As a bona fide space nerd myself, I can't help but imagine how cool it would be to have the level of access to NASA that your role provides. Your take on it makes it sound as though the nation's space program should be able to keep chugging along (what with NASA's budget being such a tiny fraction of our overall annual spending).
And a (perhaps unrealistic) part of me hopes fervently the majority party is able to see the humanitarian tragedy in Ukraine, set aside their bickering and provide that desperately needed support! Thanks, as always, for your rational take on things!
Sad that Ukraine aid, while being so critical to global security, is entirely hostage to one man's career aspirations. When I think of all the individual sacrifices that have been made for this nation and contrast that with Mike Johnson's craven self-interest . . . I think you should take the floor in the House and ask, "Mr. Speaker, why are you so cowardly when the hopes and prayers of so many liberty-loving people depend upon your actions? Why do you put your self-interest ahead of others' safety and security? Will you stand and show the world there's something more important than your future in Republican politics? As JFK said, 'The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it.' Will you pay the price?"
I’m a lonely Democrat living a small MAGA town in Western NC, well known for being the home county the famous trump supporters, the very republican Word of Faith cult. I want to let you know that there are a lot of people in distant parts of the USA who know your name and like you. People I know from New York State, Oregon, Washington State, Alabama and Colorado know of you and read your newsletters. They like you.
I believe you will be running for President in 2028. Please, don’t change your honest approach and go for it!
I hope when you become attorney general you will continue to send these letters out. I have learned so much from you about the government and I am 69. I love hearing from you, professional, inspiring, never negative. I didn’t vote for you in the primary for one reason, I am an independent and went republican so I could vote for Nikki Haley. Come November you will definitely have my vote. Thanks for enlightening me!
I was one of one and a half million online students for that class and enjoyed it day by day and again a year later on YouTube. Dr. Snyder is the professor we all wish we had. Several times he told the camera that the students inside the classroom laughed at his last joke because he knew his lapel mike did not pick up their laughs and he wanted us to know that they got his joke. Totally cool guy.
Jeff, As always, I find your combination of savvy, heart and humor just out of this world refreshing! Please keep being -- and sharing -- you!
You always nail the political dynamics, including that of Speaker Johnson and the Ukraine funding. Within the political world of "can he keep his position and/or authority?" I found myself reading with interest. But I also found myself reading with a terrible feeling in my gut and heart. Who the heck carries whether this man keeps his post, when our brave friends and allies in Ukraine need our help to save their lives and their country. If Johnson were a man of integrity and honor, he would have passed a major bill months ago, political consequences be damned. Mike, try courage and honor! I wouldn't have minded if you had spoken about this dimension, along with Johnson's agonizing over how to keep his little job. Thank you.
Jeff, I have reflected further on my response. I say this with the highest possible respect, admiration and gratitude: Please be careful about yourself becoming overly focused on the political milieu in which your work, currently Congress and DC. I say this because my further reflection made me wonder why you would focus so much on Speaker Johnson's cowardice and cravenness, rather than on the real, geopolitical tragedy that was playing out while Mike dithers. Yes, we find your political analyses informative, and for political wonks like myself, fascinating. But when I pull back from that small aperture, I think of the thousands of innocent Ukrainians, both civilian and military, who are being killed and maimed.
Much of this carnage could have been avoided by the West supplying enough munitions and money for Ukraine to prevail, not just achieve a costly military stalemate. It is not a stalemate with respect to the harm that the Ukrainian people and infrastructure sustain daily. They are losing badly vis-a-vis the Russians.
And now I've read that the WH/DoS doe not "prefer" that Ukraine attack targets within Russia! I have a very difficult time keeping calm when I read this. Why do we prefer this? So that Russia won't escalate! Also, it might raise global gas prices. For me, this is a "you can't make this up" moment. Russia escalates as it wishes, as long as it doesn't incur the full wrath of NATO. NATO ensures Russia that that won't happen as long as Russia doesn't use Nukes. Even then, do we have the credibility for that concern to function as a deterrent, as a Red Line? I now doubt it.
We are forceful in deterring ourselves.
Meanwhile, Russia attacks Ukraine incessantly from its territory, using highly lethal bombers and missiles. And its under-resourced adversary is not supposed to counter-attack the source of Russia's attacks? That is strategically untenable, likely suicidal for the Ukrainians, and morally abhorrent. "Don't attack Russia" is the latest signal that the West is intimidated by Putin. He does not appear to be intimidated by us. ALL military strategists know that this kind of asymmetry of intimidation is a key determinant of victory or defeat. I so wish that our anxious, timid leaders would summon their inner Churchill...and all other victorious civilian and military leaders.
