🚨 On Saturday, April 5th, we're peacefully taking to the (your town) sidewalks to fight back with a clear message: Hands off! 🚨
This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop to the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.
A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
That is very good advice about focusing on nonviolence, for what good it will do. Do you really think Trump will think twice about sending the (para)military into a peaceful crowd of protesters? Trump has dreamed of this since he first envisioned military tanks tearing up the Capitol pavement for his first inaugural parade. Pete Hegseth will not face discipline for the security breach because that man will have no compunction about doing whatever lawless trampling on our rights of free speech and dissent that Dear Leader requests, unlike General Milley and Mark Esper. These intelligent students whose legal statuses are being withdrawn as they are hauled away simply because they have actively opposed genocide, Putin’s aggression, or write OpEds about not supporting Zionism, are just test cases for intimidating and silencing the rest of us. We were warned that the guardrails would be off this time around, and they are not only off, but the rails are greased.
Make no mistake, I have been and will be present at these protests, I have no plan to obey in advance. But the larger the demonstration, the more tempting it is for Trump and his regime to declare states of emergency and use force against us. Town halls, Arena rallies, high numbers spread out along the road sides are much more inconvenient targets. We need to go into any massive protest with our eyes wide open. We also must be cognizant of facial recognition technology and perhaps wear masks as precautions against future retaliation.
I refer you to the group organizers for your concerns.
My point of reference for myself right now is maintain my sanity, sense of self and not freak out. I am not giving in to what could happen. I am dealing with the needs of the moment as they unfold.
I am not so sure long, long writings such as yours are helpful.
How about we keep our heads, knuckle down and take care of business.
In mid winter a communication from the Democratic Party asked me for input on rethinking their future direction. I enthusiastically participated, especially after their months and months of silence to feedback I'd been volunteering them since Kamala's defeat and Trump's second Inaugural.
Sometimes long is necessary, Barbara.
Late yesterday morning a communication from DNC arrived in my Inbox. I read it immediately only to be dumbfounded, absolutely dumbfounded, by what it said!!
Nothing . . . NOTHING!!! . . . could captured save IN THE NEGATIVE what is so deeply awry in the Democratic Party at this very moment than the four pages it contained.
If I had been an astronaut landing back yesterday on earth after an unexpected and unplanned six silent months in orbit around the earth I would never have been able to tell by reading this DNC e-mail on its future course. Beginning January 20th our Republic came under a withering siege of a fascist-leaning incompetent and swiftly aging man-child, a 900-page blueprint shaped by Christian nationalist 'values' he had expressly disavowed during the campaign, a cabinet he filled with billionaires and numerous amateurs and incompetents at Federal administration, and precious little fundamental sympathy with the PEOPLE for, by, and of this Nation which our Republic has ever improved itself serving for almost 250 years. The out-of-power Democratic leadership at the Federal level has, with a few notable exceptions, failed to rise as a unified body to the requisite tasks of opposition this increasingly desperate situation demands. That includes the capacity to speak out, vote, block and parry as the procedures in both houses will allow and support on behalf of saving the Republic. The party as a whole wallows at the 20+ percent in public approval. From the four pages I received no one could imagine America was facing a huge, many-faceted and deepening constitutional crisis, and now also, with the startling emergence of an out-of-control DOGE interloper, a huge, unnecessary, and unexpected Federal administrative upheaval that is quickly transforming itself into parallel confusion and dismay at state and local levels.
And yet all this DNC 'memo of response' advances is a six column bar chart purporting to quantify what all us respondents advanced concerning where we believe the Party needs to work. Here are the six blue columns:
Building a stronger, more visible communication strategy
Transform how we engage with young voters
Strengthen outreach with rural communities
Hold more town halls and listening sessions
Increasing investment in protecting voting rights
Recruit and support more Democratic candidates
If this was meant to express the conclusions of a proper situation audit of where the party needs to direct itself given where it finds itself, this quantitative telling wholly misses the mark. At one point the e-mail actually says in so many words that their intent is "not just in fighting back against Trump but also on building our Party for the long term." Well, of course. Except that it misses the elephant in the room.
If the fight against Trump isn't successful the many dimensions of upheaval in the Republic will undercut the delivery of services, the balance of powers, and our protection against tyranny, losing the safeguards of freedom and liberty, spelling the end of the Republic. That is the crisis facing us and the Democratic Party; the summary memo is, I believe, simply and wholly off point, and I'll tell them so.
Late last evening I got an e-mail fundraising message from Senator Elizabeth Warren who apparently hasn't gotten the DNC e-mail either since she writes about DNC "organiz(ing) against Trump’s disastrous agenda." Except they're clearly not.
Now I'm off to breakfast, then my annual appointment with my cardiologist, and only then can I come back and send the memo of response direct to DNC. I judged its importance high enough, though, in the larger scheme of things, to sandwich this post into the developing Friday morning thread of the HCR faithful.
Well said! Articulate, accurate, and sound. Suggest you copy/paste into a more prominent level of today’s comments. I think Dems are lost. We either move forward without them, or they’ll set themselves adrift to nowhere. (Best wishes with your cardio appointment.)
Speak up. Silence means approval. Do what you can. We are all different ages. Different abilities. What are you able to do? Write? Call? Act? You must consult with your friends. Ask what CAN we do? You can subscribe to calls every Thursday 3ET with the group Indivisible who are coordinating “Hands Off!” protests on April 5. Just do something.
We ARE doing that already. Numerous democracy groups are mobilizing Americans and fighting the regime in court. Check out the nationwide protests planned for April 5 - handsoff2025.org. Indivisible.org, ACLU.org, Brennan Center for Justice, and many others. I hope you'll make good trouble where you are!
I appreciate your best wishes; I've been a 'good boy' and go with all my homework done and fully recorded. I'm not sure what you mean by "more prominent level." Can you elaborate for me? I thought I was already being perhaps a bit over-assertive by piggy-backing as I did, but at this point 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' . . .
Post your comment as a direct/immediate comment about today's article, not just as a response to someone else. You're not being overly assertive by any stretch. Hope breakfast and the cardio appointment both were good.
i abandoned the DNC years ago when they burned Bernie. Bernie is out there with AOC doing huge rallies while the rest of the pathetic Dems, with a few exceptions, are sending “what can I say to make you give me money” emails. Bah.
Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is speaking out, LOUDLY, while her colleague, Dick Durbin? GOOD LORD. No.
If you wish to call Duckworth's DC office as I just did, you will get an actual aide. I requested she tell Tammy how very proud I am of my senator and how I support her 100%
Same here. I ONLY donate to actual elected officials directly who are actually doing the hard work and getting things done. Lately I'm focused on people like Bernie, AOC, and the 'newcomers' like Greg Casar, Ro Khanna, etc who are not just speaking the truth outloud, but WALKING the TALK.
Quite a few groups are using so much negative, shaming statements to bully you into donating funds which actually has the effect on me of anger. So, again, be careful who you send your money to.
Granted, we need to focus on the now. BUT, let's not forget the November 2026 elections, assuming they are held (which is why we should also focus on the now). There's not much we can do to change Congress until 2026, when (ideally) Democrats will take majorities in both House and Senate. Even so, that won't change either Trump or Musk, but it might begin to brake some of their most egregious programs.
I'm 83. major in Russian and minor in German. Later I worked with MD's who weren't allowed to practice in private, but had experienced the NAZI and and/or Stalinist regimes. To me, my education and experience are invaluable. Outside of my narrow circle of friends, I am yesterday's news. Watching what's happening, I'm seeing Mein Kampf play out again, only now it's called Project 2025. I can definitely empathize with your recent experience. BTW, I live in north central Minnesota, which makes me a (educated) jack pine savage. Don
I confess that I pay no attention to anything that the DNC sends out. Our Senators and my local Rep here in Oregon are meeting with all kinds of people including my county's R Board of Commissioners and doing what they can. Sadly, we are physically unable to do any protests, but donate where we can. It looks like we are going to need to help out our local food bank more frequently as they are being cut off from federal food help. Also I welcome thoughtful posts no matter how long they are.
i think I can accurately say we have never given any money to the DNC. We give to causes and candidates, a few of whom will never get any more money like Fetterman.
Sadly, one thing we all seem to miss, MONEY. The democrats used to be able to count on money from working people through union support. Reagan ended the ability of unions to help democrats along with the wealthy conservatives that managed to corrupt union leadership with money. Sadly, again, democrats attempts to get outside money out of politics ended when Obama relied on outside money in his first run (Stewart Stevens). Democrats getting money from corporate america put them on better financial ground but then the republicans were able to use that to help get the Citizens United ruling and the flood gates opened.
Ditto--well said. What an uphill climb we face, but first we have to see it!!Recognize it. Many are still in a cloud of "it can't happen here" and "wait it out, it will crumble". No not without pushback, major rolling pushback.. not just April 5th out there... rolling, general strikes...
The universities will suffer from a loss of foreign students… tuition payments. People will not come here to study or teach. The universities need to push back in a major way about free speech. They need to stand up for what they stand for!!!!
Barbara: For one's self interest and sanity, I understand your point! However, if one does not look ahead and make tactical decisions now for our futures, we are all doomed.
Tactical decisions yes absolutely. Running around like chicken little screaming the sky is falling-no. There are so many freak out voices right now I tune them out. I especially ignore those subversive voices saying all is lost.
I am being politically active, encouraging people to do so and managing the deep sadness I feel right now for my/our Country. I have loved America deeply since I was a kid.
Each of us must push ourselves while maintaining healthy coping mechanisms.
I agree with you Barbara. My Dad told me once, “ be like a duck, smooth on the surface, but keep paddling underneath the water”. That’s what I feel this country needs to do. Plan effective countermeasures, but keep your head centered.
Barbara and Mozart, thank you. Predicting the worst is easy, while it's more challenging to be imaginative and solution-focused. Also, there is no sense in ragging on the Dems. Both parties are failing to be constructive. Their reasons are many. But individuals in Congress are notable. "Look for the Helpers," as Mr. Rogers used to say. Here's a word of encouragement from today's Guardian: info@editorial.theguardian.com
this week, I got what must be the 20th fundraising mail from the DNC and the Democratic Senators' and the Democratic House's committees. It came with a self addressed envelope and in this case it was the DNC asking its loyal supporters to fill out a questionnaire about which three of this and which three of that were wrong with Trump or right with the DNC and which three of a dozen issues are the most important things we should do in 2025. This is leadership? This is the DNC pretending to want to hear from voters? Rather than just get more money from them! The self addressed envelope and the helpful donation page were yet another opportunity for me to say If they want money first they need to show bravery and strategy and action. Only when I'm convinced they've done everything they can in and outside the halls of Congress to stop this attack on the United States of America would I even consider giving them another dollar.
Exactly! It's tiresome and discouraging. I have the same feeling. But I do pick a few who clearly are forging ahead. Bernie, AOC, Elizabeth Warren, et al. End Citizens United!
Subscribe to Simon Rosenberg's Hopium for his weekly zooms.
Listen to experts on historical resistance to fascism: Ruth Ben-Ghiat (who also hosts a weekly Zoom for subscribers) and Timothy Snyder (who has a lot of talks on YouTube in addition to his prolific writing).
I agree. There really is a need to be peaceful yet forceful when voicing opposition. Give them no excuse to use violence against the citizenry. There are just too many, including former trump voters, who are being railroaded by this administration. Any violence against them could be a turning point for the republican congress, a thing even this administration does not want to risk.
Barbara: "I am dealing with the needs of the moment as they unfold." Perfectly said.
The Curtis Yarvin letter included after today's HCR letter was crazy. Anyone who has dealt with someone in a psychotic episode knows that the way to respond is to keep calm and steady and sure. Thank you, Barbara.
How has this Curtis Yarvin gained such a following? From what does he arise? From what deep thinking or philosophizing have these ideas arisen? What has he created or done to warrant such focus on what he’s selling? He sounds like a 4-yr old boy bent on the fun of breaking things, stomping on sand castles wherever he can find them.
Free, well, I have thought of that, but we would not get away with that for a nanosecond. Only the uberwealthy who can afford accountants and lawyers en masse can do that.
I understand your hesitation but you have to see this as a movement. When ‘implemented’ by a majority, how and who in an already overexerted government- & court-system will come after you?
Free, we are in our early 80s, so I am not ready to take the chance. I would love to see this happen however and would hope that you are correct about them being too overwhelmed to do anything.
In case you cannot access it, I am copying 3 nuggets: “ ... the agency responsible for taking money from Americans to fund the government, the I.R.S. has long been unpopular with the public. In that sense, it was a natural target for an antigovernment crusade, even if it could mean bringing in less tax revenue. Mr. Musk, Mr. Long and members of Mr. Trump’s staff have even raised the possibility of abolishing the I.R.S. altogether."
chuckle… well… let’s help them with that… :)
“Once I learned all of this and once I started and I had access to all these programs, I realized this isn’t what I thought it was. There really aren’t a lot of people there.”
"Not only might Americans find it easier to avoid paying all of the taxes they owe, but all of the time and money the I.R.S. spent on hiring her and thousands of others were ultimately for nothing.”
