I am sorry but I just can not celebrate our country today. It feels more like we should have a national day of mourning. I am not giving up. I will return to the fight but not today 😢
Thank you for your continued words of hope. It’s been a tough week between the passing of the big ugly bill and the Supreme Court allowing immigrants to be deported to SouthSudan and and the building of that Alcatraz prison in Florida using FEMA money and our dear leader and his ilk laughing about the alligators getting Those held. It’s easy to feel despondent and just want to give up.😢
I'm with you, sister. But being in this community and with people like you and Adam who care helps my despondency. Hope it does yours too. Join hands and we move forward together against their push back.
The King is back. Why are we celebrating Independence Day?
We need to keep fighting to get it back!!!! I'm fighting for the men and woman that made the ultimate sacrifice and the wounded in combat that were physically and mentally damaged by war. What we have here is NOT Independence? Vietnam Vet
Happy Fourth of July. I hope we will be able to continue celebrating the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Trump, his minions and supporters have created the largest criminal enterprise on the planet in only 5 months. It is called the US Government. The speed of their takeover is breathtaking. It now is obvious that the guardrails which were so carefully constructed by the country's founders and supported by generations of responsible citizens have failed. There is but one hope left and that is We The People. Let us consider the next No Kings Day demonstrations as essential to our country's future. Take inspiration from Bob Seger's "Like a Rock".
"I stood proud, I stood tall
High above it all
I still believed in my dreams."
We need more Adam Kinzingers on the planet, Americans who believe in their dreams. Take the title of the song as our theme. Like a Rock.
There is a quote attributed to Sinclair Lewis that is "When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." Whether or not he REALLY said this does not diminish the truth of it. This fits Trump like a glove. His Bible (which he does not read), his MAGA movement to "Make American great again" (when it ALREADY is!), his use of force against the immigrants
(which threatens all of us!), these all slip by us (maybe he uses baby oil), when we must JUST SAY NO!
When I am on the verge of despair and feel like giving up, I look at Ukraine. They wake up to bombs and fires and death.
I think about Selma. Peaceful protestors stood in prayer while police officers beat them.
I remember my father who volunteered at 17 and proudly wore a Navy uniform in WWII to fight for freedom, not knowing if he would return home.
Then I take a deep breath and I summon my resolve.
I realize it might not happen in my lifetime, but America will overcome the tyrant in the WH and his despicable sewer clown cabinet, as well as the cowardly, complicit GOP in Congress.
We cannot give up. We cannot stay silent.
Today, we can declare our own Independence Day from a mad wannabe king.
Family and friends are gathering for a Zoom reading of the Declaration today at a time convenient to all. Highly recommend and we may switch to Charles Flynn's version in Hopium comments - thank you, Charles, for such a great though horrific post. Fierce Independence Day through Peaceful Protest, all!!
Charles Flynn
Charles’s Substack
21m
A LETTER TO AMERICA, REFERENCING A NEW DECLARATON OF INDEPENDENCE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
We quote our original declaration
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” …
That as the reign of Donald Trump and Elon Musk has become “destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People” to defy him and defend the rights and liberties we have enjoyed for nearly 250 years.
“When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security”…
The history of the present reign of Donald Trump and Elon Musk “ is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny……
To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”
Trump has pardoned violent criminals who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021, attempting to prevent the lawful transfer of power.
He has defied Article 1 of the Constitution ( All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.) by refusing to expend funds duly authorized by Congress and by attempting to eliminate Departments previously authorized by Congress.
By the unilateral imposition of tariffs, he has violated Article 1 Section 7 of the Constitution ( All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.) and Section 8 (The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excise)
By refusing to obey judicial decisions and by attempting to intimidate Judges, he has violated Article 3, Section 1 of the Constitution (The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.)
It is worth recounting the actual language of the Declaration of Independence , as follows :
“He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.”
Furthermore, by interposing DOGE into the regular functioning of government:
“He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people….”
