I'm really sorry to hear how aggressive and persistant that virus is that you've been fighting. I am only speaking for myself, but as much as I appreciate what a great job you do for all of us, if just focusing on rest and pausing your newsletter for a week would help you recover faster, I hope you do take time off. It seems that the effort you expend to keep on top of the news, do research and write the newsletter--even a short version--may be taking energy from you that you need to heal. Sending wishes for a more speedy recovery to you and Jill!
Thank you CC for encouraging Robert to get better. You echoed my sentiments exactly. And the cold virus is nasty--worse it comes and goes. Runny nose, achy, fatigue one week then reprice and another symptom a week later.
Sun yourselves for a half an hour when the sun is high in the sky, every day. Or take 10,000 IU of vitamin D every day for several weeks, and then reduce it to several thousand a day. (Or leave it at 10,000/day. My best friend has taken 10,000/day for a number of years, having been Rxed that for osteopenia.) I have had two colds since 2004, when I started taking 5000 IU four times a week, and barely any flu. My siblings likewise. The immune system needs D to function on all four cylinders. (Doctors of a certain age learned in medical school that it is easy to get a toxic dose of D. That's been debunked. My doctor fought me about my taking large doses of D. I told her I wasn't going to stop taking something that was so obviously beneficial. She has come around.)
Pretty sure my daily 2,000mgs of D prevented me from getting sick BOTH times I tested pos. for Covid. And I’m very much a high risk senior. D and C every day.
I'm guessing your dose is actually 2000 IU of D. My vitamin D all comes with doses on the bottles listed in IU, not mg or mcg. Check it. 2000 IU is often a reasonable dose for a woman, although if you're getting up in age you may want to switch to 2500-3000 IU some time in the next few years, or whenever you feel like you're aging some.
It IS very interesting and notable that you tested positive without getting sick, and it would make sense if you're on 2000 IU D. My two siblings and I--also up in years, but probably not high risk--have not gotten COVID, my sister despite the fact that she's done a lot of vaccinating, and subsequently organized the vaccination of Fairfax County VA.
Garlic is certainly healthy, and I try to have a clove 3-4x a week. But D is far more important. Your immune system doesn't function on all four cylinders without it.
Yes, CC, I agree. While I know that we will all miss Today's Edition for a few days, it sounds like it's time to do the hardest thing of all and just STOP.
I found it very ironic .. and disgusting ... that it was Justice Alito who was chosen to announce the 5-day stay. Maybe trying to say he's not always the bad guy or even making us hopeful that he's seen the error of the Dobbs ruling and is looking for redemption. That Justice Alito is the Pontius Pilate who washed his hands of any blame for crucifying Roe. In his case throwing everything into chaos for all and unnecessary death for some unfortunate women whose lives are less valuable than a heartless, brainless fetus. Cruelty is the point. They must put women in their place with no choice but to work full time and take care of their children and forced to carry a pregnancy that will make her life doubly/triply stressed. I'd like to see a Sea Horse rule where a rapist is forced to carry the pregnancy like the male sea horse does. Women have successfully given birth after a uterus transplant; research is being done on uterus transplant in men and deemed theoretically possible for a man to give birth. In the mean time (excuse the pun) I don't understand why primarily male legislatures have any standing to make these draconian laws that do not apply to men ... as yet.
You nailed it, Cathy. I share your anger. I don't know why people speak about abortion only in terms of a woman's "control over her own body." I'm always frustrated (infuriated) that no one mentions that her life--the rest of her LIFE, every day of it--is in the balance.
If a person is contemplating abortion, it is because she is not in a situation to assume complete responsibility for another human being's support for the rest of her life. It takes VAST resources, both material and mental, to be a competent parent: to nurture another human (infant, toddler, child, teen, young adult) to independence. Good parents devote themselves to their children.
The attitude that pregnancy is just a 9-month inconvenience and that an abortion is a decision lightly-made is absurd. The failure of imagination that opponents of abortion display is pathetic and utterly selfish. My heart breaks for unprepared women forced into parenthood and for their hapless offspring.
The lives of women affected by complications of pregnancies they DID plan and must terminate is another conversation. Once again, a situation that a compassionate person would immediately understand and commiserate with. How can there be so many people whose hearts are hard and whose empathy is non-existent?
I sometimes think most of these men, at least the much older ones, have never spent a day, let alone a week, month or years, doing the day to day of raising children. They work all day, come home and sit down with a drink and the evening paper, and children were admonished not to disturb him as he’s had a busy day. Meanwhile “the little woman” slaved all day to do laundry, drive the kids hither and yon, grocery shopped, made all the meals, cleaned the house, took his clothes to the dry cleaners, etc., etc. He goes to bed at a reasonable hour as he has to go to “work” in the morning, while she stays up until midnight helping the kids with their homework and getting them to bed and ready for school in the morning. Or sits with them all night when they have the flu, etc. Can you tell what it was like in my home when I was growing up and was married? And it just used to bug the *#*# out of me when I began a part time bookkeeping and tax business to earn some extra money and my husband suggested I should open up a firm and he would stay home and take care of the kids. He felt it was all so easy that he could get everything done that was needed in a few hours and then get in a round of golf each day. There was no way in h*** that was going to happen as I knew I would be coming home to mounds of laundry, piles of dirty dishes, etc, and expected to take care of it, even though I might have had a “busy day.” And there are enough women on this page that I don’t have to go into the 9 months of pregnancy and first few years of a child’s life. Men of that age haven’t got a clue. Thank god for Women’s Lib and teaching young boys to be a complete partner in a marriage. But, sadly, I think many of the conservatives, fundamentalists, etc., still have their wives do almost all the work at home, because a lovely home is the woman’s responsibility. So even some of the younger ones today don’t have a clue either. Housewives ought to go on strike like many did back in the early days of women’s lib. Gather up several of your women friends and all rent a cottage at a beach somewhere for a few weeks and leave the men to handle everything.
