Thank you for pointing out that those on the “left” (however we define this demographic) have not called for violence when Democrats are targeted. When Gov. Whitmer was the target of a planned abduction/murder, when Gov. Shapiro’s home was torched (attempted murder), when Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated, when John Hoffman and his wife were gunned down…no one declared war. Democratic leaders called for justice.
And now, we have clear declarations of war - threats to wipe out the “radical left” using the language of pogroms. Is anyone else feeling extremely unsafe?
Dearest Simon, our fearless leader. I'm packing for a trip to Italy for 12 days. Not sure if it's a good or not so good thing to be out of the country right now
But I couldn't leave without saying that I have now watched your most recent video 2x -- I forgot his name, your buddy from Chicago who I met for the 1st time in your video (Ex CEO of Chicago Trib, I think!).
Your words on so many topics affected me, so here goes quickly: Why you care about immigration so much -- you took the words right out of mouth. Growing up in NY as 2nd generation immigrants, I know exactly what you mean. That's why my 2nd career is teaching ESL to adults...even though I'm now past retirement age.
Your rage about the vile ugliness and call for violence from Trump and the right so resonated. We leave from Dulles this afternoon and I'm feeling a bit nervous...which never happens as I've crossed the Atlantic so many times.
I have promised husband that I will stay away from politics while in Italy, if that's at all possible. But I will jump right back in here in northern VA when we return at the end of the month.
Thank you again for all you do to inspire and motivate us. Best to all hopium-ites and see you soon. Warmly, Claire C.
Safe travels Claire and enjoy Italy! Joy is essential. We cannot let him take joy from us. Report in when you get back and thank you for your continued thoughtful contributions to our community - Simon
Hi Claire, for what it's worth, I just returned home from 2 weeks abroad, including Italy, and can report it was exceptionally positive and refreshing. We experienced zero pushback or negativity. We engaged in thoughtful discussions in every country we visited. No debates, just passing comments and then everyone went on with their lives. The locals we met seemed to hold a space of compassion and encouragement for our country. Have fun, make some memories, and come back energized!!
I've been to Italy several times since Trump 1.0 and then people were curious more than anything. I'm glad to hear that you had a pleasant time with the locals. Thanks for your good wishes.
Beautifully said Claire. Have a wonderful trip! That mountain town in Tuscany, that plate of perfect pasta, that singing gondolier, that’s the real world too! Enjoy every minute.
Thank you, John. We are not going to visit our relatives in Sicily this trip, I'm whispering! We're going to Puglia. On the east coast in the south facing Greece
Claire, I spent over a month at a rental in the Olive orchards outside Ostuni recently. A life long dream that finally came true. You have so much to look forward to! Lecce, Matera, Alberobella and Polignano especially lovely and amazing. I learned they have over 60 milllion Olive trees in that area and are a World Heritage site for that distinction. Politics not an issue while there. Rosa Blu a fabulous locals family restaurant if in Ostuni. Enjoy your break &
Hi Irene, Thanks so much for your email. Wow, it Sounds like you had a fabulous stay in Ostuni. I've also learned about the 60+ million olive trees and how this area produces the olive oil for 40%+ of Italy and I think almost 12% pf the rest of the world. We were in Bari and Pogliano a Mare today and tomorrow we're going to Alberobello. Later, we'll visit Matera, Lecce, and Otranto.
We are actually going to a historic olive oil estate in Ostuni on Friday, but I don't know the name! because the travel agency in Rome organized it. I think we're having lunch there at Taverna della Gelosia. I'll let you know afterwards.
orecchiette their local pasta but Miste de Mara and “ mussel spaghetti” my favorites especially in Polignano and Ostuni. Masserias are fabulous to visit if a chance to do so. Miles of beautiful walks to walk off gelato tastings! So glad to hear Olive tastings in your plans🙌🏻 va bene.
Claire, my husband and I were in Europe (Spain, Nice, then a cruise down the Rhine through Germany, Strasbourg, France and ended up in Lucerne and then Zurich, Switzerland. It was a fabulous almost month visit and we were treated very, very well. It was so refreshing to be out of the country and be at peace for the entire time. We refused to read anything about politics, so we really got a break. It was rejuvenating. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy Italy!
Thanks Betsy. We've been here for 2 days now and writing back to my Hopium friends here is the most "political" thing I've done so far. I'm taking advantage of the time away. Glad to hear what a nice trip you had!
Thank you Simon for keeping us updated and informed. Here in Napa County we realized that we needed a better educated electorate and for the past year over 30 volunteer tutors have been working with children who come from disadvantaged families and have been successful in raising their reading scores. The Napa County Reading Champions are getting ready to start the new school year helping even more students improve their reading skills.
