In the months ahead, as the consequence of Trump tariffs are increasingly felt by Americans, Democratic candidates have a unique opportunity to tar their Republican opponents.
For instance, when Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter, who is challenging Senator Jon Ossof, touts himself as a "MAGA warrior for Donald Trump", the Ossof campaign can brand him as "a MAGA warrior for Trump’s tariffs". "Buddy Carter supports the Republican tariffs that are devastating your wallet." "Carter and the tariffs he supports are the reason everything costs more."
Make every national Republican politician own these tariffs and the damage they’re doing to the USA!
Things are getting interesting on the Georgia front w/r to the challenge to Senator Ossoff.
Our popular governor, Brian Kemp, has decided not to challenge the Senator.
The two touted challengers are Buddy Carter and MTG. It's interesting to note that MTG is making more news by being critical of MAGA. It's as if she senses accurately that there's no way she can win a statewide race by remaining full MAGA.
As for Carter, prior to the November election, he was a regular guest on our NPR local show, "Politically Georgia." If he said this once, he said it a dozen times: "Don't judge Trump by his character. Judge him by his policies." Okey, dokey. He was the one who submitted a resolution to change the name of Greenland to "Red-White and Blueland."
Kemp is a very savvy politician. Republicans and their enablers in the media can tell themselves that he's positioning himself for 2028 or that he didn't think he could win a primary against MAGA, but does that sound like the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but? Me neither :)
100% agree, and would go one further... Make them own everything that is not favorable. No one cares about the nuances of the global economy and avian bird flu. Egg prices too high?Trump. Prices in general too high? Trump's tariffs. Measles outbreaks? Trump's lunatic HHS. Air traffic control breakdown? Trump's DOGE attack on the FAA. Trade deal with UK? A weak capitulation that favors them and does nothing for us. A total self-own.
Biden was blamed for everything under the sun, given no credit for lots of good, and as Simon has said repeatedly, once that narrative takes hold, it's really hard to shake. But that will only happen if it's repeated early, often, and without qualification or hesitation. The attacks won't work on a well-liked president with a high approval rating. They absolutely will land hard at this time on the bozo who is in office.
Make all of these Republican issues. PINO isn't on the ballot, label each one with Republican tariffs, Republican's caused measles outbreak. Make the Rs own it and defend it. All attack, no defense.
Agree. The biggest mistake Biden-Harris made was letting the GOP do just that, unchallenged, for nearly four years, especially where inflation was concerned, which had seven causes, every single one of them completely Trump’s fault.
100% agree. Call these what they are, "Republican tariffs." Full stop. Hang them like a millstone around EVERY Republican's neck. Make them own it, defend it.
I would also add that Ds need to do a better job of talking about the tariffs at a granular level. How they affect small business owners and every day people. No more of this academic language or broad sweeping statements. Explain it simply and give real world examples. Connect people to the negative effect of tariffs.
And for the love of everything that is reasonable and good in the universe, do not let anyone forget about Trump's pay more, get less self-own!!!! Keep saying, "Trumps says instead of 20 dolls, you get two, and the two you get will cost more", and add to it, do you think Elon's kids, or Trump's grandkids, or Mark Zuckerburg's kids, or Bill Ackman's kids are going to have to worry about that? No, they're going to have 20 Ferrari's, or 20 diamond necklaces, or 20 of whatever they want regardless. It's you-- the 97% of Americans-- that Trump is targeting."
I am certainly encouraged by Pope Leo's strong, public moral opposition to Trump. However, it remains true that this Pope will continue to promote the homophobic, misogynistic traditions that are embedded in Catholic doctrine. Additionally, there are emerging reports about his shielding of abusive clergy. So, while the conclave could have gone in a much darker direction, and I certainly rejoice that they did not, let's not get too excited here!
This is in my view an entirely wrong sentiment. Here we take the wins whey they come and this is an enormous win, both for the world and our politics here in the US. Imagine if they had elected a right wing Vance loving Pope. Please, some perspective here.
I don't disagree that "a win is a win", but are we supposed to raise him up on some glorified pedestal because he's on our side vs. Trump, and ignore everything else he brings to the table. Respectfully, I find your perspective narrow and without nuance. "There are more things in heaven and earth...than are dreamt of in your philosophy".
Stephen, this conversation gets to the core of the Hopium project and how change and social progress happen. Calling me narrow and without nuance, given everything I write everyday, is of course ridiculous; but more importantly, the idea behind "Hopium" - hope with a plan, do more/worry less - is that change happens by taking the wins when they come and building on them, growing the circle of defiance. I address all this in my talk this week, and folks like Timothy Snyder and others who have studied how we overcome authoritarian movements agree with this understanding. For living in the negative space, being perpetually disappointed is self-indulgent and demobilizing in a time of crisis. I am not ignoring the sins of the Church, as I do not ignore the dangers of Trump. But what happened yesterday appears to be unalloyed good and give yourself the grace to live in that space rather than to selfishly bring all of us down.
So we are probably done with this exchange, as we come from very different spaces.
Since you believe me to be "ridiculous," "self-indulgent," "demobilizing," and "selfish," we probably have nothing much to talk about. I guess we all have to think like you do to be in that special elite who know the right way to fight authoritarianism. God forbid we should be critical of your particular point of view.
You clearly don't need me or my opinions, so I wish you well, but I'll devote my energies to other forums less narrowly focused on how to fight this fight.
Stephen, I respected you and others here by engaging with something you wrote this morning, and tried to use it as a way of sharing my understandings from my many years of politics and have been a student of discourse, politics and authoritarianism. That is why people come here. To learn, to debate, to win. One of those core understandings is that the people who turn clear, unassailable wins into losses are being destructive and doing the work of our opponent for them. If that is the space you want to inhabit and defend then you are right, this is not best place for you. I wish you well on your journey.
Following on Simon’s point, please do not ignore that the Catholic laity are what matters politically. Most accept homosexuality and support women’s equality and the right to choose. I speak from personal observation of family and friends as well as broader measures.
