Maya Angelou did not give up hope in a very difficult life. “Still she persisted.” We have to persist and then drag out our perseverance for the long haul. That long haul is forever; we can never let down our guard against the evil forces of authoritarianism. They will always be looking for an opportunity to cause damage.
Jul 13, 2022·edited Jul 13, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I admire Maya Angelou very much. I love her poem called "On the Pulse of Morning" https://poets.org/poem/pulse-morning It was the Inaugural Poem for President Clinton.
I always included it as part of my wedding gift to friends and family.
Here is the last stanza:
"Here, on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister’s eyes, and into
Your brother’s face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope—
Good morning."
- Maya Angelou
Good morning! We, the People, all of us this time.
I was inspired by these words from Robert: "Some readers criticize me (or quit the newsletter) because they are bothered by my “ceaseless optimism” or effort to find hope in the face of daunting situations—to which I say, 'Guilty as charged!'”
I hope I didn't seem to be criticizing people who disagree with my approach. These are difficult times and some people cope with that fact by assuming disaster is around every corner. That is part of the normal range of human emotions and coping strategies. Some of my longest and most loyal readers are Holocaust survivors (or their children) who understandably fear that tanks will roll down Pennsylvania Avenue and they will be rounded up by white nationalists. Telling them "that will never happen" is not a very good answer; it did happen to them.
The people who disagree with my worldview the most are "Never Trumpers" who constantly tell me that there is no reason for optimism, that the US is on the verge of collapse unless Democrats do more, and that my optimism is giving people a false sense of hope. I tell them that if they want Democrats to fight harder, predicting the end of democracy every day is no way to motivate people. I also tell them what I wrote last night: Even if Trump cheats his way to the presidency in 2024, our democracy will be injured but not gone. For some reason, that irritates them. But, the Never Trumpers are also providing a hugely valuable service in the political dynamic. I respect them, and I think they respect me.
If your newsletter predicted doom and gloom with each edition, there would be no reason to read it. We could all just don sackcloth and ash and wait for the end of the world. I love that you balance a hopeful message with an exhortation to take some action, whatever one is able to do to fight back against the demonism. What I would like to see is more fight, less resignation from Dems and Dem-leaning independents. Let us challenge the Retrograde Party on their every bad idea, law, statement with something that promotes and reinforces the Democratic platform. For example, in this year’s Florida legislative session a bill was passed and signed by the governor that bans discussion of race, gender, and discrimination in schools and workplaces. Besides challenging it on First Amendment grounds, I would love to see parents appearing before every school board in the state and demanding that schools offer elective classes that discuss race, gender and discrimination, and then enroll their kids in those classes. That is one small example of how we can fight to have our voices heard and our values promoted.
The most surprising part of today's Newsletter was reading that some (few, I hope) readers are cancelling because they can't stand Robert's optimism. I was taken aback by that. I can see avoiding TV and radio news in favor of entertainment for relief from reality, but to be upset because an intelligent, like-minded person is offering hope seems awfully masochistic. For me, I listen to the Beatles on the radio (lots of hope there) and watch reruns of Shark Tank, Law & Order, and cooking shows on TV. Mostly I maintain hope by keeping my attention on my work on my nonprofit - because human beings need a sense of purpose. I can't think of a better purpose right now than standing up for our Republic for the sake of America's children and the future of a happy life for all living things (plant and animal). Keep up your good work, Robert. For our sake
Robert, How many followers are in this community and how many are actively opening the newsletter? My favorite part of the day is coming to the comments. It gives me such a connection. I’m shocked that someone leaves. If I were in a group that only allowed ONE way of thinking….I would find the door. Debate and Comprise are foundational principals.
😮 wow! We are a vibrant strong family! This is motivating. If each of picks one apathetic voter to work on and educate…we WILL make a difference in 2022 and 2024. Sometimes a simple discussion within a household, with a parishioner or a neighbor is the seed that might be planted and grow. Thanks Robert for these stats and congrats on this amazing community you have created.
