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.
Thanks for asking. I really am not a huge fan of social media for a number of reasons. But I have no objection to my thoughts from here being republished by others. As Albert Einstein once stated, "In my entire lifetime, I have only had three original thoughts and they were all published." I am actually still waiting to have my first original thought worth publishing.
I do moderate a local county Nextdoor Group (my only exception to my absence from Social Media participation) that includes over 650 Progressives and Social Justice advocates (yes there really are a few of us here in Texas). I also am active in several local Democratic and Progressive Political organizations. The one I am most involved with at present is Blue Horizon Texas (https://www.bluehorizontexas.org/). Blue Horizon Texas is working to build progressive and Democratic strength in long ignored and forgotten districts here in Texas for local elections. I believe strongly in the idea that Democrats need to run everywhere to win anywhere. We need to stop talking about "un-winnable" races and stop ignoring local elections. State and national political strength have to be built from the bottom-up not just the top-down. Democrats too often focus only on national races they believe they can win. We need to be representing people and competing for their votes everywhere.
As to social media, I find that it lacks real communication with context amongst its participants - the give and take of real and meaningful conversation. I also have a strong aversion to the social media business model of acquiring and selling personal information, data, and preferences for profit. As I often explain to people, if you are not paying for a service, you are the product.
I do write letters to the editor of several local newspapers and also a regular monthly column in one. I also have had a number of my letters to the editor published by several national newspapers as well.
I am not shy about expressing an opinion on a topic I feel strongly about and feel I have something worthwhile to contribute. I just am not personally a fan of social media, as I have already said.
Okay. Well, I am already doing a lot of what you are doing. And I am nearing the finish of a rather major book that I have an eager audience waiting for. My plan is to do more regular, smaller writing after it is out there. Lots of people are already "broadcasting" my work out there and I'm looking forward to integrating my newer, more evolved thoughts into the writing and speaking about my niche area, human high intelligence - where it comes from and how to nurture its expression through making what they need available as they are growing up. A lot of the "right" people are naturally interested in the topic because they see themselves as being in the top categories and overlooked. Which is often true, so ... I'll finish the book and get going on the follow-up work. It's all related, isn't it?
🙏 , Bless you for what you are doing and I admire greatly your commitment to making a difference. We need more engagement in the efforts to make a difference. I claim no ownership of any thoughts I might have and certainly invite all to use them in any way they might find helpful. As I said none are original or copyrighted. I will certainly watch for your book and please let us all know here when it is published. I will also be pleased to encourage those in my own circle of contacts to read it as well. Thank you again, for all you are doing.
"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”.
I'm all for finding a catchy phrase, but let's steer clear of using a first name. Even though my name isn't Karen, it hits me in the same way as calling someone fat. Thanks
Yes, but perhaps should be “ What about Jared Kushner? “ Certain populations may think of Jared, the disgraced Subway guy -still in prison ? Also agree with Wendy and empathize with all those named Karen and Branden.
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.
Any organization built on kleptocracry be it a business, a criminal syndicate, or a government at any level subscribes to the philosophy that loyalty is built only through allowing each step in the value chain to steal a bit of value as it passes through their hands. Unlike strong organizations where each step in the value chain adds value, kleptocracy is weak because each step steals value not contributes to it. Do not be decieved by the scale of kleptocratic organizations. Large scale does not equate to strength. No matter how large they may be their inherent weakness is a loyalty and structure built not on building value but on theft and corruption. They ultimately fail in the end due to that inherent weakness..
One of my own contacts said you can either have the world’s largest, most expensive fleet of super-sized, mega yachts, or decent tires on military vehicles, but you can't have both...
My understanding from reading various military analysts reports on this and speaking with a few of my own sources is this is actually a huge and pervasive problem within not only the Russian military but in fact throughout it's entire supply chain. In fact the scale of this inefficiency has apparently surprised even quite experienced analysts. In thinking about this it is easy to understand when considering both the length and multi-level nature of the supply chain as well as the operation and maintenance of all its components. Even a single percent or two inefficiency at each level introduced by corruption and theft when pervasive makes for massive inefficiencies. Add to that resulting operational inefficiencies and poor or neglected maintenance and the problems are further magnified. Now imagine this exists for virtually every component in the system. Then place the entire system in the hands of a very top down leadership style in charge of a largely young and conscripted, poorly trained military suffering from poor morale supported by fragile supply lines in another country where you are not entirely in control and at war with an insurgent opposition force. Frankly it is only their scale combined with a ruthless destruction strategy that has prevented Ukrainians from dominating the conflict.
