With all due respect for those attempting to get the Epstein files publicized, how about shifting the emphasis away from the oval office? Instead, let’s find someone with enough money buy a full-page newspaper ad encouraging women who were trafficked as minors to come forward and testify how multiple pedophiles treated them. Naming them adds legitimacy! Allegations refuted by factual testimony can be a powerful tool.
The fear of allegations casts a long, chilling shadow. It's a primal dread, not just of punishment, but of reputation shattered and trust eroded. An accusation, true or false, can unravel lives, careers, and relationships, leaving a trail of doubt and suspicion. This anxiety often leads to self-censorship and hesitation, stifling creativity and genuine interaction. It highlights the fragile nature of perception and the immense power of a spoken word, reminding us of the profound impact of both truth and fabrication.
Art, you are aware that we are where are now because dozens of women have come forward and spoken out, testified, braved death threats to challenge both Trump and Epstein? How have you not seen all that? Please do a bit more research and come back to us, and let us all show incredible gratitude for the brave women who have already come forward to challenge these horrible and powerful men.
Besides Simon's point that many women did come forward and that's why Epstein and Maxwell were tried, you noted that the victims were teens. Exactly, they were raped and traumatized then, may well be traumatized still, and we have a terrible history in the US of re-traumatizing victims of sexual violence if/when they come forward. Men wrongly accused is certainly awful, but that scenario is minuscule compared to girls and women who do not come forward because going to trial is so difficult; systems are not set up to get justice for sexual violence victims or even to treat them with empathy.
The focus needs to remain on evidence that needs to come out, following the money (as Sen. Wyden has been doing, noting 4700+ bank records), and what must be a huge number of people who played roles in the crimes and now in the cover-up. We just learned that 1000 FBI employees scrubbed 100,000 Epstein documents for mentions of Trump. That's 1000 more people involved in the cover-up, led by Bondi and Patel.
First of all, I’m 81 years old. Second, I’m a complete novice in all things political. I’ve only attended two rallies EVER. Third, as a result of #s 1 and 2, I have not been following all the Epstein details as you have. Am I paying closer attention now? Yes. Our grandchildren’s futures are at stake. More rigorous investigations will take place before I write/comment again!
SW, Thanks again for the Katie J video. I could only watch 10 minutes. It was so upsetting. I just don't get how people with money and power escape prosecution for such despicable behavior. My future comments will be better informed. Excuse my ignorance.
Made in 2016 and this is the first this writer has seen of the video? This correspondent is an uninformed idiot. Any human being who witnessed such an event as is described here had an obligation to see it ended by any means at all. Can one not be enraged?
This is Katie Johnson's sworn statement for a lawsuit against T. The lawsuit was derailed, it's not a journalistic interview. I assume it's her lawyer conducting the interview. Try to watch the last 10 minutes, as Art notes after watching the last 10 minutes, very pertinent.
This Guardian article does a great job of laying out all of the allegations that have come out, including a dressing room at Miss Teen USA but many others. Trigger warning: sexual assault. Sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trump – a
John, Teen Vogue, the Guardian, Rolling Stone, and the Miami Herald have all done a phenomenal job. If you need a better sense of what goes on/how it happens, watch the movie TAKEN.
Simon, it's so much bigger than those two. Because of Epstein and gym jordan, more are coming forward in general to say me too. The Clooney documentary about Ohio State is powerful and is on HBO for free. It's not as violent as some of what I've seen/heard, but I'm used to much worse. I brought up gym jordan on purpose. I don't want people to forget what a sicko he is.
Art, your wording makes it sound like you have something you're covering up...at least in my experience of talking with so many survivors of rape and trafficking.
A gentle reminder to all: Sex trafficking happens all over. Please don't say it doesn't happen in your backyard. It does. Just not on the Epstein kind of scale. Ask your friends. Ask their siblings. Know the signs. Please. There was a powerful movie by Liam Neeson called TAKEN. I'd urge you to watch it because of how well it depicts what happens.
Hey, Art. I've typed and deleted a lot of responses here. I'm just going to suggest, respectfully, that you center the victims in your thinking, and perhaps spend some time learning about what happens to women when they speak up. The fear of false allegations is nothing compared to sexual violence, nor the fear of what will happen to you if you speak up. The specter of "false allegations," and a kneejerk sympathy for the accused, have also gotten us two sexual predators on the supreme court, not to mention our current president. If you want to think about potential harm to people, you might think about what an environment of sexual predation does to women. There's a wonderful memoir called Notes on A Silencing that might be useful to you; it just shows how power coalesces around itself. Chanel Miller's Know My Name is also terrific.
