Thank you Robert for another brilliant and balanced post. The MAGA bunch could not have chosen a more "exemplary" MAGA conservative to stand up and say it all---he will be a punching bag (I hope). He will reveal what they are---he's Gym Jordan in a suit, all slicked up for Prime Time; soft demeanor, rotten interior. Wise words on Biden. He is trying to thread a difficult needle and keep moral balance (there is NO moral balance, or morality, in the shell of the GOP). Biden is keeping the big picture, along with the small details, in view. Hope your trip to some beautiful country was both a pleasure and a success.
Jon, I wrote a comment almost identical to this in another newsletter before seeing yours. Something is just rotten about this guy. His over the top hatred of certain groups and his fake piety is all a recipe for hiding something. Remember Matt Schlapp, and what we discovered about him?
I just don’t get our lack of introspection on the MAGA take over of the House if Representatives. The absolutely worse MAGA person has been elected unanimously by the Republicans and what I’m reading repeatedly is that this is good because it will cost the Republicans in the next election just as Dobbs has and election deniers has in the recent elections.
So we are living with forced births, criminalized honest education, no gun safety legislation, the second in line to the Presidency being anti democracy, military promotions and ambassadors blocked, but somehow this is good for the Democrats.
Am I missing something? Losing is good. It’s like the pro sports teams competing for the worst record so they can draft first.
I don't see that Robert is saying abortion, education, gun safety, etc. can be forgotten about. To address those things, pick a candidate to get behind, or an issue-based organization to work with. (for excellent suggestions and good news from around the country, see Jessica Craven's sub stack, Chop Wood, Carry Water). The point of this excellent thread, though, is to figure out how to use to Democratic advantage the weaknesses of this particular leader that Republicans have selected. We had no power to select him but can show folks who he is.
I get what you're saying, and the situation would be far worse if Republicans held the Senate, but they do not. From a legislative perspective, this man is a nightmare, but he has very little legislative power. Nothing they pass is going to be signed into law, and if you’re worried about impeaching Biden, they may have had the votes to elect Johnson, but good luck on getting those swing district members to vote to impeach. This House majority will spin its wheels and make a spectacle of themselves. Politically, that’s a gift. Would it be better if the Democrats had the majority? Of course, but they do not, and with that being the case, it’s not a bad thing to have these extremists show the country exactly who they are.
Stephen Colbert in his monologue last night was the most serious I have ever seen him be. Starting at minute 6:40, he addressed the latest shooting in Lewiston, Maine. He addressed our lawmakers continuing to block gun control laws. Well worth your time, IMO, to have a listen:
Yes, absolutely, Stefan. Crucial, to me, is his ability to reach millions of people. I liked how he reminded his listeners that we have the power to change all this at the polls. Hopefully, many will listen.
My mercy! Stephen Colbert should be an ad FOR gun legislation. He was frustrated, impassioned, angry, and right on all counts. Time to stop putting money above lives. Don't children who are already born have a right to fe???!!!
They always say it's a mental health problem. Yes it is but mentally ill people and guns don't mix - especially powerful weapons of war. Had the founding fathers envisioned such weapons compared to the single-shot muscats of their day they would never have approved a second Amendment right for non-militia citizens to own them. Other countries have similar percentages of mentally ill people as we do but they don't have these mass shootings because they don't have access to guns the way we do. Republicans care more about the large gun lobby/NRA/gun manufacturing campaign donations and their redneck constituents than they do human lives.
I find myself once again extremely disturbed by reports that the alleged shooter was put through some mental assessments in July only 3 or 4 months prior to these shootings/murders. Again! My feelings are those of outrage that calls for me to renew efforts to go public to try to claim some agency that results in serious actions and legislation to stop this constant cycle of murders from Columbine to Las Vegas, from Boulder & NY grocery stores to campuses coast to coast.
My hairs on fire!! It is one more example of mankind’s inhumanity - from wars to mass shootings, from failure to address in a serious way homelessness and environmental crises. It is sickening!
Let’s never forget our work is to Get Out The Vote and win at the ballot box in 2023 & 2024.
Consider the possibility that the American problem is less the “mental health infrastructure” and more – primarily! – the availability and worship of guns in the US.
