I wrote my Congressman with the red line question today, “what would it take for you to vote ‘no’ for the Trump Administration.”
I ended with please give me a one or two sentence honest answer, not a “thank you for your views…. standard reply. I worked as a Legislative Assistant to a Republican Congressman early in my career so I know how Washington works. Tomorrow I’ll write my Senators. Just keep grinding away because perseverance pays!
The last few weeks I have wanted to check out for a while and tomorrow I may just turn it off for a few days. It is overwhelming because if were to make a list of all the number one important hair on fire issues, the list would be a mile long. Our past generations have fought for our country honorably, I want to see what the fought for be put back into place. Honor, respect, decency, stand up against corruption , stand up against abject cruelty and indecency, etc…. There is a long fight ahead take care of your selves.
Joanie, do take a day or five off. Burn out is real and we have to keep this going just like Ukraine needs to keep kicking Russia’s ass until Putin caves. Never give up! Never give in! Armies retreat when necessary to rest and regroup in order to fight another day.
It is all overwhelming. I think we need to realize this vile man cares only about monopolizing the air waves for every news cycle. Taking a break is necessary for mental health.
Once again, you see us & are a part of us. The encouragement & reminders for self care & being present in our daily lives is very needed, by me for sure. So, thanks.
ICE is getting information from the IRS, using it to track down immigrants who are not American citizens, but who have been living and working here for years and paying their taxes. The IRS had promised to keep their information private. Look what this country has come to. ICE is the Gestapo of the 1930’s Nazi Germany. My father, as a young man barely out of college, leaving for Officer’s Candidate School right after his last college exam to fight the Nazis in Europe. Now here I am, his 75 year old daughter having to fight American White Christian Nationalists here in America. I will continue until we win. I can’t let Daddy down; or my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Thank you Adam, I needed to hear those words. Onward!
I'm Arslaq. "Pleased to meet you. Hope you guessed my name..."
Since we're of the same generational cohort & I'm a certified Latin flunk out, I'll begin with this ragged Roman whine:
nihil novi sub sol
Kinzinger et al have shot wide of the mark in blaming Trump & Maga for our current "malaise" (Remember Jimmy Carter❓).
The mark that Kinzinger et al miss by casting aspersions on Trump & MAGA for this latest fascistoid fit of pique, is failure to see the forest for the trees apropos of fascism's tap root.
Native-American fascism has been a notable feature of our social, cultural & political landscape. To understand what I mean by "fascism's tap root," the definition of Dr Michael Ledeen, a preeminent authority on fascism, its tap root and branches, is clear, concise & compelling. What's more, Ledeen is no liberal milquetoast. He's an ironclad conservative who espoused a "doctrine" which held that "Every ten years or so, the USA needs to pick up some small crappy little country and throw it against the wall, just to show the world we mean business."
Dr Ledeen defines fascism's taproot as the Führerprinzip ,or leadership principle. The leader has total power over the subjects. In the US Native American fascism exists wherever the führerprinzip prevails, either formally or informally.
Thank you so much for reminding us all to take time outs and enjoy life! The news is exhausting! And frustrating and so depressing. I’m 65 years old and have never felt so low about my country. I find peace following you, Meidas touch and Scott Dworkin where you expose and write the truth but keep it in perspective. I have voted both ways and if you were to run for President I would vote for you:)
I'm 83 and have never seen anything like this in our country. Never thought I would. I knew when tRump was elected again, that we were in for some rough times, but never expected it to be this bad and with more to come.
The tariffs really hit next month. Plus he’s declining rapidly; just keeps say “I don’t know”, lost that argumentative. Force. Sad bewildered old criminal father of a crime family that’s fleecing the world powers for access to favors with crypto and shaking down poor countries that just need fairness. Pathetic criminal in a hairpiece.
I donate regularly to this organization. Thank you for reminding us to find joy and take care of ourselves so we can continue to fight this lawless, cruel, inhumane, evil administration.
