First, Trump and Trumpism seem to be fading -- along with Putin and Putinism. Two birds of a feather.
Second, a growing realization -- especially in Europe but also here in the U.S. -- that renewable energy technology and infrastructure are not just about climate and jobs; they are fundamental matters of national security. Europe for sure will be doubling down on energy security, and maybe Biden will get more support for an ambitious renewable energy agenda.
Agree, Ken. Although Trumpism is still out there, the man himself seems to be losing whatever clever marketing acumen he once had (and make no mistake -- Trump was and is simply a clever marketer). And as Trump himself fades, I think Trumpism -- the vicious, violent, racist and xenophobic movement he encouraged -- will as well. Again, it's still there, and we need to be wary of it. And we need to do whatever we can to root out its causes, including a deep sense of betrayal in the American non-college working class.
As much as I'd like to agree about trumpism fading, I look and see Desantis, Abbott, Hawley, Cruz and a few others plus the absolute idiots like Green, Boebert, Biggs, Cauthorn, Gosar, Gaetz and a few others who continue the tradition.
@Prof. Reich, to the point of that sense of betrayal, I recently picked up a book and have begun reading it called “Strangers In Their Own Land”, by Arlie Russell Hochschild, which I’m sure you’re aware of (are you aware of it?). I haven’t read far enough into the book to come to any understanding of the Great Paradox that is the subject of the book, namely, how can so many people who are basically decent and normal vote for representatives, the US President, etc., that are themselves so utterly against anything that is actually life affirming? This is still a mystery to me. Although, as I see these words coming out of me, I think of how incomprehensible it has always been for me to understand how such ordinary, supposedly decent Germans could vote for Hitler - until now. So I will finish “Strangers ITOL” and report back here what conclusions I’ve drawn. And what further steps I and others can take to (hopefully) stop the train wreck of Republicans taking over the House and Senate, and governorships, etc., in our upcoming midterms. Thank you for this incredibly thoughtful forum you’re providing here.
Renewable energy and infrastructure are jobs writ large for decades. Many of these jobs can help reduce anxiety and the malefactors who prey on it. We have to get the Child Care Tax credit renewed, IMHO. If we can care for our most vulnerable by a rallying around national security, let’s do it. We should be wary, of course. There is no ignoring that we face an incredibly dangerous world. Let us still find hope and beauty.
I was a young mother working on health care quality during the dark days of Gingrich. There was a massive change on the Hill where my job based in Ohio had me traveling every couple weeks. We went from seeing both genders, real people of all colors walking around Capitol Hill to frankly, a lot of buzzed haircuts and the testosterone that went with it. You are correct, Robert, that Gingrich had a wrecking ball as his contract on America showed. Please let’s feed, clothe, and care for our littles.
The acid test is acceptance of the BIG LIE. Every member of Congress, both parties, are eyewitnesses to insurrection.
I don't think the Cold War unified Fascists with Democrats and the modern profile of the Republican Congress has trended Fascist as evidenced by the McCarthy led purge of alleged RINOS from leadership in the House.
Daniel Solomon ; Certainly not 'unified', but like the professor pointed out there is a subtle change in tone. "Not a Kumbaya moment". It's plain to see who the bad guys are: Putin and his tRump.
No, they aren't the majority. The only way I see the truth coming out is with televised Congressional hearings on the Insurrection AND an indictment and trial for Trump and his accomplices. Right wing news outlets are drowning out the truth, states are nullifying ballots, suppressing any ability to vote, any way, disqualifying mail-in ballots. We are treading in unprecedented times. Never forget, it took ONE STATE, FLORIDA, to change the outcome of the 2000 election. That is all you will ever need. The GOP is doubling down to make sure many states throw the next election into chaos.
Early in the Cold War -- early 1950s -- another man named McCarthy was much in the news with his allegations that our nation was riddled with Communists. Like with Trump's big lie, the 1950s McCarthyism was allegations without any proof. In 1957, Senator Joe McCarthy died of alcoholism.
I like that Robert Reich has the perspective he has shared with us. I have been feeling increasingly that we are on a path to being ruled by fascists, or autocrats. Democracy seemed doomed. I had thoughts that an external threat like a potential hot war would pull us together a little bit. let's hope we can not only survive but prevail, in a good way.
Witnessing the unprovoked invasion and daily attack of a nation by a large nuclear nation is scary. To make matters worse, the invading nation, is now threating to initiate a nuclear war. Don't you think this has cause some fear in our politicians. A fear that has driven them to put aside some of their differences and focus on the common enemy. I fear that our future will have some semblance of Democracy, but it will not be the same. The oligarchs will be the real power and the politicians their puppets. Our country has been changing for years and I have been wondering, when will the far (white) right begin to openly resist? The time is here. Our country and the world for that matter will continue to go through many changes in the coming years. I pray to God, that the changes will be somewhat smooth. Have we done a good job of instilling our future leaders with good VALUES? Based on my observation, I have my doubts.
