Thank you, Robert! So much news, such little time for any conclusions re: Trump. I do pray that SCOTUS works in our favor. Tonight on Lawrence O’Donell’s show, he read an opinion or brief written by Brett Kavanaugh regarding whether or not a sitting president can be charged with crimes. This opinion piece was written 25 years ago, in 1998, titled “Presidents and Independent Counsel”. Kavanaugh apparently stated then that a president can be indicted after he leaves office. After is the operative word! Here’s a link: https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-justice-kavanaugh-destroyed-trump-immunity-claim-25-years-ago-200090181672
Hope we get the 5 votes needed to proceed to trial in March. In the meantime, we can all use a break but I worry about Ukraine. I hope the other NATO nations can pull enough money together to give Zelenskyy what is needed for the soldiers and for the brave people. We have Christian Nationalists in Congress who are beholding to Putin. Very frightening for this to happen! Should the funding be denied, Biden said we would may have to put boots on the ground to fight the Russians. God forbid!!
Hey, Marlene! Thanks for the O'Donnell link. I don't have cable so it can be a hard search for his Last Word show as well as other shows on cable.
Also, I just wrote to Robert as well about Ukraine. I worry so that they will lose our support due to some very, very, very misguided folks on the Hill.
Some of those folks are guided all right, very much so. Putin made a huge mistake not invading Ukraine while his buddy was still in power in Washington. As things didn't go as planned his big hope are the elections coming November. Little did I expect that already now he has enough people placed on the Hill to seriously hamper the necessary assistance for a country which is not only defending itself but also our values and interests.
"Misguided" is a very generous word for the stupidities being practised by the republiMAGAts in the House and Senate. The short-sightedness of the MAGAts as regarding the national interests of this country and Western Europe as a whole is staggeringly ignorant, arrogant, frustrating and infuriating to a majority of Americans--those that actually follow what is going on with this dysfunctional Congress, at least.
Unfortunately they are following the leader who is carefully guiding the way: pukin, himself, c/o the orange sadist. It's HORRIFIC to watch this happening!
I'm desperately worried about Ukraine! Why oh why are the Republicans giving Russia an advantage in this war? It's unbearable to think about. And for President Zelensky to come all this way and leave with nothing - it is shocking. Do they have no consciences? Apparently not!
Kathleen, if we look at the actions and statements of Republicans in recent times along with the Project 2025, reports of Trump’s sycophants identifying loyalists for his next administration, and Trump’s statements re: retribution and talk of Mark Milley as a traitor. we cannot see any light between Trump’s mob and Putin’s Russia.
Add to that their embrace of Viktor Orban and you have a cohort of politicians who appears prepared to jump off the cliff and take the rest of us along for the ride. In the end, it would be my thought that we will have let go of the extended hand at the cliff’s edge.
Vote in 2024. Get out the vote and message. It is time for the full court press. Take the time to enjoy the holidays and dress for the ice swim on January 1st.
Not only are they beholden to Putin they wrap themselves in the Christian takeover of Hungary by Victor Orban largely thanks to the most despicable Tucker Carlson and money behind CPAC with their right wing embrace of nonsense.
As I recall, O'Donnell highlighted at least 3 separate statements in the opinion piece by Kavanaugh where K. explicitly states that a former president can be charged and tried in the 'civilian' court system (my wording) once no longer president.
Marlene, I'm finding it hard to believe your last sentence, about American boots on the ground. Do you have a link?
But I think we should just give the GOP the border restrictions they want. The US is, after all, environmentally unsustainable with the current population, and more people will just make it more so.
Propublica warns that within several decades Americans will become climate refugees. The last thing we need to do is to keep growing our population--which the Census Bureau projects will add 20 million per decade--that's one New York State equivalent per decade.
All that immigration--if it happens--will make it that much harder to get to zero on global warming emissions. The average immigrant's GH emissions rise threefold after arrival. That's because they come mostly from low per capita emissions countries to the major industrialized nation with the greatest per capita emissions.
Democrats used to support reducing immigration, as the late Barbara Jordan (D-TX) recommended--in no small part for the sake of Black employment, when she ran a commission on the issue under Clinton.
So lets give the GOP what they want on the border--I can't see how hundreds of thousands crossing into the US without authorization can be a good thing--and lets get Ukraine the money and weapons they need to fight Russia.
Here is where Biden made a reference to "boots on the ground" in Ukraine. "Biden warned that if Congress doesn’t defend Ukraine now, the United States risked having to put boots on the ground if Putin invades a NATO country."
the Ogalala Aquifer that waters the breadbasket of Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas areas are being depleted rapidly. Please forgive me if some of my geography is wrong. The concept is correct.
most of California's Central Valley has an aquifer beneath it, which is being drained mostly by agricultural uses, but I don't think any of that water is pumped over mountains. It was already there. the Colorado river--among much else--forms at least part of the border between California and Arizona. The Colorado runs out of water before it gets to where it used to drain into the Gulf of California, but it seems to end in different places depending on rainfall or lack thereof. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-colorado-river-runs-dry-61427169/
Excellent article and especially good videos. As the article points out, it has been decades since Colorado River water has reached the Gulf of California, or even makes it across the Mexican border.
The Colorado River water pumped over the mountains to Southern California into reservoirs is mostly for urban uses west of the mountain ranges. Some is used by relatively small farmers in areas west of the mountains but major agricultural interests north & east of LA receive their water from 1) local aquifers as in the Central Valley [which has experienced substantial land subsidence as the support of water has been withdrawn, or 2) the State Water Project, a system of canals and reservoirs bringing water south for distribution to, mostly, corporate agriculture. The State Water Project is dependent on runoff from rain and melting snow the Sierras. A bit oversimplified but it's a complex issue.