Thank you for your wisdom. Hopelessness renders us inert while hope is a catalyst for productive action. Now is the time to be strategic and to utilize our skills and our donations to win!
Trump needs to be arrested and charged YESTERDAY. I quote Steve Schmidt here in full.
"A collection of far-right extremists attempted to destroy the American Republic in a seditious conspiracy led by a defeated President of the United States and aided by Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and other high government officials.
Every single person who was involved in the greatest assault and crime since secession should be prosecuted and imprisoned if found guilty. This includes the 45th President of the United States.
The United States of America is a nation of laws, one in which no person is above the law. Trump disgraced his office in a thousand different ways. His lying and insanity helped kill hundreds of thousands unnecessarily during the early years of Covid. His malice ignited divisions that will take decades to cool. His ignominy will endure through history, and his name will be etched in granite as the worst President of the United States. Ever.
There were a million corrupt acts that occurred during the rancid Trump era, and probably thousands of offences that are indictable. The fact that the Saudis gave Jared Kushner $2 billion for his “investment fund” shortly after leaving the White House should have instigated a criminal investigation – one against the son of a felon, who strode the world like America’s dauphin with his plastic wife setting unbreakable records of crudity, nepotism, entitlement and arrogance that even the British Royal family couldn’t touch on their best day.
All of this was disgusting and awful. Much of it was criminal, but there is one great crime that stands alone. It is singular. There is no doubt whatsoever about what happened and how. There was intent, motive, a plan and co-conspirators. Donald Trump attacked the United States on January 6th, 2020, for the purposes of remaining in political power. He led a coup. The facts are clear.
He must be arrested and charged by the Government of the United States. He must face criminal trial. The era of special treatment for the Queens hustler must come to an end. His appalling dispensations have helped shatter trust and confidence in the American justice system at a moment in which the collapse of faith, trust and belief in American institutions has reached such a dangerous low that extremism has been embraced as an answer. The extremism led to the greatest crime against democracy since the firing on Fort Sumter.
Nearly 1,400,000 American have died in the nation’s wars to preserve freedom, liberty and civilization. All of the graves in the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, face westward, towards home. They look back towards the country they left and died serving. They were young men.
The story of America is one that is filled with epic bravery from ordinary people who became American legends from Rosa Parks to Eugene Goodman. The Justice Department is opaque, and that is a good thing. Our justice system is not based on “kangaroo-ism,” despite the best efforts of the extremists. Every single person in America who is charged with a crime is owed a presumption of innocence, as well as a fair trial. That applies to the Don of Mar-a-Lago as well.
There are some who say that a trial of Donald Trump may become a catalyst for violence and mayhem. Perhaps. That would be terrible, but in the end, the civil authorities will have to do what is necessary to restore order. The American people must not live at the point of the militia’s gun. We won’t.
The far worse choice is giving Trump a pass. Attorney General Garland has been clear that the Justice Department doesn’t investigate people; it investigates crimes. That is all well and good, but two years on, it seems a certain person is getting a special deal. This is unacceptable and deeply corrosive in a country where the people at the top have run completely amok with few consequences for a generation.
They say the wheels of justice turn slowly. There is a reason for that. But it is also true that the wheel must turn. It is hard to tell if it is turning at all because the failure to deal with what the entire nation saw play out on live television guarantees it will happen again. The decision to move on makes January 6th a dress rehearsal, and the consequence will be terrible.
The failure to enforce the laws of the land against Donald Trump will be a political decision. It will have nothing to do with justice. Immunizing a former President who tried to overthrow the government will be one of the greatest travesties of justice in American history.
What happened on January 6th was a crime. The criminals should all be charged and prosecuted. That includes all of the participants in the conspiracy to attack America. That includes the people at the top. If the Attorney General of the United States will not enforce the law, the President of the United States should ask for his resignation and find someone to run the Justice Department – someone who is focused on the law, not politics.