By unilaterally imposing outrageous tariffs,
“For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world”
He has violated the following Bill of Rights:
First Amendment by attempting to intimidate states, legal firms and educational institutions from their right of free speech by suspending duly authorized federal funding or federal contracts.
Fifth Amendment by detaining individuals without due process of law.
The Sixth Amendment by denying individuals the right to a speedy and fair trial by an impartial jury.
We, therefore, on behalf of millions of patriotic Americans, call President Trump to account for all his crimes and beseech our fellow citizens to join us in this crusade for liberty and the preservation of democracy.
I highly recommend! We read through, each person taking a few lines or a paragraph, and then discussed how each grievance was mirrored in specific acts Trump has done. By the end, we were revved up and ready to go!
I think like many Americans, i've never read the Declaration completely and understood that it's basically a list of reasons (grievances) why the King's governance could no longer be tolerated. As is true today!
I don’t believe in Kings and I’m not going to live under one. Donald Trump is a thug who I’ve known since the late 80’s from NY. He was a wanna be back then and still is. I just don’t get what people see in him. He’s not running this country, this is Curtis Yarvin, Peter Theil, and Stephen Millers Christian Nationalist movement. He’s building an army with ICE because he knows the military will not take illegal orders from him like these masked thugs will.
But I’m not bending a knee to know one, I’m with you and will fight for our country. I moved to Florida almost a couple of years ago not thinking this orange clown would win an election again.
DeSantis has mobilized some National Guard to help secure this concentration camp (calling it what it is), and Trump has sent 200 Marines down here.
Today, I’m not celebrating as usual. Just going to relax. The weather isn’t cooperating anyway. But I do wish you a Happy 4th with your family and friends. And thank you for that, it was well written.
I knew who trump was in NYC as well - people didn't listen. Agree with you on who is running the country with the goal of Christian Nationalism- Funny thing is Miller is Jewish.
Miller is a sick twisted evil little man. I knew he was Jewish. I don’t know how an actual woman married that. Miller is the one in Trumps ear along with Vought from The Heritage Foundation.
Today I joined Country First, made a contribution, signed up for notifications so that I can become active in my local groups. I also pledge to take the classes and get certified again as a Voluntary Deputy Voter Registrar in Texas and to help organize voter registration and voter education events. On this grand and glorious celebration of 249 years WITH NO KINGS, I'm pledging to support our current form of government, staying engaged, doing my part.
Adam, as always, you are inspiring! Happy 4th.
PROTEST: https://goodtroubleliveson.org/?SQF_SOURCE=50501 Pass it on!
STRIKE: https://generalstrikeus.com/ Pass it on!
ELECTIONS: There is but one hope left! More important then anything "Free and Fair Elections". If you can afford it, DONATE to the organizations that are doing the legal fights for free and fair elections. www.democracydocket.com/ https://protectdemocracy.org/our-work/protecting-elections/ https://www.aclu.org/ - https://democracyforward.org/ - https://votingrightslab.org/ These groups are suing the Trump administration virtually every day. Pass it on!
I agree with you Adam!!!! We need to keep fighting for our country and Democracy-we should never ever give up!!!!!❤️🤍💙🇺🇸
Not giving up! Such an important message to share with others who are dispirited by the BBB.
I am sorry but I just can not celebrate our country today. It feels more like we should have a national day of mourning. I am not giving up. I will return to the fight but not today 😢
I'll celebrate with you when the King and all his followers are having their "Corruption Trials" on national tv.
generalstrikeus.com
I feel the same way. I'm taking the day off, but will come back fighting harder.
agree
Thank you for your continued words of hope. It’s been a tough week between the passing of the big ugly bill and the Supreme Court allowing immigrants to be deported to SouthSudan and and the building of that Alcatraz prison in Florida using FEMA money and our dear leader and his ilk laughing about the alligators getting Those held. It’s easy to feel despondent and just want to give up.😢
I'm with you, sister. But being in this community and with people like you and Adam who care helps my despondency. Hope it does yours too. Join hands and we move forward together against their push back.
