Jun 8, 2022·edited Jun 8, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Please note that it took the NY State Legislature and their Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul, three weeks after the Buffalo mass shooting to pass and sign into law new legislation addressing shortcomings in NY gun regulation. This should NOT be that hard. We know what needs to be done. Do it for God’s sake!
First, I became a new resident of California (returning to my hometown after almost 30 years) on May 16th, registered to vote, did my research and dropped off my ballot Saturday. I AM IN!
Second, is anyone else tired of hearing every election analyzed in terms of what it means for DJT? Where are the discussions of where the winning/losing candidates stand on the issues, prior history of actions, etc., instead of always focusing on who had DJT's endorsement and what it means for his possible upcoming candidacy? I know he's dangerous and deranged, and we can't entirely ignore him, but I'm so tired of hearing his name in the mouth of every reporter. Surely, they can put in a little more effort, instead of always going for the low-hanging, rotten fruit.
ELECTED Democrats IN POWER are the ones that need to be bold. You and I can argue and throw money at causes and wring our hands but if the elected officials don’t make bold stands it doesn’t matter. Ron Desantis can make a ridiculous stance against Disney and it works. Democratic governors and leaders are afraid to make a very reasonable stances on the off chance we alienate two voters who probably weren’t with us anyway. Stand up for what you believe in, Democrats!
I am exhausted with Congress pussyfooting (setting age limits, etc.) around the obvious solution to ownership of assault weapons. Ban ownership of assault weapons. Period.
Thank you for your reliably thoughtful and thoughtful-provoking articles. Going forward I am hopeful that you would consider referring to “Fox News” as Fox “News”. It is not news!!! Yet in calling itself that, the rest of us are otherwise forced to give it a modicum of respect if we continue using the term as they want us to. Fox Ruse would work, too. Faux News. Fox Entertainment. Fox Propaganda. Anything but Fox News! Thank you.
Re: today's newsletter: "We have a small window of opportunity to extract minor concessions from Republicans. We should take whatever they will concede, but not relent on the issue of banning assault rifles or limiting the amount and type of ammunition, magazines, and clips that may be purchased."
I remain utterly aghast at the prospect (which most folks seem to be proponents of at the moment, including too many of our elected officials) of "taking whatever (crumbs) they will concede." Where does that leave us? Playing into their hands yet again . . . allowing them a victory when there will be no or way way too little meaningful change . . . allowing the abominable Repub delay tactics to succeed yet again . . . giving them a path on the election trail to claim victory, that they do "negotiate" etc. Where does that leave us? NOWHERE. Please explain in better detail why you think this is a good idea.
Re: yesterday's newsletter: YES to this: Democrats excel at (1) picking apart good ideas advanced by those trying to find a solution, (2) identifying nuances that don’t matter, and (3) declaring defeat before engaging in the battle. Don’t be that person. The Democratic Party has a surplus of people who are experts in predicting doom. We need people who are willing to lead, even when the odds are long.
If we lose in the mid-terms, if we fail to get any meaningful gun control, if Roe is over-turned, lethargy will by high on the list of reasons. Screaming to the rafters after the fact will have little benefit ---- other perhaps than helping the ratings of shows that pedal outrage on the left. VOTE! Register and vote! Don't not vote in your bets interests or you and I will be paying for years and decades ahead. One thought experiment: Kevin McCarthy in charge of the House. He will strip Dems from Committees and launch investigations of every distracting thing he can think up (after consulting with Carlson and Hannity of course).
With reference to Fox "News". There is a subset of Americans who are devoted to this channel as if it were a church. And the preachers who I need not name (avoiding gag reflex) will reinforce the Big Lie and demonize any effort at a truth that isn't in the GQP playbook. That subset of Americans are lost. They will never recover from this mental illness. Stop thinking they can be influenced by facts, evidence or anything resembling "truthiness". They are down in the dark rabbit holes forever.
But there is another group of Fox watchers who channel surf. They are probably younger, but not necessarily. Many of them also watch the major legacy networks at various times. Especially during prime time. And keep in mind that many also "DVR". So they might tune in to hear the bobble heads on Fox try to create an alternate reality that fits their bigotry...but many of them will be curious. Especially as they realize that EVERY other major network will be broadcasting the Hearing.
So while many "Foxers" will want to hear the GQP fantasy, be sure that many of them also will be curious. Especially since I believe the production quality of the Hearing will be very professional (directed by the former head of ABC news) and compelling. The curious ones will check it out using the DVR function or I am sure it will be shared via YouTube. I believe they will see a "Dateline" or "60 Minutes" type of show. Those programs are beloved because they reveal "stories" - often of conspiracy and wrong doing. People eat that stuff up.
