NC's Thom Tillis talked about the death threats. While I think this must have been completely terrifying and understand feeling paralyzed, I think that it would have been best handled by immediately calling a press conference, talking about exactly what was threatened, and saying, "I'm calling on the president and all involved to condemn this sort of behavior. This is not the type of behavior we want associated with our party." I think that would have emboldened other GOP legislators to come forward and say that they too had been threatened. Despicable that anyone would threaten someone else's life, but also despicable that Tillis and others changed their votes because of it.
And, you know, the poor white men who had to experience death threats for the first time. But do they think AOC doesn't get them every day? Ilhan Omar? Sarah McBride? Do they know about the teachers and librarians who get death threats because of Republican talking points? Every private and public person who has ever made MAGA mad? Do they know how many schools go on lockdown every day? Do your job, protect the country. And maybe ban guns!
On a very related note: We may recall how Trump ordered the removal of Secret Service protection of numerous ex-officials, including some that were living under credible death threats from e.g. Iran.
Robert Reich shared a list of organizations that you can donate in to support Ukraine. I sent the list out to my friends and family. Every little bit helps!
The number for total amount donated has not budged over the past two days, but i'm thinking a lot more has to have come in during that time. No time to keep up?
This passage will stand the test of time. As Ben Meislas says, soon will begin the summer of democracy. "It was a dark week for our country, but I end it knowing that Trump is weaker than he appears right now, and our movement stronger. With all that is going on it is really important what we all plan to be as loud as we can this week. Republicans need to feel and hear us this week, and we must keep fighting to prevent them from doing even more harm to this remarkable nation and it’s gritty and wonderful people."
These supporting rallies are indeed surging. The Bexar County Democratic Party (San Antonio) is holding a rally today at city hall. We’re to bring flags and signs supporting Ukraine!
I just submitted a letter to the editor commenting that the Trump/Vance dishonorable behavior will result in renewed support among Americans!
After the Trump meltdown, R Reps Lawler (NY), Bacon (Nebraska) and Fitzpatrick (PA), plus Senator Murkowski (AK) have spoken against this treatment of an ally. So far. Their leadership may allow other Rs to step forward. An issue we can make a bridge with.
I went and looked what they said. Unless there was more that I missed, it was indeed very nearly coming close to speaking out.
Continuing to call and mentioning the R’s who have made concerned faces might inspire the rest of them, like my rep, to wrinkle their brows or softly clear their throats about it.
I cannot view Wednesday's events live because I'm marching in a demonstration against Andy Harris, my congressman and head of the Freedom Caucus. I attended a local Democrats meeting focused on how to fight back. I contacted my two Democratic Senators multiple times this week. I reminded them that they, along with EVERY Democrat in the Senate voted to confirm Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Democrats have to stop that adoration of Senate manners! And I contacted our traitor congressman five times. I also made smart donations where the money can make a difference.
It was actually more than 1,000. I was there. All four corners of the intersection, up and down the adjoining streets, and on the sidewalk in front of the Tesla dealership, were packed!
I'm writing postcardstovoters.org for Judge Crawford and Josh Weil in FL. All my donations are on recurring. I donated to u24 this morning very early on VISA.
I've prepared my scripts for tomorrow's contacts with Durbin and Duckworth. My subjects are first the treatment of Zelenskyy. (This treatment is setting off large protests around the country. I'll document that below. The Chicago protest is today at Water Tower Place at 2 pm.) I will also demand no budget for funding DOGE as their activities are unconstitutional and show an utter lack of understanding for our government and its agencies such as FAA, CDC, National Park Service, many others. They are ignorant fools. I do not expect replies for weeks.
My Democratic Congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky, is so full of energy at 80. She's out there protesting every single day, writes a weekly newsletter, and holds town halls and special meetings whenever she returns to her district - And she's 80 years old (or young)!
Some thoughts: issues pertaining to vets [VA cuts - tragic], education, Elmo unelected, issues of regional importance, an issue that impacts you personally can be strong. if calling every day works, imo, to focus on one topic per day. rep probably has issues they support or claim to support. good points to focus on. things that you agree on. Simon advised us in the past that what matters to us and what we feel we can speak on is where to start - iirc, apologies if I summarized inadequately
Putin wants to replace Zelenskyy. He couldn't do it by demanding elections due to martial law, so this was set-up to prove Z unsuitable to govern or negotiate. But instead of Z having a meltdown, it was Trump who melted down, with the goading of Vance, showing the world who's really weak.
