Thanks for your thorough explanation of the Libya, Syria, Iran and Russia situation. Then Israel?! It is amazing how we get caught up in our own political circus while other countries implode.
I behaved this week as an experiment as a voter overwhelmed with my own life and barely hearing of in depth coverage on government or Trump. I fear those whose lives are very busy making ends meet are void of breaking news until elections. This is a consideration we must make when analyzing why we lost middle class votes. I fear preaching to the choir avoids talking to less interested and we must change this going forward.
Nancy, this is not the right way to look at it. If the choir doesn't know the music no one else will ever learn it. We have to start with us and build out. What they do.
I don’t like being labeled elite or progressive because I am neither. I am an 80 year old Democrat who wants those who have power on these channels to consider new outreach. Maybe the music needs side B! Maybe I shouldn’t be subscribing and should just wait to see what path will be taken next round to follow.
I appreciate what you do so will hope for lots of optimism with a new focus after the history of this election subsides if it does! We’ve been bested.
The elitist charges are such BS....trump is surrounded by Ivy Leaguers and billionaires; Harris and Biden attended non-Ivy league colleges. And when I hear that the Dems are now the party of the educated, well, why should we run from that? The answer is not to dumb down; maybe the answer is to educate more voters better...and if you are for SS, Medicare, Medicaid, worker's rights, women's rights, hell everyone's rights, then you are a progressive. Embrace it, don't run from it. THEY do not get to tell us what a progressive is; WE define that.
I’m just not a progressive in my own mind. I also know it is not right to criticize without a solution to consider! I am all for screaming and hounding. But not all people are alike, and frankly we know the awful stuff about candidates. names and awful did not compute this time because the election had a lot to do with $7.99 a dozen eggs, not morals.
5.99 for two dozen at Costco; 7.99 if you want organic. I don't bother with organic. Been a small gardener for 50 years; if you want a crop, ya gotta kill the bugs and treat the blights, and cow manure along doesn't cut it for fertilizer. Plenty of that in the R party though.
I'm with Egberto Willies and Eddie Glaude on this one; I believe sex and race were the deciding factors. I mean, the lines at Costco stretch from the front of the store all the way to the back, and the shopping carts are stuffed full ( BOTH of them ! ). Doesn't look like any bad times I have lived through in 62 years.....
Nancy, It's easy to feel despair right now. I was teary all weekend, but then I made up my mind to keep going. Keep sending those emails. Just keep pushing back against these monsters. It's hard, but when I feel like giving up, I remember how many folks there are out there like you and me who are determined to fight the idiocy and moral depravity of greed.
That's an interesting perspective. I like that. We also need to learn how to use direct language when building out. If you use too many words, folks tend to tune out.
Inspired by this community, I have pledged to leave worry and rage in the Solstice darkness, and carry hopium into the new year. Action #1 of Do More, Worry Less: my husband and I joined the candidate committee for a county council candidate, a woman we admire for her community service and admirable leadership on the county election bureau. We are SO out of our comfort zone, but eager to work for more democracy in our Mump-loving NE PA county. Have a happy holiday season, one and all!
Thank you for this. We need this kind of organization and involvement here in the U.S. We have a lot to learn. Too many Americans are naive about the risks the Trump regime poses for people and the economy.
Developments in countries like Syria, South Korea, Georgia, and Serbia are inspiring. It is heartening to know that we are part of a global anti-oligarchic movement of sorts that is taking shape and crystallizing as the Musk/Trump/Putin/[add growing list of autocrats and mega billionaires here] becomes more brazen. Democrats urgently need loudly and unconditionally get on the “people” side of the Plutocrats vs. People struggle that will define this era. I hope to see a coordinated, explicitly anti-oligarch movement spring up across the globe. When we see this is bigger than the US and we are not alone, that should be empowering. A dangerous time, but one of great potential if we can seize it.
