Brett Meiselas of Meidas Touch (the fastest growing independent news network in the world) posted a death threat he’s recently received with violent sexual content. He needs our support.
Boycott is now my favorite word! EVERYONE must stop making these billionaires richer. We do have power. Not only boycott stop using all of their poison! We do not need it. We have Substack and YouTube, we are good!
There is no Whole Foods where I live , but there was where I use to live. I read labels on cans and their 360 canned goods were made in China.
They were founded by libertarians and libertarians are interest in only one thing, themselves and that of course entail making a profit, and not just a profit but the most that they can
They are like Bill Maher, spoiled brats that never grew up.
I am with you on Amazon, but if you live where there are no brick and mortar stores, and your local market doesn't stock or can't keep on the shelf the items you want or need. You don't have a choice, and let's not hear about Ebay, Walmart both are owned by families and investors that are as right wing and self serving as Bezo's. In fact all of your big box stores from Safeway, Kroker to Home Depot and Target are MAGAts, and even Trader Joes, and wholesalers. For those in the west Publix, Piggly Wiggly are MAGAt
We are surrounded.
Somebody give me the name of one large progressive retailer.
Thanks. I have a COSTCO membership, alas the nearest CostCo is four hours and $70 away. They don't have much of an online presence and service. The products which they do carry on line are of no interest or value to me.
"I am with you on Amazon, but if you live where there are no brick and mortar stores" -- (or, I'll add, you have no way to get around physically) -- "you don't have a choice" -- (again, I'll add, or your choices are extremely limited.)
I hate having to rely upon Amazon, but I do. I went to my local brick and mortar locally owned Market, the owner tries to keep the shelves stocked, but he can't keep up with demand. It runs out of stuff all of the time. even my brand of Kitty litter (World's best) Polygrip (yeh I have dentures), even garlic olives and ginger snaps.
And as for anything else, if it isn't in the second hand store, or the tourist shops, forget it. We do have an Ace Hardware that carries a lot, and a Home Center that basically caters to construction and home builders.
We have two real auto repair shops, and you have to make an appointment, up to a month, a lot of shade tree mechanics, but I wouldn't have them work on anything newer than a 1975 Maverick.
I couldn't even dind someone to clean out the gutters on my roof, and as far a carpenter, all of the hammer and saw guys are working for the two contractors that build homes.At least we don't have any town houses and condo's. It took three months to get an arborist to come out and trim my fruit tree. and a month to get the septic service to inspect my drainfield.
Anyway Amazon is my llfeline, I received yesterday an arthritic thumb brace which I couldn't buy local.,and an air purifier special for pets.,even oxygen concentrators, that are reasonable and don't cost thousands.
But what is the difference between buying from Amazon and a chain store owned by billionaires that support the Republican party and Trump?
KDSHERPA, we also lack nearby stores and we do not have a car but my wife is adamant - we use the internet to find the product at another site or go without. Most of the time, the cost is the same or less. We do not support Amazon!
Precisely, William. Where I live the choice is not between Whole Foods and the Fairy, but between WF and the other corporations. If you are on a low sodium diet, WF is better than the others.
I live in a Walmart town - Tehacha-pucky. I use Thrive Market, Public Goods, Thorne Labs for supplements, Sea to Table, Green Chef, Chewy, Viva Raw, Costco...not all of these companies have been vetted by "Goods Unite US" but they are small enough that I will support them until I find out differently.
Whole Paycheck is way overpriced. We have better alternatives here: Aldi, Jewel (Albertsons), Mariano's (Kroger), though Mariano's appears to be getting greedy.
John Mackey, the last remaining co-founder of Whole Foods Market, sold the company to Amazon for $13.7 billion on August 28, 2017. As of March 4, 2019, Whole Foods has more than 500 stores in North America and seven in the United Kingdom.
Canceled my Amazon subscription when Bezos donated $1M to the sloguration fund. Do not want 1 cent of my hard earned money trickling down to the narcissistic sociopath Dumpster. Doing just fine without Amazon. Using Fandango to watch movies.
Trumpet 🎺 is a transaction guy unless he can profit directly from an activity he won’t pursue that activity…
His rhetoric is extreme .
Be aware that he has number one goal of look at me ; give me money.💰 .
I am concerned that he has re energized his army of followers ( brown shirts)oath keepers etc .
They will provide the muscle for any radical actions that will threaten our government our democracy our way of life. That the place where our eyes should be most vigilant…
I do feel like I’m getting more than crickets from MSNBC, but I imagine it varies from one show to another. I rarely watch them before late afternoon - I mainly watch the evening shows. Rachel Maddow is back to 5 nights a week for the first 100 days of tRump’s presidency.
Rachel is good as is most of the talking heads, but bear in mind that MSNBC is owned by NBC universal and it is owned by Comast, and comcast is owned by Vanguard, Blackrock, State Street and Brian L Roberts, who is also it's CEO and Chairman and it is the owners that dictate what can be covered and at what depth..
What you see forming with the pardon of Stewart Rhodes and Tarrio,is the birth of Trump's equivalent to the Sturmabeitlung and I don't see MSNBC expounding on that little feature. Then again I don't much watch it anymore, as I detect and have detected since Nov 5th an increasing drift to quiet acceptance and even rationalization as if this was nothing more than politics.
It isn't it is life and death serious, not politics, It is epipolitical.
They stood by, and then went into action on his command, but it was not out of decency that Trump pardoned them. He knows that they have millions of supporters and sympathizers in this country (and abroad). Hopefully, not all MAGAS sympathize with them, or approve of his action.
Good point William... and we know that Hitler had Ernst Rohm and many of the Brown Shirts murdered on the night of the Long Knives only 2 years after he took office. The Oath Keepers had better keep looking over their shoulders... Just saying.... GH
Right, Trump will go for the money. This is why he is so in bed with big pharma.
And this angers his followers. To reduce his support, keep harping on the danger and inefficacy of the vaccine he is so proud of. It's easy. There are many scientific papers showing all kinds of nasty side effects, and how efficacy switches from weak to negative after a while, making recipients more likely to catch the virus, and more likely to get seriously ill.
Even better if you can show him profiting from the mRNA.
Not just boycott. Divest from these companies… pension funds and endowments are what will matter. Protecting the company stock prices is why their leaders cow-towed. The cost of siding with the wrong side (they know right from wrong, except for Musk. He’s on the wrong side) must cost them where it really hurts. Everyone sees the share prices. We must also publicize and reward the good companies. A list of these is welcomed .
No, not difficult. Whole foods wiped out oodles of businesses specializing in organic food and , as corporation overtakes do do, created a mush market of commercialized product lines in the same packaging . When saying no to ' illionaire greed profits the opportunity to cut the glut of pollution's and land fill pollutant profit are vital acts against glutton garbage too.
sure did. The big organic food store in Boulder, Colorado, was called Alfalfa's Market before it was acquired by Amazon and rebranded as Amazon Fresh. Alfalfa's Market was known for its wide selection of organic and natural products, and it had a strong presence in the Boulder community.
Bezos sure doesn’t care. He just closed every Amazon warehouse in Quebec throwing 2000 out of work. These oligarchs are very much part of taking over/destroying the economy of Canada. This is frightening
Also, Bezos and Amazon had an early start here in Seattle WA. I haven't done biz with Amazon since he 'did in' the independent book sellers by taking over their inventories to sell on line. And Bezos 'fled' WA to FL because WA was going to implement a 'tax the rich' program to redesign our state tax system. I also heard that his mega yacht, traveling a river in the Netherlands, got to an old bridge, couldn't get under it and asked/demanded the city dismantle the bridge to make way for his yacht. They DECLINED ! Bezos or Bozos as I refer to him ~ is/was one of the most egregious of the lot of B's on Trumsk's dais ~
I have no idea who advertises on Fox or X- any help here? Re: supporting organizations/litigation, Americans United for the Separation of Church & State is also working hard ( au.org ).
Colin, your comment sounds like trolling. If it isn’t, it’s precisely the wrong approach. The goal is to support human rights and work build a just and welcoming country, not to demonize political opponents.
Yes that's what I meant. I think Trump, Musk and co are moral degenerates, and the right is one the side of those opposing them. Just like the Allies v Nazis in WW2. I think freedom is very important, and so it the rule of law. Trump and co oppose it.
Organisation is what they lack. In some respects they could be called a movement - this would certainly apply to some of the militias. Mostly, they seem to me a disparate group of the desperate, the disillusioned, the fanatical and the downright crazy. The one thing they share is a profound ignorance.
