I have been having the best time ! There is a toxic misogynist who keeps ranting on Substack. So i throw in mostly one liners that are snarky and insulting in comment ! It does not stop the cretin but I get a kick out of it! My days of actively protesting are over but I can still kick back ! I used to love Substack because we did not have Trump lovers snd trolls but I can see that those people are beginning to outnumber us.
After the Felon has finished suing every media outlet in the country, just MAYBE those folks will wake up and realize they've been had. But by then, they will have lost a serious chunk of viewers/readers and will be unable to get many of us back. Too bad for them. Terrific for the growing number of outlets who are embracing reporters who believe in the truth!!
As always, I appreciate your post. With respect to Curt’s photo, what gives? I draw your attention to the woman’s legs and feet which I doubt any contortionist could achieve. Thank you.
Last night (Friday) we watched the PBS Washington Week with Goldberg as moderator. The Recession Bill was discussed. In summary the opinion was that the substance of the Bill was not the issue. The Recession method of retracting funding already appropriated, it was emphasized that this process only requires a 50% vote. The Republicans may be setting the stage to use this clawback method that only in requires a 50% majority more in future budgetary processes.
Also we watched Margret Hoover (Firing Line) interview Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin from Michigan. She appears to have thought through priorities for the Democratic Party pretty well and articulated them effectively.
Just so you know— those aren’t canes he’s using—they’re walking poles. I have some and they help with scoliosis! Thanks for being there and thanks for your constant encouragement!!!
Re NYC Good Trouble protest-- after the protest, my husband and I went to a local Mexican restaurant with my "I love Immigrant NY" sign (thanks NYIC). NY1 came on with coverage of the protest and we said we were there. Our waiter said: thank you for fighting for us! Made it all worthwhile.
I’m a veteran, a physician, an elderly man “old guy” caring by myself for my adult special needs son. I was a bit too young for much action during the Civil Rights era, but I’ve participated in social-political actions and protests most of my life, from the March(es) on Washington during the Vietnam war; to antinuclear protests in DC, my hometown, and in state capitals; to the Occupy Wall Street actions. I’ve also lobbied and testified in my state legislature and the US Congress.
I write now because I feel strongly that for us to succeed, we need to learn from past mass protests and emulate what worked. We also need to focus our energies and let go of what doesn’t work so well.
Case in Point - My attendance at the No Kings rallies was uplifting and inspiring, just seeing and being with like-minded folks who’ve had enough. My attendance this week at the “Good Trouble” rally was a bit of a bring-down. As other readers observed, the ones in my locale (I went to two) were a quarter of the size. And while determination characterized most folks there, there was a noticeable lack of energy and focus, and the crowd like me was 90% old folks. There were handmade signs on everything to ICE being the new Gestapo, to defund Israel, to support Palestine, to various immigration-statements, to climate change and kneecapping our national parks and environmental protections, to one or two overtly anti-Trump signs.
There was only one, ONE about the “Big Beautiful Bill” and its horrible impact.
Robert observed that “we must remember the lesson of 2024: Americans want to hear how we will make life better, easier, and safer for them—no matter how far Trump drives the nation toward totalitarianism.”
I agree, and here’s my point.
Mass action works when there is an underlying unifying theme that becomes a crystal clear and galvanizing focus. It works when planning hones that focus with coalesced actions in large numbers in one place, with bombardment of the media so they can’t ignore, followed by unrelenting persistence in forcing our representatives to sit up, respond, and eventually do some damn thing about it. We are doing some of that, but in a still disorganized and scattergun manner.
On “Good Trouble” day I waved my American flag proudly, and waved my hand at the passing cars, especially those who yelled “Trump” or raised the middle finger. One protester called out to those Trumpers that “We love you”. All appropriate, all perhaps effective on one level, but I instinctively felt not effective or honed enough. So, without thought, viscerally, I found myself standing silent with my uniform on, my handicapped son in his wheelchair, and my raised fist in the air. THAT evoked more honks and thumbs up, and more hesitation in the MAGA drivers, at least briefer middle fingers and less angry faces. They know, they KNOW in their hearts and increasingly in their pocketbooks how wrong this is.
So, despite my fervent belief in what we’re doing and why, and my dedication to persist to the end, whether it be reversing the march toward dictatorship or being dragged off to a gulag, I’ll venture to offer some constructive criticism.
1. Trying to stage an event on the evening of a midweek workday no doubt sapped the numbers and energy of those who participated in No Kings or might have joined or started to protest. Let’s be sensible and strategic. Events, rallies, protests need to be on a weekend.
