I am uplifted by the stark difference between the meanness and cruelty happening in DC and the incredible kindness and generosity happening in LA around the LA fires . I know this first hand as my daughter lost her dream home in Altadena and has received the most incredible outpouring of love and support and kindness and generosity often from folks she has never met. We as humans have a choice. A government can in fact be run on kindness. That's the one I choose.
Ah @S Ellis - please when you refer to the “meanness and cruelty happening in DC” please refer to those creating it not as “DC”, my chosen home of nearly 50 years. I do not work for nor have I ever the Fed govt. I moved here not long after DC was “granted” home rule. I’d not been taught, in my excellent Ohio public schools, that DC citizens had, & still have, taxation without voting representation. I was fortunate, in my first week here, to meet ithe now late Josephine Butler who explained it and exemplified the actions for recognition.
Now what we feared would be an EO is a bill introduced by Utah’s Sen Lee & a TN representative, last name Ogles, that they’ve thought to cleverly name so that the acronym becomes the letters of our mayor’s last name. The bill’s intent is to take over DC. The House already has veto power over citizen or Council passed laws. They want more & have for years, harkening back to DC being called “Chocolate City” because of the once majority Black population
To some degree my request of you & others answers the question: I’m doing very badly and can’t move (health, age, finances) and only twice in all these years considered it. Last week I found locals even nicer than usual. Often - quite often - when we see tourists fumbling with paper or electronic maps, we stop to help. Last week to & from med appointments, I in wheelchair & spouse pushing, more people held doors.
My greatest angst, other than losing more rights, has been the racism and hostility toward immigrants. Other than my Indigenous friends, we all are descended from immigrants. Mine escaped Pogroms; if they hadn’t, they’d surely have died in the Holocaust. Friends’ families were interred during WWII. Others, descended from “paper sons.” Others from Survivors.
To cope, I donate what I can, interact on Substacks, find ways to be an ear for others.
There are no easy ways to manage such intentional cruelty and hate toward others here by uprooting them and sending them to likely death. Or that to the Black South Africans, to all the countries USAID helps - money given that keeps us safer.
What I wrote first is not a rebuke to or of you. I say it when I hear or read others do the same. It is my horror that 49% of those who voted chose this and I have no Senator or voting representative to call.
Joan, I have long been outraged that DC isn't a state. It seems unconstitutional that it isn't. I am glad that the locals are being nice though. A lot of people are very testy right now. Love from California.
I have always found it outrageous that Washington, D.C. is not a state. My apologies for my thoughtless characterization. It was of course the cruel cowardly members of Congress to which I was referring. Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.
Thank you. We do know - and I’ve written over and over - news organizations and politicians who disdain their colleagues refer to “DC” as you did. It’s that few know who lives here permanently (unlike those elected and those like Bezos and new Cabinet members who want to influence & thus buy houses most of us could not afford to rent a room in) aren’t considered. Like I didn’t know when I moved from Ohio nearly 50 years ago. I’ve never worked in government. Most here haven’t either I’m guessing.
It would take a Constitutional amendment to get a statehood initiative going. Right now US states hate DC because they were told it’s a swamp to be drained!
I so agree S Ellis. I have lived the evacuation and got to be one of the lucky few to keep our home, but the feelings and help we share with each other here make me feel so proud.. This is indeed government can be.
Oh bless you Paula. Thank you for offering. She has a GoFundMe page but it is doing pretty well so I would suggest looking for others who need cash. There are a lot of GoFundMe stories. So much loss. So tragic.
I'm glad the GoFundMe is doing well. I will look for others to help. Good luck to all of you!!! (We almost had to evacuate this time but fortunately did not have to. I live in Ventura County.)
Steven: "How Are You Managing the Trump Overload?"
💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓
Reich:"How to stop this? The first step is to understand it."
Me:"How to stop this? The first step is to PREVENT it."
💓Reich💓:"...allow me to take a longer-term view...“fucking nightmare” is not all bad if ... people getting clubbed [are exercising Hollywood's ability to make MILLIONS SUING TRUMP😁😁😁😁]..."
💓Reich💓 :"The only real firewall against the Trump regime... judges..."...
Me:"The only real firewall against the Trump regime in 2016 were teams of actors faking out judges with videos they staged of "expensive fights" between "MAGA" actors and actors playing the protesters at his rallies... protesters Trump incited violence against... while promising to "pay the legal fees" of the perpetrators😁😁😁😁👍
Here is the documentary ( by UC Berkeley professor ) of the thwarting of the part of democracy that should have prevented Trump in the first place:
Note: It seems like it would have been easy to fool the MAGA that witnessed the "expensive fights" to testify that the "expensive injuries" were real😁😁😁😁
In 2015 I envisioned hundreds of teams of actors fighting each other...
each team with their own Ambulance... driving off after pulling off the "Perfect Caper" ... like the final scene from the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE TV shows...
My Point: I see NO MENTION OF THE ONLY PEOPLE UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION at the day to day operational level... WHISTLEBLOWERS!!!
🫣⚖️🤯😳😁💡🥷🤔🕵️
Our BEST HOPE(based on the history of Nader's Raiders) to fix multiple Federal Agencies(damaged by Musk, etc) is to RE-EMPOWER a NEW NADER'S RAIDERS... fortunately LAW SCHOOL APPLICANTS are eager to SPICE UP THEIR APPLICATIONS by following our WINNING FORMULAs.. Subscribe to play a key role in our pivotal FOCUS GROUP!!!
I’m up earlier than usual reeling from seeing Rep Waters and other Congressmen blocked from entering the board of Education by 1 single guy at the door! Why didn’t they call the police to remove him? Aren’t they the lawmakers?
From this article which says “Several security officers and officers with Department of Homeland Security patches and gear stood inside just beyond the door.”
