Thank you, as always, for your insightful commentary. You are a bright spot in my day, and I share your newsletter with friends and family as a result of your positive influence on me.
I want Kamala Harris to convene editors and journalists to reflect on their responsibility to advance democracy during this critical year. Amplifying bitterness and and marketing doom may produce dangerous consequences.
I forgot to mention that when you read surveys that say “70% of Republicans believe the election was stolen” they are referring to the Trump Republicans not all Republicans and that also means that 30% don’t believe it. All of this adds up to the Republicans are not all dedicated and devoted to Trump. Especially in purple and swing states.
This is the best thing I read over the holidays: https://fs.blog/stop-reading-news/. Mainstream media are the essentially drug manufacturers, and while it was once noble to be "an informed citizen," it's now a ploy the media use to keep you in their web. I do not intend to indulge their Faustian bargain in 2022.
Today's Edition Newsletter is an important part of my daily routine and I am forever grateful for both its helpful perspectives and sound advice. "Do more, worry less" is now prominently displayed on my home office wall where it reminds me each day to check my priorities to be sure I have properly ordered them. Thank you.
I think all of us have to ignore the medias predictions of the 2022 election results being a disaster and focus more on what can happen if we all get involved. The key to the election are the Independents and people of color not converting the Trump cult and getting out the vote. There are more reasons to vote for Democrats than Republicans and as the economy continues to grow and the unemployment figures remain low and as the January 6th truths come out and the pandemic is managed it becomes easier to vote Democratic. There are no good reasons to vote Republican and many to vote Democratic and we must continue to add more reasons to that pile.
Thank you for your daily encouragement of action over worry. I was cheered to see your mention of 31 St. I am part of a Boston based group called Force Multiplier. We raise funds to elect Democrats and fund voter empowerment groups. We’ve worked along side 31St on several campaigns —notably the Georgia run-off. Seeing your mention today made me wonder whether you would consider creating a regular feature highlighting some of the grassroots activist groups around the country that offer people the means to engage in the struggle you so clearly name. It would provide both a support for the groups as well as a channel for folks interested in connecting. In the meantime, please take a look at ForceMultiplierUS.org. Steven Krugman
I have a question: How can it possibly be legal, in nay way, for Mr Trump to lie and spread lies, as he does. And for Fox News to knowingly like and led people astray? It can't be freedom of speech, can it, when it has dire consequences: e.g. shouting Fire in a crowded theater?
Hi, Les. The First Amendment is robust, and protects lies as well as truth. Of course, when speech becomes criminal, seditious, or tortious it can be the basis for criminal or civil liability. Let's hope Merrick Garland is investigating Trump for inciting insurrection. Fox News is reprehensible, but it is supported by advertisers. There are several efforts to remove Fox from basic cable. See #unfoxmybox.
WaPo has pretty much discredited itself as an institution. The great newspaper of the Watergate years has dissolved into a Trump-apology rag, that deserves to be cast into the dust bin of history. NOTE: Reputable conservative institutions, like National Review, as much as I disagree with most of what they say, have maintained their integrity-for the most part, and merit respect. WaPo? Not so.
Hi, Gary. I have been disappointed with WaPo, but it is also one of handful of major media outlets that counter the programming on Fox News / TV and radio. Plus, many of the commentators are first rate. But I continue to be disappointed by the "sky is falling" journalism that has taken root in the last year or so.
I’m a bit more hopeful that the OSHA mandate will be upheld, simply because of the tsunami of Covid cases and the pressure on hospitals across the nation. Even reactionary justices live in the real world some of the time.
I will be at a vigil Thursday. The only uncertainty is what my sign will say. "Lock Him Up" is trite. How about: "Garland: ACT NOW!" or I was considering "Don't Look Up!". Thoughts?
Hi, Bill. I would not make January 6th about Trump, but about the Constitution or democracy. I invite others like JJMargolis to suggest slogans. But the basic concept is that we must defend democracy and truth.
Just thank you for your use of the “smell test.” Someone once said that much media is an open sewer flowing through the living rooms of America. Your column is a crystal spring of life giving liquid.
I think the historical narrative of January 6 will be shaped by the media. 😟
Thank you, as always, for your insightful commentary. You are a bright spot in my day, and I share your newsletter with friends and family as a result of your positive influence on me.
But Trump's lies are seditious.
I want Kamala Harris to convene editors and journalists to reflect on their responsibility to advance democracy during this critical year. Amplifying bitterness and and marketing doom may produce dangerous consequences.
I forgot to mention that when you read surveys that say “70% of Republicans believe the election was stolen” they are referring to the Trump Republicans not all Republicans and that also means that 30% don’t believe it. All of this adds up to the Republicans are not all dedicated and devoted to Trump. Especially in purple and swing states.
And every time the number of voters for tfg in 2020 is cited, we NEVER see mention made of the 81,000,000 of us who voted for Biden. Never.
This is the best thing I read over the holidays: https://fs.blog/stop-reading-news/. Mainstream media are the essentially drug manufacturers, and while it was once noble to be "an informed citizen," it's now a ploy the media use to keep you in their web. I do not intend to indulge their Faustian bargain in 2022.
