Why you are sharing a Mallorca vacation update in the same post as low income families of four will see higher medical costs is beyond me. Big blind spot. I’m out.
I fail to see where the two things are related. If you read this post regularly, I think you'd agree that Jen deserves a vacation for her tireless efforts. Staying home would have zero impact on medical costs.
She never said Rubin should have stayed at home - only that the vacation story is not appropriate in the same blog. It is OK to disagree with others, but not to twist their words.
I think you may be misunderstanding my comment. I’m disagreeing with the remark that started this thread. Defending Jen’s actually working while on vacation.
My remark didn’t deserve that vitriolic response, at least until I had a chance to clarify “WTH” I was talking about.
And I’m not going anywhere, so my backside is in no danger, but I appreciate your concern.
Maybe you should be the one to step outside, Thomas, take a deep breath and re-READ the post you're criticizing. And FTR, jumping to conclusions and telling someone 'don't let the door hit your backside' sounds pretty christian to this atheist.
Jen and Norm spend 18 hour days bringing us truth, planning litigation, and carrying it to court, plus writing columns and bringing us live interviews many times a week. Cut Jen some slack. She deserves a vacation to refresh and recharge to be able to keep up the good work. Even on vacation she is thinking of all the abhorrent happenings streaming out of MAGA DC. Not many of us would want to do that.
Given that people who never leave the US are ignorant of other countries’ cultures and history, and more likely to believe the US is “the best country in the world,” with no experience to the contrary, we can all benefit from a wider perspective. Jen is fighting against this heinous regime, not supporting it. You’re looking for ways to denigrate her and her efforts.
While I understand your reaction, Sara. We all have to find a way to take care of ourselves during this battle because it is a long one. I hope you too have a way to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us sometimes and aren't just focused on everything horrible all the time.
It’s time for everyone to do their part to make sure that the big ugly lie of a bill doesn’t get passed. Call and write your Congress members and share this important information to stop it and get out to protest it—to do your part.Jen has done her part here—and over and over again. She is trying to stop it in every way she can. Taking a nice vacation is important and I support it and appreciate reading about it to imagine such a wonderful place. We have people suffering every day from poverty but people still take vacations. Having the information on both the ugliness of the bill and taking a vacation is a transparent reality. Since she is on vacation—I am grateful that she took the time to do this.
Please don’t degrade someone for taking a vacation while continuing to report on what’s going on in the world, especially in the USA. Besides informing all on what’s happening with the Big Not Beautiful bill, Jen is showing us there is a whole big world to discover. True not everyone can afford to travel at this moment, however learning about other places expands the mind….so maybe instead of turning off - set a goal, plan a trip, make a budget, save a little $ at a time - and Travel, it’s good for the soul!
WTF? The fact that republicans in congress are trying to pass an absolutely repugnant bill through congress means Jen Rubin can't take a vacation? Get a grip, dear.
This is like the attitude of people who say Democrats have no right to talk about the environmental crisis because they fly in airplanes or own cars. Scripture has something to say about motes and beams: it applies here.
I agree with everyone that Jen needs and deserves a vacation. My initial reaction to the juxtaposition of the pain low income families are feeling with Jen's high class vacation seems tone deaf and jarring to me. I would have loved to read about her vacation in a separate article.
The "Big, Beautiful Bill" is so long that it has all kinds of bad stuff hidden within it. I'm hoping someone will help us become aware of all that is hidden in the bill that is harmful to our democracy.
Bob, the one part of it that I have become aware of (thanks to Robert Reich) that gives me fits (and I have already spaced out the misleading name for this bit of legislation) is the effort to control non-profits by deeming them "terrorist operations" and suspending their tax-exempt status - thereby, effectively, putting them out of business. You & I know where this one will go.....weaponized abuse of power, immediately. Goodbye NPR, and many others. This is hidden in this big bill.
From Heather Cox Richardson last night : "...12 swing-state Republicans who don’t want drastic Medicaid cuts, and 31 hardliners who do. House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) can afford to lose only three Republican votes on the measure. Nicole Lafond of Talking Points Memo reported today that Trump will go to Capitol Hill tomorrow to talk Republicans into voting for the measure."
He's there now.
Besides the Medicare issue, lots of other dissension.
