I would like to make a modest suggestion. I suggest you devote a couple of letters to the issue of fascism in America. I think it is a huge and growing problem that much misunderstood. And I think it needs to be well-understood to be combatted. Many people think that because Hitler was a fascist it is about antisemitism. Although Hitler is an extreme example of fascism, fascism is about much more. It requires a strong leader, millions of followers (eg Brownshirts), an objective of some kind of societal purity, a demonization of groups of people in a objective to advance the power of the leader and his followers. Here are some current examples: Trump and Mexican rapists, Asians and Kung flu, Muslim ban; DeSantis and LBGT people; Marjorie Greene and white Christian nationalists. Fascism is manifested in many ways, including attacks on local school boards and libraries and school curricula. And it can occur on the left, too - especially as directed at Jews. The threat on the left is serious but less immediate. It is not (yet) led by a strong-man leader.
That is my first try at a definition. If I have it wrong please speak up. We need to understand the threat in order to see and deal with it. This is a real issue and isn’t a word game.
Thank you Robert! I am always screaming from the rooftops about your newsletter and writing postcards to voters and our Giving Circle because all three keep me going and hopeful.
Thank you for all you do. The pollywog thing is funny! Your reach and impact are huge already!
Oops, I missed the note in the past to not share via social media, but am so glad we can now share as I repost on my social media of both you and Heather. I know that it has grown an audience for Heather because people have asked me about her. Hopefully it will do the same for you. Sane voices must be shared. Intelligent commentary on the daily onslaught of misinformation must get through. Have a relaxing weekend. 🥸
I will be happy to help in my tiny way to spread the word about this newsletter. Robert, you write with passion, compassion and a desire for justice. And you have that rare talent for balance. You ring the alarms when necessary. But you always end with optimism, action plans and compliments for others. Speaking of which, "Hopium" is indeed a must read. After you have digested LFAA, Joyce Vance and Thom Hartmann. Substack "rules"!
That being said, I would suggest a piece that is titled "Crisis Created". Yes, we averted disaster. But it was just many months of pure manufactured needless bullshit. The debt ceiling? A non existent distraction.
Every moment wasted on this subject by our Congress was a moment we were not talking about the reality of the Climate Crisis. Moments when we weren't discussing income and asset inequality. Moments when we weren't talking about food insecurity and shrinking supplies of decent drinking water.
With reference to the "debt ceiling", our President handled it deftly. But the fact that he had to spend more than five minutes on such a stupid and needless issue makes me angrier than I have been in years.
One more thought about fascism. There are three recent comments on this issue that I recommend. Professor Richardson
recent letter about a US Army publication in 1943 (!!) defining fascism; a recent Bret Stephens op Ed about Erdogan and especially the first paragraph thereof, and a letter a few days ago by Joyce Vance, aptly entitled something like “Dare we call it fascism?”
I had recommended Robert’s newsletter to one of my best friends awhile back. Today Mason made a point of thanking me! He reads Robert’s newsletter religiously. I can’t tell you how many times family and friends have thanked me for giving me Robert’s email address to get his newsletter. And thank you Frank for doing the same for me!
Guns are are number one killer of children and teens in the US. I always feel frustrated by the lack of political will to do ANYTHING about it.
Then I heard about Here 4 the Kids which is organizing a sit-in of 25,000+ white women from around the country on Monday, June 5, at 5am in Denver, Colorado. They are calling on Colorado Governor Jared Polis to sign an Executive Order to ban guns and implement a statewide buyback program. I checked out their website www.here4thekids.com and was impressed with what I read. I'm in Maryland so I can't join them Monday but what a bold and necessary action. Keep your eyes open for news about what happens Monday. I hope this movement spreads. Politicians have failed to act. Peacefully, respectfully, courageously it's up to us.
Thank you for all your positive vibes!!!! Especially In the midst of the daily doom and gloom.
You help to keep me from going over the edge. Really, your positive attitude and clear reasoning is like the best yoga class!!!! I have shared your newsletter with many, and will continue to do so.
Thank you, Robert, not only for all you do with supporting grassroots actions for democracy, but now with taking it next level adding a QR code to your newsletter. This is great!
Now more than ever Truth Matters and making this newsletter available to as many people as possible only helps spread the truth to all voters. The economy is In great shape with more
people employed than ever before and wages higher than ever. Post pandemic inflation is lower and except where there is still price gouging the cost of living is coming down. The media has never given the Biden Administration the credit it deserves for effectively managing the country through a financial crisis in part exasperated by Trump and Republican mismanagement. We need to shout to the roof tops about this because in Presidential politics is “ always about the economy”.
