Don’t want to let this day end without noting that Jimmy Carter declared — without a hint of irony — that “I'll never betray the confidence that any of you had in me.” This was, is and should always remain the commitment we expect from our presidents.
I agree they did an impressive job! What I am not sure about is the best actions we can take besides voting and calling our Senators and Representatives. I have been trying to find out the most effective get out the vote organizations to donate to, both national and in my state, NC but that information is not easy to find unless you know people who are active in the Democratic Party.
I am not sure what other actions are likely to be effective. Many of the things we are recommend to volunteer for has been shown to be ineffective in most situations.
During the trump era, Indivisible was started by Congressional staffers who know how to get things done in politics and on the Hill. There are other grassroots organizations with similar goals, some are part of the local Democrat organizing scene so contact the local Dem office. "All politics is local." Tip O'Neil, legendary Speaker of the House and ultimate political mover and shaker of all time.
Being involved is very rewarding and a great antidote to any ennui. Fate of the Earth by Jonathan Schell talks about how being activist and getting involved counters any feelings of being overwhelmed. “if you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” Dalai Lama
from the Indivisible website, there are local groups in every region. from the site:
"Local Indivisible groups build and wield power in ways that individuals can’t. To create change, you need the collective constituent power that comes with working together, as Indivisibles.
"We’re a grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.
Yes, I agree, that it all comes down to the vote — this year, and every year into the future. I am sorry to say that I don't know enough about various grass-roots operations to have any guidance.
The overwhelming majority of congressional hearings are poor theatre filled with overwrought performances and little content. I was awed by the 1-6 Committee's first night. Every word seemed pared down for maximum effect and clarity. Every video clip delivered a searing moment of betrayal or made plain the character of the person speaking. Twenty million viewers is a significant number. It is my fervent hope it will be enough to awaken the majority of Americans to the breadth and depth of the betrayal of office by the former president.
And using the clips of Republicans - including Ivanka - to undermine the Big Lie was important, too. It really puts paid to the "he really thought he won" defense.
It also reminds my of Frank Capra's inspiration when he was personally tasked by George C. Marshall to create what became the "Why We Fight" soldier motivation movies. He was struggling to tell the story, and decided to look at confiscated German, Italian, and Japanese propaganda films. And realized the best way to make the case for fighting the Axis was showing, from clips, the horrors they inflicted and celebrated.
Jim, I had exactly the same reaction as you - it was a very effective and well organized performance. I was riveted! The question remains… who else besides us baby boomers will watch these hearings??
Debbie, thank you. It "seems" as if the initial audience for the hearings was actually quite large — 20 million or so, based on the initial Nielsen reports. Whether this makes a difference, none of us can know. But the committee has done what is could for one crucial part of this era's duties: laying out, clearly and unsparingly, what is known or knowable about the offenses, and which people chose to recognize reality, or avert their eyes.
This committee was able to maintain just two speakers last night because they all have the same goal, and all recognize it's critical. I'm nearly certain they discussed at length how best to achieve this goal, including who speaks when. It was a very impressive evening.
And I have to say that as much as I know I disagree with Liz Cheney on probably 90-95% of regular policy issues, my respect for her is through the roof.
Picador? Using hideous cruelty as a metaphor was shitty. You think none of us care about animal cruelty or haven't been working to end bullfighting in Spain for decades?
I'm sorry to have offended you this way. I am against bull-fighting and other forms of animal cruelty. It seemed a relevant metaphor in real time as i was writing.
Animal cruelty is hideous, but we cannot limit great writers in any way. Hemingway comes to mind, as well as other historic writers who use similar metaphors. The world is very sadly not sanitized, so art cannot be.
Let's all support animal welfare as much as we can: we all live on a very small planet, and we exist together. Let art be art though, a personal opinion.
Excellent take. I was surprised that the hearings had this effect on me: my emotions ran from admiration at the tight and compelling openings, to renewed rage at watching the attack videos, to free-flowing tears at the trauma the police suffered, to disgust at the cowards who defend this, but I ended up, strangely, feeling upbeat. Someone - I don't know who - used a phrase several years ago that kept coming to mind: "the antibodies of democracy are kicking in."
We may not save our democracy, but if we do, what happened last night will go a long way to being the reason why.
John Nichols
@NicholsUprising
June 18, 2022
Don’t want to let this day end without noting that Jimmy Carter declared — without a hint of irony — that “I'll never betray the confidence that any of you had in me.” This was, is and should always remain the commitment we expect from our presidents.
Mark Hamill
@MarkHamill
For President Carter: 🎂
Quote Tweet
Vala Afshar
@ValaAfshar
· Jun 17
Former President Jimmy Carter is 97 years old today.
This is what compassion, empathy, generosity, grit and kindness looks like.