You are correct Russell, We need organization, but not the corrupt, effete and feckless Democratic party, look at them now, Schumer, Fetterman, Connolly kissing the ring.
This is not politics, and hasn't been, only the Democratic party, it's Strategists, analysts can't see that. When you are a hammer everthing is a nail, begone Carville, Biggs, Begala and all of the so called strategists that rush to the cameras on MSNBC> Time for new leadership like AOC.
They would have to be a radically different party. I personally do not blame them for respecting the election result and the Constitution but you're right that they are sorely in need of new leadership.
I didn't mention respecting the election result, you injected that, but since you brought it up. I do fault Kamala and the DNC for her concession at 4 pm on Nov 6th while votes were being counted and not challenging the results in Pennyslivania which shows very obvious voter interference, like throwing out 60,000 provisional ballots and there were organized efforts afoot to challenge the Pennsylvania Vote.
To make things worse, Biden was glad handing Trump the day after at the White House and treating the Trump victory like it was an ordinary transition, and at Carters Funeral there was Obama and Trump yakking it up, sharing jokes at Carters funeral never the less.
What's going on? Are we victims of a theatrical production?
Well Vic, you talk of patience like there will be a tomorrow. The sun will certainly come up tomorrow, but it rises on a hellscape. The era of politics is over. The Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society has seen to that, and they found the perfect tool - Trump.
The old days are gone, this is a new era, a new regime (not an administration) Dems and pundits are talking about taking it back in the mid terms, rots of ruck on that.
Inn 2017 it was Trump trying to single handedly remake the country, but the Heritage Foundation learned and has used him, very capably I might say, to remake the government, and by casting aside the constitution, and they have the help of six of their acolytes on the Supreme Court, and a subservient media, which, if it isn't motivated by ideology, is motivated by shareholder value.
Patient for what Vic. 20 years ago, on an Anomalies and Enigma forum, I had conversation with an old Florida dude, who said that the civil war was unnecessary all that was needed was patience, because eventually slavery would have become untenable as it was uneconomical.
And what about the miliions that would be born and died as slaves till then, and slavery wasn't just about economics, it was a lifestyle,it provided social status and plantation life style for planters.
BE patient. I guess all of the Jews, socialists, Slavs and queers that were rounded up and liquidated might have something to say about patience.
Patience only works if you are unaffected or marginally affected by this authoritarian regime.
Franco's Spain only unraveled after his death, and then not completely, because the real power in Spain is the Catholic Church, they even have their own army. The Spanish Legion: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QBoV9LnYxmc
Mussolini's Italy only fell apart because of the landing on Anzio.
Hitlers Germany only fell apart because of the landing on Normandy.
If you are waiting for Orban's Hungary, Erdogan's Turkey, Putin's Russia, the Mullahs Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kim's Korea to fall apart, don't stick your bare hands on your ass too long, they will grow there.
Donald Trump *speaks* like a populist but doesn't act like one and if you think he, with a "businesses uber alles" attitude is pro unions, you are sorely mistaken.
I support Meidas. And now that 1600 criminals are loose the threats will continue. During 47’s campaign he went on and on about all the criminals coming through our borders, but the hypocrite released 1600 criminals before our very eyes into America.
And, not just the big names - but folks in your community who write a letter to the editor that gets published. We're pretty much all fair game - and we pretty much all need support - because Each One Lift One (as I've been saying for decades) is the way through. Let's make that The Way #12
I hope he was reported the death threat. At a certain point, a threat crosses from speech to a criminal action. It sounds like this threat might have crossed that point.
Yesterday was a difficult day for many of us The Trump Blitzkrieg of executive orders was intended to overwhelm us and dispirit us. Do not give in to the defeatist thinking that Trump and his cohort are attempting to instill. RESIST in in all places, in all ways all of the time.
Today’s topic of “What can you do? and Ten Ways To RESIST Trump II" represents the beginning of movements that should unite us and not allow the show of fascism and power to allow us to become depressed and defeatist. Some people have accused the Democrats of “Rolling over and playing dead.” If that is the case, do not follow their example. Look for brave people and organizations and support them.
"The country’s largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, has spoken out against the pardons, as has the International Association of Chiefs of Police.” - Heather Cox Richardson
Who would have guessed that it is the leadership of the police unions and Association of Chiefs of Police that would take the lead in the newly forming resistance movement. This is significant as the Trump Administration is counting on the police to begin enforcing his bat sh*t crazy flurry of executive orders. I never thought I would find myself praising the leadership of the police! United Resistance can unify strange bedfellows into becoming a united force for justice and freedom.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a new protective force was created from loyalists. The new administration doesn’t want to deal with existing forces that can’t be trusted. A new law enforcement agency could be created and given powers of enforcement and never be punished for implementing “unlawful” orders. And everyone else goes to the camps.
Eventually they’ll be punished. In the aftermath of complicit behavior, “I was only following orders” doesn’t wash. And while their dear leader has immunity,they do not…and if the past is instructive he’ll leave them twisting in the wind.
It has happened in the past, so why can’t this scenario be considered in the USA? I’m curious about your thinking on this scenario, instead of “troll alert” response without substance.
Police are NOT inherently bad. There are generations serve and protect. The problem is NOT DEFUND the police. The problem is chronic underfunding, lax oversight, anemic recruiting, under training, under paying and militarization. Broken windows was a theory that backfired. Why isn't there an ROTC kind of service club in every high school and middle school to mentor kids to serve and protect your own neighborhood? Officer Friendly. His name was Fred.
Police are certainly not inherently bad, but then most of maga isn't either. They are just responding to right wing media lies that painting liberals as monsters and liberalism as evil.
Part of the problem is that we no longer teach civics, but I'm afraid we are soon to get a lesson.
Oh my! I wrote mentoring!!!!! Thank you for catching this horrific change my phone made! I am certain I saw it correctly before continuing my typing on this screen, and I had no idea such a horrible change was made!!!!! I am not sure how I can get that off, but thank goodness you caught it! At first I did not understand your reaction. Now that I see why, I am shocked!!!!!
I'm glad to see the Fraternal Order of Police is speaking out against Trump's pardon of the 1500, but unfortunately they are also criticizing Biden for his pardons, especially the pardon of Leonard Peltier. I read a book on Peltier's case and he was railroaded as the FBI needed to find someone to put away for the crime. The judge in the case was highly biased.
Also the Fraternal Order of Police strongly endorsed Trump in all 3 elections. I hope this group, along with everyone else who voted for Trump, will realize how wrong they have been.
I'm glad they spoke out but they need to keep speaking up and do more or it will amount to nothing.
FOP in their statement also said, ..".we thought he had our backs." How can they be so stupid? Did he have their backs on Jan. 6? Did they have their backs when he kept saying he would pardon the 1500 when he was reelected?
People are not acting very rationally. Well they often don't. It seems they act on what they hope to be the case based on emotional /cultural connections to someone or some things.
Except that the Cops have been the core of MAGA, until now. The cops perceive themselves as unappreciated victims of woke libs, I am pretty sure that 99.9% of them voted for Trump and that the FOP and IACP donated to Trump.
Stewart Rhodes is founder of the Oath Keepers, and then there is the Constitutional Sheriff's and Peace Officrrs Association
, a nationwide organization of right wing cops and sheriffs.
CSPOA reported 4,500 dues-paying members, including over 200 sheriffs. In 2021, former CSPOA president Richard Mack said that 3,000 sheriffs in the United States were members of the association.
They are experiencing FAFO now. These organizations still endorsed Trump, in spite of the facts that Trump told the nation he would pardon the J6 domestic terrorists. What a stupid move on their part.
We can only hope these groups do not turn around like elected officials did by the end of January 2021 when pilgrimages to kiss the ring were in display.
So the police union is surprised that a felon pardoned a lot of felons? How quaint.
It’s not like they didn’t know. Everyone knew.
For Donald, everything is transactional. Right, wrong, morally or ethically questionable? None of that matters. What matters is, “what can you do for me.”
One thing I do to cheer myself up and snap out of it, when I get down and overwhelmed by all of this - & I'm in the UK, so this goes back over the past eight years when the Tories were still in charge, cutting vital services, 'getting Brexit done', sucking up to Trump, letting Putin run riot over London & murder his dissidents all over England, etc - is just to look at what Led by Donkeys is doing. They're an absolute inspiration to clarity at all times. Their Musk action yesterday was stellar - just look it up.
