I want to thank Norm Eisen for his excellent work defending our democracy, his humility and always giving us, the public donators to the Contrarian, credit for his wins!
Watched that super inspiring Michigan Senate debate on a FOX affiliate. Abdul clearly faced a hostile "moderator," who repeatedly tried to paint him as some sort of extremist. But Abdul kept his cool, stayed on message, repeatedly remarked upon the cowardice of his no-show opponent, and completely knocked it out of the park! An amazing job!
Abdul was already up +4 *before* the debate. With Rogers a scared little no-show, and Abdul giving a debate performance the equal of Mayor Pete, his lead has only gone up, up, up!
Saw an El-Sayed post today with a photo of El-Sayed at the podium and the empty one across the stage in which El-Sayed calls his opponent 'Mike DODGERS.' Well played, sir!
It is very smart for Abdul to let his opponent's bad behavior speak for itself in front of the audience. It is also very smart to allow the moderator to highlight his poise and rationality in the face of her undermining. It is very heartening to see Democrats not allowing Republicans to define them. I think we are seeing the Republicans don't actually know how to campaign on a policy platform. All they do is prompt Democrats to shoot themselves in the foot.
When that doesn't work, Republicans just hide and run. It's great to hear about Abdul using the hiding and running against Rogers.
Absolutely! Having seen how Trump defies court orders, we need to keep a thumb on this issue. The destructive child already destroyed government property without authorization when he had the East Wing of the White House pulled down. Let him not try it again with another government property in the Kennedy Center. Be vigilant. Be thorough.
Democracy will hold and ultimately prevail as long as we have independent journalism from people like Jennifer Rubin, The Contrarian and the many incredible candidates running for congressional, state and local seats, governors and mayors. No one wants to live under despotism except the despots.
Thank you, Norm, for all your extraordinary work, and to all the others who are out there fighting the good fight for our democracy.
Vote as if your life depends on it, because it does. Even if you may not live to see the day that the country recovers, think of your children, grandchildren, and subsequent generations of citizens. Do it for them.
We can't do anything for the various interest groups under the big Democratic Party tent unless we win. Leading with divisive issues will work against that. There will be plenty of time after a big win to sort out how we help various groups within the context of big issues like, for example, health care for all, repairing the social safety net, immigration reform, etc. Until then, we need themes that unite! Emphasizing America's traditional values can help. Republicans have commandeered their version of "traditional values" in ways that Dems can challenge effectively. For one, appeal to basic human decency (which Trump and his cronies have trashed).
I appreciate the enthusiasm (and it's nice to be able to have something to be enthusiastic about), but it's not a good idea to encourage people to think or to praise "judges who are holding the line for democracy." The notion that "holding the line for democracy" the duty of judges is a dangerous notion that is clearly contrary to the rule of law.
Democracy means essentially majority rule, and experience proves that the majority don't always rule well or want to rule well. For illustrations, just look at Texas, Missouri, Idaho, Florida and other states in which majorities are attacking and undermining our Constitution and the people and principles it secures. In many states, majorities care more about their democracy than about our Constitution, the rule of law and the rights and freedoms they secure.
The Constitution establishes the relevant rule of law. Article VI emphasizes that our Constitution is the paramount part of "the supreme Law of the Land" and all "the Judges in every State" are "bound thereby," and "all executive and judicial Officers" and all legislators (state and federal) are "bound" to "support this Constitution."
Judges enforcing "due process of law" (Fifth Amendment) and "the freedom of speech" (First Amendment) are not supporting democracy. They are fulfilling their oaths and their duty to support our Constitution. They are fulfilling their oaths (in 5 U.S.C. Section 3331) to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and to “bear true faith and allegiance to” our Constitution, alone (i.e., not to any person, party, or faction).
That's what we should praise, what we should want, and what we should expect of all our public servants who represent us in any part of national or state government. After all, it is not democracy, but our Constitution that establishes what the Fourteenth Amendment declared: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States" are “citizens” and are entitled to all "the privileges or immunities of citizens," and every “person” (citizen or not) is entitled to “due process of law” and "equal protection of the laws."
Then there's Judge Edelman's skeptical questioning of Trump's DoJ, which wants to have the ridiculous charges against Davey Hearn dismissed without prejudice, as if someone could go back in time and somehow create evidence against him so they could be refiled. And Judge Cooper's staunch defense of the Kennedy Center as a monument to the late President, not Trump's personal garden shed that Trump can close or demolish at will. For folks in the Washington area, there is a "Hands Around the Kennedy Center" demonstration tonight, Friday, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.