I understand what you’re saying - so these snippets are just meant for some inspiration. :)
We take the Times and thank you. Well, they can abolish the I.R.S. if they want, but that means that we will all be paying through the nose for any services that the government now provides and the cash will go into the pockets of the uberwealthy. I do not object to paying taxes per se, especially local taxes although I would rather not finance the R county commissioners and their assistants who are a way to avoid meeting laws. After two and a half years the sewer and street improvement project on our street has been completed. It includes sidewalks all the way to the middle school down the street. I might add that this street is a raceway, so that is much safer for the kids. It could not have been done without federal money despite kvetching by a lot of the workers about government. The scut work was done by Hispanics. It took three times for us to vote to have fire and emergency service 24/7 for a very large district, partly rural. So I see taxes as necessary. They should be fair which right now, they are not. What bothers me most is the cruelty of some of these decisions, no food for food banks, trying to destroy social security and government medical problems, etc. Before social security, many, many seniors lived in abject poverty.
I think that there are people who read the "long writings" who are already unnerved and on board. Then there are others that are still into denial and refusing to believe, and that this is overreaction. I think those of us that believe (know with good evidence) that we are in deep trouble and must act together, massively and ongoing if there is any hope, must allow for the repetitive messages to this effect to convince others of the seriousness of the moment. And yes, so hard to do, keep our heads... meditate, keep calm. Some of us need to cultivate this. It's not so easy. We all have different nervous systems. Know thyself.
Sixty people agreed with me. What followed from my comment was an excellent discussion. I don't recognize your name so maybe you are new to this Substack forum. We have spirited discussions. We are passionate. What we are not is deliberately mean such as you are being. It is a waste of time to post comments such as yours and try and stir up discord and a create a fight. It is interesting to me that out of all the very many comments and a robust discussion you show up ready for a fight because of my comment. This is just not that kind of forum.
If you like Dr. Richardson's Letters I highly recommend her podcasts.
I'm all for discussion and diverse opinions. I happen to believe it's fine to agree or disagree with anyone's comment, but not to act as their editor unless invited.
All demonstrations require legal permits from local authorities. If sh*t is going to happen, it will be playing with permitting authority, counter-demonstrations provoking riots by the likes of Proud Boys, who I suspect are champing at the bit. Large AND peaceful, and LOUD.
Here in Oregon we have often seen the Proud Boys at protests. Unfortunately, we also have a small group of people who i believe are actually apolitical who use protests as a means of doing major property damage. We had one young man, aged 14, who did about 14 thousand in broken windows.
Trump will have no qualms about calling the National Guard and give them orders to shoot.......you are no longer in a free country ! Beware of these Bastards they shoot to kill !
This is a lie. We are still living in a free Country.
We are experiencing an attempted coup. We are seeing serious and terrifying violations of our rights. We are fighting back. Whether you fight back or not is your choice.
The least you can do is resist declaring victory for the fascists. Stop obeying in advance.
Frank. There have been losses. There has been heartbreak, death and great harm such as John Lewis, the Freedom Riders, the Suffrage Movement and MLK experienced. Millions of Americans have been protesting in the streets since this Country began. Are you telling people to stay home?
"In February 2025 alone, we have already tallied more than 2,085 protests, which included major protests in support of federal workers, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, Palestinian self-determination, Ukraine and demonstrations against Tesla and Donald Trump’s agenda more generally. This is compared with 937 protests in the United States in February 2017, which included major protests against the so-called Muslim ban along with other pro-immigrant and pro-choice protests.
Coordinated days of protest such as March Fourth for Democracy (4 March), Stand Up for Science (7 March), rallies in recognition of International Women’s Day (8 March) and protests demanding the release of the Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil suggest little likelihood of these actions slowing down. These are all occurring in the background of a tidal wave of lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s early moves."
Yes eyes wide open and be brave *unafraid*. Acting starting now is important .Act wisely. In numbers and rolling, spreading out. There will be those who are made examples of. It's a tactic to spread fear. There is no choice. It will get worse. This is a test on us. We are fighting for the country we thought we were living in just a couple of months ago, now being actively destroyed... quickly.. amazing.. and not something about which to rationalize or deny. And if you need to take a break, take care of yourself.
Agreed. There probably will be some sort of scuffle or even violence by the administration. After all they are "disappearing people"!
But freaking out in advance just plays into the intimidation playbook. It's like obeying in advance. I have selected the town where I will attend a "Hands Off" protest. I have never protested. I have a phobia about crowds and I am old. But my fury now exceeds my fears.
My only decision now? What I will write on my sign! So much to say.
Accurate, admissible facts communicated in real time are more vital than at any time I recall in the last Century.
+ Today Friday, JD Vance is at the old Thule B-52 Airbase on Greenland's southwest coast now named Nuuk - no pun intended. The Peter Thiel operative been greeted In Greenland by residents with one sign saying "Humans are NOT FOR SALE!"
+ Meanwhile Reuters has reported this morning that 3 Chinese H-6 Bombers have deployed on an airstrip on the eastern side of Scarborough Shoal. No demonstrations are scheduled in the area today -- if ever.
Good one, SpinningJenny! We can all 'Fight Back' in many personally & politically effective ways.
Wisconsin voters are up next on April 1 in what amounts to a referendum on Musk-Trump.
Barbara, if you can’t adjust to the reality of a pending total breakdown of all things good, sincerely, I would suggest that you stop reading everything, and stay off the screens.
We who read Richardson and then share thoughts here fully grasp "the reality." I also agree with Barbara Mullen that "doom posting" only feeds a collective paralysis when we Richardson readers must be energizing ourselves for this war. Positive comments and outlooks help us all.
Do you remember that already in his first term TRUMP with a BIBLE in his hand, wanted the military to shoot the crowd outside the WHITE HOUSE. I just want you to be aware of who you are dealing with !
Fully aware: a person with a criminal record, amoral, mental disorders, psychopathic, malignant narcissist, rapist, arrested development, more. Disregards authority. Friendless. Sleep disorders. And more. Democrats and others who oppose him have yet to fully appreciate that the application of standard institutions to combat him will always fall short because the rules of convention no longer apply. In the meantime, you, and I have no resources on which to rely other than unity of opposition in numbers, and this requires a positive conviction and determination in our purpose. Hence, positive postings in this Newsletter. I just want you to be aware of why I'm so determined to think that way.
Murdered by the state. We have to be cognizant of the possibility of illegal, unconstitutional actions by our 'government'. But we cannot allow that to stop us.
Four died, nine were wounded by the Ohio National Guard. I was a reporter (for the Akron Beacon-Journal) for Kent State and Hiram College student actions the year before. It was Ohio state troopers who responded at Kent State at that time. I was with the students in a hallway of the administration building when state troopers appeared at both ends of the hallway to arrest the students and put them on buses. There was no violence and the troopers were respectful of reporters. I know; they let me out of the student section so I could continue my reporting. During those years, there were demonstrations all over the country protesting U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
I am not saying we should capitulate. I’m out there at least twice a week. But for the very large mass street events I believe there are higher risks that we need to be particularly aware of and prepared for and consequences later that we never thought could be problematic in the past. These students who are being picked up now would never have been detained or deported 6 mos ago. There’s a difference between ‘doom posting’ and advocating for a level of awareness under conditions that haven’t been seen since the Civil Rights protests in the South. If BLM protests happened today, you can be sure that violent suppression would be ordered by the Trump admin. The top tier has tried to equate harm to a Tesla with treason ffs. Yes, I’m out there, but I’m no Pollyanna either. Maybe harm happening to dissenters, if not ignored or trivialized by MSM, could wake people up. Kent State sure did. A bus of civil rights volunteers being set fire to did. And there’s not much time to right this ship.
100% right, IMHO. the ICZE seizings were just a warmup. Trump has not yet had his Brownshirt moment or his Krystallnacht, but I doubt he can resist. Please pick your venues with care and don't reenact Kent State. Also, it would be strategic to not to compel the US military to choose a side yet.
With the anticipated thousands [million+?] of heroic protestors on April 5th (actually any and all days, including Women's March) here's an updated partial list of those fighting back every day [as of 3-27=25). I'm also adding courageous law firms who haven't caved. Besides upstanding lawyers, and law-abiding honorable (present and former) judges (including James Boasberg, chief judge, D.C. District Ct.), here's a growing list of Profiles in Courage men, women, and advocacy groups who refuse to be cowed or kneel to the force of Trump/Musk/MAGA/Fox "News" intimidation:
I'll begin (again) with Missouri's own indomitable Jess[ica] (à la John Lewis's "get in good trouble") Piper/"The View from Rural Missouri," then, in no particular order, Heather Cox Richardson/"Letters from an American," Joyce Vance/"Civil Discourse," Bernie Sanders, AOC, Gov. Tim walz, Sarah Inama, Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Jasmine Crockett, Ruth Ben-Ghait, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell, Chris Hayes, Ali Velshi, Stephanie Miller, Gov. Janet Mills, Gov. Beshear, Gov. JB.Pritzker, Mayor Michelle Wu, J im Acosta, Jen Rubin And the Contrarians, Dan Rather, Robert Reich, Jay Kou, Steve Brodner, Rachel Cohen, Brian TylerCohen, Jessica Craven, Scott Dworkin, Anne Applebaum, Lucian Truscott IV, Chris Murphy, Jeff Merkley, Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth,Sheldon Whitehouse, Adam Schiff, Jon Ossoff, Elyssa Slotkin, Delia Ramirez,Tim Snyder, Robert B. Hubbell, Ben Meiseilas, Rich wilson, Ron Filpkowski, Jeremy Seahill, Thom Hartmann, Jonathan Bernstein, Simon Rosenberg, Marianne Williamson, Mark Fiore, Jamie Raskin, Rebecca Solnit, Steve Schmidt, Josh Marshall, Paul Krugman, Andy Borowitz, Jeff Danziger, Ann Telnaes,͏ ͏Will Bunch, Jim Hightower, Dan Pfeifer, Dean Obeidallah, Liz Cheney, Adam Kimzinger, Cassidy Hutchinson--
American Bar Association, 23 blue state Attorney Generals, Indivisible. FiftyFifty one, MoveOn, DemCast, Blue Missouri, Third Act, Democracy Forward, Public Citizen, Democracy Index, DemocracyLabs, Fred Wellman/On Democracy, Hands Off, Marc Elias/Democracy Docket, Public Citizen, League of Women Voters Lambda Legal, CREW, CODEPINK, ACLU, The 19th/Errin Haines, Working Families Party, American Oversight, et al.
And, as Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together"--or via Jess Piper, from rural Missouri: "Solidarity." FIGHT BACK! WE ARE NOT ALONE! (Latest addition h/t , Robert B. Hubbell: Law firms, see below). All suggestions are welcome.
* Perkins Coie and Covington & Burling have resisted Trump, fighting back with the help of other courageous firms like Williams & Connolly. Per The ABA Journal,
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, representing fired inspectors general. (Law.com)
Hogan Lovells, seeking to block executive orders to end federal funding for gender-affirming medical care. (Law.com)
Jenner & Block, also seeking to block the orders on cuts to medical research funding. (Law.com, Reuters)
Ropes & Gray, also seeking to block cuts to medical research funding. (Law.com)
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, representing the Amica Center for Immigrants Rights and others seeking to block funding cuts for immigrant legal services. (Law.com)
Thank you, Larry, for this hopeful reminder. There is a ground of strong and growing resistance. If we get out of this Trump-hell alive these names and others should be engraved on a wall of profiles in courage!,
Perhaps I should add our nation's motto--and on our Great Seal--the phrase "E pluribus unum" (out of many, One ). Ii's 13 letters makes its use symbolic of the original 13 Colonies which rebelled against the rule of the Kingdom of George III . . .And now we protest together against King Donald. As my rural MO. indomitable Jess Piper always says: "Solidarity"
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I think my list of never-give-up fighters is unique, and I do republish as often as it fits the subject discussed. Latest addition (3-28-25 update) is the law firm Wilmer Hale, who blasted back on Trump's executive orfer targeting them. Suggestions always welcome.
This is an awesome list! I guess I missed Rep Melanie Stansbury who is very vocal on the DOGE committee, and Maine’s AG Shanna Bellows? I do hope that if we can ever right this Ship of State, we tap into some of these new voices of leadership!!
Yes. It was public outcry, not Congress, which got the Social Security Administration to pause the plan to officially stop phone services. Although DOGE has crashed the SSA computer services.
Tesla is good. Can you get a group of people to stand on a corner with signs? Or is it just too risky in Texas? I am telling people to not risk their jobs or safety at this time. We all can do only what we can.
JDinTX. There is a "Hands Off! San Antonio fights back - Saturday, April 5th at Main Plaza. I heard about it from Beto. He said to Google "Hands Off & your city. The one for Tesla was a week or so ago - I didn't hear about it until after it happened.
Who's doing focus groups or discussing what will get people going. In Vietnam it took 1,00 of deaths and the threat of the same to get people to take to the streets. BLM v.1 the same.
Not needed. People are already in the streets. Find a protest and go there.
"In February 2025 alone, we have already tallied more than 2,085 protests, which included major protests in support of federal workers, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, Palestinian self-determination, Ukraine and demonstrations against Tesla and Donald Trump’s agenda more generally. This is compared with 937 protests in the United States in February 2017, which included major protests against the so-called Muslim ban along with other pro-immigrant and pro-choice protests. Coordinated days of protest such as March Fourth for Democracy (4 March), Stand Up for Science (7 March), rallies in recognition of International Women’s Day (8 March) and protests demanding the release of the Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil suggest little likelihood of these actions slowing down. These are all occurring in the background of a tidal wave of lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s early moves." The Guardian
Yay! You know Carol. We are joining history. We will be remembered as the fighters for the Resistance. Our children and our children's children will know we stood up.