So the security were inside, blocking them! I saw their backs to the Congress reps standing outside. Trump/Musk’s entire purpose is to disrespect protocol, devalue those ELECTED to the position, demoralize them personally, then accuse those Reps, keeping their oaths to serve the citizens by getting to the bottom of all this confusion stinks of illegality. What they are saying is: “Yeah! We’re Wrong!!! And you can’t do anything about it cause we got here first, ahead of you! And…We got security with guns!”
1st - I was responding to a comment that they were blocked by “1 single guy” which was not the case but is what much of the media video makes it look like.
2nd - If the door was not locked which is a big if, what would happen? Something positive?
3rd - I don’t believe a mob scene for media broadcast, in or at the Dept of Ed, by lawless members of Congress was the point. The point was the Dept is not responding to Congress, not providing access and is willing to physically stop Representatives from doing their jobs.
Congress needs their own law enforcement branch. It’s their job to make the laws, then they should be able to enforce the laws in the midst of a coup by an illegal Cabal of Criminals of our executive branch!!!
You would still need a majority to take action. Right now I’m not contemplating expanding this administration’s lawful power or potentially another like it.
I totally agree. I would have told him, you need to step aside. I believe you are blocking the Law from entering its own building. Do I need to call my officers in to have you removed?
Reportedly, there is an interview where Elons brother teases him about getting funding for his projects as he falsified that he was a citizen. He took money under false pretense.
Then reportedly, he overstayed his Visa and continued to do business here! Why wasn’t he vetted? Was it because he was rich so they gave him benefit of the doubt?
Incrementally with days of chop wood and carry water interspersed with raging at the machine.
On Tuesday I called my senators (and Fetterman for being the only Dem to approve Bondi for AG), wore blue on Wednesday for 50501 protests, read my trusted sources on Substack and BlueSky.
This, then alternating, with long walks with my pup, listening to birdsong in the morning, looking at or being in the mountains, reading Mary Oliver, journaling and tending to my plants 🪴
We’re in this for the long haul and it’s a day at a time.
Well said. I believe pacing our news intake/sources and safeguarding our mental health is huge. The point is to firehose us so we just tune out totally. Nope.
As a Vet, I'm deathly afraid of the new regime and what they will do to the VA, our pensions, and the services as a whole. Neither the Sec of Defense or the Sec of the VA have any clue how to run such large organizations. Additionally, what happens if an "illegal order", such as using active duty personnel for the fiasco at the Texas border? It's already obvious they don't give a shit about the Constitution, what about those that volunteer to serve?
Speaking of “arts,” I have always been one to invest in, and wear, political/slash protest tee shirts-especially since his first reign of terror. This time around I’m not comfortable with wearing overt political statements on my person. Instead I’ve been ordering tees that have things like “Gulf of Mexico” and “Mt Denali” printed on them. Anything that he changes….
I don't even recognize my friends and neighbors. I am a small blue dot trying not to drown in a huge sea of red. It bothers me that I can't have a civil disagreement about politics. The MAGAts have infected our country. I always joked about there were 2 topics I never discuss with anyone - religion and politics. It's not a joke anymore. I seriously don't discuss either for fear of retaliation. THIS IS NO WAY TO LIVE ! Instead of our country moving forward, we are regressing at an alarming rate.
As for what I'm doing to take the stress off : I'm in the deep South, so our weather is really nice right now ( well - 80° is a little hot ) I am thinking about flowers and planning my flowerbeds. "To plant a seed is to believe in tomorrow". And I actually like pulling weeds ! It allows me to think about getting the weed removed and nothing else at that moment. I don't like gloves because I like to feel the dirt and it allows me a tighter grip on the weed's roots with bare hands. I live in the county with deer, birds, foxes, rabbits and a host of butterflies, among numerous other wildlife. I am blessed, I know. I try to remember that. But I am extremely worried that a coup is still ongoing. Billionaires have no right to try to undermine our country. Especially those here illegally. I would rather deport crazy Leon and not the hard working people who are escaping tyranny and war.
I grew up on the gulf coast and hate hot weather. Live in TN now and usually prefer Fall/Winter but planning a garden to combat food prices this year. Now, for the first time in my life, I am looking forward to warm weather. Waiting for farmers markets to open as well. All veges/meat will be homegrown or local this year. Ready for warmer weather so I can get out and be active
Get tee shirts with the old names, Denali, Gulf of Mexico, anything else he changes. Canada, Greenland….we will recognize each other “out in the wild,” so to speak. Redbubble, tee-public are good places to find the shirts
I had trouble sleeping last night with the news that the dogebags were slashing funding for NIH grants. This will be stopped by the courts I am sure but it is terrible for both of my children.
The cruelty is the point, and has been since the onset of the Reagan administration. But most straight white people ignored it because it wasn't aimed at them.
Agree, Ginger! While Chuck Schumer was chanting and dancing like a fool Elon's teenaged thugs were already deep into the US Treasury's computer data base. Why wasn't Schumer in front of a judge instead of juggling avocados in the street? A judge has since issued a cease order and demanded destruction of any files they stole but while the barn door is being locked now, the horse is already half way to California!
Trained lawyers were in front of the judges. That is not Schumer's job. As a senator from Hawaii said, Shumer does a great job on the floor of the Senate. (Did you notice how he managed to get a record number of Biden's judges approved?) He is not the best in terms of public speaking, so it might be better to appoint someone else to do that part. I suggest that Democrats stop attacking other Democrats (constructive criticism is ok). We will need unity, and to invite in the independents and the non-MAGAs if we are going to take back democracy.
