Having been glued to the television during the Watergate Hearings, I can certainly appreciate the significance of the January 6 Committee holding televised hearings. Excellent! I only wish there were some way to hold promoters of Covid-19 misinformation criminally liable, too. Your thoughts today highlight the two most significant focal points for our battered attention spans: January 6 as a celebration of the triumph of democracy, and staying well so that we can be of service in the upcoming elections, as well as celebrate life itself. Thank you as always for your sober but never dull thinking!
I remain hopeful—probably in a fantastical way—that Merrick Garland will surprise us with a raft of indictments next week, on the first (NOT the one-year) anniversary of the insurrection, with T___p leading the list.
Please help me understand how this TV event will be different from the televised conclusions of the second impeachment of trump. Those were brilliant presentations by Neguse, Raskin and many others. But they were all for naught in the end. Please dissuade me from thinking the January 6 Committee’s televised sessions over 9 months will end up in the same “out there but who cares” category.
I was in college during the Watergate hearings. My brother was part of the team that orchestrated the Watergate hearings and he got me a ticket for the first day of John Dean’s testimony. That day and entire occurrence of those hearings were remarkable . But they were presented at a time (before social media of course) when there were only 3 networks and public TV. No fox fake network of lies. And we had trusted tv nightly newscasters—Cronkite, Huntley, Brinkley, Chancellor, etc. There were morals about what got reported and morals (for better or for worse) about what was considered “news.”
Today anybody can broadcast whatever they want, and call whatever they produce “truth,” and whatever their opposition produces “lies.” Even when the latter is the truth. And then the actual truth gets relegated to the bottom of the heap, and called “Democrats’ lying to get headlines.” I sure hope something different will occur with these new planned presentations. I’m not convinced at this point they will get the attention and stature they deserve.
Hi, Jan. The question is this: who is the audience that matters? I believe the answer is depends on the timeframe you are looking at. Next year, the audience that matters is persuadable Independent voters. I believe the hearings will reach enough of them to make a difference. Over the long term, the audience is the next generation of voters who will decide which party they support: A party that incited a violent insurrection, or the party that defended the Constitution. I think the hearings will make a difference short term and long term.
The hearings may produce the required sensational headlines and video clips. Perhaps that will sway the unconvinced. The radical right will ignore it all. And most Americans won't have the time or patience to glue themselves to a TV.
What we should expect is a simple 30 minute recap at the end of it all that demands (not asks) the Department of Justice act decisively to arrest and jail without bail the inner circle of conspirators. Benedict Arnold was a piker compared to this gang.
History is written slowly, and minds change slowly. Repetition is one of the most effective ways to convince. Fortunately, repetition of truth is more effective than repeated lies. So public hearings, if conducted well, will advance the cause of truth. And thanks to the mendacity of the Republican leadership, we won’t have to listen to distractions from Gym Jordan and others of his ilk.
While I don't want to agree with your concerns, I admit to sharing them. At the same time, I believe in the power of positive thinking, imagining and acting. So I'm "liking" your comment, not because I agree but because I empathize - and pray/act that it will be different!
"...you are in a position to know the truth—and act accordingly. The current resurgence of the coronavirus is exhausting, inconvenient, divisive, and deadly. Do the right thing." So...is the right thing to campaign on a slogan: "Republicans kills Americans."? Maybe that's too strong. "Anti-vaxxers kill Americans?" In memory of a great and tough American and Democrat -- which slogan would Harry Reid choose?
I will let others with experience in political sloganeering weigh in. I am in favor of being truthful and direct. I think there is a fair amount of social science research that says proving to people they are wrong only solidifies their mistaken beliefs. How about, Protect your kids (and everyone else’s too!) or “The life you save could be your grandma’s! “
You are so right about this - and I love your suggestions! My question is, Do we want to effectively win converts or do we want to speak our own (often snarky) outrage to the already converted? If we want to effectively win converts, shouldn't we then listen to the SCIENCE of how to change minds and win hearts? Here's one article from Psychology Today (I'll look for "pure science" when I have a bit more time!) with some thoughts. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understand-other-people/202104/making-someone-else-wrong-doesn-t-make-you-right
Great article - as always. Thank you! I would like to add that there is another group of anti-vaxers. Myself not included (I'm triple vaccinated), many friends and a couple of family members who are active democratic voters, white, progressive and affluent have chosen not to get vaccinated. They claim they need more information, and that their doctors are advising them to take personally prescribed ivermectin and supplements, and some are waiting for the Novo-vax vaccine. Unlike other anti-vaxers they are masking up and all have stayed safe thus far, but this is significant group. Thanks for all you do.
