A couple of weeks ago, Steve Schmidt reached out to suggest our readers might enjoy a live event where we discuss issues, share similar and different views, and take questions. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 7, 8-9 p.m. EST, we’re on! We’ll talk about the state of our democracy, the stress on our institutions and the challenges they face, and especially, the context of the diminishment of the rule of law.
This country is teetering on the edge of not being a liberal democracy anymore. Thank you for trying to prevent any further slide towards authoritarianism.
It's easy-can I walk you through it? We can do a zoom tutorial, in fact it would be a help to me as I've been working in a plan to do zoom "office hours" with founding tier members and although I teach in zoom, setting up a personal account and getting it tweaked to accept over 100 participants and deal with some timing and participation issues has been challenging for me. I'm usually good with tech but this has been hard and I'd love to test it and let folks who want zoom practice participate!
I love Zoom! During Covid I was part of two Bible studies. Now I’m reviewing music theory thru Musescore. We celebrate family birthdays across the country including Hawaii. I listen to talks by favorite authors ... and on & on. I had to adjust my laptop internal volume especially for music. I’ve also used background pictures ... I joined one meeting from outer space with Earth as a background. Is it still free if you limit meeting to 40 minutes?
I would watch your tutorial Joyce .... I’m sure there’s more I can learn. 😄
I would appreciate that opportunity as I need more practice with it. I belong to a Salem, Massachusetts group that does the same, and I struggle awfully with it.
Zoom is very easy to use and works well. You do need a fairly good Internet connection, of course. If what you're seeing starts to freeze or falter, you can turn off the video to conserve bandwidth. You'll still be able to hear everything just fine.
You don't need to do anything complicated to view the Zoom meeting. On your invitation email you just need to click on Join and follow the onscreen instructions to open Zoom. Good luck.
Yes, still ok. Click on the link, do this about 10 minutes before the meeting starts because Zoom will need to download some code to allow it to open. Then you’ll be in the ‘waiting room’ until the meeting starts. When it does click on join video in the lower left corner of the screen, you’ll see it. You can then decide if you want to let it show you via the camera aperture on your iPad. If you’d rather not put a piece of tape or drape a hanky over the aperture. Voila!
I tried, no email from zoom..., I’m NOT a robot and seeing the traffic lights/motorcycles/whatever is for good eyes even with my glasses ..oh well. Thanks, I really appreciate it. I have a friend who can come try to do that for me. I’ll try with her then.
Did you get the confirmation from when you clicked to register for the meeting? The link is in that email. But it won’t work until just before the actual meeting
I tried to download zoomfrom app . The emails cam (5) and last resend code worked . I’m still out in lala land though. I’ll wait til Nic gets here and she’ll likely know what I’m doing wrong. Thanks a bunch ❤️
One thing to be aware of is that there are (at least) two very different types of Zoom events. One is a regular meeting (like the family get-togethers) with The "Hollywood Squares" screens with everyone in their own box (at least on a PC screen). For those you typically have an option to have your camera (and microphone) either on or off. (You can also, on a PC, toggle between "Gallery view" with lots of small boxes and "Speaker view" with only the speaker in a big window.) But it's likely that this event with Joyce and Steve (and an expected larger audience) will be set up as a webinar, where the audience will not have an option to be on camera. In either type, you can usually interact with other participants, and often the speakers, in "chat" - but that's probably only practical with a bigger screen.
I have put a lot of time into collecting and reading academic, scholarly, and professionally written books, articles, papers, etc that focus on the Nazi era and the first half of the 20th century. As a result I can honestly state that since the election of 2016 and its consequent results I have more and more everyday felt like I am living in the time period I have spent so much time learning about. I am the type of person who has no fear, beyond, of course that which is necessary for extreme threatening circumstances or survival; that being said over the course of the past two years I have been developing a genuine sense of fear for the future of American Democracy. With regards to my concerns about the cold civil war our country is currently undergoing I would like to add that a significant and little discussed aspect of the extreme right turn that is distorting our society into an illiberal theocratic-centrist nation is the problem of Dominionism and its myriad branches that are and have been slowly growing and branching out into government positions from federal workers within sensitive agencies, to congresspersons, to the Supreme Court. So far the executive branch has been under the control of individuals who have at least been restrained in their application of theocratic-centrist activity. Mike Pence is the closest to a Protestant Fundamentalist Biblical Theology oriented person to enter the White House for a term of service.
