In light of the shooting at a Trump rally (one spectator killed, one spectator wounded), please be respectful. Do not condone or endorse violence. If you do, I will ban you from the Comments section. Again, please be respectful.
President Biden was magnanimous in his address about 2-1/2 hours after the shooting. He showed true character. I feel very badly for the innocent victims and their families.
Yes, we must emphasize that we are a nonviolent movement for democracy. from Ezra Levin of Indivisible,
“We stand united against a cycle of political violence in this country. Peaceful organizing is the way to protect our democracy. That is how we will win. In solidarity, Ezra”
Robert, tonight I had to be “you” in essence for my daughter and son-in-law who are distraught and full of anxiety, like millions of us. Luckily, the last five or so years of reading you, Jessica, Craven, and HCR, have equipped me with many of the messages to pass along to instill some hope. The main one being “please take action.!” I really don’t know what I would’ve done without you during these times. I think the panic being felt by many is spurring even more action to save our democracy. I believe it’s not too late, and we will overcome the evil threat.
My guess is Jay Kuo, who writes a substack "Status Kuo" - he is a favorite of Jessica Craven, which is how I found out about him. He writes a serious column Monday through Friday and then does a lighter column "Just for Xeets and Giggles" on Saturdays with memes and short videos from Twitter (X) and TikTok. I highly recommend him!
yes, I love his take on things--often with some snark, which always makes me laugh (or groan, sometimes), and I adore his Saturday "Just for Xeets and Giggles".
Hmm. Maybe I should read him. The problem is always time! Between Robert, HCR, sometimes Joyce, sometimes Robert Reich, it's hard to find time/cycles for more stuff!
I suggest signing up for at least a free subscription to have access to his Saturday column. Like Jessica Craven's Sunday EXTRA!EXTRA! column, it puts you in the right frame to get back in the fight to save Democracy.
Here is a link to last week's EXTRA!EXTRA! for anyone not yet following her substack:
So, weirdly, I guess, Just for Xeets and Giggles showed up in my inbox soon after this post. Also someone else that I had just seen mentioned here. It verges on creepy. But X&G was certainly funny! I admit I didn't get all the jokes, but I got most.
I just found Jay Kuo on FB. I Don't Have Time For All This! Argh! I just want to read stuff all day. Instead, I promised Mom I'd do some weeding, and take her to a store (mostly she can do all this herself, but not lately), AND I have to do a bunch of paperwork ...... sorry, I'll stop whining now.
I had my own interactions with my son and DIL this past week. Both are sensitive, caring people who have been avoiding most news now. They will both vote for the Democrats to keep Trump and his cronies out of office. I "read the room" and decided to use only good, encouraging news about progress in the right direction. Needless to say, I could see my son brighten when I told him many stories about the grassroots worker bees, the wonderful ways people are sharing the good stuff going on, etc. We're in this together!
I have only been subscribing to various Substacks since late last year, but I have been a dedicated grassroots activist since the beginning of COVID. It saved my sanity as a single and (at that time) recent early retiree. Participating in virtual letter- and postcard-witing parties for Vote Forward, Postcards to Voters, and various local candidates gave me something to focus on other than the pandemic and toilet paper and PPE shortages!
With respect to postcard- and letter-writing, it is still part of my daily routine - listening to Robert's newsletter while writing a few postcards is how I start my day. And I still participate in virtual writing "parties" as well as in-person ones!
It saves me too, Cheryl. Though this past week has been tough. I look at the President and see him fight to stay in there, and feel that the least I can do is keep fighting too! I've had to stop watching my favorite MSNBC show which gives me more time to write postcards! Onward!
Kudos to you. I currently have a stack of 350 postcards and 80 letters waiting to be mailed closer to election time. I’ll probably end up ordering more.
Podcasts just might work for you instead of TV. The Meidas Touch podcast is energizing & has dark humor. Beau Of the Fifth Column does helpful short takes, answering pertinent questions.
My printing has become attractive with Sharpie Extra Fine Point. With every name/address, I have a sense that the individual may have many struggles. Often I add “Thank you (name)!” at bottom, hoping a discouraged person might receive it as soothing and encouraging enough to get them to vote.
Have had to stop all MSNBC except Lawrence. Reading Dr. Fauci’s book “On Call.” Inspiring to say nothing of interesting and truly good story-telling.
Thanks, but I can't watch/listen while writing. The best I can probably do is music without lyrics. I tried listening to Hadestown. Nope. I tried listening to Amazing Blondel. Nope. Maybe I'll try some early music next, like the Tallis scholars.
I have a little memo clip that puts a completed postcard at eye level. I carefully write out one postcard slowly making sure that I have written out the script correctly and in eye-catching style. (I like to use different color pens to emphasize Important information - dates and websites in a high contrast color, candidate names and the word DEMOCRAT in capital letters in bright blue, "MAGA Republican" in red, etc). Then I start writing with white-out in close proximity! 🙄🙄🙄
Have you tried just writing addresses while you listen? That is somewhat easier!!
Wow, what a great way to do it! We need to get all those colors too! I could give writing & listening at the same time a try, and just see. However, knowing me, I'm not hopeful. Never have been a multi-tasker! Plus, it's hard to keep my writing legible :-(
I have a hard time multi-tasking too Jocelyn. I get distracted and accidentally write the word I heard instead of the sample postcard I'm looking at :) It's the reason why I don't attend any postcard writing groups, in-person or virtual :( I write 5 cards at a time and read Robert. Five more and read Jessica. Five more and read HCR. Five more and send out FB memes from the A Biden a Day FB group. I'm happy if I get 20 done in a day!!
Deborah, I've been doing my own version of your "reading the room" and it seems effective. My close friends are all dealing with their own personal issues and stresses and the news of the day is overpowering for them. They are usually positive people, but when your basket is empty, you can't give your apples away (old saying.) Lately, I've been focusing on the power of grassroots organizations and just letting them know that although they feel down, others are busy at work on their behalf. I do believe that activists at the grassroots level are flying under the radar and MSM has no clue how many of us there are nor how busy we are.
I was introduced to Robert's Substack a couple of years ago by a friend who thought my writing resembled his (barely!). I've since followed his advice and subscribed to the same ones you mentioned and several others, and even had the audacity to start my own. I don't think I would be anywhere near as informed, motivated, and engaged without these wonderful writers (self excluded). I particularly like the respectful (generally) dialog that accompanies their incredible work. I find it inspiring.
I appreciate your remarks, both concerning Robert..and your children, Cathy. Having recently had similar conversations with family with great support of son-in-law, who also is a subscriber, I turned their minds back to a positive frame. I also encouraged them to read all they could find on how an “open” convention works and who would/could get our primary votes. For me, it just evokes a sense of chaos. I am more resolute then ever, so I just keep writing postcards! And talking up Joe’s accomplishments.!
In addition to COVID, many of us long time environmenta lists were greatly traumatized by the wildfires that devastated homes, entire communities and beloved forests such as Opal Creek Wilderness. With respect to media, i'd like to recommend Heather Cox Richardson's interview with Antony Blinken, our incredible Secretary of State. To understand and be impressed by Biden, one needs only look at his cabinet picks.
