I, too, think that an insurrection requires an indictment. It’s not something that can get a pass because it looks like persecuting the other party. It is prosecuting wrongdoing, DOJ’s obligation. I wonder if the plan is to prosecute and jail hundreds of foot soldiers to dissuade others from joining the next coup and also get information from those foot soldiers about why they were in DC. That would be evidence against the coup planners. I have not counted Garland out yet.
One related thing that continues to
baffle me: I am glad there were no semiautomatic weapons on Jan. 6 but surprised there weren’t any. The outcome would have been far different. Why weren’t there any present? Certainly the insurrectionists were the kind of people who would have access to them. Guess this is another thing to be thankful for—and to worry about for the next one.
Again, observing that the GOP will cheat if they can is not the same as saying voting won't matter. The former is simply a fact. The solution is to vote our brains out so they can't get away with it. Finding 11,780 votes is not easy, even for ruthless cheaters. Let's make them find ten times that number the next voting cycle.
This too was in Professor Tribe's article, but it doesn't fit with your narrative. "Of course, there is no way to know for sure whether Mr. Garland’s Department of Justice is investigating the leaders of the attack behind closed doors. Justice Department policy does not permit announcing investigations, absent exceptional circumstances. Mr. Garland, unlike his predecessor, plays by the book, keeping quiet about investigations until charges are filed."
FiveThirtyEight a reputable polling firm noted during the 2000 presidential race in Georgia that in gerrymandered counties the impact of gerrymandering was not meaningful because of Democratic turnout and Republicans and Independent’s not voting. The key to evening the playing field in some counties is voter turnout and that has to be a focus in 2022. Remember the gerrymandering maps were designed based on voter registration not who actually votes.
OK, Robert. You did it again. You turned on the optimism corner of my brain.
Last night we watched "Don't Look Up". It was alternately accurate, depressing and hysterically funny. I was reminded of the film "Idiocracy". Another comedy/social satire/mockery. But I did not wake up laughing. I find the massive level of ignorance and deliberate mangling of the truth to be smothering at times.
So here is this mantra I keep chanting to myself - you stimulated it again this early morning:
"If I were Merrick Garland I would coordinate a super secret fact finding crew to assemble as much undeniable evidence as possible in regards to the January 6 attempted coup. I would monitor closely the additional evidence being unearthed by the House Committee. And when the time is right, I would drop the irrefutable bomb in such a manner as to be much more than a John Dean moment. I would ask a grand jury to do it's job and ultimately send Federal Marshals to Mar a Lago."
Maybe that will just be another Adam McKay film. Or maybe...just maybe...
The backlash from such an event will be powerful. Garland will create a martyr. TFG will wallow in it and and milk it artfully. There may be violence. The divide may widen.
But I still wish for it - not out of anger or a desire for vengeance...not because I think it will change the minds of the radical right. But because TFG, if convicted, will not be able to hold public office again. And an example will be made of those who participated in and organized a violent overthrow of our government.
A note to President Biden: please don't even consider a "Gerald Ford healing gesture". Nixon was able to be a guest on talk shows...he had a life after political death. TFG should simply be silenced.
The absence of a robust DOJ investigation into this insurrection makes a mockery of our laws--that we are allowing the ring leader to continue poison the airwaves with his bold lies boosts the moral of supporter who believe that this is merely a :witch hunt. Democracy cannot withstand this monumental lack of integrity and consequence. The former president should be charged with the crime of insurrection. Lock him up.
I could not read this mornings edition with out visions of the American flag waving before my eyes. We celebrate so may holidays which have become nothing more than an excuse for stores to stay open and schools to close. Now two new days emerge - 9/11 and as you so aptly state Jan 6. Yes it is a day that democracy was threatened and survived. Once again Robert you have called us to action, made us realize our failings and our greatness. America has a number of great patriots - in your humble and articulate way you have joined them. Continue inspiring us and prodding us - otherwise those who defended the Capital on Jan 6 will have fought in vain.
For Hubbell: Do you know, or can you guess, the inside story about why Merrick Garland has failed to act about Jan. 6? He certainly knows his options and certainly knows he has received criticism for this from Lawrence Tribe, among others.
Robert, I know you are a huge fan of Heather Cox Richardson. She also wrote today about Jan. 6th and this was my comment:
"This is all I ask for: I want the House Committee to have hearings during prime time TV. I want the story to be absolutely clear and undeniable so that all but the most loyal Trumpists can see how everything begins and ends with him! OK, I also want the Justice Department to indict the guy hiding out in Mar-A-Lago!"
