The Statue of Liberty is a universal symbol of freedom, democracy, hope and the end of slavery
From the On Tyranny series by Timothy Snyder, lesson #5 of twenty. Check here for a lesson every Monday or you can find them on YouTube. They are all short videos, no ads. This is 9:48.
“Professional groups are a very important part of civil society. In every attempt to consolidate power what you find is that power is going to try to limit the number of opponents; it’s going to try to simplify the regime itself; it’s going to try to make sure there are few strong institutions between it and people and it will try to leave people as individuated, as isolated, as alienated as possible.
Civil society is that set of organizations which allows people to connect among themselves based upon the things that they do or think or believe. In the case of the professions people are coming together on the basis of what they do but hopefully also on the basis of what they believe. The question of whether lawyers or judges or military officers are just people with titles and uniforms or whether they have some kind of – let’s call it guild loyalty, some set of values which is not just a watered down version of whatever the regime is telling them, is a crucial question for the future of any democracy and of our democracy. ” – Timothy Snyder
Today, Protect Our Care is releasing a new national report with a foreword from Hawaii Governor Josh Green. The report details Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s role in the deadly measles outbreak in Samoa and the danger he poses to the health and well-being of millions of Americans if confirmed as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In 2019, RFK Jr. visited the island nation of Samoa to spread anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, which led to the deaths of 83 people, primarily infants and children. To this day, he refuses to take responsibility and continues to oppose lifesaving vaccines, saying he “does not believe that infectious disease is an enormous threat to human health.”
RFK Jr. is unqualified and holds dangerous anti-science and anti-vaccination policy positions, ready to put his personal interests ahead of the health and safety of the American people. Under his leadership, more people will get sick and die – especially children.
“As a firsthand witness of the tragedy in Samoa, I am certain that the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would be devastating for the health of the American people,” said Hawaii Governor Josh Green. “Vaccine misinformation is deadly, period. For years, Kennedy has fueled misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccinations and other public health measures that keep people safe. He is unfit to lead our nation’s health care system.”
“What RFK Jr. did to Samoa he will do to America. RFK Jr. poses a life-or-death threat to millions of Americans if confirmed as HHS Secretary,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “RFK Jr. has said that ‘no vaccine is safe and effective.’ His opposition to vaccines will lead to a resurgence of deadly childhood diseases like polio and measles. He supports defunding lifesaving research that is used to develop treatments and cures for diseases. RFK Jr. rejects proven science that keeps people healthy and if he is put in a position like HHS secretary, the damage would be catastrophic.”
Two children in Samoa died after receiving their MMR vaccine as a result of nurses improperly mixing the vaccines with a liquid muscle relaxant instead of water. The nurses were sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter.
RFK Jr’s Children’s Health Defense posted on Facebook questioning the safety of measles vaccines.
The World Health Organization estimated that in 2018, only 31 percent of infants in Samoa received the measles vaccine, a drop from 60 to 70 percent in previous years.
RFK Jr’s Children’s Health Defense never updated the public about the true cause of the babies’ deaths.
2019
While vaccination rates were dropping, Kennedy traveled to Samoa in June 2019, meeting with the Prime Minister and other government officials. The trip had been arranged by a prominent Samoan anti-vaccine activist, and paid for by Children’s Health Defense. RFK Jr. appeared with government officials and local anti-vaccine activists.
The measles outbreak began in September 2019.
A state of emergency was declared in November 2019, closing all schools, keeping children under 17 away from public events, and mandating vaccines.
The anti-vaccine activists with ties to Kennedy used misinformation and harsh rhetoric to oppose the government’s efforts in containing the outbreak.
By January 22, 2020, 5,707 measles cases and 83 measles-related deaths were reported. 87 percent of the reported deaths were children younger than 5 years.
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Des Moines, Iowa — A group of concerned Iowans gathered at Senator Joni Ernst’s Des Moines office Wednesday to express their strong opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ‘s nomination for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Karen Merrill, a pharmacist from Ankeny that attended the meeting, believes the most troubling thing about Kennedy is that he doesn’t listen to experts and medical professionals when it comes to vaccines.
“Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have to protect public health. They not only safeguard individuals from preventable diseases, but they contribute to the overall well-being of our communities,” Merrill said. “Community pharmacies were an integral part of the Federal government’s strategy to end the COVID-19 global pandemic by providing essential vaccinations, often in rural and underserved areas. We need leadership that recognizes proven science, supports medical research, and works to improve public health for all.”
The group appreciated that Sen. Ernst wanted to “thoroughly vet” Trump’s nominees when it came to the Defense Department Secretary, but was concerned at how easily she seemed to fall in line when pressured.
“It’s shocking to see conversations happen where we’re asking if someone is qualified to be a cabinet member,” Lori Hunt from Des Moines said. “Shouldn’t that be a given for whoever is nominated?”
