Excellent Edition, Robert! Thank you for giving us the way to watch the full message that Arnold Schwarzenegger posted on Twitter. The news did not show it in full. It was really well done and spoken from the heart. I hope that many Russians and Russian soldiers hear it. Maybe Putin could save face by throwing some of his advisors and military leaders under the bus and say that they did not tell him the truth so that he could end the war. Not likely, but one can always hope.
Thank you for providing us with a link to The Guardian. That was an excellent article about prosecuting Trump. I hope that the heads in the Justice Department read it. I want Trump and all of his cohorts prosecuted.
I did not realize how outrageous the far right cable propaganda channels were becoming until I was watching The Daily Show With Trevor Noah tonight. He had clips of some of the outrageous things that they are saying. I would like to see them all stripped of their American citizenship and sent to Russia to live along with several right wing politicians. However, that is unconstitutional.
I just pray that we get those weapons to the Ukrainians very soon. I watch Anderson Cooper every night reporting from Ukraine for two hours. I am just heartsick at what the Ukrainians are going through. He not only shows the horrors of the cities being bombed, but he interviews other reporters stationed around Ukraine , and he interviews the Ukrainian people. My admiration for them grows every day.
Yesterday I decided to cancel my subscription to Hulu where you pat about $75 per month for live TV including MSNBC with ads. One ad from an insurance company (Ladderlife) shows children trying to murder their father with lethal weapons (a large knife, an arrow and finally the family dog holding a lit dynamite stick) to get his life insurance. While a voice over does say you won't get the money if you kill someone, I find it horrible and dangerous. It is not worth listening even to the mostly fine commentators on MSNBC if you have to be stressed by such an ad repeated over and over again at least hourly. I also shut off the program for screaming goat type ads such as Sirius XM one with Kevin screaming. Don't they understand between COVID and the Ukranian War that we don't need any more stress! I did send MSNBC suggesting that viewers should have at least some limited control over the ads they are forced to watch. Like being able to ban up to three ads. If you ban a fourth the oldest is no longer banned. On the bright when looking for an alternative way to get the news I ended up watching PBS. It had real news rather than non-stop commentary, it had BBC World News which gives one a needed global perspective, and I heard an excellent interview with the former Speaker of the Texas House for more focused local news. It was a delight -- no ads - and you get a year's access for less cost than one month of Hulu. Our media needs to care about democracy and the well being of its viewers over making a profit. Glad I found a good way not only to shed some stress but to actually feel refreshed. We, the People, all of us along with keeping our sanity this time.
PBS Newshour is the only TV news we watch. Each evening we pour a glass of wine, review personal events, my brilliant wife provides solutions for just about everything. We turn on the oven and the TV. Judy signs off and so do we. Dinner is ready. We eat in peace.
My next foray into the news is right here with morning coffee.
Beware, when Robert recent thoughts he called his rant, my thoughts went right to PBS NewsHour were I was yelling at the tv and had my shoe ready to throw the night before his thoughts.
Mar 18, 2022·edited Mar 18, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Were you yelling at McConnell? I am a mild to moderate TV yeller. But he sent me into a rage. If there was ever a time to get behind a President to show a united front, it is now. Again, Moscow Mitch showed his true colors. I was so hoarse for 24 hours...
No, it was Amy Walters, Tamra Keith and Judy Woodruff. I had stopped watching on Monday’s because I had enough of the pair. Made the mistake of watching again.... IMHO they are entertainment news and typically negative and deeply critical towards President Biden, democrats, while rarely critical of the Republicans. Judy Woodruff is very sneaky about it but takes shots at the President when she can. I miss Yamiche but am grateful that Amna Nawaz, Jonathan Capehart and others that keep me coming back.
Vivian, I agree with all you say. AW and TK have lost any credibility with me. I often yell at them, too! I hadn't thought of it in these terms, but Judy is sneaky and not appropriately supportive of Biden at this critical time. I, too, miss Yamiche but so enjoy Amna and LOVE Capehart. His subtle facial expressions while Brooks is blathering on are priceless.
Bill, I should add, I didn’t watch the Moscow Mitch interview because I knew it would be a train wreck as soon as I heard Judy was interviewing him. Couldn’t bear it! She never asks the hard questions or presses Rs. I wonder what it would take for MM to get behind the president, putting country first.
