Yes, very evil. When I made my calls yesterday, I told my senators and rep that the BBB and Trump/Republican agenda reminded me of "the final solution" of the Nazis. Take all of the resources of the Federal government and pour them into deporting and detaining brown immigrants. Everything else is decimated. This is not what I want my tax dollars to be used for.
I told mine that whatever happens to me, their other constituents, and other Americans because of their "yes" vote (and I know how they voted) will be on their consciences for the rest of their days.
I called Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen and thanked them for trying to defeat the budget bill. I called Congressman Raskin and asked him to plan on ways to delay the bill in Congress, if the bill gets there. I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters today.
I am never giving up on American and I am never giving up on my grandson's future.
Six hours ago: The Senate parliamentarian ruled that Senator Murkowski’s Alaska carve-out for SNAP is compliant with the Byrd Rule, but that the Medicaid one is NOT compliant.
Four hours ago: There’s a big huddle in the back of the Senate chamber where Alaska Senators Murkowski and Sullivan are reviewing what appears to be legislative text. Thune is hovering nearby.
If Alaska gets their deal, we have to keep up the pressure that this be covered non stop. The MSM will probably let us down, but Social Media and its influencers exist and we have to make sure we don't stop criticizing Murkowski and the other senator (snark since does the public even know Alaska and another Senator besides Murkowski?). The deal will probably please Alaskan voters but so what? Murkowski has their votes. Let's make it another stain on the Republican Party. Make them and Murkowksi defend why Alaska gets special deals.
If the Big Ugly Budget Bill has special carve-outs for Alaska, in order to win Murkowski’s vote in the Senate, then there are going to be a helluva lot of House representatives who will be pissed-off at *their* states not getting the same favorable treatment.
This should be a fruitful topic for lots of calls to representatives in the House. We need to drive a wedge between only four of them and the rest of the MAGA-Republican caucus.
I'm late to the game here and the bill has passed with Murkowski caving or bought in. Does anyone know the outlines of the carve out. Arctic Stones has an idea for a productive strategy here... as long as the carve out isn't too heinous or toxic.
If this thing goes through—and Thune is giddy and Murkowski is currently being snarky coy and Collins is "concerned"—we have to crush every single one of them. We can't let up.
Yeah, I guess Murkowski isn't going to stop caucusing with the Republicans. I have always known she is full of it. She is just better at camouflaging it than Collins.
Exactly. She, Collins and the rest of them make me sick. They don't care about anyone but themselves. I doubt she cares about Alaska. She cares about herself.
I called and thanked Senators Smith and Klobuchar for fighting the fight. I'm begging Utah family to make calls. I have promoted issues and actions on social media. Also, signed in support of EPA Declaration of Dissent. I will include link in case any other Hopers would like to do the same.
Always enjoy your talks with Stewart. Headed out shortly to demonstrate at Ciscomani's office. The task is demanding funding for health care; not for tax breaks for the rich. Caught a new Ciscomani ad on YouTube last night. He is fullying embracing Trump in the ad and claiming lowering costs for Americans. It is despicable how they frame their platforms. See you tomorrow!
Called Boebert's CO office to ask if she was planning to vote for the Reconciliation bill when it comes back to the house. DC office went to voicemail. The staffer couldn’t tell me cause Lauren hadn’t read the new version. Asked what kinds of things might make her vote one way or another. Couldn’t say. Asked how she could justify giving tax cuts to billionaires while hurting we the working people! Couldn’t say. I asked her to register my objection.
Questions are useless with these people. Even if they know the answer, all they ever say is “I will pass your comments along.” But it isn’t like promises mean anything to Rs.
My hope is they DO actually pass the comments along and then quit after a week because the endless calls from desperate citizens are too stressful.
The questions are just something different. Not expecting a reply or even that they register my objection. I doubt Lauren would be able to read a 1000 page document — even just the bullet points. She’s just a useless sycophant!