Thank you, Marliss. We defeat ourselves when we target people who've done their best to protect democracy. Our job now is to continue to look for ways to resist, not blame those who came before us or who have a different perspective. We all have different things to contribute, and it will take all of our different approaches to hold the line until we can reclaim democracy. Dissing the magas and even dems who saw things differently backfired on us before and took precious energy we needed to get our message out. Let's not make that mistake again.
So true, Constance. As I've said elsewhere, all that vital data has likely been copied and sent to one of Muck's server farms.
And Schumer....what a sorry creature to be in the position of Dem Senate leader! He's following the distractions instead of the actual criming going on.
I picture these huge vans pulling up to Fort Knox, Musk and the felon run gleefully inside... with their tiny little hands try to pick up a brick of gold to carry it to the van. Whoa, their wee little fingers are too weak. They had no idea gold weighed so much. They keep trying, but those tiny fingers tire easily. They lay down on the gold and sleep for the next 4 years, in their idea of heaven.
I want Trump impeached. I want Scott Bessent impeached and jailed. I want Elon Musk and his minions jailed and all of their assets confiscated until such time we have the ability to trace what they have done with all our data and secure it once again. Not sure how this can be done since they do not respect the laws. Could the military step in? We know the courts are trying to do something but who can enforce what the courts rule?
They were before. If you’re unfamiliar with Mikey Weinstein who founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation learn more of actions being taken harming those who are not white Christian males serving.
That and Fox playing 24/7 in every possible military space for decades. We know a large part of the success of propaganda is just the repetition of emotionally stimulating speech
Forget about impeachment. It didn’t work before. Public protests are all well and good but noise alone is not going to rid us of these monsters. Members of the military, who are still in possession of their minds, must unite and physically arrest Trump, Musk and their minions on charges of treason. Lock them away behind bars at Guantánamo or other secure, confinements for life without parole. They are all a clear and present danger to our country and to the world. We must show the world that we will not tolerate insane bullies.o
"Could the military step in?" That's the million dollar question. CAN the military? Do they have any autonomy whatsoever? Or will they just do whatever the insane Commandant-in-Chief tells them to do? Your guess is as good as mine. Given the "WARRIOR!!!"- "WHITE MALE!!!"- mentality spearheaded by the stupid, cruel hedgehog, my expectation is that they will fall in line like good tin soldiers, just as the Wehrmacht did under Hitler. Needless to say, I pray that I am wrong.
"During his successful 2024 reelection campaign, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump promised to purge the military of “woke” generals. Soon after his November victory, The Wall Street Journal reported that his transition team had drafted an executive order to establish a so-called warrior board of retired senior military officers tasked with identifying serving generals and admirals who ought to be dismissed. In the meantime, according to other media reports, TRUMP'S TEAM HAS BEEN DRAWING UP ITS OWN LIST OF GENERALS TO REMOVE FROM THEIR [MILITARY] POSTS, AND PERHAPS EVEN COURT-MARTIAL." From "Foreign Affairs", 1/10/25
Bea, presumably there are database and code backups that can be restored. However much damage may already have been done. We will need forensic investigators for that.
After an accident and other stress, I have to resign from here and recover, but PLEASE keep up the good work! I respect you immensely Steven! You are amazing, and i will depend on you to help preserve our democracy!
I hope your recovery from any and all accident-related trauma progresses smoothly, consistently and as quickly as possible. I also hope that the stressors in your life are reduced and you feel your stress decreasing consistently, Maria.
I am in a similar situation, after a bad fall a week before the election, Marie, but perhaps (I hope) a little closer to recovery.
When the coup began, it didn't surprise me because I'd long since understood that Trump fully intended to implement P2025. But the speed with which it is happening put me into shock. I grieved, but out of that grief came a new kind of determination.
I read a lot and I read widely and follow many sources all over the country, and I've come to see that all over the place people ARE standing up, speaking up, gathering together and making plans for ongoing resistance. Lawsuits, refusal to follow orders, willingness to speak out against wrongful actions. Letter writing and calls Non-violent demonstrations, contacting our legislators to either give them support or asking them to rethink their positions. People calling out the wrongs, and not giving up.
Not everyone can afford to do these things because of their circumstancesd, and some do not have the courage, which is understandable. I think that those of us who've experienced trauma in our lives are better equipped because we already know that we can survive if we keep going. It's those stuck in what they thought should be who are struggling- they don't recognize that they are grieving and so express it through anger. The first step in moving on is to accept our grief and use the anger to drive positive acts of resistance in whatever form we can, small acts and large ones.
I do a lot of what I do online, and I avoid the places and the people who are consumed with anger and criticism. And I also avoid the people who think they have all the answers and are full of "musts" and "shoulds". I seek out people willing to listen and share ideas and support, and find that then I am able to reach out in the ways I can to help others lift themselves from uncertainty and feel supported. I believe that in this way our resistance will build. And though we are going to experience some real disruption in our lives, we've already proven that we CAN create obstacles that get in the way of Trump/Elon/et al.
I began by feeling uncertain about what role I might have going forward, but now am proceeding with hope. The T/E/25 team have shown that they have not thought the things they are attempting to do all the way through, and that is a sign that it is just a matter of time before their aspirations collapse. Then we'll have to rethink what we do to begin repair and how we go about that. We'll argue some more, and take time out to take care of ourselves, and then jump in again.
The thing is: just keep doing what we can as long as we can, join with others who can pick up when we need to stand back for a while, encourage each other, and keep on going. Keep in touch along the way. I'm looking forward to learning from you as we exchange our stories and ideas.
Not that well, but I have increased my phone calls to Congress. I have contacted friends in states with Republican senators and representatives and asked them to flood their members to stop the Musk-Trump regime. The more people that scream bloody murder and the louder they are, specially if their members are up for reelection. I want those that waffled during the cabinet hearings to be held accountable.
