Excited to introduce you to this U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Navy helicopter pilot, former federal prosecutor, wife, mother of four kids and with our help the next Governor of New Jersey
Thank you for that. I'm catching up after six weeks of being at home with a house full of folks, including a two-year-old and a three-month-old granddaughter, and an adorable, yet not yet housebroken, beagle puppy named Pink. This was just the perfect song for today.
Just signed up for a fundraiser in my neighborhood in Seattle for Mikie Sherrill, who I was very attuned to because of Hopium. Already telling friends about the two governors races in Virginia and New Jersey when they say but what can we do. This!!! Help elect these great pro-democracy leaders!
There appears to be a disturbing SCOTUS ruling on birthright citizenship today, though my understanding is this is not the final word. I will have to read more to understand what this means. I kind of hope the July 17 protests will focus mainly on immigration.
From what Jay Kuo was posting just now, it is more about preventing judges from being able to issue nationwide injunctions- it's not ruling on the substantive issues of birthright citizenship. Essentially, SCOTUS is enabling trump yet again by removing barriers to the fraudulent unitary executive theory and relying on Congress to do anything, knowing full well one of two parties is an insurgent entity hell-bent on total nullification. This ruling will make it harder to stop his idiotic executive orders.
I am happy to report that it got the attention (and the like) of the great Will Robinson. But I am looking forward to any feedback and constructive criticism I can get from the Hopium community.
It is too expensive and though the housing is part of it, there needs to be structural reform to a county-based services system for the smaller municipalities, that is the real problem. I am not going to retire here either unless something drastic changes.
Simon I really appreciated Wednesday night's update. It was a lift I needed.
I have been making bi-weekly calls to Congressman Stauber's MN 8 DC office for the last 5 months. It's a hard call because he is such a yuk, however I have noticed something the last few weeks from his staff, they sound so sad. I always thank them for their time and if I catch myself getting too snarky, I apologize and tell them I appreciate them taking the time to listen to me and being respectful. Staff almost always immediately thank me, and we end on a good note. I just get the sense they are not loving all the calls in opposition, and it's drain. Wish I could get the sense that Pete Stauber cares but that would mean he would have to hold a public meeting.
Ditto here in NJ04 - they are not at all enthused anymore, though they have been well-coached to be perkily passive aggressive. Hopefully this is a good sign.
Love her information. Called my senators from TX regarding the "big bs bill" and ice agents and a couple of other points, it's not much but it is something and every voice counts.
It's incredibly uplifting to see a woman- one of the many - who first ran for office in reaction to trump's first election now be running for governor. The leading edge of a generation of Blue Wave/Women's March/Run for Something candidates- and elected officials.
Thank you for posting, Catherine. Good for Mr Martin. I disagree with Mamdani's apparent ideology and definitely with his borderline anti-Israel leaning, but I'm 100% behind his winning the general election. Martin seems to understand what the real fight is.
I liked your disagreement with his anti-Israel leaning. Can't be behind his winning, but I'm not a New Yorker anyway, just a Chicagoan with our own progressive mayor--who's a disaster (see my comment above.)
Definitely fair-- and great points about Brandon Johnson (very nicely detailed-- thank you, I learned a lot).
Mamdani will have to answer for his proposals and what seems to be his moral confusion re: Israel in the lead up to the general. He better have some good answers, or NYC will have an R mayor.
I'm moderate (a dem-leaning independent), and am very skeptical of his proposals like price controls and government run industry, as they have been disasters everywhere they've been tried (the Nixon shock, former USSR, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, just to name a few). So, we'll see if he can actually govern productively-- which I agree is really all that matters.
But when it comes down to a guy like Mamdani or MAGA, I'll roll with Mamdani 100% every time :-). I have no skin in the game, but I'd hate to see America's largest city run by a MAGA-aligned R.
With a big New York Jewish population, you would think that Mambani would review his stance. Didn't seem to make a difference with Johnson in Chicago, though. A big problem, of course, is who is running against these progressives? In Chicago it was a Democrat who has turned into a fairly MAGA-type advocate. As I said, Johnson was very persuasive as a candidate, not as a mayor. Let's hope the story will be different in New York!
