I can totally understand that mistake. You gave a review of what seemed to be at least 2 weeks worth of news in this letter. Great job with that summation! I am so grateful for all you and Jill do.
Sep 22, 2022·edited Sep 22, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I was going to say the same!!!! Once again Dear Robert (and Jill) my heart is uplifted by your analysis and passion. Full disclosure, I am almost never one of those "If you want to read the original" folks, but I love having the in-between options, and even if I can't make time for that, I know I got the essence of what I need, especially between you and Heather.
My commitment to share you both every day on FB and Twitter also makes me feel like I'm doing something very important at this challenging time. I don't know what this time would feel like w/o both of you, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be pretty. Thank you and blessings.
As Joyce Vance said on her Substack, "whoever wrote the 11th Circuit decison was enjoying the work."
As to Putin, those "300,000 reservists" he's activating aren't like American reservists who can report in ready to go. These guys are more like what we would call the "inactive reserves," and their training wasn't any better than the incompetence demonstrated by the Russian Army (the reason Stalin's Army was so effective in WW2 was there was an NKVD battalion behind every frontline unit, charged to summarily execute anyone who tried to run or didn't advance fast enough - and unsuccessful units were pulled out of the line, the officers and NCOs shot and the troops sent to penal battalions, where they got such jobs as "clearing minefields" by running across the open field in front of the advance, "clearing" the mines). Putin's Army is more like the Czarist army in WW1. Russia has no place to house or train these 300,000 activated reservists, and it will take at least six months for them to show up on the battlefield. Not to mention they can't replace the lost tanks and armored personnel carriers and such, because they cannot build new ones without computer chips they're cut off from. They're reduced now to using pre-1980s "dumb" equipment that doesn't have any computer chips. They've lost 80,000 KIA/WIA since February. Right now, every one-way airline ticket out of Russia has been sold at "scalper" prices. Nearly 2,000 people have been arrested for demonstrating against the war in the past 24 hours.
In battlefield analysis, there comes a time in a battle where - regardless of what hard effort still lies ahead - one side cannot lose and the other side cannot stop losing. We may perhaps, possibly, maybe, at that point now WRT El Jefe del Merde a Loco. As Napoleon said of the Austrian Army at Austerlitz, "Never interfere with an enemy who is defeating himself."
Hi, TCinLA. Thanks for the comprehensive summary of the 300,000 reservists. Can I ask what sources you use? I would like to add those to my list for Ukraine reading. Very helpful information. Thanks!
PS, if the answer is that it is based on your general reading, I may cite to your comment in tonight's newsletter. Thanks!
The difference between Putin's Army and Stalin's Army is Putin's Army doesn't have a battalion of NKVD secret police troops behind every frontline unit, charged with summary execution of anyone who tried to retreat or who didn't advance fast enough. Units that were unsuccessful were taken out of the line and the officers and leading NCOs were then shot and the troops sent to penal battalions where they performed such duties as minefield clearance in the next attack - by running across the field ahead of the advance and "clearing" the mines. It was "perform or die" 77 years ago.
I recommend Letitia James’ speech for her lucid exposition of Trumps’ frauds. The cadence was relentless. And when she said “astounding” it was like the sound of the coffin lid closing during a thunderstorm. Don’t miss this
Finally accountability is beginning to happen for Donald Trump. But we are not done yet. The Electoral Count Act was passed by the House but the only Republicans who voted for it either were defeated in the primaries or retired. This means many Republican Congress members running for office voted against it and we need to remind voters what this means. The mid term election’s especially at the House level must be not about party but about how those representatives are voting for major legislation around electoral counting, abortion, medical care for veterans, infrastructure funding and climate change. Voters need to ask themselves is my representative really representing my views, wishes and desires. It’s no longer about party and platform it’s about issues. Finally I need to remind everyone that Trump is beginning to be held accountable but he is not running in November and accountability will not win the elections in November. We must continue the fight for turnout and registration and votes.
What will all those millions of people emotionally tied to TFG do now? In baseball they say “wait till next year” but this is different.
How do we bring them back to a civil society? Do we tell them it wasn’t their fault to be fooled by the snake oil salesman? Do we blame Hannity and make him the culprit?