And let us also remember that Fox may have become the most popular cable channel...cable watching is shrinking daily. Fox is dominating an antique business model. Millions of people are cutting the cord. In a very short time the majority of Americans will watch a TV that is fully internet driven - watching a product that is streamed. Yes, you can get OAN and NEWSMAX on the Roku Channel but they can only claim a small cult following. We will be watching the Hearing on the PBS app.
Call me a dreamer. Maybe I put some magical optimism powder in my coffee. But for today, I think there is hope. We will never convince the lost ones. But I believe there are more "independents" in this nation than anything else. I think that when confronted with a well produced show that explains the coup, they will be angry. Maybe even angry enough to vote.
Re: gun control and its opponents, the United States has entered its second Civil War, only this one is bureaucratic and legislative. Add to that the Murdoch smoke screen of false news, exemplified by James Rosen’s accusation of grandstanding by the guest speaker from Ulvade at yesterday’s White House Press Conference, and we have most of the elements necessary for a permanent “House divided.” We simply must get out the vote. Period.
I'm so tired of hearing people complaining about the lack of action on issues such as abortion, weapons, LGBTQ rights, racism, etc. and blaming everyone but themselves for these problems. They need to VOTE for those who support their positions. It is pointless, but easy to blame the politicians. Democrats are too busy fighting among themselves and too afraid of losing their own reelection. I've said it before and I know I repeat myself in this regard. I will never be a one issue voter and will not support any republican again as long as they are willing to walk as one and damage this country. I am a first generation American and I know my parents are rolling in their graves over what is going on. It used to be thought that a President could not make that many changes in one term that could negatively impact so much, but we have seen that is not true. All one has to do is look at the impact on the judiciary appointments made, Republicans and so many on the religious right are nothing but hypocrites and bigots. We seem to always need to have someone to look down upon and that is especially true for those we don't understand. A person can seem to be good until we find out he/she is LGBTQ and then mysteriously they become evil incarnate.
I try so hard to be positive….but….am beginning to think the GOP is using the 2nd Amendment to their gain…they must protect the AR15 and the insane lack of gun regulations, to protect the militia of goons that they will use in 2024 (like they did in 2021). There is no other reason to keep these weapons of mass destruction. The current legislation they are debating (universal background checks, raising the minimum age for purchasing an AR-15 to 21, a waiting period for purchasing AR-15s, and the implementation of red flag laws) would not have stopped a 64 year old Stephen Paddock from his Las Vegas Massacre. I agree we need to do “something”…but the political stonewalling tells me there is something very sinister behind the GOP/NRA. The GOP is using the AR15 to protect their “White,Male,Christian Billionaire Democracy”.
Jun 8, 2022·edited Jun 8, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Further to what is so frightening about the Supreme Court's position on SEction 1.4 of the Constitution: Roberts has opined in Rucho, in Arizona Redistricting Commission v the Arizona State Legislature in 2015 in his minority opinion that it is up to Congress to enact specific legislation for Times, Place and Manner or else it is reserved to the State.
That ignores the 1st Amendment, the 14th Amendment and the 15th amendment. Read Justice Kagan's minority opinion in Rucho and Ginsburg's majority opinion in AZ Redistricting to understand why Roberts and his libertarian right-wing Justices are plan wrong. So two ways to educate yourself.
I gave a talk for the LWV of North and Central San Mateo County's annual meeting on The Rise and Fall of the Voting Rights Act of 1965: What can we do together to reclaim voting rights? The slides are on www.nationalvotercorps.org. The LWV of NCSMC will be providing a link to the video shortly if you are interested and we will post that as well.
NVC created the petition "US Senate: do your duty: end the filibuster - protect our vote.”
The 1st Amendment grants the power to the People to petition its government. Now is the time. With a goal to reach 1 million signatures, We need your help.
Please support this petition, and send out to your friends to sign the petition and forward this to their contacts, asking them to sign and send on. Here is the link:
Republicans are procrastinating on guns, trusting the fever will fade as it always has. And any agreed crumbs will be cited as a defense in November. Schumer and Biden know the deal and have got it right: the Murphy/Cornyn attempt must be concluded this week, AND separate bills on each of the other proposals, starting with assault weapons, must be brought up for recorded votes, despite the Republican fanatic resistance to exactly that. Voters need to know exactly what their representatives want, and do not want, instead of blather.
Please note that it took the NY State Legislature and their Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul, three weeks after the Buffalo mass shooting to pass and sign into law new legislation addressing shortcomings in NY gun regulation. This should NOT be that hard. We know what needs to be done. Do it for God’s sake!
