Don’t look away from Trump. Observe his baleful glare. It is rooted to a deeper malevolence of the human spirit that has existed since the beginning of time. It has coursed through every culture and society, where it encounters the worthy virtues and competes in an enduring struggle that has bended over the eons towards justice in the estimation of one of freedom’s greatest tribunes, the Rev. Martin Luther King.
Placing Stevens claims of slavery as justified by scientific and religious tenants against Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address drives the difference home. We are still fighting the Civil War but using different tools. We are seeing it in the classroom and in the courtrooms on redistricting.
When we emerge from this period which cornerstone will be laid for our next chapter: freedom or tyranny. Grant is right , no middle ground
A three credit course in history, 90% of Americans are ignorant of. Was it Lincoln who said democracy stands only when the electorate is informed
There lies the fault lines: ignorance is celebrated: go through your 40 or 50 choices of tv at 7pm to 10pm and you tell me there isn’t a vast majority of Americans happy and content in their ignorance and open to disinformation from multiple sources: Murdoch, Zuckerberg, Musk, right wing pimps and snake oil selling preachers.
Just watch the house in action this week and convince me I don’t need my passport ready.
Steve, once again, you never cease to amaze! We’re not only get a great newsletter each day, we get a first class history lesson. Well done, and my money well spent.
“The fight for justice will go on for as long as there is an America. Utopia is neither a place, nor a destination. It doesn’t, and will never exist.”
---Steve Schmidt
Agreed! Utopia doesn’t exist, it is an aspiration, no different from Communism or a modern day Conservatism; they only exist in theory!
That said, Trump is just the malignant tumor, the cancer is the party itself. Trump didn’t have to extort or even coax the politicians who tried to send fake electors to congress, or to storm the Capitol. They were happy to oblige. Remember, 21 members of Congress including senators were indicted by the grand jury in GA, even though Willis didn’t pursue charges.
Not to mention, when Trump sued to the Supreme Court to nullify 20 million votes in four key swing states, Texas immediately filed an amicus brief on Trump’s behalf. Ted Cruz even agreed to argue the case.
Ironically, the state of Texas is not a bunch of gadfly lawyers. It was brought in the name of the state, signed by the state’s attorney general with the support of the governor. Sen. Ted Cruz even volunteered to argue the case if a hearing was set.
Not to be outdone, two days later, 17 other states — represented by their state’s lawyers — filed a legal brief in support of Texas. Furthermore, days later, 106 members of Congress also filed a brief on Trump’s behalf.
My point: this was not a bunch of pathetic lawyers filing these briefs; these were state AG’s with the support of governors and members of Congress trying to eradicate democracy as we know it.
So my only question to you Steve, is how did you ever decide to be a republican? I realize democrats have their issues, but they at least play by the rules and support democracy.
Secondly, please explain to me what a modern day conservative means. Are you a Goldwater conservative; a racist man who voted against the Civil Rights Act and was against desegregation? Or a William F Buckley conservative? A man who used lots of big words, incomprehensible to most of us plebs.
Conservatism has always meant small government, lower taxes, family values, fiscal hawks, supporters of economic growth, free enterprise, freedom and a strong military.
I’m 58, and the republicans since Nixon have never represented any of these ideas. They are only fiscal hawks when democrats are in power. And as far as freedom goes, you’re only free if you abide by the American Taliban and their Christian version of Sharia Law.
Additionally, the economy has expanded the best under democratic administrations. Clinton was the only President to balance the budget and leave office with a surplus ($300 billion). Every Republican administration including Nixon has left the country far worse off than when they took office. Adding almost twice the amount of debt than all Democratic administrations.
As for the military, republicans are only strong on defense spending. They don’t support the troops; and whenever funding needs to be reallocated for existing healthcare and veterans issues, they have to be shamed into passing legislation.
Small government, you say? Nixon added the EPA (I agree with this) and DEA. W. Bush created the Homeland Security boondoggle, which spends $60 billion a year, and no one knows whose running the show, lest of all the director. It’s layers of bureaucracy and requires many different departments to sign off on any significant changes.
