II have a picture in my head of the Trumptanic hitting the January 6th Committee iceberg with the Republicans all scrambling for the limited number of life boats shooving their base aside. The January 6thCommittee is going to make Watergate llook like a picnic. Wondering if there'll be a record number of Members of Congress expelled from Congress and al record number of the planners and accomplists going to jail and no pardonthis time for MAGgot in chief.
I don’t think you are correct, Kathy. Nixon had dwindling support. There is a significant portion of the population that has cast aside all semblance of reason just like those who are transfixed by social media: the anti vaxxers. They won’t listen. Anyone who spends an inordinate of out of time watching either cable or social media eventually becomes robotized. And if you have a continuing significant support group, then what. Is Congress going to sanction? No, not enough willing members. Will the various Courts do the job? Hopefully, yes. We’ll have to wait and see. Many of us knew that Biden would be a boring president. And I’m happy with that. But there remains something in the hearts and minds of people that want a strong man to lead even if he or she is a despot. Going back to the Plato’s Republic as Tyranny follows Democracy.
Hi, Bill. I think the Republicans stood behind Nixon until the very end, and then abandoned him quickly after the "smoking gun" tapes. The vote on the Judiciary Committee was 21-17 for impeachment--a straight party line vote. Before the full House voted, Nixon resigned.
I worry that the Rs will not come around no matter how solid of a “smoking gun” is revealed. I don’t know the tone of Rs from the Nixon days but I’d think they had more integrity than the current group. Please tell me I’m wrong.
Bill, I agree with you about the core GOP lunatics. They would look up at an incoming giant comet and say that it was a CGI - a hoax! But remember that more Americans declare themselves "Independents" than Democrat or Republican.
So, whatever this mess turns out to reveal, it will not be good for the GQP. I am becoming more optimistic every day about our chances in November. Finally.
This wasn't intended to be what is going to happen but more like one of the ways things could unfold. No one knows. Between Robert's article of a couple of days ago about the Republican Party problems, writing an email to Senator Romney on my disappointment on the Freedom to Vote vote and some other things like the continual revelations on the insurrection and the electors fraud paperwork, the calculus is definitely changing. And this is the picture that came to my mind. I have a brain that seems to have some subspace connections that sees a big picture earlier than most. Had a boss once tell that I jumped to conclusions .. but that I was usually right. Not always but my mind does seem to like to work on the big picture. Sometimes having a vision of what you'd like to see happen gives you impetus to make it happen. This picture is forming a way I'd like to approach especially the Republican Senators that voted to extend voting rights in 2006 and are still sitting in Congress.
I believe we call that "creative visualization". I have employed it for years on a personal goal setting basis. You picture what you want to have happen. And that leads you to a series of decisions that will help you get there. It can be powerful.
OK, let's all "visualize" together...1...2...3...VISUALIZE!
For all our sakes, I hope you are correct. And the net side effect of these investigations besides convictions are going up against the elections and republicans know it. I hope independent folks do too. I think the fear among their leadership is that these investigations will turn off the body politic and result in unexpected surprises for democrats.
Jan 21, 2022·edited Jan 21, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Speaking about Wednesday’s Senate’s vote, because the general public, for good reason, doesn’t understand Senate rules, which are quite obtuse, whatever people hear, without learning what actually happened on the floor, one cannot expect the indignant public response one would hope for. Unless the public fully is made aware of the modest, restricted rule change 48 Democratic Senators had proposed (if interested, see my posting from yesterday for the details) to pass minimal federal voter protection safeguards, one can’t expect a public outcry that could lead to real reform upon learning that 52 Senators rejected this slight rule change and chose, instead, to stick with rules that allow a single Senator merely to dial in a filibuster on a motion just to proceed to debate.
I will persist to get the word out, but, frankly, with an issue of this magnitude, I might need the attention of someone with the appropriate credentials for this outrage to get the hearing it merits.
Hi, Barbara. I noted your response yesterday clarifying the limited rules change. But the vote wasn't about the filibuster. It was about voting rights. Republicans weren't going to agree to any rules change that allowed voting rights to pass with a 51 vote majority. That's the message--Republicans are against voting rights protection.
