I've just about reached my limit of T**** crap. No amount of Tagamet can ease the stomach pain this fascist engenders. I hope his supporters come to their senses, but I fear that may never happen. Which makes them all my sworn enemies. To keep this democracy is going to require more than platitudes from Democrats in Congress, and demonst…
I've just about reached my limit of T**** crap. No amount of Tagamet can ease the stomach pain this fascist engenders. I hope his supporters come to their senses, but I fear that may never happen. Which makes them all my sworn enemies. To keep this democracy is going to require more than platitudes from Democrats in Congress, and demonstrations in the streets. We've lost the Republican party, the Supreme Court is corrupt as hell, and the Democrats don't seem to be able to find the cojones to stand up and stop this fiasco.
James, to quote the indomitable Cecile Richards who passed very recently—may she rest in power and peace— “It’s not hard to imagine future generations one day asking: ‘When there was so much at stake for our country, what did you do?’ The only acceptable answer is: ‘Everything we could.’” So let’s all do everything we can to resist and persist. As Susan Sontag wrote “Courage is as contagious as fear”…so let’s get out there and spread some courage in whatever ways we are able to. Yeah, it will be exhausting, but I think we need to buoy each other up in the effort. OK, one more (and I’ve posted this before, but think it needs to be linked yet again): Marge Piercy “The Low Road” https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/piercylowroad.html ☮️🇺🇸🗽🏳️🌈
We follow the example of Bishop Budde-we speak truth and don’t allow felon47 to corrupt us and those around us. We point out every lie-we resist where we can. And we stick together-as Barbara said, we buoy one another up to hopefully help democracy be resurrected from the ashes musk/trump are surely causing. We resist. 👊
If you view the comments attached to the Youtube video of her sermon, you will be dismayed at the number of CINOs attitudes, much of it based on her appearance. I wonder if Kimberly Guilfoyle was the preacher, she would have been better received.
Jesus weeps.
EDIT: I discovered that someone posted in the comments an address to send her a thank you note. I'm sure she'll get plenty of nasty ones but I'm betting she'll get more nasty emails than handwritten notes. (I don't think those nasties will bother to actually write and stamp a letter).
Wouldn't it be wonderful if bags and bags and bags of kind notes were sent? Perhaps they could cover a wall with them all, video that and have it go viral?
I have no religion per se, and yet I deeply deeply admire many people who do, such as Rev. Martin Luther King. I don't believe in Noah's Ark or the Tower of Babel, but I see a connection between the sort of religion that heals with being honest with ones self and caring of others. That's a serious struggle, and a practice and a state I have yet begin to master. It is the opposite of vanity and hatred.
Real people seem full of contradictions, but Jesus burned no one at the stake. Jesus sold no equivalent to cryptocoin. As far as I can tell from the semi-contemporaneous descriptions of Jesus that survive (all written after his death) his core message was asceticism, community, and kindness. It's a tough row to hoe. G.K. Chesterton said that “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”
I so, so, hope to see more self-described Christians publicly distinguish them those who show contempt for the poor and abused, prostrate themselves before the wealthiest, and itch to blast away their enemies with semi-automatic weapons, as Rev. Budde gently hinted in her sermon. We are facing a war of values; the love of money and power over honesty and compassion. The contrast is stark, and we need help defending the better angels of our nature.
Amazing to me, Becky, how he can be such a boorish asshole 100% of the time. It’s such a gobsmacking laugh that his social media site is called “Truth” Social….um, no, just no, it’s not.
All Guilfoyle or Kardishian would have done is attract shallow prurient imbeciles attention. Her words were good enough, but could've been said in 35 words or less.
The numbers of words could be of some significance. people with short attention spans and are used to the bait and click form of communication might be a bit turned off. trump looked as though he was bored and annoyed that he had to be there. Like the kid in the back row in economics class.
YES. We must all resist, and especially poke fun at the idiots like the QANON shaman( toy troll with horns comes to mind) , post brief factual information on all social media sites and share them. I use HCR sentences and attribute to her, or NYT etc, copied and pasted, because these willfully ignorant people don’t read. Even if one Trump voting person wakes up it’s a start. Stop posting food photos and vacation shots on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky. Use it as a tool. Mix in more posts with cool photos of nice stuff, cute animals, jokes, etc. to try and manage the algorithms.
Exactly. Ever since the November coup, and that's what it was, I've been pleading with people to read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. It's the blueprint.
Well, The FatOrangeFelon kinda stepped in it with some of those cops by pardoning those who injured or killed cops in that insurrection. Hopefully they will remember in two years when it is time to vote again.
We need to tie the spineless Republican Senators and Congresspeople to Trumps pardons to remind rightwing voters that he forgot about "Backing the Blue". And I have a feeling that a lot of those whom he pardoned will be re-arrested for further crimes before the two years is up.
Jen, I had a little back and forth with a Facebook user who claimed she is not a bishop, apparently because she is not Catholic. The delusions are rampant.
lol. Both the Episcopal Church as well as ELCA Lutherans, plus other denominations, have Bishops. In the ELCA, our presiding Bishop is Elizabeth Eaton and we have many Synodical (diocesan) female Bishops as well-just as Episcopalians do. So there are Bishops beyond the Roman Catholic Church and there are plenty of female Bishops, too. Sheesh….
Well, I just read this and I am one. I will finish this comment and find another willing to take action, and become #2.
What that traitor has done and is doing to this country must be stopped. It may cost me my life, but it has already cost scores of Americans their lives in it's protection, and we can't allow their sacrifice to be one in vain. I can't.
I think we all need to start with Moms for Liberty which has been identified as an extremist group. What is our counter? Do we infiltrate? We should because this is where it all started- 285 chapters, 130,000 members- books banned 9,000 I believe. How do we start? The Southern Poverty Law Center is for the first time labeling Florida-headquartered Moms for Liberty and 11 other right-wing “parents' rights” groups as extremist groups in its annual report, released in 2023.
Moms for Liberty and the other organizations are being designated as “anti-government extremist groups,”. What are comparable groups who don’t want to ban important books like the Diary of Anne Frank are not far right? What group has 285 chapters in direct opposition to Moms for Liberty?
Moms for Liberty, what a bullshit name. They are more like a terrorist organization, since violence can happen when they show up. They are not really grassroots.
Two thoughts here. 1. A lot of these banned books have not even been read by the peop0le putting them on the list. One group wanted 400 books removed from a library. The library had none of them. Last summer I made it my mission to read some "banned" books. Some I found interesting, others I wondered why they made the hit list. I can understand why some of these books shouldn't be used as class text books, but they should be allowed in the libraries. Elementary schoolers are not perusing the adult literature section, so parents' complaint about that is unjustified. MY town library in CT, handed out little pride buttons, and even had a temporary banned book display.
2. One of the founders of the Moms for Suppression and her husband were involved in some sort of sexual scandal. hmmmm and she wants to tell me how to live my life.
I would love to hear the rationalization for banning "Diary of Anne Frank". If that is so it is one more example of how people can rationalize ANYTHING! How else could one justify voting for someone of trump's ilk?
A school in Florida removed a graphic novel adaptation of Anne Frank's diary from its library shelves this week after a group of parents complained about its "sexually explicit" content. ( from the Business Insider- but the media yet again is at fault by saying “graphic” rather saying “an accurate portrayal of one family’s experience in hiding during the Holocaust”). Moms for Liberty made the request.
Maybe we need an organization called "Mothers for Liberty" to confuse and counter them. An organization dedicated to the freedom of speech and the press, and opposed to book burning and repression.
There are ones like the ACLU, but we need something more focused.
Infiltrate, then what? My creativity isn't telling me what I can do to jam up the organization once I infiltrate. Sorry if this is a repeat response. I can't always tell if it goes through.
Good point Susan on what happens if we do infiltrate. I don’t know what is next. But we need to do something. I will make note of your Substack Susan. We have to go up against groups like Moms for Liberty. They are in all 50 states and what are we doing? I am NC and today our Supreme Court will decide on tossing out 60,000 legitimate votes to kick off a duly elected Democrat - Jurist Allison Riggs in favor of a GOP Jurist Jefferson Griffin. Robert Hubbell ( on Substack) spoke about the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott - so looking at the movie “Selma”during my break today. That boycott lasted 381 days. What can we sustain for that length of time?
I second Barbara’s thoughts. I am PISSED. I called my senators yesterday asking for their comment on letting all these criminals out of prison. Staff “checked” and there was none “yet.” I intend to call again today. And tomorrow. And Friday. Everyone here should call their reps every day and make it loud and clear how unacceptable this is.
(I remember hearing Guy Reffit’s son interviewed. The teen had integrity his father didn’t. His father has threatened to kill him for talking to the FBI. His wife talked about how violent he is. They must be terrified.)
Something I'd like to remind people who are as upset about this as I am (my late brother was a police officer): those people cannot get their time in prison back. They probably lost jobs, finances, homes, friends, and as you pointed out, FAMILIES. Maybe they were so misguided by the allure of the cult that none of those things--those PEOPLE--mattered as much as their cause. They can chortle over being let out, but make no mistake about this, Trump did NOTHING to help them prior to this.
Those people mean nothing more to him than a object to use to give the finger to those he wishes to piss off. Their release is yet another example of how Trump uses people. He will forget them yet again. But their communities and families won't--and they won't be remembered for the right reasons.
What are "the right reasons"? Yes, trump uses people. These rioters did his bidding, and they are reaping what they sowed. Sorry, but I have a hard time feeling sympathy for those who beat guards and other law enforcement members and literally chased and threatened to kill our duly elected lawmakers - both Democrats and Republicans. If they find freedom challenging, think about people like Guy Reffit's son and wife who will no doubt be in fear for their lives. As usual there are no "winners" in yet another situation created by trump.
I have no sympathy for them. As for the right reasons, I am thinking of how I remember those loved ones that have passed, how they were there for me whenever I needed them--literally and figuratively. When times were hard, they sat and listened, made me a cup of tea, offered their help. You can't do that while in prison.
You may have pleasant memories, but Nicole Reffitt and Stewart Rhodes’s wife didn’t. They felt safe WHILE their husbands were in prison. At least they did in interviews I heard. Maybe they have to,reneg now that their tormentors are free.
One by one..they'll be taken-out. It might not make the papers, but their 'day' is still out there. Retribution could come in many ways. Best if we do what we can to make things better. Leave that other 'stuff' to those who would do it.
I wonder if they will now feel embolden and try other junk that will get them arrested? I recall a video clip from one of the YouTube channels--it probably was on Medias Touch--of someone who was very remorseful, bitter and angry over being used on J6. I bet there are some who've had time to look this over--especially in light of how only the billionaires got to sit inside at the Inauguration!! All those voters that put him back in the WH, who donated their hard earned dollars which were a greater percentage of their "wealth" (as compared to the billionaires) and who travelled to DC, not by private jet but by driving (and filling their car with that "expensive" gas, no less!). If I was one of them, I'd be royally pissed off.
In Heather Cox Richardson's Jan 21 article, she wrote: “I JUST GOT THE NEWS FROM MY LAWYER… I GOT A PARDON BABY! THANK YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!” Jacob Chansley, dubbed the QAnon shaman. And, “NOW I AM GONNA BY SOME MOTHA FU*KIN GUNS!!! I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!” he continued. “J6ers are getting released & JUSTICE HAS COME… EVERYTHING done in the dark WILL come to light!” So, I think this speaks to what their plan is. Trump pardoned them because he needs a militia. He needs loyalists. Truly insane times. I can't imagine how police officers feel about this....so much for the Law and Order crowd.
I am pissed and SCARED. These pardoned criminals are now emboldened to do trump's bidding. I fear that they will try to do what happened to Nancy Pelosi's husband to trump's targeted enemies. Why not? trump will lovingly keep pardoning all those who act on his behalf. It feels like we're back in the USSR....
I am so appreciative of my Republican Senator from NC, Thom Tillis, who spoke out immediately that January 6th was not “just an intemperate moment” like Bondi alleged.
The Republicans who speak up now will go down in history as martyrs against the cult of one man who spurned the Constitution which he had taken an oath (ostensibly without touching the Bible) to honor and defend in the infamous Election of 2024.
Thank you, Senator Tillis…may your legacy be one your family is proud of for generations to come.
Tillis deserves no appreciation whatsoever. I thought that maybe - just maybe - he'd be one to stand up against the atrocities that are happening. I wrote him urging him to vote NO on Hegeseth's nomination as Sec of Defense. He responded that he would be voting to confirm ALL of trump's nominees. I believe he knows this is wrong. But he will do nothing to stop it.
