Last things first: the reason I read your newsletter is to quell the voices of anger and doom. So, there! The Supreme Court has become so heavy-handed of late that Stephen Breyer broke his smiling silence—enough said. As for the Press, and Jim Banks, too: I personally think we need more protection from the inflammatory and precipitant media than we do ISIS-K. Thank you for your tribute to those killed and wounded in the attacks, and their survivors. It is a tragedy, too, and was largely unforeseeable. We will always have enemies, both those we know and those we have not yet met.
Hi, Jim. The deaths are tragic. They join 2,500 other Americans killed in Afghanistan and many more injured and maimed. Let's get out as soon as we can before more Americans are killed.
Another great newsletter today, Robert; and as an attorney myself (now happily retired), I especially appreciated the link to the excellent opinion by Judge Parker in the Michigan federal court case. Thanks for what you do on a daily basis.
I rely on your letters to maintain sanity at this insane time. I am a retired AF Nurse. I also support Vote Vets, their early support of Biden's decision describes my feelings on Afghanistan. I am also angry with the unvaccinated. I will not go into specifics but I find that most are conspiracy theorist and totally uninformed of reality. All of their children are vaccinated.But we have 5 grandsons who are not old enough to be vaccinated and that is who I am most concerned about. So yes I am pissed. Being an Arizonan I am disgusted with Sinema and Ducey they both are selfish and do not care about their constituents. She will never be reelected in the new blue Arizona. Luckily Ducey cannot run again.
Hi, Heidi. Your feelings are shared by tens of millions of Americans. We have two grandchildren under the age of 1 and worry every day about their safety. Glad to hear that Ducey can't run again. Many readers from Arizona tell me that they supported Sinema in 2018 and won't support her in 2022.
If Manchin and Sinema won't save voting rights from the filibuster, they sure aren't going to save us from this rogue Supreme Court or the corrupt anti-democratic forces that installed its current seats. If we can't control the House and the Senate in 2022, life as we have honored it in America will be but a memory in 30 years, if we are then still even the USA. I am worried less because I don't have grandchildren, but it's so, so sad.
We Democrats need to expand our congressional majorities next year. Democracy needs that. And you are right--until we do, we cannot reform the Supreme Court.
Thank you Robert. Another amazing recap. I don't know how you do it. Comprehensive and concise. Please never stop writing.
What causes a Republican leader to blame a President for the actions of ISIS? What would a Republican president have done to prevent a madman suicide bomber from detonating a bomb in a crowd?
And when did Republican leaders decide that we "libs" are worse than the Taliban, ISIS and Russia? When 9/11 happened, there was a rallying sentiment that was shared by Democrats and Republicans and Independents alike. What is wrong with the GOP?
Bill, you answer a question that is almost unanswerable. But my personal belief is that much of the GOP's behavior can be explained by the fact that America is quickly becoming a majority minority nation in which the white population no longer has default control over the levers of government. I don't know why that is so threatening to the GOP base, but it is. That change is happening at a moment of globalization in which US workers are competing with labor from Vietnam and Indonesia. Knowledge and skill are at a premium, attributes that seem to be lacking among the GOP base. In short, they are frightened that their once secure way of life is vanishing. It is--for all Americans. We can either blame others for our lot in life or gain new skills and get rid of nonsensical racial barriers and get on with life.
Agreed. Good assessment. I wonder if there is a key to unlock their frozen hearts. I am not religious, but perhaps clergy could help. Ooops, too many of them are lost in the same paranoia. There is one who I do admire. https://johnpavlovitz.com/
The Marines who died and were wounded yesterday really were heroes--a term that is much over-used when it comes to our military. They were there on the literal (another over-used term) front lines, mingling with Afghan civilians trying to get into the airfield; I believe that the overwhelming majority of those Afghans are truly in fear and have good reason to want to be evacuated. The Marines must have known that they were vulnerable to the kind of attack that took place, but they stood there, doing their duty. That's what it's all about.
I thought about that last night. When they took their posts and the gates to the airport, they knew that there were warnings of imminent attacks. Yes, they are heroes.
Your newsletter is the first thing I read in the morning since the days of the first impeachment. I always appreciated the care and work you put into it. It is a labor of love. Thank you.
