Hey good morning all. Picked this quote up from Axios and I’m sorry but in my mind-twisted way I just started to laugh out loud to myself…and there was no one else in the room. I find this quote hilarious on the face of it considering the source that is the Wall Street Journal referring to the $16M settlement ABC made with maga.
A Wall Street Journal editorial said yesterday that this moment feels like a turning point for press freedom: "The President is using government to intimidate news outlets that publish stories he doesn't like. It's a low move in a free country with a free press." A turning point? Where the hell have they been? They are all complicit in the dissolution of our democracy. If any one of these major media outlets had just one “Walter Cronkite” moment and actually called into question the crap we’re fed daily their viewership and revenues would go through the roof but that’s my personal pipe dream. Happy 4th y’all.
This is why I posted yesterday about possibility of not having a free a fair election in 2016:
From Democracy Docket:
Georgia Republicans installing election conspiracy theorists on local boards
Republicans are already laying the foundation for undermining a fair 2026 election in Georgia, where they’re working to install election conspiracy theorists on boards that control elections in two of Georgia’s largest and bluest counties.
Every time I see someone comment "We can't be complacent," it makes me spitting mad! None of us are complacent! Complacency is quite the opposite of taking action with the hope that it makes a difference.
Thank you so much for speaking at the Network NOVA Women's Summit. I was there, and your words were inspiring and hopeful. We need to hear that. At the No Kings protest, I carried a sign that says, "We will prevail." Those words came straight from you. I wanted people at the protest to see those words. We must offer a vision democracy winning.
I was upset after hearing about the Senate passing the Big Ugly Bill (by the narrowest of margins.) While driving to an appointment, I was listening to the Johnny Cash song "When the Man Comes around" and the line "one hundred million angels singing" came on. I thought to myself that's what we need. Then I thought if everyone who understands how terrible and immoral this bill is, especially the people who didn't vote last time, were to vote in the next election, we would have one hundred million angels singing. It would be a song Donald Trump and the Republicans could not ignore!
I want to add toy previous comment. I agree with many comments regarding what you are doing and how you are doing it and thank you. Doom saying is unhelpful. But here is a thought. My concern is Medicare cuts will not come into lat until after ' 26 so will not be felt before the election Correct? This members might feel 'safe' for we know many of the public can not conceive something until it's actually felt (think about COVID). If that is the case then Reps have a better chance at winning in'26 this their confidence to vote for the bill. So strategically what do we assess and then what can we do tactically so cuts are maybe not literally felt pre '26 but definitely vicariously? I hope this makes sense. And again Robert thank you for what you do.let me know when you are ready for more notecards.
On Monday afternoon I lucked out when placing my 3 phone calls to my SC congressmen…all three calls were answered by real people and did not go into a voicemail messaging system. I asked each ‘how many SC voters are millionaires/billionaires? How many voters are from families with incomes of less than $100,000/yr?’ Of course, none of them could answer, so I continued with a plea that my reps vote against a bill providing assistance to the wealthy and NOT the average citizens. Didn’t work, but I will keep using this method!
I want to thank you for your efforts to keep us informed about what is happening in our country. I appreciate your cautious optimism. It is realistic, much needed, and appreciated.
I upgraded to a paid account just now because I really wanted to leave a comment today about how much value I get from this newsletter and live-streams. I read a lot of news from many sources, and depending on what I read last, my mood will swing from determined and ready to fight back to feeling doomed, exhausted, and cynical (humans suck). After I read Robert Hubbell's writings and watch his videos, I am able to reclaim my sense of purpose and feel re-energized enough to take action. I feel better about myself and my community--enough to want to take action. I'm also inspired by reading all of the comments here and how much all of you are doing to make ours a better a country.
I worry about the Trumpers seeing the writing on the wall regarding the likely voter response to their awful and unpopular policies, and then making increasingly stealthy efforts to squelch the vote as a remedy. Would welcome any input on that. Are there any great groups or organizations paying close attention to that in all the states?
Robert, I don't particularly like making calls to Capitol Hill. There are lots of other things I'd rather do, like driving into Porter Square Books in Cambridge to pick up my copy of E. Jean Carroll's new book. She was hilarious in interviews! And then reading it!
