Aaron Parnas reported that there is a food shortage for those serving. It’s horrific. The images are shocking. Of what they are given for heals. One family reported their person lost 17 pounds. This is inconsequential compared to murdering children svd innocent civilians, but it speaks to the utter incompetence and disregard for our military.
This administration is filled with the worst of our society. So grateful for the incredible video event media that is providing truth and an historical record of this historic corruption and harm.
Yes. I'd urge those who can afford to help to donate to local food pantries, shelters, and community fridges/freezers. (Donate diapers, basic hygiene, and cosmetics too. Basic acne washes. Donate sunscreen. Bug repellent. 'Tis the season for sunscreen and bug repellent.) They can also reach out to educators and religious leaders who have discreet ways of helping with bags of food. On my page, I have links to help families in need. The Gestapo makes it harder because families are afraid to go to the store. They feel safe dropping off and picking up kids at childcare and school. Donate to those things instead of the politicians.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
Love all your conversations with Stuart Stevens! I disagree a little with his "simple" anti-Trump strategy. I think we can talk anti-Trump and weave it through kitchen-table economy talks, corruption chats, democracy points, etc. Plus, ALL politicians talk about WHAT they are going to do, but few talk about HOW they are planning to do it. I think we can win lots of people over by talking about both WHAT and HOW.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
Simon, As supportive as you are of Ken Martin, and his as yet unseen and untested election strategy, to us here in the pro-democracy world, he is thus far unimpressive. What I do see is lots of individual candidates in many states working their rear ends off with their own strategies, winning elections through their own devices with coaching and support from strong state party chairmen and I definitely don’t give Ken Martin credit for their wins. You, yes. Him, no. There are so many visible things he could be doing but the occasional ad on TV that I happen to see leaves me lukewarm at best. He will have to be better, do better to ever win me over. Until now, he’s just another meritocracy representative of an old system that desperately needs transformation.
He has done nothing which is the first problem. He “says” all kinds of things yet no visible results. He won’t release the 2024 election autopsy which good or bad should be released. He had a childish pissing match with David Hogg and relegated him to the back row which was a huge mistake. Is that sufficient for starters?
Excellent read. I trust Simon's judgment on this. He supports what Ken Martin is trying to do, so I do too. I also liked Ben Wikler, but I think Martin is doing what needs to be done and if the "consultant" class don't like him, that's ok b/c we're in a different world than when David Plouffe was Obama's campaign manager. We can't do the same shit anymore.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
I will read this but I didn’t like nor support Ken Martin before I even knew about a “consultant class” so their opinion is not why I don’t think he’s the man for this moment. However, we’re stuck with him so however the Dems do or don’t perform, it’s on him. For example, there should have been a strong redistricting effort in place well before Callais. But the Dems (except California) “waited to see” what would happen and now we’re scrambling for a reaction/response. We’ll die on the sword of “we’re better than that” “we don’t behave like that” “we need to go high” “Dems don’t behave that way”. You may be all in; as for me, not so much.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
These are important conversations. Stuart Stevens is an incredible person--character, values, knowledge of politics and history, someone whose career was working to elect R's who immediately knew the danger Trump posed and now disavows his former party wholeheartedly. FL has cracks that are forming, this is a state that D's must compete in. Beachheads must be established. This state is winnable by David Jolly as Governor, we need aggressive D campaigning by D Senators and House members and money. Focus on FL. It is SO worth the investment.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
Can someone explain what are the “huge concessions” Fico just made to Ukraine (Simon’s words)? All I find in a google search is that Fico is open to talking to Zelenskyy about their disagreements.
Thomas, could you provide a source for this? Everything I'm finding online is much more tentative -- mostly that Fico is willing to meet with Zelenskyy to talk.
And then there's this statement made by Fico yesterday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvLHabknNnc (Note: I have no way of knowing whether the voiced-over translation is correct...)
