Popping in to say, even before I read today's column from Simon, that something that never fails to uplift me is a local Substack from one our Indivisible groups. It's called Engaged Defenders4Democracy, and you can find it here: https://engageddefendersfordemocracy.substack.com/
This group began in Durham, NC in Decmeber 2024 and started protesting at Tesla one year ago. Now there are bridge brigades and protests across the central part of NC -- and growing! Every morning I read about the growing number of people who are out protesting and along with Hopium Chronicles, it gives me hope and the strength to keep going. Even if you're not in NC, I think you'll take heart in knowing that our movement is growing stronger and more connected by the day.
In yesterday's subscriber chat, Mark Roberts asked an important question about how we counter the right-wing domination of the news. I think that the types of actions being taken by the protesters and demonstrators written about in Engaged Defenders4Democracy are a good start. People driving under bridges can't avoid seeing the messages, and some of them might be inspired to look up what they see. Billboards, postcards, marches, and of course, good old fashioned messaging with friends and family members can't be taken over by the media, and they're very effective.
Think we need to start talking about how grave a mis-step Trump is making. It appears that we have learned nothing from our war with Iraq. Just like the Ba'ath Party that supported Suddam Hussein, There are a million people in the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij which will work to keep the Iranian regime going. they are already setting up a new ruling council. It is likely that even if the people do rise up, they will be repressed and the next government will be more violent than the last.
We need to get Congress to act before we are in another Iraq/Afghanistan!
Remember when Republicans were complaining that President Biden couldn’t pull out of Afghanistan effortlessly and without any friction, after Republican President W got us into a 20-year conflict and Republican President T**** made nice with the Taliban and made things worse?
The few Republicans I still talk to went on and on about President Biden’s “failure” as the reason they couldn’t support him. I will not get to hear their excuses now because I never ever talk about politics with them anymore. Yes, that is how information bubbles form but I don’t think they can hear me anyway.
I get your reluctance to talk politics with those on the other side. I feel the same. We have some good friends who are Republicans and live nearby. Every so often I find an article or Substack that I think is worth sharing with them. Even though I don't know if they actually read/listen to it or agree, they thank me, which tells me we're still friends. And maybe, just maybe, some of this will sink in. I can hope, anyway.
I applaud you for trying. I've said before, but to me, most (not all) of these supporters will not respond to evidence or reason. They are looking to support a position, a feeling, a grievance, an internal glitch from deep within.
Introspection is not an option for them.
The coil is so tight for a purpose: to keep it all from unraveling.
I am going to believe until shown otherwise that the Trump Syndicate and other members of the Epstein Class are benefitting financially from the war. Working class kids die and the Barrons of the world see their inheritance growing.
I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters urging them to vote for redistricting.
This is the Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma'am gang. Patience is not on their agenda. But sociopaths will kill us all to keep from being held accountable or stepping down.
While I know how Senators Duckworth and Durbin feel about this "war" and all the other illegal and horrifying things he's done, I continue to contact them daily to register my complaints and opinions. We must past the War Resolution Act this week and put a stop to the latest aggression. The American people are sophisticated enough to see what this is, and to resolutely reject another forever war. My generation grew up with Vietnam and the draft hanging over our heads. No more forever wars; no more regime changes. 3 children of America dead is already a travesty. No more.
Thank you Simon for this newsletter. Unfortunately, it seems this erratic move by the 🍊 was near inevitable. While shocking on its face, none of us should be surprised this occurred. Be that as it may, I also have concerns as to whether the War Powers Resolution will actually pass all the way through and with enough of the majority vote to override an eventual veto should it get that far to begin with. Now obv, we don’t know what we don’t know and so we’ll see where this ultimately lands via Congress.
However, let’s assume the needle doesn’t get moved enough through the resolution votes. What is the next move here? I’d like to say this whole debacle indicates the beginning of the end of his Presidency and it very well may, but I just don’t know. With that said, such action towards Iran was actually years in the making. Clearly not courtesy of such impulsive and ill intended behavior, but in progress nonetheless.
