Thanks for the affirmation of hope. What you say aligns with my own views.
I think we will at least by the midterms, perhaps before, all be analyzing the Republicans Big Mistake: Believing all the crap about a mandate. It is SO CLEAR that there isn't one, either in numbers or in voter beliefs. Voting for trump because of Issue A doesn't mean that you agree with him on Issue B or C or D. And if Issue A was the economy, a rude awakening is coming.
This belief in a Mandate is going to result not just in misguided policies intentionally made, but also in pratfall after pratfall of the Kakistocracy part of the appointments. The air is going to be FILLED with suits from all sides challenging many of the "new rules."
I'd like to see ousted AGs, from Jack Smith on down, joining together to form a law firm dedicated to the fight. Ideally it would be supported by a non-profit or at least a PAC. It could defend those wrongly attack on a sliding scale, even pro bono; it could challenge the acts, particularly the deregulatory moves, bananas executive orders, and the meaning of "emergency" that gives the president special powers.
If every Harris voter gave ONE dollar, there would be almost 75 million to start. And it could attract much more, particularly if organized as a non-profit.
Thank you, David, for some action points. I’m even older than you and had to join the original fight to make abortion legal. I may not be as spry as I was then but I’m still fired up to RESIST this abomination of an authoritarian takeover. Peace and Love as you spread the word.
Your points, especially #3 about our role as older Americans who remember democracy in better days, really resonate with me. Thank you for giving us all clear, cogent reasons to stay in the fight.
I'm with you on this. How essential it is to help young people understand there was a better time. That government can work for the people. But it seems, alas, that every third generation has to learn the lessons of their grandparents' generation all over again -- it isn't enough to crack the history books. The dangers and failures of fascism have to be lived.
Thank you! I agree with your initial feelings of existential angst, and those of your friend; I worry too, that at my age, I may not live to see a return to a better, saner and more equitable world. Especially, as the forces of nature will not pause. The ravages of climate disasters will continue at an accelerating pace; we are collectively not even thinking about—much less preparing for—the inevitable mass migration of millions of displaced persons.
How quickly will this become an American issue? I don’t know. In certain respects, it already is, if you know about what’s happening to indigenous Yupik’ and Inuit people in Alaska, where melting tundra is rendering hundreds of villages unlivable, as buildings sink into the ground. Storms leave widespread damage in areas of the country which would have seemed immune to such problems—until they weren’t!
It’s my nature to stand up for what I believe; I’m less able to effectively do as much now, due to health problems and financial limitations. But I’m with you and others who stand “resolute
” to the best of my abilities.
One other factor which is a wild card: people forget, or may never have known, that in addition to being a malignant narcissist and sociopath, Trump is suffering from dementia, which will progressively worsen—how quickly isn’t known, but he is hardly capable of speaking coherently, even now. Surrounded by sycophants, and brighter more highly functioning people, it’s hard to know to what extent others are already running the agenda. When is the last time any of us heard him speak publicly? For how long will he be propped up—as the failing President Ronald Reagan was, by those around him?
Stand and fight in any way they you are able. There are many and all are important. Everyone in America is going to be impacted - including the smug (for now - but not for long) Trump supporters. They will NOT escape the pain and suffering and as they realize what is happening to them - remind them that THIS is what you voted for....... So NOW join the rest of America and work to FIX this mess. (And some are starting to have buyers remorse already I am hearing examples of - I didn't know THAT was in Project 2025? And THAT will impact me personally! Yes it will!) And every time and every place they cause harm and damage - and they WILL - DOCUMENT it and BLAST it out everywhere. THIS is how this gang of THUGS treats America and Americans. Remember there is always a Reckoning....... THE RECKONING
(Robert Service)
It’s fine to have a blow-out in a fancy restaurant,
With terrapin and canvas-back and all the wine you want;
To enjoy the flowers, and music, watch the pretty women pass,
Smoke a choice cigar, and sip the wealthy water in your glass.
It’s bully in a high-toned joint to eat and drink your fill,
But it’s quite another matter when you
Pay the bill.
It’s great to go out every night on fun or pleasure bent;
To wear your glad rags always and to never save a cent;
To drift along regardless, have a good time every trip;
To hit the high spots sometimes, and to let your chances slip;
To know you’re acting foolish, yet to go on fooling still,
Till Nature calls a show-down, and you
Pay the bill.
Time has got a little bill – get wise while yet you may,
For the debit side’s increasing in a most alarming way,
The things you had no right to do, the things you should have done,
They’re all put down; it’s up to you to pay for every one.
So eat, drink be merry, have a good time if you will,
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back."
I found myself feeling optimistic again when I thought that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and all the people supporting them gained enough voters to almost beat a candidate who had been running for President for four years, and also spent a lot of time campaigning while President. I began to think again about opportunity and expansiveness of ideas, and feel a lot better. Thank you for helping to point the way forward with concrete steps and examples.
