Just so you know, it was the postcard I sent to Speaker Johnson over a week ago that changed his mind about bringing Ukraine aid to the House Floor. You're welcome😉!
Way to get results! Next, please send a postcard to Robert Friggin’ Kennedy Jr. telling him to drop out of the presidential race & apologize to his family (and the rest of us) for being a tool of Trump and Putin.
I was listening to news on NPR (our excellent Minnesota local branch, MPR) and apparently there is an interview out there where Johnson tells the interviewer why he changes his mind. When he became Speaker of the House, he became privy to national security updates and so on. He was part of who got to be in on the conversation. They played a clip. I was driving so didn't note where it was. He said that in he couldn't in good conscience block aid to Ukraine and others on the list because he now understands what was at risk. He said it was worth losing his job as speaker but this is absolutely the necessary and right thing to do. He went to Mar-a-Lago to share this with Trump.
Thanks, Deborah, and thanks to all of your including the indispensable Lynell, who clearly convinced Mike Johnson to wake up an smell the danger of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and I give maybe 1 cheer to Mike Johnson, and invite others to do so. He has clearly been a tool...of Trump and the Far Right, but maybe we have witnessed a celestial phenomenon that far outshines the moment after the eclipse -- a Republican who sees and recognizes a Learning Curve! Mirabile Dictu! That was a perturbation in the field. Now if we could just get ol' Mike to recognize that a woman is a human being whose life, health, and rights are as worthy of respect as a fertilized embryo. But rather than kick Mike when he's embattled, I'd rather goose him along that learning curve and not gloat (or over praise) when Republicans develop a scintilla of good sense and a modicum of moral courage. (I wrote my Republican rookie congressman my thanks for his vote moving the aid for Ukraine forward.)
I still think he had a selfish motive. His son is in the military (or at a military academy, I forget which) and it finally dawned on him that his son would be in the line of fire if we don't stop Putin and Iran in their tracks!
I also wonder if any of the GOP members who announced that they aren't running for election in 2024 threatened to do as Ken Buck did and quit with 2 weeks notice. If Johnson loses a few more of his caucus, he could lose the majority before next January when the new house is sworn in.
The extreme MAGA wing of the caucus has made it very difficult for the GOP members in swing districts that Biden won. Add in the dysfunction in the RNC and its fundraising (dis)abilities and the improved Democratic candidate recruiting this cycle (so that fewer republicans are running unopposed) and the GOP should be very nervous! Which, by the way, is just the way I like it. :-)
I heard him in a youtube clip. I felt that he sounded sincere. Then I heard some commentator or was it a congress person, something like, He shouldn't be praised for doing his damn job. I disagree. I think when someone makes a change for the better, he should be recognized. And I am grateful.
I totally agree with you, Terry. It is an awakening we should acknowledge and encourage with a thank you and some praise. SOme people realize they're wrong and because they don't want to lose face, they never set things straight. Johnson chose to risk losing face and his role.
So he HAS a spine! But also, as TC and Robert say, perhaps the winds have changed and some Republicans can see that their agenda, if that's what you call it, is ruining them! For the sake of Ukraine, I'm glad, no matter the reason.
I think it was my telephone call to his office. I let them know I was from the other side of the aisle, and that was grateful for his support for Ukraine.
Lynell. I’m sure you are right. Thank you for making the point about postcarding. I’m sure Tuberville reacted to the hundreds of cards we sent him that had him change his mind too
I got busted by another commenter, Gabrielle. Seems a bunch of my other fellow citizens had the same idea as you which likely turned the tide for the Speaker. I bow to your advocacy!
It may seem a bit curmudgeonly of me to not join all the media cheering for Speaker Johnson’s having “done the right thing”. Yes, it's good that he finally acted. But the entire package now being passed in the House is pretty much the same as HR 815, which Mr. Johnson could have brought to the floor back in February, or in March, or last week.
The difference is that now, instead of going directly to President Biden to be signed into law, the aid package of must go back to the Senate for another vote. After two months of pointless delay, the measure will wait yet another ten days or more for the Senate to reconvene and take it up. And all the while, the war grinds on.
