From a true president Joe Biden about another true president: "Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian. Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe. He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism. We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts. To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world. To their staff – from the earliest days to the final ones – we have no doubt that you will continue to do the good works that carry on their legacy. And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong. To honor a great American, I will be ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington D.C. for James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the United States, 76th Governor of Georgia, Lieutenant of the United States Navy, graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and favorite son of Plains, Georgia, who gave his full life in service to God and country." Copied from Daily of Politicususa.
Jimmy Carter, Peacemaking President Amid Crises, Is Dead at 100
He was the longest-living president in U.S. history. Carter, a Democrat from Georgia, was known as much for his charity and diplomatic work later in life as he was for his single presidential term.
I think it was Timothy Snyder who made the point that we need to have a "shadow government" (cabinet I guess) at the ready, who can be watchful and tell us what is going on, call out the unlawful behavior. I would love to see this group of significant voices speak out as much as possible -- these are folks who have credibility, served in gov't, in the judicial system, at universities, writers, thinkers, who understand democracy, how gov't works, this fascism takeover - experts who could meet up, tell us how to push back and protect our fragile government. Maybe too "pie in the sky" or too risky -- but can you imagine having a counter force to this dystopian government?? Or maybe we take the talking points from this "shadow gov't" and network it out to our local communities, networks. Just a thought...
Here’s a prediction for the first weeks of the Trump administration: the Prime Minister of Israel (who is supposedly having prostate health complications) will agree to negotiate or end the fighting and Trump will be credited with doing something Biden was unable to accomplish. That ‘feat’ will set up Trump to later put pressure on Ukraine to cede land to Russia, for (temporary) ceasefire agreements. Trump will vow once again to leave or redefine NATO, giving oligarchs friendly to Putin more power.
Robert, just want to thank you and Jill too, for the work you do to try to keep us sane, Somehow we will manage our way thorough the coming administration with all its problems. Your guidance and that of your readers will make it possible. But for today please everyone, read HCR!
I have been so frustrated at the lack of “messaging“ from the Democrats that I took matters into my own hands. I contacted, via Substack, email, an alt right racist, and I tried to begin a conversation with him. He had mentioned in an article he wrote that white man, “our ancestors “, Built the United States with their hard work. My response was “black slaves built the White House“. I think it’s important to correct false images. I haven’t heard from him yet, but I did ask him to please consider having a civil discourse with me. I also told him that Kamala Harris and Joe Biden through their infrastructure bill had begun more good jobs for working class people in deep red states. And I encouraged him to look it up. Somebody has to begin talking to these people maybe only one person at a time, but it has to begin
The political schism opening up in MAGA-land reveals the farcical aspect to Trump's governing style. His credibility is going negative each day, before his inauguration ! Our job is to prevent him and his 'yes' men/women from dismantling the Federal government that required 250 years to build.
John, Robert Hubbell sometimes writes a short thing for his Sunday posting , in this case not, but his idea is to create the Comments space for folks to post and perhaps dialogue with each other... One of the things i appreciate about this community: Thoughtful, caring folks writing considered comments.
To Bern Shanfield’s comment: I agree that we need to focus on messaging. To Simon Rosenberg’s advice that we need to be LOUD, I agree. At the moment, however, the Dems do not have an agreed-upon leader, and I’m not enmeshed enough in the Party organization to know how we pick one. It would be extremely useful, however, to have someone who can grab the microphone and speak for the Party, or at least the resistance, and whose voice would be recognized nationally as The Opposite, the Off Ramp, The Answer, The Truth. And that person doesn’t need to be the Democratic nominee for 2028. They just need to have the gravitas to carry the Message. Or maybe we should have Panel of Policy Representatives who represent expertise in selected fields - foreign policy, military, economics, taxation, etc.? This idea presumes a level of cooperation and coordination among Dems, many of whom have ambitions for 2026 and 2028. So, the idea may be too unrealistic to work. But we need a forceful voice, probably more than one, whose voice(s) are loud enough to cut through the overwhelming din of Trump’s chaos. And it can’t be old school - Bernie or Schumer or Pelosi. It needs to be young and smart and colorful and we have plenty of that. Loud and proud and strong enough to be believed when they say “Trump is wrong.”
Good morning and Happy Almost New Year. I am grateful to Robert Hubble and to this community. And thanks Robert for the photos of the cosmos. It helps to put the deplorable Trump and his capos into scale.
1.3 million people voted for a third-party .that would’ve made the difference in the election I believe. Getting the male voters who wouldn’t vote for a woman with a male candidate would’ve made a difference in the election. We are half the country. We must be honest about the drawbacks of Harris‘s candidacy (it wasn’t her gender. It was her rather muddled message based on the joy that very few Americans are able to feel.) and get somebody who is inspiring to the working class. I don’t know who that is yet.
From a true president Joe Biden about another true president: "Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian. Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe. He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism. We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts. To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world. To their staff – from the earliest days to the final ones – we have no doubt that you will continue to do the good works that carry on their legacy. And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong. To honor a great American, I will be ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington D.C. for James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the United States, 76th Governor of Georgia, Lieutenant of the United States Navy, graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and favorite son of Plains, Georgia, who gave his full life in service to God and country." Copied from Daily of Politicususa.
