Ok I started to get nervous because I respect Biden so much but you sold me. “The President ... must show the lonely voices that they are not alone.” And we must do our best to make sure he does that.
Fred, one of my favorite stories about Truman comes from the pre-WWI period, when he was assigned to Camp Doniphan in Oklahoma, charged with setting up a PX, which - alongside a fellow soldier named Eddie Jacobson - he did with tremendous efficiency and scrupulous honesty. Eddie may have been the first Jew Harry ever met. Many years later, when he was President and the issue of a Jewish state in Israel hung in the balance at the United Nations, Eddie came to see him and pleaded with the President to cause the United States to cast the deciding vote. We did. Such is the role of friendship in history.
We’re going. I’ll be honest, I’m pretty weary always being pointed at about the failures of the Dem leadership. Don’t forget, it was the GOP strategists who brought us where we are today. Win at all costs, regardless of the fallout. There were heartbreaking things done, such as swiftboat campaign that turned Vietnam vet against Vietnam vet. Suicides happened. Others went missing. We, the Dems were very busy picking up the fallout from that fiasco and not a single GOP type person ever gave one thought. They were disposable, a means to an end. I still have saved many emails from that time from decorated Vets, the one still burned in my mind started with the subject line - With A Tear In My Eye. 2003 era, we ran the FIRST official candidates bulletin board on the Internet for a political campaign.
So when TLP first began I was familiar with a few of the people. I became familiar with you through TLP. It was very hard to wrap my mind around the fact I was about to start following that whole group - almost 20 years later. They & You are all so intelligent I couldn’t understand why you all didn’t see this coming, but kept pushing for people who didn’t deserve the power. And here we are - but, I always take one beat when there is a big outcry and try and see what comes after that.
But, I am in this fight, for the second time in my life. I went through my GenZ age fighting to get RvW, fighting against the draft, fighting for the 18 year old Vote, going to funerals of young men that had just graduated and were swooped off to VN. We joined up with Log Cabin Republican to fight for gay rights - as Dems.
So - here we are, starting all over to regain everything that was frittered away. Yes I’m mad at what’s going on, I’ve been mad for quite awhile.
To me the big decline started when the SCOTUS elected our President.
Just my thoughts, but I don’t believe it would have helped at all to have Biden do some fiery speech. I don’t believe it would have helped if FDR or any other known past President would have any influence with the mindset that is out there now.
The biggest help will be for people to register to vote and actually go Vote. Every single person. They have to get mad enough that Dems will start running for office and not let these State seats go unchallenged. They have to work on turning their States away from going even deeper red. From dog catcher on up - challenge ever damn seat. The power is at State level.
And we will yell and fight at the Federal level whenever we can over anything that is Fed fixable.
Fantastic piece. We need courageous leaders and politicians, and they are few and far between. The Democrats always seem to be reactive and/or passive.
I agree, our Democratic Leadership and the DOJ cannot stand idly by while all of our guaranteed protections are destroyed. There are basic rights that are more important than the economy.
I actually think we can do both. This is a great nation with a vast government. We can work on the economy and fight fascism at the same time. It doesn't have to be a binary choice.
I worked as a housekeeper for a woman who worked with Truman post presidency. She told me he was a really good guy. I always thought so but it was nice to have the confirmation.
Just here for a hard agree that expecting our leadership to fight the fire can coexist with holding the arsonists accountable for starting the fire. Binary/either-or thinking adds fuel to the fire. Just like with purity politics and the lie of perfection, it is a divide and conquer strategy that works so well on us. Appreciate you, Fred, and still very excited for the book to come out!
Give em hell Fred.
I’m on it!
Ok I started to get nervous because I respect Biden so much but you sold me. “The President ... must show the lonely voices that they are not alone.” And we must do our best to make sure he does that.
It’s not disloyal to demand more.
I think you are dead on with your analysis. The silence is deafening. There is great power being wasted in the current Administration.
I am a strong supporter but we have got to stop acting like these attacks aren't real or just an inconvenience.
