What a difference between the world we are observing today (after the real election fraud of TFG & Pootin in 2016) versus what we could be seeing had HRC not been cheated out of being our first woman President.
I suggest it would be many magnitudes better. The damage these two autocrats have done to democracy will take years to repair if repair is even possible. Damn.
All of the above...Sounds like an alternate history novel--triple damn! Sigh--if only! but it wasn't, so let's remember but not let these things happen again. Thank you for your insight and perspective and clear thoughts; and cartoons!
I still remember that JFK (with brother AG Bobby) was planning to do something about the federal reserve just before he was assassinated. I remember 11/22/63 like yesterday. It was the worst day so far in my young life.
I remember that day too, down to the details one normally forgets. From that day on and right up till today, we lived (live) in another world. Lofty thoughts, idealistic dreams, hopeful plans and proposals, are the stuff of pre-1963. Instead, our leaders strive to provide the most significant benefits to the already well-to-do; the crises many face are swept under the rug until the next campaign and election (something that never really arrives as NOW); the past marked by advances and achievements is forgotten or actually forced into inactive and null-and-void territory. It reminds me of something Trump declared during one of his declaration-periods: "No one knows why the Civil War was fought," Really, no one knows? (I am sure he doesn't but that's another matter.) What this kind of amnesia or ignorance means is that we are doomed to keep fighting the Civil War in perpetuity, that we never get beyond it. In like fashion: we have gone through Gilded Ages before and there is always going to be a tendency to favor the welthy and the well-endowed. But, well, we are now reliving what Theodore Roosevelt tried to disband and FDR took on in the time of an earlier depression. It would be nice to remember those who have sacrificed to get where we were when we made a modicum of progress but since our national memory is severely limited, we are doomed to fight the same battles, make the same flawed decisions, choose the same corrupt and sociopathic leaders (Trump may be an extreme replication of an earlier model), again and again. Discouraging and so wasteful of so many talented, thoughtful, and altruistic folks on the periphery of an age in which they are declared unfit or naive or unreasonable. A true mess and who knows when/if it will end. I believe it will but we will end up behind our starting point *once again) so we will have to run to catch up....again. And of course there will be the usual crowd of nay-sayers who, having secured and feathered their own nests, will be busily ripping down the tiny nests of other birds.
I agree that Bernie was screwed over in 2016, but having Hillary, who is this monster you describe, would still have the country in way better shape today and voting rights, LGBTQ rights, and, women’s right to body autonomy wouldn’t be in the danger they currently are.
Remember that when Bill was president with her help they gave at least a feeble attempt at universal health care. TFG has ruined this country, possibly beyond repair and that has to be our main concern now. Airing these old grievances accomplish nothing.
The demise of main stream media to be in consolidated into six major corporations — that’s more of the fault of Ronald Reagan when he killed a Fairness Doctrine.
That’s not good. Tulsi Gabbard is another Russian operative. If you support that foolish woman then I know you’re not thinking straight. Even with all those other things being true Bernie still would’ve needed a cooperative Democratic Congress to work with.
I would add to your comment the differences today if Al Gore had also not been cheated of the presidency and efforts to combat climate change. Double damn.
The Republicans would have made HRC’s presidency a misery and she would not have been able to do anything. Trump is not our only problem. Republicans want total control of our government and they think Trump can get it for them and, I guess they think they can control him. If Trump is unavailable, i.e. In jail, they will find someone else.
Rep. Cawthorn charged with driving with revoked license. Not to correct your spelling but to bring out his total disrespect for the law. He is ABOVE the law. Or so he thinks. Although he has not been charged and jailed for any of them. And the correct spelling of cawthorn is Asshole. :-)
When asked "how are you?" I typically like to respond: "I just can't wait to wake up in the morning . . . just to see what hair-brained horse-s@@t comes down the pike next!' LOL! ];-)>
I go by a notion from the old comic strip "B.C," if you remember it. One caveman laughs hysterically through two or 3 frames, until the other perplexed caveman finally asks "what's so funny." The laugher replies simply "He who laughs lasts!"
Did you see today's B.C.? I can't copy it, but first box: two worms sticking out of the sand -- One says "Morning, Phil." Phil says, "Hi, Benny." Then Phil says, "Watcha up to?" Benny says, "Just eatin' dirt, poopin' it, then eatin' it again." Last clip, referring to two cave men lounging nearby, Benny says, "Yet we contribute more to the world than those things."
The despicable Putin is targeting civilians on purpose- the despicable Trump sent his supporters on an attack against our own bastion of democracy. Kim, Orban, Xi and a too-long list of other tyrants would do no less given the circumstances. But there is one hopeful difference here in the US; Trump was turned out of office! There was never one like him before and we can never let there be another.
Absolutely. The fact that our system rejected Trump and prevented his attempted coup is a testament to the continued strength of American democracy. But we need to keep working hard to preserve it. As you know, Republican state legislatures are working hard to erode or destroy it.
I apologize profusely for my state senator, Tom Cotton. We currently have a new candidate running against Boozman. He, Jake Bequette, is Cotton 2.0. Both Tom Cotton and Jake Bequette are both REMF's. REMF stands for Rear Echelon Mother F****ers. The ones who hide back in safety and only come out onto the battlefield when it is secured by real warriors.
Only thing I can tell people is follow the money of politicians who are up for election.