Puzzles. I do puzzles. It helps. Still stay informed and active in calling my Congressasshole and 2 Senators. I call them regardless of party and I will be participating in protests. I curse at the television and mute the felon.
I like puzzles because they keep the problem solving part of my brain occupied and let my mind rest and relieve stress, too. For me, jigsaw puzzles are the best, because then my mind is working at several different aspects at the same time, and I get a reward at the end when the picture comes together. It's what I do when I feel overwhelmed.
I am not okay 😞 I suffer from depression and anxiety and don’t know if I have the tools to cope with what is happening. Throwing myself into work and good TV/movies to escape. I can’t turn to my usual exercise/training “therapy” because I’m recovering from a few surgeries after an accident, which adds to my depression. I’m spending a small fortune supporting numerous independent journalists and Substack folks, but I can’t read or engage because it sends me into despair. The prompt in today’s title drew me in so I could see how others are coping. My husband and I feel very isolated because a majority of our friends and family drink the orange kool-aid. Sigh. Love this community 🙏🏼
Two things I have done when I had mobility limitations and needed some mental health escape: watercolor triangles and Zentangle. I am not at all an artist, but these are both meditative practices that lead to something visually pleasing. In both cases, I got introduced to them through online workshops, which built out the mindfulness aspects and helped me feel connected to other humans.
Marybeth, You are not alone! Your feelings are normal under the circumstances. I felt numb and frozen with fear for two days last week, but have since recovered my inner calm and mental clarity by reminding myself to NEVER, EVER allow creeps the likes of Trump, Musk and others in the Republican Party to rob me of my mental well-being or sense of security! Trust that they do not have this power to overwhelm you unless you give them and their ilk the power to mess with your mind! Additionally, try protecting yourself by limiting exposure to "toxic" news only once per week for one hour or less (e.g., PBS Newshour; NBC or ABC News); ONLY read essays by reputable journalists, historians, or political writers so to help you make sense of the intentional chaos and harm Trump is trying to inflict on individuals and society at large; and consider doing a coherent breathing exercise 2x daily for 20 minutes (available at headspace app, UCLA Neuroscience Mindfulness Awareness Program app, or Coherent Breathing by Richard P Brown, MD as a free downloadable program with demonstrations on You-tube) so to reduce the acute and chronic toxic, negative effects of stress on the central nervous system and to help you shift from an anxious/fearful state to a state of mental calm, clarity and safety. This kind of daily breathing practice also helps to reduce low mood, builds resilience in the face of stress, and helps to restore sleep if done an hour before going to bed. Regular execise, even if just 30 min of walking a day, also helps to reduce stress and builds resilience. And finally, keep in mind that you are among the 70+ million or more Americans who are standing on the right side of history, many of whom are now mobilizing to fight this dangerous THUG leading a movement of destruction, revenge, hate. These are just a few practicle suggestions and thoughts to keep in mind, in addition to many others already described in this wonderful blog. Take good care of yourself, Bill
GREAT advice, William, all good for both mental and physical health. Thanks for this timely summary. I had to make myself stop, as you did, and remind myself of the things I need to do to stay as healthy as I can, for myself and for my family. And lastly, because I care about the future of my children and grandchildren and my neighbors in this country, so that I can join in the efforts to reclaim our democracy. I say "lastly" because unless I take care of myself first, I won't have anything to give to my family and my various communities.
Marybeth you and your husband are who I would consider like minded people who believe in the good that our country and society has given us in the past. We were talking today about how it's easy to be consumed by the daily chaos that we are bombarded by from the Trump world. Their purpose is to overwhelm us. We are learning that for our own wellbeing, we need to turn it off and disconnect for a period of time each day. Just take some time to focus on each other, and find something that brings you pleasure. Listen to music, sit outside, throw a ball for your dog, or just talk with each other about anything that can bring a smile. It can help.
I am uplifted by the stark difference between the meanness and cruelty happening in DC and the incredible kindness and generosity happening in LA around the LA fires . I know this first hand as my daughter lost her dream home in Altadena and has received the most incredible outpouring of love and support and kindness and generosity often from folks she has never met. We as humans have a choice. A government can in fact be run on kindness. That's the one I choose.
Ah @S Ellis - please when you refer to the “meanness and cruelty happening in DC” please refer to those creating it not as “DC”, my chosen home of nearly 50 years. I do not work for nor have I ever the Fed govt. I moved here not long after DC was “granted” home rule. I’d not been taught, in my excellent Ohio public schools, that DC citizens had, & still have, taxation without voting representation. I was fortunate, in my first week here, to meet ithe now late Josephine Butler who explained it and exemplified the actions for recognition.
Now what we feared would be an EO is a bill introduced by Utah’s Sen Lee & a TN representative, last name Ogles, that they’ve thought to cleverly name so that the acronym becomes the letters of our mayor’s last name. The bill’s intent is to take over DC. The House already has veto power over citizen or Council passed laws. They want more & have for years, harkening back to DC being called “Chocolate City” because of the once majority Black population
To some degree my request of you & others answers the question: I’m doing very badly and can’t move (health, age, finances) and only twice in all these years considered it. Last week I found locals even nicer than usual. Often - quite often - when we see tourists fumbling with paper or electronic maps, we stop to help. Last week to & from med appointments, I in wheelchair & spouse pushing, more people held doors.
My greatest angst, other than losing more rights, has been the racism and hostility toward immigrants. Other than my Indigenous friends, we all are descended from immigrants. Mine escaped Pogroms; if they hadn’t, they’d surely have died in the Holocaust. Friends’ families were interred during WWII. Others, descended from “paper sons.” Others from Survivors.
To cope, I donate what I can, interact on Substacks, find ways to be an ear for others.
There are no easy ways to manage such intentional cruelty and hate toward others here by uprooting them and sending them to likely death. Or that to the Black South Africans, to all the countries USAID helps - money given that keeps us safer.
