Speaking of House disfunction. The GOP does itself no favors when they put up horrow shows for consideration of a Speaker. A bipartisan candidate appeals to me. Speaking of horrors: let's consider all of Jim Jordan's qualifications: 1) not one piece of legislation conceived of and passed in all his years; 2) despite taking his oath, he voted for and supported the insurrection, 3) there are plenty of undeniable moral questions outstanding about his role in not cleaning up Ohio State's wrestling program, 4) he felt he was immune and too important to deign to respond to a Congressionally issued subpoena (unlike, for example, Hilary Clinton who entered Jordan's Benghazi Star Chamber for hours). In a normal world, he'd have no chance at the Speaker's gavel. No chance at all. He's deserving of sanction.
Jordan is the absolute worst choice Republicans could make for Speaker. The House Practice Guide says, "The Speaker's role as presiding officer is an impartial one, and his rulings serve to protect the rights of the minority." Jordan is uniquely unqualified for the role. I sincerely hope enough Republicans in the House realize that and send the "Fastest Dungslinger in the West" packing!
He won't get there. They have to stop nominating people they know have significant blocks, because starting back with McCarthy, they have enough evidence to learn that the tradition of everyone getting behind whoever wins the closed-door vote will automatically win the floor vote no longer holds. They are actually going to have to consider governing, not just power. It's a new thing. But now McCarthy, Scalise, Jordan. How many more rinse-and-repeats will they do without realizing it's insanity?
I would say, "Yes, yes, yes. Jordan is very bad but MAYBE he has a shred of morality and a bit of respect for the Constitution. Trump has neither and is a sociopathic narcissist who can see no further than his own nose.
Jim Jordan running for speaker is a transparent effort to make government not function under Biden, a Trump-Bannon strategy. Fortunately enough Republican congresspeople see that this chaos and do nothing Congress will be the end of their political career. The risk to them of being Primaried is real, but not as much of a noose around their neck as being linked to this strategy of government failure.
Ironically, Jordan and Gaetz, the Trump front in Congress, will likely force a unity coalition that will work with Democrats.
It is just a matter of time until taxpayers demand something tangible from the people they are paying $174,000 a year plus benefits and expenses. How will they answer when asked, “what have you done for me?”
Hard to say or feel enough bad things about that sessionist Steve Bannon. He seems to enjoy and glory in chaos. And make money doing it. Is evil to weak an adjective?
Bannon is a major problem for the Republicans and the country. I’d also note, if I am not mistaken, that Bannon has played a role in getting US Bishops to push back on Pope Francis’ efforts to make changes in the church. In fact, as I understand it, he has traveled to Italy on numerous occasions and worked to help the traditional Catholics and conservative Italian politicians.
In my opinion he is a global threat right along side of Trump.
You are, I am afraid, apparently correct. And considering how many on the Supreme Court are Catholic, we should worry even more about him and his malign influence:
Today I wrote my Congressman, Bob Good of Virginia and told him his salary was the biggest waste of money in the entire Federal budget. I can hardly believe these deadbeats again recessed until next week. They have no intention of doing the people's business.
Yes.I agree.Ideally Gym and the others who stood with Trump and did not recognize Biden as the legitimate winner for POTUS should be expelled from Congress.They are traitors and their representing constituents when they don’t believe Biden is our President is surreal and a travesty to these constituents and to the American people.
Speaking of not recognizing, I saw a guy in a sports coat and a tie in the news. I had no idea who it was. It must have been rented from Men’s Warehouse
In the horror show that is the Israel/Hamas war, these words may be the most significant I've seen yet: "In a hopelessly complicated situation with no single answer or easy solution, we must follow our moral compass and remain true to the ideals that carried our nation to this point, including the courage to make difficult choices and act with conviction."
Sadly, if we attempt to apply this same thought to the disaster that is the Republican "controlled" House, it would be far more difficult. It is a "hopelessly complicated situation," for certain, although the complications are of their own making. The MAGA cultists have no moral compass, nor the ability to "make difficult choices" and are incapable of "act[ing] with conviction." I don't believe it is necessary to cite examples. They are plentiful and in plain sight.
It is a reminder that the biggest "lie" of advertising is "one size fits all." It is impossible, but critically necessary to separate "Palestinians" from "Hamas." It is difficult, but critically necessary to separate MAGA Republicans from SANE Republicans (I struggle to believe they still exist, but there must be some somewhere, and maybe now is the time for them to push themselves clear of the MAGA rock Republicans have been trapped under).
I support Israel, but detest Netanyahu. I support the Palestinian people, but detest Hamas. I love America, but detest Trump/MAGA insanity. One size does not fit all. Pick a side...but be sure not to cast a blanket over all sides as equivalent. They are not.
I have been reading the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace‘s discussion of countries in the Middle East and North Africa that are players in what is going on and how each country is managing this conflict.
Of course it has the danger of blowing up into a much bigger regional conflict and all of the countries have to manage terrorist groups in that region such as ISIS, just as we need to be more fully managing our terrorist groups here in the USA which are also an integral part of our government. I am infuriated that Tommy Tuberville is blocking military appointments, and Senators Rand and Cruz are blocking diplomatic appointments and the other Republicans are letting them. Do we have to wait for the US to be attacked before these a—holes can be overridden? I am currently in the EU which seems equally hogtied by their own political bugaboos, which I am not going to go into now, and reading that because funding is blocked Ukraine has to remove equipment used in an offensive capacity to a defensive capacity as Russia is making inroads. This concerns us all because democracy is losing to strong men regimes and we need to get things back on track.
I am pissed! That, actually, is not strong enough. Angry, livid, ready to explode is more like it. Where in the hell do these Republicans get the audacity to stop our government in its tracks? No judges, no legislation, no military promotions when the world is on fire. But even more where are the “leaders” who are letting this happen? Republicans like McConnell but also the so called moderates like Collins, Thune, Murkowski who sit by and watch. And where is the Democratic leadership in the Senate too? At the very least they should be out publicly often, denouncing this mess and putting pressure on their Republican colleagues to do something. I don’t want them to say, “oh, darn, we couldn’t do anything. BS.
