Robert! if you can, I feel you should take a day off and rest. Perhaps I am wrong but I get the impression that you are tired. I also think it's important to pace ourselves in the days remaining before the election. Please take care of yourself! We have come to rely on your steady words of encouragement and support and your regular calls to action, which are greatly appreciated in giving us a sense of direction on how we can help get out the vote.
I feel mentally exhausted by the endless and increasingly outlandish lies from the GOP, and this is without ever listening nor watching msm for the past 6 months, and cutting back on social media. I am grateful to you for being the shield and bringing to us the pertinent news as needed. Thank you.
And I apologize if perhaps I'm projecting onto you! But I am not yet tired of writing votefwd.org letters.
Thanks for mentioning Airlift.fund. I've been giving to them, and your mention inspired me to give them another fifty dollars.
As for colds, I have only had five or six of them in the last 20 years--since I started taking ~3000 IU/day of vitamin D. I have had a similar drop in the number of times I've had flu. And my one case of COVID was a nothing.
Avoiding two x-country flights in three days also sounds like a good idea. Be well.
And I enjoyed reading about Henrietta Leavitt, and seeing the photo of the Cigar and Bode's galaxy.
On top of everything else contributing to our collective angst, it appears that we are now players in a real life espionage novel.
The Kremlin decides when and how to comment on stories arising in the West. Why did they even bother to respond to Woodward's allegation about the COVID machine and Trump's denial? I can't possibly answer specifically but the generic answer is surely "because it is in their interest as they perceive it." So, why? To catch Trump in a lie? I don't think so. To sow even more distrust, discord and unreality into the American election? I think that's probably closer to it. I don't know if the Kremlin is telling the truth (but if Trump is lying, which we know he is because his lips are moving then by default the Kremlin is telling the truth in this instance) but I do know that they're only saying anything at all because it advances their perceived interests at the expense of American interests. Proceed with caution.
Robert, as always, you capture our collective frustration with the never ending cascade of lies and their real life impacts. In particular the lies about Helene, FEMA and immigrants are driving me crazy because of the real life impacts they are having on crucial relief efforts and people's willingness to cooperate with and support those efforts. That's not only criminal, it's insane. Bu whether it's FEMA or COVID/Putin or any of the other whoppers Trump tells, their collective impact is wearing on the soul and corrupting our society in terrible, troublesome, long-lasting ways. And all in one man's quest to stay out of prison. You can't make this stuff up.
Jeff let’s not try to analyze why the Russians do anything. The Russians received the COVID equipment and it was a gift which in their response makes them the innocent party. Another way to think about this is they know Trump will lose so why cover for him.
I imagine that Putin delights in the spectacle of US citizens viciously attacking each other on whatever world stage social media can provide. I suspect he cares less about actual election results than about how foolish (or selfish, or ignorent, or vicious?) we all reveal ourselves to be.
That someone like the previous president can capture the devotion of so many appears to say volumes about the strength and virtue of our country, and possibly democracy in general. It reflects poorly on ALL of us -- especially if we respond in the same spirit.
The Harris campaign's focus on the positive and efforts to "lift up" can be an antidote. Perhaps that's why the Kremlin is volunteering anything at all about Woodward's reveal. Just stirring the pot -- keeping us at each other's throats.
Yeats ago, during the Trump administration, I remember an incident involving Syria.
If I recall correctly, nerve gas had been used by Al-Assad's forces. Pressure was put on Trump to do something, so he lobbed some bombs at the Syrian government's forces.
At the time, I remember thinking, 'people keep surmising that Trump's a Russian asset, but why would Putin be supporting a guy willing to bomb another government that Putin supports?'
Looking back, comparing that incident to the recent confirmation of the Covid test machines, and thinking about how the war in Ukraine has been fought, it could simply be that, while Putin is devious, he's just not quite as smart as we give him credit for.
I just wrote a post questioning "WHY?" the Kremlin is behaving as it is about the COVID machine. I'm interested in your thoughts. But it all still seems very knotty and incomprehensible to me.
On Woodward's report that Trump has made multiple phone calls to Putin since leaving the Presidency, Peskov has denied this. In evaluating this statement, I would refer to an old adage: "Do not believe anything until the Kremlin denies it."
