It's powerful. Intellectually rigorous and very motivational. I had tears as I read the (well known) stories about the leadership John McCain demonstrated in 2008 when confronted with lies about Obama, and the leadership Al Gore and George W. Bush showed when Gore conceded in 2000. It's a cogent reminder of why we do what we do, the love we bring to this wonderful idea that forms the bedrock of our nation - that we are all created equal.
Like you Robert, Reich makes very clear that the 2024 election is about this one thing - saving democracy and preserving this powerful ideal that we are all created equal..
Reich writes:
"Leadership of the sort we need to resurrect the common good is not about winning. It’s not about being tough, ruthless, or ferocious. It’s about attending to the needs of the people who are being led — valuing and elevating the common good that binds them together. Earning and building their trust."
Reich concludes with the following:
"We can help resurrect the common good by demanding that our leaders — both in government and in business — dedicate themselves to rebuilding public trust in the institutions they have responsibility for. Their goal must be the common good rather than their own selfish, parched ambitions.
They will not do this on their own. The rest of us must make them. We must support candidates who embody this conception of leadership and eschew those who do not. We must support corporations whose leaders embody it and avoid corporations whose leaders do not."
Reading you every day, Robert. Reading Heather. Reading Reich. And seeing Michael Moore on CNN tonight, it's clear the winds are at our back in 2024.
As you so often say "We have every reason to be hopeful, but no reason to be complacent."
But I wouldn't give George W. Bush any credit for his comportment in the 2000 election. The Republicans resorted to dirty tricks to "win" that election -- Gov Jeb Bush scrubbing the voter rolls in Florida, conservative supreme court stopping the count in Florida, right wing thugs threatening vote counters, etc. The GOP has not acted honorably in decades .
All the time! Had Gore's election not been stolen by the conservative Supreme Court majority, I think America would be in a much better place today. For one, the Bush tax cuts would not have happened, nor would 9-11 have happened and the resulting disastrous wars, as well as a whole bunch of other bad stuff. The GOP inflicts pain upon Americans.
Thanks John. I generally agree w you about Bush. It got so bad that I had to turn off the TV when he we on.
But read what Reich has to say;
"BEFORE TRUMP, the peaceful transfer of power was assumed to be a central feature of our democracy. When losing candidates congratulate winners and deliver gracious concession speeches, they demonstrate their commitment to the democratic system over any specific outcome they fought to achieve.
That demonstration is an important means of reestablishing civility. Think of Al Gore’s gracious concession speech to George W. Bush in 2000, following five weeks of a bitterly contested election and just one day after the Supreme Court ruled 5–4 in favor of Bush:
“I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country. . . . Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy.
Bush’s response was no less gracious:
“Vice President Gore and I put our hearts and hopes into our campaigns; we both gave it our all. We shared similar emotions. I understand how difficult this moment must be for Vice President Gore and his family. . . Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important than any political disagreements. Republicans want the best for our nation. And so do Democrats. Our votes may differ, but not our hopes.”
Many voters continued to doubt the legitimacy of Bush’s victory, but there was no civil war. Think of what might have occurred if Gore had bitterly accused Bush of winning fraudulently and blamed the five Republican appointees on the Supreme Court for siding with Bush for partisan reasons.
Think what might have happened if, during his campaign, Bush had promised to put Gore in jail for various improprieties, and then, after he won, accused Gore (or Bill Clinton) of spying on him during the campaign and trying to use the FBI and CIA to bring his downfall. "
Gore did the right thing back in 2000. Sure, Bush was gracious in "victory", thanks to the Supreme Court. But if the Supreme Court did not intervene and the Florida vote count continued and Gore narrowly won Florida, which would have been the case, the GOP (if not Bush) would've made life difficult for the country, I think.
Hi Stan, I think Republicans have been making life difficult for more than just Democrats, don't you? I mean, has there been anything the Republican Party has championed that benefits anybody other than maybe the wealthiest 10% of our population?
I agree we need to demand the common good but we need the media to hammer home that message everyday and hold everyone accountable. Equal time and coverage is not going to do it.
I just read that Trump will be interviewed on Meet the Press on Sunday. Let's see if Kristen Welker asks some serious questions. I'm pretty sure he won't have any serious answers. But just maybe he will continue to reveal himself as the monster that he is.
BUT in these interviews Trump often is able to fill them with lies with no immediate corrections leaving the lies out there to “circle the globe while truth is putting on its pants”. How to give the truth equal time?
I know. I don't know Kristen Welker or whether she will try or be able to wrangle his lies to the ground. I'm disgusted that he's getting one more chance to be in a giant spotlight. It's maddening.
Interesting interview on Fox News yesterday: 3 Iowa Republicans were asked who they will support in their coming caucus...not one was for Trump, and each supported a different candidate. Three is a meaningless number, but if it’s in any way indicative of the majority of Iowa Republicans, there very well may be a candidate other than Trump in 2024 and that person has a very good chance of defeating Biden.
Robert Reich is more than an economic wizard - he believes in the American Dream of true equal opportunity. His substack letter is one the core group I am willing to pay for. He stands for an America that is for all Americans - not just the morbidly rich.
I would also recommend Thom Hartmann. This guy digs and digs and has shown over and over again what the American oligarchs have done to achieve dominance. This recent one is quite revealing and frankly very upsetting. But we need to know and understand it all.
Thanks for the "morbidly rich" phrase. 🙏🏽 That nails it and I plan to use the term going forward.
Yesterday I imagined someone with enough wealth to have $10M invested. If that produces just a 5% return, that person gets $500,000 per year. If they spend/donate $400,000 during the year, they still are $100,000 richer when Dec. 31 rolls around.
Now imagine adding 1 or 2 zeros to each of those numbers. You start getting into the realm of the 0.5% bracket of Americans who have amassed a huge amount of the nation's wealth.
Morbid indeed. It's life-distorting and soul-corrupting. Many (but not all) such people can only be at ease with other super-wealthy people, since everyone else might be trying to somehow make big money off of them. (And the super wealthy have their own pecking order!) So, like most of their friends, they are out of touch with ordinary humans - except their employees (who they know are very rarely going to be honest with them). They often wrestle with deep moral doubts, some more consciously than others.
Agree with goal of "common good". We need to use the same word over and over and make it clear that is the same way we help our neighbors in a crisis. Make this clearly the norm.
Agreed, Beth B. After reading Reich and much of Project 2025 and many summaries, we need to be "scared out of our seat". Our very soul and being as a nation is at stake in 2024.
Robert Reich's comment that the leaders' "goal must be the common good rather than their own selfish, parched ambitions" describes a fundamental difference as I see it between Democrats and Republicans. The former seek to serve the common good while the latter seek to serve themselves.
I got busy today and never managed to reply to this issue that you brought up.
“ Robert, you seem to be publicly chastising some minion for leaving YOUR newsletter in some “in process” stage. Don’t paint yourself to be an ass**** in public. It’s yours, so accept ownership. Apologize and get on with it. If you have a gripe about something or someone your own shop, take it up there.”
JUST WOW! Talk about ass ****. This person not only is one for speaking before thinking, but reveals much about his/her own personality and behavior.
It never occurred to me that in your apology for not sending your daily message at the usual time you were blaming someone else (your minions? Seriously? Where did that person pull this idea out from?)