The biggest problem I see is the continued infighting and disunion in the Democratic Party. THIS HAS TO STOP NOW. "We must all hang together or we must assuredly all hang separately." I think this comes from certain people trying to hang on to power, but I might be wrong - suggestions?
I’m adding incessant democratic doomerism to this- so sick of hearing “we can’t get complacent remember what happened in 2016 and 2024.” Not to worry- we only get reminded of those losses every other comment on social media. Also tired of “assuming there will be elections” any time someone is excited about the midterms.
It would help if Dem pundits followed Simon's lead and promoted positivity and unity. All the mainstream media outlets pounce on "low" poll numbers for the Dem party in general, completely ignoring what's driving those numbers and also ignoring Dem performance in all post November elections.
The news mongers are not helping. They like their old narratives and their clickbait. People seem to be - finally - looking for better journalism, but it isn’t instantaneous. We just have to keep pushing back on headlines that say Democrats are doing a bad job.
Another contributor is that people are joining the fight every day, and for many it is the first time being actively involved in politics. They do it because they finally felt enough urgency or alarm. They decide to DO SOMETHING but instead of looking at existing efforts, some people try to start a new one.
The people who are already protesting and calling and volunteering look relatively calm and confident and sometimes even happy.
The newly fired-up people start trying to get the more experienced people on-board with their thing, because it is so urgent, and panic when no one wants to stop their own efforts and join something new. The newly fired-up people sometimes accuse the others of not paying attention to what’s *really* important, and no one wants to be accused of that.
I see this all the time in my UU congregation, and from friends who suddenly realize they need to act, etc. It happened after the Dobbs decision, when people panicked and tried to start new organizations, and didn’t realize others had been working on the problem for literally decades.
I was probably that way after the 2016 election, but I hope I wasn’t too bad. :)
The biggest misconception / delusion that I am witnessing right now in Democratic circles is the notion that it is the Democratic Party that will save the country. People that don't know when to take off the party hat and put on the American hat.
I think everybody understands our country is in deep trouble. Our system is broken in a way it never has been broken before -- even during the Civil War.
In order to remove the current wrecking balls from power, someone has to win elections. At present, the only viable "someone" is the Democratic Party. Therefore, the Democratic Party has to be united, powerful and focused. Any other suggestions?
Under a functioning system, I fully agree with you.
The system is broken and -- a) it is not going to fix itself. b) elections will not fix it; and c) the Democratic party will not fix it. (Therefore, if We the People can articulate a "fix" and those calling themselves Democrats can unify behind that .. then AWESOME.)
Today, we have 219 "traitors" in our People's House completely unfaithful to their oath of office. Allowing a morally depraved chief executive to run wild.
What academics and learned people who know about authoritarianism assert is that it will not give up power without violence. Hell, January 6 should have taught us that.
Here's the thing that most seem to fail to take into consideration: Our system is broken in the eyes of a world that is vastly different now than it was in Nixon's time. Most nations would be wise NOT to trust the United States going forward -- and I say that as someone who loves my country and has served it in uniform. To the world, we appear mentally damaged -- schizophrenic -- lost our way.
I believe the Ninth Amendment to our Bill of Rights points a way out to restoring our country -- not just for ourselves .. but in the eyes of a justly concerned world.
All true, but we also need NPP voters and even Republican voters who don’t like the administration. Democrats need to win elections, yes, but *Americans* need to vote for those Democrats, even if they don’t agree with them 100%.
To accomplish that, we have to make sure Democrats are always working for America, not just our political party.
"but *Americans* need to vote for those Democrats"
Kindly regard our situation here in a gerrymandered district in Georgia where a Democrat's chances are very slim. Democrats need to work with non-MAGA conservatives to get behind someone who runs as an R -- and who can primary the traitor, Barry Loudermilk. We have open primaries here in Georgia.
I called Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen and Congressman Raskin to thank them for demanding the Epstein files and to ask them to do everything they can to end the tariffs.
Just signed up for the local Dems' upcoming session on voter registration. I'm writing postcards to North Carolina voters today.
I wish there was a way we can expand the map to more Midwestern and Southern working class districts that were Democratic, but started going Republican with the Tea Party movement in 2010. There is ample opportunity to expand the playing field as a result of the Trump megabill's cuts, the tariff whiplash, the mass firings and funding freezes, the Epstein Files, and the corruption all hitting at kitchen table economics and pocketbook issues.
