Amen, Simon. Trump has assaulted and debased the values our nation has championed and fought for around the world, and for which so many Americans have their lives. It’s disgusting and demoralizing. One has to wonder what the side deal is between Putin and Trump.
The side deal Trump has with Putin is mentioned in the Epstein files. When Epstein was talking to Putin about what he had on Trump to bring him down. Information that Putin is using to takeover Ukraine for example. Trump is doing exactly what Putin wants him to do, that being to abandon Ukraine.
A 100% release of the Epstein files will explain so much about the actions of Trump, actions based on pedophilia, perversion, sex trafficking and the resulting blackmail and extortion. Politics is a very dirty business.
Phil, while I agree that the new emails from Epstein about Russia are important I don't think we know anything about a side deal here. Can you provide back up please?
Simon, I can't provide the backup because all the files have not been released. "side deal" may be the incorrect term to use here. Blackmail and extortion is more accurate, as that appears to be the method Epstein used to amass power over those who used his "services". I freely admit that it is my opinion.
Question: Is Putin holding something over Trump. If so, what is it that potentially gives Putin the opportunity to take over Europe and end democracy in those countries?
Because, if Putin does get Ukraine, then Trump not only betrays Ukraine, but commits the ultimate betrayal of European countries and allies.
Which means that NATO will no longer include the United States.
And Putin will use his military to attack the European countries.
Thereby, Putin could potentially accomplish his goal of taking over Europe and ending democracy in those countries.
And all because Americans elected a compromised person to its highest office.
Simon addresses this in community meeting video he posted on Thursday Nov 20 - he provided a substantial overview of where we are. Simon's interview with Congressman Robert Garcia, linked below, is terrific, explains the process they are engaged in to obtain and put out the material. Also Ranking Member Garcia's committee is functioning government, a corrective to the appearance of chaos in T admin's continuous kicking up dust.
FDR and Churchill were two old men leading their countries during the second world war and desperately wanting the Allied victory to lead to a new world order of peace.
Today we have two old men, Trump and Putin who could care less about peace.
Check this note by Anne Applebaum. She nails it predicting the set up for future wars and benefits Russian and American investors.
Foreign policy for Congress always seems to me low risk, low reward. So there might be opposition to the very dangerous sell out, but I would be surprised if that leads to a real break. Maybe part of a trend.
It also shows how the Epstein scandal might really be urgent and central to foreign policy. There is at least some link there.
Simon, thank you for putting such an informative and powerful focus on Ukraine. As a European from a country that Nazi Germany occupied during WW2, this is personal to me.
I called my reps yesterday and asked them to stand up for Ukraine and to tie Trump's capitulations to the Epstein files. It seems at least worth asking the question: what does russia have on Trump?
What Putin has on Trump was briefly brought up in Trump's campaign for his first term, and suggested it was sexual. and never pursued by mainstream media. In the partial release of the Epstein files, the relationship of Putin and Epstein with Trump is mentioned.
Called and thanked Elizabeth Warren for her part in this dialogue. Called Sen Markey and asked him to get involved. I'm also telling them that the illegal military build up around Venezuela is terrifying. Both these things are just horrible. In spite of the good things that are happening, these are creepy. Will keep calling every day. I hope Zelenksy says NO F'ing way. I hope EU will stand up and support Ukraine.
Hi fam. I guess this is my day to trash talk but I must pass on this warning. It comes from Kris Goldsmith but I want to confirm that I have personal experience that what he says is true of this group - Refuse Fascism is a front for the Revolutionary Communist Party - a creepy cult that has shown up to hijack and thus sabotage genuine grassroots left groups in the past - leading to the groups disbanding in acrimony.
They are a bunch of parasites. They will try to put themselves forward as THE voice of YOUR group, alienating any freedom loving person from joining. This is Kim Jong Un stuff.
I have been for decades a left activist (and by that I mean anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian) I'm here as part of your big tent because I despise authoritarians of whatever flavor as my first priority, and if I disagree with some here about the solutions put forward as too circumscribed, I share your love of freedom, dignity, and a better life for people and planet. I only mention my actual political philosophy (this is not a political philosophy debating society) to make clear that my warning does not come from the same place as those who automatically dismiss others like Bernie or Zohran or AOC as beyond the political pale.
Thanks for "coming out" Lyn. I believe all pro-democracy advocates are welcome here.
I just have to re-iterate that capitalism (and socialism too) is an economic system, not a political philosophy. Wikipedia lists about 20 different economic systems, but it fundamentally boils down to free markets, controlled markets or a mix of the two. What Trump is doing with tariffs is clearly not a free market economy,
Its an important distinction and conflating capitalism as a political philosophy is a wide-spread condition that helps keep us stuck. and the billionaires at the top. Many people don't understand that you can have democracies, including a democratic republic of states such as ours, whether or not it is based on "free market economies."
