My informal weekly coffee with Heather Lofthouse (the executive director of Inequality Media Civic Action, and my former student), discussing the past week. In this morning’s klatch we discuss whether Congress will do anything to restrict gun purchases (Biden’s passionate plea notwithstanding), how long America will be willing to supply weapons to Ukraine, the likely outcome from next week’s hearings by the House’s special committee investigating the January 6 insurrection, the winner of the national spelling bee, and the importance of drinking coffee.
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!
Jun 4, 2022·edited Jun 4, 2022Liked by Robert Reich, Heather Lofthouse
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!)
Jun 4, 2022·edited Jun 4, 2022Liked by Robert Reich, Heather Lofthouse
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!)
I suggest all media quit covering 45.
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
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.
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.
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!"
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?
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.
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.