In 2006, Howard Dean tried out the 50-State Strategy to stunning success and was able to overperform expectations for that cycle. The DNC Chair today, Ken Martin, should look at what made 2006 so successful and try to replicate that for the changing landscape of 2026 with rural media, social media, podcasts, and streaming.
An expanded map further would plague the allocation of Republican finances and resources where they are needed most. Some ideas to expand the map besides the familiar battleground targets: NY-21, NY-01, NY-17, NJ-02, NJ-07, PA-07, PA-08, PA-01, PA-14, PA-16, OH-06, OH-14, OH-10, OH-15, IN-02, IN-05, IN-08, IN-09, MI-07, MI-10, MI-04, MI-01, IL-12, IA-01, IA-02, IA-03, WI-03, WI-01, WI-07, WI-08, MN-01, MN-08, MN-07, KS-02, NE-02, KY-06, TN-05, AR-02, VA-01, VA-02, VA-05, VA-09, NC-11, NC-09, SC-01, SC-05, GA-12, FL-27, FL-28, FL-13, TX-15, TX-23, AZ-02, CO-03, MT-01, AK-AL, CA-22, CA-03, CA-41, CA-40
Michael, I am literally stunned by this post, for it suggests that you are not reading or paying attention to anything I say here, and just use this site to put your ideas out there without regard to what is written or argued here. The DNC's plan that both Jane Kleeb and Ken Martin have described and that I have posted links and written about to go way beyond anything Howard Dean did. It is the largest and most significant investment in red states and red areas of the country in the DNC's history and will do more to create capacity in these parts of the country than anyone ever has. Here at Hopium we will be using the state and district targets developed by the national party committees and making decisions based on my decades of experience in investing in hard to win places. I suggest you work a little harder to understand what the national party is doing before coming on here and attempting to steer people to places other than where we are headed. Thank you.
It's not just about the money. It's about the effort we put in from day one and the devotion we have to communities that have been taken for granted for a long time since 2006 and 2008. Anyone can throw a check or a donation in at one point or another. The question really is whether people in the communities are hearing us too, or just from the Republican Party. People need to feel our presence, and I hear a lot of people up to 2024 saying we don't do that nearly enough. When there's a stat like 20% of rural counties in the country are underrepresented by the Democratic Party, or in other words, have no county chair, that's a problem. People with hands-on experience are telling me these issues over and over again. I can't just ignore them or tell them what I know they've already heard before.
I know you have a problem or feud with me for a long time for whatever reason it is, even though I admire your work and time to this blog as I do to mine, but there is no need to make this personal. I'm just offering feedback for you as the longtime strategist that you are. Don't want me chiming in? Fine. Just let me know and I'll stop commenting in this format. But take the temperature down a little bit. Think about a time when you were an upstart yourself taken for granted the same way by the establishment or the veterans.
I’m a west coast refugee from Texas, and one of my dreams is to see Texas go blue someday. I know it’s at least purple. I’m rooting for your efforts in Texas. Worried about voter suppression there.
Continuing to work at sending voter registration postcards via FT6.
I agree with what Simon has been saying about dwelling on perceived "Democratic weakness". It's self-defeating.
We need to run candidates everywhere who fit their districts, and then leaders will emerge to make it into a governing coalition. We can't expect some kind of unified, singular message at this point. So many people seem to be talking about specific people like Mamdani, AOC, etc., rather than about the project of winning elections at all levels -- local, state, national.
hopiums: you can support NASA today and commemorate the anniversary of the moon landing in 1969! and you can also watch "Hidden Figures" streaming, a DEI master class! read the Voyager Declaration from the brave souls at NASA as part of Stand up for Science!!
Just finished reading “Lawless” by Leah Litman and boy! Do we have a lot of work to do to reform the Supreme Court and turn this ship around!! Though it’s a daunting task, it is doable as Leah points out in her conclusion but it’s going to take all of us, just as Simon has been saying.
Self-report: called my Republican senators and my House rep to urge my senators to oppose Bove’s appointment to the 3rd circuit court, and my House rep to stop the weaponization of the DOJ and the FBI and push for the resignation of AG Pam Bondi.
When we get the WH and the Senate, we need to increase the size of SCOTUS to match the number of US Courts of Appeal, impose an ethics requirement with teeth, and impose term limits. Finally, we need a very clear requirement about how close to an election a new justice may be nominated. I think Senator Whitehouse will champion these measures.
