May 1, 2023·edited May 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
North Carolina was rated by the Electoral Integrity Project as not a democracy in 2016 with a score 58 out of 100 which is close to Iran and Venezuela. https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/311690-north-carolina-is-no-longer-a-democracy-report/ Makes me wonder if the Supreme Court should rule on gerrymandering under the Guarantee Clause of the Constitution that guarantees all states will have a republican (little r) form of government meaning government by representatives of the People. Gerrymandering means the representatives choose their voters not the voters choosing their representatives. My question is who enforces the Guarantee Clause? Especially if the corrupt Injustices of the Supreme Court have been bought by rich donors and no longer rule based on the Constitution for, by and of all the the People but for a theocratic oligarchic kleptocracy.
I live in NC and to be honest the state Democratic Party leadership in the past has not been as effective as it needs to be. Democrats lost several elections they should have won. I am hoping Democrats in NC get their act together and most importantly people of color organize and register and turnout to vote. That is the key to winning along with the Generation Z voters who have the power to make a difference. Voters need to be appalled at the recent state Supreme decisions and act on it.
Whenever I hear “Democrats should,” I cringe. WE are the Democrats! Join the local party, donate, write a letter to the editor, get active. (This is for all of us, not just you--maybe you are already doing all these things!)
Let's not forget all the Independents who are bigger in number than either extreme party represent the big wide moderate middle who literally have no representation. We need ALL the People to get active and especially VOTE!
Because we have a two-party system and the GOP has gone off the cliff, I think of the D party as a big tent that includes factions/caucuses of many sorts. I always recommend that people work on the issues most resonant to them (guns, reproductive, etc.) and join a group focused on that. Lobby electeds and support candidates from there.
While I agree with John Adams who said a two-party system would be the worst evil to befall the Constitution. I think we're proving him right in this century. I'm an Independent and do not feel I have any representation. I will vote for President Biden and the Congressional candidates who support his vision. I have vowed not to vote for any Republican in order to hold them accountable for Dobbs and for allowing the MAGA extremists to take over their party. That doesn't automatically mean vote Democrat. The 2024 election is not R versus D; it is anti-democracy (theocratic oligarchic kleptocracy) versus democracy and the freedoms that come with it.
I think we're in agreement in fact if not in preference? I was a registered Independent for many years (I'm old!), until I was living in Hawaii, where everyone is a Democrat--including most of the Republicans! (I kept wondering why my state house rep voted the way she did, until I found out she was a Republican who ran as a Dem before we moved there. Not unusual.) I totally agree with your assessment of the current choices.
NC Senate leader ‘Boss’ Berger rules the state budget with an iron fist! The ‘iron’ is forged by $$$ from ‘master of the plantation’ mega millionaire Art Pope!
The previous right wing controlled court declared vouchers were legal because all the students of the state were ……get this…..public citizens!! Thus perished any pretense of separating church and state! Today Berger and T Moore ,his like minded minion who controls the Assembly, have included a massive and obscene $400 million for the voucher program which impacts the funding for public schools! With a veto proof majority and their own version of the State Stench court, these two are passing copy cat bills prepared for them by the right wing propaganda mills!
And at the same time, the GQP absolutely refuses to follow the state Constitution regarding the Leandro case - to properly fund public schools! But, miraculously they find millions to put toward vouchers that now have no income requirement! These same GQP bosses would oppose a student loan forgiveness program because they think those students are taking advantage of the government! And they characterize those who would use this forgiveness as “lazy students who want the taxpayers to cover their degrees to become doctors and lawyers.” And, their juridical arm in the newly GQP Supreme Court already ruled that the legislature doesn’t have to abide by the Leandro decision, again overrunning the previous Court - simply due to a change in personnel. That Court battle was won by all the dark money spent on the GQP candidates, while the DNC never helped NC the way they should have in the mid-terms. All of us in the state are now paying for the price for a fascist agenda. It is sickening.
These two clowns also have ruined UNC by politicizing the board of Trustees at the University and interfering with educational curriculum and what is appropriate courses.
Ah the ‘Injustices’ of the Supreme Court…..who make rulings based only on the wishes and desires of their friends that support and want a “theocratic oligarchic kleptocracy.” Those last three words (theocratic oligarchic kleptocracy) couldn’t have said it any better.
