Hi, all, and happy Wednesday. A new round of January-6th-related indictments has hit Donald Trump and his co-conspirators—wild times, indeed. Much has already been said about this third set of charges; more will be written in the days and weeks to come. Additional commentary from me is largely unnecessary, except to remind you of what you already know: that no matter what happens with Jack Smith’s case,
Completely agree...the indictment is crucial the rule of law, but it will not save our democracy.
Only voters and volunteers can stop the further erosion of civil rights.
As to messaging, I would submit that shorter is better: "Democracy vs Theocracy".
If not stopped, Republicans will legislate who you marry, how you identify, whether you can access abortion services, IVF, contraception, stem cell therapies, whether open discrimination is legalized, access to public education, healthcare, social security, clean air, clean water, etc.
This is a zero sum game: either the GOP wins because of apathy and cynicism on our side, or the GOP suffers crushing losses up and down the ballot...forcing Trumpism to the outer edges of society.
I agree with much of what you say. However, I'd argue that it's not a zero sum game, but a binary choice. The beauty of a democracy is that it's synergistic; the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The GOP's assault on democracy is making it a zero sum game, something we need to defeat.
I do understand your perspective, but I chose those words deliberately to convey the dire threats we face.
We don't have the luxury of people choosing not to vote because Biden is too centrist. We don't have the luxury of people choosing to vote for 3rd parties, or conspiracists like RFK, Jr. We don't have the luxury of people choosing protest votes, or refusing to vote because the issues they care about haven't improved. Apathetic voters must understand that life can get far worse.
I wholeheartedly agree with your justification. I've written about it in my own Substack site. It's up to people like us to spread that message far and wide. We must educate, motivate, and invigorate our fellow Americans to defend our democracy with the best means they have to do so - by voting.
By the way, I believe a centrist president is what we need to stop the destructive swings of the political pendulum. We should also be promoting that message in my opinion. Turn a perceived weakness into a strength.
I agree in many ways, but not on climate. Centrism won't get us where we need to be fast enough. And I think the reason we are struggling with losing people to third party candidates is because they--or at least Kennedy and West--are promising to be as strong as we need to be on climate. They are siphoning off votes because of it.
If Trump is convicted of conspiring to overthrow the election and peaceful transfer of power why is the 14th amendment not enough to disqualify him from running for office?
Jess, Thanks so much for all of your postings. I would urge everyone to read Tom Nichols’ column in The Atlantic. He is a former Republican, Retired Naval Academy Professor who has been Never Trumper since the beginning. His words are compelling. It is a call to action. It asks that we all confront those that support Trump -it is too important not to at this stage. The talking points in this post are a great way to do this. The article should be available as a free article. It is wonderful to see this call to action come from a former Republican. https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/08/trump-indictment-charges-overturn-2020-election/674887/
I was taken aback by your response. I don't think centrism is anathema to the climate calamity (calimaty?), but I do realize that President Biden has at least sidestepped some important aspects of addressing it. From my perspective, here in the cheap seats, it seems to me that some of his sidestepping has been to keep desperately needed mitigation efforts from having more devastating unintended consequences in the short term. As with many of his efforts, I think communication (explanation) is at least as important as what he does. Perhaps he can start by never referring to the looming disaster as climate change, but rather as a climate crisis, calamity or debacle.
Oh goodness--didn't mean to take you aback! I agree--Biden has made extraordinary progress on climate. I just wish other moderate Dems would help him along and stop making him compromise in destructive ways.
Completely agree...the indictment is crucial the rule of law, but it will not save our democracy.
Only voters and volunteers can stop the further erosion of civil rights.
As to messaging, I would submit that shorter is better: "Democracy vs Theocracy".
If not stopped, Republicans will legislate who you marry, how you identify, whether you can access abortion services, IVF, contraception, stem cell therapies, whether open discrimination is legalized, access to public education, healthcare, social security, clean air, clean water, etc.
This is a zero sum game: either the GOP wins because of apathy and cynicism on our side, or the GOP suffers crushing losses up and down the ballot...forcing Trumpism to the outer edges of society.
Beautifully said and so true.
I agree with much of what you say. However, I'd argue that it's not a zero sum game, but a binary choice. The beauty of a democracy is that it's synergistic; the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The GOP's assault on democracy is making it a zero sum game, something we need to defeat.
I do understand your perspective, but I chose those words deliberately to convey the dire threats we face.
We don't have the luxury of people choosing not to vote because Biden is too centrist. We don't have the luxury of people choosing to vote for 3rd parties, or conspiracists like RFK, Jr. We don't have the luxury of people choosing protest votes, or refusing to vote because the issues they care about haven't improved. Apathetic voters must understand that life can get far worse.
I wholeheartedly agree with your justification. I've written about it in my own Substack site. It's up to people like us to spread that message far and wide. We must educate, motivate, and invigorate our fellow Americans to defend our democracy with the best means they have to do so - by voting.
By the way, I believe a centrist president is what we need to stop the destructive swings of the political pendulum. We should also be promoting that message in my opinion. Turn a perceived weakness into a strength.
I agree in many ways, but not on climate. Centrism won't get us where we need to be fast enough. And I think the reason we are struggling with losing people to third party candidates is because they--or at least Kennedy and West--are promising to be as strong as we need to be on climate. They are siphoning off votes because of it.
Excellent point re promotion of centrism, thank you.
Very wise words from you today, Jess. They spoke to me deeply. Thank you!
Thanks, Lynell.
Jessica, thanks so much. Reminding everyone to keep their eyes on the prize is the ONLY way to win!
Thanks, Barbara.
Well said, keep up the good work
I'll try!
Jessica,
If Trump is convicted of conspiring to overthrow the election and peaceful transfer of power why is the 14th amendment not enough to disqualify him from running for office?
Yeah as far as i understand only treason or insurrection disqualify him, and Smith isn't charging him with those.
He has to be convicted of rebellion or insurrection.
Jess, Thanks so much for all of your postings. I would urge everyone to read Tom Nichols’ column in The Atlantic. He is a former Republican, Retired Naval Academy Professor who has been Never Trumper since the beginning. His words are compelling. It is a call to action. It asks that we all confront those that support Trump -it is too important not to at this stage. The talking points in this post are a great way to do this. The article should be available as a free article. It is wonderful to see this call to action come from a former Republican. https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/08/trump-indictment-charges-overturn-2020-election/674887/
Sorry Theressa, but it is not a free article. I couldn't access it.
Yeah sadly neither could I, although I'd really like to.
Hi Jess,
I was taken aback by your response. I don't think centrism is anathema to the climate calamity (calimaty?), but I do realize that President Biden has at least sidestepped some important aspects of addressing it. From my perspective, here in the cheap seats, it seems to me that some of his sidestepping has been to keep desperately needed mitigation efforts from having more devastating unintended consequences in the short term. As with many of his efforts, I think communication (explanation) is at least as important as what he does. Perhaps he can start by never referring to the looming disaster as climate change, but rather as a climate crisis, calamity or debacle.
Oh goodness--didn't mean to take you aback! I agree--Biden has made extraordinary progress on climate. I just wish other moderate Dems would help him along and stop making him compromise in destructive ways.