Robert, thank you for the kind introduction to Democracy Labs. Our work with grassroots groups is pro bono and most of the apps we recommend are free. These apps are from other companies and I list where people can get them directly as well.
Today's DemLabs blog features how MAGA Republicans' blockade of military and State Dept. officials is hurting American security and our ability to support Israel and Ukraine. It was created with the free Kumu app (www.kumu.io)
Once again, Robert, I marvel at the huge job you have undertaken. Not only do you gather the crazy news of this era and distill relevant issues five days a week, but you end up fielding dozens of "incoming" verbal missiles lobbed from all different directions.
I just want to say I really, really appreciated your comments in yesterday's newsletter about the horrific attack on Israel by Hamas.
Covering the prominent news story of the day, the indescriminate killing and hostage taking of Israelis (and apparently some Americans) by terrorists whose stated goal has always been to wipe Israel off the map, did not minimize other issues (as some people apparently felt it did) like the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. But I understand that a subject as charged as Middle East peace/violence brings up a whole host of other tangential issues that people feel compelled to "share" with you. Your patience and civility in responding to those "incoming" emails never fails to impress me...especially these days when my nerves are shot and my patience has worn thin for the political bomb-throwers in our government and elsewhere.
So thank you again for an important newsletter during a terrible tragedy. I think the vast majority of your readers really appreciated it. We will get through this, as we have in this country during other volatile times in our history. And many of us are doing it with help from wonderful people like you. PEACE TO ALL.
I strongly agree with your entire comment, especially the point you made in the second paragraph about the focus of Robert's daily newsletter. At the same time that I am aghast and anguished at the latest suffering and injustice inflicted on the Israeli people, I remain painfully aware of the equally horrific violence that Palestinians have endured over many years. Rather than choosing to justify the violence of one side or the other, trying to reconcile these two conflicting truths leads me to recall all the devastating conflicts that have scouraged countries around the globe for millenia and to renew my conviction that violence is NEVER the solution to any injustice.
Hi, Jacquie. I have said nothing about whether violence was "justified" by either side, only to say that killing innocent civilians is unjustified. As I read your comment, you agree.
Yes, Robert, my comment was meant to be a defense of the wonderful way you keep us informed about what is happening in our world each day, as well as my response to all the criticism being directed at both you and HCR for your posts on this situation. However, my comment does not make complete sense, because apparently CC edited his comment while I was writing my post. His original second paragraph acknowledged that your Daily Edition Newsletter was just that -- a newsletter, not a treatise on the whole situation. Apologies to CC if I have misrepresented him, but I don't have a copy of his original post.
You didn't misrepresent anything, Jacquie. I edited my original comments to avoid what I thought was the repetition of an idea. But that was my point exactly: that Robert was addressing a new and shocking crime in his relatively short newsletter, not writing a treatise on the history of violence in Israel. Sorry if my edit pulled the rug out from under your comment.
Right on! Robert, Ive never admired you more. HCR writes today about the volume of hate messages she has received. Are your and hers actually coming from subscribers? Or scammers or both? There are those in progressive circles who mirror their counterparts on the other side in seeking simple answers to complex issues. They are often the same stripe of ideologue who puts passion before reason. Or dare I say it, humanity and humility sacrificed to self-righteousness.
Thank you for articulating my thoughts about the responses both Robert Hubble and HCR received to their thoughtful, careful efforts to address the horrific news coming out of Israel and Gaza.
I just want to echo this comment. I agree completely. I forwarded yesterday's newsletter to even more people than usual. Thank you thank you thank you Robert!
"First, “Biden” and “Trump” are surrogates and avatars for two different visions of America—authoritarian vs democratic, gun safety vs a heavily armed citizenry, reproductive liberty vs state-imposed religious regulation of women’s bodies, dignity vs discrimination against LGBTQ people, and environmental protection vs unregulated fossil fuels. If Brooks doesn’t understand that point, he has been comatose since 2019 (at least)."
"Second, Brooks simply assumes that Trump is a legitimate candidate who has not mounted a coup, incited an insurrection, unlawfully retained defense secrets, disclosed sensitive nuclear information to Russian diplomats and random guests at Mar-a-Lago, and been adjudged as a sexual abuser. Not to mention that Trump is teetering on bankruptcy as he defends 91 felony counts. Yet, to Brooks, Trump is just one of two major party candidates in the 2024 election."
Thank you, Leonard. I was going to make the exact same comment.
These two paragraphs are so perfectly crafted that, by altering the reference from Brooks to the more general "some people", they could be the text of a truly effective campaign ad. I intend to copy and retain them for repeated use throughout 2024, and recommend that others do the same.
False equivalence distilled to its essence. Outstanding, Robert! Thank you!
Brooks, Dowd, Friedman, et al trying to hang on to their last shred of relevance. I stopped subbing for the final time about 1.5 years ago. The paper is a rag now.
