Another daily Newsletter with wise advice. Thank you.
Everyone must make choices about where to focus their own efforts. There are so many challenges that I believe it is necessary not to over extend oneself, lose focus, and diminish one’s effectiveness to make a difference. Assessing my own available resources and capabilities, I have chosen at present to focus on one international and one domestic challenge.
With family and friends both still in Ukraine and others now refugees having fled to Poland my team and I are working to help with shipments of needed medical supplies to help serve the needs of Ukrainian refugees both in Poland and displaced internally. The needs are great and logistical challenges to this are significant. However, our team and other groups we are working with are doing a great job and we feel are being helpful and making a difference.
Domestically, I believe working locally here in Texas to support and assist efforts to support Democratic and Progressive Non-partisan candidates in local elections even in deep red districts is essential work. Too many Democrats and Progressives here feel overwhelmed, alone, outnumbered, ignored, and helpless. Too many districts are unable to even recruit Democratic candidates to run in local elections. I am working along with people fighting to change this with Blue Horizon Texas (https://www.bluehorizontexas.org/). Democrats must run and compete everywhere to win anywhere. By building local Democratic and Progressive strength in areas too long ignored and written off as unwinnable we can not only win races in some locations we also narrow the margin in statewide races that put them in play. We get little help from the National and even state Democratic Party but are making a difference and building local strength and increasing engagement. This is not a single election cycle strategy and we are in it for the long term. I am confident in both the need for this and its potential.
We all have to choose our own challenges on which to focus. Consider the needs, assess where you can make a difference, where your own passions point you, and then do what you can to help. Find others who have the same passions and work on them together. There is strength in numbers. When you have even small successes, no matter how small, celebrate them together. You will find joy in the work and be surprised by how many will join with you in that work.
"A good offensive move." at the least... Yesterday I spent the entire day with a fellow photographer, an Equadorian native, American citizen. Well educated, with a worldly perspective from his work in many countries. His perspective is not jaundiced or myopic. His comments about American politics: "The Democrats are consistently behind the "Eight Ball," weak and insipid." They offer too little rebuttal, to the Republican craziness. They should be on the ramparts about Kushner and the Trump family corruption. They are afraid, to be forceful, they dither too much." Too much hand wringing! I asked his opinion of the potential Republican prez candidates: DeSantis? "No, he will fail, only attracting dyed in the wool Trumpists. He will not get cross over votes; has no charisma." I asked about the possible Dem prez candidate: "Don't think Biden will run a 2nd term...Kamala may, but the Republicans are out to hatchet her." If American's follow the Republican failure to vote for Judge Katanji Brown Jackson, what possible luck will Kamala have against Republican party lines and misinformation. My friend is no Tom Friedman. Interesting to hear his views.
Republicans have made a slogan around “ Let’s go Branden” which is a derogatory slur against Joe Biden. The Dems need to start their own campaign around “ What about Jared”.
Apr 12, 2022·edited Apr 12, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
When I read this about Kushner and think about all the raging about Hunter Biden that remains unproven, it makes me want to scream. The GOP will act as if Jared somehow earned this payment. And the press will fail to highlight the comparison!
In the 1920s President Harding's popularity plummeted as the "Teapot Dome" scandal revealed him to be a weak and clueless enabler of Cabinet level corruption. If he had lived, he probably would have faded into the political shadows - forever tainted.
The corruption of TFG and his circle of enablers makes the Harding drama seem so quaint. More like Spiro Agnew's adventures. How did so many Americans become so numb and disinterested? How could anyone become involved with a fund that is provided by the murderer of a journalist working for an American newspaper?
1) The Washington Post ran a story over the weekend about Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert's heir apparent. The bottom line--Lachlan has thrown in his lot with the far right wing. Don't expect any changes from Fox News or The Wall St. Journal
2) Russia has an economy and society that are largely based on deceit, lies, and taking advantage of fellow citizens. Is it any wonder that they are losing the war in Ukraine? (There were reports yesterday that Russian soldiers could not believe how well the Ukrainians lived and were trashing the kevlar in their body armor to make room for stolen laptops that they could smuggle back into Russia.)
3) While our securities markets can sometimes seem like the Wild West, there are, in facts, rules that have to be followed when raising funds from outside sources. You can't just slap a sign with the firm's name on a door and issue a prospectus. The SEC should immediately investigate the circumstances around Jared Kushner's fund and the Saudi contribution to it.
MBS deciding to pay Jared Kushner $25mio per year makes it like Tea Pot Dome. ($25mio per year = share of managment fees on a $2bn investment by Saudi Arabia. A calculation others have pointed out). One would hope that there are a few members of the GOP, aside from Rick Scott and RonJon and Ted C who know no shame, who would think the stench of corruption would be off-putting.
I was thinking about whether Jared’s conniving with Mohammed Bone Saw broke the securities laws, but I’m hampered by the fact that I know very little about those laws. But then I realized that he can almost certainly be charged with espionage, which would be much more satisfying.
We absolutely MUST go on the offensive! Rampant crime? Shout out that Republicans have not moved forward on ANY commonsense gun legislation. Rising prices? Point out that Republicans have not supported any of the bills to put money back into the hands of Americans, have not approved any changes to taxes on the wealthy which would bring in more revenue. In Florida the governor and the legislators have ignored rising property insurance costs to focus on banning books and abortion. You get the idea. Time to pump up the volume.
Sickening news, but outrage outweighs nausea. I hope to live long enough to see the likes of Kushner and Tucker Carlson reap what they have sown.
Another daily Newsletter with wise advice. Thank you.