Currently I am keeping my eye on Nikki Haley at this time, as she appears to have the blessing of the Christian Right given that she was invited recently to speak at Regent University:
_______________________________________
“We are honored and thrilled to have Nikki Haley join us to celebrate our outstanding Class of 2023,” said Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, founder, chancellor, and CEO of Regent University. “Haley has lived an accomplished life, with a fervent commitment to public service and her country. As a trailblazer, we know her words will inspire the next generation of Christian leaders to change the world.”
Why is this so important? I will refer you to this quote, that can be found in my first Substack published brief article that begins a conversation about Dominionism:
_______________________________________
The May 11, 2007 edition of Bill Moyer’s Journal on PBS documented the graduation ceremonies at Regents University. The college and law school founded by CR [Christian Right] leader Pat Robertson provides an alternative to traditional education. The university’s mission is dominionism with students trained to seek positions of power. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney provided the key address at graduation and former Attorney General John Ashcroft was present to recruit young Christian men and women to work in the government.
Robertson and the school’s dean, Jeff Brock, are not shy about seeking to control the government. Brock first explains how the wall separating Church and State is purely institutional and surmountable through a strategy of placing professionals with a dominionist worldview in positions of authority. Pat Robertson later argues, “There was never any intention that our government would be separate from God almighty.” Robertson founded Regents to “change the law to reflect God’s law.” Because lawyers and justices are needed for that revolution, Robertson also founded the law school 20 years ago [1986]. Pages 28-29. [Emphasis by RJR]
Dominionism and Epistemology: How Religious Anti-intellectualism Subverts Liberal Institutions by Gabriel S. Hudson, Midwestern Political Science Association.
It's absolutely clear to me that there's a strong theocratic streak to the oligarchic, white-supremacist, male-dominated rule that the christofascists are seeking to impose permanently. Some of that is obviously performative, for political expediency -- the orange menace being a leading example -- and some of it appears to be because a scarily large number of far-right self-professed "christians" at bottom really are anti-democratic racists. Pat Robertson was a good example of that.
Mike Pence, a faux Christian through and through who lusts after the presidency and the possibility of a theocratic autocracy, makes quite a case study. He cloaks himself heavily in piety, sanctimoniousness, and self-righeousness, but even a quick study of his career and background shows him to be a weak hypocrite who has acted time and again in contradiction to his professed belief system.
The best description of Mike Pence that I have read, but I will also read the Atlantic article. Thank you for the link. Anyone who has any goodness in them would never do as he did as governor of Indiana, and that is, be in favor of conversion therapy. He disgusts me, no end.
It's not pay walled Thank you! I will be reading this asap and adding it to my collection. This is, as you observe, a very real dimension to the cold civil war. More people need to focus on this problem.
Robert, I agree with everything you have said. I am preoccupied with how we successfully counter this movement toward autocracy. I come from the position of the importance of political middle ground — that ground which is missing. And my sense is that when the middle disappears, the inevitable direction is to the right. So let’s discuss how to save the middle.
When I observe elections, I feel they are no more than marketing plans in a sense that to succeed, you need a well thought out platform that brings in the greatest number of people. The democratic side keeps pushing ideas that are not very popular. The woke issues (a word which I hate.) The new ones are transgender issues of guys dressing as girls then applying to girls sport teams. In my opinion, this is not only purposeful exploitation but it’s also divisive and hurts elections. Let’s also include this relative new phenomena of drag queen reading to children. Again, in my opinion, it’s not only revolting, grooming, but it’s also divisive and it will not win elections. It’s alright to disagree. But we are just going to lose elections. And I want us to win elections. The ex governor of Virginia lost his seat on one question; whether parents should play a role which books to allow for younger children. He said no and he lost. Let’s always remember that for all intent and purposes, he lost on that one question. Let’s look at the border. It’s a mess. But if we don’t take a stronger response to the easy access or the appearances of east access, we lose elections. It’s all about optics. The republicans successfully use it against us. So we want to be humane towards those poor folks wanting to better themselves as most of our ancestors did coming to this country? Then be prepared to lose elections. I’m not being cold-hearted. I’m being practical, as I understand things. Thank you.
(And just a little sidebar note, I believe my understanding is correct that tic tok, a Chinese-owned company, that fosters all things trans gendered, the content of which is not available in China itself. This tells me if this is true, then it’s purposely subversive. So prove me wrong.)
Bill, just taking a moment to let you know about the rather serendipitous coincidence related to your comment. One of my daily email readings is the Politico Playbook focused on National government matters, most notably, focused on the three major branches.
