Mar 11, 2022·edited Mar 11, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Please keep reminding us, Robert, to maintain firm resolve and not let emotions dictate policy.
The suffering yet to come by Ukrainians will take months and cause effects that last lifetimes for those who survive. Death of city populations by starvation is utterly horrific--mass torture perpetrated by a KGB professional torture-master. Putin has already sent in his anti-riot police to Kharkiv, and thousands of last weekend's spirited protesters have been arrested.
The seige of Kharkiv and Mariupol, violent repression in both Ukraine and Russia, and lie-narratives are Stalin-2. Stalin-1 was the Holodomor ("Genocide by Starvation") of 1932-33. As Stalin-2 unfolds, the least we can do is bear witness, telling the terrible truth and figuring out as we go how to respond most effectively in a global context, as led by the Biden administration and Zalinskyy. Blessings and mercy to the brave people of Ukraine.
I hesitate to suggest an unthinkable scenario, but Putin has no such restraint conceptually or behaviorally. Were he to cut off all power to the nuclear plants without executing thorough shut-down measures, meltdowns are probable, as I understand the technology. Putin would have effectively sterilized Ukraine, achieving his aim of punishing its people for their "intolerable" insolence in defying him, and opening the countryside to Russian colonization, albeit in centuries. Then what does Biden do? What do we do? I'm not arguing for military intervention. I'm suggesting a scenario where the burden on President Biden to intervene militarily increases exponentially, even beyond that created by Putin initiating chemical warfare.
PS-may I respectfully suggest that this inhuman event be referred to not as Putin's war "against" Ukraine, but a war "on" Ukrainians? He is not simply opposing a state as a political conception, he is raining hell upon living beings. Just a thought, Robert.
After reading your comments on Texas Absentee Voter debacle, I composed an open letter to US Senators to ask them to do their duty to pass the Freedom to Vote/John R Lewis Voting Rights Act. If it proves useful, perhaps your readers might contact their US Senators to demand that they reconsider their vote not to end the filibuster to protect our right to vote while they watch the brave people of the Ukraine, fighting for their freedoms: our vote should be our voice or will we slip away from democracy?
Here goes. Mr. Hubbell: please feel free to delete this if I am over-reaching .
Dear US Senators
The right of every citizen to vote should be fundamental in a functional democracy.
Many citizens were denied the right to vote under the original Constitution because state legislatures determined who could vote (Article 1.2) thus certain States excluded non landowners, Africans, Chinese, Native Americans, indentured servants, women from the right to vote.
By Amendments to the Constitution and then by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as subsequently amended. (VRA) the right to vote could not be denied because of gender, race, national origin, previous servitude. Then 18 year olds were granted the right to vote. Poll taxes could not be used to abridge the right to vote.
The teeth to the 1965 Voting Rights Act was pre-clearance: states with a history of denying the right to vote systematically as defined by a formula in Section 4 of the VRA were required to seek pre-clearance from the Justice Department or the DC Federal Court before changing any law or procedure which had an impact on the right to vote. Thousands of actions were stopped and millions of previously barred voters registered to vote (not without federal intervention in many instances). Then Congress passed universal standards for voters with disabilities to enable them to vote, obtain ballots in different languages, the passing of a National Voter Registration standard (you can only ask the registrant to fill in the number on a driver's license or state ID or the last 4 digits of one's social security as identification to register to vote). This passed after states tried to get around the VRA by passing difficult rules for registering to vote.
The Supreme Court in its infamous 5:4 Shelby County v. Holder decision ruled that the pre-clearance formula was no longer constitutional; (it was 40 years old, out of date and the increase in minority voting was obvious). With the end of pre-clearance immediately began the systematic denial of voting rights especially to minorities and students in previously covered states: 30 million voters purged from the rolls, closing 1688 voting locations in minority jurisdictions and onerous, restrictive voter ID laws passed within weeks of the Shelby County case.
2020: Massive voter registration drives during COVID pandemic and the inclusion of easier vote by mail rules to protect voters and poll-workers from the disease resulted in the largest voter turnout ever in 2020 and the election of President Biden and a Democratic House and a tied Senate (50/50).
