I'm certainly glad to hear that Tenney got the digital equivalent of a spanking and having her mouth washed out with soap. Hopefully she was sent to bed without dinneer.
Her Twitter feed is trash. Every post is filled with replies with screenshots of her deleted tweet and picture, saying, "Remember when you mocked an 82 year old man who was savagely beating?"
Thank you so much Robert for all of this information. On a LinkedIn post yesterday someone had posted a graph, on the Economist I believe, showing that pro MAGAs were posting more for their choices and democrats were leaving Twitter. I was one who was going to leave, but no longer. I repost your newsletter as well as HCR's on every post by a MAGA who is running. Also Politics Girl. Now is not the time to give up. Remember that at no time did more than 45% of the colonists support the war against the British and 1/3 of them fought FOR the British. We will not go gently!!!!
I joined Twitter in 2009, just prior to the Arab Spring, which has always given me a global outlook regarding the platform. It does take some work to develop your feed, and I think many don't understand how to make it work for them.
I follow those who will bring me news regarding Ukraine- foreign journalists, Michael McFaul, President Zelensky, members of the Ukraine Parliament, and a number of Ukrainian citizens who report on their daily lives during the war, including local art that is being created.
Since the pandemic, I have followed numerous scientists regarding upcoming news and findings regarding SARS-CoV-2. I have been working in medicine for over 42 years, so I know what to look for and there is an abundance of reliable information there if you are a medical science data geek.
There is so much more to follow there, I can't get into it all, but it took developing a newsfeed that will deliver what I want to see. Interestingly, right about the time Muck took over Twitter, I started getting inundated with right wingers in my feed- Marsha Blackburn, Tom Cotton, Jim Jordan, etc. Today it was Dinesh D'Souza. Twitter made note that these are people that are followed by people I follow, but this was definitely a new development. I just muted them all. Now I don't have to see them. Easy.
As for those that rarely come after me or others with crude and unwarranted tweets, I just block them. Easy. The world is a big place, and I don't need a connection with those types.
I'm not leaving. I don't spend a lot of time there, but there are many valuable resources and connections there, if one desires. It's a different type of connection, and you have to make it your own.
Something I noticed was that some of the ones I followed were dropped from my feed and I had to go find and add them back. I also noticed a number of people comment that their numbers of followers had suddenly dropped and that they had been told many of their followers were fakes, but I can attest that real followers were being dropped. As you say, it takes a bit of tending, but repairs can be made.
Thank you Yehawes, I agree that repairs can be made. I don't have many followers, but I noticed that my # of followers may have dropped by 50% just recently. A citizen in Ukraine that I follow (Yaroslava Antipina, #WarCoffee) had noted when Muck took over that her followers dropped quite a bit. Something has been happening, but like you, I'll just keep looking to make sure I am seeing who I want in my feed and keep pressing on!
For two years, Trump and his followers have been pushing the toxic falsehood that the elections were rigged. Nobody pushed back. Rational people probably just assumed that the lies and conspiracy theories were obvious for what they were. But many millions of Americans have drunk this koolaid. Now the president gives an “unprecedented” speech finally pushing back—just days before the election, in which millions of people have already voted. When a lie is told a million times, one telling of the truth will have little effect. The truth must be told as many times as the lie. We know that many, many people the world over—including Americans, think McCarthy—are susceptible to demagoguery. The president and all the former presidents should be out there every day, telling the truth. Do not cede the field to liars and demagogues.
Thank you for yet another inspirational message. I feel it is important to define the idea of a political win or loss more carefully. A loss occurs when we cease to resist the forces who would tear down democracy and the Rule of Law. Anything short of ceasing to resist is a setback but not a loss. A win? As long as there are forces seeking to “tear it all down” there is a need for continued resistance. There likely will always be that need. Therefore, do not seek or depend on wins, only commit to continued resistance. We can have victories in skirmishes and battles but do not be complacent and feel a final victory has been achieved and the need to resist has ended. Democracy only sustains itself by virtue of those who commit to it's continued defense.
My mother used to tell me, not to worry (her words, (“borrow trouble”)—you can lose or win the battles/skirmishes…it’s the *war* (metaphorical terms, of course) you want to win. As we know, wars are not won overnight so complacency is not an option! Sometimes I struggle staying the course and with your writings, etc., I remember it’s not a sprint but a marathon! As Maya said, “Together We Rise!”
