Here is a reminder for those who are concerned about the U.S. Post Office's new rule about not delivering ballots in states that have not shared their voter rolls. (Yes, I know the courts have not allowed this rule to take effect, and hopefully never will.) One way to get around this rule, should it ever go into effect, is to use drop boxes, or take our completed ballots to any polling place in our county, and many of us in California do that. However, we also receive our ballots by mail about a month before Voting Day. We are a vote-by-mail state. I think Oregon is the same. And maybe a few other states. If we have to alter that system to comply with Trump's wishes, I am sure we will be up to the challenge. And, as another reminder, Republican voters will be affected, too.
Oregon was the first state to go 100% vote by mail in 2000. There is no infrastructure to vote in person, and it would be impossible to do that before the midterms.
I live on a small farm in Central Texas. Many of my neighbors are farmers. Hard-working, honest, God-fearing folk. While the patriarchs work the fields and pastures, the women and the adult kids get jobs in the city. It doesn't take long for those children to leave the farm and become "city-people."
This is deep red MAGA country. The only interactions these people have had with our government have been at the end of a federal screwing. These guys aren't big enough to get much help from Farm bills. OK. I've got one neighbor who has a very large farm. When you read about who got what in government funds, his farm corporation got the most by a big margin. I've never met him. He and his wife live in Florida.
I don't really know, but I suspect they supported Trump for a variety of reasons. Most of them probably felt like Trump was the man who could undo what they thought was a serious injustice, a crime actually. I'm talking about the abortion issue, and he did. Hell, Democrats are all for murdering babies. Who would want to murder babies? Also, Democrats want to take away our guns. Beto said so himself.
My neighbors don't have the time or inclination to spend a whole lot of attention on other issues. Until recently, high-speed internet access was difficult to get and damn expensive. It's still expensive. Besides, they've got television antennas, and they can watch Fox for free.
Right now these people are hurting. Here's a snippet from the Daily Upside:
"According to US Federal Courts data, there were 336 bankruptcy filings under Chapter 12, a special category designed for family farms and fisheries, in the 12-month period ending June 30, up from 282 in the previous year.
Persistent, elevated prices of fuel and fertilizer, driven by the war in Iran, threaten to deepen losses at a time when many farmers are already valiantly pressing on through negative crop margins and other business pressures.
Economists at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), an industry lobbying group, expect the national average returns of farmers growing nine major crops will be $32 billion short of expenses in 2027, up from a $31 billion shortfall this year before federal assistance is factored in."
Me again: I know 336 doesn't sound like a lot, but keep in mind that it'll take these farmers a long time to give up on farming. The distress they're experiencing now will only become apparent in the next year or two. Expect those bankruptcy numbers to go up and keep rising. They're not going to come out of this OK. Their land and assets are heavily leveraged. Major corporations will end up with the land, and we'll be at the mercy of mega corporations like Taylor Farms to provide us with food.
Many of my neighbors are seriously disillusioned with Trump. They know the trials and tribulations they're now experiencing are a direct result of his and the rest of the Republicans' corrupt leadership. They know the high cost of fuel and fertilizer is because of him. They know he hasn't done what he promised, except for that nasty baby-killing thing.
A lot of these guys probably won't bother voting in the upcoming midterms. Some may even hold their collective noses and vote for a Democrat. We need them to quit supporting EVERY Republican. We need this election to be about Trump. We need to remind everyone that these Republicans all pledged fealty to Trump. These Republicans campaigned on the promise that they would do whatever Trump told them to do, and we need to remind every single voter about those promises.
Democrats are going to do OK in the next election. OK isn't really good enough. We need an overwhelming mandate, and to get that mandate, we need my neighbors to NOT support MAGA.
Has Canada’s Prime Minister read Joyce Vance’s “Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping Democracy?” He has certain made an important decision for Canada which many support. I hope he does well in moving forward. Gift article.
Robert, thank you for coming (again) to VA and speaking at the Women's Summit. You had the full attention of the room - over 500 people! So many great points - but this: while we are out every week (or more) on our bridges and street corners, there are virtually no MAGA supporters (except the Kirk cult in VT) doing the same. Kudos to the VT protesters who have to live with the Cultists blaring music.
And I hope everyone has read Robert Reich’s and Heather Cox Richardson’s posts today, too. Between Robert and RR and HCR I had happy tears of hope, and was was really at a low point this week.
I am utterly heartsick when I think about the destruction of the rose garden, and the gleeful plans to commit violence to our national parks and monuments. From where I stand, this is the sickest of the sick: the arrogant pride in this regime's commitment to ignorance and its disdain for Nature's brilliant complexity; the nauseating immaturity of giving Her (our natural world) the middle finger. I mean, look at Robert's photos of the cosmos and tell me how powerful we are, how we can "control" the elemental forces around us. Hegseth can pump himself up with all the bluster and testosterone in the world, as can any of them, but in the larger scheme of things...? Praying for a blue tsunami.