The Imperial Valley doesn't need pumps though they're dependent on the Colorado River as it is east of the mountains. A network of canals serve small towns and agriculture which is a huge part of the Imperial Valley economy even though some of their allotment is left in Lake Mead for use by San Diego County. That deal was made a decade or more ago wherein SD County paid to line the canals to deter loss of water into the soil. Water saved comes to SD Co. via LA's Metropolitan Water District (MWD).
As a resident of SD County, I'm pleased to report that our County Water Authority has greatly expanded access to local water resources over the past 2 decades, steadily reducing the quantity of water which must be purchased through and transferred through MWD.
One answer to overpopulation is that Americans decrease the size of their families so that immigrants have a place in our country. Another answer is what Kamala Harris has been working on and that is convincing shit hole countries to protect their people from violence and destruction. Our country is willing to fund these efforts only if their leaders are have the readiness to do so. It’s disingenuous to blame immigrants, in my opinion. Many of us wouldn’t be here if our parents hadn’t escaped from peril.
We are close to steady state. 90% of the increase in the US population is from immigration.
This is not a matter of "blaming" immigrants. I'm just doing the math. Our population is beyond sustainability, and fast becoming ever less sustainable. Over the next 40 years, the Census Bureau projects that immigration will add 68 million (nearly 3.5 New York state equivalents) while native increase will at 7 million (less than half a NY State equivalent).
And then there's Lauren Boebert, who only won by 546 votes in 2022. Her opponent, Adam Frisch, has 3 times as much money banked as she does. Her escapade at the musical in September has not helped her. It will be a close race but Frisch has a lot more recognition and momentum this time.
Yes, I am in her district and the disgust with her out here is palpable. Also, with changing demographics in district 3, I think there is an excellent chance that Adam will win this next election.
Buck’s district is one of the most fiercely conservative in Colorado. The DNC should help find a moderate Democrat who can reach across the aisle. Kind of like Adam Frisch, who is running in my conservative district. That’s the only kind of Democrat who can win out there.
I think there are options. We should do everything we can to win. Even a loss like Adam Frisch experienced with Lauren Boebert is a good beginning. As Janet noted she has not done herself any favors and we must keep up the pressure. So too, we must push the envelope and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised in Buck’s district.
I remember now, MJ, because we’ve had this discussion before. I think you said you got moved into that district due to the recent redistricting. Ken Buck is too far to the right for me, but he has shown that he has a certain amount of integrity based on his behavior lately. I really hope you don’t get someone even more hard right, but since he got kicked out of his office for admitting that Joe Biden won, I guess anything is possible. Ugh!
Yes, we have talked before. And I agree he has shown some integrity. It didn't exactly help him, though. I think he would have been primaried from the far right.
OK Marlene, that is a new and brilliant nickname for boo-boo. First time I’ve heard it. And just in case you didn’t know this, they’re fake. She has implants. Oy!
I agree, Karen, and I too am furious at the sleazy, lying republican traitors. They have no interest in making a border or immigration deal. This is all just hostage taking. It’s all they know how to do.
Let's see if New York Democrats can be efficient. Will the legislature be prepared with maps should the independent redistricting commission deadlock? If they are prepared to move quickly, we will be able to proceed to the primaries and the election. Modest changes will right the gerrymandering ordered by the Republican master hired by a Republican judge.
Meanwhile, in a special election scheduled for February, because George Santos was expelled from Congress, New York will get the first opportunity to flip one of the Republican Congressional seats and narrow the already slim Republican majority.
Given the news from Congress about Ukraine and Israel, and Israel’s government dedicated only to self-interest, and Clarence Thomas’ continued dismissal of ethics, even I—the eternal optimist—am dispirited. This is the time to remember to just keep on, keepin’ on. Thank you again, Robert, for being a cheerleader for truth.
But is it fighting the war in the best way? I would say no. It is a ham-fisted approach that has taken much longer than expected, furnished fewer positive results (only one hostage has been liberated and several claimed to have been killed), killed and maimed a huge number of civilians, particularly children, failed to uncover the Hamas operational centers said to be under hospitals and schools, and arrayed a vast majority of the world's countries against it. Even in the US, Israel's standing has taken a huge hit. Fighting a war badly--as the US did in Vietnam--is a recipe for disaster. So in this, as in all substantive areas, Netanyahu is a failure.
Yes we all need a welcomed break. Beginning in 2024 the real main event will begin. When children “ act out” many parents employ a “ time out” to change the situation and the energy and to calm the situation down. Think about this in the past few days we have had the abortion tragedy and cruelty in Texas, the refusal to provide the necessary funds to Ukraine, a former Trump attorney on trial for defaming Georgia election workers and then holding a press conference and doing it again and the attempt to bring impeachment charges with no factual basis against Joe Biden. Every day is a new adventure in Republicans proving they cannot be trusted to govern and are dangerous. After the first of the year we need to provide the American voting public with facts and examples of the Republican attack-on our country not with platitudes like “ they are a threat to democracy “ but with the how they are a threat to democracy and what it means to voters. Kate Cox is a perfect example of how Republicans politics will harm innocent American voters and it could happen to voters. We need to take the fight to them.
That’s precisely it. The expression is that the devil is in the details, but in this case, the devil is providing all the details we could want. Now, it’s time to use them. The ads write themselves.
Mike Lee has become an expert in political absurdity, perhaps he's right about the recusal. There's some value in having Thomas stand on the short end of an 8-1 (maybe 7-2) vote to support Smith's argument because he won't be able to style himself as anything other than an unthinking puppet.
