It's not clear to me why we shouldn't just leave well enough alone. It looks as if Beshear will have to appoint a Republican to replace McConnell. That Republican will show up and vote. Right now, it's essentially an empty seat. McConnell "holds" it but can't show up to vote. If Beshear could appoint a Democrat or even an Independent, it would be different. Maybe I'm missing something.
Agreed. Mitch's proof of life photo is not proof enough for most people. If Bashear just stands pat after raising the issue himself, it will be a bad look. He needs to take some kind of action.
One scenario is that if there was a special election, and Thomas Massie won the seat, the red team would be down another seat in the house with a potential wild card in the Senate.
Whatever Beshear decides to do or not do, I think he should make a decision and announce it before August 3rd.
I'd like him to do something to force McConnell's hand to really prove he is alive with a reasonable prognosis of returning to work.
I think the issue is that the uncertainty creates a potential advantage for the blue team. Clearly Republicans are on their heels on this. If we just stand by, it will be perceived by many as just another black mark of weakness, failing to take it to 'em when we have an opportunity. It's tricky though.
And Its not all on Beshear. Senate Dems could make noise on this too if they chose, but that seems doubtful.
That's absurd. It's not disqualifying. Slow down here.
As we move into 2028 my strong recommendation to everyone here is to be for a candidate and not against the others. These kind of snap judgements on something you don't like has no place here. For someone you don't like could become the nominee and then what do you do? Sit it out?
Simon-- I am writing about Arizona, not this post. I lived there for 25 years before retiring to North Carolina. This is an object lesson of the dangers when a State Party goes "off the rails". In 2026, Dems face a challenge by GOP election deniers for Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. The state party is such a mess that these three incumbents have had to create a "workaround" through a fund called "Copper State Victory". We must win these races to protect democracy. I hope you will look into this and publicize the importance of these races. Yes, the party must be fixed but in the meantime we must win these races.
Thanks, Lisa. I'm in Tennessee and also calling Cornyn's office today. When voting on an AG nominee, Senators don't just represent their state, they are representing the entire country. ALL of us are affected by unqualified people leading federal agencies (See, Hegseth, Kennedy, Lutnick, et al.)
Thanks for the early post. I'm hopeful. The ME poll is welcome. Once I am sure Jackson is the candidate I will chip in some support.
I saw yesterday Rick Wilson interview Turek and Manny Rutinel. Manny is running for Congress in Colorado District 8.
I was just as impressed with Turek as the other times I've seen him. It reinforced my positive impression.
Rutinel I had never seen before but was similarly very impressed. Working class immigrant background, got himself to Yale to earn a law degree. This is a really impressive guy. I don't know anything about his district, but he's running against a GOP incumbent so it would be a pickup. I wonder if he might be someone for Hopium to interview/support (I understand the worry about getting stretched too thin).
The candidates I support who aren't part of the Hopium campaign are Jolly and Vindman because it more directly impacts me.
Looking forward to the gathering tonight. I will as I generally do work on postcards while I am listening. It makes the hour more productive for me.
I’m quite sure Republicans will allow Trump to run this country into the ground as we clutch our 401ks for dear life. Whenever there is an announcement of billions going here or there, I wonder how much Trump & Company are shaving off the top.
'National Democrats - Schumer, Jeffries, The Governors, The AGs, DNC/State Parties, Marc Elias, other democracy groups - should come together and create a unified front to defend our elections and our democracy. Right now our leaders are working in silos and it just isn’t enough given the gravity of what Trump is attempting. They should speak with one voice to educate and prepare the American people for what is to come, and build an integrated coordinating council or war room to counter it all - for we are stronger together than apart.'
This a great suggestion Simon and the kind of thing you have been talking about for a while now, like your 'letter to America' style manifesto.
Any idea why this stuff just does not seem to be breaking through with party leadership? It all seems just a little disjointed right now.
Way back in the good old days, when we were pushing hard for a Letter to America, a member of the Hopium community went to a fundraiser for Sen. Murray and sat across from her. She asked the senator about the idea of a Letter to America. Sen. Murray's response was that there wasn't the leadership for this.
With all due respect to Sen. Murray, who is exemplary is so many other ways--FFS, she is a leader! Why can't SHE show some leadership on this?
whatever the dems are planning on doing, lets get it out to the public, lets see the dems coordinating to take this fight on. why hide it? we all know its coming. like a tsunami. so be front and center. national coordination. state by state coordination. tip the ball. let americans know what is coming at them. none of this behind closed door sessions. sunlight is a great disinfectant. issue #1 is free & fair elections. this is a change to show dems are fighters which is what they have been asking for. in fact, invite the public to these sessions. schedule them in every county because that is where people vote and where precincts are.
