Look at how Zelenskyy and Machado and others have worked him. He is pliable. He can change his mind. Remove yourself from your own perspective here. Her country has been run by lunatics for over 45 years, and turned the richest and most modern country in South America into the poorest and most backward. She is fighting, bravely, courageously, to find a better day and just as we partnered with Stalin to defeat Hitler she is doing what she must to prevail. In this battle ahead it is critical that people realize that we will be making common cause with those folks whose politics we do not agree with for the greater cause of freedom. It will be uncomfortable at times but necessary. MTG is a good example. I do not agree with her on most things but do agree with her in assessment of Trump and the harms he is bringing to the country, his corruption, and his shameful covering up for the Epstein crimes.
And my broader point is that i offer up a rousing call for a global fight for freedom and your response to come on here and impulsively nit pick and dump. It's disappointing.
While reading your email today, I was Roused for a global fight!
But I think Barbara raises a question that many of us have, and that you say she is impulsively nit picking and dumping is a travesty to her, and to all of us who want to express our thoughts. My inspiration from your email evaporated.
My adult children say that a big part of the issue they have with Democrats is that they can't express their differing opinions without getting trashed, and you have just proven their point.
Lastly, I totally agree that we need younger people in the government, but at every protest march that I attend, the greater population are elderly, so quit bashing us as the part of the problem! We are trying to do our part in this battle for Democracy.
machado is problematic, but might be the best they can do down there right now....latin america is undergoing a right wing tilt again, and she is a soft part of that; greg palast has been making the rounds and he knows both maduro and delcy rodriguez; she came to him in 2002 in london to warn that chavez was about to be kidnapped by the bush administration; instead they let the venezuelan opposition do it,and they botched it; racism, as chavez was part black, had a lot to do with it, as the kidnappers were all white. he thinks delcy is willing to deal with trump to stop the starvation, and get the oil flowing; the country's economic woes are mostly due to american pressure, according to palast. i have tried over the years to find work discrediting palast, because he often makes bold claims, like discarded votes in 2004 were enough to elect kerry, or voter suppression cost harris in 2024, but i have yet to see any evidence he's a hack. he thinks the oil companies actually prefer delcy, who is actually to the left of maduro, over machado, who they see, in his words on thom hartmann, as too right wing. sometimes we have to ally ourselves with people we don't really care for or agree with; tony blair and bush were not politically aligned, blair being a liberal, but no one came to our aid faster than blair on 9/11, for better or worse.
Just on the last point, I was glad that Simon wrote it's about old understandings and old communication modes, explicitly not old age. I'm sensitive to that point since I have older and wonderful fighting senators (Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey) who are both also very skilled info warriors. I did not perceive anything he wrote as being about the age of organizers or protesters. There's been so much confirmation from so many historians that while forming a multigenerational movement is important, retired people, especially women, are often the organizers and as the least likely to get arrested or be bad-mouthed, are helpful to have out in front.
I think it's important to remember what the project of this space that Simon is trying to build is: It's hope with action: how can we build the future we want to see? Hopium's been massively successful in changing conversations, motivating reps, tipping elections our way.
It helps to think of someone's digital space as a clubhouse. These missives are our gathering spaces for the beginning of the day, where the leader inspires us and gives us tasks for the day ahead. It is well and good for any meeting leader to outline the rules for conversation and stick to them so the people who are gathering can go do their work. That's what's happening here. It's a movement. There's so many spaces on the internet to dump, but in Simon's space, dumping is considered counterproductive. (And I know I've been dumping a bit lately! I live in Minneapolis and I expect better of Dem leadership right now, and in Hopium spirit I will keep telling them so.)
I hope this makes sense, and I hope you stay. Many of us are here precisely because we can avoid the doomerism of many blue spaces; we're choosing it so we can be better equipped to work for the future we all want, and grateful that Simon has built this space for that purpose. Thank you so much, and have a good day.
I just want to add that Simon (unlike many) was very careful to say that it's not old reps that are the problem, but old ideas. We see reps in their 70s who have made it their business to understand what's necessary now, and reps in their 40s who have not. It's a really important distinction.
Very well said Anne! It seems at least 80% of the time I come in here - there's been - comment that has crossed the line -either doomerism or flat out rudeness (neither of which accomplishes anything). Fortunately, by the time I arrive in the comments section the "negativity dump" has been deleted. At the same time, I notice they also usually spark a debate, which reminds me how we are a "party" for discussion - where input and feedback is welcome - a pro democracy community! That said, I'm glad Simon moderates it as aggressively as he does. Doomerism is demoralizing, destructive & a big fat non starter! Like Simon says - "Don't do MAGA's work for them!"
Kathy, a few points. I did not "trash" Barbara. This is a very wide open place for different opinions and conversations, but we also try to keep it civil, respectful and upbeat here, and make it different from social media by not tossing stuff out impulsively or working to bring folks down. I have written here repeatedly over the years that part of our goal is to take responsibility for the sentiment we put out into the world and one way of doing so is to come here and treat this conversation we have together every day with respect and care. To make the decision to throw a deeply negative sentiment into the chat in the very first post is a choice, a selfish one in my view as it then poisons the conversation the rest of the day. As Anne says below this place is wide open. Folks post all kinds of stuff here everyday. But I expect people to attempt to not "dump" and engage here respecting the ground rules we've tried to establish. I do this for I believe it encourages discourse and dialogue, not suppresses it. We are trying to create a safe and respectful place.
But if something I've written is going to be challenged I will respond, and today I respected Barbara by offering a comprehensive response to her question, one that has spawned a robust and informed discussion.
You can choose to look at all this today and get down. But that's your choice, and a bad one I think - Simon
I did not see the deleted post so I cannot speak to its comment. If reports that Machado suggested that the US election was rigged, I find that problematic.