The other current absurdity is that clear majorities (possibly super-majorities) in each house of Congress favor the terms of the supplemental appropriation request but are unwilling/unable/too cowardly to implement their desires and the will of the American people. Tim Snyder, in his book On Tyranny, discusses this point as well as Robert's opening and, especially read in conjunction with Heather Richardson's Denocracy Awakening, is an uncomfortable, almost scary, wake-up call. Leonard Lubinsky has regular recommendations for specific actions that supplement those we get from Jessica and others. We will succeed, but the path gets rougher with each step.
Dave, I really like your idea of allowing Thomas to completely humiliate and denigrate himself, except I think this is a human who is absolutely shameless and who, like Trump, has no moral compass. I’m not sure he’s able to feel “ashamed“ or have regrets as most humans can. That being said, I have no hope that Roberts will force or encourage him to recuse himself, but I do have hope that Barrett and Kavanaugh will join Roberts and the three female liberal justices to do the right thing.
“Hope is that thing with feathers that purchase in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson.
I agree with your assessment of Thomas, but it's not as much his self-perception, as how people outside the Court see him. For most of us, there is a breaking point beyond which we won't go, and the more people see the bad side of the Thomases and Trumps, the closer more of them will get to that point.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Gorsuch join that group either. His appellate decisions and a couple of the concurrences on the Supreme Court suggest that he has a stronger attachment to the rule of law than to the failed insurrectionist and company.
Nice quote Janet. We all need that kind of reminder from time to time.
What you said about Thomas is true, I believe. With Trump, it’s obvious by his social media rantings and his behavior, that he is upset by negative news and feedback; he can’t control those outbursts. He has been going hard at the Lincoln Project because they just released a series of three scathing ads, including two about his creeping dementia, and it’s driving him absolutely nuts. This is the kind of thing that may cause him to finally blow a gasket.
We can hope. There is also a decision coming in the NY fraud trial and, if the judgement matches the scope of the crime, that will be another push toward the edge.
I'm sticking with hope, and doing what I can to achieve majorities in both chambers as well as winning the Presidency. I do think these Republicans are burying themselves with their ridiculous actions.
Many thanks, Robert. I really appreciate the links you have in your newsletters. I subscribe to practically all of these news outlets but don't seem to find the news stories that you provide.
My question is what is the likelihood that Congress will pass funding for Ukraine and Israel in January any more than it should have this year, especially with the two government shutdowns that will have to be addressed?! I am putting my hopes (and effort) into a successful 2024 election for Dems but worry about Ukraine's ability to hold out that long before they can get more funding.
Well Robert, there is no reason for optimism. We have watched Tuberville go on and on and still hold about 11 high positions hostage. The new leader of the House, Mike Johnson, has to date offered nothing realistic and apparently recently endorsed Trump as the GOP presidential candidate of choice. Republicans with even a modest sense appreciation for the future of democracy both here and in the global community are packing their bags and heading for the exit. Example: Colorado’s Ken Buck said no to election deniers until he didn’t. Was hid landlord ending is rental agreement or the more likely death threats he received.
I strongly endorse Lynell’s first paragraph (no aspersions on the second): I happily pick up on links that you include, Robert, within your newsletters.
I did too. We have an exciting young man on our local school board who ran against, and beat, a Moms for Liberty candidate. This is where it begins and where we need to focus for the future.
So much to say about so many topics in your newsletter today, but I wanted to share a conversation I had with an old Jr. High/HS classmate from 50+ years ago yesterday. We are both progressive individuals and talk politics. How can you not in this environment? I told him I look at most polling as pure BS as it seems to me to be just click bait journalism. As things keep barreling along with the Orange menace, I find it hard to believe (and I won't believe) that when it comes time to vote next November that most people with do the right thing and not reelect the Orange menace. That said, I also mentioned my belief in how we got to this mess? The word that came to mind was apathy. We were just going along in our daily lives and not paying attention for far too long. I was also sitting with about 15 other seniors eating lunch (it's a monthly gathering) and I can tell you all, that none of us are apathetic, we are engaged speaking out. In closing here I want to thank you for the link to RFS. I just started a monthly donation and it allows me to trade my old apathy for extreme interest and a positive outcome. Now if I can just get my daughter to run for school board? I'm an optimist and we'll get through this together so spread the word about RFS.
Indivisible has an easy tool ! It takes seconds to email➡️ Your Republican Representative and Tell Them You'll Hold Them Accountable for Revenge Impeachment Inquiry.📣
Thank you for this, Kathy. In reading Robert's newsletter this morning, I became determined to write and call my NY GOP representative TODAY. 'Today's Edition' is brimming with reasons and talking points to do so, and the draft Indivisible letter serves as a helpful tool to move quickly on taking the first step.
Dear Kathy, Thanks to you, I used the Indivisible letter as a draft template from which I created my own, with the help of language from Robert's letter. I submitted my letter via your link. Then I called my rep's district office, had a respectful and agreeable conversation with a staff person about the need for dialogue in a Democracy (as its hallmark), who kindly shared their email address to receive my letter and share it with legislative staff at the DC office. I feel heartened that there may be hope for this Democracy of ours. At least for the moment, which is all we have.
Yes, it’s very similar to what Jessica Craven provides on her Substack newsletter, Chop Wood Carry Water. Look, we have to hit R’s from all sides! I want them to be mortified when they are solidly defeated next year!
I'm hoping that Bronwyn, who wrote the heart-wrenching story of how well she understands the situation in Texas, will see this message as I want her to know that the Houston Chronicle did print her letter in full in this morning's paper. The whole letters section was on the whole Paxton horror, and all were appalled at what is going on here.