Marc, I agree. There will be busloads of legal challenges. We must stop pretending that we have no power. TOTAL-RESISTANCE to a president who is NOT legitimate is EXPECTED. DO you want to scare the shit out of these people…REFUSE TO COMPLY. Doctors should NEVER let a woman die because of Felon-trump’s Fascist desires. And when that doctor defies the felon, we must overwhelmingly and loudly step in!!!
I refer to many of his signings as “The Menus” which helps me appreciate the seriousness of some of them, but also to remind myself that 99% of the time, trump doesn’t understand what he’s signing.
In a way, I hope enough get through to wake up the MAGA faithful who idolize trump. When their ox gets gored and they suffer consequences of their vote for trump, they may have to realize how idiotic their dreams of "own the libs," erase those disloyal to trump, control the media, pardon all friends of MAGA/trump/GOP including jailed 1/6/2021 insurrectionists who attacked people and broke our laws. Sometimes the only way back is to let "loose the hounds of hell." I do not see much that can stop trump/GOP now that POTUS has special legal immunity for crimes if they are part of his undefined "official acts."
I don’t even know what it will take to wake up the cult. I know someone who somehow went from being a progressive to joining the cult. She had an in between period of being a Stein supporter, but now she believes that everything against tRump is a Democratic lie. There will be a lot of blaming Democrats for the sh*t that tRump is pulling.
The only “side” I’m interested is the one the Founders envisioned in The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States of America. These documents define a nation based not on wealth or privilege but on the rule of law., one that recognized and sought to advance the inherent dignity of the human person. Let us continue the effort to build a more perfect union by working to uphold liberty and justice for all. 🇺🇸 🗽
Trump is old and soon he will be gone and so will his odd hold on so mandy people. That is the wonderful thing about life. At some point in time even the worst people die. I encourage Trump to keep eating McDonalds and all the fried food he can get the White House kitchen to serve.
I'm in Canada but will be following Robert's advice as much as possible. These tips are essential "boots on the ground" pointers for people of good will everywhere at this time, not just in the USA.
We also need to resist the Trump playbook in Australia, Sabina, and especially now when we have a Mussolini look-a-like (and closet fascist) as leader of this country's opposition!
Revolution against the Oligarchs is near and very REAL!
Revolutions against oligarchs are complex social phenomena driven by economic, social, and political factors. While they are not strictly caused by “mathematical triggers,” certain quantifiable thresholds or disparities often create the conditions for revolutionary movements. These include:
1. Gini Coefficient Thresholds
• Definition: The Gini coefficient measures income or wealth inequality (0 = perfect equality, 1 = perfect inequality).
• Trigger: Studies suggest that when the Gini coefficient crosses 0.4–0.45, dissatisfaction and unrest are likely to grow, as the majority feel excluded from economic benefits.
2. Wealth Concentration Ratios
• Definition: The share of wealth controlled by the top 1%, 5%, or 10% of a population.
• Trigger: When the top 1% control more than 40–50% of a nation’s wealth, it can signal oligarchic dominance, alienating the broader populace and fueling revolutionary sentiment.
3. Poverty and Real Wages
• Definition: The proportion of the population living below the poverty line and the purchasing power of wages.
• Trigger: Rising poverty rates combined with stagnant or declining real wages (adjusted for inflation) erode public trust in the system and amplify calls for radical change.
4. Unemployment and Underemployment Rates
• Definition: The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed or underemployed.
• Trigger: Unemployment above 20%, especially among youth, correlates strongly with revolutionary movements.
5. Food Price Index Spikes
• Definition: The cost of basic food staples relative to incomes.
• Trigger: Sharp increases in food prices (e.g., 30–50% within a short period) strain low-income households, often acting as a tipping point for unrest, as seen in the French Revolution and Arab Spring.
6. Social Mobility Decline
• Definition: The ability of individuals to improve their economic status relative to their parents or peers.
• Trigger: A marked decline in intergenerational social mobility (measured by metrics like income elasticity) can solidify perceptions of oligarchic entrenchment.
7. Tax Burden Inequities
• Definition: The ratio of taxes paid by different economic classes.
• Trigger: When the tax burden disproportionately affects the middle and lower classes while the wealthy avoid significant taxation, resentment builds.
8. Critical Mass of Disenfranchised Population
• Definition: The percentage of the population feeling politically or economically excluded.
• Trigger: When 50–60% of people believe the system is rigged against them, organized opposition becomes more likely.
9. Government Debt and Corruption Metrics
• Definition: Levels of public debt relative to GDP and perceptions of corruption (e.g., measured by Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index).
• Trigger: High debt levels coupled with blatant corruption can erode public trust and amplify anger against oligarchs.
10. Economic Shocks
• Definition: Sudden disruptions like financial crises, hyperinflation, or severe recessions.
• Trigger: Economic shocks exacerbate existing inequalities, often serving as the immediate cause of revolutionary action.
While no single metric guarantees a revolution, the interplay of these factors creates tipping points. History shows that when economic inequality, political corruption, and social discontent align, they often ignite transformative movements.
Ya know who is warning about the pitch forks coming out? The Oligarchs. They know.
Be careful though. We need a revolution, but we need to avoid a violent revolution because it leads to chaos, a place where psychopaths like Rump thrive.
Agree. I would add to your list total debt (private and public), this seems to follow inequality in US (as measured as % GDP). Trump has been enabled by ultra wealthy to prevent FDR style reforms. https://larakeller.substack.com/p/why-us-democracy-had-to-die
But who will be blamed? The Baltimore Banner has an article on the red wave among former Bethlehem Steelworkers. They used to be Democrats but blamed the union when Bethlehem Steel went bankrupt. They don’t realize that the union is as much of a victim as they are. They have no knowledge about corporations and the GOP undermining unions for decades.
If there is anything that those of us who are looking on in horror from the other side of the world (I and my partner are in Australia) can do to help, please let us know.
Participate in the boycotts of the international companies that operate in Australia. Then support everything local that undermines their reach. This includes eating as locally as possible.
Maybe I'm wrong, but this is where I think the election was lost. Democrats cannot message themselves out of a wet paper bag, while the Right has developed a media machine that goes far beyond Fox, NewsMax or even the Heritage Foundation and CATO Institute. The master of politicking, Machiavelli, said that in politics, whoever (the prince) was willing to go the morally lowest would win. The best liar, and we know who that is, has a huge advantage. Dems are lousy liars at best and since their "prince' is the Constitution, an inherently moral document.
It's worse, the messages the Dems did choose were terrible and the only one I saw was "send us money".
I believe that the solution was and still is messaging. This was discussed on lib-talk.com ... for all the good it did. What is needed is short, pithy sayings that can be pasted into the comments sections that (1) reveal the maga lie and (2) tell the truth of the matter.
I see that the lib-talk site was taken down, so I emailed asking about it and was told it was written for before the election and so was not relevant now, but an update was being considered.
The best message shows the right wing lie and also states the truth. For example: "it's not about right vs left, it's about top vs bottom, wealthy vs working class".
The point of it was still true. For all of Right Wing Media organization, your maga in the comments section is ignorant and horrible at saying anything more than right wing talking points. Dems should be able to totally dominate the social media field using brief statements that reveal both the maga lie and the truth.
We are all about "maga folks didn't realize they were voting against their own interests". Why did they do that? Hyper organized and focused Right Wing Media. Maybe that wasn't everything, but it was more than enough to win the election. Dems need to get in the game on social media and comments sections to refute the maga lies with simple truths. IT'S EVEN FREE TO DO.
MAGA voters were voting for a promise from Trump to favor their interests against the interest of other Americans. He did this by flattering them that they are "Real Americans" and vilifying the "Others" as threats. He got way with this rubbish, because for 40+ years the message from both parties has been that there is not enough space for everyone. I think Trump voters know the lies. I doubt they realise that what counts as being a "Real American" will shrink as US democracy is dismantled, and the need for mass election apeal shrinks with it.
You should lobby the Australian government to publicly set its emissions target for 2035 right now in compliance with the Paris agreement. Neither the government nor the opposition seems keen to get into this before the election.
When, if, we finally win this fight, your efforts will assure you a place in the pantheon of the 2nd American Revolution.
I so much appreciate what you are doing.
38 years ago, I chose to change my country of residence, to New Zealand, the best decision I have ever made.
But, born American, I will always be American, and I will always remember the principles that we were taught, back in the day.
Bless you, Robert, you show, by every communication, your continued allegiance to those same principles.
Once upon a time, in the Vietnam era, David Crosby and CSN sang a song, "Long Time Gone."
The critical line was that "It Appears To Be A Long Time Before The Dawn."
