I posted this on your reply to my comment on Merrick Garland, yesterday around 8:00 pm, but it was possibly too late to have been noticed.
… What are we supposed to do with an AG who by not being qualified to handle the imminent crisis facing us is, perhaps unintentionally, sabotaging our Democracy? “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
“In September 2019, the Golden Ray departed the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, with a haul of about 4200 vehicles and soon developed a catastrophic list. The floating parking garage, with space for up to 7742 vehicles, tipped onto its side and beached itself just off the St. Simons Island shoreline. Nineteen months later, the Golden Ray's journey is finally nearing its end.”
Thank you for properly identifying Manchin as a diva! Also, thank you for describing Garland as the right man in the wrong job. He is not, I don't think, evil, but he’s holding his cards way too close to his chest, and losing the confidence of the public. As always, as you point out, our big job lies ahead at the polls.
First I am in total agreement with you regarding Merrick Garland, and unfortunately not surprised. Mild mannered, middle of the road, Garland is brilliant and an excellent judge and attorney, but he is not now, nor has he ever, taken positions that are aggressive interpretations of law. Fair, empathic, kind, that's Garland. Unwilling to make controversial choices, that's Garland too. I have to actually put blame on Biden here. He knew who he picked for the job and he's getting what he asked for.
On another note am I the only person who is secretly and perhaps naively hoping that Manchin is eventually going to come around? That he is working to demonstrate his strong desire to work across the aisle, over and over and over again, so when he does the right thing (carve out a way to vote for voting reform legislation, likely his), he still has some chance of re-election in a state that went over +40 to DJT. It's pretty clear that McConnell is betting (using his knowledge of what he would do) that Manchin will never risk his political career on Democracy (what a wild idea), but maybe McConnell's wrong. Maybe all these Democratic Senators who keep telling us that Joe Manchin is such a great guy, really know something we don't know.
Thanks for your continued reassurance that we shall prevail. I know that, but it's nice to see it in print.
I also think that we'll survive Merrick Garland, although I fear, increasingly, that you are right and that he's too timid for this moment.
One other point: All of the Republican lies and deceptions and farces (did you see that Greg Abbott vetoed a bill aimed at cruelty to dogs?) plays to a smaller and smaller audience. The Republican party shrinks every day. And it has no way to grow. Most American voters pay no attention to the ridiculous antics of the Republicans. If we do our part, and work hard, Democrats will increase our majority in both houses next year (perhaps reducing Joe Manchin to near-irrelevance), and then we can get things done.
"Fifteen minutes of fame"...I've been saying that lately too. I like the addition of "diva" to describe Senator Manchin. When he should be helping to whip the Democratic caucus into unity, he is instead creating wide cracks in a good agenda.
I posted this on your reply to my comment on Merrick Garland, yesterday around 8:00 pm, but it was possibly too late to have been noticed.
… What are we supposed to do with an AG who by not being qualified to handle the imminent crisis facing us is, perhaps unintentionally, sabotaging our Democracy? “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
“In September 2019, the Golden Ray departed the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, with a haul of about 4200 vehicles and soon developed a catastrophic list. The floating parking garage, with space for up to 7742 vehicles, tipped onto its side and beached itself just off the St. Simons Island shoreline. Nineteen months later, the Golden Ray's journey is finally nearing its end.”
Sometimes the ship cannot right itself no matter how hard the crew works. https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a35877638/golden-ray-final-voyage/
Our ship, the USS Democracy, is listing!
Thank you for properly identifying Manchin as a diva! Also, thank you for describing Garland as the right man in the wrong job. He is not, I don't think, evil, but he’s holding his cards way too close to his chest, and losing the confidence of the public. As always, as you point out, our big job lies ahead at the polls.
First I am in total agreement with you regarding Merrick Garland, and unfortunately not surprised. Mild mannered, middle of the road, Garland is brilliant and an excellent judge and attorney, but he is not now, nor has he ever, taken positions that are aggressive interpretations of law. Fair, empathic, kind, that's Garland. Unwilling to make controversial choices, that's Garland too. I have to actually put blame on Biden here. He knew who he picked for the job and he's getting what he asked for.
On another note am I the only person who is secretly and perhaps naively hoping that Manchin is eventually going to come around? That he is working to demonstrate his strong desire to work across the aisle, over and over and over again, so when he does the right thing (carve out a way to vote for voting reform legislation, likely his), he still has some chance of re-election in a state that went over +40 to DJT. It's pretty clear that McConnell is betting (using his knowledge of what he would do) that Manchin will never risk his political career on Democracy (what a wild idea), but maybe McConnell's wrong. Maybe all these Democratic Senators who keep telling us that Joe Manchin is such a great guy, really know something we don't know.
Thanks for your continued reassurance that we shall prevail. I know that, but it's nice to see it in print.
I also think that we'll survive Merrick Garland, although I fear, increasingly, that you are right and that he's too timid for this moment.
One other point: All of the Republican lies and deceptions and farces (did you see that Greg Abbott vetoed a bill aimed at cruelty to dogs?) plays to a smaller and smaller audience. The Republican party shrinks every day. And it has no way to grow. Most American voters pay no attention to the ridiculous antics of the Republicans. If we do our part, and work hard, Democrats will increase our majority in both houses next year (perhaps reducing Joe Manchin to near-irrelevance), and then we can get things done.
Completely agree about Garland! What you say is sad but true.
"Fifteen minutes of fame"...I've been saying that lately too. I like the addition of "diva" to describe Senator Manchin. When he should be helping to whip the Democratic caucus into unity, he is instead creating wide cracks in a good agenda.