Thank you, Robert, for this summary and clarification of the Supreme Court’s decision today. Joyce Vance had an interesting, although somewhat different, take on this. Although I realize many people here read both your newsletter and hers, I’ll post the link anyway.
I want to share this short quote from Native American writer, Robin Wall Kimmerer. It came to me in an interesting way. I went to pick up a pumpkin pie that I had ordered from a local bakery, which prides itself on using all local ingredients. The grains are all locally grown and milled on the premises. The pumpkins come from a farm down the road. Every order that was left out to be picked up today had a thank you note on it with this quote.
“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily, and I must return the gift.”
Whatever you celebrate this time of year, have a beautiful week ahead. We’ve made it through the darkest days of the year, and now we can celebrate the return of more light.
I read Joyce Vance also and as both Robert and Joyce stated there are many moving points. I decided that I won’t count on the courts doing the job of getting rid of Trump I will help doing it myself
Janet, I love the quote that accompanied your pie order.
Immediately upon seeing the news regarding the SCOTUS non decision I recalled Robert Hubbell and took a deep breath. Moreover, although Robert said he was going to step back until Tuesday it was no surprise that he offered this brief post to settle nerves.
Most importantly, he, you, and Stephen jumped right to the key point that Robert has almost daily urged us to do - Get Out The Vote (GOTV) and spread the message/narrative.
The call to action is and has been clear. Let’s march to that call with urgency and recognize the Serenity Prayer (Below = an abbreviated version)
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
So, I will take note of the opportunities listed and get to writing postcards on the 26th.
Can’t thank you enough for the Robin Wall Kimmerer quote today. Her book, Braiding Sweetgrass, is one that I reread often when I’m in need of hope and coping skills.
The temperature will reach 50 degrees today here in MN, roughly 25 degrees above average. Rather than focus on how broken the climate is, I will give thanks for the gift of rain that will fall later, and celebrate the lengthening days and the return of the light. Have a great week everyone.
I continue to believe that if we had accurate communication system to all Americans about what is happening to nature, and how threatened our children will be by the acceleration of climate change, that enough is a reason to support the Democrats while we push them to do better. Bill McKibben is working to change the Biden administration position on LNG. I urge everyone to check out his blog The third act.
I second that idea. McKibben, among many others, was instrumental in the language of the Inflation Reduction Act. His latest newsletter is about recent efforts to short-circuit the U.S.'s exports of gas. We have more than filled Europe's needs after Putin cut them off. Time to convert to 100% renewables.
It was 50° here yesterday, Sheila, and I live at 6000 feet of altitude. There is some snow on the 13,000 foot peaks, but the ground is as dry as can be. There’s a 30% chance of snow today.I have a friend in Montana and she sent me some pictures recently, and there’s absolutely no snow on the ground. I haven’t read Robin’s book yet. I bought it for myself last year and put it on my bookshelf. Just seeing this little message from the baker made me pull it out and get started on it.
If you didn't catch it this evening, I suggest you find the podcast/broadcast of the Why Is This Happening episode in which Chris Hayes interviews Rachel Maddow about the issues that were facing the country regarding domestic fascism that she writes about in "Prequel" and did her "Ultra" podcast about. Very interesting and worthwhile, and her suggestions about how she deals with burnout and with the stress of living in "interesting times" were really useful.
The special programming by MSNBC yesterday was SO interesting and that interview with Rachel was spellbinding. I also enjoyed Stephanie Ruhle's panel discussion.
This is a weekend of personal faith expression for many of us, sort of the high holies of the Christian holy days on Christmas Eve. Others of you may dabble in it out of family tradition or cultural comfort. I will be doing all things musical at the church Christmas Eve service. If any of these observances lead you to wonder, yet again, how the evangelical voters who have been your friends and neighbors are now unrecognizeable in the way they make discordant virtue-political decisions, overlapping church and party, church and country, in a Venn diagram nearly 100%, I commend Tim Alberta's new book, The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory: Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism. And if you come from a background of conservative Christianity as I do, having grown up in something I no longer recognize or identify with (though my faith is strong), you may see your own story in this book and recognize the landscape and roadmarks well. As we head in 2024, this is important reading for understanding the rise and fierceness of MAGA. Alberta is a journalist associated with Politico and the Atlantic and has other books. He researched this book for four years. He's no lightweight.
