The Republicans showed us last night who they are. Mike Johnson’s reactions were despicable! They are definitely in the Trump cult! Trump told them to shake their heads left and right to everything President Biden says. They should be ashamed but , as we all saw last night, they have no shame!They make me sick to my stomach!
Trump’s “CULT 45” base members are easily found and easily identified because they all bye and wear his MAGA merchandise! Which is a sign that the economy is doing better.
MAGA, (Making Americans Gullible Airheads), has worked for Trump and his Congressional Lapdogs. His base supporters believe every gaslighting thing he says. I used to feel empathy for his supporters. However, I no longer do because they have access to enough resources that provide facts, based on data, and refuse to believe them!
I just hope that there are enough Americans who see through Trump, like the clean air after a thunderstorm, this coming November.
I agree with everything you said, Keith! As I watched President Biden speak, I also noticed the supreme court with sour expressions because President Biden told it like it was regarding their stupid decisions. I watched the republicans constantly shaking their heads which simply made them look stupid. At least mtg kept her caterwauling quieter and did not disrupt his speech this time. Republicans need a cleansing. I hope this November we will win up and down the ballot and they just might begin to realize their kind of politics would be better in Russia, Turkey, North Korea or any other authoritarian or dictatorial country!
MTG did rudely interrupt President Biden and he was ready for her. And she was disrespectful as usual with her outfit which is a violation of the dress code! MTG is pure evil just like many members of her party!
You know what, Keith? I was so enthralled with how controlled President Biden was, she absolutely made no difference to me. She is so rude and trashy! I would hope that those in her district realize that she has done absolutely nothing for them. The only thing she has done is to make her district look trashy for sending her to Congress. She is an embarrassment and the only one who looked absolutely stupid was her!!! She may think people enjoy her brash style, but in reality, they just feel sorry for her that she is so stupid she doesn't realize the spectacle she is making of herself. It is pitiful!
Her so-called strong Christian values and regular Bible readings keep showing us her true despicable colors. Telling that reporter to f**k off the other day when asked about the Jewish space lasers was another one of her continuing not so amazing moments.
She's so terribly stupid, she "liked" a FB propaganda piece that was antisemitic, and didn't know who the Rothschilds are. So she didn't even understand that made them "Jewish Space lasers". She just keeps saying she never used that phrase, not understanding what she even liked. I wonder what she thought it meant then?
She is a teenager vulgar girl child. No teacher would put up with her in a class room. Why in Congress? Are we that ignorant? I wouldn’t let her on an airplane!
If she attended a private school and her family made hefty donations, or a public school and her parents were members of admin's social set, no teacher could correct her in the least. I would bet that nobody could control her as a child.
in all, disrespectful. she would not live another minute if these were the earliest times in this country when taunts were deadly. she and others like her are an abomination.
She, and others like her, are just there to create chaos. That’s the whole mission – make government look foolish and ineffective. Hopefully it’s not yet “mission accomplished”.
I had to smile when Biden asked the Republicans if they wanted to give another 2 trillion tax break to their rich friends, they suddenly became very quiet!!!
Yet that is their intention, & Trump has even said so.
Signing the Republican Wealthcare bill was practically Trump's only accomplishment during his administration, but in reality it was one of the worst things he did.
Many things he did wrong for sure, but one of the first was to not trust the press, "Fake News". Now it is that with the left and right TV stations where the commentators only interview people that agree with them. Journalists are supposed to find out and present the facts, full stop. Nowadays one has to watch both news channels to find out a little truth among the lies - who has time for that?
Susan, they think they are being cute but are only showing how rude their party has become. There is no class, no dignity, and no decorum in the GOP now.
Susan, I saw that - disrespectful - effect and viewed the whole mass of 'them' as a
herd of cows chewing their cud, ruminating on - how they might/could/would respond to President Joe Biden's amazing speech. And that's casting aspersions on
"bovinedom". Cattle are not - stupid - as the RepuGlicans appeared to be in the
audience who (seem to) only follow their "bum steer" TFG ~
progwoman, I know she was yelling something but President Biden remained calm and strong so she was not a distraction as much as a nuisance wind whistling around her republican gum-chewing cronies!!
You're right re: SNL- how about her speaking with a 5 pound cross slung over her shoulder, dirty dishes & a housekeeper with a vacuum in the background?
Sir, I love your term "Making Americans Gullible Airheads", good one!! Trum P or Trumpo is an apprentice who gets fired, for better or worse, remember that.
Bravo, Keith! MJ's lips are vulcanized to the big T's ass. In my opinion, Trump is a demonic force and an accolyte of the Father of Lies. Calling him and his Maganites anything less is an unfortunate euphemism. Spray all Maganites with copious amounts of RIDICULITE!
Johnson looked like The Joker from Batman--cynical, laughing with his mouth closed. He advocated insurrection too, remember? That's the GOP "leader". Even Lindsey Graham was snickering at Joe. Sickening.
It's great the Lincoln Project put this out. If I were a part of the DNC I would be embarrased that moderate republicans do a better job of promoting Biden than the DNC.
I've been a'hollerin' out here for some time, that the DNC should work a deal to pay airtime for running those ads on behalf of the LP. For the moment - at least - they have common cause that make them natural allies. Besides, why would the Biden campaign want to sink ad production cost into duplicating the effort, when the LP already has hundreds of these things to air. Also, they tend to be really short. Along with making airtime Inexpensive, they're about as long as an average viewer's attention span. I think the Biden campaign should "talk turkey" with the LP on such an arrangement. That way, the campaign can dedicate its production costs to ads that promote his vision and accomplishments, as well as what he intends to accomplish in a second term.
Agree with your idea. I am sure the DNC views the LP as the enemy in the long run. Lp just seems to be smarter on this stuff than the DNC stuffed shirts. Can't rattle the corporate sponsers you know. HJ
Allies by convenience only. The USSR attacked Poland from the east same time as Germany did from the west.
Then at the end of WWII, they rolled over a bunch of Eastern European countries, controlling those countries. It's what Russia has done throughout its existence.
I wouldn't even call the DNC ineffective. Based on the totality of their actions over this century, I'd say they intentionally sabotage the chances of Democratic candidates. They've been horrible!
Keith, I have confidence that trump doesn’t have the support needed to win. The republiCons own the airwaves. Trumpolinis have gone way, way too far with IVF and reversal of Rowe v wade. The republicans attack LGBTQ+, a massive population. No, he won’t win. There is an issue with younger voters & what’s happening in Gaza, but always remind them that trump will have no compunction about killing groups here. They will get a Netanyahu here, with Putin & the Saudis help.
I agree that Mike's conduct was despicable, but I don't think we should forget Nancy Pelosi's reactions to Trump's 2020 State of the Union speech at the end of which she tore up a copy of the speech. The whole occasion has been so debased, perhaps starting when, in 2009, some Congressman yelled "You lie" at President Obama.
How can you compare Mike Johnson's and Joe Wilson's behavior to Nancy Pelosi's? It was GREAT watching her tear up Trump's speech!! I say hurray for the Democrats! It was a moment to applaud!
Yes, we needed her defiance of the Orange Orc, who is not a normal candidate, but a corrupt con man who will kill democracy, and finish the job he started, perhaps Susan missed his insurrection?
I like your name . . . Funny! Apparently, A LOT of people "missed" the insurrection! This part is not funny, but maybe they were too busy -- and exhausted -- to notice, from working their three jobs just trying to make ends meet and feed their families. (Fie on a Democratic Socialist America -- we gotta keep the Oligarchy going, don't we???)
The oligarchy sucks, and is pushing all the things that make our country difficult for those people making their wages low so they have to work three jobs, But the capitol being overrun by Magats who literally shit in our seat of Government should have been noticed, and talked about as it was a historical tragedy.
I'm losing you here . . . Do you mean that Biden should have included a (detailed or otherwise) reference to Jan.6 in his SU speech? Yeah, but . . . The Repugs would have probably stormed the arena with their feet-pounding! I agree with you, but Biden certainly didn't need ANOTHER incidence of insurrection last night! How police-enforced was this event? Were reinforcements at the ready, for instance? I think it was horribly despicable that even Lindsey Graham was acting out against Biden! (Hard to believe ANY of the [running scared] Repugs are still on THE MAGGOT'S SIDE!!! THEY SHOULD BE DOING WHAT I DO AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK -- CALLING THE DOJ AND DEMANDING HIS ARREST!!)
Actually this kind of behavior and disrespect have been around since the beginning of time! It’s just that now there’s many more people that act like immature children and there’s lots of cameras to capture their antics.
Biden's originally planned massive forgiveness of student debt was blocked by the corrupt Republican Supreme Court:
Kevin Carey--Vox, November 4, 2023: "first loan forgiveness initiative would have forgiven $10,000 from nearly every federal student loan, and up to $20,000 for low-income borrowers"
Amy Howe--SCOTUSblog, June 30, 2023: "up to $400 billion in student loans. The Biden administration had said that as many as 43 million Americans would have benefitted from the loan forgiveness program; almost half of those borrowers would have had all of their student loans forgiven"
Janet, SCOTUS struck down Biden’s loan forgiveness program. He still has forgiven $136 Bill student debt. Get the rescumliCons out and he can proceed. SCOTUS must be expanded as well.
Legislative Process--say it with me. All together. We live in a democracy. The Legislative branch at this moment moves like molasses in January, as my mom used to say. Complain to your Reps in the House and Senate.
We're going to remember that we're strong and there are lots of us from every demographic and strata of this crumbling hierarchical mess and we're going to break the cycle. And we're going to keep it up as long as we need to. That's why we're here. That's what we do.
joe biden -- as the kids these days say -- TOTALLY SLAYED the state of the union ... at one point, if you were strictly reading the speech (rather than watching or listening to it), it very well could have been a speech delivered by bernie sanders ... mind ... BLOWN !!!
the key question is : who saw this speech ??? ... who saw that, though he has trouble speaking at times, we all saw a man with vigor, energy and incredibly sharp wit ...
did young people watch it ??? ... did black and brown voters watch it ??? ... did suburban housewives watch it ??? ... did the people who NEED to see THIS joe biden watch it ???
to those of US who watched it, we saw what the entire country needs to see ... he SCHOOLED the republicans -- particularly on immigration and the border policy (" we can talk about fixing the border, or WE CAN FIX IT") ... he completely excoriated the despicable supreme court TO THEIR FACES (though three of them were conspicuously absent from attendance -- which was in no way a surprise) ...
joe biden more than rose to the occasion last nite, leaving absolutely NO QUESTION to any human with a brain who we need to vote for this november ...
the problem, & the key question, is : did the people who NEED to see it watch it, and HOW do we get this message across ???
I am a white, millennial, suburban, apartment-dwelling wife and mom with a graduate degree who works in a service sector job. I follow politics closely but have become angry at the way that working families have been so utterly ignored. I'm also angry that until now, so little has been done to help ease or stop the suffering of both Gazans under constant bombardment and the families of the hostages. I despise Trump and all that he stands for, and I fully recognize the stakes in this election. And yet, I told my husband last week that Joe has work to do to earn my vote *for him,* as opposed to against Trump.
I'm happy to see that Team Joe has woken up to the message being sent by voters. I got a sense things were shifting with news of the floating pier in Gaza, and now coverage of his SOTU, which I'm going to go back and watch. Dems advising the president had gotten complacent. Now, there is work to do.
I'm here for it. When you know better, you do better. Time to widen the net.
absolutely, katie ... i urge you to watch the entire speech ... i think that he really does address your concerns towards working families ... he lays out what he has done to help working families and delivers his vidion of HOW MUCH MORE he wants to help working families IF he has a congess that will help him execute this vision (so the democrats MUST control all three houses of government -- the presidency, the senate and the house of representatives -- for this to happen ...
i also totally agree with you on biden needing to earn our votes, rather than relying on us voting strictly against the dictator (though we CANNOT minimize how utterly essential it is that his predecessor NEVER come into power again -- which has failed at the hands of mitch mc connell & the republican senators who could have & NEEDED to convict him after 6 jan, AND also has failed at the evil hands of the diabolical supreme court) ...
in 2020, i was ardently supporting elizabeth warren -- just to say, i was not initially ALL-IN on biden ... for me, even though last nite was extremely effective and has totally motivated me now to go ALL OUT to support joe biden, he still has NOT gone far enough to support gaza publicly, however last nite was definitely a powerful step in the right direction -- made in great way possible by all of the true patriots voting uncommitted in democratic primaries across our country ...
i hope that you -- like me, with our own doubts -- can be swayed by an historic state of the union speech ... i was hoping for the speech he masterfully gave last nite -- but i was not expecting it !!!
People don't want just solutions to their problems. They want to feel that they are being seen and heard which is what tfg is able to do for many. Even as he has few solutions for them, and likely just more pain. But "he's one of us" emotional connection is what counts for many when they step into that voting booth.
I think what everyone needs to understand something -- yes, Joe hit it outta the ball park last night (and holy freaking 💩💩, it was great to see😎), but people are griping because "he's done so little for the people in Gaza!"
We, the public, do NOT always have the info we want and think we deserve. Do I, personally, wish Biden had been more vocal against Bibi? Hell yeah! Do I think we need to quit helping Israel over every little stub of a toe? Yeah, again. THAT is one of the biggest issues Middle East has with the USA.
All the above having been said -- we ALSO must know another hard truth. We, the people, do NOT have a right to know what is being done behind the curtain. We can get a drip of info here, another drop of info there, etc etc etc.
HOWEVER, remember to think hard b4 you castigate Biden for doing so little for Gaza, just imagine what will happen if the 🍊 💩gibbon gets back in!! I know, with every fiber of my body, that THING would give Bibi anything and more!
Just because people didn't think they heard enough about helping Gaza, they want to make Biden "earn their votes" -- WTAF?!??!!
