Called my R Congressman to urge him to sign discharge petition to enable vote on release of the Epstein files - you know, what the Prez campaigned on, that he now calls a "hoax," although he was an FBI informant that helped lead to Epstein's arrest. When he informed to the FBI, do you think he said "hello, I have a hoax to report down here in Florida."
I am still baffled by his ratings in the polls running on average in the 40+ percent...WTF! He is taking everything out of this wonderful country for himself and folks approve of it....sigh!
Again, this is not the right way to look at and folks who express HE IS STILL TOO HIGH are undermining our work, together. For it has been our movement that has helped drive down his poll numbers and standing despite their extraordinary information advantages; our movement that has worked hard to get these big electoral wins and overperformances; our movement that is putting millions on the streets. WE DO NOT THROW UP OUR HANDS AND SIGH - we put our heads down and do the work our democracy requires. They cannot win elections where they are now. This is a huge achievement. Glass half full. Let's use this success to keep going and win the fall, together.
None of us, Simon, wish to ever undermine your total commitment to this work...I am sad that you felt that one word from me is undermining...I apologize for that.
Nixon I think was at 27% approval when he was forced out. Trump is regularly getting performance around 35% approve for specific issues.
If ~35% approve of his performance with inflation and the economy (the same people who say we should happily pay higher prices to support his tariff agenda), when it is so objectively terrible, maybe that represents more or less a lower bound.
What I think he is doing now is trying to solidify the terrible numbers he has so they don't further erode. But I think everything he does along those lines is solidifying the number so that it can never go up either. He's demonizing the majority to hold onto the minority, which I'm sure is a losing game.
It's low enough to beat them politically anyhow. If we work it maybe we can get him down to 35% approve. I wonder if going lower than that is impossible.
Maybe the "strongly disapprove" number will climb, and the "strongly approve" number will drop. Those matter too.
I’ve heard Sarah Longwell of the Bulwark mention 32% as a number that might lead to significant erosion in Republican congressional support. He’s not far from that right now. 🤞
It would be good to hear your take on Ezra Klein’s op-ed regarding the upcoming vote to fund the government, an opportunity for the Democrats to demonstrate resolve and offer their alternative to the current destruction of our political system.
Perhaps read my post today. It is a strategy for how to approach the moment. The issue isn't shutdown. It us developing a narrative, an agenda and to make clear what we are fighting for today, tomorrow and next year. If we are to shutdown we need to explain why, and make clear what we want. We do not have that now. Schumer fighting the tariffs is a step in the right direction.
Barbara, I think I agree with Rick Wilson here (and Jamelle Bouie in the NYT also made good points about how to frame the refusal to help the Republicans with THEIR budget - ie. why should we help when he will do whatever he wants with your assistance?), but sadly, Rick’s Substack article requires a trial subscription to read, and I already have far too many Substack subscriptions now! Could you summarize?
I believe it critical for the Dems in Congress to caucus for a clear response to the funding vote immediately.
I also suggest there be a Democratic National Convention as soon as possible, to establish a shadow government and a leader. At least with Kamala, she provided a positive alternative for the voters that the party rallied behind. And she came very close to winning!
Am persuaded by Ezra Klein piece this weekend. When it comes to negotiating the budget, Democrats cannot endorse funding the government in its current incarnation and its eagerness to cast aside the Congress and normative behavior (We cannot just kill people because they probably have a boat full of drugs.) We have the opportunity to shape a focused narrative about what we will not endorse and what we will support. We can use this to create a narrative you have been pushing -- but a little more tightly. But we cannot help the Republicans fund the craziness that is now going on. Simon, please reply to this issue. talk about it on Wednesday meeting.
The Ezra Klein piece has certainly gone viral, though I’m seeing mixed responses online. I suspect so much depends on what the Republicans offer. Klein suggests doing budget negotiations is compliance but I don’t see it that way. I think it could be an opportunity to make demands and call out the administration, the way they’ve been doing with Epstein and RFK. I also hope Simon will address this Wed. And I agree with him that the Democrats need to keep working on a narrative.
