I have been imagining a “debate” format between Biden and Trump. Of course Trump will refuse to debate Biden. So the “debate” would be between a live Joe Biden and a virtual Trump. The moderator will ask a question. Biden will respond live. Then the virtual Trump will “ respond” in the form of video from his actual speeches which clearly state his intentions and beliefs. This could be dramatic and show clearly the choice we have. And if the debate format can’t work, then someone get Michael Moore to make a film called “in his own words” showing what Trump is saying and intends and put those words next to Nazi images from the 30s. We need a reverse “propaganda” film that shows clearly and unambiguously what Trump is making clear with no more euphemisms or pseudo law abiding cosmetics. He is campaigning to end Democracy and turn America into a banana republic.
I'm in late, as usual. Rick Wilson showed a Lincoln Project ad from 2016 or so that they withheld bcause it was too "strident" about the T-Rump's Fascism. Now it's so obvious they are going to run it. With the production expertise of Moore and Wilson and their extensive archives of material, it would be natural to get them to work together and with perhaps Toby Morton and Tim MIller. Robert Reich's "Inequality Media" puts such stuff on social media to reach the young ones.
You have the credibility Robert. Just contact them directly. I'm sure a lot of us will kick in.
A wide ranging cooperative effort can get solid information out to many audiences.
I copied and pasted your comment on Michael's substack, however his most recent essay is dated 11/4 so I'm not sure if he'll see it. How about you contacting the Presidential Debate committee yourself, with your idea? It's brilliant!
Look at this from Lucian K Truscott - this idea of using Trump's words forcefully and vividly is definitely gathering some momentum. Let's keep pushing it until someone acts on it. Here's what Truscott said tonight:
"What we need is for President Joe Biden to stand up and go before the American people and give them a lesson in what a good man looks like and sounds like when he tells the truth. Biden should give a major speech, and yes, it can be a campaign speech, because Joe Biden is all we have between us and Donald Trump. Biden should use visual aids to illustrate what he says. When he describes the terrible things that happened on January 6, he should show footage of officers like Harry Dunn [Capitol Police Officer who has just written a book about Jan 6] being beaten by Trump supporters that day, and he should say exactly that: these are supporters of Donald Trump beating cops and attacking our seat of government. Biden should show Trump’s speech in New Hampshire about how he is going to root out “vermin,” and then Biden should describe Trump’s vermin as who they are: you and me; loyal American veterans like Mark Milley and John Kelly and other members of Trump’s own government like William Barr and former Defense Secretaries James Mattis and Mark Esper, respectively a United States Marine and a graduate of West Point.
We need President Biden to contrast himself starkly from Donald Trump using plain language anyone who loves this country can understand. American democracy is at stake."
I’d suggest that Democrats could flood the nation with ads on the theme “Tough guy Trump – afraid to get on the same stage as Biden. If he can’t stand up to Biden, how can he stand up to Putin and Xi? What a big tough guy, Trump!”
Ned, While I like your idea, I also urge we remain mindful that democracies not only die in the dark; they also die when tactics are deployed that succeed in making the public-at-large fearful about protecting it.
Hi Barbara, Not sure how my suggestion would make people afraid of protecting our democracy. The point is to awaken people who may not be aware of the full impact of Trump getting power back. Someone said “those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Showing Trump as the Hitler he aspires to be is learning from history and if that makes people fearful, hopefully that’s a motivator.
Ned, I appreciate you writing seeing I was misunderstood. My reply was intended to convey, while your proposals, if enacted, could be mighty impactful, we ought not view them as sufficient.
Thank you, Robert, for keeping us focused. Thank you for balancing the scales by suggesting a blueprint for us in what I'd like to think is an unlikely outcome of the 2024 election.
Thank Goodness that Robert finds a way to bring us down from the ledge on a daily basis. I also believe that Trump will not win. He has lost his mind, and when you mix that with the hateful rhetoric that is FINALLY being recognized by some news organizations, people of good faith will not simply become sheep, as Robert says.
Yesterday the Guardian ran an excellent story extensively quoting, retired justice, Michael Luttig on the disqualification of Trump as a presidential candidate. It was quite eye-opening. Trump’s refusal to leave the White House, and accept the results of the election are at the heart of the case, not the actual riot at the Capitol itself. Trump’s conspiracy is an insurrection against the constitution, not the US. Luttig implies that will be an easier case to prove than the grounds adopted by the Colorado plaintiffs. This is huge news.
Admittedly, I was confused by the phrase “If Trump wins…” To be clear, I don’t sense Trump is running to win; I believe he’s running to take power. Reading, earlier last night, on another Substack about “details that include vetting people [as we speak] for inclusion in the shock troops Trump will use to take over the federal bureaucracy,” my perceptions, indeed, were fortified. My point is that, in my view, last time was mere practice for what likely is happening now to lay the groundwork for Trump and his allies to return to power whether or not they win enough votes. Attention should be paid.
I think it's becoming increasingly clear that the Defendant is getting desperate, and is showing his most feral instincts in his quest for continued freedom. He has no concern for anyone but himself, and will do whatever he can to insure that he survives, even if it means that our democracy doesn't.
Robert is right that if the Defendant somehow manages to "win," we must be prepared to rise up. But I suggest that we rise up sooner and stop him before the election. That means calling him out for his every disgusting action, cheering at his every defeat, and working our butts off to get every Democrat and Independent to vote against him. It means supporting and counting on our wounded judicial system to bring him to justice and hold him to account. It means hanging his words and deeds around the necks of his enablers and holding them accountable as well.
Bob, While I wholeheartedly agree with your remedy, I don’t fully agree with your take on Trump. When I ask why Trump’s most vicious attacks are directed at once close allies, the answer for me is clear—what we’re seeing is a concerted effort to create fear in order for Trump to maintain his hold on the Republican Party. If I am right, then my clear naming of the problem could lead us to remedies we might not have considered.
I think his reason for wanting to maintain his hold on the Republican Party is so that he can stay out of jail and not be held accountable for anything, and can continue to enrich himself at the expense of the rest of us. I really don't think he cares about power as a leader, but power over others who he can manipulate. Either way, he's dangerous, and we need to assume that either characterization or both is correct, and react accordingly.
Bob, I deeply appreciate your assessment and merely would add that what I see is a concerted effort to create fear in order to control our democracy and our democratic institutions. Hence, I view my engagement as continuing to fight for our democracy and, by extension, the rule of law.
I don't disagree at all, Barbara Jo. I just see it as a means to an end to him, and he'll do whatever it takes to achieve his ends, even if it destroys the country in the process.
I view my engagement much the same as yours, but I'm tired of being nice and being ignored. I think we need to be more aggressive and visible in expressing our disdain for him and his "echo"lytes and "sicko"phants.
Bob, I thought it worth mentioning that in “Today’s Edition” Nov.10th Comment Section (“Trusting our instincts”) I posted a description of a project in its formative stage for a nationwide march for democracy on July 4th. If you have any thoughts about it, I would welcome them.
I’d add that he’s also running to raise money. He’s terrified that he won’t be able to borrow and raise the millions and billions as he did previously.
Sheila, Still, we can’t afford to dismiss his tactics that in part entail a concerted effort to create fear largely to ensure his hold on the Republican Party, without which his candidacy likely would crumble.
