Rep. Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, joins us live at noon ET to talk about Trump's speech to the generals this week.....
Good morning. Simon... wonderful meeting of the "crew" last night. I so enjoy your straight talk laced with humor, outrage, irreverence, and pep talk. As I said in the comments, like you, I stay sane by being part of this community. I can't do as much as some people are doing - mostly I call endlessly to my 'best friends', Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Jim McGovern; send money and write postcards. It never feels like enough... but I am engaged and informed and that is keeping me positive and able to talk intelligently to my friends and family, when everyone is so depressed and putting their heads in the sand. Thanks for all you are doing and thanks for posting this morning. I have a FB community to which I pass on bits and pieces of all your posts as well as the good Robert Hubbell, HCR, and Jessica Craven. Everyone is working so DAMN hard. I am proud to be part of the resistance.
Simon, I LOVE the subject line of this email. Scientists and researchers and hc workers are trying to force RFK Jr to take responsibility for the lies he spreads, one of the most abhorrent is that we support his policies and actions. WRONG. If you want to join Defend Public Health in the push back, please visit https://www.defendpublichealth.org/campaign/help-prove-rfk-jr-wrong and send a postcard. It is super easy- all directions are on this link. Thank you.
Simon, another extraordinary discussion. Hopium community doesn't rehash every Trump performative bs but thanks to your leadership focuses on effective action.
Hi all - Donated this morning to our Audacious Expansion Fund and Yes on 50. I wouldn't want to be experiencing this without Hopium - thanks, Simon. You da man.
I'm no seer, but I'm thinking -- I'm hoping! -- that Trump II will be a turning-point for the U.S. It will show Trump voters (and Republicans more generally) that good government matters more than getting back at people of color, women, and everyone else they don't like. It will show the billionaires, mega-multimillionaires, CEOs, and the SCOTUS majority that democracy isn't on the auction block, for sale to the highest bidder. And it will show the upper-level Democrats that we take democracy seriously and will fight for it; if they're not willing to do likewise, would they please get out of our way?
I have had this feeling for a long time. Dr. Ben-Ghiat said when he was re-elected that she saw an American reckoning in our future. I believe it, too. keep going!
Same here. IMO we've been sliding in this direction since Reagan, and though there has been some pushback, it's been too little and/or too late. (There's a reason I keep saying that Bill Clinton was the only Republican I ever voted for.)
Yesterday we received an unexpected "tax relief" check from the Commonwealth of VA for $400...and on the check stub there's a message (see below) in which our Republican Governor, Glenn Younkin, takes credit for this rebate, though the tax relief legislation was passed by the Democratic majority in the 2025 VA House and Senate.
Here are the words printed on the check stub. No other documentation came with this check:
"As part of the approximately $9 billion in tax relief provided to Virginians during Governor Glenn Youngkin's Administration, you are receiving the enclosed Tax Relief for Working Virginians. The enclosed Tax Relief for Working Virginians was authorized by the 2025 General Assembly. Tax payers who file 2024 individual income tax returns, and have a tax liability, may be eligible to receive a rebate of up to $200 for an individual and up to $400 for a married couple filing jointly. For more information, visit, tax.virginia.gov/rebate."
As soon as we got this check, my husband and I decided to contribute $400 to Hopium’s Audacious Expansion Fund (as we already contributed to the other Hopium funds.) In making this contribution it feels a bit like we're getting back at Youngkin for trying to make us believe he was the one who is responsible for the "tax relief."
good on you! As a note - this is what Biden should have done with relief. He should have "signed" the checks (like Trump). Otherwise, non one knows what our side has done. Of course, I am not advocating for lying about it but just taking credit (directly) with voters for what we have done.
And, here's what CHAT GPT suggested should have been written on the check stub to give credit to the Dems who passed this legislation (see the second paragraph below):
"As part of the approximately $9 billion in tax relief championed and passed by Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, you are receiving the enclosed Tax Relief for Working Virginians.
Despite Governor Glenn Youngkin’s attempts to push tax cuts favoring the wealthy, it was Democratic leadership in the General Assembly who delivered this rebate for working families.
Taxpayers who file 2024 individual income tax returns and have a tax liability may be eligible to receive a rebate of up to $200 for an individual and up to $400 for a married couple filing jointly. For more information, visit tax.virginia.gov/rebate.”
Note: Chat GPT formatted the above in one paragraph. I made it into 3 paragraphs, so that the middle paragraph would stand out and you would not have to read all the rest of it again.
So many people coming up with pithy bumper sticker points. That’s so great. Democrats stand for more than one thing, but we are are saying it better.
