DeSanitizes clearly has mental problems and doesn't seem to know that he does not fare well outside The Villages, esp. with younger voters. Robert, I would love for you to expand on the efforts by Republicans to restrict the voting rights of the younger voters, who thankfully turned the tide in 2022. Can you think about doing that?
I suffer PTSD every time the Republicans hold this country hostage with the debt ceiling by creating the crisis, and I thank you for the concise summation of our current situation. I have been saying (and was pleased to see Professor Richardson espoused the same view in today's newsletter) that IF President Biden invokes the 14th Amendment it will #1 let Republicans off the hook for paying debts they incurred according to previously approved budgets and #2 give Republicans a scapegoat. Why they may even open an investigation into it! I mean, it's not like they have any intent to do their actual jobs - MANY do not even know WHAT they are supposed to be doing, much less HOW to do it. Frankly, I would love to have President Biden invoke the 14th or let the U.S. default - let the chips fall where they may. THAT would be the Republicans fault. I know it would be horrible, but at this point, I'd still love to see Dark Brandon do it!
One wonders if Professors Tribe and Hockett are prepared to argue their case in front of the Supreme Court. It made sense to me as with so many others, perhaps that's why Congressional Republicans are having a hard time with it.
Thank you, Mimi. Given the controversy over white authors of fiction writing from perspectives which include black characters, dealing with issues of race, I really wanted my book to speak for itself. I feel that it does, and will be very interested in your reaction – not least because of all the research I did in Georgia. Best, Ric
Thank you for this lovely message, Denise. I may be biased, but I’m particularly fond of this book. For me, it combines important social issues with the timeless themes of love and family. That’s my favorite kind of story to tell.
Thank you Terry. Another favorite quote of mine is "Fiction is a collection of lies with are ultimately true." I think fiction can give insight into our most salient problems – Including our unresolved fissures of race. The requirement is that an author writing about experiences outside his own must do the research and interviewing to write something which is not only"ultimately true" but illuminating, causing readers to view vexing issues in a new light.
My book is rooted in over 50 interviews, many of Black Georgians who spoke to me from their own lived experience. Without them, this book would not be possible.
Re the debt ceiling talks, the Republicans keep raising the need to cut spending (even though it is not relevant at this point) but I do not hear much from the Democrats to raise revenues by increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations (even though that is similarly not on point but necessary in the longer term.)
"In Wisconsin, as in the nation, none of the austerity measures pushed by Republicans are necessary. The economy is strong, unemployment is low, tax collections are up.
For no good reason, Milwaukee, which will host the Republican National Convention next summer, is facing bankruptcy because of a manufactured crisis. And our whole country is on the brink of default because Republicans in Congress are holding up what should be a routine pass-through procedure to try to extract punishing conditions.
The shared revenue debate is a microcosm of the political crisis gripping our whole country as Republicans struggle to hold onto minority rule by suppressing the votes of young urbanites and people of color while driving disaffected white voters to the polls by stirring up racism and resentment. Wisconsin Republicans have been obsessed for years with punishing Milwaukee — the most diverse city in the state. Keeping turnout low among Black and Hispanic voters in Milwaukee was an explicit political strategy in the 2022 election."
I wrote to President Biden yesterday encouraging him to invoke the 14th Amendment. Speaker McCarthy is not going to get concessions from the MAGA extremists. The 14th amendment is the best -- perhaps only -- solution to the debt-ceiling crisis. Certainly it is the simplest and most face saving. The debt-ceiling law should be declared unconstitutional because it clearly is. Sounds like the opinion is coalescing around using the 14th amendment.
Thanks for the entire Edition today but especially for the section about Richard North Patterson, some of whose books I enjoyed many years ago. I look forward to reading the serialized version of his newest one. What a generous gesture from him to make it free! I also just subscribed to his Substack.
Here’s my fantasy. Biden is playing the House Republicans as he did during the State if the Union address, letting Maga play out their game and escalate their demands. He then does a national address in which he refuses to go along with massive cuts to popular social programs, including veteran’s benefits, and takes unilateral action in defense of the Constitution, governmental responsibility and the nation’s and families’ economic well-being. He crushes MAGA, reasserts his leadership and federal authority and saves the democratic day. What are the odds?
