132 Comments
author

From reader Raye H:

One of the most effective ways to help citizens of Maui is through "Direct Relief" a 501c3 located in Santa Barbara. They are the only non-profit licensed to issue medicines through their pharmacy licenses in all 50 states. In addition the issue medical supplies especially in times of disaster like they did during the aftermath of Katrina. They rank at the top on Charity Navagator. Forbes has named them #1 for a dozen or more years in a row. They already have people on the ground in Maui working with local agencies.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

In addition to Direct Relief and World Central Kitchen, both terrific ideas, please add Maui Humane Society for your relief $$$$. They are begging for foster families and donations to care for displaced pets, livestock, and wildlife. As always, American Red Cross is on the scene and worthy of support too.

Thanks so much Robert and readers, for supporting relief efforts. As a retired fundraising and communications exec, I know that staff and volunteers working on the ground in Maui need support and a bit of love. Send a short note if you can. It will make a difference.

Expand full comment

Thank you all for recommending excellent charities that are aiding to the relief in Maui. I just donated to Direct Relief, Maui Human Society and World Central Kitchen.

Robert I find your wonderful newsletter to be a source of intelligence, optimism and motivation. My thanks to you and you Managing Partner EVERY day. Also your photographs are always thrilling.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Right now I think the most sensible donation is to World Central kitchen to feed the many people in shelters and the volunteers and first responders on Maui trying to sort through the rubble.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

After learning of WCK work in Ukraine, we became supporters. The financial efficiency is virtually unparalleled. We continue to support this wonderful group in Hawai'i and urge others to join us.

Expand full comment

WCK is always my “go to” for relief donations because they’re always quick to set up mobile kitchens and start feeding people. Everyone needs food.

Expand full comment

I totally agree Connie. That’s who I donated to as well.

Expand full comment

For those of us who don't bother reading what Trump says, it's disconcerting to see his slander of Fani Willis again published in what purports to be an article dealing with legal issues. Is it really necessary to spread the slander? This is how Trump and the Republicans were successful against Clinton. The whole business of her e-mail server was a red herring. But the media repeated and repeated and repeated the issue and gave publicity to the "lock her up" chant. Trump says something ridiculous, or hateful or slanderous or stupid and the media - one after another - repeats the nonsense giving it legs.

Expand full comment
author

You ask a good question: Is it really necessary to repeat the slander.?

First, I said Trump's statement was false, so I was identifying it as a lie.

Second, it is a legitimate choice to limit news intake to avoid any reference to what Trump says. That's not this newsletter. I try to present what he says in a way that allows readers to process it, put it into perspective, and move on. But to do that, we need to discuss what Trump says at some level of generality. Would it have been enough to simply say that he was attacking Fani Willis? Possibly. But that Trump chose to attack Fani Willis in a sexist, vulgar manner is part of the story. I wish it were otherwise.

Expand full comment

For the past 8 years we've read nonsense statements by Trump. We know the man is incapable of telling the truth. We know he is sexist, vulgar and mean. You think his lies are newsworthy. I no longer do. Elevating lies by repeating same, even when couched with disclaimers, just gives them legs.

Expand full comment
author

As I said, I understand your point and I recognize that ignoring Trump can be legitimate choice for some people. But ignoring Trump isn't what this newsletter does.

Expand full comment
founding
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I get that it's terrible that the news repeats these things but it's good to know what's happening and what people are hearing so I am appreciative of all Robert gives us here since I miss things because I rarely watch the news and read NY Times feed but don't see it all. Or if I don't read anything at all from news outlets, I hear what is going on. How can you counter it if you don't hear it?

Expand full comment

Absolutely!

Expand full comment
founding

Sexist, vulgar and mean? Those are his GOOD points.

Expand full comment
founding

I no longer read anything uttered by tRump, therefore missed the very words that Robert quoted today. They are quotes I will use when speaking to others who are wavering (which still horrifying to imagine).

Expand full comment

Emphasizing the "rump" in "trump" does nothing to hurt the reviled former president, but it does tar what is often a very attractive secondary sex characteristic, which originally evolved along with the Achilles tendon, the nuchal ligament (holds the head steady when you run), and hairlessness to enable running. No other primate has buttocks, and no other primate runs.

Expand full comment

I only look occassionally ~ like a dolphin

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Robert is absolutely correct! This newsletter is the antidote to the news media. If it weren't for this daily dose of reality, not hype, I would be unbelievably depressed. Voices like Robert's correct the ridiculous attention-grabbing media who are just looking for readers at any cost.

Expand full comment

Patricia Kvill —

You say, “The whole business of her [Hillary Clinton’s] e-mail server was a red herring.” I disagree.

