Embedded Files
Moving Forward: Defending Voting Rights and Democracy
Moving Forward: Defending Voting Rights and Democracy
POSTED JANUARY 21, 2021
It was a Presidential Inauguration unlike any other. Two weeks after a mob of right-wing extremists stormed the Capitol in an attack on democracy itself, Joseph R. Biden took the oath of office to become the 46th president of the United States. In an empty Washington D.C., under the watchful eye of 25,000 National Guards, democracy prevailed. This time.
Stressing unity in his Inaugural Address, President Biden began the healing process so needed by this country. On the evening of his first day in office, using executive orders, he began to move us out of the wreckage left by his predecessor.
In his Address, Biden pointed to the "harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, and demonization have long torn us apart." He also called for all citizens, especially leaders, "to defend the truth and to defeat the lies." These are herculean tasks. Which challenge will be more difficult to correct over the next four years is impossible to predict. What is clear is that if they are not resolved, there will be no unity in this country. If the country remains insensitive to its original and ongoing sin of racism, if mass delusion continues to infect a large portion of the populace, we may see a Trumpist in the Oval Office in four years. Democracy may not be so fortunate next time.
Trumpism is a pathology of the Right that has infected the Republican Party. While the electoral college heavily favors Republicans, turnout favors Democrats. One way to prevent another would-be authoritarian from winning the Presidency is to protect voting rights.
Voting Rights
Voting rights are the heart of a democracy. In 1965 with the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the United States finally became a multiracial democracy with universal suffrage . In 2013, the John Roberts Supreme Court gutted that legislation, further fueling the disenfranchisement efforts underway since the election of the nation's first black President. Seven years after Shelby County v. Holder, Donald Trump attempted to disenfranchise communities of color with bogus claims of voter fraud. Mass delusion gripped MAGA-land, and 70% of Trump voters believed the election was stolen. The end result was the violent attack on the Capitol during the certification of the Electoral College votes.
The assault on voting rights will continue throughout Biden's term in Republican-held state legislatures with the lie of massive voter fraud endorsed by Republicans across the country. Democracy at the national level is also in serious trouble. Nearly two-thirds of House Republicans joined in the baseless effort led by the state of Texas to overturn the election results of a free and fair election.
Passed as the first piece of legislation when Democrats gained control of the House after the 2018 elections H.R. 1 ("For the People" Act) is a comprehensive attempt to expand voting rights. In the ensuing two years, it never gained a hearing in the Republican-controlled Senate. With Democrats in control of Congress, this vital piece of legislation has a chance of being enacted, but it will take support from at least 10 Senate Republicans since it is subject to filibuster.
Even if H.R. 1 is not enacted, the Brennan Center for Justice is focussing on four areas that can be addressed at the state level:
Restoring the right to vote for people who were previously incarcerated. Right now, millions of Americans are barred from voting because of criminal convictions in their past. This policy especially harms Black citizens, who have been disproportionately policed and jailed because of systemic racism.
Automatically registering every eligible American to be able to vote. The United States has one of the lowest voter turnout rates among developed nations. Automatic voter registration would allow every American to make their voice heard.
Expanding early voting so that all Americans can cast their ballots early, and on their own time.
Ending voter suppression in every form. Over the last decade, states enacted new barriers to voting — imposing stricter voter ID laws, slashing voting times, restricting registration, and purging voter rolls.
Link below left: Slate "Words Mean Something Again"
Link below right: Amanda Gorman's amazing poem. As ever, the best hope for our country lies with our young people.
Moving Forward: Defeating Mass Delusion
Moving Forward: Defeating Mass Delusion
POSTED JANUARY 22, 2021
Spending more than my usual amount of time on social media in the weeks following the killing of George Floyd, I was worn out. A FB friend was re-posting some of the most bizarre, inane posts about George Floyd, the anti-racism protests, and other subjects. For a while I tried to respond but could not keep up with the onslaught of misinformation. On June 9, I called it a day, stopped logging in to FB, and posted "Dark and Delusional: the new right-wing echo chamber".
Seven months later, a mob of maskless Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, believing that the election had been stolen. Reporting on the insurrection, The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg called it a "mass delusion event" and a "rally against reason." [sidebar] Ninety-five percent of the mob were maskless as if, after 400,000 dead, the pandemic was a hoax. One hundred percent of the marchers believed, in spite of all evidence to the contrary and after 60 lost court cases, that the election was stolen from Trump. I put up a FB post on the January 6 insurrection. My FB friend promptly replied that it was Antifa that had turned Trump's peaceful rally violent.
I once chalked these things up to willful ignorance. People believe what they want to believe and watch the news from sources that support their beliefs, no matter how erroneous those sources objectively are. For example, months after the invasion of Iraq, a large portion of Fox viewers believed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was behind the 9/11 attacks.
