I write regarding Wednesday’s scheduled meeting between the Speaker and the President to discuss the debt ceiling. My concerns rest not only with the radical, extremist Freedom Caucus but also with so-called establishment Republicans, who are equally intent on further confusing a largely ignorant population by falsely conflating raising the debt ceiling with spending money we don’t have.
Hence, I believe it imperative that we flood the White House with letters urging the President to clarify, as often as warranted in prime time, that raising the debt ceiling doesn’t give the government permission to borrow money; it gives government the permission to pay back the money we’ve already borrowed. Furthermore, in my view, the President is obligated to educate the public of the economic calamity that would ensue were the U.S. to default on its national debt.
Frankom, I agree. Hence, the rationale for flooding the White House with letters and phone calls urging the President to educate the public not only on the debt ceiling but also on a host of other issues. For example, House Republicans must be held accountable for every single concession made, for everything that appeared in the rules they voted for, and for every one of McCarthy’s future disastrous actions. Additionally, I would note that Democrats, overall, have a role to play in pressing the message of unity vs. chaos, with a constant drumbeat of Republican extremism.
We all need to up our game as you suggest. I have the mindset of letting the government run itself without any effort on my part other than voting. I feel like the sports fan yelling down instructions to the coach. It seems so not needed. Do we really have to tell Democrat officeholders to educate the public and hold the opposition to the fire.
Frankom, Though not a direct answer to your question, I believe D.C. treats us too much as an audience and not enough as citizens. We’re invited to look through the window but too infrequently to come through the door and to participate, despite our incalculable offerings, to make a better America.
I agree. I've followed economic news since I was a teenager in the 60s. Back then there were regular public service announcements on TV explaining and promoting a current policy that affected citizens. Maybe with the absence of a vital FCC we no longer can have them, though why don't we see more focused information from the administration on social media?
Margaret, While I don’t have an answer to your question, I can state, unequivocally, that, despite stories of social significance that have been overlooked, under-reported, or self-censored by the country’s major national news media, the Administration has unfettered access if only it would regularly commit, preferably in prime time, to a full discussion of the pressing issues of the day.
More Biden press conferences would be wonderful. I was thinking of the frequent White House press conferences, which don't do enough to get his message to the broad public.
Yes. Seems to me in the past I'd also see billboards touting a current major public works project with the top official's name very prominent at the bottom sharing credit with the American taxpayer.... Press conferences are fine, but don't expect the press to share good news. Biden should toot his own horn!
Margaret, While I fully agree with your last statement, I also believe Biden would elevate his appeal were he to hold more press conferences and show that he can more than hold his own.
Barbara, I have often wondered why someone hasn’t aggressively promoted or proposed that we flood every Republican House and Senate member to urge them to explain their silence on so much critical and bad conduct within their caucus or the public at large. Why are we not flooding their inboxes asking how they justify so many of their positions, not least of which would be their incessant enabling of TFG guys most impeachable offenses? Why are we not making many many demands of these failed leaders and their lack of governance to serve the country with so much critically at state - from global democracy to climate crises, from homelessness to constant violent killings? Why aren’t we flooding them with letters, phone calls, and massive demonstrations throughout the country? Where is our outrage?
John, Because I wouldn’t expect Republicans to respond to our demands to justify their words and deeds, in my view, we Democrats rightfully should expect and demand that our leadership far more aggressively amplifies the legislation they have tried to deliver that repeatedly gets voted down principally by Republicans.
As for demonstrations, were the public as animated about the issues you cited as they were, for example, about the overturning of Roe, I believe citizen engagement would be far more impactful.
I agree. Citizen engagement can take many forms, in the streets, town halls, and more. They are imperative in these times if our voices are to be heard. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I'm picturing a weekly sit-down fireside chat from the president. How often did FDR talk to the people? Eventually the information seeps out. Plus such moments provide good clips for those of us who continue to share on different platforms until even Fox news watchers can't help but trip over some truths here and there.
This would be such an obvious action as it plays to Biden's strength which low tone conversation. Clinton could speak like I was in the room and of course Joe Biden can as well. Not sure who likes the loud voice into a microphone style we get at major events.
So, my point is, when we shower the White House and other entities with letters, let's keep it as simple as this. You fellow readers here can all say it in your own styles, but it is an important message because until Biden sets up something really regular to talk to the people, we can rant until we're blue in the face about what he should say. Let's not skip the most obvious point: start to have a regular sharing talk. Not a press conference, not an interview, just a pure, open, no interruptions, share. Regularly.
I very much like this ---'Not a press conference, not an interview, just a pure, open, no interruptions, share. Regularly.' Make it regular like every Tuesday evening. Hopefully if regular more media would pick it up.
Deborah, Because a busier than usual work schedule prevented me from replying earlier, I note, in my absence, that your comment sparked an insightful and productive conversation from which I greatly have benefitted. My sincere thanks.
I commit to calling the White House today; a simple action, it would seem, and one that I've rarely taken. My energies and attention are more so placed on contacting members of Congress. And admittedly, at times, to my dismay. Thank you for raising the issue and the conversation, Barbara Jo.
Ellen, Because I believe Democrats rightly expect our leaders to communicate repeatedly and urgently about the pressing issues of the day, I so appreciate hearing you took immediate action.
Stephen, My cynical side attributes the de-prioritizing of reporting and explaining by the country’s major national news media as owing to people in high places who benefit by not exposing the deception. As for our Democratic leadership, I have no explanation.
