People cut Trump endless slack for every false and dangerous thing he says, but Biden gets torched for a nonspecific, true observation that a madman using his power to commit genocide in plain view cannot, for the sake of God, continue to exercise that power. Personally, I thank God for Biden.
I think especial effort in stopping the military from making FOX news available on military bases makes a great deal of sense. Pictures of the 1/6 insurrection, and stories in news articles, lead me to believe that a not insubstantial portion of FOX's viewers actively supported the insurrection and Trump, Pompeo, Mike Flynn, et al. We need our military to remain non-political as they used to be. Dressing opinion up as news has been an unsavory evolution from cable news.
I can't judge, not being schooled in statecraft, Biden's appeal at the end of his speech. What I can say, is that I felt deep gratitude that he spoke words, clearly and decently that many of us feel.
I totally agree that President Biden’s words at the end of his speech should stand. He said the quiet part out loud. He said nothing about any effort to remove him, just that as long as he’s in power
President Biden did not say anything that wasn’t true. He just said it out loud. Who can disagree with him other than Fox News and the rest of the treasonous fascists? He should own his words!
I strongly agree with your own and Max Boot’s assessment of Biden’s remarks. I feel the speech he delivered will be remembered as one of his best. It was clear, precise, unequivocal, and powerful. His call to action in defense of democracy and condemnation of authoritarianism and autocracy was needed. And your characterization of speaking “the quiet part out loud” that Putin must go is spot on. There can be no equivocation on the point that Putin has committed War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity and should be tried one day for those by history if not the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Putin’s crimes are every bit as heinous as those of Slobodan Milošević. Both are destined for enshrinement in the very center of Dante’s ninth circle of Hades with history’s worst of the worst.
Hypocrisy has always been a hallmark of the GOP since they embraced Evangelicals, whether or not they inherited their clutch of pearls. Biden is terrific, as is Vindman—you have great taste in people. I have yet to break my Walmart fast of twenty years, and I’m not a customer of any of the others, so no guilt there. Thank you for supporting honest and unpretentious people of good will.
A few not-so-connected thoughts. First, am I the only one getting a kick out of seeing Republicans criticize a president for telling the truth when they have spent six years defending a president who never told the truth? Second, President Zelenskyy has been compared to Churchill these past few weeks. He might learn from Churchill, who never criticized the United States openly even when he was desperate for more aid before Pearl Harbor. And finally, Clarence Thomas does not just need to recuse himself. He needs to resign.
I like the name “Today’s Edition Newsletter.” I will continue to subscribe no matter what the title, I just thought I would give you my opinion.
As for President Biden’s last remark in his speech, good for him! I took it as an appeal to God. All of the news media, including CNN, jumped on it and continue harping on it as some horrendous gaffe or a call to force a regime change. Anyone with any sense knows what he was saying.
For the officials in the White House to immediately “walk back” what he said and meant by it was wrong. They should have allowed President Biden to clarify what he meant himself. I can’t remember the gentleman’s name or position in NATO, but he said that President Biden spoke from the heart after visiting with so many Ukrainian refugees and hearing their tragic stories. He said what any person with feelings would have said.
I heard one of Ukraine’s members of Parliament say after his speech that she felt he should have been speaking to the Ukrainian people. I think he should have been given that opportunity, even though his time there was brief and packed full of meetings.
They are splitting hairs by describing the weapons that NATO members are giving Ukraine as “defensive” vs “offensive” weapons such as tanks and planes. I believe that any weapon can be both. Why not allow Ukrainian pilots to fly the fighter planes out of Poland? Why not let the Ukrainian tank drivers drive the tanks out as well. They should keep the missions secret and not broadcast it to the whole world.
I think that Justice Thomas should resign or be impeached. I am tired of seeing people who have broken laws get away with it.
I think that intentional
disinformation should be a crime. How is that not as bad as yelling fire in a building full of people when there is no fire?
Mar 28, 2022·edited Mar 28, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
President Biden's words at the end of his speech, spoken powerfully, were a welcome relief. This was not a gaffe. I believe he took a calculated risk without letting his inner circle know. I was disappointed in his team "walking back" the President's statement. As a 78-year-old, they run the risk of setting up their President as suffering early dementia, i.e., he went off-script, he didn't realize what he was saying, what he meant to say, et cetera. Mr. Biden said what so many of us are thinking or have said privately to family and friends. Anyone who fears consequences from this one line might consider reading historical oratory that challenged and soared to the heavens like Churchill, JFK, King, and Gandhi. I know the Ukrainians were disappointed, though. Putin is playing cat and mouse and we're allowing it by not protecting Ukraine's skies. Putin will use chemical and nuclear warfare any time he chooses. He no longer has much to lose. While our 82nd Airborne stands at NATO borders, I wonder if these first-class men and women aren't just itching to get into our best planes and clean up this mess. I will repeat what I said a few weeks ago: We stand on our shores and NATO borders saying, my-oh-my this is tragic carnage of human life. Yet it appears that a Ukrainian life is worth less than a German, French, American, British life. I can't watch the news anymore for the slaughter continues on an hourly basis. And that is why I believe Joe Biden's last line of his speech should not create fear in anyone but strength, courage, and speaking 'truth-to-power' that he had the presence of mind, and HEART, to express to the world. I am grateful and proud that Mr. Biden is our president.