Yes, vaccine hesitancy comes in many forms. People do not like to be labeled as anti-vaxxers, so they claim to be “doing their own research.” But then they will take ivermectin, which is not approved for COVID-19 use and which the scientific literature shows is not effective in treating Covid. The only study that showed a significant benefit to using ivermectin for Covid has been withdrawn after allegations of serious fraud. But that hasn’t stopped those using ivermectin from relying on that study. I am sorry to say that it sounds like your friends are engaged in motivated reasoning—they start with the result they want, and then backfill explanations to justify their foregone conclusions which is based on politics, not science. And the notion of using “supplements” to prevent Covid or treat it is simply dangerous. It would be one thing if they were only endangering themselves, but they are endangering their children, parents, and complete strangers. The Fox News / GOP disinformation machine has worked as to them. Tragic.
Thanks again for exactly what I needed and want to share. I'm going to post this call to axtion on January 6 to follow up on the one from yesterday. BTW I didn't "like" the first newsletters I read because I didn't realize I had to go back up to the top to find the "heart" or the comment button. Is there any way to add this to the bottom as well (probably not if this is a stock template) or at least post a standard invitation at the end of each newsletter, uner the "Talk to you tomorrow"? e.g "I welcome your thoughts. To 'like' and/or comment, please return to the top of this newsletter." Perhaps even with "return to the top" as a live link. Just a thought!
Thanks for the suggestion. I will check it out. And I appreciate the sentiment. Although i am not certain how it works, the more the newsletter is “liked’ in Substack, the more likely it is to be recommended to others.
I'm not sure how it works either...something to do with algorithms, which is a word I never heard in the first 75 years of my life!!! By the way if Substack won't put it in your template, you can create it and save it and just add it beneath your "complimentary close" and/or signature line. (do people even use those terms any more? I used to love grammar and was the only one in my 7th grade class who loved diagramming sentences!) Blessings
Robert, I very much enjoy your newsletters. I'm a big fan of the audio option and in the last couple of editions of the newsletter the record level has been very low.
Hmm. Thanks for the feedback on the volume level of the audio editions. I have been concerned about the audio level. I will check out the issue. Can you please write me at rhubbell@outlook.com if the issues is not corrected this evening? Thanks!
It’s been nearly one year since armed right-wing militants attacked our Capitol and tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Since that time the same faction that attacked our country on January 6th is hard at work silencing our voices by restricting our freedom to vote, attacking fair voting districts, and quietly preparing future attempts to sabotage free and fair elections and with it our democracy.
We must not forget what happened -- and we must demand action from our leaders to prevent another attack on our democracy.
So this January 6, exactly one year later, Americans across race, place, party, and background are holding more than 175 events throughout the country to say: In America, the voters decide the outcome of elections. The promise of democracy is not a partisan issue but a calling that unites us as Americans.
Find an event in your community on Jan. 6!
Sign up to host a candlelight vigil in your community if not already on the map!
Join a planning call for hosts today if you'd like to learn more about hosting an event.
Sign up to host a candlelight vigil in your community if not already on the map!
Join a planning call for hosts today if you'd like to learn more about hosting an event.
To prevent this kind of attack from happening again, our elected leaders must pass urgent legislation that will protect this country from anti-democratic forces who are continuing their efforts to destroy it.
That’s why we must stand together in this moment –– we need to keep up the momentum for our freedom to vote.
The January 6th attack by right-wing militants demonstrates the dangers facing our nation and only further underscores the urgency with which we need to transform our political system into one that works for all Americans. The U.S. Senate and President Biden must do whatever is necessary to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, Protecting Our Democracy Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and DC Statehood.
Coming together, we can prevent another January 6th attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us - no matter our color, zip code, or income - so we all have an equal say in the decisions that shape our daily lives and futures.