In addition, her "giving" Trump her Nobel Peace Prize, to me, Machado appears to be groveling in front of the world. As to her motivation, beyond being "allowed" to take her position as President, I can only speculate.
Zelensky, again in my opinion, gives the appearance of working with Trump without appearing to be groveling. His dignity, at least outwardly/in front of the cameras appears to be intact.
Machado's appears desperate and willing, at this point, to say pretty much anything to get into power. She was elected and should be installed as President of Venezuela. Instead, she appears to be coming from a say anything to get into power rather than from a position of strength and asserting her right.
All I can say is that anyone to who sucks up to Trump, pays a price.
I know there is much debate about Macho's approach here. I hope we can continue to have this discussion with respect.
I completely agree with this. In the US, those of us on the left see the world in terms of Trump vs. democracy, but in Venezuela, they see things differently. I traveled to Venezuela many times in the 80s and 90s. I would not go now. It is way too dangerous. I wrote about this last weekend, but every one of my Venezuelan family members personally knows someone who was murdered and some of them have had guns held to their heads. They're not politicians, just people trying to live their lives in peace. Fortunately my family members are now in the US (although they of course still have many loved ones there). These stories demonstrate how much society has collapsed. It's hard to envision what it means to live in a failed state until you hear stories from people you know about a place you have been. Venezuelans just want peace and a return to economic sanity. And if that means working with Trump, they're going to do it.
and the influx of venezuelans in colombia has caused problems there too; it seems anyone can get a venezuelan to work for low pay; colombia is hardly without problems of its own. my wife lost a brother down there during the wars; he was never found. her cousin was in the special forces and saw combat. i have a picture of him next to a tank. i've known him for 25 years and he had never mentioned his military service until recently.
She is doing what she needs to do to save her country. People seem to be asking people living under horrific oppression to put our country over theirs.
I also suspect that there's some sexism happening here. Other leaders who suck up to Trump do not seem to get the same scrutiny.
(Editing to add: all the Americans who are wanting her to advocate for us--when did we ever think about them? I certainly barely understood what was happening there, and I suspect that those who understand better are not the ones criticizing her.)
Your explanation here is very helpful to me. I'm actually pretty smart at thinking about politics but I hadn't been able to understand her move. But it makes sense if she's doing a Zelenskyy.
I think she understands him - he has a huge ego and desperately wants to be liked. By encouraging him to act differently she tried to open up a new way of engaging with him and a new way for him to act. I think this dark time we are going through requires that we act from our best selves at every opportunity. That is how we become the change we seek in the world - by lighting the way with the love and hope that is in our hearts. As a musician, one of the ways I become better is by playing with musicians who are better than me. Their excellence lifts me up.
and she probably knows that the Nobel Institute does not allow a prize to be re-awarded by a recipient, and that the Nobel Committee would never recognize dt due to his conduct -- "Laureates have courage and integrity" said the Chair of the Committee, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, in a press interview after the award when asked about the demands of dt (at 9:20 on this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrRBGaUwJiQ )
I agree, but I think Machado is misunderstanding how insecure mafioso types respond to efforts to curry favor - they always want more. I think part of my disappointment with Ms. Machado’s willingness to try to “work with” Donald Trump is that she seems not to understand who she is actually dealing with. You can give him your Noble prize - and then what? You will have nothing left of value to him at that point, and that puts you in a very poor situation if you want to help your country.
I try very hard here to encourage people to not act impulsively, fire things off before thinking them through and backing them up.
Do you not understand that this was a selfless act of patriotism by Machado? That she wanted Trump to keep going, after removing the dictator, to remove the corrupt regime itself not just its leader? She just won the Nobel Peace Prize for as a reward for her fight for democracy. The awarding of that prize was part of what drove Trump to action. She as successfully, improbably, helped take down the dictator. But like here, her work isn't done.
It might have been a selfless act but it also sounds like a foolish one. For those who are still in Venezuela and have not fled, was it really ALL about Maduro? How have things changed apart from the release of—what—9 political prisoners? If anyone knows Trump, has seen his back and forth treatment of Zelenskyy, they should know that he had no intention of supporting a “Free” Venezuela in removing Maduro. It was all about money. And power.
Still, like you say Simon, try not to act impulsively. Impulsive would be to hand the prize over. Carefully would be to meet Trump, thank him very politely and then say that when free elections are held in Venezuela, when the US is no longer “running” Venezuela, THEN Trump can share in a peace prize for Venezuela. Speaking truth to power not tugging the forelock.
Schumer and Jeffries are not the leaders we need at this time...they do not see these moments in the terms you describe. They are cautious, slow to react, and cannot rally the people. We need change in our leadership.
I'm starting to wonder if Schumer and Jeffries are actually the appropriate leaders. What if their steadiness helps gain the GOP defectors? Others like AOC, Jasmine Crockett, Elizabeth Warren, Corey Booker are out there publicly fighting. Schumer and Jeffries aren't stopping them like Mitch McConnell would have or Michael Johnson is doing to the GOP reps. Just a thought for Sunday morning.
It's a thought...I don't think Chris Murphy, for example, would alienate those Republicans who want to "defect" -- Incrementalism may have worked in the past; and, now we are in need of visionary wholesale changes that the AMerican people want = Medicare for all; economic stability; lower prices, etc. etc. IMHO
Schumer and Jeffries are legislative leaders, with specific roles to take in the “mechanics” of Congress as minority leaders with limited power. We should not expect them to be the inspirational leaders of our movement, IMHO. Many other reps and senators are playing that role, but Shumer and Jeffries need to get out of the way. I get so frustrated with the circular firing squad that diverts from the true culprits, the Congressional Republicans, not “Congress.”
Stu, I understand the threat of the circular firing squad and the danger therein. Yesterday, I brought it up about Schumer myself, precipitated by Simon's comments about leadership needing to show courage.