In fact, Mr. Johnson utterly failed to decisively confront the radical MAGA faction when he had every opportunity to do so. Only after House Minority Leader Jeffries and President Biden effectively immunized him from their threats did he facilitate passage of this crucial piece of legislation. His is no profile in courage.
But I think that, sadly, Putin via Trump via Johnson bought himself a lot of precious time to do serious damage to Ukraine. Smells like treason to me. That chain of influence still exists and let's be ready for more subterfuge and sabotage.
Let us not celebrate the puppets finally opening the gates of assistance that should never have been closed. Let's not forget that Johnson was a player in the insurrection. Lets not forget that Johnson considers women chattel and wants to establish a "National Religion".
Yeah, it is a relief to know that the aid package has been given the green light. But I'll really relax when Biden signs the thing. And we can fully celebrate when Jeffries is leading the House of Representatives. Johnson is a fascist.
So agree. My guess is that the Heritage Foundation or Koch or whoever is driving the MAGA cabal, sees that the polls on Ukraine and Trump slipping away. I see John Bolton, Bill Barr, Chris Sununu making a play (expecting to see Pompeo soon) to step into the void. It will be great to have Putin and Trump out of the picture, but having these radicals running things along with the Supreme Court in their hip pocket, is a concern.
How short sighted of the people who criticize Biden for not using the word "abortion" in the State of the Union address. The name Roe v. Wade says it all without the harsher term of abortion. He wants to defeat Trump and get re-elected. People for whom women's bodily autonomy is a crucial issue should want him to be elected, too.
I agree President Biden has every right to be personally against abortion. So does anyone else as long as I and anyone else has a right to have one. Unlike the last one he is a President of everyone in the US. He is not the president for just himself. There have been a lot of great Presidents in the US but he is definitely at the top of the list for me.
Here's something BIG that President Biden is doing~
In Syracuse NY, we have seen little growth and manufacturing has disappeared through recent decades. Syracuse has the second-highest child poverty rate (45.8%) among larger cities in the US. Now, since President Biden passed the Chips and Science Act, we actually have something HUGE being developed in our community. A Micron semiconductor plant is being developed with pipelines for jobs stemming from high schools and Onondaga Community College. This will transform Syracuse to place where kids stay in their home town and have excellent employment. This is real, this is actually happening for our community. Micron will be infusing a lot of money into this community as a result of the development of this project.
The President came into our little airport in Oct 2022 on Air Force One to announce that Micron selected Central New York as the site of a planned $100 billion mega-complex of four computer chip plants. He did not go to Syracuse University (his alma mater) or some big corporation presser, he came to Onondaga Community College to announce that Micron’s facilities will be built with UNION jobs!!!
Our President is returning to Syracuse next week and is expected to formally announce a deal with Micron, in which the federal government will provide $6.1 billion of money from the CHIPS and Science Act. This is big, very big- not only for Syracuse, but for the whole United States.
Agree about TCinLA piece. Perhaps the wind has changed. Look at the Speaker. He has changed. Look at the past referendums on abortion. And the ones coming in November. They are novelties no longer. Look at the Senate races. There are almost as many competitive races for Republican held seats. (Though I am worried about Maryland). One more thing. There are four state Supreme Court retention elections worth paying attention to. Two justices in Florida and two in Arizona who voted against the legality of abortion. All four can and should be voted off their Court.
There is an old saying that the lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its shoes on. But truth always catches up with the lie and passes it, because it is, well, true. That’s what’s happening to MAGA and the Republicans now.
Thanks. We need help in Florida, especially in Miami Dade county. Despite a slight registration advantage we have three MAGATS representing us in the House. We've had Democrats cut from voter rolls, voter preclusion, voter intimidation.