Shep, Because your comment nearly mirrors virtually every letter I have sent to the White House and to my House and Senate representatives, I am particularly partial to your vision. I presume you are aware of the Sanders/Warren co-authored letter 11 Senators (including its authors) signed onto demanding Biden invoke the 14th in the interest of fulfilling his Constitutional duty to execute all U.S. laws, including the ones Congress passed telling him to spend money.
Barbara, I am aware of the Sanders/Warren initiative and I believe there's another letter signed by 40 members of Congress urging Biden to take some action beyond negotiating with the hostage takers. Let's hope he stands his ground and that my fantasy and your letters become reality. I fear the future, if otherwise. All best, Shep
Shep, The letter from House Democrats slipped my mind. Thanks for the reminder. While I will keep writing, I’m quite certain I’m not alone.
Admittedly, as you indicate, we are right to fear the increasing upending of the American experiment. Still, I see no option but to muster the will and courage to persevere. Onward, Barbara
Hockett believes even this Court will rule against the Debt ceiling. I think they have a reactionary agenda, but they don’t need this to carry it out. It may impede it.
Thanks, Robert, for introducing us to Ric and sharing your endorsement. He is one of my favorite authors, and it's good to see him here. Not only is his topical fiction writing thoroughly entertaining, but I always feel that I've learned something about social, political or legal matters. I look forward to seeing him engaging in our conversations.
I agree with your comments. Some people don’t want to dig deeper and rationalise things away. What we sometimes lose sight of is some people will do anything to keep or be close to power and some people are afraid to speak up because of retaliation. I have read stories about people who have spoken up and their lives were threatened and they had a bullseye on their back. Today’s Republicans are about bullying and intimidation
DeSanitizes clearly has mental problems and doesn't seem to know that he does not fare well outside The Villages, esp. with younger voters. Robert, I would love for you to expand on the efforts by Republicans to restrict the voting rights of the younger voters, who thankfully turned the tide in 2022. Can you think about doing that?
I suffer PTSD every time the Republicans hold this country hostage with the debt ceiling by creating the crisis, and I thank you for the concise summation of our current situation. I have been saying (and was pleased to see Professor Richardson espoused the same view in today's newsletter) that IF President Biden invokes the 14th Amendment it will #1 let Republicans off the hook for paying debts they incurred according to previously approved budgets and #2 give Republicans a scapegoat. Why they may even open an investigation into it! I mean, it's not like they have any intent to do their actual jobs - MANY do not even know WHAT they are supposed to be doing, much less HOW to do it. Frankly, I would love to have President Biden invoke the 14th or let the U.S. default - let the chips fall where they may. THAT would be the Republicans fault. I know it would be horrible, but at this point, I'd still love to see Dark Brandon do it!
One wonders if Professors Tribe and Hockett are prepared to argue their case in front of the Supreme Court. It made sense to me as with so many others, perhaps that's why Congressional Republicans are having a hard time with it.
Thank you, Mimi. Given the controversy over white authors of fiction writing from perspectives which include black characters, dealing with issues of race, I really wanted my book to speak for itself. I feel that it does, and will be very interested in your reaction – not least because of all the research I did in Georgia. Best, Ric
Thank you for this lovely message, Denise. I may be biased, but I’m particularly fond of this book. For me, it combines important social issues with the timeless themes of love and family. That’s my favorite kind of story to tell.
Have a great weekend!
Ric
Thank you Terry. Another favorite quote of mine is "Fiction is a collection of lies with are ultimately true." I think fiction can give insight into our most salient problems – Including our unresolved fissures of race. The requirement is that an author writing about experiences outside his own must do the research and interviewing to write something which is not only"ultimately true" but illuminating, causing readers to view vexing issues in a new light.
My book is rooted in over 50 interviews, many of Black Georgians who spoke to me from their own lived experience. Without them, this book would not be possible.
Thanks again, and have a great weekend!
