The problem with "let the voters decide" is that THE VOTERS DECIDED!!!!!! And the voters decided they were done with Trump. Just because he's too immature to accept the fact that he's a loser. Just because the violent racist MAGA horde is too ignorant to accept the fact that he's a loser. Just because elected Republicans are too cowardly to accept the fact that he's a loser. Doesn't mean that he's not a loser.
Al Gore had the election stolen by a political Supreme Court and he walked away. Hillary Clinton won but lost because of Jill Stein and she walked away. But Trump, who has never been held accountable for anything in his miserable crooked life cannot accept the fact that the people voted him out. For millions of good reasons. And he can't walk away. So let's beat his flabby orange ass again, and make sure that he walks away or is dragged away by the prison guards.
The majority of states had to pass the 14th amendment for it to become part of the Constitution so it seems to me that the people have already spoken on this subject.
Corporate mass media reporters have not asked me what I think or how the indicted 45th president’s latest outrage & lie makes me feel.
So, I will post it here. Maybe, like a message in a bottle cast into the oceans, my comment will find its way to them:
“The Indicted 45th president’s lawyer in federal appeals court Jan 9, 2024 reveals what Trump THINKS he could do if he is re-elected: KILL more Americans.
“The indicted 45th president’s lawyer told judges that if the 45th ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival, he would not be subject to prosecution, unless he had been IMPEACHED.
“I feel like what his lawyer said might wake-up more of US as to why our Supreme Court must NOT allow the 45th to run again.
“He disqualified himself on January 6, 2021. He only has himself to blame, and he’s too DANGEROUS.”
I've found many things disconcerting during the past 8 years. Regarding the Constitution, the idea that the former president is using the Constitution to defend himself, yet will destroy Our Constitution if he is elected makes me sick. Unfortunately, my fear is that his 2025 planners are preparing a mountain of executive orders for his threatened day one of dictatorship which includes trying to eliminate the constitution and the opportunity for anyone to have any right to contest this. Thank you Professor Snyder for continuing to voice your thoughts. We need you, especially now.
We as a nation are now paying the price for our electing people who tell us what we want to hear instead of the truth and who themselves are incapable of exercising true leadership lest they lose the support of their sources of campaign funding, junkets, and rewards in retirement. IMO, as a climate activist, the decline began with the 1980 election, when feelgood Regan defeated truth telling Carter. Try to imagine where we'd be had that election result been different!
In the dark days of World War 2, both the US aynd UK were blessed by having courageous, visionary leaders. Now, in both countries the so-called leaders mostly pander to fear. That can lead only to a deepening disaster, both for our form of government and the health of the planet.
There is also another emotion at work here. The best descriptive may be "hubris". In this case, the attitude that one's own thinking in this moment is somehow better than 2+ centuries of settled law. I saw it clearly in the Colorado judge who's pretzel logic somehow managed to come up with the idea that the office of President of the United States is not actually an officer of our government.
Let the Constitution decide. Article 3 is not wasted verbiage; not a nullity. And, it provides its own “due process” remedy: a vote by both houses of Congress overruling any disqualification. Not “the people”
"The slogan 'let the voters decide' makes no sense within our Constitutional order. We only have voters because we have elections, and we only have elections as organized under the Constitution." Perfectly stated.
Timothy, thank you for your brilliant argument here, that lays out the crucial distinction between the Constitution or rule of law versus "let the people decide". You provide a wonderful teaching for many of us. I may be otherwise well educated, but my civics education has been woefully inadequate. (I have spent recent years catching up). I wish our leaders with their bully pulpits, would take the opportunity to teach the civics course we skipped, especially to emphasize the rarity and privilege of Democracy in the long history of world governments. Perhaps, just perhaps, a more civics-aware public would deny leadership to those clearly unqualified, or worse.
