We had a very successful zoom with Adam Schiff two weeks ago.
Almost Retired (Curt) did a masterful job of facilitating the conversation, Athenaze, Argiope and MomSense asked smart, thoughtful questions, and Adam Schiff was gracious and kind, candid and thoughtful in his answers. It was a real delight to have him with us and it felt more like a conversation than any of us expected.
So of course the smart thing to do is change things up, right? (Not usually!)
We were on our best behavior for company, but now we know him (a little bit) and he knows us (a little bit). I talked with Patrick last night, and now that we know each other a little bit, the plan is to TRY to have even more of a conversation, with more give and take.
The theme for tonight’s zoom is We’re Not Helpless Passengers On a Bad Ride, aka Where Do We Go from Here and How Do We Still Have Hope?
More specifically than that, though we are going to focus on a couple of areas that can briefly be described in shorthand as: 1) the Jan 6 commission, and what happens if their results are met with a shrug from Republicans and a collective yawn from the public 2) attempts to control election outcomes with republican Secretaries of State and partisan election officials.
Having said that, the conversation will go wherever Adam Schiff takes us, but this is our thinking going in.
So. if you plan to participate in the zoom, YOUR ASSIGNMENT this afternoon is this:
Assume that:
- You are on an elevator with Adam Schiff
- You have 15 seconds to ask him a question
- It needs to be something he can respond to in a minute or two.
- Within the 2 *broad areas described above, what would you ask him?
If you have a questions, please share them below.
* If you have a burning question that isn’t in one of the two broad categories, you are welcome to include it in the comments.
IN THE ZOOM TONIGHT
If you have a question to ask, even if you have supplied it here, please use Raise Hand as soon as you enter the zoom. It’s best if you summarize the gist of your question in a few words and can use Chat to send the summary to host and co-host (WaterGirl & Curt). If we have an idea of what the questions are, that will help the flow of the conversation.
FYI: If we have the general free-for-all Chat on in the zoom, we can’t possibly sort through all the general chatting to find the questions. And having a sense of the questions in the Chat is key to our being able to open this up for a bit more conversation, hopefully without descending into chaos. :-)
Not to worry, we are not surprising Congressman Schiff with this new format. Now that we all know each other a little bit, his Chief of Staff is very much in support of shaking things up a bit for our second event. Let’s have fun tonight, and let’s make sure Adam Schiff has fun. With your help, we can make this work.
Update: Any questions about how this is all going to work?
WaterGirl
No need to mute yourself when Adam Schiff joins the zoom – let’s give him a warm welcome! He may ask a friendly question like “how is everyone tonight” so you stay unmuted in case he wants a little back and forth as he enters.
But then please mute yourselves once I toss the first question in his direction – if multiple people are unmuted and someone is talking, we can hear an echo and that’s really distracting.
debbie
Will there be live blogging?
WaterGirl
@debbie: Yes, there will be live blogging. But like last time, just for the Adam Schiff portion.
Avalie
Even assuming that the Jan 6 commission report can or will result in meaningful accountability or changes being implemented to prevent a recurrence, is there still time for any of this to happen and to have preventative measures in place before the November midterm elections?
Given the current Supreme Court composition and the failure of the Senate to pass any meaningful voting legislation to date, what is our best bet on pushing back against attempts to control or tamper with election outcomes–keep pressing on the legislative front at the state and federal level?–litigation?–community organizing, i.e., voter registration and voter turnout initiatives? Something else?
schrodingers_cat
@WaterGirl:
What about the chat? It is not clear how you want to use the chat function.
Since only one person can talk at a time I have been using the chat function to respond to what was being said. Is that a good use of the chat or do you have something else in mind?
Thanks.
BSR
For those lurkers such as myself who suddenly woke up and said, “What zoom with Adam Schiff? I’m actually free tonight.” How do we attend?
schrodingers_cat
Question: Is there anything we can do to amplify the Jan 6 public hearings when they take place?
UncleEbeneezer
I don’t think he CAN answer the question but mine would be: is the 1/6 Commission coordinating at all with DoJ?
I know DoJ and the Congressional Commission did coordinate with each other during Watergate (according to Jill Wine-Banks on #SistersInLaw podcast) so it’s definitely possible. I wonder if they are now. But like I said, I suspect Rep. Schiff wouldn’t be able to give an answer.
Have a great zoom. Look forward to reading about it later.
debbie
@WaterGirl:
Great, thanks.
WaterGirl
@schrodingers_cat: For this zoom, we have chat set so that “everyone” is not an option.
You will be able to send to the host/co-host (me and Curt) and no one else will see your comment.
So if you have a question, please use the Chat to share a quick summary of your question, and Curt and I will see your question.