I've been following People Power United: America's Progressive Voice & Actions, Laurie Woodward Garcia, who has a segment, "conceding Florida." The Democratic Party is just now getting organized, so Laurie has taken it upon herself to do it for them. https://www.peoplepowerunited.org/meet-laurie
I'm also working on a Florida division of FT6. We have the capacity to add perhaps a million new Democrats to the Florida voting rolls. Register new Democrats -- save the world. https://www.fieldteam6.org/
It would be a glorious thing if Florida could turn the corner and get out from under the most extreme revanchists. Send Bridget Ziegler and her Moms for Liberty scolds back to their coffee tables and out of our schools. Let women make their own health care decisions and not impose a narrow religious guard rail around all citizens of the Sunshine State.
A lousy poll yesterday shows us way out. Abortion and Marijuana should guarantee a big turnout. The criminal Rick Scott who wants to end SSI, and "sunset" SS, Medicare and other benefits, is deemed popular in the press.
Emergency Hospitals in which states are ignoring EMTALA laws and denying pregnant women healthcare? Which states have the worst prenatal care? Guess what? Three of the worst are Texas, Florida and North Carolina. All states with important Senate races! Compare the candidates' positions on abortion rights by swiping right / left on this interactive map.
Robert - Thank you for sharing "TCinLA’s essay as a good way to ease into the weekend. TCinLA, The Wind Has Changed. Read it; you will be glad you did! Link above in Robert's writing. I fervently hope TCinLA has correctly called the wind-shift. Seeing JD Vance and MTG and Matt Gaetz finally get their comeuppance (and get sold down the river by Trump) would be a cause we could all celebrate.
1. That story on ER coverage refusal for pregnant patients is on the top of the FRONT page of this morning’s DALLAS MORNING NEWS, a historically conservative-leaning paper. That is a big deal.
2. I think that President Biden personally struggles with abortion due to his religious beliefs actually makes his position and support for reproductive rights MORE effective. That’s what we want—the ability to separate “church and state.”
I hope this is representative of a national trend. Are we having a "Norma Rae moment"? Biden has done many terrific things. One of the most important is literally standing with unions.
It is long overdue that the public realize that the negative propaganda from the oligarchs about unions has been bullshit. After all, who really is on the side of Jack and Jill SixPack? It ain't the MAGA bomb throwers in Congress.
I'd love to see the next step. Required Corporate Board Membership for Union leaders. And the quashing of stock buy backs. All that money spent by corporate con men to purchase their own stock could have been re-invested in salaries and benefits for the people who make the companies actually function. It's white collar theft vs social responsibility.
Yes, Mark. Indeed! The Tennessee UAW story was underreported. Another huge gust of wind 💨 for the common worker and blue-collar wage growth. Middle class supports that will float all boats.
In Genesis 4, after Cain kills his brother Abel out of jealousy that God has favored Abel, Cain is put under a curse by God and condemned to be a restless wanderer. Cain leaves and goes to live in the Land of Nod east of Eden.
President Biden’s stance on abortion is exactly the right one. He supports everyone’s right to make their own decisions and doesn’t enforce his religious beliefs on anyone.
Yes! It's not a matter of abortion - it's a matter of CHOICE - a choice that I'm sure 99.999% of folks don't want to ever have to make. But it's *their* choice. Period.
Pro-choice groups that criticize President Biden are exhibiting the worst kind of tunnel vision. As I have noted repeatedly out here, and elsewhere, the issue is about much more than abortion. It is human rights. If a woman does not have the right to control her own body, no rights are safe. Not freedom of speech and assembly, not religion, nothing. If we make that clear, many people who have not thought a lot about the issues, or think it does not apply to them (looking at you, guys) will come on board. So it’s not just right in theory, it’s good politics to do that.
Johnson’s Christian faith requires a believer to do the right thing even if it involves personal sacrifice. This is following the example of Jesus himself. We know that Johnson has favored aid to Ukraine. Perhaps the intelligence briefings led him to more clarity that it is the right thing for the security interests of the country he is sworn to protect.
There is no doubt that this new position gives him a more complete view of other things including the disgraceful performance of the Freedom Caucus. Wonder if he was further enlightened by the observations of Republican committee chairs about Russian propaganda.
I think he may have had, literally, what is, usually metaphorically, called a “Come to Jesus” moment.