2. While small protests in 1600 locations have a positive aspect, i.e., we show up where we live and where both persuadable and MAGA voters live, at some point there needs to be massive rallies and marches, most appropriately in our state capitals, and critically, a massive show of dissent in Washington DC.
3. “Good Trouble” was not a unifying or galvanizing theme for anyone but those of us that already see the inspiring example and impact of what John Lewis did. I saw the NAACP movie about his life, and it brought tears to my eyes and strength to my heart. But it is NOT a unifying theme for the moment or to jolt the racists and right wingers like MAGA. Nor are pro or anti-Israel messages, free Palestine, save our wildlife, and the dozens of other needed and appropriate messages and themes. MAGA GLORIFIES in deriding and demeaning those ideals and frankly, those sentiments. And for persuadable voters, however correct we may be, they’re off-putting. They do not shift the needle much.
Trying to shame or guilt-trip MAGA or middle of the road voters who went with and still are grudgingly supporting Trump, often because they are resistant to admitting what a horrible mistake they are beginning to see they made… that won’t work. Appealing to higher ideals when the opposition is lockstep in deriding or trashing those ideals and emote from the basest of subconscious fears and reactivity… that won’t do it either. Promoting special causes that not even WE all agree on is a waste. Sure, push those causes, but on this front, on mass action, we must find and shout about the core issues.
Although it’s inspiring even humorous to have a dozen or more different messages and posters, splinter issues or unnecessarily divisive or distraction issues do just that, diffuse and distract. Onlookers and passerby’s, even the media, need to be jolted and reminded. It’s not that we shouldn’t make people uncomfortable, provoking thought or even a middle finger. It’s that we want to have a unifying point that doesn’t provoke unnecessary (wasted) rejection.
I’d love to help organize, but age and circumstances limit what I can do to attending rallies, sending letters, and browbeating our eunuch Democrat representatives. So, for anyone in this forum who does have sway or energy or time to further refine our resistance, I offer these thoughts and encourage you and all of us to harden our messages.
Hold “We the People” or “No consent of the governed” rallies. Those are crisp and clear messages that are hard for anyone to deride, and I believe actually do evoke deeper thought and patriotism.
Have signs and posters and ads that urge us/everyone to:
“Say NO to Tyranny”.
“Support our working people”.
“Rob the poor, give to the rich, debase our ideals – This is NOT the America I serve”.
“Proud to be an American – Be ALL we can be, not the least we can be”.
Or perhaps simply, “RESIST”.
Yeah, these are probably better as posters and signs I’ll be making and using, but they go to the heart of the issue – we’re losing our democracy, our freedom, our dignity and respect for each other and our founding ideals.
Let’s boil it down and concentrate on the guts of the issue. Once we reverse the tide, they’ll be time to elevate our other important issues, but if we lose our democracy, those are all screwed. So focus on the basics, repeat repeat, louder and louder, in greater numbers that can’t be ignored.
We can and will prevail. Let’s be smarter and more strategic about it.
I love your livestreams. I couldn’t join a protest Thursday so I became a paid subscriber to your substack! I loved the photo of the older couple and the person who went out by herself when she couldn’t find a protest in her city. Keep up your great work !Question: For the next
Mr. Hubbell - thank God for you and this newsletter. It feeds my spirit every day. I rage, as so many of us do, at the horrors being done using our money, in large ways and small, and in our name, whether we agree or not, to all parts of our lives as Americans. I was not able to participate in the protests the other day. I had a tremendously bad migraine. I felt cowardly for not participating, particularly since I had been involved in trying to get people out to the various protests in my area, but I just couldn't get out. It was hard to keep my eyes open; I couldn't imagine standing in the sun with such a bad headache (for anyone who doesn't get headaches, they're the strangest thing. They completely sap every bit of your energy, at least my migraines do, and with a migraine, any light at all can feel painful). So I opted for my own health, and tried not to think of John Lewis and all the horrors he endured to save democracy. I attended a virtual "protest" that evening, but have to admit that was not terribly satisfying, compared to being out in the street with like minded people. I'm not looking for any sympathy - just using this forum as a way to express what I felt, which was huge frustration! But sometimes you can only do what you can do. I sincerely thank every single person who got out to do what I couldn't. Every protest is important. Every single thing that people do to express their opposition to what is going on is important. We will get through this if we stick together!
