What follows is our "Fight Fire with Fire" contribution we emailed early this morning to CA, WI, Ill, and MA governors.
Dear Governors Newsome, Pritzker, Evers, and Healey,
The chances of you reading this email are probably slim. My wife and I, however, are fed up with the deceit, betrayal, destruction, fabrications, lawlessness, and financial mismanagement by the current GOP administration. Governor Newsome’s “FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE” motivated us to send the following to you.
Addressing pathological narcissism with severe approval-seeking and feedback resistance represents one of the most challenging scenarios in human behavior change. While some limited progress may be possible under specific circumstances involving sustained consequences and professional intervention, the realistic expectation should focus on damage control and protection rather than transformation.
The most effective approach often involves those around the individual developing strong boundaries, seeking their own therapeutic support, and creating systems that limit the narcissistic person's ability to exploit others while maintaining their grandiose delusions. This acknowledges the clinical reality while prioritizing the wellbeing of everyone involved in these destructive dynamics.
That said, how about putting the DC administration on the defensive, by saying whistleblowers in the DOJ, DOD, and the Executive Branch have disclosed, under the cloak of anonymity, the following allegation:
“TRUMP HAS THREATENED THE DOJ AND DOD THAT HE WILL RESCIND ALL FINANCIAL AND MEDICAL BENEFITS TO RETIRED, HOSPITALIZED, AND DISABLED MILITARY VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS IF THEY (THE DOJ) RELEASE THE FULL AND UNREDACTED EPSTEIN FILES.”
The Hill had an article this morning about a bipartisan bill by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Thomas Massie about the files. Rep. Khanna said that he is “very confident” in the passage of this bill for the release of all the Epstein files. "We will have the petition live on September 2nd. We have all 212 Democrats committed to signing it. He has 12 Republicans. Only six of them have to sign it.”
It is very good news that it is being requested, US House of Representatives reclaiming its authority is essential to this fight. I relish all good news in the Hopium Spirit. Right now it is in the competent hands of Constitutional Scholar Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.
Each counterpunch by Democrats is making history, written for us, written for the courts, written for posterity. The Saboteur has made a lot of enemies out there, more every day, whistleblowers included.
I, for one, do not welcome your negativity. Couldn't you at least wait to see what happens if you find it difficult to express positivity at this development?
"The Massie-Khanna resolution would call for the materials to be made public with redactions only for the purposes of protecting names of victims, hiding sexually explicit content and in instances where ongoing legal cases could be compromised. In other words, the lawmakers want to guarantee the identities of Epstein’s associates, if applicable, are revealed." https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/22/congress-trump-doj-epstein-files-00519316
And as Americans, we should be reminded that when a president goes rogue, the "first responders" are our Peoples' House. This has been a major point of failure. 219 of the first responders have gone rogue too. Amazing.
I appreciate your encouragement to Gov Healey, but she has chosen a keep-her-head-down approach except when she's on tv. When she was our A.G., she brought plenty of fight to Trump during his first term, but there's essentially no political risk to that in MA, and she was avoidant on cases that would have taken a little courage dealing with policing or political corruption. As governor, she's been fairly moderate, sometimes creative with policy, and occasionally really right-wing. From MA, watch instead what our senators and some of our reps do. This week, it'll be Rep. Ayanna Pressley, herself a sexual abuse survivor.
Hello all - I'm following Simon's request to self-report on activities. By way of introduction, I am the founder and director of Indivisible Marin, a group with 13k members throughout the US.
We have recently focused on developing materials to encourage ALL OF US to use personal outreach to grow our movement to the necessary 3.5%. Personal outreach is very easy and basic and we can all do it at our convenience while going about our daily lives. Three tactics we highlight in our toolkit and in two short videos are: casual conversations, hosting a gathering, and self-organizing a small protest (just 8-10) people. All of these approaches are HIGHLY effective at recruiting more people to join the fight. Here are the related links:
Let's all do our parts to get to 3.5%! It's easy when we put some simple new practices into place in our daily lives. Thanks for checking out the materials and considering taking the recommended actions!
Simon... it may be a "quasi-quiet" weekend, but Heather Cox Richardson's latest post shows they are decimating wind / renewable energy projects! Too saddddd to contemplate!
As a European, I find it strange to see Labor Day on the American calendar – apparently without any celebration of American workers. So radically different from the International Workers’ Day that is celebrated in Europe and elsewhere.
Some telling numbers:
"The share of U.S. workers who belonged to a union in 2024 stood at 9.9%, down from 1983 when 20.1% of American workers were union members."
