I work nearly every day to prevent any R from getting more power, but I would sleep better at night with one of them as VP than one of the total crazies.
I get the real info from South Dakota from one of my husband' cousins who loathes the Gnome and her dog and pony show. She want to ride shotgun (literally) for him as she loves guns and all the rest of R nonsense.
Who criminalized women's health care in almost all red states?
Who attacked and wounded 145 Capitol police officers?
Who ruined the USPS just so they could prevent people from voting?
Who on the left ever suggested taking away all of your guns?
Who doesn't mind children being afraid to attend school because of AR47's?
We eat what we want? Please help yourself to all of the banned cancer causing food additives that Republicans are more than happy to poison us with. Just don't expect us to pay your medical bills?
Who is banning books?
Who is preventing our kids from learning our real history by teaching them that slaves should appreciate the skills they learned from their "masters"?
Who told the kids to take off their masks when he visited their schools?
Who fired anyone that wouldn't kiss his shoes?
I can burn any lightbulb I want. But I choose to buy bulbs that use 3-4 watts instead of 60 watts.
I can drive any car I choose to drive. I drove a Pontiac in 1978 that got 8 miles to the gallon. My hybrid gets 70 mpg and I charge the battery with my solar panels.
Etcetera etcetera etcetera.
So go peddle your misinformation elsewhere where people accept your lies as the truth.
2) I'm not defending the people who attacked the capitol. The were wrong deserved to punished fairly. Do defending the BLM rioters who burned and looted American cities?
3) Yes the left wants to take away your guns. You are disputing that?
4) YES the right wants to BAN pornographic books from libraries. You support elementary school children having access to highly sexual literature?
5) YES parents want control over leftist that want to push a false narrative of history as well
It's the GOP that kills children with there tolerance for AR-15s and other guns. No proof of any baby killings that I've ever seen.
Apparently you have something against a woman's right to health care. Why? Do you support rape and incest? Governor Abbott and the GOP in TX does. The TX arrest rate for rape has halved since he took office. They won't even test rape kits. And they aren't the only state.
Give us a break about porn and violence. Open your Bible and read about the violence, abortion, bigamy and misogyny. Is the Bible banned in all of the same schools that are banning books? I doubt it. Also, how many kids have access to porn at home on their own cell phones or their parent's computers? You're telling me the parents of these religious zealots all have parental controls on their kid's phones and the Internet. Dream on.
So you admit that MAGAts want to take away our freedoms by banning books and changing history. And yeah, I proudly admit that I am woke and I expect proof when the GOP lies. Because there is none..
James, cancer patients die every day because people fail to put their health at risk (however small the risk is) to donate bone marrow and organs. Pregnancy and childbirth pose a much higher risk to the health of the woman. I don’t want the government to dictate that people have to donate bone marrow and organs to save lives just as I don’t want the government to dictate that a woman has to remain pregnant to save a life. Just as failing to donate organs does not make you a killer of cancer victims, failing to continue a pregnancy should not make you a killer of babies.
Well, I for one wouldn't trust YOU with a firearm of any kind, since you seem to operate from a position like that of tRump - wilfull blindness. Or near a woman or girl, since you seem to want us all to be subject to invasive, unConstitutional restrictions of our liberty. Your blindness prevents you from understanding that your definition of "pornographic" is not the be-all and end-all of that definition, and if YOU don't want YOUR kids to read some specific print matter then control YOUR kids; you have absolutely no right at all to control any other child, or to substitute your judgment for that of anyone else. And if you think that "leftist" [sic] want to control the teaching of history, you might want to consider how that history has been subject to revision after revision after revision all through, yes, history. It is a form of lying to leave out and to whitewash the ugly parts of our history, and it's wrong to lie to children. Finally, NO ONE defends rioters, whether they try a coup against the US government and end up with deaths of people defending the Capitol, or they infiltrate an otherwise peaceful BLM or other protest and set fire to ANYTHING.
You need to make a serious effort to get out of your information silo and learn what reality actually is. Then you're entitled to share your INFORMED opinion with others and those others will be interested to hear it.
James A Writes James’s Newsletter - "Were you on MARS"
Back here on Earth, many sources point out that while it happened at otherwise peaceful BLM protests, the violence and looting were committed by non-BLM folks.
That there are too many guns on the street, and many (most?) are designed for military use is unquestionable. Getting them out of the hands of "bad" people should be everyone's priority -- right or left. If you are implying that the Democratic Party wants to repeal the 2nd Amendment ... well, I find no evidence that is on anyone's list of priorities.
So we support buybacks. So what? That isn't "taking your guns away from you." Get a clue. I'm a Democrat and a liberal and I have guns and know how to use them. Every Democrat I personally know has guns, but then we live in the west so that's not unusual. Nobody is taking our guns unless we want to give them up. We don't mind background checks, mandatory training and insurance, which is necessary to get a driver's license for pity sake.
I am 70 years old. Since I could remember, Republicans have said, _______ is going to come take your guns. Fill in with whatever Dem is in the White House. Clinton had 8 years. He never came for your guns. In fact, by militarizing the police, he put a lot more heavy artillery on the streets. Obama was the next boogeyman. Did he, in his eight years in office, come for your guns?
The FBI, by its very nature, investigates American citizens. That's its charter - to investigate crimes on US soil. None of the indictments handed down have anything to do with political dissent, but rather with illegal *actions.*
Please tell us of the plans to get control over your bank account. We'd like some data, please.
Who wants to take control of our children's education? Right wing extremists who are threatening teachers and school boards.
Who has told you what bulb you have to use or what sort of car to buy? Nobody. Cheaper, more energy efficient bulbs are more available now, but you can still buy the old ones. As far as I know there are thousands upon thousands of unhealthy fast food restaurants and the grocery stores are stocked with every kind of junk your heart desires. Who told you what you had to eat?
If you want delusion and repression, look in the mirror.
I have a friend in NE who claims he is a libertarian. I truth he is a 2nd amendment guy. He hated Obama because he signed an executive order requiring gun owners that had silencers to put them in a trust or something like that. Anyway, I asked him recently as a libertarian which "socialist programs" he would eliminate. The list included, highways, schools, the police and fire departments, social security, medicare, medicaid and several others. His reply was those should be handled by the states. He wouldn't eliminate a single program including the DOD.
Maybe I don't understand what a libertarian is, but I'm pretty sure that it's not someone that supports the 2nd amendment and wants to keep every other government program in place.
IMO, Libertarian ideology is the lowest depth to which humans can descend. It is regressive, selfish, self-centered, and without a shred of moral thought or intent. Humans' claim to fame and the reason we've spread almost to the earth's breaking point is cooperation. Without cooperation, it's everyone for themselves, and eventually war-lord tribalism. "Me me me me me me me..." We are a country, not a collection of independent countries that are states. And rights should accrue to everyone equally across this nation. Does you friend go on to advocate for nothing to be done at the state level, but at the county or city level? Because that's where this thinking goes. A civilization is to be judged on how it cares for the most vulnerable. Libertarian philosophy basically says, "If someone hasn't made it in life, let's just walk over them as they are dying and then find a way to put their children in the military or jail." Libertarians are empty skins.
I like your overview and I agree with it, but I probably won't share it with my so-called libertarian friend.
My wife read me a story a few years ago about a community in New Hampshire that tried living as Libertarians. They even eliminated their dump and trash pick-up. Anyway, the bears ended up overrunning the community and they abandoned their little experimental community. It's a very amusing story unless you live in their off-the-wall community.
All I have to say is, Jewish Space Lasers, peach tree dishes and Three Toes are representative of all your accusations.
You’re on the wrong site. They moved X three doors down from the Russian propaganda machine.
Keep moving, you’ll see it’s well marked. Stay to the left when you get to fork in the road. The one one the right grifts and steals money for cheap flags, yard signs, hats, and stuffs your sad little brain with bullshit.
Really. While you are entitled to your MAGA talking points and opinions, your bias and inappropriate commentary was obviously sent to the wrong forum. Kindly do your research, educate yourself on our history, and seek legitimate answers to all your own questions. Your ignorance and anger is pathetic and sadly misdirected.
Example of what? You yourself are a fine example of
weak minds that are easily misled by propaganda.
You display anger when confronted with facts that do not fit your narrative. You have no idea what the party of Democracy stands for because you don’t care to know. That’s clear by you what stated to be truth. YOU prefer to remain close minded and ignorant. No one can change your mind because you like hating, accusing and believing someone else is to blame for your own shortcomings.
You can't cite a single example. Its facts don't matter to leftist. You clearly couldn't think your way out of a paperbag.
As for "democracy", its most important value is free speech. That's not a value the left shares. The Biden Administration censored descending views on COVID, Foreign Policy, Hunter Biden, and anything else they didn't like. THAT IS NOT IN DISPUTE.
Even worse they've turned the force of the FBI and DOJ on their political rivals.
EVERY SINGLE INDICTMENT of Trump was a novel legal theory that has never been used before. Its a JOKE.
Looking at the polling. Trump either leads or is tied with Biden. This farce isn't fooling anything.
James A - Tell me "I didn't/couldn't read/comprehend your response" without saying "I didn't/couldn't read/comprehend your response". Are you really a human, clearly a troll, or are you some sort of bot? In any case, I responded to your pointless points, your raving rant, earlier, and I'm just going to keep on reporting you until you wise up and stop using ad hominem attacks on commentors.
When you can comment like a civilized human being, then you may be worth listening to - disagreeing with, certainly, but a well-thought-out, well-reasoned point of view, with citations where warranted, is always worth listening to and thinking about. Sadly, nothing you've posted today is that. Stop wasting people's time.
Hmmm, I missed your citations and links to your talking points. Please post them again for us James. I listed several above that you didn't dispute. Maybe you missed them.
They are preaching to the choir. Trumpers would never be reading anything remotely intellectual as Heather's pieces.
I am on several Ukrainian twitter platforms. Some offer translations and some are in English. That is how I know what is going on. No way are they Russian sponsored. They talk about how Russians are killing civilians as well as their own soldiers, the helicopter pilot who defected with a helicopter, the kindness of Ukrainian soldiers who help wounded Russian soldiers, etc.
Several of the presidents represented by those foundations and centers contributed to the wreck of the GOP and/or the mess the country is in today. Off the top of my head: Nixon, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, and Obama. In other words, tact and careful focus are generally more effective than rhetorical flourishes, especially when taking an unprecedented step like this one.
In the news events of this year, the most troubling is the refusal by the Alabama legislature to abide by a Supreme Court order to reconstruct their voting districts to give African Americans fair representation in elections. For a state to defy a federal order, harkens back to the 1960’s when the state of Alabama staunchly opposed desegregation of the schools despite clear federal mandates to do so. This development could be the most dangerous threat to our democracy. A constitution and the rule of law are only as good as the people living under it, abide by it. If any state refuses compliance with Supreme Court rulings, then all is lost, we will cease to be a “ United” Sates of America. You cannot pick and choose which laws are to be obeyed and which laws are ignored. In the 1960’s the difficult decision was made to send in federal troops to force compliance by a defiant Alabama.
The MAGA are no longer a "wing" of the Republican Party. MAGA IS the Republican Party, with only a very slim minority clinging to the illusion of the former Republican Party. Christie, for example - his policies are awful - but at least he has the decency to call out Trump and what did he get in return? Complete marginalization.
There is growing recognition of the Republican split w/I their own coalition . But there’s significant credibility to the vast numbers who have played and are CONTINUING to play along in seemingly obscure ( but not in any way) roles already in office /on school boards /running for the offices of and against incumbent democrats etc. The overall effort is quite amazingly scary.
The Warning and specifically by Steve Schmitt and noble noted others (Bill Burton , Ruth BenGhait , Joyce Vance, Charlie ) labor over : the disinformed , brainwashed, deer in the headlight public who are pushed to angry places purposefully...and that these people have no idea they will be ( many have been for years but...)thrown under the bus and tromped on first if they vote in these hateful power mongers whose self interest is THE only real motivation.
And their cheap lip service is then swallowed hook,line, and sinker.
A lot is old rhetorical ploy , however still successfully used , and we must push our own agenda of progress in actual play , being seen on the streets and in the states at this very moment, as PROOF POSITVE not alleged promises...shall I repeat that 💥NOT ALLEGED PROMISE💥
The ads , the Democratic Ads are increasing and will even more increase.
Let us all share the livin bejeebers out of them...
Bang for our Buck...right?!!!
This, and THESE ‘ Letters’ are structural masterpieces of truth and real news ,we are on the pivotal precipice of The American Dream ‘s continuance or The End....nobody can even imagine that reality
As a kid I was enchanted by the Wizard of Oz (Frank Morgan).
A month before my 90th birthday I am terrified of the Lizard of Ooze (Bone Spur Donald).
I felt that the Wizard emanated hope and positive illusion through a carnival character without a shred of meanness in his body.
I know that the Lizard is a mean-spirited narcissist who spreads negative vibes to all in his cult clutches.
As a young lad, I had the remarkable good fortune to be asked to deliver a message to Frank Morgan on his yacht. Mr. Morgan graciously invited me to have a Coke in his walnut paneled cabin. [It was a 6 ounce Coke, decades before the diet variety.]
I was enraptured by this real-world Wizard who had provided courage, a brain, and a heart to Dorothy’s friends and showed Dorothy that there was no place like home (after a wicked witch experienced a watery death).
I can imagine having a cheeseburger and a Coke in the Lizard’s gilt-gold, ketchup-walled Mar a Lago hideaway.
The Lizard would bloviate about ‘the worst witch hunt in American history,’ his broken record about the BIG LIE and how he is the personification of justice (and revenge),and how Judases were betraying his path for America.
I firmly believe that the Wizard represents the soul of America while the Lizard is the personification of all that is despicable.
I’ve often wondered if tfg realizes that the term “witch” commonly refers to a woman. Wouldn’t tfg (as macho as he claims to be) more likely be referred to as a wizard? Guess “the worst wizard hunt” wouldn’t sound as catchy…
And yes, the lizard personifies evil. That mug shot!
Meanwhile, I am taking this opportunity to start celebrating your upcoming 90th HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEITH!
Patrick Bloviate “Talk at length especially in an inflated or empty way.” I could have used scutter, but that would be demeaning to decent Irishmen. Bone Spur deserves his own scatological word.
Oh… but Patrick, “bloviate” is so much more relevant when referring to tfg, as it means to “talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way.” The term originated in the 1850s but, as the Oxford Dictionary’s chart illustrates, its use has dramatically increased, most notably (and perhaps not coincidentally) in the last decade.
“Trump’ery. N. Deceit, fraud; anything calculated to deceive by false show; Anything externally splendid but intrinsically of little value; worthless finery; Things worn out and of little value; useless matter; trifles; Worthless; nonsense…”
Steve My apologies to lizards everywhere. As a psychiatric nurse, I hope you don’t encounter Bone Spur Donald in a prison psychiatric ward. I have even a more diverse career, including, as a Foreign Service Officer, operating in Congo with a M-16 and .45 (and I wasn’t a Proud Boy)
LORD, HAVE MERCY !, Keith ! Glad !, That YOU, Have Been BLESSED ! I DO Trust, in OUR LORD/GODS Divine INTERVENTION, For, The DAYS, That HE, Will BLESS MANKIND, in All, HIS GRACE !, ,,,,,and MERCIES !
Psych nurse is career #4, after Geologist (with a poly-sci minor, kind of a foreign service wanna-be), Land Surveyor, and Organic Farmer. Currently working dual roles as an immunization nurse specialist and nurse working with detained youth. The closest I got to weapons training was being on the rifle team in high school :)
Steve Age 18/19 make documentary movies in Egypt and Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. 1960 publishedNASSER’S NEW EGYPT: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS (New York, London). [Banned by Nasser, lead review in The Economist]
Foreign Service Officer Congo 1960-1966, Chile 1966-69. 1970-1971 New York City Housing Administration with responsibility for eliminating or severely changing 1943 Rent Control Lane.
1972-1983P Dun & Bradstreet Corporation: Moody’s created international bond ratings, became EVP for all global bond ratings; headed D&B’s management consulting company for nearly a decade. My own Wheelock Consulting.
Researched, published book: NEW JERSEY GROWTH MANAGEMENT. 1992-2013 history/economic professor. Deeply involved in Eisenhower Fellowships and THIS I BELIEVE since the early 1950s.
Steve 5-10 year itch? I loved the challenge of a new job in a different area. My ‘creativity’ threatened the majority of non-change agents. I relished my 23 years as a history profess, had the most ‘boots on the ground’ accomplishments in Congo, and totally enjoyed the newness of rating international bond issues when I had to figure out how to rate the credit of countries.
