Manchin and Sinema were part of the weak hand dealt to Biden, but Garland was Biden's conscious choice. For lawyers on democracy's side, Garland is disappointing to the point of scary. Shades of Barr, but who does he think he's helping? Sad.
I wholeheartedly agree. Merrick Garland must Resign and pressure should be put on Biden to let him know he has lost confidence in him. But, is that actually true. You Robert have lost confidence in him, I've lost confidence in him, but I'm not sure Biden wants things any differently. Biden went bold on Covid, but since then......
I don’t know if this is something you can address, but at least you can be aware of it. Conservative Collier County commissioners in Florida are considering becoming a Second Amendment Sanctuary county (couched as Bill of Rights Sanctuary). This is a movement throughout the US. A news article about the recent meeting is attached. There are many similar counties now addressing and passing this. I would be interested in your take on the legality of the measure. A group of us are planning to respond at the next meeting. Thank you!
Progressives need to realize how much damage they caused with their “defund the police”. This caused some Democratic losses in the 2020 election and will be a weapon used by Republicans in many elections to come.
They need to consider the lives and needs of ordinary people and how to move toward their ideals in a more thoughtful way
The phrase "defund the police" was never meant to "defund the police," to reform policing. it was a horrible slogan and we will live with the consequences for a long time.
Yes, any slogan that is actually misleading and requires 10 minutes to explain what it really means is NOT a good slogan - and in this case very hurtful to our party
And how about "Critical Race Theory?" What non English major dreamed that one up? Are the lynchings in the South part of a theory? A fast ball, telegraphed down the middle for the crazies.. And does anyone know in what sense "critical" is meant here? Frank Bruni was on this branding loss when he tired of "gun control" For decades, the right claimed the flag as their own and made referring to French fries the equivalent of not saluting properly. How long will Democrats put up with the name calling ? If the cultists can use the thinly veiled "socialist' term why can't we come back with "fascist"? The Texas and Florida Governors might not like that and then at least we could elevate to kindergarten playground peace making discourse;: "I won't call you this if you don't call me that". We need a group of wordsmiths working full time on this problem. MADA ... MAKE AMERICA A DEMOCRACY AGAIN..... Are we Madanuff?
Critical race theory is an academic discipline created 40 years ago, long before he weaponization of language. Recall that Republicans demonized the "core curriculum" and "Black Lives Matter." I agree with you, Frank, that we need to be more effective in our messaging. I don't think calling them fascists is the right approach (recall that Antifa is directed against fascists). Rather, I think we should say that they are undermining democracy, that they support insurrection, and that they are trying to suppress the vote among Black Americans. But I also agree that Democrats need their own Lincoln Project to remind voters of how far towards fascism the GOP has swerved.
Please do not stop to write about Merrit Garland. He needs to have his feet held to the fire and we need to get the information about what is happening behind the scenes. No where else do I get to read about the activities in the DOJ in such clarity. Makes me very frustrated to know that career professionals can get away with all sorts of shenenegins (sp.?) without being held accountable for the damage that they have caused to our country. I LOVE your newsletter. It is fantastic.
I am pleased to read that you are moving on from the Merrick Garland issue. I am not sure who you wanted for the position who would differ from him on whether or not he needs to await the I G's report on career attorneys misconduct while Trump was President. If the IG finds serious misconduct and Garland does not act against them then I will Join the angry mob urging he resign.
When Edward Levi took over the DOJ in the Ford administration he succeeded in restoring morale but not by witch hunting career officers. The need to restore morale at justice is not by pursuing legal actions against career attorneys without the results of the I G's report indication their are persons that should be prosecuted.
Robert, your point about the need for The Lincoln Project, Democrat Version, couldn't be more accurate. As I indicated a few weeks ago in this space, we should be taking every opportunity to paint Republicans and their enablers as un-American, and contrast them with past heroes who were recognizably acting in the national interest. One of the great mysteries of life to me is how the Democrats could be so bad at this for so many years--they have lost the messaging battle to Rs for decades. We supposedly have Hollywood, academics, artists, etc. on our side--how about applying their talents to save the country, if the political and media consultants don't know what to do?
Color me dubious about this bi-partisan infrastructure package, although Biden and Pelosi made some encouraging comments this afternoon. But I suspect that in the end McTurtle will keep anything from passing. Which should open Republicans up to attack for refusing to protect human life on bridges and roads, but they'll do it anyway (Paul Krugman has been very good on the reasons why they'd do such a stupid thing).
And you've convinced me about Garland--it's time for us to be agitating for him to decide to spend more time with his family.
Manchin and Sinema were part of the weak hand dealt to Biden, but Garland was Biden's conscious choice. For lawyers on democracy's side, Garland is disappointing to the point of scary. Shades of Barr, but who does he think he's helping? Sad.
