87 Comments
Feb 16, 2023·edited Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Two points:

At her announcement today, Nikki Haley had Rev. John Hagee give the opening prayer and then announced her devotion to him, saying "I want to be you when I grow up." This statement proves she is either an idiot or another Republican Nazi (likely both) because Hagee is the "minister" who announced that god sent Hurricane Katrina to devastate New Orleans because the city supported gay pride events, and then later declared that Hitler was a vessel of "god's will" to "hunt the Jews" and drive them to return to Israel, which is necessary for the Battle of Armageddon that will bring the Second Coming. If she believes this stuff, she is a Nazi. If she didn't know this about him, she's an idiot who should never be allowed anywhere near important decision-making. Her announcement also saw her denouncing "wokeism," whatever in hell that is - to Republicans it means she's in favor of keepin' the white folks happy. So, she may say she isn't for Trump, but sure as hell she's a believer in Trumpism.

As regards the Wisconsin election, Charlie Sykes - who knows a thing or two about Wisconsin - pointed out today in his post at the Bulwark that the Republicans are now involved in civil war between the Really Bad Republican Candidate who lost his last try at being elected to the Supreme Court and the Republican Who Could Win; whichever one of them wins, the Wisconsin GOP is now badly split. This is good news for the Democrats, who have finally figured out that state level elections are important, and who are organizing a strong campaign, with two good candidates not at war with each other, either of whom would be good on the court as Republican control of the court will be ended after 40 years of destructive work.

Expand full comment

Another person doing his part in Wisconsin is Bill Penzey. For those who don't know him, he runs a terrific spice company headquartered in Wisconsin. He posts anti-Republican information on his website and has lost many, many customers but he has also gained a following. He is releasing a small sized envelope of his spice "Justice" with the new title "Justice 4 Wisconsin" and a blurb about the Republicans there. He has had success in changing minds in the places where his stores are located, and this is an attempt to get this message out to those in more remote areas. I love the fact that he is mobilizing folks to help spread the word. Check out his website (I'm linking to his message about Republicans here):

https://www.penzeys.com/shop/about-republicans/

Expand full comment

Annette D., thank you so much for introducing us to Bill Penzey. I just visited his website and I'm almost in tears reading his "About Republicans," which is essentially a love letter cum declaration to his Republican customers. I'm ordering a packet (couldn't find the justice one so I just picked another) and sending him an email (contact: bill@penzeys.com) about why. I really encourage all to read his statement. It's a beautiful example of a loving way to address our GOP acquaintances and friends. EDIT: I also am posting this to FB and Twitter .

Here's his whole statement.

https://www.penzeys.com/shop/about-republicans/

Expand full comment

Love this, order coming up.

Expand full comment

Went and read this. I was particularly struck by this line: "The thing to remember about propaganda is that it doesn’t just misinform, it also works to make people immune from the truth by convincing them any facts that counter their propaganda are nothing more than HATE!!!"

Expand full comment

Me too, Judith. It's part of the cynical power grabbers playbook and they've been free to get away with it for too long. I think President Biden may be on to something the way he's talking to groups around the country with a different view...and actual accomplishments.

Expand full comment

Thanks for the reminder about this wonderful company. I've used their spices in the past and just placed an order.

Expand full comment

We buy all of our spices, herbs, cocoa etc from Penzeys . Have been a happy customer for many, many years. They are the best - product-wise, customer service-wise, and democracy-wise. Thank you Bill Penzey! (Off to buy “Justice 4 Wisconsin”!)

Expand full comment

From Bill's email:

"The bag above is not yet in existence. They are off at the printer and we still have about two weeks before they are in our hands and we can begin production". So, they should be available soon.

Expand full comment

Thanks so much for talking about Bill Penzey! He has been such a big support to progressive thinking in the kitchen!! Such great products he sells, too. Our WI primary vote is next Tuesday, Feb 21st! Vote for Justice with Janet Protasiewicz or Everett Mitchell!

