It really pisses Me off that Dems have to be so on the defensive when the Republican opposition is mired in crap up to their eyeballs. And for Bloomberg to put out such obvious slime is the most depressing thing yet. I thought that he was one billionaire who would defend democracy. So Dems are getting it from everywhere - divided and with no Allies in sight. Dems can’t even agree that Joe, who is performing better than the average bear, is our best shot. The best that the country has seen in decades. Against the worst in the history of the country.
On top of that, I get a deluge of begging emails, texts, calls, from all comers, repubs included. Some don’t have any way to unsubscribe, which is especially irksome. And of course, there are those I would like to help but have less resources than I once had. Great that early donations make a considerable impact, but I doubt that there will be a nanosecond between now and Nov when the need will be less critical.
What to do? Well, what I can, of course. But it feels like prewar Germany to me. I so hope I’m wrong. Your encouraging words are badly needed. Living in a blood red state causes brain freeze sometimes.
I am with you on the pissed off part. So Dems are responsible for their Republican "flawed candidate"? Hmmmm. Republicans gave us this horrible man and his odious menagerie. They have rammed him down our throats and we are to blame?! Such hogwash! And you are also right about the begging e-mails which grow exponentially larger in number each day. I give what I can but am annoyed at the desperation and tone of a lot of these e-mails.
I ignore all. I will take from savings, and give to those that I have already vetted. Just can't deal with the onslaught of emergency needs. I used to give to environmental and wildlife causes. Now everybody's resources are going down the black hold of ridiculous political crap.
we can thank Charles Koch, and other rich cretins who have skewed our world to the extent that our priorities are upside down.
Gus, don't think about Koch. Charles is the name of our beautiful river that runs between Cambridge and Boston--past Harvard University, where my parents met when they were in grad school--before it flows into Boston Harbor. The water is no longer dirty--the song that goes, "I love that dirty water--ah, Boston you're my home!" is now obsolete--in fact, I've seen painted turtles lounging in it as it flows through Cambridge. I've lived here now for 24 years, and for the first 10 or so, every time I drove along the Charles I felt like I was going to hear a symphony!
I agree completely about the tone! Give me a positive reason to support you!! I actually answered a "desperate" text with that recommendation; didn't hear back.
I got a positive text from someone (can't remember now) that started out with a friendly, humorous comment (can't remember!) and I was moved to donate. I'm on a fixed income so can't do too many of those new ones, but I was inspired.
Sorry for the rant. It’s late (or early) and I just read comments (on Next Door) praising to the heavens a billboard supporting chump, about 20 miles to the West. Only one of many suggested that he is not worthy of adoration. This is truly “insaneville.” Sadly, it’s not just Texas…
Do not be concerned about your rant. In fact, don’t characterize it as a rant but your efforts to speak the truth of the challenge we face. We are, as Joyce Vance states, “in this together.” We will be strong together when we appreciate your sentiments and move to action en masse.
It (the bleeding red) is chilling. Yet, I am a few chapters in to Heather Cox-Richard’s book and recognize we have been here before. We will move forward together. Hug your granddaughter and help her navigate the community she lives in the strength of her grandmother. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Jeri, but don’t despair. Remember we hold the White House and the Senate, Republicans can’t get anything through the House, and they have no policy but hate. The fascists make a lot of noise, but they are on the defensive, desperate, and going down.
I’m sorry I respect your comments but today is no way near pre war Germany and the existence of social media keeps a light on things even if you need to search hard for the truth. Money helps win elections but feet on the ground volunteering wins elections.
Jeri, you came on like fire that’s burning in the forest! I absolutely agree with everything you originally said. A person not living in these excruciating red states can understand what that’s like. My friend who lives outside of Atlanta tells me the same exact thing. Hang in there because your words are always needed to be heard.
I feel like the forest is burning, and neighbors are pouring on the accelerant. The chump billboard made my head explode. There haven't been many bumper stickers for either party. Likely because people don't want vandalism. So now they are putting his ugly arse up where it can't be ignored. They want to turn the purple blood red. Grrr
Should I reject the evidence of my eyes and ears. I desperately cling to my long-standing, non-specific optimism but I cannot ignore the changes that were gradual and now are flooding my red world with bull Schitt (as Bannon said). I understand the power of self-fulfilling prophecies, but I worry more about Bannon’s prophesy, which he is fulfilling with grotesque efficiency.
Huge pet peeve of mine is that ActBlue sells our information to https://www.ngpvan.com which sells lists to political candidates, resulting in emails & text messages from candidates all over the US. I haven't found a way to unsubscribe from ngpvan. But for sure I never use ActBlue anymore.
Well, one can write a check to the candidate, or use ActBlue and plan to use STOP on text msgs for a very long time. I WISH I had set up a separate email for all things politics.
Oh my. I didn’t realize you live in a red state. That’s got to be tough. Blaming Trump on Dems is beyond bs. It’s pathetic. For all their talk about taking responsibility they seem to have a problem with owning up to their mistakes.
I wish he'd hurry up and die, and if he's not dead by this time next year I hope he's been beaten in a landslide.
I think his mere presence organizes his base, and that once he's gone they will quickly become very disorganized, and that will enable us to feel relaxed.
Jeri, I think you are right on all points. I especially relate to your observations about the “deluge of begging....” On that note I have decided to survey the current landscape and make a plan for myself seeking groups and candidates that I can best determine are most in need and most important to recapturing the House and, potentially, the Senate. What groups might I plan to support to get young people registered and any voters out the vote? Then I act within that plan while also being prepared to pivot.
By doing this I am hoping to tune out the “deluge” until such time as new information rises up to garner some review. I mean, how many times must I even glance at the “I hate to keep asking...” begging or James Carville using expletives to bash me into waking up?
Let’s breathe, give all we’ve got and expect that an army of citizens alert to the demands of our time will join us. We must persist, accept that the deluge won’t go away. We can do this. We must.
According to Crook, Democrats are to blame for Trump because:
They chose a “flawed” candidate to run against Trump in 2016.
Every single presidential candidate in American history had flaws. Some have overcome their flaws. Was Crook suggesting that he preferred Biden in 2016?
They dismiss claims of a rigged election in 2020 despite “popular concerns.”
If there are "popular concerns" about the 2020 election being rigged, it is because of Republican misinformation. Claims of rigging have been found wanting in every court.
They fail to apply the law “evenhandedly” to Trump and Joe Biden
. Consider the issue of lack of "evenhandedness" regarding classified documents. Biden (and Pence, for that matter, turned over all documents once they were discovered. Trump? He attempted to keep classified documents through deceit and resistance.