There are deep lessons embedded within all of this that will be documented over time in great detail and studied at length I am certain. However, at present that is of little comfort as we witness the daily horrors of what is happening in Ukraine. Two countries at present are being destroyed although Ukraine has far fewer resources to sustain itself as Russia burns through it's own in Ukraine’s destruction.
Charles--excellent points, especially about the SEC regulation of investment firms. But what if Kushner sets up the firm offshore (Cayman Islands) and has only one foreign investor? Just thinking out loud here. Could he evade SEC review under those circumstances?
Hi Robert. Kushner's firm has filed forms with the SEC as a Registered Investment Adviser headquartered in Florida. I haven't combed through the filings but, as a registered investment adviser, the firm and its management have to make certain representations and those representations have to accurately reflect their business activity now and in the future or the SEC can take action.
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.
Thanks for the information on the management fee. I assume that Kushner will also participate in the deals as an investor. With $2 billion of other people's money to invest, he will be able to attract quality investments that his own debt-leveraged business model could not.
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.
Charles Glosvky raised the same point about the SEC (above). I suspect that Kushner set up his investment firm to fall through an SEC crack in the regulatory scheme. I just checked the SEC site for registered investment advisors. Lots of Kushners listed, none of them Jared.
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.
Yes, Annette ! Don’t raise taxes on the wealthy…but raise them on low-wage earners and retirees…says the wealthiest member of Congress !Florida property insurance costs are NOT due to short-term, U.S. inflation…costs are due to FL legislators (many are millionaires) ignoring Floridians’ long-term needs! Affordable housing for all…before bans on books and abortion !
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.
Me too, Jim. And it can't happen soon enough.
Amen, sister!
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.
Bruce. Thanks for all you do! Can you write to me at rhubbbell@outlook.com at your convenience? I would like to chat about your work.
Done
I posted it on Twitter and Facebook.
Thank you, I avoid both Twitter and Facebook myself. However, if the thoughts are helpful to others' thinking I have no problem with its posting.
Do you have a preferred place to disseminate your thoughts or information?
Thanks for asking. I really am not a huge fan of social media for a number of reasons. But I have no objection to my thoughts from here being republished by others. As Albert Einstein once stated, "In my entire lifetime, I have only had three original thoughts and they were all published." I am actually still waiting to have my first original thought worth publishing.
I do moderate a local county Nextdoor Group (my only exception to my absence from Social Media participation) that includes over 650 Progressives and Social Justice advocates (yes there really are a few of us here in Texas). I also am active in several local Democratic and Progressive Political organizations. The one I am most involved with at present is Blue Horizon Texas (https://www.bluehorizontexas.org/). Blue Horizon Texas is working to build progressive and Democratic strength in long ignored and forgotten districts here in Texas for local elections. I believe strongly in the idea that Democrats need to run everywhere to win anywhere. We need to stop talking about "un-winnable" races and stop ignoring local elections. State and national political strength have to be built from the bottom-up not just the top-down. Democrats too often focus only on national races they believe they can win. We need to be representing people and competing for their votes everywhere.
As to social media, I find that it lacks real communication with context amongst its participants - the give and take of real and meaningful conversation. I also have a strong aversion to the social media business model of acquiring and selling personal information, data, and preferences for profit. As I often explain to people, if you are not paying for a service, you are the product.
I do write letters to the editor of several local newspapers and also a regular monthly column in one. I also have had a number of my letters to the editor published by several national newspapers as well.
I am not shy about expressing an opinion on a topic I feel strongly about and feel I have something worthwhile to contribute. I just am not personally a fan of social media, as I have already said.
Okay. Well, I am already doing a lot of what you are doing. And I am nearing the finish of a rather major book that I have an eager audience waiting for. My plan is to do more regular, smaller writing after it is out there. Lots of people are already "broadcasting" my work out there and I'm looking forward to integrating my newer, more evolved thoughts into the writing and speaking about my niche area, human high intelligence - where it comes from and how to nurture its expression through making what they need available as they are growing up. A lot of the "right" people are naturally interested in the topic because they see themselves as being in the top categories and overlooked. Which is often true, so ... I'll finish the book and get going on the follow-up work. It's all related, isn't it?
🙏 , Bless you for what you are doing and I admire greatly your commitment to making a difference. We need more engagement in the efforts to make a difference. I claim no ownership of any thoughts I might have and certainly invite all to use them in any way they might find helpful. As I said none are original or copyrighted. I will certainly watch for your book and please let us all know here when it is published. I will also be pleased to encourage those in my own circle of contacts to read it as well. Thank you again, for all you are doing.
"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”.
Copyright that before someone else does!
