Oct 7, 2022·edited Oct 7, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Saudi Arabia, the "corrupt cartel whose only purpose is to prop up a bloated royal family of 15,000 members," is only one of the slew of criminal enterprises "masquerading as a modern nation" that the United States must now contend with. Others include Israel, Russia, Italy, Brazil, Hungary, Afghanistan, Vatican City, Iran, Turkey, El Salvador, North Korea, Libya, Syria, China, etc; the list of governments run by autocratic thugs continues to grow as the trend towards authoritarian rule threatens democracy around the world.
Meanwhile, right here in the USA, what used to be the citadel of democratic freedom, the greatest enemy of liberty and justice is the GOP, a political party that's part of our very own system, corrupted by corporate money and transformed into a criminal enterprise in its own right, whose only purpose is to advance the agenda of a bloated, mendacious narcissist dedicated to destroying democracy from within. Trump and many of his cronies have publicly declared their allegiance to leaders of authoritarian regimes and viciously attacked our own democratic institutions, rejecting the established norms that have governed America since its founding. As mid-term elections loom, the future of democracy hangs in the balance. As Pink Floyd cofounder Roger Waters states the case, "This is not a drill!" For those of us committed to government that functions according to the rule of law on behalf of the common good, this is an all-hands-on-deck moment in history. Apparently, even the Secret Service is a party to the betrayal. And as Waters concludes at the end of his moving interview with Chris Hedges on The Chris Hedges Report here on Substack, "You better stand, you better stand your ground...That's what we have to do, we've got to stand and fight these bastards, or they'll just roll over us." This is an emergency. Again. Stand firm, Vote Blue. We'll deal with Joe Manchin and the corrupt Dems after the election.
Thank you Robert. My comment is that if any agents of the Secret Service are having conversations with militia members, they are not conservative. Right wing or semi fascist is a more accurate characterization, right?
I agree that 9/11 showed the Saudis true colors. I'd rather have them in our sphere of influence than in Russia's or China's. But it looks very much like they are transactional. The fact that MBS loved Putin and Trump was certainly a small craft warning flag that he might have flexible loyalties. Jared Kuschner's $2bn "investment" sure looks like a back-door family pay-off. Hopefully that will be investigated right along with Hunter Biden by the holy rollers working for Jim Jordan.
Thank you Robert for your inspiring comments at yesterday’s Airlift program and in today’s Concluding Thoughts. For those of you who missed the program and want to hear first-hand the remarkable organizers Robert referenced, here’s the link to the recording.
The early morning sun on the Massachusetts Fall garden today is so lovely. It dilutes somewhat the Oath Keepers, the R's, the Secret Service, the FBI leak and the hypocrisy of so many running for office. I am taking the day off to work in the garden. Yesteray our Kitchen Table group picked up 232 postcards to send out for GOTV in WI and NV. And next week we will do it again.
I write 20 letters a day for Vote Forward focusing on Washoe County, NV. I am currently knocking on doors in CA-3 for a wonderful candidate, Dr. Kermit Jones, and will be a poll observer in the Reno area the two weekends before election day. Please join me! I live in the Bay Area and am always looking to partner with more people. All can write letters or postcards. As Steve Pierson says, the best anecdote for anxiety is action!
My Maine company is making a Vote tshirt that is inspirational, non partisan and just encourages people to vote. It is for sale but I would like to donate some to people who are on the ground trying to encourage people to vote. If there is interest, please reach out to me at julie@mainestitching.con
Oct 7, 2022·edited Oct 7, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Rogue agents. That just says it. This should be taught in Civics class.
Chopping wood - my grandfather, grandmother's older second husband - raised money for the winter war by joining with three others to create a festival of music called the Finnish Festival that runs today. I have a newspaper article about it, with the jeweller Heiskenen, and some others. He chopped wood, lived well into his 90s, a little senile by the end however one of the kindest people he was to us, his second family. I say this because he was not as kind to his first family and age and my grandmother made their home solid. The wisdom in this group is powerful. Thank you Robert for this exceptional writing.