Expand full comment

I'm one who was won by Bill and Co. I ordered several sets and packets for Holiday gifts and I kept a few for myself. The gifts were praised and I can't believe what a good cook I've become. (Just kidding, the spices make such a difference.)

Expand full comment
founding

Haley's "when I grow up" (or a spine or a conscience or moral fiber) quip was telling. She's not the adult needed in the room known as the Oval Office. Period.

Expand full comment

DISGUSTING, truly. A very scary NOTE in our history books is Nikki Haley!

Expand full comment

Lord, I have hated Hagee since I first heard words out of his insane mouth. Yep, she is and always has been, and second worse, repub from S Carolina. She showed her stripes even before she signed on to embarrass herself at the UN.

Hope Scott Walker gets his comeuppance in Wis., he did more damage than the average bear. But he has not gone away…

BTW, proud to be “woke” and aware of the enemies of America, especially those wearing red caps…

Expand full comment

There's a reason why Charlie Pierce calls South Carolina "The Home Office of American Sedition." The place has been a boil on the rest of the country since the Barbadian Pirates arrived in 1715.

Expand full comment

I remember the primary in 2000, when McCain and Bush were involved. A reporter asked a man how they could lie so much (About McCain in that instance). He said we lie on Saturday and get forgiven on Sunday. Such hypocrisy has been the standard for repubs most of my life.

Expand full comment

It comes from being evangelical Christians - sow wild oats six days a week and spend the seventh praying for crop failure.

Never take one Southern Baptist fishing with you, or he'll drink all your beer. Take two, and they won't drink any!

Expand full comment

I visited the Ft Sumpter tourist station, once. It is astounding how the "facts" about the Civil War were reframed and slavery given a gloss-over. Perhaps the DNC is really smart to start their primaries in S.C. Just maybe the attention given, and the obvious ploy to have inclusive voting, will shine a light on S.C.'s dark-ages state of mind. (Charleston is really lovely, though.)

Expand full comment

Do you think any savy Dem will also latch on to her hidden ageism comment (the one about most congressional representatives being beyond their prime)? I mean by putting it in their campaign rhetoric that she is dis'ing older Americans. Didn't she have a hissy fit when that same comment was made about her some time ago?

Expand full comment
Feb 16, 2023·edited Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Hmm, I can't think of anything more identity politics than embracing the Confederate Flag.

I'm getting to the point of thinking that teachers should agree, when a student of any age asks a question that "infringes" on the Anti Woke or Don't Say Gay laws, to say "'I'm sorry, the State of Florida forbids me from answering the question or explaining why it forbids me to do so. You may be able to find out why online. Or ask your parents." It certainly would be one way of whetting curiosity.

Expand full comment
founding
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I suggest there is a third reason Pence is resisting the subpoena: he is following the Republican playbook of intentionally pretending ignorance (I.e., lying) about of the Constitution and other applicable laws that require or permit him to testify about facts that are directly within his knowledge.

Your daily reports cannot be expected to cover all current examples of Republican duplicity, but this morning’s report from HCR tells us about the irresponsible reactions of Ohio’s (“responsible”) Governor DeWine and (plainly irresponsible) Senator Vance to the East Palestine, Ohio, train wreck a few days ago.

Expand full comment

I question only whether all of the Republican ignorance is feigned.

Expand full comment

Not all

Expand full comment

It's just a stalling / run out the clock tactic. People on all sides of the aisle do it. What makes Garland so infuriating that he refuses to indict TFG.

Expand full comment

President Biden is demonstrating his adeptness at old fashioned retail politics. You go Joe!

He has the tiger by the tail.

Expand full comment

It is to be hoped that more Democrats will seize on the example that the President is setting, and that Stacey Abrams demonstrated as an organizer. While Ms. Abrams fell short as a candidate, her impact on the GA Senatorial elections continues as a benefit to this day.

