I generally keep my distance from political issues, or I'm ready to click away at any moment. But you, Jeff, have an even handed and non judgmental way of telling the stories from inside Congress that is refreshing and compelling. I always read to the end and look for more. Thank you for your efforts at communicating with those of us who are unfamiliar with the internal dynamics of Congress. Keep it up, please!
I couldn't agree more with your observations regarding principal vs. political expediency. We all should do more to support those with a conscience -- even when we might disagree with some of their actions.
”plenty of members who are publicly disagreeing with him are privately relieved that he called this for a vote. They appreciate that the Speaker took the political hit for them so they have the political luxury of acting aggrieved without suffering the real-world consequence of denying that support to Ukraine.”
WHAT A CRAZY, SICK SYSTEM! Has it always been that way? Are the R’s that terrified of Trump?
I am so relieved that the package finally passed, but how many lives in Ukraine were lost because people could not stand up and do the right thing ?
And, think of all of the ground that was lost in Ukraine the past 4 or 5 months when the US did little to nothing to help. Now, the millions of dollars that will be spent will only go towards making up what was lost, not getting ahead. So very sad.
Yea and what benefit an average hardworking American are getting out of this billions and billions to Ukraine? Where as in America we have thousands of children are not even getting two meals a day but billions and billions are ok for Ukraine. What about the national debt? You have any idea how much debt we as an Americans are in? I’m sure you have no idea what I’m saying.
Our benefit is that our allies in Europe stand less a chance of getting plowed under by Putin. Setting aside the possibility of horrors on the scale of the gulag archipelago, Russia controlling the European economy would eventually destroy the economy of the US.
As to the starving children the federal budget can walk and chew gum at the same time. Contact as many congresspeople you can and urge them to relieve this suffering.
The national debt threat has been looming over us for decades. A simple fair solution can be had by reading just about any thing on the subject by Robert Reich.
Lastly, there is no advantage, growth or progress to your certainty that I have no idea what you're saying: it's bare-bones clear.
I actually called Speaker Johnson’s DC office & left a message thanking him for having the guts, FINALLY, to get that Ukraine package voted on. I reminded him that a lot of good soldiers & helpless civilians died while he delayed & so he will have to live with that on his soul.
We were amazed and pleased that Speaker Johnson did the necessary to save little Ukraine in the face of the extreme jerks in his party. I saw the interview Amna had with Pres. Zelenskyy, and it was tragic and terrifying. So glad this bill is finally in place. Even if the Speaker loses his post, he has his spot in a place of honor in history.
I appreciate your dedication to this job, and for thinking critically about such topics. We need more people like you! Keep up the fantastic work! (BTW, as a D.C. native - born in the OLD GWU hospital- I was fortunate to grow up around the monuments. I may or may not have had an underage beer or several on the steps of the Jefferson back in the day!)
While your comments are well taken, wars are raging that the USA instigated or help in continuing them by allowing the influence of the Military Industrial Complex CEOS to be accentuated. It is a shame also that the USA is heading to democratic dictatorship by allowing the few Elites with sinister agendas to continue their control on the discourse and discourage the brave students who are in many institutions to be muzzled by threats. Their demands are noble and need to be listened to.
which raging wars has the US "instigated"? i'm not aware of any. i am aware that on 7-October Hamas decided to attack kids at a concert in order to provoke a response from Israel that could be used for propaganda. to that end, they're successfully. but they don't give two cents for the lives of Palestinians
Just because Hamas has no concern for the lives of their citizenry, doesn’t mean we can sit by and watch Israel’s devastation of a country. I can’t fathom how we think we could wipe out an organization like Hamas, whose members can easily go into hiding, and who look exactly like everyone else. They are group of terrorist that you Cannot eliminate by killing a whole country. The “bad guys” easily move somewhere else.
Meanwhile, who suffers? women, children, the old, the infirm, as well as fighting men and women trying to protect their homes/lives. Who wins? Countries and corporations who provide the weaponry to Israel, one of the smallest countries in the world with one of the biggest military capabilities.
Eileen -i certainly validate your feelings and no civilized person can welcome the death and destruction. Still, I don't think we are "sitting by and watching" Israel's devastation of a country -President Biden and SoS Blinken are putting more pressure on Israel to protect civilians than any president prior has done. We have just passed a bill to provide billions in aid. We are attempting to build a temporary dock to bring more aid in (which by the way has already come under attack, most likely by Hamas who need dead women and children to promote their cause).
