I am still incredulous that Biden's "approval rating" is so low. America is under attack by Putin. Ukraine is just the tool for his payback campaign. And Biden is, so far, threading the needle well.
As far as his gaffe, I agree he handled the aftermath as a mature, confident adult. But on the other hand, Biden's comment was spot on. It was a stupid question. And the reporter works for a media outlet dedicated to "gotcha journalism" and the destruction of American democracy. So yeah, the guy really IS a "stupid son of a bitch".
I also ask these questions: "What is it about the Murdoch family that allows Tucker Carlson the platform to promote traitorous ideas? What kind of person supports a liar who undermines the free world and supports Putin - a crook and a murderer?"
And why hasn't Rupert Murdoch, an Australian, been held accountable for his slander and libel that undermines our system of government and defiles democracy itself? Isn't he the poster child for international interference?
Thanks for the great read as always! Re SCOTUS, it is of course horrific seeing them brazenly and out in the open dismantling decades of precedent. Adding to the outrage are the conflicts of interest of certain justices - in addition to being puppets of the Heritage Foundation. The New Yorker article on Ginnie Thomas and her "honorees" that then appear before her husband on the bench was alarming. And a talking head pointed out last night that Harvard - that will now be before the Court - fired Kavanaugh after the [credible] sexual assault cases emerged. I try to stay positive, but the conduct of the Court makes it hard sometimes.
I don't want to add to your pessimism, but the situation on the Supreme Court is worse than the New Yorker describes. The Court is essentially in the process of imploding. It has unmoored itself from precedent, the Constitution, and the law. The conservative social agenda will be ascendant for some time, but Democrats can remake the Court. I do not understand why more Americans are not enraged over these developments. Six states have effectively outlawed abortion despite an existing constitutional right and there are only small bands of dedicated protestors gathering in those states. Men and women everywhere should care deeply about this assault on our liberty with demonstrations the size of the first Women's March in 2017. Until that happens, the Court will believe it has a free hand to engage in a radical social revolution to set back liberty in America by a half of a century.
I disagree with only one thing: "we are lucky to have Joe Biden in the Oval Office." Not luck! We put him there with a very nice majority. We worked hard and we should own that when our spirits need a lift. Work hard. Celebrate victory hard. Pick up the tools and work hard again!
"Fortunate" would have been a better word choice, since that is what I meant. But I agree with your sentiment--the only thing standing between us and another victory is hard work.
Jan 25, 2022·edited Jan 25, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I posted this on Heather Cox Richardson's blog this morning; she noted that Republicans are split on the Ukraine issue. I said that I'm confused, writing:
"Putin helped put Trump in power. Trumpies go to his rallies wearing T-shirts declaring that they would rather be Russian than Democrat. I overheard a lady on the street saying that she likes Putin because "Russia is Christian." CPAC is to be held this March in Hungary, another country with Putin ties, run by a right-wing authoritarian. AON, beloved by Trump and his followers, employs people paid by the Kremlin." I also just read in The Guardian that Trumpies who listen to Carlson are demanding siding with Russia. "Democratic representative Tom Malinowski said in a tweet his office was fielding calls from Carlson viewers “upset that we’re not siding with Russia in its threats to invade Ukraine”.
And yet, Richardson notes, other Republicans are all in on war (no surprise there, they love wars) in Ukraine. Somebody help untangle me? Maybe the pro-war Republicans just love the military industrial complex? Or criticizing Biden for everything, including breathing?
Hi, Bronwyn. I don't think anyone can explain the irrational support for Russia except as a sign of opposition to anything that Biden tries to do. The level of ignorance that it takes to support a thug / killer / dictator like Putin is astounding. But Fox News and Rupert Murdoch count on that level of ignorance among viewers of their content--otherwise they would not broadcast easily disprovable lies.
I know I should probably have been disappointed in Biden’s slip with the reporter. I don’t use profanity and don’t encourage it in others. But somehow, I thought it was really funny. Sometimes, you just have to let it out.
As Stephen notes, Doocey is not a journalist; he is a provocateur in search of a sound bite. As I wrote last night, everyone in the room agreed with Biden, including Doocey's colleagues. They think he is a joke, but he gets ratings so he is a star on Fox.