The Senate can’t even get Tommy Tuberville to stop putting a hold on these crucial military promotions, and they can’t stop other senators from the other holds that are causing chaos with diplomatic appointments. They have their own set of problems, so I have my doubts that they’re going to get involved in the Speaker issue. But I share your anger and disbelief at what we are witnessing.
But Jeffries is not in the Senate. When Dems take the house in 2024, he will be Speaker there for sure. Even now, he is the best leader they have in the House. But the Senate?
There is of course an easy solution to this: Hamas releases the hostages, its leaders agree to leave Gaza for Iran, Fatah takes over Gaza, and a new center-left Israeli government, aided bythe US and others, sits down with Fatah to create a workable two-state solution.
This is of course a wild fantasy, but it does touch on one key point: Hamas does not want to negotiate. They do not want a two-state solution, or even a one-state solition-- they want to kick all 7 million Jews out of the current state of Israel, even if that means killing all of them one-by-one.
Granted, the Netanyahu government now contains extremists who have similar visions in the other direction, but the difference is that Israel is a democracy and the extremists, who are not in control, can be voted out. (And likely will be, given the current mood in Israel, but that is beside the point.)
Hamas cannot be voted out. They will only leave if forced out by another Palestinian group with a different vision for their people.
We got here in part becauase many Israelis beleived that like most natonal liberation groups, Hamas would soon grow weary of war and look to nation-building. This is what had happeend with Arafat and Fatah. And reports are coming out that this is why Israeli intelligence took their eyes off the ball.
Sadly, it was not in the Iranian government's interest to see a peaceful Gaza, let alone thriving Israeli and Palestinian states who , in the Iranians estimation, would be allied with the Sunni Saudis. (Almost all Palestianians are Sunni).
So they encouraged Hamas to remain at war, to cling to the vision that they could someday drive all seven million Jews out of Israel, while similtaneously ousting Fatah from the West Bank.
The result was last week's pogrom and the Israeli reaction to it, which, among, other things, means that the Saudi-Israeli detente that President Biden was brokering, is off the table, a deal that would allegedly have resulted in some big wins for the Palestinians in their quest for nationhood.
And so here we are.
I do not know how we get out of this mess other than the fantasty above. Asking the Israelis to stand down is like asking the US to have sought a cease fire with Japan the day after Pearl Harbor--emotions are just too high to make that even a remote possibility. Hamas seems equally as committed to death and destruction, and so here we are.
My hope is that once we get out of this mess, both sides will be so unhappy with the result that they will decide that peace is a better option. This is perhaps not so much of a fantasy--it happened in 1977 after the Yom Kippur War, when Sadat and Begin signed a peace accord between Egypt and Israel, a deal neither party has ever regretted.
You have an interesting notion of an "easy" solution Alan, but you're quite right about the "fantasy" being the only way out of this mess. God grant that there are a number of miracle workers out there who can make it happen and far better sooner than later.
My Jewish daughter is currently in a South Asian country with a primarily Muslim population helping to process Muslim and other refugees from several countries who want to resettle in the US. Hammas would kill her in a heartbeat if given the chance. That pretty much sums up Hamas.
I don't love the idea of a seige that denies innocent people food, water and medical aid or the mass displacement of a million people who have nowhere to go, but I've wracked my brain and don't have any better ideas other than Alan's fantasy solution. Whatever happens, I maintain [fantasy?] hope that it's swift and minimizes harm to innocent people everywhere.
Your last sentence about a peace deal that has lasted since 1977 between countries who used to be at war with each other tells us that nothing is impossible. But Hamas is a far more vicious entity that is hell-bent on the destruction of Israel and the eradication of Jews.
A problem with Alan Wolk’s “fantasy” is that Fatah has never been peace-loving. They name West Bank streets after “martyrs” (men killed while conducting attacks on Israeli citizens). They tolerate terrorists who cross into Israel on murderous missions. And they are hopelessly corrupt.
… among other ‘recommendations’.
Right now, Israel has no Palestinian partner for peace.
Those are all fair and true points, with the added bonus that Abbas is 87 and has no clear successor and when he dies there is a very strong likelihood that Fatah will split into several warring factions.
That said, they do at least talk to the Israeli government and they were likely who Netanyahu and the Saudis were going to negotiate with as part of Biden's plan.
But to your point, the Israelis have often pointed out that post-Arafat, there really was no one they could make "peace" with, no partner who they felt would be around in 10 years to uphold the accords.
I wish Israel would not siege Gaza right away. Let things cool down, solidify borders. Sure tell Gaza civilians to evacuate but let the hospitals have supplies.
Start trying to negotiate and gradually work at destroying Hamas.
Let the world focus their attention elsewhere and don't invade Gaza at once leading to more loss of Israel lives. As Thomas Friedman said, don't do what your enemies want you to do. The world will always condemn Israel but now there already is a humanitarian crisis and a siege of Gaza makes it one of epic proportions.
Maybe I am naive but exhibiting rage does not seem like the best long term strategy. Then, after the siege when thousands die and more of Gaza is destroyed , then what? who takes over? who provides reconstruction? Put in an electronic fence around Gaza. Their current path is going to bring in Hezbollah, then we have a worse situation for Israel.
Does an eye for an eye have to be literal to get proper revenge?
A fence around Gaza is precisely what the Hamas terrorists broke through to conduct their murderous rampage.
A fence will not shoot down the rockets Hamas and Islamic Jihad launch from Gaza into Israel.
If your nextdoor neighbor fired shots and lobbed grenades at your home, how would you feel if people told you you should bulletproof and explosionproof your home? And would you be “understanding”?
If 9/11 casualties here were in the same proportion as what happened last Saturday in Israel, would you still advocate sane negotiations with our known enemies who caused this? And what if they keep saying and acting in accord with their stated goal of eradicating the US? Israel was founded after the Holocaust with the cry of "Never Again". "Never again" has just happened on their soil. A pogrom in our land, our state? And you want me to be reasonable with those who perpetrated it and who clearly don't care what happens to their own people?