Actually, my congressperson is wonderful — Brittany Pettersen. She even sends emails that are just updates on what she’s doing — they don’t even always ask for money. I call from time to time to tell them how wonderful I think they are!
But since I have all Dems I have adopted my son’s TX senators — Cruz and Cornyn and nearby CO republican reps Boebert and Evans. Makes me feel more productive.
For the first time I attended an event put on by local Democrats. They have door knocking scheduled but all during the work day - I encouraged them to add times when working folks can pitch in.
It's absolutely sickening to read of the mass death this administration is causing and then to see the ghoul JD Vance hyping trump on X as the person responsible for saving the most lives in Africa by supposedly facilitating a peace accord between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and pitching a fit that this won't result in a Nobel Peace Prize (!)
Some days I truly wonder if there's any future for this country
I agree with you most days but some days it just gets to be a lot. I have two young children and thinking about how much this country has failed young people just makes me want to scream. But I will continue to fight because what other choice do we have - no way can we let these horrible people win
That’s exactly where I am. Some days it is just too awful and despair sets in.
I come to Hopium because on the good days it keeps me focused. And on the bad days it gives me something to do other than curl up in a ball, and a lot of smart people to do it with.
Same here. Today is a day of despair for me. My recommendation is indulge it for the day, brush it off for tomorrow and return to the fight. Soldiers in hot wars take leave; we in the cold war can do so, too.
It has failed many people way longer than just today. If we think about how it has failed people of color, indigenous people, women, LGBTQ+ community etc. over history, we see the long view. Today is a tough day, no doubt.
I called both Tillis and Budd (GOP, NC) in their DC and Raleigh offices. I told Budd that voters won't forgive him when they have to take in their elderly relatives after nursing homes close. I thanked Tillis and asked him to stand firm.
What about those elderly relatives that don't have someone to take them in. I had a family member in a nursing home and the majority of people in there never had family come and visit except maybe at Christmas. For many of them their family was the nursing home people and staff. My heart breaks for those beautiful souls!
“What's that smell in this room? Didn't you notice it, Brick? Didn't you notice a powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity in this room? There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity. You can smell it. It smells like death."
Legislation has been introduced in the House to ban face masks for ICE and DHS and require visible identification. It’s called the NO SECRET POLICE ACT. I called my congressman Jason Crow yesterday to thank him for supporting the act.
This too, is something worth advocating for. I have been calling my Senators about it, and now I will call my Rep to get him to Co Sponsor. ThankS Karen
I just spoke with staff for Sam Liccardo asking him to Co Sponsor this bill, vote no on the Genius Act and fight against the Killer reconcilliation bill with everything he's got.
We down here in Florida are making calls both against the Big Ugly Bill and the abomination called Alligator Alcatraz that Trump is visiting today with Desantis. When I called the Governor’s office yesterday, his aide was audibly sighing as she typed what I said.
As I have worked to protect the Everglades most of my adult life, and my late husband Colonel Rice worked on the plan to restore it, I am especially incensed. Adding insult to injury, it appears that they may be using FEMA money. What will we do for the hurricanes and storms that hit so often here? Are the tents they built to house the migrants the ones that are usually put up after a hurricane hits? How are they going to protect or evacuate thousands of human beings if a hurricane hits the site?
I have attached a great interview done by a long time Miami reporter with renowned photographer Clyde Butcher, who has taken some of the most awe inspiring photos of the Everglades you will ever see. I urge you to watch.
I wondered about the tents too. They supposedly have some emergency shelter going up as well. So maybe a hurricane won't kill everybody. But it still seems like a prescription for disaster.
It is a concentration camp, and they are going to be housing people in tents in the Florida heat. Simply put, people are going to die there. As we know, Homan said "People die in ICE custody". 5,000 people probably mostly living in trailers and tents.