I’m still flabbergasted that someone could make such a stupid, insensitive, ignorant remark. It pains me to think that this person even has access to your excellent newsletter.
Thank you, DW, for staying so succinctly what I felt upon reading that horrific criticism of Robert. This person clearly has no life and many issues. I have no idea why he reads this invaluable newsletter. Robert shouldn’t have to deal with such a person.
The comment from the ex- Republican provides a reason for hope! A work colleague of mine is the same. He never voted Democrat before Trump, now to quote him “Vote Democrats only unless they’ve been convicted of murder!” Quite a turnaround.
Thanks for the newsletter and all your hard work!!!!
This heartens me to realize there are conservatives who DO respect the rule of law and see the alt-right propaganda.. There may be more than we are led to believe because nearly all main stream media's business model relies on chaos reporting to heighten clicks & likes, for ad $. Find a candidate & help him/her.
Jenna Ellis has declared, on her own radio show, that she does not intend to vote for the Defendant, because of his "malignant narcissistic tendency." So there's another R come over (partially -- she says she still likes him as a person). I wonder if she'll flip in Atlanta... She's named in the indictment as one of the people in the room with the Defendant when he tried to convince a delegation of Pennsylvania legislatures to ignore the vote and appoint his slate of electors.
Apparently, Trump isn’t paying for her lawyer. I think she has resorted to crowdfunding to pay her legal fees? Might be one reason why she could turn State’s evidence?
Clifford: "So there's another R come over(partially.......) Not really. She's trying to appear as a reformed lawyer who has finally realized the error of her ways. Her mug shot smile is turning into a frown and she's scared. Georgia AG should ignore her if she wants to flip. No need for her testimony in this case as there's enough evidence for RICO convictions.
Thanks Robert for providing the post of a former Republican, who early on saw Trump for what he really is- a sly, conniving, self-serving , amoral , narcissistic shell of a human being. We all know and have seen the way he manipulates, and feeds on many of our citizens for strictly personal gain . He could care less about democratic principals, common good. The only good he knows, or cares about is what is good for (and only for) Donald Trump!
I read your letter faithfully, as I do Robert Reich,and Heather cox Richardson. Each of you compliments one another beautifully, and it's always so refreshing to read truth and reality. You put into words, what all of the good, honest citizens of this great country know, and feel in their hearts. I believe ,like so many, democracy will survive and thrive in the country. Thank you for being such a strong moral compass!
I’m fascinated by your hardline Republican reader who switched to the Dems in 2016. I wholly agree that - as always - it will largely be Independents who decide the next election. At the same time though, I can’t help wondering if there are any reputable studies exploring how and why people change political tribes? I’d love to know if the change tends to be down to a single moment of clarity? Or a process that happens slowly, and then all at once? I’d also love to know what the major factors are: a change in life circumstances? A new friend or colleague who thinks differently? Or simply a change in information environment?
My own biased view is that ‘understanding’ and ‘non judgment’ are the bridge over which people change sides.
For that reason, I’m partial to the story of Megan Phelps-Roper who says she finally left her family’s hateful Westboro Baptist Church because a small group of patient people were consistently kind to her on Twitter. The plural of anecdote may not be data, but I think her story is pretty instructive. Because isn’t the evil genius of Trump the fact that he inspires the exact opposite behavior in Liberals and Progressives and Democrats? That he’s so egregiously maddening that it becomes nearly impossible not to judge and demonize his supporters... which just plays into Trump’s hands, by closing that bridge to people changing sides.
As a lifelong Liberal, I think I’ve slightly lost sight of the tolerance that I used to cherish so much. After a great deal of thought, I’ve come to the conclusion that hating Trump is fine, but that hating his supporters is likely counterproductive. So, unless anyone has any better ideas for helping people change sides, I think I’m going to try that Megan Phelps-Roper approach for a while. Seriously, any and all ideas are welcome. In the meantime, wish me luck!
Me too. I was 17. I went to a rally for him in Madison Square Garden. Brought there by my high school English teacher. AUH2O in '64! Indoctrination, maybe? I gag at the memory. How did the high school allow that?
But then there was the con job of Vietnam. And I realized that Goldwater's philosophy might work if there were 24 people on the planet - all white with women as slaves.
Barry often said "You can't legislate morality." To which I respond: "Why not?"
But sadly Johnson did in Vietnam what we were afraid Barry would do...
Now I am ridin' with Biden who makes me a super proud Democrat. But my political hero is Elizabeth Warren. Proud of her here in MA.
Ditto your last paragraph Bill. I also want to point out other MA people who serve honorably. Katherine Clark(D- minority whip), Jim MaGovern(D-House) Ed Markey(D-Sen).
Proud to be an elder Democrat from Blue Massachusetts.
👍 An excellent description of being uber-divisive:
"Because isn’t the evil genius of Trump the fact that he inspires the exact opposite behavior in Liberals and Progressives and Democrats? That he’s so egregiously maddening that it becomes nearly impossible not to judge and demonize his supporters... which just plays into Trump’s hands, by closing that bridge to people changing sides."
This brings me back to wondering what were the sociological and technological shifts that made such a cruel con man so successful at being divisive on a vast scale. I suspect the weakness was always there in Americans, but restrained by many cultural factors in the pre-Internet days. It only took one generation after the Internet's explosion for America to become ripe for Trump to divide us bitterly.
In essence, IMO the Internet plowed the field, social media planted the seeds, and con-artist Trump just knew where to pour the water.
From yesterday, I was shocked, disappointed, and discouraged by revelations in Mitt Romney's biography that indicate, or lead me to believe, that Trump would have been impeached if GOP senators weren't actually terrified for their own families' safety by the GOP supporters. Is it really possible that in the US there are scared US Senators? Senators scared of the wrath of Donald J trump supporters? Is this not precisely what happens in third world banana republics?
I was shocked reading that when told by Senator Angus King about the potential for violence on January 6, all Romney did was text McConnell, and received no reply. If both Romney and King knew what was slithering through the deplorable community, why was there no action greater than one text? So much for the “power “ of the Senate.
Your post brings a thought to mind—if these senators love their families more than their country and if they cannot act with the courage of their convictions, what in the world are they doing in government service? Is it just for the power and prestige? Apparently so. That’s why a Mitch McConnell can herd them like sheep! I wish he could ‘out’ them so we could pin a C for coward on them like women were branded as adulterers with the A.
I hate to bring money into it, and that does not include Romney, but I think there are many in the Senate and the House who are in it for the money. They see this great gravy train rolling out in front of them if they please their supporters for a few years and can elevate themselves into political celebrities. I don't, for one minute, think that JIm Jordan's motivations are pure and centered on bettering the lives of Ohioans, for example. Citizens United in 2010 made an already bad situation - buying political loyalty -- infinitely worse.
My husband and I not as “conservative” as the reader you quoted, but we, too, voted for the Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in 2016.
One difference is that my husband watches some FOX in the gym and listens to a little talk radio when driving (as he says, he can’t take more than 10 minutes). He thinks it’s useful to hear what “the other side” is listening to all day. Good point.
I’ll also say we’re not even sure what “conservative” means any more. My parents were conservative but were generous, philanthropic, pro-science, etc. Today’s Republican Party is just nuts.
I hope everyone takes the few minutes to read it. For me, reading it makes me realize how inured I've/we've become to Trumps outrageous rantings. Except for jailing him, I can't imagine how anyone can stop his nonstop threats. This motion will only increase his deplorable behavior.
