It is very frustrating as an individual to listen to all the discourse about Trump and his administration and realize there is nothing you can do. I know you will say vote but then with all the talk about voting restrictions he is putting into place it may not really won’t matter. I feel we seem totally helpless to stop him even though we win in the courts he really does not adhere to the orders and we seem powerless Provide me with something to grasp onto and support. I am not able to join demonstrations although I support them wholeheartedly I am really at a loss
Yes, I totally get this. It's incredibly frustrating. My take is, the harder they try to make it for me to vote, the more determined I am to vote. It's a sign of just how powerful our votes are when they work this hard to keep us from getting there. The reality is, they know that if we vote, our votes will be counted and we will win, so they're trying to intimidate us or just make us feel like nothing we do matters. The most important thing we can do right now is not give into that. We are slowly turning the tide in favor of democracy. It's not linear and that makes us think maybe we can't do it. But we absolutely can, and we are, as long as we don't give up now.
You know what really gets to me? My wife and I have a small group (around 30) of friends with whom we get together, discuss political matters (local and national) and determine what steps to take to oppose various Trump actions or support organizations that defend democracy. We’re a pretty old bunch, all Boomers. Last fall, we switched from Gmail to an encrypted platform because so many of them were afraid that the government could see what we were writing. The American government. They fear our own government! One of the members is from Hungary and remembers very clearly what governments can do to stifle dissent. How did we get to this? How can Republicans in Congress, presumably vulnerable to government pressure themselves, stand by and let it continue? We are so angry all the time.
There are several. Personally I don’t believe it’s necessary to use encryption. With social media, data collection, etc., the government could find out pretty much whatever it wanted to about us. I mean, it’s not like we’re secretly plotting something nefarious and need to be super secretive. But if enough people in the group feel even a little more secure, I can live with encryption.
Exactly. Thank you Barbara and Joyce - this exchange needs to happen over and over again cuz it’s normal to get deflated. In fact the trump group is engineering the environment for that very experience of overwhelm as best they can.
Thank goodness they trip and fall SO MUCH, with incredulous levels of incompetence, all of the time proving the emperor has no clothes. Thank heaven for the courts who are holding the rule of law. And for the many voices holding reality with us in face of so much gaslighting.
I often think about how WWII was 6 years long. There were wins and losses. And persistence, tenacity, and devotion to a vision of democracy and freedom with some of our parents’ and grandparents’ lives on the line.
We could explore how long this fight we’re in right now has taken, 18 months, 10 years, 400 years of pendulum swings.
It is now our time to know our Devotion even when we feel our moments of deflation. I won’t leave your side Barbara (and all of us who feel this exact same way!). We’ll keep hanging in there together.
THANK YOU JOYCE for all the education and support you’re providing us! Freedom and Democracy are worth this. We just really didn’t expect we were gonna have to be doing this, in this way, in our lifetimes.
I know for myself, I’m getting a most urgent civics education in some ways because I was “asleep at the wheel”, not engaged in our Democracy except to vote and show up for jury duty when I was called.
I’m looking forward to hearing your conversation with Timothy Snyder later today Joyce!!!
Exactly. Why do you think they’re trying so hard to keep you/us from voting. They’re afraid. And they should be. Give them something to be afraid of. Vote, no matter what, and vote blue, no matter who.
Barbara, I get it. Let me suggest another take on this crisis. You see, by nature I am an optimist, so I haven’t yet succumbed to despair and hopelessness. I believe the forces of democracy are more powerful than the demons of autocracy, and, like Joyce, I believe that we are awakening & rising up.
Looking at some practical tips, here are a couple that help me. I believe strongly in the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam or Repair The World. I find small things to do that support a better world, so I do vote, write letters to politicians, forward posts by Joyce, Heather Cox Richardson, The Contrarian & others to relatives & friends. Whether it’s as small as picking up a piece of trash on the roadway, volunteering at food banks and participating in political activities or as big as blocking Trump’s latest actions in court, they all add up to retaining democracy and a civil society. As we get closer to Nov, I’ll write postcards, attend rallies & even make monetary contributions. All or any of these activities can help you feel encouraged and recognize that you’re contributing to our saving of our democracy.
So don’t give up hope, Barbara. We shall overcome, as Dr. King was so fond of singing.
I have another comment. I continually get surveys in the mail asking for my opinion, which I would give; however, at the end of the survey there is always money ask. If agencies really want to know the general public’s opinions send the surveys without an ask for a donation.
I immediately block and report as spam any funding appeal disguised as a poll, I don't care who it is from. It is a serious violation of social science ethics.
For what it is worth, the same thing goes for any fundraising appeal disguised as a "petition."
I wholeheartedly agree with both of your points. The fact that we are not able to submit our opinions without making a donation, strongly suggests that the DNC is not interested in our opinions. I know they need money, but it gives the impression they are not really democratic, that politics is pay to play.