When you do, it will be worth your time. It's remarkable. Painful in many ways, but remarkable in the depth of research and so many stories and details I did not know. He went where they where, crazy conferences and all, and interviewed.
I was raised Catholic, and I have been trying to reconcile for the past eight years how someone like Donald Trump could attract any type of Christian, and particularly evangelical Christians. His lack of any moral compass, his hatred and bigotry, and everything else about him should be repulsive to these people. In other words, he should be seen as the anti-Christ. Thank you for this book recommendation. Tim Alberta is a very fine writer and journalist.
May you and your manager enjoy your holiday with peace, and joy from the sheer togetherness with those you love and cherish.
Thank you for your gratitude for those who keep the lights on. We often forget to notice them too easily as we bustle along.
As much as I (we) need your lessons and calming encouragement in order to keep our heads on straight, it wouldn't bother me to not hear from you until January. I think we could all get along without you for that long!
You need the downtime even more than we do.
Be blessed in however your worship and celebrate. And rest....
Three cheers to what Gus has shared. Robt. and his manager are part of our "even-keeled" conscious and even our conscious deserves a break!
As we all know we are in the storm, have batten-downed the hatches and continue to check for leaks! May you all have no leaks and/or don't find any leaks and enjoy the spirit of HOPE which keeps us focused on the greater good!
Yesterday confirmed what we all know to be true but we’re all hoping for is a different outcome and that is the courts will not be the answer to defeating Trump only we can. The reality is Trump is stuck in the “ spin cycle”’repeating the same old lies over and over and Biden it seems everyday is giving voters another reason to vote for him. I was with five friends at lunch yesterday and we are all Biden’s age and some of these friends were conservative Republicans. One member said “ I wish Biden were younger but I have to give him credit he has accomplished a lot and compared to Trump there is no contest. The Biden Administration has touched people across all demographics and income levels , male, female and others, Union, non union and people of all colors and all countries of origin. Millions of people today are better off than they were in 2000 and now it’s our job to reach out and get them to say thanks and vote.
Absolutely lovely and awesome photo, Robert! Nothing like the rain we’ve had in CA because we needed it so badly.
I feel like you do about the appellate court. If they make their decision before Scotus does, then Scotus may just deny hearing anything from Fake 45. At least, that’s my desire anyway. I want to believe that these justices know that the American people have no confidence in them and that 2 justices (Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) wrote previous opinions stating that presidents cannot hold public office if they commit insurrection. Do I have that right? Again, the merriest of holidays to you. See ya’ next week!
I know that Gorsuch definitely has a previous opinion on the books concerning insurrection and the 14th amendment. In fact, that was cited in the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling, but I’m not sure about Kavanaugh.
Robert, I visited Jill's blog for the first time today. It was so calm and peaceful and ordinary and a untinged place of sanity. I found myself watching several little episodes, cheering for little Gracie to walk, and feeling my blood pressure settle. Brava for the gift of hospitality!
I'm curious why no one has pointed out another side of the 14th Amendment argument. We have been so focused on its impact on Trump that we are not talking about all the Senators, Congressmen and others who supported the insurrection after taking the exact oath specified in Section 3. The arguments that claim that the amendment doesn't apply to the Presidency do not apply to these people - there is no doubt that they are exactly the kind of officers the writers of the 14th Amendment had in mind. This is even reinforced by the arguments being made by Trump's supporters that the law applies to other people, not him, since they *are* the people the Amendment was written to cover.
Does this mean the 14th Amendment disqualifies people like Ted Cruz, Gym Jordan and - wait for it - Mike Johnson from holding office, given their explicit support for overturning the 2020 election? If I were a voter in Texas, Ohio or Louisiana, I'd be considering motions to disqualify these three and many others. Given their constituencies, they would probably just be replaced by other Republicans, but who knows? We might get someone more reasonable and less likely to support authoritarians. Or even a Democrat. One can dream.
If someone brings up the Faux News fave (Open Borders !!😱) at your holiday table,here’s some info/data from The Cato Institute , a conservative, Libertarian think tank.
And if you need a break from all that holiday prep, here’s another chance for reader engagement.
Tom Keen is running for Fl House, HD 35, in a January Special Election, JANUARY 16th !
