McConnell, Graham, Manchin, Sinema, and now Garland again: a huge logjam engineered by He Who Shall Not Be Named. It is refreshing to hear Bernie blast the logjam, but if this goes on until Christmas, I shall start lighting candles to the Goddess of Cholesterol in hopes of a remedy. I hate what government is doing to my state of emotional equilibrium. Only these columns keep me focussed—I am so grateful to you for your perseverance and common sense, Robert.
It's time--past time--for us to lobby our senators and congressmen to speak out, forcefully, on the Justice Department's sloth in prosecuting the seditionists in accord with the seriousness of their crimes. Why aren't people like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and the irrepressible Mazie Hirono raising their voices? Yes, I know, there are immediate legislative demands. But January 6th was an attack on the basis for our system of government. Members of Congress should speak out!
What are the ways We The People can contact and pressure the DOJ and specifically Merrick Garland to do their job and prosecute ALL who were involved with the January 6th insurrection? We should flood the appropriate DOJ Servants of the Constitution with telephone calls, emails and conventional post to demand their action! Perhaps they are not aware We The People are paying attention!!!
Thank you for your comments and level headed perspective. Your emails have become an integral and much appreciated part of my life.
Agree about calling one's members in Congress, even when they are Trump supporters as we have here in Iowa. Make no mistake, it is profoundly important to let them know their constituents ARE paying attention. After expressing my thoughts, the replies I receive from Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst are predictable, disgusting and dispiriting, yet with my voice, they have heard that not all people of Iowa are foolish GOP lemmings. There is much importance to being vocal!
I’ve had a lot of confidence that Merrick Garland is ethical and pursuing water-tight cases against leaders of the Jan 6 insurrection….could it be that someone/something is “staying his hand”? Perhaps timing is everything.
Hi, Nancy. Reposting here my response to ahimsa: I agree that prosecutors need time to put together their case. Here, however, we have a tape recording of Trump pressuring the Georgia Secretary of State to "find" votes that did not exist. And the insurrection played out on national television, including Trump's speech to incite the insurrections. But more importantly, there is absolutely no suggestion that prosecutors are trying to put together a case. No subpoenas, no FBI interviews. If those things were happening, the public would know. Finally, patience is fine up to a point. Prosecuting Trump in 2026 will be too late. There is a moral dimension to acting swiftly, so long as due process is observed.
Nancy, can I ask what gives you confidence in Garland? That is a genuine question. I am looking for reassurance that indictments are coming . . .
Hi Robert -- I agree with everything you say above. And no I don't have any information about coming prosecutions. My confidence comes from researching Garland's background and reading all of his public statements that I can find. Two thoughts occur to me now; one is that when I read through lots of the arrest and indictment information (on the DOJ website) about those people that have been found to have participated in the Jan 6 insurrection (over 600) I see that most have ended with plea agreements even though they started out denying any guilt. Those plea agreements strike me as getting evidence about others involved including "higher ups". [The process of starting with the small fish and moving up to get the big guy.] Second, perhaps the Biden administration does not want to make a "victim" out of Trump by prosecuting right now; perhaps they want to wait until after Nov 2? Just guesswork on my part, and sorry to run on.... I very much appreciate your sharing of your thoughts and analysis of these current events on a daily basis...thank you! nr
I agree with you about Merrick Garland and the DOJ. I fear that his silence is akin to that of Mueller. We expected so much of him and got almost nothing. Trump and all his co-conspirators should have been charged months ago. If you Garland allows an attempted coup to stand, then get out the popcorn because the next one is coming.
Minor correction to today’s otherwise excellent newsletter: In Georgia, I believe it is not the state Attorney General who is investigating Trump; it is the Fulton County District Attorney.
Sometimes, it seems to me, that prosecutors delay action to be certain they have a water tight case. The Orange Monster has a history of things sliding off him like teflon, so I have the greatest hope that Garland is being absolutely certain his teflon days are over, building a case that pulls in seamlessly all the cronies involved.
It is difficult to wait for justice. The often quoted "arc of moral justice . . . applies here as well as any concept I can imagine. I'll wait.