I’ve worked in health & science Communications for nearly 30 (gulp) years and to see how “journalism” has turned into clickbait & money for clicks, is so disheartening.
I love CO, minus a not to be named MoC. I could use some wide open spaces right now.
If you’re talking about Lauren Boebert, I am in her district and she’s going to be toast in 2024. There are plenty of Democrats in western Colorado, and actually the largest registered voter group here is Independents. Her Democratic opponent is raking in money hand over fist, and he is finally getting some support from the DNC, who abandoned us last time thinking this district was a lost cause. It is not a lost cause. I will be shocked if she doesn’t lose the election in 2024.
I'd just like to clarify that while Joe Biden "retained" documents, the Defendant STOLE them. There's no equivalence between the two, and this is still a good campaign issue for Biden, contrasting his behavior with that of the Unmentionable.
Oh! and remember the photograph of Harry Truman holding up a newspaper? He was down in the polls, so far down they stopped polling well before the election. The Ds had two split-off third-party campaigns, more dangerous than Kennedy and West (I believe Thurmond won a few states; neither Kennedy nor West will win any.) I hope Biden will adopt "Give 'Em Hell, Joe!" as both a slogan and a strategy. Lord knows there's plenty to give them Hell about.
The 1948 Presidential election was deeply strange. Thurmond won four states (and one faithless elector from Tennessee) and 2.41% of the vote. Henry Wallace won no States but nearly equaled Thurmond in votes with 2.37%. The dynamics of that election will never be repeated, and Truman won Illinois, California, and Ohio by a grand total of 29,000 votes. This 2024 election isn't that, but viable third-party candidacies are as unpredictable as they are rare, and I'm not willing to say that the candidacies of Kennedy and West won't make the election chaotic and impossible to predict in a time when polling is profoundly broken. I mostly agree with Robert’s view over the hyperbolic media that is saying things like “Kennedy stands to get more votes as an unaffiliated candidate since Ross Perot,” but none of us can be sure of anything at this point.
You are right. I expressed my opinions with a bit too much confidence last night. But I believe we confidently say that when Trump's money starts attacking Kennedy, it will be ugly.
I have stopped paying attention to the hyperbolic media regarding anything to do with the election. They have NO idea. They are just producing clickbait.
Taking a 100,000 foot view of what is going on in the US and Israel you see clearly how politicians have impacted the security of the world and that threats to democracy are real and happening in real time. With our House of Representatives in disarray and with no elected Speaker and with a Senator withholding promotions the Republican Party has weakened our country and don’t think for a second that our enemies don’t know that. Trump’s fingerprints are all over this in some way and fashion and his recent comments should not give anyone confidence in his ability to effectively handle the situation. Add to that is the probability that the Prime Minister of Israel and his multiple legal and political issues also contributed to the unpreparedness that Israel faced. Bad politicians weaken the security of counties and it’s something we all need to consider which we have taken for granted.
Are we all not surprised about the internal chaos in Israel? He deliberately unleashed the chaos by trying to outlaw the judicial branch of government and the people pushed back.
I am dismayed at the vitriol shown to you and to our favorite Professor, Heather Cox Richardson. We are family here and while we can disagree, we should always do that respectfully. Let me add one point which might help. I am furiously angry at what Hamas has done to innocents and to their families. I also think there is room in our hearts for compassion for what the Palestinians have been forced to endure. Now please note…..I draw a distinction between the Palestinian people and Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization. Period. This is not both sidesism at all but an entreaty to all of us to look at the suffering of those who do not deserve it.
Many thanks for being a voice of sanity in the Israel/Hamas tragedy, Robert. Thank you also for force feeding a tranquilizer to David Brooks, and poking a hole in the RFK,Jr. balloon.
The latest David Brooks stunt of lying about the cost of his meal in a Twitter post already has him in some hot water. Perhaps all that single malt scotch he was drinking clouded his thinking.
I really loved todays Newsletter as it was a repeat of my conversation at our last Salon Bleu, Democrats Abroad, meeting. One get over the age problem and the David Brooks rant about poll numbers and inflation and concentrate on what has been accomplished under the Biden administration. From foreign policy, border security, the economy and the rational professional running of the White House. Also I have always argued RFK Jr. will take away more Republican votes than votes for Biden as his stand is totally contrary to our Democratic values. He has seen this fact by turning to an Independent bid. This coming weekend we, here in France, are holding a conference of all those leaders in Democrats Abroad to set up strategy for the up coming elections and to generate and promote the positive aspect of our positions without any reference to worrying about age. Be positive and don't get caught up in the polo, age or Harris as VP rhetoric but work for all candidates and let's take back the House..
Richard, may I suggest that "age or Harris as VP" is an issue worth addressing? Since it's a legitimate concern, we should confront it head-on by making the strongest possible case that Kamala Harris is extraordinarily well-qualified to be President.