Before the 2020 election I told a German born friend that I would vote for Hitler before I'd vote for Trump. She was shocked but I think she got my point. Even so, my gut is telling me that Trump is not going to be the nominee of the still-calling-itself-Republican Party. It would certainly help if the media is now finally waking up along with having every American get out and vote. In Marshall Rosenberg's book Nonviolent Communication he quotes George Bernanos: “I have thought for a long time now that if, some day, the increasing efficiency for the technique of destruction finally causes our species to disappear from the earth, it will not be cruelty that will be responsible for our extinction and still less, of course, the indignation that cruelty awakens and the reprisals and vengeance that it brings upon itself … but the docility, the lack of responsibility of the modern man, his base subservient acceptance of every common decree. The horrors that we have seen, the still greater horrors we shall presently see, are not signs that rebels, insubordinate, untamable men are increasing in number throughout the world, but rather that there is a constant increase in the number of obedient, docile men." Awake, America!!
I think America is awake and I think many voters just ignore what Trump tweets and says and rationalize it with “ It’s Trump just being Trump” but the rhetoric has gotten worse and people are paying attention and maybe the media is also.
I had thought there would be mass demonstrations if T wins or refuses to accept loss. But I had not thought of general strikes. Staying home is non-violent, too, isn’t it?
Today, Robert Hubbell addresses the core of the political corruption in the United States. He describes Chief Justice John Roberts sham code of ethics that would mask the corruption of Justices receiving massive gifts that would be bribes in any other walk of life and a finds that the press is finally (I do not understand what triggers an understanding that I have previously had for months or years) that Donald Trump is as dangerous a potential dictator as Germany's Hitler was. Having said that Robert Hubbell goes a step further. While Trump's plans for ignoring constitutional limitations and imposing his will on the nation and his revenge on those he sees as enemies, Robert Hubbell shows us the way to begin planning our resistance in the unlikely possibility that Trump does get elected and begins to implement his plans.
I think a big difference between the Hitler rise in power and Trump is social media today shines a light on what is happening whereas the media in Germany was not aggressive. Another big factor is in order to accomplish what has outlined he would need the help and support of a huge number of federal employees and the military and I for one believe most of these people would not participate or cooperate in these activities.
"Another big factor is in order to accomplish what has outlined he would need the help and support of a huge number of federal employees and the military."
Trump will not convince the military to turn on US citizens, or convince even a fraction of federal employees to violate the Constitution.
I believe that is the real reason why he left the White House, he knew the US Marshalls and Secret Service were going to escort him off the premises. The majority of people, they want the US to be a functioning government and in order for us to continue to benefit from the creature comforts of the most powerful economy, and "freedoms" that we enjoy it needs to stay that way.
Please take note that Tommy Tubby is holding open a large and growing number of significant command structure positions the same way that Mitch did with SCOTUS. No doubt that Project 2025 is building a list of suitable replacements for whom appointments would flow immediately upon a trump ascension or usurpation.
Also note that Project 2025 is also working on the list of positions and “suitable” candidates for all federal civil service having anything to do with implementing executive policy. The dog whistle for that is “Schedule F.”
Planning the subversion of the military and civil service is proceeding apace with that for DOJ and FBI.
At least that is what Trump/Miller want us to believe, and we shouldn’t put it past them (and Tuberville). Timothy Snyder says do not obey in advance. That could mean do not believe yourself defeated in advance.
With regret, Robert, I wonder whether large numbers of military members will refuse to obey orders from The President. The officer corps might be splintered, however.
Agreed. There is a great book called "Hitler's First Hundred Days: When Germans Embraced the Third Reich" that talks about how quickly Hitler was able to gain the support of the vast majority (~80%) of the German people and how he accomplished that in just 100 days. Part of it was that most of the opposition either fled the country or were jailed or killed. Trump had four years and only managed to win over a third of the country at best. So his massive incompetence is a blessing at some level. Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Hitlers-First-Hundred-Days-Embraced/dp/154169743X
Do we still think Senator Tuberville’s assault on rank and order in the military is about abortion? Isn’t it more likely about creating chaos in the military in preparation for Trump to deploy soldiers against Americans?
Same here, I want an apology from every moderate, "fiscally conservative, socially liberal" Republican that told me abortion was never going to be overturned, and that Trump was only playing politics, etc. They kept trying to be the Trump whisperer while excusing all his terrible rhetoric, policies, and the "Freedom Caucus" because they put party > country. Many of them are now seeing that they'd be part of the "out group" in whatever new regime the MAGA folks are trying to create.
God forbid we have to do that, but we will! At some point, shouldn't he be reprimanded or brought into custody for these remarks? It's pretty well-known that the German people seemed to be asleep while Hitler was gaining power. Is there nothing illegal in what Trump is saying?
For the OED, however, I guess I need a usage example..."Thank you Justice Roberts for judgesplaining how the new voluntary code of ethics works. To paraphrase Glinda's words to Dorothy, we had it all along.
The HCR book giveaway is such a great way to both spread knowledge and strengthen bonds among people who are separated by geography and will probably never meet in person -- Thank you for this great project!! Wanted to weigh in on how to get Richardson's books (and any others) from your public library that they don't have in their catalogs: Interlibrary Loan or ILL. I use it frequently as a card-carrying library fanatic; my library system is in a pretty big city and has a large catalog but I still find things I want to read that aren't available regularly. Ask your library how to access the ILL system; it's usually easy and gives you access to books and other materials from at least all over the country. Just another great service from a frequently under-appreciated public resource that we all must be very careful and vigilant to protect.
Public libraries are the most democratic of American institutions. As a librarian for 37 years and director for 22, we relied on our patrons to alert us of books they want to read through "suggestion to purchase" slips and emails. Of course, anticipating demand for Heather Cox Richardson's newest book would have put that title in an acquisitions cart months before its released. At the time we purchased a copy for every 3 requests, so by the time of purchase there would have been multiple copies in the cart. Now, there is a possibility that some librarians whose libraries are in very conservative communities, would withhold the purchase of the book for fear of community blowback. In the library world this is called pre-selection censorship. So, the way around this is to make sure if your library does not have the book is to make the request. I am sure many others are doing the same and there should be no way the library would not purchase the book. Of course, to help your library's acquisitions budget go further, you may donate your book to the library.
I checked with my local high school, and they do not have a copy of Democracy Awakening. I am going to give them my copy, and perhaps, check with other schools in this area to donate more copies. Reverse of book banning!!!
Robert--My experience was with public libraries so I am not so well versed in their acquisition practices as they are tied to curriculum. But as we know, school libraries are at the forefront of resisting censorship and attacks from parts of their community, which has been going on long before the MAGA outrage of recent years.
Thanks for this helpful information, and thanks for your service as a librarian and director.
Is there a uniform way to donate books to the library? Or does it depend on the library? Is there a national book donation service? Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Robert--It would depend on the local library and their policies. Many times libraries want their donations to go through their local Friends of Libraries group for book sales, so that revenue generated helps to close the gap in public funding. However, that said, new books, or books that would fit with collection development policies would likely be directed to the library. Hope that answers your question somewhat.
