85 Comments

Hi, all. I accidentally turned off the comments section on this newsletter. Comments are now open.

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Oops! :-)

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oh yes, I tried to comment in the first few minutes after your newsletter last night and wound up sending you an email instead. I had never seen the comments off before, so refreshed my browser about 3 times before theorizing that for whatever reason, comments were disabled.

But about the Pacman nebula, as a healthcare provider my first impression of it was that it looked like an embryo. Regardless, you have created many very nice images and I enjoy them so much at the end of your newsletters.

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A reader just asked me to post this:

The best--maybe only--effective antidote to the anxiety about the election that you're likely feeling is action. Democrats and the grassroots are better organized than ever and ready to put you to work getting out blue votes. Every action helps--even if you have just a few minutes here and there.

Find events that suit your schedule and interest via any/all of these:

Mobilize. Hosts RSVPs for the vast majority of Dem events--searchable by zip and action type. https://www.mobilize.us/

Volunteer Blue. A gentler walk toward your preferred election action. Offers one-on-one volunteer coaching. https://volunteerblue.org/

Chop Wood/Carry Water. Curated daily calls to action from super-activist, Jessica Craven. https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/

The Civic Sundays All-Week Action doc. Regularly updated, homespun menu of electoral action from a SoCal-based grassroots org. https://tinyurl.com/civsunaction

To volunteer directly for the Harris/Walz campaign, start here: https://go.kamalaharris.com/

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Absolutely!!!

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I have been working with Melbourne, Australia based, TheJuiceMedia,

on their latest Honest Government Ad (HGA) TRUMP2024 (Stop the Steal). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHuMjIhS6t0

The goal of this HGA is to educate Americans about Steve Bannon’s “precinct strategy” and to encourage Americans to check their voter registration, register and vote!

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One thing I was struck by watching VP Harris's interview last night with MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle, after hearing several teasers on the radio, was how much more effective she is when you can see her as well as hear her. Her body language conveys confidence, and her facial expressions and hand gestures convey sincerity and humanity. I hope, for that reason, we see more one on one or kitchen table interviews.

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Thank you, Robert, for this highly informative post with its numerous links to other commentators! It seems that even the corporate media can no longer bury the truth. You have become an important part of my life. Bless you.

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“To readers in the path of Hurricane Helene—our thoughts are with you! Please be cautious and stay safe!”

Thank you, Robert.We are not in Helene’s path on the east coast although concerned for family members in Tallahassee who have prepared and taking caution.Helene is predicted to be a catastrophic Cat 4 storm.

I must vent because I am so angry. While legislators were busy crafting all their culture-war legislation,which affected my family and so many others,they did not resolve our property insurance crisis.DeSantis’ plan was to literally say,” Knock on wood, we won’t have a big storm”.

Many Floridans cannot afford to rent or own a home.117,000, and counting, homes in Florida have been bought by wealthy investors driving up the cost of homeownership.The GOP-controlled legislature passed legislation banning rent control and living wages.Also banned were basic heat protections(water and shade breaks)for workers who will be helping rebuild after Helene’s destruction.

Recent trust fund/company legislation also allows the Uber-wealthy( including Bezos and DeSantis’ biggest billionaire donor) to move here and “conserve” their wealth.Condos in Miami,apparently now the Dubai of the west, going for 10 million++.And of course we have the wealthiest member of Congress, Medicare fraudster Sen Rick Scott.

We have a chance to turn the tide blue.Every,single one of them must be voted out! We will get there…eventually. Thanks for listening and GOTV !!!💙

Great article explaining VP Harris’ plan.Although I would have changed the title to :Trump’s plans aim to make more housing more affordable for wealthy investors.

Harris’ plans aim to make housing more affordable. Trump’s plans are less clear.

https://upnorthnewswi.com/2024/09/19/harris-trump-housing-plans/

Florida leaders are forcing thousands of homeowners to pay higher prices for property insurance

https://jasongarcia.substack.com/p/florida-leaders-are-forcing-thousands

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I have a friend in the Keys who spent almost two years rebuilding her home and then got hit with insurance rates that skyrocketed. Now I am worried a out her. DeSantis is evil and must be removed next year. I would like to see Florida turning blue and get rid of Rick Scott. My best to everyone in Florida.

