The event I attended at Beaverton City Park in Oregon was one of a dozen in Portland alone. There were far more people this time and the mood was more solemn. You could tell that people are worried, which is why the gathering was both successful and necessary. My favorite sign read, "For the Epsteinth time, why are we at war?"
My favorite sign also. I remember seeing that sign at the first No Kings and thinking how poignantly we who are sane and decent want sanity and decency back. Instead, we get corruption, incompetence, chaos and lies. I was so elated and moved that so many in other nations joined us. I have a good feeling that North Carolina will join us too.
We had 247 people show up in Montello! And those are just the ones who signed in. There were 12-15 magas who were foul mouthed, loud, rude and carrying Trump/Pence signs...hmmmm....so mouth here asked if JD knew about Pence. They had ZERO hand made signs. We had some pre-printed but most were all hand made. For the folks who showed up with no signs our party had posterboatd, markers and sticks available. I personally made 15-20 for folks just writing what they wanted to say. Most folks were angry about the "Iran excursion" followed by cost of living. We had some really unique signs as well and funny! My sign was "Drop Epstein Files, not Bombs." I heard Lodi had around 400 and same with Portage. Ripon had theirs in front of the GOP birthplace! All in all, wind was cold but spirits were warm!
I’m in Mexico for a wedding and it absolutely killed me to not be with the crowd in Seattle! I did wear my Gulf of Mexico shirt as a quiet protest yesterday. You’re definitely not alone Earl! 2 of several actions I’ve taken : 1- started an anti fascist book club following Kris Goldsmiths framework. We read, build community and take action. 2-created a social media team to counteract all the propaganda and disinformation in our local elections. Oh and 3-part of a rapid response group. We can all do something. We must. There is no opting out.
Yesterday, I wished I'd still lived in my home town of Seattle! I would have been out in the streets at the No Kings rally there. I live in the Palm Springs area now, since October 2021, and it was 97° - I just can't handle that heat for very long. Enjoy Mexico! 😊
It's beautiful weather here 8 months a year, but we're having an unusually hot spring - it's back into the 70's and 80's starting tomorrow, which is perfect. 85 degrees here feels like 72 in Seattle.😁
I lived for many years in the Bay Area and would go to palm desert from time to time. I love it down there! The air feels so good. But, I also love rain. And snow. And hail. 😁
You might want to rethink coming back to Seattle. Poster child for the downfall of American cities. City power grab thinks by raising taxes on businesses and the wealthy they will stay and take it. Result businesses and wealthy are closing up and leaving. Newest sub-divisions have blue tarp roofs and pay no taxes. Police are also quitting as offenders are returned to the streets making apprehensions meaningless. Welcome to the new USA.
Thank you for the opportunity to use my OSINT skills that I mentioned in my comment. 😉 While Seattle has real problems worth discussing honestly, it is just not the total collapse you describe.
The claim that crime is spiraling is contradicted by official data. The SPD reported overall crime fell 18% in 2025 compared to 2024, with burglaries down 18%, stolen vehicles down 24%, and aggravated assaults down 8%.
Violent crime in downtown Seattle dropped 36% in summer 2025 compared to summer 2024 — the lowest level since 2017.
The “blue tarp subdivisions” claim? Does not exist and has no factual basis in any reporting.
Downtown visitor numbers in 2025 exceeded pre-pandemic levels, topping 15 million, with daily foot traffic up nearly 4% year-over-year and light rail ridership up 23%.
Seattle is beautiful. People are shocked when they come here because they expect a “liberal hellscape” but it is far from that. If you haven’t been to the new waterfront park, I highly recommend it.
Liberal hellscape is a fiction promoted by Fox News, Newsmax and OAN et al. The crap they say about my city, Portland is garbage. Portland, Oregon is a beautiful place that has some problems like all big cities but to call it a hellscape is dead wrong. Same with Seattle and Eugene.
🎯 I love Portland!! We always go to Kachka restaurant when in town. So good!
It’s such a massive bummer all the people who live in a vacuum of Faux News and don’t venture out beyond the echo chamber. Media literacy matters…especially now. I love ground News and AdFontas media (the media bias chart is amazing). I can see why people believe what they do! It’s very convincing. So important to read beyond one side and see who is truly controlling the narrative. (And our brains).
