67 Comments
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Lorraine Ashdown's avatar

I read this; I hang my head; I get mad; I feel tears in my eyes…I live in Canada and I don’t get it. Why can’t the American people not rise up in the streets 24/7 and stop this insane madness? What is preventing America from pushing back? I can hardly stand to watch and no I’m not looking away. I’m just desperately sad and disgusted. So what does America do next? We are all watching…..

Lisa's avatar

We ARE in the streets, every day, somewhere, every day there is a protest. The corporate regime media isn't showing this to the world. We ARE fighting, we ARE talking, we ARE educating ourselves. Unfortunately the regime that we are currently under, who have way more wealth than we do collectively are in charge of the narrative. We are doing the best we can under unreal circumstances. Thanks for your support, we sane Americans want the best for Canada as well.

Lorraine Ashdown's avatar

Lisa, I really feel for you. I watch Rachael Maddow and others who show the protests in the streets and I do know you are out there. I didn’t mean to imply that impotence prevailed. I see your energy and determination.

My heart breaks for you all. This is such a criminal mess. I just pray and pray that goodness and Justice will prevail. ❤️

rebecca's avatar

We’re petrified. The enemy is heavily armed, dirt dumb, and has legal immunity. We’re trying to keep our jobs and kids safe. We have no social safety net. Many are an injury or a piece of bad luck away from bankruptcy and “living” on the streets. And America is so deeply divided we don’t have the numbers, or the will, to protest 24/7 and walk away from work and school - we’d get fired and expelled. A nation of 300 million rugged individualists cannot be expected to band together immediately to fight each other. We have no leadership. Even those who are adamantly opposed to this administration are only willing to risk so much, and only to protect their own specific interests. Which is why you see even Democrats in safe districts voting for laws that harm 🏳️‍⚧️and 🏳️‍🌈. Maybe outsiders don’t understand just how stupid and bigoted most Americans are.

Trava Mayes's avatar

Thank you for your kindness and concern. I appreciate you noting the despair many feel. I'm going to a protest tomorrow morning just to honor your caring heart .

Lorraine Ashdown's avatar

Truly. I am with all of you Americans who deserve better. I’m going to remain hopeful that the people of America will rise up and stand strong against trump and his cruelty and ignorance.

Lisa's avatar

Thanks Lorraine. I completely understood your good intentions:) Sometimes it feels like we need to get loud because the information coming out of MSM just isn't cutting it anymore. Your prayers and kindness are felt down south, I promise!

Jean(Muriel)'s avatar

Lorraine,

Justice will only prevail when and if Americans get over needing to be entertained by fantasy and when we stand up for what we have always said our Constitution is based on :THE LAW!

This is reality!!! Not reality TV but reality crime against actual citizens. Everyone of them open to being shoved aside for the benefit of $$$$$$$$$$$$$. What we are really??? A great big hole of endless $$$$$$$$$$$

Empathy be damned… gimme gimme $$$$ I will do your bidding.

Trava Mayes's avatar

It's very baffling! We feel it here as a sickening twist in our stomachs. We are NOT AMERICA. No governing at all. Just chaos. Programs that were set up to help those most in need are getting the "chainsaw" treatment. Every day, it's some new threat. Chaos is ensuing. I honestly have no idea how this is going to play out. Now silencing anyone who doesn't support our dictator is the new/old (1938 Germany) strategy. 💔💔

Cathy's avatar

WE ARE FIGHTING! You're just not hearing about it. That is by design of this corrupt administration.

Gammyjill's avatar

Yes, the whole world is watching. Where are our Mark Carneys and Anthony Albaneses? We obviously don’t deserve good leadership.

Lorraine Ashdown's avatar

You deserve all the good things life has to offer. But you’ve got trump- you do not deserve him….

Jean(Muriel)'s avatar

We totally deserve him for hiding our heads in the sand, for not knowing how our government works, for not paying attention. So many of us want to “be happy”! Guess what…. You need to be really angry enough to force trump and his dump out of our government and country. Now, not waiting for someone else to fix things. Be furious and tell everyone. Your children deserve this… you being in charge of their future. Don’t let them down by allowing the Heritage Foundation control our money. They are behind this crime syndicate.

Andrew's avatar

Yes, you absolutely do! But you have to excise the cancers that are MAGA and the GOP first. Decisively, first chance you get.

Jeanne Woods's avatar

We have been protesting in our towns and cities. The GOP bow down to this monster and are too obsessed with the need for power and fealty to a despicable human being. I feel as if we are living in 1930’s Germany. I am truly afraid for our democracy.

Tee Ree's avatar

Maybe the question should be, Why aren’t Republicans in the streets or pushing back in any way against this plunge into fascism?

When any given family, community, city or state is basically at least 50 percent right leaning. When you’ve reasoned, pleaded even begged them to see what is in front of everyone’s eyes. When you have precious grandchildren who you will lose access to if you don’t keep your woke leftist mouth shut around them. We’re fighting wars in our own families and communities and out in the streets and calling our representatives. How much more can we do with 50 percent of the population fully on the side of the oppressors? I’m praying for their spiritual awakening while realizing it’s highly unlikely to happen.

