TGIF 3/25/22

After last week's all good news TGIF, we're back to the regular format, where both good and bad week stories are included. Let's dive in with a good week mention, to get us off on the right foot. 

Some great unemployment news came out Thursday, giving the Biden team a bit of a good week. It's possible you missed it; good news doesn't garner wall-to-wall coverage in the press like bad news does

Here's the scoop, from the White House:

This morning, we received news that the number of Americans on unemployment insurance fell to its lowest level since 1970 and the number of Americans filing new claims fell to its lowest one-week level since 1969. 

Now, it wasn't just the White House talking about the great numbers. Reuters concurred. 

The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits dropped to a 52-1/2-year low last week, while unemployment rolls continued to shrink, pointing to rapidly diminishing labor market slack that will keep boosting wage inflation.

Piggybacking on that good news, I'll give a shoutout to businesses that are paying higher wages to get and keep good employees. I'm especially proud of them for not waiting for the government to order them to do that.

Hearings were held this week on Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. As with other recent SCOTUS hearings, we saw a teeny bit of time spent on learning about the nominee, and an overwhelming amount of time spent on career advancement, harassment, and showing off by Judiciary Committee members. Here are some noteworthy takeaways from the hearings, both good and bad.

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) had a good week, for calling out the bad behavior of his  colleagues - and not just the ones making fools of themselves in these hearings. While explaining why he doesn't want cameras in SCOTUS proceedings, he offered this bit of wisdom, with which I can't argue. 

I think we should recognize the jack-assery we often see around here is partly because of people mugging for short-term camera opportunities.

On the very bad week side of the ledger, there's Sen. Ted Cruz (R- Cancun). I've made no secret about my dislike of him over the years, and nothing he said this week changed my opinion of him.

Of all the folks on the Judiciary Committee, he was the most hypocritical, especially on the issue of critical race theory. Here's what he thinks about that, and about Judge Jackson being on the board of the school that he says

aggressively teaches critical race theory, and that is an extreme and divisive theory that pits children against other children, divides us based on race, and teaches a false and revisionist history of our nation.

The problem? He sends his daughters to a school that espouses a similar philosophy. For example, statements by school leaders after the murder of George Floyd said the school

must be antiracist and eliminate racism of any type - including institutional racism - within our school, community, and beyond.

And, from the school's website, we learn that "cultural proficiency, diversity, global awareness and inclusivity" will be incorporated "into all facets of the curriculum." One can't help thinking Cruz has never looked at his daughters' homework. Unless  he only gives a hoot about this stuff when the cameras aren't on.

In fairness, I must give the Rs on the committee a wee dollop of credit; it seems the idea of boycotting the vote to move Judge Jackson's nomination out of committee is DOA. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said

There's not going to be any boycott. There's zero, not one iota (of a chance) that we would boycott.

Other senators, including the despicable Lindsey Graham (R-Shriekerville) said he didn't think that was the right way to handle it. John Cornyn (R-TX) said they should

show up and try our best to be on our best behavior and treat the nominee respectfully. (Emphasis added)

Good luck with that, if what they showed this week is any indication. 

Speaking of being on best behavior, Judge Jackson was remarkable. Her grace, tolerance, and patience were on display throughout the hearings. There was a moment, though, when she took a very long pause before answering one of Sen. Cruz's questions. Elie Mystal of The Nation explained what that pause meant; in part, she said

It’s the calculation when black people try to decide: “Am I gonna risk it all for this?” 

Jackson took a moment to decide if it was worth it to throw everything away—her chance, her good name, maybe even her whole career—just to tell Ted Cruz, a man she’s known for over 25 years, what she really thought of him. 

She decided against it, of course.

And in that moment, she proved herself better than Cruz, Graham, Cornyn, Hawley, and all the rest of them. 

I'll close with one more reference to Cruz; as I said, he had a very bad week. USA Today columnist Rex Huppke addressed the same question as Elie Mystal - did Jackson think babies are racist? Here's his take.

Some viewers wondered why a man who looks like he rubbed honey on his face then rolled on the floor of a barbershop would pose such a question. In fact, the collective eye roll was so intense the Earth briefly tilted off its axis.

But I stood and cheered the bold senator from Texas/Cancun. He was speaking truth to power and addressing an issue few Americans have ever been willing to face: Babies are incredibly racist. 

We know this, he opines, because babies "are silent on the issue." 

If babies aren’t racist, and if a clearly intelligent and serious U.S. senator is out there floating a possible epidemic of infant racism, don’t you think babies themselves would stand up, immediately fall down, and then assure everyone they don’t have a racist bone in their soft and pliable bodies?

Of course, they would. 

TGIF, everyone. 

Wondering on Wednesday 3/23/22

Ready... Set... Wonder!

What's wonder-full today? 

My local newspaper ran an article letting us know that gas prices in my neck of the woods fell a dime a gallon in just ten days. Now, if you've been paying any attention, every time the price of gas goes up, or there's even a hint that it's going to go up, the angry folks on the right throw a mass conniption fit, which apparently causes them to run around putting Joe Biden "I Did That!" stickers on gas pumps, yell out their windows that they're mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore, and run out and order overpriced gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs which they drive around potholes and stones in the road and stuff.

And I'm wondering, why the heck they aren't thanking Joe Biden for lowering the price? Is it because they really know that presidents don't have a whole lot to do with gas prices? 

You may have heard the news that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been hospitalized since last Friday. Keep that thought in mind as we reflect on Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-Some pissed-off place south of North Carolina) and his questioning of SCOTUS nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Graham was particularly interested in how other people, or outside groups lobbied hard to have Jackson be Biden's pick; or, maybe, they lobbied hard to have Judge J. Michelle Childs, from South Carolina, not be Biden's pick. Either way, Jackson herself had nothing to do with that, Graham knows that, and he doesn't give a dried-out palmetto leaf if we all know he knows.

I think it does matter that the groups that came to your aid at the expense of Judge Childs - how did that happen and why were they doing what they were doing? What is it about your nomination that the most liberal people... threw in their money, their time, their support, and threatened Joe Biden if he picked Judge Childs? 

