Reading Nicholas' comment, I tend to agree. It is emotional and draining and I'm very glad that there have been so many positive steps forward in the past week. Passing the CHIPS, PACT and IRA has been huge! All of that makes me so happy. And the fact that Trump is squirming is great. Merrick Garland has come through and I couldn't be more pleased. Trump is fending off trouble from several different quarters and I have to think he'll have to pay the price one way or another. But, like Nicholas, I'm still afraid that somehow, he'll still wiggle out of all of it.
But more than anything, I feel that we're in the most dangerous time yet. Fortunately, I have no personal experience with domestic violence. But I know enough to know that when an abuser is cornered, when he (or she) is facing that reality of being left behind, or called to account for the abuse they've perpetrated, or slapped with a restraining order, is when they're the most dangerous. But it isn't Trump, or McCarthy or the rest of the cowardly GOP leadership that we need to fear, but all of their "base" throughout the country. They are hiding in plain sight, and I fear that they are capable of almost anything. I think Civil War is not the problem, but rogue 2nd Amendment Trumpers who will do something desperate in the face of what they see as the persecution of Dear Leader.
I am a positive looking person and I believe in the majority of good people in the US who WILL do the right thing; we will all pull together to save the country. But I do fear that there will be major damage and violence before it's all over. The healing from that will take a very long time.
I'm writing from Indiana where we've just lost the right to choose whether or not to have children. Our totally gerrymandered state legislature passed a nearly total ban on abortion. Please keep this issue of reproductive rights front and center in the midterms and stay focused on down ballot races. I highly recommend Jane Mayer's article in the New Yorker, "State Legislatures are Torching Democracy."
The revelation that one of the things they were looking for was information related to nuclear weapons makes it all fall into place. The multi-billion dollar deal with Jared K. and Saudi Arabia, why 45 even wanted to bring classified documents with him when he left the WH, …
Also. How amazing the democrat congress has passed the most significant legislation in decades under Biden’s leadership!!! What a ying/Yang universe we live in. BUT why SO essential to keep a democrat trifecta in the midterms!! We have to almost think of the democrats as the “two” party system—progressives vs moderates. The Republicans are invested in a non existent reality, something even god forbid, Dick Cheney, and I agree with.
Oh. My. God!!! This is so exhausting and frustrating and overwhelming. I feel as if the “trump” phenomenon is like a cancer that keeps traveling into all parts of the body politic. This is the time for mindfulness, a time to let go and let “whatever” works it’s way through the biosphere. A time to pray to whatever Divine Source guides us to help us all transcend this moment. Sorry to sound so woohoo but our normal either/or solutions are not going to help. Sometimes I hear myself praying, “oh god or whoever , please remember us—our love for each other. Our desire for connection and harmony. We have potential!”
My deep thanks to the thoughtful commenters this morning. I confess to an assortment of dizziness -- so much news, so much of it disturbing. Here, let us pause for a moment to reflect on the attack on Salman Rushdie, the author of so many enriching, expansive works, including the great novel of modernity, "Midnight's Children." Attacked at Chautauqua, that monument to 19th century American self-improvement! And yes, a great forward movement with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (could someone PLEASE use better nomenclature?). But of course what nags and occupies the forefront of the mind is the events at and around Mar-a-Lago. As a lawyer, I am simply left bewildered: did his lawyers not explain to the former guy what was at stake? Did the former guy lie to them about what he had? Above all, what was the former guy doing with that stuff? According to friends who served as foreign service officers, the things he took are incredibly sensitive -- did he not understand that? Did he not care? Did he intend to sell it or share it? That's what the Espionage Act charge implies. If that is so, why doesn't anyone use the word that applies here: treason. Just look at that word. On the heels of the reporting about the former guy's relations with the nation's military leaders, it doesn't seem nearly so out of place. But what does it mean to think/say/write: the former President of the United States may be a traitor. I can't believe I wrote that. But I did.