Thank you, Kathleen, for posting these two videos of Judy singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Her portrayal of the innocent Dorothy singing words of hope to her rendering the same words at an older age in such a heartrending way, whereby hope seems like such a sliver of possibility. Her singing always moves me, but this song challenges us to question what hope means to us in the face of so much loss (my own projections as an old lady in this uncertain world).
Over the Rainbow was created by American Jewish writers as Hitler's thugs took over in Central Europe. It is precisely to promote hope in the face of apparently overwhelming evil.
Joan, agreed. But the Wizard of Oz is not just an expression of hope. Like that other classic of the era, Casablanca, it's an urgent call to action for the neutral US to enter the war against tyranny. Hollywood writers have always been profoundly political and the situation was as dire as it gets.
That's an interesting claim, which my fervent atheist cousin would be pleased to know about. I found something of the sort about Yip Harburg, the lyricist (link below), who is reported to have said he became an agnostic when his older brother Max died of cancer at 28. I found nothing on those lines about Harold Arlen, the composer. Can you link to any evidence of Arlen being an atheist?
Dear Kathleen Allen, I was in a rush to do errands; it was a long and busy morning, but then there you were on my screen. It was so good to stop and hear Judy Garland sing Over the Rainbow. I've heard that song hundreds of times, and, yet, it always penetrates to my soul. Thank you, dear friend.
I had promised you a few songs after you posted Bruce Springsteen's voice.
Thank you Fern ... Pennies From Heaven with Billie Holiday - a contemporary classic from a timeless star ... Wild Horses - Leon Russel from the heart ... Freedom with Jon Batiste - fat cars and fancy duds don't spell freedom for me ... That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Wareick and Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Elton John (at his all-time best!) - this one lives forever!!
Kathleen Allen, The Washington Post has been covering the tragedies of eastern Libya, the earthquakes in Morocco, Turkey and Syria...the future is now. Our earth song, produced by the US, China, Russia, India, Japan, Germany, Iran...
My tired eyes perked up at the sight of your name, your message and your care.
Jon Batiste on 'Freedom':
'This song speaks of the sexual and social revolution spearheaded by the likes of Elvis Presley, James Brown and Mavis Staples. The way they moved and expressed themselves onstage liberated people to act as they wanted rather than being constrained by society.'
'When I move my body just like this
I don't know why
But I feel like freedom'
'Batiste's message in the song is about gay rights as well as racial equality. "It's like when Elvis was shaking his hips on the Ed Sullivan Theater stage and people were flipping out," he told Relix magazine'. "It's just the whole aspect of fighting for people's rights and their freedom, and not just so that we could drink out of the same water fountain or go to the same bathroom. It's also so that we could love who we want and be how we want."
'Batiste added that sexuality is an important part of releasing people to be themselves. "You see James Brown dancing in a certain way and it makes you want to be free, and it makes you open up your identity and not fit into the mold of what society wants to give you," he said. "Mavis is somebody who represented that, and all of the Freedom Fighters represented that. I wanted to make a song that explicitly speaks to the sexual and social revolution that happened through that music, and is still happening today."
Hi Fern, yes I get that - out of the repressive strict set of values imposed by former generations, and conservative rules of behavior, reactive freedom loving ideals and behaviors emerge ... my own father was a devoted "Rat-Packer" - fan of liberated sexual and social freedom of expression - where women were 'free' to smoke, drink and have sex without marriage ... and sure, that pendulum swing has impacted social discourse to the extent that just about everything we see and hear is all about sex and sexuality - not necessarily sense and sensuality ... and even now, the fat car and fancy duds reflect a certain b.r.a.n.d of freedom that still is held in bondage to big time money games and street markets that enslave the soul - that is what I see ... not to judge or condemn - to each their own, it takes all kinds ... for me, a quiet walk in a virgin forest - a spring breeze, sunlight dancing through the trees - and honest love in my heart ... these are the freedoms my heart desires ....
Kathleen, I don't believe that the 'selling' of sex is the school that Jon Batiste supports, but I won't try to speak for him. Sharing our points of view about this subject would take at least a couple of delicious lunches in the park or a lovely wooded spot. Salud!
Keith, I love the comparison. "the Lizard of ooze" paints a disgusting image in my mind but I'd much rather see a festering lizard than that unbearable shell of a man.
I feel like the entire country is gripped in the effects (victimization and revenge) that are the symptoms of the psychopathology of tfg. We are living in his illnesses too.
It is indeed a witchhunt, and we found the witch. He has been indicted four times. Now we just need to pour a pail of water on him as Dorothy did in the Wizard of Oz.
Keith, you reely done it this time! I would like to second the motion. But then both of us were here for WWII, the founding of the UN (San Francisco), the Marshall Plan, Victory gardens, carpooling, etc. It underlies my faith in the country remembering all of this and voting and losing, voting and winning. The current revision to robber barons shouldn’t make US less generous or less democratic than FDR. Perhaps I should add to this that while you were having a varied career, so also did I and both of us taught, treasuring our liberal arts educations. In November we will have only one vote apiece, but with luck and hard work, it will count.
Virginia You and I have experienced America’s ups, downs, and then ups from the Great Depression and WW II. We know what the soul of modern-day America should be and are fighting to achieve this against that FALSE FACT FARTER, for whom I wouldn’t give a farthing.
You with two canes, I with a walker(not before next year, I hope). But I can sing at least two lines of that idiocy. My father taught me wacky songs. Do you know:
She promised to meet me
When the clock struck seventeen
In the stockyards ‘bout three miles out of town
Hallelujah!
Where the pigs feet and the pig ears
And the good old Texas stew
Sell from seventeen to nineteen cents a pound.
Hallelujah!
She’s my darlin’, my daisy,
She’s cross-eyed, she’s crazy,
Knockkneeded, bowlegged, got duh rheumatism,
Her teeth are false from chewin’ on epsom salts.
She’s my freckled faced, consumpted Liza Jane.”
Haven’t thought of that one in awhile, but in tribute to my father for whom no nonsense was too nonsensical and who read to me the Sunday funnies when I was three years old.
I would like to live long enough to hear the modern G&S version of what we are going through. Some days I just crack up at yet another perfect comedy scene.
'...we are in the midst of a storm of disinformation designed to undermine the key institutions of our democracy, particularly the rule of law.' (Letter)
Welcome to 15th century Christian Doctrine in the 21st.
Take note in this book review of Justice Alito resorting to myths about Native Americans in his dissenting opinion in the case of Haaland v. Brackeen, which challenged the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act, giving preference to Native American families in cases involving the placement of a Native American child.
‘In “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy,” Robert P. Jones explores the harmful legacy of a 15th-century Christian doctrine used to justify expansion and colonization in the New World.’ (excerpted)
‘When Joe Biden became the first sitting U.S. president to use the term “white supremacy” — in a 2021 speech commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre — he gave voice to the views of countless other Americans who share his concern about the country’s often forgotten histories of racial violence.’
“As painful as it is,” Biden said, “only in remembrance do wounds heal. We just have to choose to remember.” Coming one year after the killing of George Floyd, Biden’s remarks — like much of his presidency — have encouraged national reflection and reassessment.'
'Robert P. Jones’s stimulating new book, “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy,” examines a series of such reckonings. In lucid prose and evocative detail, he contextualizes these attempts at racial healing within a broader, and much older, history of injustice and moral failure, suggesting that in order “to understand who and where we are, we need our ‘in the beginning’ to start much earlier.”
'To his credit, Jones centers both African American and American Indian oppression, avoiding “the myopic Black/white binary” that silos much contemporary scholarship. “Upstream from the stories of violence toward African Americans,” he writes, “were the legacies of genocide and removal of the land’s Indigenous peoples.” Full of urgency and insight, his book is a compelling and necessary undertaking.'
'A religious studies scholar and president of the Public Religion Research Institute, Jones begins with an impassioned moral charge: Racism predated the arrival of African slaves on the continent, helped to fuel the rise of the United States and still pervades our society. This history is also at the heart of polarized conceptions of American identity, for which presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump provide opposing symbols.'
'One of Jones’s boldest suggestions is to locate the “roots” of American racism not in 1619 or other defining moments in the history of American slavery, but much further back, within religious practices developed in the aftermath of the Columbian Encounter. In 1493, Pope Alexander VI issued an edict praising Columbus for extending European dominion to lands “not previously possessed by any Christian owner.” The declaration was part of what became known as the “Doctrine of Discovery,” an enduring if amorphously defined set of proclamations and legalistic rituals created in the late 15th century to validate European appropriation of the territories of the Western Hemisphere and justify colonization — including, in 1541, in what is now Mississippi, by the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto, who claimed much of the South.'
'The Doctrine of Discovery has legitimated the expropriation of Native American lands for more than 500 years. Yet, as Jones points out, few know much about this history or its ongoing influence. In 2005, the Supreme Court invoked the doctrine in its ruling in City of Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation of N.Y., denying a claim by the Oneida Nation that it should not have to pay taxes on land that once belonged to it as part of a sovereign reservation but that had been sold to the state in 1805 — in violation of a federal treaty — and then, in the late 1990s, reacquired. Writing the majority opinion (and citing the doctrine in a footnote), Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg argued that the tribe could not “unilaterally revive its ancient sovereignty, in whole or in part” since it “long ago relinquished reins of government and cannot regain them through open-market purchases from current titleholders.” The decision was criticized by scholars and Indigenous activists for enlisting the doctrine in a legal argument favoring the land’s colonizer over its original inhabitants.'
'For many minority communities, history remains simultaneously a sword to wield and a shield to seek out for protection, and myths of cultural superiority continue to impair racial progress. In June, the Supreme Court decided the case of Haaland v. Brackeen, which challenged the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act, giving preference to Native American families in cases involving the placement of a Native American child. The court upheld the law in a 7-2 ruling.'
'But in a dissenting opinion, Justice Samuel Alito objected to the act’s prioritizing of tribal affiliation, arguing that it required “a state to abandon the carefully considered judicial procedures and standards it has established to provide for a child’s welfare and instead apply a scheme devised by Congress that focuses not solely on the best interest of the child, but also on ‘the stability and security of Indian tribes.’” During oral argument for the case, Alito had resorted to old myths about Native history, remarking that “before the arrival of Europeans, the tribes were at war with each other often, and they were separated by an entire continent.”
'Isolated and warlike in this conceit, Native peoples were presumably neither using their lands appropriately nor justified in keeping them. They were peoples without history, as Hegel argued, far outside the moral universe of “any Christian owner” — and thus rightly subject to dispossession. As Jones demonstrates, the Doctrine of Discovery established the foundation for such value-laden cultural and racial assumptions.'
'Much is to be gained from Jones’s deep, comparative immersion in local efforts to ameliorate the wounds of the past. He shows how countless Indigenous and African American lives have been irrevocably harmed over the past five centuries and how leaders at every level of government have failed to offer sufficient commemoration, repair or justice. “Christianity,” Jones writes, “has also proven to be more pliant than principled.” (NYTimes, book review by Ned Blackhawk)) Sorry that I could not provide a gifted link.
First off, the remark “As painful as it is,” Biden said, “only in remembrance do wounds heal. We just have to choose to remember.” is a keeper. Desmond Tutu said if I recall correctly) that truth precedes reconciliation.
Secondly, what business has the US Supreme Court have citing law, particularly religious law, of a foreign land that far predates the formation of our republic? At least on the surface if it, it seems to make no sense whatsoever.
I was sickened when I first heard about the Doctrine of Discovery when I read “An Indigenous People’s History of the United States” by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. I knew, of course, about the genocidal nature of US Western expansion, but its grounding in Christian theology was a deeply disturbing revelation, withheld from my primary and secondary history education. I fear that right wing politics is working once again to censor the shameful truth of our White (Christian) Supremacist origins as a country. We can’t erase those sins, but we can and must make the truth known - confess, as it were, and then “go and sin no more.” Thanks for referencing this important book, Fern.
Maureen I would also recommend to you and all Sylvia Wynter’s “Race,Discourse and the Origins of the Americas: A New World View” Essentially if you were not white and Christian you were “outside” of Gods creation making you a non soul or person and expendable in service to this view.
" ... in a dissenting opinion, Justice Samuel Alito objected to the act’s prioritizing of tribal affiliation, arguing that it required “a state to abandon the carefully considered judicial procedures and standards it has established to provide for a child’s welfare and instead apply a scheme devised by Congress that focuses not solely on the best interest of the child, but also on ‘the stability and security of Indian tribes.’”
... so, does this suggest/imply/man-date that a child's welfare is not well served by the stability and security of his/her cultural roots?
How can anyone who is fit to raise a child with integrity object - and claim their rights are being violated when tribal family members and friends come forward to care for the child and present a legitimate claim for custody rights ...?
Exactly, whose rights are being violated?!
All the projected reasons to promote adoption away from the original home may hold water for some - for many, it is a severe hardship - and a hardcore example of historic insincerity, and cultural disrespect characterized by continuing violations of treaty rights, human life and dignity - for all of life - from settlers claiming rights as "The American People" (in the name of Almighty God, no less!) with the American Government in their hands.
*****
"Since European settlers arrived on the shores of what is now known as the United States, federal and state governments, intent on seizing Indian lands, have sought to undermine and threaten the existence of tribes through the forced separation and assimilation of Native children.
"By severing Native children from their families, tribes, and culture, colonizers believed they could stamp out Indigeneity and erase tribal people altogether. As with any nation, the future ceases to exist if children are prevented from carrying on the languages, traditions, and knowledge passed down from each generation to the next."
" ... Native Americans are sovereign Indigenous nations, and our citizens have a unique political status within U.S. law. So, a lot of people think of Native Americans as a racial group, but that’s not actually how the law works. The way the law works is that we’re a political group. So, just like certain laws apply to me because I’m a citizen of the U.S. or I live in Oklahoma, certain laws apply to me because I’m a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. And that unique political status goes back to the treaty relationship between my tribe and the U.S. federal government.
"So, there’s an entire section of the U.S. Code with laws that literally go back to the founding of the republic, that treat tribes and tribal citizens differently. So, you know, I can access healthcare at a clinic that only serves tribes and tribal citizens. Tribes can operate casinos in states where non-Native casino developers can’t. You know, everything from land rights, water rights. You know, if we’re just a racial group, what racial group in the United States has its own land base, its own environmental regulations, its own police force, its own criminal and civil codes? And so, the fear is, is that this lawsuit is kind of like pulling a string on a loose sweater. And if they can unravel ICWA, then everything else will come with it."
***
" ... places like The New York Times have reported this case as if it originated as a custody dispute. But it’s actually part of a coordinated litigation campaign to strike ICWA down, that’s been led by the corporate law firm Gibson Dunn, by a very small cadre of right-wing organizations. The Goldwater Institute is really leading the front, but in our investigation we found that money from the Bradley Foundation, a right-wing family foundation in Wisconsin, was behind their efforts, and then a small group of private adoption attorneys and some organizations representing the private adoption industry."
***
"So, I think we can see what their interests are by their own actions. So, the corporate law firm Gibson Dunn and the partner who brought this case, Brackeen, a man named Matthew McGill, filed a lawsuit last January making the exact same legal arguments that they’re making in Brackeen, but instead of representing foster parents that couldn’t adopt Native kids, they’re representing a non-Native casino company that couldn’t do the type of gaming that tribes can do. And the harm in that lawsuit is much more straightforward than in the Brackeen case. It’s simply money.
"And so, what is at stake for tribes is — I mean, it’s hard to overstate it. It’s basically everything. It’s tribal sovereignty. You know, I was interviewing tribal leaders yesterday. It was a very heavy day at the Supreme Court for tribal leaders, because not only are our children on the line, but the legal foundation, the legal structure that defends the rights of Indigenous nations in the United States is literally at stake."
*****
... so, who or what exactly is (in)justice Alito supporting with his dis-scent ...?
Thank you for this, and the references to different sources.
I first learned of ICWA when I was doing courthouse security at our Juvenile Court (it handles both dependency and delinquency cases) and had not known until then that ICWA existed. I know that there was often a "judicial compromise" with regards to what DHS considered a "certified" placement home when it came to ICWA. I remember one state's attorney arguing that the proposed Indigenous placement home did not meet their "standards" for a "safe" residence.* The child's attorney and the father's attorney both argued that the cultural needs of a child in crisis were as important as the child's physical safety. I am so glad that the judge in these cases was receptive.
In the two years I was assigned there (and keep in mind, this was a one or two day a week gig, so it was not full time) I never was aware of a child pulled from an ICWA home for abuse or neglect; that was NOT the case with the "safe" foster care placements.
*The number of children who are further victimized in the dependency court and its "safe" placements is ridiculous.
Thank you for sharing your experience Ally ... chances are, if you had shared this while employed in that capacity ..., you might well have lost the job.