I think it is time for a new anchor. Judy has served long and well. As one of Judy's contemporaries, I would like to see a new face. Amna Nawaz would be great. It could help attract a new generation and Amna doesn't hold back.
I listen to/read/watch international news from France and Germany to practice my language skills but also to get a European perspective. I find it much less jingoistic overall and more factual. Lifting one's head above American media is refreshing. You can get international news in English from all kinds of websites. I highly recommend doing so.
Those might be Hulu ads? I watch MSNBC and have never seen the ones you mentioned (could just be different ads for different regions). Ads can be segmented by streaming path and geography.
I don't know who determines which ads you see. But, I was paying for no ads from Hulu with the qualification from Hulu that MSNBC and a few others insisted upon ads. I don't like to be targeted by ads so will not give them my age or preferences. I don't want what they would think is a better experience for an old lady. Cremations and hearing aids. Yuck!
No cable, five (5) years. Instead, I donate more to public broadcasting to support ethical, fact-reported “hard” news — no ads and no celeb items passing for news. NewsHour and Washington Week are available on video with a short delay. PS: Quality entertainment, too!
I have DirecTV, which has its own faults. But, I record all MSNBC programs that I might find interesting in a given day and fast forward. So I don't see any ads. And about twice a week, I go through and delete what is past. Easy to do and there are, unfortunately, laws that require regular broadcasters (maybe real news?) to air any ads and not discriminate. I actually saw some ads on MSNBC back before 1/6 that told me to come to DC and "It will be wild!" and all the other garbage about what was going to happen. I was shocked that so many people didn't expect the riot and assault. I knew about it!
Hadn't thought of recording the programs but still feel I'm paying too much for what I was getting. For instance, I get Britbox for $5 a month so I'm watching Good Morning Britain now every morning. .. On 1/6, I think a lot of people didn't put the obvious 2 and 2 together about Jan. 6th. It can't happen in America because of our exceptionalism, right? Now we have to wonder whether America will ever be exceptional again. For example, the solution to CRT discomfort is not to cut out the teaching of history; the solution that would make us stronger as a society is to teach resilience, the ability to debate and evaluate the information one receives, and that you can't take history and people out of the context of their time.
At this point, I only watch, read, and listen to journalists and broadcasters who seem to be giving the most unvarnished possible. If it is too hard to hear, I save it by recording anyway and watch or read it early in the day if I feel ready for that. And I’m going through a spate of simply watching the very predictable but happy romantic movies on Hallmark every evening, but I’ve recorded them first so I can watch what feels right when I’m ready. If I have lots of happy tears at the end, I sleep pretty darned well and have the courage to get back to work and doing what I can for myself and others. Oh, and when I watch news and they advise there is graphic footage, I actually do turn away now. That’s helping to keep me sane and on course.
I was already a PBS Passport member but spent so much time watching MSNBC that I didn't realize how much was there. I want to watch the Ken Burns films for instance. And, Britbox has all the fantastic British mysteries and comedy. There a number of old movies I'd love to see again but can't find them even on TCM.
Thank you for pointing out the growing efforts of the Republican party to deny individuals their right of privacy, their right to choose their own sexual preferences, their fundamental right to vote. Why aren’t the students and other groups out on the streets in the states supporting basic civil rights! Ukrainians are standing up for their rights. We Americans should stand up for our rights as well. Perhaps one reason is they don’t know what’s happening in their own governments? Is it their news source?
I ask myself that question all the time. It seems to me that the generation of adults between 18 and 35 should be outraged over the demise of Roe. But the response has been muted. I don't get it.
I am afraid that many young people do not follow the news. My grandchildren don’t. I have 11 and one granddaughter-in-law. Most of them hate politics and the only things they read are on their iPhones. Some of them don’t even bother to vote. As of August, I will only have two grandchildren too young to vote. They are passionate about the right to choose to have an abortion and the rights of the LGBTQ community, but they hate politics and government and don’t want to get involved.
It is very frustrating to me. I told my 24 year old grandson that it is time for his generation to get involved, but he said no, he was not interested. He is a graduate student in Pharmacology. They are all intelligent, educated young adults. I just don’t understand it.