In my mind Trump was playing from Wilson's play book and didn't manage to do as much damage but Trump is more recent so I can see why he's more top of mind but Wilson:
- Showed "Birth of a Nation" from the Whitehouse therefore reviving the KKK - a home grown terrorist organization which ignored whatever legal rules they so desired to instill terror in U.S. citizens.
- He resegregated the Federal government
- He invaded Russia, which it could be argued planted the seeds we're still dealing with today.
- He invaded Haiti, which while not the only cause certainly did help to make it one of the poorest countries in the world.
All that to say that while I'm hardly a Trump supporter I think we have to keep things in perspective Wilson did *far* more damage that we're still dealing with.
You're incredibly optimistic...a good thing. A good person. I believe we can change things with the right know-how. First, we need to get communication lines cleaned up...get rid of organizations like Fox News, Qanon, remove liars from the airwaves, etc. Second, we need to get people "cleaned up." By that I mean, educated properly with the ability to analyze and make good decisions. It's also likely most people need some "healing" of some sort emotionally. More later. Already up too late.
Couldn't agree more about the need for civic education, beginning in the early years. People need to learn how to absorb news critically, as well as their rights and duties as participants in a democracy. I've been working on a citizenship education curriculum which I'll share with you when I get it into reasonable shape.
Can't wait for that education curriculum! Meanwhile, is there anything that can be done to stop states from disenfranchising voters based on their status as poor or those with whom the despicables ( anti democrats), disagree?
Laurie, what I believe we all need to do is go to those neighborhoods that are most affected, on Nov 8, and give rides, knock doors, help people to get to the polls, whatever we can to make sure that those being disenfranchised are not, after all. And of course, VOTE ourselves!
We need to remember what was repeated in Noam Chomsky’s Requiem for the American Dream. “John Dewey, the leading social philosopher in the late 20th century, argued that until all institutions, production, commerce, media, are all under participatory democratic control we will not have a functioning democratic society.” Repugs have read and understand this and have already started the process 60 years ago to effect the opposite results. It’s up to the Dems to play catch up and correct the damage that has already been done. Nixon appointed Lewis Powell to the Supreme Court. Then Reagan was elected and started breaking the union’s and deregulation of Commerce, bailing out banks all at the expense of the American people. Reagan was great at remembering his lines and sounding sincere. Now they are back to banning/burning books attempting to hide the truth of our history.
It has been many years (about 1990) since I taught first and second grade combination classroom. My principal at the time was very supportive of me trying new ideas. I wrote a paper about our class titled Democracy in the Classroom. For young children I don't believe it is about gimmicks. It's about the rights and responsibilities we give them to be fully participating and co-creating their classroom community. That doesn't mean abdicating adult responsibilities. There is much more than I can explain here. Things like having classroom meetings where as a group children are invited to evaluate, discuss, and revise their classroom rules.
Very interesting. So, it gave them some "real world" sort of experience? I like that idea. Wonder how it worked out. Did they like participating? Were there any problems that arose out of this? Seems to me that this could be very healthy and a way to start learning about how to participate in society...realizing "your power," so to speak, at a younger age.
It was more about functioning as a community. Too much to write about here. But for example, playground and behavior problems were explored and resolved in classroom meetings. We shared materials instead of each having their own box. We didn’t have separate seats. We had a number of tables so children could sit anywhere to do their work. Once someone proposed separate seats. We had a class meeting and agreed to label the tables with each child’s name so they would have assigned seats. After a short time they requested a meeting and it was decided to go back to open seating. The PE and Music teachers said this class was best at working together.
It's the "cleaned up" part of 2d.m's comment that worries me. It seems to "toe the line" of "reeducation," which carries a historic burden of "reeducation camps" and the like. I have no problem with a proper civic education - if you can get the folks identified for "cleaning up" to buy into it. But >they're< even attempting to outlaw courses nobody's teaching - just in case, I'm sure! As for my observation about "politically correct," I'm sure you're aware that's part-and-parcel of current political antagonism. Please forgive my uppityness here.
Not at all what I meant. I never mentioned "reeducation camps." This is something you came up with all on your own. Getting rid of disinformation and replacing it with accurate information in the news could be considered a "clean up." Wars start with disinformation, misinformation, insinuation, deception, betrayal. Please don't characterize me like this.
The only disinformation here is characterizing what I said way you have here. >I never said< you were talking about reeducation camps. Neither did I imply or attempt to imply such a thing. I said I was uncomfortable with the notion of "cleaned up," and the impact that kind of haughty language has on me, along with the ideas closely related in my mind that are the source of my concern. So I suggest the first place you start getting rid of disinformation is to avoid mischaracterizing an honestly stated concern, rather than knee-jerking an inaccurate or inappropriate response.
You are so right! And, as you said, a dialog can be appropriate to clarify and better understand. I also think a lot of misunderstandings are due to the triggering of previous negative experiences (perhaps triggered by a word or a phrase)......so a person isn't really there to hear what the other person is really saying. Instead, the words are interpreted through the past negative experience. Best to try to "stay in present time" and listen and make sure one understands all the words being used. I'm sure most of us don't get it right all the time. We just have to practice "really being there" when someone else is talking with the intent of really trying to understand....sort of like going to a class and trying to get all you can out of it. Not to get too serious or anything! LOL.
Interesting challenges! Just because a person knows what they want to prevent, does not mean that another person can't game it to everyone's detriment! In other words; "Just because you're 'paranoid' does not mean you're not being followed". P.S. DZK ; I'm not calling you paranoid, but I see how good intentions can be turned around and weaponized. Our opponents are good at that!