As usual perfectly articulated and with this good advice the save ourselves, great 👍🏻 I have an observation: the great amount of attention being given to the choice of the next pope indicates to me that the world is looking for hope and moral base
My other idea is that I hope no one shows up at the Trump birthday parade and it gets no press. Just a hope 🙏🏻
Nicely said Adam. I agree with everything you said. It will be hard but we can do it standing together to fight for our rights, freedom, and our country.
Problem is they don’t really care. Trump didn’t put his hand on the Bible at his swearing in. That way he can be the Flim Flam man in any circumstance, “ I don’t know if I have to follow the Constitution.”
Trump had no intention to follow the U.S. Constitution in the first place. He has been fairly aloof. Lied to his supporters on the Champagne trail! Meanwhile, he was fully aware of the Heritage foundation, Steve Bannon, J.D. Vance, and the rest of his cabinet unfolding Project 2025. Bannon got Trump into office in the last election. Check out Cambridge Analytica, which was Bannon’s company in England.
Bannon profiled users on Social Media - the persuadable, and sent them data other users didn’t receive. Check out “The Great Hack” on YouTube. Pure evil!
They don’t care. That’s what we have to get our heads around. They don’t care and they’re don’t care what their constituents think or want. I’m terrified that we’ve already slid far enough into authoritarianism that we will not have free and fair elections for a long, long time.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter established the Mental Health Systems Act to address health system deficiencies and give greater access to treatment. Eighteen months after Reagan's inauguration, he dismantled the Act, directing the money to block grants, closing mental health institutions, and putting patients on the street with no treatment. Crime rates increased. Republicans use mental health as a scapegoat. Instead of working toward a solution, they whine about it.
Doing something that benefits the average American and not big donors has always been an afterthought for the GOP. Like them saying if we can't pass more big tax breaks for the ultra-rich, then you peasants can't have any tax cuts either.
It’s exhausting sometimes. I get so angry the tears just fall. I think of my dad. Just a kid fighting in WW2. I was at my daughter’s house the other day. My brother sent her our dad’s Marine Corps Blues and Greens..all his medals everything. They’re pristine. We were looking at them and I commented on how small they were. He was 6-1 but skinny. It made me realize how the war had taken a toll on him. He never complained. He was so proud to have fought at Guam and liberated those wonderful people from hell. He joined at 15 and was there at 16. So I wipe away my tears and look at my daughter who just commissioned to the USN. She’s leaving for ODS in August. Her husband is here in NY a Lt Commander Dr. of Psychology. He’ll join her in San Diego eventually. I have to keep my shit together. That’s what this family does. We may take a step back but then we push head on and don’t stop until we need to rejuvenate. Then We do it again..
I cannot ever see us or me giving up on this country.. ever. Head up shoulders back..
I so sympathize. My dad was a skinny kid as well, served as a lieutenant in the infantry division in Guam and the Solomon Islands. His vision wasn’t perfect, so he memorized the eye chart to get into service.
They were extraordinary patriots, and fantastic roll models. Here we are, at the front line, loaded for bear.
Adam, I respect the steadiness of your voice, and the honesty in this reflection hits home. The fatigue is real. The noise, the incremental wins, the weight of watching systems bend under pressure—it gets to all of us. But here’s where I’m going to nudge you.
You’re right that this is a generational fight. You’re right that mountains move stone by stone. But I also think we’ve reached the part of the story where the metaphor doesn’t quite hold. The landscape is already shifting under our feet—and some of the stones have been weaponized.
This isn’t just a slow-burning civic marathon. It’s a live, accelerating crisis. Authoritarians don’t wait for us to catch our breath. They rely on our pacing. They thrive on our restraint.
Snyder says it plainly: the mistake people make is thinking the time to act is later.
Later is how you lose your country.
We’ve seen the purges. The propaganda machines. The silencing of journalists. The institutional capture. The legal retribution. And now, the normalization of the idea that elections are optional and obedience is patriotic.