Perhaps this is a bit unfair to Merrick Garland. Maybe he will do his duty. Almost two years on though, one has to wonder, is Donald Trump above the law? If he is, then the people who decide that will become his equals in wrecking democracy in this country. That is a high bar to meet."
Thanks for that. Steve Schmidt has a way with words, and I agree with everything he says!
As to Merrick Garland, Trump committed many crimes, some of which could have been prosecuted within months of Garland taking office. Some of Trump's crimes were committed on tape, with all of the evidence necessary to convict easily accessible. Two items come to mind: election tampering in Georgia and extorting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Also, Robert Mueller identified a dozen examples of Trump's obstruction of justice. In the meantime, Garland has flooded his prosecutors with cases of "parading without a permit" on Capitol grounds. Those cases are important, but less important than indicting Trump. Garland's delay has exacerbated the injuries Trump has inflicted--and has allowed him to commit more crimes in the meantime--e.g., witness tampering.
Garland’s inaction on this heinous crime makes me think of the Uvalde police waiting outside that classroom door, and children died. Sometimes a person simply must do what needs to be done. Deciding not to do something is not acceptable. What if Houston had thought they could not bring the Apollo 13 astronauts back to earth? Failure is not an option here either.
Donald Trump said he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue, and he still would not lose any voters. How BRAZEN! That is the kind of talk that comes from someone who thinks he can get away with anything. Because he always has. He is responsible for so much damage. He is trying even now to destroy the framework of our country. His crimes are too numerous to list, but he must be indicted and tried for the January 6 coup attempt. “If the Attorney General of the United States will not enforce the law, the President of the United States should ask for his resignation and find someone to run the Justice Department-someone focused on the law, not politics.” Amen-let it be so.
Your newsletter is perfection always written with important factual news and always with hope and many action items. Don’t you dare listen to anyone telling you to quit. You are a lifeline for many, Please send one to Garland to indict Donnie.hope he is taking note on Select Committee. And be well, blessings jill
This newsletter was a particularly excellent condensation and analysis of today's hearing (which I saw from 10 to noon, then had another commitment). Thank you. I also agree with what you said about hope, though wanted to qualify: it's only normal for us analog beings (love imagery) to wax and wane in our hopes and fears. This does not mean we should give up whatever actions we are taking (parallel to exercising). For me the most difficult problem is regulating intensity--when to tune in, when to tune out, how to take emotional distance at times, let passionate feelings run their course at others. I'm not naturally very political but these are different times. I find I numb to the Ukraine--I just don't have the bandwidth. I don't approve.
And our mountains and forests...I thought of your cabin today, hope that things are okayl near Sequoia as I worry yet again about the Mariposa Grove and Wawona. Hope you both are all better or at least much improved.
No better way to wrap up / finish off reacting to yesterday’s hearings than to read this magnificent essay. Throw Dan Rather’s “Steady” for today on the desert plate for good measure. Then get back to work! Thank you Robert for the analysis and the prescription!
While "Hope is not a strategy", it is hopelessness will that put a nail in the coffin of our Democracy. Hope is what gives us the strength to press on, and it is why I start each day with Robert's wisdom. I am incredibly thankful for his writings.
Wow, Robert! You’ve buoyed my heart once again. Stay steady, really, is what we need to do. Nothing evil (or constructive or exclusionary or hateful) has survived in the long haul of history. Nature needs complexity, inclusion, mutation to evolve and grow.
I agree and support your position and you optimistic outlook. Without optimism you don't have hope and without hope we are doomed to failure. I know it is hard - Instead of uniting we seem to often to be fighting with each other with the Dems leading the way. People look at Biden like he really has the power to make significant changes which he doesn't. Instead of protesting people should be using their energy to reach out to help people register and then get to vote. That would be so much more effective. I am hopeful that people will get the message. Polls can be so misleading, but it is still hard to see so many races potentially too close.
I hope your health improves so you can continue to provide truth along with reality for us.
