We have devolved to a banana republic. Previous Admin and GOP officials no longer appear when subpoenaed by their own branch of government. They do not cooperate. There are n o arrests, prison or removals from office.
A massive set of consequences need to be enacted. The GOP is a
You nailed it, Mary. Thank you for putting to paper what so many of us are thinking and feeling - especially about the disparity between women and men being held accountable.
I wish everyone was as upset with the 50 Republican senators who sit on their hands and obstruct voting rights, etc. etc., as they are with Manchin and Sinema. Why aren’t all Republicans vilified every day in the Press? Sure, Manchin and Sinema are causing Dems grief, but surely 2 or 3 Republicans could put country over party. Couldn’t they? I’m looking at you - Romney, Collins, Murkowski, McConnell
The President very strongly today called out Republicans - 16 current Senators who previously voted for election rights - and called for filibuster reform. Finally!
Investigators need to go after those high mucky-muck clients of Epstein and Maxwell. She is clearly an important part of the trafficking, but the clients knew very well what they were doing.
Agree with the double standard. When Martha Stewart was indicted, tried and convicted, I thought " Jeez men get away with this ALL THE TIME." As soon as a woman steps out of the smiling supportive role, WHAMMO. It doesn't even have to be a crime. Look at how Hillary and Nancy Pelosi and most of thr women in public office are being treated with violence and threats. Patriarchy corrupts, period. And seems to breed racism and misogyny.
And this is one reason Ive decided to no vote for men. I am a lifelong democrat who comes from a staunchly democratic family. If Liz Cheny gets the republican nomination for president I will vote for her. She is the only Rep with and respect for yhe constitution of the US and the only one with balls! I respect her for that and for going on national TV and admiting dhe was wrong about LGBT+ rights. I certainly dont agree with many of her positions but for me a vote for her is a no brainer
Mike Lukovich is a brilliant cartoonist. It's true that democracy is hanging by a thread. To me it appears most Americans are not galvanized around this as they were around the 2020 election. As states are passing voting restrictions, people are not taking to the streets. Michael Steele pointed out that the Democrats need to do a better job of showing how the right to vote has consequences that affect day-to-day life and keep hammering at that. It's how we hold our leaders accountable. With the Republicans now a de facto authoritarian party, Democrats have to hold Congress at all costs. That means people have to vote for Democratic candidates in droves. Right now I don't see that happening.
The legitimacy of the Supreme Court is hanging by a thread. Right now, it just seems like the High Court is the unofficial judicial arm of the Republican Party.
Being a lawyer, I hesitate to go that far but at the same time, I'd find it hard to argue with you. The fact of the matter is that Republicans realized LONG before Democrats did that the law was what the courts said it was, and particularly, the Supreme Court. They have stacked the federal court system with right-wing and far right judges for years and we are now seeing how that strategy has paid off. I know that President Biden has NOMINATED a lot of federal judges, but only 40 of them have been confirmed. With no filibuster on judicial nominations, I don't understand why this isn't a higher priority for the Democrats.
There’s always so much to wrap our heads around. Very happy about the judicial appointments. Re: COVID, I keep thinking there will be a rock bottom that the antivaxers will hit and then finally come around. I thought the horse dewormer was it, until I heard about the urine drinking……Welcome back! 😉
Mary, The Filibuster Alteration not working, Manchin and Sinema Enriching Themselves while sucking all air out of all agenda items, Time To Drop The Voting Rights Effort, Even Tho I'd Like To See It Too, We need to get ready To Have A Blue November, In Order To Drive More To Votes Takes Grassroots Work, the clock is ticking 2022, no time left to argue, Urgency is my point here!
Excellent Mary! Unfortunately it seems White Men (Rittenhouse etc) get a pass. This is wrong! Voting Rights also in control of White Men as R’s. But don’t forget Manchin-a White Man who keeps making everyone go back to the beginning for negotiations-EVEN IN his OWN BILL! He really is an Oligarch and I think he wants US to go that way.
There is so much more President Biden can do, but will not as long as the obstruction , delays of nominations and the like continues. Yes he needs more nominations.
I’ve learned and see how this government has never really been about inclusion.
The Presidents visit to Atlanta; while empty handed on results should have traveled to the Manchin and Sinema States to rally with union members, doctors, teachers and all who want voting rights.
The double standard will hold true to form unless there is accountability higher up in our government. The hypocrisy of some on the SCOTUS is very disconcerting to put it mildly.
Justice Sotomayors analogy was spot on, with a verbal side eye to Justice Gorsuch / unmasked . Her analogy of how workers wear goggles to protect from machines that spew out . That people are like machines they cough sneeze breath . These arguments spoke volumes.
