Apr 1, 2023·edited Apr 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank you, Robert and Jill, for your tireless efforts to keep us informed and uplifted. There is no value in looking at a glass half empty when you can see it as half full. I think those who object to your positive viewpoint may be trying to prepare themselves to lose before the results are known so they aren't disappointed or caught off guard. Or maybe they are just exhausted and depressed from this fight. But as you've pointed out, that's no way to win.
I appreciated Rachel Maddow's perspective tonight. She discussed the wild news cycle around Nixon's vice president's legal troubles. Spiro Agnew engaged in a cesspool of criminal behavior, but ended up making a deal to leave public office in 1973 in exchange for his freedom in lieu of a trial. Her point was that that legal situation was a public circus and Agnew was a vicious mudslinger somewhat like Trump. But the event passed and most people barely remember his name now.
I think the name "Trump" will live in infamy regardless of what happens in the next several years as we all plow through his legal troubles and his flailing, vicious, racist, antisemitic, misogynistic rantings and unending narcissistic cries of persecution by the majority. He will fight like a rabid dog and attempt to take this country down with him. But he won't succeed.
Now that the shoe has finally dropped in the first indictment, there is a comfort in seeing our legal system finally going into action. As the other indictments in the many lawsuits brewing against the former president are announced in the months ahead, like planes landing in sequence at La Guardia, I believe the legal system will stand up to the pressure.
Regardless of the flying verbal garbage swirling from wherever Trump is located, we can all take comfort in knowing that the wheels of justice grind slowly in this country...sometimes excruciatingly so...but they are still moving with force and clearly defined rules, propelled quietly by talented, brave, dedicated judges and lawyers that take their jobs very seriously. Whatever the outcome, it will be clear both here and around the world, that no one in the American democracy is above the law.
And as hard as it may be for some to believe, I think if we lift up our heads and squint towards the long view of the future, this whole dark, evil, difficult chapter of the super rich, far right Republicans trying to drag us all back into the last century will fade in the decades to come. Because good people stood up and did something to reassert sanity and the rule of law.
So thank you to all of you good people across this country who are working to get us past this historic black hole of attempted fascism, illiberalism and hate. All of you are what make America great and I'd bet my money on you every time. Have a peaceful weekend.
That's a good point about the E. Jean Carroll trial being "insurance" that Trump appears in New York. There has been some disquiet - voiced notably by Rachel Maddow in her show tonight - that the delay of Trump's arraignment to Tuesday might mean that he changes his mind about surrendering voluntarily since there are many individuals and groups on the right issuing statements that he should refuse and remain in Florida under the "protection" of DeSantis, that he make the New York authorities come and try to take him. But if he is faced with losing the Carroll case, he'd have to come to NYC, so if he wants to play a bullshit game for a few weeks, all that will happen is it will demonstrate to the country that the Republicans have declared war on the rule of law, so they'll lose even bigger by so doing.
Thank you, Rob. I appreciate your sharing Josh Marshall's take.... what happens to 45 from here on is out of our hands. The justice system is working and I trust it will (finally) work appropriately. 45 will not be elected dog catcher, let alone president. DeSantis will be a washout also. Our focus should be on amplifying the positive accomplishments of the Biden administration, protecting the LGBTQ community, promoting gun control, and getting out the vote; not necessarily in that order. I look forward to seeing Trump's convictions, but also watching him become irrelevant. Keeping the White House, and gaining a substantial majority in Congress in 2024 must be our focus.
“In the last stop of her Africa visit, Vice President Kamala Harris today was in Zambia, which co-hosted this week’s Summit for Democracy. Neither Harris nor Biden will comment in any way about the impending indictment of the former president. At a press conference in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, today, a reporter from the Wall Street Journal reminded Harris that she had “spoken about democracy and the rule of law at every stop in Africa,” and asked her to comment on news of the indictment.
When she declined, Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema stepped forward. “[L]et’s remove names from your question,” he said.
