ABC News reported last night that the president-elect is working his phones, calling Republicans in the Senate. He’s demanding the Senate vote to approve his cabinet nominees without holding Advise and Consent (A&C) hearings.
Of course, our Constitution requires A&C Senate Hearings. We all know what the president-elect thinks of our Constitution. Do you want to resist him? Of course. We all do.
Well, here’s the best way to get in the boxing 🥊 ring and fight him. RESIST him virtually ! Call Your Senators !
How do regular people “resist” in everyday life? It does not good to shout at MAGA neighbors, nor does it do any good to doomscroll and stay in one’s own bubble.
After Elon bought Twitter, I heard many complaints re what a cesspool it quickly became. My question for all Bulwark hosts is: have you left Twitter/X?
Interesting that you keep talking about dealing with this radical right group for “four more years” when experts on autocracy detail signs that the move to autocracy began during his first term, increased during the interim, and will now swiftly advance absent sustained resistance. Expecting just “four years” is magical thinking.
The proof of the pudding may be in the eating. Unless/until the Trump voters and supporters themselves feel pain and are suffering, they will continue to support what he says and does. Whether we rage, teach, lecture, or protest it may/will be important and powerful. But less so. I wonder how I might expedite their awareness. Any ideas out there?!
I am deeply dismayed that The New York Times is responding to the mad nomination of RFK Jr. for head of HHS by urging readers to remember that the deluded vaccine denier and holder of some really kooky views has some good ideas and to focus on them. Yes, who, other than Big Pharma, isn't years past being ready to see an end to pharmaceutical ads on their TVs? But it is impossible to separate the message from the deeply flawed messenger and his ideas that are a danger to the health and even lives of Americans. Furthermore, RFK Jr.'s highly disagreeable speech problem (what is it?) makes Joe Biden sound like Mayor Pete.
The idiocy of the New York Times telling its readers that Junior has some good ideas and those are what they should focus on as opposed to him being a crank is exactly why I cancelled my subscription the day after the 2024 election.
All of their normalization of Trump and his lunacy over the past three-and-a-half years is part of the reason why he was re-elected last Tuesday. Thus, I would strongly encourage you to terminate your subscription as well and start reading more pro-democracy publications like The Bulwark.
Besides getting a lot more for your money, it may also improve your mental health.
Democrats are right to push for quick hearings. That is the only way for the facts about these horrible nominees to be on the record. They are all malevolent, incompetent or both. Anyone who reads media reports knows that, and the media have to keep shouting this information from the rooftops. Democrats cannot let Republicans off the hook by allowing them to leave town so Trump can make recess appointments without these nominees being aggressively questioned at their hearings. Mike Johnson is already trying to keep negative information about Gaetz from coming out by demanding that the House committee which has been investigating him refuse to release their report. Who does he think he is kidding? My guess is that someone will leave the report near the copier, by mistake of course, and the information will get out.
Notice that with the latest 4 egregious nominations, Kristi Noem has dropped off the RADAR of flagrant unfittness. This is the objective of the firehose. Democrats shouldn't try to delay hearings - to what end? - but they should be focused, coordinated and prepared in exposing the very real dangers of these choices, with straightforward explanations of how this would impact the lives of Americans. Of course most Americans will be totally tuned out, but perhaps some of the exposure will seep through and get out to them on social media or whatever they indulge in. I hold out [limited] hope that some Senate Republicans might still care enough about national security and public health to join in the resistance to the obvious disaster in store.
Kristi is the personification of toxic red-state femininity that demands women look forever 17 long past when such a thing is possible so as not to threaten their men. During confirmation hearings some brave Democrat should ask Noam whether she'll be able to discharge the duties of office and stay on top of her split ends and broken fingernails.
Some brave Democrat should point out that anyone who gets off on being cruel to animals belongs in splatter movies and not as the Department of Homeland Security secretary.
Let the voters have it. I heard David Frum say (on Mona) that he predicts Trump will not end tax on tips or tax on Social Security, reneging on two big campaign promises. I hope he’s right. Make his voters cry for a change. I’m out of tears and outrage.
