My informal weekly coffee with Heather Lofthouse (the executive director of Inequality Media Civic Action, and my former student), discussing the past week.
Jun 4, 2022·edited Jun 4, 2022Liked by Heather Lofthouse
As a four cup a day coffee drinker, this is great news! I'm looking forward to the hearings next week. Whereas they've been a long time coming, the findings are critically important if we are to hold those involved accountable and pass legislation that ensures this can never happen again. As for the gun problem, it's unlikely to be resolved in the Senate due to republican obstruction. If we want to protect our families lives with sensible gun laws it going to be up to the people come November. As for Ukraine, don't ignore it, keep up the support, Putin is counting on us to lose interest so he can swoop in and destroy the entire nation. Great coffee klatch!
Public hearings. Hope that there aren't any speeches. Coming attractions say "present previously unseen material documenting January 6th, receive witness testimony, preview additional hearings, and provide the American people a summary of its findings about the coordinated, multi-step effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and prevent the transfer of power,"
Supposedly they've taken statements from more than 1000 witnesses. The hearings will have "tens of thousands of exhibits" and a cast of "hundreds of witnesses," says Rep. Bennie Thompson, the committee chairman. Jamie Raskin says it's the story of the worst presidential political offense against the Union in American history, and It's going to blow the roof off the House."
I hope he's right.
My unsolicited advice is the play's the thing...and "the play within the play" is crucial to public understanding. In the first hearing, "four police officers gave graphic accounts of the physical and verbal assaults they endured while protecting the Capitol and the lawmakers who had gathered on Jan. 6, 2021, to count and certify states' electoral votes from the 2020 election. Over 100 law enforcement officers were injured and several people died after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol to overturn the election results."
It was not theatrically staged for prime time.
Enter. scene one ...first scenes take place in the oval office before 1/6. Prosecution should produce a short chart, showing the time line.
The symbol is Pence's gallows.
New evidence from Marc Short, Pence chief of staff, is he sent a message to agent Tim Giebels prior to 1/6 that Trump was going to retaliate against Pence, causing a security risk.
What did Pence know and when did he know it? Who else knew? Staffers? Secret Service? Mother and the kids?
Who was the limmo driver, that Pence refused? What were his instructions? Who gave them? IMHO the inference is that had he taken the ride, Pence would not have made it to the Capitol to preside over the Electoral College vote.
Who constructed the gallows? The signs? The noose? Did the gallows and noose have DNA on them?
Jun 4, 2022·edited Jun 4, 2022Liked by Heather Lofthouse, Robert Reich
I appreciate Ms Lofthouse's continued masking. I'm a fat, old, smoker, in need of more exercise, and I >always< mask-up and keep my distance in crowded areas and indoor public places. When challenged, I say that it's a habit I see no reason to break, because I haven't had so much as a sniffle in 3 years, and besides, it annoys the livin' $hi7 out of anti-maskers! (It comes off immediately, as soon as I step outside or remove myself from crowds - which I usually avoid in the first place - which I did >throughout< the mask mandate. I still think masking outside is over the top - just as prohibiting smoking outside is a totally gratuitous dick-move!)
DZK ; I quit smoking as a senior and have not regretted it. I feel better than I have in years ! Also, as soon as I took the mask off when the requirement was lifted, I got an old fashioned cold. (probably the ol' Spanish flu ; It wasn't Covid). I don't leave home without masks.
Some folks are genetically predisposed to certain substances: alcohol, or even dairy products for example. (How 'bout gluten, for chrissake ‽) I've accepted my end will be much like my father's - at 90, 2 yrs younger than his non-smoking mother, 3 yrs younger than his non-smoking sister, and a year older than his other sister, who was a smokestack! On the other side, my mother met her end at 62 from complications of MS. (Indeed, she, too, was a smoker earlier in life and quit because it interfered with the Nicotinic Acid she took for therapy! To the end of his days, Dad couldn't figure out how she was miraculously able to quit "cold turkey" by just stopping!) That was the same age as her younger sister, an otherwise healthy and clean-living - but mightily ill-tempered - virtual nun. Her high-functioning alcoholic brother checked out a few years later, while his son, who was born >exactly< a month after me and didn't have an alcohol, or any other problem, fell over dead with a massive coronary at 57, while our mutual - also ill-tempered - grandmother switched off like a lightbulb sitting in her chair talking to my mother when she was around 55 from a massive stroke. (I could easily draw conclusions about being an ill-tempered clean-liver. Hitler comes first to mind! How 'bout ol' Tweety himself ‽)
Have you seen the TV ad currently running about a fictional game-show called "Break the Stigma," where none of the contestants can figure out how to fill in the blanks of: "F _ M I L Y H I S T _ R Y?"
Besides, smoking is one of my working-class pleasures in life, where the simple act of offering a smoke was once a basic sign of friendliness! "Smoke 'em if ya' got't'em, too, was just as true for soldiers as working class.