After Pres. Biden's awful performance during the debate last year, the news media couldn't publish enough on his health. So where is the legacy media coverage of Trump's deteriorating mental and physical health? Are you unable to cover it due to NDIs? The American people deserve to get the truth if Trump is declining, and factual information might give Congress the will to start working for their constituents rather than the President.
"factual information might give Congress the will"
I believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that the key members of MAGA in Congress know what is going on. And are making their plans.
My MAGA Congressman treats his gerrymandered constituents like mushrooms: Keeps 'em in the dark and feeds 'em shit. Plenty of thoughts and prayers. (But not for the victims of the guy who shot up the CDC.)
Since 2016, I have given up on the MSM covering Trump without sane washing everything he does and says. The best they can do is write "it appears" that Trump fill in the blank. "Appears", um no, he lies, he is incoherent, looks terrible, is overweight, he is ORANGE for Pete's sake, wears makeup that whomever does it for Trump, must hate him, can't remember which Governor is which, etc. Don't even get me started on Melania's "modeling" career. Remember how the MSM went after Michelle Obama for showing her arms?
I think this story will break through to MSM in the coming days and weeks. It is all over the blue stream media, substack, bullwark, meidas touch, etc, etc. Tim Miller's update yesterday shows just how profound Trump's decline, and like the Epstein Files... it... just... wont... go ... away.
In North Carolina, Roy Cooper running for Senate at the top of the ticket will get most of the press attention and large donations. To take back the NC supreme court and reverse the most gerrymandered state in the country, I request that you also support Anita Earls. She has been a tireless and effective advocate for civil rights throughout her career and retaining her seat is absolutely necessary to take back the court. It is arguably the most important statewide race, but it will get far less attention.
Postcards for Democracy is sending huge numbers of post cards re the Supreme Court there urging people to vote November 4 re-elect all three justices who are running and are Democrats.
I took a break over the past 10 days to catch up on work deadlines and deadlines. I’m getting back to some of it. I found I couldn’t leave a voicemail for the Governor (OH) because it is always full so I sent email messages about the OH National Guard in DC!
Leaving messages with both Republican Senators and Rep. Beatty.
Besides Labor Day events and Congress coming back, two other things I'll be watching this week: there's a hearing on Wednesday I believe with many of Epstein's and Maxwell's victims, and there will be an announcement of No Kings #2 -- both broadcast on MeidasTouch.
A Washington Post editorial a couple days ago talked about the negative impact of the tariffs on an aluminum company in Wisconsin. What struck me was the author said many CEOs oppose the tariffs but don’t speak out over fear of retaliation. I’ll try to share the piece.
Hello Community! I am very interested in joining any resolution team or effort or effort in California. I live in Berkeley. I also believe the Gov Newsom needs to introduce a resolution that can be published and distributed in conjunction with the re-districting vote. And handed out at protests. I would appreciate a good contact to guide me in moving these resolutions along and contacting Governor Newsom. My text information is 415-203-0633. Thank you, Catherine
Thank you Deborah! How do I contact her? I am not on twitter etc. appreciate your response and would love to get to work! Are the Indivisibles assisting in any way? I am attending protests and would like to pass out the draft resolutions in Oakland and Berkeley .
Not much good for anything this weekend except tending to my own proverbial "backyard."
The stakes are so high for the next few weeks/months, I have to bank my energy, smarts (?), and resolve.
Heard Noem on Face the Nation. Couldn't stand to look at her. What a vile individual. What malice is in that black heart of hers? What makes these people the way they are? How lucky she is to have found her perverse tribe. How unlucky for the rest of us.
Stopped in at the American Museum of Natural History. I meandered around the exhibit on human evolution, of all things. The place was overrun with kids trying to learn, wanting to learn.
I went to the Hall of Primates, faced a chimp and a bonobo ("Are you my mother?"), wondering how far we've really come.
Read the reactions to the now-closed exhibits of Indigenous people. I was grateful that we evolved to consider more inclusive perspectives on presenting others whose agency has been taken away from them. And it really hit home what Trump is trying to do to history and how we teach our children. How we stand up as a society collectively, for who we are and how we have arrived at our current state—the whole picture. Without the entire picture, what's the point?
States in my area, New England and New York, are organizing something like a regional cdc to provide accurate scientific advice on vaccines and I hope other health issues. Still no vaccines here in MA.
What follows is our "Fight Fire with Fire" contribution we emailed early this morning to CA, WI, Ill, and MA governors.
