AnaMaria I am rebating your subscription and removing these comments. They are a clear violation of our community standards about respectful discourse. And if you believe my analysis is "gaslighting" clearly this is the wrong place for you. Good luck in the important battles ahead - Simon
The opportunities are there and it is important that we focus on the positive. Everything Trump does is losing him votes. The racism, the cruelty the stunts, the voters that this appeals to are already in his camp, they are the diehard maga, but they are a minority. I am confident that we can overcome his efforts to steal the election. David Frum has an excellent piece on steps that can be taken to have elections take place. Again, most importantly, we have to stay strong and we have to stay positive with a laser like focus. 🇨🇦🇩🇪
The conversation with Jennifer Rubin is terrific. Today, especially, Hopium is living up to its name. Simon and Rubin are bringing focus to the many and varied wins Democrats are achieving in local, state and national elections.
Yes, there has been horrific damage both abroad (e.g.,over 600,000 dead due to extinguishing USAID, our loss of reputation around the world as a force for good, etc.) and at home (75,000 law-abiding immigrants deported with no criminal record, green energy and environmental programs ended, public health efforts and scientific progress overturned, pardons to Jan 6 convicted criminals- the list is endless!
But, we are achieving electoral victories, our Democratic electeds are standing up to this Administration’s cruelty and corruption, and we need to make sure everyone sees this. If we can get back control of House and Senate then we can do more than oppose, we can enact new laws to prevent these atrocities from happening again. That is not gaslighting.
Really enjoyed this conversation between Simon and Jen Rubin! Encourage everyone to watch it. Very hopeful to see where we've come from and where we're going.
Great conversation, thank you. Just renewing my request to see how Grassroots Volunteer activists can be better integrated into the political ecosystem
of the Democratic Party. I know you agree, State Chairs can be particularly influential in this regard. The tone is set at the top. 2026 calls for increasing our wherewithal, how better than to harness professional free labor.
Another call to Thom Tillis to thank him today! He joined Collins and Murkowski to challenge a new HHS rule change in favor of more transparency in federal agencies. Hurrah! I asked him to go further and get rid of RFK. Little cracks.
No matter what lies Kremlin-aligned members of his own staff (this includes Vance) tell Dolos, the Tsar is not winning this war and has diminishing prospects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOAjhIeDhGk&list=TLPQMTAxMjIwMjX3EZA8NW11Mg. In fact, the Tsar’s only hope is an intervention against both Ukraine and Europe BY THE USA to give Russia a chance at victory. So, here is a sobering but clear-eyed assessment of America’s move to SUPPORT RUSSIA by Professor Scott Lucas, an American geopolitical strategist and academic based in Ireland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXHtQoB1dWU&list=TLPQMTAxMjIwMjWSkHO-J8rO_w.
Again and again, I return to Vlad Vexler, the Russian-born and Oxford-trained political philosopher (this blurb is 23 minutes, but it is worth the listen in its entirety): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQtHoTP-irQ&list=TLPQMjIxMTIwMjViwhTj66rGYQ. He has been highly accurate in predicting the unsettling RELATIONSHIP/DEPENDENCY between Dolos and HIS Tsar. Look up the term narcissistic supply. Please understand that Dolos and his feckless acolytes are a deep symptom of our democracy in significant decline.
ON REPEAT FROM EARLY MARCH OF THIS YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN WARNED. AS A MALIGNANT NARCISSIST WITH A UNIQUE EPISODIC PERSONALITY DEFECT, DOLOS WILL SELL THIS COUNTRY DOWN THE RIVER TO ENSURE HIS OWN PSYCHIC AND PHYSICAL (I.E. NO JAIL OR OTHERWISE) SECURITY!!
Simon et al.:
MAYDAY?! As Malcolm Nance warned during the first term of Dolos, WE ARE LIVING THROUGH A RUSSIAN OPERATION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGFKwshHjWQ&list=TLPQMDkwMzIwMjVSQFFablTasA . Now, Peter Zeihan, who has been a geopolitical strategist for over 25 years and predicted the attack on Ukraine (please view this 3-minute blurb and note the date): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkuhWA9GdCo, seems to be leaning toward the Nance spectrum about the seemingly unpatriotic behavior of Dolos.
Per our Five-Eyes partners, sensitive intelligence has already begun to leak; therefore, they will throttle back their interactions (making us vulnerable). So, the USA is now deemed untrustworthy - even to the Israelis and the Saudis. This is not a game.
The Russians know that their demography has sealed their fate. The old KGB Colonel wants us to join his team, “a trailer park with atomic bombs”, in HELL! Sadly, one side of our political dynamic has already made the WRONG choice.