Mar 18, 2022·edited Mar 18, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Sorry to hear, please do not stop talking to each of them about it. You are planting the seeds of democracy. My teen boys care but don’t always have the capacity act though our voted hasn’t missed an election. I keep planting the seeds by trying to catered to their specific language with info but I know if I send too much it all gets lost. I share tweets, TikTok, articles and Robert’s, HCR, Snyder, and other news letters selectively. Though I keep it short but remember that they are always listening. I try to focus primarily on issues that I think they relate to more. Race, COVID, LGBTQ, gun control, climate change, and women’s rights (they’ve heard how they have personally affected us). I’m sure your grandchildren would relate too. Perhaps your grandson in pharmaceutical school would be interested in student loan, educational issues and science/COVID issues. I include local and national government. And I ask them questions that I think they can answer or give me their point of view so they know I’m listening to their concerns and I will tell you they’ve taught me a thing or two. They know we believe it is important to stand up for democracy, and they know they have a duty even if it doesn’t look as though they do. Your voice matters in their lives and will be with them always, keep plugging away. Hope that helps.
If they care about what happened in the Ukraine, then they have to stop being so self-absorbed. And you should tell them that because that’s what happened in Germany in the 1930s. What has made these kids so self-oriented is beyond me. We collected coat hangers to help the Native American children in the 1940s as a fundraiser. I guess I’ve been involved since I was about eight years old. Good luck on your mission to make them true citizens.
In lieu of the news that the city of Lviv in western Ukraine has been directly hit by Russian missiles, I hope someone will point out to Americans that the Old Quarter of Lviv was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Parts of it date back to the 5th century & have particularly fine examples of architecture from the medieval, Renaissance & Austro-Hungarian Empire periods of history.
Thanks again for a fact filled and highly informative letter. I like the balance you keep. Between international and domestic issues. There is hope in the Russian failures and the Ukrainian heroism. There is hope back home - thanks to many in the press who are all too often underappreciated.
And between all of it and a life well lived.
I planted snow and snap peas Wednesday. It rained the next day. There are bright spots in life. We need to stay informed, we need to take action. But we also need to do the wonderful normal as well. Time with loved ones - human and furry. Fun with food. And for me it's getting my hands in the soil, planting. And showing the grandchildren where food comes from!
1-Every country should confiscate all known assets (within their boundaries) of Russia or Russian leaders and convert them to cash. Send cash to a fund in Switzerland for the rebuilding of Ukraine. An exception could be made for income generating assets if the income is sent to the Swiss fund.
2-Remove some significant sanctions when Ukraine has been rebuilt OR Russia agrees to meaningful reparations.
3-Remove remaining sanctions when all living people convicted of war crimes are turned over to international authorities.
Thank you Robert. I am dumbfounded by Garland lack of action to prosecute sociopath Trump. We have people in jail for possession of marijuana and he is sitting with mounting evidence that would put him away and break this cult he’s created but does nothing. This is my version of insanity! How much do the American people need to hear before he takes action? I just don’t understand and am incredibly frustrated.
Yes, can certainly fully appreciate your feelings. My thinking is that he is very carefully still waiting to get to a "smoking gun" point-of-no-return moment when there is a certainty "preponderance of vetted evidence" to "make serious sh*t stick" and convict him beyond appeals. He undoubtedly saw how the highly-touted NY AG case against him apparently evanesced under the scrutiny of fresh eyes and does not want to risk that.
Robert thank you for today’s addition. I loved the Arnold video and I was very interested in the Guardian article about why it’s time to prosecute Donald Trump. The article made me realize something about myself. I have been wanting Trump prosecuted and convicted for years and held accountable but recently I have realized that it’s more important to change, modify or eliminate rules, procedures and laws that would allow another candidate the opportunity to corrupt the government for their own benefit. Trump created the roadmap for the total disregard for the constitution and rule of laws and the power of the Executive Branch resulting in no accountability and we must change that immediately. If we tighten the controls of power we can stop future abuses and corruption and that in the end is more important than Trump.
I am so glad to read your followers after reading today's letter and watching the full Schwarzeneger video. Hopefully the Russian soldiers will have their eyes opened and will just "walk away" from the war.
