What a great "Coffee Klatch!" Perhaps all of us should take a day out of our week to have one with others too. Dr. Reich really did shut down Graham during his testimony, he denied him the opportunity to deflect away from the serious issues of the day. Watching it found me clapping at the computer! "Public Exposure" I hope it shows in other states or at a minimum on a streaming platform, I'd love to see it! This klatch was a great way to start the weekend :)
Secretary Reich, you are an American treasure, and icon. We're so pleased that you love work and share your talents, knowledge so creatively. Thank you for speaking truth to power. Graham's as wishy-washy as a kite in a hurricane. Great job of calling him out on trying to shift the narrative, 'don't pay attention to what's going on behind the curtain' hogwash.
My coffee was so much more enjoyable this morning thanks to you and Heather.
My name is David Schlein. I am a former BLS labor economist and served as National Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees while you were Secretary of Labor. What’s your view of the current state Labor and the future for the Labor Union movement.
My first of at least two comments: These are indeed stressful times, and my nearing-70 self seems to feel a persistent low level of dread -- like a constant hum. That said, you have greatly succeeded (with me) in making this morning coffee get-together friendly and personal. I really appreciated the time, and look forward to the next one!
A coffee klatsch is a time for telling stories. John Hurt was a sharecropper in Leland, Mississippi in the first half of the 20th century. The owners of the farm he worked allowed him to listen to music on their radio each Saturday night. He was listening to two instruments but thought they were one, a bass and a guitar. And so, he taught himself to both the base and the melody at the same time on his guitar. They say that when Carlos Montoya first heard his recording, he asked who was playing the other guitar? John Hurts style has been emulated ever since.
"Maxwell House, good to the last drop" It is a beautiful story with lessons for us today.
Dear Robert, I think you gave the solution to stopping "demagoguery", without recognizing it, as such. Conflict resolution is my field. The real challenge is not one of leadership, but of citizens in the decent center supporting one another in reclaiming the civic square from those who seek to destroy it for their own ends. I welcome a conversation. Paul Johanson
You were onto something, in my opinion, when you alluded to "work as therapy." It recalled for me "The Human Condition" by Hannah Arendt, and her categorizing the range of human endeavor as "labor," "work," or "activity." Depending on where the endeavor falls on the scale, one can feel enslaved or liberated.
I believe that many, like myself (who is a grandparent), are looking for sources of sustainable hope, and building a reason for hope for our young people. (A review of the "Eightfold Path" might be helpful here too.) A 2-minute video by Chana Weisberg called "What is the Role of an Educator?" -- (at Chabad.org's website) -- suggested something really awesome, if we expand the role of educator to the entire village.
I've been puzzled by Lindsey Graham's behavior since John McCain died. Who or what is he really?
He seems to be rational and even make sense sometimes, for instance, when he roundly disparaged Candidate Trump: “You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell. He’s a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot. He doesn’t represent my party. He doesn’t represent the values that the men and women who wear the uniform are fighting for. … He’s the ISIL man of the year." (December 2015) Senator Graham made eleven (11) other equally disparaging comments about Trump in that period.
Yet after Trump became president, Graham became his golf buddy and full-throated supporter. He even said much later, after the election, that the Republican Party cannot move forward without Donald Trump. Puzzling. So what's Graham's playbook based on exactly? Pragmatism? Payola? Perversion? Blackmail? What's the dynamic here in this astounding flip-flop? Graham went from crucifying Trump to sanctifying him. Fascinating psychologically; depressing politically.
Graham's not stupid; he makes sense sometimes, but I guess that's only a small part of his psyche, the subordinate part. His main mind fully supports Donald Trump, which I can't imagine any intelligent, decent, honest person doing, because Trump is all bad, all the time, in every way. (And I'm not happy saying that; just the opposite: I wish that all our leaders were statesmen. Why wouldn't I?)
Dr. Reich says that Graham has no ethics at all. That's a terribly damning charge, yet I have to wonder if the shoe fits.
