Women everywhere, blue states, red states - rise up and vote Dems. And all the men who support them. Winding back the clock on women's rights, minority rights cannot stand.
Apr 14, 2023·edited Apr 15, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Simone, You are exactly right to urge that women and men rise up. As I understand the prospects of holding the Senate in 2024, they are challenging in numbers. Also, the proposal to expand the court is great but another big hurdle even as we read that Diane Feinstein seems unmoved at 89 to step aside graciously; thus even holding up judicial appointments.
So, it is imperative that we rise up now in every state that has demonstrated a willingness to ignore the will of the people and put the healthcare of women in jeopardy. Every red state needs to experience the people’s voice just as Tennessee did. Our voices must be loud and broad. Blue states need to hear those voices as well. They (Blue state leaders) might well look to Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer to echo a strong, articulate message of the will of the people.
And any expectation that SCOTUS will act to unravel the mess by two opposing court decisions is fantasy. We saw in Dobbs that a majority of the court was willing and eager to use twisted thinking to impose their extreme and religiously driven thinking on people. Now, we have stunning news that Justice Clarence Thomas has been the benefactor of largesse by a wealthy “family friend” who just happens to be aligned with organizations pushing the hard right agenda. This as Robert points out, Chief Justice Roberts shows no intentions of doing the right thing.
We must rise up with voices loud and broad. We cannot wait until 2024 elections but must be doing the hard work now. Many, of course, are. To wit, I celebrate Jessica Craven’s incredible commitment to helping in efforts to take action.
We must fight back against the dark money-funded “No Labels” group that is advancing a third party candidate in the 2024 presidential election. Splitting the Democratic and Independent vote will ensure a trump or desantis victory.
Apr 14, 2023·edited Apr 14, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Those "simple things," Bob, depend on the following:
1. Filibuster careout not doable until January 2025, and ONLY doable then if the following are achieved - bearing in mind that 2024 is a dangerous election cycle for Democrats in the Senate, since the majority of Senators running are Democrats:
a. Manchin is likely toast in VA, so find a vulnerable R to pick off for replacement (not easy - and if he won he wouldn't vote for a carveout - so still need a GOP flip)
b. Keep Montana and Ohio, the other two states that went majority Trump in 2016 and 2020. (again, doable since Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown are solid candidates, but not easy)
c. Defeat Sinema in AZ and get Reuben Gallego in as Senator - not easy in a 3-way race.
d. Keep every other Democratic Senator running (a biiiiig order)
e. Flip at least one other R senate seat (not easy)
The Republican senate seats that are up are in pretty safe-R states, so flipping is going to be hard, andl likely the best likelihood of doing tall of the above and flipping R seats is strong pro-choice campaigns targeting Republicans as anti-choice. And a Biden victory at the top of the ticket with hopes for "coattails."
2024 is going to be harder than 2020 and 2022 COMBINED.
And expanding the court isn't going to happen until there are 60 D Senators (which hasn't been possible since 2008). It's the furthest thing from "easy."
Not saying it can't be done, but your solution to the problems - which is correct - is very very very far from "easy."
I live in Montana. The legislature is trying to change the rules on the primary. There would be only one primary. Only the top 2 vote getters would be eligible in the general election. If passed this would effectively eliminate any 3rd party like Libertarian. In Tester's first two runs he got less than 50% of the vote. He won because the Libertarians probably siphoned off some R's. When Tester won the last time he received over 50% of the votes. This in spite of Trump campaigning here multiple times to try to defeat Tester. Jon is a great guy and a hard working man. Unfortunately, he is vulnerable. We ask and need support for Jon, a music teacher, rancher, and all around good person.
Jon, TC is only offering a dose of reality. We cannot be blind to that reality. Instead, we must take that “optimistic view” and let it power us through to beat all odds. We can and must do so. There is no turning away in this moment. Get angry! Get busy! Stay focused! That’s our task along with self care.
again, what's the alternative? I offered a solution. People have said it is hard. Okay, I accept that. What's the alternative? It's not enough for us to identify problems. We must propose solutions.
Um, John, Jon has been around a while. Many of us, amidst all that has been going on for far too long, have developed a dry, sideways sense of humor, including Jon. I don't think TC needs to be explained to him. From time to time, one or another or several folks have had to remind TC to tone things down. He has some important contributions, but once in a while he gets kind of wound up and has to be brought back so we can understand what he's getting at.