I mean, do I wish he'd do more in just about everything we've been wanting/needing?? Hell to the yeah!!
But I'm NOT gonna wait for Biden to earn MY vote. I'm voting for my biggest issue right now -- and THAT is -- NEVER to let the 🍊 💩gibbon anywhere near 1600 Pennsylvania Ave!!
Biden often uses the expression: “Don’t compare me with the Almighty; compare me with my opponent.” He in my estimation is a good man, while Donald Trump is a criminal sociopath. There is No Symmetry between them: for Biden to be as “good” as Trump is “bad” his goodness would have to be Godlike.
(He faces difficult dilemmas, such as the Gaza conflict. I think we must look at four parties here, not two. The Palestinian people must not be conflated with the Hamas fanatic killers, and the Israeli people must not be conflated with the arguably criminal Netanyahu and his fanatic Settler coalition, determined not to have a two-state solution to the long conflict. I don’t think cutting off all military aid to Israel is a possible option: Hamas did start it with a murderous assault. Biden has no influence over Netanyahu, who would like nothing more than a Trump victory in November.)
Because of that lack of symmetry I see my prospective vote in November as one-tenth “for” Biden and nine-tenths “against” Trump. IF we had Ranked Choice Voting in effect nationally for this election, we would not have a “voter’s dilemma” and the consequent spoiler effect. In that case, choosing an alternate to Biden would be morally acceptable IF the second choice was for Biden (i.e., an effective vote for Biden and Against Trump). Trump learned in his term of office what was impeding his actions. A second term for this moral monstrosity would be an unmitigated catastrophe. This will be the most “Special” election since at least 1864.
Sorry Don, it started the way the majority of conflict in the world has started, with an all white male group sitting at a table making lines, demarcations, and decisions on maps, policies, and regions of the world in which they have absolutely no historical presence or connection other than a desire to dominate and subjugate for purposes of profit, without an iota of true concern for those indigenous to the land....and in their arrogance those men fail to understand and/or accept that those lands also have multitudes of their own Patrick Henry's with a similar refrain on their lips and in their hearts. The era of European imperialism is over and the situation in Gaza is but additional evidence of that fact, the people of the world will be free to live their lives as they chose and not as that part of humanity going through 'the terrible two's or three's' would impose upon them. The "catch and kill" job done by the bible has been exposed, the majority of people in the world are waking up to the fact that European Jews never had a connection to that land settled by the original Hebrews who created the belief system which those we now know as Europeans adopted and co-opted. Research and science reveals the ancient Greeks and Romans traveled back to northeast Africa after emerging from their ice age isolation to find the progress, wonders and advancements in knowledge/civilization that melanated people had produced while they were trapped, devolving, mutating and inbreeding in a resource poor environment compared to the mother continent. The world demanded that South Africa end apartheid and the Gaza conflict is evidence that now it's demanding the same of Israel and its allies! Soon they will be taking the USA to the ICJ over the issue of genocide of POC, especially unarmed Black men, in the good old US of A. Liberty or death worked for Patrick and it's clear the rest of the world feels the same way; your weapons and profits be damned if they get in the way!
Sorry Miriam, it sounds like you've never studied the timelines of those migrations for yourself so you never learned. Before a European (melanemic) ever stepped foot in Africa or Cannan, the Hebrew faith was already one thousand years old and some of the stories found in what became the Tanakh were over a thousand years older than that and already carved into stone in various locations in Africa along the Nile River basin from the south to the north. Get some decent and accurate timeline maps or a good AI system and force it to answer direct question about the exact dates certain events happened and it will become clear that you are another victim of the biggest lie in recorded world history. In fact, a good AI will tell you that Europeans were still considered barbarians at the time the Africans moral and spiritual belief system of "Ma`at" was already thousand of years old.
I don't know what you're saying here, Sam. What I'm saying is that Jews who lived in Europe were not Europeans. They weren't considered to be Europeans by the people who lived there, either at the time when they arrived or pretty much ever after. Their origins were from the Middle East. They were a diasporic people in Europe (and everywhere else they went after they were exiled from Judea).
You can’t possibly be serious in thinking that all conflicts in the world have been started by “old white men”. You may want to hit the history books a bit more! (Think Africa, Asia, South America etc. etc.)
I did not read his post that way, not at all. He brought forth some interesting history, which happens to be true.
You might not like it, but it is true. I'm not sure if he worded it correctly, but it IS truth.
Just because someone, or lots of someones, speaks/writes truthfully about Israel and Palestine -- it in no way suggests or hints the writer hates Jews.
To suggest the writer feels that way just by reciting history is ludicrous.
Jean, you obviously don't know the truth from made up facts. What you do know is that you liked what he posted. Obvious that you have your own case against the Jews.
There are two belligerents in the Israeli/Hamas war. We are all familiar with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. He is “the one to put the pressure on” regarding a ceasefire. Why do we not know who the leaders of Hamas are? (They are the de facto rulers of Gaza). Do they not also deserve to have an equal amount of pressure put on them? Where are they? I have heard they are safely hiding in Qatar. Or somewhere in the vast network of tunnels under Gaza. Does anyone actually know? How can they be negotiated with? Why did they put their entire population at risk by attacking Israel? Are these leaders masked, as many of their fighters are? In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, as we have in other wars, we know who the leaders are, we see their faces, we hear them speaking. But not in this case. I am by no means for war, but these questions must be considered.
Quit whining if you refuse to stay informed Katie. You hook on to one subject, GAZA and remain utterly unaware of what Biden gas accomplished. I have listed his accomplishments many times in these chats. Our country has been attacked by terrorists on the right. We are fighting Fascism here! The lack of awareness on what is at stake is horrifying. There is virtually no widespread news source that is not owned by the ultra right. The MAGA Sinclair Bris own 294 tv stations! We only have smaller media sources, nothing like CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX,ABC on and on. All of these are owned by right wing.
MAGAs are the ones who are one subject focused. Biden didn’t just wake up to messages by voters, he has been stymied every inch of the way.
Did you read a thing I said? I'm guessing not. The point is that Biden, who is INFINITELY better than Trump, can't run on being Not Trump alone. I pay very close attention to politics and had always planned to watch later, if Biden gave me a reason to believe it wouldn't be a waste of time. Seems like he did, finally. I'm voting for Biden, but if he wants to win, he better wake up. Many people have real, legitimate concerns that are unsurprising to those who are paying attention. If we don't want a repeat of 2016, there is work to do. But it's not going to go well if people jump down others' throats every time someone legitimately criticizes Biden.
Elections IMO are like a trip to the optometrist: better than or worse than? One can choose not to go at all and lumber on through life bumping one's toes and nose in discomfort, thinking that nothing can be done about it. For those who choose to go, the best choice leads to better outcomes. Making the poorer choice can be a disaster. Elections, however, don't follow the metaphor completely. One must remember that even the better candidate faces contradictions in advice even as given by her/his strongest supporters. Generally, democracy supports compromise, and quote from Mick an' his rolling buddies, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try ... sometimes ... you get what you need".
At some point, Katie, I urge you to watch this short clip from Steve Schmidt, a former R strategist, re his reaction to the SOTU. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO7DHpVSco8
This seems undoubtedly so. Steve. Nearly 20 years ago, a friend of mine living in TN lamented that he could not understand how R's were able to repeatedly persuade his neighbours "to vote contrary to their own best interests". Not living there, I initially thought that the question was perhaps a little overwrought. Nowadays it seems self-evident to me.
It seems the emotional identification voters have with a candidate, that he's "one uf us", overrides the more intellectual/rational views about a candidates "policies" and how those policies would impact them , esp. for people who aren't disposed that way to begin with.
a-yup, pretty much how it has to be … and we’ve all seen these basic forces in action at work, in the community and in any organization that we’ve belonged to. Tribalism is a thing and nations seem to be incapable of seeing them selves as one tribe, even in the face of external threats, except when there is a gifted leader. It is beyond puzzling to me that so many in the red hats can see tRump as that kind of leader and that other R politicians have not mustered enough “smack” to turn this tide.
he could have done more to acknowledge the economic stuggles of working families esp in rural and small town America., which has been a decades long problem in the making! And then talked about how he was moving to make their lives better in his first 4 years and what he would do the next 4. But overall he did well.
In order to have a Democracy, humans must pay attention and participate. Not watching the SOTU, Especially at this time, shows a certain lack of awareness that is not helpful for a voter!
this is the exact problem, laurie -- not enough humans pay attention nor participate in our political system, which -- ironically -- leads to their own suffering and prevents lasting change which would actually benefit and help them ... and given our political infrastructure -- particularly with the electoral college -- this benefits republicans ... republicans COUNT ON people NOT engaging in the political process here, and hence, the republican party has completely slipped into a full-on autocratic party ... the absolute SHAME (& the shamefully ZERO surprise or shock) that mitch mc connell -- after delivering the comments that he made from the floor of the senate -- actually endorsed the dictator reveals the dystopian truth that we all really need to realize in this moment of time ...
tragically, yes ... the real danger, though, is in the great numbers of people who do know better and are steering us towards fascism ... these players are relying on the ignorance of the many ...
way to go Mitch. Party over country even as he marches to his political demise. Being a Republican was in the end more important than being an American for him. And for that he will be remembered.
vr colletti: Those who do not believe in Democracy will always leave so many voters behind. Because they think that They should be first, and in contro,l and anyone who isn't obscenely wealthy is a loser, who should be used or left to die, if it's in the interests of the Greedheads.
Completely agree Laurie! The people sitting out watching the one time Biden gets proper news coverage shows their ignorance of who is feeding them the news. Biden has put forward the best actions of any Democratic President in 40 years. He has been handcuffed by RescumliCon Congress and a corrupt SCOTUS as well as right wing monopoly of news sources. This is not about sitting back and whining. We are all part of this! And we need to support where needed to overcome the trump fascists.
Seeking reason ; I just contributed to Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts, and Seth Moulton for a split donation. Since the GOP could not find anyone willing to run in MA, they are sending a candidate from Rhode Island with big dollar support from those who don't want Bank regulations and the things Democrats will do when they can, like taxing the obscenely wealthy! and ending the Electoral College.
I watched it. Biden hit it all the way out of the ballpark. HOME RUN- Grand SLAM. An O'Henry moment.
As far as his speech problems which is a disability. Biden has openly discussed this and the man has embraced and basically adapted to it very well. Joe Biden has overcome his stutter disability. Heck, he has fewer gaffs then Trump does. Biden NAILED IT LAST NIGHT.
While watching him occasionally stumble and GET RIGHT BACK UP... I have even more respect for Joe Biden. He's a genuinely good guy. AND AN HONEST GUY.
The flagrant hypocrisy of the GOP is despicable. They lie about everything and have the gall to attempt to impeach Biden because his non-political son might have cashed in on his fathers name. I may not approve of Hunters China behavior, but it doesn't compare to Trumps Son-in -Law who got 2 billion dollars from the Saudi's
The hypocrisy is through the roof and its outrageous.
A few minutes after the speech ended, a friend called, and we instantly voiced our great enthusiasm for Biden's speech. Not only were words and phrases well chosen, but he maintained excellent engagement with those in attendance. Any sign of disagreement from the Republican side, and he was on it, along the lines of oh, you don't like that...? accompanied by a hard stare. His many years of experience in Congress was evident as he looked at or called out a Republican member by name. He conveyed strength and full control of everything he was doing and thinking, that he is a fully capable and knowledgeable political force to be reckoned with. I thought his juxtaposition of some considering him "too young" to be in Congress when he was first elected, with now being "too old" provided a great ending, as well as a useful talking point for those of us who want to convince other voters to support Biden. Bravo!
And yes, some might prefer stronger support for some issues, and less for others, but should we also consider the balancing act that comes with the position? Write letters, discuss, etc., but I think it is unrealistic for some people to basically write him off for lack of perfection.
YES! Chop wood, Carry Water, write a poem, go to a concert, make a banner, buy a yard sign, engage with your neighbors, break bread, sing protest songs in the public square.
I've got my old Pete Seeger LPs out. It is amazing and sad to realize how appropriate the songs are still. Unions are still being busted, the "powerful" still prey on the poor and their appetite never seems sated. We gotta lift us up in whatever ways we can. one foot in front of the other, stronger with each step.
So> go to social media sites and bring it to those people. Asking the choir questions does not disseminate the truth. Come on, people. Go to GOP LYING FB pages and POST THE TRUTH!
Too many with minds made up already likely sat this one out. It is essential that there are debates (they ought to be prescribed by law), that DT be compelled to participate and that Biden come loaded for bear. Those with firm opinions will watch, hoping to see their opinions confirmed. Biden must be sharp and up to the task.
OK, Robert, let's get back to the real issue: how do you respond when everything you state based on fact is negated by statements from the MAGA right. The echo chamber for the right picture of how terrible the economy is just keeps growing and statements like the following from my ignorant Congressmen expressly counters each and every factual reality. And the American right populace buys it hook line and sinker.
Just arrived in my in-box from my Congressman: "Washington D.C. – Congressman Doug Lamborn issued the following statement following President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address:
The Biden administration has continually proven that the state of our union is declining under his leadership. The President can make as many addresses as he wants, with as many claims to victory, but Americans will continue to see through his false claims.
Record inflation, unaffordable costs of living, and rampant crime are detrimentally affecting the American way of life. Everyday costs have inflated and made basic necessities unaffordable to millions of Americans. While our citizens struggle, Joe Biden wages war on our domestic energy by propping up green energy, causing us to rely on foreign nations and ignoring our ability to be energy and mineral independent. The radical climate agenda has been an economic disaster for America, and it cannot continue any longer.
Simultaneously, illegal border crossings have devastated our southern states, and turned every town in the country into a border town. Over seven million crossings have occurred since Biden’s first day in office - 700% more than the previous two administrations combined. Our cities are overwhelmed, driving illegal aliens to shelter in our schools, displacing American students from their classrooms, and even being housed on our federal lands. The immediate fallout from this crisis has been catastrophic, and our nation will feel the effects for the foreseeable future.