Yes, Robert there is much stress. Especially if you are poor, or even middle class, a minority race, and female, to name a few. How about the long withheld ERA and what it could do to help women? Passing at least the billionaire (almost) fair tax portion of the budget bill would help. However, lobbying contributions reform and plugging up the gaping hole in democracy’s boat a/k/a Citizen’s United has to be done. We cannot keep our democracy without plugging that vast dark money hole. It’s ridiculous. We are undoubtedly getting flooded right now with laundered dark money coming from enemies within and without.
I’m forlorn at a time when our family should be joyous with the birth of a new grandchild. I am terrified for his future. And, I think that future will include the probability of direct war, and no doubt the multiple challenges of climate change.
So, to Lindsey (swear word adjective withheld) Graham...may he reap what he sows. And thank you, Mr. Secretary, Professor, and friend Robert for fighting the good fight and cheering us up a bit.
So many good points! I only wish some of your commenters were my neighbors. I live in rural Magaville . Virtually everybody here 'knows' exactly what is going on and what to do to get things back to normal and America great again. As they see it it is mainly teeming city folk, libtards and similar idiots who keep complaining about global warming, environmental disasters, big corporations, and just 'normal' business, economic and farm expansion and such anti-American stuff. My neighbors thoroughly approve of all the far-right pols, newsmen and spokesmen and business as usual. They want only that things are run by 'their people, the real 'Muricans', sensible libertarians , Trumps, etc so that everything can run smoothly and not intrude on their lives at all. Autocrats or whatever, is fine, as long as their people run the show. It is really all about the last century and how, if only these current idiot dems, and libs and such, could be quashed (by money, preferably). They feel entirely empowered by their mentality.
Thank you so much for the great effort you have made bringing this substack community together. We need this so much & I appreciate the positive & reliable input. You are so clear and believable I want more people to know about you! I'll do what I can. But one thing I am having trouble getting over are people chanting "more Democrats, more Democrats," as if that in itself is magic pixie dust. It's the way I feel about media with it's constant incantations of "stock market, stock market, stock market" as if it's an omnipresent entity we just have to accept. I personally like to see a 3rd party but realize now may not be the time to entertain more elements. Or is it? My 1st vote was in '72 against Richard Nixon, not for anyone in particular. I couldn't even remember who it was. I had to go look Mondale. Too many of my votes have been like this, tho mostly always a Democratic. They're not solidly populist. I wouldn't mind seeing something like a "Crisis Intervention Party" for those disillusioned with most of what there current stand for but not too cynical to care. I found Dr. Wilson's concept of Anti-racism Action Orientation enlightening. How do we inspire more people to action? You've been doing that for me for a long time. Thank you most sincerely.
Hello Archangel, My wife is allowing me to borrow her account as I'm the one who spends 90% of my time testing and dwelling on this material.
Yes, you hit the nail on the head, decent people are focusing on fixing the damage done and improving laws, governance, markets, environment etc. I think the more useful perspective is an arsonist one. Rather than put out fires we need to become more effective at dealing with the "arsonists". Arsonists are on the extreme "left" and extreme "right" and can be identified by an unwillingness to consider the legitimate needs of those on the other "side". Their focus is amplified by social media because social media (aka advertising) thrives on strife and drama. Individual responses are generally ineffective in this environment even by the most skilled practitioners. The skill set needed is coordinated collaboration to identify and restrain those doing harm and support those involved in decent dialog. I've hammered out a lot of the tactical and transactional methods. Braver Angels is a good example of a mass movement that is gaining traction. If you want to discuss, let me know. It works better in conversation vs. email.
What a great "Coffee Klatch!" Perhaps all of us should take a day out of our week to have one with others too. Dr. Reich really did shut down Graham during his testimony, he denied him the opportunity to deflect away from the serious issues of the day. Watching it found me clapping at the computer! "Public Exposure" I hope it shows in other states or at a minimum on a streaming platform, I'd love to see it! This klatch was a great way to start the weekend :)
Dr. Reich . . . my first Coffee Klatch. What a great interlocutor you have chosen in Heather Lofthouse!
