In the spirit of Robert's encouragement to resist despair, I bought a flag yesterday. I was inspired by house guests from Bainbridge Island, Wa., former diplomats for the US State Dept. who served in Chile, Mexico, Guatemala, the Republic of Georgia, Singapore, and other places. They’ve seen the results of countries who have lost —or had to fight to gain democracy. Now they're leading a small (but serious) effort on Bainbridge Island to, as they put it, “Take back the flag.” Their goal is to take it back as a symbol of the United States, rather than cede it to partisan symbolism.
Their efforts spoke to me as, for the last year neighbors have placed the US flag prominently on their property along with signage that makes clear their political affiliation. I don’t mind their self-proclaimed politics; that’s free speech and their right. I do mind the appropriation of the American flag as an adjoined symbol of their politics.
My response however had been resignation. Discretion (as I saw it) required low key respect and a refusal to engag or respond in any outward way. But as Mr. Hubbell reminds us from time to time, all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do nothing. This is a moment for doing something.
The flag is not a partisan symbol; it is our symbol—we the people. It is a symbol of history; a celebration of shared identity, an affirmation of dreams for a better society. We are a flawed nation. But it is a nation for which many have spilled blood to protect democracy and our aspirations for government that is more than a place for the few and the privileged. E pluribus unum means “out of many, one.”
Displaying the US flag is one small way to fight despair; reclaim a symbol in service of e pluribus unum, and reject bullies who use it to divide rather than unite us. Next time you see a US flag, consider it not as a political statement, but a statement of aspiration. It might be on my house; I hope you join me and display it on yours:)
The campaign of Herschel Walker will be very interesting to watch. Mr. Walker is clearly not up for the job and Mr. Warnock clearly is. Let's hope Georgia has enough Dems and non-MAGA Republicans to shut down this travesty.
"The failure to be transparent and truthful is damaging the credibility of law enforcement officers across the nation." Sadly the police have yielded the credibility they should have. The following comment is an example of the police's loss of credibility. It is from an opinion piece about New York police in the New York Daily News on March 15 this year. The newspaper is generally right wing. The writer, MK Kaishian, is a civil rights attorney. He wrote:" Police lie under oath so often there is a word for it: testilying"
Jun 1, 2022·edited Jun 1, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Understandable versus justifiable.
As we evaluate the local law enforcement response during the Uvalde tragic school shooting it is important to distinguish between what is understandable and what is justifiable and the lessons that can be learned from that. I have mentioned previously having served as a combat medic in Vietnam. I am very much aware of the horror, indeed terror of being fired upon at close range by military automatic weapons using ammunition of the same caliber as an AR15 or AK47. I have seen up close, all to close, and too many times the horrific wounds these weapons inflict, their power, and watched too many young soldiers and civilians die from such wounds, often bleeding out. Anyone who has served in a hot combat zone understands well the terror these weapons cause in any rational person. So it is understandable that law enforcement would be intimidated and hesitant to engage the teenage assailant in Uvalde.
But it is not justifiable. Virtually every soldier who has been in combat understands what is expected of them and rises to the challenge. In Vietnam I often rendered emergency medical aid while being fired upon by similar weapons, too often. Not because I was brave. I was terrified, but it was my job and what was expected of me by those who sent me and those I served with. The danger to me and all I served with and our actions under fire were justifiable based on our jobs, the missions, and the expectations we had of each other.
The actions of law enforcement resources who held back and failed to engage the Uvalde school assailant are not justifiable. The victims of the shooting, the parents and family members of those victims, the citizens of Uvalde, and indeed all of us expected more. Those law enforcement personnel were apparently trained to respond to such incidents. They were equipped with the necessary arms and equipment. Waiting so long for a janitor to supply a key is perhaps the weakest of excuses one could imagine. It is hardly a rational case that there were any “negotiations” in progress with the assailant. Whatever the excuses offered in defense of the law enforcement response in this incident they are unjustifiable and appropriate opprobrium and disciplinary action should be taken on those involved. I also believe as in so many similar cases, “following orders” is a lousy excuse. There are times in critical situations and emergencies where individual initiative should be expected.
"Trump is on a losing streak that bodes ill for his continued ascendancy in the GOP, a party he is currently holding hostage"
I don't think Trump is holding the GOP hostage. It has always been a symbiotic relationship. The party demanded a candidate like Trump and Trump was smart enough to understand what the party wanted and gave it to them in return for what he could con from them. The sad part is that the GOP base does not see the con. They live on White Grievance and Owning the Libs.