Dan, your reply was the reality check that I needed. Tillis does fall in line more than not. I agree that he knows tellingly-tattooed Hegseth is wrong for Sec. of Defense.
We all have blind spots that are hard to overcome…I keep working on mine. I hope Tillis will too. I will keep contacting him…
I have been astounded that Tillis has occasionally made comments that make him sound like an actual sane adult, but make no mistake, he will go along with the rest of the GOP to keep being elected. He proved over and over when he was in the NC Legislature that he represented ONLY his like minded constituency, and the rest of us could just suck it up
I stand with the courage of Bishop Mariann Budde who made the entire Trump family squirm at the national prayer breakfast. The demon eyes of Der Fuhrer demonstrated his disdain for humanity as she asked him to show mercy. It is a must-watch moment if you have not seen it.
The only person in that disgusting trump group who looked like she has the least bit of humanity and empathy is JD's wife, Usha. She looked like a captive in the midst of those degenerates. Her husband is in so far over his head.
I, too, Lily, am very curious about what goes on in her head….if memory serves, she used to work for a more liberal/progressive firm in SF….and switched from Dem to Republican a few years ago. Curious evolution imho.
Thanks for the poem! So true. My UU congregation is one of those “we’s”. We were a hub for the Abortion Rights amendment petition gathering, we have a memorial sign on our property about county black men who were lynched (no one else dared have that sign), and we have several groups who are collecting things for people who may need to flee because of our FL governor’s heinous anti-gay/trans attacks on people. “We are in this together.”
Thank you Barbara Keating. You are what I call a Womantor. I ave been fortunate to have been fortunate enough to know so many that I feel strongly about the gender switch .
It is clinically proven, women’s brains are significantly different from males. Some small, others not. Seventeen percent smaller, yet demonstrably more efficient. Source: The Female Brain, Dr Louise Brizendine, MD , Note, variations can and do occur. I highly value brain research. Dig it fellow cortex owners!
Love the poem! I run a nonprofit that builds and manages food-growing spaces in places where people can’t afford to buy enough fresh food, and we’ve built community like this, one person, one step at a time. That last stanza — mmwah, chef’s kiss.
Thank you Barbara for the poem. It's very empowering. I almost wasn't going to read it after reading about his 1st day in office and the amount of damage being done, but I'm glad I did. It has given me hope.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer 😳
Senator Murphy reviewed the deeds on 06jan21 of some of the dastards pardoned by Trump. Senator Murphy convinced me that Trump drumpfed democracy by creating a new S.A. (i.e., Hitler's paramilitary in the years during the run-up to dictatorship). With all of the money the Macho Mouth extracted by fellow citizens to fund and organize his private army. 🤢
“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer 😢
Perfect poem Barbara. I am as in need of uplift as any of us right now. Here's a lighter music clip from a time long ago when everything seemed possible. With determination, it will one day again... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo
Don't just criticize the Dems for their platitudes. Do something to change the leadership of the DNC (Democratic National Committee). This is what I wrote to my fellow activists:
Dear Friends and Fellow Activists,
We cannot change the MAGA Cult members, but with new leadership at the Democratic National Committee (DNC), we can show the rest of the country what our values as Democrats are and why they should vote with us in 2026.
Here's how you can join me in becoming an active participant in our democracy.
First, watch some of the interviews of the candidates for Chair of the DNC. There are lots of forums to choose from. I recommend the one that Our Revolution (OR) and Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) ran (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCj3Zqfj1xM).
If you don't have time to watch a candidates' forum, the Wikipedia article lists people who are supporting each candidate, so that will give you an idea of where they stand on the political spectrum.
Then, go to your State Democratic Committee website which should list the members who get to vote in the election for DNC leadership. In my state, MA, here is the link to the members who will represent us: https://www.massdems.org/DNCMembers24-28. You may know some, all, or none of them, but you can contact them all, whether or not you know them, and tell them whom you want them to vote for. Also, I just learned that David Hogg is running for DNC vice chair. I haven't paid attention to who the others are, but I'd tell our DNC members to vote for him--we could use a smart, fearless young person as part of the team. : )
Here are the folks in MA whose e-mail addresses I know:
Anyway, they're voting on February 1, so time is short if you want to participate in our
democracy. And, of course, there's no guarantee that they'll pay any attention, but if we all tell them whom we want, and if we ask our friends throughout the Commonwealth and the country to do the same, who knows, they might.
Best,
Betsy
P.S. Here's what I'm going to write--short and sweet:
Dear Committee Members:
As my representatives to vote for the new leaders of the DNC, please vote for Ben Wikler for Chair and David Hogg for Vice Chair.
There's another group of activists working to protect our Freedom of and from religion - "The Freedom From Religion Foundation'. https://ffrf.org
They have won and continue to win many legal battles where the religious zealots take advantage of all of us by using state and federal funds for their own financial reasons.
Here is one of the things they are actively pursuing;
Current Media Coverage
Jan 15 2025
Foundation sues to return church-owned apartments to property tax rolls
Wisconsin Law Journal (Milwaukee, WI)
By Mary Beth Matzek
Like the ACLU they have won many legal battles for us against the evangelicals.
Take a quick tour of their website and see what you think.
So hard to express, the meaning of that word, 'freedom'. And certainly its meaning in "Freedom from Religion" (FFRF.org) is very often misunderstood. As human beings among human beings, things which we do, especialy that which affects others, needs to be based on something other than our guilt or belief in something of great question. Religious beliefs, established some how or another have provided lots of comfort as well as misery throughout history. Should you care to take a journey back to 1918 in Armenia where Moslems and Christians were having it out.., grab a copy of Ravished Armenia, an account told by Aurora Mardiganian, which took place during the Ottoman Empire. Far from refreshing, although it might help refresh in your own mind from whence we have come in the sphere of hatred for one another fostered by religious belief. Some of you may recall how the satire presented by the Charley Hebdo magazine is viewed with extreme distaste, and violent behavior in the name of some diety. This being a pretty-much modern day and dangerous reality. So, freeing ourselves from persecuting our daily lives with someone elses religious beliefs is to me where it starts. We all live and breathe under the same ball of heat, the wrath of mother nature, and the effect we seem to have on our environment. Th last one being the only one we do have some control over, albeit physical, and certainly not spiritual of which there is any proof. No?
I've been a member of ffrf for several years. I chose them over similar organizations because of solid leadership and productive focus, both on a local and national level.
I have paid attention, and I am supporting Ben Wikler, current chair of Wisconsin Dems. I have contacted those in my state who will be voting. You can do the same. We worked hard these past two years up and through the election. I resent anyone saying that Democrats are just sitting back.
Dems don’t have the weapon of right wing media whose content is made up of lies. That content is blasted out relentlessly on Fox, NewsMax, and OANN. The false news is put out on AM radio, where right wing talk is prevalent. AM radio plays in many tractor cabs across rural America. We HAVE to come up with a counter weapon. We are truly taking butter knives to gun battles.
Several potentially distinct elements to this loss, I think:
1) R's & D's have different beliefs, including:
a) 'might is right' - OK to take things if you get away with it = 'smart'
b) lying is bad only if it is to your team/friends/race, etc.
c) anti-science, anti-rationalism, anti-expertise -> 'do what you feel'
d) religious-based presumption of entitlement and 'Right' to rule
e) zero-sum thinking about goods/wealth, leading to resentment of 'the other' instead of collaboration.
2) Systematically misinformed electorate - coordinated by Fox, X, other billionaires - playing up, and playing into these beliefs.
3) Better attention control 'game' (unfortunately this is the gun with emotional bullets that we can't cut with our reasonable and safe butter knives).
Liberals and progressives do not support left leaning social media enough. We do not have to have 24/7/365 reinforcement of our "beliefs" like the right wing does. They need Fox and others to keep telling them that they are "oppressed" by Liberals, and that they are entitled to be mean and to do violence in retribution.
Liberals have pretty much come to their beliefs by thinking things through and deciding that doing the right thing is usually the better way to go. That is why the right calls us "woke".......and I accept that charge proudly.
Trump controls social media in significant part because we struggle to not give him our attention, when we could simply ignore him and consume more useful, curated information.
I decided to consume the inauguration via late night, and came out ahead, I think. ;)
This! Exactly! Reform from within with Ben Wickler! ThankYou Betsy for the roadmap, compass, and tool kit.
May we share it? I'd like to adapt your comment for my next outreach for my local Democratic committee.
The Democratic party has always had significant numbers who opposed the Clintonian neo-liberal realignment of the DNC. With members of the Progressive Caucus and a DNC lead by Ben Wickler, Democrats could begin reclaiming our New Deal roots and be off to a good start towards 2026 wins. If enough voters are willing to join those of us who vote strategically, forgoing purity tests in favor of treating voting as a joint exercise in taking power.
We can actually take the lesson from the TeaParty et al. They did not swallow the GOP whole, over decades they ate the elephant bite by bite before s*itting it out in their own image - a Trump administration, MAGA, and Project 2025. They took the lesson of the Civil Rights Movement - voting as a strategy and voting united behind a major party as the tactic.
Black voters and their White allies transformed the Democratic from within - in part by their moral cause and personal courage, but significantly by making united voting a priority.
For instance John and Robert Kennedy - sons of Hitler fanboy Joseph Kennedy, family friends of Joe McCarthy who gave RFK his first job (until nepotism and carpet bagging smoothed his way), lukewarm to Civil Rights, not particularly swayed by ethical concerns, directly involved in illegal surveillance of MLK Jr. - found it politically expedient to 'embrace' civil rights because of the potential of the Black Vote and White voters aligned with ending systemic racism against Black persons.
As LBJ - more sympathetic to civil rights and more savvy - predicted, when he signed civil rights protections into law, unreconstructed racist right wing religious extremist Dixiecrats flocked to the open arms of the GOP. And transformed the party of Lincoln into the party of god, guns, greed. Culture war racism, sexism, and religious extremism bigotry funded by plutocrat greed -creating the today's Republican party.
We should emulate the early Civil Rights Movement (before it was derailed by the street theatre of the berets and bandoliers crowd) and the early labor movement -
We are all wasting our time complaining about Trump. He controls social media. With Facebook/insta algorithms pushing his lies, his agenda will dominate. Right now there is no democratic figure or figures that have that power. Search Engine Optimization is the present day ruler.
I hear your pain Sandra, but because they took all the child-blocking mechanisms off, there are ways we can exploit the situation. For instance, I am thinking of posting on Facebook a "Breaking News" post that the Orange Deranged Felon in Chief is in fact an "illegal" alien because his daddy falsified his immigration papers when entering the country. And that Clarence Thomas is the ultimate DEI hire. It will be interesting to see what happens. I usually post a picture of my dog when I do things like this because the FB algorithms see the poodle picture and ignore the post.
I'm confident that Brian Tyler Cohen, Meidas Touch, Contrarian, Bulwark, Glenn Kirschner and others will provide continued commentary, truth, facts, legal updates, etc.
Along with YouTubers "Belle of the Ranch" and her companion channels "The Roads with Belle" "Interstate News" and "Research Road".
I also highly recommend Marc Elias, Tim Miller, Tennessee Brando and David Pakman.
Every one of these people need our support. Please look up their channels and hit the subscribe button. EVERY time you watch one, hit the like button. I listen to many while working out, or while commuting or stuck in a waiting room. Many clips are as short at 3 minutes. When you watch, you help promote these voices. It's a simple thing that we all can do.
Don’t forget Adam Mockler and Luke Beasley, two young (early 20’s?!!) pro-Democracy podcasters whose passion, courage and insights deserve to be widely heard!
Obeying in advance is unhelpful. Resisting, by any means necessary is what is required against white supremacist madmen and especially evil backstabbing maga women who turn against fellow women and children in the name of power and self-enrichment.
People are the product in social media. If we want to effect change, people need to close their Meta and X accounts and we should start pressuring those with the biggest followings -celebs- to leave too. Collapse the social media ecosystem and make it worthless. We still have Bluesky and here on substack to organize and people are working really hard on a TikTok like platform attached to Bluesky. Leave the trash to their echo chambers and don’t let them have anyone to antagonize, their favorite pastime.