My respectful request to you, Jeff, is that you give proper attention to the issues that most matter. I think you agree that if the West allows Ukraine to be defeated, that would not only be an act of colossal moral harm, it would be a geopolitical disaster. It would likely ensure near-future European wars, impact China's calculus as to how seriously to take the US's avowed commitment to Taiwan, encourage autocrats around the world, and tarnish America's reputation as an ally of democracies and supporter of human rights and the rule of law.
Given all that, I am caring less and less about how Mike does or does not hold on to his gavel. I recognize that getting the House to pass an Ukraine aid bill is related to Johnson's speakership, although not wholly dependent. I would like to learn more about the dynamics of that connection rather than just the machinations of the GOP House members.
Again, thank you for you and your work on our behalf.
Jeff, I am a medically Retired US Marine. I tend to lean right on most issues, however I am a huge fan of yours. I wish you had the opportunity to speak to more people as I believe in these times; people need TRUTH! Thank you for your emails and you have my support 100%. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!
My response to Mr. Johnson's dilemma is "Sucks to be you!" He needs to do what is right for this country and if that means accepting help and support from his fellow Americans who happen to be Democrats, so be it. If the House is ever going to be an effective part of the government someone will have to take the leap - maybe end up off a cliff, maybe into the arms of supporters, that's why the exercise is called Trust.
You've been the best representation we could have asked for. That they were so desperate to carve you out of your seat speaks volumes. You'll have my support no matter what office you are running for.
You are the first person in public office, in my whole long life, who has ever given us real news from the Front, so to speak. Thank you.
As a bona fide space nerd myself, I can't help but imagine how cool it would be to have the level of access to NASA that your role provides. Your take on it makes it sound as though the nation's space program should be able to keep chugging along (what with NASA's budget being such a tiny fraction of our overall annual spending).
And a (perhaps unrealistic) part of me hopes fervently the majority party is able to see the humanitarian tragedy in Ukraine, set aside their bickering and provide that desperately needed support! Thanks, as always, for your rational take on things!
Sad that Ukraine aid, while being so critical to global security, is entirely hostage to one man's career aspirations. When I think of all the individual sacrifices that have been made for this nation and contrast that with Mike Johnson's craven self-interest . . . I think you should take the floor in the House and ask, "Mr. Speaker, why are you so cowardly when the hopes and prayers of so many liberty-loving people depend upon your actions? Why do you put your self-interest ahead of others' safety and security? Will you stand and show the world there's something more important than your future in Republican politics? As JFK said, 'The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it.' Will you pay the price?"
Speaker (for the moment) Johnson needs to ask himself, “WWJD?”
I’m a lonely Democrat living a small MAGA town in Western NC, well known for being the home county the famous trump supporters, the very republican Word of Faith cult. I want to let you know that there are a lot of people in distant parts of the USA who know your name and like you. People I know from New York State, Oregon, Washington State, Alabama and Colorado know of you and read your newsletters. They like you.
I believe you will be running for President in 2028. Please, don’t change your honest approach and go for it!
Best political ask I have gotten in years
very kind, thanks
I hope when you become attorney general you will continue to send these letters out. I have learned so much from you about the government and I am 69. I love hearing from you, professional, inspiring, never negative. I didn’t vote for you in the primary for one reason, I am an independent and went republican so I could vote for Nikki Haley. Come November you will definitely have my vote. Thanks for enlightening me!
I’m smiling. Your humanity is shining through. Thanks for that….
I’m heartbroken though over Ukraine and I still can’t think of Alexy Navalny without a deep sadness….. Which makes your posts a lifeline in 2024.
CD
I am sure you will help with Ukraine funding in any way you can, but I would also like any suggestions on ways that we who care can help.
Lucinda, check out this post from Yale professor Timothy Snyder with a list of ways to help:
https://snyder.substack.com/p/the-challenge-of-6
Also, his undergrad course from 2022 about the history of Ukraine is free to watch on youtube.
I was one of one and a half million online students for that class and enjoyed it day by day and again a year later on YouTube. Dr. Snyder is the professor we all wish we had. Several times he told the camera that the students inside the classroom laughed at his last joke because he knew his lapel mike did not pick up their laughs and he wanted us to know that they got his joke. Totally cool guy.
Jeff, As always, I find your combination of savvy, heart and humor just out of this world refreshing! Please keep being -- and sharing -- you!