George, I'm thinking of coining a new word that would be shorthand for t.o.k. A word that could be used in the same way democracy is used. What do you think of theolikle (the first three letters of t.o.k. combined)?
Governor Inslee of Washington state has signed effective gun safety laws that should be a model for other states and for the US Congress if we vote out all the Republicans (MAGA or otherwise - the entire GOP needs to be held accountable!) and let President Biden finish the job of restoring democracy and getting the US back on a positive track. Bravo Superman Inslee! I'm actually wondering if President Biden could declare a national emergency and authorize the debt payments to address the emergency. Robert Reich suggests that the debt ceiling law is actually unconstitutional even from an Originalist perspective. “The validity of the public debt of the United States … shall not be questioned." The totally unnecessary debt-ceiling law should be eliminated as such. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/advice-to-biden-on-how-to-handle
May 1, 2023·edited May 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
See this article re the 14th Amendment, which was written back in November 2022.
So glad to see it is getting some traction through Reich, and may be Biden's "Ace in the Hole" that we are all hoping for. P.S. I would not be surprised if Biden already knows about this but is hanging back before acting to try to get Congress to act.
I’m hoping for this also if nothing else changes. However, it has never been done and it would create a Constitutional crisis and end up before the (un)Supreme Court. Surely they can read the Constitution and as so-called “originalists,” they would uphold this action? If nothing else, I think (?) they can be counted on to not deliberately choose cataclysmic economic collapse. However, even if this route were taken, the extreme and unprecedented action would likely still undermine the faith in the dollar as the reserve currency and cause damage to the local and global financial markets in ways we can’t predict but all unfavorable.
Washington resident here. We should bear in mind that Gov. Inslee did not do this alone. AG Ferguson worked on this for years, activist groups like Moms Demand Action, Alliance for Gun Responsibility, numerous Indivisible groups, and thousands of citizens made this happen. We worked to turn the legislature Blue and to persuade Dems in moderate districts to side with progressives. The anti-control side was very loud and numerous. And that side will fight the new laws in court.
So, absolutely, all arms of state government are important plus a well informed, engaged citizenry.
May 1, 2023·edited May 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Gregg Abbott is an seriously warped inhuman monster. Even if the five murdered people were undocumented immigrants (and show us PROOF of that little factoid, Gregg--if you can, that is) they are still PEOPLE. It doesn't mean that it's a matter of indifference that those poor souls should be gunned down.
Pro-Life Democrats favor gun safety laws and regulations that make guns less available to those who would solve problems using their weapons. Pro-Life Democrats favor legal abortion, making it possible for women to live their lives in ways that allow them to care more effectively for the children they already have or allow them to have children in the future when they are better able to care for them. Pro-Life Democrats favor acting to limit the Climate Crisis so that the earth will be a place where its inhabitants can live with less extreme temperatures and less extreme weather.
I’m glad you mentioned the family planning aspect. I don’t see that point being made in discussions around abortion and wish it would be added to talking points. It’s important to have healthy families who can provide a high quality life for their children. Unchecked pregnancies would certainly have a deleterious effect on the emotional, mental and physical health of our citizens and stress our already burdened governmental support systems. It seems a no brainer. 🤷♀️
Here today. Gone tomorrow. The New York Times story on the Scalia Law School, published online April 30, is no longer on the digital front page of this morning's edition, May 1. I thought this story was really important. However, stories about AI, Sinema, and Karl Lagerfield are right up there on the first page of the online edition. I do no feel the stories are as worthy of "digital front page" treatment as the investigations into our very corrupt Supreme Court continue to multiply. That is why I have 14 Substack subscriptions. Thank you.
Thank you, Robert, for highlighting the Tulare Lake saga. Oh, my goodness. Such good news and bad news all at the same time.
Reading Today's Edition reinforces my frustration that we are left with framing everything through the lens of Republicans versus Democrats. It boggles my mind that the majority of people show support for gun safety yet will not vote for legislators who align with them because they will be voting for a Democrat.
As a reminder, Jen Kiggans beat Elaine Luria in the 2022 election. Elaine was on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. Her work on the committee, it is said by some, was what spelled her defeat to the Republican. Let's hope her constituents will see the error of their votes come 2024. I'll be waiting in the wings when it comes time to write Postcards4Virginia. In the meantime, there are state senators and delegates on this November's 2023 ballot that need tending to!
As to North Carolina, DeSantis, and SCOTUS, all I can say is...meh!