JVL had a great Substack yesterday using the illustration of how MLB ruined the game by shifting the team focus to Big Data, and compared it to politics. "A finite game is played to win; there are clear victors and losers. An infinite game is played to keep playing; the goal is to maximize winning across all participants. Debate is a finite game. Marriage is an infinite game. The midterm elections are finite games. American democracy is an infinite game." https://open.substack.com/pub/thetriad/p/the-living-do-not-care-about-the?r=diso1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Robert, you have a talent for coming up with the right messages at the right time!
My confluence of feelings yesterday while driving at 6am to a naturalization ceremony to register new citizen voters was 1) how inspiring to register folks from all over the world, most so eager to vote, and 2) reflecting on an incredible team of international doctors (best of the best in their specialty) that literally saved our son's life some years ago. Whatever happens next week, I've never been more resolved to help as I can. Robert mentioned the League of Women Voters yesterday. I joined a few years ago mainly for voter registration work, but I've learned so much about their advocacy, legal work, voter education, etc.--I would highly recommend to women AND men, and I invited anyone in the North Texas area to contact me directly if anything I've said above sounds interesting to you. All the best.
Regarding your media consumption habits, I’ve long found that consuming news via print keeps me both informed and sane. Breathless repetition of the “takeaways” and “updates” from the 4 or 5 most sensational events of the day does not constitute news IMO. It simply winds me up, to no good effect. Instead, I read CBC, BBC, NYT and one or two weeklies. Each to his/her own.
I stopped watching tv news in 2012 when the serious Obama-bashing started. I liked the silence so much that I gradually watched less and less. For several years now, without any big plan, I no longer turn on the television with two exceptions. My grandson, age 7, watches everything he can find about construction vehicles and I occasionally watch a movie with a friend. When I am at home alone, I live in silence.
I would add though that it's nice to watch original speeches or verbal responses in whole or excerpts because the context, tone, expressions etc are often quite telling as to the intent. I don't much like being told what a speaker said since I've often watched a speech then the after tilt and found I heard different content. Text of speeches is better for speed of consumption but now and then original video cannot be beat.
Completely agree. I painted video media w too broad a brush. PBS, BBC and others do an excellent job and—as you point out—speeches are best watched. Long form interviews can also be very informative.
Who led national news heads to believe that talking like used car salesmen was a good thing? When anyone talks fast to me or is yelling, I assume they are trying to sell me a bag of garbage.
Okay Robert, ya got me with your reasoned approach about staying on (gulp) Twitter. And I've expounded on a comment: "If Republicans win, we ALL lose: Bodily Autonomy, Social Security, Medicare, ACA, et al. This isn't just about Boomers; it's aimed at all of us!" AMENDED to say that I have never had a Twitter account!
For those who choose to stay on Twitter or any other social media, here are some tips from Anat Shenker-Osorio, a communications expert I first heard on the Lawrence O'Donnell show about a year ago. We can strengthen our message by using the words and phrases she has tested.
1. Embrace "Criminal conspiracy" to replace "Contested Election"
Reason: "Contested"obscures motive and suggests merit to their claims. Crime framing most resonant and damning.
I know why I am so nervous about Tuesday. It's more than that I am worried about us losing control of Congress to McConnell and McCarthy (or Taylor-Green), although there is definitely that. I am frightened to learn how many voting Americans cannot see the evil they bring. The fact that native and naturalized Americans can think that democracy is not worth protecting in America, a thought that must be proof of gross ignorance and/or disloyalty to this country, is what I find deeply disturbing. That there might be enough of them to constitute legitimate majorities in states across the country is the part that scares me the most. Until MAGA, I had no idea that the Republican party could stand for what MAGA stands for -- that it could bring Alice's Wonderland into our own backyards.
"No effort is wasted"-exactly. There are times when the bed, at day's end, is a most welcome place of refuge, but looking back on my efforts, the next morning, I recognize that it's all part of a life well-lived. Next week will be a long one, as will maybe the week after that. My place at the polls, in El Mirage, AZ-a hotbed of Hispanic conservatism, will be as Polling Station Chaplain. Though I am not a clergyman, the best days of my life have been spent providing reassurance and solace to the marginalized. My fervent wish, hope and desire is that America wakes up on November 9 and finds some inkling of a true New Day dawning.