Thanks so much for the many ways we can commemorate January 6th. I will share this with my group, Seniors Taking Action, many of whom I know will take advantage of these suggestions. While we have members in other states, we are mostly based in NY and desperately want the voting rights act to pass. We DO call our own Senators who of course support it, but we’re mindful that trying to reach other Senators we’re not constituents of is not fruitful. Are there other tactics you’d recommend?
Good for you and your group! Calling/writing/emailing any elected representative IS fruitful. Their office staff tally the pro versus con comments on the issues.
Does Seniors Taking Action have a website to link to?
Ellie, thanks so much for your comments. We DO have a website- seniorstakingaction.org. It’s being updated later today but you’ll get a good idea of our speakers and campaigns. We resume our speaker series next Wednesday. The link should be live in next day or do.
"Motivated reasoning" - how brilliant. Starting with the result they want - wow - thank you. And thank you for this detailed and thoughtful reply. Many thanks for all you do.
As always, Mr. Hubbell hits the bell which tells us all it's time we get up, go to the nearest door or window and shout.." I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE. " And 1 more thing- Lest we forget...the names of the 8 Senators and 139 Representatives who voted to overturn the Election Results that same night on January 6th are available for all to see and each of us should look up the ones from their State and write a letter to their local newspaper editor and ask the Citizens not to forget those names when voting in the next election. If there was to be any overturning of votes, it should have been those so-called representatives of Democracy. Be well and Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year to all. Bud Al from Sunny South Florida
Thank you, Robert, for your amazing compendium of January 6 activities. Shared and credited to you!
Having been glued to the television during the Watergate Hearings, I can certainly appreciate the significance of the January 6 Committee holding televised hearings. Excellent! I only wish there were some way to hold promoters of Covid-19 misinformation criminally liable, too. Your thoughts today highlight the two most significant focal points for our battered attention spans: January 6 as a celebration of the triumph of democracy, and staying well so that we can be of service in the upcoming elections, as well as celebrate life itself. Thank you as always for your sober but never dull thinking!
I remain hopeful—probably in a fantastical way—that Merrick Garland will surprise us with a raft of indictments next week, on the first (NOT the one-year) anniversary of the insurrection, with T___p leading the list.
I think that’s on the horizon. I sure hope it is.
Please help me understand how this TV event will be different from the televised conclusions of the second impeachment of trump. Those were brilliant presentations by Neguse, Raskin and many others. But they were all for naught in the end. Please dissuade me from thinking the January 6 Committee’s televised sessions over 9 months will end up in the same “out there but who cares” category.
I was in college during the Watergate hearings. My brother was part of the team that orchestrated the Watergate hearings and he got me a ticket for the first day of John Dean’s testimony. That day and entire occurrence of those hearings were remarkable . But they were presented at a time (before social media of course) when there were only 3 networks and public TV. No fox fake network of lies. And we had trusted tv nightly newscasters—Cronkite, Huntley, Brinkley, Chancellor, etc. There were morals about what got reported and morals (for better or for worse) about what was considered “news.”
Today anybody can broadcast whatever they want, and call whatever they produce “truth,” and whatever their opposition produces “lies.” Even when the latter is the truth. And then the actual truth gets relegated to the bottom of the heap, and called “Democrats’ lying to get headlines.” I sure hope something different will occur with these new planned presentations. I’m not convinced at this point they will get the attention and stature they deserve.
Hi, Jan. The question is this: who is the audience that matters? I believe the answer is depends on the timeframe you are looking at. Next year, the audience that matters is persuadable Independent voters. I believe the hearings will reach enough of them to make a difference. Over the long term, the audience is the next generation of voters who will decide which party they support: A party that incited a violent insurrection, or the party that defended the Constitution. I think the hearings will make a difference short term and long term.
Thanks for the reply, Robert. I sure hope you're right. The most unbelievable things keep happening.
The hearings may produce the required sensational headlines and video clips. Perhaps that will sway the unconvinced. The radical right will ignore it all. And most Americans won't have the time or patience to glue themselves to a TV.
What we should expect is a simple 30 minute recap at the end of it all that demands (not asks) the Department of Justice act decisively to arrest and jail without bail the inner circle of conspirators. Benedict Arnold was a piker compared to this gang.
And lots of 30 second sound bites flooding the airwaves with truth.