Robert, there is so much information and encouragement in this newsletter. Thank you.
I had not heard that the teacher had closed
the door that she had briefly propped open. I am so happy to hear that because I was thinking how terrible that teacher must be feeling.
I am glad that we are sending missiles to the Ukrainians. However, they should be longer range missiles. The Russians have been firing long range missiles at Ukraine from Russia and from ships at sea. The Ukrainians should have the benefit of firing from a safer distance and also be able to take out the missile systems in Russia and at sea. Haven’t the Ukrainian people suffered enough losses?
They must retake their ports and the rest of their land. Then maybe Russia might end this war.
We have got to stop advertising what weapons we are sending and when. That gives advantage to the Russians.
“We need not change the hearts and minds of every MAGA adherent in America—just enough of them (and persuadable independents) to secure victories in narrowly divided elections. Issues like gun control, reproductive freedom, privacy, and personal liberty can be the difference in close races. Democrats must shake their feelings of defeatism and rally themselves to the defense of democracy as never before.”
I thoroughly agree with this point. I also wish to point out the extreme importance of focusing with a laser like intensity on local and state elections everywhere, not simply those for federal offices. Democrats have a recent history of surrendering “unwinnable” local races often not even fielding candidates. This needs to change and change now. There are many areas of the country where Democrats and progressive Independents and even moderate Republicans are feeling ignored, forgotten, and lost. These voters need strong candidates for local offices to encourage them to turn out and vote for changes supported by Democrats. Too many have simply given up. Even if those local candidates may not be victorious in their first elective campaigns they will narrow margins in statewide and national office races. Election turnout numbers in much of the country are shamefully low. Democratic victories require high turnout elections.
Please support voter services, registration drives, easier access to mail ballots, and recruitment, training, and building support networks for strong local progressive candidates everywhere. The only unwinnable districts are those where we fail to compete.
Todays Edition reminded me of a fact many of us overlooked. In 2016 many voters voted against Hillary Clinton rather than for Donald Trump. Some of those voters voted for Joe Biden in 2020. The mid term elections are all about local state elections and a part of me believes that those candidates running with Trump’s endorsement or style of campaigning are being looked at differently. In two cases Dr. Oz and Hershel Walker are not qualified under any circumstances to be a US Senator and more voters than we think agree. Winning the primary is one thing but the general election is another. Too much is happening and the political climate changes weekly so momentum and turnout will be the key. Messaging has to be local and grass roots organizations will help candidates win.
Yes, we need to try to convince Republican voters to vote against the nihilism of their party, but we also need to reach the 90 million people who didn't vote in the last presidential election. More people didn't vote than the total votes for either party. We need to motivate them.
Thank you for all you do and write. Regarding changing hearts and minds of MAGA adherents and independents let’s not forget the millions of kids who become eligible to vote each year for the first time!
Jun 1, 2022·edited Jun 1, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Along the line of your discussion about LBGTQ rights, Robert, there is a new poll out showing that 71% of Americans approve of same-sex marriage. Justice Alito, take note.
I was in San Francisco over the weekend, the city where I was born and raised. It brought me such joy to see the Pink Triangle on Twin Peaks and driving through the Castro seeing all of the rainbow flags blowing in the wind. Love truly does trump hate.
2. Texas doesn't have enough money to pay all the claims coming its way. The Marx brothers in charge of school safety and protection of children. Shameful.
Robert, Thanks for an especially clarifying and inspiring newsletter today. You made crystal clear the backstory on the Sussman verdict, which had become garbled in the news cycle hyperbole for us. Your lawyer's discipline shines through on matters like this. Thank you!
My wife and I are engaged with an organization based in Seattle called Common Power, which is focused on seven strategic states, pulling together groups of volunteers doing both remote and on-the-ground field work with partner organizations in those states. (We have been part of the Wisconsin team and have made several trips there ringing doorbells and we love having the support of our fellow team members.) CP's mission is "We mobilize volunteers for voters around the country, while investing in the next generation of leaders and building lasting community." One of the great things about Common Power is that there is an emphasis on putting young people of color in positions of leadership. You should check them out!
