We had some technical issues this morning, so I'm bringing some comments over from the old post.
Anne wrote:
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be confirmed, and she will be a bright shining star on the Supreme Court. Graham, Cruz and Hawley and any other pit bulls are so petty and trite next to this smart & upright family woman. Judge Brown Jackson is an inspiration to so many, young and old, black, brown and white. Her impact will reach voters and the slime will slink back to their cesspools.
Susan wrote:
Judge Jackson will be confirmed even with the vulgar attacks on her impeccable credentials from the lowest denominators in Congress. Will voters still vote for these republicans? Probably, they've been conditioned by the last guy in the White House to not only accept this level of hatred, but to respect it. Hopefully the independents are just as appalled at their tactics as the rest of us and vote for the challengers instead. What a motley, disgusting party the GOP has become.
Paul George wrote:
Since Judge Brown was not vetted by the Federalist Society, she will be unacceptable to Republicans who will only tolerate one 'judicial philosophy'. Hopefully the days of approving a qualified candidate the President nominates are not gone.
DW wrote:
First, I did not get this in my normal email today, I stumble on to it, says posted 4 hrs ago, is there a problem? Low on likes and comments.
Yes, I think she will be confirmed, she is highly qualified and well liked by all associations. My question is, when will the republican party get enough of the "crazy" and purge the likes of Josh Hawley, Margee Q, and Boebert? Do they not see the damage being done to their once respectable and functional party? All republicans are responsible for these mean spirited actions for not calling them out on it. Hawley is a disgusting embarrassment to this Missourian.
Conditioning is not enough; please call it “Brainwashed”. We are always afraid to tell the people that they were brainwashed the Trump lying machine and Republicans in congress. Thank you
Same here Janet, anyone not disgusted by Josh Hawley after his most recent lunatic blather is hopelessly devoid of any respectability. I wish I could say that the citizens of Missouri would take care that sorry attention seeking jerk Hawley, but they won't. The people here that carry water for Hawley and Trump see nothing wrong with their behavior. It's all fun time, gittin' over on the "libs". Ok, that covers the name calling for a bit. :)
I wish you and Colorado luck in the next election. Getting out the vote is going to be more important than ever, for sure we can not count on the republicans to do the right thing.
When Marjorie started harassing, screaming at school shooting survivors, the amount of rage I had was coursing through my veins. That might have been the day of my most unique homicid@l rant.
Everyone should speak their mind, that’s how you know who the rotten ones are. GQP are providing the evidence and these comments and questions will not age well. Unfortunately there is a disturbing number of Americans who don’t have a problem with overt racist and generally nasty leaders. Midterms are coming. Please get out and vote.
Elizabeth, I’m fairly certain Judge Jackson will be conformed. The real lesson — which I hope is widely understood — is, as you say, we all must vote, and help get out the vote.
This is just more of the general hate, sexism and racism along with incessant pushback of anything the Democrats try to get done. I read that, at one time in the past, the President could simply nominate a person for the Supreme Court without all this partisan sniping. When I tuned into the news and saw that there was no 'news', it was just a hate fest with a qualified candidate being interrogated by the right wingers, and subjected to accusations basically. I tuned into something else. The wingers just want to alienate, hurt and harm in the spirit of thuggery. They do not even pretend to be fair; the Courts are already stacked. They have made everything they are involved with a $#it show and a cruel farce. Just another hateful attack. Worst of all it's 'the news' all day (and night) long. No news of the judiciary doing it's vital job, nothing uplifting.
The partisan sniping about Supreme Court nominees really started with Robert Bork, a conservative lionized by the right and condemned by the left.
I'll add that he was my professor at law school, then I worked for him as an assistant Solicitor General in the Ford administration. Needless to say, I didn't agree with him politically (we disagreed, for example, on the 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th Amendments)--he was very, very conservative. But I respected him and liked him.
Bork's nomination fight was one of the most bitter, most angry in memory. It was so acrimonious and nasty that it set a precedent for future fights over Supreme Court nominees. And Bork himself was never the same (I saw him in later years).
I believe Judge Jackson will ultimately be confirmed, but this process is particularly ugly and difficult to stomach.
I hope this battle does not harm Judge Jackson. She is strong, but human. Terrible way to treat a nominee with her credentials that way. It is unwarranted, even if there was an issue.
I'm sure this causes her much pain and disappointment at the behavior of the far right as they were disgusting to watch. I'm sure she'll never forget this betrayal...in the sense that the GOP senators were trying to ruin her reputation and did it with a feeling of impunity and like they had the right to do so. Those senators do not deserve to hold office. They should be removed immediately. What's holding this up?
We need a revolution! We must work against people like Lindsey Graham and Josh Hawley and all the other Seditionists who would not even allow a debate about voting rights! They are our enemies! The Department of Justice and the courts are corrupted! They do not deserve to be paid for their 'services"! Traitors involved in the Attack on our Capitol should be kicked out!
I remember a time when someone in the US Senate or House would behave as these jerks do would have been pulled aside early on and "spoken to" by someone in a position of authority. Unfortunately, mccarthy is still kissing the orange ring and too spineless anyway, and mcconnell, the "grand strategist", is quite content to sit back and let the flunkies do his dirty work. The way hawley, cruz, and graham were behaving was so painful to watch that I COULDN'T watch, except for bits here and there. (And they didn't stop with the ugly harassment of Judge Brown Jackson. The uncalled for disrespect shown to Chairman Durbin was mind-blowing... were they, esp cruz, trying to demonstrate that they are "tough guys" who can stand up to authority??) As for their fixation on child pornography and general sexual assault.. where have the same senators been regarding brett kavanaugh? matt gaetz? jim jordan? trump's association with epstein and his "sex" parties populated by underage girls???? These "men" don't really care about any issues, and they really don't care a whit about their constituents beyond those people's susceptibility to believe lies and to vote as "told". Their behavior disgusts & frightens me because when their level of behavior towards others is allowed to become normalized, then it will - and we're already seeing it - become to easy for them to treat ANYONE that way (remember trump's telling police to go ahead and rough people up?) and easy for any common citizen to do it too without consequence. We can only hope that others are equally appalled to the extent they will ALL vote too....to dump them from their jobs.. NONE of us can sit the midterms out, and should probably also look for ways to help those having trouble voting for any reason get the support they need. As a country, we CANNOT go on like this.
Exactly. The extreme and disgustingly obvious sexism and racism is absolutely astounding. All the predators that have so much power, money, don’t face any consequences. None. Kavanuagh blew his interview, he sounded like a wackjob, and he’s disgusting. Gaetz had sex with teens. So did trump. So did Epstein. But hey, who cares right? Let’s get mad at a woman who dares to apply for a job she is beyond qualified for. If someone like THIS is in the Court, clearly Jackson is over qualified!!! Am I taking crazy pills?!?!
All excellent points. An idea just occurred to me (made me chuckle). When someone is elected to the Congress or Senate they should be required to take a Manners Class - LOL, and a class in how to behave when interviewing nominees, what kinds of questions are acceptable to ask, etc. If someone breaks the rules too often, they are asked to leave and may not continue with the current session...and so on. If they can't get it right on a regular basis then they are removed from office for lack of professionalism. Also, all the current office holders should be required to take it too. It's obvious many of them were never taught how to behave and instead think grandstanding and bullying is the way to go. After all...Trump got away with it. So many people imitating him now. Hope this phase ends soon.
Improper toilet training. They think they can just piss on anything they don’t like just to get attention.
They should be required to take and pass a psychiatric evaluation before election and repeated every election cycle. Then once elected they must take a manners course at least once a year as long as they maintain their position.
And yet, though Robert Bork's hearing was in 1987, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed 96-3 in 1993.
I think that the current toxicity policy and seize-and-advertise-power policy of today's GOP is at least as responsible for the astonishing treatment of Judge Ketangi Brown Jackson by Senators Cruz, Graham, and Hawley, and to a lesser extent others on Judicial.