They “hail” the successes of Bidenomics despite the “feelings” of Republicans that the economy is bad.
The economy is terrific. Unemployment is very low. Inflation has declined to very near the Fed's goals. People feel the effects of previous inflation because prices have stopped increasing, but they have not declined. Hard as it may be to accept the current prices, the effect of a deflation, of lowering the current prices, would undoubtedly be worse.
They failed to “surface a better candidate” for the 2024 election.
Personally, I am delighted with Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate. He has an outstanding record. With the support of Congress, he prevented a post-covid depression. With passage of crucial legislation, we can look forward to improving our infrastructure, combatting the climate crisis, and an enviable future. Internationally, he has restored the European alliance and supported Israel. The Republicans have failed to sustain a commitment to oppose tyrants. They backed off fighting the Russians and will probably back off fighting Hamas as well.
I agree, Jon. With Republicans, it’s all projection; every accusation is a confession. Through voter intimidation, gerrymandering, and purging voters from the rolls, Republicans tried to defeat Biden, but he still won by millions of votes due to Democratic turnout. The same goes for down ballot races.
Thank you for that. Chump thought he had pulled out all the stops. I did too. No wonder he couldn’t believe Joe won, he is the master manipulator. And he has learned, as have his disciples.
FINALLY! "It's on us" appears to be working. It demonstrates the power of the individual and the force for good the citizen's collective engenders. Today's NY Times top of the page 1 headline: "Why a Second Trump Presidency May Be More Radical Than His First - Donald Trump has long exhibited authoritarian impulses, but his policy operation is now more sophisticated, and the buffers to check him are weaker." Personally, I do not believe The NY Times would have arrived at this analysis if it was not for the efforts of Robert and others like him.
Substack may, at first glance, appear to be simply a literate, articulate, agglomeration of self-satisfied liberals speaking in an echo chamber to one's intellectual peers and political compatriots. What I experience are people reflecting out loud in a trusting environment seeking a semblance of truth telling that might impact the national dialog. Today's headline is evidence that we make a difference. I sometimes self-reproach feeling that I am not doing enough. This morning, I am holding hands with y'all, and, without any sense of arrogance, boasting (with dignity) that we and others out there throughout America are taking the "It's On Us" to heart.
I agree that the NY Times appears to be listening to people's comments. A couple of weeks ago, they changed a headline twice in the course of a day, making it increasingly stronger in the way it talked critically about Trump.
They do that to see what gets more clicks, Kim. Not because they feel some moral imperative to speark more harshly about Trump.
It's a common tactic in the media industry and the Times does it quite often across the board, from recipe articles to sports stories, as well as politics.
I believe you’re right. The writers i follow on Substack spur me on to being a more engaged citizen and to find ways to take action. They have also helped me refine my thinking. Very helpful.
I've written to the NYT twice in the last week to express my displeasure. These letters, together with all of yours, seem to be having an impact. It's about time.
“Oh, geez! Now “Never Trumpers” are blaming Democrats for Trump.“
This is typical Repub propaganda. Bloomberg himself ran as a Dem only because the North East is bluer than red, but their Dems are more corporate oriented than people oriented.
Even back in 2016 the Repub talking heads that didn’t like thump still couldn’t even SUGGEST voting for Hillary. It wasn’t much better in 2020 & they’re still at it. What they want is a Joe Manchin Dem that will ignore anything other than lowering taxes & promote corporate welfare.
I appreciated your remarks on Saturday O’Connor. Well, we can be grateful that she stood firm on some key issues. Her highly politicized choice in Bush v. Gore simply should remind us all that in the end the choices made for the Supreme Court are critical to our future and this is another reason to support Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris. I do believe that Sandra Day O’Connor repented in leisure, and for that, I’m grateful that she had a conscience, nonetheless we cannot afford the future to the Republican party – either hers or the one we’re stuck with now. Let’s get to work.
You're right, of course. The problem is that a substantial % of the population now believes that, not only is democracy not their business or concern, but that they don't want it, period.
The other day I was pretty hard on Charlie Sykes of the Bulwark.
Today I’d like to offer praise to another Never Trunper, Tara Setmeyer of the Lincoln Project. On Ayman Moheldin’s program on MSNBC last night, she said something that caused me to pump my fist and shout “finally”! I’ve not heard it on MSNBC before.
She pointed out in one of MSNBC’s endless worry segments about Trump’s trial calendar and the 2024 election calendar and will there be any guilty findings before November, that it isn’t actually necessary that any of these trials complete before the election. The presumption of innocence and need of a conviction applies only to punishing Trump with fines, incarceration, etc. it does not apply - at all - to the question of anyone voting against him. Nobody on the GOP side is hesitating about using bullshit about Hunter Biden to claim that Joe Biden is unfit for office. Voters can take into account the preponderance of evidence against Trump and not be bound by the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard. They have no such obligation. In fact, and I know this dates me, they can even cast their votes on the basis of “issues”!
This blindingly obvious point has been obscured by the continuing coverage of these trials by the liberal media. The evidence exposed in these trials is relevant. Speculation about dates isn’t.
That is an excellent point, Steve! All the indictments, etc., do count!
And I have to say that I'm absolutely confident in Joe Biden's integrity, his decency, his ability, his cognitive agility, and his overall health. I've never had such confidence in a president before, and I've been around since the first summer of the Eisenhower Administration.
The New York Times's influence in shaping our election expectations cannot be overstated. The Times currently has 10 million print and digital subscribers. However, it's influence may reach 100 million voters each day, given it's status as the most valid and followed news source for multiple media platforms, blogs and journals around the world . Just the frequency with which the biased NYTs/Sienna poll has been quoted as "fact" in print media and on TV is a prime example.
The NYTs bias against Biden-2024 is both dangerous, highly irresponsible and perhaps psychotic What after all is the sum and substance of the Times' critique?
---Not the least whiff of policy differences. Solely that Biden is too old!!
(Has any journalist praised Biden for offering to spend another 4 years near the end of his life working tirelessly for the American people?)
---Ageism is the "irresponsible" part of the NYT critique. The "psychotic" part is aiding the alternative; Trump!! We know the NYTs recognizes the threat Trump II represents to American democracy....
But what's chilling to me is their apparent blindness to the direct threat Trump II represents to the NYTs itself. Does AG Sulzberger really believe both he personally and the Times would not be a target for an empowered Trump and Steven Miller?
Many of us on Robert's Substack have been making this point directly to NYTs journalists and in letters to the editor to no apparent effect.
With literally millions of pro-Biden supporters across the liberal Substack community and hundreds of grassroots activits organizations,
we need to launch a collective 6 month action campaign to get the NYTs (which will get many other news orgs) start reporting news about Biden....any ideas?