One of my wife's uncles was a high school reading specialist teacher and motivator in the central valley in CA. He is retired now, but the impact he had on countless children over many decades was incredible, and inspiring. Literacy is a gateway for more freedom and achievement and fulfillment, and some of the most important work of any civilization.
I watched this rather inspiring video from David Pepper (link below). It would be great if something like this came to my area. I'm probably not the right person or someone with enough time to get things moving, but I would participate as much as I can.
If we could organize at the level of streets and blocks like they are doing in Middletown, it seems to me it would be very impactful. Where I am, the neighboring county needs a precinct captain (I think they still do), but you have to live in the county to do it. And where I am in the neighboring county (which is much larger) the activity level is low.
Yes, absolutely, do take some time away this weekend!
I am volunteering at a local mountain bike event today. It's important to get out and in the community, not just online. For our sanity and spirits, but also because connected communities are resilient communities, regardless of what disasters come.
Reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk prove beyond any shadow of doubt the validity and importance of your message that incitements to and justification for violence even killing your ideological opponents are not a “left wing” or “liberal” or “Democrat” policy or call to action. They are being repeatedly propagated by Republicans and MAGA groups wearing red caps – not to be confused with the red caps worn primarily by African American men (Pullman Porters) who worked to assist passengers with their baggage and other services at train stations – and of course by the current major occupant of the White House. I hesitate to call him by his official title, since he is not in any way fulfilling the duties or meeting the responsibilities of that office. Perhaps we should call him something else (or redefine the acronym POTUS – Perverter of the United States?). I would add that in reporting this horrific story the mainstream media are again giving the impression that there is some significant element of equality of blame between two sides. That is to their lasting shame intellectually and morally dishonest. We now know moreover that it flies in the face of the identity and background of the alleged killer. It is another sorry example of how media often present fundamentally different opinions about an event or issue so they can be misinterpreted as simply instances of “He said, she said”, and not as clear examples of evidence and truth versus inflammatory fantasy and lies. As Edward R Murrow said, “I simply cannot accept that there are, on every story, two equal and logical sides to an argument.”
Thank you for your encouragement to have a weekend, Simon. I need to attend a meeting of my village Homeowners’ Alliance but beyond that I will be resting and stepping back from some bitter local battles over the handling of the Kirk info wars here in the red powder keg of Tuolumne County. And maybe the Giants will advance to a wildcard slot!
Hi! I had a good conversation with Jeff Merkley last night. He understands the importance of standing firm on budget negotiations, and not overly limiting what the Dems should be ok with to give the GOP their votes.
Was a horrible week and we all need to de-stress. I do feel we are being targeted and threatened. That said, I loved the Jon Ossoff quote you posted this week. Thank you for the sanity and hope this week and every week.
Ahh. "Permission" to rest. Thanks all. What a fire hose of news and thus, emotion. I'm resting with a mild shingles outbreak. UGH. It does hurt. Love you guys; thanks for being there.
Sorry for the shingles. I had a terrible bout with it. Can be so painful. After its calmed down, do get the vaccine Shingrx. It came out after i went through my bout, and i got it ASAP.
I don't think about it as left v. right any more. I think of it as pro-democracy v. fascism... as The People v the oligarchs. Grateful for all of you and for Simon's leadership.
yesterday i took a boat ride all the way from ni to long island sound just to get in on the good fishing there right now. we were out from 6 am and got back at 9 pm, and did not know anything at all about the day's news. fishing was good and we lost ourselves in it and also got some great photos of the lady in the harbor and manhattan. it was a bit snotty in the sound in the morning, and it looked grim; cuts to the weather service make a difference, and the forecast was about 6 hours behind. then it laid down and got nice out. it is important to get out and enjoy this great fall weather ( meteorologically, this is fall already, which started sept 1 ). i must say, my buddy, who is a blue collar navy vet, and i are stunned at the outpouring for kirk; as a veteran he was horrified at jan 6, and just said to me this morning, while we nursed our aging bodies from yesterday's excursion, how could people have returned this man to power? his own son blames democrats for all that has gone wrong; he told him son, listen to me; keep your mouth shut at work....i saw many flags at half mast for that guy kirk, but i also many that were not, and that tells me something; flying the flag half mast is not a requirement, and many places did not comply.
I’ve taken Simon’s exhortation to do more, push harder. Here is a report on my activities over the past month.
I attended three protests: Labor Day; the second (and very fun) PDX Car Caravan; and a small rush-hour protest last evening.