I react to Twitter with too much emotion. It’s midnight. I’m awake and stressed because I wrote comments expressing my frustration with firefighters that are refusing the vaccination. I’m a retired firefighter and I feel sad and angry that members of my profession are so indoctrinated that they will disregard a public health crisis. Your newsletters affect me in a more positive way. Your approach is calming and I’m learning things here that my brain is too tired to extract from all the news sources I’m trying to keep up with. I appreciate the work you do.
Hi, Eva. Your feelings of frustration are shared by tens of millions of American. Don't beat yourself up over feeling angry. Those who imperil us all are acting selfishly and recklessly because their party leaders have told them to do so. It is almost beyond comprehension that they do so. The good news is that 80%+ of Democrats and 52% of Republicans now blame the unvaccinated for the surge. The tide is turning. Keep the faith, and stay strong!
Ditto here Eva. I appreciate amore balanced view. I learned while on a meditation retreat Bout “the hour of labor” during which you take time to take action. So I am doing postcards to voters to turn them out for 2022. It helps me feel expressed and sometimes tired. But, I am not feeling helpless. Best to you
As always, thank you for the newsletter! People comment more often when they disagree than when they agree. I do agree that there are many people who will watch loved ones get sick, struggle and in some cases die and will re-evaluate their anti-vaccination stance. There are many people with unrelated health issues who cannot get care they need because hospitals are full. I feel so thankful to be healthy because it seems that we are close to being on our own medically.
Thanks, Donna. i appreciate your comments of support. you are right; people right more frequently when they disagree. What was odd was that several readers quoted back to me what i thought was an innocuous sentence. As i said in the newsletter, several were just plain angry at me (ALL CAPS angry). I just don't get it.
As always thank you for your reasoned and calm take on the news of the day. It has been a tough week as you said. I feel worried and anxious about what seems to be an organically mutating infection of disinformation and hate started by the Republican party over the past 30 years or so, and fueled by trump. We need your voice. “See you” Monday!
Meanwhile, my thoughts and prayers go out to the service members and civilians who died or were injured in yesterday’s attack. Our soldiers selfless act to help Americans and Afghanis leave Afghanistan demonstrates the best of America without reference to race, religion or politics.
As a reader noted above, the Marines took their posts at the airport gates knowing that an attack was imminent. It doesn't get any more heroic than that.
Sending thanks to you and appreciation for your words. For people to change their minds and overcome complicity, or mistaken trust, or deeply held beliefs we must expect and believe that humans can and do change their minds. It's surely possible for many people to change their minds and their actions over time. Meanwhile, individually each of us can focus and act upon what is wanted.
Robert and fellow readers, I have a question (rhetorical and not rhetorical): Why does it take only a month or so for the Supreme Court to render an opinion ending the eviction moratorium affecting millions but years before it hears a case on the constitutionality of a president who refuses to accede to the authority of Congress during an impeachment process thereby threatening our constitutional Republic?
The general answer is that there is an adverse ruling below. The losing party, the government in this case, asks for a stay of the ruling below to allow the full matter to be heard on appeal before the lower court ruling goes into effect. By denying the request for a stay, the Supreme Court effectively adopts the ruling of the trial court. In the eviction case, it added a gratuitous opinion that seemed to dispose of the case on the merits. As Justice Breyer has noted, that is not how the Supreme Court decides cases. The haste is clearly politically motivated and proof of the Court's illegitimacy. it has become an extension of the Republican Party's conservative agenda. Hence, I am unpersuaded when people say that expanding the Court will destroy its legitimacy. it is far too late for that.
Mr. Hubbell-- Could you post a link or reference to Prof. Klarman's testimony that you excerpt today? You give page numbers, which makes me think this was perhaps an oversight. Thank you for your work.
Ever dream that you are locked in The Capital with hordes of righteous Democrats raving at the doors? The last man standing between considered optimism and histrionic fear? Well I hope not. That would suck. Thank you for keeping a candle burning.
Last things first: the reason I read your newsletter is to quell the voices of anger and doom. So, there! The Supreme Court has become so heavy-handed of late that Stephen Breyer broke his smiling silence—enough said. As for the Press, and Jim Banks, too: I personally think we need more protection from the inflammatory and precipitant media than we do ISIS-K. Thank you for your tribute to those killed and wounded in the attacks, and their survivors. It is a tragedy, too, and was largely unforeseeable. We will always have enemies, both those we know and those we have not yet met.