I told you so. I told you President Biden knew what he was doing and that we would not default. And here we are. My point here is not self-congratulations.
My main concerns are as follows.
The MAGAs are extremely good at fear mongering through threats, displays of rage and outlandish lies. They had the full attention of the Nation and they used it.
The media can convince through repetition and their own version of fear based "reporting" and exaggeration. Their 24/7 news cycle dinging those smart phones incessantly is designed to hook you in; to hang on to their every word. And the media milked this situation for everything they could.
So crisis? I don't know. Four years of trump were a crisis.
I voted for Joe Biden and I trust him to do his job. It was very sad to see people suffer from the debt ceiling machinations. I read comments in Mr. Hubbell's newsletter that showed real suffering. Did President Biden not have an array of tools at his disposal, a deep and talented bench of advisors and savvy Congressional Democratic leaders? Remember McConnell saying at the very beginning we would not default? Were not the MAGAs outnumbered, outmaneuvered and just plain stupid?
My point. We are in a war. Many serious things are going to happen. They want us scared, scatterbrained and exhausted. We don't have that luxury.
I have prayed for those commenters to Mr. Hubbell's newsletter who were in immense pain. I hope you are able to recoup, heal and take care of yourself.
Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum*
Don't let the bastards grind you down.
This is from the last chapter of the book-The Handmaid's Tale. It's carved into the wall of the wardrobe.
Well said, AGAIN, Robert. I know you’ll be embarrassed to read this, but you really are an inspiration to tens of thousands of people. Have a good weekend. Take it for rest. You and Jill deserve it.
Robert, you certainly do bring “perspective, hope, and calm to a news ecosystem that thrives on fear and spectacle.” Thank you always for that! I do share your letters, not every day, but will certainly do so more often.
To more pollywogs in small ponds working for democracy. Together we can (and are) making a good difference.
It's hard to know what the right wing MAGA crowd will take away from our recent lesson in good bipartisan governance.
Biden's "fireside" chat yesterday, is an excellent kickoff to 2024..he layed out his administration's great 2 year record and how he saved Republicans from destroying the economy.
We have 18 months of hard work ahead of us to consolidate a trifecta win in 24 so we can complete Biden's social agenda; voting rights, equal rights, women's health, SCOTUS issues and so forth..
I would like to make a modest suggestion. I suggest you devote a couple of letters to the issue of fascism in America. I think it is a huge and growing problem that much misunderstood. And I think it needs to be well-understood to be combatted. Many people think that because Hitler was a fascist it is about antisemitism. Although Hitler is an extreme example of fascism, fascism is about much more. It requires a strong leader, millions of followers (eg Brownshirts), an objective of some kind of societal purity, a demonization of groups of people in a objective to advance the power of the leader and his followers. Here are some current examples: Trump and Mexican rapists, Asians and Kung flu, Muslim ban; DeSantis and LBGT people; Marjorie Greene and white Christian nationalists. Fascism is manifested in many ways, including attacks on local school boards and libraries and school curricula. And it can occur on the left, too - especially as directed at Jews. The threat on the left is serious but less immediate. It is not (yet) led by a strong-man leader.
That is my first try at a definition. If I have it wrong please speak up. We need to understand the threat in order to see and deal with it. This is a real issue and isn’t a word game.
Thank you Robert! I am always screaming from the rooftops about your newsletter and writing postcards to voters and our Giving Circle because all three keep me going and hopeful.
Thank you for all you do. The pollywog thing is funny! Your reach and impact are huge already!
Oops, I missed the note in the past to not share via social media, but am so glad we can now share as I repost on my social media of both you and Heather. I know that it has grown an audience for Heather because people have asked me about her. Hopefully it will do the same for you. Sane voices must be shared. Intelligent commentary on the daily onslaught of misinformation must get through. Have a relaxing weekend. 🥸
I will be happy to help in my tiny way to spread the word about this newsletter. Robert, you write with passion, compassion and a desire for justice. And you have that rare talent for balance. You ring the alarms when necessary. But you always end with optimism, action plans and compliments for others. Speaking of which, "Hopium" is indeed a must read. After you have digested LFAA, Joyce Vance and Thom Hartmann. Substack "rules"!
That being said, I would suggest a piece that is titled "Crisis Created". Yes, we averted disaster. But it was just many months of pure manufactured needless bullshit. The debt ceiling? A non existent distraction.
Every moment wasted on this subject by our Congress was a moment we were not talking about the reality of the Climate Crisis. Moments when we weren't discussing income and asset inequality. Moments when we weren't talking about food insecurity and shrinking supplies of decent drinking water.
With reference to the "debt ceiling", our President handled it deftly. But the fact that he had to spend more than five minutes on such a stupid and needless issue makes me angrier than I have been in years.