I literally come from heroes (see the medal in my icon). Thus, before people inexplicably start to fall out of windows or take ill (from exotic poisons), WE NOW KNOW OUR LIKELY ULTIMATE ENEMY. Dolos has always been an actor taking directions from others, i.e. Fred Trump, Roy Cohn, the producers of “The Apprentice”, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, and now the TSAR. To remove any doubt, here is a thoughtful take from Ambassador (and former National Security Advisor) Rice on the Kremlin's "Honey Do List": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWbK5gfNYd4 .
Because the TSAR is losing (with donkeys on the battlefield and falling oil prices), they have moved too fast and unmasked themselves. So, tighten your broken shield onto your broken arm (here is some cinematic inspiration): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pFUP0HZwWM . I’m an old Marvel fanboy: “Let’s go!” LET’S MAKE IT REAL.
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
P.P.S.: DEMOCRATS (AND PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE) NEED TO HAVE “TOWN HALLS” IN REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS - ASAP. YOUR OPPONENTS HAVE WILLINGLY CONCEDED THE FIELD.
I think this interview hits on something really important that I think our leaders need to learn. That is that you need to confidently state what you believe to be true, but then do it on an endless repeat.
So assuming people would remember Trump was terrible was a huge mistake. We need to define him and then repeat over and over what he really is, and what he represents. When what you say seems to mesh with reality, it becomes understood and believed.
You can do the same with repeated lies, which is what they do so well.
I have to think repeating the truth and really rewiring peoples' thinking is going to eventually defeat lies.
In addition to defining how terrible Trump is, we need to state "we are better for the economy", and "we are better for small business", and "we empower people to be successful", etc. But just state it is facts and do it nonstop. Stick to it.
The GOP, for reasons that elude me and are not backed by facts, continue to be trusted more than Democrats for prosperity and economy. We need to flip that now. The GOP represent crony capitalism. They are impeding small business in many ways.
Millie Polli Haskell.....Reporting-first, Simon, Thank you and Jen Rubin for bringing this great conversation and information to the the forefront. Well done. It's always important keep listening and find the truth.
And, I thought I had mentioned this earlier, but I am still on a Mayor-Elect Eileen Higgins HIGH! 19pts! We All Won
"ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL" according to the "BARD"
I love this early time in my mornings, where I read Simon’s and others’ substacks. I am inspired by all of you readers, like-minded Americans.
Then I take a deep breath and begin the action part of my day. I am heading into two days with three voter registration events. The events are nonpartisan, and I adhere strictly to that, but my guess is that the big majority of these new voters will vote Dem. (This is not to say new Rep voters aren’t registering elsewhere. )
It’s not easy to register and vote in Texas. For two of these events, I will be on my own. We need more volunteers. If you’re in North Texas, look up ntxvotes.org.
Really appreciated above all things in this conversation, touching upon "electability," something which has no definitive ground floor or ceiling and absolutes to all people are impossible.
Again, the old William Goldman quote about Hollywood film success comes to mind: "Nobody knows anything."
I love the perspective that Simon and Jen Ruben provide for the political terrain we have been through and are currently in.
This conversation raised a question for me when Simon mentioned centrist democrats, or moderate democrats. I know what progressives think about them in general, and about the criticisms they have towards centrists. But how do centrists self identify? What policies do they believe in that makes them centrists? People throw out the terms centrist or moderates and just assume we all know what that means. For myself and many other progressive it seems like a code for corporatists, big business and deep pocket donors buying influence, who still align with democratic values on social issues and the environment.
What policies do centrists dislike about progressives? What are their criticisms? Where are the sticking points? I believe this is a great time for that debate, before we got into the heat of battle next year. We are growing our pro-democracy muscles and that includes being in the fight with people we don't disagree with on certain things, but are united by central things, like Simon's 5 point plan.
Its important to understand and clarify the terrain we are in and that includes understanding the breadth of the party better so we don't succumb to in-fighting while still managing to hold our ground and discuss our differences to deepen and strengthen our team for the campaign ahead.
AnaMaria I am rebating your subscription and removing these comments. They are a clear violation of our community standards about respectful discourse. And if you believe my analysis is "gaslighting" clearly this is the wrong place for you. Good luck in the important battles ahead - Simon
AnaMaria, out of respect for how we do things and how we speak to one another at Hopium I ask that you take these posts down.
Fantastic conversation, really enjoyed hearing the back and forth - Contrarian is my other must-read on Substack!
