At this point, it feels to me as though this Administration and the Republican party are engaged in a campaign of domestic terrorism against our own people.
Yes, but where the fuck is the outrage? Dem leaders have been mysteriously quiet. I’m ready to March against Washington even though I’m out of the country. Someone there please organize a million people march. I wouldn’t know how to do that, especially from where I am.
I think people are feeling outraged but quietly, either because they’re waiting for someone to lead the charge or because they are afraid of consequences of becoming activist themselves.
I really hate to have to agree with you, but I do. I got involved - I wrote postcards, I donated, etc. but there wasn't the same level of support as there was in 2020 and the memory of Jan. 6th seemed almost nonexistent. It is so disheartening when you hear how many people didn't event turn up to vote! I can only pray that people pay more attention as this administration proceeds and finally take some action (impeachment?) before it is too late.
I am a bit offended to have to call my representative and tell them what is going on. Don't we already pay a ton of taxes for their salaries and to do their jobs? The Trump administration is looting the country and we have to have a bake sale to try to stop him?
I feel anguished and powerless. I marched and protested against the Vietnam War, but that was in my student days. I will write and call and hound them. That I can do. And I can donate.
Or because this is such a labyrinth that we do not know what to do. Most of the active organizations are gearing up for 2026, when what you are saying is that the republic will not last that long. Many are relying on social media, which will likely be yanked within the near future. Americans generally see protests as the tool of "protected classes." What we need are protests by all.
You know, Nancy, That is entirely UNACCEPTABLE and WE THE PEOPLE must demand that they wake up! Call your reps, call your senators and complain loudly that they should have been prepared for something as heinous as this coup. Ask them why they weren’t! We are their bosses. They are not ours.
I have only read the first three comments. I wonder if ahead of me in the comments is a thought like this: the quiet outrage is the most dangerous kind. Tromping along in the streets and waving the various signs that try to steer a whacko administration toward a just, sane, policy, and constitutional behavior, is more a relief valve for many people than it is an action that brings good change, that brings serious pressure to bear on an administration to change its ways.
Serious pressure calibrated for a normal administration is ineffective and belly-laughable to this one. We could easily imagine Musk and Dumpty Trumpy strutting onstage in front of cameras, shouting 'bring it on.'
Inevitably for such power structures, history shows not a lone wolf, but a wolfpack, does. Maybe Philip Kotler, or Benjamin Franklin, or a blue Smurf said something like 'there are three kinds of people in [government]: those that make things happen, those who see things happen, and those who ask 'What happened?'" Right now, Dumpy Trumpy is making very bad things happen while the Dems are asking "What happened?"
Some are starting to agree with Democrat pundits calling for a serious shakeup in the Democrat Senate management, and since the Senate ears are tuned to fund-raising tinkles, it may be time to turn off the faucet and redirect funds to more effective and worthy causes. The need of principled and effective backbone in the Senate can't be fixed with money anyway. The only checks and balances this administration and its allies respect are the checks they receive and the balances in their accounts. Dems need to change the rules of engagement.
Personally, I think it is essential to turn off the money spigot to Democratic Party organizations. They need to under stand that we do not see this as time for the usual business of fundraising. Starved of funds, the leadership will recognize that their sell-by date has passed.
We have to lend spinal support to some of the fringy Republicans who know perfectly well that he's doing wrong and that it will blow back. There are probably many aggressive fronts to this necessary blowback and long-term strengthening of democratic ways of doing things: legal -already engaging; local reorganizing and welcoming new voters especially the young ones -Hispanic, young black men; if you need to, study up on how the government is supposed to work; think boycott -for instance what?; start locally and make coalitions -think mothers against drunk driving as an example in the past; think supporting independent media -Substack; think deeper Union organizing... Others?
Organizing actions keeps your hopes up and makes them real. Long term is ahead of us and the start is now.
Here in Oregon the Indivisible group has been active in getting people to contact our congressional leaders. I get several emails aday from them.
It seems now that Jeffries is getting crap for suggesting we have a march & the Whitesonly House has demanded Jeffries apologize because 47 is "working so hard to unite the country. True story."
Democrats on Senate Committees have been grilling Trump's nominees. They boycotted the committee vote on Russell Vought,
The DNC just elected a new chief. Both the winner and runner up are relatively young with good backing from labor, experience in getting Democrats elected, and good at fundraising ie readying for 2026.
The question should be "where is the Republican outrage.?"
Here’s what I’d like the Dem leaders to do—show outrage. You can’t defeat a lawless bully with a curtsy. Releasing violent insurrectionists? Firing DoJ attorneys who prosecuted T and allies? Having the largest US aviation disaster in a generation on his watch after firing aviation safety experts and the head of the FAA? Speak up about this. Yell it from the rooftops. T gets so much mileage from lies and Dem leadership does nothing with the truth. What the hell? Why do they cede the narrative when they have the better story? Let AOC take charge. She’sthe only one with fire.
Yes, fire and _intelligence_. She may well be the next "Nancy Pelosi" in that she can kick things forward when necessary, bring along a faithful, intelligent, pack and strategies that work. She and a few others seems like the "real deal" and make compelling cases to action.
And we could look a lot more to people who come from working class backgrounds, who understand basics by their own life experience and know BS when they see it and what to do about it.
If I'm not mistaken, Dem leaders have spent a bunch of time grilling trump designated nominees (who've obviously been taught to do nothing but lie in their teeth no matter what). I'm waiting for the late night or early morning newsbreak that un-named former FBI sharpshooter is being nominated for a humanitarian award for putting down an overweight orange buffoon. Flags will be at half-mast for a month.
Did the fact that the Democrats boycotted the Russell Vought committee hearing stop him going on to a floor vote? Or is he going to a vote before the full Senate anyway?
Spell out what else you expected Democratic committee members to do. They demanded to put a hold for two weeks on the committee vote, And Graham ignored them. Then they boycotted. I don't know whether an individual senator can put a hold on a nominee who has been advanced to the floor.
Democrats filibustered the Senate vote on Hegseth, delaying it for many hours trying to get one or two more Republicans to vote No.
Jeez, I’m just asking a question. I didn’t know all that, and I don’t know how the process works. I don’t know what happens if all the committee members from one party boycott the hearing. I have no expectations for the Democrats. I just want to know what happens when committee members don’t show up for a hearing. Good grief!
The winner of t he DNC is a clone of his predecessor - who raised lots of money to no result. He's acceptable to all the 1940 French Generals, er, I mean the "establishment" of the party, standing there uncomprehending on May 15, 1940, as they watch Rommel's panzers cross the Meuse and commence the Race to the Channel that ended the Third Republic. Because all they knew was how to fight the last war.
I live in a state where one of our Senators was cognizant of the planning for Jan 6 and a newly elected Congressman for my district arrived in Washington as past leader of our State Senate. Prior to his arrival in DC his state senate office reserved a meeting room in the State Capitol for fraudulent electors (Dec 14, 2020 to be exact). SOS!
There is plenty of outrage going through all my social media feeds!!! What’s missing is LEADERSHIP. Pick a date and time - even if it has to be a last minute Flash Mob come if you can event and people will show up!!!
Outrage is not "writing angry comments". Outrage is marching in the streets. Have you heard about the 2/5/25 marches at all 50 state capitals? It has been announced on Facebook and Instagram, but I cannot find an organizing website for it.
What is the one thing Republicans, who are still Republicans, are saying about filibustering or challenging the MAGA blackguards? That they are afraid. They have been warned, the have been told that they will be primaried. It goes farther than that, just ask Nancy Pelosi. They are afraid. They are afraid for their families. Why do you think he "pardoned" the J6 convicts? He now has his private army who will do whatever he wills. Think Schutzstaffel aka the SS - you know, the "Proud Boys," you know the Goons who stood by as ordered.
It takes time to organize, it will happen, but we can't have one misstep. They may be stumble bums, but we don't have that privilege. With each passing day, more people are knowing they don't want to live this way, but it's still not quite right. A few more of his toddler tirades and insults concerning the people who protect, really protect this country, not only militarily but domestically, may be all it takes to break the fetid bubble.
We cannot at all forget the people who put him there and use him as a puppet. They remain and they have gained power through other means as well. Could it be time for another March on Wall Street as in the '70s?
I read about this in a WaPo comment but didn't find much else. This was on Reddit:
"If you are in the Los Angeles area, we will be there! Join us Wednesday, 2/5 @ LA City Hall, 3pm. I urge you not to listen to the propoganda encouraging you to sit on your ass. And honestly if Trump declares martial law over peaceful 1st Amendment protests, maybe it will wake up the comfortable who would rather appease facism with their silence...inaction has historically worked out great, right? Hoping they won't come for you is not a winning strategy. Stand up, speak out! Visit r/50501 to find a protest in your area. We the people are in this together!
We got some clues about what to do....in the effort to erase Gen. Milley and set him up for assassination, I learned that his original sin for the First Felon was his apologizing to the military for joining the Lafayette Square bashing of protestors in front of the White House as Trump trudged towards this historic church so he could hold up (barely, upside down) the Bible in front of it for a photo op. Trump had asked for this bit of theater because, he said, the protestors were making him look weak. He cares about that, he cares about polls, he cares about the stock market, and he cares about being a figure of scorn.
So at the minimum there should be a huge crowd in Lafayette Square with signs and banners, Stop the Steal, whatever. I'm 86 and can barely restrain myself from going to Washington right now. I was on a Zoom late this afternoon with a group of my high school friends and although my hair is on fire, I reluctantly agreed that we shouldn't even mention his name. One of us is a California wildfire victim and another is just out of the hospital after a seizure decked her, so the attention properly belonged to them. But also they couldn't bear to hear in detail what's been happening. It's unbearable.
Vance is on record saying just months ago that the way to take down the government is to first seize the power seats and then do whatever you want and just ignore the law. It's unclear the corrupted Supreme Court will actually come through in the end and if they do, will Hegseth bring on the troops? I really think there is nothing Trump won't do, and we are so weak as a country right now that we're sitting ducks.
That is why I advised reaching out to your local Democratic club. Talk to legitimate people first but be prepared to go beyond your comfort zone. I am working on doing that myself.
What local Democratic club? I've tried my local Indivisible. Nothing there. I've searched for local protests with specifics. Nothing. I call and leave messages for my Senators and I send emails multiple times a day. I get back form letters. I don't hear them speaking out. What I do see from them online feels bland or anodyne. I want FIRE!
Democrats are totally dropping the ball on this. If the tables were reversed you wouldn't be able to go anywhere online without finding some MAGA congresscritter or pundit demanding impeachment, retroactive to 12:01 PM, January 20.
Instead I see ads (send money!) telling us we can fix things in the midterms that are TWO YEARS AWAY. President Mump seems intent on besting the Austrian corporal's record: there's an article in The Atlantic that reminds us that he dismantled German democracy in just 58 days. Waiting until the next Congress is sworn in in 2027 to start fixing things is like hoping to vote out Hitler in 1938.
One-trick pony Donald Trump repeated false tirades for the last 8 years. We shouldn't dismiss a tirade only because it is repeated. We might better reflect how it can be turned into effective action, or consider whether the tirade is still true.