Michael, I agree. Furthemore, People with mental health issues are much more likely to be victims of gun violence than perpatrators. Just because we intuitively think that all mass killers must be insane, doesn't make it so.Most mass killers commit suicide orposition themselves to be killed by police officers as part of their plan. That doesn't show insanity but reinforces that they are evil. It appears the killer in Mainei s very determined and organized to escape to perhaps kill another day .The overwhelming evidence for why the USA has much greaternumber of mass killings and suicide by guns is because it is so easy to get guns here including weapons of war. I sometime wonder why individuals are banned from owning nuclear weapons. shouldn't "a well regulated militia have access to such weapons for protection from an evil government? I hope not, but...
I disagree with the claim that the 2nd amendment gave regular citizens the right to own guns. That is a propaganda and mental gymnastics promoted by 2A zealots - that every American is in "the militia", when that only applies to people in the national guard. The supreme court opened the door to that claim in Heller, and the entire industry walked right through it.
Yes, exactly, Barry. That's why I used the phrase non-militia citizens. But as you say none of us are militia unless we belong to the National Guard or any military group for that matter. The founding fathers specifically said a well armed militia, not well armed citizens
“ there are a million stories in the Naked City and this is one of the “ was a line from a very old TV series but it’s appropriate. The shooter in Maine had some mental health issues but more frightening is he had access legally to automatic weapons. Not a combination that has a happy ending.
“Mental health” is always the red herring for the pro-gun folks in excusing their love of assault weapons, and unfortunately, the Lewiston case will only reinforce that. But the vast majority of people with mental health problems who misuse gins use them for suicide, not homicide. It again reinforces the stigma under which these people, who already suffer, live.
I will add to Robert's assessment of the negative benefits Johnson will likely bring to the MAGA GOP. There may beany reason why Ron DeSantis has been a major flop but one reason is that he has been the embodiment of the MAGA agenda. The MAGA agenda in all its freedom destroying glory simply doesn't sell in America..Mike Johnson won't sell in America.. he'll just drag the GOP farther down the drain than they already are..
I could agree more that Johnson is the PERFECT person for bring on a Democratic landslide in 2024..
I appreciate your early newsletter, Robert. Johnson is going to be a royal pain in the ass. He already held kneeling prayers on the House floor which just disgusts me. But that’s what the R’s want. They want us riled up and we are. So much so, that we will bombard them with voters, young and old.
As of tonight, Iranian forces have been harassing American troops in Syria. We returned the fire because they attacked two bases, from my understanding. The “experts” are saying this is serious. Damn it all! We haven’t been restful since 2016. We better not go to war!
Your second paragraph has me alarmed. This is the first I heard of this tonight. All I can say is that I am so grateful Biden is in charge and has appointed such excellent people to serve with him.
We must recognize that Iran is a problem. They are reported to have been the source of training and, perhaps arms for Hamas. They are apparently the country that harbors other terrorist groups. And we should recognize that they surely are still very much invested in seeking to build their own nuclear bomb.
It probably doesn’t help that TFG abandoned the agreement we had regarding their efforts to build. No doubt it did not encourage them to think the US could make and keep agreements.
Iran is a challenge for us and all the Middle East in my opinion.
Agreed, and I know they do arm Hamas and other terrorists. Just to summarize rather than write a along comment, the damage that Trump has done in four excruciatingly unbearable years is inconceivable. I could never have conceived of a criminal mafia boss being president.
A number of important articles have already posted from clear thinkers about the difference between Christians and Christian nationalists in the wake of Johnson's election.
They see him as a Christian nationalist, I would say. And they want people of faith not to be suckered in by the devout language he uses. Because he is a Christian nationalist who endangers democracy. That is not the same as faithfully representing the historic Christian faith.
I think I get your point Marlene. If I'm right, you don't use the word 'Christian' to identify this white nationalist Speaker because he isn't one. Gotcha, Bravo.
If I am wrong, I agree with you anyhow.
None of them display the charity, love, and humility that Christ clearly taught.
Thanks Marlene. I always look for your contributions on many Substack sites!
Thank you Robert for your clarity tonight as always. You gave us a lot to think about regarding the new Speaker, and now I know we can beat him.
Now, that is the truth. Do these folks lack a basic skill of inquiry to ask questions rather than buy in to creationism? And here again is a lawyer putting his legal training to use in the most dangerous way. I repeat my often asked question: “What the f... are they teaching in law schools?”
