How Long Is This Journey?

Are we almost there? Can't we take a rest break?

Note: This site can also be accessed by entering FeathersOfHope.net in your browser window

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For new readers, here are links to some previous posts that will bring you up to date on what the Feathers of Hope network has been doing :

Wait, Exactly How Will We Do This? — (January 28)

Replacing McCarthy - A Progress Report — (February 16)

Moderate Republicans? Really? — (March 2)

Spread The Word, Write or Call Today — (April 6)

Escape From MAGA World — (May 3)

Is There A Crack In The Wall? — (June 29)

More Sand In The Gears — (July 21)

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Feathers of Hope is a network of ordinary citizens committed to advocating for the removal and replacement of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, thereby diminishing the power and influence of MAGA extremists in the chamber.

We have been urging moderate Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives to form a temporary bipartisan majority voting bloc for the purpose of passing a motion to “vacate the chair” and elect a new Republican Speaker who owes nothing to the minority MAGA group.

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A couple days ago, one of the earliest and most active members of our network posted a comment on this site, asking me the following:

"Jerry, ...with House Republicans...repeatedly failing to rebuke with action the extremist base, are you certain, just over a year out from the November 2024 election, that you want "Feathers of Hope" to focus exclusively on removing McCarthy as Speaker?"

As I started writing an answer, I realized the question she asks is one that many others probably have as well.   So today I decided to share my reply with all of you.

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Thank you so much for raising this question.  It's one I struggle with pretty regularly, and your presenting it so directly has inspired a weekend of reflection.  

And thanks as well for continuing to express respect for my work.  It's enormously helpful, especially when a sense of futility begins to creep in. I've been banging this drum for nearly eight months now, and there's scant evidence that anyone outside our fellow band-mates is hearing the beat.  E-mails are rarely answered, phone conversations are invariably courteous but unresponsive as to content.  

Nevertheless, I'm convinced that the election of a strong, independent Speaker to replace Kevin McCarthy would be the single most effective way to protect the People's House from MAGA's on-going assault.  Like the threat of a debt default this past Spring, a potential government shutdown in October would have dire consequences for many ordinary citizens.  Worse, each small victory for MAGA extremists emboldens them.  And it increases the likelihood of yet more, and more serious, attacks.  

Everyone needs to keep in mind that this is not just a typical minority voting bloc like libertarians, or even the Tea Party.  The MAGA faction supports and identifies with January 6 conspirators, while speaking openly and proudly of a coming civil war.  It's maddening that those Representatives who are in a position to actually confront and defeat them continue to seek refuge behind an out-dated facade of party unity.  

The fact that a temporary cross-party alliance produced a bipartisan majority to raise the debt limit, and that it will happen again to pass appropriation bills to avoid a government shutdown, suggests that the prospect of that same bipartisan majority taking a decisive and bold next step is tantalizingly close. 

I'm acutely aware that no Speaker has ever been voted out of office by the House, and only two have ever resigned.  But likewise, no incumbent President has ever refused to peacefully concede defeat or conspired to obstruct the certification of his successor's election.   It's not irrational to expect that his ardent supporters should, at the very least, be denied influence in the House of Representatives by those Members who, without reservation or purpose of evasion, have sworn to defend the Constitution.  Our purpose is to remind them of this, and urge them to do so.

Having come this far, I'm unwilling now to turn back.  I'm unwilling to throw up my hands, surrender and declare there's nothing more to be done about it -- MAGA wins.  No, that is not an option for me.  Nor would it be faithful to all who've joined this network specifically because of the one reason it exists in the first place.

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All that being said, the question remains whether Feathers of Hope, should continue to be focused exclusively on this one issue.  There's no denying that on the one occasion when I wrote about another topic (the Georgia RICO indictment of former President Trump), there was an overwhelming response. And I frequently post comments on other sites about other subjects.  So there's no reluctance on my part to share my opinions.

But I do want to maintain the identity of this site.  As described in our "About" section:

"Feathers of Hope (is) a meeting place for activists and their supporters.  Like many other forums, we are here to identify and discuss public issues.  But unlike the others, we're doing so for the purpose of affecting policy."

The point is not to showcase one writer’s work, but to facilitate doing something about an issue rather than just talk about it. Keeping this in mind, I’d very much like to know if you have any suggestions about how our focus could be expanded.

One idea I have is to add a new feature, tentatively titled "In Other News" to these weekly posts.   There I would regularly comment on a current issue or news event, but also try to provide a link to some organization, or maybe suggest  additional steps people can take to "do something, rather than just talk about it."  

Please let me know what you think, either in the comment section or by emailing me directly at JerryWeiss@Substack.com . Thanks again for your support and participation in the Feathers Of Hope project. —Jerry

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In Other News

• The United Auto Workers is currently in contract negotiations with the “Big 3” auto makers. The union views the transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles as a great opportunity for workers in manufacturing not only EV’s, but also buses and trains. The UAW is asking the public to leave a message for Big 3 CEO’s in support by calling this number: 318-300-1249. You can find a list of talking points and learn about other ways to help here: Quick Action Guide (Thank you Jessica Craven)

• Former Labor Secty. Robert Reich has a new video out about Starbucks Workers Union organizing efforts. You can view it here: It’s Time To Roast Starbucks. The union has a robust customer action outreach here: Customers Join The Fight.