DZK ; I am working class who managed to get into 'middle class' because my husband and I own a home. But the 'flats of Holyoke MA' definitely qualified as a working class neighborhood. I was 'fully formed' at 11 years old when I 'escaped' to the DCG (division of child guardianship) and went into an orphanage then a series of foster homes. I could be considered one of those 'susceptible' addictive personalities who managed to escape some of those all too common addictions. My mother's dad lived to be 98. He enjoyed his Christian brothers scotch until very near the end. He did quit smoking decades before that. He was a singer in his church choir until he fell on the stairs and broke his hip at 95. Walked everywhere and never drove a car. He was born in 1901. He was 17 when the Spanish Flu pandemic hit. At 13 joined the army and was a'dough boy' during WW1. Never saw action, He joined late. Interesting man. His Irish parents came from County Kerry, the Dingle, Ireland. They encountered signs that read "Irish need not apply". Greedheads were busy then, too.
WOW! You >too< have a "F _ M I L Y H I S T _ R Y!" Mom's side of the family was Polish-Ukrainian - Polinski von Swallen. Dad's side came from the Hessians - one of them jumped the fence after being gut-shot! Among many, I used to be considered a "half-breed," and probably still am, by some. I certainly would have been considered such a thing in the Third Reich, and Mom and Dad were at one time considered an interracial marriage. (I just know if I backed white racism, there would eventually come a time I wouldn't be considered white enough. I >really< don't understand why they don't "get that" in Slavic lands - Poland, in particular!)
In many places outside of America, it was probably an even bigger issue to marry across races. Here we see it more perhaps. The 'melting pot'. Ostracism still exists as long as there is discrimination due to wealth or poverty, race, and religion, education too.
I have a customer who is Irish and Polish. When he mentioned that to me it was obviously of great import to him, as a stressor. He did not elaborate. My maternal grandmother was French Canadian and Catholic. She eloped in order to marry my Irish Catholic grandfather, it was so forbidden!
You can do nothing about being old (I’m 76, BTW), but I know you can do something about being a fat smoker. You say you’ll do whatever you please? Well, we won’t have you around as long as we would otherwise, and that should settle the argument once and for all. Not to be nasty at all—just stating a fact.
I wear a mask everywhere outside the home. I live alone in a studio apartment in New York City. I’m vaccinated to the hilt.
Ooo. That could be just as dangerous as talking about him constantly! AFTER he goes to prison, THEN we can collectively forget the morbidly obese manchild HIMSELF. We must never forget what he tried to do though, lest it happen again.
Daniel H Laemmerhirt ; He is still trying to do this overthrow of government by installing Right wing partisans in state houses and Secretaries of State. He continues with his rallies constantly, lying all the time.
Jun 4, 2022·edited Jun 4, 2022Liked by Heather Lofthouse, Robert Reich
Heather, thank you for keeping your mask on!!! This pandemic is not over, we don't know who is carrying it as they may be asymptomatic and spreading it. Masks protect both ourselves and others.
Like automobiles which also can cause injury and death, a federal gun permit could require insurance with the cost based on the nature of the gun and the condition of the licensed user, and their safety habits. While the government used fees to put Tommy guns out of use, this method aims to recover for any damage and has insurance companies compete for business. Hblasdel@gmail.com
You need a license to fish. You need driver's training, written & behind-the-wheel tests to get a driver's license, then car insurance. Why should it be any different for a weapon?
Jun 4, 2022Liked by Robert Reich, Heather Lofthouse
As I drink my second cup of coffee while listening to Robert and Heather, and getting ready to play Wordle and the NY Times Spelling Bee, I am the most content I have been all week. Love Coffee Klatch!!
A question for Prof. Reich: If Russia crossed the Bering Strait to invade Alaska, bombing its towns and cities into rubble, raping its women, forcing its citizens to become Russian citizens, and blockading its ports, with evidence of intent to move its military down the coast of Canada to potentially take territory in Washington State, would you say, "Let Russia have Alaska, so there can be a cease-fire."? The problem is, as demonstrated by the West's weak response to Russia's previous invasions of other countries, rewarding bad behavior only engenders more bad behavior. A retired general likened it to appeasing a two-year-old throwing a temper tantrum.
I'm not a proponent of war and aggression, but unfortunately, force is the only potentially effective response to someone like Vladimir Putin. If Ukraine gives up and cedes territory to Russia in exchange for a cease-fire, Putin will bide his time, re-arm and continue his invasion. He has made it crystal clear that he believes Ukraine has no right to exist at all. And he is betting on the prospect that the West will tire of the war before he does.
Carolyn, as I said in the coffee klatch, I certainly don't favor allowing Russia to keep eastern Ukraine -- for the very reason you state. But pressure is building to push Ukraine to accept something similar, and if the conflict continues for another few months -- as seems likely -- I fear the US will be on the side of appeasement.
Unlike Ukraine, we are a nation of few principles and values, ready to trade virtually anyone and any ally or partner for profits, power, and prestige. If push comes to shove in Ukraine, we will in all likelihood try to force some sort of concession on the part of Ukraine as we will have no stomach for a long-term conflict if it means that we have to sacrifice our way of life (opulence). We are more than willing to accept the horrific deaths of our own citizens for the sake of our second amendment rights which, when all is said and done, are a fraud and sham (as Justice Warren Berger noted). I am sorry that, in the end, President Zelenskyy and his people will discover that we talk a good game when it comes to freedom and democracy but that we will cave in in the end and leave Ukraine with their principles, values, and brave defense of their freedom. (Which may also be more value than we end up with.) It is better to know what and who we really are once the window-dressing is cut away but it will also be a bitter pill for a few of us to swallow.
