Today marks the seventh anniversary of my husband's death from cancer. It occurred to me that it would be a good day to appeal to my friends to get loud with their elected officials about the cuts to scientific funding. All of us have lost someone to a disease that the NIH is currently investigating. I encourage all of you to reach out to your networks in their names as well. Here's what I posted on FB this morning. Please feel free to adapt this to your own situation if you think it would be helpful. We know the power of making our calls, but most of the public just doesn't understand that -- and frankly doesn't really understand what has happened to funding for medical research.
Tom died seven years ago today of esophageal cancer. It was Father’s Day, Sarah had turned 16 three days earlier, and Alex turned 7 six days later. Peter was 13. It has been a lifetime, and the blink of an eye. I have a beautiful life, and the kids and I are doing well, but we miss Tom every single day. Cancer robbed us of so much.
In the intervening years, I have also lost my Uncle Henning and my cousin Mary to cancer. I have friends fighting cancer right now. It is a terrible disease that exacts a huge toll.
If you cared about Tom, I have a favor to ask of you. Please call your elected officials and ask that they restore full funding for scientific research. Since January, funding for medical research has been cut drastically, and will be reduced by a further 40% next year. If you haven’t told your elected officials that you oppose these cuts, they believe that you consent and approve. So please, make some calls. It takes less than three minutes, and if you have phone anxiety, you can call after 5:00 pm and leave a voicemail. Congress sets the budget and has the constitutional power to reverse the cuts.
99.4% of new cancer drugs approved for use between 2010 and 2019 were the result of government funding. Every $100 million invested generates on average 76 new patents and results in $600 million of economic activity. Scientific research at UNC alone directly supports 11,000 jobs, many of which are now gone or in jeopardy. And it’s not just cancer! The NIH also researches diabetes, heart disease, infectious disease, autoimmune diseases, Parkinsons, Cystic Fibrosis, and on and on, and the NSF supports basic scientific research, which has brought us many medical devices and instruments. Cuts of this magnitude mean that cures for some diseases will not come soon enough for your loved ones. More clinical trials will be halted. We are ceding our worldwide preeminence in medical research to other countries, namely China, which is already recruiting scientists who have lost their jobs at top-notch US universities.
So I ask that you call today for Tom, tomorrow for your Uncle John who died of Alzheimer’s, on Thursday for your neighbor who has diabetes, on Friday for your friend Jennifer who was just diagnosed with lupus, etc. And if you are so inspired, please post this request in honor of your own loved ones. If you want assistance customizing your message, let me know. I’d be happy to help.
Right now our elected officials think the public doesn’t care about science or medical research, and it’s up to us to tell them emphatically that we do care, that we think this is an excellent use of our tax dollars, and that we don’t want other families to suffer the way mine has. My kids don’t get to grow up with their dad, and that is the tragedy of our lives, but with enough research, other kids won’t have to experience this trauma. But only if we act.
As always appreciate the chronicles and summary of our political landscape. I did have to chuckle at your comment on Double TACO- ‘Trump chickened out from his initial chickening out. Holy double TACO Batman! ‘. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing that deeply personal story --it's stories like this that change hearts and minds, truly. I am a cancer survivor, as are my two dearest friends in the world. We MUST restore this research funding.
I am very sorry to hear about husband and other family lost to cancer. It is a terrible disease, along with Alzheimers. The cuts in R & D for new medicines, clinical trials for treatments, research, everything that has or will be lost if the Senate passes the House Reconciliation Bill, or makes even further cuts on its own, will be devastating to ALL Americans. I have already called my Senators but will add your points specifically, tomorrow.
Elizabeth, I feel you sister. Thank you for sharing. June 12 was the 6th anniversary of my father's passing at 90 of congestive heart failure. That loss hit me hard this year on Father's Day. He'd be rolling in his grave if he knew Trump was re-elected. He was a doctor, and a damn good one. I'm devoting this week's calls to Science. Bless you.
