Of course the thing isn't acting alone. The Fascist Foundation (what Tony Michaels calls The Heritage Foundation) is pulling the strings. They've been counting on turning our democracy into a theocratic dictatorship, but there is one thing they HAVEN'T been counting on: WE, a very angry and determined American people.
If they want to turn the U.S. into Iran, they'll have to do it over our dead bodies.
So often I want to tell people like this that, if they so desperately want to live in a Theocracy, then move to Hungary for 6 months to try it out first. They may not like what they experience, but if they do, then settle there permanently and leave the rest of us the hell alone!
Derek Huffman moved his family from Texas to Russia because--get ready for this--they wanted to escape the "woke LGBTQ indoctrination." Note that this is TEXAS, where I have Republican U.S. senators and a representative, in addition to a Republican-dominated state government AND State Supreme Court. What part of the Lone Star State did he think was "woke"?
He was sent to the frontlines in the Russia-Ukraine war, at which point he and his wife complained about him being "tossed under the bus" (because the lying, corrupt Russian government assured him that he wouldn't see action). Long story short, various sources have confirmed that Huffman was killed, leaving his wife and kids adrift. NOW what are they gonna do?
😯 Wow! Talk about making a stupid decision! I kind of feel for those kids, though. They didn't ask for this.
After watching some of this, the parents seem brainwashed, as if moving to Russia to avoid perceived loss of innocence due to "wokeness" was the better choice b/c certainly no one in Russia has ever lost their innocence. s/ Wow! Just mind-blowing. Thank you for sharing b/c I didn't know this is a decision some people are actually making.
We should not accept RFK Jr's cut of $500 million in mRna funding. Please add this to your list of community action items to encourage everyone to call their federal representatives and demand that this funding be restored. Pressure tactics have worked to restore other federal funding. This NPR article outlines why this research is so crucial: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/08/06/nx-s1-5493544/rfk-defunding-mrna-vaccine-research
Thanks for the link. I called my GOP stupid rep (who called Gov. Newsom a failure in 2021 for not distributing mRNA vaccines fast enough) and asked that she call for RFK Jr's resignation and block his attacks on our health and science.
And then I had to call the stupid rep again to ask how much taxpayers were charged to have the US Army Corps of Engineers waste their resources raising the water level so VP Vance could have a perfect kayaking vacation. I saw that it was supposed to be for safety, but surely if it wasn't safe, they could have visited one of America's other amazing vacation spots instead.
And now we have a corrupted FBI about to get involved in a political dispute: going after Texas Dems who must speak up for minority Texans who remain at great imperil of getting dumped into white GOP districts.
They will surrender their voices if the system allows that to happen.
Thanks for the pep talk last night. You provided such a great focus for speaking. I'm crafting a script for letters, phone calls and Blue Sky posts, and going to put them up every day. Also thank for permission to rest and regroup in August.
I recommended your upcoming event in St. Paul to my brother. Try as I may, I never can find events unless the link is embedded in a newsletter. I recommend featuring the link often.
Good morning from yesterdayland in California’s “Gold Country” where it is still morning for another couple of hours and where the cultural sons of the prospectors live in the nineteenth century, still clinging fiercely to their land claims and to their distrust of everyone whose only possible motive would be to steal their gold or do sex-change operations on their children…
Some of us, though, are the cultural offspring of the Summer of Love and we are gathered in places like the congregation of my Episcopal church where the food bank is strained to breaking, the shower/laundry van does a thriving business among the unsheltered, folks may bring their dogs into the services, (we have a transgendered deacon, shhhh) and we are preparing for international Play Music on the Porch Day which originated as an initiative to promote peace (and love.)
I see opportunity to spread the word of the Hopium message of strength among Democrats at our Board of (county) Supervisors during the public comments section and I will take it. Next microphone opportunity in two weeks. I’m preparing (and practicing my banjo for PMotP Day.)
Emily, you rock. Gold Country is such a beautiful environment and music is nourishment for the soul and a catalyst for community. Keep doing your work, bring as much joy as you can. Like the butterfly in the rainforest... it all matters. Thank You.