Here are some more references ... a hard story - hard to hear, even harder to tell ..., followed by a few reality checks and (im)balances ...:
*******
S. Dakota Indian Foster Care 1: Investigative Storytelling Gone Awry
"The statement notes that while the diverse population of the United States means we have a range of backgrounds and beliefs, “democracy holds us together. We are a country rooted in the rule of law, where the protection of the rights of all people is paramount.”" (HCR)
... baby steps ... time to change the diapers ...?
"More pliant than principled". Yes, because it uses the name "Christianity" as its trading style, as its logo. Going to church, holding up a bible for the photographers, doesn't require principles. Nice phrase, though.
The metaphor, ‘god’, is a political invention of western ‘civilization’, another political invention, that in its entirety obscures the spiritual evolution of people that existed until the time of the invention of the metaphor, ‘god’.
It certainly obscured the spirits of the people and communities that evolved in the ‘American’ hemisphere when the god and property rights of the European monarchies discovered, dominated and eradicated the indigenous people who lived in the ‘Americas’ in their ignorance and disbelief of the new European reality.
Which is not to say God doesn’t exist. Our national God is very alive, obscuring the people and communities who evolved into the Iroquois Confederacy who inspired the Republic of the United States of America.
Alec You raise some fascinating points about ‘god.’ I recommend Karen Armstrong’s A HISTORY OF GOD. The first evidence that we have of worshipping a possible god is around 30,000 years before Christ. I wonder where ‘god’ was for the initial 15 billion years.
Not so incidentally, Jesus as a Semite had a dark skin. Over the centuries artists whitened his skin. With Africa the locale of greatest Catholic increase, some images are of a black Christ. I wonder how an ‘evangelical Christian’ would relate this to white supremacy.
Because Jesus preached the goodness of all creation and the equality of all people, wherever the stories of him find a home, artists inculturate him in the skin colors and features of that community. Painting a Jesus with a Japanese face (the artist Watanabe) or Navaho (Father John Guiliani) or African (many gorgeous wooden sculptures) or stylized (Caravana, Rouault) – you get the idea – demonstrates not the supremacist manipulation of the face of God but the malleability of the image.
Lynn Georgia and I are involved in moving to a condo, preparing our home to sell, and sorting out ‘stuff’ from many decades. Let me give you some thoughts from the top of my head of some top personal choices:
1) Brave Companions by my good friend David McCullough. Marvelous biographical essays on 17 diverse individuals together with his assessment of American 1935-85. I continue to reread this.
2) Path Between the Seas by McCullough. A marvelous story of all the shenanigans regarding the Panama Canal, the illegalities, and hw TR boasted that ‘he took it.’ Would have made a great movie.
3) Miracle at Philadelphia by Catherine Drinker Bowen The classic book on the Constitutional Convention. I have re-read it various times. Wonderful read nad profound insight II to how compromise affected our Constitution.
4) The Power of Myth Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers. A marvelous journey into mythology and diverse aspects of life. I prefer the DVD, but have read the book several times.
5) The History of God by Karen Armstrong. Though I taught early Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for over a decade, this book explores ‘where died god come from.’ Historically, we have found evidence of the worshipping of some ‘supreme power’ about 30,000 years ago. What existed before and how did humans subsequently create different ‘gods.’ Bart Ehrman of the U. Of NC has been my guide to the New Testament.
6) The Soul of America Professor Meacham Published in 2010, this is an optimistic historical account of the ups/downs/and ups in American history.
7)The Worldly Philosophers By Heibroner Written decades ago, this is a highly readable account of stages in economic development from Adam Smith onwards. I quibble with his accounts, especially on Karl Marx—personally I prefer Groucho Marx.
8) The Follies of History by Barbara Tuchman. Tuchman’s books enchant me. Her ‘follies’ start with the Trojan horse, focus on the British stupidities during the American Revolution, has an X-rated account of Renaissance popes….Highly readable and infomative.
I hope that you find the time to glance at a few of these. If you have a particular interest in a period or topic, I’m available to provide suggestions. I’ve covered everything from Economics from Feudalism to the Present to Societal Discrimination: The Who vs. The What from Patriarchy to the Present.
On the issue of God - go and look at the current Webb Telescope images - and think that a God in Human form (as we have made images of God in our own likeness - not the other way around) could even exist - the radiation from some of those supernovae would have fried anything in microseconds! Arrr but we love an imaginary Lord and Master!
Thank you, Juanita. I will check out Ned Blackhawk's book. His review “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy,” by Robert P. Jones was thoughtful and keen in its depiction of the subject matter.
For what it's worth: On March 30, 2023, Pope Francis renounced the 550-year-old Doctrine of Discovery, which granted European nations the right to claim the new lands they discovered on behalf of Christendom. (wording from google search replies)
I wish to Christ people would READ the Constitution before they cite its language! The Defendant was NEVER Peter Navarro's "commander-in-chief". The President is commander in chief of the ARMED FORCES, not (as some like to say) of the United States'; there is no such office as "commander in chief of the United States", and it would be an offense to republican principles if there were. He outranks any general or admiral, and that's ALL IT MEANS! He has no special authority over me (not since January 12, 1976, when I got my discharge) or you or any other civilian on account of that. What Navarro should have said is that the Defendant was his employer but that's hardly a legal defense.
Sorry, Petey, but you really touched a nerve with that one.
As usual, the Trump defense is ‘pants on fire’ declarations and distortions of Constitutional phrases to appeal to a short-sighted, uneducated base. ‘Praeger U Law School’ lessons have done their damage.
An incredibly depressing letter today on the attacks on our democratic institutions from both within and without. AI and its ability to produce deep fakes generated by foreign actors are going to warp reality in the coming elections.
The Paxton revelations continue to horrify me in the extent that he was able to blantantly ignore the obligations of his position unchecked and work solely to impose his ideological agenda. That this has taken this long to get revealed in the media speaks o the weakening of traditional media.
I may very well not be looking in the right places, and I gave up on TV news in the Iraq war and have not been back since, but it seems to me that investigative reporting was not what it was. It seemed to me that media played a far more robust watchdog role prior to Reagan.
Yup, and insufficient resistance from Democrats. I was shocked when I herd on the news that the "fairness doctrine" had been canceled, but that seemed to have slipped by with no media or societal discussion that I was aware of.
Maybe I read a different letter, but when the George W. Bush Library convenes those of other presidents to discuss defending democracy, I think it's worth notice and a cause for hope. Too bad the Eisenhower library declined to participate, because we are living in extraordinary times. and surely he would have agreed.
"For a more thorough understanding of Georgia’s RICO statute, its application and similar laws in other states, I encourage you to read “RICO State-by-State.” As a non-member of the bar, you can purchase a copy for two hundred forty-nine dollars [$249]. " -Fani Willis
Heather,I am so grateful for your letters. Each comment confirms my reasoning or tests me....I learn so much from each participant who shares: writings/thoughts/quotes ,etc. those I have time to take in.....so thanks to each contributor as well.
As long as we're talking about the rise of fascism, there's an opportunity this weekend to download and record the best movie ever made about fascism: the 5-hour Director's Cut of Bernardo Bertolucci's "1900" - the epic story of Italy from 1900-1945 seen through the life of the son of the landowner (Robert DeNiro) and the son of the head of the peasants who work the estate (Gerard Depardieu) who becomes the local Communist Leader. Donald Sutherland nearly steals the whole thing in broad daylight playing the overseer recruited to represent the landowners to Mussolini, who after 1922 takes over and terrorizes everyone. He has two scenes I'm not going to describe so you get the full whammy that perfectly explain and demonstrate the essence of fascism.
The movie is on MGM+ (and on MGM+ on cable Sunday night) and Amazon Prime. This weekend only. Search "1900 Extended" to get it. If you ever saw the 2.5 hour "theatrical release" 40 years ago, the director's cut makes that look like the Cliff's Notes of the movie.
With you all the way on that TC. He made other good films on the Fascist period, like The Conformist.
But I have also been urging people to show Italian newsreels of the rise and rise of Mussolini... the proud squadristi, the conquests, Ethiopia (called Abyssinia at the time), Libya... above all, above all, the Duce haranguing vast crowds in the throes of hysteria from that balcony in Rome's Piazza Venezia... and from balconies in provincial towns throughout Italy.
And then defeat, in Greece, in North Africa, at Stalingrad.
Then that vile ending in Milan, corpse hanging upside down from a meat hook.
SHOW ALL THE DUCE'S TRIUMPHS TO THE TRUMPISTAS -- WHO'LL LOVE EVERY MOMENT OF IT -- THEN THE WAR... AND DOWNFALL.
My father in law served as a young civil engineer in Eritrea. His old photos of that time are fascinating. The Italians were building an empire, one road and bridge at a time. It reminds me of China’s Belt and Road initiative (and also of the Roman Empire).
I have read no recent reports from Eritrea but the last info I had about the current regime was worse than anything the Italian Fascists ever did at home. More like ultra-Stalinism. All the population treated as slaves.
Thanks for the heads-up. I will definitely be watching. There is nothing new here, all of these despots have been here before. What amazes me is how easily and willingly people can be duped.
Thank you so much for your Letters Heather. Every morning with a tip of the hat to Pavlov, I sip coffee, look at world news, review The Guardian, and look forward to your writing and citations to arrive at a greater understanding of what continues to unfold in the United States and the historical context.
With Bannon, Navarro, Trump -and his 18 cronies indicted, and or convicted, Trump did say he was going to "drain the swamp". Now his prognostication is more clear. He intended to jump into the swamp with his co-conspirators and accessories after the fact, displacing the murky water and then be taken into custody.
With a small team I'm working to provide a mechanism for rational people who embrace facts, evidence, and science to reach agreements on what American society should aspire toward, and then guide them to codify such agreements into action. While most social and news media today is beholden to the profit motive -and therefore thrives upon conflict and polarization, we believe there is an important opportunity to set forth an alternative, where people can respectfully disagree, reach new understandings, and then collaborate on outcomes that move America forward, strengthen our economic engine, as well as democracy, equity, and justice.
Your work continues to inspire us and remain hopeful about the future.
Elon scares me way more than MH or even TFFG because he is acts like a Fascist.
1) He has made EVs mainstream by using battery technology that his company improved upon with a product available worldwide.
2) He has purchased a social medium platform where he allows right wing hate speech and lies and then forbids others from exposing the lies
3) He is filthy rich which allows him to control the conversation
4) He is way smarter than TFFG and most other MAGAts.
Fortunately, he still makes stupid mistakes, but so does TFFG every day and his MAGAs will follow him long after he's locked up or dead. Don't be surprised if he runs for President in 2028, 2032, etc.
Luckily he is barred from the presidency as a naturalized citizen. What bothers me most about Musk is StarLink, and his control of it to support Russia and hurt Ukraine. His control over vital satellite communications is so dangerous given his fascist leanings and his butterfly-like span of attention. I’d be in favor of nationalizing StarLink.
I agree with you about StarLink. I forgot that he wasn't a naturalized citizen. So he's just a kingmaker wannabe? The DeSantis kickoff didn't work out well, but I suspect DeSantis will run in 2028 and beyond if he doesn't blow this one too badly.
No mortuary temple to the memory of George W. Bush has standing to lecture anyone on democracy. The only difference between the elections of 2000 and 2020 is that Bush got away with it.
W and his Rasputin, Cheney, did indeed shame the Presidency, but Bush seems to be working towards atonement. This would never, ever happen with 45 - he will be spouting Big Lies until his final breaths (may they come soon).
We can be appreciative that the administration of these institutions will long outlive their namesakes and will, or will have, established more truthful and relevant legacies as ongoing public service entities.
"Paxton appears to have used the powers of his office not to help the people who elected him, but to advance an ideological agenda along with his own interests. "
And seriously, how many current, salient elected Republicans have not?
Jordan is a fool; an ass of the lowest degree. I have a very difficult time trying to figure how anyone can take him seriously. Why he hasn't been charged with neglect and abuse in the matter of the college wrestling team is beyond rational understanding.
It is remarkable to me actions of defiance exhibited by Alabama governor Kay Ivey and her ilk. Not once, but twice trounce, and step and grind their collective heels into the rights of voters, told to stop and then do it again, admonished for their behavior, and then say "Screw you federal government".... maybe she's channeling George Wallace. And then, everyone's going to the Supreme Court to get their grievances addressed, like it's a local court they just use address their whims and desires.
It is child like behavior, repubs don't like being told no, you can't do that.... who does this remind us of? We are in a terrible situation, and my biggest fear is the Great Orange One gets re-elected, and really, all bets are off. By now, they know the designs and weaknesses of the federal government, the administration thereof, and they are ready to push aside the public servants that do the day to day work in favor of the Trumpists willing to do his bidding. Ugh! Thank you HCR once again for your brilliant perspective!
Several of those presidential institutions have some nerve sending out an alarm about the death of our democracy when they themselves helped poison it.
Fantastic letter today, Heather. Thank you for keeping us apprised of the amazing revelations that our elected officials are being held to account! HOORAY! ♥️
It is good that the presidential foundations and centers warned of the present dangers to democracy. It is too bad that did not have the courage to clearly stat that the MAGA wing of the Republican party including Trump and his acolytes and imitators are the present threat to democracy in America.
Trump would have immediately sued them all for defamation and raised millions from it.
We cannot be apathetic and the former Presidents and their representatives weren't. We need more of this to combat the MSM's BS about Biden's age.
Trump is almost as aged as Biden and worked about 25-30 hours a week. Every decision of import ran through him and he surrounded himself with rich white MAGA sycophantic elitists. Fail the loyalty test or upstate TFFG and you were history. If you have two X chromosomes you were ineligible to do anything but get him coffee and be office candy.
Biden has the most diverse and competent staff and cabinet of any President ever. Biden has delegated decisions to his cabinet, whereas Trump never did. Biden works 7 days a week at least twice as long as Trump ever did. But if he became demented like Reagan did his last 4 years in office, I for one have confidence his cabinet, VP and advisors could run the government just fine.
Can anyone say the same thing about Trump?
Truckload of "likes", Mr. Loft!
Thank you. It seems that every time I turn on MSNBC or CNN they feel compelled to talk about Biden's age. WAPO and NYT -- same thing.
Thank goodness Jennifer Rubin and HCR and many other columnists write about the positive things the Biden WH has done.
Who isn't impressed with the work Secretaries Deb Harland, Janet Reno, Anthony Bilnken and many others? Biden's economic advisors have done a fantastic job of digging us out from the mess TFFG left us.
Agreed.....a lot of it comes from these "polls". In my opinion, the people they find to do the polls and participate are not an accurate representation. The whole age thing is total BS. There's a reason we elect both a president and a vice president. If he, God forbid, doesn't finish his term, his administration goes on.
The polls are like a$$holes in that every body's got one of their own. Using a composite model, we all cobble together our personal vision of how things are from day to day. Putin has masterfully boxed us in as we swirl in a massive vortex of stupid talk, and crazy talk. (Neil Postman). With our big kaleidoscope of social distractions which keeps our monkey minds unable to self-correct. WE're either evolving, or we are devolving. Impermanence in all things in this life is a permanent state of being.
Nicely put Jim. I pay no attention to polls. When we had the Maddow blog, one of the posters, the lovely Carolina Lady With Fan, had worked for years in polling and she let us know how they worked which should cause everyone to ignore them. And social media provides people with lots of misinformation which can become dangerous if wing nuts decide to act. We have a poster down the street, who twice has dangerously stirred the pot on Nextdoor about her neighbor across the street. We have always taken a screenshot of the thread for him and his wife just in case someone shows up to do damage and/or violence. And people don't need social media. I was once waiting at the dentist's office for them to open and a dip also waiting went into a climate denial rant. Since I was there for teeth, I decided to remain silent.
I hope the polls are the problem. The obvious alternative is that USians are "too stupid for democracy" (as Eileen McGann sang, before concluding that "all of the alternatives are worse"). However, watching the way voters have come through in places like Kansas, Kentucky, and Montana to oppose restrictions on reproductive choice -- that gives me hope.
I do not accept or believe in the results of any polls. Many have them have been bought up by the right. But it's all in the questions they ask and they way they ask them. Also, if the pollsters make comments beforehand, for example, "Given the extreme gas prices, which candidate would get your vote?" this will skew the answers.
You are absolutely right. Polls 14 months before the elections are especially meaningless, but even a week before, they're crap. And journalists who use them to write pieces about the elections are lazy bastards.
+ Younger people tend to use cell phones, & it's technically illegal to call a cell for any sort of solicitation. Not that the scammers care, but the legit pollsters probably do.
