Pushback works! The Senate used unanimous consent to stop the new NSF from dismantling the system. Now maybe we can get something similar with the odious OMB rules changes.
First thing I did this morning was tell Chuck Schumer that no way/no how is my hard-earned $ going to go to Iran, and that I didn't appreciate it going to the defilement of our public spaces/monuments in DC, either.
I suggested Trump, the billionaire, and his friends - all of whom likely pay less in taxes than I do- can pony up $ for all this since they're the only ones who enjoy it.
Simon, how can I reach members of Congress other than my own? Both Senators and my rep in the House are Democrats, and can be counted on to vote against virtually everything the dumphuck and the oligarchs are planning.
Just having the contact info doesn’t help and wiki is usually woefully out of date anyway. They only take calls from their own constituents, ie, voters who live in their states. If you want to contact your own reps and senators go to the official website.
I call Thune or Schumer and I don't leave my zip. I say "I"m a concerned American calling you in your capacity as Senate majority leader". Then I make my point. Same with Hakeem Jefferies or anyone I want to thank.
I contact Schumer and Jeffries with a similar opening message, but rather than calling, I send them postcards to their DC offices. The postcard is pre-printed on the front with "We fought for you, now fight for us!" I always sign it with my name and "A Proud Democrat."
I don't know what happens with these postcards, but at some point some staffer might see them again and again....and pass them along.
You probably can’t. All that I’ve tried to email or call only accept messages from their own constituents and you have to identify yourself as such. Tell your Democratic Congress critters to do some arm twisting on the moronic republicans.
I have called the local offices for Senators rather than DC offices. For example I called Senator Cassidy’s office (tried two and someone picked up) when he voted for Kennedy to run HHS. I stated he swore an oath, First Do No Harm, to everyone in our health system. His responsibility transcends borders.
How ironic for Senator Cotton to opine that Iran wouldn't spend the $4.5-6 billion a month they'll now reap from the unfettered, unsanctioned sale of their oil on the open international market to "pay for daycare or hospitals." As if Trump and his pernicious enablers would use those sums of money to pay for daycare or hospitals?! Really? Did Cotton read The One Big Ugly Bill before he voted for it?
That's what I thought too. Tom Cotton is a sanctimonious hypocrite. When I read that statement I thought neither would the GOP want to spend money on day care or hospitals. They decided to throw our money at ICE goons to arrest immigrants and murder US citizens. Tomorrow morning I'll be at an intersection protesting ICE. We here in Maricopa County have to do it early because by 10am it's already 90 degrees.
The US has a lot of practice being sanctimonious, don't we? The gall of voting to cut funding for SNAP, ACA subsidies, Medicaid, etc. etc. and then try to disparage Iran's healthcare or childcare system! And they either don't see the hypocrisy themselves or think we're so stupid that we don't.
I figured Iran was going to take the money first, before pulling out and closing Hormuz based on Lebanon.
I've heard from a couple sources that gas prices have remained relatively steady for the last few weeks because Trump has been using up the strategic reserves to keep soaring prices in check, but they will be gone before end of July. That is why he is SO desperate to make a deal.
So, our missile supply is nearly empty and now our oil supply as well.
Trump has really jumped the shark! No one thinks Iran should get a dime by any means. I’m directing my activism toward delegitimizing Vance. Trump is sabotaging him, so head start. Also, not sleeping on Tucker Carlson, he’s busy amassing support against JD, Rubio and Pence. Silverlining? At least there appears a post-trump period coming.
Post trump will be a power vacuum / blood bath, which we can all hope is not literal but who knows with these idjit yahoos? All of them have delusions of grandeur. The possible contenders who will scramble for the ’crown’:
I'd add George Santos and Mark Robinson (failed GOP nominee for NC governor last year, who lost not because he called himself the Black Nazi but because he was found to have watched, and presumably enjoyed, transsexual porn)
Well, Melania and Musk were both born elsewhere, so unless we totally throw out the Constitution, they're out. I agree with kitkatmia that Trump will try to destroy whomever he sees as inheriting the MAGA throne, because his narcissism won't allow a Republican to follow ("there can only be one!"), so unless he leaves office because of death, I don't see Vance or Marco being contenders. (Caveat, my Cuban-American relatives LOVE Little Marco, so they might disregard any shade Trump tries to throw at him.) I don't think any of the kids have the swagger and showmanship to get the dregs of the MAGA faithful excited, much less the 70% of the country that by that point will hate everything MAGA. Of the remaining names on your list, I see Tucker as being the most likely. What a horrifying thought! Candace Owens is also bizarrely popular ...