Schumer stumbled strategically in 2025 more than once. We are all human, no one is perfect. But I have resentment that he STILL has not acknowledged Mamdani, the duly elected Democratic nominee for the Mayor of NYC. It reminds me of when the superdelegates put their thumbs on the scale in 2016 to push Hillary to the forefront, rather than letting the People decide, (and lets not forget that the DNC changed their rules about superdelegates in the aftermath of that.} Moves like that alienate certain sectors of "the big tent." Schumer doesn't really seem like a "big tent" guy and he leads the Senate."
and he is SO stiff. He comes across as a Democratic fatcat, with those glasses down his nose, reading the speeches on the floor that his staff prepares for him, licking his fingers to turn the page. He seems like a caricature of the role ... out of touch. And Rome is burning right now.
I believe the culprits deserve 90-95% of our attention. But 5-10% should be devoted to clearing the cobwebs of our own house. This is primary season, which is the absolute best time of the cycle to be making these crticisms and working for change within. There are a couple elephants in the room. Pay attention to the man behind the curtain.
Because when we get to the general, all this must be set aside for the big push to take control of Congress.
My fear is that Schumer's stumbles in 2025 are not his last. Another big gaffe from him in 2026 could be absolutely devastating. We don't know how it will play out, but we do know about certain limitations of a central player. There are several other qualified Senators who could unite the party, bring new life, and new polling strength in this critical, critical year.
If now is not the time to raise these issues, to have a conversation, then when?
I agree with you, valid criticism is part of our democratic system, and your proportions are about right in my view. I’m vastly disappointed with Schumer, too, he should not be the face of the Democratic Party no matter how skilled he is in legislative minutia (which we need). Jeffries sometimes rises to the occasion. But there are so many other great voices that need the spotlight.
I saw Schumer interviewed by Jen Psaki this week, and he was just terrible. He was very evasive when she asked a direct question about whether the Senators should refuse to vote for any spending bill that doesn’t specifically place restrictions on ICE operations, as Chris Murphy has stated. He just would not answer her directly, and said something about having a “robust discussion” about it. He is simply not up to the moment at all, in my opinion. I wish Murphy or Van Hollen or Warren had the ambition and the votes to take over.
Noem is emboldened because Trump will pardon here for whatever she does and wants her to subdue Democratic areas. Period. She will never be afraid of Democratic leadership.
Perhaps Schumer is skilled behind the scenes in rallying votes. There will soon be candidates for president who strike the dramatic poses we like, but should Schumer step down, I would like to see VanHollen of Maryland emerge as senate leader. He combines both gravitas and boldness.
Obviously the Senators get to make the pick. I like Van Hollen too, among others. I have faith in the body as a whole to choose the man or woman they want for the role.
totally disagree. Bernie Sanders never kept a cauucus together or shepherded difficult legislation through. there are many tasks to be done, Schumer is expert at what he does
its schumers and jeffries weak words out of their mouths that get me. one speaks from the 50's with polite nothingness, the other is so programmed his words could be a college thesis. both are not fire breathing, in the trenches, but back room players, deal makers, listening to all sides kind of mentality. no new thinking, speaking like robots, acting timid. we are way, way ahead of them with our angst.
agree. and opinions that Schumer 'stumbled' imo misguided. he and Jeffries have a job to do keeping the caucus together and augmenting as far as possible. Have they not done that? let other giving the rousing speeches, we have a deep bench
I'm in Minneapolis and in my daily calls am expressing my fury at Schmuer and Jeffries' refusal to take a stand on ICE while daycares are getting invaded, mothers kidnapped at hospitals after giving birth, kids teargassed, and BIPOC people afraid to leave their homes to go to work or get groceries. It is monstrous. I am remembering Simon's refrain, "Teach our leaders what we expect from them." We have a center-right Dem congresswoman nearly punching Tom Emmer and demanding access to the facility where people are being held. People want to see fire. It is fire that will get us to the future that Simon outlines so inspirationally today, and it is fire that we demand now.
Angie Craig was bringin’ it with Emmer, wasn’t she? She is my Rep and her office got a call of gratitude after confronting Emmer and then seeking to gain access to The ICE detention center yesterday (with Reps Omar and Morrison.) Craig is definitely a centrist but she showed real leadership. We can argue policy later. We need leadership like this NOW!
Absolutely, Anne! It IS monstrous. It IS a moral abomination. The people of American cities are under threat, in danger, and if sitting senators and congressional reps won't do everything possible to protect us, what are they even doing in Congress????!!
My rep was one of only a handful to vote against continued funding for DoJ. Until Dems start to shut off funding the tyranny, the tyranny will continue unchecked. Schumer and Jeffries must go.
Shutting off funding can only be a short term strategy to publicize one's campaign platform. It is not capable of forcing the other party into compliance with one's goals.
Inspiring Simon and we can hope and work to help make this happen. I feel we need an opposition leader in America to realize your vision. We are in desperate need of an individual who steps forward with a voice of moral clarity and outrage, who moves the fight beyond left vs right to right vs wrong and good vs evil. In my opinion, James Tallarico, Ro Khanna and AOC come the closest to having this potential from the political spectrum. The countries you point out are inspiring but have suffered through decades of tyrannical rule. We have to stop this from happening to America, before he fully consolidates tyrannical rule here. We are right on the precipice of regaining our democracy or losing it. We are in desperate need of that leader to step forward now. I'm not sure it can wait until the midterms.