Agreed! There is the question of who Trump will chose as his running mate. Has he been asked? Do his fans even care, or do they see him as immortal? The Kamala Harris haters are ready with their talking points in service of electing Trump. I wonder what R-leaning independents would think of Marjorie Taylor Greene or Kari Lake or even Sarah Palin as vice president.
MTG :( Imagine if she became president in light of trump's age. At least we know she will attend every train derailment and shoot own every Chinese "weather" balloon. She would need to get a new boyfriend. Having one who dressed in drag is not a good look on her.
Polls at this point don't really mean this much. They are the same as the results of the election before the votes are all in. Didn't trump get all excited and said he won before the votes were all tallied? Election results will not be a Tues night announcement of a winner which is what the juvenile trump thought would happen. This election the purple states like GA will probably have their votes counted three times ( and republicans STILL won't be happy.
If the media start accurately presenting the achievements of the Biden administration, the failed former president will shortly become a political irrelevancy and cost them both income and the convenience of reporting the same event daily. They'd have to become real journalists, work for their 500 words a day, and possibly make government a little more transparent. Much easier to whine about Biden's age and Harris's lack of positive presence.
More publicity for Biden. People see the price of food and gas go up so they don't believe inflation is down, jobs are up, more manufacturing jobs, etc. It is all Biden' fault.
Yes, if ever thee was a true conspiracy, this is one. These articles suddenly appeared EVERYWHERE - right and left media. Within a matter of weeks, the media has been saturated with them. We expected this sort of thing from the right. All it tells me is who really owns the media and lays bare the "MSM is liberal media" lie.
As of today, Joe Biden is best positioned to beat Trump. He's been an historically stellar president, overcoming many complex challenges. But my admiration for him doesn't blind me to a pragmatic reality: his age is clearly a major liability, and it will be widely exploited as the election draws near. Is it fair considering his performance? Absolutely not. Is it fair considering the undeniable fact that people in their 80s suffer mental and physical decline of varying degrees? Absolutely yes.
I say all this as someone who is approaching age 73, though people often think I'm younger.
If Kamala Harris had wide appeal (she likely never will), Biden would have been smart to pass the torch. Or even have announced to start this year that he would not run again and open the nomination to all entrants (Gretchen Whitmer-Ralphael Warnock would have been a dream team.)
We should also consider what happens if Trump isn't the GOP nominee and someone like Glenn Youngkin emerges. He would be seen as young, dynamic and not — yet — tainted with fascism despite odious policy views. Maybe someone like him would still come up short. But the situation is a legitimate concern.
If the electorate as a whole was far more engaged and informed and motivated — no worries The abortion issue will obviously help a great deal. But leaving anything to chance with democracy at stake should make us alert to the uncomfortable reality of Biden's vulnerabilities.
Biden is only 3 years older than Trump, yet you think Biden is too old? Seriously?
Give me a break. Nothing I wrote indicated any such thing. Trump is unqualified to be president not just because he is immoral and a grotesque criminal, he's a walking physical disaster who also happens to be poorly educated and lack in IQ. And Biden is three years older on paper but younger than Trump physically and mentally.
I like Whitmer. I like Raskin, too. But we really need him in the House. We can't lose any seats. Hopefully we will pick up some. Boeber might be on the way out.
Also, redistricting battles in Alabama and Florida could well lead to a couple of Democratic pickups. Mark Elias's Democracy Docket has won court fights in both states.
There are quite a few Democrats who like BIden and would support him more vigorously with a different VP behind him. It wouldn't require passing the torch today. But they don't like the potential it gets passed before 2028.
Daily newsletters from Heather Cox Richardson as well.
Janet Reno? Isn’t she deceased?
Oops. I meant Yellen of course. How embarrassing. Thanks for pointing that out. And yes, Janet Reno died the day before Trump was elected President in 2016. A day that shall live in infamy. (I mean the Election Day not the day she died.)
☺️she got lucky didn’t she?
From Parkinsons, 2016
Jon Favreau (head of Obama speechwriting team) and Dan Pfeiffer (long-time Obama aide) of Pod Save America had a really good conversation on how to handle the age thing, including how the MSM is keeping it alive by the way they are reporting on it. "MAGA says X; Is it true?" instead of pointing out all the ways Biden is working so well. https://youtu.be/kJdIy4PlJ04?si=qty3ug70lMItLaRg
yes, agreed
agreed
Until Biden begins to exhibit clear signs that he is becoming non compos mentis or that he has a health issue similar to, perhaps even graver than, Mitch McConnell, the responsibility for all Democrats is clear. Support him for a second term. Do whatever you can to further his re-election. And vote with conviction.
America is at an astonishing and troubling crossroads. It stands in danger of slowly bleeding into an authoritarian state. The election of 2024 thus becomes the most important since the Civil War élections. The same was said, correctly, in 2020. It was not hyperbole then nor is it now to point this out. At that point we knew the general direction of civil society was too frightening to countenance re-election of Trump. Now we know with certainty how deeply the rot has spread and stopping it is the one chance left.
There is a profound difference now however. For years the movement was directed from the top down. Now MAGAism is fully established on its own terms. It will line up behind Trump. Should he be somehow removed from the picture it will be a blessing. However state officials, a Supreme Court of dubious worth, and foreign actors will continue to fight to topple America. Now the script has flipped. The drip-drip of authoritarian “Stop me if you dare” actions has become a steady flow. The movement is now bottom-up and deeply more lethal.
I am uneasy about the *concept* of electing an 82 year old man. My wish would have been for him to have this glorious term and ten ride off into the sunset, giving way generously to a younger candidate. But I would never tell a pollster that. Never.
Democrats need to present a united front from now through November 2024. They must give no hope or solace to this predatory enemy through less than enthusiastic support in the polls. They must exploit the advantage of having an opposition candidate who faces a clearly determined judicial system.
And then the party must ramp up for the probability that the same fierce determination may well be needed in 2028. Time, an implacably severe but fair series of court rulings, and an immovable wall of voters will eventually quash this deep threat.
People who quibble about Biden’s age publicly infect the party with doubt and defeatism. They are a prissy, self-absorbed menace from within, typical of a party with a large tent. In ordinary times Biden’s age could be fodder for a serious internal debate. Not now.
As Bob Dylan so presciently wrote an epoch ago:
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'
“People who quibble about Biden’s age publicly infect the party with doubt and defeatism. …... In ordinary times Biden’s age could be fodder for a serious internal debate. Not now.” Completely agree, and that is the point of bringing up the BS concerning age. It isn't 'age' per se that matters, of course, but whether an individual of any age is capable of doing a given job. At 85, I can match wits with anyone but not my physical endurance, for sure. Then I look at the senators Chuck Grassley, Diane Feinstein, and Mitch McConnell, and I think “too old”….but it really isn't age here, it’s what is happening to their brains that matters.
Unfortunately, trying to get people to think deeply ..or even clearly…about anything is a Sisyphean effort. How do I know this? I taught for 35 years!
True that dementia is no respecter of age. It is a medical condition that can occur in people much younger than Joe Biden. Feinstein and McConnell both suffered head injuries from which they seem to be suffering serious aftereffects. McConnell's doctor is not being honest about his condition, but medical diagnoses are private and cannot be divulged without the patient's consent. In both their cases, head trauma brought on their symptoms.
Biden has been one of the best presidents we've seen in decades. If he has dementia, there's no sign of it.
It seems to be a trend for doctors to no9t be truthful. I realize about the patients privacy, but don't say he' good when he's almost on a respirator. No comment would be more appropriate. Keep us guessing.
I've noticed in some glimpses I get from right-wing media (however briefly I can stand to endure them) there is clip after clip headlined with "Biden Appears Not Able to Find the Limousine", or "Biden Wanders Off from White House Ceremony Before Final Prayer", etc. etc. ETC. Any and every tiny little thing they can portray as signs of Biden's senility they slather all over their media. (Watching right-wing media is like diving into a whole other universe with regard to what they consider "headlines".) I am fully convinced Russian and Chinese disinformation campaigns are working overtime to -- among other things -- show Biden as a senile old fossil, not capable of being President. They're able to easily take advantage of our open press and social media outlets (thanks to Musk-Rat, made even more open), while it isn't possible in their closed authoritarian societies.
Don’t forget “feeble,” this man who is on call for his job 24/7/365, who travels and hits the ground running, over and over. Feeble is golfing instead of “presidenting” and riding a golf cart when all the other world leaders walked to the ceremony. Lame is complaining that Fox used his particularly orange and jowly photo.
Years ago a co-worker from FL said, " I never trust a man that cheats and golf and lies about fishing."
Turns out he was a Republican. I wonder if he feels differently about Trump being a golf cheat or whether he blindly accepts his cheating now that Trump is the GOP savior.
Then trump sells the worst picture ever of himself plastered all over mugs, t-shirts. They should put it underwear. The picture on ether side will do.
We don't have to look at China or Russia for disinformation campaigns, although they are certainly involved. The Republican Party is fully engaged in a disinformation and propaganda campaign the likes of which we have never seen before. Sadly, the legitimate press seems too often to be as bamboozled as Joe the Plumber. Noise is deafening and adroitly applied, an effective weapon against reason.
I was more or less echoing what HCR had written about in this letter. We know full well the disinformation coming from the Republican party. What is so insidious is the degree to which foreign intervention (as HCR discusses in paragraphs 14-17) has been ramped up. The fact that all the presidential foundations and centers for 13 Presidents have taken the unprecedented step to unite in their calling of attention to the increasing threats to our democracy attests to the gravity of the situation. I commend especially paragraphs 16 & 17 in today's Letter as being especially concerning. Again, where is the money coming from to fund all these attacks?? I think we know . . . the Kremlin and Bejing are helping stoke the flames.
“Noise is deafening and adroitly applied, an effective weapon against reason.“ Brilliantly stated!
Exactly correct Carolyn.
The picture of trump trailing toilet paper on the way to the airplane would be good. Kicking his golf ball, the world leaders laughing at him (there is a video with sound), walking in front of the Queen, shoving some guy out of the way so trump could be in the front row for a picture, etc.
Eric O'Donnell, BD is part of the soundtrack to my life. How timeless and important his words are. Thank you.
Doesn't this verse from Bob Dylan say that the old should get out of the way of the young? It conflicts with (what I think is) your point.
To me the old is represented by the neoconservative movement that has been in place since 1981. It is on its deathbed and refuses to yield to the changes that Biden has brought.
I guess I don't fit that description. I went to Province Town and "grooved" with the the drag queen performing a song. I campaigned for Pete B. He would be my choice but with the hate going around...... Neo conservative? I don't think so. I even burned a stolen (how appropriate) trump lawn sign and burned it.
Absolutely. Biden is healthy, exercises, eats healthy and prays.
tRump only wants to be a dictator, plan and corrupt! (and already has)
And he’s only 80! At 89, I will vouch for him and his cabinet every time!
♥️
trump was the only person who rode in a golf cart at one of international meetings.
And those people (republicans) say Biden is old🤬
"If you have two X chromosomes you were ineligible to do anything but get him coffee and be office candy." Please don't forget Cassidy Hutchinson, who appears to have been doing all the "work" in that administration.
Or Hope Hicks, a former model and Trump "family friend."
Bear in mind that Biden's age is non-news, crap that the media fixates on so that they don't have to do the job of writing about and analyzing real news.
What they love doing is playing on people's fears and prejudices, and the public follows along. I'm more than ready to stop reading "news."
I've been in the news business 60 years, and I've never seen such poor coverage of politics and government. If some of these so-called news organizations don't wake up and start providing responsible coverage, the next five years will be the worst in American history.
Dan Froomkin just tore WaPo's Dan Balz a new one for a piece Balz has in today's paper. Both sides "journalism" is killing us. That piece is evidence. I'm tired of the media's lazy willingness to cover everything Trump pukes up on his Truth Social, yet they won't report on Biden's successes with the economy. Hunter Biden's laptop is obviously more fun to report about than the looming debt ceiling crisis.
I totally agree. This "both sides" stuff will be the end of us all.
Unfortunately I think trumpers' minds have been in a trump mode for so long, they can't accept any thing else. It would mean that they had to admit that they were wrong. People hate having to do that and lose face. Cult members have an extremely difficult time to break away (Moonies, Waco people, Jim Jones, etc)
Thank you for the information and for the appreciation of the Biden cabinet!
How many blacks had positions of importance in the trump regime? One. Republicans (trump) basically wants to make it very easy to fire anyone who does not tow the line, Wants ALL departments to report to him. That might be interesting if Tuberville never allows the armed forces to get their commanders. trump has said he knows more than HIS generals.
Yes, exactly, thank you!
Well said!
Having no accountability for elected officials and the billionaire who are funding these people for decades give rise to more corruption. Trump proved that are system is broken.
Many of these politicians on both sides have been around for these 4/5 decades that allowed the take over by the these same millionaires who grew into billionaires.
And the beat goes on.
How I wish former African presidents can emulate their American counterparts who have come forward to defend the democracy of America and legal institutions that form the basis of civilization. But unfortunately we don't have former presidents. They have been swallowed by junta and others followed wealth that they had hid overseas.
Nonetheless, the decision by American presidents to take a bold stance on democracy came at a time when the US needed a United voice more than ever as you approach towards 2024 elections. Politics is currently polarising and politicians are adopting radical opinions and making them as absolute truths.
There has been complete disregard for the constitution with politicians adopting extreme stance on various issues affecting the country. Democracy is a work in progress and it must be continually build and strengthened to ward off autocratic tendencies. Political parties, entrusted with building democracy and inclusivity, are nowadays a threat to the same ideals.
Extremist and unconstitutionalism have become so pervasive in the country and if other civil rights groups, citizens, former politicians, and churches do not raise their voices on time, the country will submerge into an irreversible oblivion.
Again, the biggest threat again to democracy is misinformation from Russia, China, and even politicians themselves. Misinformation is a form of social radicalism that penetrates into core, civil values of the society and replace them with extremism that threatens the whole of humanity. Meta, Instagram, and Twitter have emerged as mediums for misinformation because they can reach large audience.
Misinformation is Africa is as well threatening our quest towards civilization. Unverified data and details are pushed forward through algorithms.
Like my work? My underserved community in my newsletter corner will welcome you. It is free to be my subscriber.
Edwin Kiptoo Ngetich, are you always at the beginning of the line because you have a reply you want to make to one of the first three or four to post or because you want to be seen first thing as you are also in the business of selling your newsletter when you come to the forum? Thank you for letting us know that subscribing to it is free. If you posted when you arrived here you would not be second in line or among the first 20 who posted. It feels like an imposition if you jump the line.
Perhaps because of the time difference Edwin just happens to be up and at the start of his day and gets notified when Heather posts. Just like some of Heather's European posters are. Others are "first in line" because they are still up and are just ending their day when Heather posts. And many here have their own substacks that they mention.
You don't have to read every post.
That position is just not accurate Georgia.
A week ago or so, I asked all "users", defined "Authors" & defined "Readers" on LFAA to refrain from commercial advertising , a commercial form of trolling.
Commercial Advertisements are not "Comments" under Substack Inc's Terms of Use (TOU). I realize that HCR's remarkable LFAA Community does attract users, abusers & on specific occasions tortfeasors.
But, the "just don't look" posture fails to understand the gravity of the Professor's Letter this morning. The Ostrich strategy is part of the problem.
Please refrain from commercial advertisements.
Thank you All & God Save Heather.
One need only look at the sheer volume of commenters on this forum who themselves have pages on Substack and who never once promote their writing to see why Edwin's self-promotion seems a bit out of line. If everybody begins to tout their own Substack writing on here this site will end up one gigantic ad. If one genuinely likes a commenter's writing and opinions on here, and then when one sees that commenter has his or her own "letter", then it is as easy as one click on their page (the link seen just to the right of their name) to go there and sign up for free, or pay for it. THAT should be all the self-advertising necessary on here. It isn't necessary to badger people to sign up for your writing. If they like what you have to say and are genuinely interested to read more of your opinions, they will come to your page under their own volition. You don't have to KEEP reminding them you're out here. We're high-order primates. We know already!
Bryan Sean McKown - "A week ago or so, I asked all "users", defined "Authors" & defined "Readers" on LFAA to refrain from commercial advertising , a commercial form of trolling."
Again, I ask, what is the difference between "Like my work? My underserved community in my newsletter corner will welcome you. It is free to be my subscriber." and "Writes <insert name> Substack"?
(Well, except denoting "Free.")
I was addressing Edwin as it is appropriate that he speak for himself. In addition, you have no knowledge of my reading practice on the forum, so hardly in a position to 'advise' me in that regard.
Sure Georgia. By the time HCR posts, it is already morning here and I am starting my day and checking my email. So, I normally get HCR post on time. At this time, I am as well active. I mostly find the first 2 or 3 comments with interesting conversations but I normally take time to respond.