Why should Dems accept any Republican “offer” without an ironclad pledge that they will refuse a rescission vote, cancel the tariffs and force Trump to remove the military from city streets? And could they even be believed then? Ziblatt’s quote, mentioned by Simon, is instructive - appeasement is not an effective strategy for dealing with authoritarian fascists.
Right. I’m beginning to see that the choices seem to be to try to defund Trump’s government with a shutdown or stay open and try to make a stand that way. Ironically, the Democrats have finally begun to find their footing (belatedly) and have some really good resistance moves going. I realize I just don’t know—would want to hear more about how the defunding effort might play out.
Several have mentioned Klein's article which was excellent with one exception. He characterized it as the Dem's choice whether to shut down the government. Please read Josh Marshall's TPM article today where he lays responsibility for funding the government squarely at the feet of the GOP trifecta. Dem's need to present it that way.
I am contacting my electeds and telling them to vote NO to any budget deals without the release of the Epstein files and killing Project 2025. Otherwise, the government gets shut down and there will be no money to fund Donald’s bullshit takeover of our country. No money for ICE shock troops, no money for gulag prisons, no money for Project 2025, no money for his wealthy oligarchs.
Simon, thanks for the helpful breakdown of the polls.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to express my concern about RFK making it impossible to get the COVID vaccine. I also contacted Governor Moore to ask him to join with other states that are ensuring that their citizens can get the vaccine. I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters today. I attended a local Dem get-together yesterday and volunteered to work the table at an upcoming fall festival event in a near-by town.
On a petty note, I can't say how much I enjoyed Trump being booed at the tennis match after the WH warned networks not to show him being booed. FAFO, as they say.
In line with Democrats upping their game, I recommend this post by Robert Leonard, "Democratic Leader Mitch Landrieu Parachutes into DSM [Des Moines, IA] to Learn from Labor Unions (Or not...)" https://rleonard.substack.com/p/democratic-leader-mitch-landrieu.
At the end Leonard writes, "I feel a little regret about being so hard on Mitch, because he is clearly accomplished and well-intentioned. But national Democrats don’t know what they are doing, and it’s time to rethink how to build power—and it’s from the bottom up."
Love Hopium Chronicles and follow your advice on what to do now. Have written (e-mails) to my Rep. Simpson (R-ID) and Senators Risch and Crapo in support of the four issues listed in the Chronicle. Have contributed to Sherrill and Spanberger. Also contacted my Rep. Simpson to ask him to sign discharge petition. Won't do much good but they need to hear from me -- again and again and again.
Something that Simon has mentioned from time to time is that we should take what we learn here and bring it back to our networks.
For example, my wife writes actions for our Indivisible local. These get posted on their website and go in their weekly newsletter. Some become standing actions. Her actions relate both to the nation and to our state, but in either case, she has been influenced by the Hopium approach.
So if you're involved in Indivisible, consider signing on to write actions for your local.
Help me understand. I apologize if I’m ignorant so I need people to explain. You are advocating that the Dems in Congress do those 4 things and Schumer is saying he’ll force a vote on rolling back tariffs. Fantastic! But is that possible? And if so, why haven’t they been “forcing” votes all along on important issues? I thought Dems can’t even get bills out of committee. Also, I live in MA so while I call my Reps and Sens, they are already going to vote as I’d like them to. But nothing seems to happen in Congress. Can’t they do sit-ins or use rules to block things? I’m just so confused why the Dems aren’t pulling out all the stops or maybe they are and I’m not hearing about it
Christie, I'll just give you my two cents. I tried a little thought experiment with myself. I reread your comment here and asked myself how I felt, and the answer was: a little worried, a little dispirited, certainly less likely to want to take action today. Then I went back and reread the last 3 or so paragraphs of Simon's post today -- starting with "On Friday Leader Schumer." And reading that made me feel better, more motivated, ready to call my Dem Senators and encourage their enthusiastic support of Schumer in his stance. For me, the point is simply that it's my choice what to focus on and what questions to ask ("how can I" instead of "why don't they") and where to put my limited resources of energy and effort. And that's what I plan to do every day.
FYI: I have gone back and read Dear John's comment several times and find it to be exceptionally insightful, nuanced, and wise. It makes me happy to read it.