We need to encourage Don Bacon R. NE. and other Republicans who are standing up to Trump and MAGA Mike. He and Reps. David Valadao, R-Calif., Don Bacon, R-Neb., Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., Rob Bresnahan Jr., R-Pa., Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., Jen Kiggans, R-Va., Young Kim, R-Calif., Robert Wittman, R-Va., Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., and Jeff Hurd, R-Colo signed a letter:
“Many hospitals — particularly in rural and underserved areas — rely heavily on Medicaid funding, with some receiving over half their revenue from the program alone,” the representatives wrote. “Providers in these areas are especially at risk of closure, with many unable to recover. When hospitals close, it affects all constituents, regardless of healthcare coverage.”
Besides the Medicaid issue, Republican Reps have called out Trump/Musk on national security and tariffs.
On MSNBC Saturday, Velshi asked Bacon about tariffs. He said, in essence, any Reagan Republican would remove Trump tariff authority. To do that, they need all of the House Dems.
Plus Bacon said Trump has a "moral blindscape" re Ukraine. Retired General. Russia is not a superpower. Mexico with nuclear weapons.
Says anyone who served has to oppose Hegseth, SIGNAL.
Says we are better than any other country in agriculture. Says Trump has broken free trade. In essence, we are losing the trade war
The BIG SHOCK we got here in Baghdad By the Sea is the SCOTUS approval of eliminating temporary status for Venezuelans. They are saying that many will be tortured, murdered if they have to return.
We are represented by 3 Cuban Amedican Republicans. Cubans will bear the same fate. Please object to the Cuban American National Foundation, 1820 Jefferson Pl NW. Washington, DC 20036. Dupont Circle, Downtown. Directions · (202) 530-1894, and to
That's one reason that Mike Johnson is fast-tracking it in the House, assuming that legislators won't have time to read it. It's a horror story from beginning to end. BTW, don't expect the main stream media to expound much upon it - they've collectively bent the knee to Trump.
As a retired elementary school teacher, I'm calling Trump's bill "the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad bill." Every parent and teacher of young children should know where this is coming from…
Thank you for sharing your well researched and balanced information. What a delight to see beautiful country rich with history and glorious meals prepared with care. Thank you. Happy for your ability to live this and share. Generous.
The rethugs in Congress are so addicted to their Big Beautiful campaign donations that they are a zombie chorus chanting 'Tax Cuts' even though it will trash the Nation and Economy. How this is not treason, escapes me. Beautiful pics and Travel Log, Jen!
Check the definition of 'treason'. It really doesn't fit. What we have here is unprincipled exercise of power lacking decency, morality, and respect for the people of the country. There is also a shocking level of incompetence.
My husband has pointed out that the administration has declared that we are at war, which is why the Alien Enemies act can be invoked, so that is another reason that treason applies.
This bill is a monument to all of those who created and honor the Citizens United decision worshipped by the SCOTUS-owner billionaires. Take money from the poor (since they don't deserve any) to line the pockets of the wealthy and who then purchase as many government officials as they can.
So sorry that the bile coming from your home country is still reaching you in Palma!
Don the Con has always loved the phrase "big, beautiful". He probably developed it when he was a huckster pushing buildings. I remember in 2016 he had no idea what to do with health care, but he promised us that whatever he came up with to replace Obamacare would be "big and beautiful". Fortunately (for both him and us), John McCain saved Don the Con from himself by voting a thumbs down on the repeal.
Here's a hint to doublespeak: if you hold your "reconciliation" budget package session (in order to stop a Senate filibuster-- there's no other reason) at 1:00AM (yes, that's right -- in the wee witching hours), it is very clearly NOT a "great big beautiful bill." It's a great big pile of shit and cruelty, and you are clearly trying to conceal that fact from us.
Never have I ever seen a shabbier, greedier, stupider bunch of cruel, dumb kumquats all bowing and scraping before a rancid megalomaniac and criminal whose brain is so filled with dementia and toxic slime he can't even speak a single coherent sentence.
"While Republicans, who have vowed to reduce red ink, say higher economic growth will fill the gap, budget analysts across the political spectrum have panned the Republican plan, warning that it worsens the U.S. fiscal picture."