I don’t want to create a debate away from Hopium’s purpose but must say this on the issue of abuse: the Church is working to address the issue and increasingly with success. Few if any of the laity, the clergy or the hierarchy today are at all supportive of either the sins of those priests and brothers or even more so of the sins of those who perpetrated coverups for so long.
I was raised Catholic but have a lot of ambivalence about Catholicism. But I found Heather Cox Richardson’s piece today fascinating. I was unaware of this back and forth between Vance, the late Pope, and now the new Pope (through social media posts). Given the extraordinary power conservative Catholics like Leonard Leo have exercised in this country, I think it’s very productive to have more liberal statements about Catholic theology be put out there. I get what you’re saying but I think now is a good time for Christian leaders to fight back against Christian Nationalism.
This is well said and I do not disagree. My argument, despite Simon's comment about my lack of perspective, is that perspective is exactly what's needed.
The new Pope's doing or not doing on child molestation has more than one front. A faction tried to get rid of him from the powerful position. The same faction that Francesco eventually disbanded. The report says Padre Bob opened an investigation that was shut down by Vatican before Francesco. We live in Rome. People who are not religious are joyful today because now the most famous American is not a convicted fellon. I call the CC The Child Molestation Club but even I am happy that the church did not go backward. Like Simon, I will take any win I can get hoping Pope Leone will evolve on Child molestation and LGBTQ fronts.
I don't hold the pope in any special esteem (he's basically the CEO of The Catholic Church, Inc.), nor do I care one bit for Catholicism or any religion. But...
Any powerful, highly-platformed voice against MAGA and global fascism, who also tries to swing the pendulum back to the Sermon-on-the-Mount Jesus (Jimmy Carter's role model), and away from the Revelation Jesus (MAGA's role model) is more than welcomed and should be applauded. Not raised on a pedestal, not glorified, and not exempted from rational moral/ethical judgment, but certainly welcomed and celebrated.
If more Catholics swing toward SOTM Jesus by the pope's example, the US and world become better for everyone.
"I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians" -- Gandhi
Your use of the term "Revelation Jesus" -- is VERY clever and powerful. Thank you. (It's going to see some use.)
In my life, I've witnessed the DEEP divide between Roman Catholics and Protestants. I was in elementary school when JFK ran, and the Southern Baptist family that lived next to us in Michigan DESPISED him. We've been in Georgia for 40 years now, and when we got here, some of the older locals -- one of them from Michigan -- would tell that when JFK was killed, some of the people here CELEBRATED driving around and honking horns. That's how fucked up some of this country is.
Anyway, it was in the 70s -- after Roe -- that a kind of political alliance was formed among these formerly alienated religious groups. These so-called Christians thought Jimmy Carter was weak, and would have lynched Mike Pence in a heartbeat. We continue to suffer them at our peril.
I have to give credit to Bart Ehrman for "Revelation Jesus". He was on Sam Harris' podcast, and he was explaining how American Christianity, specifically vis a vis MAGA has devolved. He explained how there are two incompatible Jesuses in the Bible--the one that was dominant for 1900+ years, epitomized by the Sermon on the Mount (the Gospels, more generally), and the one that has become dominant in America (MAGA) in the last 60-or-so years (exactly to your point), epitomized by Revelation. And, they're so incompatible, if you're a believer, you kind of have to choose one and ignore the other.
So, I shortened that to "Sermon on the Mount Jesus" and "Revelation Jesus". :-). If you can find that podcast episode, I highly recommend it. Dr. Ehrman is an extremely compelling speaker.
Religious institutions generally change at a glacial pace. They are not good at self correction and can’t admit easily institutional errors. Also people operating within flawed institutions will be tainted by those flaws.
What I see is both Francis and, I think, Leo recognize the need for change but can only go as fast as their institutional politics will allow.
One important thing Francis was doing, and I suggest reading Gareth Gore’s book, is pushing back on the Opus Dei weirdos including demoting their position in the hierarchy. I’m hoping Leo continues this as well.
A lot of the right wing Catholics in DC are Opus Dei, including Leonard Leo and Bill Barr. Those people are truly dangerous.
I called Senators already yesterday to oppose Casey Means but I had never heard her speak before. Holy shit is she dumb. That is one disorganized mind.
I am not a Catholic, but I am excited by the election of our new pope, Leo XIV, and especially pleased to learn he has Creole roots to New Orleans (a strongly Catholic city) through his maternal grandparents, who were free people of color. Truly a pope who will represent all Catholics, not just the white ones. Maga heads will explode, which makes my day! This quote says it all:
“The City of New Orleans is a melting pot of different religions and beliefs,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. “We are thrilled to welcome Pope Leo XIV, who embodies morality, unity, and inclusivity.”
It's also wild what I'm getting from my in-laws, who are Peruvian. They're ecstatic. This was a fantastic choice (according to them, like you, I'm not Catholic).
Wonderful, Moishe! So happy for your in-laws and all Peruvians. This is an exciting time and I have goosebumps. We know that Dump and Vance will pick a major fight with Pope Leo and I say, Bring It On! 😉
The news media calls Pope Leo XIV "the first American Pope".
Far more correct, in my opinion, is seeing him as "the second Pope of the Americas".
NOTE: Here is an alternative link to Robert Francis Prevost’s Tweets, which bypasses Musk’s Xitter. As Simon points out, his Tweets are well worth reading!
Yesterday, on the occasion of VE Day which marks Allied victory in World War II, King Harald V of Norway held a powerful speech – and it is getting unusually much attention.
King Harald held this speech in Trandumskogen, often referred to as "The Death Forest". This is where soldiers of Nazi Germany, who were occupying Norway, executed 194 resistance fighters and buried them in mass graves.
Here is part of the King’s speech:
"Today we celebrate 80 years since the jubilant day in our country's history: the liberation from occupation on May 8, 1945. But it was not a day of joy for everyone. The war continued to cast long shadows over the lives of innocent people: Jews, queers, Roma… Survivors who had lost loved ones. For some, the war never ended.
"What is worth fighting for today? When we talk about protecting our freedom and values, what does that really mean?
"In the world, it means, among other things, showing mutual respect for national borders. That we respect international laws and rules. That we can cooperate and trust each other within a community of allied states.