Sorry I should have included Portland, Chicago, DC and every other major US city. US is in decline. Drugs, addiction and crime have become the new growth industries for the US. AI will eliminate more jobs so get used to bigger blue tarp sub-divisions. Putting tariffs on imported blue tarps will not get fix the problem. No I am not a Trump supported, he is just the ugly face on the disease.
Frankly I do not have a solution. US has dug this hole for itself and more taxes and credit will not dig us out. I can well see USA go bankrupt as the cost to float this unguided boat exceeds our ability to beg, borrow or steal to keep it afloat
As for Seattle. Poverty is a mindset that those in power do not have the courage to confront. Crime and drug addiction are directly related. People with no source of income, yet addicted to drugs they have no income to buy commit crimes to get the money. Plain and simple. So de-penalizing shoplifting as a "minor" crime only encourages more of it. Result is the hollowing out of the business community, empty store fronts and wealth fleeing.
Hey Russ, you've identified a lot of the problems facing the US right now, and I understand how hard it is to keep trudging in the face of so much despair. Like you, I do not have solutions, but I have learned over the decades of being in the social justice trenches that the best antidote to that despair is action: pick one thing, one group or cause or need, and step up to help. If we all do just that, each day, we can make the world -- our sad and damaged world -- a kinder and better place for all. Every single effort counts, and each of us can make a difference. I for one will not let the bastards own me or knock me down. They'll have to kill me to get me out of the way.
Good heart. I am not a hopeless sourpuss. My most favorite expression comes from Winston Churchill during WWII.
FDR did not rush to help Britain during WWII. FDR did everything to keep the US neutral and out of the war until Pearl Harbor. In his way, FDR treated Churchill much like Trump has treated Zelensky. Teasing help and finally setting up the Lend/Lease program. Trump does not hold a candle to FDR so apologize for the inference.
In seeking US support Churchill said "The US will always do the right thing AFTER they have exhausted every other possibility" We now have "leader" testing the limits of insanity while those who could put an end to it stand by. When they are gone maybe they will do the right thing.
Thanks D. Earl. Sorry you've had to leave WI, but we will carry on. We can still read your posts. Made it to Ripon, then Montello yesterday, nice crowd, good spirits. Love your shirt! Yeah! Let's keep the faith & fight for what is good & right & true. There was an old gentleman in Montello who came & stood for an hour. He served in WWII. He is 101 years old.
"I intend to be here when America takes care of all her people again, and is once again a friend to our allies around the world. I promise you those days are coming, and I’ll give you the shirt off my back to make that happen."
Great job everybody on the No Kings protests. Hard not to be exhausted, but we are not quitters and we are making a difference. The Kool-Aid is about to get really bitter for Cult...Trump will punish them more than us...and many will love him more than a battered wife does...but enough of them will join the resistance...it is quietly happening all over the country.
Earl, yesterday showed that there are indeed more of us, and the numbers are increasing daily. I have been to all three of the No Kings Day protests in my small town in Michigan, which has been voting red for decades. Each time the crowds have increased. Yesterday I would estimate at least 1,000. What I did observe was that the majority of them were middle aged to older - some with walkers and canes, mostly white. These are the voters! We need the younger generations to wake up ! We have been relying on people of color to pull it out, and they are standing back this time and telling us white folks we need to step up, and we are. Now it takes all of us, all colors, races and religions. This is a fight all of us need to band together to make the changes. We can't allow the SAVE Act to go through because the feds taking over the election will disenfranchise millions of us. We have to keep everything out in the open - and keep reminding Trump the Epstein files will not go away. After yesterday's march, I feel much more hopeful.
I have been working on a piece about the lack of engagement from younger folks. It's confounding, but understandable. They have a helluva lot more power than they realize.
I follow Steve Schmidt because of his blunt and historically relevant opinions. I follow Adam Parkhomenko and Sam Youngman for the times that I need some factually-backed grossness. I follow Marc Elias to better understand the legal challenges facing our courts and because of his commitment to utilize his prowess to tirelessly fight the tyranny. I follow you, D. Earl, because you bring a sense of calmness mixed in with reality and righteous indignation to our upside-down country, communities, and everyday lives. Thank you and best wishes to you in your new abode.