A donated book will often go to the Friends bookstore because a donated book, if sufficiently robust for circulation, must go through a cataloging process for entry into the library’s holdings database. Libraries typically do acquisitions through a small number of vendors who supply all the cataloguing info for ready assimilation into the database. Catalogers are an expensive, specialized small cluster of folks usually beyond the financial reach of small (10 branches or less) library systems.
Good point to bring up -- libraries don't know what people think or want until and unless they tell them. I occasionally make requests for purchase, but most often I realize that my wish is for something w/o a wide audience, so I don't take it personally when it's not fulfilled. I think (italicized!) that I influenced my library to start pre-ordering books by a particular author that they'd overlooked; I can tell when I put one on 'Hold' that other people are reading her, so that's wonderful. Made me so happy to think that I had that small influence!
Meredith, you also make a good point. Librarians look for ways to include a book in a collection and not to exclude it. By making your requests known to library staff will let them know that someone in the community wants to read this book, and if another person suggests it, there is the trigger for ordering it. Many libraries are parts of larger consortia where some library in the system will purchase the title and it will be available to everyone, so multiple libraries do not have to purchase it. Sharing resources is how libraries work, both for their patrons and with other libraries. Thanks for the note.
I just checked by phone with the closest branch of my public library, and DEMOCRACY AWAKENING is in the county library system and several people have it on reserve. That is encouraging news. If it hadn't been, I would have requested that it be added.
Thanks for pointing that out, Meredith. Same here. From eastern Long Island, I have access to not only both of the island’s counties’, but also NYC’s libraries. My requests rarely have to leave the state. Huzzah! This has been my mainstay in homeschooling (pre-pandemic rush) my two teens, and we all have benefited greatly from it; the system is invaluable. The heroic librarians trip over themselves to help the curious. Love love love the library network!
I lived in South Carolina for a period of 5 years recently, and the fantastic Richland County library system pretty much saved me from going crazy in that very repressive environment. Wonderful people, creative and compassionate services: I can't say enough good things about them. I'm with you -- Love love love the library network! It's all these pieces and parts that I believe will join if/when we have to? that I believe will save us ...
"Supreme Court pretends to release ethics code" made me laugh. So very true.
Another example of NYT's "And Why That's Bad News For Joe Biden" -- there's been an article above the fold for the past 24 hours stating " Democratic Aides In Congress Break With Their Bosses on Israel-Hamas War" with a subhead that reads "A wave of current and former staff members, mostly of a younger generation, are agitating for a cease-fire and speaking out against their bosses’ positions." https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/us/politics/democratic-aides-congress-israel-hamas.html
What the article neglects to include though is any perspective on the numbers: the 550 staffers who signed the letter represent around 3.5% of Congressional staffers, 7% if you are only looking at Democrats. So hardly the massive rebellion the article, which relies mostly on quotes from Ilhan Omar's senion advisor, would indicate.
The New York Times has made a few missteps, and I just canceled my subscription. I’ve lost faith in some of their reporting, and I’m not educated enough to determine what some of the flaws are, but I am very grateful when someone anayzes them and points them out.
Agreed, especially since so many young people don't seem to understand the complex history. This post shared on social media is a helpful start...
"IMPORTANT READ!
Please share with your college & beyond kids, especially if they don’t understand the historical context.
Anonymous letter, written by a University Professor who teaches biblical studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. I am re-posting it (verbatim).
-----
Dear Students,
I have spent the last 25 years showing you the beauty of all of the literary, cultural, philosophical, & artistic heights of the human spirit over the course of human history. Teaching you has been the most wonderful & satisfying of callings. I never wanted to do anything other than meet with you, discuss ideas with you, discover & rediscover human insights, truths, & wonders. I never regretted my career path, never hated my job, & never doubted my legacy. I felt privileged & honoured to show you how to analyse, to think critically, to weigh evidence, & to understand people & ideas, contexts & complexity, deeply & thoroughly. I thought my work was helping to make the world a better, more humane, more thoughtful place.
You have broken my heart. No: shattered it, irreparably. I don’t know how I will ever set foot in a classroom again. I don’t know how I will ever see you the same way. I know now that I was deluding myself that I ever had any impact, would ever leave any positive legacy, that my work ever made any difference.
I watch you all on social media, in the streets & the quads, marching in solidarity with a movement that seeks only to wipe me out. To exterminate me, my children, my parents, my entire family & community. I know, some of you think you’re trying to help the oppressed. You think that my kind is the white colonialist racist kind that you hate. But I thought I taught you how to evaluate arguments. I thought I taught you the importance of understanding context, both historical & rhetorical. I thought that I taught you that the world did not operate according to dichotomies, like black & white, oppressor & oppressed, villain and victim. I thought I taught you about complexity, about judgment, & to examine your sources & not to take anyone’s statements at face value.
Zionism is the Jewish right to self-determination in our ancestral homeland. Israel is that ancestral homeland. Jews are the indigenous peoples of that land; not the only indigenous peoples of that land, to be sure. But Israel is the only land to which we are indigenous. After 2000 years of longing, the result of the Holocaust – a Nazi movement which sought to ethnically cleanse the world of Jews by systematically exterminating us – was that the international community granted us a sliver of that ancestral homeland. It was to be shared, partitioned into a Jewish state & an Arab state. The Arabs rejected the partition & attacked the Jews when they declared the state of Israel in 1948. The Jews won. Arabs who remained in Israel became citizens with full rights & freedoms. 20% of Israel’s population today is Arab. They fight in the army, they are doctors, lawyers, members of Parliament & supreme court judges. There is no apartheid. Israel’s Jewish population consists of Jews from Arab lands, whose parents or grandparents were kicked out when the state of Israel was formed, & of descendants of refugees from Eastern Europe, Holocaust survivors who had no homes to return to. Some are more recent refugees from Europe, Russia, & the Americas who either returned to Israel for religious reasons or because the Jew-hatred in their communities grew too excessive & they decided to emigrate, to head for the one place in the world Jews can go if their neighbours or governments turn against them.
The West Bank & Gaza strip – along with refugee camps that still exist in Lebanon, Syria, & Jordan -- were the places that the Arab nations who attacked Israel at its founding told the Arabs living in Palestine (later to be known as Palestinians) to flee. It was supposed to be temporary, because the plan was to “push the Jews into the sea.” When the plan didn’t work out, all of these states refused to absorb the Palestinians. They wanted to keep them in camps because they still planned to annihilate Israel & the Jews that lived there & then the Palestinians could return. The West Bank was in Jordan & Gaza was in Egypt until 1967, when the Arab states tried again to push the Jews into the sea. Their failure this time ended with Israel capturing these territories. When Israel tried to exchange land for peace & give Gaza back to Egypt, Egypt didn’t want it. And so the territories remained in Israel. In 2005 Israel pulled out of Gaza & left it to govern itself. Most of the West Bank is also self-governing, but not all because of the high number of suicide bombers & other threats to Israel’s existence fomenting there, so Israel hasn’t been able to fully remove itself. The current awful Israeli government has allowed religious fanatics, “settlers,” to build settlements there, which makes everything worse.
And you see what I did there? I criticized Israel’s government. I can do that, & still support the existence of a Jewish state in our ancestral homeland.
