Jeff, the chimes of freedom do grow faint, but today I felt lots of joy at our local 4th parade. For me today was a "pause in the days occupation" to refortify my resolve with the happiness of meeting and making new friends, as well as seeing children waving flags and receiving candy as our float pasted by. It was a parade route lined with smiles, laugher, lots of red, white and blue outfits, as well flags waving. Tomorrow we solider on.
America's Return to Slavery(this time with immigrants)
Timothy Snyder brought to light the use of concentration camps in Germany to work in the mines and factories to support the Nazi war movement Of course another name for this is the use of indentured concentration camp inhabitants into forced labor is slavery
Now the current Nazi regime in the WH is thinking that that's not such a bad idea, using concentration camp immigrants to serve the needs of American companies for a price!! Cheeto has suggested that that would be a way to put some money in the American coffers and fix the unemployment issue for companies What a great idea!
Of course WE the People can boycott these complicit companies Ask Musk how boycotts work Our first action is to be on the lookout for such travesties going forward and then show these companies that we are watching
A warning that needs to be heeded. trump and maga have turned bread and circuses into beer and circuses. Performance at all costs. As the despicable, deranged, disturbing, disgusting trump blows millions on clownish parades and deadly document signing, he proudly exclaims that feeding the wealthy and starving children and the elderly is good economic sense. millions His demented cult laps it up like a thirsty dog, while the suffering mounts, costs, rise, and America takes a back seat on the world stage. trump is an embarrassment to all but those who find more satisfaction is Nazi propaganda that would shame Goebbels. t
rump and his maga brain dead cult have traded American greatness for fealty to a compromised, convicted felon, and the daily beer and circuses avarice and perform ave. Who cares the kids go hungry and grandma gets booted from the nursing hoe, did you see our savior trump sign the budget bill with planes flying overhead? Did you see it! Wow...
Yes, we are in the abyss. All this energy needs to turn to finding a voice for the future of those of us that are not with the MAGA/Republican party. I would like to see some real leadership emerge that the rest of us can coalesce around. We know how horrible what is and has happened, now where is the future? We won't get out of this mess without leadership and strong positive and transformative messages that will allow us to see a future.
Today, for the first time, I read John Adams's “A Dissertation on the Canon and the Feudal Law,” Section III.
I felt that I was reading something more relevant than the Declaration of Independence in this 1765 document. Section III presents the connection between ignorance and tyranny. It also presages the 1st Amendment and the separation of church and state--Christian Nationalists would not like what it says.
The document's 18th-century syntax is more complicated than 21st-century syntax, but it's well worth the effort to read
I agree with you about all of the Trump enablers who are non-Congress people. They are as you describe. However, the congress people are in a separate category. They violate the constitution, they wrote of office, most likely, their religious values all in-service of protecting their jobs by genuflecting before Trump. If the Republican party remain the party and acted on their real values and oaths, Trump would be defeated. They have no opposition because the Democratic Party lacks a plan, lax leader, and lack of voice until it is too late. Hakeem Jeffries standing in Congress for eight hours is a useless effort. Why weren’t he and other Democrats standing in front of Congress, having press conferences in Republican areas, screaming about the defects of the bill and shaming the Republicans. Why are they not impressing on them that losing their constituents is a greater risk to their job Than facing a primary with someone handpick by Donald Trump, most of him generally lose we are here because of failures of both parties.
As Jon Stewart said back in 2010, "We live in dark times, not end times." The times have been growing darker since a backlash against our first Black president erupted in republican ranks and produced the proto-MAGA movement called the Tea Party - filled with the same sense of white grievance, coated in racism, dipped in white Christian Nationalism and wrapped in an American flag. Back then, many now NeverTrumpers were riding that wave nativist resentment. What emerged from that sewer was the filth we're dealing with now, led by an orange carnival barker who rose to prominence pushing a racist lie called birtherism. So, a little humility and self-examination wouldn't go amiss when talking about how we got where we are today. I believe people can change, and many of those who brought us to this place have done so. I welcome them to the ranks of those of us who never needed that lesson.
Things never looked darker than they did in the early days of the American Revolution when our rag-tag Continental Army suffered defeat after defeat and retreated into fields west of Philadelphia to overwinter at Valley Forge, knowing they were outmatched and outnumbered by British forces. During that bleak winter, Thomas Paine produced the first of a number of pamphlets called The American Crisis which jolted a dispirited country to stiffen its resolve. He began by saying this:
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."
This is MY country, and I love it. I will not surrender what our ancestors fought for to a bunch of phony, performative patriots who only love the show of patriotism but not the work of it. Happy Independence Day, fellow pro-democracy patriots! Today, we remember and celebrate what our founding generation gave us. Tomorrow, we resume the fight. Until we win!
