When cross-examined by Trump's lawyers, and asked "Didn't you go to jail for lying," Michael Cohen should answer:
"I did what you are doing. You are doing whatever Trump tells you, including lying and abusing your legal ethics. I am sorry for what I did, you are not."
Thanks for your thoughtful approach to the Gaza situation. On this same difficult subject, I recommend that everyone read Jay Kuo’s blog from last night (either The Status Kuo or The Big Picture- same content). He provides some sound advice for discussing this issue with friends who see the situation as a one-issue reason to not vote for Biden. His approach is a good one for all of us to follow. Keep up the good work, Robert!!
Linda, I would note my greatest challenge has been contending with community who, rightfully in my view, are bothered by an Administration claiming it wants to reestablish America’s moral leadership in the world and uphold the rule of law while, at the same time, failing to support U.S. laws against providing weapons to governments that commit gross violations of human rights and that block U.S. humanitarian aid.
Thanks to you, I read Kuo’s April 30th public post, and now understand the value, on one hand, of relating to the anguish over our Administration’s complicity in the suffering, and on the other, quoting Kuo, of “expand[ing] the discussion beyond the war to include all the other things that also matter to progressive voters.”
It is a complex issue, and no one has easily solved it in all of the years since WWII when Israel became a much larger country than it was in the early 1900s. Jews should have a place to feel safe and to be safe, and so should Gazans. I wonder whether democracy is disappearing from the region totally with Netanyahu's leadership. It is of great concern. I feel he is more aligned with Trump than Biden, and more with Putin than Zelenskiy. However, with Trump in the White House I do not see the suffering of the people of Gaza lessening. I do not think with his relationship with Bibi he will be able to curtail the violence. In fact, I can see him encouraging it. Also, when the same students who are currently protesting of those will the Muslim students and my Muslim neighbors get deported by the Trump government? Will women be thrown in prison for miscarriages? Will we watch former leaders be imprisoned or executed? If those things happen the troubles in Gaza will see less immediate. Protests have earned Russian students long prison sentences in Russia. That will change a generation, as it would here too. How do we support our democracy which allows students to protest? Not every campus has police breaking them up. In Chicago I read that high schoolers will be joining college students after school in support at DePaul and U of Chicago campuses where police have not been harassing peaceful encampments of protesters. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cps-sit-ins/
While it is concerning and inciting to some groups, it hopefully will remain peaceful.
Tuesday evening, political commentator Bakari Sellers noted that November’s election is not a race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, but between Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and the couch. Bakari’s couch reference referred specifically to black males, who, for some time, have been pulling away not just from the Democratic Party but from participation altogether, frankly, because they have not been listened to. I would note that I perceived this discussion not only as a clarion call to meet black male voters where they are and to listen to them but also as an urgent call more meaningfully to reach out to minority youth voters overall who are integral to a Biden win in November.
I am a "Reclaim Our Vote" postcard writer for this group and am also a donor. I wrote postcards for the GA primary race which I am waiting to mail on the specified date later this month. Then I plan to write postcards to BIPOC voters in their upcoming NC campaigns.
Thanks for this postcard effort from Common Ground, Kathy. I have wondered where I would head to write more postcards after I finish with my latest efforts for registering voters in Georgia. Between you and Barbara Jo's comments, this sounds like a great place to go. Thanks, again, you two!
Hi Barbara, I am also a postcard writer for this group. The postcard program is part of "Reclaim our Vote" (https://www.centerforcommonground.org/reclaim-our-vote). They are currently winding down a campaign for the GA primaries and I recently got a "heads up" email about upcoming campaigns in NC (where I live). They have a brief on-line training video which you must complete and they require you to use their postcards - they have several designs.
I can’t understand this feeling considering the number of programs that have specifically created and made available to improve their wages, work opportunities and healthcare.
Stephen, Perhaps, as Bakari suggests, we need to meet black male voters where they are, and have these conversations, and let them know they are being listened to and their feelings are being respected.
I agree we need to meet them on their own turf and we need to enlist other black males who can have an impact. Someone like Usher could be a major influencer.
Cheryl, A review of your posts throughout this thread makes clear that you have a rich repository of resources for helping to mobilize less advantaged populations. Admittedly, I was unaware of any of these organizations.
Daniel, Contrary to your view, I believe black men, more so than black women, who for generations had voted for Democrats while not seeing substantial changes taking place in their communities, have come increasingly to doubt whether Democrats care about their struggles.
Not my view. One on one in my personal experience, when the HEAR the facts, they are all in. The problem is that there are forces, such as the BS on MSNBC, to create peer pressure to be contrary.
Golly, I am no expert on these matters, but it is easy to say that both political parties have ignored or taken for granted Black voters and issues of major importance to citizens of color, BUT all things have a chance to get better with Democrats and the Republicans have shown that they approve racist language, hatred, and, more important, actions. It may not be a choice between absolute good and absolute evil, but in a race between pretty good and deadly, dangerous, and racist, we need to point out the distinction to all our brothers and sisters. The Republicans are not
afraid of demonizing mild mannered Joe Biden, who is a good and caring person.
