This is the space in which I write upbeat things to pull you all along and keep you from the abyss of doom and inaction before I launch into the good news. And there is a LOT of good news to share today!
But I am not going to cheerlead in this intro today. Not because I don’t still feel upbeat and full of hope for our country: I do. How could I not after a night filled with amazing protests? I can’t lead with an upbeat message this morning because this week, I am also concerned. Not about the administration (they are always a concern) but about how these years of trump and co have affected some among us.
Some Members of the Resistance are addicted to outrage and panic at the expense of logic and reason.
Three examples from just this week:
Example one:
Thursday, a DailyKos staff writer published an article titled Trump indicates he will add citizenship question to the census, defying he supreme court. This article was based on some dumb tweet that our idiotic president wrote in the morning that some people decided meant an executive order might be coming ordering the census to include a citizenship question.
So anyway, based on an executive order that no one had seen, this article predicted the very worst:
For those who haven’t read them recently, this is a good time to revisit Masha Gessen’s rules for surviving an autocracy. Her article continues to be the most vital, and sadly predictive, reading of the last three years. “It took Putin a year to take over the Russian media and four years to dismantle its electoral system; the judiciary collapsed unnoticed.” Gessen did suggest that American institutions were more hardy than those of the nascent Russian republic, and that toppling them might take longer. However, Trump appears to be right on schedule.
….
should Trump act to place the question on the census in defiance of orders by the judiciary at every level, up to and including the Supreme Court, the issue will become the emblem not just of attempts to cripple American democracy through a series of incremental assaults, but of a move to outright end the pretense that we are anything other than a dictatorship.
This article was rec-ed 258 times and commented on 819 times. And the comments were equally panicked. The first one just read:
doomed
So I commented, trying to get people to not panic:
Right. So he is trying to get around it and will fail. Look, its not good that he is doing this but the fact is he is likely to lose. The courts will again tell him no and he won’t be able to do it. Its not like Obama didn’t use executive orders as well. To worry about this is fine, but to turn this into “the end of democracy” is not useful. That is all I am saying.
to which many, many people responded, almost all of them about how naive I was and how this really was the very end of all things good. Some were nice about it:
Respectfully disagree. He's going full dictator. We need to get our heads out of the sand. This will end badly.
some were not nice:
Please share some of the happy pills with those of us in the reality-based community.
Of course, it only took hours to show that I WAS RIGHT. This *is* still a country of laws and so the moron didn’t sign a stupid executive order adding the question to the census because THERE IS NO WAY IT WOULD MAKE IT THROUGH THE COURTS. It was a dumb and illegal idea that would have failed and WOULD NOT HAVE ENDED OUR DEMOCRACY.
That is the “reality based community.”
All that worry and all that panic and all that negative energy was for nothing.
Example two:
On Thursday I went to an amazing protest against the children (and adults) being held in concentration camps. Most of the speakers were wonderful and inspiring and it felt great to take to the streets and take action.
Then one speaker started talking directly to Senator Schumer (our home town Senator) and said something like “Senator Schumer can end these camps and he needs to do that!” and the people cheered and cheered.
And I thought “ what the actual f&*% are you talking about????”
How is Schumer supposed to end these camps? With a magic wand? With mind control over trump and McConnell? With witchcraft? We can ask Schumer to do more to bring attention to the issue, but Democrats in the House are already holding hearings and passing laws (that McConnell will bury). And Schumer is already sponsoring a bill in the Senate to end the family separations (see below). Above that, Schumer is the Senate minority leader. He has zero ability to close the camps. Literally zero.
But the crowd cheered because it’s so easy and rewarding to be outraged; let’s be outraged at our own team too!! We can feel morally superior to EVERYONE! Who cares that this is one of the reasons we lost in 2016! Who cares that it isn’t based in reality! Makes me feel good for a moment!
Example three:
This one isn’t from just this week but seems like it has been getting worse and worse and I saw plenty of it this week. It started with me noticing that someone in one of my social justice groups on FB keeps posting articles of things we should be outraged about. And people respond with outrage! Barf emojis! Comments about the end of our democracy! Bad! Bad!
Then when I click on them, the articles were often old: two years old. Or a year old. Or even three years old. Sometimes they were about something that might still be an issue to worry about. Other times, it was an issue that was already resolved.
So I started clicking on ALL the outrage porn articles my friends post all over FB and lo and behold, at least a third of them are old or outdated or not backed up with real facts. AT LEAST A THIRD. And my friends are generally very well-educated, smart people. And when I point it out sometimes people say something like “Oh, I didn’t notice that, but its important anyway, because this is the kind of thing trump is still doing.”