In the spirit of Robert's encouragement to resist despair, I bought a flag yesterday. I was inspired by house guests from Bainbridge Island, Wa., former diplomats for the US State Dept. who served in Chile, Mexico, Guatemala, the Republic of Georgia, Singapore, and other places. They’ve seen the results of countries who have lost —or had to fight to gain democracy. Now they're leading a small (but serious) effort on Bainbridge Island to, as they put it, “Take back the flag.” Their goal is to take it back as a symbol of the United States, rather than cede it to partisan symbolism.
Their efforts spoke to me as, for the last year neighbors have placed the US flag prominently on their property along with signage that makes clear their political affiliation. I don’t mind their self-proclaimed politics; that’s free speech and their right. I do mind the appropriation of the American flag as an adjoined symbol of their politics.
My response however had been resignation. Discretion (as I saw it) required low key respect and a refusal to engag or respond in any outward way. But as Mr. Hubbell reminds us from time to time, all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do nothing. This is a moment for doing something.
The flag is not a partisan symbol; it is our symbol—we the people. It is a symbol of history; a celebration of shared identity, an affirmation of dreams for a better society. We are a flawed nation. But it is a nation for which many have spilled blood to protect democracy and our aspirations for government that is more than a place for the few and the privileged. E pluribus unum means “out of many, one.”
Displaying the US flag is one small way to fight despair; reclaim a symbol in service of e pluribus unum, and reject bullies who use it to divide rather than unite us. Next time you see a US flag, consider it not as a political statement, but a statement of aspiration. It might be on my house; I hope you join me and display it on yours:)
The campaign of Herschel Walker will be very interesting to watch. Mr. Walker is clearly not up for the job and Mr. Warnock clearly is. Let's hope Georgia has enough Dems and non-MAGA Republicans to shut down this travesty.
"The failure to be transparent and truthful is damaging the credibility of law enforcement officers across the nation." Sadly the police have yielded the credibility they should have. The following comment is an example of the police's loss of credibility. It is from an opinion piece about New York police in the New York Daily News on March 15 this year. The newspaper is generally right wing. The writer, MK Kaishian, is a civil rights attorney. He wrote:" Police lie under oath so often there is a word for it: testilying"
Understandable versus justifiable.
As we evaluate the local law enforcement response during the Uvalde tragic school shooting it is important to distinguish between what is understandable and what is justifiable and the lessons that can be learned from that. I have mentioned previously having served as a combat medic in Vietnam. I am very much aware of the horror, indeed terror of being fired upon at close range by military automatic weapons using ammunition of the same caliber as an AR15 or AK47. I have seen up close, all to close, and too many times the horrific wounds these weapons inflict, their power, and watched too many young soldiers and civilians die from such wounds, often bleeding out. Anyone who has served in a hot combat zone understands well the terror these weapons cause in any rational person. So it is understandable that law enforcement would be intimidated and hesitant to engage the teenage assailant in Uvalde.
But it is not justifiable. Virtually every soldier who has been in combat understands what is expected of them and rises to the challenge. In Vietnam I often rendered emergency medical aid while being fired upon by similar weapons, too often. Not because I was brave. I was terrified, but it was my job and what was expected of me by those who sent me and those I served with. The danger to me and all I served with and our actions under fire were justifiable based on our jobs, the missions, and the expectations we had of each other.
The actions of law enforcement resources who held back and failed to engage the Uvalde school assailant are not justifiable. The victims of the shooting, the parents and family members of those victims, the citizens of Uvalde, and indeed all of us expected more. Those law enforcement personnel were apparently trained to respond to such incidents. They were equipped with the necessary arms and equipment. Waiting so long for a janitor to supply a key is perhaps the weakest of excuses one could imagine. It is hardly a rational case that there were any “negotiations” in progress with the assailant. Whatever the excuses offered in defense of the law enforcement response in this incident they are unjustifiable and appropriate opprobrium and disciplinary action should be taken on those involved. I also believe as in so many similar cases, “following orders” is a lousy excuse. There are times in critical situations and emergencies where individual initiative should be expected.
"Trump is on a losing streak that bodes ill for his continued ascendancy in the GOP, a party he is currently holding hostage"
I don't think Trump is holding the GOP hostage. It has always been a symbiotic relationship. The party demanded a candidate like Trump and Trump was smart enough to understand what the party wanted and gave it to them in return for what he could con from them. The sad part is that the GOP base does not see the con. They live on White Grievance and Owning the Libs.
Robert, there is so much information and encouragement in this newsletter. Thank you.
I had not heard that the teacher had closed
the door that she had briefly propped open. I am so happy to hear that because I was thinking how terrible that teacher must be feeling.