Congratulations, Robert, on 1 year on Substack! If you come to a rebranding moment, maybe some creative minds can come up with a snappy name for your newsletter that incorporates "hopeful, but not complacent!"
In case anyone missed Ezra Klein's interview, Timothy Snyder describes how massive engagement is the Ukrainian's power against Putin's cherry-picking of history to fit his narrative of Russia and Ukraine. More broadly, Snyder frames Putin's mission in the politics of inevitability, with its structural limitations of a closed system, in contrast to democracy with its room for creative problem solving and imaginings of the future. Snyder's analysis underpins the necessity of both hope and civic engagement. (Links to the interview both in the podcast and its transcript.)
Robert, Wonderful that you and Jill met Alexander Vindman, indeed a hero for the ages. Also:
- To me, Justice Roberts, a supposed institutionalist, seems mostly to lead SCOTUS based on his perception of its image and legacy — as a reflection of his own. The Ginni and Clarence Thomas matter is an irritation for Roberts because it got found out, not that it affects the court’s fundamental work.
- What does Zelensky gain in his continued demands for the West to take steps that might cause escalatIon. Messaging strategy .. for his people, for Putin??
I have been waiting for someone to figure out a way to deal with Fox News and the danger it does. It has long seemed to me that Fox was a direct cause of so much dissension and untruth in the country. Isn't it malpractice to lie to the public nightly?
"Today's Edition" is a light in the darkness, and affirms the actions I take. Possibly I missed it, but I don't know how to unsubscribe from Fox--or start a movement within the Wowway cable company to remove Fox from its lineup. Thank you!
People cut Trump endless slack for every false and dangerous thing he says, but Biden gets torched for a nonspecific, true observation that a madman using his power to commit genocide in plain view cannot, for the sake of God, continue to exercise that power. Personally, I thank God for Biden.
I think especial effort in stopping the military from making FOX news available on military bases makes a great deal of sense. Pictures of the 1/6 insurrection, and stories in news articles, lead me to believe that a not insubstantial portion of FOX's viewers actively supported the insurrection and Trump, Pompeo, Mike Flynn, et al. We need our military to remain non-political as they used to be. Dressing opinion up as news has been an unsavory evolution from cable news.
I can't judge, not being schooled in statecraft, Biden's appeal at the end of his speech. What I can say, is that I felt deep gratitude that he spoke words, clearly and decently that many of us feel.
I totally agree that President Biden’s words at the end of his speech should stand. He said the quiet part out loud. He said nothing about any effort to remove him, just that as long as he’s in power
President Biden did not say anything that wasn’t true. He just said it out loud. Who can disagree with him other than Fox News and the rest of the treasonous fascists? He should own his words!
I strongly agree with your own and Max Boot’s assessment of Biden’s remarks. I feel the speech he delivered will be remembered as one of his best. It was clear, precise, unequivocal, and powerful. His call to action in defense of democracy and condemnation of authoritarianism and autocracy was needed. And your characterization of speaking “the quiet part out loud” that Putin must go is spot on. There can be no equivocation on the point that Putin has committed War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity and should be tried one day for those by history if not the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Putin’s crimes are every bit as heinous as those of Slobodan Milošević. Both are destined for enshrinement in the very center of Dante’s ninth circle of Hades with history’s worst of the worst.
Emailed Pres. Biden from the Whitehouse website yesterday.
“Dear President Biden:
I support your comments regarding Putin. He is a butcher and should be removed from office!
Ask anyone questioning your statements if they are contradicting your comments and do not think Putin is a butcher that should be removed from office!
Thank you for your candor, Susan”
Hypocrisy has always been a hallmark of the GOP since they embraced Evangelicals, whether or not they inherited their clutch of pearls. Biden is terrific, as is Vindman—you have great taste in people. I have yet to break my Walmart fast of twenty years, and I’m not a customer of any of the others, so no guilt there. Thank you for supporting honest and unpretentious people of good will.
A few not-so-connected thoughts. First, am I the only one getting a kick out of seeing Republicans criticize a president for telling the truth when they have spent six years defending a president who never told the truth? Second, President Zelenskyy has been compared to Churchill these past few weeks. He might learn from Churchill, who never criticized the United States openly even when he was desperate for more aid before Pearl Harbor. And finally, Clarence Thomas does not just need to recuse himself. He needs to resign.
