125 Comments
Aug 7, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Over the weekend, a comment I posted on Robert's discussion forum (https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/j6-indictment-discussion-forum ) was liked by more than 500 readers.

To say the least, I'm overwhelmed, and deeply gratified that I was able to express what so many of us are feeling: "...that our democratic home has been ransacked by the one indidual we entrusted to be ultimately responsible for its safety and security ... the crimes Donald Trump committed are a personal affront, a form of theft."

But now that we've had this moment of catharsis, it's crucial we take the next step. We must secure the safety of our democratic home. Each of us must re-commit to defeating both Donald Trump and his despicable MAGA movement.

As Robert reminded us just last Thursday, "To hold Trump accountable for his crimes, we must defeat him politically. ... When we write letters, send postcards, make calls, march in solidarity, knock on doors, and show up at the polls, we are following the example of the faithful servants of democracy who preceded us," (https://roberthubbell.com/p/our-role-in-ensuring-accountablility)

There are so many ways to do your part. In addition to Robert's Hopium Chronicles, subscribe to Jessica Craven's Chop Wood Carry Water (https://chopwoodcarrywaterdaiyactions.substack.com) for a daily checklist of actions you can take right now. Last week, Jessica too pointed out that "we are the ones who will, in the end, defeat this existential threat. Jack Smith can't save us. Only we can."

And if you'd like to help confront Trump-allied MAGA extremists in the one place where they actually wield power within our government - the House of Representatives - consider joining the Feathers of Hope network (www.FeathersOfHope.net or https://JerryWeiss.substack.com). We have been advocating since January for a cross-party alliance, like the bipartisan majority that passed the debt ceiling bill, to remove and replace Speaker Kevin McCarthy, thereby isolating and marginalizing the minority MAGA faction.

As Joyce Vance (https://joycevance.substack.com) always says, "We're in this together."

.

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Another great post from you, Jerry!

If I might, let me add: Adam Schiff has authored a letter which reads, in part: "We are writing to request the Judicial Conference explicitly authorize the broadcasting of court proceedings in the cases of United States of America v. Donald J. Trump."

https://schiff.house.gov/imo/media/doc/trump_trial_transparency_letter.pdf

You can add your name to this petition asking to have the court proceedings televised:

https://act.adamschiff.com/signup/engagement-29239896-broadcast/?

(You can add your name without donating to his campaign.)

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I did a Resistbot letter to Justice Roberts requesting the same! It’s in my newsletter today. You can send it by texting SIGN PNKZDY to 50409.

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Thank you, Jessica!

This is to whom Schiff and Co. addressed their letter:

The Honorable Roslynn R. Mauskopf

Judicial Conference Secretary

Administrative Office of the United States Courts

One Columbus Circle, NE

Washington, D.C. 20544

Apparently, this is who is authorized to make the decision to televise?

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Oh that’s great! So we can write her directly?

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I guess so! She's the secretary to the judicial conference and Roberts is the chairman, if I remember right.

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Aug 7, 2023·edited Aug 7, 2023

Done. And I've shared it to my political FG groups and like minded friends.

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In today’s (Aug. 7th’s) NY Times, Steven Brill published a powerful op-ed, “Let the World See the

Jan. 6 Trial”. Definitely worth reading.

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I'm reading something he wrote on August 5, titled "The Trump Trials Should be Televised," published by NYT. Not sure if it's the same as you suggest?

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Good chance. Many, many NYT articles are printed a few days after they appear online – not a big incentive to subscribe to the print edition.

By the time I read NYT print articles, the Comments often have been closed.

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We all know Trump loves being the center of attention - especially on TV. So, this presents a golden (pun intended) opportunity for him to get what he wants.😜

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founding

Jerry, I was one of those 500. To be sure, I am thrilled that so many took note of your post AND that you have encouraged us again to leap into action. These are very, very serious times and will only become more so when we hear and see the GOP rhetoric that stirs violence.

