Prime content is available to paid members, please join us
Biden Needs a Hammer to Go With His Open Hand
Discussion
Join our users to read our prime articles
As a Jewish American I am actually reminded of Israel’s early years. Armed nationalist such as the Stern Gang were not respecting the authority of the elected Israeli government under David Ben Gurion. These armed nationalists were popular as they were instrumental in Israel becoming an independent Jewish state. And of course Israel was surrounded by enemies so taking a tough stand against them was politically difficult. But they were armed and simply not respecting the government’s authority. Israel’s viability as a state was on the line. So this Labor government cracked down and enforced its laws. Had to be… Read more »
That was the sinking of the Altalena. Unfortunately, Begin eventually became Prime Minister and that was the beginning of the land grab in the territories. Israel is now at least as enthralled with corrupt leadership and racist policy as is the United States. The main difference is Bibi is smart enough to stay in office and not get prosecuted.
Sadly, I agree with that current assessment of Israel. Once Rabin was assasinated in ’95 it has been on an irredeemable path.
All of this, every last bit, is part and parcel of Richard Nixon getting pardoned in 1974. The time has come to make sure that the Office of the Presidency isn’t above the law. It will take the Presidency itself to investigate prior corruption and crimes, simply by standing out of the way, and in full support, of those investigations. And the President must DEMAND that Congress pass laws to make the Office of the President accountable to the law and to the people.There can be no implicit or explicit policy by the DOJ that a sitting President cannot be… Read more »
I don’t see Joe Biden as a guy willing to rock the boat. He’s far more likely to put his head in the sand and be a cheerleader for normality.
I wish that Congress would do what you say, but it seems the more likely course is for Republicans to stymie and block every single effort to do any of this, with the idea that they get another crack at this in four years to finally burn down the house and to insure authoritarian GOP dominance forever.
I tend to agree with you, Martin. I don’t think Biden is a “stick his head in the sand” guy at this point in history, but I am curious as to what you see as the hammer at this point. What are the concrete steps necessary?
Lordy Trump behaves like a sulking teenager while Putin plays games with him and our cyber infrastructure. And the virus eats us alive. Talk about dereliction of duty what a freaking disgrace this guy is. Poor baby can’t stand it that Biden beat his ass. And guess what? He will never accept it. Worst ever president.
Whoever is Attorney General should go where the facts lead. Full stop. When the Republicans start screaming, the reply should be to ignore them. When the media ask why he hasn’t said anything, he should say the truth: that he is hands-off and letting the eminently qualified people at DOJ do their jobs without political influence.
Also restock all the Inspectors General so career folks can more easily report on the moles burrowed in.
One small change I would make is: when Republicans start screaming, evidence and public appearances by the AG and law enforcement asserting the rule of law must be made. We have learned in the past 5 years that keeping your head down and just “doing the job” is not enough. The case must be made for what we do, loud and often, until the fever breaks.
Yes to all of this. Martin, I hope you’ll continue digging deeper into this topic and what “hammers” are available to Biden (and other Democrats), and which ones are best to wield. James Fallows has a good piece in The Atlantic sketching out some priorities for Biden, and which things he should do, what he should leave to the administrative functions of government (e.g., pick a good AG and let Justice decide who to prosecute), and what he should leave to congressional Democrats (e.g., investigative committees). David Roberts had a piece at Vox recently where he advocated a “flood the… Read more »