I have been filled with dread all week and THEN saw THIS . You are right on top of things and staying positive and sharp as a tack and LAUGHING. Wow. You have returned my faith in us and in America . Saying thank you seems just not enough BUT I will say thank you anyway from the bottom of my heart.
This is good that they refuse to leave. This is all beyond my pay grade but I think they will ultimately be forced out. But we and they must fight every step of the way. I’m curious that the markets may not be touched by all this mayhem. The money centers and if they are threatened, then there will be massive payback. I’m looking at this angle because I have investments like many of you and if these investments are jeopardized, all bets are off. Just remember, every week indeed every day from January 20 to the end, there was chaos and this will be repeated.
I'm not sure they will ultimately be forced out. First, this wave of executive orders is spaghetti being thrown at the wall to see what sticks with minimal effort. Second, they will have to do actual work to bring it to Congress and it's not clear they'd be interested in following up. Finally, I'm not sure even this Congress would approve since the grounds they would come up will be pathetic and invalid. Here's hoping.
But like Amy said, it will take hard work to provide substantive reasons other than the IG’s are not MAGATs (thank you, TCinLA). Sergio Gor, a Trump asslicker, according to Wikipedia “wore a squirrel squirrel costume in a stunt against Barack Obama in 2008” and “worked as a booker for Fox News, a spokesman for senator Rand Paul, and an officiant for former representative Matt Gaetz's wedding. Do you think this jerk-off has the brain power to come up with even a cognitive thought?
I am so grateful for you and appreciate everything you do. What worries me most is that ordinary Americans are not even seeing all the terrible things he’s doing. If they were they might turn against him. But the news is not reaching them because they’re watching Fox News. It’s very depressing.
Many of us have been wondering in frustration for years why Democrats have failed to mount a vigorous, clever and immediate response "plan" to fight all the gaslighting that spews non-stop from the White christian Nationalist party in Congress and from the WCN felon-in-chief.
Clearly the responses must be posted in various places where all Americans, regardless of their political views can hear or read them.
Professor Tim Snyder recently commented on responding to far right gaslighting in order to "resist an autocrat" in Joyce Vance's "Civil Discourse" Substack publication:
"I think of this as a form of action for an opposition party, which right now is the Democrats. I think this should be made up of current or former elected officials, and perhaps former holders of cabinet offices. The idea is that the body has a political profile, not just a moral one. I can’t claim to see too deep inside the Democratic Party. But it seems like this is an idea an aspiring DNC chair could campaign on. Or that an ambitious ranking member of a congressional committee could use to organize fellow members of that committee. Or all of the ranking members together could be the people’s cabinet. If the Democrats fail to do this, I could imagine it taking other forms. But really the essence of the idea is to give elected officials an everyday fighting organization and an everyday platform for comment."
This type of quick, factual response is critical if we want to fight the stream of lies.
It's been TEN YEARS since Trump has been babbling rings around the media and the Democrats. Yet in all that time, no one has created a talented, rapid response team to work daily firing off ubiquitous, truthful messages exposing all the far right gaslighting.
How disorganized and/or incompetent is the Democratic Party? The survival of our democracy may well depend on the answer.
Interesting to see that the new Republican majority in the Senate was busy working today. Why oh why didn’t Schumer keep them in session to try and get more Dem judges confirmed while they still had a majority? Our leadership does not know how to play hardball. When we have the power we do not use it.
You are absolutely correct C C. We need a pro democracy figure with charisma, the antithesis to FFLOTUS that will get coverage by the main line media. There are a lot of great folks out there, but no one who is stirring up the people, like dump did.
It’s been beyond frustrating to watch the Democrats. I don’t know if Ben Wikler can save them from themselves or not. Vichy Chuck is a HUGE problem and Jeffries is still under Nancy’s thumb. Pathetic and cringeworthy.
"What worries me most is that ordinary Americans are not even seeing all the terrible things he’s doing."
It's early days yet, and the consequences haven't begun to remove their rights and hit them in the wallets. We may well see some conversions, and it will be good.
