Jul 23, 2022·edited Jul 23, 2022Liked by Robert Reich, Heather Lofthouse
i chose "america will begin to heal" because we have, as a nation, been confronted by the truth of the actions of a group, for the first time since watergate. and watergate was likely the first time EVER that americans were provided with accurate information about criminal activities of some of its citizens. but unlike watergate, it seems these hearings were aimed primarily at the public. necessarily.
but of course, my vote is a very tiny minority of your responses so far, with "zilch" being the top response. i almost chose this response myself, because i tend towards cynicism. but as you said, robert, on twitter https://twitter.com/RBReich/status/1550619106927292417 : "Never forget this: The forces undermining our democracy, polluting our planet, and stoking hatred are counting on you to give up. Cynicism is how they win."
i agree. so i pulled myself out of that sinkhole of cynicism and despair and voted differently from my initial impulse.
I have no idea! Most of what has happened to me, my friends and family and the world I never would or could have predicted. But here goes:
I will take a wild guess and suggest that TFG will be taken down by the state of Georgia. And I think the finger in the dike has been removed by former Trumpers who are now angrily testifying. It will be a waterfall of payback and retribution to a pathetic bully.
This much I believe. Karma is never fast enough or perfectly what we want. But every action creates a reaction. DJT has spent his whole life hurting people. Stealing money from contractors, humiliating people publicly (over and over and over), lying incessantly, ruining careers, betraying loyal followers...the list of his abuses is longer than any comment section could contain. You can't spend an entire life treating people like disposable tissue paper and not ultimately experience some payback.
All this will bite him in the butt. And those who continue to believe in such a putz will be marginalized. I could be wrong. It happens all the time. But maybe this time I've got it right :)
I, too, am a cynic by nature but our wonderful USA is under serious threat of losing it's Democracy. We are assailed by lies, violence, threats, loss of voting rights and all the ills that portend our downfall. People, we must vote in numbers unseen and make a resounding statement that We the People, not Corporations and anarchists, are the deciders. It is not a time to wring our hands and say, "Nothing can be done." Sign petitions, become involved, vote, spread the truth and have faith that Americans will find the moral courage to turn this around. Trump is one person but we number in the millions. All the ills that will befall our children and grandchildren can be resolved by positive changes in attitude, heart and laws. Commune with like-minded others and VOTE like your life depends on it because it really DOES! There are more decent, civic-minded citizens than those who would see us devolve into a dictatorship. Even if Trump goes to jail, more will rise up to try and complete his mission. Don't ever give up or give in! God Bless America!
The January 6th committee has done an outstanding job presenting the facts to the country and I’m looking forward to their continuation in the fall. As for indicting Trump, the country is already split and will continue to be regardless of whether Garland indicts him. If he fails to indict, the message Garland will be sending to the American people is that some people “are” above the law thus further eroding respect of our courts and the system of laws. Great conversation this morning on a variety of important topics that we need to keep front and center.
“Surely 173 despots would be just as oppressive as one.” — James Madison
Congress has become nothing more than a fancy club for millionaires. Wake up, people! Nothing ever gets accomplished in government that remotely resembles justice, nor that would truly benefit the middle &/or working class. This (essentially) two party system is crap.
Thank you, ROBERT REICH, for being a real-life LORAX who SPEAKS FOR THE PEOPLE!
We must prosecute Trump. As long as Trump and his supporters believe the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. Although the courts found no credible evidence that the election was stolen, Trump continued to say it was stolen. His rhetoric of tweets bringing his supporters to DC and announcing they go to the Capitol to stop the counting of electoral votes for Biden is evidence of a crime. Crimes need to be prosecuted. I rest my case.
The original "groups" that back Trump are not new, ie the militias, hate groups, anti-immigrant , gun rightists, political rightists and the religious right. Most have been active in America since our status as British colonies. These groups adapt their mission, message, and methods to the times and issue at hand….and they believe themselves to be the REAL patriots. Trump, with the able assistance of Steve Bannon, sought the support of these groups. Bannon invited them join with Trump and their long dreamed goals would become reality. They did not just show up on January 6th, they were there from the beginning of Trump's bid to become President. These groups are quite powerful, have enjoyed large membership growth and right wing media too! After Trump, they will find another. They are not going away.
Failing to prosecute ALL involved in the Jan 6 uprising is itself the failure of democracy. There is no doubt the right is pushing an authoritarian regime. Of course they will play victim if they're charged, but so what? The message of not taking action would be that authoritarian laws that punish the vast majority of the population are pretty much inevitable, and that our suffering isn't worth the fight. That's the recipe for an actual bloody revolution, as the 1% uses their power to create a permanent indentured working class.
