As always, thank you for the work—continuing to show up, bringing trustworthy analysis to our nation in regression (or folly freefall). Your Andrew Johnson comparison is spot on. Peace and courage.
I was thinking last night that the immunity decision ranks with Plessy v. Ferguson in institutionalizing political preferences that disrupt society for generations. Hopefully, we won’t wait for 50 years for a corrective like we did until Brown v. Board came along.
I think it's appropriate to think of Plessy v. Ferguson. Particularly because lawyers, judges, and historians view it as one of the worst decisions SCOTUS ever made. This latest one concerning immunity likely ranks up there as well.
I am distraught by this egregious and purposeful ignoring ( and twisting into a re-write) of the Constitution’s limits of executive power. Trying to keep hope that it will be fixed sooner than later, as you said.
This is the beginning of a deep downward slide for our country. This opens the door for someone Iike Trump if not Trump himself to change how we are governed as a nation. This,is a sad day. Let us not give up but fight on.
Yes. My deep, deep concern is that people are waiting for November and the election to really pay attention. But democracy is crumbling right now, and it's past time to take action.
Conservatives have been very strategic. It was understood, and they were emboldened by the fact that, once the appeal reach SCOTUS, the decision would be to their favor. The tenor of the courts, the tenor of the conservative Republican majority in the house, signals more such audacious aggressions against democracy.
You're right. They've been angling for these conditions for at least 40+ years since the Moral Majority days. A long time to work a plan, and yet democracy falls apart so quickly.
This ruling feels like a nightmare come true, and I am still trying to wrap my brain around the horridness of it. I appreciate you putting it in historical context, but how do we fix this? The ruling makes crystal clear why Trump must NEVER occupy the oval office again, and I pray Americans will see and understand that snd vote accordingly. But the problem goes on and on with every president from now on. We have a president now who respects the law and his role as defender of the constitution. I am really scared for the future of our country now and hope that this isn't the end of the American experiment. Thank you for giving us space to grieve and vent.
This is an egregious decision, and I am troubled about what it means for the future of democracy. Ideally I hope this decision can be corrected legislatively, but until then, it underscores the importance of true Christians doing what we can to oppose Christian Nationalism. If presidents are above the law now, then electing presidents with good character who show evidence of the fruits of the spirit is going to be more important than ever. Thank you for this excellent article putting the Supreme Court decision into historical context. I have read The Color of Compromise and look forward to reading The Spirit of Justice. I bet it will offer us hope and inspiration for how true Christians can speak out against the injustices of our time.
I agree with you - but I'm curious - if Johnson hadn't had made that decision - what would have been a better way? I was under the impression that those who served in the Confederacy were allowed leadership in Congress? (I could be wrong on that.) What would have rightly punished while still trying to unify as a nation again?
There seems to be a fine line between the two after war. I'm thinking of WWI and Germany being forced to pay; and it becoming so easy for Hitler to rise to power within a decade because of the resentment and debt the people had.
As always, thank you for the work—continuing to show up, bringing trustworthy analysis to our nation in regression (or folly freefall). Your Andrew Johnson comparison is spot on. Peace and courage.
I really appreciate your encouragement, Charlie. This work is exhausting. Folks like you make it worthwhile.
I was thinking last night that the immunity decision ranks with Plessy v. Ferguson in institutionalizing political preferences that disrupt society for generations. Hopefully, we won’t wait for 50 years for a corrective like we did until Brown v. Board came along.
I think it's appropriate to think of Plessy v. Ferguson. Particularly because lawyers, judges, and historians view it as one of the worst decisions SCOTUS ever made. This latest one concerning immunity likely ranks up there as well.
I am distraught by this egregious and purposeful ignoring ( and twisting into a re-write) of the Constitution’s limits of executive power. Trying to keep hope that it will be fixed sooner than later, as you said.
Distraught indeed. Unfortunately, it's become so evident that we cannot rely on most of our leaders for positive change. It's up to us!
This is the beginning of a deep downward slide for our country. This opens the door for someone Iike Trump if not Trump himself to change how we are governed as a nation. This,is a sad day. Let us not give up but fight on.
Yes. My deep, deep concern is that people are waiting for November and the election to really pay attention. But democracy is crumbling right now, and it's past time to take action.
When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong
Ecclesiastes 8:11
Looking forward to your keynote at our Jesus & Justice II Conference!!!!!
Jesus & Justice II https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jesus-justice-ii-tickets-911594783537?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile
Thank you for sharing that verse! I will think of it often.
Looking forward to the conference as well!
I feel demoralized by their egregious behavior. To give cover to such a feckless, corrupt, and truly horrible human being is sickening.
We who hope and believe in democracy are rightly hurting right now. Bearing this weight of disappointment right along with you!
Conservatives have been very strategic. It was understood, and they were emboldened by the fact that, once the appeal reach SCOTUS, the decision would be to their favor. The tenor of the courts, the tenor of the conservative Republican majority in the house, signals more such audacious aggressions against democracy.
You're right. They've been angling for these conditions for at least 40+ years since the Moral Majority days. A long time to work a plan, and yet democracy falls apart so quickly.
This ruling feels like a nightmare come true, and I am still trying to wrap my brain around the horridness of it. I appreciate you putting it in historical context, but how do we fix this? The ruling makes crystal clear why Trump must NEVER occupy the oval office again, and I pray Americans will see and understand that snd vote accordingly. But the problem goes on and on with every president from now on. We have a president now who respects the law and his role as defender of the constitution. I am really scared for the future of our country now and hope that this isn't the end of the American experiment. Thank you for giving us space to grieve and vent.
This is an egregious decision, and I am troubled about what it means for the future of democracy. Ideally I hope this decision can be corrected legislatively, but until then, it underscores the importance of true Christians doing what we can to oppose Christian Nationalism. If presidents are above the law now, then electing presidents with good character who show evidence of the fruits of the spirit is going to be more important than ever. Thank you for this excellent article putting the Supreme Court decision into historical context. I have read The Color of Compromise and look forward to reading The Spirit of Justice. I bet it will offer us hope and inspiration for how true Christians can speak out against the injustices of our time.
I agree with you - but I'm curious - if Johnson hadn't had made that decision - what would have been a better way? I was under the impression that those who served in the Confederacy were allowed leadership in Congress? (I could be wrong on that.) What would have rightly punished while still trying to unify as a nation again?
There seems to be a fine line between the two after war. I'm thinking of WWI and Germany being forced to pay; and it becoming so easy for Hitler to rise to power within a decade because of the resentment and debt the people had.