Thanks again for another superb column--as usual right to the point and quietly passionate about action and truth. I think Josh Marshall is right about the issue--it is the key. It is discouraging to read his reaction to the comments. Alas---true. Democrats have a terrible time uniting behind an idea and passionately believing (on the other hand, among liberals Bernie stands out because he both believes and is passionate---he is on fire for what he believes in---and the NYT has a little subindustry dedicated to ignoring, distorting, and writing negative stories on him, his movement and ideas. In his case they fail BIG TIME to print "all the news that's fit to print") While I'm on this topic, they do the same with Biden's successes and the great strides for the economy, etc---they want to play picky, picky and chew at some of the details. I think the powers at the NYT may be "liberal" but for some reason they are really not telling the whole truth about Biden---. Well, end of sort-of rant. I'm tired tonight--but I'm also tired of the failure of the Democrat Party to get galvanized on the issues and crises---NYT is running articles on the GOP organizing for poll "watchers"---is there any reporting/messaging about Democrat concern or counter-organization. It's like the Florida "recount" for Bush and the Lawyers having a fit and (as I see it) the massive failure to have a Michigan recount in the Trump/Clinton election. Basically wimps and over-intellectualizing -- they love debate and sentences with many dependent clauses---not the one line zinger that stick with you (and sometimes into you...) Well, I really didn't end the rant, but I will now. Robert, I'm retreading in different form what you so often say (more succinctly and better.) We need the keep up the struggle and win the battle. Peace and Courage.
Here's another one of our problems: The headline for the top story on the NY Times' website, as I write, is "Jan. 6 Hearings Give Democrats a Chance to Recast Midterm Message." The story about the seditious conspiracy charges against the Proud Boys appears *under* that one. It's always about "optics" and the meta-narrative for these fools in the media. This too, I suppose, is supposed to reflect their "objectivity." Every time I hear some journalist ask some pundit, "What does Biden *have to do* to [fill in the blank: raise his approval ratings, rally public support for some particular position, etc.]?"--well, I just want to vomit. Those of us who actually want to bring about political change in this country are prisoners, to an infuriating degree, in the hall of mirrors that is today's political coverage by the media.
Let's just say I continue to disagree with you about AG Garland. I feel that he is proceeding in a deliberate fashion to ultimately indict Trump, Eastman, Clark and others in their attempt to undo the legitimate results of the 2020 election. You have written this issue as a slam dunk win. you and I ( in my case over 60 years at the bar) know there are no slam dunks. If you bring this case you must win it or the last state of the country is worse than it is now.
Jun 7, 2022·edited Jun 7, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Robert Hubbell and Today’s Edition Newsletter, forever among the best sources of great advice to achieve better outcomes, preserve our democracy, and lift our spirits. What a guy! Can't imagine beginning my day without his great advice.
No whining, no defeatism! Get to work if you want a better tomorrow!
In these discouraging times (Texas is tough right now, folks), I'm finding some encouragement in races closer to home. In my case, I live in a Dallas suburb...purple, I would say, and we're experiencing the hostile schoolboard takeover attempts with which you are familiar. Thus far, one of these candidates was definitively defeated in her bit, and the second race is a run-off race on June 18. I'm seeing individuals I view as fairly conservative support the "non-takeover" candidate, which I find encouraging. They are seeing that this is an outside funded, coordinated attack on our public schools. (We've lost nine North Texas superintendents to resignations in the last year.) I continue to be pleasantly surprised to learn of yet another voter who sees this for what it is. Not sure they'd vote Democrat straight ticket, but they are for sure seeing what's happening. For those interested, this is the Richardson ISD District 2 race.
Note to all: Herschel Walker had the bright idea of giving out $25 gas vouchers, along with flyers featuring his smiling face-and the message that 'were it not for Senator Warnock, you wouldn't be paying this much for gas'. Too bad this is against the same law that his buddy Brian Kemp pushed through the Legislature, as a sop to Herschel's Nutty Buddy.
While I live in FL, I actively support Stacey Abrams, who I think understands messaging that includes facts and single minded focus. This was in my in-box this morning:
"From 2018 to 2020 alone, Georgia courts deemed 11,396 individuals too dangerous to carry a concealed weapon, and revoked or denied their concealed carry permits.