A lesson from Goedel concerning mathematics is worth mentioning here. He proves that it's logically impossible to prove the validity of mathematics mathematically. (I'm one of the relatively few you'll ever come across who has read "Goedel, Escher, Bach" in its entirety, although thus far I'm a miserable failure with "The Tao of Physics! LOL! ];-)> )
UH OH! That makes me as nervous as I got the first time I heard uttered the notion of "politically correct!" It just sounds . . . so . . . Soviet. Besides, what do you think the opposition has in mind for >all of us??<
DZK ; Wish I had seen it. But whatever I might want, we all need to be on our best 'game' to deal with the wicked wicked world. Democracy is a living breathing thing, it's people need to keep it alive.
Yes, the Ukrainian people are showing the world that they are united and will fight back against tyrant Putin. Hopefully, Americans will unite against our own domestic tyrants, and preserve what we have left of our democracy.
I too was wrong about the 21st century. I thought electing our first Black president indicated a fundamental change in this country. I took Mitch McConnell’s words to be just political rhetoric. Sadly, Professor, neither of us reckoned with human nature. The capacity for evil and doing harm to our fellow human beings has not been overcome.
I warned at the time: "I think it's just a bit early to be getting all ecstatic." People are always to anxious to have the bulls@@t behind them. In the case of Obama, it was the wishful thinking that racism was over and we had all become egalitarian. Folks who felt that way failed to account for those who voted against him.
Thank you, Robert. While we watch the devastation of Ukraine and its brave people, we should be shaken and awaken to how much they care about defending Democracy, to the point of giving their lives. One word in your piece stood out for me: complacency. I hear complaints from friends and relatives who call to bemoan the state of the world, Ukraine, our Nation but they do nothing. Perhaps they feel powerless or are lazy or don't know how. My suggestion is to take action from something small like putting stamps on envelopes to writing to our legislators to aligning with an activist group like VoteFwd.org to get out the vote, or as In a response below, get people registered to vote. There is an orange serpent coiled in a dark place in the sunny state of Florida preparing to strike. He will succeed with the swish of his tail, bringing along his snakelets to shore him up IF we remain "complacent" and do not stand up to be heard. We cannot afford to remain complacent. We cannot turn from the reality of the news because it is too painful to watch. We must educate and inform. We must take a positive action. Register people to vote, write to those in power, write to those who don't vote. VoteFwd.org has lists by state of democrats who are undecided or don't vote. We are writing millions of letters to send out in October of this year in time for 2022 midterms. One of my favorite quotes: Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. - Margaret Mead
Thanks Lee Anne, it’s people like you, ones who say “what can I do?” and find their “something!” that gives me hope. All of us can do something! It’s not too late and this election cycle is critical. Let’s all join Lee Anne! You don’t even have to leave your house if you’re unable to get out. Write your letters and someone will come and get them, pay the postage and take them to the post office. Call your local Democratic Party and get their help. Donate to candidates if you can. Stand in line for hours to vote if you must. Whatever it takes, it must be done. I’m going to join Lee Anne in the letter writing campaign! You can too!
Thank you, Robert! I was not looking for kudos in any way. Many people are doing much more! I confess that I sat during certain times, complained, and did nothing. I discovered it created a sense of powerlessness, anger, and even hate, which is not me! I realized I could channel those negative feelings into a passion of positive action. Negativity and fear permeates our news, the reality of bombs falling on Ukraine, injuring women, children, men who are valiant in their fight. AND, divisive rhetoric in our country is all about fear as well as dumbing down debates to calling people names, diminishing human dignity. I am going to say something and I don't want people to misunderstand, but I believe the U.S. is already at war. We are just avoiding the reality and, thus, holding back in Ukraine AND in our own wonderful country. I do not propose 'boots on the ground' in Ukraine nor that our troops fly the much-needed planes. However, we are a creative people and can find ways to get the much needed planes to Ukraine. And, we are innovative enough to overcome the dire predictions for Democrats in 2022 and 2024...if we're still here! So, let's get people registered and voting. Thank you, again, for you fired me up to write 10 more letters today. (BTW: I "believe" the VoteFwd.org has a fund to help people with limited incomes with the cost of postage.) Onward ...💜🌈
Still, people need to hear that we can do something and you found your something. If we all, or most of us, do something, there can be change. Actually, you embody the idea of “be the change you seek” and that is deserving of kudos.
Invoking Gandhi's "Be the change you want to see in the world" is something I aspire to ... but it can be so hard to do, at times. Thank you for your kind words. 🙏
Thank you. I've had that quote above my kitchen window for a few years. It is an obvious reminder/prod for me, and for everyone who enters my home. I'd did not know it was a quotation from Gandhi, even though I read the 'Gandhi' book and saw the movie, twice.
Robert you are absolutely correct in your current beliefs. Before Putin invaded Ukraine I had hopes as you believed, but deep down inside I saw with icky leaders like Putin and Trump destruction and anarchy were very possible.
Yes, Lucy, the awful reality that tRump even attained the Oval office was mindblowing! The fact that there seemed to be no plan or remedy in our laws and defense to correct that awful event hammered it in. A bad guy was installed by oligarchs here and from outside our country by dark money and misinformation. He was able to install bad actors where we had patriots. Some of those are still in power!
Yes, and the challenge for us here continues. We can't be passive in light of what Republican state legislatures are doing -- suppressing votes, taking over electoral machinery, banning teaching of our racist history, banning books. We need an active, engaged, powerful pro-democracy movement in America.