Actually, I am optimistic that, if we see the difficulties ahead and plan for them and do the necessary work, we will achieve the goal. But thinking it's ever going to be "easy" is the road to failure. In nearly 60 years of political involvement, I have yet to see anything of value that wasn't hard to achieve. That's why it has value.
It's a good thing to lift our eyes now and then and focus on the path forward. And then we need to look back down and prepare for the next first step. Write a postcard, make a donation; help a young person register to vote, post a positive news story about Biden/Democratic accomplishments. The way forward, as Simon Rosenberg says, is to Get to 55.
And the important thing we have to remember along the way, is that all the infuriating things MAGA extremists are doing, are signs of extreme desperation. They KNOW that what they're doing is deeply unpopular, and they're facing the near certainty of being kicked to the curb. They should learn from this and change what they're doing, but their desperation forces them to doubledown.
This works to our advantage. It WILL come around right, if we keep our focus.
I understand and agree. But in my opinion, the Democrats are desperate! We’re the ones who care about our rights as individual citizens, and right now we are basically powerless to stop the deluge of legislative crap coming down. I don’t believe the Constitution ever expected that when states’ rights were given such stature, that states would once again be trying to overthrow our government. The last time, states rights created a deadly war over something as horrible as human slavery! This time, those same states will go to war again over human bondage in women’s forced births. We cannot allow them to win, and once defeated, they can never again serve because they’ll just find something else repugnant to champion. I wish I felt that we actually had the advantage. Today, I do not.
I think we do have the advantage, because we're in the majority! We have the votes, we need to get them out! And yes, we are desperate, but we have to turn that to positive outcomes, unlike the Republicans who are just digging themselves into a deeper hole, passing laws that are hugely unpopular. That works to our advantage as long as we remind them that there's a good alternative to vote for. I strongly suggest that you begin reading Simon Rosenberg's newsletter Hopium Chronicles - he consistently provides data that will show you that we DO have the advantage!
I'm sorry you feel so discouraged. I can understand why. But I do not, and recently, I feel more optimistic that with hard work and collaboration, we can pull out of this. Nope, as TC says, it ain't gonna be easy. But it is simple, in this sense: we don't give up. We know what works, and the outcome of the midterms is proof. Yeah, we could have done better, but even with the late start and all the obstacles put in our way we still kept the "red wave" at bay. Now we are preparing to build on what we learned. We are determined and focused.
The extremists who have infiltrated the Republican party and the remnants of the New Confederate party ARE desperate, thus the peculiar proceedings of the Speaker of the House election(s) in Congress, and the multiple idiotic moves in various state legislatures that are now seeing the light of day. We need to keep speaking out as citizens until more sensible Republicans (they do exist but are picking their battles) disavow those kinds of tactics and get... (redacted)... um, get the courage to break with their coo-coo mates. (TC, I think you are rubbing off on me- pretty bad when I find myself editing my language as I go...)
We DO have the advantage here, and they know it. We just have to believe in it, and let that drive us forward in all the small ways that can build up to winning.
YES! Thank you for this clip! This is what I mean! Not that we should give up the fight against court rulings and laws being passed now - those who have the wherewithal to protest should do that! The DOJ is fighting against criminal behavior and unconstitutional laws, State AGs are fighting locally and local Boards of Commissioners are supporting those like the Tennessee Three, etc; the rest of us need to raise our voices, shout about what a great job Biden and the Democrats are doing (Simon is a great one for this), and do whatever we can to GOTV for every single election going forward. Look what happened in WI. If you all think that Judge Janet winning there by double digits was a fluke, it wasn't! It was because the majority of Wisconsinites and Mad as Hell and aren't going to take it anymore. AND we had a massive postcard campaign for that election. We just have to continue fighting on every front. We can do that!
YES!!! Old people and young people are allies in calling attention to things and pointing up the issues. Folks of all ages are working together to create places for all of us to work together. (Cheered when the video showed a sign reading "I'm marching for my grandkids".)
Rethugs. are irredeemable! They should be kicked out of office yesterday, Every last one of them. Even the so called moderates have not risen to the job they were elected to. They belong to a treasonous cabal, whose major purpose is the overthrow of our democracy. Biden needs to pack the court, eliminate the filibuster, and bring back an updated version of the Fairness Doctrine. That would be a good beginning.