I'm ready to start now. We want to win 60-40 in 2024..
One suggestion is to point out to these media outfits that President Biden won the election by seven million more votes than did Trump. That means there are way more folks who want to know what the Biden Administration is up to than about the guy they voted out. The little Johnny one note about age is tiresome and assuming most people can count, redundant.
I believe you are vastly overstating the influence of the New York Times whose influence does not extend much beyond the center-left "chatttering classes." What's more, the Times has built their readership base in recent years around silos like Cooking, Games and Sports, not news and politics.
I have to remind myself often that the vast majority of people in the US are not the least bit engaged in politics and what is going on in the world. They're far more engrossed with the Golden Bachelor, Taylor Swift and the NFL. They get their news from Facebook or from ads that run during campaign season or from their co-workers at lunchtime. And they will start paying attention to the election when things ramp up next September.
I agree that the individual readership of the NYTs is not what we need to be concerned about. Rather it's the outsized influence the NYTs has across much of the MSM in shaping what the Times considers appropriate political views..
While I think you are right to some degree, there's a way that news from major outlets kind of gets into the atmosphere--Hillary's emails, for example, or the fact that Hunter Biden is being investigated, or the absolute certainty that we should be in recession by now. Right wing media is much more adept at getting it out there, but it certainly doesn't help when less partisan media plays along. I think they may be realizing that. Just in the last week or so, there was the Kagan editorial in the WaPo (I know Robert didn't like it, but it may be a wake-up call for some people who have been complacent), this front-page story in NYT, The Atlantic is out with a whole issue exploring what a 2nd Trump term would mean. NPR had an extended interview with Liz Cheney this morning, and she didn't pull any punches.
Social media is a cesspool of misinformation, but I do think that even people who don't really pay attention to serious news outlets kind of pick up the "vibes," so it's really important that they report honestly on what the economy is doing and what Trump's plans are. Some people will choose those plans, but an awful lot won't if they really understand them.
As one example, here's a quote from a Yale database on the media:
Newspapers are not as easy to classify as other sources. Newspapers are not scholarly sources, but some would not properly be termed popular, either. Every source must be questioned for its stake in the material.The New York Post is notoriously inflammatory, for instance, and also seems to love television shows broadcast on the Fox network (owned by the same company). But some newspapers, such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, have developed a national or even worldwide reputation for thoroughness. On issues of fact, major mainstream magazines such as Newsweek and Time are also generally reliable.
I'm sure it is several years old. What's relevant to the NYTs current status is their great success transforming into a digital news company. Newsweek and Time never effectively made the transition.
Merrill, Your key point re: NY Times - “The NYTs bias against Biden-2024 is both dangerous, highly irresponsible and perhaps psychotic What after all is the sum and substance of the Times' critique?”
The six month collective action is one very important proposal. Let’s do it! Let’s get it organized, make it happen!
Robert, thanks for pointing out how we should focus on the hypocrisy of the Zieglers here in the “Don’t Say Gay “state.Local media is pretty much “radio silent” as are the two other founders of Moms(NOT!) for Liberty who reside in my community.
Speaking of getting out the vote, we can help by sharing/supporting/volunteering with People Power for Florida. PPFF is boots-on-the-ground throughout the year!
“We’re building transformational change in Florida—through our multi-class, multi-racial, and multi-generational voter registration and empowerment efforts”.
Robert: "So, it is shocking—or entirely predictable?—that Christian Zeigler has been accused of raping a woman after a planned three-way sexual encounter with Christian Zeigler, Bridget Ziegler, and the rape victim was called off."
I'd say entirely predictable. All that morally repressed sexual energy has to go somewhere.
Thank you for this link, Kathy. I’m past the stage/age of being a frontline volunteer so just donated to help support those who can do the leg work here in the FL “red swamp.” I take some satisfaction in writing postcards yet, at times, feel it may be inadequate. Knowing of, and supporting this state organization helps me feel a bit better.
I hadn't thought about the fact that pretty much EVERYONE -- except, of course, MAGA et al. who want to play with our form of national government and haven't learned anything from history or reviewing the results of that kind of game in other countries -- expects and demands that the Democrats fix this mess. I have a particular difficulty appreciating people like The Lincoln Project, Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, and Adam Kinzinger who can take credit for starting and supporting people and policies of racism, misogyny, Christian nationalism, and a destruction of the rule of law. And, No Thanks as well to people like George Conway and Bill Barr and on and on who are now working to re-establish credibility when they assisted or just stood by watching the Trump carnage occur. AND (sorry, feeling especially Ranty this morning ...) No Thanks to the media who almost to a man/woman/other have carefully and purposefully created a narrative supporting MAGA or minimizing Trump's dangerousness and denigrating Biden all in service of the big buck. BAD DOGS!!!!!!!! Yeah, the Democrats who are always mocked for being too wuss-ish etc. are, however, expected to charge in and fix something that's been in play now for decades.
Meredith, I certainly sympathize with your resentment toward the people who got us here--Republican operatives in particular. But the people you mention (maybe not Bill Barr) have largely admitted their role in our current situation, and are working hard to stop Trump. We need to welcome them to the fight--after all, they are the ones who know how to talk to Republicans and right-leaning Independents. We can argue about policy details when and if we have secured our democracy.
I may be having a temporary respite from open-mindedness, because I adopted the same stance you describe in the beginning. I think, though, it's important to keep in mind that most of these GOP/former Trump supporters would support 'policy details' that aren't that far off from those of MAGA, e.g., military predominance, the unitary executive, White Christian nationalism, anti-abortion, support for the oligarchy. It's hard right now for me to relegate their policy beliefs with a desire to support anything resembling a representative democracy. But, I agree; at least for me I can fake my way to supporting and appreciating any and all support. I don't think I as of today can get to the genuine, though.
I do know what you mean. I struggle with the question of crossing over to vote for Haley in the primary. She's unacceptable to me, both on the basis of policies, and her failure to really address the problem with Trump. But I do think the country would survive a Haley presidency. It would be terrible if she had coattails in the general, though. I'm not sure she has a lot of appeal for white Christian nationalists. Maybe they would crawl back under their rocks.
I don't think the GOP dark money hidden leaders would let WCN's crawl back under a rock after working for decades to cultivate them. They knew they needed numbers, and they knew they could get numbers by focusing on abortion, guns, and gays. We just need to keep growing the numbers on the democracy side.