While all true, you’re missing my point entirely. I never said any of these idjits will win, just that they would all make a play for it. Reality will not matter to them because they are all delusional fools. None of them has a snowflake’s chance in hell of being president, not just for the reasons you mention but also because they are all deeply disliked by the majority of Americans. Once the Democrats win back the House and Senate in November trump's so-called powers will be kaput anyway; he’s already losing republicans bigly. And having lived in Miami I know what you mean about the Cubans being rabidly wacko about getting revenge on Fidel (never mind he’s been dead for 10 years) and wanting marco to be king of Cuba. They expect marco to get back the slave plantations they had under Batista. We tried and failed at that spectacularly with the Bay of Pigs over 60 years ago. The angry Cuban grandpas really need to get over it and move on — they keep contaminating younger generations with their revenge fantasies. More delusion.
think satan will tank rubio & vance for sure. he will want to keep the grift going. so he will want his children to carry on the thieving. think ivanka might stink less than jr. but then you have the jared stink. so who knows. he will push rubio & vance out when the campaigns get going. he has already started on vance. but saving rubio for later. and then if the kid wins, he can knock out the VP and rule from behind the throne. if the dems win, he is just going to hunker down in the bunker.
Nah. That’s too way complicated for dementia don and anyway he hates his children — except for maybe ivakna who is dumb as a brick. But when he’s gone, he will obviously have no say and they will all fight each other for it tooth and nail.
- From a member of "The Black Man Spy" Substack [EDIT: Fixed acronym typos, 6-20-26]
“[I]f it were up to [Stephen] Miller, there’d only be 100 million people in this country, and they’d all look like Miller.” - Donald J. Trump (2024)
Folks:
Here is a great take on Juneteenth from a White female professor who only learned about the “Holiday” in her 50s: https://barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/the-most-important-american-holiday. We can all learn and grow at any age. Yes, African-American history is American history. How could it be otherwise?
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
couldn't get a usa jersey this morning, but settled for some generic usa t's on sale for the 4th....usa can clinch with a win, something they haven't done yet in a wc first round, two wins in a row. australia turns out to be a tough side and will be faster and more physical then paraguay; they are also talking a lot of smack. this game has tie score written all over it.....as for our neighbors, mexico eked out a lucky win against a tough s korea who were unlucky on a goalkeeper error, and canada scored more goals in the wc than any other team in concacaf history. a little bit of fun news is watching tourists talking about american fast food and buc-ees. day off for the wife and son. looking forward to the game; had the colombia celebration the other night....
Several political observers and ex-members of Congress state that an overlooked yet within-reach Senate race is Mississippi where a quality Democratic candidate (Scott Colom) is challenging the unpopular (across Mississippi) incumbent, Cindy Hyde-Smith. Mississippi is one of the least expensive media markets. Donations to Colom could be of large marginal value. Should he be considered among the “possibles” worthy of Hopium support? A Senate flip is a Senate flip no matter the state. Could be a backstop to a close but insufficient stand in one of the higher profile states. Or is all this just wishful thinking?
I saw an impressive video of Colom a couple of months ago and started giving small monthly donation. I’m guessing that Mississippi is a pretty inexpensive place to campaign. Who knows what might happen?
I liked Michelle's speech more, I think. I miss them every single day; I miss having a president who cared about people and about this country. (And I so value how BHO and Bruce are buddies, perhaps my two favorite people.) But I know we can get there again, bc we've been through worse. We need to keep demanding better of our fellow citizens, and of our leaders.
Remembering all who came before us today, and hoping for a better tomorrow.
Nope. But some specific plaintiff with demonstrated harm might be able to sue the Interior Department and the always idiotic sec burgum — who by the way seems not to know about this remarkable invention called a battery. Huh.
Start off with some good news in the War on Science - The Ocean Observing Initiative system has been saved (with some initial vandalism) for now
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/climate/trump-ocean-observatories-initiative.html?unlocked_article_code=1.rVA.EE8M.V_es2hR_d6TP&smid=url-share
Pushback works! The Senate used unanimous consent to stop the new NSF from dismantling the system. Now maybe we can get something similar with the odious OMB rules changes.
Relieved this was NOT abolished and gives us hope for other environmental rollbacks and cancellations of renewables investments
Thanks for posting, Stu. So happy to see this yesterday.
Gift links are a good way to make use of my digital NYT subscription!
Much appreciated!
The fate of the Reflecting Pool was preordained by Trump's experience with Wollman Rink in Central Park. We can only imagine what our Capitol will look like with the Arch and the rebuild of the East Wing. We in this community must STOP these projects.https://grassrootsconnector.substack.com/p/the-true-story-behind-wollman-trump?r=9976n&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Thank you for posting this link.
We probably won’t need to tear down all his vanity projects when he’s gone. They will just fall down on their own from the cheap shoddy construction.
HUGE tactical mistake was made with “wild card” Israel and now Vance is pushed out as the fall guy
Does anybody here remember this ad by Playskool (now Hasbro, I think)?
"Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down."
