33 Comments
User's avatar
Catherine Giovannoni's avatar

Simon, thank you for the good information. It's a gorgeous day here in the DMV; maybe Spring is really, finally here.

I worry a lot about the problem with fertilizer. Anyone who can start a home vegetable garden, even just some radishes and a tomato plant or two, should probably plan to do so. The problem could go beyond high prices to actual availability.

I'm writing postcards asking Virginia voters to vote YES on redistricting.

Doreen Frances's avatar

I have two community garden plots this year for that very reason.

Jo Burns's avatar

Thanks for the great information and analysis. I feel like I'm at the mall standing in front of the sign that says ⭐️you are here, but someone erased all the halls and labels and replaced them with crazy overlapping squiggly lines.

I think I'll stay home, spend less in the gas and product buying lines, and enjoy the emerging spring.

Bill Csajko's avatar

Also can protest at a No Kings rally near you on March 28.

KBH's avatar

YES! to No Kings next Saturday! There's one almost everywhere, so I hope all Hopium members, who work so hard and believe so fervently in our democracy, will show up at an event near them. This is one place where everyone can see how much opposition there is to all the illegality of the Trump administration. We can read polls; we can write postcards and make phone calls; we can cast secret ballots in the voting booth. And we should keep doing all those things. But few of them get huge attention and media coverage. No Kings is a prime opportunity to show ourselves, each other, our fellow Americans, our elected representatives, the world that there is a rising tide that says, "Hell, no!" We don't have to wait for November.

Michael G Baer's avatar

Thank you Cory Booker. More of this, please. STOP the WAR. Pass the War Powers Resolution. Stand up for the Constitution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5IdrCRe3dk

Bison Doc's avatar

Montana's Transparent Election Initiative (TEI) has received official petition sheets from the Montana Secretary of State for Initiative I-194, the statutory version of “The Montana Plan,” allowing the campaign to begin collecting signatures to place the initiative on the November 3 ballot. The TEI is a comprehensive legal strategy to challenge the status quo and empower state laws to regulate corporate spending in elections.

Twenty-three other states are exploring the possibility of similar efforts.

https://transparentelection.org/montana

A coalition of corporate & industry groups has filed a lawsuit with the Montana Supreme Court seeking to block the measure from reaching the ballot. The lawsuit asks the Court to intervene before Montanans have the opportunity to collect signatures and place the question before voters: whether corporations and other artificial entities should be allowed to spend money influencing elections.

https://disruptdarkmoney.feather.blog/corporate-interests-file-lawsuit-to-block-montanans-from-collecting-signatures-on-the-montana-plan

Sheila's avatar

What about all our elected leaders? Why are they allowing this to happen? Greed and power has taken over in both parties. We shall see if things do change after the midterms.

Michael G Baer's avatar

Sorry Sheila, that's a false equivalence. GOP holds all the power; House, Senate, Presidency, and most of a corrupted Supreme Court. Dems aren't perfect... far from it, but we are here because people were fooled by Trump, voted him back in, and the GOP has stood in lockstep through ALL of the Lawlessness and Shredding of Constitutional order.

Sheila's avatar

I hope you’re right!!!

SW's avatar

Didn't you know, Michael, everything that goes wrong in the world is caused by elected dems. For example, they invaded Ukraine.

Simon Rosenberg's avatar

Sheila am sure you’ve noticed we’ve voted down a DHS authorization now 5 times in the Senate; brought war powers to both chambers that we voted down; and yesterday Rep Smith said Dems would be a no on additional funding. The two parties are not the same and I would like you to take this post down.

Sheila's avatar
2hEdited

I guess we cannot express, or share how we feel about our elected leaders. I’m a Democrat and I’m proud of it. I’m just expressing some doubts that I have. Is that wrong? If so, I won’t share on your substack anymore. I’ve enjoyed the fact that we can share our thoughts. I guess we have to have the “right” ones. Don’t worry. I won’t share anymore.

Ted N's avatar

I’m not a super active member but I’ve been around to know that we’re careful about pushing negative sentiment out in the world because it’s demoralizing.

We all wish our party leaders were more successful in thwarting his agenda. Instead of expressing that negative emotion, which can be cathartic, we try to focus on what we’re doing to fix the problem.

If you have Dem leaders, let em know what you expect of them every day.

Sheila's avatar

Hi Mike, I have gone to my representative’s office. It’s hard in Florida. I have asked for that person to do the right thing about Trump. I won’t get into the details. I’m just going to stop sharing on Simon’s substack page.

SW's avatar

we report on what we're doing and constructive things, we don't dump negative emotions into the comments to upset ppl. report on what you are doing to move things forward, will listen and be supportive

Sheila's avatar

Simon, I think it’s great that we are accomplishing these important goals. Especially the vote to not fund ICE. I pray that we can keep achieving these goals. I’m a Democrat. I want to see Trump and his regime behind bars. I’m sorry that it bothers you when I express my doubts. I think it’s important that people know their elected officials. How they voted on things like impeachment and see who they take donations from. This is why I expressed my doubts. I’m sorry if you feel that’s wrong!!

