"If we flip several more legislatures and pass pro-choice constitutional amendments and voter protection legislation at the state level, we will improve the lives of tens of millions of Americans". The first contest of 2023 is a State Senate seat in Virginia. Support Virginia Beach City Councilor Aaron Rouse. He can flip a Virginia State Senate seat on January 10. https://rouseforsenate.com.
Thank you, Robert, for another educational, inspirational, and enlightening newsletter. I want to remind everyone there are things you can do every day to bolster democracy. Case in point. postcards to voters has a new campaign for Democrat Aaron Rouse in VA for the special election for the 7th State Senate district seat on January 10, 2023. Sign up at www.postcardstovoters.org.
The opponent in this Special Election Republican Kevin Adams, who says he supports Gov. Glenn Youngkin's agenda. In other words, Adams supports weakening public education funding, demonizing LGBTQ kids, erasing the history of African Americans, harming the environment, pushing to roll back the tremendous progress made on switching from fossil fuels to clean energy, restricting voting rights, and of course depriving women of their rights to make crucial decisions about their own bodies. [Source: BlueVirginia.us]
We see a great opportunity to bolster currently tenuous Democratic strength in the Virginia State Senate. The Virginia Legislature is currently split with R’s narrowly holding the House. Dems narrowly hold the Senate, but with some not very reliable Dem votes. We have a great opportunity to flip a very competitive seat, created by the resignation of the R incumbent, Jan Kiggans who defeated Elaine Luria for the US House seat.
Aaron, is a strong and well-known candidate, who has won city-wide election to the VA Beach City Council. Aaron is a vigorous supporter of reproductive rights, affordable health care, investing in education, and expanding job opportunities. The seat is very competitive, and was only lost in 2021 by <1%. With the GOP attacking progressive priorities right and left, we need a clear majority more than ever.
Aaron’s R opponent is pretty lackluster, but clearly Gov. Youngkin and his allies are weighing in strongly for this precious seat.
Aaron needs support for basic activities like mailing and other voter outreach. Timing is very short, since the election is Jan 10, so support is needed now.
Rob, count me as one of those many mothers who is so grateful for your concern, support, and advocacy on behalf of the trans and non-binary community. I do worry about my only child and their spouse, who I love as my own. They are both loving, intelligent members of their community, who only want to contribute to the welfare of others. For parents of minor children, these disgraceful attacks must be even more terrifying.
Now seemingly, the far-right extremists have added Brittany Griner, Paul Whelan and others to those of the LGBTQIA community as pawns that they can use and disparage for their own gain. Cowardly bullies.
Beautifully said Denise. I am also the mother of a wonderful transgender woman, I couldn’t be more proud of her or love her more. She and her friends from the LGBTQ community are simply good, decent people and citizens. And yes the far right extremists are now aided by musk and attack this community for political gain. Horrifying.
Unreconstructed Afrikaner Muck has no "skills" other than to have invested his portion of the dodgy profits from the "war-emeralds" trade in Rhodesia, now Zimbabe, the Blood diamonds trade in the Congo and the "conflict gems" trade by an unreconstructed white supremacist Afrikaner family profiting from South African war crimes, in the work of others, and then steal the credit. He's "invented" nothing and all the people who talk about him as some sort of tech genius merely betray they have bought into his PR machine.
Not only did he go after Fauci this weekend, but he also retaliated against Yoel Roth, formerly General Counsel and the head of Trust and Safety - who Musk was originally parading as "see, I hire gay Jews, I'm no antisemite or homophobe!" Since Roth is gay and Jewish he’s been a particular target for the far-right. In recent days Roth took the fateful step of mildly criticizing Musk in public. Saturday night Musk retaliated by insinuating that Roth himself might be a pedophile and that that might explain Twitter’s purported laxity toward “groomers” and pedophiles before he acquired the company.
That followed a week in which Musk moved into near-constant dialogue with the most rabid conspiracy theorists and anti-Semites in the digital space. He’s jumped head first into the “globalist”/pedophile vortex which was at the heart of the “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory and later the entire QAnon movement. He now accuses former Twitter management of intentionally allowing the platform it to become a breeding ground of pedophilia and child sex trafficking. He claims he’s shutting the offending accounts down after previous management refused to do so. These accusations have become so totalizing that Friday Musk drew a rebuke from former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who has been one of Musk’s bigger supporters during the takeover.