I have urged my Democratic Senators to pass legislation to use public funding to cover campaign costs, and to make private campaign donations illegal. I believe it is the only way to make America truly democratic, and it will enable our representatives to spend their time legislating in the best interests of Americans, instead of fundraising.
I'd like to hear Tim Snyder talk about the way dictatorships end--in particular, perhaps in terms of the end of bureaucratic dictatorships (most of the Warsaw Pact nations) versus the end of dictatorships based on personality cults.
I'd like to hear you discuss the ramifications for the US legal system, in terms of the eventual fall of the (wannabe) Trump dictatorship.
I'll be there. We're expecting rain this afternoon. I'll be interested in your opinion of having the National Guard patrol the reflecting pool. I understand they've made a few arrests.
Thanks James, yes. Hearing that Trump has claimed there are five arrests. My question as a prosecutor is, on what charges? Nothing illegal about putting your hands in the Reflecting Pool.
Joyce; this may seem out there but, is it possible to "sue" Congress for not exercising their Constitutional responsibilities? We read about suits against the Trump Administration, sometimes vaguely, sometimes with specific individuals identified. To me it appears "we the people" are being compelled to initiate legal actions against the Trump Administration when, at the same time, Congress does not/is not exercising its Constitutional responsibilities to counter or reign in Executive branch abuses.
Has anyone put together an explanation as to how/why a man who has been described as having no values, no beliefs, is unread and not very intelligent, is doing this to the United States in such a comprehensive manner?
It is so obvious that Trump is blaming vandals for his outrageous mistake about the reflecting pool. Will the court penalize any lawyers that may be involved in such bogus accusations?
Also how do you and Timothy
see the end of Trump. Will the majority of the GOP in Congress finally get some back bone? Will Trump get more outrageous as he loses his sycophants bending their knees to him? Can nuclear options for Trump be stopped if he orders to have them released?
And finally, will absentee ballots and polling places be free and secure? Will Trump’s frantic voting suppression work to keep power in Congress?
I've been reading a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and it's interesting to see how the church became an instrument of the state. Here in the US it seems the "church" wants to have the state become it's instrument. And I believe Stalin didn't want the church at all. How has the interplay between church and state affected authoritarian regimes and are there any lessons to be learned?
Hello Joyce I’m a huge fan of Dr Snyder and followed his advice about getting active. By getting involved in my local town elections I and the new people I met who were also newly engaged were able to help vote out of office three of 6 city council members who were openly MAGA including the mayor. It was hugely successful and rewarding. Now that fight is over Election Day in my city is June 2. I need to get engaged again. The California Governor’s race is going on but it’s hard to get behind the leading democratic candidate. I’m hoping to hear some inspiring words from Dr Snyder. Also thank you for your leadership and helpful teaching of how we need to navigate this democracy we need to keep.
It astounds me in this day of information that people are so easily duped by someone like Trump and all the evil money backing him. Do we not have any choice any more? This not what I voted for and it’s not what I want for myself or my country.
Timothy - With what degree of certainty do you predict US military troops in the streets during the 2026 and '28 elections, in response to some presidential emergency declaration of domestic terrorism threat? (Never mind the irony of those very troops being the agents of a proven domestic terrorist administration.)
Joyce - What political actions can we take and what legal steps can a Democratic-majority Congress take to prevent militarized election "supervision"?
I'm interested in hearing specifically about what can be done about the US Supreme Court's complicity with this administration and cases that come before it.
Touching on another subject...
I was watching the Jefferson documentary on Netflix and they said he thought the Constitution should be revisited every 19 years because the current generation should not be dictated to by the past, yet we always go back to "what our founders had in mind" when discussing current cases. 🙄 Is there anyway to get around that standard?
It is very frustrating as an individual to listen to all the discourse about Trump and his administration and realize there is nothing you can do. I know you will say vote but then with all the talk about voting restrictions he is putting into place it may not really won’t matter. I feel we seem totally helpless to stop him even though we win in the courts he really does not adhere to the orders and we seem powerless Provide me with something to grasp onto and support. I am not able to join demonstrations although I support them wholeheartedly I am really at a loss
Yes, I totally get this. It's incredibly frustrating. My take is, the harder they try to make it for me to vote, the more determined I am to vote. It's a sign of just how powerful our votes are when they work this hard to keep us from getting there. The reality is, they know that if we vote, our votes will be counted and we will win, so they're trying to intimidate us or just make us feel like nothing we do matters. The most important thing we can do right now is not give into that. We are slowly turning the tide in favor of democracy. It's not linear and that makes us think maybe we can't do it. But we absolutely can, and we are, as long as we don't give up now.