Abroad, we see emboldened adversaries. The Taliban rule Afghanistan once more, unchecked and unrestrained due to the disastrous Biden-orchestrated withdrawal of our military - leaving 13 American soldiers dead. Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine face the constant threat of violence, while hundreds of attacks have been launched on our own military bases, injuring and killing several valiant service members. In truth, none of this would be happening if not for this Administration.
It is time to get America back on track."
There seems to literally be no way to argue with facts. And the right buys the counter-factual rhetoric. So, how do we get past that? How?
Robert is the voice of reason. History will remember him kindly, because of his kind and wise advice. But long before Trump Republicans understood that fear and resentment can overpower reason. This is why their reply to Biden's speech is entirely based on fear and resentment, fear of foreigners, resentment over high prices. An angry, fearful mind has difficulty processing factual information; it becomes captive of confirmation bias.
Last night showed us that Republicans literally and figuratively stand for nothing. As the saying goes, “ if you stand for nothing you’ll fall for anything.”
Joe Biden laid out his achievements and his plans for the next four years in clear, concise, understandable language. His delivery was anything but “Sleepy Joe.“ The Republicans in response were primarily frowning because his speech was so good. And when he was interrupted or heckled he gave it back to them Twice as hard. Go dark Brandon.
The Republican kitchen table rebuttal was so weak. I almost felt sorry for her, but not quite. She was a perfect example of an airhead republican who could only lamely repeat Republican tropes, but the tropes had been already rebutted by facts in Biden‘s excellent speech.
Joe's finally getting his vitamins. Higher taxes on the wealthy, no more tax cuts, improved healthcare for all, lower prescription drug prices, reproductive rights, and a two-state solution.
And all Mike Johnson could do was frown and shake his head. It's hilarious and reassuring at long last.
Katie Britt of Alabama in her kitchen (couldn't see if she was barefoot) should give us all pause. That weird, breathy way of speaking is taught by the extreme Christian right. I believe it's supposed to be deferential. Same with the inauthentic smile that didn't always match with the MAGA-doom list she was reciting and and so came off as super creepy. This affected speech was covered in the Netflix documentary Shiny, Happy People (ostensibly about the Duggar family, but really about the extreme right Christian homeschooling, infiltrate the government movement, etc.). Given Trump's stated intentions and Project 2025, it's worth noting these extremists.
I just found an article from Tia Levings on the vocal training. She states that "fundie" (Christian Fundamentalists) women get this from a 1963 pamphlet titled Fascinating Womanhood. She says there are churches full of women who all speak like Michelle Duggar. Here is Fascinating Women on baby voice:
“The ideal feminine voice is gentle and variable, with a clear ringing tone and an air of self assurance. You must not let your voice suggest mannish efficiency, or coarse boldness..
If you have any difficulty with your voice, a few weeks’ practice ought to help you greatly. Speaking aloud to yourself or reading aloud to yourself in the privacy of your room, endeavoring all the time to eliminate the objectional features in your voice, should be effective. A half-hour devoted to this each day ought to be sufficient, if it is kept up for three or four weeks. When reading, read with expression….
Typical in a feminine woman is a cooing quality in the voice when talking to babies, little children or animals. This is known as baby talk.
Yes. Something in me always goes on alert when I hear that high breathy voice.
They are not speaking from their diaphragm, with full power. They are probably not 'in' their power. paper tigers. Today is international Womens Day. I want to feel my relationship to these women. They're my sisters and they're being deluded. I want to wake them up. I want them to wake up quickly and that's where I have to pull back and realize that that is approaching arrogance and presumption.
WooHoo, Marc!! I was clapping, screaming, fist bumping the air!!! He was FANTASTIC!! I dare anyone to say that he is not competent!!! He totally schooled republicans and their stupid king!!!
Marc, when I was a kid, we use to walk down to the walk-in theatre on Saturday morning to watch the cowboy movies. It was always the ones in the white hats working to save the town or the rancher from the black hats that wanted to take it all away. Always, always, always, the white hats won the day and defeated the black hats. That's kinda the way I see us here in America right now. We are the white hats working to save our Democracy and way of life from the black hats determined to destroy all of it. Just like in the movies, the white hats will win the day because good always wins over evil!! Vote Blue, America!!!
Thank you for that observation and I wasn't trying to be offensive. If I was to anyone, I apologize. I was simply pointing out that in those cowboy movies the guys in white hats were the good guys and the guys in black hats were the bad guys. For us kids, it was easy to understand. I guess now-a-days you have to be careful that you don't offend anyone. Instead, I will say that the guys in blue hats are the good guys and the guys in red hats are the bad guys. If I offended the red hat guys, put on a different hat and deal with it!!
Peggy, After teaching for over 25 years, taking multiple courses and having had my consciousness raised by my students of color, I'd always ask the kids, to cut me some slack and I'm still on the learning curve! I was so grateful that they felt comfortable to give me a "teachable moment!" In fact, I had one funny kid remind me years later at the high school
(taught him in 7th/8th grade)of the "teachable moment" he gifted to me!
So if I comment and you pick up on something quirky,please feel free to turn the light on for me! Thanks for the conversation! j
Anytime, Jazz! As a retired teacher, my students were constantly teaching me more than I think I taught them. Like you, I was grateful they felt comfortable pointing out my foibles!!
The energy in the room last night was electric. On one side, you had the Democrats standing and cheering the women wearing white and it was full of positivity. On the other side, you had the sitting long faced Republicans that were the vortex of negativity. The polarity made a very powerful battery Biden used that polarity to energize him fantastically.
Yes, he does. That right there should show you the kind of person he is! How can anyone hate dogs? They are delightful, unconditionally loving companions. You constantly read these stories where dogs have saved their owners lives. I would trust my dog before I would trust that little orange man!!
What we just heard was a positive effort to see the future as something to look forward to, instead of something to run from. Optimism is a motivating influence aimed at producing an outcome we as Americans desperately want and need. President Biden has done an outstanding job considering the opposition he has faced at every turn both from within his own party and from the other side of the aisle. He has endeavored to help the people of this country regardless of their political party, religion, or social affiliation. Our President reached out to the people of this country in an effort to abridge a gap that has been growing between various factions within our society. Yet no matter what he attempts to do he is met with abject indifference. Just imagine if Trump had spoken tonight, he would have given his "Hate of the Union" address.
Marc, it sure does work - big time! My favorite line from the speech last night came early on: "You can't love your country only when you win!" Wow. Score, Joe, score!
Some don't even love their country when they win! You know ; the one who promises retribution and all kinds of malfeasance and ending self rule for the humans.! With forced birth and all. And the number 8 weeks, just because it is 'even'!
It's a good thing he doesn't peruse the Substack; he would otherwise be led to believe there are concerns! ('Kudos!' to his folks for not giving him an age complex...)
As I listened to President Biden's speech, I was in awe of his directness, his knowledge, and yes, even his humor. President Biden showed everyone last night that he is more alert, more cognizant and more in tune with the American people than the little orange man could ever hope to be. I love how he introduced people during his speech as examples of what he was talking about. His message was clear and concise. Anyone who is still drunk on the Kool Aid should know that the majority of Americans will vote for President Biden. Americans want Democracy. Americans want decorum in the White House. Americans want Congress to work together for the American people. Lastly, Americans want an end to the chaos, vileness, and corruption of trump and his cult.
In late Spring 2020, after Joe Biden had become the Party’s presumptive Presidential nominee, he and Bernie Sanders created 6 policy task forces which, according to Sanders, “had some of the most knowledgeable people in the country coming together” to deal with education, climate change, healthcare, the economy, criminal justice, and immigration reform. Sanders had stated that if the compromises they had achieved were implemented, “life would improve for tens and tens of millions of working people.”
In 2021, this entire legislative agenda passed in the then-Democratically-controlled House, but stalled in the 50D-50R Senate because Senate Republicans refused to allow regular order (permitting legislation to move to the floor for debate and an up or down majority vote). Accordingly, Senate Democrats crammed as much of the agenda that qualified under reconciliation into one bill that, had it passed, would have helped to remedy much of the country’s grotesque inequalities of wealth and income.
As we all are well-aware, the reconciliation package, in January 2022, failed to pass by 2 votes (Manchin and Sinema) and eventually was replaced by the vastly edited down Inflation Reduction Act, with Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.
Presuming my sources are good, Bernie Sanders had a hand in drafting last night’s SOTU, wherein the serious discussions from 2020 with serious people who had engaged in an honest effort to arrive at a compromise were resuscitated.
Given Biden’s pointed, memorable, and urgent delivery of the State of the Union, despite a near-fatal weakening of our nation’s structures of government whose powers were once balanced in a way that could protect the country from the over-reach of any one branch, I, nonetheless, am hopeful. I’m ready, as I imagine we all are, to get back to work and retake the House, hold our 49 Senate seats (excluding Manchin and Sinema) pick up at least 1 additional Senate seat and hold the White House.
I think you really have your finger on the nations pulse and have always been very impressed with your advice. Both you Mr Reich, and Joe Biden, truly care about Americas middle class. As far as Joe's State of the Union goes, he hit it out of the ballpark.
Biden's state of the Union address was great. The GOP's kitchen table response was theater. She should have taken better acting classes. Her over acting with fake emotions was laughable.
I can't believe she really wants to follow their "Orange haired Dear Leader."
We can't let Orange Hair become the "Biggie me" of his love letter writing friend " Rocket Man."
Fight like hell to elect Joe back into office. Sweep the senate and the House .
End the Electoral College. One person one vote. End gerrymandering .
If you want to understand how the Democratic Party lost the support of millions of workers, read Thomas Frank's book, "Listen Liberal". In the 1968 and 1972 presidential elections Democrats turned to corporations and wealthy Americans for campaign contributions. This caused Union memberships to crater and states to begin the process of passing "Right-to-work" laws that led many manufacturing corporations to move factories and jobs to states where they did not have to deal with unions and pay union wages. Democrats turned away from the great successes of the New Deal and lost the support of millions of low-paid workers.
Exactly Daniel. This is about buying in to right wing propaganda. It takes research (unfortunately) and participation and fact checking to understand what is going on. The numbers show that profitable corporations are unnecessarily raising prices. Look at their profits! Of course Democrats have made mistakes but it is the ONLY party ever to help the working person. Republicans try to suppress that.
Highly recommend (labor lawyer) Thomas Geoghegan's 2020 article in the New Republic: "Educated Fools: Why Democratic leaders still misunderstand the politics of social class."
An excerpt: "Here’s a little thought experiment: What would happen if, by a snap of the fingers, white racism in America were to disappear? It might be that the black and Latino working class would be voting for Trump, too. Then we Democrats would have no chance in 2020. We often tell ourselves: “Oh, we lost just the white working class because of race.” But the truth might be something closer to this: “It’s only because of race that we have any part of the working class turning out for us at all.”
I think your advice to the potential Presidential candidates was good advice! You can only advise them. It’s up to them to either take it or leave it. You can lead a horse…..
I don't think Reich gave good advice back in the 1980s. I think they all skipped the, "Is there a problem to be solved?" part of why we had to send good jobs overseas. The problem was only for the corporate assholes who wanted cheaper labor. Everybody else was thriving. Reich got on board. Did anybody actually read all of today's essay?
Gloria, it's all a game around winning beating the other guy strategic opportunisms.... corporate finance of campaigns.... solving problems is not the objective until the problems become overwhelming political problems of strategic importance, until the illusions- delusions no longer work to manufacture enough consent. Permanent campaigning rather than diving into the problems. Having said that I am glad Biden came off well enough to not make the news all about gaffs and infirmity and he did fire up the Democrats.
He did touch upon concentration of wealth-of unfair sharing. If the Democrats win both Houses and the presidency then more rigorous efforts towards reducing corporate totalitarianism are likely or at least possible...with a second coming of Trump, we will get greater corporate concentration of wealth and power- greater corporate totalitarianism topped off with fascism.
True, everybody has a philosophy, whether they are conscious of it or not...a political philosopher cares less about a party and his party winning. Cornel West and Bernie Sanders care more about getting root ideas across-radical change than being popular or winning...Their speeches-writings are based on convictions more than saying things in appealing ways...to appeal-to appease...to win. Thanks for asking. Is that clearer than mud?
Professor Reich, sometimes it's appropriate for you to write about the past, but not today. Our president just gave a fiery, feisty and powerful speech last night. Not the one you recommended, but the one that he saw fit -- the one that made our side leap to their feet and cheer. I want to hear you cheer too. Instead you wrote about yourself and, of all things, your failures as a democratic speech advisor. Get up on your feet! We need to hear enthusiasm from you for the guy who you've questioned many times as too old and not up to the job. He's up to the job! We need to know you are behind him, not mulling over past failures. I say this respectfully because I appreciate all that you have done and continue to do!
“High-minded Mike promptly fired Sasso, thereby losing his most important political adviser.”
And this is why democrats lose. They allow the chaos party to set the narrative, and then try to play catch up; resetting their priorities and handing republicans a win; figuratively or in Mike’s case, literally!…:)
The high road is the high road; Democrats aren't going to coddle people who abuse norms (there are plenty of people yearning to breathe free, ready to take the place of folks who can't appreciate their good fortune!)...
Agreed, but losing is still losing. Republicans have built in advantages all throughout every election. From extreme gerrymandering, electoral college, voter suppression, a right-wing ecosystem dedicated to the chaos caucus, and most recently Trump.
The high road may be the virtuous road, but it never leads to the promised land; especially when the road is paved with cheap snake-oil salesman, religious wing-nuts, morally bankrupt charlatans and perennial grifters…:)
Robert Jaffee ; "but losing is still losing". I would like to point out that Democrats have been winning the last few elections ; From the 2020 Presidential election to the midterms (which were supposed to be a red wave), to the two more recent special elections in specific states. Why can't we enjoy this strong speech from our President? and think about a win?