I keep remembering the French Resistance book I translated. One must do something. And they did. One of my favorite stories is about taking explosives in a fishing “stool” to a factory by a canal.
The ideology written in Project 2025 is so antiquated...they talk about installing a dictatorship and handing all these departments back to the States...So we'll have 50 States with different laws?! Like 50 little countries?...What is the role of government supposed to be then?
Yup, my local group said the response is so large they've had to move the location. But Heather's post today scares me - at some point, will this new regime decide they can literally mow us down? They are so fanatical that it seems possible, if they see the American people fighting back against their Aryan dream.
Wicker, Tillis, Murrkowski, and even Rick Scott were strong on Ukraine and so were dozens of Republican House members. Many of them have been calling Trump a liar.
I keep saying that down here in Baghdad By the Sea, even our three MAGAT House members are complaining about immigrant abductions. We have more hispaics per square inch than any other county in the US, including muchos Venezuelans. All three are Cuban Americans, one, born in Cuba, was our Dem county mayor until 2020.
Many of them have personally lost stuff like cfrop payments, and every one of them has to hear it about SSA, education, etc.
I've been advocating pressing their consituents and donors, also. Once upon a time I rwpresented car dealers, school districts and local governments. I bet all are stressed.
With the bottomless pockets of Musk to fund campaigns or fund primary challengers, not enough Rs are going to stand up and speak against the coming destruction of our country. None.
"Congressional Republicans who have not completely bought into the axis of evil." Unless they are outspoken against him and voting against MAGA policies, they are collaborators and enablers. So, no points for them. And if they're holding out because they think Trump isn't going far enough, they're even worse.
Daniel, it seems to me that for too long, our media and social media legitimate contributors refuse to use the word "lie" and to call what is being done "treason." It seems that without our knowledge or permission, a bunch of supposed Americans have declared war on our nation, wrecking our government from within while we were being distracted with words like "woke" and "equity" being maligned, a talented, qualified woman's name trampled on, and a bunch of toddlers called "DOGE" when it was really "Destroy Our Government's Efficiency." The challenge is that our Trump government has control of our law enforcement, our military, and anything that could legally forcefully stop them since they see the courts as either irrelevant or already in their camp. Why anyone wanats to be ruled by an ignorant old man with dementia, a whiny 40-year-old who will lie at will even throwing his own constituents under the bus (Vance), and an ignorant rich immigrant and his toddler peers is beyond comprehension. I get it that Mikey Johnson thinks this is some kind of "god's will scenario but that's because he is as ignorant and inept as the rest of the crew. Where are the intelligent folks who could figure out how to take down the social media lying/disinformation and rework what is happening against Trump and Kump on behalf of the American people?
From Politico -- Top congressional appropriators — including a Republican — sent letters Thursday challenging the Trump administration’s decision to implement only a portion of the emergency money included in the recent stopgap funding bill.
Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Patty Murray of Washington — the chair and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, respectively — sent a letter Thursday to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought raising alarm that the administration is not adhering to the funding measure’s spending directives.
IMHO Trump's Achilles heel is national security -- which is about the only thing that Confgressioanl Republicans have with us....
If Paty Murray can ask Collins about spending, she can ask about the axis of evil....
BTW this committee also has SSA on its plate. Mainers have to picket, sit in, follow her home....
"IMHO Trump's Achillies heel is national security" - that is my opinion as well. I expected the Signal episode to fade as all others have. But it hasn't.
This has finally touched a big nerve. We must, as you say Daniel, continue to keep the heat on. I am calling my reps every day on the Signal story.
While it's interesting that SOME Congressional gop have actually seen the "Signalgate" situation for what it really is AND been willing to speak out, I bet the majority have not read P2025 and have been so busy kowtowing to their perceived "king" that they don't really understand the main gameplan. Heather's overview is the best I've seen to explain exactly what musk & co. have been doing, AND where we're headed if the whole process is allowed to continue. The courts don't seem to be long for this world, and I'd be shocked if there are 2026 elections. (They'll be rigged up the wazoo if they are anyway.) I've been waiting for trump to find an excuse to implement martial law even if he has to manufacture one -- which this weekend's even bigger, well-advertised marches and protests might provide. And I think with all the recent "disappearances" going on, that's partly what it will look like. The snatching of the Tuft's student was chilling to watch, and we don't know how our own military might react to orders to "control the crowds", etc. However, it is poignantly clear that we've undoubtedly reached the place of no return. No more fiddling around. We should start with Jerry's gameplan then step up in every other way. Heather's overview needs to be sent to ALL senators and representatives along with a statement that we will NOT TOLERATE the continuation of musk's activities and that he and doge MUST be shut down immediately, all the federal employees reinstated and their associated agencies re-established. Then we should all be sharing Heather's overview with as many friends and relatives possible.
The place to start is with Trump's donors. Check out Joyce Vance and Contrarian documenting law firms defending against Trump attacks. Here is a list of TYrump donors They also donated to Congressional Republicans. Some are undergoing an epiphany over due process and the rule of law.
The White House is NOT in denial about anything. They want a government that serves the wealthy and powerful and throws us “ takers “ to the wolves. And they could not do any of this without taxes from us “takers “.
George Washington, Lincoln, Perkins, FDR, JFK, MLK, and others have made America that Trump - Musk and Projedt25 are destroying. Why? Because they are not Amricans in spirit. Hopefully enough Repulican congress persons are Americans in spirit and join DEMs to start saving America.
Last year we were rallying to “keep democracy.” That’s not sufficient. We need to reform democracy. In addition to calling out the wrongs of the current Republican regime, we must identify how government can support positive freedom (see Timothy Snyder)—create our Project 2029.
Thanks, Ellie, for sharing…am listening to the printer churn the pages as I write this, to make a copy I can read well after the sun comes up on the west coast! We, as a country, are at an inflection point…where have we been? where are we now? where do we want to go? So many interests, large and small (rich and poor) pulling in different directions…hope it stabilizes soon…an even keel.🤞
I think Barbara, the most important question even after reading today's letter, is where the regime wants to go.
We know the answer now which brings another question: would it be an midterm election in 2026. My feeling is, and I've been posting regularly about it, it won't be. Maga is already panicking of loosing it. To be continued.
I’m paying attention, joining non-violent protests (is something more than shaking my fist at the sky), and using my voice & vote. I am lucky that I have Congress critters I support & who support “we the people”. Will be at a town hall held by my House rep this Sunday (he has a very large, very rural district). 🗽🇺🇸
I am marching April 5th. Calling AARP today to tell them to get off their butts or lose my membership. Thinking about going to my local Social Security office to picket for them.
AARP is in the insurance business. Republican Congress people aren't at the SSA office. Picket their offices, homes, their donors. Car dealers aren't happy about those tariffs. About the Trump/Tesla infomercial. Local chambers of commerce, other traditionbally Republican supporters.
Even Rand Paul says he's not joining the axis of evil -- hold him to it. Check out the list at Feathers of Hope.
Why choose? As a matter of fact AARP has already made a statement concerning what the Government is doing about social security. We need to petition them to come out stronger.
Want to help? I worked for SSA for 10 years...wrote about it...the chairs of the committees that are supposed to oversee the program are all Republicans and all have to be sensitive -- even if they are privatizers.Theuy just held a hearing for the new commish -- who is clueless, and is in the financial sector -- works transferring money. HAS TO BE STOPPED.
AARP has many lobbyists -- but they are seen as left of center to those Republicans. They are also tied to United Health Care.
SSA is social insurance. The retirement portion is funded therough an endowment, the retirement trust fund. Republicans are generally in denial but our retirement checks come from that fund and not the general revenues. The fund still has about 2.6 trillion. -- and Republicans want the money. SSA retirement and disability have nothing to do with the budget. NO effect.
IMHIO there are some former Reoublican commissioners who know all this -- if they come forward---
Meanwhile many beneficiaries are Republicans.... these folks are showing up at Republican town halls.... We need to get them working with us.
Just jealous as I can be Barbara , it’s near total Republican here , and the state bills GEESH! Today voting on requirements for photo ID ( passports next) ! Last week lowering standards for water protections where already a devastating spill stopped intake and thousands were w/o water for weeks. Skimming the surface and set backs.
Today’s “letter” is a continuum of dismay prompting cuss words I never use. Wondering when the next mistake costs us/the public lives of our own or family trying to protect status quos here or there and where are we …is a continual question.
Fewer are saying “Oh , It’ll be alright [or] , well he hasn’t had a chance to ( fill in the blank) see intended results yet , only been in office not even 3 mo. yet” when in actuality he’s been on the golf course mostly and “hasn’t been informed about ( fill in the blanks) “ while thousands are still gasping from being fired, have to move, services unable to be accessed…again ( fill in the blank) wondering if their health coverage/pills/grants will come to pay their bills/staff/ fill in the blank.
I’ve called, emailed, protested, worried.
Seems the judges are trying to stay abreast of how many challenged edicts now..I’ve lost track, sleep, count. How to believe a liar given no support to a cabinet that also lies, and state reps going backwards in safety mechanisms while taking large donations from corporate king pins/clueless billionaires/fill in the blank.
Do I care? Yes, I’m watching neighbors beginning to fall through the widening cracks dismayed saying “we didn’t vote for this “… yes , dear you certainly did -but I won’t say “I told ya so” and….whats your plan now?
My reps are all Republicans, and it is crucial for them to know that we are not asleep. I call them, two numbers each, almost every day. I often get the theme of my calls from HCRs letter. For a while I did all Ukraine. Now, all Signal. Short messages - they just have a staffer note the subject of the call, and I don't want to waste my time.
What happens is one question brings another because it's a very complex situation. Once the situation is clear as it is, the obvious question is what to do .
Exactly so. The call to action must be intense and urgent! We must never be satisfied with too little! It is action and agitation or stagnation. We must get busy with it.
Agreed we are seeing positive results. And there's nothing wrong with lebel someone angered. It's only natural, we never been in this situation before and we might lose everything good we took for granted. I'm angry as most good people that I know and is paying attention. No shame there Barbara. Don't get me wrong please.
Not ashamed either. I carry a deep sadness. Everyday it's one more thing being dismantled. Now they are going after the Smithsonian. As an Archivist this one made me gasp.
Ricardo, folks posit that there may not be an “next election” (Trump even hinted at it…the “toss-off” comments he makes regarding this…real? or not?). The entrenched voter suppression scourge is already in many counties/states & that is very worrisome enough (and must be overcome….I don’t care WHAT party you belong to R, D, I, Green, etc., if you are eligible to vote, you should not be impeded from doing so!). I do worry in this “anything goes” & shoot first ask questions later admin that they will try to subvert the very process… Hope I’m wrong.
“ The sweeping order amends the federal voter registration form to require proof of citizenship in order to vote. It demands documentary proof for citizenship such as a passport to be eligible to vote in federal elections, empowers federal agencies to cut funding to states deemed non-compliant and instructs the Department of Justice to prosecute what the White House paints as “election crimes”.
“ Many of the provisions in the order are likely to be quickly challenged and are legally suspect. The US constitution explicitly gives states and Congress the authority to set the rules for election and does not authorize the president to do so.
“The short answer is that this executive order, like all too many that we’ve seen before, is lawless and asserts all sorts of executive authority that he most assuredly does not have,” said Danielle Lang, a voting rights lawyer at the non-profit Campaign Legal Center.
“Republicans have long sought to add a citizenship question to the federal form and been stymied by the courts. “
It may be a ‘lawless’ executive order, but they sure are trying hard to make it law. Kansas (Kris Kobach SoS) enacted this 2013-2016 until it was struck down in state supreme court. This 2025 legislative session, Kansas supermajority is passing legislation attacking the state supreme court justice selection process… Kansas repubs don’t like their Supreme Court and are kneecapping the court.
Obama raised much if not most of his funding through crowdsourcing, so every bit helps. In Canada, i just started donating politically for the first time in my life, don't mind saying Liberal, which in the USA is omg LEFT and worse. Yes, unfortunately individual wealth is a prerequisite in modern democracies. I see Australia is currently struggling with an election financing reform which contains mixed motives. Bernie's ideas sound good to me!
If we don’t reform it, it’s every four years of chaos, if we’re lucky. Repubs have been planning for 40 years, we’re way behind. As muskrat keeps reminding them (why so few willing to oppose chump), it’s your last chance to do what you want, now or there will never be another chance. 99% agreement repubs…
You refer, Annabel, to "we the people," and to building "on mutual aid and support."
Unfortunately, beginning the with Powell memo of long ago (1971), the far right has viciously organized, and with billions of dollars ground its animus.
At first its rich and corporate leaders simply hated the obvious energy good libs, lefties, and progressives got from all the novels, films, and songs of the late 1960s. The far right hated, hated, hated the anti-war protestors, the women's lib people, the civil rights marchers, and all environmentalists. So the new Powell memo foundations (Heritage, 1973, ALEC 1973) first turned their attention to the schools -- to kill humanities there.
They succeeded. And put in place a yoke of strangling efficiency -- standardized testing.
Slowly the damages set in. Now we can see their bitter fruit. Reading Heather's today should make it apparent to everyone who reads it that "they" who hate, hate, hate stand poised to have killed the republic.