I expect that this motion will cause his behavior to be mirrored in the R's in Congress and across right wing media. They've zeroed in on the power of mass indoctrination.
I just hope that there are enough of us to finally put them to rest by voting each and every one of them out. Otherwise I fear this precious democracy experiment is at risk.
"We cannot forget, because we cannot learn from past mistakes we do not know exist... "
Just one of many memorable observations by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as she so eloquently shreds to pieces the despicable efforts of Republicans (no, it's not just Ron DeSantis) to silence, twist around or rewrite unpleasant parts of history.
Taking the 20 minutes to listen to her is time well spent this weekend.
This may be a harsh thing to say (and an exaggeration) but my observation is that anyone who likes and supports Donald Trump - a man of zero moral structure, mean spirited, vengeful, venomous, angry, hateful, greedy, self-centered, egotistical, frequently wrong but never in doubt, and somewhat delusional and without compassion or empathy, would have to share some of his traits. I'd like to copy and paste the part at the end of Robert's newsletter about the lady who saw the light early on: It bears repeating because she saw the distortions and outright lies being fed to those who perhaps are not exactly mental giants who like all cult followers are easily mesmerized: " I am an unusual subscriber to your newsletter. Until 2016, I was a hardline Republican who had never voted for a Democrat in her life (75 years). I was a Never Trumper voter from the moment Trump declared his candidacy. I voted third party in 2016 and for Biden in 2020. In 2022, I voted straight Democratic for the first time in my life. I am not only a former Republican, I am also an Evangelical Christian who refuses to vote for Trump.
Although I now consider myself an independent voter (I am more conservative than liberal), I will continue to vote for Democrats until Trump and his crime buddies are gone. To show you how far I have come, I used to watch Fox News exclusively. (Now I watch MSNBC). I used to listen to conservative talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, etc.) every day. I have not listened to any of them since 2016."
Again, from Robert: "The reader who posted the comment escaped a news environment filled with disinformation and lies. She credits the newsletter (in part) for helping to provide truthful information and objective analysis. I mention that fact not to pat myself on the back but to make the point that you can help reach voters like the Never Trumper reader by posting, commenting, and sharing truthful information in places where persuadable friends and neighbors can see it.
We won’t change everyone’s mind; we don’t need to. In a narrowly divided electorate, convincing voters at the margin is all it will take to ensure victory for Democrats up and down the ballot in 2024."
In 2016, I had several moments that can best be described as the scene in "Cabaret" where Michael York's character sees his "good German" friend show up in an SS uniform. That was me with people I knew coming out as Trumpers.
I know the feeling well TC I remember the film by the way. I met Joel Grey's daughter, Jennifer when I was doing background work from age 78 to 89 for something to do in my old age. We did a music video called Rich White Girls. I was her elderly husband. No dialog of course, we were just eating dinner with our two "daughters" I'm ignoring Jennifer so she gets up on the table to get my attention but I still ignore her :) Here is the link: . https://youtu.be/US9lCjHkV6s
Funny how life goes TC, with its twists and turns, So many years ago since the movie, Dirty Dancing, I remember watching it with my kids. If someone had said to me one day you'll play her husband in a music video I'd have thought them nuts. I never even thought about being and estra let alone an actor. Same when watching Marty or From Here to Eternity. Or watching Arnold Palmer in a golf game. I was Ernest Borgnine's stand-In in his last movie, an extra in Jerry Lewis's last film, Max Rose, and got to meet him, and I was Arnold Palmer's stand-In/body double in the the xarelto commercial. Met or worked with a few other well known actors, but they are just people like anyone else, just happen to be well known and of course very talented in what they do. Anher cute music video was Liar, with Camila Cabello. I played a butler to her rich fiance. After retiring from the phone company I drove a retired businessman. He happened to be a friend of Reagan and people like Annenberg, Eisenhower way back, and a lot of other very wealthy people. That was interesting too. Seeing how the other half lives, except they're all dead now :)
What is most interesting to me (and maybe this supports the theory that birth is not our beginning) is that we are all so different in spite of being of the same biological species, even our pets have their own "personalities. " From a very young age there are marked differences, in good tastes, interests, sunny dispositions or much more subdued. Studies can often detect kids that are going to g have serious problems later in life. Then there are very bright kids, ones who show remarkable talents early on. How do you explain a musical prodigy. Even siblings have vastly different personalities. Is it all genetics and later on environmental influences? We mentioned kids who grow up to be gay. they often show early signs of being "different". No, we are all who we are from the very beginning with certain adjustments made as we grow based on various influences and pressures. I'd go so far as to say for the most part we can't help being who we are. Of course we do change over a lifetime I think. We learn that certain behaviours get us in trouble for example or at least do not endear us to others. Again, perhaps we are all works in progress, although some seem very slow to learn (Trump?) as one example. , I'm sure everyone's heard the interview today where he admits was the one behind the scheme to overturn y the election, not the lawyers. Jack smith must be delighted.
Based on my experiences talking about gay marriage with friends, I think I doubt if social media posts or any other indirect, at-a-distance messages would make an impact. If we meet them face-to-face and if they're willing to listen as well as talk, though, that can do the job. It did with my friends. But even that will fail if we make moral judgments about them.
I confess, I don't know much about the subject but I have two, no three acquaintances that are gay guys and not once has the subject ever come up in conversations at coffee. To me they are exactly the same as any other friend. I do sympathize with them though, because of what I see and read in the media about how they are discriminated against. There is a line in a movie I saw on Nerflix recently about an African boy who was born an albino. He was bullied at school and even savagely beaten by an adult, just for being different. The line was (if I recall correctly) "People hate what they don't understand, and they seek to destroy that which they hate."
I have another friend that has no animosity against gays/transexuals, but believes firmly it is a lifestyle choice. I disagree with him and believe that just as the albino boy was an accident at birth so are gay people born that way essentially physically a male, say, but . a more feminine soul than a masculine soul - a woman essence trapped in a man's body, and vice vera. Even as little children they might f gravite to toys of the opposite sex. The great sage, Edgar Cayce, who was a christian and a school teacher, said he had no choice but to go against his faith regarding his ability see see past lives, said that the reason for being gay was because there is a sudden switch after being born the same sex over and over then suddenly the opposite sex the psyche can't adjust that quickly and so that is the reason. A far out theory I know, but he claims that we are all here in the physical realm to learn and to grow and to advance in consciousness - but this can't be accomplished in one short lifetime, that it takes many many lives, and sometime the only way to learn a certain lesson is to live a given life as a member of the opposite sex. Perhaps to make amends for past misdeeds against that sex, to learn empathy, He says that when a certain level of spirituality is reached then it is no longer necessary to reincarnate, that we never again have to endure the physical life but live permanently in the higher spirit realms, returning in effect from where we came. We are as fallen angels you might say :) He says reincarnation was a fully accepted belief at the time of Jesus but the early church quaffed it, "It is believed that in 553 A.D. during the Second Council of Constantinople the idea of reincarnation was found to have no place in the Christian Church. Although reincarnation was not officially rejected at this council, those early Church Fathers who were accused of teaching the idea of reincarnation had their works banned. 553 A.D. did mark the end of the debate on reincarnation within the Christian community. Observing the fact that reincarnation is not a doctrine typically taught within Christianity today one might assume that this council was called to settle an argument about reincarnation and its supplemental ideas between Christians and non-Christians. This was not the case. Although the idea of reincarnation was rejected by the Christian Church as a doctrine because it was believed to contradict the doctrine of corporeal resurrection and undermine the need for Christ's redemptive sacrifices, it was a belief held by many early Christian theologians such as Valentinus and Basilides of Alexandria.