I think we should all be calling for Thomas' resignation in a loud voice! This is an opportunity to have one less radical judge and we should use it! How do we do this?
Thomas must be compelled to explain, fully, the actions of his that ProPublica revealed. If he won’t, or if his explanations are inadequate, he should be impeached for improper behavior – even though this Senate is unlikely to convict.
Chop Wood...has begun a call-in to Senators and Reps to say something like "I'm (your name) from (name town or city.) I strongly believe Justice Thomas should resign or be impeached..." Then say what you believe, for example: I believe there is no doubt he sees himself as an exception to the rules and purposes of justices of the supreme court. As he has shown, he will continue to be influenced by his benefactors and religious zeal. That is not the independence and critical thinking required of justices of the highest court of the land.
(Personally, I am old enough to remember the hearings for his nomination when Anita Hill accused him of sexual harassment. Then, as with Kavanaugh, a courageous woman was dismissed and ignored.) Gads! What a bunch of weenies those Republicans on the court have turned out to be. Where there is wealth, there is weakness.
Yup; only one way. What the eff is it about the “male” thing. The lacking of certain males to not see that over the ages they are never targeted in this way (and then make changes).
Male dominated religion. Woman are forced to wear heavy burlap sacks from literally the top of their head to the bottom of their feet, in the sweltering heat. I just can’t…. Last year I visited my son in DC- it was hot as hell, we all went to the swimming pool - kids and adults were playing and enjoying the company and cool water. There was a family there where dad and the kids were having a ball- playing, laughing. Mum was sitting in the hot sun with a black bag over her body.
Look, I know- certain religions and woman come to appreciate this for what ever reason they have. I, however, look at it from the perspective of what male dominated religion decided that looking at a woman’s hair is a some kinda problem? Plain and simple and I get that it’s not simple but still… here we are with Kacsmaryk pulling the very same happy horse sh!t.
I am of the mind that their feet of clay are crumbling. The angst of declining primacy explains their anxiety and aggression. You are right, IMO. With varying intensity, all religions are men dominant (mostly white men at that.) Even when you point out the inconsistencies as you have, they will fall back on the alleged truth of ancient scriptures..which were, you guessed it, written by men! I take great heart that Gen Z, so far, seems very inclusive, very logical (i.e. "gun sense") and fair minded. I hope I'm right that all the noise is due to a death rattle! May democracy prevail and authoritarianism fail!
These Christian Nationalists are scary people. I’ve been worried a lot about the country my grandkids will be living in if we don’t do something to get things changed, especially my granddaughter. I try to do something, writing postcards, phonebanking or writing my representatives to keep the anger and seemingly endless helplessness of getting things changed from sending me into depression.
Please keep doing what you are doing. Everything you do helps. Try to do it with like-minded family, friends, strangers. We are in this together and together we will prevail!
You are on the right path about the Supreme Court. You got my vote.
And then....we should expand the House of Reps (after the gerrymandering has been trashed).
And then....let's examine why the Senate is structured the way it is. Why should states with populations of only a million or less have such overwhelming power? Sorry, Idaho, but California shouldn't suffer the whims of your Senators. Same with Maine and New York. The origins of this institution are based on the idea that the "founders" were afraid of pure democracy. It's a bogus arrangement that allows a few fringe folks to hobble our nation - to hold back progress on everything from human rights to the survival of the planet.
The National Popular Vote would lessen the power of small states in the Presidential election. No one has mentioned this as a solution but this makes sense.
It's been talked about extensively, actually, but things keep getting in the way. Those things are obstacles designed as distractions by the people who benefit from the status quo. Guess who.
I never thought of Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife and political party as Nazi memorabilia, before, to be collected by a rich fascist donor. Silly me.
Appeals Courts don’t (always?) have all of its judges hear the same case. That might be tolerated because (I believe this is so) it’s possible to request that the entire Court re-hear the case. Moreover, the case can be appealed to the Supreme Court (which may or may not accept the case – but at least the possibility is open.)
Now, imagine a significantly larger Supreme Court. The country wouldn’t and shouldn’t be satisfied with a subset of Justices deciding cases, making ‘final’ decisions. So the entire Court would have to hear every case. That’s where I wonder whether things could become unwieldy.
