Excellent analysis -- and YES, the Committee needs to make a recommendation to the DOJ that tRump and every member of his criminal gang be arrested, prosecuted and punished with jail sentences!!
Jul 21, 2022·edited Jul 21, 2022Liked by Robert Reich
The McCarthy hearings, which you cite, were about 70 years ago when the nation, with all its inequities and racism (which remain with us, strong as ever), still had a reservoir of public trust and social decency that’s now almost gone.
The American public may be coming around to realizing that trump and trumpism are dangerous and destructive, but what will change if elected Republicans continue on their quest to alter the voting rules to stay in power? They are drunk with it, and none of the ones who realize the danger are speaking out. THIS is why this Novembers' midterms are the most important in years. I hope everyone, but especially those who live in red states, pay close attention to who they vote for. They need to realize that their rights and freedom are under assault as well.
Thank you for this cogent and very important summary. It’s given me the first real hope I’ve had in years that the majority of Americans are waking up and will quash the brazen and violent attempt by Trump and his cohorts to end our democracy.
I feel sadness now. Sad that any person would treat another with such impunity and without dignity or respect. I understand that there are no perfect scenarios in life, but as I continue to study history I feel as if there is so much more that can be done to exhibit kindness to others. My most pressing concern is for our democratic institutions within the United States. I believe that they will flourish beyond any hints of tyranny. However, it is becoming more apparent that people must know history to prevent repeating its failures. We have to have a more innovative approach to government. One in which we are able to expound and perfect on the solutions that brought progress, but make room for new ideas. New ways of thinking. New ways of achieving success. My hope is that will someday happen soon.
We need to reach the people who support the Republican party regardless....because 'their family has always voted Republican'. I wish I were wealthy right now. In California we have 6 Retrumplicans running for re-election to the House of Representatives. The DNC, DCCC and State Democratic organizations, need to put up huge billboards in each of the six Congressional districts telling the voters, these people are traitors to the United States, they need to buy radio time on the talk radio shows shouting out the same message telling the evidence against these traitors: their votes to overturn the election on January 6 AFTER the insurrection, the requests for Presidential pardons before January 20. Kevin McCarthy is one of those 6. In Texas, there are fifteen, in Florida there are twelve. The electorate in these districts probably don't watch the January 6 Hearings. (almost every State has at least one) TV ads are too expensive and don't address this particular demographic, so hit them where it will give the most bang for the buck. With voters like us, on Substack, I think it is safe to say the majority of us read, understand the voting records, and vote our conscience. The voters we need to reach don't.
Jamie Raskin discussing what I've called here the "Confederate interpretation," but he calls the "Insurrectionist view." It's not directly from the HSCJ6 hearings. It's a view of its best - IMHO - prosecutor: https://youtu.be/9NyHbjmAQoM I think that as long as the discussion topic concerns "Why the January 6 hearings aren't just about January 6," it's totally appropriate for this discussion.
This moved me, not only because I've finally heard someone actively embrace an idea I've banged on about for decades, but by such an intellect as this, who has promoted that idea in such a consequential setting, and presented it so, so much better than I ever could.
As a footnote, the young man who comments after the clip of Raskin is making >exactly< the same argument I made on Nextdoor.com concerning increasing gun violence in the area, that was suppressed as offensive and disrespectful - and it wasn't over insults or coarse language, but about presuming to express the view.
There is an interesting note in your last comments about McCarthy - that he was “ignored by the press” as a contributing factor in his downfall.
If only our press would ignore Trump. If they had only ignored him from the beginning. But he is so brazen and brash, so shocking in his derision and disdain for all that is good and true, that he sells papers. And that is the point, is it not? To sell the news...