He's a good argument in favor of the termination of all the billionaires "with extreme prejudice." Along with his Nazi buddy Peter Thiel.
Elon Musk is scum. I can't wait for his tinny toy company to go broke, now that Tesla's aren't the official car of rich white lib'ruls any more.
I should have included a description of Musk’s attack on Yoel. It was disgusting and another example of the right wing’s new playbook, “if you don’t agree with us, you are a pedophile.” And you are right, musk has been in near constant dialogue with Right wing users of Twitter.
Even where Musk opines on fields where he has no knowledge, without trying to make a political point, he gets it dead wrong.
Humans are never going to settle Mars. The radiation alone would force people to live underground, protected by at least a couple of feet of Martian dirt over their heads.
Moreover, Antarctica is far more habitable than Mars (and was so even before global warming), and if the temperatures on Mars were truly habitable, there'd be cities and agriculture in Antarctica.
Musk's allusion to "terraforming" is magical thinking. Terraforming, even under ideal conditions of water availability and climate would likely take tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, because well functioning ecological systems that provide valuable services from high productivity of edible plants and animals to clean water and air to pollination--as on Earth--are highly complex systems that took eons to evolve.
TCinLA, We need to go well beyond cutting off billionaires from Twitter. It is time to put some guard rails up to stop billionaires who buy and misuse social media AND take steps to counter the growing number of billionaires who spend money on anti-abortion, anti-climate initiatives, anti-universal healthcare, etc. The moneyed class must be held accountable for an oversized role that undermines one person, one vote democracy.
There needs to be a level of earnings beyond which taxation takes everything, so that people can't become billionaires, or anything close. A well functioning society has no need for anyone to have such riches.
His influence is way outsized. Bill Maher can’t stop slobbering over his genius. I would just say that genius and madness are a sliver apart. I think he has slid over the line. Nichola Tesla was the genius, although someone said that his greatest weakness is that Elon Musk may be his sole representative.
Just have to add maher constantly mocks the LGBTQ (especially trans and non-binary) community. This is a horrible use of his voice. He has been asked (write in campaigns) to have guests that are experts on transgender issues but he never answers. Instead, he invites guests like bari weiss and abigail shrierer. Not surprised he gives praise to musk.
Maher really needs to go. He's a bigot, a homophobe and his smugness sets my teeth on edge. He gives platforms to the worst people and never pushes back--because he agrees with them.
Rob - please count me as one of what I am sure are many fathers who also appreciate and support your condemnation of discrimination against LGBTQ people. I share the concerns of the mothers who want a world in which their children do not have to live in fear, anxiety, and depression because people have made them feel “other” or “different” or “wrong.” Be clear that I stand against Elon Musk and the NYPost and Ron DeSantis, and all others who foment hate and exclusion and who put at risk the lives of LGBTQ people.
As an aunt and sister, I also appreciate the support and condemnation of those discriminating and inciting hate against LGBTQ people. We all Ilive in Florida..😔
I wish I knew how to restore public confidence in science and experts in general. It is very discouraging to me as a retired scientist. Any suggestions?
Hi, Lisa. Science communication is the key. And here is a weird fact about trust in the science community after Covid: Overall trust has increased, but it has become more polarized.
Can you write a newsletter or post on social media to explain developments in your area of expertise?
Lisa, I'm impressed with the Union of Concerned Scientists. (Their yearly calendars offer a laugh and a lesson every month.) For over 50 years, they've worked to enlighten people about "Sound Science, Practical Solutions for a Healthy Planet and a Safer World." Perhaps they could expand their reach, with our help, especially given our sad state of anti-science. www ucsusa.org
I write to let people know that Robert Reich, via “Inequality Media Civic Action,” urged all of us to write immediately to our Senators prevailing upon them, during the final session, to advance the Electoral Count Reform Act and not delay with final passage. While a sample letter was provided, we were told that editing/ rewriting would triple its impact.
Aside from using some of the provided content, I incorporated bits including the following:
1) I noted the ECRA already had passed in the House, wherein lawmakers had clarified existing ambiguities in the ECA around the role of the Vice President and the certification of electors, while also providing transparency around how electors are appointed.
2) I commented on how reforms will help to ensure that bad actors do not try to exploit loopholes to challenge the final vote of the electoral college.
