On Sunday, Representative Michael R. Turner (R-OH), chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said it is “absolutely true” that Republican members of Congress are parroting Russian propaganda. “We see directly coming from Russia attempts to mask communications that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which we even hear being uttered on the House floor,” he said on CNN’s
Where are our journalists on the obvious continuing ties with the Republican Party and Russian agents? In Ultra, Rachel Maddow detailed how over 20 U.S. congressmen in the early 1940s being paid by Nazi agents to promote Nazi propaganda were never brought to justice. It's still hard to wrap one's head around that. And here we are again, with today's journalists in 2024 still resistant to place every headline on Trump and the GOP in the context of Russian influence. Last month Lev Parnas spoke plainly that Trump working again with Paul Manafort means a direct connection with the Kremlin. And once again, media may do the honest reporting AFTER the election, if at all.
Dr. Richardson makes a case in point with her skepticism about Trump claiming to raise 50 million dollars at a fundraiser, conveniently twice the number of Pres. Biden's recent record fundraiser. Yet the screaming headline in the NY Times was: "Trump Fundraiser Rakes in more than 50.5 million..." instead of justified skepticism "Without Verification Trump Team Claims Raising Double the Amount of Biden Fundraiser." Given the sheer number of lies, you would think every Trump headline would have a perfunctory caveat. And that's something media should be placing front and center, don't you all think?
Another problem is that the Judiciary has treated this former President with kid gloves rather than boxing gloves for no discernable reason. He has gotten and continues to get special treatment. A lot of our present problems would have been averted had the following occurred. Firstly, Robert Mueller should have indicted Trump, he had the evidence but chose not to do so on the basis of a so-called guideline. Mueller was afraid and took the easy way out. Merrick Garland Muellered America by not doing his job slow walking waiting more than a year to begin his investigation. He too was afraid. And lastly, the SJC appears to be on the take as well. By all rights, they should have let the Appeals Court decision that a President is not above the law, stand. At this time, people that could have done something about Trump are either afraid or corrupt or both. And I haven't forgotten about the foolish millions of Americans that keep supporting him.
You make important points (except for the "no discernible reason" part). Media investigation revealed that our Supreme Court is corrupt, beholden to GOP donors. Yet media continue to relay news about Supreme Court decisions as if they aren't 100% politically bounded (instead of "Heritage Foundation-Appointed Supreme Court Justices vote to...") To my mind, the most non-reported story of our time is that after the January 6 Congressional Committee findings, a Democratic Executive Branch refused and still refuses to swiftly prosecute the ringleaders of the Jan. 6 insurrection, many who were elected officials. The reason is less important than the simple fact that they have decided not to do it. We all know there is no excuse for a 3 year wait before a trial of Donald Trump. Don't you think the failure of our media on this story is almost as great as the failure of our government itself?
I absolutely agree. The media, in their attempt to be fair (so they say) has not accurately or honestly reported the truth. For all I know and suspect, money has corrupted them as well to the extent that they carefully weave their way through the middle of this quagmire, so that no matter who becomes President they'll be safe. They and others including the Democratic Party have yet to come to the realization that we are at war with an internal enemy that would take away our freedoms. It's not a time to be nice or play it safe.
You may be right. I suspect it's more fear of GOP accusations of bias. It's strange, isn't it? Journalists laugh out loud when Putin calls them biased. But it's a farther leap psychologically to accept the plain truth that the GOP is actively working with a foreign adversary and spreading lies to the American public on a daily basis.
We are so far past any legitimacy of fear of liberal bias. This is, and has been since he started running the first time, a question of democracy vs. autocracy. If they didn't know it then, they certainly should have known it soon into his term. It is a journalist's job to know this, and shout it from the rooftops.
You may find to be interesting this document n the Amicus Brief to the Trump immunity case. (I think I sourced this link from another part of this thread.)
This brief is memorable for its succinct and clear language explaining how and why presidential immunity is a potential wrecking ball for a democratic society..
As Americans, don't we all feel deep shame that our military has to come helmet in hand to beg the Supreme Court not to put them in the position of having to each decide between following our laws or following the orders of their "immune to laws" President? What low point for us all and a sign that our Supreme Court is corrupt beyond repair.
I really believe President Biden needs to appoint two more Justices to undo the effect of Trump and Senator McConnell packing the Court. Had Att'y Gen'l Garland's nomination gone through, as it should have, the Court would be five to four in favor of Republican appointed Justices.
Please send a post card to Chief Justice Roberts and tell him that we do not trust his court to protect the 2024 election. Tump et al will file dozens of merit less lawsuits and cause other chaos. This court has already shown that they are protecting Trump from prosecution. They already seem to have a favorite candidate. It happened in 2000 and the world has suffered greatly.
Why to Roberts and not to Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson? That's my point. Roberts is beholden to the GOP, so of course he has zero interest in protecting the election. It's a given. What about the three liberal justices, though? If their job is to protect our Constitution, how can they remain silent?
I agree with you in theory, Russell, but what can the lady libs do? Even if they get bigly vociferous, then what? I used to think Roberts cared enough about his and SCOTUS' legacy to avoid anything as egregious as granting the foul one immunity, but now not so much.
Thanks for the reply. What NY Times and other main news outlets can do is to create headlines with proper context. If the GOP is working again with Russian agents, then every news article on the GOP must say that at the outset instead of presenting them as a party of equal legitimacy to the Democratic Party. And investigate, investigate, investigate!
Any justice on SCOTUS that rules in favor of presidential immunity, should be impeached. We threw off the shackles of kingship and royalty 148 years ago.
Uh… the problem not one slimeball. The problem is the 74 million slimeballs whose odious views the slimball-in-chief represents. This is the America we live in and have been living in for a long time. Half of us are not fit for decent company.
The concern, expressed earlier to Mr Burnham elsewhere on this thread, is also explained another worry. What happens when a likeable version of Trump comes along?
Reagan was the likable version of Trump. Not to me. Nor any Republican for that matter. I hate every last one of the SOBs. But likable to most people, and he used that to do a tremendous amount of damage, so I do get your point.
Here's more on what he/they did to lie about it for the short-hit (fabricated) headline which the now right-wing NYT was all-too-happy to print. Plus, they could have printed, how many past (real) POTUS did you have coming and endorsing You, Donny Boy?
Hi Ned, Didn't get the chance to ck back in today but just saw this. Don't know what happened to yours but the link opens for me. It's just a link to PalmerReport.
Yes. Our media needs to do a better job of fact checking everything that they print about Trump. For example, that he raised 175 mil. Well, as it gets investigated, he must get a bond by a NY based bond company, not a CA based one. Also, they have to have 10% liquidity for the bond they are covering him for, but they do not. And, also, Trump's lawyers told the appeals court that no one would give them the full bond, but the guy who is bonding Trump out says he offered him the full amount, so that is more lies. Rachel Maddow discusses who this bail bondsman is in more detail, and it was posted on my Branch of Democrats Abroad Germany. Here is a link. https://topnewsshow.com/the-rachel-maddow-show-4-8-24/
Thank you for this link. Something funky is going on why my computer. This and the previous link open up this Microsoft warning that says I need to contact the company. I have seen it before; it is a "phishionable" material. Hope that this phishing is not occurring to anyone else.
Too bad those of us without cable TV have been excluded from hearing Rachel. MSNBC used to send out a newsletter that allowed me to connect and listen to quite a few MSNBC programs including Rachel. But now that seems to be gone. They want you to "sign in" to your TV provider in order to listen. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !
I listen to her weekly via podcast. I'm using Grover (free download from the Microsoft Store - I don't know about Apple version), and I get Rachel, Chris Hayes, Nicole Wallace, Jen Psaki, Lawrence O'Donnell and Ari Melber. I think other MSNBC hosts are available, I just haven't looked for them.
I don't have a tv, so I just get links that people send me. I don't want to pay either when it used to be that the main stations were free. That is why when I want to watch soccer I watch on Spanish language stations. I do not have to understand the running commentary to understand Ariba, ariba, and Go-o-o-o-l!
Done, ditto! And thanks for the appropriate 'nag'...
Subject: Ludicrously lame journalistic standards with regard to reporting about tRump, et al.
Dear NYT Editorial,
To quote an apt comment to yesterday’s Heather Cox Richardson ‘Letter’:
“Dr. Richardson makes a case in point with her skepticism about Trump claiming to raise 50 million dollars at a fundraiser, conveniently twice the number of Pres. Biden's recent record fundraiser. Yet the screaming headline in the NY Times was: "Trump Fundraiser Rakes in more than 50.5 million..." instead of justified skepticism "Without Verification Trump Team Claims Raising Double the Amount of Biden Fundraiser." Given the sheer number of lies, you would think every Trump headline would have a perfunctory caveat. And that's something media should be placing front and center, don't you all think?”
Absolutely!
I’ve been a loyal reader & subscriber for decades but of late I have had to stop defending the sloppy and often inane editorial NYT decisions and grossly inconsistently applied ‘standards’ regarding way too much of the political & international reporting, especially such things as verification in toto before printing a particular story.
In the last day or two, the NYT ran a long feature about a 75-year-old doctor, and some of his patients, and their assessment of the physical and mental fitness of President Biden related to his age, with a somewhat cursory mention of Trump's age. I sent yet another comment to the Times about its bias on the subject.
There is bio age and age in years. Apparently the idiots who work for the press and a huge portion of the American people cannot tell the difference. Biden is clearly biologically younger than Trump. Some may be genes, but a lot of it is lifestyle. Also, when I heard that Ivana fell down the stairs to her death at a point when she was getting inconvenient to Trump because she was claiming credit for things, I noticed how careful the press was not to even imply that he might have pushed her. They did not go there to even prove why he could not have done it. That is how lazy and Trump serving they are. So, he commits treasonous acts and they don't publish it or treat it like a walk in the park on a sunny day with a balmy breeze. I have zero respect for them as a publication. They are just another rag coming out of NYC like the Post and WSJ.
More specifically reading them is like reading a Russian Bot! This has been my complaint for over a year. It is apparently growing obvious to everyone.
I don't read their political stories, but do read the science section, the food section, the book review, their global round up on line, and I do the crossword and a few of their other puzzles.
Michele…Unfortunately the NYT games are addictive for me. Altho it is too late in life to aspire to genius, darned if I don’t frequently struggle with putting the game down until I get that silly affirmation. Often fun…. but sometimes in gnawing way. I may need a step program. lol. (I do “read articles” as well…lol)
I was doing them first thing every day too, as I skimmed down, but I have given them up and replaced them with WaPo. Still an oligarchic Republican production, but more coverage and more commentary on articles. Also, we like their crossword puzzle.
I will maintain my Times subscription until, a.- trump is defeated in '24 and is in prison, or b.-trump is elected and his first order of business is to take over the formerly free press. After that, no real reporting will be possible here. My last act will be to sue the Times for the price of my subscription going back to 2015.
Bryan Sean, The NY Times is not faultless; withal, its reporting is generally solid; the paper provides excellent investigative reports; Paul Krugman's columns about the economy are hard to match in any newspaper; many essays are enlightening and world coverage is good. In addition, The Washington Post, MSNBC, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, AP, Reuters, Politico and The Guardian, among others, along with several substacks, including LFAA and Timothy Snyder's 'Thinking about... ' all contribute greatly to my knowledge of the important issues and players at this time. I know that is a lot, and there is more, but I would not dismiss any of them and have not even mentioned very worthwhile foreign sources.
I agree with you. But they should be called out on their cowardice not to preface any news from Trump or the GOP without the context that it comes from a man and a political party that no longer adheres to facts and truth.
What I don't understand is whether they understand who Trump is and what he will do as President again -- how they and all their cohorts will be completely at his mercy without the rule of law to shelter them in their alleged role as as journalists enabling a democratic citizenry to properly govern their own country.
I wonder the same thing. What if they're just so used to the polarity of a two party system that they can't themselves wrap their heads around the new reality that currently we have one political party and one criminal group of highly organized insurgents working with foreign adversaries? I mean, it does sound so dystopian sci-fi, doesn't it?
I noted Eric Lipton's interview of Jared & the status of his Saudi billions.
Eric was interviewed on MSNBC.
I am a very long time Reader of Paul Krugman. I have corresponded with NYTt's legally sharp Eric Lipton, who just completed a penetrating interview of Jared.
I benefited by your NYT "gift" article the other day, thank you again. I can access important work such as one coming in this coming Sunday's magazine.
I prefer using my dollars supporting the many valuable Substack Authors & commenters such as FERN. : -)
I appreciate your choice, Bryan. Several of the publications that I listed provide a good range of subjects. Three or four substacks wouldn't cover what I am get from one of them. As it is, I am reading 6+substacks, without counting Nature Briefing and newsletters provided by several of the newspapers. I highly recommend the Washington Post's, Today's WorldView, authored by Ishaan Tharoor. We each juggle according to areas of interest and budgets. My challenge is where to cut down, because I like to do a few other things in addition to READING!!!
Bryan, I'm getting closer, but enjoy the Times for its other content -- Cooking, Games, Science, the Wirecutter, etc. so I may never cancel. It's a dilemma for me.
The sad thing is that they don't care. I had a Times sub and cancelled it, moving to the Washington Post. It didn't take long for them to be even worse so I went to The Guardian, which I had until their awful writing on the report that that hack at Justice wrote about Biden's age. Seriously, there's nothing left.
Same here. Honestly, I get enough from these letters alone, which I've joked to my wife that I think of as the daily "Asshold Gazette." Sadly, the reality isn't all that funny.
I hear your voice Mark. I follow certain world class Authors regardless of their current Platform. such as ANNE APPLEBAUM who is a historian on Ukraine & reporter anything Euro from Moldova to Finland. Anne is able to unravel complex social-political dynamic..
I wrote this below on Feb 13, 2024 to editorial@nytimes.com. To date I have not had the courtesy of a reply. I just re-sent it!
"I lived for many years in NY from 1965-1998 and loved reading the NY Times. I chose to end my subscription today because the coverage has become very unbalanced and irresponsible in giving the former president so much space and in only focusing on the negative aspects of the current president. I am not the only one noticing this. You might take a look at Jennifer Rubin of the WaPo and others to see what I mean.
The two men (both older for sure) are trying to be the winner the election in November and, normally, your coverage might be considered fair. Perhaps that is how your editors were taught in their journalism schools? DEMOCRACY is the issue in this coming election and the Republican candidate will turn our country into an authoritarian one. Democracy will no longer exist.
You MUST do a better job of understanding this and urging your writers to focus on the accomplishments of a very smart, efficient, honorable and compassionate President Biden. Do Not Just Keep being negative. He does not deserve this and We The People do not either!
If I see the trend shifting at the NY Times, I will be back. Otherwise, sadly, this is Goodbye! I would like the courtesy of a reply please."