Well, that is true, today. But...the dawn will inevitably come. And Trump and his scum will evaporate in that dawn's strong light, if we all combine to defeat his evil.
If we don't...we deserve the alternative.
Thank you again, Robert, you are one of our strongest and best.
I’d also add something which has already been said many times, “Do not obey in advance,” such as many “mainstream” journalistic organizations are already doing. Bending over to try to please this “administration” in hopes of gaining some kind of personal advantage or stave off problems is a non-starter. I’m sure the vast majority of this column’s readers know this already but I just wanted to put it out there.
Thanks Noisemaker for that insight. I have noticed for some time now that national media seems a little "off": out of tune with the reality of our situation. And I suppose that is to be expected. I can't think of an example where A revolution started at the top.
It took a group of powerful allies to defeat Hitler. Who can we build alliances with to defeat this modern day Hitler? I think we must look to the past for guidance on how to move forward. We can't do it alone.
Yes Em, the return to modern and civil thinking won't come by itself. Needed is "zivilcourage", as was shown yesterday in the church by "a nasty woman". How close this incident was to the actions of "die Weisse Rose" remains to be seen. These students payed for their courage with their heads.
Many Americans feel "oppressed" by the high cost of living, and they are outraged that past governments welcomed foreign multitudes into the country. Trump speaks and acts for them, and he will continue to enjoy their support for the time being. Many of them will become our allies once Trump's policies begin to hurt them.
The task seems insurmountable, and the future holds a darkness we've never seen before. People appear transfixed upon the negativity that their lives seem to be filled with. Somehow optimism has hidden itself from our view, but the concept hasn't been altogether forgotten. Tell stories to our children of the ways things used to be and how freedom warmed the hearts of all our peoples across this great country. Kindle a want within the next generation to restore life to a level where honesty and compassion for one another supersedes anything the evils our current society seem to relish. Teach them hope is a real thing not a fool's dream lost in a political party that's controlled by morons.
Keeping the stories alive for our children and grandchildren is vitally important. I hope Robert adds this to his list. Freedom is an ideal that must be nurtured. Thank you for this brilliant suggestion.
Donald, while it may be true that most of us alive today have not seen a darkness like this repressive regime unfolding, look back to the murderous regimes of the 20th century in order to comprehend the loathsome acts of which humanity is capable. Many of our parents and ancestors faced this degree of evil close up and delivered a disabling blow to it. Most of them guided their children to show courage and to stand up for human decency. It is for us as Robert has outlined to form a plan of action to undercut the fallacies of this illicit new administration and show the courage to deliver the truth to needing people. Independent news sources like this Substack are critical alternatives to media who caved to the trump regime. Every day we need to rekindle a positive outlook and to do at least one good thing as well as to sustain our livelihoods and mental health.
We have to fight fascism, whether we succeed or not. Whether it appears surmountable or not is made irrelevant. It is not a normal task where doing something else might be a better use of energy. I would say fight it now, with urgency, while you still can. Anything short of violence.
"We will fight for you!" states the lawyer's commercial. So let's start hiring lawyers. ACLU lawyers, Earth Justice lawyers, Common Cause lawyers, Public Citizen lawyers--and these are just a few out of many.
This is what is not understood. The effect authoritarianism has on our psyches. We are/will become fearful, despondent, lacking in hope, willing to “snitch” on others for self-survival.
Yes! Also ACLU. If we don’t stand up now, it will be harder later. They are trying to inundate and overwhelm us, we do need to find our community and organize.
Robert, thank you for this. I live in New Zealand. How can I help? I can’t donate money to American elections (besides which I’m permanently broke haha). I am sharing lots of articles (containing the truth) on my Facebook page - I’m dependent on it for keeping in contact with friends and family, so detaching from it isn’t something I feel able to do right now … I’ve deleted my Amazon accounts (including Audible and Amazon Prime), cancelled my Twitter account (ages ago, when that creature Musk bought it and ridiculously changed its name to X), stopped subscribing to the WaPo and NYT, and subscribed to a bunch of Substacks including yours. What else can I do to help?
Yesterday, a fellow poster here added this: "I believe the American people WILL turn against him within 6 months when the effects of his lies and 'policies' hit their pockets."
Yesterday -- a massive storm dumped snow along the Gulf of Mexico, along the I-10 corridor.
Florida's First District -- which comprises four counties in the panhandle -- is holding a special election on April 1 to fill the seat vacated by Matt Gaetz. I've already donated and am getting more involved in the Democratic campaign for that seat. Her name is Gay Valimont.
An important addition to any list of Trump actions to be resisted and I believe it to be critical should be; any attempt to eliminate future national elections. In a number of speeches and comments, Trump told his followers to vote him into office and they would not need to vote again. I believed him and that he will attempt to do exactly that. It is imperative to be ready to prevent any actions to deprive citizens right to vote.
Start by calling your senators and congressman or woman and keep at them until they convince you that plans have been made and are ready to be implemented if needed.
Trump plans to impose "party rule" not "rule by law" on federal government. This will be extended to state governments, who run the election process. If a president can give immunity to a militia who threaten government officials, then there are no independent judges or election officals and so on. Every step of dismantling US democracy, must be fought with the utmost vigor and urgency, short of violence. Trump controls the GOP, while the Democrats queue up to be the controlled opposition. This is a fight which will be very tough, but there is no alternative.
Trump IS the GOP for all intents and purposes. The Republican Party and what it stood for in the not so distant past is so different than what exists today that we should be calling it the Trump Party. Calling it the Republican party is so much BS.
A phony civil war seems to be waged, Bob. Best advise you give: organise resistance locally, small scale. Do not cut off from bonkers information. You should know what is coming; relations over the big divide are necessary as well. Every unsure follower of Trumpism is a victory of common sense, rationality and civility....
Brett Meiselas of Meidas Touch (the fastest growing independent news network in the world) posted a death threat he’s recently received with violent sexual content. He needs our support.
Boycott is now my favorite word! EVERYONE must stop making these billionaires richer. We do have power. Not only boycott stop using all of their poison! We do not need it. We have Substack and YouTube, we are good!
Including Amazon and Whole Foods.
I hate Amazon. We rarely shop at Whole Foods anymore. Anyway we think their quality has gone down.
There is no Whole Foods where I live , but there was where I use to live. I read labels on cans and their 360 canned goods were made in China.
They were founded by libertarians and libertarians are interest in only one thing, themselves and that of course entail making a profit, and not just a profit but the most that they can
They are like Bill Maher, spoiled brats that never grew up.
I am with you on Amazon, but if you live where there are no brick and mortar stores, and your local market doesn't stock or can't keep on the shelf the items you want or need. You don't have a choice, and let's not hear about Ebay, Walmart both are owned by families and investors that are as right wing and self serving as Bezo's. In fact all of your big box stores from Safeway, Kroker to Home Depot and Target are MAGAts, and even Trader Joes, and wholesalers. For those in the west Publix, Piggly Wiggly are MAGAt
We are surrounded.
Somebody give me the name of one large progressive retailer.
I believe Costco is a good choice. They are keeping their DEI in place.
Thanks. I have a COSTCO membership, alas the nearest CostCo is four hours and $70 away. They don't have much of an online presence and service. The products which they do carry on line are of no interest or value to me.
I wish it was different.
"I am with you on Amazon, but if you live where there are no brick and mortar stores" -- (or, I'll add, you have no way to get around physically) -- "you don't have a choice" -- (again, I'll add, or your choices are extremely limited.)
I hate having to rely upon Amazon, but I do. I went to my local brick and mortar locally owned Market, the owner tries to keep the shelves stocked, but he can't keep up with demand. It runs out of stuff all of the time. even my brand of Kitty litter (World's best) Polygrip (yeh I have dentures), even garlic olives and ginger snaps.
And as for anything else, if it isn't in the second hand store, or the tourist shops, forget it. We do have an Ace Hardware that carries a lot, and a Home Center that basically caters to construction and home builders.
We have two real auto repair shops, and you have to make an appointment, up to a month, a lot of shade tree mechanics, but I wouldn't have them work on anything newer than a 1975 Maverick.
I couldn't even dind someone to clean out the gutters on my roof, and as far a carpenter, all of the hammer and saw guys are working for the two contractors that build homes.At least we don't have any town houses and condo's. It took three months to get an arborist to come out and trim my fruit tree. and a month to get the septic service to inspect my drainfield.
Anyway Amazon is my llfeline, I received yesterday an arthritic thumb brace which I couldn't buy local.,and an air purifier special for pets.,even oxygen concentrators, that are reasonable and don't cost thousands.