“Let’s put what we decided we will do to govern ourselves in an orderly manner. First, our constitutions, bedrock law. Then, secondary laws, other regulations create a platform or framework around which we agreed, either as Americans or as Zambians, to govern ourselves. And so, to live within those confines.
“And when there’s transgression against law, it does not matter who is involved. I think that is what the rule of law means.”
AH! Another of Yogi Berra's famous aphorisms, "The future ain’t what it used to be", spoken with the certainty and assurance of a truism. One would hope this adage be a political reality. But, in the parlance of Republicans, "the past is the future all over again". One party is busy building on the successes and progress of the past, envisioning a bright future of justice for all learning lessons from our successes based on service to the people while Republicans persist in hearkening the past as it conveniently serves the Republicans, and their special interests and donors. They are all about control, refusing to let go of their moldy ideas rather than envisioning a future of creativity and change. And, making transparent their now blatant attempts to fulfill their authoritarian intent.
Biden, with patience, wisdom, and acute political savvy, and despite the Democratic party's naysayers, has held steady upholding a course promoting big "D" democracy, leading with courage and surprising stamina while highlighting the differences, possibilities and likely outcomes for each of us. These distinctions are a winning formula.
If I hear one more talking head/“expert” solemnly intone that the indictment of Trump puts us in “uncharted” territory I think I will scream. There is nothing uncharted about it. Every lawyer knows that many lawsuits involve unresolved legal issues. For example - Trump’s many claims of executive privilege. Legal issues are presented to a judge and decided. Happens every day. That Trump will raise legal defenses is no surprise.
Apr 1, 2023·edited Apr 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Ron DeSantis is playing governor for FOX news and taking his policy cues from Tucker Carlson. I wonder when Carlson's lies and support of sedition will be grounds for booting him from the airways and maybe from the country. He'd be welcomed by Orban - let's offer him a free plane ride.
Now America 🇺🇸 just has to find a way to rein in the seditious activities in the House, which is wasted witch hunts and wild goose chases wasting the taxpayers money 💰 they claim they're so worried about saving 😉 They're so lame they can't even come up with their own budget, which is supposed to be one of the main priorities 🙄 Instead, they want to act like spoiled rotten kids that threatened to take their toys home 🏡 if you don't play the games they want to. That's no way 😕 to be a governing party in charge of appropriations, just because they want to fall all over themselves trying to prove who's the orange 🍊 behemoth's best flunky.
Holding the rest of America 🇺🇸 hostage over this debt ceiling that was already for appropriations previously agreed upon is not only dirty pool, but in violation of 14th amendment regarding payment of bills of the government. Anyway, just glad that the 1st step towards justice has begun and hopefully, that the seditious activities of the insurrectionists splinter group in the House will also held accountable under the 14th amendment too 👍 😀
Apr 1, 2023·edited Apr 1, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Since Ronald Reagan, the far-right has been on a campaign to dominate media and seize the minds and hearts of our fellow citizens. The conservative shock-jocks carpet bombed the sound waves with rancid, rage drenched grievance that resonated with deep, rumbling fears as middle-class lifestyle and local community's fabric continued to fray from economic deterioration.
The GOP picked the pockets of our fellow citizens with enormous tax cuts for the wealthy and infusion of dark money influence. This sleight of hand was distracted by the agitated bellowing of talk radio. Fox News then successfully escalated this propaganda, giving legitimacy to wildly distorted outtakes of current events. The GOP is suffering from cultural Stockholm Syndrome.
Trump has been able to create a reality split between these hardened, intoxicating distorted beliefs and lies and the sober truth maintained by the rule of law. This split screen is now being confronted as the rule of law is finally demanding a reconning.
The far-right compound is now being surrounded and confronted. They hold our democracy hostage and threaten our domestic tranquility in this existential crescendo of demagoguery. We must stand strong and determined as this confrontation plays out.
The overwhelming majority of elected GOP representatives are very public about denigrating any US branch of government, including judicial, military, legislative and executive, that promotes democracy vs their Trumpian fascism.