Michael G Baer's avatar

I like to suggest, if you have doubts, or wish to express anger about Democrats, the best place to do that is calling your Representative and Senators. It puts it in the lap of the people who actually have the power to change the equation.

and there are alot of good ones out there. too. Where would Epstein Files be without Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia? Chris Murphy has done great work on beginning to enact sensible gun laws. The list is far lengthier than that.

Democrats are a mixed bag, but my sense is they are getting better and stronger and a new generation of leaders is moving in. With the GOP, it's 100% corruption, fecklessness, and lawlessness, with the exception of Thomas Massie. There are less than a handful of other GOPs at the margins on just a couple of issues.

That's what I mean by false equivalence. There is no reasonable comparison that both parties suck.

Peggy Hendrickson's avatar

Simon, please add Jo Mendoza to your list of critical Democratic candidates for us to support. We in AZ 06 need to rid ourselves of Juan Ciscomani who is a rubber stamp for the regime.

Thomas's avatar
2hEdited

Simon and Hopium are already big supporters of Jo and have raised a lot of money for her.

Please see the link below to her recent interview if you missed it...

https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/jo-mendoza-checks-in-from-the-sixth

(she is part of 'Hopium’s Winning The House Campaign' fund)

Kate Feldman's avatar

Thanks for the steadiness in your voice, Simon. I’m out of the country and fear some sort of reprisal from Iran… we are living in Trump hell. I’m so proud of the Americans who are fighting like hell. Just saw a post from my senator Elizabeth Warren who is fighting like hell. And Jim McGovern. And so many others. Read Contrarian today, y’all. It’s great about all the court cases and good trouble the AGs are up to. Thanks everyone for working so hard!!

Pam's avatar

And Republicans in Congress are letting him.

Charley Ice's avatar

It's important to understand the Techno-fascist goal. These are misfits trying to fill a black hole of incoherence and incompetence with ego demands. They are emotionally bereft, from poor parenting. They have amassed wealth and power as their retribution to the world that didn't allow them to thrive as normal human beings. Their goal is to destroy that world, plain and simple; it gives them satisfaction. They fantasize that they can insulate themselves from accountability. We have to stand them up, take it back. Otherwise there is no end to the destruction that will eventually engulf even them.

SW's avatar

In the world we are building, those ppl will get therapy instead of poisoning as much as they can around them/ us

Martha Joan's avatar

I am in Europe now

Flying home on United in 9 days ( if not cancelled) and flying abroad with family in mid April!

Prices for gas are much higher here

Such a bummer to be an American in Europe now

But folks here are very nice and need our tourist $

Rather than cutting gas taxes we should be raising taxes on the billionaires to fund this madness!

And investing in clean energy

ArcticStones's avatar

Best wishes on your travels!

Americans who haven’t been abroad don’t realize that gas prices here are still dirt cheap. I’ve quipped that with gas now at perhaps $3.79, Americans ought to think of it as them getting a $3-discount on German gas prices.

Patrick's avatar
2hEdited

This administration is just full of insane people. I had never heard of Gregg Phillips before today. He is a top official in FEMA, and has been telling people about how he teleported 50 miles away to a Waffle House. I know that sounds like The Onion.

On the other hand, he doesn't need a private jet to do his job, and I'm looking forward to him doing wonders with logistics in disaster relief.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/20/fema-gregg-phillips-waffle-house

He also warned people of the dangers of teleportation. It's "no fun" (direct quote). Here is the full quote:

“Teleporting is no fun,” he said “You know it’s happening, but you can’t do anything about it, and so you just go, you just go with the ride. And wow, what just an incredible adventure it all was.”

He needs serious help but at least should not be allowed to drive. The first time he "teleported" his car was in a ditch.

Peggy Hendrickson's avatar

Thanks. I read so many Substacks it is impossible to remember who is supporting what. I just know we are all on the same team.

Barbara Perra's avatar

Sent to Sen Murray, Cantwell, Schumer, Rep DelBene, Jeffries:

The following is recommended for the Democrats Disaster Agenda to be implemented IMMEDIATELY:

Work To End This New Gulf War, And Trump’s Global Imperial Ambitions

Make Clear We Support Ukraine and Europe, Not Russia. Reinstate Sanctions on Russia

Roll Back The New, Illegal Tariffs

Rescind The Trump Tax Cuts, Claw Back The Extra ICE Funding.

Make The US A Clean Energy Superpower, Fight For True Energy Independence, And Lower

Energy Prices For The American People

Keep fighting To Rein In ICE, End Mass Deportation; Regulate Concentration Camps

procurement and management

End the War on Science, Health and Public Health. IMPEACH HHS KENNEDY, JR NOW!

Art B.'s avatar

Trump, Vance, Miller, Hegseth, Patel and Bondi MUST be removed from their offices before their "cultish" decision making creates "The Great Depression of 2026"! When expenditures exceed reserves, said leaders have to be replaced--before the sword of Damocles falls on all of us.

Millie Polli Haskell's avatar

Sorry Simon. I have not been available, but I will be by Monday. I'll be making calls, etc..And, I truly hope that there will be no injuries or death's of Our Brave Men and Women that are being sent to IRAN! FUCK TRUMP and HIS SICK MIND and MADE-UP WAR!!!