Please note: Someone is impersonating me on Substack. I am NOT "following" anyone on Substack, and I will NEVER ask you to "switch to Signal for a private chat."
There are a number of bots "liking" me on Substack, as well. All pretend to be young women and all "want to start a private chat." It's almost a cottage industry.
I am constantly bombarded by "young women" wanting to chat. The dead giveaway is that their messages are always written in the same pattern. I do not engage for many reasons. First and foremost, I am an elderly woman who is not the least bit interested in young women.
If you click on someone's name in Substack, it will pull up their profile. From there if you click on the ellipsis (i.e., 3 dots), there is an option to block the person.
I do exactly that whenever, on Bluesky, I receive a notification that some dubious character (usually young women of the lifestyle, influencer type with no post history) follows me.
If you don't read Timothy Snyder's substack emails, read this one. It's about the obvious fact that everything Trump & Co. are doing opens us wide to a terrorist attack. The purpose of this is not to be alarmed into submission, but to be prepared to react appropriately if and when it happens. Snyder addresses this in classic book On Tyranny. The more Americans are fully aware of this the better!
County Joe McDonald dead at 84 from Parkinson's Disease. "And it's one, two, three what are we fighting for." As true today as it was in the 60s. Sadly the same for the "Eve of Destruction." RIP.
For those struggling (all of us) here's a link to Jessica Craven's weekly list of good news for those who don't subscribe. I'm always awed at how people are responding to what is happening and showing up for each other. Good news gets lost in firehouse of bad news. https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/p/extra-extra-38
Terrific pictures of American heroes. Wonderful! Can you elaborate on the Trump administration lifting sanctions on Russia to purchase oil from India? What are the Ukrainian ramifications? Do you think Trump will do more of this kind of thing with Russia?
Dear Friends, I awoke this morning to three Times headlines: 1. Front page of print edition- “Trump Tramples a Line, Worn Faint, on War: A Major Escalation of Presidential Power,” by Charlie Savage, and Sunday Times Magazine- “America’s Secret Veterans: They Fought for the C.I.A. In Afghanistan. Now, 10,000 former Zero Unit soldiers are in the United States - and living in fear” by Matthieu Aikins & Wesley Morgan. It’s hard to follow NY Times trail of headlines but here are three gift links:
Note: Digital headline reads “How the Decision To Start a War Became the President’s,” along with “Trump Tramples Congress’s Power, with Little Challenge From G.O.P.” By Julian E. Barnes & Catie Edmonton as “Analysis.”
So, I’ve spent three of my gift links but think these headlines/reports deserve a bit more attention than the women inviting some of us to “who knows what?”
I get those invites occasionally as well but want all to brace themselves for these three headlines as reading. I haven’t sunk my teeth into them beyond early paragraphs but will do so and encourage others to do likewise for further reflection with all who can take or make the time to do so.
The headlines alone offer another moment to scream into my pillow. But beyond screaming please share any thoughts about how we can take actions to put this president in perspectives and stop him. Yes! Wherever I am on March 28th I’ll be among the protesters. I’ll write and call Congressmen & women regardless of party. This president is putting each of us and our country at risk. Screaming is not the answer. Apathy is not the answer. We must go deeper to summon our better angels with courage.
I just read a disturbing article in The Lever : The Democratic Party’s Moment Of Reckoning. Is the party of Obama-esque corporate appeasement finally becoming the party of Sanders-style populism? I'm not familiar with The Lever -- is it a source that you trust and recommend?
For those who want some analysis of the war today I recommend Fareed Zacharia GPS today for his interview with Jake Sullivan and the lady editor of The National from the UAE as well as insights as to why the Kurds, among the most moderate followers of Islam who don't foment hatred among the various practioners of that religion, will most likely not join in to help Trump's war. AND why not! He royally screwed them in his past administration is why they said a resounding NO!
I love all the photos from across the country -- from warm, summer-like weather here in LA, to snow and cold lingering in the midwest/east coast. But as Joyce Vance reminds us, "We are all in this together!"
Sorry to report that our weekly Saturday protest in Aliso Viejo, California (Orange County in Southern California) was overwhelmed by counter protesters with huge Iranian flags and Trump flags. They were aggressive, coming and screaming in our faces and forced us off two of the corners. They were working on taking over a third corner when I left.
My wife and I experienced this last weekend when just the 2 of us went to Beverly Hills with a sign that read Stop Trump's Iran war. They were very upset that tens of thousands of their countrymen (and women) had been slaughtered by the Iran regime. And they saw Trump as their savior and deemed us to be hypocrites. My wife was upset to we left. Their emotions are understandable, but we know that Trump does not care at all about the Iranian people. Sadly they may already be beginning to see that....
Very sorry to hear that. I'm in Charlotte, NC and I have only been at one popup protest where there were actual counter protesters and that was back in Nov. right before our municipal elections.