Ms. Harris' record as District Attorney, California Attorney General, United States Senator and Vice President is outstanding. Her policy positions align with that of the most successful presidency in recent history. And were she called upon to serve, she'd do so with distinction.
Let's not be shy about our support for Vice-President Harris. If we don't believe in her without reservation, why would anyone else?
I have never been a fan of David Brooks. I know many people--even liberals, god help us--see him as Mr. Compassionate Conservatism with a nice-guy demeanor, and I appreciate his strong distaste for DirtBag and (sort of) support for Biden. But he is constantly pronouncing on topics about which he has little knowledge and certainly no expertise. For me he's a kind of poor man's George W. Bush Lite.
I appreciate the comments about David Brooks. I happen to like him and listened to him speak in San Francisco a few years back with a full audience. I dislike many things he says. I do not think it is fair or wise to judge another person for their marital choices. You were not in the room when things were happening. Best to leave personal stuff like this to family members. As I strongly feel people should not judge Joe Biden for defending and supporting his son Hunter. A different story, but it is family matters not ours. Now, that's just my opinion. Would not want eveyone to know my personal stuff, although I have been married to the same wonderful man for 58 years.
I see Brooks as a guy who wants to be "nice" but he lives in a bubble. He was at his best when he had Mark Shields to call him to task. It feels like he is a liberal minded decent sort who is locked in a "Conservative" straight jacket. I'll take him more seriously when he actually says he has forever left his Republican roots - becomes at least an "Independent".
His desperate attempts at trying to find some political balance keeps him from really confronting the MAGA madness that has infected the ENTIRE Republican party. The only good Republican politicians are the ones who have repudiated the MAGA fascism. I think there are one or two.
Oct 10, 2023·edited Oct 10, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank you for your information on”Democracy Labs” / Substack.I just subscribed.I have a dear friend who has an interesting observation on the media/ press’s take on Biden’s age.She says this age thing today is to them their Hillary’s email obsession which was printed and discussed everywhere in 2016.This obsession with Biden’s age is the new press cop-out to actually discussing his many positive accomplishments and qualities much as it was in 2016 to yak endlessly about Hillary’s emails instead of talking about her positive agenda in regards to running against Trump who was as unsatisfactory a candidate then as he is now. "But his age" is the new "But her e-mails" today and it is a bit tiring once again.I think my friend may be on to something imho.
Some matters are so complex and volatile that it's difficult to talk or write about them without either leaving the wrong impression or not painting the whole picture. In my small Substack world, I've been smacked around a bit for my naiveté, misstatements, and missed attempts at cleverness. One thing I like about this community is the fact that we can usually express differing views and clarify/correct things without fear of retribution.
Admittedly, I was reluctant to comment on yesterday’s newsletter. However, after 24 hours of viewing coverage of the attack on Israel by Hamas, I would submit, while discussion must start with unequivocal rejection of using terror as a weapon, if our mission is to educate, we also must observe that Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land since 1967–the longest occupation in modern history—has transformed into a system of apartheid. To be clear, it is my understanding that Netanyahu, who has decreed the annexation of the occupied territories, had carried to the United Nations a map of Israel that included the whole of the West Bank, all of Gaza, all of Jerusalem, as well as the Golan Heights. Viewed in this context, I am disturbed by the deafening silence here in the States, particularly by leadership that dare not declare that Palestinians turn to resistance because they see that this is the only path to self-determination.
I struggled with this over the last two days. As an amateur historian and political observer, I'm reasonably well-versed in the issues involved. Still, I’ve come to the belief that, in these early days of what promises to be a drawn-out conflict, our thoughts should be with the people affected by this tragedy. A co-worker of my wife is stuck in Israel now and lost several family members in the attack. Another friend of ours, who lives there, has fled his home and is staying with friends to avoid the violence. The political realities can wait; our thoughts should be with those suffering.
Dean, I would note my views regarding the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, rather than diminish, not only have fueled my empathy but also have propelled me to work over the years with several groups towards a peaceful resolution.
While I hesitate to add this postscript, I would note that we hear the same sentiment after every mass shooting, invariably resulting in more mass shootings.
As a Jew and a Zionist, I hold no brief for Netanyahu. His machinations and duplicity helped set the stage for Hamas’ attack, and it revealed his selfishness and incompetence. But Apartheid is such a loaded term that using it should be avoided. And bad as the policy of the current Israeli regime is, it is not the same as what was practiced in South Africa. There is much to criticize in how Israel has dealt with it he Palestinians without using a term that stops all discussion.
Hi Jon, just before coming upon your comments here about Netanyahu, I was reading an article by Seth Abramson. I will post the link here. He claims that Egyptian intelligence officials contacted Netanyahu 10 days prior to this heinous attack and warned the Israeli government that something “terrible and unusual” was being planned by Hamas and would be carried out from Gaza. According to Seth’s sources, the Egyptians were stunned by the lack of interest in and response to the information given to the Israeli government.