Everyone must make choices about where to focus their own efforts. There are so many challenges that I believe it is necessary not to over extend oneself, lose focus, and diminish one’s effectiveness to make a difference. Assessing my own available resources and capabilities, I have chosen at present to focus on one international and one domestic challenge.
With family and friends both still in Ukraine and others now refugees having fled to Poland my team and I are working to help with shipments of needed medical supplies to help serve the needs of Ukrainian refugees both in Poland and displaced internally. The needs are great and logistical challenges to this are significant. However, our team and other groups we are working with are doing a great job and we feel are being helpful and making a difference.
Domestically, I believe working locally here in Texas to support and assist efforts to support Democratic and Progressive Non-partisan candidates in local elections even in deep red districts is essential work. Too many Democrats and Progressives here feel overwhelmed, alone, outnumbered, ignored, and helpless. Too many districts are unable to even recruit Democratic candidates to run in local elections. I am working along with people fighting to change this with Blue Horizon Texas (https://www.bluehorizontexas.org/). Democrats must run and compete everywhere to win anywhere. By building local Democratic and Progressive strength in areas too long ignored and written off as unwinnable we can not only win races in some locations we also narrow the margin in statewide races that put them in play. We get little help from the National and even state Democratic Party but are making a difference and building local strength and increasing engagement. This is not a single election cycle strategy and we are in it for the long term. I am confident in both the need for this and its potential.
We all have to choose our own challenges on which to focus. Consider the needs, assess where you can make a difference, where your own passions point you, and then do what you can to help. Find others who have the same passions and work on them together. There is strength in numbers. When you have even small successes, no matter how small, celebrate them together. You will find joy in the work and be surprised by how many will join with you in that work.
"A good offensive move." at the least... Yesterday I spent the entire day with a fellow photographer, an Equadorian native, American citizen. Well educated, with a worldly perspective from his work in many countries. His perspective is not jaundiced or myopic. His comments about American politics: "The Democrats are consistently behind the "Eight Ball," weak and insipid." They offer too little rebuttal, to the Republican craziness. They should be on the ramparts about Kushner and the Trump family corruption. They are afraid, to be forceful, they dither too much." Too much hand wringing! I asked his opinion of the potential Republican prez candidates: DeSantis? "No, he will fail, only attracting dyed in the wool Trumpists. He will not get cross over votes; has no charisma." I asked about the possible Dem prez candidate: "Don't think Biden will run a 2nd term...Kamala may, but the Republicans are out to hatchet her." If American's follow the Republican failure to vote for Judge Katanji Brown Jackson, what possible luck will Kamala have against Republican party lines and misinformation. My friend is no Tom Friedman. Interesting to hear his views.
Republicans have made a slogan around “ Let’s go Branden” which is a derogatory slur against Joe Biden. The Dems need to start their own campaign around “ What about Jared”.
The horror of it all. Russia crushes innocents and Kushner profits from the dismemberment of a journalist. Righteousness is painful.
When I read this about Kushner and think about all the raging about Hunter Biden that remains unproven, it makes me want to scream. The GOP will act as if Jared somehow earned this payment. And the press will fail to highlight the comparison!
In the 1920s President Harding's popularity plummeted as the "Teapot Dome" scandal revealed him to be a weak and clueless enabler of Cabinet level corruption. If he had lived, he probably would have faded into the political shadows - forever tainted.
The corruption of TFG and his circle of enablers makes the Harding drama seem so quaint. More like Spiro Agnew's adventures. How did so many Americans become so numb and disinterested? How could anyone become involved with a fund that is provided by the murderer of a journalist working for an American newspaper?
"but then....what about her emails?"
A few comments on today's excellent newsletter:
1) The Washington Post ran a story over the weekend about Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert's heir apparent. The bottom line--Lachlan has thrown in his lot with the far right wing. Don't expect any changes from Fox News or The Wall St. Journal
2) Russia has an economy and society that are largely based on deceit, lies, and taking advantage of fellow citizens. Is it any wonder that they are losing the war in Ukraine? (There were reports yesterday that Russian soldiers could not believe how well the Ukrainians lived and were trashing the kevlar in their body armor to make room for stolen laptops that they could smuggle back into Russia.)
3) While our securities markets can sometimes seem like the Wild West, there are, in facts, rules that have to be followed when raising funds from outside sources. You can't just slap a sign with the firm's name on a door and issue a prospectus. The SEC should immediately investigate the circumstances around Jared Kushner's fund and the Saudi contribution to it.
Don't forget that Kushner read all the daily briefings & had access to classified information. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/27/jared-kushner-security-clearance-downgrade-secret-classified-information
If not now, when?
The Trump children and respective partners are despicable.
MBS deciding to pay Jared Kushner $25mio per year makes it like Tea Pot Dome. ($25mio per year = share of managment fees on a $2bn investment by Saudi Arabia. A calculation others have pointed out). One would hope that there are a few members of the GOP, aside from Rick Scott and RonJon and Ted C who know no shame, who would think the stench of corruption would be off-putting.
I was thinking about whether Jared’s conniving with Mohammed Bone Saw broke the securities laws, but I’m hampered by the fact that I know very little about those laws. But then I realized that he can almost certainly be charged with espionage, which would be much more satisfying.
I am retreating to Jill's garden and mine. In tears.
We absolutely MUST go on the offensive! Rampant crime? Shout out that Republicans have not moved forward on ANY commonsense gun legislation. Rising prices? Point out that Republicans have not supported any of the bills to put money back into the hands of Americans, have not approved any changes to taxes on the wealthy which would bring in more revenue. In Florida the governor and the legislators have ignored rising property insurance costs to focus on banning books and abortion. You get the idea. Time to pump up the volume.
Thank you for all the good work. Dems must prevail 🙏🏻