Robert, My understanding is that the vote on the voter protection bill, though it received support from all 50 Democrats, failed because it did not reach the 60-vote threshold. Schumer then called for a second vote for a modest version of the talking filibuster that would be used only for the one bill. After a few hours of discussion, the vote was called and received support from only 48 Senators. Manchin and Sinema had voted with the Republicans, thus defeating the proposed filibuster rule change.
To be clear, I would note, for a rule change, that Schumer only needed 50 votes, after which Harris, as President of the Senate, would cast the tie-breaking vote.
Jan 21, 2022·edited Jan 21, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
As a student of history, I observe that it seems hard to get voters enthused when all is going relatively well. Hence, politicians seeking office need to create a problem or crisis against which to rail. This is essentially the problem for Biden's popularity at present with a large swath of voters. Trump is no longer abusing our senses with daily tweets from behind the Resolute desk, the economy is actually doing better, while the pandemic continues to rage we are learning to live with it after a fashion, there are more job openings than workers and unemployment is down to historic lows. Republicans create fake problems like "the big lie" and CRT to get their voters riled up. Democrats are trying to get their voters excited by telling them, "Hey, it's all going to be O.K. Don't worry." Democrats need a message that we all better start getting excited about ... or we are screwed." I know that our democracy is in genuine danger from one side of the political aisle, but that is not a "kitchen table" issue for most voters and seems abstract when compared to the more emotional messages Republicans are spewing about Democrats endangering "our values." Democrats are pretty good, at least compared to Republicans, at governing. However, they are not very good at strategic messaging or campaigning. And, that is a real problem.
I just love Katie Porter and her whiteboard talks. We need a lot more like her in Congress.
However, I will also point out that she is actually making my point. Her message is essentially, we are doing "stuff" and it is all really good stuff, so everything is getting better. She also points out there is more good "stuff" we should do and it would also all be really good "stuff." But no one is playing that Paul Revere role of riding through town screaming "The British are coming, and if they get here it is going to be really, really bad."
There is another component to why democrats are fairing poorly. I believe that Biden was picked by Obama to be his VP because Biden represented the white working class voter. That group has abandoned the democratic party and abandoned Biden. It’s a new day. Why? That’s the big argument. I think as much as white working class felt left out by democrats, the democrats has catered to the special interest groups; Black folks, LBGT, women, the dreamers. And so on. Where are the white working class in this picture? Well, they are no where to be found and they left to join the republicans? A political party that has no care in the work for their wellbeing? The first wave of white working class democrats left when LBJ pushed progressive legislation and the Dixiecrats bolted. I’m not suggesting non support for many of these causes. All I am saying is the white working class has felt abandoned. And they split. And I have no idea how to mend these fences. If I was any less attached to many of these causes, I might too, have gone over to the other side. And I do speak at an independent. I have not sold my soul to the democratic party. I have a ton of criticism of this, the party I most identify with. So if we think we can win because the other side elected the worst person ever to hold the office, once he is out of the picture, then what do we do?
I understand why the poll numbers are low for Biden. I just don’t understand how anyone could consider the alternative with what we witnessed on January 6. It’s puzzling. I can only hope that as the multiple charges convince the majority that just because republicans can believe in only preventing Biden from succeeding, which translates to believing in nothing, they will lose support. I hate to think that we need an invasion of Ukraine to finally present Biden in a favorable light.
Yes Bill,, puzzling it is, to understand how folks can offer fealty to ‘the alternative’ of good governance by seasoned experience, sincere authenticity, a full measure of civility, responsibility and dependability for our nation of diverse communities that President Biden demonstrates. There are numerous accounts of how the strongman mentality has gained traction over the years. Jen Senko’s documentary ‘The Brainwashing of My Dad’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS52QdHNTh8 , and her book of the same title, shows how right-wing media has high-jacked even main stream media and ‘captured the masses’; and for far longer than you may think. It’s an enlightening read for those curious to understand how the media has hamstrung the minds of millions into believing ‘alternative facts’. Her last chapter offers ideas for what to do, and her first offering is to have hope, quoting Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
I also recommend Thomas Edsall's recent essay in The NYTimes, "Why Republicans believe Trump can't tell a lie." I have been a critic of Edsall in the past, but his essay about why Republicans believe the Big Lie is brilliant.
