I watched Nicole Wallace interview Mark Esper yesterday. He is as slimy as an eel and of course is pushing his book. Nicole did not let him get away with his lies especially the one relating to Alexander Vindman!!!
Robert — Thanks for the Angels story. Here’s another. I’m a White Sox fan. Monday night I was watching them lead Cleveland into the 8th inning 5-2. In the Sox 8th A.J. Pollock added to their lead with a three-run home run. 8-2. I turned it off and went to bed, confident it was in the win column. Next morning I was shocked to read of Cleveland’s 6-run 9th inning and subsequent 12th inning victory 12-9. And we Dems are not even in the 9th inning. More like the 5th or 6th. Thanks again. Mike
May 11, 2022·edited May 11, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
As you consider your position with regard to gender equality and where businesses and organizations stand on it, I urge all to understand that a failure to speak out and act accordingly in support of the essential value of equality of all means one is opposed to this fundamental principle. There is no middle ground. No one can claim neutrality on the issue of equality. One either supports it or opposes it.
Glad you took some time to enjoy baseball. I wanted to comment on not giving up. For the last 2 days, two friends and I sent out over 50,000 texts reminding Democrats to vote and offering a slate. We will do 40,000 more today. This is of our own volition and independent of anything the campaigns or Parties do. I’m part of a Dem club that is hading out 10,000 slate cards to Democrats- today I will do a tiny part doing 50 of them on my street. We are finding 2 important themes, one positive and one negative. The positive is that Democrats are all riled up about losing the right to an abortion. Even the uninformed know it. The negative is that the anti-Biden spin machine is working. Some number of people who voted for Biden are blaming him for inflation. That’s the only economy number they know about and they know his approval is low. I also took training to staff a voter hotline for when anyone has trouble voting and I will answer calls every other day for several hours. Not giving up is right. Fight like a girl!
Seems to me, if the trumpists are going after corporations, then corporations will run to moderate candidates, even Democrats, maybe especially Democrats. Play Ball!
I just called Rick Scott's DC office and left a recorded message for the senator, scolding him for disrespecting President Biden with his very personal derogatory comments. I mentioned the plan he himself has proposed that would increase taxes on the lowest tier of tax payers and consider the sunset of Medicare and Social Security in five years. What kind of a legislator would do that? I think one who just might be "incapacitated, confused, and unwell" - don't you?!
I have thought for some time that we should be framing our discussions/public policy talking about "health care" rather than "abortion." If a governmental agency, state or federal, Congress or the Supreme Court, can pick apart a person's medical care into what is allowed or not allowed, it makes the issue more obvious. What would prevent a ban on dialysis or hip replacements or vasectomies if some group decided that our Constitution doesn't expressly grant those rights? Framing the discussion around abortion and women's health care, ignores other medical care, other personal rights, other private decision-making, all the broader implications of repealing Roe. It might also allow people who are anti-abortion to think this doesn't affect them. I have been following letters to the editor or op-eds from Jewish Americans, the latest was Bret Stephens/Gail Collins conversation in yesterday's NY Times, saying that Judaism believes life begins at birth, that the health of the mother is prioritized over the fetus, that current Supreme Court and Congressional bias for the religious rights of Evangelicals effectively dismisses the rights and religious beliefs of other religions or non-religious Americans. For such strict "Constitutional scholars," what about the separation of Church and State? No establishment of a national religion? I can't even fathom Gov. Desantis vs. Disney. Glad you and Managing Editor got to see the Angels' no-hitter. Thank you always, Robert Hubbell, for stimulating my brain first thing in the morning.
The last line of thus paragraph is one of the greatest zingers ever: "Twitter and other social media companies have value only because they exist in a functioning democracy. If Musk allows Twitter to become a weapon in the destruction of democracy, Twitter will become subservient to the state, a mouthpiece for propaganda approved by an autocratic, thin-skinned dictator. See, e.g., Russia. At that point, Musk’s investment in Twitter will be valued in rubles."
This is about yesterday's installment; sorry it's late.
-----
Responding to Today’s Edition of May 10, two stories from NPR caught my attention. Both spoke to to the natural and seemingly inherent conflict between self-interest and human interest, as well as urgency vs. importance.
Mark Esper’s acknowledged failure to report then-President Trump’s willingness to shoot protesters (among 45’s many crazed ideas) cannot be justified, but it can be understood. He had a position of high responsibility, and was being urged to behave irresponsibly. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, and he was right to fear that Trump would eventually replace him with a willing syncophant. Sitting on the story of 45’s craziness diluted his story’s urgency, but it was a decision made in the midst of an insane, undemocratic occasion. How many could have “thought straight” under those circumstances?