I find it easy to believe that Robert Bork was never the same after his hearing. Trauma is trauma. I hope that Justice Jackson receives support and help in healing.
And I hope that curative and restorative treatment becomes expected of and enacted for people who so gleefully inflict trauma on others without substantive cause.
Sad about Bork. I really think there is something profoundly wrong to allow this to happen. Perhaps if they only allowed questions regarding the law, and could only pursue something for so long and so far after she has answered the question. Today was beyond ridiculous. It is a travesty.
The way Ted Cruz just kept on, ignoring the gavel, completely insolent, was stunning. Sadly that tyrannical behavior is nothing new, like an overgrown toddler having a tantrum. It's telling that he could not be ushered out of the place. It's their way now, the Repugs. I just cannot respect them! They need a good ass kicking!
Yes. Ted Cruz is something else. Josh Hawley is another one. And Lindsey Graham changes colors all the time LOL. No reverence anywhere. A bunch of :"clowns," a word I believe President Biden likes.
It’s truly embarrassing. These “politicians”, people im at least supposed to respect— they go on Twitter and have childish back and forths. It makes me sick.
Interesting and intriguing comment, on top of an excellent article on Judge Jackson. At some point, when you have time, could you write more on the Bork process and the longer-term effects on the parties involved? I admire your ability to listen to other opinions / views and assess them without emotion, so it would be great to get your take on these matters. Thank you, Suzanne
Thanks for the history lesson. It really helps keep things in perspective and I agree that listening, let alone watching, this process is demoralizing and maddening. Does it have to be this way?
I remember your mention of Robert Bork and how you worked with him and liked him in spite of your differences, Also how he seemed to not be the same in later years, That must have been a very bad time for him. A bitter, angry fight.
I agree, Paula. Too bad they are allowed to do this to her and us! Why should anyone with such baseness be in a position to presume to judge a person of her stature? They are jealous at her achievements in spite of racism and sexism.
I loved what Ben Sasse had to say. He was right on. Every single word these jerks spoke; every single action they took were part of playing to the cameras & their base, period. Someone sitting behind cruz reported that in between insults, he was "quietly" checking his cell phone to see how the base was responding. THIS is our tax dollars at work????
They can't stand that a Black woman could be more competent and composed than they are, in spite of so much rigged against her and their unfair unprincipled attacks. She has achieved much more than they have without their privileges.
Wouldn't be surprised if one of their goals was to make her cry. Thank Heavens, when she finally did, the source came from a place of admiration, love, and respect. (Of course the demons will probably only use a few frames of her wiping a tear away in their propaganda material, lying about the reason for that tear..)
Well they’ve been validated. Their behavior is okay since they look a certain way or have the connections or the money or the family. Rich, white, privileged, men
I think the embarrassment is there but is unrecognized. That’s what I mean. If you envy someone for something you’re not, isn’t there a bit of shame inside you? I’m not saying you realize it but I do think it’s a driver of their behavior.
They all saw how effective this kind of behavior was for trump, beginning when he was going through the first campaign. Watching ANY of them, including taylor greene, boebert, and so many others.... they can't even be original... every single thing they do & say and the WAY they do& say it, comes straight out of the orange play book. I bet they practice in front of a mirror first.
I couldn't agree more with this. I found myself yelling at the radio and had to go outside to pull weeds for a while. I hope to god these right-wingers are truly a minority. No way do I want them "governing" our country.
Even though as you mention the "right-wingers are truly a minority," remember what Prof. Reich mentions in the post: "It turns out that nearly a quarter of Republicans say they believe that the U.S. government, media, and financial sector are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex trafficking operation." This is an example of a belief that is based on erroneous information. Beliefs are very difficult to change. Education, learning to think critically, is key in changing someone's mind.
I sometimes wonder if you can teach everyone to think critically. Here is a Science article on conservative and liberal brains I thought was interesting: https: //www.scientificamerican.com/article/conservative-and-liberal-brains-might-have-some-real-differences/
I think that critical thinking skills should be taught in every level of school, even the lowest level. It really shouldn't be that hard. But it must be woven into all classes and courses and continually held as a very important thinking skill.
And a small, determined minority can do a lot of damage. I agree about the difficulty of changing beliefs. We have to figure out how to do this, though. What approach do you think might work?
Susan Troy ; I just gave a contribution to de-platform Fox recently and just now another small one to support pressure on At&T to get OAN off DirecTV. Fake 'news' just keeps misinforming and re-enforcing beliefs that are poisoning people's minds, and keeping them in the thrall of the worst winger hypnosis.
Those are really good moves. The disinformation is a killer. I just joined "Join the Union.US", one of whose goals is to bring Americans together to fight for democracy by targeting disinformation. It was started by someone from the Lincoln Project and looks really good. I think I'll look into putting pressure on AT&T too. Thanks!
I recently gave to them to keep Louis Dejoy from getting a contract for postal vehicles that are very gas guzzling. They propose that at least 75% of the huge fleet of postal trucks be electric.
Carol Parsons ; I don't have the exact numbers, but have seen reports that there is more evidence that he received votes from election officials he 'strong armed'. I have watched for the story to see if it has legs. to no avail. It was just last week that I saw it and can't remember where. Bottom line; Biden won. I have contributed to Inequality Media to help efforts to de-platform Fox 'News'. Lies don't help inform voters.
The GOP trend towards statehood powers, surges on, with Senator Mike Braun of Indiana statements in today’s news! Racism and sexism are merely two of the threats facing this countries democracy today. You’re statement is well received Laurie!!
I sincerely hope that Judge Jackson will be confirmed and even more so after having just listened to Lindsay Graham interrogate her this morning. He never let her finish answering his questions, he berated her and tried to intimidate her for things that happened to previous judicial appointees, and he, perhaps most disgustingly, patronized her by saying her was sure she was a "nice woman." She is a nice woman, but she is also eminently qualified, capable, and accomplished. She is not someone who should get a "head pat" from Lindsay Graham, especially after he just bullied and tried to silence her.
I realize I am not sticking to your question, but I have had it with the likes of Graham, Cruz, Hawley, Jordan--all of them. It's all about them. All about maintaining their privilege. I've known this in some part of my being all along, but today's interrogation by Graham made it real and in your face.
I have emailed my Senators in support of Judge Jackson and I support her l00 %. I could never have done what she has. It is painful to listen to this because it brought back so many memories of how people in power seek to destroy the other. We need Judge Jackson now. We need someone on the court who is in touch with reality and with the public.
To continue to believe Trumps lies is tantamount to treason. There ought to be a heavy price for those who believe Biden lost the election. The truly flawed election was the previous one, as it now appears that Russia intervened illegally. Trump himself said that election was rigged. He was right.
BELIEFS cannot be the source of punishment. Those who purposely and relentlessly lie specifically to brainwash, or those who commit crimes to enforce their beliefs should be punished.
Wouldn't it be sweet if any of the hawleys, cruz's, etc end up being indicted, tried & found guilty for their Jan. 6 before and after activities... then appeal in such a way that the appeal ends up in the SCOTUS... and SHE's the deciding vote to deny the appeal?? I can hear the uproar now.... (just my little fantasy..)
I so agree..more qualified than the 3 under TFG all put together. I do not know which 34 senators are up for election this year but the Democrats running against them should use their horrible behavior of the past 3 days to defeat them.
Why can't certain people see through all these RWNJ lies and misdirection? It's a sad day when the average intelligence of these people (who are legally allowed to cast votes in this nation) is falling below a line that would indicate that they need a mental-health test/exam to see if they're sane.
It's all part of the dumbing down of America. Look at the popularity of many tv "reality" shows where grown adults flip tables and constantly bicker and fight (sometimes physically) like middle school children. Look at the high level of interest in what "celebrities" say, wear, have sex with, blah blah blah, as opposed to the levels of interest in serious news. (I bet a HUGE chunk of this country has no idea that Russia invaded Ukraine, or where either of those countries even are.... or if they're aware, has no idea what the history and issues and challenges there are..... or the parallels in our own country..... but name ANY popular pop singer, rapper, movie star or social media "influencer" and you'll get encyclopedic knowledge.