To be more clear, I found John’s comments uplifting and think they are worth remembering and referring to as a reminder to focus on what we can do and where we want to put our attention.
Ditto! And I was pointing out why I found it so compelling: because he was trying to reach out to someone in a way that few do these days, and I think it's important to note, of course, in addition to his inherent message about choosing where we place our investment. So, it's not just his wise and insightful message, it's the messenger.
Thank you for explaining further. I was concerned about coming across as one of the extremes. I appreciate what you pointed out. So rich and lovely. It warms my heart.
As discussed before, some of us here attended the One Million Rising non-cooperation training put on by No Kings (Indivisible and allies) One of the projects mentioned was Signs of Solidarity - educating local businesses about ICE raids and getting them into a public stance of non-cooperation with ICE. (you can watch videos of the trainings at nokings.org)
Our local Indivisible group took this up and began forming teams to go out and talk to local bisiness, then something happened to make the shit hit the fan -- to make the issue very real.
ICE conducted a massive raid last week on a family owned business in Cato, NY that makes nutrition bars and carted off dozens of people. Here's a news report on the raid
People are outraged. Even our out of the way area that no one ever talks about has become a target for these thugs.
Wineries are a big industry here and people are worried about raids during the harvest.
Several indivisible groups in the area have joined forces. I have been to two emergency demos in the past few days.
Our county Indivisible chapter will also be having a demo and submitting a letter at the meeting of our county legislature tonight demanding that our local law enforcement refuse any cooperation agreement with ICE. An adjacent county has entered into one and we are determined to prevent that here. Those with sources inside the legislature believe they are leaning our way - and most of the legislators are GOP BTW. However, Republicans own wineries and dairies too and don't want their workers seized and carted off.
There is something I want to know and maybe someone here can help. How do we find out whether ICE is hiring J6 convicts, Proud Boys and so on? If they have done this, I think it is important to make people aware of it. Harmless people making nutrition bars and such are being carted of by literal terrorists in the name of "public safety?"
My best guess is a FOIA, Freedom of Information request. But that's just a guess. It's the kind of thing ProPublica investigates.
I was texting over the weekend with close friends in Cato, about the raid and local response to it. How could they link up with your Indivisible group?
There is a meeting of the Oswego legislature on Sept 11 and they are asking people attend and make public comments to speak out rejecting a cooperation agreement with ICE that maybe your friend could attend. The social has up to the minute what they are doing and what is happening on this issue
HOPIUM____YOU RECOMMEND NOTHING ABOUT THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA. ARE SCARED OF AIPAC. WHERE ARE YOUR VALUES AND MORALS. DEMOCRATS NEED TO TAKE A STAND ON THIS MORAL QUESTION
I sent my senator Ron Wyden a letter last week in response to a fundraising request I got from his Portland office in the mail. I said I can’t in good conscience support his re-election campaign when he’s retirement age, his staff never answers the phone, and I watched him gaslight his own constituents about Gaza at his most recent town hall here when he was confronted about his continual votes in favor of more arms to Israel.
My other senator (Jeff Merkley) and my House Rep (Val Hoyle) have both been consistently against more arms to Israel, so I have repeatedly let them know that I appreciate that and that I will support, promote and even volunteer for their re-election campaigns.
Excellent, you act in a moral way;. That's what I hope Democrats will all soon do. We cannot ignore what happens in Gaza. We cannot keep financing that inhumane war. We ARE COMPLICIT
Self insight and knowledge is not self abasement or judgement, it is an important toll for self improvement. I know where you are coming from, and you are entitled to your opinion. I will not debate that
This is a working place. We do things here. We are focused on defeating Trump and as we are a small place we cannot do everything. If you want to be part of that great. Make your case on the issues that matter to you. But your very first post indicted your displeasure with this community. Fine. Your call. But if that is what are you coming here to do I want to be clear that it is not welcome nor will it be tolerated. We don't have the bandwith or time for trolls. So come here, work inside our agenda and priorities and if they are not to your liking I am happy to refund your subscription and let you take your work elsewhere. This was not a great way to introduce yourself to all of us, particularly as I have a long and documented history of being incredibly critical of Bibi and his government - Simon HOPIUM____YOU RECOMMEND NOTHING ABOUT THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA. ARE SCARED OF AIPAC. WHERE ARE YOUR VALUES AND MORALS. DEMOCRATS NEED TO TAKE A STAND ON THIS MORAL QUESTION
We have been here before. Take a look at this cut from a famous Hepburn and Tracy 1942 movie, “Keeper of the Flame” (hint - fascism in the guise of “Americanism” described in a 2:39 minutes segment): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_abRxAL3hnw&list=TLPQMDEwOTIwMjVSQqso16VtDA . In the end, the strategy is always the same - “divide and conquer” with “hate against hate”.