"Five more seats in the Senate and recapturing the House is all it will take, along with retaining the presidency." in 2024, retaining the Presidency and regaining the House are reasonable goals. The Senate is a challenge. '
Before we can think about flipping Republican Senate seats, we have nine Senate seats to protect: Montana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Michigan (listed in order of vulnerability in my opinion). New Mexico, Minnesota, and Michigan are probably pretty safe.
Are there vulnerable Republicans? Missouri and Texas, maybe. Unlikely circumstances could make Utah or Mississippi vulnerable. But those circumstances are extremely unlikely. The best we can hope for in 2024 is a perfect defense (which is not out of the question) and to squeeze out one more Republican seat. (Len's Political Notes)
This country was founded by people trying to get away from being persecuted for what they believed in. Now we have people in this country persecuting others for what they believe is right, the right of women to have control over their own bodies, the right of all people to feel comfortable in their own bodies. Those promoters/persecutors are the radicals blindly forcing laws onto an unwilling majority. They are the modern day Nazis. And they’ll fail like all of them do but not before inflicting pain on the powerless.
Voters across the country are not paying enough attention to three events happening right now that could have severe consequential impacts on the citizens of our country. Ron DeSantis is giving us a preview of what government looks like under his watch which is restricting voter rights, what we and our children are able to read and when someone can get an abortion if at all. The Fifth circuit ruling as Robert has detailed demonstrates what happens when MAGA is in power and appoints judges who frankly substitute racial and religious beliefs in place of the laws and finally Clarence Thomas abuse of political contributions and patronage because the Supreme Court has no structure and enforcement of ethics. All three of these events impact our everyday lives. Expanding the Supreme Court will only result in whatever party is in power doing the doing the same thing and it will become a circus. We need more Tennessee Three individuals and we need to rally Generation Z to define the country they want to live in.
Amen! Go Stephen! Your post offers the key to our messaging. If I disagree at all it would be to say, “many are paying attention.” And if we message your key points, the women’s healthcare/abortion issues, guns deaths and gerrymandering we surely have a strong call to action.
Leigh McGowan does a near-perfect recitation of the authoritarian police state created by Florida’s governor (elected by 32% of registered Florida voters). This should scare everyone into voting for Dems:
Thanks for posting this. One big issue in Florida on the last election was voter turnout which hurt Dens. Additionally the choices of candidates was not great.
Florida ranks low for volunteerism and efforts to create a sense of community (i.e. helping out neighbors). Add to that low voter turnout. It is difficult to engage people in the political process when they are living paycheck-to-paycheck, working 2 or 3 low-paying jobs, struggling with health conditions and high medical bills...I could go on. Lots of people struggling in Florida, including what remains of the hard-pressed middle class.
For some more hopeful news: "The Court is likely to reject the Independent State Legislature Theory," writes J. Michael Luttig in the Atlantic. Due to its detailed legalese, I have only read about a third of the article so far, but it's the best good news I could come up with today. Judge Luttig takes into account the results of the '22 election where Republicans gained a 5-2 majority in their state supreme court.
Women everywhere, blue states, red states - rise up and vote Dems. And all the men who support them. Winding back the clock on women's rights, minority rights cannot stand.
Simone, You are exactly right to urge that women and men rise up. As I understand the prospects of holding the Senate in 2024, they are challenging in numbers. Also, the proposal to expand the court is great but another big hurdle even as we read that Diane Feinstein seems unmoved at 89 to step aside graciously; thus even holding up judicial appointments.
So, it is imperative that we rise up now in every state that has demonstrated a willingness to ignore the will of the people and put the healthcare of women in jeopardy. Every red state needs to experience the people’s voice just as Tennessee did. Our voices must be loud and broad. Blue states need to hear those voices as well. They (Blue state leaders) might well look to Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer to echo a strong, articulate message of the will of the people.
And any expectation that SCOTUS will act to unravel the mess by two opposing court decisions is fantasy. We saw in Dobbs that a majority of the court was willing and eager to use twisted thinking to impose their extreme and religiously driven thinking on people. Now, we have stunning news that Justice Clarence Thomas has been the benefactor of largesse by a wealthy “family friend” who just happens to be aligned with organizations pushing the hard right agenda. This as Robert points out, Chief Justice Roberts shows no intentions of doing the right thing.