Today's Edition Newsletter is an important part of my daily routine and I am forever grateful for both its helpful perspectives and sound advice. "Do more, worry less" is now prominently displayed on my home office wall where it reminds me each day to check my priorities to be sure I have properly ordered them. Thank you.
I think all of us have to ignore the medias predictions of the 2022 election results being a disaster and focus more on what can happen if we all get involved. The key to the election are the Independents and people of color not converting the Trump cult and getting out the vote. There are more reasons to vote for Democrats than Republicans and as the economy continues to grow and the unemployment figures remain low and as the January 6th truths come out and the pandemic is managed it becomes easier to vote Democratic. There are no good reasons to vote Republican and many to vote Democratic and we must continue to add more reasons to that pile.
Thank you for your daily encouragement of action over worry. I was cheered to see your mention of 31 St. I am part of a Boston based group called Force Multiplier. We raise funds to elect Democrats and fund voter empowerment groups. We’ve worked along side 31St on several campaigns —notably the Georgia run-off. Seeing your mention today made me wonder whether you would consider creating a regular feature highlighting some of the grassroots activist groups around the country that offer people the means to engage in the struggle you so clearly name. It would provide both a support for the groups as well as a channel for folks interested in connecting. In the meantime, please take a look at ForceMultiplierUS.org. Steven Krugman
I have a question: How can it possibly be legal, in nay way, for Mr Trump to lie and spread lies, as he does. And for Fox News to knowingly like and led people astray? It can't be freedom of speech, can it, when it has dire consequences: e.g. shouting Fire in a crowded theater?
Hi, Les. The First Amendment is robust, and protects lies as well as truth. Of course, when speech becomes criminal, seditious, or tortious it can be the basis for criminal or civil liability. Let's hope Merrick Garland is investigating Trump for inciting insurrection. Fox News is reprehensible, but it is supported by advertisers. There are several efforts to remove Fox from basic cable. See #unfoxmybox.
Mr. Hubbell, Here is something to cheer you forward in this New Year. I hope you enjoy it.
Sharing Amanda Gorman's new poem, New Day's Lyric, to inspire and bless as you begin this new year…
May this be the day
We come together.
Mourning, we come to mend,
Withered, we come to weather,
Torn, we come to tend,
Battered, we come to better.
Tethered by this year of yearning,
We are learning
That though we weren’t ready for this,
We have been readied by it.
We steadily vow that no matter
How we are weighed down,
We must always pave a way forward.
This hope is our door, our portal.
Even if we never get back to normal,
Someday we can venture beyond it,
To leave the known and take the first steps.
So let us not return to what was normal,
But reach toward what is next.
What was cursed, we will cure.
What was plagued, we will prove pure.
Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,
Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee,
Where we weren’t aware, we’re now awake;
Those moments we missed
Are now these moments we make,
The moments we meet,
And our hearts, once all together beaten,
Now all together beat.
Come, look up with kindness yet,
For even solace can be sourced from sorrow.
We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday,
But to take on tomorrow.
We heed this old spirit,
In a new day’s lyric,
In our hearts, we hear it:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
Be bold, sang Time this year,
Be bold, sang Time,
For when you honor yesterday,
Tomorrow ye will find.
Know what we’ve fought
Need not be forgot nor for none.
It defines us, binds us as one,
Come over, join this day just begun.
For wherever we come together,
We will forever overcome.
- Amanda Gorman
I can't read this often enough. What a fitting addition to today's newsletter!
WaPo has pretty much discredited itself as an institution. The great newspaper of the Watergate years has dissolved into a Trump-apology rag, that deserves to be cast into the dust bin of history. NOTE: Reputable conservative institutions, like National Review, as much as I disagree with most of what they say, have maintained their integrity-for the most part, and merit respect. WaPo? Not so.
Hi, Gary. I have been disappointed with WaPo, but it is also one of handful of major media outlets that counter the programming on Fox News / TV and radio. Plus, many of the commentators are first rate. But I continue to be disappointed by the "sky is falling" journalism that has taken root in the last year or so.
This is worth a read— https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/01/03/trump-qanon-online-money-war-jan6/
Thanks, Donna. I will check it out.
I’m a bit more hopeful that the OSHA mandate will be upheld, simply because of the tsunami of Covid cases and the pressure on hospitals across the nation. Even reactionary justices live in the real world some of the time.
I will be at a vigil Thursday. The only uncertainty is what my sign will say. "Lock Him Up" is trite. How about: "Garland: ACT NOW!" or I was considering "Don't Look Up!". Thoughts?
Hi, Bill. I would not make January 6th about Trump, but about the Constitution or democracy. I invite others like JJMargolis to suggest slogans. But the basic concept is that we must defend democracy and truth.
"Do Look Up!" doesn't have the same zing as the movie title, but it's what we want people to do.
How about Democracy = Truth.
Just thank you for your use of the “smell test.” Someone once said that much media is an open sewer flowing through the living rooms of America. Your column is a crystal spring of life giving liquid.