I just texted my community, who cared for a friend who died a horrible death from cancer over a decade ago. I asked them to call their elected officials in memory of our friend. Thank you for a well-thought out comment.
Thank you for putting your grief to such constructive use. Glad to hear that you find the beauty in the your life, and it sounds as if Tom might have had much to do with that. I've found that when people do their "human homework" while they're here, those that survive take the love and the lessons into the future with them. And live. A LOT - if for no other reason than to honor the person who has gone.
I was talking to a friend who went to No Kings protest in her very red, small town of Monroe NC. It is the county seat for Union County and she and I attended a protest there on April 19th. We lined up along the sidewalks surrounding the courthouse square and waved our signs.
At that time, we were told they had an estimated 400 people for April 5 Hands Off! - which was probably double what we experienced for April 19th. For No Kings, they estimated they had 900 people! My friend was ecstatic about the turnout and very fired up! If you have the opportunity to attend a smaller protest in a little town, I encourage you to do so.
The next day big of action will be Thursday, July 17th in honor of the aniversary of John Lewis's death. Join in and make some good trouble! (Like the May Day rallies, the events may end up spanning the period from Thursday through Sunday).
FYI, my local Indivisible chapter is also sponsoring small weekly pop-up protests around town. Last week there were 3 morning rush hour pop-ups, 8 evening rush hour popups and two popups at midday on Saturday at 2 different senior living centers for people who were not able to participate in the big No Kings protest/march uptown. And these were just the "official" ones that I know about. Around here they only request you get a permit if you are expecting more than 50 participants and will be on public property.
P.S. I decided to contact Senator Warner through his website instead of calling because I wanted to share a link to Simon's post. Here's what I wrote:
Hi Senator Warner,
These days it's very hard to be a Democratic senator. But that doesn't keep you from doing all you can for Virginians. And, for that, I am very grateful!
Please know that many Virginians, like me, read Hopium Chronicles every day. Already quite a few have "liked" my comment. This means that we are thrilled that you are speaking up for us! Please keep on doing so. And know that I will do all I can to amplify your voice.
Self report: called both TX Senators about voting NO on the Reconciliation Bill and taking back responsibility for tariffs before our economy worsens.
Friday, local Democratic groups plan to march to Senator Cornyn’s office in San Antonio and announce via bullhorn why he needs to Vote NO on the horrible budget bill.
My Republican Congressman said he would probably vote no on reconciliation if it means more deficit spending. I’ll believe it when I see it, and I’ll keep calling.
I just called my AZ senators Kelly and Gallego, along with my legislative rep Stanton. All three offices had young energetic staff answering the calls. One told me their boss was happy to hear from constituents. What we're doing is making a difference. With the momentum of No Kings on Saturday, we need to keep working it. I attended a Zoom call with Indivisible last night with 20,000 other people and they encouraged us to do one thing in the next step to defeat this autocratic realignment. One of those things is phone/email our reps, which Simon has been encouraging all along. To Elizabeth T, I signed on to the Bethesda Declaration because I'm a licensed allied health care professional. I believe health care is a right not a privilege.
I was on the call, and I must say that through much of it, I was saying to myself "I already do this, Simon taught us how!" Thanks Simon and thanks to the this wonderful community for doing this impactful and important work!
KING OF NORWAY: A distinct lack of Royal enthusiasm for Trump
Trump shocked the world when he started making noises about “taking” Greenland and making part of the USA. When King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway are currently visiting Svalbard, Norway’s archipelago in the far northern Arctic, this is widely interpreted as the Royal response – especially since the King is old (88) and ailing.
In April, when Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg (former General Secretary of NATO) visited Trump in the White House, the President was full of praise for Norway and for the King and said that he would like to see him.
Naturally that topic was broached when they met the press on Svalbard. When the royal couple met the press in Svalbard, Aftenposten's journalist pointed out that Trump seems to be very enthusiastic about the King.
