Whether it’s civil or criminal prosecution, my layperson understanding if the law is that trump’s words and action meet the preponderance of the evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt. If we are truly a country of laws he must be indicted and prosecuted
These are the 2022 platforms for Repubs and Dems. Glaringly different and instructive. How do we turn this into messaging that the Dem party is the ONLY party that is working for all the people of this country? What legislation, passed, pending and voted down, corresponds to each principle in the Dem platform?
The Dem party is not monolithic and therein lies our strength and our weakness. We represent a multitude of viewpoints within a fairly broad range on the political spectrum (e.g. from Corporate Dems to Progressive Dems). I believe it is normal and even healthy that we have multiple points of view and freely express them. Sometimes we are disappointed in the positions and actions of fellow Dems and elected Dems. Democracy is hard work and not for the faint of heart. So, we must vote as if our democracy depends on our vote, because it does. And, we must elect representatives who truly represent our platform. Stay engaged, stay true to our values and VOTE!
What is to be done with GInny and her “very important” Supreme Court husband, Mr Thomas? Are there no ways to check him out of ALL cases involving 1/6? Or just impeach him altogether?. From his original conflict with Anita HIll charging him of sexual harassment, being the ONLY justice who put a nay on having this committe -to now!!!! When someone shows you their colors, you must believe them!! Please America- grow some inner strength or we WILL be trounced by all these bullies!!!!
"Christian" Nationalism - a horrific oxymoron, making it easy to despair about our democracy's demise.
My Thoughts, and an Invitation to Action!
(I originally posted this on Professor Cox Richarson’s newsletter, where she also reported on the TX GOP platform, and I wanted to share it here as well.)
I would like to borrow and build on Robert Hubble's approach to all of this horror that we witness. (My only other daily newsletter). Yes, it is so important to recognize evil. At the same time, we must do what we can to counter the despair that evil can inspire with a stronger statement of what is possible when people of good hearts come together and take action.
I believe in the power of love. Not the mushy romantic love which mostly depends on the feelings of the moment (as fun as that can be!), but rather the love that is the energy of creation, spirit, the divine, Allah, Yahweh, God, Goddess, whatever one calls the Non-physical aspect of life. It is there for us to draw upon as we show up in whatever way we feel called. So I asked, what can I do? Whom can I join?
Inspired, I googled "Christians against christian nationalism" and guess what! There is an organization with that name! Christians Against Christian Nationalism! They include an impressive gathering of Christian leaders, with three of my favorites, Jim Wallis of Sojourners, Most Rev. Michael Curry (American episcopal bishop who spoke at Meghan and Harry's wedding) and Sister Simon Campbell, ED of Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. They offer ways to get involved, including signing their statement condemning Christian Nationalism and forwarding an invitation to others to sign. So I've signed, Tweeted, FB'd and now I'm inviting you! Please check it out and consider signing. https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org
" In a single sentence, the Texas GOP seeks to dehumanize and stigmatize tens of millions of Americans. The statement is offensive, ignorant, and hateful. And yet, that grotesque position will be at the center of Governor Greg Abbott’s presidential run. And, of course, Ron DeSantis et al. cannot permit Abbott to occupy the moral low ground necessary to sway Trump’s base. So, we should expect something equally outrageous from DeSantis in the coming weeks. And then worse from Mike Pompeo, Nikki Haley, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley "
I completely agree with your catalogue of these Republican Wannabees--All of them are so outrageous that they are parodies of themselves. I realize that in today's environment there is some encouragement for being politically "innocent," but ultimately I would hope that only a true bag of rocks would fail to see this bunch as cartoon villains.
The candidate who is not on the list, who is careful not to be outrageous, not to espouse 1radical right-wing opinions, who is careful to appear reasonably right of center, and above all to completely avoid the subject of LGBTQ rights that would raise questions about the many years during which he has supported the heinous idea of "conversion" camps for gay teens, is Mike Pence. He is presentable, willing to be handled (see Speech to Federalist Society), and is now emerging from the hearings as a hero. Frankly, he terrifies me.