I agree Israel is not doing enough to protect civilians. and we have to acknowledge that Israel has a right to defend itself from hamas, hezzbolah and now, Iran directly. we also have to acknowledge that the right wing religious extremists, just as we see in the US, are pushing the government to a one state solution.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I agree we must continue to put pressure on Israel, and I am glad a bill was passed for aid, but I am not studied enough to know who the money will be going to but suspect to Israel where it will fuel their military or will go to effort?
It is unconscionable the way Hamas can disregard their people, making them victims for their own propaganda. Unfortunately, that works for them. More people are inclined to join terrorist groups, more countries are inclined to support Hamas efforts and more people will be inclined to anti-Semitism. Israeli overkill plays right into their hands.
I don’t know what the ultimate solution to this heartbreaking solution situation is, but I have to feel sympathy for the displaced Palestinians currently, and who since 1948 have been displaced from their centuries old homeland. It is understandable why there would be animosity between these governments, although when left of their own devices, the citizens are both nations seem to be able to work together. And, it is unfortunate that leader is like Benjamin Netanyahu continue to come into power and fire up aggressive actions versus diplomatic conciliation
Louise -you seem to have misunderstood that exchange. Youssef used the present participle "raging" -that means active wars right now- not past tense. so, history books aren't on point here. but i do appreciate your helpful suggestion. as a matter of fact i love to read history books and continue to do so. which do you recommend?
By my reading of Israeli historian Ilan Pappe [The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine; 2006] the relevant history began just before 1948 when the Stern and other gangs began village genocides to clear the way for Israeli settlers.
Mr. Jordan please educate yourself with history. October 7th attack happened because blood thirsty land graber Zoinist Netanyahu and his government was taking land by killing innocent Gazan. All the occupied land by terrorist Zionist is the cause of October 7th attack. I do condemn what Hamas did to innocent civilians. But blood thirsty Zionists are doing 10 times worst for over 50 years. So please educate yourself.
People aren't generally aware because Congress refuses to do its job of declaring war. They gave the president free reign through the AUMF (Authority for Use of Military Force) after September 11, 2001, violating the United Nations rules for conflict resolution, and specifically Security Council Resolution 1373 for nation state actions against terrorism and terrorists. " It did this all under the rubric of Chapter VII of the UN Charter, thereby making these dictates binding under international law. " https://undispatch.com/how-the-un-responded-to-the-9-11-attacks/
Nowadays not even AUMF declarations, they just tweet. One litany of historical/contemporary US military actions is in David Swanson's The Monroe Doctrine at 200 and What to Replace It With, and Curing Exceptionalism https://davidswanson.org/books/
Too, other information publicly available about October 7, re the date change for the party, the absence of Israeli guards from their posts, the unheeded warnings about the planned attack, the targeting of military (not civilians) intended as hostages to trade for Palestinian prisoners, the Israelis killed by Israelis, and acknowledged Israeli lies. There's every appearance we're blatantly violating international laws on this too, including the International Court of Justice ruling to stop the killing and stop aiding Israel with weapons.
Oh my, bless your heart. From our nation’s founding the list is long on wars and military conflicts that were initiated by our government. From the plethora of American Indian wars — Banana Wars in Central America, but let’s jump ahead to more recent times — the Iraq war, launched on the premise that Saddam Hussein had WMD.
The USA as President Carter has said the USA has been in one form kind of warfare or another in war, most of them failed foreign policy for years. The CIA and the USA Government has toppled democratically elected leaders of foreign countries. USA President Biden voted for all the wars the USA waged while he was in the Senate for years. As VP of Obama, President Biden did not become wiser at his old age nor has become with more common sense. His team under Blinken did not stress diplomacy, encouraging war and throwing fuel on ignited wars. The USA helped Azerbaijan against Armenia with the help of Israel and Turkey. The USA occupies 1/3 of Syria where it is stealing OIL and Syria's natural resources with the help of Turkey. Turkey " member of NATO " and friend of the USA occupies Northern Cyprus, and the USA approves of that. Band aid humanitarian support is only a fig leaf to cover the USA approval or atrocities. The list is long against the USA. The USA has lost its beacon of light for freedom. Its motto does not ring great anymore. Live Free or Die. or Give me Liberty or death.