May I quote/post on my Facebook timeline some of what you wrote about Senko’s film and book. I don’t have time to watch it all now but I’ve watched through the opening credits and it looks very good. And important. Thank you for bringing it to light here, Ada.
I never quite understood Plato’s Republic in which his five regimes the last two being Democracy is followed by Tyranny. I haven’t read the full text but I’m going to now. He didn’t believe in democracy and thought it lead to corruption. Oh ya…
Certainly, the fake electors should be indicted—right now. They will flip, many or most of them, and prosecutors can then move up the chain. It may be possible to indict them on state charges, and that should be done, ASAP. Fear of state prison will be plenty powerful enough to get confessions.
It strikes me that while I understand reluctance to divide the nation even further by prosecuting all the conspirators up to and including T___p, that may be the only way to lance the boil that he represents. So it must be done, come Hell or high water.
Anytime people do not face negative consequences for their criminal actions, it becomes more likely that more bad actions will occur. Trump’s ridiculous actions would not be tolerated by parents of middle school boys. No one should escape accountability and be above the law.
HEADLESS BODY IN TOPLESS BAR - New York Post April 15, 1983
Jan. 6 Panel Seeks Testimony from Ivanka Trump - NYT January 21, 2022
Democrats scramble to resurrect ‘chunks’ of Biden’s spending plan - WaPo Jan 21, 2022
While Robert can rely on a capable managing editor, Jill, budgets compel even NYT to rely on reduced staff to edit and proof read, including headlines. Headlines were the original “clickbait” — meant to draw the prospective reader to an article (and visually break up dense copy, even after photos became common). Headline fundamentals (when I learned them):
- brevity and accuracy, without point of view (though adjectives and active verbs may set one)
- appropriate to the topic
- conform to a news outlet’s internal style manual that maintains its overall look and feel
- expect that many readers see only the headline
My own opinion: NYT headlines are less fraught than many other major outlets. Current headlines are often fairer to Trump than to Biden.
Thanks, Laura. Good to know the "rules" that headline writers should be following.
I think we should all acknowledge, however, that "Headless Body in Topless Bar" conformed to the rules while managing to be clickbait before clickbait.
Jan 21, 2022·edited Jan 21, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I can attest to have been aheadlines reader and maybe one short article, especially when my kids where younger. At this point, the only time I read or click anything with trump as “clickbait” is if it has been recommended to me by trusted sources, like here, Letters to America, a private Facebook group History Has Not Written Itself, or a few other trusted sources. Rare that I even look at the Times anymore, mainly WaPo but not as often as I use too and I always read the comments. I stopped watching Sunday news shows too. I feel like it’s all become entertainment.
Aha, with today's Newsletter's topic, the concept of "wall" is back! But now, not just THE Wall but the "the WALLS"! Humpty Dumpty does come to mind and along with it "Humpty Trumpty." And we all remember the part about "all the kings horses and all the king's men . . "! Can only hope... and work like democracy depends on it.
That the MSM is following Fox down the rabbit hole puts a significant burden on us letter writers to get the message out. Happy to do that, but it seems a drop in the ocean. Bloomberg’s emails are the only ones I respond to. He is the only one who has the resources to counter Rupert’s propaganda machine. Maybe if he is not pissed about the way he was treated, he might be a great one for Dems to get on board with his communication network.
The idea of a Constitutional convention is a great one, and one that the Koch’s have pushed for decades. From what I understand, when such a convention is opened, the topics to be considered cannot be restricted. They have quite a “want list” if that ever happens. If anyone knows more details about that, would appreciate a shout out.
This article a good summary of what national advocates are thinking about next steps. There are multiple strategies for moving forward. It's not a matter of doing nothing. It's a matter of achieving election integrity at all levels of government. The article gives a good shout-out to RepresentUs along the way.
II have a picture in my head of the Trumptanic hitting the January 6th Committee iceberg with the Republicans all scrambling for the limited number of life boats shooving their base aside. The January 6thCommittee is going to make Watergate llook like a picnic. Wondering if there'll be a record number of Members of Congress expelled from Congress and al record number of the planners and accomplists going to jail and no pardonthis time for MAGgot in chief.