Republicans always say that their spending cuts will result in higher economic growth. How are people still falling for this con?
Thank you Jen for calling attention to the things that are being destroyed in our country. Sara, although on the surface the subjects may seem unrelated, but 47 is dismantling our nation’s history, science, and culture. Jen works even on her vacation to help us to not forget what we are loosing.
There is hope the budget won’t be approved in the Senate. Fingers crossed!
Mondays seem a popular closing day in Greensboro, NC, especially for restaurants, but also other businesses that stay open all weekend.When I was a small town kid in Georgia, closing days were Wednesday afternoon and all day Sunday.
Why you are sharing a Mallorca vacation update in the same post as low income families of four will see higher medical costs is beyond me. Big blind spot. I’m out.
I fail to see where the two things are related. If you read this post regularly, I think you'd agree that Jen deserves a vacation for her tireless efforts. Staying home would have zero impact on medical costs.
She never said Rubin should have stayed at home - only that the vacation story is not appropriate in the same blog. It is OK to disagree with others, but not to twist their words.
Sara, that's ridiculous. Jen cares enough to have quit her job to take up the cause and she is an effective voice. I agree with Charlie.
As do I. Jen has nothing to prove. She shows us her integrity every day. Let her breathe without trash talkin’, for cryin’ out loud.
"Trash talkin'"? WTH are you talking about?
Don't let the door hit your backside on the way out.
I'm not much of a Christian, but 1 Timothy 5:18 seems apropos here.
I think you may be misunderstanding my comment. I’m disagreeing with the remark that started this thread. Defending Jen’s actually working while on vacation.
My remark didn’t deserve that vitriolic response, at least until I had a chance to clarify “WTH” I was talking about.
And I’m not going anywhere, so my backside is in no danger, but I appreciate your concern.
I think Thomas was replying to Sara not you. At least I hope he was!
That's correct. Sorry for the confusion.
Maybe you should be the one to step outside, Thomas, take a deep breath and re-READ the post you're criticizing. And FTR, jumping to conclusions and telling someone 'don't let the door hit your backside' sounds pretty christian to this atheist.
Me too.
Jen and Norm spend 18 hour days bringing us truth, planning litigation, and carrying it to court, plus writing columns and bringing us live interviews many times a week. Cut Jen some slack. She deserves a vacation to refresh and recharge to be able to keep up the good work. Even on vacation she is thinking of all the abhorrent happenings streaming out of MAGA DC. Not many of us would want to do that.
Given that people who never leave the US are ignorant of other countries’ cultures and history, and more likely to believe the US is “the best country in the world,” with no experience to the contrary, we can all benefit from a wider perspective. Jen is fighting against this heinous regime, not supporting it. You’re looking for ways to denigrate her and her efforts.
Oh, I dunno. If anyone deserves a break, it is Jennifer Rubin. And look, there is another world out there! All told, that is a good thing.
While I understand your reaction, Sara. We all have to find a way to take care of ourselves during this battle because it is a long one. I hope you too have a way to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us sometimes and aren't just focused on everything horrible all the time.
It’s time for everyone to do their part to make sure that the big ugly lie of a bill doesn’t get passed. Call and write your Congress members and share this important information to stop it and get out to protest it—to do your part.Jen has done her part here—and over and over again. She is trying to stop it in every way she can. Taking a nice vacation is important and I support it and appreciate reading about it to imagine such a wonderful place. We have people suffering every day from poverty but people still take vacations. Having the information on both the ugliness of the bill and taking a vacation is a transparent reality. Since she is on vacation—I am grateful that she took the time to do this.
Please don’t degrade someone for taking a vacation while continuing to report on what’s going on in the world, especially in the USA. Besides informing all on what’s happening with the Big Not Beautiful bill, Jen is showing us there is a whole big world to discover. True not everyone can afford to travel at this moment, however learning about other places expands the mind….so maybe instead of turning off - set a goal, plan a trip, make a budget, save a little $ at a time - and Travel, it’s good for the soul!
You’re simply being small minded.
WTF? The fact that republicans in congress are trying to pass an absolutely repugnant bill through congress means Jen Rubin can't take a vacation? Get a grip, dear.