Stephen, Considering my initial reply aimed to explain why a straightforward discussion of the nation’s debt limit is “under-reported,” I’m not clear from your response where the disagreement lies.
Dear Barbara, I was going to move on to other things that await my attention ... though before doing so, I want to acknowledge how you inspired me today. Your comments here, and following, moved me submit comments to the President. (And thanks to David Holzman for the useful URL he shared, it was easily done.) I've learned a good deal from you, mostly by reading how you skillfully articulate the simple truth ~ so thank you. And naturally, I remain grateful to Robert for leading and nurturing a conversation that moves us to action.
Jean, How very thoughtful of you to take the time both to comment so generously about my remarks and also to let me know you immediately acted. I remain deeply moved.
Thank you for this, David. It was simply done and I have saved the URL for the next time. Though most importantly, for now, I feel like I can take a breath now that I've taken that small step.
What if the better political calculation is to let the GOP and McCarthy "Hoist with his own petard." Is there really a rush for the White House to explain the debt ceiling to the public, a rather abstract concept that seems defensive if it needs to be explained and will end up looking like finger pointing and who said what. Does it really make such a difference to citizen me if we're paying off old debts or need the money for new spending and whose fault the debt is. It sounds like children bickering. I know what I care about, and it isn't government debt. It's about getting my services and my benefits, having parks open, garbage picked up, police doing a decent job, schools educating my kids, my relatives who work for the government not laid off..etc.
DK, To start, I worked hard to draft a statement to demonstrate that the matter of the debt ceiling is quite straightforward. Additionally, I believe the public should be aware of the consequences of holding the nation’s debt hostage while the opposing party seeks to extract concessions that likely would affect the concerns you noted you cared about. Lastly, I think it important to note that Republicans, alone, pull this costly stunt and only when a Democrat holds the Presidency.
Most likely, when Trump is indicted it will make him more popular with his base and he will be able to campaign on it. That will be when the big rallies happen.
This past weekend, Tom Nichols wrote a very important article in the Atlantic: "Lost Boys: The Violent Narcissism of the Angry Young Men" - about the "failures to launch" who become extremists, terrorists, Proud Boys, etc. One important point he makes is that they are drawn to opportunities to be lauded for their missing manhood as if it was there, to opportunities to "strike back" at those who look down on them.
What better place for these "lost boys" than the police? They're lauded as the "thin blue line" and "heroes," and they have ultimate authority over anyone they want to exercise that authority on.
TC, on your first point about the effect on Trump's favorability ratings with his base, I agree that he will turn the indictment(s) into a campaign issue; it may even re-energize his listless campaign. But I have to believe that the GOP will encourage alternatives to emerge. I could be wrong, of course, but running a candidate who has a good chance of entering office as a convicted felon is not a strong position, to say the least. I think that it is particularly true if Jack Smith levels sedition charges against Trump.
"...running a candidate who has a good chance of entering office as a convicted felon is not a strong position, to say the least. I think that it is particularly true if Jack Smith levels sedition charges against Trump."—More music to my ears
I love the insights of Tom Nichols and do not always agree with him. I think a large number of the members of extreme groups in this country have been led to believe by right wing zealots that the problems in this country is our government and the members of that government and it. It’s be over thrown. That is a Republican message repeated in many different forms but you never hear about what will replace it.
I read the article while thinking about the 7th grader sitting in the back of my classroom, hoodie pulled to his eyes, total avoidance of eye-contact or any acknowledgement, with other students answering for/about him. The principal and counselor were trying to engage to no avail, but there was always concerned watchfulness. Then about mid-year he didn't come back to school with never a request for records from another school. I always wonder to what depths his "lostness" took him.
Sorry, TC, but no, no, no! The losers you describe are exactly the wrong people for the police. They are the kind who kill and maim citizens who refuse their often-unlawful commands, have the wrong skin color or just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. People like those who murdered George Floyd and Tyre Nichols.
Reference the article by Last about the lack of training, I spent almost 17 years as police with the last 10 as division head at a state police academy. I know something about the training.
Last says cosmetologists receive more training than police. That may be true. People who operate cosmology schools influence state requirements for cosmology license. Sheriffs and police chiefs, who budget salaries for cadets in training, influence the state requirements for police certification.
And the last point, how much training does it take for the officers to know stomping a citizen to death on the sidewalk is wrong.
Blaming the training regimen is excusing the behavior of the criminal.
Like all police misconduct in any city, the failures of hiring, retention, and supervision, by the department are to blame. Racial animus is to blame. Perceived superiority to others is to blame.
Thanks for weighing in, Al. You are right that it does not take training to know that stomping a citizen to death is wrong, but it might take training to teach officers how to intervene when others (including their supervisors) are doing so in violation of the law. Last's point was that there is a strong correlation between staffing / training and civilian deaths at the hands of the police. That correlation could be coincidence, but there is a "dose / response" relationship when you consider other countries. So the data suggests that training does have an effect on civilian deaths.
Intervention during a critical incident, especially one involving command level officers, does require a delicate balance of tact and logic. No one is born knowing how to tell the boss he is wrong (especially in the heat of battle.) You are correct that the subject should be a covered in depth during the academy. I would love to write that curriculum.