It is terrifying even if you knew what was planned. I certainly did, though not every detail. The US opposition needs to get organized. Clearly the Dems are not leading and don't have a plan. Absent them doing what we need them to do, we need to do it. Everyone should be reading project 2025 and analyses of it. Then planning, not in formal meetings but in small groups, in between official sessions. There should be no comfort in business as usual right now.
The American people and probably any allies who have not read Project 2025 should also do that and in groups where you can process it. People can join indivisible groups, because absent any governmental leadership We the people need to be leading ourselves. https://indivisible.org/groups
I read Project 2025 in a political book club discussion group which is still going strong, even though we have another direction in our reading now, but it is all connected, and we also have a resistance project we are working on which is long term. It comes out of studying the situation.
In the meantime, I am also a German citizen and I have political work to do here. Even the Americans living here in Germany who are active in Democrats abroad are also participating in the politics of the country we live in. I am exhausted from 3 demonstrations in my German city in 2 days, and am planning for one next Saturday. This is going on all over Germany. People are angry and afraid that what is going on in the US will happen here which is having a government that destroys the people. That these demonstration which have to be registered with the police tells how well organized things are here for people to get a demonstration registered in a day. One powerful group, which has its own choir is grandmas against the rightwing. Omas Gegen Rechts. There are students against the Right wing, and People against the right wing, etc... There are now even whole families calling themselves by their family name against the Right wing. The speeches are very clear about the need for solidarity and action.
What is going on now is the US and elsewhere is the culmination of decades of planning on the Right, and the Dems have not been that intentional. In the US and Europe people need to get very intentional now to fight the right.
All my local indivisible group is doing is asking for phone calls to my senators. That's not enough. If they are one of the defining activist groups then they need to lead stuff! Any more it feels like phone calls and emails to Congress aren't any more effective than commenting on social media.
If you have ideas for additional things to do let them know and take the lead on it. Usually if you are willing to do the organizing work, people are glad to let you take the lead on an initiative.
The Democrats have been too busy the last month and a half electing a new DNC Chair to worry about something as trifling as the lightening fast implementation of Project 2025. In spite of the fact this game plan has been public knowledge for over a year, and Trump winning the election in November meant IT WOULD HAPPEN, all we’ve gotten is…crickets.
Oh rubbish. If you can't be constructive and prefer to whine and carry one - just like a whole bunch of "Democrats" did after 2016, whine and carry on somewhere else. Maybe you should become more active, ever think of that? Bloody soapbox orators who do nothing but complain, complain, criticize, and complain some more are just too damn tiresome. Try the three G - GIVE some thought - not oration to what needs to be done. GET in touch with the local Democratic party and help. If you can't do these two things, GET OUT OF THE WAY and let others work towards solutions to stop the madness.
The are no Democratic "leaders"... only people who claim that title (I'm looking at you, Chuck Schumer) but actually have NO CLUE what leadership is all about.
Yes. If you’ve read anything I’ve written prior to today, you know I’ve been a student of leadership and innovation for over 30 years and have advocated for radical systematic change for almost as long. I’m not going to repeat everything that I’ve written before here. But you are free to Look through all of my past writings.
One hint: study the work of Dr. R Buckminster Fuller and Dr W Edwards Deming. They were two of my primary teachers. There are others. But I recommend you start with them.
Prissy protests will do nothing. Trump ignored the women's march in 2017 and cleared a street protest near the White House in 2020. The only protest Trump paid attention to was the insurrection of 06jan21.
People know these facts. As the defeated begin to move on from the surprise and shock of the election, they wait patiently to see how the resistance will form and what battles it can fight. Reacting with loud outrage now gives the power over to Trump.
Hakeem Jeffries said that he will fight in Congress, in checkouts and in the streets. He can, should, must organize in his district and get in the streets. That will get press coverage. Hitting the streets in D C. so Rump.has to see and react. When he tries to.silence free speech, a message will be sent.
I can only speak for myself and my circle — everyone I know is more outraged than they’ve ever been, to the point of feeling feral, as one of my friends likes to say. Most of us are contacting our congressmen, making donations to organizations that serve vulnerable people and spending time engaging with sites like this one so we can stay informed and understand what’s going on. I think we all want to have a bigger impact to stop these motherfuckers from ruining our country and are feeling a little helpless (not hopeless) about what to do.
Damn app. Hakeem Jeffries said to fight in Congress, in the Courts and in the streets. In Nixon's time, we had Abbie Hoffman, who drew attention because he was so dynamic and because people.believed that the events affected their lives. Half of the people.showed.up.at demonstrations just to see what was going on, to talk to each other and he part of something that was bigger than themselves. Now, everyone can do.what we are doing, and communicate much better, but there is no impact from keystrokes, no public presence.
I just want to add that, far from knuckling under or wanting to be interpreted as a voice of despair, I have been contacting my senators and House member multiple times calling their attention to the need for urgent congressional action to combat and wherever possible reverse several specific horrific and destructive actions this Administration has taken; sharing information, including a number of your outstanding posts, Joyce, on social media; letting others know of what I am doing to provide concrete evidence they are not remotely alone with their feelings and that many of their fellow citizens feeling under assault are putting one foot in front of the other and taking concrete, doable, effective actions; urging them to take action as well; urging them to be good to one another, keep their attention on the present and foregoing unhelpful attention now on who is thought to have made mistakes in the past, who is to blame, what ifs, etc. I am suggesting, to those who are having the most difficult time emotionally right now, that they check out the Substacks, social media posts, books, and articles of Rebecca Solnit and Heather Cox Richardson, as well you, Joyce, to name just three among many whose work incorporates encouragement and emotional support as well as key, clearly conveyed factual information. And: be good to one another--lend emotional support and encouragement to one another. Such acts of solidarity help with the job of rebuilding positive norms, habits, mindsets and practices needed for not only individual and societal self protection from this onslaught, but for democratic and responsive advocacy and governance going forward. Thank you, thank you, Joyce for all you continue to do. You are a magnificent source of steadiness, truth, clarity, suggestions...and resolve.
If you haven't already please join the Alt. National Park Service. They are on fb. I don't know if they're on any other. They are becoming quite activists and may be the leaders we need.
I have also been calling and writing to my senators and representatives. I’m a senior with some mobility issues and wouldn’t be able to join a March. I’m doing what I can to make my voice heard.
I am also a senior with mobility issues, but I wasn't afraid in the '50s, '60s and '70s to make my voice heard. I worked hard with other Democrats to strengthen our voter base, first as a precinct GOTV volunteer where I switched two precincts from red to blue in a deep red county, and helped elect JFK. I continued volunteering until my husband died, when I had to start working while raising our five children. Even then, I continued writing letters to my Congressmen. Come on folks, if you don't know how to start, attend your county's Dem. precinct committee for more information. Let your opinion be known!
Robert: I admire your doggedness. My question is: Have you received ANY RESPONSE?? The letters I have sent have gone unanswered. Like there is no one there. Have they ALL gone overseas?
Veronica: Not so far. My impression is that congressional offices have been hearing a great deal from their constituents since January 20. Some have suggested that massive public pushback was a key factor and perhaps the key factor in the Administration's backpedaling on its federal funding freeze, and looking massively incompetent in the process. If that is the case, it suggests that this Administration is not 100% indifferent to public opinion, as some may feel, suggest, or assume at this point. Depending on what impact continuing assertive and visible pressure on Congress as well as the Administration has, including on what damage that can be undone will be undone, I would think that additional nonviolent tactical advocacy options are a possibility more and more members of the public may become open to supporting.
Yes, I have read that as well. People are also joining coalitions more than ever. Wish media would do a better job of reporting on it. It just takes a few to stand up and before you know it the whole audience is on its feet.
They need very much to hear your voice, at least to not give their base unanimity. They are paid by your taxes and must support you too. They do tally the sentiments of people who contact them, so help tip the scales.
I live in Missouri (Hawley & Schmitt). Wrote them both about RFK, Jr. and actually got a full-page response from Schmitt providing his take on how change is needed in our approach to healthcare. In other words, he's supporting RFK, Jr. The Doublespeak in the letter was deafening.
How absolutely sickening! You have to understand something is terrible wrong when his own family opposed his nomination! We are being betrayed by the people who supposedly represent us. I spent three summers: 1969, 70, and 71 in KC. My late husband was Assistant Director and Resident Actor at Starlight. MO was different then... I understand St. Louis and KC still tend to be democratic.
He declared the war against 'we the people' with his talk of "shock and awe." If you think lives are not being lost, think about this:
• Trump fired the director of the federal Transportation Security Administration, froze hiring of new air traffic controllers. (Even though there is a profound shortage of controllers, which resulted in understaffed air traffic facilities and overworked controllers —
• Also disbanded the federal Aviation Security Advisory Committee, which was created by Congress in 1988 after the bombing of PanAm Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
• Trump never bothered to appoint an acting director of the FAA until after the tragedy that claimed 67 lives.
Even if this is not a direct link, the next one will be.
Add "and the Democratic party" in there, too. Trump should have been prosecuted immediately, never have been allowed to run, states should have been allowed to keep him off the ballot, voter suppression, gerrymandering, and voter purges should never have been allowed, every ballot should have been cured, there should have been immediate consequences the moment he broke the first law after inauguration (which should not have been attended by any prior presidents) and... where is the law now? Where is any enforcement? We are being boiled like frogs, my friends, and our D representatives are just representing us as frog legs; a R appetizer. With a sauce of complicity.
No, it's normalizing fascism, with all the so-called "checks-and-balances" machinery of state asleep at the switch, and the public - its bovine stolidity locked in place - moving on to "Super Sunday".
Musk's capture of the Treasury Dept.'s payment system barely raised an eyebrow outside of informed Substack writers, and the purges of the IGs and senior FBI career executives rated only a paragraph or two amongst the - you know - "Fourth Estate".
People, it's now well beyond "creeping fascism", we're in full-gallop mode here, with little resistance from the opposition...Dems in the Senate are an embarrassment to those of us who fight to preserve constitutional government, and all but a handful have acquiesced to MAGAism as an irresistible force.
"We'll fix them in the midterms"... LOL! Damage long since done, fools...it's now or never, ffs!
Yes, MUSK HAS CAPTURED THE TREASURY! Tax refunds? Social Security checks? Our country’s bills to pay? I don’t understand why we don’t hear screaming from coast to coast. He has no such authority. It is a coup, for real.
Trump did not make Patel a liar. Patel lied initially, knowing Trump would do otherwise. By looking like he has been made a liar, Patel has plausible deniability so he can secure the office. Once sworn in, Patel will purge the F.B.I. more deeply.
Why is Elon Musk being given so much access? Has he had a security clearance? I don't want him riffling through my government documents. There is so much illegality going on, where are the enforcers? Why is nothing happening?
It looks like he is making any decision he wants, even if it illegal, and his people move forward with it. Is there no push back? An emergency injunction? The US Marshals? He has seen that there is a hole in the system, and that is enforcement. How can he be stopped? He may be able to shoot someone on Times Square, but how about the executive branch as a whole? Will the same thing happen in 4 years when he just decides to stay put? Where are our lawmakers/courts/enforcers?
I think everyone who has not read Project 2025 should read it now and then make a plan for resistance based on being fully informed. I have been the canary in the coal mine among the people I know, but it is advice I am now giving. I do not feel that anything happening is surprising even if it is shocking. Shock and awe are what is wanted, but as the Bulwark said today, this distracts from paying attention to other things. I have also find reading and keeping up with what the fascism experts are saying. Ruth Ben Ghiat and Timothy Snyder have also been sounding the alarm.