Most important is to recognize the importance of local, often off year elections. Judges, school boards, and other local elected officials are the elections that most matter in people’s lives, though they do not get the media attention. The Republicans have been focused on this since Delay was speaker in the late 1990’s. Now we see the gerrymandered districts and the book banning. It takes time to change the foundation, but it works. Democrats need to be patient and work hard in off year elections, like this year’s. Let’s not skip ahead to 2024 when 2023 is as important and an opportunity.
May 1, 2023·edited May 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Today I wrote to my Senators to use their influence to get their Texas colleagues in the House to stop the dangerous game that would make the US default on its debts. I had already written to my Representative on the House. Even just playing the game may increase the rate of interest the US would pay countries like China. It would certainly hurt the US and world economy hurting everyone. The only winner in this would be China. And, basically reversing all the great legislation of the Biden administration gives President Biden absolutely no incentive to negotiate. Have they been watching the intense weather events that are most certainly climate change is now upon us. I have confidence that President Biden will remember the hardest person to negotiate with is someone who won't negotiate at all. What is frightening is the uneducated crazy loudmouth Rep. Greene (the ePITome of decorum!) and her MAGA friends are controlling Spino McCarthy. I'm actually wondering if President Biden could declare a national emergency and authorize the debt payments to address the emergency. Robert Reich suggests that the debt ceiling law is actually unconstitutional even from an Originalist perspective. “The validity of the public debt of the United States … shall not be questioned." The totally unnecessary debt-ceiling law should be eliminated as such. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/advice-to-biden-on-how-to-handle See the article that
Hurray! Writing and calling State and Congressional officials is really important! I’d encourage to turn what you wrote into a Letter to the Editor. And if you use any social media, let people know what you wrote and encourage others to do the same.
Here's what I wrote to Senators Cornyn and Cruz: Dear Senator Cornyn, I am extremely concerned over the United States going into default because the MAGA extremists are holding the Congress and the President hostage. If the US defaults and puts the US and world economy in a tailspin, the only winner is going to be China. If I were Speaker of House I would be eliminating the law on the debt ceiling that is basically useless and unnecessary. We pay our debts or we don't. Having Congress kick the can down the road is just plain stupid politics. I'm tired of stupid politics.
Please use your considerable influence with the Texas Congressional Representatives and stop this game of chicken that even if it doesn't go to full default it will hurt our economy. This brinkman's style politics has to STOP! I actually agree with President Biden on this that paying our debt is non-negotiable. And, having extremist, loudmouth, uneducated Rep. Greene and her crazy friends holding Speaker McCarthy hostage must come to an end. Where is decorum in the House?! It's gone. The Republican Party is dead as long as it is controlled by the MAGA Extremists. Please bring some sanity back to the Republican Party and the House.
Get rid of the law on the debt ceiling once and for all time!
I like that you wrote to senators asking them to influence House colleagues. That’s especially brave and important because this delegation is reprehensible.
Another angle on the debt ceiling issue: Failure to pay government depts – even to threaten such – lowers the US’s credit rating. That increases the interest rate that must be paid on the debt. Therefore, MAGA Republican shenanigans are increasing the government debt.
I predict that guns will surpass abortion as a motivating issue for 2024.
In my Sunday school class yesterday, one member asked for prayers for her daughter and their family, as they shelter in place at their home near Cleveland, Texas, site of the latest mass shorting.
I was struck by the fact that the odds of everyone having encounters with gun violence is quickly increasing. The Tennessee governor knew a Nashville teacher killed. The Kentucky governor knew Louisville victims.
The GOP strategy is to hope these victims are “others.” Thus Abbott calls five beautiful lives “5 illegal immigrants.”
But he and the GOP are losing. We must point out that Abbott has ceded public safety to any vigilantes who might be in the area. Cops are flat outgunned. Peaceful people can no longer feel safe asking their neighbor to please stop firing guns.
So the GOP position here in Texas is to either get a gun yourself and feel (unjustifiably) safe, or cower in your home.
May 1, 2023·edited May 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Fellow Floridians, please contact your Senators to oppose allowing 18-year-olds to purchase assault rifles.
Interestingly, one of the FL Reps opposing HB 1543 used the same words the Montana legislature used to silence Rep Zooey Zephyr.