"I've never met him," said King Harald, and burst into laughter.
“He was keen to meet you, do you think that will happen?"
"I have no opinion. Such matters are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they go through diplomatic channels.
"But is the King interested in meeting him?"
"I'm interested in meeting everyone who is invited here," said King Harald after a pause and smiled.
When asked about Norway’s sovereignty of Svalbard, and the challenges to it, King Harald replied:
"I think our sovereignty is challenged every day. But this is an integral part of Norway, and it will remain so. This is Norwegian territory, and it is important that we point that out,” said the King.
In addition to the implications of Trump’s utterances against Denmark’s and Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic, Norway has for years faced never-ending attempts by the Soviets, and later by Russia, to expand their influence at the cost of Norwegian sovereignty. Russia does have legitimate mining activity on Svalbard, but has constantly been trying to push the boundary for what is acceptable.
Norway was also provoked last year when the PRIC (Polar Research Institute of China) celebrated the 20th anniversary of its activities on Svalbard – and one of those who attended showed up in a Chinese military uniform.
Yet another recurring issue is Norway’s management of fisheries management in its territorial waters around Svalbard (as well as north of the Norwegian mainland). This has been repeatedly challenged by the incursion of fishing vessels from numerous nations. The Arctic Ocean has some of the most fish-rich waters on the planet, and Norway strives to strictly manage fisheries so as to preserve this valuable food resource.
I attended a matinee of the annual production of "Charlotte Squawks". It is a musical comedy/ political satire that includes many wonderful song parodies. It is billed as "Charlotte meets "Saturday Night Live" meets Broadway" and it really lives up to its billing!
The show stopper this year was a parody of Dream Girls "And I'm Telling You" - it was titled "I'm not Joinin'" and it was about Greenland's brush off of Trump - complete with the flag of Greenland (which I must admit I didn't recognize!)
The other number that got the most applause was a parody of Carrie Underwood's "Before he Cheats" and was about Jefferson Griffiths's attemp to steal the NC Supreme Court election from Allison Riggs! It was epic!
We need to address this. The budget bill among Republicans is approved by 49% and opposed by only 13%. Those are the only voters Republicans most care about. They need to avoid being primaried by Trump. So as long as Republicans strongly support the bill, Republicans are going to vote for it , even after vociferously criticizing it. Josh Hawley and Tim Johnson, we are watching you.
The Democratic governor of NC published a list of five rural NC hospitals that will most likely close if the bill is passed as currently written. I wish the organization that oversees nursing homes would publish a similar list so that the nursing homes themselves could put out news blasts to their residents' families. John Q. Republican is just plain unaware of what this will mean to his family.
Arthur, what you write here is not true for several reasons: 1) even in this poll you cite 51% of Republican voters do not current support the bill. They have failed to make the case so far even with their own voters. 2) they do not care most about hard core MAGAs. Only Rs in all red states or districts do. Republicans who run in competitive states or district will care a lot about this data as they will care a lot about Trump's overall decline. 3) It is impossible to look at this data and find any good news for Trump, anywhere. It is terrible. Does it mean we defeat the bill? No. But they are going into the summer in a very weakened position, giving us a shot at killing this thing as we did their ACA repeal in 2017. Onward - S
is it open hunting season on elected dems now? did i miss any repub elected condemning the killing in minnesota? sen. mike lee sending out gleeful, hateful messages. will he be censured? donny 2 dolls now sending ice directly to blue states/blue cities (selective enforcement) to trigger the insurrection act? will the insurrection act be national or just blue states? will thune do anything about sen padilla being hogtied by noem & corey lewandowski? the judge being indicted for interfering with ICE. the dem elected mciver being indicted in NJ. the mayor of newark being arrested. have we reached some sort of tipping point in our politics? have our dem elected leadership forcefully responded? i find this shocking, even with donny 2 dolls norm busting lower standards. the repubs have long desired unitary rule by a king/pres and unitary rule in congress (all repubs). are they executing this plan now when they control all 3 branches & law enforcement? is political violence condoned now if you are a repub or maga?