Now we have something more serious than willful ignorance. Spurred by unfiltered social media and by a lying president - one who ironically labeled any facts that he disagreed with as 'fake news', today's mass delusion is greater than any our country has seen in the past.
It was Thomas Jefferson who wrote that a well-informed electorate is a prerequisite for democracy. So, besides direct violent threats such as the Capitol Insurrection, mass delusion threatens democracy indirectly. A misinformed electorate does not make intelligent decisions for the common good. Dictators rely on a misinformed populace. It is an essential ingredient in the rise of authoritarian ideologies such as fascism.
The post-truth era ushered in with the election of Donald Trump and with the Brexit campaign presents an additional problem. Reality itself is now being questioned. Political theorist Hannah Arendt wrote that the most successful totalitarian leaders of the 20th century instilled in their followers “a mixture of gullibility and cynicism." Over time, Arendt wrote, the onslaught of propaganda conditioned people to “believe everything and nothing, think that everything was possible and that nothing was true.” It's a pretty good definition of what we have experienced from Trumpists over the past 4 years.
Is there any way this is going to change? How can we "defend the truth and defeat the lies" with a significant portion of the country suffering a form of mass delusion?
What are approaches for similar behavior?
-The treatment for victims of mass hysteria "varies depending on the situation but may include separating the individuals involved and then addressing each person's underlying stressors and specific symptoms."
-Cult members are seldom "converted" away from their beliefs. They need to convert themselves. A 2011 study by RAND Corporation found that the factors associated with leaving "street gangs, religious cults, right-wing extremist groups, and organized crime groups” included positive social ties and an organic disillusionment with the group’s beliefs or ideology. (sidebar)
-BBC has some suggestions for addressing conspiracy theorists (sidebar): stay calm; don't be dismissive; encourage critical thinking; ask questions; don't give up if you don't see immediate results.
Beyond these one-on-one conversations, there are meta-factors that come into play over the next few years and beyond.
The absence of a malignant liar in the White House. An impeachment conviction, unlikely as it is in an evenly divided Senate, would send a strong message to future demagogues.
Attention to the concerns of those who feel left behind and are suffering economically
Education to prevent the next generation from falling prey to conspiracists and demagogues. Training in critical thinking skills is particularly important.
Genuine moral leadership is necessary to heal the soul of the nation and eliminate America's original and ongoing sin of racism. (...more on this in a future post)
Pressure the social media platforms that have allowed disinformation to flourish in the Trump era.
Pressure the politicians who enabled and repeated the lies.
Hold accountable those who participated in the insurrection. Prosecute them to the full extent of the law. [sidebar]
Moving Forward: Overcoming Racism
Moving Forward: Overcoming Racism
POSTED JANUARY 28, 2021
Watching Trump's term in office condensed into an hour in the PBS documentary Trump's American Carnage [and sidebar] reminded me of how much he damaged America over his four years and gave us a concentrated look at his hateful demagoguery and the sycophancy and silence of many. It was almost sickening to watch.
Trump may be gone from the Oval Office but the elements that brought this supremely unfit man to the most powerful position on the planet are still with us. At the top of the list is racism, "America's original sin." From the first moments of Trump's arrival on the national political scene championing the racist birther lie to his insurrection-inciting assault on democracy three weeks ago, racism has been at the core of his message and his appeal.
Trump's "America First" mantra was the motto of Nazi-friendly Americans in the 1930's as Hitler rose to power in Germany. The Nazis themselves were inspired by Jim Crow America, the "leading racist jurisdiction in the world" in the early 20th century. [1] After Charlottesville in 2017, Trump completed the cycle by his false equivalence of the anti-racism counter-protesters with the neo-Nazis and white supremacists who had gathered there over the removal of a Confederate statue. Almost single-handedly, Trump brought racism and white nationalism, always lurking in the shadows, into mainstream American politics.
In his inaugural address, President Biden remarked on the "constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, and demonization have long torn us apart."
The killing of George Floyd opened the eyes of many Americans to systemic racism and police brutality.
The disproportionate death toll from the coronavirus among people of color laid bare inequities in America's health care.
Will these events be enough to have America finally get its moral house in order? In and of themselves, no. But...without a divisive hate-and-fear monger in the White House, we may be able to make some progress in the next four years. Joe Biden may not be the most charismatic leader but he may be able to lead us out of the dark wilderness by championing a "national solidarity" effort against racism.
