The truly saddest part of this ugly chapter in world history - Trump’s political career - are the lives around the world, and in the US, that have been lost due to his evilness and bungling incompetence. Can’t wait to see him convicted and locked away for what remains of his miserable life.
Scott, I’m thrilled that we got this done. I was calling Congress people and voicing that Ukraine must be funded. I don’t think Johnson deserves a medal for doing his job either. I do think Hakeem Jeffries will be a great Speaker.
All it is is a last-minute call to conscience similar to Mike Pence's decision to defy Trump's demand to not certify the electoral votes: a bright moment in an otherwise dismal career.
I believe that Johnson and other Republicans now sense that Biden will win and that they were likely to be voted out if they continue to kowtow to Trump.
I also think that some of what Johnson might have heard was evidence that Trump is in cahoots with Putin.
There was nothing in Johnson’s previous behavior that showed him not acting in his own benefit. I don’t believe this has changed.
Now that we have seen that one person can stop bills from being introduced because of devotion to a guy who is sitting in court, this rule of congress ought to be changed. How can we keep saying democracy is on the line in the election while at the same time we see this ridiculous undemocratic aspect of our system?
It has been heartening to see a tiny bit of cooperation in the House, usually when the floor is about to fall out from under the speaker. Johnson is still on the wrong side of history, and is still a christofacist. I’m grateful today that Ukraine will get some of what they need to keep going.
Now we need to stop the title VII and IX civil rights violations going on in our own country (trans/lgbtq+ citizens). Once the conservative christians get their way, the target groups will become bigger…where does it stop?! We conquered this evil back in the 60’s, only to have it rear it’s ugly head in the name of ‘christianity’.
Speaker Johnson came into the House as a nebbish. He was put in the speakership because he is an evangelical Christian, and his caucus believed that he would vote the MAGA position 24/7/365. He referred to Marjorie Taylor Greene as a friend. He refused repeatedly to bring Ukrainian aide to a vote.
And then he was convinced by facts, presented to him by the CIA Director William Burns, facts about what Putin is forecast to do should the US fail to support Ukraine, or dither too long. Imagine that. He behaved as we want people to behave - to change one's mind based on facts.
Speaker Johnson prayed. He thought. He saw that the MAGAts in his caucus would smear him and probably try to strip him of the Speaker’s seat. And then, according to the New York Times
“I want to be on the right side of history,” Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, recalled the speaker telling him.
“History judges us for what we do,” Johnson told reporters at the Capitol last week. “This is a critical time right now. I could make a selfish decision and do something that’s different. But I’m doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine right now is critically important.”
“I really do believe the intel,” Mr. Johnson said. “I think that Vladimir Putin would continue to march through Europe if he were allowed. I think he might go to the Baltics next. I think he might have a showdown with Poland or one of our NATO allies.”
Mr. McCaul, who repeatedly huddled with Mr. Johnson and the chairmen of the other congressional national security committees in a secure room of the Capitol where lawmakers can review classified material, described Mr. Johnson’s journey as “transformational.” “All of a sudden, he’s realizing that the world depends on this,” Mr. McCaul said.
The $60 billion military assistance package approved by the House will be voted on by the Senate and signed by President Biden as early as Tuesday. The Pentagon has said it could resume sending weapons to Ukraine within days through a well-established logistics network. My god. What a terrifying moment we are enduring.
There are times when one grits one's teeth and does what is best for the future. I believe that this is such a time. When we want to encourage a certain kind of behavior, we thank the person for doing it. In this instance, I choose to carpe the diem and thank him, which I have done.
We thank people for doing right. This is not about forgiveness. This is about thanking the cat for saving the world. Whether I like him or not. It's simply required manners. He walked away from his friends in the House; can you imagine being in the House and having no friends? You can't get a co-sponsor or a drink on the Hill without friends.
Or did you ever train a bad dog, or a bad child, or a hostile nation's diplomat? Someone who comes to you with emotional and political baggage, someone with whom you must live and work for the foreseeable future, who is part of your work/life circle, who has the ability to make life good or bad for you and your civilization for the foreseeable future?