"Elites with sinister agendas"? Seriously? Brings to mind Joel Stein's "In Defense of Elitism." I do congratulate you, however, on a fairly articulate, if misguided, comment.
THANKS JEFF!!! I a 75-year-old Soc major, History-PoiliSci-Econ minor from Michigan and I LOVE your weekly updates. Read every word. Thanks again for putting big, politicized ideas into everyday language. I think that's an important part of alleviating partisanship.
Thank you for putting up with the crazies to represent us and work for the betterment of humankind! I too have more respect for Johnson than I did before he called for a vote. I hope your daughter’s special day went well!!
Wow, I was gonna say great job clarifying the process that led to significant bipartisan legislation, but now I have to ask what you did to piss everyone off about Gaza? Just can't win, can you? Come on back and try to ride herd on NC's judicial system!
What they did was simple. They failed to listen to the college kids. They failed to protect the beloved clock app. Which for a lot of us has been our only community since COVID. Plus all the small businesses on there and all the great info. Is the guy who shows fatherless kids on there how to change their oil a security threat? This isn’t mad. This is outright rage & indignation you are sensing. And even if you solve the Gaza asks, they’re still mad. About the ban, about the constant attempts to further restrict women’s health, About the ridiculous employers who post jobs they aren’t going to fill, they are so mad, they’re gonna vote about it. Do not take the youth vote for granted.
You may be interested in the inside (unpublicized) reason that Mike Johnson changed his point of view on Ukraine: a leader in the Southern Baptist Church wrote to him and asked him to reconsider his position on Ukraine because Vladimir Putin and Kiril, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, had been responsible for demolition of hundreds of Christian churches and theft of their artifacts. We know that Kiril is an excessively rich oligarch working closely with Putin. So, contrary to MTG's supposition that Putin is actually helping Christians in Ukraine, Johnson has been apprised of that falsehood. So for him, God comes before Trump.
Here's to your continued opportunities to have a voice and be a success!
However, this is an example of what frustrates me about Congress. Let's say that Speaker Johnson knuckled under to the pressure and didnt bring the bill to a vote. That would mean that the House would have been deprived of voting on a bill that SEVENTY FIVE percent of the House would have approved!
One of the basic tenents of our democracy is supposed to be "Majority Rule," but too many times manority factions use arcane rules and political noise to stifle the majority. This is a good example of bipartisan efforts to bring about a positive result (in my opinion). I hope we see more of it. The extreme wings of both parties should not be able to have an outsized effect based on their numbers.
Thank you again for a generous and judicious assessment of Speaker Johnson. It reminded me of Winston Churchill’s wry observation that “Americans invariably always do the right thing…After they’ve exhausted all the alternatives.” My former fellow Louisianan did the right thing by the nation and the world. But the sooner he is retired the better. Cheers. Michael Sartisky, PhD
I think what speaker Johnson did was a beautiful and selfless act, while many Republicans "see the emperors new clothes" the rest of us know, that in that scenario.... Trump is completely naked, screaming don't you love my new wardrobe! Thanks to him and not only him people can believe the BS. I wonder though, you can't really believe this crud can you? I mean... HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE RIGHT THROUGH THIS MAN?
Everything about him screams "I HAVE AN AGENDA" I think people just don't want to admit they've been fooled, it's a matter of pride for some people to be a good judge of character. We have to be reminded sometimes we all get it wrong.. we all trust the wrong people sometimes, that's why it's called manipulation... bc you don't know it's happening. Do we REALLY believe that watching migrant families be separated while the babies are soiling themselves in foil blankets there were mothers and fathers in detention centers begging them "let us take care of our babies‐" can u imagine? That's a border crisis our own humanitarian crisis, and I believe a black mark on America's history.
I generally keep my distance from political issues, or I'm ready to click away at any moment. But you, Jeff, have an even handed and non judgmental way of telling the stories from inside Congress that is refreshing and compelling. I always read to the end and look for more. Thank you for your efforts at communicating with those of us who are unfamiliar with the internal dynamics of Congress. Keep it up, please!
Agree!
