68 Comments

Robert, Loved your quibble! Cold and depraved. Sure sounds like the Grimm Reaper to me.

Expand full comment

Agree with Cathy: your humor is so refreshing!

Expand full comment

And much needed!

Expand full comment

Looking forward to having KBJ on the bench, a fierce proponent of the Constitution and the rule of law...wow, what a concept!

Expand full comment

Robert, Thank you for the bit regarding Missouri Senate candidate Eric Greitens. Until now, Missouri hadn’t been on my screen as for Senate races worth following. On a lesser matter, retiring Senator Richard Burr represents North Carolina. The retiring Senator Roy Blunt represents Missouri.

Expand full comment

Thanks for the correction; I will fix in the online verion.

Expand full comment

Barbara. You beat me to it. I’m in N.C. and thought —“Wait! Is there ANOTHER Richard Burr? Oh no!”

He’s ours and I’m glad to show him the door and support Democrat Cherie Beasley.

Expand full comment

Jan, Though I’m out of State, I, too, am supporting Beasley. Whenever an organization requests the names of candidates whom we believe they should support, I always include Beasley.

Expand full comment

Senate Circle is supporting Cheri Beasley.

Expand full comment

Thanks for your gentle correction.

Expand full comment

I feel fortunate for the opportunity to read a column so focused on the idea of and the importance of decency (and the danger of the lack of it) in the selection of a Supreme Court Justice, in the conduct of war, and in our domestic politics.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Len. Always good to hear from you.

Expand full comment

“We are fortunate to live in a time and place where someone with the talent, grace, and humanity of Ketanji Brown Jackson can be nominated to the Supreme Court. That makes me feel confident about the future of our nation. I hope it makes you feel that way, too.”

Me, too, and I’m from the state that has given this nation Josh Hawley and Eric Greitens. There is hope for us even here in Missouri.

Expand full comment

We need you in Missouri! From afar, it seems like many newspapers and some Republicans have rejected Hawley. ?

Expand full comment

I am hoping someone like Lucas Kunce will have a chance in Missouri’s state senate race to replace Roy Blunt. With the infighting among Republicans, Democrats have a chance, and I think he would appeal the most to Independents and maybe some Republicans. We shall see.

Expand full comment

Good luck!

Expand full comment

How to "out-organize, out-fundraise, and out-recruit" Republicans:

Every one of us can find a way to step up for democracy over authoritarianism. Get a shot of energy and inspiration from the dynamic folks in this video of The Union Town Hall. Joe Trippi and the Lincoln Project have launched a matchmaker for individuals and progressive grassroots organizations. Something for everyone--check it out!

https://twitter.com/JoinTheUnionUS/status/1506043665059233792?s=20&t=BgdrGLMZwEPJGnb02sIuTw

Expand full comment

Thanks for the link, Ellie. I will check it out.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Ellie. I just finished watching this and it sounds like a great place to get involved. I'm going to sign up now. Cheers. Susan

Expand full comment

I wouldn't vote for Josh Hawley for my local garbage collector. In the past 4 years, he has consistently chosen to place himself on the side of racists and misogynists. He has revealed his true colors. I hope that there are enough Missourians out there who are turned off / repelled / appalled by his statements and fist raisings to turn him out at their next opportunity.

Expand full comment

It will depend, at least in part, on MO Democrats coming up with a viable and attractive candidate in two years. Greitens, or his GOP successor, has one in Lucas Kunce who is now polling statistically even and is running a decent campaign.

Expand full comment

I find this guy utterly repulsive, not just because of what he says, but because he came from an extremely privileged background with every available advantage given especially to white men in our society and this is what he's done with it? He gags me to the core.

Expand full comment

It's breathtaking to think about the distance between Hawley and John Danforth or Thomas Eagleton. Isn't it? And not a good distance either.

Expand full comment

You are so correct. Breathtaking is right.

Expand full comment

Not a good distance at all, Hawley isn't fit to shine either of their shoes.

Expand full comment

And he should.

Expand full comment

Josh Hawley is ringing whatever bell might be of advantage to him. He only cares about himself, just like the other Republicans.

Expand full comment

I wish it weren’t so

Expand full comment

Today's edition is a confidence builder. With Jackson on the Supreme Court, despite the machinations of evil political players like McConnell and Josh Hawley trying to prevent that from happening, maybe we really can save our country from the Republican assault on the Constitution. Your take on the matter is a real morale booster. Thanks!

Expand full comment

As I watched the opening of the Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Jackson and listened to the Republican Senators on the Judicial Committee speak I thought to myself that Senators Grassley, Graham and Hawley and others represent the worst of the character and hypocrisy of the Republican Party. I hope that many voters like me are just sick and tired of the soap opera and are ready to move on. As we watch the leadership and unity of the Ukrainian people fighting for their lives and freedom the childish behavior and actions of the Republican Party pale in comparison to the courage of the Ukrainian’s and clearly highlight that Republicans should not be running our government.

Expand full comment

I appreciate the fact that you and others are watching the hearings. I cannot stomach the rudeness and the insulting statements and questions from those you named above; they literally make me ill. Your "review" and that of others allows me to keep informed and also keep my blood pressure in a somewhat normal range!

Expand full comment

I know what you mean. Yesterday my blood pressure went up, too. I have not watched the grueling questioning today. I am already so upset about the war in Ukraine that I can’t take the hateful rhetoric of Hawley, Cruz, and company. They are the biggest hypocrites, and I am including almost every Republican Senator in that group.

I will get the highlights from this evening’s news. I would probably have a stroke if I watched any more than that.

Expand full comment

I’m with you there, Ellen. Although I don’t even have television; but couldn’t stand watching it if I did. These reviews help me to ‘see’ the hearings vicariously. Thank you to Robert and all commenters.

Expand full comment

I agree with you whole heartedly! Republicans are only interested in money and power. They care nothing about America and her citizens.

Expand full comment

Important to note: A report on NPR said that Judge Jackson’s sentencing “shortfalls “ were the accepted requests from PROSECUTORS.

Expand full comment

And also, I believe, from the Probation Office, which makes an independent recommendation. (I am not a criminal lawyer, so forgive me if I have mangled that concept).

Expand full comment

This column is right on. Keep it coming.

Also your links are outstanding.

Expand full comment

Ketanji Brown Jackson exudes judicial temperament. We are so fortunate.

Expand full comment

Another informative and well documented article. Thank you for your good work!

Expand full comment

Thank you Robert for putting things into perspective.

Expand full comment

Thank you for today’s letter and its most important message regarding the confirmation and qualifications of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. It is long past time to have the perspectives from her life story and experience as a public defender incorporated in the judicial philosophy and decisions of our highest judicial authority.

Expand full comment

Minor correction: James Eastland was from Mississippi. The two Democrats representing Missouri at the time both voted to confirm Judge Motley.

Expand full comment

Hi, Gary. Thanks for the correction; I will make that edit in the online version now.

Expand full comment