It appears that a substantial number of Americans have become accustomed to tailor their morals to their personal preferences. "Let the voters decide" begs the fact that the voters did decide...to ratify the Constitution, and to support and affirm it for 232 years. They/we even decided to vote out of office the maliciously unqualified accidental President in 2020. Despite overuse of this trope, often in twisted contexts, now is a moment when we need to honor the sacrifices of all those Americans who sacrificed, worked, fought, suffered, and died to uphold the Constitution. Real risks, real danger, real fear - and people of real character who rose to the occasion, and allowed their courage to overcome their fears in making a better world for all of us. The job is never finished; our chapter in the story is now, and we're fortunate to have clear-headed leaders like Timothy Snyder, Robert Hubbell, Heather Cox Richardson, Jess Craven, Simon Rosenberg, Joe Biden, Sheldon Whitehouse....(endless list!) helping us understand current history and act once again to save our precious democracy.
I'm reminded of a quote from activist Rebecca Solnit: "A vote is not a love letter; it is a chess move." In this situation 'let the voters decide' denies the gravity of the issue, making it just another contest to be settled by the ballot box, and I don't doubt that most would make the proper chess move. However, many of us have been resisting the "horserace" mentality still prevalent in the MSM, and to think that a portion of the US Constitution should be sacrificed to the horserace mentality would only make us all losers. Of our democracy, that is.
"fear builds to become the main mode of politics.", and as the centre will not hold. Those who have held onto Trump's coattails hoping that their past action, present actions will be ignored, are the basis of mob violence, which is based in self knowledge that 'I' have done it too, so I must adjust truth and follow. This was in your essay on post-truth, or in my class, which I am not positive of, but I did learn it. Spin being worse than lying, as it is ever-changing. When politicians refuse to confront but say, 'you do it' they are just passing it on, without courage.
The most dangerous threat to the Constitution is the tacit deal which has evolved . over the 250 years between the courts and the lawyers, who qualify to argue cases. Both accept unlimited time to take legal actions to defend the Constitution. Biden's DOJ decided to do nothing about J6 ,after more than a year of investigationb . Judge Cannon in Florida has decided to just run out all clocks on the most egregrious of all of MAGA crimes , theft and continued illegal holding of top secret documents . The 2024 election will almost certainly be held 1400 days after J6 happened in front of our eyes, without one verdict, made by a real jury, on Trump's crimes. The Constitution has been disabled by legal pursuit of unlimited time to spend our time and our money , to render it useless.. Only lawyers benefit . Above all ,they need hours to bill..
"Together we are changing history for the better – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech to the public of Lithuania and Ukraine
10 January 2024 - 17:03
Together we are changing history for the better – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Sveikinu tave, Vilniau, sveikinu tave, Lietuvos tauta!
Days before, Vilnius experienced an especially cold spell. The next few days may also be very cold. But today, it's significantly warmer, – a symbolic change indeed. When we stand together, even the cold retreats.
And I am confident, so will Russia.
We cannot mark a specific day when this will happen, nor can we detail every aspect of how it will unfold. But we know it will happen.
Our freedom will prevail – and there will be that day, the first day after this war. Our day.
When in '89, '90, '91, the Baltic peoples first among nations, enslaved by Moscow, openly embarked on the path to restoring real state independence, Ukrainians were inspired by your courage and your anticipation – anticipation of the future.
You desired freedom above all else. And you knew, once your freedom was safeguarded, it would define a prosperous fate for you.
And so it did.
We are all grateful for that courage of yours, which helped change history for the better.
Now, we find ourselves at an even more pivotal historic moment. Now, risks are even higher.
Now, all of us are facing a much more malicious Russia.
As Moscow tries to resurrect its old empire with the whole range of modern weapons, our Ukrainian courage also helps you. Our common unity is also a security guarantee for you. The resilience of our warriors is also your resilience. And our Ukrainian sense that Russia will not withstand if we keep striking, also confirms our common rightness. The rightness of our shared historical choice – to be independent. To be in Europe. To be among equals and therefore, peaceful.
This will happen. And to this end, we must do everything possible in maximum unity for as long as it takes to achieve our goal. There will be no more empire.
Those who instigated this aggression against Ukraine clearly envisioned how they wanted the first day after Ukraine to look.
They dream of humiliating our nation. They kill without hesitation. They deported hundreds of thousands of our people, adults and children. They wanted to erase everything our culture stands on.
They brutally torture our people – thousands held captive – simply to avenge Ukraine's existence. Such is the level of Russian evil.