We did have one incident where any angry guy out walking his dog started yelling at several women (naturally) and when he realized one of them was filming him, he snatched her phone and stormed off. She and another protester (who was also filming him) followed at a safe distance while someone else called 911. The guy lived in a luxury apartment (condo?) complex just catty-corner to where he accosted her, so the person who called 911 was able to direct the police to the right spot.
The upshot was that my friend pressed charges and he was served a warrant right where he lived. I don't know if he has had his day in court yet, but he tried several times to get her to drop the charges. As far as I know she's refused to drop them.
As a result, the captains of the protests were issued body cameras that we are supposed to turn on as we are leaving our cars and and turn off only when we get back to the cars after the protest. They are rechargeable using a USB connector.
We do regularly get drive-by MAGAs who give us the finger or shout obscenities. Also people who favor insults like calling us losers or telling us to get a job. The latter is especially curious because many of our regulars are obviously seniors and this occurs quite often on Saturdays. 🙄
I think the intensity/enthusiasm is ratcheting up on both sides. I almost always attend protests sponsored (or co-sponsored) by our local Indivisible chapter and we usually have two or more safety captains at each protest. For the weekly protests, a high proportion of the participants are now seasoned protesters who know not the engage.
For Newbies who struggle with this, I remind them that the MAGAs' goal is to elicit a reaction. So when you pretend that they don't exist, it frustrates them no end. So win-win. As long as they stay in their car, I really don't care what they say. And many of them wait until they are directly driving past so you can't hear what they are saying anyway - just their angry tone. So most of the protesters simply smile and wave at everyone.
The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes" should be Trump's theme song. I have no doubt that even as his indiscriminate bombing in the Middle East and elsewhere intensifies, and he ruins and obliterates scores of lives both at home and abroad, he sees himself as a victim.
Please note: Someone is impersonating me on Substack. I am NOT "following" anyone on Substack, and I will NEVER ask you to "switch to Signal for a private chat."
There are a number of bots "liking" me on Substack, as well. All pretend to be young women and all "want to start a private chat." It's almost a cottage industry.
Same here and when they appear I always wonder, what are they after? I delete the request and move on, but the question lingers?
I am constantly bombarded by "young women" wanting to chat. The dead giveaway is that their messages are always written in the same pattern. I do not engage for many reasons. First and foremost, I am an elderly woman who is not the least bit interested in young women.
If you click on someone's name in Substack, it will pull up their profile. From there if you click on the ellipsis (i.e., 3 dots), there is an option to block the person.
I do exactly that whenever, on Bluesky, I receive a notification that some dubious character (usually young women of the lifestyle, influencer type with no post history) follows me.
https://metronews.bluelena.io/lt.php?x=4lZy~GE7KaTP5aCrzt~NVhOd1qAkutPzjMszYHY4VnWb5s3AzEy7xORz2XIl-RVfjDZo4XHDJFCb9539zdHNYOFs1o2kidfzju0
If this link works, it is quilters in Santa Cruz,Ca, who are making quilted protest signs. For your inspiring collection..
If you don't read Timothy Snyder's substack emails, read this one. It's about the obvious fact that everything Trump & Co. are doing opens us wide to a terrorist attack. The purpose of this is not to be alarmed into submission, but to be prepared to react appropriately if and when it happens. Snyder addresses this in classic book On Tyranny. The more Americans are fully aware of this the better!
https://snyder.substack.com/p/the-desire-for-terror
County Joe McDonald dead at 84 from Parkinson's Disease. "And it's one, two, three what are we fighting for." As true today as it was in the 60s. Sadly the same for the "Eve of Destruction." RIP.
I love seeing Pittsfield MA out in the streets. I spend a lot of time in the area and hope to support efforts in the Berkshires when I can!
The audio on Saturday's live Substack ends around the 17:15 mark. 😟
For those struggling (all of us) here's a link to Jessica Craven's weekly list of good news for those who don't subscribe. I'm always awed at how people are responding to what is happening and showing up for each other. Good news gets lost in firehouse of bad news. https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/p/extra-extra-38
Terrific pictures of American heroes. Wonderful! Can you elaborate on the Trump administration lifting sanctions on Russia to purchase oil from India? What are the Ukrainian ramifications? Do you think Trump will do more of this kind of thing with Russia?
Dear Friends, I awoke this morning to three Times headlines: 1. Front page of print edition- “Trump Tramples a Line, Worn Faint, on War: A Major Escalation of Presidential Power,” by Charlie Savage, and Sunday Times Magazine- “America’s Secret Veterans: They Fought for the C.I.A. In Afghanistan. Now, 10,000 former Zero Unit soldiers are in the United States - and living in fear” by Matthieu Aikins & Wesley Morgan. It’s hard to follow NY Times trail of headlines but here are three gift links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/us/politics/trump-iran-war-presidential-power.html?unlocked_article_code=1.RlA.91UY.LRPC6lUs8QIV&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Note: Digital headline reads “How the Decision To Start a War Became the President’s,” along with “Trump Tramples Congress’s Power, with Little Challenge From G.O.P.” By Julian E. Barnes & Catie Edmonton as “Analysis.”