Well, this Weeble --- the Iran deal --- is already wobbling. Question is, when will it fall down? :)
Oh yeah!
First thing I did this morning was tell Chuck Schumer that no way/no how is my hard-earned $ going to go to Iran, and that I didn't appreciate it going to the defilement of our public spaces/monuments in DC, either.
I suggested Trump, the billionaire, and his friends - all of whom likely pay less in taxes than I do- can pony up $ for all this since they're the only ones who enjoy it.
Simon, how can I reach members of Congress other than my own? Both Senators and my rep in the House are Democrats, and can be counted on to vote against virtually everything the dumphuck and the oligarchs are planning.
Here's a list from Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_United_States_representatives
Once you identify whom you'd like to contact, you can google their names to get office addresses, emails and phone numbers. Hope this helps.
Just having the contact info doesn’t help and wiki is usually woefully out of date anyway. They only take calls from their own constituents, ie, voters who live in their states. If you want to contact your own reps and senators go to the official website.
https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
I call Thune or Schumer and I don't leave my zip. I say "I"m a concerned American calling you in your capacity as Senate majority leader". Then I make my point. Same with Hakeem Jefferies or anyone I want to thank.
Good idea!
I contact Schumer and Jeffries with a similar opening message, but rather than calling, I send them postcards to their DC offices. The postcard is pre-printed on the front with "We fought for you, now fight for us!" I always sign it with my name and "A Proud Democrat."
I don't know what happens with these postcards, but at some point some staffer might see them again and again....and pass them along.
You probably can’t. All that I’ve tried to email or call only accept messages from their own constituents and you have to identify yourself as such. Tell your Democratic Congress critters to do some arm twisting on the moronic republicans.
I have called the local offices for Senators rather than DC offices. For example I called Senator Cassidy’s office (tried two and someone picked up) when he voted for Kennedy to run HHS. I stated he swore an oath, First Do No Harm, to everyone in our health system. His responsibility transcends borders.
Good idea - I'll try that!
How ironic for Senator Cotton to opine that Iran wouldn't spend the $4.5-6 billion a month they'll now reap from the unfettered, unsanctioned sale of their oil on the open international market to "pay for daycare or hospitals." As if Trump and his pernicious enablers would use those sums of money to pay for daycare or hospitals?! Really? Did Cotton read The One Big Ugly Bill before he voted for it?
Go, Obamas! Go, Ukraine! Go, USMNT! Go ALL OF US!
That's what I thought too. Tom Cotton is a sanctimonious hypocrite. When I read that statement I thought neither would the GOP want to spend money on day care or hospitals. They decided to throw our money at ICE goons to arrest immigrants and murder US citizens. Tomorrow morning I'll be at an intersection protesting ICE. We here in Maricopa County have to do it early because by 10am it's already 90 degrees.
Way to go, Mingo! Thanks for the ongoing ICE protests--especially in Maricopa County, where we have to make our voices heard. Loud and proud!
The US has a lot of practice being sanctimonious, don't we? The gall of voting to cut funding for SNAP, ACA subsidies, Medicaid, etc. etc. and then try to disparage Iran's healthcare or childcare system! And they either don't see the hypocrisy themselves or think we're so stupid that we don't.
take care in the heat!!
I figured Iran was going to take the money first, before pulling out and closing Hormuz based on Lebanon.
I've heard from a couple sources that gas prices have remained relatively steady for the last few weeks because Trump has been using up the strategic reserves to keep soaring prices in check, but they will be gone before end of July. That is why he is SO desperate to make a deal.
So, our missile supply is nearly empty and now our oil supply as well.
What a stable genius we have, eh?
It just occurred to me while out here whacking weeds to keep the fire danger at bay...
Consider Donny:
No wizard, no curtain
No brain, no heart, no courage,
No place like home, no toto
...just all tornado and devastation...
🌬🌪🌪🌪
Trump has really jumped the shark! No one thinks Iran should get a dime by any means. I’m directing my activism toward delegitimizing Vance. Trump is sabotaging him, so head start. Also, not sleeping on Tucker Carlson, he’s busy amassing support against JD, Rubio and Pence. Silverlining? At least there appears a post-trump period coming.
Post trump will be a power vacuum / blood bath, which we can all hope is not literal but who knows with these idjit yahoos? All of them have delusions of grandeur. The possible contenders who will scramble for the ’crown’:
jd
jr
eric
ivakna
melania
barron
jared
petey
marco
tucker
bovino
caine
musk
thiel
limitless unknown creeps
I'd add George Santos and Mark Robinson (failed GOP nominee for NC governor last year, who lost not because he called himself the Black Nazi but because he was found to have watched, and presumably enjoyed, transsexual porn)
Highly unlikely those two have any chance of being president after trump, which is what my list is about.