I couldn't agree more with your observations regarding principal vs. political expediency. We all should do more to support those with a conscience -- even when we might disagree with some of their actions.
We need more people like you <3 Ignore the haters and keep it up!
”plenty of members who are publicly disagreeing with him are privately relieved that he called this for a vote. They appreciate that the Speaker took the political hit for them so they have the political luxury of acting aggrieved without suffering the real-world consequence of denying that support to Ukraine.”
WHAT A CRAZY, SICK SYSTEM! Has it always been that way? Are the R’s that terrified of Trump?
I am so relieved that the package finally passed, but how many lives in Ukraine were lost because people could not stand up and do the right thing ?
And, think of all of the ground that was lost in Ukraine the past 4 or 5 months when the US did little to nothing to help. Now, the millions of dollars that will be spent will only go towards making up what was lost, not getting ahead. So very sad.
Yea and what benefit an average hardworking American are getting out of this billions and billions to Ukraine? Where as in America we have thousands of children are not even getting two meals a day but billions and billions are ok for Ukraine. What about the national debt? You have any idea how much debt we as an Americans are in? I’m sure you have no idea what I’m saying.
Our benefit is that our allies in Europe stand less a chance of getting plowed under by Putin. Setting aside the possibility of horrors on the scale of the gulag archipelago, Russia controlling the European economy would eventually destroy the economy of the US.
As to the starving children the federal budget can walk and chew gum at the same time. Contact as many congresspeople you can and urge them to relieve this suffering.
The national debt threat has been looming over us for decades. A simple fair solution can be had by reading just about any thing on the subject by Robert Reich.
Lastly, there is no advantage, growth or progress to your certainty that I have no idea what you're saying: it's bare-bones clear.
You sound just like an average politician. You think with your pocket and not with your heart.
I actually called Speaker Johnson’s DC office & left a message thanking him for having the guts, FINALLY, to get that Ukraine package voted on. I reminded him that a lot of good soldiers & helpless civilians died while he delayed & so he will have to live with that on his soul.
Absolutely spot on, as usual, Jeff. Massive respect for the speaker (who until now has been awful). Still, as a Jan 6 denier he needs to go.
We were amazed and pleased that Speaker Johnson did the necessary to save little Ukraine in the face of the extreme jerks in his party. I saw the interview Amna had with Pres. Zelenskyy, and it was tragic and terrifying. So glad this bill is finally in place. Even if the Speaker loses his post, he has his spot in a place of honor in history.
I appreciate your dedication to this job, and for thinking critically about such topics. We need more people like you! Keep up the fantastic work! (BTW, as a D.C. native - born in the OLD GWU hospital- I was fortunate to grow up around the monuments. I may or may not have had an underage beer or several on the steps of the Jefferson back in the day!)
While your comments are well taken, wars are raging that the USA instigated or help in continuing them by allowing the influence of the Military Industrial Complex CEOS to be accentuated. It is a shame also that the USA is heading to democratic dictatorship by allowing the few Elites with sinister agendas to continue their control on the discourse and discourage the brave students who are in many institutions to be muzzled by threats. Their demands are noble and need to be listened to.
which raging wars has the US "instigated"? i'm not aware of any. i am aware that on 7-October Hamas decided to attack kids at a concert in order to provoke a response from Israel that could be used for propaganda. to that end, they're successfully. but they don't give two cents for the lives of Palestinians
Just because Hamas has no concern for the lives of their citizenry, doesn’t mean we can sit by and watch Israel’s devastation of a country. I can’t fathom how we think we could wipe out an organization like Hamas, whose members can easily go into hiding, and who look exactly like everyone else. They are group of terrorist that you Cannot eliminate by killing a whole country. The “bad guys” easily move somewhere else.
Meanwhile, who suffers? women, children, the old, the infirm, as well as fighting men and women trying to protect their homes/lives. Who wins? Countries and corporations who provide the weaponry to Israel, one of the smallest countries in the world with one of the biggest military capabilities.
Eileen -i certainly validate your feelings and no civilized person can welcome the death and destruction. Still, I don't think we are "sitting by and watching" Israel's devastation of a country -President Biden and SoS Blinken are putting more pressure on Israel to protect civilians than any president prior has done. We have just passed a bill to provide billions in aid. We are attempting to build a temporary dock to bring more aid in (which by the way has already come under attack, most likely by Hamas who need dead women and children to promote their cause).