Indeed, except I think the point that Seth Abramson is trying to make is that he wanted this to happen to consolidate his power. It’s an awful thing to attribute even to someone as corrupt as Netanyahu, because that means he decided to sacrifice his own people to do so. I can’t bear the thought.
This has in no way been confirmed. I think Netanyahu is horrid and I wouldn’t put it past him to use something like this to his advantage. But we just don’t know if it’s true.
I take it with a grain of salt, for now. I’m sure if this is the case it will eventually be revealed. I read a couple of English language articles from Israeli newspapers, and they are coming down pretty hard on Netanyahu; so, if anyone’s going to get to the bottom of this theory in Abramson‘s article, it will be one of those newspapers I assume.
Jon, While I never am surprised the word “apartheid” garners criticism, I use it because it accurately captures both the total domination and oppression of the Palestinian people plus the avarice among a growing number of Israelis for Palestinian land.
If you live in America, you live on Occupied lands. Are you willing to give up where you live?
Tonight I hear Robin Kimmerer who wrote BRAIDING SWEETGRASS. It's an amazing book of living with the land. She, also Native American, talks about people who feel sorry for the plight of the Native Americans whose lands were stolen from them. She makes the point that none of these people will give up what they have. Louise Erdrich also makes this point in her novel THE SENTENCE.
Ed, I don’t dispute your point, and, while it might not suffice, I have spent endless calories pressing for a reckoning of one of our country’s original sins. As for “right of return” for Palestinians, while most, if not all, never will get to go home, the issue is whether that’s worth not having any home at all.
I was reflecting upon your point re:occupied lands, myself yesterday, Indigenous People’s Day. I LOVE the book “Braiding Sweetgrass” and highly recommend to world readers as well as world leaders.
Reading that book has got me meeting a lot of new people. I guess people can "braid" with one another. I will hear her lecture tonight. The word is "get there early."
I also recommend Louise Erdrich as a great novelist.
There is also a conference starting tomorrow. The Israeli Consul was to speak in person. He will now speak over ZOOM. But there will be a Q&A by the Consul and some very astute University people.
One will probably be Merdhad KIA. He is Persian. He is persona non grata in Iran...tried in abstensia. He would be killed if he goes back. He father was in prison for 15 or 20 years. From Professor Kia's mouth: my father would be awakened in the middle of the night and taken before a firing squad. They fired bullets just missing him. This happened several times.
Professor Kia's father eventually made it to Missoula and taught history.
People need to realize there are wonderful people in the Middle East but also need to be educated to the fact we are dealing with treacherous folks.
To say this is ignorant would be an understatement and you also just admitted that you have absolutely no clue what’s happening there. Please do a simple google search.
Erica, Given several decades of engagement with Israel / Palestine, I am neither “ignorant” nor “have absolutely no clue” as to the current unleashing of unimaginable suffering. Frankly, I haven’t a clue as to why you would deduce otherwise unless you misinterpreted my reluctance to comment on Robert’s earlier Newsletter. To be clear, I wasn’t prepared to comment on what I had viewed as an oversimplified first draft, given the longstanding complexities in that part of the world.
Agree w your final paragraph! Sorry you had to deal w any angry readers who thought you should have addressed Israel crisis in different way. Heather Cox Richardson also got some angry reader reactions. You are in good company.
“Never before in our history have we had a major presidential candidate under four criminal indictments as he runs for office and Brooks fails to mention that fact in his analysis of the election. Really?!? “But, but, but . . . inflation,” Brooks responds. Give me a break! I have more faith in the American people than does Brooks. I hope you do, too. Do not fall for facile, shallow journalism that sells American voters short.” Amen, Robert! Facile, shallow journalism is all around us. And it hurts us and our democracy. Let us hold them to account, and not give in to despair.
Well, it makes sense: the "facile, shallow journalism" is being pitched to "facile, shallow" U.S. citizens. Citizens who haven't been taught how to think critically or analyze...
Robert, thank you for the kind introduction to Democracy Labs. Our work with grassroots groups is pro bono and most of the apps we recommend are free. These apps are from other companies and I list where people can get them directly as well.
Today's DemLabs blog features how MAGA Republicans' blockade of military and State Dept. officials is hurting American security and our ability to support Israel and Ukraine. It was created with the free Kumu app (www.kumu.io)
https://thedemlabs.org/2023/10/10/military-promotions-diplomatic-nominees-blocked-tuberville-hurts-israel-blinken/
Hi, Deepak. Thanks for the clarification about your services being "pro bono." I will note tonight in the newsletter, and pin this comment to the top.
Once again, Robert, I marvel at the huge job you have undertaken. Not only do you gather the crazy news of this era and distill relevant issues five days a week, but you end up fielding dozens of "incoming" verbal missiles lobbed from all different directions.
I just want to say I really, really appreciated your comments in yesterday's newsletter about the horrific attack on Israel by Hamas.