So we on the left have descended to the level of “truthiness” we mocked W about. If it is something to be outraged about, truth doesn’t matter. As long as it feels “truthy,” we are good.
………..
So why is this happening? Why are some of us addicted to outrage and panic at the expense of logic and facts?
Well, first of all, there IS a lot to worry about with this president. And rather than think hard to distinguish between things that are really happening versus just garbage, we just assume everything is something awful.
In addition, some journalists print articles about these issues because panic sells. And outrage sells. The worse a headlines is, the more clicks it will get.
What about us? Why are we so primed to feel this panic and outrage?
Does it feel good? Not in the long term.
But the outrage and the panic that accompanies it does provide an instant rush that I worry many in the Resistance are addicted to. A rush of “I am right and others are wrong.” The outrage provides a feeling of moral and intellectual superiority over the people who are causing the “end of the world” and the poor schmucks who can’t see it and the idiots (on our side) who aren’t doing anything about. We want to show that *we* understand the full weight of just how awful this all is. *We* can see what is happening while other fools are blind. *We* know how to fix the awful situation while others do nothing. We sit on our couches with very little actual understanding of how government works and feel superior to everyone out there doing the hard and tedious work.
And its all such amazing and terrible and dangerous bullshit. For one thing, there are REAL things to be outraged about and worried about. There are literally children in cages. The climate is in trouble. These are real things that need our attention. Reading tea leaves to find signs of the end of democracy, arguing in the comments section of some article, turning on our allies, or sharing panic porn is a waste of time and a bringer of bad energy.
And even though most people aren’t among the worst offenders with this, I bet we all suffer from this sometimes. I bet we all find ourselves focusing too much on the awful possibilities of every single stupid thing he says rather than staying focused on what really matters. I bet we all share information we shouldn't. I bet we all criticize leaders without really thinking about their options.
These *are* tough times and it is easy to fall into these rabbit holes. But we need to do all we can to ignore the negativity and the panic and stick to the facts and actual issues.
We need to focus on real issues and focus on winning in 2020.
Honestly, anything other than that is time-wasting, losing, drivel.
Because….
We Win Many Battles And We Won Another on the Census
Trump backs off census citizenship question, issues order to collect data in other ways
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is backing off his effort to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census and is instead issuing an executive order directing departments and agencies to better share data related to the number of citizens and noncitizens in the country.
Dale Ho, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Voting Rights Project, who argued the Supreme Court case, said in a statement that he would continue to scrutinize Trump's new plan closely.
Ho accused Trump of wanting "to sow fear in immigrant communities and turbocharge Republican gerrymandering efforts by diluting the political influence of Latino communities."
"Now he’s backing down and taking the option that he rejected more than a year ago," Ho added. "Trump may claim victory today, but this is nothing short of a total, humiliating defeat for him and his administration."
Trump aborts yet another plan
This time, it was on the census. It’s becoming a theme.
Over the past month and a half, President Trump has set in motion plans to strike Iran, ordered nationwide immigration raids, threatened punitive and imminent tariffs on Mexico and said he would fight to get a citizenship question on the census that was rejected by the Supreme Court.
Each time, he launched extensive planning, created angst even among his own officials and some supporters and devoted significant government resources to preparation.
And each time, he ultimately pulled the plug.
Trump's cave on Census stuns allies
Top figures in the conservative legal community are stunned and depressed by President Trump's cave in his fight for a citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
The state of play: Sources say Leonard Leo and other Federalist Society stalwarts were shocked and floored by how weak the decision was. "What was the dance ... all about if this was going to be the end result?" a conservative leader asked.
- "A total waste of everyone’s time. ... It’s certainly going to give people pause the next time one has to decide how far to stick one’s neck out."
- One GOP strategist called it a "punch in the gut."
So many people wasted tons of time arguing and worrying about something that ended up being nothing. Tell me again about the “reality-based community”?
And that wasn’t the only panic being sold on DailyKos and around the left wing web.
Did any of you read any of the panic porn on Trump’s media summit? How it was going to be the end of democracy by bringing in the worst of the worst for high level Dr Evil type planning for 2020?
Was it really something we all should have freaked out about. First, from before it happened:
For many on the left and in the establishment press, this is an unsavory cast of characters -- a group of unserious instigators and ne'er do wells whom the President of the United States should not be elevating.
This consternation is somewhat understandable — some of these figures are truly loathsome internet trolls who serve no purpose other than to harass, antagonize, provoke and spread misinformation. Some others have pushed hateful speech and racist memes. Still others are merely annoying gadflies.