If we can tell that someone’s question is a good follow-up to something being discussed, we can ask you to un-mute, which will be a clue that we think there may soon be an opportunity for you to ask your question. We can also write back in Chat to a single person or to everyone. But from the regular person perspective, your chats will only go to us.
WaterGirl
@BSR: If you have read the book, there is still room at the inn. :-)
If not, then there will be live-blogging and a video of the Adam Schiff portion.
I’m sorry that you missed the other posts about this!
Mai Naem mobile
My question would be will no Dem be chanting ‘lock him up’ in 2024 because TFG will already be locked up?
Seriously, my general question is what happens if the GOP takes over the House next year? Does everything stop Does? Does he think his committee will be done with their job by the end of the year? Will what needs to be done to prevent this from reoccurring be done by the end of the year?
Almost Retired
@schrodingers_cat: It’s a quirk of Zoom technology that it can either be set for an “everyone” chat – like we did last time – or a “chat with the host(s)” which means anyone can chat with the hosts but it won’t be displayed to the entire group. So we had to choose between the two. I don’t know why Zoom does this — maybe they’re doing us a favor by removing the equivalent of the accidental “reply all.”
bluegirlfromwyo
I’m pretty sure 1) will happen My question is what is being done now to help make Republicans accountable for it?
BSR
@WaterGirl:
Replace “missed” with “didn’t notice” or “breezed by” and it’ll be closer. I did go back and searched for “Schiff” and was rewarded by less detail or information than I was hoping.
Fine – I’ll wait to see what is forthcoming, but the “You weren’t here at the start, so don’t ask now!” vibe doesn’t help my tendency to lurk. Sorry…I’m a huge fan (of Adam) and with the 80 or so blogs I frequent, somehow missed this.
MomSense
It’s not a question but because I listened to the audio book, I fell in love with AS’ dad. “He’s a liah” in his dad’s accent is now in steady rotation. TFG or another GQPersays something and I’m shouting he’s a liah at my radio or teevee.
To keep his dad from getting kicked out of his club I think we should invite him to be an honorary jackal and vent away on our top 10,000 blog
japa21
What are the plans to get what the 1/6 committee is doing to as many people as possible? Particularly to those who don’t follow politics.
And process question. Once Adam is gone, will chat be back to the usual method?
Spanish Moss
I have a “current events” question. Col. Vindman has filed suit over the campaign to intimidate and retaliate against him after his testimony, and apparently his suit says that “Lt. Col. Vindman’s continued optimism proved largely wrong,”. Col. Vindman is one of the inspirational figures in Adam’s book, and of course we are all familiar with Vindman’s iconic line, “Here right matters”.
I have these questions: “What is your reaction to Col Vindman’s suit? How can we further protect future whistleblowers against this kind of retaliation? Is there anything an average citizen can do to help facilitate justice in a case like this?
WaterGirl
@BSR: I am really sorry you missed it. If you want to catch up, there is a link to all the posts about the book club in the sidebar, but I also copied it here.
Midnight In Washington Book Club
I am sorry that my reply seemed cold; I didn’t intend it that way.
We had 144 folks sign up for the book club. We started at 40 people and it grew to 144 after I announced that Adam Schiff would be our guest!
Our zoom license is only good for 100 people, so we had to make choices. Luckily, just under 100 wanted to zoom.
So the rule was you had to read the book to do the zooms, and it wouldn’t be fair to change the rules at the last minute. On the other hand, I did offer the opportunity for a few people who hadn’t read the book to join the zoom if they were willing to live-blog the 30-40 minutes with Adam.
I can offer you that opportunity. Does that appeal to you at all?
WaterGirl
@japa21: Process question about the chat: Yes. But we can’t change it once a zoom starts – we tested that earlier this week.
So the only chatting for everyone tonight – even after Adam is gone – will be to or from me and Curt.
But for the next one, I can change it back.
BSR
@WaterGirl: Ok…that puts it in a slightly different perspective. I think the search function of the blog isn’t helping me, but that’s not your fault.
I never had an expectation or desire to ask Adam anything directly. I’ll watch what is forthcoming – was just looking for a link to watch in real time. Not that necessary, as I will be in a more consumptive vs. participatory mode tonight.
Thanks for your kind response!
frosty
Will the Schiff portion be recorded again? I watched the last one that way and it was great.
Mary G
Why do so many Democrats and their voters seem to be “business as usual” about the upcoming election? I’m a Californian who mostly donates out of state (except my awesome rep, Mike Levin) getting boilerplate appeals for money via email, text, and phone that look the same as last year’s and each other’s. I estimate only 25% mention Jan. 6th at all.
I need to see some hair on fire.
WaterGirl
@BSR: I searched for “adam schiff” and also for “midnight in washington” in the “search this site” box and lots of posts came up.