So, here's what I'm wondering: if Justice Thomas is unable to return to the bench, for whatever reason, how hard would Senator Graham lobby to have Judge Childs replace him?

And, sticking with the Judiciary Committee hearings on Judge Jackson's nomination, I wonder why so many Republicans want to spend so much time talking about child pornography? 

And I wonder why these Republicans are expending so much effort on how Judge Jackson sentenced offenders in these cases, when what she did was exactly what other judges were doing? 

Were those judges questioned on this issue? Not just soft-on-crime-liberal-Democrat appointees, but Republicans, too, the ones recommended by the Heritage Foundation (they're the folks who fan themselves with their pocket copies of the US Constitution if it gets too hot in the freedom-loving trenches)? Judges nominated by Donald "Only the Best People" Trump, their appointments strongly supported by these same porn-focused senators?

And I wonder why these child-porn-focused Republican senators are now asking to receive additional information on these cases, including pre-sentencing reports? And why is Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin withholding information from the Republicans, if in fact that's happening here?

Truth be told, there's a simple way to resolve that conflict, and I wonder why no one has suggested it yet: have the FBI urgently investigate, like it did with the sexual harassment allegations against Brett 'I Really Like Beer' Kavanaugh, and then the senators can all go into a SCIF or something and have the report read to them. Oh wait - we all remember how that went.

There was much more from the hearings that inspired wonder, like the war criminals issue involving George W. Bush (but curiously not Barack Obama) question and the definition of 'woman' but I'll leave it here, and you can wonder out loud or to yourself, as you prefer.

I'll close out tonight's wondering where we started - with gas prices. It seems that, in addition to the blame game, some folks in DC want to try and help. And we know there's a whole lot of wondering going on when that happens, right?

We've got three federal proposals - and it's only March 23rd. Who knows how many more there'll be, since the House isn't occupied with Daylight Savings Time. One would provide a

monthly energy rebate of $100 per person. That refund would kick in for the rest of 2022 (if) the national average gas price topped $4 a gallon during any given month... both joint and single tax filers would receive $100 each, while each dependent would also receive $100 each. In other words, a family with two kids could receive up to $300 a month in rebate checks. 

The second would offer less money, but would be paid for, I think. It'd offer

a quarterly rebate to consumers based on a tax levied on oil and gas companies. The Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax would charge a per barrel tax equal to 50% of the difference between the current price of a barrel of oil and its pre-pandemic average price between 2015 to 2019... if the per barrel price sits at $120, the tax would raise about $45 billion a year — providing single filers with $240 annually and joint filers with $360 each year. 

The last proposal would also be paid for, but differently, and we have no idea how much money's involved. It would

create a rebate based on oil company profits. It's unclear how much Americans would receive because the plan is based on taxing this year's profits from oil and gas companies. 

So, what's the wondering on this one? Well, for starters, how much more appetite is there for sending checks to Americans who may or may not need them? Didn't we learn anything from the previous stimuli? And, what are the chances that any of these will make it through the legislative process before the midterms? I'm guessing slim to none, but maybe that's just me.

What are you wondering about tonight?

Sunday School 3/20/22: Extra Credit

This week's Sunday School lesson focused mostly on the war in Ukraine, so I'm going to share some of the other stuff that made the list.  

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) was a guest in ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos classroom, where he was asked by the host about China, and its support for Russia. Durbin said China's president 

has to decide his place in history and China's place in the world. If they are going to be part of Putin and his barbaric conduct in Ukraine, he's going to run the risk of discrediting his own nation. He has to think twice about that.

George, like all the other pundits in the universe, was unable to resist talking about "inflation, higher gas prices across the board." He played a clip of Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), who was also on the show, saying

Biden would rather turn to dictators like those in Iran and those in Venezuela rather than turn against the climate elitists who dictate the energy policy of that Democratic Party and of his presidency. So now he's trying to pass the buck to Vladimir Putin.

Durbin said it was "hard to deny" that our cutting off Russian oil has impacted Americans, and he mentioned some of the steps being taken to help alleviate that. And, about Barrasso's comments?

We’ve got to make sure that we’re sensible not only about Putin, the war, and these Russian oil supplies, but also sensible in what my friend John Barrasso calls these 'climate elitists.' We are fighting and waging a war against climate change. It is a war which will decide what... the world looks like for the next generation. Let’s take both of these very seriously.

George wondered about the tone of attacks on Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, specifically mentioning those of Sen. Josh Hawley (R- Insurrection Lunatic Fringe). Durbin said 

Judge Jackson has been scrutinized more than any person I can think of. This is her fourth time before the Senate Judiciary Committee. In three previous times, she came through with flying colors and bipartisan support, the last time as soon as just last year.

As to the accusations, "there's no truth to what he says." And, to Hawley himself?

... he's part of the fringe within the Republican Party. This was a man who was fist-bumping the murderous mob that descended on the Capitol on January 6th of the last year. He doesn't have the credibility he thinks he does.

George picked up with Sen. Barrasso where he left off with Durbin, asking if Hawley was engaging in what Barrasso specifically said should not happen with Jackson: "a process of character assassination." Barrasso said "the whole process is going to be fair, respectful, and thorough." And he offered an attack on Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

I’m less concerned about her statements than I am about Chuck Schumer's statements. He said she's going to rule with empathy. A judge ought to be making decisions based on the law as written, not the way they feel about it. So, he also said check her record. And going through the record, there are some concerns that people have about her being perceived as soft on crime. That's all going to come out with the hearings but they're going to be respectful, they’re going to be thorough and they’re going to be fair, George.

On the fairness of Hawley's attacks, Barrasso was about as forthcoming as then Judge Brett Kavanaugh in his hearing before the same committee. 

Well, he's going to have his opportunity to question the judge as will all the members of the committee. The last time we had a hearing with Kavanaugh, he was accused of being a serial rapist with no evidence whatsoever. So, I think we're going to have a fair process and a respectful process, unlike what the Democrats did to Justice Kavanaugh.

Back to gas-passing we went; Barrasso was asked about Durbin agreeing with the so-called "climate elitists" that we must take climate change seriously. Here's his, um, "response."

