It appears that Republicans are doing everything that they can to run their ship aground. Not only do they want to take away a woman’s right to choose whether to have an abortion, they want to take away a woman’s right to choose when to even become pregnant! If the women in this country don’t rise up against this, then I don’t know what will stir them up enough to vote Blue all over the country!
Taking away the right to interracial marriage and same sex marriage is just as disturbing. What kind of people are they? They fight tooth and nail to uphold their right to decide whether to wear a mask or get vaccinated, yet they don’t want people to be able to plan their families or marry the person whom they love? As far as I am concerned, they are forcing themselves into the bedrooms of every man and woman in this country!
Now they want to raise taxes on the lower 50% of wage earners in the country instead of making the billionaires pay their fair share?
How can anyone in this country justify that platform?
If the American people don’t get out and vote against the Republicans, they deserve what they get! If Trump becomes President again, what they will get is a country that looks like Russia!
I, too, seethe with frustration about the apparent DOJ lack of initiative insofar as serious investigation of illegalities on trump’s part. Garland’s lack of action is, to me, inexplicable. Anyone care to venture sound reasons that might explain DOJ aversion to full blown investigation? I’m having a hard time believing that this is all attributable to the lack of a spine on Garland’s part.
What is at the heart of public confidence in the Justice Department?
“… A significant number of Americans are waiting for the department to hold Trump legally responsible for the many abuses for which he dodged accountability before. If the department doesn’t take such action, even if for very good reasons, these people will be disappointed and frustrated. Justice Department officials might brush off such reactions, except that this disappointment will inevitably undercut Garland’s efforts to “retain the trust of the American people.”
… Perhaps Garland’s view is that the risks of criminally investigating a former president, even in this time, are too great to take, too much of a breach of the department’s traditions. But he cannot expect people to understand that, or have a reasoned discussion of it, without first explaining it to them. And in the absence of an explanation, members of the public will come up with their own ideas—like weakness or lack of commitment to accountability. That silence undercuts the project to which Garland has committed himself. …“The basic tool for the lawyer is the word,” (Ed Levi, 1st AG after Watergate).
Thank you for consistently and with clarity for encouraging the pursuit of our last best means to protect our democracy: make every effort to get out the vote.
“I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man.” Go Joe, I feel so much outrage toward the bullies of the world, all who feel entitled to mock, diminish, destroy, control, and steam roll over fellow citizens. Even Chris Rock is in my cross hairs this day. Having worked in jr. High, I know the damage bullies do. When they rule, the victims are helpless. Let this not be so.
"Me thinks thou doth protest too much" - when I hear that Thomas, Alito and Roberts are bemoaning the idea that the rest of us think the supreme court has become a bunch of partisan hacks. If Thomas does resign or at least recuse himself from 1/6 related court cases, we'll know that it is all a sham. The GOP and The Federalist Society will have well and truly captured the SCOTUS and turned it into the enforcement wing of the GOP.
Mar 29, 2022·edited Mar 29, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
While it should surprise no one, Republican misguided foolishness in service of pandering to a Conservative base will ultimately relegate them to a permanent minority political party. They continue to add less and less popular causes and positions to their anti-progressive agenda that while they may be popular with their conservative and evangelical Christian base are not supported by a majority of American voters. This is not only a poor electoral strategy it is also … well, just plain ol’ stupid. I do not believe they are uniformed on the sentiments of a majority of American voters. Therefore I can only conclude they do not care about voters’ sentiments and intend to not represent the Americans they hope to govern but rather oppose them. Just plain ol’ stupid or perhaps worse, truly evil.
Miles Lawrence asks the leading question: "Why doesn't Biden tell Garland to talk to us?" Is this a "Cool-Hand Luke" situation where we have "a failure to communicate" or something more sinister that reflects a dereliction of duty, a brazen refusal to uphold the one's oath to protect and defend the Constitution? It's hard to believe that a lack of spine on Garland's part is the issue, as Peter Ralston points out. But if that's the case, then Biden has made a grave mistake in putting him on his "Build-Back-Better team. Whatever is going on, it's time to act and bring Trump to the bar of Justice before the outraged American people lose all faith in the rule of law and the processes of democratic governance. No one is above the law, right, Mr. Garland? Not even a former President of the United States. This whole situation reflects badly on President Biden and is perhaps one major reason his poll numbers are so low. C'mon Joe, take charge and instruct Garland to lead the DOJ to the Promised Land as outlined in the Constitution.
Thank you, Robert, for pointing out the smoking gun in this morass of the single email between Eastman and trump that qualifies for the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege.