It was a token invite, the G7 , another debacle, noting their people didn’t want him in Canada and I thought Felons weren’t allowed…🤷♀️ I don’t listen to him or Leavitt -really any of the many bobble heads because…they lie.
It’s more a joke in all unseriousness , pathetic might be appropriate but even too kind also. Hearing the facts nightly or early morning which I need (for weather’s warnings) always has some new faux pas , par for his crass , and just sad disbelief ..over and over and over..
The World has turned away and where we are headed just cleaning up the debris , will still be dealing with his aftermaths and time consuming.
Yes the protest was wonderful, a few incidents here and there which according to GOP will be highlighted to cast suggestion it was all like that. Got yer boots on? You’ll still need them for a few more months.
I'm getting into the habit of liking and Reposting your daily Bluesky posts, especially the daily one that links to your daily Substack post. Seems like we could get a minimum 100 daily reposts of that one as a community, just takes a sec. (I'm selah63 on Bluesky with a whopping 417 followers, buy hey, every little bit helps).
Another terrific live event today. Thanks. I was especially struck by the reporting about the judge’s impassioned remarks against RFK in the NIH case. There’s been so much news that I didn’t really see that covered.
Hi everyone - I enjoyed the talk with Adam, Simon. Your message and thinking gets stronger and more cohesive by day and I appreciate you. My Senator Tammy Duckworth has been out front on military in the streets and I appreciate her strength on this issue. That's my message to my electeds today - return National Guard control to the Governor as is lawful and get the military off our streets "policing" our citizens. Happy to be with you all in this fight. Kent
I signed the Bethesda Declaration and called my MOCs today to rant about the murder bill, the crazy MAHA and anti-vax policies, the mutterings about regime change in Iran, and ICE/due process/lack of IDs will lead to shoot-outs.
Hi patriots,
Today marks the seventh anniversary of my husband's death from cancer. It occurred to me that it would be a good day to appeal to my friends to get loud with their elected officials about the cuts to scientific funding. All of us have lost someone to a disease that the NIH is currently investigating. I encourage all of you to reach out to your networks in their names as well. Here's what I posted on FB this morning. Please feel free to adapt this to your own situation if you think it would be helpful. We know the power of making our calls, but most of the public just doesn't understand that -- and frankly doesn't really understand what has happened to funding for medical research.
Tom died seven years ago today of esophageal cancer. It was Father’s Day, Sarah had turned 16 three days earlier, and Alex turned 7 six days later. Peter was 13. It has been a lifetime, and the blink of an eye. I have a beautiful life, and the kids and I are doing well, but we miss Tom every single day. Cancer robbed us of so much.
In the intervening years, I have also lost my Uncle Henning and my cousin Mary to cancer. I have friends fighting cancer right now. It is a terrible disease that exacts a huge toll.
If you cared about Tom, I have a favor to ask of you. Please call your elected officials and ask that they restore full funding for scientific research. Since January, funding for medical research has been cut drastically, and will be reduced by a further 40% next year. If you haven’t told your elected officials that you oppose these cuts, they believe that you consent and approve. So please, make some calls. It takes less than three minutes, and if you have phone anxiety, you can call after 5:00 pm and leave a voicemail. Congress sets the budget and has the constitutional power to reverse the cuts.
99.4% of new cancer drugs approved for use between 2010 and 2019 were the result of government funding. Every $100 million invested generates on average 76 new patents and results in $600 million of economic activity. Scientific research at UNC alone directly supports 11,000 jobs, many of which are now gone or in jeopardy. And it’s not just cancer! The NIH also researches diabetes, heart disease, infectious disease, autoimmune diseases, Parkinsons, Cystic Fibrosis, and on and on, and the NSF supports basic scientific research, which has brought us many medical devices and instruments. Cuts of this magnitude mean that cures for some diseases will not come soon enough for your loved ones. More clinical trials will be halted. We are ceding our worldwide preeminence in medical research to other countries, namely China, which is already recruiting scientists who have lost their jobs at top-notch US universities.