But motivated by Yesterday's Edition, I sat down at my desk and called Susan Stupid Collins, Hawley, and Murkowski, and warned them that if they vote for that Big Stupid Idiotic Bill, they will give Capitol Hill to the Democrats, and they will have to live with themselves for the rest of their lives for their cruelty to less well off American citizens.
Of course, now you're going to ask me why I didn't call Senators Warren and Markey. Well, I'm a bit lazy, I confess. I want to sit drinking my espresso, and working on my story about how as a second grader, I argued politics with my then best friend, Ralphie, a very smart and thoughtful kid who became a partner in Deloitte (it was 1960, the year of JFK v. Nixon).
But knowing my Senators (I argued with Markey at one of his town hall meetings well over a decade ago on immigration, and I've talked with Warren about it at a couple of her town hall meetings, and I've read about them in various newspapers, and I think they're both rock solid! (I used to disagree with both of them on immigration, but with Trump in the White House (again!) and the truly terrible trials he's putting them through, despite the fact that I wish far fewer of them had come here, I find myself even giving money to groups fighting to help them deal with their republican-driven problems, and VERY PO'D at the GOP government for what it's doing to them.
But maybe I'll call my senators this afternoon, and tell them to keep up the good work!
It is your optimism that keeps me going. I don’t want you to tell me what you don’t believe, but I want to hear OPTIMISM!! I have a quote in my office it says: "To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing.” —Raymond Williams. You are a big part of that hope for me and I’m so grateful. Thank you Robert!!!
Hey good morning all. Picked this quote up from Axios and I’m sorry but in my mind-twisted way I just started to laugh out loud to myself…and there was no one else in the room. I find this quote hilarious on the face of it considering the source that is the Wall Street Journal referring to the $16M settlement ABC made with maga.
A Wall Street Journal editorial said yesterday that this moment feels like a turning point for press freedom: "The President is using government to intimidate news outlets that publish stories he doesn't like. It's a low move in a free country with a free press." A turning point? Where the hell have they been? They are all complicit in the dissolution of our democracy. If any one of these major media outlets had just one “Walter Cronkite” moment and actually called into question the crap we’re fed daily their viewership and revenues would go through the roof but that’s my personal pipe dream. Happy 4th y’all.
This is why I posted yesterday about possibility of not having a free a fair election in 2016:
From Democracy Docket:
Georgia Republicans installing election conspiracy theorists on local boards
Republicans are already laying the foundation for undermining a fair 2026 election in Georgia, where they’re working to install election conspiracy theorists on boards that control elections in two of Georgia’s largest and bluest counties.
Could someone clarify to me why the Republikkkans voted no to Adam Schiffs amendment to not take money away from child welfare for children under 12?
Thank you for this! Despair makes people give up. Hope keeps them going.
I think the article may be from Laure Egan on The Bulwark: Dems Fear a GOP Legal Blitz Around The Midterms
Every time I see someone comment "We can't be complacent," it makes me spitting mad! None of us are complacent! Complacency is quite the opposite of taking action with the hope that it makes a difference.
Thank you so much for speaking at the Network NOVA Women's Summit. I was there, and your words were inspiring and hopeful. We need to hear that. At the No Kings protest, I carried a sign that says, "We will prevail." Those words came straight from you. I wanted people at the protest to see those words. We must offer a vision democracy winning.
I was upset after hearing about the Senate passing the Big Ugly Bill (by the narrowest of margins.) While driving to an appointment, I was listening to the Johnny Cash song "When the Man Comes around" and the line "one hundred million angels singing" came on. I thought to myself that's what we need. Then I thought if everyone who understands how terrible and immoral this bill is, especially the people who didn't vote last time, were to vote in the next election, we would have one hundred million angels singing. It would be a song Donald Trump and the Republicans could not ignore!
