We must unite to combat the Orban wing of the authoritarian Republican party lest we find ourselves ruled like HUNGARY. All Democrats must come out to vote.
I am neither an US citizen or tax-payer or resident, so I often feel it is not my place to comment on many issues that are raised in these excellent newsletters (but this does not mean I do not have strong opinions of my own!). But the war in Ukraine goes beyond national borders and we do have a responsibility to tell truth to power, to educate ourselves about the situation, to support the Ukrainians in whichever way we can. My big concern, the longer that this goes on, is that the news reporters become weary of the story, that it ceases to shock, mobilize and pressurize governments into helping Ukraine in their hour, day, week, month and year of need. We do need to keep the crisis to the forefront of our minds: to lobby, donate to organisations that are helping to relive the pain and suffering, pressurize those in power, use our wallets to boycott those who support Russia's actions and our acceptance and patience when prices go up as a result - a small price to pay for a stand against a bully. And for those that the fuel hikes affect badly, then there are organisations to donate to to help those in need in our own backyards as well. I think it is important to mention Ukraine in each Newsletter in some form or other. The fate of that country will affect the fate of democracy and the future of authoritarianism across the globe for decades to come......... and if any of your readers happen to think Russia has good cause in its actions, then I appreciate they will not agree with my stance and have the right to alternative opinions.
When the progressives gripe about Biden, that is certainly the right. But they should keep in mind that Trump or his surrogate in the White House is an order of magnitude worse outcome than an unfulfilled legislative dream. If a Trumpist wins, it won't bring just legislative disappointments, it will bring cronyism, corruption, racism, and full throated support for Putin against Ukraine. Is that really a progressive antidote to not getting all of BBB? I'd remind everyone that Hilary Clinton lost in 2016. Although she garnered more of the popular vote than DJT, it wasn't enough in the Electoral College's higher math. And Jill Stein and Gary Johnson had 5 mio votes that could have gone to Hilary in the states that mattered, maybe tipping the scales to the forces for good: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_candidates,_2016
Robert, my comment for you about "balance" in Today's Edition is to simply stay the course. You are writing a newsletter about a few key issues. It's not an hour long news show where you have some sort of responsibility to cover every single key thing that is happening in the world. If one day you focus on a few domestic issues, great. The next day tackle Ukraine. Follow your impulses and passions.
And finally, something I love about your letters is the "Concluding Thoughts". Today you said: "I understand the frustration and bitterness that some in the Democratic Party are experiencing at this moment (on both ends of the spectrum), but it is a moral imperative for us to set aside our differences in 2022 and 2024."
So not only do you have excellent balance, you also have fantastic, realistic and unifying focus. I talk up and share your "Edition" to everyone I can. Thank you for making my day M-F.
There were several critical comments in todays Edition that were significant. I agree with Professor Tribe about repurposing frozen dollars and the reason why but why hasn’t it happen before and what are we waiting for? I am writing my congressional folks today. Mallory McMorrow showed us what speaking out can do and I think it’s time for Disney to take a more active role and flex it’s muscle. Until someone pushes back hard against DeSantis his comments and actions will continue to accelerate until it’s too late. Finally while on a certain level I support some of the platform ideas of the progressive side of the party they in the upcoming midterm elections are out of touch with a large majority of voters who could care less about most of the Build Back Better agenda today and are more focused on kitchen table issues locally around inflation, education, healthcare and voter access and security. Maybe the progressive side of the Democratic Party will wake up and realize they have a better shot at implementing their agenda if there is a real majority in the both houses.
Robert, I believe Today’s Edition provides an excellent balance of news, optimism ,humor and calls for activism. I read( al lot!) from many different sources so don’t feel the need to read about Ukraine in every TE. Also, you provide us with excellent resources, like the Institutes of War, that enables us to further our research.
I’m optimistic in Florida…and no, I’m only drinking coffee this morning! What is happening here is not sustainable. Do I believe it’s going to get worse before it gets better? Sure ! But many are fighting back while Florida legislators are calling out DeSantis ‘ “race-neutral “ maps as Racist. “Punishing “ Disney will not distract from that reality ! Local book stores are sponsoring “Little Black Book” drives in our community to distribute those books that make people “feel discomfort”. We also have our own McMorrow in Fl Rep Anna Eskamani, Orlando. She is force to be reckoned with and a thorn in our thin-skinned, charisma-free governor’s side.