I agree Israel is not doing enough to protect civilians. and we have to acknowledge that Israel has a right to defend itself from hamas, hezzbolah and now, Iran directly. we also have to acknowledge that the right wing religious extremists, just as we see in the US, are pushing the government to a one state solution.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I agree we must continue to put pressure on Israel, and I am glad a bill was passed for aid, but I am not studied enough to know who the money will be going to but suspect to Israel where it will fuel their military or will go to effort?
It is unconscionable the way Hamas can disregard their people, making them victims for their own propaganda. Unfortunately, that works for them. More people are inclined to join terrorist groups, more countries are inclined to support Hamas efforts and more people will be inclined to anti-Semitism. Israeli overkill plays right into their hands.
I don’t know what the ultimate solution to this heartbreaking solution situation is, but I have to feel sympathy for the displaced Palestinians currently, and who since 1948 have been displaced from their centuries old homeland. It is understandable why there would be animosity between these governments, although when left of their own devices, the citizens are both nations seem to be able to work together. And, it is unfortunate that leader is like Benjamin Netanyahu continue to come into power and fire up aggressive actions versus diplomatic conciliation
Get a history book.
Louise -you seem to have misunderstood that exchange. Youssef used the present participle "raging" -that means active wars right now- not past tense. so, history books aren't on point here. but i do appreciate your helpful suggestion. as a matter of fact i love to read history books and continue to do so. which do you recommend?
USA President Carter book about Palestine. He predicted that this would happen due to the Israeli Government policies and apartheid policies.
Yes.
History did not begin on October 7 last year.
By my reading of Israeli historian Ilan Pappe [The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine; 2006] the relevant history began just before 1948 when the Stern and other gangs began village genocides to clear the way for Israeli settlers.
Mr. Jordan please educate yourself with history. October 7th attack happened because blood thirsty land graber Zoinist Netanyahu and his government was taking land by killing innocent Gazan. All the occupied land by terrorist Zionist is the cause of October 7th attack. I do condemn what Hamas did to innocent civilians. But blood thirsty Zionists are doing 10 times worst for over 50 years. So please educate yourself.
People aren't generally aware because Congress refuses to do its job of declaring war. They gave the president free reign through the AUMF (Authority for Use of Military Force) after September 11, 2001, violating the United Nations rules for conflict resolution, and specifically Security Council Resolution 1373 for nation state actions against terrorism and terrorists. " It did this all under the rubric of Chapter VII of the UN Charter, thereby making these dictates binding under international law. " https://undispatch.com/how-the-un-responded-to-the-9-11-attacks/
Nowadays not even AUMF declarations, they just tweet. One litany of historical/contemporary US military actions is in David Swanson's The Monroe Doctrine at 200 and What to Replace It With, and Curing Exceptionalism https://davidswanson.org/books/
Too, other information publicly available about October 7, re the date change for the party, the absence of Israeli guards from their posts, the unheeded warnings about the planned attack, the targeting of military (not civilians) intended as hostages to trade for Palestinian prisoners, the Israelis killed by Israelis, and acknowledged Israeli lies. There's every appearance we're blatantly violating international laws on this too, including the International Court of Justice ruling to stop the killing and stop aiding Israel with weapons.
I know of NO wars that the USA has instigated.
I know of TWO wars that the USA is providing military support in the form of weapons and humanitarian support to however.
Do you have different information?
Oh my, bless your heart. From our nation’s founding the list is long on wars and military conflicts that were initiated by our government. From the plethora of American Indian wars — Banana Wars in Central America, but let’s jump ahead to more recent times — the Iraq war, launched on the premise that Saddam Hussein had WMD.
The USA as President Carter has said the USA has been in one form kind of warfare or another in war, most of them failed foreign policy for years. The CIA and the USA Government has toppled democratically elected leaders of foreign countries. USA President Biden voted for all the wars the USA waged while he was in the Senate for years. As VP of Obama, President Biden did not become wiser at his old age nor has become with more common sense. His team under Blinken did not stress diplomacy, encouraging war and throwing fuel on ignited wars. The USA helped Azerbaijan against Armenia with the help of Israel and Turkey. The USA occupies 1/3 of Syria where it is stealing OIL and Syria's natural resources with the help of Turkey. Turkey " member of NATO " and friend of the USA occupies Northern Cyprus, and the USA approves of that. Band aid humanitarian support is only a fig leaf to cover the USA approval or atrocities. The list is long against the USA. The USA has lost its beacon of light for freedom. Its motto does not ring great anymore. Live Free or Die. or Give me Liberty or death.