I agree with you Earl that there are mentally sick people in America who want to see others suffer. These people are frustrated, empty and angry. They want to see cruelty whether it's committed against black, Hispanic or white people (like Rene Good and Alex Pretti).There are other factors as well.
Less educated people vote for trump. They are more susceptible to his lies. He has stated that they loves him and intelligent people don't. Many of the less educated are insulated in white towns. They have knee jerk reactions that are more likely to be callous or violent in nature. The medulla oblongatas or reptilian part of the brain is engaged first at perceived threats. The cerebral cortex or mammalian brain needs to be actively engaged to determine if violence is the proper solution.When this portion of the brain is not employed, less critical and well thought out courses of action are chosen. Thus, education needs to improve in America in as many states as possible or charismatic, lying grifters will continue to lead the GOP to future victories by fooling their base, currently MAGA.
People are afraid of change, especially the less educated. Change means things could get worse. It's why they are fighting for a time long past when they believed things were better for people like them. Things have been harder economically, largely because of the attacks on the middle class since Reagan by republicans.
Also, the presidency holds a level of reverence and respect that is not always deserved. Some young children can recite the names of all the presidents. Adults and other children are impressed and the mystique surrounding the presidency is further solidified. Everyone loves a winner too. Kids will become lifelong fans of a sports team that wins when they falling love with a game. Unless their home town team wins it all, they will stick with their first winner to feel good and feel like a winner themselves. The winners high and feel part of a group and accepted. Trump won when some learned of politics or became interested again in politics because he was different and they stick with him hoping to feel good again and stay liked by others in their community.
Catholics are typically traditionalists and a swing voting group with 20-22% of the total votes. They also tend to vote for the winner and are highly active in federal elections. They voted 58% for trump and 40% for Harris. They have been duped into believing that trump supports traditional biblical values. This is a laugh as we all know because he has monstrously demonstrated time and again. He speaks adoringly about his beloved Christians and they feel valued and their religious concerns will be adressed by him.
The 2024 election was stolen by the GOP, so Harris being a Baptist, non-white and a woman were not factors in the loss. Substackers This Shall Hold proved in their 3 part article entitled "She Won," that compromised election software and Musk's satellites cheated Dems out of votes just before the end of the 2024 election. Votes were electronically giving to trump in swing states just high enough to not trigger a manual recount. Harris and the Dems didn't request recounts either, which they should have. This must change in future because it is very likely to happen again.
There are other reasons People voted for trump. People felt they were being left behind and wanted a change when they voted for trump. Bernie Sanders went into red states to find out why they voted for trump and he found that the Dems had abandoned them in blue collar towns to seek votes from affluent city goers and also their contributions. So, red states wanted a perceived strongman to save them. They are still waiting hopefully for him to fulfill that promise. They have become a cult and believe his repeated lies. Tariffs are good, we're winning, short term pain for long term gain, etc. Hitler said, the bigger the lie and the more often it is repeated, the more it will be believed. Project 2025 is not the only playbook the GOP is using. Ivana trump said he kept a copy of Adolf's speeches by his bed in 1990. We all know how that all ended. They are both malignant narcissists. Things will invariably get worse in the future but hopefully not permanently so.
The right wing media is aligned with trump and spin everything he says and does to be patriotic, in the public interest and necessary. Anything against him is fake news. Cher, who knew trump personally, said he is a master manipulator unlike anyone she had ever seen before. One can only imagine how many she encountered in Hollywood and the recording industries. Supporters of trump have been duped by a master and are out of their depth. He has created a cult like Hitler and other fascist dictators have in the past.
So, things are very complicated and will take great efforts to change minds, if it is even possible. Dems have the advantage of being concerned about everyone and saving the country repeatedly from recession. The Republicans mean to destroy democracy and are harming the economy. One or both of these factors should energize the Democrat voters and hopefully convince Independents to vote left and to flip some Republican voters as well.
