I think some Dems have been victims so long that they can't believe the tide is finally turning in their favor.
It looks as though Ohio is on track to have a petition on the next ballot revising the State Constitution, so that it protects women's right to abortion. Yes, I said Ohio, home of Jim Jordan!
Mike is right. The Right went too far Banning Roe and now they're paying the price. They're going too far now criminalizing libraries and librarians, and they'll pay the price for that, too.
In the meantime, let's relish Mike's segment. It has great cheerleading segments in addition to parts that give one chills and tears.
Looking forward to some change in FL, where we currently have a true anti-Christ, anti-Love, pro-Hate, pro-intimidation, pro-assault-rifle, anti-freedom (except for a few), pro-women-as-second-class-citizens, anti-social-&-economic-justice Governor - Gov. DeSatan.
DeSantis -- very quietly -- has garnered the support of white evangelical Christians, formerly tRump's largest base of support. There is no comparison that I can see to Scott Walker. Again, DeSantis has proven he can win in traditionally blue areas of Florida -- like Miami-Dade, Osceola, and Palm Beach counties.
One of the latest DeSatan efforts: FL House Bill 991 would lower the bar on who’s considered a public figure under defamation law – and lower the bar on what’s considered defamation. Basically, any criticism of governmental figures becomes subject to defamation or libel suits. This works both ways, so look out GOP figures in FL - and this is something I don't think "ordinary" people on either side of the spectrum want to see. Time will tell.
Americans should care. Floridians should care. But TOO FEW of them are motivated by this issue, as grossly anti-democratic as it is.
We got a whiff of this when Florida's laws were changed to be more lenient on drivers who steer their vehicles into crowds of protesters. (the "Anti-Riot" law -- 2021) It did not hurt DeSantis one bit.
There’s a third way the GOP keeps stealing elections in addition to gerrymandering and voter suppression. It’s called the electoral college, an archaic and unpopular system that needs to be abolished. Takes a constitutional amendment and ratification by 3/4 of the states. The electoral count is the REAL election stealer.
My cousin’s son was in the school at Columbine. The shooter let him escape because the shooter knew him from Drama class. They put his story on the news. Same family in another incident had their 21 year old son die by gunshot. I’ve been threatened by gun violence 3 times in my life.... by a family member and a mugging at a Chinese restaurant here in Queens NYC. The gun threat by a family member occurred when I came home from a date with a Black man during college. I was threatened by teens on bikes during the anti Asian incidents two years ago. I’ve had it with gun violence and racist hate crimes.
This episode filled me with hope (and then of course, sadness at the end), but it was very powerful. I'm reading Mehdi Hasan's book, How to Win Any Argument and why this is apropos is that, from what I've gleaned so far, is that an emotional connection (rather than logic and data and policy, no matter how sound it might be) is so important toward winning a debate. I think Progressives are maybe, finally starting to get that point, because the anger among those of us who are sick of all the nonsense is palpable. It's what motivates people, and for once, the momentum seems to be on our side. All I can say is keep acting like loons, Rebublicans! It will motivate people to vote you out even sooner.
I'm from Detroit, but have been in the Carolinas for 35 years now. It is so difficult to feel like South Carolina can be moved at all. I had a paid position on a State House campaign in November, and my candidates matched what almost every other House candidate got across the state: 36%. Democrats went from 35% in the House to 31%, and I felt like more was given to this election than almost any other time. What we did -- the canvassing, calling, texting -- didn't seem to do any good as we matched a candidate who had done nothing. Sooooo discouraging. Thank goodness the rest of the country didn't go this way, but I fear that there are still enough Red states to rig the whole system, again and again. I'm going to spearhead outreach to college students, which seemed to be the most effective way to find Blue voters, and was certainly the most fun thing to do. Young people still let us down and didn't turn out, but no one else in our state seemed to be doing this. Anyway, thank you for your hopeful message. It is certainly appreciated. P.S. Don't know how you've put up with those Michigan winters all these years!
If I get my way (a centered-majority independent movement) I’ll be decapitating both the corrupt Red and Blue tag-teams destroying our country and world. I swear.