I received an email this morning from Stand Up For Science, announcing "that at 8am ET a group of brave NASA workers published their Voyager Declaration on the website" www.standupforscience.net.
Their Declaration focuses on the '47' Administration dismantling cuts and devastating attacks on NASA programs and missions.
Colette, Executive Director of SUFS, posted her urgent ask, "that you take a few minutes to read their Declaration and add your name to our Statement of Solidarity and Support.
Thanks Simon. The complete description of the video Trump posted last night was a nice touch, followed by “yep” that’s the President. He’s so far off the rails. I also appreciated the original Hopium post and the discussion of the philosophy behind this site. It’s something I feel and why I come here every day, but it’s nice to have the positive, supportive, action-oriented spirit described like that.
Off to a training on immigrant support. Working on postcards to VA which will be mailed Friday (100 and the deadline has me focused as deadlines so often do)
I wrote and sent out the San Fernando Valley Indivisible newsletter today. We continue to work every day to help our immigrant community members and to get in good trouble.
Last night, in the middle of a studiedly-apolitical birthday party for a couple of seniors, one of my airhead septuagenarian friends started remarking on cloud-seeding and flooding in Tennessee (sic.). “That is Just Not True,” I burst out before I remembered to bite my tongue. She asked what I thought was the actual cause. I replied, “Climate Change.” And the eye rolls began as I finally remembered to shut up.
So on the way back to my car, said airhead remarked, “What does your bumper sticker MEAN?”
My left hand bumper sticker reads, “Don’t believe everything you think!” Its companion on the right reads, “Science doesn’t care what you believe.” I just reread them to her and did not say anything about chem trails or cloud seeding.
My point is that it is really easy for me to fall into a depressed state of believing that everyone I know is either a blind-as-a-bat Bernie-believer or has been short-circuited by at least a decade of cognitive dissonance.
Which is why I read Hopium and the news from Schiff’s and Padilla’s websites. And participate in the perpetual local efforts to unseat Tom McClintock, MAGAt, R-CA-5.
Back at the “Hands Off” demonstration, when we were kind of new to doing this, I parked several blocks away from the site. Another demonstrator was standing by her car when I pulled in. She came over and said, “Oh good! Your bumper stickers look like you are safe!” We walked to the park together.
I'd like to see us expanding the sphere of the conflict, that it is not just GOP v Dem, but Pro Democracy versus authoritarian fascism, i.e. the constitutional order versus a king and his court.
Registered independents, the largest voting coalition in the country by the way, are mostly Pro-Democracy. https://news.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx Plenty of Independents are still going to be highlighting Dem shortcomings, or worse, trashing them as weak, because they don't identify as Democrats.
To counter them you merely need to ask them, "are you for constitutional order or for authoritarian fascists? Oh, you're for the constitution. That's great!! So are the democrats. So spend your time fighting fascism and supporting our constitutional order. Don't worry, the democrats are coming along and are aware of the criticisms."
With all due respect for those attempting to get the Epstein files publicized, how about shifting the emphasis away from the oval office? Instead, let’s find someone with enough money buy a full-page newspaper ad encouraging women who were trafficked as minors to come forward and testify how multiple pedophiles treated them. Naming them adds legitimacy! Allegations refuted by factual testimony can be a powerful tool.
The fear of allegations casts a long, chilling shadow. It's a primal dread, not just of punishment, but of reputation shattered and trust eroded. An accusation, true or false, can unravel lives, careers, and relationships, leaving a trail of doubt and suspicion. This anxiety often leads to self-censorship and hesitation, stifling creativity and genuine interaction. It highlights the fragile nature of perception and the immense power of a spoken word, reminding us of the profound impact of both truth and fabrication.
Art, you are aware that we are where are now because dozens of women have come forward and spoken out, testified, braved death threats to challenge both Trump and Epstein? How have you not seen all that? Please do a bit more research and come back to us, and let us all show incredible gratitude for the brave women who have already come forward to challenge these horrible and powerful men.
Thanks Simon. Will do. Yet, more disclosure might serve as a tipping point. The GOP SOBs have to be held accountable.
Besides Simon's point that many women did come forward and that's why Epstein and Maxwell were tried, you noted that the victims were teens. Exactly, they were raped and traumatized then, may well be traumatized still, and we have a terrible history in the US of re-traumatizing victims of sexual violence if/when they come forward. Men wrongly accused is certainly awful, but that scenario is minuscule compared to girls and women who do not come forward because going to trial is so difficult; systems are not set up to get justice for sexual violence victims or even to treat them with empathy.