He’s not the first who, finding himself in a new position (perhaps rather unexpectedly), has taken a bit of experience before finding the way of righteousness.
I heard also that his son is going into the Naval Academy and he doesn’t want him in a hot war. That’s understandable but it shouldn’t take a family issue to change his mind. What about everyone else’s children?
Another event in Johnson’s recent week. He descended into the belly of the beast (mar-a-lago). I wonder what johnson heard/learned from his private interactions with the Orange Toad Did Trump breathe his usual hate and self- interest while getting johnson to announce what he must know is a silly and unnecessary law based on a lie? I thought Johnson looked somewhat nauseated during that announcement.
I also noticed the weird expression on Johnson’s face caught in that press photo. He looked, to me, like a small, worried child. I think your take on his expression as being nauseated fits perfectly.
My theory of why Mike Johnson (after six months of letting Ukraine twist slowly in the wind) suddenly decided to do the right thing and stand up to Marjorie Traitor Greene, is that a number of Republicans (probably those who’ve recently spoken out about the growing cancer of Russian propaganda in the House, and maybe others) privately told him they would sign the discharge petition if he did not promptly bring the Ukraine aid bill to the floor.
Just so you know, it was the postcard I sent to Speaker Johnson over a week ago that changed his mind about bringing Ukraine aid to the House Floor. You're welcome😉!
Way to get results! Next, please send a postcard to Robert Friggin’ Kennedy Jr. telling him to drop out of the presidential race & apologize to his family (and the rest of us) for being a tool of Trump and Putin.
On it, John!
How did he go so wrong?
Do you have an address to send it to? I'd be happy to!
You could always try contacting his campaign at info@teamkennedy.com, but I think they only accept email from Russia and Mar-a-Lago.
Thanks! It won't hurt to give it a try! EDIT I sent a note telling him not to besmirch his family name.
Or just for being a tool.
I was listening to news on NPR (our excellent Minnesota local branch, MPR) and apparently there is an interview out there where Johnson tells the interviewer why he changes his mind. When he became Speaker of the House, he became privy to national security updates and so on. He was part of who got to be in on the conversation. They played a clip. I was driving so didn't note where it was. He said that in he couldn't in good conscience block aid to Ukraine and others on the list because he now understands what was at risk. He said it was worth losing his job as speaker but this is absolutely the necessary and right thing to do. He went to Mar-a-Lago to share this with Trump.
Thanks, Deborah, and thanks to all of your including the indispensable Lynell, who clearly convinced Mike Johnson to wake up an smell the danger of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and I give maybe 1 cheer to Mike Johnson, and invite others to do so. He has clearly been a tool...of Trump and the Far Right, but maybe we have witnessed a celestial phenomenon that far outshines the moment after the eclipse -- a Republican who sees and recognizes a Learning Curve! Mirabile Dictu! That was a perturbation in the field. Now if we could just get ol' Mike to recognize that a woman is a human being whose life, health, and rights are as worthy of respect as a fertilized embryo. But rather than kick Mike when he's embattled, I'd rather goose him along that learning curve and not gloat (or over praise) when Republicans develop a scintilla of good sense and a modicum of moral courage. (I wrote my Republican rookie congressman my thanks for his vote moving the aid for Ukraine forward.)
I still think he had a selfish motive. His son is in the military (or at a military academy, I forget which) and it finally dawned on him that his son would be in the line of fire if we don't stop Putin and Iran in their tracks!
I also wonder if any of the GOP members who announced that they aren't running for election in 2024 threatened to do as Ken Buck did and quit with 2 weeks notice. If Johnson loses a few more of his caucus, he could lose the majority before next January when the new house is sworn in.
The extreme MAGA wing of the caucus has made it very difficult for the GOP members in swing districts that Biden won. Add in the dysfunction in the RNC and its fundraising (dis)abilities and the improved Democratic candidate recruiting this cycle (so that fewer republicans are running unopposed) and the GOP should be very nervous! Which, by the way, is just the way I like it. :-)
Well said, Cheryl!
What Patrick said! Ok, I'm going to leave a Thank you for doing the right thing message.
I wrote thanking my rep, too!