I, and others, are very concerned the GOP will cheat the midterms and the election in 2028. Even greater protests are going to be required afterwards should the Dems "lose." Even more than just protests may be needed to oust this Nazi regime. I fervently hope it doesn't come to a second civil war but I am not convinced it won't be necessary. I sincerely hope I am mistaken. If I am not, at least history is on the side of freedom with the American Revolutionary War that created independence and ousted the powerful king of England. History in the form of the American Civil War ended the institution of slavery and kept the nation intact. This should be inspiration for all Americans to fight on the right side of history once again in order to defend democracy, decency and the progress of the nation. 🌊
I think you are right about cruelty and bigotry. It is also about power. I think there is another element in play—they think they will get wealthier, especially the white male MAGAs. Maybe some of Trump's wealth will rub off. Maybe they'll get a better job or a higher raise. It's sort of like Fredo in the Godfather II saying, "What's in it for me?" That is certainly true for most of his political appointees. They took the job to get rich or get richer. But they love the power to lord over us, and that pairs with cruelty and bigotry.
The event I attended at Beaverton City Park in Oregon was one of a dozen in Portland alone. There were far more people this time and the mood was more solemn. You could tell that people are worried, which is why the gathering was both successful and necessary. My favorite sign read, "For the Epsteinth time, why are we at war?"
Love that sign, Ann!
Omg that is so good!!! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
I love living in the Portland Metro area, Ann!💚
my favourite sign said *if Kamala were President we'd all be at Brunch*
Amen.
My favorite sign also. I remember seeing that sign at the first No Kings and thinking how poignantly we who are sane and decent want sanity and decency back. Instead, we get corruption, incompetence, chaos and lies. I was so elated and moved that so many in other nations joined us. I have a good feeling that North Carolina will join us too.
Love your t-shirt message, and if that’s your new view in NC I’m very jealous!
We had 247 people show up in Montello! And those are just the ones who signed in. There were 12-15 magas who were foul mouthed, loud, rude and carrying Trump/Pence signs...hmmmm....so mouth here asked if JD knew about Pence. They had ZERO hand made signs. We had some pre-printed but most were all hand made. For the folks who showed up with no signs our party had posterboatd, markers and sticks available. I personally made 15-20 for folks just writing what they wanted to say. Most folks were angry about the "Iran excursion" followed by cost of living. We had some really unique signs as well and funny! My sign was "Drop Epstein Files, not Bombs." I heard Lodi had around 400 and same with Portage. Ripon had theirs in front of the GOP birthplace! All in all, wind was cold but spirits were warm!
Just awesome, Sandie, you bad-ass patriot you.
These thoughts of yours are so enjoyable to read, thanks.😊
Well, that makes my day. Thanks, Constance.
I agree. I got the warm fuzzies reading today's post.
I’m in Mexico for a wedding and it absolutely killed me to not be with the crowd in Seattle! I did wear my Gulf of Mexico shirt as a quiet protest yesterday. You’re definitely not alone Earl! 2 of several actions I’ve taken : 1- started an anti fascist book club following Kris Goldsmiths framework. We read, build community and take action. 2-created a social media team to counteract all the propaganda and disinformation in our local elections. Oh and 3-part of a rapid response group. We can all do something. We must. There is no opting out.
Good stuff, Sharon. -Thanks
Yesterday, I wished I'd still lived in my home town of Seattle! I would have been out in the streets at the No Kings rally there. I live in the Palm Springs area now, since October 2021, and it was 97° - I just can't handle that heat for very long. Enjoy Mexico! 😊
🥵 I would melt or just 🍹 all the time. 😊
It's beautiful weather here 8 months a year, but we're having an unusually hot spring - it's back into the 70's and 80's starting tomorrow, which is perfect. 85 degrees here feels like 72 in Seattle.😁
I lived for many years in the Bay Area and would go to palm desert from time to time. I love it down there! The air feels so good. But, I also love rain. And snow. And hail. 😁
You might want to rethink coming back to Seattle. Poster child for the downfall of American cities. City power grab thinks by raising taxes on businesses and the wealthy they will stay and take it. Result businesses and wealthy are closing up and leaving. Newest sub-divisions have blue tarp roofs and pay no taxes. Police are also quitting as offenders are returned to the streets making apprehensions meaningless. Welcome to the new USA.