We must rise up with voices loud and broad. We cannot wait until 2024 elections but must be doing the hard work now. Many, of course, are. To wit, I celebrate Jessica Craven’s incredible commitment to helping in efforts to take action.
We must fight back against the dark money-funded “No Labels” group that is advancing a third party candidate in the 2024 presidential election. Splitting the Democratic and Independent vote will ensure a trump or desantis victory.
It's not just women who need to vote...it's everyone. The percentage of eligible voters, in this country, that actually vote is disgraceful...
Those "simple things," Bob, depend on the following:
1. Filibuster careout not doable until January 2025, and ONLY doable then if the following are achieved - bearing in mind that 2024 is a dangerous election cycle for Democrats in the Senate, since the majority of Senators running are Democrats:
a. Manchin is likely toast in VA, so find a vulnerable R to pick off for replacement (not easy - and if he won he wouldn't vote for a carveout - so still need a GOP flip)
b. Keep Montana and Ohio, the other two states that went majority Trump in 2016 and 2020. (again, doable since Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown are solid candidates, but not easy)
c. Defeat Sinema in AZ and get Reuben Gallego in as Senator - not easy in a 3-way race.
d. Keep every other Democratic Senator running (a biiiiig order)
e. Flip at least one other R senate seat (not easy)
The Republican senate seats that are up are in pretty safe-R states, so flipping is going to be hard, andl likely the best likelihood of doing tall of the above and flipping R seats is strong pro-choice campaigns targeting Republicans as anti-choice. And a Biden victory at the top of the ticket with hopes for "coattails."
2024 is going to be harder than 2020 and 2022 COMBINED.
And expanding the court isn't going to happen until there are 60 D Senators (which hasn't been possible since 2008). It's the furthest thing from "easy."
Not saying it can't be done, but your solution to the problems - which is correct - is very very very far from "easy."
I live in Montana. The legislature is trying to change the rules on the primary. There would be only one primary. Only the top 2 vote getters would be eligible in the general election. If passed this would effectively eliminate any 3rd party like Libertarian. In Tester's first two runs he got less than 50% of the vote. He won because the Libertarians probably siphoned off some R's. When Tester won the last time he received over 50% of the votes. This in spite of Trump campaigning here multiple times to try to defeat Tester. Jon is a great guy and a hard working man. Unfortunately, he is vulnerable. We ask and need support for Jon, a music teacher, rancher, and all around good person.
It’s not easy but doable and factor in the exhaustion factor of MAGA and outrageous woman voters and Generation Z and that is a winning formula
That's the part that lets me think it's not impossible. Without that it would be. With that, it's merely hard.
what's the alternative?
There isn't any, but hard work ahead.
What I like about you, TC, is your consistently optimistic view and sunny outlook.
Jon, TC is only offering a dose of reality. We cannot be blind to that reality. Instead, we must take that “optimistic view” and let it power us through to beat all odds. We can and must do so. There is no turning away in this moment. Get angry! Get busy! Stay focused! That’s our task along with self care.
again, what's the alternative? I offered a solution. People have said it is hard. Okay, I accept that. What's the alternative? It's not enough for us to identify problems. We must propose solutions.
Um, John, Jon has been around a while. Many of us, amidst all that has been going on for far too long, have developed a dry, sideways sense of humor, including Jon. I don't think TC needs to be explained to him. From time to time, one or another or several folks have had to remind TC to tone things down. He has some important contributions, but once in a while he gets kind of wound up and has to be brought back so we can understand what he's getting at.
Actually, I am optimistic that, if we see the difficulties ahead and plan for them and do the necessary work, we will achieve the goal. But thinking it's ever going to be "easy" is the road to failure. In nearly 60 years of political involvement, I have yet to see anything of value that wasn't hard to achieve. That's why it has value.
Love it. You rock!
It's a good thing to lift our eyes now and then and focus on the path forward. And then we need to look back down and prepare for the next first step. Write a postcard, make a donation; help a young person register to vote, post a positive news story about Biden/Democratic accomplishments. The way forward, as Simon Rosenberg says, is to Get to 55.
And the important thing we have to remember along the way, is that all the infuriating things MAGA extremists are doing, are signs of extreme desperation. They KNOW that what they're doing is deeply unpopular, and they're facing the near certainty of being kicked to the curb. They should learn from this and change what they're doing, but their desperation forces them to doubledown.