Sobering to wake to this morning, and I agree, Mr. Reich. One of the few bright spots is the leadership of President Zelensky, a comedian no less. And it's a reminder that people like Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and John Oliver have played a beneficial role in our own discourse.
Yes. I credit Stephen Colbert for keeping me sane since Trump's astounding and incomprehensible election. After a full day of heart-rending news, I turn to him for relief. When he goes on vacation my mood plummets.
1) that improvement in material wellbeing due to globalization( transfer of technologies, productive investments, etc.. ) would deter human beings from risking war and would promote peace.
2) that the view of distress and suffering by immediately accessible videos/photos would create large/global scale empathy that stops agression at its core.
All wrong assumptions if political structures let bad actors become autocrats having full control of powerful hierarchies.
I never shared your optimism, Robert, being a child raised on the wrong side during WWII. I see our worldwide problems caused by the ready availability of cheap fossil fuels and the absence of real democracy of the people. Our representative democracy unfortunately does not represent the needs and wishes of the people; it is too often perverted by big money and large egos. After the era of cheap fossil fuels, I see a wonderful future created by bioregional communities living a sustainable life of sufficiency. The future will be local, if there is to be a future..
I understand to overwhelming disappointments & pain of crushed dreams & hopes to attain a Humane, Free Living & Just society not corrupted by the forces of power & greed.
Yet division of the masses is a tool that is a prize for those who would repeatedly destroy all we hold dear.
Today the stakes are the highest I have ever seen in my nearly 73 yrs of life.
Without Genuine Democracy that stands for “We the People “- we will all loose. Today those losses amount to a future for our children and a habitable planet.
Perhaps fighting for true Democracy is not a luxury but the force we must all unite with to survive!
As we focus on Trump and Putin, let's don't lose sight of the actions of our lawmakers who continue to support Trump, continue to spread conspiracy theories, and continue to be obstructive as they vote for authoritarianism against democracy and the interests of the American people as a whole.
We need to stop shrugging our shoulders and looking away from corruption. Now we see what it can lead to. This real threat of a war with Putin and our own despicable tRump may just unite us as people were united in the past, like Vietnam war resisters, civil rights advocates and even those who lived through Word Wars! Sadly it has to get really bad before people finally Stand! Listen to Sly and the Family Stone in the song 'Stand!". Very inspiring.
The republican party has been working against democracy for a long time and the oddity of our Constitution allows them to keep getting elected. Even when they lose by overall convincing numbers, they are just a breath away from running the whole show.
They were ok with Putin until he invaded and they know they can't support the horrors of that invasion but they would support trump again. They don't want the people to be educated and keep killing bills that would help. Like Putin, they believe in total destruction. They just aren't dropping physical bombs.
If McCarthy becomes the majority leader, one his first priorities will be to impeach Biden, even though there's no reason for it. If they get the house and the senate, Biden will get even less than he can get now. Now it's Manchin and Sinema holding him up. The great senate moderates like Susan Collins will never have the courage to vote moderately.
I've been watching this cancer grow for a long time and I see the media still trying to do this even handedness, pretending that the republicans are a responsible party. I see them come on CNN to talk about Ukraine. Now they are fierce defenders but they supported trump withholding weapons. But they pound Biden for being weak and neither them nor their interviewers like Jake Tapper talk about the mess they left behind, the near destruction of NATO. Biden has done a masterful job putting it back together and never gets any credit for it.
As long as the republicans hold power, our democracy is in danger.
I completely agree with you on what Biden managed to accomplish diplomatically. He knew taking Putin head-on was a loser proposition. He did the one thing Putin's favorite foreign agent - ol' Tweety - attempted to prevent. He got NATO on the same page. The Q-publicans will continue harping on how Biden failed to prevent Ukraine, when a 5 year old with any sense could've figured out that what Putin had in mind to do is what Putin would eventually do. The only thing possible - therefore - would be to insure all allies were on the same side of the issue - and that's diplomacy.
What a difference between the world we are observing today (after the real election fraud of TFG & Pootin in 2016) versus what we could be seeing had HRC not been cheated out of being our first woman President.
I suggest it would be many magnitudes better. The damage these two autocrats have done to democracy will take years to repair if repair is even possible. Damn.
And if the 2000 election hadn't been stolen from Al Gore. And if Bobby Kennedy hadn't been killed in the 1968 primaries.
All of the above...Sounds like an alternate history novel--triple damn! Sigh--if only! but it wasn't, so let's remember but not let these things happen again. Thank you for your insight and perspective and clear thoughts; and cartoons!
I still remember that JFK (with brother AG Bobby) was planning to do something about the federal reserve just before he was assassinated. I remember 11/22/63 like yesterday. It was the worst day so far in my young life.
