Trump got blown out in the November elections. He lost the shutdown fight. And now the Epstein scandal has exploded - Republicans are right to be panicking.
Enjoy deep breaths, warm sunshine and a bountiful harvest today. Well-earned!! Last year was the "winter of our discontent." Not this year or next--if we continue to work hard together. Thanks for inspiring us and giving us the tools we need for success.
This sentence says it all. “So for me the lesson of the fall so far is that when we fight him - the shutdown, the elections - we can beat him. It is why we should be more confident now, more ambitious.”
And here is a Canadian take on Trump. Bob Rae just left his post as Canadian ambassador to the UN.
Below is a link to his message about Trump and propaganda. He is concise and worth listening to.
Yes, Canadians care about the battle against Trump and the technology of lies.
Speaking of which, I am forever grateful to the witless Trump for unwittingly helping to lift the Liberal Party to election victory in Canada! Likewise lifting Labor in Australia, and helping the center-left to victory in so many countries.
Thanks for sharing the Bob Rae clip. I like the term “professional lying” that he uses. Very apt description of what people like Leavitt and Johnson do.
This terrific article by Any Borowitz on Marjorie Taylor Greene is not to be missed! For once he’s not writing satire, but his turn of phrase and scathing sarcasm is truly a thing to behold – to be savored with good coffee or a fine wine.
Really funny, thanks for sharing that. I wonder whether AOC is right and MTG’s seeming transformation is all just cynical revenge. I’d like to believe people can change, and that at least some of it is enlightenment- seeing the real impact this evil cabal has had on real people like the Epstein survivors, or her own children, or the people who work for her business. Maybe time will tell.
Self-report. I’m currently involved in the following actions, all under the umbrella of our local Indivisible team:
-Managing a Letters to the Editor campaign, signing folks up and following up with them so we have one letter to the editor published weekly in all the local newspapers.
-Member of a team that interviews subject matter experts on local negative impacts from the Big UGLY Bill and distributes the YouTube recording and printed transcripts to radio and print media throughout the county.
-Member of a Community Resistance team in my rural town that plans and executes actions to minimize the damage being done by this regime, including donations to food banks and pantries, writing to thank our steadfast members of Congress for fighting back, sending postcards, taking training on Rapid Response to ICE in our community. We have compiled a list of other action items to start working on, as well.
- Continuing to work on our local Indivisible Leadership team, organizing protests and other events to say NO KINGS and HANDS OFF our democracy and moderating two FB pages.
-I just signed up to deliver senior meals in my community.
All of this activity keeps me engaged and enthusiastic, because I don’t have time to dwell on the negative.
Please shine a light on the last Congressional election of 2025 here in TN-07! The Cook Report just downgraded the district from Republican to Leaning Republican. WHAT!? Democrat Aftyn Behn (pronounced Bain) is a strong progressive current State House Rep. with the backing of the DNC. She's up against a Trump-endorsed MAGA bootlicker. Early voting ends Nov. 26th, with the election on Dec. 2nd. www.aftynforcongress.com @aftynbehn.bsky.social
Thank you. As Dr. Zeke -- boots on the ground in PA -- likes to say: "The next election is the most important one." Thank you.
People in TN-7 are going to be gathering next week over Thanksgiving dinner. Award-winning political cartoonist for the Chattanooga newspaper -- Clay Bennett -- just released his latest ... "Horn of Plenty" v. "Horn of Affordability." Lots of "space" in that second one.
Ali Velshi interviewed her (link).... what a GREAT candidate!
Thanks for the usual uplifting data, Simon, and the photo of your beautiful peppers! Also, I love the fact that you utilized the pronoun "he" without first referencing who "he" was because it wasn't necessary! I think that we need to stop saying "his" name altogether!!!
Greetings, Simon, and Thanks for your Sunday post! I have just left a message for Rep Jeff Hurd. I actually complimented him for working with that group of Dems who had a role in reopening the Gov. Like you, I did not support the breaking with mass of elected Dems, and also like you I realize their actions were motivated by good and not by evil.
I also criticized Hurd for being silent about RFK JR’s doing grave harm to millions across the Country by his actions. I urged him to repudiate Mr Kennedy, and to seek his removal or resignation.
I would like you to invite Lawrence O’Donnell for an interview. He explains so clearly and passionately the damage of tariffs and also reasons that Repubs really lost ground in capitulating on the shutdown. One more contribution O’Donnell has made is his articulation of the enormously strong, reasoned, and passionate leadership that Leaders Schumer and Jeffries are giving us. In particular, O’Donnell brilliantly explains the masterful work that Schumer did in the run-up to the huge Dem election wins, urging the Dems who’d be voting to end the shutdown to hold off until after the Nov 4 election. An O’Donnell interview with you would extend the savoring and celebrating of the Nov 4 Dem election win!
