71 Comments
User's avatar
Ed's avatar

SAVE America Act

S - Shattering

A - American

V - Values

E - Everyday

Thank you Heather for continuing to fight and educate us everyday.

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Jul 6
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Clarissa Sr., American Grandma's avatar

🗽 The Rebels of Our Time

Two hundred and fifty long years have now passed,

Since we the plain people built something to last.

A revolutionary spark in the night,

Where everyday citizens stepped in the light. 🕯️

But freedom takes effort, it doesn’t just stand,

When shadows of tyranny creep through the land.

So do not obey in advance, we are told,

Keep truth in your heart, and be steady and bold. 🛡️

Defend institutions—the courts and the press,

For they need our voices to clean up the mess.

Defend multiparties, protect every vote,

And keep our republic so safely afloat. ⚖️

Hold fast to your ethics, whatever your trade,

And wipe away symbols of hate on parade.

When leaders start marching with torches and lies,

Stand up and stand out beneath liberty's skies. 🦅

If truth is abandoned, then freedom is gone,

So dig for the facts as we journey along.

Support the free papers, read carefully, too,

And separate lies from the things that are true. 📰

Get out of your chair, step away from the screen,

Go march in the streets where the people convene!

Protect your own secrets and keep your mind clear,

And do not let tyrants control you with fear. 🚶‍♀️

When false, sudden panics come rattling the door,

Remember the founders who faced them before.

As Frederick Douglass so wisely declared,

They acted as rebels because they all cared. 📜

In twenty-twenty-six, as the midterms draw near,

We’ll vote for the values we hold very dear.

Choose leaders who champion justice and law,

To keep our democracy free from a flaw! 🇺🇸

————————————-

We are the Pro-Democracy Comment-Chain Crew, using our comments to boost pro-democracy leaders and indie media. Employingthe Algorithm Advantage so truth can grow! ✨🇺🇸🗳️⚖️🕯️🌱

Public Servant's avatar

Heather is a national treasure. She explains history and reality so well, the opposite of MAGAt fascists. I wrote a song for her as a tribute to her wisdom and bravery: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/heather-cox-richardson-song-letters

Carleton Tanner's avatar

Hi. I read a comment on Reddit that made me feel better. It is from a poster named mulzen1. It follows:

-----

Someone asked "Why do some British people not like Donald Trump?" Nate White, an articulate and witty writer from England wrote the following response:

A few things spring to mind. Trump lacks certain qualities which the British traditionally esteem. For instance, he has no class, no charm, no coolness, no credibility, no compassion, no wit, no warmth, no wisdom, no subtlety, no sensitivity, no self-awareness, no humility, no honour and no grace – all qualities, funnily enough, with which his predecessor Mr. Obama was generously blessed.

So for us, the stark contrast does rather throw Trump's limitations into embarrassingly sharp relief.

Plus, we like a laugh. And while Trump may be laughable, he has never once said anything wry, witty or even faintly amusing – not once, ever.

I don't say that rhetorically, I mean it quite literally: not once, not ever. And that fact is particularly disturbing to the British sensibility – for us, to lack humour is almost inhuman.

But with Trump, it's a fact. He doesn't even seem to understand what a joke is – his idea of a joke is a crass comment, an illiterate insult, a casual act of cruelty. Trump is a troll. And like all trolls, he is never funny and he never laughs; he only crows or jeers.

And scarily, he doesn't just talk in crude, witless insults – he actually thinks in them. His mind is a simple bot-like algorithm of petty prejudices and knee-jerk nastiness. There is never any under-layer of irony, complexity, nuance or depth. It's all surface.

Some Americans might see this as refreshingly upfront. Well, we don't. We see it as having no inner world, no soul. And in Britain we traditionally side with David, not Goliath. All our heroes are plucky underdogs: Robin Hood, Dick Whittington, Oliver Twist. Trump is neither plucky, nor an underdog. He is the exact opposite of that. He's not even a spoiled rich-boy, or a greedy fat-cat. He's more a fat white slug. A Jabba the Hutt of privilege.

And worse, he is that most unforgivable of all things to the British: a bully. That is, except when he is among bullies; then he suddenly transforms into a snivelling sidekick instead.

