As one who taught American history for over 40 years, I’ve come to believe that one of our greatest weaknesses is our extraordinary short-sightedness. Two examples stand out in my mind.
The first, of course, is the creation of this nation with its founding ideals hopelessly compromised by the allowance of slavery. The cost of this one terrible compromise has been and continues to be incalculable. it is true that without that compromise, the United States would most likely have died a-borning, but it remains far too well defined as our Original Sin.
The other, far more recent example, of which this ‘big beautiful bill’ is just one facet, is the re-election of Donald Trump. Its cost, ike that of slavery, even as it is still in the operative stage is also utterly incalculable. And, comparable to slavery, it may well turn out to be our Final Sin.
Another bit that has come to me recently is the final couplet of John Keats’ Ode on a Grecian Urn; “Beauty is truth, and truth beauty. That is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know/“
Trump loves both words, but of course has utterly no concept of either.
The most successful way to get rid of a dictator is a non- violent one, and given the way Trump has been screwing things up, there will soon be multiple demonstrations.
I hope so. I feel like some of the energy has dissipated. The AOC/Bernie rallies are over. No more viral townhall meetings. Hopefully the June 14 No Kings Day rally will animate things. But right now I'm feeling pretty down.
Could someone please address the hidden provision in the budget bill at the bottom of page 562 that appears to disable the judiciary from enforcing court findings or rulings? If they cannot use appropriated funds and they can’t show bias taking other funds, won’t passing the budget legislate the end of judiciary checks and balances? Isn’t this how you use democracy to end democracy?
The slashing of funding for medical and scientific research is totally beyond my comprehension. Why would any government that benefits from this do this sort of thing not only to themselves but their citizens? Start up companies that do research not only do great things for mankind but they also enable economic growth and development among other existing companies. New technologies are licensed to existing companies to create products that not only enable further R&D but also allow for new pharmaceuticals to be brought into the pipeline. How stupid and hateful can our government be really? We make money off foreign countries when they pay our government or our domestic companies royalties. I wonder how many government employees have been fired from the United States Patent Office?
I have a question I see from Heather Cox Richardson‘s May 21 post that the new bill includes some kind of restriction on being charged against contempt. Does that mean they can defy court orders? Can they write a bill that says I don’t have to follow the law and ispresident exempt because that he can’t be prosecuted for official act is defying a court order and official act would like some clarification thank you.
Is anyone putting the a list of exactly how every member of the House voted on this Disgusting BBB? 🫣 It needs to be flooded, like sunshine, over the internet where people can't help seeing it. Don't let them hide. Oh, and a "present" vote is a Yes vote.
As one who taught American history for over 40 years, I’ve come to believe that one of our greatest weaknesses is our extraordinary short-sightedness. Two examples stand out in my mind.
The first, of course, is the creation of this nation with its founding ideals hopelessly compromised by the allowance of slavery. The cost of this one terrible compromise has been and continues to be incalculable. it is true that without that compromise, the United States would most likely have died a-borning, but it remains far too well defined as our Original Sin.
The other, far more recent example, of which this ‘big beautiful bill’ is just one facet, is the re-election of Donald Trump. Its cost, ike that of slavery, even as it is still in the operative stage is also utterly incalculable. And, comparable to slavery, it may well turn out to be our Final Sin.
Another bit that has come to me recently is the final couplet of John Keats’ Ode on a Grecian Urn; “Beauty is truth, and truth beauty. That is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know/“
Trump loves both words, but of course has utterly no concept of either.
Timing is everything, but sometimes it feels lie Father Time is taking sides.
If Congressman Connolly chosen not to run, or had been able to cast his vote the tally would have been 50/50.
The most successful way to get rid of a dictator is a non- violent one, and given the way Trump has been screwing things up, there will soon be multiple demonstrations.
I hope so. I feel like some of the energy has dissipated. The AOC/Bernie rallies are over. No more viral townhall meetings. Hopefully the June 14 No Kings Day rally will animate things. But right now I'm feeling pretty down.
The Oval Office now looks less like royalty and more like gaudy, tacky opulence.
Could someone please address the hidden provision in the budget bill at the bottom of page 562 that appears to disable the judiciary from enforcing court findings or rulings? If they cannot use appropriated funds and they can’t show bias taking other funds, won’t passing the budget legislate the end of judiciary checks and balances? Isn’t this how you use democracy to end democracy?
https://budget.house.gov/imo/media/doc/one_big_beautiful_bill_act_-_full_bill_text.pdf
The bill seeks to strip the judiciary of its contempt power. It’s only real enforcement power. So like being declawed.
The slashing of funding for medical and scientific research is totally beyond my comprehension. Why would any government that benefits from this do this sort of thing not only to themselves but their citizens? Start up companies that do research not only do great things for mankind but they also enable economic growth and development among other existing companies. New technologies are licensed to existing companies to create products that not only enable further R&D but also allow for new pharmaceuticals to be brought into the pipeline. How stupid and hateful can our government be really? We make money off foreign countries when they pay our government or our domestic companies royalties. I wonder how many government employees have been fired from the United States Patent Office?
I have a question I see from Heather Cox Richardson‘s May 21 post that the new bill includes some kind of restriction on being charged against contempt. Does that mean they can defy court orders? Can they write a bill that says I don’t have to follow the law and ispresident exempt because that he can’t be prosecuted for official act is defying a court order and official act would like some clarification thank you.
Is anyone putting the a list of exactly how every member of the House voted on this Disgusting BBB? 🫣 It needs to be flooded, like sunshine, over the internet where people can't help seeing it. Don't let them hide. Oh, and a "present" vote is a Yes vote.
In addition. Next to their names should be when THEY are up for vote.