Most of this has its roots in the Reagan era. Charter schools. Firing union workers. Cutting taxes on the wealthy. Killing fair news programs. There's more...
When our supposed "Representatives" in Congress actually be forced to be our representatives instead of serving their own self interests? Unfortunately, Money runs the political system in this country even though Lobbying was illegal in the original Constitution. We should not allow outright racists be in our government. They do not serve all of their constituents nor the will of the people.
We can justifiably blame the so-called “supreme” court for the flow of bad money into politics. Google Valeo versus Buckley, the beginning of the oligarchy.
You may very well be wondering: What can I (an individual of limited financial means and no clout either) do to help restore our democracy and democratic values? Well, I am a senior living on a severely depleted retirement account (it will be gone in a month or two) and social security. I have little or no clout and try to manage against a vast malevolent network of corporations that includes my former employer (Macy*s) in the conglomerate_). I don't know that much of what I do achieves any results but, well, in the hope that some of you may get further ahead than I, I will tell you what I do--or try to do. 1--I write constant letters and emails to my elected representatives and officials at all levels of government and non-profit organizations. (My elected Congressperson happens to be Zoe Lofgren (California 19th district) who served on the Trump impeachment trials (prosecution side) and is currently serving on the Select Committee for 1/6) but I also write to businesses and corporations who have dealt with me unfairly and illegally (currently this includes amazon.com (or its affiliated/unaffiliated scam artists) as it considers me a mark for every scam/grift out there. I also write to progressive sites that solicit my feedback. Most of my written appeals and reports have little effect--or little present effect--as those running the sites do not consider my complaints and reports as anything but an annoyance. Once in a while, I find a receptive listener but I do not count on that and, if you go this way, you won't either, unless you have value as a contributor.) 2--I join and respond to organizations with programs that benefit education (all levels and particularly concerned with music, the one joy I still allow myself); public health and safety and consumer affairs. 3--I join in rallies and protest marches in downtown San Jose; I was particularly active in the rallies demanding the release of the income tax returns of the 45th president to the COngress and official offices. 4--I have worked as a poll worker for several years, you know, one of the people who spend a full day (8:00AM-12:00AM (midnight to the next day) signing people in, distributing ballots, and guiding people through the process. (I never engaged in any fraud whatsoever and resent the implications of the Trump team that I did so. I personally voted absentee when I served as we also had to vote and there was never time to do it on election day itself. Incidentally, I always vote and hope and expect that my vote is counted and duly registered. 5. I attend every single town hall held by Rep LOfgren and other members of the current government and, particularly, the political party in charge of (or behind and supportive of) committee assignments and judicial appointments. 6--I give a tiny (microscopic) amount of my income to viable, legitimate 501C charities and npos--generally those organizations that fund education (music, in particular); environmental causes; and, the rights of indigenous people in the US & Canada. Right now, my contributions (such as they are) are being exclusively sent to UNICEF Fund for Ukraine in honor of my personal hero and general role-model, an individual who is giving of his time and talents for Ukraine, the cellist Yo-Yo Ma. That is what I can do and have done and I reckon I will continue. I do know that very little of this will change the world or the larger picture of things but that is not my aim. If I can make the world a bit better for a little girl or boy in Ukraine (or Poland); if I can see policies through (or even just one policy) to make our massive government work for all the people (myself included); if I can help heal a sullied and broken planet; and if I can ensure that all people (including Ukrainians and Russians) have a better future, I will do it. I reckon that's about it. You may have other irons in the fire and that's all well-and-good; the important is to do something.
Lanae, you are an example to us all. And don’t think you’re not making any difference. An ocean is made up of drops of water and couldn’t exist without them. Hugs!!
There is one other thing I've started to do: Currently, Netflix is running the series from Ukrainian tv, "The Servant of the People," starring Volodyrmyr Zelenskyy who plays the role of the President of Ukraine and is currently---The President of Ukraine. I do not watch it for the comedy but, rather, to get a sense of what Ukraine is (was) nowadays and what it looked like before the Russian invasions. I did not know much about Ukraine beyond what I learned in school which was: "Ukraine is the Bread Basket of the entire Soviet Union." I would gather that agriculture still plays an outsize role in this nation and (perhaps) its loss with the breakup of the Soviet Union has also meant the loss of essential agricultural products (food!) for ordinary Russians. Rest assured, the Russian invasion of Ukraine will hit ordinary Ukrainians AND Russians hardest, the Putin oligarchs in Russia will skate free. It would be easy to blame the Russians for their blind obedience to their despot but it seems to me that we also have our share of blind folks who are following our own wannabe despot!
As well you (and all of us) should. The Russian military is comprised of a good number of conscripts, that is, teenagers who have been sent to the front on the direction of the government, through no choice of their own. As I understand it, they are facing well-trained Ukrainian soldiers who have the knowledge of weapons and technical support and are committed to defending their nation and protecting as many civilians as they can. I just read a fascinating article about the folktales that Ukrainian and Russian children hear at bedtime, the thesis being that such tales tell us all a lot about the Ukrainian and the Russian approaches to the ongoing invasion. (This initially sounds improbable but I think there's a lot of truth in what the folklorists and child development researchers have discovered.) In Ukraine, the hero, the one who fights a strong and invincible foreign enemy is always the underdog, the doubtful hero who, through courage, perseverance and determination (and intelligence) manages to win the day. In Russia, the hero is generally an underdog as well and seems likely to remain an underdog but, by a stroke of pure luck, a magic fairy or, more likely, a super-horse magically appears, carries the hero away--and saves the day...the hero relies on magic as he generally is passive. Hm.....I guess this is a case of life imitating art (folktales).
Lanae ; As many as 8,000 Russian citizens have been arrested beaten and detained, and they face 20 years in prison for the 'crime' of protesting the war on Ukraine. That number was as of a week ago.
I still think there is a grain of truth in the folktales but I am also not denying the courageous protests of many Russians. They are caught in a trap and forced to play a role that seems to be a tragic one for all concerned.
YES! and Lanae may never know the number of others that her activities have influenced for the good. For all she knows, some young person may have been so inspired by her work that they decided to march, or vote, or get others registered to vote, OR run for office themselves.
Lanae, you sound like a person that puts his money where his mouth is. You are an inspiration and should be rewarded for your efforts. Keep the good work.
"Well, I am a senior living on a severely depleted retirement account (it will be gone in a month or two) and social security." When the money is gone, if you do not own a home, because you live in California and can get financial assistance to supplement your Social Security. You paid taxes, all your life, and California will be there to help.
The militant army of capitalists who rule this country don’t care about retirees. They care only about profits. That’s why capitalism needs to be highly regulated.
I have given up on my Reptilian US congressman, who is sold out to the Big Lie and the predominant industry in Florida, real-estate development, of which he is a member.
Did you feel embarrassed watching that hearing? I did. This is what we have become. This is what we are today. This wasn't some fool blabbing around the water cooler. These were people WE elected to the highest offices in the country. If you want to see why most democracies fail, watch a recording of that hearing. What a gift to Putin or any autocrat. What a display of America standing before the world with its pants down! America produced those people, capitalism produced those people, Harvard produced those people, WE produced those people. And none of us want to admit it. What a beautiful person Judge Jackson is and how lucky "we" are to have produced such a person in the America of today. How lucky Harvard was to get her when they turn out a Tom Cruz and a Josh Hawley. When you see an elected representative treat a distinguished nominee to the Supreme Court with such vulgarity, what do you think when you look in the mirror? I don't like what I see in that mirror. I didn't vote for any of those representatives, but I am damn sure a part of the culture, the government that produced them.
Janet, thanks for the reply. First of all, they are traitors to themselves or maybe a base was never formed. You're right, it is horrifying to watch, and horror carries fear. There is an old word the Greeks used, virtue. Who could you identify in that crowd as virtuous?