Apr 21, 2022·edited Apr 21, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
You DO provide a balanced newsletter. That's a primary reason I read it. If I want detailed information, graphics, et al. on Ukraine, I can spend an hour with CNN. Ukraine is an outrage. I pray everyday for the people, the blatant disregard for human life, and their devastated country. However, I do not need every newsletter, article, magazine, and newspaper I read to give attention to it. I seek other venues to inform myself of different perspectives, and listen to NPR and BBC for a broader view of the world. There ARE other wargrounds on the planet we do not hear about. Your knowledge of the political, judicial (especially) landscapes are invaluable. You are even-handed and deftly integrated your podcast forums.
Thank you, Robert, for producing, through a labor of love, your newsletter with truth well told, hope (even when I don't want to hear it at times for I'm so frustrated I want to scream), and educational information, not hype. And, you're right to keep focusing on those in our country who seek to bring down our Democracy. If they gain enough ground for the tRumpster to live in the White House again, then we, too, will be fighting in the streets for we will lose our Democracy to an autocracy. Stay on course!
Two things this morning. First is that I think, Robert, that your reporting on Ukraine is “just right”. Remember too, that if you report on everything each day, then when something significant happens, it loses its impact. So keep on keeping on. Second is that here in Florida the proposed maps are one of the biggest challenges we face. The jellyfish that we have in the Florida legislature are going to approve these extremely gerrymandered districts which give the Republicans a 20-8 advantage, far more than they deserve. As David Pepper says, the state legislatures present the most peril. Oh, one more thought. I’m going to email Jessica Craven about a Resistbot campaign to tell congress to repurpose the $100 billion for Ukraine.
Two points about DeSantis; First, the Disney war is, in part, a distraction from his congressional maps disenfranchising black people. Second, he is throwing out every textbook EXCEPT FOR ONE, a Houston-based company where Glenn Youngkin was involved. Youngkin is planning to emulate this despicable law. Here's the link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/desantis-administration-rejects-textbooks-only-122828296.html Can you spell indoctrination?
I read an interesting twitter thread from a woman who looked carefully at the math books that survey DeSantis' censorship. She discovered that only one publisher passed the test and its head was Youngkin until he became Gov. No surprises there that there is a grift element.
Putin's effort to subjugate Ukraine is the most vehement expression of the Authoritarian movement, a movement supported by one of our two political parties (despite their denials).
Actions speak louder than words.
Republican attacks on literacy, education and knowledge as well as legal precedent and government (unless they are governing) are consistent with the goals and aspirations of authoritarian regimes throughout the world.
The fact that the Republican Party refused to impeach Trump and remove him from office for treason (aiding and abetting Russian interference in an election) and extortion (withholding defensive arms from Ukraine for political favor) puts them squarely in Russia's camp in the battle between Authoritarianism and Democracy.
The fact that Republicans now claim to support Ukraine and Democracy, while they tirelessly work to undermine Democracy at home, represents hypocrisy at its worst. It is imperative that we continue to keep the war in Ukraine in the foreground because it is the ultimate manifestation of the battle we face at home.
The podcast yesterday was truly impressive and I will listen more often in future, hopefully resolving issues with the Call In app while you fix your volume problem. Jill and Gunner had much higher sound levels than you did but it was well worth cranking the volume on my phone to hear the whole thing.
The Concluding Thoughts are, not for the first time, worth the entire essay and should be taken to heart and to action by everyone who even thinks about being a democrat whether they identify as Democrats or not.
Professor Tribe's suggestion is one of those "why aren't we already doing this" ideas, much like sending more and better offensive weaponry to Ukraine. One sometimes gets the feeling that we'd like the Russians to lose but don't really want to hurt them so that we can still do business after the war. Putin, like our home grown dictator wannabe, will not acknowledge defeat until the status quo ante 2014 is forcibly reset and he has no other choices. That will have the same impact on him as conviction and imprisonment will on the failed insurrectionist; bullies shrink quickly when the spotlight shines on their failure, as we're about to see with Ms. Greene and, possibly, Mr. Cawthorn.
What is the moral obligation of the West towards Ukraine? Only Nato, led by the US can counter Russia's war crimes and incipient genocide. What will history say of our failure to act? To those who say this is not our war we must ask "who then must act?"
“it is a moral imperative for us to set aside our differences in 2022 and 2024. The future of our democracy depends on our ability to present a united front—now more than ever. We can do that. We did it in 2018 and 2020. We can do it in 2022”
We must unite to combat the Orban wing of the authoritarian Republican party lest we find ourselves ruled like HUNGARY. All Democrats must come out to vote.