I understand your position, Dr, Reich. But I hope we stand firm. I view Putin as a bully in a school yard of little kids, if we give in to him, even a little, he'll think he's won and try for more.
If Putin is betting on the chance that the US will tire of the war in Ukraine and abandon the Ukrainians to their fate at the hands of Russia, he has a pretty good chance of pulling it off. The USA and its leaders generally have a short attention span and if victory is not immediate they can (but not always) lose the spunk to carry on and on and on. (Limited attention span.) A columnist noted recently, that the war in Ukraine has slipped "below the fold," that is, Ukraine is still a major story but, what with the horrendous events in Uvalde and Buffalo, it has slipped down the page of the NY Times and will slip further as the most recent crisis gets top bidding. You may have noted that the crises of last week are losing their grip...par for the course, I guess. It shouldn't be this way as it sends a message to our adversaries that, if they wait long enough (a week or so), they may get their way...and that leaves Zelenskyy and Ukraine out on a limb. On the other hand, we have been involved in conflicts where we have stuck it out, even in conflicts where we stayed beyond all reason and judgment (Vietnam) so who knows how this will go. I do believe that, however it turns out Ukraine deserves the support of the free world, especially since it appears the US has surrendered its claim to being leader of the free world to none other than Ukraine.
Hi Carolyn, I am in complete agreement with you. I love your analogy of crossing the Bering Strait to attack Alaska. Even with global warming raising the sea level and eroding the coast (I just looked it up - it is 85 kilometers, 53 miles That's the striking distance of the intermediate missiles we're sending to Ukraine) Another point, we have far more important habitation in Alaska than Russia does in the relatively unpopulated eastern 2/3 of its country. Would the trumpsters welcome this invasion of an authoritarian strongman? would Donald J ?
We too, have nuclear weapons. Great Britain, France, Israel, India (and probably more of our allies) also have nuclear weapons. And China has displayed no great love for Putin.
We all have them, pretty much. But what happens to the world if they are used? It would be useful if we could target Putin. If his actual digs could be known. probably hides in Switzerland.
Biden has limitations I’m sure, but there are common sense actions he can and should be taking. Number one is announce to Americans our democracy is under attack from fascist right wing extremists disguised as the Republican Party Maybe this should be a priority Joe: Biden is President and I’m realistic enough to agree that one man can’t do it all. He is the most powerful man on earth and is reacting to aggression rather than meeting it head on. To me that is weakness. You put all the responsibilities on voters. He needs to very assertively eliminate the filibuster, expand the Supreme Court, shut down Fox News as the terrorist network they are, arrest politicians that openly attack our democracy. Declare war on insurrectionists and traitors. Tough stuff but it needs to be done. Getting democrats to vote blue is not enough. It leaves too much up to chance. We are at war and they want to put you in a oven. Voting blue is our job. Defeating fascism is Biden’s job. Getting people to vote is not nearly enough.
Maybe Robert will address public/media relations in summer school.
NYT published an op ed. Fight price fixers and price gougers. Fight Putin where it hurts. Fight in the markets; on the beaches, fight on the landing grounds, fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender!!
I read that earlier. I wonder how effective that is. As far as the oil embargoes in European countries. Also India. U.S. oil imports are only about 4% of our total oil?
I appreciate your enthusiasm. but as an ardent supporter of the Constitution I can't accept all your suggestions. First the filibuster is a creature of the Senate, and no matter how much the rest of us despise the filibuster (I hate it with a passion) no one except the Senate can undo it. Secondly, the first Amendment protects the freedom of the Press - since neither radio nor TV existed at the end of the 18th Century it is logical to include all media under the first Amendment. However, there is one thing I think the FCC could legally do. While I was working in DC for 15 months I stayed at a hotel. Living in the same hotel, I was privileged to become friends with staff and management. When I complained about Fox being the only channel turned on 24/7, I was informed the Murdoch's purchased that right from most of the large hotel chain upper management. If this is true, I believe it is called bribery and could be stopped. (I traveled all over the east coast, mid-west, and much of the South for several years following this and observed the same thing in every hotel chain at which I stayed.
Why Congress will do nothing much about guns. Since I can't draw on here you'll need your imagination:
Earnest young reporter: "Senator Cruz, how has the most recent school shooting informed your thinking?"
Senator Cruz, putting on his most thoughtful-looking expression: "Well, you know we have a lot of 10-year olds in this country. I don't think we're going to run out anytime soon!"
I have to admit that I am jealous. Not Schadenfreude, I am happy that the both of you have what you have but I want it also.
I was not doing well before, covid, I did not do well during covid, and I am not doing well post covid.
I am both lonely and hate being in the company of others. Not surprising, I rarely am in the company of others.
I have no children.
Since Covid, I have stopped drinking coffee since it causes me have diarrhea. I miss coffee.
Professor you tell me that I should be both optimistic and try to make a positive change in the world. I, am finding that difficult if not impossible. I am not sure if that a symptom of my mental illness or knowledge I have gain in my life time. I am 67.
I still cannot picture a me that would be happy living in the world that exists today.