Norm Ornstein suggested that the Democratic Senate should hold preconfirmation hearings on the most controversial Trump cabinet picks in December, 2024 while they still control the agenda.
This would actually not be a bad idea because it would immediately highlight to the American people the depravity of those who Trump wants to cast as a starring role in his Theatre of the Absurd.
When Trump's and GOP's actions lead to great harm, this link must reach all Americans. This has to be one of main goals for the Democrats. I'm not sure if they can do this effectively, but this is one objective that should guide their actions. Trump and the GOP have done a lot of awful things, but I think many Americans just don't see that link or believe there is one. I really think this is a big reason voters haven't punished Trump and the GOP--why they won as much as they did in 2024. If voters don't see this link, Trump and the GOP can do a lot of awful things without suffering the political consequences.
Why should the Democrats help the Republicans. The pro Trump Republicans screwed the Dems at every turn. Remember Johnson and the immigration bill. I think that what they are doing is saying fine promote these bozos. Let Kennnedy outlawed vaccines. When 10,000 children get polio or smallpox or TB then maybe the forking American people will wake the fork up. When 30,000 Mexican farm workers are sitting camps eating on the government's dime and tomatoes are $10 a lbs. Then maybe people will figure out it more expensive lock up immigrant workers. Maybe large percentage of LEGAL Mexicans who voted for Trump because he has a mushroom in his pants, will understand that when rounding up 100's of thousands of people the agents don't have time to examine your legal documents. The Trump supporters need proof that Trump is phoney charlatan. I say give it to them.
11-19-24
ABC News reported last night that the president-elect is working his phones, calling Republicans in the Senate. He’s demanding the Senate vote to approve his cabinet nominees without holding Advise and Consent (A&C) hearings.
Of course, our Constitution requires A&C Senate Hearings. We all know what the president-elect thinks of our Constitution. Do you want to resist him? Of course. We all do.
Well, here’s the best way to get in the boxing 🥊 ring and fight him. RESIST him virtually ! Call Your Senators !
https://johnadamsingram.substack.com/p/call-your-senators
11-18-24
Call Your Senators !
https://open.substack.com/pub/johnadamsingram/p/call-your-senators
How do regular people “resist” in everyday life? It does not good to shout at MAGA neighbors, nor does it do any good to doomscroll and stay in one’s own bubble.
After Elon bought Twitter, I heard many complaints re what a cesspool it quickly became. My question for all Bulwark hosts is: have you left Twitter/X?
Do not go gentle into that good night…
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Also applies to We the People.
Some good tough love here
https://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-goes-scorched-earth-on-dems-for-doubling-down-on-anti-common-sense-agenda-after-losses-stop-digging/
Interesting that you keep talking about dealing with this radical right group for “four more years” when experts on autocracy detail signs that the move to autocracy began during his first term, increased during the interim, and will now swiftly advance absent sustained resistance. Expecting just “four years” is magical thinking.
The proof of the pudding may be in the eating. Unless/until the Trump voters and supporters themselves feel pain and are suffering, they will continue to support what he says and does. Whether we rage, teach, lecture, or protest it may/will be important and powerful. But less so. I wonder how I might expedite their awareness. Any ideas out there?!
I am deeply dismayed that The New York Times is responding to the mad nomination of RFK Jr. for head of HHS by urging readers to remember that the deluded vaccine denier and holder of some really kooky views has some good ideas and to focus on them. Yes, who, other than Big Pharma, isn't years past being ready to see an end to pharmaceutical ads on their TVs? But it is impossible to separate the message from the deeply flawed messenger and his ideas that are a danger to the health and even lives of Americans. Furthermore, RFK Jr.'s highly disagreeable speech problem (what is it?) makes Joe Biden sound like Mayor Pete.
It's the equivalent of "Crocodiles can swim fast so don't be opposed to putting them on the swim team." Um, no thanks.
