It is so reassuring to see groups forming to do phone banking and letter writing and getting out the message of the benefits of voting for Democrats. Hopefully this will spread across the entire US. We live in France and are a part of Democrats Abroad. Our little group, like that in the Valley, meets the first Friday of every month to discuss US and French politics. We are part of an ongoing movement in Democrats Abroad to get out the vote and make sure those living abroad register and vote. So far it has been a tremendous success as we obtained over 12,000 votes in the crucial Georgia election for 2 US Senators. Actual personal participation is so important and thank you for providing a blog suggesting we all get out and work this coming 2024.
Even more important now that Trump has stated he intends to greatly u increase the powers of the presidency if elected again: This is a "Must watch" video
Yes, every Democrat should watch that video. Frightening as to how far he will go if re-elected. Maybe he'll push it too far r and be impeached again. But they'd just let him off the hook again.Cult leaders can do mno wrong in the eyes of their followers.
Thank you for your concluding thoughts. Postcard writing , letter writing, phone banking, text banking, canvassing, training to register voters, registering voters, gathering signatures for referendums all go on all over this country all day long. I think about this as I sign on for just one shift or write 50 fast letters in my office in Vermont between meetings and run down and take them to my tiny post office.
We are everywhere-working hard. You are right. We weren’t doing this in 2015. Being part of this gives me the hope I need to believe we will get through this.
' Emmett Till’s murder and his mother’s bravery in holding an open-casket funeral galvanized the nascent civil rights movement and helped to inspire a generation of civil rights leaders, including Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. On Monday, President Biden announced that he is declaring three sites as a national monument to Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. See NYTimes, Biden to Name National Monument for Emmett Till and His Mother. (This article is accessible to all.) '
By refusing to ignore or hide though it must have been so painful for her, Mrs. Till gave an example of courage.
Christopher, I share your frustration. People wring their hands about the Dems ‘ messaging (even many activists!). 1. The Dems are messaging, look at Biden and his team, the DNC Call Crew (a great group to work with - the best!), and the individual candidates for office. 2. We the People must be messengers as well. Talking to family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to pass along a cogent message within our own circle of influence is effective in getting the word out - especially to those who are not news junkies. They appreciate it too. Also we can better personalize the message because we know the person and the issues they are dealing with.
Bob, not to distract from the essential points you made re: Emmett Till and his mother and racism, but allow me to take that example in a different direction, namely, as it pertains to gun violence. This is not a new thought so I'll keep it brief. What Mamie Till demonstrated by her open casket choice, what the media's visual coverage of the carnage of Vietnam later demonstrated, is that visuals matter, a lot. So instead of showing parents falling into each other's arms over their babies being murdered senselessly in this country, I'm sorry but we need to see and be shown more. It doesn't--and shouldn't--be gratuitous, but piles of flowers and hand written signs are by now pathetically trite. Big media, show us the real consequences of gun violence. And if that prolongs the hurt of those affected, I am so profoundly sorry. But maybe a greater good comes of it, and fewer grieving parents.
I’ve voiced this as well. That seeing the horrific images would result in the majority of Americans pushing aside the pitiful excuses the GOP spouts based on the NRA talking points & 💰💰 💰
In thinking about how it could prolong the hurt for the victims’ parents and loved ones, I believe that they will always have those horrible images in their minds, as will the first responders. Why should they carry that burden alone? If we have to carry that burden along with them, I do believe change would happen much more quickly. People would want the horror to stop. People would see what a weapon of war does to children’s bodies. Americans wouldn’t accept that.
Jul 24, 2023·edited Jul 24, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Ohio Democrats and democracy loving citizens say a hearty”Thank-you” for supporting Vote No on Issue 1.It fills this Ohioan with hope when so many are taking their own precious time to help us out on this critical special election.Thank-you, Robert, for mentioning this issue for all to read about.I am hopeful that voters will do the right thing on August 8 and Vote No on Issue 1.
Hoping you are hearing good things on the ground in Ohio regarding turnout. So many groups all across the country are all in to help Ohio. Then Virginia is next!!!
