Insightful and moving Concluding Thoughts, Robert. Thank you. (I'm glad you and your Managing Editor agreed on that many paragraphs!)
I'm in Colorado and last year was amazed at how different it was to listen to an Australian friend's voice recordings sent by FB Messenger. He talked for about 10 minutes, far longer than standard voicemail allows. More depth, more detail...more value. And yes, a recording is the next best thing to live conversation or visiting in person. With WhatsApp and Messenger and other methods now, there's no good reason not to call.
I want to share with you a comment from Joyce Vance White. “ The bottom line is this: we cannot let Trump seep back into the public consciousness as a legitimate candidate and take his place on the campaign trail as though it’s normal. None of it is—the forgetfulness about the insurrection, the calls for violence, the lawlessness, the cult of personality, the elevation of party over country. It is our job, all of our jobs, to point to what he is saying, to his vicious message, and to make sure those around us who have not been paying attention become aware. For too many people, it’s become acceptable to ignore Trump’s words as background noise. They do not believe the threat he poses is real. Too many people are complacent about the challenge the country faces in 2024.
I read the "news" for about an hour and a half each early morning. I try to end that session with Robert Hubbbell. Today's Edition did not disappoint. But I have mixed opinions on the included subjects.
First, some of the worst humans to lead nations into Hell were underestimated and hardly registered in the public consciousness. Putin was not even a dark horse when Yeltsin picked him. Hitler failed more than once on his way to power. Few took him seriously, until....
If Trump lands in the slammer, watch for someone else more clever to grab the torch of authoritarianism. The former President in Name Only does have an expiration date. But his ideas will linger and could thrive if voiced more cleverly. Democrats need to return to being the party of the "workers" - not the elite of both Coasts. That will take "on the ground" work. Fortunately, we have a President who is attempting to speak to them and works all day to deliver as best he can.
The last thoughts in today's letter about our "voices" are especially important. I have recently been trying harder to speak directly to folks. I have a long way to go. But I am rewarded when I pick up the phone. Texts and emails are often misinterpreted. Nuance is dangerously non-existent. A silly joke can become an insult without tonality. Pick up the phone. Check in with someone you haven't spoken with recently. It's powerful.
Finally, I don't consume through audio. I am in need of long clear moments during my outside activities. Birds, the breezes, the sound of what I am doing in the garden - leaves my mind free to consider, explore, reflect.
That being said, Robert, I hope you continue the audio version of "TEN". I see how it can expand your reach and I suspect it is the preferred manner of consumption for those who are too busy to read. You are with people on their commutes, their dog walks and hikes. The more people you can reach, the better!
The Waco show was, as expected, disgraceful, and has only doubled my resolve to get young people interested in voting next year. I am afraid I have encountered quite a bit of cynicism about voting among college age students at the university from which I retired. As always, Robert, you remember to remind us that in addition to being political beings, we are human and need friendship. This you and Jill provide daily, and I am so grateful to you for this lifeline.
I'm hoping that it is a distinct minority of the American Voters who think Trump's grievances and injustices are worth pulling down our country. But looking at the video images of the WACO pity tour make me despair. How in the world does anyone think that Trump cares about anyone but Trump?
Trump will likely be indicted by multiple prosecutors at the state and federal level. He may be judged as guilty and convicted on one or more of his many crimes. He may even be given a prison sentence or multiple sentences. If any or all of that happens, the threat to our nation and democracy will not have diminished. The real and most dangerous threat is not a clownish, incompetent Trump. The real danger is our fellow citizens in the U.S. and far-right elements in other nations that thirst for “strong leaders” with authoritarian tendencies because they are losing their majority status in an ever more diverse world. Trumpism celebrated by a significant even if not a majority of our fellow citizens is the real threat. Trump is almost 77 years old and in serious legal jeopardy of spending most if not all of his remaining years in prison. Trump will relatively soon disappear from the stage, but I fear Trumpism and the thirst by many for authoritarian leadership will remain a threat and we must be prepared for the battle necessary to deal with that threat.