Oh how I’ve missed your cleverness, Cathy! Maybe you could try that on your governor who wants to pardon a convicted murderer. About Alito, as i understand it, he is over the 5th circuit and that is why he issued an opinion. In this case, a stay. But truly, Kasmarcyk (sp?) was dead wrong in his decision but then he’s a part of the good ole boys network, casting his opinion not on law, but his feelings about abortions. Screw all of these men!
Enjoying a cup of tea on the porch in the mountains near Asheville, at first light, my heart is filled with joy at symphony of birds calling in a new day Sending peace and healing thoughts to Robert and Jill.
Interesting he is assigned to the most conservative court. It would be fun if the Texas 4th Court of Appeals were assigned to Alito (yes, it couldn't happen - it's a Texas court; this is just a thought exercise). It consists of seven justices -- ALL women. https://www.txcourts.gov/4thcoa/about-the-court/
The anti-abortion zealots gamed this out - they selected to file their case in Amarillo knowing that the result would be appealed to the arch-conservative 5th District and thereafter Alito would issue the temporary pause. However, read NOTHING into the pause. As far as I’m concerned, this pause isn’t to give time to the anti-abortion zealots to file their brief but rather it’s giving the Republican Party to to assess wether they want to walk off this particular cliff. I think they will decide to stop at the cliff’s edge and go back to slowly fall into the abyss
Dahlia Lithwick was on with Alex Wagner last night, and she believes that the court is overwhelmed by their present cases, and the upheaval they wrought by bringing down Rowe. One hopes that the news of Thomas' financial shenanigans also has them "concerned." But surely Alito et al realize that if left to stand, the Texas' judge's ruling on Miffy would make it open season on drug approval. I have heard that men sometimes have adverse effects from Viagra: there's a concerned judge in Los Angeles who can pass a similar ruling regarding it... and on, and on...
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If a man has ED, that's god's way of telling him too bad. No Viagra, no Cialis, no "wave therapy" - it's just nature taking its course. And no more masturbation - that definitely kills babies.
Nope, it's God's way of telling him that She doesn't deem him worthy of reproducing. Sex is for making babies only, not pleasure. He needs to go repent and send all his money to his church.
I am as angry about the Dobbs decision and the uncaring and unthinking anti-women, anti-abortion legislation being advanced and passed in many states by Republicans. While some might think my following remarks uncaring, I ask you to think before reacting. I do feel significant civil penalties should be available and enforced for those responsible for unwanted pregnancies as a consequence of molestation, rape, and incest. I also feel forcing the pregnancy to term of an unwanted and unloved child is cruelty beyond description to that child and dooms them also to a life sentence of deprivation. No child deserves that. Anyone using the term pro-life mischaracterizes their position. Ending an unwanted pregnancy early in term is a responsible decision by the woman who finds herself pregnant whatever the cause and should be universally available and accepted without shame for that woman. I strongly urge others to even avoid use of the term abortion as it is an emotionally charged term that the anti-abortion crowd forces on responsible discussions to try to control them. Let us instead talk of early pregnancy termination. We also need to recognize the essential nature of the availability and use of the best standards of care for women with difficult pregnancies and obstetric complications in later stages of pregnancies and when suffering early pregnancy loss (miscarriages). All women everywhere should always have access to and availability of the accepted and best standards of medical reproductive healthcare. Let us all try to recapture the high ground in discussions of reproductive healthcare by taking back control of the language we use to discuss it and advocate for kindness, compassion, and responsible solutions and care for all.
Hmmm....Indeed language matters. On first gut reaction thoughts... I fear that "unwanted pregnancy" puts an even more venomous emotional onus on the woman than the more medical "abortion". And are "significant civil penalties" strong enough? Isn't it a felony for breaking and entering someone's home or place of business? Breaking and entering a woman's body seems much more invasive - and felonious.
What makes you believe abortion is a medical term more suitable than early termination of pregnancy? In any case, please use whatever terminology you feel most helps women preserve their right to make decisions about their own bodies and their future.
Doctors don’t practice law. Lawyers and judges should not practice medicine!
One of our Fl Dem Reps sponsored amendment to rename our abortion ban law from Heartbeat Protection Act to Forced Pregnancy Act. You can guess how that went over here..
Reproductive Privacy, Reproductive Choice, Reproductive Liberty. Let us stop using the A word. Too often like throwing gasoline on a spark and a majority just lose their minds.
The A word is a trigger - we should call it what it is for ALL of us: a person's right to bodily autonomy. And the "abortion pill" is actually the pill prescribed when a woman miscarries to spare her a D&C, which can create scar tissue and interfere with her ability to bear more children in the future. Words matter.
1) Re (in essence) forced pregnancy policy, it seems logical to me that all males should be DNA'd so that eventual baby's father identified and some set of "equal responsibilities" imposed, covering at least the pregnancy and lifelong if mother keeps the baby.
2) Re Abbott, my new theory is that maybe our numbers, even in this super red state of TX, can make a difference in less-paid-attention-to protests. In that spirit, I would be grateful to those who can Tsend a quick, brief email today to Texas Board of Pardons and Parole, urging the board NOT to recommend a pardon for this convicted murderer: bpp_pio@tdcj.texas.gov. I have been told by the board that they do register these communications. Thank you.
Alito is a papist and is controlled, as are the other papists on SCOTUS, by their undying allegiance to their faith. Along with money . . . there's that. Pious mofos, imho.
I'd like to add to the Clarence Thomas discussion by noting how Justice Abe Fortas was forced to resign in 1969 for far less than what Thomas appears to have done. The New York Times has a super article detailing how Thomas' behavior was far more egregious than Fortas'; and this before the news broke that Harlan Crow had purchased his mother's house,. Thomas must go. To leave him on the court is to create a moral hazard. (The link is free; no subscription needed):
The Judiciary Committee was cowed by Thomas’s “high-tech lynching” remark. Liberals on the Committee feared potential allegations of racial discrimination.
It was a sad day for Democrats and Democracy when not a single staffer or Democratic Senator on that Committee thought to ask Clarence Thomas why it was a High-Tech Lynching of him and not of Annita Hill. A similar thing happened with Kavanaugh when he went ballistic on Senator Amy Klobuchar. It would have been great if she had answered him to be quiet and speak carefully. He was in 'her court', she was not in his. The bombastic chest thumping sadly worked for both of them.