The moral of the story is rural and remote areas will really benefit from the Broadband installations brought to you by Bidenomics! Thanks for persisting even under challenging circumstances!
I have just read a review of a book on a seventeenth-century black abolitionist movement in Brazil and Angola that took its case to the Vatican -- and won. It explodes much of the Obfuscations you quote from the Florida document. The book is apparently not yet available in the US and the review itself, while online, may not be accessible by non-subscribers. Here's a link to a short piece by its author on part of his argument:
Chattel slavery, as practised in the Americas, was nothing like what we call "slavery" when it occurred in other times and places, and it certainly wasn't akin to serfdom.
These are very interesting links. Keep us up to date when the book becomes available. I was disappointed to see that the Catholic Church issued papal edicts recognizing the validity of slavery. "The Vatican was the leading court in the Catholic world and in the 15th and 16th centuries had issued a series of papal bulls permitting the enslavement of Africans – which meant it also had the judicial authority to ban slavery under ecclesiastical law."
Wow! Thank you for the links! So much history, so little time. "...‘mors certa est, at eius hora incerta est’, or ‘death is certain, its hour is not’. By removing ‘hora incerta’ or ‘its hour is not’, Mendonça drew attention to the fundamental wrong of slavery....The cessation of life was, for them, no mysterious future but a constant feature of the present. They were dying as they lived. Thus, Mendonça intentionally left out the clause ‘hora incerta’ to indicate that enslaved people were subject to such extreme and continuous violence and terror that they lived in the very hour of death. They were, in effect, the living dead."
Thank you, Clifford, for sharing this. It certainly does explode the so-called justifications for slavery and the myths about African "passivity". I can't afford the book, but maybe I can do some creative interlibrary borrowing after it comes out. Some of this story has been known, but as the review points out, there is very little work on pre-colonial Africa.
Everyone who has read Today's Edition should cut and paste the comments made by Bob Morgan and distribute them to everyone you know and the media. The election in 2024 is about choices and we need to frame what the differences are between Democrats and Republicans and what it means to each and every voter. The differences are a stark reminder of the threat Republicans are to the well being of all Americans.
I have been subscribing to Bob Morgans "Random Thoughts for some time now. I highly recommend signing up. He is a leader in values, thinks clearly and writes well!
So glad Robert featured him. His latest was a gem which I am saving as political ammunition.
Thank you for your continued devotion to the newsletter and your insightful, positive outlook. What gives me hope that we Dems will defeat the Rs in the next election is newsletters like Today's Edition. And the podcasts! There are so many more voices helping us understand what's going on and so many groups organizing than we had in 2016. We will win back our democracy. And it will take all of us! Love the image of writing in the truck and uploading to the satellite. Devotion indeed!
Thank you Robert. It helps us all to realize just how much we are not “alone” in this struggle. Our small western Massachusetts town has had an Indivisible group since early in 2017. We are still at it. Among six of us we have sent about 200 plus letters to Ohio. It is energizing to hear of others doing the same. Thanks everyone!
In other good news! The Biden Administration’s strong economic leadership is so overwhelmingly positive even Morgan Stanley is forced to acknowledge it - and the media to report on it!
* President Joe Biden’s economic policies drove an unexpected economic surge that has forced Morgan Stanley to make a “sizable upward revision” in its GDP forecasts.
* Biden’s 2021 infrastructure bill has created “a boom in large-scale infrastructure,” wrote MS analysts, while domestic business investment “is rebounding, led by manufacturing.”
You can't beat them with a strop. You can't bound them tying them to a post. You can't shoot them in the back and claim self-defense. You can't prevent them from performing because one needs to be entertained. You can't eliminate them from sports since we all like a good competition now and then. You can't have their women diminished because they are strong and powerful and in control of their destinies. You can't belittle their men because they have demonstrated unusual talent given the opportunities. They just damn persist. Cursed laws.