It’s easy for me to say, but I don’t think that the ruling elites , including Putin, want to wreck their privileged lifestyles with a nuclear war. Putin, although a slimeball, seems to lack the madness of Hitler, who would probably have used a nuclear bomb if he had one.
Celia, I tend to look for thin silver linings. It's been such a horrid time -- starting with Trump's election in 2016 and continuing through police violence, COVID, Trump's attempted coup, climate catastrophes, and now Putin's war -- that, frankly, all we can do is look for silver linings. And pray. And do whatever possible to elect good people.
Glimmers of light are always important. There were so many of the opposite- cracks of darkness?- during the previous administration: right wing think-tankers suggesting how much more efficient government would be without the separation of powers--powerful men in the administration voicing a need for more religion (theirs) in government. Yikes!
I welcome this shift but until the country reckons with its racist foundations, so cruel but so integral to our entire history, there will be no truly multiracial democracy.
We as a collective whole can agree on a few things certain: We abhor Putin (and his enabler DJT.) Secondly, and more importantly, we love and admire Volodymyr Zelensky and the strength and patriotism of the Ukrainian people. In my humble opinion, it is the courage and the will to save their country which has opened our eyes to take a good look at ourselves in the mirror. Would Americans stand up and fight for our fellow countrymen the way all of Ukraine has? I fear not, sadly.
Anne ; I would hope that Americans will wake up! I think smart Republicans can see the writing on the wall, or the images of horror that can be associated with their 'leader's friend and mentor; Putin!
We as a nation are not in the top 20 Democracies. How did that happen? We have laws and actions that promote the top 1% over everyone else. I have worked 42 years in education and still volunteer at my local high school with a group of students. Many teachers feel under attack by actions promoted by the GOP. We have a respected medical Dr. in our valley who has said " Why do we not trust the people who have studied, researched and practiced in their field over the yahoo on YOUTUBE? Why did 4 years of a grifter escalate our civil deterioration. Why do people like MTG and LB have such attention paid to them? Why are people like CT still on the Supreme Court? Why is anger and hate so satisfying an emotion for so many? I do not know. I know that I will continue to do my part.
On a positive note. Part of what keeps me from going down the rabbit hole is that I volunteer with the High School students and they give me hope. I also volunteer in my community so I can have a role in our present and future. Small actions sometimes have big effects. The butterfly.
@Susan. Your post reminded me of a book that I am reading, The Book of Hope. Jane Goodall and Professor Reich are both optimists and for similar reasons. Goodall stresses the concept of hope, which involves action. Goodall focuses on 4 reasons for hope: human intellect, the resilience of nature, the indomitable human spirit, and the power of young people. Goodall calls for hope with action. Without action we are doomed. When asked how she remains hopeful, Goodall responds with a similar answer to yours; it’s the young people. Goodall views youth as having energy, power, intellect, and perseverance. They won’t give up. In 1991, Goodall established the Roots and Shoots program. It is an “institute empowering young people to be the change in their communities” (Roots & Shoots USA). It’s a good read.
The USA is not on the top 20 list because the Supreme Court has made corruption legal. The intelligent compilers of the top 20 list can see that clearly.
Great thought but it overlooks the bitter divisions caused by global capitalism that have rewarded or overrewarded some at the expense of others.Shattered blue collar communities have deserted liberal or left wing parties because of the perception that these parties have facilitated the rise of laissez faire economics whilst reducing safety nets for the unprotected.A temporary truce between the two parties is welcome but unlikely to last when doctrinal differences are aired at midterms.
Yes indeed! It's all happening in the context of other great issues. That's likely >why< Putin struck >now.<
As a further thought, I could probably come to consider modestly credible any allegation that the covid is an engineered bio-weapon. I just wouldn't suspect the Chinese of engineering the goddam thing - if you catch my drift!
Professor it is working. The Republicans so easily able to con you positive attitude wanting to believe we can all get along. All that is going on in Washington is what is not happening not what is happening. The number one tool of propaganda - which is ALL Republican are about - is smoke screen. Once again, all that stuff you see is stuff that goes on the debt and is not paid for because it has word WAR - cold, hot, warm, fake WAR allows "emergency" bills put on debt via supplemental. Notice how all you rattled off had ZERO issue For The Welfare Of The People. It was how to spend our kids money on WAR which goes to corporation profits. Non of these items are progressive agenda items ZERO. For you to think that Connell or ANY republican in house can be trusted is simple folly that Regan used to kill all unions, corporations to pay zero taxes, talk big center of international diplomacy, stack the court leading to steeling presidency by Roberts playing with words, Citizen money is free speech, etc etc. Comon man you are not getting me to join that wagon train again. Congress going through that tears in eyes is same as when head of state of Israel came to talk to congress to get war crime leader elected in his state or buying in to all press clamor tat got us in Iraq. OUR Oligarchs smoking cirgar with some brandy in board room laughing together is what was going on. But when it comes to help all of our people with Medicare for All which a tear jerking video could be made and shown to congress you would have gotten boos from people you no think as a miracle will have a fallacy term Cold War made up with a movie star fam on saying Tear Down That Wall when it was already born down and Cold War ended by Russian leader. Or omg heaven forbid if college education was an extension of our free education to help our dream - surely professor you could make a tear jerking video to get a standing ovation for that. Or how about fixing child care and senior citizen care. ALL OF THIS IS HIDDEN BY DESIGN and you took the bait Mr Reich. Just to have a get-along-feeling? Really!!! Are you a progressive - search you believes out professor - are you really
I don't trust the GOP. I don't trust most Republican members of Congress. I've been through this too long to think we're going to join hands and have a rebirth of bipartisanship. I only want to register a shift, somewhat, in the mood in Washington -- a shift that could possibly signal the start of a larger shift, perhaps in the nation as a whole.
