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Judy Williams's avatar

So Many of his croonies working with him have gotten High on the power he is showing and they are not likely to back down , or give it up..

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Robin Shanen's avatar

I am concerned R’s will twist this and use selected images for midterms

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Jenny Ellsworth's avatar

I am too. But no matter what happens, they will lie about it. They are lying about violence in LA, about what the Constitution says, about the people they are arresting without due process, and on and on.

We have to loudly state the truth and act with courage and compassion, and when they lie, we have to do it again.

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fourfreedomsfan's avatar

Gov. Newsom told the truth tonight in a very direct and powerful way.

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Faith Wilson's avatar

Of course they will try it, but it's important to avoid the green lantern theory of the presidency: that just because trump and the GOP try it or want to do it that they'll be successful at it.

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Robin Sandberg's avatar

When Donald was asked today if all this force was necessary he said YES “ we had to come out really strong here or they would be…everywhere”(can’t remember the word) OK WHY WOULD PEOPLE BE PROTESTING EVERYWHERE DONALD!??? (because this is horrific)

Secondly is he blind to the knowledge that people will be protesting EVERYWHERE on No Kings DAY! I fear he is living in a bubble.

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Robin Sandberg's avatar

No Violence is the only way. Are these protesters or Oppotunists??? Trumps big parade is coming up and he wants to put fear in people so they don’t go to demonstrations. We can not be suppressed!

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Susan Dieterlen ❌️👑's avatar

I find those numbers extremely persuasive, and they don't even account for the original ICE who don't seem to be able to detain grandmas and dishwashers without riot gear and backup from other agencies.

The videos Angelenos are posting of ordinary city streets and people going about their lives are also very persuasive!

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Bowman Cutter's avatar

This is way too optimistic. Trump has won this round. He will win the governor’s law suit we are in much more trouble than Simon lets on. This is step one in the breaking of the country and until we see that we don’t have a chance.

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Cynthia Erb's avatar

I think there’s a hearing Thursday morning. I have no idea whether Trump or Newsom will win.

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Jenny Ellsworth's avatar

I think we all see the danger. But this has got to be, I don’t know, at least step 5 and maybe more. Stealing Garland’s SCOTUS seat, threatening Marie Yovanovitch, January 6, pardoning the insurrectionists, changing sides in the middle of a war, accepting a $400 million airplane bribe, getting SCOTUS to say he has immunity, violating due process, alienating our allies with illegal tariffs, and so much more. This IS completely awful and terrifying, no question. But we haven’t lost yet.

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Bowman Cutter's avatar

I agree with all that. Those are all,signs of an authoritative want to be. I continue to think that the occupation of LA is the first overt step to install an authoritarian and to break the counry

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Faith Wilson's avatar

They do not have the manpower or the resources to take over this country, full stop. We have, what, maybe 1.3 million active military, in a country of 340 million? Even adding in 850,000 or so law enforcement personnel, that's bare coverage, and that's assuming all of them would be cool with taking over the country.

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Jenny Ellsworth's avatar

I don’t see how it changes what we have to do. Insist on the truth, protest, volunteer, donate, call our electeds, get our friends and neighbors involved, stay informed.

Despite this being a more physical threat, it seems like a continuation of his Jan 20 executive order ending birthright citizenship. Same with defying Judge Boasberg by not turning the plane around or the Supreme Court by not bringing back Kilmar Abrego Garcia. And sending masked people with no ID or warrant to kidnap people into unmarked vehicles and defy habeus corpus. All of these (and more) are unconstitutional actions against immigrants.

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David Salzillo's avatar

If the polls Simon has cited are accurate, I disagree. Trump is not winning unless he is winning the majority of the public on this narrative. This is supposedly his strongest issue, his most exploitable issue.

Incidentally, this whole LA strategy and Miller's part in it is reminding me a bit of Claude Frollo from Disney's Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Maybe the rumored loss of his wife to Musk is causing him to seek a new way of satisfying his urges lol.

"I'll find her, I'll find her if I have to burn down all of Paris!"