The next move will be to use this set-up to demand replacement of Zelenskyy because America (aka Trump) cannot work with him. New leader or no more American support. Putin wants someone like the former Ukrainian leader who bent to Putin's wishes. Once they have this person in place, martial law be damned, Putin and Trump will split the rare earth minerals, and Putin will have control of Ukraine. That's my thought of Putin's strategy, now that he can jerk every string of the Trump puppet.
I am reaching out to people on the other side of the aisle, as they say, and talking to them, listening, asking open-ended questions to learn what keeps them tethered to Trump. I find that when their number one objection to Biden was how "he overwhelmed this country with illegals" or how he "started the war in Israel" they cannot be budged. But when prices were their primary voting concern, they are moving in our direction. Even those who remain tightly bound to Trump are telling me that they are praying for him to reverse course on Ukraine, to be kinder, to go slower, among other things. It feels more porous out here. All of this with the hope that I can be more effective in helping to build an even broader coalition.
Thanks! That's fascinating and matches what I have been sensing about certain relatives. The ones in the MAGA cult are holding fast, but the ones who voted for economic reasons are grumbling. People do leave cults, typically because of people extending loving hands to them, but I sense that it is a waste of time to try to convince these folks and to focus instead of the huge number of people who didn't vote and to those who voted for Trump because of inflation. We need their help, and maybe if we provide concrete things for them to do, they'll join us.
If we can be the forces that open things for them, let in some light, even if it is just by virtue of the questions we ask. If I am told, for example, that Putin is evil (as I have been, by them) I ask how best Trump might handle that relationship. When they try to answer that question on their own, they start to stumble, to see their own thoughts differently, to feel the contradictions. And perhaps it will hold, because they made that discovery on their own, not because I articulated it first. Slow work. One by one. I like the idea of concrete things to do.
This kind of thing needs to happen. When people who supported Trump begin to turn, we have to be ready to welcome them to the cause. This requires patience and forgiveness. I'm not saying this is easy. I see "forgiveness" as a moral quality I have to aspire to.
David, so agree. Forgiveness is SO hard. It is SO tempting to say: I told you so. But I'm working hard on not doing that. When I greet these folks, I say, Wondering how you've been, how you are feeling in this world. I reassure them I'm not in for a debate, just want to listen. It softens everything. My heart, too.
Wonderful to hear what you are doing Beth. Not easy work. The hardcore MAGA types aren't worth the energy. Those who voted because of inflation and the price of eggs are willing to have a sensible conversation with.
NC's Thom Tillis talked about the death threats. While I think this must have been completely terrifying and understand feeling paralyzed, I think that it would have been best handled by immediately calling a press conference, talking about exactly what was threatened, and saying, "I'm calling on the president and all involved to condemn this sort of behavior. This is not the type of behavior we want associated with our party." I think that would have emboldened other GOP legislators to come forward and say that they too had been threatened. Despicable that anyone would threaten someone else's life, but also despicable that Tillis and others changed their votes because of it.
And, you know, the poor white men who had to experience death threats for the first time. But do they think AOC doesn't get them every day? Ilhan Omar? Sarah McBride? Do they know about the teachers and librarians who get death threats because of Republican talking points? Every private and public person who has ever made MAGA mad? Do they know how many schools go on lockdown every day? Do your job, protect the country. And maybe ban guns!
On a very related note: We may recall how Trump ordered the removal of Secret Service protection of numerous ex-officials, including some that were living under credible death threats from e.g. Iran.
Robert Reich shared a list of organizations that you can donate in to support Ukraine. I sent the list out to my friends and family. Every little bit helps!
Thank you.
Simon you are unflagging in your vision and leadership to this community.
To get a donation through https://u24.gov.ua/donate, try odd hours. I was able to donate this morning at 6:40am PST.
I woke up at 3 am (a typical pattern due to current events stress) and got my donation through on VISA.
Me too - VISA.
I've donated there, and got many of my friends to as well!
The number for total amount donated has not budged over the past two days, but i'm thinking a lot more has to have come in during that time. No time to keep up?
Just donated and shared. Thanks for the heads up.
This was the only $$$ I spent on the 28th, the day of the economic boycott.
Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
just donated. went thru.
I had problems when using Apple Pay (it crashed by browser) but when I entered my cc number, etc. the transaction went through smoothly.
This passage will stand the test of time. As Ben Meislas says, soon will begin the summer of democracy. "It was a dark week for our country, but I end it knowing that Trump is weaker than he appears right now, and our movement stronger. With all that is going on it is really important what we all plan to be as loud as we can this week. Republicans need to feel and hear us this week, and we must keep fighting to prevent them from doing even more harm to this remarkable nation and it’s gritty and wonderful people."