Thanks for making that point. I used the term "political philosophy" as a shorthand because I was trying to get to the point of my post quickly. However...
There has been a deliberate effort, all my life, to portray "free markets" (that aren't free) as equivalent to democracy. The average person has been made to believe that you can either have the present system that leaves 40% of the people in NYC unable to afford groceries or live in the USSR, North Korea, etc. In terms of terminology, economic systems do not exist apart from politics. The present economic system is kept in place, and moved forward by laws. For example, corporations have been given the rights of persons by law, and in fact only exist as a matter of law. Corporations must prioritize the maximization of shareholder value irrespective of the impact of that on their workers or their customers, by law. etc
I'd go so far as to say that the project of the Right is to now overtly make corporate profit the political system (the national CEO) though this is a problem of long standing that has interfered with what I call a politics of happiness. As John Dewey said back in the 1930's "politics is the shadow cast by big business on society."
Or, one could say that the ACA is the shadow cast by the insurance industry over healthcare. Nonetheless, I support the present effort to restore the ACA subsidies because standing in a shadow is better than standing in total darkness.
i like joe stiglitz's phrase; progressive capitalism, which he says is essentially democratic socialism without the baggage, and also more accurate than socialism.
Here is a simple question that someone in the media might ask the orange man. "Is this appeasement to Putin, giving Russia everything they want on Ukraine, is all because Putin knows, and may have photos, of you blowing Bubba?"
Something's got to give on this path toward destruction of Ukraine.
So MTG resigned from Congress effective Jan. 5, 2026. She didn't have much good to say about dt, but did have good words for The Power of the People. Let's see who wins the special election, although that could be after the primaries.
I would be astonished and ecstatic if a Democrat wins her district, or even if a non-MAGA Republican replaces Marjorie "Jewish Space Lasers!" Taylor Greene.
Thank you Simon!
Amen, Simon. Trump has assaulted and debased the values our nation has championed and fought for around the world, and for which so many Americans have their lives. It’s disgusting and demoralizing. One has to wonder what the side deal is between Putin and Trump.
The side deal Trump has with Putin is mentioned in the Epstein files. When Epstein was talking to Putin about what he had on Trump to bring him down. Information that Putin is using to takeover Ukraine for example. Trump is doing exactly what Putin wants him to do, that being to abandon Ukraine.
A 100% release of the Epstein files will explain so much about the actions of Trump, actions based on pedophilia, perversion, sex trafficking and the resulting blackmail and extortion. Politics is a very dirty business.
Phil, while I agree that the new emails from Epstein about Russia are important I don't think we know anything about a side deal here. Can you provide back up please?
Simon, I can't provide the backup because all the files have not been released. "side deal" may be the incorrect term to use here. Blackmail and extortion is more accurate, as that appears to be the method Epstein used to amass power over those who used his "services". I freely admit that it is my opinion.
I can only hope he gets rebuked by Congress. Everything I’ve read makes my stomach churn for Ukraine.
Question: Is Putin holding something over Trump. If so, what is it that potentially gives Putin the opportunity to take over Europe and end democracy in those countries?
Because, if Putin does get Ukraine, then Trump not only betrays Ukraine, but commits the ultimate betrayal of European countries and allies.
Which means that NATO will no longer include the United States.
And Putin will use his military to attack the European countries.
Thereby, Putin could potentially accomplish his goal of taking over Europe and ending democracy in those countries.
And all because Americans elected a compromised person to its highest office.
Your scenario is right on and shared by others I've read about.
The answer to what Putin has over Trump is in the Epstein files.
Simon addresses this in community meeting video he posted on Thursday Nov 20 - he provided a substantial overview of where we are. Simon's interview with Congressman Robert Garcia, linked below, is terrific, explains the process they are engaged in to obtain and put out the material. Also Ranking Member Garcia's committee is functioning government, a corrective to the appearance of chaos in T admin's continuous kicking up dust.
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/rep-robert-garcia-on-the-epstein?publication_id=1223483&post_id=179481188&r=35323&triedRedirect=true
Thanks, I didn't see that video.
FDR and Churchill were two old men leading their countries during the second world war and desperately wanting the Allied victory to lead to a new world order of peace.
Today we have two old men, Trump and Putin who could care less about peace.
Check this note by Anne Applebaum. She nails it predicting the set up for future wars and benefits Russian and American investors.
Great newsletter today. Thanks for it, and all the embedded links on this situation. I hope to read all these articles this weekend.
Also, great interview with Adam Smith. Very helpful for getting the big picture on global and domestic issues.
I am sickened by Trump's proposed Ukraine proposal - sickened. Is America going to continue to act emasculated?
Foreign policy for Congress always seems to me low risk, low reward. So there might be opposition to the very dangerous sell out, but I would be surprised if that leads to a real break. Maybe part of a trend.
It also shows how the Epstein scandal might really be urgent and central to foreign policy. There is at least some link there.