"To understand and be impressed by Biden, one needs only look at his cabinet picks." Excellent observation, Karen, and perhaps the starkest contrast with Felonious T, whose "Tool" Cabinet was a rank collection of loyalists and foilists. ["rank" has multiple applicable meanings]
Yes. There will be a convention. There will be a candidate. We will all vote for that person.
It has happened before and we always end up with a candidate.
Project 2025 is getting more and more press. We can all help by talking and writing about what it means. Once the Biden age issue burns itself out, the focus will shift mostly to the horrors of the GQP.
Absolutely right, Bill, and as I've said many times before about the mere 3-1/2 year difference between President Biden and Felonious T, "While President Biden acts his age, Trump acts like a 3-1/2 year old." I have a ton of confidence in and respect for the aging statesman, and nothing but disdain for the other guy.
I'm seeing more about P 25 now too, but not nearly enough. I have been posting about it on FB; one of my FB friends reported that a P 25 post of her has been deleted by FB! Yikes!! (But in her post's new string, I was able to encourage one of her friends to think more positively about Biden, since she had been "turned off" by the "debate."
Facebook has retained the conservative The Dispatch to “fact check” posts about Project 2025. Such posts are usually banned. Luckily, people are learning to bypass the algorithm by writing “Pr0ject Z025” or something similar. That such critical information that voters need to know about before the election is being banned is sickening. We must remain undaunted in our efforts to illuminate the dire threat that Project 2025 is to our democracy.
Yup, FB is awful! They haven't banned any of my P 25 posts, but under one of them, having to do with Veteran Benefits, they posted a "fact check" from The Dispatch, just like you said. In future, I'll remember to refer to the "project" in other ways.
I wish I shared that outlook. I cannot imagine there NOT being significant Biden stumbles (maybe literally) over the next few months, with less time to recover. The debate was “one bad night,” but one after weeks of preparation and no ability to pivot quickly didn’t the evening.
The facts you cite are self evident, but I do not think the conclusion drawn from those facts is warranted. The most important facts today are (1) democracy is on the line in the US and abroad;(2) Biden is the only presidential candidate today who can even plausibly win the next election and thus protect democracy in the current political and economic environment; (3) no one becomes a presidential candidate “overnight” - long term planning, lots of money, strong organization with “good” people running it and supporting it are mandatory, not optional; (4) there is no such thing as the “perfect” candidate, because it is impossible for one person or even one political party to understand the needs, hopes, dreams, anxieties and fears of the hundred million or so voters or would-be voters, much less figure out how honestly to respond to all these divergent needs, fears, etc. (I learned as a political science major in college decades ago that no matter how wise or educated or righteous I - or anyone - might be, I could not be a competent benevolent dictator.) (5) The Democratic Party, and I believe the American people, are fortunate to have Biden, who at his age and with his legacy already established, could well really retire to a life of leisure and materially reduced responsibility, but who is willing, and mercifully still able, to continue to “fight the good fight” for all of creation, including but not limited to us humans, wherever we live or wherever we were born. (6) American citizens have the major responsibility of casting votes in this year’s election for candidates for public office,
I agree with 1, 3, 4, and somewhat 5. I'm not sure about 2. And I agree with 6, but that's my concern. I would add 7, which is that folks who feel the way we do need to be persuading more people to vote the way we will. And that is where I, as a door knocker, am concerned--it is just a fact that a sizeable majority of potential voters do not want to vote for Biden OR Trump and, I fear, will not vote. We need their votes to win. If Biden stays in and loses, we will never know if someone else could have won. If Biden bows out and x loses, we will never know if Biden could have won.
And with that...I'm off to my local farmer's market to register voters:-)
I very much appreciate the response - and the agreement as it is qualified. Unsolicited advice about dealing with the concern you (and seemingly, many others) express is not helpful in this situation, but perhaps my experience (as a still practicing, almost 88-year old, lawyer might be: character is developed over a lifetime and is formed as the result of how one acts in response to the challenges one faces. The longer we live, the more challenges we face and thus the more experience we get in how appropriately (for the good of all concerned) to respond to them. Biden has lots of experience and thus a long track record of responding, not always but enough times, for the good of his constituents and the common good too. His long-manifested character in decision making and action, together with his willingness to stay engaged with the compelling issues the nation and world confront, and his only marginally impaired capacity to function at maximum level to do the job he seeks, warrants my confidence and will get my vote.
AND after a grueling schedule--flying through multiple time zones, twice in three weeks would give anyone jetlag--even a younger person might have difficulty recovering from.
And how do you "pivot" from a deranged debate opponent who is firehosing his lies faster than anyone could even factcheck him--plus, even when they cut Trump's mic, Biden could still hear him shouting his lies...that technique is called a Gish gallop and it's especially effective with a person who stutters and therefore has to hesitate slightly to get his speech rhythms in line.
I mentioned this Gish gallop earlier (I had read about it right after the debate and it makes sense to me that no one could keep up with Trump lying like that). I also think Biden has learned that he cannot travel like that and then participate in a debate late at night. With a liar!
"People" keep talking about holding a mini-primary for new candidates. My suggestion: take the tape of the debate, erase all of Biden's answers, put said candidates individually in a room, and insert THEIR 2 minute responses after each question/Trump statement. Willing to bet none of them will do any better, probably worse since they don't have Biden's experience/knowledge
I expect he--or his aides and Jill--will try to pace the President a little more carefully. From what I read, President Biden was engaged in some delicate negotiations and ally talks that required his in person presence
I doubt Trump was ever in any delicate negotiations other than selling us to Putin. And Biden admitted he overdid it. Whoever booked his schedules did him no favors with that stupid fundraiser right after those grueling days.
Actually, it was 10 days and three time zone trips. First Normandy for D-Day - 4 days of appearances at different Normandy sites and cemeteries. Home for 2 days, flew to Italy for intensive G-7 meetings, meetings that took place in the middle of the night DC time!, flew back to DC after meeting with the Pope, arrived 3am DC time, and an hour later was flying to LA for that fundraiser Clooney was at. His circadian rhythms had to be completely out of whack! And what was Clooney doing during those 10 days? And the others? Anyone see Trump capable of a tenth of that with his 4+hrs of executive time everyday?
Last night, one of my most negative friends, regarding the election and this moment in time, texted me, “Joe is killing it in Motown!” It made me smile. That was my respite, as smiles are not easy to come by these days, especially regarding the election cycle. Today, I will continue to recover from surgery and maybe watch stupid movies. Our troubles will wait.
Considering the universe, and galactic time, is bound to bring humility. And also a vote of confidence, that this insignificant biped on an insignificant planet orbiting an insignificant star out on an insignificant arm of a minor galaxy, can look out at the universe and understand what is seen.
Yes, but our lives are even shorter and of less universal significance. Yet, my time on Earth, and that of my children and grandchildren, has a great personal meaning. This is all we get. I’d like to live some of it in peace and harmony with others and with nature.