What I wrote first is not a rebuke to or of you. I say it when I hear or read others do the same. It is my horror that 49% of those who voted chose this and I have no Senator or voting representative to call.
Joan, I have long been outraged that DC isn't a state. It seems unconstitutional that it isn't. I am glad that the locals are being nice though. A lot of people are very testy right now. Love from California.
I have always found it outrageous that Washington, D.C. is not a state. My apologies for my thoughtless characterization. It was of course the cruel cowardly members of Congress to which I was referring. Thank you so much for your thoughtful response.
Thank you. We do know - and I’ve written over and over - news organizations and politicians who disdain their colleagues refer to “DC” as you did. It’s that few know who lives here permanently (unlike those elected and those like Bezos and new Cabinet members who want to influence & thus buy houses most of us could not afford to rent a room in) aren’t considered. Like I didn’t know when I moved from Ohio nearly 50 years ago. I’ve never worked in government. Most here haven’t either I’m guessing.
It would take a Constitutional amendment to get a statehood initiative going. Right now US states hate DC because they were told it’s a swamp to be drained!
We’re grateful for your support. Thank you.
I so agree S Ellis. I have lived the evacuation and got to be one of the lucky few to keep our home, but the feelings and help we share with each other here make me feel so proud.. This is indeed government can be.
Amen.
I am so sorry about your daughter's house, S. How can I help?
Pay it forward.
Oh bless you Paula. Thank you for offering. She has a GoFundMe page but it is doing pretty well so I would suggest looking for others who need cash. There are a lot of GoFundMe stories. So much loss. So tragic.
I'm glad the GoFundMe is doing well. I will look for others to help. Good luck to all of you!!! (We almost had to evacuate this time but fortunately did not have to. I live in Ventura County.)
Steven: "How Are You Managing the Trump Overload?"
💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓
Reich:"How to stop this? The first step is to understand it."
Me:"How to stop this? The first step is to PREVENT it."
💓Reich💓:"...allow me to take a longer-term view...“fucking nightmare” is not all bad if ... people getting clubbed [are exercising Hollywood's ability to make MILLIONS SUING TRUMP😁😁😁😁]..."
💓Reich💓 :"The only real firewall against the Trump regime... judges..."...
Me:"The only real firewall against the Trump regime in 2016 were teams of actors faking out judges with videos they staged of "expensive fights" between "MAGA" actors and actors playing the protesters at his rallies... protesters Trump incited violence against... while promising to "pay the legal fees" of the perpetrators😁😁😁😁👍
Here is the documentary ( by UC Berkeley professor ) of the thwarting of the part of democracy that should have prevented Trump in the first place:
https://youtu.be/psebm9RJDvU?si=IyKX2eSZQf_T5dmL&t=4941
Note: It seems like it would have been easy to fool the MAGA that witnessed the "expensive fights" to testify that the "expensive injuries" were real😁😁😁😁
In 2015 I envisioned hundreds of teams of actors fighting each other...
...https://youtu.be/JMK6lzmSk2o?si=2KJOJCk7WPW9eFBC&t=96
each team with their own Ambulance... driving off after pulling off the "Perfect Caper" ... like the final scene from the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE TV shows...
https://youtu.be/lt8X9lrpLoc?si=Kl_6hknIxZYYH4gP&t=15771
My Point: I see NO MENTION OF THE ONLY PEOPLE UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION at the day to day operational level... WHISTLEBLOWERS!!!
🫣⚖️🤯😳😁💡🥷🤔🕵️
Our BEST HOPE(based on the history of Nader's Raiders) to fix multiple Federal Agencies(damaged by Musk, etc) is to RE-EMPOWER a NEW NADER'S RAIDERS... fortunately LAW SCHOOL APPLICANTS are eager to SPICE UP THEIR APPLICATIONS by following our WINNING FORMULAs.. Subscribe to play a key role in our pivotal FOCUS GROUP!!!
I’m up earlier than usual reeling from seeing Rep Waters and other Congressmen blocked from entering the board of Education by 1 single guy at the door! Why didn’t they call the police to remove him? Aren’t they the lawmakers?
There was a 2nd guy there and 2 dozen police on the other side of the door.
I don’t know if the glass door was locked. Frost said a year ago he could just walk in.
You can catch glimpses inside in this video.
https://x.com/MaxwellFrostFL/status/1887891087097823711
From this article which says “Several security officers and officers with Department of Homeland Security patches and gear stood inside just beyond the door.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/07/house-democrats-denied-entry-education-department-00203123
So the security were inside, blocking them! I saw their backs to the Congress reps standing outside. Trump/Musk’s entire purpose is to disrespect protocol, devalue those ELECTED to the position, demoralize them personally, then accuse those Reps, keeping their oaths to serve the citizens by getting to the bottom of all this confusion stinks of illegality. What they are saying is: “Yeah! We’re Wrong!!! And you can’t do anything about it cause we got here first, ahead of you! And…We got security with guns!”
Were they going to just shoot the lawmakers..right there and then?
It’s called ‘heading you off at the pass’ and intimidating you w an armed posse. Question: are any of those Homeland Security guys J6 pardons?
I’m not certain what your point might be.
1st - I was responding to a comment that they were blocked by “1 single guy” which was not the case but is what much of the media video makes it look like.
2nd - If the door was not locked which is a big if, what would happen? Something positive?
3rd - I don’t believe a mob scene for media broadcast, in or at the Dept of Ed, by lawless members of Congress was the point. The point was the Dept is not responding to Congress, not providing access and is willing to physically stop Representatives from doing their jobs.
Congress needs their own law enforcement branch. It’s their job to make the laws, then they should be able to enforce the laws in the midst of a coup by an illegal Cabal of Criminals of our executive branch!!!