There are unspoken rules to this stuff – the Queensberry rules of basic decency – and he breaks them all. He punches downwards – which a gentleman should, would, could never do – and every blow he aims is below the belt. He particularly likes to kick the vulnerable or voiceless or female – and he kicks them when they are down. So the fact that a significant minority – perhaps a third – of Americans look at what he does, listen to what he says, and then think 'Yeah, he seems like my kind of guy' is a matter of some confusion and no little distress to British people, given that:

• Americans are supposed to be nicer than us, and most are.

• You don't need a particularly keen eye for detail to spot a few flaws in the man.

This last point is what especially confuses and dismays British people, and many other people too; his faults seem pretty bloody hard to miss.

After all, it's impossible to read a single tweet, or hear him speak a sentence or two, without staring deep into the abyss. He turns being artless into an art form; he is a Picasso of pettiness; a Shakespeare of shit. His faults are fractal: even his flaws have flaws, and so on ad infinitum. God knows there have always been stupid people in the world, and plenty of nasty people too. But rarely has stupidity been so nasty, or nastiness so stupid. He makes Nixon look trustworthy and George W look smart. In fact, if Frankenstein decided to make a monster assembled entirely from human flaws – he would make a Trump.

Patricia Lane's avatar

Perfect description of the odious Donald.

Linda Slater's avatar

Oh lord! I do love the Brits ability to take someone’s skin off in the most profoundly beautiful way possible. He, or she, whoever the writer is, has pegged Trump’s boorishness, and that of his cult followers in words that none of them will/ can understand. But that essay should nevertheless be the introduction and preface to any speech or action coming from this Orange Outrage.

Civik USA's avatar

Congress built the transparency rules into the original America250 program precisely because public commemorations are funded by public appropriation. The decision to route donations through a parallel organization housed inside the National Park Foundation was a structural choice that placed the money outside the oversight architecture Congress had designed.

Representative Huffman's careful phrasing, that he sees the elements of fraud without pronouncing the word, is worth taking at face value rather than as hedging. What he is describing is a gap between what donors and taxpayers were told their money would do and what the institutional record shows it actually did. Whether any of this rises to a legal threshold is a separate question from whether the people whose appropriated funds were involved were represented in the decision to redirect them.

Joseph Shedd's avatar

Trump's charge that communism is a mortal threat to America is almost certainly more than bluster. In 1933, Adolph Hitler used the Reichstag fire (which he blamed on communists but his own followers probably set) as justification for proclaiming a national emergency, imposing martial law, and suspending national elections. The next year, he proclaimed himself dictator. There are only four months until our midterm elections. Herr Stephen Miller is almost certainly hoarding matches.

Roberta Torian's avatar

He and MAGA loyalists praise Putin. When loyalists are asked about the contradiction in condemning communism and supporting they (predictably) say that's different. He's screaming about communism now to undercut social democrats winning elections.

Clarissa Sr., American Grandma's avatar

🗽 The Rebels of Our Time

Two hundred and fifty long years have now passed,

Since we the plain people built something to last.

A revolutionary spark in the night,

Where everyday citizens stepped in the light. 🕯️

But freedom takes effort, it doesn’t just stand,

When shadows of tyranny creep through the land.

So do not obey in advance, we are told,

Keep truth in your heart, and be steady and bold. 🛡️

Defend institutions—the courts and the press,

For they need our voices to clean up the mess.

Defend multiparties, protect every vote,

And keep our republic so safely afloat. ⚖️

Hold fast to your ethics, whatever your trade,

And wipe away symbols of hate on parade.

When leaders start marching with torches and lies,

Stand up and stand out beneath liberty's skies. 🦅

If truth is abandoned, then freedom is gone,

So dig for the facts as we journey along.

Support the free papers, read carefully, too,

And separate lies from the things that are true. 📰

Get out of your chair, step away from the screen,

Go march in the streets where the people convene!

Protect your own secrets and keep your mind clear,

And do not let tyrants control you with fear. 🚶‍♀️

When false, sudden panics come rattling the door,

Remember the founders who faced them before.

As Frederick Douglass so wisely declared,

They acted as rebels because they all cared. 📜

In twenty-twenty-six, as the midterms draw near,

We’ll vote for the values we hold very dear.