3) I was clear, that while the ECRA does not sufficiently address the complex challenges facing our voting systems today, it, nonetheless, is vitally important to ensuring the peaceful transfer of Presidential power.
Calling your senators and representative will take less time and be more effective. A letter or email may not be read, and if it is all that will be noted will be which side you are on. In a call you can say, “please tell Senator Claghorn to do all he can to pass the Electoral Count Act. Thank you” in less than 10 seconds. Even if it goes to voicemail.
Jon, Franky, I believe writing and calling can both be effective. In this case, Reich provided a portal with a sample letter programmed to deploy to our respective Senators. I chose to post my response here because I sensed the urgency of Reich’s request.
Each Member has his or her "patient portal" through which messages are sent. The portals always ask for your address to see if you are a constituent; if not, the message goes unread. Portal messages and letters/postcards on high-profile issues are all counted as pro or con, so I don't think it matters how you message your senator or representative. It's easier to go through the portal, but unless you write one of the rare messages (written or electronic) that staff figures the member needs to see, they all count equally.
One other thing is that in the wake of the 2001 anthrax attack on Capitol Hill, paper mail goes to a remote facility where it is irradiated. See this website: https://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/faqs/irradiated-mail.html Irradiation delays the mail, may ruin it, and may make multiple pages stick together. So that's another reason to go electronic (in addition to saving paper and time). Better to sacrifice electrons than trees!
Jon, I imagine, whatever the issue, when presented with a thoughtful sample letter, which happens frequently, if we integrate our best thinking within some of the sample’s finest content, we have a good shot at getting a hearing.
You've packed a lot into this newsletter today, Robert. Much appreciated. I'm so glad you highlighted Joyce Vance's suggestion that we write a card to Paul Whelan to show our support for him.
I’ll not join the “enough already” crowd in regard to Dr. Fauci, but I hope the Democratic congressional minority will be as loud and in your face in defense of Fauci and against his GOP inquisitors at these hearings as are the lunatics attacking him. There is no room for mere quiet and dignified defense of Fauci.
Sometimes I think we/he should take one out of the GOP playbook and he refuse to testify if they call for him. But then they would spin it too, …”see, he’s guilty because he won’t answer questions…” and totally ignore all of their people who refused 💁.
What I think they need to do that has been missing is to attack back directly on the GOP critters making the charges. No more "the gentleman from Ohio". This creeps aren't gentlemen and need to be directly attacked when they do something outrageous. The way it's worked in the past is GOP antics make headlines and Dem defenses are forgotten. We have to make some headlines too, as distasteful as it may be.
Thanks! I am a space exploration fan and wanted to write yesterday about the successful return of the Orion capsule from the Artemis unmanned mission. But I couldn't do it because Space X's involvement (in the lander). I will get over my pique today and write about it. So I had orbital mechanics on my mind!
What fun to get such a nice note from one of my contemporary heroes!
And thanks for giving the background on the inspiration on that opening sentence. After I wrote what I did, I read the rest of the blog and felt a little sheepish about responding to just that astonishingly wonderful sentence. I feel both angry and very sad about the vitriol being directed these days toward gay and trans people--and Dr. Fauci-- and was uplifted by your expression of outrage at the perpetuators --ie Musk, but many others as well--and your support for all the victims of that hate.
As always, your analysis of that situation is 'spot-on'--the information about the reach of Musk's tweets, the danger of the constant barrage of mis-information to the public's trust in government, and the pathetic ways in which the Republican politicians either ignore it or amplify it.
Still, I share with you a sense of deep optimism. And, on that topic. . .
In Boston, where I live, we have a beautifully conceived and executed memorial on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall to three women--Abigail Adams, Phylis Wheatley, and Lucy Stone. There are multiple quotes of writing by these three remarkable women carved on three pedestal-like granite blocks, and I stopped the other day to re-read some of them. I should note that none of the three women is standing on these pedestals-like blocks of granite, itself, is a rather pointed comment given that all of male figures on the mall are, course, placed on pedestals. Wheatley rests her elbows on a granite block and gazes off as though thinking about the next line of poetry. Abigail , book in hand, stands and lightly rests her back against a taller block; and Lucy Stone sit on the third block and leans forward to write. And the quote, which made me think of you, was bellow her on the side of the block. It reads, "I believe the world grows better, because I believe that in the eternal order there is always a movement, swift or slow, toward what is right and true." It is described as her 'Last Published Statement, The Independent, 1893.'