Robert, 99% of the time I agree with your conclusions, comments etc, but I have to disagree with your comment today that Biden's speech of Wednesday would have been even greater if it had been given some weeks ago. I think if he'd given this speech 3 weeks, 6 weeks ago, it would have been ignored by the national media. I think the Pelosi attack is the event that has crystalized the media on the reality of the danger to democracy that the far right represents and made news coverage of Biden's speech possible. With 4 days until the Election, his speech may continue to ripple through media comments. If it had been given weeks ago, it would be "old news".
MILLIONS of Americans will cast their votes on Tuesday, and the Republican party is doing its damndest to keep Democrats from voting. They are being ably aided by the ALL of the media, not just the usual Fox & Friends suspects. Showing photos of armed vigilantes in Arizona (all 2 of them) may be the one small push for some Democratic voters to avoid exercising their right to vote. How sad that we have come to this!
My husband and I are going out this weekend to leave flyers on our neighbors' doors, provided by Indivisible Michigan. If you want to participate, go to Indivisible's website and type in your state. There is still LOTS OF TIME to GOTV!! Thank you, everyone, for all that you are doing.
re: " I want to explore the question of when we should quit and give up on democracy. " I just came back from a civil rights tour in the US South. Many museums and historical sites recount the efforts of leaders and foot soldiers in the long struggle toward racial justice. The one take-away is that they never gave up. Honoring their struggle requires acknowledging the enormous progress that has been made as a result of their efforts while dedicating ourselves to the long hard struggle that must continue toward true racial justice that still has not been attained. No matter the setback, we must acknowledge the success of our experiment in democracy while continuing the struggle to protect and preserve it.
You have convinced me to join Twitter. I've never been active on Twitter, but now seems like the perfect time. I am currently in Spain until after the election and have been wondering what I can do to amplify voices of Democracy.
So - If anyone has guidance on the most effective way to use Twitter, please let me know!
Robert, I write in response to your thoughtful defense for remaining on Twitter. As one, admittedly, who never has been on Twitter, I hope I’m not speaking out of turn when I suggest I can’t imagine how “responsible commentators” could consider leaving in lieu of trying to sift the truth from the propaganda, and/or take back the platform from ideologues who would propagate deceptions that can’t be proven wrong because they will admit no evidence to the contrary.
Barbara Jo, what does it mean to take back the platform from the lying promoters of cruelty and disinformation?? Aren’t there tens of thousands of them on Twitter, pounding out dangerous untruths weekly, if not daily?
Forgive my crudity, but this reminds me of trying to save a large swimming pool from the scores of people on one end who crap into the pool daily. If you can’t make them stop, is there a way to make the pool safe to swim in?
I’m thinking it’s better to abandon the pool, since it’s not remotely the only place around to swim! If Twitter were to lose 50 million Western viewers by spring, in an enormous protest move, Musk would presumably be in deep financial trouble. I’m guessing Twitter would quickly start acquiring the reputation of a Breitbart or FOX outlet - a place where mostly koolaid-drinking, right wing, insurrection supporters go. It might survive but people like us would have helped isolate it rather than support it. Personally - as a nonuser - I’d consider that a fine victory for reason, decency, and progress.
Tyler, In my view, the more a platform offers diverse interests, ideas, and voices, the angrier the MAGA radical right becomes. That’s because the one thing they loathe more than liberals is the truth. Hence, I think it’s imperative for those who have, say, over a million followers to remain firm on Twitter in their pursuit of what is true and, in my view, valuable. In a word, we can’t allow MAGA deceptions and distortions to go unanswered We need to act as filters, sifting the truth from the propaganda, and subjecting MAGA words and deeds to critical scrutiny.
"What was a great speech would have been even greater if delivered weeks ago."
I would amend that to months ago, no sorry, years ago. The entire "MAGA" movement has been about lies, slander, ridicule and hate. The Democratic Party has been asleep at the switch. Americans have poo pooed Trump and his slaves as a temporary phenomenon.