Lorraine Ashdown's avatar

That is so valid! Have all of the republicans z drank the Koolaid rendering them powerless forever or will some soon, or eventually, wake up and do the next best, right thing? Defend their citizens- not their king..

Maria K.'s avatar

We ARE pushing back as much as we can - there have been protests DAILY all over the country for weeks now. As well as calls, letters, emails, townhalls, independent journalism, etc. This administration DOES NOT CARE. They dismiss everything we do as fake. They literally won't get it until buildings start collapsing around them.

Ingrid's avatar

We are rising up, as the ongoing marches and demonstrations show. Unfortunately, not all our media show these. For many people, life goes on fairly normally, but as more effects are felt by more people, hopefully that will continue to grow.

Kathy Pollock's avatar

Unreal!!! And what happened with the Newark Mayor!!!

julie's avatar

I am a mother. I am a daughter. I am a fucking HUMAN BEING and this makes me so angry I can't form words. Thank you for reminding all of us to not look away.

Rita Parker's avatar

Agreed. I call Congress. I email. I donate. And I'm ready to light a torch and march on Washington. Stephen Miller is orchestrating all of this. If there is reincarnation, he is Goebbels - dead eyes, dead soul, hysterical if pushed. With the exception of a few, Democrats don't push back hard enough. Worse they don't realize we're in a war. I had admired Corey Booker until I read he, along with some other Dems, voted to affirm one of Trump's Ambassador picks. Some days it's just overwhelming grief.

Trava Mayes's avatar

That's how I feel. Overwhelming grief! My brother died one week after the "golden calf" was placed on the throne. He was a retired veteran, an American History and Government teacher. He said, when I called him on his birthday October 27, that he was filled with dread at what he was seeing and hearing. Ignorance and willful refusal to look at anything beyond Fox News. To consider any other views? NOT. November 5th, and 7 days later, my lovely brother! GONE!

Rita Parker's avatar

I am so sorry about your brother, Trava. My father fought in WW2. So did my uncle. I met survivors including a French resistance fighter. Their stories were horrific. They would be horrified at what is happening. It's not about politics. It's about humanity and morality. Hugs to you.

Ingrid's avatar

So sorry for your loss of your brother, especially under such negative circumstances. Hopefully, we can reclaim our nation and restore the good he valued.

Julie Massey's avatar

I am not stopping the resistance. I will continue to fight back, whatever it takes in my own little ways. I love my country too much to watch it waste away into this disgusting dictatorship. Keep writing and keep reminding us, John, that we can't become distracted in our selfish little bubbles. There is too much at stake.

Gammyjill's avatar

Does Trump even know what habeas corpus is? Can he locate Alcatraz on a world map? Is he able to stay awake and semi-functional past 7pm?

I bet not. Someone a whole smarter than he is has obviously been feeding him (stupid) ideas that he’s threatening to impose on the world.

More in the streets action, please!

Lisa's avatar

It's Stephen Miller. A truly evil, soulless monster. You can find all kinds of crap on the Internet about his beliefs and they are just awful.

Kay G's avatar

God knows. Pope Francis knew. The Conclave knew and elected an American Pope from Chicago who believes as Pope Francis believes.

God Always Wins

Ancient evil took on the most powerful nation in the world and in an attempt to deceive and destroy christians. These are false prophets in the White House.

Biden knew too - that’s why the election numbers were never challenged.

It’s up to the American people to remember WHO WE ARE and RID our NATION of this EVIL

We are not just fighting flesh and blood but powers

Keep fighting

Lucy Conner's avatar

This is crazy-ass sick! Reading this just now has me shaking, angry and tears in my eyes. WTH can we do to get more folks to rise up & push back? Where has this vicious meaness come from in so many people?!! It's our new plague

Trava Mayes's avatar

Lucy, you called it! It's the rot that comes from too much indulgence in money and power. It's definitely a plague...of the heart, of the soul. We are no longer AMERICA.

Lucy Conner's avatar

It makes me heart sick. But the viciousness is oozing out everywhere! Nastiness, it's horrid.

Luciana23's avatar

Trump and his minions act as if they don't have to honor the Constitution, but they do. I am not an attorney, but I believe Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, written specifically to rid our government of those who have dishonored our Constitution, is our salvation. Everyone in government takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, and a breach of any employment contract is grounds for ending that employment. I cannot imagine why Congress has not acted on this. Here is Section 3 of the 14th Amendment:

"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."

I have written these words to so many congressmen, senators, and reporters, but so far everyone seems to be ignoring these magic words--words that can save us, and save our nation.

If only they would listen!

Sharon Thomason's avatar

I write to my senators and representatives every day. They are all Republicans. Crickets.

rebecca's avatar

Trump v Anderson: Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is no more. The traitors on SCOTUS drew a black sharpie through it last summer when they forced Colorado to put the 🍊💩🤡 on their ballot. It doesn’t exist. And this was a 9-0 decision! At this point, the Constitution is really just an old piece of paper in the National Archives.