Agreed. Loud. Sent in my letter to editor about all the facts …to reveal to the world.
Yesterday’s Tesla Takedown sponsored by a Democratic club near San Antonio brought out 80+ protesters with signs and blue shirts!
But most inspiring were two huge Ukrainian flags!
If anything, Trump/Vance’s horrible performance brought out renewed support for our ally!
YES! This has warmed my heart! 💙💛
These supporting rallies are indeed surging. The Bexar County Democratic Party (San Antonio) is holding a rally today at city hall. We’re to bring flags and signs supporting Ukraine!
I just submitted a letter to the editor commenting that the Trump/Vance dishonorable behavior will result in renewed support among Americans!
After the Trump meltdown, R Reps Lawler (NY), Bacon (Nebraska) and Fitzpatrick (PA), plus Senator Murkowski (AK) have spoken against this treatment of an ally. So far. Their leadership may allow other Rs to step forward. An issue we can make a bridge with.
I hope so, I pray so. Keeping the faith by working the phones.
I went and looked what they said. Unless there was more that I missed, it was indeed very nearly coming close to speaking out.
Continuing to call and mentioning the R’s who have made concerned faces might inspire the rest of them, like my rep, to wrinkle their brows or softly clear their throats about it.
Yes. Lawler is in the vulnerable district.
I cannot view Wednesday's events live because I'm marching in a demonstration against Andy Harris, my congressman and head of the Freedom Caucus. I attended a local Democrats meeting focused on how to fight back. I contacted my two Democratic Senators multiple times this week. I reminded them that they, along with EVERY Democrat in the Senate voted to confirm Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Democrats have to stop that adoration of Senate manners! And I contacted our traitor congressman five times. I also made smart donations where the money can make a difference.
Thanks to activists, TESLA is seeing some striking new brand-building that Elon Musk is unlikely to appreciate. Take a look.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aLpof_sW__g
Hundreds outside Tesla dealership in Tucson yesterday, up from just a few dozen a few weeks ago. https://www.kvoa.com/news/top-stories/hundreds-gather-to-protest-outside-of-tucson-tesla-dealership/article_195fa43c-f6fa-11ef-a545-efbcf3df0d24.html
Let's watch Tesla stock drop further in the week ahead.
It was actually more than 1,000. I was there. All four corners of the intersection, up and down the adjoining streets, and on the sidewalk in front of the Tesla dealership, were packed!
KVOA terribly underestimated the crowd, but at least they covered it. Every Saturday morning, 9:30am, Oracle & River, Tucson.
I also wonder when college students are out for Spring Break will they go to Fort Lauderdale or to Indivisible protests?
dnc should be working on this. a goldmine of activism. young people need to get engaged.
How do we contact DNC? I’m thinking through their social media like Instagram. I know Ken and David are on Instagram
I suggest contact David Hogg. He is part of the DNC, and he’s a Floridian. Hogg is especially focused on outreach to younger voters.
Each state has members on the DNC. You can contact them directly, including your State Party Chair, and here is a list of members from IL. https://ildems.com/illinois-democratic-national-committee-members The DNC website has a contact form https://democrats.org/contact-us/
Thank you. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow We need to schedule a little down time tonight before our projects begin.
Hundreds showed up to the one in Rockville MD. My sign said "America is not for sale, Honk if you agree!" - and there was a lot of honking.
I'm writing postcardstovoters.org for Judge Crawford and Josh Weil in FL. All my donations are on recurring. I donated to u24 this morning very early on VISA.
I've prepared my scripts for tomorrow's contacts with Durbin and Duckworth. My subjects are first the treatment of Zelenskyy. (This treatment is setting off large protests around the country. I'll document that below. The Chicago protest is today at Water Tower Place at 2 pm.) I will also demand no budget for funding DOGE as their activities are unconstitutional and show an utter lack of understanding for our government and its agencies such as FAA, CDC, National Park Service, many others. They are ignorant fools. I do not expect replies for weeks.
My Democratic Congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky, is so full of energy at 80. She's out there protesting every single day, writes a weekly newsletter, and holds town halls and special meetings whenever she returns to her district - And she's 80 years old (or young)!
Protests: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/01/ukraine-protests-zelenskyy-trump
Would you mind sharing your phone scripts? I have 2 Dem Senators but a Rep Congressman. Im looking for effective messaging. Thanks!!
