I contacted Garland by email and no response. In addition to all of sociopath’s criminal activity that you mentioned, the one that perplexes me the most is him sitting in his office for hours as people, even from his own family, begged him to call off the rioters as people were hurt, killed, property destroyed, etc. In the end he told them to leave and praised their characters. I don’t understand why he can’t be charged for that alone. I don’t understand why he can’t be charged for knowing that Covid was deadly very early on and not warning people while so many died. I don’t understand Garland and I don’t understand politics and protections enough.
I do know this. I will be a poll observer, I will write postcards to swing states. I will phone bank to voters. I will go to the rally in Hartford CT this coming Monday on gun reform. I will keep fighting for democracy until we make the sickness of the Republican Party completely implode and blast the remnants into the universe. Maybe Bezos can take it on his next flight.
Angela, you are doing everything you can and should. We must be prepared to defend democracy even without the benefit of Trump being held criminally liable for his misdeeds.
The section about ordinary people taking small steps into civic activity really resonates with me. I call myself a retiree turned activist. I have a lot of new (well going 6 years now) friends. We work on elections and charitable projects. As long as I’m able, I will contribute in some way.
Wonderful, Deborah! There is an old saying among activists, "Come for the cause, stay of the people." That is another way of saying that there is strength in community.
I think is Trump keeled over tomorrow, we would have an insurrection over his body lying in state at the capitol! I am mystified and frankly discouraged over Garland’s inaction. What can we do to light a fire under him?
I think Merrick Garland needs to be replaced or a special prosecutor needs to be appointed. Not holding trump accountable for any of his many crimes throws the rule of law out the window and weakens the country in dangerous ways. Being elected to public office should not be a get out of jail free card. NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW, NOT EVEN AND ESPECIALLY THE PRESIDENT!!!!
Feb 10, 2022·edited Feb 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
"If Merrick Garland is not up to the job of prosecuting a man who has publicly committed a half-dozen felonies, Biden should appoint someone who is up to the task." Seems like we need to start drowning Biden in calls, emails and postcards, eh?
VoteRiders.org needs help to put staff on the ground in key strict Voter ID laws in these states: PA,MI, AZ, GA, SC, WI and TX. Your readers' help could includes $ and in kind resources (office, housing, etc). Voter ID laws to apply for vote by mail or to show at the polls are horrific. www.VoteRiders.org and this is essentially disenfranchisement of properly registered voters.
How Senators Manchin, Sinema, Murkowski, Romney, Collins ... any US Senator... can deny registered voters the right to vote by supporting the obscene theory that State Legislatures should legislate federal election laws for times, places and manners beggars belief.
Hi, Alice. I will promote this call for help tonight. Can you have someone from the organization contact me at rhubbell@outlook.com? I have scheduled VoteRiders as the featured guest on my March 12 podcast and will use that as an opportunity to showcase the organization in the newsletter.
Robert, like you, I will be happy to admit that I was wrong about Garland, But, as of now, the DOJ is the place where prosecution of Trump for his many crimes goes to die. He needs to be held accountable for the damage he has done to our country. There can be no justice until he and his band of misfits and grifters are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Too much time has already passed. If Garland won't take action, he should be replaced by someone who will.
Very simply, it is time for Merrick Garland to go. His inaction provides legitimacy to those who would tear down the Constitution. True, the case against T___p may not be perfect, but no case ever is. The danger of waiting is now clearly greater than the danger of going forward with an imperfect prosecution.
I absolutely share that frustration over the inaction of the DOJ relative to TFG. So much so I want to scream: "Do something! Anything! Hold the monster accountable!" And every day that goes by without a prosecution of TFG for his crimes against our democracy is day when a precedent is set for a future President - who could be even more diabolical and even smarter.
I don't know why, but I still hang onto the hope that our AG will act. William Bennett commented below - asking "why we aren’t seeing resignations from DOJ?"
Certainly there must be many professionals in that organization who feel the way we do. Most of them could make more money in the private sector. Is it possible that they are confident in Garland's integrity and careful leadership? We haven't have had leaks from the DOJ either. Such a mystery.
AG Garland: we need an emotional and spiritual lifeline out here. We are drowning in despair.
I think there may be problem with perspective within the DOJ that is preventing resignations in protest. In normal times, the DOJ is very focused on internal protocols as a way of preserving the DOJ's reputation, integrity, and independence. But now, those very protocols are undermining the public's confidence in the ability of the DOJ to "Do justice." Trump is an active threat to democracy who is planning another coup. The DOJ doesn't have to bend or ignore any rules; it just has to focus on something and move with all deliberate speed. As noted in today's newsletter, some of Trump's crimes are five years old. They were public. They were the subject of an exhaustive report by Robert Mueller. At some point, the absence of action is proof that Merrick Garland has chosen not to prosecute Trump. That might be a reasonable judgment, but it is one that he should share with the American people.
Glad there was a good response to the call out for Poll Observers! I was one that signed up right away. That makes me feel good since I am really have a hard time getting my little group of resisters motivated. How can folks not act to stop the demise of our country out in front of our eyes?!?
That is a very good observation, and may suggest that I will need to issue a humiliating apology for saying that Garland is doing nothing. It also could be that the staff of the DOJ are internally focused on doing everything the way they used to do it "in the good old days" before Trump. The problem is that Trump is plotting a second coup and the clock is ticking. Garland does not have the luxury of time. He shouldn't bend the rules. But he should tell the American people if he is going to take a pass on prosecuting Trump.
Thanks again Robert, for your newsletter’s clarity and empowering focus. You are a true servant leader for our country. It’s time again for me to call the White House and demand a replacement for Merrick Garland and to write MG about my deep concern about the rule of law here in the US. If he can’t/won’t explain why he’s doing nothing about that criminal enterprise formerly in the White House, he should resign.
I would love to think that the Republican party is imploding, but the majority of Republicans get their news from right-wing media, such as Fox Entertainment Posing as News. If Fox is not reporting Republican gaffes, Republican voters will know nothing about it. And, if told about it, will most likely either ignore the stories or claim they are a false left wing ploy.
You are right, and as readers remind me, the radio audience for Sean Hannity dwarfs the television audience. The point I was trying to make is that the GOP has crossed a line and that it leading to complications that provide a strategic opening for Democrats. We should drive a truck through that opening.
The answer is, "It depends." After 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Boston bombing, the DOJ talked to the public all the time. Internal DOJ guidelines allow the DOJ to discuss the existence of ongoing investigations when that is in the public interest.
Great newsletter, thank you Robert.
I contacted Garland by email and no response. In addition to all of sociopath’s criminal activity that you mentioned, the one that perplexes me the most is him sitting in his office for hours as people, even from his own family, begged him to call off the rioters as people were hurt, killed, property destroyed, etc. In the end he told them to leave and praised their characters. I don’t understand why he can’t be charged for that alone. I don’t understand why he can’t be charged for knowing that Covid was deadly very early on and not warning people while so many died. I don’t understand Garland and I don’t understand politics and protections enough.
I do know this. I will be a poll observer, I will write postcards to swing states. I will phone bank to voters. I will go to the rally in Hartford CT this coming Monday on gun reform. I will keep fighting for democracy until we make the sickness of the Republican Party completely implode and blast the remnants into the universe. Maybe Bezos can take it on his next flight.
Angela, you are doing everything you can and should. We must be prepared to defend democracy even without the benefit of Trump being held criminally liable for his misdeeds.
Totally agree!
Thank you Angela for all of your efforts!
❤️
Angela, you are an inspiration!
❤️, we all are!
The section about ordinary people taking small steps into civic activity really resonates with me. I call myself a retiree turned activist. I have a lot of new (well going 6 years now) friends. We work on elections and charitable projects. As long as I’m able, I will contribute in some way.
Wonderful, Deborah! There is an old saying among activists, "Come for the cause, stay of the people." That is another way of saying that there is strength in community.
I think is Trump keeled over tomorrow, we would have an insurrection over his body lying in state at the capitol! I am mystified and frankly discouraged over Garland’s inaction. What can we do to light a fire under him?
I think Merrick Garland needs to be replaced or a special prosecutor needs to be appointed. Not holding trump accountable for any of his many crimes throws the rule of law out the window and weakens the country in dangerous ways. Being elected to public office should not be a get out of jail free card. NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW, NOT EVEN AND ESPECIALLY THE PRESIDENT!!!!
Well said!
If T___p keels over and he does lie in state, I intend to be in the line of mourners (or whatever). I’m going to bring a mallet and a stake.
and a silver bullet for good luck!
Before February 14?
I wish!
Thank you Robert for what you do daily to keep all of us focused in our efforts to defend what. we believe in.
"If Merrick Garland is not up to the job of prosecuting a man who has publicly committed a half-dozen felonies, Biden should appoint someone who is up to the task." Seems like we need to start drowning Biden in calls, emails and postcards, eh?
I think you are right.
Every morning Robert’s comments are so uplifting. I’m joining every way possible for me.
Great to hear, Frederick! that's the right attitude. We need many more like you!
VoteRiders.org needs help to put staff on the ground in key strict Voter ID laws in these states: PA,MI, AZ, GA, SC, WI and TX. Your readers' help could includes $ and in kind resources (office, housing, etc). Voter ID laws to apply for vote by mail or to show at the polls are horrific. www.VoteRiders.org and this is essentially disenfranchisement of properly registered voters.