An administrator has already asked you to stop including ads for your business, Edwin. Main reason i skip by your stuff.
On the side, while your opinions are often interesting and informed, id be more attracted to them if they were more succinct.
Edwin, I see that you haven't answered my question to you about whether you jump the line -- go ahead of others for the purpose of being seen at the front of line. Comments are interesting up and down the line as they are, for the most part. in response to the Letter. Do you not consider responding to what HCR has written and post according to the time you arrive on the forum with your comment or reply?
Sorry for anyone who feels offended by my style of reply., I think I like mostly engaging with other commenters in line with what HCR has posted and I think that's most likely where there is a dispute. Also, due to time differential, I receive HCR post on time (morning) and at a time even when there isn't any comment but I have to reread and take time to write a response. I don't know how Substack rearranges comments or replies, so I only post what I have written as per that time. Thank you for inquiring 🙏
This article doesn't give proper credit to Rebecca Solnit, who mainstreamed the term several years ago when a man began talking at her about a subject she wrote an entire book about.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/feb/09/mansplaining-word-problem-rebecca-solnit
I fail to understand in what way Bryan was mansplaining.
Marycat2021, the mansplaining was addressed to Georgia Fisanick who spoke for Edwin, to whom my question was addressed, without her knowing his situation. She also advised me as if she knew my reading practice on the forum, which she does not. I thought that 'mansplaining' was a perfect description of Georgia's behavior. I hope she reads that description of her aggressiveness and reflects on it.
Very interesting article, Zella!
Great!
Fern, in addition to the time differential, there also seems to be cultural differences in how Edwin expresses himself that seem to be annoying you. I see Edwin working to relate what is happening here in North American politics to what is happening across Africa, (which is a much more complicated situation!) for his readers in Africa. Edwin is willing to engage in discussions around interpretation and priorities. Maybe give him a little credit here?
Notes On Useful Beauty, I suggest that you reread my comment. I made no judgements about Edwin's writing style or the quality of his comments. You are attributing thoughts and a negativity to me that cannot be based on what I have written. Please reflect on why you have made such assumptions. Thank you.
Sorry Fern, I was replying to EKN's comment but I probably appear the same way. I don't have a newsletter, but I will try to do better. Thanks for the reminder. (sad face)
Misinformation! Remember how excited we were about the "information superhighway" 25 years ago?
Nail head Anne-Louise ...didn’t see it coming, huh?
Again such inventions appear so wonderful for the good hearted , certainly. But then 🎶along comes Mary🎶....and human nature rides the waves again ( such a great song, thanks🫶) .
We have consistently risen to the cause and prevailed.....
🤞🙏😳🤦♀️☮️
💙💙VOTE THE COMPLICIT ALL OUT💙💙
Oh my goodness! That's an earworm I don't object to - a pleasant surprise and pleasant memories! Windy - Cherish - Never My Love! The Association.
Definitely 🎶🫶✌️
Why are the believers in democracy and fair elections playing victimage rather than playing creative offense? Navarro is a criminal who claims himself a "patriotic victim" of a corrupt justice system. That's offensive.
Thanks FM. I appreciate you very much.
And I wonder if this action was reported by Fox. They like to quell all talk of anything that might hurt Trump.
If you watch any of the “cable” news stations it’s 80% who is ahead for an election that is over a year away. They are all making money on Trump, pro or con. The world is burning, we are being swamped with false information, people are being shot every day, the Supreme Court is corrupt... those things are hardly mentioned.
Since the cell phones replaced land lines the polls have been wildly skewed. It's my belief (without proof) that 18-30 year olds are rarely represented in polls. My daughter is 29 and hangs up on pollsters. I can't believe she's the only one under 30 who refuses to respond to polls, And yet, she votes every time. Same with all of her cousins. I may be wrong about polls, but with 52 million potential voters that have turned 18 since 2016, I want to believe they are under represented in the polls.
Yet we suddenly get treated to endless articles - both right wing propaganda sites and MSM - about Biden's age being SUCH a worry and so scary (with dog whistles that we could end up with a female black person in the White House), while it's crickets on Trump's age (3 years younger) and general unhealthiness. He dementia is obvious but not being called out. Media is putting its thumb on Trump's side of the scale so they can have a better horse race to report. It's all about the money.
Here's an experiment, go to any media site, both MSM and heavily trafficked right wing. Count how many "Biden's age" articles you see on the front pages. Almost ALL of them are going on and on about it.
Thank you for pointing out that dog whistle.
Interesting who Trump might chose as running mate. I can’t imagine anyone not a scary as himself being his pick. He will draw it out as much as he can.
Nope. They were all over Trump's visit to South Dakota, and speculation that Kristi Noem could be tapped to run with Trump.
Aw, MTG will be heart broken.
Snark alert: She has a heart?
Actually it’s hard to have a heart when you haven’t much brain. But then what parental beatings do to brains is not something we discuss. Stalin: son of a drunken cobbler who beat him.
And Hitler's stepfather repeatedly beat him bloody, and reports say nearly to death once. Trumps father was known to hit Donald with punches. To make a conservative, you must beat the child, or as the religionists say, "break its spirit." I grew up with them. Everyone I knew in Kansas in the 50's beat their children with belts, paddles and switches.
Kristi Noem, like Mike Pence, has horrible politics but does have a clue what it means to keep a government operational. I work nearly every day to prevent any R from getting more power, but I would sleep better at night with one of them as VP than one of the total crazies.
I get the real info from South Dakota from one of my husband' cousins who loathes the Gnome and her dog and pony show. She want to ride shotgun (literally) for him as she loves guns and all the rest of R nonsense.
Danger to democracy?
Who censors speech?
Who turned the FBI on American citizens?
Who has criminalized political dissent?
Who wants to take away your gun?
Who wants to get control over your bank account with digitial currency?
Who wants to take control over your children and their education?
Who wants to tell what food you can eat, light bulb you can burn, what kind of car you can drive?
You are delusional.
THE GREATEST THREAT TO FREEDOM always come from the left.
James, right back atcha--
Who criminalized women's health care in almost all red states?
Who attacked and wounded 145 Capitol police officers?
Who ruined the USPS just so they could prevent people from voting?
Who on the left ever suggested taking away all of your guns?
Who doesn't mind children being afraid to attend school because of AR47's?
We eat what we want? Please help yourself to all of the banned cancer causing food additives that Republicans are more than happy to poison us with. Just don't expect us to pay your medical bills?
Who is banning books?
Who is preventing our kids from learning our real history by teaching them that slaves should appreciate the skills they learned from their "masters"?
Who told the kids to take off their masks when he visited their schools?
Who fired anyone that wouldn't kiss his shoes?
I can burn any lightbulb I want. But I choose to buy bulbs that use 3-4 watts instead of 60 watts.
I can drive any car I choose to drive. I drove a Pontiac in 1978 that got 8 miles to the gallon. My hybrid gets 70 mpg and I charge the battery with my solar panels.
Etcetera etcetera etcetera.
So go peddle your misinformation elsewhere where people accept your lies as the truth.
Here’s another with a newsletter to sell. Check him out, and then ignore his ignorance and arrogance.
Agnorance is such an unattractive condition, don't you think?
1) You mean who murders babies?
2) I'm not defending the people who attacked the capitol. The were wrong deserved to punished fairly. Do defending the BLM rioters who burned and looted American cities?
3) Yes the left wants to take away your guns. You are disputing that?
4) YES the right wants to BAN pornographic books from libraries. You support elementary school children having access to highly sexual literature?
5) YES parents want control over leftist that want to push a false narrative of history as well
WOKE narrative.
It's the GOP that kills children with there tolerance for AR-15s and other guns. No proof of any baby killings that I've ever seen.
Apparently you have something against a woman's right to health care. Why? Do you support rape and incest? Governor Abbott and the GOP in TX does. The TX arrest rate for rape has halved since he took office. They won't even test rape kits. And they aren't the only state.
Give us a break about porn and violence. Open your Bible and read about the violence, abortion, bigamy and misogyny. Is the Bible banned in all of the same schools that are banning books? I doubt it. Also, how many kids have access to porn at home on their own cell phones or their parent's computers? You're telling me the parents of these religious zealots all have parental controls on their kid's phones and the Internet. Dream on.
So you admit that MAGAts want to take away our freedoms by banning books and changing history. And yeah, I proudly admit that I am woke and I expect proof when the GOP lies. Because there is none..
James, cancer patients die every day because people fail to put their health at risk (however small the risk is) to donate bone marrow and organs. Pregnancy and childbirth pose a much higher risk to the health of the woman. I don’t want the government to dictate that people have to donate bone marrow and organs to save lives just as I don’t want the government to dictate that a woman has to remain pregnant to save a life. Just as failing to donate organs does not make you a killer of cancer victims, failing to continue a pregnancy should not make you a killer of babies.
Well said. Thank you.
Well, I for one wouldn't trust YOU with a firearm of any kind, since you seem to operate from a position like that of tRump - wilfull blindness. Or near a woman or girl, since you seem to want us all to be subject to invasive, unConstitutional restrictions of our liberty. Your blindness prevents you from understanding that your definition of "pornographic" is not the be-all and end-all of that definition, and if YOU don't want YOUR kids to read some specific print matter then control YOUR kids; you have absolutely no right at all to control any other child, or to substitute your judgment for that of anyone else. And if you think that "leftist" [sic] want to control the teaching of history, you might want to consider how that history has been subject to revision after revision after revision all through, yes, history. It is a form of lying to leave out and to whitewash the ugly parts of our history, and it's wrong to lie to children. Finally, NO ONE defends rioters, whether they try a coup against the US government and end up with deaths of people defending the Capitol, or they infiltrate an otherwise peaceful BLM or other protest and set fire to ANYTHING.
You need to make a serious effort to get out of your information silo and learn what reality actually is. Then you're entitled to share your INFORMED opinion with others and those others will be interested to hear it.
James A Writes James’s Newsletter - "2) the BLM rioters who burned and looted American cities? 3) the left wants to take away your guns."
Can you provide evidence to support those opinions?
Were you on MARS during the summer of BLM riots and looting?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/31/americans-killed-protests-political-unrest-acled
As for gun confiscation you must be on MARS too.
Sep 13, 2019 — In a recent NPR/PBS/Marist poll, 70% of Democrats supported the idea of mandatory buybacks.
James A Writes James’s Newsletter - "Were you on MARS"
Back here on Earth, many sources point out that while it happened at otherwise peaceful BLM protests, the violence and looting were committed by non-BLM folks.
That there are too many guns on the street, and many (most?) are designed for military use is unquestionable. Getting them out of the hands of "bad" people should be everyone's priority -- right or left. If you are implying that the Democratic Party wants to repeal the 2nd Amendment ... well, I find no evidence that is on anyone's list of priorities.
So we support buybacks. So what? That isn't "taking your guns away from you." Get a clue. I'm a Democrat and a liberal and I have guns and know how to use them. Every Democrat I personally know has guns, but then we live in the west so that's not unusual. Nobody is taking our guns unless we want to give them up. We don't mind background checks, mandatory training and insurance, which is necessary to get a driver's license for pity sake.
🤡
🤡
Gary, that’s a masterpiece! 😀
I try not to respond when I'm frustrated or angry, but sometimes I can't help myself. Thanks for the kind words Virginia.
I am 70 years old. Since I could remember, Republicans have said, _______ is going to come take your guns. Fill in with whatever Dem is in the White House. Clinton had 8 years. He never came for your guns. In fact, by militarizing the police, he put a lot more heavy artillery on the streets. Obama was the next boogeyman. Did he, in his eight years in office, come for your guns?
The FBI, by its very nature, investigates American citizens. That's its charter - to investigate crimes on US soil. None of the indictments handed down have anything to do with political dissent, but rather with illegal *actions.*
Please tell us of the plans to get control over your bank account. We'd like some data, please.
Who wants to take control of our children's education? Right wing extremists who are threatening teachers and school boards.
Who has told you what bulb you have to use or what sort of car to buy? Nobody. Cheaper, more energy efficient bulbs are more available now, but you can still buy the old ones. As far as I know there are thousands upon thousands of unhealthy fast food restaurants and the grocery stores are stocked with every kind of junk your heart desires. Who told you what you had to eat?
If you want delusion and repression, look in the mirror.
I have a friend in NE who claims he is a libertarian. I truth he is a 2nd amendment guy. He hated Obama because he signed an executive order requiring gun owners that had silencers to put them in a trust or something like that. Anyway, I asked him recently as a libertarian which "socialist programs" he would eliminate. The list included, highways, schools, the police and fire departments, social security, medicare, medicaid and several others. His reply was those should be handled by the states. He wouldn't eliminate a single program including the DOD.
Maybe I don't understand what a libertarian is, but I'm pretty sure that it's not someone that supports the 2nd amendment and wants to keep every other government program in place.
IMO, Libertarian ideology is the lowest depth to which humans can descend. It is regressive, selfish, self-centered, and without a shred of moral thought or intent. Humans' claim to fame and the reason we've spread almost to the earth's breaking point is cooperation. Without cooperation, it's everyone for themselves, and eventually war-lord tribalism. "Me me me me me me me..." We are a country, not a collection of independent countries that are states. And rights should accrue to everyone equally across this nation. Does you friend go on to advocate for nothing to be done at the state level, but at the county or city level? Because that's where this thinking goes. A civilization is to be judged on how it cares for the most vulnerable. Libertarian philosophy basically says, "If someone hasn't made it in life, let's just walk over them as they are dying and then find a way to put their children in the military or jail." Libertarians are empty skins.
I like your overview and I agree with it, but I probably won't share it with my so-called libertarian friend.
My wife read me a story a few years ago about a community in New Hampshire that tried living as Libertarians. They even eliminated their dump and trash pick-up. Anyway, the bears ended up overrunning the community and they abandoned their little experimental community. It's a very amusing story unless you live in their off-the-wall community.
Here's a link but the story is behind a pay-wall. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/21534416/free-state-project-new-hampshire-libertarians-matthew-hongoltz-hetling
This is a wikipedia article on the epic failure that was the Free State Project in New Hampshire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_State_Project. And there's this interview on lithub, which is not behind a paywall: https://lithub.com/what-happens-when-a-group-of-outsiders-undertakes-a-wildly-bold-social-experiment/
All I have to say is, Jewish Space Lasers, peach tree dishes and Three Toes are representative of all your accusations.
You’re on the wrong site. They moved X three doors down from the Russian propaganda machine.
Keep moving, you’ll see it’s well marked. Stay to the left when you get to fork in the road. The one one the right grifts and steals money for cheap flags, yard signs, hats, and stuffs your sad little brain with bullshit.
James-
Really. While you are entitled to your MAGA talking points and opinions, your bias and inappropriate commentary was obviously sent to the wrong forum. Kindly do your research, educate yourself on our history, and seek legitimate answers to all your own questions. Your ignorance and anger is pathetic and sadly misdirected.
Another dumb leftist response. You don't cite a single example? Of course you don't
because there isn't a single thing I said that was untrue.
But then again truth isn't a leftwing value.
Example of what? You yourself are a fine example of
weak minds that are easily misled by propaganda.
You display anger when confronted with facts that do not fit your narrative. You have no idea what the party of Democracy stands for because you don’t care to know. That’s clear by you what stated to be truth. YOU prefer to remain close minded and ignorant. No one can change your mind because you like hating, accusing and believing someone else is to blame for your own shortcomings.
Another stupid post.
You can't cite a single example. Its facts don't matter to leftist. You clearly couldn't think your way out of a paperbag.
As for "democracy", its most important value is free speech. That's not a value the left shares. The Biden Administration censored descending views on COVID, Foreign Policy, Hunter Biden, and anything else they didn't like. THAT IS NOT IN DISPUTE.
Even worse they've turned the force of the FBI and DOJ on their political rivals.
EVERY SINGLE INDICTMENT of Trump was a novel legal theory that has never been used before. Its a JOKE.
Looking at the polling. Trump either leads or is tied with Biden. This farce isn't fooling anything.
Blah blah blah. You keep repeating right wing bullshit. COVID, Hunter, polling... blah blah blah. Take a hike loser. You’re in a cult.
James, you are the one who's delusional.
Wow, James. Projection. Do some research and understand.
Is this a list of right wing bullshit talking points, or are you serious?
It's crazypants ranting, not a comment.
PS: You forgot to mention those carcinogenic windmills.
Yet you can't cite a single example.
1) Is it true or not true that the Biden Administration asked Twitter to censor
Medical Doctor who had dissenting opinions on COVID?
2) Is it true or not true that the James Brennan CIA director under Obama
brief Obama/Biden that the Clinton campaign was planning to link Trump to Russia
to mitigate damage from the email scandal?