Dems, so feckless in the 2024 elections, had just totally lost touch with what really happened to working-class America -- so totally had Dems not seen what was really in so many novels, memoirs, essay collections, biographies, and histories, so totally had elites fallen to the Powell memo cold-blooded, billionaire-oligarch-worshipping designs.
Yes, turn out Dems in elections now. But can teachers organize to return to schools our vitally needed humanities? And begin practicing them? Begin citing the works really crucially well in touch with "we the people"?
It is not teachers who will return humanities to schools. It will need to be local communities who set curriculum. It will need to be federally funded monies that enable schools to be autonomous in their selection of curriculum. Please look at real solutions to problems instead of your "doom and gloom" comments.
I ve truly never met a more dedicated , consistently caring group. Teachers are we all ,in reality, by our walk , talk, and shop.But those that know our children are our future, for history to be a guide of what does or doesn’t work. The real ones ARE the front line.
THEY CHEATED in 2024 by eliminating millions of valid voters in red states and Trump has already introduced legislation to do this in ALL STATES so 2026 will be a bogus election. See the Vigilantes Inc video at gregpalast.com (or on U tube) for his interview with s single Vigilante that removed 32,000+ voters in Ga. There were 40,000+ Vigilantes removing votes in red states. Also, an after the vote audit shows dicrepancies in CLARK COUNTY, NV. so other methods were used.
I hope so.....however, it seems to me that what's going on reveals symptoms of a decaying society; we are living in a country devoid of values; the thing about being stupid is that it's becoming contagious; there's no joy in ruining lives - anyone who enjoys it is a psychopath.
Yes very much psychopaths. Curtis Yarvin is “a good friend of mine” says DOGE advisor Marc Andreessen.
Under his previous pen name, Yarvin once proposed converting unproductive people into biodiesel. Yarvin said he was joking but that the joke helps “describe the problem” and that the “goal” is a “humane alternative to genocide.”
American democracy is hanging by a thread. This isn’t just another political crisis, it’s an existential fight. MAGA extremists are using the system to destroy it, gutting institutions, silencing dissent, and consolidating power. Project 2025 is a blueprint for permanent authoritarian rule. If Americans don’t mobilize, vote, protest, organize it’s over. Courts will fall, elections will be rigged, and free speech crushed. History won’t save us; only action will. The next few years will determine whether America remains a democracy or becomes an authoritarian state. The time to fight is now.
What no one seems to be saying is what I see: the chaos is deliberate. Getting people protesting is what they want. That will GIVE TRUMP AN EXCUSE TO DECLARE MARTIAL LAW. And then he can declare himself king, dictator, whatever he wants. And guess what? WE ARE JUST A FEW SMALL STEPS AWAY FROM THAT SCENARIO! But if we get out on the streets in the millions and protest, they can’t imprison millions. Violent revolution is NOT the answer. Gandhi won independence for India with nonviolent noncooperation, violence-free resistance, by millions of people. MLK won the Civil Rights fight the same way. They can’t win against an enemy who fights, not with guns, but with the presence of MILLIONS STANDING UP IN THE STREETS AND SAYING NO!
Tunnel-vision affects almost everyone. I look at how being a risk manager molded (¿moulded?) my thinking into reducing questions of ethics and morality to probabilities UNLESS I did a 'manual over-ride' intellectually. Imagine what years of coding -- where there are definitive solutions unchallenged by what others think or feel -- and the halo effect of wealth does to a world view. 😳 https://www.instagram.com/baratunde/reel/DF6Zq0ARm0C/?locale=de-DE (about the 'nerd reich' thought-leader, Curtis Yarvin.) 🤬
There is a consensus seeking change. Most, at least many, Americans, apparently, want a change of personnel and policies away from people whom they view as stale career politicians with hackneyed, over-priced policies.. That does not mean a change of institutions. Technocracy, in my view at least, has not served us well, dating back to the ghastly war in Viêt Nam. 😢 https://youtu.be/Ahv3IKzMdHA (Investigation into the family backgrounds of Peter Thiel and Elon Musk by 'Democracy Now!'.) 🤢
The solution, however, is not a gangster régime. 😱
Looking back over my time, I see so much misdirection in our body politic. LBJ was destined to be the modern day FDR but for his anti communist World War II mentality and foolish involvement in Vietnam. Then we swing in the other direction to Nixon who founded the modern day MAGAs unbeknownst to him as he expounded his southern strategy. Reagan destroyed. Bush I nominated Thomas and began foolish military adventures in the Middle East and after allowing American military stationed in Saudi Arabia, so inflamed bin Ladin to attack on 9/11. He eager son went back into the Middle East with not one but two invasions and nominated 2 corrupt supremes. And now we have the Antichrist of the ages.
Thank you for a thoughtful review of the swing to the right in the United States of AMarrogance. Dr Bandy Lee believe that a widespread insinuation of social psychopathy has extended the arc of this rightward swing from reactionary to an increasingly brutal authoritarianism as we now see with Trump and his cadre of violence, attracting even educated courtiers like Hegseth. I do not see Chief Justice Roberts as corrupt; Alito, Thomas, and, at least with respect to power, Justice Kavanaugh.
Make no mistake, 2026, will be critical to America's future. The MAGA American Fascist Party will do everything they can to keep a 2026 Democratic Party landslide from becoming reality. I fully expect trump will attempt to CANCEL the 2026 election. I know that sounds impossible but nothing he has done thus far seemed possible less than a year ago. We must be prepared!
we don't have until 2026. Project 2025 timeline is 180 days from inauguration.....we are halfway through this and STILL too many people have NO CLUE what is contained in Project 2025.
He does not have to cancel it. He just needs Musk to control voting computers and he needs to continue voter suppression (see current ex order). Orban playbook.
I so feel your pain... I remember attending a march In NYC that drew a large crowd of well over 100,000+ including some of the 'usual celebrities' (March for Peace, Justice and Democracy, April 29, 2006 with Susan Sarandon & Al Sharpton). I was aghast, disheartened and my spirit crushed when I found it mentioned on page 3 in a few newspapers the next day. The energy and can-do-spirit evaporated right then and there, and it taught me a valuable lesson: you can scream your lunges out & bang your head against the nearest walls, unless you grab x by the y, z will not happen.
x = current 'regime', y = money, z = change.
Withdraw the funds that are fuelling those in power. Do not pay your taxes as long as your president is using them against you and everything you hold dear.
Don't kid yourselves! The days of free and fair elections are very likely over! At the moment they're only concerned about maintaining their current majority, nothing more.
Annabel, I love your question about building another system. This is happening in the cooperative movement. Look to Mondragon in Spain for an amazing example of what is possible. My hope is that this incredible outpouring of greed and anger will finally show us all that we’ve had enough of it. Then we can restructure what remains based on solidarity, compassion and community. With respect for all of nature and each other. The co-ops will be there to show us how.
The fact that they are concerned about Democrats gaining seats in Congress is good. It means they intend to at least maintain the FORM of elections.
But will the rogue regime pay any more attention to Congress than they do to the courts?
They want to destroy the institutions that make up the United States.
Can we the people build another system under their noses? Built on mutual aid and support?
We are most likely about to find out.
Hopefully there are a few Congressional Republicans who have not completely bought into the axis of evil.
“The White House is in denial that this was not classified or sensitive data,” said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a former Air Force brigadier general and member of the House Armed Services Committee, on Wednesday. “They should just own up to it and preserve credibility.” https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/03/26/congress/don-bacon-white-house-in-denial-00250692
Jerry Weiss has a list of Republicans who say they want to talk. https://jerryweiss.substack.com/
We need to add pressure. Call. Write. Picket. Sit in. We'll see what happens Tuesday. Only need 3 to trigger it.
🚨 On Saturday, April 5th, we're peacefully taking to the (your town) sidewalks to fight back with a clear message: Hands off! 🚨
This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop to the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.
A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.
Check out handsoff2025.com for more information.
That is very good advice about focusing on nonviolence, for what good it will do. Do you really think Trump will think twice about sending the (para)military into a peaceful crowd of protesters? Trump has dreamed of this since he first envisioned military tanks tearing up the Capitol pavement for his first inaugural parade. Pete Hegseth will not face discipline for the security breach because that man will have no compunction about doing whatever lawless trampling on our rights of free speech and dissent that Dear Leader requests, unlike General Milley and Mark Esper. These intelligent students whose legal statuses are being withdrawn as they are hauled away simply because they have actively opposed genocide, Putin’s aggression, or write OpEds about not supporting Zionism, are just test cases for intimidating and silencing the rest of us. We were warned that the guardrails would be off this time around, and they are not only off, but the rails are greased.
Make no mistake, I have been and will be present at these protests, I have no plan to obey in advance. But the larger the demonstration, the more tempting it is for Trump and his regime to declare states of emergency and use force against us. Town halls, Arena rallies, high numbers spread out along the road sides are much more inconvenient targets. We need to go into any massive protest with our eyes wide open. We also must be cognizant of facial recognition technology and perhaps wear masks as precautions against future retaliation.
I refer you to the group organizers for your concerns.
My point of reference for myself right now is maintain my sanity, sense of self and not freak out. I am not giving in to what could happen. I am dealing with the needs of the moment as they unfold.
I am not so sure long, long writings such as yours are helpful.
How about we keep our heads, knuckle down and take care of business.
In mid winter a communication from the Democratic Party asked me for input on rethinking their future direction. I enthusiastically participated, especially after their months and months of silence to feedback I'd been volunteering them since Kamala's defeat and Trump's second Inaugural.
Sometimes long is necessary, Barbara.
Late yesterday morning a communication from DNC arrived in my Inbox. I read it immediately only to be dumbfounded, absolutely dumbfounded, by what it said!!
Nothing . . . NOTHING!!! . . . could captured save IN THE NEGATIVE what is so deeply awry in the Democratic Party at this very moment than the four pages it contained.
If I had been an astronaut landing back yesterday on earth after an unexpected and unplanned six silent months in orbit around the earth I would never have been able to tell by reading this DNC e-mail on its future course. Beginning January 20th our Republic came under a withering siege of a fascist-leaning incompetent and swiftly aging man-child, a 900-page blueprint shaped by Christian nationalist 'values' he had expressly disavowed during the campaign, a cabinet he filled with billionaires and numerous amateurs and incompetents at Federal administration, and precious little fundamental sympathy with the PEOPLE for, by, and of this Nation which our Republic has ever improved itself serving for almost 250 years. The out-of-power Democratic leadership at the Federal level has, with a few notable exceptions, failed to rise as a unified body to the requisite tasks of opposition this increasingly desperate situation demands. That includes the capacity to speak out, vote, block and parry as the procedures in both houses will allow and support on behalf of saving the Republic. The party as a whole wallows at the 20+ percent in public approval. From the four pages I received no one could imagine America was facing a huge, many-faceted and deepening constitutional crisis, and now also, with the startling emergence of an out-of-control DOGE interloper, a huge, unnecessary, and unexpected Federal administrative upheaval that is quickly transforming itself into parallel confusion and dismay at state and local levels.
And yet all this DNC 'memo of response' advances is a six column bar chart purporting to quantify what all us respondents advanced concerning where we believe the Party needs to work. Here are the six blue columns:
Building a stronger, more visible communication strategy
Transform how we engage with young voters
Strengthen outreach with rural communities
Hold more town halls and listening sessions
Increasing investment in protecting voting rights
Recruit and support more Democratic candidates
If this was meant to express the conclusions of a proper situation audit of where the party needs to direct itself given where it finds itself, this quantitative telling wholly misses the mark. At one point the e-mail actually says in so many words that their intent is "not just in fighting back against Trump but also on building our Party for the long term." Well, of course. Except that it misses the elephant in the room.
If the fight against Trump isn't successful the many dimensions of upheaval in the Republic will undercut the delivery of services, the balance of powers, and our protection against tyranny, losing the safeguards of freedom and liberty, spelling the end of the Republic. That is the crisis facing us and the Democratic Party; the summary memo is, I believe, simply and wholly off point, and I'll tell them so.
Late last evening I got an e-mail fundraising message from Senator Elizabeth Warren who apparently hasn't gotten the DNC e-mail either since she writes about DNC "organiz(ing) against Trump’s disastrous agenda." Except they're clearly not.
Now I'm off to breakfast, then my annual appointment with my cardiologist, and only then can I come back and send the memo of response direct to DNC. I judged its importance high enough, though, in the larger scheme of things, to sandwich this post into the developing Friday morning thread of the HCR faithful.
Well said! Articulate, accurate, and sound. Suggest you copy/paste into a more prominent level of today’s comments. I think Dems are lost. We either move forward without them, or they’ll set themselves adrift to nowhere. (Best wishes with your cardio appointment.)
What a kind reply. It gives me some comfort that i am in this with some truly good people.
Meg, given the Rs want a dictator and an end to any federal services, and the Dems are “lost,” what do you suggest we do?
Speak up. Silence means approval. Do what you can. We are all different ages. Different abilities. What are you able to do? Write? Call? Act? You must consult with your friends. Ask what CAN we do? You can subscribe to calls every Thursday 3ET with the group Indivisible who are coordinating “Hands Off!” protests on April 5. Just do something.
ActBlue offers donations to pay for those who can't afford transportation to the Women's March in Washington April 5th. https://tinyurl.com/2yy47vk7
Saw that muskrat wants to go after Actblue.
WE need a movement. Remember Black Lives Matter? Can we do that again?