Expand full comment

Don’t say Stacy or Beto “fell short.” Both had a battle with voter suppression, lying, and cheating, that was unprecedented. Pretty soon, I expect it to be the norm in other states if our MSM continues to laud the wins of DeSantis, Abbott, etc. THEY CHEAT

Expand full comment

The concern over voter suppression isn't supported by the turnout numbers. Stacey had built a reputation as an organizer and ran a credible campaign against a strong and not crazy opponent. I have yet to be impressed with O'Rourke but at least part of that is an objection to an Irishman marketing himself as Hispanic and not doing it very well. IMO, he wasn't a great candidate, and Abbott, for all the clear fact that he's well beyond the lunatic fringe, is what the majority of his electorate appears to be looking for. Lying, no doubt about it, but cheating, as the multiple investigations following both the 2020 and 2024 elections have shown is much easier to use as a talking point than it is to execute.

Expand full comment
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Clearly you have a window seat when you fly. Thank you for giving us a window seat on the world each day!

Expand full comment
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Thank you, as always for your insightful newsletter. I just wanted to add that the quote you offer with apologies to Robert Frost seems like it comes from and should be offered with honor attributed to Chief Seattle of the Duwamish people. He said this in 1855 in his famous letter to Franklin Pierce, President of the United States in response to an offer to purchase the Dwamish lands in the North East of the US, currently Washington State.

We know this: the earth does not belong to man. Man belongs to the earth. Man has not woven the net of life: he is just a thread in it.

Robert Frost may have read of the letter? In any case, I know you would want to offer visibility to the indigenous source of this wisdom.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks! did not know the provenance of the quote that Frost lifted from Chief Seattle, but Chief Seattle's statement makes sense, while (to me)Frost's does not. Frost says that "The land was ours before we were the land's". I reversed the statement to align with Chief Seattle, which makes more sense to me.

Expand full comment

I agree totally, Robert. He's definitely - at least initially - approaches from a Eurocentric, colonizer perspective with that line. Chief Seattle had it right - on many things.

Expand full comment
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

As a lad, I watched JFK's inauguration when the sun was way to bright for Frost to read the poem he'd written for the event. Instead, he recited from memory "The Gift Outright," the poem which contains the lines Robert paraphrased. I'd like to think that that the answer to Rachel's question about Frost having knowledge of Chief Seattle's letter is "yes", but not sure we can know. Here's the wonderful poem:

THE GIFT OUTRIGHT

by Robert Frost

The land was ours before we were the land’s.

She was our land more than a hundred years

Before we were her people. She was ours

In Massachusetts, in Virginia,

But we were England’s, still colonials,

Possessing what we still were unpossessed by,

Possessed by what we now no more possessed.

Something we were withholding made us weak

Until we found out that it was ourselves

We were withholding from our land of living,

And forthwith found salvation in surrender.

Such as we were we gave ourselves outright

(The deed of gift was many deeds of war)

To the land vaguely realizing westward,

But still unstoried, artless, unenhanced,

Such as she was, such as she would become.

Expand full comment

Milquetoast Pence's refusal to testify is not based on his principles: Pence has none, and he is willing to quickly change any that he claims to have to curry favor with Trump's base. Pence is just a cowardly opportunist.

Expand full comment

Always has been, a self-righteous one at that.

Expand full comment
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Joyce Vance clearly parses legal matters. She said, "Smith understands that when you come for the king, you’d best not miss. It sounds like he doesn’t intend to; he’s leaving no stone unturned as he issues subpoenas, which is what one might have expected DOJ to do as soon as Merrick Garland took the reins. Better late than never."

Expand full comment
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Your Concluding Thoughts were especially meaningful today. Thank you.

Expand full comment

Expand full comment
founding
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

What’s surprising about the subpoena to Meadows is that it took so damn long.

Expand full comment
author

I did not want to be "Debbie Downer" in the newsletter, but the fact that Meadows was just called to testify caused my heart to sink. What????????! He should have been deposed two years ago, unless he was a cooperating witness. The fact that he was not cooperating and was deposed last week is very concerning. Jack Smith is doing things right, but what the hell was Merrick Garland doing?