As always, thank you, Robert, for being here with us all. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pics of the universe with us; I always enjoy seeing them and marveling how many thousands and millions of years ago the light from those stars were generated. A very nice respite, like Joyce's chickens and Heather's scenic images.
“The media distorts stories to provoke maximum fear…”
Ironically, the media could easily provoke maximum fear by truthfully telling real news - like project 2025 or covering trump honestly- rather than 24/7 coverage of Biden quitting.
And most of all, everyone (media, substackrrs, etc) is provoking max fear in me because NO ONE is talking about how the Supreme Court is going to steal the election. They’ve done it before under less terrifying circumstances and we all took it without a fight.
Kathy – I am right there with you; I believe the Christofascists know they cannot win the election, so they must steal it and they are getting ready.
NOTE: Anyone who does not want to read about a possibility that I consider a significant threat: STOP HERE. It is imperative for us all to listen to Robert and get out the vote! As Joyce Vance said: Roe, Roe, Roe the Vote! This possibility must not deter you from helping!
If you are still with me, check these out:
• From 2022: Honest Government Ad | The Supreme Court
• July/August 24 Rolling Stone: 2024 ELECTION: ‘GEORGIA IS OUR LABORATORY’
o Team Trump sees the state as ‘a road map’ for putting Trump’s heads-I-win-tails-you-lose philosophy of elections into practice
o By ADAM RAWNSLEY and ASAWIN SUEBSAENG
o The presidential election this year will come down to seven states — but there’s one that Donald Trump and his most committed lieutenants see as a blueprint for corrupting future local and national elections: Georgia.
o WAR! “EVERYBODY IS GEARING UP FOR FULL-BLOWN WARFARE.”
• Trump allies at Heritage declare 2024 election illegitimate in advance
o A “war game” presented at the right-wing foundation imagined far-fetched scenarios for election interference to justify preemptive measures.
By Isaac Arnsdorf
July 11, 2024 at 9:12 p.m. EDT
o “As things stand right now, there’s a zero percent chance of a free and fair election,” said Mike Howell, executive director of Heritage’s Oversight Project. “I’m formally accusing the Biden administration of creating the conditions that most reasonable policymakers and officials cannot in good conscience certify an election.”
The threat is real; but it is OK for this to be out of the media and on the back burner right now. Come September this will need more coverage. Here’s my guess of how this might play out:
The Election
These Christofascists are quietly putting in place people to facilitate STEALING the election. This will start at the school district/county level with states and federal courts getting involved.
1. Have Christofascists commit voter fraud.
2. Claim that we can’t certify this election because of possible fraud!
3. Red state governors use their State Troopers and/or activate their Guard units and use them to stop the vote in blue counties, e.g., Harris County Texas to prevent Colin Allred from defeating Ted Cruz.
4. File cases in friendly, venue-shopped courts to challenge the election. Delay, delay, delay all the way to SCROTUS to prevent the certification of the election.
5. Red state governors activate their Air and Army Guard units and pledge them to The Don much like many have done sending their Army Guard units to Texas for Operation Lone Star.
6. MAGA Mike Johnson refuses to recognize and seat Ds in the House. (Unconstitutional; but don’t you get it? They DON’T care! They are on a mission from their God!)
7. Swear in the Don.
8. Implement Project 2025/Gilead
Stop the Steal will be chanted as Christofascists steal the election.
PS: Possible Trump assassination attempt in Butler PA. Standby for more violence.
That was the joke Molly Ivins used when she described Pat Buchanan's 1992 Republican Convention speech, that it probably sounded better in the original German.
"The mainstream media distorts stories to provoke the maximum amount of fear, anxiety, and anger. They do so to maximize clicks and revenue...We unwittingly amplify that dynamic when we forward or post those stories so that friends and family can share in our panic."
So true. And the NYT quite deservedly so is being criticized for unashamedly displaying that harmful and reckless attitude. But sometimes even they get it right and it should be hoped that the editors live up to their civic duty to take a stand against the dangers which so eloquently have been expressed in this editorial
This editorial should provoke anxiety as well as anger and should be forwarded and posted as often as possible. It certainly isn't news to the readers of Robert's newsletter but other's might be convinced to get off the fence and do the right thing.
It's just hard to "like" anything the NYT does, even when it gets it right. They have been so vociferously wrong recently, dragging a good president around, and leaving unsaid what they finally said. Trump is, on every level, an unfit Presidential candidate. Why, oh why, did they wait to publish this important fact?
I think one of the reasons that the NYT changed their tune has to be that they are hemorrhaging subscribers. Just think if they had reported all of the good things Biden has been doing for the last 4 years instead of the angry Sturm und Drang of all things Trump, how much better off the country would be.
That is the EXACT (and only) reason why TNYT finally came out against Trump. I hope their readers continue to terminate their subscriptions. The editorial was too little, too late. And they referred to "Mr. Biden"; it's President Biden, thank you! They just couldn't help themselves but to write that dig.
I dumped my NY Times subscription last year. Since then, I have been receiving "limited time" offers to re-subscribe fo $50 for a 1-yr subscription. It might disappear for a week or so, but then I get back in the queue for the "limited time" offer.
I'm a Wordle "addict" (since before NY Times acquired it) and now I am getting a "50% off" offer for the NY Times "Games and Puzzles" subscription (regularly $50/year).
Yeah, I agree they must be hemorrhaging subscribers!
Wordle can be played without a NYT subscription. It was part of agreement when it was purchased. It still tracks your winning streak, which is what I think is important....(my streak is pathetic).
Thank you for this link and your comments. It is really good, and I almost missed it.
I cancelled my NYT delivery after becoming infuriated about its unfair treatment of Biden while mostly ignoring Trump’s traitorous actions and outrageous lies.
I had the unfortunate opportunity to receive a mailing list e-mail yesterday “ I wanted you to hear it from me….” Yes! My Congressional Representative jumped on the train asking President Joseph R. Biden to pass the torch.”
I called her office to express my disappointment, posing several questions. 1. Does she have a viable candidate to put at the top of the ticket? 2. Does the candidate have the $$ and organization to move quickly throughout the country? 3. Does she realize that those who have chosen this path have now brought us to a moment of divisiveness among members of the Democratic Party?
Yes! I need a respite. Yes! I will remain strong, move forward, take action, and trust voters to make a decision that takes our country forward rather than backward.
Thank you, Robert. What a mess we have this July 13, 2024. Whatever, we will work diligently to assure the Democrat we offer - whomever that will be - wins!
for your reply to your Congress “critter” (as Heather calls them), it made me embarrassed that I didn’t do the same; I’ve been so happy to finally have a Dem rep (here in AZ) that I was flummoxed by his email saying the same, and I couldn’t even bear to read it. Maybe I will go back and do so, AND ask him the same questions.
Our Rep went even further and I sent him a scathing letter informing him that I was cancelling my heretofore regular donations and withdrawing my support for his re-election. That if all he could find in his character was to be "okay" with Trump winning, then he could just quit right now and let a REAL Democrat take his office.
