Quick Link --
Long-time readers here may remember quite a few links and references to Truthout, a useful web site featuring thought-provoking and enlightening stories on news topics of the day.
The organization is still at work in a timely way. The link below will take you to their web page on media and culture with several highly recommended articles.
America needs truth now more than ever.
What we have in Texas is not only blind faith in the profit system, but in a state government which not only espoused and embraced the profit system but ordered itself as the chief defender of it. (Private for-profit electric and oil and gas companies above all else.)
Now, untold millions are forced to suffer -- because of the state they happen to live in. It has been said -- correctly -- that neighboring Arkansas handled the situation notably better (though while being no champion of economic equality).
Our hearts go out to Texans for a tragedy which didn't have to be.
N.B. As for the last statement, this is not just my my own view, but that of many commentators over the last several days, as well. Details can be given. I hope to say more about all this soon.
We have before us, then, a clear case of incitement. We have seen how a worried Trump launched an effort to sow doubt in the minds of supporters regarding the validity of the November election months before it even took place. We have seen how the invasion of the Michigan state Capitol served as a prelude to conspirators who were already known to each other, and indeed showed up at the U. S. Capitol months later.
Thus we have no one-off loss of control, but a plan for insurrection -- conceived, nurtured, and executed in the White House by the President of the United States. The matter could hardly be clearer.
And yet, certain business interests, fronted by the Republican Party, have emitted a fog of obfuscation, deflection, and denial. This obfuscation will continue today, as Trump enablers seek to turn attention away from the facts of January 6, and Trump's role in it, and toward side issues.
I believe the American people will not be deceived. Certain things can be felt, especially when they have actually been seen. There is no real way to hide or deflect. The President did what he did. It is now there on the record with a new, more powerful light shone upon it. Let us not avert our gaze. Let is join together -- in horror, yes -- but more importantly in a shared clarity. And then let us act with ennobled dispatch to make sure such a thing as January 6, 2021, never happens again.
Photo of Rep. Jamie Raskin, lead House impeachment manager
S omeday perhaps there will be a two-volume book by this title.
For now, we have only the transcript of today's opening Impeachment session in the United States Senate. With it's moving and powerful beginning video and riveting statements from the House managers, we are off and running with what must be the nation's most important Impeachment in history.
Those best equipped to offer commentary (as well as those less equipped) will do their jobs. As for this writer, I want to focus on the larger context and the nation's future. To this end I hope to offer pertinent and maybe even poignant posts here which may help at certain points to illuminate and inspire.
For while this is a frightening time what with armed hooligans assaulting the Capitol, it is also -- or can be -- a time of hope. But for us to have a hope-filled future, a certain kind of thoughtful planning must be done. If I am able to offer only a few suggestions of merit here I will feel gratified.
Information will be posted here from time to time.