You would still need a majority to take action. Right now I’m not contemplating expanding this administration’s lawful power or potentially another like it.
I totally agree. I would have told him, you need to step aside. I believe you are blocking the Law from entering its own building. Do I need to call my officers in to have you removed?
Reportedly, there is an interview where Elons brother teases him about getting funding for his projects as he falsified that he was a citizen. He took money under false pretense.
Then reportedly, he overstayed his Visa and continued to do business here! Why wasn’t he vetted? Was it because he was rich so they gave him benefit of the doubt?
It was weird that they did not just GO IN…
They chose to not be shot. It is volatile for the guards.
Who was that guy?
Incrementally with days of chop wood and carry water interspersed with raging at the machine.
On Tuesday I called my senators (and Fetterman for being the only Dem to approve Bondi for AG), wore blue on Wednesday for 50501 protests, read my trusted sources on Substack and BlueSky.
This, then alternating, with long walks with my pup, listening to birdsong in the morning, looking at or being in the mountains, reading Mary Oliver, journaling and tending to my plants 🪴
We’re in this for the long haul and it’s a day at a time.
Lost faith in Fetterman early on...
We suffered through Sinema in Arizona. Get rid of him.
I didn’t realize he would become a poser
Fettermanchin
I am finding it all very exhausting and oh, so sad.
What a wonderful comment, Christi! Your routine sounds like the perfect antidote to ongoing events.
Well said. I believe pacing our news intake/sources and safeguarding our mental health is huge. The point is to firehose us so we just tune out totally. Nope.
Right on, MJ. Keep up the good trouble 👿
As a Vet, I'm deathly afraid of the new regime and what they will do to the VA, our pensions, and the services as a whole. Neither the Sec of Defense or the Sec of the VA have any clue how to run such large organizations. Additionally, what happens if an "illegal order", such as using active duty personnel for the fiasco at the Texas border? It's already obvious they don't give a shit about the Constitution, what about those that volunteer to serve?
It's horrible what they're doing to our veterans, nana! I have contributed to Vote Vets. They seem to be doing a great job.
They are AWESOME!!
Doug Collins is head of the VA....he's a horse's patooey!
Speaking of “arts,” I have always been one to invest in, and wear, political/slash protest tee shirts-especially since his first reign of terror. This time around I’m not comfortable with wearing overt political statements on my person. Instead I’ve been ordering tees that have things like “Gulf of Mexico” and “Mt Denali” printed on them. Anything that he changes….
I know what you mean. We are now afraid..in our own communities. Must blend in and not make waves, etc. Dangerous.
I don't even recognize my friends and neighbors. I am a small blue dot trying not to drown in a huge sea of red. It bothers me that I can't have a civil disagreement about politics. The MAGAts have infected our country. I always joked about there were 2 topics I never discuss with anyone - religion and politics. It's not a joke anymore. I seriously don't discuss either for fear of retaliation. THIS IS NO WAY TO LIVE ! Instead of our country moving forward, we are regressing at an alarming rate.
As for what I'm doing to take the stress off : I'm in the deep South, so our weather is really nice right now ( well - 80° is a little hot ) I am thinking about flowers and planning my flowerbeds. "To plant a seed is to believe in tomorrow". And I actually like pulling weeds ! It allows me to think about getting the weed removed and nothing else at that moment. I don't like gloves because I like to feel the dirt and it allows me a tighter grip on the weed's roots with bare hands. I live in the county with deer, birds, foxes, rabbits and a host of butterflies, among numerous other wildlife. I am blessed, I know. I try to remember that. But I am extremely worried that a coup is still ongoing. Billionaires have no right to try to undermine our country. Especially those here illegally. I would rather deport crazy Leon and not the hard working people who are escaping tyranny and war.
You could name each weed as you pull it out. I can think of a few names if you come up blank. 😀
LOVE IT, Paula!
I grew up on the gulf coast and hate hot weather. Live in TN now and usually prefer Fall/Winter but planning a garden to combat food prices this year. Now, for the first time in my life, I am looking forward to warm weather. Waiting for farmers markets to open as well. All veges/meat will be homegrown or local this year. Ready for warmer weather so I can get out and be active
Get tee shirts with the old names, Denali, Gulf of Mexico, anything else he changes. Canada, Greenland….we will recognize each other “out in the wild,” so to speak. Redbubble, tee-public are good places to find the shirts
I had trouble sleeping last night with the news that the dogebags were slashing funding for NIH grants. This will be stopped by the courts I am sure but it is terrible for both of my children.
The absolute CRUELTY of it should be noted by all American citizens.
The cruelty is the point, and has been since the onset of the Reagan administration. But most straight white people ignored it because it wasn't aimed at them.
Adam Seewer wrote about this in the Atlantic during his first administration (google it):
The Cruelty Is the Point
President Trump and his supporters find community by rejoicing in the suffering of those they hate and fear.
By Adam Serwer
doge already has all our personal information.... terrifying where do we even begin...
Agree, Ginger! While Chuck Schumer was chanting and dancing like a fool Elon's teenaged thugs were already deep into the US Treasury's computer data base. Why wasn't Schumer in front of a judge instead of juggling avocados in the street? A judge has since issued a cease order and demanded destruction of any files they stole but while the barn door is being locked now, the horse is already half way to California!
Trained lawyers were in front of the judges. That is not Schumer's job. As a senator from Hawaii said, Shumer does a great job on the floor of the Senate. (Did you notice how he managed to get a record number of Biden's judges approved?) He is not the best in terms of public speaking, so it might be better to appoint someone else to do that part. I suggest that Democrats stop attacking other Democrats (constructive criticism is ok). We will need unity, and to invite in the independents and the non-MAGAs if we are going to take back democracy.