The question was never really why this ultimately happened (for on some level, it likely would have under some President, at some point in time). The question is more so, why now?!? Timing is everything, literally! I feel this timing was two fold for the regime. One, an accelerated diversion from the Epstein scandal which had been unfolding at an aggressive rate. Two, to open possible doors for the regime to use manufactured stories courtesy of the attack in order to attempt asserting federal control over our elections particularly the upcoming midterm elections.
That final point CANNOT be ignored!!! Marc Elias has been shouting this from the rooftops for a long time now and we’re on the precipice of it until/unless something catastrophic happens to HIM beforehand. So now, we’re left with very difficult questions ahead. How do we further try to curb his war powers if these resolution votes don’t hold? How do we prepare for potential retaliation given many now are concerned about terrorist attacks in the wake of this war declaration? How do we ensure the Epstein files do NOT get shuffled out of the conversation just when we were on significant offense?
Lastly, and arguably, most importantly, how do we prepare ahead of HIS likely/eventual enacting an executive order regarding the midterms (assuming the SAVE Act fails in the senate beforehand) and prepare as he likely tries to overtake the midterms federally? Yes, I rather have our bench of Dem Governors, Attorneys General, Secretaries of State, and lawyers like Marc Elias and Neal Katyal. However, this will become our greatest test yet as a Democratic Republic. I won’t govern up hope, nor my innate cautious optimism as I rely on my instincts when all said and done. But on days like these, I can’t help but ponder just a little harder than normal.
Blake, your comments about the war powers and taking over the midterm elections are excellent. Simon has begun to talk in the last few newsletters about the crucial need now to be on the alert and figure out a plan to counteract the Criminal-in-Chief's sabotage of our national elections, whether through claiming emergency powers, or some other way. And state primary elections are under threat, too. Here in Illinois, our early voting is about to take place. Our wonderful Governor Pritzker has said that he's been in conversations with our officials and other governors about how to counter ICE (who will most likely come back to add to the hundreds of ICE thugs who still here) and protect our primaries. The groups in which I participate are also planning to be at precincts and take action to protect immigrants and voters so they can get to the polls.
Thank you and great news about Pritzker. Like I stated above, I have faith in our Governors, Attorneys General, Secretaries of State, and lawyers (Elias, etc.). However, I’m not naive to think we won’t prevail without a fight. Trying to remind myself to breathe and to stay keen to my initial instincts.
I don't see a war suspending elections. Even during the Civil War we held elections. (Lincoln was able to defeat his competitor by having voting boxes in the soldiers camps.)
It is likely after a few weeks, Trump will declare victory bored with the whole thing - after all the Ayatollah was killed. Job done, according to him. Hero to his followers. Not his problem if the Iranians don't overthrow the regime. He will expect his adoring public to go to the polls and elect Republicans, though they are usually the ones to get us into wars and we have to clean up the mess.
Virginia, I agree, that once he hears/sees how negatively the Iranian attacks are viewed by Americans, he might back off or move on. Hoping it's due to the PEOPLE's "Epic Fury" and pressure from Congress that ends his latest attempt to move the focus from his all his dirty deeds.
As for elections, I CAN see him use war, or an outside security threat to suspend elections. This is already in play starting with Tulsi Gabbard going to Fulton County GA to shanghai their 2020 voter ballots & documentation for no reason. He's trotted out The Pillow Guy Lindell and Russian Operative, the Trump pardoned Michael Flynn, and another group of attorneys to begin the 2028 Stop the Steal ruse.
I agree but I also think Simon would agree when I say, this will NOT bring out a sudden plethora of Republicans to the polls FOR him! This is a direct betrayal of his base and they know it. Yes, there will always be those who make excuses for him no matter what and will go down with the ship of people who refuse to get out of their own way even after his regime goes down. But I feel if anything, this will embolden more votes for us come the midterms. The key or at least one of them, is to effectuate as much voter turnout as possible so that the margins are unavoidable in our favor 🙏.
Two items not mentioned: First the effect of the Iran unilateral bombing attack on China. I heard on a radio program yesterday that 61% of China's oil supply goes through the Strait of Hormuz. China has a way of getting others to comply with its interests without any saber rattling. It will be interesting to learn what China is doing.