Well, Joe Biden can't hide from the fact that he is the president of high gas prices. And they're looking for anyone to blame, whether it's Putin, whether it's Republicans, whether it's the energy companies, whether it's COVID. The Democrats have a very big problem with 40-year high inflation, highest gas prices ever. When Joe Biden came into office, it was $2.38 a gallon for gasoline. Americans paid $1,000 more for energy last year than the year before. And on polling last week, 70% of Americans say more American oil and gas, and less emphasis on climate.

"Good answer, good answer!" said the GOP Family Feud fans.

George finished the interview by offering Barrasso the opportunity to spell out the "three specific things" President Biden needs to do if he wants to lead from the front.

Well, number one is, he needs to tell NATO that we collectively are going to supply the people of Ukraine things that they know how to use, whether it's drones, planes, missile systems.

Number two, he has to say that he is going to go from Brussels to the eastern front of NATO to show the resolve of NATO and the United States' commitment as well.

And, third, he needs to say to the people of Europe who are really in a tough situation with regard to energy and the dependence that they have on Russian energy, that we are going to increase the exporting of liquified natural gas from America to them.

"Even Germany," he said, realizes that "energy security is much more important than climate zealotry." And, Barrasso said, he's got bipartisan legislation to make this happen. 

Truth be told, the gentleman from Wyoming has been introducing variations of his bill at least since 2013. For those in the back of the room, that's years before Biden started "leading from behind." And, of course, all this happens because his state has a boatload and a half of natural gas buried within its borders, not for any altruistic reason whatsoever. 

One final note: as I write this, a screeching Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-?????) has stormed off the dais shortly after his first few minutes of questioning in Judge Jackson's hearing were over. Several of his questions pertained to his choice, Judge Michelle Childs, not being the person sitting at the table in front of him. I think we can take that "fair and respectful process" idea with a grain of salt. 

See you around campus. 

Sunday School 3/20/22

Let's dive into the Sunday School classrooms, starting with Margaret Brennan and her chat with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Some dark place in Kentucky), on CBS's Face the Nation.

Among their topics? All things related to Ukraine; Ketanji Brown Jackson, and COVID. Here are your grimly reaped highlights, starting with his take on the Russian invasion.

The Ukrainians have killed more Russians in three weeks than we lost in Afghanistan and Iraq in 20 years. 

To that end, he "is perplexed" with our not helping get the Russian MiGs from Poland into Ukraine, even as he realized that we're given loan guarantees to countries who send those planes to their neighbor, so they can order new stuff from us. And, if Ukraine needs more aid, on top of the $13.6B that was just approved, "we ought to give them more." And,

Look, I think we need to change our attitude here. The Ukrainians could actually win this thing and that's - the attitude we ought to have that we're in it to help them win.

Brennan didn't ask his thoughts on why Poland felt the need to involve the US in the delivery of the MiGs to Ukraine, instead of sending them directly. 

He referred to the lunatics in his party as "lonely voices out there that are in a different place" - Cawthorn, Greene, and the rest of them - but he thinks his party is unified in its support, and he suggests we shouldn't pay much attention to the nut balls. 

He wouldn't answer repeated questions on how he's going to vote on the Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson SCOTUS nomination. He said he "had a very good conversation" with her, in which he touched on court-packing.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Breyer both publicly opposed court packing that is trying to increase the number of court- court members in order to get an outcome you like, that would have been an easy thing for her to do to defend the integrity of the court. She wouldn't do that. 

He did say she'll "be treated much better than Democrats typically treated Republican nominees like Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh."

On COVID, he pointed to the $2T package, "passed on an entirely partisan basis" and said much of it hasn't been spent. That said, he's "willing to listen" to the argument on why more is needed, and on how we're going to pay for it.

Next up? Jake Tapper and UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on CNN's State of the Union. 

Right off the bat, she made it clear that our role is to support Ukraine's efforts, not to make decisions for them - so she didn't have a lot to offer on the risk that Zelenskyy "might give away too much" in a deal with the Russians. Similarly, she couldn't or wouldn't comment on whether we'd recognize Crimea and the Donbass if Zelenskyy let those areas go to Russia in a peace deal. 

On the possibility that Poland will introduce a proposal for a NATO peacekeeping mission to Ukraine, the Ambassador reminded Tapper that

the president has been very clear that we will not put American troops on the ground in Ukraine. We don't want to escalate this into a war with the United States. But we will support our NATO allies. We have troops, as you know, in NATO countries. And the president has made clear that, if there is an attack on any of our NATO countries, under Article 5, that we will support those countries and defend those countries.

Asked about reports that resident of Mariupol "were taken to camps" inside Russia, or "redirected to remote cities," Thomas-Greenfield said she'd heard it, but can't confirm it.

But I can say, it is disturbing. It is unconscionable for Russia to force Ukrainian citizens into Russia, and put them in what will basically be concentration and prisoner camps. So, this is something that we need to verify. Russia should not be moving Ukrainian citizens against their will into Russia.

"Damn straight, Skippy," I agreed unprofessorially. 

The last two points?  First, Russia knows, because we "have been clear...we will respond aggressively to what they're doing" if they bring chemical weapons into the mix. And they might - after all, "they have used chemical weapons against their own people," for Tsar Pete's sake, the bastages.

And second, as far as Thomas-Greenfield knows, "it's not on the table" for President Biden to go to Poland. 

Remember, we have discouraged Americans from going into Ukraine. This is a country at war. I can't imagine that it would be on the table.

See you around campus.

In Case You Missed It (v81)

Trying to get back in the 'writing-on-a-schedule' swing of things, including doing the weekly post recap. In case you missed anything, I've got you covered for last week.

It started with a Sunday School post, where we listened to a handful of senators talk about what's going on in the world, and here at home. Touching on both of those was Idaho's Sen. Jim Risch, who pointed out how difficult it is to vote on legislation these days. 

Speaking to Fox's Brett Bair, Risch noted he voted against the omnibus spending bill that was just passed, even though it included a boatload of billions for Ukraine, something he supports, and a boatload of billions in pork, something he doesn't.