I don’t think you are correct, Kathy. Nixon had dwindling support. There is a significant portion of the population that has cast aside all semblance of reason just like those who are transfixed by social media: the anti vaxxers. They won’t listen. Anyone who spends an inordinate of out of time watching either cable or social media eventually becomes robotized. And if you have a continuing significant support group, then what. Is Congress going to sanction? No, not enough willing members. Will the various Courts do the job? Hopefully, yes. We’ll have to wait and see. Many of us knew that Biden would be a boring president. And I’m happy with that. But there remains something in the hearts and minds of people that want a strong man to lead even if he or she is a despot. Going back to the Plato’s Republic as Tyranny follows Democracy.
Hi, Bill. I think the Republicans stood behind Nixon until the very end, and then abandoned him quickly after the "smoking gun" tapes. The vote on the Judiciary Committee was 21-17 for impeachment--a straight party line vote. Before the full House voted, Nixon resigned.
I worry that the Rs will not come around no matter how solid of a “smoking gun” is revealed. I don’t know the tone of Rs from the Nixon days but I’d think they had more integrity than the current group. Please tell me I’m wrong.
Bill, I agree with you about the core GOP lunatics. They would look up at an incoming giant comet and say that it was a CGI - a hoax! But remember that more Americans declare themselves "Independents" than Democrat or Republican.
So, whatever this mess turns out to reveal, it will not be good for the GQP. I am becoming more optimistic every day about our chances in November. Finally.
This wasn't intended to be what is going to happen but more like one of the ways things could unfold. No one knows. Between Robert's article of a couple of days ago about the Republican Party problems, writing an email to Senator Romney on my disappointment on the Freedom to Vote vote and some other things like the continual revelations on the insurrection and the electors fraud paperwork, the calculus is definitely changing. And this is the picture that came to my mind. I have a brain that seems to have some subspace connections that sees a big picture earlier than most. Had a boss once tell that I jumped to conclusions .. but that I was usually right. Not always but my mind does seem to like to work on the big picture. Sometimes having a vision of what you'd like to see happen gives you impetus to make it happen. This picture is forming a way I'd like to approach especially the Republican Senators that voted to extend voting rights in 2006 and are still sitting in Congress.
I believe we call that "creative visualization". I have employed it for years on a personal goal setting basis. You picture what you want to have happen. And that leads you to a series of decisions that will help you get there. It can be powerful.
OK, let's all "visualize" together...1...2...3...VISUALIZE!
Or as Steven Covey says "Start with the end in mind".
For all our sakes, I hope you are correct. And the net side effect of these investigations besides convictions are going up against the elections and republicans know it. I hope independent folks do too. I think the fear among their leadership is that these investigations will turn off the body politic and result in unexpected surprises for democrats.
From your mouth, Cathy…
Speaking about Wednesday’s Senate’s vote, because the general public, for good reason, doesn’t understand Senate rules, which are quite obtuse, whatever people hear, without learning what actually happened on the floor, one cannot expect the indignant public response one would hope for. Unless the public fully is made aware of the modest, restricted rule change 48 Democratic Senators had proposed (if interested, see my posting from yesterday for the details) to pass minimal federal voter protection safeguards, one can’t expect a public outcry that could lead to real reform upon learning that 52 Senators rejected this slight rule change and chose, instead, to stick with rules that allow a single Senator merely to dial in a filibuster on a motion just to proceed to debate.
I will persist to get the word out, but, frankly, with an issue of this magnitude, I might need the attention of someone with the appropriate credentials for this outrage to get the hearing it merits.
Hi, Barbara. I noted your response yesterday clarifying the limited rules change. But the vote wasn't about the filibuster. It was about voting rights. Republicans weren't going to agree to any rules change that allowed voting rights to pass with a 51 vote majority. That's the message--Republicans are against voting rights protection.
Robert, My understanding is that the vote on the voter protection bill, though it received support from all 50 Democrats, failed because it did not reach the 60-vote threshold. Schumer then called for a second vote for a modest version of the talking filibuster that would be used only for the one bill. After a few hours of discussion, the vote was called and received support from only 48 Senators. Manchin and Sinema had voted with the Republicans, thus defeating the proposed filibuster rule change.