I was born in 1943 to first generation Americans, children of Orthodox Jewish immigrants from what is now Belarus. That gives away how old I am and that I am a Jew that has survived because my grandparents did. But this brutality against human beings, that cannot be justified by any rational thought, is more than I can stomach. The other day I posted on this Newsletter and completely butchered the spelling of Zelensky. I spent the whole day trying to get the egg off of my face. But the truth is that I was subject to a true senior moment, the first of my long-life; I hope it was an outlier event. But I think the stress of the horribleness of what I am seeing and hearing is stressing my mind in ways that I have never experienced. Thank heavens for the calming effect of these Newsletters, and of having friends to talk with. But I agree with Robert that the stress of this constant news of human suffering weighs heavy on me.
Janet, thanks for sharing your family history. And as to Zelenskyy, there are multiple Americanized variant spellings. I adopt the version with two "yy"s at the end, but I have seen it with one "i", two "ii"s and an apostrophe. Whatever his last name is in Ukrainian, it doesn't translate directly into English.
Many years ago I read John Steinbeck's "The Moon is Down." Written in 1942, this classic implied (although never mentioning Nazi Germany or Norway) the Nazi occupation of Norway which began in 1940.
It is remarkable that through the years, a world leader would not have read this short book or, if they had, so tragically dismissed it's most profectic passage, "The fly has conquered the flypaper."
No doubt, Putin is either Stienbeck illiterate or too egotistical to care. Whichever, he is doomed to the fate of the Nazi's in Norway, and everywhere else for that matter.
Good morning, and thank you and M.E. for staying the course. Loved the visit Adam Schiff. Would it be possible to include 2022 election banner with a link to top congressional races to follow and support from Congressman Maloney and his perspective? Maybe Senate too. A HARD TARGET would be helpful for those who write postcards and give money from afar (eg. People's Republic of San Francisco)? They certainly caused me to have hope.
Hi, Paula. Several other readers have made that same request. I will circle back to Schiff / Maloney to see if they will share the list of 32 "frontline" candidates.
Republican disinformation on Biden's effective interventions will in time have to confront what we pray is the eventual outcome, a Ukrainian victory. The devastation of the Russian forces being reported has two essential ingredients, the bravery and skill of Ukrainians, and American military technology, as delivered by President Biden. And thank you for the link to Schwartzenegger video. I must say I underestimated the man. As fine an outing of the self-destructive folly of fascism as one could ask.
Has anyone had success with “unfoxing’ their TVs? We use Hulu, primarily for live sports. I remember a suggestion for other streaming services that do not include fox but can’t find it. If possible could someone please link it here? Thank you!
I have Spectrum. I spent an hour on the phone with them. There is something called TV choice where you can choose not to include Fox. There were too few channels for me to consider that. But then they told me about another option “TV Lifestyle” which sounded perfect as I could omit Fox. After an hour they figured out it was not available in my area. I was livid. But you might look into this and see if it is available in your area.
One reader corrected me and said that I should not have used the term because it disparages children born out of wedlock with negative connotations of the modern usage. I don't think anyone today believes "bastards" refers to the marital status of one's parents, but rather, to the personal attributes for the object of the criticism.
The Dominion report was produced *before* the election:
"Two weeks before the election, we were doing those reports hoping that we would pepper the swing states with those,” [Garret] Ziegler said of the three-part Navarro report in an appearance last July on The Professor’s Record with David K Clements.
Garret Ziegler was a policy aide under Peter Navarro.
Enough w/the "the small fry lead to the big fry" Garland method of prosecution (I paraphrase, of course). When you've got the goods on the mob boss and his lieutenants, do you just go after his street thugs??? It's time for the DOJ to indict Trump and his traitorous band and convict them of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Excellent Edition, Robert! Thank you for giving us the way to watch the full message that Arnold Schwarzenegger posted on Twitter. The news did not show it in full. It was really well done and spoken from the heart. I hope that many Russians and Russian soldiers hear it. Maybe Putin could save face by throwing some of his advisors and military leaders under the bus and say that they did not tell him the truth so that he could end the war. Not likely, but one can always hope.
Thank you for providing us with a link to The Guardian. That was an excellent article about prosecuting Trump. I hope that the heads in the Justice Department read it. I want Trump and all of his cohorts prosecuted.
I did not realize how outrageous the far right cable propaganda channels were becoming until I was watching The Daily Show With Trevor Noah tonight. He had clips of some of the outrageous things that they are saying. I would like to see them all stripped of their American citizenship and sent to Russia to live along with several right wing politicians. However, that is unconstitutional.