The focus needs to remain on evidence that needs to come out, following the money (as Sen. Wyden has been doing, noting 4700+ bank records), and what must be a huge number of people who played roles in the crimes and now in the cover-up. We just learned that 1000 FBI employees scrubbed 100,000 Epstein documents for mentions of Trump. That's 1000 more people involved in the cover-up, led by Bondi and Patel.
100% Rachel
It always seems to come down to "follow the money", doesn't it? And there needs to be more of that in this case!
Yes indeed. The money trail will reveal a lot. I'm so glad Sen Ron Wyden was working on this for the past 3 years.
First of all, I’m 81 years old. Second, I’m a complete novice in all things political. I’ve only attended two rallies EVER. Third, as a result of #s 1 and 2, I have not been following all the Epstein details as you have. Am I paying closer attention now? Yes. Our grandchildren’s futures are at stake. More rigorous investigations will take place before I write/comment again!
The sworn statement of Katie John, a T/E victim who fought back statement about Epstein/ Trump is important. about 30 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnib-OORRRo
False accusations is so not an issue here
Thanks for the link. I’ve learned an important lesson.
Well, it's what this community is about, welcome!!!
SW, Thanks again for the Katie J video. I could only watch 10 minutes. It was so upsetting. I just don't get how people with money and power escape prosecution for such despicable behavior. My future comments will be better informed. Excuse my ignorance.
Made in 2016 and this is the first this writer has seen of the video? This correspondent is an uninformed idiot. Any human being who witnessed such an event as is described here had an obligation to see it ended by any means at all. Can one not be enraged?
This is Katie Johnson's sworn statement for a lawsuit against T. The lawsuit was derailed, it's not a journalistic interview. I assume it's her lawyer conducting the interview. Try to watch the last 10 minutes, as Art notes after watching the last 10 minutes, very pertinent.
Good for you, Art! I'm 79, and I'd rather be painting but the problems have become too critical to avoid.
This Guardian article does a great job of laying out all of the allegations that have come out, including a dressing room at Miss Teen USA but many others. Trigger warning: sexual assault. Sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trump – a
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/25/trump-sexual-misconduct-allegations-timeline?CMP=share_btn_url
Thanks John. I appreciate the reference. 👍
John, Teen Vogue, the Guardian, Rolling Stone, and the Miami Herald have all done a phenomenal job. If you need a better sense of what goes on/how it happens, watch the movie TAKEN.
It’s sickening such a jerk is POTUS. For these behaviors and so many other reasons.
Thank you for posting this article.
Agree completely. How is this not disqualifying??
Simon, it's so much bigger than those two. Because of Epstein and gym jordan, more are coming forward in general to say me too. The Clooney documentary about Ohio State is powerful and is on HBO for free. It's not as violent as some of what I've seen/heard, but I'm used to much worse. I brought up gym jordan on purpose. I don't want people to forget what a sicko he is.
Art, your wording makes it sound like you have something you're covering up...at least in my experience of talking with so many survivors of rape and trafficking.
A gentle reminder to all: Sex trafficking happens all over. Please don't say it doesn't happen in your backyard. It does. Just not on the Epstein kind of scale. Ask your friends. Ask their siblings. Know the signs. Please. There was a powerful movie by Liam Neeson called TAKEN. I'd urge you to watch it because of how well it depicts what happens.
Thank you, Simon and thank you for today's perspective
Hey, Art. I've typed and deleted a lot of responses here. I'm just going to suggest, respectfully, that you center the victims in your thinking, and perhaps spend some time learning about what happens to women when they speak up. The fear of false allegations is nothing compared to sexual violence, nor the fear of what will happen to you if you speak up. The specter of "false allegations," and a kneejerk sympathy for the accused, have also gotten us two sexual predators on the supreme court, not to mention our current president. If you want to think about potential harm to people, you might think about what an environment of sexual predation does to women. There's a wonderful memoir called Notes on A Silencing that might be useful to you; it just shows how power coalesces around itself. Chanel Miller's Know My Name is also terrific.
Thanks for listening.
Thanks Anne. Clearly more thorough and sensitive investigation is warranted.
thank you. i really really appreciate your kind and open response. have a lovely day.
The biggest problem I see is the continued infighting and disunion in the Democratic Party. THIS HAS TO STOP NOW. "We must all hang together or we must assuredly all hang separately." I think this comes from certain people trying to hang on to power, but I might be wrong - suggestions?