At the time of the incident described, Esper may well have felt that he was able to prevent Trump from doing evil, crazy, selfish nonsense. On reflection, though, Esper must have also had some concern about losing his job. Few of us can make such calculations easily, knowing personal responsibility to provide for one’s family would be compromised if he didn’t “follow orders.” Acknowledging that his boss was a lunatic wouldn’t minimize the personal, financial pain he was likely to suffer. Most human beings would at least pause in the face of such a complex choice.
Again, I don’t accept the choice he made, but I accept that it was personally difficult to weigh alternatives.
The second story was an interview with the director of Jackson Women’s Health, whose parting comment was that it’s harder to get back a right that’s been taken away than it is to preserve and protect that same right when you still have it. I agree. Few things are inevitable, but, circumstances being what they are, many things are irretrievable.
For me, the bottom line is that most humans are honest, moral, and willing to play by the rules. As such, we are viciously handicapped when dealing with opponents who don’t. This is the problem that truly right-thinking Americans - sane Republicans, thoughtful Independents, and surely most Democrats - have in dealing with the party of Trump. The contest is not fair if both sides don’t play fair.
The only way to respond, as you so rightly point out, is to respond with overwhelming determination, honestly, fairly, and generously.
Thanks! I live in Massachusetts, but I’m off to write more postcards.
I listened to Biden yesterday and he didn't do well with his prepared remarks. Good message but not a great delivery. However I did like the fact that he didn't let the reporters move off of his topic -- inflation. He wanted the reporters to report on that issue. Good for him.
Oh, the Reactionaries and their causes celebres! First, The Teletubbies (Jerry Falwell, 1999), then Dr. Seuss, and now, Mickey Mouse. The lengths to which the distracting set will go, in trying to take the minds of the public off their backroom shenanigans, are mindboggling, yet they have ceased to be surprising.
On the baseball analogy, the New York Yankees long ago made the bottom of the ninth a comeback haven. Mickey Spillane was right, but it's not just the Fat Lady who sings at the last minute. Never forget: "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" (November, 1948).
I watched Nicole Wallace interview Mark Esper yesterday. He is as slimy as an eel and of course is pushing his book. Nicole did not let him get away with his lies especially the one relating to Alexander Vindman!!!
Robert — Thanks for the Angels story. Here’s another. I’m a White Sox fan. Monday night I was watching them lead Cleveland into the 8th inning 5-2. In the Sox 8th A.J. Pollock added to their lead with a three-run home run. 8-2. I turned it off and went to bed, confident it was in the win column. Next morning I was shocked to read of Cleveland’s 6-run 9th inning and subsequent 12th inning victory 12-9. And we Dems are not even in the 9th inning. More like the 5th or 6th. Thanks again. Mike
Playing hardball with corporations is something all consumers and investors can do. Bravo, Robert!
As you consider your position with regard to gender equality and where businesses and organizations stand on it, I urge all to understand that a failure to speak out and act accordingly in support of the essential value of equality of all means one is opposed to this fundamental principle. There is no middle ground. No one can claim neutrality on the issue of equality. One either supports it or opposes it.
Glad you took some time to enjoy baseball. I wanted to comment on not giving up. For the last 2 days, two friends and I sent out over 50,000 texts reminding Democrats to vote and offering a slate. We will do 40,000 more today. This is of our own volition and independent of anything the campaigns or Parties do. I’m part of a Dem club that is hading out 10,000 slate cards to Democrats- today I will do a tiny part doing 50 of them on my street. We are finding 2 important themes, one positive and one negative. The positive is that Democrats are all riled up about losing the right to an abortion. Even the uninformed know it. The negative is that the anti-Biden spin machine is working. Some number of people who voted for Biden are blaming him for inflation. That’s the only economy number they know about and they know his approval is low. I also took training to staff a voter hotline for when anyone has trouble voting and I will answer calls every other day for several hours. Not giving up is right. Fight like a girl!
Seems to me, if the trumpists are going after corporations, then corporations will run to moderate candidates, even Democrats, maybe especially Democrats. Play Ball!
I just called Rick Scott's DC office and left a recorded message for the senator, scolding him for disrespecting President Biden with his very personal derogatory comments. I mentioned the plan he himself has proposed that would increase taxes on the lowest tier of tax payers and consider the sunset of Medicare and Social Security in five years. What kind of a legislator would do that? I think one who just might be "incapacitated, confused, and unwell" - don't you?!
