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Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

My own letter to the editor of our local newspaper. I am tired of conservatives unjustly claiming exclusive ownership of patriotism. I am tired of them falsely clawing they represent a majority of American political opinion. Here is my own rebuttal of those claims.

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A Perspective on Patriotism:

On January 21, 2017, over 470,000 protestors showed up in the streets of Washington, D.C. for the Women’s Day March to peacefully protest the 2016 election, the previous day’s inauguration of Donald J. Trump, and his stated policies and positions on issues they cared about. An additional 3.2 to 5.2 million people showed up in protests in support of the Women’s Day March in D.C. nationwide in numerous U.S. cities and towns. Millions more showed up in supporting protests in over 198 cities in 84 countries globally. Worldwide participation in that day’s marches has been estimated at over 7 million. None of those protests anywhere was violent, no police officers were injured or traumatized, and no property was damaged or destroyed.

On January 6, 2021, a mob of approximately 2,500 rioters showed up in Washington, D.C. The mob was directed by the former President to march to the U.S. Capitol and “fight like hell” to overturn a legitimate U.S. election. A substantial number of the crowd did just that. They fought with, seriously injured, and traumatized scores of police officers. Some police officers were even beaten with poles carrying the United States flag. They caused millions of dollars in damages to the U.S. Capitol and Congressional offices. They threatened the lives of U.S. Representatives and Senators, even erecting a gallows and threatening “to hang” the Vice President of the United States. The crowd raged through the Capitol building for hours even smearing feces on the walls of the Capitol building and defecating in the hallways before the building was finally cleared of rioters by National Guard troops. To date, 768 of those rioters, summoned and directed by a former U.S. President and others in his circle and political party, have been arrested and charged with various crimes. Some even with charges of seditious conspiracy. Some remain jailed pending trial without bail.

Which of these movements is the larger, better-organized movement? Which of these movements better expresses and demonstrates patriotism?

Think about it…

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Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Robert, just to let you know that three years into Greensboro’s Marcus Smith unlawful lawsuit, the city has finally awarded his family approximately $2.5 million to his family. Marcus was a nonviolent mentally ill man hog-tied by the police when he approached them, asking for a ride to the hospital. He subsequently died of asphyxiation. we have had two and a half years of weekly vigils and the city has spent over a million in legal fees, but finally, some justice has been rendered. So, you are right—never give up, even when you think the chips are down. i too feel like some resolution to the horrors on view in Washington is about to be set in motion, and I am deeply grateful for the hope you inspire in your readers.

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Robert,

Thanks for the intensity of today's letter. I can feel a powerful groundswell of support for the brave Col Vindman. I think he is a difficult figure for the fascists to villainize. The worst of them will do just that, of course. But like you, I hold hope for the persuadable middle - independents, if you will.

But I am wondering why it has taken two years for the Col to file this suit. Hasn't the evidence been in plain sight all this time? Why do the wheels of justice move so slowly!

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My new daily mantra:

“ It is incumbent on those who remain committed to the rule of law to speak up whenever we see injustice or corruption—just like Alexander Vindman did. If we are all Alexander Vindmans, there is no stopping us.”

Thank you Robert. Excellent newsletter today.

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Feb 3, 2022·edited Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Robert, thank you for reprinting your July 9, 2020 newsletter passages concerning the disgraceful actions of the military commanders who failed to uphold their oath to protect the Constitution and laws of the Land. The NYT announced Vindmans' "retirement" on July 8, 2020, just 38 days after General Milley marched with Donald Trump for a Trump photo-op after the National Guard violently attacked and cleared peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square. Days later, Milley apologized for his actions and declared "We must hold dear the principle of an apolitical military that is so deeply rooted in the very essence of our republic.”

BUT, there has been no military accounting for illegal actions against Colonel Vindman. Biden should direct Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense appoint an independent counsel to investigate this egregious breach of military code and responsibility.

Most importantly, these breaches demonstrate just how close we came to the military taking an active role in an authoritarian coup, including potentially confiscating voting machines.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/06/11/milley-says-he-was-wrong-to-accompany-trump-on-church-walk-during-george-floyd-protests/

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/08/us/politics/vindman-trump-ukraine-impeachment.html

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founding
Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

And I appreciate you referring to Trump as a fascist. As you know, I am on a campaign to make it common practice to call Trump and Trumpists what they are: fascists. This four minute read summarizes my thinking: https://jordan93016.medium.com/its-time-to-start-calling-them-fascists-d9c7bba7de06. I am hoping more and more people will read it, share it, and do it!