Put yourself in their shoes - especially if it was your daughter/mother/aunt/ whose body was being dragged trough the streets of Gaza to cheering crowds - and being seen all over the world.
I am sad at what is going to happen, and dread the consequences, but no amount of "we need to be fair to both sides" is going to change anything. I just hope we can at least move forward with our own government impasse so we can become an actor on the world stage again.
As for advocating sane negotiations, let’s remember President Bush had people encouraging military action with his own Secretary of State having gone to Congress with bad information about Weapons of Mass Destruction. In many ways we reacted the same and still have people urging that we ban a lot of people from Middle East countries.
It is not a question of being fair to both sides. It's about not behaving in the same way towards others who care nothing about human life. If Israel behaves the same way, they are no better than Hamas at that moment. An eye for an eye is an ancient method of, I'm sorry to say, men solving their problems with violence.
With all due respects, this post suggests that Israel would be “behaving in the same way” and “being no better than Hamas at the moment”. That would only be true if Israel were entering Gaza to gang rape girls, kill children in front of their parents and parents in front of their children, kidnap elderly grand parents, murder and behead babies, take 150 hostages.... I think the point is made. In expressing valid concern for the innocent Palestinian civilians, choice of language that distorts the situation, is wrong.
Israel has warned the Northern Gazans to evacuate. Hamas has ordered them to stay so they can be human shields; Hamas has threatened them and possibly bombed their escape corridor. The situation is in some ways straightforward. Israel is not responsible for protecting Gazans from Hamas. Israel has clearly stated the siege will stay in place until Hamas releases the hostages. Where is Hamas in all this conversation about concern for the civilians? I have seen no statements from them or journalists trying to get a statement. Where are the criticisms of Hamas’ ordering their citizens to be human shields? Where are demands for Hamas to build safe shelters for it’s citizens rather than building attack tunnels? Where are the demands for Hamas to release the hostages?
Hamas must go. That is the military goal, not revenge.
A last comment. Let’s not forget that Hamas terrorists dress like civilians. We all saw it in the horrific videos of their barbaric attacks. So when the count of civilians killed is given, it will be a challenge to distinguish terrorists from “young boys”.
Barbara, I am so sorry I offended you. It's possible I don't understand the situation as well as you do. I still don't believe it is right for Netanyahu to kill helpless families and children. Yes, they've been warned to leave, but there is nowhere for them to go. They are trapped. But I do see your point, and hear your pain.. Hamas is evil, no question. Thanks for responding to my comment!
You make a valid point. But let's be realistic. If you were in charge of the Israeli response, what would you do as the next step? Are Hamas people you can negotiate with? What would you offer, and if they continue their aggression despite the talks, breaking cease fires and continuing rocket attacks, then what? So, how should Israel behave? Would you response be the same if you saw the body of your sister being dragged through the streets of Gaza while crowds cheer and post videos on the Internet, esp. X? Could you be fair or rational or calm?
I'm not being hysterical - this is what has gone on - and worse. Now decide the next move!
Thank you, Robert, for this inspirational letter. I am glad to hear that the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are helping in Israel/Gaza. Now I know where I can safely donate.
Doctors Without Borders is a worthy organization. We have donated many years. However, be prepared for ongoing mail solicitations. Not a problem; just awareness.
I agree, Doctors Without Borders has an excellent reputation and a very high charity navigator rating. Their transparency rating has remained at about 98% for a long time.
Not exactly "no data' - but it does have no current rating - due to a lack of adequate info on both "Accountability & Finance" and "Impact & Results." (This seems really odd!) https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/986001029
In the past, the Red Cross has had some negative press. I don’t remember the exact circumstances, but it seems like a lot of money was at one time diverted away from actually helping the people they were supposed to help.
President Biden is proving to be the leader needed in these fraught times.
It's being noticed around the world.
Time stamp 10:12-12:23; especially Minutes 11 to 12:05
Amy: How important is the President of the United States position here?
Gideon Levy: In less than a minute, I can tell you Amy that last night when I was watching President Biden I really envied you Americans that you have such a leader. I never thought so before last night. But last night Biden was a real leader; someone that you can trust because he was extremely sincere and someone that you can rely on.
If Netanyahu would have taken the same speech, he wouldn't be Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is busy with politics and here comes this Biden and tells Israel what Israel wanted to hear.
I would love him [Netanyahu] also to say something about the Palestinian suffering, the Palestinian agony.
He [Netanyahu] ignored it totally and this is very regretful. But by the end of the day, this is what Israel needs now - some kind of leadership and he [Netanyahu] totally lacks it, nobody's around, really to understand that WE HAVE TO GO FOR A NEW WAY. Nobody is there.
President Biden would be a better leader if he told Israeli leaders that cutting off water, food, and fuel is ethnic genocide and will have consequences in the support given to Israel now and later. After all, we bombed Serbia to "prevent" ethnic genocide. We can't say we're asking Israel not to harm civilians if we don't say that cutting off water and medical supplies is okay by not condemning it.
SMH. So many Republicans in the House disqualify their peers from anything simply for voting in a bipartisan manner on any legislation at all. "You voted with the Democrats? You are DONE!"
I normally get my news from NPR when driving and from the Washington Post while at home. I'm very disturbed by NPR's bias towards the Palestinians and against Israel. We hear long stories about the suffering innocents. Yes, civilians will be killed, just like Jews were killed at the music festival. During WWii we carpet bombed German cities. The justification was everyone contributed to the war effort whether or not they were holding a gun. I think it is amazing that the IDF gave the folks in Gaza 24 hours notice. It will hardly be a surprise attack and will cost Israeli lives.
You observations are why it is so hard in this moment. I heard a great deal of NPR on Thursday and thought they were working hard to get voices from all perspectives heard and asking hard questions. These are not easy times.