Trump demonizes himself. Let's not be afraid (I am addressing myself here, dear friends) of pointing out the devil who wears no disguise and his only promise is "Things are going to get worse for all but Rich, White, Reactionaries if you elect me president again."
Patrick, While I appreciate your distinctions between the two parties, seeing that blacks for generations have voted Democratic, the matter of our commitment to their legitimate grievances and struggles must continually be raised and pushed.
Amen. And the Democrats, I would argue, need to find a way to articulate to all Americans that Black issues, so called, are issues for all of us, and not a "favor" to a special constituency. That "white" America can prosper only by oppression of Black America is a lie that was pernicious and idiotic in 1880 and still implicitly holds power among a large percentage of Republicans. The New South, 150 years of glories in American literature, culture, sports, the arts and sciences and education, and on and on, have all been driven by African Americans and we are all richer for it, and not just "richer" in some abstract emotional artsy sense, but we are all more prosperous economically. Trump's ranting about "crime in the cities," or "immigrants" taking your jobs away makes no sense economically, let alone on the issue of justice. Look at the graduation classes of any college and university. Take away the people of color and where would the USA be? Sorry for the rant. I know you all know this, but we have to drumbeat this with pride in the country club discussions, the polite pool parties, and "drinks" of an afternoon and the other watering holes, including many Democratic Party meeting where those benefiting from white privilege gather.
Doesn't Obama's victory and the Grant Park rally that celebrated it that November seem like long ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Daniel, from what I understand, most of the boots on the ground voter outreach is through the state party (and grassroots groups) not the DNC. And for marginalized groups, year round organizing is far more effective than just knocking on doors in the second half of October which is the traditional Democratic approach. Look at Maxwell Frost's success.
I think the FL state party may need a shakeup just like we got here in NC with Anderson Clayton.
Barbara Jo, we have a full task list. Getting black male voters to actively participate is certainly one big item on our list. Yes. We should listen and meet them where they are. Yet, I would offer two thoughts. 1. We and all everyone’s within the United States States of America should have been listening and engaging the African-American communities in deeper, substantive ways since, at least, the 60s. 2. This may be needless to say, but we need to look beyond the 2024 election to further this work and the many issues that will not be resolved by one election. That is to say, we must engage our fellow citizens in a lot of conversations where they are in 2025 and beyond.
I would note that there are a lot of African communities who are working hard to get their friends and family members registered and to the polls. A few days ago I referenced the work of Rev Greg Lewis in Wisconsin. He heads up “Souls to the Polls” and is doing the hard work.
John, I agree that our commitment to the legitimate grievances and struggles of African American communities must continually be raised and pushed, particularly seeing that for generations they have voted Democratic. Meanwhile, I appreciate the link and will listen to the speaker when I return home this evening.
The Time piece was eye-opening, but only to those of us who are not blind. It was good to see an MSM story that told it like it is and didn't color it with both-sideism. I haven't heard the Quadefendant's response and am anxious to hear it.
I couldn't help wondering how much the transcript had been cleaned up editorially. Trump seem to speak in sentences that had beginnings, middles, and ends much of the time, and that doesn't sound like him.
Having taught/graded 4th grade writing for a bunch of years, I have a bit different take on it. The cadence of his voice is there, the self-congratulating me me me is there, the self-referencing, the "beautiful", etc. Methinks punctuation was added to the rambling for readability and publication.
Yes. All true. It just makes him sound more cogent than he really is. In some places his "looping" logic is there still. They helped him out by making it into sentences rather than the indecisive stream of consciousness it no doubt was.
I didn't read the transcript, but you're right. I wonder if he was given a chance to review it before the story was written or published. If Time edited it, I'd be disappointed.
Robert writes: "Most readers of this newsletter understand the seriousness of Trump's threats and are working tirelessly to prevent a second Trump term." But.... how come a majority of elected GOPers, certainly including Mitch McConnell, are OK with our potential drift into a governmental state bearing a closer resemblance to 1930's Germany that 2010's USA?
This is an excellent question Swbv. I’d offer two potential answers. 1. Their cowardice in not confronting Trump has clearly positioned them as enablers. 2. In many ways and for many years the Republicans have been deeply committed to what is happening and thereby complicit.
Just read Heather Cox-Richardson’s book: “American Democracy - Notes on the State of America, or any of her historical newsletters over the past 8 years. Those of us who have been paying attention can clearly see the long game that The Federalist Society and Mitch McConnell have forged over many decades. For another example, look at the damage Mythical Ronald Reagan offered; the Fairness Doctrine that he vetoed. Why didn’t Dems and others push harder over the years to keep that doctrine in place rather than stand by and let FOX destroy the concept of truth?
Good question. I found something that helped me understand this dynamic in the GOP when I watched "Bad Faith" (available for rent on Amazon Prime for $1.99). The film explains the history and dynamics of the coalition between Christian Nationalists and the GOP, Trump in particular.