Our 2nd CD Rep is Jared Golden..he actually got his first political experience working for Senator Susie "Fence-sitter" Collins and why he didn't run as a Repubbie, I'll never understand--because he's been a DINO ever since he was elected. He was, however, far better than the sleazy Bruce Poliquin who was the previous Rep. Seem as though he learned Senator Collins' weathervane lessons very well indeed.
I was disheartened and 'annoyed' to learn my Rep Blumenauer also calling for Biden to step aside. I have voted for him in every election. Be sure his office knows he has lost my vote.
Oh! Dear Marsha, this is not a good strategy. In 2024 we can’t surrender our support for good, well meaning people. When I spoke to my Representative’s office staff member I made it clear that I couldn’t go that route. Simply posed my questions and expressed my disappointment because there is no way I can accept the other party candidates until they have a reckoning themselves.
Mine did too John. So disappointing. She was soundly taken to task at her next meet & greet, although some people expressed agreement. She really could not answer those questions. She suggested there will be more and there were. I hope that's all there are.
If you haven't seen last night's rally in Detroit, you need to treat yourself. Joe was in his element because he was with the PEOPLE! He was so happy to see everyone there and it made me tear up when they chanted "Don't you quit!"
"By the way, I don't call it labor- it simple- UNIONS! Just say the word!"
This weekend I will spend some time contemplating the terms "collapsing star" and "fourteen-minute exposure". Thanks so much for sharing Robert! The song "Lessons From Astronomy" is lovely!
I feel we are headed out of the nonsense of the last 2 weeks. I hope everyone will enjoy their weekend!
Wonderful news about his fiery speech in Detroit. I read that Shawn Fain along with some Democratic legislators did not attend the rally. Does that mean that the UAW is having second thoughts on Biden's viability?
Oh dear . You got me worried so I checked it out and found this.
“On Wednesday, Biden met with the executive council of the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of U.S. trade unions, to shore up support among labor unions. Fain attended that meeting.
I could not agree more with Robert’s assessment of our cumulative state of mind in America. We are shell-shocked and highly reactive. I believe it’s up to anyone and everyone who can break themselves away from the panic dynamic and simply get to work slowly and steadily to do so. If everyone panicking and pulling away got one other person to vote instead of pulling away, we’d win. If Biden dies we will have Kamala Harris. We can’t lose! And it’s up to each of us to demonstrate faith in each other and to do our share of the electoral educational work needed to win. Feelings are not facts. And the Media is increasingly driven by feelings accompanied with gossip and speculation and yes…soothsaying. It’s hard to bear if you are out there really trying to help in civics. They undermine all of us. We can’t stop them but we can be discerning about absorbing them and their drama. Substack writers inspire me. They give details and facts and thorough descriptions. Candidates actual speeches are excellent info. So…Biden was tired and shaky at the debate and Trump was pathologically and forcefully lying every second. That was useless media coverage, all round. The format encouraged it. Watch Bidens Detroit speech. It’s awesome! Watch (maybe take a Valium or Prozac first..) the next Trump speech. Now who will you vote for? My career was performing. Creating illusion in character. Staged reality. So was that debate. Who cares. It was badly staged theatre and Trump is a better actor but a far less solid human being. We have to stop panicking, no matter what. If someone else is chosen at the convention let’s agree not to fight about that too. One solution…. Any and ALL Democrats are better than Republicans right now so just vote. We’ll be ok.
I want to comment on the use of language by the press. In the NYTimes column today we were reminded of Biden’s “abysmal” performance at the debate. That is an “abysmal” editorializing of a news story which unfortunately shapes people’s understanding and emotional reaction to a story. We should be cautious to recognize how we are being influenced. PDK
I don't watch speeches, debates, etc. I READ them. Amazing what comes through from just reading. Biden was fine for the most part. Trump was horrid all the time. Too many people are too swayed by optics and seem proud of it.
Dear Mr. Hubbell, you really do remind me of this lovely Tolkien quote, and I can say nothing nicer to you ;-):
"It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule."
Gandalf also tells Frodo, "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." Words for our time, for sure.
Meanwhile, on the somewhat lighter side, I recently watched a Colbert (love him!) interview with Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn - love him!!), which was adorable. During it, Colbert highlighted Viggo's T. It looked just like my Biden / Harris '24 T, but said "Frodo / Sam '24"! Underneath is the quote,"I shall take the ring to Mordor." Colbert completed the quote, "though I do not know the way." More words for out time. (After 4/11, I'm going to get one of these to wear!)
What a joy to hear a poetic interpretation of your words; significant life lessons set to music. It's a keeper. I continue to encourage others to sign up for your newsletter. If they're looking for hope in this tumultuous time, it can be found right here. Thank you.
I agree with Sara. The song was lovely and very calming. A testament to your writing, Robert! Perceiving the best path forward is easier done when not in a panic! Both your words and photography help keep us grounded with a sense of perspective...of our place in the universe.
5:00 PM Pacific / Saturday July 13]
In light of the shooting at a Trump rally (one spectator killed, one spectator wounded), please be respectful. Do not condone or endorse violence. If you do, I will ban you from the Comments section. Again, please be respectful.
President Biden was magnanimous in his address about 2-1/2 hours after the shooting. He showed true character. I feel very badly for the innocent victims and their families.
Yes, we must emphasize that we are a nonviolent movement for democracy. from Ezra Levin of Indivisible,
“We stand united against a cycle of political violence in this country. Peaceful organizing is the way to protect our democracy. That is how we will win. In solidarity, Ezra”
Robert, tonight I had to be “you” in essence for my daughter and son-in-law who are distraught and full of anxiety, like millions of us. Luckily, the last five or so years of reading you, Jessica, Craven, and HCR, have equipped me with many of the messages to pass along to instill some hope. The main one being “please take action.!” I really don’t know what I would’ve done without you during these times. I think the panic being felt by many is spurring even more action to save our democracy. I believe it’s not too late, and we will overcome the evil threat.
Don't forget to read Joyce and Jay!
And Jessica Craven, Chop wood, Carry water 🤗
And the DOW Jones topped 40,000, hitting 40,601.90, which is an all-time intraday high! Should make headlines in the WSJ, the NYT, all media.
Every day
Jay? Who's that?
My guess is Jay Kuo, who writes a substack "Status Kuo" - he is a favorite of Jessica Craven, which is how I found out about him. He writes a serious column Monday through Friday and then does a lighter column "Just for Xeets and Giggles" on Saturdays with memes and short videos from Twitter (X) and TikTok. I highly recommend him!
Yesterday's column: https://open.substack.com/pub/statuskuo/p/taking-on-project-2025?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Last Saturday's column: https://open.substack.com/pub/statuskuo/p/just-for-xeets-and-giggles-070624?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
yes, I love his take on things--often with some snark, which always makes me laugh (or groan, sometimes), and I adore his Saturday "Just for Xeets and Giggles".
Hmm. Maybe I should read him. The problem is always time! Between Robert, HCR, sometimes Joyce, sometimes Robert Reich, it's hard to find time/cycles for more stuff!
I suggest signing up for at least a free subscription to have access to his Saturday column. Like Jessica Craven's Sunday EXTRA!EXTRA! column, it puts you in the right frame to get back in the fight to save Democracy.