I meant your spirit, regardless of your musical tastes. Here's one that I find inspiring, whether its to separated loved ones, or to our longing for democracy...
I know. I was being a goof. Thank you. I have written nearly 130 new verses to Woody’s “Worried Man Blues” chronicling the first months of This Debacle…
Epstein, Epstein, Epstein. Here is Ms. Allred and her client THIS WEEK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fBgyar6kYs . Does the behavior sound familiar to anyone currently in politics? According to Mr. Wolff, Dolos and Epstein had a competition to “hunt” models/beauty contestants during their long “friendship”: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-C9PZLRCMlw .
SO, HERE IS A SEVEN YEAR OLD DOCUMENTARY ABOUT DOLOS AND THE “YOUNG”COMMISSIONED BY THE BBC THAT DOESN’T SEEM TO BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE - ON THE BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB0IpYuYzk0 . One can come to his or her own conclusions as to why the video is only accessible via a third-party source on YouTube (defamation?). It is all so curious.
Folks:
Let there be NO SAFE MEDIA SPACE for MAGA/Republicans. DEMOCRATS must go on all forms of conservative media just like with the Republican district town halls. Once there, they must bring EMOTION (i.e. Epstein, the constant lying by Dolos, and the victims - respectfully) and a few facts. If specific channels deny Democrats a platform, this alone is an admission of their position.
Democrats should add charts that include the low socio-economic standing of Red states compared to the economic success of highly diverse Blue states (also add life expectancy indices). They could also challenge the premise of the QAnon conspiracy and show how it relates to Epstein in real life with the real victims. If Democrats and progressives need pointers on dealing with PROPAGANDA media, you can certainly give Pete Buttigieg a call.
Also, the amazing Professor Bitecofer has a great Substack post on politics and race : https://thecycle.substack.com/p/different-party-same-ideology . Sadly, the connection is central to our current predicament. She also explains the Democrat and Republican switch per race and the “Southern Strategy”. More importantly, Professor Bitecofer helps us understand how we’re in a centuries-long ideological battle.
Always remember that Texas is a majority minority state like California, but the Republican leadership is determined to maintain minority rule - like Dolos (smile). So, let’s not sleep on redistricting. As some officials use the term “runaways” per the out-of-state Democratic representatives, Texas also gave us Juneteenth for a reason (a century before oil, there was cotton): https://www.history.com/articles/what-is-juneteenth .
I had a thought during Simon's sermon (how 's that for a slogan to the member meetings?)
Regarding tariffs, that money is going to Treasury, right? Who tracks those receivables, and can Trump and his cronies skim off that income stream? It's what any good mob boss would do, right? Who is in charge of accounting for that money?
Made my usual daily calls. As has been typical past weeks, called about tariffs and Epstein files. Tariffs are illegal and if T is so innocent, why not release the files? He doesn't care about anyone but himself so what's the harm? Corruption is overarching theme of all his life.
I've been thinking about Simon's comments last night as well as the words of Nathan Heller. Dems need simple and direct messaging that is sticky, as well as a recapture of American imagery.
I ran across this comment in a blog I read called Balloon Juice. Think it has real potential. I've copied the commentator named Stinger, so want to give him/ her credit. (Take or leave their comment about DNC).
Comment:
"Apparently people don’t know what Democrats stand for, so here’s a plan to counter that. If the Democrats had a central organizing body, which the DNC is not, this is what their marketing plan should be, at a national level and tailorable for local. Slogan/tagline:
Democrats: Making Your Life Better
Each word for a reason. “Making” in the present tense. “Your”, not “our” or generic. “Life”, with specifics in the rest of the ad. “Better”, which is aspirational AND achievable. Short enough for a bumper sticker and branded materials.
Then, two series of ads. In the first series, each ad focuses on one specific Democratic accomplishment. Don’t name Biden, or Obama, or Clinton, and don’t use broad terms such as “civil rights” or “health care”. Simply describe in plain language a specific change championed by Democrats and give a concrete example of an American whose life was improved by it.
Short, one-issue ads, lots of them, TV and print. Make it unavoidable for people to identify with the idea that Democrats improve your life.