So I ask that you call today for Tom, tomorrow for your Uncle John who died of Alzheimer’s, on Thursday for your neighbor who has diabetes, on Friday for your friend Jennifer who was just diagnosed with lupus, etc. And if you are so inspired, please post this request in honor of your own loved ones. If you want assistance customizing your message, let me know. I’d be happy to help.
Right now our elected officials think the public doesn’t care about science or medical research, and it’s up to us to tell them emphatically that we do care, that we think this is an excellent use of our tax dollars, and that we don’t want other families to suffer the way mine has. My kids don’t get to grow up with their dad, and that is the tragedy of our lives, but with enough research, other kids won’t have to experience this trauma. But only if we act.
To find the contact information for your elected officials, see https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
To further support science, sign the Bethesda Declaration: https://www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-declaration
As always appreciate the chronicles and summary of our political landscape. I did have to chuckle at your comment on Double TACO- ‘Trump chickened out from his initial chickening out. Holy double TACO Batman! ‘. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing that deeply personal story --it's stories like this that change hearts and minds, truly. I am a cancer survivor, as are my two dearest friends in the world. We MUST restore this research funding.
This is a remarkable post and such a persuasive idea, coming out of a devastating loss. My deepest condolences to you and your children, Elizabeth.
I did sign the Bethesda Declaration before, Sarah! And now I am doubly glad I did!
Elizabeth,
I am very sorry to hear about husband and other family lost to cancer. It is a terrible disease, along with Alzheimers. The cuts in R & D for new medicines, clinical trials for treatments, research, everything that has or will be lost if the Senate passes the House Reconciliation Bill, or makes even further cuts on its own, will be devastating to ALL Americans. I have already called my Senators but will add your points specifically, tomorrow.
Elizabeth, I feel you sister. Thank you for sharing. June 12 was the 6th anniversary of my father's passing at 90 of congestive heart failure. That loss hit me hard this year on Father's Day. He'd be rolling in his grave if he knew Trump was re-elected. He was a doctor, and a damn good one. I'm devoting this week's calls to Science. Bless you.
I just texted my community, who cared for a friend who died a horrible death from cancer over a decade ago. I asked them to call their elected officials in memory of our friend. Thank you for a well-thought out comment.
Thank you for putting your grief to such constructive use. Glad to hear that you find the beauty in the your life, and it sounds as if Tom might have had much to do with that. I've found that when people do their "human homework" while they're here, those that survive take the love and the lessons into the future with them. And live. A LOT - if for no other reason than to honor the person who has gone.
Thoughts are with you, Elizabeth.
That is a great way of looking at things BeeBee!
I apologize. I am so confused. Is the rollback of ICE raids on hotels, restaurants and agriculture on or off? I cannot keep track.
It’s off. Business as usual with ICE.
That is what I thought but, seriously, I cannot keep track. Thank you.
It's not you, it's them.
With TACO, it’s hard to tell.
A Russian joke: If you want to know what President Trump’s opinion will be tomorrow, pay attention to what the Kremlin’s opinion is today.
I get it. Wish I could laugh at this one
Ignore what he says. Watch what they do. We should probably just stop responding at all to shit he says.
He may claim they are on, but in fact back off. He doesn't want his supporters thinking he is going soft on this.
Or he may not back off.
It doesn't matter what he says. Even what he does may not be determinative because TACO and multi-TACO can and will happen.
Well said.
I often wonder if the determinative factor is how many Diet Cokes he's had.
😂
Here's a great montage of the NKD as celebrated in all fifty states:
https://bsky.app/profile/indivisible.org/post/3lrnoxggmts2e
I love the music too!
