The Republicans are not operating by the Constitution!!!
Democrats must shut down the Government to bring the Republicans back to the negotiating table and back to reality.
Just as the Unions shut down the auto industry to bring management back to the negotiating table.
The Democrats were elected to hold the line for the people against cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
The American people had no idea that when Trump was elected he would allow Elon and the billionaires to upend cancer research, the VA, our relationship with Canada and our other allies. Even conservatives had no idea that Trump would use tariffs irresponsibly/ stupidly to rock the stock market and people’s 401k’s.
I live among Republicans - they didn’t vote for CHAOS!!
They didn’t vote to become allies of Vladimir Putin.
Shut down the government!!
The Republicans did it before - now it’s time for the Democrats to do it.
Schumer has done a volte face and is now saying that he will vote to pass the CR bill. AOC has described it as a "slap in the face" and a sign of acquiescence with Musk's purges of federal agencies. I seems likely that Schumer's decision may be because after a lengthy shutdown (over 30 days) an employees' furlough would become subject to reduction in force (RIF) procedures. This would allow people to be fired on various grounds - tenure of employment, seniority, veteran status and performance ratings. Each and any of these criteria could be used by DOGE as an excuse to fire employees without effective Congressional oversight during a shutdown. In other words, Musk would find it easier to operate under cover of a government shutdown.
All they seem to understand is the unwisdom of getting on the wrong side of Trump and Musk. So last night ten Democratic senators joined the Republican majority to pass the CR bill that funds the government until September. Time will tell whether those senators have done more harm than good.
I wonder if Trump has been hit in the head by a ball as he was playing golf. For surely he is in a daze. To say there are no days is absurd. May hope that all Republicans in Congress are soon voted out. That includes all of the Democrats who are doing nothing to prevent this huge scam Trump is pulling on us. Americans must speak up to prevent this coup d 'tat now!
I can only consume the rich information Heather delivers in small doses. It is difficult to understand how a people I believed neighbors and fellow Americans could deliver us to such a condition as this.
And yet they say to me "we are Americans" and I think to myself "no, WE are not" . I shut down a little more and tell myself to be brave when it comes.
thank you, michael, for filling in for heather. one aspect of her daily analysis that i truly appreciate is her even tone while delivering her audio version. you did a stellar job in carrying on in that regard. thank you.
I am seriously concerned about the treatment of Khalil as the most currently visible example of illegal student detainment. We are learning there are more; of course there are. Yesterday Nick Miroff revealed more details about Rubio’s plan for Khalil (and others) in his article, “There Was a Second Name on Rubio’s Target List”-The Atlantic
How bad is it now? So much is exploding so fast!
We’re also hearing more about the use of AI in hunting potential dissidents the same way AI targeted federal employees allegedly linked to DEI. It is a stupid strategy but also terrifying, and it is BIG in this administration. We have not even reached any kind of consensus on how AI will be used, but we’re far past that deadline now. I suppose it will unfold in precedent-setting legal cases, and that sounds protracted and painful.
There ARE members of Congress fighting the AI part of the shenanigans: The late Rep. Grijalva and Rep. García have done the most tangible work. There is a wealth of information here about the dangers and their efforts to stop it—or rather—slow it down.
Heather, thank you as always for your clarity! I spent the morning volunteering at our church food bank, where demand has increased 30+% in the last 3 months. Our shelves are almost bare, as even our many wonderful partners like FoodLink and our farmers cannot keep up with the increased demand. To hear that the Dept. of Agriculture is now cutting a BILLION $ is just mind blowing. Between the billionaires in the cabinet and the twit AG Sec Brooke Rollins, we are *^###
"The most important thing America has ever had..." is a working gallows to deal with traitors and a citizenry courageous enough to stand-up to traitors, not just quaking cowards afraid to speak out against treason. Tramp and his Muskrat are just such traitors, although the complicit GQP Congress damn well better be paying attention, lest they get into line at the gallows. Enough of this BS! Otherwise we are watching the end of our Republic.
At one of his last rallies, Trump said that he had a secret and that he knew how things would go. I still haven't heard anyone bring this up. Maybe it should be brought up.
I think Secret = Electronic vote flip in place via mUsk.