So, what does a fascist, white christian nationalist do (small case intended). This small, vile, scummy, would-be dictator goes right to the authoritarian playbook. Indoctrinate the children. Get to the small ones early and often. Teach them to hate. Repeat the lies. Sully their minds. Provide no alternatives and punish anything to the contrary of the dictated party line.
De Santis is a prime example of rampant "white inferiority". The persistence of blacks and brown people in positions of power and influence is to Republicans a gnawing sign of things to come. It is a presaging of a white apocalyptic era in which "the other" has taken over. The views of white christian exceptionalism are having a tough time except amongst their most avid club members. Religious participation has been rapidly declining in the United State and elsewhere. To a small population, this is counter to the illusion that America was founded by christian ideology. And, at this stage, it is less important to deny that myth that to stand for the changes in our society that are emulating a more liberal and unifying philosophy - "ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL". Conceptually, this is a pretty straight forward notion. But, to those struggling to hold on to their advantage, demanding it's "God's Will", the very sight of our growing population of black brothers and sisters is a scar on this nation.
Time will defeat these low-lives or we are all in serious jeopardy. Let's make it sooner than later.
It is so reassuring to see groups forming to do phone banking and letter writing and getting out the message of the benefits of voting for Democrats. Hopefully this will spread across the entire US. We live in France and are a part of Democrats Abroad. Our little group, like that in the Valley, meets the first Friday of every month to discuss US and French politics. We are part of an ongoing movement in Democrats Abroad to get out the vote and make sure those living abroad register and vote. So far it has been a tremendous success as we obtained over 12,000 votes in the crucial Georgia election for 2 US Senators. Actual personal participation is so important and thank you for providing a blog suggesting we all get out and work this coming 2024.
Yay for you, Richard, and Democrats Abroad!
Democrats Abroad is an important part of our electoral success! Keep up the good work!
Thanks Richard! Great to to know we have Democracy Defenders across the pond too!
Even more important now that Trump has stated he intends to greatly u increase the powers of the presidency if elected again: This is a "Must watch" video
https://youtu.be/2t5HyK0T3cc
44K votes out of 158million. That's all it takes with the Electoral College. Sick.
Thank you for posting this link. Everyone should watch this video.
Yes, every Democrat should watch that video. Frightening as to how far he will go if re-elected. Maybe he'll push it too far r and be impeached again. But they'd just let him off the hook again.Cult leaders can do mno wrong in the eyes of their followers.
You all are fabulous! Keep up the good work!
I was part of Democrats Abroad when I lived in Switzerland for four years. SUPER active groups!
Do you follow https://electoral-vote.com/, Richard? It promotes Americans Abroad and is great daily reading.
Thank you for your concluding thoughts. Postcard writing , letter writing, phone banking, text banking, canvassing, training to register voters, registering voters, gathering signatures for referendums all go on all over this country all day long. I think about this as I sign on for just one shift or write 50 fast letters in my office in Vermont between meetings and run down and take them to my tiny post office.
We are everywhere-working hard. You are right. We weren’t doing this in 2015. Being part of this gives me the hope I need to believe we will get through this.
' Emmett Till’s murder and his mother’s bravery in holding an open-casket funeral galvanized the nascent civil rights movement and helped to inspire a generation of civil rights leaders, including Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. On Monday, President Biden announced that he is declaring three sites as a national monument to Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. See NYTimes, Biden to Name National Monument for Emmett Till and His Mother. (This article is accessible to all.) '
By refusing to ignore or hide though it must have been so painful for her, Mrs. Till gave an example of courage.
The list of reasons to vote Democratic are so clear why are not all Democrats repeating this everyday. It boggles the mind!
Thanks Robert!
Christopher, I share your frustration. People wring their hands about the Dems ‘ messaging (even many activists!). 1. The Dems are messaging, look at Biden and his team, the DNC Call Crew (a great group to work with - the best!), and the individual candidates for office. 2. We the People must be messengers as well. Talking to family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to pass along a cogent message within our own circle of influence is effective in getting the word out - especially to those who are not news junkies. They appreciate it too. Also we can better personalize the message because we know the person and the issues they are dealing with.