I’m adding incessant democratic doomerism to this- so sick of hearing “we can’t get complacent remember what happened in 2016 and 2024.” Not to worry- we only get reminded of those losses every other comment on social media. Also tired of “assuming there will be elections” any time someone is excited about the midterms.
It would help if Dem pundits followed Simon's lead and promoted positivity and unity. All the mainstream media outlets pounce on "low" poll numbers for the Dem party in general, completely ignoring what's driving those numbers and also ignoring Dem performance in all post November elections.
Seriously, the pundits have a fetish for mopey sad headlines. Anything for clicks & I'm sick of this shit.
I just assume "assuming there will be elections" is a GOP/Russian psyop to depress voter turnout.
The news mongers are not helping. They like their old narratives and their clickbait. People seem to be - finally - looking for better journalism, but it isn’t instantaneous. We just have to keep pushing back on headlines that say Democrats are doing a bad job.
Another contributor is that people are joining the fight every day, and for many it is the first time being actively involved in politics. They do it because they finally felt enough urgency or alarm. They decide to DO SOMETHING but instead of looking at existing efforts, some people try to start a new one.
The people who are already protesting and calling and volunteering look relatively calm and confident and sometimes even happy.
The newly fired-up people start trying to get the more experienced people on-board with their thing, because it is so urgent, and panic when no one wants to stop their own efforts and join something new. The newly fired-up people sometimes accuse the others of not paying attention to what’s *really* important, and no one wants to be accused of that.
I see this all the time in my UU congregation, and from friends who suddenly realize they need to act, etc. It happened after the Dobbs decision, when people panicked and tried to start new organizations, and didn’t realize others had been working on the problem for literally decades.
I was probably that way after the 2016 election, but I hope I wasn’t too bad. :)
Very true!
The biggest misconception / delusion that I am witnessing right now in Democratic circles is the notion that it is the Democratic Party that will save the country. People that don't know when to take off the party hat and put on the American hat.
I think everybody understands our country is in deep trouble. Our system is broken in a way it never has been broken before -- even during the Civil War.
In order to remove the current wrecking balls from power, someone has to win elections. At present, the only viable "someone" is the Democratic Party. Therefore, the Democratic Party has to be united, powerful and focused. Any other suggestions?
Under a functioning system, I fully agree with you.
The system is broken and -- a) it is not going to fix itself. b) elections will not fix it; and c) the Democratic party will not fix it. (Therefore, if We the People can articulate a "fix" and those calling themselves Democrats can unify behind that .. then AWESOME.)
Today, we have 219 "traitors" in our People's House completely unfaithful to their oath of office. Allowing a morally depraved chief executive to run wild.
What academics and learned people who know about authoritarianism assert is that it will not give up power without violence. Hell, January 6 should have taught us that.
Here's the thing that most seem to fail to take into consideration: Our system is broken in the eyes of a world that is vastly different now than it was in Nixon's time. Most nations would be wise NOT to trust the United States going forward -- and I say that as someone who loves my country and has served it in uniform. To the world, we appear mentally damaged -- schizophrenic -- lost our way.
I believe the Ninth Amendment to our Bill of Rights points a way out to restoring our country -- not just for ourselves .. but in the eyes of a justly concerned world.
All true, but we also need NPP voters and even Republican voters who don’t like the administration. Democrats need to win elections, yes, but *Americans* need to vote for those Democrats, even if they don’t agree with them 100%.
To accomplish that, we have to make sure Democrats are always working for America, not just our political party.
"but *Americans* need to vote for those Democrats"
Kindly regard our situation here in a gerrymandered district in Georgia where a Democrat's chances are very slim. Democrats need to work with non-MAGA conservatives to get behind someone who runs as an R -- and who can primary the traitor, Barry Loudermilk. We have open primaries here in Georgia.
That is real American solidarity.
Simon, I love that encouraging picture!
I called Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen and Congressman Raskin to thank them for demanding the Epstein files and to ask them to do everything they can to end the tariffs.
Just signed up for the local Dems' upcoming session on voter registration. I'm writing postcards to North Carolina voters today.
I just donated to Sen. Ossoff's campaign, as well as to Turn Left and VoteVets.
Thank you. We've got a great candidate for governor here too. (Jason Esteves.)
I wish there was a way we can expand the map to more Midwestern and Southern working class districts that were Democratic, but started going Republican with the Tea Party movement in 2010. There is ample opportunity to expand the playing field as a result of the Trump megabill's cuts, the tariff whiplash, the mass firings and funding freezes, the Epstein Files, and the corruption all hitting at kitchen table economics and pocketbook issues.