To be clear, I would note, for a rule change, that Schumer only needed 50 votes, after which Harris, as President of the Senate, would cast the tie-breaking vote.
As a student of history, I observe that it seems hard to get voters enthused when all is going relatively well. Hence, politicians seeking office need to create a problem or crisis against which to rail. This is essentially the problem for Biden's popularity at present with a large swath of voters. Trump is no longer abusing our senses with daily tweets from behind the Resolute desk, the economy is actually doing better, while the pandemic continues to rage we are learning to live with it after a fashion, there are more job openings than workers and unemployment is down to historic lows. Republicans create fake problems like "the big lie" and CRT to get their voters riled up. Democrats are trying to get their voters excited by telling them, "Hey, it's all going to be O.K. Don't worry." Democrats need a message that we all better start getting excited about ... or we are screwed." I know that our democracy is in genuine danger from one side of the political aisle, but that is not a "kitchen table" issue for most voters and seems abstract when compared to the more emotional messages Republicans are spewing about Democrats endangering "our values." Democrats are pretty good, at least compared to Republicans, at governing. However, they are not very good at strategic messaging or campaigning. And, that is a real problem.
Here is excellent "messaging" by Katie Porter and her white board from "The Last Word" last night. This is what we need, and she should be out there everywhere. Please share. https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/rep-katie-porter-and-her-white-board-explain-strength-of-biden-economy-131354693754
I just love Katie Porter and her whiteboard talks. We need a lot more like her in Congress.
However, I will also point out that she is actually making my point. Her message is essentially, we are doing "stuff" and it is all really good stuff, so everything is getting better. She also points out there is more good "stuff" we should do and it would also all be really good "stuff." But no one is playing that Paul Revere role of riding through town screaming "The British are coming, and if they get here it is going to be really, really bad."
There is another component to why democrats are fairing poorly. I believe that Biden was picked by Obama to be his VP because Biden represented the white working class voter. That group has abandoned the democratic party and abandoned Biden. It’s a new day. Why? That’s the big argument. I think as much as white working class felt left out by democrats, the democrats has catered to the special interest groups; Black folks, LBGT, women, the dreamers. And so on. Where are the white working class in this picture? Well, they are no where to be found and they left to join the republicans? A political party that has no care in the work for their wellbeing? The first wave of white working class democrats left when LBJ pushed progressive legislation and the Dixiecrats bolted. I’m not suggesting non support for many of these causes. All I am saying is the white working class has felt abandoned. And they split. And I have no idea how to mend these fences. If I was any less attached to many of these causes, I might too, have gone over to the other side. And I do speak at an independent. I have not sold my soul to the democratic party. I have a ton of criticism of this, the party I most identify with. So if we think we can win because the other side elected the worst person ever to hold the office, once he is out of the picture, then what do we do?
Sounds like you are describing the 2021 governor’s race in Virginia.
I understand why the poll numbers are low for Biden. I just don’t understand how anyone could consider the alternative with what we witnessed on January 6. It’s puzzling. I can only hope that as the multiple charges convince the majority that just because republicans can believe in only preventing Biden from succeeding, which translates to believing in nothing, they will lose support. I hate to think that we need an invasion of Ukraine to finally present Biden in a favorable light.
Yes Bill,, puzzling it is, to understand how folks can offer fealty to ‘the alternative’ of good governance by seasoned experience, sincere authenticity, a full measure of civility, responsibility and dependability for our nation of diverse communities that President Biden demonstrates. There are numerous accounts of how the strongman mentality has gained traction over the years. Jen Senko’s documentary ‘The Brainwashing of My Dad’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS52QdHNTh8 , and her book of the same title, shows how right-wing media has high-jacked even main stream media and ‘captured the masses’; and for far longer than you may think. It’s an enlightening read for those curious to understand how the media has hamstrung the minds of millions into believing ‘alternative facts’. Her last chapter offers ideas for what to do, and her first offering is to have hope, quoting Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
I also recommend Thomas Edsall's recent essay in The NYTimes, "Why Republicans believe Trump can't tell a lie." I have been a critic of Edsall in the past, but his essay about why Republicans believe the Big Lie is brilliant.