The very fact that they were elected democratically, even if through gerrymandering, lends credibility to their countless conspiracy rants. I know decent people who will not discount their rants because there are so many, elected to public office, that are united in their conspiracies!
Manhattan DA’s office, on behalf of all DA offices nationwide, has pretty much informed Trump & his GOP cronies that they are on the road to hell! Problem is, that the Trumpian GOP knows this and, they do not care!
Thanks to Robert & Jill that our mantras, be positive but be vigilant and do not be complacent, brings the hope that democracy is stronger than its demons!
DeSantis supposed support of trump is just cover for his later plea to garner support for HIS Presidential bid from the trump cult supporters. He knows he has no chance even in a primary without those voters. In my opinion, he's praying hourly for anything that takes trump down. At least I can agree with taking trump down but certainly not being replaced by DeSantis.
I believe Josh Marshall’s point of view makes the most sense. This outcome was inevitable, and the conviction of the FPOTUS should also be inevitable in a country based upon the rule of law. As each of the investigations continues and concludes, we should see that the rules apply to everyone no matter who they are and how loud they complain about being treated unfairly. These events are historic events seen around the world as examples of how a democracy should work.
The Bulwark's takedown of the phony DeSantis action against the NYC prosecutor that you highlighted says it all. It doesn't get any clearer than that.
Not exactly a rabbit hole, but I got to wondering what was going on with Fani Willis' case after not hearing anything for quite a while. Seems she and her team were hit with another of 45's lawyers' demands that the judge gave her until May 1 to respond to. It's a short read if you care to hear about it:
As for Jack Smith's work, IMO he and his team is holding fast to the "loose lips sink ships" adage. That's a good thing! But I'd appreciate it if someone has any updates to report.
Thank you, Robert and Jill, for your tireless efforts to keep us informed and uplifted. There is no value in looking at a glass half empty when you can see it as half full. I think those who object to your positive viewpoint may be trying to prepare themselves to lose before the results are known so they aren't disappointed or caught off guard. Or maybe they are just exhausted and depressed from this fight. But as you've pointed out, that's no way to win.
I appreciated Rachel Maddow's perspective tonight. She discussed the wild news cycle around Nixon's vice president's legal troubles. Spiro Agnew engaged in a cesspool of criminal behavior, but ended up making a deal to leave public office in 1973 in exchange for his freedom in lieu of a trial. Her point was that that legal situation was a public circus and Agnew was a vicious mudslinger somewhat like Trump. But the event passed and most people barely remember his name now.
I think the name "Trump" will live in infamy regardless of what happens in the next several years as we all plow through his legal troubles and his flailing, vicious, racist, antisemitic, misogynistic rantings and unending narcissistic cries of persecution by the majority. He will fight like a rabid dog and attempt to take this country down with him. But he won't succeed.
Now that the shoe has finally dropped in the first indictment, there is a comfort in seeing our legal system finally going into action. As the other indictments in the many lawsuits brewing against the former president are announced in the months ahead, like planes landing in sequence at La Guardia, I believe the legal system will stand up to the pressure.
Regardless of the flying verbal garbage swirling from wherever Trump is located, we can all take comfort in knowing that the wheels of justice grind slowly in this country...sometimes excruciatingly so...but they are still moving with force and clearly defined rules, propelled quietly by talented, brave, dedicated judges and lawyers that take their jobs very seriously. Whatever the outcome, it will be clear both here and around the world, that no one in the American democracy is above the law.
And as hard as it may be for some to believe, I think if we lift up our heads and squint towards the long view of the future, this whole dark, evil, difficult chapter of the super rich, far right Republicans trying to drag us all back into the last century will fade in the decades to come. Because good people stood up and did something to reassert sanity and the rule of law.
So thank you to all of you good people across this country who are working to get us past this historic black hole of attempted fascism, illiberalism and hate. All of you are what make America great and I'd bet my money on you every time. Have a peaceful weekend.
