Bundled tightly in his winter coat, Donald Trump stopped to talk to the press with that familiar mix of slick double-talk and impatience before flying to Fort Bragg. It should have been a moment for the president to explain the stakes of a government shutdown, to reassure the public, and to show even a hint of commitment to bringing both sides together for the good of the country. Instead, he used it to lash out. "The Democrats have gone crazy. They're radical left lunatics," he barked, turning a straightforward question about the budget into yet another attack on half the nation he was elected to serve. And it set the tone for everything that followed...
There are so many strands…a cobweb of global and institutional unraveling. It is hard to keep up, but that is the most challenging thing about Fascism, it moves and changes at an alarming pace. Emotionally, my attention is drawn to those most affected…children, families in concentration camps. Deportations. Gaza as well. But instincts tell me to look for what is happening governmentally, globally.
At the Munich conference today, Europe is strongly critical of the move towards Authoritarianism. Trump’s speech to the US troops was like a political call to arms!!
I don't know, Heather. It all seems so much, so fast. I so appreciate all of your hard work in ferreting out the facts hidden in all of Trump's bullshit, but discouragement abounds. It is incredible that the people in control of our government are willing to let this man continue to unravel everything this country has spent 250 years building. I am 63 years old. My husband has Alzheimer's. I work full-time. When - IF - I ever get to retire, what will be left here? I am relying on my SS being there when I retire - that seems doubtful now. What is this country going to be left with - my children's futures have faded into darkness. More and more, moving to another country seems the only viable solution - but then the thoughts of uprooting my husband from his familiar surroundings, leaving my church family, and losing contact with my children and my lifelong friends surface and I am torn between two choices that are both undesirable. I contribute what little I can to Minneapolis groups, national causes that resist fascism, and share as many articles as I can on social media. But - we have *3* more years of this!! How do we continue to put one foot in front of the other in the face of daily destruction of our entire way of life. Now, despite Congressional votes and the checks and balances in effect, he says he will essentially take control of our voting abilities - and there seems to be no way and no one to stop the bulldozer effect on a free and fair election process. You say you have hope, but mine is fading fast....
I hear you, Colleen. It feels to me like even our best journalists and pundits have a failure of imagination. Look what this admin is trying to do to election integrity. And even with (🙏) a Dem House, will this govt. ever follow the law or listen to Congress? Feeling hopeful is getting a lot harder….
Hold Fast Colleen! Stick to your convictions, there are more of us in the same exact predicament that you and your family are in, and we will continue to fight against Trump and his lily-livered followers that ONLY CURRENTLY hold power. As Heather states, the truth is coming out more and more every day—the Pam Spam Bondi debacle was on full display this week for anyone that cares to witness. Have faith, the true strength of American citizens is on the rise and gaining more and more strength. And I am quite sure that even MAGA supporters true beliefs are beginning to wane, even if they won’t openly admit it right now, they are beginning to be in the minority and people, even young students, are fighting back and calling them and their Dark Lord out! NEVER GIVE UP!
Regarding Trump thinking he can make an executive decision on voter ID, I have a major problem with that. I think every state’s Attorney General that sees the laws being broken needs to band together and get an immediate case before the Supreme Court. In the meantime those of us who see the Republican restrictions going too far need to go out in their cities and towns to find those people who are going to need assistance in getting the proper ID. If it means driving them to a passport office, or clarifying what is needed now as things stand, be at the ready to drive people to polling places if mail-in-ballots are denied by some states. I live in a very blue state but if you live in a red state you have more work to do. If we want Democrats to win in the midterms we need to start now by getting voters properly registered and then making sure they get to the polling area on Election Day. We can’t wait because for some this process of proper ID may take a while.
From Kareem Abdul Jabar’s Stack today: “…We need to remind each other that the cost of silence is always higher than the cost of courage. As long as we stay focused on that, standing up becomes—if not a whole lot easier—then at least manageable.”
Side thought: By forcing more Voter ID requirements on US citizens in order to vote, Trump may be shooting himself in the foot. I believe more real Americans will do whatever it takes right now to vote against MAGA and Republicans that support Trump’s initiatives. In my experience and view, I do not believe that 10%-15% of MAGA voters will be able to comply with increased voter requirements or will be willing to take the time to do so. My belief is that anti-MAGA voters are more dedicated to the cause (and are more intelligent) than many of the core MAGA sheep.
Why aren’t all media screaming about the attempt to make it harder to get a passport while republicans are trying to require one to vote. Trump will soon talk about martial law when the “save act” doesn’t pass and he bombs Iran to distract and outrage us.
Hello NON-SUBSCRIPTION READERS—the cost to subscribe to Heather’s enlightening and informative writing is ONLY $5 a month! Other Substack subscriptions writings are $7, $8 or more per month... Heather is great at writing in ways that hit directly to what IS ACTUALLY GOING ON, with a style that gets to the truth. A Subscription for a month costs less than a fast food sandwich! Come on and support her fantastic work, it is obviously very important.