But what is the difference between buying from Amazon and a chain store owned by billionaires that support the Republican party and Trump?
KDSHERPA, we also lack nearby stores and we do not have a car but my wife is adamant - we use the internet to find the product at another site or go without. Most of the time, the cost is the same or less. We do not support Amazon!
Go directly to the source. That is what I have been doing. I am staying off Amazon.
Costco
I have a relative who uses Amazon because she often has little choice, so one does what one reasonably can. PIggly Wiggly does not surprise.
Yep, it is either Amazon, Ebay or Walmart, all are Trump humping, employee and customer exploiters. The only way to get out of the game is to die.
Reminds me of the three laws of physics.
You can't win
You can't break even
You can't get out of the game.
Maybe this can help you identify who, what, where.....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_supermarket_chains_in_the_United_States#Retailers'_cooperatives
Thanks, that's very helpful.
Thank you!
Precisely, William. Where I live the choice is not between Whole Foods and the Fairy, but between WF and the other corporations. If you are on a low sodium diet, WF is better than the others.
I live in a Walmart town - Tehacha-pucky. I use Thrive Market, Public Goods, Thorne Labs for supplements, Sea to Table, Green Chef, Chewy, Viva Raw, Costco...not all of these companies have been vetted by "Goods Unite US" but they are small enough that I will support them until I find out differently.
I’ve used Amazon exactly 1X ever. And being from Austin I grew up along with Whole Foods on Lamar as my go to shop. No more.
Whole Paycheck is way overpriced. We have better alternatives here: Aldi, Jewel (Albertsons), Mariano's (Kroger), though Mariano's appears to be getting greedy.
ALDI is owned by the same company as Trader Joe's, which is having labor troubles.
Your point? It's still a helluva lot cheaper than Whole Foods. I shop at Aldi a lot.
Last I heard , Whole Foods does not support Trump???
Is whole food owned by Amazon?
John Mackey, the last remaining co-founder of Whole Foods Market, sold the company to Amazon for $13.7 billion on August 28, 2017. As of March 4, 2019, Whole Foods has more than 500 stores in North America and seven in the United Kingdom.
Owned by Jeff Bezos-Amazon
Canceled my Amazon subscription when Bezos donated $1M to the sloguration fund. Do not want 1 cent of my hard earned money trickling down to the narcissistic sociopath Dumpster. Doing just fine without Amazon. Using Fandango to watch movies.
Trumpet 🎺 is a transaction guy unless he can profit directly from an activity he won’t pursue that activity…
His rhetoric is extreme .
Be aware that he has number one goal of look at me ; give me money.💰 .
I am concerned that he has re energized his army of followers ( brown shirts)oath keepers etc .
They will provide the muscle for any radical actions that will threaten our government our democracy our way of life. That the place where our eyes should be most vigilant…
Stuart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, is to Trump as Ernst Rohm was to Hitler.
Trump now has the cadre of his Sturmabeitlung, 1,500 of them he released from jail and prison.
I am worried, and everyone should be, but when it comes to the media, including MSNBC, crickets.
I do feel like I’m getting more than crickets from MSNBC, but I imagine it varies from one show to another. I rarely watch them before late afternoon - I mainly watch the evening shows. Rachel Maddow is back to 5 nights a week for the first 100 days of tRump’s presidency.
Rachel is good as is most of the talking heads, but bear in mind that MSNBC is owned by NBC universal and it is owned by Comast, and comcast is owned by Vanguard, Blackrock, State Street and Brian L Roberts, who is also it's CEO and Chairman and it is the owners that dictate what can be covered and at what depth..
What you see forming with the pardon of Stewart Rhodes and Tarrio,is the birth of Trump's equivalent to the Sturmabeitlung and I don't see MSNBC expounding on that little feature. Then again I don't much watch it anymore, as I detect and have detected since Nov 5th an increasing drift to quiet acceptance and even rationalization as if this was nothing more than politics.
It isn't it is life and death serious, not politics, It is epipolitical.
Yes, it is life and death serious. I will watch what happens with their coverage.
They stood by, and then went into action on his command, but it was not out of decency that Trump pardoned them. He knows that they have millions of supporters and sympathizers in this country (and abroad). Hopefully, not all MAGAS sympathize with them, or approve of his action.
Good point William... and we know that Hitler had Ernst Rohm and many of the Brown Shirts murdered on the night of the Long Knives only 2 years after he took office. The Oath Keepers had better keep looking over their shoulders... Just saying.... GH
What do you mean by "crickets"?
Crickets is colloquialism for nothing, or the only sound crickets make is chirp, chirp
So when I said, the only thing that comes out of the media is crickets I mean .. nothing, they ignore it, at best a chirp, chirp.
when you are under attack even chirping can be dangerous.
It means complete silence; all you can hear is the chirping of crickets. In other words, no answer for or comment on the issue in question.
And crickets only chirp when there's silence (no predators).
Right, Trump will go for the money. This is why he is so in bed with big pharma.
And this angers his followers. To reduce his support, keep harping on the danger and inefficacy of the vaccine he is so proud of. It's easy. There are many scientific papers showing all kinds of nasty side effects, and how efficacy switches from weak to negative after a while, making recipients more likely to catch the virus, and more likely to get seriously ill.
Even better if you can show him profiting from the mRNA.
Not just boycott. Divest from these companies… pension funds and endowments are what will matter. Protecting the company stock prices is why their leaders cow-towed. The cost of siding with the wrong side (they know right from wrong, except for Musk. He’s on the wrong side) must cost them where it really hurts. Everyone sees the share prices. We must also publicize and reward the good companies. A list of these is welcomed .
Right. But this will be very difficult. To not use Amazon and not shop at Whole Foods. It will not register. Bezos does not care.
No, not difficult. Whole foods wiped out oodles of businesses specializing in organic food and , as corporation overtakes do do, created a mush market of commercialized product lines in the same packaging . When saying no to ' illionaire greed profits the opportunity to cut the glut of pollution's and land fill pollutant profit are vital acts against glutton garbage too.
sure did. The big organic food store in Boulder, Colorado, was called Alfalfa's Market before it was acquired by Amazon and rebranded as Amazon Fresh. Alfalfa's Market was known for its wide selection of organic and natural products, and it had a strong presence in the Boulder community.
Bezos sure doesn’t care. He just closed every Amazon warehouse in Quebec throwing 2000 out of work. These oligarchs are very much part of taking over/destroying the economy of Canada. This is frightening
Also, Bezos and Amazon had an early start here in Seattle WA. I haven't done biz with Amazon since he 'did in' the independent book sellers by taking over their inventories to sell on line. And Bezos 'fled' WA to FL because WA was going to implement a 'tax the rich' program to redesign our state tax system. I also heard that his mega yacht, traveling a river in the Netherlands, got to an old bridge, couldn't get under it and asked/demanded the city dismantle the bridge to make way for his yacht. They DECLINED ! Bezos or Bozos as I refer to him ~ is/was one of the most egregious of the lot of B's on Trumsk's dais ~
Amazon is hard to boycott but not impossible. Even a slow change can be effective over time
I have no idea who advertises on Fox or X- any help here? Re: supporting organizations/litigation, Americans United for the Separation of Church & State is also working hard ( au.org ).
https://dropfox.com/advertisers/
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/22/tech/elon-musk-brands-advertise-x-antisemitism/index.html
I quite agree with au.org. also with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_From_Religion_Foundation
I view as extremely dangerous the constant push to voucherize Public Education to privatize education.
But are you sure that you will not sold to the consertive cabal?
Also John Fugelsang and Allison Gill podcasts are pro-democracy.
I used to think I would suffer from brain fog for the rest of my life..."𝐛𝐮𝐭" this changed everything.... https://t.co/mfV8I5tCrS
stand tall we are in the right, ty be safe
You are right MAGA is an evil organisation and right is on the side of us.
Colin, your comment sounds like trolling. If it isn’t, it’s precisely the wrong approach. The goal is to support human rights and work build a just and welcoming country, not to demonize political opponents.
I believe he meant right as in correct.
Yes that's what I meant. I think Trump, Musk and co are moral degenerates, and the right is one the side of those opposing them. Just like the Allies v Nazis in WW2. I think freedom is very important, and so it the rule of law. Trump and co oppose it.
Organisation is what they lack. In some respects they could be called a movement - this would certainly apply to some of the militias. Mostly, they seem to me a disparate group of the desperate, the disillusioned, the fanatical and the downright crazy. The one thing they share is a profound ignorance.
You are correct Russell, We need organization, but not the corrupt, effete and feckless Democratic party, look at them now, Schumer, Fetterman, Connolly kissing the ring.