I fear we will mock and humiliate them and not give them a way to save face.
I suggest we sympathize and warn them against falling for other would be tyrants.
Let’s not make yesterday’s news a big win for DSantis and Abbott.
They've always been here, back in the shadows of poverty and hopelessness. I believe that when the dust has settled on this period of American politics, they will return to that shadow life. Poverty and the lack of any reasonable education are the very worst kind of violence and for a while they had encouragement to bring that violence not just into the streets (where it lives in any political environment) but into the halls of our democracy.
That encouragement seems to be weakening, and their leader's stock is losing value. Trump has become a liability to Republicans running for office.
I am moved by your deep compassion for them. The need for that in this charged situation is obvious and paramount.
My fear is that, once they have become invisible again those who have never, to this point, done anything substantial to help them, will fail to act again. And, if that happens, we will return to what everyone loves to talk about--normalcy, civility, a just society--only with that darkness a little closer to the surface.
I really do thank you for your comment. It's where we all should be
You write, DK Brooklyn: "I suggest we sympathize and warn them against falling for other would be tyrants."
Warning them may be fruitless. I have a friend who regularly posts on Facebook stuff that has been debunked as hoaxes. I send her articles by Snopes about them, but she never thinks to do that herself. Sigh.
This is one of the most action packed and exciting letters ever. And I congratulate you on the structure of the piece. The nature of your paragraphing and the segues to comments makes for easy reading. Which is really helpful - there is so much to digest!
This was quite a masterpiece Mr. Hubbell. I appreciate your excellent summary of events and the links to documents. I would also like to add Mr. Raskin's diatribe against the Republicans in the House yesterday. He gave them heck concerning the January 6 Select Committee. Here is the link:
Rep Raskin has no peer amongst the House gop deniers! They were attacked, seen cowering on TV yet some claimed ‘ it was a regular group of tourists’ on Jan 6. Gop reps p, except for two, are mindless, spineless cowards!
Thank you for the link. Raskin is amazing and even speaking with such passion, he is factual and accurate. He's head and shoulders above those to whom he was speaking.
What a clear and comprehensive post this is. Bravo. Is it time, do you think, to ask Republican candidates for the Mid-terms, to renounce espionage and the fraudulent valuing of property?
Another beautifully written episode of the Trump Crime family's comeuppance. But please change "we may not need" to WE NEED "to see Trump behind bars in order to relegate him to political obscurity." The entire Trump crime syndicate NEEDS to be put in the hoosegow, all appropriately attired in orange jump suits and properly admonished in public for their crimes against We, the people of the United States. Like tumors, these miscreants have a way of coming back if they are not sufficiently demobilized. Then, with the MAGA's removed from the game board, we can apply the rule of law to their evil enablers on the Supreme Court and to those cagey backroom chiselers lurking within the Democratic Party.
Such a pity we no longer utilize public shaming, in stocks with rotten vegetables. If course, it might prove difficult to shame amoral creatures who have no conscience whatsoever.
I agree. My prediction is that Ivanka will turn and make a deal urged on by her husband who knows what is like to have a parent in jail. Ivanka knows where the bodies are buried and has a lot to contribute to the criminal investigation.
Robert --- I have awe and admiration for your daily condensing extremely complex and detailed information into totally understandable English. How you are able to read, digest, analyse and then craft an 'essay' is beyond me. THANK YOU !!!
I am attorney who has lived for many years in the Eastern District of NY, where Judge Dearie sits. When a few weeks back I read the list of the three people Trump's attorneys suggest as the special master to review the Mar a Lago materials, Judge Dearie's name jumped out since he has long been a respected Judge, not in any way the type of person who would be favorably disposed to the kinds of legal shenanigans Trump's attorneys have routinely tried in court. I couldn't figure out why Trump's attorney's suggested him as a possible special master. The only idea I have come up with is that his current attorneys know that Trump, who routinely stiffs anyone to whom he owes money, will eventually try to stiff them too, so they put forth Dearie's name since he was a Reagan appointee and therefore they could tell that to Trump to get his approval. The DOJ, which was also probably surprised by Trump's attorneys suggesting Dearie, quickly accepted Dearie as a special master. My guess is that Trump's attorney knew Dearie would move things along quickly and most likely unfavorably, i.e., they wouldn't have to spend more time than was needed on the case, so when they did get stiffed their losses will be minimal.