Agreed, but I wouldn’t call it a great speech; lots of slurring of words and missing the emphasis on key points. Either way, this speech isn’t going to move the needle. They never do.
The campaign begins today. Let’s see what strategies lie ahead before we take a bow….:)
I disagree. I don't believe the media can ignore the spectacle of puppet Republicans. Plus he may be 81 but he didn't act 81. Hard to ignore. My guess is the polls will start blowing the other way.
Robert Jaffee ; "They never do". Never say never! Actually our opponents are doing themselves in, anyway. But then again ; I think of the bumper sticker that reads ; "if you think education is expensive ; Try ignorance!"
Pat : I immediately thought the same thing. Joe Biden is not going to change his speech impediment. But he has better ideas and is a better candidate than the coup artist with a phony orange 'glow' !
Fully disagree. This speech was very good and will move the needle. It was just what was needed. I felt more relaxed after seeing how well Biden did. Biden has a speech impediment. Show some maturity about it. Trump on the other hand is a psychopathic word salad lunatic and criminal. Biden doesn’t slur due to age, and frankly I’m tired of people talking about that when we are fighting fascism!
...and miles to go before we can rest. Let's pace ourselves and act decisively now, while the iron is hot and how many other cliches can I fit in here...but you get my point.
Your comments are exactly what is scaring the hell out of me! Republicans are experts at cheating, lying, stealing, purging votes, now conspiracy theories, and 6 lawless justices that will do anything to benefit trump’s unlawfulness under the direction of their benefactors the Federalist Society, the Heritage Foundation, wealthy billionaires, and even the MAGA Republican Party!
Yup, “The Prince” is a perfect example of the world we inhabit today. The unprincipled, unscrupulous, devious, corrupt and sinister usually win!
Not always, but these charlatans manage to cause enough damage over time destroy all semblance of civility and decorum in politics.
Interesting how he uses Jesus as an apt analogy. Although, Jesus prevails in the long-run, his messages have been completely distorted by the same devious and sinister forces (MAGA) to render his message meaningless…:)
And that world where we see far too much devious, untrustworthy and unpredictable evil, is the end result of thinking Machiavelli was advocating a way of behaving that was right…he just corrupts decency, and leaves us with all levels of evil.
I see what is being said here, but I see it as simplistic and leaving out more intense discussion of game theory, especially prisoner’s dilemma.
And it keeps talking about the “ good guy” as though he were a milquetoast. I also consider Jesus Christ a story, one conceived with a lot more nuance involved in it than only telling us his example for how to live decently with each other seemingly lost out to an overt exercise of power. That he was a loser. The discussion about Christ was simplistic, too, and perhaps the more important lesson was that Christlike decency and consideration for the least of us supports creation of a society we’d rather live in, as compared to one that destroys the less-powerful dissenter on trumped up charges ( like the Romans did). Consider the Putin model of governance, for example, so much more Roman in his tactics than democracy is, eh? Is Vlad Machiavellian? Or just rotten? How can we tell?
I think one need not become as unethical and actually cruel-in-the-service-of-decency to prevail over actual evil. ( think about excuses for torturing our enemies to achieve “good “ ends - something excused in our recent past, if not still going on). Is that really ok? I can make up a “story” that would SEEM to justify torturing an infant in front of its mother to achieve a “higher” good, but that would not ever make it ok to DO that. (Egad, bombing tens of thousands of innocent children to “ defend….” …. Don’t get me started).
NO…I hope the world does not go down the road to thinking Machiavelli was right, because the real truth is that short term advantage takes us down a longterm road to hell.
I agree that the “ good guy” needs to be savvy and aggressive and willing to do battle and know the bad techniques in order to foil them, but using the worst means to achieve “good” ends? You just forget what goodness is about, and we are all no longer trustworthy. What benefit to gain the world and lose our soul?
I think one must always temper the temptation to go all-in Machiavelli with a healthy dose of recognizing unintended consequences. I think it’s a sad and cynical and eventually destructive mind- set.
And Machiavelli also observes that above all, the tyrant must >appear< righteous. It was the very first advice Lorenzo took as he >publicly< denounced Machiavelli as evil personified. You'd have served Lorenzo well.
Stories champion whatever point hou want to make. But there is uaully a big picture, and we make them tell what we want them to tell. The video you posted doesn't tell WHY Christ LET himself be taken ( in the story, he clearly knew what was in store for him in the garden that night. It misses the nuance and complexity in his life. We could talk about the bigger narrative all day.
The video saying Christ was a loser…that is a simplistic take on a more complex tale, leaving out the rest of the story…
Ooof, I can write a story to support any position you want to take, but there is usually a bigger picture, too, and unintended consequences, and nuance and complexity in life.
If people keep their blinders on, you can get them follow just about any contrived tale. The Donald does it all the time.
The idea that goodness is a loser in video is destructive of society and community.
"Different strokes for different folks" (Sometimes it's better to lose with humility and grace; better to be remembered as someone who competed valiantly than lose one's reputation, no?)
You are 100 correct! I was in Florida during Jeb Bush’s voter purge and the hanging chads that “spoiled” 80,000 plus votes. Thanks Jeb for helping get your brother elected! That is part of how John Roberts got his Immediate Chief Justice position! Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were a part of that political thievery with Sandra Day O’Connor to steal Gore’s votes and his Presidency !
Sure; consolation would be saying to one's self "depends on how you define 'America'" (since, as a theoretical construct, it's worked flawlessly - no different than a parent/teacher/etc. that never lets their ward slide).
It depends. Gore took the high road after the fascist court handed Bush the election. How’d that work out for America? A lot of today’s problems were caused by the Cheney and Rumsfeld administration.
The real question is whether will continue to let these charlatans run rampant and cheat their way into power?
We’re not sissycrats, but we sure play them well on TV….:)
"The real question is whether will continue to let these charlatans run rampant and cheat their way into power?" Corrupt courts do not help, along with a weak or equally corrupt DOJ.
Robert Jaffee ; Which side are you on? "sissycrats!" can't the MAGAs make up their own denigrations, assuming you're not one of them!? How about their heckling of the President of the United States of America? Talk about lack of decorum, or even respect for the Office? Oh!; that's right! : They prefer a Dictator! Wait 'til tRump commands them to bow low and grovel before they approach the Throne!
Those weren’t my words. We aren’t sissycrats, but we sometimes act that way. Biden fought yesterday, which is much needed. However, it wasn’t a knockout blow.
Let’s hope Biden and his team keep up the pressure and starts putting Trump and his minions on the defense.
(Hard not to feel the same way - but would you honestly *not* trust former VP Gore to choose for your party? He seems like a "true blue" Democrat who takes the high road!)
An audit after the fact showed that Gore won by more than 8,000 votes.
Bush had his brother as Governor. The SOS was Dubya’s state campaign chair; she oversaw the election. Wiping felons off of the voter roll by making convicted felons ineligible to vote. State troopers stopping bus loads of black voters from getting to the polls. Yuppie Brownshirts storming the Miami-Dade election office to stop the recount (sound familiar—-J6th).
Rishi ; Wasn't Hippocrates some kind of healer or doctor? Maybe Democrats can stop dissing themselves, even when there is clearly a win?!? remember "First, do no harm!"
She was walking a tightrope, fighting thirty years of smears, paid for by Richard Melon-Scaife, a weathy scion who never, ever, met a conspiracy theory he wouldn't believe.
They never forgave her for saying she wasn't the type to stay home and bake cookies, the repukes of the time had it in for her after that.
Other forms: sissies. Sissy is a derogatory name for someone, especially a man or boy, who seems weak or cowardly, or who acts in a stereotypically feminine way."
Walking down memory lane, but on the dark side: Lee Atwater not only devised the Willie Horton ad that took out Dukakis, but he was also the evil genius who orchestrated the "Monkey Business" scandal that brought down Gary Hart. (We learned that in, I think, 2018. Atwater, who died at a young age, made a deathbed confession of the plot to Gary Hart's campaign manager, who kept it to himself until he himself was near death.) And who was Atwater working his magic with? Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, whose malign influence continues to our present moment. Jane Mayer wrote about the trio in a May 6, 2021 New Yorker article.
It is required reading to know how we got here. Rachel Maddow's "Blow out" is as well, it explains the role of petrochemicals in corrupting society, laws, and history.
Your advice was excellent nonetheless. Your post began my day on an optimistic note, and President Biden’s speech ended my day on an optimistic note. I haven’t had many days like that lately!
If nothing else Prof Reich this post illustrates the fact that politics is the art of enduring and endurance. With the SOTU speech last night firing the starting gun on the POTUS election campaign both you and President Biden have demonstrated over decades that you have what it takes to deliver visionary political and social improvement. All strength to you and yours.
The Republicans showed us last night who they are. Mike Johnson’s reactions were despicable! They are definitely in the Trump cult! Trump told them to shake their heads left and right to everything President Biden says. They should be ashamed but , as we all saw last night, they have no shame!They make me sick to my stomach!
Trump’s “CULT 45” base members are easily found and easily identified because they all bye and wear his MAGA merchandise! Which is a sign that the economy is doing better.
MAGA, (Making Americans Gullible Airheads), has worked for Trump and his Congressional Lapdogs. His base supporters believe every gaslighting thing he says. I used to feel empathy for his supporters. However, I no longer do because they have access to enough resources that provide facts, based on data, and refuse to believe them!
I just hope that there are enough Americans who see through Trump, like the clean air after a thunderstorm, this coming November.
…….Trump is America’s “FOOLS GOLD”…….
I agree with everything you said, Keith! As I watched President Biden speak, I also noticed the supreme court with sour expressions because President Biden told it like it was regarding their stupid decisions. I watched the republicans constantly shaking their heads which simply made them look stupid. At least mtg kept her caterwauling quieter and did not disrupt his speech this time. Republicans need a cleansing. I hope this November we will win up and down the ballot and they just might begin to realize their kind of politics would be better in Russia, Turkey, North Korea or any other authoritarian or dictatorial country!
MTG did rudely interrupt President Biden and he was ready for her. And she was disrespectful as usual with her outfit which is a violation of the dress code! MTG is pure evil just like many members of her party!
You know what, Keith? I was so enthralled with how controlled President Biden was, she absolutely made no difference to me. She is so rude and trashy! I would hope that those in her district realize that she has done absolutely nothing for them. The only thing she has done is to make her district look trashy for sending her to Congress. She is an embarrassment and the only one who looked absolutely stupid was her!!! She may think people enjoy her brash style, but in reality, they just feel sorry for her that she is so stupid she doesn't realize the spectacle she is making of herself. It is pitiful!
MTG knows what she is doing; she is a cheerleader.
She spent a fortune to look cheap .
I’m afraid that her constituents _are_ trashy and are too stupid to notice it.
Nah, MTG is a cheap brat. She is on autopilot, and will reflexively say no, loudly protest, anything that seems adult.
"cheerleader" is right on the nose. She has been very clear that
the far right christian zealots are "her people"
Definition of White Trash.
That is an insult to white trash, everywhere.
And I'm sure it was intended as such.
Go further. go deeper, if you intended to support Michael Hutchinson's statement. Why widen the chasm?
and the likes of MTG feed on these labels, please stop!
My favorite moment with Marge: when she calls for “decorum” in the House. What could be funnier?
Her so-called strong Christian values and regular Bible readings keep showing us her true despicable colors. Telling that reporter to f**k off the other day when asked about the Jewish space lasers was another one of her continuing not so amazing moments.
I would love to see a debate between MTG or Speaker Mike Johnson and John Fugelsang
John Fugelsang is a Bible scholar
He should be, his father was a priest and his mother a nun. He is one intelligent man.
She's so terribly stupid, she "liked" a FB propaganda piece that was antisemitic, and didn't know who the Rothschilds are. So she didn't even understand that made them "Jewish Space lasers". She just keeps saying she never used that phrase, not understanding what she even liked. I wonder what she thought it meant then?
She is a teenager vulgar girl child. No teacher would put up with her in a class room. Why in Congress? Are we that ignorant? I wouldn’t let her on an airplane!
If she attended a private school and her family made hefty donations, or a public school and her parents were members of admin's social set, no teacher could correct her in the least. I would bet that nobody could control her as a child.
More than evil, classless, crude, rude, and uneducated!
in all, disrespectful. she would not live another minute if these were the earliest times in this country when taunts were deadly. she and others like her are an abomination.
really? Are you advocating a return to tar and feathers? Talk about taking us backward...I feel like I'm listening to "them" talking about "us".
Please get over (under around or through) this.
really? did i state such? no, i do not.
however, you, “my dear”, (from my interpretation of your recent comments this morning) are on quite a high horse.
do not admonish me for something you incorrectly assume me to be nor order me to be something YOU want me to be based upon your wrong assumption.
never have i encountered such self-righteous hostility on dr. reich’s substack!
She should have been escorted out like the 5 Star Family father.
I think the word “disgrace” covers it more adequately.
she's an air head and needs constant attention. Why would anyone want something like her to represent them
She, and others like her, are just there to create chaos. That’s the whole mission – make government look foolish and ineffective. Hopefully it’s not yet “mission accomplished”.
She is clearly getting a lot of attention in this forum.
I had to smile when Biden asked the Republicans if they wanted to give another 2 trillion tax break to their rich friends, they suddenly became very quiet!!!
Probably afraid they were going to get suckered into something after getting suckered into saying they wouldn’t cut Social Security last time. Haha 🤪😁
Hahahahaha!! I know, Wayne! Wasn't that the absolute best? President Biden is awesome!!
One of my favorite comments
Yet that is their intention, & Trump has even said so.