Second, Oregon Senator Wyden has been following the money in the Epstein saga. He has located a memo stating that Epstein and 14 redacted names were involved in laundering money from drugs and prostitution. This memo was written as a result of an investigation that was shuttered by *rump. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent is refusing to provide an unredacted copy of this memo, or explain why the investigation was closed. Wyden plans to introduce legislation to force this information be made public.
I have been too busy to write postcards but will start doing so tomorrow. As far as I know there are two current campaigns: Wisconsin Supreme Court and Virginia redistricting.
My ResistBot letter for Mar 1: War requires Congress. Reports say over 100 children may have been killed in Iran strikes. If true, this demands investigation and oversight. Lawmakers must return, demand legal justification, and vote under the War Powers Resolution. Follow this link to send letters to your members of Congress.
Tim Snyder is so helpful connecting the dots that ties all the crazy together. If the attack on Iran makes no sense to you this short piece will provide a way to think about it and lines of inquiry as this shit continues.
Such a good discussion, thanks! Full of excellent points that need to be widely repeated. From the transcript of the O'brien discussion:
"And so now we now we're going to hear about how Iran messed up the 2020 election. And we're going to hear about how Iran, even though they're being bombed, is going to mess up the 2026 election, the 2028 election. I think like that is just about as predictable as anything ...... And that's why, by the way, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, was in Georgia."
All commentators can take this as a cue to start pre-bunking this dangerous possibility so that it backfires.
YES! Prebunking is growing in prominence via academic studies that show it does have a significant impact on whether folks are susceptible to misinfo/disinfo/propaganda! Prebunk away! Noted academics Sander Van der Linden, Ruth Elisabeth Appel and Jon Roozenbeek (among others) have been working on this issue for a couple years, and have even developed a couple games that are helpful in this area: https://theconversation.com/can-a-game-stop-vaccine-misinformation-this-one-just-might-262468
How and why an action is done matters as much as what was done. I have no problem with the Supreme Leader gone, BUT you do that by backing up or democracy movements, covert action, turning/buying off key power players in the regime, undermining the regime’s information stranglehold…things you need a working intelligence apparatus and Voice of America for that were gutted last year. And oh yea, Congress and the people get a say, especially with overt military action.
I agree with a lot of the analysis here though. This action ultimately doesn’t serve our interests because what follows will very much matter. And who the hell knows. AND IRAN WASN’T AN IMMINENT THREAT, and if anything is extremely degraded in strategic capability since 2023.
There’s a lot to criticize in this action. I’m concerned that Trump did this without any consultation with Congress and basically no reporting to the American people. And of course he’s insisting on growing our massive military budget by 50 percent. One of numerous reasons Democrats must at least win the House this year.
I’ve started swiping right on the text and using “delete” then “report as junk” which is marginally easier for a one thumb-ed texter. But I don’t know which is more effective
This is a terrible situation, but he might just declare victory and stop, if he can point to a concession the government makes. I'm not going to shed any tears about the truly terrible people he killed. But there is no strategy, apart from Israel no involvement of allies or buy-in apart from the fake "allies" who have been bribing him for years. Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states where we have bases, in particular.
Simon, he is completely mad, but he is not our king
How about the toll in the first go around with avoidable covid deaths?
This will take more than one list.
Popping in to say, even before I read today's column from Simon, that something that never fails to uplift me is a local Substack from one our Indivisible groups. It's called Engaged Defenders4Democracy, and you can find it here: https://engageddefendersfordemocracy.substack.com/
This group began in Durham, NC in Decmeber 2024 and started protesting at Tesla one year ago. Now there are bridge brigades and protests across the central part of NC -- and growing! Every morning I read about the growing number of people who are out protesting and along with Hopium Chronicles, it gives me hope and the strength to keep going. Even if you're not in NC, I think you'll take heart in knowing that our movement is growing stronger and more connected by the day.
In yesterday's subscriber chat, Mark Roberts asked an important question about how we counter the right-wing domination of the news. I think that the types of actions being taken by the protesters and demonstrators written about in Engaged Defenders4Democracy are a good start. People driving under bridges can't avoid seeing the messages, and some of them might be inspired to look up what they see. Billboards, postcards, marches, and of course, good old fashioned messaging with friends and family members can't be taken over by the media, and they're very effective.