I'm all for finding a catchy phrase, but let's steer clear of using a first name. Even though my name isn't Karen, it hits me in the same way as calling someone fat. Thanks
Public use--no copwright claimed!
Yes, but perhaps should be “ What about Jared Kushner? “ Certain populations may think of Jared, the disgraced Subway guy -still in prison ? Also agree with Wendy and empathize with all those named Karen and Branden.
That is a great idea! Just great. All together now…
My son's name is Jared! How about 'Jared Kushner?'
You should design a coffee cup on Zazzle with that!
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.
Any organization built on kleptocracry be it a business, a criminal syndicate, or a government at any level subscribes to the philosophy that loyalty is built only through allowing each step in the value chain to steal a bit of value as it passes through their hands. Unlike strong organizations where each step in the value chain adds value, kleptocracy is weak because each step steals value not contributes to it. Do not be decieved by the scale of kleptocratic organizations. Large scale does not equate to strength. No matter how large they may be their inherent weakness is a loyalty and structure built not on building value but on theft and corruption. They ultimately fail in the end due to that inherent weakness..
I really like your description of how a kleptocracy works. so, larger scale simply means more theft--which may explain the state of the Russian Army.
One of my own contacts said you can either have the world’s largest, most expensive fleet of super-sized, mega yachts, or decent tires on military vehicles, but you can't have both...
My understanding from reading various military analysts reports on this and speaking with a few of my own sources is this is actually a huge and pervasive problem within not only the Russian military but in fact throughout it's entire supply chain. In fact the scale of this inefficiency has apparently surprised even quite experienced analysts. In thinking about this it is easy to understand when considering both the length and multi-level nature of the supply chain as well as the operation and maintenance of all its components. Even a single percent or two inefficiency at each level introduced by corruption and theft when pervasive makes for massive inefficiencies. Add to that resulting operational inefficiencies and poor or neglected maintenance and the problems are further magnified. Now imagine this exists for virtually every component in the system. Then place the entire system in the hands of a very top down leadership style in charge of a largely young and conscripted, poorly trained military suffering from poor morale supported by fragile supply lines in another country where you are not entirely in control and at war with an insurgent opposition force. Frankly it is only their scale combined with a ruthless destruction strategy that has prevented Ukrainians from dominating the conflict.
There are deep lessons embedded within all of this that will be documented over time in great detail and studied at length I am certain. However, at present that is of little comfort as we witness the daily horrors of what is happening in Ukraine. Two countries at present are being destroyed although Ukraine has far fewer resources to sustain itself as Russia burns through it's own in Ukraine’s destruction.
Charles--excellent points, especially about the SEC regulation of investment firms. But what if Kushner sets up the firm offshore (Cayman Islands) and has only one foreign investor? Just thinking out loud here. Could he evade SEC review under those circumstances?
Hi Robert. Kushner's firm has filed forms with the SEC as a Registered Investment Adviser headquartered in Florida. I haven't combed through the filings but, as a registered investment adviser, the firm and its management have to make certain representations and those representations have to accurately reflect their business activity now and in the future or the SEC can take action.
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
And don't forget that Kushner communicated with MBS through the encrypted messaging app, WhatsApp. Why? What did Kushner and MBS have to say to one another that they did not want the US intelligence community to know. See https://www.businessinsider.com/jared-kushner-reportedly-used-whatsapp-mohammed-bin-salman-2020-1
Did you see that Rachel Maddow says this isn't about payment for "works done" but for works yet to happen after Trump is back in office. Extra scary.
If not now, when?
Amen, amen, amen.
If not me, who?
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.
Thanks for the information on the management fee. I assume that Kushner will also participate in the deals as an investor. With $2 billion of other people's money to invest, he will be able to attract quality investments that his own debt-leveraged business model could not.
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.
Charles Glosvky raised the same point about the SEC (above). I suspect that Kushner set up his investment firm to fall through an SEC crack in the regulatory scheme. I just checked the SEC site for registered investment advisors. Lots of Kushners listed, none of them Jared.
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.
I wish I could remember where I recently read that crime rate is higher in states that voted for tfg (red states) than in the blue states.
Betsy, if you could find that, it would be great. We could use that as a counterpoint to the Republican narrative.
Yes, Annette ! Don’t raise taxes on the wealthy…but raise them on low-wage earners and retirees…says the wealthiest member of Congress !Florida property insurance costs are NOT due to short-term, U.S. inflation…costs are due to FL legislators (many are millionaires) ignoring Floridians’ long-term needs! Affordable housing for all…before bans on books and abortion !
Rant over :)
Thank you for all the good work. Dems must prevail 🙏🏻