Jeffries was on MSNow’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell on Monday.
Q: what would you tell those voters who are worried not just about their futures but about the integrity of the election that could determine them.
Here’s what he said.
“Well, we're going to work incredibly hard to make sure that we have the largest voter protection effort in the history of the country to ensure that there's a free and fair election. In November, we believe that it's the American people who should decide who gets to represent them in Congress, not Donald Trump and MAGA extremists. We're working with our colleagues over in the Senate, with the Democratic Governors Association, of course, with the Secretaries of State, with the Democratic Attorney Generals, with the DNC, as well as with civil society.
That includes good government groups, civil rights groups, democracy protection groups, civil liberties, groups, organized labor, and the faith community to ensure that we do have a free and fair election.”
On Monday I bid farewell, not without an ocean of tears, to another two transgendered friends who are fleeing the USA in fear of their lives. Get that? “Another two.” Not the first, or only…
So we dig in. My monthly contribution to the Hopium-approved take back the house candidates has processed. And I’ve signed on to write Get Out the Vote postcards for Michael Masuda, D, candidate for CA 5 House of Reps. If we yank every registered Democrat out of our stupor of hopelessness here in red rural CA we can take this.
Simon, thanks for the polling news. Good to see that Collins is trailing, even before the Dems have had their convention. She has to go.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say NO to funding for this war and that Trump is not in touch with reality and must be removed from office. (I feel like Cassandra some days, but I'm going to keep saying it.) I'm working on postcards to Ohio voters.
Friends, you will be getting an afternoon post with the formal announcement but we've added five new candidates to our Second Wave fund. The twelve in this Fund are now Rebecca Bennett (NJ-07), Bob Brooks (PA-07), Cait Conley (NY-17), Johnny Garcia (TX-35), Bob Harvie (PA-01), Dr. Richard Pan (CA-06), Denise Powell (NE-02), Bobby Pulido (TX-35), Manny Rutinel (CO-8), Dr. Amish Shah (AZ-01), Randy Villegas (CA-22), and Marni von Wilpert (CA-48).
We may add more in the days ahead but we now have 24 House candidates - which may be enough for this small but mighty community. When you click on the donation link it now splits the contribution twelve ways. Individual links are coming soon, as our interviews with the 5 newbies -
CA 06 – Pan
CA 22 – Villegas
CA 48 – von Wilpert
CO 08 – Rutinel
AZ 01 – Shah
Keep working it peeps and thanks for all that you do - S
Thanks for adding these amazing people! I'm so glad not to have to sort out who to support and why! I'm retired and have to parse our donations. BUT I think I might speak for many of us.. there is never a time when the PPPs of this community can't rise up and support any more candidates you endorse. So don't hold back. We'll do our best, I believe. We have 4 months. Let's do this thing.
Thanks Simon for your work and advice on focusing our resources to get the most "bang for the buck." Interested to see Dr. Pan included, since CA-06 is my current district, although CA-03 will be my new district. He was one of several CA-06 primary candidates to speak at a meeting of our local Democratic party club a few months ago. His experience as a state legislator really came across, because he was able to talk about not just what he would do, but what he had already accomplished as a former legislator. He kind of reminds me of Sean McCann.
I had honestly thought the new CA-06 would be a safe seat with Pan running against Kiley, since the total Dem vs. Rep votes in the primary was something like 55-45. But I certainly trust your judgment in including this race in the Second Wave fund. Kiley is running as an Independent so maybe that's part of the danger -- he'll try to present himself as a middle ground. Also, he's sort of an incumbent, since he's the current Rep in old CA-03 (just like Bera the incumbent in CA-06 is now sort of the incumbent in new CA-03).
Anyway, Pan is certainly a candidate I can support both with donations and in-person volunteering.
Simon's post this am about the war and polling is both devastating and hopeful. I had to turn the hearings off yesterday evening. Continuing to ask for more and more $ when there is clear incompetence and fealty leading this war is pure hubris. Hegseth is so unbelievably dangerous. Liking the polling across the country. I will call Collins, whose staff never answers, and King again today regarding both Blanche and Clayton.