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Send money to Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. She has a chance of overturning Rick Scott. It sounds like if Floridians get angry enough to do something about all this distressing DeSantism, they can make changes!

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Christina, More good news today !!

DSCC says it's making a multimillion-dollar investment in TV ads in Texas and Florida Senate races

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/live-blog/trump-harris-election-live-updates-rcna172164

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Like Pac Man, the resurgent Democratic Party may very well gobble the ghosts-of racism, misogyny, patriarchal thinking and economic imbalance.

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Robert, ex-prez’s hateful speech yesterday about Jews just makes me want to single-handedly punch his lights out! Have you noticed that his voice is very clear, no slurring of words, when he describes the Haitians or Jews? He is not ready for the funny farm. He’s ready to be the reincarnation of vitriolic men like Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and his very much alive favorites, Putin and Orban. It will not happen. He will not get his way. Kamala has an organized plan to help us thrive and anyone who says they’re undecided can kiss my 73 year old white ass! I am making phone calls for George Whitesides in CA. He is one of those people on the down ballot who can use our help. I am doing this through cadem.org. We in California have some nasty Repubs here also that need to be tossed aside. I am also planning to stroll through my neighborhood, with my own postcards telling folks that I am their concerned neighbor and asking them to check their voter status. Simple words help to take action.

** Two things: i attended your podcast with Lucian Truscott and Jessica Craven. I really enjoyed the conversations because I follow them also. Then, in my neighborhood, way up the street from me, a house removed their Trump flags!! I am thrilled and I bet others are also.

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WOW! That's a big indicator--removing their Trump flags!

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Thanks for turning the comments back on!

I want to draw attention to two other substack posts this morning calling for people to amplify a specific messages by posting them on social media:

Digital Drumbeat is focusing on messages to tie Trump to the toxic Project 2025 and that Kamala Harris plans to invest in the US.

https://www.digitaldrumbeat.com/p/we-need-all-hands-on-deck?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Scott Dworkin highlights a now-deleted vile, racist "tweet" about Haitians by Rep Clay Higgins (LA) and it trying to get the hashtag #ExpelHiggins trending

https://www.dworkinsubstack.com/p/expel-clay-higgins-for-his-racist?r=1aiy5t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

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Citizens of the Haitian Bridge Alliance in Ohio are bringing criminal charges against Trump and Vance for putting people of Springfield in jeopardy. The affidavit of charges they are filing urges the court to find probable cause to issue warrants for the arrests of Trump and Vance "for several offenses, including making false alarms, aggravated menacing and telecommunications harassment." I would like to be part of a mass movement to shut MAGA up so as to stop the battering of people living in our country. I don't know the legal process for such a national citizens' movement to bring criminal charges against MAGA and would like to know if we can and should start such a movement. I will be attending Educators for Harris sponsored by Move On this afternoon at 4:30 pm PST (https://www.mobilize.us/moveon/event/706493/) and I will pose this same question there. Imagine the power of all the groups (over 100) who met for Oprah Winfrey's Rally coming together to show solidarity for all of our immigrants, and against the hate that MAGA is perpetrating. Of course, there may be no legal way to take such an action on a national scale, but I know Robert will straighten me out on that and perhaps will point me in the direction of what organization I should be addressing. Thank you, Robert!

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Robert, Thanks for addressing the Mike Johnson won’t certify votes issue. The only thing I can add is that we shouldn’t blink when it come to selecting the new Speaker of the House- Hakeem Jeffries. It will only take one vote and probably 5 minutes to do this. Hmm…. African American President and African American Speaker of the House. Now that’s moving forward! It’s time to VOTE, people!

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Johnson is as slimy as the worst of him. Imagine giving a pass to that idiot representative - “my friend and colleague” - who delivered some incredibly awful comments about immigrants and in particular, the Haitians.

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That will only happen if we take back the House. It's iffy. Otherwise Mike Johnson will still be speaker. Work harder.

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Melbourne, Australia based, TheJuiceMedia's latest Honest Government Ad (HGA) TRUMP2024 (Stop the Steal). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHuMjIhS6t0

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That is such a gorgeous nebula ! Honestly, it makes my day ! And I don’t have the slightest wish that it gobbles up Donald J. Trump !