Excellent recap, Robert. The Garland inaction just boggles the mind. The President should ask for his resignation if he refuses to proceed. Appoint an "acting AG" who will commit to pursuing those responsible for the attempted coup. Screw the politics. The Republicans hate us no matter what we do - even nominating a supremely qualified, almost perfect judge to the highest court. The ship of concern of how the "other side" feels or will react should have sailed long ago.
I have stated many times that the "polls" are a joke. We like them when they go our way. We dis them them when they don't. But they are frequently wrong. Polls can be construed by respondents in varying ways. A word here or there can alter the answer.
There are millions of potential voters who are never polled. And there are millions who when polled might express frustration with a leader - and yet would consistently vote for him or her because the alternative is so awful. And there are plenty of awfuls.
The Scott "plan" debacle appears to be ammunition for us. But let's face it. The ultra right adherents really hate us more. It's going to be all about turnout. We aren't going to convince this angry opposition of anything. We just need to get our people to the voting booths. IMO, it should be a carrot and stick approach. Get a bonus for voting, get a penalty if you don't.
Time for us all to begin applying peer pressure on everyone we know. "Vote in November or forever lose my friendship."
I wrote last week that I was going to call Merrick Garlands line. The number is not in service.???? I just left a message on the DOJ comment line which is 202-353-1555. I pressed 9 for other.
Praying for the people of Ukraine, Biden and his team.
We need to act locally and nationally to preserve democracy.
Robert, you are a political guru—so insightful, so smart. But when you say you don’t understand Biden’s low ratings I scratch my head. The Republican propaganda machine generates 24/7 hate directed at Biden on talk radio and Fox News. The talking points are orchestrated on a national level. The content is vile, but I force myself to listen, because I think it is important to understand what is polluting American hearts and minds. Democrats have been underestimating the impact of the conservative propaganda machine for a long time. It is one of the biggest threats to our democracy and we have yet to come up with an adequate response. And I am pretty confident that it is driving Biden’s low numbers.
It appears that Republicans are doing everything that they can to run their ship aground. Not only do they want to take away a woman’s right to choose whether to have an abortion, they want to take away a woman’s right to choose when to even become pregnant! If the women in this country don’t rise up against this, then I don’t know what will stir them up enough to vote Blue all over the country!
Taking away the right to interracial marriage and same sex marriage is just as disturbing. What kind of people are they? They fight tooth and nail to uphold their right to decide whether to wear a mask or get vaccinated, yet they don’t want people to be able to plan their families or marry the person whom they love? As far as I am concerned, they are forcing themselves into the bedrooms of every man and woman in this country!
Now they want to raise taxes on the lower 50% of wage earners in the country instead of making the billionaires pay their fair share?
How can anyone in this country justify that platform?
If the American people don’t get out and vote against the Republicans, they deserve what they get! If Trump becomes President again, what they will get is a country that looks like Russia!
I, too, seethe with frustration about the apparent DOJ lack of initiative insofar as serious investigation of illegalities on trump’s part. Garland’s lack of action is, to me, inexplicable. Anyone care to venture sound reasons that might explain DOJ aversion to full blown investigation? I’m having a hard time believing that this is all attributable to the lack of a spine on Garland’s part.
I wonder what Biden's favorability poll numbers would be if we had an Attorney General.
Where is Biden’s communications team.
Bravo, Judge Carter and Adam Schiff. Merrick Garland, please respond.
Blackburn, Hawley, Cruz, SCOTUS majority: Move to Florida.
What is at the heart of public confidence in the Justice Department?
“… A significant number of Americans are waiting for the department to hold Trump legally responsible for the many abuses for which he dodged accountability before. If the department doesn’t take such action, even if for very good reasons, these people will be disappointed and frustrated. Justice Department officials might brush off such reactions, except that this disappointment will inevitably undercut Garland’s efforts to “retain the trust of the American people.”
… Perhaps Garland’s view is that the risks of criminally investigating a former president, even in this time, are too great to take, too much of a breach of the department’s traditions. But he cannot expect people to understand that, or have a reasoned discussion of it, without first explaining it to them. And in the absence of an explanation, members of the public will come up with their own ideas—like weakness or lack of commitment to accountability. That silence undercuts the project to which Garland has committed himself. …“The basic tool for the lawyer is the word,” (Ed Levi, 1st AG after Watergate).
https://www.lawfareblog.com/merrick-garland-needs-speak
Why doesn't Biden tell Garland to talk to us ?
