Thanks for this episode. Just wanted to offer a tiny correction that the rightly blistering dissent was authored by Justice Elena Kagan (writing for the dissenters, including Justice Sotomayor), not Justice Sotomayor. Justice Sotomayor also wrote a blistering dissent that she summarized orally, but that was to another majority opinion authored by Justice Alito, regarding the also ridiculous conclusion that people who present themselves at a US port of entry cannot apply for asylum because they have not yet "arrived" in the US. https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5940732-supreme-court-immigration-policy/ That was the dissent (that Diana noted) that Alito did not respond well to.
I listened to the latest convocation unscripted and Jemar’s comment about Elon musk sure resonated with my feelings about him. You should all know there is an organization, Patriotic Millionaires, who are proposing legislation to tax the wealthy at a higher rate and who recognize that they have an obligation to society to do more. Check them out. Also you ended with discussion of the Declaration of Independence and a fine book about it is The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Issacson. It’s a quick read but well worth your time. Thank you all for this fine podcast.
Was just telling my daughter today this 250 birthday feels soooo much different than bicentennial in 1976. Yes, there was conflict and stress then too. There was much emphasis on remembering history, valuing the persons and acts that started the nation and, yes, lots of fireworks and concerts and celebrations. I don’t recall a sense of worry about whether the country would continue or continue to be a place of freedom and opportunity.
They've had four years to prepare. But Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat does say it has happened faster than any other authoritarian take-over. She explains its "progress" better than anyone.
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Thanks for this episode. Just wanted to offer a tiny correction that the rightly blistering dissent was authored by Justice Elena Kagan (writing for the dissenters, including Justice Sotomayor), not Justice Sotomayor. Justice Sotomayor also wrote a blistering dissent that she summarized orally, but that was to another majority opinion authored by Justice Alito, regarding the also ridiculous conclusion that people who present themselves at a US port of entry cannot apply for asylum because they have not yet "arrived" in the US. https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5940732-supreme-court-immigration-policy/ That was the dissent (that Diana noted) that Alito did not respond well to.
I listened to the latest convocation unscripted and Jemar’s comment about Elon musk sure resonated with my feelings about him. You should all know there is an organization, Patriotic Millionaires, who are proposing legislation to tax the wealthy at a higher rate and who recognize that they have an obligation to society to do more. Check them out. Also you ended with discussion of the Declaration of Independence and a fine book about it is The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Issacson. It’s a quick read but well worth your time. Thank you all for this fine podcast.
Was just telling my daughter today this 250 birthday feels soooo much different than bicentennial in 1976. Yes, there was conflict and stress then too. There was much emphasis on remembering history, valuing the persons and acts that started the nation and, yes, lots of fireworks and concerts and celebrations. I don’t recall a sense of worry about whether the country would continue or continue to be a place of freedom and opportunity.
Well said, Jemar. I and many neighbors who are anti-fascist proudly hang our American flags--(and for me, the Ukrainian flag). We've taken it back.
They've had four years to prepare. But Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat does say it has happened faster than any other authoritarian take-over. She explains its "progress" better than anyone.