This works to our advantage. It WILL come around right, if we keep our focus.
I understand and agree. But in my opinion, the Democrats are desperate! We’re the ones who care about our rights as individual citizens, and right now we are basically powerless to stop the deluge of legislative crap coming down. I don’t believe the Constitution ever expected that when states’ rights were given such stature, that states would once again be trying to overthrow our government. The last time, states rights created a deadly war over something as horrible as human slavery! This time, those same states will go to war again over human bondage in women’s forced births. We cannot allow them to win, and once defeated, they can never again serve because they’ll just find something else repugnant to champion. I wish I felt that we actually had the advantage. Today, I do not.
I think we do have the advantage, because we're in the majority! We have the votes, we need to get them out! And yes, we are desperate, but we have to turn that to positive outcomes, unlike the Republicans who are just digging themselves into a deeper hole, passing laws that are hugely unpopular. That works to our advantage as long as we remind them that there's a good alternative to vote for. I strongly suggest that you begin reading Simon Rosenberg's newsletter Hopium Chronicles - he consistently provides data that will show you that we DO have the advantage!
I'm sorry you feel so discouraged. I can understand why. But I do not, and recently, I feel more optimistic that with hard work and collaboration, we can pull out of this. Nope, as TC says, it ain't gonna be easy. But it is simple, in this sense: we don't give up. We know what works, and the outcome of the midterms is proof. Yeah, we could have done better, but even with the late start and all the obstacles put in our way we still kept the "red wave" at bay. Now we are preparing to build on what we learned. We are determined and focused.
The extremists who have infiltrated the Republican party and the remnants of the New Confederate party ARE desperate, thus the peculiar proceedings of the Speaker of the House election(s) in Congress, and the multiple idiotic moves in various state legislatures that are now seeing the light of day. We need to keep speaking out as citizens until more sensible Republicans (they do exist but are picking their battles) disavow those kinds of tactics and get... (redacted)... um, get the courage to break with their coo-coo mates. (TC, I think you are rubbing off on me- pretty bad when I find myself editing my language as I go...)
We DO have the advantage here, and they know it. We just have to believe in it, and let that drive us forward in all the small ways that can build up to winning.
To support your perspective here’s a short video from MSNBC: https://twitter.com/victorshi2020/status/1646177310389977088?s=46
YES! Thank you for this clip! This is what I mean! Not that we should give up the fight against court rulings and laws being passed now - those who have the wherewithal to protest should do that! The DOJ is fighting against criminal behavior and unconstitutional laws, State AGs are fighting locally and local Boards of Commissioners are supporting those like the Tennessee Three, etc; the rest of us need to raise our voices, shout about what a great job Biden and the Democrats are doing (Simon is a great one for this), and do whatever we can to GOTV for every single election going forward. Look what happened in WI. If you all think that Judge Janet winning there by double digits was a fluke, it wasn't! It was because the majority of Wisconsinites and Mad as Hell and aren't going to take it anymore. AND we had a massive postcard campaign for that election. We just have to continue fighting on every front. We can do that!
YES!!! Old people and young people are allies in calling attention to things and pointing up the issues. Folks of all ages are working together to create places for all of us to work together. (Cheered when the video showed a sign reading "I'm marching for my grandkids".)
Rethugs. are irredeemable! They should be kicked out of office yesterday, Every last one of them. Even the so called moderates have not risen to the job they were elected to. They belong to a treasonous cabal, whose major purpose is the overthrow of our democracy. Biden needs to pack the court, eliminate the filibuster, and bring back an updated version of the Fairness Doctrine. That would be a good beginning.
I think we should all be calling for Thomas' resignation in a loud voice! This is an opportunity to have one less radical judge and we should use it! How do we do this?
Thomas must be compelled to explain, fully, the actions of his that ProPublica revealed. If he won’t, or if his explanations are inadequate, he should be impeached for improper behavior – even though this Senate is unlikely to convict.
Thomas must pay a price for his actions.
Yes, but first the House must bring Articles of Impeachment. Do you see any possibility of that happening?
No — but stick it to them. Make them take clear public stances by recorded votes.