Covering the prominent news story of the day, the indescriminate killing and hostage taking of Israelis (and apparently some Americans) by terrorists whose stated goal has always been to wipe Israel off the map, did not minimize other issues (as some people apparently felt it did) like the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. But I understand that a subject as charged as Middle East peace/violence brings up a whole host of other tangential issues that people feel compelled to "share" with you. Your patience and civility in responding to those "incoming" emails never fails to impress me...especially these days when my nerves are shot and my patience has worn thin for the political bomb-throwers in our government and elsewhere.
So thank you again for an important newsletter during a terrible tragedy. I think the vast majority of your readers really appreciated it. We will get through this, as we have in this country during other volatile times in our history. And many of us are doing it with help from wonderful people like you. PEACE TO ALL.
I strongly agree with your entire comment, especially the point you made in the second paragraph about the focus of Robert's daily newsletter. At the same time that I am aghast and anguished at the latest suffering and injustice inflicted on the Israeli people, I remain painfully aware of the equally horrific violence that Palestinians have endured over many years. Rather than choosing to justify the violence of one side or the other, trying to reconcile these two conflicting truths leads me to recall all the devastating conflicts that have scouraged countries around the globe for millenia and to renew my conviction that violence is NEVER the solution to any injustice.
Hi, Jacquie. I have said nothing about whether violence was "justified" by either side, only to say that killing innocent civilians is unjustified. As I read your comment, you agree.
Yes, Robert, my comment was meant to be a defense of the wonderful way you keep us informed about what is happening in our world each day, as well as my response to all the criticism being directed at both you and HCR for your posts on this situation. However, my comment does not make complete sense, because apparently CC edited his comment while I was writing my post. His original second paragraph acknowledged that your Daily Edition Newsletter was just that -- a newsletter, not a treatise on the whole situation. Apologies to CC if I have misrepresented him, but I don't have a copy of his original post.
You didn't misrepresent anything, Jacquie. I edited my original comments to avoid what I thought was the repetition of an idea. But that was my point exactly: that Robert was addressing a new and shocking crime in his relatively short newsletter, not writing a treatise on the history of violence in Israel. Sorry if my edit pulled the rug out from under your comment.
Right on! Robert, Ive never admired you more. HCR writes today about the volume of hate messages she has received. Are your and hers actually coming from subscribers? Or scammers or both? There are those in progressive circles who mirror their counterparts on the other side in seeking simple answers to complex issues. They are often the same stripe of ideologue who puts passion before reason. Or dare I say it, humanity and humility sacrificed to self-righteousness.
Thank you for articulating my thoughts about the responses both Robert Hubble and HCR received to their thoughtful, careful efforts to address the horrific news coming out of Israel and Gaza.
Perfectly said, John!
I just want to echo this comment. I agree completely. I forwarded yesterday's newsletter to even more people than usual. Thank you thank you thank you Robert!
Well said. I, too, appreciate Robert’s ability to respond with civility and understanding to criticism.
EXACTLY - I came here to write a similar comment /reply to Robert’s wise account of the state of things.
HEAR! HEAR!
Thank you for the spot-on statement of gratitude … I was coming here to write something similar and you saved me the time :-).
I second, third, fourth, or more….those comments!
I am intensely grateful for your combination of sharp intelligence and accurate moral compass. What a relief in troubled times.
These are such clear statements. Just terrific.
"First, “Biden” and “Trump” are surrogates and avatars for two different visions of America—authoritarian vs democratic, gun safety vs a heavily armed citizenry, reproductive liberty vs state-imposed religious regulation of women’s bodies, dignity vs discrimination against LGBTQ people, and environmental protection vs unregulated fossil fuels. If Brooks doesn’t understand that point, he has been comatose since 2019 (at least)."
"Second, Brooks simply assumes that Trump is a legitimate candidate who has not mounted a coup, incited an insurrection, unlawfully retained defense secrets, disclosed sensitive nuclear information to Russian diplomats and random guests at Mar-a-Lago, and been adjudged as a sexual abuser. Not to mention that Trump is teetering on bankruptcy as he defends 91 felony counts. Yet, to Brooks, Trump is just one of two major party candidates in the 2024 election."
Thank you, Leonard. I was going to make the exact same comment.
These two paragraphs are so perfectly crafted that, by altering the reference from Brooks to the more general "some people", they could be the text of a truly effective campaign ad. I intend to copy and retain them for repeated use throughout 2024, and recommend that others do the same.
False equivalence distilled to its essence. Outstanding, Robert! Thank you!
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Thank you. Consider my free newsletter Len's Political Notes. https://lenspoliticalnotes.com
Brooks, Dowd, Friedman, et al trying to hang on to their last shred of relevance. I stopped subbing for the final time about 1.5 years ago. The paper is a rag now.
I no longer give the New York Times my money either. I am so disappointed in them as a New York native (transplanted to Colorado).
I’ve worked in health & science Communications for nearly 30 (gulp) years and to see how “journalism” has turned into clickbait & money for clicks, is so disheartening.