I value that this time of year is a time of relection on who we are and have been and especially how we treat others. For the 10 days from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur, I think about my role in the world and, to quote Kareem Abdul Jabbar, "to be good, you must do good." This, along with John Lewis "good trouble," and many other credos of good people who spend their lives making our world better continue to inspire me.
This election, vote early and bring your friends and acquaintances along to do the same.
Taking the wins is what it is all about. Trump and his regime are tired. The voters have had it. He lied to them and they see it. Those who have caught on are done with his bs. I’m wishing Jen and Norm and all others an easy fast for Monday.
"...many Democrats greeted even a win as convincing and critical as a decision on the merits in the U.S. Post Office case with shrugs and eye-rolling."
It's my understanding that this decision by SCOTUS was NOT made on the merits of the USPS case but was mostly decided relative to the timing of the government's efforts when mail voting had already begun in some states. Kavanaugh, in his concurrence, let the door open for changing his mind after a full review of the merits.
I very much appreciate the work Norm Eisen, LULAC, and others have done in challenging Trump's EO, but the reason people are remain skeptical is because this court could reach an entirely different decision as regards 2028 if they hear the case in full - briefs, oral arguments, amicus filings, the works.
We'll take the breather for now, but skepticism of this court is very much warranted. And earned.
A very good essay. Regarding the Supreme Court, I worry that too many on the Democratic side are hesitant to push for Court expansion. Unless there can be quick corruptions investigations, impeachments and removals of Thomas and Alito, nothing really changes. The Court must be reformed. Term limits are a great idea, but current Justices will almost certainly be exempt. Only expansion can neutralize the right wing extremist, near fascist, and glaringly anti First Amendment bent toward religion.
I want to thank Norm Eisen for his excellent work defending our democracy, his humility and always giving us, the public donators to the Contrarian, credit for his wins!
Me, too! Huzzah!
He is a super star!
Watched that super inspiring Michigan Senate debate on a FOX affiliate. Abdul clearly faced a hostile "moderator," who repeatedly tried to paint him as some sort of extremist. But Abdul kept his cool, stayed on message, repeatedly remarked upon the cowardice of his no-show opponent, and completely knocked it out of the park! An amazing job!
Abdul was already up +4 *before* the debate. With Rogers a scared little no-show, and Abdul giving a debate performance the equal of Mayor Pete, his lead has only gone up, up, up!
Saw an El-Sayed post today with a photo of El-Sayed at the podium and the empty one across the stage in which El-Sayed calls his opponent 'Mike DODGERS.' Well played, sir!
It is very smart for Abdul to let his opponent's bad behavior speak for itself in front of the audience. It is also very smart to allow the moderator to highlight his poise and rationality in the face of her undermining. It is very heartening to see Democrats not allowing Republicans to define them. I think we are seeing the Republicans don't actually know how to campaign on a policy platform. All they do is prompt Democrats to shoot themselves in the foot.
When that doesn't work, Republicans just hide and run. It's great to hear about Abdul using the hiding and running against Rogers.
Abdul is too smart for politics. We’re not accustomed to seeing such brilliance but man-oh-man is it great!
I would also like to see a shout out to Rep. Joyce Beatty, for speaking truth to power in the Kennedy Center case!
Absolutely! Having seen how Trump defies court orders, we need to keep a thumb on this issue. The destructive child already destroyed government property without authorization when he had the East Wing of the White House pulled down. Let him not try it again with another government property in the Kennedy Center. Be vigilant. Be thorough.
Democracy will hold and ultimately prevail as long as we have independent journalism from people like Jennifer Rubin, The Contrarian and the many incredible candidates running for congressional, state and local seats, governors and mayors. No one wants to live under despotism except the despots.
...and their cultish subjects.
“It now is up to you, the voters who value democracy, to do the work necessary to defeat the MAGA regime”. Vote, vote, vote!!
And keep smiling as you do!
Thank you, Norm, for all your extraordinary work, and to all the others who are out there fighting the good fight for our democracy.
Vote as if your life depends on it, because it does. Even if you may not live to see the day that the country recovers, think of your children, grandchildren, and subsequent generations of citizens. Do it for them.