Is there historical precedent for the leader of a nation to be so completely narcissistic that he will anything at all for praise and attention ? Maybe Hitler and Mussolini? our nation and in a way the world is now controlled by someone with an extreme personality disorder. The prospect is worse than gloomy.
Thank you for “resolute.” I’m ready to hear this and appreciate your article. As Matt Gaetz was saying he’ll pull out, he spoke about staying the game to further “our movement.” It is a movement. That the “legacy media” (who have the big bullhorns) is continuing to sanewash this incredibly disturbing process we’re in, which can feel overwhelming. I especially appreciated your points about history. I have thought how people were thinking as hitler was coming to power and vast numbers of people were raising their straight arm in salute. It’s been okay to watch the difficult WWII movies and read the stories because I knew how the story turned out. Here we are. We have to fight. I hope we can harness that “united” front to make the progress we need. Again, thank you.
this is the first time I've read anything by you. I admire your spirit and focus on doing the work. Zander Moricz of SEE Alliance (Google him and it if you are not familiar) has the same approach. I've been following Thom Hartmann, Chris Hedges and David Sirota to name a few. It helps to know how we got here. Check out Sirota of Levernews for his series MasterPlan. Trump is not the cause but the result of the actions that have given us a dysfunctional government and disrespected Supreme Court. To call him a fascist is an insult to real fascists (yes, I'm being facetious) Trump has no ideology, nienta, he is all about himself. He's totally corrupted the Republican party. The only time they showed a spine was in the vote for Thune, a secret vote. Will they develop a spine when we or Trump knows how they voted? Can we turn the tables? I hope it's not too late. Although not the only cause for our present situation money in politics and "money is speech" must be addressed. I hope we can rescue our Constitutional Republic and that it's not passed its expiration date.
David, it is about fighting the good fight and thinking about this as Sun Tzu would. I highly commend a re-reading of the Art of War and place it the context of this moment and in the place of history in the fight against Facism and dictatorship.
And much of it is communication, and pointing out the obvious as overreach happens.
But right now, despite the despair, we must not obey in advance or appear to be doing so.
Thanks for the affirmation of hope. What you say aligns with my own views.
I think we will at least by the midterms, perhaps before, all be analyzing the Republicans Big Mistake: Believing all the crap about a mandate. It is SO CLEAR that there isn't one, either in numbers or in voter beliefs. Voting for trump because of Issue A doesn't mean that you agree with him on Issue B or C or D. And if Issue A was the economy, a rude awakening is coming.
This belief in a Mandate is going to result not just in misguided policies intentionally made, but also in pratfall after pratfall of the Kakistocracy part of the appointments. The air is going to be FILLED with suits from all sides challenging many of the "new rules."
I'd like to see ousted AGs, from Jack Smith on down, joining together to form a law firm dedicated to the fight. Ideally it would be supported by a non-profit or at least a PAC. It could defend those wrongly attack on a sliding scale, even pro bono; it could challenge the acts, particularly the deregulatory moves, bananas executive orders, and the meaning of "emergency" that gives the president special powers.
If every Harris voter gave ONE dollar, there would be almost 75 million to start. And it could attract much more, particularly if organized as a non-profit.
Thank you, David, for some action points. I’m even older than you and had to join the original fight to make abortion legal. I may not be as spry as I was then but I’m still fired up to RESIST this abomination of an authoritarian takeover. Peace and Love as you spread the word.
Thank you. Resolute. Let's own that word.
Your points, especially #3 about our role as older Americans who remember democracy in better days, really resonate with me. Thank you for giving us all clear, cogent reasons to stay in the fight.
I'm with you on this. How essential it is to help young people understand there was a better time. That government can work for the people. But it seems, alas, that every third generation has to learn the lessons of their grandparents' generation all over again -- it isn't enough to crack the history books. The dangers and failures of fascism have to be lived.
Great article, David, I like that you've incorporated Dr.Martian Luther King Jr in your piece today and will reStack ASAP 💯👍
Thank you! I agree with your initial feelings of existential angst, and those of your friend; I worry too, that at my age, I may not live to see a return to a better, saner and more equitable world. Especially, as the forces of nature will not pause. The ravages of climate disasters will continue at an accelerating pace; we are collectively not even thinking about—much less preparing for—the inevitable mass migration of millions of displaced persons.
How quickly will this become an American issue? I don’t know. In certain respects, it already is, if you know about what’s happening to indigenous Yupik’ and Inuit people in Alaska, where melting tundra is rendering hundreds of villages unlivable, as buildings sink into the ground. Storms leave widespread damage in areas of the country which would have seemed immune to such problems—until they weren’t!
It’s my nature to stand up for what I believe; I’m less able to effectively do as much now, due to health problems and financial limitations. But I’m with you and others who stand “resolute
” to the best of my abilities.
