Reporters and writers who care about understanding the Trump era need to pay a lot closer attention to the role of self-imposed Democratic helplessness. There's a really stunning example of it going on right now. In the sweep of history it's minor but it's incredibly revealing.

If you urge Democrats to impeach before Monday, you'll probably get a bunch of responses shouting at you about the House rules, claiming Dems are moving as fast as possible and that it's impossible to reconvene before then.
These claims appear to be false - there are ways to end the House's recess. Besides, it's strange to claim the Dems are moving with urgency when Pelosi is the one who recessed the House in the first place.

But what's even stranger than these claims is where they're coming from.

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1/ Here’s a list of conversational frameworks I’ve picked up that have been helpful.

Please add your own.

2/ The Magic Question: "What would need to be true for you


3/ On evaluating where someone’s head is at regarding a topic they are being wishy-washy about or delaying.

“Gun to the head—what would you decide now?”

“Fast forward 6 months after your sabbatical--how would you decide: what criteria is most important to you?”

4/ Other Q’s re: decisions:

“Putting aside a list of pros/cons, what’s the *one* reason you’re doing this?” “Why is that the most important reason?”

“What’s end-game here?”

“What does success look like in a world where you pick that path?”

5/ When listening, after empathizing, and wanting to help them make their own decisions without imposing your world view:

“What would the best version of yourself do”?