Trump has always been grifter. But he sure has figured out how to dazzle millions of our citizens. I’m not sure how he’s managed to dazzle Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson so thoroughly. I guess PT Barnum was right: you can fool some of the people all the time, etc.
Very much doubt if Hannity or Carlson are either fooled or bedazzled. Both of them are cynical media wh**es who perform for money. Any emotion is purely performative-- "put on" for the sake of the camera--they are not true believers. They are Murdoch's parasites: vile termites who nibble away at the rule of law and the basis of democracy.
My friends and I are taking a short break from our celebratory dancing in the backyard to post this brief note.
Yay, finally, accountability on the horizon.
We are also pleased to see that the now very ordinary, civilian Mr. Trump is learning now that he is no longer President his Jedi mind trick control of "his Justice Department" or "his judges" is no longer effective.
It also appears he will learn that the process involved even for the U.S. President for declassifying documents involves a bit more formality than "just thinking about it."
Apologies for the confusion about the day on the sign-off for today's newsletter. I will publish another newsletter on Friday, as usual.
I can totally understand that mistake. You gave a review of what seemed to be at least 2 weeks worth of news in this letter. Great job with that summation! I am so grateful for all you and Jill do.
I was going to say the same!!!! Once again Dear Robert (and Jill) my heart is uplifted by your analysis and passion. Full disclosure, I am almost never one of those "If you want to read the original" folks, but I love having the in-between options, and even if I can't make time for that, I know I got the essence of what I need, especially between you and Heather.
My commitment to share you both every day on FB and Twitter also makes me feel like I'm doing something very important at this challenging time. I don't know what this time would feel like w/o both of you, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be pretty. Thank you and blessings.
Take a long weekend! You deserve it :)
Came here to check on this! It was a big long newsletter. You deserve a break!:)
You're allowed to mistake one day for another, especially if you're writing into the early hours of the next day.
As Joyce Vance said on her Substack, "whoever wrote the 11th Circuit decison was enjoying the work."
As to Putin, those "300,000 reservists" he's activating aren't like American reservists who can report in ready to go. These guys are more like what we would call the "inactive reserves," and their training wasn't any better than the incompetence demonstrated by the Russian Army (the reason Stalin's Army was so effective in WW2 was there was an NKVD battalion behind every frontline unit, charged to summarily execute anyone who tried to run or didn't advance fast enough - and unsuccessful units were pulled out of the line, the officers and NCOs shot and the troops sent to penal battalions, where they got such jobs as "clearing minefields" by running across the open field in front of the advance, "clearing" the mines). Putin's Army is more like the Czarist army in WW1. Russia has no place to house or train these 300,000 activated reservists, and it will take at least six months for them to show up on the battlefield. Not to mention they can't replace the lost tanks and armored personnel carriers and such, because they cannot build new ones without computer chips they're cut off from. They're reduced now to using pre-1980s "dumb" equipment that doesn't have any computer chips. They've lost 80,000 KIA/WIA since February. Right now, every one-way airline ticket out of Russia has been sold at "scalper" prices. Nearly 2,000 people have been arrested for demonstrating against the war in the past 24 hours.
In battlefield analysis, there comes a time in a battle where - regardless of what hard effort still lies ahead - one side cannot lose and the other side cannot stop losing. We may perhaps, possibly, maybe, at that point now WRT El Jefe del Merde a Loco. As Napoleon said of the Austrian Army at Austerlitz, "Never interfere with an enemy who is defeating himself."
Hi, TCinLA. Thanks for the comprehensive summary of the 300,000 reservists. Can I ask what sources you use? I would like to add those to my list for Ukraine reading. Very helpful information. Thanks!
PS, if the answer is that it is based on your general reading, I may cite to your comment in tonight's newsletter. Thanks!