These Republicans may face consequences if their leader, Donald Trump, is prosecuted for the multiple charges connected with his attempt to overthrow the US government, as recommended by Laurence Tribe and Donald Aftergut in their editorial in The Guardian. Otherwise, extremist Republicans will continue to be emboldened by their confidence in Trump's impunity, and their own.
Josh Hawley is not the only one racist in the group. Incompetence is not the point here. They hate the fact that an educated, well trained and not racist woman, like judge Brown, could not get to that level without kissing the behind of a white racist in suit. They have learnt how to manipulate the questionings to downgrade other individuals to their lower levels as Senators. It’s all anti woman and anti American.The main objective is to stop Kamala Harris to ever become president of this country.
The point that they will not tell to their constituents is to never let Biden die in office and not protect Mrs. Harris.
This type of behavior will trigger the White Nationalists, The Neo-Nazis,the QAnons to take action without laying the blame on the instigators. Trump is still doing it! They posted three (3) white “SCOTUS” to feed their racist agenda even though they themselves might no be racists!!!
Feeding the beast is their dangerous agenda. Naming Judge Brown will not change the dynamics of the court in term of numbers but will free the dissents by the others on the Court. The solution is to Build-the-Court and even the playing field .
"Despicable"? You are too kind. The Republican party - not a party anymore, an evil "cabale" - is the most dangerous organization ever (Noam Chomsky). Their power, unopposed by the Democrats, accelerates our movement toward the extinction of humanity either rapidly by nuclear war or slowly by global warming. Desperately looking for a third feasible path that would save us from extinction. Would appreciate references to such.
When you say third feasible path do you mean other than Republicans and Democrats? I just read an article proposing that we go to proportional representation like they have in Europe. This has pros and cons of course and probably won’t happen until our demographics change more, but it does help give rise to multiple parties. That’s one idea. Another is just to protest massively. Every time there’s a catastrophic event related to climate change more people are affected. Eventually no one will be able to ignore it. Of course by then it might be too late. I’m just brainstorming here. Oh, there’s another article that said that allocating 2% of the US budget would be enough to effectively fight climate change, so maybe a two percent movement?
No, a third party (and a fourth, and a fifth) does not guarantee a doable path to sustain life in societies as we have been privileged to have known it. And it is not feasible in the US currently - Read the book of the lady lawyer who managed Ralph Nader's presidential campaigns: "Grand Illusion". She documents the hundreds of obstacles the duopoly has erected and enforces to maintain their exclusive grip on power. Additionally, as long as we have Citizens United with its legal tsunamis of anonymous money giving the means to hoodwink most of the population via the propaganda machine, a parliamentary system would soon be captured by the same donors. The Green New Deal will not save us, Technology does not look like it can save us. A global revolution might? Societies have had many bloody revolutions that produced no change (The Arab Spring recently). There are ideas, but how to make them become reality. One I like is turning ourselves into knowledge societies. (1) Unlike the earth resources, knowledge is infinite. (2) If i pass on knowledge to you, I still have my knowledge, not so if I give you my car. (3) Crossing fields of knowledge lead to the acceleration of the expansion of knowledge. (from a video with a Frenchman whose name I forget) Let's all become scientists, writers, musicians, painters. Let the machines produce the goods. No more obscene and unjust inequalities. No more playing casino with other peoples' money Just an idea. We would have the stern opposition of all who consider that ignorance is bliss. If 99% of species have become extinct, why would we be the exception? (Writing is thinking: you helped me think, And I enjoyed it. Thank you
The members of parliament were the "Masters of Mankind" living by their "Vile Maxim: All for us and nothing for the rest" (Adam Smith "The Wealth of Nations" 1776) and remember the Corn Laws in the British parliament then. This has been the way human societies have been organized for the last 11,000 years, with varying degrees of inequality. Whatever the dominant system: slavery, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, communism, kings and Parliaments. Only after cataclysmic events did inequality collapse: Wars, Pandemics, revolutions and societal collapse (Walter Scheidel 'The Great Leveler" 2017) And inequality started to increase again immediately after.
Ah, you’re talking about utopian societies. I like your idea but can you really see Ted Cruz becoming an artist? I can see him now in his leather jacket climbing up to reach a billboard with his can of spray paint. But seriously, I agree: how do you get from here to there? Gene Roddenberry never explained that. (I like thinking too. 😀)
I completely agree 100% Dr. Reich. Would you call this another example of CANCEL CULTURE?" I think "cancel culture" has always existed. What has changed is that it has become more public through television and social media, and is now being used as a tool consistently to make others look bad, even when they didn't do anything, by making it seem like they did. How do we put a stop to it on social media, schools and in politics? I'm not really familiar with slander laws but it seems we need to take another look at these. What do you think?
I don't know the form of these individuals,apart from Lyndsay Graham who appears on UK tv news occasionally to chilling effect,but the tactics seem very familiar.If you want to take down someone with views to the centre or left of yours but that person is impeccably competent then you smear them with previously unimaginable crimes.The mental disorder of the new right is matched by masterful social media manipulation techniques that can result in gaslighting sizeable parts of the electorate. The application of these methods into senate hearings is equally disturbing however as this partisanship corrodes the highest levels of government.This ultimately favours tyranny over democracy,a joy to the Putins of this world.
The gop has no bottom, and they will pay no price. In fact, from what I can tell, they seem to be winning. I'm sure there will be scathing histories written, but I feel like it is a minority of people who even read such things anymore.
RHH ; Just remember that the majority of the people (humans) elected Biden over tRump. We are all still here and have more power than the billionaires. We don't have to buy their stuff.
It's a nice thought, but the billionaire donor class is pretty insulated from us peons. You might get some PR moves like when corporations paused their donations after Jan 6. But even after that, everything went back to the status quo.
Let's have a negativity festival! Crush even a thought about how to push back! I would like to see if there are any ideas, like boycott the MSM for not reporting anything but how we all lose! No wonder some have given up!
RHH ; It's not meant to be a personal attack; I just get the same message on mainstream media so often. It would be great to brainstorm ideas to use our collective power to fight back! Got any ideas? I give to candidates what I can afford, also to progressive groups supporting the Common Good.
I think the way to make them pay is via Stacey Abrams-like approach to getting out the vote and overcoming the voter suppression in contested districts. After that, hope that there are enough Dems that are not beholden to corporate interests who will be willing to pass voter rights and campaign reform laws, and then reform the courts when SCOTUS strikes those laws down.
We had some technical issues this morning, so I'm bringing some comments over from the old post.
Anne wrote:
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be confirmed, and she will be a bright shining star on the Supreme Court. Graham, Cruz and Hawley and any other pit bulls are so petty and trite next to this smart & upright family woman. Judge Brown Jackson is an inspiration to so many, young and old, black, brown and white. Her impact will reach voters and the slime will slink back to their cesspools.
Susan wrote:
Judge Jackson will be confirmed even with the vulgar attacks on her impeccable credentials from the lowest denominators in Congress. Will voters still vote for these republicans? Probably, they've been conditioned by the last guy in the White House to not only accept this level of hatred, but to respect it. Hopefully the independents are just as appalled at their tactics as the rest of us and vote for the challengers instead. What a motley, disgusting party the GOP has become.
Paul George wrote:
Since Judge Brown was not vetted by the Federalist Society, she will be unacceptable to Republicans who will only tolerate one 'judicial philosophy'. Hopefully the days of approving a qualified candidate the President nominates are not gone.
DW wrote:
First, I did not get this in my normal email today, I stumble on to it, says posted 4 hrs ago, is there a problem? Low on likes and comments.
Yes, I think she will be confirmed, she is highly qualified and well liked by all associations. My question is, when will the republican party get enough of the "crazy" and purge the likes of Josh Hawley, Margee Q, and Boebert? Do they not see the damage being done to their once respectable and functional party? All republicans are responsible for these mean spirited actions for not calling them out on it. Hawley is a disgusting embarrassment to this Missourian.