Thank you, Bob, for allowing that 'movement, swift or slow, toward what is right and true' to so often infuse your own writing.
Best wishes,
Michael McCord
PS. Here is the link --with pictures-- to the three women statuary. It is truly a brilliant piece of sculpture.
Thank you so much for you comments on Elon Musk. I used to be an avid Twitter user, but when I saw his tweet yesterday (I do not follow him but, funny enough, I seem to get all of his tweets in my feed) I knew it was my last time on Twitter. I was truly scared reading that tweet. He is dangerous and we must call him out. I will never buy anything from one of his companies again, and both of our cars are Teslas. No more.
I am not a regular Twitter user, but I have made a point to "follow" prominent liberal voices because they are mysteriously losing followers and plummeting in the rankings. I note that many of them are complaining that Musk is forcing himself into their feeds. He is a megalomaniac.
I am greatly appreciative of your pointing out and emphasizing the reversal of political fortunes of President Biden and Donald Trump from November 1 to early December. However, I want to push back on your reprise of what is rapidly becoming the universal mantra of convention wisdom -- the 2024 Senate map is an impending Democratic disaster. Recently, I heard a junior political genius opine that Democrats’ two best flip opportunities are Texas and Florida -- evidencing just how bleak is the outlook. When are we going to learn -- believing the worst can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I have lived in Fl my entire life.Our current governor has attracted so many anti science,anti maskers to our state I do not think their is any hope to flip anything Blue in Florida anymore.
I woke up to these headlines in our local daily newspaper, the Fort Myers (FL) News-Press, on Sunday, Dec. 11: "'The party's on fire': Florida GOP roiled by far right takeover efforts despite 2022 wins." The article goes on to detail the infiltration of MAGA Republicans into Lee County political leadership, including our school district. Visitations by the likes of Michael Flynn and others are "heralded" by those celebrating this.
Needless to say, it is painfully distressing to those of us who are repulsed by these people and this movement. I mentioned "MAGA Republicans," but there is no mention of Donald Trump. For that matter, "MAGA" isn't even mentioned. This is all about Ron DeSantis. This is what is coming for my home county. It is what will be coming for our country leading up to 2024. The Michael Flynn's and others have turned the page from their flailing flag bearer to the next thing in their desire for authoritarian rule, and his name is DeSantis. We ignore this inevitability at our own peril.
All that doom and gloom said, I believe that the horrific nature of DeSantis' politics and his nature as a pathetically flawed human and "the next big thing" in right-wing fascism in this country will be revealed to enough Americans that his tenure will be cut short by defeat in his Presidential run. Sadly, the Florida I have loved for most of my life is lost, but America will see him for what he is. He makes no attempt to hide or disguise his true colors.
Agree with you 100% about DeSantis. And Trump is going run, even if he does so from a prison cell, so he will be attacking DeSantis like you can't believe! Big time!
Mark, I live on the opposite coast in Fl.That headline could have been in our local daily newspaper. Our elected “Constitutional Sheriff” is essentially running this county.
Also agree with you about DeSantis and saddened for my beloved “lost” Florida.
"If we flip several more legislatures and pass pro-choice constitutional amendments and voter protection legislation at the state level, we will improve the lives of tens of millions of Americans". The first contest of 2023 is a State Senate seat in Virginia. Support Virginia Beach City Councilor Aaron Rouse. He can flip a Virginia State Senate seat on January 10. https://rouseforsenate.com.
Thank you, Robert, for another educational, inspirational, and enlightening newsletter. I want to remind everyone there are things you can do every day to bolster democracy. Case in point. postcards to voters has a new campaign for Democrat Aaron Rouse in VA for the special election for the 7th State Senate district seat on January 10, 2023. Sign up at www.postcardstovoters.org.