I will call my Senators as suggested.
Simon, thank you for putting such an informative and powerful focus on Ukraine. As a European from a country that Nazi Germany occupied during WW2, this is personal to me.
bet they didnt even bother to add the 200K disappeared ukraine children to the putin wish list!
oh, forgot melania is working DIRECTLY with putin to resolve this! so no worries!
This "peace" plan is a total give away to Putin. Ridiculously evil.
And dangerous.
I called my reps yesterday and asked them to stand up for Ukraine and to tie Trump's capitulations to the Epstein files. It seems at least worth asking the question: what does russia have on Trump?
What Putin has on Trump was briefly brought up in Trump's campaign for his first term, and suggested it was sexual. and never pursued by mainstream media. In the partial release of the Epstein files, the relationship of Putin and Epstein with Trump is mentioned.
Called and thanked Elizabeth Warren for her part in this dialogue. Called Sen Markey and asked him to get involved. I'm also telling them that the illegal military build up around Venezuela is terrifying. Both these things are just horrible. In spite of the good things that are happening, these are creepy. Will keep calling every day. I hope Zelenksy says NO F'ing way. I hope EU will stand up and support Ukraine.
Hi fam. I guess this is my day to trash talk but I must pass on this warning. It comes from Kris Goldsmith but I want to confirm that I have personal experience that what he says is true of this group - Refuse Fascism is a front for the Revolutionary Communist Party - a creepy cult that has shown up to hijack and thus sabotage genuine grassroots left groups in the past - leading to the groups disbanding in acrimony.
They are a bunch of parasites. They will try to put themselves forward as THE voice of YOUR group, alienating any freedom loving person from joining. This is Kim Jong Un stuff.
I have been for decades a left activist (and by that I mean anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian) I'm here as part of your big tent because I despise authoritarians of whatever flavor as my first priority, and if I disagree with some here about the solutions put forward as too circumscribed, I share your love of freedom, dignity, and a better life for people and planet. I only mention my actual political philosophy (this is not a political philosophy debating society) to make clear that my warning does not come from the same place as those who automatically dismiss others like Bernie or Zohran or AOC as beyond the political pale.
So please pass this on to your networks.
https://onoffense.substack.com/p/warning-for-remove-the-regime-protestors?utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=9xdq6&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Interesting, thanks for posting
Thanks for "coming out" Lyn. I believe all pro-democracy advocates are welcome here.
I just have to re-iterate that capitalism (and socialism too) is an economic system, not a political philosophy. Wikipedia lists about 20 different economic systems, but it fundamentally boils down to free markets, controlled markets or a mix of the two. What Trump is doing with tariffs is clearly not a free market economy,
Its an important distinction and conflating capitalism as a political philosophy is a wide-spread condition that helps keep us stuck. and the billionaires at the top. Many people don't understand that you can have democracies, including a democratic republic of states such as ours, whether or not it is based on "free market economies."
Thanks for making that point. I used the term "political philosophy" as a shorthand because I was trying to get to the point of my post quickly. However...
There has been a deliberate effort, all my life, to portray "free markets" (that aren't free) as equivalent to democracy. The average person has been made to believe that you can either have the present system that leaves 40% of the people in NYC unable to afford groceries or live in the USSR, North Korea, etc. In terms of terminology, economic systems do not exist apart from politics. The present economic system is kept in place, and moved forward by laws. For example, corporations have been given the rights of persons by law, and in fact only exist as a matter of law. Corporations must prioritize the maximization of shareholder value irrespective of the impact of that on their workers or their customers, by law. etc
I'd go so far as to say that the project of the Right is to now overtly make corporate profit the political system (the national CEO) though this is a problem of long standing that has interfered with what I call a politics of happiness. As John Dewey said back in the 1930's "politics is the shadow cast by big business on society."
Or, one could say that the ACA is the shadow cast by the insurance industry over healthcare. Nonetheless, I support the present effort to restore the ACA subsidies because standing in a shadow is better than standing in total darkness.
i like joe stiglitz's phrase; progressive capitalism, which he says is essentially democratic socialism without the baggage, and also more accurate than socialism.
Here is a simple question that someone in the media might ask the orange man. "Is this appeasement to Putin, giving Russia everything they want on Ukraine, is all because Putin knows, and may have photos, of you blowing Bubba?"
Congress should investigate pronto.
Something's got to give on this path toward destruction of Ukraine.
So MTG resigned from Congress effective Jan. 5, 2026. She didn't have much good to say about dt, but did have good words for The Power of the People. Let's see who wins the special election, although that could be after the primaries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62v_wPlAx-Y and https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/us/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-resigns.html?smid=url-share
I would be astonished and ecstatic if a Democrat wins her district, or even if a non-MAGA Republican replaces Marjorie "Jewish Space Lasers!" Taylor Greene.