I listened to your comments this morning and read the newsletter. Want to add a reminder that Maurene Comey was also fired and without explanation. This administration believes it can silence everyone it chooses to, but it cannot muzzle or stifle the protests of millions of U.S. citizens and residents.
Indivisible Team sent an email this morning: "In the next few days, we’re going to put up billboards in a number of Republican congressional districts -- some swing districts, some deep red -- calling out congressional Republicans AND Trump for covering up the Epstein files." If you saw the email Indivisible needs funds to cover the costs. Sending a donation is a perfect opportunity to be involved. If you do not want to donate on-line send a check/money order to: Indivisible Project, P.O. Box 43884, Washington, D.C. 20010 (This information is down at the bottom of the email).
Please let Sally know that going out to hold a sign by yourself can be the start of something big and meaningful. There are others nearby who want to see you do it, who will join you, and who will grow your protest into a local movement.
In February there seemed to be no protests against Trump in Charlotte NC. I held a sign on my street corner by myself for a month starting in March. Now my local indivisible chapter has stepped up to take over the resistance. On Thursday they had 25 protests in Charlotte, 500+ attendees and 130,000+ motorists seeing their signs and honking approval.
Sally, stand up, speak out, give others how and reassurance, and build your own local resistance. We know you can do it.
I have been attending the Indivisible CLT pop-up protests and so far have attended them at 6 different locations. Ballantyne and Blakeney are both near my house, but those are in the late afternoon, so last week I checked out the weekly email and went to a morning protest at Park & Woodlawn and a Saturday protest at Sharon Towers. This week I went to a "Make Good Trouble" protest early at the Arboretum (one of two at that site) and this morning a friend and I went the Southpark protest at Fairview and Sharon!
Lots of great support from the mortorists and a few people rolled down their car windows when they were stopped at the red light to thank us or ask how they could get involved.
Well worth getting sweaty for and I will keep inviting new people to join me! And as I learned at a training for a phonebank, don't stop at the first no. 😊
I have been having the best time ! There is a toxic misogynist who keeps ranting on Substack. So i throw in mostly one liners that are snarky and insulting in comment ! It does not stop the cretin but I get a kick out of it! My days of actively protesting are over but I can still kick back ! I used to love Substack because we did not have Trump lovers snd trolls but I can see that those people are beginning to outnumber us.
After the Felon has finished suing every media outlet in the country, just MAYBE those folks will wake up and realize they've been had. But by then, they will have lost a serious chunk of viewers/readers and will be unable to get many of us back. Too bad for them. Terrific for the growing number of outlets who are embracing reporters who believe in the truth!!
As always, I appreciate your post. With respect to Curt’s photo, what gives? I draw your attention to the woman’s legs and feet which I doubt any contortionist could achieve. Thank you.
Hello ... how do we send you photos?
:-)
Robert,
Last night (Friday) we watched the PBS Washington Week with Goldberg as moderator. The Recession Bill was discussed. In summary the opinion was that the substance of the Bill was not the issue. The Recession method of retracting funding already appropriated, it was emphasized that this process only requires a 50% vote. The Republicans may be setting the stage to use this clawback method that only in requires a 50% majority more in future budgetary processes.
Also we watched Margret Hoover (Firing Line) interview Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin from Michigan. She appears to have thought through priorities for the Democratic Party pretty well and articulated them effectively.
Thanks Robert and Hubble Community.
Steve
Just so you know— those aren’t canes he’s using—they’re walking poles. I have some and they help with scoliosis! Thanks for being there and thanks for your constant encouragement!!!
Jonell Davies Wichita, KS
What's to keep the FBI or DOJ from simply deleting all incriminating mentions of Trump and saying there was nothing there?
Re NYC Good Trouble protest-- after the protest, my husband and I went to a local Mexican restaurant with my "I love Immigrant NY" sign (thanks NYIC). NY1 came on with coverage of the protest and we said we were there. Our waiter said: thank you for fighting for us! Made it all worthwhile.
Too late in the day was I told of a protest or who was organizing.
Shameful lack of info from our side, but there is plenty of time now to pull out all the stops for our upcoming Labor Day.
Let’s make a huge ruckus that weekend !
I’m a veteran, a physician, an elderly man “old guy” caring by myself for my adult special needs son. I was a bit too young for much action during the Civil Rights era, but I’ve participated in social-political actions and protests most of my life, from the March(es) on Washington during the Vietnam war; to antinuclear protests in DC, my hometown, and in state capitals; to the Occupy Wall Street actions. I’ve also lobbied and testified in my state legislature and the US Congress.