How Senators Manchin, Sinema, Murkowski, Romney, Collins ... any US Senator... can deny registered voters the right to vote by supporting the obscene theory that State Legislatures should legislate federal election laws for times, places and manners beggars belief.
Hi, Alice. I will promote this call for help tonight. Can you have someone from the organization contact me at rhubbell@outlook.com? I have scheduled VoteRiders as the featured guest on my March 12 podcast and will use that as an opportunity to showcase the organization in the newsletter.
Robert, like you, I will be happy to admit that I was wrong about Garland, But, as of now, the DOJ is the place where prosecution of Trump for his many crimes goes to die. He needs to be held accountable for the damage he has done to our country. There can be no justice until he and his band of misfits and grifters are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Too much time has already passed. If Garland won't take action, he should be replaced by someone who will.
Very simply, it is time for Merrick Garland to go. His inaction provides legitimacy to those who would tear down the Constitution. True, the case against T___p may not be perfect, but no case ever is. The danger of waiting is now clearly greater than the danger of going forward with an imperfect prosecution.
I absolutely share that frustration over the inaction of the DOJ relative to TFG. So much so I want to scream: "Do something! Anything! Hold the monster accountable!" And every day that goes by without a prosecution of TFG for his crimes against our democracy is day when a precedent is set for a future President - who could be even more diabolical and even smarter.
I don't know why, but I still hang onto the hope that our AG will act. William Bennett commented below - asking "why we aren’t seeing resignations from DOJ?"
Certainly there must be many professionals in that organization who feel the way we do. Most of them could make more money in the private sector. Is it possible that they are confident in Garland's integrity and careful leadership? We haven't have had leaks from the DOJ either. Such a mystery.
AG Garland: we need an emotional and spiritual lifeline out here. We are drowning in despair.
I think there may be problem with perspective within the DOJ that is preventing resignations in protest. In normal times, the DOJ is very focused on internal protocols as a way of preserving the DOJ's reputation, integrity, and independence. But now, those very protocols are undermining the public's confidence in the ability of the DOJ to "Do justice." Trump is an active threat to democracy who is planning another coup. The DOJ doesn't have to bend or ignore any rules; it just has to focus on something and move with all deliberate speed. As noted in today's newsletter, some of Trump's crimes are five years old. They were public. They were the subject of an exhaustive report by Robert Mueller. At some point, the absence of action is proof that Merrick Garland has chosen not to prosecute Trump. That might be a reasonable judgment, but it is one that he should share with the American people.
Glad there was a good response to the call out for Poll Observers! I was one that signed up right away. That makes me feel good since I am really have a hard time getting my little group of resisters motivated. How can folks not act to stop the demise of our country out in front of our eyes?!?
Thank you for the New Faces of Democracy! We need that uplifting shot in the arm when we get weary
I have been wondering why we aren’t seeing resignations from DOJ.
That is a very good observation, and may suggest that I will need to issue a humiliating apology for saying that Garland is doing nothing. It also could be that the staff of the DOJ are internally focused on doing everything the way they used to do it "in the good old days" before Trump. The problem is that Trump is plotting a second coup and the clock is ticking. Garland does not have the luxury of time. He shouldn't bend the rules. But he should tell the American people if he is going to take a pass on prosecuting Trump.
Agreed. I take it as an ominous sign. I would have expected either evidence of active investigation or indications of internal disquiet. Crickets.
Thanks again Robert, for your newsletter’s clarity and empowering focus. You are a true servant leader for our country. It’s time again for me to call the White House and demand a replacement for Merrick Garland and to write MG about my deep concern about the rule of law here in the US. If he can’t/won’t explain why he’s doing nothing about that criminal enterprise formerly in the White House, he should resign.
I would love to think that the Republican party is imploding, but the majority of Republicans get their news from right-wing media, such as Fox Entertainment Posing as News. If Fox is not reporting Republican gaffes, Republican voters will know nothing about it. And, if told about it, will most likely either ignore the stories or claim they are a false left wing ploy.
You are right, and as readers remind me, the radio audience for Sean Hannity dwarfs the television audience. The point I was trying to make is that the GOP has crossed a line and that it leading to complications that provide a strategic opening for Democrats. We should drive a truck through that opening.
Under a normal administration does the DOJ talk about its agenda, its progress, its timeline? How did it work under Obama or Bush the elder?
The answer is, "It depends." After 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Boston bombing, the DOJ talked to the public all the time. Internal DOJ guidelines allow the DOJ to discuss the existence of ongoing investigations when that is in the public interest.