"It is believed that in 553 A.D. during the Second Council of Constantinople the idea of reincarnation was found to have no place in the Christian Church. Although reincarnation was not officially rejected at this council, those early Church Fathers who were accused of teaching the idea of reincarnation had their works banned. 553 A.D. did mark the end of the debate on reincarnation within the Christian community. Observing the fact that reincarnation is not a doctrine typically taught within Christianity today one might assume that this council was called to settle an argument about reincarnation and its supplemental ideas between Christians and non-Christians. This was not the case. Although the idea of reincarnation was rejected by the Christian Church as a doctrine because it was believed to contradict the doctrine of corporeal resurrection and undermine the need for Christ's redemptive sacrifices, it was a belief held by many early Christian theologians such as Valentinus and Basilides of Alexandria."
If Trump doesn’t shut up and follow Judge Chutkan’s orders, the ultimate decision she can make is to put him in jail until trial and between the trial sessions. She will be faced with a crucial decision to make because she must be thinking about the violence and the political storm in the Republican Party over such an arrest. Regardless, if she ever reads this I urge her to do what’s right and let the chips fall where they may. Like so many others, I am waiting, Your Honor.
I think there is a very effective and reasonable middle ground that the judge could use, and that's house arrest with no access to any communication media. He could be allowed to give a 30 or 60 minute campaign rally speech from Mar-a-Lago once a week, but nothing more. In addition to the usual Secret Service people, there could be police assigned to enforce these restrictions 24/7. It would be a bit harder for his supporters to freak out about a man being confined to a fancy golf resort until his trial ends.
What happens when in his 30-60 minute weekly campaign speech he goes off on the same tangents of intimidation and all the other lies? Then, it’s back to the judge for a stiffer penalty. He has been given so many passes while the rest of us would have been rotting in jail for 1/00th as much.
At that point, as you say, jail time would be the only option. Judge Chutkan could state up front that that will be her next step. If you were pampered Trump, can you imagine the horror of months in a jail cell, eating crappy food and being afraid of 2/3 of the other inmates?? When he knows that's the next step, I believe he would shut up re: his cases.
Some have said throw him in jail now for 1-2 nights. That might work too, but seems needlessly inflammatory, and also he's free again after 2 days.
Most of us readers would agree that none of this is how things "should" be. But, IMO, the judge is walking a sensible line between the ideal, and what the nation can handle without very widespread violence. She also doesn't want a future appeal court to see her as so biased that any convictions get overturned.
Not going to be effective against a self-described billionaire, you might say? Well, Trump is a notorious tightwad, a man given to inducing others to pay his way. Fines might sting him.
"I will continue to vote for Democrats until Trump and his crime buddies are gone." Ah, the power of words to change the minds of citizens whose minds have been held hostage by " a news environment filled with disinformation and lies." That's no small achievement. Hopefully, the evidenced-based information presented regularly on this site will be enough to convince Judge Chutkan to put Trump in prison where he belongs. If such a decision sparks a civil war, so be it. The King Baby Trump and his outlaws have been terrorizing our town long enough. It's "High Noon" Marshal Chutkan!
If you or I had said the things Trump has said since being indicted, would we still be walking free? Seems as if judges have applied too much favoritism here. Or is it fear of public retribution and violence?
Trump has violated court orders. He should be in prison until he gets a "speedy trial".
He should have been jailed and silenced in January of 2021. Most countries have the intelligence to do such a thing. It was obvious that he was violating the Constitution and every norm of our democracy when he refused to concede and urged a mob to attack our national legislature.
What more proof does a public need? A shooting on Fifth Avenue?
There are a lot of voters like the one you referenced who have seen the light and switched party affiliation for many reasons beside Trump. If you support Trump you are not supporting the party but an individual and are overlooking many character flaws and transgressions. Many of my Republican friends supported the Republican Party because they believe in the platform regarding taxes, defense spending and the role of government. The current MAGA Republicans care less about the platform and are focused on revenge and a authoritarian view of government. Every product has a shelf life and I believe that fringe MAGA Republicans are starting to feel that the current Republican product has run its course and no longer provides them with what they signed up for in 2016. It’s still up to us continue the basic blocking and tackling to insure the future of democracy.
MAGA came about because the Republican platform --basically redistribution of wealth upward--is not popular with a majority of voters. MAGA is the Republicans' way of getting more votes, if still not a majority, maybe enough to win in the electoral college. Failing that, a big enough mob that can overthrow an election.
The writer who has become an independent because of Trump could be my husband…he was a diehard republican and did exact same thing and is same age….never too late!
This filing by Jack Smith is long overdue. But it also places a huge burden of responsibility on Judge Chutkan. I wonder if it is fair to her to ask her to do what should have been done a long time ago - to stand up to Trump and on the strongest possible terms to oppose him publicly and loudly. So far the Right has been doing all the yelling and chest thumping and making threats. Our side has been patiently and quietly trying to counter the Right with good thoughts and good deeds. I’m sure Judge Chutkan will react in a quietly strong and judicial way. But who is there to back her up? What resources can she call upon to enforce the order she must inevitably issue? Trump is the cornered animal fighting for his life and freedom. Many Magas identify with his battle. What are the mechanisms of Justice that can rally behind Judge Chutkan so she doesn’t stand alone against the inevitable lawlessness of this dangerous predator and his followers? How can such an order be enforced?
When we knock on doors, we get the opportunity to connect to others, to show our kindness, show that Democrats are normal, open-minded, listeners, who respect other points of views. It is quite powerful, more so than other political acts, to connect in this way. Occasionally you meet people who are fearful of voting. You can encourage them that we are not what Fox or others say about Democrats. Being respectful one to one. Helping people figure out where and when to vote. Canvassers can change minds.
Robert Reich has an excellent substack column that I highly recommend ... "Resurrecting the Common Good: A New (and Very Old) Conception of Leadership." https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-common-good-chapter-7-leadership
It's powerful. Intellectually rigorous and very motivational. I had tears as I read the (well known) stories about the leadership John McCain demonstrated in 2008 when confronted with lies about Obama, and the leadership Al Gore and George W. Bush showed when Gore conceded in 2000. It's a cogent reminder of why we do what we do, the love we bring to this wonderful idea that forms the bedrock of our nation - that we are all created equal.
Like you Robert, Reich makes very clear that the 2024 election is about this one thing - saving democracy and preserving this powerful ideal that we are all created equal..
Reich writes:
"Leadership of the sort we need to resurrect the common good is not about winning. It’s not about being tough, ruthless, or ferocious. It’s about attending to the needs of the people who are being led — valuing and elevating the common good that binds them together. Earning and building their trust."
Reich concludes with the following:
"We can help resurrect the common good by demanding that our leaders — both in government and in business — dedicate themselves to rebuilding public trust in the institutions they have responsibility for. Their goal must be the common good rather than their own selfish, parched ambitions.