Thank you for consistently and with clarity for encouraging the pursuit of our last best means to protect our democracy: make every effort to get out the vote.
“I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man.” Go Joe, I feel so much outrage toward the bullies of the world, all who feel entitled to mock, diminish, destroy, control, and steam roll over fellow citizens. Even Chris Rock is in my cross hairs this day. Having worked in jr. High, I know the damage bullies do. When they rule, the victims are helpless. Let this not be so.
"Me thinks thou doth protest too much" - when I hear that Thomas, Alito and Roberts are bemoaning the idea that the rest of us think the supreme court has become a bunch of partisan hacks. If Thomas does resign or at least recuse himself from 1/6 related court cases, we'll know that it is all a sham. The GOP and The Federalist Society will have well and truly captured the SCOTUS and turned it into the enforcement wing of the GOP.
While it should surprise no one, Republican misguided foolishness in service of pandering to a Conservative base will ultimately relegate them to a permanent minority political party. They continue to add less and less popular causes and positions to their anti-progressive agenda that while they may be popular with their conservative and evangelical Christian base are not supported by a majority of American voters. This is not only a poor electoral strategy it is also … well, just plain ol’ stupid. I do not believe they are uniformed on the sentiments of a majority of American voters. Therefore I can only conclude they do not care about voters’ sentiments and intend to not represent the Americans they hope to govern but rather oppose them. Just plain ol’ stupid or perhaps worse, truly evil.
Miles Lawrence asks the leading question: "Why doesn't Biden tell Garland to talk to us?" Is this a "Cool-Hand Luke" situation where we have "a failure to communicate" or something more sinister that reflects a dereliction of duty, a brazen refusal to uphold the one's oath to protect and defend the Constitution? It's hard to believe that a lack of spine on Garland's part is the issue, as Peter Ralston points out. But if that's the case, then Biden has made a grave mistake in putting him on his "Build-Back-Better team. Whatever is going on, it's time to act and bring Trump to the bar of Justice before the outraged American people lose all faith in the rule of law and the processes of democratic governance. No one is above the law, right, Mr. Garland? Not even a former President of the United States. This whole situation reflects badly on President Biden and is perhaps one major reason his poll numbers are so low. C'mon Joe, take charge and instruct Garland to lead the DOJ to the Promised Land as outlined in the Constitution.
Thank you, Robert, for pointing out the smoking gun in this morass of the single email between Eastman and trump that qualifies for the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege.
Excellent recap, Robert. The Garland inaction just boggles the mind. The President should ask for his resignation if he refuses to proceed. Appoint an "acting AG" who will commit to pursuing those responsible for the attempted coup. Screw the politics. The Republicans hate us no matter what we do - even nominating a supremely qualified, almost perfect judge to the highest court. The ship of concern of how the "other side" feels or will react should have sailed long ago.
I have stated many times that the "polls" are a joke. We like them when they go our way. We dis them them when they don't. But they are frequently wrong. Polls can be construed by respondents in varying ways. A word here or there can alter the answer.
There are millions of potential voters who are never polled. And there are millions who when polled might express frustration with a leader - and yet would consistently vote for him or her because the alternative is so awful. And there are plenty of awfuls.
The Scott "plan" debacle appears to be ammunition for us. But let's face it. The ultra right adherents really hate us more. It's going to be all about turnout. We aren't going to convince this angry opposition of anything. We just need to get our people to the voting booths. IMO, it should be a carrot and stick approach. Get a bonus for voting, get a penalty if you don't.
Time for us all to begin applying peer pressure on everyone we know. "Vote in November or forever lose my friendship."
I wrote last week that I was going to call Merrick Garlands line. The number is not in service.???? I just left a message on the DOJ comment line which is 202-353-1555. I pressed 9 for other.
Praying for the people of Ukraine, Biden and his team.
We need to act locally and nationally to preserve democracy.
Thank you Robert.
As for Merrick Garland, his inaction reminds me of Oliver Cromwell’s injunction to the Long Parliament: “In the name of God, go!”
Robert, you are a political guru—so insightful, so smart. But when you say you don’t understand Biden’s low ratings I scratch my head. The Republican propaganda machine generates 24/7 hate directed at Biden on talk radio and Fox News. The talking points are orchestrated on a national level. The content is vile, but I force myself to listen, because I think it is important to understand what is polluting American hearts and minds. Democrats have been underestimating the impact of the conservative propaganda machine for a long time. It is one of the biggest threats to our democracy and we have yet to come up with an adequate response. And I am pretty confident that it is driving Biden’s low numbers.