Thanks so much Betsy. In the past, the DNC was to me an organization that asked for money constantly, filling my mailbox and clogging my phone. My phone calls went straight to voicemail and were never returned. It took quite a while to get free of its contact lists. I don’t know of Wikler but his bio seems positive. Hogg— a definite yes. I’m sad to see people like Stacey Abrams and Pete Buttegieg decline to run and hope they are planning something big in the future. We’ve got a deep bench and we need to use it ASAP. Marco Rubio got a unanimous vote ?? Explain that to me please. So, I’m off to check in, with hope in my heart that these folks can bring a big blue wave in 2 years. 💙💙💙🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼👋🏼
Not a good way to start off out of the gate if so. Take a look at whitehouse.gov. Dems better get serious asap. Today’s news is all about donthecon reaction to Bishop Budde not the truth of what she said. So far Bishop Budde and Senators Warren and Sanders are the only ones speaking out loudly.
Please take care of yourself! Who are the Democrats that are supposed to be doing something that aren't? What are we supposed to do that we are not doing atm? I am truly curious to know what you think we should do if we had any "cojones?"
So true, Barbara. One thing I came up with recently is that comfort can be a coercion. I've been watching a lot of WW2 resistance movies lately, as I've always been very interested in how people took great risks to themselves, their families and fellow villagers to try to disrupt and ultimately throw off Hitlerian aggression. Courage, indeed was contagious.
MLM, I first came across it…the words on a thin wood stencil (made for graffiti—I can’t check the label for details at the moment) in a local independent bookstore just after TFFFG was elected the first time. Snapped it right up, but never “used” it, just displayed it. Now, I believe I will get some chalk spray paint and put it to good use to encourage the spread of courage. Edit: respectful graffit…maybe the sidewalk or public “wall”….no vandalism intended…and the chalk paint is not permanent.
Bishop Budde is an amazing person compassionate and loving with courage to back up her beliefs. May we all be as brave and caring as she is in the coming years.
I would like to send a handwritten thank you note to her. I googled St John's Episcopal church in DC, and there are two. The one across from the WH is Lafayette Square, but does not show her as being on th clergy. How did you find the email address?
Wouldn't it be lovely to see a news clip where the mail service is delivering bags and bags and bags of thank you notes? (And yes, I know there would be some hate mail in there as well. CINOs)
"Trump’s first day on the job was “a dangerous display of rapid mental decline.” Bunch recorded Trump’s slurred speech, rambling, and nonsensical off-the-cuff speeches and said that his “biggest takeaway from a day that some have anticipated and many have dreaded for the last four years is seeing how rapidly the oldest new president in America is declining right in front of us.”
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The Creator may bestow Good Fortune upon Us... DJT seems to only know Vengefulness now... He may wreak much greater damage in his time left... He is Mortal after all... The suggestion to engage our local Democratic Leaders is a Good One... After all they would like to get re-elected....
Whereas Trump normally spews hatred when he is at the microphone, on Monday he expelled liquid manure. Excessive liquid manure pollutes the environment. Trump was unable to control his focus, and his opportunity to address the citizenry became as political rally for his racist boys.
Unfortunately, the media headlines are not in her favor—“tirade”. “demonic” — and putz45-47 is demanding an apology. Let’s see what happens if we call or email the media, whitehouse.gov or our reps— today!! Everything she said was the TRUTH so naturally, MAGats have to fight back.
A few months ago I emailed the WH to express my dismay at the right-wing Israeli government and the Gaza situation. I got a response as promised thanking me for my concern about the Supreme Court....
My own view that the growing influence of big money on American politics has been neglected by Democrats even as it has been promoted and legalized by "Republicans". We are now seeing it going septic, but the trend has been on a tear since Reagan. What is political corruption if not the ability to buy one's political preferences? It's been getting worse in my lifetime, and if ethics in government is really a smoldering crater, it's pretty bad. I think we missed many opportunities and the larger picture in failing to make "common sense" standards of political ethics and regulation a top and abiding cause and priority. Follow the money.
Yes, our current 'might is right' turn may have begun with Reagan's treasonous use of Iranian hostages to take Presidential power from Carter.
AGREE we've had 45 years of complacent one step forward two steps back, pacified by our calorific couch-potato-greatness.
Not sure it gets better until LOT more people have more desperate, close-to-the-bone lives, and a couple generations of surveillance capitalism device addicts have passed away.
And a new generation of people realize, 'in their bones', that they need each other enough to have not mere tolerance but a longing appreciation of our many great differences that once made us great.
I think that the US got a huge boost from attracting people from many lands, and the know-how that came with them. Skills for which many nations were famous were combined. Now that is not so uncommon.
As for couch-potato culture, the mind-destroying potential of TV was a hot topic in the '50s and "60s, but then were kind of capitulated to a commercialized zeitgeist. TV as a communications medium is great, but problems for democracy come with with any top-down medium where a small number of persons dominates control what the public gets to know. I used to believe that the 'Net was inherently resistant to that, but not nearly as much as I had thought.
Diversity is "Natures" mechanism for resilience. Finding "sweet spots" between beneficial order and creative chaos can be challenging. As I see it liberty is choice within the bounds of respecting universal rights. Enjoy but do no harm. And self-governance means shared responsibility for outcomes. We create an environment for liberty worthy of the name when we watch out for one another.
I think of how "strategic" joints allow our bones and our pliant flesh to do brain surgery, ballet, rock-climb, swim, and fly, in a squirrel-suit or human-constructed airplanes. The Constitution is our republic's bones, arrayed to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. At least if we use it properly.
Is is finally, finally bad enough people just won't take it anymore? I sure hope so. We literally can't go on like this, bit we could go to hell in a handbasket.
Did you see Trump's face as he was being shamed from the pulpit? Afterwards, when asked what he thought about the service he mocked it as being 'not exciting' and said "they could have done better".
I did not see his face. I actively avoid looking at his image. I would be surprised if that face was shame, though—I imagine it was anger. I would love it to be shame though.
It appeared as though Tiffany was smirking the whole time. Does she hold distain for her mother's sperm donor? Or has she finally been accepted into the Trump spawn fold?
Not only Trump’s face but the faces and worried puckered foreheads of his family, JD Vance & his wife and the other sycophants around Trump. Thank you Episcopal Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde.
She did nothing more Tasha what her vocation calls her to: to follow the teachings of Christ, especially in his capacity of power and self-proclaimed God- given status. That he will never forgive her for publicly advocating for the victims of his cruel policies —he never forgave Obama for a simple jibe about birtherism—is likely. But the hypocrisy of his policies should be exposed at any opportunity.
Melania was touched by the words, and she is in a unique position to guide her husband. He belittles her at his own peril. One can only imagine the struggles to come.
One can only imagine the moral anguish of a gold-digging trophy wife as she continues to rake in money from her absurd documentary and pump-and-dump memecoin.
No, but I believe that he was very annoyed by the bishop's comments - look at his angry Truth Social post calling her a radical, left-wing Trump hater. He is very sensitive about any criticism of his behaviour and actions and he almost always overreacts (his volcanic temper tantrums earned him two judicial gagging orders).
I find it frustrating to hear people saying that the Democrats aren't doing x,y,z, when the truth is that they are in the minority and have no actual power to make change. That's why the 2026 midterms, 650 days from now, are critical.
Yes! And if you live in a red state like I do, seek out moderate R candidates who might run against the Gosars of the world and let them know you will support them! Remember we are Americans not D’s, R’s, L’s, etc.
I like your thinking but the issue is regaining control of Congress. A moderate Republican is still a Republican and wouldn't help that goal, unless they switched parties after the election.
I agree, however in some (too many) states Democrats face a very steep climb to a seat in Congress. So, while the D’s cultivate that crop of candidates I would prefer to see moderate R’s who might support intelligent legislation and restoration of the balance of power.
The balance of power cannot return until Moses Mike* is out and Hakeem Jeffries is in as Speaker. One "moderate" Republican isn't enough. There would have to be at least five who will support intelligent legislation and restore a balance to the House.
*Mike is more of a toady than Pence, a fact I would have thought impossible. He's so in thrall to the con man as to make Trump the de facto Speaker of the House.
We need younger people -- the seniority system has let us down. People like David Hogg and Chris Murphy. I think a start for the Dems would be to call out the lies and outrageous executive orders (like leaving the WHO) for the dangers they pose -- get out there, make some noise, put up a freaking billboard. It could be media coverage that is leaving them out in the cold but so far I just hear crickets from the Dems.
Dr. Timothy Snyder has proposed a People's Cabinet comprised of prominent Democrats who will offer an opposition viewpoint to the Mump regime's actions. For example, a former Dem surgeon general could talk about the importance of remaining and funding the WHO and how leaving will negatively impact our public health systems. People need to know what's possible. If we do this correctly, they'll start looking toward the People's Cabinet instead of the regime for what needs to be done. It's a way to build our brand and provide factual information.
Preaching to the Choir. How are you going to get the people who need to hear some facts to actually listen to anyone but their chosen propagandists? Watchers of Fox are devoted to the bilge that comes out of that channel. And they will declare that what Fox puts out is the "TRUTH", and we who do not watch Fox are the ignorant ones because MSM is lying to us.
I couldn't agree more. Which Democrats are kowtowing to Trump or not speaking out? Do people want them to act out as the J6 rioters did? And what would that prove, that we're as awful as they are? “Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster..." Nietzsche
Trump is a sociopath, but his following is more complicated and, I think, more varied in their motives and understandings than we tend to give them credit for. I think the legalization of hate radio and other well financed lie machines has a lot to do with Trump's popularity. We shall see, with sufficient resistance, how durable that popularity remains, or if Trump is pressing his luck. There are too many Trump supporters to ignore, even if the wind starts blowing the other way, and we need to win some portion of them over. In the log run we are facing daunting problems for which we need a great preponderance of hands on deck.
They call him Teflon Don, but the truth is, all his businesses fail eventually, as do his marriages, and he never had any real friendships. His relationships are all transactional. Did any mob boss ever go out on top? He will very likely die soon or become incapacitated and there will be a dog eat dog scramble for his power. And perhaps at that point, the fever will break, as it did among many members of his previous Administration. I certainly don’t see any of his half witted children taking the reins. Vance might have the brains, but even the minions see through his cravenness. It will be interesting and could provide the backdrop for the rise of a leader who promotes, once again, a new birth of freedom in this crazy quilt republic, “if we can keep it.”
Trump is the cult leader with the stranglehold on his 30 million people. He has no heir because he wants to be the one and only.
His weapon is his ability to convince his cult followers to vote his enemies out of office.
I think if you eliminate him personally, that weapon crumbles. No one can influence them besides Trump himself. So even though Trump policies and his advisors remain, they will no longer have the power to threaten anybody.
But he has unleashed the basic poverty of character that his followers now think of as normal adult behavior. And there are the rightwing pundits who have become very rich by continuing the hatred and stirring up the rabble. It is going to take more than the absence of Trump to turn this around.
Excellent. As tempting as it is, and as easy as it is, to berate 'the rogue Trumpanzee', he's not who we need to communicate with, nor is this term of endearment going to get us closer to where we need to go - conversations with reasonable conservatives.
"A senior official for the newly-staffed Department of Homeland Security said she (U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Lee Fagan) was fired for an “excessive” focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies."
I feel like all of a sudden I'm living in a different country....
"Senator Murkowski strongly objected to the change. “Our nation’s tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska’s Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial,” she said."
.
.
The worst of the L.A. Fires are out for now... Great Credit must be bestowed on the California Firefighters, as well a as those from other U.S. States such as Nevada, Arizona, and Washington... Kudos to Mexico & Canada as well... In Addition, many of the Indigenous Nations sent Crews & Equipment such as the Yurok, Navajo, Apache, Blackfoot, and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians... The Yurok, Navajo, and Apache are Southern Athabascans... "Denali" means the 'Great One' in Athabascan...
Well, it will be important to see how Democrats vote on the bills, and send them letters of support when they do good, and criticism when they don't. In a list of 17 things that Zateo posted that one should be doing right now to support democracy one. of them is giving your elected officials feedback. Now, more than ever, that will be important.
It is also important to get into support groups when you can. I am in an "Indivisible" group abroad. We meet weekly and have picked a topic to work on. As well as wanting to generally support democracy moves.
Thank you Linda. Where are you abroad? Where is the Indivisible Abroad chapter based? Central Europe by any chance? I looked on the site but couldn't get that info. I"m in France.
Yes. We are based on Central Europe, and have had people from different countries attend. Most of us are in some part of Germany, but we also have someone from England, and some from France and Spain who occasionally attend.
We are not registered on the Official Indivisible site. We can be found on the Democrats Abroad Germany Hamburg and Northern Germany site as the Anti-Authoritarian Book Club, which is listed weekly, usually on the weekend, in time for a Tuesday meeting.