Elizabeth Nash, a state policy expert at the Guttmacher Institute, told the outlet that forced pregnancy advocates and the pharmacy chain are "denying people agency over their lives."
"When we're thinking about states that have a lot of their population in rural areas, it's much more likely that a pharmacy is nearby than a provider's office," said Nash, "so these pharmacies play an outsized role in patient health and access to healthcare."
Take note of the appropriate terminology: FORCED PREGNANCY ADVOCATES.
I never use the term "Pro Life" as it is an obvious misnomer to anyone who has critical thinking skills. I use either Anti-Choice or Pro-Birth. But now I will be using Forced Pregnancy Advocates, and such variations.
Some of the women I have met in my life who are the most fanatically opposed to women's rights are women who themselves have had one or more abortions. In the 1970s, I took a religious view and fancied myself being "pro-Life." It took some time, and some serious study, for me to reject that position. The key is that I can "argue" it from a religious side.
Readers would be well-advised to take 5 minutes and understand Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Theory of Stupidity (YouTube). Slogans and terms might have some effectiveness, but knowing what we're up against, I don't hold out much hope. (Nothing approaches "holocaust of the unborn" in terms of rhetoric.)
Thank you for the Bonhoeffer info. Insightful. A few things - 1. When I lived in the Pacific NW, a friend routinely asserted, "Most people are stupid." 2. Bonhoeffer's idea that stupidity is primarily social rather than psychological rings true, as does the observation that people hanging on to slogans is an outcome of such stupidity. 3. Social Psychology suggests people follow the crowd - it is just easier for many. 4. I'm an introvert (albeit a social one) in the Myers-Briggs sense (I recharge by being alone); I have always been fiercely independent even when doing so has been uncomfortable. Bonhoeffer's take on stupidity adds to my understanding of people unlike me. Similarly a course I took many moons ago on "The Theories of Persuasion" was insightful and helpful when engaging with others. The Professor (Kim Rotzell) asserted that if you want to persuade someone: (a) You need to start at a place fairly close to their thinking, and move them in increments; (b) it takes at least 45 minutes for a new idea to register, so plant an idea and wait a bit. Of course there was more to the course, but those were the ideas that stuck. :-) * Thank you. I'll be sharing the video with others.
Thank you, Liz, for your thoughtful response! (I'm also a social introvert, and love the time I spend thinking and imagining.) I lost family members in the camps in Poland and so I am extremely sensitized to anything I see that remotely resembles fascism and the Big Lie.
I can confirm from my experience how important it is to wait after offering up an idea or suggestion. Mike here often says not to waste time and energy "trying to convert" the Trumpers, but when MAGA or any cult hits close to home, I'm not the kind to avoid that really tough problem. One of the key points for me in the Bonhoeffer video is the reality that we're dealing with people who have given up their independent agency, and that a type of liberation (as opposed to education) is needed.
A companion video segment that dovetails beautifully is the "final speech" from the Hannah Arendt film of 2012 She responds to (Jewish-Zionist) criticism on her reporting of the trial of Adolf Eichmann. I play it several times a year for myself -- at moments I need inspiration. (Her book, The Human Condition, changed my life.)
I lost family members in the pogroms and during WWII. I have remarked to a few people that I won't be shocked if I am marched off in my lifetime. :-\ No doubt I should have read Arendt long ago - but my strengths have always been on the math-science side, so while I am reasonably literate, I missed out on a chunk of history and literature. I will get a copy of the book, though we'll see if I get through it. Thank you, again.
I think some Dems have been victims so long that they can't believe the tide is finally turning in their favor.
It looks as though Ohio is on track to have a petition on the next ballot revising the State Constitution, so that it protects women's right to abortion. Yes, I said Ohio, home of Jim Jordan!
Mike is right. The Right went too far Banning Roe and now they're paying the price. They're going too far now criminalizing libraries and librarians, and they'll pay the price for that, too.
In the meantime, let's relish Mike's segment. It has great cheerleading segments in addition to parts that give one chills and tears.
Michael, you are a National Treasure.