Perhaps it is an illusion that one leader will take us to victory next November, when the Democrats have strong leaders of different perspectives from relative moderates, Senators Kelly, Klobuchar, and Governors Shapiro, Beshear, Whitmer and Newsome to Senator Booker, Governors Pritzker, Moore, and on to Representatives Jayapal, AOC, Senator Sanders, and Mayor Mamdani, and new voices struggling to emerge of Jack Schlossberg and George Conway.
we need the stadium tours with AOC & Bernie to continue. maybe add others with fire breathing mentality. people are very hungry for this. giant rallies. voter registrations. blasted on social media. reach the youth. in the winter come south, in the summer go north. democracy, affordabilty, income inequality, health care. vigorous dem leaders can join in. take satans rallies and make them ours!!! it can birth a national uprising. there are more of us than them!
I’m with you Simon, we need strong loud voices from the leaders in the Democratic Party in this time of incipient peaceful revolution. They can become so, we had a “conversion” in the Bay Area - Rep. Sam Liccardo started out at early town halls and NoKings 1 as a technocratic backbencher spouting the early party line about the midterms and kitchen table issues. We constituents (via Indivisible and other groups) pressured him about standing up for democracy itself, and at NoKings 2 he was a changed man (at least rhetorically), talking about if you are not anti-fascist, you are pro-fascist (“ProFa”) and was much more authentic. I suggest that you invite him onto Hopium, while all districts are important, he represents a large part of Silicon Valley. Thanks for your clarion call.
These are Strong words which are needed in this dangerous time which threatens all Americans and strong action is called to resist the danger to our lives and the American way of life, threatened and exemplified by the cold-blooded murder of Renee Nicole Good. This crime, supported by the Trump Regime, must not be forgotten, it must be acknowledged every day as a criminal act against the American people by a hostile and murderous Trump Regime. Renee Nicole Good is an American martyr.
Ross's killing of Renee Nicole Good was a huge tragedy, which may reflect ICE's putting Ross back on their front lines too soon after his traumatic experience in June, but the outright lies of Noem, Trump and Vance reflect a fascist desire to dismiss reality and make the police state the new reality. These three showed no concern for an impartial investigation. Rather they blindly defended their murderous agent in the desire to strengthen the unity of government and armed agents, be they ICE, border patrol, national guard or members of the Armed Forces. Some radicals might call for a general strike, but that might well play into the hands of Trump who would jump at the chance to declare martial law, suspend the Constitution legally and call off the November elections.
Simon, I love your message today. It's a message of hope and being positive. Imagine... One of the reasons we got into this mess is because too many of us had a failure of imagination. Using our imaginations and focusing on what can be with hope and resolve is important in these difficult times.
I used to see it as a failure of imagination, back in T**** 1.0. But what kind of whacko wakes up shaking from a nightmare and thinks that would be great policy? Or thinks they really got enlightenment from their drug high?
Our side believed in America and the Constitution, and simply didn’t expect the actual government to do anything else. Anyway, there was no way for us to prepare for every insanity the Rs could invent. Now they have chosen where to waste resources, and we can react.
I think the problem was that most Republican voters also believed in America and the Constitution, and didn’t think the ketamine and cocaine fueled insanity should be taken seriously. They didn’t believe their leaders were serious, but we knew they were.
Broad and bold calls for action and courage are crucial, but specific ideas, such as David Fromm's call to create a senate bill to prohibit the US from attacking a NATO ally, Denmark and Greenland) are needed to maintain the possibility of our leadership in the ongoing struggle to defend and extend democracy. Fromm and Tom Friedman's urgent call for our government to try to install Gonzalez as leader of Venezuela or at the very least to insist on fair and free elections within one year are also important to legitimize our mission there.
I agree completely that we must be able to imagine the outcomes we want for our nation before we can move towards them. We cannot achieve what we cannot imagine. Fear is the enemy of imagination. Fear is immobilizing and it also lives in our imagination. Which we choose to follow is up to us.
Thank you Simon. Would love your thoughts about encouraging Dems to shut down the govt. if funding for DHS is in there…using the only leverage they have and the momentum of this moment. Chris Murphy and Tina Smith, I believe, have called for this, as has Indivisible. Not sure who else.
Thank you, Simon. “Imagine If were we were here in America successful in reclaiming our government from the oligarchs and Trump’s escalating authoritarianism.” … Let’s start imagining and acting here at home because, and make no mistake about it, the light is dimming in our oft self-proclaimed “shining city on a hill”. Let’s take care of business here at home. Only then will we again be able to light the way by example for other countries. This is MY concept of “America First”.
There will be a silent rally today in LaGrange Illinois. Folks are still organizing and bravely showing up. We need to keep our lights shining in the darkness.
Most of the time we need some kind of challenge in life to change and while all the horrific stuff happening is not the challenge most of us want, as it is so deeply, deeply damaging, it is requiring that we must change — we must act, we must work together, and as your writing offered, with all the thoughtful work to be brave and imagine what could be, a change for the better could be and I hope will be inevitable. In the meantime it’s exhausting to fight for freedom from tyranny. But doing this together and especially with your ideas for change (as well as others) and encouragement to keep moving does help motivate. Thank you, Simon
She may understand him better than you do.
Look at how Zelenskyy and Machado and others have worked him. He is pliable. He can change his mind. Remove yourself from your own perspective here. Her country has been run by lunatics for over 45 years, and turned the richest and most modern country in South America into the poorest and most backward. She is fighting, bravely, courageously, to find a better day and just as we partnered with Stalin to defeat Hitler she is doing what she must to prevail. In this battle ahead it is critical that people realize that we will be making common cause with those folks whose politics we do not agree with for the greater cause of freedom. It will be uncomfortable at times but necessary. MTG is a good example. I do not agree with her on most things but do agree with her in assessment of Trump and the harms he is bringing to the country, his corruption, and his shameful covering up for the Epstein crimes.
And my broader point is that i offer up a rousing call for a global fight for freedom and your response to come on here and impulsively nit pick and dump. It's disappointing.
While reading your email today, I was Roused for a global fight!
But I think Barbara raises a question that many of us have, and that you say she is impulsively nit picking and dumping is a travesty to her, and to all of us who want to express our thoughts. My inspiration from your email evaporated.