I’ve finished up a batch of 200 hundred GOTV postcards to VA (through Environmental Voter Project). I’m halfway through another 100 postcards (through Reclain Our Vote). Both sets to be mailed on September 17.
Two friends and I have created a “PDX Protest Bingo” card. (Portland has at least 16 ongoing weekly protests.) We’ve distributed over 200. We’ve updated the card to reflect the No Kings march, and will be posting on telephone poles in our busy neighborhoods in the next week. Also next week, we will begin to distribute (and telephone post posting) our newest project, currently in production: Armchair Resistance Bingo Card, with suggestions for actions folk can do without leaving home.
Two weeks ago, my husband and I held a Zoom gathering, following Indivisible’s 1 Million Rising format. Twelve attendees (of 15) showed up. We reviewed and discussed authoritarianism and noncooperation. We are meeting online again next week for a presentation on non-violent resistance by a local professor, Tom Hastings, who heads Portland State University’s Conflict Resolution program. Among other life-long activities as a peace activist, Tom served jail time for several Plowshares actions.
I continue my “guerilla stickering.” I always carry some stickers with me (current favorite is No Kings / Only The People) and leave on non-private telephone poles, traffic signs, etc.
I’ve put a largish magnetic sticker on the back of my car, an image of the Statue of Liberty with No Kings text. I’ve gifted 3 friends with their own.
And, last but not least, calling my three reps most weekdays, using Simon’s talking points.
Thank you for pointing out that those on the “left” (however we define this demographic) have not called for violence when Democrats are targeted. When Gov. Whitmer was the target of a planned abduction/murder, when Gov. Shapiro’s home was torched (attempted murder), when Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated, when John Hoffman and his wife were gunned down…no one declared war. Democratic leaders called for justice.
And now, we have clear declarations of war - threats to wipe out the “radical left” using the language of pogroms. Is anyone else feeling extremely unsafe?
just disgusted at the hypocrisy
not unsafe at all here in NJ. People do not put up w BS at all in the Garden State, lol.
Dearest Simon, our fearless leader. I'm packing for a trip to Italy for 12 days. Not sure if it's a good or not so good thing to be out of the country right now
But I couldn't leave without saying that I have now watched your most recent video 2x -- I forgot his name, your buddy from Chicago who I met for the 1st time in your video (Ex CEO of Chicago Trib, I think!).
Your words on so many topics affected me, so here goes quickly: Why you care about immigration so much -- you took the words right out of mouth. Growing up in NY as 2nd generation immigrants, I know exactly what you mean. That's why my 2nd career is teaching ESL to adults...even though I'm now past retirement age.
Your rage about the vile ugliness and call for violence from Trump and the right so resonated. We leave from Dulles this afternoon and I'm feeling a bit nervous...which never happens as I've crossed the Atlantic so many times.
I have promised husband that I will stay away from politics while in Italy, if that's at all possible. But I will jump right back in here in northern VA when we return at the end of the month.
Thank you again for all you do to inspire and motivate us. Best to all hopium-ites and see you soon. Warmly, Claire C.
Safe travels Claire and enjoy Italy! Joy is essential. We cannot let him take joy from us. Report in when you get back and thank you for your continued thoughtful contributions to our community - Simon
Thank you, Simon. What a lovely sendoff. See you soon. !
Hi Claire, for what it's worth, I just returned home from 2 weeks abroad, including Italy, and can report it was exceptionally positive and refreshing. We experienced zero pushback or negativity. We engaged in thoughtful discussions in every country we visited. No debates, just passing comments and then everyone went on with their lives. The locals we met seemed to hold a space of compassion and encouragement for our country. Have fun, make some memories, and come back energized!!
Thank you, Kathleen. I'm glad you had a good trip.
I've been to Italy several times since Trump 1.0 and then people were curious more than anything. I'm glad to hear that you had a pleasant time with the locals. Thanks for your good wishes.
Beautifully said Claire. Have a wonderful trip! That mountain town in Tuscany, that plate of perfect pasta, that singing gondolier, that’s the real world too! Enjoy every minute.
Not to mention the wild boar on the menus!
Osso bucco! Mouth is literally watering
Thank you, John. We are not going to visit our relatives in Sicily this trip, I'm whispering! We're going to Puglia. On the east coast in the south facing Greece
Claire, I spent over a month at a rental in the Olive orchards outside Ostuni recently. A life long dream that finally came true. You have so much to look forward to! Lecce, Matera, Alberobella and Polignano especially lovely and amazing. I learned they have over 60 milllion Olive trees in that area and are a World Heritage site for that distinction. Politics not an issue while there. Rosa Blu a fabulous locals family restaurant if in Ostuni. Enjoy your break &
Bella vita! 😎
Hi Irene, Thanks so much for your email. Wow, it Sounds like you had a fabulous stay in Ostuni. I've also learned about the 60+ million olive trees and how this area produces the olive oil for 40%+ of Italy and I think almost 12% pf the rest of the world. We were in Bari and Pogliano a Mare today and tomorrow we're going to Alberobello. Later, we'll visit Matera, Lecce, and Otranto.