By the way, I have succeeded in moving some folks in my friendship circle to join Hopium Chronicles.
Brian Tyler Cohen interviews Ro Khanna on the state of the discharge petition to release the Epstein Files, as well as Khanna's progressive view of the opportunities for the way forward. I've said it before... we may well be moving away from left v right and towards We the People v "the Epstein class", i.e. the entrenched elites.
Enjoy the last of that nice weather and enjoy your smoker. Pork chops are great on the smoker. So is an Amish chicken that is trussed (just add salt inside and out). Potatoes are great too. I use different Penzeys a lot with the Big Green Egg. Check out the 2 Meathead cookbooks.
Called my reps this morning (all R) and said Trump needs to step down.
Organizing for two VR events this week.
Supporting the launch of North Texas Votes. https://www.ntxvotes.org/. We have super volunteers who give multiple hours/days a week but need a paid staff person to keep things coordinated and moving forward. Texas makes this work really tough—please let your peeps know about this group!
Just returned from to a trip to Bordeaux…winemakers just factually talked about the adjustments they are making in response to climate change. No political spin at all…just factual and the steps they are taking. OTOH, US wants to go back to the Dark Ages.
Millie Polli Haskell....Reporting-first, Simon, it sounds like You are enjoying your day, and I am relaxing and enjoying mine as well. The weather here in Florida has been beautiful lately, especially morning's. But I did make my calls to Sen. Scott and Rep. Luna. I was Very, Very, Very LOUD and DEMANDED they Read, and Act Upon "Our Four Part Agenda".
What is Life? That You are here- that Life Exists and Identity, that the Powerful Play goes on, and You may Contribute a Verse. Walt Whitman
In yesterday's Hopium chat, I posted some information about the Transparent Election Initiative (aka The Montana Plan) that would change Montana's Constitution to end dark money and corporate spending in politics. For my fellow Hopiates interested in more information, here's an article that explains its origin and potential for success in more detail.
Enjoy deep breaths, warm sunshine and a bountiful harvest today. Well-earned!! Last year was the "winter of our discontent." Not this year or next--if we continue to work hard together. Thanks for inspiring us and giving us the tools we need for success.
“Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York;
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths;”
Etc. (Probably best not to take the analogy too far since the lines are delivered by Richard III, but that first part is nice and apt)
Fresno peppers! Yum. Sounds like you are having a NorCal November. Enjoy!
This sentence says it all. “So for me the lesson of the fall so far is that when we fight him - the shutdown, the elections - we can beat him. It is why we should be more confident now, more ambitious.”
And here is a Canadian take on Trump. Bob Rae just left his post as Canadian ambassador to the UN.
Below is a link to his message about Trump and propaganda. He is concise and worth listening to.
Yes, Canadians care about the battle against Trump and the technology of lies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I49V00f6bck
Speaking of which, I am forever grateful to the witless Trump for unwittingly helping to lift the Liberal Party to election victory in Canada! Likewise lifting Labor in Australia, and helping the center-left to victory in so many countries.
So... I guess the U.S. has been 'taking it for the team', eh? Team Earth, that its.
Thanks for sharing the Bob Rae clip. I like the term “professional lying” that he uses. Very apt description of what people like Leavitt and Johnson do.
Great job! Onward!
This terrific article by Any Borowitz on Marjorie Taylor Greene is not to be missed! For once he’s not writing satire, but his turn of phrase and scathing sarcasm is truly a thing to behold – to be savored with good coffee or a fine wine.
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/who-will-replace-mtg-in-trumps-clown
Really funny, thanks for sharing that. I wonder whether AOC is right and MTG’s seeming transformation is all just cynical revenge. I’d like to believe people can change, and that at least some of it is enlightenment- seeing the real impact this evil cabal has had on real people like the Epstein survivors, or her own children, or the people who work for her business. Maybe time will tell.
People can change. But don't read too much into mtg's changes. Many are predicting she'll run for senate or worse.
Great minds think alike: Meidas on increasing calls for Trump's departure:
https://youtu.be/JqVKyz0cCnc?si=vgxvfZ_hJGzKZppK
Self-report. I’m currently involved in the following actions, all under the umbrella of our local Indivisible team:
-Managing a Letters to the Editor campaign, signing folks up and following up with them so we have one letter to the editor published weekly in all the local newspapers.
-Member of a team that interviews subject matter experts on local negative impacts from the Big UGLY Bill and distributes the YouTube recording and printed transcripts to radio and print media throughout the county.
-Member of a Community Resistance team in my rural town that plans and executes actions to minimize the damage being done by this regime, including donations to food banks and pantries, writing to thank our steadfast members of Congress for fighting back, sending postcards, taking training on Rapid Response to ICE in our community. We have compiled a list of other action items to start working on, as well.
