"When a government betrays the people by amassing too much power and becoming tyrannical, the people have no choice but to exercise their original right of self-defense — to fight the government." ~ Alexander Hamilton
Taking another breather from the barrage of bad news and terror. There's a lot of it, and we'll get back to it in the next post. For now, we are going to take a breath and look our self-defense.
The Resistance
There's been a lot of pushback. We've enjoyed watching international leaders all the way down to anonymous hackers reject the current administration's nutsobananas acts. Some has been serious, and some snarky. It all matters.
The Snark
Some glorious hackers got into the TV monitors throughout the building at Housing and Urban Development and put up an AI video of Elon Musk (with two left feet, no less), having his toes serviced by his poppet puppet. Here it is, with Rachel Maddow embodying how we all feel watching this.
The New York Times has a very New York Times-y version here, saying it "appeared to be" AI. 🙄
Well played, hackers. Well played.
The Army chorus serenaded King Minus at the White House Governors Ball with the Epilogue chorus from Les Misérables.
I'm sure the meaning was lost on the Burger King. It was not lost on We The People. We are ready.
Lyrics:
Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.
They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord
They will walk behind the plough-share
They will put away the sword
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
Tomorrow comes!
Tomorrow comes!
This Wyoming constituent who had a point to make, which was completely lost on the chair of the committee in a State senate proceeding.
Artists and satirists are making fun.
Look at a recent Stephen Colbert monologue, or Jimmy Kimmel.
Sarah Cooper's satire is unmatched.
Of course, the editorial cartoonists and meme-makers
Just a few today
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| Matt Wuerker |
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| Jen Sorenson |
and poets
From The Encyclopedia of Alternative Facts
Frankenstein was the monster’s name.There’s no such thing as climate change.A solero is a type of hat.The planet is not round but flat.
Six is the legal drinking age.Women get paid an equal wage.Elvis once sang in Take That.The planet is not round but flat.
Achilles had a dodgy knee.Terror comes from refugees.Insomnia affects most cats.The planet is not round but flat.
The president’s above the law.Russia did not start the war.It’s impossible to change a fact.The planet is not round but flat.
Art is extremely important in fraught times like these. Support those who make it.
The Serious, Non-Snarkical Pushback
Resignations at DOGE
I hadn't known that DOGE had taken over an already-existing department and just rebranded it, retaining the federal employees staffing the Department Previously Known as the U.S. Digital Service. The department was responsible for a lot of the design and technology side of the government. The staff has a lot of technical skills.
Turns out, this week almost two dozen employees resigned in protest, saying in a joint letter, "We will not use our skills as technologists to compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services. We will not lend our expertise to carry out or legitimize DOGE’s actions."
Bravo!
SRO Town Halls
Town Hall meetings across the country have been well attended, and often contentious. The People are taking their role as Boss seriously. It's a very good thing!
In some Red states, the meetings have become so contentious that the Repug party has told GOP representatives to forego holding town halls. The are scared. Cowards!
This happened in 2017, too. I wrote about it in a post published nearly exactly eight years ago, on February 24, 2017: "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will."
Governor of Maine, speaking strongly:
Democrat Gov. Janet Mills from Maine tussled with SCROTUS while she was at the Whitewash House for a governors' meeting. She pushed back when the topic of high school transgender athletes came up. Watch here:
Thank you, Gov. Mills!
President Macron
I love this. French President Emmanuel Macron pushed back on Clown Caligula's claims that Europe is "loaning" money to Ukraine and that they'll get it all back while the U.S. is out the funds.
Macron corrects Trump after he claims "Europe is loaning the money to Ukraine. They get their money back."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) February 24, 2025 at 10:47 AM
[image or embed]
Jane Fonda
Ms. Fonda gave an impassioned speech when she accepted the Life Acheivemant Award at the Screen Actor Guild Awards this week.
Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl
And this woman! Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl spoke out at an Idaho Republican town hall meeting. She was mocked and accosted. She was forcibly drug out by men in unmarked uniforms, who did not answer her requests to identify themselves. While they were dragging her, the speaker was mocking her, calling her "little girl."