Robert, you wrote: "Of course, the real reason they will open an impeachment inquiry is because Donald Trump told them to do so."
A person who commented on Heather's substack today observed that Trump seems to be calling all the shots for R's in Congress. My own thoughts had been working to that very conclusion, and with this attack via Mike Johnson and his cronies on Ukraine, it seems to me more likely than not that Mike IS getting his orders directly from Mar a Lago, which by extension, means that he is collaborating with Putin. One might say that as the de facto "leader of the GOP" TFG is merely setting forth his agenda should he win in 2024. However, given what has been revealed of the 2025 Project and reports of current efforts by his loyalists/former aides to identify other loyalists who could assume control immediately in 2025, it seems to me we are experiencing a concerted effort to run this country from a country club in Florida, via his sycophants in elected office. I don't know how one circumvents such a possibility (other than to VOTE), but surely there's a remedy to allowing an indicted, ex-president to continue to "rule" this country as if he IS a king.
I noticed two encouraging signs yesterday, from South Bend, Indiana.
1) A member of the St. Joseph County Public Library's Board term was set to expire at the end of this month. SJC Public Library leaders were concerned this Board member would not be reappointed because one County Council member had received one email claiming the Board member was not "protecting children because he did not vote to remove controversial books from the young adults section of the library" (South Bend Tribune, December 12). The Commissioners (a three person body separate from the Council) announced last week that they were taking applications for the position. Library leaders and book groups alerted their members to write letters and attend a Commission meeting yesterday. Many did one or both. At the meeting one of the three Commissioners moved to consider the reappointment, effectively scrapping the plan solicit new applications. That passed, and the Board member in question was reappointed.
2) I went Christmas shopping at our local mall quite large Barnes & Noble yesterday and wanted to pick up a copy of Liz Cheney's new book "Oath and Honor." I expected to see a sizeable stack. Nothing. Upon inquiry I learned they were sold out of the book and expected more copies, maybe, by the weekend.
I note this because I was surprised. We all know Liz Cheney's book is an "instant" bestseller, as they say, but this is red state Indiana.
Further, the County Commissioner who made the motion to reappoint the Library Board member in question is a conservative, retired police officer, and legendarily tough hard nosed guy. (Years ago I coached a Babe Ruth League kids baseball team opposing his team.) To a reporter's question, he offered this rationale for his support of the Library Board member, noting that it's not the County Commission's or the Library Board's job to supervise where materials are shelved or what is in the library, “If you don’t want to read it, don’t look at it. This is America. You should be able to read what you want.”
These are small signs, butterflies flapping in the heartland, but I think they can be instructive. On the Cheney book, as in the House investigation of January 6 Insurrection, people are paying attention and not just Democrats. And there are potentially a number of people who will finally be disgusted with Trump and his criminality. Similarly, not all people who voted for Trump in 2016 or even 2020 are ready to double down on the increasingly, yes, we need to stress that, crazy man that Trump has become. He is no longer funny. We need to avoid "gotcha" questions ("Well, why didn't you put a stop to him? You supported him when he was locking up kids at the border.")
We need to offer as best we can a path for politicians, friends, fellow citizens, a way to turn against Trump not by betraying their principles, but by living up to them. When MAGA Republicans try to capture the badge and idea of "America" for themselves (see the bestseller "The Democrat Party Hates America"), we need to reclaim a better imagination of America, a life raft that will enable independents, Republicans, and disaffected Democrats to see the threat that Trump poses to what we all love and admire about the best promise of the United States. Trump's desire to establish
a dictatorship has never been a part of any authentic American dream.
Thank you, Robert for your news and analysis. I start each morning with your newsletter. I hope this comment is ok. I have been a member and leader of Swing Left NYC but now I am planning to work with Swing Left with regard to NY03. I have a Friday meeting. Assuming this goes forward and if you are.interested in helping, please e mail me at barbaraadele1@hotmail.com. Thank you.
Thank you, Robert! So much news, such little time for any conclusions re: Trump. I do pray that SCOTUS works in our favor. Tonight on Lawrence O’Donell’s show, he read an opinion or brief written by Brett Kavanaugh regarding whether or not a sitting president can be charged with crimes. This opinion piece was written 25 years ago, in 1998, titled “Presidents and Independent Counsel”. Kavanaugh apparently stated then that a president can be indicted after he leaves office. After is the operative word! Here’s a link: https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-justice-kavanaugh-destroyed-trump-immunity-claim-25-years-ago-200090181672
Hope we get the 5 votes needed to proceed to trial in March. In the meantime, we can all use a break but I worry about Ukraine. I hope the other NATO nations can pull enough money together to give Zelenskyy what is needed for the soldiers and for the brave people. We have Christian Nationalists in Congress who are beholding to Putin. Very frightening for this to happen! Should the funding be denied, Biden said we would may have to put boots on the ground to fight the Russians. God forbid!!
Hey, Marlene! Thanks for the O'Donnell link. I don't have cable so it can be a hard search for his Last Word show as well as other shows on cable.
Also, I just wrote to Robert as well about Ukraine. I worry so that they will lose our support due to some very, very, very misguided folks on the Hill.
Some of those folks are guided all right, very much so. Putin made a huge mistake not invading Ukraine while his buddy was still in power in Washington. As things didn't go as planned his big hope are the elections coming November. Little did I expect that already now he has enough people placed on the Hill to seriously hamper the necessary assistance for a country which is not only defending itself but also our values and interests.
"Misguided" is a very generous word for the stupidities being practised by the republiMAGAts in the House and Senate. The short-sightedness of the MAGAts as regarding the national interests of this country and Western Europe as a whole is staggeringly ignorant, arrogant, frustrating and infuriating to a majority of Americans--those that actually follow what is going on with this dysfunctional Congress, at least.