You say we are the torchbearers. I agree.
But I’d add: we’re also the firebreak.
This isn’t the warmup. This is the moment.
And yes, we should rest when we need to. But we fight while we rest.
We organize tired. We push through the fatigue. Because the stakes don’t pause while we recharge.
I admire what you’re building. But I think it’s time we all speak with a little more urgency. Not panic. Not despair. But with the kind of resolve that calls people off the sidelines.
The truth is, history won’t just judge our long-term resolve.
It’ll judge whether we saw the alarm for what it was—and answered in time.
Sometimes the fire feels like it is flickering and weak, with the possibility of it being smothered out. But it won't be. It is eternal. All it takes is one ember, no how fragile it may seem, to keep growing. So it's okay to take a breath... or actually, a well-deserved break. That allows us to be recharged. And in the meantime, that ember is still glowing. Waiting for the right time to set off sparks.
Thank you. I need exactly this group of words for encouragement at the moment. Thanks so much.
I wrote my Congressman with the red line question today, “what would it take for you to vote ‘no’ for the Trump Administration.”
I ended with please give me a one or two sentence honest answer, not a “thank you for your views…. standard reply. I worked as a Legislative Assistant to a Republican Congressman early in my career so I know how Washington works. Tomorrow I’ll write my Senators. Just keep grinding away because perseverance pays!
Thanks Adam we all need this glimmers of hope. We will prevail. Onward!
May Day Action Debrief - Highest Priority VIRTUAL MEETING May 8 Thursday, 8 – 9pm EDT https://maydaystrong.org/ - https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/783514/
Well said!
The last few weeks I have wanted to check out for a while and tomorrow I may just turn it off for a few days. It is overwhelming because if were to make a list of all the number one important hair on fire issues, the list would be a mile long. Our past generations have fought for our country honorably, I want to see what the fought for be put back into place. Honor, respect, decency, stand up against corruption , stand up against abject cruelty and indecency, etc…. There is a long fight ahead take care of your selves.
I’d say Stand up for Our Freedoms and Our Democracy! To me it says it all!
Joanie, do take a day or five off. Burn out is real and we have to keep this going just like Ukraine needs to keep kicking Russia’s ass until Putin caves. Never give up! Never give in! Armies retreat when necessary to rest and regroup in order to fight another day.
Well said. You are so right. Take care and do something for yourself to energize for the next round.
It is all overwhelming. I think we need to realize this vile man cares only about monopolizing the air waves for every news cycle. Taking a break is necessary for mental health.
Hi Adam,
Once again, you see us & are a part of us. The encouragement & reminders for self care & being present in our daily lives is very needed, by me for sure. So, thanks.
“All gave some, Some gave all.”
ICE is getting information from the IRS, using it to track down immigrants who are not American citizens, but who have been living and working here for years and paying their taxes. The IRS had promised to keep their information private. Look what this country has come to. ICE is the Gestapo of the 1930’s Nazi Germany. My father, as a young man barely out of college, leaving for Officer’s Candidate School right after his last college exam to fight the Nazis in Europe. Now here I am, his 75 year old daughter having to fight American White Christian Nationalists here in America. I will continue until we win. I can’t let Daddy down; or my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Thank you Adam, I needed to hear those words. Onward!
That’s what I say! They’re grabbing folks who’ve been here for decades. That’s from IRS records.
Dear Virginia
I'm Arslaq. "Pleased to meet you. Hope you guessed my name..."
Since we're of the same generational cohort & I'm a certified Latin flunk out, I'll begin with this ragged Roman whine:
nihil novi sub sol
Kinzinger et al have shot wide of the mark in blaming Trump & Maga for our current "malaise" (Remember Jimmy Carter❓).
The mark that Kinzinger et al miss by casting aspersions on Trump & MAGA for this latest fascistoid fit of pique, is failure to see the forest for the trees apropos of fascism's tap root.