I remember that day too, down to the details one normally forgets. From that day on and right up till today, we lived (live) in another world. Lofty thoughts, idealistic dreams, hopeful plans and proposals, are the stuff of pre-1963. Instead, our leaders strive to provide the most significant benefits to the already well-to-do; the crises many face are swept under the rug until the next campaign and election (something that never really arrives as NOW); the past marked by advances and achievements is forgotten or actually forced into inactive and null-and-void territory. It reminds me of something Trump declared during one of his declaration-periods: "No one knows why the Civil War was fought," Really, no one knows? (I am sure he doesn't but that's another matter.) What this kind of amnesia or ignorance means is that we are doomed to keep fighting the Civil War in perpetuity, that we never get beyond it. In like fashion: we have gone through Gilded Ages before and there is always going to be a tendency to favor the welthy and the well-endowed. But, well, we are now reliving what Theodore Roosevelt tried to disband and FDR took on in the time of an earlier depression. It would be nice to remember those who have sacrificed to get where we were when we made a modicum of progress but since our national memory is severely limited, we are doomed to fight the same battles, make the same flawed decisions, choose the same corrupt and sociopathic leaders (Trump may be an extreme replication of an earlier model), again and again. Discouraging and so wasteful of so many talented, thoughtful, and altruistic folks on the periphery of an age in which they are declared unfit or naive or unreasonable. A true mess and who knows when/if it will end. I believe it will but we will end up behind our starting point *once again) so we will have to run to catch up....again. And of course there will be the usual crowd of nay-sayers who, having secured and feathered their own nests, will be busily ripping down the tiny nests of other birds.
I agree that Bernie was screwed over in 2016, but having Hillary, who is this monster you describe, would still have the country in way better shape today and voting rights, LGBTQ rights, and, women’s right to body autonomy wouldn’t be in the danger they currently are.
Remember that when Bill was president with her help they gave at least a feeble attempt at universal health care. TFG has ruined this country, possibly beyond repair and that has to be our main concern now. Airing these old grievances accomplish nothing.
The demise of main stream media to be in consolidated into six major corporations — that’s more of the fault of Ronald Reagan when he killed a Fairness Doctrine.
And as for crimes committed on January 6, they tried to overthrow our government just where would you draw the line?
That’s not good. Tulsi Gabbard is another Russian operative. If you support that foolish woman then I know you’re not thinking straight. Even with all those other things being true Bernie still would’ve needed a cooperative Democratic Congress to work with.
Mmmm... Nader wasn't on the ballot though...
I would add to your comment the differences today if Al Gore had also not been cheated of the presidency and efforts to combat climate change. Double damn.
You're right about that. Yes, double damn indeed.
The Republicans would have made HRC’s presidency a misery and she would not have been able to do anything. Trump is not our only problem. Republicans want total control of our government and they think Trump can get it for them and, I guess they think they can control him. If Trump is unavailable, i.e. In jail, they will find someone else.
Agreed. But it would be very satisfying to see Drumpf behind bars wearing a t-shirt that says “Crimes don’t pay.”
Unfortunately, the repuglicans have no shortage of horrible backup candidates.
Yes, I guess Mitch is too old, Mitt is a lava lamp, and Madison Cawthan (sp?) is too young.
Rep. Cawthorn charged with driving with revoked license. Not to correct your spelling but to bring out his total disrespect for the law. He is ABOVE the law. Or so he thinks. Although he has not been charged and jailed for any of them. And the correct spelling of cawthorn is Asshole. :-)
That guy makes me so mad I could spit. Calling Zelenskyy a thug was the last straw.
What surprises await in the following two -three -four years. Seems there is always more.
When asked "how are you?" I typically like to respond: "I just can't wait to wake up in the morning . . . just to see what hair-brained horse-s@@t comes down the pike next!' LOL! ];-)>
Your sense of humor has adapted you well to the present! We should add a chapter to Darwin’s book on Humor As An Adaptive Mechanism.
I go by a notion from the old comic strip "B.C," if you remember it. One caveman laughs hysterically through two or 3 frames, until the other perplexed caveman finally asks "what's so funny." The laugher replies simply "He who laughs lasts!"
Did you see today's B.C.? I can't copy it, but first box: two worms sticking out of the sand -- One says "Morning, Phil." Phil says, "Hi, Benny." Then Phil says, "Watcha up to?" Benny says, "Just eatin' dirt, poopin' it, then eatin' it again." Last clip, referring to two cave men lounging nearby, Benny says, "Yet we contribute more to the world than those things."
I wasn't aware that old strip was even still around! It's been a long time since the funnies, for me.
Time will tell...
The despicable Putin is targeting civilians on purpose- the despicable Trump sent his supporters on an attack against our own bastion of democracy. Kim, Orban, Xi and a too-long list of other tyrants would do no less given the circumstances. But there is one hopeful difference here in the US; Trump was turned out of office! There was never one like him before and we can never let there be another.
Absolutely. The fact that our system rejected Trump and prevented his attempted coup is a testament to the continued strength of American democracy. But we need to keep working hard to preserve it. As you know, Republican state legislatures are working hard to erode or destroy it.
I apologize profusely for my state senator, Tom Cotton. We currently have a new candidate running against Boozman. He, Jake Bequette, is Cotton 2.0. Both Tom Cotton and Jake Bequette are both REMF's. REMF stands for Rear Echelon Mother F****ers. The ones who hide back in safety and only come out onto the battlefield when it is secured by real warriors.
Only thing I can tell people is follow the money of politicians who are up for election.
We're not counting Woodrow Wilson then?
@Carl Parrish. Nope. Non sequitur...
In my mind Trump was playing from Wilson's play book and didn't manage to do as much damage but Trump is more recent so I can see why he's more top of mind but Wilson:
- Showed "Birth of a Nation" from the Whitehouse therefore reviving the KKK - a home grown terrorist organization which ignored whatever legal rules they so desired to instill terror in U.S. citizens.
- He resegregated the Federal government
- He invaded Russia, which it could be argued planted the seeds we're still dealing with today.
- He invaded Haiti, which while not the only cause certainly did help to make it one of the poorest countries in the world.