After 2020, certain state legislatures began systematically to pass legislation designed to make it harder for certain voters to vote or have their vote counted, mindful of a favorable US Supreme Court where certain Justices had consistently voted against the Voting Rights laws while in the minority on the court (Roberts, Alito, Thomas) or worked as lawyers to defeat the VRA (Alito and Roberts).
Thus, under the guise of “election integrity,” 19 states enacted 33 statutes that will make it difficult for some people—especially people of color, the economically disadvantaged, students, the aged, and those with disabilities—to vote. Under the guise of preventing non-existent voter-fraud, onerous provisions include the requirements for certain types of voter ID:
o Having a suitable ID may seem a given for people of means, but this is not the case for many others. State photo IDs are often issued only on specific days by offices hundreds of miles away, so they require time and money—two things that many citizens do not have.
o Historically, poll taxes and literacy tests were used to keep people of color from voting. Now, new voter ID requirements work to the same end:
o Many people of color were denied access to hospitals in the pre-civil rights days and have no formal birth records yet many have been legally voting for decades; they are now in danger of losing this right. Getting a state photo ID may require a certified birth certificate, which if even possible is a slow process; in California, getting a certified birth certificate may take six months. The process is exceedingly burdensome even for those who know how to navigate the system, and nearly impossible for those who aren’t tech savvy.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted to prevent such abuses, but it has been largely eviscerated by Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, Rucho (political gerrymandering is constitutional); Brnovich (Arizona’s acts were not intentionally racially biased and Alabama (eliminating black Congressional district was not racial gerrymandering).
Congress must remedy both repressive state laws and the Supreme Court's decisions by exercising its authority under Article I.4 of the US Constitution, the 14th and 15th Amendments.
Congress must protect the right to vote which ought to be the cornerstone of our democracy.
Toward that end, the House of Representatives passed the Freedom to Vote: John R Lewis Voting Rights Act. This bill has stalled in the Senate for lack of 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. The filibuster should be suspended for voting-rights legislation—to allow this bill to get to the floor of the Senate and be voted on. To do otherwise is to fail to govern.
Consider the situation in Russia, China, and Syria, where there is no unfettered right to speak out.
Our vote is our voice in the United States. Let’s show totalitarian governments that our Congress will ensure that all American citizens have the same right to vote.
Thank you Robert for reminding us of the importance of measured action during this crisis. I support President Biden 100%.
As for Garland, don’t you think, much like Mueller, that by stating how non-partisan he is, that he is really (unintentionally) showing partisan bias toward trump, et al? Is he so worried about the appearance of partisanship … and his reputation- that he is blind to the effects of his inaction?
A fever is in the land. I can't describe it. We want to help Ukraine. And we are helping with good and not-so-good weapons, food, et cetera. We seek to avoid aggressive confrontation with Russia for fear of nuclear or chemical wars. We, Americans, are watching the annihilation of human beings and their land. We see it hour by hour. I can't sleep at night because I know, for now, I am safe while others fight for their very existence. Yet our country is being cautious to protect what and whom? I never thought I'd witness the slaughter of people in a war in which America The Great didn't do more. I understand the hesitancy. I do. But, the loss of one single human life creates a rage within me. And, that my country with all of its power cannot find a way to stop this horrific carnage baffles me. We are supposed to protect the weak, the oppressed, the homeless. THIS IS BAKED INTO OUR DNA. Yet I feel we are standing on our shores, shaking our heads, saying "oh my this is just terrible," then turn from the atrocities and tuck in at night. This is NOT who we are as a country. This is not how we were born as a nation. Our Founding Fathers fought at the risk of being hanged for treason. The fever exists, I think, because we as a nation for the first time are NOT going where we should be going. I cannot rest because something is very wrong. I am a pacifist, but I would protect my family. Why is a Ukrainian life worth less so that we don't fight as we would for our own? 😢
Please try to start mentioning the Putin military leaders by name who are shelling the hospitals and cities. Getting out in front of war crimes trials would help ratchet up the pressure on Russia. Putin is a dictator, but he is not monolithic.