Constituents urged the Iowa Senator to uphold the values of the communities she represents, and to not fold under pressure on RFK’s nomination.
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Progress Iowa is the state’s progressive communications hub with a network that reaches nearly 100,000. We conduct research, develop winning messages, communicate with Iowans about critical policy issues, and empower people who want to improve our state.
Let us kick back a bit. This year has been a bummer and we end up with what will probably be our worst government ever and a population that can’t figure that out. Next year will be a sobering experience.
So let’s ask a lot of holiday questions and maybe a few grounded in reality.
But first, a video of nature’s mortal enemies: The cat and the Christmas tree (7 minutes):
A) Kwanzaa? Whatever does it mean?
B) An old pagan tradition celebrates the first day of winter and is known as ‘the longest’ what?
C) Well, the next president says he wants to sell off what long time governmental business?
D) This year December 25th is not only Christmas but is also what other major religious holiday?
E) The scourge of school shootings visited which US city last Monday?
F) “Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel” A dreidel is made of what material?
G) A movie that is not exactly a Christmas movie but is often associated with Christmas is “Bell of St. Mary’s” Who played Mother Superior in that movie?
H) Hannukah is also often referred to as”the festival of” what?
I) Since Christmas is the big kahuna here we will as more questions on Christmas. The song “Silver Bells” came from what 1950s movie?
J) In Georgia, what prosecutor was removed from the Trump election interference case by an Appeals Court last week?
K) “Yule” is usually associated with part of the world and what religion?
L) In “The Santa Claus” what is the name of the character who assumes the identity of Santa Clause?
M) Oopsie! MAGA House members failed in a continuing resolution vote Thursday night by how many votes?
N) How many principals are there when celebrating Kwanzaa?
O) In the movie “Miracle on 34th Street” the department store Santa has what name in the movie?
P) Senator Rand Paul suggested the US House elect who as Speaker of the House last week?
Q) In Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” Ebenezer Scrooge is shown two miserable children by the Ghost of Christmas Present. What are the children’s names?
R) In the movie “Elf” who attacks Buddy after Buddy describes him as an “angry elf”?
S) Santa Claus is an amalgamation of many legends over the centuries. From what culture do we get the flying sleigh and the toy making elves?
T) The political world was aghast at what looks like a very frivolous lawsuit who filed against the Des Moines Register last Monday?
What’s behind Trump’s gonzo cabinet noms?
Flood the zone? Yes, but it’s deeper than that.
Trump wants to deflect our attention while he and his fellow billionaires loot America.
He’s on his way to creating a government of billionaires, by billionaires, for billionaires. – Robert Reich
C) the Post Office(after Louis DeJoy has ruined it)
D) Channukah and the next dat Kwanzaa starts
E) Madison, Wisconsin
F) Clay
G) Ingrid Bergman
H) Lights
I) “The Lemon drop Kid” starring Bob Hope
J) Fani Willis (this is far from done, folks)
K) Scandinavia and paganism
L) Scott Calvin
M) 61 votes – oopsie!
N) 7
O) Kris Kringle
P) Elon Musk (no – I think he was serious)
Q) Ignorance and Want
R) the children’s book writer Miles Finch (played by Peter Dinklage)
S) Norse. These are part of the legend of Odin
T) Trump of course
The fact that I know more about Fani Willis’ and Nathan Wade’s relationship than I do about the crimes committed by Ginni Thomas and Clarence Thomas shows exactly what is terribly wrong with today’s political mainstream media. – Andrea Junker
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“Everything Is on the Table,” as Republicans in Congress Narrow in on Slashing Health Care for the Most Vulnerable.
New reporting indicates that Republicans are targeting Medicaid for deep budget cuts in order to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. As a result, millions would lose coverage, including children, new moms, seniors, and people with disabilities. These cuts would come as part of a reconciliation bill early next year.
The news follows a new letter from more than 30 patient advocacy groups, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the American Heart Association, calling on Congress to reject any cuts to Medicaid. The letter states: “Any efforts to cut Medicaid, including through restructuring Medicaid’s current financing, Making other federal funding cuts that shift costs to states, reducing eligibility or benefits, or adding barriers to coverage, would severely harm the people we represent and must be rejected.” In response, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:
“The GOP war on Medicaid is alive and well as Republicans have made clear that massive Medicaid cuts are a top priority for 2025. Once again, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are more concerned about taking care of their wealthy friends like Elon Musk than protecting the health care of millions of Americans. By prioritizing the wealth of the ultra-rich and big corporations, millions of Americans will have their health care ripped away. Families will lose the care they need to stay healthy, seniors will struggle to age with dignity and control their financial future, and millions of kids will be left behind. These cuts will throw our entire health care system into chaos.”
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Progress Iowa is the state’s progressive communications hub with a network that reaches nearly 100,000. We conduct research, develop winning messages, communicate with Iowans about critical policy issues, and empower people who want to improve our state.