You know what really gets to me? My wife and I have a small group (around 30) of friends with whom we get together, discuss political matters (local and national) and determine what steps to take to oppose various Trump actions or support organizations that defend democracy. We’re a pretty old bunch, all Boomers. Last fall, we switched from Gmail to an encrypted platform because so many of them were afraid that the government could see what we were writing. The American government. They fear our own government! One of the members is from Hungary and remembers very clearly what governments can do to stifle dissent. How did we get to this? How can Republicans in Congress, presumably vulnerable to government pressure themselves, stand by and let it continue? We are so angry all the time.
Hmmm. How does one find/establish an encrypted platform??
Do we have to be fearful of expressing our opinions??
This feels like Armageddon.
Please forgive my dark cloud.
Look into the Signal app.
There are several. Personally I don’t believe it’s necessary to use encryption. With social media, data collection, etc., the government could find out pretty much whatever it wanted to about us. I mean, it’s not like we’re secretly plotting something nefarious and need to be super secretive. But if enough people in the group feel even a little more secure, I can live with encryption.
Exactly. Thank you Barbara and Joyce - this exchange needs to happen over and over again cuz it’s normal to get deflated. In fact the trump group is engineering the environment for that very experience of overwhelm as best they can.
Thank goodness they trip and fall SO MUCH, with incredulous levels of incompetence, all of the time proving the emperor has no clothes. Thank heaven for the courts who are holding the rule of law. And for the many voices holding reality with us in face of so much gaslighting.
I often think about how WWII was 6 years long. There were wins and losses. And persistence, tenacity, and devotion to a vision of democracy and freedom with some of our parents’ and grandparents’ lives on the line.
We could explore how long this fight we’re in right now has taken, 18 months, 10 years, 400 years of pendulum swings.
It is now our time to know our Devotion even when we feel our moments of deflation. I won’t leave your side Barbara (and all of us who feel this exact same way!). We’ll keep hanging in there together.
THANK YOU JOYCE for all the education and support you’re providing us! Freedom and Democracy are worth this. We just really didn’t expect we were gonna have to be doing this, in this way, in our lifetimes.
I know for myself, I’m getting a most urgent civics education in some ways because I was “asleep at the wheel”, not engaged in our Democracy except to vote and show up for jury duty when I was called.
I’m looking forward to hearing your conversation with Timothy Snyder later today Joyce!!!
Barbara, I feel that bottom dropping out sensation too.
Exactly. Why do you think they’re trying so hard to keep you/us from voting. They’re afraid. And they should be. Give them something to be afraid of. Vote, no matter what, and vote blue, no matter who.
Barbara, you said exactly what I have been thinking. I have adult children, and I am so worried about their future.
Barbara, I get it. Let me suggest another take on this crisis. You see, by nature I am an optimist, so I haven’t yet succumbed to despair and hopelessness. I believe the forces of democracy are more powerful than the demons of autocracy, and, like Joyce, I believe that we are awakening & rising up.
Looking at some practical tips, here are a couple that help me. I believe strongly in the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam or Repair The World. I find small things to do that support a better world, so I do vote, write letters to politicians, forward posts by Joyce, Heather Cox Richardson, The Contrarian & others to relatives & friends. Whether it’s as small as picking up a piece of trash on the roadway, volunteering at food banks and participating in political activities or as big as blocking Trump’s latest actions in court, they all add up to retaining democracy and a civil society. As we get closer to Nov, I’ll write postcards, attend rallies & even make monetary contributions. All or any of these activities can help you feel encouraged and recognize that you’re contributing to our saving of our democracy.
So don’t give up hope, Barbara. We shall overcome, as Dr. King was so fond of singing.
Thank you for your suggestions
Good list. I’m thinking of keeping a hand written list of actions. Maybe helps to write down and re read when needed. ?
I have another comment. I continually get surveys in the mail asking for my opinion, which I would give; however, at the end of the survey there is always money ask. If agencies really want to know the general public’s opinions send the surveys without an ask for a donation.
I immediately block and report as spam any funding appeal disguised as a poll, I don't care who it is from. It is a serious violation of social science ethics.
For what it is worth, the same thing goes for any fundraising appeal disguised as a "petition."
Ditto!!!!!!!
Dear Barbara,
I wholeheartedly agree with both of your points. The fact that we are not able to submit our opinions without making a donation, strongly suggests that the DNC is not interested in our opinions. I know they need money, but it gives the impression they are not really democratic, that politics is pay to play.
I have urged my Democratic Senators to pass legislation to use public funding to cover campaign costs, and to make private campaign donations illegal. I believe it is the only way to make America truly democratic, and it will enable our representatives to spend their time legislating in the best interests of Americans, instead of fundraising.
No reply yet.
Barbara, if it comes in regular mail, nothing wrong with completing the survey and returning with no donation!
I'd like to hear Tim Snyder talk about the way dictatorships end--in particular, perhaps in terms of the end of bureaucratic dictatorships (most of the Warsaw Pact nations) versus the end of dictatorships based on personality cults.
I'd like to hear you discuss the ramifications for the US legal system, in terms of the eventual fall of the (wannabe) Trump dictatorship.
Yes, please!!
How do dictatorships end?
How do we hasten this ending?
Anyone else feel like we are peddling just as hard as they/we can peddle while still feeling like we’re not making progress??
I dare someone parse my last sentence.
Beyond my ken at this moment.
Yes, Joyce, thank you 😊👍
Q - what can I best do to ensure you're nominated for AG under the next Democratic Pres, hopefully in 2028? 😊😊🤎
I have my whole DOJ leadership team lined up in my mind - You, Preet, Barb, Neal, Harry, Andrew, Sally, Mary
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎
ANY ONE OF WHICH is qualified to be in THE BIG CHAIR 😊
Finished "Unforgivable" over the weekend... What an amazing human being 🙏🏻🤎🤗 TY
✌☮
Stu
I'll be there. We're expecting rain this afternoon. I'll be interested in your opinion of having the National Guard patrol the reflecting pool. I understand they've made a few arrests.
Thanks James, yes. Hearing that Trump has claimed there are five arrests. My question as a prosecutor is, on what charges? Nothing illegal about putting your hands in the Reflecting Pool.
Jeff Tiedrich calls it "Grand Theft Paint Chips" and Jeanine Pirro is on the warpath.
Joyce; this may seem out there but, is it possible to "sue" Congress for not exercising their Constitutional responsibilities? We read about suits against the Trump Administration, sometimes vaguely, sometimes with specific individuals identified. To me it appears "we the people" are being compelled to initiate legal actions against the Trump Administration when, at the same time, Congress does not/is not exercising its Constitutional responsibilities to counter or reign in Executive branch abuses.
Hmmm good question!
Is this 4:30 Eastern?
It is
All 6 of my grandkids ages 21-27 have a copy of "On Tyranny." We have wonderful discussions. NOT ONE OF THEM IS A MAGA! Thank you Tim!
How can Republicans, especially congresspeople, live with themselves? They KNOW what he is!
Has anyone put together an explanation as to how/why a man who has been described as having no values, no beliefs, is unread and not very intelligent, is doing this to the United States in such a comprehensive manner?
Trump is a willing puppet who thinks he is real.
Because we are letting him! He’s a sick man and people voted him into office.
It is so obvious that Trump is blaming vandals for his outrageous mistake about the reflecting pool. Will the court penalize any lawyers that may be involved in such bogus accusations?
Also how do you and Timothy
see the end of Trump. Will the majority of the GOP in Congress finally get some back bone? Will Trump get more outrageous as he loses his sycophants bending their knees to him? Can nuclear options for Trump be stopped if he orders to have them released?
And finally, will absentee ballots and polling places be free and secure? Will Trump’s frantic voting suppression work to keep power in Congress?
I've been reading a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and it's interesting to see how the church became an instrument of the state. Here in the US it seems the "church" wants to have the state become it's instrument. And I believe Stalin didn't want the church at all. How has the interplay between church and state affected authoritarian regimes and are there any lessons to be learned?
I think that may be a subject for Dr Snyder’s next book!
Hello Joyce I’m a huge fan of Dr Snyder and followed his advice about getting active. By getting involved in my local town elections I and the new people I met who were also newly engaged were able to help vote out of office three of 6 city council members who were openly MAGA including the mayor. It was hugely successful and rewarding. Now that fight is over Election Day in my city is June 2. I need to get engaged again. The California Governor’s race is going on but it’s hard to get behind the leading democratic candidate. I’m hoping to hear some inspiring words from Dr Snyder. Also thank you for your leadership and helpful teaching of how we need to navigate this democracy we need to keep.
It astounds me in this day of information that people are so easily duped by someone like Trump and all the evil money backing him. Do we not have any choice any more? This not what I voted for and it’s not what I want for myself or my country.
Timothy - With what degree of certainty do you predict US military troops in the streets during the 2026 and '28 elections, in response to some presidential emergency declaration of domestic terrorism threat? (Never mind the irony of those very troops being the agents of a proven domestic terrorist administration.)
Joyce - What political actions can we take and what legal steps can a Democratic-majority Congress take to prevent militarized election "supervision"?
I'm interested in hearing specifically about what can be done about the US Supreme Court's complicity with this administration and cases that come before it.
Touching on another subject...
I was watching the Jefferson documentary on Netflix and they said he thought the Constitution should be revisited every 19 years because the current generation should not be dictated to by the past, yet we always go back to "what our founders had in mind" when discussing current cases. 🙄 Is there anyway to get around that standard?