They are not to be trusted. At least the REALLY bad ones have to go, even better all of the bad ones, and also, let's screen them before they can run for office...all of them...and they have to meet a certain minimum requirement. At that level the minimum should be pretty high.
There should be a lengthy screening process too for getting to the final presidential candidates for all countries. Trump and Putin and all the other autocrats would have failed miserably and been struck off the list early on.
Do you fully realize the magnitude, the ramifications of your probably justified conclusion? Half of American voters are deeply problematic; some of them want a civil war, "trial by combat," as Giuliani framed it with a sneer.
Certainly not half. But they do constitute a "concurrent majority" in red states. Demographics favor Democrats as older voters are displaced by younger people far less inclined to hear the racist dog whistles. In 2020 the Democratic Party did a lousy job reaching tenants, who are 70% inclined to vote D.
According to the most recent Monmouth Poll only17% of the public thinks there is still a path to reverse the electoral vote count and replace Biden with Trump before the next presidential election (6% definitely and 11% probably).
I have no control over who wants civil war, here. Besides, is the solution in trusting those who would gladly kill you over what they >believe<, as if they have the right to kill you >exactly< because of what they believe? >That< describes an Al Qaeda terrorist - or any other such ilk! Do you fully realize the magnitude, the ramifications of the honestly stated question you asked? Why should you feel compelled to ask it? They're the ones who would require submission or death. I fully trust'em like a goddam rattlesnake in my boot.
I doubt their bravery, commitment, and perseverance. Most of those unarmed insurrectionists just got caught up in the heat of the moment, some driving by, and upon seeing a crowd, joined in with a "Hey, what's going on?" They didn't seem like focused, highly trained freedom fighters, just slug-a-bugs, the most of them, without any real passion in life except for McDonald's McRibs. Hence, the embarrassing contrition and mawkish tears in court when pleading guilty; those guys are not Nathan Hale clones, maybe Donald Trump clowns: "The president told us to, and besides I like showing off my professionally painted face and buffalo hoodie complete with real horns, now on sale for $69.95, only at Bob's Truck Stop & Minnow Shop in Toad Suck, Arkansas. I'm Bob, by the way; here's my card. I'm gonna need that back once you've looked it over."
Spot on. Many people need a better education in analysis of information, decision-making, ethics, and need to actually learn the importance of having empathy, ethics, good judgment, taking responsibility themselves, etc.....instead of just being angry at everything and everyone...and wanting to destroy things in their way...as a solution. You can't trust these sorts of people to make good decisions....not one iota.
I don’t want Trump on the back burner. He is a danger and security risk. If we let his crimes slide, we’ll pay a very big price. There is a tremendous amount of nuttery out there still, not only with republicans but Trump’s armed followers. The only reason republicans applauded Zelenskyy, is because all of our allies are watching, and NATO countries are supporting the Democrats’ words, not republicans.
I say this ad nauseam, but stop showing these republican nuts on the news constantly. They are always interviewing a damn republican. Or showing the stupid trump big rig tantrum brigade.
I hope the needle is moving just a little toward sanity but seeing will be believing.
The massive risks associated with accelerating climate change and extinctions were not enough of an existential threat to unite us. It takes the grim prospect of mutual nuclear annihilation with Russia, which is now more imminent.
I think it's a pretty feckless excuse to say (or perhaps admit) that the only thing that can really bring America together is an outside threat. Will we ever evolve from that?
I do not now and never will trust one ounce of the GOP propaganda machine that spreads lies, cruelty and hatred. They can all go straight to you know where.
Professor, Until receiving your missive, I didn’t dare allow myself to imagine, partisan disputes aside, that perhaps the majority of us are viewing Ukraine as the front line of freedom right now, engaged in a struggle between freedom and tyranny that, dare I say, awakens in us the desire to protect our own aspirational American experiment from its potential undoing. I will know we have undergone a paradigm shift when opposing parties, once again, view one another as opponents and not as enemies.
Yes, immediate threats to our security seem to mostly bring us together for our survival. Pity that global heating is a slow threat, largely unrecognized and denied by the right.