*****************
Mainer on the Ground
Collins is receiving negative messaging from Media. Most of it comes from outlets like Meidas Touch. Yesterday they highlighted her Epstein donors lavishing money on her and linking this to her vote not to release the files. But the attacks on our candidate, who will be elected on Saturday, have started with the Maine media, who have always been with Collins and have helped her get over the line.
Our presumptive candidate, Troy Jackson, declared that he will not support Schumer yesterday. Troy is firey and a fighter, but he also has worked well with his colleagues for 20 years. Not sure who advised him on this. Bernie? I am unpleased. We need money from the DNC and we need unity. I have used a message for Mainers, ABC- Anyone But Collins- since GP withdrew. Not sure Jackson will get Simon's support and I understand if that is the case. I do not want our party split apart. Just a reminder again. Jackson is not DSA.
ABC will be my drumbeat. Jackson being ahead on day 1 is a tad hopeful, but he needs money to get out a narrative. The attacks are already starting and if he does not have the means to counter that, this will impact voters. A friend of mine in Delaware is seeing pro Collins ads. Looking for donations everywhere I suppose. Her tentacles are far reaching.
Every candidate we had up had vulnerabilities. Jackson has the best chance to bring in rural folks, Rs, GP voters. Many people like me would always have been ABC. This will be an uphill climb. We are so far behind Collins's literal war machine. I still believe she is the most vulnerable she has ever been and I will look for cracks when I engage with Rs, unenrolleds and Ds who have voted for her in the past. The war, as Turek is using, seems especially an effective line. As appropriations chair, she is giving ungodly sums of taxpayers money to a war we do not want.
I believe this decision to come out against Schumer was a mistake on many levels and I hope folks there will advocate to him that he walk it back and work on unifying the party around him. He cannot win without the DSCC and the Senate Majority PAC and the entire national community rallying for him. This made his job harder, not easier and he should walk it back. Early mistake. Shit happens. Winners recognize mistakes and course correct.
Exactly. Thank you for this, Simon. I do have his cell and I do know some of his key team. I doubt I have any influence but I will certainly advocate directly for Troy and the campaign to consider your points. Just one little Mainer on the ground...
I called my Congressional reps: Van Hollen, Alsobrooks and Raskin. They hear from me all the time. Jamie lives near me and I run into him occasionally, so I get to speak to him directly sometimes. Last time we spoke, I mentioned to him that we need get Trump to pay retribution for all the damage he has done to the Kennedy Center, the White House, etc.
Todd Blanche Is a singularly awful person. It's hard to believe he was a respected DOJ attorney at one time.
I have just finished reading Prequel by Rachel Maddow for next week's Indivisible book club, where I will be leading the talk. Need to get it organized. It was a terrifying book. Even as a history instructor, I never knew how bad it was in the 30's and into the 40's. It seemed to only awaken the public to their folly after Hitler declared war on the U.S. But very few of the American fascists paid a price for their betrayal (many had worked with the Hitler regime as a front). The House Un-American Activities committee would abruptly turn their attention to Communists. I believe with many of the fascists unpunished, they have never really stopped. And here we are. Still using the America First name as one of the front's called themselves in the 30's and 40's.
Allison Gill shares some thoughts on the Mitch McConnell situation and what Andy Beshear might do
https://youtu.be/npRv001bB98?is=iPG3E6ffAsxS3Avt
He should just do something. Take any kind of aggressive move. Put people on the spot and under pressure.
If he wants to run for President, then he should show he's a fighter.
It's not clear to me why we shouldn't just leave well enough alone. It looks as if Beshear will have to appoint a Republican to replace McConnell. That Republican will show up and vote. Right now, it's essentially an empty seat. McConnell "holds" it but can't show up to vote. If Beshear could appoint a Democrat or even an Independent, it would be different. Maybe I'm missing something.
The main advantage that I see to pushing is that we suspect Rs are lying and facts matter.
Agreed. Mitch's proof of life photo is not proof enough for most people. If Bashear just stands pat after raising the issue himself, it will be a bad look. He needs to take some kind of action.
Did you watch Allisons post Catherine? She argues that he doesnt have to appoint a Republican...
I know that's the argument, but I'm not convinced. I just think we're ahead with that seat empty for the moment.
Maybe.
One scenario is that if there was a special election, and Thomas Massie won the seat, the red team would be down another seat in the house with a potential wild card in the Senate.