"Elites with sinister agendas"? Seriously? Brings to mind Joel Stein's "In Defense of Elitism." I do congratulate you, however, on a fairly articulate, if misguided, comment.
THANKS JEFF!!! I a 75-year-old Soc major, History-PoiliSci-Econ minor from Michigan and I LOVE your weekly updates. Read every word. Thanks again for putting big, politicized ideas into everyday language. I think that's an important part of alleviating partisanship.
Thank you for putting up with the crazies to represent us and work for the betterment of humankind! I too have more respect for Johnson than I did before he called for a vote. I hope your daughter’s special day went well!!
Wow, I was gonna say great job clarifying the process that led to significant bipartisan legislation, but now I have to ask what you did to piss everyone off about Gaza? Just can't win, can you? Come on back and try to ride herd on NC's judicial system!
Although I am sad to your not serving us in the congress
What they did was simple. They failed to listen to the college kids. They failed to protect the beloved clock app. Which for a lot of us has been our only community since COVID. Plus all the small businesses on there and all the great info. Is the guy who shows fatherless kids on there how to change their oil a security threat? This isn’t mad. This is outright rage & indignation you are sensing. And even if you solve the Gaza asks, they’re still mad. About the ban, about the constant attempts to further restrict women’s health, About the ridiculous employers who post jobs they aren’t going to fill, they are so mad, they’re gonna vote about it. Do not take the youth vote for granted.
You may be interested in the inside (unpublicized) reason that Mike Johnson changed his point of view on Ukraine: a leader in the Southern Baptist Church wrote to him and asked him to reconsider his position on Ukraine because Vladimir Putin and Kiril, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, had been responsible for demolition of hundreds of Christian churches and theft of their artifacts. We know that Kiril is an excessively rich oligarch working closely with Putin. So, contrary to MTG's supposition that Putin is actually helping Christians in Ukraine, Johnson has been apprised of that falsehood. So for him, God comes before Trump.
Here's to your continued opportunities to have a voice and be a success!
Well written.
However, this is an example of what frustrates me about Congress. Let's say that Speaker Johnson knuckled under to the pressure and didnt bring the bill to a vote. That would mean that the House would have been deprived of voting on a bill that SEVENTY FIVE percent of the House would have approved!
One of the basic tenents of our democracy is supposed to be "Majority Rule," but too many times manority factions use arcane rules and political noise to stifle the majority. This is a good example of bipartisan efforts to bring about a positive result (in my opinion). I hope we see more of it. The extreme wings of both parties should not be able to have an outsized effect based on their numbers.
Jeff
Thank you again for a generous and judicious assessment of Speaker Johnson. It reminded me of Winston Churchill’s wry observation that “Americans invariably always do the right thing…After they’ve exhausted all the alternatives.” My former fellow Louisianan did the right thing by the nation and the world. But the sooner he is retired the better. Cheers. Michael Sartisky, PhD
I think what speaker Johnson did was a beautiful and selfless act, while many Republicans "see the emperors new clothes" the rest of us know, that in that scenario.... Trump is completely naked, screaming don't you love my new wardrobe! Thanks to him and not only him people can believe the BS. I wonder though, you can't really believe this crud can you? I mean... HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE RIGHT THROUGH THIS MAN?
Everything about him screams "I HAVE AN AGENDA" I think people just don't want to admit they've been fooled, it's a matter of pride for some people to be a good judge of character. We have to be reminded sometimes we all get it wrong.. we all trust the wrong people sometimes, that's why it's called manipulation... bc you don't know it's happening. Do we REALLY believe that watching migrant families be separated while the babies are soiling themselves in foil blankets there were mothers and fathers in detention centers begging them "let us take care of our babies‐" can u imagine? That's a border crisis our own humanitarian crisis, and I believe a black mark on America's history.