For me, the tragedy of Garland is that he would have made a great Supreme Court Justice. He's deliberative; wants to see all sides of an issue; is determined to be collegial etc. However, these times demand action, cognizance of the need to act quickly, and fearlessness. Garland is not exactly a "profile in courage!"
I am joining you in concern with the apparent non-activity by Garland and the DOJ. I have looked for ways to communicate my concern and have sent this message to Garland:
"Dear General Garland,
I join Laurence Tribe in deep concern that the DOJ is not pursuing investigations related to the January 6 insurrection. If not, I am deeply disappointed in your leadership General Garland, having been elated by your appointment. If indeed investigations are being vigorously pursued, I would be much relieved, but strongly encourage you to inform citizens like me who believe that failure to achieve high level accountability for the insurrection will be a historic mistake for our democracy.
Thank you for your year-end podcast featuring your entire family. To say your love for them is evident seems trite and your example of caring for others nearly without a rival. In this day and age, faithfulness is a hard commodity to come by.
Cheating in an election is a federal crime, but who is going to enforce the law? The Federal Elections Commission has been rendered totally powerless. Can we really expect the DOJ to act?
Thanks again for Sunday's "year in review" podcast - so nice to hear from your managing editor Jill as well as your daughters. I know you started the newsletter for your family after the 2016 election and amazing how it's grown! But of course, we are all the better for having joined this community and had the benefits of your wise and reasoned perspective. There's lots of work to be done, so let's keep hopeful and healthy and active in 2022! Elaine Diamond
I, too, think that an insurrection requires an indictment. It’s not something that can get a pass because it looks like persecuting the other party. It is prosecuting wrongdoing, DOJ’s obligation. I wonder if the plan is to prosecute and jail hundreds of foot soldiers to dissuade others from joining the next coup and also get information from those foot soldiers about why they were in DC. That would be evidence against the coup planners. I have not counted Garland out yet.
One related thing that continues to
baffle me: I am glad there were no semiautomatic weapons on Jan. 6 but surprised there weren’t any. The outcome would have been far different. Why weren’t there any present? Certainly the insurrectionists were the kind of people who would have access to them. Guess this is another thing to be thankful for—and to worry about for the next one.
Stan Crock
Again, observing that the GOP will cheat if they can is not the same as saying voting won't matter. The former is simply a fact. The solution is to vote our brains out so they can't get away with it. Finding 11,780 votes is not easy, even for ruthless cheaters. Let's make them find ten times that number the next voting cycle.
This too was in Professor Tribe's article, but it doesn't fit with your narrative. "Of course, there is no way to know for sure whether Mr. Garland’s Department of Justice is investigating the leaders of the attack behind closed doors. Justice Department policy does not permit announcing investigations, absent exceptional circumstances. Mr. Garland, unlike his predecessor, plays by the book, keeping quiet about investigations until charges are filed."
FiveThirtyEight a reputable polling firm noted during the 2000 presidential race in Georgia that in gerrymandered counties the impact of gerrymandering was not meaningful because of Democratic turnout and Republicans and Independent’s not voting. The key to evening the playing field in some counties is voter turnout and that has to be a focus in 2022. Remember the gerrymandering maps were designed based on voter registration not who actually votes.
OK, Robert. You did it again. You turned on the optimism corner of my brain.
Last night we watched "Don't Look Up". It was alternately accurate, depressing and hysterically funny. I was reminded of the film "Idiocracy". Another comedy/social satire/mockery. But I did not wake up laughing. I find the massive level of ignorance and deliberate mangling of the truth to be smothering at times.
So here is this mantra I keep chanting to myself - you stimulated it again this early morning:
"If I were Merrick Garland I would coordinate a super secret fact finding crew to assemble as much undeniable evidence as possible in regards to the January 6 attempted coup. I would monitor closely the additional evidence being unearthed by the House Committee. And when the time is right, I would drop the irrefutable bomb in such a manner as to be much more than a John Dean moment. I would ask a grand jury to do it's job and ultimately send Federal Marshals to Mar a Lago."
Maybe that will just be another Adam McKay film. Or maybe...just maybe...
The backlash from such an event will be powerful. Garland will create a martyr. TFG will wallow in it and and milk it artfully. There may be violence. The divide may widen.