I think we are looking at two different puzzle pieces. Your puzzle piece says Speaker Johnson did not move until he realized that he would never get a consensus in his caucus and the burden was on him; why praise the man for being forced into the corral? My puzzle piece says we are going to have to acknowledge that Johnson is going to be Speaker for the next few months, unless MTG, Gosar, and Massie bring a successful Motion to Vacate (and sprout wings and fly) and therefore we need Mr. Johnson to continue to respond to facts and reason, and to see himself as one who has had greatness thrust upon him. Both pieces are cuts from the same jigsaw.
So I think we should thank Speaker Johnson. You can reach his office at 202-225-2777.
Thank you kindly, Scott. I appreciate your ongoing focus on the issues so crucial to us all.
We are all in this together, whether we like it or not.
Because I was raised in a DC political family, I continue to see things in terms of the main chance. Therefore, I see the benefit to my Congressional representative - and yours and everyone else's - if in thanking Speaker Johnson, I state that I am a Democrat from Congressman X's District, thanking him. . .
Take. Every. Opportunity. Don't leave gold lying on the floor if you can stoop to pick it up.
Martha Ture, You are correct about training a dog. I am a huge animal lover & have 6 dogs in my home, plus an additional 3 when I keep my friend’s when she goes to do her army reserve duties. Positive reinforcement is the best way to get the good behavior that you want, & and occasional growl-toned correction to stop any hint of aggression toward a pack member.
I am so relieved to get that aid package to Ukraine, it was absolutely breaking my heart every day that dragged by thinking of the lives lost & the demoralizing effect our foot-dragging must be having on those people. Therefore, I took your suggestion & called Speaker Johnson’s office to thank him for finally doing the right & moral thing.
I did gently remind him of the lives lost due to his delay.
Positive reinforcement, perhaps will encourage him to do more right things going forward to November. We can hope.
Since Johnson’s son is about to enter the naval academy, he has become aware of the possibility of American boots on the ground. He obviously doesn’t want his son in harm’s way, so it makes sense for him to support aid to Ukraine so Putin is stopped before he gets to NATO countries.
For her failure to intimidate Johnson into not letting the bill come to a vote? She tried her best to serve her masters Trump & Putin. But no, Trump is depraved & becoming ever more demented, but I think he still has enough sense not to choose MTG as his VP.
I highly doubt she was ever on his list, she is not pretty enough, in his opinion of female beauty. She’s just a useful tool for him to cause chaos in the House
Not cheering for MAGA but glad the aid package seems to be moving to Senate for approval and then to President Biden. I am disgusted by GOP House reps including my rep Mike Bost. Bost is a MAGA rep, former Marine, who claims support of Veterans. I’ve never supported him but wish he loses his seat. No great chance of it in SW IL Thanks Scott
Any person who asks the question: "Why send money to Ukraine?" needs to re-read the identical situation that happened within living memor.: Adolf Hitler said he was "Just going to take this one little country, and if you let me do that I'll stop." -- Then when Chamberlain let him do it, saying he was buying "Peace in our time", Hitler went on and took the next country, and then the next -- and thus started the raging years of World War II. PAY ATTENTION AND WAKE UP.
I've been saying that this whole time. Why are we celebrating these tools for doing what was RIGHT and should've been done months ago? Only when threatened with 'history' or 'votes' they capitulate? Absolutely disgusting. And for Johnson to say that he would rather send bullets than our BOYS to war shows just how archaic his thinking is about the people who are in the military. Hey Mike - WOMEN fight too and ALWAYS have.
The truly saddest part of this ugly chapter in world history - Trump’s political career - are the lives around the world, and in the US, that have been lost due to his evilness and bungling incompetence. Can’t wait to see him convicted and locked away for what remains of his miserable life.
So many lives have been lost Dave, you're right.
We can never stop pushing forward. VOTE A STRAIGHT BLUE TICKET. Volunteer. WE CAN DEFEAT THEM!
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Yes we can Monica!
You’re absolutely right we can 👏
Trump just keeps on losing, and the free world is better for it.
Absolutely, Sam. Absolutely.
Oh man, Putin is NOT happy about this
Yep
Scott, I’m thrilled that we got this done. I was calling Congress people and voicing that Ukraine must be funded. I don’t think Johnson deserves a medal for doing his job either. I do think Hakeem Jeffries will be a great Speaker.
You did such a great job Donna! Thank you for that!
That's always a good sign.
boohoo! May that tiny, toxic megalomaniac drop dead or be "neutralized" very soon. Where's James Bond, when you need them? May Navalny RIP.