They will not do this on their own. The rest of us must make them. We must support candidates who embody this conception of leadership and eschew those who do not. We must support corporations whose leaders embody it and avoid corporations whose leaders do not."
Reading you every day, Robert. Reading Heather. Reading Reich. And seeing Michael Moore on CNN tonight, it's clear the winds are at our back in 2024.
As you so often say "We have every reason to be hopeful, but no reason to be complacent."
Great comment and thanks for the Reich article!
But I wouldn't give George W. Bush any credit for his comportment in the 2000 election. The Republicans resorted to dirty tricks to "win" that election -- Gov Jeb Bush scrubbing the voter rolls in Florida, conservative supreme court stopping the count in Florida, right wing thugs threatening vote counters, etc. The GOP has not acted honorably in decades .
Do you ever wonder how our history would have changed with Gore instead of Bush?
Or Hilary instead of Trump?
All the time! Had Gore's election not been stolen by the conservative Supreme Court majority, I think America would be in a much better place today. For one, the Bush tax cuts would not have happened, nor would 9-11 have happened and the resulting disastrous wars, as well as a whole bunch of other bad stuff. The GOP inflicts pain upon Americans.
Yes, ALL THE TIME!
Thanks John. I generally agree w you about Bush. It got so bad that I had to turn off the TV when he we on.
But read what Reich has to say;
"BEFORE TRUMP, the peaceful transfer of power was assumed to be a central feature of our democracy. When losing candidates congratulate winners and deliver gracious concession speeches, they demonstrate their commitment to the democratic system over any specific outcome they fought to achieve.
That demonstration is an important means of reestablishing civility. Think of Al Gore’s gracious concession speech to George W. Bush in 2000, following five weeks of a bitterly contested election and just one day after the Supreme Court ruled 5–4 in favor of Bush:
“I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country. . . . Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy.
Bush’s response was no less gracious:
“Vice President Gore and I put our hearts and hopes into our campaigns; we both gave it our all. We shared similar emotions. I understand how difficult this moment must be for Vice President Gore and his family. . . Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important than any political disagreements. Republicans want the best for our nation. And so do Democrats. Our votes may differ, but not our hopes.”
Many voters continued to doubt the legitimacy of Bush’s victory, but there was no civil war. Think of what might have occurred if Gore had bitterly accused Bush of winning fraudulently and blamed the five Republican appointees on the Supreme Court for siding with Bush for partisan reasons.
Think what might have happened if, during his campaign, Bush had promised to put Gore in jail for various improprieties, and then, after he won, accused Gore (or Bill Clinton) of spying on him during the campaign and trying to use the FBI and CIA to bring his downfall. "
Gore did the right thing back in 2000. Sure, Bush was gracious in "victory", thanks to the Supreme Court. But if the Supreme Court did not intervene and the Florida vote count continued and Gore narrowly won Florida, which would have been the case, the GOP (if not Bush) would've made life difficult for the country, I think.
Hi John - I agree. The Republicans have been making life difficult for the Democrats since at least Newt.
Hi Stan, I think Republicans have been making life difficult for more than just Democrats, don't you? I mean, has there been anything the Republican Party has championed that benefits anybody other than maybe the wealthiest 10% of our population?
I agree we need to demand the common good but we need the media to hammer home that message everyday and hold everyone accountable. Equal time and coverage is not going to do it.
And stop giving DJT all the free airtime to rally his folks!
I just read that Trump will be interviewed on Meet the Press on Sunday. Let's see if Kristen Welker asks some serious questions. I'm pretty sure he won't have any serious answers. But just maybe he will continue to reveal himself as the monster that he is.
BUT in these interviews Trump often is able to fill them with lies with no immediate corrections leaving the lies out there to “circle the globe while truth is putting on its pants”. How to give the truth equal time?
I know. I don't know Kristen Welker or whether she will try or be able to wrangle his lies to the ground. I'm disgusted that he's getting one more chance to be in a giant spotlight. It's maddening.
Kristen is a tough interviewer.
Interesting interview on Fox News yesterday: 3 Iowa Republicans were asked who they will support in their coming caucus...not one was for Trump, and each supported a different candidate. Three is a meaningless number, but if it’s in any way indicative of the majority of Iowa Republicans, there very well may be a candidate other than Trump in 2024 and that person has a very good chance of defeating Biden.
He also is turning people off
Agreed Stan!
Robert Reich is more than an economic wizard - he believes in the American Dream of true equal opportunity. His substack letter is one the core group I am willing to pay for. He stands for an America that is for all Americans - not just the morbidly rich.
I would also recommend Thom Hartmann. This guy digs and digs and has shown over and over again what the American oligarchs have done to achieve dominance. This recent one is quite revealing and frankly very upsetting. But we need to know and understand it all.
https://hartmannreport.com/p/will-january-6th-be-buried-like-the-8d3?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Thanks for the "morbidly rich" phrase. 🙏🏽 That nails it and I plan to use the term going forward.
Yesterday I imagined someone with enough wealth to have $10M invested. If that produces just a 5% return, that person gets $500,000 per year. If they spend/donate $400,000 during the year, they still are $100,000 richer when Dec. 31 rolls around.
Now imagine adding 1 or 2 zeros to each of those numbers. You start getting into the realm of the 0.5% bracket of Americans who have amassed a huge amount of the nation's wealth.
Morbid indeed. It's life-distorting and soul-corrupting. Many (but not all) such people can only be at ease with other super-wealthy people, since everyone else might be trying to somehow make big money off of them. (And the super wealthy have their own pecking order!) So, like most of their friends, they are out of touch with ordinary humans - except their employees (who they know are very rarely going to be honest with them). They often wrestle with deep moral doubts, some more consciously than others.
Reminds me of "Richard Cory", by Paul Simon.
Thanks Bill. I will read him.
Agree with goal of "common good". We need to use the same word over and over and make it clear that is the same way we help our neighbors in a crisis. Make this clearly the norm.
Hi Carole - I agree. We need to use it over and over and over ... The common good ... It's the genesis of the "blessings of liberty."
Totally agree about Robert Reich. And Tom Hartmann scares ya outa yer seat 🤯
Agreed, Beth B. After reading Reich and much of Project 2025 and many summaries, we need to be "scared out of our seat". Our very soul and being as a nation is at stake in 2024.
Robert Reich's comment that the leaders' "goal must be the common good rather than their own selfish, parched ambitions" describes a fundamental difference as I see it between Democrats and Republicans. The former seek to serve the common good while the latter seek to serve themselves.
Stan, I wholeheartedly agree. Robert Reich's book The Common Good and his essays on Substack about each chapter of the book are a must-read.
Beautiful and uplifting. Thank you for sharing this!
I got busy today and never managed to reply to this issue that you brought up.
“ Robert, you seem to be publicly chastising some minion for leaving YOUR newsletter in some “in process” stage. Don’t paint yourself to be an ass**** in public. It’s yours, so accept ownership. Apologize and get on with it. If you have a gripe about something or someone your own shop, take it up there.”
JUST WOW! Talk about ass ****. This person not only is one for speaking before thinking, but reveals much about his/her own personality and behavior.
It never occurred to me that in your apology for not sending your daily message at the usual time you were blaming someone else (your minions? Seriously? Where did that person pull this idea out from?)
I’m still flabbergasted that someone could make such a stupid, insensitive, ignorant remark. It pains me to think that this person even has access to your excellent newsletter.