I love not only the huge crowds in the big cities, but the little towns in remote places and red states where people still came out proudly!
I was talking to a friend who went to No Kings protest in her very red, small town of Monroe NC. It is the county seat for Union County and she and I attended a protest there on April 19th. We lined up along the sidewalks surrounding the courthouse square and waved our signs.
At that time, we were told they had an estimated 400 people for April 5 Hands Off! - which was probably double what we experienced for April 19th. For No Kings, they estimated they had 900 people! My friend was ecstatic about the turnout and very fired up! If you have the opportunity to attend a smaller protest in a little town, I encourage you to do so.
The next day big of action will be Thursday, July 17th in honor of the aniversary of John Lewis's death. Join in and make some good trouble! (Like the May Day rallies, the events may end up spanning the period from Thursday through Sunday).
https://goodtroubleliveson.org/
There are several informational calls in the weeks ahead. You can register here for one: https://www.mobilize.us/john-lewis-actions/event/792911/
FYI, my local Indivisible chapter is also sponsoring small weekly pop-up protests around town. Last week there were 3 morning rush hour pop-ups, 8 evening rush hour popups and two popups at midday on Saturday at 2 different senior living centers for people who were not able to participate in the big No Kings protest/march uptown. And these were just the "official" ones that I know about. Around here they only request you get a permit if you are expecting more than 50 participants and will be on public property.
I loved this take:
https://substack.com/@catcolor31/note/c-126188882
Self report: In preparation for calling Senator Warner, I went to his website. And I learned that Senator Warner just held a town hall at a VA university. And wow, did he nail it! https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/warner-speaks-out-on-trump-policies-during-su-visit/article_564c2051-2d48-536a-b5f9-d12c92a207cd.html
P.S. I decided to contact Senator Warner through his website instead of calling because I wanted to share a link to Simon's post. Here's what I wrote:
Hi Senator Warner,
These days it's very hard to be a Democratic senator. But that doesn't keep you from doing all you can for Virginians. And, for that, I am very grateful!
I just read the Northern VA Daily article about your statements at the SU Town Hall https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/warner-speaks-out-on-trump-policies-during-su-visit/article_564c2051-2d48-536a-b5f9-d12c92a207cd.html and commented to my friends on Simon Rosenberg's Hopium Chronicles website https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/dropped-papers-double-tacos-declining that you "knocked it out the park!"
Please know that many Virginians, like me, read Hopium Chronicles every day. Already quite a few have "liked" my comment. This means that we are thrilled that you are speaking up for us! Please keep on doing so. And know that I will do all I can to amplify your voice.
Kind regards,
Leni Nazare
Self report: called both TX Senators about voting NO on the Reconciliation Bill and taking back responsibility for tariffs before our economy worsens.
Friday, local Democratic groups plan to march to Senator Cornyn’s office in San Antonio and announce via bullhorn why he needs to Vote NO on the horrible budget bill.
Thank you, thank you 🙏🏻
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My Republican Congressman said he would probably vote no on reconciliation if it means more deficit spending. I’ll believe it when I see it, and I’ll keep calling.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5354005-burchett-probably-a-no-on-trump-bill-deficit-spending/
In other words, he probably wants deeper Medicaid cuts.
He wants deeper everything cuts, but I'll take a no vote anyway I can get one, particularly from him.
I just called my AZ senators Kelly and Gallego, along with my legislative rep Stanton. All three offices had young energetic staff answering the calls. One told me their boss was happy to hear from constituents. What we're doing is making a difference. With the momentum of No Kings on Saturday, we need to keep working it. I attended a Zoom call with Indivisible last night with 20,000 other people and they encouraged us to do one thing in the next step to defeat this autocratic realignment. One of those things is phone/email our reps, which Simon has been encouraging all along. To Elizabeth T, I signed on to the Bethesda Declaration because I'm a licensed allied health care professional. I believe health care is a right not a privilege.