The opponent in this Special Election Republican Kevin Adams, who says he supports Gov. Glenn Youngkin's agenda. In other words, Adams supports weakening public education funding, demonizing LGBTQ kids, erasing the history of African Americans, harming the environment, pushing to roll back the tremendous progress made on switching from fossil fuels to clean energy, restricting voting rights, and of course depriving women of their rights to make crucial decisions about their own bodies. [Source: BlueVirginia.us]
Every vote counts. This CT race was won by 1 vote: https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-election-recounts-legislature-connecticut-hartford-d0e19f874f931b087dc1ee186d30d9cd
This MA race just flipped to blue by one vote after recount https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/11/massachusetts-recount-flips-state-house-race-to-democrat-one-vote
Pinning this comment to the top! Thanks!
In support of Barbara Markley and Leonard Lubinsky's Comments. At 31st St Swing Left we are raising money in support of Aaron Rouse in VA SD-7.
Link to donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/31stst4aaronrouse?refcode=outreach
We see a great opportunity to bolster currently tenuous Democratic strength in the Virginia State Senate. The Virginia Legislature is currently split with R’s narrowly holding the House. Dems narrowly hold the Senate, but with some not very reliable Dem votes. We have a great opportunity to flip a very competitive seat, created by the resignation of the R incumbent, Jan Kiggans who defeated Elaine Luria for the US House seat.
Aaron, is a strong and well-known candidate, who has won city-wide election to the VA Beach City Council. Aaron is a vigorous supporter of reproductive rights, affordable health care, investing in education, and expanding job opportunities. The seat is very competitive, and was only lost in 2021 by <1%. With the GOP attacking progressive priorities right and left, we need a clear majority more than ever.
Aaron’s R opponent is pretty lackluster, but clearly Gov. Youngkin and his allies are weighing in strongly for this precious seat.
Aaron needs support for basic activities like mailing and other voter outreach. Timing is very short, since the election is Jan 10, so support is needed now.
Rob, count me as one of those many mothers who is so grateful for your concern, support, and advocacy on behalf of the trans and non-binary community. I do worry about my only child and their spouse, who I love as my own. They are both loving, intelligent members of their community, who only want to contribute to the welfare of others. For parents of minor children, these disgraceful attacks must be even more terrifying.
Now seemingly, the far-right extremists have added Brittany Griner, Paul Whelan and others to those of the LGBTQIA community as pawns that they can use and disparage for their own gain. Cowardly bullies.
Beautifully said Denise. I am also the mother of a wonderful transgender woman, I couldn’t be more proud of her or love her more. She and her friends from the LGBTQ community are simply good, decent people and citizens. And yes the far right extremists are now aided by musk and attack this community for political gain. Horrifying.
Unreconstructed Afrikaner Muck has no "skills" other than to have invested his portion of the dodgy profits from the "war-emeralds" trade in Rhodesia, now Zimbabe, the Blood diamonds trade in the Congo and the "conflict gems" trade by an unreconstructed white supremacist Afrikaner family profiting from South African war crimes, in the work of others, and then steal the credit. He's "invented" nothing and all the people who talk about him as some sort of tech genius merely betray they have bought into his PR machine.
Not only did he go after Fauci this weekend, but he also retaliated against Yoel Roth, formerly General Counsel and the head of Trust and Safety - who Musk was originally parading as "see, I hire gay Jews, I'm no antisemite or homophobe!" Since Roth is gay and Jewish he’s been a particular target for the far-right. In recent days Roth took the fateful step of mildly criticizing Musk in public. Saturday night Musk retaliated by insinuating that Roth himself might be a pedophile and that that might explain Twitter’s purported laxity toward “groomers” and pedophiles before he acquired the company.
That followed a week in which Musk moved into near-constant dialogue with the most rabid conspiracy theorists and anti-Semites in the digital space. He’s jumped head first into the “globalist”/pedophile vortex which was at the heart of the “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory and later the entire QAnon movement. He now accuses former Twitter management of intentionally allowing the platform it to become a breeding ground of pedophilia and child sex trafficking. He claims he’s shutting the offending accounts down after previous management refused to do so. These accusations have become so totalizing that Friday Musk drew a rebuke from former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who has been one of Musk’s bigger supporters during the takeover.
He's a good argument in favor of the termination of all the billionaires "with extreme prejudice." Along with his Nazi buddy Peter Thiel.
Elon Musk is scum. I can't wait for his tinny toy company to go broke, now that Tesla's aren't the official car of rich white lib'ruls any more.
I should have included a description of Musk’s attack on Yoel. It was disgusting and another example of the right wing’s new playbook, “if you don’t agree with us, you are a pedophile.” And you are right, musk has been in near constant dialogue with Right wing users of Twitter.
Even where Musk opines on fields where he has no knowledge, without trying to make a political point, he gets it dead wrong.
Humans are never going to settle Mars. The radiation alone would force people to live underground, protected by at least a couple of feet of Martian dirt over their heads.
Moreover, Antarctica is far more habitable than Mars (and was so even before global warming), and if the temperatures on Mars were truly habitable, there'd be cities and agriculture in Antarctica.
Musk's allusion to "terraforming" is magical thinking. Terraforming, even under ideal conditions of water availability and climate would likely take tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, because well functioning ecological systems that provide valuable services from high productivity of edible plants and animals to clean water and air to pollination--as on Earth--are highly complex systems that took eons to evolve.
TCinLA, We need to go well beyond cutting off billionaires from Twitter. It is time to put some guard rails up to stop billionaires who buy and misuse social media AND take steps to counter the growing number of billionaires who spend money on anti-abortion, anti-climate initiatives, anti-universal healthcare, etc. The moneyed class must be held accountable for an oversized role that undermines one person, one vote democracy.
That's what I mean by termination "with extreme prejudice." :-)
There needs to be a level of earnings beyond which taxation takes everything, so that people can't become billionaires, or anything close. A well functioning society has no need for anyone to have such riches.
Got it!
His influence is way outsized. Bill Maher can’t stop slobbering over his genius. I would just say that genius and madness are a sliver apart. I think he has slid over the line. Nichola Tesla was the genius, although someone said that his greatest weakness is that Elon Musk may be his sole representative.
He's not a genius at all. He buys other people's ideas and companies.
Just have to add maher constantly mocks the LGBTQ (especially trans and non-binary) community. This is a horrible use of his voice. He has been asked (write in campaigns) to have guests that are experts on transgender issues but he never answers. Instead, he invites guests like bari weiss and abigail shrierer. Not surprised he gives praise to musk.
Maher really needs to go. He's a bigot, a homophobe and his smugness sets my teeth on edge. He gives platforms to the worst people and never pushes back--because he agrees with them.
He used to push back, rarely does these days, just gives nuts a platform…. Sort of like “mush”
Somebody needs to call his mama
She is likely a big part of the problem. Wish he had had my mama.
Rob - please count me as one of what I am sure are many fathers who also appreciate and support your condemnation of discrimination against LGBTQ people. I share the concerns of the mothers who want a world in which their children do not have to live in fear, anxiety, and depression because people have made them feel “other” or “different” or “wrong.” Be clear that I stand against Elon Musk and the NYPost and Ron DeSantis, and all others who foment hate and exclusion and who put at risk the lives of LGBTQ people.
Hi Walter. Thanks so much for your comment, and thanks for your support for LGBTQ people!
Thank YOU, Robert, for the incredible work you are doing and for creating this important platform connecting so many like minds.
As an aunt and sister, I also appreciate the support and condemnation of those discriminating and inciting hate against LGBTQ people. We all Ilive in Florida..😔
This country has slid into the hate abyss, stand up against our neoNazis
I wish I knew how to restore public confidence in science and experts in general. It is very discouraging to me as a retired scientist. Any suggestions?
Hi, Lisa. Science communication is the key. And here is a weird fact about trust in the science community after Covid: Overall trust has increased, but it has become more polarized.
Can you write a newsletter or post on social media to explain developments in your area of expertise?
Lisa, I'm impressed with the Union of Concerned Scientists. (Their yearly calendars offer a laugh and a lesson every month.) For over 50 years, they've worked to enlighten people about "Sound Science, Practical Solutions for a Healthy Planet and a Safer World." Perhaps they could expand their reach, with our help, especially given our sad state of anti-science. www ucsusa.org
Yes. I am a member.
Continue to be the best of humanity
I write to let people know that Robert Reich, via “Inequality Media Civic Action,” urged all of us to write immediately to our Senators prevailing upon them, during the final session, to advance the Electoral Count Reform Act and not delay with final passage. While a sample letter was provided, we were told that editing/ rewriting would triple its impact.
Aside from using some of the provided content, I incorporated bits including the following:
1) I noted the ECRA already had passed in the House, wherein lawmakers had clarified existing ambiguities in the ECA around the role of the Vice President and the certification of electors, while also providing transparency around how electors are appointed.
2) I commented on how reforms will help to ensure that bad actors do not try to exploit loopholes to challenge the final vote of the electoral college.
3) I was clear, that while the ECRA does not sufficiently address the complex challenges facing our voting systems today, it, nonetheless, is vitally important to ensuring the peaceful transfer of Presidential power.
Calling your senators and representative will take less time and be more effective. A letter or email may not be read, and if it is all that will be noted will be which side you are on. In a call you can say, “please tell Senator Claghorn to do all he can to pass the Electoral Count Act. Thank you” in less than 10 seconds. Even if it goes to voicemail.
Jon, Franky, I believe writing and calling can both be effective. In this case, Reich provided a portal with a sample letter programmed to deploy to our respective Senators. I chose to post my response here because I sensed the urgency of Reich’s request.
Text resistbot 50409
Each Member has his or her "patient portal" through which messages are sent. The portals always ask for your address to see if you are a constituent; if not, the message goes unread. Portal messages and letters/postcards on high-profile issues are all counted as pro or con, so I don't think it matters how you message your senator or representative. It's easier to go through the portal, but unless you write one of the rare messages (written or electronic) that staff figures the member needs to see, they all count equally.
One other thing is that in the wake of the 2001 anthrax attack on Capitol Hill, paper mail goes to a remote facility where it is irradiated. See this website: https://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/faqs/irradiated-mail.html Irradiation delays the mail, may ruin it, and may make multiple pages stick together. So that's another reason to go electronic (in addition to saving paper and time). Better to sacrifice electrons than trees!
Jon, I imagine, whatever the issue, when presented with a thoughtful sample letter, which happens frequently, if we integrate our best thinking within some of the sample’s finest content, we have a good shot at getting a hearing.
Thanks for this reminder! Just made a short & sweet call to my Senator ...Tammy Baldwin!
You've packed a lot into this newsletter today, Robert. Much appreciated. I'm so glad you highlighted Joyce Vance's suggestion that we write a card to Paul Whelan to show our support for him.
I’ll not join the “enough already” crowd in regard to Dr. Fauci, but I hope the Democratic congressional minority will be as loud and in your face in defense of Fauci and against his GOP inquisitors at these hearings as are the lunatics attacking him. There is no room for mere quiet and dignified defense of Fauci.
Sometimes I think we/he should take one out of the GOP playbook and he refuse to testify if they call for him. But then they would spin it too, …”see, he’s guilty because he won’t answer questions…” and totally ignore all of their people who refused 💁.
What I think they need to do that has been missing is to attack back directly on the GOP critters making the charges. No more "the gentleman from Ohio". This creeps aren't gentlemen and need to be directly attacked when they do something outrageous. The way it's worked in the past is GOP antics make headlines and Dem defenses are forgotten. We have to make some headlines too, as distasteful as it may be.
Absolutely the best opening sentence to an essay that I've ever read! A master-stroke of genius.
Thanks! I am a space exploration fan and wanted to write yesterday about the successful return of the Orion capsule from the Artemis unmanned mission. But I couldn't do it because Space X's involvement (in the lander). I will get over my pique today and write about it. So I had orbital mechanics on my mind!
What fun to get such a nice note from one of my contemporary heroes!
And thanks for giving the background on the inspiration on that opening sentence. After I wrote what I did, I read the rest of the blog and felt a little sheepish about responding to just that astonishingly wonderful sentence. I feel both angry and very sad about the vitriol being directed these days toward gay and trans people--and Dr. Fauci-- and was uplifted by your expression of outrage at the perpetuators --ie Musk, but many others as well--and your support for all the victims of that hate.
As always, your analysis of that situation is 'spot-on'--the information about the reach of Musk's tweets, the danger of the constant barrage of mis-information to the public's trust in government, and the pathetic ways in which the Republican politicians either ignore it or amplify it.
Still, I share with you a sense of deep optimism. And, on that topic. . .