Hi Ollie,
The idiocy of the New York Times telling its readers that Junior has some good ideas and those are what they should focus on as opposed to him being a crank is exactly why I cancelled my subscription the day after the 2024 election.
All of their normalization of Trump and his lunacy over the past three-and-a-half years is part of the reason why he was re-elected last Tuesday. Thus, I would strongly encourage you to terminate your subscription as well and start reading more pro-democracy publications like The Bulwark.
Besides getting a lot more for your money, it may also improve your mental health.
Democrats are right to push for quick hearings. That is the only way for the facts about these horrible nominees to be on the record. They are all malevolent, incompetent or both. Anyone who reads media reports knows that, and the media have to keep shouting this information from the rooftops. Democrats cannot let Republicans off the hook by allowing them to leave town so Trump can make recess appointments without these nominees being aggressively questioned at their hearings. Mike Johnson is already trying to keep negative information about Gaetz from coming out by demanding that the House committee which has been investigating him refuse to release their report. Who does he think he is kidding? My guess is that someone will leave the report near the copier, by mistake of course, and the information will get out.
Notice that with the latest 4 egregious nominations, Kristi Noem has dropped off the RADAR of flagrant unfittness. This is the objective of the firehose. Democrats shouldn't try to delay hearings - to what end? - but they should be focused, coordinated and prepared in exposing the very real dangers of these choices, with straightforward explanations of how this would impact the lives of Americans. Of course most Americans will be totally tuned out, but perhaps some of the exposure will seep through and get out to them on social media or whatever they indulge in. I hold out [limited] hope that some Senate Republicans might still care enough about national security and public health to join in the resistance to the obvious disaster in store.
Kristi is the personification of toxic red-state femininity that demands women look forever 17 long past when such a thing is possible so as not to threaten their men. During confirmation hearings some brave Democrat should ask Noam whether she'll be able to discharge the duties of office and stay on top of her split ends and broken fingernails.
Some brave Democrat should point out that anyone who gets off on being cruel to animals belongs in splatter movies and not as the Department of Homeland Security secretary.
I’m tired of the Dems not stepping up to the plate. There is a ton of work to do. Get your skates on! Never Trumpers seem to work a whole lot harder.
Let the voters have it. I heard David Frum say (on Mona) that he predicts Trump will not end tax on tips or tax on Social Security, reneging on two big campaign promises. I hope he’s right. Make his voters cry for a change. I’m out of tears and outrage.
Norm Ornstein suggested that the Democratic Senate should hold preconfirmation hearings on the most controversial Trump cabinet picks in December, 2024 while they still control the agenda.
This would actually not be a bad idea because it would immediately highlight to the American people the depravity of those who Trump wants to cast as a starring role in his Theatre of the Absurd.
When they don't show up to the hearings as is inevitable, will Orenstein make referrals to the Justice Department?
When Trump's and GOP's actions lead to great harm, this link must reach all Americans. This has to be one of main goals for the Democrats. I'm not sure if they can do this effectively, but this is one objective that should guide their actions. Trump and the GOP have done a lot of awful things, but I think many Americans just don't see that link or believe there is one. I really think this is a big reason voters haven't punished Trump and the GOP--why they won as much as they did in 2024. If voters don't see this link, Trump and the GOP can do a lot of awful things without suffering the political consequences.
Why should the Democrats help the Republicans. The pro Trump Republicans screwed the Dems at every turn. Remember Johnson and the immigration bill. I think that what they are doing is saying fine promote these bozos. Let Kennnedy outlawed vaccines. When 10,000 children get polio or smallpox or TB then maybe the forking American people will wake the fork up. When 30,000 Mexican farm workers are sitting camps eating on the government's dime and tomatoes are $10 a lbs. Then maybe people will figure out it more expensive lock up immigrant workers. Maybe large percentage of LEGAL Mexicans who voted for Trump because he has a mushroom in his pants, will understand that when rounding up 100's of thousands of people the agents don't have time to examine your legal documents. The Trump supporters need proof that Trump is phoney charlatan. I say give it to them.
Good and hard.