And don’t get me started with Christian family values; these people have none! They wouldn’t know Jesus if he were staring them in the face;‘they’d probably have him crucified again, as a radical liberal Jew.
So please tell us Steve, why did you ever join this party. It’s always been a racist group of religious wing-nuts, led by leaders who never met a war they didn’t like!...:)
In the final paragraph, Steve rightly admonishes us to, “ Never forget what lies behind it. There is only one side in American politics that stands for human rights and American liberty.” An essential and worthy warning. But the bigger more existential problem is, of course, never learning “it” in the first place. Thanks Steve for an especially good newsletter this morning.
I think this is one of the best pieces you have written. Somehow, I had never read the Stephens speech and to place that horror alongside the Gettysburg address was perfect.
Thank you for The Warning. I have found ut to be more valuable than I initially thought. Each column provides more than credible arguments and the sources to back them up. I have deliberately made the choice to comment on at least 1 column each week. This 50+ yo welcomes the opportunity to try to understand your points. Clear communication is not easy, nor am I particularly great at it, but making myself write a thought out statement or two, improves me. Thank you.
You summarize it perfectly, when they need a banner they use the stars and bars. When they need a weapon they use the American flag. They have no respect for the Constitution or the rule of law.
A copy of this essay is going into my dharma box, to be burned with my body at my cremation. I fancy the thought of us...Steve's words and what remains of me becoming little sparks of energy as together we join the vast ocean of the universe as it expands endlessly towards....what? Some new configuration, a re-creation perhaps of a better world?
With all due respect to my ancestors, likely more Confederate than Union, you lost, and deservedly so. For all those proclaiming that we need a new revolution, what you seek is not freedom, but white supremacy. America is far better than that. If you refuse to study history, at least remember how to pledge of allegiance ends: with liberty and justice for ALL.
The lost cause was and is an immoral one
Placing Stevens claims of slavery as justified by scientific and religious tenants against Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address drives the difference home. We are still fighting the Civil War but using different tools. We are seeing it in the classroom and in the courtrooms on redistricting.
When we emerge from this period which cornerstone will be laid for our next chapter: freedom or tyranny. Grant is right , no middle ground
Good analysis Steve, thank you
Thank you Steve, for these historical lessons and speeches and tying them together. It is all so important.
A three credit course in history, 90% of Americans are ignorant of. Was it Lincoln who said democracy stands only when the electorate is informed
There lies the fault lines: ignorance is celebrated: go through your 40 or 50 choices of tv at 7pm to 10pm and you tell me there isn’t a vast majority of Americans happy and content in their ignorance and open to disinformation from multiple sources: Murdoch, Zuckerberg, Musk, right wing pimps and snake oil selling preachers.
Just watch the house in action this week and convince me I don’t need my passport ready.
Steve, once again, you never cease to amaze! We’re not only get a great newsletter each day, we get a first class history lesson. Well done, and my money well spent.
“The fight for justice will go on for as long as there is an America. Utopia is neither a place, nor a destination. It doesn’t, and will never exist.”
---Steve Schmidt
Agreed! Utopia doesn’t exist, it is an aspiration, no different from Communism or a modern day Conservatism; they only exist in theory!
That said, Trump is just the malignant tumor, the cancer is the party itself. Trump didn’t have to extort or even coax the politicians who tried to send fake electors to congress, or to storm the Capitol. They were happy to oblige. Remember, 21 members of Congress including senators were indicted by the grand jury in GA, even though Willis didn’t pursue charges.
Not to mention, when Trump sued to the Supreme Court to nullify 20 million votes in four key swing states, Texas immediately filed an amicus brief on Trump’s behalf. Ted Cruz even agreed to argue the case.
Ironically, the state of Texas is not a bunch of gadfly lawyers. It was brought in the name of the state, signed by the state’s attorney general with the support of the governor. Sen. Ted Cruz even volunteered to argue the case if a hearing was set.