In the second series, each ad focuses on one specific proposed law or issue, both during campaign season and afterwards. We have to campaign year-round.
Local Democrats can then grab onto the slogan and use state/local examples."
Oops, accidentally posted… cont. incorporating “Republicans: Making Your Life Worse” (Poorer, Sicker, Less Safe, etc.), including specific examples would make a nice contrast in the ads.
Simon, thanks for the great discussion last night. I agree with you about the need for self-care. These days, my laps in the pool are one of the things keeping me sane.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen about the tariffs and to ask them to do whatever they can in the budget proceedings to stop Trump building up an army of ICE thugs for himself. I signed up with the local Dems to do voter registration at the farmers' market. I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters today.
I don’t believe he’s acting alone ~ the heritage foundation has much to do with what’s going on
Of course the thing isn't acting alone. The Fascist Foundation (what Tony Michaels calls The Heritage Foundation) is pulling the strings. They've been counting on turning our democracy into a theocratic dictatorship, but there is one thing they HAVEN'T been counting on: WE, a very angry and determined American people.
If they want to turn the U.S. into Iran, they'll have to do it over our dead bodies.
So often I want to tell people like this that, if they so desperately want to live in a Theocracy, then move to Hungary for 6 months to try it out first. They may not like what they experience, but if they do, then settle there permanently and leave the rest of us the hell alone!
Speaking of which, I recently learned about this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29zqY06_Bqc.
Derek Huffman moved his family from Texas to Russia because--get ready for this--they wanted to escape the "woke LGBTQ indoctrination." Note that this is TEXAS, where I have Republican U.S. senators and a representative, in addition to a Republican-dominated state government AND State Supreme Court. What part of the Lone Star State did he think was "woke"?
He was sent to the frontlines in the Russia-Ukraine war, at which point he and his wife complained about him being "tossed under the bus" (because the lying, corrupt Russian government assured him that he wouldn't see action). Long story short, various sources have confirmed that Huffman was killed, leaving his wife and kids adrift. NOW what are they gonna do?
Looks like they got what they asked for.
😯 Wow! Talk about making a stupid decision! I kind of feel for those kids, though. They didn't ask for this.
After watching some of this, the parents seem brainwashed, as if moving to Russia to avoid perceived loss of innocence due to "wokeness" was the better choice b/c certainly no one in Russia has ever lost their innocence. s/ Wow! Just mind-blowing. Thank you for sharing b/c I didn't know this is a decision some people are actually making.
We should not accept RFK Jr's cut of $500 million in mRna funding. Please add this to your list of community action items to encourage everyone to call their federal representatives and demand that this funding be restored. Pressure tactics have worked to restore other federal funding. This NPR article outlines why this research is so crucial: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/08/06/nx-s1-5493544/rfk-defunding-mrna-vaccine-research
Thanks. I made this the focus of my calls to my two GOP senators today.
Thanks for the link. I called my GOP stupid rep (who called Gov. Newsom a failure in 2021 for not distributing mRNA vaccines fast enough) and asked that she call for RFK Jr's resignation and block his attacks on our health and science.
And then I had to call the stupid rep again to ask how much taxpayers were charged to have the US Army Corps of Engineers waste their resources raising the water level so VP Vance could have a perfect kayaking vacation. I saw that it was supposed to be for safety, but surely if it wasn't safe, they could have visited one of America's other amazing vacation spots instead.
I missed last night’s session in order to call Texans and patch them through to their State Reps to oppose the redistricting plan.
It’s a great system. Script provided. Here’s the link, if you’d like to call, too:
https://ak.democrats.org/signup/phone_bank_texas
Yes, and it's a program from the DNC!
Thanks for sending the link. I just signed up for two phone banks this weekend!
I'm emailing my Senators and Congressman every day. I find one thing to gripe about!
"We The People". My 3 word 'slogan'.
always a winner!!
Slogan:
The Gloves are Off!
It's Time to Fight
Democrats Defending Democracy!
And now we have a corrupted FBI about to get involved in a political dispute: going after Texas Dems who must speak up for minority Texans who remain at great imperil of getting dumped into white GOP districts.