What about sewage treatment? Thank you for the link to the interview.... Butcher raised so many important issues..... As he said 'Evil doesn't stop...." It must be heart-breaking for him.... We will keep fighting & thanking him for his work over his whole career. I'm more convinced than ever that these are drastic changing times for the USA and the World -- will there be a Phoenix arising from the ashes? One guy's view of today:
Thanks everyone for fighting so hard. I am so sad today. The suffering really gets to me. Calling Warren Markey; they have all been up all night working for us! And McGovern is probably getting sleep NOW so he can stay up when the bill goes back to the House.
Plus, NYC Mayor final vote tabulations are coming out today at noon ET.
Mamdani beat Cuomo in the final round 56-44.
https://enr.boenyc.gov/rcv/026916_1.html
Yes, very evil. When I made my calls yesterday, I told my senators and rep that the BBB and Trump/Republican agenda reminded me of "the final solution" of the Nazis. Take all of the resources of the Federal government and pour them into deporting and detaining brown immigrants. Everything else is decimated. This is not what I want my tax dollars to be used for.
I told mine that whatever happens to me, their other constituents, and other Americans because of their "yes" vote (and I know how they voted) will be on their consciences for the rest of their days.
Thank you, Simon!
I called Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen and thanked them for trying to defeat the budget bill. I called Congressman Raskin and asked him to plan on ways to delay the bill in Congress, if the bill gets there. I'm writing postcards to Virginia voters today.
I am never giving up on American and I am never giving up on my grandson's future.
Six hours ago: The Senate parliamentarian ruled that Senator Murkowski’s Alaska carve-out for SNAP is compliant with the Byrd Rule, but that the Medicaid one is NOT compliant.
https://nitter.poast.org/AndrewDesiderio/status/1939959082594550075#m
Four hours ago: There’s a big huddle in the back of the Senate chamber where Alaska Senators Murkowski and Sullivan are reviewing what appears to be legislative text. Thune is hovering nearby.
https://nitter.poast.org/AndrewDesiderio/status/1939989157452845248#m
One hour ago: Coming out of the chamber, Senator SusanCollins reiterates her “serious reservations” about the bill.
https://nitter.poast.org/BenBrodyDC/status/1940035608514097506#m
If Alaska gets their deal, we have to keep up the pressure that this be covered non stop. The MSM will probably let us down, but Social Media and its influencers exist and we have to make sure we don't stop criticizing Murkowski and the other senator (snark since does the public even know Alaska and another Senator besides Murkowski?). The deal will probably please Alaskan voters but so what? Murkowski has their votes. Let's make it another stain on the Republican Party. Make them and Murkowksi defend why Alaska gets special deals.
If the Big Ugly Budget Bill has special carve-outs for Alaska, in order to win Murkowski’s vote in the Senate, then there are going to be a helluva lot of House representatives who will be pissed-off at *their* states not getting the same favorable treatment.
This should be a fruitful topic for lots of calls to representatives in the House. We need to drive a wedge between only four of them and the rest of the MAGA-Republican caucus.
💯
Really good point!
I'm late to the game here and the bill has passed with Murkowski caving or bought in. Does anyone know the outlines of the carve out. Arctic Stones has an idea for a productive strategy here... as long as the carve out isn't too heinous or toxic.
I wonder what lies or fake concern Murkowski will say to spin this one. I 💯 believe Collins voted no bc they didn't need her vote.
If this thing goes through—and Thune is giddy and Murkowski is currently being snarky coy and Collins is "concerned"—we have to crush every single one of them. We can't let up.
Yeah, I guess Murkowski isn't going to stop caucusing with the Republicans. I have always known she is full of it. She is just better at camouflaging it than Collins.
So full of it. "I'm afraid, I'm afraid, I'm afraid," but let me screw over America one more time.
Exactly. She, Collins and the rest of them make me sick. They don't care about anyone but themselves. I doubt she cares about Alaska. She cares about herself.
I agree. I also believe Collins voted no bc they didn't need her vote.
