Most important: "Democrats need to have Biden’s back at every turn as long as he is on the side of democracy. And they need to stop giving the Republicans talking points." Thank you, Mary!
Every point you make is a crisis in itself. It is so discouraging to have two Democratic senators playing games with American lives. Not to mention that Republicans have given up on our country altogether and are interested only in how much money they can squeeze out of the rest of us.
The thing is, though, that neither of those two Senators is actually a Democrat; both of them are using the Democratic party for their own purpose. Neither demonstrates either party loyalty or Democratic values. They’ve simply been bought, creatures of their own delusional greed for power and money. For some time now I have thought that, before being allowed to run as a Democrat, especially now that there is only one functional political party, one should be vetted, serve an internship under supervision to limit any damage they might do. At the end of the term of internship, sit down and evaluate their actual behavior for some signs that they understand and are committed to democratic and Democratic values, and are willing to stand up and be counted. If not, “Sorry and bye bye.” Not a perfect process, as people can turn another face like Lindsay and Ted, on a dime. As we know, most of today’s Republicans wouldn’t even pass the small d smell test. Methinks these two Dinosaurs wouldn’t either. But we shouldn’t bang our heads against a wall; they should bang theirs. Full disclosure: Purely because my father had a job that required him to be in the state of West Virginia, I happened to be born there, though I was two when they moved to Roanoke, I think. W.Wa. is a fairly quirky place, not exactly as most liberals see it, but definitely suspicious of outsiders and producing some feisty folks. I am thankful that I spent a large chunk of my childhood from 8 to 15 in Baltimore with Nancy Pelosi’s dad as my Mayor. A very interesting early political socialization.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I would love it if we could devise some tests for all candidates for any public office that they must pass in order to proceed. Education is one. Mental health another. Adherence to democracy (not Democratic Party platform). You can run on a Republican Party platform, but must still pass the test of adherence to democratic values. As in all people are created equal; one person, one vote; constitutional rights to justice and domestic tranquility; and much more. And most obvious, a clean police slate, as in no criminal or civil violations record.
Thanks Mary for the summary of our current political mess. My head rattles when trying to sort through the news to get the bottom line. You are ‘spot on’ as goes the saying, and best of all my head is not rattling! Also thanks to all who share their comments, I enjoy reading them too.
Climate change is my greatest concern, too. We have to have a planet to live on! What is so hard for Republicans to understand about that???? It is the height of ignorance to deny it!
Me too. Either that, or she is stupider than stupid. I'm really getting sick of stupidity. Once, Sean Connery was asked what he hated the most, and his answer was "stupidity." He got my applause. I'm not talking about deficiencies out of our control - I'm talking about flat-out ignorance - ignoring the truth, ignoring reality. THAT'S stupidity!
Dear Mary, please check out guy McPherson. The science is real, peer-reviewed. We have blown past 2C. I’m a doctorally prepared, over-educated nurse. I’ve read the papers and understand that we have triggered multiple irreversible changes. The loss of Arctic sea ice, alone, may well be enough to create conditions that disallow food production. I don’t mean to be a doomsday freak, and I’m realistic about what this information means. My goal is to live my best life and live as though my most beautiful of worlds is on planetary hospice as we have mortally wounded Gaia. Blessings upon us all.
Have we gotten to the point where the outbreak of an armed, hot, Second Civil War is about to begin (as in 1860)?
Or are we in the deciding moment of a new Cold Civil War?
I think the answer is a combination of both.
In 1860, we were a country divided by geographic and economic factors. I.e., the Northern states against the Southern states, skilled labor versus enslaved labor.
Today, we are a country divided by demographics and racial identity. I.e., subrban and rural against urban and super urban, and a continuance of historical revisionism (or a new American History reappraisal commonly referred to on the right as ‘critical race theory)’.
Americans of ALL stripes should realize: all this division amongst ourselves is opening a window for China and Europe to take control of the world’s agenda.
I am starting to think we are at an even bigger dividing point - the point where the human race once again "decides" whether to screw up everything, destroy itself and go back to the beginning, or finally climb over the mountain of ignorance and proceed toward our real destiny. We are at the cusp of a new age of consciousness, which we can achieve IF we can get over ourselves and our ignorance this time. This is where I am putting my efforts. I'm too old to march, but I still have a voice. Third time's the charm, if in fact this is the third attempt by our species to achieve a higher manifestation of consciousness, save our home planet, and finally create the world of Light that our souls really long for. We can do it!