My adult children say that a big part of the issue they have with Democrats is that they can't express their differing opinions without getting trashed, and you have just proven their point.
Lastly, I totally agree that we need younger people in the government, but at every protest march that I attend, the greater population are elderly, so quit bashing us as the part of the problem! We are trying to do our part in this battle for Democracy.
machado is problematic, but might be the best they can do down there right now....latin america is undergoing a right wing tilt again, and she is a soft part of that; greg palast has been making the rounds and he knows both maduro and delcy rodriguez; she came to him in 2002 in london to warn that chavez was about to be kidnapped by the bush administration; instead they let the venezuelan opposition do it,and they botched it; racism, as chavez was part black, had a lot to do with it, as the kidnappers were all white. he thinks delcy is willing to deal with trump to stop the starvation, and get the oil flowing; the country's economic woes are mostly due to american pressure, according to palast. i have tried over the years to find work discrediting palast, because he often makes bold claims, like discarded votes in 2004 were enough to elect kerry, or voter suppression cost harris in 2024, but i have yet to see any evidence he's a hack. he thinks the oil companies actually prefer delcy, who is actually to the left of maduro, over machado, who they see, in his words on thom hartmann, as too right wing. sometimes we have to ally ourselves with people we don't really care for or agree with; tony blair and bush were not politically aligned, blair being a liberal, but no one came to our aid faster than blair on 9/11, for better or worse.
I would encourage everyone wanting to learn more about Machado to watch my interview with Leon Krauze from a few months ago - https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/leon-krauze-on-maria-corina-machados?utm_source=publication-search.
I think many American commentators are using conventional American frames to understand what is happening here, and thus failing.
Just on the last point, I was glad that Simon wrote it's about old understandings and old communication modes, explicitly not old age. I'm sensitive to that point since I have older and wonderful fighting senators (Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey) who are both also very skilled info warriors. I did not perceive anything he wrote as being about the age of organizers or protesters. There's been so much confirmation from so many historians that while forming a multigenerational movement is important, retired people, especially women, are often the organizers and as the least likely to get arrested or be bad-mouthed, are helpful to have out in front.
I think it's important to remember what the project of this space that Simon is trying to build is: It's hope with action: how can we build the future we want to see? Hopium's been massively successful in changing conversations, motivating reps, tipping elections our way.
It helps to think of someone's digital space as a clubhouse. These missives are our gathering spaces for the beginning of the day, where the leader inspires us and gives us tasks for the day ahead. It is well and good for any meeting leader to outline the rules for conversation and stick to them so the people who are gathering can go do their work. That's what's happening here. It's a movement. There's so many spaces on the internet to dump, but in Simon's space, dumping is considered counterproductive. (And I know I've been dumping a bit lately! I live in Minneapolis and I expect better of Dem leadership right now, and in Hopium spirit I will keep telling them so.)
I hope this makes sense, and I hope you stay. Many of us are here precisely because we can avoid the doomerism of many blue spaces; we're choosing it so we can be better equipped to work for the future we all want, and grateful that Simon has built this space for that purpose. Thank you so much, and have a good day.
I just want to add that Simon (unlike many) was very careful to say that it's not old reps that are the problem, but old ideas. We see reps in their 70s who have made it their business to understand what's necessary now, and reps in their 40s who have not. It's a really important distinction.
Thank you, Anne. Well said.
Very well said Anne! It seems at least 80% of the time I come in here - there's been - comment that has crossed the line -either doomerism or flat out rudeness (neither of which accomplishes anything). Fortunately, by the time I arrive in the comments section the "negativity dump" has been deleted. At the same time, I notice they also usually spark a debate, which reminds me how we are a "party" for discussion - where input and feedback is welcome - a pro democracy community! That said, I'm glad Simon moderates it as aggressively as he does. Doomerism is demoralizing, destructive & a big fat non starter! Like Simon says - "Don't do MAGA's work for them!"
Kathy, a few points. I did not "trash" Barbara. This is a very wide open place for different opinions and conversations, but we also try to keep it civil, respectful and upbeat here, and make it different from social media by not tossing stuff out impulsively or working to bring folks down. I have written here repeatedly over the years that part of our goal is to take responsibility for the sentiment we put out into the world and one way of doing so is to come here and treat this conversation we have together every day with respect and care. To make the decision to throw a deeply negative sentiment into the chat in the very first post is a choice, a selfish one in my view as it then poisons the conversation the rest of the day. As Anne says below this place is wide open. Folks post all kinds of stuff here everyday. But I expect people to attempt to not "dump" and engage here respecting the ground rules we've tried to establish. I do this for I believe it encourages discourse and dialogue, not suppresses it. We are trying to create a safe and respectful place.
But if something I've written is going to be challenged I will respond, and today I respected Barbara by offering a comprehensive response to her question, one that has spawned a robust and informed discussion.
You can choose to look at all this today and get down. But that's your choice, and a bad one I think - Simon
In general I think you do a great of this, Simon.
I did not see the deleted post so I cannot speak to its comment. If reports that Machado suggested that the US election was rigged, I find that problematic.
In addition, her "giving" Trump her Nobel Peace Prize, to me, Machado appears to be groveling in front of the world. As to her motivation, beyond being "allowed" to take her position as President, I can only speculate.
Zelensky, again in my opinion, gives the appearance of working with Trump without appearing to be groveling. His dignity, at least outwardly/in front of the cameras appears to be intact.
Machado's appears desperate and willing, at this point, to say pretty much anything to get into power. She was elected and should be installed as President of Venezuela. Instead, she appears to be coming from a say anything to get into power rather than from a position of strength and asserting her right.
All I can say is that anyone to who sucks up to Trump, pays a price.
I know there is much debate about Macho's approach here. I hope we can continue to have this discussion with respect.
