For some strange reason, the "liberal" media seem intent on putting the most negative (for Biden and for Democrats) interpretation possible on nearly every news event and polling results. Just today, MSNBC showed the results of an NPR Marist poll asking respondents to cite what is their "Top Issue." In this case, the answer given by the largest cohort, 37%, was "Inflation." This is, in my opinion, a proxy for "the economy" which almost invariably is the #1 concern voters cite. Of course, it is usually unclear what that choice exactly says about someone's political inclinations. The MSNBC reporter placed great emphasis on that 37% being almost triple the 13% who cited "Abortion" as their primary concern. This might be reasonably seen as worrisome for Democrats IF it were not for the fact that an amazing 27% cited "Preserving Democracy" as their top issue. (This poll, unlike most others, required each respondent to cite only ONE issue.) My educated guess is that nearly every person naming the preservation of democracy as their primary concern is a Democratic voter. Yet not even MSNBC thought its citation by 27% of those interviewed worthy of comment. But I suggest that this answer, which wasn't even on the radar two years ago, speaks volumes about the massive impact that Trump and the MAGA movement is having on our politics, an impact that will make itself strongly felt on November 8th. We progressives must stop giving into a gloomy pessimism and, while continuing to work to rally all of our supporters, allow ourselves to believe in the essential decency of a majority of the American electorate. It may be a slim majority, but the extreme excesses of the MAGA Right will work importantly in our favor, and the Democrats will IMHO retain their House majority--and increase their Senate majority.
Oct 8, 2022·edited Oct 8, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I apologize for this rather personal "comment," unrelated to "Today's Edition." I just got power and internet access back after Hurricane Ian blew through my city on 9/28. What I want to share are the lessons I learned. I'm 65 years old, have lived in Florida most of my life, and Ian was not my proverbial "first rodeo," but it was, by far the worst.
Personally, I am incredibly fortunate. My home came through this beast virtually unscathed. My yard of all native plants and trees is in ruins, but this is Florida, so I am confident, once the chainsaws have done their job, that the flora will rebound, if not quickly, certainly in time.
The real point of this post is to share the amazing lessons in humility, generosity, and caring I have learned over the past 10 days. Neighbors I did not know came to offer me water, food, and any assistance they could. This is not a "tight knit" neighborhood. Most people tend to keep to themselves, or so that's the way I've always perceived it, and I've lived in my home 22+ years. But, in this harrowing time, several have truly stepped up to offer a much needed helping hand.
I am a retired public school educator and was blessed to form close relationships with hundreds of what I have always referred to as "my kids." One of "my kids" from 30 years ago, and his wife (also a student in the same class) drove from Gainesville to bring me and 9 other of their former classmates and teachers food, water, ice, and other necessities. Another who still lives in Cape Coral, has been delivering supplies to many, including me. A dear teacher friend, who recently moved from here to N.J. has been keeping me informed when I was cut off from information as to what was going on. My god-brother mailed me a "care package" from Tallahassee. Countless offers and inquiries from former students, and colleagues have buoyed me through the darkness, heat, and despair. Today, I will be able to get online and view some of the destruction for myself. I have only heard reports of what Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island, Matlacha, and so many of the places that are a part of my hometown look like post-Ian. I expect it will bring tears to my eyes, but it is the people for whom those areas were home that the tears should be shed. It is for those that lost loved ones, and those who lost their lives that tears should and will be shed.
I am not a person of "faith," certainly not of what passes for "Christian values" in 2022, but I have my beliefs and I know that I am blessed. I am grateful, I am deeply humbled, and in many ways, I'm forever changed. And for this "old dog," that's quite the accomplishment. Please keep the people of SW Florida in your thoughts and prayers (and in this circumstance those are appropriate, unlike the offers given after mass shootings by certain politicians...but I digress, my apologies). Let us not forget those in Puerto Rico, Alaska, and other places affected recently by natural disasters, but the sad truth is that SW FL will never be quite the same and it will take years for any sense of "normal" to be restored.