This seat was vacated by a DeSantis GOP buddy who was “anointed” prez of a state college with zilcho higher Ed experience. Help us flip this seat and turn Florida bluer !!💙
Robert, I read your column daily as soon as I awake. I appreciate the immediate sweep of news, but far more, I appreciate - and need - your continual bolstering, galvanizing and eyes-on-the-prize words. You give me a daily dose of "you got this" that gives me energy and focus. Thank you for and may this coming week - and year - be filled with good health, great joy, and abundant peace for all.
Robert speaks to my rather cringe worthy, precipitous comments yesterday. I wrote about Solomon but reacted "un- Solomonly". My immediate reaction seemed to inhale the stench of SCOTUS reverse engineering the most important determination any SUPREME COURT will likely ever have to make. However, after listening to the sober comments and learned explanations of guiding figures in the legal profession, I once again learned never to jump the gun. Take a breath is good advice. Feelings are healthy and legitimate. It's just that they are not always reliable.
Thank you, Robert, and all of you. I needed this before my houseful of adult kids and a new grandbaby wake up, and the holiday weekend begins. My joy has been in a precarious balance with fear for years now; I'm weary from living this way, and you all help me face each day knowing I can feel both, and take action alongside the unknown. Love, light, and stars to all.
It is also possible, based on the analysis of a number of respected legal experts, that if Trump's March trial date gets pushed back (further on?) that other Trump cases could hop into that slot. I'm purely conjecturing here; but I know that Fani Willis probably could handle/would want to handle an earlier trial date than in the Fall 2024. Hers is still a very complicated situation and I don't think she could do March, but the whole schedule of Trump court cases would be shifted around if March becomes available... Personally, I'd love to See the GA case get tried -- or at least started -- before the election; that's going to be probably more effective for voters outside of the NE U.S. for instance than the DC case.
If she wouldn't (of course) take it as an insult; I'd say that Fani Willis is one of my pack of Spirit Animals. She is really really amazing. Hope she gets to take it to trial before the election...
How lovely: are these the spirit animals you think best represent Fani? I hope they do. She is truly a brave warrior and exhibits a strong belief in herself without it shading into arrogance ... like so many others I can think of. What would DJT's spirit animal be or would the spirit world refuse to assign one to him?
Agreed. Nice image of an iceberg, although I don't see him as cold and hard -- more of an extremely volcanic heated chaotic mess. Not sure his elements exist in the chemical tables we currently have available ... I don't think he's in control of himself much at all and reminds me of one of those fictional characters possessed by a demon who uses his body as a temporary home. I know, I know: too much sci-fi and fantasy, but I feel quite at home there. :)
I think the judge asked her, which spurred speculation that if the DC trial got delayed because of the issues it faces, the judge in Georgia might be ready to move faster and fill the gap it opens up. Wouldn't that be great!
I appreciate the various perspectives on the Supreme Court decision and they may or may not be accurate in assessing what SCOTUS is up to. But in the same manner as I am increasingly disturbed by the media's seeming unwillingness to recognize that this time we are in requires them to move way from business as usual (false equivalency between parties, horserace political coverage, etc., all of which are problematic practices anyway), I believe it is more than time for our political and legal institutions to be willing to veer from traditional practices (which also had their problems to begin with). Rather than issuing an order without explanation, requiring everyone to guess what their reasoning and intentions are, why couldn't SCOTUS have articulated the basis for their decision--and if that required each justice to articulate their own reasoning, so be it. The opacity with which SCOTUS and Congress conduct their business is part of the reason the American public has no idea of how their government actually works. Roberts, regardless of his own bias, should be able to realize that as his SCOTUS becomes the least respected in US history and has suffered damages from which I don't think it will recover for decades and until it is reformed, cynicism ramps up with every move they make regarding the political arena. It may break with practice and even internal rules for the Court to explain themselves on an order of this sort but so be it. We have learned how much our government depends on norms and internal rules to allow us to function as a constitutional democracy by seeing what happens when they are deviated from for the interests of particular partisans (or not deviated from for way too long, as in the case of the beneath contempt Tuberville and his blockage of military appointments due to the ridiculous power allowed to one Senator)--how about SCOTUS recognizing that as we move into 2024, just as every sane observer has noted that our country's very essence is at total risk, they do the same. If only for preserving their own relevance in the face of a possible Trump regime that is unlikely to pay much heed to legal niceties and the rule of law.