I totally get the views on both sides of the debate over who is to blame for the Gazans being squeezed between Hamas and Israel. But I think, based on hearing from both sides all day yesterday that it's too simplistic to blame Israel alone for the situation in Gaza. Israel isn't the only actor in the region for the last 50 years and the realities of disharmony aren't easy to control when your avowed enemies live next door. It's too easy to lay blame, but Israel has had to survive in a very hostile physical space that has been its only space. I really dislike people latching onto simplistic explanations when survival is at stake.
Hamas’s objective has always been to eliminate all Jews from Israel and all areas thought of as Palestinian. It’s stated in Hamas’s founding charter, and it’s never been retracted.
Don’t think, “Oh, they can’t *really* mean it. The latest incursion into Israel shows what Hamas means.
If there are any, not to mention “enough” Republican House Members who are willing to put Party loyalty aside and create a governing majority with the Democrats, why don’t they? Recognizing the obvious urgent need for bipartisanship but then failing to vote for it is evidence of treasonous intent to undermine the government and continue acting primarily if not exclusively in one’s own interests. Lord Actin is once again being proved sound in observing that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is imperative that all of these weak-kneed and seriously character-flawed Republican House Members be defeated at the polls as quickly as possible!
Good point. Whether due to fear or bullying by the extremists led by DJT, their failure to do the right think is, at least, a recognition of complicit enabling. Let’s hope enough step up to stop Jordan’s ascent to third in line to the presidency. That is totally unacceptable, just as another term of DJT would be.
What I wrote my Representative Chip Roy yesterday:
Dear Representation Roy. A study in 2021 by the Center for Responsive Politics paints a concerning picture of Rep. Jordan, ranking him among the least effective members in Congress, placing him at 432nd out of 435. The research pointed out that Jordan’s bills had a lower chance of finding cosponsors or even getting House votes.. So, I ask how could someone so ineffective and full of vitriol be the GOP's nominee of Speaker of the House. Are you trying to fail? It sure is an embarrassment to be an American on today's world stage. Please consider someone who is actually capable of being effective as Speaker. I'll even go so far in asking for someone who can work with all the members of Congress no matter what party to achieve the results we so badly need to see in this time. That a single member of Congress can halt military leadership confirmations is unpatriotic and weakens the United States military. One person can call for the removal of a Speaker is undemocratic and weakens the ability of Congress to do the right thing in a crisis such as we're seeing in Israel. It can't simply be the far, far, far right saying do it my way or we'll destroy the country. All or nothing is not the way Congress can do anything but fail. At times you ALL must come together when it creates a stronger America. Anything else is purely unpatriotic. If you can't figure out a way to work together even in your own party in the vein of lead, follow or get out of the way, it's time for you to get out of the way..
Please give us a Speaker who can be effective in meeting the needs of our time and our People. Please make America strong again! That means turning away from the far, far right and getting back to civilized conservatism willing to take steps toward a goal by working with ALL members of Congress.
Do it NOW! We need the clown show to stop! It matters to the world to have leadership from America creating a more prosperous and peaceful world. Catherine Learoyd here, waiting for something good to happen this time! That won't be Mr. Vitriol Jordan .
It was good to read that there are Republicans that are realizing that they need bipartisanship to move forward.
I rather doubt it. Although, if House GOP are listening at all they probably hear that we're all very tired of the clown show which produces nothing. Sounds like some House Republicans are starting to talk about a bipartisan approach!
This Power Map shows 18 MAGA Republicans and Senators who are helping Putin by crippling U.S. the government when Israel and Ukraine need it the most. Tuberville's block on military promotions and more. MAGA Republicans Create MEGA Chaos to help Putin.
Personally I feel that governments must be very careful going (sending soldiers) where they can be easily found - that is, going into an area where they could be trapped. This is my intuition.
Thank you for the links. The article in The London Review of Books was of particular interest to me. Although written from a pro-Palestinian viewpoint, the writer also sees the huge harm Hamas has brought to the people of Gaza and asks, then answers, the question "Why has Hamas done this now?"
I see the article by Professor Butler and closer to non binary. Burke wrote that binary language has at its centre, rot. Indigenous peoples now speak about the next five generations instead of seven (I don't have an article to cite and it's a busy Saturday for me but I will look it up) Burying the hatchet is a real, historical Indigenous event, and I will also look this up in my notes. Continuing without real concern about the next generations is what we risk in not seeing the whole.
Speaking of House disfunction. The GOP does itself no favors when they put up horrow shows for consideration of a Speaker. A bipartisan candidate appeals to me. Speaking of horrors: let's consider all of Jim Jordan's qualifications: 1) not one piece of legislation conceived of and passed in all his years; 2) despite taking his oath, he voted for and supported the insurrection, 3) there are plenty of undeniable moral questions outstanding about his role in not cleaning up Ohio State's wrestling program, 4) he felt he was immune and too important to deign to respond to a Congressionally issued subpoena (unlike, for example, Hilary Clinton who entered Jordan's Benghazi Star Chamber for hours). In a normal world, he'd have no chance at the Speaker's gavel. No chance at all. He's deserving of sanction.
Jordan is the absolute worst choice Republicans could make for Speaker. The House Practice Guide says, "The Speaker's role as presiding officer is an impartial one, and his rulings serve to protect the rights of the minority." Jordan is uniquely unqualified for the role. I sincerely hope enough Republicans in the House realize that and send the "Fastest Dungslinger in the West" packing!
He won't get there. They have to stop nominating people they know have significant blocks, because starting back with McCarthy, they have enough evidence to learn that the tradition of everyone getting behind whoever wins the closed-door vote will automatically win the floor vote no longer holds. They are actually going to have to consider governing, not just power. It's a new thing. But now McCarthy, Scalise, Jordan. How many more rinse-and-repeats will they do without realizing it's insanity?
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. -Albert Einstein.
Not the worst. Trump is the worst. Him being two heartbeats from the Presidency is a nightmare.
Is there really any difference between Trump and Jordan?
I would say, "Yes, yes, yes. Jordan is very bad but MAYBE he has a shred of morality and a bit of respect for the Constitution. Trump has neither and is a sociopathic narcissist who can see no further than his own nose.