History is written slowly, and minds change slowly. Repetition is one of the most effective ways to convince. Fortunately, repetition of truth is more effective than repeated lies. So public hearings, if conducted well, will advance the cause of truth. And thanks to the mendacity of the Republican leadership, we won’t have to listen to distractions from Gym Jordan and others of his ilk.
Thanks for your point of view, J Margolis. Especially your last sentence. Ha.
While I don't want to agree with your concerns, I admit to sharing them. At the same time, I believe in the power of positive thinking, imagining and acting. So I'm "liking" your comment, not because I agree but because I empathize - and pray/act that it will be different!
Thanks for yesterday’s nudge on vigils, etc re Jan 6th. I found one here in Portland (Maine) and so far have recruited 6 (masked) friends to join me.
It’s time to make some good trouble.
Kathryn
Great! Stay warm and safe!
"...you are in a position to know the truth—and act accordingly. The current resurgence of the coronavirus is exhausting, inconvenient, divisive, and deadly. Do the right thing." So...is the right thing to campaign on a slogan: "Republicans kills Americans."? Maybe that's too strong. "Anti-vaxxers kill Americans?" In memory of a great and tough American and Democrat -- which slogan would Harry Reid choose?
I will let others with experience in political sloganeering weigh in. I am in favor of being truthful and direct. I think there is a fair amount of social science research that says proving to people they are wrong only solidifies their mistaken beliefs. How about, Protect your kids (and everyone else’s too!) or “The life you save could be your grandma’s! “
You are so right about this - and I love your suggestions! My question is, Do we want to effectively win converts or do we want to speak our own (often snarky) outrage to the already converted? If we want to effectively win converts, shouldn't we then listen to the SCIENCE of how to change minds and win hearts? Here's one article from Psychology Today (I'll look for "pure science" when I have a bit more time!) with some thoughts. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understand-other-people/202104/making-someone-else-wrong-doesn-t-make-you-right
Robert is right to go in the direction of the affirmative. Two good resources on slogans and effective messaging:
Anat Shenker-Osorio
https://crooked.com/podcast/criminal-apprentice-with-anat-shenker-osorio/
More Perfect Democracy (grassroots organization implementing Shenker-Osorio's principles)
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr9GjCNsMxhMgkAIVNXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1640833293/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.moreperfectdemocracy.org%2f/RK=2/RS=2mF8dz5X_e9gNNoCa9yHceosW1o-
How about Republicans—the party of death?
Great article - as always. Thank you! I would like to add that there is another group of anti-vaxers. Myself not included (I'm triple vaccinated), many friends and a couple of family members who are active democratic voters, white, progressive and affluent have chosen not to get vaccinated. They claim they need more information, and that their doctors are advising them to take personally prescribed ivermectin and supplements, and some are waiting for the Novo-vax vaccine. Unlike other anti-vaxers they are masking up and all have stayed safe thus far, but this is significant group. Thanks for all you do.
Yes, vaccine hesitancy comes in many forms. People do not like to be labeled as anti-vaxxers, so they claim to be “doing their own research.” But then they will take ivermectin, which is not approved for COVID-19 use and which the scientific literature shows is not effective in treating Covid. The only study that showed a significant benefit to using ivermectin for Covid has been withdrawn after allegations of serious fraud. But that hasn’t stopped those using ivermectin from relying on that study. I am sorry to say that it sounds like your friends are engaged in motivated reasoning—they start with the result they want, and then backfill explanations to justify their foregone conclusions which is based on politics, not science. And the notion of using “supplements” to prevent Covid or treat it is simply dangerous. It would be one thing if they were only endangering themselves, but they are endangering their children, parents, and complete strangers. The Fox News / GOP disinformation machine has worked as to them. Tragic.
"motivated reasoning" hits the nail on the head and is another reason why I'm an RBH fan!
Thanks again for exactly what I needed and want to share. I'm going to post this call to axtion on January 6 to follow up on the one from yesterday. BTW I didn't "like" the first newsletters I read because I didn't realize I had to go back up to the top to find the "heart" or the comment button. Is there any way to add this to the bottom as well (probably not if this is a stock template) or at least post a standard invitation at the end of each newsletter, uner the "Talk to you tomorrow"? e.g "I welcome your thoughts. To 'like' and/or comment, please return to the top of this newsletter." Perhaps even with "return to the top" as a live link. Just a thought!