Institute for the Study of War, Royal United Services Institute
https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-conflict-updates
GlobalSecurity.org email newsletter
Commentary from Lucian K. Truscott IV Substack
Knowledgeable friends
My own knowledge being a military historian in analyzing news articles
emails from a couple Ukrainian friends "in a position to know things"
Wonderful! thanks!
The difference between Putin's Army and Stalin's Army is Putin's Army doesn't have a battalion of NKVD secret police troops behind every frontline unit, charged with summary execution of anyone who tried to retreat or who didn't advance fast enough. Units that were unsuccessful were taken out of the line and the officers and leading NCOs were then shot and the troops sent to penal battalions where they performed such duties as minefield clearance in the next attack - by running across the field ahead of the advance and "clearing" the mines. It was "perform or die" 77 years ago.
I recommend Letitia James’ speech for her lucid exposition of Trumps’ frauds. The cadence was relentless. And when she said “astounding” it was like the sound of the coffin lid closing during a thunderstorm. Don’t miss this
Finally accountability is beginning to happen for Donald Trump. But we are not done yet. The Electoral Count Act was passed by the House but the only Republicans who voted for it either were defeated in the primaries or retired. This means many Republican Congress members running for office voted against it and we need to remind voters what this means. The mid term election’s especially at the House level must be not about party but about how those representatives are voting for major legislation around electoral counting, abortion, medical care for veterans, infrastructure funding and climate change. Voters need to ask themselves is my representative really representing my views, wishes and desires. It’s no longer about party and platform it’s about issues. Finally I need to remind everyone that Trump is beginning to be held accountable but he is not running in November and accountability will not win the elections in November. We must continue the fight for turnout and registration and votes.
What will all those millions of people emotionally tied to TFG do now? In baseball they say “wait till next year” but this is different.
How do we bring them back to a civil society? Do we tell them it wasn’t their fault to be fooled by the snake oil salesman? Do we blame Hannity and make him the culprit?
I fear we will mock and humiliate them and not give them a way to save face.
I suggest we sympathize and warn them against falling for other would be tyrants.
Let’s not make yesterday’s news a big win for DSantis and Abbott.
They've always been here, back in the shadows of poverty and hopelessness. I believe that when the dust has settled on this period of American politics, they will return to that shadow life. Poverty and the lack of any reasonable education are the very worst kind of violence and for a while they had encouragement to bring that violence not just into the streets (where it lives in any political environment) but into the halls of our democracy.
That encouragement seems to be weakening, and their leader's stock is losing value. Trump has become a liability to Republicans running for office.
I am moved by your deep compassion for them. The need for that in this charged situation is obvious and paramount.
My fear is that, once they have become invisible again those who have never, to this point, done anything substantial to help them, will fail to act again. And, if that happens, we will return to what everyone loves to talk about--normalcy, civility, a just society--only with that darkness a little closer to the surface.
I really do thank you for your comment. It's where we all should be
You write, DK Brooklyn: "I suggest we sympathize and warn them against falling for other would be tyrants."
Warning them may be fruitless. I have a friend who regularly posts on Facebook stuff that has been debunked as hoaxes. I send her articles by Snopes about them, but she never thinks to do that herself. Sigh.
This is one of the most action packed and exciting letters ever. And I congratulate you on the structure of the piece. The nature of your paragraphing and the segues to comments makes for easy reading. Which is really helpful - there is so much to digest!
This was quite a masterpiece Mr. Hubbell. I appreciate your excellent summary of events and the links to documents. I would also like to add Mr. Raskin's diatribe against the Republicans in the House yesterday. He gave them heck concerning the January 6 Select Committee. Here is the link:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/let-s-tell-some-truth-raskin-goes-scorched-earth-on-republicans-during-hearing-over-opposition-to-jan-6-committee/ar-AA126gqR#:~:text=View%20Profile-,%E2%80%98Let%E2%80%99s%20Tell%20Some%20Truth!%E2%80%99%20Raskin%20Goes%20Scorched%20Earth%20on%20Republicans%20During%20Hearing%20Over%20Opposition%20to%20Jan.%206%20Committee,-Michael%20Luciano%20%2D
Thanks for the link! I appreciate it. I ran out of space to discuss the ECA, but will do so this evening.