In 2006, Howard Dean tried out the 50-State Strategy to stunning success and was able to overperform expectations for that cycle. The DNC Chair today, Ken Martin, should look at what made 2006 so successful and try to replicate that for the changing landscape of 2026 with rural media, social media, podcasts, and streaming.
An expanded map further would plague the allocation of Republican finances and resources where they are needed most. Some ideas to expand the map besides the familiar battleground targets: NY-21, NY-01, NY-17, NJ-02, NJ-07, PA-07, PA-08, PA-01, PA-14, PA-16, OH-06, OH-14, OH-10, OH-15, IN-02, IN-05, IN-08, IN-09, MI-07, MI-10, MI-04, MI-01, IL-12, IA-01, IA-02, IA-03, WI-03, WI-01, WI-07, WI-08, MN-01, MN-08, MN-07, KS-02, NE-02, KY-06, TN-05, AR-02, VA-01, VA-02, VA-05, VA-09, NC-11, NC-09, SC-01, SC-05, GA-12, FL-27, FL-28, FL-13, TX-15, TX-23, AZ-02, CO-03, MT-01, AK-AL, CA-22, CA-03, CA-41, CA-40
Michael, I am literally stunned by this post, for it suggests that you are not reading or paying attention to anything I say here, and just use this site to put your ideas out there without regard to what is written or argued here. The DNC's plan that both Jane Kleeb and Ken Martin have described and that I have posted links and written about to go way beyond anything Howard Dean did. It is the largest and most significant investment in red states and red areas of the country in the DNC's history and will do more to create capacity in these parts of the country than anyone ever has. Here at Hopium we will be using the state and district targets developed by the national party committees and making decisions based on my decades of experience in investing in hard to win places. I suggest you work a little harder to understand what the national party is doing before coming on here and attempting to steer people to places other than where we are headed. Thank you.
It's not just about the money. It's about the effort we put in from day one and the devotion we have to communities that have been taken for granted for a long time since 2006 and 2008. Anyone can throw a check or a donation in at one point or another. The question really is whether people in the communities are hearing us too, or just from the Republican Party. People need to feel our presence, and I hear a lot of people up to 2024 saying we don't do that nearly enough. When there's a stat like 20% of rural counties in the country are underrepresented by the Democratic Party, or in other words, have no county chair, that's a problem. People with hands-on experience are telling me these issues over and over again. I can't just ignore them or tell them what I know they've already heard before.
I know you have a problem or feud with me for a long time for whatever reason it is, even though I admire your work and time to this blog as I do to mine, but there is no need to make this personal. I'm just offering feedback for you as the longtime strategist that you are. Don't want me chiming in? Fine. Just let me know and I'll stop commenting in this format. But take the temperature down a little bit. Think about a time when you were an upstart yourself taken for granted the same way by the establishment or the veterans.
I'll take your advice nonetheless. Thank you.
What is, say NE-02 an expansion of over 2024?
I’m a west coast refugee from Texas, and one of my dreams is to see Texas go blue someday. I know it’s at least purple. I’m rooting for your efforts in Texas. Worried about voter suppression there.
Yes!
Continuing to work at sending voter registration postcards via FT6.
I agree with what Simon has been saying about dwelling on perceived "Democratic weakness". It's self-defeating.
We need to run candidates everywhere who fit their districts, and then leaders will emerge to make it into a governing coalition. We can't expect some kind of unified, singular message at this point. So many people seem to be talking about specific people like Mamdani, AOC, etc., rather than about the project of winning elections at all levels -- local, state, national.
hopiums: you can support NASA today and commemorate the anniversary of the moon landing in 1969! and you can also watch "Hidden Figures" streaming, a DEI master class! read the Voyager Declaration from the brave souls at NASA as part of Stand up for Science!!
https://www.standupforscience.net/voyager-declaration-statement-support?source=ANpage&utm_source=ANpage&utm_medium=anpage&utm_campaign=NASADec&_gl=1*1xnn6zg*_ga*NTk1NTg3OTMwLjE3NTMxMTQ5NjY.*_ga_GD376CM0GB*czE3NTMxMTQ5NjYkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTMxMTUxNzEkajI2JGwwJGg3MzgxOTY0ODI.
This!!!
https://open.substack.com/pub/thecycle/p/politicize-everything?r=21at51&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
This could fit nicely with new DNC communications direction. She also did a powerful session on the recent Network NOVA Badass Women Friday podcast.