If there is any justice in America, Hawley and Cruz will soon have a day of reckoning.
Plus, let's hope, and all legislators who refused to confirm Biden as our legitimate leader.
Thank you for your comment... there are also numerous others who should face the court docket.
If I was guaranteed no prison time I’d be glad to make it happen too
I love your comments.
Conditioning is not enough; please call it “Brainwashed”. We are always afraid to tell the people that they were brainwashed the Trump lying machine and Republicans in congress. Thank you
Thank you Kara.
Thanks Kara!
Thank You Kara 🌻
Thanks Kara.
How charming are you Kara? Keep up the good fight!
Same here Janet, anyone not disgusted by Josh Hawley after his most recent lunatic blather is hopelessly devoid of any respectability. I wish I could say that the citizens of Missouri would take care that sorry attention seeking jerk Hawley, but they won't. The people here that carry water for Hawley and Trump see nothing wrong with their behavior. It's all fun time, gittin' over on the "libs". Ok, that covers the name calling for a bit. :)
I wish you and Colorado luck in the next election. Getting out the vote is going to be more important than ever, for sure we can not count on the republicans to do the right thing.
When Marjorie started harassing, screaming at school shooting survivors, the amount of rage I had was coursing through my veins. That might have been the day of my most unique homicid@l rant.
Everyone should speak their mind, that’s how you know who the rotten ones are. GQP are providing the evidence and these comments and questions will not age well. Unfortunately there is a disturbing number of Americans who don’t have a problem with overt racist and generally nasty leaders. Midterms are coming. Please get out and vote.
Elizabeth, I’m fairly certain Judge Jackson will be conformed. The real lesson — which I hope is widely understood — is, as you say, we all must vote, and help get out the vote.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
This is just more of the general hate, sexism and racism along with incessant pushback of anything the Democrats try to get done. I read that, at one time in the past, the President could simply nominate a person for the Supreme Court without all this partisan sniping. When I tuned into the news and saw that there was no 'news', it was just a hate fest with a qualified candidate being interrogated by the right wingers, and subjected to accusations basically. I tuned into something else. The wingers just want to alienate, hurt and harm in the spirit of thuggery. They do not even pretend to be fair; the Courts are already stacked. They have made everything they are involved with a $#it show and a cruel farce. Just another hateful attack. Worst of all it's 'the news' all day (and night) long. No news of the judiciary doing it's vital job, nothing uplifting.
The partisan sniping about Supreme Court nominees really started with Robert Bork, a conservative lionized by the right and condemned by the left.
I'll add that he was my professor at law school, then I worked for him as an assistant Solicitor General in the Ford administration. Needless to say, I didn't agree with him politically (we disagreed, for example, on the 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th Amendments)--he was very, very conservative. But I respected him and liked him.
Bork's nomination fight was one of the most bitter, most angry in memory. It was so acrimonious and nasty that it set a precedent for future fights over Supreme Court nominees. And Bork himself was never the same (I saw him in later years).
I believe Judge Jackson will ultimately be confirmed, but this process is particularly ugly and difficult to stomach.
I hope this battle does not harm Judge Jackson. She is strong, but human. Terrible way to treat a nominee with her credentials that way. It is unwarranted, even if there was an issue.
I'm sure this causes her much pain and disappointment at the behavior of the far right as they were disgusting to watch. I'm sure she'll never forget this betrayal...in the sense that the GOP senators were trying to ruin her reputation and did it with a feeling of impunity and like they had the right to do so. Those senators do not deserve to hold office. They should be removed immediately. What's holding this up?
We need a revolution! We must work against people like Lindsey Graham and Josh Hawley and all the other Seditionists who would not even allow a debate about voting rights! They are our enemies! The Department of Justice and the courts are corrupted! They do not deserve to be paid for their 'services"! Traitors involved in the Attack on our Capitol should be kicked out!
I remember a time when someone in the US Senate or House would behave as these jerks do would have been pulled aside early on and "spoken to" by someone in a position of authority. Unfortunately, mccarthy is still kissing the orange ring and too spineless anyway, and mcconnell, the "grand strategist", is quite content to sit back and let the flunkies do his dirty work. The way hawley, cruz, and graham were behaving was so painful to watch that I COULDN'T watch, except for bits here and there. (And they didn't stop with the ugly harassment of Judge Brown Jackson. The uncalled for disrespect shown to Chairman Durbin was mind-blowing... were they, esp cruz, trying to demonstrate that they are "tough guys" who can stand up to authority??) As for their fixation on child pornography and general sexual assault.. where have the same senators been regarding brett kavanaugh? matt gaetz? jim jordan? trump's association with epstein and his "sex" parties populated by underage girls???? These "men" don't really care about any issues, and they really don't care a whit about their constituents beyond those people's susceptibility to believe lies and to vote as "told". Their behavior disgusts & frightens me because when their level of behavior towards others is allowed to become normalized, then it will - and we're already seeing it - become to easy for them to treat ANYONE that way (remember trump's telling police to go ahead and rough people up?) and easy for any common citizen to do it too without consequence. We can only hope that others are equally appalled to the extent they will ALL vote too....to dump them from their jobs.. NONE of us can sit the midterms out, and should probably also look for ways to help those having trouble voting for any reason get the support they need. As a country, we CANNOT go on like this.
Exactly. The extreme and disgustingly obvious sexism and racism is absolutely astounding. All the predators that have so much power, money, don’t face any consequences. None. Kavanuagh blew his interview, he sounded like a wackjob, and he’s disgusting. Gaetz had sex with teens. So did trump. So did Epstein. But hey, who cares right? Let’s get mad at a woman who dares to apply for a job she is beyond qualified for. If someone like THIS is in the Court, clearly Jackson is over qualified!!! Am I taking crazy pills?!?!
I meant if someone like Kavanuagh is on the court she is 100% of course overqualified.
All excellent points. An idea just occurred to me (made me chuckle). When someone is elected to the Congress or Senate they should be required to take a Manners Class - LOL, and a class in how to behave when interviewing nominees, what kinds of questions are acceptable to ask, etc. If someone breaks the rules too often, they are asked to leave and may not continue with the current session...and so on. If they can't get it right on a regular basis then they are removed from office for lack of professionalism. Also, all the current office holders should be required to take it too. It's obvious many of them were never taught how to behave and instead think grandstanding and bullying is the way to go. After all...Trump got away with it. So many people imitating him now. Hope this phase ends soon.
Improper toilet training. They think they can just piss on anything they don’t like just to get attention.
They should be required to take and pass a psychiatric evaluation before election and repeated every election cycle. Then once elected they must take a manners course at least once a year as long as they maintain their position.
I have faith she girds her loin in preparing for the Coliseum! I doubt she expected any less from the Q-publicans.
She has the right stuff no doubt! I'm sure she faced bigger threats than those jerks.
And yet, though Robert Bork's hearing was in 1987, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed 96-3 in 1993.
I think that the current toxicity policy and seize-and-advertise-power policy of today's GOP is at least as responsible for the astonishing treatment of Judge Ketangi Brown Jackson by Senators Cruz, Graham, and Hawley, and to a lesser extent others on Judicial.
I find it easy to believe that Robert Bork was never the same after his hearing. Trauma is trauma. I hope that Justice Jackson receives support and help in healing.
And I hope that curative and restorative treatment becomes expected of and enacted for people who so gleefully inflict trauma on others without substantive cause.
I agree, Mary Ann, mean people suck!
I would say something more systemic: the US worship of the parade of power sucks.
Sad about Bork. I really think there is something profoundly wrong to allow this to happen. Perhaps if they only allowed questions regarding the law, and could only pursue something for so long and so far after she has answered the question. Today was beyond ridiculous. It is a travesty.
The way Ted Cruz just kept on, ignoring the gavel, completely insolent, was stunning. Sadly that tyrannical behavior is nothing new, like an overgrown toddler having a tantrum. It's telling that he could not be ushered out of the place. It's their way now, the Repugs. I just cannot respect them! They need a good ass kicking!