All this BS really started with the "Tea Party", Gingrich and Limbaugh. Trump just jumped on the bandwagon using his TV stardom as another engine of destruction.
While recriminations aimed at our fellow travelers and even ourselves accomplish little, we need to face the truth. We let this happen. The Tea Party monsters should have been shouted out of office as soon as they started. And now, we have dozens of members of the House of Representatives as well as some Senators who speak and act like traitors. They should been marched out of the Capitol long ago.
A terrific speech Joe. But you and we are late to the party. But it's not too late to arrest the traitors.
I totally agree with you, Bill. The Democrats let the situation come to this tenuous point, whether out of misplaced optimism or because they have been in denial throughout the long decades that the Repugnants have been assiduously working toward this goal.
I'm certainly glad to hear that Tenney got the digital equivalent of a spanking and having her mouth washed out with soap. Hopefully she was sent to bed without dinneer.
Her Twitter feed is trash. Every post is filled with replies with screenshots of her deleted tweet and picture, saying, "Remember when you mocked an 82 year old man who was savagely beating?"
That sounds like very good news indeed!
Would we could take the whole bunch of them out behind the woodshed with a bar of lye soap
Thank you so much Robert for all of this information. On a LinkedIn post yesterday someone had posted a graph, on the Economist I believe, showing that pro MAGAs were posting more for their choices and democrats were leaving Twitter. I was one who was going to leave, but no longer. I repost your newsletter as well as HCR's on every post by a MAGA who is running. Also Politics Girl. Now is not the time to give up. Remember that at no time did more than 45% of the colonists support the war against the British and 1/3 of them fought FOR the British. We will not go gently!!!!
I joined Twitter in 2009, just prior to the Arab Spring, which has always given me a global outlook regarding the platform. It does take some work to develop your feed, and I think many don't understand how to make it work for them.
I follow those who will bring me news regarding Ukraine- foreign journalists, Michael McFaul, President Zelensky, members of the Ukraine Parliament, and a number of Ukrainian citizens who report on their daily lives during the war, including local art that is being created.
Since the pandemic, I have followed numerous scientists regarding upcoming news and findings regarding SARS-CoV-2. I have been working in medicine for over 42 years, so I know what to look for and there is an abundance of reliable information there if you are a medical science data geek.
There is so much more to follow there, I can't get into it all, but it took developing a newsfeed that will deliver what I want to see. Interestingly, right about the time Muck took over Twitter, I started getting inundated with right wingers in my feed- Marsha Blackburn, Tom Cotton, Jim Jordan, etc. Today it was Dinesh D'Souza. Twitter made note that these are people that are followed by people I follow, but this was definitely a new development. I just muted them all. Now I don't have to see them. Easy.
As for those that rarely come after me or others with crude and unwarranted tweets, I just block them. Easy. The world is a big place, and I don't need a connection with those types.
I'm not leaving. I don't spend a lot of time there, but there are many valuable resources and connections there, if one desires. It's a different type of connection, and you have to make it your own.
Something I noticed was that some of the ones I followed were dropped from my feed and I had to go find and add them back. I also noticed a number of people comment that their numbers of followers had suddenly dropped and that they had been told many of their followers were fakes, but I can attest that real followers were being dropped. As you say, it takes a bit of tending, but repairs can be made.
Thank you Yehawes, I agree that repairs can be made. I don't have many followers, but I noticed that my # of followers may have dropped by 50% just recently. A citizen in Ukraine that I follow (Yaroslava Antipina, #WarCoffee) had noted when Muck took over that her followers dropped quite a bit. Something has been happening, but like you, I'll just keep looking to make sure I am seeing who I want in my feed and keep pressing on!
For two years, Trump and his followers have been pushing the toxic falsehood that the elections were rigged. Nobody pushed back. Rational people probably just assumed that the lies and conspiracy theories were obvious for what they were. But many millions of Americans have drunk this koolaid. Now the president gives an “unprecedented” speech finally pushing back—just days before the election, in which millions of people have already voted. When a lie is told a million times, one telling of the truth will have little effect. The truth must be told as many times as the lie. We know that many, many people the world over—including Americans, think McCarthy—are susceptible to demagoguery. The president and all the former presidents should be out there every day, telling the truth. Do not cede the field to liars and demagogues.
