I am usually able to absorb the day’s news as an observer with historical perspective. I want to be informed so I read you, Heather, Joyce and Jessica Craven. I’m so thankful for all of you. But today I’m fighting despair because of the voting rights decision, Univision’s takeover, the seemingly never ending coverage of DJT, and the war in Gaza. So... what to do? I know things will be brighter tomorrow with the arrival of my family for the holiday. So I plan to concentrate on each moment, find solace in the laughter in our household and be thankful for my steadfast brilliant friends. And I’m wishing you and your followers a few peaceful reflective days. I also believe that goodness will prevail.
My entire professional career was as a wordsmith. But when it comes to the issue of voter rights, words fail me. How can a major political party in a country premised on the consent of the governed be so unabashedly opposed to the simple principle of protecting voter rights?
In this evening’s post, Robert observes the following with respect to today’s oral argument addressing the legality of Judge Chutkin’s gag order: “But I am mystified by the deference being afforded Trump. He is an indicted felon awaiting trial. He was granted a pre-trial release that imposed conditions on his conduct pending trial.”
Robert’s point is excellent. Although I’ve not had time to listen to or read a transcript of the argument, I was able to view the TV analysis of some of the brightest legal pundits, yet none of them alluded to Robert’s point, which I believe goes to the heart of the case. The TV scholars all seemed to agree that disposition of the case will turn on balancing free speech rights against the need to assure a fair trial in which witnesses and other participants are not threatened.
This misses Robert’s point. It ignores the fact that Trump is an indicted defendant who is out on bail and who must either abide by the conditions of his pretrial release or, or upon failing to so abide, can be subject to bail revocation and pretrial imprisonment. The real question, then, has nothing to do with Trump’s free speech rights, but rather involves whether speech can be limited as a condition of allowing an indicted defendant to remain free on bail while awaiting trial. If such a defendant doesn’t like or accept the conditions on which he has been allowed to remain free pending trial, he can refuse to abide and spend his time in jail while awaiting trial.
Your columns, Robert, are written with in-depth knowledge and facts. I really couldn’t ask for anything more. Like you, I was angered at the 8th court for their extreme partisan views about VRA. Of course, ACLU, NAACP, and others will appeal this. The DC 3 panel set of judges spent 2.5 hours with Trump’s lawyers and the Government’s prosecutors, asking questions. Figure that the gag Chutkin handed will be reinstated but “more narrow”. What the heck does that mean? Trump still gets to walk all over everybody? Like Michael Steele said today, why is this man not in jail? It’s like the boy who cried wolf, to me. Can just some-body instruct Trump to take his finger out of the dyke so he can be swept away into oblivion?
In light of the Federal decision today on Voting Rights it is more important than ever for Biden to expand the Supreme Court. Besides protecting voting rights it will help keep the progressives on his side
My sad response is that not one person who comes to sit at my table will even nod to current events. They do not pay attention to voting rights, women’s right, abortion rights, how things in our gov work, what is at stake, wealthy corporations abuses, how keeping Europe whole will keep us whole… nothing. They are successful and their combined successes result from everything that Democrats have built over the last 50 years – their entitlement to the system that sustains them is mind numbing to me. The ignorance to that which holds our country together is sickening. There are two little girls- Think about that, it’s sickening. I am so unhappy to host yet another gathering where family sits there scarfing down food and drink while the world swirls around them. It’ not even apathy, it’s a horrific selfish, self centric, emptiness. A constant desire for more of this and more of that. GAWD!
I’m sorry. I’ll stop now. I’m being a Debbie Downer. In my small defense I’m just depressed at how many card carrying members of the United States of America are like this.
Excellent advice about the holiday gatherings. Life is short. Political debates are fine with your partner that you see everyday. My Dad, unfortunately, has views that are the antithesis to what is empathy, and doesn't choose to see the inequities and suffering. I avoid any discourse as I don't know how many more conversations I can have with him, or, him with me. I am preparing to write farewell letters to my children as my disease has progressed. Eat the turkey and pie, and talk about your favorite movie or the weather. It may be your last conversation. Leave it with love.