When you say “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” this is a call to ethnic cleansing of Jews from their homeland, from the only state in the entire Middle East that would look remotely familiar to you in terms of basic rights & freedoms & a democratic system if you were to visit the region. When Hamas supporters – like those who led you all in a rally on my home campus today – talk about Jews as “occupiers,” they don’t mean Gaza. They mean the whole state of Israel. They want Jews eradicated from the entire land. Hamas actually wants us gone from the whole world, as they have stated many times. Who are the Nazis now?
But here I am, teaching again. I can’t help myself. I wish that you cared what I had to say. I wish that some knowledge, some context, some understanding, could reach beyond the slogans & chants for my death that you are repeating mindlessly & endlessly as you march to the beat of hatred across the tattered remains of my broken soul."
Hopeful that Sheldon Whitehouse isn't letting go of this battle, & that the Senate vote was delayed (in part) waiting for Robert's announcement to respond appropriately.
I’ve always had a subconscious view of armed battles over a Trump win and his subsequent actions, sort of January 6 redux. But you’re right, Robert. The answer is civil disobedience on a true national scale. How American would THAT be? And we ALL could do it.
I suspect that the release of the SCOTUS "ethics code" is a sign that they were getting nervous that Senate Judiciary Democrats were getting serious--planning to subpoena Harlan Crow, Leonard Leo and someone else, and talking about a legally established code. We must not let them off the hook! They are trying to distract and throw us off the scent!
I just wrote to my Senator who sits on the Judiciary Committee to point out the weakness and insulting nature of the Code, and the need for the Senate to stay on the case. I hope others will do the same. Here's the list of members:
There are at least 2 groups of people in America who might behave differently than the planners of our national demise anticipate: the military and the oligarchs/business community. That's a lot of people and, certainly, there's great variation among them in political beliefs. But, I know that the military has in place ways for troops to disobey orders that they believe are unconstitutional, corrupt, etc., and I have no reason not to assume that in the event of some of the predicted events like the concentration camps -- would rebel. Since I also believe we're basically at this point 'owned' by the billionaire class and large corporations, I don't think they would support what the Trumpists have in mind for the country -- it's bad for business. Recently, our international credit rating was again decreased to 'negative' (I think that's right -- someone correct me if I've got some of the labels wrong) because of the GOP's inability to govern in the House. Predictably, business interests want a real 'government' that's operational and responsive to their needs and you don't get that within the narrow confines of the White Christian nationalist fascism on offer... By no means, should we count on any support from the military or business to hold back the fascists but I personally believe we might be pleasantly surprised. Esp. w/business: they've been holding back placing bets for the most part because they still think they can pull enough strings behind the scenes. If they see that their hold(s) is/are weakening? I think we'll see some changes in support for MAGA et al.
Thank you. I didn't read your reply before I replied to Bill Alstrom, saying something similar about the funding. And, I first got that idea -- several years ago -- from listening to Heather Cox Richardson's FB chats on politics&history. Business interests are almost always politically conservative, I think; but the definitions of conservative/liberal/other are in a state of flux right now...
Hope you are right. Logic would dictate so. But millions of Americans are eschewing logic for anger and bigotry. But I do like your thinking. Hope the oligarchs do as well.
As I understand it, Moody's didn't actually do a downgrade of the credit rating. They downgraded the economic outlook for America to negative. Not good either way.
Well, that's considerably different, and thank you for the correction. I had a feeling I wasn't thorough on that -- my point overall being that everyone suffers financially when international perception degrades... Some of the oligarchs have withdrawn funding from Trump and DeSantis and my most recent take on it is that they're still trying to decide in which GOP candidate to invest ... Maybe this is a signal that they're not [all?] going to continue to fund extremism.
WOW! The other day you recommended that we write directly to columnists with our complaints about non-coverage of Trumps rants and fascist language. I wrote directly to the news department of the NYTImes and just got this response. They actually read my comment and answered me!!! I encourage all of your readers to write! Here is the exchange with the Times:
Tell us about it. Please be as specific as possible.
Why are you using kid gloves to cover Trump's authoritarian and dangerous rants? You are covering him as if he were a normal candidate. He is NOT normal. He shows signs of cognitive dissonance and is now spewing fascist nonsense in every speech and every post on Truth Social. We deserve better from your wonderful reporters and headline writers! I rely on the Times as my primary news source and am extremely disappointed in your election coverage.
If you’re referring to a specific article, please paste the link below:
Robert, I love the image of Trump stuck in a dark room without TV, without internet, without cheeseburgers, and without his lackeys hovering to obey his orders. Hissy-fit and tantrum time!
As Rachel Maddow pointed out last night, it is the responsibility of the Republican party to stop him. They have been afraid to do so. Hopefully they will stand up for our country soon.
I have been imagining a “debate” format between Biden and Trump. Of course Trump will refuse to debate Biden. So the “debate” would be between a live Joe Biden and a virtual Trump. The moderator will ask a question. Biden will respond live. Then the virtual Trump will “ respond” in the form of video from his actual speeches which clearly state his intentions and beliefs. This could be dramatic and show clearly the choice we have. And if the debate format can’t work, then someone get Michael Moore to make a film called “in his own words” showing what Trump is saying and intends and put those words next to Nazi images from the 30s. We need a reverse “propaganda” film that shows clearly and unambiguously what Trump is making clear with no more euphemisms or pseudo law abiding cosmetics. He is campaigning to end Democracy and turn America into a banana republic.
Brilliant idea!! Someone who is a paying subscriber to Michael Moore's substack and print that suggestion in his comments section!
I'm in late, as usual. Rick Wilson showed a Lincoln Project ad from 2016 or so that they withheld bcause it was too "strident" about the T-Rump's Fascism. Now it's so obvious they are going to run it. With the production expertise of Moore and Wilson and their extensive archives of material, it would be natural to get them to work together and with perhaps Toby Morton and Tim MIller. Robert Reich's "Inequality Media" puts such stuff on social media to reach the young ones.
You have the credibility Robert. Just contact them directly. I'm sure a lot of us will kick in.
A wide ranging cooperative effort can get solid information out to many audiences.
Thanks! And let's spread the word and hope to find someone with a connection to Michael Moore - or to the Presidential Debate committee.
I copied and pasted your comment on Michael's substack, however his most recent essay is dated 11/4 so I'm not sure if he'll see it. How about you contacting the Presidential Debate committee yourself, with your idea? It's brilliant!
I subscribe to Michael. I'll copy and paste, in case no one else has.
Look at this from Lucian K Truscott - this idea of using Trump's words forcefully and vividly is definitely gathering some momentum. Let's keep pushing it until someone acts on it. Here's what Truscott said tonight:
"What we need is for President Joe Biden to stand up and go before the American people and give them a lesson in what a good man looks like and sounds like when he tells the truth. Biden should give a major speech, and yes, it can be a campaign speech, because Joe Biden is all we have between us and Donald Trump. Biden should use visual aids to illustrate what he says. When he describes the terrible things that happened on January 6, he should show footage of officers like Harry Dunn [Capitol Police Officer who has just written a book about Jan 6] being beaten by Trump supporters that day, and he should say exactly that: these are supporters of Donald Trump beating cops and attacking our seat of government. Biden should show Trump’s speech in New Hampshire about how he is going to root out “vermin,” and then Biden should describe Trump’s vermin as who they are: you and me; loyal American veterans like Mark Milley and John Kelly and other members of Trump’s own government like William Barr and former Defense Secretaries James Mattis and Mark Esper, respectively a United States Marine and a graduate of West Point.