Here is a link to last week's EXTRA!EXTRA! for anyone not yet following her substack:
https://open.substack.com/pub/chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions/p/extra-extra-july-7?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I have to admit, I would never have been able to keep up with reading as many Substack columns as I do, before I retired.
Jay Kuo is really worth your time. I read quite a few Substacks and his is always at the top of my list (as well as this one, of course).
So, weirdly, I guess, Just for Xeets and Giggles showed up in my inbox soon after this post. Also someone else that I had just seen mentioned here. It verges on creepy. But X&G was certainly funny! I admit I didn't get all the jokes, but I got most.
And, if you're on Facebook, you can get more frequent doses of Jay Kuo's insight - and snark - there.
I just found Jay Kuo on FB. I Don't Have Time For All This! Argh! I just want to read stuff all day. Instead, I promised Mom I'd do some weeding, and take her to a store (mostly she can do all this herself, but not lately), AND I have to do a bunch of paperwork ...... sorry, I'll stop whining now.
I feel for you! If I wasn't retired I'd need to cut way, way back on my time on substack and FB.
Just checked it out - great, thank u!
Kuo ?
Who are Joyce and Jay?
Joyce Vance and Jay Kuo.
I had my own interactions with my son and DIL this past week. Both are sensitive, caring people who have been avoiding most news now. They will both vote for the Democrats to keep Trump and his cronies out of office. I "read the room" and decided to use only good, encouraging news about progress in the right direction. Needless to say, I could see my son brighten when I told him many stories about the grassroots worker bees, the wonderful ways people are sharing the good stuff going on, etc. We're in this together!
I have only been subscribing to various Substacks since late last year, but I have been a dedicated grassroots activist since the beginning of COVID. It saved my sanity as a single and (at that time) recent early retiree. Participating in virtual letter- and postcard-witing parties for Vote Forward, Postcards to Voters, and various local candidates gave me something to focus on other than the pandemic and toilet paper and PPE shortages!
With respect to postcard- and letter-writing, it is still part of my daily routine - listening to Robert's newsletter while writing a few postcards is how I start my day. And I still participate in virtual writing "parties" as well as in-person ones!
It saves me too, Cheryl. Though this past week has been tough. I look at the President and see him fight to stay in there, and feel that the least I can do is keep fighting too! I've had to stop watching my favorite MSNBC show which gives me more time to write postcards! Onward!
Kudos to you. I currently have a stack of 350 postcards and 80 letters waiting to be mailed closer to election time. I’ll probably end up ordering more.
Kudos to you too!! 💙💙💙
WOW
Good for you! I cannot write and listen at the same time, sadly.
Podcasts just might work for you instead of TV. The Meidas Touch podcast is energizing & has dark humor. Beau Of the Fifth Column does helpful short takes, answering pertinent questions.
My printing has become attractive with Sharpie Extra Fine Point. With every name/address, I have a sense that the individual may have many struggles. Often I add “Thank you (name)!” at bottom, hoping a discouraged person might receive it as soothing and encouraging enough to get them to vote.
Have had to stop all MSNBC except Lawrence. Reading Dr. Fauci’s book “On Call.” Inspiring to say nothing of interesting and truly good story-telling.
Thanks, but I can't watch/listen while writing. The best I can probably do is music without lyrics. I tried listening to Hadestown. Nope. I tried listening to Amazing Blondel. Nope. Maybe I'll try some early music next, like the Tallis scholars.
I have a little memo clip that puts a completed postcard at eye level. I carefully write out one postcard slowly making sure that I have written out the script correctly and in eye-catching style. (I like to use different color pens to emphasize Important information - dates and websites in a high contrast color, candidate names and the word DEMOCRAT in capital letters in bright blue, "MAGA Republican" in red, etc). Then I start writing with white-out in close proximity! 🙄🙄🙄
Have you tried just writing addresses while you listen? That is somewhat easier!!
Wow, what a great way to do it! We need to get all those colors too! I could give writing & listening at the same time a try, and just see. However, knowing me, I'm not hopeful. Never have been a multi-tasker! Plus, it's hard to keep my writing legible :-(
I have a hard time multi-tasking too Jocelyn. I get distracted and accidentally write the word I heard instead of the sample postcard I'm looking at :) It's the reason why I don't attend any postcard writing groups, in-person or virtual :( I write 5 cards at a time and read Robert. Five more and read Jessica. Five more and read HCR. Five more and send out FB memes from the A Biden a Day FB group. I'm happy if I get 20 done in a day!!
Me, either. I can only play solitaire while doing other things. Sometimes little puzzles. Well, and knitting if it doesn't require directions. haha
Deborah, I've been doing my own version of your "reading the room" and it seems effective. My close friends are all dealing with their own personal issues and stresses and the news of the day is overpowering for them. They are usually positive people, but when your basket is empty, you can't give your apples away (old saying.) Lately, I've been focusing on the power of grassroots organizations and just letting them know that although they feel down, others are busy at work on their behalf. I do believe that activists at the grassroots level are flying under the radar and MSM has no clue how many of us there are nor how busy we are.
Ellen, I love this. Thank you for all you do!
And thank YOU!
I was introduced to Robert's Substack a couple of years ago by a friend who thought my writing resembled his (barely!). I've since followed his advice and subscribed to the same ones you mentioned and several others, and even had the audacity to start my own. I don't think I would be anywhere near as informed, motivated, and engaged without these wonderful writers (self excluded). I particularly like the respectful (generally) dialog that accompanies their incredible work. I find it inspiring.
I think I find the respectful dialog to be almost as useful as reading the posts - that whole "we're all in this together" (as Joyce says) feeling.
I think you right that anxiety is being channeled into action.
Anxious? Gestalt therapy: Register more Democrats.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
I appreciate your remarks, both concerning Robert..and your children, Cathy. Having recently had similar conversations with family with great support of son-in-law, who also is a subscriber, I turned their minds back to a positive frame. I also encouraged them to read all they could find on how an “open” convention works and who would/could get our primary votes. For me, it just evokes a sense of chaos. I am more resolute then ever, so I just keep writing postcards! And talking up Joe’s accomplishments.!
I, too, found myself channeling Robert as I talked a dear friend off the ledge yesterday.
In addition to COVID, many of us long time environmenta lists were greatly traumatized by the wildfires that devastated homes, entire communities and beloved forests such as Opal Creek Wilderness. With respect to media, i'd like to recommend Heather Cox Richardson's interview with Antony Blinken, our incredible Secretary of State. To understand and be impressed by Biden, one needs only look at his cabinet picks.
Heather Cox Richardson's interview of Antony Blinken in early July 2024, Part 1:
https://youtu.be/4KyJ9YKoCkI?si=6-fP3syQ_Q49gj14
I like the typo 'environmenta'
Excellent point!
"To understand and be impressed by Biden, one needs only look at his cabinet picks." Excellent observation, Karen, and perhaps the starkest contrast with Felonious T, whose "Tool" Cabinet was a rank collection of loyalists and foilists. ["rank" has multiple applicable meanings]
Right on and let’s compare Blinken to the former Trump Secretary of State who was bullied by Trump
Her two interviews with him were so informative and yes, he is absolutely the right person for the job.