So, these people on the Right have been consistent in their objectives for decades. To paraphrase the former Republican operative and legacy Mississippian (with all that entails for race and class in America), Stuart Stevens, Dolos was always going to be the end result of the contemporary Republican Party. Here is an excellent interview of Mr. Stevens where he illuminates the centrality of race in our current and always dilemma (timestamps - 38:32, 41:50, 43:50*, 45:09, 45:47*, 48:16**, 49:10, and 51:57 ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er_T6DVdVQ8 .
Hopefully, we will come to terms with this reality before the nation becomes another version of Russia but with better coverage for indoor plumbing. Yes, become like Russia— from the Carl Schmitt-influenced politics to the ownership of the means of production. In fact, a MIT Nobel Laureate economist made the same connection between our current “regime” and the Kremlin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmH_KweQi-o .
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
P.P.S.: DEMOCRATS (AND PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE) NEED TO HAVE “TOWN HALLS” IN REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS - ASAP. YOUR OPPONENTS HAVE WILLINGLY CONCEDED THE FIELD.
Called my R Congressman to urge him to sign discharge petition to enable vote on release of the Epstein files - you know, what the Prez campaigned on, that he now calls a "hoax," although he was an FBI informant that helped lead to Epstein's arrest. When he informed to the FBI, do you think he said "hello, I have a hoax to report down here in Florida."
Beautifully phrased!
I am still baffled by his ratings in the polls running on average in the 40+ percent...WTF! He is taking everything out of this wonderful country for himself and folks approve of it....sigh!
Again, this is not the right way to look at and folks who express HE IS STILL TOO HIGH are undermining our work, together. For it has been our movement that has helped drive down his poll numbers and standing despite their extraordinary information advantages; our movement that has worked hard to get these big electoral wins and overperformances; our movement that is putting millions on the streets. WE DO NOT THROW UP OUR HANDS AND SIGH - we put our heads down and do the work our democracy requires. They cannot win elections where they are now. This is a huge achievement. Glass half full. Let's use this success to keep going and win the fall, together.
None of us, Simon, wish to ever undermine your total commitment to this work...I am sad that you felt that one word from me is undermining...I apologize for that.
Admittedly I often see the glass as half empty. Thank you Simon for eternally being a source of optimism!
Nixon I think was at 27% approval when he was forced out. Trump is regularly getting performance around 35% approve for specific issues.
If ~35% approve of his performance with inflation and the economy (the same people who say we should happily pay higher prices to support his tariff agenda), when it is so objectively terrible, maybe that represents more or less a lower bound.
What I think he is doing now is trying to solidify the terrible numbers he has so they don't further erode. But I think everything he does along those lines is solidifying the number so that it can never go up either. He's demonizing the majority to hold onto the minority, which I'm sure is a losing game.
It's low enough to beat them politically anyhow. If we work it maybe we can get him down to 35% approve. I wonder if going lower than that is impossible.
Maybe the "strongly disapprove" number will climb, and the "strongly approve" number will drop. Those matter too.
Yes we need to se him 30 to 35% contnually
I’ve heard Sarah Longwell of the Bulwark mention 32% as a number that might lead to significant erosion in Republican congressional support. He’s not far from that right now. 🤞
We have only 2 major political parties so it’s challenging to have one fall into extreme lower territory.
Simon,
It would be good to hear your take on Ezra Klein’s op-ed regarding the upcoming vote to fund the government, an opportunity for the Democrats to demonstrate resolve and offer their alternative to the current destruction of our political system.
Robert, as I wrote today my post from a few weeks ago anticipated all this. Ezra was following our lead to be clear.