The Fortas Affair came to mind almost as soon as Clarence Thomas’s misdeeds were outed. Those were different times: I remember that most people were shocked and angered by Fortas’s behavior; many people, today, shrug at Thomas’s (as they did at Scalia’s) — a “what did you expect?” feeling.
Those “old days” were far from perfect, but at least there were general expectations that high officials had to be held to high standards of behavior.
This is from WaPo yesterday: Clarence Thomas might have recognized law at issue in his real estate deal:
"A few years before he didn’t disclose the sale of a house he co-owned, he failed to disclose details of his wife’s employment
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s problems are mounting in the aftermath of yet another ProPublica report detailing his ties to conservative billionaire donor Harlan Crow.
While the outlet’s first report detailed how Thomas might have broken the law by failing to disclose luxury trips Crow paid for, its latest describes actual money exchanging hands in a real estate deal between Thomas and Crow. Failing to disclose that might make a more compelling case that Thomas violated the law."
Yes. There really isn’t anything MAGA can’t make worse. Very alarming, discouraging, and dangerous. All to enunciate the absolute necessity of getting more and more democrats elected.
Gene, I have decided to join the League of Women Voters the next county over. (We don't have one in my county.) I hope I can get assigned to help register students at the several high schools, two community colleges, and two universities in my fifty mile radius.
Robert, you and Jill are a treasure to us readers and collaborators. All of us are commiserating and wishing (thinking, praying, sending love, lighting candles) for your immediate return to perfect health. Deepest thanks for your tireless work🙏.
If the League can’t keep you busy, there are many other organizations registering people to vote. I started doing that work in 2019 and not only is it gratifying, it is working for the betterment of our country. Good luck!!
I am exhausted from hearing the idiotic things from MTG's mouth and that of Tuckums Carlson. Thinking back several years ago, before the rise of TFG and his ilk, I would not have been able to conjure that congressional members and media personalities would shout from the rooftops their adoration and support of Putin and disparage our own country. They are vile people. And I will refrain from launching into my horror with the kind of people who vote or watch those two. Of course, MTG has lots of company with fellow wicked travelers in the house, and they have some company in the Senate. Gads! When will it end?
Was thinking along the same lines, Kathy. I don't think for one minute Greene and Carlson and the like, appreciate the fact that they can mouth off like that in such a traitorous way and not be arrested as they certainly would be if they lived under the regimes they admire so much. .
In reality, both Tuckie and Empty are hardened cynical shills, who invent and repeat their pernicious shyte for money (in Tuckie's case) or for political favor (in Empty's case). Empty is desperately fondling and smooching Trump's lard butt in hopes of being chosen as his VP running mate.
Personally, I don't think Trump would entertain that idea for a NY minute--why would he want to share "his" stage and "his" people with another attention hog like Empty?
Consider that Trump truly dislikes and fears strong women; whatever else she might be, Empty is a very strong-minded female--even if he can stand to share the spotlight, Empty is definitely not going to spend her VP time staring worshipfully at the back of Trump's head as did Pence. Nope...I don't see the misogynistic Trump selecting EITHER Nikki or Madge for VP.
It depends on exactly what Trump sees as a strong woman. I guess I'm reacting to the fact that I don't see Empty as a strong woman, partly because I think you've given her a very appropriate name, which doesn't say "strong" to me. And if you put her next to AOC, or Nancy Pelosi, she wouldn't look strong, and I can see either verbally slashing her to ribbons. But I don't know how Trump would see her. Interesting conundrum.
I wouldn’t say MTG is “strong-minded” as much as she has willed herself to be in front of the line. We already know she isn’t too bright and a few screws are loose. She has business being in the position she’s in, thanks to the weakest Speaker we’ve ever had, Qevin.
Yes, TL, I'm sure that is uppermost in her mind. I think like Trump she would sell her grandmother for a high political position like VP, or in his case president.
When comments were made about people who were unhappy and frustrated with how things were going here in the US and considered moving abroad, the MTG and Carlson crowd all yelled ‘well move there then’; maybe they should take their own advice. Move to Russia and enjoy that!!!
Please dear sir, place your health above anything else, except your loved ones, in your daily regimen. We need your wisdom, but also appreciate that you need to rest and recover. Hugs to you and your family, and hoping that you can force yourself to step away until you are truly ready to return to the fray.
Could someone please tell me whether any other members of the gaming group will be held accountable specifically the one who reposted the leaked information on other platforms?
Thank you, Robert. I join with the rest in wishing you, Jill, and the rest of your family a complete recovery.
Jessica Craven's latest post published a photo of Justin Jones upon his return to the TN House. That, along with her comments, was inspiring. Hope the story for Tennessee continues upward in its quest for democracy.
I don’t know what it will take to halt the maga cult. We need to register young voters and encourage everyone to vote wisely. And the gun violence is completely out of control. Ban assault rifles on the ballot, red flag laws in every city nationwide, background checks, if there is another school massacre I will lose my mind. Choose kindness.
Education is imperative. Too many educationally malnourished Americans - children, teens, and adults. Also, laws with stiff penalties for creating mendacity for the sake of political or corporate gain. Something like The Fairness Doctrine.
What readers of this newsletter don’t comprehend fully is the extent that Trump and MAGA domestic terrorists have corrupted and brainwashed people like Jack Teixeira, who took time away from espionage efforts to spread racist and antisemitic memes among the teenage boys on the Discord serve. Think about where the source of the racism and hatred became commonplace and how many other young men and woman have been affected. To make matters worse these individuals are armed and somewhat trained and believe because of the MAGA right wing propaganda machine that the country is going in the wrong direction. It’s going to take more than indictments and defamation suits to change their beliefs and these individuals are a greater threat than we can ever imagine. It’s people like Majorie Taylor Greene who feed this machine and are fuel for the discontent felt by these individuals.