Jim Jordan running for speaker is a transparent effort to make government not function under Biden, a Trump-Bannon strategy. Fortunately enough Republican congresspeople see that this chaos and do nothing Congress will be the end of their political career. The risk to them of being Primaried is real, but not as much of a noose around their neck as being linked to this strategy of government failure.
Ironically, Jordan and Gaetz, the Trump front in Congress, will likely force a unity coalition that will work with Democrats.
It is just a matter of time until taxpayers demand something tangible from the people they are paying $174,000 a year plus benefits and expenses. How will they answer when asked, “what have you done for me?”
Hard to say or feel enough bad things about that sessionist Steve Bannon. He seems to enjoy and glory in chaos. And make money doing it. Is evil to weak an adjective?
Bannon is a major problem for the Republicans and the country. I’d also note, if I am not mistaken, that Bannon has played a role in getting US Bishops to push back on Pope Francis’ efforts to make changes in the church. In fact, as I understand it, he has traveled to Italy on numerous occasions and worked to help the traditional Catholics and conservative Italian politicians.
In my opinion he is a global threat right along side of Trump.
In my experience as a Catholic, there are enough Conservative bishops and Cardinals to cause the Pope problems already. However, the thought of Bannon
creating more damage for modern Catholics and those modern Bishops who approve of changes, including women being ordained, makes me sick.
You are, I am afraid, apparently correct. And considering how many on the Supreme Court are Catholic, we should worry even more about him and his malign influence:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/steve-bannon-u-s-ultra-conservatives-take-aim-pope-francis-n991411
Yet another criminal who should be in prison, but is walking free and causing turmoil.
Bannon is the Rasputin of the Republican Party.
An excellent analogy. But right on. Wish I didn't fear that Putin was Trump's Rasputin.
It is true, for sure!
Today I wrote my Congressman, Bob Good of Virginia and told him his salary was the biggest waste of money in the entire Federal budget. I can hardly believe these deadbeats again recessed until next week. They have no intention of doing the people's business.
Dammit… I can’t like this more than once!
Yes.I agree.Ideally Gym and the others who stood with Trump and did not recognize Biden as the legitimate winner for POTUS should be expelled from Congress.They are traitors and their representing constituents when they don’t believe Biden is our President is surreal and a travesty to these constituents and to the American people.
It does show what poison Trump and Bannon have managed to inject into our nations political bloodstream. National sepsis
Speaking of not recognizing, I saw a guy in a sports coat and a tie in the news. I had no idea who it was. It must have been rented from Men’s Warehouse
Fortunately, many Congresswomen and men felt the same way!
In the horror show that is the Israel/Hamas war, these words may be the most significant I've seen yet: "In a hopelessly complicated situation with no single answer or easy solution, we must follow our moral compass and remain true to the ideals that carried our nation to this point, including the courage to make difficult choices and act with conviction."
Sadly, if we attempt to apply this same thought to the disaster that is the Republican "controlled" House, it would be far more difficult. It is a "hopelessly complicated situation," for certain, although the complications are of their own making. The MAGA cultists have no moral compass, nor the ability to "make difficult choices" and are incapable of "act[ing] with conviction." I don't believe it is necessary to cite examples. They are plentiful and in plain sight.
It is a reminder that the biggest "lie" of advertising is "one size fits all." It is impossible, but critically necessary to separate "Palestinians" from "Hamas." It is difficult, but critically necessary to separate MAGA Republicans from SANE Republicans (I struggle to believe they still exist, but there must be some somewhere, and maybe now is the time for them to push themselves clear of the MAGA rock Republicans have been trapped under).
I support Israel, but detest Netanyahu. I support the Palestinian people, but detest Hamas. I love America, but detest Trump/MAGA insanity. One size does not fit all. Pick a side...but be sure not to cast a blanket over all sides as equivalent. They are not.
This is an intelligent and well-written statement about how not to paint everyone with the same brush. I could ❤️ this a hundred times.
Mark, well said!
Yes, yes and yes!
I have been reading the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace‘s discussion of countries in the Middle East and North Africa that are players in what is going on and how each country is managing this conflict.
https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/10/13/arab-perspectives-on-middle-east-crisis-pub-90774
Of course it has the danger of blowing up into a much bigger regional conflict and all of the countries have to manage terrorist groups in that region such as ISIS, just as we need to be more fully managing our terrorist groups here in the USA which are also an integral part of our government. I am infuriated that Tommy Tuberville is blocking military appointments, and Senators Rand and Cruz are blocking diplomatic appointments and the other Republicans are letting them. Do we have to wait for the US to be attacked before these a—holes can be overridden? I am currently in the EU which seems equally hogtied by their own political bugaboos, which I am not going to go into now, and reading that because funding is blocked Ukraine has to remove equipment used in an offensive capacity to a defensive capacity as Russia is making inroads. This concerns us all because democracy is losing to strong men regimes and we need to get things back on track.
Very well said, Linda! Thank you for the link!
Thanks for your insights
I am pissed! That, actually, is not strong enough. Angry, livid, ready to explode is more like it. Where in the hell do these Republicans get the audacity to stop our government in its tracks? No judges, no legislation, no military promotions when the world is on fire. But even more where are the “leaders” who are letting this happen? Republicans like McConnell but also the so called moderates like Collins, Thune, Murkowski who sit by and watch. And where is the Democratic leadership in the Senate too? At the very least they should be out publicly often, denouncing this mess and putting pressure on their Republican colleagues to do something. I don’t want them to say, “oh, darn, we couldn’t do anything. BS.
The Senate can’t even get Tommy Tuberville to stop putting a hold on these crucial military promotions, and they can’t stop other senators from the other holds that are causing chaos with diplomatic appointments. They have their own set of problems, so I have my doubts that they’re going to get involved in the Speaker issue. But I share your anger and disbelief at what we are witnessing.
Schumer should move aside. It is time.
I'm curious. If not Schumer, who would you favor to be the Democratic leadership in the Senate?