This is not politics, and hasn't been, only the Democratic party, it's Strategists, analysts can't see that. When you are a hammer everthing is a nail, begone Carville, Biggs, Begala and all of the so called strategists that rush to the cameras on MSNBC> Time for new leadership like AOC.
They would have to be a radically different party. I personally do not blame them for respecting the election result and the Constitution but you're right that they are sorely in need of new leadership.
I didn't mention respecting the election result, you injected that, but since you brought it up. I do fault Kamala and the DNC for her concession at 4 pm on Nov 6th while votes were being counted and not challenging the results in Pennyslivania which shows very obvious voter interference, like throwing out 60,000 provisional ballots and there were organized efforts afoot to challenge the Pennsylvania Vote.
To make things worse, Biden was glad handing Trump the day after at the White House and treating the Trump victory like it was an ordinary transition, and at Carters Funeral there was Obama and Trump yakking it up, sharing jokes at Carters funeral never the less.
What's going on? Are we victims of a theatrical production?
AOC will not go far unless workers unionize. Donald Trump will make American unions great again. We have to be patient.
Well Vic, you talk of patience like there will be a tomorrow. The sun will certainly come up tomorrow, but it rises on a hellscape. The era of politics is over. The Heritage Foundation, the Federalist Society has seen to that, and they found the perfect tool - Trump.
The old days are gone, this is a new era, a new regime (not an administration) Dems and pundits are talking about taking it back in the mid terms, rots of ruck on that.
Inn 2017 it was Trump trying to single handedly remake the country, but the Heritage Foundation learned and has used him, very capably I might say, to remake the government, and by casting aside the constitution, and they have the help of six of their acolytes on the Supreme Court, and a subservient media, which, if it isn't motivated by ideology, is motivated by shareholder value.
Patient for what Vic. 20 years ago, on an Anomalies and Enigma forum, I had conversation with an old Florida dude, who said that the civil war was unnecessary all that was needed was patience, because eventually slavery would have become untenable as it was uneconomical.
And what about the miliions that would be born and died as slaves till then, and slavery wasn't just about economics, it was a lifestyle,it provided social status and plantation life style for planters.
BE patient. I guess all of the Jews, socialists, Slavs and queers that were rounded up and liquidated might have something to say about patience.
Patience only works if you are unaffected or marginally affected by this authoritarian regime.
Franco's Spain only unraveled after his death, and then not completely, because the real power in Spain is the Catholic Church, they even have their own army. The Spanish Legion: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QBoV9LnYxmc
Mussolini's Italy only fell apart because of the landing on Anzio.
Hitlers Germany only fell apart because of the landing on Normandy.
If you are waiting for Orban's Hungary, Erdogan's Turkey, Putin's Russia, the Mullahs Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kim's Korea to fall apart, don't stick your bare hands on your ass too long, they will grow there.
Donald Trump *speaks* like a populist but doesn't act like one and if you think he, with a "businesses uber alles" attitude is pro unions, you are sorely mistaken.
Trump is very anti-union. Look at Bezos.
Second that.
Join the Meidas Mighty.
I support Meidas. And now that 1600 criminals are loose the threats will continue. During 47’s campaign he went on and on about all the criminals coming through our borders, but the hypocrite released 1600 criminals before our very eyes into America.
ROBERT REICH FOR PRESIDENT - 2028!!
Agreed.
And, not just the big names - but folks in your community who write a letter to the editor that gets published. We're pretty much all fair game - and we pretty much all need support - because Each One Lift One (as I've been saying for decades) is the way through. Let's make that The Way #12
I hope he was reported the death threat. At a certain point, a threat crosses from speech to a criminal action. It sounds like this threat might have crossed that point.
Vox and Axios
Get security. If someone turns up to do anything like that shoot them. Show no mercy.
No. Please tell us you are not serious.
Meredith, please don’t feed the trolls.
I fed a troll how?
No
Yesterday was a difficult day for many of us The Trump Blitzkrieg of executive orders was intended to overwhelm us and dispirit us. Do not give in to the defeatist thinking that Trump and his cohort are attempting to instill. RESIST in in all places, in all ways all of the time.
Today’s topic of “What can you do? and Ten Ways To RESIST Trump II" represents the beginning of movements that should unite us and not allow the show of fascism and power to allow us to become depressed and defeatist. Some people have accused the Democrats of “Rolling over and playing dead.” If that is the case, do not follow their example. Look for brave people and organizations and support them.
"The country’s largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, has spoken out against the pardons, as has the International Association of Chiefs of Police.” - Heather Cox Richardson
Who would have guessed that it is the leadership of the police unions and Association of Chiefs of Police that would take the lead in the newly forming resistance movement. This is significant as the Trump Administration is counting on the police to begin enforcing his bat sh*t crazy flurry of executive orders. I never thought I would find myself praising the leadership of the police! United Resistance can unify strange bedfellows into becoming a united force for justice and freedom.
Quite right, cops are thinking, I'm here to uphold the law. Trump's executive orders aren't the law.
To paraphrase. The enemy of my nemesis is my friend.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a new protective force was created from loyalists. The new administration doesn’t want to deal with existing forces that can’t be trusted. A new law enforcement agency could be created and given powers of enforcement and never be punished for implementing “unlawful” orders. And everyone else goes to the camps.
Eventually they’ll be punished. In the aftermath of complicit behavior, “I was only following orders” doesn’t wash. And while their dear leader has immunity,they do not…and if the past is instructive he’ll leave them twisting in the wind.
This has crossed my mind many times. 😞
Nah, that's the point of Patel as director of the FBI. Use the FBI as a domestic political police.
MikeyB- which it has always been. J.Edgar Hoover comes to mind.
My guess is that liberal professors such as Dr. Reich are on the list. Maybe all of us subscribers. If not yet, soon.
Isn't that the fascinating question.
Ahhh, the power of modern technology.
Still, and we aren't used to it, we have to resist.
Troll alert 🚨
It has happened in the past, so why can’t this scenario be considered in the USA? I’m curious about your thinking on this scenario, instead of “troll alert” response without substance.
Police are NOT inherently bad. There are generations serve and protect. The problem is NOT DEFUND the police. The problem is chronic underfunding, lax oversight, anemic recruiting, under training, under paying and militarization. Broken windows was a theory that backfired. Why isn't there an ROTC kind of service club in every high school and middle school to mentor kids to serve and protect your own neighborhood? Officer Friendly. His name was Fred.
Police are certainly not inherently bad, but then most of maga isn't either. They are just responding to right wing media lies that painting liberals as monsters and liberalism as evil.
Part of the problem is that we no longer teach civics, but I'm afraid we are soon to get a lesson.
Huh?
Oh my! I wrote mentoring!!!!! Thank you for catching this horrific change my phone made! I am certain I saw it correctly before continuing my typing on this screen, and I had no idea such a horrible change was made!!!!! I am not sure how I can get that off, but thank goodness you caught it! At first I did not understand your reaction. Now that I see why, I am shocked!!!!!
I'm glad to see the Fraternal Order of Police is speaking out against Trump's pardon of the 1500, but unfortunately they are also criticizing Biden for his pardons, especially the pardon of Leonard Peltier. I read a book on Peltier's case and he was railroaded as the FBI needed to find someone to put away for the crime. The judge in the case was highly biased.
Also the Fraternal Order of Police strongly endorsed Trump in all 3 elections. I hope this group, along with everyone else who voted for Trump, will realize how wrong they have been.
I'm glad they spoke out but they need to keep speaking up and do more or it will amount to nothing.
FOP in their statement also said, ..".we thought he had our backs." How can they be so stupid? Did he have their backs on Jan. 6? Did they have their backs when he kept saying he would pardon the 1500 when he was reelected?
People are not acting very rationally. Well they often don't. It seems they act on what they hope to be the case based on emotional /cultural connections to someone or some things.
Except that the Cops have been the core of MAGA, until now. The cops perceive themselves as unappreciated victims of woke libs, I am pretty sure that 99.9% of them voted for Trump and that the FOP and IACP donated to Trump.
Stewart Rhodes is founder of the Oath Keepers, and then there is the Constitutional Sheriff's and Peace Officrrs Association
, a nationwide organization of right wing cops and sheriffs.
CSPOA reported 4,500 dues-paying members, including over 200 sheriffs. In 2021, former CSPOA president Richard Mack said that 3,000 sheriffs in the United States were members of the association.
But only after they endorsed DTs candidacy. 😡
The FOP endorsed Trump the felon! Sick.