The King is back. Why are we celebrating Independence Day?
We need to keep fighting to get it back!!!! I'm fighting for the men and woman that made the ultimate sacrifice and the wounded in combat that were physically and mentally damaged by war. What we have here is NOT Independence? Vietnam Vet
Happy Fourth of July. I hope we will be able to continue celebrating the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Trump, his minions and supporters have created the largest criminal enterprise on the planet in only 5 months. It is called the US Government. The speed of their takeover is breathtaking. It now is obvious that the guardrails which were so carefully constructed by the country's founders and supported by generations of responsible citizens have failed. There is but one hope left and that is We The People. Let us consider the next No Kings Day demonstrations as essential to our country's future. Take inspiration from Bob Seger's "Like a Rock".
"I stood proud, I stood tall
High above it all
I still believed in my dreams."
We need more Adam Kinzingers on the planet, Americans who believe in their dreams. Take the title of the song as our theme. Like a Rock.
There is but one hope left? More important then anything "Free and Fair Elections"
If you can afford it donate to the organizations that are doing the legal fights for free and fair elections. https://www.aclu.org/ - https://democracyforward.org/ - https://protectdemocracy.org/ - https://votingrightslab.org/ These groups are suing the Trump administration virtually every day.
There is a quote attributed to Sinclair Lewis that is "When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross." Whether or not he REALLY said this does not diminish the truth of it. This fits Trump like a glove. His Bible (which he does not read), his MAGA movement to "Make American great again" (when it ALREADY is!), his use of force against the immigrants
(which threatens all of us!), these all slip by us (maybe he uses baby oil), when we must JUST SAY NO!
Adam! It's time for you and Liz to run for office! Thanks for all you do.
When's the next No Kings Day demo? We live in tryranny!
The Bill of Rights:
1st Amendment: Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2nd Amendment: Protects the right to keep and bear arms.
3rd Amendment: Restricts the quartering of soldiers in private homes.
4th Amendment: Safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizures.
5th Amendment: Addresses due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and eminent domain.
6th Amendment: Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial in criminal cases.
7th Amendment: Preserves the right to a jury trial in civil cases.
8th Amendment: Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
9th Amendment: Recognizes that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage other rights retained by the people.
10th Amendment: Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.
11th Amendment: Limits the ability of individuals to sue states in federal court.
12th Amendment: Revises the procedure for electing the President and Vice President.
13th Amendment: Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.
14th Amendment: Defines citizenship, ensures equal protection under the law, and addresses civil war debts.
15th Amendment: Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
16th Amendment: Grants Congress the power to levy an income tax.
17th Amendment: Establishes the popular election of US Senators.
18th Amendment: Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (Prohibition).
19th Amendment: Grants women the right to vote.
20th Amendment: Sets the date for the start of presidential and congressional terms.
21st Amendment: Repeals the 18th Amendment (Prohibition).
22nd Amendment: Limits the number of terms a person can be elected president.
23rd Amendment: Grants residents of Washington D.C. the right to vote for presidential electors.
24th Amendment: Abolishes poll taxes in federal elections.
25th Amendment: Addresses presidential succession and disability.
The most important word in your article was “if”. Many people are in stunned disbelief right now. Thank you for your words of wisdom
When I am on the verge of despair and feel like giving up, I look at Ukraine. They wake up to bombs and fires and death.
I think about Selma. Peaceful protestors stood in prayer while police officers beat them.
I remember my father who volunteered at 17 and proudly wore a Navy uniform in WWII to fight for freedom, not knowing if he would return home.
Then I take a deep breath and I summon my resolve.
I realize it might not happen in my lifetime, but America will overcome the tyrant in the WH and his despicable sewer clown cabinet, as well as the cowardly, complicit GOP in Congress.
We cannot give up. We cannot stay silent.
Today, we can declare our own Independence Day from a mad wannabe king.