Because of Robert’s invitation in the newsletter, I attended the Airlift program on zoom last night. I was blown away by the work of Worker Power (AZ)and Carolina Foundation (N. Carolina). These organization will each door knock 750,000 doors before Nov. 8th. Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand doors each!! Now that is serious ground game! I’d always assumed door knocking was largely done by volunteers. To get to those numbers, paying staff is key. As Robert mentioned, they are undeterred by those seeking to intimidate and deter their efforts. I, too, am humbled. If you need inspiration and models of courage and determination, listen to the link in Ruth Jaeger’s post above and donate!. Thank you, Robert for informing and connecting us to even more democracy champions we can support and be inspired by. I’m deeply grateful for all the avenues you present for engagement in the hard work and long game of guaranteeing our democracy.
I am part of three grassroots groups that meet together on Zoom multiple times a week to write postcards together and hear candidates and other speakers. You can learn more about us here https://linktr.ee/postcardaroundtheclock. We’ll be having extra sessions in the next few weeks to write even more Postcards to Voters than usual before the midterms. NOW is the time! We need your help. We had a five hour Zoom last night where we saw old and new friends from all over the country and wrote over 450 postcards for candidates in multiples states. We’ll be having more pop up and regular sessions in the next month (and beyond) so please sign up to join us!
Oct 7, 2022·edited Oct 7, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank you, Robert, for another comprehensive newletter.
One item not mentioned in today's commentary is the Federal Court decision striking down major provisions of the new NY gun law. The new law was drafted and adopted in a special session after the Supreme Court struck down the previous 100-yr old gun law in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.
As the NY Times reports (link below), the Federal judge, Glenn T. Suddaby, a Bush appointee, "let portions of the law stand, including the 18 hours of training required of permit applicants, and the barring of guns from government buildings, schools and places of worship."
But, referencing the new *litmus test* required by the Bruen decision, Judge Suddaby struck down the new law’s provisions restricting guns from other gathering places including, (quoting from the article) "museums, theaters, stadiums, Times Square, libraries, places offering services to children and anywhere alcohol is served.”
The new litmus test is based on the radical right Supreme Court opinion that gun restrictions be compared with "laws that regulated guns in 18th and 19th centuries."
The article then quotes Eric Ruben, a law professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas who specializes in gun regulation. He says “Bruen requires modern-day gun laws responding to modern-day problems to be evaluated on the basis of 18th- or 19th-century regulations, which were passed at the time that modern- day problems would have been unimaginable. This opinion shows how that approach might lead to outcomes that defy common sense.”
I founded in 2017 and continue to lead a group, Indivisible Marin, whose mission is to take action to create a more just, caring and inclusive America. We now number over 3,500 volunteers. Currently we are focused 100% on electing Dems to the House and Senate. Our meetings and phonebanks are via zoom so we welcome people from any location. Currently we are making calls for Mandela Barnes in WI, and Rudy Salas in CA's Central Valley. We're writing postcards for Cortez Masto in NV, and Christy Smith and, Adam Grey and Rudy Salas in CA. All are toss up races. We also are focused on relational outreach at this late stage of the campaign as it is the most effective of all. The work will very likely need to continue past 11/8 with ballot curing in tight races, and perhaps a run off in GA. We are very committed to building a community and provide personal support to all new volunteers. Please visit our website to learn more and please join us! https://www.indivisiblemarin.org/
It is very concerning that a liberal such as myself is willing to go along with using the threat of taking away weapons from Saudi Arabia if they don’t comply with our desire for their oil. Boy, oh boy do I lack conviction. I am all for playing hardball, but admit that in this case I am not on a high moral ground. Weapons for oil isn’t something I’m proud of. Not even questioning what the weapons will be used for.
I wanted to say this was one of your best. Thanks for sharing.
The other day my doorbell rang and a local Democratic worker wanted to speak to me. First, I told her not to waste unnecessary time worrying about me because I would vote straight Democrat down the ballot. But she seemed to want to chat more so I told her what is wrong with the Democratic Party. First, I said, it is an organization that works entirely from the top down instead of from the bottom up, and secondly that there should be more PARTY in the Democratic Party. They should encourage small local chapters to have monthly meetings that are sometimes entirely a party!
Anyways, that is my idea. From the bottom of the grass roots right down in the soil.
Saudi Arabia, the "corrupt cartel whose only purpose is to prop up a bloated royal family of 15,000 members," is only one of the slew of criminal enterprises "masquerading as a modern nation" that the United States must now contend with. Others include Israel, Russia, Italy, Brazil, Hungary, Afghanistan, Vatican City, Iran, Turkey, El Salvador, North Korea, Libya, Syria, China, etc; the list of governments run by autocratic thugs continues to grow as the trend towards authoritarian rule threatens democracy around the world.