Whatever Beshear decides to do or not do, I think he should make a decision and announce it before August 3rd.
I'd like him to do something to force McConnell's hand to really prove he is alive with a reasonable prognosis of returning to work.
I think the issue is that the uncertainty creates a potential advantage for the blue team. Clearly Republicans are on their heels on this. If we just stand by, it will be perceived by many as just another black mark of weakness, failing to take it to 'em when we have an opportunity. It's tricky though.
And Its not all on Beshear. Senate Dems could make noise on this too if they chose, but that seems doubtful.
This is Beshear’s test and he is too timid to push the envelope legally. Sadly, It’s disqualifying.
He legally can't do it.
That's absurd. It's not disqualifying. Slow down here.
As we move into 2028 my strong recommendation to everyone here is to be for a candidate and not against the others. These kind of snap judgements on something you don't like has no place here. For someone you don't like could become the nominee and then what do you do? Sit it out?
Elections are about choices.
I disagree. I am not about to disqualify anyone at this stage unless it's of an egregious nature.
Simon-- I am writing about Arizona, not this post. I lived there for 25 years before retiring to North Carolina. This is an object lesson of the dangers when a State Party goes "off the rails". In 2026, Dems face a challenge by GOP election deniers for Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. The state party is such a mess that these three incumbents have had to create a "workaround" through a fund called "Copper State Victory". We must win these races to protect democracy. I hope you will look into this and publicize the importance of these races. Yes, the party must be fixed but in the meantime we must win these races.
I was watching the coverage last night. Andy Biggs as the denier and challenger, how will he fare? How is Governor Hobbs viewed? So terrifying.
I left a voicemail for Senator Cornyn to vote NO on the vote for AG Todd Blanche.
I hope he does the right thing for a change.
I’m in Texas and will call Cornyn today.
Thanks, Lisa. I'm in Tennessee and also calling Cornyn's office today. When voting on an AG nominee, Senators don't just represent their state, they are representing the entire country. ALL of us are affected by unqualified people leading federal agencies (See, Hegseth, Kennedy, Lutnick, et al.)
Thank you also!!
Just left messages on Cornyn’s Austin and D.C. voicemails.
Way to go, TX represent
Thanks for the early post. I'm hopeful. The ME poll is welcome. Once I am sure Jackson is the candidate I will chip in some support.
I saw yesterday Rick Wilson interview Turek and Manny Rutinel. Manny is running for Congress in Colorado District 8.
I was just as impressed with Turek as the other times I've seen him. It reinforced my positive impression.
Rutinel I had never seen before but was similarly very impressed. Working class immigrant background, got himself to Yale to earn a law degree. This is a really impressive guy. I don't know anything about his district, but he's running against a GOP incumbent so it would be a pickup. I wonder if he might be someone for Hopium to interview/support (I understand the worry about getting stretched too thin).
The candidates I support who aren't part of the Hopium campaign are Jolly and Vindman because it more directly impacts me.
Looking forward to the gathering tonight. I will as I generally do work on postcards while I am listening. It makes the hour more productive for me.
Listened to the same podcast - we need to support Manny. Great interview for both Turek and Rutinel!
I also live in FL and support Jolly and Vindman. Need support down here even though it seems hopeless at times..
i'm supporting them!!
I’m quite sure Republicans will allow Trump to run this country into the ground as we clutch our 401ks for dear life. Whenever there is an announcement of billions going here or there, I wonder how much Trump & Company are shaving off the top.
'National Democrats - Schumer, Jeffries, The Governors, The AGs, DNC/State Parties, Marc Elias, other democracy groups - should come together and create a unified front to defend our elections and our democracy. Right now our leaders are working in silos and it just isn’t enough given the gravity of what Trump is attempting. They should speak with one voice to educate and prepare the American people for what is to come, and build an integrated coordinating council or war room to counter it all - for we are stronger together than apart.'
This a great suggestion Simon and the kind of thing you have been talking about for a while now, like your 'letter to America' style manifesto.
Any idea why this stuff just does not seem to be breaking through with party leadership? It all seems just a little disjointed right now.
Way back in the good old days, when we were pushing hard for a Letter to America, a member of the Hopium community went to a fundraiser for Sen. Murray and sat across from her. She asked the senator about the idea of a Letter to America. Sen. Murray's response was that there wasn't the leadership for this.