I personally am tired of the trump nonsense, the press coverage about trump, the ignorant maga folks who follow fox and the lies…..enough is enough. We need citizens disgusted with Jan 6 th murderous behavior, the ugly bigotry, the slashing of womens health rights, the acceptance of cruel behavior. President Biden has remained steadfast and steady. The supreme court has become nothing but political hacks and Roberts and Alito have the gall to attack us??? I am hopeful the massive amount of GOP money trying to get the power back fails. That women VOTE by the millions and and the GOP spineless GOP sees the mess they have created.
I have posted for a few weeks now. My ideas are different because I look at thing from a different perspective than most. That doesn't mean I am not in favor of most of the same things everyone else is favor of it just means that I have a different way to achieve those things that I find important. Let me give you an example, I am against weapons like AR-15s. Having carried a fully automatically CAR-15 and used it in Laos when I ran Special Operations during Vietnam. I know that we will never achieve getting rid of the weapon because of the feelings of many about the 2nd Amendment. However, if we control the ammunition, the .223 and .556 and outlaw them, then an AR-15 is no more than a flat baseball bat. Look me up at stephenf.substack.com
Thank you for the mention, Robert. I'm a "C" Cathy rather than a "K" Kathy. To help people remember how to spell my name I say think Catherine the Great and King Lear (so they spell Learoyd with an "a" in it rather than Leroy). My thoughts tonight go to reminiscing on a special moment in my life. How many times in one's life do you have the opportunity to accompany Kate Smith as she sings God Bless America on national television? It came out of a very sad tragedy. In October, 1970, a plane crash over the Rockies took the lives of 31 people, one of two planes carrying the Wichita State University football team to a game in Nevada. I was a music major at WSU, a violinist in the university orchestra. Two weeks after the WSU crash Marshall University suffered a similar plane crash with their football team. So, a Night of Stars was arranged as a fundraiser for the families who had lost their loved ones of both universities. "The telethon, which was broadcast on Nov. 28, 1970, was spearheaded and emceed by Monty Hall hn ’71, star and producer of the TV show “Let’s Make a Deal.” Bill Cosby, Mac Davis, Leif Erickson, Phil Ford, Mimi Hines, George Gobel, Humble Pie, Marilyn Maye, Minnie Pearl, the Young Americans, Lou Rawls and Kate Smith made personal appearances." https://the-shocker.wichita.edu/story.php?eid=66&id=1888#.Y0EQhUzMJD8 The WSU orchestra accompanied the singers on the program. We rehearsed in the basketball stadium on that Saturday afternoon. On a break we could look out the windows at the scoreboard of the football stadium where the first game after the tragedy was being played. They allowed freshmen to fill out the football squad. WSU lost that game but certainly had the full support of the community and even the nation. The basketball stadium was packed that night. Kate Smith ended the program with God Bless America. The program was taped and aired later that evening so all of us who had performed went over to the country club (the university had recently bought the country club adjacent to the university) and watched the broadcast together. Can you imagine the chills of patriotism that runs up and down your spine as the sound of your violin supports such a beautiful iconic voice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmfeNq5x5aQ Enjoy. We, the People, all of us this time.
Australia successfully had a buyback campaign that took hundreds of thousands of guns out of circulation. We need to attempt that here though it'll be a lot more difficult with the entrenched gun culture. It'll need a very savvy coordinator appealing to a higher patriotic norm.
Dems helped extreme right wingers win their primaries because the thought was they’d be easier to beat. I hope they never do that again. We’re looking at potential senators who are dangerously unqualified who may be voting on foreign policy, war, taxation, a woman’s right to choose, approving federal judges, and even removing a president. This is not a game.
ATTN PAID SUBSCRIBERS: I will mail, at NO COST, a 2’ x 3’ blue and white PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY flag. Email me at POD.ApathyDestroys@gmail.com for info or a picture or to request a flag. I feel very strongly about getting these flags out in the public.