Isn’t the choice between Neutral and Objective? Like many outlets, they stay neutral, presenting both sides as though there is no well-defined context around either candidate. To me, objectivity is fully informed, and reflecting that information in some judgement of the truthfulness of each side.
Personally I'd like to get all the facts, which includes context imho, and then draw my own conclusions. I don't need journalism to think for me, but to use resources I don't have to get background and check facts.
You’re right. We don’t need journalists to do our thinking for us. What they would do well to do is provide basic information AND context — that’s what news analysis is.
A bunch of facts, especially presented willy-nilly, without people being able to figure out if all the info is there, or how parts of it relate to other parts, are not as helpful as some might think.
People LIKE news analysis, not to have someone think for them, but to stimulate thought, and to let us see the full picture - we don’t all have all the ideas all on our own. It doesn’t hurt to hear someone else’s opinion now and then. BUT, there’s a difference between news and analysis and informed commentary … they have their places, for whichever ones we feel like paying attention to.
I got tired of complaining, and was willing to give up the puzzles as a form of boycott, when I cancelled my subscription. My first warning was before Biden was elected when I told them the April before that I was worried about Trump letting us know he was going to engage in a coup, and they did not publish it in a comment to an article. I had also written that Baron should be removed from the home by the Department of Children and Family Services for neglect during covid when I saw what a quack his dad was of it, and his mom too. I understand that there are children in more obvious dire physical need, but emotionally that household must be a ticking time bomb for the children. So, they send me links, but I delete them, and it feels satisfying. I am not yet there with the WaPo. My daughter and I often do the crossword puzzles together over Signal.
Even MSNBC reported the $50MM as fact without context.
If the bond is bogus is that a fraud upon the Court? Perpetrated by Trump and his buddy who used companies under his control to place the bond? Would the full bond requirement pre the appeals court ruling be reinstated?
Truth Social investing should be under investigation beyond the two already tied to insider trading.
Trump should be a pariah but billionaires and Republican politicians flock to him.
Tim Scott has bizarrely debased himself to curry favor with Trump in hopes of a VP nomination.
As far as I can tell there is no context for the 50 mil. TFG hosted a private 250K/plate fundraiser. We don't know how many attended because journalists were excluded.
About the bond, I think it is under investigation in and of itself because the company isn't NY-based. James has demanded that the co. 'justify' its bond by April 22, meaning prove that it has the cash to pay up and possibly disclose the collateral TFG put up. I haven't heard if the appeals court is looking into the lie about no company willing or able to post the whole $454 mil that led to the reduction. It has been reported that the guy who posted the 175 was willing to go for the whole 454, so f I were on the appeals bench I'd be pretty pissed off at the poor pitiful me act.
Yes, they report it, but then continue to publish Trump news with headlines that don't reflect any of that context. It's a bizarre disconnect pretending the news on collusion and election interference isn't related to the daily actions and statements of Trump and his campaign.
But don’t you understand that yes the New York Times also wants readers in order to sell advertising? Cynical to not think they too want a cut of the MAGA business.
Fern, as I read HCR's reporting of trompy's team managing his image by using edited video rather than standing before a live broad audience, I immediately thought that they may use AI videos to make him look younger, thinner and a more effective speaker -- not to mention inserting him into situations (let's say disaster relief) that he'd not otherwise to participate in -- thus lending him some humanity which he lacks as much as that $175MM.
And they can always show how humane and caring tfg is by doctoring his humane and caring tossing of paper towel rolls to Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico.
I’m happy to have made you smile. And may I ask the origin of your name? I am always curious about surnames and yours has puzzled me from the first time I saw it. This may make you laugh: I remember when Hank Aaron beat Babe Ruth’s home run record, but I heard it and assumed from the last name, if I thought of it, that he was Jewish. Two days ago, as the anniversary of the hit was being celebrated, I saw Hank Aaron on TV. He was black like Jackie Robinson. Had a good laugh with a black friend and hope you will laugh too.
I'm a former journalist, having spent many years as a freelancer (including for the NYT) and then as a senior editor at HBR. More than once, I have seen editorial decisions made at the top that were beyond sketchy in a play for the almighty dollar. Once, a publication I wrote for put a Microsoft ad on the front cover, and people quit over it. Unfortunately, one does not need a certificate or a license to practice "journalism" with the result that journalistic ethics have long since gone by the wayside.
Bronwyn, I tend to be cynical about signing these sorts of petitions, believing them to be more about data harvesting than anything they hope to accomplish. As a former journalist, do you think the publishing Powers-That-Be would actually agree to alter their coverage based on these petitions?
(As to data harvesting, I've donated to various Dem candidates online over the last 20 years or so, and I get bombarded daily with text or email requests for donations from candidates around the country. If I block the number or hit "unsubscribe" they just switch and hit me up again. Having my inboxes fill with these requests, as well as from others who purchase the data, gets annoying.)
I exclusively send donations by check. I do get a lot of junk mail from candidates, but I recycle it. I also never share my cell phone number, so no texts.
For fun, I open Fox comments to combat the expected remarks of those influenced by those trolls. Funny they exhibit classical , terminology and are fully brainwashed. It’s not possible to differentiate between the Russian trolls and their victims; they both exhibit the same stances. History often repeats itself. Will we rid ourselves of this current menace ? Or will we re-elect him again? I’m now making bets.
I listened to the Ultra podcast in late 2022. I felt it was an important period of history to understand in the context of the right wing threats to our democracy today.
After paying attention to the current drama leading up to the Trump trials, I recently decided to go back to the second half of Rachel’s series which dealt with the sedition trial and its surprise mistrial outcome. Perhaps had all of the senators involved been prosecuted in full, fascism might have been expunged rather than simply driven into hiding.
Interesting that after the mistrial, conclusive evidence was found in Germany detailing the extent of the collusion. Unfortunately, president Truman intervened in the release of a report on that collusion and the senate members who were involved. The Nazi regime was an internal political threat to democracy not just a military threat. Truman’s reasoning was that it was too explosive to become public but perhaps the real reason was related to his own prior membership in the senate.
The podcast is still available (MSNBC.COM/ULTRA) and Rachel has a book in progress. It is important history.
Yes, and the "too explosive" argument is sickening. If you treat the America public like children, they'll behave that way. We are quite able to believe some elected officials are criminals and we expect them held to account.
NY Times Pitchbot Xwitter account can't top this NY Times headline today: "On Abortion, Trump Chose Politics Over Principles".
That implies vaunted "principles" would back a national ban on Abortion. Right there, shows what the NY Times powers-that-be really want for American women. It is more 'virtuous' to have the guts to make it national, I guess.
We need to challenge people using politics as a dirty word, we need to stop allowing media to claim compromise is weakness. These are dishonest, dissembling, incompetent, immoral people who don't represent America and don't believe in Democracy, who are actively trying to throw a wrench into the gears of our government. And they are literally working for our enemies.
is on the subject of TFG's "position" on abortion. It is rich. In summary he sez Trump pissed off the Evangelicals cuz they finally noticed he is for the standard exceptions/will let the states decide, AND he pissed off everyone for women's rights because he won't stand in the way of a nationwide abortion ban.
But the Evangelicals like the crude and cruel decisions that the States are making. Trump said in his video that they needed to do this in order to win the election. Being as always happy so long as they get and stay in power, I'm sure they will mutter but allow their "Christian values" to be put on ice for a while.
You may well be right about the right, SysCuriosity. Let's hope that Keith is right, though, and that they're disillusioned because TFG isn't all in for a nationwide and total ban on abortion, IVF, birth control, and the rest of their pet peeves. They will never vote for Biden, but let's pray they stay home on Nov. 5.
It’s ironic that media reports on, for instance, a man caught in the act of murdering someone and refers to the crime as ‘alleged.’ That word in front of #45 claims of anything would do.
Russell, you would think and you can find articles, but I guess not in media like the NYT. The Oregonian's big story yesterday was how people can look up the PERS retirement benefits of every retired public employee who worked in Oregon. This has been possible for several years, but hey, people need to be reminded. It's called stirring the pot. Btw, the person who receives the highest monthly benefit is a former Oregon football coach.
The Ultra by Maddow was an incredible piece. Highly recommend. The lack of print worth reading but for the sensationalism, and online venues , put many a newspaper in jeopardy atop ‘downsizing’ every business laborer knows..signs of the times.
I’d be first to sign their ticket -them traitors/the Magats /the Russianinskys, on a slow boat (one way) to Russia…here’s your sign!
Russell, Dave Fake News reports that both the NYT and WAPO are implementing a new daily feature called “The Trump Lies”. Using the top quarter of Page 3 in bold script, it says “REFER TO PAGE ONE ABOVE THE FOLD. Here within contains our own lies”
Please note neither their news or editorial departments approved this feature; it is the work of the new underground movement, “The Demosthenes Society” that hacked the copywriter’s password
The only people that believe tfg are his sycophants. Most everything he says is the exact opposite of the truth. If the press were doing its job it would fact check every quote tfg made.
I've been watching the NY Times coverage with increasing dismay. They seem to be constantly beating the drum that America is broken and that Biden is not the solution. Meanwhile they give Trump a glossing over--such as the headline on Trump raising $50 million. Can't figure out what's going on with the Gray Lady. But mostly they relentlessly come back to Biden being unpopular, too old, not the solution, doing poorly in polls, etc.
I find it hard to believe that people are realising the extent of Putin's influence now. Really.... now?
It's time to start believing the unbelievable - like, fascism is rife in the USA and getting stronger.... Russia has a certain control over the US congress... not just influence.
As things stand today, it's debatable who holds the balance of power. It can happen very fast, like the darkness of the solar eclipse when the birds suddenly stop singing.
Nuts. When one elects ignoramuses like EMPTY Greene and Laree Blow-bert..., Huh?... what the heck is there to expect? But, the burden is on "us", right here, to recognize the falsity. The solution though is to drown it out, not snuff it out. Once we, meaning us's here start snuffing things out, we will be next! And, we do know how that works.., don't we? I think so.
MadRussian, I don't disagree. My question remains, as it has for the past 8 years, how do you "snuff things out" when the propaganda machine is so strong you have people believing with every ounce of their being in what the MAGAt leaders are spouting.
That's a good question. I mean, is it even possible? Several years ago, before I had unplugged from Facebook, I had a cousin who lamented "What has happened to my beautiful country?" She was referring to some crime that had happened. I pointed out that violent crime had been trending down for decades. She disagreed and asked how I knew this. After pointing her to Dept. of Justice figures, she said that they were just lying and that I was not living "in reality."
I hated to unfriend a relative but it just wasn't worth the aggravation, which not long after that I extended to the entire platform.
To topple a representative form of government, it only takes a few well placed people in certain places to prevent the government from responding to the citizens. The Powell Memo provided the blueprint and the P25 project is the end result.
You need to share this far and wide on how the project is got to fought
Jennifer, I grew up with "Golden Books" and teachers who explained the message in simple terms little children could relate to playing on the playground, manners and civility being omni-present. I boarded with families of various religions and changed schools more than twenty times, so I'm not speaking from some small-town experience. Political-correctness was not an expression or expressed.., but it was rising. Religiousness was not overbearing, it was simply there. Belief (in God, that is) was not in question. Sunday 'Schools' fulfilled that angle, since more "kids" attended church (then). So..?.., where did things go haywire? Turmoil<< Politics/Religion/DSR*/U-name it. And "teachers", accept it or not, have become products of this mish-mash of values. Some teachers being worthy, others not so much. Me-thinks you are battling the "not so much" crowd. However, as a Teacher you have what I see as a "bully pulpit". You have way-more than my attention. Your parents and I are past-tense. Confront us with the facts and move on. It's the next generation that counts. Educate them. The "facts" have never been more obvious.
Thank you for sharing this link. Wouldn’t it be a valuable resource for high school and college civic, political science, history courses? And for every American? If teachers and professors were allowed to teach the Truth. And if certain citizens believed the Truth.
Thank you for literary moment! After reading about teachers teaching “truth,” I reflected on the loss of liberal arts colleges, the Kochs’ attack on public universities (“Starving the Beast”), and above all on a beloved and brilliant prof who bragged that he had gotten out of Harvard (at 20 with a PhD) while it was “still a university—the year before they put in the Business School.”
My mother read the Alice stories to me when I was somewhere between 6 and 7 and they became central to my childhood mythos. I gathered that our task as human beings is to try to maintain our integrity while exploring a fantastic, often hidden, and not always friendly reality. I'm now more that 10X older, and that hasn't changed. Reality remains a wondrous gift mixed with threatening circumstances. Every life is literally an experiment, although some like to think it's all been figured out. It there not joy and utility in discovery? That's how the Renaissance and the Enlightenment stood out. Basho, echoed by Emerson advised “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.” We can nevertheless pick up endless pointers.
Bush II's Sec. of Education wanted to end liberal arts education entirely; but what is education for? It it not trustworthy (by degree) all-purpose consciousness expansion, emotionally and cognitively? Experience indicates that fortune favors the prepared mind, and endless mysteries and possibilities leaves no excuse for boredom.
Beautiful! It’s how I lived my life, which I finally have had the courage to examine and fully enjoy. Thank you for the reflection on Alice. Maybe I get time to read LC after November.
After birth abortions are not real. If a baby is killed after being born alive, that's infanticide, which is murder, but that circumstance is NOT an abortion.
And yet, his loyal followers believe that crap. They really do. They also believe that democrats consort with Hollywood pervs to traffic young women and children-that it’s this secret cartel sanctioned by the dnc. I hear this from people I know-there was a movie recently in the theaters (James cavaziel, I think?) starred in it. The crazy is beyond belief!!!
The crazy is indeed beyond belief. When I confronted my former sergeant about his wacko comment about "after birth abortion" being homicide, specifically infanticide, this man, a 25 year cop and a minister before that said "Nuh uh. It's a lawful abortion" blew me away.
“after birth abortions” is just shit-speak for the firehose. It enrages libs and takes attention away from his financial grifts, and the russia-help his campaign and supporters are pushing.
I liked the title today of an article in a publication I read, called the Daily Kos. “ Biden’s on fire, Trump’s still a liar and Tesla getting more backlash ire.” Lol
Two things: "With him all roads lead to Putin" ~ Nancy Pelosi, June 2020. But maybe it should be with 'them". They are all Russian stooges.Also, about a month ago, psychiatrist John Gartner did a vid about the "smoking gun" evidence of DJT's dementia. Several more mental heath experts have concurred.
Demented or not, the bigger problem is Trumps off the charts narcissism and dishonesty.
"Fiona Hill told the Washington Post reporters that Trump’s team 'is thinking…that this is just a Ukraine-Russia thing…rather than one about the whole future of European security and the world order. ' ”
The whole "Republican" thing, from at least Reagan forward has been personal gain edging out societal gain, or even the welfare of our own, or other, species. Greed has undeniable appeal, but it ruins everything in the end.