One other factor which is a wild card: people forget, or may never have known, that in addition to being a malignant narcissist and sociopath, Trump is suffering from dementia, which will progressively worsen—how quickly isn’t known, but he is hardly capable of speaking coherently, even now. Surrounded by sycophants, and brighter more highly functioning people, it’s hard to know to what extent others are already running the agenda. When is the last time any of us heard him speak publicly? For how long will he be propped up—as the failing President Ronald Reagan was, by those around him?
Yes to all of this. Thank you Rachel. I hope your health holds through.
Stand and fight in any way they you are able. There are many and all are important. Everyone in America is going to be impacted - including the smug (for now - but not for long) Trump supporters. They will NOT escape the pain and suffering and as they realize what is happening to them - remind them that THIS is what you voted for....... So NOW join the rest of America and work to FIX this mess. (And some are starting to have buyers remorse already I am hearing examples of - I didn't know THAT was in Project 2025? And THAT will impact me personally! Yes it will!) And every time and every place they cause harm and damage - and they WILL - DOCUMENT it and BLAST it out everywhere. THIS is how this gang of THUGS treats America and Americans. Remember there is always a Reckoning....... THE RECKONING
(Robert Service)
It’s fine to have a blow-out in a fancy restaurant,
With terrapin and canvas-back and all the wine you want;
To enjoy the flowers, and music, watch the pretty women pass,
Smoke a choice cigar, and sip the wealthy water in your glass.
It’s bully in a high-toned joint to eat and drink your fill,
But it’s quite another matter when you
Pay the bill.
It’s great to go out every night on fun or pleasure bent;
To wear your glad rags always and to never save a cent;
To drift along regardless, have a good time every trip;
To hit the high spots sometimes, and to let your chances slip;
To know you’re acting foolish, yet to go on fooling still,
Till Nature calls a show-down, and you
Pay the bill.
Time has got a little bill – get wise while yet you may,
For the debit side’s increasing in a most alarming way,
The things you had no right to do, the things you should have done,
They’re all put down; it’s up to you to pay for every one.
So eat, drink be merry, have a good time if you will,
But God help you when the time comes, and you
Foot the bill.
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back."
-- Carl Sagan
I found myself feeling optimistic again when I thought that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and all the people supporting them gained enough voters to almost beat a candidate who had been running for President for four years, and also spent a lot of time campaigning while President. I began to think again about opportunity and expansiveness of ideas, and feel a lot better. Thank you for helping to point the way forward with concrete steps and examples.
Is there historical precedent for the leader of a nation to be so completely narcissistic that he will anything at all for praise and attention ? Maybe Hitler and Mussolini? our nation and in a way the world is now controlled by someone with an extreme personality disorder. The prospect is worse than gloomy.
Remind me how things turned out for Hitler and Mussolini.
Thank you for “resolute.” I’m ready to hear this and appreciate your article. As Matt Gaetz was saying he’ll pull out, he spoke about staying the game to further “our movement.” It is a movement. That the “legacy media” (who have the big bullhorns) is continuing to sanewash this incredibly disturbing process we’re in, which can feel overwhelming. I especially appreciated your points about history. I have thought how people were thinking as hitler was coming to power and vast numbers of people were raising their straight arm in salute. It’s been okay to watch the difficult WWII movies and read the stories because I knew how the story turned out. Here we are. We have to fight. I hope we can harness that “united” front to make the progress we need. Again, thank you.
You pretty will covered it David. We can do this but we need all hands on deck.
Thank you for this reminder to not sink into despair... there is a path ahead.
this is the first time I've read anything by you. I admire your spirit and focus on doing the work. Zander Moricz of SEE Alliance (Google him and it if you are not familiar) has the same approach. I've been following Thom Hartmann, Chris Hedges and David Sirota to name a few. It helps to know how we got here. Check out Sirota of Levernews for his series MasterPlan. Trump is not the cause but the result of the actions that have given us a dysfunctional government and disrespected Supreme Court. To call him a fascist is an insult to real fascists (yes, I'm being facetious) Trump has no ideology, nienta, he is all about himself. He's totally corrupted the Republican party. The only time they showed a spine was in the vote for Thune, a secret vote. Will they develop a spine when we or Trump knows how they voted? Can we turn the tables? I hope it's not too late. Although not the only cause for our present situation money in politics and "money is speech" must be addressed. I hope we can rescue our Constitutional Republic and that it's not passed its expiration date.
David, it is about fighting the good fight and thinking about this as Sun Tzu would. I highly commend a re-reading of the Art of War and place it the context of this moment and in the place of history in the fight against Facism and dictatorship.
And much of it is communication, and pointing out the obvious as overreach happens.
But right now, despite the despair, we must not obey in advance or appear to be doing so.
This is reminiscent of a conversation I had with a friend recently. Of course, more detailed and organized, but thank you.