Hi. I agree that prosecutors need time to put together their case. Here, however, we have a tape recording of Trump pressuring the Georgia Secretary of State to "find" votes that did not exist. And the insurrection played out on national television, including Trump's speech to incite the insurrections. But more importantly, there is absolutely no suggestion that prosecutors are trying to put together a case. No subpoenas, no FBI interviews. If those things were happening, the public would know. Finally, patience is fine up to a point. Prosecuting Trump in 2026 will be too late. There is a moral dimension to acting swiftly, so long as due process is observed.
I want to add that I am deeply concerned about what appears to be a lack of concern or understanding of the danger our nation is facing now. Robert, I know you do all you can to help us feel hopeful, but I am convinced that if the dems do not respond to this fifty alarm fire, if they do not pass voting rights, if they do not call out the insurrectionists and their leader, if they don’t start messaging so that everyday Americans understand what the dems v the right are doing, we are lost. Merrick Garland is a part of that equation. We are simply fighting a war with a “tsk tsk”.
Robert, two things today: I listened to Tristan, the founder of the Center for Humane Technology, on MSNBC several nights ago and I was blown away with his articulation of the issues and his clarity of ideas--he was easily the best commenter on the Facebook revelations that I heard. His take on things was, if not unique, then coming at them from somewhat different angles than most of us. Second, I have been aligned with your position on Garland all along, still am, but really do wonder what your thoughts on why he isn't taking the actions that most of us believe he should. He's not a stupid man--is he too bought into the Bidenesque-sentiment that bipartisanship requires us to not further poke the "bear" that is Trump and his allies for fear of more insurrection? Is he too hung up on legal questions that might be presented?
McConnell, Graham, Manchin, Sinema, and now Garland again: a huge logjam engineered by He Who Shall Not Be Named. It is refreshing to hear Bernie blast the logjam, but if this goes on until Christmas, I shall start lighting candles to the Goddess of Cholesterol in hopes of a remedy. I hate what government is doing to my state of emotional equilibrium. Only these columns keep me focussed—I am so grateful to you for your perseverance and common sense, Robert.
Thanks, Jim. Stay strong. This is difficult.
It's time--past time--for us to lobby our senators and congressmen to speak out, forcefully, on the Justice Department's sloth in prosecuting the seditionists in accord with the seriousness of their crimes. Why aren't people like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and the irrepressible Mazie Hirono raising their voices? Yes, I know, there are immediate legislative demands. But January 6th was an attack on the basis for our system of government. Members of Congress should speak out!
Hear! Hear!
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. American democracy's weak link is Merick Garland.
His torpor is baffling.
we were all so happy when he was named AG.....what a disappointment!!!
What are the ways We The People can contact and pressure the DOJ and specifically Merrick Garland to do their job and prosecute ALL who were involved with the January 6th insurrection? We should flood the appropriate DOJ Servants of the Constitution with telephone calls, emails and conventional post to demand their action! Perhaps they are not aware We The People are paying attention!!!
Thank you for your comments and level headed perspective. Your emails have become an integral and much appreciated part of my life.
Hi, Stephen. Good question. I suggest that the best way to put pressure on Garland is to call your representatives and senators. A great resource for doing so is Jessica Craven at Chop Wood Carry Water, https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/p/chop-wood-carry-water-107
Agree about calling one's members in Congress, even when they are Trump supporters as we have here in Iowa. Make no mistake, it is profoundly important to let them know their constituents ARE paying attention. After expressing my thoughts, the replies I receive from Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst are predictable, disgusting and dispiriting, yet with my voice, they have heard that not all people of Iowa are foolish GOP lemmings. There is much importance to being vocal!
I’ve had a lot of confidence that Merrick Garland is ethical and pursuing water-tight cases against leaders of the Jan 6 insurrection….could it be that someone/something is “staying his hand”? Perhaps timing is everything.
Hi, Nancy. Reposting here my response to ahimsa: I agree that prosecutors need time to put together their case. Here, however, we have a tape recording of Trump pressuring the Georgia Secretary of State to "find" votes that did not exist. And the insurrection played out on national television, including Trump's speech to incite the insurrections. But more importantly, there is absolutely no suggestion that prosecutors are trying to put together a case. No subpoenas, no FBI interviews. If those things were happening, the public would know. Finally, patience is fine up to a point. Prosecuting Trump in 2026 will be too late. There is a moral dimension to acting swiftly, so long as due process is observed.