Your newsletter has the right balance - a very difficult trick to pull off!
I am neither an US citizen or tax-payer or resident, so I often feel it is not my place to comment on many issues that are raised in these excellent newsletters (but this does not mean I do not have strong opinions of my own!). But the war in Ukraine goes beyond national borders and we do have a responsibility to tell truth to power, to educate ourselves about the situation, to support the Ukrainians in whichever way we can. My big concern, the longer that this goes on, is that the news reporters become weary of the story, that it ceases to shock, mobilize and pressurize governments into helping Ukraine in their hour, day, week, month and year of need. We do need to keep the crisis to the forefront of our minds: to lobby, donate to organisations that are helping to relive the pain and suffering, pressurize those in power, use our wallets to boycott those who support Russia's actions and our acceptance and patience when prices go up as a result - a small price to pay for a stand against a bully. And for those that the fuel hikes affect badly, then there are organisations to donate to to help those in need in our own backyards as well. I think it is important to mention Ukraine in each Newsletter in some form or other. The fate of that country will affect the fate of democracy and the future of authoritarianism across the globe for decades to come......... and if any of your readers happen to think Russia has good cause in its actions, then I appreciate they will not agree with my stance and have the right to alternative opinions.
When the progressives gripe about Biden, that is certainly the right. But they should keep in mind that Trump or his surrogate in the White House is an order of magnitude worse outcome than an unfulfilled legislative dream. If a Trumpist wins, it won't bring just legislative disappointments, it will bring cronyism, corruption, racism, and full throated support for Putin against Ukraine. Is that really a progressive antidote to not getting all of BBB? I'd remind everyone that Hilary Clinton lost in 2016. Although she garnered more of the popular vote than DJT, it wasn't enough in the Electoral College's higher math. And Jill Stein and Gary Johnson had 5 mio votes that could have gone to Hilary in the states that mattered, maybe tipping the scales to the forces for good: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_candidates,_2016
❤ Just FYI: I have to "make" my own heart, because for some reason "Something Went Wrong" pops up every time I try to "heart reply."
That said, I think Today's Edition Newsletter is stellar! Thank you, Robert.
Robert, my comment for you about "balance" in Today's Edition is to simply stay the course. You are writing a newsletter about a few key issues. It's not an hour long news show where you have some sort of responsibility to cover every single key thing that is happening in the world. If one day you focus on a few domestic issues, great. The next day tackle Ukraine. Follow your impulses and passions.
And finally, something I love about your letters is the "Concluding Thoughts". Today you said: "I understand the frustration and bitterness that some in the Democratic Party are experiencing at this moment (on both ends of the spectrum), but it is a moral imperative for us to set aside our differences in 2022 and 2024."
So not only do you have excellent balance, you also have fantastic, realistic and unifying focus. I talk up and share your "Edition" to everyone I can. Thank you for making my day M-F.
There were several critical comments in todays Edition that were significant. I agree with Professor Tribe about repurposing frozen dollars and the reason why but why hasn’t it happen before and what are we waiting for? I am writing my congressional folks today. Mallory McMorrow showed us what speaking out can do and I think it’s time for Disney to take a more active role and flex it’s muscle. Until someone pushes back hard against DeSantis his comments and actions will continue to accelerate until it’s too late. Finally while on a certain level I support some of the platform ideas of the progressive side of the party they in the upcoming midterm elections are out of touch with a large majority of voters who could care less about most of the Build Back Better agenda today and are more focused on kitchen table issues locally around inflation, education, healthcare and voter access and security. Maybe the progressive side of the Democratic Party will wake up and realize they have a better shot at implementing their agenda if there is a real majority in the both houses.
Robert, I believe Today’s Edition provides an excellent balance of news, optimism ,humor and calls for activism. I read( al lot!) from many different sources so don’t feel the need to read about Ukraine in every TE. Also, you provide us with excellent resources, like the Institutes of War, that enables us to further our research.
I’m optimistic in Florida…and no, I’m only drinking coffee this morning! What is happening here is not sustainable. Do I believe it’s going to get worse before it gets better? Sure ! But many are fighting back while Florida legislators are calling out DeSantis ‘ “race-neutral “ maps as Racist. “Punishing “ Disney will not distract from that reality ! Local book stores are sponsoring “Little Black Book” drives in our community to distribute those books that make people “feel discomfort”. We also have our own McMorrow in Fl Rep Anna Eskamani, Orlando. She is force to be reckoned with and a thorn in our thin-skinned, charisma-free governor’s side.