Thank you for the opportunity to use my OSINT skills that I mentioned in my comment. 😉 While Seattle has real problems worth discussing honestly, it is just not the total collapse you describe.
The claim that crime is spiraling is contradicted by official data. The SPD reported overall crime fell 18% in 2025 compared to 2024, with burglaries down 18%, stolen vehicles down 24%, and aggravated assaults down 8%.
Violent crime in downtown Seattle dropped 36% in summer 2025 compared to summer 2024 — the lowest level since 2017.
The “blue tarp subdivisions” claim? Does not exist and has no factual basis in any reporting.
Downtown visitor numbers in 2025 exceeded pre-pandemic levels, topping 15 million, with daily foot traffic up nearly 4% year-over-year and light rail ridership up 23%.
Seattle is beautiful. People are shocked when they come here because they expect a “liberal hellscape” but it is far from that. If you haven’t been to the new waterfront park, I highly recommend it.
Liberal hellscape is a fiction promoted by Fox News, Newsmax and OAN et al. The crap they say about my city, Portland is garbage. Portland, Oregon is a beautiful place that has some problems like all big cities but to call it a hellscape is dead wrong. Same with Seattle and Eugene.
🎯 I love Portland!! We always go to Kachka restaurant when in town. So good!
It’s such a massive bummer all the people who live in a vacuum of Faux News and don’t venture out beyond the echo chamber. Media literacy matters…especially now. I love ground News and AdFontas media (the media bias chart is amazing). I can see why people believe what they do! It’s very convincing. So important to read beyond one side and see who is truly controlling the narrative. (And our brains).
Truth, Sharon
I think your comment about Seattle is misplaced Russ.
Sorry I should have included Portland, Chicago, DC and every other major US city. US is in decline. Drugs, addiction and crime have become the new growth industries for the US. AI will eliminate more jobs so get used to bigger blue tarp sub-divisions. Putting tariffs on imported blue tarps will not get fix the problem. No I am not a Trump supported, he is just the ugly face on the disease.
Frankly I do not have a solution. US has dug this hole for itself and more taxes and credit will not dig us out. I can well see USA go bankrupt as the cost to float this unguided boat exceeds our ability to beg, borrow or steal to keep it afloat
As for Seattle. Poverty is a mindset that those in power do not have the courage to confront. Crime and drug addiction are directly related. People with no source of income, yet addicted to drugs they have no income to buy commit crimes to get the money. Plain and simple. So de-penalizing shoplifting as a "minor" crime only encourages more of it. Result is the hollowing out of the business community, empty store fronts and wealth fleeing.
Hey Russ, you've identified a lot of the problems facing the US right now, and I understand how hard it is to keep trudging in the face of so much despair. Like you, I do not have solutions, but I have learned over the decades of being in the social justice trenches that the best antidote to that despair is action: pick one thing, one group or cause or need, and step up to help. If we all do just that, each day, we can make the world -- our sad and damaged world -- a kinder and better place for all. Every single effort counts, and each of us can make a difference. I for one will not let the bastards own me or knock me down. They'll have to kill me to get me out of the way.
Good heart. I am not a hopeless sourpuss. My most favorite expression comes from Winston Churchill during WWII.
FDR did not rush to help Britain during WWII. FDR did everything to keep the US neutral and out of the war until Pearl Harbor. In his way, FDR treated Churchill much like Trump has treated Zelensky. Teasing help and finally setting up the Lend/Lease program. Trump does not hold a candle to FDR so apologize for the inference.
In seeking US support Churchill said "The US will always do the right thing AFTER they have exhausted every other possibility" We now have "leader" testing the limits of insanity while those who could put an end to it stand by. When they are gone maybe they will do the right thing.
You and Trump, Russ. All the way. Keep trolling buddy.
Dave, you are hopelessly misreading Russ.
Good for you! That is all productive stuff. You should feel good about this, it's an inspiration!!!
Aww thank you. Still doesn’t feel like enough. 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Nothing we do seems like enough given what we are up against. But what you are doing is huge! Thank you, you're doing great!!!