Although I understand the broad-brush overview, I was largely unaware of much of the details and philosophy, especially a concept called 'Seven Mountains Dominionism' (family, religion, education, media, arts & entertainment, business, and government). One of the precepts of this movement is to actually destroy government in its current structure. What I never understood is that Trump supporters - and much of the GOP - actually WANT Trump to return to power to finish the job, i.e., to take a wrecking ball to what's left. If you don't have the stomach for watching the entire film, watch the interview with Anne Nelson (author of Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right) beginning around 39:00 minutes. She explains some of the more puzzling aspects of this illogical slide into fascism.
I'm grateful for Eric Cortellessa's piece, so much so that I actually subscribed to Time. IMHO, it's important to support media companies who actually support fact-based journalism. Mr. Cortellessa is in a minority these days.
Yes, there is a frightening resemblance between Germany on the eve of Hitler coming to power and the current situation in the US. One difference, though. Only very few Germans had read 'Mein Kampf'. They didn't really know the agenda neither the personality of the man they voted for.
Ok. I am officially an extremist. I now believe Trump should be arrested and charged with Treason and Sedition. His all-out in-our-face push for dictatorship forces us to consider what it would take to stop him in his tracks even if it requires enforcement from us that many would call “undemocratic. “ But in fact, the laws are on the books. Arrest him - charge him - Imprison him and take away his ability to communicate via social media. His “campaign” must be stopped now before he is the official Republican candidate. And to cement my new identity as an extremist I say send him to Guantanamo like any other terrorist. Enough is enough!!!
Ned, I agree with the sentiment in your comment, but not the tactics; this is jiu jitsu (using the force of the opponent against him/her) not boxing (direct opposition throwing punches). Often the apparent and immediately satisfying solution backfires (see cops roughing up demonstrators); a higher level of strategy avoids much of the blow-back but achieves the objective. Biden has modeled this nuts & bolts patient diplomacy, and Robert, Heather, Jess, Joyce, Simon et al provide daily guidance in the methods for overcoming the assault on democracy: be awake, educate yourself and others, spread the word, be active in every way possible (postcards; donations, letters, grassroots organization, zooms, etc.). Work smarter, not just harder. We can beat these insurrectionists with slow, steady, relentless progress , as shown in recent elections. One day at a time.
I generally agree with this approach and have for a long time. But Trump is so far outside the box that I fear we will be wringing our hands as his storm troopers surround us saying "but we followed the rules, we were patient and steady - we should have won - how could this be happening to us?" We may be practicing jiu jitsu, but I'm reminded of the scene in one of the Raiders of the Lost Arc movies where a bad guy charges at Indiana Jones flashing fancy sword moves and fierce grimaces and Indy just shoots him. They always say democrats bring a feather to a knife fight. Let's not end up victimized by our honesty and rules based fighting. Trump certainly isn't. There are laws and rules we can follow to arrest and incarcerate him.
Ned, I hear you and I understand you. But your comment reminded me of a remark somebody made in last night's Airlift zoom call, which I liked immensely: "You can't wring your hands while rolling up your sleeves." So yes, rolling up one's sleeves and taking off your gloves is necessary. But going rogue is probably not the way. MAGA is more experienced and ruthless going down that road anyway.
Hi Stefan, But is it really "going rogue"? Is applying the actual laws of the land aggressively and forcefully wrong, rather than cautiously and super carefully like Garland has been doing? And also since the Supreme Court has "gone rogue" and other Judges like Aileen Cannon are making up their own rules and "interpretations" of the constitution and forcing our justice system to deal with them, what's our recourse? Maga has "gone mega rogue." If we don't step up and push the existing rules and laws as they have done, we'll lose our democracy by being too cautious and lacking imagination. One thing you can say for Maga - they don't lack imagination and daring. Qualities we need to boost on our own behalf. For example, Trump should be in jail because of his violation of the gag order in the "Hush money" trial. Anyone else would be. One imaginitive suggestion was the Judge sentence prison time for each violation, but delay the imposition of the prison time until after the trial at which time he'd review the sentences and decide how much to implement. That would allow the trial to go on while Trump accumulates prison time - an interesting deterrent possibly.
From my reading, if you want peace to come to Gaza, sticking w Biden is the way to go. I see Trump 1) loving Prime Minister Netanyahu and 2) vilifying Palestinian protesters. There's no way back from where the situation is now, no way to get back 30,000 lives that are already in the history books. But blind support with money and arms for Prime Minister Netanyahu is a sure fire way to prolong the devastation.
I was at a postcard-writing party last night and the topic came up. One of the women mentioned that she had a college age daughter and that she had recently invited a group of her daughter's friends out to lunch to pick their brains about what issues were important to them. (They knew this up front). The top three issues were income inequality, inflation and Gaza. She asked "What about reproductive freedom?" and was told that of course it was important. But here's the shocker - NONE of them were aware that the NC legislature had passed a 12-week abortion ban or that the GOP candidate for Governor was promising a total abortion ban, if he got elected.
Gaza is on Tiktok and other social media where they get their news and apparently it's drowning out threats to democracy....
I just had this conversation over the weekend - I wish the same passion the protesters are currently showing for a far-away war with peripheral consequences to our daily lives, was being shown for the erosion of personal rights here at home, that comes with devastating consequences for all of us.
Young people are YOUNG! The are passionate about what they see as unfairness. They are not yet at that point where they can hold all of these thoughts about all wrongs in their minds at the same time. In my mind, it's our job to help them see other areas in which unfairness, hatred and authoritarian impulses are dangerous.