I love your list. I might even turn one into a protest sign on Oct 18. But even more, I love that every patriot can pick some that they care about, and we no longer look disorganized or like we can’t agree. However you phrase it, Tax Billionaires, End the Tariffs, Get Billionaires Out, Stop the Trump Tariff Tax, they all fit together. We are developing some skill at being pithy, but not monotonous.
I especially love that you put Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on your list. We can’t stop Republicans from lying about what we stand for, but we can stop worrying about what they say.
Thanks Jenny. This is, as always, a work in progress. Everyone should rework it to suit their own sense of urgency. I didn’t work in any international concerns this time…
That is kind of what I was getting at. Some people might borrow your acronym and make it their own. Others have been making their own lists.
Some are deeply focused on USAID, Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuelan boats, the UN, and other international concerns. But the domestic threats are overwhelming, too.
I love that I can do what I do, and you can do what you do, and we can both trust that others will do other things. We can agree without being in lock-step. It feels like being part of a team.
Thanks for this, and for the meeting last night. I called my senators to thank them for their courage in the shutdown. I've been pushing them a lot on ICE and democracy, so after last night's meeting I just offered them thanks and support. Back to pushing next week.
It was great to catch this talk last night, I missed it last week. I almost always come away seeing some things in a different light. This time, it emphasized for me the reasonableness and normalcy of what Schumer and Jeffries are trying to do, negotiate a budget. It’s one of their most fundamental jobs. Which in turn emphasizes the hysteria of the response coming from mango mussolini and his gang of hacks.
Looking forward to the call with Adam Smith today. Have a great “Yes on 50” lawn sign on order which emphasizes patriotism and defending democracy.
Thank you, Simon. My advice to all is be ready for even more awfulness from our pedophile President and his enablers. Most if not all of them are criminals at this point, so they can’t lose power.
But they will lose power, we will make sure of that. And then we need to make sure they face consequences not only as a deterrent to future malaprops, but also because we are a nation of laws where justice is served.
This is the way through. It is a harrowing gauntlet which will lead to a more perfect union. Grateful to be in this battle with all of you.
I feel good about the shutdown fight. The meltdown by Vought and others is telling (they are flailing because they know the Dems standing up to them is their kryptonite). The longer we can hold out, the better. While I wish it was more about the tariffs, the fight is the point and the fact that we and the Dems are in it is really great. I know lots of commentators are worried about us "losing" the shutdown. I think that framing is a red herring - as they are really framing it about "losing" shutdown with essentially themselves (and Politico adjacent media). That doesn't matter, what matters are the voters and they want more fight, less Trump and lower costs (including for healthcare). We are going to win this fight, because it is about getting on side with voters (which we are doing) and setting ourselves up to be v. competitive in 2026.
The shutdown debate seems to be going well! I am pleased Dems are holding the line! The ACA subsidies seems to be turning out to be a good line to hold!
while I wanted (and still want) them to go bigger, I can see the strategy here. "All we want is ACA funding and assurances that what we fund stays funded" shows how determined the Republicans are to destroy people's lives.
Good morning. Simon... wonderful meeting of the "crew" last night. I so enjoy your straight talk laced with humor, outrage, irreverence, and pep talk. As I said in the comments, like you, I stay sane by being part of this community. I can't do as much as some people are doing - mostly I call endlessly to my 'best friends', Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and Jim McGovern; send money and write postcards. It never feels like enough... but I am engaged and informed and that is keeping me positive and able to talk intelligently to my friends and family, when everyone is so depressed and putting their heads in the sand. Thanks for all you are doing and thanks for posting this morning. I have a FB community to which I pass on bits and pieces of all your posts as well as the good Robert Hubbell, HCR, and Jessica Craven. Everyone is working so DAMN hard. I am proud to be part of the resistance.
thank you - you are doing your part! you have fantastic representation on Capitol Hill & I know they enjoy hearing from you! keep going!
Awww thank you Lisa. You're a rock star activist. Always so good to see what you are up to!
Spreading positivity and keeping people from giving up is very important work! Fascism thrives on fear and apathy.
Simon, I LOVE the subject line of this email. Scientists and researchers and hc workers are trying to force RFK Jr to take responsibility for the lies he spreads, one of the most abhorrent is that we support his policies and actions. WRONG. If you want to join Defend Public Health in the push back, please visit https://www.defendpublichealth.org/campaign/help-prove-rfk-jr-wrong and send a postcard. It is super easy- all directions are on this link. Thank you.