They're never going to crawl back under their rocks. Truly. Look at the past 50 years ... and it doesn't matter one little bit what values their leaders express through their behaviors; so, no help there. Haley is, of course, untruthful and will say anything to manipulate her way around a direct conflict. I lived in SC for 5 years, part of which was during her governorship and, Nope:Haley for me. I can't guarantee this, of course; but the people I read who I trust to have the most realistic grip on political realities think that Trump is so far ahead that he'll win the nomination regardless of how well Haley might do in a few states.
Because "it's on us" I really appreciated the fantastic webinar Robert organized about burnout. I learned a ton and feel fired up again. So I'm reaching out to this group with my question: What's the most effective form of outreach that helps us connect with voters so that we can increase our voter base and Democratic Committee? Thanks in advance for your help.
There is no single thing but if I were you I would focus on getting voters registered especially young voters because turnout is the key. If you have local universities get connected with students and have them help you resister them to vote.
Good thought - thank you. We've done "tabling" in the student center in the past, but several in my outreach group want to do things like "Game Night" and a concert on campus. Some think this is a good way to attract young people, and if we have Dem materials (voter registration cards, state Dem platform cards), then it's a way to start a conversation. Others in the group don't think these kind of events move the needle enough. Thoughts?
Every little bit helps, and you never know what will affect people. A bunch of Democrats getting together and celebrating democracy on campus has got to help. And it will be fun.
I understand how the specter of a Trump 2nd presidency is frightening to all sane people, but I think anxiety levels could be toned down. Remember, Trump's own popular vote losses got worse for him, and Republicans in general are getting hammered in special election after special election. And sane people will work hard to prevent Trump from returning to power--that's a given.
But I have another reason for a certain level of confidence. From June through October, my wife and I traveled around the country on an art project. We ranged about, driving through 28 states, blue and red (and 183 towns and cities) clocking in a little over 10,000 miles. And in all our travels, we saw less than a dozen examples of right-wing regalia: whether an Insurrectionist flag or a pro-Trump poster or billboard. One DeSantis 2024 poster. One Let's Go Brandon poster. And let me be clear, the 28 states we drove through included 9 red states: West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.
By contrast, wherever we drove, red or blue states, we saw thousands and thousands of Pride Flags or Pride-colored posters, No Hate Here posters, We Believe in Science and BLM posters.
I'm not saying those right-wing voters aren't out there. But they're simply not pounding their chests publicly on their front lawns (even in red states). They seem to have lost their mojo. By contrast, the Left and other sane people around the country, are clearly proud and unafraid.
The issues are on our side, and we are determined to preserve our democracy.
I should also mention that wherever we travelled, we saw a diverse population of Americans, everywhere. A few examples: in Columbus, Ohio, a line of women in chadors waiting to buy ice cream; in Topeka, Kansas, an African grocery store; and did you know there's a popular Laotian restaurant in Oklahoma City? The MAGA bigots don't understand that the US is already incredibly diverse. There is no going back. They have already lost.
Another surprise on our travels. The thousands upon thousands of wind turbines in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. People living there might like to deny climate change, but it seems they also know a business opportunity when they see one.
“ Since you agree that Trump is “dangerous” and should be defeated, it would really be helpful if you tried to convince your Republican friends of that fact. Trash-talking the Democrat party does not seem like a helpful way to achieve that goal. How about directing your editorial talents to explain why Trump is dangerous and unfit to be re-elected?”
I was prepared to leave Robert’s use of “the Democrat Party” alone as I chalked it up as a mistake, but could we please not repeat it in correspondence to others? It is The Democratic party, and I will not stand for the Republican bastardization of it. Again, I’m not blaming Robert; to err is human, and all that, I don’t want to see it repeated is all.
Thanks Dean, because I don’t think we should amplify what is considered a derogatory name for the Democratic Party. I’m assuming it was a typo. The Republicans are worse than spoiled children. They have absolutely no policies, and their whole reason for being is to insult, deflect, and lie. Somehow they think this is going to get them ahead, but it’s not working. Every day they look more and more foolish and helpless.
Yeah, I assumed it was a typo on Robert’s end and didn't want to be pedantic about it, but when I saw it being copied into something designed to be sent out, I thought I should mention it. The use of that term has irritated me for a couple of decades.
Bush v Gore was raw politics and a blight on our history. And then the Republicans demonized Hillary, the most experienced candidate who would have been an excellent president.
The Republicans have damaged our country in countless ways.
We need to defeat them at the polls in 2024.
Thanks, Robert, for your continued encouragement to look to the future in spite of the past.
The travails of the Zieglers in Florida, when I read of them, brought immediately to mind the screaming hypocrisies of Larry Craig and Ted Haggard, and too many others to name. "Do what I say, not what I do". Gimme a break. They should at least admit that they support by their actions and example the LGBQ+ community.
It really pisses Me off that Dems have to be so on the defensive when the Republican opposition is mired in crap up to their eyeballs. And for Bloomberg to put out such obvious slime is the most depressing thing yet. I thought that he was one billionaire who would defend democracy. So Dems are getting it from everywhere - divided and with no Allies in sight. Dems can’t even agree that Joe, who is performing better than the average bear, is our best shot. The best that the country has seen in decades. Against the worst in the history of the country.
On top of that, I get a deluge of begging emails, texts, calls, from all comers, repubs included. Some don’t have any way to unsubscribe, which is especially irksome. And of course, there are those I would like to help but have less resources than I once had. Great that early donations make a considerable impact, but I doubt that there will be a nanosecond between now and Nov when the need will be less critical.
What to do? Well, what I can, of course. But it feels like prewar Germany to me. I so hope I’m wrong. Your encouraging words are badly needed. Living in a blood red state causes brain freeze sometimes.
I am with you on the pissed off part. So Dems are responsible for their Republican "flawed candidate"? Hmmmm. Republicans gave us this horrible man and his odious menagerie. They have rammed him down our throats and we are to blame?! Such hogwash! And you are also right about the begging e-mails which grow exponentially larger in number each day. I give what I can but am annoyed at the desperation and tone of a lot of these e-mails.
I ignore all. I will take from savings, and give to those that I have already vetted. Just can't deal with the onslaught of emergency needs. I used to give to environmental and wildlife causes. Now everybody's resources are going down the black hold of ridiculous political crap.
we can thank Charles Koch, and other rich cretins who have skewed our world to the extent that our priorities are upside down.
Hey, Jeri. I confess that Charles is my middle name. Doesn't mean anything, but it still bums me out; harshes my buzz. 😵💫😬
Charles Koch gets a lot of help from SCOTUS....