Not to be outdone, two days later, 17 other states — represented by their state’s lawyers — filed a legal brief in support of Texas. Furthermore, days later, 106 members of Congress also filed a brief on Trump’s behalf.
My point: this was not a bunch of pathetic lawyers filing these briefs; these were state AG’s with the support of governors and members of Congress trying to eradicate democracy as we know it.
So my only question to you Steve, is how did you ever decide to be a republican? I realize democrats have their issues, but they at least play by the rules and support democracy.
Secondly, please explain to me what a modern day conservative means. Are you a Goldwater conservative; a racist man who voted against the Civil Rights Act and was against desegregation? Or a William F Buckley conservative? A man who used lots of big words, incomprehensible to most of us plebs.
Conservatism has always meant small government, lower taxes, family values, fiscal hawks, supporters of economic growth, free enterprise, freedom and a strong military.
I’m 58, and the republicans since Nixon have never represented any of these ideas. They are only fiscal hawks when democrats are in power. And as far as freedom goes, you’re only free if you abide by the American Taliban and their Christian version of Sharia Law.
Additionally, the economy has expanded the best under democratic administrations. Clinton was the only President to balance the budget and leave office with a surplus ($300 billion). Every Republican administration including Nixon has left the country far worse off than when they took office. Adding almost twice the amount of debt than all Democratic administrations.
As for the military, republicans are only strong on defense spending. They don’t support the troops; and whenever funding needs to be reallocated for existing healthcare and veterans issues, they have to be shamed into passing legislation.
Small government, you say? Nixon added the EPA (I agree with this) and DEA. W. Bush created the Homeland Security boondoggle, which spends $60 billion a year, and no one knows whose running the show, lest of all the director. It’s layers of bureaucracy and requires many different departments to sign off on any significant changes.
And don’t get me started with Christian family values; these people have none! They wouldn’t know Jesus if he were staring them in the face;‘they’d probably have him crucified again, as a radical liberal Jew.
So please tell us Steve, why did you ever join this party. It’s always been a racist group of religious wing-nuts, led by leaders who never met a war they didn’t like!...:)
In the final paragraph, Steve rightly admonishes us to, “ Never forget what lies behind it. There is only one side in American politics that stands for human rights and American liberty.” An essential and worthy warning. But the bigger more existential problem is, of course, never learning “it” in the first place. Thanks Steve for an especially good newsletter this morning.
Wow. I needed this.
Freedom and Equality, these are the foundations of Democracy. Thanks Steve - excellent post.
Steve,
I think this is one of the best pieces you have written. Somehow, I had never read the Stephens speech and to place that horror alongside the Gettysburg address was perfect.
Thank you!
This piece of writing will be one for history. Wow. Please everyone SHARE!
Thank you for The Warning. I have found ut to be more valuable than I initially thought. Each column provides more than credible arguments and the sources to back them up. I have deliberately made the choice to comment on at least 1 column each week. This 50+ yo welcomes the opportunity to try to understand your points. Clear communication is not easy, nor am I particularly great at it, but making myself write a thought out statement or two, improves me. Thank you.
You summarize it perfectly, when they need a banner they use the stars and bars. When they need a weapon they use the American flag. They have no respect for the Constitution or the rule of law.
A copy of this essay is going into my dharma box, to be burned with my body at my cremation. I fancy the thought of us...Steve's words and what remains of me becoming little sparks of energy as together we join the vast ocean of the universe as it expands endlessly towards....what? Some new configuration, a re-creation perhaps of a better world?
With all due respect to my ancestors, likely more Confederate than Union, you lost, and deservedly so. For all those proclaiming that we need a new revolution, what you seek is not freedom, but white supremacy. America is far better than that. If you refuse to study history, at least remember how to pledge of allegiance ends: with liberty and justice for ALL.
This was breathtakingly beautifully written, sad, and true
Stephens' speech with its "great physical, philosophical, and moral truth" was and is an abomination. It made me queasy just reading it.
This piece is incredible. Thanks, Steve.