Thank you, DW, for staying so succinctly what I felt upon reading that horrific criticism of Robert. This person clearly has no life and many issues. I have no idea why he reads this invaluable newsletter. Robert shouldn’t have to deal with such a person.
The comment from the ex- Republican provides a reason for hope! A work colleague of mine is the same. He never voted Democrat before Trump, now to quote him “Vote Democrats only unless they’ve been convicted of murder!” Quite a turnaround.
Thanks for the newsletter and all your hard work!!!!
This heartens me to realize there are conservatives who DO respect the rule of law and see the alt-right propaganda.. There may be more than we are led to believe because nearly all main stream media's business model relies on chaos reporting to heighten clicks & likes, for ad $. Find a candidate & help him/her.
Jenna Ellis has declared, on her own radio show, that she does not intend to vote for the Defendant, because of his "malignant narcissistic tendency." So there's another R come over (partially -- she says she still likes him as a person). I wonder if she'll flip in Atlanta... She's named in the indictment as one of the people in the room with the Defendant when he tried to convince a delegation of Pennsylvania legislatures to ignore the vote and appoint his slate of electors.
Well who would she vote for then? I’d rather have her convicted so that she couldn’t vote for ANY Republican.
Apparently, Trump isn’t paying for her lawyer. I think she has resorted to crowdfunding to pay her legal fees? Might be one reason why she could turn State’s evidence?
Clifford: "So there's another R come over(partially.......) Not really. She's trying to appear as a reformed lawyer who has finally realized the error of her ways. Her mug shot smile is turning into a frown and she's scared. Georgia AG should ignore her if she wants to flip. No need for her testimony in this case as there's enough evidence for RICO convictions.
Thanks Robert for providing the post of a former Republican, who early on saw Trump for what he really is- a sly, conniving, self-serving , amoral , narcissistic shell of a human being. We all know and have seen the way he manipulates, and feeds on many of our citizens for strictly personal gain . He could care less about democratic principals, common good. The only good he knows, or cares about is what is good for (and only for) Donald Trump!
I read your letter faithfully, as I do Robert Reich,and Heather cox Richardson. Each of you compliments one another beautifully, and it's always so refreshing to read truth and reality. You put into words, what all of the good, honest citizens of this great country know, and feel in their hearts. I believe ,like so many, democracy will survive and thrive in the country. Thank you for being such a strong moral compass!
Edward Cherlin
I’m fascinated by your hardline Republican reader who switched to the Dems in 2016. I wholly agree that - as always - it will largely be Independents who decide the next election. At the same time though, I can’t help wondering if there are any reputable studies exploring how and why people change political tribes? I’d love to know if the change tends to be down to a single moment of clarity? Or a process that happens slowly, and then all at once? I’d also love to know what the major factors are: a change in life circumstances? A new friend or colleague who thinks differently? Or simply a change in information environment?
My own biased view is that ‘understanding’ and ‘non judgment’ are the bridge over which people change sides.
For that reason, I’m partial to the story of Megan Phelps-Roper who says she finally left her family’s hateful Westboro Baptist Church because a small group of patient people were consistently kind to her on Twitter. The plural of anecdote may not be data, but I think her story is pretty instructive. Because isn’t the evil genius of Trump the fact that he inspires the exact opposite behavior in Liberals and Progressives and Democrats? That he’s so egregiously maddening that it becomes nearly impossible not to judge and demonize his supporters... which just plays into Trump’s hands, by closing that bridge to people changing sides.
As a lifelong Liberal, I think I’ve slightly lost sight of the tolerance that I used to cherish so much. After a great deal of thought, I’ve come to the conclusion that hating Trump is fine, but that hating his supporters is likely counterproductive. So, unless anyone has any better ideas for helping people change sides, I think I’m going to try that Megan Phelps-Roper approach for a while. Seriously, any and all ideas are welcome. In the meantime, wish me luck!
Hey, I was a Goldwater supporter in 1964! Now I'm an independent but I can't recall the last time I saw an R candidate I was willing to vote for.
Full disclosure: In 1964, I was eleven years old.
Me too. I was 17. I went to a rally for him in Madison Square Garden. Brought there by my high school English teacher. AUH2O in '64! Indoctrination, maybe? I gag at the memory. How did the high school allow that?
But then there was the con job of Vietnam. And I realized that Goldwater's philosophy might work if there were 24 people on the planet - all white with women as slaves.
Barry often said "You can't legislate morality." To which I respond: "Why not?"
But sadly Johnson did in Vietnam what we were afraid Barry would do...
Now I am ridin' with Biden who makes me a super proud Democrat. But my political hero is Elizabeth Warren. Proud of her here in MA.
Vote Blue! No matter Who!
Ditto your last paragraph Bill. I also want to point out other MA people who serve honorably. Katherine Clark(D- minority whip), Jim MaGovern(D-House) Ed Markey(D-Sen).
Proud to be an elder Democrat from Blue Massachusetts.
Yes! And our Lori Trahan as well.
👍 An excellent description of being uber-divisive:
"Because isn’t the evil genius of Trump the fact that he inspires the exact opposite behavior in Liberals and Progressives and Democrats? That he’s so egregiously maddening that it becomes nearly impossible not to judge and demonize his supporters... which just plays into Trump’s hands, by closing that bridge to people changing sides."
This brings me back to wondering what were the sociological and technological shifts that made such a cruel con man so successful at being divisive on a vast scale. I suspect the weakness was always there in Americans, but restrained by many cultural factors in the pre-Internet days. It only took one generation after the Internet's explosion for America to become ripe for Trump to divide us bitterly.
In essence, IMO the Internet plowed the field, social media planted the seeds, and con-artist Trump just knew where to pour the water.
From yesterday, I was shocked, disappointed, and discouraged by revelations in Mitt Romney's biography that indicate, or lead me to believe, that Trump would have been impeached if GOP senators weren't actually terrified for their own families' safety by the GOP supporters. Is it really possible that in the US there are scared US Senators? Senators scared of the wrath of Donald J trump supporters? Is this not precisely what happens in third world banana republics?
I was shocked reading that when told by Senator Angus King about the potential for violence on January 6, all Romney did was text McConnell, and received no reply. If both Romney and King knew what was slithering through the deplorable community, why was there no action greater than one text? So much for the “power “ of the Senate.
Shouldn’t Sen. King (whom I admire greatly) have contacted the FBI ? Romney, also?
Your post brings a thought to mind—if these senators love their families more than their country and if they cannot act with the courage of their convictions, what in the world are they doing in government service? Is it just for the power and prestige? Apparently so. That’s why a Mitch McConnell can herd them like sheep! I wish he could ‘out’ them so we could pin a C for coward on them like women were branded as adulterers with the A.
I hate to bring money into it, and that does not include Romney, but I think there are many in the Senate and the House who are in it for the money. They see this great gravy train rolling out in front of them if they please their supporters for a few years and can elevate themselves into political celebrities. I don't, for one minute, think that JIm Jordan's motivations are pure and centered on bettering the lives of Ohioans, for example. Citizens United in 2010 made an already bad situation - buying political loyalty -- infinitely worse.
Let’s stop maligning bananas. None of this is the banana’s fault.
My husband and I not as “conservative” as the reader you quoted, but we, too, voted for the Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in 2016.