We are not on there now, but should be later on this week. We just met yesterday, and the person in charge of posting usually posts by Sunday. We currently have a project we are working on.
It is also a support group, and at some point becomes a get out the vote group.
I'm gonna say it again, but you're gonna have to live by the Convicted Orange Felon's own words: "You're gonna have to fight like hell, or you're not gonna have a country anymore." You can't keep playing a chess game by the rules whilst your opponent is punching you in the face. The time has come to punch back.
There was a comment or two yesterday regarding Trump's mention of Musk knowing the computers. Recall that prior to election day, Trump mentioned that he and Musk had "a little secret".
I know I will sound just like a conspiracy theorist, but I really think something fishy went on. I find it very, very odd that people voted for Trump but voted oppositional to him down ballot. Also that there were so many votes for Trump leaving the rest of the ballot blank.
He pushed the big lie for years and years until he got his base to believe him. I wish that those with big social media followings and internet presence would keep hammering those points.
I agree, Dems were so scared of being accused of what Repubs did that they just accepted the phony balcony. There was so much crap being thrown about by muskrat that it will take years to dig through it, if anybody cares…
I agree as well. Remember when he told his followers that he didn't need their votes, that he had all he needed? Rachel Maddow did a whole segment on that. And he sure campaigned like he didn't need the votes.
Although the Repubs may not have intended it originally, them repeatedly talking about a stolen election made it difficult, if not impossible, for us to do the same. But we should. Why was there such an increase in the percentage of ballots that only voted for president? Why did a state like NC vote blue all the way down the ballot but not for president? Why did states with abortion measures pass them but still vote for Trump? He won ALL 7 swing states, something that hasn't been done in decades?
I wish our national Democratic leaders would grow a spine. We need a TRUE opposition party.
Yup, it’s time to fight back (well, it’s been “time” for quite some time now, but…). Let’s remember that Trump has a strategy and Project 2025 and these Executive Orders are part of that strategy. What is important to remember is that what is going on right now is not SURPRISING! Trump has telegraphed this stuff for years and now it’s happening and there is very little we can do about it. I’m afraid it’s going to get a lot worse until it gets better and, I believe, it’s only going to get better when things get worse in the eyes of his supporters (like my sister-in-law and my friend down the street, etc.). THEY will have to stop Trump. The Supreme Court will have to stop Trump, Thune, Johnson, Rubio, Graham (Lindsey and Franklin), etc. will have to stop Trump. That doesn’t mean we should do nothing, however! A Civilized War should be on the horizon. It should include Lawfare (you know how much Trumpie HATES Lawfare, right?). It also should include me telling my sister-in-law and my friend down the street that I will be there for them if any of Trump’s policies hurt them. (I will also do a little gentle preaching - “Do unto others….”)
You could wish your sister-in-law that they she everything she voted for - EVERYTHING: the crashing economy, the billionaires throwing lavish parties on their small city-sized yachts while the American people wallow in the dirt, the DEI police, the squads of Proud Boys beating up and shooting whoever might look like an illegal immigrant in the middle of the street, the deportations, the imprisonment and execution of political adversaries (=everyone who disagrees with Mump), everything, maybe even the concentration camps. This all has to happen before the Trump-voters and the nay-sayers realize what they have done.
Senator Murphy went through some of the dastards pardoned by Trump. Senator Murphy convinced me that Trump drumpfed democracy by creating a new S.A. (i.e., Hitler's paramilitary in the years during the run-up to dictatorship). With all of the money the Macho Mouth extracted by fellow citizens to fund and organize his private army.
I agree. I find DJT's pardon of all of the Jan 6 crowd who assaulted many Capitol Police beyond the pale! One of those pardoned (and violent people) attacked a Capitol Cop who got "Tazed and beaten" and suffered brain damage along with many other serious deleterious and life-threatening problems. DJT is making a "laughing stock" of our criminal justice system. I believe he's doing this to convince our Supreme Court that January 6 was an altogether "peaceful demonstration". I never thought that a criminal charges of assault on a police officer might be absolved by an action of the person who sponsored the violence.
I am encouraged. Already in day two he is getting twenty lawsuits against his signature executive order with respect to the birthright citizenship. His pardons are not popular among his own party. He is also showing decline of mental capacity. Without any positive outcomes thus far, I am a bit relaxed now. But of course we cannot be optimistic.
He was showing mental decline prior to the election, but the mainstream media--and his right wing accolades--chose to sane wash and edit his speeches.
My brother passed from COVID a few years back. He had dementia and COVID exacerbated his demise. I was one of the few people who would visit him. His disease manifested in aphasia. His lack of understanding words, and then the inability to use them made him and our family miserable. It wasn't overnight, but the gradual decline of his vocabulary, and the tendency to get stuck on certain ideas is way too familiar.
I have predicted that Vance will "25th" him before the end of his term. The Midas Touch network was the only one who'd run long clips of Trump's meanderings. I truly hope that more and more independent media tapes him and posts the clips.
Dear James, take it easy, for your own sake. Everyone is thrashing around in pain, but we must now combine. We can't run away, we have to get very close, close enough to squeeze the breath out of them. (I speak metaphorically, of course).
“The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern day weaponization of government against me...'' - DJT
What animated Hitler also motivates Trump. He won't change but we do know his weakness. Let's get to work!
I agree! I don't think I will be able to manage the daily emotional energy and outrage necessary to fight against those stunted Americans who cannot recognize the vital relationship between power and morality. And will they ever grasp the depth of the betrayal and abuse by Trump and his loyalists?
James, you write: "I hope his supporters come to their senses, but I fear that may never happen." I think that the vast majority of MAGA folks won't for at least two reasons: 1) It's still what they want, and 2) it's the "Emperor has no clothes" syndrome. They can't see it. In my mind MAGA is simply code word for KKK. The MAGA caps have replaced the pointed cone hats.
While your sentiments are certainly understandable James, as of this writing 364 people agreed with you, math is involved and the Democrats simply don’t have the votes, the maggots are committed and thoroughly enjoying the show, chaos is the point and he is delivering. If we ever have the mid-terms, we should be able to put a brake on what we are watching, but that’s a long way off and how long can you hold your breath. Meanwhile the destruction of our institutions dedicated to our wellbeing is going to continue, we have seen just how well the court system has been able to protect our nation from his lunacy. So many places along the line that people could have acted and didn’t have created fertile ground for what we are witnessing. 👎🏻 Does anyone really think the senate will stand up to him over his unfit nominees?
I've just about reached my limit of T**** crap. No amount of Tagamet can ease the stomach pain this fascist engenders. I hope his supporters come to their senses, but I fear that may never happen. Which makes them all my sworn enemies. To keep this democracy is going to require more than platitudes from Democrats in Congress, and demonstrations in the streets. We've lost the Republican party, the Supreme Court is corrupt as hell, and the Democrats don't seem to be able to find the cojones to stand up and stop this fiasco.
James, to quote the indomitable Cecile Richards who passed very recently—may she rest in power and peace— “It’s not hard to imagine future generations one day asking: ‘When there was so much at stake for our country, what did you do?’ The only acceptable answer is: ‘Everything we could.’” So let’s all do everything we can to resist and persist. As Susan Sontag wrote “Courage is as contagious as fear”…so let’s get out there and spread some courage in whatever ways we are able to. Yeah, it will be exhausting, but I think we need to buoy each other up in the effort. OK, one more (and I’ve posted this before, but think it needs to be linked yet again): Marge Piercy “The Low Road” https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/piercylowroad.html ☮️🇺🇸🗽🏳️🌈
We follow the example of Bishop Budde-we speak truth and don’t allow felon47 to corrupt us and those around us. We point out every lie-we resist where we can. And we stick together-as Barbara said, we buoy one another up to hopefully help democracy be resurrected from the ashes musk/trump are surely causing. We resist. 👊
If you view the comments attached to the Youtube video of her sermon, you will be dismayed at the number of CINOs attitudes, much of it based on her appearance. I wonder if Kimberly Guilfoyle was the preacher, she would have been better received.
Jesus weeps.
EDIT: I discovered that someone posted in the comments an address to send her a thank you note. I'm sure she'll get plenty of nasty ones but I'm betting she'll get more nasty emails than handwritten notes. (I don't think those nasties will bother to actually write and stamp a letter).
Wouldn't it be wonderful if bags and bags and bags of kind notes were sent? Perhaps they could cover a wall with them all, video that and have it go viral?
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
3101 Wisconsin Ave.
Washington, DC 20116
I read those comments on the Budde YouTube sermon. Vile and denial were evident. But there were many who pushed back and supported her. I was one.
We need to be loud in support of basic humane values.
I am an agnostic who loves this bishop because she had the courage to confront the Orange Menace and the $Trump Syndicate head on.
Lets all visit YouTube and support the true message of Jesus.
Christ was a poor black Jewish interloper. Whose side would he be on today?
Speak it.
I have no religion per se, and yet I deeply deeply admire many people who do, such as Rev. Martin Luther King. I don't believe in Noah's Ark or the Tower of Babel, but I see a connection between the sort of religion that heals with being honest with ones self and caring of others. That's a serious struggle, and a practice and a state I have yet begin to master. It is the opposite of vanity and hatred.
Real people seem full of contradictions, but Jesus burned no one at the stake. Jesus sold no equivalent to cryptocoin. As far as I can tell from the semi-contemporaneous descriptions of Jesus that survive (all written after his death) his core message was asceticism, community, and kindness. It's a tough row to hoe. G.K. Chesterton said that “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”
I so, so, hope to see more self-described Christians publicly distinguish them those who show contempt for the poor and abused, prostrate themselves before the wealthiest, and itch to blast away their enemies with semi-automatic weapons, as Rev. Budde gently hinted in her sermon. We are facing a war of values; the love of money and power over honesty and compassion. The contrast is stark, and we need help defending the better angels of our nature.
👆 This!!!!!
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-demands-apology-after-bishop-asked-him-to-have-mercy-on-lgbtq-people-and-migrants#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20President%20Donald,in%20the%20United%20States%20illegally.
Amazing to me, Becky, how he can be such a boorish asshole 100% of the time. It’s such a gobsmacking laugh that his social media site is called “Truth” Social….um, no, just no, it’s not.
She must have been speaking the truth because trump didn't like her sermon and had a nasty comment about it. He only seems to praise those who lie.
Here is a link to donate to Bishop Budde’s diocese:
https://edow.org/give/
There is a spot on the donation page to dedicate your donation. My money will be dedicated to honor the Bishop’s courage and integrity!
Done!
Religion is dying because it focuses on the finger and not what the finger is pointing to. Bishop Budde is not one of those.
I wonder - if she had been a man? Would there have been the same type of comments - like dumps "nasty" - thats his go-to towards women!
I think so. I don't think gender mattered in this case.
No not really - I'm sure it wouldnt have made any difference - only in which word he used.
A brave lady, indeed and in fact.
All Guilfoyle or Kardishian would have done is attract shallow prurient imbeciles attention. Her words were good enough, but could've been said in 35 words or less.
she spoke and bore truth, how many words matters less
The numbers of words could be of some significance. people with short attention spans and are used to the bait and click form of communication might be a bit turned off. trump looked as though he was bored and annoyed that he had to be there. Like the kid in the back row in economics class.
Truly.
The name of God is being invoked to do the will of men
CINOs = Converatives INO? I have used C for Capitalists INO
Christians In Name Only
Yes, of course, Christian.
Thank you for this address! What an amazingly lovely idea! Thank you!
On it!!!
YES. We must all resist, and especially poke fun at the idiots like the QANON shaman( toy troll with horns comes to mind) , post brief factual information on all social media sites and share them. I use HCR sentences and attribute to her, or NYT etc, copied and pasted, because these willfully ignorant people don’t read. Even if one Trump voting person wakes up it’s a start. Stop posting food photos and vacation shots on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky. Use it as a tool. Mix in more posts with cool photos of nice stuff, cute animals, jokes, etc. to try and manage the algorithms.
He pardoned these people because they are/will be his Brown Shirts. Many in law enforcement support Trump. They will have to make a choice soon.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/01/hitler-germany-constitution-authoritarianism/681233/?gift=x145pGiPRPXxX1toMfahSNxapLPPzEfB_eSKjUmSQUc&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Exactly. Ever since the November coup, and that's what it was, I've been pleading with people to read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. It's the blueprint.
It's f***ing terrifying that these people are back on the streets.
How can law enforcement support someone who doesn't support enforcement of the law?
Well, The FatOrangeFelon kinda stepped in it with some of those cops by pardoning those who injured or killed cops in that insurrection. Hopefully they will remember in two years when it is time to vote again.