Here is a post from another Substack writer of America, America. We must all be very clear about what Trump, DeSantis and other candidates are doing. Shame on those GOP elected leaders who silently.

https://open.substack.com/pub/america/p/the-consequences-of-violent-rhetoric?r=39h2h&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post

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Thank you, John. The link you provided speaks to a very under-appreciated aspect of our current struggle.

MAGA voices on the far-right are unapologetic about their call for bloodshed. Talk of civil war is common. And often what Democrats might see as traditional policy disputes are framed on the right as moral challenges justifying the most extreme measures to confront. We saw the first overt expression of this on January 6, 2021.

We need to be careful in our response not to echo that rhetoric. Our faith in the rule of law and the institutions of our democracy is our greatest strength.

.

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Aug 7, 2023·edited Aug 7, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Robert opened tonight's report with comments about members of the public being fatigued by the numerous commentaries about Trump's indictment and prosecution. I believe these writings are essential to the survival of democracy. The possibility of Trump being re-elected is so abhorrent that a vigorous and incisive rebuttal of his lies, deception, attempts to intimidate potential witnesses, etc. is not only appropriate, but is critical. Those who want the nation to maintain stability and be governed by someone who respects the Constitution need to fight through their fatigue in order to rebut Trump's outbursts and support President Biden's candidacy.

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Aug 7, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

While the fatigue is very real and we must fight thru it, we cannot lose sight of the fact that TFG and his surrogates, "echo"lytes, and "sicko"phants are using the indictment(s) to distract from their other anti-democratic activities (voter suppression, gov't gridlock, gerrymandering, judicial turmoil, etc.). One needs only to consider the multi-pronged attempts to overturn the 2020 election that are the basis for the J6 indictment, and realize that the efforts only took place over a period of less than 2 months, to see what they're capable of doing with 15 months left before the 2024 election. Their multi-faceted attempts to find and exploit weaknesses in our electoral system will make a diamond look like a flat surface.

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I totally agree with you.TFGs bravado-filled statements and postings are just more of the smokescreens that he has used throughout his presidency and it's aftermath used to distract and deflect attention from the thefts and fraud that he commits daily.That this judge is wise to his modus operandi(delay, delay, delay)is certainly encouraging.

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I believe that individuals can take breaks from the news to rejuvenate themselves, because we all need to do what we need to do. I do not relish hearing this, and my daughter groans if I mention Trump. So, I am trying not to overwhelm my family, where each person has a different level of how much day to day details they want to know. They all have an overall sense of Trump, and what is going on. Therefore I am grateful for forums such as these where there is a place to discuss Trump's trials and the trials he is to us just by being his depraved, exhausting and frightening self.

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I absolutely agree with this. My husband and I follow the news carefully but he gets frustrated when I bring it up in discussion. I truly appreciate having these forums. I learn a great deal from these discussions.

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Great point, Susan. My wife doesn't have as much of an appetite for this side of the news as I do, so she similarly gets frustrated. Not only do I get a lot out of these forums, but they're saving my marriage!

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Ditto re my husband, Bob and Susan!

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I second this comment. And I applaud Robert for doing such a superb job of giving us the information we need.

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People who claim they're tired need to get off their dead asses and onto their dying feet and contribute something to this country they allegedly love. Otherwise t hey're just a different variety of Trumpscum.

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TC, you know I love you and agree with most of what you post. In this case, however, I think it’s not those of us who are tired from working our asses off, but the millions of uninterested people who couldn’t be bothered to vote. THEY are the ones that need to get off their asses!

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The more I speak with people, the more convinced I am that A LOT of folks are just trying to survive - some working at least two if not three jobs to pay for housing, food, gas, utilities, medicine, etc. These folks are tired. And I truly believe A LOT of people suffer PTSD. I blame trump and the media, who continue to feed us his crap 24/7. He's their bread and butter. It's disgusting actually.