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I can do that task -- unpleasant as it might be to an ethical human being -- for you! I'm too old and cranky NOT to leap at the opportunity to assist DJT in finding his place among the stars. Just give me a chance, Universe; that's all I'm asking ...

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🤪

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The economic plan presented by Harris is significant and is all inclusive across our demographics compared to Trump rhetoric. This plan should appeal to Republicans and Independents more for its complete across the board vision. I have come to the conclusion that to win this election Harris needs to appeal to Republicans who need to say to themselves I may not agree with all of Harris social plans and agenda but we need a same and competent leader and we can’t afford another Trump administration and chaos and at least we can create some bipartisan legislation with the Harris team.

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Harris is offering hard-headed help. No neoliberal bs. I agree, it's what we need. I would like to see her in words of one syllable help teach us Americans that there is a capitalist line to be drawn: between the small businesses that make up a good part of our positive economy, and the mega-corporations that are not really American anymore and gouge and racketeer and bribe to up their billions. Like Musk. I feel nauseous every time I see a Tesla or hear about a new subscriber to Starlink.

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I fully agree that we need to VALUE and support pathways to jobs that don't need college degrees (as well as the rest of the list) and am thrilled that VP Harris highlights this in her economic plan. At the same time, I think we need to re-examine and strengthen our foundational primary and secondary education systems. As a former college educator, I experienced students coming into our programs less prepared (also see https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/high-school-students-think-they-are-ready-for-college-but-they-arent/2024/02). Having basic reading, writing and math skills - among others - is vital to ALL jobs/life (and a thriving democracy). Without further education, the lack of such skills affects students who don't go to college disproportionally. The recent efforts to ban books, infuse "Christianity" into public school progams, undermine academic institutions, etc. threatens to further this deterioration. Education is a key factor in economic development - a holistic approach which recognizes the value of and prepares people for many careers is truly page-turning.

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Reader Engagement Opportunities

1) Educators for Harris Livestream this evening 7:30 pm ET

MoveOn, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the National Education Association (NEA) are partnering to launch an “Educators for Harris" call.

https://www.mobilize.us/moveon/event/706493/

2) From an email I got this morning from Big Tent USA:

Gen Z Vibes and The 2024 Election: A Conversation with renowned pollster John Della Volpe and Founder of GenVote Brianna Cea

Whether or not Gen Z goes to the polls will be the deciding factor in November. No one explains how Gen Z is feeling about the election more clearly than Della Volpe, one of America’s premier thought leaders and polling experts on Gen Z. In conversation with Brianna Cea, they will discuss the enormous power this generation can wield on electoral outcomes, and on the formative factors that have defined Gen Z’s place in the arena of American politics and culture.

Register here: https://www.bigtentusa.org/event/john-della-volpe/

NOTE: the good news for people like me who are double or triple booked, Big Tent posts recordings to all their events (usually within 48 hrs of the live event). Past events appear after upcoming events on their events page https://www.bigtentusa.org/our-events/

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Thanks for the dates re the new Congress and its relationship to election certification; I've been reading about how a new Congress might make a difference here and there and so forth but I couldn't figure out why. Didn't seem logical that they would be sworn in before the president but it does make sense if I remember about separation of powers, etc. Thankfully, we have a chance of taking back the House, changing the Speaker to someone who's able to and wants to govern, and can take one of our worries about post-election chaos off the table!

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Right. But if we don't take back the House on Nov. 5, Mike Johnson will still be speaker on electoral count day. And if he is, and if the House needs to make the call on a badly disputed count, we're sunk. We must take back the House.

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Melbourne, Australia based, TheJuiceMedia's latest Honest Government Ad (HGA) TRUMP2024 (Stop the Steal). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHuMjIhS6t0

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I, too, am working the polls this year, and my wife is joining me this year for her first time. I started doing it several years ago, after t*ump had become the POTUS and I realized how fragile and easily manipulated our democracy really is.

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Melbourne, Australia based, TheJuiceMedia's latest Honest Government Ad (HGA) TRUMP2024 (Stop the Steal). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHuMjIhS6t0

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