Seems Jasmine Crockett and AOC manage to do the right thing despite constant threats
I called and thanked Senators Smith and Klobuchar for fighting the fight. I'm begging Utah family to make calls. I have promoted issues and actions on social media. Also, signed in support of EPA Declaration of Dissent. I will include link in case any other Hopers would like to do the same.
https://act.standupforscience.net/forms/epa-add-your-name?source=IG&utm_source=IG&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=EPAdec&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLQ14dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp9vPyEma1pBvZ8HlUgKzCSGRUq7iNBel09ZTrEKDPA3yK231nfxkkxYgKFne_aem_Ecvu8Ej8bWTIRAivjxbVkg
Thank you for the link! I am going to be forwarding it to my cousin, a longtime chemistry professor, who I believe works in water quality research
I had heard about this, but now I have signed as the former Director, Health Effects Division, OPP, EPA.
Always enjoy your talks with Stewart. Headed out shortly to demonstrate at Ciscomani's office. The task is demanding funding for health care; not for tax breaks for the rich. Caught a new Ciscomani ad on YouTube last night. He is fullying embracing Trump in the ad and claiming lowering costs for Americans. It is despicable how they frame their platforms. See you tomorrow!
Called Boebert's CO office to ask if she was planning to vote for the Reconciliation bill when it comes back to the house. DC office went to voicemail. The staffer couldn’t tell me cause Lauren hadn’t read the new version. Asked what kinds of things might make her vote one way or another. Couldn’t say. Asked how she could justify giving tax cuts to billionaires while hurting we the working people! Couldn’t say. I asked her to register my objection.
Questions are useless with these people. Even if they know the answer, all they ever say is “I will pass your comments along.” But it isn’t like promises mean anything to Rs.
My hope is they DO actually pass the comments along and then quit after a week because the endless calls from desperate citizens are too stressful.
The questions are just something different. Not expecting a reply or even that they register my objection. I doubt Lauren would be able to read a 1000 page document — even just the bullet points. She’s just a useless sycophant!
I am so sorry you have Boebert.
Actually, my congressperson is wonderful — Brittany Pettersen. She even sends emails that are just updates on what she’s doing — they don’t even always ask for money. I call from time to time to tell them how wonderful I think they are!
But since I have all Dems I have adopted my son’s TX senators — Cruz and Cornyn and nearby CO republican reps Boebert and Evans. Makes me feel more productive.
Ah! Very clever!
I think it’s good to get the staff thinking with your questions!
Excellent questions -- I will use these with my MAGA Rep Zinke, MT-1.
I'm so sorry that you have a terrorist representing you. CAN she even read?
For the first time I attended an event put on by local Democrats. They have door knocking scheduled but all during the work day - I encouraged them to add times when working folks can pitch in.
It's absolutely sickening to read of the mass death this administration is causing and then to see the ghoul JD Vance hyping trump on X as the person responsible for saving the most lives in Africa by supposedly facilitating a peace accord between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and pitching a fit that this won't result in a Nobel Peace Prize (!)
Some days I truly wonder if there's any future for this country
Hell yes there is! Our ancestors did not fight and die for America so that Orange Menace could pi$$ it away. Sorry to be crude, but here we are.
I agree with you most days but some days it just gets to be a lot. I have two young children and thinking about how much this country has failed young people just makes me want to scream. But I will continue to fight because what other choice do we have - no way can we let these horrible people win
That’s exactly where I am. Some days it is just too awful and despair sets in.
I come to Hopium because on the good days it keeps me focused. And on the bad days it gives me something to do other than curl up in a ball, and a lot of smart people to do it with.
Same here. Today is a day of despair for me. My recommendation is indulge it for the day, brush it off for tomorrow and return to the fight. Soldiers in hot wars take leave; we in the cold war can do so, too.
I totally get it.
It has failed many people way longer than just today. If we think about how it has failed people of color, indigenous people, women, LGBTQ+ community etc. over history, we see the long view. Today is a tough day, no doubt.
Called my 2 Dem senators to thank them for all the amendment attempts yesterday. They seem to be much more active in pushing back lately.