Exactly, Stephen. MAGA "leaders" are serious about polluting the next generation of disaffected voters. And there always seems to be another ready group of "useful idiots" wiling and eager to cross formerly uncrossable lines. These isolated young men gamers are ripe for the MAGA plucking of FOX and MTG.
Stephen, Republicans began almost 40 yrs ago to get onto all the local school boards and work to change the curriculum. They wanted to do away with anything that promoted critical thinking skills, thus “teach to the test” arose. Schools were penalized if their students didn’t pass the test at a certain percentage, and teachers could lose their job for the same reason. So, now, in many school districts, and probably many charter schools, children are not taught to think, but to only recite what they are told. Then stick them in front of FoxTV all day and you have grown up non-thinking robots spouting your nonsense and no ability to determine whether or not what they just heard is true, or even why they should consider if it is true or not. And with Texas creating most of the textbooks in this country its a wonder we aren’t in an even bigger mess than we are.
The most trenchant words from Robert Hubbell tonight are these: "There is nothing the MAGA world can't make worse." Their defense of Mr. Texeira is just the latest example of their defending the indefensible and attacking the commendable. My hope is that, with the Right's ever greater predictability, we all can begin to give them greatly diminished attention.
At least it is quite easy to see why all the MAGAs are leaping to Teixeira's defense--Teixeira is charged with the exact same crime as Trump will be...if they defend Trump, it follows they must also defend another CONservative who is doing the same thing. Although, I have to admit to some surprise that the MAGAs can think that far ahead.
Actually, Teixiera’s crime is worse than Trump’s. Teixiera shared classified information, and one of his acolytes “shared” it outside the group. Trump hoarded “his” documents and apparently didn’t share their contents.
But no one actually knows that for sure, do they? Haven't there been accounts of Drumpf sharing some of the documents to favored Mar-A-Lago visitors? Do we know to whom Drumpy showed off his prizes? No, we do not.
Yes, I do agree that Teixeira's crime seems worse but his motives were just about the same as Drumpf's and that he did indeed exhibit them to certain people...just not an entire group of teenaged gamers.
You’re right: no one knows for sure … if they weren’t at Mar-a-Lago. Perhaps naively, I depended on MSM accounts, which may not have been complete or fully accurate.
MTG, Carlson and MAGAs are distracting so that parallels and special treatment of Trump stay out of range. What strikes me is the swiftness to arrest Texiera by FBI SWAT and charging him under the espionage act among other charges. And Trump? And Garland? And Jack Smith? Hello! Are you in there? No one is above the law, eh?
Tucker Carlson manages to thread a line that is so close to sedition that I can't tell the difference. I know that FOX employs him because he is glib, handsome, and amoral. But it is really disgusting that there is a public space for someone who should leave the USA if he hates it so much. Father Coughlin?
First, I hope the aggressive treatment of your virus includes lots of chicken soup. It feeds the belly and the soul. I am not sure why it is so effective. But it works wonders. I have many theories, but later on that.
My thoughts on your letter today. First, I have been hearing interviews with veterans about the espionage of Jack Teixeira. I don't think MTG and Carlson are winning any votes with folks associated with the military. Maybe a few disgruntled bigots. But mostly, I think our military personnel - past and present - view this kid as a traitor. A man who took an oath and betrayed his country. Purely from a political perspective, MAGA statements in support of young Jack are only going to work in our favor.
And second, I am going to predict a ruling in favor of staying the Texas judges ban on mifepristone. Why? Because I believe that the Oligarchs who pull the strings of these Federalists see this as a disruption of commerce. A threat to drug makers profits. It will be a financial decision - not based on the Constitution or straight up morality or the fact that the vast majority of Americans support reproductive rights. They will support the system of enormous profits by drug companies and the FDA plays a key role in that process.
If this drug can be threatened by a fringe group, so can any other. It's all about money and who gets to keep it. You can be sure Harlan Crow has used a burner phone already...
I'm really sorry to hear how aggressive and persistant that virus is that you've been fighting. I am only speaking for myself, but as much as I appreciate what a great job you do for all of us, if just focusing on rest and pausing your newsletter for a week would help you recover faster, I hope you do take time off. It seems that the effort you expend to keep on top of the news, do research and write the newsletter--even a short version--may be taking energy from you that you need to heal. Sending wishes for a more speedy recovery to you and Jill!
Thank you CC for encouraging Robert to get better. You echoed my sentiments exactly. And the cold virus is nasty--worse it comes and goes. Runny nose, achy, fatigue one week then reprice and another symptom a week later.
It has taken me 6 weeks and an eventual use of antibiotics last week to finally have energy.
Glad you're feeling better. I hope it's finally gone for good.
Thank you C C 🌹
Sun yourselves for a half an hour when the sun is high in the sky, every day. Or take 10,000 IU of vitamin D every day for several weeks, and then reduce it to several thousand a day. (Or leave it at 10,000/day. My best friend has taken 10,000/day for a number of years, having been Rxed that for osteopenia.) I have had two colds since 2004, when I started taking 5000 IU four times a week, and barely any flu. My siblings likewise. The immune system needs D to function on all four cylinders. (Doctors of a certain age learned in medical school that it is easy to get a toxic dose of D. That's been debunked. My doctor fought me about my taking large doses of D. I told her I wasn't going to stop taking something that was so obviously beneficial. She has come around.)
Pretty sure my daily 2,000mgs of D prevented me from getting sick BOTH times I tested pos. for Covid. And I’m very much a high risk senior. D and C every day.
I'm guessing your dose is actually 2000 IU of D. My vitamin D all comes with doses on the bottles listed in IU, not mg or mcg. Check it. 2000 IU is often a reasonable dose for a woman, although if you're getting up in age you may want to switch to 2500-3000 IU some time in the next few years, or whenever you feel like you're aging some.
It IS very interesting and notable that you tested positive without getting sick, and it would make sense if you're on 2000 IU D. My two siblings and I--also up in years, but probably not high risk--have not gotten COVID, my sister despite the fact that she's done a lot of vaccinating, and subsequently organized the vaccination of Fairfax County VA.