The opportunities are there and it is important that we focus on the positive. Everything Trump does is losing him votes. The racism, the cruelty the stunts, the voters that this appeals to are already in his camp, they are the diehard maga, but they are a minority. I am confident that we can overcome his efforts to steal the election. David Frum has an excellent piece on steps that can be taken to have elections take place. Again, most importantly, we have to stay strong and we have to stay positive with a laser like focus. 🇨🇦🇩🇪
The conversation with Jennifer Rubin is terrific. Today, especially, Hopium is living up to its name. Simon and Rubin are bringing focus to the many and varied wins Democrats are achieving in local, state and national elections.
Yes, there has been horrific damage both abroad (e.g.,over 600,000 dead due to extinguishing USAID, our loss of reputation around the world as a force for good, etc.) and at home (75,000 law-abiding immigrants deported with no criminal record, green energy and environmental programs ended, public health efforts and scientific progress overturned, pardons to Jan 6 convicted criminals- the list is endless!
But, we are achieving electoral victories, our Democratic electeds are standing up to this Administration’s cruelty and corruption, and we need to make sure everyone sees this. If we can get back control of House and Senate then we can do more than oppose, we can enact new laws to prevent these atrocities from happening again. That is not gaslighting.
Really enjoyed this conversation between Simon and Jen Rubin! Encourage everyone to watch it. Very hopeful to see where we've come from and where we're going.
Great conversation, thank you. Just renewing my request to see how Grassroots Volunteer activists can be better integrated into the political ecosystem
of the Democratic Party. I know you agree, State Chairs can be particularly influential in this regard. The tone is set at the top. 2026 calls for increasing our wherewithal, how better than to harness professional free labor.
Another call to Thom Tillis to thank him today! He joined Collins and Murkowski to challenge a new HHS rule change in favor of more transparency in federal agencies. Hurrah! I asked him to go further and get rid of RFK. Little cracks.
Simon, thanks for posting the transcript in the email. I’m one (of an obvious minority) who just doesn’t take in spoken info very well.
I am too.
Me three.
No matter what lies Kremlin-aligned members of his own staff (this includes Vance) tell Dolos, the Tsar is not winning this war and has diminishing prospects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOAjhIeDhGk&list=TLPQMTAxMjIwMjX3EZA8NW11Mg. In fact, the Tsar’s only hope is an intervention against both Ukraine and Europe BY THE USA to give Russia a chance at victory. So, here is a sobering but clear-eyed assessment of America’s move to SUPPORT RUSSIA by Professor Scott Lucas, an American geopolitical strategist and academic based in Ireland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXHtQoB1dWU&list=TLPQMTAxMjIwMjWSkHO-J8rO_w.
All members of what was once the GOP need to be put on notice. THIS GAME OF DOLOS AND HIS TSAR CANNOT STAND!! In their shadow war, Russia is now consistently attempting to place incendiary devices in Western commercial aircraft: https://nypost.com/2025/12/10/world-news/russia-planned-bombings-on-us-bound-cargo-planes-poisoning-water-supplies-as-part-of-covert-war-against-europe-report/ . STUFF IS GETTING REAL. Can we really trust the current regime (a true KAKISTOCRACY) to protect this nation and its aviation/transport industry: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/people-disbelief-over-secretary-transportations-171811725.html? This is a rhetorical question.
ON REPEAT FROM LAST MONTH:
Again and again, I return to Vlad Vexler, the Russian-born and Oxford-trained political philosopher (this blurb is 23 minutes, but it is worth the listen in its entirety): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQtHoTP-irQ&list=TLPQMjIxMTIwMjViwhTj66rGYQ. He has been highly accurate in predicting the unsettling RELATIONSHIP/DEPENDENCY between Dolos and HIS Tsar. Look up the term narcissistic supply. Please understand that Dolos and his feckless acolytes are a deep symptom of our democracy in significant decline.
ON REPEAT FROM EARLY MARCH OF THIS YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN WARNED. AS A MALIGNANT NARCISSIST WITH A UNIQUE EPISODIC PERSONALITY DEFECT, DOLOS WILL SELL THIS COUNTRY DOWN THE RIVER TO ENSURE HIS OWN PSYCHIC AND PHYSICAL (I.E. NO JAIL OR OTHERWISE) SECURITY!!
Simon et al.:
MAYDAY?! As Malcolm Nance warned during the first term of Dolos, WE ARE LIVING THROUGH A RUSSIAN OPERATION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGFKwshHjWQ&list=TLPQMDkwMzIwMjVSQFFablTasA . Now, Peter Zeihan, who has been a geopolitical strategist for over 25 years and predicted the attack on Ukraine (please view this 3-minute blurb and note the date): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkuhWA9GdCo, seems to be leaning toward the Nance spectrum about the seemingly unpatriotic behavior of Dolos.