I completely agree with this. In the US, those of us on the left see the world in terms of Trump vs. democracy, but in Venezuela, they see things differently. I traveled to Venezuela many times in the 80s and 90s. I would not go now. It is way too dangerous. I wrote about this last weekend, but every one of my Venezuelan family members personally knows someone who was murdered and some of them have had guns held to their heads. They're not politicians, just people trying to live their lives in peace. Fortunately my family members are now in the US (although they of course still have many loved ones there). These stories demonstrate how much society has collapsed. It's hard to envision what it means to live in a failed state until you hear stories from people you know about a place you have been. Venezuelans just want peace and a return to economic sanity. And if that means working with Trump, they're going to do it.
and the influx of venezuelans in colombia has caused problems there too; it seems anyone can get a venezuelan to work for low pay; colombia is hardly without problems of its own. my wife lost a brother down there during the wars; he was never found. her cousin was in the special forces and saw combat. i have a picture of him next to a tank. i've known him for 25 years and he had never mentioned his military service until recently.
She is doing what she needs to do to save her country. People seem to be asking people living under horrific oppression to put our country over theirs.
I also suspect that there's some sexism happening here. Other leaders who suck up to Trump do not seem to get the same scrutiny.
(Editing to add: all the Americans who are wanting her to advocate for us--when did we ever think about them? I certainly barely understood what was happening there, and I suspect that those who understand better are not the ones criticizing her.)
Your explanation here is very helpful to me. I'm actually pretty smart at thinking about politics but I hadn't been able to understand her move. But it makes sense if she's doing a Zelenskyy.
I think she understands him - he has a huge ego and desperately wants to be liked. By encouraging him to act differently she tried to open up a new way of engaging with him and a new way for him to act. I think this dark time we are going through requires that we act from our best selves at every opportunity. That is how we become the change we seek in the world - by lighting the way with the love and hope that is in our hearts. As a musician, one of the ways I become better is by playing with musicians who are better than me. Their excellence lifts me up.
and she probably knows that the Nobel Institute does not allow a prize to be re-awarded by a recipient, and that the Nobel Committee would never recognize dt due to his conduct -- "Laureates have courage and integrity" said the Chair of the Committee, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, in a press interview after the award when asked about the demands of dt (at 9:20 on this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrRBGaUwJiQ )
I agree, but I think Machado is misunderstanding how insecure mafioso types respond to efforts to curry favor - they always want more. I think part of my disappointment with Ms. Machado’s willingness to try to “work with” Donald Trump is that she seems not to understand who she is actually dealing with. You can give him your Noble prize - and then what? You will have nothing left of value to him at that point, and that puts you in a very poor situation if you want to help your country.
I try very hard here to encourage people to not act impulsively, fire things off before thinking them through and backing them up.
Do you not understand that this was a selfless act of patriotism by Machado? That she wanted Trump to keep going, after removing the dictator, to remove the corrupt regime itself not just its leader? She just won the Nobel Peace Prize for as a reward for her fight for democracy. The awarding of that prize was part of what drove Trump to action. She as successfully, improbably, helped take down the dictator. But like here, her work isn't done.
It might have been a selfless act but it also sounds like a foolish one. For those who are still in Venezuela and have not fled, was it really ALL about Maduro? How have things changed apart from the release of—what—9 political prisoners? If anyone knows Trump, has seen his back and forth treatment of Zelenskyy, they should know that he had no intention of supporting a “Free” Venezuela in removing Maduro. It was all about money. And power.
Still, like you say Simon, try not to act impulsively. Impulsive would be to hand the prize over. Carefully would be to meet Trump, thank him very politely and then say that when free elections are held in Venezuela, when the US is no longer “running” Venezuela, THEN Trump can share in a peace prize for Venezuela. Speaking truth to power not tugging the forelock.
From your keyboard to the Goddess' monitor. Let freedom ring.
Today more rallies in Seattle "ICE out for Good"
Schumer and Jeffries are not the leaders we need at this time...they do not see these moments in the terms you describe. They are cautious, slow to react, and cannot rally the people. We need change in our leadership.
I'm starting to wonder if Schumer and Jeffries are actually the appropriate leaders. What if their steadiness helps gain the GOP defectors? Others like AOC, Jasmine Crockett, Elizabeth Warren, Corey Booker are out there publicly fighting. Schumer and Jeffries aren't stopping them like Mitch McConnell would have or Michael Johnson is doing to the GOP reps. Just a thought for Sunday morning.
It's a thought...I don't think Chris Murphy, for example, would alienate those Republicans who want to "defect" -- Incrementalism may have worked in the past; and, now we are in need of visionary wholesale changes that the AMerican people want = Medicare for all; economic stability; lower prices, etc. etc. IMHO
Hakeem did a great job with the ACA subsidies issue…got R House to pass a 3-yr extension.
Schumer and Jeffries are legislative leaders, with specific roles to take in the “mechanics” of Congress as minority leaders with limited power. We should not expect them to be the inspirational leaders of our movement, IMHO. Many other reps and senators are playing that role, but Shumer and Jeffries need to get out of the way. I get so frustrated with the circular firing squad that diverts from the true culprits, the Congressional Republicans, not “Congress.”
Stu, I understand the threat of the circular firing squad and the danger therein. Yesterday, I brought it up about Schumer myself, precipitated by Simon's comments about leadership needing to show courage.
Schumer stumbled strategically in 2025 more than once. We are all human, no one is perfect. But I have resentment that he STILL has not acknowledged Mamdani, the duly elected Democratic nominee for the Mayor of NYC. It reminds me of when the superdelegates put their thumbs on the scale in 2016 to push Hillary to the forefront, rather than letting the People decide, (and lets not forget that the DNC changed their rules about superdelegates in the aftermath of that.} Moves like that alienate certain sectors of "the big tent." Schumer doesn't really seem like a "big tent" guy and he leads the Senate."
and he is SO stiff. He comes across as a Democratic fatcat, with those glasses down his nose, reading the speeches on the floor that his staff prepares for him, licking his fingers to turn the page. He seems like a caricature of the role ... out of touch. And Rome is burning right now.