This is an excellent point (wish I had included it): "Rather than issuing an order without explanation, requiring everyone to guess what their reasoning and intentions are, why couldn't SCOTUS have articulated the basis for their decision."
Thank you, Robert, for this summary and clarification of the Supreme Court’s decision today. Joyce Vance had an interesting, although somewhat different, take on this. Although I realize many people here read both your newsletter and hers, I’ll post the link anyway.
https://open.substack.com/pub/joycevance/p/trump-wants-more-delay?r=2vk1c6&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I want to share this short quote from Native American writer, Robin Wall Kimmerer. It came to me in an interesting way. I went to pick up a pumpkin pie that I had ordered from a local bakery, which prides itself on using all local ingredients. The grains are all locally grown and milled on the premises. The pumpkins come from a farm down the road. Every order that was left out to be picked up today had a thank you note on it with this quote.
“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily, and I must return the gift.”
Whatever you celebrate this time of year, have a beautiful week ahead. We’ve made it through the darkest days of the year, and now we can celebrate the return of more light.
I read Joyce Vance also and as both Robert and Joyce stated there are many moving points. I decided that I won’t count on the courts doing the job of getting rid of Trump I will help doing it myself
That’s my plan too. But if SCOTUS steps up and does the right thing, I will be thrilled.
Janet, I love the quote that accompanied your pie order.
Immediately upon seeing the news regarding the SCOTUS non decision I recalled Robert Hubbell and took a deep breath. Moreover, although Robert said he was going to step back until Tuesday it was no surprise that he offered this brief post to settle nerves.
Most importantly, he, you, and Stephen jumped right to the key point that Robert has almost daily urged us to do - Get Out The Vote (GOTV) and spread the message/narrative.
The call to action is and has been clear. Let’s march to that call with urgency and recognize the Serenity Prayer (Below = an abbreviated version)
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
So, I will take note of the opportunities listed and get to writing postcards on the 26th.
Peace, good cheer, and happy, healthy holidays.
Thank you, John! All good advice, and the same to you and your family.
Don’t count on it.
Maybe they have been threatened (duh!) with their lives if they convict. Pass the buck.
Hope everyone feels as you do. I know I concur.
Can’t thank you enough for the Robin Wall Kimmerer quote today. Her book, Braiding Sweetgrass, is one that I reread often when I’m in need of hope and coping skills.
The temperature will reach 50 degrees today here in MN, roughly 25 degrees above average. Rather than focus on how broken the climate is, I will give thanks for the gift of rain that will fall later, and celebrate the lengthening days and the return of the light. Have a great week everyone.
Thank you for mentioning Braiding Sweetgrass. I was about halfway through and put it down years ago. It’s time for me to pick it back up.
I should have mentioned that the quote is from that book.
Me too
I continue to believe that if we had accurate communication system to all Americans about what is happening to nature, and how threatened our children will be by the acceleration of climate change, that enough is a reason to support the Democrats while we push them to do better. Bill McKibben is working to change the Biden administration position on LNG. I urge everyone to check out his blog The third act.
I second that idea. McKibben, among many others, was instrumental in the language of the Inflation Reduction Act. His latest newsletter is about recent efforts to short-circuit the U.S.'s exports of gas. We have more than filled Europe's needs after Putin cut them off. Time to convert to 100% renewables.
Wishing all who celebrate a few days of family, fun, joy, peace, rest, and a soft landing for those who need one.
It was 50° here yesterday, Sheila, and I live at 6000 feet of altitude. There is some snow on the 13,000 foot peaks, but the ground is as dry as can be. There’s a 30% chance of snow today.I have a friend in Montana and she sent me some pictures recently, and there’s absolutely no snow on the ground. I haven’t read Robin’s book yet. I bought it for myself last year and put it on my bookshelf. Just seeing this little message from the baker made me pull it out and get started on it.
I love that quote from RWK! Thank you.
Thank you, Janet, for your beautiful post and for mentioning and including Robin Wall Kimmerer.
LOVE Robin Wall Kimmerer!!!!
Thanks for the link!