We need President Biden to contrast himself starkly from Donald Trump using plain language anyone who loves this country can understand. American democracy is at stake."
i don't think Biden can effectively deliver such a speech. Have George Clooney or Tom Hanks be the narrator.
I’d suggest that Democrats could flood the nation with ads on the theme “Tough guy Trump – afraid to get on the same stage as Biden. If he can’t stand up to Biden, how can he stand up to Putin and Xi? What a big tough guy, Trump!”
The problem is he is sucking up to Putin and Xi. He loves dictators.
Especially COMMUNIST dictators! Where’s the irony in that?!?
I was just wondering if tfg would debate Biden. I like this alternative.
Ned, While I like your idea, I also urge we remain mindful that democracies not only die in the dark; they also die when tactics are deployed that succeed in making the public-at-large fearful about protecting it.
Hi Barbara, Not sure how my suggestion would make people afraid of protecting our democracy. The point is to awaken people who may not be aware of the full impact of Trump getting power back. Someone said “those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Showing Trump as the Hitler he aspires to be is learning from history and if that makes people fearful, hopefully that’s a motivator.
Ned, I appreciate you writing seeing I was misunderstood. My reply was intended to convey, while your proposals, if enacted, could be mighty impactful, we ought not view them as sufficient.
Thank you, Robert, for keeping us focused. Thank you for balancing the scales by suggesting a blueprint for us in what I'd like to think is an unlikely outcome of the 2024 election.
Thank Goodness that Robert finds a way to bring us down from the ledge on a daily basis. I also believe that Trump will not win. He has lost his mind, and when you mix that with the hateful rhetoric that is FINALLY being recognized by some news organizations, people of good faith will not simply become sheep, as Robert says.
Yesterday the Guardian ran an excellent story extensively quoting, retired justice, Michael Luttig on the disqualification of Trump as a presidential candidate. It was quite eye-opening. Trump’s refusal to leave the White House, and accept the results of the election are at the heart of the case, not the actual riot at the Capitol itself. Trump’s conspiracy is an insurrection against the constitution, not the US. Luttig implies that will be an easier case to prove than the grounds adopted by the Colorado plaintiffs. This is huge news.
Here's the link:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/13/january-6-michael-luttig-trump-warning
Let's make sure of it, Lynell!
I'm in, Bob!
Admittedly, I was confused by the phrase “If Trump wins…” To be clear, I don’t sense Trump is running to win; I believe he’s running to take power. Reading, earlier last night, on another Substack about “details that include vetting people [as we speak] for inclusion in the shock troops Trump will use to take over the federal bureaucracy,” my perceptions, indeed, were fortified. My point is that, in my view, last time was mere practice for what likely is happening now to lay the groundwork for Trump and his allies to return to power whether or not they win enough votes. Attention should be paid.
I think it's becoming increasingly clear that the Defendant is getting desperate, and is showing his most feral instincts in his quest for continued freedom. He has no concern for anyone but himself, and will do whatever he can to insure that he survives, even if it means that our democracy doesn't.
Robert is right that if the Defendant somehow manages to "win," we must be prepared to rise up. But I suggest that we rise up sooner and stop him before the election. That means calling him out for his every disgusting action, cheering at his every defeat, and working our butts off to get every Democrat and Independent to vote against him. It means supporting and counting on our wounded judicial system to bring him to justice and hold him to account. It means hanging his words and deeds around the necks of his enablers and holding them accountable as well.
It's time to take the gloves off.
Bob,
You’ve hit on another way to take on TFG in the court of public opinion: get people to refer to him, exclusively, as The Defendant.
Yes, that's what I've been calling him lately, as opposed to the President for Biden. I decided that TFG is even too effin' good for him.
Agree, Bob!!
Great battle cry!
Bob, While I wholeheartedly agree with your remedy, I don’t fully agree with your take on Trump. When I ask why Trump’s most vicious attacks are directed at once close allies, the answer for me is clear—what we’re seeing is a concerted effort to create fear in order for Trump to maintain his hold on the Republican Party. If I am right, then my clear naming of the problem could lead us to remedies we might not have considered.
I think his reason for wanting to maintain his hold on the Republican Party is so that he can stay out of jail and not be held accountable for anything, and can continue to enrich himself at the expense of the rest of us. I really don't think he cares about power as a leader, but power over others who he can manipulate. Either way, he's dangerous, and we need to assume that either characterization or both is correct, and react accordingly.
Bob, I deeply appreciate your assessment and merely would add that what I see is a concerted effort to create fear in order to control our democracy and our democratic institutions. Hence, I view my engagement as continuing to fight for our democracy and, by extension, the rule of law.
I don't disagree at all, Barbara Jo. I just see it as a means to an end to him, and he'll do whatever it takes to achieve his ends, even if it destroys the country in the process.
I view my engagement much the same as yours, but I'm tired of being nice and being ignored. I think we need to be more aggressive and visible in expressing our disdain for him and his "echo"lytes and "sicko"phants.
Bob, I thought it worth mentioning that in “Today’s Edition” Nov.10th Comment Section (“Trusting our instincts”) I posted a description of a project in its formative stage for a nationwide march for democracy on July 4th. If you have any thoughts about it, I would welcome them.
Bingo. Democrats are conducting an election while Republicans organize for a coup.
I agree. I read someplace else this morning that: "fascists don't need a majority to take over..."
Take heed and fight like hell.
Trump is running to stay out of prison.
Full stop.
I’d add that he’s also running to raise money. He’s terrified that he won’t be able to borrow and raise the millions and billions as he did previously.
Yes, good catch!!
Sheila, Still, we can’t afford to dismiss his tactics that in part entail a concerted effort to create fear largely to ensure his hold on the Republican Party, without which his candidacy likely would crumble.
Oh, I agree!
Exactly.
Before the 2020 election I told a German born friend that I would vote for Hitler before I'd vote for Trump. She was shocked but I think she got my point. Even so, my gut is telling me that Trump is not going to be the nominee of the still-calling-itself-Republican Party. It would certainly help if the media is now finally waking up along with having every American get out and vote. In Marshall Rosenberg's book Nonviolent Communication he quotes George Bernanos: “I have thought for a long time now that if, some day, the increasing efficiency for the technique of destruction finally causes our species to disappear from the earth, it will not be cruelty that will be responsible for our extinction and still less, of course, the indignation that cruelty awakens and the reprisals and vengeance that it brings upon itself … but the docility, the lack of responsibility of the modern man, his base subservient acceptance of every common decree. The horrors that we have seen, the still greater horrors we shall presently see, are not signs that rebels, insubordinate, untamable men are increasing in number throughout the world, but rather that there is a constant increase in the number of obedient, docile men." Awake, America!!
I think America is awake and I think many voters just ignore what Trump tweets and says and rationalize it with “ It’s Trump just being Trump” but the rhetoric has gotten worse and people are paying attention and maybe the media is also.
I had thought there would be mass demonstrations if T wins or refuses to accept loss. But I had not thought of general strikes. Staying home is non-violent, too, isn’t it?
As long as you do go out to vote! LOL!