Keep in mind, all ye of good faith who support democracy and sanity: We outnumber Republicans, by a lot. The largest group in the US is "did not vote", followed by Independents, then Democrats, then Republicans. Yes, things are tilted to favor Republicans, and they're overrepresented in the whole. BUT, if we concentrate our energies on getting people registered to vote, and getting turnout, we win. Sanity far outnumbers this crazy we see and hear every minute of every day. "Sanity" needs to turn out and vote in every election and every level of government. We all turn out, we win. We are the majority. There are some excellent groups out there doing really great work, and Robert mentions them periodically. Sign up for Jessica Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water newsletter on Substack....she gives scripts etc, she illuminates other groups working for good, etc etc. She and Robert Hubbell are two of the people from whom I learn about well vetted groups doing the work to save our system of government and restore it to sanity. Have hope.....and keep in mind that we outnumber these people who would turn us into an autocracy. Spend some time registering voters and encouraging them to vote. Young people, especially.
Although I am loathe to do so I am going to comment about the latest drama with Trump. I do recognize the serious nature of his legal troubles but I have to share the same sentiment as others. I am just so sick and tired of him grabbing headlines and capturing the worlds attention day in and day out. The Democrats have just an amazing string of legislative victories most notably the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. The most serious step the country has ever taken towards addressing climate change. This should be huge news covered by every major media outlet and yet the headlines are splashed with Trump all day and every day. I look forward to the day when the news media is not consumed by this demonic man.
We must be guided only by what the principles of our Republic tell us is right, as Garland has shown us. Fear must not interfere with reason and morality. There is no other way for us to win over this craziness. Second guessing crazy people will end badly.
So wish the Inflation Reduction Act was getting the media attention it deserves! It is a big deal and should strengthen the economy as well as saving the world. I'm sick of hearing ad nauseam about the search hour after hour. What happens when a malignant narcissist/narcissistic personality disorder person feels cornered? You get a Jim Jones offering everyone the KoolAid. Here's a great article about the end game of NPD of which DT could be the poster child. https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=40230
I have a hard time believing this has lined up Republicans behind Trump. I just cannot fathom that thinking. Yet that is just what was said last night, 8/12, by Shields & Capehart on PBS Newshour! As you may know, the two are with NYT and WaPo, respectively. Have half the voters in this country gone insane? That’s what their commentary points to. Somebody throw me a life ring. I’m drowning in disbelief and horror. Additionally they both agreed that he could win the nomination! What? Then be sent to jail during campaign cycle and we break out in civil war! Worse, his Teflon will get him exonerated (my statement)! Excuse my so many exclamation points, but we have come to this according to these two respected (by me, anyway) journalists. The voters must get some education. Democracy survives only through an informed electorate. These numbskulls apparently have lost much gray matter.
We LOVE listening to you, Robert, reading your daily musings while we are eating our lunch.
Your voice is calm and, therefore, also calming and very pleasant.
When the text calls for sarcasm, your voice drips with it! This is part of what makes listening to your articles soooooo much better than just reading them!
I think that your training and experience in law endowed you with the ability to identify the real issue(s) and not be distracted by the b.s. surrounding it (them.)
Also, your ability to stay on track and not lose your focus on the goal(s) of your newsletter hit bullseye time and again.
You have become our North!!!!
When this maelstrom runs its course and we get back to, or better yet, carve out and create a new and improved political reality, I will recommend that you receive the Purple Heart or the Medal of Freedom, whichever is higher, for your contribution to the survival of the grand American spirit and American democracy!!!!
This week has been such a roller coaster, and very emotionally draining. I’m honestly just tired of Trump at this point, I honestly can’t take it anymore. It’s like nothing matters. I hate to be a downer, but I have a feeling he’ll somehow manage to get out of this too. He’s always been made of teflon and because of how things have gone in the past it’s extremely hard to get my hopes up. I really hope I am wrong, and we’ll have to wait and see, but considering how passionate his base is and how strong his grip on the GOP is, I find it hard to believe anything will change.