Yes. Ted Cruz is something else. Josh Hawley is another one. And Lindsey Graham changes colors all the time LOL. No reverence anywhere. A bunch of :"clowns," a word I believe President Biden likes.
Clowns in the clown car that is the current Republican party, at least most of them!
It’s truly embarrassing. These “politicians”, people im at least supposed to respect— they go on Twitter and have childish back and forths. It makes me sick.
They are sickening! I can't believe they are allowed to stay in office.
I watched the Bork hearings and was amazed (horrified is more like it) at some of his beliefs.
Interesting and intriguing comment, on top of an excellent article on Judge Jackson. At some point, when you have time, could you write more on the Bork process and the longer-term effects on the parties involved? I admire your ability to listen to other opinions / views and assess them without emotion, so it would be great to get your take on these matters. Thank you, Suzanne
Thanks for the history lesson. It really helps keep things in perspective and I agree that listening, let alone watching, this process is demoralizing and maddening. Does it have to be this way?
I remember your mention of Robert Bork and how you worked with him and liked him in spite of your differences, Also how he seemed to not be the same in later years, That must have been a very bad time for him. A bitter, angry fight.
Ahhhhhh! The much forgotten about 9th!
I must say that Judge Jackson is a very brave woman to put herself through all that. She makes them look like the small people they are.
I agree, Paula. Too bad they are allowed to do this to her and us! Why should anyone with such baseness be in a position to presume to judge a person of her stature? They are jealous at her achievements in spite of racism and sexism.
Exactly, Laurie. She embarrasses them so they lash out. How childish.
I loved what Ben Sasse had to say. He was right on. Every single word these jerks spoke; every single action they took were part of playing to the cameras & their base, period. Someone sitting behind cruz reported that in between insults, he was "quietly" checking his cell phone to see how the base was responding. THIS is our tax dollars at work????
Ugh. Good point.
They can't stand that a Black woman could be more competent and composed than they are, in spite of so much rigged against her and their unfair unprincipled attacks. She has achieved much more than they have without their privileges.
Wouldn't be surprised if one of their goals was to make her cry. Thank Heavens, when she finally did, the source came from a place of admiration, love, and respect. (Of course the demons will probably only use a few frames of her wiping a tear away in their propaganda material, lying about the reason for that tear..)
OMG, yes. Exactly.
Well they’ve been validated. Their behavior is okay since they look a certain way or have the connections or the money or the family. Rich, white, privileged, men
I think the embarrassment is there but is unrecognized. That’s what I mean. If you envy someone for something you’re not, isn’t there a bit of shame inside you? I’m not saying you realize it but I do think it’s a driver of their behavior.
Paula B. ; Deep down they know she is better!
They all saw how effective this kind of behavior was for trump, beginning when he was going through the first campaign. Watching ANY of them, including taylor greene, boebert, and so many others.... they can't even be original... every single thing they do & say and the WAY they do& say it, comes straight out of the orange play book. I bet they practice in front of a mirror first.
If they do they’d break it.
I couldn't agree more with this. I found myself yelling at the radio and had to go outside to pull weeds for a while. I hope to god these right-wingers are truly a minority. No way do I want them "governing" our country.
Even though as you mention the "right-wingers are truly a minority," remember what Prof. Reich mentions in the post: "It turns out that nearly a quarter of Republicans say they believe that the U.S. government, media, and financial sector are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex trafficking operation." This is an example of a belief that is based on erroneous information. Beliefs are very difficult to change. Education, learning to think critically, is key in changing someone's mind.
I sometimes wonder if you can teach everyone to think critically. Here is a Science article on conservative and liberal brains I thought was interesting: https: //www.scientificamerican.com/article/conservative-and-liberal-brains-might-have-some-real-differences/
I think that critical thinking skills should be taught in every level of school, even the lowest level. It really shouldn't be that hard. But it must be woven into all classes and courses and continually held as a very important thinking skill.
Thanks for the link!
You're welcome!
We see and understand the downside of democracy.
And a small, determined minority can do a lot of damage. I agree about the difficulty of changing beliefs. We have to figure out how to do this, though. What approach do you think might work?
Susan Troy ; I just gave a contribution to de-platform Fox recently and just now another small one to support pressure on At&T to get OAN off DirecTV. Fake 'news' just keeps misinforming and re-enforcing beliefs that are poisoning people's minds, and keeping them in the thrall of the worst winger hypnosis.
AT&T is supported by a huge percentage of the country and yet they put their money and strategy to use against the majority. Betrayal in my opinion.
Frank Gilbert ; I agree!
Garbage sells — who woulda thunk it?
It's the state of disunion!
Those are really good moves. The disinformation is a killer. I just joined "Join the Union.US", one of whose goals is to bring Americans together to fight for democracy by targeting disinformation. It was started by someone from the Lincoln Project and looks really good. I think I'll look into putting pressure on AT&T too. Thanks!
I recently gave to them to keep Louis Dejoy from getting a contract for postal vehicles that are very gas guzzling. They propose that at least 75% of the huge fleet of postal trucks be electric.
Inequality Media Civic Action is a good one!
I just try to remind myself that the majority voted against tRump.
both times, too.
But didn’t more vote for him in 2020 than in 2016? That’s scarier
Carol Parsons ; I don't have the exact numbers, but have seen reports that there is more evidence that he received votes from election officials he 'strong armed'. I have watched for the story to see if it has legs. to no avail. It was just last week that I saw it and can't remember where. Bottom line; Biden won. I have contributed to Inequality Media to help efforts to de-platform Fox 'News'. Lies don't help inform voters.
Hope they were all weeds : )
The GOP trend towards statehood powers, surges on, with Senator Mike Braun of Indiana statements in today’s news! Racism and sexism are merely two of the threats facing this countries democracy today. You’re statement is well received Laurie!!
Thank you, Patrick Daniels. Support forward thinking Democrats, especially those running against Repugs for tRump.
I sincerely hope that Judge Jackson will be confirmed and even more so after having just listened to Lindsay Graham interrogate her this morning. He never let her finish answering his questions, he berated her and tried to intimidate her for things that happened to previous judicial appointees, and he, perhaps most disgustingly, patronized her by saying her was sure she was a "nice woman." She is a nice woman, but she is also eminently qualified, capable, and accomplished. She is not someone who should get a "head pat" from Lindsay Graham, especially after he just bullied and tried to silence her.
I realize I am not sticking to your question, but I have had it with the likes of Graham, Cruz, Hawley, Jordan--all of them. It's all about them. All about maintaining their privilege. I've known this in some part of my being all along, but today's interrogation by Graham made it real and in your face.
I have emailed my Senators in support of Judge Jackson and I support her l00 %. I could never have done what she has. It is painful to listen to this because it brought back so many memories of how people in power seek to destroy the other. We need Judge Jackson now. We need someone on the court who is in touch with reality and with the public.
Good for you for emailing your senators and taking action!
Queen Lindsay is a joke
Fellow South Carolinian Tim Scott:
https://video.foxnews.com/v/6301413883001/#sp=show-clips
Typical male behavior when talking to a woman as well as racist. Disgusting.
To continue to believe Trumps lies is tantamount to treason. There ought to be a heavy price for those who believe Biden lost the election. The truly flawed election was the previous one, as it now appears that Russia intervened illegally. Trump himself said that election was rigged. He was right.
BELIEFS cannot be the source of punishment. Those who purposely and relentlessly lie specifically to brainwash, or those who commit crimes to enforce their beliefs should be punished.
Apparently, Trump IS relentlessly lying, quite purposely.
Yep. He does it as easily as breathing.
Oh, please God - if she exists! This is the most qualified person in years
Wouldn't it be sweet if any of the hawleys, cruz's, etc end up being indicted, tried & found guilty for their Jan. 6 before and after activities... then appeal in such a way that the appeal ends up in the SCOTUS... and SHE's the deciding vote to deny the appeal?? I can hear the uproar now.... (just my little fantasy..)