Today, Robert Hubbell addresses the core of the political corruption in the United States. He describes Chief Justice John Roberts sham code of ethics that would mask the corruption of Justices receiving massive gifts that would be bribes in any other walk of life and a finds that the press is finally (I do not understand what triggers an understanding that I have previously had for months or years) that Donald Trump is as dangerous a potential dictator as Germany's Hitler was. Having said that Robert Hubbell goes a step further. While Trump's plans for ignoring constitutional limitations and imposing his will on the nation and his revenge on those he sees as enemies, Robert Hubbell shows us the way to begin planning our resistance in the unlikely possibility that Trump does get elected and begins to implement his plans.
I think a big difference between the Hitler rise in power and Trump is social media today shines a light on what is happening whereas the media in Germany was not aggressive. Another big factor is in order to accomplish what has outlined he would need the help and support of a huge number of federal employees and the military and I for one believe most of these people would not participate or cooperate in these activities.
This is a very important point:
"Another big factor is in order to accomplish what has outlined he would need the help and support of a huge number of federal employees and the military."
Trump will not convince the military to turn on US citizens, or convince even a fraction of federal employees to violate the Constitution.
I believe that is the real reason why he left the White House, he knew the US Marshalls and Secret Service were going to escort him off the premises. The majority of people, they want the US to be a functioning government and in order for us to continue to benefit from the creature comforts of the most powerful economy, and "freedoms" that we enjoy it needs to stay that way.
Please take note that Tommy Tubby is holding open a large and growing number of significant command structure positions the same way that Mitch did with SCOTUS. No doubt that Project 2025 is building a list of suitable replacements for whom appointments would flow immediately upon a trump ascension or usurpation.
Also note that Project 2025 is also working on the list of positions and “suitable” candidates for all federal civil service having anything to do with implementing executive policy. The dog whistle for that is “Schedule F.”
Planning the subversion of the military and civil service is proceeding apace with that for DOJ and FBI.
At least that is what Trump/Miller want us to believe, and we shouldn’t put it past them (and Tuberville). Timothy Snyder says do not obey in advance. That could mean do not believe yourself defeated in advance.
Yes, and that is extremely worrisome.
But isn't in the intention of Project 2025 to replace military leaders and civil servants with sycophants?
It’s explicit!
With regret, Robert, I wonder whether large numbers of military members will refuse to obey orders from The President. The officer corps might be splintered, however.
Agreed. There is a great book called "Hitler's First Hundred Days: When Germans Embraced the Third Reich" that talks about how quickly Hitler was able to gain the support of the vast majority (~80%) of the German people and how he accomplished that in just 100 days. Part of it was that most of the opposition either fled the country or were jailed or killed. Trump had four years and only managed to win over a third of the country at best. So his massive incompetence is a blessing at some level. Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Hitlers-First-Hundred-Days-Embraced/dp/154169743X
Do we still think Senator Tuberville’s assault on rank and order in the military is about abortion? Isn’t it more likely about creating chaos in the military in preparation for Trump to deploy soldiers against Americans?
I don’t think the military is going to support or back Trump and you forget Tuberville’s actions are pissing off a lot of veterans and enlisted men
I’ve seen too many “moderate” Republicans fall in line behind a radical, autocratic agenda to hold such hope.
Same here, I want an apology from every moderate, "fiscally conservative, socially liberal" Republican that told me abortion was never going to be overturned, and that Trump was only playing politics, etc. They kept trying to be the Trump whisperer while excusing all his terrible rhetoric, policies, and the "Freedom Caucus" because they put party > country. Many of them are now seeing that they'd be part of the "out group" in whatever new regime the MAGA folks are trying to create.
It's very frightening, Barbara. But we must fight back. The tide may finally be turning.
If you lose hope you lose everything. There are more good Americans than MAGNA cult members. People will do the right things.
No shortage of hope here! Just no false hope
Speaking of the military,great new Biden ad to share using Trump’s own words !💙
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-ad-donald-trump-soldiers_n_6553430ce4b0373d70b37ea3
We can only hope so, Stephen!
Keep the faith and remember there are more of us than them and people have had it with the former guy. He has worn out his welcome
God forbid we have to do that, but we will! At some point, shouldn't he be reprimanded or brought into custody for these remarks? It's pretty well-known that the German people seemed to be asleep while Hitler was gaining power. Is there nothing illegal in what Trump is saying?
John Roberts just gave us a reason for a new word: judgesplaining. It should readily fit in with similar constructions.
OED Editors take note: First use of "judgesplaining" on November 14, 2023 by"Pulmon."
Great word!!
Thank you!!
For the OED, however, I guess I need a usage example..."Thank you Justice Roberts for judgesplaining how the new voluntary code of ethics works. To paraphrase Glinda's words to Dorothy, we had it all along.
Let’s add this to the urban dictionary!
The HCR book giveaway is such a great way to both spread knowledge and strengthen bonds among people who are separated by geography and will probably never meet in person -- Thank you for this great project!! Wanted to weigh in on how to get Richardson's books (and any others) from your public library that they don't have in their catalogs: Interlibrary Loan or ILL. I use it frequently as a card-carrying library fanatic; my library system is in a pretty big city and has a large catalog but I still find things I want to read that aren't available regularly. Ask your library how to access the ILL system; it's usually easy and gives you access to books and other materials from at least all over the country. Just another great service from a frequently under-appreciated public resource that we all must be very careful and vigilant to protect.
Public libraries are the most democratic of American institutions. As a librarian for 37 years and director for 22, we relied on our patrons to alert us of books they want to read through "suggestion to purchase" slips and emails. Of course, anticipating demand for Heather Cox Richardson's newest book would have put that title in an acquisitions cart months before its released. At the time we purchased a copy for every 3 requests, so by the time of purchase there would have been multiple copies in the cart. Now, there is a possibility that some librarians whose libraries are in very conservative communities, would withhold the purchase of the book for fear of community blowback. In the library world this is called pre-selection censorship. So, the way around this is to make sure if your library does not have the book is to make the request. I am sure many others are doing the same and there should be no way the library would not purchase the book. Of course, to help your library's acquisitions budget go further, you may donate your book to the library.
Further to my comment, what about high school libraries? Any sense of how to approach them?
I checked with my local high school, and they do not have a copy of Democracy Awakening. I am going to give them my copy, and perhaps, check with other schools in this area to donate more copies. Reverse of book banning!!!
Robert--My experience was with public libraries so I am not so well versed in their acquisition practices as they are tied to curriculum. But as we know, school libraries are at the forefront of resisting censorship and attacks from parts of their community, which has been going on long before the MAGA outrage of recent years.
I would suggest readers look at the American Association of School Libraries, a division of American Library Association, web site, https://www.ala.org/aasl/ , and/or interact with their state library association.Directory here, https://www.ala.org/aasl/about/chapters/directory
Perhaps donating directly to high school Gvmt & English instructors? In our area, they keep a personal library for the students.
Thanks for this helpful information, and thanks for your service as a librarian and director.
Is there a uniform way to donate books to the library? Or does it depend on the library? Is there a national book donation service? Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Robert--It would depend on the local library and their policies. Many times libraries want their donations to go through their local Friends of Libraries group for book sales, so that revenue generated helps to close the gap in public funding. However, that said, new books, or books that would fit with collection development policies would likely be directed to the library. Hope that answers your question somewhat.