Could what you're sensing in Congress be an increasing realization that the US party conflict is itself a large factor in Putin's decision to move on Ukraine >now<? That the polarization itself has been Putin's whole game - where Putin's a'playin' "the long game?" That polarization was - and apparently still is - ol' Tweety's >whole job!< Naw! It couldn't be anything so rational. Never mind.
DZK ; Republicans should be smart enough to see that 'The party of Putin' is not currently a good look! Volodymir Zelenskyy had a tour de force presentation that went well beyond words!
"Republicans should be smart enough".....really? Exactly how many are we talking about? Those who truly see it OR those courageous enough to acknowledge it? I think it will take 3/4 of the country to stand up and forcefully stop fascism.
I'm persuaded that, like the Middle East, but not so ancient, there are historic antagonisms involved in Ukraine. At first blush, it makes the political/social environment of Ukraine appear not unlike what's happening here now. There are two populations in Ukraine, each having no use for the other, but they're much more clearly defined than in the US in this epoch. They are the Western inclined population in Western Ukraine and the Russian inclined population in the East - roughly analogous to the North & South in the Civil War. There's also the long-standing Russian paranoia of the West to consider. Russia fears NATO missiles - that, to my knowledge, nobody was proposing deploying in Ukraine, sort of like Republicans shrieking about Critical Race Theory, that nobody ever heard of, being taught public school - being deployed in Ukraine. At least, that's an excuse that keeps "turning up like a bad penny."
I read an intelligent response to one of my comments here the other day that suggests the ouster of Yanukovych was not unlike the 1/6 insurrection. Assuming what the contributor says is true, Yanukovych was democratically elected in a free and fair election. Keep in mind, >I'm only assuming truth for the sake of the argument, here.< >I'm personally agnostic on the issue.< The responder claims that Yanukovych was elected by an overwhelming majority in the East, while the West overwhelmingly voted for the opposition candidate that lost.
That still brings me to my current position. That was all an Uke internal political issue. Russia could have collaborated with the EU to broker a mutually satisfying - for Ukraine - political settlement that involved creating East and West Ukraine autonomous districts - much like US states - or the outright creation of mutually independent states of East and West Ukraine. I previously held that Russia could have simply competed with NATO diplomatically to convince Ukraine that Russia was a far better ally than NATO. None of that happened, though. Instead, Putin elected to make his bloody-minded move that brought us to the state we're in today.
Some here have attempted to apologize for Putin's move, blaming the West's diplomatic failure - that is, failing to appease Putin. I still say "horse hockey!" Putin is either the autocratic dictator he appears to be, or like ol' Tweety, just another tired-arsed egomaniac moron with a delusion of grandeur and an infinite appetite for power - >and< an army! To me, it's a distinction without a difference. (except for the army!) Putin just waited until his intelligence indicated that the West was sufficiently weak that it couldn't prevent him from making his move. Perhaps that's what our mini "stable geniuses" in Congress are finally catching on to.
@DZK. You're a complicated person. Much of what you say resonates, but some comments aren't exactly historical. It's a cynical thing to say that Zelenskyy wasn't properly elected democratically - he was. The "turning out of power" you reference was actually the former president running away from prosecution for his crimes against Ukraine. Yanukovych left the country on his own: From Wikipedia: On 22 February 2014, the Ukrainian parliament voted to remove him from his post and schedule new elections on the grounds that Yanukovych "has restrained himself from performing his constitutional duties" and effectively resigned...
Not saying that at all. Of course, Zelenskyy was properly elected - although I have no info on voter turn-out in the East for that election. However, the claim I'm responding to is that Yanukovych was, as well. On that I'm agnostic. I'm assuming it true for the sake of the argument. And Yanukovych was run out of office in a "political insurrection" - let's say here - whereupon he fled to Minsk, and later to Moscow - and that much is fact. (There >was< a lot of hollerin' & yellin' in the streets, at the time.) What I'm asserting is whether that apologetic for Putin's action is true or not, my position remains unchanged.
Splitting hairs about whether Yanukovych was run out of office or thrown out of office is moot, in my view. Yanukovych went a'cryin' to Moscow and Putin saw an opportunity.
Two things I have also noticed recently:
First, Trump and Trumpism seem to be fading -- along with Putin and Putinism. Two birds of a feather.
Second, a growing realization -- especially in Europe but also here in the U.S. -- that renewable energy technology and infrastructure are not just about climate and jobs; they are fundamental matters of national security. Europe for sure will be doubling down on energy security, and maybe Biden will get more support for an ambitious renewable energy agenda.
Agree, Ken. Although Trumpism is still out there, the man himself seems to be losing whatever clever marketing acumen he once had (and make no mistake -- Trump was and is simply a clever marketer). And as Trump himself fades, I think Trumpism -- the vicious, violent, racist and xenophobic movement he encouraged -- will as well. Again, it's still there, and we need to be wary of it. And we need to do whatever we can to root out its causes, including a deep sense of betrayal in the American non-college working class.