"In Norway, it means having a democratic government where the majority recognizes that one of their most important tasks is to take care of the minority. Where no one is above the law, and where all people are of equal value.
"In our local environment, in our everyday lives, we protect our values by avoiding spreading lies, but by speaking the truth. By taking responsibility for our own mistakes and actions. By caring and being kind to each other. By not only being concerned with protecting ourselves, but also taking care of others around us."
These words are widely seen as addressed to Trump:
"In the world, it means, among other things, showing mutual respect for national borders. That we respect international laws and rules. That we can cooperate and trust each other within a community of allied states."
These too are weighty words worth repeating:
"In Norway, it means having a democratic government where the majority recognizes that one of their most important tasks is to take care of the minority. Where no one is above the law, and where all people are of equal value."
"We protect our values by avoiding spreading lies, but by speaking the truth." Recently included an article in a newsletter for a client about making lying to win an election a cause for annulment of the results. Even though it was the last article of the issue, it got 4x the clicks of any other: https://medium.com/@creative_politics/fight-lies-2a1fdaa1f318
Every single disatrous loss for Trump is a positive. The failing, weakened Rey Loco is a laughingstock.
And while it hurts every American, every single one of these failures needs to be publicized, pushed, and promoted. Trump (and Republicans) are the butt of jokes at business conferences.
Striking out my prior message since it looks like Democrats did the right thing while I was flying, so good work Team Blue!
Leo XIV is an American for all of America, nos Norteamericanos y los Sudamericanos también porque es Peruvian de Estados Unidas.
Leo XIV is a man of many colors and cultures by heritage and multilingual.
And Leo XIV holds a dusty old Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova, 1977. As my dear mathematical colleague of a quarter of a century standing, a hereditary Catholic himself, remarked, “He exchanged one religion for another.” Let those who have ears to hear, hear.
Let us not forget Leo XIV’s solid rooting in historically patriarchal settings (Latino, mathematical, Roman Catholic); his privileged-by-virtue-of-gender rise while we celebrate the components that appeal. I’m glad my Roman Catholic brethren chose him. I do not think he will save us from Trump’s madness.
It is still up to us old ladies in sneakers. Onward!
Simon, I appreciate so much your calm and timely assessment of events so critical to our nation and your undefeated optimism. However, when I listen to the clip you selected for “the witch” I do not hear blasphemy but saneness. I say this from a background in public health plus a personal history that has included a long battle with often elusive health problems. I understand you are addressing your viewpoint on vaccines which I agree with; I am an ardent supporter of vaccines based on the history of so many lives saved and the critical element of herd immunity. However, from a broader health perspective, I agree with “the witch” that the U.S. healthcare and health research has fallen prey to an overemphasis on invasive and pharmaceutical interventions that are often toxic and sometimes fatal, to the detriment of a holistic, east meets west approach to health that encompasses nutritional, emotional, internal listening to/getting in touch with the body, spiritual, and wellbeing components that are far too often dismissed as core to regaining health. I don’t know how well I explained this. I speak from personal experience and grappling with my own health for many years. We need a new approach. Some in the medical/research communities practice this but far from all.
I had a similar reaction to the Casey Means clip in Simon's post. Vaccines are a vital part of maintaining health in our country and in the world, but I agree with Ms. Means that western medicine is often unnecessarily invasive and harmful, and that holistic medicine has a place. Still, Ms. Means strikes me as dishonest and self-serving, as all of the people toeing Trump's line seem to be.
As a long time student of Wicca, I also take umbridge with using the word "witch" as a slur. No need for that. I think it points out certain unexamined biases to both celebrate a new Pope who is clearly on our side, while calling out a "witch" on the other.
Self reporting...I constantly try leaving different messages when I call Congress...today's "if the tables were turned and I chose my job over your family's safety and health, how would you feel?" And, thank you Simon, for your thorough reporting!!!!!!
First calls are in to WI democratic elected members of congress. I’m attending a “truth rally” in River Falls this afternoon -a counter rally to the legislative update by our state senator and representative. Hopefully there will be a good crowd Holding signs and proudly waving flags
I also used resistbot nearly daily to send written comments. There is a resistbot author Coleman who publishes extremely well-written letters about a wide range of concerns; letters that are worth signing onto and supporting. You can go to the resistbot website and search on COLEMAN to get a list, and then follow this author.
I’ve also been writing postcards (Activate America) to constituents of CA Republican Representatives Calvert, Kim, and Valadao. The script encourages voters to contact their representative about cuts to MediCal; and also the tariffs. The thing I’ve enjoyed about this is that I’m using postcards I’ve collected during many years travels, including postcards from the National Gallery in London. I’m also giving them the gift of beautiful artwork!
Thank you - as a librarian/data scientist, the DOGE thing is really making me irate. And FWIW, I've sent so many Resistbot messages, I'm out of freebies altogether (that's what happens when your congressperson does NO constituent contact whatsoever)!
Posting this from librarian world, and asking that folks ask their electeds to sign on to the "Dear Appropriator" letters for library and archives/museums funding in the federal budget.
"Last night, the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, the first woman and first African American to ever hold the post, was fired by email without cause by Donald Trump. You may recall the national Archivist was also fired by Trump just three weeks into his term of office. And the proposed FY26 federal budget has zero funding for libraries...we all need to stand together against the dismantling of and attacks on these institutions.
From the American Lib Assoc: With the administration’s plans now clearer than ever, we need Congress to pass funding for libraries into law for FY26 so that the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by IMLS, and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program within the Department of Education, both have money with which function. Otherwise, they won’t be able to operate, regardless of the outcome in the courts. Your advocacy is more critical than ever.
ALA is asking us to urge our senators and representative to sign onto the 'Dear Appropriator' letters for IMLS and IAL in Congress, which urge Appropriations Committees to support funding for libraries. Please call the Senators and your Congressional representative right away (and as often as you can) to demand that they sign on and show their support for federal library funding."
Carla Hayden was a fantastic Librarian. May she be one again. It's getting harder and harder to commit to turning the other cheek when we get back in power, especially what Christ meant by that isn't what people think. It was more like a combo of mooning someone and saying "is that all you got, chump?"