But there also are a number of reasons this event should not get us all worked up.
For starters, who is remotely surprised by this? These are Trump's peeps, his bros, his ride or dies. Most of these folks have devoted some or much of their careers to protecting and promoting him, for some to their considerable professional detriment. As Reagan was fond of saying, you dance with the one that brung ya. Well, these are the ones that brung him, and Trump wants to reward them with some face time before the election ramps up.
He also, without a doubt, wants to get a rise out of us. Mission accomplished.
And how’d that actually turn out in REALITY:
'Circus show' summit: Trump delivers meandering speech to his digital army of supporters at the White House
if attendees were hoping for a precise battle plan to emerge from the summit, they may have walked away disappointed. Speaking to CNN Business on the condition of anonymity because their employers had not authorized them to speak to the press, two attendees said that the event was light on substance. In fact, as one attendee put it, there was "zero substance."
Instead, those who attended were treated to what the second attendee described as a "circus show." Kellyanne Conway, the White House counselor, kicked things off with a private interview of the pro-Trump social media personalities
"Diamond & Silk." The commentary offered by the duo was described to CNN Business as an "unintelligible rant."
But Trump, not to be outdone, delivered perhaps the most extraordinary rant of the day after walking on stage to "Hail to the Chief." Rambling from one topic to the next, Trump touched on a slew of issues as he spoke before his army of online supporters. He discussed the stock markets, the census, his pardon of Scooter Libby, his hair, and hit on a number of other issues.
"They invited 300 people to sit here and listen to personal anecdotes and stories," one of the people who spoke to CNN Business said.
tell me again how the social media circus and census question are the end of democracy? 😉
Democrats Are Doing Amazing Things
Despite piles of panic porn on what a ineffectual, argumentative mess the Democrats are, actual facts show incredible actions.
For example:
Congressional Democrats subpoena Trump’s financial, business records
Congressional Democrats began issuing dozens of subpoenas Monday for financial records and other documents from President Trump’s private entities as part of an ongoing lawsuit alleging that his businesses violate the Constitution’s ban on gifts or payments from foreign governments.
Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez team up on bill to help those with criminal records get housing
Sen. Kamala Harris and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are teaming up to introduce legislation aimed at helping people with criminal records fairly obtain housing.
The bill, which the lawmakers will introduce Wednesday in their respective chambers, pledges to change eviction and screening policies in housing so people with a criminal history can apply for federal housing assistance.
House Democrats seek documents from for-profit companies detaining migrants
The House Oversight and Reform Committee is asking for in-depth business information from companies managing detention centers at the southern border.
Senate Democrats are now set to introduce a major new proposal that will offer another way: It would make family separations illegal; invest much more in legal support for asylum seekers; and beef up humanitarian standards for the treatment of families and children.
The proposal is spearheaded by Sen. Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), and co-sponsored by three dozen Democratic senators, including those running for president.
As such, it will function as a leading Democratic answer to Trump’s immigration agenda, and to the worldview that treats deterrence through maximal cruelty as an acceptable answer to migrations.
The House voted Friday to prevent President Trump from launching into war with Iran without getting Congress’ approval first, after more than two dozen Republicans joined Democrats to include the provision in the House’s annual defense authorization bill.
The move sets up a likely showdown with the Senate over whether the Iran restriction, which includes an exception for cases of self-defense, will be included in the final bill negotiated between the two chambers.
D.C. attorney general issues subpoenas to NRA, its charitable foundation
D.C’s attorney general issued subpoenas Friday to the National Rifle Association and its charitable foundation, putting additional pressure on the embattled gun rights organization from nonprofit regulators.
The office of Attorney General Karl A. Racine is seeking financial documents from the NRA and its foundation. The NRA Foundation is chartered in the District and the NRA is registered as a nonprofit and does business there.
“The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia has issued subpoenas to the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and the NRA Foundation, Inc., as part of an investigation into whether these entities violated the District’s Nonprofit Act,” Racine said in a statement.
He continued: “We are seeking documents from these two nonprofits detailing, among other things, their financial records, payments to vendors, and payments to officers and directors.”
House Passes Bill Shoring Up 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
The House of Representatives voted to reinforce the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund for the duration of attack survivors’ lives, setting up a final vote in the Senate that Republican leaders have said would occur before August.
McGrath raises a record $2.5 million on first day of Senate campaign
Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Amy McGrath raised more than $2.5 million in the first 24 hours of her campaign against Mitch McConnell — over $1 million of it coming in just the first five and a half hours after she announced, according to her campaign.