One thing I don't think the media has done enough to publicize (duh, what else is new?) is that the Russian people are being fed a completely different story about the invasion of Ukraine. I have a friend whose Russian friend with family in Russia said the U.S. is getting a one-sided look. That the "war" is more complicated that the western media makes out. Translation: Putin has been successful in his propaganda. My comment was that the bottom line is that Russia invaded Ukraine; not the other way around. But Putin is justifying his vicious attack with lies that the Russian people are buying.
Regarding Disney and Florida, what troubles me so not so much that corporations remain silent; it's the idea that by passing these hateful laws, DeSantis and other Republican leaders are pandering to a base that despises vulnerable groups. I don't understand why they despise them. I really mean that. I do not understand. What possible threat can LBGTQ people be to straight people? And if they aren't a threat, why single them out for persecution? I find it eerily similar to Putin's position on Ukraine--attack anyone you perceive as vulnerable, because you can.
The window for Garland to take action against Trump is closing, if not already closed. As we move closer to November, and certainly after Trump announces his candidacy for president, any move to hold him accountable will be denounced as political and increasingly lose credibility.
Many readers here know I often post about the Lincoln Project and the great work they are doing. Here is a terrific ad that needs to be circulated widely in support of President Biden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2CD66cJzXE
While I am more grateful than ever that Joe Biden is our president--he IS the right man for the time- and am heartbroken, deeply distressed by the horrors unfolding in Ukraine, I cannot ignore how the mainstream news media and, frankly, this newsletter continue to suggest that the tragedy there is more significant--indeed is different/unique-- than what has happened to multiple predominantly middle Eastern and African countries at the hands of Russia AND the USA governments whose citizens are black and brown, mostly Muslim peoples (including Palestine). As a woman of color--as it should be for every human being--it is very, very upsetting (read: nauseating, infuriating).
In the past 20 years, Russia (with Syria' president) leveled Aleppo; our country--USA-- gutted Iraq and Libya. Where was the horror and outrage when these countries were being leveled? Where was the compassion and concern for the mothers, the children, families whose lives were--still are--being destroyed by the West in that part of the world? The behavior tells the tale: We can ignore the suffering there because those populations are "less than." White (especially White Christian) people are deemed more valuable than black, brown, Muslim, in some cases, Jewish, people of color--their suffering is real, valid and worthy of the world's attention because those (white, Christians) are real, valuable people.
However, I have been heartened to see that the media's double standard (regarding THIS subject) has been unmasked and in some cases, there seem to be attempts at self-reflection. (We'll see how long this lasts). It is so important to have diversity and multiple perspectives in newsrooms to increase empathy and, frankly, to help overcome bigotry and ignorance.
But, Mr. Hubbell, perhaps I missed your discussion or mention of this matter in the last few weeks. Forgive me if I did.
From the bottom of my broken heart, I thank you for your efforts at optimism. My Twitter handle is OptimisticSkeptic and I must admit I’ve been far more a pessimistic skeptic these past 6+ years. It takes a toll.
HRC wow - I strongly support contiuousy HRC for all rights - good for them for rejecting Disney's last minute try to look good donation. Hopefully tye rest of us can continue to support HRC and make up this "we look good" dohnation.
Todays edition made me think about the concept that Putin’s strategy with the invasion of Ukraine is the belief that the US and NATO don’t have the will or desire to engage themselves in a war and don’t have the stomach for actual engagement. He may be betting that he can inflict more pain and win before the sanctions take full effect. The picture of Ukrainian’s dying because of the lack of equipment or weapons is compelling and is a story line unfortunately being peddled by both Russia and Republicans in Congress.
Chemical weapons and possibly nuclear weapons? Stock markets......democracy. How to behave in light of it all......seems like local kindness, local focus. Big ideals, looming crisis and small actions. We are in the war too. Thank heavens we have Biden & Co. Mitch Mc must even be saying that (under his breath).
Thank You for continuing to help us keep a strong and honorable prospective to Biden's role in decision making and our collective resolve in donating what monies and assistance we can to help support the people of Ukraine.
Please keep reminding us, Robert, to maintain firm resolve and not let emotions dictate policy.
The suffering yet to come by Ukrainians will take months and cause effects that last lifetimes for those who survive. Death of city populations by starvation is utterly horrific--mass torture perpetrated by a KGB professional torture-master. Putin has already sent in his anti-riot police to Kharkiv, and thousands of last weekend's spirited protesters have been arrested.