I was on the call, and I must say that through much of it, I was saying to myself "I already do this, Simon taught us how!" Thanks Simon and thanks to the this wonderful community for doing this impactful and important work!
Love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's why I subscribe to Hopium! I am a nurse, and have had pts. say to me, I can't afford all these new drugs!"
KING OF NORWAY: A distinct lack of Royal enthusiasm for Trump
Trump shocked the world when he started making noises about “taking” Greenland and making part of the USA. When King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway are currently visiting Svalbard, Norway’s archipelago in the far northern Arctic, this is widely interpreted as the Royal response – especially since the King is old (88) and ailing.
In April, when Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg (former General Secretary of NATO) visited Trump in the White House, the President was full of praise for Norway and for the King and said that he would like to see him.
Naturally that topic was broached when they met the press on Svalbard. When the royal couple met the press in Svalbard, Aftenposten's journalist pointed out that Trump seems to be very enthusiastic about the King.
"I've never met him," said King Harald, and burst into laughter.
“He was keen to meet you, do you think that will happen?"
"I have no opinion. Such matters are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they go through diplomatic channels.
"But is the King interested in meeting him?"
"I'm interested in meeting everyone who is invited here," said King Harald after a pause and smiled.
UNDERSCORING NORWEGIAN SOVEREIGNTY
When asked about Norway’s sovereignty of Svalbard, and the challenges to it, King Harald replied:
"I think our sovereignty is challenged every day. But this is an integral part of Norway, and it will remain so. This is Norwegian territory, and it is important that we point that out,” said the King.
Let me clarify this:
In addition to the implications of Trump’s utterances against Denmark’s and Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic, Norway has for years faced never-ending attempts by the Soviets, and later by Russia, to expand their influence at the cost of Norwegian sovereignty. Russia does have legitimate mining activity on Svalbard, but has constantly been trying to push the boundary for what is acceptable.
Norway was also provoked last year when the PRIC (Polar Research Institute of China) celebrated the 20th anniversary of its activities on Svalbard – and one of those who attended showed up in a Chinese military uniform.
Yet another recurring issue is Norway’s management of fisheries management in its territorial waters around Svalbard (as well as north of the Norwegian mainland). This has been repeatedly challenged by the incursion of fishing vessels from numerous nations. The Arctic Ocean has some of the most fish-rich waters on the planet, and Norway strives to strictly manage fisheries so as to preserve this valuable food resource.
"I don't know her."
I attended a matinee of the annual production of "Charlotte Squawks". It is a musical comedy/ political satire that includes many wonderful song parodies. It is billed as "Charlotte meets "Saturday Night Live" meets Broadway" and it really lives up to its billing!
The show stopper this year was a parody of Dream Girls "And I'm Telling You" - it was titled "I'm not Joinin'" and it was about Greenland's brush off of Trump - complete with the flag of Greenland (which I must admit I didn't recognize!)
The other number that got the most applause was a parody of Carrie Underwood's "Before he Cheats" and was about Jefferson Griffiths's attemp to steal the NC Supreme Court election from Allison Riggs! It was epic!
Thanks for sharing that!
Yes, the flag of Greenland is really cool. Perhaps my favorite is the Sámi flag.
https://www.worldofflags.co.uk/media/ecom/prodlg/Sami-Peoples-6.jpg
We need to address this. The budget bill among Republicans is approved by 49% and opposed by only 13%. Those are the only voters Republicans most care about. They need to avoid being primaried by Trump. So as long as Republicans strongly support the bill, Republicans are going to vote for it , even after vociferously criticizing it. Josh Hawley and Tim Johnson, we are watching you.
The Democratic governor of NC published a list of five rural NC hospitals that will most likely close if the bill is passed as currently written. I wish the organization that oversees nursing homes would publish a similar list so that the nursing homes themselves could put out news blasts to their residents' families. John Q. Republican is just plain unaware of what this will mean to his family.
