We need some perspective and pragmatism. Dems are out of power. What are they supposed to do? And, while I understand wanting to block Trump's nominees, the fact is that Trump himself is worse than Gabbard, RFK, and Patel put together and whoever gets those jobs will do what he says or get fired and replaced with someone who will. Let's not waste all our energy closing the barn door after the horses have already escaped. Delivering legislative wins will not get Dems a single vote in 2026. BIden was good and effective and it didn't matter in the least when it came to his approval. We have to control the narrative. Trump's DEI nonsense is now the top story because most people on the left think it's distasteful (and it is) to call attention to Trump's gutting of the FAA so soon after this air crash tragedy. But now it's too late to bring that up because Trump set the terms. Why are we defending DEI (which we can't do anything about) instead of creating the widespread impression that this is the first of many American tragedies Trump's incompetence will cause? Why has no one juxtaposed the (now deleted) WH "fact sheet" form Jan 22 about Trump having restored excellence and safety within the FAA with images of the crash? If we can drive his approval ratings down by making the next 6 months one long negative news cycle, GOP senators will be more likely to stand up to him, which is (sadly) our only real line of defense,.
A few thoughts on Trumps DEI nonsense. I thought this was a good post by Dan Froomkin titled "political reporters are actively covering up Trump's racism"
"By contrast, the Center for Progressive Reform took to social media to remind people that “DEI programs do not devalue merit – they rescue it from racism, misogyny, and other oppressions that smother it.” A very smart person I know asked what was the reason for the rights anti-DEI stance. He felt it was basically a white supremacist argument.
I think speaking out is important. I think Bishop Budde demonstrated the tone and demeanor we can take when appropriate. I think Tim Kaine, Amy Klobachar, et al, exemplify what legislative leaders can do. I have cut off donations to the DNC until they get their act together (except for Abigail in VA). Otherwise it's like throwing paint against the wall to me. I am using some of the interviews Simon has done here to post to social media (shown above).
Bishop Budde speaks from a place of deep, concentrated, spiritual grounding which few of the rest of us can claim, but which each of us would do well to cultivate.
I just finished my 2 calls to my senators from TX and now going to call my Texas representatives about the stupid things they are proposing following Abbott's idiotic agenda here in TX. My gosh, we need these people on speed dial to make it easier to call every day. Get going freedom fighters, we need every single dem to make 2-4 calls every day. You can do it. Thanks Simon for the lead and encouragement.
An easy and free tool to use, especially for people who aren't sure of what to say, is 5 Calls: https://5calls.org/
Once a user provides their location information and selects a topic of interest, they'll get a page with their Congressmembers' phone numbers, and a short script to read for their calls.
Thank you so much for this. I’ve been trying to remember the name of this site. I’ve used it before by copy/pasting the script into an email or text that Resistbot will send to as many people as you want.
Thank you and I will. She has been a prolific and excellent writer on FB for the cause. She lived through WW2 and her father flew reconnaissance (spying) flights during it. She knows about living on rations and growing a Victory garden and she feared what we are now experiencing. It is deeply sad for her to see how lazy and apathetic we have become. She is a true fighter for Democracy and she makes me proud.
Apologies if you have heard this before, but it's more relevant than ever. It's an idea Timothy Snyder (who wrote On Tyranny) has been pushing for a People's (shadow) cabinet. Imagine if we had Pete speaking as people's transportation sec today, or AOC as people's attorney general, or pick-your-favorite as people's health sec!
If anyone feels like it, you can sign this petition and repost the following:
Democrats, we must get louder to respond forcefully to the administration and make them own their unpopular actions. Let's form a Democratic People's Cabinet, our best folks speaking out. Please sign and repost!
Calling them out with the real life effects of their actions -- I have not seen the word "EGG" lately. What happened to that promise as the markets become ever more volatile
One of many examples our Democratic leaders and Shadow Cabinet should be loud about... Every time one of the pardoned January 6 insurrectionists commits a new crime or gets arrested: call a press conference and blame Trump!
If one of them kills someone, say a former girlfriend or wife called e.g. Tiffany Jones, then in response to it introduce the Tiffany Jones Act (à la the Laken Riley Act).
The Democrats’ proposed act could, for instance, call for a minimum sentence of five years (perhaps to be served at Guantamo?) for any post-pardon violence committed by a J6 convict – followed of course by mandatory deportation after their prison sentence.