If the last 40 years of Fox News, Breitbart, Sinclair, Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, NewsMax, "X" formerly known as Twitter, et al have taught us anything ... it's that Free Speech will be the death of us unless we manage to redefine it to separate facts from fiction!
Rosalynn Carter once said "There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers." Let’s all practice self care this holiday season to fortify ourselves for whatever comes next.
What makes defending our democracy so exhausting is the whack-a-mole nature of the attacks. One Supreme Court Justice of six can wake up one morning and take us for an E-ticket ride that requires a huge effort to tax our already stretched human resources.
Reading about Gorsuch's newest bright idea made the future blowback pass before my eyes! We're still dealing with Dobbs, and here we go!
Thank God for a day of Thanksgiving! A day of rest and gratitude, renewal.
This is my first comment…perhaps sadly so. I am very grateful for your newsletter - VERY grateful. Thank you for your time, your courage, for sharing your knowledge, and your wisdom. Your closing thoughts on holiday dinners and the relational context are so true. Thank you for voicing such thoughtfulness.
Loved the photo of the Carters, it perfectly represents them. I also appreciate your advice in Concluding Thoughts. Well done. I hope everyone in this community has a peaceful holiday.
Thank you for the straightforward advice regarding potentially inflammatory remarks made during the holiday. I will draft the reply in my mind and then delete. If necessary, I might go into the bathroom, write it down and rip it up. Or I could talk to myself in the mirror. I sure hope a certain someone does not drive me to that. It's very hard to keep from calling traitors out for who they are and what they represent.
Robert and Jill, you are definitely on my list of things I am grateful for. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!
Echoing Robert's advice about disengaging. Years ago I took a course in "Positive Power and Influence" - this was one of those management consultant trainings for corporations. It was good. I was shocked that one of six strategies was disengaging. As a method they taught four actions: (I went to the loosefleaf notebook to find them) Postpone, Process, Change the Subject, and Take a Break. We're in a scary world. Love your loved ones. No one can be loved too much. (Virginia Satire)
I am so grateful to you for all you write, and share. All I can think of is “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding” ? I wish you and your family a beautiful Holiday.
I am usually able to absorb the day’s news as an observer with historical perspective. I want to be informed so I read you, Heather, Joyce and Jessica Craven. I’m so thankful for all of you. But today I’m fighting despair because of the voting rights decision, Univision’s takeover, the seemingly never ending coverage of DJT, and the war in Gaza. So... what to do? I know things will be brighter tomorrow with the arrival of my family for the holiday. So I plan to concentrate on each moment, find solace in the laughter in our household and be thankful for my steadfast brilliant friends. And I’m wishing you and your followers a few peaceful reflective days. I also believe that goodness will prevail.
My entire professional career was as a wordsmith. But when it comes to the issue of voter rights, words fail me. How can a major political party in a country premised on the consent of the governed be so unabashedly opposed to the simple principle of protecting voter rights?
In this evening’s post, Robert observes the following with respect to today’s oral argument addressing the legality of Judge Chutkin’s gag order: “But I am mystified by the deference being afforded Trump. He is an indicted felon awaiting trial. He was granted a pre-trial release that imposed conditions on his conduct pending trial.”
Robert’s point is excellent. Although I’ve not had time to listen to or read a transcript of the argument, I was able to view the TV analysis of some of the brightest legal pundits, yet none of them alluded to Robert’s point, which I believe goes to the heart of the case. The TV scholars all seemed to agree that disposition of the case will turn on balancing free speech rights against the need to assure a fair trial in which witnesses and other participants are not threatened.
This misses Robert’s point. It ignores the fact that Trump is an indicted defendant who is out on bail and who must either abide by the conditions of his pretrial release or, or upon failing to so abide, can be subject to bail revocation and pretrial imprisonment. The real question, then, has nothing to do with Trump’s free speech rights, but rather involves whether speech can be limited as a condition of allowing an indicted defendant to remain free on bail while awaiting trial. If such a defendant doesn’t like or accept the conditions on which he has been allowed to remain free pending trial, he can refuse to abide and spend his time in jail while awaiting trial.