You’re correct. 2000 IU. Good to know about advisability of increasing dose now that I’m heading north of 70.
And heavy doses of garlic.
Garlic is certainly healthy, and I try to have a clove 3-4x a week. But D is far more important. Your immune system doesn't function on all four cylinders without it.
Absolutely such a great suggestion.
I second the motion.
Yes, please rest Robert. While we may miss your comments, we are more concerned about your health and that of your Managing Editor.
Yes, CC, I agree. While I know that we will all miss Today's Edition for a few days, it sounds like it's time to do the hardest thing of all and just STOP.
Amen! I concur!
I found it very ironic .. and disgusting ... that it was Justice Alito who was chosen to announce the 5-day stay. Maybe trying to say he's not always the bad guy or even making us hopeful that he's seen the error of the Dobbs ruling and is looking for redemption. That Justice Alito is the Pontius Pilate who washed his hands of any blame for crucifying Roe. In his case throwing everything into chaos for all and unnecessary death for some unfortunate women whose lives are less valuable than a heartless, brainless fetus. Cruelty is the point. They must put women in their place with no choice but to work full time and take care of their children and forced to carry a pregnancy that will make her life doubly/triply stressed. I'd like to see a Sea Horse rule where a rapist is forced to carry the pregnancy like the male sea horse does. Women have successfully given birth after a uterus transplant; research is being done on uterus transplant in men and deemed theoretically possible for a man to give birth. In the mean time (excuse the pun) I don't understand why primarily male legislatures have any standing to make these draconian laws that do not apply to men ... as yet.
You nailed it, Cathy. I share your anger. I don't know why people speak about abortion only in terms of a woman's "control over her own body." I'm always frustrated (infuriated) that no one mentions that her life--the rest of her LIFE, every day of it--is in the balance.
If a person is contemplating abortion, it is because she is not in a situation to assume complete responsibility for another human being's support for the rest of her life. It takes VAST resources, both material and mental, to be a competent parent: to nurture another human (infant, toddler, child, teen, young adult) to independence. Good parents devote themselves to their children.
The attitude that pregnancy is just a 9-month inconvenience and that an abortion is a decision lightly-made is absurd. The failure of imagination that opponents of abortion display is pathetic and utterly selfish. My heart breaks for unprepared women forced into parenthood and for their hapless offspring.
The lives of women affected by complications of pregnancies they DID plan and must terminate is another conversation. Once again, a situation that a compassionate person would immediately understand and commiserate with. How can there be so many people whose hearts are hard and whose empathy is non-existent?
I sometimes think most of these men, at least the much older ones, have never spent a day, let alone a week, month or years, doing the day to day of raising children. They work all day, come home and sit down with a drink and the evening paper, and children were admonished not to disturb him as he’s had a busy day. Meanwhile “the little woman” slaved all day to do laundry, drive the kids hither and yon, grocery shopped, made all the meals, cleaned the house, took his clothes to the dry cleaners, etc., etc. He goes to bed at a reasonable hour as he has to go to “work” in the morning, while she stays up until midnight helping the kids with their homework and getting them to bed and ready for school in the morning. Or sits with them all night when they have the flu, etc. Can you tell what it was like in my home when I was growing up and was married? And it just used to bug the *#*# out of me when I began a part time bookkeeping and tax business to earn some extra money and my husband suggested I should open up a firm and he would stay home and take care of the kids. He felt it was all so easy that he could get everything done that was needed in a few hours and then get in a round of golf each day. There was no way in h*** that was going to happen as I knew I would be coming home to mounds of laundry, piles of dirty dishes, etc, and expected to take care of it, even though I might have had a “busy day.” And there are enough women on this page that I don’t have to go into the 9 months of pregnancy and first few years of a child’s life. Men of that age haven’t got a clue. Thank god for Women’s Lib and teaching young boys to be a complete partner in a marriage. But, sadly, I think many of the conservatives, fundamentalists, etc., still have their wives do almost all the work at home, because a lovely home is the woman’s responsibility. So even some of the younger ones today don’t have a clue either. Housewives ought to go on strike like many did back in the early days of women’s lib. Gather up several of your women friends and all rent a cottage at a beach somewhere for a few weeks and leave the men to handle everything.
This is where the Evangelicals are pushing women back to...the kitchen and pregnant.
Exactly, fortunately my husband was one who helped in every way he could and loved being a dad. And a partner. What an odd duck he was…
Oh how I’ve missed your cleverness, Cathy! Maybe you could try that on your governor who wants to pardon a convicted murderer. About Alito, as i understand it, he is over the 5th circuit and that is why he issued an opinion. In this case, a stay. But truly, Kasmarcyk (sp?) was dead wrong in his decision but then he’s a part of the good ole boys network, casting his opinion not on law, but his feelings about abortions. Screw all of these men!
Yes. Casting his opinion As law.
Enjoying a cup of tea on the porch in the mountains near Asheville, at first light, my heart is filled with joy at symphony of birds calling in a new day Sending peace and healing thoughts to Robert and Jill.
I remember driving the eastern Continental divide south of Asheville listening to new age symphonic music and my soul soaring back some years ago.
Alito wasn't chosen. He is the SCOTUS judge who is assigned to the 5th district (Texas.)
Interesting he is assigned to the most conservative court. It would be fun if the Texas 4th Court of Appeals were assigned to Alito (yes, it couldn't happen - it's a Texas court; this is just a thought exercise). It consists of seven justices -- ALL women. https://www.txcourts.gov/4thcoa/about-the-court/
Wow, that is a high-powered court. Thanks for the info!
Oooooh...I love those odds!
The anti-abortion zealots gamed this out - they selected to file their case in Amarillo knowing that the result would be appealed to the arch-conservative 5th District and thereafter Alito would issue the temporary pause. However, read NOTHING into the pause. As far as I’m concerned, this pause isn’t to give time to the anti-abortion zealots to file their brief but rather it’s giving the Republican Party to to assess wether they want to walk off this particular cliff. I think they will decide to stop at the cliff’s edge and go back to slowly fall into the abyss
Dahlia Lithwick was on with Alex Wagner last night, and she believes that the court is overwhelmed by their present cases, and the upheaval they wrought by bringing down Rowe. One hopes that the news of Thomas' financial shenanigans also has them "concerned." But surely Alito et al realize that if left to stand, the Texas' judge's ruling on Miffy would make it open season on drug approval. I have heard that men sometimes have adverse effects from Viagra: there's a concerned judge in Los Angeles who can pass a similar ruling regarding it... and on, and on...