First, I became a new resident of California (returning to my hometown after almost 30 years) on May 16th, registered to vote, did my research and dropped off my ballot Saturday. I AM IN!
Second, is anyone else tired of hearing every election analyzed in terms of what it means for DJT? Where are the discussions of where the winning/losing candidates stand on the issues, prior history of actions, etc., instead of always focusing on who had DJT's endorsement and what it means for his possible upcoming candidacy? I know he's dangerous and deranged, and we can't entirely ignore him, but I'm so tired of hearing his name in the mouth of every reporter. Surely, they can put in a little more effort, instead of always going for the low-hanging, rotten fruit.
ELECTED Democrats IN POWER are the ones that need to be bold. You and I can argue and throw money at causes and wring our hands but if the elected officials don’t make bold stands it doesn’t matter. Ron Desantis can make a ridiculous stance against Disney and it works. Democratic governors and leaders are afraid to make a very reasonable stances on the off chance we alienate two voters who probably weren’t with us anyway. Stand up for what you believe in, Democrats!
I am exhausted with Congress pussyfooting (setting age limits, etc.) around the obvious solution to ownership of assault weapons. Ban ownership of assault weapons. Period.
Thank you for your reliably thoughtful and thoughtful-provoking articles. Going forward I am hopeful that you would consider referring to “Fox News” as Fox “News”. It is not news!!! Yet in calling itself that, the rest of us are otherwise forced to give it a modicum of respect if we continue using the term as they want us to. Fox Ruse would work, too. Faux News. Fox Entertainment. Fox Propaganda. Anything but Fox News! Thank you.
Re: today's newsletter: "We have a small window of opportunity to extract minor concessions from Republicans. We should take whatever they will concede, but not relent on the issue of banning assault rifles or limiting the amount and type of ammunition, magazines, and clips that may be purchased."
I remain utterly aghast at the prospect (which most folks seem to be proponents of at the moment, including too many of our elected officials) of "taking whatever (crumbs) they will concede." Where does that leave us? Playing into their hands yet again . . . allowing them a victory when there will be no or way way too little meaningful change . . . allowing the abominable Repub delay tactics to succeed yet again . . . giving them a path on the election trail to claim victory, that they do "negotiate" etc. Where does that leave us? NOWHERE. Please explain in better detail why you think this is a good idea.
Re: yesterday's newsletter: YES to this: Democrats excel at (1) picking apart good ideas advanced by those trying to find a solution, (2) identifying nuances that don’t matter, and (3) declaring defeat before engaging in the battle. Don’t be that person. The Democratic Party has a surplus of people who are experts in predicting doom. We need people who are willing to lead, even when the odds are long.
If we lose in the mid-terms, if we fail to get any meaningful gun control, if Roe is over-turned, lethargy will by high on the list of reasons. Screaming to the rafters after the fact will have little benefit ---- other perhaps than helping the ratings of shows that pedal outrage on the left. VOTE! Register and vote! Don't not vote in your bets interests or you and I will be paying for years and decades ahead. One thought experiment: Kevin McCarthy in charge of the House. He will strip Dems from Committees and launch investigations of every distracting thing he can think up (after consulting with Carlson and Hannity of course).
Let’s be frank: Those who refuse to rein in the purchase, possession and use of assault rifles are accessories before the fact of murder.
With reference to Fox "News". There is a subset of Americans who are devoted to this channel as if it were a church. And the preachers who I need not name (avoiding gag reflex) will reinforce the Big Lie and demonize any effort at a truth that isn't in the GQP playbook. That subset of Americans are lost. They will never recover from this mental illness. Stop thinking they can be influenced by facts, evidence or anything resembling "truthiness". They are down in the dark rabbit holes forever.
But there is another group of Fox watchers who channel surf. They are probably younger, but not necessarily. Many of them also watch the major legacy networks at various times. Especially during prime time. And keep in mind that many also "DVR". So they might tune in to hear the bobble heads on Fox try to create an alternate reality that fits their bigotry...but many of them will be curious. Especially as they realize that EVERY other major network will be broadcasting the Hearing.
So while many "Foxers" will want to hear the GQP fantasy, be sure that many of them also will be curious. Especially since I believe the production quality of the Hearing will be very professional (directed by the former head of ABC news) and compelling. The curious ones will check it out using the DVR function or I am sure it will be shared via YouTube. I believe they will see a "Dateline" or "60 Minutes" type of show. Those programs are beloved because they reveal "stories" - often of conspiracy and wrong doing. People eat that stuff up.