I love CO, minus a not to be named MoC. I could use some wide open spaces right now.
If you’re talking about Lauren Boebert, I am in her district and she’s going to be toast in 2024. There are plenty of Democrats in western Colorado, and actually the largest registered voter group here is Independents. Her Democratic opponent is raking in money hand over fist, and he is finally getting some support from the DNC, who abandoned us last time thinking this district was a lost cause. It is not a lost cause. I will be shocked if she doesn’t lose the election in 2024.
I'd just like to clarify that while Joe Biden "retained" documents, the Defendant STOLE them. There's no equivalence between the two, and this is still a good campaign issue for Biden, contrasting his behavior with that of the Unmentionable.
Oh! and remember the photograph of Harry Truman holding up a newspaper? He was down in the polls, so far down they stopped polling well before the election. The Ds had two split-off third-party campaigns, more dangerous than Kennedy and West (I believe Thurmond won a few states; neither Kennedy nor West will win any.) I hope Biden will adopt "Give 'Em Hell, Joe!" as both a slogan and a strategy. Lord knows there's plenty to give them Hell about.
The 1948 Presidential election was deeply strange. Thurmond won four states (and one faithless elector from Tennessee) and 2.41% of the vote. Henry Wallace won no States but nearly equaled Thurmond in votes with 2.37%. The dynamics of that election will never be repeated, and Truman won Illinois, California, and Ohio by a grand total of 29,000 votes. This 2024 election isn't that, but viable third-party candidacies are as unpredictable as they are rare, and I'm not willing to say that the candidacies of Kennedy and West won't make the election chaotic and impossible to predict in a time when polling is profoundly broken. I mostly agree with Robert’s view over the hyperbolic media that is saying things like “Kennedy stands to get more votes as an unaffiliated candidate since Ross Perot,” but none of us can be sure of anything at this point.
You are right. I expressed my opinions with a bit too much confidence last night. But I believe we confidently say that when Trump's money starts attacking Kennedy, it will be ugly.
I have stopped paying attention to the hyperbolic media regarding anything to do with the election. They have NO idea. They are just producing clickbait.
They absolutely have an idea. It’s completely intentional.
Truman’s comment was, “I tell the truth and they think it’s Hell.” Good words for 2024.
And Biden gave them back when asked.
Taking a 100,000 foot view of what is going on in the US and Israel you see clearly how politicians have impacted the security of the world and that threats to democracy are real and happening in real time. With our House of Representatives in disarray and with no elected Speaker and with a Senator withholding promotions the Republican Party has weakened our country and don’t think for a second that our enemies don’t know that. Trump’s fingerprints are all over this in some way and fashion and his recent comments should not give anyone confidence in his ability to effectively handle the situation. Add to that is the probability that the Prime Minister of Israel and his multiple legal and political issues also contributed to the unpreparedness that Israel faced. Bad politicians weaken the security of counties and it’s something we all need to consider which we have taken for granted.
Are we all not surprised about the internal chaos in Israel? He deliberately unleashed the chaos by trying to outlaw the judicial branch of government and the people pushed back.
I am dismayed at the vitriol shown to you and to our favorite Professor, Heather Cox Richardson. We are family here and while we can disagree, we should always do that respectfully. Let me add one point which might help. I am furiously angry at what Hamas has done to innocents and to their families. I also think there is room in our hearts for compassion for what the Palestinians have been forced to endure. Now please note…..I draw a distinction between the Palestinian people and Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization. Period. This is not both sidesism at all but an entreaty to all of us to look at the suffering of those who do not deserve it.
Understanding each other starts with respect and listening! Thank you, Annette!
Plain and … not so simple or should I say: Yes and YES!
Many thanks for being a voice of sanity in the Israel/Hamas tragedy, Robert. Thank you also for force feeding a tranquilizer to David Brooks, and poking a hole in the RFK,Jr. balloon.
You make the week worth facing!
The latest David Brooks stunt of lying about the cost of his meal in a Twitter post already has him in some hot water. Perhaps all that single malt scotch he was drinking clouded his thinking.
I really loved todays Newsletter as it was a repeat of my conversation at our last Salon Bleu, Democrats Abroad, meeting. One get over the age problem and the David Brooks rant about poll numbers and inflation and concentrate on what has been accomplished under the Biden administration. From foreign policy, border security, the economy and the rational professional running of the White House. Also I have always argued RFK Jr. will take away more Republican votes than votes for Biden as his stand is totally contrary to our Democratic values. He has seen this fact by turning to an Independent bid. This coming weekend we, here in France, are holding a conference of all those leaders in Democrats Abroad to set up strategy for the up coming elections and to generate and promote the positive aspect of our positions without any reference to worrying about age. Be positive and don't get caught up in the polo, age or Harris as VP rhetoric but work for all candidates and let's take back the House..