I would love it if they got in trouble for being disgusting perverts. Most of them anyeays
I so agree..more qualified than the 3 under TFG all put together. I do not know which 34 senators are up for election this year but the Democrats running against them should use their horrible behavior of the past 3 days to defeat them.
Why can't certain people see through all these RWNJ lies and misdirection? It's a sad day when the average intelligence of these people (who are legally allowed to cast votes in this nation) is falling below a line that would indicate that they need a mental-health test/exam to see if they're sane.
It's all part of the dumbing down of America. Look at the popularity of many tv "reality" shows where grown adults flip tables and constantly bicker and fight (sometimes physically) like middle school children. Look at the high level of interest in what "celebrities" say, wear, have sex with, blah blah blah, as opposed to the levels of interest in serious news. (I bet a HUGE chunk of this country has no idea that Russia invaded Ukraine, or where either of those countries even are.... or if they're aware, has no idea what the history and issues and challenges there are..... or the parallels in our own country..... but name ANY popular pop singer, rapper, movie star or social media "influencer" and you'll get encyclopedic knowledge.
Most of this has its roots in the Reagan era. Charter schools. Firing union workers. Cutting taxes on the wealthy. Killing fair news programs. There's more...
When our supposed "Representatives" in Congress actually be forced to be our representatives instead of serving their own self interests? Unfortunately, Money runs the political system in this country even though Lobbying was illegal in the original Constitution. We should not allow outright racists be in our government. They do not serve all of their constituents nor the will of the people.
We can justifiably blame the so-called “supreme” court for the flow of bad money into politics. Google Valeo versus Buckley, the beginning of the oligarchy.
You may very well be wondering: What can I (an individual of limited financial means and no clout either) do to help restore our democracy and democratic values? Well, I am a senior living on a severely depleted retirement account (it will be gone in a month or two) and social security. I have little or no clout and try to manage against a vast malevolent network of corporations that includes my former employer (Macy*s) in the conglomerate_). I don't know that much of what I do achieves any results but, well, in the hope that some of you may get further ahead than I, I will tell you what I do--or try to do. 1--I write constant letters and emails to my elected representatives and officials at all levels of government and non-profit organizations. (My elected Congressperson happens to be Zoe Lofgren (California 19th district) who served on the Trump impeachment trials (prosecution side) and is currently serving on the Select Committee for 1/6) but I also write to businesses and corporations who have dealt with me unfairly and illegally (currently this includes amazon.com (or its affiliated/unaffiliated scam artists) as it considers me a mark for every scam/grift out there. I also write to progressive sites that solicit my feedback. Most of my written appeals and reports have little effect--or little present effect--as those running the sites do not consider my complaints and reports as anything but an annoyance. Once in a while, I find a receptive listener but I do not count on that and, if you go this way, you won't either, unless you have value as a contributor.) 2--I join and respond to organizations with programs that benefit education (all levels and particularly concerned with music, the one joy I still allow myself); public health and safety and consumer affairs. 3--I join in rallies and protest marches in downtown San Jose; I was particularly active in the rallies demanding the release of the income tax returns of the 45th president to the COngress and official offices. 4--I have worked as a poll worker for several years, you know, one of the people who spend a full day (8:00AM-12:00AM (midnight to the next day) signing people in, distributing ballots, and guiding people through the process. (I never engaged in any fraud whatsoever and resent the implications of the Trump team that I did so. I personally voted absentee when I served as we also had to vote and there was never time to do it on election day itself. Incidentally, I always vote and hope and expect that my vote is counted and duly registered. 5. I attend every single town hall held by Rep LOfgren and other members of the current government and, particularly, the political party in charge of (or behind and supportive of) committee assignments and judicial appointments. 6--I give a tiny (microscopic) amount of my income to viable, legitimate 501C charities and npos--generally those organizations that fund education (music, in particular); environmental causes; and, the rights of indigenous people in the US & Canada. Right now, my contributions (such as they are) are being exclusively sent to UNICEF Fund for Ukraine in honor of my personal hero and general role-model, an individual who is giving of his time and talents for Ukraine, the cellist Yo-Yo Ma. That is what I can do and have done and I reckon I will continue. I do know that very little of this will change the world or the larger picture of things but that is not my aim. If I can make the world a bit better for a little girl or boy in Ukraine (or Poland); if I can see policies through (or even just one policy) to make our massive government work for all the people (myself included); if I can help heal a sullied and broken planet; and if I can ensure that all people (including Ukrainians and Russians) have a better future, I will do it. I reckon that's about it. You may have other irons in the fire and that's all well-and-good; the important is to do something.
Lanae, you are an example to us all. And don’t think you’re not making any difference. An ocean is made up of drops of water and couldn’t exist without them. Hugs!!
There is one other thing I've started to do: Currently, Netflix is running the series from Ukrainian tv, "The Servant of the People," starring Volodyrmyr Zelenskyy who plays the role of the President of Ukraine and is currently---The President of Ukraine. I do not watch it for the comedy but, rather, to get a sense of what Ukraine is (was) nowadays and what it looked like before the Russian invasions. I did not know much about Ukraine beyond what I learned in school which was: "Ukraine is the Bread Basket of the entire Soviet Union." I would gather that agriculture still plays an outsize role in this nation and (perhaps) its loss with the breakup of the Soviet Union has also meant the loss of essential agricultural products (food!) for ordinary Russians. Rest assured, the Russian invasion of Ukraine will hit ordinary Ukrainians AND Russians hardest, the Putin oligarchs in Russia will skate free. It would be easy to blame the Russians for their blind obedience to their despot but it seems to me that we also have our share of blind folks who are following our own wannabe despot!
I have friends in Russia. I’m worried about them.
As well you (and all of us) should. The Russian military is comprised of a good number of conscripts, that is, teenagers who have been sent to the front on the direction of the government, through no choice of their own. As I understand it, they are facing well-trained Ukrainian soldiers who have the knowledge of weapons and technical support and are committed to defending their nation and protecting as many civilians as they can. I just read a fascinating article about the folktales that Ukrainian and Russian children hear at bedtime, the thesis being that such tales tell us all a lot about the Ukrainian and the Russian approaches to the ongoing invasion. (This initially sounds improbable but I think there's a lot of truth in what the folklorists and child development researchers have discovered.) In Ukraine, the hero, the one who fights a strong and invincible foreign enemy is always the underdog, the doubtful hero who, through courage, perseverance and determination (and intelligence) manages to win the day. In Russia, the hero is generally an underdog as well and seems likely to remain an underdog but, by a stroke of pure luck, a magic fairy or, more likely, a super-horse magically appears, carries the hero away--and saves the day...the hero relies on magic as he generally is passive. Hm.....I guess this is a case of life imitating art (folktales).
That does say a lot.
Lanae ; As many as 8,000 Russian citizens have been arrested beaten and detained, and they face 20 years in prison for the 'crime' of protesting the war on Ukraine. That number was as of a week ago.
I still think there is a grain of truth in the folktales but I am also not denying the courageous protests of many Russians. They are caught in a trap and forced to play a role that seems to be a tragic one for all concerned.
Their 'democracy' under Putin is a dictatorship!
YES! and Lanae may never know the number of others that her activities have influenced for the good. For all she knows, some young person may have been so inspired by her work that they decided to march, or vote, or get others registered to vote, OR run for office themselves.
The smallest thing can change a life, MM. 😀
Lanae, you sound like a person that puts his money where his mouth is. You are an inspiration and should be rewarded for your efforts. Keep the good work.
"Well, I am a senior living on a severely depleted retirement account (it will be gone in a month or two) and social security." When the money is gone, if you do not own a home, because you live in California and can get financial assistance to supplement your Social Security. You paid taxes, all your life, and California will be there to help.
The militant army of capitalists who rule this country don’t care about retirees. They care only about profits. That’s why capitalism needs to be highly regulated.