I write now because I feel strongly that for us to succeed, we need to learn from past mass protests and emulate what worked. We also need to focus our energies and let go of what doesn’t work so well.
Case in Point - My attendance at the No Kings rallies was uplifting and inspiring, just seeing and being with like-minded folks who’ve had enough. My attendance this week at the “Good Trouble” rally was a bit of a bring-down. As other readers observed, the ones in my locale (I went to two) were a quarter of the size. And while determination characterized most folks there, there was a noticeable lack of energy and focus, and the crowd like me was 90% old folks. There were handmade signs on everything to ICE being the new Gestapo, to defund Israel, to support Palestine, to various immigration-statements, to climate change and kneecapping our national parks and environmental protections, to one or two overtly anti-Trump signs.
There was only one, ONE about the “Big Beautiful Bill” and its horrible impact.
Robert observed that “we must remember the lesson of 2024: Americans want to hear how we will make life better, easier, and safer for them—no matter how far Trump drives the nation toward totalitarianism.”
I agree, and here’s my point.
Mass action works when there is an underlying unifying theme that becomes a crystal clear and galvanizing focus. It works when planning hones that focus with coalesced actions in large numbers in one place, with bombardment of the media so they can’t ignore, followed by unrelenting persistence in forcing our representatives to sit up, respond, and eventually do some damn thing about it. We are doing some of that, but in a still disorganized and scattergun manner.
On “Good Trouble” day I waved my American flag proudly, and waved my hand at the passing cars, especially those who yelled “Trump” or raised the middle finger. One protester called out to those Trumpers that “We love you”. All appropriate, all perhaps effective on one level, but I instinctively felt not effective or honed enough. So, without thought, viscerally, I found myself standing silent with my uniform on, my handicapped son in his wheelchair, and my raised fist in the air. THAT evoked more honks and thumbs up, and more hesitation in the MAGA drivers, at least briefer middle fingers and less angry faces. They know, they KNOW in their hearts and increasingly in their pocketbooks how wrong this is.
So, despite my fervent belief in what we’re doing and why, and my dedication to persist to the end, whether it be reversing the march toward dictatorship or being dragged off to a gulag, I’ll venture to offer some constructive criticism.
1. Trying to stage an event on the evening of a midweek workday no doubt sapped the numbers and energy of those who participated in No Kings or might have joined or started to protest. Let’s be sensible and strategic. Events, rallies, protests need to be on a weekend.
2. While small protests in 1600 locations have a positive aspect, i.e., we show up where we live and where both persuadable and MAGA voters live, at some point there needs to be massive rallies and marches, most appropriately in our state capitals, and critically, a massive show of dissent in Washington DC.
3. “Good Trouble” was not a unifying or galvanizing theme for anyone but those of us that already see the inspiring example and impact of what John Lewis did. I saw the NAACP movie about his life, and it brought tears to my eyes and strength to my heart. But it is NOT a unifying theme for the moment or to jolt the racists and right wingers like MAGA. Nor are pro or anti-Israel messages, free Palestine, save our wildlife, and the dozens of other needed and appropriate messages and themes. MAGA GLORIFIES in deriding and demeaning those ideals and frankly, those sentiments. And for persuadable voters, however correct we may be, they’re off-putting. They do not shift the needle much.
Trying to shame or guilt-trip MAGA or middle of the road voters who went with and still are grudgingly supporting Trump, often because they are resistant to admitting what a horrible mistake they are beginning to see they made… that won’t work. Appealing to higher ideals when the opposition is lockstep in deriding or trashing those ideals and emote from the basest of subconscious fears and reactivity… that won’t do it either. Promoting special causes that not even WE all agree on is a waste. Sure, push those causes, but on this front, on mass action, we must find and shout about the core issues.
Although it’s inspiring even humorous to have a dozen or more different messages and posters, splinter issues or unnecessarily divisive or distraction issues do just that, diffuse and distract. Onlookers and passerby’s, even the media, need to be jolted and reminded. It’s not that we shouldn’t make people uncomfortable, provoking thought or even a middle finger. It’s that we want to have a unifying point that doesn’t provoke unnecessary (wasted) rejection.
I’d love to help organize, but age and circumstances limit what I can do to attending rallies, sending letters, and browbeating our eunuch Democrat representatives. So, for anyone in this forum who does have sway or energy or time to further refine our resistance, I offer these thoughts and encourage you and all of us to harden our messages.