The progress of dementia runs in a downward, step-like fashion, with a periods of stable functioning followed by periods of sharp decline. Trump may have just gone through, or may be going through, one of these periods of decline, which may explain his increasingly wandering in-person performances.
DT also has a mental illness which is untreated. Antisocial personality disorder tends to get worse without treatment, especially when the person with it is under a lot of pressure. For DT, this is when he is exposed as not having money, or when he may actually be held accountable for his actions. Both of these conditions will cause erratic, unhinged behavior. His handlers have their work cut out for them. All the Biden team has to do is listen, and their campaign ads will write themselves. Then they have to SPEAK UP, and go after this dangerous, dangerous, MAGA movement DT has started.
You may enjoy this essay by a very thoughtful M.D. who led the charge by a panel of psychiatrists, just before or during Trump's presidency, to deem him unfit.
Too bad my erstwhile Party lacked the courage to deny Trump the nomination in 2016, notwithstanding his threats of violence. I mean, what are Party Elders for?
Party elders ran for the hills. Disgusting. Russian influence will not even bring "the rest of the party" to align with democrats to just simply vote and be a functioning third branch of government.
It's not "a russian faction of" the republican party, it's the entire party, until they stand up to the bullies!
The last words of HCR's Letter today, touched me to the quick; they reminded me of the words I read and the pictures that I saw yesterday.
'And yet Trump loyalists continue to block aid to Ukraine, threatening the existence of the rules-based international order that has helped to prevent war since World War II. Last week, even Trump’s former secretary of state Mike Pompeo warned Speaker Johnson against' “abandoning our Allies at this time of great need, when they are staring down enemies of the free world.” (Letter)
'Two years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the hourly artillery duels, airstrikes and pitched fighting in the country’s east and south have turned the more than 600-mile front line into a scarred frontier. Parts of it may be uninhabitable for years, if not decades. Villages and towns are destroyed. Fields are mined. Roads are barely recognizable.'
'But clinging to the wreckage of their homes, and hometowns, are residents who refuse to leave. Buoyed by volunteers who deliver aid and their own battle-hardened survival instincts, they carry on with their lives in an unending test of endurance. The reasons they stay are many: to care for disabled family members, to look after pets or livestock or, plainly, their love of home.' (NYT, April 8, 2024) See gifted link below.
I often think of Allen and Tanya Hingston, the reassuring messages of the first days, flying glass proofing the house. The dog, the cat. And then the terrifying journey, told minimally. Their whereabouts is better not revealed, but it's so good when he posts a "like" occasionally and we understand that they are safe.
Please tell the folks on LFAA thank you for thinking of us. Tanya, Lucky and I are doing quite well back in Saskatchewan. As we fear never going home, Tanya has applied for permanent residency. Her granddaughters and their mother are safe in Poland, her son is in our home town as part of the local security force. Our family and friends in Ukraine are all safe so far. The young couple from Kharkiv looking after our house and three cats are very happy to be there. If Rita plants flowers in spring Tanya will be overjoyed.
Anne-Louise, you touch us this morning with your care. Allen, Tanya and Lucky, their handsome dog, are doing okay, with family still in Ukraine and deep support for the county as well aid organizations...good people, as you know. He drops by here from time to time. In any case, I will deliver your dear message to him. Salud!
Fern, 60 minutes shared what returning to home means when your front yard is littered with land mines that were scattered by plane as the Russians retreated—it means one person after another in a wheelchair for daring to walk in their garden. Putin doesn’t seem to intend to have anyone live in those “occupied territories”—just to kill off the stubborn inhabitants and declare victory (maybe with a map colored with colored sharpies?)
Fern, I am posting this question below your comment, because you are a "researcher" and careful observer. Do you know if there is any life in either of the House discharge positions to fund Ukraine that were building up steam last month? This article describes them. In other words, does anyone know if there is the slightest chance that the majority of House reps who have NOT become tools of Putin could prevail?
Who in Trump's party has not become a tool of Putin's is another question, a crucial and awful question, Bill Alstrom, because that question is about Trump's tools, which malfunction, spread disinformation and are the rights of the people robbers? Let's believe that there are enough decent US House of Representatives to fund the absolutely necessary aid to Ukraine
Trump’s plan to end the war in Ukraine? Just give Putin what he wants and it’ll be all over! Wow, how on earth has nobody ever thought of that before? Seriously though, isn’t it obvious to anyone that the man is a total train wreck, wheels coming off with every new day?
"My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep."
Thank you Professor Richardson. A few years ago I carefully reviewed the redacted Mueller Report and produced a book titled 'Orange is the New Orange' -a coffee table book with key quotes from the Mueller Report that laid bare the stunning relationships between Trump, his close associates and Putin. Flynn undermining sanctions against Russia before Trump was inaugurated, then lying about it. Manafort sharing election data with his Kremlin handlers. Back channel meetings with nefarious characters like Erik Prince (of Prince/DeVos family fame).
In parallel there was news about the NRA, Russian money, and Russian foreign agent Maria Butina. Of course gun ownership and gun violence prevention being another 'hot-button' issue dividing Americans faster than you can say Fox 'News'.
MAGA and GOP incompetents like M-T Greene, Jim Jordan, James Comer, and Lauren Boebert (among all the others who now infect Federal, State, and Local government) are useful idiots for Putin. Whether they recognize it or not they have all become a small army of useful idiots to Putin -and Trump is Putin's prized pawn.
So this has been part of a long-term strategy by Putin -and as 'Comrade/Rep. Mike Johnson' follows orders from Putin/Trump -instead of honoring his commitment to our allies, Putin's investment in the NRA, MAGA, and Trump is paying dividends in new found aid and comfort.
The DOJ should be aggressively pursuing all who denied the 2020 election and continue to do so. While I don't suggest a resurrection of the horrific House Unamerican Activities Committee, where there are facts and evidence an elected member is acting as an unregistered foreign agent, let them voluntarily register, resign their position, and agree to never be a candidate for any public office again to avoid an indictment, conviction, and prison time.
HUAC Joe McCarthy were advance guard for modern GOP intimidation tactics. The Nixon hearings were productive. Even the preponderance of Republicans went along; though that was a different Republican Party.
Either they are witting in their support for Putin, in which case they are traitors, or they are unwitting, in which case they are craven idiots. Either way, we all lose.
Heather brings us updates of two of our three major plights now.
The two she cites -- the freedoms of American women (and their families) and the failure of Republicans to rally to Ukrainian freedom -- both owe to a sick love of abstractions from our elites who lack the humanities to respect humanity freely in others.
Take the U.S. Clarence court – that formerly respected body of now bribed, perjured, and corrupted across from the U.S Capitol. Because of its medieval abstracting of life, the Clarence court has ruled similarly medieval abstracters in individual U.S. states can override women’s rights.
Women in these states have faced death due to the medievalists.
Gets worse. Tens of millions of Americans fell prey to the billionaires as they offshored the working class jobs. Then, by Citizens United, the 2025 Project, and suits to end the Chevron Precedent, the billionaires have sought more power for themselves, abstracting away Americans' human needs for health care, worker safety, and environmental protections, for which the billionaires aim to kill, cripple federal programs.
Add to the Clarence court damages, and the billionaires trying to kill democratic government (in Ukraine, and in the U.S.) a third American plight, and that is how other religio-fanatic abstracters such as AIPAC keep America mired on the side of far-right Israeli settlers stealing Palestinian West Bank land, murdering there, mass-murdering in Gaza.
Good Heather recounts updates on at least two of our three national plights now. But still, some things scarcely change. As George Carlin said, our rulers do not care, not when he said that. Not now.
Phil, I stand in awe of your wordsmithing and understanding of the world. What a concise package of truths you just presented. "Americans Fell Prey to the Billionaires" is headline material. That is IT in a nutshell, as they say.
But here is my optimist coffee comment for today:
My intuition and observations suggest to me that the theft of Women's Reproductive Freedom will be THE pivotal factor in this election. Just as so many "Evangelicals" have voted on one issue (ignoring ALL the incredible faults of their candidate), the vast majority of women and supportive men - of all political persuasions - will vote to restore that right. A line crossed. A bridge too far.
Most American young women have always thought of reproductive issues as simply a matter between her own feelings, conscience, partner and health care provider. Then suddenly the government starts messing with her life, her family's life?
If we have learned anything from the Extremist Evangelicals (the zealots who turned a religion into politics - not worship) it should be that many people will vote on the basis of one issue. This is the issue. Let's not underestimate the power of modern women. Remember, the vast majority of young women are NOT that religious and even many Evangelicals of the original less political sort are offended by Dobbs and the horrific interference it provides to women and families across the land.
That idea has been implemented effectively even in red states. And now, a real test. I can think of a few "Florida Cracker" women who love their wild times and the Sunshine State scene of parties on boats who might normally condemn anything other than American Flag Republicans - who are now pissed off at the government telling them they must have the babies they hadn't planned on. I can imagine the millions of Florida women who moved there for the freedom to live as they wish being aggravated beyond words. Add the idea that the pot they have been freely using would be decriminalized (at last!) - I think we may see a purple state showing its blue side.
I think the issue of Reproductive Rights that is also intertwined with female health care is the biggest political mistake of the Republican party since Abe Lincoln selected Andrew Johnson as his running mate. JMO, I could be wrong. It happens all the time.
I truly believe more should be warned about contraceptives being banned by the GOP. Many people who are pro-life depend upon birth control to prevent the need for unwanted children and/or abortions.
How many sexually active people are 100% willing to accept the consequences of the 1950s methods of contraception? IE: plastic-wrap condoms, "pull out" and Coke-bottle douches? And, of course, the "rhythm Method". (You probably all recall the joke, what do you call people who practice rhythm? PARENTS)
Young people need to be informed of this history, and that people actually DID try those methods and it is not a joke! Only a few years ago, I spoke to a college educated colleague (I was in a hospital lab) who had never heard of a Lye abortion!! She was appalled at the thought.
I join with you in your estimation of (most, the great majority of) American women.
Florida women? I had a brother (he died in 1984) who married a young Florida woman. Their daughter was born later that year. Mike never met her. Rest his soul. He was killed by a very drunk teenage Florida boy as that boy ran a red light at two in the morning drunkenly, stupidly, Florida-ly to kill my brother, who was just getting off work, heading home to his young wife.
Phil, my condolences on the loss of your brother. The reasons that DUII and is related crimes are not anathema is that drinking and driving is "everyman's crime". I have professional experience with that, having arrested (or assisted in the arrests of) everyone from millworkers to pastors to cops to lawyers to teachers for DUII. I am so sorry.
Phil, JL and Bill, I think you have laid clear groundwork for a remarkable synthesis of the powers which continue to swing back and forth throughout our nation's history: the constantly repeated contest between the capitalists ("robber barons," millionaires now billionaires) and the socialists ("Progressives," 'Liberals," etc) which Lincoln so eloquently delineated in his comments about the role of government. He proposed that “The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves—in their separate, and individual capacities.” He clarifies herein roles for capitalists but bounded by rules of law "Of the People" decided "By the People and For the people." It seems that battles over religion, abortion & control of women's bodies, racism and immigration are all parts of the "culture wars" thrown up as distractions; heartfelt distractions for some perhaps, but distractions nonetheless from the capitalists' goal of all money, and thence power, eventually trickling up to them.
"Robber baron is a term first applied as social criticism by 19th century muckrakers and others to certain wealthy, powerful, and unethical 19th-century American businessmen. The term appeared in that use as early as the August 1870 issue of The Atlantic Monthly[1] magazine. By the late 19th century, the term was typically applied to businessmen who used exploitative practices to amass their wealth.[2] Those practices included unfettered consumption and destruction of natural resources, influencing high levels of government, wage slavery, squashing competition by acquiring their competitors to create monopolies and/or trusts that control the market, and schemes to sell stock at inflated prices to unsuspecting investors.[2] The term combines the sense of criminal ("robber") and illegitimate aristocracy (“baron”) in a republic.[3] " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robber_baron_(industrialist)
Minority Leader Jeffries has all but promised Speaker Johnson that Democrats would not support a motion to vacate the chair if he supports the Senate-passed Ukraine/Israel aid bill (HR 815).
The discharge petition to bring HR 815 to the floor needs only 218 signatures. It currently has 191 -- only one Republican.
Everyone reading this can help by calling Republican Representatives and urging them to sign the discharge petition for HR 815, to expedite delivery of military assistance for Ukraine before it's too late.
Once the bill passes the House it would go directly to the President for his signature and immediately become law.
Call the U S Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121 to connect with any Representative, and call Speaker Johnson's office (202) 225-4000 to insist that he encourage Republicans to sign the petition.
For phone numbers of about about two dozen specific Republicans known to support Ukraine aid, please click on recent Ukraine-related posts at:
This "graphic" details the status of the discharge petition. It shows both Democrats and Republicans who have yet to sign it, with contact info for each.
Just curious: ¿can a Democratic Representative move to vacate the Speakership? I suspect it is a Republican only.
¿Why not approach a Republican in a tenuous 'purple' district and ask him or her to file the motion in return for an endorsement of his candidacy (if not too late to do that)?
That G.O.P. guy / gal would likely be a moderate owing to the purple district.
The rule is that any sitting member of the House, no matter their party. can introduce a motion to vacate the chair.
One problem we had when Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker was that no moderate Republican candidate stepped forward to run. They all ended up voting for Mike Johnson as a compromise in return for some (still undisclosed) promises.
Thank you, Dr. Richardson. It has long been apparent to us, on Substack, that trump favors putin and craves putin's admiration for himself. The problem is the MAGA cult does not listen to any news except Fox, and Fox never reports the news.
We need (and have for some time) viable Democratic candidates for all offices, State and Federal in all 50 States, in every single Congressional District. It is unfortunate the DNC, DCCC, and DSCC see their only responsibility as collecting as much money as they possibly can. They have neglected the most important function of a political committee - finding and training qualified candidates AND supporting those candidates through the election. (I quit giving them any money when I found out they were backing MAGA candidates instead of the competing Democrat in some districts.) I no longer am a card carrying member.
How can we possibly get the word to people in "Red States" or "Swing States" if we have no candidates to offer them,. or some one they don't know and have never heard of. Don't tell us the "Red States" are lost causes. I see all the time on Substack, people from Red States complaining they have no one to contact or protect the interests of the constituents instead of the party.
I agree, registering voters is very important. But, at the same time we need the candidates already trained, supported, speaking in every community in their district. When I complained of this before, the answer was "Why waste money in Red States, they'll only vote Republican anyway" I disagree. They maybe leaned republican before ALEC solidified them to right wing extremism. The thing is, Daniel, I have a lot of Substackers, telling me they live in Red States and feel abandoned. Yes, we all need to vote for Biden for President, But Joe Biden can't accomplish everything he needs and wants to do for us unless he has a responsible Senate and House of Representatives. If we've learned nothing else that was driven home from January 2023 until now.