Nancy, can I ask what gives you confidence in Garland? That is a genuine question. I am looking for reassurance that indictments are coming . . .
Reply
Hi Robert -- I agree with everything you say above. And no I don't have any information about coming prosecutions. My confidence comes from researching Garland's background and reading all of his public statements that I can find. Two thoughts occur to me now; one is that when I read through lots of the arrest and indictment information (on the DOJ website) about those people that have been found to have participated in the Jan 6 insurrection (over 600) I see that most have ended with plea agreements even though they started out denying any guilt. Those plea agreements strike me as getting evidence about others involved including "higher ups". [The process of starting with the small fish and moving up to get the big guy.] Second, perhaps the Biden administration does not want to make a "victim" out of Trump by prosecuting right now; perhaps they want to wait until after Nov 2? Just guesswork on my part, and sorry to run on.... I very much appreciate your sharing of your thoughts and analysis of these current events on a daily basis...thank you! nr
I agree with you about Merrick Garland and the DOJ. I fear that his silence is akin to that of Mueller. We expected so much of him and got almost nothing. Trump and all his co-conspirators should have been charged months ago. If you Garland allows an attempted coup to stand, then get out the popcorn because the next one is coming.
Agree, and the best way to avoid it is to prosecute the people who engineered the last one.
I'm working with one of the founders of the Center for Humane Technology. They are awesome. Thanks for the shout-out to them!
The resources are first rate. i am very impressed and have subscribed to the Center's newsletter.
Their podcast is pretty cool too. Take a listen. I love the one on Solutions Journalism.
Minor correction to today’s otherwise excellent newsletter: In Georgia, I believe it is not the state Attorney General who is investigating Trump; it is the Fulton County District Attorney.
Thanks. I will correct in the online version.
Sometimes, it seems to me, that prosecutors delay action to be certain they have a water tight case. The Orange Monster has a history of things sliding off him like teflon, so I have the greatest hope that Garland is being absolutely certain his teflon days are over, building a case that pulls in seamlessly all the cronies involved.
It is difficult to wait for justice. The often quoted "arc of moral justice . . . applies here as well as any concept I can imagine. I'll wait.
Hi. I agree that prosecutors need time to put together their case. Here, however, we have a tape recording of Trump pressuring the Georgia Secretary of State to "find" votes that did not exist. And the insurrection played out on national television, including Trump's speech to incite the insurrections. But more importantly, there is absolutely no suggestion that prosecutors are trying to put together a case. No subpoenas, no FBI interviews. If those things were happening, the public would know. Finally, patience is fine up to a point. Prosecuting Trump in 2026 will be too late. There is a moral dimension to acting swiftly, so long as due process is observed.
I really like John Flannery's observations as well.
The end of our democracy IS in the balance.
I want to add that I am deeply concerned about what appears to be a lack of concern or understanding of the danger our nation is facing now. Robert, I know you do all you can to help us feel hopeful, but I am convinced that if the dems do not respond to this fifty alarm fire, if they do not pass voting rights, if they do not call out the insurrectionists and their leader, if they don’t start messaging so that everyday Americans understand what the dems v the right are doing, we are lost. Merrick Garland is a part of that equation. We are simply fighting a war with a “tsk tsk”.
Robert, two things today: I listened to Tristan, the founder of the Center for Humane Technology, on MSNBC several nights ago and I was blown away with his articulation of the issues and his clarity of ideas--he was easily the best commenter on the Facebook revelations that I heard. His take on things was, if not unique, then coming at them from somewhat different angles than most of us. Second, I have been aligned with your position on Garland all along, still am, but really do wonder what your thoughts on why he isn't taking the actions that most of us believe he should. He's not a stupid man--is he too bought into the Bidenesque-sentiment that bipartisanship requires us to not further poke the "bear" that is Trump and his allies for fear of more insurrection? Is he too hung up on legal questions that might be presented?
How do I change my email address with substack.com to receive the Today's Edition? Help please?
Please let Jaime Harrison your thoughts on Dem messaging. Maybe you can find out why Dems aren't doing any. Maddening
I sent an email to the DNC the other day with the same feelings and directed it to Jaime Harrison.