This piece is spot on. The danger that is Donald Trump and his weakness. I would only add the probability that Trump will face multiple indictments. The odds of a conviction increase.
The primary reason that Trump continues to tout his strength and invulnerability is due to the failure of 3 individuals to indict him. Once they do this and stop enabling him, we will quickly see the small, weak and pathetic empty suit he is and has always been.
"To our everlasting regret, we underestimated Trump until it was too late."
Many, many of us did not underestimate him. We were horrified. We were overwhelmed by the sea of Hilary haters (for no reason), the racists who had been seething during the 8-year Obama Administration, the lazy uninformed voter and the rapacious media.
Just read a tweet that suggests a GOP House committee is considering legislation to bar local district attorney's from prosecuting former presidents. I'm sure this can't be true. In a democratic system no one is above the law.
Mar 27, 2023·edited Mar 27, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
The GOP has degenerated into an insurrectionist party. The allegiances of those who call themselves MAGA Republicans are rooted in the authoritarian dribble and paranoid delusions that validates their fears, rage, and greed.
The infiltration of the MAGAs into our gears of government offers them greater legitimacy and influence. That tide helps to lift Trump. We need to counter loudly and clearly that our current political crisis involves an insurrectionist cabal, not a contrast of principles or ideological priorities.
The 2024 election pits our 235-year history of constitutional democracy against the barbarians at the gate, determined to topple, not align with our governing framework.
I am watching tfg with peripheral vision but am not letting myself waste much time watching him and the MAGA noise of others. That's because my focus is on building the base of voters who will elect candidates that will defend democracy. We need overwhelming votes to overcome voter suppression and the ongoing MAGA coup in many parts of the country. That's my mission. tfg's a carnival barker. There is a utility also in ignoring that noise. That doesn't underestimate the threat of how that enthralls some voters. We need to have more votes than they do by a wide margin.
Trump essentially pled guilty to conspiring with the insurrectionists, who he termed "a righteous protest" at the hatealong.
Insightful and moving Concluding Thoughts, Robert. Thank you. (I'm glad you and your Managing Editor agreed on that many paragraphs!)
I'm in Colorado and last year was amazed at how different it was to listen to an Australian friend's voice recordings sent by FB Messenger. He talked for about 10 minutes, far longer than standard voicemail allows. More depth, more detail...more value. And yes, a recording is the next best thing to live conversation or visiting in person. With WhatsApp and Messenger and other methods now, there's no good reason not to call.
I want to share with you a comment from Joyce Vance White. “ The bottom line is this: we cannot let Trump seep back into the public consciousness as a legitimate candidate and take his place on the campaign trail as though it’s normal. None of it is—the forgetfulness about the insurrection, the calls for violence, the lawlessness, the cult of personality, the elevation of party over country. It is our job, all of our jobs, to point to what he is saying, to his vicious message, and to make sure those around us who have not been paying attention become aware. For too many people, it’s become acceptable to ignore Trump’s words as background noise. They do not believe the threat he poses is real. Too many people are complacent about the challenge the country faces in 2024.
I read the "news" for about an hour and a half each early morning. I try to end that session with Robert Hubbbell. Today's Edition did not disappoint. But I have mixed opinions on the included subjects.
First, some of the worst humans to lead nations into Hell were underestimated and hardly registered in the public consciousness. Putin was not even a dark horse when Yeltsin picked him. Hitler failed more than once on his way to power. Few took him seriously, until....
If Trump lands in the slammer, watch for someone else more clever to grab the torch of authoritarianism. The former President in Name Only does have an expiration date. But his ideas will linger and could thrive if voiced more cleverly. Democrats need to return to being the party of the "workers" - not the elite of both Coasts. That will take "on the ground" work. Fortunately, we have a President who is attempting to speak to them and works all day to deliver as best he can.
The last thoughts in today's letter about our "voices" are especially important. I have recently been trying harder to speak directly to folks. I have a long way to go. But I am rewarded when I pick up the phone. Texts and emails are often misinterpreted. Nuance is dangerously non-existent. A silly joke can become an insult without tonality. Pick up the phone. Check in with someone you haven't spoken with recently. It's powerful.
