177 Comments

Managing Editor here. When I see responses to the newsletter like Robert shared last night I am enraged. Robert is the most diligent, devoted worker, who is committed to this community, and the democracy we all desire to protect. And he does it essentially by himself every day. (Although I do feed him!) I see this dedication up close on a daily basis. No matter what the family agenda is, Robert makes sure that his readers do not suffer. What Robert didn't say is that the night he forgot to press "send" we had to babysit until late, and he did not put the newsletter to bed, and get to bed himself, until after 12:30 p.m. I'm not complaining, this is our choice. Robert chooses some sacrifices in order to publish every single weekday, because spreading the word, providing solace, and being your morning read are very, very important to him, and to me. Our pastor reminded us last week, "All that it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." I am proud of my husband for doing something. He is a good man. And he is in this fight with you every day. So, Dear Reader, think about that before you decide to write emails criticizing him for something you don't understand. And don't use foul words to describe my beautiful husband.

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Wow! Thank you, my darling wife! I did not know this was being posted. And for anyone unclear about this fact, the newsletter would not exist but for the support and generosity of spirit of my wife.

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Good for you! I share Robert's Newsletter on my FB page every day and today, I wrote - quite literally - an AD to encourage more subscribers. I did this before reading your endorsement, but I wanted you to know that I told my followers that a subscription to this FACTUAL and well-researched newsletter provided much more information than a subscription to any paper or other publication owned by corporations with a political agenda. I hope this helps increase your circulation even more. Keep up the GREAT work - both of you. And thanks!

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Thank you for using the word "enraged" Jill. I was very angry when I read what that person said. I was looking for a comment that would express the same sense of anger so I could "like" it. Almost all of the many lovely people who jumped to Robert's defense were so gentle in the way they expressed their disapproval of that reader's comments that I wanted to add a more biting description. But I didn't think Robert would see any comment I added because I am usually so late in reading the newsletters these days.

My first thought after reading Robert's explanation of the whole situation was "That reader was a rude jerk." I also believe, only based on a hunch, that they were probably a troll. I've never seen such an ill-informed, disrespectful comment from a reader in all the years I've been reading this newsletter. So thank you again for expressing your feelings, Jill. Because absent one of TC in LA's scorched earth opinions on the "minions person," I was in need of a stronger response. : )

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I had the same reaction, Jill. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and know we are in your and Robert's corner. Whichever readers saw fit to share their really-bad-day tempers over a relatively minor technical goof should examine what is wrong them. Seriously. And, there is never any call to use an expletive. It was clear to me Robert made an excusable error, which we ALL make, in not pushing the "send" button. He said so; we understood. Problem solved. People, we need to get a grip on ourselves if we are going to get a grip on our democracy and country. I mean it; this is Tough Mom Love here. Take a really deeeeeep breath, let it out and move on. We have work to do, together, and Robert's diligent work is central to our success. Thanks for listening, and please have a restorative weekend.

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Sheila, I cut and pasted your point. It is right on!

“People, we need to get a grip on ourselves if we are going to get a grip on our democracy and country. I mean it; this is Tough Mom Love here. Take a really deeeeeep breath, let it out and move on. We have work to do, together, and Robert's diligent work is central to our success.”

Thanks,

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Thank YOU for your supportive comments! Have a lovely weekend 👍

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Jill, you are a treasure. Robert knows that and now, if we didn’t already we, each of his readers, can celebrate the two of you with great GREAT gratitude.

I thank both of you for your commitment to family and this larger family that we represent. It is clear that you march to the call of your pastor and assure us that “doing nothing” is simply not an option.

I wish I could reach out and hug both of you. Peace, good cheer, and good health. Enjoy your weekend.

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I love your reply so much and the sentiments behind it are so beautiful. Thank you both so much for all of your hard work and setting such a great example for all of us.

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Thank you both, Jill and Robert, for "doing something"--something critically important to all of us and to our democracy.

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hear hear M.E.! I'm enraged and I don't even live with him. Though my mindfulness and Buddhist training remind me that this kind of reactive demeaning reflects that reader's internal suffering, I still feel anger toward anyone who a) feels the need to pounce on so innocuous a statement, and b) doesn't yet know that Robert does this solo (with your gentle oversight). They are clearly not paying attention to reality.

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Do I understand this correctly: people are mad because his newsletter was a day late??!!! That's INSANE!!! I love his newsletter as much as any others available and after finding myself following him daily, decided to subscribe. I am both sorry, and angry, that this happened to you, Mr. Hubbell. Wonderful defense of the one you love, Mrs. Hubbell!

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💙this, Managing Editor…Robert’s dedication to this community, and your family, warms my heart and truly gives me hope that all will someday be ok….and even though I’m a very! literal-minded person, I understood, and smiled as I read Robert’s explanation. Hope you both have a peaceful w-end..

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That person seemed to take it personally. Maybe they aren’t respected in their job and misdirected their anger. Or they’re just a troll. We all love you and Robert and are extremely grateful for this thoughtful and deeply informed newsletter.