This is like the attitude of people who say Democrats have no right to talk about the environmental crisis because they fly in airplanes or own cars. Scripture has something to say about motes and beams: it applies here.
And I do believe we can walk and chew gum at the same time. Two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
I agree with everyone that Jen needs and deserves a vacation. My initial reaction to the juxtaposition of the pain low income families are feeling with Jen's high class vacation seems tone deaf and jarring to me. I would have loved to read about her vacation in a separate article.
didn't Jesus say something like the poor will always be with you
sara, so may I take it you don't go on vacation and send your vacation money to your local food bank ?
what is wrong w/the 37 of you who liked this post ??
Jen deserves a vacation. Come on!
Contrast? Makes people think, after they become furious. This leads to action for change. In my opinion anyway…
The "Big, Beautiful Bill" is so long that it has all kinds of bad stuff hidden within it. I'm hoping someone will help us become aware of all that is hidden in the bill that is harmful to our democracy.
Bob, the one part of it that I have become aware of (thanks to Robert Reich) that gives me fits (and I have already spaced out the misleading name for this bit of legislation) is the effort to control non-profits by deeming them "terrorist operations" and suspending their tax-exempt status - thereby, effectively, putting them out of business. You & I know where this one will go.....weaponized abuse of power, immediately. Goodbye NPR, and many others. This is hidden in this big bill.
From Heather Cox Richardson last night : "...12 swing-state Republicans who don’t want drastic Medicaid cuts, and 31 hardliners who do. House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) can afford to lose only three Republican votes on the measure. Nicole Lafond of Talking Points Memo reported today that Trump will go to Capitol Hill tomorrow to talk Republicans into voting for the measure."
He's there now.
Besides the Medicare issue, lots of other dissension.
We need to encourage Don Bacon R. NE. and other Republicans who are standing up to Trump and MAGA Mike. He and Reps. David Valadao, R-Calif., Don Bacon, R-Neb., Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., Rob Bresnahan Jr., R-Pa., Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., Jen Kiggans, R-Va., Young Kim, R-Calif., Robert Wittman, R-Va., Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., and Jeff Hurd, R-Colo signed a letter:
“Many hospitals — particularly in rural and underserved areas — rely heavily on Medicaid funding, with some receiving over half their revenue from the program alone,” the representatives wrote. “Providers in these areas are especially at risk of closure, with many unable to recover. When hospitals close, it affects all constituents, regardless of healthcare coverage.”
Besides the Medicaid issue, Republican Reps have called out Trump/Musk on national security and tariffs.
On MSNBC Saturday, Velshi asked Bacon about tariffs. He said, in essence, any Reagan Republican would remove Trump tariff authority. To do that, they need all of the House Dems.
Plus Bacon said Trump has a "moral blindscape" re Ukraine. Retired General. Russia is not a superpower. Mexico with nuclear weapons.
Says anyone who served has to oppose Hegseth, SIGNAL.
Says we are better than any other country in agriculture. Says Trump has broken free trade. In essence, we are losing the trade war
The BIG SHOCK we got here in Baghdad By the Sea is the SCOTUS approval of eliminating temporary status for Venezuelans. They are saying that many will be tortured, murdered if they have to return.
We are represented by 3 Cuban Amedican Republicans. Cubans will bear the same fate. Please object to the Cuban American National Foundation, 1820 Jefferson Pl NW. Washington, DC 20036. Dupont Circle, Downtown. Directions · (202) 530-1894, and to
Mario Díaz-Balart
Congressman, R-Florida
Phone: (202) 225-4211. Fax: (202) 225-8576. Doral District Office. 8669 NW 36th Street. Suite 100. Doral, FL 33166. Phone: (305) 470-8555. Fax: (305) 470-8575
Carlos Giménez
Congressman, R-Florida
Phone 202-225-2778, 14221 SW 120th St. #115. Miami, FL 33186. Phone: (305) 222-0160. Key West. 1100 Simonton St. Room 1-213. Key West FL, 33040. Phone: (305) 292-4485.
Nicole Malliotakis
Congresswoman, R-New York
(202) 225-3371. Staten Island District Office. 1698 Victory Blvd. Suite 2L. Staten Island, NY 10314. Phone: (718) 568-2870. Brooklyn District Office.