RS finding a viable alternative to authoritarianism and oligarchy has been the core American project since the 18th century, and will become again once we triumph over Trumpism here and abroad. But yes I am going to report on what is happening elsewhere for we are all in the same fight, and need to celebrate the wins whenever they come, anywhere.
I agree with you. I've had a feeling for a long time that there is an underground swell of anti-authoritarian/oligarch movements worldwide. We need to tap into that. We are not alone.
Happy holidays Hopium Community, led by the incomparable Simon! You’ve all been a gift to me. While the loss in November stings, I remain hopeful that goodness and competence will ultimately prevail!!
Simon writes: "losses and perceived weakness and incompetence are how strongmen lose their grip." This is so important. Once fascists and dictators take over, it can take decades to remove them. If the US is not to suffer this fate, we have to pay attention to the factors that do finally topple the "strongmen." As Simon has said, Trump's whole campaign was to project himself as strong. Weakening that perception is key. And, as Rachel Bitcover says, "Remember, we're the weirdos." Most people don't pay attention to politics like we do. So getting them to see Trump and MAGA as weak will take all of us. Keeping up the jokes about "President Musk" are one of the best tools we have, just now.
(how can I make that bigger...and more...and louder and sweeter? Simon, you have given us all so much to work on, grab on, build on, chew on, rely on, dig into. May you have the most wonderful holidays. We will see you back here before long, and we will fight together, joyfully and righteously, again.)
I bought a DUMP TRUMP button 8 years ago at a march. I wear it all the time. Right now I want my PRESIDENT MUSK button. Is anyone out there making it? I would buy some.
"Call or your email your Senators and Representative today and tell them you are outraged that Trump could put forward such dangerous people and that you expect them to work against his other early, outrageous nominees."
I have asked them to apply the following criterion: "If they can't legally be within 100 yards of a public school, they shouldn't be considered for a role in the administration."
Still time for an amnesty bill. 14th Amenment Section 3
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Problem here is there is no legal finding that trump committed insurrection; just because we all witnessed it doesn't make it legally so. IIRC the CO court thought he engaged in it, but that is weak sauce. Need more than that.
WRONG. The Anderson decision found that Trump was administratively adjudicated using the insurrecrtion statute but found that states could not enforce the provision. Not a criminal standard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_v._Anderson
Is this really enough to go on? You can't have ambiguity on these things; nonetheless I would argue that he is not a legitimate president because he should not be permitted to take office, no matter how many votes he got. Because we all SAW him commit insurrection; it's just that, as M Gessen and Timothy Snyder have warned, our institutions failed us; those with the powers to do something preferred their brass ring of a Randian society governed ( or not governed ) by a nebulous free market where the rest of us peasants can go shit for ourselves. It's really that simple.
Nothing in the law is certain. The primary proponents are law professors. Laurence Tribe. Luttig. William Baude and Michael Paulsen from the Federalist Society.
Thanks for your thorough explanation of the Libya, Syria, Iran and Russia situation. Then Israel?! It is amazing how we get caught up in our own political circus while other countries implode.
Enjoy your holiday and don't listen to the news.
HAHAHA! As if...
Also Deutchland and UK. Musk supports right wing parties.
I behaved this week as an experiment as a voter overwhelmed with my own life and barely hearing of in depth coverage on government or Trump. I fear those whose lives are very busy making ends meet are void of breaking news until elections. This is a consideration we must make when analyzing why we lost middle class votes. I fear preaching to the choir avoids talking to less interested and we must change this going forward.
Nancy, this is not the right way to look at it. If the choir doesn't know the music no one else will ever learn it. We have to start with us and build out. What they do.
I hear you and understand.
I don’t like being labeled elite or progressive because I am neither. I am an 80 year old Democrat who wants those who have power on these channels to consider new outreach. Maybe the music needs side B! Maybe I shouldn’t be subscribing and should just wait to see what path will be taken next round to follow.
I appreciate what you do so will hope for lots of optimism with a new focus after the history of this election subsides if it does! We’ve been bested.
