Truly valuable writing--I'm now more scared than before. I feel like I've been standing on the sidelines jumping up and down for days now and screaming at the Democratic electeds to DO SOMETHING already, but they seem totally coopted at this point. How do we form an opposition party? The Democrats--my own party-- are doing nothing.
No Meg, why would I be angry at the Republicans for voting for their own nominee? It was ill advised, in my opinion, but they’re all scared about being primaried (or suffering from vitriol or violence from their base) so they don’t even think of doing otherwise. I’m mostly angry at people who voted for Trump. I don’t understand how people can vote against their own self-interest. A lot of them seem motivated by hatred. And I’m deeply frustrated with how the Democrats are failing to respond effectively.
Could I suggest that first of all stop screaming at the Democrats. They have not done this. Most of the important events that have led to this mess you are in (and the world is in to some extent) could not have been prevented by the Democrats. All they can do is blah, blah, blah against it. And, it seems to me that when they do do it they are criticised - too soft, too hard, wrong person saying it, wrong place to say it etc. how about turning your anger on the conga line of Republicans who seem hell bent on driving America over a cliff.
The Dems (Garland) certainly acted too slowly to corral Trump. But it was the Supreme Court that made the decisive move to shield Trump from accountability. I expect the Supreme Court would have creatively protected Trump regardless of what Dems did legally.
Trump controls the judiciary, the senate, and most media. We have fallen deeply into authoritarianism. Restoring democracy will be the work of a generation.
I think if you read Jack Smith’s final report you will see that Garland did not act too slowly. The wheels of justice move slowly and as you have pointed out there were curve balls at every turn - immunity decision by a Republican stacked court and of course there was the Trump appointed Eileen Canon.
Well, the explanation that Garland defenders gave was that Garland had to wait for some sort of conflict before appointing a special counsel. I don't remember the detail, but it was a cautious reading of the law. But he also had the option of prosecuting normally. They evidently decided the priority was avoid any appearance of partisonship.
What Jack Smith says to defend his boss is not so important, IMO. Well informed legal people are split on this judgement call.
I respectfully disagree. The democrats are not organizing as an opposition party. They appear to be in disarray. They just gave bipartisan support for Kristi Noem. I cannot understand why. That’s bad messaging at best. The party, our elected representatives, are not acting like we’re in crisis. I’ve lost faith in them.
Did the Republican Party members vote for Kristi Noem? Are you angry at them? Even if the Dems had voted against her she still would have been confirmed. It’s a no win situation for them. They are in disarray but many losing political parties are after an electoral loss.
Wait till the “ash” starts to fall again from the sky! Have you all binged the entire series of “Man In The High Castle” yet over at Amazon? Philip K. Dick’s dystopian nightmare of “What if it was Washington, D.C. that got “nuked” by the #Nazi’s rather than Japan?” Spooky! C=> https://amzn.to/40Y5TUl #High-Castle
I feel less resigned and more “OK, you f-ed around, now you’ll find out.” I’m through trying to convince red hats that they’re being lied to and that Trump is uniquely dangerous to what makes America and their lives “great”. I’m doing what I can, where I can, in red America. I will lie down on the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor should Trump invade Canada, but the only way voters and nonvoters who should have voted will understand what they’ve taken for granted is to let the consequences play out. I’m not talking about giving in. I’m saying maybe if we learn a hard lesson now we might do better in the future. Maybe the adults in the 45 admin shouldn’t have prevented him from doing his worst.
Let me add, yours is an important voice and perspective. I appreciate your work.
I fully agree. The only way now for the deluded MAGA millions to come to their senses is for them to suffer materially the consequences of their support. Wait till eggs are $12/dozen, inflation spikes along with interest rates, etc., etc. They’ll have to feel it in their daily lives and no one will be able to lay the blame on the “libs.” I like to quote HL Mencken: “Democracy is the theory that the ordinary people know what they want - and deserve to get it good and hard.” And thanks for the kind feedback.
Agree with your description of the current state but do not feel we have arrived here suddenly. Citizens United was a horribly un democratic destruction of our individual democratic voices and represents a significant milestone on this journey. The concept that lowering the age of Medicare whatsoever is a terrible, communist, fringe idea represents a vicious propaganda that has killed millions prematurely. Great interview with AOC by Jon Stewart this week and she was saying how Nancy Pelosi asserts money only corrupts Republicans. We can see that is not the case.
Always appreciate your seasoned viewpoint on national security issues James. Tragic so many gave all for us not to learn from history and to take the path to evil once again.
I grew up in the 60’s. Always fought hard battles then for what we believed in. The country still had a social contract and moral duty. That’s long gone. Trump inflicted the final blow.
It’s unimaginable that we are allowing this to unfold with but a whimper of resistance. I am so disappointed with my party and honestly will at this point align with anyone willing to fight this madness.
Truly valuable writing--I'm now more scared than before. I feel like I've been standing on the sidelines jumping up and down for days now and screaming at the Democratic electeds to DO SOMETHING already, but they seem totally coopted at this point. How do we form an opposition party? The Democrats--my own party-- are doing nothing.