Re: Mamdani: Like Mamdani, (I know Mamdani has won the primary, not the general election yet) we had a progressive mayor elected in Chicago, Brandon Johnson I'm a center-left Democrat and had high hopes, as so many did. Johnson was an inspirational campaigner---and is now terrible at governing our city. He's been a disaster, and his poll numbers are deservedly in the toilet. He had worked for and received the support of the very extreme Chicago Teacher's Union (and I've always supported unions, but not this one); he fights with the alders, hasn't passed many of his proposals as a result, fired an outstanding schools chief, Pedro Martinez, "without cause" when Martinez refused to consider yet another loan that was favored by the teachers' union and Johnson, and also fired the incredibly effective (she guided us through covid) and popular head of the health department, Alison Arwady, not even giving her a chance to say goodbye to her staff. Let's also hope that Mamdani doesn't blame everything on racism when he's questioned, as Johnson always does. One doesn't equal the other, but New York voters, beware!
Watched BTC interview with Ken Martin. Thanks for posting!! I was encouraged by his clear understanding that not all districts are the same, not even remotely.
Mamdani won the primary on his talent and messaging. He deserves our praise. Am I a Democratic Socialist? Likely not, although TBH I don’t really know the definition.
I see the comments about Brandon Johnson. Anyone here from Boston who can comment on Michelle Wu’s mayoralty?
Brad Lander’s strong endorsement of Mamdani carries sway with me.
Anyway I don’t live in NYC. But I will be voting for Mikie Sherrill!!!!!
Love this! Thank you. Am I missing the link to donate to Mikie's campaign here? I know I can go to her site but would love for my small donation to be associated with Hopium. Guidance?
Fabulous woman! Thank you for helping us get to know her. Hey everyone! If you have never listened to this song; it's a good one for right now!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FciQeRGYFlw&list=RDFciQeRGYFlw&start_radio=1 PUT A WOMAN IN CHARGE.Good for dancing around the kitchen. The video is great.
Thank you for that. I'm catching up after six weeks of being at home with a house full of folks, including a two-year-old and a three-month-old granddaughter, and an adorable, yet not yet housebroken, beagle puppy named Pink. This was just the perfect song for today.
Just signed up for a fundraiser in my neighborhood in Seattle for Mikie Sherrill, who I was very attuned to because of Hopium. Already telling friends about the two governors races in Virginia and New Jersey when they say but what can we do. This!!! Help elect these great pro-democracy leaders!
thank you Janet!
There appears to be a disturbing SCOTUS ruling on birthright citizenship today, though my understanding is this is not the final word. I will have to read more to understand what this means. I kind of hope the July 17 protests will focus mainly on immigration.
It is not. But it is a ruling that forces a more formal process on plaintiffs, and it gives Trump something that we don't want him to get: time.
From what Jay Kuo was posting just now, it is more about preventing judges from being able to issue nationwide injunctions- it's not ruling on the substantive issues of birthright citizenship. Essentially, SCOTUS is enabling trump yet again by removing barriers to the fraudulent unitary executive theory and relying on Congress to do anything, knowing full well one of two parties is an insurgent entity hell-bent on total nullification. This ruling will make it harder to stop his idiotic executive orders.
Oh, no.
Please watch this Substack video for important details and analysis of today’s SCOTUS rulings:
New SCOTUS rulings: LIVE w/ Jen, Norm, & Katie Phang
Including breaking news from me and Norm!
KATIE PHANG, JENNIFER RUBIN, AND NORMAN EISEN
JUN 27, 2025
https://open.substack.com/pub/katiephang/p/new-scotus-rulings-live-w-jen-norm?r=r55rm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Thanks for posting the link,
You’re very welcome, Cathy. It’s a relief to get the “real story” about the birthright ruling.
Mickie Sherrill’s bio reads like the heartbeat of American democracy!
Hello everyone,
I don't know if this is the regular morning Hopium post, but just want to send along my latest take on Iran news for your humble consideration: https://davidsalzillo.substack.com/p/salzillos-two-cents-oniran.
I am happy to report that it got the attention (and the like) of the great Will Robinson. But I am looking forward to any feedback and constructive criticism I can get from the Hopium community.
God speed, Mike Sherill!
Terrific interview; I have made a donation to Representative Sherrill’s campaign.
GREAT CANDIDATE…….IM A JERSEY GIRL RELOCATED TO PA CAUSE NJ TOO EXPENSIVE TO RETIRE IN …..GO GIRL…. YOU ARE WHATBTHE STATE AND US NEED!
It is too expensive and though the housing is part of it, there needs to be structural reform to a county-based services system for the smaller municipalities, that is the real problem. I am not going to retire here either unless something drastic changes.
We’re empty nesters who are stuck in our house because no where to go! And I am still working. A young family should be living in our house.
She's a wonderful candidate. I donated today. You should too!
Simon I really appreciated Wednesday night's update. It was a lift I needed.