I have given up on my Reptilian US congressman, who is sold out to the Big Lie and the predominant industry in Florida, real-estate development, of which he is a member.
Did you feel embarrassed watching that hearing? I did. This is what we have become. This is what we are today. This wasn't some fool blabbing around the water cooler. These were people WE elected to the highest offices in the country. If you want to see why most democracies fail, watch a recording of that hearing. What a gift to Putin or any autocrat. What a display of America standing before the world with its pants down! America produced those people, capitalism produced those people, Harvard produced those people, WE produced those people. And none of us want to admit it. What a beautiful person Judge Jackson is and how lucky "we" are to have produced such a person in the America of today. How lucky Harvard was to get her when they turn out a Tom Cruz and a Josh Hawley. When you see an elected representative treat a distinguished nominee to the Supreme Court with such vulgarity, what do you think when you look in the mirror? I don't like what I see in that mirror. I didn't vote for any of those representatives, but I am damn sure a part of the culture, the government that produced them.
Janet, thanks for the reply. First of all, they are traitors to themselves or maybe a base was never formed. You're right, it is horrifying to watch, and horror carries fear. There is an old word the Greeks used, virtue. Who could you identify in that crowd as virtuous?
I heard only one.
These Republicans may face consequences if their leader, Donald Trump, is prosecuted for the multiple charges connected with his attempt to overthrow the US government, as recommended by Laurence Tribe and Donald Aftergut in their editorial in The Guardian. Otherwise, extremist Republicans will continue to be emboldened by their confidence in Trump's impunity, and their own.
Long overdue!
Crimes should not pay. The only justification for keeping the prison open at Guantanamo, is to put Drumpf there, dressed in orange.
Josh Hawley is not the only one racist in the group. Incompetence is not the point here. They hate the fact that an educated, well trained and not racist woman, like judge Brown, could not get to that level without kissing the behind of a white racist in suit. They have learnt how to manipulate the questionings to downgrade other individuals to their lower levels as Senators. It’s all anti woman and anti American.The main objective is to stop Kamala Harris to ever become president of this country.
The point that they will not tell to their constituents is to never let Biden die in office and not protect Mrs. Harris.
This type of behavior will trigger the White Nationalists, The Neo-Nazis,the QAnons to take action without laying the blame on the instigators. Trump is still doing it! They posted three (3) white “SCOTUS” to feed their racist agenda even though they themselves might no be racists!!!
Feeding the beast is their dangerous agenda. Naming Judge Brown will not change the dynamics of the court in term of numbers but will free the dissents by the others on the Court. The solution is to Build-the-Court and even the playing field .
"Despicable"? You are too kind. The Republican party - not a party anymore, an evil "cabale" - is the most dangerous organization ever (Noam Chomsky). Their power, unopposed by the Democrats, accelerates our movement toward the extinction of humanity either rapidly by nuclear war or slowly by global warming. Desperately looking for a third feasible path that would save us from extinction. Would appreciate references to such.
When you say third feasible path do you mean other than Republicans and Democrats? I just read an article proposing that we go to proportional representation like they have in Europe. This has pros and cons of course and probably won’t happen until our demographics change more, but it does help give rise to multiple parties. That’s one idea. Another is just to protest massively. Every time there’s a catastrophic event related to climate change more people are affected. Eventually no one will be able to ignore it. Of course by then it might be too late. I’m just brainstorming here. Oh, there’s another article that said that allocating 2% of the US budget would be enough to effectively fight climate change, so maybe a two percent movement?
No, a third party (and a fourth, and a fifth) does not guarantee a doable path to sustain life in societies as we have been privileged to have known it. And it is not feasible in the US currently - Read the book of the lady lawyer who managed Ralph Nader's presidential campaigns: "Grand Illusion". She documents the hundreds of obstacles the duopoly has erected and enforces to maintain their exclusive grip on power. Additionally, as long as we have Citizens United with its legal tsunamis of anonymous money giving the means to hoodwink most of the population via the propaganda machine, a parliamentary system would soon be captured by the same donors. The Green New Deal will not save us, Technology does not look like it can save us. A global revolution might? Societies have had many bloody revolutions that produced no change (The Arab Spring recently). There are ideas, but how to make them become reality. One I like is turning ourselves into knowledge societies. (1) Unlike the earth resources, knowledge is infinite. (2) If i pass on knowledge to you, I still have my knowledge, not so if I give you my car. (3) Crossing fields of knowledge lead to the acceleration of the expansion of knowledge. (from a video with a Frenchman whose name I forget) Let's all become scientists, writers, musicians, painters. Let the machines produce the goods. No more obscene and unjust inequalities. No more playing casino with other peoples' money Just an idea. We would have the stern opposition of all who consider that ignorance is bliss. If 99% of species have become extinct, why would we be the exception? (Writing is thinking: you helped me think, And I enjoyed it. Thank you
Observe the parliamentary system of the UK and despair.
The members of parliament were the "Masters of Mankind" living by their "Vile Maxim: All for us and nothing for the rest" (Adam Smith "The Wealth of Nations" 1776) and remember the Corn Laws in the British parliament then. This has been the way human societies have been organized for the last 11,000 years, with varying degrees of inequality. Whatever the dominant system: slavery, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, communism, kings and Parliaments. Only after cataclysmic events did inequality collapse: Wars, Pandemics, revolutions and societal collapse (Walter Scheidel 'The Great Leveler" 2017) And inequality started to increase again immediately after.
Ah, you’re talking about utopian societies. I like your idea but can you really see Ted Cruz becoming an artist? I can see him now in his leather jacket climbing up to reach a billboard with his can of spray paint. But seriously, I agree: how do you get from here to there? Gene Roddenberry never explained that. (I like thinking too. 😀)
I completely agree 100% Dr. Reich. Would you call this another example of CANCEL CULTURE?" I think "cancel culture" has always existed. What has changed is that it has become more public through television and social media, and is now being used as a tool consistently to make others look bad, even when they didn't do anything, by making it seem like they did. How do we put a stop to it on social media, schools and in politics? I'm not really familiar with slander laws but it seems we need to take another look at these. What do you think?
I don't know the form of these individuals,apart from Lyndsay Graham who appears on UK tv news occasionally to chilling effect,but the tactics seem very familiar.If you want to take down someone with views to the centre or left of yours but that person is impeccably competent then you smear them with previously unimaginable crimes.The mental disorder of the new right is matched by masterful social media manipulation techniques that can result in gaslighting sizeable parts of the electorate. The application of these methods into senate hearings is equally disturbing however as this partisanship corrodes the highest levels of government.This ultimately favours tyranny over democracy,a joy to the Putins of this world.
The gop has no bottom, and they will pay no price. In fact, from what I can tell, they seem to be winning. I'm sure there will be scathing histories written, but I feel like it is a minority of people who even read such things anymore.
RHH ; Just remember that the majority of the people (humans) elected Biden over tRump. We are all still here and have more power than the billionaires. We don't have to buy their stuff.
They would pay if we threaten their sponsors and make good on that threat!
It's a nice thought, but the billionaire donor class is pretty insulated from us peons. You might get some PR moves like when corporations paused their donations after Jan 6. But even after that, everything went back to the status quo.
Same old s___ under the Reptilians.
Let's have a negativity festival! Crush even a thought about how to push back! I would like to see if there are any ideas, like boycott the MSM for not reporting anything but how we all lose! No wonder some have given up!
It's not about being negative or positive or crushing anything. I just happen to not agree with your proposed solution.
RHH ; It's not meant to be a personal attack; I just get the same message on mainstream media so often. It would be great to brainstorm ideas to use our collective power to fight back! Got any ideas? I give to candidates what I can afford, also to progressive groups supporting the Common Good.
I think the way to make them pay is via Stacey Abrams-like approach to getting out the vote and overcoming the voter suppression in contested districts. After that, hope that there are enough Dems that are not beholden to corporate interests who will be willing to pass voter rights and campaign reform laws, and then reform the courts when SCOTUS strikes those laws down.