3) Is it true or not that the laptop belonged to Hunter Biden. That the FBI confirmed its
authenticity with a 1 month and that the letter signed by Biden friendly intelligence
officials was a lie to give Biden cover in the debates.
You aren't going be allowed to LIE and spin here
"Reviving Intellectual Honesty" lol 🤡
That which is asserted without evidence can be denied without evidence.
You couldn't name a single item that was untrue.
And you didn't site a single example of your "proof." You first please.
Reported for disinformation.
Just like a good leftist. When you can't win on ideas then censor.
Unfortunately you are to stupid to know that Bari Weiss founded this website because of
people like you that want to censor ideas they don't like.
You could not cite a single example of "disinformation".
You are an intellectual joke even worse baby. Grow up and defend your ideas. Stop being a coward.
James A - Tell me "I didn't/couldn't read/comprehend your response" without saying "I didn't/couldn't read/comprehend your response". Are you really a human, clearly a troll, or are you some sort of bot? In any case, I responded to your pointless points, your raving rant, earlier, and I'm just going to keep on reporting you until you wise up and stop using ad hominem attacks on commentors.
When you can comment like a civilized human being, then you may be worth listening to - disagreeing with, certainly, but a well-thought-out, well-reasoned point of view, with citations where warranted, is always worth listening to and thinking about. Sadly, nothing you've posted today is that. Stop wasting people's time.
Hmmm, I missed your citations and links to your talking points. Please post them again for us James. I listed several above that you didn't dispute. Maybe you missed them.
I agree Michael. The foundations should have called out specifically because the Republicans are the real danger
They are preaching to the choir. Trumpers would never be reading anything remotely intellectual as Heather's pieces.
I am on several Ukrainian twitter platforms. Some offer translations and some are in English. That is how I know what is going on. No way are they Russian sponsored. They talk about how Russians are killing civilians as well as their own soldiers, the helicopter pilot who defected with a helicopter, the kindness of Ukrainian soldiers who help wounded Russian soldiers, etc.
Several of the presidents represented by those foundations and centers contributed to the wreck of the GOP and/or the mess the country is in today. Off the top of my head: Nixon, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, and Obama. In other words, tact and careful focus are generally more effective than rhetorical flourishes, especially when taking an unprecedented step like this one.
In the news events of this year, the most troubling is the refusal by the Alabama legislature to abide by a Supreme Court order to reconstruct their voting districts to give African Americans fair representation in elections. For a state to defy a federal order, harkens back to the 1960’s when the state of Alabama staunchly opposed desegregation of the schools despite clear federal mandates to do so. This development could be the most dangerous threat to our democracy. A constitution and the rule of law are only as good as the people living under it, abide by it. If any state refuses compliance with Supreme Court rulings, then all is lost, we will cease to be a “ United” Sates of America. You cannot pick and choose which laws are to be obeyed and which laws are ignored. In the 1960’s the difficult decision was made to send in federal troops to force compliance by a defiant Alabama.
MAGA's + Scotus = the 4th Reich.
The MAGA are no longer a "wing" of the Republican Party. MAGA IS the Republican Party, with only a very slim minority clinging to the illusion of the former Republican Party. Christie, for example - his policies are awful - but at least he has the decency to call out Trump and what did he get in return? Complete marginalization.
There is growing recognition of the Republican split w/I their own coalition . But there’s significant credibility to the vast numbers who have played and are CONTINUING to play along in seemingly obscure ( but not in any way) roles already in office /on school boards /running for the offices of and against incumbent democrats etc. The overall effort is quite amazingly scary.
The Warning and specifically by Steve Schmitt and noble noted others (Bill Burton , Ruth BenGhait , Joyce Vance, Charlie ) labor over : the disinformed , brainwashed, deer in the headlight public who are pushed to angry places purposefully...and that these people have no idea they will be ( many have been for years but...)thrown under the bus and tromped on first if they vote in these hateful power mongers whose self interest is THE only real motivation.
And their cheap lip service is then swallowed hook,line, and sinker.
A lot is old rhetorical ploy , however still successfully used , and we must push our own agenda of progress in actual play , being seen on the streets and in the states at this very moment, as PROOF POSITVE not alleged promises...shall I repeat that 💥NOT ALLEGED PROMISE💥
The ads , the Democratic Ads are increasing and will even more increase.
Let us all share the livin bejeebers out of them...
Bang for our Buck...right?!!!
This, and THESE ‘ Letters’ are structural masterpieces of truth and real news ,we are on the pivotal precipice of The American Dream ‘s continuance or The End....nobody can even imagine that reality
💙💙VOTE OUT ALL THE COMPLICIT 💙💙
WIZARD VS. LIZARD
As a kid I was enchanted by the Wizard of Oz (Frank Morgan).
A month before my 90th birthday I am terrified of the Lizard of Ooze (Bone Spur Donald).
I felt that the Wizard emanated hope and positive illusion through a carnival character without a shred of meanness in his body.
I know that the Lizard is a mean-spirited narcissist who spreads negative vibes to all in his cult clutches.
As a young lad, I had the remarkable good fortune to be asked to deliver a message to Frank Morgan on his yacht. Mr. Morgan graciously invited me to have a Coke in his walnut paneled cabin. [It was a 6 ounce Coke, decades before the diet variety.]
I was enraptured by this real-world Wizard who had provided courage, a brain, and a heart to Dorothy’s friends and showed Dorothy that there was no place like home (after a wicked witch experienced a watery death).
I can imagine having a cheeseburger and a Coke in the Lizard’s gilt-gold, ketchup-walled Mar a Lago hideaway.
The Lizard would bloviate about ‘the worst witch hunt in American history,’ his broken record about the BIG LIE and how he is the personification of justice (and revenge),and how Judases were betraying his path for America.
I firmly believe that the Wizard represents the soul of America while the Lizard is the personification of all that is despicable.
Wonderful imagery, Keith!
I’ve often wondered if tfg realizes that the term “witch” commonly refers to a woman. Wouldn’t tfg (as macho as he claims to be) more likely be referred to as a wizard? Guess “the worst wizard hunt” wouldn’t sound as catchy…
And yes, the lizard personifies evil. That mug shot!
Meanwhile, I am taking this opportunity to start celebrating your upcoming 90th HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEITH!
🎊🎉🎂🎉🎈
Of course they use witch. They hate women.
Lynn May he drink witch hazel to relieve the swelling and inflammation in his rectum and anus.
Oh, Keith, you are on a roll this am. Being near 90 must be absolutely freeing. Happy birthday ahead of time to you.
Michele When you take Miralax, the good stuff flows.
As I said, on a roll....LOL.
"Bloviate"? that's a new one to me, and I consider myself something of a wordsmith.
Here in Ireland we intensively breed people given to high windy talk.
Consequently we have had to invent words to describe it's various manifestations.
A few of them: Speaking ex-scattera, bellowering, prating, and my favorite, talking scutter.
Patrick Bloviate “Talk at length especially in an inflated or empty way.” I could have used scutter, but that would be demeaning to decent Irishmen. Bone Spur deserves his own scatological word.
Man, I love the wordsmithing going on here. OUTSTANDING!!
Happy (soon) 90th. We're taking off next week to go visit my wife's aunt and uncle. Uncle Bill just turned 89.
Tell Bill to take rum with his Geritol on his 90th and play Happy Birthday on your tuba.
I think he's more of a whiskey guy, but we're definitely taking them out for dinner.
I like the idea of HBD. I think I'll get a video of the ensemble playing it and send it off!
Share that HBD video!
Oh… but Patrick, “bloviate” is so much more relevant when referring to tfg, as it means to “talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way.” The term originated in the 1850s but, as the Oxford Dictionary’s chart illustrates, its use has dramatically increased, most notably (and perhaps not coincidentally) in the last decade.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bloviate+meaning&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS976US976&oq=bloviate&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0i512j0i131i433i512j0i512l7.4916j0j7&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
From somewhere
“Trump’ery. N. Deceit, fraud; anything calculated to deceive by false show; Anything externally splendid but intrinsically of little value; worthless finery; Things worn out and of little value; useless matter; trifles; Worthless; nonsense…”
No way to say it better
Jeri Unadulterated shit that the septic system rejects?
Tailor-made and eponymous, Jeri!
Jeri , All the "NOISE !, That EMINATES, ...From the ORANGE MANGOWANKER definitly Falls, into the Catagory, of ; BLOWFISH !! . ( SPURS ! , are HIM !)
If you ever saw/heard Bill O'Reilly you've witnessed bloviation.
It's all tag does....
Also Chris Christie
“Here in Ireland we intensively breed people given to high windy talk.”
🤣🤣🤣 Yes, yes you do. And those Irish who have emigrated elsewhere have lovingly carried such tendencies with them.
My younger brother is also a Patrick Joseph. He’s quite adept at high windy talk. As is the rest of my family. Including me. Thanks for the chuckle.
🎼
Very colorful language and comparisons here. I wish the ‘scales’ would fall from the Lizard brood and they could see him as you describe him.
Other than defaming lizards everywhere, I like your post and its message. Happy birthday next month!
Steve My apologies to lizards everywhere. As a psychiatric nurse, I hope you don’t encounter Bone Spur Donald in a prison psychiatric ward. I have even a more diverse career, including, as a Foreign Service Officer, operating in Congo with a M-16 and .45 (and I wasn’t a Proud Boy)
Just so you know, I’m a closet fan of yours. I have ways enjoyed your comments, but especially your FS ones.
Likewise.
I am also a fan of Keith.
LORD, HAVE MERCY !, Keith ! Glad !, That YOU, Have Been BLESSED ! I DO Trust, in OUR LORD/GODS Divine INTERVENTION, For, The DAYS, That HE, Will BLESS MANKIND, in All, HIS GRACE !, ,,,,,and MERCIES !
Psych nurse is career #4, after Geologist (with a poly-sci minor, kind of a foreign service wanna-be), Land Surveyor, and Organic Farmer. Currently working dual roles as an immunization nurse specialist and nurse working with detained youth. The closest I got to weapons training was being on the rifle team in high school :)
Steve Age 18/19 make documentary movies in Egypt and Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. 1960 publishedNASSER’S NEW EGYPT: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS (New York, London). [Banned by Nasser, lead review in The Economist]
Foreign Service Officer Congo 1960-1966, Chile 1966-69. 1970-1971 New York City Housing Administration with responsibility for eliminating or severely changing 1943 Rent Control Lane.
1972-1983P Dun & Bradstreet Corporation: Moody’s created international bond ratings, became EVP for all global bond ratings; headed D&B’s management consulting company for nearly a decade. My own Wheelock Consulting.
Researched, published book: NEW JERSEY GROWTH MANAGEMENT. 1992-2013 history/economic professor. Deeply involved in Eisenhower Fellowships and THIS I BELIEVE since the early 1950s.
Conclusion: ‘I had trouble holding a job.
Sounds more like jobs had trouble keeping you :)
Steve 5-10 year itch? I loved the challenge of a new job in a different area. My ‘creativity’ threatened the majority of non-change agents. I relished my 23 years as a history profess, had the most ‘boots on the ground’ accomplishments in Congo, and totally enjoyed the newness of rating international bond issues when I had to figure out how to rate the credit of countries.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VKKIVr2eY6g
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ss49euDqwHA
Kathleen I heard Judy sing Over the Rainbow live in Washington in 1960. WOW!
Thank you, Kathleen, for posting these two videos of Judy singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Her portrayal of the innocent Dorothy singing words of hope to her rendering the same words at an older age in such a heartrending way, whereby hope seems like such a sliver of possibility. Her singing always moves me, but this song challenges us to question what hope means to us in the face of so much loss (my own projections as an old lady in this uncertain world).
Over the Rainbow was created by American Jewish writers as Hitler's thugs took over in Central Europe. It is precisely to promote hope in the face of apparently overwhelming evil.
Joan, agreed. But the Wizard of Oz is not just an expression of hope. Like that other classic of the era, Casablanca, it's an urgent call to action for the neutral US to enter the war against tyranny. Hollywood writers have always been profoundly political and the situation was as dire as it gets.
Alexandra Somewhere over the rainbow we’ll always have Paris.
Aww, Keith! You're a star.
Those brave men were also brave atheists/freethinker
That's an interesting claim, which my fervent atheist cousin would be pleased to know about. I found something of the sort about Yip Harburg, the lyricist (link below), who is reported to have said he became an agnostic when his older brother Max died of cancer at 28. I found nothing on those lines about Harold Arlen, the composer. Can you link to any evidence of Arlen being an atheist?
https://ffrf.org/publications/freethought-today/item/13144-yip-harburg-secular-songwriter
Dear Kathleen Allen, I was in a rush to do errands; it was a long and busy morning, but then there you were on my screen. It was so good to stop and hear Judy Garland sing Over the Rainbow. I've heard that song hundreds of times, and, yet, it always penetrates to my soul. Thank you, dear friend.
I had promised you a few songs after you posted Bruce Springsteen's voice.
Billie Holiday: Pennies From Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S8S1EK7hPw
Leon Russell - Wild Horses (Live)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H7qFT8U5uo
Jon Batiste - FREEDOM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YHVC1DcHmo
Dionne Warwick - That's What Friends Are For
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyTpu6BmE88
🐦😊🌿
Thank you Fern ... Pennies From Heaven with Billie Holiday - a contemporary classic from a timeless star ... Wild Horses - Leon Russel from the heart ... Freedom with Jon Batiste - fat cars and fancy duds don't spell freedom for me ... That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Wareick and Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Elton John (at his all-time best!) - this one lives forever!!
... and this ...:
MICHAEL JACKSON - EARTH SONG
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XAi3VTSdTxU
Kathleen Allen, The Washington Post has been covering the tragedies of eastern Libya, the earthquakes in Morocco, Turkey and Syria...the future is now. Our earth song, produced by the US, China, Russia, India, Japan, Germany, Iran...
My tired eyes perked up at the sight of your name, your message and your care.
Jon Batiste on 'Freedom':
'This song speaks of the sexual and social revolution spearheaded by the likes of Elvis Presley, James Brown and Mavis Staples. The way they moved and expressed themselves onstage liberated people to act as they wanted rather than being constrained by society.'
'When I move my body just like this
I don't know why
But I feel like freedom'
'Batiste's message in the song is about gay rights as well as racial equality. "It's like when Elvis was shaking his hips on the Ed Sullivan Theater stage and people were flipping out," he told Relix magazine'. "It's just the whole aspect of fighting for people's rights and their freedom, and not just so that we could drink out of the same water fountain or go to the same bathroom. It's also so that we could love who we want and be how we want."
'Batiste added that sexuality is an important part of releasing people to be themselves. "You see James Brown dancing in a certain way and it makes you want to be free, and it makes you open up your identity and not fit into the mold of what society wants to give you," he said. "Mavis is somebody who represented that, and all of the Freedom Fighters represented that. I wanted to make a song that explicitly speaks to the sexual and social revolution that happened through that music, and is still happening today."
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/jon-batiste/freedom
Hi Fern, yes I get that - out of the repressive strict set of values imposed by former generations, and conservative rules of behavior, reactive freedom loving ideals and behaviors emerge ... my own father was a devoted "Rat-Packer" - fan of liberated sexual and social freedom of expression - where women were 'free' to smoke, drink and have sex without marriage ... and sure, that pendulum swing has impacted social discourse to the extent that just about everything we see and hear is all about sex and sexuality - not necessarily sense and sensuality ... and even now, the fat car and fancy duds reflect a certain b.r.a.n.d of freedom that still is held in bondage to big time money games and street markets that enslave the soul - that is what I see ... not to judge or condemn - to each their own, it takes all kinds ... for me, a quiet walk in a virgin forest - a spring breeze, sunlight dancing through the trees - and honest love in my heart ... these are the freedoms my heart desires ....
Kathleen, I don't believe that the 'selling' of sex is the school that Jon Batiste supports, but I won't try to speak for him. Sharing our points of view about this subject would take at least a couple of delicious lunches in the park or a lovely wooded spot. Salud!
Keith, I love the comparison. "the Lizard of ooze" paints a disgusting image in my mind but I'd much rather see a festering lizard than that unbearable shell of a man.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 90th!
I really like your comparisons...ones we can all see in our mind's eye!
I feel like the entire country is gripped in the effects (victimization and revenge) that are the symptoms of the psychopathology of tfg. We are living in his illnesses too.
It is indeed a witchhunt, and we found the witch. He has been indicted four times. Now we just need to pour a pail of water on him as Dorothy did in the Wizard of Oz.
Robin And bring a wooden spike and silver bullet just in case.
