January 30: Jen Rubin in conversation with Dr. Georges Benjamin, a pro-democracy reminder from Lavora Barnes, cautionary words from Democracy Defenders, & a taste of The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak
Trump and the GOP senators really lucked out because the news coverage of the plane crash meant that the Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel hearing weren't - amplified - the way they should have been. From the few reports of how they responded to some of the questions from Democratic senators I think that if a few GOP senators knew the public saw them they might think twice about voting for either of them. As for the plane disaster, at least the country saw what a craven lowlife Trump is as he made it all about him and his repulsive agenda. In a sane world his doing this would turn a fair number of his supporters against him.
Even before today's awful tragedy, this entire circus has been carefully stage-managed to push through one gobsmackingly unqualified, spectacularly inappropriate, vile, loutish, conspiratorial, grifting kumquat after another. Just sign on the dotted line -- no need to read the fine print, says Mango Mussolini to his Senate toads. When we actually want your worthless opinions (which is never), we'll ask you.
Maybe Ambassador Kennedy's stunning take-down of her cousin might embarrass just enough of these Trump wormtongues in the Senate to take down another worm, but I'm not holding my breath. The rest will squeak through, just like Hegseth. Perhaps we should just be grateful for not having to listen to Matt Gaetz refuse to answer questions in public about his child conquests.
The Senate will confirm each of his insanely unqualified picks because they are all bought and sold and have no loyalty to the Constitution. The only solace is all of them will be going straight to hell when they die. But unfortunately we'll have to hurt until then
I'm sorry but I think the thing we need now is NOT to win elections but rather to remake the democratic party. For all intents and purposes the democratic party is old, tired and out of ideas. It seems to be as interested in appealing to people of wealth to stay in power as the GOP. It is time to look to the young and get rid of the old dead wood. Dems like the GOP are just as afraid to take a stand that won't appeal to everyone, read as compromise principles to get conservative votes.
So happy to see you promoting Tim Mak and the Counteroffensive. He does great work, as far as I can tell. And the Ukraine situation is as grievous as the America situation in these awful times.
On the somewhat brighter side, I've been reading the r/FedNews on reddit. There's a surge of employees posting that they've shifted from despair to rage--that they'll never quit, they'll resist! Very inspiring! I'm hoping they begin the rising up that I keep waiting for, knowing it's too soon but waiting for anyway.
(For others averse to social media, it was the first time I ever signed up for or used reddit, and it was easy and feels safe. Anonymity is recommended. I'm managing fine. yymv)
Considering confirming Robert Kennedy as our HHS secretary makes as much sense as considering a recommendation to have Jack the Ripper as your plastic surgeon based on his demonstrated "knife" skills and obvious respect and reverence for his "clientele". It is readily apparent that the spineless Republican senators sheepishly supporting Trump's unqualified cabinet nominees have decided that fealty to Trump and NOT to the Constitution or their constituents is what really matters to them. True "Profiles in Cowardice" every one of them!
This Substack is confusing. All my others are straight forward and go directly to the message. Where should I go to read the total Contrarian message? I am a subscriber. Thanks.
Can States refuse to submit monies to Federal Government if government plans to use money for non-valid purposes? Just read Trump has authorized states with high birth rates and marriages will take priority on funding.
When you link me to another Substack that you recommend and I cannot read any of the actual posts, as with the one regarding shadowing Russian ships, it largely guarantees that I will not subscribe. You should let your various interlocutors in the Substack writing community know that,, if it matters.
Trump and the GOP senators really lucked out because the news coverage of the plane crash meant that the Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel hearing weren't - amplified - the way they should have been. From the few reports of how they responded to some of the questions from Democratic senators I think that if a few GOP senators knew the public saw them they might think twice about voting for either of them. As for the plane disaster, at least the country saw what a craven lowlife Trump is as he made it all about him and his repulsive agenda. In a sane world his doing this would turn a fair number of his supporters against him.