Reading Nicholas' comment, I tend to agree. It is emotional and draining and I'm very glad that there have been so many positive steps forward in the past week. Passing the CHIPS, PACT and IRA has been huge! All of that makes me so happy. And the fact that Trump is squirming is great. Merrick Garland has come through and I couldn't be more pleased. Trump is fending off trouble from several different quarters and I have to think he'll have to pay the price one way or another. But, like Nicholas, I'm still afraid that somehow, he'll still wiggle out of all of it.
But more than anything, I feel that we're in the most dangerous time yet. Fortunately, I have no personal experience with domestic violence. But I know enough to know that when an abuser is cornered, when he (or she) is facing that reality of being left behind, or called to account for the abuse they've perpetrated, or slapped with a restraining order, is when they're the most dangerous. But it isn't Trump, or McCarthy or the rest of the cowardly GOP leadership that we need to fear, but all of their "base" throughout the country. They are hiding in plain sight, and I fear that they are capable of almost anything. I think Civil War is not the problem, but rogue 2nd Amendment Trumpers who will do something desperate in the face of what they see as the persecution of Dear Leader.
I am a positive looking person and I believe in the majority of good people in the US who WILL do the right thing; we will all pull together to save the country. But I do fear that there will be major damage and violence before it's all over. The healing from that will take a very long time.
I'm writing from Indiana where we've just lost the right to choose whether or not to have children. Our totally gerrymandered state legislature passed a nearly total ban on abortion. Please keep this issue of reproductive rights front and center in the midterms and stay focused on down ballot races. I highly recommend Jane Mayer's article in the New Yorker, "State Legislatures are Torching Democracy."
The revelation that one of the things they were looking for was information related to nuclear weapons makes it all fall into place. The multi-billion dollar deal with Jared K. and Saudi Arabia, why 45 even wanted to bring classified documents with him when he left the WH, …
Also. How amazing the democrat congress has passed the most significant legislation in decades under Biden’s leadership!!! What a ying/Yang universe we live in. BUT why SO essential to keep a democrat trifecta in the midterms!! We have to almost think of the democrats as the “two” party system—progressives vs moderates. The Republicans are invested in a non existent reality, something even god forbid, Dick Cheney, and I agree with.
Oh. My. God!!! This is so exhausting and frustrating and overwhelming. I feel as if the “trump” phenomenon is like a cancer that keeps traveling into all parts of the body politic. This is the time for mindfulness, a time to let go and let “whatever” works it’s way through the biosphere. A time to pray to whatever Divine Source guides us to help us all transcend this moment. Sorry to sound so woohoo but our normal either/or solutions are not going to help. Sometimes I hear myself praying, “oh god or whoever , please remember us—our love for each other. Our desire for connection and harmony. We have potential!”
My deep thanks to the thoughtful commenters this morning. I confess to an assortment of dizziness -- so much news, so much of it disturbing. Here, let us pause for a moment to reflect on the attack on Salman Rushdie, the author of so many enriching, expansive works, including the great novel of modernity, "Midnight's Children." Attacked at Chautauqua, that monument to 19th century American self-improvement! And yes, a great forward movement with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (could someone PLEASE use better nomenclature?). But of course what nags and occupies the forefront of the mind is the events at and around Mar-a-Lago. As a lawyer, I am simply left bewildered: did his lawyers not explain to the former guy what was at stake? Did the former guy lie to them about what he had? Above all, what was the former guy doing with that stuff? According to friends who served as foreign service officers, the things he took are incredibly sensitive -- did he not understand that? Did he not care? Did he intend to sell it or share it? That's what the Espionage Act charge implies. If that is so, why doesn't anyone use the word that applies here: treason. Just look at that word. On the heels of the reporting about the former guy's relations with the nation's military leaders, it doesn't seem nearly so out of place. But what does it mean to think/say/write: the former President of the United States may be a traitor. I can't believe I wrote that. But I did.
Merrick Garland finally came through - his move was brilliant.
The republicans are sure overreacting to this Mar a Lago search.