So how about: Brian Schatz (HI), Amy Klobuchar (MN). Eliabeth Warren (MA), Cory Booker (NJ), Chris Murphy (CT) Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) to name a few.
I adore Sheldon Whitehouse! And admire Amy Klobuchar a great deal. Great list of names.
A progressive. Jeffries
But Jeffries is not in the Senate. When Dems take the house in 2024, he will be Speaker there for sure. Even now, he is the best leader they have in the House. But the Senate?
You are very correct. I am certain there is a progressive leader in the senate although am blank at the moment. My mistake about Jeffries.
There is of course an easy solution to this: Hamas releases the hostages, its leaders agree to leave Gaza for Iran, Fatah takes over Gaza, and a new center-left Israeli government, aided bythe US and others, sits down with Fatah to create a workable two-state solution.
This is of course a wild fantasy, but it does touch on one key point: Hamas does not want to negotiate. They do not want a two-state solution, or even a one-state solition-- they want to kick all 7 million Jews out of the current state of Israel, even if that means killing all of them one-by-one.
Granted, the Netanyahu government now contains extremists who have similar visions in the other direction, but the difference is that Israel is a democracy and the extremists, who are not in control, can be voted out. (And likely will be, given the current mood in Israel, but that is beside the point.)
Hamas cannot be voted out. They will only leave if forced out by another Palestinian group with a different vision for their people.
We got here in part becauase many Israelis beleived that like most natonal liberation groups, Hamas would soon grow weary of war and look to nation-building. This is what had happeend with Arafat and Fatah. And reports are coming out that this is why Israeli intelligence took their eyes off the ball.
Sadly, it was not in the Iranian government's interest to see a peaceful Gaza, let alone thriving Israeli and Palestinian states who , in the Iranians estimation, would be allied with the Sunni Saudis. (Almost all Palestianians are Sunni).
So they encouraged Hamas to remain at war, to cling to the vision that they could someday drive all seven million Jews out of Israel, while similtaneously ousting Fatah from the West Bank.
The result was last week's pogrom and the Israeli reaction to it, which, among, other things, means that the Saudi-Israeli detente that President Biden was brokering, is off the table, a deal that would allegedly have resulted in some big wins for the Palestinians in their quest for nationhood.
And so here we are.
I do not know how we get out of this mess other than the fantasty above. Asking the Israelis to stand down is like asking the US to have sought a cease fire with Japan the day after Pearl Harbor--emotions are just too high to make that even a remote possibility. Hamas seems equally as committed to death and destruction, and so here we are.
My hope is that once we get out of this mess, both sides will be so unhappy with the result that they will decide that peace is a better option. This is perhaps not so much of a fantasy--it happened in 1977 after the Yom Kippur War, when Sadat and Begin signed a peace accord between Egypt and Israel, a deal neither party has ever regretted.
You have an interesting notion of an "easy" solution Alan, but you're quite right about the "fantasy" being the only way out of this mess. God grant that there are a number of miracle workers out there who can make it happen and far better sooner than later.
Please let's not confuse Hammas's desire to remove Jews physically, they've clearly stated their express purpose - genocide.
Correct.
My Jewish daughter is currently in a South Asian country with a primarily Muslim population helping to process Muslim and other refugees from several countries who want to resettle in the US. Hammas would kill her in a heartbeat if given the chance. That pretty much sums up Hamas.
I don't love the idea of a seige that denies innocent people food, water and medical aid or the mass displacement of a million people who have nowhere to go, but I've wracked my brain and don't have any better ideas other than Alan's fantasy solution. Whatever happens, I maintain [fantasy?] hope that it's swift and minimizes harm to innocent people everywhere.
💔
*Hamas
Your last sentence about a peace deal that has lasted since 1977 between countries who used to be at war with each other tells us that nothing is impossible. But Hamas is a far more vicious entity that is hell-bent on the destruction of Israel and the eradication of Jews.
true
A problem with Alan Wolk’s “fantasy” is that Fatah has never been peace-loving. They name West Bank streets after “martyrs” (men killed while conducting attacks on Israeli citizens). They tolerate terrorists who cross into Israel on murderous missions. And they are hopelessly corrupt.
… among other ‘recommendations’.
Right now, Israel has no Palestinian partner for peace.
Those are all fair and true points, with the added bonus that Abbas is 87 and has no clear successor and when he dies there is a very strong likelihood that Fatah will split into several warring factions.
That said, they do at least talk to the Israeli government and they were likely who Netanyahu and the Saudis were going to negotiate with as part of Biden's plan.
But to your point, the Israelis have often pointed out that post-Arafat, there really was no one they could make "peace" with, no partner who they felt would be around in 10 years to uphold the accords.
“Bipartisanship is not a sin.” -Rep Maria Salazar, FL. Wow.
I wish Israel would not siege Gaza right away. Let things cool down, solidify borders. Sure tell Gaza civilians to evacuate but let the hospitals have supplies.
Start trying to negotiate and gradually work at destroying Hamas.
Let the world focus their attention elsewhere and don't invade Gaza at once leading to more loss of Israel lives. As Thomas Friedman said, don't do what your enemies want you to do. The world will always condemn Israel but now there already is a humanitarian crisis and a siege of Gaza makes it one of epic proportions.
Maybe I am naive but exhibiting rage does not seem like the best long term strategy. Then, after the siege when thousands die and more of Gaza is destroyed , then what? who takes over? who provides reconstruction? Put in an electronic fence around Gaza. Their current path is going to bring in Hezbollah, then we have a worse situation for Israel.
Does an eye for an eye have to be literal to get proper revenge?
Barbara,
A fence around Gaza is precisely what the Hamas terrorists broke through to conduct their murderous rampage.
A fence will not shoot down the rockets Hamas and Islamic Jihad launch from Gaza into Israel.
If your nextdoor neighbor fired shots and lobbed grenades at your home, how would you feel if people told you you should bulletproof and explosionproof your home? And would you be “understanding”?