They are experiencing FAFO now. These organizations still endorsed Trump, in spite of the facts that Trump told the nation he would pardon the J6 domestic terrorists. What a stupid move on their part.
We can only hope these groups do not turn around like elected officials did by the end of January 2021 when pilgrimages to kiss the ring were in display.
So the police union is surprised that a felon pardoned a lot of felons? How quaint.
It’s not like they didn’t know. Everyone knew.
For Donald, everything is transactional. Right, wrong, morally or ethically questionable? None of that matters. What matters is, “what can you do for me.”
Well that's a bit of important good news, FOP and the IA of COP.
One thing I do to cheer myself up and snap out of it, when I get down and overwhelmed by all of this - & I'm in the UK, so this goes back over the past eight years when the Tories were still in charge, cutting vital services, 'getting Brexit done', sucking up to Trump, letting Putin run riot over London & murder his dissidents all over England, etc - is just to look at what Led by Donkeys is doing. They're an absolute inspiration to clarity at all times. Their Musk action yesterday was stellar - just look it up.
Thank you! YouTube seems the best way to get their latest.
Thank you!! I'm sure our ruling Junta will generate plenty of material going forward.
Just tell us!
Oh, I figured it out🤓
We need a Lions Led by Donkey movement in the US.
Marc, I agree. There will be busloads of legal challenges. We must stop pretending that we have no power. TOTAL-RESISTANCE to a president who is NOT legitimate is EXPECTED. DO you want to scare the shit out of these people…REFUSE TO COMPLY. Doctors should NEVER let a woman die because of Felon-trump’s Fascist desires. And when that doctor defies the felon, we must overwhelmingly and loudly step in!!!
I refer to many of his signings as “The Menus” which helps me appreciate the seriousness of some of them, but also to remind myself that 99% of the time, trump doesn’t understand what he’s signing.
All organized and coordinated by Project 2025
In a way, I hope enough get through to wake up the MAGA faithful who idolize trump. When their ox gets gored and they suffer consequences of their vote for trump, they may have to realize how idiotic their dreams of "own the libs," erase those disloyal to trump, control the media, pardon all friends of MAGA/trump/GOP including jailed 1/6/2021 insurrectionists who attacked people and broke our laws. Sometimes the only way back is to let "loose the hounds of hell." I do not see much that can stop trump/GOP now that POTUS has special legal immunity for crimes if they are part of his undefined "official acts."
I don’t even know what it will take to wake up the cult. I know someone who somehow went from being a progressive to joining the cult. She had an in between period of being a Stein supporter, but now she believes that everything against tRump is a Democratic lie. There will be a lot of blaming Democrats for the sh*t that tRump is pulling.
You lost.
I think you might find, my friend, that you also have, in the long run. In ways you won't have been expecting.
The only “side” I’m interested is the one the Founders envisioned in The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States of America. These documents define a nation based not on wealth or privilege but on the rule of law., one that recognized and sought to advance the inherent dignity of the human person. Let us continue the effort to build a more perfect union by working to uphold liberty and justice for all. 🇺🇸 🗽
Absolutely! Citizenship starts with knowing, understanding, and defending the Constitution.
Perhaps for now, but we WILL be back
👎
Trump is old and soon he will be gone and so will his odd hold on so mandy people. That is the wonderful thing about life. At some point in time even the worst people die. I encourage Trump to keep eating McDonalds and all the fried food he can get the White House kitchen to serve.
Hoping Trump drowns in a sea of litigation.
I'm in Canada but will be following Robert's advice as much as possible. These tips are essential "boots on the ground" pointers for people of good will everywhere at this time, not just in the USA.
We also need to resist the Trump playbook in Australia, Sabina, and especially now when we have a Mussolini look-a-like (and closet fascist) as leader of this country's opposition!
Revolution against the Oligarchs is near and very REAL!
Revolutions against oligarchs are complex social phenomena driven by economic, social, and political factors. While they are not strictly caused by “mathematical triggers,” certain quantifiable thresholds or disparities often create the conditions for revolutionary movements. These include:
1. Gini Coefficient Thresholds
• Definition: The Gini coefficient measures income or wealth inequality (0 = perfect equality, 1 = perfect inequality).
• Trigger: Studies suggest that when the Gini coefficient crosses 0.4–0.45, dissatisfaction and unrest are likely to grow, as the majority feel excluded from economic benefits.
2. Wealth Concentration Ratios
• Definition: The share of wealth controlled by the top 1%, 5%, or 10% of a population.
• Trigger: When the top 1% control more than 40–50% of a nation’s wealth, it can signal oligarchic dominance, alienating the broader populace and fueling revolutionary sentiment.
3. Poverty and Real Wages
• Definition: The proportion of the population living below the poverty line and the purchasing power of wages.
• Trigger: Rising poverty rates combined with stagnant or declining real wages (adjusted for inflation) erode public trust in the system and amplify calls for radical change.
4. Unemployment and Underemployment Rates
• Definition: The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed or underemployed.
• Trigger: Unemployment above 20%, especially among youth, correlates strongly with revolutionary movements.
5. Food Price Index Spikes
• Definition: The cost of basic food staples relative to incomes.
• Trigger: Sharp increases in food prices (e.g., 30–50% within a short period) strain low-income households, often acting as a tipping point for unrest, as seen in the French Revolution and Arab Spring.
6. Social Mobility Decline
• Definition: The ability of individuals to improve their economic status relative to their parents or peers.
• Trigger: A marked decline in intergenerational social mobility (measured by metrics like income elasticity) can solidify perceptions of oligarchic entrenchment.
7. Tax Burden Inequities
• Definition: The ratio of taxes paid by different economic classes.
• Trigger: When the tax burden disproportionately affects the middle and lower classes while the wealthy avoid significant taxation, resentment builds.
8. Critical Mass of Disenfranchised Population
• Definition: The percentage of the population feeling politically or economically excluded.
• Trigger: When 50–60% of people believe the system is rigged against them, organized opposition becomes more likely.
9. Government Debt and Corruption Metrics
• Definition: Levels of public debt relative to GDP and perceptions of corruption (e.g., measured by Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index).
• Trigger: High debt levels coupled with blatant corruption can erode public trust and amplify anger against oligarchs.
10. Economic Shocks
• Definition: Sudden disruptions like financial crises, hyperinflation, or severe recessions.
• Trigger: Economic shocks exacerbate existing inequalities, often serving as the immediate cause of revolutionary action.
While no single metric guarantees a revolution, the interplay of these factors creates tipping points. History shows that when economic inequality, political corruption, and social discontent align, they often ignite transformative movements.
GQ
Fazinating.
Ya know who is warning about the pitch forks coming out? The Oligarchs. They know.
Be careful though. We need a revolution, but we need to avoid a violent revolution because it leads to chaos, a place where psychopaths like Rump thrive.
Agree. I would add to your list total debt (private and public), this seems to follow inequality in US (as measured as % GDP). Trump has been enabled by ultra wealthy to prevent FDR style reforms. https://larakeller.substack.com/p/why-us-democracy-had-to-die
But who will be blamed? The Baltimore Banner has an article on the red wave among former Bethlehem Steelworkers. They used to be Democrats but blamed the union when Bethlehem Steel went bankrupt. They don’t realize that the union is as much of a victim as they are. They have no knowledge about corporations and the GOP undermining unions for decades.
What can be done about low-information voters?
If there is anything that those of us who are looking on in horror from the other side of the world (I and my partner are in Australia) can do to help, please let us know.
We are all citizens of the same planet, International outcry and support is very important.
Participate in the boycotts of the international companies that operate in Australia. Then support everything local that undermines their reach. This includes eating as locally as possible.
You can also donate to the organizations mentioned above and spread the word
6. Spread the truth.
Maybe I'm wrong, but this is where I think the election was lost. Democrats cannot message themselves out of a wet paper bag, while the Right has developed a media machine that goes far beyond Fox, NewsMax or even the Heritage Foundation and CATO Institute. The master of politicking, Machiavelli, said that in politics, whoever (the prince) was willing to go the morally lowest would win. The best liar, and we know who that is, has a huge advantage. Dems are lousy liars at best and since their "prince' is the Constitution, an inherently moral document.
It's worse, the messages the Dems did choose were terrible and the only one I saw was "send us money".
I believe that the solution was and still is messaging. This was discussed on lib-talk.com ... for all the good it did. What is needed is short, pithy sayings that can be pasted into the comments sections that (1) reveal the maga lie and (2) tell the truth of the matter.