If you didn't catch it this evening, I suggest you find the podcast/broadcast of the Why Is This Happening episode in which Chris Hayes interviews Rachel Maddow about the issues that were facing the country regarding domestic fascism that she writes about in "Prequel" and did her "Ultra" podcast about. Very interesting and worthwhile, and her suggestions about how she deals with burnout and with the stress of living in "interesting times" were really useful.
The special programming by MSNBC yesterday was SO interesting and that interview with Rachel was spellbinding. I also enjoyed Stephanie Ruhle's panel discussion.
The ULTRA podcast was riveting and once again a dose of history and perspective.
This is a weekend of personal faith expression for many of us, sort of the high holies of the Christian holy days on Christmas Eve. Others of you may dabble in it out of family tradition or cultural comfort. I will be doing all things musical at the church Christmas Eve service. If any of these observances lead you to wonder, yet again, how the evangelical voters who have been your friends and neighbors are now unrecognizeable in the way they make discordant virtue-political decisions, overlapping church and party, church and country, in a Venn diagram nearly 100%, I commend Tim Alberta's new book, The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory: Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism. And if you come from a background of conservative Christianity as I do, having grown up in something I no longer recognize or identify with (though my faith is strong), you may see your own story in this book and recognize the landscape and roadmarks well. As we head in 2024, this is important reading for understanding the rise and fierceness of MAGA. Alberta is a journalist associated with Politico and the Atlantic and has other books. He researched this book for four years. He's no lightweight.
Tim Alberta wrote an article for the Atlantic: My Father, My Faith, and Donald Trump
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/01/evangelical-christian-nationalism-trump/676150/
He was also on Fresh Air:
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/29/1197958935/fresh-air-draft-11-29-2023
Both are excellent. Eventually I will get to his book.
When you do, it will be worth your time. It's remarkable. Painful in many ways, but remarkable in the depth of research and so many stories and details I did not know. He went where they where, crazy conferences and all, and interviewed.
I was raised Catholic, and I have been trying to reconcile for the past eight years how someone like Donald Trump could attract any type of Christian, and particularly evangelical Christians. His lack of any moral compass, his hatred and bigotry, and everything else about him should be repulsive to these people. In other words, he should be seen as the anti-Christ. Thank you for this book recommendation. Tim Alberta is a very fine writer and journalist.
May you and your manager enjoy your holiday with peace, and joy from the sheer togetherness with those you love and cherish.
Thank you for your gratitude for those who keep the lights on. We often forget to notice them too easily as we bustle along.
As much as I (we) need your lessons and calming encouragement in order to keep our heads on straight, it wouldn't bother me to not hear from you until January. I think we could all get along without you for that long!
You need the downtime even more than we do.
Be blessed in however your worship and celebrate. And rest....
This is a beautiful comment Gus. Thank you.
Three cheers to what Gus has shared. Robt. and his manager are part of our "even-keeled" conscious and even our conscious deserves a break!
As we all know we are in the storm, have batten-downed the hatches and continue to check for leaks! May you all have no leaks and/or don't find any leaks and enjoy the spirit of HOPE which keeps us focused on the greater good!
Mr. Christian, she's a yar ship! She'll stay above water--pass the tar....
You are truly one of the best of the best, Robert...
Yesterday confirmed what we all know to be true but we’re all hoping for is a different outcome and that is the courts will not be the answer to defeating Trump only we can. The reality is Trump is stuck in the “ spin cycle”’repeating the same old lies over and over and Biden it seems everyday is giving voters another reason to vote for him. I was with five friends at lunch yesterday and we are all Biden’s age and some of these friends were conservative Republicans. One member said “ I wish Biden were younger but I have to give him credit he has accomplished a lot and compared to Trump there is no contest. The Biden Administration has touched people across all demographics and income levels , male, female and others, Union, non union and people of all colors and all countries of origin. Millions of people today are better off than they were in 2000 and now it’s our job to reach out and get them to say thanks and vote.
Obviously you were in the company of critical thinkers who can put a sentence together. I hope you hang out with them frequently.
Absolutely lovely and awesome photo, Robert! Nothing like the rain we’ve had in CA because we needed it so badly.