Thank you, Robert, for the time line showing how MAGA Mike can't interfere with the 2024 election. Also enjoyed the article by Mr. Aftergut you recommended. In light of the mass shooting in Maine, MAGA Mike looked quite weak in his prayers only statement. It does worry me that as a member of Congress who has never even been the Chair of a Committee, he will be making a lot of mistakes especially when having a effective Speaker is so needed for just the next few weeks to avoid a government shutdown and to get Ukraine funded. He doesn't have time to learn that he needs to pass bills that will also pass the Senate. He's in for a nightmare of a time the next few weeks. MAGA Mike seems to be on the opposite side from the America People on just about every policy one can think of. Fourteen months before the next Congress convenes. It is going to be a rocky year! We, the People, ALL OF US THIS TIME!
Thanks Rob. Moments like "Speaker" Mike's election only serve to make me angry, and I'm quite certain I'm not alone. So I take comfort in that, and know that when the polls close, there will be good news for us, while the Right Crazies will be scratching their heads, wondering what they did wrong, and how the media and polls could have gotten it so wrong.
In the meantime, watch out for those among us who have good reason to feel threatened, love and support them.... and Write on!!! (And donate, and call, and canvas, and...)
Thank you, Robert, for your reassurances and for the reading links. Dennis Aftergut is a wise man and consistently writes great columns. There are days when I’m not even sure Trump will make it to the November 2024 election due to his physical condition and his mental deterioration. Whether it be a Big Mac attack or just an inability to function, he appears to be heading toward a disastrous, self-imposed personal nightmare.
I wanted to ask you what you think of Dean Phillips, the congressman from Minnesota, entering the primary against Biden. This seems like an egomaniacal adventure that is going to add additional complications to this whole election cycle. With Democrats like this, who needs enemies? Enjoy your weekend in the Sierras even though you’ll be working.
Dean Phillips is an arrogant, rich-boy pain in the back side opportunist (says the Minnesota Democrat who lived in the district he currently represents for 25 years. Phillips is heir to the Phillips liquor company fortune and full of himself in my not-so-humble opinion. He was a classmate of Adam Frisch, by the way, so there is a connection to your local politics.)
As you already well know, we Democrats are cats. Herding cats can be frustrating - and can honestly be detrimental. Getting out the vote is a much better use of our time- just my opinion.
To Robert’s point about the polls regarding Biden losing support because of his staunch support of Israel, think of Dean Phillips as a non story. I too have seen the headlines and listened to the buzz about Phillips here in MN. Yes, it concerns me. But it is early in the election cycle and there are forces I don’t understand and things over which I have zero control. Just going to focus my efforts on getting out the vote. And talk to everyone I know about how to get a better grip on Phillip’s leash. A freshman Democrat with Presidential aspirations based mostly on the idea the Biden is too old? Puleeze check your sense of entitlement at the door, buddy. Gads....!
But, I don’t see how there’s any connection to Western Colorado politics. I know that Adam grew up in Montana and Minnesota, but he’s been in Colorado quite some time. In any case, all I want is to see Boebert gone and cast back into the woodwork, and I think we can do that. I didn’t know until reading this that Adam was classmates with Dean Phillips. Dean apparently wasn’t thinking very clearly when he got talked into doing this. It may ruin his congressional career, but since he has a ton of wealth, I guess that doesn’t matter.
Apparently he believes that Biden‘s age, among other things, plus the fact that supposedly 70% of Americans do not want to see a Biden/Trump rematch, will put Democrats in danger. He has entered the primary thinking he’s going to knock President Biden out and be a better choice for president. He’s living in a delusion, but he’s going to do harm. I will try to find the link to Rick Wilson’s video, which effectively tears Phillips to shreds. Then we have these third-party candidates to worry about.
Rick Wilson has his own Substack and it’s very good. He offered this video the other day about the Dean Phillips thing. That’s how I heard about this, because it’s been very low profile and nothing in the news about it.
The biggest problem Phillips poses is that he will be on the ballot in New Hampshire while Biden will not. The Biden campaign chose not to be because New Hampshire wouldn't comply with Democrats on the new primary schedule. I see the headlines now: “Phillips defeats Biden in first ballot test.” It will be disingenuous and misleading, but it will be everywhere. It pressures New Hampshire Dems to put a stronger effort into the already planned Biden write-in effort.
New Hampshire has a stubborn streak, so it doesn’t surprise me that they won’t comply with the new primary schedule. We’re going to be dealing with enough issues related to No Labels and Cornell West, etc., so when I heard this news about Phillips, I was not happy.