I have been making bi-weekly calls to Congressman Stauber's MN 8 DC office for the last 5 months. It's a hard call because he is such a yuk, however I have noticed something the last few weeks from his staff, they sound so sad. I always thank them for their time and if I catch myself getting too snarky, I apologize and tell them I appreciate them taking the time to listen to me and being respectful. Staff almost always immediately thank me, and we end on a good note. I just get the sense they are not loving all the calls in opposition, and it's drain. Wish I could get the sense that Pete Stauber cares but that would mean he would have to hold a public meeting.
This is why we must call every day. Every day. They need to hear from us. Every day.
Ditto here in NJ04 - they are not at all enthused anymore, though they have been well-coached to be perkily passive aggressive. Hopefully this is a good sign.
Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful candidate. She is an amazing woman. I will spread the word and send support.
Love her information. Called my senators from TX regarding the "big bs bill" and ice agents and a couple of other points, it's not much but it is something and every voice counts.
It's incredibly uplifting to see a woman- one of the many - who first ran for office in reaction to trump's first election now be running for governor. The leading edge of a generation of Blue Wave/Women's March/Run for Something candidates- and elected officials.
Wow!
Here's an interesting interview with Ken Martin that's very supportive of Mamdani.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTThWBxPfKw
Thank you for posting, Catherine. Good for Mr Martin. I disagree with Mamdani's apparent ideology and definitely with his borderline anti-Israel leaning, but I'm 100% behind his winning the general election. Martin seems to understand what the real fight is.
I liked your disagreement with his anti-Israel leaning. Can't be behind his winning, but I'm not a New Yorker anyway, just a Chicagoan with our own progressive mayor--who's a disaster (see my comment above.)
Definitely fair-- and great points about Brandon Johnson (very nicely detailed-- thank you, I learned a lot).
Mamdani will have to answer for his proposals and what seems to be his moral confusion re: Israel in the lead up to the general. He better have some good answers, or NYC will have an R mayor.
I'm moderate (a dem-leaning independent), and am very skeptical of his proposals like price controls and government run industry, as they have been disasters everywhere they've been tried (the Nixon shock, former USSR, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, just to name a few). So, we'll see if he can actually govern productively-- which I agree is really all that matters.
But when it comes down to a guy like Mamdani or MAGA, I'll roll with Mamdani 100% every time :-). I have no skin in the game, but I'd hate to see America's largest city run by a MAGA-aligned R.
With a big New York Jewish population, you would think that Mambani would review his stance. Didn't seem to make a difference with Johnson in Chicago, though. A big problem, of course, is who is running against these progressives? In Chicago it was a Democrat who has turned into a fairly MAGA-type advocate. As I said, Johnson was very persuasive as a candidate, not as a mayor. Let's hope the story will be different in New York!
Re: Mamdani: Like Mamdani, (I know Mamdani has won the primary, not the general election yet) we had a progressive mayor elected in Chicago, Brandon Johnson I'm a center-left Democrat and had high hopes, as so many did. Johnson was an inspirational campaigner---and is now terrible at governing our city. He's been a disaster, and his poll numbers are deservedly in the toilet. He had worked for and received the support of the very extreme Chicago Teacher's Union (and I've always supported unions, but not this one); he fights with the alders, hasn't passed many of his proposals as a result, fired an outstanding schools chief, Pedro Martinez, "without cause" when Martinez refused to consider yet another loan that was favored by the teachers' union and Johnson, and also fired the incredibly effective (she guided us through covid) and popular head of the health department, Alison Arwady, not even giving her a chance to say goodbye to her staff. Let's also hope that Mamdani doesn't blame everything on racism when he's questioned, as Johnson always does. One doesn't equal the other, but New York voters, beware!
Watched BTC interview with Ken Martin. Thanks for posting!! I was encouraged by his clear understanding that not all districts are the same, not even remotely.
Mamdani won the primary on his talent and messaging. He deserves our praise. Am I a Democratic Socialist? Likely not, although TBH I don’t really know the definition.
I see the comments about Brandon Johnson. Anyone here from Boston who can comment on Michelle Wu’s mayoralty?
Brad Lander’s strong endorsement of Mamdani carries sway with me.
Anyway I don’t live in NYC. But I will be voting for Mikie Sherrill!!!!!
Thank you. His comments about there needing to be many stripes of Democrats was on point as well.
Love this! Thank you. Am I missing the link to donate to Mikie's campaign here? I know I can go to her site but would love for my small donation to be associated with Hopium. Guidance?
the link is in the post and here - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/hopium4sherrill
thank you!