I would give Nancy Pelosi an “A” for her prosecution of  the impeachment inquiry. Her sense of timing, of shifts in mass sentiments, and of the imperative of broad democratic and people’s unity is superb. She’s got the art of politics down pretty well. And we might want to take some notes for our own edification.

I am impressed with the deep and broad bench of able legislators and politicians in the Democratic Party. In watching MSNBC, I find myself marveling at the many and new faces, especially women and people of color, who are in prominent positions and speak for the Democratic Party. Among other things, it tells me that the center of gravity in the party has shifted in a progressive direction.

As this article makes clear, William Barr is s religious extremist too. He’s a Catholic and it is interesting to note that a good number of right wing extremists in position of power are Catholics, not least on the Supreme Court. It was in the Catholic Church that my early religious training and mis-education began and ended. In my late teens I said to myself, “Who needs all this guilt inducing moralizing?” I answered, “Not me.” And promptly left the church and religion behind. No regrets on that decision.

John Conyers was a great son of the African American people and a leader of the progressive movement for more than a half century. He was one of those extraordinary African American leaders that grew up in and came out of Detroit decades ago. Much of what animates today’s movement and frames the current conversation in the Democratic presidential primary were John’s talking points a half century ago. He wasn’t perfect, but, oh my, what courage he possessed and when it came to fighting for equality, justice, and peace, he was fearless. And the guy was cool! I’m saddened.

Here is his obituary in the NYT:

The father of John Conyers Jr. — John Conyers Sr. — was an auto worker and part of a whole cohort of young Black auto workers, including  Coleman Young and Dave Moore, who were at the heart of the organization of Ford and its giant River Rouge plant as well as in the middle of the political transformation of Detroit back in the day. No doubt their readiness to battle titans and their superior political intelligence left their mark on a young John Conyers Jr. Long may they run!