I just spent 18 hours straight finishing a vital Christmas gift. It's a book we've been making for the family. But whoo-ee! I'd better sleep in on Tuesday!!
"We are not living in ordinary times, and it is not enough for us to admire our nation’s core values from afar. Our country’s history is littered with individuals and factions who have tried to exploit our imperfections, but it is more powerfully marked by those whose vigilance toward a more perfect union has prevailed.
So stand up. Speak out. Our country needs all of us to raise our collective voices in support of our democratic ideals and institutions. That is what we stand for. That is who we are. And with a shared commitment to our founding principles, that is who we will remain."
"Our republic—our system of laws—is under assault in a way I’ve never seen and I don’t think has ever happened. Richard Nixon was a lawbreaker. He was not utterly and thoroughgoingly lawless. There’s a difference. Donald Trump is a lawless president. It’s obvious to anyone who’s watching and isn’t in a state of contemptible denial that he feels constrained by no law. He cares nothing about the Constitution and he’ll lie about anything to anyone at anytime. That’s difference one.
Difference two: Nixon had no “news” channel defending and egging on his every lawless act. Trump, of course, does. That Fox chyron over the weekend, “A Coup in America?”, was shocking even for Fox. Referring to law enforcement agencies, to the FBI, as carrying out a coup? Because they have the audacity to investigate Dear Leader?
Difference three: Nixon also didn’t have a lawless Republican Party defending his moves and attacking his critics and trying to shut down an obviously legitimate investigation, but that is what we have now. Some Republican lawlessness has little to do with and in fact predates Trump: The party’s decision, for example, that the Constitution didn’t really mean that the president gets to appoint Supreme Court justices if he’s in his eighth year of service was completely lawless. The process by which they’re passing this tax bill is not exactly lawless, maybe, but it’s an offense and affront to this country’s norms and traditions. No hearings, no expert witnesses, no written bill, no regular order, no need for a cloture vote, no serious discussion with any Democrats even though four or five would have voted for a different bill, no Congressional Budget Office score, no normal conference committee process… All right, actually. Call it lawless if you want."
Don't you hate it when you end up staying sane? I think we could all be forgiven for temporary insanity at times, but somehow I never quite make it that far.
Thank you so much for the posts you set here, for they are reasonable and just and somehow immensely comforting to read. These things we keep hearing *ARE* as bad as they feel. It's not some warped idea in our minds, it's in the twistedness of what is taking place in our government. During the 12 Days of Christmas I plan to write a hand-written message to each of my legislators who are doing good things for this nation, to thank them specifically and deeply. They must feel it a thousand times more than we do, since they see it happening before their very eyes and can't make it stop...while having the responsibility for it not stopping.
Talk about blood pressure raising!! YIKES!! I hear you, Susan. Deep breaths. We need deep breaths for loud speaking anyway! ;-)
Wow! Those jerks couldn't pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel! They not only screw us up, but every single thing they try to do as well. They're going to have to vote on it again tomorrow so they'll probably spend tonight conferencing on how many more poison pills they can conceal inside the "tax" scam.
Wow! I just got this letter from my Rep in Congress, Peter Welch.
Dear ... ,
I share your deep concern about President Trump’s frequent use of inflammatory, divisive, and bigoted rhetoric to advance his personal and political agenda. It seems that every day brings a new headline about something he has done or said that is inappropriate and beneath the dignity of the office he holds. These are difficult times and citizen engagement and action on the local, state, and national level is essential. I’m in this fight with you for the long haul and will work hard to hold this President fully accountable for his actions.
I will continue to speak out loudly against his appalling behavior and actions. I hope you will too. We must condemn his incitement to violence, the targeting of religious and ethnic minorities, and any attempt to curtail civil liberties.
In Congress, I am vigorously opposing his policies that would intensify income inequality, deny climate change, or shred the social safety net, while proposing constructive alternatives that rebuild the middle class, fix the Affordable Care Act, protect our environment, and shore up Medicare and Social Security.
I am also concerned about the President’s reckless and irresponsible conduct in his handling of foreign affairs, including his undisciplined and inappropriate use of Twitter. It is essential that the United States take advantage of every diplomatic tool available to confront national security threats before resorting to military action.
I have heard from a number of Vermonters asking how they can help. My strong suggestion is to act locally. Be engaged in your community. Run for office. Listen to your neighbors. Find ways to resolve disagreements and cooperate that make our state stronger and a model for the rest of the country. Encourage friends and family in other states to contact their representatives in Congress. We can renew our faith in our democracy by acting to protect and strengthen it.
I just spent 18 hours straight finishing a vital Christmas gift. It's a book we've been making for the family.
ReplyDeleteBut whoo-ee! I'd better sleep in on Tuesday!!