The person President Biden referred to was Peter Doocey a Fox reporter whose job it is to ask provoking questions to get sound bites on Fox and he baits the administration all the time. I think it shows the character of the President who later reached out an apologized and that should get the headlines.
Thank you once again for your important contributions on a number of very important topics.
I also offer a bit of background context for thinking about the present Russia, Ukraine, NATO, U.S. confrontation and the balance of power amongst the players. For some added perspective …
The Annual GDP of Russia measured in U.S. dollars for comparison purposes is approximately 1.7 trillion, the GDP of NATO European countries is about 17 trillion, the U.S. GDP is about 22 trillion. Additionally over 50% of Russian GDP is directly connected to the energy sector. This is compared to between 6% to 8% of U.S. GDP connected to the energy sector. The relative economic power and vulnerability of NATO and the U.S. and Russia is highly unbalanced. I am pretty sure the strategic thinkers on both sides of any potential showdown amongst the powers on both sides are acutely aware of this imbalance and have carefully considered its importance in their thinking.
Fear is a powerful force. In our own thinking, both strategic and tactical, I hope that fear is balanced with rational thought in seeking the best courses of action in various scenarios.
Hi, Bruce. Very good points--which is why drastic sanctions against Russia are a powerful deterrent. The problem is the EUs dependence on Russian oil and gas. Sanctions will hurt the EU much more than the US. But there is a path forward, I agree.
Sanctions must be both significant and well targeted. The dependence of at least some of NATO partners on Russian gas is certainly important. However, there are ways to address this also with careful planning. The decarbonization efforts and emphasis on renewables in many NATO countries is a direct response not only to climate change threats but also an effort to loosen Putin’s grip on the throats of our NATO allies. Putin is very much aware of this and it factors into his thinking and timing.
Putin will attempt to use sanctions that bring economic consequences to the average Russian to boost his own popularity with the Russian people by blaming the U.S. and NATO for their troubles. That must be countered with proper and careful targeting of sanctions, and information campaigns. However, Putin’s ability to endure sanctions and sustain that popularity will have real limits.
Putin’s threats of creating a “Caribbean” crisis ignores that Russia lacks the economic capability to add any significant economic support for the burdens of the already troubled economies there. The people of those countries are unlikely to be supportive of any Putin military adventurism there unaccompanied by economic support Russia is incapable of supplying.
The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that it was working with gas and crude oil suppliers from the Middle East, North Africa and Asia to bolster supplies to Europe in coming weeks, in an effort to blunt the threat that Russia could cut off fuel shipments in the escalating conflict over Ukraine.
European allies have been cautious in public about how far they would go in placing severe sanctions on Moscow if it invades Ukraine. Germany has been especially wary; it has shuttered many of its nuclear plants, increasing its dependence on natural gas imports to generate electricity.
Many European officials have said they suspect President Vladimir V. Putin instigated the current crisis in the depths of winter for a reason, calculating that his leverage is maximized if he can threaten to turn off Russian fuel sales to Europe.
Russia provides about one-third of the gas and crude oil imported by the European Union. Last year Russia provided about 128 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe, according to industry estimates, and about a third of that flowed through a pipeline that runs through Ukraine. Russia has reduced that flow this winter, and its effort to open the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, connecting Siberia to Germany, would route fuel around Ukraine, and increase European dependency on Russian supply.
The initiative to get fuel from alternative sources flowing to Europe now, before a true crisis erupts, was described by Biden administration officials as a key element in assuring allies that they will be able to weather any cutoff of supply by Russia.
A great example of both tactical and strategic thought.
I also find Thomas Friedman's Opinion column from the NY Times of great interest and possible relevance. Vladimir Putin may have must greater problems to worry about than Ukraine in his immediate future - climate change:
Factor in that in this global politico-economy, what Anne Applebaum calls Autocracy Inc is pulling the purse strings. Autocracy Inc’s rational thought is different from yours and mine, and that’s a problem.
President Biden certainly has a lot on his plate, Ukraine, Omicron and non vaccinated people, inflation and a negative media.President Biden’s leadership regarding Ukraine and the US approach with NATO hopefully will reduce the aggression in a non military way and maybe the media and the country will finally start to appreciate the skills and experience this Administration brings to the country.