With all due respect to Sen. Murray, who is exemplary is so many other ways--FFS, she is a leader! Why can't SHE show some leadership on this?
whatever the dems are planning on doing, lets get it out to the public, lets see the dems coordinating to take this fight on. why hide it? we all know its coming. like a tsunami. so be front and center. national coordination. state by state coordination. tip the ball. let americans know what is coming at them. none of this behind closed door sessions. sunlight is a great disinfectant. issue #1 is free & fair elections. this is a change to show dems are fighters which is what they have been asking for. in fact, invite the public to these sessions. schedule them in every county because that is where people vote and where precincts are.
Jeffries was on MSNow’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell on Monday.
Q: what would you tell those voters who are worried not just about their futures but about the integrity of the election that could determine them.
Here’s what he said.
“Well, we're going to work incredibly hard to make sure that we have the largest voter protection effort in the history of the country to ensure that there's a free and fair election. In November, we believe that it's the American people who should decide who gets to represent them in Congress, not Donald Trump and MAGA extremists. We're working with our colleagues over in the Senate, with the Democratic Governors Association, of course, with the Secretaries of State, with the Democratic Attorney Generals, with the DNC, as well as with civil society.
That includes good government groups, civil rights groups, democracy protection groups, civil liberties, groups, organized labor, and the faith community to ensure that we do have a free and fair election.”
Do you support Manny Rutinel? Seems like someone we should get behind
Simon just posted--with more to come this afternoon--that Rutinel is in the next wave of Hopium endorsements.
Good morning dear PPP Hopiums:
On Monday I bid farewell, not without an ocean of tears, to another two transgendered friends who are fleeing the USA in fear of their lives. Get that? “Another two.” Not the first, or only…
So we dig in. My monthly contribution to the Hopium-approved take back the house candidates has processed. And I’ve signed on to write Get Out the Vote postcards for Michael Masuda, D, candidate for CA 5 House of Reps. If we yank every registered Democrat out of our stupor of hopelessness here in red rural CA we can take this.
Today (and every other day) is a good day to call our members of Congress. We have a lot of material to draw on.
Simon, thanks for the polling news. Good to see that Collins is trailing, even before the Dems have had their convention. She has to go.
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to say NO to funding for this war and that Trump is not in touch with reality and must be removed from office. (I feel like Cassandra some days, but I'm going to keep saying it.) I'm working on postcards to Ohio voters.
Friends, you will be getting an afternoon post with the formal announcement but we've added five new candidates to our Second Wave fund. The twelve in this Fund are now Rebecca Bennett (NJ-07), Bob Brooks (PA-07), Cait Conley (NY-17), Johnny Garcia (TX-35), Bob Harvie (PA-01), Dr. Richard Pan (CA-06), Denise Powell (NE-02), Bobby Pulido (TX-35), Manny Rutinel (CO-8), Dr. Amish Shah (AZ-01), Randy Villegas (CA-22), and Marni von Wilpert (CA-48).
We may add more in the days ahead but we now have 24 House candidates - which may be enough for this small but mighty community. When you click on the donation link it now splits the contribution twelve ways. Individual links are coming soon, as our interviews with the 5 newbies -
CA 06 – Pan
CA 22 – Villegas
CA 48 – von Wilpert
CO 08 – Rutinel
AZ 01 – Shah
Keep working it peeps and thanks for all that you do - S
I just posted about Rutinel, now I have to donate more. I'm not familiar with the others but Rutinel is amazing.
Thanks for adding these amazing people! I'm so glad not to have to sort out who to support and why! I'm retired and have to parse our donations. BUT I think I might speak for many of us.. there is never a time when the PPPs of this community can't rise up and support any more candidates you endorse. So don't hold back. We'll do our best, I believe. We have 4 months. Let's do this thing.
Thanks Simon for your work and advice on focusing our resources to get the most "bang for the buck." Interested to see Dr. Pan included, since CA-06 is my current district, although CA-03 will be my new district. He was one of several CA-06 primary candidates to speak at a meeting of our local Democratic party club a few months ago. His experience as a state legislator really came across, because he was able to talk about not just what he would do, but what he had already accomplished as a former legislator. He kind of reminds me of Sean McCann.
I had honestly thought the new CA-06 would be a safe seat with Pan running against Kiley, since the total Dem vs. Rep votes in the primary was something like 55-45. But I certainly trust your judgment in including this race in the Second Wave fund. Kiley is running as an Independent so maybe that's part of the danger -- he'll try to present himself as a middle ground. Also, he's sort of an incumbent, since he's the current Rep in old CA-03 (just like Bera the incumbent in CA-06 is now sort of the incumbent in new CA-03).