One difference is that my husband watches some FOX in the gym and listens to a little talk radio when driving (as he says, he can’t take more than 10 minutes). He thinks it’s useful to hear what “the other side” is listening to all day. Good point.
I’ll also say we’re not even sure what “conservative” means any more. My parents were conservative but were generous, philanthropic, pro-science, etc. Today’s Republican Party is just nuts.
Most of today’s Republicans are regressive radicals. MSM, which clings to use of “conservative” seems to suffer from a shortage of vocabulary.
Thank you for posting the motion.
I hope everyone takes the few minutes to read it. For me, reading it makes me realize how inured I've/we've become to Trumps outrageous rantings. Except for jailing him, I can't imagine how anyone can stop his nonstop threats. This motion will only increase his deplorable behavior.
I expect that this motion will cause his behavior to be mirrored in the R's in Congress and across right wing media. They've zeroed in on the power of mass indoctrination.
I just hope that there are enough of us to finally put them to rest by voting each and every one of them out. Otherwise I fear this precious democracy experiment is at risk.
"We cannot forget, because we cannot learn from past mistakes we do not know exist... "
Just one of many memorable observations by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson as she so eloquently shreds to pieces the despicable efforts of Republicans (no, it's not just Ron DeSantis) to silence, twist around or rewrite unpleasant parts of history.
Taking the 20 minutes to listen to her is time well spent this weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8l-DgHV1fk&t=32s
This may be a harsh thing to say (and an exaggeration) but my observation is that anyone who likes and supports Donald Trump - a man of zero moral structure, mean spirited, vengeful, venomous, angry, hateful, greedy, self-centered, egotistical, frequently wrong but never in doubt, and somewhat delusional and without compassion or empathy, would have to share some of his traits. I'd like to copy and paste the part at the end of Robert's newsletter about the lady who saw the light early on: It bears repeating because she saw the distortions and outright lies being fed to those who perhaps are not exactly mental giants who like all cult followers are easily mesmerized: " I am an unusual subscriber to your newsletter. Until 2016, I was a hardline Republican who had never voted for a Democrat in her life (75 years). I was a Never Trumper voter from the moment Trump declared his candidacy. I voted third party in 2016 and for Biden in 2020. In 2022, I voted straight Democratic for the first time in my life. I am not only a former Republican, I am also an Evangelical Christian who refuses to vote for Trump.
Although I now consider myself an independent voter (I am more conservative than liberal), I will continue to vote for Democrats until Trump and his crime buddies are gone. To show you how far I have come, I used to watch Fox News exclusively. (Now I watch MSNBC). I used to listen to conservative talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, etc.) every day. I have not listened to any of them since 2016."
Again, from Robert: "The reader who posted the comment escaped a news environment filled with disinformation and lies. She credits the newsletter (in part) for helping to provide truthful information and objective analysis. I mention that fact not to pat myself on the back but to make the point that you can help reach voters like the Never Trumper reader by posting, commenting, and sharing truthful information in places where persuadable friends and neighbors can see it.
We won’t change everyone’s mind; we don’t need to. In a narrowly divided electorate, convincing voters at the margin is all it will take to ensure victory for Democrats up and down the ballot in 2024."
In 2016, I had several moments that can best be described as the scene in "Cabaret" where Michael York's character sees his "good German" friend show up in an SS uniform. That was me with people I knew coming out as Trumpers.
I know the feeling well TC I remember the film by the way. I met Joel Grey's daughter, Jennifer when I was doing background work from age 78 to 89 for something to do in my old age. We did a music video called Rich White Girls. I was her elderly husband. No dialog of course, we were just eating dinner with our two "daughters" I'm ignoring Jennifer so she gets up on the table to get my attention but I still ignore her :) Here is the link: . https://youtu.be/US9lCjHkV6s
That's very cool Robert!
Funny how life goes TC, with its twists and turns, So many years ago since the movie, Dirty Dancing, I remember watching it with my kids. If someone had said to me one day you'll play her husband in a music video I'd have thought them nuts. I never even thought about being and estra let alone an actor. Same when watching Marty or From Here to Eternity. Or watching Arnold Palmer in a golf game. I was Ernest Borgnine's stand-In in his last movie, an extra in Jerry Lewis's last film, Max Rose, and got to meet him, and I was Arnold Palmer's stand-In/body double in the the xarelto commercial. Met or worked with a few other well known actors, but they are just people like anyone else, just happen to be well known and of course very talented in what they do. Anher cute music video was Liar, with Camila Cabello. I played a butler to her rich fiance. After retiring from the phone company I drove a retired businessman. He happened to be a friend of Reagan and people like Annenberg, Eisenhower way back, and a lot of other very wealthy people. That was interesting too. Seeing how the other half lives, except they're all dead now :)
Fascinating.
What is most interesting to me (and maybe this supports the theory that birth is not our beginning) is that we are all so different in spite of being of the same biological species, even our pets have their own "personalities. " From a very young age there are marked differences, in good tastes, interests, sunny dispositions or much more subdued. Studies can often detect kids that are going to g have serious problems later in life. Then there are very bright kids, ones who show remarkable talents early on. How do you explain a musical prodigy. Even siblings have vastly different personalities. Is it all genetics and later on environmental influences? We mentioned kids who grow up to be gay. they often show early signs of being "different". No, we are all who we are from the very beginning with certain adjustments made as we grow based on various influences and pressures. I'd go so far as to say for the most part we can't help being who we are. Of course we do change over a lifetime I think. We learn that certain behaviours get us in trouble for example or at least do not endear us to others. Again, perhaps we are all works in progress, although some seem very slow to learn (Trump?) as one example. , I'm sure everyone's heard the interview today where he admits was the one behind the scheme to overturn y the election, not the lawyers. Jack smith must be delighted.
Fortunately I weeded out those people with Dubya
Based on my experiences talking about gay marriage with friends, I think I doubt if social media posts or any other indirect, at-a-distance messages would make an impact. If we meet them face-to-face and if they're willing to listen as well as talk, though, that can do the job. It did with my friends. But even that will fail if we make moral judgments about them.
I confess, I don't know much about the subject but I have two, no three acquaintances that are gay guys and not once has the subject ever come up in conversations at coffee. To me they are exactly the same as any other friend. I do sympathize with them though, because of what I see and read in the media about how they are discriminated against. There is a line in a movie I saw on Nerflix recently about an African boy who was born an albino. He was bullied at school and even savagely beaten by an adult, just for being different. The line was (if I recall correctly) "People hate what they don't understand, and they seek to destroy that which they hate."