All that to say that while I'm hardly a Trump supporter I think we have to keep things in perspective Wilson did *far* more damage that we're still dealing with.
You're incredibly optimistic...a good thing. A good person. I believe we can change things with the right know-how. First, we need to get communication lines cleaned up...get rid of organizations like Fox News, Qanon, remove liars from the airwaves, etc. Second, we need to get people "cleaned up." By that I mean, educated properly with the ability to analyze and make good decisions. It's also likely most people need some "healing" of some sort emotionally. More later. Already up too late.
Couldn't agree more about the need for civic education, beginning in the early years. People need to learn how to absorb news critically, as well as their rights and duties as participants in a democracy. I've been working on a citizenship education curriculum which I'll share with you when I get it into reasonable shape.
Can't wait for that education curriculum! Meanwhile, is there anything that can be done to stop states from disenfranchising voters based on their status as poor or those with whom the despicables ( anti democrats), disagree?
Laurie, what I believe we all need to do is go to those neighborhoods that are most affected, on Nov 8, and give rides, knock doors, help people to get to the polls, whatever we can to make sure that those being disenfranchised are not, after all. And of course, VOTE ourselves!
And things like race, color or creed?
We need to remember what was repeated in Noam Chomsky’s Requiem for the American Dream. “John Dewey, the leading social philosopher in the late 20th century, argued that until all institutions, production, commerce, media, are all under participatory democratic control we will not have a functioning democratic society.” Repugs have read and understand this and have already started the process 60 years ago to effect the opposite results. It’s up to the Dems to play catch up and correct the damage that has already been done. Nixon appointed Lewis Powell to the Supreme Court. Then Reagan was elected and started breaking the union’s and deregulation of Commerce, bailing out banks all at the expense of the American people. Reagan was great at remembering his lines and sounding sincere. Now they are back to banning/burning books attempting to hide the truth of our history.
It has been many years (about 1990) since I taught first and second grade combination classroom. My principal at the time was very supportive of me trying new ideas. I wrote a paper about our class titled Democracy in the Classroom. For young children I don't believe it is about gimmicks. It's about the rights and responsibilities we give them to be fully participating and co-creating their classroom community. That doesn't mean abdicating adult responsibilities. There is much more than I can explain here. Things like having classroom meetings where as a group children are invited to evaluate, discuss, and revise their classroom rules.
Very interesting. So, it gave them some "real world" sort of experience? I like that idea. Wonder how it worked out. Did they like participating? Were there any problems that arose out of this? Seems to me that this could be very healthy and a way to start learning about how to participate in society...realizing "your power," so to speak, at a younger age.
It was more about functioning as a community. Too much to write about here. But for example, playground and behavior problems were explored and resolved in classroom meetings. We shared materials instead of each having their own box. We didn’t have separate seats. We had a number of tables so children could sit anywhere to do their work. Once someone proposed separate seats. We had a class meeting and agreed to label the tables with each child’s name so they would have assigned seats. After a short time they requested a meeting and it was decided to go back to open seating. The PE and Music teachers said this class was best at working together.
that's what we need
It's the "cleaned up" part of 2d.m's comment that worries me. It seems to "toe the line" of "reeducation," which carries a historic burden of "reeducation camps" and the like. I have no problem with a proper civic education - if you can get the folks identified for "cleaning up" to buy into it. But >they're< even attempting to outlaw courses nobody's teaching - just in case, I'm sure! As for my observation about "politically correct," I'm sure you're aware that's part-and-parcel of current political antagonism. Please forgive my uppityness here.
Not at all what I meant. I never mentioned "reeducation camps." This is something you came up with all on your own. Getting rid of disinformation and replacing it with accurate information in the news could be considered a "clean up." Wars start with disinformation, misinformation, insinuation, deception, betrayal. Please don't characterize me like this.
The only disinformation here is characterizing what I said way you have here. >I never said< you were talking about reeducation camps. Neither did I imply or attempt to imply such a thing. I said I was uncomfortable with the notion of "cleaned up," and the impact that kind of haughty language has on me, along with the ideas closely related in my mind that are the source of my concern. So I suggest the first place you start getting rid of disinformation is to avoid mischaracterizing an honestly stated concern, rather than knee-jerking an inaccurate or inappropriate response.
The message that the sender sends, is not always the message that the receiver receives. Dialog helps.
You are so right! And, as you said, a dialog can be appropriate to clarify and better understand. I also think a lot of misunderstandings are due to the triggering of previous negative experiences (perhaps triggered by a word or a phrase)......so a person isn't really there to hear what the other person is really saying. Instead, the words are interpreted through the past negative experience. Best to try to "stay in present time" and listen and make sure one understands all the words being used. I'm sure most of us don't get it right all the time. We just have to practice "really being there" when someone else is talking with the intent of really trying to understand....sort of like going to a class and trying to get all you can out of it. Not to get too serious or anything! LOL.
Haughty? I'm not going to respond to your comments anymore. Say what you will.
Would you have preferred "condescending?" Have it your way - please!
Interesting challenges! Just because a person knows what they want to prevent, does not mean that another person can't game it to everyone's detriment! In other words; "Just because you're 'paranoid' does not mean you're not being followed". P.S. DZK ; I'm not calling you paranoid, but I see how good intentions can be turned around and weaponized. Our opponents are good at that!
Well, in this instance it's the paranoia of having seen "good intentions" weaponized in times past. That's >exactly< why I brought it up.
Makes sense, I've noticed stuff like that too! How to design 'tamper proof'?!