If 9/11 casualties here were in the same proportion as what happened last Saturday in Israel, would you still advocate sane negotiations with our known enemies who caused this? And what if they keep saying and acting in accord with their stated goal of eradicating the US? Israel was founded after the Holocaust with the cry of "Never Again". "Never again" has just happened on their soil. A pogrom in our land, our state? And you want me to be reasonable with those who perpetrated it and who clearly don't care what happens to their own people?
Put yourself in their shoes - especially if it was your daughter/mother/aunt/ whose body was being dragged trough the streets of Gaza to cheering crowds - and being seen all over the world.
I am sad at what is going to happen, and dread the consequences, but no amount of "we need to be fair to both sides" is going to change anything. I just hope we can at least move forward with our own government impasse so we can become an actor on the world stage again.
As for advocating sane negotiations, let’s remember President Bush had people encouraging military action with his own Secretary of State having gone to Congress with bad information about Weapons of Mass Destruction. In many ways we reacted the same and still have people urging that we ban a lot of people from Middle East countries.
It is not a question of being fair to both sides. It's about not behaving in the same way towards others who care nothing about human life. If Israel behaves the same way, they are no better than Hamas at that moment. An eye for an eye is an ancient method of, I'm sorry to say, men solving their problems with violence.
With all due respects, this post suggests that Israel would be “behaving in the same way” and “being no better than Hamas at the moment”. That would only be true if Israel were entering Gaza to gang rape girls, kill children in front of their parents and parents in front of their children, kidnap elderly grand parents, murder and behead babies, take 150 hostages.... I think the point is made. In expressing valid concern for the innocent Palestinian civilians, choice of language that distorts the situation, is wrong.
Israel has warned the Northern Gazans to evacuate. Hamas has ordered them to stay so they can be human shields; Hamas has threatened them and possibly bombed their escape corridor. The situation is in some ways straightforward. Israel is not responsible for protecting Gazans from Hamas. Israel has clearly stated the siege will stay in place until Hamas releases the hostages. Where is Hamas in all this conversation about concern for the civilians? I have seen no statements from them or journalists trying to get a statement. Where are the criticisms of Hamas’ ordering their citizens to be human shields? Where are demands for Hamas to build safe shelters for it’s citizens rather than building attack tunnels? Where are the demands for Hamas to release the hostages?
Hamas must go. That is the military goal, not revenge.
A last comment. Let’s not forget that Hamas terrorists dress like civilians. We all saw it in the horrific videos of their barbaric attacks. So when the count of civilians killed is given, it will be a challenge to distinguish terrorists from “young boys”.
Barbara, I am so sorry I offended you. It's possible I don't understand the situation as well as you do. I still don't believe it is right for Netanyahu to kill helpless families and children. Yes, they've been warned to leave, but there is nowhere for them to go. They are trapped. But I do see your point, and hear your pain.. Hamas is evil, no question. Thanks for responding to my comment!
You make a valid point. But let's be realistic. If you were in charge of the Israeli response, what would you do as the next step? Are Hamas people you can negotiate with? What would you offer, and if they continue their aggression despite the talks, breaking cease fires and continuing rocket attacks, then what? So, how should Israel behave? Would you response be the same if you saw the body of your sister being dragged through the streets of Gaza while crowds cheer and post videos on the Internet, esp. X? Could you be fair or rational or calm?
I'm not being hysterical - this is what has gone on - and worse. Now decide the next move!
Agree. A protracted and bloody siege of Gaza may prove to be a quagmire for Israel.
Spot on.
I am with you, Barbara.
Thank you, Robert, for this inspirational letter. I am glad to hear that the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are helping in Israel/Gaza. Now I know where I can safely donate.
Doctors Without Borders is a worthy organization. We have donated many years. However, be prepared for ongoing mail solicitations. Not a problem; just awareness.
I have been donating to Doctors, too, for years. I just wasn't sure if they were in Israel/Gaza. Thanks, Sheila.
I agree, Doctors Without Borders has an excellent reputation and a very high charity navigator rating. Their transparency rating has remained at about 98% for a long time.
The FIDF gives 100 percent of the donations to the soldiers If you want to check charity navigator fo here.
.https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/133156445
Unfortunately Charity Navigator has no data on The International Committee of the Red Cross.
Not exactly "no data' - but it does have no current rating - due to a lack of adequate info on both "Accountability & Finance" and "Impact & Results." (This seems really odd!) https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/986001029
In the past, the Red Cross has had some negative press. I don’t remember the exact circumstances, but it seems like a lot of money was at one time diverted away from actually helping the people they were supposed to help.
This is accurate! I don't know if it is still true, though.
Hopefully, they cleaned up their act after that.
President Biden is proving to be the leader needed in these fraught times.
It's being noticed around the world.
Time stamp 10:12-12:23; especially Minutes 11 to 12:05
Amy: How important is the President of the United States position here?
Gideon Levy: In less than a minute, I can tell you Amy that last night when I was watching President Biden I really envied you Americans that you have such a leader. I never thought so before last night. But last night Biden was a real leader; someone that you can trust because he was extremely sincere and someone that you can rely on.
If Netanyahu would have taken the same speech, he wouldn't be Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is busy with politics and here comes this Biden and tells Israel what Israel wanted to hear.
I would love him [Netanyahu] also to say something about the Palestinian suffering, the Palestinian agony.
He [Netanyahu] ignored it totally and this is very regretful. But by the end of the day, this is what Israel needs now - some kind of leadership and he [Netanyahu] totally lacks it, nobody's around, really to understand that WE HAVE TO GO FOR A NEW WAY. Nobody is there.
https://youtu.be/P5t2JLpB7SY?si=Tgs3ZkxDjfP6A3KM
President Biden would be a better leader if he told Israeli leaders that cutting off water, food, and fuel is ethnic genocide and will have consequences in the support given to Israel now and later. After all, we bombed Serbia to "prevent" ethnic genocide. We can't say we're asking Israel not to harm civilians if we don't say that cutting off water and medical supplies is okay by not condemning it.
Amen.