The elitist charges are such BS....trump is surrounded by Ivy Leaguers and billionaires; Harris and Biden attended non-Ivy league colleges. And when I hear that the Dems are now the party of the educated, well, why should we run from that? The answer is not to dumb down; maybe the answer is to educate more voters better...and if you are for SS, Medicare, Medicaid, worker's rights, women's rights, hell everyone's rights, then you are a progressive. Embrace it, don't run from it. THEY do not get to tell us what a progressive is; WE define that.
I’m just not a progressive in my own mind. I also know it is not right to criticize without a solution to consider! I am all for screaming and hounding. But not all people are alike, and frankly we know the awful stuff about candidates. names and awful did not compute this time because the election had a lot to do with $7.99 a dozen eggs, not morals.
Eggs are $4.50 a dozen right now at major grocery stores.
5.99 for two dozen at Costco; 7.99 if you want organic. I don't bother with organic. Been a small gardener for 50 years; if you want a crop, ya gotta kill the bugs and treat the blights, and cow manure along doesn't cut it for fertilizer. Plenty of that in the R party though.
I'm with Egberto Willies and Eddie Glaude on this one; I believe sex and race were the deciding factors. I mean, the lines at Costco stretch from the front of the store all the way to the back, and the shopping carts are stuffed full ( BOTH of them ! ). Doesn't look like any bad times I have lived through in 62 years.....
I like that. Well said.
That’s good they are down. Too late to make a difference
Wishing everyone peace, calm, and joy. That will boost us for what we need to do
Nancy, It's easy to feel despair right now. I was teary all weekend, but then I made up my mind to keep going. Keep sending those emails. Just keep pushing back against these monsters. It's hard, but when I feel like giving up, I remember how many folks there are out there like you and me who are determined to fight the idiocy and moral depravity of greed.
That's an interesting perspective. I like that. We also need to learn how to use direct language when building out. If you use too many words, folks tend to tune out.
Inspired by this community, I have pledged to leave worry and rage in the Solstice darkness, and carry hopium into the new year. Action #1 of Do More, Worry Less: my husband and I joined the candidate committee for a county council candidate, a woman we admire for her community service and admirable leadership on the county election bureau. We are SO out of our comfort zone, but eager to work for more democracy in our Mump-loving NE PA county. Have a happy holiday season, one and all!
Love this. Thank you.
Also on international front … from Anne Applebaum on Venezuela pro democracy movement:
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/12/venezuela-opposition-machado-optimism/681148/
Thank you.
Thank you.
I live in the defacto capitol of Venezuela -- Miami, Florida. Don't hold your brreath.....
I am glad there are people like you in Florida trying to make positive change, even though it's a long road.
Thank you for this. We need this kind of organization and involvement here in the U.S. We have a lot to learn. Too many Americans are naive about the risks the Trump regime poses for people and the economy.
Happy Holidays, Simon and fellow Hopium members. Let's get back at it in early January, but in the meantime, peace and joy for the holidays.
Ditto!
Holiday blessings to all. Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas 2024 and Happy New Year 2025.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE ❤️❤️❤️
ACTIONS BY EVERYONE GROWS FREEDOM
How to Prevent "MASS PSYCHOSIS - How an Entire Population Becomes MENTALLY ILL"
❤️ Discredit totalitarian propaganda everywhere
🤣 Mock worship of dictators
❤️ Grow joyful unifying structures
❤️ c 1st 📈
https://youtu.be/09maaUaRT4M
Developments in countries like Syria, South Korea, Georgia, and Serbia are inspiring. It is heartening to know that we are part of a global anti-oligarchic movement of sorts that is taking shape and crystallizing as the Musk/Trump/Putin/[add growing list of autocrats and mega billionaires here] becomes more brazen. Democrats urgently need loudly and unconditionally get on the “people” side of the Plutocrats vs. People struggle that will define this era. I hope to see a coordinated, explicitly anti-oligarch movement spring up across the globe. When we see this is bigger than the US and we are not alone, that should be empowering. A dangerous time, but one of great potential if we can seize it.