So you think the Dems are preparing for a Government shutdown?
Perhaps read my post today. It is a strategy for how to approach the moment. The issue isn't shutdown. It us developing a narrative, an agenda and to make clear what we are fighting for today, tomorrow and next year. If we are to shutdown we need to explain why, and make clear what we want. We do not have that now. Schumer fighting the tariffs is a step in the right direction.
Yes, a narrative. But can we get there in time for this discussion. Do we have a leadership group who can do this?
Rick Wilson has put it well here. We must fight unsparingly like Republicans would because they don't care about unpopularity in their march toward fascism. https://therickwilson.substack.com/p/dont-you-dare-why-democrats-must?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1887091&post_id=173091554&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=4bhysy&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Barbara, I think I agree with Rick Wilson here (and Jamelle Bouie in the NYT also made good points about how to frame the refusal to help the Republicans with THEIR budget - ie. why should we help when he will do whatever he wants with your assistance?), but sadly, Rick’s Substack article requires a trial subscription to read, and I already have far too many Substack subscriptions now! Could you summarize?
I believe it critical for the Dems in Congress to caucus for a clear response to the funding vote immediately.
I also suggest there be a Democratic National Convention as soon as possible, to establish a shadow government and a leader. At least with Kamala, she provided a positive alternative for the voters that the party rallied behind. And she came very close to winning!
Am persuaded by Ezra Klein piece this weekend. When it comes to negotiating the budget, Democrats cannot endorse funding the government in its current incarnation and its eagerness to cast aside the Congress and normative behavior (We cannot just kill people because they probably have a boat full of drugs.) We have the opportunity to shape a focused narrative about what we will not endorse and what we will support. We can use this to create a narrative you have been pushing -- but a little more tightly. But we cannot help the Republicans fund the craziness that is now going on. Simon, please reply to this issue. talk about it on Wednesday meeting.
The Ezra Klein piece has certainly gone viral, though I’m seeing mixed responses online. I suspect so much depends on what the Republicans offer. Klein suggests doing budget negotiations is compliance but I don’t see it that way. I think it could be an opportunity to make demands and call out the administration, the way they’ve been doing with Epstein and RFK. I also hope Simon will address this Wed. And I agree with him that the Democrats need to keep working on a narrative.
Why should Dems accept any Republican “offer” without an ironclad pledge that they will refuse a rescission vote, cancel the tariffs and force Trump to remove the military from city streets? And could they even be believed then? Ziblatt’s quote, mentioned by Simon, is instructive - appeasement is not an effective strategy for dealing with authoritarian fascists.
Right. I’m beginning to see that the choices seem to be to try to defund Trump’s government with a shutdown or stay open and try to make a stand that way. Ironically, the Democrats have finally begun to find their footing (belatedly) and have some really good resistance moves going. I realize I just don’t know—would want to hear more about how the defunding effort might play out.
Several have mentioned Klein's article which was excellent with one exception. He characterized it as the Dem's choice whether to shut down the government. Please read Josh Marshall's TPM article today where he lays responsibility for funding the government squarely at the feet of the GOP trifecta. Dem's need to present it that way.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/on-shutdowns-get-the-wording-right-and-other-thoughts/sharetoken/7b4cd666-4801-4425-be5e-87049546a0d2?utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=Backchannel%20600&utm_medium=email
Thanks Simon
On a different note any comments on the PA Supreme Court race? Critical that we win. Time for a joint effort?
Simon PA Supreme Court Race. Time to develop some help?
Diane, my 100 postcards are ready to mail!
I have a different set of 100 for Mikie and a spare 25
Anybody from PA? Would love a targeted list of “likely” voters
I am contacting my electeds and telling them to vote NO to any budget deals without the release of the Epstein files and killing Project 2025. Otherwise, the government gets shut down and there will be no money to fund Donald’s bullshit takeover of our country. No money for ICE shock troops, no money for gulag prisons, no money for Project 2025, no money for his wealthy oligarchs.
Simon, thanks for the helpful breakdown of the polls.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to express my concern about RFK making it impossible to get the COVID vaccine. I also contacted Governor Moore to ask him to join with other states that are ensuring that their citizens can get the vaccine. I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters today. I attended a local Dem get-together yesterday and volunteered to work the table at an upcoming fall festival event in a near-by town.