On the call you floated the idea of protesting at HHS. I love this idea and would go even further to start a whole “Hopium Health” initiative centered around pushing this third front. Calling our reps about health, being loud that the regime is full of anti health freaks who are killing people, and protesting at government health agencies, just to start. Anti vax loonies get a lot of press attention and they’ve made inroads but overall their message is very unpopular. Virtually no one wants to cut cancer and other disease funding. And we need to remind people that the mad king is completely unprepared to handle the next health emergency. This also affects the economy as unchecked diseases also decimate livestock and drive up food prices. Lots of low hanging fruit.
I too am very interested in working on Hopium Health. I am a retired Nurse Practitioner and am appalled and saddened by what is happening to science and healthcare research funding, Medicaid are all connected. I watch Microbe TV podcast. They are focussed on Infectious disease but also talk about government cuts and their affects.
Paul Offit has been on regularly and on Saturday there is an update with Daniel Griffin MD. He has been starting by reading information sent to him about the weeks cuts. It is so disrubing and so very important that people realize that our future health is being impacted. Over 100,000 people died from Covid because they did not get vaccinated.
My Friday congresspersons call script that anyone can riff off of:
- [thanks to Sen. Merkley for Q’ing Patel re: due process yesterday]
- Legislative recommendations:
- 1. repeal the Alien Enemies Act. It should’ve been repealed after it was used to send Japanese-Americans to internment camps in WWII. Now it is especially urgent to repeal it. b/c it’s being used to send innocent people to be incarcerated in foreign prisons on American taxpayer dime, apparently for life and in violation of the 5th & 8th Amendments, w/o conviction of any crime.
- 2. Amend the Immigration & Nationality Act so that the Secretary of State can’t pretend like a student or other noncitizen is a nat’l security threat to incarcerate or deport them just for exercising their free speech.
Someone above wrote a "modest proposal" - referring to the "famous" Jonathan Swift essay about the English subjugation of the Irish.
As for the "Alien Enemies Act,:" I beg to differ. My modest proposal is to rename it and give it more teeth. They have set the table.... let's serve them up, and do our country one better.
Yeah that’s a popular fantasy but as a lawyer the 8th amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment must apply to everyone else it loses its force. As with due process.
My proposal is ANYTHING but Swiftian. Heavy on the logic, reason, and precedent, and not a hint of cruelty as understood by the Framers. Doing the MAGAts FAR more than one better.
Or, as my mama used to say: "Never change gift horses in the middle of a stream."
In this crazy, crazy country we live in, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and honor the life of David Souter, who left us today.
I remain exhilarated by the selection of Pope Leo XIV, and I am still not Catholic! A mixed race, compassionate American. Yes, the College of Cardinals was savvy, but I may add that Pope Leo embodies the American ideal. Like a certain gent named Barack Obama!! Very proud.
As for the witch for Surgeon General, she will appeal to the MAHA loons. A deep dive on her likely grifting would seem like time well spent!!! Plus little cracks become big cracks.
Greatly admired Justice Souter. When I think of near-ideal temperament., I think of him. We were so fortunate to have him. (And he was a MAJOR disappointment to the conservative wing than nominated him.)
A MODEST PROPOSAL
In the months ahead, as the consequence of Trump tariffs are increasingly felt by Americans, Democratic candidates have a unique opportunity to tar their Republican opponents.
For instance, when Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter, who is challenging Senator Jon Ossof, touts himself as a "MAGA warrior for Donald Trump", the Ossof campaign can brand him as "a MAGA warrior for Trump’s tariffs". "Buddy Carter supports the Republican tariffs that are devastating your wallet." "Carter and the tariffs he supports are the reason everything costs more."
Make every national Republican politician own these tariffs and the damage they’re doing to the USA!
Things are getting interesting on the Georgia front w/r to the challenge to Senator Ossoff.
Our popular governor, Brian Kemp, has decided not to challenge the Senator.
The two touted challengers are Buddy Carter and MTG. It's interesting to note that MTG is making more news by being critical of MAGA. It's as if she senses accurately that there's no way she can win a statewide race by remaining full MAGA.
As for Carter, prior to the November election, he was a regular guest on our NPR local show, "Politically Georgia." If he said this once, he said it a dozen times: "Don't judge Trump by his character. Judge him by his policies." Okey, dokey. He was the one who submitted a resolution to change the name of Greenland to "Red-White and Blueland."
dear god
Kemp is a very savvy politician. Republicans and their enablers in the media can tell themselves that he's positioning himself for 2028 or that he didn't think he could win a primary against MAGA, but does that sound like the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but? Me neither :)
To paraphrase Lee Atwater, "Strip the bark off the little bastards and make Trump's tariffs their runningmate."
Suggest reminding them how upset their masters got with Amazon when Amazon wanted to show the tariff amount as a line item.
100% agree, and would go one further... Make them own everything that is not favorable. No one cares about the nuances of the global economy and avian bird flu. Egg prices too high?Trump. Prices in general too high? Trump's tariffs. Measles outbreaks? Trump's lunatic HHS. Air traffic control breakdown? Trump's DOGE attack on the FAA. Trade deal with UK? A weak capitulation that favors them and does nothing for us. A total self-own.
Biden was blamed for everything under the sun, given no credit for lots of good, and as Simon has said repeatedly, once that narrative takes hold, it's really hard to shake. But that will only happen if it's repeated early, often, and without qualification or hesitation. The attacks won't work on a well-liked president with a high approval rating. They absolutely will land hard at this time on the bozo who is in office.
Make all of these Republican issues. PINO isn't on the ballot, label each one with Republican tariffs, Republican's caused measles outbreak. Make the Rs own it and defend it. All attack, no defense.
Agree. The biggest mistake Biden-Harris made was letting the GOP do just that, unchallenged, for nearly four years, especially where inflation was concerned, which had seven causes, every single one of them completely Trump’s fault.
I saw a question posed to AI: “How much will car prices come down due to the tariffs?” People are going to get their hearts broken.
Hearts and wallets.