I called both Tillis and Budd (GOP, NC) in their DC and Raleigh offices. I told Budd that voters won't forgive him when they have to take in their elderly relatives after nursing homes close. I thanked Tillis and asked him to stand firm.
What about those elderly relatives that don't have someone to take them in. I had a family member in a nursing home and the majority of people in there never had family come and visit except maybe at Christmas. For many of them their family was the nursing home people and staff. My heart breaks for those beautiful souls!
I have to work hard every morning at 2:00 am not to think about it so that I can get back to sleep. It's so evil!
Remember that the gqp in Congress don't care about anyone but themselves.
https://gettrumpfragrances.com/
“What's that smell in this room? Didn't you notice it, Brick? Didn't you notice a powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity in this room? There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity. You can smell it. It smells like death."
- "Big Daddy," Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
Legislation has been introduced in the House to ban face masks for ICE and DHS and require visible identification. It’s called the NO SECRET POLICE ACT. I called my congressman Jason Crow yesterday to thank him for supporting the act.
More about the legislation:
https://espaillat.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-espaillat-goldman-introduce-legislation-banning-ice-agents-wearing-face#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20DC%20%E2%80%94%20Representative%20Adriano%20Espaillat,armed%20individuals%20in%20unmarked%20vehicles.
This too, is something worth advocating for. I have been calling my Senators about it, and now I will call my Rep to get him to Co Sponsor. ThankS Karen
I just spoke with staff for Sam Liccardo asking him to Co Sponsor this bill, vote no on the Genius Act and fight against the Killer reconcilliation bill with everything he's got.
Terrific act – great name!
We down here in Florida are making calls both against the Big Ugly Bill and the abomination called Alligator Alcatraz that Trump is visiting today with Desantis. When I called the Governor’s office yesterday, his aide was audibly sighing as she typed what I said.
As I have worked to protect the Everglades most of my adult life, and my late husband Colonel Rice worked on the plan to restore it, I am especially incensed. Adding insult to injury, it appears that they may be using FEMA money. What will we do for the hurricanes and storms that hit so often here? Are the tents they built to house the migrants the ones that are usually put up after a hurricane hits? How are they going to protect or evacuate thousands of human beings if a hurricane hits the site?
I have attached a great interview done by a long time Miami reporter with renowned photographer Clyde Butcher, who has taken some of the most awe inspiring photos of the Everglades you will ever see. I urge you to watch.
Keep up the good fight everybody!
We will never give up!
Joette
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/video/jim-speaks-with-famed-everglades-photographer-clyde-butcher-about-alligator-alcatraz/
i remember your husband! COE! Jax! they dont care who they kill. it is all performative. political theatre.
I wondered about the tents too. They supposedly have some emergency shelter going up as well. So maybe a hurricane won't kill everybody. But it still seems like a prescription for disaster.
It is a concentration camp, and they are going to be housing people in tents in the Florida heat. Simply put, people are going to die there. As we know, Homan said "People die in ICE custody". 5,000 people probably mostly living in trailers and tents.
What about sewage treatment? Thank you for the link to the interview.... Butcher raised so many important issues..... As he said 'Evil doesn't stop...." It must be heart-breaking for him.... We will keep fighting & thanking him for his work over his whole career. I'm more convinced than ever that these are drastic changing times for the USA and the World -- will there be a Phoenix arising from the ashes? One guy's view of today:
https://peterleyden.substack.com/p/celebrate-july-4th-knowing-that-america?
https://peterleyden.substack.com/p/a-positive-reframe-of-what-trump
Can you please turn Aligator Auschwitz into a concentration camp for trumpers? Thanks.
Self report from WI. My calls are in.
Thanks everyone for fighting so hard. I am so sad today. The suffering really gets to me. Calling Warren Markey; they have all been up all night working for us! And McGovern is probably getting sleep NOW so he can stay up when the bill goes back to the House.