Yet knowing full well that Georgia faces a gun violence crisis, Brian Kemp signed a law eliminating permits and a background check, making it easier for people posing similar risks to carry a concealed, loaded weapon.
Mary Lou, as governor, I will repeal Brian Kemp’s dangerous, extreme Criminal Carry law and work to address our gun violence crisis."
Jun 7, 2022·edited Jun 7, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I write to amplify the prevailing view that the outcome of the Select Committee hearings this month largely will rest with DOJ. Though I’m not an attorney, my diligent analysis of the facts released/leaked to the public has led me to conclude that there is sufficient factual prediction both to indict and convict a number of high-level officials up to and including Trump. Simply put, unless DOJ starts holding Trump and his coterie accountable, I expect the anticipated Republican counter-messaging largely will derail the Select Committee’s narrative, regardless of how reasoned and compelling.
I think the media plays a major role in deflating liberal/progressive political aspirations and hopes and sowing the idea that all politics in this country is hopelessly dysfunctional and pointless. This approach serves the interests of the owners of the vast majority of media in this country, giant corporations and morbidly rich individuals, whose financial interests and power would be challenged by liberal govt policies. Much better financially and politically for the media to turn politics into just another entertainment realm with lots of crazy. Prior to Reagan there was a law called the Fairness Doctrine that regulated news and public affairs programming to keep it from being info-tainment or one-sided political commentary ie. Fox "News" and pretty much all of talk radio. We need a 21st century version of that law.
Another great post by a writer who has renewed my faith in America's faltering experiment in representative government. Bringing the Republican criminal gangsters to account and beating them fairly and squarely in elections and in courts of law is the way forward in the quest to restore the values and structures of Democracy in our now divided, plutocratic society. Once the Trump Republicans are dispatched, we can work on the corrupt forces within the Democratic Party. Onward and upward!
I agree Democrats sometimes are self defeating and unlike Republicans the party has difficulty uniting around a single message echoed by everyone. Your Edition makes an interesting point which I have seen elsewhere with the premise being if the Democrats hold their current Senate seats and add JUST TWO more they have a majority. If all of the candidates pledge to restore by law Roe in 2023 and to vote for a filibuster for gun safety laws then Independent and moderate Republicans could come on board. The Democrats have to promise what they would deliver if they get the two Senate seats that everyone wants. It’s simple do you want Roe restored and gun safety gives us the votes.
I am currently reading "It Was All a Lie" by Stuart Stevens. Stuart is now a member of the Lincoln Project and this book clearly outlines the long term strategy that the Republicans have pushed for decades. He was part of it, of course when he ran campaigns, but has not only seen the light, he is an avid supporter of efforts to promote democracy. Say what you like about his past, but his present is clearly on the right side. The chapters in his book identify the themes that the Republicans used...for example "Race, the Original Republican Sin", "Family Values", "The Long Con"....etc., each one showing how they used these issues to rile up their base. This is not something that just came about with Trump's win...it was here all along and Trump & Co. made it all legit. We all need to turn this narrative around. Not only "tell the truth", but use their own words against them in a way we have not done before.
Excellent point about Thursday hearings: start with the key QUESTIONS American citizens are asking or saying ... and then say we have been finding the answers to those questions, which you will hear in coming hearings. Keep some suspense and teasing. Please let's not have the required opening speeches by each Member which will lose this key audience in the first 20 minutes.
I am reminded of the Bob Marley and the Wailers song "Get up, Stand up". Yes, I know that this was written about standing up against oppression and taking action for Rastafarians, but its broader message is about standing up against oppression and not being overwhelmed by the oppressors. We must keep on message and not let the GOP control the discussion. We do that by not being reactionary to their false messaging, but rather, by going on the offensive and stating our case in the opinion sections of major outlets, social media, and the like. No one is in charge of inflation; it is a worldwide problem. We can make our case for meaningful, increased gun control and for women's reproductive rights.
Really excellent column. Dems MUST unite behind two items—Roe and Jan6—and then they MUST GO VOTE!!
