Robert, please don’t hold back on the pics as they have been a joy to look at. In the meantime, our guy, Pete, is one very clever fellow. He invited TFG to “come on down” and verbally make a change to his horrible policy. Pete got him hook,line, and sinker. Glad you and your managing editor made it back safely. Sleep tight.
Regarding America's Ukraine fatigue expressed by the ProRussia/ProPutin wing of the Republican Party. (numbers are from scrounging around on the internet this morning; financial numbers are US costs expressed in 2023 dollars)
Afghan War (2001-2022) cost $1.14 Trillion. 2,325 Americans died. 20,003 Americans were injured. The outcome was an Islamist state.
Iraq War (2003-2011) cost $1.04 Trillion. 4,492 Americans died. 32,222 Americans were injured.
The outcome was a chaotic state loosely allied with Iran.
Vietnam War (1955-1975) cost $982 Billion. 58,220 Americans died. 153,303 Americans were injured.
The outcome was a Communist regime.
Korean War (1950-1953) cost $454 Billion. 36,416 Americans died. 92,134 Americans were injured.
The outcome was a Communist dictatorship in the north; a dictatorship in the south which has become a vibrant democracy and an American ally.
Gulf War (1990-1991) cost $180 Billion. 294 Americans died. 849 Americans were injured.
The outcome was Iraq's retreat from Kuwait and no regime change.
Russia/Ukraine War (2022-2023) cost, so far to the Department of Defense (which I think are equivalent to the kinds of costs identified in the previous wars ) $76.8 Billion in Department of Defense spending. No American combatants have died. None have been injured.
The outcome is, as yet, undetermined, but it could be a European oriented, Ukrainian democracy.
We can all see why so many Republicans whose party enthusiastically supported those previous wars are now fatigued by our support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Especially fatigued is the wing of the Republican Party which is proPutin and proRussia.
Nicaragua votes with Russia. The "gutsy Sandinistas" of 40 years ago are no more and Daniel Ortega is far worse than Tacho Somoza and his family ever were at their worst. 233 political dissidents have their (native born) citizenship declared void and are sent to the US last week. Further proof that every "left revolution" since the French Revolution ends up in the hands of the"Bonapartists, the "Stalinists" and the "Maoists" with the revolution and the people who supported it betrayed and oppressed worse than before the revolution.
Robert, your photos were not just "vacation pictures." Of course you connected Northern Lights to democracy! And even if no such tie to politics, photos of nature's wonders are reminders of more good things for us to treasure in this world, as well as to pause for balance in our lives. In addition, your photos offer a bit of welcome respite--as periodically posted by your fellow Substackers, Heather Cox Richardson and Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
"It was 'the longest day of our lives. The hardest day of our modern history. We woke up early and haven’t fallen asleep since,' he said." Volodymyr Zelenskyy, February 24, 2023.
Rob, I'm so glad you and your Managing Editor were able to take this incredible vacation, and I look forward to any photos you decide to share. The fact that you continued to keep us all abreast of current events at the same time speaks volumes of your commitment and, perhaps, a small portion of lunacy!! We greatly appreciate both of you.
Excellent analysis and synopsis of everything developed by the radical insurrectionists of the 10% GOP as well as the 1 year anniversary of Ukraine 🇺🇦 👏 👍. If only the Russian people and government could find a successful way to accomplish a coup of Putin, else he will surely bring them and all of Eastern Europe to the brink of WW3, if he hasn't already.
Pray 🙏 for all the people being decimated to fill one megalomaniac's ego for an imaginary empire 🙏. Just thankful China 🇨🇳 is now calling for peace ✌️ too, as that may make all the difference 😀. The U.N. is spot on with their condemnation of Russia 🇷🇺,but as long as Russia can pretty much thumb their noses at resolutions, it's all just words unfortunately 😕.
As for the traitorous radicals in Congress, we can also hope that Jack Smith has most of them on his special inquiry list of J6, which may be why they're up to such seditious activities under the guise of their committees. Hopefully when the sunlight of Jack Smith shines on them, they'll scatter like the cockroachs 🪳 they are and solve this insurrectionist problem 😉.
I just finished looking into this heavily.:** Even under the Obama reg, this particular train would not have required ECP brakes because that was limited to HFFT trains, which were defined as 20 cars in a row (or 35 mixed up) of Category 3 Hazardous material. This train had 11 cars of hazardous stuff and Vinyl Chloride is a Category 2.1 Hazardous material.