Note on the last thread, Alan.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/12/19/what-kind-country-we-speak-out-core-american-values-sally-q-yates-column/951828001/
ReplyDelete"We are not living in ordinary times, and it is not enough for us to admire our nation’s core values from afar. Our country’s history is littered with individuals and factions who have tried to exploit our imperfections, but it is more powerfully marked by those whose vigilance toward a more perfect union has prevailed.
So stand up. Speak out. Our country needs all of us to raise our collective voices in support of our democratic ideals and institutions. That is what we stand for. That is who we are. And with a shared commitment to our founding principles, that is who we will remain."
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-is-americas-first-lawless-president
ReplyDelete"Our republic—our system of laws—is under assault in a way I’ve never seen and I don’t think has ever happened. Richard Nixon was a lawbreaker. He was not utterly and thoroughgoingly lawless. There’s a difference. Donald Trump is a lawless president. It’s obvious to anyone who’s watching and isn’t in a state of contemptible denial that he feels constrained by no law. He cares nothing about the Constitution and he’ll lie about anything to anyone at anytime. That’s difference one.
Difference two: Nixon had no “news” channel defending and egging on his every lawless act. Trump, of course, does. That Fox chyron over the weekend, “A Coup in America?”, was shocking even for Fox. Referring to law enforcement agencies, to the FBI, as carrying out a coup? Because they have the audacity to investigate Dear Leader?
Difference three: Nixon also didn’t have a lawless Republican Party defending his moves and attacking his critics and trying to shut down an obviously legitimate investigation, but that is what we have now. Some Republican lawlessness has little to do with and in fact predates Trump: The party’s decision, for example, that the Constitution didn’t really mean that the president gets to appoint Supreme Court justices if he’s in his eighth year of service was completely lawless. The process by which they’re passing this tax bill is not exactly lawless, maybe, but it’s an offense and affront to this country’s norms and traditions. No hearings, no expert witnesses, no written bill, no regular order, no need for a cloture vote, no serious discussion with any Democrats even though four or five would have voted for a different bill, no Congressional Budget Office score, no normal conference committee process… All right, actually. Call it lawless if you want."
Der turnip's great awful evility is hard to do justice to. I wish he were just a joke, but he's that and so much more.
ReplyDeleteJebus, my blood pressure must bew 500 over 300 by now! I'm just so angry! The urge to stay out of prison is at war with my urge to kill.
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate it when you end up staying sane? I think we could all be forgiven for temporary insanity at times, but somehow I never quite make it that far.
DeleteThank you so much for the posts you set here, for they are reasonable and just and somehow immensely comforting to read. These things we keep hearing *ARE* as bad as they feel. It's not some warped idea in our minds, it's in the twistedness of what is taking place in our government. During the 12 Days of Christmas I plan to write a hand-written message to each of my legislators who are doing good things for this nation, to thank them specifically and deeply. They must feel it a thousand times more than we do, since they see it happening before their very eyes and can't make it stop...while having the responsibility for it not stopping.
Talk about blood pressure raising!! YIKES!! I hear you, Susan. Deep breaths. We need deep breaths for loud speaking anyway! ;-)
http://washingtonpress.com/2017/12/19/republicans-just-nullify-todays-tax-vote-due-humiliating-mistake/
ReplyDeleteWow! Those jerks couldn't pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel! They not only screw us up, but every single thing they try to do as well. They're going to have to vote on it again tomorrow so they'll probably spend tonight conferencing on how many more poison pills they can conceal inside the "tax" scam.
Wow! I just got this letter from my Rep in Congress, Peter Welch.
ReplyDeleteDear ... ,
I share your deep concern about President Trump’s frequent use of inflammatory, divisive, and bigoted rhetoric to advance his personal and political agenda. It seems that every day brings a new headline about something he has done or said that is inappropriate and beneath the dignity of the office he holds. These are difficult times and citizen engagement and action on the local, state, and national level is essential. I’m in this fight with you for the long haul and will work hard to hold this President fully accountable for his actions.
I will continue to speak out loudly against his appalling behavior and actions. I hope you will too. We must condemn his incitement to violence, the targeting of religious and ethnic minorities, and any attempt to curtail civil liberties.
In Congress, I am vigorously opposing his policies that would intensify income inequality, deny climate change, or shred the social safety net, while proposing constructive alternatives that rebuild the middle class, fix the Affordable Care Act, protect our environment, and shore up Medicare and Social Security.
I am also concerned about the President’s reckless and irresponsible conduct in his handling of foreign affairs, including his undisciplined and inappropriate use of Twitter. It is essential that the United States take advantage of every diplomatic tool available to confront national security threats before resorting to military action.
I have heard from a number of Vermonters asking how they can help. My strong suggestion is to act locally. Be engaged in your community. Run for office. Listen to your neighbors. Find ways to resolve disagreements and cooperate that make our state stronger and a model for the rest of the country. Encourage friends and family in other states to contact their representatives in Congress. We can renew our faith in our democracy by acting to protect and strengthen it.
Sincerely,
PETER WELCH
Member of Congress