Rep Raskin has no peer amongst the House gop deniers! They were attacked, seen cowering on TV yet some claimed ‘ it was a regular group of tourists’ on Jan 6. Gop reps p, except for two, are mindless, spineless cowards!
Thank you for the link. Raskin is amazing and even speaking with such passion, he is factual and accurate. He's head and shoulders above those to whom he was speaking.
Thanks for that link! Way to go, Mr. Raskin!
Thank you for that link. Go Jamie Raskin!!!!
Yes, Rep Raskin was (is!) on a roll and there ain't no stoppin' 'im.
“The panel used the BIG CRAYONS to school Judge Cannon”. Love it.
So much fodder for your newsletter today Robert. Such a pleasure to read.
What a clear and comprehensive post this is. Bravo. Is it time, do you think, to ask Republican candidates for the Mid-terms, to renounce espionage and the fraudulent valuing of property?
Another beautifully written episode of the Trump Crime family's comeuppance. But please change "we may not need" to WE NEED "to see Trump behind bars in order to relegate him to political obscurity." The entire Trump crime syndicate NEEDS to be put in the hoosegow, all appropriately attired in orange jump suits and properly admonished in public for their crimes against We, the people of the United States. Like tumors, these miscreants have a way of coming back if they are not sufficiently demobilized. Then, with the MAGA's removed from the game board, we can apply the rule of law to their evil enablers on the Supreme Court and to those cagey backroom chiselers lurking within the Democratic Party.
Such a pity we no longer utilize public shaming, in stocks with rotten vegetables. If course, it might prove difficult to shame amoral creatures who have no conscience whatsoever.
I agree. My prediction is that Ivanka will turn and make a deal urged on by her husband who knows what is like to have a parent in jail. Ivanka knows where the bodies are buried and has a lot to contribute to the criminal investigation.
Robert --- I have awe and admiration for your daily condensing extremely complex and detailed information into totally understandable English. How you are able to read, digest, analyse and then craft an 'essay' is beyond me. THANK YOU !!!
I am attorney who has lived for many years in the Eastern District of NY, where Judge Dearie sits. When a few weeks back I read the list of the three people Trump's attorneys suggest as the special master to review the Mar a Lago materials, Judge Dearie's name jumped out since he has long been a respected Judge, not in any way the type of person who would be favorably disposed to the kinds of legal shenanigans Trump's attorneys have routinely tried in court. I couldn't figure out why Trump's attorney's suggested him as a possible special master. The only idea I have come up with is that his current attorneys know that Trump, who routinely stiffs anyone to whom he owes money, will eventually try to stiff them too, so they put forth Dearie's name since he was a Reagan appointee and therefore they could tell that to Trump to get his approval. The DOJ, which was also probably surprised by Trump's attorneys suggesting Dearie, quickly accepted Dearie as a special master. My guess is that Trump's attorney knew Dearie would move things along quickly and most likely unfavorably, i.e., they wouldn't have to spend more time than was needed on the case, so when they did get stiffed their losses will be minimal.
Trump has always been grifter. But he sure has figured out how to dazzle millions of our citizens. I’m not sure how he’s managed to dazzle Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson so thoroughly. I guess PT Barnum was right: you can fool some of the people all the time, etc.
Very much doubt if Hannity or Carlson are either fooled or bedazzled. Both of them are cynical media wh**es who perform for money. Any emotion is purely performative-- "put on" for the sake of the camera--they are not true believers. They are Murdoch's parasites: vile termites who nibble away at the rule of law and the basis of democracy.
Wish I’d said that
My friends and I are taking a short break from our celebratory dancing in the backyard to post this brief note.
Yay, finally, accountability on the horizon.
We are also pleased to see that the now very ordinary, civilian Mr. Trump is learning now that he is no longer President his Jedi mind trick control of "his Justice Department" or "his judges" is no longer effective.
It also appears he will learn that the process involved even for the U.S. President for declassifying documents involves a bit more formality than "just thinking about it."
What a sad, sad, weak-minded fool he is.
Bravo Robert!
Outstanding letter, Robert. Yes - yesterday was a good day for the rule of law.