That's a good point about the E. Jean Carroll trial being "insurance" that Trump appears in New York. There has been some disquiet - voiced notably by Rachel Maddow in her show tonight - that the delay of Trump's arraignment to Tuesday might mean that he changes his mind about surrendering voluntarily since there are many individuals and groups on the right issuing statements that he should refuse and remain in Florida under the "protection" of DeSantis, that he make the New York authorities come and try to take him. But if he is faced with losing the Carroll case, he'd have to come to NYC, so if he wants to play a bullshit game for a few weeks, all that will happen is it will demonstrate to the country that the Republicans have declared war on the rule of law, so they'll lose even bigger by so doing.
Thank you, Rob. I appreciate your sharing Josh Marshall's take.... what happens to 45 from here on is out of our hands. The justice system is working and I trust it will (finally) work appropriately. 45 will not be elected dog catcher, let alone president. DeSantis will be a washout also. Our focus should be on amplifying the positive accomplishments of the Biden administration, protecting the LGBTQ community, promoting gun control, and getting out the vote; not necessarily in that order. I look forward to seeing Trump's convictions, but also watching him become irrelevant. Keeping the White House, and gaining a substantial majority in Congress in 2024 must be our focus.
As those of us desirous of justice await equality under the law,
let us, as my grandmother used to say,
"possess our souls in patience."
For the disgraced, twice-impeached, former Executive,
I offer the single word response of one of the Exonerated Five
(formerly labeled the Central Park Five
whom tfg declared guilty and took out full page ads calling for their executions
and never apologized)
"KARMA."
This from Heather Cox Richardson’s LFAA today:
“In the last stop of her Africa visit, Vice President Kamala Harris today was in Zambia, which co-hosted this week’s Summit for Democracy. Neither Harris nor Biden will comment in any way about the impending indictment of the former president. At a press conference in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, today, a reporter from the Wall Street Journal reminded Harris that she had “spoken about democracy and the rule of law at every stop in Africa,” and asked her to comment on news of the indictment.
When she declined, Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema stepped forward. “[L]et’s remove names from your question,” he said.
“Let’s put what we decided we will do to govern ourselves in an orderly manner. First, our constitutions, bedrock law. Then, secondary laws, other regulations create a platform or framework around which we agreed, either as Americans or as Zambians, to govern ourselves. And so, to live within those confines.
“And when there’s transgression against law, it does not matter who is involved. I think that is what the rule of law means.”
AH! Another of Yogi Berra's famous aphorisms, "The future ain’t what it used to be", spoken with the certainty and assurance of a truism. One would hope this adage be a political reality. But, in the parlance of Republicans, "the past is the future all over again". One party is busy building on the successes and progress of the past, envisioning a bright future of justice for all learning lessons from our successes based on service to the people while Republicans persist in hearkening the past as it conveniently serves the Republicans, and their special interests and donors. They are all about control, refusing to let go of their moldy ideas rather than envisioning a future of creativity and change. And, making transparent their now blatant attempts to fulfill their authoritarian intent.
Biden, with patience, wisdom, and acute political savvy, and despite the Democratic party's naysayers, has held steady upholding a course promoting big "D" democracy, leading with courage and surprising stamina while highlighting the differences, possibilities and likely outcomes for each of us. These distinctions are a winning formula.
If I hear one more talking head/“expert” solemnly intone that the indictment of Trump puts us in “uncharted” territory I think I will scream. There is nothing uncharted about it. Every lawyer knows that many lawsuits involve unresolved legal issues. For example - Trump’s many claims of executive privilege. Legal issues are presented to a judge and decided. Happens every day. That Trump will raise legal defenses is no surprise.
No matter what a prosecutor does, someone is going to be unhappy. So just do the right thing.
Build the best case.
File the charge.
Trust in the force.
Ron DeSantis is playing governor for FOX news and taking his policy cues from Tucker Carlson. I wonder when Carlson's lies and support of sedition will be grounds for booting him from the airways and maybe from the country. He'd be welcomed by Orban - let's offer him a free plane ride.