Dear Governors Newsome, Pritzker, Evers, and Healey,
The chances of you reading this email are probably slim. My wife and I, however, are fed up with the deceit, betrayal, destruction, fabrications, lawlessness, and financial mismanagement by the current GOP administration. Governor Newsome’s “FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE” motivated us to send the following to you.
Addressing pathological narcissism with severe approval-seeking and feedback resistance represents one of the most challenging scenarios in human behavior change. While some limited progress may be possible under specific circumstances involving sustained consequences and professional intervention, the realistic expectation should focus on damage control and protection rather than transformation.
The most effective approach often involves those around the individual developing strong boundaries, seeking their own therapeutic support, and creating systems that limit the narcissistic person's ability to exploit others while maintaining their grandiose delusions. This acknowledges the clinical reality while prioritizing the wellbeing of everyone involved in these destructive dynamics.
That said, how about putting the DC administration on the defensive, by saying whistleblowers in the DOJ, DOD, and the Executive Branch have disclosed, under the cloak of anonymity, the following allegation:
“TRUMP HAS THREATENED THE DOJ AND DOD THAT HE WILL RESCIND ALL FINANCIAL AND MEDICAL BENEFITS TO RETIRED, HOSPITALIZED, AND DISABLED MILITARY VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS IF THEY (THE DOJ) RELEASE THE FULL AND UNREDACTED EPSTEIN FILES.”
The Hill had an article this morning about a bipartisan bill by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Thomas Massie about the files. Rep. Khanna said that he is “very confident” in the passage of this bill for the release of all the Epstein files. "We will have the petition live on September 2nd. We have all 212 Democrats committed to signing it. He has 12 Republicans. Only six of them have to sign it.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5479467-khanna-confident-in-passage-epstein-files-bill/
Great news!
I’m not convinced they’ll release the files. Who’s going to enforce it?
It is very good news that it is being requested, US House of Representatives reclaiming its authority is essential to this fight. I relish all good news in the Hopium Spirit. Right now it is in the competent hands of Constitutional Scholar Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.
Each counterpunch by Democrats is making history, written for us, written for the courts, written for posterity. The Saboteur has made a lot of enemies out there, more every day, whistleblowers included.
https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/judiciary-democrats-demand-answers-following-trump-doj-s-sudden-transfer-of-convicted-child-abuser-and-epstein-accomplice-ghislaine-maxwell-after-interview-with-top-doj-official
I agree with all that. I just think the WH is going to stonewall them.
I, for one, do not welcome your negativity. Couldn't you at least wait to see what happens if you find it difficult to express positivity at this development?
Ok. I’m glad they are fighting because it’ll make them look bad. Whatever is in there it’s beyond bad for Trump.
Unredacted files?
"The Massie-Khanna resolution would call for the materials to be made public with redactions only for the purposes of protecting names of victims, hiding sexually explicit content and in instances where ongoing legal cases could be compromised. In other words, the lawmakers want to guarantee the identities of Epstein’s associates, if applicable, are revealed." https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/22/congress-trump-doj-epstein-files-00519316
And as Americans, we should be reminded that when a president goes rogue, the "first responders" are our Peoples' House. This has been a major point of failure. 219 of the first responders have gone rogue too. Amazing.
I appreciate your encouragement to Gov Healey, but she has chosen a keep-her-head-down approach except when she's on tv. When she was our A.G., she brought plenty of fight to Trump during his first term, but there's essentially no political risk to that in MA, and she was avoidant on cases that would have taken a little courage dealing with policing or political corruption. As governor, she's been fairly moderate, sometimes creative with policy, and occasionally really right-wing. From MA, watch instead what our senators and some of our reps do. This week, it'll be Rep. Ayanna Pressley, herself a sexual abuse survivor.
Healy doesn’t respond to any of my messages or letters. All my state and congressional reps do, albeit automized. Disappointing about Healy.
Thanks Gaylen. That’s too bad. Gotta keep tryin’! Politics is a cut throat game.
Hello all - I'm following Simon's request to self-report on activities. By way of introduction, I am the founder and director of Indivisible Marin, a group with 13k members throughout the US.