100% agree. Call these what they are, "Republican tariffs." Full stop. Hang them like a millstone around EVERY Republican's neck. Make them own it, defend it.
I would also add that Ds need to do a better job of talking about the tariffs at a granular level. How they affect small business owners and every day people. No more of this academic language or broad sweeping statements. Explain it simply and give real world examples. Connect people to the negative effect of tariffs.
Jessica Yellin at News Not Noise did a great job with this post from a few days ago. https://newsnotnoisejessicayellin.substack.com/p/how-tariffs-are-impacting-you
Yes! Thank you for the link to Yellin’s substack article.
And for the love of everything that is reasonable and good in the universe, do not let anyone forget about Trump's pay more, get less self-own!!!! Keep saying, "Trumps says instead of 20 dolls, you get two, and the two you get will cost more", and add to it, do you think Elon's kids, or Trump's grandkids, or Mark Zuckerburg's kids, or Bill Ackman's kids are going to have to worry about that? No, they're going to have 20 Ferrari's, or 20 diamond necklaces, or 20 of whatever they want regardless. It's you-- the 97% of Americans-- that Trump is targeting."
I am certainly encouraged by Pope Leo's strong, public moral opposition to Trump. However, it remains true that this Pope will continue to promote the homophobic, misogynistic traditions that are embedded in Catholic doctrine. Additionally, there are emerging reports about his shielding of abusive clergy. So, while the conclave could have gone in a much darker direction, and I certainly rejoice that they did not, let's not get too excited here!
This is in my view an entirely wrong sentiment. Here we take the wins whey they come and this is an enormous win, both for the world and our politics here in the US. Imagine if they had elected a right wing Vance loving Pope. Please, some perspective here.
I don't disagree that "a win is a win", but are we supposed to raise him up on some glorified pedestal because he's on our side vs. Trump, and ignore everything else he brings to the table. Respectfully, I find your perspective narrow and without nuance. "There are more things in heaven and earth...than are dreamt of in your philosophy".
Stephen, this conversation gets to the core of the Hopium project and how change and social progress happen. Calling me narrow and without nuance, given everything I write everyday, is of course ridiculous; but more importantly, the idea behind "Hopium" - hope with a plan, do more/worry less - is that change happens by taking the wins when they come and building on them, growing the circle of defiance. I address all this in my talk this week, and folks like Timothy Snyder and others who have studied how we overcome authoritarian movements agree with this understanding. For living in the negative space, being perpetually disappointed is self-indulgent and demobilizing in a time of crisis. I am not ignoring the sins of the Church, as I do not ignore the dangers of Trump. But what happened yesterday appears to be unalloyed good and give yourself the grace to live in that space rather than to selfishly bring all of us down.
Simon, your responses and not reactions are so refreshing and give me hope and a fine role model....I crying because we need this encouragement.
Simon,
So we are probably done with this exchange, as we come from very different spaces.
Since you believe me to be "ridiculous," "self-indulgent," "demobilizing," and "selfish," we probably have nothing much to talk about. I guess we all have to think like you do to be in that special elite who know the right way to fight authoritarianism. God forbid we should be critical of your particular point of view.
You clearly don't need me or my opinions, so I wish you well, but I'll devote my energies to other forums less narrowly focused on how to fight this fight.
Stephen, I respected you and others here by engaging with something you wrote this morning, and tried to use it as a way of sharing my understandings from my many years of politics and have been a student of discourse, politics and authoritarianism. That is why people come here. To learn, to debate, to win. One of those core understandings is that the people who turn clear, unassailable wins into losses are being destructive and doing the work of our opponent for them. If that is the space you want to inhabit and defend then you are right, this is not best place for you. I wish you well on your journey.
Following on Simon’s point, please do not ignore that the Catholic laity are what matters politically. Most accept homosexuality and support women’s equality and the right to choose. I speak from personal observation of family and friends as well as broader measures.
I don’t want to create a debate away from Hopium’s purpose but must say this on the issue of abuse: the Church is working to address the issue and increasingly with success. Few if any of the laity, the clergy or the hierarchy today are at all supportive of either the sins of those priests and brothers or even more so of the sins of those who perpetrated coverups for so long.
I was raised Catholic but have a lot of ambivalence about Catholicism. But I found Heather Cox Richardson’s piece today fascinating. I was unaware of this back and forth between Vance, the late Pope, and now the new Pope (through social media posts). Given the extraordinary power conservative Catholics like Leonard Leo have exercised in this country, I think it’s very productive to have more liberal statements about Catholic theology be put out there. I get what you’re saying but I think now is a good time for Christian leaders to fight back against Christian Nationalism.
This is well said and I do not disagree. My argument, despite Simon's comment about my lack of perspective, is that perspective is exactly what's needed.
Imho, Leonard Leo and Curtis Yarvin are two of the most dangerous people in American not holding elected or appointed office.
The new Pope's doing or not doing on child molestation has more than one front. A faction tried to get rid of him from the powerful position. The same faction that Francesco eventually disbanded. The report says Padre Bob opened an investigation that was shut down by Vatican before Francesco. We live in Rome. People who are not religious are joyful today because now the most famous American is not a convicted fellon. I call the CC The Child Molestation Club but even I am happy that the church did not go backward. Like Simon, I will take any win I can get hoping Pope Leone will evolve on Child molestation and LGBTQ fronts.
Good reporting, thank you.
I don't hold the pope in any special esteem (he's basically the CEO of The Catholic Church, Inc.), nor do I care one bit for Catholicism or any religion. But...
Any powerful, highly-platformed voice against MAGA and global fascism, who also tries to swing the pendulum back to the Sermon-on-the-Mount Jesus (Jimmy Carter's role model), and away from the Revelation Jesus (MAGA's role model) is more than welcomed and should be applauded. Not raised on a pedestal, not glorified, and not exempted from rational moral/ethical judgment, but certainly welcomed and celebrated.
If more Catholics swing toward SOTM Jesus by the pope's example, the US and world become better for everyone.
"I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians" -- Gandhi
Your use of the term "Revelation Jesus" -- is VERY clever and powerful. Thank you. (It's going to see some use.)
