When voters read the news these days there is an overwhelming sense of “ there is nothing we can do about it syndrome”. Everyday something happens that feels like it is out of our control and there is nothing we can do about it. It’s reasonable to feel this way but the bigger question is what are we going to do about it. I have thought long and hard about this and feel for me personally I need to focus more time and energy doing something and getting involved in helping put in place those people who can do something and more importantly will do something as part of the solution. We need to demand that all candidates tell us in simple terms what they are going to do and what legislation they will support so we can make a choice. We need more than ever to get straight answers from our political candidates and skip the bullshit rhetoric. As Thomas Friedman said we need political leaders who can put country over politics. It would be refreshing.
Stephen! You are just the person I had in mind! Please see my post below about Tommy Tuberville. (I also suggest joining Jessica Craven's Chop Wood/Carry Water. I have been writing to my reps every day using her suggested topics. Here is her yesterday's newsletter: https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/p/chop-wood-carry-water-1010-f18
Oct 12, 2023·edited Oct 12, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think we need to focus our efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements.
The Senate could change its procedures so a single Senator cannot hold the Senate hostage. There needs to be a way to break a hold or filibuster, if there is no appetite to eliminate them.
As Robert said, "It is not enough for House Republicans to win once. To govern, a party must be able to win consistently. And here, “winning” doesn’t mean passing legislation on the floor of the House; it means passing legislation that will be approved in the Senate and signed by the President." The House Republican hardliners seem to have a terminally myopic view of "winning."
The Problem Solvers Caucus in the House could come together and put forth a Speaker candidate who can work across the aisle when needed. Failing that, they should agree on urgent common ground issues (e.g., budget approval or another CR, Ukraine support, Israel support). It's my understanding that a Speaker pro tem can be elected and authorized to do more than just fill the chair and call votes for a permanent Speaker. The Problem Solvers Caucus could push for that limited interim move if they can't succeed on the permanent one.
I plan to write letters suggesting the above to my Senators, Congressman, and the leaders of both chambers.
I don't know if this counts, but here's what I wrote to my Senators and a similar one to Senator Schumer (if anyone else wants to be counted, they can feel free to copy and paste into their own letters and edit):
"I am writing to you in your capacity as one of my Senators and a respected member of the Senate regarding the ongoing strangle-hold that Senator Tuberville has on the Senate’s military promotions, and Senator Paul has on critical diplomatic appointments, as well as the often-abused use of the filibuster.
"Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think it’s important for you to focus efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements. I realize that there are reasons for allowing Senators to object to certain motions to keep them from reaching a vote on the floor, and to use the filibuster to try to force concessions. But often, those tactics are abused for the purpose of advancing a personal agenda.
"If eliminating those practices is a bridge too far, how about modifying the rules to either require at least one co-sponsor (or maybe more) of the hold or filibuster, or reduce the threshold for cloture to a simple majority? I have sent a similar message to Senator Schumer. Please support these suggestions."
Here's what I wrote to my Representative and a similar one to Congressman Jeffries (again, readers can feel free to copy, paste, and edit):
"I am writing to you in your capacity as my Congressman and a respected member of the House regarding the ongoing dysfunctionality that is a direct result of the Republicans’ narrow majority and intransigent factions within the party. The reasonable path forward to restoring functionality and the ability to govern is to engage members of the Democratic party.
"Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think it’s important for you to focus efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements. There are some House members who are sowing chaos by withholding support for a Speaker of the House, which effectively hamstrings the House and the whole of our government.
"The Problem Solvers Caucus in the House could come together and put forth a Speaker candidate who can work across the aisle when needed. Failing that, they should agree on urgent common ground issues (e.g., budget approval or another CR, Ukraine support, Israel support). It's my understanding that a Speaker pro tem can be elected and authorized to do more than just fill the chair and call votes for a permanent Speaker. The Problem Solvers Caucus could push for that limited interim move if they can't succeed on the permanent one.