Let’s not forget Jeff and other Republican operatives of past years laid the groundwork for where we are today. I’d like to see introspection, an apology, and a path forward from him.
I’m not giving up and giving in.
If we look at what our African American brothers and sisters have endured, the sacrifices they have made and the accomplishments they are responsible for, we can fight and persist so that we forge a path forward for all of us.
STOP with the doom! Your words are no help. As Judge Luttig has said, "the republic was lost on 6 January 2021." The situation now requires real courage, facing reality, and organizing for the long struggle that will eventually reclaim Independence and our Constitutional Republic. We as a nation have been sliding for a long time. So it will take a long time to rebuild what has been left to take care of itself. So, yes. The gop is full throated fascist. The oligarchs have their hands on the government. But the story of this time is still being written and lived. The language of defeatism, which is what I hear in your words, never serves anyone but the very forces that intend to win by sapping the courage of the people standing up for freedom, democracy, and the constitution. Get on the right side of history. This crowd will not succeed unless We the People let them succeed.
Yes, Linda! I'm tired of "doomscrolling," but it's all I have if I want to keep abreast of our nation's political situation. I want to hear encouragement! I want to hear where we are successful... so we can build on it! I want to know how many people are starting or continuing to fight! I want to know what kinds of plans are being outlined and how we can follow them!
I'm so tired of the defeatist attitudes that many people have... including our supposed leaders. And especially the attitudes of Republican legislators who support Trump in public but who malign him in private. Where is their courage??? People WILL stand behind them if they vote with the interests of their constituents in mind.
I phoned a California representative and told his office that the should NOT vote for the budget as the bill was written. I said too many people would be in worse conditions than they are now. This man represents a relatively poor part of our state. But his office said that they take comments only from his constituents. Really??? That awful bill is affecting ALL Americans... not just his constituents. But he caved, just like Lisa Murkowski.
Good for you for calling. I recall a state rep of the gop saying the exact same thing. There is a screw loose in this approach. I wanted to ask, "Is the business lobbyist visiting your office today a resident of your district?" IMO all congressional districts are too large...over 700,000. They should be no larger than 50,000-100,000. That means a larger congress. The senate membership should be changed as well. A project for another time!😅
Jeff, the chimes of freedom do grow faint, but today I felt lots of joy at our local 4th parade. For me today was a "pause in the days occupation" to refortify my resolve with the happiness of meeting and making new friends, as well as seeing children waving flags and receiving candy as our float pasted by. It was a parade route lined with smiles, laugher, lots of red, white and blue outfits, as well flags waving. Tomorrow we solider on.
America's Return to Slavery(this time with immigrants)
Timothy Snyder brought to light the use of concentration camps in Germany to work in the mines and factories to support the Nazi war movement Of course another name for this is the use of indentured concentration camp inhabitants into forced labor is slavery
Now the current Nazi regime in the WH is thinking that that's not such a bad idea, using concentration camp immigrants to serve the needs of American companies for a price!! Cheeto has suggested that that would be a way to put some money in the American coffers and fix the unemployment issue for companies What a great idea!
Of course WE the People can boycott these complicit companies Ask Musk how boycotts work Our first action is to be on the lookout for such travesties going forward and then show these companies that we are watching
A warning that needs to be heeded. trump and maga have turned bread and circuses into beer and circuses. Performance at all costs. As the despicable, deranged, disturbing, disgusting trump blows millions on clownish parades and deadly document signing, he proudly exclaims that feeding the wealthy and starving children and the elderly is good economic sense. millions His demented cult laps it up like a thirsty dog, while the suffering mounts, costs, rise, and America takes a back seat on the world stage. trump is an embarrassment to all but those who find more satisfaction is Nazi propaganda that would shame Goebbels. t
rump and his maga brain dead cult have traded American greatness for fealty to a compromised, convicted felon, and the daily beer and circuses avarice and perform ave. Who cares the kids go hungry and grandma gets booted from the nursing hoe, did you see our savior trump sign the budget bill with planes flying overhead? Did you see it! Wow...
Yes, we are in the abyss. All this energy needs to turn to finding a voice for the future of those of us that are not with the MAGA/Republican party. I would like to see some real leadership emerge that the rest of us can coalesce around. We know how horrible what is and has happened, now where is the future? We won't get out of this mess without leadership and strong positive and transformative messages that will allow us to see a future.
Today, for the first time, I read John Adams's “A Dissertation on the Canon and the Feudal Law,” Section III.
I felt that I was reading something more relevant than the Declaration of Independence in this 1765 document. Section III presents the connection between ignorance and tyranny. It also presages the 1st Amendment and the separation of church and state--Christian Nationalists would not like what it says.