In my life, I've witnessed the DEEP divide between Roman Catholics and Protestants. I was in elementary school when JFK ran, and the Southern Baptist family that lived next to us in Michigan DESPISED him. We've been in Georgia for 40 years now, and when we got here, some of the older locals -- one of them from Michigan -- would tell that when JFK was killed, some of the people here CELEBRATED driving around and honking horns. That's how fucked up some of this country is.
Anyway, it was in the 70s -- after Roe -- that a kind of political alliance was formed among these formerly alienated religious groups. These so-called Christians thought Jimmy Carter was weak, and would have lynched Mike Pence in a heartbeat. We continue to suffer them at our peril.
Thank you for the kind words, and great story.
I have to give credit to Bart Ehrman for "Revelation Jesus". He was on Sam Harris' podcast, and he was explaining how American Christianity, specifically vis a vis MAGA has devolved. He explained how there are two incompatible Jesuses in the Bible--the one that was dominant for 1900+ years, epitomized by the Sermon on the Mount (the Gospels, more generally), and the one that has become dominant in America (MAGA) in the last 60-or-so years (exactly to your point), epitomized by Revelation. And, they're so incompatible, if you're a believer, you kind of have to choose one and ignore the other.
So, I shortened that to "Sermon on the Mount Jesus" and "Revelation Jesus". :-). If you can find that podcast episode, I highly recommend it. Dr. Ehrman is an extremely compelling speaker.
I would also give credit to Kristen Du Mez : Jesus and John Wayne is a powerful book about the history of Christian Nationalism
Howard Thurmond also wrote about the living Jesus of the Gospels versus the Risen Christ
He said the Black church focused on the living Jesus
I am concerned that the MAGA folks have created a risen Christ of the AK47
I am not Catholic but glad to see this new Pope is talking about the living Jesus
Wonder if the new pope is a fan or reader of Richard Rohr? I can only hope.
Religious institutions generally change at a glacial pace. They are not good at self correction and can’t admit easily institutional errors. Also people operating within flawed institutions will be tainted by those flaws.
What I see is both Francis and, I think, Leo recognize the need for change but can only go as fast as their institutional politics will allow.
One important thing Francis was doing, and I suggest reading Gareth Gore’s book, is pushing back on the Opus Dei weirdos including demoting their position in the hierarchy. I’m hoping Leo continues this as well.
A lot of the right wing Catholics in DC are Opus Dei, including Leonard Leo and Bill Barr. Those people are truly dangerous.
I called Senators already yesterday to oppose Casey Means but I had never heard her speak before. Holy shit is she dumb. That is one disorganized mind.
Its shocking.
This is "trump shit crazy".
I am not a Catholic, but I am excited by the election of our new pope, Leo XIV, and especially pleased to learn he has Creole roots to New Orleans (a strongly Catholic city) through his maternal grandparents, who were free people of color. Truly a pope who will represent all Catholics, not just the white ones. Maga heads will explode, which makes my day! This quote says it all:
“The City of New Orleans is a melting pot of different religions and beliefs,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. “We are thrilled to welcome Pope Leo XIV, who embodies morality, unity, and inclusivity.”
It's also wild what I'm getting from my in-laws, who are Peruvian. They're ecstatic. This was a fantastic choice (according to them, like you, I'm not Catholic).
Wonderful, Moishe! So happy for your in-laws and all Peruvians. This is an exciting time and I have goosebumps. We know that Dump and Vance will pick a major fight with Pope Leo and I say, Bring It On! 😉
The news media calls Pope Leo XIV "the first American Pope".
Far more correct, in my opinion, is seeing him as "the second Pope of the Americas".
NOTE: Here is an alternative link to Robert Francis Prevost’s Tweets, which bypasses Musk’s Xitter. As Simon points out, his Tweets are well worth reading!
https://nitter.poast.org/drprevost/
Yes!! Spot on.
I think Substack is stripping out links, @ArcticStones
No, my bad. I just added the link. :)
LOUD MESSAGE FROM THE KING OF NORWAY
Yesterday, on the occasion of VE Day which marks Allied victory in World War II, King Harald V of Norway held a powerful speech – and it is getting unusually much attention.
King Harald held this speech in Trandumskogen, often referred to as "The Death Forest". This is where soldiers of Nazi Germany, who were occupying Norway, executed 194 resistance fighters and buried them in mass graves.
Here is part of the King’s speech:
"Today we celebrate 80 years since the jubilant day in our country's history: the liberation from occupation on May 8, 1945. But it was not a day of joy for everyone. The war continued to cast long shadows over the lives of innocent people: Jews, queers, Roma… Survivors who had lost loved ones. For some, the war never ended.
"What is worth fighting for today? When we talk about protecting our freedom and values, what does that really mean?
"In the world, it means, among other things, showing mutual respect for national borders. That we respect international laws and rules. That we can cooperate and trust each other within a community of allied states.
"In Norway, it means having a democratic government where the majority recognizes that one of their most important tasks is to take care of the minority. Where no one is above the law, and where all people are of equal value.
"In our local environment, in our everyday lives, we protect our values by avoiding spreading lies, but by speaking the truth. By taking responsibility for our own mistakes and actions. By caring and being kind to each other. By not only being concerned with protecting ourselves, but also taking care of others around us."
https://www-nrk-no.translate.goog/norge/kong-harald_-_-vi-ma-tale-a-se-urett-som-er-begatt-1.17408494?_x_tr_sl=no&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
(Link to rather imperfect Google translation)
These words are widely seen as addressed to Trump:
"In the world, it means, among other things, showing mutual respect for national borders. That we respect international laws and rules. That we can cooperate and trust each other within a community of allied states."
These too are weighty words worth repeating:
"In Norway, it means having a democratic government where the majority recognizes that one of their most important tasks is to take care of the minority. Where no one is above the law, and where all people are of equal value."
It sure sounds like it was for the 34 times convicted fellon.
I wonder what the king will say on Syttende Mai. . . .
Excellent! Never thought I'd envy Norway (except for their ultra-cool mythology), but, here I am :-)
"We protect our values by avoiding spreading lies, but by speaking the truth." Recently included an article in a newsletter for a client about making lying to win an election a cause for annulment of the results. Even though it was the last article of the issue, it got 4x the clicks of any other: https://medium.com/@creative_politics/fight-lies-2a1fdaa1f318
Terrific! I look forward to reading that in full.