While not on a par with Trump’s mishandling of classified documents, Hillary Clinton’s use of a private, insecure email system was simply wrong, breaking all reasonable rules of handling official and classified documents (emails are documents), lazy, and high-handed. Ordinary State Department (or federal, for that matter) employees who did what Hillary Clinton did would have been fired, and possibly more (and rightfully so). Her behavior was reckless and arrogant to the extreme.

Expand full comment

You could always start your own substack

Expand full comment

I want to strangle the media.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I probably should have said this in the weekend open mic arena instead, but I couldn't grab a moment, so: A scary thought proposed by Thom Hartmann in The Hartmann Report is that VA's Glenn Youngkin is his prediction to be the eventual GOP nominee. He describes Youngkin, aptly, as "every bit as vicious as DeSantis or Abbott, policy-wise, but wears sweater-vests and comes across like Mr. Rogers".

I am totally invested in seeing Trump and as many conspirators and GOP criminals as possible tried and convicted, but it may be just as important that the whole brand begins to leave a bad taste in the national mouth if we want to save our democracy.

Interestingly, he also reports an upcoming article by two law professors arguing Trump is already ineligible to run for the presidency has been endorsed by one of the co-founders of the Federalist society.

Expand full comment

Both authors of the 14th Amendment paper are members of The Federalist Society in good standing. It was one of the co-founders of the organization who labeled the paper a "tour de force".

Expand full comment

Articles like that are interesting, maybe heart-warming to “our side”. But they’ll have no effect unless the authors take *actions*.

Will the authors go to state courts with appropriate legal documents petitioning the courts to disqualify Trump from appearing on ballots? And lead a nationwide group of lawyers who do so in all states?

Without *actions*, such words are gas.

Expand full comment

By the way, I recognize that people who petition the courts to keep Trump off their ballots will have to be extremely courageous.

Expand full comment

Totally agree that terrible VA Gov Youngkin is just biding his time waiting for the right moment to jump into 2024 Presidential race. Our best bet to head him off is to work like crazy for Dems to have a BIG win in the Nov 7, 2023 Virginia state legislative races. Youngton and his billionaire buddy donors are staking his reputation and his Presidential ambitions on winning the VA Senate and House of Delegates. We must deny him that - and crush his Presidential campaign before it gets any further off the the ground! Turning the VA legislature blue can be done but we all need to pitch in now with donations and actions!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for the reminder!

Expand full comment

Yehawes, I couldn’t agree more. I have felt very disturbed by Youngkin and we must all keep an eye on that ball. I’ve seen the statement by the right wingers that dump is ineligible. I hope that is correct. Thanks for your comment.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

We are watching EmptyVest here in VA. Virginians vote in November. We MUST have record turnout and a hard slap down of the GOP fascists. Our right to abortion is on the ballot. EmptyVest is instilling Moms for Liberty book bans and BS "Parents Matter." He's pulled VA out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and ERIC (national anti-fraud voting initiative). He couldn't even get teachers license renewals done this year. He's all fluff and totally inept. But he raises a LOT of $$ and he smiles - like a snake.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Dear Yehawes, remember the turnout in the recent Ohio and other state elections where more people have turned out to vote against Conservative agendas and attempts to get rid of Majority Rule (in Ohio) than expected. As Robert has pointed out, these are clear signs that voters are sick of Republicans who have overreached with their anti-abortion goals, and have lost. Try not to panic! Instead, write some postcards, if you can, or join a phone calls project. You will feel better!

Expand full comment

Unfortunately, the argument is not that he's ineligible to run for the presidency, but that he's ineligible to serve as President. Normally, that would mean that no party would choose him as a candidate but we're living in interesting times, not normal ones.

Expand full comment
author

Simple, but brilliant.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I think Youngren might have trouble carrying Virginia. ght

Expand full comment
founding
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
author

Hi, Mary. Sincere question as I try to gauge whether anyone has actually read the authors' article: Have you read it? If so, has it changed your view, or not?

Expand full comment
founding

Yes, I read it yesterday. Took me 45 min to an hour. I was so absorbed I lost track of time. It didn't so much change my view -- I still think Trump won't be declared ineligible to run because no one has the guts or political power to stand up to him -- but it convinced me that it would be possible under Section 3 based on the facts, which include his own words.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I haven't really studied the 14th amendment argument, but it seems to me that it must hinge on a legal determination that TFG led, participated, or gave aid and comfort. While it's obvious that he did, without a charge and finding of guilt, I think he might have grounds to sue and prevail. Do any legal scholars here have an opinion?

Expand full comment
author

I will likely address this issue tonight. I believe that Democrats are assuming that the issue is not susceptible to doubt. As you point out, there must be a finding that Trump engaged in insurrection. Despite the author's contention that Section 3 is "self-enforcing," having engaged in insurrection is not an objective criteria like being 35 years old to be president. Someone must find that Trump is guilty of insurrection.