This limit was the result of HEAVY industry lobbying in 2015 (when the rule went into effect). Lots of "gee we don't really know how well they work, and they cost a lot given this uncertainty." HOWEVER Norfolk Southern was a big fan of ECP brakes and even bragged that they had equipped some humungous train with them. Until they got told they would have to. In 2005 they had had a major train derailment releasing chlorine gas in Graniteville SC. Chlorine is a class 2.2 Hazardous gas. That resulted in 41 million in damage: Norfolk Southern paid 10 million in settlements of a class action lawsuit and 4 million in fines.
It's not like they had no warning.
So this is neither Obama's nor Trump's fault except to the extent that nobody at all had the guts to actually write strict regulations. Given the hoo--hah about the whole thing in 2015 and then 2018, it isn't surprising that Buttigieg had other priorities.
All the blaming of anyone other than Norfolk Southern is pretty pointless. The real thing that needs happen is much stricter regulation and perhaps a statutory definition of what materials are actually hazardous when they get loose. Chances of that happening???
What the whole incident does is puncture a hole in the balloon of the value of self- regulation on safety issues by industries.
I had originally thought that the sensors which should have caught this were part of government infrastructure but apparently not. You may have noticed that the GOP attacks on this accident of the Infrastructure Bill have rather died down.
_________________________________________
There is a fact check on this, but by "heavily" I mean I looked at the actual regs and the history of them.
The pictures are a political statement. We have a beautiful country. Let’s celebrate this with the vigor our founding mothers and fathers envisioned for us. To keep it beautiful we must do the day by day work to insure we can maintain this beautiful dream. Thanks Robert for this clear analysis.
Ira Katznelsen's book, Fear Itself, https://wwnorton.com/books/9780871407382, discusses the New Deal and FDR's challenges with international authoritarian fascism. The book eirily mirrors Biden's challenges now. History does indeed repeat itself and Biden appears well aware and strategic in defending democracy and the New Deal reforms.
I appreciate you sharing your photos, just as I do Joyce Vance's chicken photos! I think it boosts my mood when someone I have great respect and admiration for shares a piece of their life like that.
I am also delighted to hear you were able to spend some quality time with your readers in Alaska. News such as that brings hope as we continue to make progress into a post pandemic world.
Robert, first, I want to thank you for your endless pursuit of democracy and truth. I am a more informed citizen thanks to you. Second, I want to go to Alaska! Your pictures inspired me to make that trek and see the northern lights! I have spent this last year undergoing chemo, immunotherapy, surgery and more chemo to battle breast cancer. Your trip gave me hope that I will be able to travel again and particularly in Alaska in the winter! Can you share the company who took you? All the best, Mary (in Maine)
I have been talking to friends about your trip like I was there with you. So excited to hear more about your journey this weekend. It is such an amazing feeling to know that your tour was loaded with your readers. It is a random litmus test that gives me faith in Americans…and you some awesome memories.
As I have shared previously, Judge Luttig’s testimony during the January 6 Select Committee hearings was the most cogent I heard when he stated, “They are going to do the same thing in 2024. How do I know? They are telling us.” Every day we continue to see that they are telling us with the most recent report that House Leader Kevin McCarthy has given Tucker Carlson access to the Select Committee documents.
Many ask, how low can the Rs go? They keep breaking new lows. Here’s the deal. It is abundantly clear that there are no boundaries for these folks. They have thrown off any pretense of following the constitution or their oath of office. Which to me means they are on a path to upend our democracy and rules of law. We must never allow them to succeed.
Let’s hope that the DOJ, as Robert repeatedly urges, will move sooner and bring us to a time of accountability. This isn’t a sports event but the Rs appear to be playing it that way, working overtime to run the clock.
Vote in 2024 and every other darn election for democracy, justice and accountability. Be sure to take Robert’s advice and follow Chop Wood, Carry Water by Jessica Craven. As Joyce Vance always states in her closing, “We’re in this together.”
We cannot afford to be anything but “in this together.” We, our children, our grandchildren, the national and global communities need our good efforts. Image you are fighting in Ukraine and fight like hell against bullies.
This day marks one year since the Ukrainian people started to give their lives to protect their sovereignty and democracy. We stand with them.
Robert, please don’t hold back on the pics as they have been a joy to look at. In the meantime, our guy, Pete, is one very clever fellow. He invited TFG to “come on down” and verbally make a change to his horrible policy. Pete got him hook,line, and sinker. Glad you and your managing editor made it back safely. Sleep tight.