Jul 13, 2022·edited Jul 13, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Dear Friends, I hope you will take Today's Edition to heart, literally. Early this morning I had an ultrasound of my heart because arrhythmias are so relentless that they even impair my sleep cycle. As it turns out, there is no indication of heart damage, just "A Fib," which is pretty common. It is not accidental that this began right after the shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Highland Park. Right after another senseless police shooting of a Black man. Right after Dobbs and the push back on climate regulations by the SCOTUS. Right after peals of delight as punitive laws began to subjugate women one more time, one more way; the impunity with which some leaders and their followers assume their authoritarian "rights." I think I have to face the fact that a life-time of trying, of social activism, of advocating for peace...all the struggles which I thought were righteous, and seemingly have come to naught... have caught up with me. Subconsciously, my heart is telling me no more. I am so grateful I found Today's Edition. It gives me permission to care without the "scare." I can read without dismay. I can rest and not be ashamed. Thank you Robert and the other fine people who contribute here.
Please take care of yourself, Hope. When your health begins to be affected, then you must find a path that lets you remain engaged without taking over your life and health.
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
’Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
~Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou did not give up hope in a very difficult life. “Still she persisted.” We have to persist and then drag out our perseverance for the long haul. That long haul is forever; we can never let down our guard against the evil forces of authoritarianism. They will always be looking for an opportunity to cause damage.
I admire Maya Angelou very much. I love her poem called "On the Pulse of Morning" https://poets.org/poem/pulse-morning It was the Inaugural Poem for President Clinton.
I always included it as part of my wedding gift to friends and family.
Here is the last stanza:
"Here, on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister’s eyes, and into
Your brother’s face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope—
Good morning."
- Maya Angelou
Good morning! We, the People, all of us this time.
"That long haul is forever." Right you are, Jenn!
Maya Angelou….so inspiring. Thank you!
I was inspired by these words from Robert: "Some readers criticize me (or quit the newsletter) because they are bothered by my “ceaseless optimism” or effort to find hope in the face of daunting situations—to which I say, 'Guilty as charged!'”
Bother me some more, Robert!
I hope I didn't seem to be criticizing people who disagree with my approach. These are difficult times and some people cope with that fact by assuming disaster is around every corner. That is part of the normal range of human emotions and coping strategies. Some of my longest and most loyal readers are Holocaust survivors (or their children) who understandably fear that tanks will roll down Pennsylvania Avenue and they will be rounded up by white nationalists. Telling them "that will never happen" is not a very good answer; it did happen to them.
The people who disagree with my worldview the most are "Never Trumpers" who constantly tell me that there is no reason for optimism, that the US is on the verge of collapse unless Democrats do more, and that my optimism is giving people a false sense of hope. I tell them that if they want Democrats to fight harder, predicting the end of democracy every day is no way to motivate people. I also tell them what I wrote last night: Even if Trump cheats his way to the presidency in 2024, our democracy will be injured but not gone. For some reason, that irritates them. But, the Never Trumpers are also providing a hugely valuable service in the political dynamic. I respect them, and I think they respect me.
So grateful for the TRUTH and the HOPE YOU WRITE!
If your newsletter predicted doom and gloom with each edition, there would be no reason to read it. We could all just don sackcloth and ash and wait for the end of the world. I love that you balance a hopeful message with an exhortation to take some action, whatever one is able to do to fight back against the demonism. What I would like to see is more fight, less resignation from Dems and Dem-leaning independents. Let us challenge the Retrograde Party on their every bad idea, law, statement with something that promotes and reinforces the Democratic platform. For example, in this year’s Florida legislative session a bill was passed and signed by the governor that bans discussion of race, gender, and discrimination in schools and workplaces. Besides challenging it on First Amendment grounds, I would love to see parents appearing before every school board in the state and demanding that schools offer elective classes that discuss race, gender and discrimination, and then enroll their kids in those classes. That is one small example of how we can fight to have our voices heard and our values promoted.
Agree!
Thank you for that!
Yes! Thank you!
Well done, Lynell. Very well done.
Thank you, SL!