Repeat after me: There has never been a President of the United States who lost an election because of his support of Israel since its founding as a state. American Jews were shocked and offended with Trump's comments in the days after the start of the war and polls would reflect this IF POLLSTERS WOULD ONLY ASK THE QUESTIONS. But they will not, we have seen this before. President Biden is the right leader at the right time, at this time in history to lead the free world. And, it's a loooooong way to November 2024.
Check MAGA Mike's extremist past with this free app. It includes details on 30 article of his record on overturning election results, imposing a nationwide abortion ban, cutting social security and medicare; blocking aid to Ukraine and denying climate change. https://thedemlabs.org/2023/10/26/mike-johnson/
Also, MAGAs are doubling down with everything they can throw at us because they can’t erase their record to anyone outside their cult, and they are facing a growing anti-MAGA majority that outperformed in the midterms. Perhaps our most difficult fight will be to hold the Senate.
I will vote for Joe Biden, but I am distressed about his unconditional support for Israel's war on Hamas, which is really a war on Gaza. I believe that Israel is using the horrible attacks on the kibbutzim as an excuse to finally expel the Gazans. Giving the Israelis billions for weapons, with no strings attached is making the US complicit in what is looking like genocide. Peace organizations, Doctors Without Borders, the UN Relief Committees are all reporting that the situation is getting more desperate by the hour. The terrible attack on the kibbutzim, the murders of babies and grandmothers and the taking of hostages -- this is the result of 75 years of cruel oppression and I blame the Israeli government's actions for the rise of Hamas. I cherish my Jewish traditions but I am no longer in agreement with Zionism.
Hamas’s attack on the kibbuttzim derives from Hamas’s openly stated desire to eliminate Israel and eliminate Jews from all areas between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Do not try to provide “cover” for Hamas’s evil intentions. Do not be complicit.
As to allegations of “75 years of cruel oppression”, remember, if you can, that the West Bank is under occupation – for good reason: tamping down murderous forays by terrorists. The Occupation will end as soon as Palestinian governments and social groups are willing to make a genuine, enduring peace with Israel.
No nation besides Israel would be expected (by many) to ignore terroristic murder of its own citizens. Why should *Israel* be “different” in that regard? Is it because many people don’t regard Israeli – Jewish – lives as precious as the lives of any other group?
Let's see: Hamas has been amassing weapons for years. They have the fuel to continue to bomb Israel. They have the weapons to continue to bomb Israel. Yet, they did not have the smarts to plan on a siege to have enough food, medical supplies, and fuel and more to take care of their citizens?!
This is the real outrage that they would leave their own citizens vulnerable and unprotected.
The real genocide was the Holocaust.
Then in this 1984 Orwellian scenario it's Jews and Israel who are genocidal. Israel has fought for her existence since 1948. Attacked by Arab Nations on all sides: Genocide
Hezbollah has 150,000 rockets aimed at Israel: potential Genocide.
Syria gasses its own people and wants Israel gone: Genocide
Hamas charter: Eliminate Israel and all Jews and by extension you: Genocide.
Thanks for serving your local Water District, Robert. It gives me comfort to know that people like you have influence over this precious resource, especially in the drought-prone West.
Thank you Robert for another brilliant and balanced post. The MAGA bunch could not have chosen a more "exemplary" MAGA conservative to stand up and say it all---he will be a punching bag (I hope). He will reveal what they are---he's Gym Jordan in a suit, all slicked up for Prime Time; soft demeanor, rotten interior. Wise words on Biden. He is trying to thread a difficult needle and keep moral balance (there is NO moral balance, or morality, in the shell of the GOP). Biden is keeping the big picture, along with the small details, in view. Hope your trip to some beautiful country was both a pleasure and a success.
If a person wants improvement on ANY issue, a vote for Dems makes positive change more likely. R's only care for themselves and their rich donors.
I have no factual basis for this, but I’d bet that some scandal will envelop MAGA Hank in the next few months. He just seems like that kinda guy.
Jon, I wrote a comment almost identical to this in another newsletter before seeing yours. Something is just rotten about this guy. His over the top hatred of certain groups and his fake piety is all a recipe for hiding something. Remember Matt Schlapp, and what we discovered about him?
So do you think we'll get to schlapp him around?
I sure hope so! 😁
I just don’t get our lack of introspection on the MAGA take over of the House if Representatives. The absolutely worse MAGA person has been elected unanimously by the Republicans and what I’m reading repeatedly is that this is good because it will cost the Republicans in the next election just as Dobbs has and election deniers has in the recent elections.