I just saw the Navalny documentary that takes place after his poisoning (his first poisoning. I might say) ..amazing. And so so so sad.
Tough to watch but I highly recommend it.
Do not even consider that Johnson is a hero for doing what he should have been doing all along. He has blood on his hands. All of the lives that were lost. He is no hero. Do not make a martyr of him. https://open.substack.com/pub/dworkin/p/trumps-desperate-bid-to-stop-ukraine?r=16wqsg
All it is is a last-minute call to conscience similar to Mike Pence's decision to defy Trump's demand to not certify the electoral votes: a bright moment in an otherwise dismal career.
The job is to overcome our mainstream media. There should be no doubt Trump is a threat to this country.
Absolutely right Maryhelen!
I believe that Johnson and other Republicans now sense that Biden will win and that they were likely to be voted out if they continue to kowtow to Trump.
I also think that some of what Johnson might have heard was evidence that Trump is in cahoots with Putin.
There was nothing in Johnson’s previous behavior that showed him not acting in his own benefit. I don’t believe this has changed.
Now that we have seen that one person can stop bills from being introduced because of devotion to a guy who is sitting in court, this rule of congress ought to be changed. How can we keep saying democracy is on the line in the election while at the same time we see this ridiculous undemocratic aspect of our system?
Good points!
It has been heartening to see a tiny bit of cooperation in the House, usually when the floor is about to fall out from under the speaker. Johnson is still on the wrong side of history, and is still a christofacist. I’m grateful today that Ukraine will get some of what they need to keep going.
I am grateful of that too!
Now we need to stop the title VII and IX civil rights violations going on in our own country (trans/lgbtq+ citizens). Once the conservative christians get their way, the target groups will become bigger…where does it stop?! We conquered this evil back in the 60’s, only to have it rear it’s ugly head in the name of ‘christianity’.
Well said Michelle
Speaker Johnson came into the House as a nebbish. He was put in the speakership because he is an evangelical Christian, and his caucus believed that he would vote the MAGA position 24/7/365. He referred to Marjorie Taylor Greene as a friend. He refused repeatedly to bring Ukrainian aide to a vote.
And then he was convinced by facts, presented to him by the CIA Director William Burns, facts about what Putin is forecast to do should the US fail to support Ukraine, or dither too long. Imagine that. He behaved as we want people to behave - to change one's mind based on facts.
Speaker Johnson prayed. He thought. He saw that the MAGAts in his caucus would smear him and probably try to strip him of the Speaker’s seat. And then, according to the New York Times
“I want to be on the right side of history,” Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, recalled the speaker telling him.
“History judges us for what we do,” Johnson told reporters at the Capitol last week. “This is a critical time right now. I could make a selfish decision and do something that’s different. But I’m doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine right now is critically important.”
“I really do believe the intel,” Mr. Johnson said. “I think that Vladimir Putin would continue to march through Europe if he were allowed. I think he might go to the Baltics next. I think he might have a showdown with Poland or one of our NATO allies.”
Mr. McCaul, who repeatedly huddled with Mr. Johnson and the chairmen of the other congressional national security committees in a secure room of the Capitol where lawmakers can review classified material, described Mr. Johnson’s journey as “transformational.” “All of a sudden, he’s realizing that the world depends on this,” Mr. McCaul said.
The $60 billion military assistance package approved by the House will be voted on by the Senate and signed by President Biden as early as Tuesday. The Pentagon has said it could resume sending weapons to Ukraine within days through a well-established logistics network. My god. What a terrifying moment we are enduring.
There are times when one grits one's teeth and does what is best for the future. I believe that this is such a time. When we want to encourage a certain kind of behavior, we thank the person for doing it. In this instance, I choose to carpe the diem and thank him, which I have done.
We thank people for doing right. This is not about forgiveness. This is about thanking the cat for saving the world. Whether I like him or not. It's simply required manners. He walked away from his friends in the House; can you imagine being in the House and having no friends? You can't get a co-sponsor or a drink on the Hill without friends.
Or did you ever train a bad dog, or a bad child, or a hostile nation's diplomat? Someone who comes to you with emotional and political baggage, someone with whom you must live and work for the foreseeable future, who is part of your work/life circle, who has the ability to make life good or bad for you and your civilization for the foreseeable future?