Yours is a seriously good comment; thank you, Patrick!
I heard him in a youtube clip. I felt that he sounded sincere. Then I heard some commentator or was it a congress person, something like, He shouldn't be praised for doing his damn job. I disagree. I think when someone makes a change for the better, he should be recognized. And I am grateful.
I totally agree with you, Terry. It is an awakening we should acknowledge and encourage with a thank you and some praise. SOme people realize they're wrong and because they don't want to lose face, they never set things straight. Johnson chose to risk losing face and his role.
Exactly! BTW I think we could all probably use some sincere appreciation for "doing our damn jobs!"
So he HAS a spine! But also, as TC and Robert say, perhaps the winds have changed and some Republicans can see that their agenda, if that's what you call it, is ruining them! For the sake of Ukraine, I'm glad, no matter the reason.
Yes, we can only guess at this point. But it is a good move regardless of why he finally saw a light. Maybe not "the light," but one thing at a time.
I’ve posted a couple of prayers on that theme, not forgetting to send “thanks” now.
We’re in it together!
Of course, Lynell. You. Are. The. Woman!
💙🩵💙🩵💙
Aww shucks, Sheila...So. Are. You!
👯
Lynell! May the force continue to be with you :)
Such a card!!!
Well done Lynell.
Glad I could help, Dave...LOL!
We all get by with a little help from our friends.
😎
I think it was my telephone call to his office. I let them know I was from the other side of the aisle, and that was grateful for his support for Ukraine.
It was a huge relief!
Morning, Lynell. Thanks for your tireless work!!
Morning, Ally...piece o' cake!
Absolutely!
Lynell. I’m sure you are right. Thank you for making the point about postcarding. I’m sure Tuberville reacted to the hundreds of cards we sent him that had him change his mind too
Ohh, so good to hear, Ilene...thanks for sharing your news! (I really do think postcarding is an effective way to communicate)
I thought it was my phone calls!
I got busted by another commenter, Gabrielle. Seems a bunch of my other fellow citizens had the same idea as you which likely turned the tide for the Speaker. I bow to your advocacy!
Oh, I thought it was my phone message!!!
Absolutely, CT; and everyone else who wrote and called deserves the credit, too!
Good job, Lynell! :-)
I had a strong feeling you were involved! Well done You! 💙
LOL, Colleen!
It may seem a bit curmudgeonly of me to not join all the media cheering for Speaker Johnson’s having “done the right thing”. Yes, it's good that he finally acted. But the entire package now being passed in the House is pretty much the same as HR 815, which Mr. Johnson could have brought to the floor back in February, or in March, or last week.
The difference is that now, instead of going directly to President Biden to be signed into law, the aid package of must go back to the Senate for another vote. After two months of pointless delay, the measure will wait yet another ten days or more for the Senate to reconvene and take it up. And all the while, the war grinds on.
In fact, Mr. Johnson utterly failed to decisively confront the radical MAGA faction when he had every opportunity to do so. Only after House Minority Leader Jeffries and President Biden effectively immunized him from their threats did he facilitate passage of this crucial piece of legislation. His is no profile in courage.
.
It IS good to be grateful for this event. Phew.
But I think that, sadly, Putin via Trump via Johnson bought himself a lot of precious time to do serious damage to Ukraine. Smells like treason to me. That chain of influence still exists and let's be ready for more subterfuge and sabotage.
Let us not celebrate the puppets finally opening the gates of assistance that should never have been closed. Let's not forget that Johnson was a player in the insurrection. Lets not forget that Johnson considers women chattel and wants to establish a "National Religion".
Yeah, it is a relief to know that the aid package has been given the green light. But I'll really relax when Biden signs the thing. And we can fully celebrate when Jeffries is leading the House of Representatives. Johnson is a fascist.
Yessssss, Johnson is a fascist and a colossal poo poo head.
I can't fine the laugh emoji!
😉🐇
Bill, I see your point. But it's been a terrible drought of positive news re: Ukraine! It's hard not to celebrate that it happened, at last!
excellent points.
Be glad for small favors.