I just pray that we get those weapons to the Ukrainians very soon. I watch Anderson Cooper every night reporting from Ukraine for two hours. I am just heartsick at what the Ukrainians are going through. He not only shows the horrors of the cities being bombed, but he interviews other reporters stationed around Ukraine , and he interviews the Ukrainian people. My admiration for them grows every day.
Thanks for the reference to Trevor Noah. I will check it out! And i appreciate your comments!
Can you include the link in your next edition? Following your links is a great timesaver for me. Thank you!
Yesterday I decided to cancel my subscription to Hulu where you pat about $75 per month for live TV including MSNBC with ads. One ad from an insurance company (Ladderlife) shows children trying to murder their father with lethal weapons (a large knife, an arrow and finally the family dog holding a lit dynamite stick) to get his life insurance. While a voice over does say you won't get the money if you kill someone, I find it horrible and dangerous. It is not worth listening even to the mostly fine commentators on MSNBC if you have to be stressed by such an ad repeated over and over again at least hourly. I also shut off the program for screaming goat type ads such as Sirius XM one with Kevin screaming. Don't they understand between COVID and the Ukranian War that we don't need any more stress! I did send MSNBC suggesting that viewers should have at least some limited control over the ads they are forced to watch. Like being able to ban up to three ads. If you ban a fourth the oldest is no longer banned. On the bright when looking for an alternative way to get the news I ended up watching PBS. It had real news rather than non-stop commentary, it had BBC World News which gives one a needed global perspective, and I heard an excellent interview with the former Speaker of the Texas House for more focused local news. It was a delight -- no ads - and you get a year's access for less cost than one month of Hulu. Our media needs to care about democracy and the well being of its viewers over making a profit. Glad I found a good way not only to shed some stress but to actually feel refreshed. We, the People, all of us along with keeping our sanity this time.
PBS Newshour is the only TV news we watch. Each evening we pour a glass of wine, review personal events, my brilliant wife provides solutions for just about everything. We turn on the oven and the TV. Judy signs off and so do we. Dinner is ready. We eat in peace.
My next foray into the news is right here with morning coffee.
Beware, when Robert recent thoughts he called his rant, my thoughts went right to PBS NewsHour were I was yelling at the tv and had my shoe ready to throw the night before his thoughts.
Were you yelling at McConnell? I am a mild to moderate TV yeller. But he sent me into a rage. If there was ever a time to get behind a President to show a united front, it is now. Again, Moscow Mitch showed his true colors. I was so hoarse for 24 hours...
I was yelling at Judy and Mitch, wondering why PBS gave Mitch the platform. We know who he is and how he thinks.
I hear you. But if she doesn't offer to hear him, she'll give fodder to the haters.
No, it was Amy Walters, Tamra Keith and Judy Woodruff. I had stopped watching on Monday’s because I had enough of the pair. Made the mistake of watching again.... IMHO they are entertainment news and typically negative and deeply critical towards President Biden, democrats, while rarely critical of the Republicans. Judy Woodruff is very sneaky about it but takes shots at the President when she can. I miss Yamiche but am grateful that Amna Nawaz, Jonathan Capehart and others that keep me coming back.
Vivian, I agree with all you say. AW and TK have lost any credibility with me. I often yell at them, too! I hadn't thought of it in these terms, but Judy is sneaky and not appropriately supportive of Biden at this critical time. I, too, miss Yamiche but so enjoy Amna and LOVE Capehart. His subtle facial expressions while Brooks is blathering on are priceless.
My husband and I LOVE Capehart too and your spot on right about his facial expressions. He is a rock star in my book! I always learn so much from him.
Bill, I should add, I didn’t watch the Moscow Mitch interview because I knew it would be a train wreck as soon as I heard Judy was interviewing him. Couldn’t bear it! She never asks the hard questions or presses Rs. I wonder what it would take for MM to get behind the president, putting country first.
I think it is time for a new anchor. Judy has served long and well. As one of Judy's contemporaries, I would like to see a new face. Amna Nawaz would be great. It could help attract a new generation and Amna doesn't hold back.
💯! Love her
I listen to/read/watch international news from France and Germany to practice my language skills but also to get a European perspective. I find it much less jingoistic overall and more factual. Lifting one's head above American media is refreshing. You can get international news in English from all kinds of websites. I highly recommend doing so.
