The Night Light with Joshua Johnson
The Night Light with Joshua Johnson
Episode 12: Getting Our House (of Representatives) In Order
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Episode 12: Getting Our House (of Representatives) In Order

The crisis in Israel is one more reason to end our Congressional chaos

So much for my last article’s reference to the frog and the scorpion. Now we have to talk about the doves and the hawks.

This weekend, Hamas attacked Israel. It happened during the holiday of Sukkot, stunning the world with the scale and coordination of the assault. Israel is known for its extensive intelligence apparatus, as well as its high-tech missile defense system called the Iron Dome. Both failed to prevent this attack, leaving hundreds of Israelis dead within hours. Hamas has also taken military and civilian hostages. Some have compared it to Pearl Harbor, or 9/11, in terms of its impact on the Israeli people.

I was hoping to use my tongue-in-cheek rendition of that classic fable in this week’s episode, but we have bigger problems than the political fate of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The bigger problem is how to fill that vacancy, quickly. Congress cannot do many of the functions that would normally happen almost automatically after such an act of war, simply because the House does not have the speakership settled. Will the situation in Israel speed up the process?

This episode was taped before the attack happened, but it remains relevant. Congress has yet another crisis to contend with: an internal one that it seems almost addicted to enduring over and over. Funding for the government is set to run out in a few weeks.

PAID SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY “ASK ME ANYTHING” COMING SOON

Thanks for your patience during my hiatus. I tried to make it somewhat restful, but… nope. I spent the time working on other projects, including a new line of business. And I’m still getting my home studio together. My equipment is good, but it’s also just barely out of date enough that it lacks the versatility I need to really fire on all cylinders. If I wasn’t the master of calming breaths before, I am now. Still, it’s nice to make time for taking stock of the show.

I really enjoyed the last Ask Me Anything we did, and it’s time for another one. Paid subscribers get priority access to things like that, and you can expect one very soon. I apologize for not being able to get all these perks flowing as freely & quickly as hoped, but we’ll get there.

For now, check out Episode 12, share it with a friend, and let me know what you think.

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The Night Light with Joshua Johnson
The Night Light with Joshua Johnson
Bright, nonpartisan insights on news & culture from former NPR & MSNBC host Joshua Johnson.