One such proposal for national solidarity is that of Theodore Johnson of the Brennan Center for Justice. [sidebar] "National solidarity is the political unity of a democratic people demanding, on moral and principled grounds, that the state address wrongs suffered by some of its members so that liberty, justice, and opportunity are equally accessible to all." One key feature of this proposal is recognizing racism as "a crime of the state against the citizenry, and as such, the state is responsible for the remedy. It reframes racism from a white infraction of the rights and opportunities of people of color to one where the state is culpable." The second key feature of national solidarity "asserts that a united citizenry compels a more responsive democracy. As long as racism is permitted to set citizens against one another, everyone in the polity is harmed. There is little incentive for government to facilitate better schools, more affordable healthcare, more economic and employment security, more advanced and secure infrastructure, or any of the public’s costly policy priorities if they can be averted by simply exploiting racial divisions."
At the Federal level, a recommitment to equality and the protection of civil rights is essential. Biden recently signed four executive actions that will help: directing the Department of Housing and Urban Development "to take steps necessary to redress racially discriminatory federal housing policies"; directing the Department of Justice to end its use of private prisons; reaffirming the federal government's "commitment to tribal sovereignty and consultation"; and combating xenophobia against Asian American and Pacific Islanders. [2]
The most basic civil right in a democracy - the right to vote - is under renewed attack at the state level in the wake of the 2020 elections. Georgia Republicans, whose top election officials resisted Trump's entreaties to steal the election for him, are proposing to enact photo ID laws for those who qualify for mail-in ballots and to potentially strip power from the secretary of state. Republican-held legislatures in Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona are also pushing to suppress the vote and discourage turnout. [3] While Michigan and Pennsylvania have Democratic governors who are likely to veto vote suppression measures, local action will be needed to protect the vote elsewhere. The "For the People" Act drafted by the 116th Congress would remedy much of this and give renewed life to the Voting Rights Act gutted by the John Roberts Court in 2013.
Criminal justice reform focusing on the root causes of crime - such as poverty, mental illness, addiction, and the lack of educational and employment opportunities - is also necessary. Mass incarceration - much of it based on non-violent drug dealing - has devastated the African-American community, and current police training methods and accountability fall far short of what a multiracial democracy requires. The double standard for policing was in plain view in the attack on the Capitol. Is there any doubt that, had the assault been carried out by black protesters, there would have been a violent, bloody response instead of "selfies with rioters"? [sidebar]
Systemic or institutional racism remains a problem but one that can be addressed if we have the political will to do so. The editors of the Stanford Social Innovation Review have assembled a list of resources to help those trying to put an end to it. [sidebar]
At the personal level, we as individuals can help in the effort to change minds and hearts. Originally published at the YWCA Greater Cleveland website, here are ten steps we can take in our daily lives.
Learn about other people and their culture but go beyond foods and festivals.
Explore the unfamiliar. Put yourself in situations where you are in the visible minority.
Be a proactive parent. Talk to your children candidly about race.
Don't tell or laugh at stereotypical jokes.
Think before you speak. Words can hurt whether you mean them to or not.
Be a role model and help educate others regarding your own experiences.
Don't make assumptions because they are usually wrong and stereotypes are destructive.
Consider how race and racism impact your life and those around you.
Don't let others get away with biased language or behavior- speak up and out.
Take a position against hate and take a Stand Against Racism.
References: [1] History.com [2] NPR [3] CBS News
Dear Joe Biden... (February 2021)
Dear Joe Biden... (February 2021)
POSTED FEBRUARY 3, 2021
Dear Joe Biden,
Congratulations to you and the rest of the Democrats who won in the 2020 elections. In spite of your predecessor's best efforts, democracy survived. Your inaugural address set the stage for America's healing, and the flurry of executive orders issued in the past two weeks have reversed or mitigated some of the most harmful policies of the prior administration.
A very narrow window of opportunity (Oct 29, 2020)
I wish you success in your efforts to engage Republicans in helping the country overcome the pandemic and in passing legislation for the common good. With two Democratic Senators, Manchin of West Virginia and Sinema of Arizona, not supporting filibuster reform, you will have a battle on your hands in the Senate for the two years that Democrats have control of both houses of Congress. Progress in protecting voting rights, criminal justice reform, national gun control legislation, repeal of the 2001 AUMF, health care reform and repeal of the Trump tax cuts for the wealthy may be slow or never happen.
Dear Joe Biden... (May 20, 2020)
As devastating to a progressive and civil society as Trump's domestic policies and rhetoric were, his foreign policy and disdain for international law posed an even greater threat to a humanitarian, just and peaceful world.
You have made good progress in several areas - most notably in your formal agreement with President Putin to extend the New START nuclear arms agreement for five years. Thanks to your predecessor's reckless actions, it was the last remaining nuclear arms agreement between the owners of the world's two largest nuclear arsenals. Thank you for avoiding a twenty-first century nuclear arms race. Other steps in the right direction included rejoining the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organization, reconsidering the sanctions on the International Criminal Court, the temporary freeze on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and lifting the Muslim travel ban.
