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I am baffled by DOJ. What is wrong with Merrick Garland? Yes, I am at another emotional nadir, although I am not giving up by any means. How can I, when the people of Ukraine provide the example of endurance? The gun mess is only the latest example of corruption in American life. I am not a fan of reformers, but it seems as if the time has arrived for a trustbuster like TR to finish the work that McCain and Feingeld (?) started. End Citizens United!

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Indeed, end citizens united and with it, corporate personhood.

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Agreed. The DOJ has been very inconsistent and Garland has been losing a bit of confidence in my opinion. There is no reason to not indict certain people or not even provide the reasoning for it. Very disappointing.

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Robert was pretty adamant that the DOJ did not live up to its mission when it did not indict Meadows or Scavino. I would like to hear opinions about former US attorney and now MSNBC legal analyst Glen Kerchner's three possible reasons for this decision. They made sense to me as possibilities, but I am not a lawyer! https://youtu.be/eniXfhp4Eow

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Jim, I am partial to every one of your remarks, but would attribute the “gun mess” to the entrenched minority veto over the will of the majority, a disfunction, unless reformed, that will make it increasingly harder for Democrats to win elections, let alone govern even with electoral majorities.

As for your last point regarding campaign finance reform, its 2 champions were Senators John McCain (R - Arizona), as you noted, and Russ Feingold (D - Wisconsin). Feingold, amongst our finest, who served in the Senate from 1993 to 2011, lost his seat in 2010 to one of today’s most corrupt MAGA Republicans Ron Johnson. Though I’m not from Wisconsin, I’m supporting Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes’s candidacy as our Senate nominee, both because I subscribe to his progressive platform and also believe he handily could defeat Johnson in the general.

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Thanks, BJ!

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I think it is long past time for a new AG. Garland is not up to the serious corruption fighting that has to go on! Not indicting Mark Meadows sets a bad precedent.

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Thoughts from AOC shared by a commenter on LFAA:

"There are so many things we can do. It’s just about getting creative and it starts in one place. It’s not top down. It almost always starts with a small group or one community that decides to take a creative action that works for them. And it works on a small level and it inspires others. Right now is the moment to try *anything.* Even, just keep an eye on the young men in your life. Because you all are the ones who have the power to deradicalize. And it’s never just one conversation, but it always starts there.

"I wish I had easy answers. I don’t.

"It’s appropriate to feel rage at injustice. But the moment they take that away from you, is the moment they get you to acquiesce. And we will not acquiesce. We reject dystopia till the end."

https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cd_9ew6OLwB/

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AOC is a wise person.

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Awesome!

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Several thoughts:

-Of course republicans will try to upstage the hearings. Otherwise, what would Rupert air 24/7. The propaganda must go on. It’s why there is no “United” states of America anymore. And the MSM will blather on with their both sides bull Schitt.

Merrick Garland is shafting Dems, big time. At this point, one has to ask why? Are there three Trojan Horses in the mix?

-Biden can scream from the rooftops, but he can never match the propaganda blather. The bully pulpit is muted by the both sides blather from the MSM as well as Rupert’s 24/7 screeds. Add social media and the money wins.

-Cornyn is indeed a crumb thrown by McConnell, Murphy should resist that poisoned snack and stop with the bipartisan bs. They worship guns, say it…

-“tzebrokhnkayt”. Really. I may feel it but a tongue-twister to communicate effectively. Maybe Frank Luntz can come up with a word that rolls off the tongue - and helps the evil that plagues us. If only the Dems hadn’t dissed Bloomberg..

-as to the division between moderates and progressives, I say grow up. Divided we fall, that’s not a new thought. I would be Noam Chomsky in another world. But I don’t live in another world. Neither do you starry-eyed dreamers. I had to grow up, join me.

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I don't see much sign of grown-ups among us, Jeri, or as I tried to say the same thing in an earlier comment, we aren't willing to get our hands dirty anymore. When did that happen? Perhaps our moral high ground was easier to raze than we thought. We self-righteous liberals are going to sell this country right down the river and, make no mistake about it, we are complicit. In the South we have a wonderful phrase for this kind of reaction to unpleasantness. It's called clutching one's pearls. Oh dear. Oh dear. It is making me angrier than I thought I would be again in this lifetime. Now we are sitting around bewailing the upcoming outrages by the GOP. Then why in heaven's name didn't those we elected to represent all this moral superiority get themselves together and plan something concrete to counteract it? No, we're home being disappointed in Merrick Garland, out of patience with Chuck Schumer, theoretically proud of Nancy Pelosi but, really, who can like her?