Some thoughts: issues pertaining to vets [VA cuts - tragic], education, Elmo unelected, issues of regional importance, an issue that impacts you personally can be strong. if calling every day works, imo, to focus on one topic per day. rep probably has issues they support or claim to support. good points to focus on. things that you agree on. Simon advised us in the past that what matters to us and what we feel we can speak on is where to start - iirc, apologies if I summarized inadequately
Great minds think alike! Also writing postcards for Crawford, and donated to u24 this morning.
Bought a Ukrainian flag for a protest coming up.
I think I’ll call my reps about the flu vaccine, which seems to be in danger…..
Also! My congressperson, Val Hoyle, OR-4, made a video with Jan Schakowsky, which I saw on Instagram, about all they are doing.
I’ll look this up. I need a break
I just watched the video. Horrifying. This is going on my list of topics for the week ahead.
We need more, lots more like that from other Ds including the DNC, Schumer & Jeffries like what Rep. Schakowsky is doing.
Ds are not loud enough.
Putin wants to replace Zelenskyy. He couldn't do it by demanding elections due to martial law, so this was set-up to prove Z unsuitable to govern or negotiate. But instead of Z having a meltdown, it was Trump who melted down, with the goading of Vance, showing the world who's really weak.
The next move will be to use this set-up to demand replacement of Zelenskyy because America (aka Trump) cannot work with him. New leader or no more American support. Putin wants someone like the former Ukrainian leader who bent to Putin's wishes. Once they have this person in place, martial law be damned, Putin and Trump will split the rare earth minerals, and Putin will have control of Ukraine. That's my thought of Putin's strategy, now that he can jerk every string of the Trump puppet.
I don't trust Putin to honor any agreements with us or Ukraine.
Only ones that align with his interests. See above.
I am reaching out to people on the other side of the aisle, as they say, and talking to them, listening, asking open-ended questions to learn what keeps them tethered to Trump. I find that when their number one objection to Biden was how "he overwhelmed this country with illegals" or how he "started the war in Israel" they cannot be budged. But when prices were their primary voting concern, they are moving in our direction. Even those who remain tightly bound to Trump are telling me that they are praying for him to reverse course on Ukraine, to be kinder, to go slower, among other things. It feels more porous out here. All of this with the hope that I can be more effective in helping to build an even broader coalition.
Thanks! That's fascinating and matches what I have been sensing about certain relatives. The ones in the MAGA cult are holding fast, but the ones who voted for economic reasons are grumbling. People do leave cults, typically because of people extending loving hands to them, but I sense that it is a waste of time to try to convince these folks and to focus instead of the huge number of people who didn't vote and to those who voted for Trump because of inflation. We need their help, and maybe if we provide concrete things for them to do, they'll join us.
If we can be the forces that open things for them, let in some light, even if it is just by virtue of the questions we ask. If I am told, for example, that Putin is evil (as I have been, by them) I ask how best Trump might handle that relationship. When they try to answer that question on their own, they start to stumble, to see their own thoughts differently, to feel the contradictions. And perhaps it will hold, because they made that discovery on their own, not because I articulated it first. Slow work. One by one. I like the idea of concrete things to do.
You are a saint! Thank you for doing this important work.
Never a saint. Just a woman seeking a new path each week in this fight we are in. But thank you!
This kind of thing needs to happen. When people who supported Trump begin to turn, we have to be ready to welcome them to the cause. This requires patience and forgiveness. I'm not saying this is easy. I see "forgiveness" as a moral quality I have to aspire to.
David, so agree. Forgiveness is SO hard. It is SO tempting to say: I told you so. But I'm working hard on not doing that. When I greet these folks, I say, Wondering how you've been, how you are feeling in this world. I reassure them I'm not in for a debate, just want to listen. It softens everything. My heart, too.
Wonderful to hear what you are doing Beth. Not easy work. The hardcore MAGA types aren't worth the energy. Those who voted because of inflation and the price of eggs are willing to have a sensible conversation with.
very much agree, Hank. absolutely!
Another org that Timothy Snyder suggested to support Ukraine:
https://www.razomforukraine.org
To write to Ambassador Markarova (the woman with her head in her hands in the photos of the Oval Office debacle: emb_us@mfa.gov.ua
Yes, letters and messages of apology/support to the Ukrainian Ambassador are great ideas
Thanks for the contact info. I just emailed her.
I am so grateful to Simon for putting Hopium together. It's my new community. Simon works so hard for all of us.
Here is a new link to today’s live event with Simon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgSsDwngIyE