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.
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.
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??
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?
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.
‘There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone...’
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.
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
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.
Spot on. I would also add the integrated audio/video/text of the actual attack was very powerful.
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??
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?
One hopes that Americans of all stripes listened and learned....one fears that too many did not.
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.