Whenever we have these doggone big bills, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't, whether you vote yes or no. But I -- I have -- I hope that no one would take this as not being the support for -- for the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian war.

Several guests gave their thoughts on a decision, shared by Biden administration types who were also in the classrooms, on not helping Poland provide Russian-made fighter planes to Ukraine.  To provide some context for that, I included highlights from those interviews in a Sidebar. Here's a taste, from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan:

Our goal is to support Ukraine and their negotiations with Russia and our allies, but "ultimately, it is Ukraine that will have to make its own sovereign decisions about the shape of any diplomacy going forward."

There was some good discussion from the panel on ABC's This Week, which made it into your Extra Credit entry. Some of the back-and-forth had to do with Russia and Ukraine and WWIII, of course, but there was also some talk about gas prices, and who's to blame for them.  

Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp noted that blame always falls on whoever is in power, but she also pointed out that the Dems and Biden's own people aren't doing a very good job pushing back on what she called "the red herrings." One example? The common complaint that "It's because you didn't build the Keystone XL Pipeline." 

And I remind them, one of the first things Donald Trump did was give the permit. And in four years the pipeline didn't get built. Why not? Because it wasn't -- it wasn't economical to build that pipeline in those price points.

She's right - the party in power does get blamed - and she's right that the Dems don't have a clue how to fight back, or how to get in front of this stuff so they don't have to play defense all the time. 

After watching and listening to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to elected officials in the West, I was inspired to envision Zelenskyy asking Donald Trump for a favor via Zoom. I made some slight adaptations to Zelenskyy's remarks to American officials, and gave him the upper hand in the conversation. Here are a couple of snippets.

I remember your national memorial in Rushmore, and how you want to see your face there, with the faces of your prominent presidents, those who laid the foundation of the United States of America as it is today. 

And, later in the conversation,

 I understand that you are not personally familiar, because of your bone spurs, with how much depends on the battlefield, on the ability to use aircraft, powerful, stronger aviation to protect our people, our freedom, our land.

It was a fun exercise.

For your TGIF, I focused only on good news/good week stuff. Some of it was consequential to folks involved, personally or professionally. Some of it wasn't, but there are times when we need to escape into our time-honored traditions. 

First, one of the consequential items.

Hundreds of protesters were arrested across multiple Russian cities earlier this week; since the invasion started in late February, over 14,000 have been arrested. They protest, even in the face of up to 15 years in prison.

And, one of the less-than-consequential ones.

Baseball's Spring Training is underway, after a lengthy lockout of the players by the owners, over what else? Money. It's always about money, one way or another. Playing ball is great; my Boston Red Sox starting the season 2-0 is even better.

Finally, I tossed up a Quick Take on the entertaining process by which the Senate "unanimously" passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Savings Time permanent come November 2023. The folks at BuzzFeed did some digging into how this passed, and honestly, it's a tragi-comedy or something. 

Don't believe me? Listen to Sen. Chris Coons.

Asked to re-create his reaction to the news, Sen. Chris Coons issued a series of shocked stammers that is impossible to phonetically translate.

Honestly, you can't make this stuff up.

Coming up this week? I'll be in the classrooms, of course, and there'll likely be some Wondering on Wednesday. Other than that, my former governor is getting on my nerves, and my current governor is getting ready to rumble with her own party on crime and the budget. I'm sure there's a post or two in that mess somewhere.

Thanks for sticking around.

Quick Takes (v64): Unanimous Consent, or Something

People are buzzing about how the Senate "unanimously approved" making Daylight Savings Time, which most of us follow from late March t0 late October, permanent starting next year. 

Here's what we know about how the comically-named 'Sunshine Protection Act' made it through:

• It was 'passively' unanimous - meaning, when the vote was called, no one objected. It was not - at all - a case of 99 senators actively agreeing to make the decision;
• some senators don't have an opinion on the issue, others actively approve, and others actively disapprove of the idea; and
• some of them didn't even know the vote was going to be on the calendar.

I'm not kidding - that's what the folks at BuzzFeed reported.

Everyone Was Surprised by the Senate Passing Permanent Daylight Saving Time. Especially the Senators.

An inspiring story about how presumptuous Senate staffers can accidentally make history.

So, how did it all go down?

In a twist the Founding Fathers likely did not anticipate, quirky Senate conventions and a decision by staff in Sen. Tom Cotton’s office may result in an overhaul in the nation’s time zones. 

As the article explains, a bill needs to get through a Senate committee, and then the majority leader must agree to put it to a vote. That may or may not happen, depending on what the leader has as priorities. If it does get to the floor, there could be hours of debate and multiple rounds of votes, with 60 senators needing to approve the bill.

If a senator chooses to skip that process, they can ask for unanimous consent, which bypasses debate and all the voting. When that's the plan, all other senators are notified in advance, so they can object if they want. And, if no one objects, in advance or when the bill's called on the floor, it's "passed by unanimous consent." 

Any senator could have blocked passage of the bill.  The article notes that Florida Man Rick Scott, a fan of the bill, "would have gone to give a speech on the Senate floor" if he had known it was going to be discussed. Did I mention that the other Florida Man, Marco Rubio, was the sponsor?

Perhaps the funniest part of the article was this.

Asked to re-create his reaction to the news, Sen. Chris Coons issued a series of shocked stammers that is impossible to phonetically translate.

Coons was one of the senators who wasn't informed by his staff that the request was coming - and, he said, he'd never talked with them about the idea.

It’s literally an issue my staff and I had never discussed, and they made an assumption that I don’t really care about daylight saving time. And I don’t know if I do! I’ve never taken five minutes to stop and think about it.

Perhaps the senator most disturbed by the whole thing? Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who "vehemently opposes" permanent Daylight Saving Time. According to a source, Cotton's staff never told him about the request. 

Was it an accident? A nefarious plot by his staff? We may never know - but it might behoove someone to keep an eye on staffing changes in Cotton's office.

TGIF 3/18/22

We've all probably had enough bad news or sad news this week, so for this week's TGIF, I'm sharing only 'good week' stories. 