We can't do anything for the various interest groups under the big Democratic Party tent unless we win. Leading with divisive issues will work against that. There will be plenty of time after a big win to sort out how we help various groups within the context of big issues like, for example, health care for all, repairing the social safety net, immigration reform, etc. Until then, we need themes that unite! Emphasizing America's traditional values can help. Republicans have commandeered their version of "traditional values" in ways that Dems can challenge effectively. For one, appeal to basic human decency (which Trump and his cronies have trashed).
“we salute the undaunted, unwavering, and unbowed litigators and judges who are holding the line for democracy”
Yes we do! They are American heroes! We are fortunate to have them. As the old hymn goes: “In every age, a hero or sage, came to our aid!”
Now….it’s the people’s turn. VOTE BLUE!
I appreciate the enthusiasm (and it's nice to be able to have something to be enthusiastic about), but it's not a good idea to encourage people to think or to praise "judges who are holding the line for democracy." The notion that "holding the line for democracy" the duty of judges is a dangerous notion that is clearly contrary to the rule of law.
Democracy means essentially majority rule, and experience proves that the majority don't always rule well or want to rule well. For illustrations, just look at Texas, Missouri, Idaho, Florida and other states in which majorities are attacking and undermining our Constitution and the people and principles it secures. In many states, majorities care more about their democracy than about our Constitution, the rule of law and the rights and freedoms they secure.
The Constitution establishes the relevant rule of law. Article VI emphasizes that our Constitution is the paramount part of "the supreme Law of the Land" and all "the Judges in every State" are "bound thereby," and "all executive and judicial Officers" and all legislators (state and federal) are "bound" to "support this Constitution."
Judges enforcing "due process of law" (Fifth Amendment) and "the freedom of speech" (First Amendment) are not supporting democracy. They are fulfilling their oaths and their duty to support our Constitution. They are fulfilling their oaths (in 5 U.S.C. Section 3331) to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and to “bear true faith and allegiance to” our Constitution, alone (i.e., not to any person, party, or faction).
That's what we should praise, what we should want, and what we should expect of all our public servants who represent us in any part of national or state government. After all, it is not democracy, but our Constitution that establishes what the Fourteenth Amendment declared: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States" are “citizens” and are entitled to all "the privileges or immunities of citizens," and every “person” (citizen or not) is entitled to “due process of law” and "equal protection of the laws."
Then there's Judge Edelman's skeptical questioning of Trump's DoJ, which wants to have the ridiculous charges against Davey Hearn dismissed without prejudice, as if someone could go back in time and somehow create evidence against him so they could be refiled. And Judge Cooper's staunch defense of the Kennedy Center as a monument to the late President, not Trump's personal garden shed that Trump can close or demolish at will. For folks in the Washington area, there is a "Hands Around the Kennedy Center" demonstration tonight, Friday, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.
I value that this time of year is a time of relection on who we are and have been and especially how we treat others. For the 10 days from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur, I think about my role in the world and, to quote Kareem Abdul Jabbar, "to be good, you must do good." This, along with John Lewis "good trouble," and many other credos of good people who spend their lives making our world better continue to inspire me.
This election, vote early and bring your friends and acquaintances along to do the same.
Yom tov
Good Yontiff, Jen!
Taking the wins is what it is all about. Trump and his regime are tired. The voters have had it. He lied to them and they see it. Those who have caught on are done with his bs. I’m wishing Jen and Norm and all others an easy fast for Monday.
Thank you. The future of our country is at stake.
"...many Democrats greeted even a win as convincing and critical as a decision on the merits in the U.S. Post Office case with shrugs and eye-rolling."
It's my understanding that this decision by SCOTUS was NOT made on the merits of the USPS case but was mostly decided relative to the timing of the government's efforts when mail voting had already begun in some states. Kavanaugh, in his concurrence, let the door open for changing his mind after a full review of the merits.
I very much appreciate the work Norm Eisen, LULAC, and others have done in challenging Trump's EO, but the reason people are remain skeptical is because this court could reach an entirely different decision as regards 2028 if they hear the case in full - briefs, oral arguments, amicus filings, the works.
We'll take the breather for now, but skepticism of this court is very much warranted. And earned.
A very good essay. Regarding the Supreme Court, I worry that too many on the Democratic side are hesitant to push for Court expansion. Unless there can be quick corruptions investigations, impeachments and removals of Thomas and Alito, nothing really changes. The Court must be reformed. Term limits are a great idea, but current Justices will almost certainly be exempt. Only expansion can neutralize the right wing extremist, near fascist, and glaringly anti First Amendment bent toward religion.