I believe the culprits deserve 90-95% of our attention. But 5-10% should be devoted to clearing the cobwebs of our own house. This is primary season, which is the absolute best time of the cycle to be making these crticisms and working for change within. There are a couple elephants in the room. Pay attention to the man behind the curtain.
Because when we get to the general, all this must be set aside for the big push to take control of Congress.
My fear is that Schumer's stumbles in 2025 are not his last. Another big gaffe from him in 2026 could be absolutely devastating. We don't know how it will play out, but we do know about certain limitations of a central player. There are several other qualified Senators who could unite the party, bring new life, and new polling strength in this critical, critical year.
If now is not the time to raise these issues, to have a conversation, then when?
I agree with you, valid criticism is part of our democratic system, and your proportions are about right in my view. I’m vastly disappointed with Schumer, too, he should not be the face of the Democratic Party no matter how skilled he is in legislative minutia (which we need). Jeffries sometimes rises to the occasion. But there are so many other great voices that need the spotlight.
I saw Schumer interviewed by Jen Psaki this week, and he was just terrible. He was very evasive when she asked a direct question about whether the Senators should refuse to vote for any spending bill that doesn’t specifically place restrictions on ICE operations, as Chris Murphy has stated. He just would not answer her directly, and said something about having a “robust discussion” about it. He is simply not up to the moment at all, in my opinion. I wish Murphy or Van Hollen or Warren had the ambition and the votes to take over.
...and now Kristi Noem says she will deploy 300 more ICE agents to Minneapolis because yada yada yada.
If leadership wasn't so tepid, Noem might not feel so emboldened.
Noem is emboldened because Trump will pardon here for whatever she does and wants her to subdue Democratic areas. Period. She will never be afraid of Democratic leadership.
Schumer attended Mamdani’s inauguration and sat with the dignitaries - safe to say it’s late but better than never.
Thank you for that. I hadn't heard it and am glad to hear it.
Thanks, Michael. It's pretty tough to see the circular firing squad argument right now. We can and must expect better.
Perhaps Schumer is skilled behind the scenes in rallying votes. There will soon be candidates for president who strike the dramatic poses we like, but should Schumer step down, I would like to see VanHollen of Maryland emerge as senate leader. He combines both gravitas and boldness.
Obviously the Senators get to make the pick. I like Van Hollen too, among others. I have faith in the body as a whole to choose the man or woman they want for the role.
and now... back to the main event...
https://www.jefftiedrich.com/p/heres-what-happens-when-a-moron-tries
Yes they have failed to show up like we expected, new younger more energetic forward looking candidates and leaders would do us well
totally disagree. Bernie Sanders never kept a cauucus together or shepherded difficult legislation through. there are many tasks to be done, Schumer is expert at what he does
its schumers and jeffries weak words out of their mouths that get me. one speaks from the 50's with polite nothingness, the other is so programmed his words could be a college thesis. both are not fire breathing, in the trenches, but back room players, deal makers, listening to all sides kind of mentality. no new thinking, speaking like robots, acting timid. we are way, way ahead of them with our angst.
Totally agree, and your description of Schumer is spot on. It's embarasshing.
agree. and opinions that Schumer 'stumbled' imo misguided. he and Jeffries have a job to do keeping the caucus together and augmenting as far as possible. Have they not done that? let other giving the rousing speeches, we have a deep bench
I'm in Minneapolis and in my daily calls am expressing my fury at Schmuer and Jeffries' refusal to take a stand on ICE while daycares are getting invaded, mothers kidnapped at hospitals after giving birth, kids teargassed, and BIPOC people afraid to leave their homes to go to work or get groceries. It is monstrous. I am remembering Simon's refrain, "Teach our leaders what we expect from them." We have a center-right Dem congresswoman nearly punching Tom Emmer and demanding access to the facility where people are being held. People want to see fire. It is fire that will get us to the future that Simon outlines so inspirationally today, and it is fire that we demand now.
100%
Fully agree with you! 👏
Angie Craig was bringin’ it with Emmer, wasn’t she? She is my Rep and her office got a call of gratitude after confronting Emmer and then seeking to gain access to The ICE detention center yesterday (with Reps Omar and Morrison.) Craig is definitely a centrist but she showed real leadership. We can argue policy later. We need leadership like this NOW!
I called her as well, to thank her from a Minneapolis resident. It's exactly what we need right now.
Tick-tock
Absolutely, Anne! It IS monstrous. It IS a moral abomination. The people of American cities are under threat, in danger, and if sitting senators and congressional reps won't do everything possible to protect us, what are they even doing in Congress????!!
I am calling on my MOCs to urge all Americans to protest peacefully every week. I want them to say this from the House or Senate floor.
My rep was one of only a handful to vote against continued funding for DoJ. Until Dems start to shut off funding the tyranny, the tyranny will continue unchecked. Schumer and Jeffries must go.
Shutting off funding can only be a short term strategy to publicize one's campaign platform. It is not capable of forcing the other party into compliance with one's goals.
Inspiring Simon and we can hope and work to help make this happen. I feel we need an opposition leader in America to realize your vision. We are in desperate need of an individual who steps forward with a voice of moral clarity and outrage, who moves the fight beyond left vs right to right vs wrong and good vs evil. In my opinion, James Tallarico, Ro Khanna and AOC come the closest to having this potential from the political spectrum. The countries you point out are inspiring but have suffered through decades of tyrannical rule. We have to stop this from happening to America, before he fully consolidates tyrannical rule here. We are right on the precipice of regaining our democracy or losing it. We are in desperate need of that leader to step forward now. I'm not sure it can wait until the midterms.