Wow Al Griffin, Thank you for weighing in. My family member is a cop down DC way (Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, extensive vetting for current position, after academy a training officer shadowed for over a year (with emphasis on treating ppl with dignity) continuing education and classes on grappling vs attacking, the list goes on,). We had an interesting chat last night: My family member says there are bad people in policing- criminals with badges- for different reasons you can’t get them out. Also mentioned: Red- lining where officers just lose it, GEZZUZ there is NO EXCUSE.
My family member says all the things you just spelled out:
“And the last point, how much training does it take for the officers to know stomping a citizen to death on the sidewalk is wrong.
Blaming the training regimen is excusing the behavior of the criminal.
Like all police misconduct in any city, the failures of hiring, retention, and supervision, by the department are to blame. Racial animus is to blame. Perceived superiority to others is to blame”.
This ‘thing’ is getting so muddy. I see good police getting no thanks for putting lives on line. I want to say not all cops are bad and that we need policing. There is some scary badness out there.
City counsel has them freaked out to do anything and all I can say is thank GAWD for body cams.
I hear the ‘reform the police’ - should this mean that we figure out who the bad actors are and get them off the force. We can’t actually take away power from police, how then will they stand up to the extreme criminal?
PS: take away power is a crap choice of words, I hope you get what I’m sayin.
Hi, Karen. You write: Blaming the training regimen is excusing the behavior of the criminal. The point is not to excuse the behavior of bad police officers by blaming training. It is to decrease the number of civilian deaths through training. Countries with more training have fewer civilian deaths. Having a goal of reducing civilian deaths by training doesn't "excuse the behavior" of police who kill civilians. It focuses on future interactions between police and citizens.
In my example to Al above, you might not need training to know it is wrong to stomp someone to death; you might need training on how to de-escalate such a situation when the person doing the stomping is your supervisor.
All public employees should be paid what the job is worth and treated with respect. Would this lead to higher levels of recruits as in some instances it has for teachers? Could inequality be the root cause.
Thanks. Yes. There are people that do the job well. But that isn’t a ‘news story’ that gets clicks. And police reform is eyewash for the masses until the storm of the day blows over. Those that prattle on about defund or abolish the police just waste our time and energy. We can change the name on the door of the police department but order maintenance is a function of the sovereign and the job will be the same with any name we give it.
Such important news bullets today. Is there any way We the People can inform Garland in a voice that is loud, clear, and powerful that we expect actual, hard line justice regarding ·rump?
Gailee, your question is exactly THE question. I read Robert’s post and all that follow and ask, “Am I the only one who feels like we’ve spent the last two plus years screaming in to a paper bag - to NO avail.” The answer seems to be, “No one is listening!” Rather than continue to be incensed by Robert’s regular bashing of Merrick Garland it seems like it is time to revisit our approach to being heard, to avoid our exhaustion and begin to be creative in finding the means to penetrate the walls of D.C. and the Department of Justice. Thanks for your post.
John, personally I don't believe that Robert is bashing Merrick Garland, but I do agree that we need to create a means to have our voices heard more than just waiting to vote. Perhaps we can begin by writing a letter - with the signatures of all here to Garland with questions.
Well, I agree. Perhaps another word would work that simply states the reality Robert offers; at this point it is crazy making to see no justice on so many fronts after enduring eight years of TFG since he came down the escalator. It is truly disgusting that he has taken up so much oxygen.
David, you might have done just fine by putting down your pen, so-to-speak, once you provided the phone number. Now, we all need to pick up the phone, dial and give our thoughts. Please. No screaming into the phone. 🤓
John, I found the comment line so I could leave my opinion, which I immediately did, and I provided it here to make it that much easier for everyone else.
“There is nothing about ‘The Talk’ that could save my son if he runs into a cop who is having a bad day!” Stop insinuating that maybe the victims of police brutality didn’t heed their parents advice on ‘The Talk’!
Robert, thank you for referencing the Last article; I had missed it yesterday.
I thought of similarities to the teaching profession. The US is woefully behind other developed countries in the top notch recruiting, research-based pedagogy, and compensation of teachers; and schools are another institution not meeting the mark.
Good returns require smart investment. We must do better.
Jan 31, 2023·edited Jan 31, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I do feel a smile coming on, and a blessed sense of relief, if not joy, at the vision I sometimes conjure, of Trump and Barr, Meadows and Greene, Jordan and Giuliani, and so many others, handcuffed and perp-walked to a waiting patrol car... oops, sorry, forgot to protect your head there!! Now, don't tell me that's not how it will happen, you'll spoil my good feeling...
Off subject: I'm so sick of 'pay walls!' I do understand the 'intention,' but, in reality, one can't be expected to subscribe to EVERYTHING!! It's not even the money, it's about the growing amount of alternative writing, which i am grateful for!! But, my daily 'must-reads' are many, and i can't do any more!
agreed...and I hate being sent to a read that I must pay for. I'm trying my level best to support people on Substack, Guardian, even good old wikipedia and firefox. Hard to keep my guilt in check.
Jan 31, 2023·edited Jan 31, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
It seems to me Democrats shouldn't even be engaging McCarthy and the Republicans on what to cut because that legitimizes the debt limit situation the GOP has created. The Dems control the Senate and WH. How about they go on the legislative offensive and take the attention away from the House. Why not instead propose legislation that repeals the deficit busting and unpopular Trump tax cuts? They need to stop reacting to the madness and instead lead.