Anyway, Pan is certainly a candidate I can support both with donations and in-person volunteering.
Glad to see Randy Villegas on the list. TY Simon.
His opponent, Valadao, is a 6 term R incumbent, and we have slowly been eroding his support the last few cycles. In 2024 he won 53-47.
It's one of the 5 redrawn races from prop 50, but it was pretty narrowly changed so it is far from a slam dunk.
Simon's post this am about the war and polling is both devastating and hopeful. I had to turn the hearings off yesterday evening. Continuing to ask for more and more $ when there is clear incompetence and fealty leading this war is pure hubris. Hegseth is so unbelievably dangerous. Liking the polling across the country. I will call Collins, whose staff never answers, and King again today regarding both Blanche and Clayton.
*****************
Mainer on the Ground
Collins is receiving negative messaging from Media. Most of it comes from outlets like Meidas Touch. Yesterday they highlighted her Epstein donors lavishing money on her and linking this to her vote not to release the files. But the attacks on our candidate, who will be elected on Saturday, have started with the Maine media, who have always been with Collins and have helped her get over the line.
Our presumptive candidate, Troy Jackson, declared that he will not support Schumer yesterday. Troy is firey and a fighter, but he also has worked well with his colleagues for 20 years. Not sure who advised him on this. Bernie? I am unpleased. We need money from the DNC and we need unity. I have used a message for Mainers, ABC- Anyone But Collins- since GP withdrew. Not sure Jackson will get Simon's support and I understand if that is the case. I do not want our party split apart. Just a reminder again. Jackson is not DSA.
ABC will be my drumbeat. Jackson being ahead on day 1 is a tad hopeful, but he needs money to get out a narrative. The attacks are already starting and if he does not have the means to counter that, this will impact voters. A friend of mine in Delaware is seeing pro Collins ads. Looking for donations everywhere I suppose. Her tentacles are far reaching.
Every candidate we had up had vulnerabilities. Jackson has the best chance to bring in rural folks, Rs, GP voters. Many people like me would always have been ABC. This will be an uphill climb. We are so far behind Collins's literal war machine. I still believe she is the most vulnerable she has ever been and I will look for cracks when I engage with Rs, unenrolleds and Ds who have voted for her in the past. The war, as Turek is using, seems especially an effective line. As appropriations chair, she is giving ungodly sums of taxpayers money to a war we do not want.
Have a wonderful day everyone.
I believe this decision to come out against Schumer was a mistake on many levels and I hope folks there will advocate to him that he walk it back and work on unifying the party around him. He cannot win without the DSCC and the Senate Majority PAC and the entire national community rallying for him. This made his job harder, not easier and he should walk it back. Early mistake. Shit happens. Winners recognize mistakes and course correct.
Exactly. Thank you for this, Simon. I do have his cell and I do know some of his key team. I doubt I have any influence but I will certainly advocate directly for Troy and the campaign to consider your points. Just one little Mainer on the ground...
One asskicking Mainer on the ground to be a bit more accurate
100% !!! You Rock, Jennifer!
thank you!
Good Luck and Thank You!!
I called my Congressional reps: Van Hollen, Alsobrooks and Raskin. They hear from me all the time. Jamie lives near me and I run into him occasionally, so I get to speak to him directly sometimes. Last time we spoke, I mentioned to him that we need get Trump to pay retribution for all the damage he has done to the Kennedy Center, the White House, etc.
Todd Blanche Is a singularly awful person. It's hard to believe he was a respected DOJ attorney at one time.
called my Senators re Todd Blanche. I live in MA, so I know how they're going to vote.
I also forwarded Simon's post to friends who live in NC with an urgent request to call Tillis
I have just finished reading Prequel by Rachel Maddow for next week's Indivisible book club, where I will be leading the talk. Need to get it organized. It was a terrifying book. Even as a history instructor, I never knew how bad it was in the 30's and into the 40's. It seemed to only awaken the public to their folly after Hitler declared war on the U.S. But very few of the American fascists paid a price for their betrayal (many had worked with the Hitler regime as a front). The House Un-American Activities committee would abruptly turn their attention to Communists. I believe with many of the fascists unpunished, they have never really stopped. And here we are. Still using the America First name as one of the front's called themselves in the 30's and 40's.