That’s a king worthy of respect
Every single disatrous loss for Trump is a positive. The failing, weakened Rey Loco is a laughingstock.
And while it hurts every American, every single one of these failures needs to be publicized, pushed, and promoted. Trump (and Republicans) are the butt of jokes at business conferences.
Striking out my prior message since it looks like Democrats did the right thing while I was flying, so good work Team Blue!
̷T̷h̷a̷t̷ ̷b̷e̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷s̷a̷i̷d̷,̷ ̷D̷e̷m̷o̷c̷r̷a̷t̷s̷ ̷n̷e̷e̷d̷ ̷t̷o̷ ̷s̷t̷e̷p̷ ̷u̷p̷.̷ ̷I̷'̷m̷ ̷s̷t̷i̷l̷l̷ ̷c̷a̷t̷c̷h̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷u̷p̷ ̷o̷n̷ ̷n̷e̷w̷s̷,̷ ̷b̷u̷t̷ ̷t̷h̷i̷n̷g̷s̷ ̷l̷i̷k̷e̷ ̷t̷h̷i̷s̷ ̷c̷r̷y̷p̷t̷o̷ ̷g̷i̷v̷e̷a̷w̷a̷y̷ ̷t̷o̷ ̷T̷r̷u̷m̷p̷/̷R̷e̷p̷u̷b̷l̷i̷c̷a̷n̷s̷ ̷n̷e̷e̷d̷ ̷t̷o̷ ̷b̷e̷ ̷s̷t̷o̷p̷p̷e̷d̷ ̷e̷n̷t̷i̷r̷e̷l̷y̷.̷ ̷A̷g̷a̷i̷n̷,̷ ̷s̷t̷i̷l̷l̷ ̷c̷a̷t̷c̷h̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷u̷p̷ ̷b̷u̷t̷ ̷i̷t̷ ̷s̷e̷e̷m̷s̷ ̷t̷h̷a̷t̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷r̷e̷ ̷i̷s̷ ̷a̷ ̷S̷c̷h̷u̷m̷e̷r̷-̷l̷e̷d̷ ̷a̷m̷e̷n̷d̷m̷e̷n̷t̷ ̷t̷o̷ ̷a̷l̷l̷o̷w̷ ̷D̷e̷m̷o̷c̷r̷a̷t̷i̷c̷ ̷s̷e̷n̷a̷t̷o̷r̷s̷ ̷h̷a̷v̷e̷ ̷s̷o̷m̷e̷ ̷s̷a̷f̷e̷t̷y̷ ̷(̷b̷u̷t̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷n̷ ̷a̷l̷l̷o̷w̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷b̷i̷l̷l̷ ̷t̷o̷ ̷p̷a̷s̷s̷;̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷D̷e̷m̷o̷c̷r̷a̷t̷i̷c̷ ̷p̷o̷s̷i̷t̷i̷o̷n̷ ̷s̷h̷o̷u̷l̷d̷ ̷b̷e̷ ̷"̷n̷o̷,̷"̷ ̷f̷o̷r̷c̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷S̷e̷n̷a̷t̷e̷ ̷t̷o̷ ̷e̷i̷t̷h̷e̷r̷ ̷k̷i̷l̷l̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷b̷i̷l̷l̷ ̷o̷r̷ ̷p̷a̷s̷s̷ ̷a̷ ̷m̷u̷c̷h̷ ̷m̷o̷r̷e̷ ̷r̷e̷s̷t̷r̷i̷c̷t̷i̷v̷e̷ ̷b̷i̷l̷l̷.̷ ̷
Leo XIV is an American for all of America, nos Norteamericanos y los Sudamericanos también porque es Peruvian de Estados Unidas.
Leo XIV is a man of many colors and cultures by heritage and multilingual.
And Leo XIV holds a dusty old Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova, 1977. As my dear mathematical colleague of a quarter of a century standing, a hereditary Catholic himself, remarked, “He exchanged one religion for another.” Let those who have ears to hear, hear.
Let us not forget Leo XIV’s solid rooting in historically patriarchal settings (Latino, mathematical, Roman Catholic); his privileged-by-virtue-of-gender rise while we celebrate the components that appeal. I’m glad my Roman Catholic brethren chose him. I do not think he will save us from Trump’s madness.
It is still up to us old ladies in sneakers. Onward!
Simon, I appreciate so much your calm and timely assessment of events so critical to our nation and your undefeated optimism. However, when I listen to the clip you selected for “the witch” I do not hear blasphemy but saneness. I say this from a background in public health plus a personal history that has included a long battle with often elusive health problems. I understand you are addressing your viewpoint on vaccines which I agree with; I am an ardent supporter of vaccines based on the history of so many lives saved and the critical element of herd immunity. However, from a broader health perspective, I agree with “the witch” that the U.S. healthcare and health research has fallen prey to an overemphasis on invasive and pharmaceutical interventions that are often toxic and sometimes fatal, to the detriment of a holistic, east meets west approach to health that encompasses nutritional, emotional, internal listening to/getting in touch with the body, spiritual, and wellbeing components that are far too often dismissed as core to regaining health. I don’t know how well I explained this. I speak from personal experience and grappling with my own health for many years. We need a new approach. Some in the medical/research communities practice this but far from all.
I had a similar reaction to the Casey Means clip in Simon's post. Vaccines are a vital part of maintaining health in our country and in the world, but I agree with Ms. Means that western medicine is often unnecessarily invasive and harmful, and that holistic medicine has a place. Still, Ms. Means strikes me as dishonest and self-serving, as all of the people toeing Trump's line seem to be.
As a long time student of Wicca, I also take umbridge with using the word "witch" as a slur. No need for that. I think it points out certain unexamined biases to both celebrate a new Pope who is clearly on our side, while calling out a "witch" on the other.
Worth noting: Laura Loomer, in addition to writing the hysterical Tweet quoted by Simon, recently wrote a lengthy defense ... of Medicaid!