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/1/analysis-will-irans-establishment-collapse-after-the-killing-of-khamenei
Think we need to start talking about how grave a mis-step Trump is making. It appears that we have learned nothing from our war with Iraq. Just like the Ba'ath Party that supported Suddam Hussein, There are a million people in the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij which will work to keep the Iranian regime going. they are already setting up a new ruling council. It is likely that even if the people do rise up, they will be repressed and the next government will be more violent than the last.
We need to get Congress to act before we are in another Iraq/Afghanistan!
Remember when Republicans were complaining that President Biden couldn’t pull out of Afghanistan effortlessly and without any friction, after Republican President W got us into a 20-year conflict and Republican President T**** made nice with the Taliban and made things worse?
The few Republicans I still talk to went on and on about President Biden’s “failure” as the reason they couldn’t support him. I will not get to hear their excuses now because I never ever talk about politics with them anymore. Yes, that is how information bubbles form but I don’t think they can hear me anyway.
I get your reluctance to talk politics with those on the other side. I feel the same. We have some good friends who are Republicans and live nearby. Every so often I find an article or Substack that I think is worth sharing with them. Even though I don't know if they actually read/listen to it or agree, they thank me, which tells me we're still friends. And maybe, just maybe, some of this will sink in. I can hope, anyway.
I applaud you for trying. I've said before, but to me, most (not all) of these supporters will not respond to evidence or reason. They are looking to support a position, a feeling, a grievance, an internal glitch from deep within.
Introspection is not an option for them.
The coil is so tight for a purpose: to keep it all from unraveling.
PS: This also applies to people who keep living in the past, when the major perk of Trump in the WH was that "my 401k is doing great!"
Which is what I heard a lot from people who put him in the WH.
Thanks, Simon!
I am going to believe until shown otherwise that the Trump Syndicate and other members of the Epstein Class are benefitting financially from the war. Working class kids die and the Barrons of the world see their inheritance growing.
I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters urging them to vote for redistricting.
They almost certainly benefit if the Saudis and others are paying them.
Chopping up journalists doesn't come cheap, Bison!
Note: "[Israeli] military officials emphasize that the IDF is prepared for a campaign lasting a month or longer."
https://www.jfeed.com/middleeast/operation-roaring-lion-israel-us-strikes
Imho, I seriously doubt Trump and American officials have the patience (or support) to be prepared for the same.
This is the Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma'am gang. Patience is not on their agenda. But sociopaths will kill us all to keep from being held accountable or stepping down.
While I know how Senators Duckworth and Durbin feel about this "war" and all the other illegal and horrifying things he's done, I continue to contact them daily to register my complaints and opinions. We must past the War Resolution Act this week and put a stop to the latest aggression. The American people are sophisticated enough to see what this is, and to resolutely reject another forever war. My generation grew up with Vietnam and the draft hanging over our heads. No more forever wars; no more regime changes. 3 children of America dead is already a travesty. No more.
Hundreds of Iranian children dead also.
Thank you Simon for this newsletter. Unfortunately, it seems this erratic move by the 🍊 was near inevitable. While shocking on its face, none of us should be surprised this occurred. Be that as it may, I also have concerns as to whether the War Powers Resolution will actually pass all the way through and with enough of the majority vote to override an eventual veto should it get that far to begin with. Now obv, we don’t know what we don’t know and so we’ll see where this ultimately lands via Congress.
However, let’s assume the needle doesn’t get moved enough through the resolution votes. What is the next move here? I’d like to say this whole debacle indicates the beginning of the end of his Presidency and it very well may, but I just don’t know. With that said, such action towards Iran was actually years in the making. Clearly not courtesy of such impulsive and ill intended behavior, but in progress nonetheless.
The question was never really why this ultimately happened (for on some level, it likely would have under some President, at some point in time). The question is more so, why now?!? Timing is everything, literally! I feel this timing was two fold for the regime. One, an accelerated diversion from the Epstein scandal which had been unfolding at an aggressive rate. Two, to open possible doors for the regime to use manufactured stories courtesy of the attack in order to attempt asserting federal control over our elections particularly the upcoming midterm elections.