I think we are looking at two different puzzle pieces. Your puzzle piece says Speaker Johnson did not move until he realized that he would never get a consensus in his caucus and the burden was on him; why praise the man for being forced into the corral? My puzzle piece says we are going to have to acknowledge that Johnson is going to be Speaker for the next few months, unless MTG, Gosar, and Massie bring a successful Motion to Vacate (and sprout wings and fly) and therefore we need Mr. Johnson to continue to respond to facts and reason, and to see himself as one who has had greatness thrust upon him. Both pieces are cuts from the same jigsaw.
So I think we should thank Speaker Johnson. You can reach his office at 202-225-2777.
I really appreciate your thoughtful response.
Thank you kindly, Scott. I appreciate your ongoing focus on the issues so crucial to us all.
We are all in this together, whether we like it or not.
Because I was raised in a DC political family, I continue to see things in terms of the main chance. Therefore, I see the benefit to my Congressional representative - and yours and everyone else's - if in thanking Speaker Johnson, I state that I am a Democrat from Congressman X's District, thanking him. . .
Take. Every. Opportunity. Don't leave gold lying on the floor if you can stoop to pick it up.
Sounds like Johnson finally realized Congress is more than a place for FOXNEWS auditions.
Yes, both pieces of that puzzle are valid.
Martha Ture, You are correct about training a dog. I am a huge animal lover & have 6 dogs in my home, plus an additional 3 when I keep my friend’s when she goes to do her army reserve duties. Positive reinforcement is the best way to get the good behavior that you want, & and occasional growl-toned correction to stop any hint of aggression toward a pack member.
I am so relieved to get that aid package to Ukraine, it was absolutely breaking my heart every day that dragged by thinking of the lives lost & the demoralizing effect our foot-dragging must be having on those people. Therefore, I took your suggestion & called Speaker Johnson’s office to thank him for finally doing the right & moral thing.
I did gently remind him of the lives lost due to his delay.
Positive reinforcement, perhaps will encourage him to do more right things going forward to November. We can hope.
Good human, good. Good job.
Since Johnson’s son is about to enter the naval academy, he has become aware of the possibility of American boots on the ground. He obviously doesn’t want his son in harm’s way, so it makes sense for him to support aid to Ukraine so Putin is stopped before he gets to NATO countries.
I agree I think he actually was concerned about that. It hit home.
I suppose this means MTG is no longer on TFG’s VP short list.
LOL I think she's been crossed off
For her failure to intimidate Johnson into not letting the bill come to a vote? She tried her best to serve her masters Trump & Putin. But no, Trump is depraved & becoming ever more demented, but I think he still has enough sense not to choose MTG as his VP.
Even the Republicans are turning against her, calling her "Moscow Marjorie"(!).
I highly doubt she was ever on his list, she is not pretty enough, in his opinion of female beauty. She’s just a useful tool for him to cause chaos in the House
Not cheering for MAGA but glad the aid package seems to be moving to Senate for approval and then to President Biden. I am disgusted by GOP House reps including my rep Mike Bost. Bost is a MAGA rep, former Marine, who claims support of Veterans. I’ve never supported him but wish he loses his seat. No great chance of it in SW IL Thanks Scott
Thanks Laura for your comment
Thank you for telling it as it is.
I watched coverage this weekend comparing Johnson to world leaders who took on the nazis. Like he had courage. And I just couldn't stand it anymore.
I say thank goodness his son enlisted, he suddenly had a conscience and needed to support Democracy. He’s no hero.
Any person who asks the question: "Why send money to Ukraine?" needs to re-read the identical situation that happened within living memor.: Adolf Hitler said he was "Just going to take this one little country, and if you let me do that I'll stop." -- Then when Chamberlain let him do it, saying he was buying "Peace in our time", Hitler went on and took the next country, and then the next -- and thus started the raging years of World War II. PAY ATTENTION AND WAKE UP.
I've been saying that this whole time. Why are we celebrating these tools for doing what was RIGHT and should've been done months ago? Only when threatened with 'history' or 'votes' they capitulate? Absolutely disgusting. And for Johnson to say that he would rather send bullets than our BOYS to war shows just how archaic his thinking is about the people who are in the military. Hey Mike - WOMEN fight too and ALWAYS have.