Thanks again for another superb column--as usual right to the point and quietly passionate about action and truth. I think Josh Marshall is right about the issue--it is the key. It is discouraging to read his reaction to the comments. Alas---true. Democrats have a terrible time uniting behind an idea and passionately believing (on the other hand, among liberals Bernie stands out because he both believes and is passionate---he is on fire for what he believes in---and the NYT has a little subindustry dedicated to ignoring, distorting, and writing negative stories on him, his movement and ideas. In his case they fail BIG TIME to print "all the news that's fit to print") While I'm on this topic, they do the same with Biden's successes and the great strides for the economy, etc---they want to play picky, picky and chew at some of the details. I think the powers at the NYT may be "liberal" but for some reason they are really not telling the whole truth about Biden---. Well, end of sort-of rant. I'm tired tonight--but I'm also tired of the failure of the Democrat Party to get galvanized on the issues and crises---NYT is running articles on the GOP organizing for poll "watchers"---is there any reporting/messaging about Democrat concern or counter-organization. It's like the Florida "recount" for Bush and the Lawyers having a fit and (as I see it) the massive failure to have a Michigan recount in the Trump/Clinton election. Basically wimps and over-intellectualizing -- they love debate and sentences with many dependent clauses---not the one line zinger that stick with you (and sometimes into you...) Well, I really didn't end the rant, but I will now. Robert, I'm retreading in different form what you so often say (more succinctly and better.) We need the keep up the struggle and win the battle. Peace and Courage.
Here's another one of our problems: The headline for the top story on the NY Times' website, as I write, is "Jan. 6 Hearings Give Democrats a Chance to Recast Midterm Message." The story about the seditious conspiracy charges against the Proud Boys appears *under* that one. It's always about "optics" and the meta-narrative for these fools in the media. This too, I suppose, is supposed to reflect their "objectivity." Every time I hear some journalist ask some pundit, "What does Biden *have to do* to [fill in the blank: raise his approval ratings, rally public support for some particular position, etc.]?"--well, I just want to vomit. Those of us who actually want to bring about political change in this country are prisoners, to an infuriating degree, in the hall of mirrors that is today's political coverage by the media.
Let's just say I continue to disagree with you about AG Garland. I feel that he is proceeding in a deliberate fashion to ultimately indict Trump, Eastman, Clark and others in their attempt to undo the legitimate results of the 2020 election. You have written this issue as a slam dunk win. you and I ( in my case over 60 years at the bar) know there are no slam dunks. If you bring this case you must win it or the last state of the country is worse than it is now.
And whether you can follow Robert's advice or not....: VOTE Democratic wherever you are entitled to. Do not not vote.
Robert Hubbell and Today’s Edition Newsletter, forever among the best sources of great advice to achieve better outcomes, preserve our democracy, and lift our spirits. What a guy! Can't imagine beginning my day without his great advice.
No whining, no defeatism! Get to work if you want a better tomorrow!
In these discouraging times (Texas is tough right now, folks), I'm finding some encouragement in races closer to home. In my case, I live in a Dallas suburb...purple, I would say, and we're experiencing the hostile schoolboard takeover attempts with which you are familiar. Thus far, one of these candidates was definitively defeated in her bit, and the second race is a run-off race on June 18. I'm seeing individuals I view as fairly conservative support the "non-takeover" candidate, which I find encouraging. They are seeing that this is an outside funded, coordinated attack on our public schools. (We've lost nine North Texas superintendents to resignations in the last year.) I continue to be pleasantly surprised to learn of yet another voter who sees this for what it is. Not sure they'd vote Democrat straight ticket, but they are for sure seeing what's happening. For those interested, this is the Richardson ISD District 2 race.
Note to all: Herschel Walker had the bright idea of giving out $25 gas vouchers, along with flyers featuring his smiling face-and the message that 'were it not for Senator Warnock, you wouldn't be paying this much for gas'. Too bad this is against the same law that his buddy Brian Kemp pushed through the Legislature, as a sop to Herschel's Nutty Buddy.