And let us also remember that Fox may have become the most popular cable channel...cable watching is shrinking daily. Fox is dominating an antique business model. Millions of people are cutting the cord. In a very short time the majority of Americans will watch a TV that is fully internet driven - watching a product that is streamed. Yes, you can get OAN and NEWSMAX on the Roku Channel but they can only claim a small cult following. We will be watching the Hearing on the PBS app.
Call me a dreamer. Maybe I put some magical optimism powder in my coffee. But for today, I think there is hope. We will never convince the lost ones. But I believe there are more "independents" in this nation than anything else. I think that when confronted with a well produced show that explains the coup, they will be angry. Maybe even angry enough to vote.
Re: gun control and its opponents, the United States has entered its second Civil War, only this one is bureaucratic and legislative. Add to that the Murdoch smoke screen of false news, exemplified by James Rosen’s accusation of grandstanding by the guest speaker from Ulvade at yesterday’s White House Press Conference, and we have most of the elements necessary for a permanent “House divided.” We simply must get out the vote. Period.
I'm so tired of hearing people complaining about the lack of action on issues such as abortion, weapons, LGBTQ rights, racism, etc. and blaming everyone but themselves for these problems. They need to VOTE for those who support their positions. It is pointless, but easy to blame the politicians. Democrats are too busy fighting among themselves and too afraid of losing their own reelection. I've said it before and I know I repeat myself in this regard. I will never be a one issue voter and will not support any republican again as long as they are willing to walk as one and damage this country. I am a first generation American and I know my parents are rolling in their graves over what is going on. It used to be thought that a President could not make that many changes in one term that could negatively impact so much, but we have seen that is not true. All one has to do is look at the impact on the judiciary appointments made, Republicans and so many on the religious right are nothing but hypocrites and bigots. We seem to always need to have someone to look down upon and that is especially true for those we don't understand. A person can seem to be good until we find out he/she is LGBTQ and then mysteriously they become evil incarnate.
I try so hard to be positive….but….am beginning to think the GOP is using the 2nd Amendment to their gain…they must protect the AR15 and the insane lack of gun regulations, to protect the militia of goons that they will use in 2024 (like they did in 2021). There is no other reason to keep these weapons of mass destruction. The current legislation they are debating (universal background checks, raising the minimum age for purchasing an AR-15 to 21, a waiting period for purchasing AR-15s, and the implementation of red flag laws) would not have stopped a 64 year old Stephen Paddock from his Las Vegas Massacre. I agree we need to do “something”…but the political stonewalling tells me there is something very sinister behind the GOP/NRA. The GOP is using the AR15 to protect their “White,Male,Christian Billionaire Democracy”.
Thank you for letting me rant in a safe place.
Further to what is so frightening about the Supreme Court's position on SEction 1.4 of the Constitution: Roberts has opined in Rucho, in Arizona Redistricting Commission v the Arizona State Legislature in 2015 in his minority opinion that it is up to Congress to enact specific legislation for Times, Place and Manner or else it is reserved to the State.
That ignores the 1st Amendment, the 14th Amendment and the 15th amendment. Read Justice Kagan's minority opinion in Rucho and Ginsburg's majority opinion in AZ Redistricting to understand why Roberts and his libertarian right-wing Justices are plan wrong. So two ways to educate yourself.
I gave a talk for the LWV of North and Central San Mateo County's annual meeting on The Rise and Fall of the Voting Rights Act of 1965: What can we do together to reclaim voting rights? The slides are on www.nationalvotercorps.org. The LWV of NCSMC will be providing a link to the video shortly if you are interested and we will post that as well.
NVC created the petition "US Senate: do your duty: end the filibuster - protect our vote.”
The 1st Amendment grants the power to the People to petition its government. Now is the time. With a goal to reach 1 million signatures, We need your help.
Please support this petition, and send out to your friends to sign the petition and forward this to their contacts, asking them to sign and send on. Here is the link:
https://chng.it/NChjgxbxzr
Thanks!
Alice Schaffer Smith
Executive Director and Co-Founder, National Voter Corps
I’m fired up and ready to go! (But our country’s Republican officials make it difficult to stay positive). Marcia Herman LA
Republicans are procrastinating on guns, trusting the fever will fade as it always has. And any agreed crumbs will be cited as a defense in November. Schumer and Biden know the deal and have got it right: the Murphy/Cornyn attempt must be concluded this week, AND separate bills on each of the other proposals, starting with assault weapons, must be brought up for recorded votes, despite the Republican fanatic resistance to exactly that. Voters need to know exactly what their representatives want, and do not want, instead of blather.
I AM IN