“Misguided” is too kind, Lynell. I Live Stream MSNBC on my iPad. You might want to try doing that.
I knew you would say that about that "misguided" word!
Thanks for the tip about live-streaming; I'll look into it.
Lynelle-Another option is to go to You Tube and look for Lawrence O' Donnell posts. Highlights of his shows are posted there.
Thanks, Barbara, good suggestion!
☺️
Oops! I wrote almost the same thing before I read further down in the comments...z
Sorry about that!
Unfortunately they are following the leader who is carefully guiding the way: pukin, himself, c/o the orange sadist. It's HORRIFIC to watch this happening!
I'm desperately worried about Ukraine! Why oh why are the Republicans giving Russia an advantage in this war? It's unbearable to think about. And for President Zelensky to come all this way and leave with nothing - it is shocking. Do they have no consciences? Apparently not!
Kathleen, if we look at the actions and statements of Republicans in recent times along with the Project 2025, reports of Trump’s sycophants identifying loyalists for his next administration, and Trump’s statements re: retribution and talk of Mark Milley as a traitor. we cannot see any light between Trump’s mob and Putin’s Russia.
Add to that their embrace of Viktor Orban and you have a cohort of politicians who appears prepared to jump off the cliff and take the rest of us along for the ride. In the end, it would be my thought that we will have let go of the extended hand at the cliff’s edge.
Vote in 2024. Get out the vote and message. It is time for the full court press. Take the time to enjoy the holidays and dress for the ice swim on January 1st.
Not only are they beholden to Putin they wrap themselves in the Christian takeover of Hungary by Victor Orban largely thanks to the most despicable Tucker Carlson and money behind CPAC with their right wing embrace of nonsense.
They all so despicable!
As I recall, O'Donnell highlighted at least 3 separate statements in the opinion piece by Kavanaugh where K. explicitly states that a former president can be charged and tried in the 'civilian' court system (my wording) once no longer president.
Marlene, I'm finding it hard to believe your last sentence, about American boots on the ground. Do you have a link?
But I think we should just give the GOP the border restrictions they want. The US is, after all, environmentally unsustainable with the current population, and more people will just make it more so.
We are running out of groundwater according to the NYT, which is going to reduce our country's ability to produce food--that when we've recently learned the importance of keeping our supply chains in house. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/28/climate/groundwater-drying-climate-change.html
Propublica warns that within several decades Americans will become climate refugees. The last thing we need to do is to keep growing our population--which the Census Bureau projects will add 20 million per decade--that's one New York State equivalent per decade.
https://www.propublica.org/article/climate-change-will-force-a-new-american-migration
All that immigration--if it happens--will make it that much harder to get to zero on global warming emissions. The average immigrant's GH emissions rise threefold after arrival. That's because they come mostly from low per capita emissions countries to the major industrialized nation with the greatest per capita emissions.
Democrats used to support reducing immigration, as the late Barbara Jordan (D-TX) recommended--in no small part for the sake of Black employment, when she ran a commission on the issue under Clinton.
So lets give the GOP what they want on the border--I can't see how hundreds of thousands crossing into the US without authorization can be a good thing--and lets get Ukraine the money and weapons they need to fight Russia.
Here is where Biden made a reference to "boots on the ground" in Ukraine. "Biden warned that if Congress doesn’t defend Ukraine now, the United States risked having to put boots on the ground if Putin invades a NATO country."
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/06/biden-congress-pass-ukraine-aid-00130373
Thanks, Robert! I should’ve included that link.
Oh no! But I can see how that could happen.
Thank you Robert!
the Ogalala Aquifer that waters the breadbasket of Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas areas are being depleted rapidly. Please forgive me if some of my geography is wrong. The concept is correct.
more extensive than that, I think--basically underlies most of the Great Plains from Canada down to Texas. Which includes all of the above.
Look at S Colorado and how California pumps some of that water over mountains to irrigate for vegetables and avocados (i think avocados are a fruit).
most of California's Central Valley has an aquifer beneath it, which is being drained mostly by agricultural uses, but I don't think any of that water is pumped over mountains. It was already there. the Colorado river--among much else--forms at least part of the border between California and Arizona. The Colorado runs out of water before it gets to where it used to drain into the Gulf of California, but it seems to end in different places depending on rainfall or lack thereof. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-colorado-river-runs-dry-61427169/
Excellent article and especially good videos. As the article points out, it has been decades since Colorado River water has reached the Gulf of California, or even makes it across the Mexican border.
The Colorado River water pumped over the mountains to Southern California into reservoirs is mostly for urban uses west of the mountain ranges. Some is used by relatively small farmers in areas west of the mountains but major agricultural interests north & east of LA receive their water from 1) local aquifers as in the Central Valley [which has experienced substantial land subsidence as the support of water has been withdrawn, or 2) the State Water Project, a system of canals and reservoirs bringing water south for distribution to, mostly, corporate agriculture. The State Water Project is dependent on runoff from rain and melting snow the Sierras. A bit oversimplified but it's a complex issue.
The Imperial Valley doesn't need pumps though they're dependent on the Colorado River as it is east of the mountains. A network of canals serve small towns and agriculture which is a huge part of the Imperial Valley economy even though some of their allotment is left in Lake Mead for use by San Diego County. That deal was made a decade or more ago wherein SD County paid to line the canals to deter loss of water into the soil. Water saved comes to SD Co. via LA's Metropolitan Water District (MWD).
As a resident of SD County, I'm pleased to report that our County Water Authority has greatly expanded access to local water resources over the past 2 decades, steadily reducing the quantity of water which must be purchased through and transferred through MWD.