So we are living with forced births, criminalized honest education, no gun safety legislation, the second in line to the Presidency being anti democracy, military promotions and ambassadors blocked, but somehow this is good for the Democrats.
Am I missing something? Losing is good. It’s like the pro sports teams competing for the worst record so they can draft first.
I don't see that Robert is saying abortion, education, gun safety, etc. can be forgotten about. To address those things, pick a candidate to get behind, or an issue-based organization to work with. (for excellent suggestions and good news from around the country, see Jessica Craven's sub stack, Chop Wood, Carry Water). The point of this excellent thread, though, is to figure out how to use to Democratic advantage the weaknesses of this particular leader that Republicans have selected. We had no power to select him but can show folks who he is.
I get what you're saying, and the situation would be far worse if Republicans held the Senate, but they do not. From a legislative perspective, this man is a nightmare, but he has very little legislative power. Nothing they pass is going to be signed into law, and if you’re worried about impeaching Biden, they may have had the votes to elect Johnson, but good luck on getting those swing district members to vote to impeach. This House majority will spin its wheels and make a spectacle of themselves. Politically, that’s a gift. Would it be better if the Democrats had the majority? Of course, but they do not, and with that being the case, it’s not a bad thing to have these extremists show the country exactly who they are.
Another Hubbell lullaby to soothe and calm his anxious readers. (We need the help. Thank you, Robert!)
Stephen Colbert in his monologue last night was the most serious I have ever seen him be. Starting at minute 6:40, he addressed the latest shooting in Lewiston, Maine. He addressed our lawmakers continuing to block gun control laws. Well worth your time, IMO, to have a listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C__x_wuG8s8
He was truly and deeply disgusted – as every American should be.
Yes, absolutely, Stefan. Crucial, to me, is his ability to reach millions of people. I liked how he reminded his listeners that we have the power to change all this at the polls. Hopefully, many will listen.
My mercy! Stephen Colbert should be an ad FOR gun legislation. He was frustrated, impassioned, angry, and right on all counts. Time to stop putting money above lives. Don't children who are already born have a right to fe???!!!
Agree, Jenn, on all counts.
Great link, thanks.
This was great. Thanks.
They always say it's a mental health problem. Yes it is but mentally ill people and guns don't mix - especially powerful weapons of war. Had the founding fathers envisioned such weapons compared to the single-shot muscats of their day they would never have approved a second Amendment right for non-militia citizens to own them. Other countries have similar percentages of mentally ill people as we do but they don't have these mass shootings because they don't have access to guns the way we do. Republicans care more about the large gun lobby/NRA/gun manufacturing campaign donations and their redneck constituents than they do human lives.
I find myself once again extremely disturbed by reports that the alleged shooter was put through some mental assessments in July only 3 or 4 months prior to these shootings/murders. Again! My feelings are those of outrage that calls for me to renew efforts to go public to try to claim some agency that results in serious actions and legislation to stop this constant cycle of murders from Columbine to Las Vegas, from Boulder & NY grocery stores to campuses coast to coast.
My hairs on fire!! It is one more example of mankind’s inhumanity - from wars to mass shootings, from failure to address in a serious way homelessness and environmental crises. It is sickening!
Let’s never forget our work is to Get Out The Vote and win at the ballot box in 2023 & 2024.
Another example of how broken our mental health infrastructure is and no direct link to gun applications and licensing.
Consider the possibility that the American problem is less the “mental health infrastructure” and more – primarily! – the availability and worship of guns in the US.
Michael, I agree. Furthemore, People with mental health issues are much more likely to be victims of gun violence than perpatrators. Just because we intuitively think that all mass killers must be insane, doesn't make it so.Most mass killers commit suicide orposition themselves to be killed by police officers as part of their plan. That doesn't show insanity but reinforces that they are evil. It appears the killer in Mainei s very determined and organized to escape to perhaps kill another day .The overwhelming evidence for why the USA has much greaternumber of mass killings and suicide by guns is because it is so easy to get guns here including weapons of war. I sometime wonder why individuals are banned from owning nuclear weapons. shouldn't "a well regulated militia have access to such weapons for protection from an evil government? I hope not, but...
Agree but there are too many guns out there which cannot be managed so we are left with doing a better job with mental health
I disagree with the claim that the 2nd amendment gave regular citizens the right to own guns. That is a propaganda and mental gymnastics promoted by 2A zealots - that every American is in "the militia", when that only applies to people in the national guard. The supreme court opened the door to that claim in Heller, and the entire industry walked right through it.