What follows is a comment I posted yesterday on Morning Shots at The Bulwark, linked and referred to by Mr. Hubbell in his letter today. If you are interested in both Ukraine / Russia and the rights and treatment of gays and others in our country, I recommend you take a few minutes and read the whole article. The comment I posted refers to the second section, 'It's all about the gays. Russian edition.', and the 3rd section, 'It's all about the gays. Texas edition.', in which a Russian politico named Aleksander Dugin and the Texas Republican Party's now *official* state platform are discussed. If you don't have time, then I suggest you at least look at the 3rd paragraph of my comment, since it contains a pretty good synopsis of the more 'interesting' planks in that Texas state platform not included in the article and pertaining to more than just the rights and dignity of a specific minority of Americans.
I'll not comment here further other than to say that if you think this can't happen here - in *this country*, in your country, in my country - then you are wrong. And this is the evidence. An official and actual state platform of one of the two political parties that vie for control of our government from the top to the bottom.
We should all take a moment and let that sink in. Really, really sink in.
Just for good measure, for additional evidence of how extremist views and positions can so easily become part of, and a powerful force in, the 'mainstream' of a liberal democracy, one need look no farther than the results for the French parliamentary elections that have just occurred.
(Note: I did make one small edit to my comment to better conform to the 'language ambiance' of this comment section as opposed to others that I often post in, since I never wish to offend with my choice of words. Unless, of course, I'm writing to or about someone whom I believe deserves being offended, which certainly isn't the case here.)
M. Trosino24 hr ago Liked by Cathy Young
So. Does that Dugin guy speak Russian with a Texas accent? Or is it the other way around down there in the Lone Star State when it comes to the shot callers in the party in power.
A little light reading copied form the newsletter from Heather Cox Richardson "Letters from an American" (6-18), the name of which in this instance (for me, anyway) contains a tad bit too much irony on a couple of levels to go unnoticed.
"...delegates to a convention of the Texas Republican Party today approved platform planks rejecting “the certified results of the 2020 Presidential election, and [holding] that acting President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States”; requiring students “to learn about the dignity of the preborn human,” including that life begins at fertilization; treating homosexuality as “an abnormal lifestyle choice”; locking the number of Supreme Court justices at 9; getting rid of the constitutional power to levy income taxes; abolishing the Federal Reserve; rejecting the Equal Rights Amendment; returning Christianity to schools and government; ending all gun safety measures; abolishing the Department of Education; arming teachers; requiring colleges to teach “free-market liberty principles”; defending capital punishment; dictating the ways in which the events at the Alamo are remembered; protecting Confederate monuments; ending gay marriage; withdrawing from the United Nations and the World Health Organization; and calling for a vote “for the people of Texas to determine whether or not the State of Texas should reassert its status as an independent nation.”"
Can hear a bit of a 'twang' in there in a couple of spots from over yonder there beyond that Ukraine place, nyet?
With apologies to all the people in Texas who do not and will not support this (deleted)...
What say you, Governor Abbott? I don't think you're planning on taking a shot at POTUS. But there may be another presidential job opening in your neck of the woods, if your political comra...er, allies get what they're apparently wishing for. How's that sound to ya'? Korosho, maybe?
"The hearings have moved public opinion in favor of indicting Trump. See ABC News, 6 in 10 Americans say Trump should be charged for Jan. 6 riot: POLL." YES! Thanks to the Congressional January 6 Committee, The Court of Public Opinion is converting key Republican leadership because it is converting key Republican sponsors and voters! Now it is safe (i.e. won't cause Civil War II) for the DOJ to act publicly to convict tRump, beginning by adding the Committee's evidence to their own investigation facts. It's happening as orchestrated! Zoe Lofgren says the committee will turn it over in 2 weeks.
When did the press become so obsessed with a storyline, and then track it like rabid lemmings. Is this an indirect result of Fox News' unfair and unbalanced example in getting negative attention?
The public's attention span is limited. Simply focusing it on abortion rights, gun violence, and human dignity will make room for all the issues you mention, as the candidates who champion the former are likely to support the latter as well.
It's a mouthfull, but we need to start memorizing: " . . . a one term, twice impeached, coup plotting, indicted former President. . . " By the way, the ladies on ABC's The View always include "disgraced."
Can never have too many negative adjectives describing the man. How about "convicted"? "Incarcerated" sounds good too, don't you think?
Need to change “former President” to “ex-president” because former infers honor. Example: The US Marines say “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” In 1963 (I was 8yo) my former Marine dad looked me in the eye and said, “There are no ex-Marines, except one: Lee Harvey Oswald.”