As much as I'd like to agree about trumpism fading, I look and see Desantis, Abbott, Hawley, Cruz and a few others plus the absolute idiots like Green, Boebert, Biggs, Cauthorn, Gosar, Gaetz and a few others who continue the tradition.
NYT. 31 Republican idiot senators voted against Ukraine funding and now have chudspa.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/17/republicans-ukraine-aid-vote/
I call her Boobert. Sorry. Not sorry.
@Prof. Reich, to the point of that sense of betrayal, I recently picked up a book and have begun reading it called “Strangers In Their Own Land”, by Arlie Russell Hochschild, which I’m sure you’re aware of (are you aware of it?). I haven’t read far enough into the book to come to any understanding of the Great Paradox that is the subject of the book, namely, how can so many people who are basically decent and normal vote for representatives, the US President, etc., that are themselves so utterly against anything that is actually life affirming? This is still a mystery to me. Although, as I see these words coming out of me, I think of how incomprehensible it has always been for me to understand how such ordinary, supposedly decent Germans could vote for Hitler - until now. So I will finish “Strangers ITOL” and report back here what conclusions I’ve drawn. And what further steps I and others can take to (hopefully) stop the train wreck of Republicans taking over the House and Senate, and governorships, etc., in our upcoming midterms. Thank you for this incredibly thoughtful forum you’re providing here.
Renewable energy and infrastructure are jobs writ large for decades. Many of these jobs can help reduce anxiety and the malefactors who prey on it. We have to get the Child Care Tax credit renewed, IMHO. If we can care for our most vulnerable by a rallying around national security, let’s do it. We should be wary, of course. There is no ignoring that we face an incredibly dangerous world. Let us still find hope and beauty.
I was a young mother working on health care quality during the dark days of Gingrich. There was a massive change on the Hill where my job based in Ohio had me traveling every couple weeks. We went from seeing both genders, real people of all colors walking around Capitol Hill to frankly, a lot of buzzed haircuts and the testosterone that went with it. You are correct, Robert, that Gingrich had a wrecking ball as his contract on America showed. Please let’s feed, clothe, and care for our littles.
The acid test is acceptance of the BIG LIE. Every member of Congress, both parties, are eyewitnesses to insurrection.
I don't think the Cold War unified Fascists with Democrats and the modern profile of the Republican Congress has trended Fascist as evidenced by the McCarthy led purge of alleged RINOS from leadership in the House.
Daniel Solomon ; Certainly not 'unified', but like the professor pointed out there is a subtle change in tone. "Not a Kumbaya moment". It's plain to see who the bad guys are: Putin and his tRump.
Stick a camera and mike in the face of every eyewitness to the insurrection and ask whether with what we now know Biden won fair and square.
Sad that too many will repeat the big lie....
But they aren't a majority; the truth can still come out if we work hard and turn out the vote.
No, they aren't the majority. The only way I see the truth coming out is with televised Congressional hearings on the Insurrection AND an indictment and trial for Trump and his accomplices. Right wing news outlets are drowning out the truth, states are nullifying ballots, suppressing any ability to vote, any way, disqualifying mail-in ballots. We are treading in unprecedented times. Never forget, it took ONE STATE, FLORIDA, to change the outcome of the 2000 election. That is all you will ever need. The GOP is doubling down to make sure many states throw the next election into chaos.
I think sentence hearings are far better.
Early in the Cold War -- early 1950s -- another man named McCarthy was much in the news with his allegations that our nation was riddled with Communists. Like with Trump's big lie, the 1950s McCarthyism was allegations without any proof. In 1957, Senator Joe McCarthy died of alcoholism.
I like that Robert Reich has the perspective he has shared with us. I have been feeling increasingly that we are on a path to being ruled by fascists, or autocrats. Democracy seemed doomed. I had thoughts that an external threat like a potential hot war would pull us together a little bit. let's hope we can not only survive but prevail, in a good way.
Let's hope.
Witnessing the unprovoked invasion and daily attack of a nation by a large nuclear nation is scary. To make matters worse, the invading nation, is now threating to initiate a nuclear war. Don't you think this has cause some fear in our politicians. A fear that has driven them to put aside some of their differences and focus on the common enemy. I fear that our future will have some semblance of Democracy, but it will not be the same. The oligarchs will be the real power and the politicians their puppets. Our country has been changing for years and I have been wondering, when will the far (white) right begin to openly resist? The time is here. Our country and the world for that matter will continue to go through many changes in the coming years. I pray to God, that the changes will be somewhat smooth. Have we done a good job of instilling our future leaders with good VALUES? Based on my observation, I have my doubts.
It’s easy for me to say, but I don’t think that the ruling elites , including Putin, want to wreck their privileged lifestyles with a nuclear war. Putin, although a slimeball, seems to lack the madness of Hitler, who would probably have used a nuclear bomb if he had one.
I was surprised at the Postal Service action. As you say, “thinnest of silver linings”. Let’s hope it becomes more.