Democrats are tripping over themselves in a panic over Biden’s debate performance. Understandably.
However, I predict that debate anxiety won't last another couple of news cycles.
Meantime, Biden’s campaign can only get stronger while Trump's will continue to weaken.
"We're in this together."
~ Joyce Vance
Yes. There will be a convention. There will be a candidate. We will all vote for that person.
It has happened before and we always end up with a candidate.
Project 2025 is getting more and more press. We can all help by talking and writing about what it means. Once the Biden age issue burns itself out, the focus will shift mostly to the horrors of the GQP.
Absolutely right, Bill, and as I've said many times before about the mere 3-1/2 year difference between President Biden and Felonious T, "While President Biden acts his age, Trump acts like a 3-1/2 year old." I have a ton of confidence in and respect for the aging statesman, and nothing but disdain for the other guy.
I'm seeing more about P 25 now too, but not nearly enough. I have been posting about it on FB; one of my FB friends reported that a P 25 post of her has been deleted by FB! Yikes!! (But in her post's new string, I was able to encourage one of her friends to think more positively about Biden, since she had been "turned off" by the "debate."
Facebook has retained the conservative The Dispatch to “fact check” posts about Project 2025. Such posts are usually banned. Luckily, people are learning to bypass the algorithm by writing “Pr0ject Z025” or something similar. That such critical information that voters need to know about before the election is being banned is sickening. We must remain undaunted in our efforts to illuminate the dire threat that Project 2025 is to our democracy.
Yup, FB is awful! They haven't banned any of my P 25 posts, but under one of them, having to do with Veteran Benefits, they posted a "fact check" from The Dispatch, just like you said. In future, I'll remember to refer to the "project" in other ways.
Good. We must outwit them.
@projecttwentytwentyfive !!!
Hear a speech pathologist's explanation of how a stutter can disrupt a person's ability to communicate. Start at 1:14:16:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlXLAcKuqeo
I wish I shared that outlook. I cannot imagine there NOT being significant Biden stumbles (maybe literally) over the next few months, with less time to recover. The debate was “one bad night,” but one after weeks of preparation and no ability to pivot quickly didn’t the evening.
The facts you cite are self evident, but I do not think the conclusion drawn from those facts is warranted. The most important facts today are (1) democracy is on the line in the US and abroad;(2) Biden is the only presidential candidate today who can even plausibly win the next election and thus protect democracy in the current political and economic environment; (3) no one becomes a presidential candidate “overnight” - long term planning, lots of money, strong organization with “good” people running it and supporting it are mandatory, not optional; (4) there is no such thing as the “perfect” candidate, because it is impossible for one person or even one political party to understand the needs, hopes, dreams, anxieties and fears of the hundred million or so voters or would-be voters, much less figure out how honestly to respond to all these divergent needs, fears, etc. (I learned as a political science major in college decades ago that no matter how wise or educated or righteous I - or anyone - might be, I could not be a competent benevolent dictator.) (5) The Democratic Party, and I believe the American people, are fortunate to have Biden, who at his age and with his legacy already established, could well really retire to a life of leisure and materially reduced responsibility, but who is willing, and mercifully still able, to continue to “fight the good fight” for all of creation, including but not limited to us humans, wherever we live or wherever we were born. (6) American citizens have the major responsibility of casting votes in this year’s election for candidates for public office,
I agree with 1, 3, 4, and somewhat 5. I'm not sure about 2. And I agree with 6, but that's my concern. I would add 7, which is that folks who feel the way we do need to be persuading more people to vote the way we will. And that is where I, as a door knocker, am concerned--it is just a fact that a sizeable majority of potential voters do not want to vote for Biden OR Trump and, I fear, will not vote. We need their votes to win. If Biden stays in and loses, we will never know if someone else could have won. If Biden bows out and x loses, we will never know if Biden could have won.
And with that...I'm off to my local farmer's market to register voters:-)
I very much appreciate the response - and the agreement as it is qualified. Unsolicited advice about dealing with the concern you (and seemingly, many others) express is not helpful in this situation, but perhaps my experience (as a still practicing, almost 88-year old, lawyer might be: character is developed over a lifetime and is formed as the result of how one acts in response to the challenges one faces. The longer we live, the more challenges we face and thus the more experience we get in how appropriately (for the good of all concerned) to respond to them. Biden has lots of experience and thus a long track record of responding, not always but enough times, for the good of his constituents and the common good too. His long-manifested character in decision making and action, together with his willingness to stay engaged with the compelling issues the nation and world confront, and his only marginally impaired capacity to function at maximum level to do the job he seeks, warrants my confidence and will get my vote.
That's my fear also, Cathy. Still, gotta keep going!
AND after a grueling schedule--flying through multiple time zones, twice in three weeks would give anyone jetlag--even a younger person might have difficulty recovering from.
And how do you "pivot" from a deranged debate opponent who is firehosing his lies faster than anyone could even factcheck him--plus, even when they cut Trump's mic, Biden could still hear him shouting his lies...that technique is called a Gish gallop and it's especially effective with a person who stutters and therefore has to hesitate slightly to get his speech rhythms in line.
I mentioned this Gish gallop earlier (I had read about it right after the debate and it makes sense to me that no one could keep up with Trump lying like that). I also think Biden has learned that he cannot travel like that and then participate in a debate late at night. With a liar!
"People" keep talking about holding a mini-primary for new candidates. My suggestion: take the tape of the debate, erase all of Biden's answers, put said candidates individually in a room, and insert THEIR 2 minute responses after each question/Trump statement. Willing to bet none of them will do any better, probably worse since they don't have Biden's experience/knowledge
Absolutely, Eva!
I expect he--or his aides and Jill--will try to pace the President a little more carefully. From what I read, President Biden was engaged in some delicate negotiations and ally talks that required his in person presence
I doubt Trump was ever in any delicate negotiations other than selling us to Putin. And Biden admitted he overdid it. Whoever booked his schedules did him no favors with that stupid fundraiser right after those grueling days.
Actually, it was 10 days and three time zone trips. First Normandy for D-Day - 4 days of appearances at different Normandy sites and cemeteries. Home for 2 days, flew to Italy for intensive G-7 meetings, meetings that took place in the middle of the night DC time!, flew back to DC after meeting with the Pope, arrived 3am DC time, and an hour later was flying to LA for that fundraiser Clooney was at. His circadian rhythms had to be completely out of whack! And what was Clooney doing during those 10 days? And the others? Anyone see Trump capable of a tenth of that with his 4+hrs of executive time everyday?
Last night, one of my most negative friends, regarding the election and this moment in time, texted me, “Joe is killing it in Motown!” It made me smile. That was my respite, as smiles are not easy to come by these days, especially regarding the election cycle. Today, I will continue to recover from surgery and maybe watch stupid movies. Our troubles will wait.
I wish you a speedy recovery!
Dean recover and get off the injured reserve list and back on the field we need you.