I am impressed with the high quality of the January 6th Committee's presentation and the clarity of the witnesses' words. This committee would not permit a McCarthyesque attempt to destroy someone's character as a power grab or distraction. The committee is permitting Trump associates to speak for themselves as to what their corrupt, inept childish associate did and is continuing to do to divide this nation and undermine our democracy. I get it that Trump is the culmination of a lot of forces coming together, but it is the way Trump as demanded and gotten such intense loyalty when he has never been a person deserving of such loyalty that worries me. We are now learning about the level of inappropriate loyalty the Secret Service had for Trump, to the point of erasing tweets that were supposed to be part of the presidential record, and the Secret Service knew it. I hope some of the Secret Service loyalists to Trump instead of to the law are prosecuted and many even high level participants in the Trump coup attempt will be held accountable. I doubt any of the main characters will because people understand they could never hold up under questioning or in court, particularly Donald Trump who reasons like a child and can't remember much beyond the talking points he is either given to use or makes up. Then there's Giuliani! Another issue for me is how anyone who either helped plan or participated in the insurrection can run for office. The 14th Amendment clearly states that such persons cannot ever hold office again. I know exceptions were made after the Civil War when former confederates got to serve in elected positions all over the south, but that does not mean we should permit that today. And, no candidate who still stands on the Big Lie should be able to run either because it means they will not honestly be taking an oath to protect and defend our Constitution. I would love to see the committee as well as the DOJ address that.
I'll say it again: those on this Insurrection committee need to tread VERY carefully! If they don't keep this up until the midterms, the dopey American public WILL forget that this WAS an insurrection as sure as our Civil War. (Luckily, unlike the war that had some of our most brilliant, slave-owning generals attack America, this insurrection was carried out by our least intelligent and most incompetent.)
I like that the Committee said that they "may schedule more" though. I think that statement bodes well for American democracy.
Sadly, the lesson here is that Republican voters will continue to vote for Trump, not even concealed under the form of De Santis, who is Trump's fascist apprentice. His record in Florida--a state which he has destroyed, ecologically, educationally, politically, and socially, while exulting in undermining any meaningful public health measures to contain Covid--is a matter of indifference to Republican voters, greedy for gerrymandered Florida's electoral votes, during the brief period remaining in which Florida is habitable. For Republican voters to replace Trump with De Santis is like the passengers on the Titanic choosing the iceberg to be president of their ship.
Excellent analysis -- and YES, the Committee needs to make a recommendation to the DOJ that tRump and every member of his criminal gang be arrested, prosecuted and punished with jail sentences!!
The McCarthy hearings, which you cite, were about 70 years ago when the nation, with all its inequities and racism (which remain with us, strong as ever), still had a reservoir of public trust and social decency that’s now almost gone.
The American public may be coming around to realizing that trump and trumpism are dangerous and destructive, but what will change if elected Republicans continue on their quest to alter the voting rules to stay in power? They are drunk with it, and none of the ones who realize the danger are speaking out. THIS is why this Novembers' midterms are the most important in years. I hope everyone, but especially those who live in red states, pay close attention to who they vote for. They need to realize that their rights and freedom are under assault as well.
Thank you for this cogent and very important summary. It’s given me the first real hope I’ve had in years that the majority of Americans are waking up and will quash the brazen and violent attempt by Trump and his cohorts to end our democracy.
I feel sadness now. Sad that any person would treat another with such impunity and without dignity or respect. I understand that there are no perfect scenarios in life, but as I continue to study history I feel as if there is so much more that can be done to exhibit kindness to others. My most pressing concern is for our democratic institutions within the United States. I believe that they will flourish beyond any hints of tyranny. However, it is becoming more apparent that people must know history to prevent repeating its failures. We have to have a more innovative approach to government. One in which we are able to expound and perfect on the solutions that brought progress, but make room for new ideas. New ways of thinking. New ways of achieving success. My hope is that will someday happen soon.
We need to reach the people who support the Republican party regardless....because 'their family has always voted Republican'. I wish I were wealthy right now. In California we have 6 Retrumplicans running for re-election to the House of Representatives. The DNC, DCCC and State Democratic organizations, need to put up huge billboards in each of the six Congressional districts telling the voters, these people are traitors to the United States, they need to buy radio time on the talk radio shows shouting out the same message telling the evidence against these traitors: their votes to overturn the election on January 6 AFTER the insurrection, the requests for Presidential pardons before January 20. Kevin McCarthy is one of those 6. In Texas, there are fifteen, in Florida there are twelve. The electorate in these districts probably don't watch the January 6 Hearings. (almost every State has at least one) TV ads are too expensive and don't address this particular demographic, so hit them where it will give the most bang for the buck. With voters like us, on Substack, I think it is safe to say the majority of us read, understand the voting records, and vote our conscience. The voters we need to reach don't.