You always nail the political dynamics, including that of Speaker Johnson and the Ukraine funding. Within the political world of "can he keep his position and/or authority?" I found myself reading with interest. But I also found myself reading with a terrible feeling in my gut and heart. Who the heck carries whether this man keeps his post, when our brave friends and allies in Ukraine need our help to save their lives and their country. If Johnson were a man of integrity and honor, he would have passed a major bill months ago, political consequences be damned. Mike, try courage and honor! I wouldn't have minded if you had spoken about this dimension, along with Johnson's agonizing over how to keep his little job. Thank you.
Same for the border bill. What a little, tiny man the speaker is.
Jeff, I have reflected further on my response. I say this with the highest possible respect, admiration and gratitude: Please be careful about yourself becoming overly focused on the political milieu in which your work, currently Congress and DC. I say this because my further reflection made me wonder why you would focus so much on Speaker Johnson's cowardice and cravenness, rather than on the real, geopolitical tragedy that was playing out while Mike dithers. Yes, we find your political analyses informative, and for political wonks like myself, fascinating. But when I pull back from that small aperture, I think of the thousands of innocent Ukrainians, both civilian and military, who are being killed and maimed.
Much of this carnage could have been avoided by the West supplying enough munitions and money for Ukraine to prevail, not just achieve a costly military stalemate. It is not a stalemate with respect to the harm that the Ukrainian people and infrastructure sustain daily. They are losing badly vis-a-vis the Russians.
And now I've read that the WH/DoS doe not "prefer" that Ukraine attack targets within Russia! I have a very difficult time keeping calm when I read this. Why do we prefer this? So that Russia won't escalate! Also, it might raise global gas prices. For me, this is a "you can't make this up" moment. Russia escalates as it wishes, as long as it doesn't incur the full wrath of NATO. NATO ensures Russia that that won't happen as long as Russia doesn't use Nukes. Even then, do we have the credibility for that concern to function as a deterrent, as a Red Line? I now doubt it.
We are forceful in deterring ourselves.
Meanwhile, Russia attacks Ukraine incessantly from its territory, using highly lethal bombers and missiles. And its under-resourced adversary is not supposed to counter-attack the source of Russia's attacks? That is strategically untenable, likely suicidal for the Ukrainians, and morally abhorrent. "Don't attack Russia" is the latest signal that the West is intimidated by Putin. He does not appear to be intimidated by us. ALL military strategists know that this kind of asymmetry of intimidation is a key determinant of victory or defeat. I so wish that our anxious, timid leaders would summon their inner Churchill...and all other victorious civilian and military leaders.
My respectful request to you, Jeff, is that you give proper attention to the issues that most matter. I think you agree that if the West allows Ukraine to be defeated, that would not only be an act of colossal moral harm, it would be a geopolitical disaster. It would likely ensure near-future European wars, impact China's calculus as to how seriously to take the US's avowed commitment to Taiwan, encourage autocrats around the world, and tarnish America's reputation as an ally of democracies and supporter of human rights and the rule of law.
Given all that, I am caring less and less about how Mike does or does not hold on to his gavel. I recognize that getting the House to pass an Ukraine aid bill is related to Johnson's speakership, although not wholly dependent. I would like to learn more about the dynamics of that connection rather than just the machinations of the GOP House members.
Again, thank you for you and your work on our behalf.
Ted
Space is a safer place, but same old, same old in DC.
We'll be glad to see you getting important things done here in NC.
Cheers!
Jeff, I am a medically Retired US Marine. I tend to lean right on most issues, however I am a huge fan of yours. I wish you had the opportunity to speak to more people as I believe in these times; people need TRUTH! Thank you for your emails and you have my support 100%. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!
My response to Mr. Johnson's dilemma is "Sucks to be you!" He needs to do what is right for this country and if that means accepting help and support from his fellow Americans who happen to be Democrats, so be it. If the House is ever going to be an effective part of the government someone will have to take the leap - maybe end up off a cliff, maybe into the arms of supporters, that's why the exercise is called Trust.
Great photo and really good questions, thank you Mr. Jackson
Thanks, as always. A sense of humor helps.
BTW: Interesting about the drinking water on the space station. Now, how can I unknow this, please?
You've been the best representation we could have asked for. That they were so desperate to carve you out of your seat speaks volumes. You'll have my support no matter what office you are running for.
Awesome Jeff. Keep it up. LOVE getting your e-mails! Will share for sure! ; )