One of the brief news digests contained the following quote from Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX 28th District) that was singled out:
“Politically, now the president's trying to move to the center when it comes to immigration policies — I think a little bit too late, but they're moving to the center now.”
Hello Bill. Thank you for your comment. I do appreciate your irenic tone and most certainly understand the need to uphold the middle of society. I am happy to comment and further discuss the many things you touch upon, but first coffee...
Thanks Joyce and Steve for the opportunity to communicate concerns, frustrations and fears on June 7th!!! Trump out Trumped Trump last night in NH. He is terrifying and it is horrifying that the MEGA support for him is so steadfast and adoring no matter what the egomaniac says or does. It is so revolting that approximately 35 to 38% of his GOP supporters hang on his every word and think they are patriots when the are actually supporting the end of democracy! Last night it was revolting to see the crowd laughing and cheering at the revolting things that Trump was saying!!!
And where are the moderate GOP
members and the elected GOP?
We all need to be aware of the slow and steady undermining of our laws and our freedoms. We MUST work hard to defeat this hideous man in 2024!!!! See you on June 7th!!!
This country is teetering on the edge of not being a liberal democracy anymore. Thank you for trying to prevent any further slide towards authoritarianism.
I would so love to hear this Joyce but don’t know how to Zoom. I was, still am a real fan of Steve’s From.The.GetGo!
I’m really a half-wit when it comes to techy stuff. Is there a u-tube I can watch or stream somehow? Anyone?
It's easy-can I walk you through it? We can do a zoom tutorial, in fact it would be a help to me as I've been working in a plan to do zoom "office hours" with founding tier members and although I teach in zoom, setting up a personal account and getting it tweaked to accept over 100 participants and deal with some timing and participation issues has been challenging for me. I'm usually good with tech but this has been hard and I'd love to test it and let folks who want zoom practice participate!
I love Zoom! During Covid I was part of two Bible studies. Now I’m reviewing music theory thru Musescore. We celebrate family birthdays across the country including Hawaii. I listen to talks by favorite authors ... and on & on. I had to adjust my laptop internal volume especially for music. I’ve also used background pictures ... I joined one meeting from outer space with Earth as a background. Is it still free if you limit meeting to 40 minutes?
I would watch your tutorial Joyce .... I’m sure there’s more I can learn. 😄
I would appreciate that opportunity as I need more practice with it. I belong to a Salem, Massachusetts group that does the same, and I struggle awfully with it.
Joyce, I take a class taught by @AshaRangapa and she holds office hours via Zoom. She might be willing to share tips.
Joyce I have figured this out and did my first Zoom with Ruth last week. Thanks so much for your offer , I’m looking forward to 6/7/23
Great idea Joyce❤️
Zoom is very easy to use and works well. You do need a fairly good Internet connection, of course. If what you're seeing starts to freeze or falter, you can turn off the video to conserve bandwidth. You'll still be able to hear everything just fine.
Check out these how-to links for starters:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360034967471-Getting-started-guide-for-new-users
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOUwumKCW7M
Thank you. I will.
You don't need to do anything complicated to view the Zoom meeting. On your invitation email you just need to click on Join and follow the onscreen instructions to open Zoom. Good luck.
I have just an iPad.No computer, still ok?
Yes, still ok. Click on the link, do this about 10 minutes before the meeting starts because Zoom will need to download some code to allow it to open. Then you’ll be in the ‘waiting room’ until the meeting starts. When it does click on join video in the lower left corner of the screen, you’ll see it. You can then decide if you want to let it show you via the camera aperture on your iPad. If you’d rather not put a piece of tape or drape a hanky over the aperture. Voila!
I’ve put a sticky note over camera for insurance especially if I’m looking a bit rough around the edges.
I tried, no email from zoom..., I’m NOT a robot and seeing the traffic lights/motorcycles/whatever is for good eyes even with my glasses ..oh well. Thanks, I really appreciate it. I have a friend who can come try to do that for me. I’ll try with her then.
Did you get the confirmation from when you clicked to register for the meeting? The link is in that email. But it won’t work until just before the actual meeting
And in the email us a lengthy link you can also use. You be never done that, not sure if that will open a browser or if it works like the zoom link
I tried to download zoomfrom app . The emails cam (5) and last resend code worked . I’m still out in lala land though. I’ll wait til Nic gets here and she’ll likely know what I’m doing wrong. Thanks a bunch ❤️
I’ll keep working on this friends/Joyce. Thanks for the responses.
Yes, tablets work
I’ve seen, or heard, participants on their cell phones.
That sounds good!