Jan 31, 2023·edited Jan 31, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Double whammy! Double ire! Robert Reich newsletter today is a must read for all of us titled The Biggest Story You've Never Heard. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-biggest-story-youve-never-heard The rich are not only paying a lot less taxes than the rest of us, they are using their money to loan the government to meet the governments revenue needs and charging the government -- meaning you and me -- interest on the money they are lending the government!! Stinkers! So President Biden and Secretary Yellen should prioritize not paying the loans from the rich and see how that goes over! Makes me feel even more adamant about the vow I've taken to not vote for any Republican at any level of government - local, state and national. Please join me! We, the People, all of us this time not loaning money to the rich out of our taxes!
Jan 31, 2023·edited Jan 31, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Governing is hard because those who do so don't act in good faith. It's particularly evident in today's political reality TV environment. It's clear that the Republicans, with their razor thin majority in the House, have no intention of governing. They're more intent on furthering the chaos that the ex-Resident perfected and by removing more guardrails that are protecting our democracy. Since they won't govern, they choose recrimination over legislation. It's a sad state of affairs, but we must call them out at every turn. We cannot accept this as the new normal.
I was pleased to see your quote from yesterday's reader comments. When I read her comments yesterday, it struck me as well. Garland has said that DOJ will follow the law without fear or favor. The NY and GA Attorneys General tease us with indications that indictments are coming. "And yet...we wait, we wait." I don't care if Trump is charged with a traffic violation at this point. We need to see something, and soon. I get it that a lot of things he could be charged with are complicated and the evidence against him is intentionally circumstantial. But something must be a slam-dunk, and he needs to be slammed and dunked to show that while the wheels of justice turn slowly, they turn for all. When Garland put Jack Smith in charge of some of the Trump investigations, we hoped something would drop soon. "And yet...we wait, we wait."
Thanks for validating that the desire for justice on the part of law abiding Americans is a legitimate expectation in a Democracy. As you state, "It's not wrong for Americans to expect that accountability will be dispensed in a timeframe appropriate to protect the rule of law and vindicate the interests of justice." That's not an idea that reflects the ethos of the GOP, of course, and will surely raise a stink in the halls of congress as the Goddess of Justice is empowered to smite The Donald and his enablers. Unfortunately, the timeframe for action in the minds of many Americans has inappropriately exceeded reasonable expectations to "vindicate the interests of justice." The old adage, "An expectation is a resentment waiting to happen," comes to mind as a prophecy fulfilled in view of the DOJ's long record of inaction. Such malfeasance creates a situation described by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Chris Hedges who recently pointed out "We now live in a nation when doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the press destroys information, religion destroys morals, and our banks destroy our economy."
The human species has witnessed the dark, dysfunctional reality described by Hedges before when Nero famously fiddled as Rome burned, and we're seeing it now as the government balks in the face of a climate crisis that threatens all life on the planet. As more time passes and the DOJ continues to hesitate in the matter of Trump, resentment mounts. 2023 had better be the year that our erstwhile president is outfitted in a jump suit to match his orange hair, as you hopefully predict, or the Memphis Police department won't be the only system that will fail. If the DOJ declines to "dispense justice to those who betrayed the Constitution," as you put it, the resentment of the people will have a far worse effect on the foundations of Democracy than "Trump's toxic mixture of division and hate."
I agree about the disappointment in AG Garland as the person commenting noted so well. Every night I go to bed feeling the same way. There are now so many issues he does not seem to be addressing: AG Barr, Durham, and all the others involved with Trump in efforts to overturn the election and the insurrection. The silence is deafening.
AG Garland reminds me of people who drive with their foot on the brake: Hard on the car, frustrating and possibly dangerous for other drivers, annoying for passengers.
"... Trump’s toxic mixture of division and hate." And when will it be obvious to everyone that it is Putin's mixture of division and hate, planted in the old, fertile soil of the south?
Your quote of a comment is just to the point. The US has good investigations, some courageous media, a majority of well informed citizens; it just doesn't have justice.
As a Swedish visiting student at Montana SU in 1964. I was involved in a "sneak" with the fraternity, a stupid student game that ended with two policemen knocking at the door: I opened and suddenly had a police revolver pointing on my chest; I guess I was safe with my white skin. There was a requirement that I stay out of the US for two years after my one year visit. I never wanted to come back.
I write regarding Wednesday’s scheduled meeting between the Speaker and the President to discuss the debt ceiling. My concerns rest not only with the radical, extremist Freedom Caucus but also with so-called establishment Republicans, who are equally intent on further confusing a largely ignorant population by falsely conflating raising the debt ceiling with spending money we don’t have.
Hence, I believe it imperative that we flood the White House with letters urging the President to clarify, as often as warranted in prime time, that raising the debt ceiling doesn’t give the government permission to borrow money; it gives government the permission to pay back the money we’ve already borrowed. Furthermore, in my view, the President is obligated to educate the public of the economic calamity that would ensue were the U.S. to default on its national debt.
Stunning that Obama and apparently Biden have not used the bully pulpit to what seems an obvious advantage.
Frankom, I agree. Hence, the rationale for flooding the White House with letters and phone calls urging the President to educate the public not only on the debt ceiling but also on a host of other issues. For example, House Republicans must be held accountable for every single concession made, for everything that appeared in the rules they voted for, and for every one of McCarthy’s future disastrous actions. Additionally, I would note that Democrats, overall, have a role to play in pressing the message of unity vs. chaos, with a constant drumbeat of Republican extremism.