On yesterdays PBS NEWS HOUR was a poll result that 20% of Americans don't follow the Jan 6 hearings. They are probably in the states that have unbalanced representation in the Senate and Electoral College. Analysts said that people care about what impacts them, not the fate of democracy....ie. gas prices, inflation. The hearings are very important and making laws that will prevent this in the future are important, but this won't win an election, which is what matters.
In most people's mind Jan. 6 is about 2020, and we know what happened. The hearings are theatre filling in the details. What will you do for me now?!
If GOP can run on and win elections on CRT, pedophiles, Don't Say Gay, and other distractions, the Democrats can focus campaigns on real issues (Forced Birth, Gun Safety, affordable housing, Healthcare, Jobs, climate, voter rights, education) ...Josh Hawley running away is symbolic of the GOP, but he did come back to the chamber and create mischief, he did raise the pedophilia attack during the Supreme Court justice confirmation...Cruz ran to Cancun, but is still a danger to democracy. Take no comfort in pointing out their hypocrisy. They raise money and that's what counts and have a loud voice creating sound bites.
Do not spend too much time responding to them, and parrying their BS. There is plenty of real issues we can take the offense with to bring out the vote and win elections up and down the ballot.
Thank you for this. It's too early for coffee in California, but wonderful to listen to under the stars, with the dogs , a black sky, silver stars, and a golden sliver of a moon.
I’m afraid Merrick Garland won’t prosecute Trump for fear of both political backlash and the very real threat of violence from Trump supporters. I think he should regardless of the risks, but I fear he won’t.
I chose zilch as the republicans are not changing much as shown by the contraceptive vote. Georgia seems the best chance of a trial not DOJ. Trump may skate and that scares me.
My biggest fear is that the result will be zilch and that none of the other options will come to pass. With everything we’ve learned comes increased GOP doubling down on their path to one party government. Public seems apathetic and the Dems discombobulated. SCOTUS is on a rampage to dismantle our civil rights as well as personal ones. Am now reading the most terrifying book in years: Corey Robin’s “The Enigma of Clarence Thomas.” He is now the leading theoretician of the Court and his vision of black nationalism, worship of money and the Constitution should strike terror in us all. November election will show whether I’m too pessimistic. But one Holocaust was enough for me and my family. But the GOP seems to hold Hungary’s Orban as the model. If they win, God help us all!
Is Trump a monster or what?
i chose "america will begin to heal" because we have, as a nation, been confronted by the truth of the actions of a group, for the first time since watergate. and watergate was likely the first time EVER that americans were provided with accurate information about criminal activities of some of its citizens. but unlike watergate, it seems these hearings were aimed primarily at the public. necessarily.
but of course, my vote is a very tiny minority of your responses so far, with "zilch" being the top response. i almost chose this response myself, because i tend towards cynicism. but as you said, robert, on twitter https://twitter.com/RBReich/status/1550619106927292417 : "Never forget this: The forces undermining our democracy, polluting our planet, and stoking hatred are counting on you to give up. Cynicism is how they win."
i agree. so i pulled myself out of that sinkhole of cynicism and despair and voted differently from my initial impulse.
I say all of the above; Stephen King says don’t forget that Trump is not human.
I have no idea! Most of what has happened to me, my friends and family and the world I never would or could have predicted. But here goes:
I will take a wild guess and suggest that TFG will be taken down by the state of Georgia. And I think the finger in the dike has been removed by former Trumpers who are now angrily testifying. It will be a waterfall of payback and retribution to a pathetic bully.
This much I believe. Karma is never fast enough or perfectly what we want. But every action creates a reaction. DJT has spent his whole life hurting people. Stealing money from contractors, humiliating people publicly (over and over and over), lying incessantly, ruining careers, betraying loyal followers...the list of his abuses is longer than any comment section could contain. You can't spend an entire life treating people like disposable tissue paper and not ultimately experience some payback.
All this will bite him in the butt. And those who continue to believe in such a putz will be marginalized. I could be wrong. It happens all the time. But maybe this time I've got it right :)
I, too, am a cynic by nature but our wonderful USA is under serious threat of losing it's Democracy. We are assailed by lies, violence, threats, loss of voting rights and all the ills that portend our downfall. People, we must vote in numbers unseen and make a resounding statement that We the People, not Corporations and anarchists, are the deciders. It is not a time to wring our hands and say, "Nothing can be done." Sign petitions, become involved, vote, spread the truth and have faith that Americans will find the moral courage to turn this around. Trump is one person but we number in the millions. All the ills that will befall our children and grandchildren can be resolved by positive changes in attitude, heart and laws. Commune with like-minded others and VOTE like your life depends on it because it really DOES! There are more decent, civic-minded citizens than those who would see us devolve into a dictatorship. Even if Trump goes to jail, more will rise up to try and complete his mission. Don't ever give up or give in! God Bless America!