I gave you the link to Forgotten Democrats. They are working with groups like Blue Missouri to boost Democrats in red states.
In Florida, we do not have our primary until August. Now that abortion and marijuana are on the ballot, and now that D registrations are picking up, new candidates are coming forward. We are still down 1 Million registrations -- bur FT6 gives the candidates hope.
Thank you for the good news from Florida and Missouri. I appreciate all your efforts on behalf of safe and sane politicians (even if we don't have safe and sane fireworks LOL)
I note an article last week that claims that European politicians have been caught actually accepting money from Russia to push pro-Russian lies and messages, yet just like their American counterparts, no one is willing to name names. Why not? If those so named object, they then have to deny the Russian messages. If they don't object, then they verify the claim.
Apparently almost all from far-right parties. There are, evidently, dozens on the red-take.
EDIT: good point about naming names. The M.A.G.A.-types most prone to intimidation or violence are doxxing Democratic politicians, sitting judges, court staff, left and right.
Fiona Hill, who was so marvelous in testifying on Trump’s ‘perfect’ call with President Zelensky (in which he said that he would block aid to Ukraine until he got some dirt on Biden’s (Hunter & Joe) involvement in Ukraine, is, for me, the canary in the coal mine.
She recently said that she perceives that Trump, if back in the White House, would block further aid to Ukraine and support a Putin settlement in which much of Russian-occupied Ukraine would be ceded to Russia.
She added that Trump would consider what has been happening a ‘Russian-Ukrainian-type-thing’ and NOT a critical NATO-Putin red line on his Greater Russia ambitions. WOW!
As a former Foreign Service Officer who put his life on the line for his country, I consider this treasonable. For me, the Ukrainian situation is a modern day Cold War—-if we pull a Chamberlain Munich (1938 signing over Sudetenland to appease Hitler), much worst will occur in the Baltic states and elsewhere.
We have seen other indications of this Quisling behavior with Trump’s ‘acting Secretary of State Grenell’ and others. The recent policy duet between Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban made me puke.
Personally, I believe that we are facing our greatest ‘isolationist America’ threat since the Lindbergh isolationist America movement before we entered World War II.
I hope that President Biden highlights this grave issue in the coming months. I hope that imperative aid to Ukraine soon gets approved by Democrats with enough Republicans hanging on to Democratic skirts.
I fervently hope that this is an issue about which a majority of Americans can be made to care.
I have been calling members of Congress who voted against accepting what Chris Krebs (how could anyone seriously have disbelieved Chris Krebs with his all American boy face?—bad decision of Trump to put him in charge of election integrity) said was a clean vote, “traitors” for months now. Anyone who denies that election, and particularly those who refuse to accept the truth and foment violence in any way, are traitors! And Speaker Johnson is not only an “election denier” but also consorting with TFG the primary traitor. Good luck to Jack Smith and Merrick Garland. May we keep our republic if only in honor of Ben Franklin.
Keith, this is well articulated. Your assessment that this is the greatest 'isolationist America' moment is chilling; I find the almost blind acceptance of "Russia, are you listening" as invited by fpotus as disgusting as it is chilling.
I also hope that President Biden pays attention to this isolationist threat. Reminds me of Philip Roth's book "The Plot Against America". (Is that the correct title?)
Michael Cohen got 3 years in federal prison for his conduct in Trump's Stormy Daniels case (tax evasion, lying to Congress) and this was a reduced sentence for cooperation. High probability, Trump is convicted in his NYC trial starting in 6 days and high probability he gets sentenced to jail time (with bond pending appeal). Trump's claims of 'election interference' ring hollow for D.C. insurrection case given he will already be a convicted felon sentenced to jail time, thus increasing the probability terrible SCOTUS denies Trump's immunity claims and his D.C. trial starts early fall. WOW...I am guessing things are going to get increasingly bizarre and crazy between now and election day! Historically 'Watergate' type crazy!
100 Panthers, I fervently hope your prediction comes to pass as it would demonstrate clearly and once and for all that all are equal before the law. Michael Cohen, however, was NOT a former president nor did he have substantial millions of dollars in assets with billions more from those hoping to cash in with their investments in him and lawyers willing to take his direction. We have been watching this very disparity in justice for regular people and those with billions of dollars being played out before us, daily for years now.
Many of us have a good sense of the pro-Putin supporters in the House, Johnson leading the pack. It is vitally important to NAME EVERY SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE who is a Putin supporter. WAPO and the NYTimes should have these names as their top front-page stories. The headlines on all news programs, same. Of course Fox will refute this but they may be Pro-Putin as well. Call out everyone, immediately. Jeffries knows how to lead and would be a fantastic Speaker. All the backlog created by the House Magas would finally start to move forward for the good of this country.
I read that Rupert’s latest fiancée is a Russian scientist. Of course his “oligarchian” sympathies have been with Putin all along. Wonder how Reagan would feel about that….
A good question for any politician is "Which is more important; the welfare of our nation or your job?" Those who answer or demonstrate the latter are in the wrong line of work.
You have got that in the bull's eye, J.L. I had opposed term limits until five years ago or so. Too many people conflate their personal interest with the national interest with slick reasoning like the following three ideas or another.
> My vision is right and vital for the country. I am best out to pursue that vision. I should remain in office to assure attainment of that vision. (Forgetting that ideology breeds idiocy.)
> My G-D! If I am not re-elected, so and so will come in and the country will mgo down the drain. (Forgetting no one is indispensable.)
> No one knows my district like I know my district (Forgetting that many Congressional incumbents go home less and less as their tenured accumulate.)
Jamie Raskin heads a Democracy Summer 2024 program for youth. He writes,
"There are only 4 days left until Democracy Summer applications close, and I want to make sure all the dedicated and enthusiastic high-school and college students across America know about this exciting educational and political program.
"This can be a century of great exploration and creative change, freedom and equal rights for people everywhere or it can be a century of authoritarian repression and voter suppression, racial hatred, antisemitism, war and chaos.
"We need a new generation that actively chooses the path of democracy and civilization.
"That’s why I’m proud to train the next generation of political leaders, activists and organizers through our acclaimed Democracy Summer project. With nearly 90 Democratic campaigns participating already in 2024, we are ready to channel youth outrage and youth idealism into an unstoppable force for change all across America."
If you have or know of a young person looking for ways to keep democracy alive, here is the link to apply for Rep Raskin's program. It is divided by state. (Not all states are members)
But things like this also cede something to our neutered, standardized-tested-to-death, dehumanized K-12. They cede the same something to our group-identity-HR-protected, silo-set, dehumanized "higher" ed.
Is it possible that some of our GOP congressmen who have graduated from institutions which are renowned for learning, are,in fact, products of the “absorb the material, so as to pass the test” culture. Can that happen all the way through the requirements for a law degree? You talk often of the need for the humanities. Is it possible, do you think, to have been exposed to the humanities and not to have benefited ?Apparently they are as susceptible to propaganda as the less schooled. Can it be possible that the test taking generation is less able to analyze and critique material than the students of previous generations? Just wondering.
Article III, Section 3, Clause 1: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
Sorry, looks like treason to me-the aid and comfort to our enemies thing is dairy of damning, it would seem…
Fortunately, we are not at war with Russia. The Russian people are not our declared enemies. Consequently, the letter of the treason clause does not apply here. The Russian government is acting against the United States at a level below that of armed conflict. The RePutincan Party is supporting the interests of the Russian regime at the expense of the United States. In the unlikely possibility that any members of this party are still capable of shame, they need to be identified and exposed to public criticism.
Neo-Republicans' superpower is their shamelessness. The need to be taught some manners. Big time. Public sentiment can accomplish what, up till now, the law has not.
I get some humdinger suggestions too; I HATE autocorrect. Sometimes I really do not mean either "shirt" or "duck". However, "dairy" for "theory" is a new one.
Full disclosure: being dyslexic and suffering from spacial dyslexia leads to some interesting words: treat for threat is one, beople, fealosy and jurther all pop up regularly.
My impression is that the settings where you used to be able to train a keyboard for how your fingers would strike the keys has been corrupted or done away with - I can't find anywhere that lets me retrain my keyboard at this point. So it gives me "snd" instead of "and" over, for example. It never learns anymore.
Oh, yeah. "snd" is one. "teh" is another. My phone keyboard never learned those, and my problem is exacerbated by the "aftermarket" scratch/glare protection I put on mine...
I think it has to be related to military conflict to be technically treason. In any case, the definition is narrow. That said, it's hard to believe that what they are up to is not in violation of existing laws, and at the very least, worthy of forceful condemnation in the court of public opinion. Russia and Putin are very clearly not our friends, and their covert interference would not be tolerable even if they were.
It IS TREASON! It has been all along. The gallows for the veep could very well have been used for TFG and ALL his cohorts. Fani Willis and DOJ are off to a good start, but there’s a lot to be done with members of Congress. For those who don’t want them hanged, how about conviction and no pensions? That would get them out of government in a hurry and save tax payers’ money on either jail or rope.
Where are our journalists on the obvious continuing ties with the Republican Party and Russian agents? In Ultra, Rachel Maddow detailed how over 20 U.S. congressmen in the early 1940s being paid by Nazi agents to promote Nazi propaganda were never brought to justice. It's still hard to wrap one's head around that. And here we are again, with today's journalists in 2024 still resistant to place every headline on Trump and the GOP in the context of Russian influence. Last month Lev Parnas spoke plainly that Trump working again with Paul Manafort means a direct connection with the Kremlin. And once again, media may do the honest reporting AFTER the election, if at all.
Dr. Richardson makes a case in point with her skepticism about Trump claiming to raise 50 million dollars at a fundraiser, conveniently twice the number of Pres. Biden's recent record fundraiser. Yet the screaming headline in the NY Times was: "Trump Fundraiser Rakes in more than 50.5 million..." instead of justified skepticism "Without Verification Trump Team Claims Raising Double the Amount of Biden Fundraiser." Given the sheer number of lies, you would think every Trump headline would have a perfunctory caveat. And that's something media should be placing front and center, don't you all think?
How much longer can this country permit this odious man to slime our Republic? 🤢
Better yet: place a two-inch article on page-8 that Trump claimed to raise that amount.
Another problem is that the Judiciary has treated this former President with kid gloves rather than boxing gloves for no discernable reason. He has gotten and continues to get special treatment. A lot of our present problems would have been averted had the following occurred. Firstly, Robert Mueller should have indicted Trump, he had the evidence but chose not to do so on the basis of a so-called guideline. Mueller was afraid and took the easy way out. Merrick Garland Muellered America by not doing his job slow walking waiting more than a year to begin his investigation. He too was afraid. And lastly, the SJC appears to be on the take as well. By all rights, they should have let the Appeals Court decision that a President is not above the law, stand. At this time, people that could have done something about Trump are either afraid or corrupt or both. And I haven't forgotten about the foolish millions of Americans that keep supporting him.
You make important points (except for the "no discernible reason" part). Media investigation revealed that our Supreme Court is corrupt, beholden to GOP donors. Yet media continue to relay news about Supreme Court decisions as if they aren't 100% politically bounded (instead of "Heritage Foundation-Appointed Supreme Court Justices vote to...") To my mind, the most non-reported story of our time is that after the January 6 Congressional Committee findings, a Democratic Executive Branch refused and still refuses to swiftly prosecute the ringleaders of the Jan. 6 insurrection, many who were elected officials. The reason is less important than the simple fact that they have decided not to do it. We all know there is no excuse for a 3 year wait before a trial of Donald Trump. Don't you think the failure of our media on this story is almost as great as the failure of our government itself?
I absolutely agree. The media, in their attempt to be fair (so they say) has not accurately or honestly reported the truth. For all I know and suspect, money has corrupted them as well to the extent that they carefully weave their way through the middle of this quagmire, so that no matter who becomes President they'll be safe. They and others including the Democratic Party have yet to come to the realization that we are at war with an internal enemy that would take away our freedoms. It's not a time to be nice or play it safe.
You may be right. I suspect it's more fear of GOP accusations of bias. It's strange, isn't it? Journalists laugh out loud when Putin calls them biased. But it's a farther leap psychologically to accept the plain truth that the GOP is actively working with a foreign adversary and spreading lies to the American public on a daily basis.
We are so far past any legitimacy of fear of liberal bias. This is, and has been since he started running the first time, a question of democracy vs. autocracy. If they didn't know it then, they certainly should have known it soon into his term. It is a journalist's job to know this, and shout it from the rooftops.
Yes. YES. It's infuriating and terrifying.
You may find to be interesting this document n the Amicus Brief to the Trump immunity case. (I think I sourced this link from another part of this thread.)
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-939/307029/20240408130715170_No.%2023-939bsacRetiredFour-StarAdmiralsAndGenerals.pdf
This brief is memorable for its succinct and clear language explaining how and why presidential immunity is a potential wrecking ball for a democratic society..
As Americans, don't we all feel deep shame that our military has to come helmet in hand to beg the Supreme Court not to put them in the position of having to each decide between following our laws or following the orders of their "immune to laws" President? What low point for us all and a sign that our Supreme Court is corrupt beyond repair.
I really believe President Biden needs to appoint two more Justices to undo the effect of Trump and Senator McConnell packing the Court. Had Att'y Gen'l Garland's nomination gone through, as it should have, the Court would be five to four in favor of Republican appointed Justices.
Please send a post card to Chief Justice Roberts and tell him that we do not trust his court to protect the 2024 election. Tump et al will file dozens of merit less lawsuits and cause other chaos. This court has already shown that they are protecting Trump from prosecution. They already seem to have a favorite candidate. It happened in 2000 and the world has suffered greatly.
Why to Roberts and not to Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson? That's my point. Roberts is beholden to the GOP, so of course he has zero interest in protecting the election. It's a given. What about the three liberal justices, though? If their job is to protect our Constitution, how can they remain silent?
I agree with you in theory, Russell, but what can the lady libs do? Even if they get bigly vociferous, then what? I used to think Roberts cared enough about his and SCOTUS' legacy to avoid anything as egregious as granting the foul one immunity, but now not so much.
Thanks for the reply. What NY Times and other main news outlets can do is to create headlines with proper context. If the GOP is working again with Russian agents, then every news article on the GOP must say that at the outset instead of presenting them as a party of equal legitimacy to the Democratic Party. And investigate, investigate, investigate!
I used to believe this too about Roberts. It's still hard for me to face that I was wrong, or that he's been corrupted this extremely.
Any justice on SCOTUS that rules in favor of presidential immunity, should be impeached. We threw off the shackles of kingship and royalty 148 years ago.
Uh… the problem not one slimeball. The problem is the 74 million slimeballs whose odious views the slimball-in-chief represents. This is the America we live in and have been living in for a long time. Half of us are not fit for decent company.
The concern, expressed earlier to Mr Burnham elsewhere on this thread, is also explained another worry. What happens when a likeable version of Trump comes along?