One answer to overpopulation is that Americans decrease the size of their families so that immigrants have a place in our country. Another answer is what Kamala Harris has been working on and that is convincing shit hole countries to protect their people from violence and destruction. Our country is willing to fund these efforts only if their leaders are have the readiness to do so. It’s disingenuous to blame immigrants, in my opinion. Many of us wouldn’t be here if our parents hadn’t escaped from peril.
We are close to steady state. 90% of the increase in the US population is from immigration.
This is not a matter of "blaming" immigrants. I'm just doing the math. Our population is beyond sustainability, and fast becoming ever less sustainable. Over the next 40 years, the Census Bureau projects that immigration will add 68 million (nearly 3.5 New York state equivalents) while native increase will at 7 million (less than half a NY State equivalent).
And then there's Lauren Boebert, who only won by 546 votes in 2022. Her opponent, Adam Frisch, has 3 times as much money banked as she does. Her escapade at the musical in September has not helped her. It will be a close race but Frisch has a lot more recognition and momentum this time.
Yes, I am in her district and the disgust with her out here is palpable. Also, with changing demographics in district 3, I think there is an excellent chance that Adam will win this next election.
I'm not in her district, thankfully. I've got Ken Buck. When he retires, someone even more hard-core right will emerge. I can't wait /s.
Don’t let it happen MJ. Run for something or put up a strong Dem in Bucks district who can make a difference.
This district needs a Democrat along the lies of Adam Frisch to make headway. CO 4 has a ways to go before it's competitive.
Amen!
Buck’s district is one of the most fiercely conservative in Colorado. The DNC should help find a moderate Democrat who can reach across the aisle. Kind of like Adam Frisch, who is running in my conservative district. That’s the only kind of Democrat who can win out there.
Yes, exactly!!!!
I think there are options. We should do everything we can to win. Even a loss like Adam Frisch experienced with Lauren Boebert is a good beginning. As Janet noted she has not done herself any favors and we must keep up the pressure. So too, we must push the envelope and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised in Buck’s district.
I remember now, MJ, because we’ve had this discussion before. I think you said you got moved into that district due to the recent redistricting. Ken Buck is too far to the right for me, but he has shown that he has a certain amount of integrity based on his behavior lately. I really hope you don’t get someone even more hard right, but since he got kicked out of his office for admitting that Joe Biden won, I guess anything is possible. Ugh!
Yes, we have talked before. And I agree he has shown some integrity. It didn't exactly help him, though. I think he would have been primaried from the far right.
It’s terribly sad when a Republican has to suffer for doing the right thing, but this is the current Republican party.
From your lips to God's ear!
OK Marlene, that is a new and brilliant nickname for boo-boo. First time I’ve heard it. And just in case you didn’t know this, they’re fake. She has implants. Oy!
😃😂...maybe they’ll “pop” when she reaches the floor!
There’s really not much more she can do to embarrass herself, but she appears to be without shame, so....
We might experience a “two week pause”—but Ukraine will not.
I see no reason that congress gets to go home to eat, drink, and be merry whilst Ukraine sits with its finger in the dike.
I will not apologize for sounding bitter. I am bitter and bloody furious!
Oh for crying out loud I wrote dam furious, then damn furious… funny/ not funny.
Well said.
I share your fury, Karen.
I agree, Karen, and I too am furious at the sleazy, lying republican traitors. They have no interest in making a border or immigration deal. This is all just hostage taking. It’s all they know how to do.
You know it, I know it, and the whole world is talkin about it.
Amen to that!
Let's see if New York Democrats can be efficient. Will the legislature be prepared with maps should the independent redistricting commission deadlock? If they are prepared to move quickly, we will be able to proceed to the primaries and the election. Modest changes will right the gerrymandering ordered by the Republican master hired by a Republican judge.
Meanwhile, in a special election scheduled for February, because George Santos was expelled from Congress, New York will get the first opportunity to flip one of the Republican Congressional seats and narrow the already slim Republican majority.
We must support that race!
🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
Given the news from Congress about Ukraine and Israel, and Israel’s government dedicated only to self-interest, and Clarence Thomas’ continued dismissal of ethics, even I—the eternal optimist—am dispirited. This is the time to remember to just keep on, keepin’ on. Thank you again, Robert, for being a cheerleader for truth.
The formula for success: Left foot, space, right foot, space. Repeat.
“and Israel’s government dedicated only to self-interest” –
Whether or not it’s self-interest, Israel’s right-wing government *is* doing the right thing in one regard – prosecuting the war against Hamas.
But is it fighting the war in the best way? I would say no. It is a ham-fisted approach that has taken much longer than expected, furnished fewer positive results (only one hostage has been liberated and several claimed to have been killed), killed and maimed a huge number of civilians, particularly children, failed to uncover the Hamas operational centers said to be under hospitals and schools, and arrayed a vast majority of the world's countries against it. Even in the US, Israel's standing has taken a huge hit. Fighting a war badly--as the US did in Vietnam--is a recipe for disaster. So in this, as in all substantive areas, Netanyahu is a failure.
Yes we all need a welcomed break. Beginning in 2024 the real main event will begin. When children “ act out” many parents employ a “ time out” to change the situation and the energy and to calm the situation down. Think about this in the past few days we have had the abortion tragedy and cruelty in Texas, the refusal to provide the necessary funds to Ukraine, a former Trump attorney on trial for defaming Georgia election workers and then holding a press conference and doing it again and the attempt to bring impeachment charges with no factual basis against Joe Biden. Every day is a new adventure in Republicans proving they cannot be trusted to govern and are dangerous. After the first of the year we need to provide the American voting public with facts and examples of the Republican attack-on our country not with platitudes like “ they are a threat to democracy “ but with the how they are a threat to democracy and what it means to voters. Kate Cox is a perfect example of how Republicans politics will harm innocent American voters and it could happen to voters. We need to take the fight to them.