I believe you are right. Even though I wish for everyone to be free of hardship, I also believe that realization will come to some T. followers and voters when circumstances brought about by him surface and impact their lives. Each of our lives will be impacted, but experiencing the consequences of his actions ought to bring about a much wider awareness.
But...they will not know who/what is responsible. Fox will simply continue its false narrative and redirect the frustration toward their chosen targets.
You are so right, and I do not know how to fix it. Neither do I know how to help the silent people who choose to refrain from taking part in anything political or voting. While I am grateful that they do not vote for dictators or would be dictators, I do wish they would vote to prevent them from the damage they do and attempt to do. It is a blessing that we have a choice of news sources, but the one you mentioned is dangerous, as you know. Also dangerous anre some other, formerly trusted sources, and I do not know what to do about it.
It's like one of the articles last week said (paraphrasing) none of us can do it all, but all of us can do *something*. It doesn't matter how tiny it may seem, or even be. I would love to be able to lead and inspire a popular French-style ousting of Drumpf or occupation of Fox Noise (or Faux News, take your pick). But I am not a great speaker or organizer, and this is not France, which has problems of its own - godspeed to them and all our allies. File under "it's fun to think about", or maybe brainstorming. So yes, let's start with brainstorming. But do it in small, targeted, and (mostly) small issue, local, and personal interest issues, while staying connected to the larger, national, global ones.
Anyway, my word of encouragement for the day. All the best!
Or maybe most people are just totally disengaged, like my exercise instructor announcing that "both parties are the same, all politicians are bad..." That takes care of that subject to think about and then she talks about her trip to Florida and all the great food she ate.
I appreciate you more than I can say. I was thinking about the actions Trump is taken this week and it actually brought me to tears this morning, then I read your piece and it brought me hope. I hope you realize what a priceless gift that is.
Linda,please don’t get overwhelmed this will be going on for 4 fricken years. We will need to wait it out. Be good to your self. You have company here.
I spoke to some of my former colleagues that work at the NIH this week and was told that all government procurement has been shut down indefinitely, which is unprecedented. They have been there 15 plus years.
As a result, the NIH clinical center which is a hospital, can’t procure food or medical supplies for patients. They are expecting to run out of test tubes for blood draws by next week.
Please contact your Senators ASAP and ask them to demand that the NIH and clinical center's freeze be lifted immediately so they can get critical supplies to their patients as soon as possible.
This is precisely the kind of exhausting, needless, cruel bullshit we're going to be forced to waste endless time, money and energy fighting the next four years.
I did the same to one of my two Senators, the one I believe most needs to hear it. The other I think probably will speak up, but yes, it can be exhausting trying to keep up with *everything*, including everything we citizens should be doing to fight back. That's why we need to encourage and lift each other up. (Great job everybody, by the way. I am, in turn, encouraged.)
Still trying to wrap my head around the pathetic "Presidential" ego that would demand an apology from an Archbishop. Reminds me of Buster Keaton in "The Dictator," in a few years we'll
Trump is a bully and a cheat. He's also emotionally stunted. He's incapable of understanding that he's might be wrong, and cannot handle anything but praise.
Bishop Budde spoke truth to power. Her statement carried far more weight than the empty prattle of Franklin Graham and Lorenzo "Rev. Crypto" Sewell.
Personally I suspect Franklin Graham is in for one BIG surprise when he stands before the Pearly Gates and is greeted with "EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" from St. Peter. Same goes for Mike Johnson and all the Republican "Christian" warriors who are hell bent on waging war against those Christ would accept with open arms.
Couldn't agree more. Frank is doing his father's legacy a great disservice too. Billy Graham may have been too rapidly anti-communist in his early years, but he turned away from that as he got older. Prayed with every president from Eisenhower to Obama. I hope it isn't too late for Franklin to repent of his stance...for his sake, I mean.