Jan 25, 2022·edited Jan 25, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Robert, I write in response to your posting of Prof. Reich’s proposed actions to protect voting rights in the aftermath of the failed vote last Wednesday to reform the filibuster to allow for an up or down majority vote. Because A.G. Garland, late last fall, had answered the Professor’s 2nd request, quoting you, “that we hold the DOJ to its promise to protect voting rights through enforcement of existing law,” I will respond specifically to the Professor’s 2nd proposal.
A.G. Garland, whom I imagine frets more than most over separation of powers, late last fall, concluded a press conference about suing Texas for violating Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act with a plea to Congress to pass new federal voting rights legislation, making clear that DOJ will do whatever it can (translation: go to court to protect voting rights), but that Congress must do what it alone can do (pass legislation that also protects election integrity and thus democracy itself). Could there have been a more ample permission structure for Manchin, for Sinema, or for any other Senate Dems to set aside whatever reservations they might once have expressed about reforming the filibuster, assured that, unless Congress acts, in 4 or 5 years from now we’re not going to recognize the country?
Pity that A.G. Garland’s Press Conference received so little coverage.
Hi Robert, and thank you as always for breaking down the news with calmness and reason.
From listening to NPR about the affirmative action case to be argued before SCOTUS, I understand the case is filed as discrimination by Harvard and UNC against Asian-American applicants. But Harvard's student body is 26% Asian-Americans and UNC's is 21%, compared to 7% of the US population. Can you explain how this flies?
Hi, Ellie. My understanding is consistent with Dave's note below. But I haven't read the briefing and am relying on public reporting. I will try to delve deeper into this question as the case proceeds and discuss in more detail.
I just checked the Supreme Court docket. Here are the questions that the Court articulated in granting review:
. Should this Court overrule Grutter v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 306 (2003), and hold that institutions of higher education cannot use race as a factor in admissions?
2. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act bans race-based admissions that, if done by a public university, would violate the Equal Protection Clause. Gratz v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 244, 276 n.23 (2003). Is Harvard violating Title VI by penalizing Asian-American applicants, engaging in racial balancing, overemphasizing race, and rejecting workable race-neutral alternatives?
Thank you. The disproportionality statistics echoed legislative gerrymandering. I wondered if a decision on college admissions could carry over to states' redistricting.
It's really esoteric, but David French and Sarah Isgur have an interesting discussion of the case on their Advisory Opinions podcast from yesterday. For those not familiar with it, AO is on The Dispatch site.
Unless it has changed, the argument is that, based on objective standards applied equally, the percentage of Asian-American students would be larger and that they are therefore being discriminated against.
Biden is . . .HUMAN?!!! More than can be said of Tucker Carlson! where does free speech end and sedition begin? Hard to say. If there is an exodus of LGBTQ+ people from Florida, the state will soon learn how many people its homophobic governor has alienated.
Everyone in the U.S. should be outraged over the Florida bill. Like similar bills in Texas, Georgia, etc. conservatives are seeking to stigmatize people based on their human identities--an effort that has a very dark past in the last century and that began by targeting homosexuals and disabled children, and then moved on to the Jewish population. Florida parents aren't going to make homosexuality "go away" by banning discussion of gender identity and orientation in school. Instead, they will signal to their children that their is something stigmatizing about identities that do not fit into the narrow definition of sexuality admitted in their religion.
Gee, I was hoping that Joe intended hits remark about Peter Doocy to be overheard. And I still do, and that his “apology” was crocodile tears. Need to teach those folks a lesson.
I have compiled a list of all the organizations you can volunteer with to support voting rights/voter engagement in North Carolina, as well as nationally. Because I live in NC, I have prioritized NC volunteer opportunities, but there's plenty of other opps on the list that work nationally. Check out this Google Doc that I've created. I will attempt to keep it up to date!
Robert, I actually enjoyed Biden’s faux pas and I think the public did too. So the equivalency with Ukraine and Russia would be Russia controlling Mexico? Hum, I know we would never invade Cuba — oops. Or we would never brutally suppress the independence movement of the island nation of Puerto Rico — oops. Just saying. Cast the first stone if you are without sin.