No Meg, why would I be angry at the Republicans for voting for their own nominee? It was ill advised, in my opinion, but they’re all scared about being primaried (or suffering from vitriol or violence from their base) so they don’t even think of doing otherwise. I’m mostly angry at people who voted for Trump. I don’t understand how people can vote against their own self-interest. A lot of them seem motivated by hatred. And I’m deeply frustrated with how the Democrats are failing to respond effectively.
Could I suggest that first of all stop screaming at the Democrats. They have not done this. Most of the important events that have led to this mess you are in (and the world is in to some extent) could not have been prevented by the Democrats. All they can do is blah, blah, blah against it. And, it seems to me that when they do do it they are criticised - too soft, too hard, wrong person saying it, wrong place to say it etc. how about turning your anger on the conga line of Republicans who seem hell bent on driving America over a cliff.
The Dems (Garland) certainly acted too slowly to corral Trump. But it was the Supreme Court that made the decisive move to shield Trump from accountability. I expect the Supreme Court would have creatively protected Trump regardless of what Dems did legally.
Trump controls the judiciary, the senate, and most media. We have fallen deeply into authoritarianism. Restoring democracy will be the work of a generation.
I think if you read Jack Smith’s final report you will see that Garland did not act too slowly. The wheels of justice move slowly and as you have pointed out there were curve balls at every turn - immunity decision by a Republican stacked court and of course there was the Trump appointed Eileen Canon.
Well, the explanation that Garland defenders gave was that Garland had to wait for some sort of conflict before appointing a special counsel. I don't remember the detail, but it was a cautious reading of the law. But he also had the option of prosecuting normally. They evidently decided the priority was avoid any appearance of partisonship.
What Jack Smith says to defend his boss is not so important, IMO. Well informed legal people are split on this judgement call.
That’s not the explanation I’ve read or heard. I don’t go with the ‘Jack Smith would say that’ trope.
I respectfully disagree. The democrats are not organizing as an opposition party. They appear to be in disarray. They just gave bipartisan support for Kristi Noem. I cannot understand why. That’s bad messaging at best. The party, our elected representatives, are not acting like we’re in crisis. I’ve lost faith in them.
Did the Republican Party members vote for Kristi Noem? Are you angry at them? Even if the Dems had voted against her she still would have been confirmed. It’s a no win situation for them. They are in disarray but many losing political parties are after an electoral loss.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/denmark-crisis-mode-terrible-trump-220403992.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=fb&tsrc=fb
There goes NATO!
Or maybe NATO will invoke Article 5 -- against the United States.
Wait till the “ash” starts to fall again from the sky! Have you all binged the entire series of “Man In The High Castle” yet over at Amazon? Philip K. Dick’s dystopian nightmare of “What if it was Washington, D.C. that got “nuked” by the #Nazi’s rather than Japan?” Spooky! C=> https://amzn.to/40Y5TUl #High-Castle
I feel less resigned and more “OK, you f-ed around, now you’ll find out.” I’m through trying to convince red hats that they’re being lied to and that Trump is uniquely dangerous to what makes America and their lives “great”. I’m doing what I can, where I can, in red America. I will lie down on the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor should Trump invade Canada, but the only way voters and nonvoters who should have voted will understand what they’ve taken for granted is to let the consequences play out. I’m not talking about giving in. I’m saying maybe if we learn a hard lesson now we might do better in the future. Maybe the adults in the 45 admin shouldn’t have prevented him from doing his worst.
Let me add, yours is an important voice and perspective. I appreciate your work.
I fully agree. The only way now for the deluded MAGA millions to come to their senses is for them to suffer materially the consequences of their support. Wait till eggs are $12/dozen, inflation spikes along with interest rates, etc., etc. They’ll have to feel it in their daily lives and no one will be able to lay the blame on the “libs.” I like to quote HL Mencken: “Democracy is the theory that the ordinary people know what they want - and deserve to get it good and hard.” And thanks for the kind feedback.
I had Mencken in mind, as well. :-)
Agree with your description of the current state but do not feel we have arrived here suddenly. Citizens United was a horribly un democratic destruction of our individual democratic voices and represents a significant milestone on this journey. The concept that lowering the age of Medicare whatsoever is a terrible, communist, fringe idea represents a vicious propaganda that has killed millions prematurely. Great interview with AOC by Jon Stewart this week and she was saying how Nancy Pelosi asserts money only corrupts Republicans. We can see that is not the case.
Demomagets. As an independent I’ve always wondered why so many democrats seem wishy washy. Work with dumpy britches. Bleh 🤮
Always appreciate your seasoned viewpoint on national security issues James. Tragic so many gave all for us not to learn from history and to take the path to evil once again.
I grew up in the 60’s. Always fought hard battles then for what we believed in. The country still had a social contract and moral duty. That’s long gone. Trump inflicted the final blow.
It’s unimaginable that we are allowing this to unfold with but a whimper of resistance. I am so disappointed with my party and honestly will at this point align with anyone willing to fight this madness.
You got it it. We have much lower to sink before people wake up and do something. Thanks for the kind feedback.
Regrettably, you’re correct.