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Thank you, Robert, for tonight’s column. My heart hurts for the young man who was joyfully dancing, expressing himself. The intolerance of people is caused by the mean rhetoric coming from Fake 45 and Company. He and they are responsible for deaths, sedition, killing voting rights, rape, tax evasion, and a plethora of lies. Our collective mental health is on the line. My hope is that this judge hands Trump and his attorneys sanctions that they can’t argue with. Looks like she will not put up with any bullshit. My kinda gal!

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Aug 7, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Thank you for sharing Jonathan's poignant and powerful image, as well as the great care he took in documenting it. My heart is hurting for the LGBTQ+ community, and the fear I experience for loved ones is constant. I know I'm not alone in this. I can only hope and pray that the malignant cancer that TFG has set loose in his followers will be defeated by LOVE and, definitively, at the ballot box, as well as our justice system.

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Aug 7, 2023·edited Aug 7, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

"If you're gay...say O'Shea

If you're straight...say O'Shea

If you're male...say O'Shea

If you're female...say O'Shea

If you're they...say O'Shea

If you Love...say O'Shea

If you are human...cry O'Shea."

---------------------------------

This past week, as a result of a bug bite underneath my eyelid, I developed a sty. Although I have attended to it, applying a Chrysanthemum tea compress, using a lid wipe, and administering drops, the sty has gotten worse, swollen and purple red, I can feel it coagulating and coming to a head. My purpose is not to turn anyone off from my misfortune's description, rather to draw an analogy (far fetched?) to what we may be feeling now. We scratched at the itch when DJ came upon the scene as if there was no underlying matter of concern. At some point we realized that not only was there a pathology at work, but that continued avoidance would contribute to the development of something much worse. And that happened, talking about and around the signifigance of the disease, we allowed the disorder to grow and worsen. Despite our better judgment we ignored the indications and implications and were forced to live with their problem creating a malady of enormous proportions.

Jack Smith and Judge Chutkin have come in to repair the damage. The infection is worse, for sure, clamoring to affect our complex body. However, we are fighting back; Democracy is altering the outcome. We can see the potential for healing and restoration of our health. It is coming to a head and when the wretched sore is lanced, the diseased fluid will flow out of the body and we will, with all hope, begin to see again - clearly and emphatically.

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Thank you, Robert, for everything in tonight’s column. My gut tells me this judge will not tolerate Fake 45’a lawyers grandstanding. She will maybe give Trump one more warning that if he continues to misbehave, she will throw him in jail. I don’t know if she will take that route yet but perhaps sanction him to bot being able to use social media. That would certainly make him panic. I do wish something like that, something drastic would happen to him.

With that said, my heart really hurts for the young man who was merely joyfully dancing. The teen who stabbed him now faces years of incarceration for his act of violence. That too is sad because it’s all furled by mean rhetoric from Fake 45 and his minion. I blame them for everything.

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author

As i noted, the facts are still emerging. Some reports have alluded to a religious motivation for the killing. But not all sources are reporting that facet. Let's see what develops. But if true, that would add another deeply disturbing dimension to the killing.

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Maybe not - in NYS as of 2019 18 and under is a youthful offender https://nycourts.gov/Courthelp/Criminal/crimesbyChildren.shtml At 17 years old that young person can be rehabilitated (hopefully).

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Aug 7, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Trump continues to commit crimes as he awaits trial. Take away his access to social media. Shut. Him. Up.

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author

That is a good slogan and alternative to Lock Him Up.

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His speech is poison that he has poured into the ear of the American polity.

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Aug 7, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

It will be very interesting to see what kind of a warning he'll get and what further restrictions will apply. Trump's Congressional defenders and his layers have become masters of manipulation transforming all action into speech and blaming the Biden administration of trying to muzzle a political opponent. .

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I'd like to see Trump banned from using social media & texting. That would inhibit his ability to stir things up.

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And then his drooling defenders and cultists would have cause to scream to the high heavens about the abrogation of the right to "free speech" and create all kinds of drama for the media to feast upon. The gag order as an abrogation of a First Amendment "right" wouldn't be factually accurate, but the droolers don't give a mouse-sized shyte about facts.