- Continuing to work on our local Indivisible Leadership team, organizing protests and other events to say NO KINGS and HANDS OFF our democracy and moderating two FB pages.
-I just signed up to deliver senior meals in my community.
All of this activity keeps me engaged and enthusiastic, because I don’t have time to dwell on the negative.
Wow! Talk about “doing the work to make it so.”
I’m retired, so I have lots of free time to fill!
Please shine a light on the last Congressional election of 2025 here in TN-07! The Cook Report just downgraded the district from Republican to Leaning Republican. WHAT!? Democrat Aftyn Behn (pronounced Bain) is a strong progressive current State House Rep. with the backing of the DNC. She's up against a Trump-endorsed MAGA bootlicker. Early voting ends Nov. 26th, with the election on Dec. 2nd. www.aftynforcongress.com @aftynbehn.bsky.social
Thank you. As Dr. Zeke -- boots on the ground in PA -- likes to say: "The next election is the most important one." Thank you.
People in TN-7 are going to be gathering next week over Thanksgiving dinner. Award-winning political cartoonist for the Chattanooga newspaper -- Clay Bennett -- just released his latest ... "Horn of Plenty" v. "Horn of Affordability." Lots of "space" in that second one.
Ali Velshi interviewed her (link).... what a GREAT candidate!
https://youtu.be/QPSEScu8gxM?si=u_eNR27lJwjFk2Br
Thanks for the usual uplifting data, Simon, and the photo of your beautiful peppers! Also, I love the fact that you utilized the pronoun "he" without first referencing who "he" was because it wasn't necessary! I think that we need to stop saying "his" name altogether!!!
Greetings, Simon, and Thanks for your Sunday post! I have just left a message for Rep Jeff Hurd. I actually complimented him for working with that group of Dems who had a role in reopening the Gov. Like you, I did not support the breaking with mass of elected Dems, and also like you I realize their actions were motivated by good and not by evil.
I also criticized Hurd for being silent about RFK JR’s doing grave harm to millions across the Country by his actions. I urged him to repudiate Mr Kennedy, and to seek his removal or resignation.
I would like you to invite Lawrence O’Donnell for an interview. He explains so clearly and passionately the damage of tariffs and also reasons that Repubs really lost ground in capitulating on the shutdown. One more contribution O’Donnell has made is his articulation of the enormously strong, reasoned, and passionate leadership that Leaders Schumer and Jeffries are giving us. In particular, O’Donnell brilliantly explains the masterful work that Schumer did in the run-up to the huge Dem election wins, urging the Dems who’d be voting to end the shutdown to hold off until after the Nov 4 election. An O’Donnell interview with you would extend the savoring and celebrating of the Nov 4 Dem election win!
By the way, I have succeeded in moving some folks in my friendship circle to join Hopium Chronicles.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s visit with you!
Fredrick L “Rick” Silverman
Thanks so much for all you do!
Brian Tyler Cohen interviews Ro Khanna on the state of the discharge petition to release the Epstein Files, as well as Khanna's progressive view of the opportunities for the way forward. I've said it before... we may well be moving away from left v right and towards We the People v "the Epstein class", i.e. the entrenched elites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B7utfHCWpI
Enjoy the last of that nice weather and enjoy your smoker. Pork chops are great on the smoker. So is an Amish chicken that is trussed (just add salt inside and out). Potatoes are great too. I use different Penzeys a lot with the Big Green Egg. Check out the 2 Meathead cookbooks.
Called my reps this morning (all R) and said Trump needs to step down.
Organizing for two VR events this week.
Supporting the launch of North Texas Votes. https://www.ntxvotes.org/. We have super volunteers who give multiple hours/days a week but need a paid staff person to keep things coordinated and moving forward. Texas makes this work really tough—please let your peeps know about this group!
Agree—“professional lying” is great.
Just returned from to a trip to Bordeaux…winemakers just factually talked about the adjustments they are making in response to climate change. No political spin at all…just factual and the steps they are taking. OTOH, US wants to go back to the Dark Ages.
Millie Polli Haskell....Reporting-first, Simon, it sounds like You are enjoying your day, and I am relaxing and enjoying mine as well. The weather here in Florida has been beautiful lately, especially morning's. But I did make my calls to Sen. Scott and Rep. Luna. I was Very, Very, Very LOUD and DEMANDED they Read, and Act Upon "Our Four Part Agenda".
What is Life? That You are here- that Life Exists and Identity, that the Powerful Play goes on, and You may Contribute a Verse. Walt Whitman
I've always loved his Poetry.
In yesterday's Hopium chat, I posted some information about the Transparent Election Initiative (aka The Montana Plan) that would change Montana's Constitution to end dark money and corporate spending in politics. For my fellow Hopiates interested in more information, here's an article that explains its origin and potential for success in more detail.
https://truthout.org/articles/montana-has-an-ambitious-plan-to-end-dark-money-in-elections/