Richard, may I suggest that "age or Harris as VP" is an issue worth addressing? Since it's a legitimate concern, we should confront it head-on by making the strongest possible case that Kamala Harris is extraordinarily well-qualified to be President.
Ms. Harris' record as District Attorney, California Attorney General, United States Senator and Vice President is outstanding. Her policy positions align with that of the most successful presidency in recent history. And were she called upon to serve, she'd do so with distinction.
Let's not be shy about our support for Vice-President Harris. If we don't believe in her without reservation, why would anyone else?
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I have never been a fan of David Brooks. I know many people--even liberals, god help us--see him as Mr. Compassionate Conservatism with a nice-guy demeanor, and I appreciate his strong distaste for DirtBag and (sort of) support for Biden. But he is constantly pronouncing on topics about which he has little knowledge and certainly no expertise. For me he's a kind of poor man's George W. Bush Lite.
That is the best description I've ever seen of Brooks. I have tried to get on board with him, but I just can't. I don't believe him or trust him.
Considering that he dumped his wife to marry his younger assistant, I have disdain for all of his pompous pronouncements
I appreciate the comments about David Brooks. I happen to like him and listened to him speak in San Francisco a few years back with a full audience. I dislike many things he says. I do not think it is fair or wise to judge another person for their marital choices. You were not in the room when things were happening. Best to leave personal stuff like this to family members. As I strongly feel people should not judge Joe Biden for defending and supporting his son Hunter. A different story, but it is family matters not ours. Now, that's just my opinion. Would not want eveyone to know my personal stuff, although I have been married to the same wonderful man for 58 years.
LOL, I did not know that, but it definitely adds up in the reasons to pay him no mind.
I see Brooks as a guy who wants to be "nice" but he lives in a bubble. He was at his best when he had Mark Shields to call him to task. It feels like he is a liberal minded decent sort who is locked in a "Conservative" straight jacket. I'll take him more seriously when he actually says he has forever left his Republican roots - becomes at least an "Independent".
His desperate attempts at trying to find some political balance keeps him from really confronting the MAGA madness that has infected the ENTIRE Republican party. The only good Republican politicians are the ones who have repudiated the MAGA fascism. I think there are one or two.
Thank you for your information on”Democracy Labs” / Substack.I just subscribed.I have a dear friend who has an interesting observation on the media/ press’s take on Biden’s age.She says this age thing today is to them their Hillary’s email obsession which was printed and discussed everywhere in 2016.This obsession with Biden’s age is the new press cop-out to actually discussing his many positive accomplishments and qualities much as it was in 2016 to yak endlessly about Hillary’s emails instead of talking about her positive agenda in regards to running against Trump who was as unsatisfactory a candidate then as he is now. "But his age" is the new "But her e-mails" today and it is a bit tiring once again.I think my friend may be on to something imho.
Some matters are so complex and volatile that it's difficult to talk or write about them without either leaving the wrong impression or not painting the whole picture. In my small Substack world, I've been smacked around a bit for my naiveté, misstatements, and missed attempts at cleverness. One thing I like about this community is the fact that we can usually express differing views and clarify/correct things without fear of retribution.
Admittedly, I was reluctant to comment on yesterday’s newsletter. However, after 24 hours of viewing coverage of the attack on Israel by Hamas, I would submit, while discussion must start with unequivocal rejection of using terror as a weapon, if our mission is to educate, we also must observe that Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land since 1967–the longest occupation in modern history—has transformed into a system of apartheid. To be clear, it is my understanding that Netanyahu, who has decreed the annexation of the occupied territories, had carried to the United Nations a map of Israel that included the whole of the West Bank, all of Gaza, all of Jerusalem, as well as the Golan Heights. Viewed in this context, I am disturbed by the deafening silence here in the States, particularly by leadership that dare not declare that Palestinians turn to resistance because they see that this is the only path to self-determination.
I struggled with this over the last two days. As an amateur historian and political observer, I'm reasonably well-versed in the issues involved. Still, I’ve come to the belief that, in these early days of what promises to be a drawn-out conflict, our thoughts should be with the people affected by this tragedy. A co-worker of my wife is stuck in Israel now and lost several family members in the attack. Another friend of ours, who lives there, has fled his home and is staying with friends to avoid the violence. The political realities can wait; our thoughts should be with those suffering.
Dean, I would note my views regarding the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, rather than diminish, not only have fueled my empathy but also have propelled me to work over the years with several groups towards a peaceful resolution.
While I hesitate to add this postscript, I would note that we hear the same sentiment after every mass shooting, invariably resulting in more mass shootings.
As a Jew and a Zionist, I hold no brief for Netanyahu. His machinations and duplicity helped set the stage for Hamas’ attack, and it revealed his selfishness and incompetence. But Apartheid is such a loaded term that using it should be avoided. And bad as the policy of the current Israeli regime is, it is not the same as what was practiced in South Africa. There is much to criticize in how Israel has dealt with it he Palestinians without using a term that stops all discussion.