Those might be Hulu ads? I watch MSNBC and have never seen the ones you mentioned (could just be different ads for different regions). Ads can be segmented by streaming path and geography.
I don't know who determines which ads you see. But, I was paying for no ads from Hulu with the qualification from Hulu that MSNBC and a few others insisted upon ads. I don't like to be targeted by ads so will not give them my age or preferences. I don't want what they would think is a better experience for an old lady. Cremations and hearing aids. Yuck!
No cable, five (5) years. Instead, I donate more to public broadcasting to support ethical, fact-reported “hard” news — no ads and no celeb items passing for news. NewsHour and Washington Week are available on video with a short delay. PS: Quality entertainment, too!
I have DirecTV, which has its own faults. But, I record all MSNBC programs that I might find interesting in a given day and fast forward. So I don't see any ads. And about twice a week, I go through and delete what is past. Easy to do and there are, unfortunately, laws that require regular broadcasters (maybe real news?) to air any ads and not discriminate. I actually saw some ads on MSNBC back before 1/6 that told me to come to DC and "It will be wild!" and all the other garbage about what was going to happen. I was shocked that so many people didn't expect the riot and assault. I knew about it!
Hadn't thought of recording the programs but still feel I'm paying too much for what I was getting. For instance, I get Britbox for $5 a month so I'm watching Good Morning Britain now every morning. .. On 1/6, I think a lot of people didn't put the obvious 2 and 2 together about Jan. 6th. It can't happen in America because of our exceptionalism, right? Now we have to wonder whether America will ever be exceptional again. For example, the solution to CRT discomfort is not to cut out the teaching of history; the solution that would make us stronger as a society is to teach resilience, the ability to debate and evaluate the information one receives, and that you can't take history and people out of the context of their time.
At this point, I only watch, read, and listen to journalists and broadcasters who seem to be giving the most unvarnished possible. If it is too hard to hear, I save it by recording anyway and watch or read it early in the day if I feel ready for that. And I’m going through a spate of simply watching the very predictable but happy romantic movies on Hallmark every evening, but I’ve recorded them first so I can watch what feels right when I’m ready. If I have lots of happy tears at the end, I sleep pretty darned well and have the courage to get back to work and doing what I can for myself and others. Oh, and when I watch news and they advise there is graphic footage, I actually do turn away now. That’s helping to keep me sane and on course.
And I am a PBS sustainer (monthly donor) and get to watch all sorts of lovely British television any ol’ time, too.
I was already a PBS Passport member but spent so much time watching MSNBC that I didn't realize how much was there. I want to watch the Ken Burns films for instance. And, Britbox has all the fantastic British mysteries and comedy. There a number of old movies I'd love to see again but can't find them even on TCM.
Thank you for pointing out the growing efforts of the Republican party to deny individuals their right of privacy, their right to choose their own sexual preferences, their fundamental right to vote. Why aren’t the students and other groups out on the streets in the states supporting basic civil rights! Ukrainians are standing up for their rights. We Americans should stand up for our rights as well. Perhaps one reason is they don’t know what’s happening in their own governments? Is it their news source?
I ask myself that question all the time. It seems to me that the generation of adults between 18 and 35 should be outraged over the demise of Roe. But the response has been muted. I don't get it.
I am afraid that many young people do not follow the news. My grandchildren don’t. I have 11 and one granddaughter-in-law. Most of them hate politics and the only things they read are on their iPhones. Some of them don’t even bother to vote. As of August, I will only have two grandchildren too young to vote. They are passionate about the right to choose to have an abortion and the rights of the LGBTQ community, but they hate politics and government and don’t want to get involved.
It is very frustrating to me. I told my 24 year old grandson that it is time for his generation to get involved, but he said no, he was not interested. He is a graduate student in Pharmacology. They are all intelligent, educated young adults. I just don’t understand it.
