The most mind-boggling line in today’s newsletter: I know it freaks out a lot of Republicans to hear Democrats talk about cooperation - but that's the way things get done on Capitol Hill.
GOP legislators are “freaked out” at the mere idea of working with Dems to achieve common legislative goals (like I dunno, keeping the government open for starters)? That one line distills everything that’s wrong with Congress in 2023.
And I completely agree with your split screen comparison -- old addle-brained Joe Biden somehow managed to fly into a war zone, comforted an ally, helped to globally clarify intelligence on a divisive hospital strike, expertly drew multiple lines in the sand without offending either side and on the flight home negotiated a deal with Egypt, all in 24 hours. All as House GOPers continued to sit on their asses while issuing death threats -- to each other. The contrast is stark.
Before everyone forgets, I want to underscore a point that has not been made clear by most reportage. That dramatic, well-organized protest at the capitol yesterday was not some random group of anti-Israel, possibly antisemitic individuals from different places.
It was organized and executed by two well-organized Jewish groups.
➤ The rally was organized by two Jewish anti-Zionist groups, "Jewish Voice for Peace" and "If Not Now," and about 400 of their members assembled inside the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building, led by about 25 rabbis reading testimonials from Palestinians in Gaza and reciting prayers. Outside, hundreds more chanted, “Cease-fire now” and sang in Hebrew and English.
As much as I like their name, the "Freedom Caucus" seems to do very little to protect actual freedom. Washington might be broken but locking up the brakes isn't going get it fixed.
We are not Germany or England. Peaceful protest is a hallmark of the American system and should be embraced.
I enjoy reading the "Rap Sheet" every morning and I heard this AM an interview with the author of "Sedition Hunters: How January 6th Broke the Justice System" and it seems the FBI is leveraging OSINT average Joes and Janes to identify those that Jamie reports upon.
Jamie, I love the Muse of History section. Its strikes me that we didn't honor Dr King until the 1980s. Considering what a big deal he was when I was a kid and how frightening it was to me when he and Bobby were killed. I remember talking to my grandfather about how frightened I was. He had worked for Jack in Connecticut and was part of the big Waterbury midnight rally. the whole time period means a great deal to me.
It took so long to honor Dr King and today, 40 years later, so many would like to strip that honor away.
I didn't think things could much worse for Republicans in Congress. But they did today.
The most mind-boggling line in today’s newsletter: I know it freaks out a lot of Republicans to hear Democrats talk about cooperation - but that's the way things get done on Capitol Hill.
GOP legislators are “freaked out” at the mere idea of working with Dems to achieve common legislative goals (like I dunno, keeping the government open for starters)? That one line distills everything that’s wrong with Congress in 2023.
And I completely agree with your split screen comparison -- old addle-brained Joe Biden somehow managed to fly into a war zone, comforted an ally, helped to globally clarify intelligence on a divisive hospital strike, expertly drew multiple lines in the sand without offending either side and on the flight home negotiated a deal with Egypt, all in 24 hours. All as House GOPers continued to sit on their asses while issuing death threats -- to each other. The contrast is stark.
Before everyone forgets, I want to underscore a point that has not been made clear by most reportage. That dramatic, well-organized protest at the capitol yesterday was not some random group of anti-Israel, possibly antisemitic individuals from different places.
It was organized and executed by two well-organized Jewish groups.
➤ The rally was organized by two Jewish anti-Zionist groups, "Jewish Voice for Peace" and "If Not Now," and about 400 of their members assembled inside the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building, led by about 25 rabbis reading testimonials from Palestinians in Gaza and reciting prayers. Outside, hundreds more chanted, “Cease-fire now” and sang in Hebrew and English.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/18/world/middleeast/protest-israel-hamas-ceasefire-congress.html?unlocked_article_code=To-RxY5sXhE7H43Sh-htvm9SsgEl77ZfPUTpEG12tRtapwfKgskYI1rAhjzsjMU_V8GKFi5u6u8wjEO9aq3LzalahyETHWYNsF61rjafxeuwXaJqzXZLcDaZ8wdUTB-O4xxize8LCNwhdV3AkzD3efl2owGy_3fQxMR-M6mxT5dZXvEMp_i6vz5MfeYVezjt_5m4gUErkcSRJy_frdZ3bRaK7sycVGub5CxWrsLfpwKp19Uvit95Zd_ZxHQA-GaZNxAoa0mepa_ucaZlD3zoECk0tYHVu8VJJqDwuHGw6ADT51CsOErmCobN67c4otMixRDw6sZqLG559voCDcdruF3RnYx2mU6K-qUL2aGdMb3TRhy9xdUdmMJI&smid=url-share
As much as I like their name, the "Freedom Caucus" seems to do very little to protect actual freedom. Washington might be broken but locking up the brakes isn't going get it fixed.
We are not Germany or England. Peaceful protest is a hallmark of the American system and should be embraced.
I enjoy reading the "Rap Sheet" every morning and I heard this AM an interview with the author of "Sedition Hunters: How January 6th Broke the Justice System" and it seems the FBI is leveraging OSINT average Joes and Janes to identify those that Jamie reports upon.
Jamie, I love the Muse of History section. Its strikes me that we didn't honor Dr King until the 1980s. Considering what a big deal he was when I was a kid and how frightening it was to me when he and Bobby were killed. I remember talking to my grandfather about how frightened I was. He had worked for Jack in Connecticut and was part of the big Waterbury midnight rally. the whole time period means a great deal to me.
It took so long to honor Dr King and today, 40 years later, so many would like to strip that honor away.
Its disheartening.
I'm on a long business trip to Australia, and your newsletter is the only thing keeping me connected to news as these headlines are ever-changing.
Looking forward to that tax filing change. That's good news and long overdue.
My dream scenario: A handful of moderate Republicans nominate Liz Cheney for Speaker and all the Dems vote yes.