So we need a new Supreme Court that will disavow and repeal Heller.
Yes, exactly, Barry. That's why I used the phrase non-militia citizens. But as you say none of us are militia unless we belong to the National Guard or any military group for that matter. The founding fathers specifically said a well armed militia, not well armed citizens
m
“ there are a million stories in the Naked City and this is one of the “ was a line from a very old TV series but it’s appropriate. The shooter in Maine had some mental health issues but more frightening is he had access legally to automatic weapons. Not a combination that has a happy ending.
"Six million" Great series.
“Mental health” is always the red herring for the pro-gun folks in excusing their love of assault weapons, and unfortunately, the Lewiston case will only reinforce that. But the vast majority of people with mental health problems who misuse gins use them for suicide, not homicide. It again reinforces the stigma under which these people, who already suffer, live.
I will add to Robert's assessment of the negative benefits Johnson will likely bring to the MAGA GOP. There may beany reason why Ron DeSantis has been a major flop but one reason is that he has been the embodiment of the MAGA agenda. The MAGA agenda in all its freedom destroying glory simply doesn't sell in America..Mike Johnson won't sell in America.. he'll just drag the GOP farther down the drain than they already are..
I could agree more that Johnson is the PERFECT person for bring on a Democratic landslide in 2024..
I appreciate your early newsletter, Robert. Johnson is going to be a royal pain in the ass. He already held kneeling prayers on the House floor which just disgusts me. But that’s what the R’s want. They want us riled up and we are. So much so, that we will bombard them with voters, young and old.
As of tonight, Iranian forces have been harassing American troops in Syria. We returned the fire because they attacked two bases, from my understanding. The “experts” are saying this is serious. Damn it all! We haven’t been restful since 2016. We better not go to war!
Your second paragraph has me alarmed. This is the first I heard of this tonight. All I can say is that I am so grateful Biden is in charge and has appointed such excellent people to serve with him.
We must recognize that Iran is a problem. They are reported to have been the source of training and, perhaps arms for Hamas. They are apparently the country that harbors other terrorist groups. And we should recognize that they surely are still very much invested in seeking to build their own nuclear bomb.
It probably doesn’t help that TFG abandoned the agreement we had regarding their efforts to build. No doubt it did not encourage them to think the US could make and keep agreements.
Iran is a challenge for us and all the Middle East in my opinion.
Agreed, and I know they do arm Hamas and other terrorists. Just to summarize rather than write a along comment, the damage that Trump has done in four excruciatingly unbearable years is inconceivable. I could never have conceived of a criminal mafia boss being president.
A number of important articles have already posted from clear thinkers about the difference between Christians and Christian nationalists in the wake of Johnson's election.
Okay that’s good but what do they say about where Johnson falls?
They see him as a Christian nationalist, I would say. And they want people of faith not to be suckered in by the devout language he uses. Because he is a Christian nationalist who endangers democracy. That is not the same as faithfully representing the historic Christian faith.
Thanks for clarifying that. Yes, I see him as clearly a white nationalist.
I think I get your point Marlene. If I'm right, you don't use the word 'Christian' to identify this white nationalist Speaker because he isn't one. Gotcha, Bravo.
If I am wrong, I agree with you anyhow.
None of them display the charity, love, and humility that Christ clearly taught.
Thanks Marlene. I always look for your contributions on many Substack sites!
Thank you Robert for your clarity tonight as always. You gave us a lot to think about regarding the new Speaker, and now I know we can beat him.
He is a domestic terrorists hiding behind the cloak of being a Christian
A kneeling prayer in the House sends the message that the House is a *Christian* body, not a body that represents all Americans
We are already there but not with our troops on the ground
He's also a young earth "creationist" evolution denier.
Basically, he's everything about the Fascist Theocracy you'd like to take a 16-pound sledgehammer to. Repeatedly.
TC, doesn’t he even look like Leonard Leo?
Yes!!! I didn’t make the connection until I saw your comment.
Yes he does, now that you mention it.
Now, that is the truth. Do these folks lack a basic skill of inquiry to ask questions rather than buy in to creationism? And here again is a lawyer putting his legal training to use in the most dangerous way. I repeat my often asked question: “What the f... are they teaching in law schools?”