Thank you, Stephen. There is so much each of us can do that sometimes it feels overwhelming to decide just where to direct our energies. As many readers here know, this is something our network at www.FeathersOfHope.net has been working on for several months that is becoming critical right now, this week:
House Republicans are so bitterly divided it's likely neither Scalise nor Jordan, nor anyone else, will have 217 Republican votes to become Speaker. What happens next is crucial. It's imperative that we not allow the People's House to remain broken and dysfunctional until 2025.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) realizes this as well. That's why last Friday in the Washington Post he explicitly called for Republicans to enter into a bipartisan governing coalition. His plea is elegant and gracious, and everyone should read it:
In his piece, Mr. Jeffries tells us that his team has repeatedly made this offer to Republicans in private over the last few weeks. That he now has publicly made the same offer suggests that he's asking the American people to support it as well. In his words:
"At this point, we simply need Republican partners willing to break with MAGA extremism, reform the highly partisan House rules that were adopted at the beginning of this Congress and join us in finding common ground for the people.”
At least a few of these potential Republican partners have the training, experience and skills to lead in taking that bold step. But they need to have their courage bolstered if they are to break with MAGA extremism.
For those who'd like to help let me suggest calling one or each of these Representatives and urge them to either run themself as a consensus candidate, or to support one of the others to do so.
Don Bacon (R-NE): (202) 225-4155 D.C. or (402) 938-0300 District
Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA): (202) 225-4276 D.C. or (215) 579-8102 District
Mike Gallagher (R-WI): (202) 225-5665 D.C. or (920) 301-4500 District
David Joyce (R- OH): (202) 225-5731 D.C. or (440) 352-3939 District
My postcard group is writing for candidates for the Virginia state House. If writing postcards it’s not your thing, join a phone bank, write letters. Demanding anything from leaders you don’t like isn’t gonna change a thing. Most important, stop thinking about what you could do and just do it. It feels a lot better
Oct 12, 2023·edited Oct 12, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank you, Robert. I have nothing to add to this Today's Edition. But if you'll forgive me, this thought occurred to me yesterday:
Methinks the Senate needs our help! I plan on sending Tommy Tuberville a postcard asking him to release his hold on our military personnel. It would be awesome if you, Robert's readers, would join me in doing the same. One postcard (or note card), one stamp is all it takes. Do I think it will change the Senator's mind? Not likely. But imagine the flood of cards we send from all over the country landing in his mailbox!
Senator Tommy Tuberville
455 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Of course, you can say whatever you want, but my script will be along these lines:
"You won, Senator! Now, kindly turn our military personnel back over to We, the People. We need them."
(Bob suggests we don't say "You won," but rather, "You made your point." My script was/is ONLY a suggestion. Write what feels right to you!)
Hi Lynell, I would suggest one modification to the postcard message. Rather than, "You won," use, "You've made your point." His tactic is anathema to winning.
I'm not sure the Senate Rules are structured that way. I did read somewhere about a push to get the rules changed such that no one Senator has the power like Tuberville has used to effect his blockade of the military.
Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders)
Charity Navigator Rating 98%
Operating in Gaza, treating victims - most of whom are children.
Without electricity, supplies of fuel expected to be expended in less than a week.
Not currently in Israel due to the well organized and staffed healthcare system within the country;
have offered services to areas overwhelmed if requested.
When I retired from private practice, I considered volunteering for MSF, but opted to remain in the USA instead.
I would still recommend donations in support. I have donated money in the past, and will do so again.
Nearly half of Gaza's 2.3 million population are children under 18. The area is only about 140 square miles (362 sq km), about the size of The Isle of Wright, or the cities of Philadelphia or Las Vegas. It has been described as "an open air prison." Civilian causalities in Israel's counterattacks will be devastating.
According to DWB, they are in Gaza alone since Israel has it's own medical response organization, MDA. Therefore, as DWB notes, reporting is from a Palestinian perspective. One location reported treating "100% children." It's horrifying.
From my Jewish perspective, I understand the urgency on the part of Israel to protect its people. Hopefully, collateral damage will be minimal.
Lacking any military background, I can't imagine supporting a shock and awe response that would kill indiscriminately.
This tragedy is an opportunity for Israel to show it's force as well as its humanity.