But I still wish for it - not out of anger or a desire for vengeance...not because I think it will change the minds of the radical right. But because TFG, if convicted, will not be able to hold public office again. And an example will be made of those who participated in and organized a violent overthrow of our government.
A note to President Biden: please don't even consider a "Gerald Ford healing gesture". Nixon was able to be a guest on talk shows...he had a life after political death. TFG should simply be silenced.
The absence of a robust DOJ investigation into this insurrection makes a mockery of our laws--that we are allowing the ring leader to continue poison the airwaves with his bold lies boosts the moral of supporter who believe that this is merely a :witch hunt. Democracy cannot withstand this monumental lack of integrity and consequence. The former president should be charged with the crime of insurrection. Lock him up.
I could not read this mornings edition with out visions of the American flag waving before my eyes. We celebrate so may holidays which have become nothing more than an excuse for stores to stay open and schools to close. Now two new days emerge - 9/11 and as you so aptly state Jan 6. Yes it is a day that democracy was threatened and survived. Once again Robert you have called us to action, made us realize our failings and our greatness. America has a number of great patriots - in your humble and articulate way you have joined them. Continue inspiring us and prodding us - otherwise those who defended the Capital on Jan 6 will have fought in vain.
For Hubbell: Do you know, or can you guess, the inside story about why Merrick Garland has failed to act about Jan. 6? He certainly knows his options and certainly knows he has received criticism for this from Lawrence Tribe, among others.
A couple of additions to the Jan. 6 events list:
1) A clearinghouse of Jan. 6 Vigils for Democracy around the country, virtual and in person: https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/
2) Field Team 6 will be hosting a virtual postcarding event aimed at registering voters in flippable districts: https://www.mobilize.us/ft6/event/430190/
Robert, I know you are a huge fan of Heather Cox Richardson. She also wrote today about Jan. 6th and this was my comment:
"This is all I ask for: I want the House Committee to have hearings during prime time TV. I want the story to be absolutely clear and undeniable so that all but the most loyal Trumpists can see how everything begins and ends with him! OK, I also want the Justice Department to indict the guy hiding out in Mar-A-Lago!"
For me, the tragedy of Garland is that he would have made a great Supreme Court Justice. He's deliberative; wants to see all sides of an issue; is determined to be collegial etc. However, these times demand action, cognizance of the need to act quickly, and fearlessness. Garland is not exactly a "profile in courage!"
I am joining you in concern with the apparent non-activity by Garland and the DOJ. I have looked for ways to communicate my concern and have sent this message to Garland:
"Dear General Garland,
I join Laurence Tribe in deep concern that the DOJ is not pursuing investigations related to the January 6 insurrection. If not, I am deeply disappointed in your leadership General Garland, having been elated by your appointment. If indeed investigations are being vigorously pursued, I would be much relieved, but strongly encourage you to inform citizens like me who believe that failure to achieve high level accountability for the insurrection will be a historic mistake for our democracy.
Thomas M. Vernon, vaxmd@comcast.net"
DOJ.gov/Contact/Contact Us Form/Select Topic/Messages to the Attorney General
Thank you for your year-end podcast featuring your entire family. To say your love for them is evident seems trite and your example of caring for others nearly without a rival. In this day and age, faithfulness is a hard commodity to come by.
AG Merrick Garland is doing exactly what needs to be done and a critical part of that investigation is "no leaks." Here are some insights:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QHlNkUO55oc&feature=share
Cheating in an election is a federal crime, but who is going to enforce the law? The Federal Elections Commission has been rendered totally powerless. Can we really expect the DOJ to act?
Thanks again for Sunday's "year in review" podcast - so nice to hear from your managing editor Jill as well as your daughters. I know you started the newsletter for your family after the 2016 election and amazing how it's grown! But of course, we are all the better for having joined this community and had the benefits of your wise and reasoned perspective. There's lots of work to be done, so let's keep hopeful and healthy and active in 2022! Elaine Diamond
Thank you so much for publicizing events commemorating January 6! At this link you can find over 200, and there are more every day. https://jan6unityday.org We are planning to gather in Raleigh NC in front of Senator Tillis's office, 310 New Bern Avenue, at 11:30 am. You can register at this link, or just come. https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/event/433873/?referring_vol=1791972&rname=Ziegler&share_context=event_details&share_medium=copy_link