Robert suggested we use the comment section to share action ideas. I’m currently sidelined with COVID, so I’ve had to revise my action plans. My priority is to continue to get well so I can be ready to block walk every day. I’ll share one action-while-isolating-with COVID and one other action idea.
I’m focusing on a few local races, writing postcards. This morning, I signed up for postcardstovoters.org. With handmade postcards, I have discovered this tip. I use thin point, felt tip, multiple colored markers and handwrite four of these on a blank 8.5”x11” sheet of paper. I copy those onto white card stock then use a paper cutter to precisely cut those into four postcards. With felt tip markers, one truly cannot tell that these are copies. I use colors for the text and black for addressing—you don’t want to repeat a color in the address, because that could look a tad different from the copy. For stamps, I order from usps.com--sometimes I have trouble finding postcard stamps at my local post office.
My other action tip. I’ve created a little card (link below) hat I carry multiples of (specific to what folks would need here in TX). When I’m wearing my political t-shirts and someone comments, I use it as an opportunity to ask if they have checked their voter registration recently/how to do so and receive reminders. Registering to vote and voting is not easy here in Texas, so this is especially important. My young adult kids tell me QR codes are the only way to go—they typically pitch paper brochures. I’ve learned that QR code (jpg) are easy to create Microsoft Edge and I’m sure other browsers also. Happy to help anyone with this.
If Democrats manage to hold onto the reins of government this year, what would be the top priorities - what legislation would you like to see President Biden sign in 2023 ?
Choose your favorites and/or add your own:
1. Omnibus Voting Rights Bill ? To include automatic registration and easy voting ?
2. Reproductive Rights Legislation ?
3. Energy Independence ? Rebuilding the Grid to accommodate renewable production ?
4. A completely new Tax Code ? Simple with minimal deductions ?
5. Universal Health Care ? Eliminate private blood sucking health insurance companies ?
6. A National Service Program for all young people ? Military or peaceful contributions welcome ?
7. A Weapons Program that registers all gun owners to provide national background checks ? "You can't be crazy and carry ?"
8. A practical and fresh approach to coast line and riverside land use. Discontinue Federal Insurance for vulnerable locations? Offer a one time buy out to residents? Set a timeline for a strategic withdrawal?
9. Expand the Supreme Court to at least 13 Justices ? Impeach Thomas ?
10. Require states to include Civics and American History Courses (the full and true history beginning with the Columbus genocide...or even earlier) ? States that did not fully comply would lose all Federal Funding ?
Well, that was a lot of fun to write! My attitude is if we don't aspire, we will expire. Happy weekend.
If you want some really great suggestions for Democracy from folks a lot smarter than me, please read about "Our Common Purpose" at the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Aspire!
Vying to replace retiring Ohio Senator Rob Portman, Tim Ryan & JD Vance are scheduled for two debates, Mondays 10/10 & 10/17, the first debate timed for 7:00 pm et.
Planning is for regional TV broadcast only, though streaming options appear available:
“ . . . stations include WDTN 2 News in Dayton, NBC4 in Columbus, WKBN/WYTV in Youngstown, WTRF in Wheeling and WOWK in Charleston, West Virginia. The debate will also stream on each station’s website.”
Polling is tight, with 538 currently giving Vance a 70 / 30 edge. On the other hand, let’s not forget Ohio has consistently managed to re-elect Democrat Sherrod Brown.
Summaries describe Ryan winning on economic topics, Trump-endorsed Vance on culture war appeal to the MAGA base.