I wish "maintaining our majority in both houses" was sufficient. It isn't. As long as we honor the filibuster, we need at least 60 in the Senate, and a stronger majority in the House. Pelosi wont be there forever to martial her magically made majorities. Her successor will need a bigger margin.
There is an increasing variety of deteriorating economic news, but economic pain is not felt equally by class or by region. Democrats can speak to anxieties that are even more fundamental than economics. Every message must remind people that Democrats are the party for democracy, for women's liberty and the secure lives of children. Republicans are the party of riot, and revolution and gun love.
Or is the moment before we lose a majority in both houses the wrong moment to kill the Filibuster? No doubt McConnell will kill it at a time of his choosing without regard to justification, but could we wait until the lame duck December session before deciding whether fillbustericide would be in our interest?
I am surprised that Texas Republicans didn't pass a platform plank outlawing traffic signals, stop signs, divided highways, speed limits, turn signals, and one way streets, because "drivers have a God-given right to drive anyway they choose.
I had some conversations recently with professional, educated people and was shocked at how disconnected and disengaged they were. I was specifically talking about gun safety and one woman said: I just wish the parties could get along and agree on something, referring to Congress. I explained that the Democrats in the House passed comprehensive gun law reform and the Republicans in the Senate will let it die. I don't know what the answer is, but many people are not paying attention as our Democracy is assailed on all fronts.
Yes; that is a frustrating phenomenon. I was at a wedding over the weekend and when the talk turned to politics, I was surprised how many people said, "I can't watch the news, it's too hard / disheartening / disappointing." So, we have to pay attention for them and communicate the truth.
Whether it’s civil or criminal prosecution, my layperson understanding if the law is that trump’s words and action meet the preponderance of the evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt. If we are truly a country of laws he must be indicted and prosecuted
https://prod-static.gop.com/media/Rules_Of_The_Republican_Party.pdf?_ga=2.218274329.1057998177.1655743051-1683024776.1655416800
https://democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-Democratic-Party-Platform.pdf
These are the 2022 platforms for Repubs and Dems. Glaringly different and instructive. How do we turn this into messaging that the Dem party is the ONLY party that is working for all the people of this country? What legislation, passed, pending and voted down, corresponds to each principle in the Dem platform?
The Dem party is not monolithic and therein lies our strength and our weakness. We represent a multitude of viewpoints within a fairly broad range on the political spectrum (e.g. from Corporate Dems to Progressive Dems). I believe it is normal and even healthy that we have multiple points of view and freely express them. Sometimes we are disappointed in the positions and actions of fellow Dems and elected Dems. Democracy is hard work and not for the faint of heart. So, we must vote as if our democracy depends on our vote, because it does. And, we must elect representatives who truly represent our platform. Stay engaged, stay true to our values and VOTE!
What is to be done with GInny and her “very important” Supreme Court husband, Mr Thomas? Are there no ways to check him out of ALL cases involving 1/6? Or just impeach him altogether?. From his original conflict with Anita HIll charging him of sexual harassment, being the ONLY justice who put a nay on having this committe -to now!!!! When someone shows you their colors, you must believe them!! Please America- grow some inner strength or we WILL be trounced by all these bullies!!!!
Thanks for the like, Someone
"Christian" Nationalism - a horrific oxymoron, making it easy to despair about our democracy's demise.
My Thoughts, and an Invitation to Action!
(I originally posted this on Professor Cox Richarson’s newsletter, where she also reported on the TX GOP platform, and I wanted to share it here as well.)
I would like to borrow and build on Robert Hubble's approach to all of this horror that we witness. (My only other daily newsletter). Yes, it is so important to recognize evil. At the same time, we must do what we can to counter the despair that evil can inspire with a stronger statement of what is possible when people of good hearts come together and take action.
I believe in the power of love. Not the mushy romantic love which mostly depends on the feelings of the moment (as fun as that can be!), but rather the love that is the energy of creation, spirit, the divine, Allah, Yahweh, God, Goddess, whatever one calls the Non-physical aspect of life. It is there for us to draw upon as we show up in whatever way we feel called. So I asked, what can I do? Whom can I join?