Narcissim with dementia added, makes him more enraged, more unhinged-- if that's even possible.
Simon, another extraordinary discussion. Hopium community doesn't rehash every Trump performative bs but thanks to your leadership focuses on effective action.
Continue the rallying cries and whatever it takes to stop the madness. He obviously has the same illness as George the third.
Simon's personal remarks about how he's faring and how he relies on us as much as we rely on him had me all farklempt.
likewise. :)
Got what I think are the last of the postcard stamps I'll need (LFG VA, PA, CA, & NJ!) yesterday.
Saw an odious display of "Merry Christmas 2025 from the White House" display (I think for cards, F if I know.)
Looked at it and said "Bah humbug to you too."
Very nice post office employee was even nicer after that.
HA!
Hi all - Donated this morning to our Audacious Expansion Fund and Yes on 50. I wouldn't want to be experiencing this without Hopium - thanks, Simon. You da man.
I'm no seer, but I'm thinking -- I'm hoping! -- that Trump II will be a turning-point for the U.S. It will show Trump voters (and Republicans more generally) that good government matters more than getting back at people of color, women, and everyone else they don't like. It will show the billionaires, mega-multimillionaires, CEOs, and the SCOTUS majority that democracy isn't on the auction block, for sale to the highest bidder. And it will show the upper-level Democrats that we take democracy seriously and will fight for it; if they're not willing to do likewise, would they please get out of our way?
I have had this feeling for a long time. Dr. Ben-Ghiat said when he was re-elected that she saw an American reckoning in our future. I believe it, too. keep going!
Same here. IMO we've been sliding in this direction since Reagan, and though there has been some pushback, it's been too little and/or too late. (There's a reason I keep saying that Bill Clinton was the only Republican I ever voted for.)
Yesterday we received an unexpected "tax relief" check from the Commonwealth of VA for $400...and on the check stub there's a message (see below) in which our Republican Governor, Glenn Younkin, takes credit for this rebate, though the tax relief legislation was passed by the Democratic majority in the 2025 VA House and Senate.
Here are the words printed on the check stub. No other documentation came with this check:
"As part of the approximately $9 billion in tax relief provided to Virginians during Governor Glenn Youngkin's Administration, you are receiving the enclosed Tax Relief for Working Virginians. The enclosed Tax Relief for Working Virginians was authorized by the 2025 General Assembly. Tax payers who file 2024 individual income tax returns, and have a tax liability, may be eligible to receive a rebate of up to $200 for an individual and up to $400 for a married couple filing jointly. For more information, visit, tax.virginia.gov/rebate."
As soon as we got this check, my husband and I decided to contribute $400 to Hopium’s Audacious Expansion Fund (as we already contributed to the other Hopium funds.) In making this contribution it feels a bit like we're getting back at Youngkin for trying to make us believe he was the one who is responsible for the "tax relief."
good on you! As a note - this is what Biden should have done with relief. He should have "signed" the checks (like Trump). Otherwise, non one knows what our side has done. Of course, I am not advocating for lying about it but just taking credit (directly) with voters for what we have done.
And, here's what CHAT GPT suggested should have been written on the check stub to give credit to the Dems who passed this legislation (see the second paragraph below):
"As part of the approximately $9 billion in tax relief championed and passed by Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, you are receiving the enclosed Tax Relief for Working Virginians.
Despite Governor Glenn Youngkin’s attempts to push tax cuts favoring the wealthy, it was Democratic leadership in the General Assembly who delivered this rebate for working families.
Taxpayers who file 2024 individual income tax returns and have a tax liability may be eligible to receive a rebate of up to $200 for an individual and up to $400 for a married couple filing jointly. For more information, visit tax.virginia.gov/rebate.”
Note: Chat GPT formatted the above in one paragraph. I made it into 3 paragraphs, so that the middle paragraph would stand out and you would not have to read all the rest of it again.
Best news I've heard all morning. Thank you Leni!
Democrats stand for:
• due process to preserve our freedoms, including freedom from fear;
• the free press to help ensure our freedom of speech;
• the rule of law to guarantee fair treatment for humanity;
• free and fair elections to assert the will of We the People;
• our democracy to keep our republic strong;
• our U.S. Constitution to reject any wanna-be authoritarians and kings;
• our Declaration of Independence to safeguard our principles of equality and our unalienable rights;
• strong alliances with our allies, like Ukraine, to keep the whole world safer;
• rejecting our enemies like Russia to keep our homeland secure and the world power in check;
• protecting our planet so future generations will thrive;
• world-class education for all to be the best we can be;
• reproductive freedom as stewards of our own bodies;
• good wages & safe conditions for workers to provide freedom from want;
• world-class public health to vitalize our people;
• science to seek truth and new discoveries;
• freedom of religion so that the state respects our individual beliefs;
• fighting against tyranny; and so much more
Deborah, I am working on an acronym. Democrats stand for:
Democratic process and the rule of law
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Medical coverage for all
One nation, indivisible…
Climate activism for the health of the planet
Religious freedom for all
Academic freedom and scientific integrity
Technological superiority with ethical deployment
Saving our precious republic.