Thank you, Marliss. We defeat ourselves when we target people who've done their best to protect democracy. Our job now is to continue to look for ways to resist, not blame those who came before us or who have a different perspective. We all have different things to contribute, and it will take all of our different approaches to hold the line until we can reclaim democracy. Dissing the magas and even dems who saw things differently backfired on us before and took precious energy we needed to get our message out. Let's not make that mistake again.
So true, Constance. As I've said elsewhere, all that vital data has likely been copied and sent to one of Muck's server farms.
And Schumer....what a sorry creature to be in the position of Dem Senate leader! He's following the distractions instead of the actual criming going on.
Heaven forfend we should have culture in this country. They're philistines.
It's making me want to fight even more. 👊
I am more determined than ever to fight to save our Republic and to stop the trumpmonster and elonnazi !
I picture these huge vans pulling up to Fort Knox, Musk and the felon run gleefully inside... with their tiny little hands try to pick up a brick of gold to carry it to the van. Whoa, their wee little fingers are too weak. They had no idea gold weighed so much. They keep trying, but those tiny fingers tire easily. They lay down on the gold and sleep for the next 4 years, in their idea of heaven.
Kudos to your imagination and sharing it with us!
When I read your comment I thought, "This person is a writer!" Then I saw your name and knew: it's Lynn the poet! Thank you for the wonderful imagery.
I want Trump impeached. I want Scott Bessent impeached and jailed. I want Elon Musk and his minions jailed and all of their assets confiscated until such time we have the ability to trace what they have done with all our data and secure it once again. Not sure how this can be done since they do not respect the laws. Could the military step in? We know the courts are trying to do something but who can enforce what the courts rule?
I am concerned that our Military has also been infected.
They were before. If you’re unfamiliar with Mikey Weinstein who founded the Military Religious Freedom Foundation learn more of actions being taken harming those who are not white Christian males serving.
That and Fox playing 24/7 in every possible military space for decades. We know a large part of the success of propaganda is just the repetition of emotionally stimulating speech
Forget about impeachment. It didn’t work before. Public protests are all well and good but noise alone is not going to rid us of these monsters. Members of the military, who are still in possession of their minds, must unite and physically arrest Trump, Musk and their minions on charges of treason. Lock them away behind bars at Guantánamo or other secure, confinements for life without parole. They are all a clear and present danger to our country and to the world. We must show the world that we will not tolerate insane bullies.o
"Could the military step in?" That's the million dollar question. CAN the military? Do they have any autonomy whatsoever? Or will they just do whatever the insane Commandant-in-Chief tells them to do? Your guess is as good as mine. Given the "WARRIOR!!!"- "WHITE MALE!!!"- mentality spearheaded by the stupid, cruel hedgehog, my expectation is that they will fall in line like good tin soldiers, just as the Wehrmacht did under Hitler. Needless to say, I pray that I am wrong.
I worry about the military, too. ShitLer already has Brown Shirts gathering.
THe military do not have to obey anti constitutional orders. But if they fall in line we are super toast.
"During his successful 2024 reelection campaign, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump promised to purge the military of “woke” generals. Soon after his November victory, The Wall Street Journal reported that his transition team had drafted an executive order to establish a so-called warrior board of retired senior military officers tasked with identifying serving generals and admirals who ought to be dismissed. In the meantime, according to other media reports, TRUMP'S TEAM HAS BEEN DRAWING UP ITS OWN LIST OF GENERALS TO REMOVE FROM THEIR [MILITARY] POSTS, AND PERHAPS EVEN COURT-MARTIAL." From "Foreign Affairs", 1/10/25
Bea, presumably there are database and code backups that can be restored. However much damage may already have been done. We will need forensic investigators for that.
After an accident and other stress, I have to resign from here and recover, but PLEASE keep up the good work! I respect you immensely Steven! You are amazing, and i will depend on you to help preserve our democracy!
I hope your recovery from any and all accident-related trauma progresses smoothly, consistently and as quickly as possible. I also hope that the stressors in your life are reduced and you feel your stress decreasing consistently, Maria.
I am in a similar situation, after a bad fall a week before the election, Marie, but perhaps (I hope) a little closer to recovery.
When the coup began, it didn't surprise me because I'd long since understood that Trump fully intended to implement P2025. But the speed with which it is happening put me into shock. I grieved, but out of that grief came a new kind of determination.
I read a lot and I read widely and follow many sources all over the country, and I've come to see that all over the place people ARE standing up, speaking up, gathering together and making plans for ongoing resistance. Lawsuits, refusal to follow orders, willingness to speak out against wrongful actions. Letter writing and calls Non-violent demonstrations, contacting our legislators to either give them support or asking them to rethink their positions. People calling out the wrongs, and not giving up.
Not everyone can afford to do these things because of their circumstancesd, and some do not have the courage, which is understandable. I think that those of us who've experienced trauma in our lives are better equipped because we already know that we can survive if we keep going. It's those stuck in what they thought should be who are struggling- they don't recognize that they are grieving and so express it through anger. The first step in moving on is to accept our grief and use the anger to drive positive acts of resistance in whatever form we can, small acts and large ones.
I do a lot of what I do online, and I avoid the places and the people who are consumed with anger and criticism. And I also avoid the people who think they have all the answers and are full of "musts" and "shoulds". I seek out people willing to listen and share ideas and support, and find that then I am able to reach out in the ways I can to help others lift themselves from uncertainty and feel supported. I believe that in this way our resistance will build. And though we are going to experience some real disruption in our lives, we've already proven that we CAN create obstacles that get in the way of Trump/Elon/et al.