Keith, you reely done it this time! I would like to second the motion. But then both of us were here for WWII, the founding of the UN (San Francisco), the Marshall Plan, Victory gardens, carpooling, etc. It underlies my faith in the country remembering all of this and voting and losing, voting and winning. The current revision to robber barons shouldn’t make US less generous or less democratic than FDR. Perhaps I should add to this that while you were having a varied career, so also did I and both of us taught, treasuring our liberal arts educations. In November we will have only one vote apiece, but with luck and hard work, it will count.
Virginia You and I have experienced America’s ups, downs, and then ups from the Great Depression and WW II. We know what the soul of modern-day America should be and are fighting to achieve this against that FALSE FACT FARTER, for whom I wouldn’t give a farthing.
Oh, language! The greatest game of all. As the doggerel queen, I dub you alliteration knight.
Virginia We can dance the alliteration waltz accompanied by a rendition of How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?
You with two canes, I with a walker(not before next year, I hope). But I can sing at least two lines of that idiocy. My father taught me wacky songs. Do you know:
She promised to meet me
When the clock struck seventeen
In the stockyards ‘bout three miles out of town
Hallelujah!
Where the pigs feet and the pig ears
And the good old Texas stew
Sell from seventeen to nineteen cents a pound.
Hallelujah!
She’s my darlin’, my daisy,
She’s cross-eyed, she’s crazy,
Knockkneeded, bowlegged, got duh rheumatism,
Her teeth are false from chewin’ on epsom salts.
She’s my freckled faced, consumpted Liza Jane.”
Haven’t thought of that one in awhile, but in tribute to my father for whom no nonsense was too nonsensical and who read to me the Sunday funnies when I was three years old.
I would like to live long enough to hear the modern G&S version of what we are going through. Some days I just crack up at yet another perfect comedy scene.
Virginia ‘I have a little list. He never will be missed.’ With a dash of Shaky”Poor Yoricks, I knew him well.”
Keith, I only know poor Yoricks by name. No reference. Please let me know where he hung out. Dickens? Shakespeare?
Shaky McBeth. He was a court jester whose skull was passed up to someone who reminisced about poor Yoricks.
Well said, thank you
Keith: What a beautiful story - and apt comparison. Thank you.
'...we are in the midst of a storm of disinformation designed to undermine the key institutions of our democracy, particularly the rule of law.' (Letter)
Welcome to 15th century Christian Doctrine in the 21st.
Take note in this book review of Justice Alito resorting to myths about Native Americans in his dissenting opinion in the case of Haaland v. Brackeen, which challenged the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act, giving preference to Native American families in cases involving the placement of a Native American child.
‘In “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy,” Robert P. Jones explores the harmful legacy of a 15th-century Christian doctrine used to justify expansion and colonization in the New World.’ (excerpted)
‘When Joe Biden became the first sitting U.S. president to use the term “white supremacy” — in a 2021 speech commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre — he gave voice to the views of countless other Americans who share his concern about the country’s often forgotten histories of racial violence.’
“As painful as it is,” Biden said, “only in remembrance do wounds heal. We just have to choose to remember.” Coming one year after the killing of George Floyd, Biden’s remarks — like much of his presidency — have encouraged national reflection and reassessment.'
'Robert P. Jones’s stimulating new book, “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy,” examines a series of such reckonings. In lucid prose and evocative detail, he contextualizes these attempts at racial healing within a broader, and much older, history of injustice and moral failure, suggesting that in order “to understand who and where we are, we need our ‘in the beginning’ to start much earlier.”
'To his credit, Jones centers both African American and American Indian oppression, avoiding “the myopic Black/white binary” that silos much contemporary scholarship. “Upstream from the stories of violence toward African Americans,” he writes, “were the legacies of genocide and removal of the land’s Indigenous peoples.” Full of urgency and insight, his book is a compelling and necessary undertaking.'
'A religious studies scholar and president of the Public Religion Research Institute, Jones begins with an impassioned moral charge: Racism predated the arrival of African slaves on the continent, helped to fuel the rise of the United States and still pervades our society. This history is also at the heart of polarized conceptions of American identity, for which presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump provide opposing symbols.'
'One of Jones’s boldest suggestions is to locate the “roots” of American racism not in 1619 or other defining moments in the history of American slavery, but much further back, within religious practices developed in the aftermath of the Columbian Encounter. In 1493, Pope Alexander VI issued an edict praising Columbus for extending European dominion to lands “not previously possessed by any Christian owner.” The declaration was part of what became known as the “Doctrine of Discovery,” an enduring if amorphously defined set of proclamations and legalistic rituals created in the late 15th century to validate European appropriation of the territories of the Western Hemisphere and justify colonization — including, in 1541, in what is now Mississippi, by the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto, who claimed much of the South.'
'The Doctrine of Discovery has legitimated the expropriation of Native American lands for more than 500 years. Yet, as Jones points out, few know much about this history or its ongoing influence. In 2005, the Supreme Court invoked the doctrine in its ruling in City of Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation of N.Y., denying a claim by the Oneida Nation that it should not have to pay taxes on land that once belonged to it as part of a sovereign reservation but that had been sold to the state in 1805 — in violation of a federal treaty — and then, in the late 1990s, reacquired. Writing the majority opinion (and citing the doctrine in a footnote), Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg argued that the tribe could not “unilaterally revive its ancient sovereignty, in whole or in part” since it “long ago relinquished reins of government and cannot regain them through open-market purchases from current titleholders.” The decision was criticized by scholars and Indigenous activists for enlisting the doctrine in a legal argument favoring the land’s colonizer over its original inhabitants.'
'For many minority communities, history remains simultaneously a sword to wield and a shield to seek out for protection, and myths of cultural superiority continue to impair racial progress. In June, the Supreme Court decided the case of Haaland v. Brackeen, which challenged the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act, giving preference to Native American families in cases involving the placement of a Native American child. The court upheld the law in a 7-2 ruling.'
'But in a dissenting opinion, Justice Samuel Alito objected to the act’s prioritizing of tribal affiliation, arguing that it required “a state to abandon the carefully considered judicial procedures and standards it has established to provide for a child’s welfare and instead apply a scheme devised by Congress that focuses not solely on the best interest of the child, but also on ‘the stability and security of Indian tribes.’” During oral argument for the case, Alito had resorted to old myths about Native history, remarking that “before the arrival of Europeans, the tribes were at war with each other often, and they were separated by an entire continent.”
'Isolated and warlike in this conceit, Native peoples were presumably neither using their lands appropriately nor justified in keeping them. They were peoples without history, as Hegel argued, far outside the moral universe of “any Christian owner” — and thus rightly subject to dispossession. As Jones demonstrates, the Doctrine of Discovery established the foundation for such value-laden cultural and racial assumptions.'
'Much is to be gained from Jones’s deep, comparative immersion in local efforts to ameliorate the wounds of the past. He shows how countless Indigenous and African American lives have been irrevocably harmed over the past five centuries and how leaders at every level of government have failed to offer sufficient commemoration, repair or justice. “Christianity,” Jones writes, “has also proven to be more pliant than principled.” (NYTimes, book review by Ned Blackhawk)) Sorry that I could not provide a gifted link.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/05/books/review/the-hidden-roots-of-white-supremacy-robert-p-jones.html
First off, the remark “As painful as it is,” Biden said, “only in remembrance do wounds heal. We just have to choose to remember.” is a keeper. Desmond Tutu said if I recall correctly) that truth precedes reconciliation.
Secondly, what business has the US Supreme Court have citing law, particularly religious law, of a foreign land that far predates the formation of our republic? At least on the surface if it, it seems to make no sense whatsoever.
I was sickened when I first heard about the Doctrine of Discovery when I read “An Indigenous People’s History of the United States” by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. I knew, of course, about the genocidal nature of US Western expansion, but its grounding in Christian theology was a deeply disturbing revelation, withheld from my primary and secondary history education. I fear that right wing politics is working once again to censor the shameful truth of our White (Christian) Supremacist origins as a country. We can’t erase those sins, but we can and must make the truth known - confess, as it were, and then “go and sin no more.” Thanks for referencing this important book, Fern.
Maureen I would also recommend to you and all Sylvia Wynter’s “Race,Discourse and the Origins of the Americas: A New World View” Essentially if you were not white and Christian you were “outside” of Gods creation making you a non soul or person and expendable in service to this view.
Thank you for the recommendation, Christopher.
Your welcome!
Thanks, Christopher. Just tried to shop for it but that one's going to be hard to find. $137 for the only copy on Amazon.
Try Abe books
Maureen You would appreciate LIES MY TEACHER TAUGHT ME: WHAT THEY GOT WRONG ABOUT AMERICAN HISTORY (1995) by my friend Jim Loewen.
I brought 30 copies of LIES as gifts as I visited Native American colleges in 1997.
Thanks for the recommendation, Keith. Sounds like a book that will surely be banned in schools in many states
That was my exact thought about the book on white supremacy that Fern referenced in her post.
It really sounds interesting and readable, per this 2018 review: https://www.npr.org/2018/08/09/634991713/lies-my-teacher-told-me-and-how-american-history-can-be-used-as-a-weapon.
Thanks for the recommendation, Keith.
Thank you once again Fern.
Thank you, Tamera, for your attention to this aspect of our history.
" ... in a dissenting opinion, Justice Samuel Alito objected to the act’s prioritizing of tribal affiliation, arguing that it required “a state to abandon the carefully considered judicial procedures and standards it has established to provide for a child’s welfare and instead apply a scheme devised by Congress that focuses not solely on the best interest of the child, but also on ‘the stability and security of Indian tribes.’”
... so, does this suggest/imply/man-date that a child's welfare is not well served by the stability and security of his/her cultural roots?
How can anyone who is fit to raise a child with integrity object - and claim their rights are being violated when tribal family members and friends come forward to care for the child and present a legitimate claim for custody rights ...?
Exactly, whose rights are being violated?!
All the projected reasons to promote adoption away from the original home may hold water for some - for many, it is a severe hardship - and a hardcore example of historic insincerity, and cultural disrespect characterized by continuing violations of treaty rights, human life and dignity - for all of life - from settlers claiming rights as "The American People" (in the name of Almighty God, no less!) with the American Government in their hands.
*****
"Since European settlers arrived on the shores of what is now known as the United States, federal and state governments, intent on seizing Indian lands, have sought to undermine and threaten the existence of tribes through the forced separation and assimilation of Native children.
"By severing Native children from their families, tribes, and culture, colonizers believed they could stamp out Indigeneity and erase tribal people altogether. As with any nation, the future ceases to exist if children are prevented from carrying on the languages, traditions, and knowledge passed down from each generation to the next."
https://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/native-families-right-to-stay-together-is-at-stake-at-the-supreme-court
*****
In defense of Indian Child Welfare
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tqWZcB3GU4Q
*****
The Story of Baby O: Rebecca Nagle on the Supreme Court Case That Could Gut Native Sovereignty
https://www.democracynow.org/2022/11/10/haaland_v_brackeen_indian_child_welfare
" ... Native Americans are sovereign Indigenous nations, and our citizens have a unique political status within U.S. law. So, a lot of people think of Native Americans as a racial group, but that’s not actually how the law works. The way the law works is that we’re a political group. So, just like certain laws apply to me because I’m a citizen of the U.S. or I live in Oklahoma, certain laws apply to me because I’m a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. And that unique political status goes back to the treaty relationship between my tribe and the U.S. federal government.
"So, there’s an entire section of the U.S. Code with laws that literally go back to the founding of the republic, that treat tribes and tribal citizens differently. So, you know, I can access healthcare at a clinic that only serves tribes and tribal citizens. Tribes can operate casinos in states where non-Native casino developers can’t. You know, everything from land rights, water rights. You know, if we’re just a racial group, what racial group in the United States has its own land base, its own environmental regulations, its own police force, its own criminal and civil codes? And so, the fear is, is that this lawsuit is kind of like pulling a string on a loose sweater. And if they can unravel ICWA, then everything else will come with it."
***
" ... places like The New York Times have reported this case as if it originated as a custody dispute. But it’s actually part of a coordinated litigation campaign to strike ICWA down, that’s been led by the corporate law firm Gibson Dunn, by a very small cadre of right-wing organizations. The Goldwater Institute is really leading the front, but in our investigation we found that money from the Bradley Foundation, a right-wing family foundation in Wisconsin, was behind their efforts, and then a small group of private adoption attorneys and some organizations representing the private adoption industry."
***
"So, I think we can see what their interests are by their own actions. So, the corporate law firm Gibson Dunn and the partner who brought this case, Brackeen, a man named Matthew McGill, filed a lawsuit last January making the exact same legal arguments that they’re making in Brackeen, but instead of representing foster parents that couldn’t adopt Native kids, they’re representing a non-Native casino company that couldn’t do the type of gaming that tribes can do. And the harm in that lawsuit is much more straightforward than in the Brackeen case. It’s simply money.
"And so, what is at stake for tribes is — I mean, it’s hard to overstate it. It’s basically everything. It’s tribal sovereignty. You know, I was interviewing tribal leaders yesterday. It was a very heavy day at the Supreme Court for tribal leaders, because not only are our children on the line, but the legal foundation, the legal structure that defends the rights of Indigenous nations in the United States is literally at stake."
*****
... so, who or what exactly is (in)justice Alito supporting with his dis-scent ...?
Thank you for this, and the references to different sources.
I first learned of ICWA when I was doing courthouse security at our Juvenile Court (it handles both dependency and delinquency cases) and had not known until then that ICWA existed. I know that there was often a "judicial compromise" with regards to what DHS considered a "certified" placement home when it came to ICWA. I remember one state's attorney arguing that the proposed Indigenous placement home did not meet their "standards" for a "safe" residence.* The child's attorney and the father's attorney both argued that the cultural needs of a child in crisis were as important as the child's physical safety. I am so glad that the judge in these cases was receptive.
In the two years I was assigned there (and keep in mind, this was a one or two day a week gig, so it was not full time) I never was aware of a child pulled from an ICWA home for abuse or neglect; that was NOT the case with the "safe" foster care placements.
*The number of children who are further victimized in the dependency court and its "safe" placements is ridiculous.
Thank you for sharing your experience Ally ... chances are, if you had shared this while employed in that capacity ..., you might well have lost the job.
Here are some more references ... a hard story - hard to hear, even harder to tell ..., followed by a few reality checks and (im)balances ...:
*******
S. Dakota Indian Foster Care 1: Investigative Storytelling Gone Awry
https://www.npr.org/sections/publiceditor/2013/08/09/186943929/s-dakota-indian-foster-care-1-investigative-storytelling-gone-awry
***
S. Dakota Indian Foster Care 2: Abuse In Taking Children From Families?
https://www.npr.org/sections/publiceditor/2013/08/09/186943868/s-dakota-indian-foster-care-2-abuse-in-taking-children-from-families
***
S. Dakota Indian Foster Care 3: Filthy Lucre
https://www.npr.org/sections/publiceditor/
*****
Profiting off Indigenous Children in South Dakota
https://sites.evergreen.edu/ccc/carebodies/profiting-on-indigenous-children-in-south-dakota/
***
Sex Traffickers Target Native American Children in South Dakota
https://www.voanews.com/a/usa_sex-traffickers-target-native-american-children-south-dakota/6203518.html
***
Photos of Nude Children in Billionaire’s Email Prompted Investigation
https://www.propublica.org/article/denny-sanford-investigation-photos-south-dakota
*****
Republican SD Senate candidate accused of raping adopted Native American daughter
https://www.nativesunnews.today/articles/republican-sd-senate-candidate-accused-of-raping-adopted-native-american-daughter/
***
Daughter’s Brave Stand Forces Joel Koskan to Admit Incest; Judge Gives Republican Rapist 10 Years in Prison
https://dakotafreepress.com/2023/04/11/daughters-brave-stand-forces-joel-koskan-to-admit-incest-judge-gives-republican-rapist-10-years-in-prison/
*****
Kristi Noem’s Education Reform Branded a ‘Whitewashed Lie’
https://www.thedailybeast.com/kristi-noems-new-social-studies-standards-in-south-dakota-branded-a-white-washed-lie?ref=scroll
((Kristi Noem is a favorite of former president Donald Trump.))
***
Dr. Carson & Gov. Noem: Biggest cultural challenge of our lifetime: Defeating anti-American indoctrination
'No nation can long thrive that loses faith in its own values, history and heroes,' President Trump said
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/cultural-challenge-defeat-anti-american-indoctrination-dr-ben-carson-gov-kristi-noem
*******
Right.
..., I need a nap.
Thanks, Kathleen,
… so, who or what exactly is (in)justice Alito supporting with his dis-scent ...?
Remember Alito’s opinion overturning Roe V Wade cited a 2008 CDC report on the demand for adoption in the U.S.
The Constitution: The Supreme Court
https://www.prageru.com/video/the-constitution-the-supreme-court
Section 2 of Article 3
"Federal courts have just one job:
"To settle disputes about the rights of the parties before them ...
