A note from one of my daughters that is buried deep in the thread below Stan Crock’s comment on the absence of young people at our reader meetings:
I am Robert Hubbell's daughter. I work full-time and have 2 toddlers. I am exhausted at the end of the day, and often have to pay a babysitter to leave the house. Some days, things are so hectic that I regretfully don't even have time to read the inspiring newsletter that my father writes to help save our democracy. I am THANKFUL for anyone in a season of life who has time to devote to saving our democracy alongside Robert. I would never criticize who these people are or where they come from. Myself and many other young people are in a season of life where our time is going to raising the next generation. Please do not insult my contribution to society, nor the contribution my father's readers are making by showing up to meet each other at his reader gatherings. We are all doing what we can, and Robert is doing more than most.
Robert, I'm so glad you shared this. Jennifer, my training and my heart tell me that every single one of us is doing the best we can. I'm at the great grand stage, so I'm truly in awe of today's parents and caretakers of our children. Blessings to you and your family - I'm so grateful to your parents for their generous work - and wisdom.
It’s a darned good point. I don’t think there was any ill intent in the initial comment, just a lamination. However, it behooves us to find ways to enable the youth to participate, to find ways to ease the path of their participation (e.g., free babysitting?) to intentionally invite them to participate, etc. We can do this because we all have youngsters in our families, there are various youth groups, we can look to college campuses, etc. whenever there ate such an obstacles/ opportunities, the job is ours to find smart solutions.
Hi. I've been exactly where you are and I am taking action today for you because I know what a daily circus raising children can be. I also know how very, very important it is. We are all in this together. You'll have your chance later. I will never, ever forget how hard the juggling act was and is which is why one of my top concerns is quality, affordable childcare, family leave, and health care, especially reproductive freedom. Except for Donald Trump, toddlers aren't forever so enjoy them while you can and try to get some sleep.,
Thank you so much for sharing your daughter’s note. She speaks for so many young people who are in the thick of demanding careers and parenting AND care deeply about democracy. Their time is so limited! I’m part of a group based in Seattle, Common Power, that is successfully cross generational, but it recruits POC in college into a Leadership Academy, pays them, and also pays a young staff to lead its mostly retired cohort of volunteers on trips to swings states. There are also lots of fantastic groups like Voters of Tomorrow but they seem mostly comprised of young people pre-family obligations. I have told the many extremely busy young people in my life, you turn out to vote and tell your friends, I’m going to spend the rest of this year saving democracy. We all play our parts. And thank you most of all for the part you play, Robert and your fabulous managing editor!
Thanks for sharing this Robert, I'm an older millennial and my wife and I have a toddler, and she doesn't get to read your daily letters. However, I do, and I share them as needed with the gamily, or we talk about it while walking the dog. It's actually been a bonding experience of sorts lol. That said, we still donate time and $ every month to the local food bank, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, signing up to be poll workers or even donating to good candidates and organizations, so we millennials are still trying to do our part, even if we don't show up in the photo op. Life is exhausting and I empathize with your daughter 110%. I hope she hangs in there!
"The courts aren’t coming to save us—and that’s okay." I've been feeling literally SICK at the actions (inaction) of the Supreme Court. To read the second part of your headline -- "and that's okay" -- was an enormous relief. "Really?" I thought. "Is it possible that it can be 'okay'?" I hope, I deeply hope it will be.
The letter from your daughter brought back memories of how busy I was when our children were small, even when our grandchildren were small. I have more time now, and am grateful I can now take an active part in working for the future of our democracy.
On another subject: I live outside of Detroit and have written before about my deep concern about what is happening to the Palestinian people, certainly a genocide by any account. There is a lot of discontent here, and I think beyond Michigan, for the role the United States is playing in arming Israel. I know that Biden, Blinken and others are working hard to find a way toward a ceasefire, but it seems that Netanyahu has no intention of relenting on the endless slaughter and starvation of the Palestinian people. His support of building Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, even now, as well as his stated desire for Israel to own all the land of Palestine, as well as the likelihood that he will go on trial after this war--all combine to frame Netanyahu's, and the right wing government in power, lack of incentive to come to a peaceful two state solution.
I would like very much if Biden would speak out strongly and often about the suffering and also the rights of the Palestinian people.