Considering the universe, and galactic time, is bound to bring humility. And also a vote of confidence, that this insignificant biped on an insignificant planet orbiting an insignificant star out on an insignificant arm of a minor galaxy, can look out at the universe and understand what is seen.
Yes, but our lives are even shorter and of less universal significance. Yet, my time on Earth, and that of my children and grandchildren, has a great personal meaning. This is all we get. I’d like to live some of it in peace and harmony with others and with nature.
As always, thank you, Robert, for being here with us all. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pics of the universe with us; I always enjoy seeing them and marveling how many thousands and millions of years ago the light from those stars were generated. A very nice respite, like Joyce's chickens and Heather's scenic images.
Yes! (I'm not much of a chicken fan, but Joyce's chickens do make me smile.)
“The media distorts stories to provoke maximum fear…”
Ironically, the media could easily provoke maximum fear by truthfully telling real news - like project 2025 or covering trump honestly- rather than 24/7 coverage of Biden quitting.
And most of all, everyone (media, substackrrs, etc) is provoking max fear in me because NO ONE is talking about how the Supreme Court is going to steal the election. They’ve done it before under less terrifying circumstances and we all took it without a fight.
Kathy – I am right there with you; I believe the Christofascists know they cannot win the election, so they must steal it and they are getting ready.
NOTE: Anyone who does not want to read about a possibility that I consider a significant threat: STOP HERE. It is imperative for us all to listen to Robert and get out the vote! As Joyce Vance said: Roe, Roe, Roe the Vote! This possibility must not deter you from helping!
If you are still with me, check these out:
• From 2022: Honest Government Ad | The Supreme Court
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL5LaLT2BJM
• July/August 24 Rolling Stone: 2024 ELECTION: ‘GEORGIA IS OUR LABORATORY’
o Team Trump sees the state as ‘a road map’ for putting Trump’s heads-I-win-tails-you-lose philosophy of elections into practice
o By ADAM RAWNSLEY and ASAWIN SUEBSAENG
o The presidential election this year will come down to seven states — but there’s one that Donald Trump and his most committed lieutenants see as a blueprint for corrupting future local and national elections: Georgia.
o WAR! “EVERYBODY IS GEARING UP FOR FULL-BLOWN WARFARE.”
Republican source close to Trump
o https://apple.news/AaG21JJdDTRSgAQ6hzICvPg
o (All Ds have Apple News;-)
• Trump allies at Heritage declare 2024 election illegitimate in advance
o A “war game” presented at the right-wing foundation imagined far-fetched scenarios for election interference to justify preemptive measures.
By Isaac Arnsdorf
July 11, 2024 at 9:12 p.m. EDT
o “As things stand right now, there’s a zero percent chance of a free and fair election,” said Mike Howell, executive director of Heritage’s Oversight Project. “I’m formally accusing the Biden administration of creating the conditions that most reasonable policymakers and officials cannot in good conscience certify an election.”
The threat is real; but it is OK for this to be out of the media and on the back burner right now. Come September this will need more coverage. Here’s my guess of how this might play out:
The Election
These Christofascists are quietly putting in place people to facilitate STEALING the election. This will start at the school district/county level with states and federal courts getting involved.
1. Have Christofascists commit voter fraud.
2. Claim that we can’t certify this election because of possible fraud!
3. Red state governors use their State Troopers and/or activate their Guard units and use them to stop the vote in blue counties, e.g., Harris County Texas to prevent Colin Allred from defeating Ted Cruz.
4. File cases in friendly, venue-shopped courts to challenge the election. Delay, delay, delay all the way to SCROTUS to prevent the certification of the election.
5. Red state governors activate their Air and Army Guard units and pledge them to The Don much like many have done sending their Army Guard units to Texas for Operation Lone Star.
6. MAGA Mike Johnson refuses to recognize and seat Ds in the House. (Unconstitutional; but don’t you get it? They DON’T care! They are on a mission from their God!)
7. Swear in the Don.
8. Implement Project 2025/Gilead
Stop the Steal will be chanted as Christofascists steal the election.
PS: Possible Trump assassination attempt in Butler PA. Standby for more violence.
You've heard the old joke about Project 2025? Its best read in its Original German.
That was the joke Molly Ivins used when she described Pat Buchanan's 1992 Republican Convention speech, that it probably sounded better in the original German.
Exactly. And so apropos
Awesome; thanks for the laugh 😆
"The mainstream media distorts stories to provoke the maximum amount of fear, anxiety, and anger. They do so to maximize clicks and revenue...We unwittingly amplify that dynamic when we forward or post those stories so that friends and family can share in our panic."
So true. And the NYT quite deservedly so is being criticized for unashamedly displaying that harmful and reckless attitude. But sometimes even they get it right and it should be hoped that the editors live up to their civic duty to take a stand against the dangers which so eloquently have been expressed in this editorial
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/11/opinion/editorials/donald-trump-2024-unfit.html?unlocked_article_code=1.6k0.Qo1R.UjSVrQpHrHrX&smid=url-share&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
This editorial should provoke anxiety as well as anger and should be forwarded and posted as often as possible. It certainly isn't news to the readers of Robert's newsletter but other's might be convinced to get off the fence and do the right thing.
It's just hard to "like" anything the NYT does, even when it gets it right. They have been so vociferously wrong recently, dragging a good president around, and leaving unsaid what they finally said. Trump is, on every level, an unfit Presidential candidate. Why, oh why, did they wait to publish this important fact?
I think one of the reasons that the NYT changed their tune has to be that they are hemorrhaging subscribers. Just think if they had reported all of the good things Biden has been doing for the last 4 years instead of the angry Sturm und Drang of all things Trump, how much better off the country would be.
That is the EXACT (and only) reason why TNYT finally came out against Trump. I hope their readers continue to terminate their subscriptions. The editorial was too little, too late. And they referred to "Mr. Biden"; it's President Biden, thank you! They just couldn't help themselves but to write that dig.
That's what bugged the heck out me in the debates - they kept calling the Orange Snake "President Trump" - he wasn't president, he was a lowly mister.
I’m not re-subscribing. Done .
I dumped my NY Times subscription last year. Since then, I have been receiving "limited time" offers to re-subscribe fo $50 for a 1-yr subscription. It might disappear for a week or so, but then I get back in the queue for the "limited time" offer.
I'm a Wordle "addict" (since before NY Times acquired it) and now I am getting a "50% off" offer for the NY Times "Games and Puzzles" subscription (regularly $50/year).
Yeah, I agree they must be hemorrhaging subscribers!
Wordle can be played without a NYT subscription. It was part of agreement when it was purchased. It still tracks your winning streak, which is what I think is important....(my streak is pathetic).
Wordle addicts can happily shift to Quordle. Give it a try.
They condemned Trump but it was a luke warm repute
Thank you for this link and your comments. It is really good, and I almost missed it.
I cancelled my NYT delivery after becoming infuriated about its unfair treatment of Biden while mostly ignoring Trump’s traitorous actions and outrageous lies.