There is another undeniable story. And even though the actions of the West, NATO moving closer to Russia, which it has a right to do, even as Russia has a right to feel paranoid, there is plausibility with this forever second-rate nation of Russia. The problem with Russia is that it went from an absolute monarchy to an absolute dictatorship to a brief flirtation with western-style democracy then returning to familiar turf. I once took a course in Russian history taught by a former general in the Hungarian army during the rebellion of 1956, a Dr Dichey, who puffed on cigarettes in class while lecturing. He had a most unusual way to hold his cigarettes with his index finger and thumb (as different from the index and middle fingers gentile grip) and hand curled around as he puffed away like the former general that he was. He was small in stature but outsized in presence. Great character.
I think this conflict could be avoided if we give something to Putin but back it up with military might besides economic destabilization and unless this is settled, then all out defense of Ukraine is in order and defense easily becomes offense. Give Putin something to save face in the eyes of his people. Ukraine made a fatal mistake removing their nuclear warheads from their country and I sensed that when they agreed to send them to Russia. Putin would never have contemplated an invasion against an armada of nukes. Just saying.
That Fox crap is incredible the ignorance being spewed on TV. One thing it is to be a contrarian as I am. Another to be one with no sense of reality. Hey, thanks Robert, for this platform to express our opinions. Good show.
I am still incredulous that Biden's "approval rating" is so low. America is under attack by Putin. Ukraine is just the tool for his payback campaign. And Biden is, so far, threading the needle well.
As far as his gaffe, I agree he handled the aftermath as a mature, confident adult. But on the other hand, Biden's comment was spot on. It was a stupid question. And the reporter works for a media outlet dedicated to "gotcha journalism" and the destruction of American democracy. So yeah, the guy really IS a "stupid son of a bitch".
I also ask these questions: "What is it about the Murdoch family that allows Tucker Carlson the platform to promote traitorous ideas? What kind of person supports a liar who undermines the free world and supports Putin - a crook and a murderer?"
And why hasn't Rupert Murdoch, an Australian, been held accountable for his slander and libel that undermines our system of government and defiles democracy itself? Isn't he the poster child for international interference?
All very good questions that deserve attention from regulators . . . .
Thanks for the great read as always! Re SCOTUS, it is of course horrific seeing them brazenly and out in the open dismantling decades of precedent. Adding to the outrage are the conflicts of interest of certain justices - in addition to being puppets of the Heritage Foundation. The New Yorker article on Ginnie Thomas and her "honorees" that then appear before her husband on the bench was alarming. And a talking head pointed out last night that Harvard - that will now be before the Court - fired Kavanaugh after the [credible] sexual assault cases emerged. I try to stay positive, but the conduct of the Court makes it hard sometimes.
I don't want to add to your pessimism, but the situation on the Supreme Court is worse than the New Yorker describes. The Court is essentially in the process of imploding. It has unmoored itself from precedent, the Constitution, and the law. The conservative social agenda will be ascendant for some time, but Democrats can remake the Court. I do not understand why more Americans are not enraged over these developments. Six states have effectively outlawed abortion despite an existing constitutional right and there are only small bands of dedicated protestors gathering in those states. Men and women everywhere should care deeply about this assault on our liberty with demonstrations the size of the first Women's March in 2017. Until that happens, the Court will believe it has a free hand to engage in a radical social revolution to set back liberty in America by a half of a century.
Robert, Though Dems, as you state, conceivably could “remake the Court,” to do so, Senators would have to agree to set aside the filibuster.
Sadly, it's impossible to add to my pessimism; it is already great, but I keep going one small action at a time.
I disagree with only one thing: "we are lucky to have Joe Biden in the Oval Office." Not luck! We put him there with a very nice majority. We worked hard and we should own that when our spirits need a lift. Work hard. Celebrate victory hard. Pick up the tools and work hard again!
"Fortunate" would have been a better word choice, since that is what I meant. But I agree with your sentiment--the only thing standing between us and another victory is hard work.