Celia, I tend to look for thin silver linings. It's been such a horrid time -- starting with Trump's election in 2016 and continuing through police violence, COVID, Trump's attempted coup, climate catastrophes, and now Putin's war -- that, frankly, all we can do is look for silver linings. And pray. And do whatever possible to elect good people.
Unfortunately, science shows that nothing fails like prayer, but they do render psychological comfort, which is better than a midge in the mouth.
Glimmers of light are always important. There were so many of the opposite- cracks of darkness?- during the previous administration: right wing think-tankers suggesting how much more efficient government would be without the separation of powers--powerful men in the administration voicing a need for more religion (theirs) in government. Yikes!
I welcome this shift but until the country reckons with its racist foundations, so cruel but so integral to our entire history, there will be no truly multiracial democracy.
You're absolutely right, Nancy,
We as a collective whole can agree on a few things certain: We abhor Putin (and his enabler DJT.) Secondly, and more importantly, we love and admire Volodymyr Zelensky and the strength and patriotism of the Ukrainian people. In my humble opinion, it is the courage and the will to save their country which has opened our eyes to take a good look at ourselves in the mirror. Would Americans stand up and fight for our fellow countrymen the way all of Ukraine has? I fear not, sadly.
Anne ; I would hope that Americans will wake up! I think smart Republicans can see the writing on the wall, or the images of horror that can be associated with their 'leader's friend and mentor; Putin!
Well said Anne
Thank You Kathleen ☘️
We as a nation are not in the top 20 Democracies. How did that happen? We have laws and actions that promote the top 1% over everyone else. I have worked 42 years in education and still volunteer at my local high school with a group of students. Many teachers feel under attack by actions promoted by the GOP. We have a respected medical Dr. in our valley who has said " Why do we not trust the people who have studied, researched and practiced in their field over the yahoo on YOUTUBE? Why did 4 years of a grifter escalate our civil deterioration. Why do people like MTG and LB have such attention paid to them? Why are people like CT still on the Supreme Court? Why is anger and hate so satisfying an emotion for so many? I do not know. I know that I will continue to do my part.
On a positive note. Part of what keeps me from going down the rabbit hole is that I volunteer with the High School students and they give me hope. I also volunteer in my community so I can have a role in our present and future. Small actions sometimes have big effects. The butterfly.
@Susan. Your post reminded me of a book that I am reading, The Book of Hope. Jane Goodall and Professor Reich are both optimists and for similar reasons. Goodall stresses the concept of hope, which involves action. Goodall focuses on 4 reasons for hope: human intellect, the resilience of nature, the indomitable human spirit, and the power of young people. Goodall calls for hope with action. Without action we are doomed. When asked how she remains hopeful, Goodall responds with a similar answer to yours; it’s the young people. Goodall views youth as having energy, power, intellect, and perseverance. They won’t give up. In 1991, Goodall established the Roots and Shoots program. It is an “institute empowering young people to be the change in their communities” (Roots & Shoots USA). It’s a good read.
The USA is not on the top 20 list because the Supreme Court has made corruption legal. The intelligent compilers of the top 20 list can see that clearly.
Great thought but it overlooks the bitter divisions caused by global capitalism that have rewarded or overrewarded some at the expense of others.Shattered blue collar communities have deserted liberal or left wing parties because of the perception that these parties have facilitated the rise of laissez faire economics whilst reducing safety nets for the unprotected.A temporary truce between the two parties is welcome but unlikely to last when doctrinal differences are aired at midterms.
Yes indeed! It's all happening in the context of other great issues. That's likely >why< Putin struck >now.<
As a further thought, I could probably come to consider modestly credible any allegation that the covid is an engineered bio-weapon. I just wouldn't suspect the Chinese of engineering the goddam thing - if you catch my drift!
Professor it is working. The Republicans so easily able to con you positive attitude wanting to believe we can all get along. All that is going on in Washington is what is not happening not what is happening. The number one tool of propaganda - which is ALL Republican are about - is smoke screen. Once again, all that stuff you see is stuff that goes on the debt and is not paid for because it has word WAR - cold, hot, warm, fake WAR allows "emergency" bills put on debt via supplemental. Notice how all you rattled off had ZERO issue For The Welfare Of The People. It was how to spend our kids money on WAR which goes to corporation profits. Non of these items are progressive agenda items ZERO. For you to think that Connell or ANY republican in house can be trusted is simple folly that Regan used to kill all unions, corporations to pay zero taxes, talk big center of international diplomacy, stack the court leading to steeling presidency by Roberts playing with words, Citizen money is free speech, etc etc. Comon man you are not getting me to join that wagon train again. Congress going through that tears in eyes is same as when head of state of Israel came to talk to congress to get war crime leader elected in his state or buying in to all press clamor tat got us in Iraq. OUR Oligarchs smoking cirgar with some brandy in board room laughing together is what was going on. But when it comes to help all of our people with Medicare for All which a tear jerking video could be made and shown to congress you would have gotten boos from people you no think as a miracle will have a fallacy term Cold War made up with a movie star fam on saying Tear Down That Wall when it was already born down and Cold War ended by Russian leader. Or omg heaven forbid if college education was an extension of our free education to help our dream - surely professor you could make a tear jerking video to get a standing ovation for that. Or how about fixing child care and senior citizen care. ALL OF THIS IS HIDDEN BY DESIGN and you took the bait Mr Reich. Just to have a get-along-feeling? Really!!! Are you a progressive - search you believes out professor - are you really
I don't trust the GOP. I don't trust most Republican members of Congress. I've been through this too long to think we're going to join hands and have a rebirth of bipartisanship. I only want to register a shift, somewhat, in the mood in Washington -- a shift that could possibly signal the start of a larger shift, perhaps in the nation as a whole.