Early in the 24 campaign he literally stopped caring about actual campaigning. He bragged he didn't need the votes. He was way too confidant and worry free he would win. HE GOT THE WIN. Sadly, uncontested...
Another brag he noted was about not needing to vote in the future. WORK IN PROGRESS.
As a loyal American citizen of Virginia, and a follower of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution (including all amendments thereto), I hereby and forthwith declare that the rest of this congressional term, being now designated as a single day (as a fig leaf while they watch Rome burn), and as a simple recognition of “Common Sense”, shall therefore be called “The Trumpocalypse Day”. God help us all!
Trump is the master liar. Know this , really know this through and through and We The People who know this will not ever be convinced that his lies are true. NEVER. our task is to actively speak more truth and put our bodies AND our voices on the line to bring back honest civil discourse to our family, neighborhoods, friends, city, states and the world. 🌎
I don't think he's all that masterful....he just has NO connection to truth or decency & most don't know how to deal with that. We will figure it out. More truth! 💙
I'm think I've gone crazy with the stress of everything that's happening, but hear me out. What if Trump is the kick in the arse that the US needs....and the rest of the world! I'm an American in the UK. For far too long, Europe has given the US a blanket pass for all the horrible stuff that the US has done and the Europeans take the blunt of the repercussions for the US's recklessness. The policy of the US towards Iraq and it's invasion of that country has reshaped Europe and our immigration policies, our attitudes to immigrants and I believe it has fuelled a lot of the far right sentiment in Europe at the moment.
I also believe Europe has not been as bold in reacting to the climate crisis. The US keeps excusing the worst polluters and advancing a narrative that climate change is maybe not as desperate as all the scientist say it is. The US holds the purse strings on so many things, and has contributed so much money to these institutions over the years, but I can't help but believe that one of the reasons the US gives so much money is to have so much control over the narrative. If the world no long has that, maybe that's better?
I feel like I did when I finally escaped my families "loving" but controlling grasp. Financially it was tough, but I got to make my own decisions, good and bad and then learn from them.
The US people are certainly getting a wake-up call as to how brutal and repressive their government can be. The citizens of the US are now being treated like anyone else under America's thumb, and maybe they'll see that their bright, shining democracy is a bully and that they need to pay attention and get more involved if they don't want to forever be squashed under the heels of these autocrats and oligarchs. But y'all have got to figure out a way to get Fox off the air, that shit is poison. No wonder trump won with that garbage playing in people's brains 24/7!
I'm from Texas, I live in the UK. I have to spend about a month in the US every year, looking after family. I have lots of friends in various spaces and places in the US. I keep up with politics, I vote, I donate, I phone bank for causes and candidates.
A vile male like Trump can never be what any country needs, ever. He's a soulless, empty, bully, a vengeful case of arrested development, a sociopath and needs to go before he can cause more irreparible damage to this nation and the world. We need people of honor in our leaders, not traitors, or rampant corruption. What we lack is for the Democrats to show some courage and hard-lined defiance toward the GOP'S corruption. We need to have zero tolerance for it. We need to update the Constitution and set higher standards for our leaders. Project 2025 is a disgraceful attempt at a coup and an attempt to take away our rights, period, and that's what the GOP stands for at this moment in history.
As we have just learned the democrats have buckled under pressure I am now more convinced that George Washington was correct about the 2 party system. I think it’s time for a clear explanation how Ranked Choice Voting works in a multitude of forums. Most people I mentioned RCV to have never heard of it. Those that have heard could not describe how it works or its benefit. Possibly Heather might be able to explain it to us. PLEASE
SHUT IT DOWN!!!
The Republicans are not operating by the Constitution!!!
Democrats must shut down the Government to bring the Republicans back to the negotiating table and back to reality.
Just as the Unions shut down the auto industry to bring management back to the negotiating table.
The Democrats were elected to hold the line for the people against cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
The American people had no idea that when Trump was elected he would allow Elon and the billionaires to upend cancer research, the VA, our relationship with Canada and our other allies. Even conservatives had no idea that Trump would use tariffs irresponsibly/ stupidly to rock the stock market and people’s 401k’s.
I live among Republicans - they didn’t vote for CHAOS!!
They didn’t vote to become allies of Vladimir Putin.
Shut down the government!!