Signing the Republican Wealthcare bill was practically Trump's only accomplishment during his administration, but in reality it was one of the worst things he did.
Many things he did wrong for sure, but one of the first was to not trust the press, "Fake News". Now it is that with the left and right TV stations where the commentators only interview people that agree with them. Journalists are supposed to find out and present the facts, full stop. Nowadays one has to watch both news channels to find out a little truth among the lies - who has time for that?
Loved it
And what was with all the gum chewing by republicans? They looked stupid especially Mickey
Susan, they think they are being cute but are only showing how rude their party has become. There is no class, no dignity, and no decorum in the GOP now.
Susan, I saw that - disrespectful - effect and viewed the whole mass of 'them' as a
herd of cows chewing their cud, ruminating on - how they might/could/would respond to President Joe Biden's amazing speech. And that's casting aspersions on
"bovinedom". Cattle are not - stupid - as the RepuGlicans appeared to be in the
audience who (seem to) only follow their "bum steer" TFG ~
I hope and pray BLUE EVERYWHERE.
A sea of blue, a sky of blue, and voters voting BLUE!!!! Vote Blue, America!!!
Interesting, I watched by laptop with a friend on the White House site where you could barely make out the Court or the opposition. No distractions.
progwoman, I know she was yelling something but President Biden remained calm and strong so she was not a distraction as much as a nuisance wind whistling around her republican gum-chewing cronies!!
White trash idiots! And poor Katie. I was embarrassed for her. Can’t wait to see what SNL does with that one!!! 😂
And how sincere can she be about the death of the nursing student, when she couldn't care less about all the US deaths from gun violence.
Or women denied healthcare.
You're right re: SNL- how about her speaking with a 5 pound cross slung over her shoulder, dirty dishes & a housekeeper with a vacuum in the background?
Sir, I love your term "Making Americans Gullible Airheads", good one!! Trum P or Trumpo is an apprentice who gets fired, for better or worse, remember that.
https://liborsoural.substack.com/p/gimme-the-rocket-man
https://liborsoural.substack.com/p/the-a-t-o-m-d-e-m-i-g-o-d-s
https://liborsoural.substack.com/p/putlynn-putler-puteen-no-rasputin
https://liborsoural.substack.com/p/nutzie-u-crane-z-sob-pow-x-planed
Bravo, Keith! MJ's lips are vulcanized to the big T's ass. In my opinion, Trump is a demonic force and an accolyte of the Father of Lies. Calling him and his Maganites anything less is an unfortunate euphemism. Spray all Maganites with copious amounts of RIDICULITE!
Yeah - Greene looked like a skank again with a baseball cap (maga) at a formal state of the union - she is classless
Susan- Greene HAS A LOT OF CLASS. Unfortunately.... Its ALL LOW CLASS !!
That is exactly who she plays to. Understand and respond accordingly.
She looked like she was at the job she should have: asking "Do you want fries with that?"
The He Touches It Dies . . who stacked a Covid Coffin high rise . . .worthy of The Damien Franchise . . ..# Evil Clown variant.
Johnson looked like The Joker from Batman--cynical, laughing with his mouth closed. He advocated insurrection too, remember? That's the GOP "leader". Even Lindsey Graham was snickering at Joe. Sickening.
Definitely looked constipated.
AND NOW: A word from the Lincoln Project: https://youtu.be/xFO-avZGQhM?si=pp6kxezBwjnC_kSY
It's great the Lincoln Project put this out. If I were a part of the DNC I would be embarrased that moderate republicans do a better job of promoting Biden than the DNC.
I've been a'hollerin' out here for some time, that the DNC should work a deal to pay airtime for running those ads on behalf of the LP. For the moment - at least - they have common cause that make them natural allies. Besides, why would the Biden campaign want to sink ad production cost into duplicating the effort, when the LP already has hundreds of these things to air. Also, they tend to be really short. Along with making airtime Inexpensive, they're about as long as an average viewer's attention span. I think the Biden campaign should "talk turkey" with the LP on such an arrangement. That way, the campaign can dedicate its production costs to ads that promote his vision and accomplishments, as well as what he intends to accomplish in a second term.
Agree with your idea. I am sure the DNC views the LP as the enemy in the long run. Lp just seems to be smarter on this stuff than the DNC stuffed shirts. Can't rattle the corporate sponsers you know. HJ
In WWII, the US and USSR were allies!
Yes, but they were enemies first, allied with Hitler, until Hitler attacked Russia.
Allies by convenience only. The USSR attacked Poland from the east same time as Germany did from the west.
Then at the end of WWII, they rolled over a bunch of Eastern European countries, controlling those countries. It's what Russia has done throughout its existence.
I wouldn't even call the DNC ineffective. Based on the totality of their actions over this century, I'd say they intentionally sabotage the chances of Democratic candidates. They've been horrible!
That's a good one!
Keith, I have confidence that trump doesn’t have the support needed to win. The republiCons own the airwaves. Trumpolinis have gone way, way too far with IVF and reversal of Rowe v wade. The republicans attack LGBTQ+, a massive population. No, he won’t win. There is an issue with younger voters & what’s happening in Gaza, but always remind them that trump will have no compunction about killing groups here. They will get a Netanyahu here, with Putin & the Saudis help.
SeekingReason--absolute Dung.
An empty comment. How impressive
Repug bobbleheads (or bubbleheads). How unfortunate that these thugs have a say in how the country is run.
I agree that Mike's conduct was despicable, but I don't think we should forget Nancy Pelosi's reactions to Trump's 2020 State of the Union speech at the end of which she tore up a copy of the speech. The whole occasion has been so debased, perhaps starting when, in 2009, some Congressman yelled "You lie" at President Obama.
How can you compare Mike Johnson's and Joe Wilson's behavior to Nancy Pelosi's? It was GREAT watching her tear up Trump's speech!! I say hurray for the Democrats! It was a moment to applaud!
Yes, we needed her defiance of the Orange Orc, who is not a normal candidate, but a corrupt con man who will kill democracy, and finish the job he started, perhaps Susan missed his insurrection?
I like your name . . . Funny! Apparently, A LOT of people "missed" the insurrection! This part is not funny, but maybe they were too busy -- and exhausted -- to notice, from working their three jobs just trying to make ends meet and feed their families. (Fie on a Democratic Socialist America -- we gotta keep the Oligarchy going, don't we???)
The oligarchy sucks, and is pushing all the things that make our country difficult for those people making their wages low so they have to work three jobs, But the capitol being overrun by Magats who literally shit in our seat of Government should have been noticed, and talked about as it was a historical tragedy.
I'm losing you here . . . Do you mean that Biden should have included a (detailed or otherwise) reference to Jan.6 in his SU speech? Yeah, but . . . The Repugs would have probably stormed the arena with their feet-pounding! I agree with you, but Biden certainly didn't need ANOTHER incidence of insurrection last night! How police-enforced was this event? Were reinforcements at the ready, for instance? I think it was horribly despicable that even Lindsey Graham was acting out against Biden! (Hard to believe ANY of the [running scared] Repugs are still on THE MAGGOT'S SIDE!!! THEY SHOULD BE DOING WHAT I DO AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK -- CALLING THE DOJ AND DEMANDING HIS ARREST!!)
Actually this kind of behavior and disrespect have been around since the beginning of time! It’s just that now there’s many more people that act like immature children and there’s lots of cameras to capture their antics.
Ah, but Pelosi's antics were quite appropriate & symbolic, considering the poor quality of Trump's speech.
I DETEST Trump, but I was shocked when Pelosi tore up the speech.
I was rather shocked, too, but I approved.
At times Johnson's expressions were ridiculous. I was surprised that he was clapping at times when does gop's side of the aisle was silent.
"Gullible airheads" has got to be the kindest euphemism of the century.
Wonderful
i love the definition of MAGA!!!!! It is so true.
Well said. Couldn’t agree with you more.
Biden's originally planned massive forgiveness of student debt was blocked by the corrupt Republican Supreme Court:
Kevin Carey--Vox, November 4, 2023: "first loan forgiveness initiative would have forgiven $10,000 from nearly every federal student loan, and up to $20,000 for low-income borrowers"
Amy Howe--SCOTUSblog, June 30, 2023: "up to $400 billion in student loans. The Biden administration had said that as many as 43 million Americans would have benefitted from the loan forgiveness program; almost half of those borrowers would have had all of their student loans forgiven"
Janet, SCOTUS struck down Biden’s loan forgiveness program. He still has forgiven $136 Bill student debt. Get the rescumliCons out and he can proceed. SCOTUS must be expanded as well.
...and the president has a magic wand...?!
Legislative Process--say it with me. All together. We live in a democracy. The Legislative branch at this moment moves like molasses in January, as my mom used to say. Complain to your Reps in the House and Senate.
Republicans wouldn’t allow anymore help for people
I was encouraged when JB said “give me a Democrat congress and I WILL make ROE v Wade the law of the land.”
We're going to remember that we're strong and there are lots of us from every demographic and strata of this crumbling hierarchical mess and we're going to break the cycle. And we're going to keep it up as long as we need to. That's why we're here. That's what we do.
ugh.
joe biden -- as the kids these days say -- TOTALLY SLAYED the state of the union ... at one point, if you were strictly reading the speech (rather than watching or listening to it), it very well could have been a speech delivered by bernie sanders ... mind ... BLOWN !!!
the key question is : who saw this speech ??? ... who saw that, though he has trouble speaking at times, we all saw a man with vigor, energy and incredibly sharp wit ...
did young people watch it ??? ... did black and brown voters watch it ??? ... did suburban housewives watch it ??? ... did the people who NEED to see THIS joe biden watch it ???
to those of US who watched it, we saw what the entire country needs to see ... he SCHOOLED the republicans -- particularly on immigration and the border policy (" we can talk about fixing the border, or WE CAN FIX IT") ... he completely excoriated the despicable supreme court TO THEIR FACES (though three of them were conspicuously absent from attendance -- which was in no way a surprise) ...
joe biden more than rose to the occasion last nite, leaving absolutely NO QUESTION to any human with a brain who we need to vote for this november ...
the problem, & the key question, is : did the people who NEED to see it watch it, and HOW do we get this message across ???
I'll be honest: I did not watch it in real time.
I am a white, millennial, suburban, apartment-dwelling wife and mom with a graduate degree who works in a service sector job. I follow politics closely but have become angry at the way that working families have been so utterly ignored. I'm also angry that until now, so little has been done to help ease or stop the suffering of both Gazans under constant bombardment and the families of the hostages. I despise Trump and all that he stands for, and I fully recognize the stakes in this election. And yet, I told my husband last week that Joe has work to do to earn my vote *for him,* as opposed to against Trump.
I'm happy to see that Team Joe has woken up to the message being sent by voters. I got a sense things were shifting with news of the floating pier in Gaza, and now coverage of his SOTU, which I'm going to go back and watch. Dems advising the president had gotten complacent. Now, there is work to do.
I'm here for it. When you know better, you do better. Time to widen the net.
absolutely, katie ... i urge you to watch the entire speech ... i think that he really does address your concerns towards working families ... he lays out what he has done to help working families and delivers his vidion of HOW MUCH MORE he wants to help working families IF he has a congess that will help him execute this vision (so the democrats MUST control all three houses of government -- the presidency, the senate and the house of representatives -- for this to happen ...
i also totally agree with you on biden needing to earn our votes, rather than relying on us voting strictly against the dictator (though we CANNOT minimize how utterly essential it is that his predecessor NEVER come into power again -- which has failed at the hands of mitch mc connell & the republican senators who could have & NEEDED to convict him after 6 jan, AND also has failed at the evil hands of the diabolical supreme court) ...
in 2020, i was ardently supporting elizabeth warren -- just to say, i was not initially ALL-IN on biden ... for me, even though last nite was extremely effective and has totally motivated me now to go ALL OUT to support joe biden, he still has NOT gone far enough to support gaza publicly, however last nite was definitely a powerful step in the right direction -- made in great way possible by all of the true patriots voting uncommitted in democratic primaries across our country ...
i hope that you -- like me, with our own doubts -- can be swayed by an historic state of the union speech ... i was hoping for the speech he masterfully gave last nite -- but i was not expecting it !!!
People don't want just solutions to their problems. They want to feel that they are being seen and heard which is what tfg is able to do for many. Even as he has few solutions for them, and likely just more pain. But "he's one of us" emotional connection is what counts for many when they step into that voting booth.
In a poor rebuttal by Sen Britt that's one thing the Republicans understand perhaps better than Democrats. She said I hear you. I see you.
I think what everyone needs to understand something -- yes, Joe hit it outta the ball park last night (and holy freaking 💩💩, it was great to see😎), but people are griping because "he's done so little for the people in Gaza!"
We, the public, do NOT always have the info we want and think we deserve. Do I, personally, wish Biden had been more vocal against Bibi? Hell yeah! Do I think we need to quit helping Israel over every little stub of a toe? Yeah, again. THAT is one of the biggest issues Middle East has with the USA.
All the above having been said -- we ALSO must know another hard truth. We, the people, do NOT have a right to know what is being done behind the curtain. We can get a drip of info here, another drop of info there, etc etc etc.
HOWEVER, remember to think hard b4 you castigate Biden for doing so little for Gaza, just imagine what will happen if the 🍊 💩gibbon gets back in!! I know, with every fiber of my body, that THING would give Bibi anything and more!
Just because people didn't think they heard enough about helping Gaza, they want to make Biden "earn their votes" -- WTAF?!??!!
I mean, do I wish he'd do more in just about everything we've been wanting/needing?? Hell to the yeah!!
But I'm NOT gonna wait for Biden to earn MY vote. I'm voting for my biggest issue right now -- and THAT is -- NEVER to let the 🍊 💩gibbon anywhere near 1600 Pennsylvania Ave!!