Inspired, I googled "Christians against christian nationalism" and guess what! There is an organization with that name! Christians Against Christian Nationalism! They include an impressive gathering of Christian leaders, with three of my favorites, Jim Wallis of Sojourners, Most Rev. Michael Curry (American episcopal bishop who spoke at Meghan and Harry's wedding) and Sister Simon Campbell, ED of Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. They offer ways to get involved, including signing their statement condemning Christian Nationalism and forwarding an invitation to others to sign. So I've signed, Tweeted, FB'd and now I'm inviting you! Please check it out and consider signing. https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org
Thanks for this. And Props!
I think the country is crashing toward ungovernability.
You surely mean Fortunately, the next few weeks will increase our resolve to....
" In a single sentence, the Texas GOP seeks to dehumanize and stigmatize tens of millions of Americans. The statement is offensive, ignorant, and hateful. And yet, that grotesque position will be at the center of Governor Greg Abbott’s presidential run. And, of course, Ron DeSantis et al. cannot permit Abbott to occupy the moral low ground necessary to sway Trump’s base. So, we should expect something equally outrageous from DeSantis in the coming weeks. And then worse from Mike Pompeo, Nikki Haley, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley "
I completely agree with your catalogue of these Republican Wannabees--All of them are so outrageous that they are parodies of themselves. I realize that in today's environment there is some encouragement for being politically "innocent," but ultimately I would hope that only a true bag of rocks would fail to see this bunch as cartoon villains.
The candidate who is not on the list, who is careful not to be outrageous, not to espouse 1radical right-wing opinions, who is careful to appear reasonably right of center, and above all to completely avoid the subject of LGBTQ rights that would raise questions about the many years during which he has supported the heinous idea of "conversion" camps for gay teens, is Mike Pence. He is presentable, willing to be handled (see Speech to Federalist Society), and is now emerging from the hearings as a hero. Frankly, he terrifies me.
What follows is a comment I posted yesterday on Morning Shots at The Bulwark, linked and referred to by Mr. Hubbell in his letter today. If you are interested in both Ukraine / Russia and the rights and treatment of gays and others in our country, I recommend you take a few minutes and read the whole article. The comment I posted refers to the second section, 'It's all about the gays. Russian edition.', and the 3rd section, 'It's all about the gays. Texas edition.', in which a Russian politico named Aleksander Dugin and the Texas Republican Party's now *official* state platform are discussed. If you don't have time, then I suggest you at least look at the 3rd paragraph of my comment, since it contains a pretty good synopsis of the more 'interesting' planks in that Texas state platform not included in the article and pertaining to more than just the rights and dignity of a specific minority of Americans.
For your convenience: https://morningshots.thebulwark.com/p/has-the-tide-really-turned-in-ukraine
I'll not comment here further other than to say that if you think this can't happen here - in *this country*, in your country, in my country - then you are wrong. And this is the evidence. An official and actual state platform of one of the two political parties that vie for control of our government from the top to the bottom.
We should all take a moment and let that sink in. Really, really sink in.
Just for good measure, for additional evidence of how extremist views and positions can so easily become part of, and a powerful force in, the 'mainstream' of a liberal democracy, one need look no farther than the results for the French parliamentary elections that have just occurred.
https://apnews.com/article/macron-marine-le-pen-jean-luc-melenchon-france-606aea9d3f0009cfbc1b6c7cde044135
(Note: I did make one small edit to my comment to better conform to the 'language ambiance' of this comment section as opposed to others that I often post in, since I never wish to offend with my choice of words. Unless, of course, I'm writing to or about someone whom I believe deserves being offended, which certainly isn't the case here.)
M. Trosino24 hr ago Liked by Cathy Young
So. Does that Dugin guy speak Russian with a Texas accent? Or is it the other way around down there in the Lone Star State when it comes to the shot callers in the party in power.
A little light reading copied form the newsletter from Heather Cox Richardson "Letters from an American" (6-18), the name of which in this instance (for me, anyway) contains a tad bit too much irony on a couple of levels to go unnoticed.