One more thought about fascism. There are three recent comments on this issue that I recommend. Professor Richardson
recent letter about a US Army publication in 1943 (!!) defining fascism; a recent Bret Stephens op Ed about Erdogan and especially the first paragraph thereof, and a letter a few days ago by Joyce Vance, aptly entitled something like “Dare we call it fascism?”
I had recommended Robert’s newsletter to one of my best friends awhile back. Today Mason made a point of thanking me! He reads Robert’s newsletter religiously. I can’t tell you how many times family and friends have thanked me for giving me Robert’s email address to get his newsletter. And thank you Frank for doing the same for me!
Guns are are number one killer of children and teens in the US. I always feel frustrated by the lack of political will to do ANYTHING about it.
Then I heard about Here 4 the Kids which is organizing a sit-in of 25,000+ white women from around the country on Monday, June 5, at 5am in Denver, Colorado. They are calling on Colorado Governor Jared Polis to sign an Executive Order to ban guns and implement a statewide buyback program. I checked out their website www.here4thekids.com and was impressed with what I read. I'm in Maryland so I can't join them Monday but what a bold and necessary action. Keep your eyes open for news about what happens Monday. I hope this movement spreads. Politicians have failed to act. Peacefully, respectfully, courageously it's up to us.
Thank you for all your positive vibes!!!! Especially In the midst of the daily doom and gloom.
You help to keep me from going over the edge. Really, your positive attitude and clear reasoning is like the best yoga class!!!! I have shared your newsletter with many, and will continue to do so.
I am forever grateful. ❤️🧘♂️
Thank you Robert, as my kids would say, “you’re the bomb!”
Thank you, Robert, not only for all you do with supporting grassroots actions for democracy, but now with taking it next level adding a QR code to your newsletter. This is great!
Now more than ever Truth Matters and making this newsletter available to as many people as possible only helps spread the truth to all voters. The economy is In great shape with more
people employed than ever before and wages higher than ever. Post pandemic inflation is lower and except where there is still price gouging the cost of living is coming down. The media has never given the Biden Administration the credit it deserves for effectively managing the country through a financial crisis in part exasperated by Trump and Republican mismanagement. We need to shout to the roof tops about this because in Presidential politics is “ always about the economy”.
Congratulations on your retirement! I hope your editor and you get time to enjoy yourselves and making memories in this next phase of life.
I told you so. I told you President Biden knew what he was doing and that we would not default. And here we are. My point here is not self-congratulations.
My main concerns are as follows.
The MAGAs are extremely good at fear mongering through threats, displays of rage and outlandish lies. They had the full attention of the Nation and they used it.
The media can convince through repetition and their own version of fear based "reporting" and exaggeration. Their 24/7 news cycle dinging those smart phones incessantly is designed to hook you in; to hang on to their every word. And the media milked this situation for everything they could.
So crisis? I don't know. Four years of trump were a crisis.
I voted for Joe Biden and I trust him to do his job. It was very sad to see people suffer from the debt ceiling machinations. I read comments in Mr. Hubbell's newsletter that showed real suffering. Did President Biden not have an array of tools at his disposal, a deep and talented bench of advisors and savvy Congressional Democratic leaders? Remember McConnell saying at the very beginning we would not default? Were not the MAGAs outnumbered, outmaneuvered and just plain stupid?
My point. We are in a war. Many serious things are going to happen. They want us scared, scatterbrained and exhausted. We don't have that luxury.
I have prayed for those commenters to Mr. Hubbell's newsletter who were in immense pain. I hope you are able to recoup, heal and take care of yourself.
Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum*
Don't let the bastards grind you down.
This is from the last chapter of the book-The Handmaid's Tale. It's carved into the wall of the wardrobe.
Well said, AGAIN, Robert. I know you’ll be embarrassed to read this, but you really are an inspiration to tens of thousands of people. Have a good weekend. Take it for rest. You and Jill deserve it.
Robert, you certainly do bring “perspective, hope, and calm to a news ecosystem that thrives on fear and spectacle.” Thank you always for that! I do share your letters, not every day, but will certainly do so more often.
To more pollywogs in small ponds working for democracy. Together we can (and are) making a good difference.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend?
It's hard to know what the right wing MAGA crowd will take away from our recent lesson in good bipartisan governance.
Biden's "fireside" chat yesterday, is an excellent kickoff to 2024..he layed out his administration's great 2 year record and how he saved Republicans from destroying the economy.
We have 18 months of hard work ahead of us to consolidate a trifecta win in 24 so we can complete Biden's social agenda; voting rights, equal rights, women's health, SCOTUS issues and so forth..
A great beginning...