I won't tell. ha
🤫
Gus, don't think about Koch. Charles is the name of our beautiful river that runs between Cambridge and Boston--past Harvard University, where my parents met when they were in grad school--before it flows into Boston Harbor. The water is no longer dirty--the song that goes, "I love that dirty water--ah, Boston you're my home!" is now obsolete--in fact, I've seen painted turtles lounging in it as it flows through Cambridge. I've lived here now for 24 years, and for the first 10 or so, every time I drove along the Charles I felt like I was going to hear a symphony!
I agree completely about the tone! Give me a positive reason to support you!! I actually answered a "desperate" text with that recommendation; didn't hear back.
I got a positive text from someone (can't remember now) that started out with a friendly, humorous comment (can't remember!) and I was moved to donate. I'm on a fixed income so can't do too many of those new ones, but I was inspired.
Boy, Howdy, Jeri; I really do hear you.
Sorry for the rant. It’s late (or early) and I just read comments (on Next Door) praising to the heavens a billboard supporting chump, about 20 miles to the West. Only one of many suggested that he is not worthy of adoration. This is truly “insaneville.” Sadly, it’s not just Texas…
Do not be concerned about your rant. In fact, don’t characterize it as a rant but your efforts to speak the truth of the challenge we face. We are, as Joyce Vance states, “in this together.” We will be strong together when we appreciate your sentiments and move to action en masse.
Thank you. I see my granddaughter afraid to use her voice. The red bleeds all over everything at her job and school. But in the voting booth…
It (the bleeding red) is chilling. Yet, I am a few chapters in to Heather Cox-Richard’s book and recognize we have been here before. We will move forward together. Hug your granddaughter and help her navigate the community she lives in the strength of her grandmother. Thank you for sharing.
I try
Ditto.
Thanks, Jeri, but don’t despair. Remember we hold the White House and the Senate, Republicans can’t get anything through the House, and they have no policy but hate. The fascists make a lot of noise, but they are on the defensive, desperate, and going down.
You suffer from that necessary optimism as well. As Churchill said, of what use is it to be anything else. Or words to that effect.
Right on, Jon!!!
I’m sorry I respect your comments but today is no way near pre war Germany and the existence of social media keeps a light on things even if you need to search hard for the truth. Money helps win elections but feet on the ground volunteering wins elections.
Contact your local Democratic leader and ask them to put up a competing billboard.
Good suggestion.
It would be destroyed. Chump is beloved and his BS preached from pulpits all around. Why I reject bully gospel.
Jeri, you came on like fire that’s burning in the forest! I absolutely agree with everything you originally said. A person not living in these excruciating red states can understand what that’s like. My friend who lives outside of Atlanta tells me the same exact thing. Hang in there because your words are always needed to be heard.
I feel like the forest is burning, and neighbors are pouring on the accelerant. The chump billboard made my head explode. There haven't been many bumper stickers for either party. Likely because people don't want vandalism. So now they are putting his ugly arse up where it can't be ignored. They want to turn the purple blood red. Grrr
Jeri, does your thinking this way and acting accordingly create a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Should I reject the evidence of my eyes and ears. I desperately cling to my long-standing, non-specific optimism but I cannot ignore the changes that were gradual and now are flooding my red world with bull Schitt (as Bannon said). I understand the power of self-fulfilling prophecies, but I worry more about Bannon’s prophesy, which he is fulfilling with grotesque efficiency.
Yes! Bannon and so many others are unnerving. And that is what they want - to keep us on edge and off our game. Not happening.
Do you live in a blue state. I remember visiting DC in 2004 and feeling that maybe W wasn't a shoo in for another term. Silly me.
I will suggest donating to MADDOG, a group that puts up billboards all around.
Sorry, Claude Taylor may not be administering this PAC anymore.
Huge pet peeve of mine is that ActBlue sells our information to https://www.ngpvan.com which sells lists to political candidates, resulting in emails & text messages from candidates all over the US. I haven't found a way to unsubscribe from ngpvan. But for sure I never use ActBlue anymore.
Thank you, was wondering how my info got passed around. ActBlue being a pariah bodes poorly for Dems. What are they thinking?
Well, one can write a check to the candidate, or use ActBlue and plan to use STOP on text msgs for a very long time. I WISH I had set up a separate email for all things politics.
I do, and I wish too
Oh my. I didn’t realize you live in a red state. That’s got to be tough. Blaming Trump on Dems is beyond bs. It’s pathetic. For all their talk about taking responsibility they seem to have a problem with owning up to their mistakes.
It is a different world. Chump is like a GOD. It’s beyond disgusting to see people I’ve known for 30 years act like fools. And they vote….
I wish he'd hurry up and die, and if he's not dead by this time next year I hope he's been beaten in a landslide.
I think his mere presence organizes his base, and that once he's gone they will quickly become very disorganized, and that will enable us to feel relaxed.
Jeri, I think you are right on all points. I especially relate to your observations about the “deluge of begging....” On that note I have decided to survey the current landscape and make a plan for myself seeking groups and candidates that I can best determine are most in need and most important to recapturing the House and, potentially, the Senate. What groups might I plan to support to get young people registered and any voters out the vote? Then I act within that plan while also being prepared to pivot.
By doing this I am hoping to tune out the “deluge” until such time as new information rises up to garner some review. I mean, how many times must I even glance at the “I hate to keep asking...” begging or James Carville using expletives to bash me into waking up?
In this way, I will do as you and give my best and then some because the stakes are so grave. Look here at yet another clarifying substack in Dan Rather’s Steady: https://open.substack.com/pub/steady/p/dictatorship?r=39h2h&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Let’s breathe, give all we’ve got and expect that an army of citizens alert to the demands of our time will join us. We must persist, accept that the deluge won’t go away. We can do this. We must.
I have been a Steady fan for years. Helps keep me “Steady.”
According to Crook, Democrats are to blame for Trump because:
They chose a “flawed” candidate to run against Trump in 2016.
Every single presidential candidate in American history had flaws. Some have overcome their flaws. Was Crook suggesting that he preferred Biden in 2016?
They dismiss claims of a rigged election in 2020 despite “popular concerns.”
If there are "popular concerns" about the 2020 election being rigged, it is because of Republican misinformation. Claims of rigging have been found wanting in every court.
They fail to apply the law “evenhandedly” to Trump and Joe Biden
. Consider the issue of lack of "evenhandedness" regarding classified documents. Biden (and Pence, for that matter, turned over all documents once they were discovered. Trump? He attempted to keep classified documents through deceit and resistance.
They “hail” the successes of Bidenomics despite the “feelings” of Republicans that the economy is bad.
The economy is terrific. Unemployment is very low. Inflation has declined to very near the Fed's goals. People feel the effects of previous inflation because prices have stopped increasing, but they have not declined. Hard as it may be to accept the current prices, the effect of a deflation, of lowering the current prices, would undoubtedly be worse.