For some strange reason, the "liberal" media seem intent on putting the most negative (for Biden and for Democrats) interpretation possible on nearly every news event and polling results. Just today, MSNBC showed the results of an NPR Marist poll asking respondents to cite what is their "Top Issue." In this case, the answer given by the largest cohort, 37%, was "Inflation." This is, in my opinion, a proxy for "the economy" which almost invariably is the #1 concern voters cite. Of course, it is usually unclear what that choice exactly says about someone's political inclinations. The MSNBC reporter placed great emphasis on that 37% being almost triple the 13% who cited "Abortion" as their primary concern. This might be reasonably seen as worrisome for Democrats IF it were not for the fact that an amazing 27% cited "Preserving Democracy" as their top issue. (This poll, unlike most others, required each respondent to cite only ONE issue.) My educated guess is that nearly every person naming the preservation of democracy as their primary concern is a Democratic voter. Yet not even MSNBC thought its citation by 27% of those interviewed worthy of comment. But I suggest that this answer, which wasn't even on the radar two years ago, speaks volumes about the massive impact that Trump and the MAGA movement is having on our politics, an impact that will make itself strongly felt on November 8th. We progressives must stop giving into a gloomy pessimism and, while continuing to work to rally all of our supporters, allow ourselves to believe in the essential decency of a majority of the American electorate. It may be a slim majority, but the extreme excesses of the MAGA Right will work importantly in our favor, and the Democrats will IMHO retain their House majority--and increase their Senate majority.
I apologize for this rather personal "comment," unrelated to "Today's Edition." I just got power and internet access back after Hurricane Ian blew through my city on 9/28. What I want to share are the lessons I learned. I'm 65 years old, have lived in Florida most of my life, and Ian was not my proverbial "first rodeo," but it was, by far the worst.
Personally, I am incredibly fortunate. My home came through this beast virtually unscathed. My yard of all native plants and trees is in ruins, but this is Florida, so I am confident, once the chainsaws have done their job, that the flora will rebound, if not quickly, certainly in time.
The real point of this post is to share the amazing lessons in humility, generosity, and caring I have learned over the past 10 days. Neighbors I did not know came to offer me water, food, and any assistance they could. This is not a "tight knit" neighborhood. Most people tend to keep to themselves, or so that's the way I've always perceived it, and I've lived in my home 22+ years. But, in this harrowing time, several have truly stepped up to offer a much needed helping hand.
I am a retired public school educator and was blessed to form close relationships with hundreds of what I have always referred to as "my kids." One of "my kids" from 30 years ago, and his wife (also a student in the same class) drove from Gainesville to bring me and 9 other of their former classmates and teachers food, water, ice, and other necessities. Another who still lives in Cape Coral, has been delivering supplies to many, including me. A dear teacher friend, who recently moved from here to N.J. has been keeping me informed when I was cut off from information as to what was going on. My god-brother mailed me a "care package" from Tallahassee. Countless offers and inquiries from former students, and colleagues have buoyed me through the darkness, heat, and despair. Today, I will be able to get online and view some of the destruction for myself. I have only heard reports of what Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island, Matlacha, and so many of the places that are a part of my hometown look like post-Ian. I expect it will bring tears to my eyes, but it is the people for whom those areas were home that the tears should be shed. It is for those that lost loved ones, and those who lost their lives that tears should and will be shed.
I am not a person of "faith," certainly not of what passes for "Christian values" in 2022, but I have my beliefs and I know that I am blessed. I am grateful, I am deeply humbled, and in many ways, I'm forever changed. And for this "old dog," that's quite the accomplishment. Please keep the people of SW Florida in your thoughts and prayers (and in this circumstance those are appropriate, unlike the offers given after mass shootings by certain politicians...but I digress, my apologies). Let us not forget those in Puerto Rico, Alaska, and other places affected recently by natural disasters, but the sad truth is that SW FL will never be quite the same and it will take years for any sense of "normal" to be restored.
Thank you for indulging this personal "comment."
I personally am tired of the trump nonsense, the press coverage about trump, the ignorant maga folks who follow fox and the lies…..enough is enough. We need citizens disgusted with Jan 6 th murderous behavior, the ugly bigotry, the slashing of womens health rights, the acceptance of cruel behavior. President Biden has remained steadfast and steady. The supreme court has become nothing but political hacks and Roberts and Alito have the gall to attack us??? I am hopeful the massive amount of GOP money trying to get the power back fails. That women VOTE by the millions and and the GOP spineless GOP sees the mess they have created.
