I've had my differences with you Rick, but recently I've set them aside via the recognition that you are a genuine patriot, truth-teller and hero of the resistance. Sorry it took me so long to get here, and my profound, profound thanks.
Thank you Susan, for the article. I see hope, in these protests. 🪧. Shock Troops, in Minnesota, according to MS Now. This poor lady feel Minnesota is a test case for ice, she was traumatized. We need to defund ice. Subcribe to Lincoln Square. , we need to continue pressure on this government. They are afraid for schooling children as they maybe put in harms way. Make an investment in democracy please subscribe to Lincoln Square.
Rick: Thank you for showing a path forward. I am traumatized by what is happening to our beautiful country, so I try to focus on what I call “the rebuild.” This essay gives us a few more bullet points to include in the outline. I am also interested in a “truth and reconciliation commission,” as was done in South Africa after apartheid: ICE and DHS agents facing Renée’s loved ones, for instance. Hey! That might be even scarier for agents than the threat of prison! Love to you, Susan
How do we effect change at the top of the Democratic Party? Working to win back the House and Senate will be for nought if we just hand the hard won victory to Shumer and Jeffries. All the things that Rick has identified that need to happen will come if we elect the right people - not more octogenarians, or lawyers, or millionaires, or spineless wimps who still think they're compromising with the Republican Party of the 1980's. Everytime I read about another Senate confirmation of another administration sycophant aided by Democrats I loose faith that we'll ever have the will to save this democracy.
These are great ideas, with ample historical precedent for their effectiveness, from Nuremberg to Rwanda and South Africa.
One question though: what are we gonna do about Fox News and Newsmax keeping up a loud and abusive counter narrative 24-seven while all this is happening? Much of what we are suffering stems directly from the relentless propaganda of Fox News since its founding. And what about Musk’s X?
Is a new Fairness Doctrine the first step? Ending anonymity on social media?We need to make these ideas work, and the forces that will be arrayed against them will be powerful and incredibly well-financed!
Spot on, as usual, Rick. Once the garbage has been tossed into the burn pit, to be never again seen, we must make sure that any lawbreakers who took the oath are swiftly prosecuted for their crimes. No more bullshit about weaponization of our Justice Department, but prosecutorial actions based on the rule of law. Jack Smith has shown the way it can be done. Perhaps he can be persuaded to head up the Justice Department. We will need as many men and women who, like him, uphold their oath to the constitution.
We also need to start seriously regulating social media and AI. If "influencers" pretend to be native born but are from other countries, bar them from pretending to be who they are not. Also, end all government contracts with Musk's companies and take away his citizenship.
Restore unions in this country - the real reason we were so affluent before Reagan destroyed them. That alone could help reduce the MAGAfied, as they'll have good-paying jobs again and won't blame anyone else for "stealing" them.
Don't just ban Trump officials from civic roles, exile them...preferably to Venezuela or Siberia.
Let's also take a look at the President's ability to pardon criminals at will, with no explanation. Abuse of this has been a seething undercurrent in our collective sense of fairness
As frustrating and maddening as our current situation is, it is vital that we in the opposition stay calm. This administration is pushing for us to become violent in return so that martial law can be called. We must push back at peaceful (no matter what they do) protests, at the ballot box, and with words to the media that they are culpable in this situation. The mainstream media has been pandering to this administration for the whole time - “explaining”, softening, even blocking opposing ideas. Between the Supreme Court patsies and the mainstream media, we’ve a long fight ahead of us. Stay strong, stay calm, and mostly, keep track of your neighbors and communities.
Another overnight random thought. Boy, we were dumb. He really doesn't want to be king, he wants to be president of every country in the world (except Russia and China...wouln't want to upset his buddies.)
All of this Rick, which I fully support, and more, must be done. But for it to happen, Trumpism must be defeated at the ballot box. You must ensure that elections are held and that their integrity is preserved.
I, from Greece, and thousands more around the world, are watching with bated breath.
Do not let this wonderful experiment in democracy fail. Do not let 250 years of building democracy be torn down. The eyes of the world are upon you. Do not let the light of liberty go out on your watch.
I've had my differences with you Rick, but recently I've set them aside via the recognition that you are a genuine patriot, truth-teller and hero of the resistance. Sorry it took me so long to get here, and my profound, profound thanks.