So agree. My guess is that the Heritage Foundation or Koch or whoever is driving the MAGA cabal, sees that the polls on Ukraine and Trump slipping away. I see John Bolton, Bill Barr, Chris Sununu making a play (expecting to see Pompeo soon) to step into the void. It will be great to have Putin and Trump out of the picture, but having these radicals running things along with the Supreme Court in their hip pocket, is a concern.
Yes to everything you said!
True, that!
How short sighted of the people who criticize Biden for not using the word "abortion" in the State of the Union address. The name Roe v. Wade says it all without the harsher term of abortion. He wants to defeat Trump and get re-elected. People for whom women's bodily autonomy is a crucial issue should want him to be elected, too.
I agree President Biden has every right to be personally against abortion. So does anyone else as long as I and anyone else has a right to have one. Unlike the last one he is a President of everyone in the US. He is not the president for just himself. There have been a lot of great Presidents in the US but he is definitely at the top of the list for me.
Couldn't agree more, Maureen! He's balancing his personal beliefs with doing the right thing for the country!
Kristin, so on point. Like said to Netanyahu, “Take the win”
Plus writers (wrongly) use the word abortion as synonymous with a Bad Thing.
Here's something BIG that President Biden is doing~
In Syracuse NY, we have seen little growth and manufacturing has disappeared through recent decades. Syracuse has the second-highest child poverty rate (45.8%) among larger cities in the US. Now, since President Biden passed the Chips and Science Act, we actually have something HUGE being developed in our community. A Micron semiconductor plant is being developed with pipelines for jobs stemming from high schools and Onondaga Community College. This will transform Syracuse to place where kids stay in their home town and have excellent employment. This is real, this is actually happening for our community. Micron will be infusing a lot of money into this community as a result of the development of this project.
The President came into our little airport in Oct 2022 on Air Force One to announce that Micron selected Central New York as the site of a planned $100 billion mega-complex of four computer chip plants. He did not go to Syracuse University (his alma mater) or some big corporation presser, he came to Onondaga Community College to announce that Micron’s facilities will be built with UNION jobs!!!
Our President is returning to Syracuse next week and is expected to formally announce a deal with Micron, in which the federal government will provide $6.1 billion of money from the CHIPS and Science Act. This is big, very big- not only for Syracuse, but for the whole United States.
https://www.localsyr.com/news/micron-comes-to-clay/president-joe-biden-to-visit-central-new-york-next-week-to-formally-announce-federal-governments-6-1-billion-award-to-micron/
Agree about TCinLA piece. Perhaps the wind has changed. Look at the Speaker. He has changed. Look at the past referendums on abortion. And the ones coming in November. They are novelties no longer. Look at the Senate races. There are almost as many competitive races for Republican held seats. (Though I am worried about Maryland). One more thing. There are four state Supreme Court retention elections worth paying attention to. Two justices in Florida and two in Arizona who voted against the legality of abortion. All four can and should be voted off their Court.
There is an old saying that the lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its shoes on. But truth always catches up with the lie and passes it, because it is, well, true. That’s what’s happening to MAGA and the Republicans now.
Now that's an optimistic take! I'm going to make this a mantra to calm myself over the next 6 months or so.
Gods, I hope so, Jon!
Florida Supreme Court Justices Francis and Sasso need to go !
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/04/03/florida-supreme-court-justices-merit-retention-abortion-maxwell/?share=tpamnsiortiespfnuted
I was wondering what MAGA Mike Johnson's visits with Biden and Trump were about. I have read that Trump gave him permission to pass Ukraine Aid as long as he made the announcement of the bill preventing Undocumented immigrants from voting, which they are already prevented from legally, and almost never try to do. I would say lots of backroom deals happened too. wondering whether the redistricting map in his home state affected his thinking as well. It says it does not affect his district. https://www.npr.org/2024/01/23/1226364461/louisana-new-congressional-districts#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Louisiana%20has%20a%20new%20congressional,running%20legal%20battle%20over%20redistricting.