A donated book will often go to the Friends bookstore because a donated book, if sufficiently robust for circulation, must go through a cataloging process for entry into the library’s holdings database. Libraries typically do acquisitions through a small number of vendors who supply all the cataloguing info for ready assimilation into the database. Catalogers are an expensive, specialized small cluster of folks usually beyond the financial reach of small (10 branches or less) library systems.
Good point to bring up -- libraries don't know what people think or want until and unless they tell them. I occasionally make requests for purchase, but most often I realize that my wish is for something w/o a wide audience, so I don't take it personally when it's not fulfilled. I think (italicized!) that I influenced my library to start pre-ordering books by a particular author that they'd overlooked; I can tell when I put one on 'Hold' that other people are reading her, so that's wonderful. Made me so happy to think that I had that small influence!
Meredith, you also make a good point. Librarians look for ways to include a book in a collection and not to exclude it. By making your requests known to library staff will let them know that someone in the community wants to read this book, and if another person suggests it, there is the trigger for ordering it. Many libraries are parts of larger consortia where some library in the system will purchase the title and it will be available to everyone, so multiple libraries do not have to purchase it. Sharing resources is how libraries work, both for their patrons and with other libraries. Thanks for the note.
I just checked by phone with the closest branch of my public library, and DEMOCRACY AWAKENING is in the county library system and several people have it on reserve. That is encouraging news. If it hadn't been, I would have requested that it be added.
Thanks for pointing that out, Meredith. Same here. From eastern Long Island, I have access to not only both of the island’s counties’, but also NYC’s libraries. My requests rarely have to leave the state. Huzzah! This has been my mainstay in homeschooling (pre-pandemic rush) my two teens, and we all have benefited greatly from it; the system is invaluable. The heroic librarians trip over themselves to help the curious. Love love love the library network!
I lived in South Carolina for a period of 5 years recently, and the fantastic Richland County library system pretty much saved me from going crazy in that very repressive environment. Wonderful people, creative and compassionate services: I can't say enough good things about them. I'm with you -- Love love love the library network! It's all these pieces and parts that I believe will join if/when we have to? that I believe will save us ...
Agreed!❤️
"Supreme Court pretends to release ethics code" made me laugh. So very true.
Another example of NYT's "And Why That's Bad News For Joe Biden" -- there's been an article above the fold for the past 24 hours stating " Democratic Aides In Congress Break With Their Bosses on Israel-Hamas War" with a subhead that reads "A wave of current and former staff members, mostly of a younger generation, are agitating for a cease-fire and speaking out against their bosses’ positions." https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/us/politics/democratic-aides-congress-israel-hamas.html
What the article neglects to include though is any perspective on the numbers: the 550 staffers who signed the letter represent around 3.5% of Congressional staffers, 7% if you are only looking at Democrats. So hardly the massive rebellion the article, which relies mostly on quotes from Ilhan Omar's senion advisor, would indicate.
Thanks, Allan. As always, additional information is always helpful.
The New York Times has made a few missteps, and I just canceled my subscription. I’ve lost faith in some of their reporting, and I’m not educated enough to determine what some of the flaws are, but I am very grateful when someone anayzes them and points them out.
Nevertheless, it’s saddening that so many Congressional aides exhibit bad judgment.
Agreed, especially since so many young people don't seem to understand the complex history. This post shared on social media is a helpful start...
"IMPORTANT READ!
Please share with your college & beyond kids, especially if they don’t understand the historical context.
Anonymous letter, written by a University Professor who teaches biblical studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. I am re-posting it (verbatim).
-----
Dear Students,
I have spent the last 25 years showing you the beauty of all of the literary, cultural, philosophical, & artistic heights of the human spirit over the course of human history. Teaching you has been the most wonderful & satisfying of callings. I never wanted to do anything other than meet with you, discuss ideas with you, discover & rediscover human insights, truths, & wonders. I never regretted my career path, never hated my job, & never doubted my legacy. I felt privileged & honoured to show you how to analyse, to think critically, to weigh evidence, & to understand people & ideas, contexts & complexity, deeply & thoroughly. I thought my work was helping to make the world a better, more humane, more thoughtful place.
You have broken my heart. No: shattered it, irreparably. I don’t know how I will ever set foot in a classroom again. I don’t know how I will ever see you the same way. I know now that I was deluding myself that I ever had any impact, would ever leave any positive legacy, that my work ever made any difference.
I watch you all on social media, in the streets & the quads, marching in solidarity with a movement that seeks only to wipe me out. To exterminate me, my children, my parents, my entire family & community. I know, some of you think you’re trying to help the oppressed. You think that my kind is the white colonialist racist kind that you hate. But I thought I taught you how to evaluate arguments. I thought I taught you the importance of understanding context, both historical & rhetorical. I thought that I taught you that the world did not operate according to dichotomies, like black & white, oppressor & oppressed, villain and victim. I thought I taught you about complexity, about judgment, & to examine your sources & not to take anyone’s statements at face value.
Zionism is the Jewish right to self-determination in our ancestral homeland. Israel is that ancestral homeland. Jews are the indigenous peoples of that land; not the only indigenous peoples of that land, to be sure. But Israel is the only land to which we are indigenous. After 2000 years of longing, the result of the Holocaust – a Nazi movement which sought to ethnically cleanse the world of Jews by systematically exterminating us – was that the international community granted us a sliver of that ancestral homeland. It was to be shared, partitioned into a Jewish state & an Arab state. The Arabs rejected the partition & attacked the Jews when they declared the state of Israel in 1948. The Jews won. Arabs who remained in Israel became citizens with full rights & freedoms. 20% of Israel’s population today is Arab. They fight in the army, they are doctors, lawyers, members of Parliament & supreme court judges. There is no apartheid. Israel’s Jewish population consists of Jews from Arab lands, whose parents or grandparents were kicked out when the state of Israel was formed, & of descendants of refugees from Eastern Europe, Holocaust survivors who had no homes to return to. Some are more recent refugees from Europe, Russia, & the Americas who either returned to Israel for religious reasons or because the Jew-hatred in their communities grew too excessive & they decided to emigrate, to head for the one place in the world Jews can go if their neighbours or governments turn against them.
The West Bank & Gaza strip – along with refugee camps that still exist in Lebanon, Syria, & Jordan -- were the places that the Arab nations who attacked Israel at its founding told the Arabs living in Palestine (later to be known as Palestinians) to flee. It was supposed to be temporary, because the plan was to “push the Jews into the sea.” When the plan didn’t work out, all of these states refused to absorb the Palestinians. They wanted to keep them in camps because they still planned to annihilate Israel & the Jews that lived there & then the Palestinians could return. The West Bank was in Jordan & Gaza was in Egypt until 1967, when the Arab states tried again to push the Jews into the sea. Their failure this time ended with Israel capturing these territories. When Israel tried to exchange land for peace & give Gaza back to Egypt, Egypt didn’t want it. And so the territories remained in Israel. In 2005 Israel pulled out of Gaza & left it to govern itself. Most of the West Bank is also self-governing, but not all because of the high number of suicide bombers & other threats to Israel’s existence fomenting there, so Israel hasn’t been able to fully remove itself. The current awful Israeli government has allowed religious fanatics, “settlers,” to build settlements there, which makes everything worse.