Your columns, Robert, are written with in-depth knowledge and facts. I really couldn’t ask for anything more. Like you, I was angered at the 8th court for their extreme partisan views about VRA. Of course, ACLU, NAACP, and others will appeal this. The DC 3 panel set of judges spent 2.5 hours with Trump’s lawyers and the Government’s prosecutors, asking questions. Figure that the gag Chutkin handed will be reinstated but “more narrow”. What the heck does that mean? Trump still gets to walk all over everybody? Like Michael Steele said today, why is this man not in jail? It’s like the boy who cried wolf, to me. Can just some-body instruct Trump to take his finger out of the dyke so he can be swept away into oblivion?
In light of the Federal decision today on Voting Rights it is more important than ever for Biden to expand the Supreme Court. Besides protecting voting rights it will help keep the progressives on his side
My sad response is that not one person who comes to sit at my table will even nod to current events. They do not pay attention to voting rights, women’s right, abortion rights, how things in our gov work, what is at stake, wealthy corporations abuses, how keeping Europe whole will keep us whole… nothing. They are successful and their combined successes result from everything that Democrats have built over the last 50 years – their entitlement to the system that sustains them is mind numbing to me. The ignorance to that which holds our country together is sickening. There are two little girls- Think about that, it’s sickening. I am so unhappy to host yet another gathering where family sits there scarfing down food and drink while the world swirls around them. It’ not even apathy, it’s a horrific selfish, self centric, emptiness. A constant desire for more of this and more of that. GAWD!
I’m sorry. I’ll stop now. I’m being a Debbie Downer. In my small defense I’m just depressed at how many card carrying members of the United States of America are like this.
Love your advice for the holidays. Thank you. Wishing you all a peaceful Thanksgiving filled with sincere gratitude
Excellent advice about the holiday gatherings. Life is short. Political debates are fine with your partner that you see everyday. My Dad, unfortunately, has views that are the antithesis to what is empathy, and doesn't choose to see the inequities and suffering. I avoid any discourse as I don't know how many more conversations I can have with him, or, him with me. I am preparing to write farewell letters to my children as my disease has progressed. Eat the turkey and pie, and talk about your favorite movie or the weather. It may be your last conversation. Leave it with love.
If the last 40 years of Fox News, Breitbart, Sinclair, Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, NewsMax, "X" formerly known as Twitter, et al have taught us anything ... it's that Free Speech will be the death of us unless we manage to redefine it to separate facts from fiction!
Rosalynn Carter once said "There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers." Let’s all practice self care this holiday season to fortify ourselves for whatever comes next.
What makes defending our democracy so exhausting is the whack-a-mole nature of the attacks. One Supreme Court Justice of six can wake up one morning and take us for an E-ticket ride that requires a huge effort to tax our already stretched human resources.
Reading about Gorsuch's newest bright idea made the future blowback pass before my eyes! We're still dealing with Dobbs, and here we go!
Thank God for a day of Thanksgiving! A day of rest and gratitude, renewal.
This is my first comment…perhaps sadly so. I am very grateful for your newsletter - VERY grateful. Thank you for your time, your courage, for sharing your knowledge, and your wisdom. Your closing thoughts on holiday dinners and the relational context are so true. Thank you for voicing such thoughtfulness.
Loved the photo of the Carters, it perfectly represents them. I also appreciate your advice in Concluding Thoughts. Well done. I hope everyone in this community has a peaceful holiday.
Thank you for the straightforward advice regarding potentially inflammatory remarks made during the holiday. I will draft the reply in my mind and then delete. If necessary, I might go into the bathroom, write it down and rip it up. Or I could talk to myself in the mirror. I sure hope a certain someone does not drive me to that. It's very hard to keep from calling traitors out for who they are and what they represent.
Robert and Jill, you are definitely on my list of things I am grateful for. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!
Echoing Robert's advice about disengaging. Years ago I took a course in "Positive Power and Influence" - this was one of those management consultant trainings for corporations. It was good. I was shocked that one of six strategies was disengaging. As a method they taught four actions: (I went to the loosefleaf notebook to find them) Postpone, Process, Change the Subject, and Take a Break. We're in a scary world. Love your loved ones. No one can be loved too much. (Virginia Satire)
I am so grateful to you for all you write, and share. All I can think of is “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding” ? I wish you and your family a beautiful Holiday.