It’s the narrative and the loudness of this narrative that matters!
"The hard, cold reality for the Trump Administration is that their early, fanatical blitzkrieg included removing and forcing out those in charge of aviation security for the United States."
AMERICANS know that ONLY if Democratic politicians are shouting it in every media outlet! We should tie this tragic crash directly to Trump’s policies!!
Likewise with any and all negative news: tie the price of eggs, the price of gas, expensive loans, expensive medicines and health care etc, to Trump policies. Loudly!
Absolutely. Because he/they are the master of twisting everything around and somehow people end. up believing that it’s still something Biden or the Dems did. This was written about in Heather Cox Richardson’s most recent “Letter.” I will see if I can post it.
I think this has to come from individuals with the explanation as to how it is hurting them. Be prepared for blowback from some Trump supporters, per usual.
A note of caution here. Blaming Trump's policies -- as harmful and ridiculous as they are -- for the DC airline crash strikes me as jumping to conclusions. Many of the victims of this tragic accident haven't even been recovered yet. I think it would be preferable to let the investigation proceed and then, if warranted, do our shouting when the results are available. That said, I have mixed feelings in that it is Trump's people doing the investigating.
I hear you. But Democrats can point out that the DC airport is one of two civilian airports run by the federal government, and underscore the increased risk of accident given the insane stuff Trump is already doing with federal employees – and squarely and explicitly place any future airline accidents on his shoulders.
My daughter-in-law is a prosecutor. Victims of crime and witnesses are now not showing up for court dates and/or preparation because they are afraid ICE will seize them at the court house. That means cases can't be prosecuted and that means criminals stay free to commit more crimes. Party of law and order my sweet Aunt Annie.
A friend of a friend who works for the federal government has gotten a series of calls: You're out of a job; No, you have a job at least for now; You may have a job but you'll have to stop working from home. She's out of the country and has no idea whether she has a job or what's next.
My daughter runs an after school program in an impoverished area. Her agency has provided her with the city attorney’s office-a Democrat-in case ICE shows up.
Just called the Raleigh office of Tom Tillis and spoke to a staffer. When I tried to call the DC office the mailbox is full. Let's keep calling everyone! Especially that rat Tillis. He needs to know that we see that he is spineless and duplicitous and we won't stop until he does the right thing or gets voted out!
Booker's office: cannot leave voicemails at all, very difficult to get through on the phone but you can use the webform to email them. Kim's office - can leave voicemails. Have been texting/calling Gov. Murphy re his silence on last week's ICE raids. (He will be sorry he opened up a designated text line if I have anything to say about it.) I also have a letter to editor coming out today re Rep. Chris Smith (NJ04), who has said/done nothing re any of this, but saw fit to call a press conference re drone activity.
In the meantime, NJ is holding criminals accountable - former Sen. Menendez was just sentenced to 11 years, and an investigation is underway re nefarious doings by Rep. Norcross (NJ01) at the Camden waterfront.
"Moving fast and breaking things" can be a useful approach to some kinds of software development. But even in that domain, its utility is limited - in order to minimize deleterious effects of bugs, the most effective technique is the boring methodology of slowly inserting changes and testing after each. This saves tons of time, money, and problems at later stages. And when applied to running the country, the careless approach is even worse.
Don't be surprised that, if Trump's public approval continues to crater because of the shit show that is his administration, he doesn't try to use the military to invade someplace like Panama in an effort to get the public to rally around the president.
Also..and here's a thought..the group Patriotic Millionaires actually identified themselves today on Facebook. They keep saying they want to be taxed. Can't they take some of that money and fund a PAC to help with pushback? The R's have been funding PACS for decades and doing all kinds of messaging through them.
Why aren’t good and intelligent people from previous administrations from State Dept, DOD, HHS, etc. coming together and speaking out about everything he is doing in an organized way? Why no shadow government? They should be holding press conferences every day speaking to how dangerous he is and bad for American people and responding to every new deviant action. I’d would contribute $ for something like that.
"Shadow Cabinet" is the term that Tim Snyder coined in his substack piece 3 weeks ago . "People's Cabinet" is the term of Steve Engel's petition posted again today in this commentary section, which I think is a better term.
Bill Moyers reported on "secret government" back in 1987 during the Iran Contra fiasco, which was a hidden slush fund, outside of congressional approval, for Reagan's illegal wars. We need to be careful of terminology. "Shadow government" can easily be conflated with "deep state" and the right will not hesitate to do so.