Secretary Reich, you are an American treasure, and icon. We're so pleased that you love work and share your talents, knowledge so creatively. Thank you for speaking truth to power. Graham's as wishy-washy as a kite in a hurricane. Great job of calling him out on trying to shift the narrative, 'don't pay attention to what's going on behind the curtain' hogwash.
My coffee was so much more enjoyable this morning thanks to you and Heather.
Cheers!
Hi Secretary Reich
My name is David Schlein. I am a former BLS labor economist and served as National Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees while you were Secretary of Labor. What’s your view of the current state Labor and the future for the Labor Union movement.
My first of at least two comments: These are indeed stressful times, and my nearing-70 self seems to feel a persistent low level of dread -- like a constant hum. That said, you have greatly succeeded (with me) in making this morning coffee get-together friendly and personal. I really appreciated the time, and look forward to the next one!
"Coffee Klatsch" "Coffee Blues" Mississippi John Hurt
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=coffee+blues+mississippi+john+hurt&&view=detail&mid=CA9EB531404F47043E42CA9EB531404F47043E42&&FORM=VRDGAR
A coffee klatsch is a time for telling stories. John Hurt was a sharecropper in Leland, Mississippi in the first half of the 20th century. The owners of the farm he worked allowed him to listen to music on their radio each Saturday night. He was listening to two instruments but thought they were one, a bass and a guitar. And so, he taught himself to both the base and the melody at the same time on his guitar. They say that when Carlos Montoya first heard his recording, he asked who was playing the other guitar? John Hurts style has been emulated ever since.
"Maxwell House, good to the last drop" It is a beautiful story with lessons for us today.
Dear Robert, I think you gave the solution to stopping "demagoguery", without recognizing it, as such. Conflict resolution is my field. The real challenge is not one of leadership, but of citizens in the decent center supporting one another in reclaiming the civic square from those who seek to destroy it for their own ends. I welcome a conversation. Paul Johanson
You were onto something, in my opinion, when you alluded to "work as therapy." It recalled for me "The Human Condition" by Hannah Arendt, and her categorizing the range of human endeavor as "labor," "work," or "activity." Depending on where the endeavor falls on the scale, one can feel enslaved or liberated.
I believe that many, like myself (who is a grandparent), are looking for sources of sustainable hope, and building a reason for hope for our young people. (A review of the "Eightfold Path" might be helpful here too.) A 2-minute video by Chana Weisberg called "What is the Role of an Educator?" -- (at Chabad.org's website) -- suggested something really awesome, if we expand the role of educator to the entire village.
I would have liked to have heard more real comments. You both said you had many questions to ask each other. What were they? Thanks.
I've been puzzled by Lindsey Graham's behavior since John McCain died. Who or what is he really?
He seems to be rational and even make sense sometimes, for instance, when he roundly disparaged Candidate Trump: “You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell. He’s a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot. He doesn’t represent my party. He doesn’t represent the values that the men and women who wear the uniform are fighting for. … He’s the ISIL man of the year." (December 2015) Senator Graham made eleven (11) other equally disparaging comments about Trump in that period.
Yet after Trump became president, Graham became his golf buddy and full-throated supporter. He even said much later, after the election, that the Republican Party cannot move forward without Donald Trump. Puzzling. So what's Graham's playbook based on exactly? Pragmatism? Payola? Perversion? Blackmail? What's the dynamic here in this astounding flip-flop? Graham went from crucifying Trump to sanctifying him. Fascinating psychologically; depressing politically.
Graham's not stupid; he makes sense sometimes, but I guess that's only a small part of his psyche, the subordinate part. His main mind fully supports Donald Trump, which I can't imagine any intelligent, decent, honest person doing, because Trump is all bad, all the time, in every way. (And I'm not happy saying that; just the opposite: I wish that all our leaders were statesmen. Why wouldn't I?)