Hm!
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/us/politics/trump-congresss-power.html?unlocked_article_code=1.RlA.sLd7.iMpdP_DiFs05&smid=nytcore-ios-share
America’s Secret Veterans:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/magazine/zero-units-cia-afghanistan.html?unlocked_article_code=1.RlA.ZllL.NEm8TmeJ7k3N&smid=nytcore-ios-share
So, I’ve spent three of my gift links but think these headlines/reports deserve a bit more attention than the women inviting some of us to “who knows what?”
I get those invites occasionally as well but want all to brace themselves for these three headlines as reading. I haven’t sunk my teeth into them beyond early paragraphs but will do so and encourage others to do likewise for further reflection with all who can take or make the time to do so.
The headlines alone offer another moment to scream into my pillow. But beyond screaming please share any thoughts about how we can take actions to put this president in perspectives and stop him. Yes! Wherever I am on March 28th I’ll be among the protesters. I’ll write and call Congressmen & women regardless of party. This president is putting each of us and our country at risk. Screaming is not the answer. Apathy is not the answer. We must go deeper to summon our better angels with courage.
I just read a disturbing article in The Lever : The Democratic Party’s Moment Of Reckoning. Is the party of Obama-esque corporate appeasement finally becoming the party of Sanders-style populism? I'm not familiar with The Lever -- is it a source that you trust and recommend?
https://www.levernews.com/lever-weekly-war-bets-paid-off/?utm_source=newsletter-email&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=newsletter-article
Yes, I trust and recommend them.
Everyone should take 5 minutes and read Timothy Snyder today:
https://snyder.substack.com/p/the-desire-for-terror?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
For those who want some analysis of the war today I recommend Fareed Zacharia GPS today for his interview with Jake Sullivan and the lady editor of The National from the UAE as well as insights as to why the Kurds, among the most moderate followers of Islam who don't foment hatred among the various practioners of that religion, will most likely not join in to help Trump's war. AND why not! He royally screwed them in his past administration is why they said a resounding NO!
I love all the photos from across the country -- from warm, summer-like weather here in LA, to snow and cold lingering in the midwest/east coast. But as Joyce Vance reminds us, "We are all in this together!"
I think of the current presidency as a pyramid scheme built on hatred.
And greed.
Sorry to report that our weekly Saturday protest in Aliso Viejo, California (Orange County in Southern California) was overwhelmed by counter protesters with huge Iranian flags and Trump flags. They were aggressive, coming and screaming in our faces and forced us off two of the corners. They were working on taking over a third corner when I left.
My wife and I experienced this last weekend when just the 2 of us went to Beverly Hills with a sign that read Stop Trump's Iran war. They were very upset that tens of thousands of their countrymen (and women) had been slaughtered by the Iran regime. And they saw Trump as their savior and deemed us to be hypocrites. My wife was upset to we left. Their emotions are understandable, but we know that Trump does not care at all about the Iranian people. Sadly they may already be beginning to see that....
Very sorry to hear that. I'm in Charlotte, NC and I have only been at one popup protest where there were actual counter protesters and that was back in Nov. right before our municipal elections.
We did have one incident where any angry guy out walking his dog started yelling at several women (naturally) and when he realized one of them was filming him, he snatched her phone and stormed off. She and another protester (who was also filming him) followed at a safe distance while someone else called 911. The guy lived in a luxury apartment (condo?) complex just catty-corner to where he accosted her, so the person who called 911 was able to direct the police to the right spot.
The upshot was that my friend pressed charges and he was served a warrant right where he lived. I don't know if he has had his day in court yet, but he tried several times to get her to drop the charges. As far as I know she's refused to drop them.
As a result, the captains of the protests were issued body cameras that we are supposed to turn on as we are leaving our cars and and turn off only when we get back to the cars after the protest. They are rechargeable using a USB connector.
We do regularly get drive-by MAGAs who give us the finger or shout obscenities. Also people who favor insults like calling us losers or telling us to get a job. The latter is especially curious because many of our regulars are obviously seniors and this occurs quite often on Saturdays. 🙄
I think the intensity/enthusiasm is ratcheting up on both sides. I almost always attend protests sponsored (or co-sponsored) by our local Indivisible chapter and we usually have two or more safety captains at each protest. For the weekly protests, a high proportion of the participants are now seasoned protesters who know not the engage.
For Newbies who struggle with this, I remind them that the MAGAs' goal is to elicit a reaction. So when you pretend that they don't exist, it frustrates them no end. So win-win. As long as they stay in their car, I really don't care what they say. And many of them wait until they are directly driving past so you can't hear what they are saying anyway - just their angry tone. So most of the protesters simply smile and wave at everyone.
De-escalation is the right path. There are plenty of corners and overpasses in America. Be safe.
💙
The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes" should be Trump's theme song. I have no doubt that even as his indiscriminate bombing in the Middle East and elsewhere intensifies, and he ruins and obliterates scores of lives both at home and abroad, he sees himself as a victim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr8uesBowS4