Hi Heather,
There are so many strands…a cobweb of global and institutional unraveling. It is hard to keep up, but that is the most challenging thing about Fascism, it moves and changes at an alarming pace. Emotionally, my attention is drawn to those most affected…children, families in concentration camps. Deportations. Gaza as well. But instincts tell me to look for what is happening governmentally, globally.
At the Munich conference today, Europe is strongly critical of the move towards Authoritarianism. Trump’s speech to the US troops was like a political call to arms!!
Glad to have discovered your work. Keep up the great articles. 🕊️
I don't know, Heather. It all seems so much, so fast. I so appreciate all of your hard work in ferreting out the facts hidden in all of Trump's bullshit, but discouragement abounds. It is incredible that the people in control of our government are willing to let this man continue to unravel everything this country has spent 250 years building. I am 63 years old. My husband has Alzheimer's. I work full-time. When - IF - I ever get to retire, what will be left here? I am relying on my SS being there when I retire - that seems doubtful now. What is this country going to be left with - my children's futures have faded into darkness. More and more, moving to another country seems the only viable solution - but then the thoughts of uprooting my husband from his familiar surroundings, leaving my church family, and losing contact with my children and my lifelong friends surface and I am torn between two choices that are both undesirable. I contribute what little I can to Minneapolis groups, national causes that resist fascism, and share as many articles as I can on social media. But - we have *3* more years of this!! How do we continue to put one foot in front of the other in the face of daily destruction of our entire way of life. Now, despite Congressional votes and the checks and balances in effect, he says he will essentially take control of our voting abilities - and there seems to be no way and no one to stop the bulldozer effect on a free and fair election process. You say you have hope, but mine is fading fast....
I hear you, Colleen. It feels to me like even our best journalists and pundits have a failure of imagination. Look what this admin is trying to do to election integrity. And even with (🙏) a Dem House, will this govt. ever follow the law or listen to Congress? Feeling hopeful is getting a lot harder….
Hold Fast Colleen! Stick to your convictions, there are more of us in the same exact predicament that you and your family are in, and we will continue to fight against Trump and his lily-livered followers that ONLY CURRENTLY hold power. As Heather states, the truth is coming out more and more every day—the Pam Spam Bondi debacle was on full display this week for anyone that cares to witness. Have faith, the true strength of American citizens is on the rise and gaining more and more strength. And I am quite sure that even MAGA supporters true beliefs are beginning to wane, even if they won’t openly admit it right now, they are beginning to be in the minority and people, even young students, are fighting back and calling them and their Dark Lord out! NEVER GIVE UP!
Regarding Trump thinking he can make an executive decision on voter ID, I have a major problem with that. I think every state’s Attorney General that sees the laws being broken needs to band together and get an immediate case before the Supreme Court. In the meantime those of us who see the Republican restrictions going too far need to go out in their cities and towns to find those people who are going to need assistance in getting the proper ID. If it means driving them to a passport office, or clarifying what is needed now as things stand, be at the ready to drive people to polling places if mail-in-ballots are denied by some states. I live in a very blue state but if you live in a red state you have more work to do. If we want Democrats to win in the midterms we need to start now by getting voters properly registered and then making sure they get to the polling area on Election Day. We can’t wait because for some this process of proper ID may take a while.
TRUMP, WE ARE GOING TO BEAT YOU!
From Kareem Abdul Jabar’s Stack today: “…We need to remind each other that the cost of silence is always higher than the cost of courage. As long as we stay focused on that, standing up becomes—if not a whole lot easier—then at least manageable.”
Side thought: By forcing more Voter ID requirements on US citizens in order to vote, Trump may be shooting himself in the foot. I believe more real Americans will do whatever it takes right now to vote against MAGA and Republicans that support Trump’s initiatives. In my experience and view, I do not believe that 10%-15% of MAGA voters will be able to comply with increased voter requirements or will be willing to take the time to do so. My belief is that anti-MAGA voters are more dedicated to the cause (and are more intelligent) than many of the core MAGA sheep.
Why aren’t all media screaming about the attempt to make it harder to get a passport while republicans are trying to require one to vote. Trump will soon talk about martial law when the “save act” doesn’t pass and he bombs Iran to distract and outrage us.
Hello NON-SUBSCRIPTION READERS—the cost to subscribe to Heather’s enlightening and informative writing is ONLY $5 a month! Other Substack subscriptions writings are $7, $8 or more per month... Heather is great at writing in ways that hit directly to what IS ACTUALLY GOING ON, with a style that gets to the truth. A Subscription for a month costs less than a fast food sandwich! Come on and support her fantastic work, it is obviously very important.
Well Done!
...in a good-bad way...
Heather, you have a way with words.
Just subscribed. Keep up the good work!
We are frogs!