I want to add toy previous comment. I agree with many comments regarding what you are doing and how you are doing it and thank you. Doom saying is unhelpful. But here is a thought. My concern is Medicare cuts will not come into lat until after ' 26 so will not be felt before the election Correct? This members might feel 'safe' for we know many of the public can not conceive something until it's actually felt (think about COVID). If that is the case then Reps have a better chance at winning in'26 this their confidence to vote for the bill. So strategically what do we assess and then what can we do tactically so cuts are maybe not literally felt pre '26 but definitely vicariously? I hope this makes sense. And again Robert thank you for what you do.let me know when you are ready for more notecards.
On Monday afternoon I lucked out when placing my 3 phone calls to my SC congressmen…all three calls were answered by real people and did not go into a voicemail messaging system. I asked each ‘how many SC voters are millionaires/billionaires? How many voters are from families with incomes of less than $100,000/yr?’ Of course, none of them could answer, so I continued with a plea that my reps vote against a bill providing assistance to the wealthy and NOT the average citizens. Didn’t work, but I will keep using this method!
We listen every night and take comfort and strength in your legal expertise, level-headed commentary, and as a motivator.
Thanks very much
I want to thank you for your efforts to keep us informed about what is happening in our country. I appreciate your cautious optimism. It is realistic, much needed, and appreciated.
I upgraded to a paid account just now because I really wanted to leave a comment today about how much value I get from this newsletter and live-streams. I read a lot of news from many sources, and depending on what I read last, my mood will swing from determined and ready to fight back to feeling doomed, exhausted, and cynical (humans suck). After I read Robert Hubbell's writings and watch his videos, I am able to reclaim my sense of purpose and feel re-energized enough to take action. I feel better about myself and my community--enough to want to take action. I'm also inspired by reading all of the comments here and how much all of you are doing to make ours a better a country.
Kathleen, I totally get what you mean. Thank goodness for Robert Hubbell 🙏. We're in this together 👫💫
I worry about the Trumpers seeing the writing on the wall regarding the likely voter response to their awful and unpopular policies, and then making increasingly stealthy efforts to squelch the vote as a remedy. Would welcome any input on that. Are there any great groups or organizations paying close attention to that in all the states?
Rebecca Solnit just published a great piece on kinda the same theme! https://www.meditationsinanemergency.com/cynicism-is-the-enemy-of-action/?ref=meditations-in-an-emergency-newsletter
Are reps willing because they feel assured they will win in 2026..? Do they know something?
Robert, I don't particularly like making calls to Capitol Hill. There are lots of other things I'd rather do, like driving into Porter Square Books in Cambridge to pick up my copy of E. Jean Carroll's new book. She was hilarious in interviews! And then reading it!
But motivated by Yesterday's Edition, I sat down at my desk and called Susan Stupid Collins, Hawley, and Murkowski, and warned them that if they vote for that Big Stupid Idiotic Bill, they will give Capitol Hill to the Democrats, and they will have to live with themselves for the rest of their lives for their cruelty to less well off American citizens.
Of course, now you're going to ask me why I didn't call Senators Warren and Markey. Well, I'm a bit lazy, I confess. I want to sit drinking my espresso, and working on my story about how as a second grader, I argued politics with my then best friend, Ralphie, a very smart and thoughtful kid who became a partner in Deloitte (it was 1960, the year of JFK v. Nixon).
But knowing my Senators (I argued with Markey at one of his town hall meetings well over a decade ago on immigration, and I've talked with Warren about it at a couple of her town hall meetings, and I've read about them in various newspapers, and I think they're both rock solid! (I used to disagree with both of them on immigration, but with Trump in the White House (again!) and the truly terrible trials he's putting them through, despite the fact that I wish far fewer of them had come here, I find myself even giving money to groups fighting to help them deal with their republican-driven problems, and VERY PO'D at the GOP government for what it's doing to them.
But maybe I'll call my senators this afternoon, and tell them to keep up the good work!
My rep., Whip Katherine Clark is also rock solid.
It is your optimism that keeps me going. I don’t want you to tell me what you don’t believe, but I want to hear OPTIMISM!! I have a quote in my office it says: "To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing.” —Raymond Williams. You are a big part of that hope for me and I’m so grateful. Thank you Robert!!!