That final point CANNOT be ignored!!! Marc Elias has been shouting this from the rooftops for a long time now and we’re on the precipice of it until/unless something catastrophic happens to HIM beforehand. So now, we’re left with very difficult questions ahead. How do we further try to curb his war powers if these resolution votes don’t hold? How do we prepare for potential retaliation given many now are concerned about terrorist attacks in the wake of this war declaration? How do we ensure the Epstein files do NOT get shuffled out of the conversation just when we were on significant offense?
Lastly, and arguably, most importantly, how do we prepare ahead of HIS likely/eventual enacting an executive order regarding the midterms (assuming the SAVE Act fails in the senate beforehand) and prepare as he likely tries to overtake the midterms federally? Yes, I rather have our bench of Dem Governors, Attorneys General, Secretaries of State, and lawyers like Marc Elias and Neal Katyal. However, this will become our greatest test yet as a Democratic Republic. I won’t govern up hope, nor my innate cautious optimism as I rely on my instincts when all said and done. But on days like these, I can’t help but ponder just a little harder than normal.
Blake, your comments about the war powers and taking over the midterm elections are excellent. Simon has begun to talk in the last few newsletters about the crucial need now to be on the alert and figure out a plan to counteract the Criminal-in-Chief's sabotage of our national elections, whether through claiming emergency powers, or some other way. And state primary elections are under threat, too. Here in Illinois, our early voting is about to take place. Our wonderful Governor Pritzker has said that he's been in conversations with our officials and other governors about how to counter ICE (who will most likely come back to add to the hundreds of ICE thugs who still here) and protect our primaries. The groups in which I participate are also planning to be at precincts and take action to protect immigrants and voters so they can get to the polls.
Thank you and great news about Pritzker. Like I stated above, I have faith in our Governors, Attorneys General, Secretaries of State, and lawyers (Elias, etc.). However, I’m not naive to think we won’t prevail without a fight. Trying to remind myself to breathe and to stay keen to my initial instincts.
I don't see a war suspending elections. Even during the Civil War we held elections. (Lincoln was able to defeat his competitor by having voting boxes in the soldiers camps.)
It is likely after a few weeks, Trump will declare victory bored with the whole thing - after all the Ayatollah was killed. Job done, according to him. Hero to his followers. Not his problem if the Iranians don't overthrow the regime. He will expect his adoring public to go to the polls and elect Republicans, though they are usually the ones to get us into wars and we have to clean up the mess.
Virginia, I agree, that once he hears/sees how negatively the Iranian attacks are viewed by Americans, he might back off or move on. Hoping it's due to the PEOPLE's "Epic Fury" and pressure from Congress that ends his latest attempt to move the focus from his all his dirty deeds.
As for elections, I CAN see him use war, or an outside security threat to suspend elections. This is already in play starting with Tulsi Gabbard going to Fulton County GA to shanghai their 2020 voter ballots & documentation for no reason. He's trotted out The Pillow Guy Lindell and Russian Operative, the Trump pardoned Michael Flynn, and another group of attorneys to begin the 2028 Stop the Steal ruse.
I agree but I also think Simon would agree when I say, this will NOT bring out a sudden plethora of Republicans to the polls FOR him! This is a direct betrayal of his base and they know it. Yes, there will always be those who make excuses for him no matter what and will go down with the ship of people who refuse to get out of their own way even after his regime goes down. But I feel if anything, this will embolden more votes for us come the midterms. The key or at least one of them, is to effectuate as much voter turnout as possible so that the margins are unavoidable in our favor 🙏.
I wonder if he will bother to be present when the fallen soldiers bodies return to the US. Our other presidents have. He will be too busy golfing.
I don’t wonder that. But it is an excellent question!
If they are MAGAs who love him, he will be there and blame Biden.
If he goes, he will make it all about himself, while giving out medals. He must be the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral.
Two items not mentioned: First the effect of the Iran unilateral bombing attack on China. I heard on a radio program yesterday that 61% of China's oil supply goes through the Strait of Hormuz. China has a way of getting others to comply with its interests without any saber rattling. It will be interesting to learn what China is doing.