Reagan was the likable version of Trump. Not to me. Nor any Republican for that matter. I hate every last one of the SOBs. But likable to most people, and he used that to do a tremendous amount of damage, so I do get your point.
Good question
Here's more on what he/they did to lie about it for the short-hit (fabricated) headline which the now right-wing NYT was all-too-happy to print. Plus, they could have printed, how many past (real) POTUS did you have coming and endorsing You, Donny Boy?
https://www.palmerreport.com/analysis/more-questions-surface-about-donald-trumps-supposed-big-fundraiser/55384/
Thank you, B.K., checking out the article now.
I think it may be malware or something.
Hi Ned, Didn't get the chance to ck back in today but just saw this. Don't know what happened to yours but the link opens for me. It's just a link to PalmerReport.
Yes. Our media needs to do a better job of fact checking everything that they print about Trump. For example, that he raised 175 mil. Well, as it gets investigated, he must get a bond by a NY based bond company, not a CA based one. Also, they have to have 10% liquidity for the bond they are covering him for, but they do not. And, also, Trump's lawyers told the appeals court that no one would give them the full bond, but the guy who is bonding Trump out says he offered him the full amount, so that is more lies. Rachel Maddow discusses who this bail bondsman is in more detail, and it was posted on my Branch of Democrats Abroad Germany. Here is a link. https://topnewsshow.com/the-rachel-maddow-show-4-8-24/
Thank you for this link. Something funky is going on why my computer. This and the previous link open up this Microsoft warning that says I need to contact the company. I have seen it before; it is a "phishionable" material. Hope that this phishing is not occurring to anyone else.
Too bad those of us without cable TV have been excluded from hearing Rachel. MSNBC used to send out a newsletter that allowed me to connect and listen to quite a few MSNBC programs including Rachel. But now that seems to be gone. They want you to "sign in" to your TV provider in order to listen. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !
I listen to her weekly via podcast. I'm using Grover (free download from the Microsoft Store - I don't know about Apple version), and I get Rachel, Chris Hayes, Nicole Wallace, Jen Psaki, Lawrence O'Donnell and Ari Melber. I think other MSNBC hosts are available, I just haven't looked for them.
I don't have a tv, so I just get links that people send me. I don't want to pay either when it used to be that the main stations were free. That is why when I want to watch soccer I watch on Spanish language stations. I do not have to understand the running commentary to understand Ariba, ariba, and Go-o-o-o-l!
You're right. To complain: editorial@nytimes.com
Done, ditto! And thanks for the appropriate 'nag'...
Subject: Ludicrously lame journalistic standards with regard to reporting about tRump, et al.
Dear NYT Editorial,
To quote an apt comment to yesterday’s Heather Cox Richardson ‘Letter’:
“Dr. Richardson makes a case in point with her skepticism about Trump claiming to raise 50 million dollars at a fundraiser, conveniently twice the number of Pres. Biden's recent record fundraiser. Yet the screaming headline in the NY Times was: "Trump Fundraiser Rakes in more than 50.5 million..." instead of justified skepticism "Without Verification Trump Team Claims Raising Double the Amount of Biden Fundraiser." Given the sheer number of lies, you would think every Trump headline would have a perfunctory caveat. And that's something media should be placing front and center, don't you all think?”
Absolutely!
I’ve been a loyal reader & subscriber for decades but of late I have had to stop defending the sloppy and often inane editorial NYT decisions and grossly inconsistently applied ‘standards’ regarding way too much of the political & international reporting, especially such things as verification in toto before printing a particular story.
...
In the last day or two, the NYT ran a long feature about a 75-year-old doctor, and some of his patients, and their assessment of the physical and mental fitness of President Biden related to his age, with a somewhat cursory mention of Trump's age. I sent yet another comment to the Times about its bias on the subject.
There is bio age and age in years. Apparently the idiots who work for the press and a huge portion of the American people cannot tell the difference. Biden is clearly biologically younger than Trump. Some may be genes, but a lot of it is lifestyle. Also, when I heard that Ivana fell down the stairs to her death at a point when she was getting inconvenient to Trump because she was claiming credit for things, I noticed how careful the press was not to even imply that he might have pushed her. They did not go there to even prove why he could not have done it. That is how lazy and Trump serving they are. So, he commits treasonous acts and they don't publish it or treat it like a walk in the park on a sunny day with a balmy breeze. I have zero respect for them as a publication. They are just another rag coming out of NYC like the Post and WSJ.
NYT has become a tool of the Russian/far right extremist contingent.
Shows also in the way they cover Biden and his policies/achievements. They even pander to the far left -- anything to erode support for Biden.
More specifically reading them is like reading a Russian Bot! This has been my complaint for over a year. It is apparently growing obvious to everyone.
Spagnoli, It is also in their choice of what to cover that is totally irritating.
I don't read their political stories, but do read the science section, the food section, the book review, their global round up on line, and I do the crossword and a few of their other puzzles.
Michele…Unfortunately the NYT games are addictive for me. Altho it is too late in life to aspire to genius, darned if I don’t frequently struggle with putting the game down until I get that silly affirmation. Often fun…. but sometimes in gnawing way. I may need a step program. lol. (I do “read articles” as well…lol)
LOL. My husband is playing the latests game. I do the crossword and some of the other puzzles as well. They are part of my mental workout.
I was doing them first thing every day too, as I skimmed down, but I have given them up and replaced them with WaPo. Still an oligarchic Republican production, but more coverage and more commentary on articles. Also, we like their crossword puzzle.
I do none of that anymore.
Cancelled my Subscription to the NYT, the paper of rubbish.
I will maintain my Times subscription until, a.- trump is defeated in '24 and is in prison, or b.-trump is elected and his first order of business is to take over the formerly free press. After that, no real reporting will be possible here. My last act will be to sue the Times for the price of my subscription going back to 2015.
Bryan Sean, The NY Times is not faultless; withal, its reporting is generally solid; the paper provides excellent investigative reports; Paul Krugman's columns about the economy are hard to match in any newspaper; many essays are enlightening and world coverage is good. In addition, The Washington Post, MSNBC, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, AP, Reuters, Politico and The Guardian, among others, along with several substacks, including LFAA and Timothy Snyder's 'Thinking about... ' all contribute greatly to my knowledge of the important issues and players at this time. I know that is a lot, and there is more, but I would not dismiss any of them and have not even mentioned very worthwhile foreign sources.
I agree with you. But they should be called out on their cowardice not to preface any news from Trump or the GOP without the context that it comes from a man and a political party that no longer adheres to facts and truth.
What I don't understand is whether they understand who Trump is and what he will do as President again -- how they and all their cohorts will be completely at his mercy without the rule of law to shelter them in their alleged role as as journalists enabling a democratic citizenry to properly govern their own country.
I wonder the same thing. What if they're just so used to the polarity of a two party system that they can't themselves wrap their heads around the new reality that currently we have one political party and one criminal group of highly organized insurgents working with foreign adversaries? I mean, it does sound so dystopian sci-fi, doesn't it?
I noted Eric Lipton's interview of Jared & the status of his Saudi billions.
Eric was interviewed on MSNBC.
I am a very long time Reader of Paul Krugman. I have corresponded with NYTt's legally sharp Eric Lipton, who just completed a penetrating interview of Jared.
I benefited by your NYT "gift" article the other day, thank you again. I can access important work such as one coming in this coming Sunday's magazine.
I prefer using my dollars supporting the many valuable Substack Authors & commenters such as FERN. : -)
I appreciate your choice, Bryan. Several of the publications that I listed provide a good range of subjects. Three or four substacks wouldn't cover what I am get from one of them. As it is, I am reading 6+substacks, without counting Nature Briefing and newsletters provided by several of the newspapers. I highly recommend the Washington Post's, Today's WorldView, authored by Ishaan Tharoor. We each juggle according to areas of interest and budgets. My challenge is where to cut down, because I like to do a few other things in addition to READING!!!
Cheers, Bryan.
Bryan, I'm getting closer, but enjoy the Times for its other content -- Cooking, Games, Science, the Wirecutter, etc. so I may never cancel. It's a dilemma for me.
Then please write their editorial board and complain as a subscriber.
The sad thing is that they don't care. I had a Times sub and cancelled it, moving to the Washington Post. It didn't take long for them to be even worse so I went to The Guardian, which I had until their awful writing on the report that that hack at Justice wrote about Biden's age. Seriously, there's nothing left.
I cancelled my subscription. Now I get my news here and from other Substack writers. Writers who speak truth.
I follow Jennifer Rubin at WaPo, nothing else (unless an opinion piece happens to grab me). Opinions are not quite the same as news.
Same here. Honestly, I get enough from these letters alone, which I've joked to my wife that I think of as the daily "Asshold Gazette." Sadly, the reality isn't all that funny.
How many people are on the NYTs list of subscribers....the Midas Touch YouTube channel has close to 3 million subscribers
I hear your voice Mark. I follow certain world class Authors regardless of their current Platform. such as ANNE APPLEBAUM who is a historian on Ukraine & reporter anything Euro from Moldova to Finland. Anne is able to unravel complex social-political dynamic..
I wrote this below on Feb 13, 2024 to editorial@nytimes.com. To date I have not had the courtesy of a reply. I just re-sent it!
"I lived for many years in NY from 1965-1998 and loved reading the NY Times. I chose to end my subscription today because the coverage has become very unbalanced and irresponsible in giving the former president so much space and in only focusing on the negative aspects of the current president. I am not the only one noticing this. You might take a look at Jennifer Rubin of the WaPo and others to see what I mean.
The two men (both older for sure) are trying to be the winner the election in November and, normally, your coverage might be considered fair. Perhaps that is how your editors were taught in their journalism schools? DEMOCRACY is the issue in this coming election and the Republican candidate will turn our country into an authoritarian one. Democracy will no longer exist.
You MUST do a better job of understanding this and urging your writers to focus on the accomplishments of a very smart, efficient, honorable and compassionate President Biden. Do Not Just Keep being negative. He does not deserve this and We The People do not either!
If I see the trend shifting at the NY Times, I will be back. Otherwise, sadly, this is Goodbye! I would like the courtesy of a reply please."
Very well said.
Done.
All they want to do is sell newspapers. Their motto: " All the news that's fit to print. " Would that they adhere to that dictum.
That motto has been changed to 'All the news that makes a buck".
If it bleeds it reads.
Thanks! Sent them a “pointed” note about the difference between “objective’ and “ingenuous” — or just gullible! — from a retired journalist.
Isn’t the choice between Neutral and Objective? Like many outlets, they stay neutral, presenting both sides as though there is no well-defined context around either candidate. To me, objectivity is fully informed, and reflecting that information in some judgement of the truthfulness of each side.
Yes, that’s definitely relevant, too.
Ingenuous certainly does NOT incorporate the idea of well-informed or including context.
Personally I'd like to get all the facts, which includes context imho, and then draw my own conclusions. I don't need journalism to think for me, but to use resources I don't have to get background and check facts.
You’re right. We don’t need journalists to do our thinking for us. What they would do well to do is provide basic information AND context — that’s what news analysis is.
A bunch of facts, especially presented willy-nilly, without people being able to figure out if all the info is there, or how parts of it relate to other parts, are not as helpful as some might think.
People LIKE news analysis, not to have someone think for them, but to stimulate thought, and to let us see the full picture - we don’t all have all the ideas all on our own. It doesn’t hurt to hear someone else’s opinion now and then. BUT, there’s a difference between news and analysis and informed commentary … they have their places, for whichever ones we feel like paying attention to.
Thanks, Snarky Grandma!
Also, see what the Media and Democracy Project suggests (above).
I got tired of complaining, and was willing to give up the puzzles as a form of boycott, when I cancelled my subscription. My first warning was before Biden was elected when I told them the April before that I was worried about Trump letting us know he was going to engage in a coup, and they did not publish it in a comment to an article. I had also written that Baron should be removed from the home by the Department of Children and Family Services for neglect during covid when I saw what a quack his dad was of it, and his mom too. I understand that there are children in more obvious dire physical need, but emotionally that household must be a ticking time bomb for the children. So, they send me links, but I delete them, and it feels satisfying. I am not yet there with the WaPo. My daughter and I often do the crossword puzzles together over Signal.
Thanks!! Sent my soon-to-be ignored email, too. Added a line about their complicity, too.
Done! Thx for the idea.
Even MSNBC reported the $50MM as fact without context.
If the bond is bogus is that a fraud upon the Court? Perpetrated by Trump and his buddy who used companies under his control to place the bond? Would the full bond requirement pre the appeals court ruling be reinstated?
Truth Social investing should be under investigation beyond the two already tied to insider trading.
Trump should be a pariah but billionaires and Republican politicians flock to him.
Tim Scott has bizarrely debased himself to curry favor with Trump in hopes of a VP nomination.
Shameful.
As racist as tRump is, how does Tim Scott think he's going to be the VP?
the former guy would select a martian as VP if he thought he could make him heel on command (or just by thinking it in his head).
GOP magical thinking knows no bounds.
It’s all about taxes. Greed wins!
All of which is glaring and continued evidence that there is too much money in politics on both sides.
When do we get publicly funded elections with ranked choice voting?
As far as I can tell there is no context for the 50 mil. TFG hosted a private 250K/plate fundraiser. We don't know how many attended because journalists were excluded.
About the bond, I think it is under investigation in and of itself because the company isn't NY-based. James has demanded that the co. 'justify' its bond by April 22, meaning prove that it has the cash to pay up and possibly disclose the collateral TFG put up. I haven't heard if the appeals court is looking into the lie about no company willing or able to post the whole $454 mil that led to the reduction. It has been reported that the guy who posted the 175 was willing to go for the whole 454, so f I were on the appeals bench I'd be pretty pissed off at the poor pitiful me act.
About the IPO, beside TFG trying to screw his co-founders out of their stock, a couple of guys are in the tank for insider trading, and it's come to light that Truth has been supported by a Russian American businessman. Here's a Rolling Stone article about the co's history. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/truth-social-drama-donald-trump-lawsuits-ipo-1234999198/
AI gives Russia, China new tools to sow division in the U.S. ... (NBCNews) See link below.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/china-russia-ai-divide-us-society-undermine-us-elections-power-rcna142880
'Russian propaganda being said 'on House floor:' GOP Rep ...' (NewsNation) See link below.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/russia-at-war/russian-propaganda-house-floor-turner/
'Russian disinformation is about immigration. The real aim ...' (AP) See link below.
https://apnews.com/article/russia-election-trump-immigration-disinformation-tiktok-youtube-ce518c6cd101048f896025179ef19997
'Russia's 2024 election interference has already begun' (NBCNews) See link below
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/russias-2024-election-interference-already-begun-rcna134204
'A new lens into the ongoing folly of Republican' 'Russia ...(WAPO) Link below is not gifted.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/02/21/smirnov-russia-republicans-bidens-fbi/
'Russian trolls target U.S. support for Ukraine, Kremlin ... '(WAPO) Sorry, link below not gifted.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/08/russia-propaganda-us-ukraine/
Yes, they report it, but then continue to publish Trump news with headlines that don't reflect any of that context. It's a bizarre disconnect pretending the news on collusion and election interference isn't related to the daily actions and statements of Trump and his campaign.