And if a catastrophic day – the day after Ukraine – ever came to pass, Russia would ensure it continued. There would be a day after Moldova. Then, a day after the Baltics. A day after Poland… A day after many others.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan already hear Russia disparaging their independence. Moscow has no respect for the nations of the Caucasus and there is a clear Russian desire to manipulate all.
And it is dangerous for everyone to stay silent, to stay aside or alone.
When everyone helps one, the freedom of each wins. This rule has worked repeatedly throughout history. It will work now too - for all of us.
Any empire is built on the cornerstone of freedom's definitive defeat, and Moscow needs to subjugate our state for this very reason.
But together, we are changing history for the better.
There won’t be a day after Ukraine. There will be a day after the war. After Putin.
It will be a day of our guaranteed security. And your inviolable freedom. And peaceful life for Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Sweden. For all states whose fate Russia now tries to drown in doubt.
It will be a new day of opportunity for Belarus – an opportunity Belarus deserves.
A day of newfound strength for our entire Europe, which defending against Russian hybrid attacks is learning true unity… A unity that makes our continent a global defender of freedom. A unity, complete with Ukraine. With Ukraine in the European Union, with Ukraine in NATO, with Ukraine in peace.
Dear friends!
We all know the steps needed. We all know what we can lose and what we can gain. We all know the day we desire. And we must get our job done. We must do everything for the victory.
I thank you, the people of Lithuania, for everything, for supporting Ukraine. Thanks a lot and big applause to you! Thank you, Gitanas, my friend! I am thankful to your family, your loved ones, all people who have been standing with Ukraine for all these days and months of our war for freedom, our fight for independence! I thank you all for being here, for having Ukraine in your heart all these months and years of war. Thank you for standing with Ukraine!
The problem with "let the voters decide" is that THE VOTERS DECIDED!!!!!! And the voters decided they were done with Trump. Just because he's too immature to accept the fact that he's a loser. Just because the violent racist MAGA horde is too ignorant to accept the fact that he's a loser. Just because elected Republicans are too cowardly to accept the fact that he's a loser. Doesn't mean that he's not a loser.
Al Gore had the election stolen by a political Supreme Court and he walked away. Hillary Clinton won but lost because of Jill Stein and she walked away. But Trump, who has never been held accountable for anything in his miserable crooked life cannot accept the fact that the people voted him out. For millions of good reasons. And he can't walk away. So let's beat his flabby orange ass again, and make sure that he walks away or is dragged away by the prison guards.
The majority of states had to pass the 14th amendment for it to become part of the Constitution so it seems to me that the people have already spoken on this subject.
10 Jan 24
Corporate mass media reporters have not asked me what I think or how the indicted 45th president’s latest outrage & lie makes me feel.
So, I will post it here. Maybe, like a message in a bottle cast into the oceans, my comment will find its way to them:
“The Indicted 45th president’s lawyer in federal appeals court Jan 9, 2024 reveals what Trump THINKS he could do if he is re-elected: KILL more Americans.
“The indicted 45th president’s lawyer told judges that if the 45th ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival, he would not be subject to prosecution, unless he had been IMPEACHED.
“I feel like what his lawyer said might wake-up more of US as to why our Supreme Court must NOT allow the 45th to run again.
“He disqualified himself on January 6, 2021. He only has himself to blame, and he’s too DANGEROUS.”
I've found many things disconcerting during the past 8 years. Regarding the Constitution, the idea that the former president is using the Constitution to defend himself, yet will destroy Our Constitution if he is elected makes me sick. Unfortunately, my fear is that his 2025 planners are preparing a mountain of executive orders for his threatened day one of dictatorship which includes trying to eliminate the constitution and the opportunity for anyone to have any right to contest this. Thank you Professor Snyder for continuing to voice your thoughts. We need you, especially now.
We as a nation are now paying the price for our electing people who tell us what we want to hear instead of the truth and who themselves are incapable of exercising true leadership lest they lose the support of their sources of campaign funding, junkets, and rewards in retirement. IMO, as a climate activist, the decline began with the 1980 election, when feelgood Regan defeated truth telling Carter. Try to imagine where we'd be had that election result been different!