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Is there anybody out there who has never prepped a message and forgotten to hit send? Honestly, no apology necessary!!! It is incredible to me what you do, publishing a newsletter of such quality day after day. And I don’t get the folks who challenge your grammar or engage in other pettiness. Friends, Robert Hubbell is an absolute treasure. Please think twice before wasting his time on silliness.

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I agree with Jordan! I regard the arrival of your newsletter as a daily gift, Robert! I'm glad you've now got some help with at least one aspect of its creation! Thank you for all you do!

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Totally agree. Each letter helps me better understand a current event or situation. Each letter brings clarity, focus and prioritizes in a manner that clears away the cloudy headlines. And ends with ways to act!

Robert. There is no need to explain or apologize in the future. If you do, make it short. You have our admiration and respect. Trust it.

I have two must reads with the morning coffee. LFAA by HCR and Today's Edition by one of the clearest thinkers and most level headed, optimistic people I have ever been connected to. I envy such a talented and balanced brain :)

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The fact that anyone complains to him is proof that no good deed goes unpunished and really irks me! Ditto the people who expect help with their tech issues. This man is giving us enough people!!!

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I just want to say that his new helper is a very lucky person; surely Mr. Hubbell is an excellent mentor and role model!

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

“Robert. There is no need to explain or apologize in the future. If you do, make it short. You have our admiration and respect.”

My view, entirely. I’m sorry you were hassled over a single miscue.

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Absolutely!

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Right on!

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Or how about hitting send before you intended to and really offended someone or made a fool out of yourself? Robert, please don't be too hard on your original staff; you don't want to scare away your new assistant!

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Very well put, Jordan!

I'd just like to add that not only is Robert's work outstanding, he is incredibly generous with his time and energy. And I'm not talking only about the newsletter. He connects people with one another, and is responsible for helping countless progressive networks to grow and thrive.

Thank you, thank you, Robert Hubbell !!

.

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This is so true! And travels to other cities, speaks to groups writing postcards, and other extra things for which he is not paid. I am grateful!

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You go girl! Or guy!

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Sep 15, 2023·edited Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

When, oh when will the media stop focusing on "the difficulties facing Mr. McCarthy", and start focusing on the difficulties facing our democratic Republic? MAGA extremists in the House want a government shutdown, just as they wanted a default last spring.

You can't negotiate an agreement with someone who wants no agreement. They want chaos, openly welcome civil war. They need to be confronted, not appeased.

.

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Sep 15, 2023·edited Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Thank you, Jerry. Right on! Can someone write the press and share your thoughts?

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That's a big part of our work at www.FeathersOfHope.net

We'd love to have your help, John.

.

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What would my help look like? I’ll follow up in early October, off to Italy on Monday.

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All the more reason for the Democrats to step up and make a deal with sufficient Republicans to either vacate the chair as has been discussed on Feathers of Hope or, at minimum, discharge the DoD funding bill from committee and pass it without the nonsense being added by the Fringe (formerly Freedom) Caucus. Have all of these people forgotten how to play legislative politics?

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Chaos is the game. They do not want to legislate. Maybe because they don't want to give Biden any more examples of his prowess, so they obstruct their own party. As much as I don't like Kevin McCarthy, looking at the rest of his caucus, who could do better? MTG? God help us! Matt Goetz? Oh Lordy! There are good people who could do better, but do they even have a chance of becoming Speaker in time for this deadline?

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That's why it's necessarily a bipartisan move. The big block of 317 could even keep Kevin if they wanted to, he's so ineffective as to make no difference.

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Sep 15, 2023·edited Sep 15, 2023

They probably do have some idea about playing legislative politics, but apparently that isn’t their goal. Increasingly, their goal is disruption of and destruction of legislative process, thinking that chaos gives them more power.

I keep asking myself why the less immoderate Republicans, who vastly outnumber these radicals, won’t coalesce and put down the “Freedom” Caucus and its allies. Could Republicans in the “Problem Solvers” group (R.I.P. ?) form the nucleus around which coalescing occurs? Or else Representatives who have decided to retire, and thus can’t be “primaried”?

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That is the question. Regretfully, I think the answer is these Republicans really are frightened, have no backbone and NO leadership skills to overcome the insane megaphones of TFG and extreme right wing.

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Agree.

Re “Republicans really are frightened: Maybe much worse than we’ve imagined. See my Comment, probably far down the stack, quoting from the about-to-be issued bio of Sen. Romney.

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That's exactly my point Michael. 317 people voted Aye on the Fiscal Responsibility Act and those same 317 are enough to override every rule involved and conduct the country's business. It might be fun for the Democrats to watch Kevin squirm, but they're paying a price for the mess too, including on the President's popularity.

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

“You can't negotiate an agreement with someone who wants no agreement.”

Well put.

Or (one of my favorite quotations, from Indira Gandhi):

“You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.”