I am surprised by the bold type face NO answer to the question whether Trump will succeed in his authoritarian regime if elected and that the reason given is the courts and Congress. My impression is that congress and the courts have been complicit and or impotent in stopping Trump so far. Why will they change if he wins again? My thinking is that they will cower and do even less. One of the first things he’ll do is work to delegitimize them and declare they are the enemy.
Hello out there is any one paying attention? Trump is held in contempt of court; outlines a revengeful and authoritarian view of his second term for Time magazine and witnesses testify to his criminal intentions and fraud and no one seems upset of cares and it business as usual. Have the American voter gotten numb and have turned off all Trump news; maybe but there are still plenty of voters who have not made up their minds. Recently I read an article that there is a strong possibility that Republican voters will split their tickets and not vote for Trump for President but vote Republican down ballot. We need more than a Biden response to a Trump rant say about abortion we need more compare and contrast type messages so voters know what their choices are. It’s not about personally it about governing.
Stephen, we need some of those Republican votes down ballot to go to Dems or independents rather than continuing to elect republicans for House & Senate seats where they will continue blocking progress. We need a strong majority so we can get some serious governance and changes to forestall future attempts to undermine our democracy, civil rights, climate initiatives and more.
I’d venture to say we need some means to create national conversations throughout the country at the state and local level to inform and debate with civil discourse.
By the way, can you or someone else report on what the current status of Frani Willis’ indictments is?
I am grateful readers’ concerns about the war in Gaza, the college campus protests, and the possible impact on Biden’s re-election was addressed today; these concerns worry me too. Last night PBS Newshour ran a clip of Mike Johnson righteously proclaiming the President of Columbia university should be removed, since her title as administrator means she’s supposed to control a campus devolved into chaos. The stunning omission was this: Rump did nothing to control the chaos on Jan 6th (he stoked and engineered it!), yet Johnson and the entire GOP is all in on him. That the mainstream media’s both-sides-ism doesn’t blare out such omissions is maddening.
I have forwarded this newsletter to my entire list (which keeps growing) and I admit that I could not read the entire Time Magazine interview because I thought I was going to throw up. Seeing the smug and smiling faces of his "team" including alternative facts Conway was too much for this morning. Who are these people and what makes them so cruel? This piece on top of the gleeful dog/goat killing Kristi Noem and Katie in the Kitchen's response to Joe Biden's State of the Union message leaves me incredulous. This isn't just one side against the other. This is reality versus an alternative universe of hate, grievance, educated ignorance, and fear. There is no joy here. No hope for the future. No vision of a more perfect union. Nothing. That the picture of America presented by a braying, bullying reality TV star with day glow makeup is an inspiration to many of our fellow Americans is horrifying and gaging. I hope Churchill was right that "Americans do the right thing in the end after trying everything else," holds.
Thanks, Robert. Yes, that Time cover story is really scary. As for Israel/Gaza, I'm with my senator Bernie on this one: not one more dime until Israel calls a cease fire. (hey, a girl can dream.)
When cross-examined by Trump's lawyers, and asked "Didn't you go to jail for lying," Michael Cohen should answer:
"I did what you are doing. You are doing whatever Trump tells you, including lying and abusing your legal ethics. I am sorry for what I did, you are not."
Captain Avatar- this would be a very good response for Michael Cohen.
Agreed. Someone should share it with him.
Thanks for your thoughtful approach to the Gaza situation. On this same difficult subject, I recommend that everyone read Jay Kuo’s blog from last night (either The Status Kuo or The Big Picture- same content). He provides some sound advice for discussing this issue with friends who see the situation as a one-issue reason to not vote for Biden. His approach is a good one for all of us to follow. Keep up the good work, Robert!!
It's one thing to lobby Biden. It's suicide to hand Trump the White House.
Christiaan Arabs know they are are next on Hamas' list. They have to come forward.
May I quote you?
Linda, I would note my greatest challenge has been contending with community who, rightfully in my view, are bothered by an Administration claiming it wants to reestablish America’s moral leadership in the world and uphold the rule of law while, at the same time, failing to support U.S. laws against providing weapons to governments that commit gross violations of human rights and that block U.S. humanitarian aid.
Thanks to you, I read Kuo’s April 30th public post, and now understand the value, on one hand, of relating to the anguish over our Administration’s complicity in the suffering, and on the other, quoting Kuo, of “expand[ing] the discussion beyond the war to include all the other things that also matter to progressive voters.”