I feel like you do about the appellate court. If they make their decision before Scotus does, then Scotus may just deny hearing anything from Fake 45. At least, that’s my desire anyway. I want to believe that these justices know that the American people have no confidence in them and that 2 justices (Kavanaugh and Gorsuch) wrote previous opinions stating that presidents cannot hold public office if they commit insurrection. Do I have that right? Again, the merriest of holidays to you. See ya’ next week!
I know that Gorsuch definitely has a previous opinion on the books concerning insurrection and the 14th amendment. In fact, that was cited in the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling, but I’m not sure about Kavanaugh.
Janet, Kavanaugh said this 25 years ago: https://www.scotusblog.com/2018/07/kavanaugh-on-presidential-power-law-review-article-on-investigations-of-sitting-presidents/#:~:text=To%20be%20clear%2C%20Kavanaugh%20is,exercise%20its%20power%20of%20impeachment.
Thank you! It will be interesting to see if they contradict their previous rulings.
Hope your right
Great sunset Robert, working here in my windowless office and missed it. There is certainly no need or despair.
Have a very Merry and Happy Holiday with your closest and we'll all be ready to deal with it all after a serious break.
Robert, I visited Jill's blog for the first time today. It was so calm and peaceful and ordinary and a untinged place of sanity. I found myself watching several little episodes, cheering for little Gracie to walk, and feeling my blood pressure settle. Brava for the gift of hospitality!
I'm curious why no one has pointed out another side of the 14th Amendment argument. We have been so focused on its impact on Trump that we are not talking about all the Senators, Congressmen and others who supported the insurrection after taking the exact oath specified in Section 3. The arguments that claim that the amendment doesn't apply to the Presidency do not apply to these people - there is no doubt that they are exactly the kind of officers the writers of the 14th Amendment had in mind. This is even reinforced by the arguments being made by Trump's supporters that the law applies to other people, not him, since they *are* the people the Amendment was written to cover.
Does this mean the 14th Amendment disqualifies people like Ted Cruz, Gym Jordan and - wait for it - Mike Johnson from holding office, given their explicit support for overturning the 2020 election? If I were a voter in Texas, Ohio or Louisiana, I'd be considering motions to disqualify these three and many others. Given their constituencies, they would probably just be replaced by other Republicans, but who knows? We might get someone more reasonable and less likely to support authoritarians. Or even a Democrat. One can dream.
Excellent points!
I've been concerned all along that the seditionists were elected or re-elected to serve in the Congress and are still there.
They are waiting in the wings for round 2.
😟
Brilliant observation!
Thanks.
Merry Festivus, all ! 🎄
If someone brings up the Faux News fave (Open Borders !!😱) at your holiday table,here’s some info/data from The Cato Institute , a conservative, Libertarian think tank.
⬇️
https://www.cato.org/blog/new-data-show-migrants-were-more-likely-be-released-trump-biden
And if you need a break from all that holiday prep, here’s another chance for reader engagement.
Tom Keen is running for Fl House, HD 35, in a January Special Election, JANUARY 16th !
This seat was vacated by a DeSantis GOP buddy who was “anointed” prez of a state college with zilcho higher Ed experience. Help us flip this seat and turn Florida bluer !!💙
📲🏃🏻♀️💲
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vz-DGKmGkqumWR9c-DVCqgasxOuMxmSBBwZI7qKLfR0/edit#gid=18227111
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tom-keen
Merry and Happy Kathy! Will be working the postcards for Keen and Suozzi. And the phones. Whatever I can do to help flip some seats!
Thanks, Sheila. You rock ! Same to you and yours.
Robert, I read your column daily as soon as I awake. I appreciate the immediate sweep of news, but far more, I appreciate - and need - your continual bolstering, galvanizing and eyes-on-the-prize words. You give me a daily dose of "you got this" that gives me energy and focus. Thank you for and may this coming week - and year - be filled with good health, great joy, and abundant peace for all.
Beautiful thoughts Vicki, for Robert and all of us.
Thank you, and may your words be fulfilled for you and yours as well....
Robert speaks to my rather cringe worthy, precipitous comments yesterday. I wrote about Solomon but reacted "un- Solomonly". My immediate reaction seemed to inhale the stench of SCOTUS reverse engineering the most important determination any SUPREME COURT will likely ever have to make. However, after listening to the sober comments and learned explanations of guiding figures in the legal profession, I once again learned never to jump the gun. Take a breath is good advice. Feelings are healthy and legitimate. It's just that they are not always reliable.