This past Wednesday was National Panda Day. The Smithsonian Institution's National Zoo in Washington DC kicked off a six-month celebration of pandas and partnership with the Chinese. Brandie Smith, the zoo's director, said 

After 50 years, giant pandas remain an iconic species for our zoo. More importantly, they represent how great conservation outcomes can be achieved through great partnerships with our Chinese colleagues.

The first pandas came to the zoo in April of 1972, after President Richard Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China that February. 

Almost as groundbreaking as Nixon's trip to China? The amount of resistance being put forward by Russians who are against Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

• Hundreds of protesters were arrested across multiple Russian cities earlier this week; since the invasion started in late February, over 14,000 have been arrested. They protest, even in the face of up to 15 years in prison.
• A Russian TV station employee held up a 'No war' sign behind the anchor during a broadcast; she was interrogated for over 14 hours, and fined 30,000 rubles - around $280.
• A prima ballerina is leaving the Bolshoi ballet, and Russia, in protest of the invasion.
• A leading Russian rapper is holding "Russians against War" concerts outside Russia; proceeds from ticket sales are being donated to Ukraine.

Closer to home, a benefit concert put on by the Rochester (NY) Symphony raised $58,000 for ROC Maidan, part of the city's Ukrainian Culture Center. The concert was just one of several events planned in the greater Rochester area. 

A few significantly less critical things occurred this week, too. 

• Baseball's Spring Training is underway, after a lengthy lockout of the players by the owners, over what else? Money. It's always about money, one way or another. Playing ball is great; my Boston Red Sox starting the season 2-0 is even better.
• With temps nearing 70 degrees in my neck of the woods, my golfing friends are enjoying a little spring training of their own. One friend faced a nice long birdie opportunity, which sadly turned into a three-putt bogey, but he didn't really care all that much. It was March, and he was playing golf
• The NCAA has entered March Madness, and things are nuts in the men's basketball tourney. There were a few big upsets - bracket busters, they're called - in the first round. For fans of the losing teams, for gamblers, and for folks who did a bracket in a friendly competition, it's not a lot of fun, but it's a blast for the rest of us. 

Those last three items aren't meaningful in the overall scheme of things, and I'm sure there are people who think it's silly to pay attention to them, given what we're up against. But we need our traditions, and we need to get outside on a beautiful Marchday, and we need a sense of community - these days, more than ever.

It doesn't mean we care less about what's going on in the world; it means we're human. 

TGIF, everyone.

If Zelenskyy Zoomed with Trump

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been Zooming around the West; he's spoken with the Canadian parliament, our Congress, and the German Bundestag just in the past few days. In his messages, he's referenced iconic landmarks, historical events, and even the dark days of the nation he's addressing.  

He's a powerful, impassioned, evocative speaker; that's to be expected, given his background as an actor. And, he's getting the lengthy ovations and adulation that a certain former president of ours craved, and still craves. 

Watching the videos and reading the transcripts of his remarks, I can't help thinking what it would sound like if Zelenskyy were to have a "perfect" Zoom call with Donald Trump today. In my mind, I picture it going something like what you see below, put together with thoughts from his message to the Congress the other day, modified with these comments of mine.

Mr. Trump, I'm proud to greet you from Ukraine, from our capital city of Kyiv. A city that is under missile and airstrikes from Russian troops every day, but doesn't give up. And we have not even thought about it for a second, just like many other cities and communities in our beautiful country, which found themselves in the worst war since World War II. 

I have the honor to greet you on behalf of the Ukrainian people. Brave and freedom-loving people, who for eight years have been resisting the Russian aggression, like you say you have been resisting the RINOS in your party, and the fake news media. Right now, the destiny of our country is being decided. The destiny of our people, whether Ukrainians will be free, whether they will be able to preserve their democracy.

Russia has attacked not just us, not just our land, not just our cities, it went on a brutal offensive against our values, basic human values. It threw tanks and planes against our freedom, against our right to live freely in our own choosing our own future, against our desire for happiness, against our national dreams. Just like the same dreams you have, you Americans, just like anyone else in the United States.

I remember your national memorial in Rushmore, and how you want to see your face there, with the faces of your prominent presidents, those who laid the foundation of the United States of America as it is today. Democracy, independence, freedom, and care for every American, for everyone who works diligently, who lives honestly, who respects you and the law. We in Ukraine want the same for our people. All that is normal part of your own life.

Mr. Trump. In your country's great history, you have pages that would allow you to understand Ukrainians. Understand us now, when we need you right now. They say you don't Remember Pearl Harbor, but we all remember it. Terrible morning of December 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you. Just remember it.

Remember September the 11th, a terrible day in 2001 when evil tried to turn your cities, independent territories, in battlefields. When innocent people were attacked from air, yes, just like no one expected it, you could not stop it. When you suddenly had the tallest building in Manhattan. Our country experiences the same destruction every day. We have very few tall buildings left in our cities. Right now, in this moment, every night, for three weeks now, various Ukrainian cities of Odesa, Kharkiv, Lviv, Sumy, Mariupol, Zaporzhzhia and Dnipro. Our tall buildings are being destroyed, and you, as a builder, I know how this must hurt you. I know you remember, Mr. Trump, when you said that the coronavirus pandemic was the worst attack on your country, even worse than Pearl Harbor. Well, I say to you, the Russian attack is even worse than the coronavirus, for my country.

Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people. Russian troops have already fired nearly 1,000 missiles at Ukraine. Countless bombs. They use drones to kill us with precision. This is a terror that Europe has not seen for 80 years, and we are asking for a reply, for an answer to this terror from the whole world. Is this a lot to ask for? To create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people. Is this too much to ask? A humanitarian no-fly zone, something that Russia would not be able to terrorize our free cities. If this is too much to ask, we offer an alternative.

You know, what kind of defense systems we need as 300 and other similar systems. I understand that you are not personally familiar, because of your bone spurs, with how much depends on the battlefield, on the ability to use aircraft, powerful, stronger aviation to protect our people, our freedom, our land. But I can assure you, it is vitally important to have aircrafts that can help Ukraine, help Europe. And you know that they exist, and you have them. But they are on earth not in the Ukrainian sky. They do not defend our people.