While I live in FL, I actively support Stacey Abrams, who I think understands messaging that includes facts and single minded focus. This was in my in-box this morning:
"From 2018 to 2020 alone, Georgia courts deemed 11,396 individuals too dangerous to carry a concealed weapon, and revoked or denied their concealed carry permits.
Yet knowing full well that Georgia faces a gun violence crisis, Brian Kemp signed a law eliminating permits and a background check, making it easier for people posing similar risks to carry a concealed, loaded weapon.
Mary Lou, as governor, I will repeal Brian Kemp’s dangerous, extreme Criminal Carry law and work to address our gun violence crisis."
I write to amplify the prevailing view that the outcome of the Select Committee hearings this month largely will rest with DOJ. Though I’m not an attorney, my diligent analysis of the facts released/leaked to the public has led me to conclude that there is sufficient factual prediction both to indict and convict a number of high-level officials up to and including Trump. Simply put, unless DOJ starts holding Trump and his coterie accountable, I expect the anticipated Republican counter-messaging largely will derail the Select Committee’s narrative, regardless of how reasoned and compelling.
I think the media plays a major role in deflating liberal/progressive political aspirations and hopes and sowing the idea that all politics in this country is hopelessly dysfunctional and pointless. This approach serves the interests of the owners of the vast majority of media in this country, giant corporations and morbidly rich individuals, whose financial interests and power would be challenged by liberal govt policies. Much better financially and politically for the media to turn politics into just another entertainment realm with lots of crazy. Prior to Reagan there was a law called the Fairness Doctrine that regulated news and public affairs programming to keep it from being info-tainment or one-sided political commentary ie. Fox "News" and pretty much all of talk radio. We need a 21st century version of that law.
Another great post by a writer who has renewed my faith in America's faltering experiment in representative government. Bringing the Republican criminal gangsters to account and beating them fairly and squarely in elections and in courts of law is the way forward in the quest to restore the values and structures of Democracy in our now divided, plutocratic society. Once the Trump Republicans are dispatched, we can work on the corrupt forces within the Democratic Party. Onward and upward!
I agree Democrats sometimes are self defeating and unlike Republicans the party has difficulty uniting around a single message echoed by everyone. Your Edition makes an interesting point which I have seen elsewhere with the premise being if the Democrats hold their current Senate seats and add JUST TWO more they have a majority. If all of the candidates pledge to restore by law Roe in 2023 and to vote for a filibuster for gun safety laws then Independent and moderate Republicans could come on board. The Democrats have to promise what they would deliver if they get the two Senate seats that everyone wants. It’s simple do you want Roe restored and gun safety gives us the votes.
I am currently reading "It Was All a Lie" by Stuart Stevens. Stuart is now a member of the Lincoln Project and this book clearly outlines the long term strategy that the Republicans have pushed for decades. He was part of it, of course when he ran campaigns, but has not only seen the light, he is an avid supporter of efforts to promote democracy. Say what you like about his past, but his present is clearly on the right side. The chapters in his book identify the themes that the Republicans used...for example "Race, the Original Republican Sin", "Family Values", "The Long Con"....etc., each one showing how they used these issues to rile up their base. This is not something that just came about with Trump's win...it was here all along and Trump & Co. made it all legit. We all need to turn this narrative around. Not only "tell the truth", but use their own words against them in a way we have not done before.
Excellent point about Thursday hearings: start with the key QUESTIONS American citizens are asking or saying ... and then say we have been finding the answers to those questions, which you will hear in coming hearings. Keep some suspense and teasing. Please let's not have the required opening speeches by each Member which will lose this key audience in the first 20 minutes.
I am reminded of the Bob Marley and the Wailers song "Get up, Stand up". Yes, I know that this was written about standing up against oppression and taking action for Rastafarians, but its broader message is about standing up against oppression and not being overwhelmed by the oppressors. We must keep on message and not let the GOP control the discussion. We do that by not being reactionary to their false messaging, but rather, by going on the offensive and stating our case in the opinion sections of major outlets, social media, and the like. No one is in charge of inflation; it is a worldwide problem. We can make our case for meaningful, increased gun control and for women's reproductive rights.