Thank you, Robert, and all of you. I needed this before my houseful of adult kids and a new grandbaby wake up, and the holiday weekend begins. My joy has been in a precarious balance with fear for years now; I'm weary from living this way, and you all help me face each day knowing I can feel both, and take action alongside the unknown. Love, light, and stars to all.
It is also possible, based on the analysis of a number of respected legal experts, that if Trump's March trial date gets pushed back (further on?) that other Trump cases could hop into that slot. I'm purely conjecturing here; but I know that Fani Willis probably could handle/would want to handle an earlier trial date than in the Fall 2024. Hers is still a very complicated situation and I don't think she could do March, but the whole schedule of Trump court cases would be shifted around if March becomes available... Personally, I'd love to See the GA case get tried -- or at least started -- before the election; that's going to be probably more effective for voters outside of the NE U.S. for instance than the DC case.
Meredith, I read somewhere - I think! - that Fani Willis said she was ready to go to trial now.
If she wouldn't (of course) take it as an insult; I'd say that Fani Willis is one of my pack of Spirit Animals. She is really really amazing. Hope she gets to take it to trial before the election...
Spirit Animal Bear: strength, courage, and tenacity
Spirit Animal Eagle: freedom, vision, and courage
I'd like to think she would be proud to be among the bears and the eagles, Meredith.
How lovely: are these the spirit animals you think best represent Fani? I hope they do. She is truly a brave warrior and exhibits a strong belief in herself without it shading into arrogance ... like so many others I can think of. What would DJT's spirit animal be or would the spirit world refuse to assign one to him?
Meredith, if I were a spirit I wouldn't grant him a guide. He'd try to take over and destroy everything after bleeding it dry of goodness.
I see him as an iceberg: dangerous, and a whole lot of criminality underneath that we can't yet see....
Agreed. Nice image of an iceberg, although I don't see him as cold and hard -- more of an extremely volcanic heated chaotic mess. Not sure his elements exist in the chemical tables we currently have available ... I don't think he's in control of himself much at all and reminds me of one of those fictional characters possessed by a demon who uses his body as a temporary home. I know, I know: too much sci-fi and fantasy, but I feel quite at home there. :)
I think the judge asked her, which spurred speculation that if the DC trial got delayed because of the issues it faces, the judge in Georgia might be ready to move faster and fill the gap it opens up. Wouldn't that be great!
Thanks, Susan; yes, it would be so great!
I appreciate the various perspectives on the Supreme Court decision and they may or may not be accurate in assessing what SCOTUS is up to. But in the same manner as I am increasingly disturbed by the media's seeming unwillingness to recognize that this time we are in requires them to move way from business as usual (false equivalency between parties, horserace political coverage, etc., all of which are problematic practices anyway), I believe it is more than time for our political and legal institutions to be willing to veer from traditional practices (which also had their problems to begin with). Rather than issuing an order without explanation, requiring everyone to guess what their reasoning and intentions are, why couldn't SCOTUS have articulated the basis for their decision--and if that required each justice to articulate their own reasoning, so be it. The opacity with which SCOTUS and Congress conduct their business is part of the reason the American public has no idea of how their government actually works. Roberts, regardless of his own bias, should be able to realize that as his SCOTUS becomes the least respected in US history and has suffered damages from which I don't think it will recover for decades and until it is reformed, cynicism ramps up with every move they make regarding the political arena. It may break with practice and even internal rules for the Court to explain themselves on an order of this sort but so be it. We have learned how much our government depends on norms and internal rules to allow us to function as a constitutional democracy by seeing what happens when they are deviated from for the interests of particular partisans (or not deviated from for way too long, as in the case of the beneath contempt Tuberville and his blockage of military appointments due to the ridiculous power allowed to one Senator)--how about SCOTUS recognizing that as we move into 2024, just as every sane observer has noted that our country's very essence is at total risk, they do the same. If only for preserving their own relevance in the face of a possible Trump regime that is unlikely to pay much heed to legal niceties and the rule of law.
This is an excellent point (wish I had included it): "Rather than issuing an order without explanation, requiring everyone to guess what their reasoning and intentions are, why couldn't SCOTUS have articulated the basis for their decision."