Best,
Ric
Today in Hopium Chronicles, Simon Rosenberg writes about the “virtuous cycle of participation” and how early participation greatly empowers a campaign. https://open.substack.com/pub/simonwdc/p/last-few-weeks-have-been-good-ones?r=536qh&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Can't wait to hear Trial! Thank you for all your newsletters!
Re the debt ceiling talks, the Republicans keep raising the need to cut spending (even though it is not relevant at this point) but I do not hear much from the Democrats to raise revenues by increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations (even though that is similarly not on point but necessary in the longer term.)
Ruth Conniff in today's Examiner: https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2023/05/19/republicans-play-chicken-with-the-economy-at-both-the-state-and-national-levels/
"In Wisconsin, as in the nation, none of the austerity measures pushed by Republicans are necessary. The economy is strong, unemployment is low, tax collections are up.
For no good reason, Milwaukee, which will host the Republican National Convention next summer, is facing bankruptcy because of a manufactured crisis. And our whole country is on the brink of default because Republicans in Congress are holding up what should be a routine pass-through procedure to try to extract punishing conditions.
The shared revenue debate is a microcosm of the political crisis gripping our whole country as Republicans struggle to hold onto minority rule by suppressing the votes of young urbanites and people of color while driving disaffected white voters to the polls by stirring up racism and resentment. Wisconsin Republicans have been obsessed for years with punishing Milwaukee — the most diverse city in the state. Keeping turnout low among Black and Hispanic voters in Milwaukee was an explicit political strategy in the 2022 election."
I wrote to President Biden yesterday encouraging him to invoke the 14th Amendment. Speaker McCarthy is not going to get concessions from the MAGA extremists. The 14th amendment is the best -- perhaps only -- solution to the debt-ceiling crisis. Certainly it is the simplest and most face saving. The debt-ceiling law should be declared unconstitutional because it clearly is. Sounds like the opinion is coalescing around using the 14th amendment.
Happy birthday to your daughter!
Thanks for the entire Edition today but especially for the section about Richard North Patterson, some of whose books I enjoyed many years ago. I look forward to reading the serialized version of his newest one. What a generous gesture from him to make it free! I also just subscribed to his Substack.
Here’s my fantasy. Biden is playing the House Republicans as he did during the State if the Union address, letting Maga play out their game and escalate their demands. He then does a national address in which he refuses to go along with massive cuts to popular social programs, including veteran’s benefits, and takes unilateral action in defense of the Constitution, governmental responsibility and the nation’s and families’ economic well-being. He crushes MAGA, reasserts his leadership and federal authority and saves the democratic day. What are the odds?
Shep, Because your comment nearly mirrors virtually every letter I have sent to the White House and to my House and Senate representatives, I am particularly partial to your vision. I presume you are aware of the Sanders/Warren co-authored letter 11 Senators (including its authors) signed onto demanding Biden invoke the 14th in the interest of fulfilling his Constitutional duty to execute all U.S. laws, including the ones Congress passed telling him to spend money.
Barbara, I am aware of the Sanders/Warren initiative and I believe there's another letter signed by 40 members of Congress urging Biden to take some action beyond negotiating with the hostage takers. Let's hope he stands his ground and that my fantasy and your letters become reality. I fear the future, if otherwise. All best, Shep
Shep, The letter from House Democrats slipped my mind. Thanks for the reminder. While I will keep writing, I’m quite certain I’m not alone.
Admittedly, as you indicate, we are right to fear the increasing upending of the American experiment. Still, I see no option but to muster the will and courage to persevere. Onward, Barbara
Hockett believes even this Court will rule against the Debt ceiling. I think they have a reactionary agenda, but they don’t need this to carry it out. It may impede it.
Thanks, Robert, for introducing us to Ric and sharing your endorsement. He is one of my favorite authors, and it's good to see him here. Not only is his topical fiction writing thoroughly entertaining, but I always feel that I've learned something about social, political or legal matters. I look forward to seeing him engaging in our conversations.
I agree with your comments. Some people don’t want to dig deeper and rationalise things away. What we sometimes lose sight of is some people will do anything to keep or be close to power and some people are afraid to speak up because of retaliation. I have read stories about people who have spoken up and their lives were threatened and they had a bullseye on their back. Today’s Republicans are about bullying and intimidation