Thank you Susan, for the article. I see hope, in these protests. 🪧. Shock Troops, in Minnesota, according to MS Now. This poor lady feel Minnesota is a test case for ice, she was traumatized. We need to defund ice. Subcribe to Lincoln Square. , we need to continue pressure on this government. They are afraid for schooling children as they maybe put in harms way. Make an investment in democracy please subscribe to Lincoln Square.
Rick: Thank you for showing a path forward. I am traumatized by what is happening to our beautiful country, so I try to focus on what I call “the rebuild.” This essay gives us a few more bullet points to include in the outline. I am also interested in a “truth and reconciliation commission,” as was done in South Africa after apartheid: ICE and DHS agents facing Renée’s loved ones, for instance. Hey! That might be even scarier for agents than the threat of prison! Love to you, Susan
How do we effect change at the top of the Democratic Party? Working to win back the House and Senate will be for nought if we just hand the hard won victory to Shumer and Jeffries. All the things that Rick has identified that need to happen will come if we elect the right people - not more octogenarians, or lawyers, or millionaires, or spineless wimps who still think they're compromising with the Republican Party of the 1980's. Everytime I read about another Senate confirmation of another administration sycophant aided by Democrats I loose faith that we'll ever have the will to save this democracy.
These are great ideas, with ample historical precedent for their effectiveness, from Nuremberg to Rwanda and South Africa.
One question though: what are we gonna do about Fox News and Newsmax keeping up a loud and abusive counter narrative 24-seven while all this is happening? Much of what we are suffering stems directly from the relentless propaganda of Fox News since its founding. And what about Musk’s X?
Is a new Fairness Doctrine the first step? Ending anonymity on social media?We need to make these ideas work, and the forces that will be arrayed against them will be powerful and incredibly well-financed!
Spot on, as usual, Rick. Once the garbage has been tossed into the burn pit, to be never again seen, we must make sure that any lawbreakers who took the oath are swiftly prosecuted for their crimes. No more bullshit about weaponization of our Justice Department, but prosecutorial actions based on the rule of law. Jack Smith has shown the way it can be done. Perhaps he can be persuaded to head up the Justice Department. We will need as many men and women who, like him, uphold their oath to the constitution.
We also need to start seriously regulating social media and AI. If "influencers" pretend to be native born but are from other countries, bar them from pretending to be who they are not. Also, end all government contracts with Musk's companies and take away his citizenship.
Restore unions in this country - the real reason we were so affluent before Reagan destroyed them. That alone could help reduce the MAGAfied, as they'll have good-paying jobs again and won't blame anyone else for "stealing" them.
Don't just ban Trump officials from civic roles, exile them...preferably to Venezuela or Siberia.
Just some thoughts...
I love the idea of restoring civic grace.
Bravo! This is a true call to action. We can do this and save , or rather, reclaim our democracy.
What about Elon?
And yes, Jeff and Zuck and so on.
But mostly Elon.
What did Musk get out of the Doge Demolition Derby?
What has he done with the data his minions collected?
Did Musk throw the 2024 election to Trump, as Mad King Donald has claimed?
We need to make our government too hot for the private sector to splash around in. Let's set an example: Put Musk in prison.
Let's also take a look at the President's ability to pardon criminals at will, with no explanation. Abuse of this has been a seething undercurrent in our collective sense of fairness
Thank you, Rick. I shall make all my voting decisions in 2026 and 2028 based on this template.
This is a tremendous idea, Rick! Sign me up!
As frustrating and maddening as our current situation is, it is vital that we in the opposition stay calm. This administration is pushing for us to become violent in return so that martial law can be called. We must push back at peaceful (no matter what they do) protests, at the ballot box, and with words to the media that they are culpable in this situation. The mainstream media has been pandering to this administration for the whole time - “explaining”, softening, even blocking opposing ideas. Between the Supreme Court patsies and the mainstream media, we’ve a long fight ahead of us. Stay strong, stay calm, and mostly, keep track of your neighbors and communities.
Another overnight random thought. Boy, we were dumb. He really doesn't want to be king, he wants to be president of every country in the world (except Russia and China...wouln't want to upset his buddies.)
All of this Rick, which I fully support, and more, must be done. But for it to happen, Trumpism must be defeated at the ballot box. You must ensure that elections are held and that their integrity is preserved.
I, from Greece, and thousands more around the world, are watching with bated breath.
Do not let this wonderful experiment in democracy fail. Do not let 250 years of building democracy be torn down. The eyes of the world are upon you. Do not let the light of liberty go out on your watch.