I am so fed up that I'm going to eat an ice cream sandwich and make someone a beautiful note card. Send me your address and I'll make it for you.

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I am writing from London where the past 4 days of Jubilee celebrations from the 70 year reign of Queen Elizabeth has just ended. It was the balm I needed to remind me of goodwill and happiness. The British have universally put aside differences to celebrate together in block parties, parades, and amazing outdoor events. A universal sign has been to “ be kind and respectful”. How heartening to be called to be one’s higher self. The US could use a dose of this good feeling.

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We definitely could. They have their problems, too. Not with guns, but with knives. My friend in England told me that they have an annual turn in knives, but she says they re-arm themselves. At least they don’t have military grade assault weapons ripping school children apart.

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Kind and respectful to whom? Kindergartners throwing temper tantrums?

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President Biden needs to remind Americans while he is out there speaking that every country in the world is suffering from higher fuel prices, higher food prices, etc. People in some countries are starving to death because of food shortages caused by Russia’s war on Ukraine. We are in better shape overall than many countries.

He also must remind people of how important it is to not lose interest in Putin’s ear in Ukraine. The Ukrainians are fighting valiantly. They need more help from us and our NATO partners and will until they defeat the Russians and take back their land that is presently in the hands of Russians.

He also must tell the American people of the things that he had tried to put through Congress, but that the Republicans have not even allowed a lot of them to even go to the floor for a vote. The rest Mitch McConnell has instructed all Republican Senators to vote no.

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I am sick to death of Merrick Garland. He is not doing his job and that may help the Republicans in the midterm elections. Biden needs to ask him for his resignation! We need and Attorney General who is not afraid to do his job.

I am eager to watch the January 6 Committee present their findings Thursday night. It infuriates me that the news media will allow the Republicans to put on a bunch of lies to counter the findings of the January 6 Committee. I will be watching CNN. If they do that, I will speak up.

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Better if Biden fires Garland and sends the message that he expects people to do their jobs.

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My only concern about that is that the Republicans will make it out that Biden wanted someone to go after the Republicans and because Garland is not a hatchet man, Biden fired him.

I think that Garland would submit his resignation rather than be fired. If not, then Biden should fire him.

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I don't give a hoot what any Republican thinks. They attack us no matter what we do or say. I think it would be welcome news that our President wants an AG to go after insurrectionists! Traitors! Fascists!

It is disaffected, disillusioned Democrats and Independents I am concerned with. Anyone still identifying as a Republican supports racism, misogyny, suppression of voting, suppression of womens reproductive rights and think the slaughter of our kids, our elderly and our church worshipers is the price of "freedom". Republicans are essentially insane throwbacks to a world of white male domination. Primitive and sick minded.

Independents and Democrats make up a huge majority of Americans. Republicans should be marginalized out of existence - like the Whigs.

Biden should ask for Garlands resignation yesterday. Enough time wasted!

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I agree. The Republicans have become the pro-active party albeit in a negative and very disturbing way and, if the Democrats want to get back in the game, they'll have to stop worrying about clicks, tweets and the GOP response and get some positive things done. One of the most positive would be jailing some of the insurrectionists, and the failure to prosecute Meadows and Jordan is progress in the wrong direction.

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I agree with your conclusion. Getting out there will be important to Biden. I'd really like to see this include a lot of Red State travel. There must be some republicans who still fell some loyalty to a sitting president. Even if he is not wearing the red MAGA hat. At least focus on traveling to the purple states where a swing one way or the other can have a profound effect: Either Schumer or McConnell! The thought of the slippery McCarthy as #3 in the line of succession in addition to the instigator of endless investigations should give all of us pause, after we shudder.

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Your apology to third graders for the allusion to the GOP IQ reminds of Trump’s 2016 campaign speeches. Then grammar and other experts said his syntax was at the fourth-grade level. I haven’t seen that analysis since about 2017 because the media seems to focus on simply that he is a performer which they never pointed out regarding his performances when President. From almost day one in the WH he spent the four years campaigning or watching FCN Entertainment Channel. DUHHHHH!

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You should now apologize to 4th graders. My neighbor's daughter is much more articulate than the failed insurrectionist.

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No doubt!

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Biden would have a lot more credibility with me if he replaced Garland with someone competent.

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Here's the problem: Biden could never get another nominee confirmed.

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I get it now. Thank you!

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How can we the people make that happen?