But don’t you understand that yes the New York Times also wants readers in order to sell advertising? Cynical to not think they too want a cut of the MAGA business.
Fern, as I read HCR's reporting of trompy's team managing his image by using edited video rather than standing before a live broad audience, I immediately thought that they may use AI videos to make him look younger, thinner and a more effective speaker -- not to mention inserting him into situations (let's say disaster relief) that he'd not otherwise to participate in -- thus lending him some humanity which he lacks as much as that $175MM.
And they can always show how humane and caring tfg is by doctoring his humane and caring tossing of paper towel rolls to Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico.
Thank you for a real laugh. Your suggestion is perfection!
You make me smile right now :)
I’m happy to have made you smile. And may I ask the origin of your name? I am always curious about surnames and yours has puzzled me from the first time I saw it. This may make you laugh: I remember when Hank Aaron beat Babe Ruth’s home run record, but I heard it and assumed from the last name, if I thought of it, that he was Jewish. Two days ago, as the anniversary of the hit was being celebrated, I saw Hank Aaron on TV. He was black like Jackie Robinson. Had a good laugh with a black friend and hope you will laugh too.
I'm a former journalist, having spent many years as a freelancer (including for the NYT) and then as a senior editor at HBR. More than once, I have seen editorial decisions made at the top that were beyond sketchy in a play for the almighty dollar. Once, a publication I wrote for put a Microsoft ad on the front cover, and people quit over it. Unfortunately, one does not need a certificate or a license to practice "journalism" with the result that journalistic ethics have long since gone by the wayside.
I don't believe that you are speaking for all and, perhaps, not many.
Thank you, Fern McBride. I’ve been writing about bots screwing polls that show TFG and Biden running “equal.”
Here is one way to help. This group does great work. I just signed.
https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/2024-election-coverage
At a glance, I love their line:
"COVER ELECTIONS LIKE THEY MATTER MORE THAN SPORTS SCORES"
Thanks, just signed it. Former journalist here.
Bronwyn, I tend to be cynical about signing these sorts of petitions, believing them to be more about data harvesting than anything they hope to accomplish. As a former journalist, do you think the publishing Powers-That-Be would actually agree to alter their coverage based on these petitions?
(As to data harvesting, I've donated to various Dem candidates online over the last 20 years or so, and I get bombarded daily with text or email requests for donations from candidates around the country. If I block the number or hit "unsubscribe" they just switch and hit me up again. Having my inboxes fill with these requests, as well as from others who purchase the data, gets annoying.)
I exclusively send donations by check. I do get a lot of junk mail from candidates, but I recycle it. I also never share my cell phone number, so no texts.
Yes. This plus uncertainty as to who is actually sending an email is why I have stopped responding to any online request for money.
Maybe. But this organization is serious. Check out their website.
Done. Thank you!
Signed. Thank you!
Signed, Thanks!
Done!
Signed. Thanks.
For fun, I open Fox comments to combat the expected remarks of those influenced by those trolls. Funny they exhibit classical , terminology and are fully brainwashed. It’s not possible to differentiate between the Russian trolls and their victims; they both exhibit the same stances. History often repeats itself. Will we rid ourselves of this current menace ? Or will we re-elect him again? I’m now making bets.
That is I’m not making bets.
Thanks for clarifying! Sadly, both work...
I listened to the Ultra podcast in late 2022. I felt it was an important period of history to understand in the context of the right wing threats to our democracy today.
After paying attention to the current drama leading up to the Trump trials, I recently decided to go back to the second half of Rachel’s series which dealt with the sedition trial and its surprise mistrial outcome. Perhaps had all of the senators involved been prosecuted in full, fascism might have been expunged rather than simply driven into hiding.
Interesting that after the mistrial, conclusive evidence was found in Germany detailing the extent of the collusion. Unfortunately, president Truman intervened in the release of a report on that collusion and the senate members who were involved. The Nazi regime was an internal political threat to democracy not just a military threat. Truman’s reasoning was that it was too explosive to become public but perhaps the real reason was related to his own prior membership in the senate.
The podcast is still available (MSNBC.COM/ULTRA) and Rachel has a book in progress. It is important history.
I think that her book, Prequel (details of the Ultra podcast), is out already; is there another one in the works?
I’ve got it waiting for pickup at my local library. Thanks again for mentioning it.
Thanks for mentioning that. I hadn’t seen it out. I think she was only working on one!
Yes, and the "too explosive" argument is sickening. If you treat the America public like children, they'll behave that way. We are quite able to believe some elected officials are criminals and we expect them held to account.
NY Times Pitchbot Xwitter account can't top this NY Times headline today: "On Abortion, Trump Chose Politics Over Principles".
That implies vaunted "principles" would back a national ban on Abortion. Right there, shows what the NY Times powers-that-be really want for American women. It is more 'virtuous' to have the guts to make it national, I guess.
We need to challenge people using politics as a dirty word, we need to stop allowing media to claim compromise is weakness. These are dishonest, dissembling, incompetent, immoral people who don't represent America and don't believe in Democracy, who are actively trying to throw a wrench into the gears of our government. And they are literally working for our enemies.
Keith Olbermann's edition of Countdown (available on iHeartPodcasts for free) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gCXAiPeynE&list=PLnejRH29a8dgjgDmtWlAE_y0WTwhlx_gc
is on the subject of TFG's "position" on abortion. It is rich. In summary he sez Trump pissed off the Evangelicals cuz they finally noticed he is for the standard exceptions/will let the states decide, AND he pissed off everyone for women's rights because he won't stand in the way of a nationwide abortion ban.
But the Evangelicals like the crude and cruel decisions that the States are making. Trump said in his video that they needed to do this in order to win the election. Being as always happy so long as they get and stay in power, I'm sure they will mutter but allow their "Christian values" to be put on ice for a while.
You may well be right about the right, SysCuriosity. Let's hope that Keith is right, though, and that they're disillusioned because TFG isn't all in for a nationwide and total ban on abortion, IVF, birth control, and the rest of their pet peeves. They will never vote for Biden, but let's pray they stay home on Nov. 5.
It’s ironic that media reports on, for instance, a man caught in the act of murdering someone and refers to the crime as ‘alleged.’ That word in front of #45 claims of anything would do.
Russell, you would think and you can find articles, but I guess not in media like the NYT. The Oregonian's big story yesterday was how people can look up the PERS retirement benefits of every retired public employee who worked in Oregon. This has been possible for several years, but hey, people need to be reminded. It's called stirring the pot. Btw, the person who receives the highest monthly benefit is a former Oregon football coach.
And he makes more in a month than I make in a year for 28 years of active law enforcement service.
Pretty amazing what the priorities are. At this point, some of them have to make more than their athletes.
Indeed. And I make more than my friend who is a retired public school band director who taught for 30 years...
Depends on the school district and also what tier. We are both tier one.
He was with Springfield able Tier 1. I think I just made more money….
I salute your service to some of my fellow citizens, Ally.
🙏😇🤝🙂✌️
The Ultra by Maddow was an incredible piece. Highly recommend. The lack of print worth reading but for the sensationalism, and online venues , put many a newspaper in jeopardy atop ‘downsizing’ every business laborer knows..signs of the times.
I’d be first to sign their ticket -them traitors/the Magats /the Russianinskys, on a slow boat (one way) to Russia…here’s your sign!
How’s that go…history repeats itself?
Russell, Dave Fake News reports that both the NYT and WAPO are implementing a new daily feature called “The Trump Lies”. Using the top quarter of Page 3 in bold script, it says “REFER TO PAGE ONE ABOVE THE FOLD. Here within contains our own lies”
Please note neither their news or editorial departments approved this feature; it is the work of the new underground movement, “The Demosthenes Society” that hacked the copywriter’s password
“Yet the screaming headline in the NY Times …”
This is why I dropped the NYT. I have had well enough of their normalization of the unconscionable.
The only people that believe tfg are his sycophants. Most everything he says is the exact opposite of the truth. If the press were doing its job it would fact check every quote tfg made.
His lies far outnumber his truths. Assume anything he says is B.S.
I haven't found a single article to read in the NYT Since Friday.
The Dark Energy article was phenomenal though
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/04/science/space/astronomy-universe-dark-energy.html
I've been watching the NY Times coverage with increasing dismay. They seem to be constantly beating the drum that America is broken and that Biden is not the solution. Meanwhile they give Trump a glossing over--such as the headline on Trump raising $50 million. Can't figure out what's going on with the Gray Lady. But mostly they relentlessly come back to Biden being unpopular, too old, not the solution, doing poorly in polls, etc.
I laughed out loud at this statement: "It is long past time for everyone to stop believing anything Trump says about money."
I find it hard to believe that people are realising the extent of Putin's influence now. Really.... now?
It's time to start believing the unbelievable - like, fascism is rife in the USA and getting stronger.... Russia has a certain control over the US congress... not just influence.
So that's now being said openly! in black and white, audio and video. "A certain control". Control over the Speaker, to start with.
And a worrisome degree of control over our nation's ability to defend itself and cooperate with allies. It dangerous and it's flabbergasting.
As things stand today, it's debatable who holds the balance of power. It can happen very fast, like the darkness of the solar eclipse when the birds suddenly stop singing.
Though at least that darkness is predictable.
Nuts. When one elects ignoramuses like EMPTY Greene and Laree Blow-bert..., Huh?... what the heck is there to expect? But, the burden is on "us", right here, to recognize the falsity. The solution though is to drown it out, not snuff it out. Once we, meaning us's here start snuffing things out, we will be next! And, we do know how that works.., don't we? I think so.
MadRussian, I don't disagree. My question remains, as it has for the past 8 years, how do you "snuff things out" when the propaganda machine is so strong you have people believing with every ounce of their being in what the MAGAt leaders are spouting.
That's a good question. I mean, is it even possible? Several years ago, before I had unplugged from Facebook, I had a cousin who lamented "What has happened to my beautiful country?" She was referring to some crime that had happened. I pointed out that violent crime had been trending down for decades. She disagreed and asked how I knew this. After pointing her to Dept. of Justice figures, she said that they were just lying and that I was not living "in reality."
I hated to unfriend a relative but it just wasn't worth the aggravation, which not long after that I extended to the entire platform.
But really, what do we do? I just don't know.
Yes., We are swimming in one hate-filled pool. It is hard to fathom.
To topple a representative form of government, it only takes a few well placed people in certain places to prevent the government from responding to the citizens. The Powell Memo provided the blueprint and the P25 project is the end result.
You need to share this far and wide on how the project is got to fought
https://www.stopthecoup2025.org/unpacking-the-propaganda
I am a teacher. We are baffled by the constant requirement to prove ourselves "worthy"
Thank you for sharing this.
I have former colleagues who have left the profession they love because of the misinformation so many of. our parents think is the gospel.
I will share this link.!
Jennifer, I grew up with "Golden Books" and teachers who explained the message in simple terms little children could relate to playing on the playground, manners and civility being omni-present. I boarded with families of various religions and changed schools more than twenty times, so I'm not speaking from some small-town experience. Political-correctness was not an expression or expressed.., but it was rising. Religiousness was not overbearing, it was simply there. Belief (in God, that is) was not in question. Sunday 'Schools' fulfilled that angle, since more "kids" attended church (then). So..?.., where did things go haywire? Turmoil<< Politics/Religion/DSR*/U-name it. And "teachers", accept it or not, have become products of this mish-mash of values. Some teachers being worthy, others not so much. Me-thinks you are battling the "not so much" crowd. However, as a Teacher you have what I see as a "bully pulpit". You have way-more than my attention. Your parents and I are past-tense. Confront us with the facts and move on. It's the next generation that counts. Educate them. The "facts" have never been more obvious.
*Drugs/Sex/Rock-n-roll :))
Thank you for sharing this link. Wouldn’t it be a valuable resource for high school and college civic, political science, history courses? And for every American? If teachers and professors were allowed to teach the Truth. And if certain citizens believed the Truth.
Thank you! I started reading this yesterday!
As you said, we face circumstances that are hard to believe, yet we must.
Every day, it feels like we are all Alice trying to figure out Wonderland.
Thank you for literary moment! After reading about teachers teaching “truth,” I reflected on the loss of liberal arts colleges, the Kochs’ attack on public universities (“Starving the Beast”), and above all on a beloved and brilliant prof who bragged that he had gotten out of Harvard (at 20 with a PhD) while it was “still a university—the year before they put in the Business School.”
My mother read the Alice stories to me when I was somewhere between 6 and 7 and they became central to my childhood mythos. I gathered that our task as human beings is to try to maintain our integrity while exploring a fantastic, often hidden, and not always friendly reality. I'm now more that 10X older, and that hasn't changed. Reality remains a wondrous gift mixed with threatening circumstances. Every life is literally an experiment, although some like to think it's all been figured out. It there not joy and utility in discovery? That's how the Renaissance and the Enlightenment stood out. Basho, echoed by Emerson advised “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.” We can nevertheless pick up endless pointers.
Bush II's Sec. of Education wanted to end liberal arts education entirely; but what is education for? It it not trustworthy (by degree) all-purpose consciousness expansion, emotionally and cognitively? Experience indicates that fortune favors the prepared mind, and endless mysteries and possibilities leaves no excuse for boredom.
Beautiful! It’s how I lived my life, which I finally have had the courage to examine and fully enjoy. Thank you for the reflection on Alice. Maybe I get time to read LC after November.
And the Mueller report? Didn't we know a long, long, long time ago?
Or anything else. shameless lies are his answer for everything.
Like after birth abortions; that's not even worthy of "doublethink".
After birth abortions are not real. If a baby is killed after being born alive, that's infanticide, which is murder, but that circumstance is NOT an abortion.
And yet, his loyal followers believe that crap. They really do. They also believe that democrats consort with Hollywood pervs to traffic young women and children-that it’s this secret cartel sanctioned by the dnc. I hear this from people I know-there was a movie recently in the theaters (James cavaziel, I think?) starred in it. The crazy is beyond belief!!!
The crazy is indeed beyond belief. When I confronted my former sergeant about his wacko comment about "after birth abortion" being homicide, specifically infanticide, this man, a 25 year cop and a minister before that said "Nuh uh. It's a lawful abortion" blew me away.
Does it also apply to any random person walking near Fifth Avenue?
Along with the basement of the Comet PingPong Pizza parlor.
“after birth abortions” is just shit-speak for the firehose. It enrages libs and takes attention away from his financial grifts, and the russia-help his campaign and supporters are pushing.