Choose leaders who champion justice and law,

To keep our democracy free from a flaw! 🇺🇸

————————————-

We are the Pro-Democracy Comment-Chain Crew, using our comments to boost pro-democracy leaders and indie media. Employingthe Algorithm Advantage so truth can grow! ✨🇺🇸🗳️⚖️🕯️🌱

Carleton Tanner's avatar

He also got his start in being an A**h**e by studying and worshipping at the feet of Roy Cohn. I think he is trying to channel Roy.

Susan Kain's avatar

Alert: Waj Ali and Jess Craven just now texted Heather about replacing Graham Platner on the Maine ballot against Susan Collins.

Linda Slater's avatar

I have admittedly not read Politico’s case against Platner, but reading the pundit’s gang up against this man does remind me of the Al Franken story, when the Democratic Party operatives pushed out a really fine and effective politician only to find out later that the accusations against him were just another Republican smear that had no basis in actual fact. Then there was the gang-up on Biden that came much too late in the campaign, and put Kamala Harris in an impossible position, giving us this nightmare of Trump2 and his corrupt gang of idiots and thieves.

This woman may be credible, but where has she been up until now? What/ who has induced her to bring these charges forward at this time?

The fact is that Platner is fatally damaged by the acceptance of all the “ high minded” pile on by a lot of people who have some strangely convenient reasons for wanting to rid the Democratic Party of the more radical candidates who are emerging and threatening their comfortable hold on power in Democratic circles.

These are reasons that I will hold my own rejection of Platner’s candidacy until I can see proof that this is more than a last minute smear to knock out a candidate who would probably win in this race.

Democrats have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot. I hope this is not a repeat of their ineptitude.

Susan Kain's avatar

You are not the only one making this case, Linda. And if you want to see how Jenny Racicot appears on camera while talking about this, watch her interview last night with CNN's Jake Tapper.

Before yesterday's turn of events, some Mainers' comments to newscentermaine.org and The Portland Press Herald were still resisting outside attempts to influence the race and were supportive of the man they saw and heard at local rallies. Today, we don't yet know.

If Platner were to withdraw by July 13, then Maine Democrats would have until July 27 to pick a new candidate.

Did you get a notification that Heather has scheduled a Politics Chat tonight at 6 p.m. Eastern? I'm eager to hear what she as a Mainer can tell us.

Linda Slater's avatar

Platner has admitted to a period of his life where he was out of control. He has admitted to specific transgressions and to drunkenness. I believe there is room to assume a difference in perception of events, and that there is more to this than Ms Racicot just suddenly decided to put her accusations on record at this time.

Jenny Benjamin's avatar

Please run for Senate in Maine!

V for Violet 🆘's avatar

Heather, please run for office.

Jan Dunn's avatar

Trump has gone and messed up a fantastic run the USA has had in the World Cup!! While I don’t believe our best player deserved a red card, our “corrupter in chief” had no business interfering! Now every country will look at us as cheaters. I was believing that the USA hosting the World Cup was going a long way toward erasing some of the bad feelings other countries have toward the USA because of Trumps tariffs, his bad mouthing our allies, his denigrating NATO!! Now we are the “Ugly Americans” in so many minds!!

I believe most Americans are fair - minded. I believe that most Americans want to play by the rules. I know that Trump has no clue what fairness and rules mean.

Dale K. Nichols's avatar

Thank you, Heather. Trump’s red-baiting tactics are as despicable as they are transparent.

Four Men on a Mountain

He praised four men on a mountain

Where he longs to be the fifth

George and Thomas and Teddy and Abe

On our two-hundred fiftieth:

Here the Old World sent its bravest

Its boldest and most resilient

Its fiercest, most faithful and freedom loving

Daring and most brilliant

From Britain back to Athens

Jerusalem and Rome

Their values, traditions and customs, he said,

Were instilled in them—they’d come

To forge a New Breed of citizen

On the grounds and granite hills

Of this rugged wide open continent—

They came to challenge its thrills

No mention of the enslaved

Who arrived in chains and tears

Or those of Indigenous Peoples, who had

Been here for thousands of years

Or of those from places in Asia

And south of our nation’s border

That built our country on their backs

As parts of its bricks and mortar

Then: All of us must speak English

The language of our founding

With a stroke of the pen, he sealed the deal

So as one, with voices resounding

We can face the gravest danger

In our country’s storied history

Much worse than World Wars I and II—

It threatens our nation’s identity

The threat of Communism

It’s back from the days of McCarthy

Embedded in Socialist Democrats

Who control their entire party

They don’t love God, they don’t want God

They’re loyal to Karl Marx

They’re circling round us, a murderous mass

Of lying, thieving sharks

You’re one of them or us!

