Frankly I cannot recall any recent President and his administration that has handled foreign affairs and conflicts better than the Biden Administration. If there ever were a person who symbolized and demonstrated what a President of the United States should act and be like than President Biden is the gold standard. Imagine the mess we would be in and the world if Trump and his side kicks General Flynn and his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were running the show. I didn’t think the average American voter grasps the effort and skill being demonstrated by the Biden Administration along with the courage to visit Israel at this time. This is what a real leader looks like and let’s hope the world, the media and the voters all appreciate what is being done. The contrasts between President Biden and Trump are stark and overwhelming. I hope Americans are watching.
It's hard to conceive of the level of bullying and threats Jordan's cadres have been raining down on moderate Republicans who see Jordan for the immoral blow-hard he is. No bills passed. No subpoenas honored. Fox Superstar. Trump toady. A total Trump wannabe without the rich Daddy. The rational middle-of-the-road Republicans have been cowed by very real threats that their committee assignments will be no more and their fund-raising will be dis-abled. I fear for the GOP and the future of the country. Trump's malign influence is Un-American.
First of all, I am thrilled that we have President Biden leading our foreign affairs. The damage done by his predecessor is incalculable, and is responsible for much of the global turmoil we now face. It's one thing to have to deal with such things that naturally evolve. It's quite another to have to clean up a colossal mess left behind as well.
Second of all, today's vote in the House will be very consequential, one way or the other. If Jordan somehow cobbles together the votes he needs, we're in for a very bumpy ride. My new mantra: We need a SPEAKER, not a FOGHORN!
May I commend to your listening an expression of the real pain, sorrow, and anguish recent events have instigated, as well as deeply inspired words of hope and vision that are provided by Rabbi Sharon Brous, of IKAR - "a post-denominational Jewish congregation and community founded in Los Angeles" - who speaks to...well, I will let you decide for yourselves. Suffice to say, her sermon is filled with love, compassion and forgiveness. A necessary context for humanity's progress.
Unfortunately the Hamas attack has us buried in the weeds of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That is a local political issue which will be settled once the Palestinian leadership understands that they can’t expect better terms after every loss. The best deal they were offered was right after Israel was recognized in 1948. Every offer after that has been worse because the Palestinians and Arabs have continually lost every battle. The PLO leader Abbas should take what he can get now and move on. It’s not going to get better. It also has to be recognized that the US support of Israel is strictly grounded in our national interest, as it always has been. In 1948 recognizing Israel not only assuaged our guilt for not helping Jews escape Nazi terror. Support for Israel was a way to establish a strong ally among the sea of Arab countries who had chosen the Nazi side in WW2 and who controlled the energy supply in the Middle East. Now we are trying to establish a trade corridor from India through Saudi Arabia and then through Israel to Europe. That is in our national interest and that policy is keeping us supporting Israel strongly. We can’t let Israel shoot itself in the foot by exacting retribution from the women and children of Gaza with an IDF invasion. We have to patch up the Israeli-Saudi budding relationship which has been temporarily obstructed by the Hamas attack. In addition a widening of the conflict will only further obstruct the relationship we seek to encourage. Biden is doing exactly what he can by urging caution and by going into the region to speak not only to Israel but to the leaders of the Saudis, Jordan, Qatar, Europe and Abbas. For an 80 year old guy he’s got his head on straight. .
First, and commenting on the last paragraphs, the problem with Biden’s competence in this is that the Republican voters and voters leaning that way don’t read any of this. How do we overcome their ignorance and refusal to be informed and look at the facts? Instead they choose to lemmings in search of an ocean.
Second, someone explain to me why Egypt is refusing to open its border to fleeing Palestinians. Aren’t both Islamic nations?
Third, someone needs to point out that our border concerns are repeated throughout the world now. It’s roots causes are Right Wing dictatorships taking control of nations and climate change exacerbated by these dictators refusing to address it and its effects on the lesser of their peoples.
I was saddened to read the comments in the New York Times this morning, one after the other, berating Biden for going to Israel this week. They felt that he was falling in to a Netanyahu trap. I didn’t read any positives. Perhaps they all missed the memo that on this trip he is also scheduled to meet with the leaders of Jordan and Egypt and another country I can’t remember. I dislike Netanyahu intensely, but Israel is our ally and diplomatic channels of all sorts should be pursued. I fear for Biden’s safety.
On another topic does anyone have any influence to get the post to stop publishing ridiculous opinions from Hugh Hewitt? Yes, I was up very early today.
I have been traveling and have not yet watched the “60 Minutes” episode, but I urged my kids to, as I had heard that it would convey Biden’s sharpness, wisdom, etc. And I truly believe that.
But my kids, who will vote for Biden, thought he looked old and were troubled by that. It just reminded me that my perspective as a 71 year old is different from my kids’.
My takeaway is that Biden is an extremely accomplished president who oversees an incredibly competent team, that he is by any and all measures the ONLY candidate in this two way race deserving of our support, and that the Dems really need to focus on developing but also showcasing a younger cadre of leaders. I don’t know what that game plan looks like, but I think there are many great candidates.