María Elvira Salazar
Congresswoman, R-Florida
305-668-2285 (Miami) or 202-225-3931 (Washington, D.C.).
That's one reason that Mike Johnson is fast-tracking it in the House, assuming that legislators won't have time to read it. It's a horror story from beginning to end. BTW, don't expect the main stream media to expound much upon it - they've collectively bent the knee to Trump.
Its hidden even from Repubs, its not got words entirely yet!
As a retired elementary school teacher, I'm calling Trump's bill "the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad bill." Every parent and teacher of young children should know where this is coming from…
Thank you for sharing your well researched and balanced information. What a delight to see beautiful country rich with history and glorious meals prepared with care. Thank you. Happy for your ability to live this and share. Generous.
The rethugs in Congress are so addicted to their Big Beautiful campaign donations that they are a zombie chorus chanting 'Tax Cuts' even though it will trash the Nation and Economy. How this is not treason, escapes me. Beautiful pics and Travel Log, Jen!
Check the definition of 'treason'. It really doesn't fit. What we have here is unprincipled exercise of power lacking decency, morality, and respect for the people of the country. There is also a shocking level of incompetence.
technically you are right, one must be at war to be accused of treason....but are they not at war against democracy ? The answer is yes
My husband has pointed out that the administration has declared that we are at war, which is why the Alien Enemies act can be invoked, so that is another reason that treason applies.
Right you are! It's a point that I overlooked, and thank you for the correction.
This bill is a monument to all of those who created and honor the Citizens United decision worshipped by the SCOTUS-owner billionaires. Take money from the poor (since they don't deserve any) to line the pockets of the wealthy and who then purchase as many government officials as they can.
So sorry that the bile coming from your home country is still reaching you in Palma!
Abust-e-bate-oee. First letters From Jen’s quote: can we fine tune these letters as a battle cry/ slogan? Plenty of vowels to work with.
“A Big Ugly Scheme To Enrich Billionaires At The Expense Of Everyone Else”
Thank you for what you do! (Enjoy spain; don’t miss visiting Altamira, World UNESCO prehistoric cave sight with excellent museum, near Bilbao).
Don the Con has always loved the phrase "big, beautiful". He probably developed it when he was a huckster pushing buildings. I remember in 2016 he had no idea what to do with health care, but he promised us that whatever he came up with to replace Obamacare would be "big and beautiful". Fortunately (for both him and us), John McCain saved Don the Con from himself by voting a thumbs down on the repeal.
Here's a hint to doublespeak: if you hold your "reconciliation" budget package session (in order to stop a Senate filibuster-- there's no other reason) at 1:00AM (yes, that's right -- in the wee witching hours), it is very clearly NOT a "great big beautiful bill." It's a great big pile of shit and cruelty, and you are clearly trying to conceal that fact from us.
Never have I ever seen a shabbier, greedier, stupider bunch of cruel, dumb kumquats all bowing and scraping before a rancid megalomaniac and criminal whose brain is so filled with dementia and toxic slime he can't even speak a single coherent sentence.
good things before 12M bad things after 12M
"While Republicans, who have vowed to reduce red ink, say higher economic growth will fill the gap, budget analysts across the political spectrum have panned the Republican plan, warning that it worsens the U.S. fiscal picture."
Republicans always say that their spending cuts will result in higher economic growth. How are people still falling for this con?
An excellent description regarding a horrific bill, with damaging results. Frightening to watch them promote and vote on such a sad direction.
Thank you Jen for calling attention to the things that are being destroyed in our country. Sara, although on the surface the subjects may seem unrelated, but 47 is dismantling our nation’s history, science, and culture. Jen works even on her vacation to help us to not forget what we are loosing.
“Let’s call it what it is: A big, ugly scheme to enrich billionaires at the expense of everyone else.”
Let’s call it what it is: Disgusting! Useless! Feckless! Ridiculous!
There is hope the budget won’t be approved in the Senate. Fingers crossed!
Mondays seem a popular closing day in Greensboro, NC, especially for restaurants, but also other businesses that stay open all weekend.When I was a small town kid in Georgia, closing days were Wednesday afternoon and all day Sunday.
Huge, Heinous, Hideous Bill. Theft motivated by insatiable pQg greed.