Luciana23's avatar

Rebecca, I might be mistaken, but I think SCOTUS said that a state could not use 3/14 to remove someone from that state's ballot. I believe 3/14 remains valid, but I will definitely check my sources again.

rebecca's avatar

From lawfaremedia.org, written by Ilya Somin, constitutional law professor at George Mason University: “The price of certainty is that Section 3 is largely neutered with respect to federal office holders. Unless and until Congress enacts new Section 5 enforcement legislation, former officeholders who engaged in insurrection will be mostly free to return to power and try their hand at subverting democracy again. Congress would likely need to enact new legislation to prevent them from taking office. And it is highly unlikely that Congress will enact meaningful enforcement legislation anytime soon.”

So for all intents and purposes section 3 is dead. SCOTUS does not need to specifically write that it is in their holding for it to be so.

Of course, a future court could always reverse this decision, but that’s not going to happen for a long time.

Trava Mayes's avatar

Oh John,

I so want to DO something about this travesty! We are being faced with criminality of the highest order! I'm 76, and I feel so much horror. I asked a couple friends today at lunch, "Do you guys ever remember anything in your long lives (both are 80) like what's going on in this country?" We said things like The Vietnam War. We three had personal losses and sadness over that. But nothing HERE in our own streets. Nothing like these threats and attacks on programs that help those MOST in need. Nothing like this "CHAINSAW" government. This, we all agreed, is NOT AMERICA. It's not how our government is meant to operate. Reckless. No hearings. No time spent in weighing consequences. Just the sounds of the chainsaws!

Nancy's avatar

Not used to feeling hate. Having to cut off a friend who I loved dearly because she believes that this all ok. I can’t even comprehend this.

MARY's avatar

Me too, lovely friend, revealed herself as anti vaxxer during Covid. Now continues to believe MAGA conspiracy theories and won't disavow Trump or her sister and BIL with high level ties to the Trump regime. I JUST CAN"T

Margaret Wisniewski's avatar

Thank you for driving home this message. It cannot be ignored. Their behavior can no longer be justified. They are taunting us to stop them from their grievous acts. When will we say enough? Where is our government? Do we not have one any more? They are suspending the laws of our land and we are standing by and watching them. This is 1939 Germany. I can't look away.

Linda's avatar

Thank you. What I don’t understand, is why isn’t everyone as angry as you are, John, and as I and far too few of my family and friends are? Oh, they all agree this is awful. They agree everything is f**ked up. They despise Trump and his fascist party and the puppet masters behind 2025 and The Heritage Foundation, but they ARE NOT as angry as we are. I don’t understand.

Andrew's avatar

Thank you for the rallying cry, John. Your pain, outrage and call to arms are evident through your powerful words. It is indeed time for everyone to not close their eyes, not turn away, no matter how difficult that may be. The alternative will be much more difficult. By surviving the pandemic, so many of us have proven just how resilient we are; how much hidden strength we can tap into when required. This is another of those moments. The future of your country is at stake. Nothing less. Resist vocally. Stay strong.

Kathy Sutter's avatar

Fight for your children and grandchildren. THEY are Intentionally Destroying America. Who Benefits, Putin and China. It's Treason 😭😭

Cheryl Jones-Head's avatar

This kind of thing is happening all over America! My daughter asked me to stop going to protests, and I think she’s right — it is too risky!

Julie Massey's avatar

Please don't stop going to protests. That is what they (this MAGA regime) wants us to do... give up. We can't be intimidated by them. Do it FOR the future. Do it FOR your daughter. We are in this together.

Lisa's avatar

Noooooo, you must keep going. It's FOR our daughters! Don't cave to the cowards.

Trava Mayes's avatar

I understand her concern. Though I cannot stay home. Watching the dismantling of our country and way of life is slow death. 76 and out the door tomorrow!

Peggy Fokkema's avatar

I'll be a Kamikaze pilot for this crap. Put me in. I don't have anything left anyways. Every 3 hours. There's a new thing that gets stripped from the people that need it. Come from a calvinistic upbringing or indoctrination rather was smart enough to get out of there, but my entire family they're into this hook line and sinker and they don't give a s*** about me. And that would be one thing but to call me corrupt? And evil and be cruel to me Just adds another layer but anyways I could go on for days but I'm following closely and I resist and persist

J Glaspie's avatar

It is not "too risky" to protest--it is absolutely necessary to protest! There are many of us out there and we need to keep it up and do more. There were more younger adults and even children at the protest I attended Saturday.

Cheryl Jones-Head's avatar

You guys have given me reason to talk to her… I understand her concerns, but you guys are right…not protesting is far MORE risky! Maybe I can convince her to go with me.

MARY's avatar

WE THE PEOPLE are all that's left of this democracy. Congress, the Judiciary, and the Media have all capitulated to Fascism and resoundingly failed us. Protest or willingly put your neck (and everyone else's) under the jackboot

Janet Johnson's avatar

This is insane - and pure evil. It’s so heartbreaking and maddening. Just unbelievable this can be happening. It really does feel like we live in Nazi Germany.