Thank you, Robert, for the time line showing how MAGA Mike can't interfere with the 2024 election. Also enjoyed the article by Mr. Aftergut you recommended. In light of the mass shooting in Maine, MAGA Mike looked quite weak in his prayers only statement. It does worry me that as a member of Congress who has never even been the Chair of a Committee, he will be making a lot of mistakes especially when having a effective Speaker is so needed for just the next few weeks to avoid a government shutdown and to get Ukraine funded. He doesn't have time to learn that he needs to pass bills that will also pass the Senate. He's in for a nightmare of a time the next few weeks. MAGA Mike seems to be on the opposite side from the America People on just about every policy one can think of. Fourteen months before the next Congress convenes. It is going to be a rocky year! We, the People, ALL OF US THIS TIME!
Thanks Rob. Moments like "Speaker" Mike's election only serve to make me angry, and I'm quite certain I'm not alone. So I take comfort in that, and know that when the polls close, there will be good news for us, while the Right Crazies will be scratching their heads, wondering what they did wrong, and how the media and polls could have gotten it so wrong.
In the meantime, watch out for those among us who have good reason to feel threatened, love and support them.... and Write on!!! (And donate, and call, and canvas, and...)
Thank you, Robert, for your reassurances and for the reading links. Dennis Aftergut is a wise man and consistently writes great columns. There are days when I’m not even sure Trump will make it to the November 2024 election due to his physical condition and his mental deterioration. Whether it be a Big Mac attack or just an inability to function, he appears to be heading toward a disastrous, self-imposed personal nightmare.
I wanted to ask you what you think of Dean Phillips, the congressman from Minnesota, entering the primary against Biden. This seems like an egomaniacal adventure that is going to add additional complications to this whole election cycle. With Democrats like this, who needs enemies? Enjoy your weekend in the Sierras even though you’ll be working.
Dean Phillips is an arrogant, rich-boy pain in the back side opportunist (says the Minnesota Democrat who lived in the district he currently represents for 25 years. Phillips is heir to the Phillips liquor company fortune and full of himself in my not-so-humble opinion. He was a classmate of Adam Frisch, by the way, so there is a connection to your local politics.)
As you already well know, we Democrats are cats. Herding cats can be frustrating - and can honestly be detrimental. Getting out the vote is a much better use of our time- just my opinion.
To Robert’s point about the polls regarding Biden losing support because of his staunch support of Israel, think of Dean Phillips as a non story. I too have seen the headlines and listened to the buzz about Phillips here in MN. Yes, it concerns me. But it is early in the election cycle and there are forces I don’t understand and things over which I have zero control. Just going to focus my efforts on getting out the vote. And talk to everyone I know about how to get a better grip on Phillip’s leash. A freshman Democrat with Presidential aspirations based mostly on the idea the Biden is too old? Puleeze check your sense of entitlement at the door, buddy. Gads....!
Isn't he also Dear Abby (Pauline Phillips)'s grandson?
Yes
What? What substantiation is there for that?
Check Dean Phillips’ Wikipedia page. Reference is made to his relationship to Pauline Phillips (Dear Abby).
Oh, that’s priceless.
But, I don’t see how there’s any connection to Western Colorado politics. I know that Adam grew up in Montana and Minnesota, but he’s been in Colorado quite some time. In any case, all I want is to see Boebert gone and cast back into the woodwork, and I think we can do that. I didn’t know until reading this that Adam was classmates with Dean Phillips. Dean apparently wasn’t thinking very clearly when he got talked into doing this. It may ruin his congressional career, but since he has a ton of wealth, I guess that doesn’t matter.
Yup, I would have to agree.
Oh I didn’t know this info, Janet. I also know nothing about Phillips. Good guy? And why is he in the race?
Apparently he believes that Biden‘s age, among other things, plus the fact that supposedly 70% of Americans do not want to see a Biden/Trump rematch, will put Democrats in danger. He has entered the primary thinking he’s going to knock President Biden out and be a better choice for president. He’s living in a delusion, but he’s going to do harm. I will try to find the link to Rick Wilson’s video, which effectively tears Phillips to shreds. Then we have these third-party candidates to worry about.
Love The Lincoln Project’s ads!
Rick Wilson has his own Substack and it’s very good. He offered this video the other day about the Dean Phillips thing. That’s how I heard about this, because it’s been very low profile and nothing in the news about it.
https://open.substack.com/pub/therickwilson/p/dean-phillips-enters-the-game?r=2vk1c6&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
The biggest problem Phillips poses is that he will be on the ballot in New Hampshire while Biden will not. The Biden campaign chose not to be because New Hampshire wouldn't comply with Democrats on the new primary schedule. I see the headlines now: “Phillips defeats Biden in first ballot test.” It will be disingenuous and misleading, but it will be everywhere. It pressures New Hampshire Dems to put a stronger effort into the already planned Biden write-in effort.