Chop Wood...has begun a call-in to Senators and Reps to say something like "I'm (your name) from (name town or city.) I strongly believe Justice Thomas should resign or be impeached..." Then say what you believe, for example: I believe there is no doubt he sees himself as an exception to the rules and purposes of justices of the supreme court. As he has shown, he will continue to be influenced by his benefactors and religious zeal. That is not the independence and critical thinking required of justices of the highest court of the land.
(Personally, I am old enough to remember the hearings for his nomination when Anita Hill accused him of sexual harassment. Then, as with Kavanaugh, a courageous woman was dismissed and ignored.) Gads! What a bunch of weenies those Republicans on the court have turned out to be. Where there is wealth, there is weakness.
Where there is wealth, at least one crime was committed
So what’s next for Judge Kacsmaryk? Does he ban the little blue pill too? Or does that hit too close to home? I guess Originalism only works one way.
Yup; only one way. What the eff is it about the “male” thing. The lacking of certain males to not see that over the ages they are never targeted in this way (and then make changes).
Male dominated religion. Woman are forced to wear heavy burlap sacks from literally the top of their head to the bottom of their feet, in the sweltering heat. I just can’t…. Last year I visited my son in DC- it was hot as hell, we all went to the swimming pool - kids and adults were playing and enjoying the company and cool water. There was a family there where dad and the kids were having a ball- playing, laughing. Mum was sitting in the hot sun with a black bag over her body.
Look, I know- certain religions and woman come to appreciate this for what ever reason they have. I, however, look at it from the perspective of what male dominated religion decided that looking at a woman’s hair is a some kinda problem? Plain and simple and I get that it’s not simple but still… here we are with Kacsmaryk pulling the very same happy horse sh!t.
I am of the mind that their feet of clay are crumbling. The angst of declining primacy explains their anxiety and aggression. You are right, IMO. With varying intensity, all religions are men dominant (mostly white men at that.) Even when you point out the inconsistencies as you have, they will fall back on the alleged truth of ancient scriptures..which were, you guessed it, written by men! I take great heart that Gen Z, so far, seems very inclusive, very logical (i.e. "gun sense") and fair minded. I hope I'm right that all the noise is due to a death rattle! May democracy prevail and authoritarianism fail!
These Christian Nationalists are scary people. I’ve been worried a lot about the country my grandkids will be living in if we don’t do something to get things changed, especially my granddaughter. I try to do something, writing postcards, phonebanking or writing my representatives to keep the anger and seemingly endless helplessness of getting things changed from sending me into depression.
Please keep doing what you are doing. Everything you do helps. Try to do it with like-minded family, friends, strangers. We are in this together and together we will prevail!
Depression helps the wrong people
Thank you for staying calm and hopeful during this discouraging time. It's so helpful to read about a realistic plan for positive change.
You are on the right path about the Supreme Court. You got my vote.
And then....we should expand the House of Reps (after the gerrymandering has been trashed).
And then....let's examine why the Senate is structured the way it is. Why should states with populations of only a million or less have such overwhelming power? Sorry, Idaho, but California shouldn't suffer the whims of your Senators. Same with Maine and New York. The origins of this institution are based on the idea that the "founders" were afraid of pure democracy. It's a bogus arrangement that allows a few fringe folks to hobble our nation - to hold back progress on everything from human rights to the survival of the planet.
The National Popular Vote would lessen the power of small states in the Presidential election. No one has mentioned this as a solution but this makes sense.
That makes logical sense, but it requires that the Constitution be amended.
There’s no way in Hades that a Constitutional amendment can be enacted for a very very very long time.
Ok! So let’s start now.
Yes!
It's been talked about extensively, actually, but things keep getting in the way. Those things are obstacles designed as distractions by the people who benefit from the status quo. Guess who.
And then....we should expand the House of Reps (after the gerrymandering has been trashed).
And then....let's examine why the Senate is structured the way it is
Be careful what you ask for. A constitutional convention might be convened - imagine what chaos that would wreak.
I never thought of Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife and political party as Nazi memorabilia, before, to be collected by a rich fascist donor. Silly me.
At the very least we need 11 justices...one for each of the 11 circuits...I find it hard to argue with that reasoning.
Perhaps.
Another argument might be based on the question of at what size would the Court become unwieldy. The Court does not operate like a legislature.
The Ninth Circuit has 29 judges.