I don't often do this. I >recommend< taking the words of Ecclesiastes to heart. I normally just say that Ecclesiastes is the only read in the whole collection of bronze-age barbarian stories worth special attention, instead of just knowing about in the name of cultural awareness. (Translate "cultural awareness" as "self-defense!") My situation is very much like yours. I understand the conflict between loneliness and finding social interaction ultimately unrewarding if not distasteful. I find personal social interaction approaches enjoyable as long as you can manage to keep the interaction light and focused - this forum is a good example. Above all, life is worth living, as long as you maintain your perspective, and stay curious. I like to say I just can't wait to get up in the morning to see what hair-brained horseshit comes down the pike next! I find I'm seldom lonely, and when I am, I know that like my very life itself, it's a >temporary< discomfort that will go away naturally after awhile!
Fred, I suspect you are an introvert like me. I get lonely sometimes but I don’t like being around people unless it’s one to one. I experience a constant struggle between the urge to reach out and my hermit tendencies. My advice to you is to accept yourself the way you are and don’t try to be like other people. You have a lot to offer. Just because you’re different doesn’t change that. Focus on the things that give you pleasure and be good to yourself.
My opinion - unless we come up with a few things to suggest (and argue for) we will never get anywhere until we defeat the majority of republicans in both the house and Senate. I don't know why no one is suggesting a start with registering all guns just like we register all cars. Add to that process requiring insurance - just like we do for cars. That alone is not going to stop the misuse of guns but it is something that it is hard for the NRA to argue against and if they try (as they might) it offers more exposure to the ridiculous stance they have maintained forever.
@Lee Lefaivre. I totally agree with you! Especially I like the insurance angle which I had not heard before. In the same way that you cannot borrow money on a car nor drive it on public thoroughfares without insurance, a good law would be that a person can't take a gun home from the shop without both registering the gun and buying the insurance. My enthusiasm dims a bit when I remember that the Uvalde gunman spent a few thousand dollars in a couple of days to get his weapons and ammunition. So we also need to license gun sellers, provide for a cooling off period, background checks, mandatory training/testing and limits on military-style equipment such as large magazines, protective gear and explosive/chemical/hollowpoint bullets.
I think bringing Ukraine into this argument is pointless. We are giving their ARMIES weapons of war to protect them from a despot's ARMIES.
American CIVILIANS have no Constitutional right to a WEAPON OF WAR that George Washington would not have recognized as an "arm."
We are naturally omitting the fact that our Constitution uses arms ONLY with regard to "regulated militias." And though I have no problem whatsoever with all sane Americans that go through training every two or so years to have a handgun or rifle, NO civilian needs an AUTOMATIC rifle used SOLELY for genocide.
I like comedian Jim Jefferies' suggestion that we limit private gun ownership to muskets! (>Rifled< muskets would probably be more accurate.) Suck on >that< "originalists!
@Daniel H. Unfortunately liberals and progressives read the 2nd Amendment "wrong" from the point of view of the right, members of the (past and present) Supreme Court, and gun supporters. They read the last bit as the serious bit, paraphrasing, "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." For you English majors you will know that the opening phrases, " A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State," modifies and limits the meaning of the whole sentence, but it takes only a slight effort by even a well-educated person to see the twist that is almost always given takes no effort at all to see the clear implication that keeping and bearing Arms is a right.
People see what they want to see. But they should want to be careful of what they wish for. If they think Democracy is too messy, Wait'll they get a load of what is coming if they get to keep this killing spree! complete with gun 'rights', They seem to be missing the gun 'wrongs'. They may find it difficult to enjoy their NRA money!
D'ya mean it's >not< and >never was< a justification for armed rebellion against what some minority of individuals have decided among themselves as a "tyrannical" [democratically elected representative] government? (The bracketed words are >my< sarcasm! As you can plainly see, I >clearly< have our "cornpone Confederates" in mind!)
@DZK. Maybe we should create "well regulated militias" of people who will defend the Union against those who don't think our system of government is legitimate? We could have armories keep the weapons safely stored, only brought out for training or for need. We could call these militias by an indicative name, e.g. "Federal Militia of [STATE]". These real militias can stage parades on patriotic occasions AND as an organization they can lobby the Congress for effective gun control. We always say the extreme right are a minority of people in this country? Well then, we should be able to get more people AND MORE MONEY than the NRA and the gun manufacturers combined! Since a big faction in Congress listens mostly to the money, we might find we can over balance towards sensible gun regulation and away from crazies with assault rifles!
Benjamin, that sounds to me like the actual meaning of the 2nd Amendment. Interestingly, though, it would also prepare us for a repeat of the Civil War, albeit with somewhat chaotic boundaries, but with a much better defense of our wing.
As a four cup a day coffee drinker, this is great news! I'm looking forward to the hearings next week. Whereas they've been a long time coming, the findings are critically important if we are to hold those involved accountable and pass legislation that ensures this can never happen again. As for the gun problem, it's unlikely to be resolved in the Senate due to republican obstruction. If we want to protect our families lives with sensible gun laws it going to be up to the people come November. As for Ukraine, don't ignore it, keep up the support, Putin is counting on us to lose interest so he can swoop in and destroy the entire nation. Great coffee klatch!
Public hearings. Hope that there aren't any speeches. Coming attractions say "present previously unseen material documenting January 6th, receive witness testimony, preview additional hearings, and provide the American people a summary of its findings about the coordinated, multi-step effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and prevent the transfer of power,"
Supposedly they've taken statements from more than 1000 witnesses. The hearings will have "tens of thousands of exhibits" and a cast of "hundreds of witnesses," says Rep. Bennie Thompson, the committee chairman. Jamie Raskin says it's the story of the worst presidential political offense against the Union in American history, and It's going to blow the roof off the House."