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Another great newsletter, and sorry that you were misunderstood by some. Anyone who reads your newsletters regularly would know that you are a good human who would never throw blame on others without just cause, and that even if you did have minions, you would never publicly humiliate them for any mistakes.

Good night! 👍🥰

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Exactly. Other than knowing Robert was ok, anything beyond that was and is a distraction. Let’s not pick up the “distraction” approach of the folks on the right.

Peace be with all. We are a caring and thoughtful community. I applaud all and urge no more is required of anyone.

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Sep 15, 2023·edited Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I just want to add a little note of appreciation. Speaking as a concerned citizen, student of politics and an occasional amateur writer who publishes a comment here and there and writes an essay about the climate or some aspect of our crazy politics whenever the spirit moves me, I am in awe of writers like you who publish such well written, erudite articles on an almost daily basis, interrupted with minimal glitches. My esteem for your work, as well as the inspiring reporting by Heather Cox Richardson, Thom Hartmann, and Tom Cleaver (TCinLA) is boundless. If we had people like you all running the government we wouldn't be in the mess we're in. As Barbara Stumpf commented today, "Your newsletter has become a steadying part of my days. I'm grateful for it whenever it comes out."

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A brief note, Tom Clancy was also a distinguished writer, but Tom Cleaver is the one who regularly contributes his historical background and incisive commentary here.

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OOOPs! Sorry, I meant Cleaver. I was reading about Tom Clancy last night and it must have slipped in there.

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Three lashes with a wet noodle, as we used to say in elementary school (decades ago).

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Ouch! I love your profile comment!

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I figured it was either an oversight or an Autocorrect gotcha.

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Damn them autocorrects! 😈

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The people,you referenced would not be as effective as they are if they were running the government because of the inherent bullshit and the fact that all politicians are to some degree owned by those who fund them.

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Right, but that would change as the writers I mentioned changed the conversation and altered wrong-headed perceptions and the "inherent bullshit" would, over time, serve as compost for the "new society within the shell of the old," as the IWW slogan of the 30s described the goal of the revolution.

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I loved your refreshingly simple explanation for the delay of the newsletter...stuck in the draft file “for no good reason.” And I thought: what a good way to explain a human mistake.

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Thank you, Robert. I love hearing about the nitty gritty of your publishing life. Job well done, always. Great reporting today.

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

As has been mentioned by others on this platform, and in commentary about the upcoming book about Mitt Romney, we have reached a truly frightening place. Members of two branches of the federal government are either afraid to do their jobs or bring ridiculous charges because they are personally afraid of the former president's supporters.

I find it appalling that a sitting senator must pay for personal protection for himself and his family because of continuing threats from....decorum forbids from typing what I actually think.

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I'm glad you are okay! Your newsletter has become a steadying part of my days. I'm grateful for it whenever it comes out. 🤗

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Thanks. It never occurred to me that you have "minions." It does occur to me that the more opportunity you have to focus on writing, the better off America will be. As you say, the focus of the Hunter Biden story now should be overcharging and the abuse of power by Congress and the US Attorney. I think it is possible that the media will follow your lead in that emphasis. The groups you note for making a difference are, in fact, making a difference. So....thanks for your thoughtfulness and your leadership. And don't forget to push the "send" button.

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

There have been no bounds to Republican hypocrisy these past few years. Suddenly they are demanding indictments related to Hunter Biden’s gun ownership, when they have looked the other way on background checks and responsible gun ownership every single chance they get.

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To say nothing of other "leaders'" offspring....

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You’ve got that right

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I think Substack has recently added an editing function that allows busy people like yourself, Robert, to set up a publication schedule, so it goes out regardless of what you are dealing with.

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Thanks, TC! Good suggestion!

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But what if it's not ready, for any number of different reasons?

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Then it won't be perfect.

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Chill, Man. We love you. No need to defend a slight lapse in timing. Keep up the good work, and God bless you for it.

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Glad all is well with you. And happy to hear that you have some help from a bright young person. (God bless the young people. They are our hope.)

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Sep 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

You are human! Please be kind and gentle to yourself. Everyday I take a deep breath and read this newsletter which keeps me focused on winning in 2024. You are doing a fabulous job and are greatly appreciated. Adding a prayer to the deep breath ..be well Robert

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I have many emotions this morning. First I am angry that the Republicans have chosen to go after Hunter Biden for something no one else seems to have been prosecuted for, jeopardizing his recovery. Sending him back to rehab or something worse will certainly hurt Biden, if not politically, then emotionally. Will they be happy when this happens? Second, I am furious at Merick Garland. Having sat on the crimes of J6 (including the congress critters), he dithered so long that when he finally appointed Jack Smith, who has done a fabulous job by the way, we are now pushing against the election, he now decides to appoint this Trump person as special counsel. Weiss couldn't find anything for 5 years but now brings charges? Finally, I am disappointed in all the Americans who are cheering at the thought of damaging the Biden family yet have no ill words for Trump or his crooked daughter and son-in-law.

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Amen, sister!

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