How were you searching?
WaterGirl
@frosty: Yes, there will be video.
*As long as someone reminds me to start recording. :-)
Laura Too
@MomSense: Yes to all of that. We listened to the book on a road trip and I said to my husband that I love his Dad! He sounds awesome.
BSR
@WaterGirl: I did go back and search for “Adam Schiff” just now and got more than I did with just “Schiff”, which is what I used. Not sure why.
I may have seen content from December and assumed it wasn’t relevant to tonight, which is on me.
catfishncod
My job hasn’t left me time to read the book, sadly. If I could ask a question, it would be about the best counter to Bannon et al.’s drive to place (presumely dishonest) partisans at as many election process and oversight points as possible. Should we prioritize a counter-organizing effort? Or journalist style spadework? Or official investigations? Or redoubling on voting rights bills? Or just try to overwhelm the cheating with turnout?
Miss Bianca
Well, rats, WG – I just found out I am going to have to cover my radio recording after all tonight – so I will join for a little while, because I can’t bear not to! I will just have to bug out early – probably right around the time AS finishes up. None of you take it personally, now!
Nancy
Tonight’s themes:
We’re Not Helpless Passengers On a Bad Ride, aka Where Do We Go from Here and How Do We Still Have Hope?
More specifically than that, though we are going to focus on a couple of areas that can briefly be described in shorthand as: 1) the Jan 6 commission, and what happens if their results are met with a shrug from Republicans and a collective yawn from the public 2) attempts to control election outcomes with republican Secretaries of State and partisan election officials.
But first, compliments to Adam on the fancy desk. He is chatting with us about his desk and being human.
Nancy
@Nancy:
Watergirl explains plan for the zoom and Adam Schiff agrees.
Her first question:
About Jan 6th commission:
what happens if the commission results are met with a collective shrug by Repubs.
AS doesn’t hold hopes for Repubs, they lived through it. they have fallen into line behind trump.
Retaining power is their only goal. He goes on to cite the dynamic in impeachment trial. Making the case before two juries: congressional and the 40 million Americans who have an open mind.
Facts still matter to many, hope the voters will hold them accountable.
Watergirl asks whether people are tuned out.
AS trusts that hearings held in prime time will draw viewers.
Nancy
Adam Schiff says he knows that they won’t break through the Fox bubble.
Avalie asks how can we protect the vote, where to put our energy and efforts?
AS says we can try federal efforts but there has to be grass roots efforts in every state to overcome new restrictions, for ex, help people get new ID. come to the defense of local election officials. Grass roots efforts are the most important, on-line efforts to fight voter oppression.
MomSense follow up:
She tells AS about Balloon-Juice support for Four Directions, and the other group we support (sorry, brain fog)
Nancy
AS: Justice Department is not investigating TFG for his phone call to GA to find the votes. Disappointing that they have decided the issue is too hot. He rejects the implication that the pres or former pres is above the law.
H in TN:
Washington seems to move more slowly than we do. AS replies that his committee is moving quickly but he understands concerns that DOJ seems to be not doing enough or at all. Courts are moving quickly for example when tfg has sued. Jan 6 committee is moving quickly.
Nancy
Argiope asks about whether we, citizens, can help when witnesses refuse to honor subpoenas.
AS says most are cooperating, a few have been referred to DOJ. Bannon for example. Mark Meadows is still to be determined.
McCarthy, Jordan haven’t been subpoenaed yet. He considers what mechanisms House can use in response to members who refuse to testify. “Remedies” and what to do about uncooperative (despicable louts) House members is a fraught question.
Nancy
MomSense wants Adam Schiff’s father to know that he is welcome to join Balloon-Juice if his club members reject him.
Adam’s father was hauled up before a club committee for calling a Fox fan an asshole. He would fit right in at BJ. Mr. Schiff was let off with a warning, couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t say naughty words again with sufficient provocation.
Nancy
This is a much lighter evening. It’s been fun and I think Adam Schiff really enjoys us. We are cool, to be honest.
He’s saying nice things as we come to the end. He has to leave at 8:30.
“Today’s repub party doesn’t have any affection for democracy, the party of Reagan is now the party of Putin” Adam Schiff.
Reminds us that we will get through this, thanks us for everything we’re doing.
Nancy
Looks like I put my live blog comments om the wrong thread. Hope someone finds these.
EDIT: Nancy, I copied these into the other thread. thanks for live-blogging!
Scout211
@Nancy:
Can you copy and paste them into the live blog thread? You could even make it one long post. It would be nice to have your wonderful live blogging comments join the others.
HRA
I was glad you were here Nancy. I did not find a live blog thread. Thank you and. good night
WaterGirl
@HRA: The live-blog thread was posted at 7:30 pm.