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If a man has ED, that's god's way of telling him too bad. No Viagra, no Cialis, no "wave therapy" - it's just nature taking its course. And no more masturbation - that definitely kills babies.
Nope, it's God's way of telling him that She doesn't deem him worthy of reproducing. Sex is for making babies only, not pleasure. He needs to go repent and send all his money to his church.
Like double
Cathy,
I am as angry about the Dobbs decision and the uncaring and unthinking anti-women, anti-abortion legislation being advanced and passed in many states by Republicans. While some might think my following remarks uncaring, I ask you to think before reacting. I do feel significant civil penalties should be available and enforced for those responsible for unwanted pregnancies as a consequence of molestation, rape, and incest. I also feel forcing the pregnancy to term of an unwanted and unloved child is cruelty beyond description to that child and dooms them also to a life sentence of deprivation. No child deserves that. Anyone using the term pro-life mischaracterizes their position. Ending an unwanted pregnancy early in term is a responsible decision by the woman who finds herself pregnant whatever the cause and should be universally available and accepted without shame for that woman. I strongly urge others to even avoid use of the term abortion as it is an emotionally charged term that the anti-abortion crowd forces on responsible discussions to try to control them. Let us instead talk of early pregnancy termination. We also need to recognize the essential nature of the availability and use of the best standards of care for women with difficult pregnancies and obstetric complications in later stages of pregnancies and when suffering early pregnancy loss (miscarriages). All women everywhere should always have access to and availability of the accepted and best standards of medical reproductive healthcare. Let us all try to recapture the high ground in discussions of reproductive healthcare by taking back control of the language we use to discuss it and advocate for kindness, compassion, and responsible solutions and care for all.
Hmmm....Indeed language matters. On first gut reaction thoughts... I fear that "unwanted pregnancy" puts an even more venomous emotional onus on the woman than the more medical "abortion". And are "significant civil penalties" strong enough? Isn't it a felony for breaking and entering someone's home or place of business? Breaking and entering a woman's body seems much more invasive - and felonious.
What makes you believe abortion is a medical term more suitable than early termination of pregnancy? In any case, please use whatever terminology you feel most helps women preserve their right to make decisions about their own bodies and their future.
Doctors don’t practice law. Lawyers and judges should not practice medicine!
I heard a term used a few months back, that was so helpful to me. Instead of calling it Pro Life, call it what it truly is, Forced Birth.
One of our Fl Dem Reps sponsored amendment to rename our abortion ban law from Heartbeat Protection Act to Forced Pregnancy Act. You can guess how that went over here..
Reproductive Privacy, Reproductive Choice, Reproductive Liberty. Let us stop using the A word. Too often like throwing gasoline on a spark and a majority just lose their minds.
The A word is a trigger - we should call it what it is for ALL of us: a person's right to bodily autonomy. And the "abortion pill" is actually the pill prescribed when a woman miscarries to spare her a D&C, which can create scar tissue and interfere with her ability to bear more children in the future. Words matter.
Good point and frankly I don’t trust him and once again believe he has an alternative motive.
1) Re (in essence) forced pregnancy policy, it seems logical to me that all males should be DNA'd so that eventual baby's father identified and some set of "equal responsibilities" imposed, covering at least the pregnancy and lifelong if mother keeps the baby.
2) Re Abbott, my new theory is that maybe our numbers, even in this super red state of TX, can make a difference in less-paid-attention-to protests. In that spirit, I would be grateful to those who can Tsend a quick, brief email today to Texas Board of Pardons and Parole, urging the board NOT to recommend a pardon for this convicted murderer: bpp_pio@tdcj.texas.gov. I have been told by the board that they do register these communications. Thank you.
Seriously, why aren't these guys being charged with practicing medicine without a license?
You mean "judge I make decisions on my religious beliefs" Alito? I wouldn't hold your breath.
➡️ "a Sea Horse rule" ⬅️
100%. Men act like pregnancy is on the women only. And they intend to keep the world thinking that. Cruelty is indeed the point, along with power…
Alito is a papist and is controlled, as are the other papists on SCOTUS, by their undying allegiance to their faith. Along with money . . . there's that. Pious mofos, imho.
I'd like to add to the Clarence Thomas discussion by noting how Justice Abe Fortas was forced to resign in 1969 for far less than what Thomas appears to have done. The New York Times has a super article detailing how Thomas' behavior was far more egregious than Fortas'; and this before the news broke that Harlan Crow had purchased his mother's house,. Thomas must go. To leave him on the court is to create a moral hazard. (The link is free; no subscription needed):
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/opinion/clarence-thomas-supreme-court-abe-fortas.html?unlocked_article_code=8iSvgGTvZISuqz_W61NPImLygJxUKiz2oVvt1TnSZpMDduukvvKr4YrePvWw2YLDFrKFDjfVSbJPBC8ktUVyXXQlHZsupOXzHaPyABNAdpzrSY49_WySfXfjn-bRmop1JlYoKioU9hhEFe7BNl1iTQE4qY-dcIm_zjnErONmGs_OE67OlK0x4a3mbSGWFDm6bl8SIkATErd6MthxdovYrxMEKm_q9_DBeen6I0aW7YpPfVmw4C_ltihb6kT9yM2xsrX8Rnd0u4Yg-sZAWE6TiJ1kT35CUC58wtOuKlge1Oh_RZSwDpoPu_yfMQW_V01iiSun18RZM8jGw7Yxzu_0MgolvhQH428Kktxn36k2X_I&giftCopy=4_Disclaimer&smid=url-share.
All of us - especially the Judiciary Committee - should have listened to Anita Hill 33 years ago.