We are actually going to a historic olive oil estate in Ostuni on Friday, but I don't know the name! because the travel agency in Rome organized it. I think we're having lunch there at Taverna della Gelosia. I'll let you know afterwards.
Thanks again. Saluti, Chiara
orecchiette their local pasta but Miste de Mara and “ mussel spaghetti” my favorites especially in Polignano and Ostuni. Masserias are fabulous to visit if a chance to do so. Miles of beautiful walks to walk off gelato tastings! So glad to hear Olive tastings in your plans🙌🏻 va bene.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💃🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸
Claire, my husband and I were in Europe (Spain, Nice, then a cruise down the Rhine through Germany, Strasbourg, France and ended up in Lucerne and then Zurich, Switzerland. It was a fabulous almost month visit and we were treated very, very well. It was so refreshing to be out of the country and be at peace for the entire time. We refused to read anything about politics, so we really got a break. It was rejuvenating. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy Italy!
Thanks Betsy. We've been here for 2 days now and writing back to my Hopium friends here is the most "political" thing I've done so far. I'm taking advantage of the time away. Glad to hear what a nice trip you had!
Thank you Simon for keeping us updated and informed. Here in Napa County we realized that we needed a better educated electorate and for the past year over 30 volunteer tutors have been working with children who come from disadvantaged families and have been successful in raising their reading scores. The Napa County Reading Champions are getting ready to start the new school year helping even more students improve their reading skills.
One of my wife's uncles was a high school reading specialist teacher and motivator in the central valley in CA. He is retired now, but the impact he had on countless children over many decades was incredible, and inspiring. Literacy is a gateway for more freedom and achievement and fulfillment, and some of the most important work of any civilization.
This is absolutely incredible.
This is vital work! Thanks for sharing about it.
I watched this rather inspiring video from David Pepper (link below). It would be great if something like this came to my area. I'm probably not the right person or someone with enough time to get things moving, but I would participate as much as I can.
If we could organize at the level of streets and blocks like they are doing in Middletown, it seems to me it would be very impactful. Where I am, the neighboring county needs a precinct captain (I think they still do), but you have to live in the county to do it. And where I am in the neighboring county (which is much larger) the activity level is low.
https://substack.com/@davidpepper/note/p-173226357?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=49i4so
Thank you Simon for all you do to keep us encouraged, stay engaged and involved.
Yes it’s been a difficult week, and again I appreciate your thoughts on the events that occurred.
Yes, absolutely, do take some time away this weekend!
I am volunteering at a local mountain bike event today. It's important to get out and in the community, not just online. For our sanity and spirits, but also because connected communities are resilient communities, regardless of what disasters come.
Reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk prove beyond any shadow of doubt the validity and importance of your message that incitements to and justification for violence even killing your ideological opponents are not a “left wing” or “liberal” or “Democrat” policy or call to action. They are being repeatedly propagated by Republicans and MAGA groups wearing red caps – not to be confused with the red caps worn primarily by African American men (Pullman Porters) who worked to assist passengers with their baggage and other services at train stations – and of course by the current major occupant of the White House. I hesitate to call him by his official title, since he is not in any way fulfilling the duties or meeting the responsibilities of that office. Perhaps we should call him something else (or redefine the acronym POTUS – Perverter of the United States?). I would add that in reporting this horrific story the mainstream media are again giving the impression that there is some significant element of equality of blame between two sides. That is to their lasting shame intellectually and morally dishonest. We now know moreover that it flies in the face of the identity and background of the alleged killer. It is another sorry example of how media often present fundamentally different opinions about an event or issue so they can be misinterpreted as simply instances of “He said, she said”, and not as clear examples of evidence and truth versus inflammatory fantasy and lies. As Edward R Murrow said, “I simply cannot accept that there are, on every story, two equal and logical sides to an argument.”
Thank you for your encouragement to have a weekend, Simon. I need to attend a meeting of my village Homeowners’ Alliance but beyond that I will be resting and stepping back from some bitter local battles over the handling of the Kirk info wars here in the red powder keg of Tuolumne County. And maybe the Giants will advance to a wildcard slot!
Go Giants! 🧡🖤🧡
Walk off 10th inning grand slam by Patrick Bailey against those pesky Dodgers last night. More of that please...