We need to tie the spineless Republican Senators and Congresspeople to Trumps pardons to remind rightwing voters that he forgot about "Backing the Blue". And I have a feeling that a lot of those whom he pardoned will be re-arrested for further crimes before the two years is up.
Jen, I had a little back and forth with a Facebook user who claimed she is not a bishop, apparently because she is not Catholic. The delusions are rampant.
lol. Both the Episcopal Church as well as ELCA Lutherans, plus other denominations, have Bishops. In the ELCA, our presiding Bishop is Elizabeth Eaton and we have many Synodical (diocesan) female Bishops as well-just as Episcopalians do. So there are Bishops beyond the Roman Catholic Church and there are plenty of female Bishops, too. Sheesh….
Well, I just read this and I am one. I will finish this comment and find another willing to take action, and become #2.
What that traitor has done and is doing to this country must be stopped. It may cost me my life, but it has already cost scores of Americans their lives in it's protection, and we can't allow their sacrifice to be one in vain. I can't.
Right there with you.
I think we all need to start with Moms for Liberty which has been identified as an extremist group. What is our counter? Do we infiltrate? We should because this is where it all started- 285 chapters, 130,000 members- books banned 9,000 I believe. How do we start? The Southern Poverty Law Center is for the first time labeling Florida-headquartered Moms for Liberty and 11 other right-wing “parents' rights” groups as extremist groups in its annual report, released in 2023.
Moms for Liberty and the other organizations are being designated as “anti-government extremist groups,”. What are comparable groups who don’t want to ban important books like the Diary of Anne Frank are not far right? What group has 285 chapters in direct opposition to Moms for Liberty?
Moms for Liberty, what a bullshit name. They are more like a terrorist organization, since violence can happen when they show up. They are not really grassroots.
Two thoughts here. 1. A lot of these banned books have not even been read by the peop0le putting them on the list. One group wanted 400 books removed from a library. The library had none of them. Last summer I made it my mission to read some "banned" books. Some I found interesting, others I wondered why they made the hit list. I can understand why some of these books shouldn't be used as class text books, but they should be allowed in the libraries. Elementary schoolers are not perusing the adult literature section, so parents' complaint about that is unjustified. MY town library in CT, handed out little pride buttons, and even had a temporary banned book display.
2. One of the founders of the Moms for Suppression and her husband were involved in some sort of sexual scandal. hmmmm and she wants to tell me how to live my life.
The more the RWers use the words “liberty” and/or freedom” the quicker one should realize it means “diminishing (freedom) or (liberty.”
There is a group you should look up called Redwine.blue/troublenation
It was specifically formed to combat Moms for Liberty. It’s a great group, join it!
HCR—our Heathe— works in tandem with Red Wine & Blue. They have chapters in all 50 states.
https://redwine.blue/
I would love to hear the rationalization for banning "Diary of Anne Frank". If that is so it is one more example of how people can rationalize ANYTHING! How else could one justify voting for someone of trump's ilk?
If any book should be banned it's the Bible. Full of sexual infidelity, misogyny and revenge.
A school in Florida removed a graphic novel adaptation of Anne Frank's diary from its library shelves this week after a group of parents complained about its "sexually explicit" content. ( from the Business Insider- but the media yet again is at fault by saying “graphic” rather saying “an accurate portrayal of one family’s experience in hiding during the Holocaust”). Moms for Liberty made the request.
Maybe we need an organization called "Mothers for Liberty" to confuse and counter them. An organization dedicated to the freedom of speech and the press, and opposed to book burning and repression.
There are ones like the ACLU, but we need something more focused.
Create counter-groups and use them to lobby. Moms for Reason, or Moms for Common Sense, or some such name. Use well-tested propaganda tools.
So excellent Sophie!!! Thanks!
Red, Wine, and Blue?
Yes; Red, Wine, and Blue. Website is https://redwine.blue/
Yes.
I agree with Sheila Garvin regarding the group Redwine.blue/troublenation. I've been with them from day one. * Website is
https://redwine.blue/
Infiltrate, then what? My creativity isn't telling me what I can do to jam up the organization once I infiltrate. Sorry if this is a repeat response. I can't always tell if it goes through.
Good point Susan on what happens if we do infiltrate. I don’t know what is next. But we need to do something. I will make note of your Substack Susan. We have to go up against groups like Moms for Liberty. They are in all 50 states and what are we doing? I am NC and today our Supreme Court will decide on tossing out 60,000 legitimate votes to kick off a duly elected Democrat - Jurist Allison Riggs in favor of a GOP Jurist Jefferson Griffin. Robert Hubbell ( on Substack) spoke about the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott - so looking at the movie “Selma”during my break today. That boycott lasted 381 days. What can we sustain for that length of time?
I second Barbara’s thoughts. I am PISSED. I called my senators yesterday asking for their comment on letting all these criminals out of prison. Staff “checked” and there was none “yet.” I intend to call again today. And tomorrow. And Friday. Everyone here should call their reps every day and make it loud and clear how unacceptable this is.
(I remember hearing Guy Reffit’s son interviewed. The teen had integrity his father didn’t. His father has threatened to kill him for talking to the FBI. His wife talked about how violent he is. They must be terrified.)
Something I'd like to remind people who are as upset about this as I am (my late brother was a police officer): those people cannot get their time in prison back. They probably lost jobs, finances, homes, friends, and as you pointed out, FAMILIES. Maybe they were so misguided by the allure of the cult that none of those things--those PEOPLE--mattered as much as their cause. They can chortle over being let out, but make no mistake about this, Trump did NOTHING to help them prior to this.
Those people mean nothing more to him than a object to use to give the finger to those he wishes to piss off. Their release is yet another example of how Trump uses people. He will forget them yet again. But their communities and families won't--and they won't be remembered for the right reasons.
What are "the right reasons"? Yes, trump uses people. These rioters did his bidding, and they are reaping what they sowed. Sorry, but I have a hard time feeling sympathy for those who beat guards and other law enforcement members and literally chased and threatened to kill our duly elected lawmakers - both Democrats and Republicans. If they find freedom challenging, think about people like Guy Reffit's son and wife who will no doubt be in fear for their lives. As usual there are no "winners" in yet another situation created by trump.
I have no sympathy for them. As for the right reasons, I am thinking of how I remember those loved ones that have passed, how they were there for me whenever I needed them--literally and figuratively. When times were hard, they sat and listened, made me a cup of tea, offered their help. You can't do that while in prison.
You may have pleasant memories, but Nicole Reffitt and Stewart Rhodes’s wife didn’t. They felt safe WHILE their husbands were in prison. At least they did in interviews I heard. Maybe they have to,reneg now that their tormentors are free.
Doesn't matter how misguided they were. They used violence to effect a political coup. That's the bare bones of it.
One by one..they'll be taken-out. It might not make the papers, but their 'day' is still out there. Retribution could come in many ways. Best if we do what we can to make things better. Leave that other 'stuff' to those who would do it.
I wonder if they will now feel embolden and try other junk that will get them arrested? I recall a video clip from one of the YouTube channels--it probably was on Medias Touch--of someone who was very remorseful, bitter and angry over being used on J6. I bet there are some who've had time to look this over--especially in light of how only the billionaires got to sit inside at the Inauguration!! All those voters that put him back in the WH, who donated their hard earned dollars which were a greater percentage of their "wealth" (as compared to the billionaires) and who travelled to DC, not by private jet but by driving (and filling their car with that "expensive" gas, no less!). If I was one of them, I'd be royally pissed off.
In Heather Cox Richardson's Jan 21 article, she wrote: “I JUST GOT THE NEWS FROM MY LAWYER… I GOT A PARDON BABY! THANK YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!” Jacob Chansley, dubbed the QAnon shaman. And, “NOW I AM GONNA BY SOME MOTHA FU*KIN GUNS!!! I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!” he continued. “J6ers are getting released & JUSTICE HAS COME… EVERYTHING done in the dark WILL come to light!” So, I think this speaks to what their plan is. Trump pardoned them because he needs a militia. He needs loyalists. Truly insane times. I can't imagine how police officers feel about this....so much for the Law and Order crowd.
I am pissed and SCARED. These pardoned criminals are now emboldened to do trump's bidding. I fear that they will try to do what happened to Nancy Pelosi's husband to trump's targeted enemies. Why not? trump will lovingly keep pardoning all those who act on his behalf. It feels like we're back in the USSR....
I am so appreciative of my Republican Senator from NC, Thom Tillis, who spoke out immediately that January 6th was not “just an intemperate moment” like Bondi alleged.
The Republicans who speak up now will go down in history as martyrs against the cult of one man who spurned the Constitution which he had taken an oath (ostensibly without touching the Bible) to honor and defend in the infamous Election of 2024.
Thank you, Senator Tillis…may your legacy be one your family is proud of for generations to come.
Tillis deserves no appreciation whatsoever. I thought that maybe - just maybe - he'd be one to stand up against the atrocities that are happening. I wrote him urging him to vote NO on Hegeseth's nomination as Sec of Defense. He responded that he would be voting to confirm ALL of trump's nominees. I believe he knows this is wrong. But he will do nothing to stop it.
Dan, your reply was the reality check that I needed. Tillis does fall in line more than not. I agree that he knows tellingly-tattooed Hegseth is wrong for Sec. of Defense.
We all have blind spots that are hard to overcome…I keep working on mine. I hope Tillis will too. I will keep contacting him…
Jane -- thank you for being persistent! Not holding my breath, but perhaps If enough of us keep on pestering him, Thom will do the right thing.
I have been astounded that Tillis has occasionally made comments that make him sound like an actual sane adult, but make no mistake, he will go along with the rest of the GOP to keep being elected. He proved over and over when he was in the NC Legislature that he represented ONLY his like minded constituency, and the rest of us could just suck it up
Don’t know his record, but based on what folks here suggest…he KNOWS better, but goes along to get along….a real “Walter Mitty”.
Thank you for posting this poem, Barbara. I was not familiar with it, and it is just right for this moment.
thanks, Barbara! This poem will generate many WE's!!!
What poem? Did I miss something? Please provide the link so I can see too, thanks!
"OK, one more (and I’ve posted this before, but think it needs to be linked yet again): Marge Piercy “The Low Road” https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/piercylowroad.html ☮️🇺🇸🗽🏳️🌈"
(copied & pasted from Barbara Keating's post above)
I will start by sharing Marge Piercy’s poem in a letter to the editor of my local paper. We are lucky to have a local paper!
I stand with the courage of Bishop Mariann Budde who made the entire Trump family squirm at the national prayer breakfast. The demon eyes of Der Fuhrer demonstrated his disdain for humanity as she asked him to show mercy. It is a must-watch moment if you have not seen it.
The only person in that disgusting trump group who looked like she has the least bit of humanity and empathy is JD's wife, Usha. She looked like a captive in the midst of those degenerates. Her husband is in so far over his head.
I, too, Lily, am very curious about what goes on in her head….if memory serves, she used to work for a more liberal/progressive firm in SF….and switched from Dem to Republican a few years ago. Curious evolution imho.
Thanks for the poem! So true. My UU congregation is one of those “we’s”. We were a hub for the Abortion Rights amendment petition gathering, we have a memorial sign on our property about county black men who were lynched (no one else dared have that sign), and we have several groups who are collecting things for people who may need to flee because of our FL governor’s heinous anti-gay/trans attacks on people. “We are in this together.”
Thank you Barbara Keating. You are what I call a Womantor. I ave been fortunate to have been fortunate enough to know so many that I feel strongly about the gender switch .
It is clinically proven, women’s brains are significantly different from males. Some small, others not. Seventeen percent smaller, yet demonstrably more efficient. Source: The Female Brain, Dr Louise Brizendine, MD , Note, variations can and do occur. I highly value brain research. Dig it fellow cortex owners!
Love the poem! I run a nonprofit that builds and manages food-growing spaces in places where people can’t afford to buy enough fresh food, and we’ve built community like this, one person, one step at a time. That last stanza — mmwah, chef’s kiss.
Marge Piercy is one of. My heroes. Peace, love, and poetry to us all, despite this hellscape. Courage, my friends.
I *love* that poem, Barbara, and wasn't familiar with it. I'm sharing the link with others -- thank you!
Thank you Barbara for the poem. It's very empowering. I almost wasn't going to read it after reading about his 1st day in office and the amount of damage being done, but I'm glad I did. It has given me hope.