Per our Five-Eyes partners, sensitive intelligence has already begun to leak; therefore, they will throttle back their interactions (making us vulnerable). So, the USA is now deemed untrustworthy - even to the Israelis and the Saudis. This is not a game.
The Russians know that their demography has sealed their fate. The old KGB Colonel wants us to join his team, “a trailer park with atomic bombs”, in HELL! Sadly, one side of our political dynamic has already made the WRONG choice.
I literally come from heroes (see the medal in my icon). Thus, before people inexplicably start to fall out of windows or take ill (from exotic poisons), WE NOW KNOW OUR LIKELY ULTIMATE ENEMY. Dolos has always been an actor taking directions from others, i.e. Fred Trump, Roy Cohn, the producers of “The Apprentice”, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, and now the TSAR. To remove any doubt, here is a thoughtful take from Ambassador (and former National Security Advisor) Rice on the Kremlin's "Honey Do List": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWbK5gfNYd4 .
Because the TSAR is losing (with donkeys on the battlefield and falling oil prices), they have moved too fast and unmasked themselves. So, tighten your broken shield onto your broken arm (here is some cinematic inspiration): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pFUP0HZwWM . I’m an old Marvel fanboy: “Let’s go!” LET’S MAKE IT REAL.
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
P.P.S.: DEMOCRATS (AND PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE) NEED TO HAVE “TOWN HALLS” IN REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS - ASAP. YOUR OPPONENTS HAVE WILLINGLY CONCEDED THE FIELD.
You rock!
I think this interview hits on something really important that I think our leaders need to learn. That is that you need to confidently state what you believe to be true, but then do it on an endless repeat.
So assuming people would remember Trump was terrible was a huge mistake. We need to define him and then repeat over and over what he really is, and what he represents. When what you say seems to mesh with reality, it becomes understood and believed.
You can do the same with repeated lies, which is what they do so well.
I have to think repeating the truth and really rewiring peoples' thinking is going to eventually defeat lies.
In addition to defining how terrible Trump is, we need to state "we are better for the economy", and "we are better for small business", and "we empower people to be successful", etc. But just state it is facts and do it nonstop. Stick to it.
The GOP, for reasons that elude me and are not backed by facts, continue to be trusted more than Democrats for prosperity and economy. We need to flip that now. The GOP represent crony capitalism. They are impeding small business in many ways.
Millie Polli Haskell.....Reporting-first, Simon, Thank you and Jen Rubin for bringing this great conversation and information to the the forefront. Well done. It's always important keep listening and find the truth.
And, I thought I had mentioned this earlier, but I am still on a Mayor-Elect Eileen Higgins HIGH! 19pts! We All Won
"ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL" according to the "BARD"
I love this early time in my mornings, where I read Simon’s and others’ substacks. I am inspired by all of you readers, like-minded Americans.
Then I take a deep breath and begin the action part of my day. I am heading into two days with three voter registration events. The events are nonpartisan, and I adhere strictly to that, but my guess is that the big majority of these new voters will vote Dem. (This is not to say new Rep voters aren’t registering elsewhere. )
It’s not easy to register and vote in Texas. For two of these events, I will be on my own. We need more volunteers. If you’re in North Texas, look up ntxvotes.org.
Really appreciated above all things in this conversation, touching upon "electability," something which has no definitive ground floor or ceiling and absolutes to all people are impossible.
Again, the old William Goldman quote about Hollywood film success comes to mind: "Nobody knows anything."
I love the perspective that Simon and Jen Ruben provide for the political terrain we have been through and are currently in.
This conversation raised a question for me when Simon mentioned centrist democrats, or moderate democrats. I know what progressives think about them in general, and about the criticisms they have towards centrists. But how do centrists self identify? What policies do they believe in that makes them centrists? People throw out the terms centrist or moderates and just assume we all know what that means. For myself and many other progressive it seems like a code for corporatists, big business and deep pocket donors buying influence, who still align with democratic values on social issues and the environment.
What policies do centrists dislike about progressives? What are their criticisms? Where are the sticking points? I believe this is a great time for that debate, before we got into the heat of battle next year. We are growing our pro-democracy muscles and that includes being in the fight with people we don't disagree with on certain things, but are united by central things, like Simon's 5 point plan.
Its important to understand and clarify the terrain we are in and that includes understanding the breadth of the party better so we don't succumb to in-fighting while still managing to hold our ground and discuss our differences to deepen and strengthen our team for the campaign ahead.