“The blood of people — not hunters, or animals or whatever … but human beings will be on your hands,” said Rep. Felicia Robinson, a Miami Gardens Democrat, during the debate.”
Bullies are notorious for their exceedingly thin skins. Drumpf and DeSantis are both despicable bullies who pitch tantrums and plot revenge whenever they receive criticism of any kind.
For me what was significant about President Biden’s attendance and speech at the White House Press annual dinner was his sense of humor and his ability to poke fun at himself and sound and feel like an average “ Joe”. Trump never attended and we know he has no sense of humor and the visual contrast is stunning. The “ Dark Brandon “ comments were perfect and President Biden is making his case one event at a time. Poking fun at your own age and addressing it takes grace and humility and also takes some of the issue off the table for some people. Biden demonstrated again why we need his leadership to finish the job.
He was brilliant. Not only did he hit some opponents of democracy head on. He displayed himself as a guy who can laugh at himself. It was powerful stuff. Made powerful more so by the fact that it was "endearing".
This is the kind of person you want to show up at your parties. Political office and elections shouldn't be about popularity and personality - but it is. People vote on one favorite issue and then how they "feel" about someone. Trust, affection, feelings matter.
You go Joe. More like this will propel you to re-election.
Once again I will voice my thoughts on the 'flooding" of Tulare Lake. This is the natural state of the land. We have mismanaged the water in many locations of this land. Sustainable agriculture only occurs where nature is in control. The more "we" try to manipulate "nature" the more we fail in the long term. Basically why do we build houses in flood plains? If we farm in flood plains we need to acknowledge the risk. Hard decisions need to be made with climate change being a major concern.
You are right. The issue goes beyond using a lakebed for agriculture. Tulare Lake was the home to tens of thousands of indigenous peoples (Yokuts) who relied on the lake for food and transportation. When the lake was drained, the indigenous people were forcibly removed to "reservations."
This is not on point to the topics discussed in Today's Edition, but does address an issue discussed in prior issues, anti-trans legislation. And it isn't getting the attention it deserves. This Nebraska senator has been filibustering an anti-trans bill for 9 weeks, bringing to a halt the legislative process in their unicameral legislature. And she will continue until the end of the session. She deserves more national attention. Check out the article from The New Republic. https://newrepublic.com/post/172303/nebraska-cavanaugh-filibuster-anti-trans-bill-nine-weeks
Thank you Alan. I'm late to the dance on today's newsletter, but I always want to raise the awareness of anti-trans legislation and discrimination, an example of which is MT State Rep. Zooey Zephyr. Thank you for bringing the Nebraska case to our attention. In the midst of all the other outrageous things being perpetrated by Republicans we cannot afford to forget our friends, siblings and children (including my own precious child!!) in the Trans community who are being treated like nothing more than something to destroy on the way to holding on to power.
Thank you, Denise. I am truly amazed at this Neb. senator's courage, not to mention her strength and stamina. She is remarkable. I can't stand, nor can I really understand, the hate leveled at the LGBTQ+ community in today's R controlled legislatures. It's rather like Nazi Germany in the early 30's. Terrifying.
North Carolina was rated by the Electoral Integrity Project as not a democracy in 2016 with a score 58 out of 100 which is close to Iran and Venezuela. https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/311690-north-carolina-is-no-longer-a-democracy-report/ Makes me wonder if the Supreme Court should rule on gerrymandering under the Guarantee Clause of the Constitution that guarantees all states will have a republican (little r) form of government meaning government by representatives of the People. Gerrymandering means the representatives choose their voters not the voters choosing their representatives. My question is who enforces the Guarantee Clause? Especially if the corrupt Injustices of the Supreme Court have been bought by rich donors and no longer rule based on the Constitution for, by and of all the the People but for a theocratic oligarchic kleptocracy.
I live in NC and to be honest the state Democratic Party leadership in the past has not been as effective as it needs to be. Democrats lost several elections they should have won. I am hoping Democrats in NC get their act together and most importantly people of color organize and register and turnout to vote. That is the key to winning along with the Generation Z voters who have the power to make a difference. Voters need to be appalled at the recent state Supreme decisions and act on it.
Whenever I hear “Democrats should,” I cringe. WE are the Democrats! Join the local party, donate, write a letter to the editor, get active. (This is for all of us, not just you--maybe you are already doing all these things!)