I hope he's right.
My unsolicited advice is the play's the thing...and "the play within the play" is crucial to public understanding. In the first hearing, "four police officers gave graphic accounts of the physical and verbal assaults they endured while protecting the Capitol and the lawmakers who had gathered on Jan. 6, 2021, to count and certify states' electoral votes from the 2020 election. Over 100 law enforcement officers were injured and several people died after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol to overturn the election results."
It was not theatrically staged for prime time.
Enter. scene one ...first scenes take place in the oval office before 1/6. Prosecution should produce a short chart, showing the time line.
The symbol is Pence's gallows.
New evidence from Marc Short, Pence chief of staff, is he sent a message to agent Tim Giebels prior to 1/6 that Trump was going to retaliate against Pence, causing a security risk.
What did Pence know and when did he know it? Who else knew? Staffers? Secret Service? Mother and the kids?
Who was the limmo driver, that Pence refused? What were his instructions? Who gave them? IMHO the inference is that had he taken the ride, Pence would not have made it to the Capitol to preside over the Electoral College vote.
Who constructed the gallows? The signs? The noose? Did the gallows and noose have DNA on them?
Who made threats to the Pence family?
I appreciate Ms Lofthouse's continued masking. I'm a fat, old, smoker, in need of more exercise, and I >always< mask-up and keep my distance in crowded areas and indoor public places. When challenged, I say that it's a habit I see no reason to break, because I haven't had so much as a sniffle in 3 years, and besides, it annoys the livin' $hi7 out of anti-maskers! (It comes off immediately, as soon as I step outside or remove myself from crowds - which I usually avoid in the first place - which I did >throughout< the mask mandate. I still think masking outside is over the top - just as prohibiting smoking outside is a totally gratuitous dick-move!)
DZK ; I quit smoking as a senior and have not regretted it. I feel better than I have in years ! Also, as soon as I took the mask off when the requirement was lifted, I got an old fashioned cold. (probably the ol' Spanish flu ; It wasn't Covid). I don't leave home without masks.
Some folks are genetically predisposed to certain substances: alcohol, or even dairy products for example. (How 'bout gluten, for chrissake ‽) I've accepted my end will be much like my father's - at 90, 2 yrs younger than his non-smoking mother, 3 yrs younger than his non-smoking sister, and a year older than his other sister, who was a smokestack! On the other side, my mother met her end at 62 from complications of MS. (Indeed, she, too, was a smoker earlier in life and quit because it interfered with the Nicotinic Acid she took for therapy! To the end of his days, Dad couldn't figure out how she was miraculously able to quit "cold turkey" by just stopping!) That was the same age as her younger sister, an otherwise healthy and clean-living - but mightily ill-tempered - virtual nun. Her high-functioning alcoholic brother checked out a few years later, while his son, who was born >exactly< a month after me and didn't have an alcohol, or any other problem, fell over dead with a massive coronary at 57, while our mutual - also ill-tempered - grandmother switched off like a lightbulb sitting in her chair talking to my mother when she was around 55 from a massive stroke. (I could easily draw conclusions about being an ill-tempered clean-liver. Hitler comes first to mind! How 'bout ol' Tweety himself ‽)
Have you seen the TV ad currently running about a fictional game-show called "Break the Stigma," where none of the contestants can figure out how to fill in the blanks of: "F _ M I L Y H I S T _ R Y?"
Besides, smoking is one of my working-class pleasures in life, where the simple act of offering a smoke was once a basic sign of friendliness! "Smoke 'em if ya' got't'em, too, was just as true for soldiers as working class.
DZK ; I am working class who managed to get into 'middle class' because my husband and I own a home. But the 'flats of Holyoke MA' definitely qualified as a working class neighborhood. I was 'fully formed' at 11 years old when I 'escaped' to the DCG (division of child guardianship) and went into an orphanage then a series of foster homes. I could be considered one of those 'susceptible' addictive personalities who managed to escape some of those all too common addictions. My mother's dad lived to be 98. He enjoyed his Christian brothers scotch until very near the end. He did quit smoking decades before that. He was a singer in his church choir until he fell on the stairs and broke his hip at 95. Walked everywhere and never drove a car. He was born in 1901. He was 17 when the Spanish Flu pandemic hit. At 13 joined the army and was a'dough boy' during WW1. Never saw action, He joined late. Interesting man. His Irish parents came from County Kerry, the Dingle, Ireland. They encountered signs that read "Irish need not apply". Greedheads were busy then, too.
WOW! You >too< have a "F _ M I L Y H I S T _ R Y!" Mom's side of the family was Polish-Ukrainian - Polinski von Swallen. Dad's side came from the Hessians - one of them jumped the fence after being gut-shot! Among many, I used to be considered a "half-breed," and probably still am, by some. I certainly would have been considered such a thing in the Third Reich, and Mom and Dad were at one time considered an interracial marriage. (I just know if I backed white racism, there would eventually come a time I wouldn't be considered white enough. I >really< don't understand why they don't "get that" in Slavic lands - Poland, in particular!)
In many places outside of America, it was probably an even bigger issue to marry across races. Here we see it more perhaps. The 'melting pot'. Ostracism still exists as long as there is discrimination due to wealth or poverty, race, and religion, education too.