One thing to be aware of is that there are (at least) two very different types of Zoom events. One is a regular meeting (like the family get-togethers) with The "Hollywood Squares" screens with everyone in their own box (at least on a PC screen). For those you typically have an option to have your camera (and microphone) either on or off. (You can also, on a PC, toggle between "Gallery view" with lots of small boxes and "Speaker view" with only the speaker in a big window.) But it's likely that this event with Joyce and Steve (and an expected larger audience) will be set up as a webinar, where the audience will not have an option to be on camera. In either type, you can usually interact with other participants, and often the speakers, in "chat" - but that's probably only practical with a bigger screen.
Can’t wait! My daughter will teach me how to Zoom since I LOVE both Joyce & Steve!!!!! Registered! Can’t wait!!!!! 🩷🩷🩷
I’m signed up and looking forward to the conversation. Thanks for background info. This should be very good!
I have put a lot of time into collecting and reading academic, scholarly, and professionally written books, articles, papers, etc that focus on the Nazi era and the first half of the 20th century. As a result I can honestly state that since the election of 2016 and its consequent results I have more and more everyday felt like I am living in the time period I have spent so much time learning about. I am the type of person who has no fear, beyond, of course that which is necessary for extreme threatening circumstances or survival; that being said over the course of the past two years I have been developing a genuine sense of fear for the future of American Democracy. With regards to my concerns about the cold civil war our country is currently undergoing I would like to add that a significant and little discussed aspect of the extreme right turn that is distorting our society into an illiberal theocratic-centrist nation is the problem of Dominionism and its myriad branches that are and have been slowly growing and branching out into government positions from federal workers within sensitive agencies, to congresspersons, to the Supreme Court. So far the executive branch has been under the control of individuals who have at least been restrained in their application of theocratic-centrist activity. Mike Pence is the closest to a Protestant Fundamentalist Biblical Theology oriented person to enter the White House for a term of service.
Currently I am keeping my eye on Nikki Haley at this time, as she appears to have the blessing of the Christian Right given that she was invited recently to speak at Regent University:
_______________________________________
“We are honored and thrilled to have Nikki Haley join us to celebrate our outstanding Class of 2023,” said Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, founder, chancellor, and CEO of Regent University. “Haley has lived an accomplished life, with a fervent commitment to public service and her country. As a trailblazer, we know her words will inspire the next generation of Christian leaders to change the world.”
https://www.regent.edu/news/regent-university-announces-nikki-haley-former-governor-of-south-carolina-as-2023-commencement-speaker/
_______________________________________
Why is this so important? I will refer you to this quote, that can be found in my first Substack published brief article that begins a conversation about Dominionism:
_______________________________________
The May 11, 2007 edition of Bill Moyer’s Journal on PBS documented the graduation ceremonies at Regents University. The college and law school founded by CR [Christian Right] leader Pat Robertson provides an alternative to traditional education. The university’s mission is dominionism with students trained to seek positions of power. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney provided the key address at graduation and former Attorney General John Ashcroft was present to recruit young Christian men and women to work in the government.
Robertson and the school’s dean, Jeff Brock, are not shy about seeking to control the government. Brock first explains how the wall separating Church and State is purely institutional and surmountable through a strategy of placing professionals with a dominionist worldview in positions of authority. Pat Robertson later argues, “There was never any intention that our government would be separate from God almighty.” Robertson founded Regents to “change the law to reflect God’s law.” Because lawyers and justices are needed for that revolution, Robertson also founded the law school 20 years ago [1986]. Pages 28-29. [Emphasis by RJR]
Dominionism and Epistemology: How Religious Anti-intellectualism Subverts Liberal Institutions by Gabriel S. Hudson, Midwestern Political Science Association.
A digital copy can be obtained at the following URL: https://www.academia.edu/6991818/Dominionism_and_Epistemology
https://robertjrei.substack.com/p/dominionism
__________________________________________
It's absolutely clear to me that there's a strong theocratic streak to the oligarchic, white-supremacist, male-dominated rule that the christofascists are seeking to impose permanently. Some of that is obviously performative, for political expediency -- the orange menace being a leading example -- and some of it appears to be because a scarily large number of far-right self-professed "christians" at bottom really are anti-democratic racists. Pat Robertson was a good example of that.
Mike Pence, a faux Christian through and through who lusts after the presidency and the possibility of a theocratic autocracy, makes quite a case study. He cloaks himself heavily in piety, sanctimoniousness, and self-righeousness, but even a quick study of his career and background shows him to be a weak hypocrite who has acted time and again in contradiction to his professed belief system.