And you see what I did there? I criticized Israel’s government. I can do that, & still support the existence of a Jewish state in our ancestral homeland.
When you say “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” this is a call to ethnic cleansing of Jews from their homeland, from the only state in the entire Middle East that would look remotely familiar to you in terms of basic rights & freedoms & a democratic system if you were to visit the region. When Hamas supporters – like those who led you all in a rally on my home campus today – talk about Jews as “occupiers,” they don’t mean Gaza. They mean the whole state of Israel. They want Jews eradicated from the entire land. Hamas actually wants us gone from the whole world, as they have stated many times. Who are the Nazis now?
But here I am, teaching again. I can’t help myself. I wish that you cared what I had to say. I wish that some knowledge, some context, some understanding, could reach beyond the slogans & chants for my death that you are repeating mindlessly & endlessly as you march to the beat of hatred across the tattered remains of my broken soul."
Thank you, Tracy Tyo. The professor’s letter is at once brilliant, inspiring, and, unfortunately, saddening. // Mike A.
Well said Michael!
SCOTUS “ethics” = utter arrogance
Or, to put it another way, an oxymoron.
Hopeful that Sheldon Whitehouse isn't letting go of this battle, & that the Senate vote was delayed (in part) waiting for Robert's announcement to respond appropriately.
I’ve always had a subconscious view of armed battles over a Trump win and his subsequent actions, sort of January 6 redux. But you’re right, Robert. The answer is civil disobedience on a true national scale. How American would THAT be? And we ALL could do it.
I’m wondering if high school libraries in my area have a copy of Heather’s book. I’ll see if I can find out and provide a copy if not.
Good point!
I suspect that the release of the SCOTUS "ethics code" is a sign that they were getting nervous that Senate Judiciary Democrats were getting serious--planning to subpoena Harlan Crow, Leonard Leo and someone else, and talking about a legally established code. We must not let them off the hook! They are trying to distract and throw us off the scent!
I just wrote to my Senator who sits on the Judiciary Committee to point out the weakness and insulting nature of the Code, and the need for the Senate to stay on the case. I hope others will do the same. Here's the list of members:
Majority Members (11)
Durbin, Richard J. (IL), Chairman
Whitehouse, Sheldon (RI)
Klobuchar, Amy (MN)
Coons, Christopher A. (DE)
Blumenthal, Richard (CT)
Hirono, Mazie K. (HI)
Booker, Cory A. (NJ)
Padilla, Alex (CA)
Ossoff, Jon (GA)
Welch, Peter (VT)
Butler, Laphonza R. (CA)
Minority Members (10)
Graham, Lindsey (SC), Ranking Member
Grassley, Chuck (IA)
Cornyn, John (TX)
Lee, Mike (UT)
Cruz, Ted (TX)
Hawley, Josh (MO)
Cotton, Tom (AR)
Kennedy, John (LA)
Tillis, Thom (NC)
Blackburn, Marsha (TN)
Thanks for being proactive and for writing to your Senator. And thanks for the list.
Thanks for this list. I will be contacting my Senator, who is on this committee.
There are at least 2 groups of people in America who might behave differently than the planners of our national demise anticipate: the military and the oligarchs/business community. That's a lot of people and, certainly, there's great variation among them in political beliefs. But, I know that the military has in place ways for troops to disobey orders that they believe are unconstitutional, corrupt, etc., and I have no reason not to assume that in the event of some of the predicted events like the concentration camps -- would rebel. Since I also believe we're basically at this point 'owned' by the billionaire class and large corporations, I don't think they would support what the Trumpists have in mind for the country -- it's bad for business. Recently, our international credit rating was again decreased to 'negative' (I think that's right -- someone correct me if I've got some of the labels wrong) because of the GOP's inability to govern in the House. Predictably, business interests want a real 'government' that's operational and responsive to their needs and you don't get that within the narrow confines of the White Christian nationalist fascism on offer... By no means, should we count on any support from the military or business to hold back the fascists but I personally believe we might be pleasantly surprised. Esp. w/business: they've been holding back placing bets for the most part because they still think they can pull enough strings behind the scenes. If they see that their hold(s) is/are weakening? I think we'll see some changes in support for MAGA et al.
Important point: "I don't think they would support what the Trumpists have in mind for the country -- it's bad for business."
By all accounts, many megadonor Republican business leaders have abandoned Trump. He is raising money mostly from small dollar donors. See https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/11/politics/republican-donors-super-pacs-trump-2024/index.html
Thank you. I didn't read your reply before I replied to Bill Alstrom, saying something similar about the funding. And, I first got that idea -- several years ago -- from listening to Heather Cox Richardson's FB chats on politics&history. Business interests are almost always politically conservative, I think; but the definitions of conservative/liberal/other are in a state of flux right now...
I think the more appropriate point is that businesses ultimately will oppose what they think is bad for their businesses.
Hope you are right. Logic would dictate so. But millions of Americans are eschewing logic for anger and bigotry. But I do like your thinking. Hope the oligarchs do as well.
As I understand it, Moody's didn't actually do a downgrade of the credit rating. They downgraded the economic outlook for America to negative. Not good either way.
Well, that's considerably different, and thank you for the correction. I had a feeling I wasn't thorough on that -- my point overall being that everyone suffers financially when international perception degrades... Some of the oligarchs have withdrawn funding from Trump and DeSantis and my most recent take on it is that they're still trying to decide in which GOP candidate to invest ... Maybe this is a signal that they're not [all?] going to continue to fund extremism.
Hi Robert,
WOW! The other day you recommended that we write directly to columnists with our complaints about non-coverage of Trumps rants and fascist language. I wrote directly to the news department of the NYTImes and just got this response. They actually read my comment and answered me!!! I encourage all of your readers to write! Here is the exchange with the Times:
Good Morning,
Thank you for writing to the newsroom. You may be interested in this article that we published yesterday: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/us/politics/trump-vermin-rhetoric-fascists.html
Aidan Gardiner, news assistant
Your submission:
Tell us about it. Please be as specific as possible.
Why are you using kid gloves to cover Trump's authoritarian and dangerous rants? You are covering him as if he were a normal candidate. He is NOT normal. He shows signs of cognitive dissonance and is now spewing fascist nonsense in every speech and every post on Truth Social. We deserve better from your wonderful reporters and headline writers! I rely on the Times as my primary news source and am extremely disappointed in your election coverage.
If you’re referring to a specific article, please paste the link below:
Trump's Veterans Day comments
Woo hoo! The response you received suggests that the NYTimes heard you (and others) loud and clear! Thanks for doing. your part!!
Well done Jacqueline!
Good for you, Jacqueline!
Robert, I love the image of Trump stuck in a dark room without TV, without internet, without cheeseburgers, and without his lackeys hovering to obey his orders. Hissy-fit and tantrum time!
"...Trump stuck in a dark room..." Ya mean the one with parallel floor-to-ceiling metal slats for the front door?
Put tRump in solitary confinement with the above mentioned conditions. Can you even imagine his behavior???!!!
The guards would not give him ketchup.
As Rachel Maddow pointed out last night, it is the responsibility of the Republican party to stop him. They have been afraid to do so. Hopefully they will stand up for our country soon.