Excellent. I suggest you send it to the Governor and our Senators. You never know, unless you put it our there.
So many people coming up with pithy bumper sticker points. That’s so great. Democrats stand for more than one thing, but we are are saying it better.
I love your list. I might even turn one into a protest sign on Oct 18. But even more, I love that every patriot can pick some that they care about, and we no longer look disorganized or like we can’t agree. However you phrase it, Tax Billionaires, End the Tariffs, Get Billionaires Out, Stop the Trump Tariff Tax, they all fit together. We are developing some skill at being pithy, but not monotonous.
I especially love that you put Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on your list. We can’t stop Republicans from lying about what we stand for, but we can stop worrying about what they say.
Thanks Jenny. This is, as always, a work in progress. Everyone should rework it to suit their own sense of urgency. I didn’t work in any international concerns this time…
That is kind of what I was getting at. Some people might borrow your acronym and make it their own. Others have been making their own lists.
Some are deeply focused on USAID, Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuelan boats, the UN, and other international concerns. But the domestic threats are overwhelming, too.
I love that I can do what I do, and you can do what you do, and we can both trust that others will do other things. We can agree without being in lock-step. It feels like being part of a team.
Bravo! It does beg the question ... what do Republicans stand for ?
Racism
Embitterment
Pathetic
Unhinged
Bullshit
Liars
Ineptitude
Coercion & Corruption
Anarchy
Natter
Shit-show
That’s tellin’ ‘em, Deborah! 😎
would you describe them as nattering nabobs of negativity?
That works!
People of the land, the common clay of the New West. You know. Morons. (Gene Wilder to Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles)
That's a great one!
Thanks for this, and for the meeting last night. I called my senators to thank them for their courage in the shutdown. I've been pushing them a lot on ICE and democracy, so after last night's meeting I just offered them thanks and support. Back to pushing next week.
ETA: will donate to Prop 50 today
It was great to catch this talk last night, I missed it last week. I almost always come away seeing some things in a different light. This time, it emphasized for me the reasonableness and normalcy of what Schumer and Jeffries are trying to do, negotiate a budget. It’s one of their most fundamental jobs. Which in turn emphasizes the hysteria of the response coming from mango mussolini and his gang of hacks.
Looking forward to the call with Adam Smith today. Have a great “Yes on 50” lawn sign on order which emphasizes patriotism and defending democracy.
Thank you, Simon. My advice to all is be ready for even more awfulness from our pedophile President and his enablers. Most if not all of them are criminals at this point, so they can’t lose power.
But they will lose power, we will make sure of that. And then we need to make sure they face consequences not only as a deterrent to future malaprops, but also because we are a nation of laws where justice is served.
This is the way through. It is a harrowing gauntlet which will lead to a more perfect union. Grateful to be in this battle with all of you.
Every single one of them held fully accountable. Before this is through, that phrase may become a real crowd pleaser.
well said!
I never thought of myself as a freedom fighter, but I am. Also proud to be in this fight with you all.
I feel good about the shutdown fight. The meltdown by Vought and others is telling (they are flailing because they know the Dems standing up to them is their kryptonite). The longer we can hold out, the better. While I wish it was more about the tariffs, the fight is the point and the fact that we and the Dems are in it is really great. I know lots of commentators are worried about us "losing" the shutdown. I think that framing is a red herring - as they are really framing it about "losing" shutdown with essentially themselves (and Politico adjacent media). That doesn't matter, what matters are the voters and they want more fight, less Trump and lower costs (including for healthcare). We are going to win this fight, because it is about getting on side with voters (which we are doing) and setting ourselves up to be v. competitive in 2026.
Donated $50 to the Prop. 50 effort.
The shutdown debate seems to be going well! I am pleased Dems are holding the line! The ACA subsidies seems to be turning out to be a good line to hold!
while I wanted (and still want) them to go bigger, I can see the strategy here. "All we want is ACA funding and assurances that what we fund stays funded" shows how determined the Republicans are to destroy people's lives.