Yes, please keep calling! That staffer works for you and all other New Yorkers. It's normal and not optional for constituents, like you, to be offered a reply from the MoC's office in response to calls or emails. Tell the staffer you want an email reply to your comments. You are defending democracy, not doing anything wrong!
I might also send an email complaining about the attitude of staffers answering the phone, were I you.
Simon , check out Liz Cheney’s latest comment; we need to be doing more what she is saying . Blue states should belong to the ICC.I tried posting ; fight fire with fire.
Feedback from Simon or anyone who watched Mark Elias interview with Michael Steele? He sounded the Dem Party and even said messages should not include words like "Democracy "! Maybe I should listen again ...
"The Smithsonian is being purified, . . ." We know you were criticizing with sarcasm, but we see it as "Trump is polluting the Smithsonian."
We the base started shouting in November that Trump's main goal is dictatorship, now lawmakers finally need to remember Patrick Henry: "Our comrades are already in the field, why stand we here idle?"
Simon, thanks for a wonderful Hopium! Celebratory and hopeful, but with clear-eyed warnings. And, as always, your focus on specific suggestions of what each of us can do to fight for American democracy.
I just finally watched the interview with Kendall Scudder, Democratic Chair of Texas. Deeply impressed with this man, I learned alot about Texas. The idea that there still needs to be Spanish Language outreach developed nationwide really needs to be addressed pronto. I encourage all who haven't seen it. Redistricting Texas could totally backfire on the gop.
Trump’s military occupation of DC. I agree that it’s very serious, and not mere.y a ‘warmup’ for occupying other cities. DC is the prize. Along with everything that Simon identified- the symbolism to us and the world, the intimidation, etc it also has a practical side for Trump (and other authoritarians in his administration). If Trump et al controls DC with military, ICE (his brownshirts) the FBI, the police, then what’s to stop him (or his successor) from just staying in power, elections be damned?
Report: contacted my reps emphasizing the threat to democracy , urged them to up their games
How is that going to work though? If the new president in 2028 is certified by the House, and takes the Oath of Office, the National Guard isn't going to keep him/her out of DC. Then the new president is in charge of the National Guard. I get it but I don't see how that would work.
I'm more worried about ICE and National Guard around polling places. They haven't tried that yet, but if they get a permanent presence in the cities that might suppress the vote. If people are afraid of deportation or even just being detained they might not vote.
Even if he subverted the DC National Guard and entirely made ICE his private army, a new president could always order other guard units in to displace them. It sounds crazy, and I doubt it would happen, but crazy scenarios have to be entertained. If he controls the entire military and uses the Insurrection Act I suppose... The military would have to be 100% on his side.
How the military responds to Trump's autocratic takeover is the elephant in the room. Its their constitutional oath v illegal orders from the commander in chief. That's the dilemma facing our troops. Here's Milley again.
No question. But I don't think the next president has to even be in DC to take the Oath of Office. I'm not aware of any requirement. And then he/she is Commander in Chief. Anyone who tries to keep Trump in power by force is a traitor at that point. I doubt the military will be loyal to Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump.
Which is why I believe this is still just the tip of the iceberg. He will go after major blue cities, particularly in swing states. Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Milwaukee. His intent is military occupation of Democratic strongholds in time for 2026.
He must be stopped. The Courts, the Military Commanders and Officers, and pressure by We the People must be the points fo resistance. I think Trump made a tactical error by starting so soon. If he was doing this next spring, we would have less time to react. It's probably because his brain, his body and his poll numbers are such mush, he couldn't hold back. When I call my Senators and complain about the invasions, I tell them this is what Trump is up to, so what are they gonna do about it.
I don't think I'm hyperbolic here, but I am open to hearing what others think.
In an earlier post (maybe when Trump Nationalized the CA Guard?) Kinzinger pointed out the Guardsmen have day jobs and families. It is one thing when the Guard gets called up for a legitimate reason like a natural disaster, but after all of Trump's unconstitutional overreach not to mention his regime's cuts to Veteran's benefits, he must be bleeding support from active-duty, reserve and retired military personnel.
Argh! 😩 Reported this morning by Sarah Jones in The Daily (PoliticusUSA):
The Problem with National Guard Tasked with Picking Up Trash in DC
The images and video of troops picking up garbage are bad optics for Trump. They do not scream “strongman"; they scream “wasteful and pathetic attempt to look strong.”
After all of the false bluster about violent crime rates necessitating the deployment of the National Guard against citizens in DC, it became clear on Tuesday that they’ve actually been tasked with “beautifying” the city. In other words, they are picking up trash.
What is really needed, of course, is trash removal from the White House and the federal agencies that have been polluted with Trump’s unqualified appointments.
Please don’t accept NYT framing of the issue without checking other sources (Hopium, for example). Yes, we need to work on registering more Democrats, but no - this does not mean R’s will win. Just look at the recent special election result in Iowa and compare partisan registration numbers. We won despite low Democratic registrations there. Do we need to pay attention to this? Yes. Is it determinative? Apparently not. The answer is to work our butts off…AND…take advantage of the fool’s historically low approval rate.