I've already posted elsewhere this 17th-century evaluation of doings in the House but in case you don't read Heather Richardson's blog, this is too on point to miss!
Oliver Cromwell on the Rubbish caucus (henceforth known as the Sordid Prostitutes caucus):
"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice.
"Ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government.
"Ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
"Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess?
"Ye have no more religion than my horse. Gold is your God. Which of you have not bartered your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
"Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defiled this sacred place, and turned the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices?
"Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation. You were deputed here by the people to get grievances redressed, are yourselves become the greatest grievance.
"Your country therefore calls upon me to cleanse this Augean stable, by putting a final period to your iniquitous proceedings in this House; and which by God's help, and the strength he has given me, I am now come to do.
"I command ye therefore, upon the peril of your lives, to depart immediately out of this place.
"Go, get you out! Make haste! Ye venal slaves be gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.
"In the name of God, go!"
Wow! This makes me wish we had a Cromwell today -- and very glad we haven't.
I am blown away by learning that Biden took his grandkids to Dachau, one at a time, upon reaching the age of 14. It speaks volumes about his character and values.
Scalise has said he did not know the group was founded by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
Yeah, that's why he told them he was "David Duke without the baggage."
Van Orden is proof that SEALs need to be *permanently* retired when they leave active duty. As in terminated. I've never met one who wasn't a far right Waffen-SS scumball.
Schumer has got to get Jeffries sorted as speaker. There are six republicans waffling. And then they gotta get Jack Lew confirmed and on the ground. Can't they make him a special envoy or something in the meantime?
I had a professor who was liberated from the Therisienstadt concentration camp by the Red Army. He told us about the German press lord, Axel Springer—conservative politically and somewhat like a more responsible Rupert Murdoch—who took his 12-year-old son to Dachau (which is in the suburbs of Munich). He gave his son a shovel and told him to dig. Almost at once, he came upon some bones. They moved to another spot and Springer told his son to dig. Again, there were bones. They kept this up until the boy began to cry. At that point the father said, “When people say that this never happened, you will be able to tell them that it did.”
World Central Kitchen - they are working with local organizations to help provide food to those in need in Israel, Gaza and neighboring countries. https://wck.org/en-us/news/israel-and-gaza
Description: WCK is on the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises worldwide, by working with local chefs and food supply systems.
I've donated to them in the past. It has a 100% Charity Navigator rating.
I am beginning to think that the way we have to frame Israel's current intentions re Gaza is the difference between Israel's right to DEFEND itself and a right to AVENGE itself.
The President's remarks on Dachau remind me of a visit I made there in 2010. On the tour were some young women for whom the term "Valley Girls" seems to have been coined. They basically were making jokes about concentration camps, wondering if they were "all that bad" and generally being a serious pain. We went through the camp. With every stop, the boisterousness subdued. As we walked back to the train, those girls were quiet and obviously deep in thought. The whole idea that the Nazis were "funny" had been completely stripped away.
Michael Bloomberg is matching donations to Magen David Adom.
I was very upset to hear that Black Lives Matter is supporting Hamas. I have supported their cause and texted for them. How does anyone support such barbarism? They are not a government looking out for their citizens. Their raisin d'être is annihilating the state of Israel and Jews. There is NEVER ever justification for kidnapping civilians and beheading babies.
Hey Alice, I just wanted to say that Black Lives Matter as an overall organization is not supporting Hamas, that is a not true. It was a post on Twitter by a Black Lives Matter chapter in Chicago that admitted that they now “aren’t proud” of a now-deleted post, where they seemingly supported the Hamas attack on Israel. The group posted an image of a person paragliding with a Palestine flag attached to its parachute. The photo had “I stand with Palestine” written on it. “That is all that is it!” the post was captioned. Clearly they realized their mistake, but it definitely was a bad and stupid take. But to make it seem like BLM overall supports Hamas is not true.
I do agree that we need to call out any anti-Semitism / ignorance on the left when we see it, because too often people are willing to excuse acts of violence against any seemingly more powerful group. I've also in the past few years that some people think that Palestine is guilty of nothing against Israel which is a dumb take as well. There is never an excuse for terrorism against civilians, hopefully as more news comes out, the anti-Semites on both ends of the political spectrum will get called out.