Thankful to have a President and his team at State and the military who are intelligent, skilled, full of integrity and calm. Grownups at the helm.....should that be our bumpersticker?
For those who thought that the failed insurrectionist who wouldn't go through a rain storm to visit the graves of Americans who died in WWII was a fighter, Biden going to the Middle East should remove any doubt about whose courage and integrity is greater. It won't for many of them, but it should.
I baffled the gentleman who answered the phone in Rep. Ann Wagner's office this morning when I asked him if the Jim Jordan she'd endorsed yesterday was the same Jim Jordan that last week she had described as "disgraceful" when stating that she would never vote for him. It would have been snarky for me to follow up by asking if she thought all of us were stupid enough to forget this sort of behavior by next November; I'll reserve that question for a time closer to the election.
Thanks to Bill Alstrom for posting this update from Punchbowl News this morn on another site.
⬇️
“ Jim Jordan has problems.
The Ohio Republican plans to head to the floor today for a speaker election with more than a dozen GOP lawmakers saying they’ll vote against him or are undecided about his candidacy.”
We are lucky in these fraught times to have Joe Biden as our President and Anthony Blinken as our Secretary of State.
If Jim Jordan is elected as speaker of the House of Representatives it will prove beyond a shadow of doubt that there are no “good” nor moderate Republicans left in the House of Representatives.
As a side note we started watching Season 2 of “World on Fire” Sunday. Our world is on fire now. Reading your newsletter, Robert, and Heather Cox Richardson’s LFAA, are two ways we can help the world not be on fire. Thank you!
The world is at a deflection point because, again, the Middle East is in flames. I am not going to comment on the state of Israeli, Palestinian, or Arab relations except to plead for innocents on both sides to be protected and treated humanely.
What I am extremely thankful for is that President Biden is in command, not his deranged, hand waving predecessor. America needs strong leaders, one willing to meet with everybody to resolve the conflict. Not claim that there are good people on both sides.
Democrats are focused behind the President. The same cannot be said for the other side of the aisle who continue to squabble like children.
It is so much more than re-assuring, that the President is going to Israel and Jordan, to look Benjamin Netanyahu straight in the eye, and essentially say "No Nakba!"
Frankly I cannot recall any recent President and his administration that has handled foreign affairs and conflicts better than the Biden Administration. If there ever were a person who symbolized and demonstrated what a President of the United States should act and be like than President Biden is the gold standard. Imagine the mess we would be in and the world if Trump and his side kicks General Flynn and his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were running the show. I didn’t think the average American voter grasps the effort and skill being demonstrated by the Biden Administration along with the courage to visit Israel at this time. This is what a real leader looks like and let’s hope the world, the media and the voters all appreciate what is being done. The contrasts between President Biden and Trump are stark and overwhelming. I hope Americans are watching.
Thank you President Biden and Secretary Blinken!
Elections matter!
It's hard to conceive of the level of bullying and threats Jordan's cadres have been raining down on moderate Republicans who see Jordan for the immoral blow-hard he is. No bills passed. No subpoenas honored. Fox Superstar. Trump toady. A total Trump wannabe without the rich Daddy. The rational middle-of-the-road Republicans have been cowed by very real threats that their committee assignments will be no more and their fund-raising will be dis-abled. I fear for the GOP and the future of the country. Trump's malign influence is Un-American.
First of all, I am thrilled that we have President Biden leading our foreign affairs. The damage done by his predecessor is incalculable, and is responsible for much of the global turmoil we now face. It's one thing to have to deal with such things that naturally evolve. It's quite another to have to clean up a colossal mess left behind as well.
Second of all, today's vote in the House will be very consequential, one way or the other. If Jordan somehow cobbles together the votes he needs, we're in for a very bumpy ride. My new mantra: We need a SPEAKER, not a FOGHORN!
May I commend to your listening an expression of the real pain, sorrow, and anguish recent events have instigated, as well as deeply inspired words of hope and vision that are provided by Rabbi Sharon Brous, of IKAR - "a post-denominational Jewish congregation and community founded in Los Angeles" - who speaks to...well, I will let you decide for yourselves. Suffice to say, her sermon is filled with love, compassion and forgiveness. A necessary context for humanity's progress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFLvLETvP1A
Unfortunately the Hamas attack has us buried in the weeds of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That is a local political issue which will be settled once the Palestinian leadership understands that they can’t expect better terms after every loss. The best deal they were offered was right after Israel was recognized in 1948. Every offer after that has been worse because the Palestinians and Arabs have continually lost every battle. The PLO leader Abbas should take what he can get now and move on. It’s not going to get better. It also has to be recognized that the US support of Israel is strictly grounded in our national interest, as it always has been. In 1948 recognizing Israel not only assuaged our guilt for not helping Jews escape Nazi terror. Support for Israel was a way to establish a strong ally among the sea of Arab countries who had chosen the Nazi side in WW2 and who controlled the energy supply in the Middle East. Now we are trying to establish a trade corridor from India through Saudi Arabia and then through Israel to Europe. That is in our national interest and that policy is keeping us supporting Israel strongly. We can’t let Israel shoot itself in the foot by exacting retribution from the women and children of Gaza with an IDF invasion. We have to patch up the Israeli-Saudi budding relationship which has been temporarily obstructed by the Hamas attack. In addition a widening of the conflict will only further obstruct the relationship we seek to encourage. Biden is doing exactly what he can by urging caution and by going into the region to speak not only to Israel but to the leaders of the Saudis, Jordan, Qatar, Europe and Abbas. For an 80 year old guy he’s got his head on straight. .