I really, really appreciate you and your newsletters. That is all.
i second Jamie’s profound appreciation.
Third! I skim the newsapapers but carefully read Heather and you first. Keep on keeping on1
Me, too!
The most surprising part of today's Newsletter was reading that some (few, I hope) readers are cancelling because they can't stand Robert's optimism. I was taken aback by that. I can see avoiding TV and radio news in favor of entertainment for relief from reality, but to be upset because an intelligent, like-minded person is offering hope seems awfully masochistic. For me, I listen to the Beatles on the radio (lots of hope there) and watch reruns of Shark Tank, Law & Order, and cooking shows on TV. Mostly I maintain hope by keeping my attention on my work on my nonprofit - because human beings need a sense of purpose. I can't think of a better purpose right now than standing up for our Republic for the sake of America's children and the future of a happy life for all living things (plant and animal). Keep up your good work, Robert. For our sake
Robert, How many followers are in this community and how many are actively opening the newsletter? My favorite part of the day is coming to the comments. It gives me such a connection. I’m shocked that someone leaves. If I were in a group that only allowed ONE way of thinking….I would find the door. Debate and Comprise are foundational principals.
I just looked back at the stats for the last week (starting three days ago) and here is the pattern (in thousands):
57, 50, 40 (weekend), 58, 54, 56, 58 . . . .
In the last month, two days have been over 60, and in the last three months the highest opens was over 86.
😮 wow! We are a vibrant strong family! This is motivating. If each of picks one apathetic voter to work on and educate…we WILL make a difference in 2022 and 2024. Sometimes a simple discussion within a household, with a parishioner or a neighbor is the seed that might be planted and grow. Thanks Robert for these stats and congrats on this amazing community you have created.
Thank you for your wisdom. Hopelessness renders us inert while hope is a catalyst for productive action. Now is the time to be strategic and to utilize our skills and our donations to win!
Trump needs to be arrested and charged YESTERDAY. I quote Steve Schmidt here in full.
"A collection of far-right extremists attempted to destroy the American Republic in a seditious conspiracy led by a defeated President of the United States and aided by Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and other high government officials.
Every single person who was involved in the greatest assault and crime since secession should be prosecuted and imprisoned if found guilty. This includes the 45th President of the United States.
The United States of America is a nation of laws, one in which no person is above the law. Trump disgraced his office in a thousand different ways. His lying and insanity helped kill hundreds of thousands unnecessarily during the early years of Covid. His malice ignited divisions that will take decades to cool. His ignominy will endure through history, and his name will be etched in granite as the worst President of the United States. Ever.
There were a million corrupt acts that occurred during the rancid Trump era, and probably thousands of offences that are indictable. The fact that the Saudis gave Jared Kushner $2 billion for his “investment fund” shortly after leaving the White House should have instigated a criminal investigation – one against the son of a felon, who strode the world like America’s dauphin with his plastic wife setting unbreakable records of crudity, nepotism, entitlement and arrogance that even the British Royal family couldn’t touch on their best day.
All of this was disgusting and awful. Much of it was criminal, but there is one great crime that stands alone. It is singular. There is no doubt whatsoever about what happened and how. There was intent, motive, a plan and co-conspirators. Donald Trump attacked the United States on January 6th, 2020, for the purposes of remaining in political power. He led a coup. The facts are clear.
He must be arrested and charged by the Government of the United States. He must face criminal trial. The era of special treatment for the Queens hustler must come to an end. His appalling dispensations have helped shatter trust and confidence in the American justice system at a moment in which the collapse of faith, trust and belief in American institutions has reached such a dangerous low that extremism has been embraced as an answer. The extremism led to the greatest crime against democracy since the firing on Fort Sumter.
Nearly 1,400,000 American have died in the nation’s wars to preserve freedom, liberty and civilization. All of the graves in the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, face westward, towards home. They look back towards the country they left and died serving. They were young men.