My head is exploding while watching the news conference. Trump is lying. Badmouthing all democrats. Showed no compassion. Hegseth etc are groveling. Why is the media covering this? They never covered Biden.
For my own peace of mind and desire to continue to function, I made a conscious decision not to expose myself to Trump’s Inauguration, nor to his performative shit show after 20 January. So I am very conscious in my choices of news media:
Hopium, Heather Cox Richardson, The Contrarian (Jennifer Rubin), The Downballott, non-US stuff in foreign news media. That’s pretty much it.
Well, they never covered a federal plane crash over the Potomac in Biden's administration because there wasn't one. I don't believe there was an airline accident during his administration. We can thank Biden, Pete Buttigieg and the pilots and air traffic controllers for that. In less than 10 days, Trump's administration has fallen down on public safety due to his inane picks and firings.
We need some perspective and pragmatism. Dems are out of power. What are they supposed to do? And, while I understand wanting to block Trump's nominees, the fact is that Trump himself is worse than Gabbard, RFK, and Patel put together and whoever gets those jobs will do what he says or get fired and replaced with someone who will. Let's not waste all our energy closing the barn door after the horses have already escaped. Delivering legislative wins will not get Dems a single vote in 2026. BIden was good and effective and it didn't matter in the least when it came to his approval. We have to control the narrative. Trump's DEI nonsense is now the top story because most people on the left think it's distasteful (and it is) to call attention to Trump's gutting of the FAA so soon after this air crash tragedy. But now it's too late to bring that up because Trump set the terms. Why are we defending DEI (which we can't do anything about) instead of creating the widespread impression that this is the first of many American tragedies Trump's incompetence will cause? Why has no one juxtaposed the (now deleted) WH "fact sheet" form Jan 22 about Trump having restored excellence and safety within the FAA with images of the crash? If we can drive his approval ratings down by making the next 6 months one long negative news cycle, GOP senators will be more likely to stand up to him, which is (sadly) our only real line of defense,.
A few thoughts on Trumps DEI nonsense. I thought this was a good post by Dan Froomkin titled "political reporters are actively covering up Trump's racism"
<div class="substack-post-embed"><p lang="en">Political reporters are actively covering up Trump’s racism by Dan Froomkin</p><p>The traditional media is once again failing a basic test of its competence</p><a data-post-link href="https://criticalread.substack.com/p/political-reporters-are-actively">Read on Substack</a></div><script async src="https://substack.com/embedjs/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The article included this helpful quote...
"By contrast, the Center for Progressive Reform took to social media to remind people that “DEI programs do not devalue merit – they rescue it from racism, misogyny, and other oppressions that smother it.” A very smart person I know asked what was the reason for the rights anti-DEI stance. He felt it was basically a white supremacist argument.
Basically and Wholly racist and sexist.
I think speaking out is important. I think Bishop Budde demonstrated the tone and demeanor we can take when appropriate. I think Tim Kaine, Amy Klobachar, et al, exemplify what legislative leaders can do. I have cut off donations to the DNC until they get their act together (except for Abigail in VA). Otherwise it's like throwing paint against the wall to me. I am using some of the interviews Simon has done here to post to social media (shown above).
Bishop Budde speaks from a place of deep, concentrated, spiritual grounding which few of the rest of us can claim, but which each of us would do well to cultivate.
I just finished my 2 calls to my senators from TX and now going to call my Texas representatives about the stupid things they are proposing following Abbott's idiotic agenda here in TX. My gosh, we need these people on speed dial to make it easier to call every day. Get going freedom fighters, we need every single dem to make 2-4 calls every day. You can do it. Thanks Simon for the lead and encouragement.
An easy and free tool to use, especially for people who aren't sure of what to say, is 5 Calls: https://5calls.org/
Once a user provides their location information and selects a topic of interest, they'll get a page with their Congressmembers' phone numbers, and a short script to read for their calls.
Thank you so much for this. I’ve been trying to remember the name of this site. I’ve used it before by copy/pasting the script into an email or text that Resistbot will send to as many people as you want.
My pleasure to be of service to you, Vicki.
My 94 y.o. Mom just found that! Shes so cool.
She sure is! If possible, please hug her on my behalf, for caring and being in the fight for so long.