Keep in mind, all ye of good faith who support democracy and sanity: We outnumber Republicans, by a lot. The largest group in the US is "did not vote", followed by Independents, then Democrats, then Republicans. Yes, things are tilted to favor Republicans, and they're overrepresented in the whole. BUT, if we concentrate our energies on getting people registered to vote, and getting turnout, we win. Sanity far outnumbers this crazy we see and hear every minute of every day. "Sanity" needs to turn out and vote in every election and every level of government. We all turn out, we win. We are the majority. There are some excellent groups out there doing really great work, and Robert mentions them periodically. Sign up for Jessica Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water newsletter on Substack....she gives scripts etc, she illuminates other groups working for good, etc etc. She and Robert Hubbell are two of the people from whom I learn about well vetted groups doing the work to save our system of government and restore it to sanity. Have hope.....and keep in mind that we outnumber these people who would turn us into an autocracy. Spend some time registering voters and encouraging them to vote. Young people, especially.
If Trump intended to sell nuclear secrets to his friend Putin and/or to the Saudis, he should be executed.
Although I am loathe to do so I am going to comment about the latest drama with Trump. I do recognize the serious nature of his legal troubles but I have to share the same sentiment as others. I am just so sick and tired of him grabbing headlines and capturing the worlds attention day in and day out. The Democrats have just an amazing string of legislative victories most notably the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. The most serious step the country has ever taken towards addressing climate change. This should be huge news covered by every major media outlet and yet the headlines are splashed with Trump all day and every day. I look forward to the day when the news media is not consumed by this demonic man.
We must be guided only by what the principles of our Republic tell us is right, as Garland has shown us. Fear must not interfere with reason and morality. There is no other way for us to win over this craziness. Second guessing crazy people will end badly.
So wish the Inflation Reduction Act was getting the media attention it deserves! It is a big deal and should strengthen the economy as well as saving the world. I'm sick of hearing ad nauseam about the search hour after hour. What happens when a malignant narcissist/narcissistic personality disorder person feels cornered? You get a Jim Jones offering everyone the KoolAid. Here's a great article about the end game of NPD of which DT could be the poster child. https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=40230
I have a hard time believing this has lined up Republicans behind Trump. I just cannot fathom that thinking. Yet that is just what was said last night, 8/12, by Shields & Capehart on PBS Newshour! As you may know, the two are with NYT and WaPo, respectively. Have half the voters in this country gone insane? That’s what their commentary points to. Somebody throw me a life ring. I’m drowning in disbelief and horror. Additionally they both agreed that he could win the nomination! What? Then be sent to jail during campaign cycle and we break out in civil war! Worse, his Teflon will get him exonerated (my statement)! Excuse my so many exclamation points, but we have come to this according to these two respected (by me, anyway) journalists. The voters must get some education. Democracy survives only through an informed electorate. These numbskulls apparently have lost much gray matter.
Before leaving the White House, Trump declassified the FBI-planted evidence.
Lol
We LOVE listening to you, Robert, reading your daily musings while we are eating our lunch.
Your voice is calm and, therefore, also calming and very pleasant.
When the text calls for sarcasm, your voice drips with it! This is part of what makes listening to your articles soooooo much better than just reading them!
I think that your training and experience in law endowed you with the ability to identify the real issue(s) and not be distracted by the b.s. surrounding it (them.)
Also, your ability to stay on track and not lose your focus on the goal(s) of your newsletter hit bullseye time and again.
You have become our North!!!!
When this maelstrom runs its course and we get back to, or better yet, carve out and create a new and improved political reality, I will recommend that you receive the Purple Heart or the Medal of Freedom, whichever is higher, for your contribution to the survival of the grand American spirit and American democracy!!!!
Dita Teitelbaum
This week has been such a roller coaster, and very emotionally draining. I’m honestly just tired of Trump at this point, I honestly can’t take it anymore. It’s like nothing matters. I hate to be a downer, but I have a feeling he’ll somehow manage to get out of this too. He’s always been made of teflon and because of how things have gone in the past it’s extremely hard to get my hopes up. I really hope I am wrong, and we’ll have to wait and see, but considering how passionate his base is and how strong his grip on the GOP is, I find it hard to believe anything will change.