We ARE doing that already. Numerous democracy groups are mobilizing Americans and fighting the regime in court. Check out the nationwide protests planned for April 5 - handsoff2025.org. Indivisible.org, ACLU.org, Brennan Center for Justice, and many others. I hope you'll make good trouble where you are!
I appreciate your best wishes; I've been a 'good boy' and go with all my homework done and fully recorded. I'm not sure what you mean by "more prominent level." Can you elaborate for me? I thought I was already being perhaps a bit over-assertive by piggy-backing as I did, but at this point 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' . . .
Post your comment as a direct/immediate comment about today's article, not just as a response to someone else. You're not being overly assertive by any stretch. Hope breakfast and the cardio appointment both were good.
i abandoned the DNC years ago when they burned Bernie. Bernie is out there with AOC doing huge rallies while the rest of the pathetic Dems, with a few exceptions, are sending “what can I say to make you give me money” emails. Bah.
Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is speaking out, LOUDLY, while her colleague, Dick Durbin? GOOD LORD. No.
If you wish to call Duckworth's DC office as I just did, you will get an actual aide. I requested she tell Tammy how very proud I am of my senator and how I support her 100%
(202) 224-2854
Same here. I ONLY donate to actual elected officials directly who are actually doing the hard work and getting things done. Lately I'm focused on people like Bernie, AOC, and the 'newcomers' like Greg Casar, Ro Khanna, etc who are not just speaking the truth outloud, but WALKING the TALK.
Quite a few groups are using so much negative, shaming statements to bully you into donating funds which actually has the effect on me of anger. So, again, be careful who you send your money to.
Boy, isn't that true? Dems seem to be focused in March 2025 in raising money for November 2026 - talk about heads in the sand!!
Granted, we need to focus on the now. BUT, let's not forget the November 2026 elections, assuming they are held (which is why we should also focus on the now). There's not much we can do to change Congress until 2026, when (ideally) Democrats will take majorities in both House and Senate. Even so, that won't change either Trump or Musk, but it might begin to brake some of their most egregious programs.
I'm 83. major in Russian and minor in German. Later I worked with MD's who weren't allowed to practice in private, but had experienced the NAZI and and/or Stalinist regimes. To me, my education and experience are invaluable. Outside of my narrow circle of friends, I am yesterday's news. Watching what's happening, I'm seeing Mein Kampf play out again, only now it's called Project 2025. I can definitely empathize with your recent experience. BTW, I live in north central Minnesota, which makes me a (educated) jack pine savage. Don
I just wrote almost exactly the same to a friend - namely that "today’s Mein Kampf is the Project 2025 manifesto".
(I am too young to claim a dé·jà vu but my German education has instilled in me a sniffer dog's sense for anything-propaganda.)
I confess that I pay no attention to anything that the DNC sends out. Our Senators and my local Rep here in Oregon are meeting with all kinds of people including my county's R Board of Commissioners and doing what they can. Sadly, we are physically unable to do any protests, but donate where we can. It looks like we are going to need to help out our local food bank more frequently as they are being cut off from federal food help. Also I welcome thoughtful posts no matter how long they are.
Agree the DNC is dead in the water to me. Never another dime!
i think I can accurately say we have never given any money to the DNC. We give to causes and candidates, a few of whom will never get any more money like Fetterman.
Sadly, one thing we all seem to miss, MONEY. The democrats used to be able to count on money from working people through union support. Reagan ended the ability of unions to help democrats along with the wealthy conservatives that managed to corrupt union leadership with money. Sadly, again, democrats attempts to get outside money out of politics ended when Obama relied on outside money in his first run (Stewart Stevens). Democrats getting money from corporate america put them on better financial ground but then the republicans were able to use that to help get the Citizens United ruling and the flood gates opened.
Ditto--well said. What an uphill climb we face, but first we have to see it!!Recognize it. Many are still in a cloud of "it can't happen here" and "wait it out, it will crumble". No not without pushback, major rolling pushback.. not just April 5th out there... rolling, general strikes...
Yes, where are the unions? You don't have to be as brilliant as Heather to see that the unions will be decapitated in this Brave New World.
The universities will suffer from a loss of foreign students… tuition payments. People will not come here to study or teach. The universities need to push back in a major way about free speech. They need to stand up for what they stand for!!!!
I think they mostly stand for more federal grants.
Sadly and frustratingly I agree with you. Also, referring to Trump or Musk as “ man child “? They are neither. If only they were.
Thank you for your 'long' response to BM. Thank you for fighting!
That about sums it up. All I could add is to echo Robert Prosky's classic admonition, "Be Careful Out There."
Barbara: For one's self interest and sanity, I understand your point! However, if one does not look ahead and make tactical decisions now for our futures, we are all doomed.
Tactical decisions yes absolutely. Running around like chicken little screaming the sky is falling-no. There are so many freak out voices right now I tune them out. I especially ignore those subversive voices saying all is lost.
I am being politically active, encouraging people to do so and managing the deep sadness I feel right now for my/our Country. I have loved America deeply since I was a kid.
Each of us must push ourselves while maintaining healthy coping mechanisms.
I agree with you Barbara. My Dad told me once, “ be like a duck, smooth on the surface, but keep paddling underneath the water”. That’s what I feel this country needs to do. Plan effective countermeasures, but keep your head centered.
I wish us all success in our daily struggles!
Salute!
Barbara and Mozart, thank you. Predicting the worst is easy, while it's more challenging to be imaginative and solution-focused. Also, there is no sense in ragging on the Dems. Both parties are failing to be constructive. Their reasons are many. But individuals in Congress are notable. "Look for the Helpers," as Mr. Rogers used to say. Here's a word of encouragement from today's Guardian: info@editorial.theguardian.com
I read this. Really good stuff.
this week, I got what must be the 20th fundraising mail from the DNC and the Democratic Senators' and the Democratic House's committees. It came with a self addressed envelope and in this case it was the DNC asking its loyal supporters to fill out a questionnaire about which three of this and which three of that were wrong with Trump or right with the DNC and which three of a dozen issues are the most important things we should do in 2025. This is leadership? This is the DNC pretending to want to hear from voters? Rather than just get more money from them! The self addressed envelope and the helpful donation page were yet another opportunity for me to say If they want money first they need to show bravery and strategy and action. Only when I'm convinced they've done everything they can in and outside the halls of Congress to stop this attack on the United States of America would I even consider giving them another dollar.
Exactly! It's tiresome and discouraging. I have the same feeling. But I do pick a few who clearly are forging ahead. Bernie, AOC, Elizabeth Warren, et al. End Citizens United!
Listen to any of the Indivisible "What's the Plan?" videos with leaders Ezra and Leah:
https://youtu.be/294-t2aTvzA?si=HG5YdfNGjwz06lwE
Subscribe to Simon Rosenberg's Hopium for his weekly zooms.
Listen to experts on historical resistance to fascism: Ruth Ben-Ghiat (who also hosts a weekly Zoom for subscribers) and Timothy Snyder (who has a lot of talks on YouTube in addition to his prolific writing).
Spot on Ellie 🎯
Thanks Ellie I will review it!
@ELLIEKONA Hi Ellie, I sent you a message on Substack.
I agree. There really is a need to be peaceful yet forceful when voicing opposition. Give them no excuse to use violence against the citizenry. There are just too many, including former trump voters, who are being railroaded by this administration. Any violence against them could be a turning point for the republican congress, a thing even this administration does not want to risk.
Barbara: "I am dealing with the needs of the moment as they unfold." Perfectly said.
The Curtis Yarvin letter included after today's HCR letter was crazy. Anyone who has dealt with someone in a psychotic episode knows that the way to respond is to keep calm and steady and sure. Thank you, Barbara.
How has this Curtis Yarvin gained such a following? From what does he arise? From what deep thinking or philosophizing have these ideas arisen? What has he created or done to warrant such focus on what he’s selling? He sounds like a 4-yr old boy bent on the fun of breaking things, stomping on sand castles wherever he can find them.
Just like the rest of the tech bros—thiel, musk, sachs.
Jim Stewartson writes quite frequently about Curtis Yarvin, “Dark Enlightenment” and the big plan of the “PayPal mafia”.
Scary stuff, scary people.
https://www.mind-war.com/
Been there, done that.
A non-violent approach that would have an impact is for Americans to stop paying taxes.
Free, well, I have thought of that, but we would not get away with that for a nanosecond. Only the uberwealthy who can afford accountants and lawyers en masse can do that.
I understand your hesitation but you have to see this as a movement. When ‘implemented’ by a majority, how and who in an already overexerted government- & court-system will come after you?
Free, we are in our early 80s, so I am not ready to take the chance. I would love to see this happen however and would hope that you are correct about them being too overwhelmed to do anything.
Looking @ an article published by the NYT (on the 10th and updated on the 13th), you might find this interesting, Michele: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/us/politics/irs-taxes-trump-musk-federal-workers.html
In case you cannot access it, I am copying 3 nuggets: “ ... the agency responsible for taking money from Americans to fund the government, the I.R.S. has long been unpopular with the public. In that sense, it was a natural target for an antigovernment crusade, even if it could mean bringing in less tax revenue. Mr. Musk, Mr. Long and members of Mr. Trump’s staff have even raised the possibility of abolishing the I.R.S. altogether."
chuckle… well… let’s help them with that… :)
“Once I learned all of this and once I started and I had access to all these programs, I realized this isn’t what I thought it was. There really aren’t a lot of people there.”
"Not only might Americans find it easier to avoid paying all of the taxes they owe, but all of the time and money the I.R.S. spent on hiring her and thousands of others were ultimately for nothing.”
I understand what you’re saying - so these snippets are just meant for some inspiration. :)
We take the Times and thank you. Well, they can abolish the I.R.S. if they want, but that means that we will all be paying through the nose for any services that the government now provides and the cash will go into the pockets of the uberwealthy. I do not object to paying taxes per se, especially local taxes although I would rather not finance the R county commissioners and their assistants who are a way to avoid meeting laws. After two and a half years the sewer and street improvement project on our street has been completed. It includes sidewalks all the way to the middle school down the street. I might add that this street is a raceway, so that is much safer for the kids. It could not have been done without federal money despite kvetching by a lot of the workers about government. The scut work was done by Hispanics. It took three times for us to vote to have fire and emergency service 24/7 for a very large district, partly rural. So I see taxes as necessary. They should be fair which right now, they are not. What bothers me most is the cruelty of some of these decisions, no food for food banks, trying to destroy social security and government medical problems, etc. Before social security, many, many seniors lived in abject poverty.
You wrote: I am not so sure long, long writings such as yours are helpful.
How about we keep our heads, knuckle down and take care of business.
I ask: Huh? What does this even mean?
You say it simply-
I think that there are people who read the "long writings" who are already unnerved and on board. Then there are others that are still into denial and refusing to believe, and that this is overreaction. I think those of us that believe (know with good evidence) that we are in deep trouble and must act together, massively and ongoing if there is any hope, must allow for the repetitive messages to this effect to convince others of the seriousness of the moment. And yes, so hard to do, keep our heads... meditate, keep calm. Some of us need to cultivate this. It's not so easy. We all have different nervous systems. Know thyself.
How about you edit your own posts and leave everyone else to edit theirs, Barbara?
Sixty people agreed with me. What followed from my comment was an excellent discussion. I don't recognize your name so maybe you are new to this Substack forum. We have spirited discussions. We are passionate. What we are not is deliberately mean such as you are being. It is a waste of time to post comments such as yours and try and stir up discord and a create a fight. It is interesting to me that out of all the very many comments and a robust discussion you show up ready for a fight because of my comment. This is just not that kind of forum.
If you like Dr. Richardson's Letters I highly recommend her podcasts.
I'm all for discussion and diverse opinions. I happen to believe it's fine to agree or disagree with anyone's comment, but not to act as their editor unless invited.
All demonstrations require legal permits from local authorities. If sh*t is going to happen, it will be playing with permitting authority, counter-demonstrations provoking riots by the likes of Proud Boys, who I suspect are champing at the bit. Large AND peaceful, and LOUD.
Permits? We don't need no stinkin' permits! Vamanos!
Here in Oregon we have often seen the Proud Boys at protests. Unfortunately, we also have a small group of people who i believe are actually apolitical who use protests as a means of doing major property damage. We had one young man, aged 14, who did about 14 thousand in broken windows.
Trump will have no qualms about calling the National Guard and give them orders to shoot.......you are no longer in a free country ! Beware of these Bastards they shoot to kill !
This is a lie. We are still living in a free Country.
We are experiencing an attempted coup. We are seeing serious and terrifying violations of our rights. We are fighting back. Whether you fight back or not is your choice.
The least you can do is resist declaring victory for the fascists. Stop obeying in advance.
At least we still have some rights, protest being one. let’s use it!
Excellent point! Let's protest.
Yes, Barbara.
Fists up!
Absolutely!! Let's do this!
AMEN! Barbara!
There will be such events. This might cause us trouble but it's good trouble, necessary trouble.
that didn't work out so well for the Kent university shootings! Anything like this will be televised up to your ying yang.
Frank. There have been losses. There has been heartbreak, death and great harm such as John Lewis, the Freedom Riders, the Suffrage Movement and MLK experienced. Millions of Americans have been protesting in the streets since this Country began. Are you telling people to stay home?