Jimmy Carter, Peacemaking President Amid Crises, Is Dead at 100
He was the longest-living president in U.S. history. Carter, a Democrat from Georgia, was known as much for his charity and diplomatic work later in life as he was for his single presidential term.
I think it was Timothy Snyder who made the point that we need to have a "shadow government" (cabinet I guess) at the ready, who can be watchful and tell us what is going on, call out the unlawful behavior. I would love to see this group of significant voices speak out as much as possible -- these are folks who have credibility, served in gov't, in the judicial system, at universities, writers, thinkers, who understand democracy, how gov't works, this fascism takeover - experts who could meet up, tell us how to push back and protect our fragile government. Maybe too "pie in the sky" or too risky -- but can you imagine having a counter force to this dystopian government?? Or maybe we take the talking points from this "shadow gov't" and network it out to our local communities, networks. Just a thought...
U da man!
I have nothing to say . . . which, I suppose, is probably saying a lot.
Here’s a prediction for the first weeks of the Trump administration: the Prime Minister of Israel (who is supposedly having prostate health complications) will agree to negotiate or end the fighting and Trump will be credited with doing something Biden was unable to accomplish. That ‘feat’ will set up Trump to later put pressure on Ukraine to cede land to Russia, for (temporary) ceasefire agreements. Trump will vow once again to leave or redefine NATO, giving oligarchs friendly to Putin more power.
Tom Weiner
Robert, just want to thank you and Jill too, for the work you do to try to keep us sane, Somehow we will manage our way thorough the coming administration with all its problems. Your guidance and that of your readers will make it possible. But for today please everyone, read HCR!
I have been so frustrated at the lack of “messaging“ from the Democrats that I took matters into my own hands. I contacted, via Substack, email, an alt right racist, and I tried to begin a conversation with him. He had mentioned in an article he wrote that white man, “our ancestors “, Built the United States with their hard work. My response was “black slaves built the White House“. I think it’s important to correct false images. I haven’t heard from him yet, but I did ask him to please consider having a civil discourse with me. I also told him that Kamala Harris and Joe Biden through their infrastructure bill had begun more good jobs for working class people in deep red states. And I encouraged him to look it up. Somebody has to begin talking to these people maybe only one person at a time, but it has to begin
The political schism opening up in MAGA-land reveals the farcical aspect to Trump's governing style. His credibility is going negative each day, before his inauguration ! Our job is to prevent him and his 'yes' men/women from dismantling the Federal government that required 250 years to build.
What are we “replying” to here? I didn’t see any post by Mr. Hubbell.
John, Robert Hubbell sometimes writes a short thing for his Sunday posting , in this case not, but his idea is to create the Comments space for folks to post and perhaps dialogue with each other... One of the things i appreciate about this community: Thoughtful, caring folks writing considered comments.
Thank you!
To Bern Shanfield’s comment: I agree that we need to focus on messaging. To Simon Rosenberg’s advice that we need to be LOUD, I agree. At the moment, however, the Dems do not have an agreed-upon leader, and I’m not enmeshed enough in the Party organization to know how we pick one. It would be extremely useful, however, to have someone who can grab the microphone and speak for the Party, or at least the resistance, and whose voice would be recognized nationally as The Opposite, the Off Ramp, The Answer, The Truth. And that person doesn’t need to be the Democratic nominee for 2028. They just need to have the gravitas to carry the Message. Or maybe we should have Panel of Policy Representatives who represent expertise in selected fields - foreign policy, military, economics, taxation, etc.? This idea presumes a level of cooperation and coordination among Dems, many of whom have ambitions for 2026 and 2028. So, the idea may be too unrealistic to work. But we need a forceful voice, probably more than one, whose voice(s) are loud enough to cut through the overwhelming din of Trump’s chaos. And it can’t be old school - Bernie or Schumer or Pelosi. It needs to be young and smart and colorful and we have plenty of that. Loud and proud and strong enough to be believed when they say “Trump is wrong.”
I don't do this every often, but today I'm sharing another essay. This piece by David Rothkopf provides a somewhat hopeful analysis of what's to come under Trump 2.0. https://davidrothkopf.substack.com/p/ill-say-it-again-the-numbers-dont
I think this is the best yet! Beautiful and awesome!
Good morning and Happy Almost New Year. I am grateful to Robert Hubble and to this community. And thanks Robert for the photos of the cosmos. It helps to put the deplorable Trump and his capos into scale.
This essay by E.J. Dionne in the Washington Post (no paywall) makes some good points, some of which are in line with Robert Hubbell's wise counsel.
The opposition to Trump isn't inert. It's reflecting -- and that's good. https://wapo.st/49VE2a6
1.3 million people voted for a third-party .that would’ve made the difference in the election I believe. Getting the male voters who wouldn’t vote for a woman with a male candidate would’ve made a difference in the election. We are half the country. We must be honest about the drawbacks of Harris‘s candidacy (it wasn’t her gender. It was her rather muddled message based on the joy that very few Americans are able to feel.) and get somebody who is inspiring to the working class. I don’t know who that is yet.