I have a customer who is Irish and Polish. When he mentioned that to me it was obviously of great import to him, as a stressor. He did not elaborate. My maternal grandmother was French Canadian and Catholic. She eloped in order to marry my Irish Catholic grandfather, it was so forbidden!
DZK ; Well I AM here! must've had a family! LOL!
consider giving my comment one more look.
see the rest. (my comments are invariably works in progress! LOL!)
>You've< clearly gotten my point!
I think smoking should be prohibited everywhere.
You can do nothing about being old (I’m 76, BTW), but I know you can do something about being a fat smoker. You say you’ll do whatever you please? Well, we won’t have you around as long as we would otherwise, and that should settle the argument once and for all. Not to be nasty at all—just stating a fact.
I wear a mask everywhere outside the home. I live alone in a studio apartment in New York City. I’m vaccinated to the hilt.
Thank you for affirming my point.
Don’t see how I did.
I suggest all media quit covering 45.
Ooo. That could be just as dangerous as talking about him constantly! AFTER he goes to prison, THEN we can collectively forget the morbidly obese manchild HIMSELF. We must never forget what he tried to do though, lest it happen again.
Daniel H Laemmerhirt ; He is still trying to do this overthrow of government by installing Right wing partisans in state houses and Secretaries of State. He continues with his rallies constantly, lying all the time.
EXACTLY! This doesn't end until he is in the ground. If we choose to forget, DEATHSANTIS may steal the 2024 election!!!! (Scary enough for you?)
Heather, thank you for keeping your mask on!!! This pandemic is not over, we don't know who is carrying it as they may be asymptomatic and spreading it. Masks protect both ourselves and others.
LOL! I wish we could wake up to you two every morning! You help us digest the news with concern and yet a smile.
Like automobiles which also can cause injury and death, a federal gun permit could require insurance with the cost based on the nature of the gun and the condition of the licensed user, and their safety habits. While the government used fees to put Tommy guns out of use, this method aims to recover for any damage and has insurance companies compete for business. Hblasdel@gmail.com
You need a license to fish. You need driver's training, written & behind-the-wheel tests to get a driver's license, then car insurance. Why should it be any different for a weapon?
Interesting, but another way to profit off those things!?
I would rather not make it a non-competitive program. Perhaps profits could be regulated like a public utility, and of course audited.
As I drink my second cup of coffee while listening to Robert and Heather, and getting ready to play Wordle and the NY Times Spelling Bee, I am the most content I have been all week. Love Coffee Klatch!!
A question for Prof. Reich: If Russia crossed the Bering Strait to invade Alaska, bombing its towns and cities into rubble, raping its women, forcing its citizens to become Russian citizens, and blockading its ports, with evidence of intent to move its military down the coast of Canada to potentially take territory in Washington State, would you say, "Let Russia have Alaska, so there can be a cease-fire."? The problem is, as demonstrated by the West's weak response to Russia's previous invasions of other countries, rewarding bad behavior only engenders more bad behavior. A retired general likened it to appeasing a two-year-old throwing a temper tantrum.
I'm not a proponent of war and aggression, but unfortunately, force is the only potentially effective response to someone like Vladimir Putin. If Ukraine gives up and cedes territory to Russia in exchange for a cease-fire, Putin will bide his time, re-arm and continue his invasion. He has made it crystal clear that he believes Ukraine has no right to exist at all. And he is betting on the prospect that the West will tire of the war before he does.
Carolyn, as I said in the coffee klatch, I certainly don't favor allowing Russia to keep eastern Ukraine -- for the very reason you state. But pressure is building to push Ukraine to accept something similar, and if the conflict continues for another few months -- as seems likely -- I fear the US will be on the side of appeasement.
Unlike Ukraine, we are a nation of few principles and values, ready to trade virtually anyone and any ally or partner for profits, power, and prestige. If push comes to shove in Ukraine, we will in all likelihood try to force some sort of concession on the part of Ukraine as we will have no stomach for a long-term conflict if it means that we have to sacrifice our way of life (opulence). We are more than willing to accept the horrific deaths of our own citizens for the sake of our second amendment rights which, when all is said and done, are a fraud and sham (as Justice Warren Berger noted). I am sorry that, in the end, President Zelenskyy and his people will discover that we talk a good game when it comes to freedom and democracy but that we will cave in in the end and leave Ukraine with their principles, values, and brave defense of their freedom. (Which may also be more value than we end up with.) It is better to know what and who we really are once the window-dressing is cut away but it will also be a bitter pill for a few of us to swallow.
I understand your position, Dr, Reich. But I hope we stand firm. I view Putin as a bully in a school yard of little kids, if we give in to him, even a little, he'll think he's won and try for more.
If Putin is betting on the chance that the US will tire of the war in Ukraine and abandon the Ukrainians to their fate at the hands of Russia, he has a pretty good chance of pulling it off. The USA and its leaders generally have a short attention span and if victory is not immediate they can (but not always) lose the spunk to carry on and on and on. (Limited attention span.) A columnist noted recently, that the war in Ukraine has slipped "below the fold," that is, Ukraine is still a major story but, what with the horrendous events in Uvalde and Buffalo, it has slipped down the page of the NY Times and will slip further as the most recent crisis gets top bidding. You may have noted that the crises of last week are losing their grip...par for the course, I guess. It shouldn't be this way as it sends a message to our adversaries that, if they wait long enough (a week or so), they may get their way...and that leaves Zelenskyy and Ukraine out on a limb. On the other hand, we have been involved in conflicts where we have stuck it out, even in conflicts where we stayed beyond all reason and judgment (Vietnam) so who knows how this will go. I do believe that, however it turns out Ukraine deserves the support of the free world, especially since it appears the US has surrendered its claim to being leader of the free world to none other than Ukraine.