You simply can’t be both

A Communist or a Patriot

The Left or Right side of the boat

This message from president Trump

As he fears a mid-term rout

He’s called a state of emergency

As he plants the seeds of doubt

Dale K. Nichols

https://nevertrumppoetry.substack.com/

Betsy Smith's avatar

As an American patriot whose values reflect those of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, and others, continuing through today's Democratic Socialists, I see absolutely no contraction in my affiliations.

Just recapping what I wrote last night, if Mr. Trump wants to fight real communists, he should provide Ukraine with defensive weapons to protect the civilians in Kyiv and other cities from Putin's murderous air strikes.

Maureen Haworth's avatar

He calls Democrats Communists and in the next breath praises the Communist dictator, Putin...

Untrump's avatar

We know who the enemy is. Jan 6th was a precise and unforgivable revelation! We need to move past defining Trump's lies and corruption! We need an offensive based on concrete steps.

Clarissa Sr., American Grandma's avatar

🗽 The Rebels of Our Time

Two hundred and fifty long years have now passed,

Since we the plain people built something to last.

A revolutionary spark in the night,

Where everyday citizens stepped in the light. 🕯️

But freedom takes effort, it doesn’t just stand,

When shadows of tyranny creep through the land.

So do not obey in advance, we are told,

Keep truth in your heart, and be steady and bold. 🛡️

Defend institutions—the courts and the press,

For they need our voices to clean up the mess.

Defend multiparties, protect every vote,

And keep our republic so safely afloat. ⚖️

Hold fast to your ethics, whatever your trade,

And wipe away symbols of hate on parade.

When leaders start marching with torches and lies,

Stand up and stand out beneath liberty's skies. 🦅

If truth is abandoned, then freedom is gone,

So dig for the facts as we journey along.

Support the free papers, read carefully, too,

And separate lies from the things that are true. 📰

Get out of your chair, step away from the screen,

Go march in the streets where the people convene!

Protect your own secrets and keep your mind clear,

And do not let tyrants control you with fear. 🚶‍♀️

When false, sudden panics come rattling the door,

Remember the founders who faced them before.

As Frederick Douglass so wisely declared,

They acted as rebels because they all cared. 📜

In twenty-twenty-six, as the midterms draw near,

We’ll vote for the values we hold very dear.

Choose leaders who champion justice and law,

To keep our democracy free from a flaw! 🇺🇸

————————————-

We are the Pro-Democracy Comment-Chain Crew, using our comments to boost pro-democracy leaders and indie media. Employingthe Algorithm Advantage so truth can grow! ✨🇺🇸🗳️⚖️🕯️🌱

Untrump's avatar

Prohibitions, emoluments clause, insider trading,,, are like judge's rulings. They are simply ignored! Welcome to fascism.

Anthony O Neill's avatar

Dear Heather.

I commend you and admire your hard work. Keep going as you are!

Regards, Anthony (in Scotland).

Mary Guthrie's avatar

Thanks for all your wonder commentary! Please run for office if Graham Plattner steps down!

Untrump's avatar

Hundreds of uniformed, masked White Supremacists, marched through the streets of DC. Where is the reporting form ABC, CBS, NBC,???????????? Confederate flags, white masks, marching in military files is not news worthy? Despite poor popularity, Trump has shown no remorse. He has made it clear that he doesn't give a damn about the people! Knowledge of this does not change it! We need actions!

Laurie Ferri's avatar

I can not feel sorry for anyone who does business with Trump. He is a felon. I’m sorry. You made your bed now sleep in it.

P J Johnston's avatar

Why oh why does this man and his family have such leaning to breaking laws all over the place! And the worst part about it is they ALWAYS make more money. And they always stick their business in where it doesn't belong. Thank you for everything you do Heather. God help us we DON'T need a bust of "HIM" on Mt Rushmore. They have already told him his bust would make the whole thing down, there is NO room for him on the monument!