Well, Melania and Musk were both born elsewhere, so unless we totally throw out the Constitution, they're out. I agree with kitkatmia that Trump will try to destroy whomever he sees as inheriting the MAGA throne, because his narcissism won't allow a Republican to follow ("there can only be one!"), so unless he leaves office because of death, I don't see Vance or Marco being contenders. (Caveat, my Cuban-American relatives LOVE Little Marco, so they might disregard any shade Trump tries to throw at him.) I don't think any of the kids have the swagger and showmanship to get the dregs of the MAGA faithful excited, much less the 70% of the country that by that point will hate everything MAGA. Of the remaining names on your list, I see Tucker as being the most likely. What a horrifying thought! Candace Owens is also bizarrely popular ...
While all true, you’re missing my point entirely. I never said any of these idjits will win, just that they would all make a play for it. Reality will not matter to them because they are all delusional fools. None of them has a snowflake’s chance in hell of being president, not just for the reasons you mention but also because they are all deeply disliked by the majority of Americans. Once the Democrats win back the House and Senate in November trump's so-called powers will be kaput anyway; he’s already losing republicans bigly. And having lived in Miami I know what you mean about the Cubans being rabidly wacko about getting revenge on Fidel (never mind he’s been dead for 10 years) and wanting marco to be king of Cuba. They expect marco to get back the slave plantations they had under Batista. We tried and failed at that spectacularly with the Bay of Pigs over 60 years ago. The angry Cuban grandpas really need to get over it and move on — they keep contaminating younger generations with their revenge fantasies. More delusion.
think satan will tank rubio & vance for sure. he will want to keep the grift going. so he will want his children to carry on the thieving. think ivanka might stink less than jr. but then you have the jared stink. so who knows. he will push rubio & vance out when the campaigns get going. he has already started on vance. but saving rubio for later. and then if the kid wins, he can knock out the VP and rule from behind the throne. if the dems win, he is just going to hunker down in the bunker.
Nah. That’s too way complicated for dementia don and anyway he hates his children — except for maybe ivakna who is dumb as a brick. But when he’s gone, he will obviously have no say and they will all fight each other for it tooth and nail.
Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) <> Highly enriched Iranians (HEI).
- From a member of "The Black Man Spy" Substack [EDIT: Fixed acronym typos, 6-20-26]
“[I]f it were up to [Stephen] Miller, there’d only be 100 million people in this country, and they’d all look like Miller.” - Donald J. Trump (2024)
Folks:
Here is a great take on Juneteenth from a White female professor who only learned about the “Holiday” in her 50s: https://barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/the-most-important-american-holiday. We can all learn and grow at any age. Yes, African-American history is American history. How could it be otherwise?
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
couldn't get a usa jersey this morning, but settled for some generic usa t's on sale for the 4th....usa can clinch with a win, something they haven't done yet in a wc first round, two wins in a row. australia turns out to be a tough side and will be faster and more physical then paraguay; they are also talking a lot of smack. this game has tie score written all over it.....as for our neighbors, mexico eked out a lucky win against a tough s korea who were unlucky on a goalkeeper error, and canada scored more goals in the wc than any other team in concacaf history. a little bit of fun news is watching tourists talking about american fast food and buc-ees. day off for the wife and son. looking forward to the game; had the colombia celebration the other night....
Several political observers and ex-members of Congress state that an overlooked yet within-reach Senate race is Mississippi where a quality Democratic candidate (Scott Colom) is challenging the unpopular (across Mississippi) incumbent, Cindy Hyde-Smith. Mississippi is one of the least expensive media markets. Donations to Colom could be of large marginal value. Should he be considered among the “possibles” worthy of Hopium support? A Senate flip is a Senate flip no matter the state. Could be a backstop to a close but insufficient stand in one of the higher profile states. Or is all this just wishful thinking?
I saw an impressive video of Colom a couple of months ago and started giving small monthly donation. I’m guessing that Mississippi is a pretty inexpensive place to campaign. Who knows what might happen?
I liked Michelle's speech more, I think. I miss them every single day; I miss having a president who cared about people and about this country. (And I so value how BHO and Bruce are buddies, perhaps my two favorite people.) But I know we can get there again, bc we've been through worse. We need to keep demanding better of our fellow citizens, and of our leaders.
Remembering all who came before us today, and hoping for a better tomorrow.
Keep going, y'all!
'We need to keep demanding better of our fellow citizens, and of our leaders.'
Amen to that, on both counts.
Sending out 25 postcards to MI. Signed up for another 25 to OH.
Which organization are you writing for?
mostly field team 6
I think a succinct, populist and easy to understand message is “Billionaires started and lost this stupid war and now they need to pay for it.”
Can the American people sue Trump to pay for the reflecting pool out of his own pocket?
Nope. But some specific plaintiff with demonstrated harm might be able to sue the Interior Department and the always idiotic sec burgum — who by the way seems not to know about this remarkable invention called a battery. Huh.