In Boston, where I live, we have a beautifully conceived and executed memorial on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall to three women--Abigail Adams, Phylis Wheatley, and Lucy Stone. There are multiple quotes of writing by these three remarkable women carved on three pedestal-like granite blocks, and I stopped the other day to re-read some of them. I should note that none of the three women is standing on these pedestals-like blocks of granite, itself, is a rather pointed comment given that all of male figures on the mall are, course, placed on pedestals. Wheatley rests her elbows on a granite block and gazes off as though thinking about the next line of poetry. Abigail , book in hand, stands and lightly rests her back against a taller block; and Lucy Stone sit on the third block and leans forward to write. And the quote, which made me think of you, was bellow her on the side of the block. It reads, "I believe the world grows better, because I believe that in the eternal order there is always a movement, swift or slow, toward what is right and true." It is described as her 'Last Published Statement, The Independent, 1893.'
Thank you, Bob, for allowing that 'movement, swift or slow, toward what is right and true' to so often infuse your own writing.
Best wishes,
Michael McCord
PS. Here is the link --with pictures-- to the three women statuary. It is truly a brilliant piece of sculpture.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/womens-advancement/boston-womens-memorial
I just looked at the sculpture/memorial. It is magnificent. Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you for pointing that out, Michael. That sentence IS a marvelous piece of writing!
Thank you so much for you comments on Elon Musk. I used to be an avid Twitter user, but when I saw his tweet yesterday (I do not follow him but, funny enough, I seem to get all of his tweets in my feed) I knew it was my last time on Twitter. I was truly scared reading that tweet. He is dangerous and we must call him out. I will never buy anything from one of his companies again, and both of our cars are Teslas. No more.
I am not a regular Twitter user, but I have made a point to "follow" prominent liberal voices because they are mysteriously losing followers and plummeting in the rankings. I note that many of them are complaining that Musk is forcing himself into their feeds. He is a megalomaniac.
I am greatly appreciative of your pointing out and emphasizing the reversal of political fortunes of President Biden and Donald Trump from November 1 to early December. However, I want to push back on your reprise of what is rapidly becoming the universal mantra of convention wisdom -- the 2024 Senate map is an impending Democratic disaster. Recently, I heard a junior political genius opine that Democrats’ two best flip opportunities are Texas and Florida -- evidencing just how bleak is the outlook. When are we going to learn -- believing the worst can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Bless you for that correction! I will not make that mistake again!
I have lived in Fl my entire life.Our current governor has attracted so many anti science,anti maskers to our state I do not think their is any hope to flip anything Blue in Florida anymore.
Same in Tx, both states have made cheating legal
It’s a sad state of affairs.
May the lives the deniers fail to save be their own.
I woke up to these headlines in our local daily newspaper, the Fort Myers (FL) News-Press, on Sunday, Dec. 11: "'The party's on fire': Florida GOP roiled by far right takeover efforts despite 2022 wins." The article goes on to detail the infiltration of MAGA Republicans into Lee County political leadership, including our school district. Visitations by the likes of Michael Flynn and others are "heralded" by those celebrating this.
Needless to say, it is painfully distressing to those of us who are repulsed by these people and this movement. I mentioned "MAGA Republicans," but there is no mention of Donald Trump. For that matter, "MAGA" isn't even mentioned. This is all about Ron DeSantis. This is what is coming for my home county. It is what will be coming for our country leading up to 2024. The Michael Flynn's and others have turned the page from their flailing flag bearer to the next thing in their desire for authoritarian rule, and his name is DeSantis. We ignore this inevitability at our own peril.
All that doom and gloom said, I believe that the horrific nature of DeSantis' politics and his nature as a pathetically flawed human and "the next big thing" in right-wing fascism in this country will be revealed to enough Americans that his tenure will be cut short by defeat in his Presidential run. Sadly, the Florida I have loved for most of my life is lost, but America will see him for what he is. He makes no attempt to hide or disguise his true colors.
https://www.news-press.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/09/trump-supporters-seek-control-florida-republicans-steve-bannon-michael-flynn/69711382007/?utm_source=news-press-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_briefing&utm_term=hero&utm_content=PFTM-1026NP-E-NLETTER65
Agree with you 100% about DeSantis. And Trump is going run, even if he does so from a prison cell, so he will be attacking DeSantis like you can't believe! Big time!
Mark, I live on the opposite coast in Fl.That headline could have been in our local daily newspaper. Our elected “Constitutional Sheriff” is essentially running this county.
Also agree with you about DeSantis and saddened for my beloved “lost” Florida.
Wonderful letter, Robert. Your discussion of Musk is the best I have read anywhere.