I have posted for a few weeks now. My ideas are different because I look at thing from a different perspective than most. That doesn't mean I am not in favor of most of the same things everyone else is favor of it just means that I have a different way to achieve those things that I find important. Let me give you an example, I am against weapons like AR-15s. Having carried a fully automatically CAR-15 and used it in Laos when I ran Special Operations during Vietnam. I know that we will never achieve getting rid of the weapon because of the feelings of many about the 2nd Amendment. However, if we control the ammunition, the .223 and .556 and outlaw them, then an AR-15 is no more than a flat baseball bat. Look me up at stephenf.substack.com
In the other day's newsletter Mr. Hubbell listed several of the miscreants receiving pardons from Trump.
Missing was the war criminal navy seal Gallagher described by fellow seals as "freaking evil". He was pardoned in December 2019.
We should not forget this "values signaling" by Trump, implicitly condoning the worst type of sick violence.
Thank you for the mention, Robert. I'm a "C" Cathy rather than a "K" Kathy. To help people remember how to spell my name I say think Catherine the Great and King Lear (so they spell Learoyd with an "a" in it rather than Leroy). My thoughts tonight go to reminiscing on a special moment in my life. How many times in one's life do you have the opportunity to accompany Kate Smith as she sings God Bless America on national television? It came out of a very sad tragedy. In October, 1970, a plane crash over the Rockies took the lives of 31 people, one of two planes carrying the Wichita State University football team to a game in Nevada. I was a music major at WSU, a violinist in the university orchestra. Two weeks after the WSU crash Marshall University suffered a similar plane crash with their football team. So, a Night of Stars was arranged as a fundraiser for the families who had lost their loved ones of both universities. "The telethon, which was broadcast on Nov. 28, 1970, was spearheaded and emceed by Monty Hall hn ’71, star and producer of the TV show “Let’s Make a Deal.” Bill Cosby, Mac Davis, Leif Erickson, Phil Ford, Mimi Hines, George Gobel, Humble Pie, Marilyn Maye, Minnie Pearl, the Young Americans, Lou Rawls and Kate Smith made personal appearances." https://the-shocker.wichita.edu/story.php?eid=66&id=1888#.Y0EQhUzMJD8 The WSU orchestra accompanied the singers on the program. We rehearsed in the basketball stadium on that Saturday afternoon. On a break we could look out the windows at the scoreboard of the football stadium where the first game after the tragedy was being played. They allowed freshmen to fill out the football squad. WSU lost that game but certainly had the full support of the community and even the nation. The basketball stadium was packed that night. Kate Smith ended the program with God Bless America. The program was taped and aired later that evening so all of us who had performed went over to the country club (the university had recently bought the country club adjacent to the university) and watched the broadcast together. Can you imagine the chills of patriotism that runs up and down your spine as the sound of your violin supports such a beautiful iconic voice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmfeNq5x5aQ Enjoy. We, the People, all of us this time.
How about photos on Social Security cards to make voting easier for adults who don't drive.
Hope all is perfect for your daughter’s wedding 🥰 🥂
Australia successfully had a buyback campaign that took hundreds of thousands of guns out of circulation. We need to attempt that here though it'll be a lot more difficult with the entrenched gun culture. It'll need a very savvy coordinator appealing to a higher patriotic norm.
Dems helped extreme right wingers win their primaries because the thought was they’d be easier to beat. I hope they never do that again. We’re looking at potential senators who are dangerously unqualified who may be voting on foreign policy, war, taxation, a woman’s right to choose, approving federal judges, and even removing a president. This is not a game.
OH GREAT JOY!!!! Congratulations Hubbell Family & Loved Ones!! Time for Celebration NOT work!!
ATTN PAID SUBSCRIBERS: I will mail, at NO COST, a 2’ x 3’ blue and white PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY flag. Email me at POD.ApathyDestroys@gmail.com for info or a picture or to request a flag. I feel very strongly about getting these flags out in the public.