"In February 2025 alone, we have already tallied more than 2,085 protests, which included major protests in support of federal workers, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, Palestinian self-determination, Ukraine and demonstrations against Tesla and Donald Trump’s agenda more generally. This is compared with 937 protests in the United States in February 2017, which included major protests against the so-called Muslim ban along with other pro-immigrant and pro-choice protests.
Coordinated days of protest such as March Fourth for Democracy (4 March), Stand Up for Science (7 March), rallies in recognition of International Women’s Day (8 March) and protests demanding the release of the Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil suggest little likelihood of these actions slowing down. These are all occurring in the background of a tidal wave of lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s early moves."
The Guardian
People watching on TV the government violence against the peaceful Selma marchers is what gave us the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
RIGHTO, Anne B, …back when we all watched the pictures on just 3 main sources of news coverage.
Bravo!
One would certainly HOPE so, Frank, although I have been losing faith in many of our MSM to represent what’s REALLY important these days.
.
The goons disappearing folks wear masks, i suggest red cloaks = handmaid revolt
Yes eyes wide open and be brave *unafraid*. Acting starting now is important .Act wisely. In numbers and rolling, spreading out. There will be those who are made examples of. It's a tactic to spread fear. There is no choice. It will get worse. This is a test on us. We are fighting for the country we thought we were living in just a couple of months ago, now being actively destroyed... quickly.. amazing.. and not something about which to rationalize or deny. And if you need to take a break, take care of yourself.
Remember KENT State ! They opened with live fire on the Student protesters ! Many died! Frightening !
Stop. Stop doom posting. What good does this do?
Agreed. There probably will be some sort of scuffle or even violence by the administration. After all they are "disappearing people"!
But freaking out in advance just plays into the intimidation playbook. It's like obeying in advance. I have selected the town where I will attend a "Hands Off" protest. I have never protested. I have a phobia about crowds and I am old. But my fury now exceeds my fears.
My only decision now? What I will write on my sign! So much to say.
Since I live in the Philly area, I plan to have a picture of Ben Franklin and my signs will say, Dear Ben, we WILL keep it.
Oh gosh. Really really cool.
This gave me chills. I love Ben.
Agreed Barbara & Bill.
Accurate, admissible facts communicated in real time are more vital than at any time I recall in the last Century.
+ Today Friday, JD Vance is at the old Thule B-52 Airbase on Greenland's southwest coast now named Nuuk - no pun intended. The Peter Thiel operative been greeted In Greenland by residents with one sign saying "Humans are NOT FOR SALE!"
+ Meanwhile Reuters has reported this morning that 3 Chinese H-6 Bombers have deployed on an airstrip on the eastern side of Scarborough Shoal. No demonstrations are scheduled in the area today -- if ever.
Good one, SpinningJenny! We can all 'Fight Back' in many personally & politically effective ways.
Wisconsin voters are up next on April 1 in what amounts to a referendum on Musk-Trump.
FL seats too. Tfg pulled Stefanik’s nomination because Rs are afraid of losing the House.
R's finally became public with the math.
Who knew -- R's can count.🤫
Dictators bad, Freedom good. Use simple small words.
Is it ok if I use that on my sign? ‘My fury now exceeds my fears!’
Mind might be really simple: We do NOT consent.
"...my fury now exceeds my fears." Yep.
I have seen some really good signs across the Country.
Barbara, if you can’t adjust to the reality of a pending total breakdown of all things good, sincerely, I would suggest that you stop reading everything, and stay off the screens.
Cynicism is never helpful.
What alternative(s) are you suggesting?
It's the truth.
I am afraid it is the reality ! I have already lived through it once !
We who read Richardson and then share thoughts here fully grasp "the reality." I also agree with Barbara Mullen that "doom posting" only feeds a collective paralysis when we Richardson readers must be energizing ourselves for this war. Positive comments and outlooks help us all.
Do you remember that already in his first term TRUMP with a BIBLE in his hand, wanted the military to shoot the crowd outside the WHITE HOUSE. I just want you to be aware of who you are dealing with !
Fully aware: a person with a criminal record, amoral, mental disorders, psychopathic, malignant narcissist, rapist, arrested development, more. Disregards authority. Friendless. Sleep disorders. And more. Democrats and others who oppose him have yet to fully appreciate that the application of standard institutions to combat him will always fall short because the rules of convention no longer apply. In the meantime, you, and I have no resources on which to rely other than unity of opposition in numbers, and this requires a positive conviction and determination in our purpose. Hence, positive postings in this Newsletter. I just want you to be aware of why I'm so determined to think that way.
Do you honestly think we don’t know? The people who comment here? The Bible is the least of his offenses.
Do you also believe 'When they go low, we go high"? Smh.
Four died at Kent State and it was a galvanizing moment for the anti-war movement. It didn't stop us, it energized us.
Amen. Yes it did. Seeing the picture all over the media helped end the Vietnam war.
Murdered by the state. We have to be cognizant of the possibility of illegal, unconstitutional actions by our 'government'. But we cannot allow that to stop us.
Yes, and how did the nation go afterwards?? It mobilized and Nixon lost his job.
It was tragic. But it started conversations and changed the view of the war. It had political influence in ending the war.
Four died, nine were wounded by the Ohio National Guard. I was a reporter (for the Akron Beacon-Journal) for Kent State and Hiram College student actions the year before. It was Ohio state troopers who responded at Kent State at that time. I was with the students in a hallway of the administration building when state troopers appeared at both ends of the hallway to arrest the students and put them on buses. There was no violence and the troopers were respectful of reporters. I know; they let me out of the student section so I could continue my reporting. During those years, there were demonstrations all over the country protesting U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
Who would have thought that in our country based on freedom for all we would have thought twice about protesting lest we get shot in the legs....
Yes to masks at large outdoor demonstrations! Thank you, Heather Elowe.
The military will resist a coup by force. Remember that the California National Guard is a large proportion of the entire military.
Accurate and True
Salute!
In Knox County, TN, the sheriff cooperates in the ICE program, one of only two counties in TN.
I think I'll wear my 'Good Trouble" mask!
I have sunflowers!
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/28/protest-research-trump-musk#:~:text=Protest-,The%20resistance%20is%20alive%20and%20well%20%E2%80%93%20and%20our%20research%20shows%20it,-Erica%20Chenoweth%2C
I am not saying we should capitulate. I’m out there at least twice a week. But for the very large mass street events I believe there are higher risks that we need to be particularly aware of and prepared for and consequences later that we never thought could be problematic in the past. These students who are being picked up now would never have been detained or deported 6 mos ago. There’s a difference between ‘doom posting’ and advocating for a level of awareness under conditions that haven’t been seen since the Civil Rights protests in the South. If BLM protests happened today, you can be sure that violent suppression would be ordered by the Trump admin. The top tier has tried to equate harm to a Tesla with treason ffs. Yes, I’m out there, but I’m no Pollyanna either. Maybe harm happening to dissenters, if not ignored or trivialized by MSM, could wake people up. Kent State sure did. A bus of civil rights volunteers being set fire to did. And there’s not much time to right this ship.
100% right, IMHO. the ICZE seizings were just a warmup. Trump has not yet had his Brownshirt moment or his Krystallnacht, but I doubt he can resist. Please pick your venues with care and don't reenact Kent State. Also, it would be strategic to not to compel the US military to choose a side yet.
The alternative would most surely be worse.
With the anticipated thousands [million+?] of heroic protestors on April 5th (actually any and all days, including Women's March) here's an updated partial list of those fighting back every day [as of 3-27=25). I'm also adding courageous law firms who haven't caved. Besides upstanding lawyers, and law-abiding honorable (present and former) judges (including James Boasberg, chief judge, D.C. District Ct.), here's a growing list of Profiles in Courage men, women, and advocacy groups who refuse to be cowed or kneel to the force of Trump/Musk/MAGA/Fox "News" intimidation:
I'll begin (again) with Missouri's own indomitable Jess[ica] (à la John Lewis's "get in good trouble") Piper/"The View from Rural Missouri," then, in no particular order, Heather Cox Richardson/"Letters from an American," Joyce Vance/"Civil Discourse," Bernie Sanders, AOC, Gov. Tim walz, Sarah Inama, Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Jasmine Crockett, Ruth Ben-Ghait, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell, Chris Hayes, Ali Velshi, Stephanie Miller, Gov. Janet Mills, Gov. Beshear, Gov. JB.Pritzker, Mayor Michelle Wu, J im Acosta, Jen Rubin And the Contrarians, Dan Rather, Robert Reich, Jay Kou, Steve Brodner, Rachel Cohen, Brian TylerCohen, Jessica Craven, Scott Dworkin, Anne Applebaum, Lucian Truscott IV, Chris Murphy, Jeff Merkley, Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth,Sheldon Whitehouse, Adam Schiff, Jon Ossoff, Elyssa Slotkin, Delia Ramirez,Tim Snyder, Robert B. Hubbell, Ben Meiseilas, Rich wilson, Ron Filpkowski, Jeremy Seahill, Thom Hartmann, Jonathan Bernstein, Simon Rosenberg, Marianne Williamson, Mark Fiore, Jamie Raskin, Rebecca Solnit, Steve Schmidt, Josh Marshall, Paul Krugman, Andy Borowitz, Jeff Danziger, Ann Telnaes,͏ ͏Will Bunch, Jim Hightower, Dan Pfeifer, Dean Obeidallah, Liz Cheney, Adam Kimzinger, Cassidy Hutchinson--
American Bar Association, 23 blue state Attorney Generals, Indivisible. FiftyFifty one, MoveOn, DemCast, Blue Missouri, Third Act, Democracy Forward, Public Citizen, Democracy Index, DemocracyLabs, Fred Wellman/On Democracy, Hands Off, Marc Elias/Democracy Docket, Public Citizen, League of Women Voters Lambda Legal, CREW, CODEPINK, ACLU, The 19th/Errin Haines, Working Families Party, American Oversight, et al.
And, as Joyce Vance says, "We're in this together"--or via Jess Piper, from rural Missouri: "Solidarity." FIGHT BACK! WE ARE NOT ALONE! (Latest addition h/t , Robert B. Hubbell: Law firms, see below). All suggestions are welcome.
* Perkins Coie and Covington & Burling have resisted Trump, fighting back with the help of other courageous firms like Williams & Connolly. Per The ABA Journal,
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, representing fired inspectors general. (Law.com)
Hogan Lovells, seeking to block executive orders to end federal funding for gender-affirming medical care. (Law.com)
Jenner & Block, also seeking to block the orders on cuts to medical research funding. (Law.com, Reuters)
Ropes & Gray, also seeking to block cuts to medical research funding. (Law.com)
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, representing the Amica Center for Immigrants Rights and others seeking to block funding cuts for immigrant legal services. (Law.com)
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer.
Thank you, Larry, for this hopeful reminder. There is a ground of strong and growing resistance. If we get out of this Trump-hell alive these names and others should be engraved on a wall of profiles in courage!,
Perhaps I should add our nation's motto--and on our Great Seal--the phrase "E pluribus unum" (out of many, One ). Ii's 13 letters makes its use symbolic of the original 13 Colonies which rebelled against the rule of the Kingdom of George III . . .And now we protest together against King Donald. As my rural MO. indomitable Jess Piper always says: "Solidarity"
And now you can add you to this list.
This is an epic telling of the Resistance. Find a place to publish it over and over. Thank You so very much.
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I think my list of never-give-up fighters is unique, and I do republish as often as it fits the subject discussed. Latest addition (3-28-25 update) is the law firm Wilmer Hale, who blasted back on Trump's executive orfer targeting them. Suggestions always welcome.
Thank you, Larry McGinnity!!!
This is an awesome list! I guess I missed Rep Melanie Stansbury who is very vocal on the DOGE committee, and Maine’s AG Shanna Bellows? I do hope that if we can ever right this Ship of State, we tap into some of these new voices of leadership!!
Thank you Larry McGinnity!!!
Yes. It was public outcry, not Congress, which got the Social Security Administration to pause the plan to officially stop phone services. Although DOGE has crashed the SSA computer services.
I wouldn't miss this demo for anything! We're past the point of only venting our outrage and grief online. Time to take to the streets.
handsoff2025.com
Me neither! I have vertigo and am 75 so I bought a cool maple walking stick to help navigate around downtown.
Viva la resistance!
Not much in Texas, unless at a Tesla property.
Texas has 15 Tesla Takedown events scheduled for this Saturday, March 29:
https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/teslatakedown
Great! Thanks Ellie! This is how we get this done-networking instead of complaining and doom posting.
I am going to one tomorrow.
Tesla is good. Can you get a group of people to stand on a corner with signs? Or is it just too risky in Texas? I am telling people to not risk their jobs or safety at this time. We all can do only what we can.
There have been 3 local Tesla takedowns.All have been peaceful.I live in MAGA-ville,Fl near Kennedy Space Center 🚀so there is support here for Elon.
Tesla headquarters is in Tejas. Find some Republicans who don't want to be part of an axis of evil.
Who knows one of those rare birds. Two sisters ditched republicans label a while back
The one I saw in Ft Worth yesterday is on a corner, concrete sidewalks, no windows. No shade, like a fortress. Not a good venue for old folks
JDinTX. There is a "Hands Off! San Antonio fights back - Saturday, April 5th at Main Plaza. I heard about it from Beto. He said to Google "Hands Off & your city. The one for Tesla was a week or so ago - I didn't hear about it until after it happened.