Thanks for this great piece Mary! Cap is so dignified! How is it that cats go from dignity to zoomy in the blink of an eye and when zoomy is exhausted they go back to gracious dignity? On to Sinema. I wonder if she and Manchin are playing take the camera tag and now it's her turn? Not only is she ridiculous, she's a profound hypocrite. Did you all catch her BS statement on Twitter yesterday? Her metamorphosis from radical to bought and paid for has been dramatic if nothing else. Has she been sharpening her acting chops the whole time in the hope that Hollywood will make her an offer she can't refuse? She was once a radical for democracy, now she's just a pathetic copycat. If these two Senators are allowed to bring voting rights to it's knees, then, to paraphrase ricky Ricardo, America, You Got some Splainin to do!
The Virginia gubernatorial election was a perfect example of how much better the Republicans are at messaging, and how good they are at getting their base agitated over nonsense. When you combine that with a lame, uninspired campaign run by Terry McAuliffe, well, this is what we get. The thing is, the Republicans keep showing and telling us exactly who they are, and huge numbers of Americans keep voting for them. In fact, it seems all but certain that the Republicans are going to overwhelmingly win the House this coming November and could very well retake the Senate, too. The prospect already depresses me beyond belief.
Yes it is. The fight ahead is going to take everything and everyone we can muster! I’ve been working with Indivisible, Swing Left, Demcast, PP, Naral & a couple of voting rights groups. We have to win this, there is no choice! We have an adolescent who’s best friend is our white Husky. It’s a madhouse! Lol take care Mary and thank you!
Yes Mary, I too am shocked that fake election results are not splashed all over every news outlet. Washington Post and Maddow have been reporting, but have not seen much more. Where the heck is the media???!!!
What is motivating Sinema & Manchin to ruin our democracy? We need a bold and daring move by the President. Democracy is at stake here. The time is NOW.
Sinema & Manchin are ruining our democracy & I wish there was some way to get around them but our hands are tied. There is no way you can reason with either one, so are we doomed? We need more Democrats in the White House.
Most important: "Democrats need to have Biden’s back at every turn as long as he is on the side of democracy. And they need to stop giving the Republicans talking points." Thank you, Mary!
What would have happened if Pence had gotten in the Security car? Did Pence suspect Grassley would replace him if he’d gotten in that car?
Thank God as Grassley is unfit to be in charge of anything that is important to the people.
Just a huge UGH. So much to process and keep up with, which is why I'm so grateful for you, Rachel, and the other Sentinels.
Cap is extremely cute. Now I want a kitten.
What's that line from the film "Hanna"? "Kittens grow up"?
I didn't see it; reminds me of the old expression, which is similar: "babies don't keep"!
Every point you make is a crisis in itself. It is so discouraging to have two Democratic senators playing games with American lives. Not to mention that Republicans have given up on our country altogether and are interested only in how much money they can squeeze out of the rest of us.
The thing is, though, that neither of those two Senators is actually a Democrat; both of them are using the Democratic party for their own purpose. Neither demonstrates either party loyalty or Democratic values. They’ve simply been bought, creatures of their own delusional greed for power and money. For some time now I have thought that, before being allowed to run as a Democrat, especially now that there is only one functional political party, one should be vetted, serve an internship under supervision to limit any damage they might do. At the end of the term of internship, sit down and evaluate their actual behavior for some signs that they understand and are committed to democratic and Democratic values, and are willing to stand up and be counted. If not, “Sorry and bye bye.” Not a perfect process, as people can turn another face like Lindsay and Ted, on a dime. As we know, most of today’s Republicans wouldn’t even pass the small d smell test. Methinks these two Dinosaurs wouldn’t either. But we shouldn’t bang our heads against a wall; they should bang theirs. Full disclosure: Purely because my father had a job that required him to be in the state of West Virginia, I happened to be born there, though I was two when they moved to Roanoke, I think. W.Wa. is a fairly quirky place, not exactly as most liberals see it, but definitely suspicious of outsiders and producing some feisty folks. I am thankful that I spent a large chunk of my childhood from 8 to 15 in Baltimore with Nancy Pelosi’s dad as my Mayor. A very interesting early political socialization.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I would love it if we could devise some tests for all candidates for any public office that they must pass in order to proceed. Education is one. Mental health another. Adherence to democracy (not Democratic Party platform). You can run on a Republican Party platform, but must still pass the test of adherence to democratic values. As in all people are created equal; one person, one vote; constitutional rights to justice and domestic tranquility; and much more. And most obvious, a clean police slate, as in no criminal or civil violations record.
Exactly. Which is why voting rights MUST pass.
Thanks Mary for the summary of our current political mess. My head rattles when trying to sort through the news to get the bottom line. You are ‘spot on’ as goes the saying, and best of all my head is not rattling! Also thanks to all who share their comments, I enjoy reading them too.
Sinema is a hack. We are in peril. With the climate crisis (q.v., guymcpherson.com), we are doomed. Earth on hospice. Blessings upon us all
Climate change is my greatest concern, too. We have to have a planet to live on! What is so hard for Republicans to understand about that???? It is the height of ignorance to deny it!
hubris...one more dollar...appalling and reprehensible
I'm convinced she's being compensated for her divisiveness.