I have thought for some time that we should be framing our discussions/public policy talking about "health care" rather than "abortion." If a governmental agency, state or federal, Congress or the Supreme Court, can pick apart a person's medical care into what is allowed or not allowed, it makes the issue more obvious. What would prevent a ban on dialysis or hip replacements or vasectomies if some group decided that our Constitution doesn't expressly grant those rights? Framing the discussion around abortion and women's health care, ignores other medical care, other personal rights, other private decision-making, all the broader implications of repealing Roe. It might also allow people who are anti-abortion to think this doesn't affect them. I have been following letters to the editor or op-eds from Jewish Americans, the latest was Bret Stephens/Gail Collins conversation in yesterday's NY Times, saying that Judaism believes life begins at birth, that the health of the mother is prioritized over the fetus, that current Supreme Court and Congressional bias for the religious rights of Evangelicals effectively dismisses the rights and religious beliefs of other religions or non-religious Americans. For such strict "Constitutional scholars," what about the separation of Church and State? No establishment of a national religion? I can't even fathom Gov. Desantis vs. Disney. Glad you and Managing Editor got to see the Angels' no-hitter. Thank you always, Robert Hubbell, for stimulating my brain first thing in the morning.
Baseball! MVPs are supported by steady, everyday, no-fanfare players. The whole Dems team has to stay equally engaged. It’s a long season.
The last line of thus paragraph is one of the greatest zingers ever: "Twitter and other social media companies have value only because they exist in a functioning democracy. If Musk allows Twitter to become a weapon in the destruction of democracy, Twitter will become subservient to the state, a mouthpiece for propaganda approved by an autocratic, thin-skinned dictator. See, e.g., Russia. At that point, Musk’s investment in Twitter will be valued in rubles."
I’m not a baseball fan but love that analogy. We have only to look at Ukraine for an example on how inspiring and contagious not giving up can be!
Giving up is NOT an option...glad you got to get out and see a ball game!!
Keep on with the sports analogies. And thanks for the explanation of the no hitter. What a grand way to start my day!
This is about yesterday's installment; sorry it's late.
-----
Responding to Today’s Edition of May 10, two stories from NPR caught my attention. Both spoke to to the natural and seemingly inherent conflict between self-interest and human interest, as well as urgency vs. importance.
Mark Esper’s acknowledged failure to report then-President Trump’s willingness to shoot protesters (among 45’s many crazed ideas) cannot be justified, but it can be understood. He had a position of high responsibility, and was being urged to behave irresponsibly. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, and he was right to fear that Trump would eventually replace him with a willing syncophant. Sitting on the story of 45’s craziness diluted his story’s urgency, but it was a decision made in the midst of an insane, undemocratic occasion. How many could have “thought straight” under those circumstances?
At the time of the incident described, Esper may well have felt that he was able to prevent Trump from doing evil, crazy, selfish nonsense. On reflection, though, Esper must have also had some concern about losing his job. Few of us can make such calculations easily, knowing personal responsibility to provide for one’s family would be compromised if he didn’t “follow orders.” Acknowledging that his boss was a lunatic wouldn’t minimize the personal, financial pain he was likely to suffer. Most human beings would at least pause in the face of such a complex choice.
Again, I don’t accept the choice he made, but I accept that it was personally difficult to weigh alternatives.
The second story was an interview with the director of Jackson Women’s Health, whose parting comment was that it’s harder to get back a right that’s been taken away than it is to preserve and protect that same right when you still have it. I agree. Few things are inevitable, but, circumstances being what they are, many things are irretrievable.
For me, the bottom line is that most humans are honest, moral, and willing to play by the rules. As such, we are viciously handicapped when dealing with opponents who don’t. This is the problem that truly right-thinking Americans - sane Republicans, thoughtful Independents, and surely most Democrats - have in dealing with the party of Trump. The contest is not fair if both sides don’t play fair.
The only way to respond, as you so rightly point out, is to respond with overwhelming determination, honestly, fairly, and generously.
Thanks! I live in Massachusetts, but I’m off to write more postcards.
I listened to Biden yesterday and he didn't do well with his prepared remarks. Good message but not a great delivery. However I did like the fact that he didn't let the reporters move off of his topic -- inflation. He wanted the reporters to report on that issue. Good for him.
Oh, the Reactionaries and their causes celebres! First, The Teletubbies (Jerry Falwell, 1999), then Dr. Seuss, and now, Mickey Mouse. The lengths to which the distracting set will go, in trying to take the minds of the public off their backroom shenanigans, are mindboggling, yet they have ceased to be surprising.
On the baseball analogy, the New York Yankees long ago made the bottom of the ninth a comeback haven. Mickey Spillane was right, but it's not just the Fat Lady who sings at the last minute. Never forget: "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" (November, 1948).