A lesson from Goedel concerning mathematics is worth mentioning here. He proves that it's logically impossible to prove the validity of mathematics mathematically. (I'm one of the relatively few you'll ever come across who has read "Goedel, Escher, Bach" in its entirety, although thus far I'm a miserable failure with "The Tao of Physics! LOL! ];-)> )
Is making >anything< tamper-proof possible?
Our 'forbears' found it difficult, too. Change is the only constant, then amendments must meet the new needs. We can't rest.
This is a great idea. Perhaps it will be of some help to me...to know how to help better.
UH OH! That makes me as nervous as I got the first time I heard uttered the notion of "politically correct!" It just sounds . . . so . . . Soviet. Besides, what do you think the opposition has in mind for >all of us??<
DZK ; they want us to feel 'followed'.
So! Y'wan'na be a leader in this wicked, wicked world ‽ (A paraphrase of Francis Urquhart in the original, BBC production of "House of Cards.")
DZK ; Wish I had seen it. But whatever I might want, we all need to be on our best 'game' to deal with the wicked wicked world. Democracy is a living breathing thing, it's people need to keep it alive.
https://www.amazon.com/Episode-3/dp/B08LQY85YD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PMI8OO8WUUL6&keywords=house+of+cards+bbc&qid=1647104831&s=instant-video&sprefix=house+of+cards+bbc%2Cinstant-video%2C240&sr=1-1
That guy in the picture (Ian Richardson) is the Francis Urquhart I'm paraphrasing.
The US in U.S.A
And not in a good way
Agee except for the "too late" part.
Yes, the Ukrainian people are showing the world that they are united and will fight back against tyrant Putin. Hopefully, Americans will unite against our own domestic tyrants, and preserve what we have left of our democracy.
Excellent analysis!
Thanks, Mark.
I too was wrong about the 21st century. I thought electing our first Black president indicated a fundamental change in this country. I took Mitch McConnell’s words to be just political rhetoric. Sadly, Professor, neither of us reckoned with human nature. The capacity for evil and doing harm to our fellow human beings has not been overcome.
I warned at the time: "I think it's just a bit early to be getting all ecstatic." People are always to anxious to have the bulls@@t behind them. In the case of Obama, it was the wishful thinking that racism was over and we had all become egalitarian. Folks who felt that way failed to account for those who voted against him.
Very true. Trump brought that home in a big way!
Thank you, Robert. While we watch the devastation of Ukraine and its brave people, we should be shaken and awaken to how much they care about defending Democracy, to the point of giving their lives. One word in your piece stood out for me: complacency. I hear complaints from friends and relatives who call to bemoan the state of the world, Ukraine, our Nation but they do nothing. Perhaps they feel powerless or are lazy or don't know how. My suggestion is to take action from something small like putting stamps on envelopes to writing to our legislators to aligning with an activist group like VoteFwd.org to get out the vote, or as In a response below, get people registered to vote. There is an orange serpent coiled in a dark place in the sunny state of Florida preparing to strike. He will succeed with the swish of his tail, bringing along his snakelets to shore him up IF we remain "complacent" and do not stand up to be heard. We cannot afford to remain complacent. We cannot turn from the reality of the news because it is too painful to watch. We must educate and inform. We must take a positive action. Register people to vote, write to those in power, write to those who don't vote. VoteFwd.org has lists by state of democrats who are undecided or don't vote. We are writing millions of letters to send out in October of this year in time for 2022 midterms. One of my favorite quotes: Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. - Margaret Mead
Nice metaphor, that snake.
Thanks Lee Anne, it’s people like you, ones who say “what can I do?” and find their “something!” that gives me hope. All of us can do something! It’s not too late and this election cycle is critical. Let’s all join Lee Anne! You don’t even have to leave your house if you’re unable to get out. Write your letters and someone will come and get them, pay the postage and take them to the post office. Call your local Democratic Party and get their help. Donate to candidates if you can. Stand in line for hours to vote if you must. Whatever it takes, it must be done. I’m going to join Lee Anne in the letter writing campaign! You can too!
Thank you, Robert! I was not looking for kudos in any way. Many people are doing much more! I confess that I sat during certain times, complained, and did nothing. I discovered it created a sense of powerlessness, anger, and even hate, which is not me! I realized I could channel those negative feelings into a passion of positive action. Negativity and fear permeates our news, the reality of bombs falling on Ukraine, injuring women, children, men who are valiant in their fight. AND, divisive rhetoric in our country is all about fear as well as dumbing down debates to calling people names, diminishing human dignity. I am going to say something and I don't want people to misunderstand, but I believe the U.S. is already at war. We are just avoiding the reality and, thus, holding back in Ukraine AND in our own wonderful country. I do not propose 'boots on the ground' in Ukraine nor that our troops fly the much-needed planes. However, we are a creative people and can find ways to get the much needed planes to Ukraine. And, we are innovative enough to overcome the dire predictions for Democrats in 2022 and 2024...if we're still here! So, let's get people registered and voting. Thank you, again, for you fired me up to write 10 more letters today. (BTW: I "believe" the VoteFwd.org has a fund to help people with limited incomes with the cost of postage.) Onward ...💜🌈
Still, people need to hear that we can do something and you found your something. If we all, or most of us, do something, there can be change. Actually, you embody the idea of “be the change you seek” and that is deserving of kudos.