True but we need to engage others to get involved
Lead by example and invite others in. Start a little postcarding group. Sign up with Civics Center, League of Women Voters, ACLU (all nonpartisan).
Let's not forget all the Independents who are bigger in number than either extreme party represent the big wide moderate middle who literally have no representation. We need ALL the People to get active and especially VOTE!
Because we have a two-party system and the GOP has gone off the cliff, I think of the D party as a big tent that includes factions/caucuses of many sorts. I always recommend that people work on the issues most resonant to them (guns, reproductive, etc.) and join a group focused on that. Lobby electeds and support candidates from there.
While I agree with John Adams who said a two-party system would be the worst evil to befall the Constitution. I think we're proving him right in this century. I'm an Independent and do not feel I have any representation. I will vote for President Biden and the Congressional candidates who support his vision. I have vowed not to vote for any Republican in order to hold them accountable for Dobbs and for allowing the MAGA extremists to take over their party. That doesn't automatically mean vote Democrat. The 2024 election is not R versus D; it is anti-democracy (theocratic oligarchic kleptocracy) versus democracy and the freedoms that come with it.
I think we're in agreement in fact if not in preference? I was a registered Independent for many years (I'm old!), until I was living in Hawaii, where everyone is a Democrat--including most of the Republicans! (I kept wondering why my state house rep voted the way she did, until I found out she was a Republican who ran as a Dem before we moved there. Not unusual.) I totally agree with your assessment of the current choices.
There is a growing movement to restrict younger voters, since they are the ones who turned the 2022 elections. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwinyKu-qtT-AhXrj4kEHccaA7QQFnoECEYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2023-04-15%2Frepublicans-propose-voter-id-laws-to-restrict-college-student-campus-turnout&usg=AOvVaw0kCEbRv1WX_9DFl-3DqpKS
NC Senate leader ‘Boss’ Berger rules the state budget with an iron fist! The ‘iron’ is forged by $$$ from ‘master of the plantation’ mega millionaire Art Pope!
The previous right wing controlled court declared vouchers were legal because all the students of the state were ……get this…..public citizens!! Thus perished any pretense of separating church and state! Today Berger and T Moore ,his like minded minion who controls the Assembly, have included a massive and obscene $400 million for the voucher program which impacts the funding for public schools! With a veto proof majority and their own version of the State Stench court, these two are passing copy cat bills prepared for them by the right wing propaganda mills!
And at the same time, the GQP absolutely refuses to follow the state Constitution regarding the Leandro case - to properly fund public schools! But, miraculously they find millions to put toward vouchers that now have no income requirement! These same GQP bosses would oppose a student loan forgiveness program because they think those students are taking advantage of the government! And they characterize those who would use this forgiveness as “lazy students who want the taxpayers to cover their degrees to become doctors and lawyers.” And, their juridical arm in the newly GQP Supreme Court already ruled that the legislature doesn’t have to abide by the Leandro decision, again overrunning the previous Court - simply due to a change in personnel. That Court battle was won by all the dark money spent on the GQP candidates, while the DNC never helped NC the way they should have in the mid-terms. All of us in the state are now paying for the price for a fascist agenda. It is sickening.
NC citizens may, as you say, be paying for a fascist agenda.
But it is also suffering terribly from an anemic DNC. Something must be done to reform (re-form ?) the DNC.
These two clowns also have ruined UNC by politicizing the board of Trustees at the University and interfering with educational curriculum and what is appropriate courses.
Ah the ‘Injustices’ of the Supreme Court…..who make rulings based only on the wishes and desires of their friends that support and want a “theocratic oligarchic kleptocracy.” Those last three words (theocratic oligarchic kleptocracy) couldn’t have said it any better.
George, I'm thinking of coining a new word that would be shorthand for t.o.k. A word that could be used in the same way democracy is used. What do you think of theolikle (the first three letters of t.o.k. combined)?
thanks as always Cathy.
The EIP article is from 2016.
The conditions as of April 2023 are harkening back to the 1898 Wilmington Coup d'état and massacre.
Time to fight back. To Save Democracy.