President Carter, the oldest living former president in US history, at age 95, built Habitat for Humanity homes in Nashville
I agree they did an impressive job! What I am not sure about is the best actions we can take besides voting and calling our Senators and Representatives. I have been trying to find out the most effective get out the vote organizations to donate to, both national and in my state, NC but that information is not easy to find unless you know people who are active in the Democratic Party.
I am not sure what other actions are likely to be effective. Many of the things we are recommend to volunteer for has been shown to be ineffective in most situations.
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/28/16367580/campaigning-doesnt-work-general-election-study-kalla-broockman
During the trump era, Indivisible was started by Congressional staffers who know how to get things done in politics and on the Hill. There are other grassroots organizations with similar goals, some are part of the local Democrat organizing scene so contact the local Dem office. "All politics is local." Tip O'Neil, legendary Speaker of the House and ultimate political mover and shaker of all time.
Being involved is very rewarding and a great antidote to any ennui. Fate of the Earth by Jonathan Schell talks about how being activist and getting involved counters any feelings of being overwhelmed. “if you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” Dalai Lama
from the Indivisible website, there are local groups in every region. from the site:
"Local Indivisible groups build and wield power in ways that individuals can’t. To create change, you need the collective constituent power that comes with working together, as Indivisibles.
"We’re a grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.
"https://indivisible.org
"* Find Your Local Group
* Find a Local Event
* Register a Group
* Register an Event
* How to Give"
Thanks for the info and the link!
Yes, I agree, that it all comes down to the vote — this year, and every year into the future. I am sorry to say that I don't know enough about various grass-roots operations to have any guidance.
The overwhelming majority of congressional hearings are poor theatre filled with overwrought performances and little content. I was awed by the 1-6 Committee's first night. Every word seemed pared down for maximum effect and clarity. Every video clip delivered a searing moment of betrayal or made plain the character of the person speaking. Twenty million viewers is a significant number. It is my fervent hope it will be enough to awaken the majority of Americans to the breadth and depth of the betrayal of office by the former president.
Thank you. I agree.
Spot on. I would also add the integrated audio/video/text of the actual attack was very powerful.
And using the clips of Republicans - including Ivanka - to undermine the Big Lie was important, too. It really puts paid to the "he really thought he won" defense.
It also reminds my of Frank Capra's inspiration when he was personally tasked by George C. Marshall to create what became the "Why We Fight" soldier motivation movies. He was struggling to tell the story, and decided to look at confiscated German, Italian, and Japanese propaganda films. And realized the best way to make the case for fighting the Axis was showing, from clips, the horrors they inflicted and celebrated.
Thank you, yes, well put.
Jim, I had exactly the same reaction as you - it was a very effective and well organized performance. I was riveted! The question remains… who else besides us baby boomers will watch these hearings??
Debbie, thank you. It "seems" as if the initial audience for the hearings was actually quite large — 20 million or so, based on the initial Nielsen reports. Whether this makes a difference, none of us can know. But the committee has done what is could for one crucial part of this era's duties: laying out, clearly and unsparingly, what is known or knowable about the offenses, and which people chose to recognize reality, or avert their eyes.
This committee was able to maintain just two speakers last night because they all have the same goal, and all recognize it's critical. I'm nearly certain they discussed at length how best to achieve this goal, including who speaks when. It was a very impressive evening.
And I have to say that as much as I know I disagree with Liz Cheney on probably 90-95% of regular policy issues, my respect for her is through the roof.
I agree; thank you.
Picador? Using hideous cruelty as a metaphor was shitty. You think none of us care about animal cruelty or haven't been working to end bullfighting in Spain for decades?
I'm sorry to have offended you this way. I am against bull-fighting and other forms of animal cruelty. It seemed a relevant metaphor in real time as i was writing.
Animal cruelty is hideous, but we cannot limit great writers in any way. Hemingway comes to mind, as well as other historic writers who use similar metaphors. The world is very sadly not sanitized, so art cannot be.
Let's all support animal welfare as much as we can: we all live on a very small planet, and we exist together. Let art be art though, a personal opinion.
One hopes that Americans of all stripes listened and learned....one fears that too many did not.
Thanks. All the committee can do it put out the evidence, and I think they are doing their best. I *think* the audience may grow, but we will see.
Excellent take. I was surprised that the hearings had this effect on me: my emotions ran from admiration at the tight and compelling openings, to renewed rage at watching the attack videos, to free-flowing tears at the trauma the police suffered, to disgust at the cowards who defend this, but I ended up, strangely, feeling upbeat. Someone - I don't know who - used a phrase several years ago that kept coming to mind: "the antibodies of democracy are kicking in."
We may not save our democracy, but if we do, what happened last night will go a long way to being the reason why.
Thank you Dan.