On the last item, thank so much for mentioning Magen David Adom! They are a great organization and I appreciate you sharing that. I'll be donating to them.
Further up the chain I have made my own statement about the likes of Thomas Friedman. He is always trashing Israel. Israel has always shown restraint. This time they are not. It's existential. If Israel shows restraint then here comes Hezbollah with their 150,000 rockets aimed at Israel. Here comes Jordan. Here comes Syria. It's like Friedman has never met a Holocaust survivor.
I highly recommend supporting the AFSC. My personal experience with the Friends includes serving on a local committee that sponsored exchange students. This was in the 70s when my own children were young participants in the program. Later, we hosted three exchange students. The American Friends Service Committee is dedicated to world peace and goes about their mission in beautiful and often novel ways. I trust them.
If you haven’t listened to Elissa Slotkin before, you are missing one of the best young leaders. She is a former CIA agent who understands the Middle East and exudes common sense, fortitude and positive leadership.
Let's begin calling the R Party what it really is; THE PARTY OF APPEASEMENT. At every turn this point should be driven home. Neville and the Rs are one and the same. It did not work during the runup to WWII and it will not work with Putin. We will all live to regret the direction the Rs are headed.
When voters read the news these days there is an overwhelming sense of “ there is nothing we can do about it syndrome”. Everyday something happens that feels like it is out of our control and there is nothing we can do about it. It’s reasonable to feel this way but the bigger question is what are we going to do about it. I have thought long and hard about this and feel for me personally I need to focus more time and energy doing something and getting involved in helping put in place those people who can do something and more importantly will do something as part of the solution. We need to demand that all candidates tell us in simple terms what they are going to do and what legislation they will support so we can make a choice. We need more than ever to get straight answers from our political candidates and skip the bullshit rhetoric. As Thomas Friedman said we need political leaders who can put country over politics. It would be refreshing.
Stephen! You are just the person I had in mind! Please see my post below about Tommy Tuberville. (I also suggest joining Jessica Craven's Chop Wood/Carry Water. I have been writing to my reps every day using her suggested topics. Here is her yesterday's newsletter: https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/p/chop-wood-carry-water-1010-f18
I follow her everyday and was thinking h about asking her to tell her army to inundate Tuberville with emails and phone calls
I think I’m going to put a call to Tuberville in today’s newsletter.
We are holding postcarding/letter writing events next week here in NC.
Great, Ilene...sneak one in for the Tube-ster!
He’s in the list. I posted yesterday a to do list. Check back on my comments on either Hubbell or Richardson
Whatever it takes, Stephen!
Me too! Thanks for making the effort.
Yay, Michele!
Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think we need to focus our efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements.
The Senate could change its procedures so a single Senator cannot hold the Senate hostage. There needs to be a way to break a hold or filibuster, if there is no appetite to eliminate them.
As Robert said, "It is not enough for House Republicans to win once. To govern, a party must be able to win consistently. And here, “winning” doesn’t mean passing legislation on the floor of the House; it means passing legislation that will be approved in the Senate and signed by the President." The House Republican hardliners seem to have a terminally myopic view of "winning."
The Problem Solvers Caucus in the House could come together and put forth a Speaker candidate who can work across the aisle when needed. Failing that, they should agree on urgent common ground issues (e.g., budget approval or another CR, Ukraine support, Israel support). It's my understanding that a Speaker pro tem can be elected and authorized to do more than just fill the chair and call votes for a permanent Speaker. The Problem Solvers Caucus could push for that limited interim move if they can't succeed on the permanent one.
I plan to write letters suggesting the above to my Senators, Congressman, and the leaders of both chambers.
“The House Republican hardliners seem to have a terminally myopic view of "winning."” —
They think performing – attention-getting – is”winning”. It’s what maladjusted youngsters do.
All good points but someone needs to step up and be counted.