Hi Carolyn, I am in complete agreement with you. I love your analogy of crossing the Bering Strait to attack Alaska. Even with global warming raising the sea level and eroding the coast (I just looked it up - it is 85 kilometers, 53 miles That's the striking distance of the intermediate missiles we're sending to Ukraine) Another point, we have far more important habitation in Alaska than Russia does in the relatively unpopulated eastern 2/3 of its country. Would the trumpsters welcome this invasion of an authoritarian strongman? would Donald J ?
Yes. This is exactly what happened with Hitler and appeasement. We need to learn from history.
Carolyn Herz ; Biden (and all of us in the West) is in an untenable situation with the nuclear threat.
We too, have nuclear weapons. Great Britain, France, Israel, India (and probably more of our allies) also have nuclear weapons. And China has displayed no great love for Putin.
We should get rid of all nuclear weapons ASAP!
We all have them, pretty much. But what happens to the world if they are used? It would be useful if we could target Putin. If his actual digs could be known. probably hides in Switzerland.
Biden has limitations I’m sure, but there are common sense actions he can and should be taking. Number one is announce to Americans our democracy is under attack from fascist right wing extremists disguised as the Republican Party Maybe this should be a priority Joe: Biden is President and I’m realistic enough to agree that one man can’t do it all. He is the most powerful man on earth and is reacting to aggression rather than meeting it head on. To me that is weakness. You put all the responsibilities on voters. He needs to very assertively eliminate the filibuster, expand the Supreme Court, shut down Fox News as the terrorist network they are, arrest politicians that openly attack our democracy. Declare war on insurrectionists and traitors. Tough stuff but it needs to be done. Getting democrats to vote blue is not enough. It leaves too much up to chance. We are at war and they want to put you in a oven. Voting blue is our job. Defeating fascism is Biden’s job. Getting people to vote is not nearly enough.
Maybe Robert will address public/media relations in summer school.
NYT published an op ed. Fight price fixers and price gougers. Fight Putin where it hurts. Fight in the markets; on the beaches, fight on the landing grounds, fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender!!
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/opinion/gas-prices-russia-opec.html
LOL! OK, Winston!
But there is that nuclear thing
"Fight" financially.
I read that earlier. I wonder how effective that is. As far as the oil embargoes in European countries. Also India. U.S. oil imports are only about 4% of our total oil?
DAMAGES for price fixing and price gouging.
I love that speech.
I appreciate your enthusiasm. but as an ardent supporter of the Constitution I can't accept all your suggestions. First the filibuster is a creature of the Senate, and no matter how much the rest of us despise the filibuster (I hate it with a passion) no one except the Senate can undo it. Secondly, the first Amendment protects the freedom of the Press - since neither radio nor TV existed at the end of the 18th Century it is logical to include all media under the first Amendment. However, there is one thing I think the FCC could legally do. While I was working in DC for 15 months I stayed at a hotel. Living in the same hotel, I was privileged to become friends with staff and management. When I complained about Fox being the only channel turned on 24/7, I was informed the Murdoch's purchased that right from most of the large hotel chain upper management. If this is true, I believe it is called bribery and could be stopped. (I traveled all over the east coast, mid-west, and much of the South for several years following this and observed the same thing in every hotel chain at which I stayed.
You nailed it!
Why Congress will do nothing much about guns. Since I can't draw on here you'll need your imagination:
Earnest young reporter: "Senator Cruz, how has the most recent school shooting informed your thinking?"
Senator Cruz, putting on his most thoughtful-looking expression: "Well, you know we have a lot of 10-year olds in this country. I don't think we're going to run out anytime soon!"
@Daniel. Thanks. Can't you just see that pompous ass making such a pronouncement!
Especially with abortion bounty hunters.
Can’t eat breakfast until I get genius on Spelling Bee🤣!
Heather, thanks for wearing a mask. I wouldn’t want to catch COVID from you!
Professor and Heather.
I have to admit that I am jealous. Not Schadenfreude, I am happy that the both of you have what you have but I want it also.
I was not doing well before, covid, I did not do well during covid, and I am not doing well post covid.
I am both lonely and hate being in the company of others. Not surprising, I rarely am in the company of others.
I have no children.
Since Covid, I have stopped drinking coffee since it causes me have diarrhea. I miss coffee.
Professor you tell me that I should be both optimistic and try to make a positive change in the world. I, am finding that difficult if not impossible. I am not sure if that a symptom of my mental illness or knowledge I have gain in my life time. I am 67.
I still cannot picture a me that would be happy living in the world that exists today.
What advice do you have for me?