I just wanted to make sure you both know this---and I know some people do not like the videos but I for one absolutely love them. They make me feel connected and help me stay ready to fight 💪🏼💙😊
Ditto! Please continue them. They make the day for many people and help people who have difficulty seeing print as well as people who really need to see lively, smiling faces! Thank you!
So it appears that the only way to counter Trump’s illegal EOs is via a suit. If an EO is clearly illegal (e.g. firing Inspector Generals), who enforces that without being an accessory to an illegal act? And does it take a suit for a federal judge to issue a cease and desist order?
It's worth consulting attorneys about civil suits alleging intent to maim, whatever might stick. Hit these thugs in the wallet. See if Elon wants to fund defense for endless civil suits. My guess is no.
According to at least one source I have, Jack Smith is already doing that in a new Smith v. Trump case. Would have to re-read for details and confirm with another source, though.
I am thrilled to find out those Inspectors General aren't leaving their jobs.
Up yours, President Felon.
I have been filled with dread all week and THEN saw THIS . You are right on top of things and staying positive and sharp as a tack and LAUGHING. Wow. You have returned my faith in us and in America . Saying thank you seems just not enough BUT I will say thank you anyway from the bottom of my heart.
Beautifully said! I say Bravo and Ditto! Thank you!
This is good that they refuse to leave. This is all beyond my pay grade but I think they will ultimately be forced out. But we and they must fight every step of the way. I’m curious that the markets may not be touched by all this mayhem. The money centers and if they are threatened, then there will be massive payback. I’m looking at this angle because I have investments like many of you and if these investments are jeopardized, all bets are off. Just remember, every week indeed every day from January 20 to the end, there was chaos and this will be repeated.
I'm not sure they will ultimately be forced out. First, this wave of executive orders is spaghetti being thrown at the wall to see what sticks with minimal effort. Second, they will have to do actual work to bring it to Congress and it's not clear they'd be interested in following up. Finally, I'm not sure even this Congress would approve since the grounds they would come up will be pathetic and invalid. Here's hoping.
There's simply nothing this craven crew of congressional supplicants won't do, in service of Donald Trump. Hopium won't make it otherwise.
But like Amy said, it will take hard work to provide substantive reasons other than the IG’s are not MAGATs (thank you, TCinLA). Sergio Gor, a Trump asslicker, according to Wikipedia “wore a squirrel squirrel costume in a stunt against Barack Obama in 2008” and “worked as a booker for Fox News, a spokesman for senator Rand Paul, and an officiant for former representative Matt Gaetz's wedding. Do you think this jerk-off has the brain power to come up with even a cognitive thought?
Me too!
I am so grateful for you and appreciate everything you do. What worries me most is that ordinary Americans are not even seeing all the terrible things he’s doing. If they were they might turn against him. But the news is not reaching them because they’re watching Fox News. It’s very depressing.
Thank you for your post Michele.
Many of us have been wondering in frustration for years why Democrats have failed to mount a vigorous, clever and immediate response "plan" to fight all the gaslighting that spews non-stop from the White christian Nationalist party in Congress and from the WCN felon-in-chief.
Clearly the responses must be posted in various places where all Americans, regardless of their political views can hear or read them.
Professor Tim Snyder recently commented on responding to far right gaslighting in order to "resist an autocrat" in Joyce Vance's "Civil Discourse" Substack publication:
"I think of this as a form of action for an opposition party, which right now is the Democrats. I think this should be made up of current or former elected officials, and perhaps former holders of cabinet offices. The idea is that the body has a political profile, not just a moral one. I can’t claim to see too deep inside the Democratic Party. But it seems like this is an idea an aspiring DNC chair could campaign on. Or that an ambitious ranking member of a congressional committee could use to organize fellow members of that committee. Or all of the ranking members together could be the people’s cabinet. If the Democrats fail to do this, I could imagine it taking other forms. But really the essence of the idea is to give elected officials an everyday fighting organization and an everyday platform for comment."
https://joycevance.substack.com/p/five-questions-with-professor-timothy
This type of quick, factual response is critical if we want to fight the stream of lies.