We all need to up our game as you suggest. I have the mindset of letting the government run itself without any effort on my part other than voting. I feel like the sports fan yelling down instructions to the coach. It seems so not needed. Do we really have to tell Democrat officeholders to educate the public and hold the opposition to the fire.
Frankom, Though not a direct answer to your question, I believe D.C. treats us too much as an audience and not enough as citizens. We’re invited to look through the window but too infrequently to come through the door and to participate, despite our incalculable offerings, to make a better America.
I agree. I've followed economic news since I was a teenager in the 60s. Back then there were regular public service announcements on TV explaining and promoting a current policy that affected citizens. Maybe with the absence of a vital FCC we no longer can have them, though why don't we see more focused information from the administration on social media?
Margaret, While I don’t have an answer to your question, I can state, unequivocally, that, despite stories of social significance that have been overlooked, under-reported, or self-censored by the country’s major national news media, the Administration has unfettered access if only it would regularly commit, preferably in prime time, to a full discussion of the pressing issues of the day.
More Biden press conferences would be wonderful. I was thinking of the frequent White House press conferences, which don't do enough to get his message to the broad public.
Yes. Seems to me in the past I'd also see billboards touting a current major public works project with the top official's name very prominent at the bottom sharing credit with the American taxpayer.... Press conferences are fine, but don't expect the press to share good news. Biden should toot his own horn!
Margaret, While I fully agree with your last statement, I also believe Biden would elevate his appeal were he to hold more press conferences and show that he can more than hold his own.
Barbara, I have often wondered why someone hasn’t aggressively promoted or proposed that we flood every Republican House and Senate member to urge them to explain their silence on so much critical and bad conduct within their caucus or the public at large. Why are we not flooding their inboxes asking how they justify so many of their positions, not least of which would be their incessant enabling of TFG guys most impeachable offenses? Why are we not making many many demands of these failed leaders and their lack of governance to serve the country with so much critically at state - from global democracy to climate crises, from homelessness to constant violent killings? Why aren’t we flooding them with letters, phone calls, and massive demonstrations throughout the country? Where is our outrage?
John, Because I wouldn’t expect Republicans to respond to our demands to justify their words and deeds, in my view, we Democrats rightfully should expect and demand that our leadership far more aggressively amplifies the legislation they have tried to deliver that repeatedly gets voted down principally by Republicans.
As for demonstrations, were the public as animated about the issues you cited as they were, for example, about the overturning of Roe, I believe citizen engagement would be far more impactful.
I agree. Citizen engagement can take many forms, in the streets, town halls, and more. They are imperative in these times if our voices are to be heard. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I'm picturing a weekly sit-down fireside chat from the president. How often did FDR talk to the people? Eventually the information seeps out. Plus such moments provide good clips for those of us who continue to share on different platforms until even Fox news watchers can't help but trip over some truths here and there.
This would be such an obvious action as it plays to Biden's strength which low tone conversation. Clinton could speak like I was in the room and of course Joe Biden can as well. Not sure who likes the loud voice into a microphone style we get at major events.
So, my point is, when we shower the White House and other entities with letters, let's keep it as simple as this. You fellow readers here can all say it in your own styles, but it is an important message because until Biden sets up something really regular to talk to the people, we can rant until we're blue in the face about what he should say. Let's not skip the most obvious point: start to have a regular sharing talk. Not a press conference, not an interview, just a pure, open, no interruptions, share. Regularly.
⬆️ What Deborah said . Keep it simple.We communicate the need for a regular “sharing talk.”
On that note, loved Biden’s fireside “sharing talk” with HCR.
I very much like this ---'Not a press conference, not an interview, just a pure, open, no interruptions, share. Regularly.' Make it regular like every Tuesday evening. Hopefully if regular more media would pick it up.
Remember when Rand's daddy, Ron Paul, used the table top white board with pointer wand to itemize his platform points? That was kind of fun.
Deborah, Because a busier than usual work schedule prevented me from replying earlier, I note, in my absence, that your comment sparked an insightful and productive conversation from which I greatly have benefitted. My sincere thanks.
I commit to calling the White House today; a simple action, it would seem, and one that I've rarely taken. My energies and attention are more so placed on contacting members of Congress. And admittedly, at times, to my dismay. Thank you for raising the issue and the conversation, Barbara Jo.
Jean, I so appreciate both your reply and your commitment. Thank you for writing.
You can also use this URL to contact the Pres
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Thanks. Just sent him my two cents on this matter.
Ellen, Because I believe Democrats rightly expect our leaders to communicate repeatedly and urgently about the pressing issues of the day, I so appreciate hearing you took immediate action.
David, Thank you for providing the link.
A good point and one that has been under reported or explained. Don’t know why.
Stephen, My cynical side attributes the de-prioritizing of reporting and explaining by the country’s major national news media as owing to people in high places who benefit by not exposing the deception. As for our Democratic leadership, I have no explanation.
No the media had become less objective and independent to cowtowing to segments of the population and appearing as quest on shows
Stephen, Considering my initial reply aimed to explain why a straightforward discussion of the nation’s debt limit is “under-reported,” I’m not clear from your response where the disagreement lies.
I’m agreeing with you. Putting more focus on the media
Stephen, I very much appreciate the clarification.