Trump owes Putin what Putin wants is the US destroyed, and the EU destroyed so that NATO is cleaved by two damaged groups, and he is free to pursue his goal to rebuild the Soviet Union which he deludedly think was a great Empire, without anyone strong enough to interfere. That serves Shi too, because he has the truly powerful economy and after Putin has taken us and the EU countries out, Shi will be free to dominate the global economy and expand his empire too.
Following you domestic terrorism thought, Trump’s release of water reserves in CA using the US Army Corp of Engineers is an intentional act of retribution and effort to reduce CA’s ability to cope with the next drought
Prior to WW2 it took a major event to wake the people up and when they did wake up all he'll broke loose. It is one of America's major flaws. This time the enemy is among us and within reach if only we react before it's too late.
Musk getting access to the Treasury payment system is Musk’s way of getting around the Judge’s restraining order about freezing payments. It needs to be addressed in the same lawsuits filed against that action, it’s the executive impinging on Congress’s power of the purse. Write to your electeds, federal and local.
I am writing and phoning almost everyday. Join indivisible or check out Jessica Cravin substack newsletter for ways to contact your MOC. They will even give you a script if you need help with wording. Nothing will change if we wait for someone else to do it. Get in the habit and make some noise, a lot of noise.
I almost clicked like, out of Habits. I do NOT like any of this. All calls to action seem to be going into a void, just like you say.The feeling of impotencia is overwgelming. Extremely depressing. My attempt to disconnecting are futile. It is driving me insane...no, not driving me. I believe I have arrived...
Bessant literally giving Musk and his unvetted minions the keys to the Treasury goes way beyond Russell Vought's impoundment schemes. At 'best' it paves the way for if/when Vought is made director of OMB for him to identify and impound all funds for anything Trump doesn't like. And that's the most 'innocuous' probability.
Trump has, in effect, given Elon “Heil Hitler” Musk a blank check to the US Treasury. He has dispatched his people to take over the office of personnel and management, where they have commandeered the computer systems and blocked the employees’ access. My guess is that musk is responsible for that memo stopping all federal payments and grants. While Trump is certainly a great danger to this country, he pays in comparison to musk. While I wish a knight in shining armor would ride to our rescue, considering that Trump has consolidated power by decimating the FBI, owning the courts, ridding farms and food, processing plants of workers and blocking communications between health agencies and to the public, I fear no knight can rescue us. We must do it ourselves. Relentless calls to our elected representatives might help, but considering how afraid they are this dictator, I doubt they would make much difference. So, what do we do? I suggest we keep heeding guides such as Joyce Vance and Heather Cox Richardson and all stick together.
This also gives Musk access to the personal and confidential information of every American! How can that be legal???? Musk isn’t a federal employee nor is DOGE an agency of the federal government. I certainly didn’t authorize the release of my personal information to Musk/DOGE!!
And keep calling. The offices of Republicans and Democrats. Everyday, as many as you can. DC and state offices. Writing is more difficult because many of their websites won't allow out of state participation.
Musk also is pushing for the privatization of the US Post Office. Your medications, including insulin, contraceptives, abortion pills, etc. may be "lost" or delayed or cost more to send. The same applies to legal and medical documents, bills, payments, passports, licenses, credit cards, checks. Most important, mail-in ballots could get "lost" or delayed until after the deadline. And, mailboxes and post offices may disappear from election districts that the "owner" decides has too many voters who will vote for the "opposition". So much for free and fair elections.
This to me is the most worrisome part of this vendetta. The personnel things can be taken to court but allowing him access to the flow of money and possibly get around any court orders to halt freezes or just decide they some program doesn't deserve money is insane. I knew it was going to be bad with all the conservative groups planning Project 2025 but couldn't foresee this blitz.
WHERE THE HELL ARE OUR DEMOCRATIC PARTY REPRESENTATIVES????? Where’s the leadership? During the Nixon era people were informed, cared, believed in the possibility of good governance. I’m so sick of the helpless despair I read on social media. This is OUR COUNTRY. Why aren’t we acting like it????
I was outraged last night and wanted to do something. But do what? Today several of my friends also expressed their outrage, but wondered what to do. We need our democratic leaders to take the lead. They have more of a platform, more resources and networks than we ordinary citizens have. They should be speaking up meaningfully, organizing and leading. Our leadership should not be only the Democrats! It should be all the people who believe in our Constitution, its principles, and true democracy. I know many of us donate to organizations that say they will work and fight for democracy, but where are they? And where are effective strategies that reach out to all generations, classes, citizens? I appreciate the people like Joyce, Tim Snyder, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Marc Elias, Nicole Wallace, Ann Telnaes, etc., but where are the others? It is up to us, but it is out of the bailiwick for most of us ordinary citizens to do the organizing and providing the leadership needed. I believe the majority of U.S. citizens would take a stand and work to preserve our democracy; but we need trained, knowledgeable, capable, honest leaders who are dynamic, energetic, and empathetic to guide us.
One of the differences is that it was the Republican leaders who told Nixon he was done - Barry Goldwater. Who could imagine an analagous situation today?
The experiment called the USA, has always been tenous, even TJ who wrote the lofty words of all being equal certainly didn't walk the talk.
I think I owe it to my grandchildren to tug on the arc of history, even though I am not convinced it bends towards justice. At this point my main aspiration is to be a good ancestor.
To Gardening: From June 1972, the date of the Watergate break in, through August of 1974, when President Nixon resigned (and beyond), conservative (mostly Texas) Democrats were prominent in the the House Leadership (they chaired House Appropriations, House Ways & Means, House Banking, House Agriculture, etc), and were instrumental along with the Republicans in convincing Nixon to resign or be impeached (as you may know, the House impeaches & the Senate finishes the job). My point is that it was a BIPARTISAN effort, which would be unheard of for any purposes today. I know this because I was a young staffer in the Congressional office of the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
!!! This! I did finally today get an email from one of my home-state senators about the "buy-out offer" federal employees got. The gist of it was, "Oh, be careful about that offer -- it has some pretty tricky language and potentially false promises in it." Tepid, to say the least, given the magnitude of the situation. It overlooks several critical issues beyond the Stalinesque nature of the purge. Specifically,
How did Musk, he of the Nazi salutes, get hold of the apparatus necessary to write and distribute the "buy-out offer"? Why does Musk, elected by nobody and appointed to no official office, have that kind of inside access?
Do you, the elected officials in DC whose job it is to protect and defend the Constitution and by extension every one of your constituents, not see that a coup d'état is taking place? WHERE THE F--- ARE YOU? WHERE IS YOUR VOICE, EVERY FRICKIN' DAY, ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS, IN EVERY CHANNEL? WHERE THE F--- IS SCHUMER? WHERE THE F--- ARE ABOUT A DOZEN OTHER GOOD COMMUNICATORS DOING THE SAME THING? WHY ARE YOU NOT FLOODING THE ZONE WITH INFORMATION AND WARNINGS TO THE CITIZENRY?
Yes, I'm shouting. Nobody is fucking listening, and I'm fucking fed up.
The formula is basic: Tell people in everyday terms (1) what's happening, (2) why it's wrong and why it matters, and (3) how every one of us who is not a billionaire is going to get repeatedly screwed over extremely hard and will be unable to stop it.
Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to call/write without being so angry in my communication that I just get dismissed immediately without even being heard. It's 100% clear to me that as Hamilton Nolan wrote, our elected politicians are either enemies or cowards, and it is up to us to force the cowards to prove through their actions that they are not pieces of shit.
We, the regular people, the everyday folks, are gonna have to lead the "leaders." Forget the rules, forget the norms, forget the old way of doing things. We have to raise hell loudly in myriad ways; we are the leaders. The people who are supposed to be doing it on our behalf aren't doing it. It's up to us.
Right there with you. I feel like it’s all going up in flames and those elected to help us are taking an extended holiday. And someone over there is pointing fingers at the ones who started the fire, while the country is being decimated.
"WHERE THE HELL ARE OUR DEMOCRATIC PARTY REPRESENTATIVES????? "
WHERE THE HELL ARE OUR REPUBLICAN PARTY REPRESENTATIVES?????
There fixed it for you.
FYI Republicans were outraged at Nixon and offered him the choice resign or get impeached/removed.
Please listen to CSpan
Democrats on Senate Committees have been grilling Trump's nominees. They boycotted the committee vote on Russell Vought,
The DNC just elected a new chief. Both the winner and runner up are relatively young with good backing from labor, experience in getting Democrats elected, and good at fundraising ie readying for 2026.
The question should be "where is the Republican outrage.?"
Yeah, the DNC elected Ken Martin. From all I've read, a good guy, heart basically in the right place, a friend of organized labor, etc etc. Same old same old. Word up, Ken: you had better start kicking major ass over breakfast tomorrow, getting the communications organized and getting _every_ Democrat on board with contacting _every_ constituent _every_ day via _every_ platform. Our democracy is disappearing in large chunks every day while Dems do and say nothing impactful.
The choice for transformational change would have been Ben Wikler.
As far as asking where the R outrage is, all I can do is suggest that the definition of insanity is repeating the same action and expecting a different outcome. I gave up on any expectations that Rs would be decent, moral, honest, compassionate, constructive, tolerant, inclusive, fair-minded, and egalitarian years, if not decades, ago.
While bombs are going off all over our systems. And Musk has now hacked into government computers and has access to all our data and to the system responsible for paying social security checks and Medicare payments. They’ve scrubbed and removed critical scientific and medical data from CDC and other critical medical websites. By all means, campaign while the neighborhood is burning down around us. What sort of priorities are those???
Amy - keep those demands in ur mind as u call & call everyone if ur rep in ur area is of opposite party remember this they stood up & before GOD & all took their OATH of office not for a certain group but for all..Reps in their district serve ALL
That’s the message. And thanks Pamela. I’m thinking back to my days of getting arrested from the lobby floor of the Senate (where I ironically testified as an expert on the trauma of Child Separation during Trump 1). I still remember the drill and I’m ready to go again.
I have a feeling no matter how we feel, it doesn’t matter. R’s have rolled over and dems don’t have the votes. SCOTUS has sold out. Strike 3 we are out! Ugh.
Legit question, if we all march in the streets will that change anything? Please tell me yes and I would do it. I’ve spent since 45 ran the first time saying this stuff would happen. Here we are. WTH is wrong with people??
I don’t want Elon around any of my money!
Pretty soon we won’t have a country. We ARE ALARMED!!😳
Joyce, we do see this situation as a five alarm fire. Yet, the usual democratic efforts are ineffective. My Senator is Rick Scott & he is the very worst. I vote, I write, I donate, I volunteer.
Me too. Florida resident too. Scott’s staff doesn’t even acknowledge my letters. I’m being criticized by members of my church for being vocal (I’m clergy). I marched in the 1960s and while in my 60’s. I’m so discouraged
Let them criticize!..Don't they realize these people r the opposite of good!!..Can't they see that!!..Well hang in there because what ur trying to do is help in ur own way to save their lives!!
The present regime is protecting assassins and is a severe threat to us. We have become THE ENEMY.