I posted this on Heather Cox Richardson's blog this morning; she noted that Republicans are split on the Ukraine issue. I said that I'm confused, writing:
"Putin helped put Trump in power. Trumpies go to his rallies wearing T-shirts declaring that they would rather be Russian than Democrat. I overheard a lady on the street saying that she likes Putin because "Russia is Christian." CPAC is to be held this March in Hungary, another country with Putin ties, run by a right-wing authoritarian. AON, beloved by Trump and his followers, employs people paid by the Kremlin." I also just read in The Guardian that Trumpies who listen to Carlson are demanding siding with Russia. "Democratic representative Tom Malinowski said in a tweet his office was fielding calls from Carlson viewers “upset that we’re not siding with Russia in its threats to invade Ukraine”.
And yet, Richardson notes, other Republicans are all in on war (no surprise there, they love wars) in Ukraine. Somebody help untangle me? Maybe the pro-war Republicans just love the military industrial complex? Or criticizing Biden for everything, including breathing?
Hi, Bronwyn. I don't think anyone can explain the irrational support for Russia except as a sign of opposition to anything that Biden tries to do. The level of ignorance that it takes to support a thug / killer / dictator like Putin is astounding. But Fox News and Rupert Murdoch count on that level of ignorance among viewers of their content--otherwise they would not broadcast easily disprovable lies.
Here is the Malinowski tweet: https://twitter.com/brikeilarcnn/status/1485958336768094211
Grrrrrtf
I know I should probably have been disappointed in Biden’s slip with the reporter. I don’t use profanity and don’t encourage it in others. But somehow, I thought it was really funny. Sometimes, you just have to let it out.
As Stephen notes, Doocey is not a journalist; he is a provocateur in search of a sound bite. As I wrote last night, everyone in the room agreed with Biden, including Doocey's colleagues. They think he is a joke, but he gets ratings so he is a star on Fox.
The person President Biden referred to was Peter Doocey a Fox reporter whose job it is to ask provoking questions to get sound bites on Fox and he baits the administration all the time. I think it shows the character of the President who later reached out an apologized and that should get the headlines.
Thank you once again for your important contributions on a number of very important topics.
I also offer a bit of background context for thinking about the present Russia, Ukraine, NATO, U.S. confrontation and the balance of power amongst the players. For some added perspective …
The Annual GDP of Russia measured in U.S. dollars for comparison purposes is approximately 1.7 trillion, the GDP of NATO European countries is about 17 trillion, the U.S. GDP is about 22 trillion. Additionally over 50% of Russian GDP is directly connected to the energy sector. This is compared to between 6% to 8% of U.S. GDP connected to the energy sector. The relative economic power and vulnerability of NATO and the U.S. and Russia is highly unbalanced. I am pretty sure the strategic thinkers on both sides of any potential showdown amongst the powers on both sides are acutely aware of this imbalance and have carefully considered its importance in their thinking.
Fear is a powerful force. In our own thinking, both strategic and tactical, I hope that fear is balanced with rational thought in seeking the best courses of action in various scenarios.
Hi, Bruce. Very good points--which is why drastic sanctions against Russia are a powerful deterrent. The problem is the EUs dependence on Russian oil and gas. Sanctions will hurt the EU much more than the US. But there is a path forward, I agree.
Sanctions must be both significant and well targeted. The dependence of at least some of NATO partners on Russian gas is certainly important. However, there are ways to address this also with careful planning. The decarbonization efforts and emphasis on renewables in many NATO countries is a direct response not only to climate change threats but also an effort to loosen Putin’s grip on the throats of our NATO allies. Putin is very much aware of this and it factors into his thinking and timing.
Putin will attempt to use sanctions that bring economic consequences to the average Russian to boost his own popularity with the Russian people by blaming the U.S. and NATO for their troubles. That must be countered with proper and careful targeting of sanctions, and information campaigns. However, Putin’s ability to endure sanctions and sustain that popularity will have real limits.
Putin’s threats of creating a “Caribbean” crisis ignores that Russia lacks the economic capability to add any significant economic support for the burdens of the already troubled economies there. The people of those countries are unlikely to be supportive of any Putin military adventurism there unaccompanied by economic support Russia is incapable of supplying.