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I am not an attorney and as much as I would to see Mark Meadows indicted but based on several opinions I have read there are several reasons the DOJ at this time has elected not to indict him . All the reasons stated seem nuisance to me but we need to give the DOJ some benefit of the doubt. Watch the push back from Republicans when the January 6th hearings start this week and the lies they will spin and then maybe we can understand why the DOJ wants undeniable proof and facts to support the January 6th coup attempt.

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It may be that the DOJ has good reason not to indict him. The failure to explain to the Committee and to the American people is undermining the perception that the DOJ cares about justice. And to repeat my analysis in the newsletter: he refused to show up because of executive privilege; Biden waived the privilege as to Meadows. Whatever other reasons the DOJ may have for not indicting Meadows don't appear to be relevant to his refusal to appear.

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Agree. Let’s hope more will happen.

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I am not an attorney, either. A few possibilities suggest themselves to me, perhaps the DOJ has more than sufficient evidence without spending the time indicting Meadows and Scavino right now. Perhaps they want to focus on other matters at this time. I have to believe there are cogent strategies for their choices.

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Indicting Meadows for contempt would be a simple act that would support Congress. By not doing so Garland undermines the Jan 6 Committee. If the DOJ is going to arrest Meadows and prosecute him, great! I don't see the logic or the conflict here. Garland is undermining the republic by his intransigence and passivity. Enough time has passed for him to have gathered a mountain of evidence. Instead we have to rely on another branch of government to do the job of the DOJ. Garland needs to act now or resign.

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Your looking for a quick solution because you believe he is guilty as do I but what Garland cannot do is to bring him to trial and lose on a technicality because that would delegitimize the entire prosecution. Watch Republicans this week defend Trump and you will see why Garland has to be perfect and win his cases. My frustration is the belief we will learn a lot this week but will it be enough to sway Independent voters.

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Robert, didn’t we have four more mass shootings over the weekend? I am so sick of this. I texted my Congressman, Bob Good, last week when I received his email regarding all of the things he had been involved in. He is a Republican. I did not even read past the first paragraph where he said stricter gun laws were not needed.

I told him that I will only be voting in the midterms for candidates who are for stricter gun laws as far as assault weapons and ammunition are concerned, better background checks, strong red flag laws. etc. I said that obviously I would only be voting for Democrats because Republicans refuse to do anything to protect our children and the rest of the country. (Of course I will only be voting for Democrats anyway, but I did not say that.)

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Thank you for referencing Dahlia Lithwick’s essay. It resonates for me and helps to keep me grounded in a wider community.

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We will not see meaningful gun control from the US Senate, that most undemocratic of legislative bodies, because of a compleat absence of leadership on the Republican side. Leadership should be the act of encouraging your group to do what is right. Instead, what passes for leadership in the Senate GOP is solely directed toward the maintenance of personal power. Even though it is clear that we, the people, want gun control, Senators from deep red states will not provide the leadership necessary for fear of loosing votes. The heroic action would be to do what is right regardless of personal cost.

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Wonderful newsletter today. I'll say that again since I am going to give you a "note" so to speak and it is always so easy to criticize and hard to praise, so again, wonderful newsletter. I am personally increasingly focused on the need for Democrats to set the tone and language, rather than allow Republicans to do it for us. We are constantly on defense, and it's probably one of the biggest reasons we don't communicate our message as effectively as Republicans. I think the term "mainstream media" needs to be dropped from the narrative. Bill Maher, who really annoys me so much lately with his diatribes on wokeness but nonetheless says some very wise things at times, spoke this week about the way Democrats shrink from the word Liberal. I can live with that and move to the term "progressive", but even that term needs to be broadcast loudly and clearly and proudly. The term mainstream media creates associations, none of which are good for Democrats. We need to find another term. Perhaps we refer to the "legitimate media", perhaps we refer to them as the media outlets that fact check, I don't know and we need advertising executives to help us here, but I think that term needs to be put to rest by Democrats. The associations to it hurt us. Thanks Robert.

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Thank you so much for bringing wisdom and groundedness to today's current events. I, like so many others feel hopeless even as I donate more to campaigns, write to congress, talk to the younger generation, get the vote out to my friends, kids, godkids etc. and still feel I'm not doing enough to stop the trainwreck I see coming. Dahlia Lithwick's fantastic article says, enjoy life even in the heartbreak of today's news. It's the little things we each do that add up to We The People making our country and world a better place. again, thank you for all you say and do.

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Merrik Garland and DOJ absolutely owe American public answers! Mr.Garland seems intent on giving Bill Barr a serious challenge as worst AG ever. Is the system so corrupt that to charge the most egregious insurrectionists would bring down the entire house of cards? Frustrating!

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