Bob, not to distract from the essential points you made re: Emmett Till and his mother and racism, but allow me to take that example in a different direction, namely, as it pertains to gun violence. This is not a new thought so I'll keep it brief. What Mamie Till demonstrated by her open casket choice, what the media's visual coverage of the carnage of Vietnam later demonstrated, is that visuals matter, a lot. So instead of showing parents falling into each other's arms over their babies being murdered senselessly in this country, I'm sorry but we need to see and be shown more. It doesn't--and shouldn't--be gratuitous, but piles of flowers and hand written signs are by now pathetically trite. Big media, show us the real consequences of gun violence. And if that prolongs the hurt of those affected, I am so profoundly sorry. But maybe a greater good comes of it, and fewer grieving parents.
The logic of your comments is self-evident. As a parent and grandparent, I cannot even let my thoughts drift in that direction. But I hear you.
I’ve voiced this as well. That seeing the horrific images would result in the majority of Americans pushing aside the pitiful excuses the GOP spouts based on the NRA talking points & 💰💰 💰
In thinking about how it could prolong the hurt for the victims’ parents and loved ones, I believe that they will always have those horrible images in their minds, as will the first responders. Why should they carry that burden alone? If we have to carry that burden along with them, I do believe change would happen much more quickly. People would want the horror to stop. People would see what a weapon of war does to children’s bodies. Americans wouldn’t accept that.
I agree. Apparently something drastic as showing real time images must be done.
Ohio Democrats and democracy loving citizens say a hearty”Thank-you” for supporting Vote No on Issue 1.It fills this Ohioan with hope when so many are taking their own precious time to help us out on this critical special election.Thank-you, Robert, for mentioning this issue for all to read about.I am hopeful that voters will do the right thing on August 8 and Vote No on Issue 1.
Hoping you are hearing good things on the ground in Ohio regarding turnout. So many groups all across the country are all in to help Ohio. Then Virginia is next!!!
Thank-you! And on to Virginia!
As a transplanted Virginian I heartily agree!
The moral of the story is rural and remote areas will really benefit from the Broadband installations brought to you by Bidenomics! Thanks for persisting even under challenging circumstances!
I have just read a review of a book on a seventeenth-century black abolitionist movement in Brazil and Angola that took its case to the Vatican -- and won. It explodes much of the Obfuscations you quote from the Florida document. The book is apparently not yet available in the US and the review itself, while online, may not be accessible by non-subscribers. Here's a link to a short piece by its author on part of his argument:
https://mmppf.wordpress.com/2019/03/12/lourenco-da-silva-mendonca-the-first-anti-slavery-activist/
and to the review itself, which covers more ground:
https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v45/n10/toby-green/no-brazil-without-angola
Chattel slavery, as practised in the Americas, was nothing like what we call "slavery" when it occurred in other times and places, and it certainly wasn't akin to serfdom.
These are very interesting links. Keep us up to date when the book becomes available. I was disappointed to see that the Catholic Church issued papal edicts recognizing the validity of slavery. "The Vatican was the leading court in the Catholic world and in the 15th and 16th centuries had issued a series of papal bulls permitting the enslavement of Africans – which meant it also had the judicial authority to ban slavery under ecclesiastical law."
Wow! Thank you for the links! So much history, so little time. "...‘mors certa est, at eius hora incerta est’, or ‘death is certain, its hour is not’. By removing ‘hora incerta’ or ‘its hour is not’, Mendonça drew attention to the fundamental wrong of slavery....The cessation of life was, for them, no mysterious future but a constant feature of the present. They were dying as they lived. Thus, Mendonça intentionally left out the clause ‘hora incerta’ to indicate that enslaved people were subject to such extreme and continuous violence and terror that they lived in the very hour of death. They were, in effect, the living dead."
Thank you, Clifford, for sharing this. It certainly does explode the so-called justifications for slavery and the myths about African "passivity". I can't afford the book, but maybe I can do some creative interlibrary borrowing after it comes out. Some of this story has been known, but as the review points out, there is very little work on pre-colonial Africa.