They will surrender their voices if the system allows that to happen.
Damn straight. We need to project strength. We are winners. No more of this negativity.
Thanks for the pep talk last night. You provided such a great focus for speaking. I'm crafting a script for letters, phone calls and Blue Sky posts, and going to put them up every day. Also thank for permission to rest and regroup in August.
"Restore the Promise of America" is powerful!
I recommended your upcoming event in St. Paul to my brother. Try as I may, I never can find events unless the link is embedded in a newsletter. I recommend featuring the link often.
Oh! How did I miss this! Yay!
Good morning from yesterdayland in California’s “Gold Country” where it is still morning for another couple of hours and where the cultural sons of the prospectors live in the nineteenth century, still clinging fiercely to their land claims and to their distrust of everyone whose only possible motive would be to steal their gold or do sex-change operations on their children…
Some of us, though, are the cultural offspring of the Summer of Love and we are gathered in places like the congregation of my Episcopal church where the food bank is strained to breaking, the shower/laundry van does a thriving business among the unsheltered, folks may bring their dogs into the services, (we have a transgendered deacon, shhhh) and we are preparing for international Play Music on the Porch Day which originated as an initiative to promote peace (and love.)
I see opportunity to spread the word of the Hopium message of strength among Democrats at our Board of (county) Supervisors during the public comments section and I will take it. Next microphone opportunity in two weeks. I’m preparing (and practicing my banjo for PMotP Day.)
https://playmusicontheporchday.com/
Emily, you rock. Gold Country is such a beautiful environment and music is nourishment for the soul and a catalyst for community. Keep doing your work, bring as much joy as you can. Like the butterfly in the rainforest... it all matters. Thank You.
Thank you Michael. I don’t quite “rock.” More sort of elementary Woody Guthrie played in very slo mo. 🤓.
I meant your spirit, regardless of your musical tastes. Here's one that I find inspiring, whether its to separated loved ones, or to our longing for democracy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJsWWTpagUQ
I know. I was being a goof. Thank you. I have written nearly 130 new verses to Woody’s “Worried Man Blues” chronicling the first months of This Debacle…
beautiful! anti ice theme!
powerful and moving. Thanks for sharing.
Where is Jill Stein?
Epstein, Epstein, Epstein. Here is Ms. Allred and her client THIS WEEK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fBgyar6kYs . Does the behavior sound familiar to anyone currently in politics? According to Mr. Wolff, Dolos and Epstein had a competition to “hunt” models/beauty contestants during their long “friendship”: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-C9PZLRCMlw .
It seems that more scholarly people than myself (easy comparison - smile) are beginning to examine the statements by “Katie Johnson” relative to Dolos for both surface and deeper meaning (ADULT CONTENT): https://katemanne.substack.com/p/the-actual-conspiracy-theory-surrounding .
SO, HERE IS A SEVEN YEAR OLD DOCUMENTARY ABOUT DOLOS AND THE “YOUNG”COMMISSIONED BY THE BBC THAT DOESN’T SEEM TO BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE - ON THE BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB0IpYuYzk0 . One can come to his or her own conclusions as to why the video is only accessible via a third-party source on YouTube (defamation?). It is all so curious.
Folks:
Let there be NO SAFE MEDIA SPACE for MAGA/Republicans. DEMOCRATS must go on all forms of conservative media just like with the Republican district town halls. Once there, they must bring EMOTION (i.e. Epstein, the constant lying by Dolos, and the victims - respectfully) and a few facts. If specific channels deny Democrats a platform, this alone is an admission of their position.
Democrats should add charts that include the low socio-economic standing of Red states compared to the economic success of highly diverse Blue states (also add life expectancy indices). They could also challenge the premise of the QAnon conspiracy and show how it relates to Epstein in real life with the real victims. If Democrats and progressives need pointers on dealing with PROPAGANDA media, you can certainly give Pete Buttigieg a call.