They failed to “surface a better candidate” for the 2024 election.
Personally, I am delighted with Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate. He has an outstanding record. With the support of Congress, he prevented a post-covid depression. With passage of crucial legislation, we can look forward to improving our infrastructure, combatting the climate crisis, and an enviable future. Internationally, he has restored the European alliance and supported Israel. The Republicans have failed to sustain a commitment to oppose tyrants. They backed off fighting the Russians and will probably back off fighting Hamas as well.
Sorry, Leonard, but on one point you are mistaken. The 2020 election WAS rigged. But Biden won anyway.
I agree, Jon. With Republicans, it’s all projection; every accusation is a confession. Through voter intimidation, gerrymandering, and purging voters from the rolls, Republicans tried to defeat Biden, but he still won by millions of votes due to Democratic turnout. The same goes for down ballot races.
It's all confessions. Thanks Slope!
Shoot. Janet, I'm sorry. I didn't scroll up far enough and only saw 'Slope.' My one mistake of the week....
No worries. We have plenty of other things to worry about. Lol!
Jon, I'm going to steal and disseminate your last sentence. And use it to reply to any republican rigging claims.
Thanks!
Thank you for that. Chump thought he had pulled out all the stops. I did too. No wonder he couldn’t believe Joe won, he is the master manipulator. And he has learned, as have his disciples.
Crook doesn’t deserve the time you spent writing this response or mine either.
Didn't take long. No real research needed.
Thanks for the update on Moms for Menage a Trois
I've seen some great re-namings including Moms for Libertines and Moms for Choice, etc. What horrible people ...
Moms for Libertines
This bunch gets odder by the day.
FINALLY! "It's on us" appears to be working. It demonstrates the power of the individual and the force for good the citizen's collective engenders. Today's NY Times top of the page 1 headline: "Why a Second Trump Presidency May Be More Radical Than His First - Donald Trump has long exhibited authoritarian impulses, but his policy operation is now more sophisticated, and the buffers to check him are weaker." Personally, I do not believe The NY Times would have arrived at this analysis if it was not for the efforts of Robert and others like him.
Substack may, at first glance, appear to be simply a literate, articulate, agglomeration of self-satisfied liberals speaking in an echo chamber to one's intellectual peers and political compatriots. What I experience are people reflecting out loud in a trusting environment seeking a semblance of truth telling that might impact the national dialog. Today's headline is evidence that we make a difference. I sometimes self-reproach feeling that I am not doing enough. This morning, I am holding hands with y'all, and, without any sense of arrogance, boasting (with dignity) that we and others out there throughout America are taking the "It's On Us" to heart.
I agree that the NY Times appears to be listening to people's comments. A couple of weeks ago, they changed a headline twice in the course of a day, making it increasingly stronger in the way it talked critically about Trump.
They do that to see what gets more clicks, Kim. Not because they feel some moral imperative to speark more harshly about Trump.
It's a common tactic in the media industry and the Times does it quite often across the board, from recipe articles to sports stories, as well as politics.
I believe you’re right. The writers i follow on Substack spur me on to being a more engaged citizen and to find ways to take action. They have also helped me refine my thinking. Very helpful.
I've written to the NYT twice in the last week to express my displeasure. These letters, together with all of yours, seem to be having an impact. It's about time.
Excellent David!! I may copy and post your thoughts around the house for times when I need inspiration. Rock on!!
I agree; they really seem to be listening! Yay us!!
Apparently, Substack is a bunch of self-satisfied liberals with a few Nazis thrown in.
“Oh, geez! Now “Never Trumpers” are blaming Democrats for Trump.“
This is typical Repub propaganda. Bloomberg himself ran as a Dem only because the North East is bluer than red, but their Dems are more corporate oriented than people oriented.
Even back in 2016 the Repub talking heads that didn’t like thump still couldn’t even SUGGEST voting for Hillary. It wasn’t much better in 2020 & they’re still at it. What they want is a Joe Manchin Dem that will ignore anything other than lowering taxes & promote corporate welfare.
Man! Ain’t that the truth, HuliyC?!!
I appreciated your remarks on Saturday O’Connor. Well, we can be grateful that she stood firm on some key issues. Her highly politicized choice in Bush v. Gore simply should remind us all that in the end the choices made for the Supreme Court are critical to our future and this is another reason to support Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris. I do believe that Sandra Day O’Connor repented in leisure, and for that, I’m grateful that she had a conscience, nonetheless we cannot afford the future to the Republican party – either hers or the one we’re stuck with now. Let’s get to work.
"Saturday O'Connor" may be my favorite typo this year!
It’s always been on “us.” That’s what democracy means.
You're right, of course. The problem is that a substantial % of the population now believes that, not only is democracy not their business or concern, but that they don't want it, period.
Good point. I agree.
The other day I was pretty hard on Charlie Sykes of the Bulwark.
Today I’d like to offer praise to another Never Trunper, Tara Setmeyer of the Lincoln Project. On Ayman Moheldin’s program on MSNBC last night, she said something that caused me to pump my fist and shout “finally”! I’ve not heard it on MSNBC before.
She pointed out in one of MSNBC’s endless worry segments about Trump’s trial calendar and the 2024 election calendar and will there be any guilty findings before November, that it isn’t actually necessary that any of these trials complete before the election. The presumption of innocence and need of a conviction applies only to punishing Trump with fines, incarceration, etc. it does not apply - at all - to the question of anyone voting against him. Nobody on the GOP side is hesitating about using bullshit about Hunter Biden to claim that Joe Biden is unfit for office. Voters can take into account the preponderance of evidence against Trump and not be bound by the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard. They have no such obligation. In fact, and I know this dates me, they can even cast their votes on the basis of “issues”!
This blindingly obvious point has been obscured by the continuing coverage of these trials by the liberal media. The evidence exposed in these trials is relevant. Speculation about dates isn’t.
That is an excellent point, Steve! All the indictments, etc., do count!
And I have to say that I'm absolutely confident in Joe Biden's integrity, his decency, his ability, his cognitive agility, and his overall health. I've never had such confidence in a president before, and I've been around since the first summer of the Eisenhower Administration.
Oh! Steve, you are sooo right on. Thanks.
The New York Times's influence in shaping our election expectations cannot be overstated. The Times currently has 10 million print and digital subscribers. However, it's influence may reach 100 million voters each day, given it's status as the most valid and followed news source for multiple media platforms, blogs and journals around the world . Just the frequency with which the biased NYTs/Sienna poll has been quoted as "fact" in print media and on TV is a prime example.