Meanwhile, right here in the USA, what used to be the citadel of democratic freedom, the greatest enemy of liberty and justice is the GOP, a political party that's part of our very own system, corrupted by corporate money and transformed into a criminal enterprise in its own right, whose only purpose is to advance the agenda of a bloated, mendacious narcissist dedicated to destroying democracy from within. Trump and many of his cronies have publicly declared their allegiance to leaders of authoritarian regimes and viciously attacked our own democratic institutions, rejecting the established norms that have governed America since its founding. As mid-term elections loom, the future of democracy hangs in the balance. As Pink Floyd cofounder Roger Waters states the case, "This is not a drill!" For those of us committed to government that functions according to the rule of law on behalf of the common good, this is an all-hands-on-deck moment in history. Apparently, even the Secret Service is a party to the betrayal. And as Waters concludes at the end of his moving interview with Chris Hedges on The Chris Hedges Report here on Substack, "You better stand, you better stand your ground...That's what we have to do, we've got to stand and fight these bastards, or they'll just roll over us." This is an emergency. Again. Stand firm, Vote Blue. We'll deal with Joe Manchin and the corrupt Dems after the election.
The FBI leak is extremely concerning. I hope the person(s) is identified and dealt with appropriately. This kind of partisanship is not acceptible.
Thank you Robert. My comment is that if any agents of the Secret Service are having conversations with militia members, they are not conservative. Right wing or semi fascist is a more accurate characterization, right?
I agree that 9/11 showed the Saudis true colors. I'd rather have them in our sphere of influence than in Russia's or China's. But it looks very much like they are transactional. The fact that MBS loved Putin and Trump was certainly a small craft warning flag that he might have flexible loyalties. Jared Kuschner's $2bn "investment" sure looks like a back-door family pay-off. Hopefully that will be investigated right along with Hunter Biden by the holy rollers working for Jim Jordan.
Thank you Mr Hubbell for waging the war on mistruths, obfuscations and outright lies.
Thank you Robert for your inspiring comments at yesterday’s Airlift program and in today’s Concluding Thoughts. For those of you who missed the program and want to hear first-hand the remarkable organizers Robert referenced, here’s the link to the recording.
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/E0NypSuZ5NxK7E0aWGhpweCDUVsn1dtNcuaIYf7QZdt5AEK3fBjSirVUHc36dYrv.zOau4eddCEsduf_r
The early morning sun on the Massachusetts Fall garden today is so lovely. It dilutes somewhat the Oath Keepers, the R's, the Secret Service, the FBI leak and the hypocrisy of so many running for office. I am taking the day off to work in the garden. Yesteray our Kitchen Table group picked up 232 postcards to send out for GOTV in WI and NV. And next week we will do it again.
I write 20 letters a day for Vote Forward focusing on Washoe County, NV. I am currently knocking on doors in CA-3 for a wonderful candidate, Dr. Kermit Jones, and will be a poll observer in the Reno area the two weekends before election day. Please join me! I live in the Bay Area and am always looking to partner with more people. All can write letters or postcards. As Steve Pierson says, the best anecdote for anxiety is action!
My Maine company is making a Vote tshirt that is inspirational, non partisan and just encourages people to vote. It is for sale but I would like to donate some to people who are on the ground trying to encourage people to vote. If there is interest, please reach out to me at julie@mainestitching.con
Rogue agents. That just says it. This should be taught in Civics class.
Chopping wood - my grandfather, grandmother's older second husband - raised money for the winter war by joining with three others to create a festival of music called the Finnish Festival that runs today. I have a newspaper article about it, with the jeweller Heiskenen, and some others. He chopped wood, lived well into his 90s, a little senile by the end however one of the kindest people he was to us, his second family. I say this because he was not as kind to his first family and age and my grandmother made their home solid. The wisdom in this group is powerful. Thank you Robert for this exceptional writing.
Because of Robert’s invitation in the newsletter, I attended the Airlift program on zoom last night. I was blown away by the work of Worker Power (AZ)and Carolina Foundation (N. Carolina). These organization will each door knock 750,000 doors before Nov. 8th. Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand doors each!! Now that is serious ground game! I’d always assumed door knocking was largely done by volunteers. To get to those numbers, paying staff is key. As Robert mentioned, they are undeterred by those seeking to intimidate and deter their efforts. I, too, am humbled. If you need inspiration and models of courage and determination, listen to the link in Ruth Jaeger’s post above and donate!. Thank you, Robert for informing and connecting us to even more democracy champions we can support and be inspired by. I’m deeply grateful for all the avenues you present for engagement in the hard work and long game of guaranteeing our democracy.