Even before today's awful tragedy, this entire circus has been carefully stage-managed to push through one gobsmackingly unqualified, spectacularly inappropriate, vile, loutish, conspiratorial, grifting kumquat after another. Just sign on the dotted line -- no need to read the fine print, says Mango Mussolini to his Senate toads. When we actually want your worthless opinions (which is never), we'll ask you.
Maybe Ambassador Kennedy's stunning take-down of her cousin might embarrass just enough of these Trump wormtongues in the Senate to take down another worm, but I'm not holding my breath. The rest will squeak through, just like Hegseth. Perhaps we should just be grateful for not having to listen to Matt Gaetz refuse to answer questions in public about his child conquests.
The Senate will confirm each of his insanely unqualified picks because they are all bought and sold and have no loyalty to the Constitution. The only solace is all of them will be going straight to hell when they die. But unfortunately we'll have to hurt until then
Thanks for amplifying the great work of Tim and team in Ukraine.
Once again, the primary and apparently only requirement for the Trump administration is blind loyalty. What could possibly go wrong?
I'm sorry but I think the thing we need now is NOT to win elections but rather to remake the democratic party. For all intents and purposes the democratic party is old, tired and out of ideas. It seems to be as interested in appealing to people of wealth to stay in power as the GOP. It is time to look to the young and get rid of the old dead wood. Dems like the GOP are just as afraid to take a stand that won't appeal to everyone, read as compromise principles to get conservative votes.
The link to Ms Barnes guide is broken
OK, that's fixed now. Thank you for pointing out and thank you @NarrowBack for providing the correct one. It's a great piece.
https://contrarian.substack.com/p/what-we-need-in-the-next-dnc-chair
Thank you!!
Oh no! Apologies, and thank you for helping. I'll go in and fix it.
Thank you!
Yes. Thank you for mentioning it here. Kimberly. I only saw a blank page when I tapped on the link.
So happy to see you promoting Tim Mak and the Counteroffensive. He does great work, as far as I can tell. And the Ukraine situation is as grievous as the America situation in these awful times.
On the somewhat brighter side, I've been reading the r/FedNews on reddit. There's a surge of employees posting that they've shifted from despair to rage--that they'll never quit, they'll resist! Very inspiring! I'm hoping they begin the rising up that I keep waiting for, knowing it's too soon but waiting for anyway.
(For others averse to social media, it was the first time I ever signed up for or used reddit, and it was easy and feels safe. Anonymity is recommended. I'm managing fine. yymv)
Why are Democrats voting to confirm some of these people?
I would also like the answer to this question.
Considering confirming Robert Kennedy as our HHS secretary makes as much sense as considering a recommendation to have Jack the Ripper as your plastic surgeon based on his demonstrated "knife" skills and obvious respect and reverence for his "clientele". It is readily apparent that the spineless Republican senators sheepishly supporting Trump's unqualified cabinet nominees have decided that fealty to Trump and NOT to the Constitution or their constituents is what really matters to them. True "Profiles in Cowardice" every one of them!
This Substack is confusing. All my others are straight forward and go directly to the message. Where should I go to read the total Contrarian message? I am a subscriber. Thanks.
Thank you Jen Rubin
Brilliant article and my new favorite word is suckupery , perfect description of what we are witnessing.
watch this and call all your state and fed reps and senators who are supposed to be representing us and whose salaries we pay:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFeL-Q8MTyb/?igsh=Mzc3ZTVlOWMwZA==
Not sure if I may ask a question here about my subscription gift to 5 individuals? Please advise. Thanks Janice Shaw
One individual did not yet receive her free one month gift trial. Who do I contact please?
Can States refuse to submit monies to Federal Government if government plans to use money for non-valid purposes? Just read Trump has authorized states with high birth rates and marriages will take priority on funding.
In addition to Tim Mak's substack on global ANTI democratic forces, can you recommend some substacks covering US or global PRO democracy forces?
DemLabs just announced an ICE watch tool. Please share
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/01/31/people-over-papers-crowdsourced-ice-watch-map/
When you link me to another Substack that you recommend and I cannot read any of the actual posts, as with the one regarding shadowing Russian ships, it largely guarantees that I will not subscribe. You should let your various interlocutors in the Substack writing community know that,, if it matters.