Not to use cases as platforms to resolve policy debates.
Setting policy is the job of the peoples' representatives."
Alito is screaming "states' rights" for all to hear.
"The statement notes that while the diverse population of the United States means we have a range of backgrounds and beliefs, “democracy holds us together. We are a country rooted in the rule of law, where the protection of the rights of all people is paramount.”" (HCR)
... baby steps ... time to change the diapers ...?
Thank you, Fern, for referencing Jones' work in bringing much-needed light to yet another dark time in America history.
That time is deeply woven through our history, including the present time as “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy” indicates.
So tragically true . . . racism is a continuous toxic fiber growing from the roots, its offshoots spreading hatred to all the branches . . .
"More pliant than principled". Yes, because it uses the name "Christianity" as its trading style, as its logo. Going to church, holding up a bible for the photographers, doesn't require principles. Nice phrase, though.
Practicing Christianity is lots harder than proclaiming it.
OMG (whomever She may be). Thank You, I think, Fern.
The metaphor, ‘god’, is a political invention of western ‘civilization’, another political invention, that in its entirety obscures the spiritual evolution of people that existed until the time of the invention of the metaphor, ‘god’.
It certainly obscured the spirits of the people and communities that evolved in the ‘American’ hemisphere when the god and property rights of the European monarchies discovered, dominated and eradicated the indigenous people who lived in the ‘Americas’ in their ignorance and disbelief of the new European reality.
Which is not to say God doesn’t exist. Our national God is very alive, obscuring the people and communities who evolved into the Iroquois Confederacy who inspired the Republic of the United States of America.
Alec You raise some fascinating points about ‘god.’ I recommend Karen Armstrong’s A HISTORY OF GOD. The first evidence that we have of worshipping a possible god is around 30,000 years before Christ. I wonder where ‘god’ was for the initial 15 billion years.
Not so incidentally, Jesus as a Semite had a dark skin. Over the centuries artists whitened his skin. With Africa the locale of greatest Catholic increase, some images are of a black Christ. I wonder how an ‘evangelical Christian’ would relate this to white supremacy.
Because Jesus preached the goodness of all creation and the equality of all people, wherever the stories of him find a home, artists inculturate him in the skin colors and features of that community. Painting a Jesus with a Japanese face (the artist Watanabe) or Navaho (Father John Guiliani) or African (many gorgeous wooden sculptures) or stylized (Caravana, Rouault) – you get the idea – demonstrates not the supremacist manipulation of the face of God but the malleability of the image.
Keith, I want your list of your personal favorite books. I clearly have some catching up to do.
Lynn Georgia and I are involved in moving to a condo, preparing our home to sell, and sorting out ‘stuff’ from many decades. Let me give you some thoughts from the top of my head of some top personal choices:
1) Brave Companions by my good friend David McCullough. Marvelous biographical essays on 17 diverse individuals together with his assessment of American 1935-85. I continue to reread this.
2) Path Between the Seas by McCullough. A marvelous story of all the shenanigans regarding the Panama Canal, the illegalities, and hw TR boasted that ‘he took it.’ Would have made a great movie.
3) Miracle at Philadelphia by Catherine Drinker Bowen The classic book on the Constitutional Convention. I have re-read it various times. Wonderful read nad profound insight II to how compromise affected our Constitution.
4) The Power of Myth Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers. A marvelous journey into mythology and diverse aspects of life. I prefer the DVD, but have read the book several times.
5) The History of God by Karen Armstrong. Though I taught early Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for over a decade, this book explores ‘where died god come from.’ Historically, we have found evidence of the worshipping of some ‘supreme power’ about 30,000 years ago. What existed before and how did humans subsequently create different ‘gods.’ Bart Ehrman of the U. Of NC has been my guide to the New Testament.
6) The Soul of America Professor Meacham Published in 2010, this is an optimistic historical account of the ups/downs/and ups in American history.
7)The Worldly Philosophers By Heibroner Written decades ago, this is a highly readable account of stages in economic development from Adam Smith onwards. I quibble with his accounts, especially on Karl Marx—personally I prefer Groucho Marx.
8) The Follies of History by Barbara Tuchman. Tuchman’s books enchant me. Her ‘follies’ start with the Trojan horse, focus on the British stupidities during the American Revolution, has an X-rated account of Renaissance popes….Highly readable and infomative.
I hope that you find the time to glance at a few of these. If you have a particular interest in a period or topic, I’m available to provide suggestions. I’ve covered everything from Economics from Feudalism to the Present to Societal Discrimination: The Who vs. The What from Patriarchy to the Present.
Enjoy!
Wow - thanks!
Off to the library on Monday!
Lynn I just make several corrections to my library list. Happy spelunking.
On the issue of God - go and look at the current Webb Telescope images - and think that a God in Human form (as we have made images of God in our own likeness - not the other way around) could even exist - the radiation from some of those supernovae would have fried anything in microseconds! Arrr but we love an imaginary Lord and Master!
What you mean ‘we’, Kimosabi?
There is no Lakota word for god by Mark Tilsen
https://lastrealindians.com/news/2017/6/21/jun-21-2017-there-is-no-lakota-word-for-god-by-mark-tilsen
Wow!
He also wrote “White Too Long,” which I really liked.
Thank you Fern for this info. I've just added it to my list of books to read.
Thank you, Fern, for sharing this review! I have the book on my reading pile, and this confirms that it will be worth reading.
As an aside, the reviewer, Ned Blackhawk has a recent book out: The Rediscovery of America - Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History.
Thank you, Juanita. I will check out Ned Blackhawk's book. His review “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy,” by Robert P. Jones was thoughtful and keen in its depiction of the subject matter.
For what it's worth: On March 30, 2023, Pope Francis renounced the 550-year-old Doctrine of Discovery, which granted European nations the right to claim the new lands they discovered on behalf of Christendom. (wording from google search replies)
Fern, this is pure gold. Thank you for this.
I wish to Christ people would READ the Constitution before they cite its language! The Defendant was NEVER Peter Navarro's "commander-in-chief". The President is commander in chief of the ARMED FORCES, not (as some like to say) of the United States'; there is no such office as "commander in chief of the United States", and it would be an offense to republican principles if there were. He outranks any general or admiral, and that's ALL IT MEANS! He has no special authority over me (not since January 12, 1976, when I got my discharge) or you or any other civilian on account of that. What Navarro should have said is that the Defendant was his employer but that's hardly a legal defense.
Sorry, Petey, but you really touched a nerve with that one.
As usual, the Trump defense is ‘pants on fire’ declarations and distortions of Constitutional phrases to appeal to a short-sighted, uneducated base. ‘Praeger U Law School’ lessons have done their damage.
An incredibly depressing letter today on the attacks on our democratic institutions from both within and without. AI and its ability to produce deep fakes generated by foreign actors are going to warp reality in the coming elections.
The Paxton revelations continue to horrify me in the extent that he was able to blantantly ignore the obligations of his position unchecked and work solely to impose his ideological agenda. That this has taken this long to get revealed in the media speaks o the weakening of traditional media.
I may very well not be looking in the right places, and I gave up on TV news in the Iraq war and have not been back since, but it seems to me that investigative reporting was not what it was. It seemed to me that media played a far more robust watchdog role prior to Reagan.
Blame Ronnie and Rupert, for starters
Yup, and insufficient resistance from Democrats. I was shocked when I herd on the news that the "fairness doctrine" had been canceled, but that seemed to have slipped by with no media or societal discussion that I was aware of.
Bill Moyers knew; he tried to sound the alarm
Yes, he would. I miss his input.
More than I can say
Maybe I read a different letter, but when the George W. Bush Library convenes those of other presidents to discuss defending democracy, I think it's worth notice and a cause for hope. Too bad the Eisenhower library declined to participate, because we are living in extraordinary times. and surely he would have agreed.
Progwoman, I read like you did - noting the concurrence of the G.W. Bush library and the absence of the Eisenhower library (surprisingly).
I know - somehow, I thought it would be the other way around.
Indeed, Elon Musk is fast becoming one of the most dangerous..... and powerful.... people on the planet.
And he seems to be horrifyingly gullible.
And horrifyingly irresponsible and self -centered.
To paraphrase Dan Rather, again: Not normal, folks.
Irresponsibility and self-centeredness are the least of Musk's numerous shortcomings.
Does anyone else have "arrogance and ignorance" on their X Bingo card?
He oown 42 of the 48 satellites we all communicate with.
Scarey to contemplate.
Heather Cox Richardson we are living in themidst of the old Chinese curse of "interesting times". Your letter has it all.
My fave item of the day was Willis' verbal smackdown of Jordan. He can buy the book of RICO law for $149.
Much appreciated Professor ⭐
Perhaps we do a "go fund me" to get the money to buy Gym Jordan the book...do we really think he reads? Probably not.
(Applause)
"For a more thorough understanding of Georgia’s RICO statute, its application and similar laws in other states, I encourage you to read “RICO State-by-State.” As a non-member of the bar, you can purchase a copy for two hundred forty-nine dollars [$249]. " -Fani Willis
Heather,I am so grateful for your letters. Each comment confirms my reasoning or tests me....I learn so much from each participant who shares: writings/thoughts/quotes ,etc. those I have time to take in.....so thanks to each contributor as well.
He probably reaches for Captain Billy's Whiz Bang when trying to parse the trickier pieces of American jurisprudence?
You use be a fan of Prof. Harold Hill in the Music Man.
No, it was $249!!
2am. typo, thx
As long as we're talking about the rise of fascism, there's an opportunity this weekend to download and record the best movie ever made about fascism: the 5-hour Director's Cut of Bernardo Bertolucci's "1900" - the epic story of Italy from 1900-1945 seen through the life of the son of the landowner (Robert DeNiro) and the son of the head of the peasants who work the estate (Gerard Depardieu) who becomes the local Communist Leader. Donald Sutherland nearly steals the whole thing in broad daylight playing the overseer recruited to represent the landowners to Mussolini, who after 1922 takes over and terrorizes everyone. He has two scenes I'm not going to describe so you get the full whammy that perfectly explain and demonstrate the essence of fascism.
The movie is on MGM+ (and on MGM+ on cable Sunday night) and Amazon Prime. This weekend only. Search "1900 Extended" to get it. If you ever saw the 2.5 hour "theatrical release" 40 years ago, the director's cut makes that look like the Cliff's Notes of the movie.
With you all the way on that TC. He made other good films on the Fascist period, like The Conformist.
But I have also been urging people to show Italian newsreels of the rise and rise of Mussolini... the proud squadristi, the conquests, Ethiopia (called Abyssinia at the time), Libya... above all, above all, the Duce haranguing vast crowds in the throes of hysteria from that balcony in Rome's Piazza Venezia... and from balconies in provincial towns throughout Italy.
And then defeat, in Greece, in North Africa, at Stalingrad.
Then that vile ending in Milan, corpse hanging upside down from a meat hook.
SHOW ALL THE DUCE'S TRIUMPHS TO THE TRUMPISTAS -- WHO'LL LOVE EVERY MOMENT OF IT -- THEN THE WAR... AND DOWNFALL.
Something even they can understand.
My father in law served as a young civil engineer in Eritrea. His old photos of that time are fascinating. The Italians were building an empire, one road and bridge at a time. It reminds me of China’s Belt and Road initiative (and also of the Roman Empire).
I have read no recent reports from Eritrea but the last info I had about the current regime was worse than anything the Italian Fascists ever did at home. More like ultra-Stalinism. All the population treated as slaves.
Peter, thank you. I enjoy history.....we need to know the good, the bad and the ugly.
We need to take action with truth, as well.
Thanks for the heads-up. I will definitely be watching. There is nothing new here, all of these despots have been here before. What amazes me is how easily and willingly people can be duped.
Marvellous film. And some devastating, indescribable scenes, that burst on you without warning.
10,000 thank yous!!!!
TCinLa...will watch this evening if possible...will definitely watch.......but must DO MORE THAN WATCH!!!
Thank you! Will watch
TC, this weekend? Sat. or Sun?
Thank you so much for your Letters Heather. Every morning with a tip of the hat to Pavlov, I sip coffee, look at world news, review The Guardian, and look forward to your writing and citations to arrive at a greater understanding of what continues to unfold in the United States and the historical context.
With Bannon, Navarro, Trump -and his 18 cronies indicted, and or convicted, Trump did say he was going to "drain the swamp". Now his prognostication is more clear. He intended to jump into the swamp with his co-conspirators and accessories after the fact, displacing the murky water and then be taken into custody.
With a small team I'm working to provide a mechanism for rational people who embrace facts, evidence, and science to reach agreements on what American society should aspire toward, and then guide them to codify such agreements into action. While most social and news media today is beholden to the profit motive -and therefore thrives upon conflict and polarization, we believe there is an important opportunity to set forth an alternative, where people can respectfully disagree, reach new understandings, and then collaborate on outcomes that move America forward, strengthen our economic engine, as well as democracy, equity, and justice.
Your work continues to inspire us and remain hopeful about the future.
Which is the biggest terrorist this week, Mike Huckabee or Elon Musk? Either one, I’m feeling terrorized.
Both are very creepy.
X marks the spot.
Elon scares me way more than MH or even TFFG because he is acts like a Fascist.
1) He has made EVs mainstream by using battery technology that his company improved upon with a product available worldwide.
2) He has purchased a social medium platform where he allows right wing hate speech and lies and then forbids others from exposing the lies
3) He is filthy rich which allows him to control the conversation
4) He is way smarter than TFFG and most other MAGAts.
Fortunately, he still makes stupid mistakes, but so does TFFG every day and his MAGAs will follow him long after he's locked up or dead. Don't be surprised if he runs for President in 2028, 2032, etc.
Luckily he is barred from the presidency as a naturalized citizen. What bothers me most about Musk is StarLink, and his control of it to support Russia and hurt Ukraine. His control over vital satellite communications is so dangerous given his fascist leanings and his butterfly-like span of attention. I’d be in favor of nationalizing StarLink.
I agree with you about StarLink. I forgot that he wasn't a naturalized citizen. So he's just a kingmaker wannabe? The DeSantis kickoff didn't work out well, but I suspect DeSantis will run in 2028 and beyond if he doesn't blow this one too badly.
No mortuary temple to the memory of George W. Bush has standing to lecture anyone on democracy. The only difference between the elections of 2000 and 2020 is that Bush got away with it.
W and his Rasputin, Cheney, did indeed shame the Presidency, but Bush seems to be working towards atonement. This would never, ever happen with 45 - he will be spouting Big Lies until his final breaths (may they come soon).
We can be appreciative that the administration of these institutions will long outlive their namesakes and will, or will have, established more truthful and relevant legacies as ongoing public service entities.
"Paxton appears to have used the powers of his office not to help the people who elected him, but to advance an ideological agenda along with his own interests. "
And seriously, how many current, salient elected Republicans have not?
Most.
Thank you Heather.
For the life of me, I do not understand why Chuck Grassley's involvement in the January 6th Insurrection is not talked about every damn day.
I can't thank Fanni Willis enough for that public take down of Jim Jordan. I'm fairly certain he did not expect the response he got from her.
Be safe. Be well.
Jordan is a fool; an ass of the lowest degree. I have a very difficult time trying to figure how anyone can take him seriously. Why he hasn't been charged with neglect and abuse in the matter of the college wrestling team is beyond rational understanding.
It is remarkable to me actions of defiance exhibited by Alabama governor Kay Ivey and her ilk. Not once, but twice trounce, and step and grind their collective heels into the rights of voters, told to stop and then do it again, admonished for their behavior, and then say "Screw you federal government".... maybe she's channeling George Wallace. And then, everyone's going to the Supreme Court to get their grievances addressed, like it's a local court they just use address their whims and desires.
It is child like behavior, repubs don't like being told no, you can't do that.... who does this remind us of? We are in a terrible situation, and my biggest fear is the Great Orange One gets re-elected, and really, all bets are off. By now, they know the designs and weaknesses of the federal government, the administration thereof, and they are ready to push aside the public servants that do the day to day work in favor of the Trumpists willing to do his bidding. Ugh! Thank you HCR once again for your brilliant perspective!
Send in the troops
Several of those presidential institutions have some nerve sending out an alarm about the death of our democracy when they themselves helped poison it.
Indeed they did, but now they are “institutions.” Glad there is no Chump presidential library.
It would be housed in a bathroom with a chandelier and the volumes in cardboard boxes....
and include Mein Kampf
Because he doesn’t know what a library is for.
His version sure would be a far cry from any other. God forbid.
Fantastic letter today, Heather. Thank you for keeping us apprised of the amazing revelations that our elected officials are being held to account! HOORAY! ♥️