Hartmann began his post with quotes from three American leaders who stepped in at previous times of oligarchy in attempts to turn the country from oligarchy. Since it is Christmas I will prevail on Mr. Hartmann’s generosity to use his lines.
As we view the achievements of aggregated capital, we discover the existence of trusts, combinations, and monopolies, while the citizen is struggling far in the rear or is trampled to death beneath an iron heel. Corporations, which should be the carefully restrained creatures of the law and the servants of the people, are fast becoming the people’s masters. — President Grover Cleveland
Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to dissolve the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of the day. — President Theodore Roosevelt
We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace: business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering. They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob. — President Franklin D. Roosevelt
The subject of money controlling our government has been on the minds of many of us because we know what the rich and greedy want – they want it all at the expense of everyone else. They already have more money than can be spent in several lifetimes and they want more.
They will stop at nothing to get it all. Apparently Elon Musk has bought himself a share of the presidency. One of his first acts as co-president has been to demand passage of a continuing resolution to keep the government open that would end the debt ceiling so that Congress would have NO limits on how deeply the country could be driven into debt.
Hartmann in his article discusses how the SCOTUS set the groundwork for a country where the rich get expedited pathways to power. While we have government with powers divided among three branches, the founders failed to consider what would happen if all three branches were in aligned in a scheme to redesign the government.
Remember that a government with divided powers can be overthrown from within by members who have their own agendas ahead of the agenda of the country. We are about to see a line up of the executive branch whose greed is unquenchable and which will stop at nothing.
We have a legislative branch controlled by the executive’s party that is totally spineless when dealing with the executive branch. The MAGA legislative branch’s only agenda these days is to get re-elected and to do so they will allow the executive to humiliate them in any manner. Their legislative priority is to do what the executive tells them.
Finally we have a judicial branch that is openly taking bribes. To keep these bribes flowing they simply have to pervert their opinions to excuse executive actions. Last term’s decision that the executive cannot be held liable for actions when acting as the executive ended one of the very core tenets of our country: That no one is above the law.
So it is a sad assessment as we approach Christmas of 2024. We know what they (the MAGA executive, legislature and judiciary) are planning to do. They have told us over and over. We must resist using what powers we have. While it may seem weak we need to us what media we can. Write letters to the editor and opinions in local media.
We need to use social media to push our ideas and to make sure Americans understand what the oligarchs are doing. And we must support those who support the small ‘d’ democracy with contributions and votes.
Money in American politics has always been the rot in the base of the structure. Politicians such as the Roosevelts and Cleveland tackled the problem before. Recently politicians such as McCain and Feingold took it on. The corruption of money can be tamed but WE need to call for it, and make it an issue before Trump and his oligarchs can weave it even more deeply into the system.
I am kind of laying back this weekend. Quiz tomorrow, though.
President Joe Biden caught a lot of flack on social media after inviting 45 to the oval post-election. Progressives on my feeds couldn’t understand why he would seem to legitimize a scoundrel, a criminal like Trump. How could he? Outrage ensued. Understandable. I wasn’t thrilled about it either. But I responded to someone’s post at the time with this: “I think it’s because he believes we’re going to get through this and he thinks it’s important that America sees how a real president is supposed to behave.” Ben Meiselas asked him about it in an exclusive interview, posted below.
The interview is excellent on multiple levels, one being that Biden snubbed the fickle mainstream media and granted this exclusive interview to Ben Meiselas of MeidasTouch Network, one of the fastest growing progressive media companies that happens to deal in reality. Ben chose excellent questions. Biden gave some answers that will surprise progressives. And he threw in a couple of illuminating stories. Biden is smart but not cynical. That’s hard for the average person to do. His faith in democracy and the American people comes through.
A digression. It was incredibly disappointing to me that my fellow democrats went for the “Biden’s too old and will for sure lose” media narrative. It wouldn’t have worked without democratic help, but that is a post for another day. I will only say here that I believe if we had gotten behind Biden instead of viewing him through republican eyes, the American people would likely have come home and voted for the incumbent president (just like Iowans did for Grassley). I could be wrong. We’ll never know. But the alternative plan didn’t work out either, which we now know. No shot against Kamala Harris who did her best and was really good.
John Stoehr wrote with the greatest clarity on the issues concerning Biden being abandoned by us or what I think of as the democratic party freak out. He mentions ageism, fear, and not thinking it through. I agree with pretty much everything he said on the subject.
In any event, the man who was responsible for democracy living to see another day deserved better than he got from his party. I hope you will take the time to watch this respectful, professional interview by Ben Meiselas. No cliche press corps style gotcha questions for click bait, only authentic questions that I think many of us would ask Joe Biden if we had the chance.
I’ll just leave it here. We are going to miss him when he’s gone. Thank you, Mr. President.
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