There is much to be done in the coming months if the US is to regain its respected place in the world community and lead by our example. While it will take time to implement some policies - e.g., a just peace between Palestinians and Israelis [sidebar below], there is much that can be done immediately. The peace organization Code Pink has suggested these "Ten Foreign Policy Fiascos Biden Can Fix on Day One" [sidebar below] It's as good a place to start as any:
1) End the U.S. role in the Saudi-led war on Yemen and restore U.S. humanitarian aid to Yemen.
2) Suspend all U.S. arms sales and transfers to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
3) Rejoin the Iran Nuclear Agreement (JCPOA) and lift sanctions on Iran.
4) End U.S. threats and sanctions against officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
5) Back President Moon’s diplomacy for a “permanent peace regime” in Korea.
6) Renew New START with Russia and freeze the U.S.’s trillion-dollar new nuke plan.
7) Lift illegal unilateral U.S. sanctions against other countries.
8) Roll back Trump policies on Cuba and move to normalize relations
9) Restore pre-2015 rules of engagement to spare civilian lives.
10) Freeze U.S. military spending, and launch a major initiative to reduce it.
Of particular urgency is re-normalizing relations and preventing war with Iran. Trump unilaterally and without cause left the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated during the Obama-Biden administration. The Trump Administration then imposed illegal sanctions on Iran - the harshest ever on any country during peace time. The sanctions increased the misery of the Iranian people and totally failed to bring about "changes in Iran's behavior" or regime change. That they are still in effect during the pandemic is a crime against humanity.
Iran hawks and the Israel Lobby will do everything in their power to prevent a return to the JCPOA, just as they tried to prevent its original signing. Ignore them.
The situation created by Trump is neither normal nor legal, although the Right would have you believe it so. Already the drum beats are sounding in opposition to Robert Malley, your choice for an Iran envoy in fear that he may succeed in getting us back in the agreement. Ignore them. Fight like hell for his appointment. He is uniquely qualified for the role.
The clock is ticking. Iran's elections are in June and without an end to the sanctions and the US return to the JCPOA, a victory by Iran's hard-liners is almost a certainty. First order of business is an immediate end to the illegal Trump-Pompeo sanctions. Before Iran will even consider returning to the conditions of the JCPOA, the sanctions must be removed.
Problems in America's relationship with the world community go back further than Trump, and America's militaristic approach to world affairs has been a constant through both Democratic and Republican administrations. As you may recall, militarism is one of the "triple evils" preventing the formation of Dr. King's Beloved Community, and as President Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe, reminded us, "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."
It's time for a new, non-militaristic approach to international relations. Two such approaches are Rep. Ilhan Omar's "Pathway to PEACE (Progressive, Equitable, and Constructive Engagement)" and the open letter sent by 51 progressive organizations urging you to adopt a humane foreign policy. Rep. Omar's PEACE proposal provides drafts of legislation to achieve a humane foreign policy, while the open letter discusses a number of specific policy areas.
Unfortunately, some of your appointments have me disappointed and concerned. As retired Army Major Danny Sjursen recently pointed out at TomDispatch, when it comes to foreign policy, your new cabinet and advisers are well stocked with retired generals, reconstituted neocons, unapologetic hawks, and similar war enthusiasts. Another TomDispatch contributor, retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and history professor William Astore, writes, "When it comes to war, if personnel is policy, America is yet again in deep trouble." Still, your inaugural address did mention leading and inspiring others globally “not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.” Astore provides a framework that would allow you to change that rhetoric into reality. [sidebar] His suggestions address our nuclear arsenal, climate change, a Department of Peace, our unprecedented network of military bases, the war budget, the dangers of "threat inflation", President Eisenhower's warning about the military-industrial complex [sidebar], and more.
The Electoral College voted: Round One of the Trump coup is over
The Electoral College voted: Round One of the Trump coup is over
POSTED DECEMBER 14, 2020
On Monday December 14, the Electoral College voted and confirmed Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. as the next President of the United States. The vote was 306-232. Round one of the Trump coup is over. Courts at every level overwhelmingly rejected his baseless claims of election fraud. Election officials and Secretaries of State withstood demonstrations, attempts to interrupt vote counts and threats from Trump supporters and did not reverse the will of the people...The first round is over but unless Trump stops his onslaught of lies, there is more to come...Round Two: the Trump coup moves to Congress. In this round, Trump and his cult-like supporters will demand that Congress refuse to certify the Electoral College votes of various states when it meets in Joint Session on January 6....Round Three: the Trump coup moves to the streets. It kicked off in earnest this weekend as denizens of MAGA-land swarmed D.C. in support of his attempted takeover. READ
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