The Judiciary Committee was cowed by Thomas’s “high-tech lynching” remark. Liberals on the Committee feared potential allegations of racial discrimination.
It was a sad day for Democrats and Democracy when not a single staffer or Democratic Senator on that Committee thought to ask Clarence Thomas why it was a High-Tech Lynching of him and not of Annita Hill. A similar thing happened with Kavanaugh when he went ballistic on Senator Amy Klobuchar. It would have been great if she had answered him to be quiet and speak carefully. He was in 'her court', she was not in his. The bombastic chest thumping sadly worked for both of them.
Yes. Despite his contempt for Affirmative Action, Thomas played the race card when it was served his interest.
All the Republican Supreme Court justices seem to create a moral hazard these days.
I agree except unfortunately no Republican will vote to impeach
Thanks for the link.
The Fortas Affair came to mind almost as soon as Clarence Thomas’s misdeeds were outed. Those were different times: I remember that most people were shocked and angered by Fortas’s behavior; many people, today, shrug at Thomas’s (as they did at Scalia’s) — a “what did you expect?” feeling.
Those “old days” were far from perfect, but at least there were general expectations that high officials had to be held to high standards of behavior.
This is from WaPo yesterday: Clarence Thomas might have recognized law at issue in his real estate deal:
"A few years before he didn’t disclose the sale of a house he co-owned, he failed to disclose details of his wife’s employment
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s problems are mounting in the aftermath of yet another ProPublica report detailing his ties to conservative billionaire donor Harlan Crow.
While the outlet’s first report detailed how Thomas might have broken the law by failing to disclose luxury trips Crow paid for, its latest describes actual money exchanging hands in a real estate deal between Thomas and Crow. Failing to disclose that might make a more compelling case that Thomas violated the law."
Free link: https://wapo.st/3KI4iIV.
Thank you for that link, Mr. Stahl. Interesting article--and even more interesting comments about it.
Yes. There really isn’t anything MAGA can’t make worse. Very alarming, discouraging, and dangerous. All to enunciate the absolute necessity of getting more and more democrats elected.
Gene, I have decided to join the League of Women Voters the next county over. (We don't have one in my county.) I hope I can get assigned to help register students at the several high schools, two community colleges, and two universities in my fifty mile radius.
Robert, you and Jill are a treasure to us readers and collaborators. All of us are commiserating and wishing (thinking, praying, sending love, lighting candles) for your immediate return to perfect health. Deepest thanks for your tireless work🙏.
If the League can’t keep you busy, there are many other organizations registering people to vote. I started doing that work in 2019 and not only is it gratifying, it is working for the betterment of our country. Good luck!!
Amen
I still think he's a very tiny fish in a very large pond being used a pawn...thrown under a very large bus.
I am exhausted from hearing the idiotic things from MTG's mouth and that of Tuckums Carlson. Thinking back several years ago, before the rise of TFG and his ilk, I would not have been able to conjure that congressional members and media personalities would shout from the rooftops their adoration and support of Putin and disparage our own country. They are vile people. And I will refrain from launching into my horror with the kind of people who vote or watch those two. Of course, MTG has lots of company with fellow wicked travelers in the house, and they have some company in the Senate. Gads! When will it end?
Was thinking along the same lines, Kathy. I don't think for one minute Greene and Carlson and the like, appreciate the fact that they can mouth off like that in such a traitorous way and not be arrested as they certainly would be if they lived under the regimes they admire so much. .
In reality, both Tuckie and Empty are hardened cynical shills, who invent and repeat their pernicious shyte for money (in Tuckie's case) or for political favor (in Empty's case). Empty is desperately fondling and smooching Trump's lard butt in hopes of being chosen as his VP running mate.
Personally, I don't think Trump would entertain that idea for a NY minute--why would he want to share "his" stage and "his" people with another attention hog like Empty?
I'm not sure about your last sentence. I agree strongly with the rest.
I tend to agree, as a pair they would be the darlings of people just like themselves.
Consider that Trump truly dislikes and fears strong women; whatever else she might be, Empty is a very strong-minded female--even if he can stand to share the spotlight, Empty is definitely not going to spend her VP time staring worshipfully at the back of Trump's head as did Pence. Nope...I don't see the misogynistic Trump selecting EITHER Nikki or Madge for VP.
It depends on exactly what Trump sees as a strong woman. I guess I'm reacting to the fact that I don't see Empty as a strong woman, partly because I think you've given her a very appropriate name, which doesn't say "strong" to me. And if you put her next to AOC, or Nancy Pelosi, she wouldn't look strong, and I can see either verbally slashing her to ribbons. But I don't know how Trump would see her. Interesting conundrum.
I wouldn’t say MTG is “strong-minded” as much as she has willed herself to be in front of the line. We already know she isn’t too bright and a few screws are loose. She has business being in the position she’s in, thanks to the weakest Speaker we’ve ever had, Qevin.
Her head has been completely ‘up there’ for quite a while! She hasn’t seen sunlight for months.
I really wish I could control where lightening strikes.
Yes, TL, I'm sure that is uppermost in her mind. I think like Trump she would sell her grandmother for a high political position like VP, or in his case president.
When comments were made about people who were unhappy and frustrated with how things were going here in the US and considered moving abroad, the MTG and Carlson crowd all yelled ‘well move there then’; maybe they should take their own advice. Move to Russia and enjoy that!!!
Side note-Hello Robert-nice to read your posts!
Please dear sir, place your health above anything else, except your loved ones, in your daily regimen. We need your wisdom, but also appreciate that you need to rest and recover. Hugs to you and your family, and hoping that you can force yourself to step away until you are truly ready to return to the fray.
The irony is, if these idiots were living under the type of regime they appear to support, they would have their yaps shut up pretty damn quick
Could someone please tell me whether any other members of the gaming group will be held accountable specifically the one who reposted the leaked information on other platforms?
He probably "saw the error of his ways" and became a cooperating witness, it's why he's quoted and such.
I know it's early in the game, but does anyone know if there is a money trail associated with the theft, and others in the gaming group?