I certainly will vote for Biden, but my heart is breaking. Many hearts are breaking, and I'm not at all sure that there aren't a lot of people who would rather not vote than vote for Biden.
Want to come to Syracuse, NY? I lead a group of over a 1000 who read you every day! (well, maybe not all of them. but a whole lot of them!) We'd be thrilled to host you and your wife!
I am here to help out. I am thrilled that you are encouraging everyone to write to their local and national newspapers, and to post on whatever social media they can stand to be part of. We have to do what we can to reach people who are not the same folks talking to each other on Substacks. ALSO: I urge everyone to write so that the Supreme Court becomes a big issue in the election. The damage those folks have done to our country since 2016 is worse than what Trump has done. Trump broke laws and norms, but this court changed laws in ways that upset the quality of life in America. Their rulings on guns, women’s rights, voting rights, so much more have helped the rich and powerful stay rich and powerful, while every woman, non-Christian, LBGTQ+ folks, immigrants, and especially those who barely make a living wage suffer. We have to either get rid of at least two Justices (the two oldest would be a place to start) or expand the court. Pound away with that message.
Thanks Robert, your newsletter today helped me move on from my rage at the #@!*! SCOTUS, especially your point that depending on trials and verdicts to get votes is a chimera (my paraphrase), that anyone who's still considering voting for T after [his long list of awfuls] isn't going to suddenly vote differently after a guilty verdict. So yeah...onward to get every possible blue vote for a massive win!
As always, RH, so calming and focused on what needs to be done in spite of the clever machinations of the man who only knows how to play in court. We will not be outsmarted. We must stay the course and defeat him.
Bravo to your daughter! I was a millennial once before becoming a boomer. No parents were around to help my hubs and I. We relied on friends and paid a lot for babysitting. I have two millennial daughters who do not want children because as one says, she can hardly take care of her two dogs and herself!
We at Seniors Taking Action, in addition to writing postcards, are committed to writing letters to the editor. So were very interested to learn of the ReSisters Program and would like to invite them to speak on one of our zoom calls.
Re the SCOTUS: Justices who voted on Dred Scott and Plessy vs Ferguson at least had integrity, while it's not clear any of the SCOTUS Six do.
Article 3 mandates the Court to consider law, fact and equity. The SCOTUS Six regularly ignore equity (fairness) in favor of the convenience of the powerful, using law or fact as the excuse. In the immunity case, they ignore the facts of the case and instead will rule on a hypothetical question.
As Mr. Hubbell said, their ruling shows contempt for Americans (and the Constitution) or bias for Don the Loser, or both.
Thank you for this. I love hearing about and from other parts of our country. It is inspiring and hopeful. Thank you for sharing the photos. Safe travels!
Robert: I have had 135 LTEs published in 29 states since 2018, on a host of topics, with climate change as the most highly represented. I have prepared letter-writing tutorial notes that I have used in several letter-writing talks as part of my volunteer work with Citizens' Climate Lobby (the tutorial is applicable to any topic). Nancy Craven thought the tutorial was good and asked me to provide that to her in a Google Doc, which I did, in early January. I would be happy to forward this to you to share, as well, if you see fit. My email is bertrandbartok@gmail.com. Let me know what format would work best for you.
Voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Arizona and a few other states could save the day by lobbying in their states for the passage of the. National Popular Vote interstate Compact. Already 16 states have passed it and when a few more states (maybe five) have followed suite, there will be no more electoral college for Trump and his henchmen to manipulate and the candidate who wins the most votes in the country will be our President. In our work on it in Oregon we had more access to state legislators than congressional legislators and worked with them to get it passed a few years ago. There is a terrific amount of work going on now in the states mentioned above and if these states pass it in their state legislatures, the candidate with the most votes will be there winner. Just think....no more red states, blue states, or swing states and the candidate who wins the most votes from all the staters will proceed to the Oval Office. Please encourage your readers to educate themselves and make sure it passes in their own state. Information: National Popular Vote Interstate Compact or Common Cause. This is within our reach!!