I am part of three grassroots groups that meet together on Zoom multiple times a week to write postcards together and hear candidates and other speakers. You can learn more about us here https://linktr.ee/postcardaroundtheclock. We’ll be having extra sessions in the next few weeks to write even more Postcards to Voters than usual before the midterms. NOW is the time! We need your help. We had a five hour Zoom last night where we saw old and new friends from all over the country and wrote over 450 postcards for candidates in multiples states. We’ll be having more pop up and regular sessions in the next month (and beyond) so please sign up to join us!
Thank you, Robert, for another comprehensive newletter.
One item not mentioned in today's commentary is the Federal Court decision striking down major provisions of the new NY gun law. The new law was drafted and adopted in a special session after the Supreme Court struck down the previous 100-yr old gun law in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.
As the NY Times reports (link below), the Federal judge, Glenn T. Suddaby, a Bush appointee, "let portions of the law stand, including the 18 hours of training required of permit applicants, and the barring of guns from government buildings, schools and places of worship."
But, referencing the new *litmus test* required by the Bruen decision, Judge Suddaby struck down the new law’s provisions restricting guns from other gathering places including, (quoting from the article) "museums, theaters, stadiums, Times Square, libraries, places offering services to children and anywhere alcohol is served.”
The new litmus test is based on the radical right Supreme Court opinion that gun restrictions be compared with "laws that regulated guns in 18th and 19th centuries."
The article then quotes Eric Ruben, a law professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas who specializes in gun regulation. He says “Bruen requires modern-day gun laws responding to modern-day problems to be evaluated on the basis of 18th- or 19th-century regulations, which were passed at the time that modern- day problems would have been unimaginable. This opinion shows how that approach might lead to outcomes that defy common sense.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/nyregion/judge-blocks-ny-gun-law.html?campaign_id=4&emc=edit_dk_20221007&instance_id=73953&nl=dealbook®i_id=141159905&segment_id=109266&te=1&user_id=a885de171de694ea227474d58d8f8bf7
I founded in 2017 and continue to lead a group, Indivisible Marin, whose mission is to take action to create a more just, caring and inclusive America. We now number over 3,500 volunteers. Currently we are focused 100% on electing Dems to the House and Senate. Our meetings and phonebanks are via zoom so we welcome people from any location. Currently we are making calls for Mandela Barnes in WI, and Rudy Salas in CA's Central Valley. We're writing postcards for Cortez Masto in NV, and Christy Smith and, Adam Grey and Rudy Salas in CA. All are toss up races. We also are focused on relational outreach at this late stage of the campaign as it is the most effective of all. The work will very likely need to continue past 11/8 with ballot curing in tight races, and perhaps a run off in GA. We are very committed to building a community and provide personal support to all new volunteers. Please visit our website to learn more and please join us! https://www.indivisiblemarin.org/
Another easy way to help is to use and then share widely our Quick Guide to Early, Easy Voting. Voting early helps Dems win! Read more here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i2aPpswGeQgzuzZMPf6boA0VBBnTak9hP4qpRVRNuIM/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks for considering!
It is very concerning that a liberal such as myself is willing to go along with using the threat of taking away weapons from Saudi Arabia if they don’t comply with our desire for their oil. Boy, oh boy do I lack conviction. I am all for playing hardball, but admit that in this case I am not on a high moral ground. Weapons for oil isn’t something I’m proud of. Not even questioning what the weapons will be used for.
I wanted to say this was one of your best. Thanks for sharing.
The other day my doorbell rang and a local Democratic worker wanted to speak to me. First, I told her not to waste unnecessary time worrying about me because I would vote straight Democrat down the ballot. But she seemed to want to chat more so I told her what is wrong with the Democratic Party. First, I said, it is an organization that works entirely from the top down instead of from the bottom up, and secondly that there should be more PARTY in the Democratic Party. They should encourage small local chapters to have monthly meetings that are sometimes entirely a party!
Anyways, that is my idea. From the bottom of the grass roots right down in the soil.