Dear Barbara, I was going to move on to other things that await my attention ... though before doing so, I want to acknowledge how you inspired me today. Your comments here, and following, moved me submit comments to the President. (And thanks to David Holzman for the useful URL he shared, it was easily done.) I've learned a good deal from you, mostly by reading how you skillfully articulate the simple truth ~ so thank you. And naturally, I remain grateful to Robert for leading and nurturing a conversation that moves us to action.
Jean, How very thoughtful of you to take the time both to comment so generously about my remarks and also to let me know you immediately acted. I remain deeply moved.
Barbara, I remain deeply grateful for your remarks, and for how I was moved to act for having read them.
You can also contact the Pres here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Thank you for this, David. It was simply done and I have saved the URL for the next time. Though most importantly, for now, I feel like I can take a breath now that I've taken that small step.
You're welcome Jean. And thanks for contacting the Pres!
What if the better political calculation is to let the GOP and McCarthy "Hoist with his own petard." Is there really a rush for the White House to explain the debt ceiling to the public, a rather abstract concept that seems defensive if it needs to be explained and will end up looking like finger pointing and who said what. Does it really make such a difference to citizen me if we're paying off old debts or need the money for new spending and whose fault the debt is. It sounds like children bickering. I know what I care about, and it isn't government debt. It's about getting my services and my benefits, having parks open, garbage picked up, police doing a decent job, schools educating my kids, my relatives who work for the government not laid off..etc.
DK, To start, I worked hard to draft a statement to demonstrate that the matter of the debt ceiling is quite straightforward. Additionally, I believe the public should be aware of the consequences of holding the nation’s debt hostage while the opposing party seeks to extract concessions that likely would affect the concerns you noted you cared about. Lastly, I think it important to note that Republicans, alone, pull this costly stunt and only when a Democrat holds the Presidency.
Most likely, when Trump is indicted it will make him more popular with his base and he will be able to campaign on it. That will be when the big rallies happen.
This past weekend, Tom Nichols wrote a very important article in the Atlantic: "Lost Boys: The Violent Narcissism of the Angry Young Men" - about the "failures to launch" who become extremists, terrorists, Proud Boys, etc. One important point he makes is that they are drawn to opportunities to be lauded for their missing manhood as if it was there, to opportunities to "strike back" at those who look down on them.
What better place for these "lost boys" than the police? They're lauded as the "thin blue line" and "heroes," and they have ultimate authority over anyone they want to exercise that authority on.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/01/lost-boys-violent-narcissism-angry-young-men/672886/?ref=peacefield
TC, on your first point about the effect on Trump's favorability ratings with his base, I agree that he will turn the indictment(s) into a campaign issue; it may even re-energize his listless campaign. But I have to believe that the GOP will encourage alternatives to emerge. I could be wrong, of course, but running a candidate who has a good chance of entering office as a convicted felon is not a strong position, to say the least. I think that it is particularly true if Jack Smith levels sedition charges against Trump.
"...running a candidate who has a good chance of entering office as a convicted felon is not a strong position, to say the least. I think that it is particularly true if Jack Smith levels sedition charges against Trump."—More music to my ears
I love the insights of Tom Nichols and do not always agree with him. I think a large number of the members of extreme groups in this country have been led to believe by right wing zealots that the problems in this country is our government and the members of that government and it. It’s be over thrown. That is a Republican message repeated in many different forms but you never hear about what will replace it.
Starting with Pres Reagan's comment, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help. "
I read the article while thinking about the 7th grader sitting in the back of my classroom, hoodie pulled to his eyes, total avoidance of eye-contact or any acknowledgement, with other students answering for/about him. The principal and counselor were trying to engage to no avail, but there was always concerned watchfulness. Then about mid-year he didn't come back to school with never a request for records from another school. I always wonder to what depths his "lostness" took him.
The Atlantic article is unfortunately behind yet another pay wall.
Sorry, TC, but no, no, no! The losers you describe are exactly the wrong people for the police. They are the kind who kill and maim citizens who refuse their often-unlawful commands, have the wrong skin color or just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. People like those who murdered George Floyd and Tyre Nichols.
Wasn't that TC's point expressed with sarcasm?
“The losers you describe are exactly the wrong people for the police.”
I believe TC is agreeing with you. He’s saying many of these losers are already in many police departments all around the country.
Jon are you originally from Philadelphia. I know a lot of people with a similar last name
Nope.
Reference the article by Last about the lack of training, I spent almost 17 years as police with the last 10 as division head at a state police academy. I know something about the training.
Last says cosmetologists receive more training than police. That may be true. People who operate cosmology schools influence state requirements for cosmology license. Sheriffs and police chiefs, who budget salaries for cadets in training, influence the state requirements for police certification.
And the last point, how much training does it take for the officers to know stomping a citizen to death on the sidewalk is wrong.
Blaming the training regimen is excusing the behavior of the criminal.
Like all police misconduct in any city, the failures of hiring, retention, and supervision, by the department are to blame. Racial animus is to blame. Perceived superiority to others is to blame.
Thanks for weighing in, Al. You are right that it does not take training to know that stomping a citizen to death is wrong, but it might take training to teach officers how to intervene when others (including their supervisors) are doing so in violation of the law. Last's point was that there is a strong correlation between staffing / training and civilian deaths at the hands of the police. That correlation could be coincidence, but there is a "dose / response" relationship when you consider other countries. So the data suggests that training does have an effect on civilian deaths.