Robert suggested we use the comment section to share action ideas. I’m currently sidelined with COVID, so I’ve had to revise my action plans. My priority is to continue to get well so I can be ready to block walk every day. I’ll share one action-while-isolating-with COVID and one other action idea.
I’m focusing on a few local races, writing postcards. This morning, I signed up for postcardstovoters.org. With handmade postcards, I have discovered this tip. I use thin point, felt tip, multiple colored markers and handwrite four of these on a blank 8.5”x11” sheet of paper. I copy those onto white card stock then use a paper cutter to precisely cut those into four postcards. With felt tip markers, one truly cannot tell that these are copies. I use colors for the text and black for addressing—you don’t want to repeat a color in the address, because that could look a tad different from the copy. For stamps, I order from usps.com--sometimes I have trouble finding postcard stamps at my local post office.
My other action tip. I’ve created a little card (link below) hat I carry multiples of (specific to what folks would need here in TX). When I’m wearing my political t-shirts and someone comments, I use it as an opportunity to ask if they have checked their voter registration recently/how to do so and receive reminders. Registering to vote and voting is not easy here in Texas, so this is especially important. My young adult kids tell me QR codes are the only way to go—they typically pitch paper brochures. I’ve learned that QR code (jpg) are easy to create Microsoft Edge and I’m sure other browsers also. Happy to help anyone with this.
Link to my “card” https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xad_oi1lDVGCDP_bsgGaTPuUH0Ecre7b/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101527070974081088657&rtpof=true&sd=true
If Democrats manage to hold onto the reins of government this year, what would be the top priorities - what legislation would you like to see President Biden sign in 2023 ?
Choose your favorites and/or add your own:
1. Omnibus Voting Rights Bill ? To include automatic registration and easy voting ?
2. Reproductive Rights Legislation ?
3. Energy Independence ? Rebuilding the Grid to accommodate renewable production ?
4. A completely new Tax Code ? Simple with minimal deductions ?
5. Universal Health Care ? Eliminate private blood sucking health insurance companies ?
6. A National Service Program for all young people ? Military or peaceful contributions welcome ?
7. A Weapons Program that registers all gun owners to provide national background checks ? "You can't be crazy and carry ?"
8. A practical and fresh approach to coast line and riverside land use. Discontinue Federal Insurance for vulnerable locations? Offer a one time buy out to residents? Set a timeline for a strategic withdrawal?
9. Expand the Supreme Court to at least 13 Justices ? Impeach Thomas ?
10. Require states to include Civics and American History Courses (the full and true history beginning with the Columbus genocide...or even earlier) ? States that did not fully comply would lose all Federal Funding ?
Well, that was a lot of fun to write! My attitude is if we don't aspire, we will expire. Happy weekend.
If you want some really great suggestions for Democracy from folks a lot smarter than me, please read about "Our Common Purpose" at the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Aspire!
https://www.amacad.org/ourcommonpurpose/report
I wrote about this here:
https://billalstrom.substack.com/p/the-best-defense-is-a-good-offense
Nice company to be in. :-)
Vying to replace retiring Ohio Senator Rob Portman, Tim Ryan & JD Vance are scheduled for two debates, Mondays 10/10 & 10/17, the first debate timed for 7:00 pm et.
Planning is for regional TV broadcast only, though streaming options appear available:
“ . . . stations include WDTN 2 News in Dayton, NBC4 in Columbus, WKBN/WYTV in Youngstown, WTRF in Wheeling and WOWK in Charleston, West Virginia. The debate will also stream on each station’s website.”
Polling is tight, with 538 currently giving Vance a 70 / 30 edge. On the other hand, let’s not forget Ohio has consistently managed to re-elect Democrat Sherrod Brown.
Summaries describe Ryan winning on economic topics, Trump-endorsed Vance on culture war appeal to the MAGA base.