The story of America is one that is filled with epic bravery from ordinary people who became American legends from Rosa Parks to Eugene Goodman. The Justice Department is opaque, and that is a good thing. Our justice system is not based on “kangaroo-ism,” despite the best efforts of the extremists. Every single person in America who is charged with a crime is owed a presumption of innocence, as well as a fair trial. That applies to the Don of Mar-a-Lago as well.
There are some who say that a trial of Donald Trump may become a catalyst for violence and mayhem. Perhaps. That would be terrible, but in the end, the civil authorities will have to do what is necessary to restore order. The American people must not live at the point of the militia’s gun. We won’t.
The far worse choice is giving Trump a pass. Attorney General Garland has been clear that the Justice Department doesn’t investigate people; it investigates crimes. That is all well and good, but two years on, it seems a certain person is getting a special deal. This is unacceptable and deeply corrosive in a country where the people at the top have run completely amok with few consequences for a generation.
They say the wheels of justice turn slowly. There is a reason for that. But it is also true that the wheel must turn. It is hard to tell if it is turning at all because the failure to deal with what the entire nation saw play out on live television guarantees it will happen again. The decision to move on makes January 6th a dress rehearsal, and the consequence will be terrible.
The failure to enforce the laws of the land against Donald Trump will be a political decision. It will have nothing to do with justice. Immunizing a former President who tried to overthrow the government will be one of the greatest travesties of justice in American history.
What happened on January 6th was a crime. The criminals should all be charged and prosecuted. That includes all of the participants in the conspiracy to attack America. That includes the people at the top. If the Attorney General of the United States will not enforce the law, the President of the United States should ask for his resignation and find someone to run the Justice Department – someone who is focused on the law, not politics.
Perhaps this is a bit unfair to Merrick Garland. Maybe he will do his duty. Almost two years on though, one has to wonder, is Donald Trump above the law? If he is, then the people who decide that will become his equals in wrecking democracy in this country. That is a high bar to meet."
Thanks for that. Steve Schmidt has a way with words, and I agree with everything he says!
As to Merrick Garland, Trump committed many crimes, some of which could have been prosecuted within months of Garland taking office. Some of Trump's crimes were committed on tape, with all of the evidence necessary to convict easily accessible. Two items come to mind: election tampering in Georgia and extorting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Also, Robert Mueller identified a dozen examples of Trump's obstruction of justice. In the meantime, Garland has flooded his prosecutors with cases of "parading without a permit" on Capitol grounds. Those cases are important, but less important than indicting Trump. Garland's delay has exacerbated the injuries Trump has inflicted--and has allowed him to commit more crimes in the meantime--e.g., witness tampering.
Garland’s inaction on this heinous crime makes me think of the Uvalde police waiting outside that classroom door, and children died. Sometimes a person simply must do what needs to be done. Deciding not to do something is not acceptable. What if Houston had thought they could not bring the Apollo 13 astronauts back to earth? Failure is not an option here either.
Infuriating.
Donald Trump said he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue, and he still would not lose any voters. How BRAZEN! That is the kind of talk that comes from someone who thinks he can get away with anything. Because he always has. He is responsible for so much damage. He is trying even now to destroy the framework of our country. His crimes are too numerous to list, but he must be indicted and tried for the January 6 coup attempt. “If the Attorney General of the United States will not enforce the law, the President of the United States should ask for his resignation and find someone to run the Justice Department-someone focused on the law, not politics.” Amen-let it be so.
Thanks so much for posting Schmidt’s words. He is, in my opinion, exactly correct in all regards.
Would greatly appreciate a link if possible.
I get Schmidt in my email. You can subscribe here: https://steveschmidt.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=email&utm_source=post&utm_content=63776926
Thanks, got it.
If Steve Schmidt is carrying the banner we are in bigger trouble than I thought - very chilling.