Everyone who has read Today's Edition should cut and paste the comments made by Bob Morgan and distribute them to everyone you know and the media. The election in 2024 is about choices and we need to frame what the differences are between Democrats and Republicans and what it means to each and every voter. The differences are a stark reminder of the threat Republicans are to the well being of all Americans.
I have been subscribing to Bob Morgans "Random Thoughts for some time now. I highly recommend signing up. He is a leader in values, thinks clearly and writes well!
So glad Robert featured him. His latest was a gem which I am saving as political ammunition.
I have already cut and pasted it, suitably credited, and plan on posting it on my Facebook page. As long as I credit it, is that allowed?
Thank you for your continued devotion to the newsletter and your insightful, positive outlook. What gives me hope that we Dems will defeat the Rs in the next election is newsletters like Today's Edition. And the podcasts! There are so many more voices helping us understand what's going on and so many groups organizing than we had in 2016. We will win back our democracy. And it will take all of us! Love the image of writing in the truck and uploading to the satellite. Devotion indeed!
Thank you Robert. It helps us all to realize just how much we are not “alone” in this struggle. Our small western Massachusetts town has had an Indivisible group since early in 2017. We are still at it. Among six of us we have sent about 200 plus letters to Ohio. It is energizing to hear of others doing the same. Thanks everyone!
Sarah, thanks for doing your part! Keep up the good work!
Robert, about your miscue the other night: Better to have said it twice than not at all.
And I was thinking that it's kind of nice to know it's not just me that does that!
In other good news! The Biden Administration’s strong economic leadership is so overwhelmingly positive even Morgan Stanley is forced to acknowledge it - and the media to report on it!
* President Joe Biden’s economic policies drove an unexpected economic surge that has forced Morgan Stanley to make a “sizable upward revision” in its GDP forecasts.
* Biden’s 2021 infrastructure bill has created “a boom in large-scale infrastructure,” wrote MS analysts, while domestic business investment “is rebounding, led by manufacturing.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/21/bidenomics-spurred-stronger-gdp-growth-morgan-stanley.html?fbclid=IwAR3RP3AR_LydSYFMC98-snqiaB6aqLvQA3BFkxSnvaLaSfq261IRUp8iEyw
Thanks for the link! I may use this evening!
Thanks for another inspiring letter, Robert! Also thank you for Bob Morgan’s list from On The Ballot. Exactly!
You can't beat them with a strop. You can't bound them tying them to a post. You can't shoot them in the back and claim self-defense. You can't prevent them from performing because one needs to be entertained. You can't eliminate them from sports since we all like a good competition now and then. You can't have their women diminished because they are strong and powerful and in control of their destinies. You can't belittle their men because they have demonstrated unusual talent given the opportunities. They just damn persist. Cursed laws.
So, what does a fascist, white christian nationalist do (small case intended). This small, vile, scummy, would-be dictator goes right to the authoritarian playbook. Indoctrinate the children. Get to the small ones early and often. Teach them to hate. Repeat the lies. Sully their minds. Provide no alternatives and punish anything to the contrary of the dictated party line.
De Santis is a prime example of rampant "white inferiority". The persistence of blacks and brown people in positions of power and influence is to Republicans a gnawing sign of things to come. It is a presaging of a white apocalyptic era in which "the other" has taken over. The views of white christian exceptionalism are having a tough time except amongst their most avid club members. Religious participation has been rapidly declining in the United State and elsewhere. To a small population, this is counter to the illusion that America was founded by christian ideology. And, at this stage, it is less important to deny that myth that to stand for the changes in our society that are emulating a more liberal and unifying philosophy - "ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL". Conceptually, this is a pretty straight forward notion. But, to those struggling to hold on to their advantage, demanding it's "God's Will", the very sight of our growing population of black brothers and sisters is a scar on this nation.
Time will defeat these low-lives or we are all in serious jeopardy. Let's make it sooner than later.
Another great letter! Also, many thanks for Bob Morgan's list.