Invoking Gandhi's "Be the change you want to see in the world" is something I aspire to ... but it can be so hard to do, at times. Thank you for your kind words. 🙏
Thank you. I've had that quote above my kitchen window for a few years. It is an obvious reminder/prod for me, and for everyone who enters my home. I'd did not know it was a quotation from Gandhi, even though I read the 'Gandhi' book and saw the movie, twice.
Robert you are absolutely correct in your current beliefs. Before Putin invaded Ukraine I had hopes as you believed, but deep down inside I saw with icky leaders like Putin and Trump destruction and anarchy were very possible.
Yes, Lucy, the awful reality that tRump even attained the Oval office was mindblowing! The fact that there seemed to be no plan or remedy in our laws and defense to correct that awful event hammered it in. A bad guy was installed by oligarchs here and from outside our country by dark money and misinformation. He was able to install bad actors where we had patriots. Some of those are still in power!
Yes, and the challenge for us here continues. We can't be passive in light of what Republican state legislatures are doing -- suppressing votes, taking over electoral machinery, banning teaching of our racist history, banning books. We need an active, engaged, powerful pro-democracy movement in America.
Don’t forget all the lifetime appointed judges placed by trump and Moscow Mitch. How do we get rid of them and fix that problem?
Sobering to wake to this morning, and I agree, Mr. Reich. One of the few bright spots is the leadership of President Zelensky, a comedian no less. And it's a reminder that people like Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and John Oliver have played a beneficial role in our own discourse.
And could we please get Al Franken back?
Yes. I credit Stephen Colbert for keeping me sane since Trump's astounding and incomprehensible election. After a full day of heart-rending news, I turn to him for relief. When he goes on vacation my mood plummets.
Just like the court fool kept royalty sane in the Middle Ages. There has always been an important place in politics for jokesters.
I was assuming :
1) that improvement in material wellbeing due to globalization( transfer of technologies, productive investments, etc.. ) would deter human beings from risking war and would promote peace.
2) that the view of distress and suffering by immediately accessible videos/photos would create large/global scale empathy that stops agression at its core.
All wrong assumptions if political structures let bad actors become autocrats having full control of powerful hierarchies.
The Weimar Republic was a democracy. It produced the Third Reich. Within any democracy exists the seeds of its own destruction.
I never shared your optimism, Robert, being a child raised on the wrong side during WWII. I see our worldwide problems caused by the ready availability of cheap fossil fuels and the absence of real democracy of the people. Our representative democracy unfortunately does not represent the needs and wishes of the people; it is too often perverted by big money and large egos. After the era of cheap fossil fuels, I see a wonderful future created by bioregional communities living a sustainable life of sufficiency. The future will be local, if there is to be a future..
I understand to overwhelming disappointments & pain of crushed dreams & hopes to attain a Humane, Free Living & Just society not corrupted by the forces of power & greed.
Yet division of the masses is a tool that is a prize for those who would repeatedly destroy all we hold dear.
Today the stakes are the highest I have ever seen in my nearly 73 yrs of life.
Without Genuine Democracy that stands for “We the People “- we will all loose. Today those losses amount to a future for our children and a habitable planet.
Perhaps fighting for true Democracy is not a luxury but the force we must all unite with to survive!
Here’s hoping the future you think is possible is!
As we focus on Trump and Putin, let's don't lose sight of the actions of our lawmakers who continue to support Trump, continue to spread conspiracy theories, and continue to be obstructive as they vote for authoritarianism against democracy and the interests of the American people as a whole.
We need to stop shrugging our shoulders and looking away from corruption. Now we see what it can lead to. This real threat of a war with Putin and our own despicable tRump may just unite us as people were united in the past, like Vietnam war resisters, civil rights advocates and even those who lived through Word Wars! Sadly it has to get really bad before people finally Stand! Listen to Sly and the Family Stone in the song 'Stand!". Very inspiring.
The republican party has been working against democracy for a long time and the oddity of our Constitution allows them to keep getting elected. Even when they lose by overall convincing numbers, they are just a breath away from running the whole show.
They were ok with Putin until he invaded and they know they can't support the horrors of that invasion but they would support trump again. They don't want the people to be educated and keep killing bills that would help. Like Putin, they believe in total destruction. They just aren't dropping physical bombs.
If McCarthy becomes the majority leader, one his first priorities will be to impeach Biden, even though there's no reason for it. If they get the house and the senate, Biden will get even less than he can get now. Now it's Manchin and Sinema holding him up. The great senate moderates like Susan Collins will never have the courage to vote moderately.
I've been watching this cancer grow for a long time and I see the media still trying to do this even handedness, pretending that the republicans are a responsible party. I see them come on CNN to talk about Ukraine. Now they are fierce defenders but they supported trump withholding weapons. But they pound Biden for being weak and neither them nor their interviewers like Jake Tapper talk about the mess they left behind, the near destruction of NATO. Biden has done a masterful job putting it back together and never gets any credit for it.
As long as the republicans hold power, our democracy is in danger.
I completely agree with you on what Biden managed to accomplish diplomatically. He knew taking Putin head-on was a loser proposition. He did the one thing Putin's favorite foreign agent - ol' Tweety - attempted to prevent. He got NATO on the same page. The Q-publicans will continue harping on how Biden failed to prevent Ukraine, when a 5 year old with any sense could've figured out that what Putin had in mind to do is what Putin would eventually do. The only thing possible - therefore - would be to insure all allies were on the same side of the issue - and that's diplomacy.
Slava Ukrayini!
Thank you for expressing what I know to be true.