This brilliant profile in The Atlantic is a good place to start: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/01/gods-plan-for-mike-pence/546569/ (might be behind a paywall).
The best description of Mike Pence that I have read, but I will also read the Atlantic article. Thank you for the link. Anyone who has any goodness in them would never do as he did as governor of Indiana, and that is, be in favor of conversion therapy. He disgusts me, no end.
He’s just closed himself off for whatever reason.
It's not pay walled Thank you! I will be reading this asap and adding it to my collection. This is, as you observe, a very real dimension to the cold civil war. More people need to focus on this problem.
Robert, I agree with everything you have said. I am preoccupied with how we successfully counter this movement toward autocracy. I come from the position of the importance of political middle ground — that ground which is missing. And my sense is that when the middle disappears, the inevitable direction is to the right. So let’s discuss how to save the middle.
When I observe elections, I feel they are no more than marketing plans in a sense that to succeed, you need a well thought out platform that brings in the greatest number of people. The democratic side keeps pushing ideas that are not very popular. The woke issues (a word which I hate.) The new ones are transgender issues of guys dressing as girls then applying to girls sport teams. In my opinion, this is not only purposeful exploitation but it’s also divisive and hurts elections. Let’s also include this relative new phenomena of drag queen reading to children. Again, in my opinion, it’s not only revolting, grooming, but it’s also divisive and it will not win elections. It’s alright to disagree. But we are just going to lose elections. And I want us to win elections. The ex governor of Virginia lost his seat on one question; whether parents should play a role which books to allow for younger children. He said no and he lost. Let’s always remember that for all intent and purposes, he lost on that one question. Let’s look at the border. It’s a mess. But if we don’t take a stronger response to the easy access or the appearances of east access, we lose elections. It’s all about optics. The republicans successfully use it against us. So we want to be humane towards those poor folks wanting to better themselves as most of our ancestors did coming to this country? Then be prepared to lose elections. I’m not being cold-hearted. I’m being practical, as I understand things. Thank you.
(And just a little sidebar note, I believe my understanding is correct that tic tok, a Chinese-owned company, that fosters all things trans gendered, the content of which is not available in China itself. This tells me if this is true, then it’s purposely subversive. So prove me wrong.)
Bill, just taking a moment to let you know about the rather serendipitous coincidence related to your comment. One of my daily email readings is the Politico Playbook focused on National government matters, most notably, focused on the three major branches.
One of the brief news digests contained the following quote from Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX 28th District) that was singled out:
“Politically, now the president's trying to move to the center when it comes to immigration policies — I think a little bit too late, but they're moving to the center now.”
Hello Bill. Thank you for your comment. I do appreciate your irenic tone and most certainly understand the need to uphold the middle of society. I am happy to comment and further discuss the many things you touch upon, but first coffee...
Joyce~ Any chance this event will be recorded? I would love to see it but will be at work for an evening shift.
They are recorded!
Thanks Joyce and Steve for the opportunity to communicate concerns, frustrations and fears on June 7th!!! Trump out Trumped Trump last night in NH. He is terrifying and it is horrifying that the MEGA support for him is so steadfast and adoring no matter what the egomaniac says or does. It is so revolting that approximately 35 to 38% of his GOP supporters hang on his every word and think they are patriots when the are actually supporting the end of democracy! Last night it was revolting to see the crowd laughing and cheering at the revolting things that Trump was saying!!!
And where are the moderate GOP
members and the elected GOP?
We all need to be aware of the slow and steady undermining of our laws and our freedoms. We MUST work hard to defeat this hideous man in 2024!!!! See you on June 7th!!!
The Trump fanatics have a “Daddy”
Problem!
Already registered on Steve's page! I'm a huge fan of both you and Steve!! Can't wait!
Zoom meetings during COVID was my preparation for retirement. Looking forward to the convo with you and Steve Schmidt.
Schmidt is terrific! He zeroes right into our problems and lays them out with clarity.
It will 1 a.m. here in Portugal. Maybe I can find a synopsis of this event next day?
They are recorded so you can bc watch later!!
I am definitely looking forward to this event. The last one Steve did was Mehdi Hasan and it was very good.
Exciting!
Joyce, can you pls tell us more about the 14th Amendment possibility Biden may have to avert a disaster with the debt default?
Joyce, it would be lovely if you were to record this conversation for those of us who are unable to attend live. Thanks for considering.
If I register will a recorded version be available? I will be in Europe on a long awaited vaction.