Governor Inslee of Washington state has signed effective gun safety laws that should be a model for other states and for the US Congress if we vote out all the Republicans (MAGA or otherwise - the entire GOP needs to be held accountable!) and let President Biden finish the job of restoring democracy and getting the US back on a positive track. Bravo Superman Inslee! I'm actually wondering if President Biden could declare a national emergency and authorize the debt payments to address the emergency. Robert Reich suggests that the debt ceiling law is actually unconstitutional even from an Originalist perspective. “The validity of the public debt of the United States … shall not be questioned." The totally unnecessary debt-ceiling law should be eliminated as such. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/advice-to-biden-on-how-to-handle
See this article re the 14th Amendment, which was written back in November 2022.
So glad to see it is getting some traction through Reich, and may be Biden's "Ace in the Hole" that we are all hoping for. P.S. I would not be surprised if Biden already knows about this but is hanging back before acting to try to get Congress to act.
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2022/11/22/biden-can-raise-the-debt-ceiling-without-congress/
Excellent article. Yes, President Biden will know the time is ripe or perhaps a bit over-ripe and take executive action!
Indeed, Cathy, as my knuckles are beyond white!
I’m hoping for this also if nothing else changes. However, it has never been done and it would create a Constitutional crisis and end up before the (un)Supreme Court. Surely they can read the Constitution and as so-called “originalists,” they would uphold this action? If nothing else, I think (?) they can be counted on to not deliberately choose cataclysmic economic collapse. However, even if this route were taken, the extreme and unprecedented action would likely still undermine the faith in the dollar as the reserve currency and cause damage to the local and global financial markets in ways we can’t predict but all unfavorable.
Washington resident here. We should bear in mind that Gov. Inslee did not do this alone. AG Ferguson worked on this for years, activist groups like Moms Demand Action, Alliance for Gun Responsibility, numerous Indivisible groups, and thousands of citizens made this happen. We worked to turn the legislature Blue and to persuade Dems in moderate districts to side with progressives. The anti-control side was very loud and numerous. And that side will fight the new laws in court.
So, absolutely, all arms of state government are important plus a well informed, engaged citizenry.
Yes, its takes a community! Thanks for enumerating all the people and work that went behind this fabulous result!
Oops. Meant to add the debt ceiling comment to my comment below. Have added it there.
Gregg Abbott is an seriously warped inhuman monster. Even if the five murdered people were undocumented immigrants (and show us PROOF of that little factoid, Gregg--if you can, that is) they are still PEOPLE. It doesn't mean that it's a matter of indifference that those poor souls should be gunned down.
Pro-Life Democrats favor gun safety laws and regulations that make guns less available to those who would solve problems using their weapons. Pro-Life Democrats favor legal abortion, making it possible for women to live their lives in ways that allow them to care more effectively for the children they already have or allow them to have children in the future when they are better able to care for them. Pro-Life Democrats favor acting to limit the Climate Crisis so that the earth will be a place where its inhabitants can live with less extreme temperatures and less extreme weather.
I’m glad you mentioned the family planning aspect. I don’t see that point being made in discussions around abortion and wish it would be added to talking points. It’s important to have healthy families who can provide a high quality life for their children. Unchecked pregnancies would certainly have a deleterious effect on the emotional, mental and physical health of our citizens and stress our already burdened governmental support systems. It seems a no brainer. 🤷♀️
Here today. Gone tomorrow. The New York Times story on the Scalia Law School, published online April 30, is no longer on the digital front page of this morning's edition, May 1. I thought this story was really important. However, stories about AI, Sinema, and Karl Lagerfield are right up there on the first page of the online edition. I do no feel the stories are as worthy of "digital front page" treatment as the investigations into our very corrupt Supreme Court continue to multiply. That is why I have 14 Substack subscriptions. Thank you.
Self-curating the news to get to the truth -- that makes you a journalist, to my way of thinking! (I was one professionally, once upon a time.)
"That is why I have 14 Substack subscriptions." 😊 I don't have 14 but enough to keep me sane.
Thank you, Robert, for highlighting the Tulare Lake saga. Oh, my goodness. Such good news and bad news all at the same time.
Reading Today's Edition reinforces my frustration that we are left with framing everything through the lens of Republicans versus Democrats. It boggles my mind that the majority of people show support for gun safety yet will not vote for legislators who align with them because they will be voting for a Democrat.
As a reminder, Jen Kiggans beat Elaine Luria in the 2022 election. Elaine was on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. Her work on the committee, it is said by some, was what spelled her defeat to the Republican. Let's hope her constituents will see the error of their votes come 2024. I'll be waiting in the wings when it comes time to write Postcards4Virginia. In the meantime, there are state senators and delegates on this November's 2023 ballot that need tending to!