Thank you for yet another inspirational message. I feel it is important to define the idea of a political win or loss more carefully. A loss occurs when we cease to resist the forces who would tear down democracy and the Rule of Law. Anything short of ceasing to resist is a setback but not a loss. A win? As long as there are forces seeking to “tear it all down” there is a need for continued resistance. There likely will always be that need. Therefore, do not seek or depend on wins, only commit to continued resistance. We can have victories in skirmishes and battles but do not be complacent and feel a final victory has been achieved and the need to resist has ended. Democracy only sustains itself by virtue of those who commit to it's continued defense.
Very well said. I will be quoting you in tonight's newsletter!
My mother used to tell me, not to worry (her words, (“borrow trouble”)—you can lose or win the battles/skirmishes…it’s the *war* (metaphorical terms, of course) you want to win. As we know, wars are not won overnight so complacency is not an option! Sometimes I struggle staying the course and with your writings, etc., I remember it’s not a sprint but a marathon! As Maya said, “Together We Rise!”
JVL had a great Substack yesterday using the illustration of how MLB ruined the game by shifting the team focus to Big Data, and compared it to politics. "A finite game is played to win; there are clear victors and losers. An infinite game is played to keep playing; the goal is to maximize winning across all participants. Debate is a finite game. Marriage is an infinite game. The midterm elections are finite games. American democracy is an infinite game." https://open.substack.com/pub/thetriad/p/the-living-do-not-care-about-the?r=diso1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Robert, you have a talent for coming up with the right messages at the right time!
My confluence of feelings yesterday while driving at 6am to a naturalization ceremony to register new citizen voters was 1) how inspiring to register folks from all over the world, most so eager to vote, and 2) reflecting on an incredible team of international doctors (best of the best in their specialty) that literally saved our son's life some years ago. Whatever happens next week, I've never been more resolved to help as I can. Robert mentioned the League of Women Voters yesterday. I joined a few years ago mainly for voter registration work, but I've learned so much about their advocacy, legal work, voter education, etc.--I would highly recommend to women AND men, and I invited anyone in the North Texas area to contact me directly if anything I've said above sounds interesting to you. All the best.
Thanks for everything you do! Keep up the good work!
Regarding your media consumption habits, I’ve long found that consuming news via print keeps me both informed and sane. Breathless repetition of the “takeaways” and “updates” from the 4 or 5 most sensational events of the day does not constitute news IMO. It simply winds me up, to no good effect. Instead, I read CBC, BBC, NYT and one or two weeklies. Each to his/her own.
Amen, Paul. I cannot tolerate the noise of those people in my living room, no matter what they have to say
Same. I have no interest in listening to the constant din.
I stopped watching tv news in 2012 when the serious Obama-bashing started. I liked the silence so much that I gradually watched less and less. For several years now, without any big plan, I no longer turn on the television with two exceptions. My grandson, age 7, watches everything he can find about construction vehicles and I occasionally watch a movie with a friend. When I am at home alone, I live in silence.
I love it
I would add though that it's nice to watch original speeches or verbal responses in whole or excerpts because the context, tone, expressions etc are often quite telling as to the intent. I don't much like being told what a speaker said since I've often watched a speech then the after tilt and found I heard different content. Text of speeches is better for speed of consumption but now and then original video cannot be beat.
Completely agree. I painted video media w too broad a brush. PBS, BBC and others do an excellent job and—as you point out—speeches are best watched. Long form interviews can also be very informative.
Who led national news heads to believe that talking like used car salesmen was a good thing? When anyone talks fast to me or is yelling, I assume they are trying to sell me a bag of garbage.
Okay Robert, ya got me with your reasoned approach about staying on (gulp) Twitter. And I've expounded on a comment: "If Republicans win, we ALL lose: Bodily Autonomy, Social Security, Medicare, ACA, et al. This isn't just about Boomers; it's aimed at all of us!" AMENDED to say that I have never had a Twitter account!
For those who choose to stay on Twitter or any other social media, here are some tips from Anat Shenker-Osorio, a communications expert I first heard on the Lawrence O'Donnell show about a year ago. We can strengthen our message by using the words and phrases she has tested.