Dear Mr. Hubbell - thank you for the great work you do reporting & commenting on relevant news daily. I look forward to seeing your newsletter in my inbox every day. While I have not attended your Zoom calls with democratic candidates and representatives, due to your zeal and encouragement to participate in the democratic process and because I need to “do something” have contributed to all of those you’ve endorsed as well as others (over 30 candidates nationwide). In 2022, I discovered Vote Forward and wrote letters in 2022 & 2023. Since September I’ve written and mailed 95 Vote Forward letters ranging from households with no identifiable registered voters asking them to register, to letters encouraging registered voters in swing states to vote and to registered voters in states with ballot initiatives for enshrining the right to women’s health care in the state’s constitution. I’m not done yet. Trying to do my part & will write more this week. I am trying to remain optimistic that our collective efforts will pay off. Praying for a blue sweep. Thank you, Susan
I just wanted to share that last weekend I went with three friends to Erie, Pennsylvania. I live in upstate New York. We knocked on doors of Democrats, Independents and Republicans who have attended Democratic events. No one answered the door in about a third of the homes that we knocked, one man politely but firmly told us no thank you and shut his door, and one Republican man, who was a new tenant and not the person we had intended to speak to, was interested in chatting with us. He is trying to join the Teamsters Union, and we talked about how Biden was the first president to walk with unions and Harris supports them as well. All of the other doors knocked said they were voting for Harris, they were registered and they knew where to vote. We spent more time driving to and from our home to Erie, but we felt really good about our engagement with these voters and their responses!
I experienced the hateful language of Trumpers in Michigan when door knocking two week-ends ago. Two white men in their 70s angrily used profanity when we knocked on their doors, with the phrase "get the hell off my property!!" embedded. It is beyond shocking; I was afraid for my personal safety. In Farmington Hills, Michigan, a postal carrier was threatened with a knife by a homeowner who did not want her to deliver a flyer for Harris. Homeowner has been arrested and criminally charged. I am phone banking instead, hoping this will make a difference. I'm sending out 500 postcards next week 💙 Better safe than sorry!
Rob, I echo the encouragement of those advising you to carve out some time to rest, for restoration and to maintain good health ongoing. You do so much and on occasion, I ponder November 2016, if you and Jill would’ve had the slightest inkling of this level of involvement. Of course, with Biden’s 2020 victory, many of us mistakenly believed Trump would fade away and that was a misbegotten thought, and the inverse is how it played out. And here we are.
Question about Friday’s fundraiser for Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Colin Allred ~~ by chance will you leave the donation window open for a while past Friday for those of us who might even want to donate $100 or more but the timing isn’t good till a few days later in the month? You did this before with another fundraiser… Just a thought. Fingers crossed. Gratitude always!
Ive been donating to them on Act Blue Express with recurring donations for months. Also Jon Tester, Tammy Baldwin, Ruben Gallegos, people running for Congress.
Linda, good for you and thank you. I have been doing the same for a long time. I look at lifetime donations and kind of freak out, but I'm grateful, and I mean really grateful that I have the resources to do that. Who knew democracy would be expensive and time consuming. I'm heading out in a couple of hours to address and stamp postcards for a local election and make some more connections with other volunteers in my local Dem group. I hope others here are considering and or doing the same. I don't want a medal, just to have our democracy survive. Have a great day and let's get this done.
Mr. Corbett, beautifully said. "Who knew democracy would be expensive and time consuming." When the founders signed the Declaration of Independence, they agreed to these concluding words in all seriousness. “For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”. And many lost their lives and their fortunes, but never their honor. Their sacrifice has resonated for almost 250 years. Like you and so many others, I am giving more and doing more on this election than I ever have, even in the turbulent 'sixties. It matters; and to hear others like you doing the same and more than I am doing gives me courage. I would guess some of your closest friends and relatives think you have "gone off the deep end" into something they have had the luxury of scorning -- political activity. Mine certainly feel that way. But what we are doing is noble and patriotic and takes work, time, and money. I agree with you wholeheartedly, "I don't want a medal, just to have our democracy survive." Thanks for sharing what is an eloquent pep talk.