It's been TEN YEARS since Trump has been babbling rings around the media and the Democrats. Yet in all that time, no one has created a talented, rapid response team to work daily firing off ubiquitous, truthful messages exposing all the far right gaslighting.
How disorganized and/or incompetent is the Democratic Party? The survival of our democracy may well depend on the answer.
Interesting to see that the new Republican majority in the Senate was busy working today. Why oh why didn’t Schumer keep them in session to try and get more Dem judges confirmed while they still had a majority? Our leadership does not know how to play hardball. When we have the power we do not use it.
We need new vigorous leaders.
You are absolutely correct C C. We need a pro democracy figure with charisma, the antithesis to FFLOTUS that will get coverage by the main line media. There are a lot of great folks out there, but no one who is stirring up the people, like dump did.
Timothy Snyder absolutely hits the nail.
It’s been beyond frustrating to watch the Democrats. I don’t know if Ben Wikler can save them from themselves or not. Vichy Chuck is a HUGE problem and Jeffries is still under Nancy’s thumb. Pathetic and cringeworthy.
Try using Facebook to point out the Facts as they emerge. I don't use Facebook for much else these days.
If we want a real revolution, millions need to leave Meta and X. Stop feeding the beast that is dismantling democracy.
I took a week off as a protest to Zuckerberg, but when I go back on that’s exactly what I will do.
Me too.
As am I. It's cathartic to post truth on that stupid site.
"What worries me most is that ordinary Americans are not even seeing all the terrible things he’s doing."
It's early days yet, and the consequences haven't begun to remove their rights and hit them in the wallets. We may well see some conversions, and it will be good.
I believe you are right. Even though I wish for everyone to be free of hardship, I also believe that realization will come to some T. followers and voters when circumstances brought about by him surface and impact their lives. Each of our lives will be impacted, but experiencing the consequences of his actions ought to bring about a much wider awareness.
But...they will not know who/what is responsible. Fox will simply continue its false narrative and redirect the frustration toward their chosen targets.
Eggs just went up in price again this week. Maybe that will be noticed
You are so right, and I do not know how to fix it. Neither do I know how to help the silent people who choose to refrain from taking part in anything political or voting. While I am grateful that they do not vote for dictators or would be dictators, I do wish they would vote to prevent them from the damage they do and attempt to do. It is a blessing that we have a choice of news sources, but the one you mentioned is dangerous, as you know. Also dangerous anre some other, formerly trusted sources, and I do not know what to do about it.
It's like one of the articles last week said (paraphrasing) none of us can do it all, but all of us can do *something*. It doesn't matter how tiny it may seem, or even be. I would love to be able to lead and inspire a popular French-style ousting of Drumpf or occupation of Fox Noise (or Faux News, take your pick). But I am not a great speaker or organizer, and this is not France, which has problems of its own - godspeed to them and all our allies. File under "it's fun to think about", or maybe brainstorming. So yes, let's start with brainstorming. But do it in small, targeted, and (mostly) small issue, local, and personal interest issues, while staying connected to the larger, national, global ones.
Anyway, my word of encouragement for the day. All the best!
A change in the leadership and strategy of the Democratic National Committee would help.
Start with your local Democratic Party. That’s what the Tea Party, then MAGAts, did.
You are correct. Change always starts at the grass roots, on the local scene.
Hi Michael, because these Fox viewers have been lobotomized, they will not see
anything Trump-is doing as “terrible”.
Media is the problem and the source of his support.
So sad that people are so brain washed.
Or maybe most people are just totally disengaged, like my exercise instructor announcing that "both parties are the same, all politicians are bad..." That takes care of that subject to think about and then she talks about her trip to Florida and all the great food she ate.
I know that is very depressing.
I appreciate you more than I can say. I was thinking about the actions Trump is taken this week and it actually brought me to tears this morning, then I read your piece and it brought me hope. I hope you realize what a priceless gift that is.
Linda,please don’t get overwhelmed this will be going on for 4 fricken years. We will need to wait it out. Be good to your self. You have company here.