Hi, Jim. The deaths are tragic. They join 2,500 other Americans killed in Afghanistan and many more injured and maimed. Let's get out as soon as we can before more Americans are killed.
Another great newsletter today, Robert; and as an attorney myself (now happily retired), I especially appreciated the link to the excellent opinion by Judge Parker in the Michigan federal court case. Thanks for what you do on a daily basis.
It is an opinion written to hold up on appeal. I hope that Wood and Powell are disbarred!
I rely on your letters to maintain sanity at this insane time. I am a retired AF Nurse. I also support Vote Vets, their early support of Biden's decision describes my feelings on Afghanistan. I am also angry with the unvaccinated. I will not go into specifics but I find that most are conspiracy theorist and totally uninformed of reality. All of their children are vaccinated.But we have 5 grandsons who are not old enough to be vaccinated and that is who I am most concerned about. So yes I am pissed. Being an Arizonan I am disgusted with Sinema and Ducey they both are selfish and do not care about their constituents. She will never be reelected in the new blue Arizona. Luckily Ducey cannot run again.
Thank you for your daily dose of sanity.
Hi, Heidi. Your feelings are shared by tens of millions of Americans. We have two grandchildren under the age of 1 and worry every day about their safety. Glad to hear that Ducey can't run again. Many readers from Arizona tell me that they supported Sinema in 2018 and won't support her in 2022.
If Manchin and Sinema won't save voting rights from the filibuster, they sure aren't going to save us from this rogue Supreme Court or the corrupt anti-democratic forces that installed its current seats. If we can't control the House and the Senate in 2022, life as we have honored it in America will be but a memory in 30 years, if we are then still even the USA. I am worried less because I don't have grandchildren, but it's so, so sad.
We Democrats need to expand our congressional majorities next year. Democracy needs that. And you are right--until we do, we cannot reform the Supreme Court.
Thank you Robert. Another amazing recap. I don't know how you do it. Comprehensive and concise. Please never stop writing.
What causes a Republican leader to blame a President for the actions of ISIS? What would a Republican president have done to prevent a madman suicide bomber from detonating a bomb in a crowd?
And when did Republican leaders decide that we "libs" are worse than the Taliban, ISIS and Russia? When 9/11 happened, there was a rallying sentiment that was shared by Democrats and Republicans and Independents alike. What is wrong with the GOP?
Bill, you answer a question that is almost unanswerable. But my personal belief is that much of the GOP's behavior can be explained by the fact that America is quickly becoming a majority minority nation in which the white population no longer has default control over the levers of government. I don't know why that is so threatening to the GOP base, but it is. That change is happening at a moment of globalization in which US workers are competing with labor from Vietnam and Indonesia. Knowledge and skill are at a premium, attributes that seem to be lacking among the GOP base. In short, they are frightened that their once secure way of life is vanishing. It is--for all Americans. We can either blame others for our lot in life or gain new skills and get rid of nonsensical racial barriers and get on with life.
Agreed. Good assessment. I wonder if there is a key to unlock their frozen hearts. I am not religious, but perhaps clergy could help. Ooops, too many of them are lost in the same paranoia. There is one who I do admire. https://johnpavlovitz.com/
The Marines who died and were wounded yesterday really were heroes--a term that is much over-used when it comes to our military. They were there on the literal (another over-used term) front lines, mingling with Afghan civilians trying to get into the airfield; I believe that the overwhelming majority of those Afghans are truly in fear and have good reason to want to be evacuated. The Marines must have known that they were vulnerable to the kind of attack that took place, but they stood there, doing their duty. That's what it's all about.
I thought about that last night. When they took their posts and the gates to the airport, they knew that there were warnings of imminent attacks. Yes, they are heroes.
Your newsletter is the first thing I read in the morning since the days of the first impeachment. I always appreciated the care and work you put into it. It is a labor of love. Thank you.
Thanks, Annamarie. i appreciate your words of support.