I pay attention to Beto, will check it out. I know one scheduled for Houston. Need closer…
But at least there are Tesla protests even in TX!
Go marchers, go. I'm 92 and can't march any more. Please take an extra someone to march for me!!
I will Jane! We will name the honorary Jane Bainbridge protester. Best Regards.
We have to!
One would think that what's going on is sci-fi...but it's not.
Better strategy would be to arm for self defense.
I will be present....
Our rural conservative county run by Repubs has 2 44-seat school busses to April 5 DC Hands Off March!
No kidding!? This gives me chills. I am really looking forward to April 5. We must prevail.
May the 3.5% of American needed turn out.
Who's doing focus groups or discussing what will get people going. In Vietnam it took 1,00 of deaths and the threat of the same to get people to take to the streets. BLM v.1 the same.
Have you not seen the head of Indivisible on TV? If you don’t know Indivisible and have a computer, just type it in and go from there!
Focus groups? Get people going?
Not needed. People are already in the streets. Find a protest and go there.
"In February 2025 alone, we have already tallied more than 2,085 protests, which included major protests in support of federal workers, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, Palestinian self-determination, Ukraine and demonstrations against Tesla and Donald Trump’s agenda more generally. This is compared with 937 protests in the United States in February 2017, which included major protests against the so-called Muslim ban along with other pro-immigrant and pro-choice protests. Coordinated days of protest such as March Fourth for Democracy (4 March), Stand Up for Science (7 March), rallies in recognition of International Women’s Day (8 March) and protests demanding the release of the Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil suggest little likelihood of these actions slowing down. These are all occurring in the background of a tidal wave of lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s early moves." The Guardian
Orlando, 2-4 PM, City Hall.
Yay! You know Carol. We are joining history. We will be remembered as the fighters for the Resistance. Our children and our children's children will know we stood up.
I keep remembering the French Resistance book I translated. One must do something. And they did. One of my favorite stories is about taking explosives in a fishing “stool” to a factory by a canal.
You know Virginia. I do too. I am a huge fan of anything about Paris during that time.
Hands Off
The ideology written in Project 2025 is so antiquated...they talk about installing a dictatorship and handing all these departments back to the States...So we'll have 50 States with different laws?! Like 50 little countries?...What is the role of government supposed to be then?
I will be there! With almost everyone I know!
Yup, my local group said the response is so large they've had to move the location. But Heather's post today scares me - at some point, will this new regime decide they can literally mow us down? They are so fanatical that it seems possible, if they see the American people fighting back against their Aryan dream.
Thank you , thank you, 1000 thank you!
“ Hopefully there are a few Congressional Republicans who have not completely bought into the axis of evil.”
That hope has been fading fast.
Wicker, Tillis, Murrkowski, and even Rick Scott were strong on Ukraine and so were dozens of Republican House members. Many of them have been calling Trump a liar.
I keep saying that down here in Baghdad By the Sea, even our three MAGAT House members are complaining about immigrant abductions. We have more hispaics per square inch than any other county in the US, including muchos Venezuelans. All three are Cuban Americans, one, born in Cuba, was our Dem county mayor until 2020.
Many of them have personally lost stuff like cfrop payments, and every one of them has to hear it about SSA, education, etc.
I've been advocating pressing their consituents and donors, also. Once upon a time I rwpresented car dealers, school districts and local governments. I bet all are stressed.
The incompetence re national security is a gift.
I think done deliberately, certainly grabbed the headlines and showed that they can do as they damn well please.
Nobody like that in TX.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
Emily Dickinson
Thank you for such poetry, Daniel Solomon.
With the bottomless pockets of Musk to fund campaigns or fund primary challengers, not enough Rs are going to stand up and speak against the coming destruction of our country. None.
O ye of little faith
Only need 3 House members.
McConnell https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/03/27/congress/mitch-mcconnell-russia-ukraine-peace-00255827
"Congressional Republicans who have not completely bought into the axis of evil." Unless they are outspoken against him and voting against MAGA policies, they are collaborators and enablers. So, no points for them. And if they're holding out because they think Trump isn't going far enough, they're even worse.
Read Feathers of Hope. They're Republicans. All we need them to do is dissociate fcrom the axis of evil.
https://jerryweiss.substack.com/
Thank you for the link.
A breath of sanity. Could it be…
Daniel, it seems to me that for too long, our media and social media legitimate contributors refuse to use the word "lie" and to call what is being done "treason." It seems that without our knowledge or permission, a bunch of supposed Americans have declared war on our nation, wrecking our government from within while we were being distracted with words like "woke" and "equity" being maligned, a talented, qualified woman's name trampled on, and a bunch of toddlers called "DOGE" when it was really "Destroy Our Government's Efficiency." The challenge is that our Trump government has control of our law enforcement, our military, and anything that could legally forcefully stop them since they see the courts as either irrelevant or already in their camp. Why anyone wanats to be ruled by an ignorant old man with dementia, a whiny 40-year-old who will lie at will even throwing his own constituents under the bus (Vance), and an ignorant rich immigrant and his toddler peers is beyond comprehension. I get it that Mikey Johnson thinks this is some kind of "god's will scenario but that's because he is as ignorant and inept as the rest of the crew. Where are the intelligent folks who could figure out how to take down the social media lying/disinformation and rework what is happening against Trump and Kump on behalf of the American people?
True. But you play the hand as dealt.
From Politico -- Top congressional appropriators — including a Republican — sent letters Thursday challenging the Trump administration’s decision to implement only a portion of the emergency money included in the recent stopgap funding bill.
Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Patty Murray of Washington — the chair and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, respectively — sent a letter Thursday to Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought raising alarm that the administration is not adhering to the funding measure’s spending directives.
IMHO Trump's Achilles heel is national security -- which is about the only thing that Confgressioanl Republicans have with us....
If Paty Murray can ask Collins about spending, she can ask about the axis of evil....
BTW this committee also has SSA on its plate. Mainers have to picket, sit in, follow her home....
"IMHO Trump's Achillies heel is national security" - that is my opinion as well. I expected the Signal episode to fade as all others have. But it hasn't.
This has finally touched a big nerve. We must, as you say Daniel, continue to keep the heat on. I am calling my reps every day on the Signal story.
It's a start.
While it's interesting that SOME Congressional gop have actually seen the "Signalgate" situation for what it really is AND been willing to speak out, I bet the majority have not read P2025 and have been so busy kowtowing to their perceived "king" that they don't really understand the main gameplan. Heather's overview is the best I've seen to explain exactly what musk & co. have been doing, AND where we're headed if the whole process is allowed to continue. The courts don't seem to be long for this world, and I'd be shocked if there are 2026 elections. (They'll be rigged up the wazoo if they are anyway.) I've been waiting for trump to find an excuse to implement martial law even if he has to manufacture one -- which this weekend's even bigger, well-advertised marches and protests might provide. And I think with all the recent "disappearances" going on, that's partly what it will look like. The snatching of the Tuft's student was chilling to watch, and we don't know how our own military might react to orders to "control the crowds", etc. However, it is poignantly clear that we've undoubtedly reached the place of no return. No more fiddling around. We should start with Jerry's gameplan then step up in every other way. Heather's overview needs to be sent to ALL senators and representatives along with a statement that we will NOT TOLERATE the continuation of musk's activities and that he and doge MUST be shut down immediately, all the federal employees reinstated and their associated agencies re-established. Then we should all be sharing Heather's overview with as many friends and relatives possible.
Right.
The place to start is with Trump's donors. Check out Joyce Vance and Contrarian documenting law firms defending against Trump attacks. Here is a list of TYrump donors They also donated to Congressional Republicans. Some are undergoing an epiphany over due process and the rule of law.
https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus?cycle=2024&ind=K01
Writing postcards to voters in multiple elections. Addresses from TonyTheDemocrat. If you can print or relearn to print….
I've done that.
How about to Republican donors who didn't sign up for the axis of evil?
The White House is NOT in denial about anything. They want a government that serves the wealthy and powerful and throws us “ takers “ to the wolves. And they could not do any of this without taxes from us “takers “.
Who says otherwise?
George Washington, Lincoln, Perkins, FDR, JFK, MLK, and others have made America that Trump - Musk and Projedt25 are destroying. Why? Because they are not Amricans in spirit. Hopefully enough Repulican congress persons are Americans in spirit and join DEMs to start saving America.
Daniel, even if they own up to their mistakes I don’t think it will change their credibility in any way. Their true colors are showing (SNAKES) 👿
It's not a question of cedibility -- it's all about defending democracy.
Last year we were rallying to “keep democracy.” That’s not sufficient. We need to reform democracy. In addition to calling out the wrongs of the current Republican regime, we must identify how government can support positive freedom (see Timothy Snyder)—create our Project 2029.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/opinion/democrats-project-2029.html?unlocked_article_code=1.7U4.6aNy.-O7Zp6TCLiWk&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
And the people to do it: We The People, the emerging leadership highlighted by Rachel Maddow on 3/27/25.
Thanks, Ellie, for sharing…am listening to the printer churn the pages as I write this, to make a copy I can read well after the sun comes up on the west coast! We, as a country, are at an inflection point…where have we been? where are we now? where do we want to go? So many interests, large and small (rich and poor) pulling in different directions…hope it stabilizes soon…an even keel.🤞
I think Barbara, the most important question even after reading today's letter, is where the regime wants to go.
We know the answer now which brings another question: would it be an midterm election in 2026. My feeling is, and I've been posting regularly about it, it won't be. Maga is already panicking of loosing it. To be continued.
The most important question really is this:
What are we doing?
We each and every single person needs to be actively fighting back right now.
I’m paying attention, joining non-violent protests (is something more than shaking my fist at the sky), and using my voice & vote. I am lucky that I have Congress critters I support & who support “we the people”. Will be at a town hall held by my House rep this Sunday (he has a very large, very rural district). 🗽🇺🇸
I am marching April 5th. Calling AARP today to tell them to get off their butts or lose my membership. Thinking about going to my local Social Security office to picket for them.
I am turning 76. No matter our ages we fight.
AARP is in the insurance business. Republican Congress people aren't at the SSA office. Picket their offices, homes, their donors. Car dealers aren't happy about those tariffs. About the Trump/Tesla infomercial. Local chambers of commerce, other traditionbally Republican supporters.
Even Rand Paul says he's not joining the axis of evil -- hold him to it. Check out the list at Feathers of Hope.
Why choose? As a matter of fact AARP has already made a statement concerning what the Government is doing about social security. We need to petition them to come out stronger.
We try anything and everything.
Because Republicans hold the key!
Want to help? I worked for SSA for 10 years...wrote about it...the chairs of the committees that are supposed to oversee the program are all Republicans and all have to be sensitive -- even if they are privatizers.Theuy just held a hearing for the new commish -- who is clueless, and is in the financial sector -- works transferring money. HAS TO BE STOPPED.
AARP has many lobbyists -- but they are seen as left of center to those Republicans. They are also tied to United Health Care.
SSA is social insurance. The retirement portion is funded therough an endowment, the retirement trust fund. Republicans are generally in denial but our retirement checks come from that fund and not the general revenues. The fund still has about 2.6 trillion. -- and Republicans want the money. SSA retirement and disability have nothing to do with the budget. NO effect.
IMHIO there are some former Reoublican commissioners who know all this -- if they come forward---
Meanwhile many beneficiaries are Republicans.... these folks are showing up at Republican town halls.... We need to get them working with us.
This helpful information. Thanks for posting.
As a former Fed myself, I appreciate hearing from others who have worked in "the trenches."
Here is a video that AARP put out recently, including encouragement for its members to contact Congress: https://www.aarp.org/videos/social-security/6370607171112/?intcmp=A5GAM-MJNGSOL
Whatever AARP’s connection to dubious lobbyists, it has a lot of members.
I learned about the AARP ad when Rachel Maddox discussed it yesterday.
Thanks for the link!
AARP probably gives money to politicians, right?
How AARP Shills for United Healthcare by Robert Kuttner of the American Prospect.
Just jealous as I can be Barbara , it’s near total Republican here , and the state bills GEESH! Today voting on requirements for photo ID ( passports next) ! Last week lowering standards for water protections where already a devastating spill stopped intake and thousands were w/o water for weeks. Skimming the surface and set backs.
Today’s “letter” is a continuum of dismay prompting cuss words I never use. Wondering when the next mistake costs us/the public lives of our own or family trying to protect status quos here or there and where are we …is a continual question.
Fewer are saying “Oh , It’ll be alright [or] , well he hasn’t had a chance to ( fill in the blank) see intended results yet , only been in office not even 3 mo. yet” when in actuality he’s been on the golf course mostly and “hasn’t been informed about ( fill in the blanks) “ while thousands are still gasping from being fired, have to move, services unable to be accessed…again ( fill in the blank) wondering if their health coverage/pills/grants will come to pay their bills/staff/ fill in the blank.
I’ve called, emailed, protested, worried.
Seems the judges are trying to stay abreast of how many challenged edicts now..I’ve lost track, sleep, count. How to believe a liar given no support to a cabinet that also lies, and state reps going backwards in safety mechanisms while taking large donations from corporate king pins/clueless billionaires/fill in the blank.
Do I care? Yes, I’m watching neighbors beginning to fall through the widening cracks dismayed saying “we didn’t vote for this “… yes , dear you certainly did -but I won’t say “I told ya so” and….whats your plan now?
I live in Kentucky. We are protesting in blue Louisville.