Do you recall our perfect conversation back in July of 2019? I do, Mr. Trump. I told you then I had learned a lot from you, and what I learned helped us win the election. You told me you do a lot for my country, more than the Europeans, especially more than Germany. It turns out that even though logically, the European Union should be our biggest partner but technically the United States is a much bigger partner than the European Union and I’m very grateful to you for that because "the United States has been very very good to Ukraine." I asked you for more Javelins, more defensive weapons, and you asked me for a favor. Do you remember that, Mr. Trump?

You asked for my help, and I said yes. I remember that, my people, my country remembers that, the whole world remembers that. And they remember that you refused to give me the aid I so desperately needed, and I had to wait for your Congress to help my country. I cannot wait again, not now. 

'I have a dream.' These words are known to you today, I hope? They are like Pearl Harbor, unforgettable and known to all. I can say I have a need. I need to protect our sky. I need your decision, your help, which means exactly the same. The same you feel when you hear the words, 'I have a dream.'

Ukraine is grateful to the United States for its overwhelming support. For everything that your government and your people have done for us, for weapons and ammunition, for training, for finances, for leadership in the free world, which helps us to pressure the aggressor economically. I would be grateful to you, Mr. Trump, for your personal involvement, for your sincere commitment to the defense of Ukraine and democracy all over the world. 

I would like you to do us a favor though because our country has been through a lot and your country knows a lot about it. I would like you to find out what more can be done to help us. And I know you have wealthy friends in Russia, even your son said you have all the money you need from the Russians. We need your help, with the Russians and their money and the oligarchs. Whatever you can do, it’s very important that you do it if that’s possible.

 ... now, it is true in the darkest time for our country, for the whole of Europe, I call on you to do more. Are there oligarchs living in your apartment towers? Are they members of your private clubs? Did they help build your business empire? New sanctions are needed constantly, every week until the Russian military machine stops. Restrictions are needed for everyone on whom this unjust regime is based. We propose that you personally sanction these Russians from whom you get money today and before. You need to cut ties with those who are responsible for their aggression against Ukraine. You must no longer take money from them, anywhere in the world, if we are to break this state terror. All American companies must leave Russia from their market, including your Trump company. Leave their market and their money behind immediately because it is flooded with our blood. That is the favor I ask from you, Mr. Trump.

Please take the lead. If you have Russians in your circle, in your business or personal circle, I'm asking to make sure that the Russians do not receive a single penny that they use to destroy people in Ukraine, and that you cut all ties with them. The destruction of our country the destruction of Europe, all American ports should be closed for Russian goods, all American apartments should be closed for Russian people, all American golf courses - closed for Russians. It all must be closed. Peace is more important than income, and we have to defend this principle in the whole world.

Some people might say you are not a man of principle. I know you are, of some principles. We already became part of the anti-war coalition, a big anti-war coalition that unites many countries, dozens of countries, those who reacted to in principle to your friend, your smart friend President Putin’s decision to invade our country, but we need to move on and do more. If he is your friend, and he wouldn't have done this if you were in charge, think how he would act if you got involved right now? 

We propose to create an association, U24. United for peace, a union of responsible countries that have the strength and consciousness to stop conflict immediately, provide all the necessary assistance in 24 hours, if necessary, even weapons if necessary, sanctions, humanitarian support, political support, finances, everything you need to keep the peace, and quickly save the world to save lives. In addition, such association, such a union could provide assistance to those who are experiencing natural disasters, man-made disasters fell victims to humanitarian crisis or epidemic.

 Remember how difficult it was for the world to do the simplest thing just to give vaccines against COVID to save lives to prevent new strains. The world spent months, years, doing things like that much faster, to make sure there are no human losses. No victims, ladies and gentlemen, Americans if such alliance would exist today, that is U24, we would be able to save thousands of lives in our country. In many countries of the world, those who need peace, those suffer inhumane destruction... We have to stop it. We must preventively destroy every single aggressor or who seeks to subjugate other nations. 

And in the end, to sum it up. Today, it's not enough to be the leader of the nation. It takes to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace. Even in your America first vision, Mr. Trump, peace in your country doesn't depend anymore only on you and your people. Depends on those next to you and those who are strong.

Strong doesn't mean big. Strong is brave and ready to fight for the life of his citizens and citizens of the world; for human rights; for freedom; for the right to live decently; and the right to die when your time comes and not when it's wanted by someone else. By your neighbor. You have called upon your supporters to lay down their very lives over what is taught to their children in school. Can that be more important than to call them to lay down their very lives for children of the world? If you asked them to, how many would? You know the answer to that, Mr. Trump.

Today, the Ukrainian people are not only defending Ukraine. We are fighting for the values of Europe and the world, sacrificing our lives in the name of the future. That's why today the American people are helping not just Ukraine, but Europe and the world to keep the planet alive. To keep justice in history. Now, I’m almost 45 years old. Today, my age stopped when the hearts of more than 100 children stopped beating. I see no sense in life if it cannot stop the deaths. And this is my main issue as the leader of my people, brave Ukrainians. And as the leader of my nation, I am addressing you, Mr. Trump. You are still somehow a respected leader of your great nation. I wish you to be a leader of the world. Being a leader of the world means to be the leader of peace. Help my country with the favor I ask from you. Thank you. 

Sunday School 3/13/22: Extra Credit

 As promised, I'm doing some paneling for your Extra Credit this week. The gang on This Week - Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-SD); WaPo columnist George Will, Jane Coaston, of the NY Times, and Mary Bruce of ABC News joined Jon Karl to chat about Ukraine and more.

George Will gave the best explanation I've heard for us not establishing a no-fly zone; his explanation is simple.

The second use of nuclear weapons was three days after the first in Nagasaki. There hasn't been one since. It's an amazing human achievement and we really don't want Putin to erase that line.

Jon Karl wondered if there was more we could be doing, and he suggested that taking something off the table without drawing a red line in the sand over something - Putin using chemical or biological weapons for example - doesn't make sense. 