A note from one of my daughters that is buried deep in the thread below Stan Crock’s comment on the absence of young people at our reader meetings:
I am Robert Hubbell's daughter. I work full-time and have 2 toddlers. I am exhausted at the end of the day, and often have to pay a babysitter to leave the house. Some days, things are so hectic that I regretfully don't even have time to read the inspiring newsletter that my father writes to help save our democracy. I am THANKFUL for anyone in a season of life who has time to devote to saving our democracy alongside Robert. I would never criticize who these people are or where they come from. Myself and many other young people are in a season of life where our time is going to raising the next generation. Please do not insult my contribution to society, nor the contribution my father's readers are making by showing up to meet each other at his reader gatherings. We are all doing what we can, and Robert is doing more than most.
Robert, I'm so glad you shared this. Jennifer, my training and my heart tell me that every single one of us is doing the best we can. I'm at the great grand stage, so I'm truly in awe of today's parents and caretakers of our children. Blessings to you and your family - I'm so grateful to your parents for their generous work - and wisdom.
It’s a darned good point. I don’t think there was any ill intent in the initial comment, just a lamination. However, it behooves us to find ways to enable the youth to participate, to find ways to ease the path of their participation (e.g., free babysitting?) to intentionally invite them to participate, etc. We can do this because we all have youngsters in our families, there are various youth groups, we can look to college campuses, etc. whenever there ate such an obstacles/ opportunities, the job is ours to find smart solutions.
Hi. I've been exactly where you are and I am taking action today for you because I know what a daily circus raising children can be. I also know how very, very important it is. We are all in this together. You'll have your chance later. I will never, ever forget how hard the juggling act was and is which is why one of my top concerns is quality, affordable childcare, family leave, and health care, especially reproductive freedom. Except for Donald Trump, toddlers aren't forever so enjoy them while you can and try to get some sleep.,
I miss sleep, but love my babies! Thank you Susan. ❤️
😊
Thank you so much for sharing your daughter’s note. She speaks for so many young people who are in the thick of demanding careers and parenting AND care deeply about democracy. Their time is so limited! I’m part of a group based in Seattle, Common Power, that is successfully cross generational, but it recruits POC in college into a Leadership Academy, pays them, and also pays a young staff to lead its mostly retired cohort of volunteers on trips to swings states. There are also lots of fantastic groups like Voters of Tomorrow but they seem mostly comprised of young people pre-family obligations. I have told the many extremely busy young people in my life, you turn out to vote and tell your friends, I’m going to spend the rest of this year saving democracy. We all play our parts. And thank you most of all for the part you play, Robert and your fabulous managing editor!
Thanks for sharing this Robert, I'm an older millennial and my wife and I have a toddler, and she doesn't get to read your daily letters. However, I do, and I share them as needed with the gamily, or we talk about it while walking the dog. It's actually been a bonding experience of sorts lol. That said, we still donate time and $ every month to the local food bank, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, signing up to be poll workers or even donating to good candidates and organizations, so we millennials are still trying to do our part, even if we don't show up in the photo op. Life is exhausting and I empathize with your daughter 110%. I hope she hangs in there!
"The courts aren’t coming to save us—and that’s okay." I've been feeling literally SICK at the actions (inaction) of the Supreme Court. To read the second part of your headline -- "and that's okay" -- was an enormous relief. "Really?" I thought. "Is it possible that it can be 'okay'?" I hope, I deeply hope it will be.
The letter from your daughter brought back memories of how busy I was when our children were small, even when our grandchildren were small. I have more time now, and am grateful I can now take an active part in working for the future of our democracy.
On another subject: I live outside of Detroit and have written before about my deep concern about what is happening to the Palestinian people, certainly a genocide by any account. There is a lot of discontent here, and I think beyond Michigan, for the role the United States is playing in arming Israel. I know that Biden, Blinken and others are working hard to find a way toward a ceasefire, but it seems that Netanyahu has no intention of relenting on the endless slaughter and starvation of the Palestinian people. His support of building Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, even now, as well as his stated desire for Israel to own all the land of Palestine, as well as the likelihood that he will go on trial after this war--all combine to frame Netanyahu's, and the right wing government in power, lack of incentive to come to a peaceful two state solution.
I would like very much if Biden would speak out strongly and often about the suffering and also the rights of the Palestinian people.
I certainly will vote for Biden, but my heart is breaking. Many hearts are breaking, and I'm not at all sure that there aren't a lot of people who would rather not vote than vote for Biden.
