My mantra of "Do what will make the most difference" will be my guide to my actions as we enter the home stretch to the election, one of the most important we will probably see in our lifetime. There is still much that can be accomplished in the next four weeks. Turn out is what will assure we win this election up and down the ballot. So, I will be wearing my "Vote it Counts" button every where I go and asking every person I meet if they have voted. I'm making sure everyone can get the League of Women Voters nonpartisan Voter Guides -- Go to VOTE411.org and type in your address to see the Voter Guides for all the races you will be voting on. All the candidates have been asked several questions and their answers are printed verbatim. Personally, I have strong feelings that this election will be a hUGe vote for democracy, human rights, our freedoms and will put us on the path for a future of well-being for all of us. We, the People, aLL of us this time! VOTE! It matters!
"People of good conscience and decency in the Republican Party must speak out to condemn Tuberville."
I hate to have to keep repeating this, but all the people of good conscience and decency in the Republican Party left long ago. It's why it's the way it is now.
While defending democracy at the state and local levels is critical, because state and local government is subject to regulations of Congress, I am especially focused on retaining control of the House and picking up at least 2 Senate seats. Moreover, I believe we would be extraordinarily positioned for 24 were we able to pass truly progressive reforms dealing with the economy, criminal justice, immigration, healthcare, climate, education, not to mention federal voter protections, and more.
That said, while I will continue to partner with co-workers with whom I will give every ounce of my being for a favorable outcome, I won’t deny the nearly impossible odds of holding the House, wherein Republicans merely must flip 5 seats within highly gerrymandered terrain. I mention this because, as Robert stated, regardless of the outcome next month, we must summon the will to persist because we understand our work is right and just and moral and necessary.
I have this recurring dream that legions of pissed-off women all across America have been silently waiting in the wings for Election Day when they will demonstrate with a glorious avalanche of righteous votes what happens when their inalienable rights as defined by the Constitution are scorned by the GOP powers that be. Of course, the men who love them will also be a force to reckon with on that day as they also stand in moral solidarity against the misogynists, racists and fascists who aim to destroy Democracy. May Cathy Learoyd's "strong feelings" be realized "that this election will be a hUGe vote for democracy, human rights, our freedoms and will put us on the path for a future of well-being for all of us."
As we live in Germany with family and loved ones on the other side of the big pond, our only way of helping is encouragement. Sadly I see among our friends that for the most part they seem not to be aware of a. the danger of losing majority and b. the active role they could play in grass roots movements. The most inactive are Christians among them, as if it is a sin to be active in politics. I try to convince them how important the team effort is. Jesus was in my view the best team leader. So let us do this!! I wonder whether others recognise this reluctance to engage.
I don’t mean o hijack this thread but couldn’t resist repeating a line from Joyce Vance’s Civil Discourse:
Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin said over the weekend that the names Michael Flynn and Roger Stone come up so often in the committee’s discussions, that they've begun calling them "The Flynnstones."
Sidelined a bit with COVID, I'm doing what I can from home but also thinking about the long term. As Robert said, this work is beyond this election and even beyond Biden. I'm (re)reading James W. Loewen's LIES MY TEACHER TOLD ME. I consider myself pretty informed but once again am reminded of how deep and how long this racism, exclusion, cruelty, etc., has been going on, cloaked in "corrrectness," to the point that I'm convinced that many, many "good" people have no idea what's been going on since before our country started. It's also highlighted to me the importance of what's going on in our schools, our curriculums, our school boards--all those omissions that have in more recent times been revealed are what the Republicans want to re-coverup.
This will be a long fight, with uplifting moments and discouraging ones, but we need leaders who will be completely frank and honest and clear about what MAGAs are trying to do.
Thank you for your wisdom, focus on a helpful perspective, historical context, and the message you deliver to us all daily.
I remind everyone also that regardless of whatever results should be delivered on November 8 and in following days, the struggles to preserve democracy, the Rule of Law, equality, social justice, and progressive goals are only beginning. Neither side in this struggle will have a determinative victory on November 8, not a crushing loss. Rather it is inevitable that the struggle will continue and we must be committed to it for year's and perhaps decades to come.
On the last day of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787, Dr. Benjamin Franklin was asked by a lady on exciting the proceedings, “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy.” “A republic,” replied the Doctor, “if you can keep it.”
This remains fundamentally true today as it has been since it was first said and will continue to be the case in the future. We will only get what we are willing to work to preserve. That task will always remain unfinished.
So my advice... Maintain your faith, stay committed, do the work. Whatever happens on November 8, the necessary tasks remain to be undertaken.
What is our greatest asset? We are on the side of truth—actual, factual truth, as distinguished from the Truth—and democracy. The other folks are against them. If the theory underlying the American republic is right, we will prevail, perhaps not next month, but in the end.
Another great Edition today with a lot to think about. I think many people have already made up their minds about whom they will vote for and unless something big happens that mind may not change. I think we need to focus on turnout which pollster can not predict and we need to focus on Independents. What we need to remind people of is what we can accomplish with a majority.
“: Democrats would have a second shot at trying to pass national protections for abortion, same-sex marriage and voting rights. They could also try to pick up the pieces of Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, passing more climate policy and expanding the government safety net.
If they have a really great election and actually expand their majority in the Senate by two seats (it’s difficult but possible), Democrats would have enough votes to break through a filibuster to do some of this, because they wouldn’t need the votes of Sens. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) to end the filibuster. But if their majority stays at 50-50 or even 51-49, it’s deja vu all over again for Democrats and Biden.
The media has been covering all Trump rallies and we need people to ask themselves if these people and their views, lies and racism is really who we are. We will find out in November.
As for this: "People of good conscience and decency in the Republican Party must speak out to condemn Tuberville," I don't know many of conscience and decency who remain Republican. Up here in Vermont, we have a fairly decent Republican governor -- a vanishing breed. But he is still a Republican, and he never met a piece of asphalt he didn't like. Climate, schmimate....
I always appreciate Mr. Hubbell's optimism. That said. If the Republicans take control of Congress they are being very vocal about the kind of political purge they plan on. This purge is composed of impeaching and convicting public officials at the highest level starting with President Biden. And with control of the House and Senate they could do all manner of damage. I fear a fascist revolution.
I yield to no one in my dislike of most R politicians and all R Congressional leaders. Having said that, and with great trepidation, I want to ask a question. Could it be that Gov Abbott, with his migrant buses to northern cities, has actually done a favor for sensible immigration policy and the migrants themselves? (I distinguish Abbott from DeSantis.) Stunt though it might have been, it has forced us to focus on immigration policy as we hadn’t done before - especially on the unequal burden of caring for the migrants. And it does does seem unfair that the burden of current policy falls so unequally on Texas and Arizona. Yes it is a stunt. But a stunt with a fair purpose. And perhaps one that will help everyone, including the immigrants themselves.
Putin is proving himself to be Hitler without the death camps. Truly evil.
My mantra of "Do what will make the most difference" will be my guide to my actions as we enter the home stretch to the election, one of the most important we will probably see in our lifetime. There is still much that can be accomplished in the next four weeks. Turn out is what will assure we win this election up and down the ballot. So, I will be wearing my "Vote it Counts" button every where I go and asking every person I meet if they have voted. I'm making sure everyone can get the League of Women Voters nonpartisan Voter Guides -- Go to VOTE411.org and type in your address to see the Voter Guides for all the races you will be voting on. All the candidates have been asked several questions and their answers are printed verbatim. Personally, I have strong feelings that this election will be a hUGe vote for democracy, human rights, our freedoms and will put us on the path for a future of well-being for all of us. We, the People, aLL of us this time! VOTE! It matters!
"People of good conscience and decency in the Republican Party must speak out to condemn Tuberville."
I hate to have to keep repeating this, but all the people of good conscience and decency in the Republican Party left long ago. It's why it's the way it is now.
While defending democracy at the state and local levels is critical, because state and local government is subject to regulations of Congress, I am especially focused on retaining control of the House and picking up at least 2 Senate seats. Moreover, I believe we would be extraordinarily positioned for 24 were we able to pass truly progressive reforms dealing with the economy, criminal justice, immigration, healthcare, climate, education, not to mention federal voter protections, and more.
That said, while I will continue to partner with co-workers with whom I will give every ounce of my being for a favorable outcome, I won’t deny the nearly impossible odds of holding the House, wherein Republicans merely must flip 5 seats within highly gerrymandered terrain. I mention this because, as Robert stated, regardless of the outcome next month, we must summon the will to persist because we understand our work is right and just and moral and necessary.
I have this recurring dream that legions of pissed-off women all across America have been silently waiting in the wings for Election Day when they will demonstrate with a glorious avalanche of righteous votes what happens when their inalienable rights as defined by the Constitution are scorned by the GOP powers that be. Of course, the men who love them will also be a force to reckon with on that day as they also stand in moral solidarity against the misogynists, racists and fascists who aim to destroy Democracy. May Cathy Learoyd's "strong feelings" be realized "that this election will be a hUGe vote for democracy, human rights, our freedoms and will put us on the path for a future of well-being for all of us."
As we live in Germany with family and loved ones on the other side of the big pond, our only way of helping is encouragement. Sadly I see among our friends that for the most part they seem not to be aware of a. the danger of losing majority and b. the active role they could play in grass roots movements. The most inactive are Christians among them, as if it is a sin to be active in politics. I try to convince them how important the team effort is. Jesus was in my view the best team leader. So let us do this!! I wonder whether others recognise this reluctance to engage.
Thank you for the newsletter, Robert.
I don’t mean o hijack this thread but couldn’t resist repeating a line from Joyce Vance’s Civil Discourse:
Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin said over the weekend that the names Michael Flynn and Roger Stone come up so often in the committee’s discussions, that they've begun calling them "The Flynnstones."
Sidelined a bit with COVID, I'm doing what I can from home but also thinking about the long term. As Robert said, this work is beyond this election and even beyond Biden. I'm (re)reading James W. Loewen's LIES MY TEACHER TOLD ME. I consider myself pretty informed but once again am reminded of how deep and how long this racism, exclusion, cruelty, etc., has been going on, cloaked in "corrrectness," to the point that I'm convinced that many, many "good" people have no idea what's been going on since before our country started. It's also highlighted to me the importance of what's going on in our schools, our curriculums, our school boards--all those omissions that have in more recent times been revealed are what the Republicans want to re-coverup.
This will be a long fight, with uplifting moments and discouraging ones, but we need leaders who will be completely frank and honest and clear about what MAGAs are trying to do.
Thank you, Robert, for this important statement as we go forward this month: "...we have every reason to be hopeful but no reason to be complacent!"
Thank you for your wisdom, focus on a helpful perspective, historical context, and the message you deliver to us all daily.
I remind everyone also that regardless of whatever results should be delivered on November 8 and in following days, the struggles to preserve democracy, the Rule of Law, equality, social justice, and progressive goals are only beginning. Neither side in this struggle will have a determinative victory on November 8, not a crushing loss. Rather it is inevitable that the struggle will continue and we must be committed to it for year's and perhaps decades to come.
On the last day of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787, Dr. Benjamin Franklin was asked by a lady on exciting the proceedings, “Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy.” “A republic,” replied the Doctor, “if you can keep it.”
This remains fundamentally true today as it has been since it was first said and will continue to be the case in the future. We will only get what we are willing to work to preserve. That task will always remain unfinished.
So my advice... Maintain your faith, stay committed, do the work. Whatever happens on November 8, the necessary tasks remain to be undertaken.
From Denialad: donbialostosky.substack.com
Some time before the Mar-a-Lago raid
Trump had the brilliant idea to trade
Some of the document boxes he’d stored—
But first he had to rummage through the hoard—
For papers in the Archives’ possession
Connected with his “Russia Hoax” obsession.
Although he wasn’t yet entirely sure
Exactly which the hoax documents were,
He floated this idea with his attorneys.
And when they said docs had to be returned, he
Grudgingly pawed over them and chose
To send some back but still did not disclose
That secret docs were mixed in with the rest
And held on to some that he thought were best
To stash inside a file and a desk drawer
Where surely Archives folks would not look for
Them. Perhaps he hoped to make another deal,
And, even now, with others he’s concealed
May still imagine it might not be hard
To use them as a get-out-of-jail card.
He can’t conceive that anybody’s actions
Are not amenable to his transactions—
There still might be a way to win the fight
With Merrick Garland if the price is right.
Haberman’s book shows his tenacity
Is a New Yorker’s trained incapacity.
That’s how things worked in dealings in the City
And so it still must be the nitty-gritty
Of dealings with Washington’s DOJ:
He can’t imagine any other way.
Those last docs may show that he was foresighted
And held the ones that, if he is indicted,
He may threaten to give to enemies
In hopes the DOJ would then appease
Him and be forced to let him off the hook.
The only hope then is that they would book
Him with clear evidence that gives them reason
To try him on a formal charge of treason.
What is our greatest asset? We are on the side of truth—actual, factual truth, as distinguished from the Truth—and democracy. The other folks are against them. If the theory underlying the American republic is right, we will prevail, perhaps not next month, but in the end.
Slitherer-in-chief! You are so funny! Your humor and good sense keep us alive!
Another great Edition today with a lot to think about. I think many people have already made up their minds about whom they will vote for and unless something big happens that mind may not change. I think we need to focus on turnout which pollster can not predict and we need to focus on Independents. What we need to remind people of is what we can accomplish with a majority.
“: Democrats would have a second shot at trying to pass national protections for abortion, same-sex marriage and voting rights. They could also try to pick up the pieces of Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, passing more climate policy and expanding the government safety net.
If they have a really great election and actually expand their majority in the Senate by two seats (it’s difficult but possible), Democrats would have enough votes to break through a filibuster to do some of this, because they wouldn’t need the votes of Sens. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) to end the filibuster. But if their majority stays at 50-50 or even 51-49, it’s deja vu all over again for Democrats and Biden.
The media has been covering all Trump rallies and we need people to ask themselves if these people and their views, lies and racism is really who we are. We will find out in November.
Bravo once again, and thank you!!!!
As for this: "People of good conscience and decency in the Republican Party must speak out to condemn Tuberville," I don't know many of conscience and decency who remain Republican. Up here in Vermont, we have a fairly decent Republican governor -- a vanishing breed. But he is still a Republican, and he never met a piece of asphalt he didn't like. Climate, schmimate....
I always appreciate Mr. Hubbell's optimism. That said. If the Republicans take control of Congress they are being very vocal about the kind of political purge they plan on. This purge is composed of impeaching and convicting public officials at the highest level starting with President Biden. And with control of the House and Senate they could do all manner of damage. I fear a fascist revolution.
I yield to no one in my dislike of most R politicians and all R Congressional leaders. Having said that, and with great trepidation, I want to ask a question. Could it be that Gov Abbott, with his migrant buses to northern cities, has actually done a favor for sensible immigration policy and the migrants themselves? (I distinguish Abbott from DeSantis.) Stunt though it might have been, it has forced us to focus on immigration policy as we hadn’t done before - especially on the unequal burden of caring for the migrants. And it does does seem unfair that the burden of current policy falls so unequally on Texas and Arizona. Yes it is a stunt. But a stunt with a fair purpose. And perhaps one that will help everyone, including the immigrants themselves.
Putin is proving himself to be Hitler without the death camps. Truly evil.