Thanks D. Earl. Sorry you've had to leave WI, but we will carry on. We can still read your posts. Made it to Ripon, then Montello yesterday, nice crowd, good spirits. Love your shirt! Yeah! Let's keep the faith & fight for what is good & right & true. There was an old gentleman in Montello who came & stood for an hour. He served in WWII. He is 101 years old.
Wow ... Now THAT is inspiring.
How was Ripon? I went to school there back when the drinking age was 18. Lol, good times.
A "deviant" is a word I've not heard about him before. Perfect. And of course sad.
It sure is, my friend.
Another inspirational post. Thanks, Earl...
"I intend to be here when America takes care of all her people again, and is once again a friend to our allies around the world. I promise you those days are coming, and I’ll give you the shirt off my back to make that happen."
Great job everybody on the No Kings protests. Hard not to be exhausted, but we are not quitters and we are making a difference. The Kool-Aid is about to get really bitter for Cult...Trump will punish them more than us...and many will love him more than a battered wife does...but enough of them will join the resistance...it is quietly happening all over the country.
And an optimistic comment right there, Sharon.
-Cheers
We have tohave more demonstrations, more boycotts, walk-outs, the works. We have to show we won’t take it anymore.
Agree 100%, Alex.
Every promise broken
All untruths were spoken
Affordability he promised
The man is NEVER ever honest
Please God no troops on the ground
Bring them home safe and sound
Hegseth so very unfit
Chomping for blood on the bit
Bessent counting his fortune
as people struggle to pay a portion
of their rent and gas and food
This administration is no good
Time for the 25 th amendment
for this imbecilic president!
Nice ...
The woman who commented on your shirt is right. The message made me smile. Simple message but so right, so true.
Earl, yesterday showed that there are indeed more of us, and the numbers are increasing daily. I have been to all three of the No Kings Day protests in my small town in Michigan, which has been voting red for decades. Each time the crowds have increased. Yesterday I would estimate at least 1,000. What I did observe was that the majority of them were middle aged to older - some with walkers and canes, mostly white. These are the voters! We need the younger generations to wake up ! We have been relying on people of color to pull it out, and they are standing back this time and telling us white folks we need to step up, and we are. Now it takes all of us, all colors, races and religions. This is a fight all of us need to band together to make the changes. We can't allow the SAVE Act to go through because the feds taking over the election will disenfranchise millions of us. We have to keep everything out in the open - and keep reminding Trump the Epstein files will not go away. After yesterday's march, I feel much more hopeful.
I have been working on a piece about the lack of engagement from younger folks. It's confounding, but understandable. They have a helluva lot more power than they realize.
I follow Steve Schmidt because of his blunt and historically relevant opinions. I follow Adam Parkhomenko and Sam Youngman for the times that I need some factually-backed grossness. I follow Marc Elias to better understand the legal challenges facing our courts and because of his commitment to utilize his prowess to tirelessly fight the tyranny. I follow you, D. Earl, because you bring a sense of calmness mixed in with reality and righteous indignation to our upside-down country, communities, and everyday lives. Thank you and best wishes to you in your new abode.
Thanks a million, Sandra. Very kind.
I agree with you Earl that there are mentally sick people in America who want to see others suffer. These people are frustrated, empty and angry. They want to see cruelty whether it's committed against black, Hispanic or white people (like Rene Good and Alex Pretti).There are other factors as well.
Less educated people vote for trump. They are more susceptible to his lies. He has stated that they loves him and intelligent people don't. Many of the less educated are insulated in white towns. They have knee jerk reactions that are more likely to be callous or violent in nature. The medulla oblongatas or reptilian part of the brain is engaged first at perceived threats. The cerebral cortex or mammalian brain needs to be actively engaged to determine if violence is the proper solution.When this portion of the brain is not employed, less critical and well thought out courses of action are chosen. Thus, education needs to improve in America in as many states as possible or charismatic, lying grifters will continue to lead the GOP to future victories by fooling their base, currently MAGA.
People are afraid of change, especially the less educated. Change means things could get worse. It's why they are fighting for a time long past when they believed things were better for people like them. Things have been harder economically, largely because of the attacks on the middle class since Reagan by republicans.