Fred, one of my favorite stories about Truman comes from the pre-WWI period, when he was assigned to Camp Doniphan in Oklahoma, charged with setting up a PX, which - alongside a fellow soldier named Eddie Jacobson - he did with tremendous efficiency and scrupulous honesty. Eddie may have been the first Jew Harry ever met. Many years later, when he was President and the issue of a Jewish state in Israel hung in the balance at the United Nations, Eddie came to see him and pleaded with the President to cause the United States to cast the deciding vote. We did. Such is the role of friendship in history.
Love it. He’s a unique character in US history.
We’re going. I’ll be honest, I’m pretty weary always being pointed at about the failures of the Dem leadership. Don’t forget, it was the GOP strategists who brought us where we are today. Win at all costs, regardless of the fallout. There were heartbreaking things done, such as swiftboat campaign that turned Vietnam vet against Vietnam vet. Suicides happened. Others went missing. We, the Dems were very busy picking up the fallout from that fiasco and not a single GOP type person ever gave one thought. They were disposable, a means to an end. I still have saved many emails from that time from decorated Vets, the one still burned in my mind started with the subject line - With A Tear In My Eye. 2003 era, we ran the FIRST official candidates bulletin board on the Internet for a political campaign.
So when TLP first began I was familiar with a few of the people. I became familiar with you through TLP. It was very hard to wrap my mind around the fact I was about to start following that whole group - almost 20 years later. They & You are all so intelligent I couldn’t understand why you all didn’t see this coming, but kept pushing for people who didn’t deserve the power. And here we are - but, I always take one beat when there is a big outcry and try and see what comes after that.
But, I am in this fight, for the second time in my life. I went through my GenZ age fighting to get RvW, fighting against the draft, fighting for the 18 year old Vote, going to funerals of young men that had just graduated and were swooped off to VN. We joined up with Log Cabin Republican to fight for gay rights - as Dems.
So - here we are, starting all over to regain everything that was frittered away. Yes I’m mad at what’s going on, I’ve been mad for quite awhile.
To me the big decline started when the SCOTUS elected our President.
Just my thoughts, but I don’t believe it would have helped at all to have Biden do some fiery speech. I don’t believe it would have helped if FDR or any other known past President would have any influence with the mindset that is out there now.
The biggest help will be for people to register to vote and actually go Vote. Every single person. They have to get mad enough that Dems will start running for office and not let these State seats go unchallenged. They have to work on turning their States away from going even deeper red. From dog catcher on up - challenge ever damn seat. The power is at State level.
And we will yell and fight at the Federal level whenever we can over anything that is Fed fixable.
Good luck, glad your on Substacks.
Thank you so much. We still have the upper hand but if we don't step up we will lose it all.
Fantastic piece. We need courageous leaders and politicians, and they are few and far between. The Democrats always seem to be reactive and/or passive.
Thanks Ian.
I agree, our Democratic Leadership and the DOJ cannot stand idly by while all of our guaranteed protections are destroyed. There are basic rights that are more important than the economy.
I actually think we can do both. This is a great nation with a vast government. We can work on the economy and fight fascism at the same time. It doesn't have to be a binary choice.
Living in Florida, we are being destroyed. We could use some assistance.
I totally agree with you!! Thanks! Keep it up! I’m from Missouri too and a Democrat 💪🏼
Thank you! Let's go!
Well said. We fight the fights that need fighting.
We don't always get to pick our wars.
I worked as a housekeeper for a woman who worked with Truman post presidency. She told me he was a really good guy. I always thought so but it was nice to have the confirmation.
That is amazing. What a cool experience.
It really was😊
Just here for a hard agree that expecting our leadership to fight the fire can coexist with holding the arsonists accountable for starting the fire. Binary/either-or thinking adds fuel to the fire. Just like with purity politics and the lie of perfection, it is a divide and conquer strategy that works so well on us. Appreciate you, Fred, and still very excited for the book to come out!
Thank you Grace!
Finally!! Exactly! And I totally support this administration AND YET, they are lacking imagination and fight. You nailed it.
Thank you.
Excellent, Fred. Messaging the truth doesn’t even seem to be on the public radar.
We have got to fight this war whether we like it or not.
This is brilliant and right on. Thanks,Fred.
Thank you, Karen.
Incredible story about Truman. For a second when I read your title, I thought you were talking about Wee Willy ex-Prince Harry LOL
Exactly my frustration with this Democratic administration and most prior ones. We need a fighter.