Daily calls are in to Republican WI elected members of Congress regarding our 4 part agenda with deeps concerns about trumps comment about doing anything he wants because he’s the President and a reminder they were elected by us and work for us, not Trump. I’m always ending with “We deserve better than what you’re delivering” call in to Dem Senator with ideas on how to fight harder when they’re back from recess.
I'll read the whole thing later when I have more time, but someone right now needs to name a sandwich after the sandwich guy. Charles Sean Dunn. Maybe a Dunn-wich?
I am from Iowa so I appreciate your mentioning Ms Drey. But you forgot Debra Shigley in Georgia for state senate. She came in first with forty percent. She still has to do a runoff, but she should win that.
Greetings from a heartbroken Minneapolis today, where we had a horrible school shooting, just a couple of months after our horrific assassinations, which have been already been lost to the memory hole. It's hard to feel much Hopium today, but I will donate to Sherrill as our NJ Hopiates keep sounding the alarm.
Yes, please keep calling! That staffer works for you and all other New Yorkers. It's normal and not optional for constituents, like you, to be offered a reply from the MoC's office in response to calls or emails. Tell the staffer you want an email reply to your comments. You are defending democracy, not doing anything wrong!
I might also send an email complaining about the attitude of staffers answering the phone, were I you.
Simon , check out Liz Cheney’s latest comment; we need to be doing more what she is saying . Blue states should belong to the ICC.I tried posting ; fight fire with fire.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aQekUEj63/?mibextid=wwXIfr
I think this is an older post misattributed to Liz Cheney.
Yes, it is a fake. https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2025/apr/18/facebook-posts/liz-cheney-didnt-pen-a-viral-open-letter-to-democr/
OMG this was powerful. this is what we need. we need a resistance pro democracy party leg by valiant, brave, fire breathing people. thanks for this!!
well, its a great fake!! and we should have said it!! whoever wrote it, thanks!
His hideous face in the video clip looks like Botox gone bad
Feedback from Simon or anyone who watched Mark Elias interview with Michael Steele? He sounded the Dem Party and even said messages should not include words like "Democracy "! Maybe I should listen again ...
"The Smithsonian is being purified, . . ." We know you were criticizing with sarcasm, but we see it as "Trump is polluting the Smithsonian."
We the base started shouting in November that Trump's main goal is dictatorship, now lawmakers finally need to remember Patrick Henry: "Our comrades are already in the field, why stand we here idle?"
He pounded... sorry
Simon, thanks for a wonderful Hopium! Celebratory and hopeful, but with clear-eyed warnings. And, as always, your focus on specific suggestions of what each of us can do to fight for American democracy.
Hopium is indeed "Hope with a Plan!"
I just finally watched the interview with Kendall Scudder, Democratic Chair of Texas. Deeply impressed with this man, I learned alot about Texas. The idea that there still needs to be Spanish Language outreach developed nationwide really needs to be addressed pronto. I encourage all who haven't seen it. Redistricting Texas could totally backfire on the gop.
Remarkable that this hasn't happened yet, but I hope it will now.
Trump’s military occupation of DC. I agree that it’s very serious, and not mere.y a ‘warmup’ for occupying other cities. DC is the prize. Along with everything that Simon identified- the symbolism to us and the world, the intimidation, etc it also has a practical side for Trump (and other authoritarians in his administration). If Trump et al controls DC with military, ICE (his brownshirts) the FBI, the police, then what’s to stop him (or his successor) from just staying in power, elections be damned?
Report: contacted my reps emphasizing the threat to democracy , urged them to up their games
That's the point. He and his team are never leaving. They are now being protected by the military not just the secret service.
How is that going to work though? If the new president in 2028 is certified by the House, and takes the Oath of Office, the National Guard isn't going to keep him/her out of DC. Then the new president is in charge of the National Guard. I get it but I don't see how that would work.
I'm more worried about ICE and National Guard around polling places. They haven't tried that yet, but if they get a permanent presence in the cities that might suppress the vote. If people are afraid of deportation or even just being detained they might not vote.
Even if he subverted the DC National Guard and entirely made ICE his private army, a new president could always order other guard units in to displace them. It sounds crazy, and I doubt it would happen, but crazy scenarios have to be entertained. If he controls the entire military and uses the Insurrection Act I suppose... The military would have to be 100% on his side.
How the military responds to Trump's autocratic takeover is the elephant in the room. Its their constitutional oath v illegal orders from the commander in chief. That's the dilemma facing our troops. Here's Milley again.
https://youtube.com/shorts/tmH7ciiXG_s?si=xJvFURqmGbXpw9Jd
No question. But I don't think the next president has to even be in DC to take the Oath of Office. I'm not aware of any requirement. And then he/she is Commander in Chief. Anyone who tries to keep Trump in power by force is a traitor at that point. I doubt the military will be loyal to Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump.
They need to signal that far before 2028. September 2025 would be a great time to start.
Correct, Johnson took it on Air Force One in 1963.
Pat, this is why we have to win the house in 2026. A GOP-led house will not certify a DEM president elect winner.
This is the ballgame.