The NYTs bias against Biden-2024 is both dangerous, highly irresponsible and perhaps psychotic What after all is the sum and substance of the Times' critique?
---Not the least whiff of policy differences. Solely that Biden is too old!!
(Has any journalist praised Biden for offering to spend another 4 years near the end of his life working tirelessly for the American people?)
---Ageism is the "irresponsible" part of the NYT critique. The "psychotic" part is aiding the alternative; Trump!! We know the NYTs recognizes the threat Trump II represents to American democracy....
But what's chilling to me is their apparent blindness to the direct threat Trump II represents to the NYTs itself. Does AG Sulzberger really believe both he personally and the Times would not be a target for an empowered Trump and Steven Miller?
Many of us on Robert's Substack have been making this point directly to NYTs journalists and in letters to the editor to no apparent effect.
With literally millions of pro-Biden supporters across the liberal Substack community and hundreds of grassroots activits organizations,
we need to launch a collective 6 month action campaign to get the NYTs (which will get many other news orgs) start reporting news about Biden....any ideas?
I'm ready to start now. We want to win 60-40 in 2024..
One suggestion is to point out to these media outfits that President Biden won the election by seven million more votes than did Trump. That means there are way more folks who want to know what the Biden Administration is up to than about the guy they voted out. The little Johnny one note about age is tiresome and assuming most people can count, redundant.
Great comment and suggestion. Tks
I believe you are vastly overstating the influence of the New York Times whose influence does not extend much beyond the center-left "chatttering classes." What's more, the Times has built their readership base in recent years around silos like Cooking, Games and Sports, not news and politics.
I have to remind myself often that the vast majority of people in the US are not the least bit engaged in politics and what is going on in the world. They're far more engrossed with the Golden Bachelor, Taylor Swift and the NFL. They get their news from Facebook or from ads that run during campaign season or from their co-workers at lunchtime. And they will start paying attention to the election when things ramp up next September.
I agree that the individual readership of the NYTs is not what we need to be concerned about. Rather it's the outsized influence the NYTs has across much of the MSM in shaping what the Times considers appropriate political views..
While I think you are right to some degree, there's a way that news from major outlets kind of gets into the atmosphere--Hillary's emails, for example, or the fact that Hunter Biden is being investigated, or the absolute certainty that we should be in recession by now. Right wing media is much more adept at getting it out there, but it certainly doesn't help when less partisan media plays along. I think they may be realizing that. Just in the last week or so, there was the Kagan editorial in the WaPo (I know Robert didn't like it, but it may be a wake-up call for some people who have been complacent), this front-page story in NYT, The Atlantic is out with a whole issue exploring what a 2nd Trump term would mean. NPR had an extended interview with Liz Cheney this morning, and she didn't pull any punches.
Social media is a cesspool of misinformation, but I do think that even people who don't really pay attention to serious news outlets kind of pick up the "vibes," so it's really important that they report honestly on what the economy is doing and what Trump's plans are. Some people will choose those plans, but an awful lot won't if they really understand them.
Well, let’s not undersell our collective influence.
Sadly, I think you’re right.
As one example, here's a quote from a Yale database on the media:
Newspapers are not as easy to classify as other sources. Newspapers are not scholarly sources, but some would not properly be termed popular, either. Every source must be questioned for its stake in the material.The New York Post is notoriously inflammatory, for instance, and also seems to love television shows broadcast on the Fox network (owned by the same company). But some newspapers, such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, have developed a national or even worldwide reputation for thoroughness. On issues of fact, major mainstream magazines such as Newsweek and Time are also generally reliable.
If that quote is citing Time and Newsweek as reliable sources, I'm guessing it's from at least a decade ago, if not more.
Sad how quickly both publications ended up--they were not able to adjust to the digital era.
I'm sure it is several years old. What's relevant to the NYTs current status is their great success transforming into a digital news company. Newsweek and Time never effectively made the transition.
Merrill, Your key point re: NY Times - “The NYTs bias against Biden-2024 is both dangerous, highly irresponsible and perhaps psychotic What after all is the sum and substance of the Times' critique?”
The six month collective action is one very important proposal. Let’s do it! Let’s get it organized, make it happen!
Robert, thanks for pointing out how we should focus on the hypocrisy of the Zieglers here in the “Don’t Say Gay “state.Local media is pretty much “radio silent” as are the two other founders of Moms(NOT!) for Liberty who reside in my community.
Speaking of getting out the vote, we can help by sharing/supporting/volunteering with People Power for Florida. PPFF is boots-on-the-ground throughout the year!
“We’re building transformational change in Florida—through our multi-class, multi-racial, and multi-generational voter registration and empowerment efforts”.
⬇️
https://www.peoplepowerforflorida.com/
Robert: "So, it is shocking—or entirely predictable?—that Christian Zeigler has been accused of raping a woman after a planned three-way sexual encounter with Christian Zeigler, Bridget Ziegler, and the rape victim was called off."
I'd say entirely predictable. All that morally repressed sexual energy has to go somewhere.
Thank you for this link, Kathy. I’m past the stage/age of being a frontline volunteer so just donated to help support those who can do the leg work here in the FL “red swamp.” I take some satisfaction in writing postcards yet, at times, feel it may be inadequate. Knowing of, and supporting this state organization helps me feel a bit better.
Thanks, Jan ! Every action counts…💙
I hadn't thought about the fact that pretty much EVERYONE -- except, of course, MAGA et al. who want to play with our form of national government and haven't learned anything from history or reviewing the results of that kind of game in other countries -- expects and demands that the Democrats fix this mess. I have a particular difficulty appreciating people like The Lincoln Project, Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, and Adam Kinzinger who can take credit for starting and supporting people and policies of racism, misogyny, Christian nationalism, and a destruction of the rule of law. And, No Thanks as well to people like George Conway and Bill Barr and on and on who are now working to re-establish credibility when they assisted or just stood by watching the Trump carnage occur. AND (sorry, feeling especially Ranty this morning ...) No Thanks to the media who almost to a man/woman/other have carefully and purposefully created a narrative supporting MAGA or minimizing Trump's dangerousness and denigrating Biden all in service of the big buck. BAD DOGS!!!!!!!! Yeah, the Democrats who are always mocked for being too wuss-ish etc. are, however, expected to charge in and fix something that's been in play now for decades.
Meredith, I certainly sympathize with your resentment toward the people who got us here--Republican operatives in particular. But the people you mention (maybe not Bill Barr) have largely admitted their role in our current situation, and are working hard to stop Trump. We need to welcome them to the fight--after all, they are the ones who know how to talk to Republicans and right-leaning Independents. We can argue about policy details when and if we have secured our democracy.