It’s the cruelty and the gaslighting that makes me angry . It feels like we’re running out of road here on strategy and our political infrastructure needs some new and innovative thinkers and doers . I will continue to serve in my community this is all up to us now .
We’re incredibly fortunate to be part of the American journey. Right now, here. And every step of the way in those 245+ years, we have progressed, bit by bit, to realizing a society with more justice and liberty for everyone. Even if, in their time, those generations didn’t think they were accomplishing much. But they were accomplishing a great deal, and they did build upon the successes of their ancestors, just as we are doing. There has been bitter division in the United States right from the beginning. It’s nothing new. In 1776, the Americans in the northern states, the Americans in the southern states, and the Native Americans all distrusted and even disliked each other. They could not have been more different from each other. But they had one thing in common: they wanted to remove British authority in the United States. It was a situation similar to 166 years later, in 1942, when the United States, the British, and the Soviet Union worked together to remove Nazism in Europe. They did it. But the fight against their common enemy turned out to be the easy part of the equation. It was the unraveling of the underlying larger issues among themselves that still had to be resolved. So keep that in mind, as we carry on the fight against the January 6th insurrectionists. We’re experiencing the easy part. And know this: we are winning. Donald Trump losing the vote for President of the United States TWICE is one sign of that. The really hard problem solving lies before us. And that’s something to look forward to.
William Carter, thanks for your upbeat post. I wish that I shared your optimism. If Congress can pass the voting rights act, I will feel better than I do now.
Hi Mary, glad you made it back home safely. Looking forward to hearing your inside, insight on all the Bull Shit raining down on Donald Trump & his supporters.
We have devolved to a banana republic. Previous Admin and GOP officials no longer appear when subpoenaed by their own branch of government. They do not cooperate. There are n o arrests, prison or removals from office.
A massive set of consequences need to be enacted. The GOP is a
national security threat at the highest level.
You nailed it, Mary. Thank you for putting to paper what so many of us are thinking and feeling - especially about the disparity between women and men being held accountable.
I wish everyone was as upset with the 50 Republican senators who sit on their hands and obstruct voting rights, etc. etc., as they are with Manchin and Sinema. Why aren’t all Republicans vilified every day in the Press? Sure, Manchin and Sinema are causing Dems grief, but surely 2 or 3 Republicans could put country over party. Couldn’t they? I’m looking at you - Romney, Collins, Murkowski, McConnell
I'm Upset, But I have my mind on building the Senate Majority Larger, Eliminate Filibuster, Hold House, 2 More Supreme Court Nominees, In That order!
The President very strongly today called out Republicans - 16 current Senators who previously voted for election rights - and called for filibuster reform. Finally!
Mary I would Love It Right N I w, But Blue Dawgs Joe Manchin can't be swayed, we should focus on 2022 voting registering more voters!
The Filibuster and all the c right wing hierarchy comes d I will in larger blue majority
We Need Bluer Majority Was My Point In those typoed messages
Investigators need to go after those high mucky-muck clients of Epstein and Maxwell. She is clearly an important part of the trafficking, but the clients knew very well what they were doing.
No matter who they are i.e. even if they are Dems.
Exactly!
Agree with the double standard. When Martha Stewart was indicted, tried and convicted, I thought " Jeez men get away with this ALL THE TIME." As soon as a woman steps out of the smiling supportive role, WHAMMO. It doesn't even have to be a crime. Look at how Hillary and Nancy Pelosi and most of thr women in public office are being treated with violence and threats. Patriarchy corrupts, period. And seems to breed racism and misogyny.
And this is one reason Ive decided to no vote for men. I am a lifelong democrat who comes from a staunchly democratic family. If Liz Cheny gets the republican nomination for president I will vote for her. She is the only Rep with and respect for yhe constitution of the US and the only one with balls! I respect her for that and for going on national TV and admiting dhe was wrong about LGBT+ rights. I certainly dont agree with many of her positions but for me a vote for her is a no brainer
Mike Lukovich is a brilliant cartoonist. It's true that democracy is hanging by a thread. To me it appears most Americans are not galvanized around this as they were around the 2020 election. As states are passing voting restrictions, people are not taking to the streets. Michael Steele pointed out that the Democrats need to do a better job of showing how the right to vote has consequences that affect day-to-day life and keep hammering at that. It's how we hold our leaders accountable. With the Republicans now a de facto authoritarian party, Democrats have to hold Congress at all costs. That means people have to vote for Democratic candidates in droves. Right now I don't see that happening.
Yes I agree Ellen Zucker Michael Steele said it best .