The seige of Kharkiv and Mariupol, violent repression in both Ukraine and Russia, and lie-narratives are Stalin-2. Stalin-1 was the Holodomor ("Genocide by Starvation") of 1932-33. As Stalin-2 unfolds, the least we can do is bear witness, telling the terrible truth and figuring out as we go how to respond most effectively in a global context, as led by the Biden administration and Zalinskyy. Blessings and mercy to the brave people of Ukraine.
https://borgenproject.org/holodomor-genocide/#:~:text=In%201933%2C%20Ukraine%20experienced%20a%20manmade%20famine%20orchestrated,Holodomor%20Genocide%20somewhere%20around%2010%20million%20Ukrainians%20perished.
I hesitate to suggest an unthinkable scenario, but Putin has no such restraint conceptually or behaviorally. Were he to cut off all power to the nuclear plants without executing thorough shut-down measures, meltdowns are probable, as I understand the technology. Putin would have effectively sterilized Ukraine, achieving his aim of punishing its people for their "intolerable" insolence in defying him, and opening the countryside to Russian colonization, albeit in centuries. Then what does Biden do? What do we do? I'm not arguing for military intervention. I'm suggesting a scenario where the burden on President Biden to intervene militarily increases exponentially, even beyond that created by Putin initiating chemical warfare.
PS-may I respectfully suggest that this inhuman event be referred to not as Putin's war "against" Ukraine, but a war "on" Ukrainians? He is not simply opposing a state as a political conception, he is raining hell upon living beings. Just a thought, Robert.
After reading your comments on Texas Absentee Voter debacle, I composed an open letter to US Senators to ask them to do their duty to pass the Freedom to Vote/John R Lewis Voting Rights Act. If it proves useful, perhaps your readers might contact their US Senators to demand that they reconsider their vote not to end the filibuster to protect our right to vote while they watch the brave people of the Ukraine, fighting for their freedoms: our vote should be our voice or will we slip away from democracy?
Here goes. Mr. Hubbell: please feel free to delete this if I am over-reaching .
Dear US Senators
The right of every citizen to vote should be fundamental in a functional democracy.
Many citizens were denied the right to vote under the original Constitution because state legislatures determined who could vote (Article 1.2) thus certain States excluded non landowners, Africans, Chinese, Native Americans, indentured servants, women from the right to vote.
By Amendments to the Constitution and then by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as subsequently amended. (VRA) the right to vote could not be denied because of gender, race, national origin, previous servitude. Then 18 year olds were granted the right to vote. Poll taxes could not be used to abridge the right to vote.
The teeth to the 1965 Voting Rights Act was pre-clearance: states with a history of denying the right to vote systematically as defined by a formula in Section 4 of the VRA were required to seek pre-clearance from the Justice Department or the DC Federal Court before changing any law or procedure which had an impact on the right to vote. Thousands of actions were stopped and millions of previously barred voters registered to vote (not without federal intervention in many instances). Then Congress passed universal standards for voters with disabilities to enable them to vote, obtain ballots in different languages, the passing of a National Voter Registration standard (you can only ask the registrant to fill in the number on a driver's license or state ID or the last 4 digits of one's social security as identification to register to vote). This passed after states tried to get around the VRA by passing difficult rules for registering to vote.
The Supreme Court in its infamous 5:4 Shelby County v. Holder decision ruled that the pre-clearance formula was no longer constitutional; (it was 40 years old, out of date and the increase in minority voting was obvious). With the end of pre-clearance immediately began the systematic denial of voting rights especially to minorities and students in previously covered states: 30 million voters purged from the rolls, closing 1688 voting locations in minority jurisdictions and onerous, restrictive voter ID laws passed within weeks of the Shelby County case.
2020: Massive voter registration drives during COVID pandemic and the inclusion of easier vote by mail rules to protect voters and poll-workers from the disease resulted in the largest voter turnout ever in 2020 and the election of President Biden and a Democratic House and a tied Senate (50/50).
