Thanks for including information on VotER. What a great idea! I will forward to my ER doc nephew. Please know that in this Thanksgiving season and every day, I am so thankful for you, Robert Hubbell.
I have decided that today I will embrace optimism. I am reflecting on the quality of Merrick Garland's service to this nation over the course of his life. Like Robert and most the followers of this newsletter I have been extremely frustrated with Garland's lack of action. But today, I am taking a longer view of him and speculating that when he does act, it will be powerful and unassailable.
Here is quote from the "sales pitch" for his Supreme Court nomination. Be encouraged. Have hope. This is not a shy guy when it comes to doing the right thing. Just ask Timothy McVeigh.
"For over 3 years, he has been the Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit, continuing to distinguish himself as one of the most impressive judges in the country. He has cultivated a reputation as a brilliant, meticulous judge with a knack for building consensus, playing it straight, and deciding every case based on what the law requires. As he has said, “The role of the court is to apply the law to the facts of the case before it—not to legislate, not to arrogate to itself the executive power, not to hand down advisory opinions on the issues of the day.”
As you know, Robert, I generally agree with you. But today I must question your assertion that it's hard to make predictions. Actually, it's ridiculously easy--which is why everybody does it, all the time. Now, making predictions that are accurate is much different and more difficult proposition.
When I was in law school (back in the says of quill pens and stand-up desks), one of my professors said, "If you don't like the facts, change the facts." Just so. The professor was not talking about lying to judges or jurors, but about situations in which not everything had played out. That's where we are. There's more than 11 months to Election Day. We have time to change the facts, if we need do.
Well, you are the best cheerleader I have ever known. You are right; we have to fight back, push, cajole, explain, jest and create the direction we want to make a fair country for all. The Republican Mafia threatens their own when they vote for road and bridge repair -long overdue- is clearly fighting for their own power not for the people who drive on the roads and bridges.
As always, I understand the feelings. But Michelle Goldberg's handwringing article has provoked a blizzard of pity and panic in the comments section following her article. It's a good thing that her attitude did not prevail among the civil rights marchers who were beaten on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday. If so, that would have been the end of the civil rights movement. Thank goodness John Lewis and others were willing to look past defeat and continue the fight. We have got to toughen up, or every dire prediction in Goldberg's column will come true because Democrats are cowering at home, convinced that resistance is futile. We are better than that--or, we should be. Otherwise, we are unworthy of the democracy bequeathed to us by the blood and sacrifice of our ancestors.
Great analogy, Robert. Maybe we need to start talking that way - compare ourselves to the Civil Rights marchers - at least in the idea of not giving up!
I am convinced that Merrick Garland is the weak link of Biden's appointments. I'll bet Biden is sorely disappointed in him. Or do any of you think Biden didn't want to start a war with the right and he wants Garland to drop the 1/6 ball?
What a fine dose of common sense and savvy for the holiday! Thanks especially for reminding me that Stone and Jones have their heads on the block ; they both owe me some sleep. Hqppy Thanksgiving, coach!
Judge Mehta appears to be using the JOC's behavior as reason for giving the defendant a sentence of a mere 30 days. White man's justice, again? Full disclosure, I am. White, that is.)
Thanks for including information on VotER. What a great idea! I will forward to my ER doc nephew. Please know that in this Thanksgiving season and every day, I am so thankful for you, Robert Hubbell.
I have decided that today I will embrace optimism. I am reflecting on the quality of Merrick Garland's service to this nation over the course of his life. Like Robert and most the followers of this newsletter I have been extremely frustrated with Garland's lack of action. But today, I am taking a longer view of him and speculating that when he does act, it will be powerful and unassailable.
Here is quote from the "sales pitch" for his Supreme Court nomination. Be encouraged. Have hope. This is not a shy guy when it comes to doing the right thing. Just ask Timothy McVeigh.
"For over 3 years, he has been the Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit, continuing to distinguish himself as one of the most impressive judges in the country. He has cultivated a reputation as a brilliant, meticulous judge with a knack for building consensus, playing it straight, and deciding every case based on what the law requires. As he has said, “The role of the court is to apply the law to the facts of the case before it—not to legislate, not to arrogate to itself the executive power, not to hand down advisory opinions on the issues of the day.”
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/03/16/background-judge-merrick-garland
I won't argue with optimism!
As you know, Robert, I generally agree with you. But today I must question your assertion that it's hard to make predictions. Actually, it's ridiculously easy--which is why everybody does it, all the time. Now, making predictions that are accurate is much different and more difficult proposition.
When I was in law school (back in the says of quill pens and stand-up desks), one of my professors said, "If you don't like the facts, change the facts." Just so. The professor was not talking about lying to judges or jurors, but about situations in which not everything had played out. That's where we are. There's more than 11 months to Election Day. We have time to change the facts, if we need do.
Well, you are the best cheerleader I have ever known. You are right; we have to fight back, push, cajole, explain, jest and create the direction we want to make a fair country for all. The Republican Mafia threatens their own when they vote for road and bridge repair -long overdue- is clearly fighting for their own power not for the people who drive on the roads and bridges.
Michelle Goldberg does a pretty good job of capturing our despair in her column this morning. You should respond to it in the comments....https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/22/opinion/american-democracy.html
As always, I understand the feelings. But Michelle Goldberg's handwringing article has provoked a blizzard of pity and panic in the comments section following her article. It's a good thing that her attitude did not prevail among the civil rights marchers who were beaten on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday. If so, that would have been the end of the civil rights movement. Thank goodness John Lewis and others were willing to look past defeat and continue the fight. We have got to toughen up, or every dire prediction in Goldberg's column will come true because Democrats are cowering at home, convinced that resistance is futile. We are better than that--or, we should be. Otherwise, we are unworthy of the democracy bequeathed to us by the blood and sacrifice of our ancestors.
Amen.
Great analogy, Robert. Maybe we need to start talking that way - compare ourselves to the Civil Rights marchers - at least in the idea of not giving up!
I am convinced that Merrick Garland is the weak link of Biden's appointments. I'll bet Biden is sorely disappointed in him. Or do any of you think Biden didn't want to start a war with the right and he wants Garland to drop the 1/6 ball?
I am mystified. Trump attempts a coup and our response is . . . ?
Thanks, as always, Robert for your level & wise head, mind, heart.
Thank you. You remind me of Henry V on the eve of the battle of Agincourt.
What a fine dose of common sense and savvy for the holiday! Thanks especially for reminding me that Stone and Jones have their heads on the block ; they both owe me some sleep. Hqppy Thanksgiving, coach!
Judge Mehta appears to be using the JOC's behavior as reason for giving the defendant a sentence of a mere 30 days. White man's justice, again? Full disclosure, I am. White, that is.)
... I remain hopeful and involved, as well. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with loved ones, Robert!