Well, Saturday wasn’t so pretty…. My Mom was a huge Brooklyn Dodgers fan. I’m a baseball schizophrenic…..
Hi! I had a good conversation with Jeff Merkley last night. He understands the importance of standing firm on budget negotiations, and not overly limiting what the Dems should be ok with to give the GOP their votes.
Was a horrible week and we all need to de-stress. I do feel we are being targeted and threatened. That said, I loved the Jon Ossoff quote you posted this week. Thank you for the sanity and hope this week and every week.
looks like bell's palsy..usually have to wear an eye patch though. generally reversible.
Ahh. "Permission" to rest. Thanks all. What a fire hose of news and thus, emotion. I'm resting with a mild shingles outbreak. UGH. It does hurt. Love you guys; thanks for being there.
Sorry for the shingles. I had a terrible bout with it. Can be so painful. After its calmed down, do get the vaccine Shingrx. It came out after i went through my bout, and i got it ASAP.
THank you for your care. I am vaccinated. Probably why we would call this "mild". Although it is ouchie.
Wow, that's terrible, even when vaccinated. You have my total sympathies. Best wishes for healing soon!
Yes. All vaccines have the possibility of breakthrough cases, just like flu and covid. But they are always milder and manageable.
Thankful for that. And thanks for reminding me - just as with the Covid vaccine.
I don't think about it as left v. right any more. I think of it as pro-democracy v. fascism... as The People v the oligarchs. Grateful for all of you and for Simon's leadership.
Have a good weekend, all.
I know it doesn't get me anywhere, but I kinda think of it as reasonable and grounded vs dysregulated and maladaptive.
aka... normal v f*cked up... Ha!
Thanks Simon. Yes, I need to take a step back this weekend. Enjoy your day at the ballpark! Buy yourself some peanuts and crackerjack 🙂
yesterday i took a boat ride all the way from ni to long island sound just to get in on the good fishing there right now. we were out from 6 am and got back at 9 pm, and did not know anything at all about the day's news. fishing was good and we lost ourselves in it and also got some great photos of the lady in the harbor and manhattan. it was a bit snotty in the sound in the morning, and it looked grim; cuts to the weather service make a difference, and the forecast was about 6 hours behind. then it laid down and got nice out. it is important to get out and enjoy this great fall weather ( meteorologically, this is fall already, which started sept 1 ). i must say, my buddy, who is a blue collar navy vet, and i are stunned at the outpouring for kirk; as a veteran he was horrified at jan 6, and just said to me this morning, while we nursed our aging bodies from yesterday's excursion, how could people have returned this man to power? his own son blames democrats for all that has gone wrong; he told him son, listen to me; keep your mouth shut at work....i saw many flags at half mast for that guy kirk, but i also many that were not, and that tells me something; flying the flag half mast is not a requirement, and many places did not comply.
I’ve taken Simon’s exhortation to do more, push harder. Here is a report on my activities over the past month.
I attended three protests: Labor Day; the second (and very fun) PDX Car Caravan; and a small rush-hour protest last evening.
I’ve finished up a batch of 200 hundred GOTV postcards to VA (through Environmental Voter Project). I’m halfway through another 100 postcards (through Reclain Our Vote). Both sets to be mailed on September 17.
Two friends and I have created a “PDX Protest Bingo” card. (Portland has at least 16 ongoing weekly protests.) We’ve distributed over 200. We’ve updated the card to reflect the No Kings march, and will be posting on telephone poles in our busy neighborhoods in the next week. Also next week, we will begin to distribute (and telephone post posting) our newest project, currently in production: Armchair Resistance Bingo Card, with suggestions for actions folk can do without leaving home.
Two weeks ago, my husband and I held a Zoom gathering, following Indivisible’s 1 Million Rising format. Twelve attendees (of 15) showed up. We reviewed and discussed authoritarianism and noncooperation. We are meeting online again next week for a presentation on non-violent resistance by a local professor, Tom Hastings, who heads Portland State University’s Conflict Resolution program. Among other life-long activities as a peace activist, Tom served jail time for several Plowshares actions.
I continue my “guerilla stickering.” I always carry some stickers with me (current favorite is No Kings / Only The People) and leave on non-private telephone poles, traffic signs, etc.
I’ve put a largish magnetic sticker on the back of my car, an image of the Statue of Liberty with No Kings text. I’ve gifted 3 friends with their own.
And, last but not least, calling my three reps most weekdays, using Simon’s talking points.
Onwards in Solidarity!
Thank you!!! Gives me continuing 💪💪💪
So impressive Judith! Thanks for sharing your activities with us. I’m inspired to try a couple🙌🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