Mr. Espina says that "the only way to really stop most of this is to have a big showing in the midterms". I hope that the Latino voters who followed trump see that his light is really a dark hole in a tunnel. I am a second generation of family that survived [some of them] the Holocaust and I am very mindful of how people are pulled out of their homes or snatched in the streets. I had never ever ever expected such scenarios in the United States of America. This Administration is the one that should be "locked up".
Asked if he'd take steps to bring Abrego Garcia back to the US if a judge held him in contempt, Trump replied, "Well, I'm not involved in it." [USA Today]
He certainly involves himself in anything he wants to be involved in. So, he's telling us the gulag effort is not HIS policy? Someone else is in charge? Yeah, Pat. He can't have it both ways, and courts see right through that crap.
Each time I look at The Contrarian I wonder if you and Carlos live in a different world than I do, a world where you cling to optimism despite what I, and others, see that Trump has already turned us into a ruthless dictatorship where in many instances the cruelty is deliberate and meant to intimidate. This is worse than difficult times. There is little hope for pushing back effectively no matter what happens in the midterm elections since there's a good chance the democratic process may not exist by then. All of the law suits our side has won don't count for much because Trump will defy the law. The Garcia case shows he doesn't care what the Supreme Court rules. There are still hopefully signs. Harvard standing up to Trump, and now the Big Ten joining together against him, but Trump is still the dictator and has already caused children to die by cutting USAID, and has turned the country into an outcase among free nations. He is also about to hand Ukraine over to Russia and more will die. We have to keep our sanity but I would hope everyone can be realistic. The light at the end of the tunnel, if there is one is far away. My far darker view is in my Substack: https://halbrown.substack.com
Please do not despair. There have been many terrifyingly dark times throughout history and the better angels have often prevailed. In my tradition it is said "You are not required to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it".
I'm afraid we don't have until the midterms. It hasn't even been 100 days and the regime is already sending people to concentration camps in other countries. And Dictators don't leave office willingly. If Trump is still in office in 4 years, he won't be leaving office.
Pressure Congressmembers to impeach Trump. When we start seeing supply chain shortages worse than during the pandemic, maybe more people will start pressuring their representatives to act to at least take back the power over tariffs. Maybe if we can get enough of them to start there, they can get the spines to do more.
People need to turn out to protests. April 19th and May 1st are scheduled nationwide protest days. That mostly means white citizens. Racial and this minorities are being targeted, so it is less safe for them to protest. Those of us with privilege need to turn out en mass.
I do have an idea. I think that complaints should be filed about human rights violations by Trump officials with the International Criminal Court. If charges are brought, these people could be seized when they travel internationally. The US doesn’t recognize the court’s jurisdiction but I don’t believe it gives US citizens absolute immunity against prosecution if they travel outside the US. It would be an interesting tactic to consider to reign in these abuses.
Mr. Espina says that "the only way to really stop most of this is to have a big showing in the midterms". I hope that the Latino voters who followed trump see that his light is really a dark hole in a tunnel. I am a second generation of family that survived [some of them] the Holocaust and I am very mindful of how people are pulled out of their homes or snatched in the streets. I had never ever ever expected such scenarios in the United States of America. This Administration is the one that should be "locked up".
Or a prisoner swap-trump for those he had deported.
The saddest part is being afraid to protest. This immigrant purge is absolutely evil.
The optimism of Mr. Espina is uplifting — certainly is better for the immune system!
Asked if he'd take steps to bring Abrego Garcia back to the US if a judge held him in contempt, Trump replied, "Well, I'm not involved in it." [USA Today]
...BY DESIGN
That reply was simply passing the buck, and Trump should have been called out for it.
He certainly involves himself in anything he wants to be involved in. So, he's telling us the gulag effort is not HIS policy? Someone else is in charge? Yeah, Pat. He can't have it both ways, and courts see right through that crap.
It must have been those bone spurs...
Each time I look at The Contrarian I wonder if you and Carlos live in a different world than I do, a world where you cling to optimism despite what I, and others, see that Trump has already turned us into a ruthless dictatorship where in many instances the cruelty is deliberate and meant to intimidate. This is worse than difficult times. There is little hope for pushing back effectively no matter what happens in the midterm elections since there's a good chance the democratic process may not exist by then. All of the law suits our side has won don't count for much because Trump will defy the law. The Garcia case shows he doesn't care what the Supreme Court rules. There are still hopefully signs. Harvard standing up to Trump, and now the Big Ten joining together against him, but Trump is still the dictator and has already caused children to die by cutting USAID, and has turned the country into an outcase among free nations. He is also about to hand Ukraine over to Russia and more will die. We have to keep our sanity but I would hope everyone can be realistic. The light at the end of the tunnel, if there is one is far away. My far darker view is in my Substack: https://halbrown.substack.com
Please do not despair. There have been many terrifyingly dark times throughout history and the better angels have often prevailed. In my tradition it is said "You are not required to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it".
I am 81 and see the battle as very possibly lasting as long as WWII before we have our D-Day.
I'm 73 and hopefully, very hopefully, we shall see our D-Day in our lifetimes ASAP :)
I wish you weren’t right, and that I didn’t agree with you. God help us
I'm afraid we don't have until the midterms. It hasn't even been 100 days and the regime is already sending people to concentration camps in other countries. And Dictators don't leave office willingly. If Trump is still in office in 4 years, he won't be leaving office.
Pressure Congressmembers to impeach Trump. When we start seeing supply chain shortages worse than during the pandemic, maybe more people will start pressuring their representatives to act to at least take back the power over tariffs. Maybe if we can get enough of them to start there, they can get the spines to do more.
People need to turn out to protests. April 19th and May 1st are scheduled nationwide protest days. That mostly means white citizens. Racial and this minorities are being targeted, so it is less safe for them to protest. Those of us with privilege need to turn out en mass.
Great post and you make a good point in your last paragraph about minorities and protesting.
That was supposed to say "racial and ethnic minorities".
I had read that somewhere and realized that it was true.
Thanks BR-it just never occurred to me.
I worry about the safety of Contrarians and eloquent young optimists like Carlos but we are with you
Awaiting direction
I am so impressed with the young democrats emerging, organizing and speaking out
Thank you all for the fight, guidance, information and reminding us that this is not normal regimen
So important to get the perspective of those most affected by Trumps’ madness. Great interview, Jen!
We are ALL affected by the 34 time felon's actions and words.
Immigrant deportations mean others will have to do their jobs.
US's reputation in the world is bad.
Skyrocketing US debt that will hurt our grandchildren's grandchildren - many generations of pain
Public health horrors now and in the future.
Diminished basic research that will hurt for decades to come.
Stock market losses, medicaid cuts, IRS cuts probably resulting in fewer people filing, and on and on.
Yes. I think much like this and find it depressing. So I need some positivity to get by.
Wonderful interview. Thanks.
Great resource for information on getting help.
GREAT !
Excuse my ignorance, but Carlos Eduardo suggested as many as 1000-2000/daily detained. Is that a good number? Movement to the number?
I do have an idea. I think that complaints should be filed about human rights violations by Trump officials with the International Criminal Court. If charges are brought, these people could be seized when they travel internationally. The US doesn’t recognize the court’s jurisdiction but I don’t believe it gives US citizens absolute immunity against prosecution if they travel outside the US. It would be an interesting tactic to consider to reign in these abuses.
I love his optimism