I had the unfortunate opportunity to receive a mailing list e-mail yesterday “ I wanted you to hear it from me….” Yes! My Congressional Representative jumped on the train asking President Joseph R. Biden to pass the torch.”
I called her office to express my disappointment, posing several questions. 1. Does she have a viable candidate to put at the top of the ticket? 2. Does the candidate have the $$ and organization to move quickly throughout the country? 3. Does she realize that those who have chosen this path have now brought us to a moment of divisiveness among members of the Democratic Party?
Yes! I need a respite. Yes! I will remain strong, move forward, take action, and trust voters to make a decision that takes our country forward rather than backward.
Thank you, Robert. What a mess we have this July 13, 2024. Whatever, we will work diligently to assure the Democrat we offer - whomever that will be - wins!
Thank you John
for your reply to your Congress “critter” (as Heather calls them), it made me embarrassed that I didn’t do the same; I’ve been so happy to finally have a Dem rep (here in AZ) that I was flummoxed by his email saying the same, and I couldn’t even bear to read it. Maybe I will go back and do so, AND ask him the same questions.
Ask him the questions but don’t abandon any democrats at this time in our history.
Our Rep went even further and I sent him a scathing letter informing him that I was cancelling my heretofore regular donations and withdrawing my support for his re-election. That if all he could find in his character was to be "okay" with Trump winning, then he could just quit right now and let a REAL Democrat take his office.
Our 2nd CD Rep is Jared Golden..he actually got his first political experience working for Senator Susie "Fence-sitter" Collins and why he didn't run as a Repubbie, I'll never understand--because he's been a DINO ever since he was elected. He was, however, far better than the sleazy Bruce Poliquin who was the previous Rep. Seem as though he learned Senator Collins' weathervane lessons very well indeed.
He actually said he was "okay" with Trump? Does he think he'll be safe from the MAGAs when they take over?
My belief this moment of reflection will make us stronger and winners.
After a good nights sleep I am inclined to agree with you, Stephen. Thanks.
I was disheartened and 'annoyed' to learn my Rep Blumenauer also calling for Biden to step aside. I have voted for him in every election. Be sure his office knows he has lost my vote.
Oh! Dear Marsha, this is not a good strategy. In 2024 we can’t surrender our support for good, well meaning people. When I spoke to my Representative’s office staff member I made it clear that I couldn’t go that route. Simply posed my questions and expressed my disappointment because there is no way I can accept the other party candidates until they have a reckoning themselves.
Mine did too John. So disappointing. She was soundly taken to task at her next meet & greet, although some people expressed agreement. She really could not answer those questions. She suggested there will be more and there were. I hope that's all there are.
If you haven't seen last night's rally in Detroit, you need to treat yourself. Joe was in his element because he was with the PEOPLE! He was so happy to see everyone there and it made me tear up when they chanted "Don't you quit!"
MOWTOWN IS JOETOWN!
https://www.c-span.org/video/?536973-1/president-biden-campaigns-detroit-michigan#
"By the way, I don't call it labor- it simple- UNIONS! Just say the word!"
This weekend I will spend some time contemplating the terms "collapsing star" and "fourteen-minute exposure". Thanks so much for sharing Robert! The song "Lessons From Astronomy" is lovely!
I feel we are headed out of the nonsense of the last 2 weeks. I hope everyone will enjoy their weekend!
Wonderful news about his fiery speech in Detroit. I read that Shawn Fain along with some Democratic legislators did not attend the rally. Does that mean that the UAW is having second thoughts on Biden's viability?
I hope not.
Oh dear . You got me worried so I checked it out and found this.
“On Wednesday, Biden met with the executive council of the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of U.S. trade unions, to shore up support among labor unions. Fain attended that meeting.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/uaws-fain-tells-board-hes-worried-trump-could-beat-biden-sources-say-2024-07-11/
Thank you so much! I just watched every minute! Fiery and on point!
Thanks for the link. Exhilarating. Amazing how impactful that crowd enthusiasm is...
I could not agree more with Robert’s assessment of our cumulative state of mind in America. We are shell-shocked and highly reactive. I believe it’s up to anyone and everyone who can break themselves away from the panic dynamic and simply get to work slowly and steadily to do so. If everyone panicking and pulling away got one other person to vote instead of pulling away, we’d win. If Biden dies we will have Kamala Harris. We can’t lose! And it’s up to each of us to demonstrate faith in each other and to do our share of the electoral educational work needed to win. Feelings are not facts. And the Media is increasingly driven by feelings accompanied with gossip and speculation and yes…soothsaying. It’s hard to bear if you are out there really trying to help in civics. They undermine all of us. We can’t stop them but we can be discerning about absorbing them and their drama. Substack writers inspire me. They give details and facts and thorough descriptions. Candidates actual speeches are excellent info. So…Biden was tired and shaky at the debate and Trump was pathologically and forcefully lying every second. That was useless media coverage, all round. The format encouraged it. Watch Bidens Detroit speech. It’s awesome! Watch (maybe take a Valium or Prozac first..) the next Trump speech. Now who will you vote for? My career was performing. Creating illusion in character. Staged reality. So was that debate. Who cares. It was badly staged theatre and Trump is a better actor but a far less solid human being. We have to stop panicking, no matter what. If someone else is chosen at the convention let’s agree not to fight about that too. One solution…. Any and ALL Democrats are better than Republicans right now so just vote. We’ll be ok.
Exactly: bad theater.
Absolutely on point, Amy. Let’s march onward and win in November - up and down the ballot.
I want to comment on the use of language by the press. In the NYTimes column today we were reminded of Biden’s “abysmal” performance at the debate. That is an “abysmal” editorializing of a news story which unfortunately shapes people’s understanding and emotional reaction to a story. We should be cautious to recognize how we are being influenced. PDK
I don't watch speeches, debates, etc. I READ them. Amazing what comes through from just reading. Biden was fine for the most part. Trump was horrid all the time. Too many people are too swayed by optics and seem proud of it.
Dear Mr. Hubbell, you really do remind me of this lovely Tolkien quote, and I can say nothing nicer to you ;-):
"It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule."
Thank you!!
Beautiful. I agree wholeheartedly with you💙
Gandalf also tells Frodo, "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." Words for our time, for sure.
Meanwhile, on the somewhat lighter side, I recently watched a Colbert (love him!) interview with Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn - love him!!), which was adorable. During it, Colbert highlighted Viggo's T. It looked just like my Biden / Harris '24 T, but said "Frodo / Sam '24"! Underneath is the quote,"I shall take the ring to Mordor." Colbert completed the quote, "though I do not know the way." More words for out time. (After 4/11, I'm going to get one of these to wear!)
"https://fridaystuff.com/product/frodo-24-sam-i-will-take-the-ring-to-mordor/
What a joy to hear a poetic interpretation of your words; significant life lessons set to music. It's a keeper. I continue to encourage others to sign up for your newsletter. If they're looking for hope in this tumultuous time, it can be found right here. Thank you.
I agree with Sara. The song was lovely and very calming. A testament to your writing, Robert! Perceiving the best path forward is easier done when not in a panic! Both your words and photography help keep us grounded with a sense of perspective...of our place in the universe.