Intervention during a critical incident, especially one involving command level officers, does require a delicate balance of tact and logic. No one is born knowing how to tell the boss he is wrong (especially in the heat of battle.) You are correct that the subject should be a covered in depth during the academy. I would love to write that curriculum.
Wow Al Griffin, Thank you for weighing in. My family member is a cop down DC way (Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, extensive vetting for current position, after academy a training officer shadowed for over a year (with emphasis on treating ppl with dignity) continuing education and classes on grappling vs attacking, the list goes on,). We had an interesting chat last night: My family member says there are bad people in policing- criminals with badges- for different reasons you can’t get them out. Also mentioned: Red- lining where officers just lose it, GEZZUZ there is NO EXCUSE.
My family member says all the things you just spelled out:
“And the last point, how much training does it take for the officers to know stomping a citizen to death on the sidewalk is wrong.
Blaming the training regimen is excusing the behavior of the criminal.
Like all police misconduct in any city, the failures of hiring, retention, and supervision, by the department are to blame. Racial animus is to blame. Perceived superiority to others is to blame”.
This ‘thing’ is getting so muddy. I see good police getting no thanks for putting lives on line. I want to say not all cops are bad and that we need policing. There is some scary badness out there.
City counsel has them freaked out to do anything and all I can say is thank GAWD for body cams.
I hear the ‘reform the police’ - should this mean that we figure out who the bad actors are and get them off the force. We can’t actually take away power from police, how then will they stand up to the extreme criminal?
PS: take away power is a crap choice of words, I hope you get what I’m sayin.
Hi, Karen. You write: Blaming the training regimen is excusing the behavior of the criminal. The point is not to excuse the behavior of bad police officers by blaming training. It is to decrease the number of civilian deaths through training. Countries with more training have fewer civilian deaths. Having a goal of reducing civilian deaths by training doesn't "excuse the behavior" of police who kill civilians. It focuses on future interactions between police and citizens.
In my example to Al above, you might not need training to know it is wrong to stomp someone to death; you might need training on how to de-escalate such a situation when the person doing the stomping is your supervisor.
Yes; I agree with you 100% - Thank you for fine tuning the ‘training regimen’ comment!
All public employees should be paid what the job is worth and treated with respect. Would this lead to higher levels of recruits as in some instances it has for teachers? Could inequality be the root cause.
Yes.
Thanks. Yes. There are people that do the job well. But that isn’t a ‘news story’ that gets clicks. And police reform is eyewash for the masses until the storm of the day blows over. Those that prattle on about defund or abolish the police just waste our time and energy. We can change the name on the door of the police department but order maintenance is a function of the sovereign and the job will be the same with any name we give it.
Such important news bullets today. Is there any way We the People can inform Garland in a voice that is loud, clear, and powerful that we expect actual, hard line justice regarding ·rump?
I'm completely in accord with your desire to inform Garland, and I've now done so. Here's the comment line: 202-353-1555
Gailee, your question is exactly THE question. I read Robert’s post and all that follow and ask, “Am I the only one who feels like we’ve spent the last two plus years screaming in to a paper bag - to NO avail.” The answer seems to be, “No one is listening!” Rather than continue to be incensed by Robert’s regular bashing of Merrick Garland it seems like it is time to revisit our approach to being heard, to avoid our exhaustion and begin to be creative in finding the means to penetrate the walls of D.C. and the Department of Justice. Thanks for your post.
John, personally I don't believe that Robert is bashing Merrick Garland, but I do agree that we need to create a means to have our voices heard more than just waiting to vote. Perhaps we can begin by writing a letter - with the signatures of all here to Garland with questions.
Well, I agree. Perhaps another word would work that simply states the reality Robert offers; at this point it is crazy making to see no justice on so many fronts after enduring eight years of TFG since he came down the escalator. It is truly disgusting that he has taken up so much oxygen.
David, you might have done just fine by putting down your pen, so-to-speak, once you provided the phone number. Now, we all need to pick up the phone, dial and give our thoughts. Please. No screaming into the phone. 🤓
John, I found the comment line so I could leave my opinion, which I immediately did, and I provided it here to make it that much easier for everyone else.
Eddie Glaude, Chair Dept. African American Studies Princeton University, on 01/30/2023 MSNBC Alex Wagner, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PrPpxVNieY4
“There is nothing about ‘The Talk’ that could save my son if he runs into a cop who is having a bad day!” Stop insinuating that maybe the victims of police brutality didn’t heed their parents advice on ‘The Talk’!
He gets me in the gut every single time I hear him.
Robert, thank you for referencing the Last article; I had missed it yesterday.
I thought of similarities to the teaching profession. The US is woefully behind other developed countries in the top notch recruiting, research-based pedagogy, and compensation of teachers; and schools are another institution not meeting the mark.
Good returns require smart investment. We must do better.
I do feel a smile coming on, and a blessed sense of relief, if not joy, at the vision I sometimes conjure, of Trump and Barr, Meadows and Greene, Jordan and Giuliani, and so many others, handcuffed and perp-walked to a waiting patrol car... oops, sorry, forgot to protect your head there!! Now, don't tell me that's not how it will happen, you'll spoil my good feeling...
Oh how I wish your vision to come true, heads bumped and all.... sadly I wait.
Off subject: I'm so sick of 'pay walls!' I do understand the 'intention,' but, in reality, one can't be expected to subscribe to EVERYTHING!! It's not even the money, it's about the growing amount of alternative writing, which i am grateful for!! But, my daily 'must-reads' are many, and i can't do any more!