Biden often uses the expression: “Don’t compare me with the Almighty; compare me with my opponent.” He in my estimation is a good man, while Donald Trump is a criminal sociopath. There is No Symmetry between them: for Biden to be as “good” as Trump is “bad” his goodness would have to be Godlike.
(He faces difficult dilemmas, such as the Gaza conflict. I think we must look at four parties here, not two. The Palestinian people must not be conflated with the Hamas fanatic killers, and the Israeli people must not be conflated with the arguably criminal Netanyahu and his fanatic Settler coalition, determined not to have a two-state solution to the long conflict. I don’t think cutting off all military aid to Israel is a possible option: Hamas did start it with a murderous assault. Biden has no influence over Netanyahu, who would like nothing more than a Trump victory in November.)
Because of that lack of symmetry I see my prospective vote in November as one-tenth “for” Biden and nine-tenths “against” Trump. IF we had Ranked Choice Voting in effect nationally for this election, we would not have a “voter’s dilemma” and the consequent spoiler effect. In that case, choosing an alternate to Biden would be morally acceptable IF the second choice was for Biden (i.e., an effective vote for Biden and Against Trump). Trump learned in his term of office what was impeding his actions. A second term for this moral monstrosity would be an unmitigated catastrophe. This will be the most “Special” election since at least 1864.
Sorry Don, it started the way the majority of conflict in the world has started, with an all white male group sitting at a table making lines, demarcations, and decisions on maps, policies, and regions of the world in which they have absolutely no historical presence or connection other than a desire to dominate and subjugate for purposes of profit, without an iota of true concern for those indigenous to the land....and in their arrogance those men fail to understand and/or accept that those lands also have multitudes of their own Patrick Henry's with a similar refrain on their lips and in their hearts. The era of European imperialism is over and the situation in Gaza is but additional evidence of that fact, the people of the world will be free to live their lives as they chose and not as that part of humanity going through 'the terrible two's or three's' would impose upon them. The "catch and kill" job done by the bible has been exposed, the majority of people in the world are waking up to the fact that European Jews never had a connection to that land settled by the original Hebrews who created the belief system which those we now know as Europeans adopted and co-opted. Research and science reveals the ancient Greeks and Romans traveled back to northeast Africa after emerging from their ice age isolation to find the progress, wonders and advancements in knowledge/civilization that melanated people had produced while they were trapped, devolving, mutating and inbreeding in a resource poor environment compared to the mother continent. The world demanded that South Africa end apartheid and the Gaza conflict is evidence that now it's demanding the same of Israel and its allies! Soon they will be taking the USA to the ICJ over the issue of genocide of POC, especially unarmed Black men, in the good old US of A. Liberty or death worked for Patrick and it's clear the rest of the world feels the same way; your weapons and profits be damned if they get in the way!
Sam, Jews who dispersed into Europe came originally from what is now Israel. What do you think diaspora means?
Sorry Miriam, it sounds like you've never studied the timelines of those migrations for yourself so you never learned. Before a European (melanemic) ever stepped foot in Africa or Cannan, the Hebrew faith was already one thousand years old and some of the stories found in what became the Tanakh were over a thousand years older than that and already carved into stone in various locations in Africa along the Nile River basin from the south to the north. Get some decent and accurate timeline maps or a good AI system and force it to answer direct question about the exact dates certain events happened and it will become clear that you are another victim of the biggest lie in recorded world history. In fact, a good AI will tell you that Europeans were still considered barbarians at the time the Africans moral and spiritual belief system of "Ma`at" was already thousand of years old.
I don't know what you're saying here, Sam. What I'm saying is that Jews who lived in Europe were not Europeans. They weren't considered to be Europeans by the people who lived there, either at the time when they arrived or pretty much ever after. Their origins were from the Middle East. They were a diasporic people in Europe (and everywhere else they went after they were exiled from Judea).
You can’t possibly be serious in thinking that all conflicts in the world have been started by “old white men”. You may want to hit the history books a bit more! (Think Africa, Asia, South America etc. etc.)
Both Jews and Palestinians are victims of Western bigotry.
Don't be shy Sam, come right out and tell us that you hate Jews. Wait you just did.
You're right, of course I must hate my blood ancestors more than I hate those who can't handle the truth, blood or no blood.
And another demagogue steps up, the all knowing truth teller.
I did not read his post that way, not at all. He brought forth some interesting history, which happens to be true.
You might not like it, but it is true. I'm not sure if he worded it correctly, but it IS truth.
Just because someone, or lots of someones, speaks/writes truthfully about Israel and Palestine -- it in no way suggests or hints the writer hates Jews.
To suggest the writer feels that way just by reciting history is ludicrous.
Jean, you obviously don't know the truth from made up facts. What you do know is that you liked what he posted. Obvious that you have your own case against the Jews.
I would like to pose a question.
There are two belligerents in the Israeli/Hamas war. We are all familiar with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. He is “the one to put the pressure on” regarding a ceasefire. Why do we not know who the leaders of Hamas are? (They are the de facto rulers of Gaza). Do they not also deserve to have an equal amount of pressure put on them? Where are they? I have heard they are safely hiding in Qatar. Or somewhere in the vast network of tunnels under Gaza. Does anyone actually know? How can they be negotiated with? Why did they put their entire population at risk by attacking Israel? Are these leaders masked, as many of their fighters are? In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, as we have in other wars, we know who the leaders are, we see their faces, we hear them speaking. But not in this case. I am by no means for war, but these questions must be considered.
From what I've learned since the awful stack on 10/7/23, most of the "leaders" of Hamas are NOT in the Gaza territory.
I've read they could be in Syria, Qatar, or Libya.
I'm not entirely sure about the tunnel network though.
Side note: does anyone know the first tunnels were made by the British when they controlled the area?? I found THAT to be quite interesting.
Quit whining if you refuse to stay informed Katie. You hook on to one subject, GAZA and remain utterly unaware of what Biden gas accomplished. I have listed his accomplishments many times in these chats. Our country has been attacked by terrorists on the right. We are fighting Fascism here! The lack of awareness on what is at stake is horrifying. There is virtually no widespread news source that is not owned by the ultra right. The MAGA Sinclair Bris own 294 tv stations! We only have smaller media sources, nothing like CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX,ABC on and on. All of these are owned by right wing.
MAGAs are the ones who are one subject focused. Biden didn’t just wake up to messages by voters, he has been stymied every inch of the way.
Did you read a thing I said? I'm guessing not. The point is that Biden, who is INFINITELY better than Trump, can't run on being Not Trump alone. I pay very close attention to politics and had always planned to watch later, if Biden gave me a reason to believe it wouldn't be a waste of time. Seems like he did, finally. I'm voting for Biden, but if he wants to win, he better wake up. Many people have real, legitimate concerns that are unsurprising to those who are paying attention. If we don't want a repeat of 2016, there is work to do. But it's not going to go well if people jump down others' throats every time someone legitimately criticizes Biden.
I think Biden could have lightened up on his contrast with the "predecessor" and he should have leaned more into the economic pain that is out there.
You should watch it if you have not.
Elections IMO are like a trip to the optometrist: better than or worse than? One can choose not to go at all and lumber on through life bumping one's toes and nose in discomfort, thinking that nothing can be done about it. For those who choose to go, the best choice leads to better outcomes. Making the poorer choice can be a disaster. Elections, however, don't follow the metaphor completely. One must remember that even the better candidate faces contradictions in advice even as given by her/his strongest supporters. Generally, democracy supports compromise, and quote from Mick an' his rolling buddies, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try ... sometimes ... you get what you need".
At some point, Katie, I urge you to watch this short clip from Steve Schmidt, a former R strategist, re his reaction to the SOTU. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO7DHpVSco8
some people must like getting screwed over.
This seems undoubtedly so. Steve. Nearly 20 years ago, a friend of mine living in TN lamented that he could not understand how R's were able to repeatedly persuade his neighbours "to vote contrary to their own best interests". Not living there, I initially thought that the question was perhaps a little overwrought. Nowadays it seems self-evident to me.
It seems the emotional identification voters have with a candidate, that he's "one uf us", overrides the more intellectual/rational views about a candidates "policies" and how those policies would impact them , esp. for people who aren't disposed that way to begin with.
a-yup, pretty much how it has to be … and we’ve all seen these basic forces in action at work, in the community and in any organization that we’ve belonged to. Tribalism is a thing and nations seem to be incapable of seeing them selves as one tribe, even in the face of external threats, except when there is a gifted leader. It is beyond puzzling to me that so many in the red hats can see tRump as that kind of leader and that other R politicians have not mustered enough “smack” to turn this tide.
he could have done more to acknowledge the economic stuggles of working families esp in rural and small town America., which has been a decades long problem in the making! And then talked about how he was moving to make their lives better in his first 4 years and what he would do the next 4. But overall he did well.
In order to have a Democracy, humans must pay attention and participate. Not watching the SOTU, Especially at this time, shows a certain lack of awareness that is not helpful for a voter!
this is the exact problem, laurie -- not enough humans pay attention nor participate in our political system, which -- ironically -- leads to their own suffering and prevents lasting change which would actually benefit and help them ... and given our political infrastructure -- particularly with the electoral college -- this benefits republicans ... republicans COUNT ON people NOT engaging in the political process here, and hence, the republican party has completely slipped into a full-on autocratic party ... the absolute SHAME (& the shamefully ZERO surprise or shock) that mitch mc connell -- after delivering the comments that he made from the floor of the senate -- actually endorsed the dictator reveals the dystopian truth that we all really need to realize in this moment of time ...
People are so stupid to think this is not going to impact them
tragically, yes ... the real danger, though, is in the great numbers of people who do know better and are steering us towards fascism ... these players are relying on the ignorance of the many ...
more stupid than we can imagine.
way to go Mitch. Party over country even as he marches to his political demise. Being a Republican was in the end more important than being an American for him. And for that he will be remembered.
vr colletti: Those who do not believe in Democracy will always leave so many voters behind. Because they think that They should be first, and in contro,l and anyone who isn't obscenely wealthy is a loser, who should be used or left to die, if it's in the interests of the Greedheads.
Available on Youtube.
I recorded it. 9 is past my bedtime. Especially if my year old granddaughter and my daughter are visiting. I'm up at 4, or before.
I live in New Mexico but I didn’t want to get all energized so close to the time to relax. I will, hopefully find a full recording on YouTube.
I am glad that we both follow Robert Reich’s posts. He has so much to teach us.
Lasita: I'm glad too!
same here. I have had to find activities that are quiet and take focus.
I've taken to writing lists of things I'm grateful to.
Completely agree Laurie! The people sitting out watching the one time Biden gets proper news coverage shows their ignorance of who is feeding them the news. Biden has put forward the best actions of any Democratic President in 40 years. He has been handcuffed by RescumliCon Congress and a corrupt SCOTUS as well as right wing monopoly of news sources. This is not about sitting back and whining. We are all part of this! And we need to support where needed to overcome the trump fascists.
Seeking reason ; I just contributed to Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts, and Seth Moulton for a split donation. Since the GOP could not find anyone willing to run in MA, they are sending a candidate from Rhode Island with big dollar support from those who don't want Bank regulations and the things Democrats will do when they can, like taxing the obscenely wealthy! and ending the Electoral College.
I watched it. Biden hit it all the way out of the ballpark. HOME RUN- Grand SLAM. An O'Henry moment.
As far as his speech problems which is a disability. Biden has openly discussed this and the man has embraced and basically adapted to it very well. Joe Biden has overcome his stutter disability. Heck, he has fewer gaffs then Trump does. Biden NAILED IT LAST NIGHT.
While watching him occasionally stumble and GET RIGHT BACK UP... I have even more respect for Joe Biden. He's a genuinely good guy. AND AN HONEST GUY.
The flagrant hypocrisy of the GOP is despicable. They lie about everything and have the gall to attempt to impeach Biden because his non-political son might have cashed in on his fathers name. I may not approve of Hunters China behavior, but it doesn't compare to Trumps Son-in -Law who got 2 billion dollars from the Saudi's
The hypocrisy is through the roof and its outrageous.
A few minutes after the speech ended, a friend called, and we instantly voiced our great enthusiasm for Biden's speech. Not only were words and phrases well chosen, but he maintained excellent engagement with those in attendance. Any sign of disagreement from the Republican side, and he was on it, along the lines of oh, you don't like that...? accompanied by a hard stare. His many years of experience in Congress was evident as he looked at or called out a Republican member by name. He conveyed strength and full control of everything he was doing and thinking, that he is a fully capable and knowledgeable political force to be reckoned with. I thought his juxtaposition of some considering him "too young" to be in Congress when he was first elected, with now being "too old" provided a great ending, as well as a useful talking point for those of us who want to convince other voters to support Biden. Bravo!
And yes, some might prefer stronger support for some issues, and less for others, but should we also consider the balancing act that comes with the position? Write letters, discuss, etc., but I think it is unrealistic for some people to basically write him off for lack of perfection.
It seemed to be a speech made for slicing and dicing into TikTok bits and YouTube shorts.
That is how it will get out.
HOW do we get this message across ???
https://www.fieldteam6.org/volunteer-ops/actions
Send letters to the editors. https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/
YES! Chop wood, Carry Water, write a poem, go to a concert, make a banner, buy a yard sign, engage with your neighbors, break bread, sing protest songs in the public square.
I've got my old Pete Seeger LPs out. It is amazing and sad to realize how appropriate the songs are still. Unions are still being busted, the "powerful" still prey on the poor and their appetite never seems sated. We gotta lift us up in whatever ways we can. one foot in front of the other, stronger with each step.
Spot on, VR!!!!
So> go to social media sites and bring it to those people. Asking the choir questions does not disseminate the truth. Come on, people. Go to GOP LYING FB pages and POST THE TRUTH!