After 2020, certain state legislatures began systematically to pass legislation designed to make it harder for certain voters to vote or have their vote counted, mindful of a favorable US Supreme Court where certain Justices had consistently voted against the Voting Rights laws while in the minority on the court (Roberts, Alito, Thomas) or worked as lawyers to defeat the VRA (Alito and Roberts).
Thus, under the guise of “election integrity,” 19 states enacted 33 statutes that will make it difficult for some people—especially people of color, the economically disadvantaged, students, the aged, and those with disabilities—to vote. Under the guise of preventing non-existent voter-fraud, onerous provisions include the requirements for certain types of voter ID:
o Having a suitable ID may seem a given for people of means, but this is not the case for many others. State photo IDs are often issued only on specific days by offices hundreds of miles away, so they require time and money—two things that many citizens do not have.
o Historically, poll taxes and literacy tests were used to keep people of color from voting. Now, new voter ID requirements work to the same end:
o Many people of color were denied access to hospitals in the pre-civil rights days and have no formal birth records yet many have been legally voting for decades; they are now in danger of losing this right. Getting a state photo ID may require a certified birth certificate, which if even possible is a slow process; in California, getting a certified birth certificate may take six months. The process is exceedingly burdensome even for those who know how to navigate the system, and nearly impossible for those who aren’t tech savvy.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted to prevent such abuses, but it has been largely eviscerated by Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, Rucho (political gerrymandering is constitutional); Brnovich (Arizona’s acts were not intentionally racially biased and Alabama (eliminating black Congressional district was not racial gerrymandering).
Congress must remedy both repressive state laws and the Supreme Court's decisions by exercising its authority under Article I.4 of the US Constitution, the 14th and 15th Amendments.
Congress must protect the right to vote which ought to be the cornerstone of our democracy.
Toward that end, the House of Representatives passed the Freedom to Vote: John R Lewis Voting Rights Act. This bill has stalled in the Senate for lack of 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. The filibuster should be suspended for voting-rights legislation—to allow this bill to get to the floor of the Senate and be voted on. To do otherwise is to fail to govern.
Consider the situation in Russia, China, and Syria, where there is no unfettered right to speak out.
Our vote is our voice in the United States. Let’s show totalitarian governments that our Congress will ensure that all American citizens have the same right to vote.
Alice Schaffer Smith
Executive Director
National Voter Corps
Thank you Robert for reminding us of the importance of measured action during this crisis. I support President Biden 100%.
As for Garland, don’t you think, much like Mueller, that by stating how non-partisan he is, that he is really (unintentionally) showing partisan bias toward trump, et al? Is he so worried about the appearance of partisanship … and his reputation- that he is blind to the effects of his inaction?
A fever is in the land. I can't describe it. We want to help Ukraine. And we are helping with good and not-so-good weapons, food, et cetera. We seek to avoid aggressive confrontation with Russia for fear of nuclear or chemical wars. We, Americans, are watching the annihilation of human beings and their land. We see it hour by hour. I can't sleep at night because I know, for now, I am safe while others fight for their very existence. Yet our country is being cautious to protect what and whom? I never thought I'd witness the slaughter of people in a war in which America The Great didn't do more. I understand the hesitancy. I do. But, the loss of one single human life creates a rage within me. And, that my country with all of its power cannot find a way to stop this horrific carnage baffles me. We are supposed to protect the weak, the oppressed, the homeless. THIS IS BAKED INTO OUR DNA. Yet I feel we are standing on our shores, shaking our heads, saying "oh my this is just terrible," then turn from the atrocities and tuck in at night. This is NOT who we are as a country. This is not how we were born as a nation. Our Founding Fathers fought at the risk of being hanged for treason. The fever exists, I think, because we as a nation for the first time are NOT going where we should be going. I cannot rest because something is very wrong. I am a pacifist, but I would protect my family. Why is a Ukrainian life worth less so that we don't fight as we would for our own? 😢
Please try to start mentioning the Putin military leaders by name who are shelling the hospitals and cities. Getting out in front of war crimes trials would help ratchet up the pressure on Russia. Putin is a dictator, but he is not monolithic.
Yes, let peace begin with us.
Thank you for correcting my misapprehensions about Garland, Robert.
Biden has my unqualified support.
You strengthen our resolve.