In the dark days of World War 2, both the US aynd UK were blessed by having courageous, visionary leaders. Now, in both countries the so-called leaders mostly pander to fear. That can lead only to a deepening disaster, both for our form of government and the health of the planet.
There is also another emotion at work here. The best descriptive may be "hubris". In this case, the attitude that one's own thinking in this moment is somehow better than 2+ centuries of settled law. I saw it clearly in the Colorado judge who's pretzel logic somehow managed to come up with the idea that the office of President of the United States is not actually an officer of our government.
Let the Constitution decide. Article 3 is not wasted verbiage; not a nullity. And, it provides its own “due process” remedy: a vote by both houses of Congress overruling any disqualification. Not “the people”
"The slogan 'let the voters decide' makes no sense within our Constitutional order. We only have voters because we have elections, and we only have elections as organized under the Constitution." Perfectly stated.
Timothy, thank you for your brilliant argument here, that lays out the crucial distinction between the Constitution or rule of law versus "let the people decide". You provide a wonderful teaching for many of us. I may be otherwise well educated, but my civics education has been woefully inadequate. (I have spent recent years catching up). I wish our leaders with their bully pulpits, would take the opportunity to teach the civics course we skipped, especially to emphasize the rarity and privilege of Democracy in the long history of world governments. Perhaps, just perhaps, a more civics-aware public would deny leadership to those clearly unqualified, or worse.
It appears that a substantial number of Americans have become accustomed to tailor their morals to their personal preferences. "Let the voters decide" begs the fact that the voters did decide...to ratify the Constitution, and to support and affirm it for 232 years. They/we even decided to vote out of office the maliciously unqualified accidental President in 2020. Despite overuse of this trope, often in twisted contexts, now is a moment when we need to honor the sacrifices of all those Americans who sacrificed, worked, fought, suffered, and died to uphold the Constitution. Real risks, real danger, real fear - and people of real character who rose to the occasion, and allowed their courage to overcome their fears in making a better world for all of us. The job is never finished; our chapter in the story is now, and we're fortunate to have clear-headed leaders like Timothy Snyder, Robert Hubbell, Heather Cox Richardson, Jess Craven, Simon Rosenberg, Joe Biden, Sheldon Whitehouse....(endless list!) helping us understand current history and act once again to save our precious democracy.
I'm reminded of a quote from activist Rebecca Solnit: "A vote is not a love letter; it is a chess move." In this situation 'let the voters decide' denies the gravity of the issue, making it just another contest to be settled by the ballot box, and I don't doubt that most would make the proper chess move. However, many of us have been resisting the "horserace" mentality still prevalent in the MSM, and to think that a portion of the US Constitution should be sacrificed to the horserace mentality would only make us all losers. Of our democracy, that is.
"fear builds to become the main mode of politics.", and as the centre will not hold. Those who have held onto Trump's coattails hoping that their past action, present actions will be ignored, are the basis of mob violence, which is based in self knowledge that 'I' have done it too, so I must adjust truth and follow. This was in your essay on post-truth, or in my class, which I am not positive of, but I did learn it. Spin being worse than lying, as it is ever-changing. When politicians refuse to confront but say, 'you do it' they are just passing it on, without courage.
The most dangerous threat to the Constitution is the tacit deal which has evolved . over the 250 years between the courts and the lawyers, who qualify to argue cases. Both accept unlimited time to take legal actions to defend the Constitution. Biden's DOJ decided to do nothing about J6 ,after more than a year of investigationb . Judge Cannon in Florida has decided to just run out all clocks on the most egregrious of all of MAGA crimes , theft and continued illegal holding of top secret documents . The 2024 election will almost certainly be held 1400 days after J6 happened in front of our eyes, without one verdict, made by a real jury, on Trump's crimes. The Constitution has been disabled by legal pursuit of unlimited time to spend our time and our money , to render it useless.. Only lawyers benefit . Above all ,they need hours to bill..
Oh ye’ of little faith. We owe it to our faith in turbulent storms to reenforce the laws of justice written into the constitution. Now is the time.