It is a complex issue, and no one has easily solved it in all of the years since WWII when Israel became a much larger country than it was in the early 1900s. Jews should have a place to feel safe and to be safe, and so should Gazans. I wonder whether democracy is disappearing from the region totally with Netanyahu's leadership. It is of great concern. I feel he is more aligned with Trump than Biden, and more with Putin than Zelenskiy. However, with Trump in the White House I do not see the suffering of the people of Gaza lessening. I do not think with his relationship with Bibi he will be able to curtail the violence. In fact, I can see him encouraging it. Also, when the same students who are currently protesting of those will the Muslim students and my Muslim neighbors get deported by the Trump government? Will women be thrown in prison for miscarriages? Will we watch former leaders be imprisoned or executed? If those things happen the troubles in Gaza will see less immediate. Protests have earned Russian students long prison sentences in Russia. That will change a generation, as it would here too. How do we support our democracy which allows students to protest? Not every campus has police breaking them up. In Chicago I read that high schoolers will be joining college students after school in support at DePaul and U of Chicago campuses where police have not been harassing peaceful encampments of protesters. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cps-sit-ins/
While it is concerning and inciting to some groups, it hopefully will remain peaceful.
Agreed. Let's remember for many it was one-issue reasons we got Trump (abortion, gun rights, tax cuts.)
Don't forget misogyny...
I read that as well. It's good advice.
Yes! Here is the link to Jay Kuo's Sustack article. https://statuskuo.substack.com/cp/144178543
Tuesday evening, political commentator Bakari Sellers noted that November’s election is not a race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, but between Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and the couch. Bakari’s couch reference referred specifically to black males, who, for some time, have been pulling away not just from the Democratic Party but from participation altogether, frankly, because they have not been listened to. I would note that I perceived this discussion not only as a clarion call to meet black male voters where they are and to listen to them but also as an urgent call more meaningfully to reach out to minority youth voters overall who are integral to a Biden win in November.
I support and have signed up to postcard with the Center for Common Ground.💲✍️
“Fighting for Voting Rights & Mobilizing Communities of Color”
https://www.centerforcommonground.org/about
I am a "Reclaim Our Vote" postcard writer for this group and am also a donor. I wrote postcards for the GA primary race which I am waiting to mail on the specified date later this month. Then I plan to write postcards to BIPOC voters in their upcoming NC campaigns.
Another group to which I donate is New Rural Project (https://www.newruralproject.org/about-us) based here in NC. I was very impressed by their programs to engage voters: https://www.newruralproject.org/programs
Mailed my ROV postcards on Monday. Cheryl, we are in sync.
Thanks for this postcard effort from Common Ground, Kathy. I have wondered where I would head to write more postcards after I finish with my latest efforts for registering voters in Georgia. Between you and Barbara Jo's comments, this sounds like a great place to go. Thanks, again, you two!
Hi Lynell, it is and they will soon have a new campaign for NC.
Okay, Cheryl; I will look for it. Sorry to hear about the death of those four NC police officers the other day. What a terrible loss.
Kathy, I wasn’t aware of this particular organization. Thank you so much for writing.
Barbara Jo, CFCG founder,Andrea Miller,spoke with my activist group and I was very impressed. I always appreciate your posts !
Kathy, Once I finish writing my current stack of postcards for Georgia Supreme Court Justice Candidate John Barrow, I plan to contact CFCG.
Hi Barbara, I am also a postcard writer for this group. The postcard program is part of "Reclaim our Vote" (https://www.centerforcommonground.org/reclaim-our-vote). They are currently winding down a campaign for the GA primaries and I recently got a "heads up" email about upcoming campaigns in NC (where I live). They have a brief on-line training video which you must complete and they require you to use their postcards - they have several designs.
Cheryl, Thanks for letting me know about NC, particularly since political commentator Simon Rosenberg is urging his readers to prioritize that State.
The are a good organization!
I can’t understand this feeling considering the number of programs that have specifically created and made available to improve their wages, work opportunities and healthcare.
Stephen, Perhaps, as Bakari suggests, we need to meet black male voters where they are, and have these conversations, and let them know they are being listened to and their feelings are being respected.
I agree we need to meet them on their own turf and we need to enlist other black males who can have an impact. Someone like Usher could be a major influencer.
Check out the New Rural Project's programs: https://www.newruralproject.org/programs
I think this is an excellent model.
Cheryl, A review of your posts throughout this thread makes clear that you have a rich repository of resources for helping to mobilize less advantaged populations. Admittedly, I was unaware of any of these organizations.
Stephen, I agree on both counts: enlisting other black males and Usher being among them
They sat out our 2022 Florida senate race and the candidate was a Black woman. They have mothers. They need the dozens.
NOT because they don't get attention. Check out the DNC.
Daniel, Contrary to your view, I believe black men, more so than black women, who for generations had voted for Democrats while not seeing substantial changes taking place in their communities, have come increasingly to doubt whether Democrats care about their struggles.
Not my view. One on one in my personal experience, when the HEAR the facts, they are all in. The problem is that there are forces, such as the BS on MSNBC, to create peer pressure to be contrary.
The head of the DNC (nationally) and the chair here are Black. This is what we got: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-lives-matter-faces-backlash-statement-cuba-protest-rcna1438
There are several subgroups that partner with the DNC and FT6 that work with it every day.
1, Black voters matter. https://www.bluetent.us/organization/black-voters-matter
2. Community Change. https://www.bluetent.us/organization/community-change-what-donors-need-to-know
3. Working America https://www.bluetent.us/organization/working-america
Daniel, I imagine I’m not the only one who was unaware of the resources you have noted. I definitely plan to take advantage. Thanks.