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Cash bail! He claims to be a billionaire; how about a $40 million bond? Step out of line and he loses it. He hates spending his own money, and if he uses OPM they'll ride herd on him.

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This non-lawyer underste

ands/believes that the purpose of bail is to help prevent the defendant from fleeing. It is not punishment.

There’s no point laying bail on Trump because at any place to which he might flee (except Russia?), he’d be quickly recognized, apprehended, and returned.

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Yes, yes, yes, hit him where it counts !

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What is OPM?

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Other people's money.

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Put Old Fatass in jail where he belongs. Make America Great Again. Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll meet Justice with a shank in what passes for his heart.

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TC, it's incredible to me how we see him exactly for what he is, rotten to the core. But his si supporters are either in denial or don't care about his character which doesn't say a lot for their character. But they somehow think he will make this a better country -great again, whatever that means. Only a good person with a good heart can make things better for others, simply because they care about the country more than themselves. But it takes more than one man or woman to accomplish this, it takes every single lawmaker both in Congress and in the States to put country first among themselves. For some reason this type of selfless person is more likely to be a Democrat than a Republican. A harsh assessment I know, but unfortunately appears to be true.

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We should not rise to every provocation or credit every bad-faith lie disguised as a legal defense or bother to refute every false equivalency.

NO! We should do what Tom Nichols proposed in the Atlantic next week. Confront these liars and scum every time they open their lying mouths. Drunken old Uncle Fred gets kicked out of the house and told never to return. These traitors have to be called out in public and shamed and then shunned.

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That's amazing for a person with that background of actually caring, to do that.

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It’s obvious to me and I hope other voters that Trump has no defense for the charges against him regarding J6th so he is and his attorney are relying on intimidation and trying to sway the court of public opinion. Trump has no answers or rebuttal against the charges and his“ act” is getting old. The reality is he can’t win re-election with just his dedicated base even if they all voted. I firmly believe as the Georgia indictment gets unveiled that the support for Trump will become toxic for many Republicans running for office and provide an opportunity for Democrats to remind voters who has supported both Trump and the overturning of the election on January 6th. As the indictments pile up Trump will become more outrageous and demonstrate unequivocally why he is not only dangerous but unqualified to hold office.

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Robert, you are absolutely correct when you say this battle is in the court of public opinion. Last night I joined Ruth Ben-Ghiat’s Lucid Zoom where she said the same thing. She said it’s all about the propaganda and that’s why the lawyer, Lauro, went on all the Sunday shows. I’m actually disgusted that they all gave him this platform when they know better. At the end of the meeting someone said that Indivisible is recommending a simple phrase. It is “MAGA extremists are taking away your rights”. Short and to the point, no?

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The Sunday shows gave Lauro a platform – first and foremost – because it meant “eyeballs” and quotations in other media. And second, because American media have a shallow concept of “fair play” and the First Amendment.

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Maga extremists ARE attempting to take away our rights...with full support of the republican party.

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As Trump’s lawyers stated that he has the right to tell what the witnesses said to the grand jury, it is apparent that Trump and his lawyers want full disclosure to the public. I can think of no better means for full disclosure than televising this historical trial.

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Dear Robert,

I agree that all of the attention on Trump and his "shenanigans" are tiring, but I am totally ignorant of the legal implications of what is going on, and your ability to cut to the bone and explain what is going on from a legal point of view is essential. Please continue to give us the big picture of these tumultuous times! Thank you!

Janette Papi

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O'Shae Sibley ❤

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Aug 7, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

what do Justice Thomas's tax filings show for interest paid or the reporting of debt forgiveness as income?

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author

We don't know, but the refusal to provide details suggest that the "loan" was a gift.

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Thank you Robert, for continuing to fill in the blanks for us in the DJT indictment. It is definitely THE MOST IMPORTANT THING for us to focus on as our nation and our democracy face the worst threat of their existence. I’ve heard folks talking about a “civil war” and I, for one, think we are in the midst of it right now. It will be happening in a Washington, DC court room.

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