Thanks for the suggestion. I will check it out. And I appreciate the sentiment. Although i am not certain how it works, the more the newsletter is “liked’ in Substack, the more likely it is to be recommended to others.
I'm not sure how it works either...something to do with algorithms, which is a word I never heard in the first 75 years of my life!!! By the way if Substack won't put it in your template, you can create it and save it and just add it beneath your "complimentary close" and/or signature line. (do people even use those terms any more? I used to love grammar and was the only one in my 7th grade class who loved diagramming sentences!) Blessings
Robert, I very much enjoy your newsletters. I'm a big fan of the audio option and in the last couple of editions of the newsletter the record level has been very low.
Keep spreading the truth!
Richard
Hmm. Thanks for the feedback on the volume level of the audio editions. I have been concerned about the audio level. I will check out the issue. Can you please write me at rhubbell@outlook.com if the issues is not corrected this evening? Thanks!
Here is additional information and opportunities for vigils, etc on Jan 6. Check with Public Citizen. The link would not paste.
Jonah Minkoff-Zern <jzern@citizen.org>
Wed, Dec 22, 11:23 AM (7 days ago)
to Jonah
It’s been nearly one year since armed right-wing militants attacked our Capitol and tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Since that time the same faction that attacked our country on January 6th is hard at work silencing our voices by restricting our freedom to vote, attacking fair voting districts, and quietly preparing future attempts to sabotage free and fair elections and with it our democracy.
We must not forget what happened -- and we must demand action from our leaders to prevent another attack on our democracy.
So this January 6, exactly one year later, Americans across race, place, party, and background are holding more than 175 events throughout the country to say: In America, the voters decide the outcome of elections. The promise of democracy is not a partisan issue but a calling that unites us as Americans.
Find an event in your community on Jan. 6!
Sign up to host a candlelight vigil in your community if not already on the map!
Join a planning call for hosts today if you'd like to learn more about hosting an event.
Sign up to host a candlelight vigil in your community if not already on the map!
Join a planning call for hosts today if you'd like to learn more about hosting an event.
To prevent this kind of attack from happening again, our elected leaders must pass urgent legislation that will protect this country from anti-democratic forces who are continuing their efforts to destroy it.
That’s why we must stand together in this moment –– we need to keep up the momentum for our freedom to vote.
The January 6th attack by right-wing militants demonstrates the dangers facing our nation and only further underscores the urgency with which we need to transform our political system into one that works for all Americans. The U.S. Senate and President Biden must do whatever is necessary to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, Protecting Our Democracy Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and DC Statehood.
Coming together, we can prevent another January 6th attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us - no matter our color, zip code, or income - so we all have an equal say in the decisions that shape our daily lives and futures.
In solidarity,
Jonah Minkoff-Zern
Pronouns: he, him, his
Campaign Co-Director, Democracy Is For People
Public Citizen
(202) 588-7749
Thanks so much for the many ways we can commemorate January 6th. I will share this with my group, Seniors Taking Action, many of whom I know will take advantage of these suggestions. While we have members in other states, we are mostly based in NY and desperately want the voting rights act to pass. We DO call our own Senators who of course support it, but we’re mindful that trying to reach other Senators we’re not constituents of is not fruitful. Are there other tactics you’d recommend?
Good for you and your group! Calling/writing/emailing any elected representative IS fruitful. Their office staff tally the pro versus con comments on the issues.
Does Seniors Taking Action have a website to link to?
Ellie, thanks so much for your comments. We DO have a website- seniorstakingaction.org. It’s being updated later today but you’ll get a good idea of our speakers and campaigns. We resume our speaker series next Wednesday. The link should be live in next day or do.
"Motivated reasoning" - how brilliant. Starting with the result they want - wow - thank you. And thank you for this detailed and thoughtful reply. Many thanks for all you do.
As always, Mr. Hubbell hits the bell which tells us all it's time we get up, go to the nearest door or window and shout.." I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE. " And 1 more thing- Lest we forget...the names of the 8 Senators and 139 Representatives who voted to overturn the Election Results that same night on January 6th are available for all to see and each of us should look up the ones from their State and write a letter to their local newspaper editor and ask the Citizens not to forget those names when voting in the next election. If there was to be any overturning of votes, it should have been those so-called representatives of Democracy. Be well and Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year to all. Bud Al from Sunny South Florida