Expand full comment
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I second Robert's comments about support for Ukraine. As an ex-Army officer, I believe the next three months will be critical for the defense of Ukraine. With full armaments from NATO and EU countries, Ukraine can check the upcoming Russian offense and then go on the offense and drive the Russians out of all of Ukraine. Recent news reports indicate that the Russians are taking enormous losses of manpower as they try to start their offense. Now is the time to keep the faith, keep pushing our support. I wish DoD and the news media would/could be more specific about the details of the war. (Not a function for this news letter.) A two minute blurb on the nightly news is not sufficient to let the American people understand the scope and importance of this battle. Barry Thomas, Matthews, NC.

Expand full comment

About three months in last year I said, "wouldn't it be something if they re-took Crimea..."

Expand full comment

If we have to have polls, it would be interesting to see the response to the question: The Ukrainians are fighting to preserve their independence against a Russian invasion. Should the United States support Ukraine in this fight? I suspect (and hope) that the partisan difference and "waning" support would disappear.

I also am a believer that the US spends far too much on defense for the return we get and, although I've asked several times in many different forums why, for around $700 billion/year, we don't have piles of equipment and materiel ready to send or use wherever it's needed, I've never gotten an answer. No one seems to know either why we couldn't, in short order, defeat the vastly smaller, less well equipped and trained armies that we've confronted since the end of WW2. One would almost think it's a leadership issue.

Expand full comment
author

the US military budget is bigger than the next ten military budgets combined. How about if we aim for being bigger than the next five military budgets combined (which includes China, UK, Russia, India, and Germany.

Expand full comment

I'd go with that as long as there's a stipulation that the money be spent effectively. No more F-35s with parts coming from every Congressional district or LCSs that don't do any of the jobs they were supposedly designed for.

Expand full comment

They don’t have our military industrial complex.

Expand full comment

And, as Ike told us many years ago, they're better of for not having it. Like most organizations, the DoD is suffering from entropy and, if energy isn't applied to counter the tendency, will spiral into a complete inability to do its job at all. If Lawrence Peter wanted to write an update of his old Principle, the Pentagon would be an excellent place to start.

Expand full comment
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Nikki Haley wants to "be John Hagee," when she "grows up". Joe Biden has obviously been an adult for many, many years. America must choose. Ron De Santis' hissy fit over African-American Studies, even after the College Board's revision of the course, ought to work out real well for him in 2024, as the Gen Z voters take their places in the lines of those casting ballots-and remember who it was that shoved them and their friends into an educational box.

Expand full comment
Feb 16, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

So, is there any way by which we can offer Jack Smith encouragement?

Expand full comment
author

Sadly, no. The DOJ is set up to be insulated from public pressure. But he and his staff consume media, so contributing to an environment in which there is pressure to proceed at a faster clip might have a marginal psychological benefit.

Expand full comment

Thanks for clarifying

Expand full comment

This notion that prosecutors rightly should not prosecute unless they are sure they have sufficient evidence to convince a jury (the "Prosecution Rule") should not be sacrosanct. Prosecutors often use the "Prosecution Rule" to avoid prosecuting white cops who kill black people. I urge to to rethink the rule: When you know that the defendant did the crime, the prosecutor should present all the evidence to a jury and let the jury decide. At least it puts into public view the evidence. Acquittal does not mean the defendant didn't do the crime. I sense that prosecutors look for 125% certainty of conviction. That is never available due to the vagaries of jury selection. My rule avoids accusations of a cover up.

Expand full comment

One MAGAt would screw a jury

Expand full comment

Robert

THANKS SO MUCH!! for focusing on Ron DeSantis' Agenda of Horribles.

It will be a great service for you to keep your significant audience informed about the on going threat DeSantis poses to American Democracy as we know it. Two relieable sources for daily DeSantis news are:

Politico - Florida edition

Herald Tribune - https://www.heraldtribune.com/

Expand full comment