Me too, Linda! We all have to do something and everything to break through Maga lies, and defeat ALL trumpists by an overwhelming, earthshaking landslide!
The New York Times did not note her passing at the time. A few years ago the Times wrote an obituary as part of a series of notable Americans whose passing the Times ignored.
So when I first heard about the “laser beam” conspiracy theory, I laughed so hard that a tear ran down my leg. Surely she had taken fifth grade science and heard about lightning, right? It has long since ceased to be funny. It’s not even laughable the conspiracy theories that the other “they” believe. Sadly, I live in Moscow Marjorie’s district and I cannot wait to vote her out. Even if I’m the only vote I would crawl there to vote for my neighbor’s dog if that was the only other candidate. I did something I have never done before, I googled her. I need to see if she had actually gone to college. I learned that she had, smh. So I now have a conspiracy theory of my own. I believe that the Russian laser beam from the planet urottayurmynd planted a brain worm that actually controlled her body and took her to class. Then “they“ manipulated the computer systems to give her passing grades. And now she’s in illegal alien from out of space trying and failing miserably to pass as a human being. I also think she’s eating the neighbors pet skunks.
My sister lives in St. Petersburg Florida and will go home today to see the damage. My heart breaks for her. She broke her wrist last week when she went home after Helene and slipped and fell. Thank god she got surgery between storms. She is a super Democrat living in the middle of lots of Republicans and she is not quiet about it. I wonder if any of this has changed anyones minds? My son just went to an air show in Huntington Beach and saw lots of Trump signs. It is going to be an interesting election. I feel we will win because of the overturning of Roe but I do feel nervous. I just received my ballot and feel this one should be photographed and framed for my grandchildren to see. It is that important....
Huntington Beach is a MAGA enclave in a conservative area of liberal California. It is an outlier here. But the Trump signs are an insult to the fighting forces on display at the air show. In an all volunteer military, the force is disproportionately diverse and first or second generation immigrants.
The Donald is disintegrating mentally and physically at an undeniable rate. Two right wing comedians laughed to his (and the audience’s) face at his “weave” explanation when he sought media attention and public influence on their show. This watermark moment occurred as Harris was irritating legacy media by appearing well for audiences as diverse as those viewing 60 Minutes, Colbert, The View, and Stern. A good shellacking at the voting booth ought to do the trick of ridding us of the poison he is.
I’m currently worrying about the logistics of getting to the ballot box the (likely Harris) voters now deployed, by the thousands, in response to Helene and Milton. We need those votes.
Lies about stolen election and not aiding totalitarian enemies who jail innocent American citizens are acts of political treachery. To be taken in by a reality show host is not the act of a citizen but of a slave to self-interest borne of incontinence - be it greed or envy or worse. We will stand together against it, as American citizens have time and again. Your leadership is exemplary, as always. A turtle tale tells all.
Robert! if you can, I feel you should take a day off and rest. Perhaps I am wrong but I get the impression that you are tired. I also think it's important to pace ourselves in the days remaining before the election. Please take care of yourself! We have come to rely on your steady words of encouragement and support and your regular calls to action, which are greatly appreciated in giving us a sense of direction on how we can help get out the vote.
I feel mentally exhausted by the endless and increasingly outlandish lies from the GOP, and this is without ever listening nor watching msm for the past 6 months, and cutting back on social media. I am grateful to you for being the shield and bringing to us the pertinent news as needed. Thank you.
And I apologize if perhaps I'm projecting onto you! But I am not yet tired of writing votefwd.org letters.
No worries. I am just being prudent by not flying across country twice in three days while I am in the early days of a cold.
Thanks for mentioning Airlift.fund. I've been giving to them, and your mention inspired me to give them another fifty dollars.
As for colds, I have only had five or six of them in the last 20 years--since I started taking ~3000 IU/day of vitamin D. I have had a similar drop in the number of times I've had flu. And my one case of COVID was a nothing.
Avoiding two x-country flights in three days also sounds like a good idea. Be well.
And I enjoyed reading about Henrietta Leavitt, and seeing the photo of the Cigar and Bode's galaxy.