I like the name “Today’s Edition Newsletter.” I will continue to subscribe no matter what the title, I just thought I would give you my opinion.
As for President Biden’s last remark in his speech, good for him! I took it as an appeal to God. All of the news media, including CNN, jumped on it and continue harping on it as some horrendous gaffe or a call to force a regime change. Anyone with any sense knows what he was saying.
For the officials in the White House to immediately “walk back” what he said and meant by it was wrong. They should have allowed President Biden to clarify what he meant himself. I can’t remember the gentleman’s name or position in NATO, but he said that President Biden spoke from the heart after visiting with so many Ukrainian refugees and hearing their tragic stories. He said what any person with feelings would have said.
I heard one of Ukraine’s members of Parliament say after his speech that she felt he should have been speaking to the Ukrainian people. I think he should have been given that opportunity, even though his time there was brief and packed full of meetings.
They are splitting hairs by describing the weapons that NATO members are giving Ukraine as “defensive” vs “offensive” weapons such as tanks and planes. I believe that any weapon can be both. Why not allow Ukrainian pilots to fly the fighter planes out of Poland? Why not let the Ukrainian tank drivers drive the tanks out as well. They should keep the missions secret and not broadcast it to the whole world.
I think that Justice Thomas should resign or be impeached. I am tired of seeing people who have broken laws get away with it.
I think that intentional
disinformation should be a crime. How is that not as bad as yelling fire in a building full of people when there is no fire?
President Biden's words at the end of his speech, spoken powerfully, were a welcome relief. This was not a gaffe. I believe he took a calculated risk without letting his inner circle know. I was disappointed in his team "walking back" the President's statement. As a 78-year-old, they run the risk of setting up their President as suffering early dementia, i.e., he went off-script, he didn't realize what he was saying, what he meant to say, et cetera. Mr. Biden said what so many of us are thinking or have said privately to family and friends. Anyone who fears consequences from this one line might consider reading historical oratory that challenged and soared to the heavens like Churchill, JFK, King, and Gandhi. I know the Ukrainians were disappointed, though. Putin is playing cat and mouse and we're allowing it by not protecting Ukraine's skies. Putin will use chemical and nuclear warfare any time he chooses. He no longer has much to lose. While our 82nd Airborne stands at NATO borders, I wonder if these first-class men and women aren't just itching to get into our best planes and clean up this mess. I will repeat what I said a few weeks ago: We stand on our shores and NATO borders saying, my-oh-my this is tragic carnage of human life. Yet it appears that a Ukrainian life is worth less than a German, French, American, British life. I can't watch the news anymore for the slaughter continues on an hourly basis. And that is why I believe Joe Biden's last line of his speech should not create fear in anyone but strength, courage, and speaking 'truth-to-power' that he had the presence of mind, and HEART, to express to the world. I am grateful and proud that Mr. Biden is our president.
Congratulations, Robert, on 1 year on Substack! If you come to a rebranding moment, maybe some creative minds can come up with a snappy name for your newsletter that incorporates "hopeful, but not complacent!"
In case anyone missed Ezra Klein's interview, Timothy Snyder describes how massive engagement is the Ukrainian's power against Putin's cherry-picking of history to fit his narrative of Russia and Ukraine. More broadly, Snyder frames Putin's mission in the politics of inevitability, with its structural limitations of a closed system, in contrast to democracy with its room for creative problem solving and imaginings of the future. Snyder's analysis underpins the necessity of both hope and civic engagement. (Links to the interview both in the podcast and its transcript.)
https://twitter.com/ezraklein/status/1503744585780109313?s=20&t=R3SO_0DW7gGAqB5EBFOILA
"Before Republican Senators “get the vapors” from clutching their pearls too tightly" - good one, Robert.
And this too: " If we all do our part, we cannot fail." Thank you.
Robert, Wonderful that you and Jill met Alexander Vindman, indeed a hero for the ages. Also:
- To me, Justice Roberts, a supposed institutionalist, seems mostly to lead SCOTUS based on his perception of its image and legacy — as a reflection of his own. The Ginni and Clarence Thomas matter is an irritation for Roberts because it got found out, not that it affects the court’s fundamental work.
- What does Zelensky gain in his continued demands for the West to take steps that might cause escalatIon. Messaging strategy .. for his people, for Putin??
- Looking up the Yale list now. Ditto DDAD.
THANKS!
I have been waiting for someone to figure out a way to deal with Fox News and the danger it does. It has long seemed to me that Fox was a direct cause of so much dissension and untruth in the country. Isn't it malpractice to lie to the public nightly?
"Today's Edition" is a light in the darkness, and affirms the actions I take. Possibly I missed it, but I don't know how to unsubscribe from Fox--or start a movement within the Wowway cable company to remove Fox from its lineup. Thank you!