You DO provide a balanced newsletter. That's a primary reason I read it. If I want detailed information, graphics, et al. on Ukraine, I can spend an hour with CNN. Ukraine is an outrage. I pray everyday for the people, the blatant disregard for human life, and their devastated country. However, I do not need every newsletter, article, magazine, and newspaper I read to give attention to it. I seek other venues to inform myself of different perspectives, and listen to NPR and BBC for a broader view of the world. There ARE other wargrounds on the planet we do not hear about. Your knowledge of the political, judicial (especially) landscapes are invaluable. You are even-handed and deftly integrated your podcast forums.
Thank you, Robert, for producing, through a labor of love, your newsletter with truth well told, hope (even when I don't want to hear it at times for I'm so frustrated I want to scream), and educational information, not hype. And, you're right to keep focusing on those in our country who seek to bring down our Democracy. If they gain enough ground for the tRumpster to live in the White House again, then we, too, will be fighting in the streets for we will lose our Democracy to an autocracy. Stay on course!
Two things this morning. First is that I think, Robert, that your reporting on Ukraine is “just right”. Remember too, that if you report on everything each day, then when something significant happens, it loses its impact. So keep on keeping on. Second is that here in Florida the proposed maps are one of the biggest challenges we face. The jellyfish that we have in the Florida legislature are going to approve these extremely gerrymandered districts which give the Republicans a 20-8 advantage, far more than they deserve. As David Pepper says, the state legislatures present the most peril. Oh, one more thought. I’m going to email Jessica Craven about a Resistbot campaign to tell congress to repurpose the $100 billion for Ukraine.
Two points about DeSantis; First, the Disney war is, in part, a distraction from his congressional maps disenfranchising black people. Second, he is throwing out every textbook EXCEPT FOR ONE, a Houston-based company where Glenn Youngkin was involved. Youngkin is planning to emulate this despicable law. Here's the link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/desantis-administration-rejects-textbooks-only-122828296.html Can you spell indoctrination?
I read an interesting twitter thread from a woman who looked carefully at the math books that survey DeSantis' censorship. She discovered that only one publisher passed the test and its head was Youngkin until he became Gov. No surprises there that there is a grift element.
Right balance of your coverage of Ukraine!
My two cents worth:
Putin's effort to subjugate Ukraine is the most vehement expression of the Authoritarian movement, a movement supported by one of our two political parties (despite their denials).
Actions speak louder than words.
Republican attacks on literacy, education and knowledge as well as legal precedent and government (unless they are governing) are consistent with the goals and aspirations of authoritarian regimes throughout the world.
The fact that the Republican Party refused to impeach Trump and remove him from office for treason (aiding and abetting Russian interference in an election) and extortion (withholding defensive arms from Ukraine for political favor) puts them squarely in Russia's camp in the battle between Authoritarianism and Democracy.
The fact that Republicans now claim to support Ukraine and Democracy, while they tirelessly work to undermine Democracy at home, represents hypocrisy at its worst. It is imperative that we continue to keep the war in Ukraine in the foreground because it is the ultimate manifestation of the battle we face at home.
The podcast yesterday was truly impressive and I will listen more often in future, hopefully resolving issues with the Call In app while you fix your volume problem. Jill and Gunner had much higher sound levels than you did but it was well worth cranking the volume on my phone to hear the whole thing.
The Concluding Thoughts are, not for the first time, worth the entire essay and should be taken to heart and to action by everyone who even thinks about being a democrat whether they identify as Democrats or not.
Professor Tribe's suggestion is one of those "why aren't we already doing this" ideas, much like sending more and better offensive weaponry to Ukraine. One sometimes gets the feeling that we'd like the Russians to lose but don't really want to hurt them so that we can still do business after the war. Putin, like our home grown dictator wannabe, will not acknowledge defeat until the status quo ante 2014 is forcibly reset and he has no other choices. That will have the same impact on him as conviction and imprisonment will on the failed insurrectionist; bullies shrink quickly when the spotlight shines on their failure, as we're about to see with Ms. Greene and, possibly, Mr. Cawthorn.
What is the moral obligation of the West towards Ukraine? Only Nato, led by the US can counter Russia's war crimes and incipient genocide. What will history say of our failure to act? To those who say this is not our war we must ask "who then must act?"
“it is a moral imperative for us to set aside our differences in 2022 and 2024. The future of our democracy depends on our ability to present a united front—now more than ever. We can do that. We did it in 2018 and 2020. We can do it in 2022”