Respectfully,
Mark
Looking forward to some change in FL, where we currently have a true anti-Christ, anti-Love, pro-Hate, pro-intimidation, pro-assault-rifle, anti-freedom (except for a few), pro-women-as-second-class-citizens, anti-social-&-economic-justice Governor - Gov. DeSatan.
Lotsa luck. The country would be wise to prepare itself for President DeSantis - 2025.
No he as painted himself into a corner like Scott Walker. He won't make it
One can only hope you are correct, Ms Stam, and work towards defeating the SOB
DeSantis -- very quietly -- has garnered the support of white evangelical Christians, formerly tRump's largest base of support. There is no comparison that I can see to Scott Walker. Again, DeSantis has proven he can win in traditionally blue areas of Florida -- like Miami-Dade, Osceola, and Palm Beach counties.
We count him out at our peril.
One of the latest DeSatan efforts: FL House Bill 991 would lower the bar on who’s considered a public figure under defamation law – and lower the bar on what’s considered defamation. Basically, any criticism of governmental figures becomes subject to defamation or libel suits. This works both ways, so look out GOP figures in FL - and this is something I don't think "ordinary" people on either side of the spectrum want to see. Time will tell.
Americans should care. Floridians should care. But TOO FEW of them are motivated by this issue, as grossly anti-democratic as it is.
We got a whiff of this when Florida's laws were changed to be more lenient on drivers who steer their vehicles into crowds of protesters. (the "Anti-Riot" law -- 2021) It did not hurt DeSantis one bit.
Vote Blue to #StopGunViolence! 🌊
There’s a third way the GOP keeps stealing elections in addition to gerrymandering and voter suppression. It’s called the electoral college, an archaic and unpopular system that needs to be abolished. Takes a constitutional amendment and ratification by 3/4 of the states. The electoral count is the REAL election stealer.
Thank you Michael for your wonderful words of encouragement. Always remember, we all have to get the vote out again in 2024, 2026, 2028, and beyond!
Thank you Mike, for making me smile & laugh this morning. Blessings on you!
Gratefully,
Tanya Rentz ❤️
Thank you for this podcast Michael. I didn't know about any of these special elections. It's good to hear.
wow, I teared up just hearing his story! Thank you for this.
Also loved your letter to Jimmy Carter, "so true"--to little powerful words, "so true."
My cousin’s son was in the school at Columbine. The shooter let him escape because the shooter knew him from Drama class. They put his story on the news. Same family in another incident had their 21 year old son die by gunshot. I’ve been threatened by gun violence 3 times in my life.... by a family member and a mugging at a Chinese restaurant here in Queens NYC. The gun threat by a family member occurred when I came home from a date with a Black man during college. I was threatened by teens on bikes during the anti Asian incidents two years ago. I’ve had it with gun violence and racist hate crimes.
Thank You. Michael Moore, you are such a blessing!
Goodness will prevail. It's that simple.
This episode filled me with hope (and then of course, sadness at the end), but it was very powerful. I'm reading Mehdi Hasan's book, How to Win Any Argument and why this is apropos is that, from what I've gleaned so far, is that an emotional connection (rather than logic and data and policy, no matter how sound it might be) is so important toward winning a debate. I think Progressives are maybe, finally starting to get that point, because the anger among those of us who are sick of all the nonsense is palpable. It's what motivates people, and for once, the momentum seems to be on our side. All I can say is keep acting like loons, Rebublicans! It will motivate people to vote you out even sooner.
Michael Moore, National Treasure...YES. I agree.
Thank you for informing us with the Truth.
Love you, Michael.
I'm from Detroit, but have been in the Carolinas for 35 years now. It is so difficult to feel like South Carolina can be moved at all. I had a paid position on a State House campaign in November, and my candidates matched what almost every other House candidate got across the state: 36%. Democrats went from 35% in the House to 31%, and I felt like more was given to this election than almost any other time. What we did -- the canvassing, calling, texting -- didn't seem to do any good as we matched a candidate who had done nothing. Sooooo discouraging. Thank goodness the rest of the country didn't go this way, but I fear that there are still enough Red states to rig the whole system, again and again. I'm going to spearhead outreach to college students, which seemed to be the most effective way to find Blue voters, and was certainly the most fun thing to do. Young people still let us down and didn't turn out, but no one else in our state seemed to be doing this. Anyway, thank you for your hopeful message. It is certainly appreciated. P.S. Don't know how you've put up with those Michigan winters all these years!