Pinching my arm… Never did I think I would applaud any utterance from Loomer!
Self reporting...I constantly try leaving different messages when I call Congress...today's "if the tables were turned and I chose my job over your family's safety and health, how would you feel?" And, thank you Simon, for your thorough reporting!!!!!!
I like it - brava!
First calls are in to WI democratic elected members of congress. I’m attending a “truth rally” in River Falls this afternoon -a counter rally to the legislative update by our state senator and representative. Hopefully there will be a good crowd Holding signs and proudly waving flags
Self reporting … yesterday I called my senators and house rep following Jessica Craven’s CWCW. Today I will be calling them about what DOGE is doing with our data. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/07/doge-government-data-immigration-social-security/
I also used resistbot nearly daily to send written comments. There is a resistbot author Coleman who publishes extremely well-written letters about a wide range of concerns; letters that are worth signing onto and supporting. You can go to the resistbot website and search on COLEMAN to get a list, and then follow this author.
https://resist.bot/petitions
I’ve also been writing postcards (Activate America) to constituents of CA Republican Representatives Calvert, Kim, and Valadao. The script encourages voters to contact their representative about cuts to MediCal; and also the tariffs. The thing I’ve enjoyed about this is that I’m using postcards I’ve collected during many years travels, including postcards from the National Gallery in London. I’m also giving them the gift of beautiful artwork!
Thank you - as a librarian/data scientist, the DOGE thing is really making me irate. And FWIW, I've sent so many Resistbot messages, I'm out of freebies altogether (that's what happens when your congressperson does NO constituent contact whatsoever)!
Posting this from librarian world, and asking that folks ask their electeds to sign on to the "Dear Appropriator" letters for library and archives/museums funding in the federal budget.
"Last night, the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, the first woman and first African American to ever hold the post, was fired by email without cause by Donald Trump. You may recall the national Archivist was also fired by Trump just three weeks into his term of office. And the proposed FY26 federal budget has zero funding for libraries...we all need to stand together against the dismantling of and attacks on these institutions.
From the American Lib Assoc: With the administration’s plans now clearer than ever, we need Congress to pass funding for libraries into law for FY26 so that the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by IMLS, and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program within the Department of Education, both have money with which function. Otherwise, they won’t be able to operate, regardless of the outcome in the courts. Your advocacy is more critical than ever.
ALA is asking us to urge our senators and representative to sign onto the 'Dear Appropriator' letters for IMLS and IAL in Congress, which urge Appropriations Committees to support funding for libraries. Please call the Senators and your Congressional representative right away (and as often as you can) to demand that they sign on and show their support for federal library funding."
Thank you. I am sickened by the firing of Hayden, and the threats overall to libraries. It's just so heartbreaking. I appreciate the positive action.
Carla Hayden was a fantastic Librarian. May she be one again. It's getting harder and harder to commit to turning the other cheek when we get back in power, especially what Christ meant by that isn't what people think. It was more like a combo of mooning someone and saying "is that all you got, chump?"
On the call you floated the idea of protesting at HHS. I love this idea and would go even further to start a whole “Hopium Health” initiative centered around pushing this third front. Calling our reps about health, being loud that the regime is full of anti health freaks who are killing people, and protesting at government health agencies, just to start. Anti vax loonies get a lot of press attention and they’ve made inroads but overall their message is very unpopular. Virtually no one wants to cut cancer and other disease funding. And we need to remind people that the mad king is completely unprepared to handle the next health emergency. This also affects the economy as unchecked diseases also decimate livestock and drive up food prices. Lots of low hanging fruit.
I too am very interested in working on Hopium Health. I am a retired Nurse Practitioner and am appalled and saddened by what is happening to science and healthcare research funding, Medicaid are all connected. I watch Microbe TV podcast. They are focussed on Infectious disease but also talk about government cuts and their affects.
Paul Offit has been on regularly and on Saturday there is an update with Daniel Griffin MD. He has been starting by reading information sent to him about the weeks cuts. It is so disrubing and so very important that people realize that our future health is being impacted. Over 100,000 people died from Covid because they did not get vaccinated.
My Friday congresspersons call script that anyone can riff off of:
- [thanks to Sen. Merkley for Q’ing Patel re: due process yesterday]
- Legislative recommendations:
- 1. repeal the Alien Enemies Act. It should’ve been repealed after it was used to send Japanese-Americans to internment camps in WWII. Now it is especially urgent to repeal it. b/c it’s being used to send innocent people to be incarcerated in foreign prisons on American taxpayer dime, apparently for life and in violation of the 5th & 8th Amendments, w/o conviction of any crime.
- 2. Amend the Immigration & Nationality Act so that the Secretary of State can’t pretend like a student or other noncitizen is a nat’l security threat to incarcerate or deport them just for exercising their free speech.
Someone above wrote a "modest proposal" - referring to the "famous" Jonathan Swift essay about the English subjugation of the Irish.
As for the "Alien Enemies Act,:" I beg to differ. My modest proposal is to rename it and give it more teeth. They have set the table.... let's serve them up, and do our country one better.
Yeah that’s a popular fantasy but as a lawyer the 8th amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment must apply to everyone else it loses its force. As with due process.
My proposal is ANYTHING but Swiftian. Heavy on the logic, reason, and precedent, and not a hint of cruelty as understood by the Framers. Doing the MAGAts FAR more than one better.
Or, as my mama used to say: "Never change gift horses in the middle of a stream."
In this crazy, crazy country we live in, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and honor the life of David Souter, who left us today.
I remain exhilarated by the selection of Pope Leo XIV, and I am still not Catholic! A mixed race, compassionate American. Yes, the College of Cardinals was savvy, but I may add that Pope Leo embodies the American ideal. Like a certain gent named Barack Obama!! Very proud.
As for the witch for Surgeon General, she will appeal to the MAHA loons. A deep dive on her likely grifting would seem like time well spent!!! Plus little cracks become big cracks.
Greatly admired Justice Souter. When I think of near-ideal temperament., I think of him. We were so fortunate to have him. (And he was a MAJOR disappointment to the conservative wing than nominated him.)