.
First, and commenting on the last paragraphs, the problem with Biden’s competence in this is that the Republican voters and voters leaning that way don’t read any of this. How do we overcome their ignorance and refusal to be informed and look at the facts? Instead they choose to lemmings in search of an ocean.
Second, someone explain to me why Egypt is refusing to open its border to fleeing Palestinians. Aren’t both Islamic nations?
Third, someone needs to point out that our border concerns are repeated throughout the world now. It’s roots causes are Right Wing dictatorships taking control of nations and climate change exacerbated by these dictators refusing to address it and its effects on the lesser of their peoples.
I was saddened to read the comments in the New York Times this morning, one after the other, berating Biden for going to Israel this week. They felt that he was falling in to a Netanyahu trap. I didn’t read any positives. Perhaps they all missed the memo that on this trip he is also scheduled to meet with the leaders of Jordan and Egypt and another country I can’t remember. I dislike Netanyahu intensely, but Israel is our ally and diplomatic channels of all sorts should be pursued. I fear for Biden’s safety.
On another topic does anyone have any influence to get the post to stop publishing ridiculous opinions from Hugh Hewitt? Yes, I was up very early today.
I have been traveling and have not yet watched the “60 Minutes” episode, but I urged my kids to, as I had heard that it would convey Biden’s sharpness, wisdom, etc. And I truly believe that.
But my kids, who will vote for Biden, thought he looked old and were troubled by that. It just reminded me that my perspective as a 71 year old is different from my kids’.
My takeaway is that Biden is an extremely accomplished president who oversees an incredibly competent team, that he is by any and all measures the ONLY candidate in this two way race deserving of our support, and that the Dems really need to focus on developing but also showcasing a younger cadre of leaders. I don’t know what that game plan looks like, but I think there are many great candidates.
Thankful to have a President and his team at State and the military who are intelligent, skilled, full of integrity and calm. Grownups at the helm.....should that be our bumpersticker?
For those who thought that the failed insurrectionist who wouldn't go through a rain storm to visit the graves of Americans who died in WWII was a fighter, Biden going to the Middle East should remove any doubt about whose courage and integrity is greater. It won't for many of them, but it should.
I baffled the gentleman who answered the phone in Rep. Ann Wagner's office this morning when I asked him if the Jim Jordan she'd endorsed yesterday was the same Jim Jordan that last week she had described as "disgraceful" when stating that she would never vote for him. It would have been snarky for me to follow up by asking if she thought all of us were stupid enough to forget this sort of behavior by next November; I'll reserve that question for a time closer to the election.
The thing is, I wish the trip by President Biden to the Middle East had not been announced for his safety and those whose duty is to keep him safe.
Thanks to Bill Alstrom for posting this update from Punchbowl News this morn on another site.
⬇️
“ Jim Jordan has problems.
The Ohio Republican plans to head to the floor today for a speaker election with more than a dozen GOP lawmakers saying they’ll vote against him or are undecided about his candidacy.”
https://punchbowl.news/
So far called the Fl Reps. Had to leave a message with Diaz-Balert.Prompt did not ask where I lived!
Gimenez’s mail box is full. Hoping that’s a good sign.🫰
📞📞📞📞
We are lucky in these fraught times to have Joe Biden as our President and Anthony Blinken as our Secretary of State.
If Jim Jordan is elected as speaker of the House of Representatives it will prove beyond a shadow of doubt that there are no “good” nor moderate Republicans left in the House of Representatives.
As a side note we started watching Season 2 of “World on Fire” Sunday. Our world is on fire now. Reading your newsletter, Robert, and Heather Cox Richardson’s LFAA, are two ways we can help the world not be on fire. Thank you!
The world is at a deflection point because, again, the Middle East is in flames. I am not going to comment on the state of Israeli, Palestinian, or Arab relations except to plead for innocents on both sides to be protected and treated humanely.
What I am extremely thankful for is that President Biden is in command, not his deranged, hand waving predecessor. America needs strong leaders, one willing to meet with everybody to resolve the conflict. Not claim that there are good people on both sides.
Democrats are focused behind the President. The same cannot be said for the other side of the aisle who continue to squabble like children.
It is so much more than re-assuring, that the President is going to Israel and Jordan, to look Benjamin Netanyahu straight in the eye, and essentially say "No Nakba!"