Perhaps it is an illusion that one leader will take us to victory next November, when the Democrats have strong leaders of different perspectives from relative moderates, Senators Kelly, Klobuchar, and Governors Shapiro, Beshear, Whitmer and Newsome to Senator Booker, Governors Pritzker, Moore, and on to Representatives Jayapal, AOC, Senator Sanders, and Mayor Mamdani, and new voices struggling to emerge of Jack Schlossberg and George Conway.
Good point. I just feel we need a unifying voice to help us through the daily assaults and exhaustion.
we need the stadium tours with AOC & Bernie to continue. maybe add others with fire breathing mentality. people are very hungry for this. giant rallies. voter registrations. blasted on social media. reach the youth. in the winter come south, in the summer go north. democracy, affordabilty, income inequality, health care. vigorous dem leaders can join in. take satans rallies and make them ours!!! it can birth a national uprising. there are more of us than them!
Love this!!!!
Yes. I think it is too early to expect one leader to emerge. We have such a broad coalition.
I’m with you Simon, we need strong loud voices from the leaders in the Democratic Party in this time of incipient peaceful revolution. They can become so, we had a “conversion” in the Bay Area - Rep. Sam Liccardo started out at early town halls and NoKings 1 as a technocratic backbencher spouting the early party line about the midterms and kitchen table issues. We constituents (via Indivisible and other groups) pressured him about standing up for democracy itself, and at NoKings 2 he was a changed man (at least rhetorically), talking about if you are not anti-fascist, you are pro-fascist (“ProFa”) and was much more authentic. I suggest that you invite him onto Hopium, while all districts are important, he represents a large part of Silicon Valley. Thanks for your clarion call.
These are Strong words which are needed in this dangerous time which threatens all Americans and strong action is called to resist the danger to our lives and the American way of life, threatened and exemplified by the cold-blooded murder of Renee Nicole Good. This crime, supported by the Trump Regime, must not be forgotten, it must be acknowledged every day as a criminal act against the American people by a hostile and murderous Trump Regime. Renee Nicole Good is an American martyr.
Ross's killing of Renee Nicole Good was a huge tragedy, which may reflect ICE's putting Ross back on their front lines too soon after his traumatic experience in June, but the outright lies of Noem, Trump and Vance reflect a fascist desire to dismiss reality and make the police state the new reality. These three showed no concern for an impartial investigation. Rather they blindly defended their murderous agent in the desire to strengthen the unity of government and armed agents, be they ICE, border patrol, national guard or members of the Armed Forces. Some radicals might call for a general strike, but that might well play into the hands of Trump who would jump at the chance to declare martial law, suspend the Constitution legally and call off the November elections.
Simon, I love your message today. It's a message of hope and being positive. Imagine... One of the reasons we got into this mess is because too many of us had a failure of imagination. Using our imaginations and focusing on what can be with hope and resolve is important in these difficult times.
I used to see it as a failure of imagination, back in T**** 1.0. But what kind of whacko wakes up shaking from a nightmare and thinks that would be great policy? Or thinks they really got enlightenment from their drug high?
Our side believed in America and the Constitution, and simply didn’t expect the actual government to do anything else. Anyway, there was no way for us to prepare for every insanity the Rs could invent. Now they have chosen where to waste resources, and we can react.
I think the problem was that most Republican voters also believed in America and the Constitution, and didn’t think the ketamine and cocaine fueled insanity should be taken seriously. They didn’t believe their leaders were serious, but we knew they were.
Broad and bold calls for action and courage are crucial, but specific ideas, such as David Fromm's call to create a senate bill to prohibit the US from attacking a NATO ally, Denmark and Greenland) are needed to maintain the possibility of our leadership in the ongoing struggle to defend and extend democracy. Fromm and Tom Friedman's urgent call for our government to try to install Gonzalez as leader of Venezuela or at the very least to insist on fair and free elections within one year are also important to legitimize our mission there.
I agree completely that we must be able to imagine the outcomes we want for our nation before we can move towards them. We cannot achieve what we cannot imagine. Fear is the enemy of imagination. Fear is immobilizing and it also lives in our imagination. Which we choose to follow is up to us.
Fear is the mind killer. As Heinlein once said.
Well, Herbert, but yes
OMG, you're right! I must need more coffee. Thank you!
What a beautiful way of putting it.
Thank you Simon. Would love your thoughts about encouraging Dems to shut down the govt. if funding for DHS is in there…using the only leverage they have and the momentum of this moment. Chris Murphy and Tina Smith, I believe, have called for this, as has Indivisible. Not sure who else.
Thank you, Simon. “Imagine If were we were here in America successful in reclaiming our government from the oligarchs and Trump’s escalating authoritarianism.” … Let’s start imagining and acting here at home because, and make no mistake about it, the light is dimming in our oft self-proclaimed “shining city on a hill”. Let’s take care of business here at home. Only then will we again be able to light the way by example for other countries. This is MY concept of “America First”.
Simon, wonderful statement of how we move forward! Thank you!
Yes, Simon!
There will be a silent rally today in LaGrange Illinois. Folks are still organizing and bravely showing up. We need to keep our lights shining in the darkness.
With you 100% We are more powerful together than alone.
Most of the time we need some kind of challenge in life to change and while all the horrific stuff happening is not the challenge most of us want, as it is so deeply, deeply damaging, it is requiring that we must change — we must act, we must work together, and as your writing offered, with all the thoughtful work to be brave and imagine what could be, a change for the better could be and I hope will be inevitable. In the meantime it’s exhausting to fight for freedom from tyranny. But doing this together and especially with your ideas for change (as well as others) and encouragement to keep moving does help motivate. Thank you, Simon