I see that the lib-talk site was taken down, so I emailed asking about it and was told it was written for before the election and so was not relevant now, but an update was being considered.
The best message shows the right wing lie and also states the truth. For example: "it's not about right vs left, it's about top vs bottom, wealthy vs working class".
The point of it was still true. For all of Right Wing Media organization, your maga in the comments section is ignorant and horrible at saying anything more than right wing talking points. Dems should be able to totally dominate the social media field using brief statements that reveal both the maga lie and the truth.
We are all about "maga folks didn't realize they were voting against their own interests". Why did they do that? Hyper organized and focused Right Wing Media. Maybe that wasn't everything, but it was more than enough to win the election. Dems need to get in the game on social media and comments sections to refute the maga lies with simple truths. IT'S EVEN FREE TO DO.
MAGA voters were voting for a promise from Trump to favor their interests against the interest of other Americans. He did this by flattering them that they are "Real Americans" and vilifying the "Others" as threats. He got way with this rubbish, because for 40+ years the message from both parties has been that there is not enough space for everyone. I think Trump voters know the lies. I doubt they realise that what counts as being a "Real American" will shrink as US democracy is dismantled, and the need for mass election apeal shrinks with it.
They realize it because “Real American “ means white Christian. They know the demographics that’s why voter suppression and deportation.
Thank you!!
You should lobby the Australian government to publicly set its emissions target for 2035 right now in compliance with the Paris agreement. Neither the government nor the opposition seems keen to get into this before the election.
Kill coal!
Tell China and India that.
Until they stop burning coal, it will keep being mined.
Donate to those media and organizations that you think are important in this battle.
Starve funds going to others working for harm.
Kick the Murdochs out of Australia.
When, if, we finally win this fight, your efforts will assure you a place in the pantheon of the 2nd American Revolution.
I so much appreciate what you are doing.
38 years ago, I chose to change my country of residence, to New Zealand, the best decision I have ever made.
But, born American, I will always be American, and I will always remember the principles that we were taught, back in the day.
Bless you, Robert, you show, by every communication, your continued allegiance to those same principles.
Once upon a time, in the Vietnam era, David Crosby and CSN sang a song, "Long Time Gone."
The critical line was that "It Appears To Be A Long Time Before The Dawn."
Well, that is true, today. But...the dawn will inevitably come. And Trump and his scum will evaporate in that dawn's strong light, if we all combine to defeat his evil.
If we don't...we deserve the alternative.
Thank you again, Robert, you are one of our strongest and best.
Cheers,
Jim
Auckland NZ
I’d also add something which has already been said many times, “Do not obey in advance,” such as many “mainstream” journalistic organizations are already doing. Bending over to try to please this “administration” in hopes of gaining some kind of personal advantage or stave off problems is a non-starter. I’m sure the vast majority of this column’s readers know this already but I just wanted to put it out there.
Thanks Noisemaker for that insight. I have noticed for some time now that national media seems a little "off": out of tune with the reality of our situation. And I suppose that is to be expected. I can't think of an example where A revolution started at the top.
It took a group of powerful allies to defeat Hitler. Who can we build alliances with to defeat this modern day Hitler? I think we must look to the past for guidance on how to move forward. We can't do it alone.
Yes Em, the return to modern and civil thinking won't come by itself. Needed is "zivilcourage", as was shown yesterday in the church by "a nasty woman". How close this incident was to the actions of "die Weisse Rose" remains to be seen. These students payed for their courage with their heads.
Yes, I think it's extremely important to collect a list of "allies" in this struggle.
Many Americans feel "oppressed" by the high cost of living, and they are outraged that past governments welcomed foreign multitudes into the country. Trump speaks and acts for them, and he will continue to enjoy their support for the time being. Many of them will become our allies once Trump's policies begin to hurt them.
Thank you for these suggestions, Robert. People are asking our Indivisible group what they can do. I'll link to this in our newsletter.
The task seems insurmountable, and the future holds a darkness we've never seen before. People appear transfixed upon the negativity that their lives seem to be filled with. Somehow optimism has hidden itself from our view, but the concept hasn't been altogether forgotten. Tell stories to our children of the ways things used to be and how freedom warmed the hearts of all our peoples across this great country. Kindle a want within the next generation to restore life to a level where honesty and compassion for one another supersedes anything the evils our current society seem to relish. Teach them hope is a real thing not a fool's dream lost in a political party that's controlled by morons.
Keeping the stories alive for our children and grandchildren is vitally important. I hope Robert adds this to his list. Freedom is an ideal that must be nurtured. Thank you for this brilliant suggestion.
Donald, while it may be true that most of us alive today have not seen a darkness like this repressive regime unfolding, look back to the murderous regimes of the 20th century in order to comprehend the loathsome acts of which humanity is capable. Many of our parents and ancestors faced this degree of evil close up and delivered a disabling blow to it. Most of them guided their children to show courage and to stand up for human decency. It is for us as Robert has outlined to form a plan of action to undercut the fallacies of this illicit new administration and show the courage to deliver the truth to needing people. Independent news sources like this Substack are critical alternatives to media who caved to the trump regime. Every day we need to rekindle a positive outlook and to do at least one good thing as well as to sustain our livelihoods and mental health.
We have to fight fascism, whether we succeed or not. Whether it appears surmountable or not is made irrelevant. It is not a normal task where doing something else might be a better use of energy. I would say fight it now, with urgency, while you still can. Anything short of violence.
"We will fight for you!" states the lawyer's commercial. So let's start hiring lawyers. ACLU lawyers, Earth Justice lawyers, Common Cause lawyers, Public Citizen lawyers--and these are just a few out of many.
This is what is not understood. The effect authoritarianism has on our psyches. We are/will become fearful, despondent, lacking in hope, willing to “snitch” on others for self-survival.
Support SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center)
Yes! Also ACLU. If we don’t stand up now, it will be harder later. They are trying to inundate and overwhelm us, we do need to find our community and organize.
Robert, thank you for this. I live in New Zealand. How can I help? I can’t donate money to American elections (besides which I’m permanently broke haha). I am sharing lots of articles (containing the truth) on my Facebook page - I’m dependent on it for keeping in contact with friends and family, so detaching from it isn’t something I feel able to do right now … I’ve deleted my Amazon accounts (including Audible and Amazon Prime), cancelled my Twitter account (ages ago, when that creature Musk bought it and ridiculously changed its name to X), stopped subscribing to the WaPo and NYT, and subscribed to a bunch of Substacks including yours. What else can I do to help?
That is all a good start Sally. International support is quite important.
I too am using Facebook to stay in touch with pro-democracy people and orgs.
I screen out bad messages.
I mostly post for "friends," not the public.
I "like" and repost good messages from people and orgs I support.
Overall, I'm spending my time working on issues and messages that are directed toward decision-makers.
Keep fascists out of you own government.
This is a great way to start the resistance and forge communities.
Yesterday, a fellow poster here added this: "I believe the American people WILL turn against him within 6 months when the effects of his lies and 'policies' hit their pockets."
Yesterday -- a massive storm dumped snow along the Gulf of Mexico, along the I-10 corridor.
Florida's First District -- which comprises four counties in the panhandle -- is holding a special election on April 1 to fill the seat vacated by Matt Gaetz. I've already donated and am getting more involved in the Democratic campaign for that seat. Her name is Gay Valimont.
An important addition to any list of Trump actions to be resisted and I believe it to be critical should be; any attempt to eliminate future national elections. In a number of speeches and comments, Trump told his followers to vote him into office and they would not need to vote again. I believed him and that he will attempt to do exactly that. It is imperative to be ready to prevent any actions to deprive citizens right to vote.
Start by calling your senators and congressman or woman and keep at them until they convince you that plans have been made and are ready to be implemented if needed.
Trump plans to impose "party rule" not "rule by law" on federal government. This will be extended to state governments, who run the election process. If a president can give immunity to a militia who threaten government officials, then there are no independent judges or election officals and so on. Every step of dismantling US democracy, must be fought with the utmost vigor and urgency, short of violence. Trump controls the GOP, while the Democrats queue up to be the controlled opposition. This is a fight which will be very tough, but there is no alternative.
Trump IS the GOP for all intents and purposes. The Republican Party and what it stood for in the not so distant past is so different than what exists today that we should be calling it the Trump Party. Calling it the Republican party is so much BS.
A phony civil war seems to be waged, Bob. Best advise you give: organise resistance locally, small scale. Do not cut off from bonkers information. You should know what is coming; relations over the big divide are necessary as well. Every unsure follower of Trumpism is a victory of common sense, rationality and civility....