Friends,

Good morning, and welcome back to my Saturday coffee klatch with Heather Lofthouse (executive director of Inequality Media Civic Action), where we examine the highs, lows, and even lower points of the previous week. Pull up a chair and grab a mug shot.

This morning we’re looking at:

— Trump’s arraignment in Georgia on Thursday, and his brazen use of imagery and marketing to circumvent rational thought. Is this the tactic of a fascist?

— The Republican primary debate Wednesday evening, which exposed the GOP candidates’ extreme positions on abortion, climate, immigration, and education. Did any of them emerge as an alternative to Trump?

— Biden’s “Goldilocks” economy continues, although Fed Chair Jerome Powell continues to insist that inflation is too high. If the Fed raises interest rates further, will it push the economy into recession?

— Why Heather is a dog person and Bob is a cat person.

Please respond in the comments and, if you wish, take our poll:

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