Heitkamp pointed out that we did draw a red line: it's NATO territory - that's our obligation under NATO's Article 5 commitment, but she noted some people think we should be doing more.

So, this idea that there is no -- you know, we're not going to provoke World War III, they believe we're already there and that we're simply capitulating for no good reason when we could be stopping it right here.

Mary Bruce was upset that no one in the administration would tell her specifically what they'd do if Putin used chemical or biological weapons. We've already done layers of sanctions.

So, what is still left, if Putin does take this step? And I do think it is notable, while the president has said over and over again, "There will not be any direct engagement between American forces and the Russians," when asked what would happen if Putin did use chemical weapons, he didn't give a definitive answer...

Coaston echoed Will's thoughts on the no-fly zone: it sounds good, which is why over 70% of Americans support it, but at the same time, we're just out of a 20-year war. 

 ...I think that this is a really complicated issue because, on the one hand, you have the optics concerns here, but if you're this administration, you're thinking, if Russia hits a NATO country, if Russia engages in nuclear proliferation, that -- that's a calculus they have not yet begun to contemplate.

Moving to gas prices (anyone with a microphone must mention this at least once a day), Karl referenced some polling showing we think it's OK to "ban Russian oil even if it means higher prices, but we're going to blame Biden." 

Heitkamp said the party in power always gets blamed, but she also pointed out that Biden folks haven't been pushing back effectively on the red herrings, like 

"It's because you didn't build the Keystone XL Pipeline." And I remind them, one of the first things Donald Trump did was give the permit. And in four years the pipeline didn't get built. Why not? Because it wasn't -- it wasn't economical to build that pipeline in those price points.

She also deflated the inflation argument, pointing out that "it was the Trump administration that overspent and drove up inflation." When Karl pointed to the "shocking increase" since February, Heitkamp said it's because we started at "an artificially low price," and "we're shocked because we got used to $2 gas. And that's the problem." 

The best part was when Coaston chimed in.

I also think it's worth recognizing -- and there was a great Fox News piece from 2008 -- that noted that the president has markedly little control of what gas prices are. There is no big "cheap gas" button in the Oval Office. And if there were, somebody would have pushed it.

There was much laughter about her "great Fox News piece" intro, but it's true: there may have been a Diet Coke button, but there's no cheap gas button. 

Karl and Mary Bruce spent some air time patting Trump patsy Kevin McCarthy (R-Cali-largo) on the back for being critical of the people who support Putin. Here's Bruce, saying "that's a lot" for Kevin McCarthy,

who has gone to some lengths to maintain a relationship with Donald Trump. I think you are seeing not just Kevin McCarthy but also Mitch McConnell come out and make clear where they stand on Vladimir Putin. They haven't gone as far though as to directly call out Trump.

McCarthy won't, for sure. The last time he did that, he immediately tucked tail and crawled to Mar-a-Lago to kiss the club championship trophy or a fake Time Man of the Year cover or something. 

I can't decide whether to leave the last word to George Will, or to Sen. Heitkamp; you can decide which you'll carry with you longer.

First, here's Will:

...Putin, like some of the acolytes in this country, is a weak person's idea of a strong person. Strength, you hear all the time, it’s sort of chest beating, dime-store Mussolini kind of toughness and I don't think it goes much deeper than that.

And, here's Heitkamp:

... right now, brave people within Russia are risking their lives to tell the truth about what's happening in Ukraine, to tell the truth about Putin... trying to get rid of disinformation, and we have useful idiots here in this country and, you know, I’m not going to call the whole Republican Party but they own some of this, right? ...people are risking their lives in Russia today to get... the correct information. And ...the propaganda machine in Russia is using these useful idiots in Congress.

Will's right, and so is Heitkamp. The question is, will anyone listen to them? 

See you around campus.

Sidebar: Sunday School 3/13/22

Several Sunday School classrooms featured comments related to policies or decisions made by the Biden administration. With that in mind, I'm sharing highlights from three administration officials - National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Defense Department press secretary Adm. John Kirby (Ret.), and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman - who made the rounds yesterday.

I'll start with Sullivan's chat with Dana Bash on CNN's State of the Union; he also spoke with what's-his-name on Meet the Press and with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation.

• Russia's attack on the NATO training base "does not come as a surprise;" it shows Putin's frustration on not taking control of Ukraine's major cities, so he's expanding his attacks. The US will "defend every inch of NATO territory."
• Our goal is to support Ukraine and their negotiations with Russia and our allies, but "ultimately, it is Ukraine that will have to make its own sovereign decisions about the shape of any diplomacy going forward."
• We're working on "other capabilities" that could help, instead of planes, and we're confident "we will continue to be able" to get military assistance through the supply lines that have been established.
• Any use of chemical or biological weapons by the Russians will result in a "severe price" (no detailed provided). With our NATO allies, we've made that clear to Russia. And, we're monitoring our nuclear posture, "day by day, hour by hour."
• He's not going to publicly get into what we may or may not do vis-à-vis China if they decide to support Russia more actively or help them evade sanctions.

And from Adm. Kirby's chat with Martha Raddatz on This Week.

• No Americans were at the NATO training base when it was attacked. It's unlikely that a no-fly zone would have prevented it, and while "no-fly zone has a nice air policing sound to it," there's "very little that you can see that would make sense for this war to be escalated between two nuclear powers." 
• Our commitment to NATO's Article 5 is steadfast, but we shouldn't need to fight Putin. We've made it clear to him that all of NATO will defend our territory, and we have an open line with the Russian Ministry of Defense. We've repositioned some resources from Germany to Poland to help with defense.
• We've seen nothing indicating "some sort of imminent chemical or biological attack right now, but we're watching this very, very closely." And no, he's not going into detail here.
• We're looking at Ukraine "with awe and inspiration and pride." They fight "bravely, skillfully and, quite frankly, very creatively. They're using tactics that I don't think anybody predicted they would be able to use or would want to use, but they're doing that and they're defending their cities and population centers and their citizens as best they can." 

Finally, Sherman's conversation about Iran and China with Brett Baier on Fox News Sunday.