Too many with minds made up already likely sat this one out. It is essential that there are debates (they ought to be prescribed by law), that DT be compelled to participate and that Biden come loaded for bear. Those with firm opinions will watch, hoping to see their opinions confirmed. Biden must be sharp and up to the task.
I doubt we will see a debate. A good thing IMO.
That's exactly how I feel! Thank you for your post!!
OK, Robert, let's get back to the real issue: how do you respond when everything you state based on fact is negated by statements from the MAGA right. The echo chamber for the right picture of how terrible the economy is just keeps growing and statements like the following from my ignorant Congressmen expressly counters each and every factual reality. And the American right populace buys it hook line and sinker.
Just arrived in my in-box from my Congressman: "Washington D.C. – Congressman Doug Lamborn issued the following statement following President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address:
The Biden administration has continually proven that the state of our union is declining under his leadership. The President can make as many addresses as he wants, with as many claims to victory, but Americans will continue to see through his false claims.
Record inflation, unaffordable costs of living, and rampant crime are detrimentally affecting the American way of life. Everyday costs have inflated and made basic necessities unaffordable to millions of Americans. While our citizens struggle, Joe Biden wages war on our domestic energy by propping up green energy, causing us to rely on foreign nations and ignoring our ability to be energy and mineral independent. The radical climate agenda has been an economic disaster for America, and it cannot continue any longer.
Simultaneously, illegal border crossings have devastated our southern states, and turned every town in the country into a border town. Over seven million crossings have occurred since Biden’s first day in office - 700% more than the previous two administrations combined. Our cities are overwhelmed, driving illegal aliens to shelter in our schools, displacing American students from their classrooms, and even being housed on our federal lands. The immediate fallout from this crisis has been catastrophic, and our nation will feel the effects for the foreseeable future.
Abroad, we see emboldened adversaries. The Taliban rule Afghanistan once more, unchecked and unrestrained due to the disastrous Biden-orchestrated withdrawal of our military - leaving 13 American soldiers dead. Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine face the constant threat of violence, while hundreds of attacks have been launched on our own military bases, injuring and killing several valiant service members. In truth, none of this would be happening if not for this Administration.
It is time to get America back on track."
There seems to literally be no way to argue with facts. And the right buys the counter-factual rhetoric. So, how do we get past that? How?
@ Michael.
The most effective argument for MAGATS to decrease Republican support is visceral rather than rational.
Trump hates dogs.
Stole from kids with cancer and disabled veterans.
Like a punch to the gut.
16 million veterans. "Not suckers or losers" makes MAGATs at the Legion, VFW, etc choke on their beer.
Robert is the voice of reason. History will remember him kindly, because of his kind and wise advice. But long before Trump Republicans understood that fear and resentment can overpower reason. This is why their reply to Biden's speech is entirely based on fear and resentment, fear of foreigners, resentment over high prices. An angry, fearful mind has difficulty processing factual information; it becomes captive of confirmation bias.
Last night showed us that Republicans literally and figuratively stand for nothing. As the saying goes, “ if you stand for nothing you’ll fall for anything.”
Very well put, Mike!!
Spray all Maganites bwith copious amounts of RIDICULITE. Their nothing is paradoxically toxic.
Just let Joe be Joe. It works!
Joe Biden laid out his achievements and his plans for the next four years in clear, concise, understandable language. His delivery was anything but “Sleepy Joe.“ The Republicans in response were primarily frowning because his speech was so good. And when he was interrupted or heckled he gave it back to them Twice as hard. Go dark Brandon.
The Republican kitchen table rebuttal was so weak. I almost felt sorry for her, but not quite. She was a perfect example of an airhead republican who could only lamely repeat Republican tropes, but the tropes had been already rebutted by facts in Biden‘s excellent speech.
Joe's finally getting his vitamins. Higher taxes on the wealthy, no more tax cuts, improved healthcare for all, lower prescription drug prices, reproductive rights, and a two-state solution.
And all Mike Johnson could do was frown and shake his head. It's hilarious and reassuring at long last.
Vitamins at negotiated cost, thank you very much (and a global minimum tax rate for corporations people to go with it!)...
To quote Simon Rosenberg, KICKING ASS!!!
Katie Britt of Alabama in her kitchen (couldn't see if she was barefoot) should give us all pause. That weird, breathy way of speaking is taught by the extreme Christian right. I believe it's supposed to be deferential. Same with the inauthentic smile that didn't always match with the MAGA-doom list she was reciting and and so came off as super creepy. This affected speech was covered in the Netflix documentary Shiny, Happy People (ostensibly about the Duggar family, but really about the extreme right Christian homeschooling, infiltrate the government movement, etc.). Given Trump's stated intentions and Project 2025, it's worth noting these extremists.
I just found an article from Tia Levings on the vocal training. She states that "fundie" (Christian Fundamentalists) women get this from a 1963 pamphlet titled Fascinating Womanhood. She says there are churches full of women who all speak like Michelle Duggar. Here is Fascinating Women on baby voice:
“The ideal feminine voice is gentle and variable, with a clear ringing tone and an air of self assurance. You must not let your voice suggest mannish efficiency, or coarse boldness..
If you have any difficulty with your voice, a few weeks’ practice ought to help you greatly. Speaking aloud to yourself or reading aloud to yourself in the privacy of your room, endeavoring all the time to eliminate the objectional features in your voice, should be effective. A half-hour devoted to this each day ought to be sufficient, if it is kept up for three or four weeks. When reading, read with expression….
Typical in a feminine woman is a cooing quality in the voice when talking to babies, little children or animals. This is known as baby talk.
Yes. Something in me always goes on alert when I hear that high breathy voice.
They are not speaking from their diaphragm, with full power. They are probably not 'in' their power. paper tigers. Today is international Womens Day. I want to feel my relationship to these women. They're my sisters and they're being deluded. I want to wake them up. I want them to wake up quickly and that's where I have to pull back and realize that that is approaching arrogance and presumption.
I think with respect to her, what you see is what you get. Nothing substantive. I felt kinda sad for her.
she's probably much better than this scripted show
One of my buddies said Sen Britt was making a sex video with all her sighing. It was a flop.
She sounded like a pinhead
And what a cute little tidy kitchen setting!
WooHoo, Marc!! I was clapping, screaming, fist bumping the air!!! He was FANTASTIC!! I dare anyone to say that he is not competent!!! He totally schooled republicans and their stupid king!!!
Tellnit from the rooftops, Peggy!
Marc, when I was a kid, we use to walk down to the walk-in theatre on Saturday morning to watch the cowboy movies. It was always the ones in the white hats working to save the town or the rancher from the black hats that wanted to take it all away. Always, always, always, the white hats won the day and defeated the black hats. That's kinda the way I see us here in America right now. We are the white hats working to save our Democracy and way of life from the black hats determined to destroy all of it. Just like in the movies, the white hats will win the day because good always wins over evil!! Vote Blue, America!!!
Thus may it ever, Baby
I'd be careful using the cowboy hat metaphor.
" Always, always, always, the white hats won the day and defeated the black hats." Sorry, just an observation..... not meant to be offensive.
Thank you for that observation and I wasn't trying to be offensive. If I was to anyone, I apologize. I was simply pointing out that in those cowboy movies the guys in white hats were the good guys and the guys in black hats were the bad guys. For us kids, it was easy to understand. I guess now-a-days you have to be careful that you don't offend anyone. Instead, I will say that the guys in blue hats are the good guys and the guys in red hats are the bad guys. If I offended the red hat guys, put on a different hat and deal with it!!
Peggy, After teaching for over 25 years, taking multiple courses and having had my consciousness raised by my students of color, I'd always ask the kids, to cut me some slack and I'm still on the learning curve! I was so grateful that they felt comfortable to give me a "teachable moment!" In fact, I had one funny kid remind me years later at the high school
(taught him in 7th/8th grade)of the "teachable moment" he gifted to me!
So if I comment and you pick up on something quirky,please feel free to turn the light on for me! Thanks for the conversation! j
Anytime, Jazz! As a retired teacher, my students were constantly teaching me more than I think I taught them. Like you, I was grateful they felt comfortable pointing out my foibles!!
The energy in the room last night was electric. On one side, you had the Democrats standing and cheering the women wearing white and it was full of positivity. On the other side, you had the sitting long faced Republicans that were the vortex of negativity. The polarity made a very powerful battery Biden used that polarity to energize him fantastically.
I agree, Marc. Good versus evil!! We Democrats want the absolute best for our country while the republicans want to tear it apart and control us.
Trump hates dogs.
Yes, he does. That right there should show you the kind of person he is! How can anyone hate dogs? They are delightful, unconditionally loving companions. You constantly read these stories where dogs have saved their owners lives. I would trust my dog before I would trust that little orange man!!
What we just heard was a positive effort to see the future as something to look forward to, instead of something to run from. Optimism is a motivating influence aimed at producing an outcome we as Americans desperately want and need. President Biden has done an outstanding job considering the opposition he has faced at every turn both from within his own party and from the other side of the aisle. He has endeavored to help the people of this country regardless of their political party, religion, or social affiliation. Our President reached out to the people of this country in an effort to abridge a gap that has been growing between various factions within our society. Yet no matter what he attempts to do he is met with abject indifference. Just imagine if Trump had spoken tonight, he would have given his "Hate of the Union" address.
Marc, it sure does work - big time! My favorite line from the speech last night came early on: "You can't love your country only when you win!" Wow. Score, Joe, score!
Some don't even love their country when they win! You know ; the one who promises retribution and all kinds of malfeasance and ending self rule for the humans.! With forced birth and all. And the number 8 weeks, just because it is 'even'!
It's a good thing he doesn't peruse the Substack; he would otherwise be led to believe there are concerns! ('Kudos!' to his folks for not giving him an age complex...)
As I listened to President Biden's speech, I was in awe of his directness, his knowledge, and yes, even his humor. President Biden showed everyone last night that he is more alert, more cognizant and more in tune with the American people than the little orange man could ever hope to be. I love how he introduced people during his speech as examples of what he was talking about. His message was clear and concise. Anyone who is still drunk on the Kool Aid should know that the majority of Americans will vote for President Biden. Americans want Democracy. Americans want decorum in the White House. Americans want Congress to work together for the American people. Lastly, Americans want an end to the chaos, vileness, and corruption of trump and his cult.
Right on.
To keep it simple, Biden laid out the America I want to live in. One of the best political speeches I have heard.
Bravo Joe!
I agree Tim. One of the very best speeches last night.
I am not sure I can recall a better one.
In late Spring 2020, after Joe Biden had become the Party’s presumptive Presidential nominee, he and Bernie Sanders created 6 policy task forces which, according to Sanders, “had some of the most knowledgeable people in the country coming together” to deal with education, climate change, healthcare, the economy, criminal justice, and immigration reform. Sanders had stated that if the compromises they had achieved were implemented, “life would improve for tens and tens of millions of working people.”
In 2021, this entire legislative agenda passed in the then-Democratically-controlled House, but stalled in the 50D-50R Senate because Senate Republicans refused to allow regular order (permitting legislation to move to the floor for debate and an up or down majority vote). Accordingly, Senate Democrats crammed as much of the agenda that qualified under reconciliation into one bill that, had it passed, would have helped to remedy much of the country’s grotesque inequalities of wealth and income.
As we all are well-aware, the reconciliation package, in January 2022, failed to pass by 2 votes (Manchin and Sinema) and eventually was replaced by the vastly edited down Inflation Reduction Act, with Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.
Presuming my sources are good, Bernie Sanders had a hand in drafting last night’s SOTU, wherein the serious discussions from 2020 with serious people who had engaged in an honest effort to arrive at a compromise were resuscitated.
Given Biden’s pointed, memorable, and urgent delivery of the State of the Union, despite a near-fatal weakening of our nation’s structures of government whose powers were once balanced in a way that could protect the country from the over-reach of any one branch, I, nonetheless, am hopeful. I’m ready, as I imagine we all are, to get back to work and retake the House, hold our 49 Senate seats (excluding Manchin and Sinema) pick up at least 1 additional Senate seat and hold the White House.
I think you really have your finger on the nations pulse and have always been very impressed with your advice. Both you Mr Reich, and Joe Biden, truly care about Americas middle class. As far as Joe's State of the Union goes, he hit it out of the ballpark.
Biden's state of the Union address was great. The GOP's kitchen table response was theater. She should have taken better acting classes. Her over acting with fake emotions was laughable.
I can't believe she really wants to follow their "Orange haired Dear Leader."
We can't let Orange Hair become the "Biggie me" of his love letter writing friend " Rocket Man."
Fight like hell to elect Joe back into office. Sweep the senate and the House .
End the Electoral College. One person one vote. End gerrymandering .
Take our country back.
Well said, Greg!
If you want to understand how the Democratic Party lost the support of millions of workers, read Thomas Frank's book, "Listen Liberal". In the 1968 and 1972 presidential elections Democrats turned to corporations and wealthy Americans for campaign contributions. This caused Union memberships to crater and states to begin the process of passing "Right-to-work" laws that led many manufacturing corporations to move factories and jobs to states where they did not have to deal with unions and pay union wages. Democrats turned away from the great successes of the New Deal and lost the support of millions of low-paid workers.
@ PJ. It's all about racism It's the culture and demagoguery stupid. .
We have the strongest economy in the world. No thanks to Republicans.
Exactly Daniel. This is about buying in to right wing propaganda. It takes research (unfortunately) and participation and fact checking to understand what is going on. The numbers show that profitable corporations are unnecessarily raising prices. Look at their profits! Of course Democrats have made mistakes but it is the ONLY party ever to help the working person. Republicans try to suppress that.
Highly recommend (labor lawyer) Thomas Geoghegan's 2020 article in the New Republic: "Educated Fools: Why Democratic leaders still misunderstand the politics of social class."