I have another friend that has no animosity against gays/transexuals, but believes firmly it is a lifestyle choice. I disagree with him and believe that just as the albino boy was an accident at birth so are gay people born that way essentially physically a male, say, but . a more feminine soul than a masculine soul - a woman essence trapped in a man's body, and vice vera. Even as little children they might f gravite to toys of the opposite sex. The great sage, Edgar Cayce, who was a christian and a school teacher, said he had no choice but to go against his faith regarding his ability see see past lives, said that the reason for being gay was because there is a sudden switch after being born the same sex over and over then suddenly the opposite sex the psyche can't adjust that quickly and so that is the reason. A far out theory I know, but he claims that we are all here in the physical realm to learn and to grow and to advance in consciousness - but this can't be accomplished in one short lifetime, that it takes many many lives, and sometime the only way to learn a certain lesson is to live a given life as a member of the opposite sex. Perhaps to make amends for past misdeeds against that sex, to learn empathy, He says that when a certain level of spirituality is reached then it is no longer necessary to reincarnate, that we never again have to endure the physical life but live permanently in the higher spirit realms, returning in effect from where we came. We are as fallen angels you might say :) He says reincarnation was a fully accepted belief at the time of Jesus but the early church quaffed it, "It is believed that in 553 A.D. during the Second Council of Constantinople the idea of reincarnation was found to have no place in the Christian Church. Although reincarnation was not officially rejected at this council, those early Church Fathers who were accused of teaching the idea of reincarnation had their works banned. 553 A.D. did mark the end of the debate on reincarnation within the Christian community. Observing the fact that reincarnation is not a doctrine typically taught within Christianity today one might assume that this council was called to settle an argument about reincarnation and its supplemental ideas between Christians and non-Christians. This was not the case. Although the idea of reincarnation was rejected by the Christian Church as a doctrine because it was believed to contradict the doctrine of corporeal resurrection and undermine the need for Christ's redemptive sacrifices, it was a belief held by many early Christian theologians such as Valentinus and Basilides of Alexandria.
"It is believed that in 553 A.D. during the Second Council of Constantinople the idea of reincarnation was found to have no place in the Christian Church. Although reincarnation was not officially rejected at this council, those early Church Fathers who were accused of teaching the idea of reincarnation had their works banned. 553 A.D. did mark the end of the debate on reincarnation within the Christian community. Observing the fact that reincarnation is not a doctrine typically taught within Christianity today one might assume that this council was called to settle an argument about reincarnation and its supplemental ideas between Christians and non-Christians. This was not the case. Although the idea of reincarnation was rejected by the Christian Church as a doctrine because it was believed to contradict the doctrine of corporeal resurrection and undermine the need for Christ's redemptive sacrifices, it was a belief held by many early Christian theologians such as Valentinus and Basilides of Alexandria."
https://epubs.utah.edu/index.php/historia/article/view/578
If Trump doesn’t shut up and follow Judge Chutkan’s orders, the ultimate decision she can make is to put him in jail until trial and between the trial sessions. She will be faced with a crucial decision to make because she must be thinking about the violence and the political storm in the Republican Party over such an arrest. Regardless, if she ever reads this I urge her to do what’s right and let the chips fall where they may. Like so many others, I am waiting, Your Honor.
I think there is a very effective and reasonable middle ground that the judge could use, and that's house arrest with no access to any communication media. He could be allowed to give a 30 or 60 minute campaign rally speech from Mar-a-Lago once a week, but nothing more. In addition to the usual Secret Service people, there could be police assigned to enforce these restrictions 24/7. It would be a bit harder for his supporters to freak out about a man being confined to a fancy golf resort until his trial ends.
What happens when in his 30-60 minute weekly campaign speech he goes off on the same tangents of intimidation and all the other lies? Then, it’s back to the judge for a stiffer penalty. He has been given so many passes while the rest of us would have been rotting in jail for 1/00th as much.
At that point, as you say, jail time would be the only option. Judge Chutkan could state up front that that will be her next step. If you were pampered Trump, can you imagine the horror of months in a jail cell, eating crappy food and being afraid of 2/3 of the other inmates?? When he knows that's the next step, I believe he would shut up re: his cases.
Some have said throw him in jail now for 1-2 nights. That might work too, but seems needlessly inflammatory, and also he's free again after 2 days.
Most of us readers would agree that none of this is how things "should" be. But, IMO, the judge is walking a sensible line between the ideal, and what the nation can handle without very widespread violence. She also doesn't want a future appeal court to see her as so biased that any convictions get overturned.
She might hit Trump with escalating fines.
Not going to be effective against a self-described billionaire, you might say? Well, Trump is a notorious tightwad, a man given to inducing others to pay his way. Fines might sting him.
"I will continue to vote for Democrats until Trump and his crime buddies are gone." Ah, the power of words to change the minds of citizens whose minds have been held hostage by " a news environment filled with disinformation and lies." That's no small achievement. Hopefully, the evidenced-based information presented regularly on this site will be enough to convince Judge Chutkan to put Trump in prison where he belongs. If such a decision sparks a civil war, so be it. The King Baby Trump and his outlaws have been terrorizing our town long enough. It's "High Noon" Marshal Chutkan!
If you or I had said the things Trump has said since being indicted, would we still be walking free? Seems as if judges have applied too much favoritism here. Or is it fear of public retribution and violence?
Trump has violated court orders. He should be in prison until he gets a "speedy trial".
Or, as I wrote, above, hit him with large enough fines to get his and the MSM’s knowledge. Trump hates to give up money.
He should have been jailed and silenced in January of 2021. Most countries have the intelligence to do such a thing. It was obvious that he was violating the Constitution and every norm of our democracy when he refused to concede and urged a mob to attack our national legislature.
What more proof does a public need? A shooting on Fifth Avenue?
There are a lot of voters like the one you referenced who have seen the light and switched party affiliation for many reasons beside Trump. If you support Trump you are not supporting the party but an individual and are overlooking many character flaws and transgressions. Many of my Republican friends supported the Republican Party because they believe in the platform regarding taxes, defense spending and the role of government. The current MAGA Republicans care less about the platform and are focused on revenge and a authoritarian view of government. Every product has a shelf life and I believe that fringe MAGA Republicans are starting to feel that the current Republican product has run its course and no longer provides them with what they signed up for in 2016. It’s still up to us continue the basic blocking and tackling to insure the future of democracy.
MAGA came about because the Republican platform --basically redistribution of wealth upward--is not popular with a majority of voters. MAGA is the Republicans' way of getting more votes, if still not a majority, maybe enough to win in the electoral college. Failing that, a big enough mob that can overthrow an election.
MAGA came about because it became OK to be an open racists
All cultivated and funded by the GOP establishment. They didn't have to go this route.
Actually they did because the racists are the majority of the MAGA support and must be fed.
The writer who has become an independent because of Trump could be my husband…he was a diehard republican and did exact same thing and is same age….never too late!
This filing by Jack Smith is long overdue. But it also places a huge burden of responsibility on Judge Chutkan. I wonder if it is fair to her to ask her to do what should have been done a long time ago - to stand up to Trump and on the strongest possible terms to oppose him publicly and loudly. So far the Right has been doing all the yelling and chest thumping and making threats. Our side has been patiently and quietly trying to counter the Right with good thoughts and good deeds. I’m sure Judge Chutkan will react in a quietly strong and judicial way. But who is there to back her up? What resources can she call upon to enforce the order she must inevitably issue? Trump is the cornered animal fighting for his life and freedom. Many Magas identify with his battle. What are the mechanisms of Justice that can rally behind Judge Chutkan so she doesn’t stand alone against the inevitable lawlessness of this dangerous predator and his followers? How can such an order be enforced?
When we knock on doors, we get the opportunity to connect to others, to show our kindness, show that Democrats are normal, open-minded, listeners, who respect other points of views. It is quite powerful, more so than other political acts, to connect in this way. Occasionally you meet people who are fearful of voting. You can encourage them that we are not what Fox or others say about Democrats. Being respectful one to one. Helping people figure out where and when to vote. Canvassers can change minds.