When I told people that if the orange helium balloon became president we were not going to be able to get rid of him or the regime, I was told I was exaggerating or plain nuts. " This is America" they said. " "He cannot do that. " "We have a Constitution." they said. I say they do not understand that history DOES repeat itself. All empires fall.
I feel like I am on one of those reoccurring dreams, where you are falling in a never-ending precipice.
I will never think of myself as 'the enemy'. The MAGAts are. Of all that this country stands for. I don't see us getting out of this via the courts: SCOTUS is completely corrupt. We'll be in the streets if the Congress doesn't show some spine. It's going to be up to us.
Kathy, given what we saw when Trump tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of the presidency a peaceful march of protest would probably not remain peaceful. That concern is why I think people who are in fact enraged are not shouting to the roof tops that Trump and his minions must be stopped. So we must encourage our representatives in Congress to take action available by law and the constitution to stop Trump's destruction of our democracy and hope SCOTUS has not become so decayed that they willcdo what is right for the prople of yhe coubtry.
Add David Lebryk, head of the Treasury Dept who resigned rather than turn over Treasury access to Elon Musk, to the names of Elliott Richardson and William Ruckelshaus as American heroes.
I’m tired of the premise as of late that we Americans do not care about the current travesties going on. The majority of Americans did not bring this on ourselves. My daily rage, despair and anxiety over it is off the charts! When we have a failed court system, a dysfunctional Congress and an out of control executive branch, average citizens feel small and powerless. Yes, we’re going to march at our capitols on Feb. 5th. With fear of a madman calling Marshal Law, what the hell are our choices? We keep hearing that at any minute election cheating both foreign and domestic is going to be uncovered. Is it false hope? Who of us has gotten any sleep the past 3 months???!
Yes Doug. You’re right. Russia , primarily, worked harder than in the past to put this criminal in power. How do we stop that from happening again? Their misinformation campaigns were horrendous. So now we think Tulsi Gabbard is going to help? What a fucking joke. WTF do we do? I know I’m posting too much but just trying to get some help with how we stop this criminality.
Exactly! Half the country is outraged, but feel stymied about what to do about it other than sending messages to our Congresspersons. We need leaders similar to the Civil Rights leaders of the 60s. Some of us are baby boomers who are not physically up to task. We need people like Obama and Harris to step forward to organize. Then even if/when it happens there is the real possibility of using the military against protesters 😰
I agree. I’m hoping that the G7 Europol takedown we keep getting whiffs of actually happens. For 3 months we’ve held hope and prayers for some justice.
Many of us aren’t marching but are pushing electeds to take action. Some of mine are doing so, including Senator Patty Murray and WA Attorney General Nick Brown.
I think one reason there has been no response from the public is that we have seen no response from politicians who supposedly oppose the first felon. If those with any sort of “power” kiss the orange ass, what can we poor peons do? And it has all happened so quickly, one destruction of rights after another, it is hard to know what to respond to first, as well as how. I’m 75 with arthritis & breathing difficulties— tho I marched in the 60s, I just can’t today. And most of my generation are the same or worse. And I’ve been reading that many of Gen Z are avid orange ass-kissers now. I’m eager to help, but pouring my life-savings into a political party’s coffers is not wise either. I and many others want to do something, but what would be useful? Any suggestions?
Joyce, I am agitating. There are things happening but the campaign of fear is working for some. I am agitating and lots of other people are but there must be more! The new DNC chair said it’s time to fight and I hope he means it. There was a march in St Louis today - not seen anywhere except some social media. We need to fight! Call your reps! Talk to your people! We’ve got to pull together and resist!
I don’t think there is a single thing we can do. We need lawyers, judges, and our legislators to call a halt to all this. The GOP is responsible for this traitor we have as a president. They are complicit in all he does! Not a word out of them because they are totally on board with the program. Musk needs to be arrested and the felon in chief needs to be impeached, NOW!
Yes, I certainly don’t see the judicial branch getting involved. Now, I know that traditionally they don’t, or can’t get involved unless it’s by a specifically filed case brought legally in front if the court, whether trial level, appellate, or supreme, but thus is the very existence of the country that’s at stake. They need to get involved and stop these monsters!
I am absolutely terrified tonight. The rule of law is breaking down completely, and Elon Musk now has access to multiple millions of bank accounts (including mine).
I have been extremely upset, especially when I saw they are talking about releasing the names of the FBI staff, just as they are putting them back on the streets with the freed insurrectionist. Even though I know I'm not supposed to, I am sending big post cards to all republican senators, basically asking them if they want to be remembered for doing the right thing and standing up to him, or as an enabler who could have saved the country and chose not to. I am pointing out to them that if they stand together, they can stand up to him.
Trump and his minions have been planning all this for 4 years. They are doing all their law breaking rapidly to razzle dazzle us and distract us from focusing on any one thing. This is very serious and if we don’t stop it now, I’m afraid we won’t be able to at all. This calls for taking to the streets like the South Koreans did at the first sign of autocracy! They stopped it! I’m 80 years old but I can get out there with my walker!
Love you too! Now how to implement this? I think walkers and wheelchairs should lead the march. If T dared to stop us ,his troops would have to contend with walkers, wheelchairs and crutches.
NO ITS ON US. The blame game gets us nowhere. Now we’re stuck with what we’ve got. If people want to be idle as we watch Elon Musk - with the consent of the acting Treasury Secretary - break into and take control of trillions of dollars means for social security and Medicare, wtf are we doing about it?????? If Trump wants to shut down our critical sources of medical information, WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT???
Amy, I agree that the blame game gets us nowhere. What will it take to get people involved and, in the streets, voicing our concerns? Two friends and my husband and I are all in our late 70s; however, we did not allow age or weather (freezing temps and snow) keep us from participating in the Washington D.C. Women's March (also called the People's March) the weekend of the inauguration. We have never participated in any other marches or demonstrations. We felt compelled to take action. What will it take to get others involved? We need another MLK to motivate the people and call them to action. The time is now!! Joyce, can you point us in the right direction to put action to fears?
What am I doing about it. I’m spending every day working to protect the undocumented parents of my incredibly traumatized low income child patients. I’m organizing phone calls to every representative. I’m generating resources and medical information to replace what’s being scrubbed from all of the federal medical sites. I’m disseminating information on the avian flu that people can’t get any more. I’m organizing my community to participate in marching yo our local state house. I’m organizing other sources of rides home from school for the children of undocumented parents along with helping those who are afraid to leave their homes with grocery shopping.
I’m 75 years old and I have lupus. But I’ll be damned if anyone is going to take my country from me without a fight. I went to jail for this country before and I’ll do it again if I have to.
What are YOU doing other than asking snarky questions?
It’s on you now. Just like it’s on all of us. What are we going to do. I don’t frankly give a shit who did what before 1/20. We’re at ground zero and looking back is utterly useless
At this point, it feels to me as though this Administration and the Republican party are engaged in a campaign of domestic terrorism against our own people.
Yes, but where the fuck is the outrage? Dem leaders have been mysteriously quiet. I’m ready to March against Washington even though I’m out of the country. Someone there please organize a million people march. I wouldn’t know how to do that, especially from where I am.
I think people are feeling outraged but quietly, either because they’re waiting for someone to lead the charge or because they are afraid of consequences of becoming activist themselves.
I think we all feel powerless.
I really hate to have to agree with you, but I do. I got involved - I wrote postcards, I donated, etc. but there wasn't the same level of support as there was in 2020 and the memory of Jan. 6th seemed almost nonexistent. It is so disheartening when you hear how many people didn't event turn up to vote! I can only pray that people pay more attention as this administration proceeds and finally take some action (impeachment?) before it is too late.
I am a bit offended to have to call my representative and tell them what is going on. Don't we already pay a ton of taxes for their salaries and to do their jobs? The Trump administration is looting the country and we have to have a bake sale to try to stop him?
Impeachment won't happen and would be irrelevant without 66 senators willing to vote to convict. Who aren't there.
GET EVERYONE TO VOTE THE SUPPORTERS OF THE TRAITOR-IN-CHIEF OUT OF OFFICE! 2026 midterm are our chance to correct the course of this country.
At least not at this point.
MJAtlanta - Did the same...
Yes. But we are not powerless. Knowledge is power. If you have not read Project 2025, read it so you know what is planned. Knowledge is power.
I've read it . Nice .. NOW WHAT !!
Pick something in there to fight against.
I feel anguished and powerless. I marched and protested against the Vietnam War, but that was in my student days. I will write and call and hound them. That I can do. And I can donate.
Overwhelmed.
Or because this is such a labyrinth that we do not know what to do. Most of the active organizations are gearing up for 2026, when what you are saying is that the republic will not last that long. Many are relying on social media, which will likely be yanked within the near future. Americans generally see protests as the tool of "protected classes." What we need are protests by all.
You know, Nancy, That is entirely UNACCEPTABLE and WE THE PEOPLE must demand that they wake up! Call your reps, call your senators and complain loudly that they should have been prepared for something as heinous as this coup. Ask them why they weren’t! We are their bosses. They are not ours.
We need a leader. Not afraid of consequences most of us. We need a leader.
Yes, most of us that are outraged don’t know what to do!
We need lots of leaders. Locally especially. County, state. That's the way things really work.
I have only read the first three comments. I wonder if ahead of me in the comments is a thought like this: the quiet outrage is the most dangerous kind. Tromping along in the streets and waving the various signs that try to steer a whacko administration toward a just, sane, policy, and constitutional behavior, is more a relief valve for many people than it is an action that brings good change, that brings serious pressure to bear on an administration to change its ways.
Serious pressure calibrated for a normal administration is ineffective and belly-laughable to this one. We could easily imagine Musk and Dumpty Trumpy strutting onstage in front of cameras, shouting 'bring it on.'
Inevitably for such power structures, history shows not a lone wolf, but a wolfpack, does. Maybe Philip Kotler, or Benjamin Franklin, or a blue Smurf said something like 'there are three kinds of people in [government]: those that make things happen, those who see things happen, and those who ask 'What happened?'" Right now, Dumpy Trumpy is making very bad things happen while the Dems are asking "What happened?"
Some are starting to agree with Democrat pundits calling for a serious shakeup in the Democrat Senate management, and since the Senate ears are tuned to fund-raising tinkles, it may be time to turn off the faucet and redirect funds to more effective and worthy causes. The need of principled and effective backbone in the Senate can't be fixed with money anyway. The only checks and balances this administration and its allies respect are the checks they receive and the balances in their accounts. Dems need to change the rules of engagement.
Personally, I think it is essential to turn off the money spigot to Democratic Party organizations. They need to under stand that we do not see this as time for the usual business of fundraising. Starved of funds, the leadership will recognize that their sell-by date has passed.
I will not give anymore after 2024 elections until I see clear reasons why I should. Like the little ole lady of TV ads long ago: "Where's the beef?"
We have to lend spinal support to some of the fringy Republicans who know perfectly well that he's doing wrong and that it will blow back. There are probably many aggressive fronts to this necessary blowback and long-term strengthening of democratic ways of doing things: legal -already engaging; local reorganizing and welcoming new voters especially the young ones -Hispanic, young black men; if you need to, study up on how the government is supposed to work; think boycott -for instance what?; start locally and make coalitions -think mothers against drunk driving as an example in the past; think supporting independent media -Substack; think deeper Union organizing... Others?