Very, very powerful post today, Robert. I cannot thank you enough. Peace, good cheer and good health.
Want to come to Syracuse, NY? I lead a group of over a 1000 who read you every day! (well, maybe not all of them. but a whole lot of them!) We'd be thrilled to host you and your wife!
I am here to help out. I am thrilled that you are encouraging everyone to write to their local and national newspapers, and to post on whatever social media they can stand to be part of. We have to do what we can to reach people who are not the same folks talking to each other on Substacks. ALSO: I urge everyone to write so that the Supreme Court becomes a big issue in the election. The damage those folks have done to our country since 2016 is worse than what Trump has done. Trump broke laws and norms, but this court changed laws in ways that upset the quality of life in America. Their rulings on guns, women’s rights, voting rights, so much more have helped the rich and powerful stay rich and powerful, while every woman, non-Christian, LBGTQ+ folks, immigrants, and especially those who barely make a living wage suffer. We have to either get rid of at least two Justices (the two oldest would be a place to start) or expand the court. Pound away with that message.
Should we all be writing the Supreme Court?
Justice delayed is Justice denied.
We have a right to an informed vote.
Thomas must recuse now.
Thanks Robert, your newsletter today helped me move on from my rage at the #@!*! SCOTUS, especially your point that depending on trials and verdicts to get votes is a chimera (my paraphrase), that anyone who's still considering voting for T after [his long list of awfuls] isn't going to suddenly vote differently after a guilty verdict. So yeah...onward to get every possible blue vote for a massive win!
As always, RH, so calming and focused on what needs to be done in spite of the clever machinations of the man who only knows how to play in court. We will not be outsmarted. We must stay the course and defeat him.
Bravo to your daughter! I was a millennial once before becoming a boomer. No parents were around to help my hubs and I. We relied on friends and paid a lot for babysitting. I have two millennial daughters who do not want children because as one says, she can hardly take care of her two dogs and herself!
We at Seniors Taking Action, in addition to writing postcards, are committed to writing letters to the editor. So were very interested to learn of the ReSisters Program and would like to invite them to speak on one of our zoom calls.
Best, Judy Loeb
Re the SCOTUS: Justices who voted on Dred Scott and Plessy vs Ferguson at least had integrity, while it's not clear any of the SCOTUS Six do.
Article 3 mandates the Court to consider law, fact and equity. The SCOTUS Six regularly ignore equity (fairness) in favor of the convenience of the powerful, using law or fact as the excuse. In the immunity case, they ignore the facts of the case and instead will rule on a hypothetical question.
As Mr. Hubbell said, their ruling shows contempt for Americans (and the Constitution) or bias for Don the Loser, or both.
Thank you for this. I love hearing about and from other parts of our country. It is inspiring and hopeful. Thank you for sharing the photos. Safe travels!
Robert: I have had 135 LTEs published in 29 states since 2018, on a host of topics, with climate change as the most highly represented. I have prepared letter-writing tutorial notes that I have used in several letter-writing talks as part of my volunteer work with Citizens' Climate Lobby (the tutorial is applicable to any topic). Nancy Craven thought the tutorial was good and asked me to provide that to her in a Google Doc, which I did, in early January. I would be happy to forward this to you to share, as well, if you see fit. My email is bertrandbartok@gmail.com. Let me know what format would work best for you.
Voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Arizona and a few other states could save the day by lobbying in their states for the passage of the. National Popular Vote interstate Compact. Already 16 states have passed it and when a few more states (maybe five) have followed suite, there will be no more electoral college for Trump and his henchmen to manipulate and the candidate who wins the most votes in the country will be our President. In our work on it in Oregon we had more access to state legislators than congressional legislators and worked with them to get it passed a few years ago. There is a terrific amount of work going on now in the states mentioned above and if these states pass it in their state legislatures, the candidate with the most votes will be there winner. Just think....no more red states, blue states, or swing states and the candidate who wins the most votes from all the staters will proceed to the Oval Office. Please encourage your readers to educate themselves and make sure it passes in their own state. Information: National Popular Vote Interstate Compact or Common Cause. This is within our reach!!
Maybe "Billy the Kid Clinton" should embark on a crime spree.