Jamie Raskin discussing what I've called here the "Confederate interpretation," but he calls the "Insurrectionist view." It's not directly from the HSCJ6 hearings. It's a view of its best - IMHO - prosecutor: https://youtu.be/9NyHbjmAQoM I think that as long as the discussion topic concerns "Why the January 6 hearings aren't just about January 6," it's totally appropriate for this discussion.
This moved me, not only because I've finally heard someone actively embrace an idea I've banged on about for decades, but by such an intellect as this, who has promoted that idea in such a consequential setting, and presented it so, so much better than I ever could.
As a footnote, the young man who comments after the clip of Raskin is making >exactly< the same argument I made on Nextdoor.com concerning increasing gun violence in the area, that was suppressed as offensive and disrespectful - and it wasn't over insults or coarse language, but about presuming to express the view.
There is an interesting note in your last comments about McCarthy - that he was “ignored by the press” as a contributing factor in his downfall.
If only our press would ignore Trump. If they had only ignored him from the beginning. But he is so brazen and brash, so shocking in his derision and disdain for all that is good and true, that he sells papers. And that is the point, is it not? To sell the news...
Very well said, Robert.
I am impressed with the high quality of the January 6th Committee's presentation and the clarity of the witnesses' words. This committee would not permit a McCarthyesque attempt to destroy someone's character as a power grab or distraction. The committee is permitting Trump associates to speak for themselves as to what their corrupt, inept childish associate did and is continuing to do to divide this nation and undermine our democracy. I get it that Trump is the culmination of a lot of forces coming together, but it is the way Trump as demanded and gotten such intense loyalty when he has never been a person deserving of such loyalty that worries me. We are now learning about the level of inappropriate loyalty the Secret Service had for Trump, to the point of erasing tweets that were supposed to be part of the presidential record, and the Secret Service knew it. I hope some of the Secret Service loyalists to Trump instead of to the law are prosecuted and many even high level participants in the Trump coup attempt will be held accountable. I doubt any of the main characters will because people understand they could never hold up under questioning or in court, particularly Donald Trump who reasons like a child and can't remember much beyond the talking points he is either given to use or makes up. Then there's Giuliani! Another issue for me is how anyone who either helped plan or participated in the insurrection can run for office. The 14th Amendment clearly states that such persons cannot ever hold office again. I know exceptions were made after the Civil War when former confederates got to serve in elected positions all over the south, but that does not mean we should permit that today. And, no candidate who still stands on the Big Lie should be able to run either because it means they will not honestly be taking an oath to protect and defend our Constitution. I would love to see the committee as well as the DOJ address that.
I'll say it again: those on this Insurrection committee need to tread VERY carefully! If they don't keep this up until the midterms, the dopey American public WILL forget that this WAS an insurrection as sure as our Civil War. (Luckily, unlike the war that had some of our most brilliant, slave-owning generals attack America, this insurrection was carried out by our least intelligent and most incompetent.)
I like that the Committee said that they "may schedule more" though. I think that statement bodes well for American democracy.
It may be risky to prosecute Trump and his co conspirators, but if we don’t what’s stopping him or anyone else from attempting another coup?
"We have to get this right." : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOFDUyoGiCc
Another good discussion worth paying attention to: https://youtu.be/naZlnUzkKDw
On the other hand, this disturbs me: https://youtu.be/oqi21Z_YeXI
You do the crime, you do the time.
Sadly, the lesson here is that Republican voters will continue to vote for Trump, not even concealed under the form of De Santis, who is Trump's fascist apprentice. His record in Florida--a state which he has destroyed, ecologically, educationally, politically, and socially, while exulting in undermining any meaningful public health measures to contain Covid--is a matter of indifference to Republican voters, greedy for gerrymandered Florida's electoral votes, during the brief period remaining in which Florida is habitable. For Republican voters to replace Trump with De Santis is like the passengers on the Titanic choosing the iceberg to be president of their ship.
Nothing is going to change unless there is accountability. Prison. Punishment. Period.