Here is the scene. Trigger warning: Violence against women
Brownshirt THUGS acted unlawfully and violated numerous rights: her First Amendment right to free speech and right to peacefully assemble were violated, as well as her Fourth Amendment right against unlawful search and seizure.
And you know what was almost as bad? That no one stood in their way! I want everyone to think about what you would do in this situation. Prepare yourself mentally for your next encounter. Will you stand by and watch? Will you politely move so that the thugs can get their hands on a person behaving lawfully?
This is not going to be the last incident of its kind.
There was a lot of fallout to this episode. Initially, Ms. Borrenpohl was cited for misdemeanor battery, accusing her of biting one of the men. That charge has been dropped. The firm that handled "security" was fired. The police are investigating.
I hope that Ms. Borrenpohl hires a good civil rights attorney and sues the hell out of them. There is a GoFundMe started on her behalf, which has amassed more than $320,000.
Read more from The New York Times (gift article).
The Press!
I wanna read this story when it comes out. ProPublica is a strong journalist organization.
The National Park Rangers
Park empolyees at Yosemite climbed El Capitan and hoisted the flag in its distress position: Upside down.
I again entreat you to follow AltNPS on your social media of choice. AltNPS on BlueSky is safest and will persist if they are shut down on Facebook or Threads.
“Action is the antidote to despair.” – Joan Baez
It really is! I have been feeling better, more empowered, and less despairing when I do a daily action. My actions are across the board, but I try to do something every day. I may call or fax my MoCs, write some postcards, attend a demonstration, donate to a good cause, or other subversive acts. I've been more hopeful in these days.
Small acts matter. They add up. What if you just write one postcard a day to support a candidate? What if you just donate just $5 to the ACLU? When 100 people do the same thing, it's a statement. When 1000 do, it's a movement. When 1,000,000 do, it's a mandate.
I know, I know. LSR you harp on this every single post. Because it's important!
So, here are ideas. Not many of these are new.
Economic Boycott on February 28. Hey! That's today!
Do not spend a single dollar today, unless it is at locally owned businesses (use cash). If millions of us do this, we can send a message to corporations.
We'll see what impact we make; I hope it does make an impact. There will be more of this type of protest. For example, planned boycotts include the following. Mark your calendars.
• March 7 through 14 — Amazon boycott.• March 21 through 28 — Nestle boycott.• April 7 through 14 — Walmart boycott.• April 18 — Economic blackout, asking shoppers to avoid spending any money, including fast food and gasoline.• April 21 — General Mills boycott.
Sign up for your local Indivisible group's newsletters. Just sign up and read for now. There are action items there. Read them and consider which one you can do.
Find a local protest (hint: Indivisible will point you to one). Plan to go.
Consider this. Non-violent campaigns work. These studies show that it takes just 3.5% of the population to rise up peacefully for oppressive regimes to topple. It doesn't take many to bend the needle, but we need every one of this 3.5%. It is important to take up the slack for your friends and neighbors who won't, or can't, act.
Please take the time to read that article. Get your head around the fact that we need bodies in the streets. We need your body.
There are lots of reasons why non-violent demonstrations are the most important tool. Gear up, resisters, and be ready for a call for non-violent action. Make a sign or two in advance, even a small one.
TL:DR version:
When you do go to a protest, though, please be prepared for ensuring your own safety, which includes considering that there may be violence from the other side. Have a back up plan ready; memorize the phone number of a person who is not attending, as well as the number for a lawyer. Write emergency contact number on your body in sharpie. Bring food and water and wear appropriate clothing. Always be aware of your surroundings, and be alert to an escape route.
Here's a new one. A postcard campaign on the Ides of March.
On March 15th, millions will mail postcards to the Whitewash House. We did a similar thing in 2017. I wrote about it in this post from April 7, 2017, "Tell Them What To Do!"
Get your pens ready. Find the passionate or the snarky words.
On March 15, mail your postcards to:
President (for now) Donald J. Trump (or the nomenclature of your choice)
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
"Evil triumphs when good men do nothing." ~ Thomas Jefferson
Remember: We. Will. Win.
Tell yourself this every day. DO NOT GIVE IN TO THE DESPAIR!
@meidastouch Replying to @user7348509876943 ♬ original sound - MeidasTouch
"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty." ~ Thomas Jefferson
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