Bring on Sally Yates
Amen!
I wholeheartedly agree. Merrick Garland must Resign and pressure should be put on Biden to let him know he has lost confidence in him. But, is that actually true. You Robert have lost confidence in him, I've lost confidence in him, but I'm not sure Biden wants things any differently. Biden went bold on Covid, but since then......
I don’t know if this is something you can address, but at least you can be aware of it. Conservative Collier County commissioners in Florida are considering becoming a Second Amendment Sanctuary county (couched as Bill of Rights Sanctuary). This is a movement throughout the US. A news article about the recent meeting is attached. There are many similar counties now addressing and passing this. I would be interested in your take on the legality of the measure. A group of us are planning to respond at the next meeting. Thank you!
https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/government/2021/06/23/collier-county-considers-law-making-itself-bill-rights-sanctuary-county/7731708002/
Thanks. I will check it out.
Thank you as always for telling the truth, whether or not we find it palatable. Garland needs another job.
Progressives need to realize how much damage they caused with their “defund the police”. This caused some Democratic losses in the 2020 election and will be a weapon used by Republicans in many elections to come.
They need to consider the lives and needs of ordinary people and how to move toward their ideals in a more thoughtful way
The phrase "defund the police" was never meant to "defund the police," to reform policing. it was a horrible slogan and we will live with the consequences for a long time.
Yes, any slogan that is actually misleading and requires 10 minutes to explain what it really means is NOT a good slogan - and in this case very hurtful to our party
Yes, Democrats messaging needs major work!
And how about "Critical Race Theory?" What non English major dreamed that one up? Are the lynchings in the South part of a theory? A fast ball, telegraphed down the middle for the crazies.. And does anyone know in what sense "critical" is meant here? Frank Bruni was on this branding loss when he tired of "gun control" For decades, the right claimed the flag as their own and made referring to French fries the equivalent of not saluting properly. How long will Democrats put up with the name calling ? If the cultists can use the thinly veiled "socialist' term why can't we come back with "fascist"? The Texas and Florida Governors might not like that and then at least we could elevate to kindergarten playground peace making discourse;: "I won't call you this if you don't call me that". We need a group of wordsmiths working full time on this problem. MADA ... MAKE AMERICA A DEMOCRACY AGAIN..... Are we Madanuff?
Critical race theory is an academic discipline created 40 years ago, long before he weaponization of language. Recall that Republicans demonized the "core curriculum" and "Black Lives Matter." I agree with you, Frank, that we need to be more effective in our messaging. I don't think calling them fascists is the right approach (recall that Antifa is directed against fascists). Rather, I think we should say that they are undermining democracy, that they support insurrection, and that they are trying to suppress the vote among Black Americans. But I also agree that Democrats need their own Lincoln Project to remind voters of how far towards fascism the GOP has swerved.
I think they need to turn the focus to "improving public safety".
Yes, exactly! Down with quid pro quo, up with extortion. Do justice "a personal favor".
Please do not stop to write about Merrit Garland. He needs to have his feet held to the fire and we need to get the information about what is happening behind the scenes. No where else do I get to read about the activities in the DOJ in such clarity. Makes me very frustrated to know that career professionals can get away with all sorts of shenenegins (sp.?) without being held accountable for the damage that they have caused to our country. I LOVE your newsletter. It is fantastic.
I am pleased to read that you are moving on from the Merrick Garland issue. I am not sure who you wanted for the position who would differ from him on whether or not he needs to await the I G's report on career attorneys misconduct while Trump was President. If the IG finds serious misconduct and Garland does not act against them then I will Join the angry mob urging he resign.
When Edward Levi took over the DOJ in the Ford administration he succeeded in restoring morale but not by witch hunting career officers. The need to restore morale at justice is not by pursuing legal actions against career attorneys without the results of the I G's report indication their are persons that should be prosecuted.
Robert, your point about the need for The Lincoln Project, Democrat Version, couldn't be more accurate. As I indicated a few weeks ago in this space, we should be taking every opportunity to paint Republicans and their enablers as un-American, and contrast them with past heroes who were recognizably acting in the national interest. One of the great mysteries of life to me is how the Democrats could be so bad at this for so many years--they have lost the messaging battle to Rs for decades. We supposedly have Hollywood, academics, artists, etc. on our side--how about applying their talents to save the country, if the political and media consultants don't know what to do?
Color me dubious about this bi-partisan infrastructure package, although Biden and Pelosi made some encouraging comments this afternoon. But I suspect that in the end McTurtle will keep anything from passing. Which should open Republicans up to attack for refusing to protect human life on bridges and roads, but they'll do it anyway (Paul Krugman has been very good on the reasons why they'd do such a stupid thing).
And you've convinced me about Garland--it's time for us to be agitating for him to decide to spend more time with his family.