We have recently focused on developing materials to encourage ALL OF US to use personal outreach to grow our movement to the necessary 3.5%. Personal outreach is very easy and basic and we can all do it at our convenience while going about our daily lives. Three tactics we highlight in our toolkit and in two short videos are: casual conversations, hosting a gathering, and self-organizing a small protest (just 8-10) people. All of these approaches are HIGHLY effective at recruiting more people to join the fight. Here are the related links:
Webpage with toolkit: https://www.indivisiblemarin.org/personal-outreach
Video presentation covering toolkit (12 minutes): https://youtu.be/mKbiyCsoSoE?si=V7lK8AxwJWcZfFUH
Short video (3 minutes) for social media sharing with volunteer testimonials: https://youtu.be/l_Qc1iEQjwU?si=01vd2YacVAgAbS9X
Let's all do our parts to get to 3.5%! It's easy when we put some simple new practices into place in our daily lives. Thanks for checking out the materials and considering taking the recommended actions!
Simon... it may be a "quasi-quiet" weekend, but Heather Cox Richardson's latest post shows they are decimating wind / renewable energy projects! Too saddddd to contemplate!
Funny, we were just hearing about this in Rhode Island. Yes, very sad stuff.
Thinking of a good Labor Day song. Like Joan Baez' song about Joe Hill.
This might be my favorite > "There is Power in a Union" by Billy Bragg.
"Now the lessons of the past were all learned with workers' blood, the mistakes of the bosses we must pay for....
"What a comfort to the widow; a light to the child... there is power in a union."
https://youtu.be/4CkFPyH8v1c?si=AZKhoIOoqVIBg9w3
Maybe Step by Step as sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock. Here’s a link https://youtu.be/tZpLPupckOg?si=inMQMSoGwVKduT22
Wow... adding that to my Labor Day playlist... thank you.
As a European, I find it strange to see Labor Day on the American calendar – apparently without any celebration of American workers. So radically different from the International Workers’ Day that is celebrated in Europe and elsewhere.
Some telling numbers:
"The share of U.S. workers who belonged to a union in 2024 stood at 9.9%, down from 1983 when 20.1% of American workers were union members."
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/08/27/majorities-of-adults-see-decline-of-union-membership-as-bad-for-the-us-and-working-people/
In 2020, over 50% of Norwegian workers were union members. For Denmark, the figure was 67%, and for Iceland 91.4%.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1356735/labor-unions-most-unionized-countries-worldwide/
I contacted ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS:
After Pres. Biden's awful performance during the debate last year, the news media couldn't publish enough on his health. So where is the legacy media coverage of Trump's deteriorating mental and physical health? Are you unable to cover it due to NDIs? The American people deserve to get the truth if Trump is declining, and factual information might give Congress the will to start working for their constituents rather than the President.
"factual information might give Congress the will"
I believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that the key members of MAGA in Congress know what is going on. And are making their plans.
My MAGA Congressman treats his gerrymandered constituents like mushrooms: Keeps 'em in the dark and feeds 'em shit. Plenty of thoughts and prayers. (But not for the victims of the guy who shot up the CDC.)
Since 2016, I have given up on the MSM covering Trump without sane washing everything he does and says. The best they can do is write "it appears" that Trump fill in the blank. "Appears", um no, he lies, he is incoherent, looks terrible, is overweight, he is ORANGE for Pete's sake, wears makeup that whomever does it for Trump, must hate him, can't remember which Governor is which, etc. Don't even get me started on Melania's "modeling" career. Remember how the MSM went after Michelle Obama for showing her arms?
Good point about the incomparable and brilliant Michelle Obama and the double standard on clothes. Though it was never really about her arms.
Definitely not about her arms, I agree. Ugh. Thank goodness for the three dots and edit
I think this story will break through to MSM in the coming days and weeks. It is all over the blue stream media, substack, bullwark, meidas touch, etc, etc. Tim Miller's update yesterday shows just how profound Trump's decline, and like the Epstein Files... it... just... wont... go ... away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtobrtxfdXY
He went off on a rant on his media thingy about a large crack in the "soft limestone" of the paved over rose garden. Oh, he's in great shape alright.
I could not help but think that our White House is turning into Weekend at Bernie's.
Weekend at Bernie’s? I assure you, Bernie Sanders has absolutely no interest in hosting Trump or anyone else from the White House for a weekend visit!
/s
Millie Polli Haskell...Simon, I hope you're catch will be plentiful. If not, enjoy your day. It's a great way to relax!
In North Carolina, Roy Cooper running for Senate at the top of the ticket will get most of the press attention and large donations. To take back the NC supreme court and reverse the most gerrymandered state in the country, I request that you also support Anita Earls. She has been a tireless and effective advocate for civil rights throughout her career and retaining her seat is absolutely necessary to take back the court. It is arguably the most important statewide race, but it will get far less attention.
https://earls4justice.com
Is it possible to make the link above to support cooper a joint link with Anita Earls or to add her to your list of high priority races?