¡THANK YOU, BARBARA! 🤝
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer 😳
Senator Murphy reviewed the deeds on 06jan21 of some of the dastards pardoned by Trump. Senator Murphy convinced me that Trump drumpfed democracy by creating a new S.A. (i.e., Hitler's paramilitary in the years during the run-up to dictatorship). With all of the money the Macho Mouth extracted by fellow citizens to fund and organize his private army. 🤢
“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer 😢
Trump and MAGA have given DEMs a best recovery strategy. DEMS should become the party of Law and Order.
Perfect poem Barbara. I am as in need of uplift as any of us right now. Here's a lighter music clip from a time long ago when everything seemed possible. With determination, it will one day again... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo
I love this! Thank you!
Don't just criticize the Dems for their platitudes. Do something to change the leadership of the DNC (Democratic National Committee). This is what I wrote to my fellow activists:
Dear Friends and Fellow Activists,
We cannot change the MAGA Cult members, but with new leadership at the Democratic National Committee (DNC), we can show the rest of the country what our values as Democrats are and why they should vote with us in 2026.
Here's how you can join me in becoming an active participant in our democracy.
First, watch some of the interviews of the candidates for Chair of the DNC. There are lots of forums to choose from. I recommend the one that Our Revolution (OR) and Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) ran (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCj3Zqfj1xM).
There is also lots of good info at Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Democratic_National_Committee_chairmanship_election).
If you don't have time to watch a candidates' forum, the Wikipedia article lists people who are supporting each candidate, so that will give you an idea of where they stand on the political spectrum.
Then, go to your State Democratic Committee website which should list the members who get to vote in the election for DNC leadership. In my state, MA, here is the link to the members who will represent us: https://www.massdems.org/DNCMembers24-28. You may know some, all, or none of them, but you can contact them all, whether or not you know them, and tell them whom you want them to vote for. Also, I just learned that David Hogg is running for DNC vice chair. I haven't paid attention to who the others are, but I'd tell our DNC members to vote for him--we could use a smart, fearless young person as part of the team. : )
Here are the folks in MA whose e-mail addresses I know:
Steve Kerrigan <steve@massdems.org>
Brenda Brathwaite <brenda_brathwaite@verizon.net>,
Karen L. Payne <karenlp51@aol.com>
Deb Goldberg <debgoldberg@mac.com>
Debra Kozikowski <debbyskoz@cs.com>
Mel Poindexter <artisfax@yahoo.com>
James Roosevelt, Jr. <jroosevelt@verrilldana.com>
Anyway, they're voting on February 1, so time is short if you want to participate in our
democracy. And, of course, there's no guarantee that they'll pay any attention, but if we all tell them whom we want, and if we ask our friends throughout the Commonwealth and the country to do the same, who knows, they might.
Best,
Betsy
P.S. Here's what I'm going to write--short and sweet:
Dear Committee Members:
As my representatives to vote for the new leaders of the DNC, please vote for Ben Wikler for Chair and David Hogg for Vice Chair.
Sincerely,
Betsy Smith
This is an ABSOLUTELY GREAT POST!!
Thanks, Betsy!!!
There's another group of activists working to protect our Freedom of and from religion - "The Freedom From Religion Foundation'. https://ffrf.org
They have won and continue to win many legal battles where the religious zealots take advantage of all of us by using state and federal funds for their own financial reasons.
Here is one of the things they are actively pursuing;
Current Media Coverage
Jan 15 2025
Foundation sues to return church-owned apartments to property tax rolls
Wisconsin Law Journal (Milwaukee, WI)
By Mary Beth Matzek
Like the ACLU they have won many legal battles for us against the evangelicals.
Take a quick tour of their website and see what you think.
The FFRF is a terrific organization.
I belong and contribute to FFRF. Received its next newsletter today.
I have supported them in the past and it seems I need to return to that support. I also recommend the Secular Student Alliance.
So hard to express, the meaning of that word, 'freedom'. And certainly its meaning in "Freedom from Religion" (FFRF.org) is very often misunderstood. As human beings among human beings, things which we do, especialy that which affects others, needs to be based on something other than our guilt or belief in something of great question. Religious beliefs, established some how or another have provided lots of comfort as well as misery throughout history. Should you care to take a journey back to 1918 in Armenia where Moslems and Christians were having it out.., grab a copy of Ravished Armenia, an account told by Aurora Mardiganian, which took place during the Ottoman Empire. Far from refreshing, although it might help refresh in your own mind from whence we have come in the sphere of hatred for one another fostered by religious belief. Some of you may recall how the satire presented by the Charley Hebdo magazine is viewed with extreme distaste, and violent behavior in the name of some diety. This being a pretty-much modern day and dangerous reality. So, freeing ourselves from persecuting our daily lives with someone elses religious beliefs is to me where it starts. We all live and breathe under the same ball of heat, the wrath of mother nature, and the effect we seem to have on our environment. Th last one being the only one we do have some control over, albeit physical, and certainly not spiritual of which there is any proof. No?
I'm a member and just donated to them. They're going to need a lot of money for all these lawsuits.
I've been a member of ffrf for several years. I chose them over similar organizations because of solid leadership and productive focus, both on a local and national level.
We're supporters of the FFRF. They're brave, smart and don't mind getting into the faces of bigots with truth telling.
I am so impressed with Ben Wickler. David Hogg is also terrific.
I have paid attention, and I am supporting Ben Wikler, current chair of Wisconsin Dems. I have contacted those in my state who will be voting. You can do the same. We worked hard these past two years up and through the election. I resent anyone saying that Democrats are just sitting back.
Betsy, it is the control of social media that is the crux of the problem. Trump controls social media.
Dems don’t have the weapon of right wing media whose content is made up of lies. That content is blasted out relentlessly on Fox, NewsMax, and OANN. The false news is put out on AM radio, where right wing talk is prevalent. AM radio plays in many tractor cabs across rural America. We HAVE to come up with a counter weapon. We are truly taking butter knives to gun battles.
I agree. This is a huge part of the problem. All that propaganda... that's why Harris/Walz lost.
Several potentially distinct elements to this loss, I think:
1) R's & D's have different beliefs, including:
a) 'might is right' - OK to take things if you get away with it = 'smart'
b) lying is bad only if it is to your team/friends/race, etc.
c) anti-science, anti-rationalism, anti-expertise -> 'do what you feel'
d) religious-based presumption of entitlement and 'Right' to rule
e) zero-sum thinking about goods/wealth, leading to resentment of 'the other' instead of collaboration.
2) Systematically misinformed electorate - coordinated by Fox, X, other billionaires - playing up, and playing into these beliefs.
3) Better attention control 'game' (unfortunately this is the gun with emotional bullets that we can't cut with our reasonable and safe butter knives).
Liberals and progressives do not support left leaning social media enough. We do not have to have 24/7/365 reinforcement of our "beliefs" like the right wing does. They need Fox and others to keep telling them that they are "oppressed" by Liberals, and that they are entitled to be mean and to do violence in retribution.
Liberals have pretty much come to their beliefs by thinking things through and deciding that doing the right thing is usually the better way to go. That is why the right calls us "woke".......and I accept that charge proudly.
He controls the press period. He’s like crack for enthralled journalists.
Trump controls social media in significant part because we struggle to not give him our attention, when we could simply ignore him and consume more useful, curated information.
I decided to consume the inauguration via late night, and came out ahead, I think. ;)
This! Exactly! Reform from within with Ben Wickler! ThankYou Betsy for the roadmap, compass, and tool kit.
May we share it? I'd like to adapt your comment for my next outreach for my local Democratic committee.
The Democratic party has always had significant numbers who opposed the Clintonian neo-liberal realignment of the DNC. With members of the Progressive Caucus and a DNC lead by Ben Wickler, Democrats could begin reclaiming our New Deal roots and be off to a good start towards 2026 wins. If enough voters are willing to join those of us who vote strategically, forgoing purity tests in favor of treating voting as a joint exercise in taking power.
We can actually take the lesson from the TeaParty et al. They did not swallow the GOP whole, over decades they ate the elephant bite by bite before s*itting it out in their own image - a Trump administration, MAGA, and Project 2025. They took the lesson of the Civil Rights Movement - voting as a strategy and voting united behind a major party as the tactic.
Black voters and their White allies transformed the Democratic from within - in part by their moral cause and personal courage, but significantly by making united voting a priority.
For instance John and Robert Kennedy - sons of Hitler fanboy Joseph Kennedy, family friends of Joe McCarthy who gave RFK his first job (until nepotism and carpet bagging smoothed his way), lukewarm to Civil Rights, not particularly swayed by ethical concerns, directly involved in illegal surveillance of MLK Jr. - found it politically expedient to 'embrace' civil rights because of the potential of the Black Vote and White voters aligned with ending systemic racism against Black persons.
As LBJ - more sympathetic to civil rights and more savvy - predicted, when he signed civil rights protections into law, unreconstructed racist right wing religious extremist Dixiecrats flocked to the open arms of the GOP. And transformed the party of Lincoln into the party of god, guns, greed. Culture war racism, sexism, and religious extremism bigotry funded by plutocrat greed -creating the today's Republican party.
We should emulate the early Civil Rights Movement (before it was derailed by the street theatre of the berets and bandoliers crowd) and the early labor movement -
informed by their strategy and
heartened by their sustained focus and fortitude.
Of course--share it, adapt it, move it out into the world.
We are all wasting our time complaining about Trump. He controls social media. With Facebook/insta algorithms pushing his lies, his agenda will dominate. Right now there is no democratic figure or figures that have that power. Search Engine Optimization is the present day ruler.
I hear your pain Sandra, but because they took all the child-blocking mechanisms off, there are ways we can exploit the situation. For instance, I am thinking of posting on Facebook a "Breaking News" post that the Orange Deranged Felon in Chief is in fact an "illegal" alien because his daddy falsified his immigration papers when entering the country. And that Clarence Thomas is the ultimate DEI hire. It will be interesting to see what happens. I usually post a picture of my dog when I do things like this because the FB algorithms see the poodle picture and ignore the post.
Linda—what a great idea! We need to use those restriction-free algorithms to our benefit. (And your poodle is so regal! ☺️)
Brilliant!
I never signed up for any social media accounts and I admit that I am tempted with bluesky.
Bluesky is great. Take all those names below and follow them there.
stop using FB
I'm confident that Brian Tyler Cohen, Meidas Touch, Contrarian, Bulwark, Glenn Kirschner and others will provide continued commentary, truth, facts, legal updates, etc.
Along with YouTubers "Belle of the Ranch" and her companion channels "The Roads with Belle" "Interstate News" and "Research Road".
I also highly recommend Marc Elias, Tim Miller, Tennessee Brando and David Pakman.
Every one of these people need our support. Please look up their channels and hit the subscribe button. EVERY time you watch one, hit the like button. I listen to many while working out, or while commuting or stuck in a waiting room. Many clips are as short at 3 minutes. When you watch, you help promote these voices. It's a simple thing that we all can do.
Don’t forget Adam Mockler and Luke Beasley, two young (early 20’s?!!) pro-Democracy podcasters whose passion, courage and insights deserve to be widely heard!
Those as well!
I will run over to youtube and look up your suggestions. Thank you!!
Please subscribe $ with those that resonate with you! That's where I've put my Wapo money.
Obeying in advance is unhelpful. Resisting, by any means necessary is what is required against white supremacist madmen and especially evil backstabbing maga women who turn against fellow women and children in the name of power and self-enrichment.
People are the product in social media. If we want to effect change, people need to close their Meta and X accounts and we should start pressuring those with the biggest followings -celebs- to leave too. Collapse the social media ecosystem and make it worthless. We still have Bluesky and here on substack to organize and people are working really hard on a TikTok like platform attached to Bluesky. Leave the trash to their echo chambers and don’t let them have anyone to antagonize, their favorite pastime.
Erin, I completely agree! Can we imagine a nation of likeminded
citizens who abandon Meta and X? That is Revolution!
If a philanthropist like Laurena Powell Jobs purchases TikTok we could be well on our way to having a voice in that universe.
It is beyond disconcerting that such immense power is wielded by someone who is demented....
Thanks so much Betsy. In the past, the DNC was to me an organization that asked for money constantly, filling my mailbox and clogging my phone. My phone calls went straight to voicemail and were never returned. It took quite a while to get free of its contact lists. I don’t know of Wikler but his bio seems positive. Hogg— a definite yes. I’m sad to see people like Stacey Abrams and Pete Buttegieg decline to run and hope they are planning something big in the future. We’ve got a deep bench and we need to use it ASAP. Marco Rubio got a unanimous vote ?? Explain that to me please. So, I’m off to check in, with hope in my heart that these folks can bring a big blue wave in 2 years. 💙💙💙🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼👋🏼
"Marco Rubio got a unanimous vote ?? Explain that to me please."