The sky is falling.
I liked the title today of an article in a publication I read, called the Daily Kos. “ Biden’s on fire, Trump’s still a liar and Tesla getting more backlash ire.” Lol
Here is another "can't make this up" outside article from the London Independent.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-solar-eclipse-campaign-ad-b2524956.html
Creepy and WTF.
LOL
Lol. Yes. Thanks for posting the article- I had heard something about it.
If it comes out of his mouth 100% percent guaranteed not to be the truth.
I did, too :D. It seems that Heather means business…
When will people learn that he is a natural born liar….no truth has ever passed his lips.
Two things: "With him all roads lead to Putin" ~ Nancy Pelosi, June 2020. But maybe it should be with 'them". They are all Russian stooges.Also, about a month ago, psychiatrist John Gartner did a vid about the "smoking gun" evidence of DJT's dementia. Several more mental heath experts have concurred.
Demented or not, the bigger problem is Trumps off the charts narcissism and dishonesty.
"Fiona Hill told the Washington Post reporters that Trump’s team 'is thinking…that this is just a Ukraine-Russia thing…rather than one about the whole future of European security and the world order. ' ”
The whole "Republican" thing, from at least Reagan forward has been personal gain edging out societal gain, or even the welfare of our own, or other, species. Greed has undeniable appeal, but it ruins everything in the end.
The progress of dementia runs in a downward, step-like fashion, with a periods of stable functioning followed by periods of sharp decline. Trump may have just gone through, or may be going through, one of these periods of decline, which may explain his increasingly wandering in-person performances.
DT also has a mental illness which is untreated. Antisocial personality disorder tends to get worse without treatment, especially when the person with it is under a lot of pressure. For DT, this is when he is exposed as not having money, or when he may actually be held accountable for his actions. Both of these conditions will cause erratic, unhinged behavior. His handlers have their work cut out for them. All the Biden team has to do is listen, and their campaign ads will write themselves. Then they have to SPEAK UP, and go after this dangerous, dangerous, MAGA movement DT has started.
You may enjoy this essay by a very thoughtful M.D. who led the charge by a panel of psychiatrists, just before or during Trump's presidency, to deem him unfit.
https://bandyxlee.substack.com/p/a-danger-to-others/comments
Too bad my erstwhile Party lacked the courage to deny Trump the nomination in 2016, notwithstanding his threats of violence. I mean, what are Party Elders for?
Party elders ran for the hills. Disgusting. Russian influence will not even bring "the rest of the party" to align with democrats to just simply vote and be a functioning third branch of government.
It's not "a russian faction of" the republican party, it's the entire party, until they stand up to the bullies!
Party elders said, “what’s in it for me?” E.g., Mitch McConnell grinning at the prospect of packing the courts.
The last words of HCR's Letter today, touched me to the quick; they reminded me of the words I read and the pictures that I saw yesterday.
'And yet Trump loyalists continue to block aid to Ukraine, threatening the existence of the rules-based international order that has helped to prevent war since World War II. Last week, even Trump’s former secretary of state Mike Pompeo warned Speaker Johnson against' “abandoning our Allies at this time of great need, when they are staring down enemies of the free world.” (Letter)
'Two years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the hourly artillery duels, airstrikes and pitched fighting in the country’s east and south have turned the more than 600-mile front line into a scarred frontier. Parts of it may be uninhabitable for years, if not decades. Villages and towns are destroyed. Fields are mined. Roads are barely recognizable.'
'But clinging to the wreckage of their homes, and hometowns, are residents who refuse to leave. Buoyed by volunteers who deliver aid and their own battle-hardened survival instincts, they carry on with their lives in an unending test of endurance. The reasons they stay are many: to care for disabled family members, to look after pets or livestock or, plainly, their love of home.' (NYT, April 8, 2024) See gifted link below.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/08/world/europe/ukraine-war-front-line-life.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jE0.Qt2U.r2kpRVFGpE2g&smid=url-share
I often think of Allen and Tanya Hingston, the reassuring messages of the first days, flying glass proofing the house. The dog, the cat. And then the terrifying journey, told minimally. Their whereabouts is better not revealed, but it's so good when he posts a "like" occasionally and we understand that they are safe.
From: ALLEN HINGSTON
Please tell the folks on LFAA thank you for thinking of us. Tanya, Lucky and I are doing quite well back in Saskatchewan. As we fear never going home, Tanya has applied for permanent residency. Her granddaughters and their mother are safe in Poland, her son is in our home town as part of the local security force. Our family and friends in Ukraine are all safe so far. The young couple from Kharkiv looking after our house and three cats are very happy to be there. If Rita plants flowers in spring Tanya will be overjoyed.
Thanks
Al
Happy. And sad. Primroses.
Thank you Fern. I think of Allen, Tanya and Lucky often. ❤️
Thank you, Fern! Allen, Tanya and Lucky are often in my thoughts and prayers. Please let him know that.
Anne-Louise, you touch us this morning with your care. Allen, Tanya and Lucky, their handsome dog, are doing okay, with family still in Ukraine and deep support for the county as well aid organizations...good people, as you know. He drops by here from time to time. In any case, I will deliver your dear message to him. Salud!
thanks for this update! I had wondered about them as well.
Fern, 60 minutes shared what returning to home means when your front yard is littered with land mines that were scattered by plane as the Russians retreated—it means one person after another in a wheelchair for daring to walk in their garden. Putin doesn’t seem to intend to have anyone live in those “occupied territories”—just to kill off the stubborn inhabitants and declare victory (maybe with a map colored with colored sharpies?)
Yes, Mary Hardt, the murderous demon is out for all of us to see.
Fern, I am posting this question below your comment, because you are a "researcher" and careful observer. Do you know if there is any life in either of the House discharge positions to fund Ukraine that were building up steam last month? This article describes them. In other words, does anyone know if there is the slightest chance that the majority of House reps who have NOT become tools of Putin could prevail?
Who in Trump's party has not become a tool of Putin's is another question, a crucial and awful question, Bill Alstrom, because that question is about Trump's tools, which malfunction, spread disinformation and are the rights of the people robbers? Let's believe that there are enough decent US House of Representatives to fund the absolutely necessary aid to Ukraine
Trump’s plan to end the war in Ukraine? Just give Putin what he wants and it’ll be all over! Wow, how on earth has nobody ever thought of that before? Seriously though, isn’t it obvious to anyone that the man is a total train wreck, wheels coming off with every new day?
"My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour. I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep."
- Neville Chamberlain
Just like he gave Afghanistan to the Taliban.
Thank you Professor Richardson. A few years ago I carefully reviewed the redacted Mueller Report and produced a book titled 'Orange is the New Orange' -a coffee table book with key quotes from the Mueller Report that laid bare the stunning relationships between Trump, his close associates and Putin. Flynn undermining sanctions against Russia before Trump was inaugurated, then lying about it. Manafort sharing election data with his Kremlin handlers. Back channel meetings with nefarious characters like Erik Prince (of Prince/DeVos family fame).
In parallel there was news about the NRA, Russian money, and Russian foreign agent Maria Butina. Of course gun ownership and gun violence prevention being another 'hot-button' issue dividing Americans faster than you can say Fox 'News'.
MAGA and GOP incompetents like M-T Greene, Jim Jordan, James Comer, and Lauren Boebert (among all the others who now infect Federal, State, and Local government) are useful idiots for Putin. Whether they recognize it or not they have all become a small army of useful idiots to Putin -and Trump is Putin's prized pawn.
So this has been part of a long-term strategy by Putin -and as 'Comrade/Rep. Mike Johnson' follows orders from Putin/Trump -instead of honoring his commitment to our allies, Putin's investment in the NRA, MAGA, and Trump is paying dividends in new found aid and comfort.
The DOJ should be aggressively pursuing all who denied the 2020 election and continue to do so. While I don't suggest a resurrection of the horrific House Unamerican Activities Committee, where there are facts and evidence an elected member is acting as an unregistered foreign agent, let them voluntarily register, resign their position, and agree to never be a candidate for any public office again to avoid an indictment, conviction, and prison time.
HUAC Joe McCarthy were advance guard for modern GOP intimidation tactics. The Nixon hearings were productive. Even the preponderance of Republicans went along; though that was a different Republican Party.
Either they are witting in their support for Putin, in which case they are traitors, or they are unwitting, in which case they are craven idiots. Either way, we all lose.
Thanks.
Democrats control the Senate. https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/
Phone: (202) 224-1700
Fax: (202) 224-1772
Heather brings us updates of two of our three major plights now.
The two she cites -- the freedoms of American women (and their families) and the failure of Republicans to rally to Ukrainian freedom -- both owe to a sick love of abstractions from our elites who lack the humanities to respect humanity freely in others.
Take the U.S. Clarence court – that formerly respected body of now bribed, perjured, and corrupted across from the U.S Capitol. Because of its medieval abstracting of life, the Clarence court has ruled similarly medieval abstracters in individual U.S. states can override women’s rights.
Women in these states have faced death due to the medievalists.
Gets worse. Tens of millions of Americans fell prey to the billionaires as they offshored the working class jobs. Then, by Citizens United, the 2025 Project, and suits to end the Chevron Precedent, the billionaires have sought more power for themselves, abstracting away Americans' human needs for health care, worker safety, and environmental protections, for which the billionaires aim to kill, cripple federal programs.
Add to the Clarence court damages, and the billionaires trying to kill democratic government (in Ukraine, and in the U.S.) a third American plight, and that is how other religio-fanatic abstracters such as AIPAC keep America mired on the side of far-right Israeli settlers stealing Palestinian West Bank land, murdering there, mass-murdering in Gaza.
Good Heather recounts updates on at least two of our three national plights now. But still, some things scarcely change. As George Carlin said, our rulers do not care, not when he said that. Not now.
Phil, I stand in awe of your wordsmithing and understanding of the world. What a concise package of truths you just presented. "Americans Fell Prey to the Billionaires" is headline material. That is IT in a nutshell, as they say.
But here is my optimist coffee comment for today:
My intuition and observations suggest to me that the theft of Women's Reproductive Freedom will be THE pivotal factor in this election. Just as so many "Evangelicals" have voted on one issue (ignoring ALL the incredible faults of their candidate), the vast majority of women and supportive men - of all political persuasions - will vote to restore that right. A line crossed. A bridge too far.
Most American young women have always thought of reproductive issues as simply a matter between her own feelings, conscience, partner and health care provider. Then suddenly the government starts messing with her life, her family's life?
If we have learned anything from the Extremist Evangelicals (the zealots who turned a religion into politics - not worship) it should be that many people will vote on the basis of one issue. This is the issue. Let's not underestimate the power of modern women. Remember, the vast majority of young women are NOT that religious and even many Evangelicals of the original less political sort are offended by Dobbs and the horrific interference it provides to women and families across the land.
That idea has been implemented effectively even in red states. And now, a real test. I can think of a few "Florida Cracker" women who love their wild times and the Sunshine State scene of parties on boats who might normally condemn anything other than American Flag Republicans - who are now pissed off at the government telling them they must have the babies they hadn't planned on. I can imagine the millions of Florida women who moved there for the freedom to live as they wish being aggravated beyond words. Add the idea that the pot they have been freely using would be decriminalized (at last!) - I think we may see a purple state showing its blue side.
I think the issue of Reproductive Rights that is also intertwined with female health care is the biggest political mistake of the Republican party since Abe Lincoln selected Andrew Johnson as his running mate. JMO, I could be wrong. It happens all the time.
I truly believe more should be warned about contraceptives being banned by the GOP. Many people who are pro-life depend upon birth control to prevent the need for unwanted children and/or abortions.
How many sexually active people are 100% willing to accept the consequences of the 1950s methods of contraception? IE: plastic-wrap condoms, "pull out" and Coke-bottle douches? And, of course, the "rhythm Method". (You probably all recall the joke, what do you call people who practice rhythm? PARENTS)
Young people need to be informed of this history, and that people actually DID try those methods and it is not a joke! Only a few years ago, I spoke to a college educated colleague (I was in a hospital lab) who had never heard of a Lye abortion!! She was appalled at the thought.
Thank you, Bill.
I join with you in your estimation of (most, the great majority of) American women.
Florida women? I had a brother (he died in 1984) who married a young Florida woman. Their daughter was born later that year. Mike never met her. Rest his soul. He was killed by a very drunk teenage Florida boy as that boy ran a red light at two in the morning drunkenly, stupidly, Florida-ly to kill my brother, who was just getting off work, heading home to his young wife.
Florida women? May they rise.
Phil, my condolences on the loss of your brother. The reasons that DUII and is related crimes are not anathema is that drinking and driving is "everyman's crime". I have professional experience with that, having arrested (or assisted in the arrests of) everyone from millworkers to pastors to cops to lawyers to teachers for DUII. I am so sorry.
Phil, JL and Bill, I think you have laid clear groundwork for a remarkable synthesis of the powers which continue to swing back and forth throughout our nation's history: the constantly repeated contest between the capitalists ("robber barons," millionaires now billionaires) and the socialists ("Progressives," 'Liberals," etc) which Lincoln so eloquently delineated in his comments about the role of government. He proposed that “The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves—in their separate, and individual capacities.” He clarifies herein roles for capitalists but bounded by rules of law "Of the People" decided "By the People and For the people." It seems that battles over religion, abortion & control of women's bodies, racism and immigration are all parts of the "culture wars" thrown up as distractions; heartfelt distractions for some perhaps, but distractions nonetheless from the capitalists' goal of all money, and thence power, eventually trickling up to them.
"Robber baron is a term first applied as social criticism by 19th century muckrakers and others to certain wealthy, powerful, and unethical 19th-century American businessmen. The term appeared in that use as early as the August 1870 issue of The Atlantic Monthly[1] magazine. By the late 19th century, the term was typically applied to businessmen who used exploitative practices to amass their wealth.[2] Those practices included unfettered consumption and destruction of natural resources, influencing high levels of government, wage slavery, squashing competition by acquiring their competitors to create monopolies and/or trusts that control the market, and schemes to sell stock at inflated prices to unsuspecting investors.[2] The term combines the sense of criminal ("robber") and illegitimate aristocracy (“baron”) in a republic.[3] " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robber_baron_(industrialist)
Gosh, that's powerful, Phil.
Minority Leader Jeffries has all but promised Speaker Johnson that Democrats would not support a motion to vacate the chair if he supports the Senate-passed Ukraine/Israel aid bill (HR 815).
The discharge petition to bring HR 815 to the floor needs only 218 signatures. It currently has 191 -- only one Republican.
Everyone reading this can help by calling Republican Representatives and urging them to sign the discharge petition for HR 815, to expedite delivery of military assistance for Ukraine before it's too late.
Once the bill passes the House it would go directly to the President for his signature and immediately become law.