Thank you and I will. She has been a prolific and excellent writer on FB for the cause. She lived through WW2 and her father flew reconnaissance (spying) flights during it. She knows about living on rations and growing a Victory garden and she feared what we are now experiencing. It is deeply sad for her to see how lazy and apathetic we have become. She is a true fighter for Democracy and she makes me proud.
Apologies if you have heard this before, but it's more relevant than ever. It's an idea Timothy Snyder (who wrote On Tyranny) has been pushing for a People's (shadow) cabinet. Imagine if we had Pete speaking as people's transportation sec today, or AOC as people's attorney general, or pick-your-favorite as people's health sec!
If anyone feels like it, you can sign this petition and repost the following:
Democrats, we must get louder to respond forcefully to the administration and make them own their unpopular actions. Let's form a Democratic People's Cabinet, our best folks speaking out. Please sign and repost!
www.change.org/shadowcabinet
(see https://snyder.substack.com/p/shadow-cabinet)
Thank you for posting this again. I posted this weeks ago and it needs more attention. I hope it will gain traction. Now I’m headed to that petition.
Great!
Calling them out with the real life effects of their actions -- I have not seen the word "EGG" lately. What happened to that promise as the markets become ever more volatile
If Trump could have a "shadow government" in Mar a Lago, why can't the Democrats do it?
Thanks for sharing this! For all avid readers, Timothy Snyder is another great writer to follow on Substack.
One of many examples our Democratic leaders and Shadow Cabinet should be loud about... Every time one of the pardoned January 6 insurrectionists commits a new crime or gets arrested: call a press conference and blame Trump!
If one of them kills someone, say a former girlfriend or wife called e.g. Tiffany Jones, then in response to it introduce the Tiffany Jones Act (à la the Laken Riley Act).
The Democrats’ proposed act could, for instance, call for a minimum sentence of five years (perhaps to be served at Guantamo?) for any post-pardon violence committed by a J6 convict – followed of course by mandatory deportation after their prison sentence.
It’s the narrative and the loudness of this narrative that matters!
Yea!
"If we are loud, and if we make our case, ... Trump may have already set in motion the de-legitimization and destruction of his Presidency."
This is the most hopium-ish thing you've said in a while, Simon, and I'm going to wear it next to my heart. Let's stay loud and make it happen.
Yes... to all of what you have said Simon. This disaster is unfolding in real time and the calls do help. They apparently respond to public opinion!
"The hard, cold reality for the Trump Administration is that their early, fanatical blitzkrieg included removing and forcing out those in charge of aviation security for the United States."
AMERICANS know that ONLY if Democratic politicians are shouting it in every media outlet! We should tie this tragic crash directly to Trump’s policies!!
Likewise with any and all negative news: tie the price of eggs, the price of gas, expensive loans, expensive medicines and health care etc, to Trump policies. Loudly!
Absolutely. Because he/they are the master of twisting everything around and somehow people end. up believing that it’s still something Biden or the Dems did. This was written about in Heather Cox Richardson’s most recent “Letter.” I will see if I can post it.
Yes. Disrupting our agencies, taking away safety personnel , to cut govt so he can give more $ to the richest in the world.
I think this has to come from individuals with the explanation as to how it is hurting them. Be prepared for blowback from some Trump supporters, per usual.
A note of caution here. Blaming Trump's policies -- as harmful and ridiculous as they are -- for the DC airline crash strikes me as jumping to conclusions. Many of the victims of this tragic accident haven't even been recovered yet. I think it would be preferable to let the investigation proceed and then, if warranted, do our shouting when the results are available. That said, I have mixed feelings in that it is Trump's people doing the investigating.
I hear you. But Democrats can point out that the DC airport is one of two civilian airports run by the federal government, and underscore the increased risk of accident given the insane stuff Trump is already doing with federal employees – and squarely and explicitly place any future airline accidents on his shoulders.
No, I think the NTSB is doing the investigation; they always do. They are nonpolitical and very competent.
chaos is cruel and contrived
My daughter-in-law is a prosecutor. Victims of crime and witnesses are now not showing up for court dates and/or preparation because they are afraid ICE will seize them at the court house. That means cases can't be prosecuted and that means criminals stay free to commit more crimes. Party of law and order my sweet Aunt Annie.
A friend of a friend who works for the federal government has gotten a series of calls: You're out of a job; No, you have a job at least for now; You may have a job but you'll have to stop working from home. She's out of the country and has no idea whether she has a job or what's next.