Trump and Bannon are both psychopaths and monsters.
The January 6th committee has done an outstanding job presenting the facts to the country and I’m looking forward to their continuation in the fall. As for indicting Trump, the country is already split and will continue to be regardless of whether Garland indicts him. If he fails to indict, the message Garland will be sending to the American people is that some people “are” above the law thus further eroding respect of our courts and the system of laws. Great conversation this morning on a variety of important topics that we need to keep front and center.
“Surely 173 despots would be just as oppressive as one.” — James Madison
Congress has become nothing more than a fancy club for millionaires. Wake up, people! Nothing ever gets accomplished in government that remotely resembles justice, nor that would truly benefit the middle &/or working class. This (essentially) two party system is crap.
Thank you, ROBERT REICH, for being a real-life LORAX who SPEAKS FOR THE PEOPLE!
Garland won't prosecute. We need an independent counsel to push forward with prosecuting Trump and the 8 in Congress who aided him..
We must prosecute Trump. As long as Trump and his supporters believe the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. Although the courts found no credible evidence that the election was stolen, Trump continued to say it was stolen. His rhetoric of tweets bringing his supporters to DC and announcing they go to the Capitol to stop the counting of electoral votes for Biden is evidence of a crime. Crimes need to be prosecuted. I rest my case.
The original "groups" that back Trump are not new, ie the militias, hate groups, anti-immigrant , gun rightists, political rightists and the religious right. Most have been active in America since our status as British colonies. These groups adapt their mission, message, and methods to the times and issue at hand….and they believe themselves to be the REAL patriots. Trump, with the able assistance of Steve Bannon, sought the support of these groups. Bannon invited them join with Trump and their long dreamed goals would become reality. They did not just show up on January 6th, they were there from the beginning of Trump's bid to become President. These groups are quite powerful, have enjoyed large membership growth and right wing media too! After Trump, they will find another. They are not going away.
Failing to prosecute ALL involved in the Jan 6 uprising is itself the failure of democracy. There is no doubt the right is pushing an authoritarian regime. Of course they will play victim if they're charged, but so what? The message of not taking action would be that authoritarian laws that punish the vast majority of the population are pretty much inevitable, and that our suffering isn't worth the fight. That's the recipe for an actual bloody revolution, as the 1% uses their power to create a permanent indentured working class.
On yesterdays PBS NEWS HOUR was a poll result that 20% of Americans don't follow the Jan 6 hearings. They are probably in the states that have unbalanced representation in the Senate and Electoral College. Analysts said that people care about what impacts them, not the fate of democracy....ie. gas prices, inflation. The hearings are very important and making laws that will prevent this in the future are important, but this won't win an election, which is what matters.
In most people's mind Jan. 6 is about 2020, and we know what happened. The hearings are theatre filling in the details. What will you do for me now?!
If GOP can run on and win elections on CRT, pedophiles, Don't Say Gay, and other distractions, the Democrats can focus campaigns on real issues (Forced Birth, Gun Safety, affordable housing, Healthcare, Jobs, climate, voter rights, education) ...Josh Hawley running away is symbolic of the GOP, but he did come back to the chamber and create mischief, he did raise the pedophilia attack during the Supreme Court justice confirmation...Cruz ran to Cancun, but is still a danger to democracy. Take no comfort in pointing out their hypocrisy. They raise money and that's what counts and have a loud voice creating sound bites.
Do not spend too much time responding to them, and parrying their BS. There is plenty of real issues we can take the offense with to bring out the vote and win elections up and down the ballot.
Thank you for this. It's too early for coffee in California, but wonderful to listen to under the stars, with the dogs , a black sky, silver stars, and a golden sliver of a moon.
I’m afraid Merrick Garland won’t prosecute Trump for fear of both political backlash and the very real threat of violence from Trump supporters. I think he should regardless of the risks, but I fear he won’t.
I chose zilch as the republicans are not changing much as shown by the contraceptive vote. Georgia seems the best chance of a trial not DOJ. Trump may skate and that scares me.
My biggest fear is that the result will be zilch and that none of the other options will come to pass. With everything we’ve learned comes increased GOP doubling down on their path to one party government. Public seems apathetic and the Dems discombobulated. SCOTUS is on a rampage to dismantle our civil rights as well as personal ones. Am now reading the most terrifying book in years: Corey Robin’s “The Enigma of Clarence Thomas.” He is now the leading theoretician of the Court and his vision of black nationalism, worship of money and the Constitution should strike terror in us all. November election will show whether I’m too pessimistic. But one Holocaust was enough for me and my family. But the GOP seems to hold Hungary’s Orban as the model. If they win, God help us all!