I react to Twitter with too much emotion. It’s midnight. I’m awake and stressed because I wrote comments expressing my frustration with firefighters that are refusing the vaccination. I’m a retired firefighter and I feel sad and angry that members of my profession are so indoctrinated that they will disregard a public health crisis. Your newsletters affect me in a more positive way. Your approach is calming and I’m learning things here that my brain is too tired to extract from all the news sources I’m trying to keep up with. I appreciate the work you do.
Hi, Eva. Your feelings of frustration are shared by tens of millions of American. Don't beat yourself up over feeling angry. Those who imperil us all are acting selfishly and recklessly because their party leaders have told them to do so. It is almost beyond comprehension that they do so. The good news is that 80%+ of Democrats and 52% of Republicans now blame the unvaccinated for the surge. The tide is turning. Keep the faith, and stay strong!
Ditto here Eva. I appreciate amore balanced view. I learned while on a meditation retreat Bout “the hour of labor” during which you take time to take action. So I am doing postcards to voters to turn them out for 2022. It helps me feel expressed and sometimes tired. But, I am not feeling helpless. Best to you
As always, thank you for the newsletter! People comment more often when they disagree than when they agree. I do agree that there are many people who will watch loved ones get sick, struggle and in some cases die and will re-evaluate their anti-vaccination stance. There are many people with unrelated health issues who cannot get care they need because hospitals are full. I feel so thankful to be healthy because it seems that we are close to being on our own medically.
I appreciate your newsletter!!
Thanks, Donna. i appreciate your comments of support. you are right; people right more frequently when they disagree. What was odd was that several readers quoted back to me what i thought was an innocuous sentence. As i said in the newsletter, several were just plain angry at me (ALL CAPS angry). I just don't get it.
As always thank you for your reasoned and calm take on the news of the day. It has been a tough week as you said. I feel worried and anxious about what seems to be an organically mutating infection of disinformation and hate started by the Republican party over the past 30 years or so, and fueled by trump. We need your voice. “See you” Monday!
I am not going anywhere! I hope you aren't either!
Meanwhile, my thoughts and prayers go out to the service members and civilians who died or were injured in yesterday’s attack. Our soldiers selfless act to help Americans and Afghanis leave Afghanistan demonstrates the best of America without reference to race, religion or politics.
As a reader noted above, the Marines took their posts at the airport gates knowing that an attack was imminent. It doesn't get any more heroic than that.
Sending thanks to you and appreciation for your words. For people to change their minds and overcome complicity, or mistaken trust, or deeply held beliefs we must expect and believe that humans can and do change their minds. It's surely possible for many people to change their minds and their actions over time. Meanwhile, individually each of us can focus and act upon what is wanted.
Agree, and hope you (and I) are right!
Robert and fellow readers, I have a question (rhetorical and not rhetorical): Why does it take only a month or so for the Supreme Court to render an opinion ending the eviction moratorium affecting millions but years before it hears a case on the constitutionality of a president who refuses to accede to the authority of Congress during an impeachment process thereby threatening our constitutional Republic?
The general answer is that there is an adverse ruling below. The losing party, the government in this case, asks for a stay of the ruling below to allow the full matter to be heard on appeal before the lower court ruling goes into effect. By denying the request for a stay, the Supreme Court effectively adopts the ruling of the trial court. In the eviction case, it added a gratuitous opinion that seemed to dispose of the case on the merits. As Justice Breyer has noted, that is not how the Supreme Court decides cases. The haste is clearly politically motivated and proof of the Court's illegitimacy. it has become an extension of the Republican Party's conservative agenda. Hence, I am unpersuaded when people say that expanding the Court will destroy its legitimacy. it is far too late for that.
Mr. Hubbell-- Could you post a link or reference to Prof. Klarman's testimony that you excerpt today? You give page numbers, which makes me think this was perhaps an oversight. Thank you for your work.
Ugh! My bad! I have updated the online version of the newsletter. the link is here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Klarman-Testimony.pdf Thanks for bringing this omission to my attention!
You're welcome. Thanks for bringing notice to it.
Ever dream that you are locked in The Capital with hordes of righteous Democrats raving at the doors? The last man standing between considered optimism and histrionic fear? Well I hope not. That would suck. Thank you for keeping a candle burning.
Thanks for this newsletter. It helps keep my spirits up and helps me better understand difficult and dispiriting events.