I don't often do this. I >recommend< taking the words of Ecclesiastes to heart. I normally just say that Ecclesiastes is the only read in the whole collection of bronze-age barbarian stories worth special attention, instead of just knowing about in the name of cultural awareness. (Translate "cultural awareness" as "self-defense!") My situation is very much like yours. I understand the conflict between loneliness and finding social interaction ultimately unrewarding if not distasteful. I find personal social interaction approaches enjoyable as long as you can manage to keep the interaction light and focused - this forum is a good example. Above all, life is worth living, as long as you maintain your perspective, and stay curious. I like to say I just can't wait to get up in the morning to see what hair-brained horseshit comes down the pike next! I find I'm seldom lonely, and when I am, I know that like my very life itself, it's a >temporary< discomfort that will go away naturally after awhile!
Thank you for sharing. I took your advice and reread Ecclesiastes.
Must be an old novel- haven't read it...
it is in the Old testament.
Like I said, a really old novel- ha! (joking)
really really old.
😘
Fred, I suspect you are an introvert like me. I get lonely sometimes but I don’t like being around people unless it’s one to one. I experience a constant struggle between the urge to reach out and my hermit tendencies. My advice to you is to accept yourself the way you are and don’t try to be like other people. You have a lot to offer. Just because you’re different doesn’t change that. Focus on the things that give you pleasure and be good to yourself.
Thank you for your kindness. I will take your advice and try to accept myself and find things that give me pleasure.
I find hope reading RR's daily missives, knowing there are intelligent folks trying to do the right (or is it Left?) thing.
My opinion - unless we come up with a few things to suggest (and argue for) we will never get anywhere until we defeat the majority of republicans in both the house and Senate. I don't know why no one is suggesting a start with registering all guns just like we register all cars. Add to that process requiring insurance - just like we do for cars. That alone is not going to stop the misuse of guns but it is something that it is hard for the NRA to argue against and if they try (as they might) it offers more exposure to the ridiculous stance they have maintained forever.
@Lee Lefaivre. I totally agree with you! Especially I like the insurance angle which I had not heard before. In the same way that you cannot borrow money on a car nor drive it on public thoroughfares without insurance, a good law would be that a person can't take a gun home from the shop without both registering the gun and buying the insurance. My enthusiasm dims a bit when I remember that the Uvalde gunman spent a few thousand dollars in a couple of days to get his weapons and ammunition. So we also need to license gun sellers, provide for a cooling off period, background checks, mandatory training/testing and limits on military-style equipment such as large magazines, protective gear and explosive/chemical/hollowpoint bullets.
Yes, gun registration, safety certification, license & insurance. We need fishing licenses, after all.
Does the increased consumption of Decaffeinated coffee count?
I think bringing Ukraine into this argument is pointless. We are giving their ARMIES weapons of war to protect them from a despot's ARMIES.
American CIVILIANS have no Constitutional right to a WEAPON OF WAR that George Washington would not have recognized as an "arm."
We are naturally omitting the fact that our Constitution uses arms ONLY with regard to "regulated militias." And though I have no problem whatsoever with all sane Americans that go through training every two or so years to have a handgun or rifle, NO civilian needs an AUTOMATIC rifle used SOLELY for genocide.
I like comedian Jim Jefferies' suggestion that we limit private gun ownership to muskets! (>Rifled< muskets would probably be more accurate.) Suck on >that< "originalists!
Under Pa law, muskets, spinning wheels were an exception to bankruptcy. So debtors loaded up on muskets, spinning wheels.
@Daniel H. Unfortunately liberals and progressives read the 2nd Amendment "wrong" from the point of view of the right, members of the (past and present) Supreme Court, and gun supporters. They read the last bit as the serious bit, paraphrasing, "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." For you English majors you will know that the opening phrases, " A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State," modifies and limits the meaning of the whole sentence, but it takes only a slight effort by even a well-educated person to see the twist that is almost always given takes no effort at all to see the clear implication that keeping and bearing Arms is a right.
People see what they want to see. But they should want to be careful of what they wish for. If they think Democracy is too messy, Wait'll they get a load of what is coming if they get to keep this killing spree! complete with gun 'rights', They seem to be missing the gun 'wrongs'. They may find it difficult to enjoy their NRA money!
D'ya mean it's >not< and >never was< a justification for armed rebellion against what some minority of individuals have decided among themselves as a "tyrannical" [democratically elected representative] government? (The bracketed words are >my< sarcasm! As you can plainly see, I >clearly< have our "cornpone Confederates" in mind!)
@DZK. Maybe we should create "well regulated militias" of people who will defend the Union against those who don't think our system of government is legitimate? We could have armories keep the weapons safely stored, only brought out for training or for need. We could call these militias by an indicative name, e.g. "Federal Militia of [STATE]". These real militias can stage parades on patriotic occasions AND as an organization they can lobby the Congress for effective gun control. We always say the extreme right are a minority of people in this country? Well then, we should be able to get more people AND MORE MONEY than the NRA and the gun manufacturers combined! Since a big faction in Congress listens mostly to the money, we might find we can over balance towards sensible gun regulation and away from crazies with assault rifles!
Thank you, Jonathan Swift. 😀
@Paula B. You are very literary! ;-D
English major. 😀
A.K.A State National Guard! Why duplicate effort that our taxes pay for anyway?
Benjamin, that sounds to me like the actual meaning of the 2nd Amendment. Interestingly, though, it would also prepare us for a repeat of the Civil War, albeit with somewhat chaotic boundaries, but with a much better defense of our wing.