Thanks, Thomas. Unfortunately, the first link you provided doesn't work. And the second article says nothing about lifting Slovaki's veto on a EU loan to Ukraine. Nor does it say anything about a resolution of the dispute over oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. Furthermore, the article neglects to mention that Fico's support for Ukraine joining the EU is conditional. Conclusion: Nothing that I would describe as "huge concessions" -- only that the two leaders are talking and are willing to continue talking.
The veto has indeed been lifted, but not because of a "huge concession" from Slovakia.
Way back in December, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia had already agreed not to stand in the way of an EU loan to Ukraine, as long as those three countries did not have to take part in the joint borrowing mechanism their EU partners planned to use to secure money to lend to Ukraine.
But Orban angered the other 24 countries by later reneging on that deal over a dispute about the blockage of oil through a key pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia.
Hungary and Slovakia blamed Ukraine for deliberately holding back oil shipments through the pipeline. Ukraine claimed the pipeline was damaged by drone strikes. The political deadlock ended a couple weeks ago when oil resumed flowing through the pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia. In other words, the veto was lifted, not because of some "huge concession" by Slovakia, but because Slovakia's demands were finally met.
Carolyn, the article I shared that portrayed these as important concessions and movement towards Ukraine came from the Kyiv Post. So I assume that the "huge concessions" line came from my talk with Stuart, for it is not in my writings. Here's the piece I cited - https://www.kyivpost.com/post/75294. I will take your criticism that "huge concession" may have been an overstatement but here is more on the way Zelenskyy played his discussions with the Czech leader - https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1919086147634126940. Again the Ukrainian media is portraying this as a successful week of diplomacy for Zelenskyy, which I think is a fair read. I do think we are splitting hairs here a bit but I respect your input here and will work to be more precise in the days ahead.
No problem, Simon. I just wasn't sure if I was missing something. And yes, it was something you said during your conversation with Stuart Stevens -- which I very much enjoyed. Thanks for the links.
What I don't get is Republicans declaring "America first," decrying foreign involvement, and then turning around and supporting Russia. So much for America First.
i love dr hassan, really, but what he fails to get is that a lot of us are exhausted with the trumpers, and would rather walk away at this point. i'm not gonna waste time on my 81 year old brother in law. he won't change. best to have a hot dog at the lakeside and let him pop a beer while i go fish off the dock.
It seems to me that Dr Hassan would agree with you. We need to take care of our own mental, emotional, and physical health first and then we are more effective when we reach out to others.
$10 a gallon for gas! Yikes.
Aaron Parnas reported that there is a food shortage for those serving. It’s horrific. The images are shocking. Of what they are given for heals. One family reported their person lost 17 pounds. This is inconsequential compared to murdering children svd innocent civilians, but it speaks to the utter incompetence and disregard for our military.
This administration is filled with the worst of our society. So grateful for the incredible video event media that is providing truth and an historical record of this historic corruption and harm.
Yes. I'd urge those who can afford to help to donate to local food pantries, shelters, and community fridges/freezers. (Donate diapers, basic hygiene, and cosmetics too. Basic acne washes. Donate sunscreen. Bug repellent. 'Tis the season for sunscreen and bug repellent.) They can also reach out to educators and religious leaders who have discreet ways of helping with bags of food. On my page, I have links to help families in need. The Gestapo makes it harder because families are afraid to go to the store. They feel safe dropping off and picking up kids at childcare and school. Donate to those things instead of the politicians.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
$5.00 per gallon in the Chicago area. I have a hybrid, so I don't fill up that often.
Reconstruction 2.0
I think it is worth reinforcing (and I know Simon says this a lot anyway) what a total and utter fruck up this Iran caper is.
Like total and utter, catastrophic clown show of historic proportions.
Really annoys me that the MSM, for whatever reason, are not really getting this across in their reporting.