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Janet HB's avatar

Soooo - we should just sit back and let it happen???

I don’t think so.

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John's avatar

Where is the "fear is the mind killer" guy when you need him? Seriously, Bowman, don't give up in advance. Trump hasn't won jack yet. It's an ongoing battle.

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Steve's avatar

This is Hopium. Don’t let the fear and doomscrolling take over you. We do more and worry less here.

We’re all upset, but the future isn’t written for anyone. We all have to stay strong in the face of these challenges and keep working to defend our nation.

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Meggles's avatar

This was great, Simon. Thank you. Helps to understand the dynamics, and helps me feel less alone.

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Susan Pfeifer's avatar

Simon - if you have not heard, Manny's in the Mission in SF (a beloved event space) was viciously vandalized on Monday night with windows broken, furnishings trashed, and anti-semitic graffiti all over it. If you do not know Manny Yuketiel, you should.

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Victoria Martin's avatar

Everyone protesting should wave American flags! “Whose flag? Our flag!”

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Jenny Ellsworth's avatar

But check if the location allows flags on sticks.

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Janineb9's avatar

Thank you for this historical perspective… makes sense… but very very cruel. Hopefully ordinary people keep speaking out & up! So proud of them.

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Janineb9's avatar

Thank you for the recommendations… Great advice!

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Bobbie R's avatar

Governor Newsom gave an address just now.

You can watch it on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other sites across the internet.

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SW's avatar

thank you for posting this link

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Elizabeth H's avatar

I called Gov Desantis’ office today with the message that he should speak out against Trump’s overriding the Gov’s prerogative to call in the National Guard. Here is the good news: when I called there was a 12 min wait to speak with a staff member. Since I was headed out to another meeting re:resistance I hung up and called back to leave a message - their VM box was full. While I know Desantis doesn’t give a damn about what I (a constituent) think it told me that there are lots of people calling. I will try again tomorrow. I did leave scathing messages for my “rep” and Senators (also cultists) and asked what happened to “State’s rights” that they are so fond of? Also left my usual tag line, “When will your thirst for cruelty be satisfied?”

Sorry for the long post! Great to meet and chat with you, Simon, last night in Palm Springs!

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Learn about beads's avatar

Encourage the International Olympics Committee to move the 2028 Olympics -- to move it from Los Angeles. Contact the International Olympics Committee. If you are an American living outside of the USA, encourage your Country of residence to BOYCOTT the proposed LA Olympics in 2028.

"Hitler saw the 1936 Games as an opportunity to promote his government and ideals of racial supremacy and antisemitism, and the official Nazi Party paper, the Völkischer Beobachter, wrote in the strongest terms that Jews should not be allowed to participate in the Games.[3]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1936_Summer_Olympics

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David E.'s avatar

Thanks, Simon.

You can count on me and my wife calling our members of Congress every day. (Yeah, we're a power couple.)

My wife attended an ACLU de-escalation training and then instructed me later in the day. She's been working with Indivisible in preparation for No Kings Day. One of us will say more about that at another time.

I'm seeing No Kings Day posters around the campus now. I live in a relatively laid-back city with the nickname "Slothingham," but we'll be prepared in the unlikely event that we have to deal with counter-protestors.

I'm also calling Gov. Bob Ferguson's office.

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SW's avatar

Thank you, Simon, very helpful and thank you for points guiding how we can help. Am convinced what T is doing is intended as a distraction and an angry lashing out. Looking forward to the interview with Leon Krauze when it becomes possible.

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KellyAnn Shaughnessy's avatar

Thank You Simon for fighting so hard for our country. I am SO PROUD to be with a group like Hopium, and the US Democratic Party. SO PROUD!

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Ms. H's avatar

Can you address the offer Putin gave Musk Asylum. I think what’s happening with Trump trying to show strength now may have something to do with this.

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Elizabeth T.'s avatar

Wow! I hadn't heard that. Can you imagine Trump's fury?!!! He seems to believe that he is Putin's favorite! (And also seems to suffer from the delusion that he controls Putin and not the other way around.)

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