Writing helps keep you calm and focussed. I agree.
On top of everything else contributing to our collective angst, it appears that we are now players in a real life espionage novel.
The Kremlin decides when and how to comment on stories arising in the West. Why did they even bother to respond to Woodward's allegation about the COVID machine and Trump's denial? I can't possibly answer specifically but the generic answer is surely "because it is in their interest as they perceive it." So, why? To catch Trump in a lie? I don't think so. To sow even more distrust, discord and unreality into the American election? I think that's probably closer to it. I don't know if the Kremlin is telling the truth (but if Trump is lying, which we know he is because his lips are moving then by default the Kremlin is telling the truth in this instance) but I do know that they're only saying anything at all because it advances their perceived interests at the expense of American interests. Proceed with caution.
Robert, as always, you capture our collective frustration with the never ending cascade of lies and their real life impacts. In particular the lies about Helene, FEMA and immigrants are driving me crazy because of the real life impacts they are having on crucial relief efforts and people's willingness to cooperate with and support those efforts. That's not only criminal, it's insane. Bu whether it's FEMA or COVID/Putin or any of the other whoppers Trump tells, their collective impact is wearing on the soul and corrupting our society in terrible, troublesome, long-lasting ways. And all in one man's quest to stay out of prison. You can't make this stuff up.
Jeff let’s not try to analyze why the Russians do anything. The Russians received the COVID equipment and it was a gift which in their response makes them the innocent party. Another way to think about this is they know Trump will lose so why cover for him.
I imagine that Putin delights in the spectacle of US citizens viciously attacking each other on whatever world stage social media can provide. I suspect he cares less about actual election results than about how foolish (or selfish, or ignorent, or vicious?) we all reveal ourselves to be.
That someone like the previous president can capture the devotion of so many appears to say volumes about the strength and virtue of our country, and possibly democracy in general. It reflects poorly on ALL of us -- especially if we respond in the same spirit.
The Harris campaign's focus on the positive and efforts to "lift up" can be an antidote. Perhaps that's why the Kremlin is volunteering anything at all about Woodward's reveal. Just stirring the pot -- keeping us at each other's throats.
Robert Hubble, you keep my spirits UP!
Yeats ago, during the Trump administration, I remember an incident involving Syria.
If I recall correctly, nerve gas had been used by Al-Assad's forces. Pressure was put on Trump to do something, so he lobbed some bombs at the Syrian government's forces.
At the time, I remember thinking, 'people keep surmising that Trump's a Russian asset, but why would Putin be supporting a guy willing to bomb another government that Putin supports?'
Looking back, comparing that incident to the recent confirmation of the Covid test machines, and thinking about how the war in Ukraine has been fought, it could simply be that, while Putin is devious, he's just not quite as smart as we give him credit for.
I just wrote a post questioning "WHY?" the Kremlin is behaving as it is about the COVID machine. I'm interested in your thoughts. But it all still seems very knotty and incomprehensible to me.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov has confirmed that Trump did indeed send COVID testing equipment to Russia. So, now we have the Kremlin spokesman and Trump's spokesman, in effect, calling each other liars. https://www.reuters.com/world/kremlin-denies-report-trump-phone-calls-with-putin-2024-10-09/
On Woodward's report that Trump has made multiple phone calls to Putin since leaving the Presidency, Peskov has denied this. In evaluating this statement, I would refer to an old adage: "Do not believe anything until the Kremlin denies it."
Home flooded? Check the MAGA rep who voted to defund FEMA with this map and vote to hold them accountable.
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/09/29/republicans-voted-against-strengthening-dams-now-at-risk-from-flooding/
Dear Mr. Hubbell - thank you for the great work you do reporting & commenting on relevant news daily. I look forward to seeing your newsletter in my inbox every day. While I have not attended your Zoom calls with democratic candidates and representatives, due to your zeal and encouragement to participate in the democratic process and because I need to “do something” have contributed to all of those you’ve endorsed as well as others (over 30 candidates nationwide). In 2022, I discovered Vote Forward and wrote letters in 2022 & 2023. Since September I’ve written and mailed 95 Vote Forward letters ranging from households with no identifiable registered voters asking them to register, to letters encouraging registered voters in swing states to vote and to registered voters in states with ballot initiatives for enshrining the right to women’s health care in the state’s constitution. I’m not done yet. Trying to do my part & will write more this week. I am trying to remain optimistic that our collective efforts will pay off. Praying for a blue sweep. Thank you, Susan
Good work, Susan!