Regarding America's Ukraine fatigue expressed by the ProRussia/ProPutin wing of the Republican Party. (numbers are from scrounging around on the internet this morning; financial numbers are US costs expressed in 2023 dollars)
Afghan War (2001-2022) cost $1.14 Trillion. 2,325 Americans died. 20,003 Americans were injured. The outcome was an Islamist state.
Iraq War (2003-2011) cost $1.04 Trillion. 4,492 Americans died. 32,222 Americans were injured.
The outcome was a chaotic state loosely allied with Iran.
Vietnam War (1955-1975) cost $982 Billion. 58,220 Americans died. 153,303 Americans were injured.
The outcome was a Communist regime.
Korean War (1950-1953) cost $454 Billion. 36,416 Americans died. 92,134 Americans were injured.
The outcome was a Communist dictatorship in the north; a dictatorship in the south which has become a vibrant democracy and an American ally.
Gulf War (1990-1991) cost $180 Billion. 294 Americans died. 849 Americans were injured.
The outcome was Iraq's retreat from Kuwait and no regime change.
Russia/Ukraine War (2022-2023) cost, so far to the Department of Defense (which I think are equivalent to the kinds of costs identified in the previous wars ) $76.8 Billion in Department of Defense spending. No American combatants have died. None have been injured.
The outcome is, as yet, undetermined, but it could be a European oriented, Ukrainian democracy.
We can all see why so many Republicans whose party enthusiastically supported those previous wars are now fatigued by our support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Especially fatigued is the wing of the Republican Party which is proPutin and proRussia.
Nicaragua votes with Russia. The "gutsy Sandinistas" of 40 years ago are no more and Daniel Ortega is far worse than Tacho Somoza and his family ever were at their worst. 233 political dissidents have their (native born) citizenship declared void and are sent to the US last week. Further proof that every "left revolution" since the French Revolution ends up in the hands of the"Bonapartists, the "Stalinists" and the "Maoists" with the revolution and the people who supported it betrayed and oppressed worse than before the revolution.
Robert, your photos were not just "vacation pictures." Of course you connected Northern Lights to democracy! And even if no such tie to politics, photos of nature's wonders are reminders of more good things for us to treasure in this world, as well as to pause for balance in our lives. In addition, your photos offer a bit of welcome respite--as periodically posted by your fellow Substackers, Heather Cox Richardson and Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
Fear not, Robert, you always make sense. As for your vacation pix, they give us all some respite in this topsy turvy political morass we are mired in.
"It was 'the longest day of our lives. The hardest day of our modern history. We woke up early and haven’t fallen asleep since,' he said." Volodymyr Zelenskyy, February 24, 2023.
Rob, I'm so glad you and your Managing Editor were able to take this incredible vacation, and I look forward to any photos you decide to share. The fact that you continued to keep us all abreast of current events at the same time speaks volumes of your commitment and, perhaps, a small portion of lunacy!! We greatly appreciate both of you.
Excellent analysis and synopsis of everything developed by the radical insurrectionists of the 10% GOP as well as the 1 year anniversary of Ukraine 🇺🇦 👏 👍. If only the Russian people and government could find a successful way to accomplish a coup of Putin, else he will surely bring them and all of Eastern Europe to the brink of WW3, if he hasn't already.
Pray 🙏 for all the people being decimated to fill one megalomaniac's ego for an imaginary empire 🙏. Just thankful China 🇨🇳 is now calling for peace ✌️ too, as that may make all the difference 😀. The U.N. is spot on with their condemnation of Russia 🇷🇺,but as long as Russia can pretty much thumb their noses at resolutions, it's all just words unfortunately 😕.
As for the traitorous radicals in Congress, we can also hope that Jack Smith has most of them on his special inquiry list of J6, which may be why they're up to such seditious activities under the guise of their committees. Hopefully when the sunlight of Jack Smith shines on them, they'll scatter like the cockroachs 🪳 they are and solve this insurrectionist problem 😉.
On the whole ECP issue:
I just finished looking into this heavily.:** Even under the Obama reg, this particular train would not have required ECP brakes because that was limited to HFFT trains, which were defined as 20 cars in a row (or 35 mixed up) of Category 3 Hazardous material. This train had 11 cars of hazardous stuff and Vinyl Chloride is a Category 2.1 Hazardous material.