Hear, hear! Thank you for keeping up the good fight! 🇺🇸
Family and friends are gathering for a Zoom reading of the Declaration today at a time convenient to all. Highly recommend and we may switch to Charles Flynn's version in Hopium comments - thank you, Charles, for such a great though horrific post. Fierce Independence Day through Peaceful Protest, all!!
Charles Flynn
Charles’s Substack
21m
A LETTER TO AMERICA, REFERENCING A NEW DECLARATON OF INDEPENDENCE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
We quote our original declaration
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” …
That as the reign of Donald Trump and Elon Musk has become “destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People” to defy him and defend the rights and liberties we have enjoyed for nearly 250 years.
“When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security”…
The history of the present reign of Donald Trump and Elon Musk “ is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny……
To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”
Trump has pardoned violent criminals who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021, attempting to prevent the lawful transfer of power.
He has defied Article 1 of the Constitution ( All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.) by refusing to expend funds duly authorized by Congress and by attempting to eliminate Departments previously authorized by Congress.
By the unilateral imposition of tariffs, he has violated Article 1 Section 7 of the Constitution ( All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.) and Section 8 (The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excise)
By refusing to obey judicial decisions and by attempting to intimidate Judges, he has violated Article 3, Section 1 of the Constitution (The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.)
It is worth recounting the actual language of the Declaration of Independence , as follows :
“He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.”
Furthermore, by interposing DOGE into the regular functioning of government:
“He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people….”
By unilaterally imposing outrageous tariffs,
“For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world”
He has violated the following Bill of Rights:
First Amendment by attempting to intimidate states, legal firms and educational institutions from their right of free speech by suspending duly authorized federal funding or federal contracts.
Fifth Amendment by detaining individuals without due process of law.
The Sixth Amendment by denying individuals the right to a speedy and fair trial by an impartial jury.
We, therefore, on behalf of millions of patriotic Americans, call President Trump to account for all his crimes and beseech our fellow citizens to join us in this crusade for liberty and the preservation of democracy.
Oh my gosh, how wonderful to do that
I highly recommend! We read through, each person taking a few lines or a paragraph, and then discussed how each grievance was mirrored in specific acts Trump has done. By the end, we were revved up and ready to go!
I think like many Americans, i've never read the Declaration completely and understood that it's basically a list of reasons (grievances) why the King's governance could no longer be tolerated. As is true today!
Hi Adam,
I don’t believe in Kings and I’m not going to live under one. Donald Trump is a thug who I’ve known since the late 80’s from NY. He was a wanna be back then and still is. I just don’t get what people see in him. He’s not running this country, this is Curtis Yarvin, Peter Theil, and Stephen Millers Christian Nationalist movement. He’s building an army with ICE because he knows the military will not take illegal orders from him like these masked thugs will.
But I’m not bending a knee to know one, I’m with you and will fight for our country. I moved to Florida almost a couple of years ago not thinking this orange clown would win an election again.
DeSantis has mobilized some National Guard to help secure this concentration camp (calling it what it is), and Trump has sent 200 Marines down here.
Today, I’m not celebrating as usual. Just going to relax. The weather isn’t cooperating anyway. But I do wish you a Happy 4th with your family and friends. And thank you for that, it was well written.
I knew who trump was in NYC as well - people didn't listen. Agree with you on who is running the country with the goal of Christian Nationalism- Funny thing is Miller is Jewish.
Miller is a sick twisted evil little man. I knew he was Jewish. I don’t know how an actual woman married that. Miller is the one in Trumps ear along with Vought from The Heritage Foundation.
Today I joined Country First, made a contribution, signed up for notifications so that I can become active in my local groups. I also pledge to take the classes and get certified again as a Voluntary Deputy Voter Registrar in Texas and to help organize voter registration and voter education events. On this grand and glorious celebration of 249 years WITH NO KINGS, I'm pledging to support our current form of government, staying engaged, doing my part.
Thank you Adam, I appreciate your leadership
Beautifully written!