I just wanted to share that last weekend I went with three friends to Erie, Pennsylvania. I live in upstate New York. We knocked on doors of Democrats, Independents and Republicans who have attended Democratic events. No one answered the door in about a third of the homes that we knocked, one man politely but firmly told us no thank you and shut his door, and one Republican man, who was a new tenant and not the person we had intended to speak to, was interested in chatting with us. He is trying to join the Teamsters Union, and we talked about how Biden was the first president to walk with unions and Harris supports them as well. All of the other doors knocked said they were voting for Harris, they were registered and they knew where to vote. We spent more time driving to and from our home to Erie, but we felt really good about our engagement with these voters and their responses!
Thank you for commenting. This is very encouraging.
The fact that Marjorie Taylor Greene is not frequently struck by lightning is proof that the Democrats do not control the weather.
🤣🤣🤣
⚡⚡⚡ Good one!😂😂😂
😆🤣😂
I experienced the hateful language of Trumpers in Michigan when door knocking two week-ends ago. Two white men in their 70s angrily used profanity when we knocked on their doors, with the phrase "get the hell off my property!!" embedded. It is beyond shocking; I was afraid for my personal safety. In Farmington Hills, Michigan, a postal carrier was threatened with a knife by a homeowner who did not want her to deliver a flyer for Harris. Homeowner has been arrested and criminally charged. I am phone banking instead, hoping this will make a difference. I'm sending out 500 postcards next week 💙 Better safe than sorry!
Dear Robert and Jill, Writing from a partly wrecked house in Arden, NC, I thank you for your wisdom, straight talk, and compassion
Hi Joan. Thanks for checking in. I hope your recovery is quick. Glad you are safe!
Thank YOU. I hope you are safe. Best of luck with your restoration efforts.
Good luck Joan; be safe
Joan, good luck!! Thinking of you and hoping you recover quickly.
Rob, I echo the encouragement of those advising you to carve out some time to rest, for restoration and to maintain good health ongoing. You do so much and on occasion, I ponder November 2016, if you and Jill would’ve had the slightest inkling of this level of involvement. Of course, with Biden’s 2020 victory, many of us mistakenly believed Trump would fade away and that was a misbegotten thought, and the inverse is how it played out. And here we are.
Question about Friday’s fundraiser for Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Colin Allred ~~ by chance will you leave the donation window open for a while past Friday for those of us who might even want to donate $100 or more but the timing isn’t good till a few days later in the month? You did this before with another fundraiser… Just a thought. Fingers crossed. Gratitude always!
Yes. I appreciate your generosity. Bless you!
Ive been donating to them on Act Blue Express with recurring donations for months. Also Jon Tester, Tammy Baldwin, Ruben Gallegos, people running for Congress.
Linda, good for you and thank you. I have been doing the same for a long time. I look at lifetime donations and kind of freak out, but I'm grateful, and I mean really grateful that I have the resources to do that. Who knew democracy would be expensive and time consuming. I'm heading out in a couple of hours to address and stamp postcards for a local election and make some more connections with other volunteers in my local Dem group. I hope others here are considering and or doing the same. I don't want a medal, just to have our democracy survive. Have a great day and let's get this done.
Mr. Corbett, beautifully said. "Who knew democracy would be expensive and time consuming." When the founders signed the Declaration of Independence, they agreed to these concluding words in all seriousness. “For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”. And many lost their lives and their fortunes, but never their honor. Their sacrifice has resonated for almost 250 years. Like you and so many others, I am giving more and doing more on this election than I ever have, even in the turbulent 'sixties. It matters; and to hear others like you doing the same and more than I am doing gives me courage. I would guess some of your closest friends and relatives think you have "gone off the deep end" into something they have had the luxury of scorning -- political activity. Mine certainly feel that way. But what we are doing is noble and patriotic and takes work, time, and money. I agree with you wholeheartedly, "I don't want a medal, just to have our democracy survive." Thanks for sharing what is an eloquent pep talk.