On a petty note, I can't say how much I enjoyed Trump being booed at the tennis match after the WH warned networks not to show him being booed. FAFO, as they say.
Gov. Moore has been bringing it! If you haven't seen his presser w Balto Mayor Brandon Scott, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/live/fGA1uPWViQY?si=hPSzjby66tNcVTqN
I feel that he is the right candidate for this moment. He really gets it and he connects, you can see and feel it.
I agree. He's doing a great job and has a LOT to deal with.
In line with Democrats upping their game, I recommend this post by Robert Leonard, "Democratic Leader Mitch Landrieu Parachutes into DSM [Des Moines, IA] to Learn from Labor Unions (Or not...)" https://rleonard.substack.com/p/democratic-leader-mitch-landrieu.
At the end Leonard writes, "I feel a little regret about being so hard on Mitch, because he is clearly accomplished and well-intentioned. But national Democrats don’t know what they are doing, and it’s time to rethink how to build power—and it’s from the bottom up."
Love Hopium Chronicles and follow your advice on what to do now. Have written (e-mails) to my Rep. Simpson (R-ID) and Senators Risch and Crapo in support of the four issues listed in the Chronicle. Have contributed to Sherrill and Spanberger. Also contacted my Rep. Simpson to ask him to sign discharge petition. Won't do much good but they need to hear from me -- again and again and again.
Something that Simon has mentioned from time to time is that we should take what we learn here and bring it back to our networks.
For example, my wife writes actions for our Indivisible local. These get posted on their website and go in their weekly newsletter. Some become standing actions. Her actions relate both to the nation and to our state, but in either case, she has been influenced by the Hopium approach.
So if you're involved in Indivisible, consider signing on to write actions for your local.
Help me understand. I apologize if I’m ignorant so I need people to explain. You are advocating that the Dems in Congress do those 4 things and Schumer is saying he’ll force a vote on rolling back tariffs. Fantastic! But is that possible? And if so, why haven’t they been “forcing” votes all along on important issues? I thought Dems can’t even get bills out of committee. Also, I live in MA so while I call my Reps and Sens, they are already going to vote as I’d like them to. But nothing seems to happen in Congress. Can’t they do sit-ins or use rules to block things? I’m just so confused why the Dems aren’t pulling out all the stops or maybe they are and I’m not hearing about it
Christie, I'll just give you my two cents. I tried a little thought experiment with myself. I reread your comment here and asked myself how I felt, and the answer was: a little worried, a little dispirited, certainly less likely to want to take action today. Then I went back and reread the last 3 or so paragraphs of Simon's post today -- starting with "On Friday Leader Schumer." And reading that made me feel better, more motivated, ready to call my Dem Senators and encourage their enthusiastic support of Schumer in his stance. For me, the point is simply that it's my choice what to focus on and what questions to ask ("how can I" instead of "why don't they") and where to put my limited resources of energy and effort. And that's what I plan to do every day.
Please just do one thing if you will. Watch this short video of Catelin Drey, who recently won an election in Iowa, and ask yourself how it makes you feel. For me, I can't watch this enough. https://substack.com/@jesscraven101/note/c-149755456?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=2ia0gw
Thank you, John, for your comment, so clearly and succinctly phrased, and for the link. Go team!!!
FYI: I have gone back and read Dear John's comment several times and find it to be exceptionally insightful, nuanced, and wise. It makes me happy to read it.
Wow, thank you!
You connected heart and mind, John, and, to me, anyway, that is all too rare these days and badly needed.
I agree. I’m tempted to print it out or put “how can I instead of why don’t they” on a sticky note.
Mmm. We're either reactive, dysregulated, toddler lunatics or impenetrable, unsentient, ideological automatons.
To be more clear, I found John’s comments uplifting and think they are worth remembering and referring to as a reminder to focus on what we can do and where we want to put our attention.
Ditto! And I was pointing out why I found it so compelling: because he was trying to reach out to someone in a way that few do these days, and I think it's important to note, of course, in addition to his inherent message about choosing where we place our investment. So, it's not just his wise and insightful message, it's the messenger.