One thing I don't think the media has done enough to publicize (duh, what else is new?) is that the Russian people are being fed a completely different story about the invasion of Ukraine. I have a friend whose Russian friend with family in Russia said the U.S. is getting a one-sided look. That the "war" is more complicated that the western media makes out. Translation: Putin has been successful in his propaganda. My comment was that the bottom line is that Russia invaded Ukraine; not the other way around. But Putin is justifying his vicious attack with lies that the Russian people are buying.
Regarding Disney and Florida, what troubles me so not so much that corporations remain silent; it's the idea that by passing these hateful laws, DeSantis and other Republican leaders are pandering to a base that despises vulnerable groups. I don't understand why they despise them. I really mean that. I do not understand. What possible threat can LBGTQ people be to straight people? And if they aren't a threat, why single them out for persecution? I find it eerily similar to Putin's position on Ukraine--attack anyone you perceive as vulnerable, because you can.
The window for Garland to take action against Trump is closing, if not already closed. As we move closer to November, and certainly after Trump announces his candidacy for president, any move to hold him accountable will be denounced as political and increasingly lose credibility.
Many readers here know I often post about the Lincoln Project and the great work they are doing. Here is a terrific ad that needs to be circulated widely in support of President Biden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2CD66cJzXE
While I am more grateful than ever that Joe Biden is our president--he IS the right man for the time- and am heartbroken, deeply distressed by the horrors unfolding in Ukraine, I cannot ignore how the mainstream news media and, frankly, this newsletter continue to suggest that the tragedy there is more significant--indeed is different/unique-- than what has happened to multiple predominantly middle Eastern and African countries at the hands of Russia AND the USA governments whose citizens are black and brown, mostly Muslim peoples (including Palestine). As a woman of color--as it should be for every human being--it is very, very upsetting (read: nauseating, infuriating).
In the past 20 years, Russia (with Syria' president) leveled Aleppo; our country--USA-- gutted Iraq and Libya. Where was the horror and outrage when these countries were being leveled? Where was the compassion and concern for the mothers, the children, families whose lives were--still are--being destroyed by the West in that part of the world? The behavior tells the tale: We can ignore the suffering there because those populations are "less than." White (especially White Christian) people are deemed more valuable than black, brown, Muslim, in some cases, Jewish, people of color--their suffering is real, valid and worthy of the world's attention because those (white, Christians) are real, valuable people.
However, I have been heartened to see that the media's double standard (regarding THIS subject) has been unmasked and in some cases, there seem to be attempts at self-reflection. (We'll see how long this lasts). It is so important to have diversity and multiple perspectives in newsrooms to increase empathy and, frankly, to help overcome bigotry and ignorance.
But, Mr. Hubbell, perhaps I missed your discussion or mention of this matter in the last few weeks. Forgive me if I did.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/27/western-media-coverage-ukraine-russia-invasion-criticism
(Aljazeera is a good resource, but even it has admitted its biased coverage of events in Eastern Europe).
From the bottom of my broken heart, I thank you for your efforts at optimism. My Twitter handle is OptimisticSkeptic and I must admit I’ve been far more a pessimistic skeptic these past 6+ years. It takes a toll.
HRC wow - I strongly support contiuousy HRC for all rights - good for them for rejecting Disney's last minute try to look good donation. Hopefully tye rest of us can continue to support HRC and make up this "we look good" dohnation.
Todays edition made me think about the concept that Putin’s strategy with the invasion of Ukraine is the belief that the US and NATO don’t have the will or desire to engage themselves in a war and don’t have the stomach for actual engagement. He may be betting that he can inflict more pain and win before the sanctions take full effect. The picture of Ukrainian’s dying because of the lack of equipment or weapons is compelling and is a story line unfortunately being peddled by both Russia and Republicans in Congress.
Chemical weapons and possibly nuclear weapons? Stock markets......democracy. How to behave in light of it all......seems like local kindness, local focus. Big ideals, looming crisis and small actions. We are in the war too. Thank heavens we have Biden & Co. Mitch Mc must even be saying that (under his breath).
Thank You for continuing to help us keep a strong and honorable prospective to Biden's role in decision making and our collective resolve in donating what monies and assistance we can to help support the people of Ukraine.