I don't know if this counts, but here's what I wrote to my Senators and a similar one to Senator Schumer (if anyone else wants to be counted, they can feel free to copy and paste into their own letters and edit):
"I am writing to you in your capacity as one of my Senators and a respected member of the Senate regarding the ongoing strangle-hold that Senator Tuberville has on the Senate’s military promotions, and Senator Paul has on critical diplomatic appointments, as well as the often-abused use of the filibuster.
"Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think it’s important for you to focus efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements. I realize that there are reasons for allowing Senators to object to certain motions to keep them from reaching a vote on the floor, and to use the filibuster to try to force concessions. But often, those tactics are abused for the purpose of advancing a personal agenda.
"If eliminating those practices is a bridge too far, how about modifying the rules to either require at least one co-sponsor (or maybe more) of the hold or filibuster, or reduce the threshold for cloture to a simple majority? I have sent a similar message to Senator Schumer. Please support these suggestions."
Here's what I wrote to my Representative and a similar one to Congressman Jeffries (again, readers can feel free to copy, paste, and edit):
"I am writing to you in your capacity as my Congressman and a respected member of the House regarding the ongoing dysfunctionality that is a direct result of the Republicans’ narrow majority and intransigent factions within the party. The reasonable path forward to restoring functionality and the ability to govern is to engage members of the Democratic party.
"Putting country over politics requires being honest about what you want your country to look like and stand for. Unfortunately, some in Congress want our country to be a lawless, anarchic, dysfunctional land where it's everyone for themselves. I think it’s important for you to focus efforts on marginalizing and neutering those elements. There are some House members who are sowing chaos by withholding support for a Speaker of the House, which effectively hamstrings the House and the whole of our government.
"The Problem Solvers Caucus in the House could come together and put forth a Speaker candidate who can work across the aisle when needed. Failing that, they should agree on urgent common ground issues (e.g., budget approval or another CR, Ukraine support, Israel support). It's my understanding that a Speaker pro tem can be elected and authorized to do more than just fill the chair and call votes for a permanent Speaker. The Problem Solvers Caucus could push for that limited interim move if they can't succeed on the permanent one.
"Please consider and support these suggestions."
I have a newsletter you may find helpful. I’ll give you lots of ways to get into action!
Thank you, Stephen. There is so much each of us can do that sometimes it feels overwhelming to decide just where to direct our energies. As many readers here know, this is something our network at www.FeathersOfHope.net has been working on for several months that is becoming critical right now, this week:
House Republicans are so bitterly divided it's likely neither Scalise nor Jordan, nor anyone else, will have 217 Republican votes to become Speaker. What happens next is crucial. It's imperative that we not allow the People's House to remain broken and dysfunctional until 2025.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) realizes this as well. That's why last Friday in the Washington Post he explicitly called for Republicans to enter into a bipartisan governing coalition. His plea is elegant and gracious, and everyone should read it:
https://wapo.st/48DDrsB (no subscription required to read this item)
In his piece, Mr. Jeffries tells us that his team has repeatedly made this offer to Republicans in private over the last few weeks. That he now has publicly made the same offer suggests that he's asking the American people to support it as well. In his words:
"At this point, we simply need Republican partners willing to break with MAGA extremism, reform the highly partisan House rules that were adopted at the beginning of this Congress and join us in finding common ground for the people.”
At least a few of these potential Republican partners have the training, experience and skills to lead in taking that bold step. But they need to have their courage bolstered if they are to break with MAGA extremism.
For those who'd like to help let me suggest calling one or each of these Representatives and urge them to either run themself as a consensus candidate, or to support one of the others to do so.
Don Bacon (R-NE): (202) 225-4155 D.C. or (402) 938-0300 District
Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA): (202) 225-4276 D.C. or (215) 579-8102 District
Mike Gallagher (R-WI): (202) 225-5665 D.C. or (920) 301-4500 District
David Joyce (R- OH): (202) 225-5731 D.C. or (440) 352-3939 District
You can learn a little more about each one here:
https://jerryweiss.substack.com/p/if-mccarthys-out-whos-in
.
My postcard group is writing for candidates for the Virginia state House. If writing postcards it’s not your thing, join a phone bank, write letters. Demanding anything from leaders you don’t like isn’t gonna change a thing. Most important, stop thinking about what you could do and just do it. It feels a lot better
Judges. We need to keep going on that in Senate.
Agree but Biden is not in favor of it.
I'm not sure what you mean by that. I'm sure Biden is very much in favor of getting more judgeships filled.
Thank you, Robert. I have nothing to add to this Today's Edition. But if you'll forgive me, this thought occurred to me yesterday:
Methinks the Senate needs our help! I plan on sending Tommy Tuberville a postcard asking him to release his hold on our military personnel. It would be awesome if you, Robert's readers, would join me in doing the same. One postcard (or note card), one stamp is all it takes. Do I think it will change the Senator's mind? Not likely. But imagine the flood of cards we send from all over the country landing in his mailbox!
Senator Tommy Tuberville
455 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Of course, you can say whatever you want, but my script will be along these lines:
"You won, Senator! Now, kindly turn our military personnel back over to We, the People. We need them."
(Bob suggests we don't say "You won," but rather, "You made your point." My script was/is ONLY a suggestion. Write what feels right to you!)
My first 3 drafts were unprintable, but my 4th will do just fine.
Now, that's the way to soldier on, Sky...many thanks!
Hi Lynell, I would suggest one modification to the postcard message. Rather than, "You won," use, "You've made your point." His tactic is anathema to winning.
Yes, Bob. Thanks for pointing that out. After looking at "You won" several times in print, it needed yours (and perhaps others') eyes to get it right.
Done! Thank you Lynell for the inspiration! Postcard done before my first cup of coffee! Good start to the day!
You're the best, Sharon B!
Just wrote the card
Yay; thanks, Carol!
Calls & emails to his colleagues may have a greater effect in forcing his hand, so please consider sending the message their way too.
Great idea, Traci. Do you have a list of who?
Lynell this is the list I used. Committees are 1st, Scroll down for all members. https://www.gop.gov/about/members.htm
Thanks!
Why can’t we pressure Schumer to overrule Tubberville?
I'm not sure the Senate Rules are structured that way. I did read somewhere about a push to get the rules changed such that no one Senator has the power like Tuberville has used to effect his blockade of the military.
We need a dem senator to tell us how to achieve this!!!
Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders)
Charity Navigator Rating 98%
Operating in Gaza, treating victims - most of whom are children.
Without electricity, supplies of fuel expected to be expended in less than a week.
Not currently in Israel due to the well organized and staffed healthcare system within the country;
have offered services to areas overwhelmed if requested.
When I retired from private practice, I considered volunteering for MSF, but opted to remain in the USA instead.
I would still recommend donations in support. I have donated money in the past, and will do so again.
Nearly half of Gaza's 2.3 million population are children under 18. The area is only about 140 square miles (362 sq km), about the size of The Isle of Wright, or the cities of Philadelphia or Las Vegas. It has been described as "an open air prison." Civilian causalities in Israel's counterattacks will be devastating.
I can’t cite chapter and verse, but I recall reading statements by a Doctors Without Borders representative that I considered anti-Israel.
If you must donate to Doctors Without Borders, consider pairing it with a donation to Magen David Adom, the Israeli emergency medical service.
According to DWB, they are in Gaza alone since Israel has it's own medical response organization, MDA. Therefore, as DWB notes, reporting is from a Palestinian perspective. One location reported treating "100% children." It's horrifying.
From my Jewish perspective, I understand the urgency on the part of Israel to protect its people. Hopefully, collateral damage will be minimal.
Lacking any military background, I can't imagine supporting a shock and awe response that would kill indiscriminately.
This tragedy is an opportunity for Israel to show it's force as well as its humanity.
Thank you Beverly
I've already posted elsewhere this 17th-century evaluation of doings in the House but in case you don't read Heather Richardson's blog, this is too on point to miss!
Oliver Cromwell on the Rubbish caucus (henceforth known as the Sordid Prostitutes caucus):
"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice.
"Ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government.
"Ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
"Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess?
"Ye have no more religion than my horse. Gold is your God. Which of you have not bartered your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
"Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defiled this sacred place, and turned the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices?
"Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation. You were deputed here by the people to get grievances redressed, are yourselves become the greatest grievance.
"Your country therefore calls upon me to cleanse this Augean stable, by putting a final period to your iniquitous proceedings in this House; and which by God's help, and the strength he has given me, I am now come to do.
"I command ye therefore, upon the peril of your lives, to depart immediately out of this place.
"Go, get you out! Make haste! Ye venal slaves be gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.
"In the name of God, go!"
Wow! This makes me wish we had a Cromwell today -- and very glad we haven't.
Thanks for this. Ol’ Oli had a way with words...
All those hours in church as a boy...
I am blown away by learning that Biden took his grandkids to Dachau, one at a time, upon reaching the age of 14. It speaks volumes about his character and values.
… and goodness.
Scalise has said he did not know the group was founded by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
Yeah, that's why he told them he was "David Duke without the baggage."
Van Orden is proof that SEALs need to be *permanently* retired when they leave active duty. As in terminated. I've never met one who wasn't a far right Waffen-SS scumball.
Schumer has got to get Jeffries sorted as speaker. There are six republicans waffling. And then they gotta get Jack Lew confirmed and on the ground. Can't they make him a special envoy or something in the meantime?
I had a professor who was liberated from the Therisienstadt concentration camp by the Red Army. He told us about the German press lord, Axel Springer—conservative politically and somewhat like a more responsible Rupert Murdoch—who took his 12-year-old son to Dachau (which is in the suburbs of Munich). He gave his son a shovel and told him to dig. Almost at once, he came upon some bones. They moved to another spot and Springer told his son to dig. Again, there were bones. They kept this up until the boy began to cry. At that point the father said, “When people say that this never happened, you will be able to tell them that it did.”
Stunning story!!
World Central Kitchen - they are working with local organizations to help provide food to those in need in Israel, Gaza and neighboring countries. https://wck.org/en-us/news/israel-and-gaza
Description: WCK is on the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises worldwide, by working with local chefs and food supply systems.
I've donated to them in the past. It has a 100% Charity Navigator rating.
Thanks for recommending World Central Kitchen.
I agree and continue to support them.
I wonder where they are getting the power to fuel the stoves they use to cook food.
I am beginning to think that the way we have to frame Israel's current intentions re Gaza is the difference between Israel's right to DEFEND itself and a right to AVENGE itself.
The President's remarks on Dachau remind me of a visit I made there in 2010. On the tour were some young women for whom the term "Valley Girls" seems to have been coined. They basically were making jokes about concentration camps, wondering if they were "all that bad" and generally being a serious pain. We went through the camp. With every stop, the boisterousness subdued. As we walked back to the train, those girls were quiet and obviously deep in thought. The whole idea that the Nazis were "funny" had been completely stripped away.
defend vs avenge - good point!
Never Again.
Yes, but somehow without killing innocents.
Michael Bloomberg is matching donations to Magen David Adom.
I was very upset to hear that Black Lives Matter is supporting Hamas. I have supported their cause and texted for them. How does anyone support such barbarism? They are not a government looking out for their citizens. Their raisin d'être is annihilating the state of Israel and Jews. There is NEVER ever justification for kidnapping civilians and beheading babies.
Hey Alice, I just wanted to say that Black Lives Matter as an overall organization is not supporting Hamas, that is a not true. It was a post on Twitter by a Black Lives Matter chapter in Chicago that admitted that they now “aren’t proud” of a now-deleted post, where they seemingly supported the Hamas attack on Israel. The group posted an image of a person paragliding with a Palestine flag attached to its parachute. The photo had “I stand with Palestine” written on it. “That is all that is it!” the post was captioned. Clearly they realized their mistake, but it definitely was a bad and stupid take. But to make it seem like BLM overall supports Hamas is not true.
I do agree that we need to call out any anti-Semitism / ignorance on the left when we see it, because too often people are willing to excuse acts of violence against any seemingly more powerful group. I've also in the past few years that some people think that Palestine is guilty of nothing against Israel which is a dumb take as well. There is never an excuse for terrorism against civilians, hopefully as more news comes out, the anti-Semites on both ends of the political spectrum will get called out.