This limit was the result of HEAVY industry lobbying in 2015 (when the rule went into effect). Lots of "gee we don't really know how well they work, and they cost a lot given this uncertainty." HOWEVER Norfolk Southern was a big fan of ECP brakes and even bragged that they had equipped some humungous train with them. Until they got told they would have to. In 2005 they had had a major train derailment releasing chlorine gas in Graniteville SC. Chlorine is a class 2.2 Hazardous gas. That resulted in 41 million in damage: Norfolk Southern paid 10 million in settlements of a class action lawsuit and 4 million in fines.
It's not like they had no warning.
So this is neither Obama's nor Trump's fault except to the extent that nobody at all had the guts to actually write strict regulations. Given the hoo--hah about the whole thing in 2015 and then 2018, it isn't surprising that Buttigieg had other priorities.
All the blaming of anyone other than Norfolk Southern is pretty pointless. The real thing that needs happen is much stricter regulation and perhaps a statutory definition of what materials are actually hazardous when they get loose. Chances of that happening???
What the whole incident does is puncture a hole in the balloon of the value of self- regulation on safety issues by industries.
I had originally thought that the sensors which should have caught this were part of government infrastructure but apparently not. You may have noticed that the GOP attacks on this accident of the Infrastructure Bill have rather died down.
_________________________________________
There is a fact check on this, but by "heavily" I mean I looked at the actual regs and the history of them.
The pictures are a political statement. We have a beautiful country. Let’s celebrate this with the vigor our founding mothers and fathers envisioned for us. To keep it beautiful we must do the day by day work to insure we can maintain this beautiful dream. Thanks Robert for this clear analysis.
Eloquent no matter how little sleep you get!
Ira Katznelsen's book, Fear Itself, https://wwnorton.com/books/9780871407382, discusses the New Deal and FDR's challenges with international authoritarian fascism. The book eirily mirrors Biden's challenges now. History does indeed repeat itself and Biden appears well aware and strategic in defending democracy and the New Deal reforms.
I appreciate you sharing your photos, just as I do Joyce Vance's chicken photos! I think it boosts my mood when someone I have great respect and admiration for shares a piece of their life like that.
I am also delighted to hear you were able to spend some quality time with your readers in Alaska. News such as that brings hope as we continue to make progress into a post pandemic world.
Robert, first, I want to thank you for your endless pursuit of democracy and truth. I am a more informed citizen thanks to you. Second, I want to go to Alaska! Your pictures inspired me to make that trek and see the northern lights! I have spent this last year undergoing chemo, immunotherapy, surgery and more chemo to battle breast cancer. Your trip gave me hope that I will be able to travel again and particularly in Alaska in the winter! Can you share the company who took you? All the best, Mary (in Maine)
I have been talking to friends about your trip like I was there with you. So excited to hear more about your journey this weekend. It is such an amazing feeling to know that your tour was loaded with your readers. It is a random litmus test that gives me faith in Americans…and you some awesome memories.
No doubt most readers of this blog read Joyce Vance’s Civil Discourse. For those who don’t, here is a link to Judge Luttig’s column in today’s NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/24/opinion/mike-pence-grand-jury.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
As I have shared previously, Judge Luttig’s testimony during the January 6 Select Committee hearings was the most cogent I heard when he stated, “They are going to do the same thing in 2024. How do I know? They are telling us.” Every day we continue to see that they are telling us with the most recent report that House Leader Kevin McCarthy has given Tucker Carlson access to the Select Committee documents.
Many ask, how low can the Rs go? They keep breaking new lows. Here’s the deal. It is abundantly clear that there are no boundaries for these folks. They have thrown off any pretense of following the constitution or their oath of office. Which to me means they are on a path to upend our democracy and rules of law. We must never allow them to succeed.
Let’s hope that the DOJ, as Robert repeatedly urges, will move sooner and bring us to a time of accountability. This isn’t a sports event but the Rs appear to be playing it that way, working overtime to run the clock.
Vote in 2024 and every other darn election for democracy, justice and accountability. Be sure to take Robert’s advice and follow Chop Wood, Carry Water by Jessica Craven. As Joyce Vance always states in her closing, “We’re in this together.”
We cannot afford to be anything but “in this together.” We, our children, our grandchildren, the national and global communities need our good efforts. Image you are fighting in Ukraine and fight like hell against bullies.
This day marks one year since the Ukrainian people started to give their lives to protect their sovereignty and democracy. We stand with them.