Thank you for explaining further. I was concerned about coming across as one of the extremes. I appreciate what you pointed out. So rich and lovely. It warms my heart.
Self report
As discussed before, some of us here attended the One Million Rising non-cooperation training put on by No Kings (Indivisible and allies) One of the projects mentioned was Signs of Solidarity - educating local businesses about ICE raids and getting them into a public stance of non-cooperation with ICE. (you can watch videos of the trainings at nokings.org)
Our local Indivisible group took this up and began forming teams to go out and talk to local bisiness, then something happened to make the shit hit the fan -- to make the issue very real.
ICE conducted a massive raid last week on a family owned business in Cato, NY that makes nutrition bars and carted off dozens of people. Here's a news report on the raid
https://www.syracuse.com/news/2025/09/federal-agents-deputies-raid-central-new-york-nutrition-bar-manufacturing-plant.html
People are outraged. Even our out of the way area that no one ever talks about has become a target for these thugs.
Wineries are a big industry here and people are worried about raids during the harvest.
Several indivisible groups in the area have joined forces. I have been to two emergency demos in the past few days.
Our county Indivisible chapter will also be having a demo and submitting a letter at the meeting of our county legislature tonight demanding that our local law enforcement refuse any cooperation agreement with ICE. An adjacent county has entered into one and we are determined to prevent that here. Those with sources inside the legislature believe they are leaning our way - and most of the legislators are GOP BTW. However, Republicans own wineries and dairies too and don't want their workers seized and carted off.
There is something I want to know and maybe someone here can help. How do we find out whether ICE is hiring J6 convicts, Proud Boys and so on? If they have done this, I think it is important to make people aware of it. Harmless people making nutrition bars and such are being carted of by literal terrorists in the name of "public safety?"
My best guess is a FOIA, Freedom of Information request. But that's just a guess. It's the kind of thing ProPublica investigates.
I was texting over the weekend with close friends in Cato, about the raid and local response to it. How could they link up with your Indivisible group?
If they're in Cato, they should hook up with Oswego County Indivisible who is taking the lead
Here's their web site
https://www.indivisibleoc.com/
Here is their Blue sky
@indivisibleosco.bsky.social
There is a meeting of the Oswego legislature on Sept 11 and they are asking people attend and make public comments to speak out rejecting a cooperation agreement with ICE that maybe your friend could attend. The social has up to the minute what they are doing and what is happening on this issue
Thanks very much- I'll pass this along to them.
Always nice to see Fala.
HOPIUM____YOU RECOMMEND NOTHING ABOUT THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA. ARE SCARED OF AIPAC. WHERE ARE YOUR VALUES AND MORALS. DEMOCRATS NEED TO TAKE A STAND ON THIS MORAL QUESTION
I sent my senator Ron Wyden a letter last week in response to a fundraising request I got from his Portland office in the mail. I said I can’t in good conscience support his re-election campaign when he’s retirement age, his staff never answers the phone, and I watched him gaslight his own constituents about Gaza at his most recent town hall here when he was confronted about his continual votes in favor of more arms to Israel.
My other senator (Jeff Merkley) and my House Rep (Val Hoyle) have both been consistently against more arms to Israel, so I have repeatedly let them know that I appreciate that and that I will support, promote and even volunteer for their re-election campaigns.
Excellent, you act in a moral way;. That's what I hope Democrats will all soon do. We cannot ignore what happens in Gaza. We cannot keep financing that inhumane war. We ARE COMPLICIT
ok if you want to call yourself complicit, but this is not a forum for self abasement and rending, nor are you entitled to pass judgment
Self insight and knowledge is not self abasement or judgement, it is an important toll for self improvement. I know where you are coming from, and you are entitled to your opinion. I will not debate that
Peter, you are new here so I would encourage you to read our loose guidelines about discourse here - https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/hopium-housekeeing-itemspaid-subscribers.