If the Inspector Generals are standing up to Trump -- that's our example!
You bet! Enough of this trying to find compromise. When will the Democratic Party wake up & realize they have to fight back & resist.
I spoke to some of my former colleagues that work at the NIH this week and was told that all government procurement has been shut down indefinitely, which is unprecedented. They have been there 15 plus years.
As a result, the NIH clinical center which is a hospital, can’t procure food or medical supplies for patients. They are expecting to run out of test tubes for blood draws by next week.
Please contact your Senators ASAP and ask them to demand that the NIH and clinical center's freeze be lifted immediately so they can get critical supplies to their patients as soon as possible.
And please spread the word. Thank you.
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
This is precisely the kind of exhausting, needless, cruel bullshit we're going to be forced to waste endless time, money and energy fighting the next four years.
Just emailed my Senators. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
I did the same to one of my two Senators, the one I believe most needs to hear it. The other I think probably will speak up, but yes, it can be exhausting trying to keep up with *everything*, including everything we citizens should be doing to fight back. That's why we need to encourage and lift each other up. (Great job everybody, by the way. I am, in turn, encouraged.)
How about Bethesda naval?
Good question. I'm not sure about Bethesda Naval as I don't have connections there.
You are our voices in the wilderness and I appreciate your efforts both serious and humorous to keep us in the game. Love you guys!💕
Thank you for this! I hadn’t heard about the inspector generals. Some promising news.
THANK YOU!
This week was much mote tolerable with you all at the ready to report.
And thanks for suing the bastard!
Still trying to wrap my head around the pathetic "Presidential" ego that would demand an apology from an Archbishop. Reminds me of Buster Keaton in "The Dictator," in a few years we'll
Trump is a bully and a cheat. He's also emotionally stunted. He's incapable of understanding that he's might be wrong, and cannot handle anything but praise.
Bishop Budde spoke truth to power. Her statement carried far more weight than the empty prattle of Franklin Graham and Lorenzo "Rev. Crypto" Sewell.
Personally I suspect Franklin Graham is in for one BIG surprise when he stands before the Pearly Gates and is greeted with "EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" from St. Peter. Same goes for Mike Johnson and all the Republican "Christian" warriors who are hell bent on waging war against those Christ would accept with open arms.
Couldn't agree more. Frank is doing his father's legacy a great disservice too. Billy Graham may have been too rapidly anti-communist in his early years, but he turned away from that as he got older. Prayed with every president from Eisenhower to Obama. I hope it isn't too late for Franklin to repent of his stance...for his sake, I mean.
I have a copy of devotions compiled by Obama's chaplain, and his account of Obama's visit to Billy Grahsm is very powerful.
billy graham was a money guy, apple/tree
I just wanted to make sure you both know this---and I know some people do not like the videos but I for one absolutely love them. They make me feel connected and help me stay ready to fight 💪🏼💙😊
Ditto! Please continue them. They make the day for many people and help people who have difficulty seeing print as well as people who really need to see lively, smiling faces! Thank you!
I am grateful that between “The Contrarian” and HCR, I feel I have truthful knowledge of the news that I can trust. Thank you!
So it appears that the only way to counter Trump’s illegal EOs is via a suit. If an EO is clearly illegal (e.g. firing Inspector Generals), who enforces that without being an accessory to an illegal act? And does it take a suit for a federal judge to issue a cease and desist order?
So grateful for your advocacy!!!!
I’m overwhelmed by recent events, and I am very thankful to you for helping us through it.
Can the police officers harmed in the Jan 6 insurrection file civil suits against the pardoned criminals who confessed to assaulting them?
It's worth consulting attorneys about civil suits alleging intent to maim, whatever might stick. Hit these thugs in the wallet. See if Elon wants to fund defense for endless civil suits. My guess is no.
According to at least one source I have, Jack Smith is already doing that in a new Smith v. Trump case. Would have to re-read for details and confirm with another source, though.
Thank you for all you are doing to report the truth.