Just finished reading “Lawless” by Leah Litman and boy! Do we have a lot of work to do to reform the Supreme Court and turn this ship around!! Though it’s a daunting task, it is doable as Leah points out in her conclusion but it’s going to take all of us, just as Simon has been saying.
Self-report: called my Republican senators and my House rep to urge my senators to oppose Bove’s appointment to the 3rd circuit court, and my House rep to stop the weaponization of the DOJ and the FBI and push for the resignation of AG Pam Bondi.
When we get the WH and the Senate, we need to increase the size of SCOTUS to match the number of US Courts of Appeal, impose an ethics requirement with teeth, and impose term limits. Finally, we need a very clear requirement about how close to an election a new justice may be nominated. I think Senator Whitehouse will champion these measures.
Absolutely! I agree on all points!
I received an email this morning from Stand Up For Science, announcing "that at 8am ET a group of brave NASA workers published their Voyager Declaration on the website" www.standupforscience.net.
Their Declaration focuses on the '47' Administration dismantling cuts and devastating attacks on NASA programs and missions.
Colette, Executive Director of SUFS, posted her urgent ask, "that you take a few minutes to read their Declaration and add your name to our Statement of Solidarity and Support.
Called-emailed Sens...
Thanks Simon. The complete description of the video Trump posted last night was a nice touch, followed by “yep” that’s the President. He’s so far off the rails. I also appreciated the original Hopium post and the discussion of the philosophy behind this site. It’s something I feel and why I come here every day, but it’s nice to have the positive, supportive, action-oriented spirit described like that.
Off to a training on immigrant support. Working on postcards to VA which will be mailed Friday (100 and the deadline has me focused as deadlines so often do)
I wrote and sent out the San Fernando Valley Indivisible newsletter today. We continue to work every day to help our immigrant community members and to get in good trouble.
if anyone knows anyone who needs help with ICE, LA Taco has info sheet. share widely and save doc!
https://lataco.com/what-to-do-ice-arrest?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Last night, in the middle of a studiedly-apolitical birthday party for a couple of seniors, one of my airhead septuagenarian friends started remarking on cloud-seeding and flooding in Tennessee (sic.). “That is Just Not True,” I burst out before I remembered to bite my tongue. She asked what I thought was the actual cause. I replied, “Climate Change.” And the eye rolls began as I finally remembered to shut up.
So on the way back to my car, said airhead remarked, “What does your bumper sticker MEAN?”
My left hand bumper sticker reads, “Don’t believe everything you think!” Its companion on the right reads, “Science doesn’t care what you believe.” I just reread them to her and did not say anything about chem trails or cloud seeding.
My point is that it is really easy for me to fall into a depressed state of believing that everyone I know is either a blind-as-a-bat Bernie-believer or has been short-circuited by at least a decade of cognitive dissonance.
Which is why I read Hopium and the news from Schiff’s and Padilla’s websites. And participate in the perpetual local efforts to unseat Tom McClintock, MAGAt, R-CA-5.
I think it’s okay to politely correct misinformation even if the occasion is non-political. She broke the rules, not you.
But also at a certain point we all have to pick our battles. I’m not going to change my sept. uncle-in-law, so I just smile (or frown) and nod.
Good luck!
Exactly. We (my airhead friend and I) are both septuagenarians. We each see the other as brainwashed dupes. 🤓
Love your bumper stickers, Emily! They can be another form of resistance... for those not requiring an explanation.
Back at the “Hands Off” demonstration, when we were kind of new to doing this, I parked several blocks away from the site. Another demonstrator was standing by her car when I pulled in. She came over and said, “Oh good! Your bumper stickers look like you are safe!” We walked to the park together.
I'd like to see us expanding the sphere of the conflict, that it is not just GOP v Dem, but Pro Democracy versus authoritarian fascism, i.e. the constitutional order versus a king and his court.
Registered independents, the largest voting coalition in the country by the way, are mostly Pro-Democracy. https://news.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx Plenty of Independents are still going to be highlighting Dem shortcomings, or worse, trashing them as weak, because they don't identify as Democrats.
To counter them you merely need to ask them, "are you for constitutional order or for authoritarian fascists? Oh, you're for the constitution. That's great!! So are the democrats. So spend your time fighting fascism and supporting our constitutional order. Don't worry, the democrats are coming along and are aware of the criticisms."
(Like) .. Our Constitution is a tremendous GIFT! ... Oh... I wish others could agree with that, with understanding.