Also, the presidency holds a level of reverence and respect that is not always deserved. Some young children can recite the names of all the presidents. Adults and other children are impressed and the mystique surrounding the presidency is further solidified. Everyone loves a winner too. Kids will become lifelong fans of a sports team that wins when they falling love with a game. Unless their home town team wins it all, they will stick with their first winner to feel good and feel like a winner themselves. The winners high and feel part of a group and accepted. Trump won when some learned of politics or became interested again in politics because he was different and they stick with him hoping to feel good again and stay liked by others in their community.
Catholics are typically traditionalists and a swing voting group with 20-22% of the total votes. They also tend to vote for the winner and are highly active in federal elections. They voted 58% for trump and 40% for Harris. They have been duped into believing that trump supports traditional biblical values. This is a laugh as we all know because he has monstrously demonstrated time and again. He speaks adoringly about his beloved Christians and they feel valued and their religious concerns will be adressed by him.
The 2024 election was stolen by the GOP, so Harris being a Baptist, non-white and a woman were not factors in the loss. Substackers This Shall Hold proved in their 3 part article entitled "She Won," that compromised election software and Musk's satellites cheated Dems out of votes just before the end of the 2024 election. Votes were electronically giving to trump in swing states just high enough to not trigger a manual recount. Harris and the Dems didn't request recounts either, which they should have. This must change in future because it is very likely to happen again.
There are other reasons People voted for trump. People felt they were being left behind and wanted a change when they voted for trump. Bernie Sanders went into red states to find out why they voted for trump and he found that the Dems had abandoned them in blue collar towns to seek votes from affluent city goers and also their contributions. So, red states wanted a perceived strongman to save them. They are still waiting hopefully for him to fulfill that promise. They have become a cult and believe his repeated lies. Tariffs are good, we're winning, short term pain for long term gain, etc. Hitler said, the bigger the lie and the more often it is repeated, the more it will be believed. Project 2025 is not the only playbook the GOP is using. Ivana trump said he kept a copy of Adolf's speeches by his bed in 1990. We all know how that all ended. They are both malignant narcissists. Things will invariably get worse in the future but hopefully not permanently so.
The right wing media is aligned with trump and spin everything he says and does to be patriotic, in the public interest and necessary. Anything against him is fake news. Cher, who knew trump personally, said he is a master manipulator unlike anyone she had ever seen before. One can only imagine how many she encountered in Hollywood and the recording industries. Supporters of trump have been duped by a master and are out of their depth. He has created a cult like Hitler and other fascist dictators have in the past.
So, things are very complicated and will take great efforts to change minds, if it is even possible. Dems have the advantage of being concerned about everyone and saving the country repeatedly from recession. The Republicans mean to destroy democracy and are harming the economy. One or both of these factors should energize the Democrat voters and hopefully convince Independents to vote left and to flip some Republican voters as well.
I, and others, are very concerned the GOP will cheat the midterms and the election in 2028. Even greater protests are going to be required afterwards should the Dems "lose." Even more than just protests may be needed to oust this Nazi regime. I fervently hope it doesn't come to a second civil war but I am not convinced it won't be necessary. I sincerely hope I am mistaken. If I am not, at least history is on the side of freedom with the American Revolutionary War that created independence and ousted the powerful king of England. History in the form of the American Civil War ended the institution of slavery and kept the nation intact. This should be inspiration for all Americans to fight on the right side of history once again in order to defend democracy, decency and the progress of the nation. 🌊
I think you are right about cruelty and bigotry. It is also about power. I think there is another element in play—they think they will get wealthier, especially the white male MAGAs. Maybe some of Trump's wealth will rub off. Maybe they'll get a better job or a higher raise. It's sort of like Fredo in the Godfather II saying, "What's in it for me?" That is certainly true for most of his political appointees. They took the job to get rich or get richer. But they love the power to lord over us, and that pairs with cruelty and bigotry.
Good observation. It all goes hand in hand, Keith.
Great shirt, D! Nice location too. 🌊❤️🤍💙
Thank you, Susan.