I am glad that we are sending missiles to the Ukrainians. However, they should be longer range missiles. The Russians have been firing long range missiles at Ukraine from Russia and from ships at sea. The Ukrainians should have the benefit of firing from a safer distance and also be able to take out the missile systems in Russia and at sea. Haven’t the Ukrainian people suffered enough losses?
They must retake their ports and the rest of their land. Then maybe Russia might end this war.
We have got to stop advertising what weapons we are sending and when. That gives advantage to the Russians.
“We need not change the hearts and minds of every MAGA adherent in America—just enough of them (and persuadable independents) to secure victories in narrowly divided elections. Issues like gun control, reproductive freedom, privacy, and personal liberty can be the difference in close races. Democrats must shake their feelings of defeatism and rally themselves to the defense of democracy as never before.”
I thoroughly agree with this point. I also wish to point out the extreme importance of focusing with a laser like intensity on local and state elections everywhere, not simply those for federal offices. Democrats have a recent history of surrendering “unwinnable” local races often not even fielding candidates. This needs to change and change now. There are many areas of the country where Democrats and progressive Independents and even moderate Republicans are feeling ignored, forgotten, and lost. These voters need strong candidates for local offices to encourage them to turn out and vote for changes supported by Democrats. Too many have simply given up. Even if those local candidates may not be victorious in their first elective campaigns they will narrow margins in statewide and national office races. Election turnout numbers in much of the country are shamefully low. Democratic victories require high turnout elections.
Please support voter services, registration drives, easier access to mail ballots, and recruitment, training, and building support networks for strong local progressive candidates everywhere. The only unwinnable districts are those where we fail to compete.
Todays Edition reminded me of a fact many of us overlooked. In 2016 many voters voted against Hillary Clinton rather than for Donald Trump. Some of those voters voted for Joe Biden in 2020. The mid term elections are all about local state elections and a part of me believes that those candidates running with Trump’s endorsement or style of campaigning are being looked at differently. In two cases Dr. Oz and Hershel Walker are not qualified under any circumstances to be a US Senator and more voters than we think agree. Winning the primary is one thing but the general election is another. Too much is happening and the political climate changes weekly so momentum and turnout will be the key. Messaging has to be local and grass roots organizations will help candidates win.
Yes, we need to try to convince Republican voters to vote against the nihilism of their party, but we also need to reach the 90 million people who didn't vote in the last presidential election. More people didn't vote than the total votes for either party. We need to motivate them.
Excellent edition, Robert.
Thanks, Robert ! You encourage me to not despair, not give up !
Powerful DEM PAC ad aimed at UUW ( Uber Unqualified H Walker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzUnFQYUpMw
“ As we celebrate LGBTQ Pride month, reflect on the fact that social change can happen suddenly.” 💙
There will be much celebration at Disney Gay Pride Days in Orlando.
The LGBQT community will need continued support as they’re under constant attack. Ulvade has been blamed on a “ transsexual leftist illegal alien”.
Thank you for all you do and write. Regarding changing hearts and minds of MAGA adherents and independents let’s not forget the millions of kids who become eligible to vote each year for the first time!
Along the line of your discussion about LBGTQ rights, Robert, there is a new poll out showing that 71% of Americans approve of same-sex marriage. Justice Alito, take note.
I was in San Francisco over the weekend, the city where I was born and raised. It brought me such joy to see the Pink Triangle on Twin Peaks and driving through the Castro seeing all of the rainbow flags blowing in the wind. Love truly does trump hate.
1. You're on fire, Robert! Good job, great read!
2. Texas doesn't have enough money to pay all the claims coming its way. The Marx brothers in charge of school safety and protection of children. Shameful.
Robert, Thanks for an especially clarifying and inspiring newsletter today. You made crystal clear the backstory on the Sussman verdict, which had become garbled in the news cycle hyperbole for us. Your lawyer's discipline shines through on matters like this. Thank you!
My wife and I are engaged with an organization based in Seattle called Common Power, which is focused on seven strategic states, pulling together groups of volunteers doing both remote and on-the-ground field work with partner organizations in those states. (We have been part of the Wisconsin team and have made several trips there ringing doorbells and we love having the support of our fellow team members.) CP's mission is "We mobilize volunteers for voters around the country, while investing in the next generation of leaders and building lasting community." One of the great things about Common Power is that there is an emphasis on putting young people of color in positions of leadership. You should check them out!