Probably the biggest single (and totally avoidable I might add) mistake a President of the United States has ever made.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
Love all your conversations with Stuart Stevens! I disagree a little with his "simple" anti-Trump strategy. I think we can talk anti-Trump and weave it through kitchen-table economy talks, corruption chats, democracy points, etc. Plus, ALL politicians talk about WHAT they are going to do, but few talk about HOW they are planning to do it. I think we can win lots of people over by talking about both WHAT and HOW.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
Simon, As supportive as you are of Ken Martin, and his as yet unseen and untested election strategy, to us here in the pro-democracy world, he is thus far unimpressive. What I do see is lots of individual candidates in many states working their rear ends off with their own strategies, winning elections through their own devices with coaching and support from strong state party chairmen and I definitely don’t give Ken Martin credit for their wins. You, yes. Him, no. There are so many visible things he could be doing but the occasional ad on TV that I happen to see leaves me lukewarm at best. He will have to be better, do better to ever win me over. Until now, he’s just another meritocracy representative of an old system that desperately needs transformation.
Could you explain what he is doing that you are not happy with?
Thomas, many people wish that Ben won. Ken lacks the urgency Ben has.
How do you know he lacks the urgency?
Lauren, see my reply to Linda.
I saw.
He has done nothing which is the first problem. He “says” all kinds of things yet no visible results. He won’t release the 2024 election autopsy which good or bad should be released. He had a childish pissing match with David Hogg and relegated him to the back row which was a huge mistake. Is that sufficient for starters?
Linda, here is a different opinion on Ken Martin. https://substack.com/@ariellaelm/note/p-196449085?r=d5cb&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Excellent read. I trust Simon's judgment on this. He supports what Ken Martin is trying to do, so I do too. I also liked Ben Wikler, but I think Martin is doing what needs to be done and if the "consultant" class don't like him, that's ok b/c we're in a different world than when David Plouffe was Obama's campaign manager. We can't do the same shit anymore.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
Thank you so much for posting that.
I know it is just 'opinion', but a really well put together piece, with a lot of information that made a lot of sense to me.
I will read this but I didn’t like nor support Ken Martin before I even knew about a “consultant class” so their opinion is not why I don’t think he’s the man for this moment. However, we’re stuck with him so however the Dems do or don’t perform, it’s on him. For example, there should have been a strong redistricting effort in place well before Callais. But the Dems (except California) “waited to see” what would happen and now we’re scrambling for a reaction/response. We’ll die on the sword of “we’re better than that” “we don’t behave like that” “we need to go high” “Dems don’t behave that way”. You may be all in; as for me, not so much.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
Simon, you might want to interview Sam Forstag (Montana). His interview with Tim Dickinson was very interesting.
These are important conversations. Stuart Stevens is an incredible person--character, values, knowledge of politics and history, someone whose career was working to elect R's who immediately knew the danger Trump posed and now disavows his former party wholeheartedly. FL has cracks that are forming, this is a state that D's must compete in. Beachheads must be established. This state is winnable by David Jolly as Governor, we need aggressive D campaigning by D Senators and House members and money. Focus on FL. It is SO worth the investment.
"Can we imagine making it better? Can we see the future? This will be the great test ahead in American politics." It is SO HARD to get people to concentrate on their thinking - even for a moment -on the future. The future is our descendants: our children, grandchildren (I have both) and great grandchildren. What if we could take out an insurance policy that - for only $12 annually - would improve THEIR lives? That's exactly what am doing at EthicalGovtNow.org.
Is there any truth in Dean Blundell's Canada Vs. Everybody blog posts about assassination threats to Putin?
Impeach the Russian ass...ets!!!!
Are you sure technical problems aren't the Deep State? I so admire Zelensky.
Can someone explain what are the “huge concessions” Fico just made to Ukraine (Simon’s words)? All I find in a google search is that Fico is open to talking to Zelenskyy about their disagreements.
No veto on large EU loan to Ukraine.
Confirmed Slovakia's support for EU membership for Ukraine.
Emphasised that any peace deal had to be negotiated with Ukraine's approval.
He doesn't really have any leverage with his buddy Orban gone.
Thomas, could you provide a source for this? Everything I'm finding online is much more tentative -- mostly that Fico is willing to meet with Zelenskyy to talk.