Native-American fascism has been a notable feature of our social, cultural & political landscape. To understand what I mean by "fascism's tap root," the definition of Dr Michael Ledeen, a preeminent authority on fascism, its tap root and branches, is clear, concise & compelling. What's more, Ledeen is no liberal milquetoast. He's an ironclad conservative who espoused a "doctrine" which held that "Every ten years or so, the USA needs to pick up some small crappy little country and throw it against the wall, just to show the world we mean business."
Dr Ledeen defines fascism's taproot as the Führerprinzip ,or leadership principle. The leader has total power over the subjects. In the US Native American fascism exists wherever the führerprinzip prevails, either formally or informally.
I do not believe any of that.
Thank you so much for reminding us all to take time outs and enjoy life! The news is exhausting! And frustrating and so depressing. I’m 65 years old and have never felt so low about my country. I find peace following you, Meidas touch and Scott Dworkin where you expose and write the truth but keep it in perspective. I have voted both ways and if you were to run for President I would vote for you:)
I'm 83 and have never seen anything like this in our country. Never thought I would. I knew when tRump was elected again, that we were in for some rough times, but never expected it to be this bad and with more to come.
And yet I just read his approval rating is up!!! What is wrong with the people in this country???
Lies...I wouldn't believe it.
They’re from what I assume are reliable sources: Newsweek. But then you’ll see another poll that says he’s in the toilet. So who knows?
He’s in the toilet. Wait til
The tariffs really hit next month. Plus he’s declining rapidly; just keeps say “I don’t know”, lost that argumentative. Force. Sad bewildered old criminal father of a crime family that’s fleecing the world powers for access to favors with crypto and shaking down poor countries that just need fairness. Pathetic criminal in a hairpiece.
I donate regularly to this organization. Thank you for reminding us to find joy and take care of ourselves so we can continue to fight this lawless, cruel, inhumane, evil administration.
As usual perfectly articulated and with this good advice the save ourselves, great 👍🏻 I have an observation: the great amount of attention being given to the choice of the next pope indicates to me that the world is looking for hope and moral base
My other idea is that I hope no one shows up at the Trump birthday parade and it gets no press. Just a hope 🙏🏻
I hope the military doesn't show up and he has to peddle his ass down the street.
Love this 👍🏻bravo
With Hesgeth's incompetence, they will be ordered to be there.
This is what dictators do. Here is fraud, waste, and abuse.
Nicely said Adam. I agree with everything you said. It will be hard but we can do it standing together to fight for our rights, freedom, and our country.
ICE is tagging ordinary U.S. Citizens and hauling them away?? This is unconstitutional!
Problem is they don’t really care. Trump didn’t put his hand on the Bible at his swearing in. That way he can be the Flim Flam man in any circumstance, “ I don’t know if I have to follow the Constitution.”
He swore the oath bible or not. Impeach remove and prosecute. Make mar a lago his Alcatraz. The criminals are already there.
He should have, but the Constitution is still enacted either way.
Trump had no intention to follow the U.S. Constitution in the first place. He has been fairly aloof. Lied to his supporters on the Champagne trail! Meanwhile, he was fully aware of the Heritage foundation, Steve Bannon, J.D. Vance, and the rest of his cabinet unfolding Project 2025. Bannon got Trump into office in the last election. Check out Cambridge Analytica, which was Bannon’s company in England.
Bannon profiled users on Social Media - the persuadable, and sent them data other users didn’t receive. Check out “The Great Hack” on YouTube. Pure evil!
Sigh, and the outcome is we are millions to how many? That should give us all the power we need to keep this democracy in tact.
He just cut 1 billion from school mental health services. The GOP has always blamed mental health for gun violence what can they say now?
Probably the regular default - it’s Biden’s fault. No sense to be made with their ridiculous narratives.
They don’t care. That’s what we have to get our heads around. They don’t care and they’re don’t care what their constituents think or want. I’m terrified that we’ve already slid far enough into authoritarianism that we will not have free and fair elections for a long, long time.