The document's 18th-century syntax is more complicated than 21st-century syntax, but it's well worth the effort to read
it.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-01-02-0052-0004
I
I agree with you about all of the Trump enablers who are non-Congress people. They are as you describe. However, the congress people are in a separate category. They violate the constitution, they wrote of office, most likely, their religious values all in-service of protecting their jobs by genuflecting before Trump. If the Republican party remain the party and acted on their real values and oaths, Trump would be defeated. They have no opposition because the Democratic Party lacks a plan, lax leader, and lack of voice until it is too late. Hakeem Jeffries standing in Congress for eight hours is a useless effort. Why weren’t he and other Democrats standing in front of Congress, having press conferences in Republican areas, screaming about the defects of the bill and shaming the Republicans. Why are they not impressing on them that losing their constituents is a greater risk to their job Than facing a primary with someone handpick by Donald Trump, most of him generally lose we are here because of failures of both parties.
As Jon Stewart said back in 2010, "We live in dark times, not end times." The times have been growing darker since a backlash against our first Black president erupted in republican ranks and produced the proto-MAGA movement called the Tea Party - filled with the same sense of white grievance, coated in racism, dipped in white Christian Nationalism and wrapped in an American flag. Back then, many now NeverTrumpers were riding that wave nativist resentment. What emerged from that sewer was the filth we're dealing with now, led by an orange carnival barker who rose to prominence pushing a racist lie called birtherism. So, a little humility and self-examination wouldn't go amiss when talking about how we got where we are today. I believe people can change, and many of those who brought us to this place have done so. I welcome them to the ranks of those of us who never needed that lesson.
Things never looked darker than they did in the early days of the American Revolution when our rag-tag Continental Army suffered defeat after defeat and retreated into fields west of Philadelphia to overwinter at Valley Forge, knowing they were outmatched and outnumbered by British forces. During that bleak winter, Thomas Paine produced the first of a number of pamphlets called The American Crisis which jolted a dispirited country to stiffen its resolve. He began by saying this:
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."
This is MY country, and I love it. I will not surrender what our ancestors fought for to a bunch of phony, performative patriots who only love the show of patriotism but not the work of it. Happy Independence Day, fellow pro-democracy patriots! Today, we remember and celebrate what our founding generation gave us. Tomorrow, we resume the fight. Until we win!
Yes! We speak with the same beliefs and voice. Thank you.
Let’s not forget Jeff and other Republican operatives of past years laid the groundwork for where we are today. I’d like to see introspection, an apology, and a path forward from him.
I’m not giving up and giving in.
If we look at what our African American brothers and sisters have endured, the sacrifices they have made and the accomplishments they are responsible for, we can fight and persist so that we forge a path forward for all of us.
STOP with the doom! Your words are no help. As Judge Luttig has said, "the republic was lost on 6 January 2021." The situation now requires real courage, facing reality, and organizing for the long struggle that will eventually reclaim Independence and our Constitutional Republic. We as a nation have been sliding for a long time. So it will take a long time to rebuild what has been left to take care of itself. So, yes. The gop is full throated fascist. The oligarchs have their hands on the government. But the story of this time is still being written and lived. The language of defeatism, which is what I hear in your words, never serves anyone but the very forces that intend to win by sapping the courage of the people standing up for freedom, democracy, and the constitution. Get on the right side of history. This crowd will not succeed unless We the People let them succeed.
Yes, Linda! I'm tired of "doomscrolling," but it's all I have if I want to keep abreast of our nation's political situation. I want to hear encouragement! I want to hear where we are successful... so we can build on it! I want to know how many people are starting or continuing to fight! I want to know what kinds of plans are being outlined and how we can follow them!
I'm so tired of the defeatist attitudes that many people have... including our supposed leaders. And especially the attitudes of Republican legislators who support Trump in public but who malign him in private. Where is their courage??? People WILL stand behind them if they vote with the interests of their constituents in mind.
I phoned a California representative and told his office that the should NOT vote for the budget as the bill was written. I said too many people would be in worse conditions than they are now. This man represents a relatively poor part of our state. But his office said that they take comments only from his constituents. Really??? That awful bill is affecting ALL Americans... not just his constituents. But he caved, just like Lisa Murkowski.
Good for you for calling. I recall a state rep of the gop saying the exact same thing. There is a screw loose in this approach. I wanted to ask, "Is the business lobbyist visiting your office today a resident of your district?" IMO all congressional districts are too large...over 700,000. They should be no larger than 50,000-100,000. That means a larger congress. The senate membership should be changed as well. A project for another time!😅
Yes! Resist the pull to obey in advance! Well said, Linda. I'm fighting hard beside you.