He did what he had to do on that horrible day which the evil in the White House again did not want him to do. Who caused an insurrection and wanted him hung. As much as I don’t agree with some of the things he did as vice president he did have courage to stand up against trump.
I have to agree here with Muriel, Liv. The guy is “Hess.” Just because at the last moment he does the right thing? What about the other days of the four years where he sat there and watched Trump do nothing but the wrong thing?
He does get points for having courage in that moment. He did risk his life and he asked the men of his protection detail to do the same. And he did affirm the Constitution. But to my knowledge to this day he has never spoken out against the President about it. He’s never condemned the act. He’s never taken a stand against the him on it.
I did think for a second that this was Andy Borowitz, but upon consideration I have to say that Pence showed more spine than most of the Republican Party has displayed in this more horrible Trump term. He has most certainly condemned the act and spoken out against Trump, not surprisingly since Dear Leader was just fine with him being lynched by a bunch of white trash loons. There is considerable irony in this award, but on reflection I like it. It’s a real slap in the face to the craven tools squatting in the Capitol these days.
Mike Pence is no hero. Full stop. What he did was what he should have done. Since when do we give brownie points to people who are elected to, and take an oath to uphold the constitution, and finally are forced to do it? We give courage a bad name.
While he finally stepped up over January 6, I too still struggle with all of the other issues that he seemed to turn a blind eye to that should have also been called out along the way.
I think referring to him as 'Hess' is a misnomer because the real Hess knew much earlier that Hitler was a serious threat and tried to do something. Pence sat through a lot of crap where he should have spoken out and only at the almost very end did he finally actually stand up for what was right.
I struggle, too. Yet, even in this speech he supported Ukraine. This was not easy. We are watching the Republicans in congress bow to all trump’s heinous acts- in real time.
Nah. I think the comparison is accurate. Rudolph Hess was a true believer in Hitler and Nazism. I believe Pence to be the same. That is why he has never spoken out against MAGA. Why does he continue this fiction?
Now I believe it's done out of fear. But at the time, I believe it was done out of duty and devotion.
He's Hess. Just as Hess later came to regret his decision and hung himself in Spandau... Pence will proverbially hang himself politically on the noose Trump made for him.
There is a credo that I know Liv believes... and I believe... and it's this...
You cannot deny to whom you have served.
If he won't renounce him, then quite frankly? He can truly go fuck himself.
I do appreciate Olivia’s comments here. She shows more guts than the former vice president with her column in these times. I’m 78 and my parents were educated liberals, so I’ve spent my entire life in knee-jerk opposition to Republican administrations.😄I can’t imagine how disillusioning it must have been for idealistic young people to join an administration that had more disdain for America than all the others put together. God bless you, Olivia.
Olivia, you are far more deserving of this honor over your former boss. You have demonstrated ceaseless amounts of courage since leaving your post in the administration. How can we forget his four years standing alongside while unspeakable damage was occurring, day after day. He stood by and supported everything until Jan 6th. I give him credit for finally standing up, but where was he before that day?
I am sorry Olivia to say, but I agree with Steve Schmidt's commentary about your former boss. Too little, and way too late.
With all due respect Olivia, this man was a spineless sycophant right up to Jan 6th, The fact he had to call Dan Quayle and ask of he could deny the counting of the electoral votes tells everyone he deserves nothing but ridicule. He stood by as trump told over 33000 lies. He never spoke up once. This cheapened the award. Go back and read your column about Ovechkin and then see the parallels between Pence and Ovechkin...both are pawns...also, a speech that pretty much is a cynical attempt to rehab his image assumes people are stupid...true courage would be speaking out about what is happening today...he is cowering in a corner as the constitution and rule of law are trampled...you are speaking out, why isn't he?
I do think he showed courage at the end but let’s not forget that he also tried to figure out any way that he could do what Trump wanted first. I have mixed feelings and his religious bigotry is a turn off.
I say kudos to YOU, Olivia. Yes, Pence in his role as vice president of the US, acted with conviction in that critical MOMENT, and it certainly mattered. We, The People, owe him gratefulness for that. And the medal emphasizes that. AND your willingness to speak your truth openly from the position you
held is certainly also as courageous and critical. Thank you.
I think he waited way too long. I'm not gonna say he wasn't brave that day . Just wish he had done more before Trump almost let him hang. Truly. The bar is pretty low for profiles in courage with this regime. In that sense, I guess it makes sense.
No doubt Pence displayed courage on Jan 6 and in the spirit of moving forward we need to be gracious in spite of his support for Trump prior to that. I also deeply respect anyone's religious choice, but I wish Pence would find a way to be more inclusive when he speaks of religion. It would help heal this country if he and others were not so dogmatic about their views and appreciate that others who also care about humanity take different paths.
Thank you so much Olivia: I got to be honest with you. I did not like the man until that terrible day of 6 Jan 2021 when he stood tall for democracy and the rule of law. I am so glad I listened to this video and his message. His message changed my heart. What a beautiful, dedicated decent man. I got to tell you he brought me to tears, Tears of hope for your country, the constitution, democracy and the rule of law. Mike is a very humble , selfless , wonderful human being . I just love the man and if you should speak to him give him my regards. Thanks again Olivia.
He finally just did his duty which is not a courageous act. It was the very first time he disagreed with Trump and that was only after Trump incited the mob against him. This is an insult to courageous people.
He did what he had to do on that horrible day which the evil in the White House again did not want him to do. Who caused an insurrection and wanted him hung. As much as I don’t agree with some of the things he did as vice president he did have courage to stand up against trump.
Mike Pence is no profile in courage. He propped up the current white supremacist in the oval. No ma’am we will not be gaslighted.
I have to agree here with Muriel, Liv. The guy is “Hess.” Just because at the last moment he does the right thing? What about the other days of the four years where he sat there and watched Trump do nothing but the wrong thing?
He does get points for having courage in that moment. He did risk his life and he asked the men of his protection detail to do the same. And he did affirm the Constitution. But to my knowledge to this day he has never spoken out against the President about it. He’s never condemned the act. He’s never taken a stand against the him on it.
Hardly courageous now … is that?
Good points.
Although, I think for Pence there is also a lot of "they will kill me" threat still left behind that keeps him in line.
I did think for a second that this was Andy Borowitz, but upon consideration I have to say that Pence showed more spine than most of the Republican Party has displayed in this more horrible Trump term. He has most certainly condemned the act and spoken out against Trump, not surprisingly since Dear Leader was just fine with him being lynched by a bunch of white trash loons. There is considerable irony in this award, but on reflection I like it. It’s a real slap in the face to the craven tools squatting in the Capitol these days.
Mike Pence is no hero. Full stop. What he did was what he should have done. Since when do we give brownie points to people who are elected to, and take an oath to uphold the constitution, and finally are forced to do it? We give courage a bad name.
While he finally stepped up over January 6, I too still struggle with all of the other issues that he seemed to turn a blind eye to that should have also been called out along the way.
I think referring to him as 'Hess' is a misnomer because the real Hess knew much earlier that Hitler was a serious threat and tried to do something. Pence sat through a lot of crap where he should have spoken out and only at the almost very end did he finally actually stand up for what was right.
I struggle, too. Yet, even in this speech he supported Ukraine. This was not easy. We are watching the Republicans in congress bow to all trump’s heinous acts- in real time.
“This was not easy.”
It should have been.
Nah. I think the comparison is accurate. Rudolph Hess was a true believer in Hitler and Nazism. I believe Pence to be the same. That is why he has never spoken out against MAGA. Why does he continue this fiction?
Now I believe it's done out of fear. But at the time, I believe it was done out of duty and devotion.
He's Hess. Just as Hess later came to regret his decision and hung himself in Spandau... Pence will proverbially hang himself politically on the noose Trump made for him.
There is a credo that I know Liv believes... and I believe... and it's this...
You cannot deny to whom you have served.
If he won't renounce him, then quite frankly? He can truly go fuck himself.
Olivia, you are most definitely a profile in courage. Thank you from a grateful American for your service, especially now, to our country.
I do appreciate Olivia’s comments here. She shows more guts than the former vice president with her column in these times. I’m 78 and my parents were educated liberals, so I’ve spent my entire life in knee-jerk opposition to Republican administrations.😄I can’t imagine how disillusioning it must have been for idealistic young people to join an administration that had more disdain for America than all the others put together. God bless you, Olivia.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Olivia, you are far more deserving of this honor over your former boss. You have demonstrated ceaseless amounts of courage since leaving your post in the administration. How can we forget his four years standing alongside while unspeakable damage was occurring, day after day. He stood by and supported everything until Jan 6th. I give him credit for finally standing up, but where was he before that day?
I am sorry Olivia to say, but I agree with Steve Schmidt's commentary about your former boss. Too little, and way too late.
With all due respect Olivia, this man was a spineless sycophant right up to Jan 6th, The fact he had to call Dan Quayle and ask of he could deny the counting of the electoral votes tells everyone he deserves nothing but ridicule. He stood by as trump told over 33000 lies. He never spoke up once. This cheapened the award. Go back and read your column about Ovechkin and then see the parallels between Pence and Ovechkin...both are pawns...also, a speech that pretty much is a cynical attempt to rehab his image assumes people are stupid...true courage would be speaking out about what is happening today...he is cowering in a corner as the constitution and rule of law are trampled...you are speaking out, why isn't he?
Pence was an enabler and it’s laughable he is receiving an award. He sat there for 4 years and did nothing to stop the demise of our democracy.
Absolutely right on, Robin! Indeed, laughable and despicable was the behavior he gave this nation for four years.
Steve Schmidt's newsletter from yesterday on this topic is masterful.
"The performance of duty is not courage. It is the minimum obligation."
I do think he showed courage at the end but let’s not forget that he also tried to figure out any way that he could do what Trump wanted first. I have mixed feelings and his religious bigotry is a turn off.
Mike Pence had a responsibility. He completed that responsibility on January 6. I see no 'profile in courage'.
And then spent years refusing to help hold Trump accountable
I say kudos to YOU, Olivia. Yes, Pence in his role as vice president of the US, acted with conviction in that critical MOMENT, and it certainly mattered. We, The People, owe him gratefulness for that. And the medal emphasizes that. AND your willingness to speak your truth openly from the position you
held is certainly also as courageous and critical. Thank you.
He did the right thing when it mattered most, regardless of the danger. That is what he'll be remembered for.
I think he waited way too long. I'm not gonna say he wasn't brave that day . Just wish he had done more before Trump almost let him hang. Truly. The bar is pretty low for profiles in courage with this regime. In that sense, I guess it makes sense.
No doubt Pence displayed courage on Jan 6 and in the spirit of moving forward we need to be gracious in spite of his support for Trump prior to that. I also deeply respect anyone's religious choice, but I wish Pence would find a way to be more inclusive when he speaks of religion. It would help heal this country if he and others were not so dogmatic about their views and appreciate that others who also care about humanity take different paths.
I appreciate your stand here. Finally, after smiling and kowtowing alf years, Pence finally stood up for what was right and honorable.
NOPE
Thank you so much Olivia: I got to be honest with you. I did not like the man until that terrible day of 6 Jan 2021 when he stood tall for democracy and the rule of law. I am so glad I listened to this video and his message. His message changed my heart. What a beautiful, dedicated decent man. I got to tell you he brought me to tears, Tears of hope for your country, the constitution, democracy and the rule of law. Mike is a very humble , selfless , wonderful human being . I just love the man and if you should speak to him give him my regards. Thanks again Olivia.
The speech was very heartfelt and palpable. I appreciate you taking the time to listen to it.
“It was not an easy choice”
It should have been.
He finally just did his duty which is not a courageous act. It was the very first time he disagreed with Trump and that was only after Trump incited the mob against him. This is an insult to courageous people.