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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
President Biden is demonstrating his adeptness at old fashioned retail politics. You go Joe!
He has the tiger by the tail.
Clearly you have a window seat when you fly. Thank you for giving us a window seat on the world each day!
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.
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.
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."
Your Concluding Thoughts were especially meaningful today. Thank you.
What’s surprising about the subpoena to Meadows is that it took so damn long.
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.
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.
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.
So, is there any way by which we can offer Jack Smith encouragement?
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.
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/