Thanks. We need help in Florida, especially in Miami Dade county. Despite a slight registration advantage we have three MAGATS representing us in the House. We've had Democrats cut from voter rolls, voter preclusion, voter intimidation.
I've been following People Power United: America's Progressive Voice & Actions, Laurie Woodward Garcia, who has a segment, "conceding Florida." The Democratic Party is just now getting organized, so Laurie has taken it upon herself to do it for them. https://www.peoplepowerunited.org/meet-laurie
Laurie has a Substack. https://substack.com/@peoplepowerunited
The DNC should speak to Laurie. Maybe to me.
I'm also working on a Florida division of FT6. We have the capacity to add perhaps a million new Democrats to the Florida voting rolls. Register new Democrats -- save the world. https://www.fieldteam6.org/
It would be a glorious thing if Florida could turn the corner and get out from under the most extreme revanchists. Send Bridget Ziegler and her Moms for Liberty scolds back to their coffee tables and out of our schools. Let women make their own health care decisions and not impose a narrow religious guard rail around all citizens of the Sunshine State.
A lousy poll yesterday shows us way out. Abortion and Marijuana should guarantee a big turnout. The criminal Rick Scott who wants to end SSI, and "sunset" SS, Medicare and other benefits, is deemed popular in the press.
Our primary is not until August. We need good candidates across the board. https://www.floridadems.org/our-party/statewide-nominees/
Rick Scott. OY. He wants to shrink SSI and Medicaire for those who are not a millionaire like himself and his family. He knows something about Medicaire. After all, he led a huge Medicaire fraud before he thought Florida looked like a good safe haven: https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2018/08/30/democrats-medicare-fraud-is-fungus-scott-will-never-get-rid-of-573155
Eliminate SSI. Supplemental Security Income. Nothing more ironic than a MAGAT on SSI.
SS has two trust funds-- retirement and Disability. Republicans tried and failed to put the disability fund into default.
Daniel Solomon when I opened your link it was showing 2022 candidates. Is there a way to see who's running this year?
We are in flux. Check this out.
https://bluevoterguide.org/
Thank you for your persistence, Daniel ! We’re going to need all hands on deck throughout Florida.😎
I support and have signed up with https://www.fieldteam6.org/ 💙
I’m in Central Florida.I also support and volunteer with https://www.peoplepowerforflorida.com/,
founded by Fl Rep Anna Eskamani who takes NO corporate donations.( She and Laurie Woodward Garcia cannot he bought!)
There ARE beautiful,”stable genius” orangutans in Florida! Born just this week at Busch Gardens in time for President Biden’s visit to Tampa.🧡
https://abc7chicago.com/endangered-bornean-orangutan-named-luna-born-at-busch-gardens-in-florida/14681075/
Emergency Hospitals in which states are ignoring EMTALA laws and denying pregnant women healthcare? Which states have the worst prenatal care? Guess what? Three of the worst are Texas, Florida and North Carolina. All states with important Senate races! Compare the candidates' positions on abortion rights by swiping right / left on this interactive map.
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/04/19/pregnant-women-denied-emergency-care-mapping-the-toll-of-maga-abortion-bans/
Thanks, Deepak. One of the EMTLA cases ins in my county…😔
Robert - Thank you for sharing "TCinLA’s essay as a good way to ease into the weekend. TCinLA, The Wind Has Changed. Read it; you will be glad you did! Link above in Robert's writing. I fervently hope TCinLA has correctly called the wind-shift. Seeing JD Vance and MTG and Matt Gaetz finally get their comeuppance (and get sold down the river by Trump) would be a cause we could all celebrate.
100% Agree!! I would purely LOVE seeing those attention hogs, Empty Greene, Fratboy
Mattie Gaetz, and many of the rest of the too vocal Fweedumb Kawkus, shoved (not merely nudged or thrown) under the Trump bus. Karmic justice.
Two comments on the abortion coverage.
1. That story on ER coverage refusal for pregnant patients is on the top of the FRONT page of this morning’s DALLAS MORNING NEWS, a historically conservative-leaning paper. That is a big deal.