Golly, I am no expert on these matters, but it is easy to say that both political parties have ignored or taken for granted Black voters and issues of major importance to citizens of color, BUT all things have a chance to get better with Democrats and the Republicans have shown that they approve racist language, hatred, and, more important, actions. It may not be a choice between absolute good and absolute evil, but in a race between pretty good and deadly, dangerous, and racist, we need to point out the distinction to all our brothers and sisters. The Republicans are not
afraid of demonizing mild mannered Joe Biden, who is a good and caring person.
Trump demonizes himself. Let's not be afraid (I am addressing myself here, dear friends) of pointing out the devil who wears no disguise and his only promise is "Things are going to get worse for all but Rich, White, Reactionaries if you elect me president again."
Patrick, While I appreciate your distinctions between the two parties, seeing that blacks for generations have voted Democratic, the matter of our commitment to their legitimate grievances and struggles must continually be raised and pushed.
Amen. And the Democrats, I would argue, need to find a way to articulate to all Americans that Black issues, so called, are issues for all of us, and not a "favor" to a special constituency. That "white" America can prosper only by oppression of Black America is a lie that was pernicious and idiotic in 1880 and still implicitly holds power among a large percentage of Republicans. The New South, 150 years of glories in American literature, culture, sports, the arts and sciences and education, and on and on, have all been driven by African Americans and we are all richer for it, and not just "richer" in some abstract emotional artsy sense, but we are all more prosperous economically. Trump's ranting about "crime in the cities," or "immigrants" taking your jobs away makes no sense economically, let alone on the issue of justice. Look at the graduation classes of any college and university. Take away the people of color and where would the USA be? Sorry for the rant. I know you all know this, but we have to drumbeat this with pride in the country club discussions, the polite pool parties, and "drinks" of an afternoon and the other watering holes, including many Democratic Party meeting where those benefiting from white privilege gather.
Doesn't Obama's victory and the Grant Park rally that celebrated it that November seem like long ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Daniel, from what I understand, most of the boots on the ground voter outreach is through the state party (and grassroots groups) not the DNC. And for marginalized groups, year round organizing is far more effective than just knocking on doors in the second half of October which is the traditional Democratic approach. Look at Maxwell Frost's success.
I think the FL state party may need a shakeup just like we got here in NC with Anderson Clayton.
That is for sure, Barb.
Barbara Jo, we have a full task list. Getting black male voters to actively participate is certainly one big item on our list. Yes. We should listen and meet them where they are. Yet, I would offer two thoughts. 1. We and all everyone’s within the United States States of America should have been listening and engaging the African-American communities in deeper, substantive ways since, at least, the 60s. 2. This may be needless to say, but we need to look beyond the 2024 election to further this work and the many issues that will not be resolved by one election. That is to say, we must engage our fellow citizens in a lot of conversations where they are in 2025 and beyond.
I would note that there are a lot of African communities who are working hard to get their friends and family members registered and to the polls. A few days ago I referenced the work of Rev Greg Lewis in Wisconsin. He heads up “Souls to the Polls” and is doing the hard work.
Here’s a link: https://youtu.be/rElujurxiPE?feature=shared
We need to partner up with similar communities in each of our states.
John, I agree that our commitment to the legitimate grievances and struggles of African American communities must continually be raised and pushed, particularly seeing that for generations they have voted Democratic. Meanwhile, I appreciate the link and will listen to the speaker when I return home this evening.
The Time piece was eye-opening, but only to those of us who are not blind. It was good to see an MSM story that told it like it is and didn't color it with both-sideism. I haven't heard the Quadefendant's response and am anxious to hear it.
I couldn't help wondering how much the transcript had been cleaned up editorially. Trump seem to speak in sentences that had beginnings, middles, and ends much of the time, and that doesn't sound like him.
Having taught/graded 4th grade writing for a bunch of years, I have a bit different take on it. The cadence of his voice is there, the self-congratulating me me me is there, the self-referencing, the "beautiful", etc. Methinks punctuation was added to the rambling for readability and publication.
Yes. All true. It just makes him sound more cogent than he really is. In some places his "looping" logic is there still. They helped him out by making it into sentences rather than the indecisive stream of consciousness it no doubt was.
I didn't read the transcript, but you're right. I wonder if he was given a chance to review it before the story was written or published. If Time edited it, I'd be disappointed.
Robert writes: "Most readers of this newsletter understand the seriousness of Trump's threats and are working tirelessly to prevent a second Trump term." But.... how come a majority of elected GOPers, certainly including Mitch McConnell, are OK with our potential drift into a governmental state bearing a closer resemblance to 1930's Germany that 2010's USA?
Power baby
What a sorry observation on the state of today's patriotism
This is an excellent question Swbv. I’d offer two potential answers. 1. Their cowardice in not confronting Trump has clearly positioned them as enablers. 2. In many ways and for many years the Republicans have been deeply committed to what is happening and thereby complicit.
Just read Heather Cox-Richardson’s book: “American Democracy - Notes on the State of America, or any of her historical newsletters over the past 8 years. Those of us who have been paying attention can clearly see the long game that The Federalist Society and Mitch McConnell have forged over many decades. For another example, look at the damage Mythical Ronald Reagan offered; the Fairness Doctrine that he vetoed. Why didn’t Dems and others push harder over the years to keep that doctrine in place rather than stand by and let FOX destroy the concept of truth?