And now this with link to NY Times on this:
U.S. to Bolster Europe’s Fuel Supply to Blunt Threat of Russian Cutoff
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/25/world/ukraine-russia-us?
The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that it was working with gas and crude oil suppliers from the Middle East, North Africa and Asia to bolster supplies to Europe in coming weeks, in an effort to blunt the threat that Russia could cut off fuel shipments in the escalating conflict over Ukraine.
European allies have been cautious in public about how far they would go in placing severe sanctions on Moscow if it invades Ukraine. Germany has been especially wary; it has shuttered many of its nuclear plants, increasing its dependence on natural gas imports to generate electricity.
Many European officials have said they suspect President Vladimir V. Putin instigated the current crisis in the depths of winter for a reason, calculating that his leverage is maximized if he can threaten to turn off Russian fuel sales to Europe.
Russia provides about one-third of the gas and crude oil imported by the European Union. Last year Russia provided about 128 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe, according to industry estimates, and about a third of that flowed through a pipeline that runs through Ukraine. Russia has reduced that flow this winter, and its effort to open the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, connecting Siberia to Germany, would route fuel around Ukraine, and increase European dependency on Russian supply.
The initiative to get fuel from alternative sources flowing to Europe now, before a true crisis erupts, was described by Biden administration officials as a key element in assuring allies that they will be able to weather any cutoff of supply by Russia.
A great example of both tactical and strategic thought.
I also find Thomas Friedman's Opinion column from the NY Times of great interest and possible relevance. Vladimir Putin may have must greater problems to worry about than Ukraine in his immediate future - climate change:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/25/opinion/president-biden-russia-ukraine.html
Factor in that in this global politico-economy, what Anne Applebaum calls Autocracy Inc is pulling the purse strings. Autocracy Inc’s rational thought is different from yours and mine, and that’s a problem.
https://twitter.com/anneapplebaum/status/1460215744743067648?s=21
President Biden certainly has a lot on his plate, Ukraine, Omicron and non vaccinated people, inflation and a negative media.President Biden’s leadership regarding Ukraine and the US approach with NATO hopefully will reduce the aggression in a non military way and maybe the media and the country will finally start to appreciate the skills and experience this Administration brings to the country.
Let's hope so!
Robert, I write in response to your posting of Prof. Reich’s proposed actions to protect voting rights in the aftermath of the failed vote last Wednesday to reform the filibuster to allow for an up or down majority vote. Because A.G. Garland, late last fall, had answered the Professor’s 2nd request, quoting you, “that we hold the DOJ to its promise to protect voting rights through enforcement of existing law,” I will respond specifically to the Professor’s 2nd proposal.
A.G. Garland, whom I imagine frets more than most over separation of powers, late last fall, concluded a press conference about suing Texas for violating Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act with a plea to Congress to pass new federal voting rights legislation, making clear that DOJ will do whatever it can (translation: go to court to protect voting rights), but that Congress must do what it alone can do (pass legislation that also protects election integrity and thus democracy itself). Could there have been a more ample permission structure for Manchin, for Sinema, or for any other Senate Dems to set aside whatever reservations they might once have expressed about reforming the filibuster, assured that, unless Congress acts, in 4 or 5 years from now we’re not going to recognize the country?
Pity that A.G. Garland’s Press Conference received so little coverage.
And at least an equal pity that Congress is so much more focused on clickbaiting than on doing its job of legislating.
Hi Robert, and thank you as always for breaking down the news with calmness and reason.
From listening to NPR about the affirmative action case to be argued before SCOTUS, I understand the case is filed as discrimination by Harvard and UNC against Asian-American applicants. But Harvard's student body is 26% Asian-Americans and UNC's is 21%, compared to 7% of the US population. Can you explain how this flies?
Hi, Ellie. My understanding is consistent with Dave's note below. But I haven't read the briefing and am relying on public reporting. I will try to delve deeper into this question as the case proceeds and discuss in more detail.
I just checked the Supreme Court docket. Here are the questions that the Court articulated in granting review:
. Should this Court overrule Grutter v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 306 (2003), and hold that institutions of higher education cannot use race as a factor in admissions?
2. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act bans race-based admissions that, if done by a public university, would violate the Equal Protection Clause. Gratz v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 244, 276 n.23 (2003). Is Harvard violating Title VI by penalizing Asian-American applicants, engaging in racial balancing, overemphasizing race, and rejecting workable race-neutral alternatives?
Thank you. The disproportionality statistics echoed legislative gerrymandering. I wondered if a decision on college admissions could carry over to states' redistricting.
Logically it should, depends on whether or not there's an attorney creative enough to make the connection.
It's really esoteric, but David French and Sarah Isgur have an interesting discussion of the case on their Advisory Opinions podcast from yesterday. For those not familiar with it, AO is on The Dispatch site.
Unless it has changed, the argument is that, based on objective standards applied equally, the percentage of Asian-American students would be larger and that they are therefore being discriminated against.
Good point.
Biden is . . .HUMAN?!!! More than can be said of Tucker Carlson! where does free speech end and sedition begin? Hard to say. If there is an exodus of LGBTQ+ people from Florida, the state will soon learn how many people its homophobic governor has alienated.
Everyone in the U.S. should be outraged over the Florida bill. Like similar bills in Texas, Georgia, etc. conservatives are seeking to stigmatize people based on their human identities--an effort that has a very dark past in the last century and that began by targeting homosexuals and disabled children, and then moved on to the Jewish population. Florida parents aren't going to make homosexuality "go away" by banning discussion of gender identity and orientation in school. Instead, they will signal to their children that their is something stigmatizing about identities that do not fit into the narrow definition of sexuality admitted in their religion.
Exactly! The young people won't put up with it.
Gee, I was hoping that Joe intended hits remark about Peter Doocy to be overheard. And I still do, and that his “apology” was crocodile tears. Need to teach those folks a lesson.
I think everyone in the room was glad that Biden said what everyone was thinking.
For some alternative views re: Ukraine, please consider the recent writings of Fiona Hill in The NY Times and Peter Beinart on Substack.
Hi, Gordy. Thanks for the reference to Hill and Beinart. I will check them out.
I have thank you.
I have compiled a list of all the organizations you can volunteer with to support voting rights/voter engagement in North Carolina, as well as nationally. Because I live in NC, I have prioritized NC volunteer opportunities, but there's plenty of other opps on the list that work nationally. Check out this Google Doc that I've created. I will attempt to keep it up to date!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y22xoIfQb7obiGHmYtggWdGUeBYpKF-D-ndIXS_lONU/edit
I hope it's helpful!
Robert, I actually enjoyed Biden’s faux pas and I think the public did too. So the equivalency with Ukraine and Russia would be Russia controlling Mexico? Hum, I know we would never invade Cuba — oops. Or we would never brutally suppress the independence movement of the island nation of Puerto Rico — oops. Just saying. Cast the first stone if you are without sin.
There is another undeniable story. And even though the actions of the West, NATO moving closer to Russia, which it has a right to do, even as Russia has a right to feel paranoid, there is plausibility with this forever second-rate nation of Russia. The problem with Russia is that it went from an absolute monarchy to an absolute dictatorship to a brief flirtation with western-style democracy then returning to familiar turf. I once took a course in Russian history taught by a former general in the Hungarian army during the rebellion of 1956, a Dr Dichey, who puffed on cigarettes in class while lecturing. He had a most unusual way to hold his cigarettes with his index finger and thumb (as different from the index and middle fingers gentile grip) and hand curled around as he puffed away like the former general that he was. He was small in stature but outsized in presence. Great character.
I think this conflict could be avoided if we give something to Putin but back it up with military might besides economic destabilization and unless this is settled, then all out defense of Ukraine is in order and defense easily becomes offense. Give Putin something to save face in the eyes of his people. Ukraine made a fatal mistake removing their nuclear warheads from their country and I sensed that when they agreed to send them to Russia. Putin would never have contemplated an invasion against an armada of nukes. Just saying.
That Fox crap is incredible the ignorance being spewed on TV. One thing it is to be a contrarian as I am. Another to be one with no sense of reality. Hey, thanks Robert, for this platform to express our opinions. Good show.
If Pogo the clown were still in the WH, Putin would already be in Kiev sipping vodka.
I love your sense of humor.