I find peace in choosing just a very few and spending the remainder of my day in productive pursuits which I have some control.
agreed...and I hate being sent to a read that I must pay for. I'm trying my level best to support people on Substack, Guardian, even good old wikipedia and firefox. Hard to keep my guilt in check.
But sometimes it is about the money.
It seems to me Democrats shouldn't even be engaging McCarthy and the Republicans on what to cut because that legitimizes the debt limit situation the GOP has created. The Dems control the Senate and WH. How about they go on the legislative offensive and take the attention away from the House. Why not instead propose legislation that repeals the deficit busting and unpopular Trump tax cuts? They need to stop reacting to the madness and instead lead.
Double whammy! Double ire! Robert Reich newsletter today is a must read for all of us titled The Biggest Story You've Never Heard. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-biggest-story-youve-never-heard The rich are not only paying a lot less taxes than the rest of us, they are using their money to loan the government to meet the governments revenue needs and charging the government -- meaning you and me -- interest on the money they are lending the government!! Stinkers! So President Biden and Secretary Yellen should prioritize not paying the loans from the rich and see how that goes over! Makes me feel even more adamant about the vow I've taken to not vote for any Republican at any level of government - local, state and national. Please join me! We, the People, all of us this time not loaning money to the rich out of our taxes!
Governing is hard because those who do so don't act in good faith. It's particularly evident in today's political reality TV environment. It's clear that the Republicans, with their razor thin majority in the House, have no intention of governing. They're more intent on furthering the chaos that the ex-Resident perfected and by removing more guardrails that are protecting our democracy. Since they won't govern, they choose recrimination over legislation. It's a sad state of affairs, but we must call them out at every turn. We cannot accept this as the new normal.
I was pleased to see your quote from yesterday's reader comments. When I read her comments yesterday, it struck me as well. Garland has said that DOJ will follow the law without fear or favor. The NY and GA Attorneys General tease us with indications that indictments are coming. "And yet...we wait, we wait." I don't care if Trump is charged with a traffic violation at this point. We need to see something, and soon. I get it that a lot of things he could be charged with are complicated and the evidence against him is intentionally circumstantial. But something must be a slam-dunk, and he needs to be slammed and dunked to show that while the wheels of justice turn slowly, they turn for all. When Garland put Jack Smith in charge of some of the Trump investigations, we hoped something would drop soon. "And yet...we wait, we wait."
Thanks for validating that the desire for justice on the part of law abiding Americans is a legitimate expectation in a Democracy. As you state, "It's not wrong for Americans to expect that accountability will be dispensed in a timeframe appropriate to protect the rule of law and vindicate the interests of justice." That's not an idea that reflects the ethos of the GOP, of course, and will surely raise a stink in the halls of congress as the Goddess of Justice is empowered to smite The Donald and his enablers. Unfortunately, the timeframe for action in the minds of many Americans has inappropriately exceeded reasonable expectations to "vindicate the interests of justice." The old adage, "An expectation is a resentment waiting to happen," comes to mind as a prophecy fulfilled in view of the DOJ's long record of inaction. Such malfeasance creates a situation described by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Chris Hedges who recently pointed out "We now live in a nation when doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the press destroys information, religion destroys morals, and our banks destroy our economy."
The human species has witnessed the dark, dysfunctional reality described by Hedges before when Nero famously fiddled as Rome burned, and we're seeing it now as the government balks in the face of a climate crisis that threatens all life on the planet. As more time passes and the DOJ continues to hesitate in the matter of Trump, resentment mounts. 2023 had better be the year that our erstwhile president is outfitted in a jump suit to match his orange hair, as you hopefully predict, or the Memphis Police department won't be the only system that will fail. If the DOJ declines to "dispense justice to those who betrayed the Constitution," as you put it, the resentment of the people will have a far worse effect on the foundations of Democracy than "Trump's toxic mixture of division and hate."
I agree about the disappointment in AG Garland as the person commenting noted so well. Every night I go to bed feeling the same way. There are now so many issues he does not seem to be addressing: AG Barr, Durham, and all the others involved with Trump in efforts to overturn the election and the insurrection. The silence is deafening.
AG Garland reminds me of people who drive with their foot on the brake: Hard on the car, frustrating and possibly dangerous for other drivers, annoying for passengers.
Yes; we all know that people who drive too slow or travel in the passing lane cause other drivers to become frustrated and make poor choices. Eeks.
The other side when in power is very aggressive and proactive. We get Garland and Wray.
Rachel Maddow discussed the TFG/Russia kerfuffle last night on her show including Barr's role. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR6nGwn4GSc
thanks for the link. Maddow did a wonderful job of explaining how corrupt Barr was in the whole mess.
"... Trump’s toxic mixture of division and hate." And when will it be obvious to everyone that it is Putin's mixture of division and hate, planted in the old, fertile soil of the south?
Your quote of a comment is just to the point. The US has good investigations, some courageous media, a majority of well informed citizens; it just doesn't have justice.
As a Swedish visiting student at Montana SU in 1964. I was involved in a "sneak" with the fraternity, a stupid student game that ended with two policemen knocking at the door: I opened and suddenly had a police revolver pointing on my chest; I guess I was safe with my white skin. There was a requirement that I stay out of the US for two years after my one year visit. I never wanted to come back.
Your tone in your concluding paragraphs is perfect. Replace the spirit of revenge with that of repair and reinforcement.