"And it is dangerous for everyone to stay silent, to stay aside or alone.
When everyone helps one, the freedom of each wins. This rule has worked repeatedly throughout history. It will work now too - for all of us."
--- President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 10Jan2024, Vilnius, Lithuania (outside!)
https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/razom-mi-zminyuyemo-istoriyu-na-krashe-vistup-prezidenta-vol-88213
"Together we are changing history for the better – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech to the public of Lithuania and Ukraine
10 January 2024 - 17:03
Together we are changing history for the better – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Sveikinu tave, Vilniau, sveikinu tave, Lietuvos tauta!
Days before, Vilnius experienced an especially cold spell. The next few days may also be very cold. But today, it's significantly warmer, – a symbolic change indeed. When we stand together, even the cold retreats.
And I am confident, so will Russia.
We cannot mark a specific day when this will happen, nor can we detail every aspect of how it will unfold. But we know it will happen.
Our freedom will prevail – and there will be that day, the first day after this war. Our day.
When in '89, '90, '91, the Baltic peoples first among nations, enslaved by Moscow, openly embarked on the path to restoring real state independence, Ukrainians were inspired by your courage and your anticipation – anticipation of the future.
You desired freedom above all else. And you knew, once your freedom was safeguarded, it would define a prosperous fate for you.
And so it did.
We are all grateful for that courage of yours, which helped change history for the better.
Now, we find ourselves at an even more pivotal historic moment. Now, risks are even higher.
Now, all of us are facing a much more malicious Russia.
As Moscow tries to resurrect its old empire with the whole range of modern weapons, our Ukrainian courage also helps you. Our common unity is also a security guarantee for you. The resilience of our warriors is also your resilience. And our Ukrainian sense that Russia will not withstand if we keep striking, also confirms our common rightness. The rightness of our shared historical choice – to be independent. To be in Europe. To be among equals and therefore, peaceful.
This will happen. And to this end, we must do everything possible in maximum unity for as long as it takes to achieve our goal. There will be no more empire.
Those who instigated this aggression against Ukraine clearly envisioned how they wanted the first day after Ukraine to look.
They dream of humiliating our nation. They kill without hesitation. They deported hundreds of thousands of our people, adults and children. They wanted to erase everything our culture stands on.
They brutally torture our people – thousands held captive – simply to avenge Ukraine's existence. Such is the level of Russian evil.
And if a catastrophic day – the day after Ukraine – ever came to pass, Russia would ensure it continued. There would be a day after Moldova. Then, a day after the Baltics. A day after Poland… A day after many others.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan already hear Russia disparaging their independence. Moscow has no respect for the nations of the Caucasus and there is a clear Russian desire to manipulate all.
And it is dangerous for everyone to stay silent, to stay aside or alone.
When everyone helps one, the freedom of each wins. This rule has worked repeatedly throughout history. It will work now too - for all of us.
Any empire is built on the cornerstone of freedom's definitive defeat, and Moscow needs to subjugate our state for this very reason.
But together, we are changing history for the better.
There won’t be a day after Ukraine. There will be a day after the war. After Putin.
It will be a day of our guaranteed security. And your inviolable freedom. And peaceful life for Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Sweden. For all states whose fate Russia now tries to drown in doubt.
It will be a new day of opportunity for Belarus – an opportunity Belarus deserves.
A day of newfound strength for our entire Europe, which defending against Russian hybrid attacks is learning true unity… A unity that makes our continent a global defender of freedom. A unity, complete with Ukraine. With Ukraine in the European Union, with Ukraine in NATO, with Ukraine in peace.
Dear friends!
We all know the steps needed. We all know what we can lose and what we can gain. We all know the day we desire. And we must get our job done. We must do everything for the victory.
I thank you, the people of Lithuania, for everything, for supporting Ukraine. Thanks a lot and big applause to you! Thank you, Gitanas, my friend! I am thankful to your family, your loved ones, all people who have been standing with Ukraine for all these days and months of our war for freedom, our fight for independence! I thank you all for being here, for having Ukraine in your heart all these months and years of war. Thank you for standing with Ukraine!
Glory to you!
Glory to Ukraine!"
Bravo!! Right again.