My reps are all Republicans, and it is crucial for them to know that we are not asleep. I call them, two numbers each, almost every day. I often get the theme of my calls from HCRs letter. For a while I did all Ukraine. Now, all Signal. Short messages - they just have a staffer note the subject of the call, and I don't want to waste my time.
What happens is one question brings another because it's a very complex situation. Once the situation is clear as it is, the obvious question is what to do .
What is complex about this?
We are in a coup. We fight back.
Please do not overthink this. We need action right now.
We've been in a coup since before January 20th. I'm going to respect your anger Barbara. We'll keep talking to each other soon.
I am not angry. Why is it in America that being intense and urgent is labeled anger and is to be avoided?
We need to be intense and urgent right now.
I honestly don't care when exactly the coup started. I just know we need to get really active. We are seeing positive results from this.
Exactly so. The call to action must be intense and urgent! We must never be satisfied with too little! It is action and agitation or stagnation. We must get busy with it.
Agreed we are seeing positive results. And there's nothing wrong with lebel someone angered. It's only natural, we never been in this situation before and we might lose everything good we took for granted. I'm angry as most good people that I know and is paying attention. No shame there Barbara. Don't get me wrong please.
Not ashamed either. I carry a deep sadness. Everyday it's one more thing being dismantled. Now they are going after the Smithsonian. As an Archivist this one made me gasp.
I started out depressed about what's happening. Weeks later, I am ANGRY, which IMO is far more productive - it drives me to action.
Ricardo, folks posit that there may not be an “next election” (Trump even hinted at it…the “toss-off” comments he makes regarding this…real? or not?). The entrenched voter suppression scourge is already in many counties/states & that is very worrisome enough (and must be overcome….I don’t care WHAT party you belong to R, D, I, Green, etc., if you are eligible to vote, you should not be impeded from doing so!). I do worry in this “anything goes” & shoot first ask questions later admin that they will try to subvert the very process… Hope I’m wrong.
Oh, admin aiming to completely reverse voter eligibility? It is real.
While the Signal controversy was dominating the news there was this:
“ Trump signs executive order that will upend US voter registration processes.” 3/25
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/25/trump-executive-order-voter-registration-immigration
“ The sweeping order amends the federal voter registration form to require proof of citizenship in order to vote. It demands documentary proof for citizenship such as a passport to be eligible to vote in federal elections, empowers federal agencies to cut funding to states deemed non-compliant and instructs the Department of Justice to prosecute what the White House paints as “election crimes”.
“ Many of the provisions in the order are likely to be quickly challenged and are legally suspect. The US constitution explicitly gives states and Congress the authority to set the rules for election and does not authorize the president to do so.
“The short answer is that this executive order, like all too many that we’ve seen before, is lawless and asserts all sorts of executive authority that he most assuredly does not have,” said Danielle Lang, a voting rights lawyer at the non-profit Campaign Legal Center.
“Republicans have long sought to add a citizenship question to the federal form and been stymied by the courts. “
It may be a ‘lawless’ executive order, but they sure are trying hard to make it law. Kansas (Kris Kobach SoS) enacted this 2013-2016 until it was struck down in state supreme court. This 2025 legislative session, Kansas supermajority is passing legislation attacking the state supreme court justice selection process… Kansas repubs don’t like their Supreme Court and are kneecapping the court.
And update for 4/1, this exec order, like so many others, also is beingbchallenged in court.
“ Trump’s attempt to revamp elections with proof of citizenship requirement challenged in court”, Tierney Sneed, CNN, Mon March 31, 2025.
https://lite.cnn.com/2025/03/31/politics/elections-proof-of-citizenship-order-challenged-lawsuits/index.html
Miracle if you are wrong.
Wish my measly contribution could match the dump from muskrat. Small donors won’t do it.
Obama raised much if not most of his funding through crowdsourcing, so every bit helps. In Canada, i just started donating politically for the first time in my life, don't mind saying Liberal, which in the USA is omg LEFT and worse. Yes, unfortunately individual wealth is a prerequisite in modern democracies. I see Australia is currently struggling with an election financing reform which contains mixed motives. Bernie's ideas sound good to me!
If we don’t reform it, it’s every four years of chaos, if we’re lucky. Repubs have been planning for 40 years, we’re way behind. As muskrat keeps reminding them (why so few willing to oppose chump), it’s your last chance to do what you want, now or there will never be another chance. 99% agreement repubs…
That is EXACTLY what America needs, alternatively you could call it PROJECT CATCH UP ie with the rest of the OECD.
You refer, Annabel, to "we the people," and to building "on mutual aid and support."
Unfortunately, beginning the with Powell memo of long ago (1971), the far right has viciously organized, and with billions of dollars ground its animus.
At first its rich and corporate leaders simply hated the obvious energy good libs, lefties, and progressives got from all the novels, films, and songs of the late 1960s. The far right hated, hated, hated the anti-war protestors, the women's lib people, the civil rights marchers, and all environmentalists. So the new Powell memo foundations (Heritage, 1973, ALEC 1973) first turned their attention to the schools -- to kill humanities there.
They succeeded. And put in place a yoke of strangling efficiency -- standardized testing.
Slowly the damages set in. Now we can see their bitter fruit. Reading Heather's today should make it apparent to everyone who reads it that "they" who hate, hate, hate stand poised to have killed the republic.
Dems, so feckless in the 2024 elections, had just totally lost touch with what really happened to working-class America -- so totally had Dems not seen what was really in so many novels, memoirs, essay collections, biographies, and histories, so totally had elites fallen to the Powell memo cold-blooded, billionaire-oligarch-worshipping designs.
Yes, turn out Dems in elections now. But can teachers organize to return to schools our vitally needed humanities? And begin practicing them? Begin citing the works really crucially well in touch with "we the people"?
.
By tomorrow, need an interim plan, wouldn’t you say. Need to work on yours for 40 years with the focus Repubs had.
Feathers of Hope. Co-opt Republicans.
It is not teachers who will return humanities to schools. It will need to be local communities who set curriculum. It will need to be federally funded monies that enable schools to be autonomous in their selection of curriculum. Please look at real solutions to problems instead of your "doom and gloom" comments.
Finland set the example of how teachers can do what you think they cannot do.
Local communities, Kathy -- all that nation -- set power in the hands of teachers, and Finnish schools rose from mediocrity to the world's best.
I ve truly never met a more dedicated , consistently caring group. Teachers are we all ,in reality, by our walk , talk, and shop.But those that know our children are our future, for history to be a guide of what does or doesn’t work. The real ones ARE the front line.
Many thanks to you, teachers .
🫶
You are right.
The concern (re: Stefanik's seat) is about the vulnerability of the current Republican majority. It does not speak to the future.
THEY CHEATED in 2024 by eliminating millions of valid voters in red states and Trump has already introduced legislation to do this in ALL STATES so 2026 will be a bogus election. See the Vigilantes Inc video at gregpalast.com (or on U tube) for his interview with s single Vigilante that removed 32,000+ voters in Ga. There were 40,000+ Vigilantes removing votes in red states. Also, an after the vote audit shows dicrepancies in CLARK COUNTY, NV. so other methods were used.
They just did analyses of PA—same thing in those precincts. https://youtu.be/gCWXpYAYdC4?feature=shared
They sure as hell cheated, Texas leads the pack
I hope so.....however, it seems to me that what's going on reveals symptoms of a decaying society; we are living in a country devoid of values; the thing about being stupid is that it's becoming contagious; there's no joy in ruining lives - anyone who enjoys it is a psychopath.
Yes very much psychopaths. Curtis Yarvin is “a good friend of mine” says DOGE advisor Marc Andreessen.
Under his previous pen name, Yarvin once proposed converting unproductive people into biodiesel. Yarvin said he was joking but that the joke helps “describe the problem” and that the “goal” is a “humane alternative to genocide.”
You are right
American democracy is hanging by a thread. This isn’t just another political crisis, it’s an existential fight. MAGA extremists are using the system to destroy it, gutting institutions, silencing dissent, and consolidating power. Project 2025 is a blueprint for permanent authoritarian rule. If Americans don’t mobilize, vote, protest, organize it’s over. Courts will fall, elections will be rigged, and free speech crushed. History won’t save us; only action will. The next few years will determine whether America remains a democracy or becomes an authoritarian state. The time to fight is now.
Correction: the next couple of months. The project 2025 timeline is 180 days. Yarvin projected the suppression of oppositional media and the deconstructed of the universities to be enacted by sometime in April. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/28/protest-research-trump-musk
It's a matter of weeks, not months, not years.
What no one seems to be saying is what I see: the chaos is deliberate. Getting people protesting is what they want. That will GIVE TRUMP AN EXCUSE TO DECLARE MARTIAL LAW. And then he can declare himself king, dictator, whatever he wants. And guess what? WE ARE JUST A FEW SMALL STEPS AWAY FROM THAT SCENARIO! But if we get out on the streets in the millions and protest, they can’t imprison millions. Violent revolution is NOT the answer. Gandhi won independence for India with nonviolent noncooperation, violence-free resistance, by millions of people. MLK won the Civil Rights fight the same way. They can’t win against an enemy who fights, not with guns, but with the presence of MILLIONS STANDING UP IN THE STREETS AND SAYING NO!
Tunnel-vision affects almost everyone. I look at how being a risk manager molded (¿moulded?) my thinking into reducing questions of ethics and morality to probabilities UNLESS I did a 'manual over-ride' intellectually. Imagine what years of coding -- where there are definitive solutions unchallenged by what others think or feel -- and the halo effect of wealth does to a world view. 😳 https://www.instagram.com/baratunde/reel/DF6Zq0ARm0C/?locale=de-DE (about the 'nerd reich' thought-leader, Curtis Yarvin.) 🤬
There is a consensus seeking change. Most, at least many, Americans, apparently, want a change of personnel and policies away from people whom they view as stale career politicians with hackneyed, over-priced policies.. That does not mean a change of institutions. Technocracy, in my view at least, has not served us well, dating back to the ghastly war in Viêt Nam. 😢 https://youtu.be/Ahv3IKzMdHA (Investigation into the family backgrounds of Peter Thiel and Elon Musk by 'Democracy Now!'.) 🤢
The solution, however, is not a gangster régime. 😱
Looking back over my time, I see so much misdirection in our body politic. LBJ was destined to be the modern day FDR but for his anti communist World War II mentality and foolish involvement in Vietnam. Then we swing in the other direction to Nixon who founded the modern day MAGAs unbeknownst to him as he expounded his southern strategy. Reagan destroyed. Bush I nominated Thomas and began foolish military adventures in the Middle East and after allowing American military stationed in Saudi Arabia, so inflamed bin Ladin to attack on 9/11. He eager son went back into the Middle East with not one but two invasions and nominated 2 corrupt supremes. And now we have the Antichrist of the ages.
Thank you for a thoughtful review of the swing to the right in the United States of AMarrogance. Dr Bandy Lee believe that a widespread insinuation of social psychopathy has extended the arc of this rightward swing from reactionary to an increasingly brutal authoritarianism as we now see with Trump and his cadre of violence, attracting even educated courtiers like Hegseth. I do not see Chief Justice Roberts as corrupt; Alito, Thomas, and, at least with respect to power, Justice Kavanaugh.
That is on target. Dr. Ben-Ghiat explained that well in her book Strongmen.
Make no mistake, 2026, will be critical to America's future. The MAGA American Fascist Party will do everything they can to keep a 2026 Democratic Party landslide from becoming reality. I fully expect trump will attempt to CANCEL the 2026 election. I know that sounds impossible but nothing he has done thus far seemed possible less than a year ago. We must be prepared!
we don't have until 2026. Project 2025 timeline is 180 days from inauguration.....we are halfway through this and STILL too many people have NO CLUE what is contained in Project 2025.
He does not have to cancel it. He just needs Musk to control voting computers and he needs to continue voter suppression (see current ex order). Orban playbook.
I so feel your pain... I remember attending a march In NYC that drew a large crowd of well over 100,000+ including some of the 'usual celebrities' (March for Peace, Justice and Democracy, April 29, 2006 with Susan Sarandon & Al Sharpton). I was aghast, disheartened and my spirit crushed when I found it mentioned on page 3 in a few newspapers the next day. The energy and can-do-spirit evaporated right then and there, and it taught me a valuable lesson: you can scream your lunges out & bang your head against the nearest walls, unless you grab x by the y, z will not happen.
x = current 'regime', y = money, z = change.
Withdraw the funds that are fuelling those in power. Do not pay your taxes as long as your president is using them against you and everything you hold dear.
Don't kid yourselves! The days of free and fair elections are very likely over! At the moment they're only concerned about maintaining their current majority, nothing more.
WE are in an era of competitive authoritarianism, where the incumbent cheats in elections which are still held.
Annabel, I love your question about building another system. This is happening in the cooperative movement. Look to Mondragon in Spain for an amazing example of what is possible. My hope is that this incredible outpouring of greed and anger will finally show us all that we’ve had enough of it. Then we can restructure what remains based on solidarity, compassion and community. With respect for all of nature and each other. The co-ops will be there to show us how.
"But will the rogue regime pay any more attention to Congress than they do to the courts?"
Asked and answered.
The executive has already appropriated the 'power of the purse' and the authority over congressionally instituted federal agencies.
Not sure they are worrying about losing Stefanik’s seat as much as Hochuli delaying the election to fill the seat.
Still, it exhibits apprehension.