Your newsletter is perfection always written with important factual news and always with hope and many action items. Don’t you dare listen to anyone telling you to quit. You are a lifeline for many, Please send one to Garland to indict Donnie.hope he is taking note on Select Committee. And be well, blessings jill
on the mend. I hope to test negative today for COVID for the first time in 17 days. it's been a long haul
"Indict Donnie." It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Here I was just going with the less personal: "Indict him! Indict him! Indict him!"
This newsletter was a particularly excellent condensation and analysis of today's hearing (which I saw from 10 to noon, then had another commitment). Thank you. I also agree with what you said about hope, though wanted to qualify: it's only normal for us analog beings (love imagery) to wax and wane in our hopes and fears. This does not mean we should give up whatever actions we are taking (parallel to exercising). For me the most difficult problem is regulating intensity--when to tune in, when to tune out, how to take emotional distance at times, let passionate feelings run their course at others. I'm not naturally very political but these are different times. I find I numb to the Ukraine--I just don't have the bandwidth. I don't approve.
And our mountains and forests...I thought of your cabin today, hope that things are okayl near Sequoia as I worry yet again about the Mariposa Grove and Wawona. Hope you both are all better or at least much improved.
Well said.
Our cabin is not threatened by the new fires near Sequoia. Yet. But thanks for the thought.
No better way to wrap up / finish off reacting to yesterday’s hearings than to read this magnificent essay. Throw Dan Rather’s “Steady” for today on the desert plate for good measure. Then get back to work! Thank you Robert for the analysis and the prescription!
Rather is magnificent!
Perfidy Personified
The more we learn, the worse it gets.
Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner
https://steady.substack.com/p/perfidy-personified?r=9piyc&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=direct
While "Hope is not a strategy", it is hopelessness will that put a nail in the coffin of our Democracy. Hope is what gives us the strength to press on, and it is why I start each day with Robert's wisdom. I am incredibly thankful for his writings.
One of the reasons I read you first in the mornings is your message of hope. I thank you for that with all my heart.
You are just the best! Thank you for your positivity!
Wow, Robert! You’ve buoyed my heart once again. Stay steady, really, is what we need to do. Nothing evil (or constructive or exclusionary or hateful) has survived in the long haul of history. Nature needs complexity, inclusion, mutation to evolve and grow.
Yes, hope! Brilliant last paragraph. Thank you!
Hope, Agency, Dignity yes!
We need more of this in news reports. I have started skimming the news because it is too difficult to read.
But I have not given up hope yet.
I agree and support your position and you optimistic outlook. Without optimism you don't have hope and without hope we are doomed to failure. I know it is hard - Instead of uniting we seem to often to be fighting with each other with the Dems leading the way. People look at Biden like he really has the power to make significant changes which he doesn't. Instead of protesting people should be using their energy to reach out to help people register and then get to vote. That would be so much more effective. I am hopeful that people will get the message. Polls can be so misleading, but it is still hard to see so many races potentially too close.
I hope your health improves so you can continue to provide truth along with reality for us.
Getting better. hope to test negative for COVID for the first time today in 17 days.
Dear Friends, I hope you will take Today's Edition to heart, literally. Early this morning I had an ultrasound of my heart because arrhythmias are so relentless that they even impair my sleep cycle. As it turns out, there is no indication of heart damage, just "A Fib," which is pretty common. It is not accidental that this began right after the shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Highland Park. Right after another senseless police shooting of a Black man. Right after Dobbs and the push back on climate regulations by the SCOTUS. Right after peals of delight as punitive laws began to subjugate women one more time, one more way; the impunity with which some leaders and their followers assume their authoritarian "rights." I think I have to face the fact that a life-time of trying, of social activism, of advocating for peace...all the struggles which I thought were righteous, and seemingly have come to naught... have caught up with me. Subconsciously, my heart is telling me no more. I am so grateful I found Today's Edition. It gives me permission to care without the "scare." I can read without dismay. I can rest and not be ashamed. Thank you Robert and the other fine people who contribute here.
Thank you for sharing your challenges and your strength!
Please take care of yourself, Hope. When your health begins to be affected, then you must find a path that lets you remain engaged without taking over your life and health.