Bill Barr, too.
Good question. I found something that helped me understand this dynamic in the GOP when I watched "Bad Faith" (available for rent on Amazon Prime for $1.99). The film explains the history and dynamics of the coalition between Christian Nationalists and the GOP, Trump in particular.
Although I understand the broad-brush overview, I was largely unaware of much of the details and philosophy, especially a concept called 'Seven Mountains Dominionism' (family, religion, education, media, arts & entertainment, business, and government). One of the precepts of this movement is to actually destroy government in its current structure. What I never understood is that Trump supporters - and much of the GOP - actually WANT Trump to return to power to finish the job, i.e., to take a wrecking ball to what's left. If you don't have the stomach for watching the entire film, watch the interview with Anne Nelson (author of Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right) beginning around 39:00 minutes. She explains some of the more puzzling aspects of this illogical slide into fascism.
I was also largely unaware of the Council for National Policy, a shadow organization at the center of much of this strategy. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_for_National_Policy).
I'm grateful for Eric Cortellessa's piece, so much so that I actually subscribed to Time. IMHO, it's important to support media companies who actually support fact-based journalism. Mr. Cortellessa is in a minority these days.
Yes, there is a frightening resemblance between Germany on the eve of Hitler coming to power and the current situation in the US. One difference, though. Only very few Germans had read 'Mein Kampf'. They didn't really know the agenda neither the personality of the man they voted for.
Ok. I am officially an extremist. I now believe Trump should be arrested and charged with Treason and Sedition. His all-out in-our-face push for dictatorship forces us to consider what it would take to stop him in his tracks even if it requires enforcement from us that many would call “undemocratic. “ But in fact, the laws are on the books. Arrest him - charge him - Imprison him and take away his ability to communicate via social media. His “campaign” must be stopped now before he is the official Republican candidate. And to cement my new identity as an extremist I say send him to Guantanamo like any other terrorist. Enough is enough!!!
Ned, I agree with the sentiment in your comment, but not the tactics; this is jiu jitsu (using the force of the opponent against him/her) not boxing (direct opposition throwing punches). Often the apparent and immediately satisfying solution backfires (see cops roughing up demonstrators); a higher level of strategy avoids much of the blow-back but achieves the objective. Biden has modeled this nuts & bolts patient diplomacy, and Robert, Heather, Jess, Joyce, Simon et al provide daily guidance in the methods for overcoming the assault on democracy: be awake, educate yourself and others, spread the word, be active in every way possible (postcards; donations, letters, grassroots organization, zooms, etc.). Work smarter, not just harder. We can beat these insurrectionists with slow, steady, relentless progress , as shown in recent elections. One day at a time.
I generally agree with this approach and have for a long time. But Trump is so far outside the box that I fear we will be wringing our hands as his storm troopers surround us saying "but we followed the rules, we were patient and steady - we should have won - how could this be happening to us?" We may be practicing jiu jitsu, but I'm reminded of the scene in one of the Raiders of the Lost Arc movies where a bad guy charges at Indiana Jones flashing fancy sword moves and fierce grimaces and Indy just shoots him. They always say democrats bring a feather to a knife fight. Let's not end up victimized by our honesty and rules based fighting. Trump certainly isn't. There are laws and rules we can follow to arrest and incarcerate him.
they just need to be aggressively pursued.
Ned, I hear you and I understand you. But your comment reminded me of a remark somebody made in last night's Airlift zoom call, which I liked immensely: "You can't wring your hands while rolling up your sleeves." So yes, rolling up one's sleeves and taking off your gloves is necessary. But going rogue is probably not the way. MAGA is more experienced and ruthless going down that road anyway.
Hi Stefan, But is it really "going rogue"? Is applying the actual laws of the land aggressively and forcefully wrong, rather than cautiously and super carefully like Garland has been doing? And also since the Supreme Court has "gone rogue" and other Judges like Aileen Cannon are making up their own rules and "interpretations" of the constitution and forcing our justice system to deal with them, what's our recourse? Maga has "gone mega rogue." If we don't step up and push the existing rules and laws as they have done, we'll lose our democracy by being too cautious and lacking imagination. One thing you can say for Maga - they don't lack imagination and daring. Qualities we need to boost on our own behalf. For example, Trump should be in jail because of his violation of the gag order in the "Hush money" trial. Anyone else would be. One imaginitive suggestion was the Judge sentence prison time for each violation, but delay the imposition of the prison time until after the trial at which time he'd review the sentences and decide how much to implement. That would allow the trial to go on while Trump accumulates prison time - an interesting deterrent possibly.
Well said, Tom!
Ned L, your ideas make for a nice pipe dream for now. I wish we could follow up on them.
From my reading, if you want peace to come to Gaza, sticking w Biden is the way to go. I see Trump 1) loving Prime Minister Netanyahu and 2) vilifying Palestinian protesters. There's no way back from where the situation is now, no way to get back 30,000 lives that are already in the history books. But blind support with money and arms for Prime Minister Netanyahu is a sure fire way to prolong the devastation.