This is a working place. We do things here. We are focused on defeating Trump and as we are a small place we cannot do everything. If you want to be part of that great. Make your case on the issues that matter to you. But your very first post indicted your displeasure with this community. Fine. Your call. But if that is what are you coming here to do I want to be clear that it is not welcome nor will it be tolerated. We don't have the bandwith or time for trolls. So come here, work inside our agenda and priorities and if they are not to your liking I am happy to refund your subscription and let you take your work elsewhere. This was not a great way to introduce yourself to all of us, particularly as I have a long and documented history of being incredibly critical of Bibi and his government - Simon HOPIUM____YOU RECOMMEND NOTHING ABOUT THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA. ARE SCARED OF AIPAC. WHERE ARE YOUR VALUES AND MORALS. DEMOCRATS NEED TO TAKE A STAND ON THIS MORAL QUESTION
I hope you sent this to SW also as he/she/they attacked me first, I was just defending my opinion
I hope you sent this to SW also, who attacked my comment
“We don't need someone who can think. We need someone with enough digits to hold a pen.”
- Grover Norquist
“Trumpism is a white power movement.”
- Stuart Stevens as told to the Wajahat Ali on “The Left-Hook” podcast.
“….Fat Black Women…”
- Dolos as reported by Michael Wolff (timestamp - 7:25): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZOg_EKBcqk .
Here are Professor Barbara Walter’s five suggestions for fighting authoritarianism:
https://barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/the-hidden-battle-that-decides-whether .
https://barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/authoritarian-power-is-mostly-performance .
https://barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/how-dictators-lose-control-of-the .
https://barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/4-storms-and-streets-break-regimes .
https://barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/5-how-to-break-a-tyrant .
We have been here before. Take a look at this cut from a famous Hepburn and Tracy 1942 movie, “Keeper of the Flame” (hint - fascism in the guise of “Americanism” described in a 2:39 minutes segment): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_abRxAL3hnw&list=TLPQMDEwOTIwMjVSQqso16VtDA . In the end, the strategy is always the same - “divide and conquer” with “hate against hate”.
I think that Allison Gill of “Mueller She Wrote” is correct to ask for the resignation of the current executive: https://www.muellershewrote.com/p/trump-must-resign-now . She deserves support. Thoughts?
Epstein, Epstein, Epstein. Out of the likely one thousand (or more) young trafficking victims of Epstein and his collaborators, some of them may have been quite close to Dolos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTUJIYOFj4c . In fact, the Daily Beast, a newish online magazine, was early to this story (i.e. ten years ago): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xggo5DWV0DQ&list=TLPQMTcwNzIwMjWpkhJgrt0Sxw . When followers of a cult find their leader to be untruthful, things begin to break in a meaningful way (see Dr. Hassan, timestamp - 27:20): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDE5X5Sf8I4 .
Folks:
Dolos is fading. He is not calling the shots - if he ever entirely did. Think of all of the different factions behind him with conflicting objectives, e.g. the now evident economic decline of the nation. All the Right-wing has needed since 2012 is a series of signatures. I give you Grover Norquist of “Americans for Tax Reform”: https://www.c-span.org/clip/campaign-2012/user-clip-we-dont-want-a-president-who-can-thinkwe-already-know-what-the-top-1-want-him-to-dohe-only-needs-to-be-capable-if-signing-with-a-pen/4019591 .
So, these people on the Right have been consistent in their objectives for decades. To paraphrase the former Republican operative and legacy Mississippian (with all that entails for race and class in America), Stuart Stevens, Dolos was always going to be the end result of the contemporary Republican Party. Here is an excellent interview of Mr. Stevens where he illuminates the centrality of race in our current and always dilemma (timestamps - 38:32, 41:50, 43:50*, 45:09, 45:47*, 48:16**, 49:10, and 51:57 ): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er_T6DVdVQ8 .
Hopefully, we will come to terms with this reality before the nation becomes another version of Russia but with better coverage for indoor plumbing. Yes, become like Russia— from the Carl Schmitt-influenced politics to the ownership of the means of production. In fact, a MIT Nobel Laureate economist made the same connection between our current “regime” and the Kremlin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmH_KweQi-o .
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
P.P.S.: DEMOCRATS (AND PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE) NEED TO HAVE “TOWN HALLS” IN REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS - ASAP. YOUR OPPONENTS HAVE WILLINGLY CONCEDED THE FIELD.