McGrath campaign manager Mark Nickolas said it’s the most ever raised in the first 24 hours of a Senate campaign. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee says the next closest was former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, who raised $1 million in his first day of his campaign in Arizona.
tell me again about how the democrats are in disarray? Maybe some more about us having no good senate candidates? Perhaps lack of enthusiasm? Maybe a touch more on Democrats not doing anything about important issues? 😉
Justice Moves Slowly But in the Right Direction
What about the panic porn about the legal system already being lost to us?
Let’s look at the facts:
Federal grand jury probing GOP fundraiser Elliott Broidy
A federal grand jury in New York is investigating top Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy, examining whether he used his position as vice chair of President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee to drum up business deals with foreign leaders, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and people familiar with the matter.
Acosta is gone as Trump retreats again
Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta and President Trump bowed to reality, the reality that retaining the man who cut a secret plea deal with a “monster” (as Republicans described him) sex offender was untenable. Acosta, as many anticipated after his heartless, soulless and entirely disingenuous news conference, stepped downFriday (or was pushed out).
This is a frequent pattern for Trump: A scandal-plagued Cabinet member or White House staffer comes under fire (e.g. Tom Price, Scott Pruitt, Ryan Zinke, Rob Porter). Trump insists the real victim is the accused, who is a “great guy” and doing “a great job.” Republicans mumble, fidget and insist there is nothing to see here, while Democrats lace into the malefactor and Trump. Democrats stress the spinelessness of Republicans who enable a president whose natural affinity is with those accused of corruption, self-dealing and abusive conduct. Trump blames the press, insisting the coverage is “fake news.” Then Trump dumps the guy, leaving the Republicans who insisted there was never any problem looking like spineless sycophants. Rinse, repeat.
Jeffrey Epstein's arrest shows the power of one newspaper's investigation
In the past year the Jeffrey Epstein case was catapulted onto the national news radar by one newspaper, the Miami Herald, and by one reporter in particular, Julie K. Brown. The paper's "Perversion of Justice" series came out last November, and Brown has stayed on the story ever since.
In San Diego federal court, US District Judge Thomas J. Whelan rejected arguments from Hunter's attorneys that the case was politically motivated because two assistant US attorneys attended a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton and later brought the case against Hunter, who was one of the first congressmen to endorse then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign.
Federal Judge Advances Challenge to Trump Travel Ban
A lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban targeting Muslim countries will move forward, a federal judge in Michigan ruled Wednesday.
The current version of the president’s 2017 proclamation, which he claimed was to combat terrorism, barred the issuance of visas to travelers from eight countries, including six with Muslim-majority populations: Iran, Syria, Chad, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, North Korea and Venezuela.
Tell me again how the judicial system is totally corrupt and has already fallen? 😉
Tides Are Turning
A changing America finally demands that the Central Park Five prosecutors face consequences
It is clear, after all this time, that something measurable had changed. America in 2019 is different than it was in 1990, when the teenagers were convicted. It’s different than it was in 2002, when the convictions were vacated, and in 2012, when the Burns and McMahon documentary was released.
The air has shifted in a way that reveals changes in broader American culture — in what we’re willing to talk about, our confidence in long-entrenched power structures, and in how the media covers crime stories. And when you couple that evolution with Netflix’s broad reach, you can understand why people watched When They See Us and were moved to do something, or at least to express outrage about what happened.
Scientists Develop Device That Produces Green Energy and Clean Water
A team of scientists announced Tuesday that they have discovered a way to purify water and generate electricity at the same time using a solar-powered device, making it possible to transform electricity power plants into fresh water producers.
In a paper published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology said they were able to combine two solar-driven technologies – photovoltaics and multistage membrane distillation – to create a device that produces both electricity and clean water.
So Trump had an awful terrible no good very bad week and I didn’t even have time to get into the amazing gold that is Paul Spineless Ryan turning on Trump and sending him into a frenzy. Which was, honestly, fun to watch.
Even though I started this column with some yelling, I hope you know that it came from a place of love. Not for the bullshit. But for our movement. For the millions of us fighting for this country. For a country and an idea about liberty that is worth fighting for. These times are hard and there are rabbit holes to avoid left and right in this mess. Even with that, we are doing amazing things.
Now get out there and close down these camps and get us some wins in 2020 (click links for great ideas on how to help with both)!
Keep strong and focused everyone. Focus on facts not future possibilities and we will win this thing .❤️ ✊ ❤️
I remain proud and lucky to be in this with all of you ❤️ ✊ ❤️