I will explain it to you: Our Democratic electeds are bending the knee, as are so many others.
Not a good way to start off out of the gate if so. Take a look at whitehouse.gov. Dems better get serious asap. Today’s news is all about donthecon reaction to Bishop Budde not the truth of what she said. So far Bishop Budde and Senators Warren and Sanders are the only ones speaking out loudly.
Rubio will probably do less damage than many of the other Cabinet nominees, so maybe they're saving their NO votes for those who are worse.
Plus, it gets him out of the Senate.
This article:https://prospect.org/politics/2025-01-10-opening-dncs-black-box/ provides an unofficial list of all of the 448 voting members of the DNC.
You rock Betsy‼️
Thank you for giving us all the info we need to try and make a difference in the future of the party.
Hey everyone….WAITING IS NOT AN OPTION‼️
Very helpful! Thank you!
Thank you! I agree with you.
Betsy - As a fellow MA citizen, thanks!!
That’s if there is a “26” Election which I beginning to strongly doubt!
Thanks Betsy, for organizing and sharing this information!
Wow! Fantastic!
Please take care of yourself! Who are the Democrats that are supposed to be doing something that aren't? What are we supposed to do that we are not doing atm? I am truly curious to know what you think we should do if we had any "cojones?"
I have to say we witnessed a lady with a pair from the pulpit. Kudos to the bishop.
It was remarkable. Something we've never seen anyone do before. Gentle, sincere, unapologetic and fearless.
Based on his facial expressions, I think all he heard was buzzing, like bad tinnitus, that the words didn't register in his psychopathic brain.
He has already had a tantrum, including a complaint that the service was “boring.” What did he expect, strippers?
He heard
💖 As I just posted up/down thread, a quote from Susan Sontag is a perfect example of the bishop: “Courage is as contagious as fear”.
I think it is if only some Rs pols would show some. The bishop is a new hero for me.
So true, Barbara. One thing I came up with recently is that comfort can be a coercion. I've been watching a lot of WW2 resistance movies lately, as I've always been very interested in how people took great risks to themselves, their families and fellow villagers to try to disrupt and ultimately throw off Hitlerian aggression. Courage, indeed was contagious.
I’m making that my tagline starting now.
MLM, I first came across it…the words on a thin wood stencil (made for graffiti—I can’t check the label for details at the moment) in a local independent bookstore just after TFFFG was elected the first time. Snapped it right up, but never “used” it, just displayed it. Now, I believe I will get some chalk spray paint and put it to good use to encourage the spread of courage. Edit: respectful graffit…maybe the sidewalk or public “wall”….no vandalism intended…and the chalk paint is not permanent.
Bishop Budde is an amazing person compassionate and loving with courage to back up her beliefs. May we all be as brave and caring as she is in the coming years.
The Bishop was magnificent today. Power is a fleeting thing and she wielded it, her prayer like a 🗡️!
Please…Do know her name??? I’ve been trying to find it. She needs to be championed for what she said. Bold and brave…
Mariann Edgar Budde. I just sent an email thanking her. May she be safe from harm. The world is so crazy. She was so courageous.
I knew her name sounded familiar so I looked it up. That isn't the first time she's publicly chastised Trump. She had a lot to say about his August 2023 photo op. https://www.npr.org/2020/06/01/867532070/trumps-unannounced-church-visit-angers-church-officials
good move, will look for a way to express something too
I would like to send a handwritten thank you note to her. I googled St John's Episcopal church in DC, and there are two. The one across from the WH is Lafayette Square, but does not show her as being on th clergy. How did you find the email address?
Wouldn't it be lovely to see a news clip where the mail service is delivering bags and bags and bags of thank you notes? (And yes, I know there would be some hate mail in there as well. CINOs)
The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C.
Watch out, CF45/47 will try to fire her. Her doesn’t like women in leadership positions, remember?
He doesn’t run the Episcopal Church, nor should he.
Margaret, we know the only kinds of positions he thinks women should be in.
Just like he fired the Coast Guard Commandant.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-demands-apology-after-bishop-asked-him-to-have-mercy-on-lgbtq-people-and-migrants#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20President%20Donald,in%20the%20United%20States%20illegally.
Thank you. I will try to send her an email!!! I hope she is willing to step up and take some leadership here and NOW!!
She just did.
I’m missing something—what did she do?
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1579081406062232
I don't know it, but I am sure you could look up the bishop of Washington DC.
Her email is mebudde@edow.org
Thx so much for sharing this-I just wrote her to than her!
https://edow.org/bishops-appeal/
I just donated.
"Trump’s first day on the job was “a dangerous display of rapid mental decline.” Bunch recorded Trump’s slurred speech, rambling, and nonsensical off-the-cuff speeches and said that his “biggest takeaway from a day that some have anticipated and many have dreaded for the last four years is seeing how rapidly the oldest new president in America is declining right in front of us.”
.
.
The Creator may bestow Good Fortune upon Us... DJT seems to only know Vengefulness now... He may wreak much greater damage in his time left... He is Mortal after all... The suggestion to engage our local Democratic Leaders is a Good One... After all they would like to get re-elected....
Whereas Trump normally spews hatred when he is at the microphone, on Monday he expelled liquid manure. Excessive liquid manure pollutes the environment. Trump was unable to control his focus, and his opportunity to address the citizenry became as political rally for his racist boys.
And her gentle voice . . . He sat slumped in his seat . . . No one speaks truth to him, ever!!!!!
Absolutely !
funny
true
I salute her for her courage and dedication to real values.
Unfortunately, the media headlines are not in her favor—“tirade”. “demonic” — and putz45-47 is demanding an apology. Let’s see what happens if we call or email the media, whitehouse.gov or our reps— today!! Everything she said was the TRUTH so naturally, MAGats have to fight back.
A few months ago I emailed the WH to express my dismay at the right-wing Israeli government and the Gaza situation. I got a response as promised thanking me for my concern about the Supreme Court....
Good for her, but the man isn't going to listen to her.
True, but the entire nation watched him not listening to her. He was wounded by the truths spoken and you could see it.
What percent of the nation would interpret what she said as "Woke BS"?
My own view that the growing influence of big money on American politics has been neglected by Democrats even as it has been promoted and legalized by "Republicans". We are now seeing it going septic, but the trend has been on a tear since Reagan. What is political corruption if not the ability to buy one's political preferences? It's been getting worse in my lifetime, and if ethics in government is really a smoldering crater, it's pretty bad. I think we missed many opportunities and the larger picture in failing to make "common sense" standards of political ethics and regulation a top and abiding cause and priority. Follow the money.
Yes, our current 'might is right' turn may have begun with Reagan's treasonous use of Iranian hostages to take Presidential power from Carter.
AGREE we've had 45 years of complacent one step forward two steps back, pacified by our calorific couch-potato-greatness.
Not sure it gets better until LOT more people have more desperate, close-to-the-bone lives, and a couple generations of surveillance capitalism device addicts have passed away.
And a new generation of people realize, 'in their bones', that they need each other enough to have not mere tolerance but a longing appreciation of our many great differences that once made us great.
I think that the US got a huge boost from attracting people from many lands, and the know-how that came with them. Skills for which many nations were famous were combined. Now that is not so uncommon.
As for couch-potato culture, the mind-destroying potential of TV was a hot topic in the '50s and "60s, but then were kind of capitulated to a commercialized zeitgeist. TV as a communications medium is great, but problems for democracy come with with any top-down medium where a small number of persons dominates control what the public gets to know. I used to believe that the 'Net was inherently resistant to that, but not nearly as much as I had thought.
Diversity is "Natures" mechanism for resilience. Finding "sweet spots" between beneficial order and creative chaos can be challenging. As I see it liberty is choice within the bounds of respecting universal rights. Enjoy but do no harm. And self-governance means shared responsibility for outcomes. We create an environment for liberty worthy of the name when we watch out for one another.
I think of how "strategic" joints allow our bones and our pliant flesh to do brain surgery, ballet, rock-climb, swim, and fly, in a squirrel-suit or human-constructed airplanes. The Constitution is our republic's bones, arrayed to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. At least if we use it properly.
Is is finally, finally bad enough people just won't take it anymore? I sure hope so. We literally can't go on like this, bit we could go to hell in a handbasket.
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2024/11/25/2288252/-Cartoon-A-bumpy-ride-ahead
Big thanks to whomelse—John Roberts.
Did you see Trump's face as he was being shamed from the pulpit? Afterwards, when asked what he thought about the service he mocked it as being 'not exciting' and said "they could have done better".
I did not see his face. I actively avoid looking at his image. I would be surprised if that face was shame, though—I imagine it was anger. I would love it to be shame though.
Shame…no, probably never….you’re right Suzanni, it’s not an emotion he’s familiar with.
Trump’s Emotional Quotient is very low. He is deficient in empathy for others.
Hmmm….maybe he has the condition known as “emptyathy”?
He was seething.
It appeared as though Tiffany was smirking the whole time. Does she hold distain for her mother's sperm donor? Or has she finally been accepted into the Trump spawn fold?
The latter!
Not only Trump’s face but the faces and worried puckered foreheads of his family, JD Vance & his wife and the other sycophants around Trump. Thank you Episcopal Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde.
It wasn’t exciting to him because he wasn’t the one being praised and worshipped!!
Presumably his idea of a church service would include fireworks and Koran-burning with YMCA playing the background.
She did nothing more Tasha what her vocation calls her to: to follow the teachings of Christ, especially in his capacity of power and self-proclaimed God- given status. That he will never forgive her for publicly advocating for the victims of his cruel policies —he never forgave Obama for a simple jibe about birtherism—is likely. But the hypocrisy of his policies should be exposed at any opportunity.
‘ Tasha?’ WTH
Also Russell I noticed how uncomfortable vance was yet Malania and vance’s wives did not take their eyes off Rev Budde.
Trump can’t even sit up straight, he is slumped over looking so old and disconnected.
Church really isn't his thing in spite of his frequent assertions of faith.
Melania was touched by the words, and she is in a unique position to guide her husband. He belittles her at his own peril. One can only imagine the struggles to come.
One can only imagine the moral anguish of a gold-digging trophy wife as she continues to rake in money from her absurd documentary and pump-and-dump memecoin.
You have to remember that he doesn't know shame.
No, but I believe that he was very annoyed by the bishop's comments - look at his angry Truth Social post calling her a radical, left-wing Trump hater. He is very sensitive about any criticism of his behaviour and actions and he almost always overreacts (his volcanic temper tantrums earned him two judicial gagging orders).
I find it frustrating to hear people saying that the Democrats aren't doing x,y,z, when the truth is that they are in the minority and have no actual power to make change. That's why the 2026 midterms, 650 days from now, are critical.
Yes! And if you live in a red state like I do, seek out moderate R candidates who might run against the Gosars of the world and let them know you will support them! Remember we are Americans not D’s, R’s, L’s, etc.
I like your thinking but the issue is regaining control of Congress. A moderate Republican is still a Republican and wouldn't help that goal, unless they switched parties after the election.
I agree, however in some (too many) states Democrats face a very steep climb to a seat in Congress. So, while the D’s cultivate that crop of candidates I would prefer to see moderate R’s who might support intelligent legislation and restoration of the balance of power.
The balance of power cannot return until Moses Mike* is out and Hakeem Jeffries is in as Speaker. One "moderate" Republican isn't enough. There would have to be at least five who will support intelligent legislation and restore a balance to the House.
*Mike is more of a toady than Pence, a fact I would have thought impossible. He's so in thrall to the con man as to make Trump the de facto Speaker of the House.
We need younger people -- the seniority system has let us down. People like David Hogg and Chris Murphy. I think a start for the Dems would be to call out the lies and outrageous executive orders (like leaving the WHO) for the dangers they pose -- get out there, make some noise, put up a freaking billboard. It could be media coverage that is leaving them out in the cold but so far I just hear crickets from the Dems.
Joyce Vance is going to keep tabs. It's up to all of us to see that her Substack info goes viral.
Dr. Timothy Snyder has proposed a People's Cabinet comprised of prominent Democrats who will offer an opposition viewpoint to the Mump regime's actions. For example, a former Dem surgeon general could talk about the importance of remaining and funding the WHO and how leaving will negatively impact our public health systems. People need to know what's possible. If we do this correctly, they'll start looking toward the People's Cabinet instead of the regime for what needs to be done. It's a way to build our brand and provide factual information.