On the last item, thank so much for mentioning Magen David Adom! They are a great organization and I appreciate you sharing that. I'll be donating to them.
I will check out Magen David Adom
They are great.
Happy to hear that BLM Chicago retracted their comment.
Alice this is the 1st of heard this, are you sure this was accurate info? Would you mind sharing the source? Tx!!
Only one of the Chicago chapters. That's not true across the board.
I’m grateful to know that. Thank you.
Thank you for pointing this out Alice.
Further up the chain I have made my own statement about the likes of Thomas Friedman. He is always trashing Israel. Israel has always shown restraint. This time they are not. It's existential. If Israel shows restraint then here comes Hezbollah with their 150,000 rockets aimed at Israel. Here comes Jordan. Here comes Syria. It's like Friedman has never met a Holocaust survivor.
Huh?!?
Take a look at his profile. It's empty.
I’ve been donating to Oxfam for decades. 99% from Charity Navigator.
thank you. i will check it out.
I posted some details about Doctors without Borders, but I just got to your newsletter now, so it’s way down at the bottom of the page.
I’m also a life-long donor to the American Friends Service Committee and CARE. AFSC doesn’t have a rating for AFSC for some reason, but CARE’s is 98%.
Thanks for recommending American Friends Service Committee and CARE.
I highly recommend supporting the AFSC. My personal experience with the Friends includes serving on a local committee that sponsored exchange students. This was in the 70s when my own children were young participants in the program. Later, we hosted three exchange students. The American Friends Service Committee is dedicated to world peace and goes about their mission in beautiful and often novel ways. I trust them.
If you haven’t listened to Elissa Slotkin before, you are missing one of the best young leaders. She is a former CIA agent who understands the Middle East and exudes common sense, fortitude and positive leadership.
https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/951831116 www.directrelief.org
I trust this org, and have trusted them for 30 years.
I will follow the lead and send Tuberville a Post Card today.
Thanks. I will check out Direct Relief.
This prayer came through this morning:
"From the center of my heart, I ask God to save the children, and all of humanity from us. We can't do it ourselves, and need your help.
Please send your angels of love and peace to save us from ourselves.
Please, for the sake of life itself, and precious humanity. We need you now as much as ever."
Robert, many thanks for reaching out for charities re the war in Israel and Gaza. Charity Navigator has its list of such charities here https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/israel-hamas-conflict/?c_src=WPAIDSEARCH&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsp6pBhCfARIsAD3GZuYC-ZsI5ppP9upMnn9oz4teaFUmS7oXIqHUEE9BZHgYr4GOkmxJi9YaAtbPEALw_wcB . It includes both Palestinian/Arab and Israeli charities. J Street has its own list, here https://jstreet.org/ways-to-support-those-impacted-by-the-ongoing-crisis/ . J Street is a liberal Jewish organization that, among other things, is in opposition to the conservative American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Links for the following charities are for donations. Two charities on both lists are Magen David Adom (the Israeli version of the Red Cross, with the Star of David (Magen David) replacing the Cross) https://secure.afmda.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2000&2000.donation=form1&s_src=GNRLWEB&FURL=UR and United Hatzalah of Israel https://israelrescue.org/ , “the largest fully volunteer Emergency Medical Service organization.” Two other charities on J Street’s list that score high on Charity Navigator’s ranking are Soroka Medical Center (score 96) https://www.soroka.org/donate/ , “the only major hospital in the Negev region,” and New Israel Fund (score 99), an umbrella group that distributes funds to partner organizations. NIF’s emergency response plan link is here https://secure.nif.org/a/we-need-your-help-as-we-respond-to-one-of-the-worst-events-in-israels-history?ms=website . For donations to Israel, I would place more weight on J Street’s list, as it obviously has a much more intimate connection to Israel than Charity Navigator, and because its values are in line with those of many of your readers.
Let's begin calling the R Party what it really is; THE PARTY OF APPEASEMENT. At every turn this point should be driven home. Neville and the Rs are one and the same. It did not work during the runup to WWII and it will not work with Putin. We will all live to regret the direction the Rs are headed.