I believe he's just the pawn being thrown under a very large bus.
I wonder if we have the whole story about this. Who, or what else is Teixeira is connected to? Is he a "useful idiot?"
Thank you, Robert. I join with the rest in wishing you, Jill, and the rest of your family a complete recovery.
Jessica Craven's latest post published a photo of Justin Jones upon his return to the TN House. That, along with her comments, was inspiring. Hope the story for Tennessee continues upward in its quest for democracy.
https://open.substack.com/pub/chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions/p/chop-wood-carry-water-414?r=5g1rs&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I don’t know what it will take to halt the maga cult. We need to register young voters and encourage everyone to vote wisely. And the gun violence is completely out of control. Ban assault rifles on the ballot, red flag laws in every city nationwide, background checks, if there is another school massacre I will lose my mind. Choose kindness.
Education is imperative. Too many educationally malnourished Americans - children, teens, and adults. Also, laws with stiff penalties for creating mendacity for the sake of political or corporate gain. Something like The Fairness Doctrine.
What readers of this newsletter don’t comprehend fully is the extent that Trump and MAGA domestic terrorists have corrupted and brainwashed people like Jack Teixeira, who took time away from espionage efforts to spread racist and antisemitic memes among the teenage boys on the Discord serve. Think about where the source of the racism and hatred became commonplace and how many other young men and woman have been affected. To make matters worse these individuals are armed and somewhat trained and believe because of the MAGA right wing propaganda machine that the country is going in the wrong direction. It’s going to take more than indictments and defamation suits to change their beliefs and these individuals are a greater threat than we can ever imagine. It’s people like Majorie Taylor Greene who feed this machine and are fuel for the discontent felt by these individuals.
Exactly, Stephen. MAGA "leaders" are serious about polluting the next generation of disaffected voters. And there always seems to be another ready group of "useful idiots" wiling and eager to cross formerly uncrossable lines. These isolated young men gamers are ripe for the MAGA plucking of FOX and MTG.
Stephen, Republicans began almost 40 yrs ago to get onto all the local school boards and work to change the curriculum. They wanted to do away with anything that promoted critical thinking skills, thus “teach to the test” arose. Schools were penalized if their students didn’t pass the test at a certain percentage, and teachers could lose their job for the same reason. So, now, in many school districts, and probably many charter schools, children are not taught to think, but to only recite what they are told. Then stick them in front of FoxTV all day and you have grown up non-thinking robots spouting your nonsense and no ability to determine whether or not what they just heard is true, or even why they should consider if it is true or not. And with Texas creating most of the textbooks in this country its a wonder we aren’t in an even bigger mess than we are.
Exactly and that has to change
Thank Norma Gabler for the Texas textbook fiasco. Google knows her well.
True to nth degree. Think of what the children are learning these days. It’s beyond frightening
It’s what they are not learning that concerns me.
The most trenchant words from Robert Hubbell tonight are these: "There is nothing the MAGA world can't make worse." Their defense of Mr. Texeira is just the latest example of their defending the indefensible and attacking the commendable. My hope is that, with the Right's ever greater predictability, we all can begin to give them greatly diminished attention.
At least it is quite easy to see why all the MAGAs are leaping to Teixeira's defense--Teixeira is charged with the exact same crime as Trump will be...if they defend Trump, it follows they must also defend another CONservative who is doing the same thing. Although, I have to admit to some surprise that the MAGAs can think that far ahead.
Actually, Teixiera’s crime is worse than Trump’s. Teixiera shared classified information, and one of his acolytes “shared” it outside the group. Trump hoarded “his” documents and apparently didn’t share their contents.
But no one actually knows that for sure, do they? Haven't there been accounts of Drumpf sharing some of the documents to favored Mar-A-Lago visitors? Do we know to whom Drumpy showed off his prizes? No, we do not.
Yes, I do agree that Teixeira's crime seems worse but his motives were just about the same as Drumpf's and that he did indeed exhibit them to certain people...just not an entire group of teenaged gamers.
You’re right: no one knows for sure … if they weren’t at Mar-a-Lago. Perhaps naively, I depended on MSM accounts, which may not have been complete or fully accurate.
There is a strong suspicion he DID share them with people ineligible to view them.
MTG, Carlson and MAGAs are distracting so that parallels and special treatment of Trump stay out of range. What strikes me is the swiftness to arrest Texiera by FBI SWAT and charging him under the espionage act among other charges. And Trump? And Garland? And Jack Smith? Hello! Are you in there? No one is above the law, eh?
Tucker Carlson manages to thread a line that is so close to sedition that I can't tell the difference. I know that FOX employs him because he is glib, handsome, and amoral. But it is really disgusting that there is a public space for someone who should leave the USA if he hates it so much. Father Coughlin?
F**ker is ugly, through and through.
First, I hope the aggressive treatment of your virus includes lots of chicken soup. It feeds the belly and the soul. I am not sure why it is so effective. But it works wonders. I have many theories, but later on that.
My thoughts on your letter today. First, I have been hearing interviews with veterans about the espionage of Jack Teixeira. I don't think MTG and Carlson are winning any votes with folks associated with the military. Maybe a few disgruntled bigots. But mostly, I think our military personnel - past and present - view this kid as a traitor. A man who took an oath and betrayed his country. Purely from a political perspective, MAGA statements in support of young Jack are only going to work in our favor.
And second, I am going to predict a ruling in favor of staying the Texas judges ban on mifepristone. Why? Because I believe that the Oligarchs who pull the strings of these Federalists see this as a disruption of commerce. A threat to drug makers profits. It will be a financial decision - not based on the Constitution or straight up morality or the fact that the vast majority of Americans support reproductive rights. They will support the system of enormous profits by drug companies and the FDA plays a key role in that process.
If this drug can be threatened by a fringe group, so can any other. It's all about money and who gets to keep it. You can be sure Harlan Crow has used a burner phone already...
🤔 "...disruption of commerce. A threat to drug makers profits."
Good point...too much money coming in from Big Pharma to put them in the cross hairs
And feel better Hubbells♥️