Arthur, what you write here is not true for several reasons: 1) even in this poll you cite 51% of Republican voters do not current support the bill. They have failed to make the case so far even with their own voters. 2) they do not care most about hard core MAGAs. Only Rs in all red states or districts do. Republicans who run in competitive states or district will care a lot about this data as they will care a lot about Trump's overall decline. 3) It is impossible to look at this data and find any good news for Trump, anywhere. It is terrible. Does it mean we defeat the bill? No. But they are going into the summer in a very weakened position, giving us a shot at killing this thing as we did their ACA repeal in 2017. Onward - S
IRGC spokesman: "Israel is using ghosts, demons, and witches to eliminate our leaders."
Israel: "We call it The Mossad."
.
When the IRGC claimed to target the Mossad headquarters, The Mossad posted a reply:
“None of us are at the base; we’re all inside Iran.”
is it open hunting season on elected dems now? did i miss any repub elected condemning the killing in minnesota? sen. mike lee sending out gleeful, hateful messages. will he be censured? donny 2 dolls now sending ice directly to blue states/blue cities (selective enforcement) to trigger the insurrection act? will the insurrection act be national or just blue states? will thune do anything about sen padilla being hogtied by noem & corey lewandowski? the judge being indicted for interfering with ICE. the dem elected mciver being indicted in NJ. the mayor of newark being arrested. have we reached some sort of tipping point in our politics? have our dem elected leadership forcefully responded? i find this shocking, even with donny 2 dolls norm busting lower standards. the repubs have long desired unitary rule by a king/pres and unitary rule in congress (all repubs). are they executing this plan now when they control all 3 branches & law enforcement? is political violence condoned now if you are a repub or maga?
Appropriate level of outrage! This is why we keep making calls and taking other actions. We the People are stronger than the people in power.
It was a token invite, the G7 , another debacle, noting their people didn’t want him in Canada and I thought Felons weren’t allowed…🤷♀️ I don’t listen to him or Leavitt -really any of the many bobble heads because…they lie.
It’s more a joke in all unseriousness , pathetic might be appropriate but even too kind also. Hearing the facts nightly or early morning which I need (for weather’s warnings) always has some new faux pas , par for his crass , and just sad disbelief ..over and over and over..
The World has turned away and where we are headed just cleaning up the debris , will still be dealing with his aftermaths and time consuming.
Yes the protest was wonderful, a few incidents here and there which according to GOP will be highlighted to cast suggestion it was all like that. Got yer boots on? You’ll still need them for a few more months.
Get out the 💙VOTE💙
Amazing post, Simon!
Share it far and wide through your networks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm getting into the habit of liking and Reposting your daily Bluesky posts, especially the daily one that links to your daily Substack post. Seems like we could get a minimum 100 daily reposts of that one as a community, just takes a sec. (I'm selah63 on Bluesky with a whopping 417 followers, buy hey, every little bit helps).
Another terrific live event today. Thanks. I was especially struck by the reporting about the judge’s impassioned remarks against RFK in the NIH case. There’s been so much news that I didn’t really see that covered.
Hi everyone - I enjoyed the talk with Adam, Simon. Your message and thinking gets stronger and more cohesive by day and I appreciate you. My Senator Tammy Duckworth has been out front on military in the streets and I appreciate her strength on this issue. That's my message to my electeds today - return National Guard control to the Governor as is lawful and get the military off our streets "policing" our citizens. Happy to be with you all in this fight. Kent
I signed the Bethesda Declaration and called my MOCs today to rant about the murder bill, the crazy MAHA and anti-vax policies, the mutterings about regime change in Iran, and ICE/due process/lack of IDs will lead to shoot-outs.
Those "mutterings" are getting louder and more ominous.
A "wartime president" is the closest thing to a King in these parts.
I hate that I agree with Tucker Carlson right now