Me too. Either that, or she is stupider than stupid. I'm really getting sick of stupidity. Once, Sean Connery was asked what he hated the most, and his answer was "stupidity." He got my applause. I'm not talking about deficiencies out of our control - I'm talking about flat-out ignorance - ignoring the truth, ignoring reality. THAT'S stupidity!
I personally hate "ACTING stupidity". It's purposeful. True stupidity might have excuses I can believe :)
Good point.
Dear Mary, please check out guy McPherson. The science is real, peer-reviewed. We have blown past 2C. I’m a doctorally prepared, over-educated nurse. I’ve read the papers and understand that we have triggered multiple irreversible changes. The loss of Arctic sea ice, alone, may well be enough to create conditions that disallow food production. I don’t mean to be a doomsday freak, and I’m realistic about what this information means. My goal is to live my best life and live as though my most beautiful of worlds is on planetary hospice as we have mortally wounded Gaia. Blessings upon us all.
This is my favorite The Good in Us column so far!
Have we gotten to the point where the outbreak of an armed, hot, Second Civil War is about to begin (as in 1860)?
Or are we in the deciding moment of a new Cold Civil War?
I think the answer is a combination of both.
In 1860, we were a country divided by geographic and economic factors. I.e., the Northern states against the Southern states, skilled labor versus enslaved labor.
Today, we are a country divided by demographics and racial identity. I.e., subrban and rural against urban and super urban, and a continuance of historical revisionism (or a new American History reappraisal commonly referred to on the right as ‘critical race theory)’.
Americans of ALL stripes should realize: all this division amongst ourselves is opening a window for China and Europe to take control of the world’s agenda.
Is this what Americans REALLY want?
The answer up to this point seems to be ‘yes’.
I am starting to think we are at an even bigger dividing point - the point where the human race once again "decides" whether to screw up everything, destroy itself and go back to the beginning, or finally climb over the mountain of ignorance and proceed toward our real destiny. We are at the cusp of a new age of consciousness, which we can achieve IF we can get over ourselves and our ignorance this time. This is where I am putting my efforts. I'm too old to march, but I still have a voice. Third time's the charm, if in fact this is the third attempt by our species to achieve a higher manifestation of consciousness, save our home planet, and finally create the world of Light that our souls really long for. We can do it!
That's the real problem, isn't it? Not considering the effects of their actions! Even on the world, in terms of climate change.
Thanks for this great piece Mary! Cap is so dignified! How is it that cats go from dignity to zoomy in the blink of an eye and when zoomy is exhausted they go back to gracious dignity? On to Sinema. I wonder if she and Manchin are playing take the camera tag and now it's her turn? Not only is she ridiculous, she's a profound hypocrite. Did you all catch her BS statement on Twitter yesterday? Her metamorphosis from radical to bought and paid for has been dramatic if nothing else. Has she been sharpening her acting chops the whole time in the hope that Hollywood will make her an offer she can't refuse? She was once a radical for democracy, now she's just a pathetic copycat. If these two Senators are allowed to bring voting rights to it's knees, then, to paraphrase ricky Ricardo, America, You Got some Splainin to do!
Cap is so adorable! She is the breath of fresh air, considering all the toxic air from the lawless, feckless members of a certain cabal.
The Virginia gubernatorial election was a perfect example of how much better the Republicans are at messaging, and how good they are at getting their base agitated over nonsense. When you combine that with a lame, uninspired campaign run by Terry McAuliffe, well, this is what we get. The thing is, the Republicans keep showing and telling us exactly who they are, and huge numbers of Americans keep voting for them. In fact, it seems all but certain that the Republicans are going to overwhelmingly win the House this coming November and could very well retake the Senate, too. The prospect already depresses me beyond belief.
Love me some Cap! She looks a lot like my first cat, Felix, down to the white spot on the chest. He was a gentleman and a great judge of character.
Love that kitten
Yes it is. The fight ahead is going to take everything and everyone we can muster! I’ve been working with Indivisible, Swing Left, Demcast, PP, Naral & a couple of voting rights groups. We have to win this, there is no choice! We have an adolescent who’s best friend is our white Husky. It’s a madhouse! Lol take care Mary and thank you!
Yes Mary, I too am shocked that fake election results are not splashed all over every news outlet. Washington Post and Maddow have been reporting, but have not seen much more. Where the heck is the media???!!!
What is motivating Sinema & Manchin to ruin our democracy? We need a bold and daring move by the President. Democracy is at stake here. The time is NOW.
Sinema & Manchin are ruining our democracy & I wish there was some way to get around them but our hands are tied. There is no way you can reason with either one, so are we doomed? We need more Democrats in the White House.
Yes! The local level is key.