May I quote/post on my Facebook timeline some of what you wrote about Senko’s film and book. I don’t have time to watch it all now but I’ve watched through the opening credits and it looks very good. And important. Thank you for bringing it to light here, Ada.
Absolutely Jan, thank you for asking. Jen Senko also has a website: https://www.thebrainwashingofmydad.com/
Here, you can watch the trailer, stream the film and see an overview and reviews of her book.
Excellent. Thanks for this information, Ada.
I never quite understood Plato’s Republic in which his five regimes the last two being Democracy is followed by Tyranny. I haven’t read the full text but I’m going to now. He didn’t believe in democracy and thought it lead to corruption. Oh ya…
Certainly, the fake electors should be indicted—right now. They will flip, many or most of them, and prosecutors can then move up the chain. It may be possible to indict them on state charges, and that should be done, ASAP. Fear of state prison will be plenty powerful enough to get confessions.
It strikes me that while I understand reluctance to divide the nation even further by prosecuting all the conspirators up to and including T___p, that may be the only way to lance the boil that he represents. So it must be done, come Hell or high water.
Prosecuting the fake electors will be controversial, divisive, and roiling. Not prosecuting them will be worse.
Anytime people do not face negative consequences for their criminal actions, it becomes more likely that more bad actions will occur. Trump’s ridiculous actions would not be tolerated by parents of middle school boys. No one should escape accountability and be above the law.
HEADLESS BODY IN TOPLESS BAR - New York Post April 15, 1983
Jan. 6 Panel Seeks Testimony from Ivanka Trump - NYT January 21, 2022
Democrats scramble to resurrect ‘chunks’ of Biden’s spending plan - WaPo Jan 21, 2022
While Robert can rely on a capable managing editor, Jill, budgets compel even NYT to rely on reduced staff to edit and proof read, including headlines. Headlines were the original “clickbait” — meant to draw the prospective reader to an article (and visually break up dense copy, even after photos became common). Headline fundamentals (when I learned them):
- brevity and accuracy, without point of view (though adjectives and active verbs may set one)
- appropriate to the topic
- conform to a news outlet’s internal style manual that maintains its overall look and feel
- expect that many readers see only the headline
My own opinion: NYT headlines are less fraught than many other major outlets. Current headlines are often fairer to Trump than to Biden.
Thanks, Laura. Good to know the "rules" that headline writers should be following.
I think we should all acknowledge, however, that "Headless Body in Topless Bar" conformed to the rules while managing to be clickbait before clickbait.
Appropriate to the tabloid publication!
I can attest to have been aheadlines reader and maybe one short article, especially when my kids where younger. At this point, the only time I read or click anything with trump as “clickbait” is if it has been recommended to me by trusted sources, like here, Letters to America, a private Facebook group History Has Not Written Itself, or a few other trusted sources. Rare that I even look at the Times anymore, mainly WaPo but not as often as I use too and I always read the comments. I stopped watching Sunday news shows too. I feel like it’s all become entertainment.
Aha, with today's Newsletter's topic, the concept of "wall" is back! But now, not just THE Wall but the "the WALLS"! Humpty Dumpty does come to mind and along with it "Humpty Trumpty." And we all remember the part about "all the kings horses and all the king's men . . "! Can only hope... and work like democracy depends on it.
That the MSM is following Fox down the rabbit hole puts a significant burden on us letter writers to get the message out. Happy to do that, but it seems a drop in the ocean. Bloomberg’s emails are the only ones I respond to. He is the only one who has the resources to counter Rupert’s propaganda machine. Maybe if he is not pissed about the way he was treated, he might be a great one for Dems to get on board with his communication network.
The idea of a Constitutional convention is a great one, and one that the Koch’s have pushed for decades. From what I understand, when such a convention is opened, the topics to be considered cannot be restricted. They have quite a “want list” if that ever happens. If anyone knows more details about that, would appreciate a shout out.
This article a good summary of what national advocates are thinking about next steps. There are multiple strategies for moving forward. It's not a matter of doing nothing. It's a matter of achieving election integrity at all levels of government. The article gives a good shout-out to RepresentUs along the way.
https://thefulcrum.us/voting-reform-2656441557
We can hope this expectation is not a pipe dream. We are dealing with political deviants and zombies