Hold “We the People” or “No consent of the governed” rallies. Those are crisp and clear messages that are hard for anyone to deride, and I believe actually do evoke deeper thought and patriotism.
Have signs and posters and ads that urge us/everyone to:
“Say NO to Tyranny”.
“Support our working people”.
“Rob the poor, give to the rich, debase our ideals – This is NOT the America I serve”.
“Proud to be an American – Be ALL we can be, not the least we can be”.
Or perhaps simply, “RESIST”.
Yeah, these are probably better as posters and signs I’ll be making and using, but they go to the heart of the issue – we’re losing our democracy, our freedom, our dignity and respect for each other and our founding ideals.
Let’s boil it down and concentrate on the guts of the issue. Once we reverse the tide, they’ll be time to elevate our other important issues, but if we lose our democracy, those are all screwed. So focus on the basics, repeat repeat, louder and louder, in greater numbers that can’t be ignored.
We can and will prevail. Let’s be smarter and more strategic about it.
I love your livestreams. I couldn’t join a protest Thursday so I became a paid subscriber to your substack! I loved the photo of the older couple and the person who went out by herself when she couldn’t find a protest in her city. Keep up your great work !Question: For the next
protest, where can we get a sign?
Mr. Hubbell - thank God for you and this newsletter. It feeds my spirit every day. I rage, as so many of us do, at the horrors being done using our money, in large ways and small, and in our name, whether we agree or not, to all parts of our lives as Americans. I was not able to participate in the protests the other day. I had a tremendously bad migraine. I felt cowardly for not participating, particularly since I had been involved in trying to get people out to the various protests in my area, but I just couldn't get out. It was hard to keep my eyes open; I couldn't imagine standing in the sun with such a bad headache (for anyone who doesn't get headaches, they're the strangest thing. They completely sap every bit of your energy, at least my migraines do, and with a migraine, any light at all can feel painful). So I opted for my own health, and tried not to think of John Lewis and all the horrors he endured to save democracy. I attended a virtual "protest" that evening, but have to admit that was not terribly satisfying, compared to being out in the street with like minded people. I'm not looking for any sympathy - just using this forum as a way to express what I felt, which was huge frustration! But sometimes you can only do what you can do. I sincerely thank every single person who got out to do what I couldn't. Every protest is important. Every single thing that people do to express their opposition to what is going on is important. We will get through this if we stick together!
I listened to your comments this morning and read the newsletter. Want to add a reminder that Maurene Comey was also fired and without explanation. This administration believes it can silence everyone it chooses to, but it cannot muzzle or stifle the protests of millions of U.S. citizens and residents.
Indivisible Team sent an email this morning: "In the next few days, we’re going to put up billboards in a number of Republican congressional districts -- some swing districts, some deep red -- calling out congressional Republicans AND Trump for covering up the Epstein files." If you saw the email Indivisible needs funds to cover the costs. Sending a donation is a perfect opportunity to be involved. If you do not want to donate on-line send a check/money order to: Indivisible Project, P.O. Box 43884, Washington, D.C. 20010 (This information is down at the bottom of the email).
Judge Illston!
Please let Sally know that going out to hold a sign by yourself can be the start of something big and meaningful. There are others nearby who want to see you do it, who will join you, and who will grow your protest into a local movement.
In February there seemed to be no protests against Trump in Charlotte NC. I held a sign on my street corner by myself for a month starting in March. Now my local indivisible chapter has stepped up to take over the resistance. On Thursday they had 25 protests in Charlotte, 500+ attendees and 130,000+ motorists seeing their signs and honking approval.
Sally, stand up, speak out, give others how and reassurance, and build your own local resistance. We know you can do it.
Hi Dave thanks for all you and Christa are doing!
I have been attending the Indivisible CLT pop-up protests and so far have attended them at 6 different locations. Ballantyne and Blakeney are both near my house, but those are in the late afternoon, so last week I checked out the weekly email and went to a morning protest at Park & Woodlawn and a Saturday protest at Sharon Towers. This week I went to a "Make Good Trouble" protest early at the Arboretum (one of two at that site) and this morning a friend and I went the Southpark protest at Fairview and Sharon!
Lots of great support from the mortorists and a few people rolled down their car windows when they were stopped at the red light to thank us or ask how they could get involved.
Well worth getting sweaty for and I will keep inviting new people to join me! And as I learned at a training for a phonebank, don't stop at the first no. 😊