Also, the amazing Professor Bitecofer has a great Substack post on politics and race : https://thecycle.substack.com/p/different-party-same-ideology . Sadly, the connection is central to our current predicament. She also explains the Democrat and Republican switch per race and the “Southern Strategy”. More importantly, Professor Bitecofer helps us understand how we’re in a centuries-long ideological battle.
Always remember that Texas is a majority minority state like California, but the Republican leadership is determined to maintain minority rule - like Dolos (smile). So, let’s not sleep on redistricting. As some officials use the term “runaways” per the out-of-state Democratic representatives, Texas also gave us Juneteenth for a reason (a century before oil, there was cotton): https://www.history.com/articles/what-is-juneteenth .
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
I had a thought during Simon's sermon (how 's that for a slogan to the member meetings?)
Regarding tariffs, that money is going to Treasury, right? Who tracks those receivables, and can Trump and his cronies skim off that income stream? It's what any good mob boss would do, right? Who is in charge of accounting for that money?
Good point. It's felons all the way down.
Made my usual daily calls. As has been typical past weeks, called about tariffs and Epstein files. Tariffs are illegal and if T is so innocent, why not release the files? He doesn't care about anyone but himself so what's the harm? Corruption is overarching theme of all his life.
I've been thinking about Simon's comments last night as well as the words of Nathan Heller. Dems need simple and direct messaging that is sticky, as well as a recapture of American imagery.
I ran across this comment in a blog I read called Balloon Juice. Think it has real potential. I've copied the commentator named Stinger, so want to give him/ her credit. (Take or leave their comment about DNC).
Comment:
"Apparently people don’t know what Democrats stand for, so here’s a plan to counter that. If the Democrats had a central organizing body, which the DNC is not, this is what their marketing plan should be, at a national level and tailorable for local. Slogan/tagline:
Democrats: Making Your Life Better
Each word for a reason. “Making” in the present tense. “Your”, not “our” or generic. “Life”, with specifics in the rest of the ad. “Better”, which is aspirational AND achievable. Short enough for a bumper sticker and branded materials.
Then, two series of ads. In the first series, each ad focuses on one specific Democratic accomplishment. Don’t name Biden, or Obama, or Clinton, and don’t use broad terms such as “civil rights” or “health care”. Simply describe in plain language a specific change championed by Democrats and give a concrete example of an American whose life was improved by it.
Short, one-issue ads, lots of them, TV and print. Make it unavoidable for people to identify with the idea that Democrats improve your life.
In the second series, each ad focuses on one specific proposed law or issue, both during campaign season and afterwards. We have to campaign year-round.
Local Democrats can then grab onto the slogan and use state/local examples."
Here is a link to the blog posting: https://balloon-juice.com/2025/08/04/democrats-making-your-life-better/
I thought it was a good slogan. Short, gets to the point and easily expandable to various ways Dems make life better for all who are here.
Democrats: Making Your Life Better”
I have a T-shirt I wear at events that says on the front "Dems Make Life Better."
On the back it says "Dems Are: (then 2 rows with) Protecting Reproductive Freedom. Creating Jobs. Raising Wages. Preserving Democracy, Tacking Climate Crisis. Easing Student Debt, Ensuring LGBTQ Rights, Helping Children & Families, Funding Social Security, Reducing Gun Violence, Standing with Unions, Lowering Healthcare Costs, Expanding Care for Veterans.
I bought it at https://www.demsmakelifebetter.org. They had similar hats, signs, buttons, etc., but the website says they are currently out of stock.
that's good to know. Maybe that is where the commentator I noted picked it up or maybe idea is just out there. Good concept regardless of origin.
Oops, accidentally posted… cont. incorporating “Republicans: Making Your Life Worse” (Poorer, Sicker, Less Safe, etc.), including specific examples would make a nice contrast in the ads.
Simon, thanks for the great discussion last night. I agree with you about the need for self-care. These days, my laps in the pool are one of the things keeping me sane.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen about the tariffs and to ask them to do whatever they can in the budget proceedings to stop Trump building up an army of ICE thugs for himself. I signed up with the local Dems to do voter registration at the farmers' market. I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters today.
I wanted to share this very good discussion of Republican messaging and Republican weakness from Stuart Stevens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBv72L6RSjk