Does the Congress know in a democracy working with the other side is normal, expected, designed?
SMH. So many Republicans in the House disqualify their peers from anything simply for voting in a bipartisan manner on any legislation at all. "You voted with the Democrats? You are DONE!"
I normally get my news from NPR when driving and from the Washington Post while at home. I'm very disturbed by NPR's bias towards the Palestinians and against Israel. We hear long stories about the suffering innocents. Yes, civilians will be killed, just like Jews were killed at the music festival. During WWii we carpet bombed German cities. The justification was everyone contributed to the war effort whether or not they were holding a gun. I think it is amazing that the IDF gave the folks in Gaza 24 hours notice. It will hardly be a surprise attack and will cost Israeli lives.
You observations are why it is so hard in this moment. I heard a great deal of NPR on Thursday and thought they were working hard to get voices from all perspectives heard and asking hard questions. These are not easy times.
I totally get the views on both sides of the debate over who is to blame for the Gazans being squeezed between Hamas and Israel. But I think, based on hearing from both sides all day yesterday that it's too simplistic to blame Israel alone for the situation in Gaza. Israel isn't the only actor in the region for the last 50 years and the realities of disharmony aren't easy to control when your avowed enemies live next door. It's too easy to lay blame, but Israel has had to survive in a very hostile physical space that has been its only space. I really dislike people latching onto simplistic explanations when survival is at stake.
It must be reiterated:
Hamas’s objective has always been to eliminate all Jews from Israel and all areas thought of as Palestinian. It’s stated in Hamas’s founding charter, and it’s never been retracted.
Don’t think, “Oh, they can’t *really* mean it. The latest incursion into Israel shows what Hamas means.
There should be another response other than like because this truth is a sad truth.
If there are any, not to mention “enough” Republican House Members who are willing to put Party loyalty aside and create a governing majority with the Democrats, why don’t they? Recognizing the obvious urgent need for bipartisanship but then failing to vote for it is evidence of treasonous intent to undermine the government and continue acting primarily if not exclusively in one’s own interests. Lord Actin is once again being proved sound in observing that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is imperative that all of these weak-kneed and seriously character-flawed Republican House Members be defeated at the polls as quickly as possible!
Good point. Whether due to fear or bullying by the extremists led by DJT, their failure to do the right think is, at least, a recognition of complicit enabling. Let’s hope enough step up to stop Jordan’s ascent to third in line to the presidency. That is totally unacceptable, just as another term of DJT would be.
I strongly agree with you!
What I wrote my Representative Chip Roy yesterday:
Dear Representation Roy. A study in 2021 by the Center for Responsive Politics paints a concerning picture of Rep. Jordan, ranking him among the least effective members in Congress, placing him at 432nd out of 435. The research pointed out that Jordan’s bills had a lower chance of finding cosponsors or even getting House votes.. So, I ask how could someone so ineffective and full of vitriol be the GOP's nominee of Speaker of the House. Are you trying to fail? It sure is an embarrassment to be an American on today's world stage. Please consider someone who is actually capable of being effective as Speaker. I'll even go so far in asking for someone who can work with all the members of Congress no matter what party to achieve the results we so badly need to see in this time. That a single member of Congress can halt military leadership confirmations is unpatriotic and weakens the United States military. One person can call for the removal of a Speaker is undemocratic and weakens the ability of Congress to do the right thing in a crisis such as we're seeing in Israel. It can't simply be the far, far, far right saying do it my way or we'll destroy the country. All or nothing is not the way Congress can do anything but fail. At times you ALL must come together when it creates a stronger America. Anything else is purely unpatriotic. If you can't figure out a way to work together even in your own party in the vein of lead, follow or get out of the way, it's time for you to get out of the way..
Please give us a Speaker who can be effective in meeting the needs of our time and our People. Please make America strong again! That means turning away from the far, far right and getting back to civilized conservatism willing to take steps toward a goal by working with ALL members of Congress.
Do it NOW! We need the clown show to stop! It matters to the world to have leadership from America creating a more prosperous and peaceful world. Catherine Learoyd here, waiting for something good to happen this time! That won't be Mr. Vitriol Jordan .
It was good to read that there are Republicans that are realizing that they need bipartisanship to move forward.
I am sorry to hear MAGA-GOP Chip Roy is your representative.
Me, too. Hopefully we'll change that some day. Democrats are getting stronger in Texas but so are the voter suppression laws, etc.
That’s excellent, Cathy! I hope he follows your advice.
I rather doubt it. Although, if House GOP are listening at all they probably hear that we're all very tired of the clown show which produces nothing. Sounds like some House Republicans are starting to talk about a bipartisan approach!
This Power Map shows 18 MAGA Republicans and Senators who are helping Putin by crippling U.S. the government when Israel and Ukraine need it the most. Tuberville's block on military promotions and more. MAGA Republicans Create MEGA Chaos to help Putin.
https://thedemlabs.org/2023/10/13/maga-republicans-create-mega-chaos-to-help-putin/
Thank you Deepak, the work you do is indispensable.
Personally I feel that governments must be very careful going (sending soldiers) where they can be easily found - that is, going into an area where they could be trapped. This is my intuition.
Well thought out essay by Judith Butler, Professor at Berkeley https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v45/n20/judith-butler/the-compass-of-mourning Also a blog in this months London Review of Books 'Get Out of There Now' https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/ I like to read a lot; and it's important to share ideas and solutions as we learn something new every day.
Thank you for the links. The article in The London Review of Books was of particular interest to me. Although written from a pro-Palestinian viewpoint, the writer also sees the huge harm Hamas has brought to the people of Gaza and asks, then answers, the question "Why has Hamas done this now?"
I see the article by Professor Butler and closer to non binary. Burke wrote that binary language has at its centre, rot. Indigenous peoples now speak about the next five generations instead of seven (I don't have an article to cite and it's a busy Saturday for me but I will look it up) Burying the hatchet is a real, historical Indigenous event, and I will also look this up in my notes. Continuing without real concern about the next generations is what we risk in not seeing the whole.