I began by feeling uncertain about what role I might have going forward, but now am proceeding with hope. The T/E/25 team have shown that they have not thought the things they are attempting to do all the way through, and that is a sign that it is just a matter of time before their aspirations collapse. Then we'll have to rethink what we do to begin repair and how we go about that. We'll argue some more, and take time out to take care of ourselves, and then jump in again.
The thing is: just keep doing what we can as long as we can, join with others who can pick up when we need to stand back for a while, encourage each other, and keep on going. Keep in touch along the way. I'm looking forward to learning from you as we exchange our stories and ideas.
Liking the encouraging tone. Sound and inspiring advice. The impact of April 5 will explain quite a bit.
The key theme I am sharing, like you, is to keep moving forward.
Can we learn from history/mistakes and epiphanies…absolutely as long as that trends forward with newer, more efficient strategies.
Again, doing well considering the task…let's keep moving ahead, do t lose sight of 2026 by hiding in the shadow of Nov. 2024.
Let's go Democracy! 💪
I try to stay informed but have reached the point where the destruction starts to feel overwhelming more often as the days go by.
Going for long walks with my dog, Buddy, and exploring music have provided needed breaks and allow me to reset.
Not that well, but I have increased my phone calls to Congress. I have contacted friends in states with Republican senators and representatives and asked them to flood their members to stop the Musk-Trump regime. The more people that scream bloody murder and the louder they are, specially if their members are up for reelection. I want those that waffled during the cabinet hearings to be held accountable.
Puzzles. I do puzzles. It helps. Still stay informed and active in calling my Congressasshole and 2 Senators. I call them regardless of party and I will be participating in protests. I curse at the television and mute the felon.
Congressassholes…mine are this…FloriDuh. Curses never seem strong enough any more, do they?
Congrassholes. 😁
I love puzzles! Crosswords and Words with Friends. I used to do crostics as well. I haven't seen those around for a while though.
I like puzzles because they keep the problem solving part of my brain occupied and let my mind rest and relieve stress, too. For me, jigsaw puzzles are the best, because then my mind is working at several different aspects at the same time, and I get a reward at the end when the picture comes together. It's what I do when I feel overwhelmed.
I love the 3D digital jigsaw puzzles. There was one of King Ludwig's castle that I used to do. At the end you could actually go inside.
I am reading more news than watching it. Watching mindless TV (my dog Abbie is a fan of that genre). Walking. Doing volunteer work.
I am not okay 😞 I suffer from depression and anxiety and don’t know if I have the tools to cope with what is happening. Throwing myself into work and good TV/movies to escape. I can’t turn to my usual exercise/training “therapy” because I’m recovering from a few surgeries after an accident, which adds to my depression. I’m spending a small fortune supporting numerous independent journalists and Substack folks, but I can’t read or engage because it sends me into despair. The prompt in today’s title drew me in so I could see how others are coping. My husband and I feel very isolated because a majority of our friends and family drink the orange kool-aid. Sigh. Love this community 🙏🏼
Hang in there.
You will get through this sh*t, Marybeth.
Two things I have done when I had mobility limitations and needed some mental health escape: watercolor triangles and Zentangle. I am not at all an artist, but these are both meditative practices that lead to something visually pleasing. In both cases, I got introduced to them through online workshops, which built out the mindfulness aspects and helped me feel connected to other humans.
Marybeth, You are not alone! Your feelings are normal under the circumstances. I felt numb and frozen with fear for two days last week, but have since recovered my inner calm and mental clarity by reminding myself to NEVER, EVER allow creeps the likes of Trump, Musk and others in the Republican Party to rob me of my mental well-being or sense of security! Trust that they do not have this power to overwhelm you unless you give them and their ilk the power to mess with your mind! Additionally, try protecting yourself by limiting exposure to "toxic" news only once per week for one hour or less (e.g., PBS Newshour; NBC or ABC News); ONLY read essays by reputable journalists, historians, or political writers so to help you make sense of the intentional chaos and harm Trump is trying to inflict on individuals and society at large; and consider doing a coherent breathing exercise 2x daily for 20 minutes (available at headspace app, UCLA Neuroscience Mindfulness Awareness Program app, or Coherent Breathing by Richard P Brown, MD as a free downloadable program with demonstrations on You-tube) so to reduce the acute and chronic toxic, negative effects of stress on the central nervous system and to help you shift from an anxious/fearful state to a state of mental calm, clarity and safety. This kind of daily breathing practice also helps to reduce low mood, builds resilience in the face of stress, and helps to restore sleep if done an hour before going to bed. Regular execise, even if just 30 min of walking a day, also helps to reduce stress and builds resilience. And finally, keep in mind that you are among the 70+ million or more Americans who are standing on the right side of history, many of whom are now mobilizing to fight this dangerous THUG leading a movement of destruction, revenge, hate. These are just a few practicle suggestions and thoughts to keep in mind, in addition to many others already described in this wonderful blog. Take good care of yourself, Bill
GREAT advice, William, all good for both mental and physical health. Thanks for this timely summary. I had to make myself stop, as you did, and remind myself of the things I need to do to stay as healthy as I can, for myself and for my family. And lastly, because I care about the future of my children and grandchildren and my neighbors in this country, so that I can join in the efforts to reclaim our democracy. I say "lastly" because unless I take care of myself first, I won't have anything to give to my family and my various communities.
Wow, thank you thank you
Bless you.
Marybeth you and your husband are who I would consider like minded people who believe in the good that our country and society has given us in the past. We were talking today about how it's easy to be consumed by the daily chaos that we are bombarded by from the Trump world. Their purpose is to overwhelm us. We are learning that for our own wellbeing, we need to turn it off and disconnect for a period of time each day. Just take some time to focus on each other, and find something that brings you pleasure. Listen to music, sit outside, throw a ball for your dog, or just talk with each other about anything that can bring a smile. It can help.
Hope you feel better. You have this community to cheer you up