If I get my way (a centered-majority independent movement) I’ll be decapitating both the corrupt Red and Blue tag-teams destroying our country and world. I swear.
From: https://www.commondreams.org/news/walgreens-abortion-pill
Elizabeth Nash, a state policy expert at the Guttmacher Institute, told the outlet that forced pregnancy advocates and the pharmacy chain are "denying people agency over their lives."
"When we're thinking about states that have a lot of their population in rural areas, it's much more likely that a pharmacy is nearby than a provider's office," said Nash, "so these pharmacies play an outsized role in patient health and access to healthcare."
Take note of the appropriate terminology: FORCED PREGNANCY ADVOCATES.
I never use the term "Pro Life" as it is an obvious misnomer to anyone who has critical thinking skills. I use either Anti-Choice or Pro-Birth. But now I will be using Forced Pregnancy Advocates, and such variations.
Some of the women I have met in my life who are the most fanatically opposed to women's rights are women who themselves have had one or more abortions. In the 1970s, I took a religious view and fancied myself being "pro-Life." It took some time, and some serious study, for me to reject that position. The key is that I can "argue" it from a religious side.
Readers would be well-advised to take 5 minutes and understand Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Theory of Stupidity (YouTube). Slogans and terms might have some effectiveness, but knowing what we're up against, I don't hold out much hope. (Nothing approaches "holocaust of the unborn" in terms of rhetoric.)
Thank you for the Bonhoeffer info. Insightful. A few things - 1. When I lived in the Pacific NW, a friend routinely asserted, "Most people are stupid." 2. Bonhoeffer's idea that stupidity is primarily social rather than psychological rings true, as does the observation that people hanging on to slogans is an outcome of such stupidity. 3. Social Psychology suggests people follow the crowd - it is just easier for many. 4. I'm an introvert (albeit a social one) in the Myers-Briggs sense (I recharge by being alone); I have always been fiercely independent even when doing so has been uncomfortable. Bonhoeffer's take on stupidity adds to my understanding of people unlike me. Similarly a course I took many moons ago on "The Theories of Persuasion" was insightful and helpful when engaging with others. The Professor (Kim Rotzell) asserted that if you want to persuade someone: (a) You need to start at a place fairly close to their thinking, and move them in increments; (b) it takes at least 45 minutes for a new idea to register, so plant an idea and wait a bit. Of course there was more to the course, but those were the ideas that stuck. :-) * Thank you. I'll be sharing the video with others.
Thank you, Liz, for your thoughtful response! (I'm also a social introvert, and love the time I spend thinking and imagining.) I lost family members in the camps in Poland and so I am extremely sensitized to anything I see that remotely resembles fascism and the Big Lie.
I can confirm from my experience how important it is to wait after offering up an idea or suggestion. Mike here often says not to waste time and energy "trying to convert" the Trumpers, but when MAGA or any cult hits close to home, I'm not the kind to avoid that really tough problem. One of the key points for me in the Bonhoeffer video is the reality that we're dealing with people who have given up their independent agency, and that a type of liberation (as opposed to education) is needed.
A companion video segment that dovetails beautifully is the "final speech" from the Hannah Arendt film of 2012 She responds to (Jewish-Zionist) criticism on her reporting of the trial of Adolf Eichmann. I play it several times a year for myself -- at moments I need inspiration. (Her book, The Human Condition, changed my life.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmBSIQ1lkOA
I lost family members in the pogroms and during WWII. I have remarked to a few people that I won't be shocked if I am marched off in my lifetime. :-\ No doubt I should have read Arendt long ago - but my strengths have always been on the math-science side, so while I am reasonably literate, I missed out on a chunk of history and literature. I will get a copy of the book, though we'll see if I get through it. Thank you, again.