That’s precisely it. The expression is that the devil is in the details, but in this case, the devil is providing all the details we could want. Now, it’s time to use them. The ads write themselves.
Too true! I am ready!
Mike Lee has become an expert in political absurdity, perhaps he's right about the recusal. There's some value in having Thomas stand on the short end of an 8-1 (maybe 7-2) vote to support Smith's argument because he won't be able to style himself as anything other than an unthinking puppet.
The other current absurdity is that clear majorities (possibly super-majorities) in each house of Congress favor the terms of the supplemental appropriation request but are unwilling/unable/too cowardly to implement their desires and the will of the American people. Tim Snyder, in his book On Tyranny, discusses this point as well as Robert's opening and, especially read in conjunction with Heather Richardson's Denocracy Awakening, is an uncomfortable, almost scary, wake-up call. Leonard Lubinsky has regular recommendations for specific actions that supplement those we get from Jessica and others. We will succeed, but the path gets rougher with each step.
Dave, I really like your idea of allowing Thomas to completely humiliate and denigrate himself, except I think this is a human who is absolutely shameless and who, like Trump, has no moral compass. I’m not sure he’s able to feel “ashamed“ or have regrets as most humans can. That being said, I have no hope that Roberts will force or encourage him to recuse himself, but I do have hope that Barrett and Kavanaugh will join Roberts and the three female liberal justices to do the right thing.
“Hope is that thing with feathers that purchase in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson.
I agree with your assessment of Thomas, but it's not as much his self-perception, as how people outside the Court see him. For most of us, there is a breaking point beyond which we won't go, and the more people see the bad side of the Thomases and Trumps, the closer more of them will get to that point.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Gorsuch join that group either. His appellate decisions and a couple of the concurrences on the Supreme Court suggest that he has a stronger attachment to the rule of law than to the failed insurrectionist and company.
Nice quote Janet. We all need that kind of reminder from time to time.
What you said about Thomas is true, I believe. With Trump, it’s obvious by his social media rantings and his behavior, that he is upset by negative news and feedback; he can’t control those outbursts. He has been going hard at the Lincoln Project because they just released a series of three scathing ads, including two about his creeping dementia, and it’s driving him absolutely nuts. This is the kind of thing that may cause him to finally blow a gasket.
We can hope. There is also a decision coming in the NY fraud trial and, if the judgement matches the scope of the crime, that will be another push toward the edge.
Yes, I think he’s more afraid of losing all his businesses and some of his properties more than anything.
There's also the probability that a receivership accountant will go deeply into the books and find things he'd rather remain hidden.
I'm sticking with hope, and doing what I can to achieve majorities in both chambers as well as winning the Presidency. I do think these Republicans are burying themselves with their ridiculous actions.
I agree, and that's part of the reason I cheerfully ignore polls; it also helps maintain what sanity I retain.
Many thanks, Robert. I really appreciate the links you have in your newsletters. I subscribe to practically all of these news outlets but don't seem to find the news stories that you provide.
My question is what is the likelihood that Congress will pass funding for Ukraine and Israel in January any more than it should have this year, especially with the two government shutdowns that will have to be addressed?! I am putting my hopes (and effort) into a successful 2024 election for Dems but worry about Ukraine's ability to hold out that long before they can get more funding.
Prospects for passage seem bleak, but I cannot believe Republicans will actually block aid. I hope and assume they will cave at the last minute.
I hope you are right! It's a terrible prospect, if not!
Well Robert, there is no reason for optimism. We have watched Tuberville go on and on and still hold about 11 high positions hostage. The new leader of the House, Mike Johnson, has to date offered nothing realistic and apparently recently endorsed Trump as the GOP presidential candidate of choice. Republicans with even a modest sense appreciation for the future of democracy both here and in the global community are packing their bags and heading for the exit. Example: Colorado’s Ken Buck said no to election deniers until he didn’t. Was hid landlord ending is rental agreement or the more likely death threats he received.
I strongly endorse Lynell’s first paragraph (no aspersions on the second): I happily pick up on links that you include, Robert, within your newsletters.
Thank you, Robert, for the link to Run For Something!! I took time out from reading your newsletter to donate.
Together we can rise up and help save our democracy, our country, and make the world a better place.
Me too!
I did too. We have an exciting young man on our local school board who ran against, and beat, a Moms for Liberty candidate. This is where it begins and where we need to focus for the future.
Hallelujah!
So much to say about so many topics in your newsletter today, but I wanted to share a conversation I had with an old Jr. High/HS classmate from 50+ years ago yesterday. We are both progressive individuals and talk politics. How can you not in this environment? I told him I look at most polling as pure BS as it seems to me to be just click bait journalism. As things keep barreling along with the Orange menace, I find it hard to believe (and I won't believe) that when it comes time to vote next November that most people with do the right thing and not reelect the Orange menace. That said, I also mentioned my belief in how we got to this mess? The word that came to mind was apathy. We were just going along in our daily lives and not paying attention for far too long. I was also sitting with about 15 other seniors eating lunch (it's a monthly gathering) and I can tell you all, that none of us are apathetic, we are engaged speaking out. In closing here I want to thank you for the link to RFS. I just started a monthly donation and it allows me to trade my old apathy for extreme interest and a positive outcome. Now if I can just get my daughter to run for school board? I'm an optimist and we'll get through this together so spread the word about RFS.