• The US consulate in Iraq is secure and everyone's been accounted for after the missile attack launched from within Iran; we don't believe the consulate "was actually the target" of the attack.
• She thinks the new nuclear deal "is close" and we're looking for everyone, including Russia, to bring it to a close; "... imagine these Iranians with a nuclear weapon." Ensuring they don't have one means we have to talk with them, and the Russians. We don't know yet if this deal is "as good as" the 2015 deal.
• She wasn't forthcoming on why the Biden administration hasn't acted on "indictable evidence" against two Iranians who are allegedly behind a plot to assassinate former National Security Advisor John Bolton. 
• It's an "open question" on whether the China/Russia relationship has suffered or strengthened lately. China had been seen as "pretty uncomfortable with an invasion of a sovereign country," and we hope that's still the case.
• Biden, with Congress, will move to remove Russia from "most favored nation status" at the World Trade Organization, which will cause China to have to "make some tough decisions."
• We don't believe China "ought to take Taiwan by force, and will do everything we can to deter that effort."

Hopefully this provides some perspective to the other classroom conversations.

Sunday School 3/13/22

We've got three Senators in the classrooms this morning: Rob Portman (R-OH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), members of the Ukraine Caucus, and Jim Risch (R-ID), the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is where we'll start.

Risch talked with Brett Baier in the Fox News Sunday classroom. He expressed dismay at how things are going on the new Iran nuclear deal, noting that US representatives aren't even doing the negotiating. Since the Iranians refuse to talk with us, they're working with European, Russian, and Chinese teams, while we wait for updates. Risch seems to think this whole thing is a waste of time, saying unless they get an actual treaty, rather than an executive agreement, it

will not last past the next Republican president that's elected, just as the last deal didn't last the minute that the Republicans took over.

Shifting to Ukraine, he thinks we must "be wary" of getting into direct confrontation with Russia, although he suggests the "ineptness" they've shown so far might lead to a quick end if we did. He also said the Biden administration "has projected weakness throughout," and that they've only done stuff after our allies stepped up first.

Look, when you're dealing with these people, if you project weakness, you're going to have a real problem. And that's going on with both Iran and with Russia right now and it is a serious situation. We need them to project some strength.

Finally, Risch told Baier he voted against the omnibus spending bill, with its billions for Ukraine, because of a bunch of "other pork" in the bill. He mentioned "earmarks, for crying out loud," and "some gun legislation... that a couple of the gun lobbies were very much against... some provisions in there that a number of the pro-life groups were against." 

Whenever we have these doggone big bills, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't, whether you vote yes or no. But I -- I have -- I hope that no one would take this as not being the support for -- for the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian war.

I've said that myself, many times before. 

In Case You Missed it (v80)

A busy week in the world, and to a much less consequential extent, at veritable pastiche. Here's a recap of this week's posts, in case you missed them.

In the Sunday School classrooms, we heard from a few of the usual suspects, and from an unusual one: Nadya Tolokonnikova, the Russian activist and founding member of Pussy Riot. In her conversation with Jake Tapper on CNN she was asked what might have led to Putin's invasion on Ukraine. Was it declining mental health, maybe - or was he acting out because he's never been held to account for his prior bad acts? It was clear where she stood.  

...we have heard a lot of loud, big proclamations from the global community, but, unfortunately, it wasn't followed through. And Putin didn't really feel like he -- him and his closest -- closest oligarchs and cronies suffered from invasion of Ukraine. And I think, partly, what we're seeing right now in Ukraine is the result of complacency of the global community about a situation that happened in Ukraine in 2014.

For your Sunday School Extra Credit, there was more talk of Russia and Ukraine, but I also included some discussion on the current state of our union, as shared by the panel on Fox News Sunday. One topic? Recent polling showing that people would rather see Congress under Republican control, to keep Biden's agenda in check, than to have the Dems retain their majorities. Georgetown University's Mo Elleithee said polling like that is generally a bad sign, but that the Dems still had a chance.

Biden's SOTU was a big part of that; he suggested (Biden) was reminding voters why they voted for him - or, for the Biden that campaigned closer to the middle than many of his opponents. And, he added,

I think it was him sort of reorienting the public perception of the Democratic Party, which, for many months now has been defined by a fight between the left and Joe Manchin, you know, and Kyrsten Sinema over the Build Back Better, right? That was what was defining the Democrat Party in the eyes of many voters. And I think Biden said, let me remind you what you got when you voted for me.

Lest you think only the Dems are in a quandary in advance of the midterms, I included a hint of a mess brewing on the Republican side of the aisle in the post as well.

Also stemming from the Sunday School classrooms was a Sidebar on the foolishness of Florida's Sen. Marco Rubio sharing a "nondescript" picture of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the equal foolishness of two network anchors not asking him why he did it. 

I mean, it's not like it was a side-by-side of Rubio's 'resting Intelligence Committee face' and Zelenskyy - it was a solo shot of the Z-man, one that's almost certainly hanging on the walls and ceilings of bedrooms around the world - probably next to one of Andrew Cuomo.

Mid-week, I was Wondering on Wednesday about things like Republicans still taking about trying to do something they tried - and failed - to do for a decade.

Wisconsin's Sen. Ron Johnson wants to obstruct the president's agenda until the Rs take control in the midterms, and then when they take back the White House in 2024,  he wants to see the GOP repeal the Affordable Care Act... I also wonder, how many people wish that Johnson had kept his promise not to run again? 

And, the week's posts came to an end with a TGIF entry all about the state of the state of Texas. There's the vigilante abortion bill, which the Texas Supreme Court pretty much guaranteed would stand (and would spread to other freedom-loving Red states), and there was the now temporarily on hold directive to investigate and, presumably, punish parents who allow certain medical procedures for their trans children. And, there was more.

I don't want you to think that Texas only discriminates against women and LGBTQ kids they're equal opportunity discriminators.

A Texas agency discriminated against communities of color when it denied more than $1 billion in federal relief funds sought by Houston and Harris County to help hard-hit areas recover from Hurricane Harvey, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found.

It's a helluva time we're living in, don't you think?

See you next week.