They are not to be trusted. At least the REALLY bad ones have to go, even better all of the bad ones, and also, let's screen them before they can run for office...all of them...and they have to meet a certain minimum requirement. At that level the minimum should be pretty high.
There should be a lengthy screening process too for getting to the final presidential candidates for all countries. Trump and Putin and all the other autocrats would have failed miserably and been struck off the list early on.
I'll never trust'em, either.
Do you fully realize the magnitude, the ramifications of your probably justified conclusion? Half of American voters are deeply problematic; some of them want a civil war, "trial by combat," as Giuliani framed it with a sneer.
Certainly not half. But they do constitute a "concurrent majority" in red states. Demographics favor Democrats as older voters are displaced by younger people far less inclined to hear the racist dog whistles. In 2020 the Democratic Party did a lousy job reaching tenants, who are 70% inclined to vote D.
According to the most recent Monmouth Poll only17% of the public thinks there is still a path to reverse the electoral vote count and replace Biden with Trump before the next presidential election (6% definitely and 11% probably).
I have no control over who wants civil war, here. Besides, is the solution in trusting those who would gladly kill you over what they >believe<, as if they have the right to kill you >exactly< because of what they believe? >That< describes an Al Qaeda terrorist - or any other such ilk! Do you fully realize the magnitude, the ramifications of the honestly stated question you asked? Why should you feel compelled to ask it? They're the ones who would require submission or death. I fully trust'em like a goddam rattlesnake in my boot.
I must be naive. (It's hard to know one's real status or psychological bona fides in life. We're all the hero in the movie in our heads.)
I doubt they would kill us in cold blood. Maybe in hot blood, as in the mood of Jan. 6 at the Capitol, though.
They're just angry, frustrated, brainwashed shallow thinkers, wannabe heroes or "patriots." Not bloodthirsty pirates of yore.
So your rational conclusion is that they're trustworthy, is it?
I doubt their bravery, commitment, and perseverance. Most of those unarmed insurrectionists just got caught up in the heat of the moment, some driving by, and upon seeing a crowd, joined in with a "Hey, what's going on?" They didn't seem like focused, highly trained freedom fighters, just slug-a-bugs, the most of them, without any real passion in life except for McDonald's McRibs. Hence, the embarrassing contrition and mawkish tears in court when pleading guilty; those guys are not Nathan Hale clones, maybe Donald Trump clowns: "The president told us to, and besides I like showing off my professionally painted face and buffalo hoodie complete with real horns, now on sale for $69.95, only at Bob's Truck Stop & Minnow Shop in Toad Suck, Arkansas. I'm Bob, by the way; here's my card. I'm gonna need that back once you've looked it over."
Spot on. Many people need a better education in analysis of information, decision-making, ethics, and need to actually learn the importance of having empathy, ethics, good judgment, taking responsibility themselves, etc.....instead of just being angry at everything and everyone...and wanting to destroy things in their way...as a solution. You can't trust these sorts of people to make good decisions....not one iota.
I don’t want Trump on the back burner. He is a danger and security risk. If we let his crimes slide, we’ll pay a very big price. There is a tremendous amount of nuttery out there still, not only with republicans but Trump’s armed followers. The only reason republicans applauded Zelenskyy, is because all of our allies are watching, and NATO countries are supporting the Democrats’ words, not republicans.
I say this ad nauseam, but stop showing these republican nuts on the news constantly. They are always interviewing a damn republican. Or showing the stupid trump big rig tantrum brigade.
I hope the needle is moving just a little toward sanity but seeing will be believing.
The massive risks associated with accelerating climate change and extinctions were not enough of an existential threat to unite us. It takes the grim prospect of mutual nuclear annihilation with Russia, which is now more imminent.
And close to a million dying in a pandemic couldn't unite us, either.
That didn’t make defense stocks go up so why should they care?
I think it's a pretty feckless excuse to say (or perhaps admit) that the only thing that can really bring America together is an outside threat. Will we ever evolve from that?
Hope so. The Great Depression brought us together, to some extent.
I do not now and never will trust one ounce of the GOP propaganda machine that spreads lies, cruelty and hatred. They can all go straight to you know where.