Me too, Linda! We all have to do something and everything to break through Maga lies, and defeat ALL trumpists by an overwhelming, earthshaking landslide!
Feel better soon, Robert!
Thanks for highlighting women in STEM and history, particularly those whose work was not accredited.
Electing a woman as President start another wave of girls and women who believe they can do and be anything!
"Make it so."
The New York Times did not note her passing at the time. A few years ago the Times wrote an obituary as part of a series of notable Americans whose passing the Times ignored.
Amen, Beverly!
What’s behind the lies and the Putin - Trump love affair all about? Follow the money!
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/10/09/whats-the-putin-trump-love-affair-all-about-follow-the-money/
thank you! Love theDemlabs.org
So when I first heard about the “laser beam” conspiracy theory, I laughed so hard that a tear ran down my leg. Surely she had taken fifth grade science and heard about lightning, right? It has long since ceased to be funny. It’s not even laughable the conspiracy theories that the other “they” believe. Sadly, I live in Moscow Marjorie’s district and I cannot wait to vote her out. Even if I’m the only vote I would crawl there to vote for my neighbor’s dog if that was the only other candidate. I did something I have never done before, I googled her. I need to see if she had actually gone to college. I learned that she had, smh. So I now have a conspiracy theory of my own. I believe that the Russian laser beam from the planet urottayurmynd planted a brain worm that actually controlled her body and took her to class. Then “they“ manipulated the computer systems to give her passing grades. And now she’s in illegal alien from out of space trying and failing miserably to pass as a human being. I also think she’s eating the neighbors pet skunks.
Maybe we should manufacture Jewish Lasers and make some money off Majorie....as Jews we have the right.....LOL
!!! 🤣🤣🤣
I like it
It was shocking
Now she says Dems control the weather.
If Dems control the weather, why haven’t there been weather catastrophes in Marjorie’s district?
My sister lives in St. Petersburg Florida and will go home today to see the damage. My heart breaks for her. She broke her wrist last week when she went home after Helene and slipped and fell. Thank god she got surgery between storms. She is a super Democrat living in the middle of lots of Republicans and she is not quiet about it. I wonder if any of this has changed anyones minds? My son just went to an air show in Huntington Beach and saw lots of Trump signs. It is going to be an interesting election. I feel we will win because of the overturning of Roe but I do feel nervous. I just received my ballot and feel this one should be photographed and framed for my grandchildren to see. It is that important....
Huntington Beach is a MAGA enclave in a conservative area of liberal California. It is an outlier here. But the Trump signs are an insult to the fighting forces on display at the air show. In an all volunteer military, the force is disproportionately diverse and first or second generation immigrants.
Good point.
But aren't you supposed to be resting?
The MAGAs are an insult to our country. May their days be numbered. They need to squashed once and for all.
The Donald is disintegrating mentally and physically at an undeniable rate. Two right wing comedians laughed to his (and the audience’s) face at his “weave” explanation when he sought media attention and public influence on their show. This watermark moment occurred as Harris was irritating legacy media by appearing well for audiences as diverse as those viewing 60 Minutes, Colbert, The View, and Stern. A good shellacking at the voting booth ought to do the trick of ridding us of the poison he is.
I’m currently worrying about the logistics of getting to the ballot box the (likely Harris) voters now deployed, by the thousands, in response to Helene and Milton. We need those votes.
It would be a very good start at the very least!
Thank you again, Robert.......
In the face of narcissistic irreparable moral depravity,
STAY CALM and REMEMBER the JOY of the Convention and her selection. What a High! HOLD to that JOY, PEOPLE!
Lies about stolen election and not aiding totalitarian enemies who jail innocent American citizens are acts of political treachery. To be taken in by a reality show host is not the act of a citizen but of a slave to self-interest borne of incontinence - be it greed or envy or worse. We will stand together against it, as American citizens have time and again. Your leadership is exemplary, as always. A turtle tale tells all.