1. Embrace "Criminal conspiracy" to replace "Contested Election"
Reason: "Contested"obscures motive and suggests merit to their claims. Crime framing most resonant and damning.
2. Embrace "Election Overthrowers, Election Corrrupters, Election Rejectors" to replace "Election Deniers"
Reason: We need a term that encapsulates the scale, acute threat, and ongoing nature of Trump Republicans' plans.
3. Embrace "Promoted, paid for and pardoned" to replace "Spread the Big Lie, Lured people with lies"
Reason: Lie spreading is our weakest proof point, evokes "free speech" defense.
4. Embrace "Trump Republicans, MAGA Republicans" to replace "Republicans, Extremists"
Reason: Having a specified label that applies only to them not us helps voters credit our claims.
5. Embrace "Protect our freedoms, Ensure the will of the people prevails" to replace "Defend our democracy, Protect our democracy"
Reason: Democracy doesn't presently exist and is an abstraction
6. Embrace "Overthrow the will of the people, Seize power to rule for the wealthy few" to replace "Undermine our government, Undermine our democracy"
Reason: Need to make stakes personal and GOP motivations clear.
This is just one slide from the Protect our Freedoms briefing she and her colleagues gave on Monday. The next Protect Our Elections Movement Briefings is Friday, November 4 at 8:30 am PT/11:30 ET. To register please go to: https://mailchi.mp/32a2d04de840/mondays-protect-our-freedoms-briefing-9518346?e=2da2f32ff0
I highly recommend these briefings! We, the People, all of us this time!
I know why I am so nervous about Tuesday. It's more than that I am worried about us losing control of Congress to McConnell and McCarthy (or Taylor-Green), although there is definitely that. I am frightened to learn how many voting Americans cannot see the evil they bring. The fact that native and naturalized Americans can think that democracy is not worth protecting in America, a thought that must be proof of gross ignorance and/or disloyalty to this country, is what I find deeply disturbing. That there might be enough of them to constitute legitimate majorities in states across the country is the part that scares me the most. Until MAGA, I had no idea that the Republican party could stand for what MAGA stands for -- that it could bring Alice's Wonderland into our own backyards.
"No effort is wasted"-exactly. There are times when the bed, at day's end, is a most welcome place of refuge, but looking back on my efforts, the next morning, I recognize that it's all part of a life well-lived. Next week will be a long one, as will maybe the week after that. My place at the polls, in El Mirage, AZ-a hotbed of Hispanic conservatism, will be as Polling Station Chaplain. Though I am not a clergyman, the best days of my life have been spent providing reassurance and solace to the marginalized. My fervent wish, hope and desire is that America wakes up on November 9 and finds some inkling of a true New Day dawning.
Thank you, Gary, for all that you are doing for the good people of Arizona who need you!
Robert, 99% of the time I agree with your conclusions, comments etc, but I have to disagree with your comment today that Biden's speech of Wednesday would have been even greater if it had been given some weeks ago. I think if he'd given this speech 3 weeks, 6 weeks ago, it would have been ignored by the national media. I think the Pelosi attack is the event that has crystalized the media on the reality of the danger to democracy that the far right represents and made news coverage of Biden's speech possible. With 4 days until the Election, his speech may continue to ripple through media comments. If it had been given weeks ago, it would be "old news".
I support Lucinda's conclusion about the President's speech yesterday. The media were primed to carry it in prime-time (pun intended) because of the rising temperature and violence from the Republican party. As we all can recall, Joe DID give a remarkably similar speech on Sept. 1, 2022, in Philly, and it was NOT carried on all of networks. If you want to watch it again, here's a link: https://news.yahoo.com/bidens-full-speech-threats-democracy-192429049.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAN0IQqkhEPgrrDvjNTAbHfv8Vvjc0Qf6LiIQxSNOEamsrg_iH8i-EgZL-vs3xsC26DQU7hkH8UE_kdHyt6KO8JzeYmV8Pi6VORpfjM3MiKgXnnWF-r-zBO7AKo9RYys8_jnhEgXaP4QQRBjvP5bJ0DyPgfgqgLATx2f5BTZ3C9_f
MILLIONS of Americans will cast their votes on Tuesday, and the Republican party is doing its damndest to keep Democrats from voting. They are being ably aided by the ALL of the media, not just the usual Fox & Friends suspects. Showing photos of armed vigilantes in Arizona (all 2 of them) may be the one small push for some Democratic voters to avoid exercising their right to vote. How sad that we have come to this!