Unfortunately, the Senate ACQUITTED Trump of insurrection in the second impeachment trial. What do we do with that fact? Ignore it and say that secretaries of state can simply come to a contrary decision without an evidentiary finding to the contrary?

Also, despite the claims of the authors that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is "self-enforcing", Section 5 says that Congress shall pass legislation to enforce the 14th amendment. The authors say that the grant of legislative authority does not mean that enforcement of the 14th amendment must await congressional action. Maybe. But the Arizona Supreme Court considered that question after the 2020 election and ruled that the grant of enforcement power to Congress in Section 5 precludes a private right of action against an office-holder who engaged in insurrection. So, the only court to directly consider Section 5 disagrees with the authors. The authors simply assert that Arizona is wrong.

Finally, is it really a good idea to have 50 different state-level authorities deciding whether a president has engaged in insurrection? Joe Biden said something like "talk is not enough" and "we have had protests before" in response to the protests after George Floyd's murder. What if the secretary of Alabama says those words were "incitement to insurrection" for the violence that followed, which the Alabama secretary of state considers to be an insurrection? While such an opinion would be a travesty, it tis the type of consequence we must consider before we say that Secretaries of State are unilaterally empowered to enforce Section 3 of 14th amendment.

Expand full comment

Agree, Yehawes, 100% about Youngkin. It really has disturbed me when he does not get press, because I fear he'll be able to sneak through the primary on his way to the general election.

Expand full comment

I agree. I also made a prediction to some friends that it would be Youngkin. A disaster for this country.

Expand full comment

Beautiful photo. Reassuring newsletter. I am following your advice and staying focused on the only thing that matters: getting dump or his surrogate sent packing for good in 2024! Fani Willis is an American Patriot of the highest integrity. She will slay this Dragon!!!

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023·edited Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

TFG thrives on chaos. I'm content to let Jack Smith handle the cases in FL and DC. He doesn't need my help.

I'm a bit concerned about Fani Willis and Alvin Bragg, though. I don't know if they're going to be able to deal with TFG's nonsense without getting caught up in it. Maybe it would be best if their trials were delayed until after the election. In any case, it looks like TFG will be the nominee of the anti-democracy party, and most of 2024 will revolve around his legal troubles.

As Robert said, we need to remain focused on defeating TFG (or his surrogate) in the presidential election. It needs to be a landslide, and be accompanied by major Democratic wins in House, Senate, gubernatorial, and every other election. It's time for the sane majority to be heard, loud and clear.

Expand full comment
author

I understand your concern. But you have to admit that they have handled themselves well to this point despite great pressure.

Expand full comment

I think Jack Smith has been masterful, but I think that Bragg's case is hard to untangle from the tabloid nature of the underlying story. I think that Willis may be presenting too much of her case before the court if public opinion with her early announcements about big happenings in July/August, and the highly visible security measures that have now been in place for a couple of weeks. Maybe her strategy will counter TFG's antics. Sounds like we should know something soon.

Expand full comment

Thank you...The Sane Majority. A whole movement could be started based on that.

Expand full comment

Well said. I share your concern about Willis and Bragg. However, I think the point of their cases is that if cases in the federal courts are lost, or Trump or a Republican is elected, Trump will be pardoned. However, he cannot be pardoned in the State cases. At least this is what I have gleaned from reading Robert and others.

Expand full comment

Can the Governor of Georgia pardon Trump if he’s convicted in a Georgia court?

Expand full comment

Good question. I don't know!

Expand full comment

I'm hoping that Jack Smith's streamlined case in DC before a no- nonsense judge is able to conclude before November 2024. I think the docs case is likely to go beyond that.

TFG can't be pardoned by himself or a surrogate in the state cases, but he can be pardoned by the governors (not likely in NY). If TFG's re-elected, however, he may be able to delay state prosecutions until 2028 if they haven't concluded by the time he (ugghhh!) returns to office.

Expand full comment

Yikes!

Expand full comment

Willis seems pretty much at peace with wherever she is in the process and Bragg has been very quiet since Smith started coming across with indictments. Like you, I'm content but impatient with the process and wish there was a way to vote the failed insurrectionist out of the game right now.

Expand full comment

I'm torn on the last part. While I'd like nothing more than to see TFG disqualified (he's certainly unfit in every way), I'd hate to see the MAGAts coalesce around someone capable of continuing his legacy of chaos, projection, misdirection, voter suppression, autocracy, and revenge.

Expand full comment

I share that concern but have some doubts about the ability of anyone currently on the scene to achieve that unity. It's more likely that the shock would jolt non-cultist Republicans into brief boring sanity and lead them to choose someone like Pence or Hutchinson.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

The only way for the world to become a better place is for everyone in it to become a better person.