An excerpt: "Here’s a little thought experiment: What would happen if, by a snap of the fingers, white racism in America were to disappear? It might be that the black and Latino working class would be voting for Trump, too. Then we Democrats would have no chance in 2020. We often tell ourselves: “Oh, we lost just the white working class because of race.” But the truth might be something closer to this: “It’s only because of race that we have any part of the working class turning out for us at all.”
What would happen? Everyone would turn on the Jews.
Dear Professor Reich,
I think your advice to the potential Presidential candidates was good advice! You can only advise them. It’s up to them to either take it or leave it. You can lead a horse…..
I don't think Reich gave good advice back in the 1980s. I think they all skipped the, "Is there a problem to be solved?" part of why we had to send good jobs overseas. The problem was only for the corporate assholes who wanted cheaper labor. Everybody else was thriving. Reich got on board. Did anybody actually read all of today's essay?
Gloria, it's all a game around winning beating the other guy strategic opportunisms.... corporate finance of campaigns.... solving problems is not the objective until the problems become overwhelming political problems of strategic importance, until the illusions- delusions no longer work to manufacture enough consent. Permanent campaigning rather than diving into the problems. Having said that I am glad Biden came off well enough to not make the news all about gaffs and infirmity and he did fire up the Democrats.
He did touch upon concentration of wealth-of unfair sharing. If the Democrats win both Houses and the presidency then more rigorous efforts towards reducing corporate totalitarianism are likely or at least possible...with a second coming of Trump, we will get greater corporate concentration of wealth and power- greater corporate totalitarianism topped off with fascism.
Agree.
Bob is a political strategist-political operative not a political philosopher.
How could he be either without a political philosophy?
True, everybody has a philosophy, whether they are conscious of it or not...a political philosopher cares less about a party and his party winning. Cornel West and Bernie Sanders care more about getting root ideas across-radical change than being popular or winning...Their speeches-writings are based on convictions more than saying things in appealing ways...to appeal-to appease...to win. Thanks for asking. Is that clearer than mud?
Did you listen to the same speech I did? So many of RR' ideas were solidly in place there. Hongigure.
Professor Reich, sometimes it's appropriate for you to write about the past, but not today. Our president just gave a fiery, feisty and powerful speech last night. Not the one you recommended, but the one that he saw fit -- the one that made our side leap to their feet and cheer. I want to hear you cheer too. Instead you wrote about yourself and, of all things, your failures as a democratic speech advisor. Get up on your feet! We need to hear enthusiasm from you for the guy who you've questioned many times as too old and not up to the job. He's up to the job! We need to know you are behind him, not mulling over past failures. I say this respectfully because I appreciate all that you have done and continue to do!
“High-minded Mike promptly fired Sasso, thereby losing his most important political adviser.”
And this is why democrats lose. They allow the chaos party to set the narrative, and then try to play catch up; resetting their priorities and handing republicans a win; figuratively or in Mike’s case, literally!…:)
The high road is the high road; Democrats aren't going to coddle people who abuse norms (there are plenty of people yearning to breathe free, ready to take the place of folks who can't appreciate their good fortune!)...
Agreed, but losing is still losing. Republicans have built in advantages all throughout every election. From extreme gerrymandering, electoral college, voter suppression, a right-wing ecosystem dedicated to the chaos caucus, and most recently Trump.
The high road may be the virtuous road, but it never leads to the promised land; especially when the road is paved with cheap snake-oil salesman, religious wing-nuts, morally bankrupt charlatans and perennial grifters…:)
Robert Jaffee ; "but losing is still losing". I would like to point out that Democrats have been winning the last few elections ; From the 2020 Presidential election to the midterms (which were supposed to be a red wave), to the two more recent special elections in specific states. Why can't we enjoy this strong speech from our President? and think about a win?
Laurie - Yes! Joe has a happy fire in the belly, an unquenchable optimism, and you know what? It's catching!
Lark : Yes it is!
Agreed, but I wouldn’t call it a great speech; lots of slurring of words and missing the emphasis on key points. Either way, this speech isn’t going to move the needle. They never do.
The campaign begins today. Let’s see what strategies lie ahead before we take a bow….:)
I disagree. I don't believe the media can ignore the spectacle of puppet Republicans. Plus he may be 81 but he didn't act 81. Hard to ignore. My guess is the polls will start blowing the other way.
From your mouth to gods ears…:)
Robert Jaffee ; "They never do". Never say never! Actually our opponents are doing themselves in, anyway. But then again ; I think of the bumper sticker that reads ; "if you think education is expensive ; Try ignorance!"
We know he has a slight speech impediment. It is not a brain impediment
Pat : I immediately thought the same thing. Joe Biden is not going to change his speech impediment. But he has better ideas and is a better candidate than the coup artist with a phony orange 'glow' !
Fully disagree. This speech was very good and will move the needle. It was just what was needed. I felt more relaxed after seeing how well Biden did. Biden has a speech impediment. Show some maturity about it. Trump on the other hand is a psychopathic word salad lunatic and criminal. Biden doesn’t slur due to age, and frankly I’m tired of people talking about that when we are fighting fascism!
I certainly wasn't "taking a bow"! It is just beginning! ; with months to go...
...and miles to go before we can rest. Let's pace ourselves and act decisively now, while the iron is hot and how many other cliches can I fit in here...but you get my point.
The 'Publicans need to be ridiculed as camo' d bankrupt shills trying to fund America with funny money. Existential zeos!
Your comments are exactly what is scaring the hell out of me! Republicans are experts at cheating, lying, stealing, purging votes, now conspiracy theories, and 6 lawless justices that will do anything to benefit trump’s unlawfulness under the direction of their benefactors the Federalist Society, the Heritage Foundation, wealthy billionaires, and even the MAGA Republican Party!
"Practice makes perfect" (try not to scare - nothing much worse can happen).
= )
You may appreciate this piece: https://youtu.be/GTQlnmWCPgA?si=iXyDviRixdmMOmPO I happen to agree.
Yup, “The Prince” is a perfect example of the world we inhabit today. The unprincipled, unscrupulous, devious, corrupt and sinister usually win!
Not always, but these charlatans manage to cause enough damage over time destroy all semblance of civility and decorum in politics.
Interesting how he uses Jesus as an apt analogy. Although, Jesus prevails in the long-run, his messages have been completely distorted by the same devious and sinister forces (MAGA) to render his message meaningless…:)
And that world where we see far too much devious, untrustworthy and unpredictable evil, is the end result of thinking Machiavelli was advocating a way of behaving that was right…he just corrupts decency, and leaves us with all levels of evil.
👍
I see what is being said here, but I see it as simplistic and leaving out more intense discussion of game theory, especially prisoner’s dilemma.
And it keeps talking about the “ good guy” as though he were a milquetoast. I also consider Jesus Christ a story, one conceived with a lot more nuance involved in it than only telling us his example for how to live decently with each other seemingly lost out to an overt exercise of power. That he was a loser. The discussion about Christ was simplistic, too, and perhaps the more important lesson was that Christlike decency and consideration for the least of us supports creation of a society we’d rather live in, as compared to one that destroys the less-powerful dissenter on trumped up charges ( like the Romans did). Consider the Putin model of governance, for example, so much more Roman in his tactics than democracy is, eh? Is Vlad Machiavellian? Or just rotten? How can we tell?
I think one need not become as unethical and actually cruel-in-the-service-of-decency to prevail over actual evil. ( think about excuses for torturing our enemies to achieve “good “ ends - something excused in our recent past, if not still going on). Is that really ok? I can make up a “story” that would SEEM to justify torturing an infant in front of its mother to achieve a “higher” good, but that would not ever make it ok to DO that. (Egad, bombing tens of thousands of innocent children to “ defend….” …. Don’t get me started).
NO…I hope the world does not go down the road to thinking Machiavelli was right, because the real truth is that short term advantage takes us down a longterm road to hell.
I agree that the “ good guy” needs to be savvy and aggressive and willing to do battle and know the bad techniques in order to foil them, but using the worst means to achieve “good” ends? You just forget what goodness is about, and we are all no longer trustworthy. What benefit to gain the world and lose our soul?
I think one must always temper the temptation to go all-in Machiavelli with a healthy dose of recognizing unintended consequences. I think it’s a sad and cynical and eventually destructive mind- set.
And Machiavelli also observes that above all, the tyrant must >appear< righteous. It was the very first advice Lorenzo took as he >publicly< denounced Machiavelli as evil personified. You'd have served Lorenzo well.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing, DZK?
Stories champion whatever point hou want to make. But there is uaully a big picture, and we make them tell what we want them to tell. The video you posted doesn't tell WHY Christ LET himself be taken ( in the story, he clearly knew what was in store for him in the garden that night. It misses the nuance and complexity in his life. We could talk about the bigger narrative all day.
The video saying Christ was a loser…that is a simplistic take on a more complex tale, leaving out the rest of the story…
Ooof, I can write a story to support any position you want to take, but there is usually a bigger picture, too, and unintended consequences, and nuance and complexity in life.
If people keep their blinders on, you can get them follow just about any contrived tale. The Donald does it all the time.
The idea that goodness is a loser in video is destructive of society and community.
"Different strokes for different folks" (Sometimes it's better to lose with humility and grace; better to be remembered as someone who competed valiantly than lose one's reputation, no?)
I don’t disagree, but Gore won in 2000, and how’d that work out for America?…:)
You are 100 correct! I was in Florida during Jeb Bush’s voter purge and the hanging chads that “spoiled” 80,000 plus votes. Thanks Jeb for helping get your brother elected! That is part of how John Roberts got his Immediate Chief Justice position! Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were a part of that political thievery with Sandra Day O’Connor to steal Gore’s votes and his Presidency !
Agreed…:)
Sure; consolation would be saying to one's self "depends on how you define 'America'" (since, as a theoretical construct, it's worked flawlessly - no different than a parent/teacher/etc. that never lets their ward slide).
Once again are we Democrats or Sissycrats?
It depends. Gore took the high road after the fascist court handed Bush the election. How’d that work out for America? A lot of today’s problems were caused by the Cheney and Rumsfeld administration.
The real question is whether will continue to let these charlatans run rampant and cheat their way into power?
We’re not sissycrats, but we sure play them well on TV….:)
"The real question is whether will continue to let these charlatans run rampant and cheat their way into power?" Corrupt courts do not help, along with a weak or equally corrupt DOJ.
Agreed…:)
Robert Jaffee ; Which side are you on? "sissycrats!" can't the MAGAs make up their own denigrations, assuming you're not one of them!? How about their heckling of the President of the United States of America? Talk about lack of decorum, or even respect for the Office? Oh!; that's right! : They prefer a Dictator! Wait 'til tRump commands them to bow low and grovel before they approach the Throne!
Those weren’t my words. We aren’t sissycrats, but we sometimes act that way. Biden fought yesterday, which is much needed. However, it wasn’t a knockout blow.
Let’s hope Biden and his team keep up the pressure and starts putting Trump and his minions on the defense.
Mmm... not an entirely fair analogy: did Gore make an *elective* choice?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_v._Gore#Decision
(Hard not to feel the same way - but would you honestly *not* trust former VP Gore to choose for your party? He seems like a "true blue" Democrat who takes the high road!)
An audit after the fact showed that Gore won by more than 8,000 votes.
Bush had his brother as Governor. The SOS was Dubya’s state campaign chair; she oversaw the election. Wiping felons off of the voter roll by making convicted felons ineligible to vote. State troopers stopping bus loads of black voters from getting to the polls. Yuppie Brownshirts storming the Miami-Dade election office to stop the recount (sound familiar—-J6th).
Need I say more?…:)
It does not help with a stacked partisan Court!
Why not Dumbocrats? (Or Hippocrates?)
Rishi ; Wasn't Hippocrates some kind of healer or doctor? Maybe Democrats can stop dissing themselves, even when there is clearly a win?!? remember "First, do no harm!"
'We Are All Hippocrates' would make a great t-shirt.
= D
Democrat or not, Biden knows how to deal with bullies. Too bad Hilary, in her debates with Trump, didn't.
She was walking a tightrope, fighting thirty years of smears, paid for by Richard Melon-Scaife, a weathy scion who never, ever, met a conspiracy theory he wouldn't believe.
They never forgave her for saying she wasn't the type to stay home and bake cookies, the repukes of the time had it in for her after that.
Fair enough, let’s hope come November he still has juice left in the tank…:)
I think he will. He restores himself because he deeply, truly believes in this country. He's a good man.
The bond market will get its just desserts in the second term, mind it!
I call them Sissycrats.
Can't you be more creative?
You do know "sissy" is a homophobic slur, yes?
"What does sissy mean ?
Other forms: sissies. Sissy is a derogatory name for someone, especially a man or boy, who seems weak or cowardly, or who acts in a stereotypically feminine way."
That does happen too often
Walking down memory lane, but on the dark side: Lee Atwater not only devised the Willie Horton ad that took out Dukakis, but he was also the evil genius who orchestrated the "Monkey Business" scandal that brought down Gary Hart. (We learned that in, I think, 2018. Atwater, who died at a young age, made a deathbed confession of the plot to Gary Hart's campaign manager, who kept it to himself until he himself was near death.) And who was Atwater working his magic with? Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, whose malign influence continues to our present moment. Jane Mayer wrote about the trio in a May 6, 2021 New Yorker article.
--love Jane Mayer's work! Dark Money really opened my eyes.
It is required reading to know how we got here. Rachel Maddow's "Blow out" is as well, it explains the role of petrochemicals in corrupting society, laws, and history.
Interesting
Your advice was excellent nonetheless. Your post began my day on an optimistic note, and President Biden’s speech ended my day on an optimistic note. I haven’t had many days like that lately!
If nothing else Prof Reich this post illustrates the fact that politics is the art of enduring and endurance. With the SOTU speech last night firing the starting gun on the POTUS election campaign both you and President Biden have demonstrated over decades that you have what it takes to deliver visionary political and social improvement. All strength to you and yours.