Have a great day everyone!
"We should not collapse the future into the present moment." So difficult. So important. Truer words were never written.
Indivisible has an easy tool ! It takes seconds to email➡️ Your Republican Representative and Tell Them You'll Hold Them Accountable for Revenge Impeachment Inquiry.📣
https://act.indivisible.org/letter/email-your-republican-representative-and-tell-them-youll-hold-them-accountable-revenge-impeachment-inquiry/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Thank you for this, Kathy. In reading Robert's newsletter this morning, I became determined to write and call my NY GOP representative TODAY. 'Today's Edition' is brimming with reasons and talking points to do so, and the draft Indivisible letter serves as a helpful tool to move quickly on taking the first step.
Dear Kathy, Thanks to you, I used the Indivisible letter as a draft template from which I created my own, with the help of language from Robert's letter. I submitted my letter via your link. Then I called my rep's district office, had a respectful and agreeable conversation with a staff person about the need for dialogue in a Democracy (as its hallmark), who kindly shared their email address to receive my letter and share it with legislative staff at the DC office. I feel heartened that there may be hope for this Democracy of ours. At least for the moment, which is all we have.
Yes, it’s very similar to what Jessica Craven provides on her Substack newsletter, Chop Wood Carry Water. Look, we have to hit R’s from all sides! I want them to be mortified when they are solidly defeated next year!
I'm hoping that Bronwyn, who wrote the heart-wrenching story of how well she understands the situation in Texas, will see this message as I want her to know that the Houston Chronicle did print her letter in full in this morning's paper. The whole letters section was on the whole Paxton horror, and all were appalled at what is going on here.
Robert, you wrote: "Of course, the real reason they will open an impeachment inquiry is because Donald Trump told them to do so."
A person who commented on Heather's substack today observed that Trump seems to be calling all the shots for R's in Congress. My own thoughts had been working to that very conclusion, and with this attack via Mike Johnson and his cronies on Ukraine, it seems to me more likely than not that Mike IS getting his orders directly from Mar a Lago, which by extension, means that he is collaborating with Putin. One might say that as the de facto "leader of the GOP" TFG is merely setting forth his agenda should he win in 2024. However, given what has been revealed of the 2025 Project and reports of current efforts by his loyalists/former aides to identify other loyalists who could assume control immediately in 2025, it seems to me we are experiencing a concerted effort to run this country from a country club in Florida, via his sycophants in elected office. I don't know how one circumvents such a possibility (other than to VOTE), but surely there's a remedy to allowing an indicted, ex-president to continue to "rule" this country as if he IS a king.
I noticed two encouraging signs yesterday, from South Bend, Indiana.
1) A member of the St. Joseph County Public Library's Board term was set to expire at the end of this month. SJC Public Library leaders were concerned this Board member would not be reappointed because one County Council member had received one email claiming the Board member was not "protecting children because he did not vote to remove controversial books from the young adults section of the library" (South Bend Tribune, December 12). The Commissioners (a three person body separate from the Council) announced last week that they were taking applications for the position. Library leaders and book groups alerted their members to write letters and attend a Commission meeting yesterday. Many did one or both. At the meeting one of the three Commissioners moved to consider the reappointment, effectively scrapping the plan solicit new applications. That passed, and the Board member in question was reappointed.
2) I went Christmas shopping at our local mall quite large Barnes & Noble yesterday and wanted to pick up a copy of Liz Cheney's new book "Oath and Honor." I expected to see a sizeable stack. Nothing. Upon inquiry I learned they were sold out of the book and expected more copies, maybe, by the weekend.
I note this because I was surprised. We all know Liz Cheney's book is an "instant" bestseller, as they say, but this is red state Indiana.
Further, the County Commissioner who made the motion to reappoint the Library Board member in question is a conservative, retired police officer, and legendarily tough hard nosed guy. (Years ago I coached a Babe Ruth League kids baseball team opposing his team.) To a reporter's question, he offered this rationale for his support of the Library Board member, noting that it's not the County Commission's or the Library Board's job to supervise where materials are shelved or what is in the library, “If you don’t want to read it, don’t look at it. This is America. You should be able to read what you want.”
These are small signs, butterflies flapping in the heartland, but I think they can be instructive. On the Cheney book, as in the House investigation of January 6 Insurrection, people are paying attention and not just Democrats. And there are potentially a number of people who will finally be disgusted with Trump and his criminality. Similarly, not all people who voted for Trump in 2016 or even 2020 are ready to double down on the increasingly, yes, we need to stress that, crazy man that Trump has become. He is no longer funny. We need to avoid "gotcha" questions ("Well, why didn't you put a stop to him? You supported him when he was locking up kids at the border.")
We need to offer as best we can a path for politicians, friends, fellow citizens, a way to turn against Trump not by betraying their principles, but by living up to them. When MAGA Republicans try to capture the badge and idea of "America" for themselves (see the bestseller "The Democrat Party Hates America"), we need to reclaim a better imagination of America, a life raft that will enable independents, Republicans, and disaffected Democrats to see the threat that Trump poses to what we all love and admire about the best promise of the United States. Trump's desire to establish
a dictatorship has never been a part of any authentic American dream.
Thanks for this hopeful sign!
Thanks you for your note; we all have to en-courage one another not just so that we will feel better, but so we might do better
Thank you, Robert for your news and analysis. I start each morning with your newsletter. I hope this comment is ok. I have been a member and leader of Swing Left NYC but now I am planning to work with Swing Left with regard to NY03. I have a Friday meeting. Assuming this goes forward and if you are.interested in helping, please e mail me at barbaraadele1@hotmail.com. Thank you.