Hi Jon, just before coming upon your comments here about Netanyahu, I was reading an article by Seth Abramson. I will post the link here. He claims that Egyptian intelligence officials contacted Netanyahu 10 days prior to this heinous attack and warned the Israeli government that something “terrible and unusual” was being planned by Hamas and would be carried out from Gaza. According to Seth’s sources, the Egyptians were stunned by the lack of interest in and response to the information given to the Israeli government.
https://open.substack.com/pub/sethabramson/p/as-israel-reels-from-mass-deaths?r=2vk1c6&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
The incompetence is almost trumpian, isn't it?
Indeed, except I think the point that Seth Abramson is trying to make is that he wanted this to happen to consolidate his power. It’s an awful thing to attribute even to someone as corrupt as Netanyahu, because that means he decided to sacrifice his own people to do so. I can’t bear the thought.
This has in no way been confirmed. I think Netanyahu is horrid and I wouldn’t put it past him to use something like this to his advantage. But we just don’t know if it’s true.
I take it with a grain of salt, for now. I’m sure if this is the case it will eventually be revealed. I read a couple of English language articles from Israeli newspapers, and they are coming down pretty hard on Netanyahu; so, if anyone’s going to get to the bottom of this theory in Abramson‘s article, it will be one of those newspapers I assume.
Jon, While I never am surprised the word “apartheid” garners criticism, I use it because it accurately captures both the total domination and oppression of the Palestinian people plus the avarice among a growing number of Israelis for Palestinian land.
If you live in America, you live on Occupied lands. Are you willing to give up where you live?
Tonight I hear Robin Kimmerer who wrote BRAIDING SWEETGRASS. It's an amazing book of living with the land. She, also Native American, talks about people who feel sorry for the plight of the Native Americans whose lands were stolen from them. She makes the point that none of these people will give up what they have. Louise Erdrich also makes this point in her novel THE SENTENCE.
Ed, I don’t dispute your point, and, while it might not suffice, I have spent endless calories pressing for a reckoning of one of our country’s original sins. As for “right of return” for Palestinians, while most, if not all, never will get to go home, the issue is whether that’s worth not having any home at all.
I was reflecting upon your point re:occupied lands, myself yesterday, Indigenous People’s Day. I LOVE the book “Braiding Sweetgrass” and highly recommend to world readers as well as world leaders.
Reading that book has got me meeting a lot of new people. I guess people can "braid" with one another. I will hear her lecture tonight. The word is "get there early."
I also recommend Louise Erdrich as a great novelist.
Thank you for the recommendation-I love Erdrich too but haven’t read her more recent novels. Where is Kimmerer speaking tonight? I’m in Los Angeles.
I'm in Missoula, MT.
There is also a conference starting tomorrow. The Israeli Consul was to speak in person. He will now speak over ZOOM. But there will be a Q&A by the Consul and some very astute University people.
One will probably be Merdhad KIA. He is Persian. He is persona non grata in Iran...tried in abstensia. He would be killed if he goes back. He father was in prison for 15 or 20 years. From Professor Kia's mouth: my father would be awakened in the middle of the night and taken before a firing squad. They fired bullets just missing him. This happened several times.
Professor Kia's father eventually made it to Missoula and taught history.
People need to realize there are wonderful people in the Middle East but also need to be educated to the fact we are dealing with treacherous folks.
It's a small world. We might run into each other someday. My nephew & his family live in LA.
Be well.
Correct.
To say this is ignorant would be an understatement and you also just admitted that you have absolutely no clue what’s happening there. Please do a simple google search.
Erica, Given several decades of engagement with Israel / Palestine, I am neither “ignorant” nor “have absolutely no clue” as to the current unleashing of unimaginable suffering. Frankly, I haven’t a clue as to why you would deduce otherwise unless you misinterpreted my reluctance to comment on Robert’s earlier Newsletter. To be clear, I wasn’t prepared to comment on what I had viewed as an oversimplified first draft, given the longstanding complexities in that part of the world.
Robert Fringe Kandidate Jr., even dumber than you think he is. Let him get all the dumbass MAGAt votes and harm Trump.
Agree w your final paragraph! Sorry you had to deal w any angry readers who thought you should have addressed Israel crisis in different way. Heather Cox Richardson also got some angry reader reactions. You are in good company.
“Never before in our history have we had a major presidential candidate under four criminal indictments as he runs for office and Brooks fails to mention that fact in his analysis of the election. Really?!? “But, but, but . . . inflation,” Brooks responds. Give me a break! I have more faith in the American people than does Brooks. I hope you do, too. Do not fall for facile, shallow journalism that sells American voters short.” Amen, Robert! Facile, shallow journalism is all around us. And it hurts us and our democracy. Let us hold them to account, and not give in to despair.
Well, it makes sense: the "facile, shallow journalism" is being pitched to "facile, shallow" U.S. citizens. Citizens who haven't been taught how to think critically or analyze...