The legitimacy of the Supreme Court is hanging by a thread. Right now, it just seems like the High Court is the unofficial judicial arm of the Republican Party.
Being a lawyer, I hesitate to go that far but at the same time, I'd find it hard to argue with you. The fact of the matter is that Republicans realized LONG before Democrats did that the law was what the courts said it was, and particularly, the Supreme Court. They have stacked the federal court system with right-wing and far right judges for years and we are now seeing how that strategy has paid off. I know that President Biden has NOMINATED a lot of federal judges, but only 40 of them have been confirmed. With no filibuster on judicial nominations, I don't understand why this isn't a higher priority for the Democrats.
Again, A Bluer Majority in Senate Means 2 New Scotus Nominees
There’s always so much to wrap our heads around. Very happy about the judicial appointments. Re: COVID, I keep thinking there will be a rock bottom that the antivaxers will hit and then finally come around. I thought the horse dewormer was it, until I heard about the urine drinking……Welcome back! 😉
Mary Ethics Committee is Right On, Scotus Branch with fewest checks and balances as is, Great Assessment.
The silent majority must not be silent 🤨
We must make sure what our forefathers fought and died for will never be in jeopardy! Voting rights are lynchpin of our democracy 🙏🏻
Mary, The Filibuster Alteration not working, Manchin and Sinema Enriching Themselves while sucking all air out of all agenda items, Time To Drop The Voting Rights Effort, Even Tho I'd Like To See It Too, We need to get ready To Have A Blue November, In Order To Drive More To Votes Takes Grassroots Work, the clock is ticking 2022, no time left to argue, Urgency is my point here!
Absolutely!
Excellent Mary! Unfortunately it seems White Men (Rittenhouse etc) get a pass. This is wrong! Voting Rights also in control of White Men as R’s. But don’t forget Manchin-a White Man who keeps making everyone go back to the beginning for negotiations-EVEN IN his OWN BILL! He really is an Oligarch and I think he wants US to go that way.
There is so much more President Biden can do, but will not as long as the obstruction , delays of nominations and the like continues. Yes he needs more nominations.
I’ve learned and see how this government has never really been about inclusion.
The Presidents visit to Atlanta; while empty handed on results should have traveled to the Manchin and Sinema States to rally with union members, doctors, teachers and all who want voting rights.
The double standard will hold true to form unless there is accountability higher up in our government. The hypocrisy of some on the SCOTUS is very disconcerting to put it mildly.
Justice Sotomayors analogy was spot on, with a verbal side eye to Justice Gorsuch / unmasked . Her analogy of how workers wear goggles to protect from machines that spew out . That people are like machines they cough sneeze breath . These arguments spoke volumes.
It’s the cruelty and the gaslighting that makes me angry . It feels like we’re running out of road here on strategy and our political infrastructure needs some new and innovative thinkers and doers . I will continue to serve in my community this is all up to us now .
We’re incredibly fortunate to be part of the American journey. Right now, here. And every step of the way in those 245+ years, we have progressed, bit by bit, to realizing a society with more justice and liberty for everyone. Even if, in their time, those generations didn’t think they were accomplishing much. But they were accomplishing a great deal, and they did build upon the successes of their ancestors, just as we are doing. There has been bitter division in the United States right from the beginning. It’s nothing new. In 1776, the Americans in the northern states, the Americans in the southern states, and the Native Americans all distrusted and even disliked each other. They could not have been more different from each other. But they had one thing in common: they wanted to remove British authority in the United States. It was a situation similar to 166 years later, in 1942, when the United States, the British, and the Soviet Union worked together to remove Nazism in Europe. They did it. But the fight against their common enemy turned out to be the easy part of the equation. It was the unraveling of the underlying larger issues among themselves that still had to be resolved. So keep that in mind, as we carry on the fight against the January 6th insurrectionists. We’re experiencing the easy part. And know this: we are winning. Donald Trump losing the vote for President of the United States TWICE is one sign of that. The really hard problem solving lies before us. And that’s something to look forward to.
William Carter, thanks for your upbeat post. I wish that I shared your optimism. If Congress can pass the voting rights act, I will feel better than I do now.
But what about the equally or more guilty men? ( on SCOTUS too!)
I'd add Gorsuch and Coney Barrett to that list.
I double this comment
Hi Mary, glad you made it back home safely. Looking forward to hearing your inside, insight on all the Bull Shit raining down on Donald Trump & his supporters.
Popcorn is ready. Happy New Year! Alamar
I love how succinct this post was. Feel like I got a little digest of the news of the week (with a bit of humor in there!). Thanks, Mary!