The Republicans did it before - now it’s time for the Democrats to do it.
Abide by the Constitution not this BS!
Schumer has done a volte face and is now saying that he will vote to pass the CR bill. AOC has described it as a "slap in the face" and a sign of acquiescence with Musk's purges of federal agencies. I seems likely that Schumer's decision may be because after a lengthy shutdown (over 30 days) an employees' furlough would become subject to reduction in force (RIF) procedures. This would allow people to be fired on various grounds - tenure of employment, seniority, veteran status and performance ratings. Each and any of these criteria could be used by DOGE as an excuse to fire employees without effective Congressional oversight during a shutdown. In other words, Musk would find it easier to operate under cover of a government shutdown.
Hmmm…interesting. Think Reps know this?
All they seem to understand is the unwisdom of getting on the wrong side of Trump and Musk. So last night ten Democratic senators joined the Republican majority to pass the CR bill that funds the government until September. Time will tell whether those senators have done more harm than good.
I wonder if Trump has been hit in the head by a ball as he was playing golf. For surely he is in a daze. To say there are no days is absurd. May hope that all Republicans in Congress are soon voted out. That includes all of the Democrats who are doing nothing to prevent this huge scam Trump is pulling on us. Americans must speak up to prevent this coup d 'tat now!
He exists in ‘daze’
Heather
Once again, well done.
Have for years been heartened by your knowledge and wisdom.
Thank you for your knowledge, wisdom and humanity.
Your contribution to sanity is loved by many.
Norm
The Canadian
So beautifully expressed, Dr. Norm. Thank you from afar.
(Although seems we are all more near to one another than we may imagine.)
I can only consume the rich information Heather delivers in small doses. It is difficult to understand how a people I believed neighbors and fellow Americans could deliver us to such a condition as this.
And yet they say to me "we are Americans" and I think to myself "no, WE are not" . I shut down a little more and tell myself to be brave when it comes.
Can we ever rid ourselves of this Russian asset?
thank you, michael, for filling in for heather. one aspect of her daily analysis that i truly appreciate is her even tone while delivering her audio version. you did a stellar job in carrying on in that regard. thank you.
You get stronger every day, Heather. We all need to speak up for Mahmoud Khalil. The fascists are attacking free speech, immigration, and scholarship. I wrote a poem for his cause: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/mahmoud-khalil-freedom-peace-poem
I am seriously concerned about the treatment of Khalil as the most currently visible example of illegal student detainment. We are learning there are more; of course there are. Yesterday Nick Miroff revealed more details about Rubio’s plan for Khalil (and others) in his article, “There Was a Second Name on Rubio’s Target List”-The Atlantic
How bad is it now? So much is exploding so fast!
We’re also hearing more about the use of AI in hunting potential dissidents the same way AI targeted federal employees allegedly linked to DEI. It is a stupid strategy but also terrifying, and it is BIG in this administration. We have not even reached any kind of consensus on how AI will be used, but we’re far past that deadline now. I suppose it will unfold in precedent-setting legal cases, and that sounds protracted and painful.
https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5143540-trump-will-regret-embracing-ai/
There ARE members of Congress fighting the AI part of the shenanigans: The late Rep. Grijalva and Rep. García have done the most tangible work. There is a wealth of information here about the dangers and their efforts to stop it—or rather—slow it down.
https://grijalva.house.gov/reps-grijalva-and-garcia-demand-answers-from-dhs-on-use-of-ai-in-immigration-decision-making/
Yet another front to be fighting. 🤦♀️ All those visitors to Maralago the past 4 years - they were very, very busy.
Heather, thank you as always for your clarity! I spent the morning volunteering at our church food bank, where demand has increased 30+% in the last 3 months. Our shelves are almost bare, as even our many wonderful partners like FoodLink and our farmers cannot keep up with the increased demand. To hear that the Dept. of Agriculture is now cutting a BILLION $ is just mind blowing. Between the billionaires in the cabinet and the twit AG Sec Brooke Rollins, we are *^###
HOLY CRAP!
You took the words out of my mouth! Tried to think of something else in response to these august writings & there are no words, lol.
Michael, thanks for reading today. We appreciate your work.