I may be having a temporary respite from open-mindedness, because I adopted the same stance you describe in the beginning. I think, though, it's important to keep in mind that most of these GOP/former Trump supporters would support 'policy details' that aren't that far off from those of MAGA, e.g., military predominance, the unitary executive, White Christian nationalism, anti-abortion, support for the oligarchy. It's hard right now for me to relegate their policy beliefs with a desire to support anything resembling a representative democracy. But, I agree; at least for me I can fake my way to supporting and appreciating any and all support. I don't think I as of today can get to the genuine, though.
I do know what you mean. I struggle with the question of crossing over to vote for Haley in the primary. She's unacceptable to me, both on the basis of policies, and her failure to really address the problem with Trump. But I do think the country would survive a Haley presidency. It would be terrible if she had coattails in the general, though. I'm not sure she has a lot of appeal for white Christian nationalists. Maybe they would crawl back under their rocks.
I don't think the GOP dark money hidden leaders would let WCN's crawl back under a rock after working for decades to cultivate them. They knew they needed numbers, and they knew they could get numbers by focusing on abortion, guns, and gays. We just need to keep growing the numbers on the democracy side.
They're never going to crawl back under their rocks. Truly. Look at the past 50 years ... and it doesn't matter one little bit what values their leaders express through their behaviors; so, no help there. Haley is, of course, untruthful and will say anything to manipulate her way around a direct conflict. I lived in SC for 5 years, part of which was during her governorship and, Nope:Haley for me. I can't guarantee this, of course; but the people I read who I trust to have the most realistic grip on political realities think that Trump is so far ahead that he'll win the nomination regardless of how well Haley might do in a few states.
Nothing quite so satisfying on a Monday morning than a righteous rant🙏
Because "it's on us" I really appreciated the fantastic webinar Robert organized about burnout. I learned a ton and feel fired up again. So I'm reaching out to this group with my question: What's the most effective form of outreach that helps us connect with voters so that we can increase our voter base and Democratic Committee? Thanks in advance for your help.
There is no single thing but if I were you I would focus on getting voters registered especially young voters because turnout is the key. If you have local universities get connected with students and have them help you resister them to vote.
Good thought - thank you. We've done "tabling" in the student center in the past, but several in my outreach group want to do things like "Game Night" and a concert on campus. Some think this is a good way to attract young people, and if we have Dem materials (voter registration cards, state Dem platform cards), then it's a way to start a conversation. Others in the group don't think these kind of events move the needle enough. Thoughts?
Every little bit helps, and you never know what will affect people. A bunch of Democrats getting together and celebrating democracy on campus has got to help. And it will be fun.
Excellent focus Vicky.
I understand how the specter of a Trump 2nd presidency is frightening to all sane people, but I think anxiety levels could be toned down. Remember, Trump's own popular vote losses got worse for him, and Republicans in general are getting hammered in special election after special election. And sane people will work hard to prevent Trump from returning to power--that's a given.
But I have another reason for a certain level of confidence. From June through October, my wife and I traveled around the country on an art project. We ranged about, driving through 28 states, blue and red (and 183 towns and cities) clocking in a little over 10,000 miles. And in all our travels, we saw less than a dozen examples of right-wing regalia: whether an Insurrectionist flag or a pro-Trump poster or billboard. One DeSantis 2024 poster. One Let's Go Brandon poster. And let me be clear, the 28 states we drove through included 9 red states: West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.
By contrast, wherever we drove, red or blue states, we saw thousands and thousands of Pride Flags or Pride-colored posters, No Hate Here posters, We Believe in Science and BLM posters.
I'm not saying those right-wing voters aren't out there. But they're simply not pounding their chests publicly on their front lawns (even in red states). They seem to have lost their mojo. By contrast, the Left and other sane people around the country, are clearly proud and unafraid.
The issues are on our side, and we are determined to preserve our democracy.
I should also mention that wherever we travelled, we saw a diverse population of Americans, everywhere. A few examples: in Columbus, Ohio, a line of women in chadors waiting to buy ice cream; in Topeka, Kansas, an African grocery store; and did you know there's a popular Laotian restaurant in Oklahoma City? The MAGA bigots don't understand that the US is already incredibly diverse. There is no going back. They have already lost.
thanks for the report from the field. i may quote tonight!
Thank you! Feel free to do so.
Another surprise on our travels. The thousands upon thousands of wind turbines in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. People living there might like to deny climate change, but it seems they also know a business opportunity when they see one.
An especially good newsletter this morning, Robert. As always, thank you.
I lifted these words from you and sent them on line to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Perhaps other would do the same thing?
https://www.startribune.com/submit-a-letter-or-commentary/115289839/
“ Since you agree that Trump is “dangerous” and should be defeated, it would really be helpful if you tried to convince your Republican friends of that fact. Trash-talking the Democrat party does not seem like a helpful way to achieve that goal. How about directing your editorial talents to explain why Trump is dangerous and unfit to be re-elected?”
I was prepared to leave Robert’s use of “the Democrat Party” alone as I chalked it up as a mistake, but could we please not repeat it in correspondence to others? It is The Democratic party, and I will not stand for the Republican bastardization of it. Again, I’m not blaming Robert; to err is human, and all that, I don’t want to see it repeated is all.
Thanks Dean, because I don’t think we should amplify what is considered a derogatory name for the Democratic Party. I’m assuming it was a typo. The Republicans are worse than spoiled children. They have absolutely no policies, and their whole reason for being is to insult, deflect, and lie. Somehow they think this is going to get them ahead, but it’s not working. Every day they look more and more foolish and helpless.
Yeah, I assumed it was a typo on Robert’s end and didn't want to be pedantic about it, but when I saw it being copied into something designed to be sent out, I thought I should mention it. The use of that term has irritated me for a couple of decades.
Same here. But Republicans have very poor manners and not much else to go on. So, I don’t expect much better from them.
Bush v Gore was raw politics and a blight on our history. And then the Republicans demonized Hillary, the most experienced candidate who would have been an excellent president.
The Republicans have damaged our country in countless ways.
We need to defeat them at the polls in 2024.
Thanks, Robert, for your continued encouragement to look to the future in spite of the past.
The travails of the Zieglers in Florida, when I read of them, brought immediately to mind the screaming hypocrisies of Larry Craig and Ted Haggard, and too many others to name. "Do what I say, not what I do". Gimme a break. They should at least admit that they support by their actions and example the LGBQ+ community.
Someone in this group posted a link to a mind boggling and hilarious article about the Ziegler situation. My, my, my. What an outfit.