As to North Carolina, DeSantis, and SCOTUS, all I can say is...meh!
The “ducks” in your third picture re actually Grebes.] Tough to tell from the picture, but probably Western Grebes…maybe Clark’s.
Thank you!!! I knew someone would identify the birds. I am going to put together a photo book and will use that identification!
I didn't see your post until after I posted mine, that they're grebes, perhaps one of each.
Ah, another birder!
Most important is to recognize the importance of local, often off year elections. Judges, school boards, and other local elected officials are the elections that most matter in people’s lives, though they do not get the media attention. The Republicans have been focused on this since Delay was speaker in the late 1990’s. Now we see the gerrymandered districts and the book banning. It takes time to change the foundation, but it works. Democrats need to be patient and work hard in off year elections, like this year’s. Let’s not skip ahead to 2024 when 2023 is as important and an opportunity.
Are you listening, DNC?
Today I wrote to my Senators to use their influence to get their Texas colleagues in the House to stop the dangerous game that would make the US default on its debts. I had already written to my Representative on the House. Even just playing the game may increase the rate of interest the US would pay countries like China. It would certainly hurt the US and world economy hurting everyone. The only winner in this would be China. And, basically reversing all the great legislation of the Biden administration gives President Biden absolutely no incentive to negotiate. Have they been watching the intense weather events that are most certainly climate change is now upon us. I have confidence that President Biden will remember the hardest person to negotiate with is someone who won't negotiate at all. What is frightening is the uneducated crazy loudmouth Rep. Greene (the ePITome of decorum!) and her MAGA friends are controlling Spino McCarthy. I'm actually wondering if President Biden could declare a national emergency and authorize the debt payments to address the emergency. Robert Reich suggests that the debt ceiling law is actually unconstitutional even from an Originalist perspective. “The validity of the public debt of the United States … shall not be questioned." The totally unnecessary debt-ceiling law should be eliminated as such. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/advice-to-biden-on-how-to-handle See the article that
See the article Lynell mentioned above.
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2022/11/22/biden-can-raise-the-debt-ceiling-without-congress/
Hurray! Writing and calling State and Congressional officials is really important! I’d encourage to turn what you wrote into a Letter to the Editor. And if you use any social media, let people know what you wrote and encourage others to do the same.
Noise matters.
Here's what I wrote to Senators Cornyn and Cruz: Dear Senator Cornyn, I am extremely concerned over the United States going into default because the MAGA extremists are holding the Congress and the President hostage. If the US defaults and puts the US and world economy in a tailspin, the only winner is going to be China. If I were Speaker of House I would be eliminating the law on the debt ceiling that is basically useless and unnecessary. We pay our debts or we don't. Having Congress kick the can down the road is just plain stupid politics. I'm tired of stupid politics.
Please use your considerable influence with the Texas Congressional Representatives and stop this game of chicken that even if it doesn't go to full default it will hurt our economy. This brinkman's style politics has to STOP! I actually agree with President Biden on this that paying our debt is non-negotiable. And, having extremist, loudmouth, uneducated Rep. Greene and her crazy friends holding Speaker McCarthy hostage must come to an end. Where is decorum in the House?! It's gone. The Republican Party is dead as long as it is controlled by the MAGA Extremists. Please bring some sanity back to the Republican Party and the House.
Get rid of the law on the debt ceiling once and for all time!
I like that you wrote to senators asking them to influence House colleagues. That’s especially brave and important because this delegation is reprehensible.
Hear, hear! Post it, send to your local newspapers.
Another angle on the debt ceiling issue: Failure to pay government depts – even to threaten such – lowers the US’s credit rating. That increases the interest rate that must be paid on the debt. Therefore, MAGA Republican shenanigans are increasing the government debt.
I predict that guns will surpass abortion as a motivating issue for 2024.
In my Sunday school class yesterday, one member asked for prayers for her daughter and their family, as they shelter in place at their home near Cleveland, Texas, site of the latest mass shorting.
I was struck by the fact that the odds of everyone having encounters with gun violence is quickly increasing. The Tennessee governor knew a Nashville teacher killed. The Kentucky governor knew Louisville victims.
The GOP strategy is to hope these victims are “others.” Thus Abbott calls five beautiful lives “5 illegal immigrants.”