RS finding a viable alternative to authoritarianism and oligarchy has been the core American project since the 18th century, and will become again once we triumph over Trumpism here and abroad. But yes I am going to report on what is happening elsewhere for we are all in the same fight, and need to celebrate the wins whenever they come, anywhere.
What about Russian interference the past 3 national elections as acts of war?
I agree with you. I've had a feeling for a long time that there is an underground swell of anti-authoritarian/oligarch movements worldwide. We need to tap into that. We are not alone.
Can anyone translate the words to the song in the video? Thanks,Simon, for sharing it.
Happy holidays Hopium Community, led by the incomparable Simon! You’ve all been a gift to me. While the loss in November stings, I remain hopeful that goodness and competence will ultimately prevail!!
Onward to 2025!!!
Yes, Onward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Simon writes: "losses and perceived weakness and incompetence are how strongmen lose their grip." This is so important. Once fascists and dictators take over, it can take decades to remove them. If the US is not to suffer this fate, we have to pay attention to the factors that do finally topple the "strongmen." As Simon has said, Trump's whole campaign was to project himself as strong. Weakening that perception is key. And, as Rachel Bitcover says, "Remember, we're the weirdos." Most people don't pay attention to politics like we do. So getting them to see Trump and MAGA as weak will take all of us. Keeping up the jokes about "President Musk" are one of the best tools we have, just now.
❤️
(how can I make that bigger...and more...and louder and sweeter? Simon, you have given us all so much to work on, grab on, build on, chew on, rely on, dig into. May you have the most wonderful holidays. We will see you back here before long, and we will fight together, joyfully and righteously, again.)
I bought a DUMP TRUMP button 8 years ago at a march. I wear it all the time. Right now I want my PRESIDENT MUSK button. Is anyone out there making it? I would buy some.
I know for a fact maga hates that "narrative". Hi Simon.
I really hope they do. I’m just wondering, what is the demographic makeup of Musk’s 205 million followers?
i don't know
Hard to say the exact breakdown between Russian bots, Chinese bots, and American bots...
You might like something on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/market/elon_musk_buttons or want to make your own political buttons.
Thanks for reminding me that I have a Dump Trump 2018 hat to dust off.
You might check out NorthernSun.com. They have all kinds of wonderful buttons. One of my favorites is "Be Kind or Be Quiet."
I ordered 5 big buttons IMPEACH PRESIDENT MUSK on etsy
"Call or your email your Senators and Representative today and tell them you are outraged that Trump could put forward such dangerous people and that you expect them to work against his other early, outrageous nominees."
I have asked them to apply the following criterion: "If they can't legally be within 100 yards of a public school, they shouldn't be considered for a role in the administration."
Still time for an amnesty bill. 14th Amenment Section 3
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Problem here is there is no legal finding that trump committed insurrection; just because we all witnessed it doesn't make it legally so. IIRC the CO court thought he engaged in it, but that is weak sauce. Need more than that.
WRONG. The Anderson decision found that Trump was administratively adjudicated using the insurrecrtion statute but found that states could not enforce the provision. Not a criminal standard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_v._Anderson
Is this really enough to go on? You can't have ambiguity on these things; nonetheless I would argue that he is not a legitimate president because he should not be permitted to take office, no matter how many votes he got. Because we all SAW him commit insurrection; it's just that, as M Gessen and Timothy Snyder have warned, our institutions failed us; those with the powers to do something preferred their brass ring of a Randian society governed ( or not governed ) by a nebulous free market where the rest of us peasants can go shit for ourselves. It's really that simple.
Nothing in the law is certain. The primary proponents are law professors. Laurence Tribe. Luttig. William Baude and Michael Paulsen from the Federalist Society.
That's a good one!
"Transforming the 'Party of Lincoln' into the party of George Lincoln Rockwell."