It is worth noting that the Supreme Court allowed the Texas abortion law to go into effect. For all intents and purposes, abortion is illegal in Texas, even in cases of rape or incest. Pastors can be sued for counseling parishioners about abortion; friends can be sued for giving a ride to someone seeking an abortion. Texas has effectively become pre-war Germany in which neighbors spied on neighbors.
The Texas law, and the Supreme Court's willingness to back it up is horrifying and shameful. Roe is about choice. Roe is not about making abortion mandatory nor trying to influence the decisions of those not seeking abortions. Spying on your neighbor in the name of protecting the unborn doesn't wash. So many of the same people behind this law are also those who consider Covid a hoax and refuse to get vaccinated or wear masks. My husband's 85 year old cousin is close to death from Covid because her Covid-denying daughter paid her a visit with what she said was a cold. The cousin now has blood clots in her lungs and will likely die. This is all madness and this madness must end. It is our obligation to stop it.
Wonderful column. I share your evaluation of President Biden. He’s doing a very good job. Don’t forget he’s got a great ally and counselor, Dr. Jill Biden, right beside him.
I recall the relief and elation I felt as a woman of color when Obama was elected. I felt the same relief about Biden, although I know danger from the GQP lurks and keeps me alert to positive action whenever possible.
I still like Joe Biden, even if Michael Moore supports him.
But seriously, Biden's speech yesterday was forthright, honest and at times even eloquent. He has recognized what needed to be done, and shown the courage to do it. What more could we ask of him? (Biden's comment about people calling Afghanistan a "low-intensity" war reminded me of one of my college professors, who reflected that his aunt thought the Philippine Insurrection--look it up--the most important war the Unied States ever fought. Her husband died in it.)
I am tempted to drop my NYT and WaPo subscriptions, but I am afraid I will lose the chance to refute some fresh calumny. Biden is excellent, and I’m glad Michael Moore thinks so, and Hawley, McCarthy, and Cawthorn are thugs, but of course, we knew that. You are a modern Diogenes, Robert, and you are lighting up dark corners. I can’t thank you enough.
I have been close to tears off and on for the past week. They are both tears of relief and of grief. Endings are seldom easy nor without cost. Wars are both costly in terms of lives and capital. The pain of a parent thinking their beloved child is finally coming home and then to finding out they have been killed by terrorists is a kind of pain beyond belief. But Biden's decision was the right one. Yesterday I wrote him a heartfelt note of thanks on behalf of our family for his moral courage in making the tough decision to end the war, sticking with it, and explaining it clearly. I did not vote for Biden just because he wasn't Donald Trump. I voted for him because he is a man who has been humbled by grief, who possesses a clear moral compass, who is capable and willing to learn from history and from his advisers, and because he is a decent human being. Perhaps that kind of decency is really, really what we all need just now.
Thank you for for your analysis of Biden and Afghanistan. I am usually a faithful reader of the NY Times, but am disgusted by their coverage, since I agree with you that Biden did the right thing in withdrawing when he did, and continues to do the right thing by taking total responsibility for his actions and standing by his decisions. He does not need to apologize to anyone. Count me as another citizen surprised and pleased by his performance.
It is worth noting that the Supreme Court allowed the Texas abortion law to go into effect. For all intents and purposes, abortion is illegal in Texas, even in cases of rape or incest. Pastors can be sued for counseling parishioners about abortion; friends can be sued for giving a ride to someone seeking an abortion. Texas has effectively become pre-war Germany in which neighbors spied on neighbors.
The Texas law, and the Supreme Court's willingness to back it up is horrifying and shameful. Roe is about choice. Roe is not about making abortion mandatory nor trying to influence the decisions of those not seeking abortions. Spying on your neighbor in the name of protecting the unborn doesn't wash. So many of the same people behind this law are also those who consider Covid a hoax and refuse to get vaccinated or wear masks. My husband's 85 year old cousin is close to death from Covid because her Covid-denying daughter paid her a visit with what she said was a cold. The cousin now has blood clots in her lungs and will likely die. This is all madness and this madness must end. It is our obligation to stop it.
Hear, hear!!
Wonderful column. I share your evaluation of President Biden. He’s doing a very good job. Don’t forget he’s got a great ally and counselor, Dr. Jill Biden, right beside him.
I recall the relief and elation I felt as a woman of color when Obama was elected. I felt the same relief about Biden, although I know danger from the GQP lurks and keeps me alert to positive action whenever possible.
I still like Joe Biden, even if Michael Moore supports him.
But seriously, Biden's speech yesterday was forthright, honest and at times even eloquent. He has recognized what needed to be done, and shown the courage to do it. What more could we ask of him? (Biden's comment about people calling Afghanistan a "low-intensity" war reminded me of one of my college professors, who reflected that his aunt thought the Philippine Insurrection--look it up--the most important war the Unied States ever fought. Her husband died in it.)
Blessed indeed!
I am tempted to drop my NYT and WaPo subscriptions, but I am afraid I will lose the chance to refute some fresh calumny. Biden is excellent, and I’m glad Michael Moore thinks so, and Hawley, McCarthy, and Cawthorn are thugs, but of course, we knew that. You are a modern Diogenes, Robert, and you are lighting up dark corners. I can’t thank you enough.
I agree with that as well.
Totally agree!
I have been close to tears off and on for the past week. They are both tears of relief and of grief. Endings are seldom easy nor without cost. Wars are both costly in terms of lives and capital. The pain of a parent thinking their beloved child is finally coming home and then to finding out they have been killed by terrorists is a kind of pain beyond belief. But Biden's decision was the right one. Yesterday I wrote him a heartfelt note of thanks on behalf of our family for his moral courage in making the tough decision to end the war, sticking with it, and explaining it clearly. I did not vote for Biden just because he wasn't Donald Trump. I voted for him because he is a man who has been humbled by grief, who possesses a clear moral compass, who is capable and willing to learn from history and from his advisers, and because he is a decent human being. Perhaps that kind of decency is really, really what we all need just now.
Thank you for for your analysis of Biden and Afghanistan. I am usually a faithful reader of the NY Times, but am disgusted by their coverage, since I agree with you that Biden did the right thing in withdrawing when he did, and continues to do the right thing by taking total responsibility for his actions and standing by his decisions. He does not need to apologize to anyone. Count me as another citizen surprised and pleased by his performance.
Loved this!!!! You are correct, dear Hubbell, in quoting Michael Moore - "we are blessed to have President Biden in the White House." Marilyn
Hooray to you for today's newsletter!! Thanks to Michael Moore! And thanks to you! "We are blessed to have Joe Biden as president!"
Yep, very good column, Robert. Thank you!