But he and the GOP are losing. We must point out that Abbott has ceded public safety to any vigilantes who might be in the area. Cops are flat outgunned. Peaceful people can no longer feel safe asking their neighbor to please stop firing guns.
So the GOP position here in Texas is to either get a gun yourself and feel (unjustifiably) safe, or cower in your home.
This is nuts and not sustainable.
what about the "legal american" who committed an illegal act?
Fellow Floridians, please contact your Senators to oppose allowing 18-year-olds to purchase assault rifles.
Interestingly, one of the FL Reps opposing HB 1543 used the same words the Montana legislature used to silence Rep Zooey Zephyr.
“The blood of people — not hunters, or animals or whatever … but human beings will be on your hands,” said Rep. Felicia Robinson, a Miami Gardens Democrat, during the debate.”
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/608008-house-passes-bill-lowering-long-gun-purchase-age-from-21-to-18/
Thought I would remind everyone of President Obama roasting Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner. Trump did not take it well and may have decided to run for President to get back at Obama for the slights. That's why he never went to the dinner during his Presidency. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=obama+kids+trump+at+white+house+correspondents+dinner#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:b8967112,vid:HHckZCxdRkA
Bullies are notorious for their exceedingly thin skins. Drumpf and DeSantis are both despicable bullies who pitch tantrums and plot revenge whenever they receive criticism of any kind.
Obama's roast was delicious!
Yes, Cathy.
For me what was significant about President Biden’s attendance and speech at the White House Press annual dinner was his sense of humor and his ability to poke fun at himself and sound and feel like an average “ Joe”. Trump never attended and we know he has no sense of humor and the visual contrast is stunning. The “ Dark Brandon “ comments were perfect and President Biden is making his case one event at a time. Poking fun at your own age and addressing it takes grace and humility and also takes some of the issue off the table for some people. Biden demonstrated again why we need his leadership to finish the job.
He was brilliant. Not only did he hit some opponents of democracy head on. He displayed himself as a guy who can laugh at himself. It was powerful stuff. Made powerful more so by the fact that it was "endearing".
This is the kind of person you want to show up at your parties. Political office and elections shouldn't be about popularity and personality - but it is. People vote on one favorite issue and then how they "feel" about someone. Trust, affection, feelings matter.
You go Joe. More like this will propel you to re-election.
Don't forget Biden's absolutely wonderful State of the Union!
Endearing is the perfect word.
Once again I will voice my thoughts on the 'flooding" of Tulare Lake. This is the natural state of the land. We have mismanaged the water in many locations of this land. Sustainable agriculture only occurs where nature is in control. The more "we" try to manipulate "nature" the more we fail in the long term. Basically why do we build houses in flood plains? If we farm in flood plains we need to acknowledge the risk. Hard decisions need to be made with climate change being a major concern.
You are right. The issue goes beyond using a lakebed for agriculture. Tulare Lake was the home to tens of thousands of indigenous peoples (Yokuts) who relied on the lake for food and transportation. When the lake was drained, the indigenous people were forcibly removed to "reservations."
This is not on point to the topics discussed in Today's Edition, but does address an issue discussed in prior issues, anti-trans legislation. And it isn't getting the attention it deserves. This Nebraska senator has been filibustering an anti-trans bill for 9 weeks, bringing to a halt the legislative process in their unicameral legislature. And she will continue until the end of the session. She deserves more national attention. Check out the article from The New Republic. https://newrepublic.com/post/172303/nebraska-cavanaugh-filibuster-anti-trans-bill-nine-weeks
Thank you Alan. I'm late to the dance on today's newsletter, but I always want to raise the awareness of anti-trans legislation and discrimination, an example of which is MT State Rep. Zooey Zephyr. Thank you for bringing the Nebraska case to our attention. In the midst of all the other outrageous things being perpetrated by Republicans we cannot afford to forget our friends, siblings and children (including my own precious child!!) in the Trans community who are being treated like nothing more than something to destroy on the way to holding on to power.
Thank you, Denise. I am truly amazed at this Neb. senator's courage, not to mention her strength and stamina. She is remarkable. I can't stand, nor can I really understand, the hate leveled at the LGBTQ+ community in today's R controlled legislatures. It's rather like Nazi Germany in the early 30's. Terrifying.
I'm writing a letter to Roberts. I don't expect my letter to do anything by itself. But a flood of letters might. Hint hint.