Yep
Which is why I believe this is still just the tip of the iceberg. He will go after major blue cities, particularly in swing states. Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Milwaukee. His intent is military occupation of Democratic strongholds in time for 2026.
He must be stopped. The Courts, the Military Commanders and Officers, and pressure by We the People must be the points fo resistance. I think Trump made a tactical error by starting so soon. If he was doing this next spring, we would have less time to react. It's probably because his brain, his body and his poll numbers are such mush, he couldn't hold back. When I call my Senators and complain about the invasions, I tell them this is what Trump is up to, so what are they gonna do about it.
I don't think I'm hyperbolic here, but I am open to hearing what others think.
With Trump, there is no hyperbole.
I would be curious about your thoughts on this post by Adam Kinzinger:
https://open.substack.com/pub/adamkinzinger/p/who-really-controls-the-national?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
In an earlier post (maybe when Trump Nationalized the CA Guard?) Kinzinger pointed out the Guardsmen have day jobs and families. It is one thing when the Guard gets called up for a legitimate reason like a natural disaster, but after all of Trump's unconstitutional overreach not to mention his regime's cuts to Veteran's benefits, he must be bleeding support from active-duty, reserve and retired military personnel.
Well after all, trash pickup around the White House IS a national emergency....
bush had no problem sending them off to iraq; housewives and all who in the guard. i case managed their kids, i saw it first hand.
Argh! 😩 Reported this morning by Sarah Jones in The Daily (PoliticusUSA):
The Problem with National Guard Tasked with Picking Up Trash in DC
The images and video of troops picking up garbage are bad optics for Trump. They do not scream “strongman"; they scream “wasteful and pathetic attempt to look strong.”
After all of the false bluster about violent crime rates necessitating the deployment of the National Guard against citizens in DC, it became clear on Tuesday that they’ve actually been tasked with “beautifying” the city. In other words, they are picking up trash.
https://www.thedailypoliticususa.com/p/the-problem-with-national-guard-tasked?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
What is really needed, of course, is trash removal from the White House and the federal agencies that have been polluted with Trump’s unqualified appointments.
Spot on, Arctic! 👏🏼
AMEN! The crime wave in DC is real, but it's coming from the White House!
My latest protest sign:
LOOKING FOR CRIME IN DC?
Start here ->
the arrow points to a clip art image of the White House (the oval emblem used on White House stationary, I think)
Also, check out this post from K. Starling in "We The People Dissent":
https://open.substack.com/pub/thepeopledissent/p/the-national-guard-is-in-our-cities?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
You may be interested in this:
https://www.digitaldrumbeat.com/p/action-alerts-midweek-edition-dfa?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Highly recommend "Strength in Numbers" cited in todays post by
Democrats lead the U.S. House generic ballot by 8; voters back fair maps and oppose Trump's tariffs
https://open.substack.com/pub/gelliottmorris/p/democrats-lead-the-us-house-generic?r=1jvbu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
we must be getting a lot of indies; we can't be bleeding registrations and still be moving ahead; something doesn't add up.
Please don’t accept NYT framing of the issue without checking other sources (Hopium, for example). Yes, we need to work on registering more Democrats, but no - this does not mean R’s will win. Just look at the recent special election result in Iowa and compare partisan registration numbers. We won despite low Democratic registrations there. Do we need to pay attention to this? Yes. Is it determinative? Apparently not. The answer is to work our butts off…AND…take advantage of the fool’s historically low approval rate.
Bob Brooks looks like the kind of candidate for Congress we could use more of.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=758673850260429
Daily calls are in to Republican WI elected members of Congress regarding our 4 part agenda with deeps concerns about trumps comment about doing anything he wants because he’s the President and a reminder they were elected by us and work for us, not Trump. I’m always ending with “We deserve better than what you’re delivering” call in to Dem Senator with ideas on how to fight harder when they’re back from recess.
I'll read the whole thing later when I have more time, but someone right now needs to name a sandwich after the sandwich guy. Charles Sean Dunn. Maybe a Dunn-wich?
Saw someone comment that “he beat the wrap”
Simon,
I am from Iowa so I appreciate your mentioning Ms Drey. But you forgot Debra Shigley in Georgia for state senate. She came in first with forty percent. She still has to do a runoff, but she should win that.
⬆️ She still has to do a runoff, but she should win that.
She was running against 6 Republicans, 4 of whom split the remaining vote. So I don't think it is a shoe-in as you seem to think.
In 2024, the GOP candidate (who resigned to take a job in the Trump administration) won with a 40 pt margin in this district.
https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia_State_Senate_District_21
Greetings from a heartbroken Minneapolis today, where we had a horrible school shooting, just a couple of months after our horrific assassinations, which have been already been lost to the memory hole. It's hard to feel much Hopium today, but I will donate to Sherrill as our NJ Hopiates keep sounding the alarm.
Let's get that Blue Storm going.
Been making calls and posting all day, I'm in Moms Demand Action. As always, we stand together vs. gun violence.
No wonder I felt such a strong urge to donate to NJ!
Now he’s taking over Union Station. Anyway we can fight this?