Second, Oregon Senator Wyden has been following the money in the Epstein saga. He has located a memo stating that Epstein and 14 redacted names were involved in laundering money from drugs and prostitution. This memo was written as a result of an investigation that was shuttered by *rump. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent is refusing to provide an unredacted copy of this memo, or explain why the investigation was closed. Wyden plans to introduce legislation to force this information be made public.
I have been too busy to write postcards but will start doing so tomorrow. As far as I know there are two current campaigns: Wisconsin Supreme Court and Virginia redistricting.
My ResistBot letter for Mar 1: War requires Congress. Reports say over 100 children may have been killed in Iran strikes. If true, this demands investigation and oversight. Lawmakers must return, demand legal justification, and vote under the War Powers Resolution. Follow this link to send letters to your members of Congress.
Text SIGN PHSYLL to 50409 or go to: https://resist.bot/petitions/PHSYLL
done!
Tim Snyder is so helpful connecting the dots that ties all the crazy together. If the attack on Iran makes no sense to you this short piece will provide a way to think about it and lines of inquiry as this shit continues.
https://snyder.substack.com/p/why-attack-iran?r=1hfw4t&utm_medium=ios
Here’s a follow-up to the above article. https://substack.com/@snyder/note/p-189478809?r=1hfw4t&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thanks for sharing these links. I watched the interview with O’Brien yesterday, and found it incredibly informative.
Such a good discussion, thanks! Full of excellent points that need to be widely repeated. From the transcript of the O'brien discussion:
"And so now we now we're going to hear about how Iran messed up the 2020 election. And we're going to hear about how Iran, even though they're being bombed, is going to mess up the 2026 election, the 2028 election. I think like that is just about as predictable as anything ...... And that's why, by the way, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, was in Georgia."
All commentators can take this as a cue to start pre-bunking this dangerous possibility so that it backfires.
Yes, we should be inoculating everyone!!
YES! Prebunking is growing in prominence via academic studies that show it does have a significant impact on whether folks are susceptible to misinfo/disinfo/propaganda! Prebunk away! Noted academics Sander Van der Linden, Ruth Elisabeth Appel and Jon Roozenbeek (among others) have been working on this issue for a couple years, and have even developed a couple games that are helpful in this area: https://theconversation.com/can-a-game-stop-vaccine-misinformation-this-one-just-might-262468
How and why an action is done matters as much as what was done. I have no problem with the Supreme Leader gone, BUT you do that by backing up or democracy movements, covert action, turning/buying off key power players in the regime, undermining the regime’s information stranglehold…things you need a working intelligence apparatus and Voice of America for that were gutted last year. And oh yea, Congress and the people get a say, especially with overt military action.
I agree with a lot of the analysis here though. This action ultimately doesn’t serve our interests because what follows will very much matter. And who the hell knows. AND IRAN WASN’T AN IMMINENT THREAT, and if anything is extremely degraded in strategic capability since 2023.
One thing we know for sure... the motivation for the attack is all about Trump and what he perceives as beneficial to him, and him alone.
There’s a lot to criticize in this action. I’m concerned that Trump did this without any consultation with Congress and basically no reporting to the American people. And of course he’s insisting on growing our massive military budget by 50 percent. One of numerous reasons Democrats must at least win the House this year.
Alright, I just donated to all the Hopium recommended candidates. I’m prepared to spend the week texting “Stop” to all the people running…🤪
LOL! I know what you mean.
I’ve started swiping right on the text and using “delete” then “report as junk” which is marginally easier for a one thumb-ed texter. But I don’t know which is more effective
This is a terrible situation, but he might just declare victory and stop, if he can point to a concession the government makes. I'm not going to shed any tears about the truly terrible people he killed. But there is no strategy, apart from Israel no involvement of allies or buy-in apart from the fake "allies" who have been bribing him for years. Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states where we have bases, in particular.
I just wonder if Cuba is next up.
I reconfigured my Winning the House to be $24/monthly, and I bumped up my monthly contribution to David Jolly to $20/month.