My husband and I are going out this weekend to leave flyers on our neighbors' doors, provided by Indivisible Michigan. If you want to participate, go to Indivisible's website and type in your state. There is still LOTS OF TIME to GOTV!! Thank you, everyone, for all that you are doing.
re: " I want to explore the question of when we should quit and give up on democracy. " I just came back from a civil rights tour in the US South. Many museums and historical sites recount the efforts of leaders and foot soldiers in the long struggle toward racial justice. The one take-away is that they never gave up. Honoring their struggle requires acknowledging the enormous progress that has been made as a result of their efforts while dedicating ourselves to the long hard struggle that must continue toward true racial justice that still has not been attained. No matter the setback, we must acknowledge the success of our experiment in democracy while continuing the struggle to protect and preserve it.
Thanks; I may borrow for this evening's newsletter.
Dear Robert,
You have convinced me to join Twitter. I've never been active on Twitter, but now seems like the perfect time. I am currently in Spain until after the election and have been wondering what I can do to amplify voices of Democracy.
So - If anyone has guidance on the most effective way to use Twitter, please let me know!
Robert, I write in response to your thoughtful defense for remaining on Twitter. As one, admittedly, who never has been on Twitter, I hope I’m not speaking out of turn when I suggest I can’t imagine how “responsible commentators” could consider leaving in lieu of trying to sift the truth from the propaganda, and/or take back the platform from ideologues who would propagate deceptions that can’t be proven wrong because they will admit no evidence to the contrary.
Barbara Jo, what does it mean to take back the platform from the lying promoters of cruelty and disinformation?? Aren’t there tens of thousands of them on Twitter, pounding out dangerous untruths weekly, if not daily?
Forgive my crudity, but this reminds me of trying to save a large swimming pool from the scores of people on one end who crap into the pool daily. If you can’t make them stop, is there a way to make the pool safe to swim in?
I’m thinking it’s better to abandon the pool, since it’s not remotely the only place around to swim! If Twitter were to lose 50 million Western viewers by spring, in an enormous protest move, Musk would presumably be in deep financial trouble. I’m guessing Twitter would quickly start acquiring the reputation of a Breitbart or FOX outlet - a place where mostly koolaid-drinking, right wing, insurrection supporters go. It might survive but people like us would have helped isolate it rather than support it. Personally - as a nonuser - I’d consider that a fine victory for reason, decency, and progress.
Tyler, In my view, the more a platform offers diverse interests, ideas, and voices, the angrier the MAGA radical right becomes. That’s because the one thing they loathe more than liberals is the truth. Hence, I think it’s imperative for those who have, say, over a million followers to remain firm on Twitter in their pursuit of what is true and, in my view, valuable. In a word, we can’t allow MAGA deceptions and distortions to go unanswered We need to act as filters, sifting the truth from the propaganda, and subjecting MAGA words and deeds to critical scrutiny.
"What was a great speech would have been even greater if delivered weeks ago."
I would amend that to months ago, no sorry, years ago. The entire "MAGA" movement has been about lies, slander, ridicule and hate. The Democratic Party has been asleep at the switch. Americans have poo pooed Trump and his slaves as a temporary phenomenon.
All this BS really started with the "Tea Party", Gingrich and Limbaugh. Trump just jumped on the bandwagon using his TV stardom as another engine of destruction.
While recriminations aimed at our fellow travelers and even ourselves accomplish little, we need to face the truth. We let this happen. The Tea Party monsters should have been shouted out of office as soon as they started. And now, we have dozens of members of the House of Representatives as well as some Senators who speak and act like traitors. They should been marched out of the Capitol long ago.
A terrific speech Joe. But you and we are late to the party. But it's not too late to arrest the traitors.
I totally agree with you, Bill. The Democrats let the situation come to this tenuous point, whether out of misplaced optimism or because they have been in denial throughout the long decades that the Repugnants have been assiduously working toward this goal.