Dr. Reich says that Graham has no ethics at all. That's a terribly damning charge, yet I have to wonder if the shoe fits.
Yes, Robert there is much stress. Especially if you are poor, or even middle class, a minority race, and female, to name a few. How about the long withheld ERA and what it could do to help women? Passing at least the billionaire (almost) fair tax portion of the budget bill would help. However, lobbying contributions reform and plugging up the gaping hole in democracy’s boat a/k/a Citizen’s United has to be done. We cannot keep our democracy without plugging that vast dark money hole. It’s ridiculous. We are undoubtedly getting flooded right now with laundered dark money coming from enemies within and without.
I’m forlorn at a time when our family should be joyous with the birth of a new grandchild. I am terrified for his future. And, I think that future will include the probability of direct war, and no doubt the multiple challenges of climate change.
So, to Lindsey (swear word adjective withheld) Graham...may he reap what he sows. And thank you, Mr. Secretary, Professor, and friend Robert for fighting the good fight and cheering us up a bit.
So many good points! I only wish some of your commenters were my neighbors. I live in rural Magaville . Virtually everybody here 'knows' exactly what is going on and what to do to get things back to normal and America great again. As they see it it is mainly teeming city folk, libtards and similar idiots who keep complaining about global warming, environmental disasters, big corporations, and just 'normal' business, economic and farm expansion and such anti-American stuff. My neighbors thoroughly approve of all the far-right pols, newsmen and spokesmen and business as usual. They want only that things are run by 'their people, the real 'Muricans', sensible libertarians , Trumps, etc so that everything can run smoothly and not intrude on their lives at all. Autocrats or whatever, is fine, as long as their people run the show. It is really all about the last century and how, if only these current idiot dems, and libs and such, could be quashed (by money, preferably). They feel entirely empowered by their mentality.
Hi - you mentioned suggestions for other topics to cover. I vote to include discussions of climate change, the most important issue of all.
Thank you so much for the great effort you have made bringing this substack community together. We need this so much & I appreciate the positive & reliable input. You are so clear and believable I want more people to know about you! I'll do what I can. But one thing I am having trouble getting over are people chanting "more Democrats, more Democrats," as if that in itself is magic pixie dust. It's the way I feel about media with it's constant incantations of "stock market, stock market, stock market" as if it's an omnipresent entity we just have to accept. I personally like to see a 3rd party but realize now may not be the time to entertain more elements. Or is it? My 1st vote was in '72 against Richard Nixon, not for anyone in particular. I couldn't even remember who it was. I had to go look Mondale. Too many of my votes have been like this, tho mostly always a Democratic. They're not solidly populist. I wouldn't mind seeing something like a "Crisis Intervention Party" for those disillusioned with most of what there current stand for but not too cynical to care. I found Dr. Wilson's concept of Anti-racism Action Orientation enlightening. How do we inspire more people to action? You've been doing that for me for a long time. Thank you most sincerely.
Could you lead an in-depth analysis of QanNon?
Hello Archangel, My wife is allowing me to borrow her account as I'm the one who spends 90% of my time testing and dwelling on this material.
Yes, you hit the nail on the head, decent people are focusing on fixing the damage done and improving laws, governance, markets, environment etc. I think the more useful perspective is an arsonist one. Rather than put out fires we need to become more effective at dealing with the "arsonists". Arsonists are on the extreme "left" and extreme "right" and can be identified by an unwillingness to consider the legitimate needs of those on the other "side". Their focus is amplified by social media because social media (aka advertising) thrives on strife and drama. Individual responses are generally ineffective in this environment even by the most skilled practitioners. The skill set needed is coordinated collaboration to identify and restrain those doing harm and support those involved in decent dialog. I've hammered out a lot of the tactical and transactional methods. Braver Angels is a good example of a mass movement that is gaining traction. If you want to discuss, let me know. It works better in conversation vs. email.