"...delegates to a convention of the Texas Republican Party today approved platform planks rejecting “the certified results of the 2020 Presidential election, and [holding] that acting President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States”; requiring students “to learn about the dignity of the preborn human,” including that life begins at fertilization; treating homosexuality as “an abnormal lifestyle choice”; locking the number of Supreme Court justices at 9; getting rid of the constitutional power to levy income taxes; abolishing the Federal Reserve; rejecting the Equal Rights Amendment; returning Christianity to schools and government; ending all gun safety measures; abolishing the Department of Education; arming teachers; requiring colleges to teach “free-market liberty principles”; defending capital punishment; dictating the ways in which the events at the Alamo are remembered; protecting Confederate monuments; ending gay marriage; withdrawing from the United Nations and the World Health Organization; and calling for a vote “for the people of Texas to determine whether or not the State of Texas should reassert its status as an independent nation.”"
Can hear a bit of a 'twang' in there in a couple of spots from over yonder there beyond that Ukraine place, nyet?
With apologies to all the people in Texas who do not and will not support this (deleted)...
What say you, Governor Abbott? I don't think you're planning on taking a shot at POTUS. But there may be another presidential job opening in your neck of the woods, if your political comra...er, allies get what they're apparently wishing for. How's that sound to ya'? Korosho, maybe?
"The hearings have moved public opinion in favor of indicting Trump. See ABC News, 6 in 10 Americans say Trump should be charged for Jan. 6 riot: POLL." YES! Thanks to the Congressional January 6 Committee, The Court of Public Opinion is converting key Republican leadership because it is converting key Republican sponsors and voters! Now it is safe (i.e. won't cause Civil War II) for the DOJ to act publicly to convict tRump, beginning by adding the Committee's evidence to their own investigation facts. It's happening as orchestrated! Zoe Lofgren says the committee will turn it over in 2 weeks.
When did the press become so obsessed with a storyline, and then track it like rabid lemmings. Is this an indirect result of Fox News' unfair and unbalanced example in getting negative attention?
The public's attention span is limited. Simply focusing it on abortion rights, gun violence, and human dignity will make room for all the issues you mention, as the candidates who champion the former are likely to support the latter as well.
It's a mouthfull, but we need to start memorizing: " . . . a one term, twice impeached, coup plotting, indicted former President. . . " By the way, the ladies on ABC's The View always include "disgraced."
Can never have too many negative adjectives describing the man. How about "convicted"? "Incarcerated" sounds good too, don't you think?
Need to change “former President” to “ex-president” because former infers honor. Example: The US Marines say “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” In 1963 (I was 8yo) my former Marine dad looked me in the eye and said, “There are no ex-Marines, except one: Lee Harvey Oswald.”
Good point, M. Scott Borden! Thank you for enlightening us.
I will start usng that term now. There is no need to wait for the official DOJ pronouncement,
what with his behavior so blantanly, unendingly and unremorsefully "dishonorable."
I wish "maintaining our majority in both houses" was sufficient. It isn't. As long as we honor the filibuster, we need at least 60 in the Senate, and a stronger majority in the House. Pelosi wont be there forever to martial her magically made majorities. Her successor will need a bigger margin.
There is an increasing variety of deteriorating economic news, but economic pain is not felt equally by class or by region. Democrats can speak to anxieties that are even more fundamental than economics. Every message must remind people that Democrats are the party for democracy, for women's liberty and the secure lives of children. Republicans are the party of riot, and revolution and gun love.
Agree regarding the filibuster. It should be abolished in its entirety.
Or is the moment before we lose a majority in both houses the wrong moment to kill the Filibuster? No doubt McConnell will kill it at a time of his choosing without regard to justification, but could we wait until the lame duck December session before deciding whether fillbustericide would be in our interest?
I am surprised that Texas Republicans didn't pass a platform plank outlawing traffic signals, stop signs, divided highways, speed limits, turn signals, and one way streets, because "drivers have a God-given right to drive anyway they choose.
I had some conversations recently with professional, educated people and was shocked at how disconnected and disengaged they were. I was specifically talking about gun safety and one woman said: I just wish the parties could get along and agree on something, referring to Congress. I explained that the Democrats in the House passed comprehensive gun law reform and the Republicans in the Senate will let it die. I don't know what the answer is, but many people are not paying attention as our Democracy is assailed on all fronts.
Yes; that is a frustrating phenomenon. I was at a wedding over the weekend and when the talk turned to politics, I was surprised how many people said, "I can't watch the news, it's too hard / disheartening / disappointing." So, we have to pay attention for them and communicate the truth.
Whew! Lots to do.