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Feb 3, 2022·edited Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

The lawsuit brought by Vindman is a good start. There should be no question but that he will win the case. I think the family of the Fox-victimized "hero" who refused to get vaccinated or be fired from the police force in Washington state and then died of covid last week, they should sue the Fox network and personalities. He left behind a wife and four children. He was urged on, repeatedly interviewed for not succumbing to the governor's "overreach" and when he actually got covid and died, not one word from any of the people at Fox. Lawrence O'Donnell of MSNBC brought this up and featured it and encouraged his viewers to go the dead - but - right former police officer's family's Go Fund Me page and contribute. I think that families all over the country who believed Fox broadcasters and then paid the price for their lies and bad encouragement should all consider suing. I have never been litigious, but these culprits know what they are doing. These are not mistakes. Just a thought. Here's a link to just one story about it:https://sports.yahoo.com/fox-news-under-fire-failing-141559550.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAB4ZaOTCU2L_ldKOlw4Y_DOWKWnroRHrg3Qtf9tgPWpGLI6yB-EGPoUGWEPKk3Xl3yVBGzBIYO9zE9kKdVV44tTz7DmO-vLJeJ3nCHNvc5jCf4v50NOyWjrIfxR5Y2eh0HXUMtG8MsfoG3QhR3vhbDnkU3zKH4Rij2UQ8kqVp8CD

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Kudos, Robert. One of your best writings. And lest we easily forget, our sainted military field officers and their civilian overseers have a nasty habit of tossing their soldiers and sailors overboard: Pat Tillman; the carrier commander who tried to protect his crew from Covid infection; the military judicial officials and Seal Team members who tried to hold the killer Chief Seal to account; Lt.Col.Vindman. The list is long, and my memory is not at full strength.

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Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I want a bumper sticker and a T-shirt saying: HERE, RIGHT MATTERS. I'll wear that when I am not wearing my BLACK LIVES MATTER T-shirt. We Persist.

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Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Robert, as always a great read. Also thanks for highlighting what is happening in Florida and our governor’s response. It is heartbreaking. I live on the “ Space Coast” , an hour east of Orlando. We had a similar event in Dec on an I95 overpass. Sadly it received minimal coverage.

Yesterday I was heartened reading about kids who are forming book clubs. Also one group at a high school in Pennsylvania worked to overturn a ban. One of the banned books was Hidden Figures !!

These kids are the future !

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Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

We're all waiting impatiently for someone to begin prosecuting Trump for his crimes against America. There are too many to list in a book. They'd better get started.

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founding

While there were so many despicable actions and moments under the Trump administration, the treatment of Alexander Vindman and his brother was perhaps the most shameful. And thank you for calling out the military that, instead of standing by a patriot, let him twist in the wind and lose his promotion and job without cause. I would like to believe that Lt. Col. Vindman is doing well, emotionally and financially, since his ouster from the White House. Hopefully, his attempt to get some form of justice from this lawsuit is a sign of better times for him.

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As long as elected leaders do not loudly and forcibly condemn neo Nazi actions in this country a certain group of people will continue to continue to believe being a racists and anti Semitic is acceptable.

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founding
Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I am ready for the list. We need a list in categorical columns of what the orange presidency did to derail this country, its people, its ethics, its standing, its belief in democracy. I can't hold a day's worth of what was done in those four years but it was hourly I know. Remember when national news lead with the day # since Iran took Americans hostage,? " it is Day 97 since the hostages......" was every night. I'd settle for a massive list now to start with and weekly additons. Really. Not kidding.

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founding
Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Really appreciate you calling out Lt. Col. Vindman as a hero!

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Feb 3, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Thank you once again for highlighting DeSantis's effort to become a mini-me Trump. I watched Rachel Maddow's show last night where she highlighted these disgusting Nazi efforts and excoriated DeSantis for his response. Here is the link to the show. She starts with the Nazi demonstration in front of Brigham and Woman's Hospital (also tying it to Trump's rhetoric) and continues from there. If you can't watch the whole thing, start at about minute 12:00 to see what she says about DeSantis's response. Oh...and look at Marco Rubio's face as he stands behind DeSantis. https://www.nbc.com/the-rachel-maddow-show/video/maddow-2222/9000234080

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