2. I think that President Biden personally struggles with abortion due to his religious beliefs actually makes his position and support for reproductive rights MORE effective. That’s what we want—the ability to separate “church and state.”
🎯🎯
Another wind changing: VW workers in Tennessee join UAW!
I hope this is representative of a national trend. Are we having a "Norma Rae moment"? Biden has done many terrific things. One of the most important is literally standing with unions.
It is long overdue that the public realize that the negative propaganda from the oligarchs about unions has been bullshit. After all, who really is on the side of Jack and Jill SixPack? It ain't the MAGA bomb throwers in Congress.
I'd love to see the next step. Required Corporate Board Membership for Union leaders. And the quashing of stock buy backs. All that money spent by corporate con men to purchase their own stock could have been re-invested in salaries and benefits for the people who make the companies actually function. It's white collar theft vs social responsibility.
Absolutely, very well said!!!
Yes, Mark. Indeed! The Tennessee UAW story was underreported. Another huge gust of wind 💨 for the common worker and blue-collar wage growth. Middle class supports that will float all boats.
Don is Nod spelled backwards. I thought you all should know this.
In Genesis 4, after Cain kills his brother Abel out of jealousy that God has favored Abel, Cain is put under a curse by God and condemned to be a restless wanderer. Cain leaves and goes to live in the Land of Nod east of Eden.
Ive never understood why drifting off to sleep is called “going to the land of nod” especially in children’s tales. ??
President Biden’s stance on abortion is exactly the right one. He supports everyone’s right to make their own decisions and doesn’t enforce his religious beliefs on anyone.
Yes! It's not a matter of abortion - it's a matter of CHOICE - a choice that I'm sure 99.999% of folks don't want to ever have to make. But it's *their* choice. Period.
Pro-choice groups that criticize President Biden are exhibiting the worst kind of tunnel vision. As I have noted repeatedly out here, and elsewhere, the issue is about much more than abortion. It is human rights. If a woman does not have the right to control her own body, no rights are safe. Not freedom of speech and assembly, not religion, nothing. If we make that clear, many people who have not thought a lot about the issues, or think it does not apply to them (looking at you, guys) will come on board. So it’s not just right in theory, it’s good politics to do that.
Johnson’s Christian faith requires a believer to do the right thing even if it involves personal sacrifice. This is following the example of Jesus himself. We know that Johnson has favored aid to Ukraine. Perhaps the intelligence briefings led him to more clarity that it is the right thing for the security interests of the country he is sworn to protect.
There is no doubt that this new position gives him a more complete view of other things including the disgraceful performance of the Freedom Caucus. Wonder if he was further enlightened by the observations of Republican committee chairs about Russian propaganda.
I think he may have had, literally, what is, usually metaphorically, called a “Come to Jesus” moment.
He’s not the first who, finding himself in a new position (perhaps rather unexpectedly), has taken a bit of experience before finding the way of righteousness.
This might get interesting.
I heard also that his son is going into the Naval Academy and he doesn’t want him in a hot war. That’s understandable but it shouldn’t take a family issue to change his mind. What about everyone else’s children?
Another event in Johnson’s recent week. He descended into the belly of the beast (mar-a-lago). I wonder what johnson heard/learned from his private interactions with the Orange Toad Did Trump breathe his usual hate and self- interest while getting johnson to announce what he must know is a silly and unnecessary law based on a lie? I thought Johnson looked somewhat nauseated during that announcement.
I also noticed the weird expression on Johnson’s face caught in that press photo. He looked, to me, like a small, worried child. I think your take on his expression as being nauseated fits perfectly.
Johson election integrity press conference
My theory of why Mike Johnson (after six months of letting Ukraine twist slowly in the wind) suddenly decided to do the right thing and stand up to Marjorie Traitor Greene, is that a number of Republicans (probably those who’ve recently spoken out about the growing cancer of Russian propaganda in the House, and maybe others) privately told him they would sign the discharge petition if he did not promptly bring the Ukraine aid bill to the floor.
I just read The Wind has Changed by TCinLA and you are right, it is uplifting! Thank you for recommending it and I’m now a subscriber.
Me too