"The most important thing America has ever had..." is a working gallows to deal with traitors and a citizenry courageous enough to stand-up to traitors, not just quaking cowards afraid to speak out against treason. Tramp and his Muskrat are just such traitors, although the complicit GQP Congress damn well better be paying attention, lest they get into line at the gallows. Enough of this BS! Otherwise we are watching the end of our Republic.
At one of his last rallies, Trump said that he had a secret and that he knew how things would go. I still haven't heard anyone bring this up. Maybe it should be brought up.
I think Secret = Electronic vote flip in place via mUsk.
Early in the 24 campaign he literally stopped caring about actual campaigning. He bragged he didn't need the votes. He was way too confidant and worry free he would win. HE GOT THE WIN. Sadly, uncontested...
Another brag he noted was about not needing to vote in the future. WORK IN PROGRESS.
Yes, Mr pusbag blabbermouth practically admitted the election was rigged in some way.
As a loyal American citizen of Virginia, and a follower of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution (including all amendments thereto), I hereby and forthwith declare that the rest of this congressional term, being now designated as a single day (as a fig leaf while they watch Rome burn), and as a simple recognition of “Common Sense”, shall therefore be called “The Trumpocalypse Day”. God help us all!
Trump is the master liar. Know this , really know this through and through and We The People who know this will not ever be convinced that his lies are true. NEVER. our task is to actively speak more truth and put our bodies AND our voices on the line to bring back honest civil discourse to our family, neighborhoods, friends, city, states and the world. 🌎
I don't think he's all that masterful....he just has NO connection to truth or decency & most don't know how to deal with that. We will figure it out. More truth! 💙
Love your music, Michael. So nice to hear your voice...
I'm think I've gone crazy with the stress of everything that's happening, but hear me out. What if Trump is the kick in the arse that the US needs....and the rest of the world! I'm an American in the UK. For far too long, Europe has given the US a blanket pass for all the horrible stuff that the US has done and the Europeans take the blunt of the repercussions for the US's recklessness. The policy of the US towards Iraq and it's invasion of that country has reshaped Europe and our immigration policies, our attitudes to immigrants and I believe it has fuelled a lot of the far right sentiment in Europe at the moment.
I also believe Europe has not been as bold in reacting to the climate crisis. The US keeps excusing the worst polluters and advancing a narrative that climate change is maybe not as desperate as all the scientist say it is. The US holds the purse strings on so many things, and has contributed so much money to these institutions over the years, but I can't help but believe that one of the reasons the US gives so much money is to have so much control over the narrative. If the world no long has that, maybe that's better?
I feel like I did when I finally escaped my families "loving" but controlling grasp. Financially it was tough, but I got to make my own decisions, good and bad and then learn from them.
The US people are certainly getting a wake-up call as to how brutal and repressive their government can be. The citizens of the US are now being treated like anyone else under America's thumb, and maybe they'll see that their bright, shining democracy is a bully and that they need to pay attention and get more involved if they don't want to forever be squashed under the heels of these autocrats and oligarchs. But y'all have got to figure out a way to get Fox off the air, that shit is poison. No wonder trump won with that garbage playing in people's brains 24/7!
I agree with some of what you say but certainly not all of it because it lacks context. Do you actually live in the USA?
I'm from Texas, I live in the UK. I have to spend about a month in the US every year, looking after family. I have lots of friends in various spaces and places in the US. I keep up with politics, I vote, I donate, I phone bank for causes and candidates.
A vile male like Trump can never be what any country needs, ever. He's a soulless, empty, bully, a vengeful case of arrested development, a sociopath and needs to go before he can cause more irreparible damage to this nation and the world. We need people of honor in our leaders, not traitors, or rampant corruption. What we lack is for the Democrats to show some courage and hard-lined defiance toward the GOP'S corruption. We need to have zero tolerance for it. We need to update the Constitution and set higher standards for our leaders. Project 2025 is a disgraceful attempt at a coup and an attempt to take away our rights, period, and that's what the GOP stands for at this moment in history.
As we have just learned the democrats have buckled under pressure I am now more convinced that George Washington was correct about the 2 party system. I think it’s time for a clear explanation how Ranked Choice Voting works in a multitude of forums. Most people I mentioned RCV to have never heard of it. Those that have heard could not describe how it works or its benefit. Possibly Heather might be able to explain it to us. PLEASE