Simon, I agree with Matt about Anita Earles. Cooper will get the funds but she won't. We can't take back the awful NC Supreme Court without her.
She was at the No Kings rally in Durham and gave a great speech. Yes, her seat is essential!
done
Postcards for Democracy is sending huge numbers of post cards re the Supreme Court there urging people to vote November 4 re-elect all three justices who are running and are Democrats.
I took a break over the past 10 days to catch up on work deadlines and deadlines. I’m getting back to some of it. I found I couldn’t leave a voicemail for the Governor (OH) because it is always full so I sent email messages about the OH National Guard in DC!
Leaving messages with both Republican Senators and Rep. Beatty.
Besides Labor Day events and Congress coming back, two other things I'll be watching this week: there's a hearing on Wednesday I believe with many of Epstein's and Maxwell's victims, and there will be an announcement of No Kings #2 -- both broadcast on MeidasTouch.
Reuters
Judge blocks Trump from withholding funds from Los Angeles, other sanctuary cities
Dietrich Knauth and Nate Raymond
Fri, August 22, 2025 at 10:29 PM EDT
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/judge-blocks-trump-withholding-funds-022926977.html
Slow news, maybe, but not no news: Per Dan Pfeiffer, rump is hiring private firms to deploy AI to deny Medicare coverage. https://open.substack.com/pub/messagebox/p/did-you-know-trump-is-bringing-ai?r=27igv1&utm_medium=ios
Yeah, that's not going to end well for anybody. People already know they are being screwed, this will just make it worse.
A Washington Post editorial a couple days ago talked about the negative impact of the tariffs on an aluminum company in Wisconsin. What struck me was the author said many CEOs oppose the tariffs but don’t speak out over fear of retaliation. I’ll try to share the piece.
https://wapo.st/45Y9RNY
Hello Community! I am very interested in joining any resolution team or effort or effort in California. I live in Berkeley. I also believe the Gov Newsom needs to introduce a resolution that can be published and distributed in conjunction with the re-districting vote. And handed out at protests. I would appreciate a good contact to guide me in moving these resolutions along and contacting Governor Newsom. My text information is 415-203-0633. Thank you, Catherine
Hi Catherine. UPDATE: I don't think a resolution for the City of Berkeley has been drafed. I copied your message, and responses will be in the dedicated chat for resolutions. https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/hopium-resolutions-project-discussion/comments
Thank you Deborah! How do I contact her? I am not on twitter etc. appreciate your response and would love to get to work! Are the Indivisibles assisting in any way? I am attending protests and would like to pass out the draft resolutions in Oakland and Berkeley .
I updated my response, Catherine, since I have not heard back from her for some time. You can look for info from your cross post I put in the dedicated chat. https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/hopium-resolutions-project-discussion/comment/151087419
Self-Report:
Not much good for anything this weekend except tending to my own proverbial "backyard."
The stakes are so high for the next few weeks/months, I have to bank my energy, smarts (?), and resolve.
Heard Noem on Face the Nation. Couldn't stand to look at her. What a vile individual. What malice is in that black heart of hers? What makes these people the way they are? How lucky she is to have found her perverse tribe. How unlucky for the rest of us.
Stopped in at the American Museum of Natural History. I meandered around the exhibit on human evolution, of all things. The place was overrun with kids trying to learn, wanting to learn.
I went to the Hall of Primates, faced a chimp and a bonobo ("Are you my mother?"), wondering how far we've really come.
Read the reactions to the now-closed exhibits of Indigenous people. I was grateful that we evolved to consider more inclusive perspectives on presenting others whose agency has been taken away from them. And it really hit home what Trump is trying to do to history and how we teach our children. How we stand up as a society collectively, for who we are and how we have arrived at our current state—the whole picture. Without the entire picture, what's the point?
Gotta admit, I was a little weepy.
Fellow Oregonians:
New Mexico has issued a public health order to relieve pharmacies in the state from being limited by federal policy on who can get the covid vaccine.
Oregon needs to do the same. Immediately.
OHA doesn’t have a constituent comment line that I’ve been able to find, but our attorney general’s and governor’s offices do.
Oregon Attorney General’s office: (503) 378-6002
Governor Kotek’s office: (503) 378-4582
Here is more info https://www.nmhealth.org/news/vaccine/2025/8/?view=2267
States in my area, New England and New York, are organizing something like a regional cdc to provide accurate scientific advice on vaccines and I hope other health issues. Still no vaccines here in MA.