Organizing actions keeps your hopes up and makes them real. Long term is ahead of us and the start is now.
Here in Oregon the Indivisible group has been active in getting people to contact our congressional leaders. I get several emails aday from them.
It seems now that Jeffries is getting crap for suggesting we have a march & the Whitesonly House has demanded Jeffries apologize because 47 is "working so hard to unite the country. True story."
We used to have a word for these slackers: panty waist
What can we do? Who can provide information as to how we can make our voices heard? Where is the guidance?
"Dem leaders have been mysteriously quiet."
Please listen to CSpan
Democrats on Senate Committees have been grilling Trump's nominees. They boycotted the committee vote on Russell Vought,
The DNC just elected a new chief. Both the winner and runner up are relatively young with good backing from labor, experience in getting Democrats elected, and good at fundraising ie readying for 2026.
The question should be "where is the Republican outrage.?"
Here’s what I’d like the Dem leaders to do—show outrage. You can’t defeat a lawless bully with a curtsy. Releasing violent insurrectionists? Firing DoJ attorneys who prosecuted T and allies? Having the largest US aviation disaster in a generation on his watch after firing aviation safety experts and the head of the FAA? Speak up about this. Yell it from the rooftops. T gets so much mileage from lies and Dem leadership does nothing with the truth. What the hell? Why do they cede the narrative when they have the better story? Let AOC take charge. She’sthe only one with fire.
And Jasmine Crockett!
Google The Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Then Google Cspan.
Search the name of specific members of the Caucus.
Listen to their comments.
AOC is not the only one.
Don’t google. Use Duck Duck Go search engine.
That is a much better option.
Yes, fire and _intelligence_. She may well be the next "Nancy Pelosi" in that she can kick things forward when necessary, bring along a faithful, intelligent, pack and strategies that work. She and a few others seems like the "real deal" and make compelling cases to action.
And we could look a lot more to people who come from working class backgrounds, who understand basics by their own life experience and know BS when they see it and what to do about it.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Get LOUD Dem leaders!!!
If I'm not mistaken, Dem leaders have spent a bunch of time grilling trump designated nominees (who've obviously been taught to do nothing but lie in their teeth no matter what). I'm waiting for the late night or early morning newsbreak that un-named former FBI sharpshooter is being nominated for a humanitarian award for putting down an overweight orange buffoon. Flags will be at half-mast for a month.
Did the fact that the Democrats boycotted the Russell Vought committee hearing stop him going on to a floor vote? Or is he going to a vote before the full Senate anyway?
Your point?
Spell out what else you expected Democratic committee members to do. They demanded to put a hold for two weeks on the committee vote, And Graham ignored them. Then they boycotted. I don't know whether an individual senator can put a hold on a nominee who has been advanced to the floor.
Democrats filibustered the Senate vote on Hegseth, delaying it for many hours trying to get one or two more Republicans to vote No.
Jeez, I’m just asking a question. I didn’t know all that, and I don’t know how the process works. I don’t know what happens if all the committee members from one party boycott the hearing. I have no expectations for the Democrats. I just want to know what happens when committee members don’t show up for a hearing. Good grief!
You could try doing your homework it's all over YouTube and other places. Wikipedia. Google search etc
The winner of t he DNC is a clone of his predecessor - who raised lots of money to no result. He's acceptable to all the 1940 French Generals, er, I mean the "establishment" of the party, standing there uncomprehending on May 15, 1940, as they watch Rommel's panzers cross the Meuse and commence the Race to the Channel that ended the Third Republic. Because all they knew was how to fight the last war.
I live in a state where one of our Senators was cognizant of the planning for Jan 6 and a newly elected Congressman for my district arrived in Washington as past leader of our State Senate. Prior to his arrival in DC his state senate office reserved a meeting room in the State Capitol for fraudulent electors (Dec 14, 2020 to be exact). SOS!
There is plenty of outrage going through all my social media feeds!!! What’s missing is LEADERSHIP. Pick a date and time - even if it has to be a last minute Flash Mob come if you can event and people will show up!!!
Who did the DNC elect today?
They elected Ken Martin, Minnesota’s Democratic chair David Hogg (YAY!) as Vice Chair.
Yay David Hogg!
Been giving to his group that supports youth candidates, <leaderswedeserve.org>
Malcom Kenyatta was also elected to one of the Vice Chair positions.
I think we are the outrage! Look on Bluesky, there is plenty of outrage there!!!
Outrage is not "writing angry comments". Outrage is marching in the streets. Have you heard about the 2/5/25 marches at all 50 state capitals? It has been announced on Facebook and Instagram, but I cannot find an organizing website for it.
What is the one thing Republicans, who are still Republicans, are saying about filibustering or challenging the MAGA blackguards? That they are afraid. They have been warned, the have been told that they will be primaried. It goes farther than that, just ask Nancy Pelosi. They are afraid. They are afraid for their families. Why do you think he "pardoned" the J6 convicts? He now has his private army who will do whatever he wills. Think Schutzstaffel aka the SS - you know, the "Proud Boys," you know the Goons who stood by as ordered.
It takes time to organize, it will happen, but we can't have one misstep. They may be stumble bums, but we don't have that privilege. With each passing day, more people are knowing they don't want to live this way, but it's still not quite right. A few more of his toddler tirades and insults concerning the people who protect, really protect this country, not only militarily but domestically, may be all it takes to break the fetid bubble.
We cannot at all forget the people who put him there and use him as a puppet. They remain and they have gained power through other means as well. Could it be time for another March on Wall Street as in the '70s?
Outrage is not "writing angry comments"
SO TRUE as well as phone calls etc..This is like a 12 alarm fire using a garden hose to control the situation !!
I read about this in a WaPo comment but didn't find much else. This was on Reddit:
"If you are in the Los Angeles area, we will be there! Join us Wednesday, 2/5 @ LA City Hall, 3pm. I urge you not to listen to the propoganda encouraging you to sit on your ass. And honestly if Trump declares martial law over peaceful 1st Amendment protests, maybe it will wake up the comfortable who would rather appease facism with their silence...inaction has historically worked out great, right? Hoping they won't come for you is not a winning strategy. Stand up, speak out! Visit r/50501 to find a protest in your area. We the people are in this together!
https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fprotest-on-feb-5-2025-v0-592ckomawfge1.png%3Fwidth%3D664%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D28a7ffd5460210e5fbb50e63d1754680058a3398
Thank you Judith!
I wish I knew, Steve. Outrageous is matching in the streets, but we’re doing nothing other than having to many sleepless nights.
We got some clues about what to do....in the effort to erase Gen. Milley and set him up for assassination, I learned that his original sin for the First Felon was his apologizing to the military for joining the Lafayette Square bashing of protestors in front of the White House as Trump trudged towards this historic church so he could hold up (barely, upside down) the Bible in front of it for a photo op. Trump had asked for this bit of theater because, he said, the protestors were making him look weak. He cares about that, he cares about polls, he cares about the stock market, and he cares about being a figure of scorn.
So at the minimum there should be a huge crowd in Lafayette Square with signs and banners, Stop the Steal, whatever. I'm 86 and can barely restrain myself from going to Washington right now. I was on a Zoom late this afternoon with a group of my high school friends and although my hair is on fire, I reluctantly agreed that we shouldn't even mention his name. One of us is a California wildfire victim and another is just out of the hospital after a seizure decked her, so the attention properly belonged to them. But also they couldn't bear to hear in detail what's been happening. It's unbearable.
Vance is on record saying just months ago that the way to take down the government is to first seize the power seats and then do whatever you want and just ignore the law. It's unclear the corrupted Supreme Court will actually come through in the end and if they do, will Hegseth bring on the troops? I really think there is nothing Trump won't do, and we are so weak as a country right now that we're sitting ducks.
Eloquent and accurate. All of this was clearly planned and stated severally, by the key players.
Thanks Fran! Sending warm thoughts to you and your friends.
And there is no time listed. How can anyone show up when there's no time and no central website. It's like a cruel joke.
That is why I advised reaching out to your local Democratic club. Talk to legitimate people first but be prepared to go beyond your comfort zone. I am working on doing that myself.
What local Democratic club? I've tried my local Indivisible. Nothing there. I've searched for local protests with specifics. Nothing. I call and leave messages for my Senators and I send emails multiple times a day. I get back form letters. I don't hear them speaking out. What I do see from them online feels bland or anodyne. I want FIRE!
Democrats are totally dropping the ball on this. If the tables were reversed you wouldn't be able to go anywhere online without finding some MAGA congresscritter or pundit demanding impeachment, retroactive to 12:01 PM, January 20.
Instead I see ads (send money!) telling us we can fix things in the midterms that are TWO YEARS AWAY. President Mump seems intent on besting the Austrian corporal's record: there's an article in The Atlantic that reminds us that he dismantled German democracy in just 58 days. Waiting until the next Congress is sworn in in 2027 to start fixing things is like hoping to vote out Hitler in 1938.
Yeah, no shit. You’re absolutely right.
Seems I've read this tirade before, on a different site. Guess one trick ponies have to keep on keeping on......
One-trick pony Donald Trump repeated false tirades for the last 8 years. We shouldn't dismiss a tirade only because it is repeated. We might better reflect how it can be turned into effective action, or consider whether the tirade is still true.
It is terrifying even if you knew what was planned. I certainly did, though not every detail. The US opposition needs to get organized. Clearly the Dems are not leading and don't have a plan. Absent them doing what we need them to do, we need to do it. Everyone should be reading project 2025 and analyses of it. Then planning, not in formal meetings but in small groups, in between official sessions. There should be no comfort in business as usual right now.
The American people and probably any allies who have not read Project 2025 should also do that and in groups where you can process it. People can join indivisible groups, because absent any governmental leadership We the people need to be leading ourselves. https://indivisible.org/groups
I read Project 2025 in a political book club discussion group which is still going strong, even though we have another direction in our reading now, but it is all connected, and we also have a resistance project we are working on which is long term. It comes out of studying the situation.
In the meantime, I am also a German citizen and I have political work to do here. Even the Americans living here in Germany who are active in Democrats abroad are also participating in the politics of the country we live in. I am exhausted from 3 demonstrations in my German city in 2 days, and am planning for one next Saturday. This is going on all over Germany. People are angry and afraid that what is going on in the US will happen here which is having a government that destroys the people. That these demonstration which have to be registered with the police tells how well organized things are here for people to get a demonstration registered in a day. One powerful group, which has its own choir is grandmas against the rightwing. Omas Gegen Rechts. There are students against the Right wing, and People against the right wing, etc... There are now even whole families calling themselves by their family name against the Right wing. The speeches are very clear about the need for solidarity and action.
What is going on now is the US and elsewhere is the culmination of decades of planning on the Right, and the Dems have not been that intentional. In the US and Europe people need to get very intentional now to fight the right.
All my local indivisible group is doing is asking for phone calls to my senators. That's not enough. If they are one of the defining activist groups then they need to lead stuff! Any more it feels like phone calls and emails to Congress aren't any more effective than commenting on social media.
If you have ideas for additional things to do let them know and take the lead on it. Usually if you are willing to do the organizing work, people are glad to let you take the lead on an initiative.
The Democrats have been too busy the last month and a half electing a new DNC Chair to worry about something as trifling as the lightening fast implementation of Project 2025. In spite of the fact this game plan has been public knowledge for over a year, and Trump winning the election in November meant IT WOULD HAPPEN, all we’ve gotten is…crickets.
Oh rubbish. If you can't be constructive and prefer to whine and carry one - just like a whole bunch of "Democrats" did after 2016, whine and carry on somewhere else. Maybe you should become more active, ever think of that? Bloody soapbox orators who do nothing but complain, complain, criticize, and complain some more are just too damn tiresome. Try the three G - GIVE some thought - not oration to what needs to be done. GET in touch with the local Democratic party and help. If you can't do these two things, GET OUT OF THE WAY and let others work towards solutions to stop the madness.
The are no Democratic "leaders"... only people who claim that title (I'm looking at you, Chuck Schumer) but actually have NO CLUE what leadership is all about.
And do you?
Yes. If you’ve read anything I’ve written prior to today, you know I’ve been a student of leadership and innovation for over 30 years and have advocated for radical systematic change for almost as long. I’m not going to repeat everything that I’ve written before here. But you are free to Look through all of my past writings.
One hint: study the work of Dr. R Buckminster Fuller and Dr W Edwards Deming. They were two of my primary teachers. There are others. But I recommend you start with them.
Prissy protests will do nothing. Trump ignored the women's march in 2017 and cleared a street protest near the White House in 2020. The only protest Trump paid attention to was the insurrection of 06jan21.
People know these facts. As the defeated begin to move on from the surprise and shock of the election, they wait patiently to see how the resistance will form and what battles it can fight. Reacting with loud outrage now gives the power over to Trump.
Hakeem Jeffries said that he will fight in Congress, in checkouts and in the streets. He can, should, must organize in his district and get in the streets. That will get press coverage. Hitting the streets in D C. so Rump.has to see and react. When he tries to.silence free speech, a message will be sent.
So you have your excuse is what you are saying and being angry at others for not showing up
I can only speak for myself and my circle — everyone I know is more outraged than they’ve ever been, to the point of feeling feral, as one of my friends likes to say. Most of us are contacting our congressmen, making donations to organizations that serve vulnerable people and spending time engaging with sites like this one so we can stay informed and understand what’s going on. I think we all want to have a bigger impact to stop these motherfuckers from ruining our country and are feeling a little helpless (not hopeless) about what to do.
Thank you, Nancy!
Yes, Nancy, exactly!
I have definitely reached my feral point.
Feb 5, we’ll march at every state capitol. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15uHVJ1Vht/?mibextid=wwXIfr
NO TIMES LISTED!
There is a possibility that a very large demonstration, peaceful or not, would give Trump the excuse to invoke the insurrection act and martial law.
I do not think we should obey in advance.
Damn app. Hakeem Jeffries said to fight in Congress, in the Courts and in the streets. In Nixon's time, we had Abbie Hoffman, who drew attention because he was so dynamic and because people.believed that the events affected their lives. Half of the people.showed.up.at demonstrations just to see what was going on, to talk to each other and he part of something that was bigger than themselves. Now, everyone can do.what we are doing, and communicate much better, but there is no impact from keystrokes, no public presence.
They are scared. Thats what the J6 pardons accomplished.
I agree. I'm going to look into who can organize a march in protest. I am willing to work on it from MD.
I just want to add that, far from knuckling under or wanting to be interpreted as a voice of despair, I have been contacting my senators and House member multiple times calling their attention to the need for urgent congressional action to combat and wherever possible reverse several specific horrific and destructive actions this Administration has taken; sharing information, including a number of your outstanding posts, Joyce, on social media; letting others know of what I am doing to provide concrete evidence they are not remotely alone with their feelings and that many of their fellow citizens feeling under assault are putting one foot in front of the other and taking concrete, doable, effective actions; urging them to take action as well; urging them to be good to one another, keep their attention on the present and foregoing unhelpful attention now on who is thought to have made mistakes in the past, who is to blame, what ifs, etc. I am suggesting, to those who are having the most difficult time emotionally right now, that they check out the Substacks, social media posts, books, and articles of Rebecca Solnit and Heather Cox Richardson, as well you, Joyce, to name just three among many whose work incorporates encouragement and emotional support as well as key, clearly conveyed factual information. And: be good to one another--lend emotional support and encouragement to one another. Such acts of solidarity help with the job of rebuilding positive norms, habits, mindsets and practices needed for not only individual and societal self protection from this onslaught, but for democratic and responsive advocacy and governance going forward. Thank you, thank you, Joyce for all you continue to do. You are a magnificent source of steadiness, truth, clarity, suggestions...and resolve.
If you haven't already please join the Alt. National Park Service. They are on fb. I don't know if they're on any other. They are becoming quite activists and may be the leaders we need.
Alt National Park Service
@altnps.bsky.social and
https://www.ourparks.org/
Ty! Just joined🙏🏼🇺🇸
My friend told me last evening that she follows them on Reddit and BlueSky I believe.
I have also been calling and writing to my senators and representatives. I’m a senior with some mobility issues and wouldn’t be able to join a March. I’m doing what I can to make my voice heard.
I am also a senior with mobility issues, but I wasn't afraid in the '50s, '60s and '70s to make my voice heard. I worked hard with other Democrats to strengthen our voter base, first as a precinct GOTV volunteer where I switched two precincts from red to blue in a deep red county, and helped elect JFK. I continued volunteering until my husband died, when I had to start working while raising our five children. Even then, I continued writing letters to my Congressmen. Come on folks, if you don't know how to start, attend your county's Dem. precinct committee for more information. Let your opinion be known!
Robert: I admire your doggedness. My question is: Have you received ANY RESPONSE?? The letters I have sent have gone unanswered. Like there is no one there. Have they ALL gone overseas?
Veronica: Not so far. My impression is that congressional offices have been hearing a great deal from their constituents since January 20. Some have suggested that massive public pushback was a key factor and perhaps the key factor in the Administration's backpedaling on its federal funding freeze, and looking massively incompetent in the process. If that is the case, it suggests that this Administration is not 100% indifferent to public opinion, as some may feel, suggest, or assume at this point. Depending on what impact continuing assertive and visible pressure on Congress as well as the Administration has, including on what damage that can be undone will be undone, I would think that additional nonviolent tactical advocacy options are a possibility more and more members of the public may become open to supporting.
Thank you for your timely reply. We just need to continue pushing back...Thank you for doing your part. You arevappreciated.
Yes, I have read that as well. People are also joining coalitions more than ever. Wish media would do a better job of reporting on it. It just takes a few to stand up and before you know it the whole audience is on its feet.
Underground.. my senators are gop, so it probably won't do any good to contact them but I'll give it a try!
They need very much to hear your voice, at least to not give their base unanimity. They are paid by your taxes and must support you too. They do tally the sentiments of people who contact them, so help tip the scales.
Please do and thank you,
I live in Missouri (Hawley & Schmitt). Wrote them both about RFK, Jr. and actually got a full-page response from Schmitt providing his take on how change is needed in our approach to healthcare. In other words, he's supporting RFK, Jr. The Doublespeak in the letter was deafening.
How absolutely sickening! You have to understand something is terrible wrong when his own family opposed his nomination! We are being betrayed by the people who supposedly represent us. I spent three summers: 1969, 70, and 71 in KC. My late husband was Assistant Director and Resident Actor at Starlight. MO was different then... I understand St. Louis and KC still tend to be democratic.
Robert Hubbell writes clear-eyed analysis followed by what we can do.
https://roberthubbell.substack.com/
Jessica Craven spells out what we can do:
https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/
He declared the war against 'we the people' with his talk of "shock and awe." If you think lives are not being lost, think about this:
• Trump fired the director of the federal Transportation Security Administration, froze hiring of new air traffic controllers. (Even though there is a profound shortage of controllers, which resulted in understaffed air traffic facilities and overworked controllers —
• Also disbanded the federal Aviation Security Advisory Committee, which was created by Congress in 1988 after the bombing of PanAm Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
• Trump never bothered to appoint an acting director of the FAA until after the tragedy that claimed 67 lives.
Even if this is not a direct link, the next one will be.
Add "and the Democratic party" in there, too. Trump should have been prosecuted immediately, never have been allowed to run, states should have been allowed to keep him off the ballot, voter suppression, gerrymandering, and voter purges should never have been allowed, every ballot should have been cured, there should have been immediate consequences the moment he broke the first law after inauguration (which should not have been attended by any prior presidents) and... where is the law now? Where is any enforcement? We are being boiled like frogs, my friends, and our D representatives are just representing us as frog legs; a R appetizer. With a sauce of complicity.
Hell yes! Goddamn it. All I can do at this moment is cuss!
No, it's normalizing fascism, with all the so-called "checks-and-balances" machinery of state asleep at the switch, and the public - its bovine stolidity locked in place - moving on to "Super Sunday".
Musk's capture of the Treasury Dept.'s payment system barely raised an eyebrow outside of informed Substack writers, and the purges of the IGs and senior FBI career executives rated only a paragraph or two amongst the - you know - "Fourth Estate".
People, it's now well beyond "creeping fascism", we're in full-gallop mode here, with little resistance from the opposition...Dems in the Senate are an embarrassment to those of us who fight to preserve constitutional government, and all but a handful have acquiesced to MAGAism as an irresistible force.
"We'll fix them in the midterms"... LOL! Damage long since done, fools...it's now or never, ffs!
Yes, MUSK HAS CAPTURED THE TREASURY! Tax refunds? Social Security checks? Our country’s bills to pay? I don’t understand why we don’t hear screaming from coast to coast. He has no such authority. It is a coup, for real.
Trump did not make Patel a liar. Patel lied initially, knowing Trump would do otherwise. By looking like he has been made a liar, Patel has plausible deniability so he can secure the office. Once sworn in, Patel will purge the F.B.I. more deeply.
I suspected, with certainty, that you are totally correct.
These dirty boys are nothing if not obvious.
EDIT P.S., thank you for responding Veronica!
Why is Elon Musk being given so much access? Has he had a security clearance? I don't want him riffling through my government documents. There is so much illegality going on, where are the enforcers? Why is nothing happening?
The enforcers have been fired.
It looks like he is making any decision he wants, even if it illegal, and his people move forward with it. Is there no push back? An emergency injunction? The US Marshals? He has seen that there is a hole in the system, and that is enforcement. How can he be stopped? He may be able to shoot someone on Times Square, but how about the executive branch as a whole? Will the same thing happen in 4 years when he just decides to stay put? Where are our lawmakers/courts/enforcers?
I think everyone who has not read Project 2025 should read it now and then make a plan for resistance based on being fully informed. I have been the canary in the coal mine among the people I know, but it is advice I am now giving. I do not feel that anything happening is surprising even if it is shocking. Shock and awe are what is wanted, but as the Bulwark said today, this distracts from paying attention to other things. I have also find reading and keeping up with what the fascism experts are saying. Ruth Ben Ghiat and Timothy Snyder have also been sounding the alarm.
Trump owes Putin what Putin wants is the US destroyed, and the EU destroyed so that NATO is cleaved by two damaged groups, and he is free to pursue his goal to rebuild the Soviet Union which he deludedly think was a great Empire, without anyone strong enough to interfere. That serves Shi too, because he has the truly powerful economy and after Putin has taken us and the EU countries out, Shi will be free to dominate the global economy and expand his empire too.
Very interesting and quite plausible. This , I believe, if it comes to fruition, could easily lead to WWIII.
(Unless every country gives in, like the USA appears to be doing.
NATIONAL ACTION CALL
Join Indivisible, MoveOn, and Working Families Party on Sunday, Feb 2. at 8pm ET for a national strategy call on fighting Trump's dictatorial actions.
Google indivisible.org
Following you domestic terrorism thought, Trump’s release of water reserves in CA using the US Army Corp of Engineers is an intentional act of retribution and effort to reduce CA’s ability to cope with the next drought
NATIONAL ACTION CALL
Join Indivisible, MoveOn, and Working Families Party on Sunday, Feb 2. at 8pm ET for a national strategy call on fighting Trump's dictatorial actions.
Google. indivisible.org
Prior to WW2 it took a major event to wake the people up and when they did wake up all he'll broke loose. It is one of America's major flaws. This time the enemy is among us and within reach if only we react before it's too late.
You're right.
Yep, we're toast! Fall-in-line or you're going to GITMO.
Yes. From Day 1 the Anti-President has Launched Coup 2.0. Do not approve the appointment of any of lying Seditionist.
And now Elon Musk has access to America’s checkbook. We’re fucked. I’m so sick about it all that I don’t know what to do.
Musk getting access to the Treasury payment system is Musk’s way of getting around the Judge’s restraining order about freezing payments. It needs to be addressed in the same lawsuits filed against that action, it’s the executive impinging on Congress’s power of the purse. Write to your electeds, federal and local.
I am writing and phoning almost everyday. Join indivisible or check out Jessica Cravin substack newsletter for ways to contact your MOC. They will even give you a script if you need help with wording. Nothing will change if we wait for someone else to do it. Get in the habit and make some noise, a lot of noise.
I do this daily and I feel like I'm shouting into the void. Seriously it's just crickets. So incredibly frustrating.
I almost clicked like, out of Habits. I do NOT like any of this. All calls to action seem to be going into a void, just like you say.The feeling of impotencia is overwgelming. Extremely depressing. My attempt to disconnecting are futile. It is driving me insane...no, not driving me. I believe I have arrived...
I did that this evening: Senator Padilla, Senator Shiff, and Representative Matsui.
Bessant literally giving Musk and his unvetted minions the keys to the Treasury goes way beyond Russell Vought's impoundment schemes. At 'best' it paves the way for if/when Vought is made director of OMB for him to identify and impound all funds for anything Trump doesn't like. And that's the most 'innocuous' probability.
Trump has, in effect, given Elon “Heil Hitler” Musk a blank check to the US Treasury. He has dispatched his people to take over the office of personnel and management, where they have commandeered the computer systems and blocked the employees’ access. My guess is that musk is responsible for that memo stopping all federal payments and grants. While Trump is certainly a great danger to this country, he pays in comparison to musk. While I wish a knight in shining armor would ride to our rescue, considering that Trump has consolidated power by decimating the FBI, owning the courts, ridding farms and food, processing plants of workers and blocking communications between health agencies and to the public, I fear no knight can rescue us. We must do it ourselves. Relentless calls to our elected representatives might help, but considering how afraid they are this dictator, I doubt they would make much difference. So, what do we do? I suggest we keep heeding guides such as Joyce Vance and Heather Cox Richardson and all stick together.
This also gives Musk access to the personal and confidential information of every American! How can that be legal???? Musk isn’t a federal employee nor is DOGE an agency of the federal government. I certainly didn’t authorize the release of my personal information to Musk/DOGE!!
There must be some legal way to stop this. DEMS DO SOMETHING!!!
We are indeed well and truly fucked.
Call or write daily: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members
And keep calling. The offices of Republicans and Democrats. Everyday, as many as you can. DC and state offices. Writing is more difficult because many of their websites won't allow out of state participation.
Calling legislators in both parties is crucial.
Fran ur info link is excellent! I love how it educates also u read it!..thks🙋♀️
Very helpful...but no answers coming back.
Elected officials’ staffers tally incoming communications.
Musk also is pushing for the privatization of the US Post Office. Your medications, including insulin, contraceptives, abortion pills, etc. may be "lost" or delayed or cost more to send. The same applies to legal and medical documents, bills, payments, passports, licenses, credit cards, checks. Most important, mail-in ballots could get "lost" or delayed until after the deadline. And, mailboxes and post offices may disappear from election districts that the "owner" decides has too many voters who will vote for the "opposition". So much for free and fair elections.
This can’t be legal.
This to me is the most worrisome part of this vendetta. The personnel things can be taken to court but allowing him access to the flow of money and possibly get around any court orders to halt freezes or just decide they some program doesn't deserve money is insane. I knew it was going to be bad with all the conservative groups planning Project 2025 but couldn't foresee this blitz.
WHERE THE HELL ARE OUR DEMOCRATIC PARTY REPRESENTATIVES????? Where’s the leadership? During the Nixon era people were informed, cared, believed in the possibility of good governance. I’m so sick of the helpless despair I read on social media. This is OUR COUNTRY. Why aren’t we acting like it????
Exactly! Where the hell are the leaders of the opposition?
We all r asking the same guestions!!..get mad & call!
They are all frightened
I was outraged last night and wanted to do something. But do what? Today several of my friends also expressed their outrage, but wondered what to do. We need our democratic leaders to take the lead. They have more of a platform, more resources and networks than we ordinary citizens have. They should be speaking up meaningfully, organizing and leading. Our leadership should not be only the Democrats! It should be all the people who believe in our Constitution, its principles, and true democracy. I know many of us donate to organizations that say they will work and fight for democracy, but where are they? And where are effective strategies that reach out to all generations, classes, citizens? I appreciate the people like Joyce, Tim Snyder, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Marc Elias, Nicole Wallace, Ann Telnaes, etc., but where are the others? It is up to us, but it is out of the bailiwick for most of us ordinary citizens to do the organizing and providing the leadership needed. I believe the majority of U.S. citizens would take a stand and work to preserve our democracy; but we need trained, knowledgeable, capable, honest leaders who are dynamic, energetic, and empathetic to guide us.
Completely right
One of the differences is that it was the Republican leaders who told Nixon he was done - Barry Goldwater. Who could imagine an analagous situation today?
The experiment called the USA, has always been tenous, even TJ who wrote the lofty words of all being equal certainly didn't walk the talk.
I think I owe it to my grandchildren to tug on the arc of history, even though I am not convinced it bends towards justice. At this point my main aspiration is to be a good ancestor.
To Gardening: From June 1972, the date of the Watergate break in, through August of 1974, when President Nixon resigned (and beyond), conservative (mostly Texas) Democrats were prominent in the the House Leadership (they chaired House Appropriations, House Ways & Means, House Banking, House Agriculture, etc), and were instrumental along with the Republicans in convincing Nixon to resign or be impeached (as you may know, the House impeaches & the Senate finishes the job). My point is that it was a BIPARTISAN effort, which would be unheard of for any purposes today. I know this because I was a young staffer in the Congressional office of the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Wow Laura that must have been so interesting! It's like no one cares & the once republican party really have become complete turn coats!!
Trump threatens to primary them if they oppose his actions. Scared little mice.
Exactly what I've been saying.
!!! This! I did finally today get an email from one of my home-state senators about the "buy-out offer" federal employees got. The gist of it was, "Oh, be careful about that offer -- it has some pretty tricky language and potentially false promises in it." Tepid, to say the least, given the magnitude of the situation. It overlooks several critical issues beyond the Stalinesque nature of the purge. Specifically,
How did Musk, he of the Nazi salutes, get hold of the apparatus necessary to write and distribute the "buy-out offer"? Why does Musk, elected by nobody and appointed to no official office, have that kind of inside access?
Do you, the elected officials in DC whose job it is to protect and defend the Constitution and by extension every one of your constituents, not see that a coup d'état is taking place? WHERE THE F--- ARE YOU? WHERE IS YOUR VOICE, EVERY FRICKIN' DAY, ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS, IN EVERY CHANNEL? WHERE THE F--- IS SCHUMER? WHERE THE F--- ARE ABOUT A DOZEN OTHER GOOD COMMUNICATORS DOING THE SAME THING? WHY ARE YOU NOT FLOODING THE ZONE WITH INFORMATION AND WARNINGS TO THE CITIZENRY?
Yes, I'm shouting. Nobody is fucking listening, and I'm fucking fed up.
The formula is basic: Tell people in everyday terms (1) what's happening, (2) why it's wrong and why it matters, and (3) how every one of us who is not a billionaire is going to get repeatedly screwed over extremely hard and will be unable to stop it.
Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to call/write without being so angry in my communication that I just get dismissed immediately without even being heard. It's 100% clear to me that as Hamilton Nolan wrote, our elected politicians are either enemies or cowards, and it is up to us to force the cowards to prove through their actions that they are not pieces of shit.
https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/how-to-think-about-politics-without
We, the regular people, the everyday folks, are gonna have to lead the "leaders." Forget the rules, forget the norms, forget the old way of doing things. We have to raise hell loudly in myriad ways; we are the leaders. The people who are supposed to be doing it on our behalf aren't doing it. It's up to us.
So how do we organize a general strike?? And oh how I wish I could resurrect Howard Zinn.
Right there with you. I feel like it’s all going up in flames and those elected to help us are taking an extended holiday. And someone over there is pointing fingers at the ones who started the fire, while the country is being decimated.
"WHERE THE HELL ARE OUR DEMOCRATIC PARTY REPRESENTATIVES????? "
WHERE THE HELL ARE OUR REPUBLICAN PARTY REPRESENTATIVES?????
There fixed it for you.
FYI Republicans were outraged at Nixon and offered him the choice resign or get impeached/removed.
Please listen to CSpan
Democrats on Senate Committees have been grilling Trump's nominees. They boycotted the committee vote on Russell Vought,
The DNC just elected a new chief. Both the winner and runner up are relatively young with good backing from labor, experience in getting Democrats elected, and good at fundraising ie readying for 2026.
The question should be "where is the Republican outrage.?"
Good luck having a country that’s solvent with democratic elections by then if people don’t put out this fire now.
Yeah, the DNC elected Ken Martin. From all I've read, a good guy, heart basically in the right place, a friend of organized labor, etc etc. Same old same old. Word up, Ken: you had better start kicking major ass over breakfast tomorrow, getting the communications organized and getting _every_ Democrat on board with contacting _every_ constituent _every_ day via _every_ platform. Our democracy is disappearing in large chunks every day while Dems do and say nothing impactful.
The choice for transformational change would have been Ben Wikler.
As far as asking where the R outrage is, all I can do is suggest that the definition of insanity is repeating the same action and expecting a different outcome. I gave up on any expectations that Rs would be decent, moral, honest, compassionate, constructive, tolerant, inclusive, fair-minded, and egalitarian years, if not decades, ago.
Get your message out.
Phone/write your Congressional delegation every day.
Phone Republican officials every day.
Don't wait until 2026. Write postcards to voters for every special or state election for which there is a postcard campaign.
Write Letters to the Editor to papers across the nation.
Volunteer with your local Democratic Committee to do outreach. Form a Rapid Response team.
Totally agree about Wikler
House democrats have been home for the past week. And there’s no leadership. The GOP is dead. Are the democrats dead too???
They’ve been busy the last 6 weeks campaigning for and electing the new DNC Chair.
While bombs are going off all over our systems. And Musk has now hacked into government computers and has access to all our data and to the system responsible for paying social security checks and Medicare payments. They’ve scrubbed and removed critical scientific and medical data from CDC and other critical medical websites. By all means, campaign while the neighborhood is burning down around us. What sort of priorities are those???
Amy - keep those demands in ur mind as u call & call everyone if ur rep in ur area is of opposite party remember this they stood up & before GOD & all took their OATH of office not for a certain group but for all..Reps in their district serve ALL
That’s the message. And thanks Pamela. I’m thinking back to my days of getting arrested from the lobby floor of the Senate (where I ironically testified as an expert on the trauma of Child Separation during Trump 1). I still remember the drill and I’m ready to go again.
I have a feeling no matter how we feel, it doesn’t matter. R’s have rolled over and dems don’t have the votes. SCOTUS has sold out. Strike 3 we are out! Ugh.
Legit question, if we all march in the streets will that change anything? Please tell me yes and I would do it. I’ve spent since 45 ran the first time saying this stuff would happen. Here we are. WTH is wrong with people??
I don’t want Elon around any of my money!
Pretty soon we won’t have a country. We ARE ALARMED!!😳
Joyce, we do see this situation as a five alarm fire. Yet, the usual democratic efforts are ineffective. My Senator is Rick Scott & he is the very worst. I vote, I write, I donate, I volunteer.
Me too. Florida resident too. Scott’s staff doesn’t even acknowledge my letters. I’m being criticized by members of my church for being vocal (I’m clergy). I marched in the 1960s and while in my 60’s. I’m so discouraged
Let them criticize!..Don't they realize these people r the opposite of good!!..Can't they see that!!..Well hang in there because what ur trying to do is help in ur own way to save their lives!!
Hagerty, Blackburn, and Burchett here in Tennessee. I write, I call, I door knock, and get out the vote. Crickets.
The thing with protesting is we know what trump thinks of peaceful protesters. He’ll just sick his paramilitary on us.
That might be the "wake-up " our country needs!!!
I agree, but who among us will be the target?
Exactly right.
Protesting in the streets? I am afraid we will be shot in the legs by Trump's loyal military!
Not only in the legs ...
The present regime is protecting assassins and is a severe threat to us. We have become THE ENEMY.
When I told people that if the orange helium balloon became president we were not going to be able to get rid of him or the regime, I was told I was exaggerating or plain nuts. " This is America" they said. " "He cannot do that. " "We have a Constitution." they said. I say they do not understand that history DOES repeat itself. All empires fall.
I feel like I am on one of those reoccurring dreams, where you are falling in a never-ending precipice.
I will never think of myself as 'the enemy'. The MAGAts are. Of all that this country stands for. I don't see us getting out of this via the courts: SCOTUS is completely corrupt. We'll be in the streets if the Congress doesn't show some spine. It's going to be up to us.
I am game.
Polly,
Damn, I like your spunk and guts!
You’re my hero!
Is it going to come to shooting back at these GIJoe sandbox militas?
I fear marching in the streets will be the excuse he's itching for to impose martial law, and to order protesters shot.
Kathy, given what we saw when Trump tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of the presidency a peaceful march of protest would probably not remain peaceful. That concern is why I think people who are in fact enraged are not shouting to the roof tops that Trump and his minions must be stopped. So we must encourage our representatives in Congress to take action available by law and the constitution to stop Trump's destruction of our democracy and hope SCOTUS has not become so decayed that they willcdo what is right for the prople of yhe coubtry.
Summer is coming…
GOTV 2026 has already started.
Get involved.
We’re living the continuation of the Jan 6 coup. I’ve never been so worried for my country.
Agree. Frightened
Add David Lebryk, head of the Treasury Dept who resigned rather than turn over Treasury access to Elon Musk, to the names of Elliott Richardson and William Ruckelshaus as American heroes.
Now who is going to stop the musk? He should be arrested.
🎯🎯🎯 and then deported.
I’m tired of the premise as of late that we Americans do not care about the current travesties going on. The majority of Americans did not bring this on ourselves. My daily rage, despair and anxiety over it is off the charts! When we have a failed court system, a dysfunctional Congress and an out of control executive branch, average citizens feel small and powerless. Yes, we’re going to march at our capitols on Feb. 5th. With fear of a madman calling Marshal Law, what the hell are our choices? We keep hearing that at any minute election cheating both foreign and domestic is going to be uncovered. Is it false hope? Who of us has gotten any sleep the past 3 months???!
And a completely silent judiciary.
"silent"? Methinks you misspelled "complicit". Or perhaps "supportive"
Yes Doug. You’re right. Russia , primarily, worked harder than in the past to put this criminal in power. How do we stop that from happening again? Their misinformation campaigns were horrendous. So now we think Tulsi Gabbard is going to help? What a fucking joke. WTF do we do? I know I’m posting too much but just trying to get some help with how we stop this criminality.
Exactly! Half the country is outraged, but feel stymied about what to do about it other than sending messages to our Congresspersons. We need leaders similar to the Civil Rights leaders of the 60s. Some of us are baby boomers who are not physically up to task. We need people like Obama and Harris to step forward to organize. Then even if/when it happens there is the real possibility of using the military against protesters 😰
I agree. I’m hoping that the G7 Europol takedown we keep getting whiffs of actually happens. For 3 months we’ve held hope and prayers for some justice.
There was election cheating. Trump lost. Voter suppression won. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BVwCwpvvx/?mibextid=
Many of us aren’t marching but are pushing electeds to take action. Some of mine are doing so, including Senator Patty Murray and WA Attorney General Nick Brown.
I think one reason there has been no response from the public is that we have seen no response from politicians who supposedly oppose the first felon. If those with any sort of “power” kiss the orange ass, what can we poor peons do? And it has all happened so quickly, one destruction of rights after another, it is hard to know what to respond to first, as well as how. I’m 75 with arthritis & breathing difficulties— tho I marched in the 60s, I just can’t today. And most of my generation are the same or worse. And I’ve been reading that many of Gen Z are avid orange ass-kissers now. I’m eager to help, but pouring my life-savings into a political party’s coffers is not wise either. I and many others want to do something, but what would be useful? Any suggestions?
Call or write daily: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members
Joyce, I am agitating. There are things happening but the campaign of fear is working for some. I am agitating and lots of other people are but there must be more! The new DNC chair said it’s time to fight and I hope he means it. There was a march in St Louis today - not seen anywhere except some social media. We need to fight! Call your reps! Talk to your people! We’ve got to pull together and resist!
I don’t think there is a single thing we can do. We need lawyers, judges, and our legislators to call a halt to all this. The GOP is responsible for this traitor we have as a president. They are complicit in all he does! Not a word out of them because they are totally on board with the program. Musk needs to be arrested and the felon in chief needs to be impeached, NOW!
I’m not sure they are ALL totally on board as much as totally bowled over. Or terrified.
This is the shock effect trump is hoping to land.
Render us immobile.
There were at least 40 assasination attempts on Hitler. There was an organized, underground resistance movement in every occupied country during WW2.
More people voted against Orange Hitler........channel worry energy into action
NATIONAL ACTION CALL
Join Indivisible, MoveOn, and Working Families Party on Sunday, Feb 2. at 8pm ET for a national strategy call on fighting Trump's dictatorial actions.
indivisible.org
Yes, I certainly don’t see the judicial branch getting involved. Now, I know that traditionally they don’t, or can’t get involved unless it’s by a specifically filed case brought legally in front if the court, whether trial level, appellate, or supreme, but thus is the very existence of the country that’s at stake. They need to get involved and stop these monsters!
I am absolutely terrified tonight. The rule of law is breaking down completely, and Elon Musk now has access to multiple millions of bank accounts (including mine).
The tanks are rolling. The Reichstag is burning.
I have been extremely upset, especially when I saw they are talking about releasing the names of the FBI staff, just as they are putting them back on the streets with the freed insurrectionist. Even though I know I'm not supposed to, I am sending big post cards to all republican senators, basically asking them if they want to be remembered for doing the right thing and standing up to him, or as an enabler who could have saved the country and chose not to. I am pointing out to them that if they stand together, they can stand up to him.
Flood their voice mail and their social media. Dox them all. Parade in front of their homes.
Why do you think you are not supposed to send mail to senators?
obstruct all manner of business. Why Americans are
sleeping through this is the most troubling.read Hubbel’s substack. this is a coup.
we must ask our congress people to bring up impeachment every day and ask our senators to
Trump and his minions have been planning all this for 4 years. They are doing all their law breaking rapidly to razzle dazzle us and distract us from focusing on any one thing. This is very serious and if we don’t stop it now, I’m afraid we won’t be able to at all. This calls for taking to the streets like the South Koreans did at the first sign of autocracy! They stopped it! I’m 80 years old but I can get out there with my walker!
I will join you with my walker. T will be in big trouble if he sets a gang on us! Even Trumpers have grandparents.
Polly, We love you! I would be honored to walk with you!
Love you too! Now how to implement this? I think walkers and wheelchairs should lead the march. If T dared to stop us ,his troops would have to contend with walkers, wheelchairs and crutches.
Now that is a truly brilliant and original suggestion. Jane and Polly, count me in!
Me too. I am 84.
Actually more like 50 years but I get your point. B
I'm 77 and I'll go too!.
SCOTUS gave Trump a pass. It’s on them.
NO ITS ON US. The blame game gets us nowhere. Now we’re stuck with what we’ve got. If people want to be idle as we watch Elon Musk - with the consent of the acting Treasury Secretary - break into and take control of trillions of dollars means for social security and Medicare, wtf are we doing about it?????? If Trump wants to shut down our critical sources of medical information, WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT???
Amy, I agree that the blame game gets us nowhere. What will it take to get people involved and, in the streets, voicing our concerns? Two friends and my husband and I are all in our late 70s; however, we did not allow age or weather (freezing temps and snow) keep us from participating in the Washington D.C. Women's March (also called the People's March) the weekend of the inauguration. We have never participated in any other marches or demonstrations. We felt compelled to take action. What will it take to get others involved? We need another MLK to motivate the people and call them to action. The time is now!! Joyce, can you point us in the right direction to put action to fears?
Good question, what are YOU doing about it?
What am I doing about it. I’m spending every day working to protect the undocumented parents of my incredibly traumatized low income child patients. I’m organizing phone calls to every representative. I’m generating resources and medical information to replace what’s being scrubbed from all of the federal medical sites. I’m disseminating information on the avian flu that people can’t get any more. I’m organizing my community to participate in marching yo our local state house. I’m organizing other sources of rides home from school for the children of undocumented parents along with helping those who are afraid to leave their homes with grocery shopping.
I’m 75 years old and I have lupus. But I’ll be damned if anyone is going to take my country from me without a fight. I went to jail for this country before and I’ll do it again if I have to.
What are YOU doing other than asking snarky questions?
My state of Colorado tried to keep Trump off the ballot. SCOTUS insisted he had to be on it. None of this is on me.
It’s on you now. Just like it’s on all of us. What are we going to do. I don’t frankly give a shit who did what before 1/20. We’re at ground zero and looking back is utterly useless
SCOTUS majority is his appointees. That’s how he weaseled out of his trials.