Preaching to the Choir. How are you going to get the people who need to hear some facts to actually listen to anyone but their chosen propagandists? Watchers of Fox are devoted to the bilge that comes out of that channel. And they will declare that what Fox puts out is the "TRUTH", and we who do not watch Fox are the ignorant ones because MSM is lying to us.
I couldn't agree more. Which Democrats are kowtowing to Trump or not speaking out? Do people want them to act out as the J6 rioters did? And what would that prove, that we're as awful as they are? “Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster..." Nietzsche
Hi Suzanni, what did G Washington do? T Jefferson? A Hamilton? etc.
To everything there is a season; this is not the season for bought voting systems.
Trump is a sociopath, but his following is more complicated and, I think, more varied in their motives and understandings than we tend to give them credit for. I think the legalization of hate radio and other well financed lie machines has a lot to do with Trump's popularity. We shall see, with sufficient resistance, how durable that popularity remains, or if Trump is pressing his luck. There are too many Trump supporters to ignore, even if the wind starts blowing the other way, and we need to win some portion of them over. In the log run we are facing daunting problems for which we need a great preponderance of hands on deck.
They call him Teflon Don, but the truth is, all his businesses fail eventually, as do his marriages, and he never had any real friendships. His relationships are all transactional. Did any mob boss ever go out on top? He will very likely die soon or become incapacitated and there will be a dog eat dog scramble for his power. And perhaps at that point, the fever will break, as it did among many members of his previous Administration. I certainly don’t see any of his half witted children taking the reins. Vance might have the brains, but even the minions see through his cravenness. It will be interesting and could provide the backdrop for the rise of a leader who promotes, once again, a new birth of freedom in this crazy quilt republic, “if we can keep it.”
Trump is the cult leader with the stranglehold on his 30 million people. He has no heir because he wants to be the one and only.
His weapon is his ability to convince his cult followers to vote his enemies out of office.
I think if you eliminate him personally, that weapon crumbles. No one can influence them besides Trump himself. So even though Trump policies and his advisors remain, they will no longer have the power to threaten anybody.
I fear that when Trump dies, all hell will break loose. Maybe even a civil war. I don't say this lightly and I really, really want to be proven wrong.
???Maureen. Times are precarious and time will tell what follows😡😡😡😩
Precarious indeed. Even if my prediction is correct, there is soooo much damage he can inflict in the meantime that can never be repaired.
But, isn’t ‘craven’ the new black?
Everyone will be hit hard in one way or another, unless of course they have a lazy billion tucked away for a rainy day.
Hi JL, I see no change in Trump’s popularity until he is dead. Then the MAGA
voters will lose interest. It is about him, not the Party, I believe.
But he has unleashed the basic poverty of character that his followers now think of as normal adult behavior. And there are the rightwing pundits who have become very rich by continuing the hatred and stirring up the rabble. It is going to take more than the absence of Trump to turn this around.
Excellent. As tempting as it is, and as easy as it is, to berate 'the rogue Trumpanzee', he's not who we need to communicate with, nor is this term of endearment going to get us closer to where we need to go - conversations with reasonable conservatives.
Having known an aged Chimpanzee well, your comparison is perfect. Combative ,Rude, self stroking and serving, rapist.
Sure hope he wasn’t someone close to you 😬😉
One of the daunting problems:
"A senior official for the newly-staffed Department of Homeland Security said she (U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Lee Fagan) was fired for an “excessive” focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies."
I feel like all of a sudden I'm living in a different country....
A Change Of Subject:
.
.
"Senator Murkowski strongly objected to the change. “Our nation’s tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska’s Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial,” she said."
.
.
The worst of the L.A. Fires are out for now... Great Credit must be bestowed on the California Firefighters, as well a as those from other U.S. States such as Nevada, Arizona, and Washington... Kudos to Mexico & Canada as well... In Addition, many of the Indigenous Nations sent Crews & Equipment such as the Yurok, Navajo, Apache, Blackfoot, and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians... The Yurok, Navajo, and Apache are Southern Athabascans... "Denali" means the 'Great One' in Athabascan...
Recent poll in AK: Alaskans favored name Denali over McKinley by a 2 to one margin. Also noteworthy: AK House has a majority of women....a first.
Well, it will be important to see how Democrats vote on the bills, and send them letters of support when they do good, and criticism when they don't. In a list of 17 things that Zateo posted that one should be doing right now to support democracy one. of them is giving your elected officials feedback. Now, more than ever, that will be important.
https://zeteo.com/p/what-to-do-keep-democracy-alive-trump-presidency?r=f0qfn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
It is also important to get into support groups when you can. I am in an "Indivisible" group abroad. We meet weekly and have picked a topic to work on. As well as wanting to generally support democracy moves.
https://indivisible.org/
Great, Linda.
Thank you Linda. Where are you abroad? Where is the Indivisible Abroad chapter based? Central Europe by any chance? I looked on the site but couldn't get that info. I"m in France.
Hi NC,
Yes. We are based on Central Europe, and have had people from different countries attend. Most of us are in some part of Germany, but we also have someone from England, and some from France and Spain who occasionally attend.
We are not registered on the Official Indivisible site. We can be found on the Democrats Abroad Germany Hamburg and Northern Germany site as the Anti-Authoritarian Book Club, which is listed weekly, usually on the weekend, in time for a Tuesday meeting.
https://www.democratsabroad.org/de-hamburg_events
We are not on there now, but should be later on this week. We just met yesterday, and the person in charge of posting usually posts by Sunday. We currently have a project we are working on.
It is also a support group, and at some point becomes a get out the vote group.
I found Democrats Abroad but for Indivisible France,
a not very active FB page: https://www.facebook.com/IndivisibleFrance/
Whose website is listed as a Twitter page 🤷🏻♀️
https://www.democratsabroad.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1PvGqLRrwADtNwczs0nSZPN3pzgOHbzTDPz0HvZWx9dKAPdcPuEdqihQo_aem_7rB7zxLEvfZjmOPv9tEQMw
I'm gonna say it again, but you're gonna have to live by the Convicted Orange Felon's own words: "You're gonna have to fight like hell, or you're not gonna have a country anymore." You can't keep playing a chess game by the rules whilst your opponent is punching you in the face. The time has come to punch back.
He did what Goebbels said, accuse the other of what you do. Turn it around on them. By all means, turn it back on him…
Exactly.
There was a comment or two yesterday regarding Trump's mention of Musk knowing the computers. Recall that prior to election day, Trump mentioned that he and Musk had "a little secret".
I know I will sound just like a conspiracy theorist, but I really think something fishy went on. I find it very, very odd that people voted for Trump but voted oppositional to him down ballot. Also that there were so many votes for Trump leaving the rest of the ballot blank.
He pushed the big lie for years and years until he got his base to believe him. I wish that those with big social media followings and internet presence would keep hammering those points.
I agree, Dems were so scared of being accused of what Repubs did that they just accepted the phony balcony. There was so much crap being thrown about by muskrat that it will take years to dig through it, if anybody cares…
I agree as well. Remember when he told his followers that he didn't need their votes, that he had all he needed? Rachel Maddow did a whole segment on that. And he sure campaigned like he didn't need the votes.
Although the Repubs may not have intended it originally, them repeatedly talking about a stolen election made it difficult, if not impossible, for us to do the same. But we should. Why was there such an increase in the percentage of ballots that only voted for president? Why did a state like NC vote blue all the way down the ballot but not for president? Why did states with abortion measures pass them but still vote for Trump? He won ALL 7 swing states, something that hasn't been done in decades?
I wish our national Democratic leaders would grow a spine. We need a TRUE opposition party.
I couldn't agree more.
Yup, it’s time to fight back (well, it’s been “time” for quite some time now, but…). Let’s remember that Trump has a strategy and Project 2025 and these Executive Orders are part of that strategy. What is important to remember is that what is going on right now is not SURPRISING! Trump has telegraphed this stuff for years and now it’s happening and there is very little we can do about it. I’m afraid it’s going to get a lot worse until it gets better and, I believe, it’s only going to get better when things get worse in the eyes of his supporters (like my sister-in-law and my friend down the street, etc.). THEY will have to stop Trump. The Supreme Court will have to stop Trump, Thune, Johnson, Rubio, Graham (Lindsey and Franklin), etc. will have to stop Trump. That doesn’t mean we should do nothing, however! A Civilized War should be on the horizon. It should include Lawfare (you know how much Trumpie HATES Lawfare, right?). It also should include me telling my sister-in-law and my friend down the street that I will be there for them if any of Trump’s policies hurt them. (I will also do a little gentle preaching - “Do unto others….”)
You could wish your sister-in-law that they she everything she voted for - EVERYTHING: the crashing economy, the billionaires throwing lavish parties on their small city-sized yachts while the American people wallow in the dirt, the DEI police, the squads of Proud Boys beating up and shooting whoever might look like an illegal immigrant in the middle of the street, the deportations, the imprisonment and execution of political adversaries (=everyone who disagrees with Mump), everything, maybe even the concentration camps. This all has to happen before the Trump-voters and the nay-sayers realize what they have done.
Worst of all the rogue Trumpanzee out of control is a fascist figure-head.
https://youtu.be/EvusFZh3ubw
Senator Murphy went through some of the dastards pardoned by Trump. Senator Murphy convinced me that Trump drumpfed democracy by creating a new S.A. (i.e., Hitler's paramilitary in the years during the run-up to dictatorship). With all of the money the Macho Mouth extracted by fellow citizens to fund and organize his private army.
I agree. I find DJT's pardon of all of the Jan 6 crowd who assaulted many Capitol Police beyond the pale! One of those pardoned (and violent people) attacked a Capitol Cop who got "Tazed and beaten" and suffered brain damage along with many other serious deleterious and life-threatening problems. DJT is making a "laughing stock" of our criminal justice system. I believe he's doing this to convince our Supreme Court that January 6 was an altogether "peaceful demonstration". I never thought that a criminal charges of assault on a police officer might be absolved by an action of the person who sponsored the violence.
I am encouraged. Already in day two he is getting twenty lawsuits against his signature executive order with respect to the birthright citizenship. His pardons are not popular among his own party. He is also showing decline of mental capacity. Without any positive outcomes thus far, I am a bit relaxed now. But of course we cannot be optimistic.
He was showing mental decline prior to the election, but the mainstream media--and his right wing accolades--chose to sane wash and edit his speeches.
My brother passed from COVID a few years back. He had dementia and COVID exacerbated his demise. I was one of the few people who would visit him. His disease manifested in aphasia. His lack of understanding words, and then the inability to use them made him and our family miserable. It wasn't overnight, but the gradual decline of his vocabulary, and the tendency to get stuck on certain ideas is way too familiar.
I have predicted that Vance will "25th" him before the end of his term. The Midas Touch network was the only one who'd run long clips of Trump's meanderings. I truly hope that more and more independent media tapes him and posts the clips.
I believe that is why Thiel is keeping him out of the picture as much as possible.
Dear James, take it easy, for your own sake. Everyone is thrashing around in pain, but we must now combine. We can't run away, we have to get very close, close enough to squeeze the breath out of them. (I speak metaphorically, of course).
- Pulled Quote -
“The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern day weaponization of government against me...'' - DJT
What animated Hitler also motivates Trump. He won't change but we do know his weakness. Let's get to work!
I agree! I don't think I will be able to manage the daily emotional energy and outrage necessary to fight against those stunted Americans who cannot recognize the vital relationship between power and morality. And will they ever grasp the depth of the betrayal and abuse by Trump and his loyalists?
James, you write: "I hope his supporters come to their senses, but I fear that may never happen." I think that the vast majority of MAGA folks won't for at least two reasons: 1) It's still what they want, and 2) it's the "Emperor has no clothes" syndrome. They can't see it. In my mind MAGA is simply code word for KKK. The MAGA caps have replaced the pointed cone hats.
We could stop using Facebook, drop subscriptions to WAPO, NYT, there are many good alternatives.
While your sentiments are certainly understandable James, as of this writing 364 people agreed with you, math is involved and the Democrats simply don’t have the votes, the maggots are committed and thoroughly enjoying the show, chaos is the point and he is delivering. If we ever have the mid-terms, we should be able to put a brake on what we are watching, but that’s a long way off and how long can you hold your breath. Meanwhile the destruction of our institutions dedicated to our wellbeing is going to continue, we have seen just how well the court system has been able to protect our nation from his lunacy. So many places along the line that people could have acted and didn’t have created fertile ground for what we are witnessing. 👎🏻 Does anyone really think the senate will stand up to him over his unfit nominees?