And then there's this statement made by Fico yesterday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvLHabknNnc (Note: I have no way of knowing whether the voiced-over translation is correct...)
https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/volodimir-zelenskij-proviv-rozmovu-z-robertom-fico-104197
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/75294
Thanks, Thomas. Unfortunately, the first link you provided doesn't work. And the second article says nothing about lifting Slovaki's veto on a EU loan to Ukraine. Nor does it say anything about a resolution of the dispute over oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. Furthermore, the article neglects to mention that Fico's support for Ukraine joining the EU is conditional. Conclusion: Nothing that I would describe as "huge concessions" -- only that the two leaders are talking and are willing to continue talking.
The fact that the loan is going ahead and even my county (the UK!) is talking of joining, means there is no veto anymore!!
I can't provide you with any more info than that I am afraid.
The veto has indeed been lifted, but not because of a "huge concession" from Slovakia.
Way back in December, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia had already agreed not to stand in the way of an EU loan to Ukraine, as long as those three countries did not have to take part in the joint borrowing mechanism their EU partners planned to use to secure money to lend to Ukraine.
But Orban angered the other 24 countries by later reneging on that deal over a dispute about the blockage of oil through a key pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia.
Hungary and Slovakia blamed Ukraine for deliberately holding back oil shipments through the pipeline. Ukraine claimed the pipeline was damaged by drone strikes. The political deadlock ended a couple weeks ago when oil resumed flowing through the pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia. In other words, the veto was lifted, not because of some "huge concession" by Slovakia, but because Slovakia's demands were finally met.
https://apnews.com/article/slovakia-russia-oil-pipeline-ukraine-8ddc0f83e41d4be65b141c833f885eff
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/explainer-eus-90-billion-euro-110450683.html
Carolyn, the article I shared that portrayed these as important concessions and movement towards Ukraine came from the Kyiv Post. So I assume that the "huge concessions" line came from my talk with Stuart, for it is not in my writings. Here's the piece I cited - https://www.kyivpost.com/post/75294. I will take your criticism that "huge concession" may have been an overstatement but here is more on the way Zelenskyy played his discussions with the Czech leader - https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1919086147634126940. Again the Ukrainian media is portraying this as a successful week of diplomacy for Zelenskyy, which I think is a fair read. I do think we are splitting hairs here a bit but I respect your input here and will work to be more precise in the days ahead.
No problem, Simon. I just wasn't sure if I was missing something. And yes, it was something you said during your conversation with Stuart Stevens -- which I very much enjoyed. Thanks for the links.
Thank you gentlemen. I always learn so much listening to you.
Time for another Sean Penn documentary on Zelensky and Ukraine
That’s hard to do while all the US defense forces are out in the Gulf
What I don't get is Republicans declaring "America first," decrying foreign involvement, and then turning around and supporting Russia. So much for America First.
"Trump Didn't Happen by Accident: The Psychological Hijacking of America"
Cult Expert Dr. Steven Hassan with Alex Alvarová, a journalist and political manipulation researcher.
🔸️How did we get here?
• The Trump era is not an accident; it's the predictable result of coordinated psychological and digital influence campaigns.
🔸️How do we fix this?
• Why arguing facts fails and compassion works better when helping loved ones exit extremist belief systems.
• How families and communities can counter cult dynamics without shaming or confrontation.
• Why real-world relationships, trusted experts, and critical thinking are essential countermeasures to psychological warfare.
• How understanding cult tactics, hypnosis, and influence methods restores personal freedom and democratic resilience.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/9_uloql3Nbo?si=Uf54NXov5plpBCoy
i love dr hassan, really, but what he fails to get is that a lot of us are exhausted with the trumpers, and would rather walk away at this point. i'm not gonna waste time on my 81 year old brother in law. he won't change. best to have a hot dog at the lakeside and let him pop a beer while i go fish off the dock.
It seems to me that Dr Hassan would agree with you. We need to take care of our own mental, emotional, and physical health first and then we are more effective when we reach out to others.