Finally, I don't consume through audio. I am in need of long clear moments during my outside activities. Birds, the breezes, the sound of what I am doing in the garden - leaves my mind free to consider, explore, reflect.
That being said, Robert, I hope you continue the audio version of "TEN". I see how it can expand your reach and I suspect it is the preferred manner of consumption for those who are too busy to read. You are with people on their commutes, their dog walks and hikes. The more people you can reach, the better!
The Waco show was, as expected, disgraceful, and has only doubled my resolve to get young people interested in voting next year. I am afraid I have encountered quite a bit of cynicism about voting among college age students at the university from which I retired. As always, Robert, you remember to remind us that in addition to being political beings, we are human and need friendship. This you and Jill provide daily, and I am so grateful to you for this lifeline.
I'm hoping that it is a distinct minority of the American Voters who think Trump's grievances and injustices are worth pulling down our country. But looking at the video images of the WACO pity tour make me despair. How in the world does anyone think that Trump cares about anyone but Trump?
Fact Check: Many of the people in the "golden escalator" crowd, were actors hired by Trumpsky.
Trump will likely be indicted by multiple prosecutors at the state and federal level. He may be judged as guilty and convicted on one or more of his many crimes. He may even be given a prison sentence or multiple sentences. If any or all of that happens, the threat to our nation and democracy will not have diminished. The real and most dangerous threat is not a clownish, incompetent Trump. The real danger is our fellow citizens in the U.S. and far-right elements in other nations that thirst for “strong leaders” with authoritarian tendencies because they are losing their majority status in an ever more diverse world. Trumpism celebrated by a significant even if not a majority of our fellow citizens is the real threat. Trump is almost 77 years old and in serious legal jeopardy of spending most if not all of his remaining years in prison. Trump will relatively soon disappear from the stage, but I fear Trumpism and the thirst by many for authoritarian leadership will remain a threat and we must be prepared for the battle necessary to deal with that threat.
I was starting to feel off-kilter over the news of the Waco rally. Many thanks to Today's Edition and its Managing Editor for recalibrating my kilter!
This piece is spot on. The danger that is Donald Trump and his weakness. I would only add the probability that Trump will face multiple indictments. The odds of a conviction increase.
The primary reason that Trump continues to tout his strength and invulnerability is due to the failure of 3 individuals to indict him. Once they do this and stop enabling him, we will quickly see the small, weak and pathetic empty suit he is and has always been.
"To our everlasting regret, we underestimated Trump until it was too late."
Many, many of us did not underestimate him. We were horrified. We were overwhelmed by the sea of Hilary haters (for no reason), the racists who had been seething during the 8-year Obama Administration, the lazy uninformed voter and the rapacious media.
Just read a tweet that suggests a GOP House committee is considering legislation to bar local district attorney's from prosecuting former presidents. I'm sure this can't be true. In a democratic system no one is above the law.
https://twitter.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1639791812624695297?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
The GOP has degenerated into an insurrectionist party. The allegiances of those who call themselves MAGA Republicans are rooted in the authoritarian dribble and paranoid delusions that validates their fears, rage, and greed.
The infiltration of the MAGAs into our gears of government offers them greater legitimacy and influence. That tide helps to lift Trump. We need to counter loudly and clearly that our current political crisis involves an insurrectionist cabal, not a contrast of principles or ideological priorities.
The 2024 election pits our 235-year history of constitutional democracy against the barbarians at the gate, determined to topple, not align with our governing framework.
I am watching tfg with peripheral vision but am not letting myself waste much time watching him and the MAGA noise of others. That's because my focus is on building the base of voters who will elect candidates that will defend democracy. We need overwhelming votes to overcome voter suppression and the ongoing MAGA coup in many parts of the country. That's my mission. tfg's a carnival barker. There is a utility also in ignoring that noise. That doesn't underestimate the threat of how that enthralls some voters. We need to have more votes than they do by a wide margin.
Per usual, I appreciate you and the voice you extend as we know free intelligent speech is one of our foundational privileges.
I remain,
Carol Orticari, an appreciative American woman!