Me too.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter established the Mental Health Systems Act to address health system deficiencies and give greater access to treatment. Eighteen months after Reagan's inauguration, he dismantled the Act, directing the money to block grants, closing mental health institutions, and putting patients on the street with no treatment. Crime rates increased. Republicans use mental health as a scapegoat. Instead of working toward a solution, they whine about it.
Doing something that benefits the average American and not big donors has always been an afterthought for the GOP. Like them saying if we can't pass more big tax breaks for the ultra-rich, then you peasants can't have any tax cuts either.
It’s exhausting sometimes. I get so angry the tears just fall. I think of my dad. Just a kid fighting in WW2. I was at my daughter’s house the other day. My brother sent her our dad’s Marine Corps Blues and Greens..all his medals everything. They’re pristine. We were looking at them and I commented on how small they were. He was 6-1 but skinny. It made me realize how the war had taken a toll on him. He never complained. He was so proud to have fought at Guam and liberated those wonderful people from hell. He joined at 15 and was there at 16. So I wipe away my tears and look at my daughter who just commissioned to the USN. She’s leaving for ODS in August. Her husband is here in NY a Lt Commander Dr. of Psychology. He’ll join her in San Diego eventually. I have to keep my shit together. That’s what this family does. We may take a step back but then we push head on and don’t stop until we need to rejuvenate. Then We do it again..
I cannot ever see us or me giving up on this country.. ever. Head up shoulders back..
I so sympathize. My dad was a skinny kid as well, served as a lieutenant in the infantry division in Guam and the Solomon Islands. His vision wasn’t perfect, so he memorized the eye chart to get into service.
They were extraordinary patriots, and fantastic roll models. Here we are, at the front line, loaded for bear.
Amazing men, just amazing.
Give yourself permission to cry it out.
Thanks for your post today Adam!!! Yes we need to pace ourselves-but we should never give up the fight!!!
Thank you for being the light in the darkness.
Adam, I respect the steadiness of your voice, and the honesty in this reflection hits home. The fatigue is real. The noise, the incremental wins, the weight of watching systems bend under pressure—it gets to all of us. But here’s where I’m going to nudge you.
You’re right that this is a generational fight. You’re right that mountains move stone by stone. But I also think we’ve reached the part of the story where the metaphor doesn’t quite hold. The landscape is already shifting under our feet—and some of the stones have been weaponized.
This isn’t just a slow-burning civic marathon. It’s a live, accelerating crisis. Authoritarians don’t wait for us to catch our breath. They rely on our pacing. They thrive on our restraint.
Snyder says it plainly: the mistake people make is thinking the time to act is later.
Later is how you lose your country.
We’ve seen the purges. The propaganda machines. The silencing of journalists. The institutional capture. The legal retribution. And now, the normalization of the idea that elections are optional and obedience is patriotic.
You say we are the torchbearers. I agree.
But I’d add: we’re also the firebreak.
This isn’t the warmup. This is the moment.
And yes, we should rest when we need to. But we fight while we rest.
We organize tired. We push through the fatigue. Because the stakes don’t pause while we recharge.
I admire what you’re building. But I think it’s time we all speak with a little more urgency. Not panic. Not despair. But with the kind of resolve that calls people off the sidelines.
The truth is, history won’t just judge our long-term resolve.
It’ll judge whether we saw the alarm for what it was—and answered in time.
We are with you brother; I had an old employee and when challenged he'd say I ain't scared.
Nor am I! But yes, I will take a breather now and then.
Bring it on baby- The J
Sometimes the fire feels like it is flickering and weak, with the possibility of it being smothered out. But it won't be. It is eternal. All it takes is one ember, no how fragile it may seem, to keep growing. So it's okay to take a breath... or actually, a well-deserved break. That allows us to be recharged. And in the meantime, that ember is still glowing. Waiting for the right time to set off sparks.