Appeals Courts don’t (always?) have all of its judges hear the same case. That might be tolerated because (I believe this is so) it’s possible to request that the entire Court re-hear the case. Moreover, the case can be appealed to the Supreme Court (which may or may not accept the case – but at least the possibility is open.)
Now, imagine a significantly larger Supreme Court. The country wouldn’t and shouldn’t be satisfied with a subset of Justices deciding cases, making ‘final’ decisions. So the entire Court would have to hear every case. That’s where I wonder whether things could become unwieldy.
I agree, Robert: concentrate on the path forward.
See TCinLA above. Robert’s path of expanding the court will not happen until 2025 and only then if we hold the Senate and retake the House.
"Five more seats in the Senate and recapturing the House is all it will take, along with retaining the presidency." in 2024, retaining the Presidency and regaining the House are reasonable goals. The Senate is a challenge. '
Before we can think about flipping Republican Senate seats, we have nine Senate seats to protect: Montana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Michigan (listed in order of vulnerability in my opinion). New Mexico, Minnesota, and Michigan are probably pretty safe.
Are there vulnerable Republicans? Missouri and Texas, maybe. Unlikely circumstances could make Utah or Mississippi vulnerable. But those circumstances are extremely unlikely. The best we can hope for in 2024 is a perfect defense (which is not out of the question) and to squeeze out one more Republican seat. (Len's Political Notes)
Then this is our work. Clear and to the point. Let’s do it!!!!
Damn well Vote and register people please
This country was founded by people trying to get away from being persecuted for what they believed in. Now we have people in this country persecuting others for what they believe is right, the right of women to have control over their own bodies, the right of all people to feel comfortable in their own bodies. Those promoters/persecutors are the radicals blindly forcing laws onto an unwilling majority. They are the modern day Nazis. And they’ll fail like all of them do but not before inflicting pain on the powerless.
Betty, another bit of good messaging. While true, I’d leave out the Nazi reference. Keep up the good messaging.
Voters across the country are not paying enough attention to three events happening right now that could have severe consequential impacts on the citizens of our country. Ron DeSantis is giving us a preview of what government looks like under his watch which is restricting voter rights, what we and our children are able to read and when someone can get an abortion if at all. The Fifth circuit ruling as Robert has detailed demonstrates what happens when MAGA is in power and appoints judges who frankly substitute racial and religious beliefs in place of the laws and finally Clarence Thomas abuse of political contributions and patronage because the Supreme Court has no structure and enforcement of ethics. All three of these events impact our everyday lives. Expanding the Supreme Court will only result in whatever party is in power doing the doing the same thing and it will become a circus. We need more Tennessee Three individuals and we need to rally Generation Z to define the country they want to live in.
Amen! Go Stephen! Your post offers the key to our messaging. If I disagree at all it would be to say, “many are paying attention.” And if we message your key points, the women’s healthcare/abortion issues, guns deaths and gerrymandering we surely have a strong call to action.
Leigh McGowan does a near-perfect recitation of the authoritarian police state created by Florida’s governor (elected by 32% of registered Florida voters). This should scare everyone into voting for Dems:
https://youtu.be/9vBfKJ5kFz0
Thanks for posting this. One big issue in Florida on the last election was voter turnout which hurt Dens. Additionally the choices of candidates was not great.
Florida ranks low for volunteerism and efforts to create a sense of community (i.e. helping out neighbors). Add to that low voter turnout. It is difficult to engage people in the political process when they are living paycheck-to-paycheck, working 2 or 3 low-paying jobs, struggling with health conditions and high medical bills...I could go on. Lots of people struggling in Florida, including what remains of the hard-pressed middle class.
I get that but what are the Republican’s doing for them and what about all those retired folks.
Inexplicable how people will vote against their self-interests.
For some more hopeful news: "The Court is likely to reject the Independent State Legislature Theory," writes J. Michael Luttig in the Atlantic. Due to its detailed legalese, I have only read about a third of the article so far, but it's the best good news I could come up with today. Judge Luttig takes into account the results of the '22 election where Republicans gained a 5-2 majority in their state supreme court.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/04/independent-state-legislature-theory-moore-harper/673690/?
Highlighting our path forward is so helpful. Thank you, Robert.
But Lynell, Robert has been laying out the path for the past 2 or 3 years. See TCinLA above.
And my comment was a continuation of my thanks to him for doing just that. Pardon my redundancy!