No way to run a county.
That is awful! My aunt is VP at a refugee resettlement agency. She said they have had to fire 300 people.
Same thing is happening in the courts where my brother in law, an interpreter, works.
My daughter runs an after school program in an impoverished area. Her agency has provided her with the city attorney’s office-a Democrat-in case ICE shows up.
Nice country we got here….
Just called the Raleigh office of Tom Tillis and spoke to a staffer. When I tried to call the DC office the mailbox is full. Let's keep calling everyone! Especially that rat Tillis. He needs to know that we see that he is spineless and duplicitous and we won't stop until he does the right thing or gets voted out!
Use Resistbot and send an email or text.
And call local offices like I said I did. Every minute their staffers are tied up with us they are not actively screwing us.
I love that.
Booker's office: cannot leave voicemails at all, very difficult to get through on the phone but you can use the webform to email them. Kim's office - can leave voicemails. Have been texting/calling Gov. Murphy re his silence on last week's ICE raids. (He will be sorry he opened up a designated text line if I have anything to say about it.) I also have a letter to editor coming out today re Rep. Chris Smith (NJ04), who has said/done nothing re any of this, but saw fit to call a press conference re drone activity.
In the meantime, NJ is holding criminals accountable - former Sen. Menendez was just sentenced to 11 years, and an investigation is underway re nefarious doings by Rep. Norcross (NJ01) at the Camden waterfront.
As we say in the gun safety movement, KEEP GOING!
You can use Resistbot to email or text your message.
I’ve used up all my ResistBot access- they won’t let me send for free anymore. 😢
"Moving fast and breaking things" can be a useful approach to some kinds of software development. But even in that domain, its utility is limited - in order to minimize deleterious effects of bugs, the most effective technique is the boring methodology of slowly inserting changes and testing after each. This saves tons of time, money, and problems at later stages. And when applied to running the country, the careless approach is even worse.
Don't be surprised that, if Trump's public approval continues to crater because of the shit show that is his administration, he doesn't try to use the military to invade someplace like Panama in an effort to get the public to rally around the president.
I predict another "assassination attempt" as well as even more extreme racist rhetoric right out there in the open.
Has anyone heard anything about a court case on the 2nd attempt? Personally, I think that was staged.
Also..and here's a thought..the group Patriotic Millionaires actually identified themselves today on Facebook. They keep saying they want to be taxed. Can't they take some of that money and fund a PAC to help with pushback? The R's have been funding PACS for decades and doing all kinds of messaging through them.
Why aren’t good and intelligent people from previous administrations from State Dept, DOD, HHS, etc. coming together and speaking out about everything he is doing in an organized way? Why no shadow government? They should be holding press conferences every day speaking to how dangerous he is and bad for American people and responding to every new deviant action. I’d would contribute $ for something like that.
"Shadow Cabinet" is the term that Tim Snyder coined in his substack piece 3 weeks ago . "People's Cabinet" is the term of Steve Engel's petition posted again today in this commentary section, which I think is a better term.
Bill Moyers reported on "secret government" back in 1987 during the Iran Contra fiasco, which was a hidden slush fund, outside of congressional approval, for Reagan's illegal wars. We need to be careful of terminology. "Shadow government" can easily be conflated with "deep state" and the right will not hesitate to do so.
Hi Simon - cannot locate the link to sign up for the Feb. 5th Hopium call - can you please include in your next newsletter? Thanks
He wrote in a recent letter that the links will be sent out this weekend.
My head is exploding while watching the news conference. Trump is lying. Badmouthing all democrats. Showed no compassion. Hegseth etc are groveling. Why is the media covering this? They never covered Biden.
What is surprising about this? We've been watching this crap ever since Trump took his golden escalator ride in 2015...
For my own peace of mind and desire to continue to function, I made a conscious decision not to expose myself to Trump’s Inauguration, nor to his performative shit show after 20 January. So I am very conscious in my choices of news media:
Hopium, Heather Cox Richardson, The Contrarian (Jennifer Rubin), The Downballott, non-US stuff in foreign news media. That’s pretty much it.
Well, they never covered a federal plane crash over the Potomac in Biden's administration because there wasn't one. I don't believe there was an airline accident during his administration. We can thank Biden, Pete Buttigieg and the pilots and air traffic controllers for that. In less than 10 days, Trump's administration has fallen down on public safety due to his inane picks and firings.