Sorry to hear, please do not stop talking to each of them about it. You are planting the seeds of democracy. My teen boys care but don’t always have the capacity act though our voted hasn’t missed an election. I keep planting the seeds by trying to catered to their specific language with info but I know if I send too much it all gets lost. I share tweets, TikTok, articles and Robert’s, HCR, Snyder, and other news letters selectively. Though I keep it short but remember that they are always listening. I try to focus primarily on issues that I think they relate to more. Race, COVID, LGBTQ, gun control, climate change, and women’s rights (they’ve heard how they have personally affected us). I’m sure your grandchildren would relate too. Perhaps your grandson in pharmaceutical school would be interested in student loan, educational issues and science/COVID issues. I include local and national government. And I ask them questions that I think they can answer or give me their point of view so they know I’m listening to their concerns and I will tell you they’ve taught me a thing or two. They know we believe it is important to stand up for democracy, and they know they have a duty even if it doesn’t look as though they do. Your voice matters in their lives and will be with them always, keep plugging away. Hope that helps.
If they care about what happened in the Ukraine, then they have to stop being so self-absorbed. And you should tell them that because that’s what happened in Germany in the 1930s. What has made these kids so self-oriented is beyond me. We collected coat hangers to help the Native American children in the 1940s as a fundraiser. I guess I’ve been involved since I was about eight years old. Good luck on your mission to make them true citizens.
Hi Robert,
In lieu of the news that the city of Lviv in western Ukraine has been directly hit by Russian missiles, I hope someone will point out to Americans that the Old Quarter of Lviv was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Parts of it date back to the 5th century & have particularly fine examples of architecture from the medieval, Renaissance & Austro-Hungarian Empire periods of history.
whc.unesco.org/en/list/865
Thank you,
KMD, Ellsworth, ME
PBS NewsHour had a segment about it last night. The video is just under 7 minutes.
“Ukrainian’s cultural sites under threat from Russia’s invasion”
https://youtu.be/NymW9bzDfA0
Thank you for this link!
Thanks again for a fact filled and highly informative letter. I like the balance you keep. Between international and domestic issues. There is hope in the Russian failures and the Ukrainian heroism. There is hope back home - thanks to many in the press who are all too often underappreciated.
And between all of it and a life well lived.
I planted snow and snap peas Wednesday. It rained the next day. There are bright spots in life. We need to stay informed, we need to take action. But we also need to do the wonderful normal as well. Time with loved ones - human and furry. Fun with food. And for me it's getting my hands in the soil, planting. And showing the grandchildren where food comes from!
Gardening is underrated as a tonic. We all should do it more!
I read, do art, listen to music and talk to my cats for my relief. And then every now and again, some GOOD news shows up. Like this: https://www.newsweek.com/anonymous-threatens-not-kind-russian-asset-us-rep-greene-1689273
Future steps for Ukraine:
1-Every country should confiscate all known assets (within their boundaries) of Russia or Russian leaders and convert them to cash. Send cash to a fund in Switzerland for the rebuilding of Ukraine. An exception could be made for income generating assets if the income is sent to the Swiss fund.
2-Remove some significant sanctions when Ukraine has been rebuilt OR Russia agrees to meaningful reparations.
3-Remove remaining sanctions when all living people convicted of war crimes are turned over to international authorities.
This is spot-on and well parried. saving this 👍👍👌
Thank you Robert. I am dumbfounded by Garland lack of action to prosecute sociopath Trump. We have people in jail for possession of marijuana and he is sitting with mounting evidence that would put him away and break this cult he’s created but does nothing. This is my version of insanity! How much do the American people need to hear before he takes action? I just don’t understand and am incredibly frustrated.
Yes, can certainly fully appreciate your feelings. My thinking is that he is very carefully still waiting to get to a "smoking gun" point-of-no-return moment when there is a certainty "preponderance of vetted evidence" to "make serious sh*t stick" and convict him beyond appeals. He undoubtedly saw how the highly-touted NY AG case against him apparently evanesced under the scrutiny of fresh eyes and does not want to risk that.
Thank you for the fresh perspective to quiet my frustration.
Robert thank you for today’s addition. I loved the Arnold video and I was very interested in the Guardian article about why it’s time to prosecute Donald Trump. The article made me realize something about myself. I have been wanting Trump prosecuted and convicted for years and held accountable but recently I have realized that it’s more important to change, modify or eliminate rules, procedures and laws that would allow another candidate the opportunity to corrupt the government for their own benefit. Trump created the roadmap for the total disregard for the constitution and rule of laws and the power of the Executive Branch resulting in no accountability and we must change that immediately. If we tighten the controls of power we can stop future abuses and corruption and that in the end is more important than Trump.
I am so glad to read your followers after reading today's letter and watching the full Schwarzeneger video. Hopefully the Russian soldiers will have their eyes opened and will just "walk away" from the war.
I was born in 1943 to first generation Americans, children of Orthodox Jewish immigrants from what is now Belarus. That gives away how old I am and that I am a Jew that has survived because my grandparents did. But this brutality against human beings, that cannot be justified by any rational thought, is more than I can stomach. The other day I posted on this Newsletter and completely butchered the spelling of Zelensky. I spent the whole day trying to get the egg off of my face. But the truth is that I was subject to a true senior moment, the first of my long-life; I hope it was an outlier event. But I think the stress of the horribleness of what I am seeing and hearing is stressing my mind in ways that I have never experienced. Thank heavens for the calming effect of these Newsletters, and of having friends to talk with. But I agree with Robert that the stress of this constant news of human suffering weighs heavy on me.
Janet, thanks for sharing your family history. And as to Zelenskyy, there are multiple Americanized variant spellings. I adopt the version with two "yy"s at the end, but I have seen it with one "i", two "ii"s and an apostrophe. Whatever his last name is in Ukrainian, it doesn't translate directly into English.
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Many years ago I read John Steinbeck's "The Moon is Down." Written in 1942, this classic implied (although never mentioning Nazi Germany or Norway) the Nazi occupation of Norway which began in 1940.
It is remarkable that through the years, a world leader would not have read this short book or, if they had, so tragically dismissed it's most profectic passage, "The fly has conquered the flypaper."
No doubt, Putin is either Stienbeck illiterate or too egotistical to care. Whichever, he is doomed to the fate of the Nazi's in Norway, and everywhere else for that matter.
Good morning, and thank you and M.E. for staying the course. Loved the visit Adam Schiff. Would it be possible to include 2022 election banner with a link to top congressional races to follow and support from Congressman Maloney and his perspective? Maybe Senate too. A HARD TARGET would be helpful for those who write postcards and give money from afar (eg. People's Republic of San Francisco)? They certainly caused me to have hope.
Hi, Paula. Several other readers have made that same request. I will circle back to Schiff / Maloney to see if they will share the list of 32 "frontline" candidates.
Republican disinformation on Biden's effective interventions will in time have to confront what we pray is the eventual outcome, a Ukrainian victory. The devastation of the Russian forces being reported has two essential ingredients, the bravery and skill of Ukrainians, and American military technology, as delivered by President Biden. And thank you for the link to Schwartzenegger video. I must say I underestimated the man. As fine an outing of the self-destructive folly of fascism as one could ask.
Has anyone had success with “unfoxing’ their TVs? We use Hulu, primarily for live sports. I remember a suggestion for other streaming services that do not include fox but can’t find it. If possible could someone please link it here? Thank you!
I have Spectrum. I spent an hour on the phone with them. There is something called TV choice where you can choose not to include Fox. There were too few channels for me to consider that. But then they told me about another option “TV Lifestyle” which sounded perfect as I could omit Fox. After an hour they figured out it was not available in my area. I was livid. But you might look into this and see if it is available in your area.
Thanks
I believe Sling TV has a Fox-free option
Bastards indeed—bastards of democratic freedoms and God only knows what crackpot venality!
With Alabama moving to the dark side, the South is losing any pretense of New South progressivism (a perpetual canard, it seems).
One reader corrected me and said that I should not have used the term because it disparages children born out of wedlock with negative connotations of the modern usage. I don't think anyone today believes "bastards" refers to the marital status of one's parents, but rather, to the personal attributes for the object of the criticism.
BDF (Bastards of Domestic Freedom) I like that !
Adoptee/Born out of wedlock
The Dominion report was produced *before* the election:
"Two weeks before the election, we were doing those reports hoping that we would pepper the swing states with those,” [Garret] Ziegler said of the three-part Navarro report in an appearance last July on The Professor’s Record with David K Clements.
Garret Ziegler was a policy aide under Peter Navarro.
Enough w/the "the small fry lead to the big fry" Garland method of prosecution (I paraphrase, of course). When you've got the goods on the mob boss and his lieutenants, do you just go after his street thugs??? It's time for the DOJ to indict Trump and his traitorous band and convict them of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Agree 100%! This is not a drug cartel. We saw the crimes unfold in public.