Call the U S Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121 to connect with any Representative, and call Speaker Johnson's office (202) 225-4000 to insist that he encourage Republicans to sign the petition.
For phone numbers of about about two dozen specific Republicans known to support Ukraine aid, please click on recent Ukraine-related posts at:
https://www.FeathersOfHope.net
.
This "graphic" details the status of the discharge petition. It shows both Democrats and Republicans who have yet to sign it, with contact info for each.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTaMB3k5Z37OAM8HEMhDtwbLGzwn1wDXSNcoTmXEJbpfbacfp-m0fJGyb36lcNOhgqGO5-bArbibS5a/pubhtml?gid=614612044&single=true
Thank you
Thank you Lynell for the information!!👍
Lynell, thank you for the link.
Thank you for the info.
Just curious: ¿can a Democratic Representative move to vacate the Speakership? I suspect it is a Republican only.
¿Why not approach a Republican in a tenuous 'purple' district and ask him or her to file the motion in return for an endorsement of his candidacy (if not too late to do that)?
That G.O.P. guy / gal would likely be a moderate owing to the purple district.
The rule is that any sitting member of the House, no matter their party. can introduce a motion to vacate the chair.
One problem we had when Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker was that no moderate Republican candidate stepped forward to run. They all ended up voting for Mike Johnson as a compromise in return for some (still undisclosed) promises.
.
Thank you for taking the time to write an informative answer, Jerry. My tuition check in in the mail. 😉
Thank you, Dr. Richardson. It has long been apparent to us, on Substack, that trump favors putin and craves putin's admiration for himself. The problem is the MAGA cult does not listen to any news except Fox, and Fox never reports the news.
We need (and have for some time) viable Democratic candidates for all offices, State and Federal in all 50 States, in every single Congressional District. It is unfortunate the DNC, DCCC, and DSCC see their only responsibility as collecting as much money as they possibly can. They have neglected the most important function of a political committee - finding and training qualified candidates AND supporting those candidates through the election. (I quit giving them any money when I found out they were backing MAGA candidates instead of the competing Democrat in some districts.) I no longer am a card carrying member.
How can we possibly get the word to people in "Red States" or "Swing States" if we have no candidates to offer them,. or some one they don't know and have never heard of. Don't tell us the "Red States" are lost causes. I see all the time on Substack, people from Red States complaining they have no one to contact or protect the interests of the constituents instead of the party.
Forgotten democrats, https://forgottendemocrats.org/, theme: fight everywhere.
As you know, the key is registration. Register Democrats and candidates will come. https://www.fieldteam6.org/mission
I agree, registering voters is very important. But, at the same time we need the candidates already trained, supported, speaking in every community in their district. When I complained of this before, the answer was "Why waste money in Red States, they'll only vote Republican anyway" I disagree. They maybe leaned republican before ALEC solidified them to right wing extremism. The thing is, Daniel, I have a lot of Substackers, telling me they live in Red States and feel abandoned. Yes, we all need to vote for Biden for President, But Joe Biden can't accomplish everything he needs and wants to do for us unless he has a responsible Senate and House of Representatives. If we've learned nothing else that was driven home from January 2023 until now.
What comes first, the chicken or the egg?
I gave you the link to Forgotten Democrats. They are working with groups like Blue Missouri to boost Democrats in red states.
In Florida, we do not have our primary until August. Now that abortion and marijuana are on the ballot, and now that D registrations are picking up, new candidates are coming forward. We are still down 1 Million registrations -- bur FT6 gives the candidates hope.
E.g. https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2024/04/06/primary-challengers-start-emerge-florida-rep-laurel-lee/
Thank you for the good news from Florida and Missouri. I appreciate all your efforts on behalf of safe and sane politicians (even if we don't have safe and sane fireworks LOL)
https://bluetennessee.org/
In addition to Blue Tennessee, https://bluetennessee.org/ I support these orgs ⬇️
https://www.bluehorizontexas.org/
https://directory.runforsomething.net/candidates/AL/
Agree with Daniel,FT6 and so many other orgs give the candidates hope.
The tide will turn here in Florida !🌊
Fay, please see what I wrote above about TN Dem candidates and Blue Tennessee.
In TN we have recruited a slew of democratic candidates—finally—to oppose repubs in this supermajority state. https://x.com/tndp/status/1776057524346568718?s=46&t=2tnqJF6w3w6Ck5myEFBcCA
Blue Tennessee has just launched to support Dem candidates; join us. Https://bluetennessee.org
I note an article last week that claims that European politicians have been caught actually accepting money from Russia to push pro-Russian lies and messages, yet just like their American counterparts, no one is willing to name names. Why not? If those so named object, they then have to deny the Russian messages. If they don't object, then they verify the claim.
I caught a bit of that too. Mary Trump, who is quite qualified to do the same, has been noting the t-Rumps mental decline for a while now.
Anyone who read her book would know how the Trump family treated its own, and that her grandfather (and Donald's father) died with dementia.
https://bandyxlee.substack.com/p/a-danger-to-others/comments
You may enjoy this M.D.'s essay. She led the committee of professionals who deemed Trump to be unfit. She makes a good case.
Thank you Ned. It'll be a busy day today, but I'll read it tonight.
No expectation of anyone reading any content linked to any comment. Simply making it available. Hope your evening is a calm and pleasant one.
Apparently almost all from far-right parties. There are, evidently, dozens on the red-take.
EDIT: good point about naming names. The M.A.G.A.-types most prone to intimidation or violence are doxxing Democratic politicians, sitting judges, court staff, left and right.
Fiona Hill, who was so marvelous in testifying on Trump’s ‘perfect’ call with President Zelensky (in which he said that he would block aid to Ukraine until he got some dirt on Biden’s (Hunter & Joe) involvement in Ukraine, is, for me, the canary in the coal mine.
She recently said that she perceives that Trump, if back in the White House, would block further aid to Ukraine and support a Putin settlement in which much of Russian-occupied Ukraine would be ceded to Russia.
She added that Trump would consider what has been happening a ‘Russian-Ukrainian-type-thing’ and NOT a critical NATO-Putin red line on his Greater Russia ambitions. WOW!
As a former Foreign Service Officer who put his life on the line for his country, I consider this treasonable. For me, the Ukrainian situation is a modern day Cold War—-if we pull a Chamberlain Munich (1938 signing over Sudetenland to appease Hitler), much worst will occur in the Baltic states and elsewhere.
We have seen other indications of this Quisling behavior with Trump’s ‘acting Secretary of State Grenell’ and others. The recent policy duet between Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban made me puke.
Personally, I believe that we are facing our greatest ‘isolationist America’ threat since the Lindbergh isolationist America movement before we entered World War II.
I hope that President Biden highlights this grave issue in the coming months. I hope that imperative aid to Ukraine soon gets approved by Democrats with enough Republicans hanging on to Democratic skirts.
I fervently hope that this is an issue about which a majority of Americans can be made to care.
I have been calling members of Congress who voted against accepting what Chris Krebs (how could anyone seriously have disbelieved Chris Krebs with his all American boy face?—bad decision of Trump to put him in charge of election integrity) said was a clean vote, “traitors” for months now. Anyone who denies that election, and particularly those who refuse to accept the truth and foment violence in any way, are traitors! And Speaker Johnson is not only an “election denier” but also consorting with TFG the primary traitor. Good luck to Jack Smith and Merrick Garland. May we keep our republic if only in honor of Ben Franklin.
Keith, this is well articulated. Your assessment that this is the greatest 'isolationist America' moment is chilling; I find the almost blind acceptance of "Russia, are you listening" as invited by fpotus as disgusting as it is chilling.
I also hope that President Biden pays attention to this isolationist threat. Reminds me of Philip Roth's book "The Plot Against America". (Is that the correct title?)
Michael Cohen got 3 years in federal prison for his conduct in Trump's Stormy Daniels case (tax evasion, lying to Congress) and this was a reduced sentence for cooperation. High probability, Trump is convicted in his NYC trial starting in 6 days and high probability he gets sentenced to jail time (with bond pending appeal). Trump's claims of 'election interference' ring hollow for D.C. insurrection case given he will already be a convicted felon sentenced to jail time, thus increasing the probability terrible SCOTUS denies Trump's immunity claims and his D.C. trial starts early fall. WOW...I am guessing things are going to get increasingly bizarre and crazy between now and election day! Historically 'Watergate' type crazy!
100 Panthers, I fervently hope your prediction comes to pass as it would demonstrate clearly and once and for all that all are equal before the law. Michael Cohen, however, was NOT a former president nor did he have substantial millions of dollars in assets with billions more from those hoping to cash in with their investments in him and lawyers willing to take his direction. We have been watching this very disparity in justice for regular people and those with billions of dollars being played out before us, daily for years now.
I don't think there is any precedent.
Many of us have a good sense of the pro-Putin supporters in the House, Johnson leading the pack. It is vitally important to NAME EVERY SINGLE REPRESENTATIVE who is a Putin supporter. WAPO and the NYTimes should have these names as their top front-page stories. The headlines on all news programs, same. Of course Fox will refute this but they may be Pro-Putin as well. Call out everyone, immediately. Jeffries knows how to lead and would be a fantastic Speaker. All the backlog created by the House Magas would finally start to move forward for the good of this country.
I read that Rupert’s latest fiancée is a Russian scientist. Of course his “oligarchian” sympathies have been with Putin all along. Wonder how Reagan would feel about that….
Speaker Johnson is supposedly in favor of Ukraine. He needs to get the lead out.
A good question for any politician is "Which is more important; the welfare of our nation or your job?" Those who answer or demonstrate the latter are in the wrong line of work.
You have got that in the bull's eye, J.L. I had opposed term limits until five years ago or so. Too many people conflate their personal interest with the national interest with slick reasoning like the following three ideas or another.
> My vision is right and vital for the country. I am best out to pursue that vision. I should remain in office to assure attainment of that vision. (Forgetting that ideology breeds idiocy.)
> My G-D! If I am not re-elected, so and so will come in and the country will mgo down the drain. (Forgetting no one is indispensable.)
> No one knows my district like I know my district (Forgetting that many Congressional incumbents go home less and less as their tenured accumulate.)
I absolutely agree!
Jennifer Rubin would do it.
But I don't think WAPO would let her.
She's not alone, and WAPO readers in their many thousands are anti-tfg.
Write op eds. Heather's columns and George Polisher, above could do them.
Send info to the Senate Committee on Intelligence.
Jamie Raskin heads a Democracy Summer 2024 program for youth. He writes,
"There are only 4 days left until Democracy Summer applications close, and I want to make sure all the dedicated and enthusiastic high-school and college students across America know about this exciting educational and political program.
"This can be a century of great exploration and creative change, freedom and equal rights for people everywhere or it can be a century of authoritarian repression and voter suppression, racial hatred, antisemitism, war and chaos.
"We need a new generation that actively chooses the path of democracy and civilization.
"That’s why I’m proud to train the next generation of political leaders, activists and organizers through our acclaimed Democracy Summer project. With nearly 90 Democratic campaigns participating already in 2024, we are ready to channel youth outrage and youth idealism into an unstoppable force for change all across America."
If you have or know of a young person looking for ways to keep democracy alive, here is the link to apply for Rep Raskin's program. It is divided by state. (Not all states are members)
https://democracy-summer.breezy.hr/
It's meaningful that not all states are members. Guess which kids would benefit the most -
Morning, Lynell! Excellent news about Raskin's "Democracy Summer 2024"!
Morning, Ally!
Thanks,Lynell ! Happy to see so many opportunities in Florida.😎
I'm glad to see Jamie's program.
But things like this also cede something to our neutered, standardized-tested-to-death, dehumanized K-12. They cede the same something to our group-identity-HR-protected, silo-set, dehumanized "higher" ed.
Is it possible that some of our GOP congressmen who have graduated from institutions which are renowned for learning, are,in fact, products of the “absorb the material, so as to pass the test” culture. Can that happen all the way through the requirements for a law degree? You talk often of the need for the humanities. Is it possible, do you think, to have been exposed to the humanities and not to have benefited ?Apparently they are as susceptible to propaganda as the less schooled. Can it be possible that the test taking generation is less able to analyze and critique material than the students of previous generations? Just wondering.
Regarding Russian propaganda and the "obvious" Republicans:
Please explain to me why this isn't treason.
Article III, Section 3, Clause 1: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
Sorry, looks like treason to me-the aid and comfort to our enemies thing is dairy of damning, it would seem…
Fortunately, we are not at war with Russia. The Russian people are not our declared enemies. Consequently, the letter of the treason clause does not apply here. The Russian government is acting against the United States at a level below that of armed conflict. The RePutincan Party is supporting the interests of the Russian regime at the expense of the United States. In the unlikely possibility that any members of this party are still capable of shame, they need to be identified and exposed to public criticism.
Neo-Republicans' superpower is their shamelessness. The need to be taught some manners. Big time. Public sentiment can accomplish what, up till now, the law has not.
We are no at "War" with them, but putin is making sure that Russia is at war with the U.S.
Our system prevents us from being at war without Congress, autocrats are not prohibited by democratic constraints.
American leaders need to come to grips with that.
Don’t know why my phone keeps sticking random words into my posts.”dairy” should be “sorta”-guess it didn’t like the slang. But dairy?
I get some humdinger suggestions too; I HATE autocorrect. Sometimes I really do not mean either "shirt" or "duck". However, "dairy" for "theory" is a new one.
Full disclosure: being dyslexic and suffering from spacial dyslexia leads to some interesting words: treat for threat is one, beople, fealosy and jurther all pop up regularly.
My impression is that the settings where you used to be able to train a keyboard for how your fingers would strike the keys has been corrupted or done away with - I can't find anywhere that lets me retrain my keyboard at this point. So it gives me "snd" instead of "and" over, for example. It never learns anymore.
Oh, yeah. "snd" is one. "teh" is another. My phone keyboard never learned those, and my problem is exacerbated by the "aftermarket" scratch/glare protection I put on mine...
Has AI got a sense of humor?
Perverse from birth.
I think it has to be related to military conflict to be technically treason. In any case, the definition is narrow. That said, it's hard to believe that what they are up to is not in violation of existing laws, and at the very least, worthy of forceful condemnation in the court of public opinion. Russia and Putin are very clearly not our friends, and their covert interference would not be tolerable even if they were.
Crappola.
It IS TREASON! It has been all along. The gallows for the veep could very well have been used for TFG and ALL his cohorts. Fani Willis and DOJ are off to a good start, but there’s a lot to be done with members of Congress. For those who don’t want them hanged, how about conviction and no pensions? That would get them out of government in a hurry and save tax payers’ money on either jail or rope.
Hear, here!
Wise: hedging your bets.
Thank you Heather.
Sheesh, what’s next, A.I. Donald?
AI may be the only way to make him sound coherent.
Remember Max Headroom?
A Donald version would be incredibly popular with his flock.
The only sort of I that remains to him.