Does NY state contempt violate the conditions of bail in GA, DC, FL?
What about contempt in the federal jurisdiction in the NY civil fraud case?
Let's hope voters hold a contempt for him because of this.
We must reach out to our new younger voters. Too many are abstaining.
Look at college campuses and the upset over the Middle East. Why aren't they this passionate about their own country and the real threats here?
I don't think they see it.
I was at a postcard-writing party last night and the topic came up. One of the women mentioned that she had a college age daughter and that she had recently invited a group of her daughter's friends out to lunch to pick their brains about what issues were important to them. (They knew this up front). The top three issues were income inequality, inflation and Gaza. She asked "What about reproductive freedom?" and was told that of course it was important. But here's the shocker - NONE of them were aware that the NC legislature had passed a 12-week abortion ban or that the GOP candidate for Governor was promising a total abortion ban, if he got elected.
Gaza is on Tiktok and other social media where they get their news and apparently it's drowning out threats to democracy....
That's my point also, Cheryl. They need our help in understanding this is not a one-issue election.
Where you get your news absolutely determines what you are aware of. And social media streams can be very curated by algorithms.
I just had this conversation over the weekend - I wish the same passion the protesters are currently showing for a far-away war with peripheral consequences to our daily lives, was being shown for the erosion of personal rights here at home, that comes with devastating consequences for all of us.
Young people are YOUNG! The are passionate about what they see as unfairness. They are not yet at that point where they can hold all of these thoughts about all wrongs in their minds at the same time. In my mind, it's our job to help them see other areas in which unfairness, hatred and authoritarian impulses are dangerous.
From the Time Interview:
INTERVIEWER: Would you override the Posse Comitatus Act?(an 1878 law that prohibits the use of military force on civilians.)
TRUMP: Well, these aren’t civilians. These are people that aren’t legally in our country.
Not Civilians? What are they - "Animals?!?"
I am surprised by the bold type face NO answer to the question whether Trump will succeed in his authoritarian regime if elected and that the reason given is the courts and Congress. My impression is that congress and the courts have been complicit and or impotent in stopping Trump so far. Why will they change if he wins again? My thinking is that they will cower and do even less. One of the first things he’ll do is work to delegitimize them and declare they are the enemy.
Ditto to the press and media.
Hello out there is any one paying attention? Trump is held in contempt of court; outlines a revengeful and authoritarian view of his second term for Time magazine and witnesses testify to his criminal intentions and fraud and no one seems upset of cares and it business as usual. Have the American voter gotten numb and have turned off all Trump news; maybe but there are still plenty of voters who have not made up their minds. Recently I read an article that there is a strong possibility that Republican voters will split their tickets and not vote for Trump for President but vote Republican down ballot. We need more than a Biden response to a Trump rant say about abortion we need more compare and contrast type messages so voters know what their choices are. It’s not about personally it about governing.
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Stephen, we need some of those Republican votes down ballot to go to Dems or independents rather than continuing to elect republicans for House & Senate seats where they will continue blocking progress. We need a strong majority so we can get some serious governance and changes to forestall future attempts to undermine our democracy, civil rights, climate initiatives and more.
I’d venture to say we need some means to create national conversations throughout the country at the state and local level to inform and debate with civil discourse.
By the way, can you or someone else report on what the current status of Frani Willis’ indictments is?
Joyce Vance deals with this question in todays newsletter. Evidently not, as "contempt" is not a crime.
I am grateful readers’ concerns about the war in Gaza, the college campus protests, and the possible impact on Biden’s re-election was addressed today; these concerns worry me too. Last night PBS Newshour ran a clip of Mike Johnson righteously proclaiming the President of Columbia university should be removed, since her title as administrator means she’s supposed to control a campus devolved into chaos. The stunning omission was this: Rump did nothing to control the chaos on Jan 6th (he stoked and engineered it!), yet Johnson and the entire GOP is all in on him. That the mainstream media’s both-sides-ism doesn’t blare out such omissions is maddening.
I have forwarded this newsletter to my entire list (which keeps growing) and I admit that I could not read the entire Time Magazine interview because I thought I was going to throw up. Seeing the smug and smiling faces of his "team" including alternative facts Conway was too much for this morning. Who are these people and what makes them so cruel? This piece on top of the gleeful dog/goat killing Kristi Noem and Katie in the Kitchen's response to Joe Biden's State of the Union message leaves me incredulous. This isn't just one side against the other. This is reality versus an alternative universe of hate, grievance, educated ignorance, and fear. There is no joy here. No hope for the future. No vision of a more perfect union. Nothing. That the picture of America presented by a braying, bullying reality TV star with day glow makeup is an inspiration to many of our fellow Americans is horrifying and gaging. I hope Churchill was right that "Americans do the right thing in the end after trying everything else," holds.
Thanks, Robert. Yes, that Time cover story is really scary. As for Israel/Gaza, I'm with my senator Bernie on this one: not one more dime until Israel calls a cease fire. (hey, a girl can dream.)
… until Israel calls a cease fire …
– and let Hamas murderers win.
No just fight fair.
Like on last October 6th?