Professor, Until receiving your missive, I didn’t dare allow myself to imagine, partisan disputes aside, that perhaps the majority of us are viewing Ukraine as the front line of freedom right now, engaged in a struggle between freedom and tyranny that, dare I say, awakens in us the desire to protect our own aspirational American experiment from its potential undoing. I will know we have undergone a paradigm shift when opposing parties, once again, view one another as opponents and not as enemies.
Yes, immediate threats to our security seem to mostly bring us together for our survival. Pity that global heating is a slow threat, largely unrecognized and denied by the right.
Forgot #DaylightSavingsTime - Just saw feed from Trevor: senate unanimous vote
Could what you're sensing in Congress be an increasing realization that the US party conflict is itself a large factor in Putin's decision to move on Ukraine >now<? That the polarization itself has been Putin's whole game - where Putin's a'playin' "the long game?" That polarization was - and apparently still is - ol' Tweety's >whole job!< Naw! It couldn't be anything so rational. Never mind.
DZK ; Republicans should be smart enough to see that 'The party of Putin' is not currently a good look! Volodymir Zelenskyy had a tour de force presentation that went well beyond words!
"Republicans should be smart enough".....really? Exactly how many are we talking about? Those who truly see it OR those courageous enough to acknowledge it? I think it will take 3/4 of the country to stand up and forcefully stop fascism.
I am trying to give you a like but sometimes my phone just won’t cooperate. Well said!
Yes, sometimes the Like button won't work, even if using a computer.
He definitely has support here, and a puppet who could still tamper with democracy.
I'm persuaded that, like the Middle East, but not so ancient, there are historic antagonisms involved in Ukraine. At first blush, it makes the political/social environment of Ukraine appear not unlike what's happening here now. There are two populations in Ukraine, each having no use for the other, but they're much more clearly defined than in the US in this epoch. They are the Western inclined population in Western Ukraine and the Russian inclined population in the East - roughly analogous to the North & South in the Civil War. There's also the long-standing Russian paranoia of the West to consider. Russia fears NATO missiles - that, to my knowledge, nobody was proposing deploying in Ukraine, sort of like Republicans shrieking about Critical Race Theory, that nobody ever heard of, being taught public school - being deployed in Ukraine. At least, that's an excuse that keeps "turning up like a bad penny."
I read an intelligent response to one of my comments here the other day that suggests the ouster of Yanukovych was not unlike the 1/6 insurrection. Assuming what the contributor says is true, Yanukovych was democratically elected in a free and fair election. Keep in mind, >I'm only assuming truth for the sake of the argument, here.< >I'm personally agnostic on the issue.< The responder claims that Yanukovych was elected by an overwhelming majority in the East, while the West overwhelmingly voted for the opposition candidate that lost.
That still brings me to my current position. That was all an Uke internal political issue. Russia could have collaborated with the EU to broker a mutually satisfying - for Ukraine - political settlement that involved creating East and West Ukraine autonomous districts - much like US states - or the outright creation of mutually independent states of East and West Ukraine. I previously held that Russia could have simply competed with NATO diplomatically to convince Ukraine that Russia was a far better ally than NATO. None of that happened, though. Instead, Putin elected to make his bloody-minded move that brought us to the state we're in today.
Some here have attempted to apologize for Putin's move, blaming the West's diplomatic failure - that is, failing to appease Putin. I still say "horse hockey!" Putin is either the autocratic dictator he appears to be, or like ol' Tweety, just another tired-arsed egomaniac moron with a delusion of grandeur and an infinite appetite for power - >and< an army! To me, it's a distinction without a difference. (except for the army!) Putin just waited until his intelligence indicated that the West was sufficiently weak that it couldn't prevent him from making his move. Perhaps that's what our mini "stable geniuses" in Congress are finally catching on to.
@DZK. You're a complicated person. Much of what you say resonates, but some comments aren't exactly historical. It's a cynical thing to say that Zelenskyy wasn't properly elected democratically - he was. The "turning out of power" you reference was actually the former president running away from prosecution for his crimes against Ukraine. Yanukovych left the country on his own: From Wikipedia: On 22 February 2014, the Ukrainian parliament voted to remove him from his post and schedule new elections on the grounds that Yanukovych "has restrained himself from performing his constitutional duties" and effectively resigned...
Not saying that at all. Of course, Zelenskyy was properly elected - although I have no info on voter turn-out in the East for that election. However, the claim I'm responding to is that Yanukovych was, as well. On that I'm agnostic. I'm assuming it true for the sake of the argument. And Yanukovych was run out of office in a "political insurrection" - let's say here - whereupon he fled to Minsk, and later to Moscow - and that much is fact. (There >was< a lot of hollerin' & yellin' in the streets, at the time.) What I'm asserting is whether that apologetic for Putin's action is true or not, my position remains unchanged.
Splitting hairs about whether Yanukovych was run out of office or thrown out of office is moot, in my view. Yanukovych went a'cryin' to Moscow and Putin saw an opportunity.
Does that simplify my position?
Yep. No one knows the whole truth, so we make our assumptions (like I do).