Now America 🇺🇸 just has to find a way to rein in the seditious activities in the House, which is wasted witch hunts and wild goose chases wasting the taxpayers money 💰 they claim they're so worried about saving 😉 They're so lame they can't even come up with their own budget, which is supposed to be one of the main priorities 🙄 Instead, they want to act like spoiled rotten kids that threatened to take their toys home 🏡 if you don't play the games they want to. That's no way 😕 to be a governing party in charge of appropriations, just because they want to fall all over themselves trying to prove who's the orange 🍊 behemoth's best flunky.
Holding the rest of America 🇺🇸 hostage over this debt ceiling that was already for appropriations previously agreed upon is not only dirty pool, but in violation of 14th amendment regarding payment of bills of the government. Anyway, just glad that the 1st step towards justice has begun and hopefully, that the seditious activities of the insurrectionists splinter group in the House will also held accountable under the 14th amendment too 👍 😀
Thank you for the reminder to breathe, Robert. I shall do that as I lie in bed and dream of Fake 45’s perp walk. G’night
Since Ronald Reagan, the far-right has been on a campaign to dominate media and seize the minds and hearts of our fellow citizens. The conservative shock-jocks carpet bombed the sound waves with rancid, rage drenched grievance that resonated with deep, rumbling fears as middle-class lifestyle and local community's fabric continued to fray from economic deterioration.
The GOP picked the pockets of our fellow citizens with enormous tax cuts for the wealthy and infusion of dark money influence. This sleight of hand was distracted by the agitated bellowing of talk radio. Fox News then successfully escalated this propaganda, giving legitimacy to wildly distorted outtakes of current events. The GOP is suffering from cultural Stockholm Syndrome.
Trump has been able to create a reality split between these hardened, intoxicating distorted beliefs and lies and the sober truth maintained by the rule of law. This split screen is now being confronted as the rule of law is finally demanding a reconning.
The far-right compound is now being surrounded and confronted. They hold our democracy hostage and threaten our domestic tranquility in this existential crescendo of demagoguery. We must stand strong and determined as this confrontation plays out.
The overwhelming majority of elected GOP representatives are very public about denigrating any US branch of government, including judicial, military, legislative and executive, that promotes democracy vs their Trumpian fascism.
The very fact that they were elected democratically, even if through gerrymandering, lends credibility to their countless conspiracy rants. I know decent people who will not discount their rants because there are so many, elected to public office, that are united in their conspiracies!
Manhattan DA’s office, on behalf of all DA offices nationwide, has pretty much informed Trump & his GOP cronies that they are on the road to hell! Problem is, that the Trumpian GOP knows this and, they do not care!
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/braggs-office-warns-gop-unlawful-political-interference-rcna77615
Thanks to Robert & Jill that our mantras, be positive but be vigilant and do not be complacent, brings the hope that democracy is stronger than its demons!
DeSantis supposed support of trump is just cover for his later plea to garner support for HIS Presidential bid from the trump cult supporters. He knows he has no chance even in a primary without those voters. In my opinion, he's praying hourly for anything that takes trump down. At least I can agree with taking trump down but certainly not being replaced by DeSantis.
I believe Josh Marshall’s point of view makes the most sense. This outcome was inevitable, and the conviction of the FPOTUS should also be inevitable in a country based upon the rule of law. As each of the investigations continues and concludes, we should see that the rules apply to everyone no matter who they are and how loud they complain about being treated unfairly. These events are historic events seen around the world as examples of how a democracy should work.
The Bulwark's takedown of the phony DeSantis action against the NYC prosecutor that you highlighted says it all. It doesn't get any clearer than that.
Not exactly a rabbit hole, but I got to wondering what was going on with Fani Willis' case after not hearing anything for quite a while. Seems she and her team were hit with another of 45's lawyers' demands that the judge gave her until May 1 to respond to. It's a short read if you care to hear about it:
https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-27/georgia-judge-orders-prosecutors-to-reply-to-trump-challenge
As for Jack Smith's work, IMO he and his team is holding fast to the "loose lips sink ships" adage. That's a good thing! But I'd appreciate it if someone has any updates to report.