Senators Warnock and Klobuchar
It's a tie
It was a difficult week for 96% of Senate Democrats, who did everything in their power to convince their two obstinate colleagues to stand with them—and democracy. In stark contrast to the embarrassing attempt by Kyrsten Sinema to justify her unjustifiable obstruction, Senators—like Cory Booker, Jeff Merkley, Tammy Duckworth, and Maisie Hirono—stood up to underscore the importance of voting rights and the need to take appropriate action to protect them at the federal level in the face of Jim Crow-level voter suppression.
THE WINNERS
Senator Raphael Warnock, however, really brought the fire.
In your words, “His powerful speech filled me with resolve and only reinforced my fierce commitment to do all I can to get out the vote in this upcoming election.”
“[He] took to the floor of the senate on January 19th to remind us that ‘history is watching.’”
He delivered his speech with “passion, grace, and ferocity.”
“[H]e made me proud to be both a D & an American!”
Senator Amy Klobuchar suffered no fools this week.
You voted for her because of “her steadfast devotion to voting rights and how forceful she is about it in interviews, press conference statements, and on social media. She should be the Senate Majority Leader, not Chuck Schumer.”
“She is so smart, clearly a wonderful Democratic Senator.”
She “stood up calmly and resolutely for the rescue of our democracy. She simply brought time to a halt when she spoke to the need for one person, one vote, and that each vote be counted.”
RUNNER-UP
Marc Cuban, an American entrepreneur, received several votes because he “launched an online pharmacy that offers over 100 generic drugs at affordable prices with a goal of being ‘radically transparent’ in its price negotiations with drug companies. He bypasses the middleman to lower the cost.”
He is, “A very wealthy American who took it upon himself to provide a profound service for others. Our Government couldn’t get it together to do it so Mark stepped up!”
If it weren’t for the entire Republican caucus in the Senate and those two Democrats, the government would have been able to negotiate drug prices. Since that can’t happen—at least until Democrats increase their majority in the Senate—it’s up to wealthy private citizens to help. Good for Mark Cuban for doing the right thing.
SPECIAL MENTION
Thich Nhat Hanh died this week at the age of 95 and is remembered for his massive impact as a Buddhist monk, a teacher of mindfulness, and a peace activist.
“I believe that he made a huge difference worldwide to many many people, and influenced a large number to follow in his footsteps and also teach meditation and mindful living.”
He was a “teacher to hundreds of thousands in the arts of meditation, mindful breathing and peaceful resistance via total acceptance of the here and now.”
“Hanh’s life reminds us to slow down. To sit with our thoughts. Sit with the silence of quarantine. Feel gratitude for the smallest things in life … which are often our greatest gifts. And to remember that peace is always the only way to achieve more of the same.”
“His focus on peace and ‘engaged Buddhism’ of spreading kindness, compassion, healing, and love worldwide really is transformative.”
Thank you for your votes and thoughtful comments. Just a quick note about the #GetTheFascistOffTheListsPosts. I don’t compile this information to demoralize anybody. As some of you have noted, the New York Times and Amazon Bestsellers Lists are often manipulated by bulk sales from organizations like the RNC or its allies. People like Hannity, Carlson, and Levin can directly pitch their books to their millions of viewers on a daily basis. The Facebook algorithm is geared towards pushing the most divisive, controversial, anger-inducing posts so it’s not surprising that the vast majority of best-performing posts are by purveyors of vitriol and misinformation like Shapiro and Bongino.
If we want to know where and how best to employ our resources, how best to fight back, we need this information; we need to understand what we’re up against.
I know times are hard. The onslaught of bad news, the overwhelming sense of unfairness can be really tough to take. But I promise you the worst thing we could do is look away. Everything is at stake. And knowledge is power.
I’ll end with this:
My respect for Senator Klobuchar has grown immensely since the slim media time she had been allotted until now. I have to thank you and late-night TV hosts for giving her more time and to you for mentioning her. Senator Warnock seems appropriately named. I hope he continues to guide us with his dignified thoughtful much-needed leadership.
Mary says, "The onslaught of bad news, the overwhelming sense of unfairness can be really tough to take. But I promise you the worst thing we could do is look away. Everything is at stake. And knowledge is power." I have several friends who stopped following politics ever since the Oval Office was sullied by Very Bad and Treasonous Ideas. I'm going to share Mary's words with them. We each probably have friends and/or family who could benefit from her gentle admonishment.