(I think they should give me a "quote of the week" prize for that one :) Just one of my many flashes of inspiration :) But a very simple statement really, yet it is true.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I donated thru this link: https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

Expand full comment

Thank you for the link. I just donated.

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing! Donated :)

Expand full comment

Yes -the link (Hawaii Community Foundation) has been recommended by a friend who lives near Lahaina. Also Maui United Way. I’ll add link shortly.

Expand full comment

Super easy to cobtribute to HCF through Act Blue.

Expand full comment

Both of these groups will get funds to the local nonprofits to disoerse into the community. Are the of the most effective ways to give. .

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Additionally, Obama recommended the Hawaii Community Foundation at Hawaii community foundation.org. I donated to them.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Ted Cruz's flipflop on David Weiss's appointment as Special Counsel elevated him, in my eyes, into that special rank of amorality in the senate previously solely occupied by Ron Johnson. I hope that the voters of Texas get sick of his 24/7 audition for the evening commentary slot on Fox. Send him packing back to Cancun!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much, Robert Hubbell, for your indeed reassuring newsletter, and for the beautiful photograph of the Sequoias.

Thrilling to view, especially having never visited these beloved, revered trees in person. The respect for Nature the photograph conveys is calming, restorative

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023·edited Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Aloha from Maui, and thank you/mahalo for the care you've expressed for the overwhelming disaster we're going through over here. Two excellent effective and secure places to donate are:

HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION/MAUI STRONG, and

THE MAUI FOOD BANK

The Hawaii Community Foundation/Maui Strong is directing 100% of all donations directly to Maui; none is going to overhead. The Maui Food Bank has been a vital resource for many years.

Today we learned that the WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN arrived on island, and will soon have a donation button on their website specifically for Maui. We appreciate all the donations of clothes and goods that have poured in--but what is needed most of all is financial help to be able to purchase in quantity those things that will help the thousands of our residents who have lost everything--many loved ones, their homes, and their businesses.

Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and care--this recovery is going to be a very long, long marathon. Maui no a oi!

Expand full comment
author

Hi, Evelyn. Our thoughts are with you. Please take care, and keep us informed about how we can help.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023·edited Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

HISessions (an organization of local Hawaiian musicians) recommends supporting the Maui Food Bank, Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund and the Red Cross Hawaii Wildfire Fund. Click link to donate to any of the three: https://linktr.ee/himaui

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I remember reading in Life magazine in 1964 that that was the first time since Lord knows when that the Democratic candidate for president had been endorsed by a majority of the nation's newspapers. Biden is getting the full FDR treatment, and it's easy to see why: We don't have a free press in this country, we have a very expensive press, and so it is naturally in the control of rich people and giant corporations. The fact that they hate him is a very good reason, perhaps the best, to re-elect him.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Wildfire Donations & How to Help from Hawaii Guide by Victoria C. Derrick, Publisher / President

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement: In partnership with Alaka'ina Foundation Family of Companies and Kako'o Haleakala, CNHA, along with their partners, are matching up to $1,500,000 in community donations for families impacted by the wildfires on Maui. Your contribution will be doubled, effectively amplifying your support and providing critical assistance to families and businesses in Lahaina. Donate online here.

Maui Humane Society: With the ongoing fires displacing both humans and animals, the Maui Humane Society is making an urgent appeal for assistance. From becoming an SOS Foster to donating pet supplies and joining support groups, there are several ways you can help. More information here.

Maui Food Bank: Acting as a conduit for donated food and essential items for disaster relief, the Maui Food Bank collaborates with various relief organizations to distribute supplies throughout Maui County. This includes partnerships with Maui VOAD and the Feeding America Food Bank Network. Donate online here.

Expand full comment
Aug 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Thank you so much for exposing our media for their serious lack of, shall we say, maturity in covering the effect of Trump and the Republican party on our Democracy and institutions that support it. From giggling and snickering and making quips and jokes to elevating unsubstantiated and yet to be proved stories, they are desensitizing millions of decent people to horrible crimes and erosion of norms and decency. Our news should not be conflated with entertainment and certainly not with two-bit snarky comedy.

My question is, what can we citizens do about it? I wish we would converge by the thousands for a protest demanding that our news media start behaving like decent, serious adults again. And I wish Congress would pass legislation requiring warning labels on shows that are more editorial or laced with fiction so viewers could have a fighting chance of sorting out facts from falsehoods. I long to do something big about this problem.

Expand full comment
author

Hi, Amy. Become a writer, communicator, sharer of the truth. Send letters to the editor, blog, post, share. Anything you can do to spread the truth helps.

Expand full comment