New Hampshire has a stubborn streak, so it doesn’t surprise me that they won’t comply with the new primary schedule. We’re going to be dealing with enough issues related to No Labels and Cornell West, etc., so when I heard this news about Phillips, I was not happy.
Repeat after me: There has never been a President of the United States who lost an election because of his support of Israel since its founding as a state. American Jews were shocked and offended with Trump's comments in the days after the start of the war and polls would reflect this IF POLLSTERS WOULD ONLY ASK THE QUESTIONS. But they will not, we have seen this before. President Biden is the right leader at the right time, at this time in history to lead the free world. And, it's a loooooong way to November 2024.
So get out, get up, and do something.
Robert,I’m “pinning” you to the top ! 📞🏃🏻♀️✍️💲
Check MAGA Mike's extremist past with this free app. It includes details on 30 article of his record on overturning election results, imposing a nationwide abortion ban, cutting social security and medicare; blocking aid to Ukraine and denying climate change. https://thedemlabs.org/2023/10/26/mike-johnson/
Lewiston, Maine Mass Shooting
An Assault Weapons Ban – For the Sake of Humanity
On behalf of Angela Weber, Director of Community Engagement of Newtown Action Alliance:
“Here is a new resource for those who want to honor with action. Please share with contacts in Maine as well.”
https://bit.ly/AWBMaine
Also, MAGAs are doubling down with everything they can throw at us because they can’t erase their record to anyone outside their cult, and they are facing a growing anti-MAGA majority that outperformed in the midterms. Perhaps our most difficult fight will be to hold the Senate.
I will vote for Joe Biden, but I am distressed about his unconditional support for Israel's war on Hamas, which is really a war on Gaza. I believe that Israel is using the horrible attacks on the kibbutzim as an excuse to finally expel the Gazans. Giving the Israelis billions for weapons, with no strings attached is making the US complicit in what is looking like genocide. Peace organizations, Doctors Without Borders, the UN Relief Committees are all reporting that the situation is getting more desperate by the hour. The terrible attack on the kibbutzim, the murders of babies and grandmothers and the taking of hostages -- this is the result of 75 years of cruel oppression and I blame the Israeli government's actions for the rise of Hamas. I cherish my Jewish traditions but I am no longer in agreement with Zionism.
Hamas’s attack on the kibbuttzim derives from Hamas’s openly stated desire to eliminate Israel and eliminate Jews from all areas between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Do not try to provide “cover” for Hamas’s evil intentions. Do not be complicit.
As to allegations of “75 years of cruel oppression”, remember, if you can, that the West Bank is under occupation – for good reason: tamping down murderous forays by terrorists. The Occupation will end as soon as Palestinian governments and social groups are willing to make a genuine, enduring peace with Israel.
No nation besides Israel would be expected (by many) to ignore terroristic murder of its own citizens. Why should *Israel* be “different” in that regard? Is it because many people don’t regard Israeli – Jewish – lives as precious as the lives of any other group?
*Think*!
The so called Judeo-Christian ethic never was.
Let's see: Hamas has been amassing weapons for years. They have the fuel to continue to bomb Israel. They have the weapons to continue to bomb Israel. Yet, they did not have the smarts to plan on a siege to have enough food, medical supplies, and fuel and more to take care of their citizens?!
This is the real outrage that they would leave their own citizens vulnerable and unprotected.
The real genocide was the Holocaust.
Then in this 1984 Orwellian scenario it's Jews and Israel who are genocidal. Israel has fought for her existence since 1948. Attacked by Arab Nations on all sides: Genocide
Hezbollah has 150,000 rockets aimed at Israel: potential Genocide.
Syria gasses its own people and wants Israel gone: Genocide
Hamas charter: Eliminate Israel and all Jews and by extension you: Genocide.
Go ahead blame the Jews for their own problems
>> this is the result of 75 years of cruel oppression
Ah, the old "you Jews bring this on yourselves you know" line of reasoning.
Well done Rebekkah!
Thanks for serving your local Water District, Robert. It gives me comfort to know that people like you have influence over this precious resource, especially in the drought-prone West.