Thank you, Louise, I feel the same. The hubris is astounding. And I think the whole MAGA-psychopathy, from top down, is a symptom for the way we, the whole culture, understand ourselves: separate from Nature. "I am" at the center of the Universe, everything else is an object. We don't realize that every dragonfly, elephant, dolphin is at the center of THEIR universe, which looks different from ours but is just as real.
How can Justice Roberts accept the continuing building of the trump MAGA ballroom when judges have said to stop - he destroyed part of the White House without permission - it amazes me that the Rs are saying NOTHING!!!!!
I am continually shocked that we are as a country accepting masked unmarked unbadged with unmarked vehicles ICE agents - what is to prevent thugs from doing the same thing. We have never had law officials with masks and no name badge - this is against everything our coulture stand for. I would not stop for anyone in all black in a black SUV - I would be scared they were thugs. How can we stop this illegal acceptance. How????? the only masked people I can recall were KKK and they were not law officials with the government behind them.
I notice that Elon Musk is currently again friendly with Trump and MAGA. With all of their sinister world views and enormous wealth, I wonder if any plans for the post midterm elections have been identified.
It has been an interesting morning. I watched an interview with Robin Wall Kimmerer who advocates for respect for nature and science, to a report on Trump showing off his helipad, ballroom, and reports of opening up our National Parks to mining. The only thing I can take away from this is that there are good people who will continue to preserve our values and our heritage and once we take back the House and Senate we can start curbing any continued destruction. PS: Loved the Horse Head Nebula. You have an incredible camera Mr Hubbell.
Here is a reminder for those who are concerned about the U.S. Post Office's new rule about not delivering ballots in states that have not shared their voter rolls. (Yes, I know the courts have not allowed this rule to take effect, and hopefully never will.) One way to get around this rule, should it ever go into effect, is to use drop boxes, or take our completed ballots to any polling place in our county, and many of us in California do that. However, we also receive our ballots by mail about a month before Voting Day. We are a vote-by-mail state. I think Oregon is the same. And maybe a few other states. If we have to alter that system to comply with Trump's wishes, I am sure we will be up to the challenge. And, as another reminder, Republican voters will be affected, too.
Oregon was the first state to go 100% vote by mail in 2000. There is no infrastructure to vote in person, and it would be impossible to do that before the midterms.
I live on a small farm in Central Texas. Many of my neighbors are farmers. Hard-working, honest, God-fearing folk. While the patriarchs work the fields and pastures, the women and the adult kids get jobs in the city. It doesn't take long for those children to leave the farm and become "city-people."
This is deep red MAGA country. The only interactions these people have had with our government have been at the end of a federal screwing. These guys aren't big enough to get much help from Farm bills. OK. I've got one neighbor who has a very large farm. When you read about who got what in government funds, his farm corporation got the most by a big margin. I've never met him. He and his wife live in Florida.
I don't really know, but I suspect they supported Trump for a variety of reasons. Most of them probably felt like Trump was the man who could undo what they thought was a serious injustice, a crime actually. I'm talking about the abortion issue, and he did. Hell, Democrats are all for murdering babies. Who would want to murder babies? Also, Democrats want to take away our guns. Beto said so himself.
My neighbors don't have the time or inclination to spend a whole lot of attention on other issues. Until recently, high-speed internet access was difficult to get and damn expensive. It's still expensive. Besides, they've got television antennas, and they can watch Fox for free.
Right now these people are hurting. Here's a snippet from the Daily Upside:
"According to US Federal Courts data, there were 336 bankruptcy filings under Chapter 12, a special category designed for family farms and fisheries, in the 12-month period ending June 30, up from 282 in the previous year.
Persistent, elevated prices of fuel and fertilizer, driven by the war in Iran, threaten to deepen losses at a time when many farmers are already valiantly pressing on through negative crop margins and other business pressures.
Economists at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), an industry lobbying group, expect the national average returns of farmers growing nine major crops will be $32 billion short of expenses in 2027, up from a $31 billion shortfall this year before federal assistance is factored in."
Me again: I know 336 doesn't sound like a lot, but keep in mind that it'll take these farmers a long time to give up on farming. The distress they're experiencing now will only become apparent in the next year or two. Expect those bankruptcy numbers to go up and keep rising. They're not going to come out of this OK. Their land and assets are heavily leveraged. Major corporations will end up with the land, and we'll be at the mercy of mega corporations like Taylor Farms to provide us with food.
Many of my neighbors are seriously disillusioned with Trump. They know the trials and tribulations they're now experiencing are a direct result of his and the rest of the Republicans' corrupt leadership. They know the high cost of fuel and fertilizer is because of him. They know he hasn't done what he promised, except for that nasty baby-killing thing.
A lot of these guys probably won't bother voting in the upcoming midterms. Some may even hold their collective noses and vote for a Democrat. We need them to quit supporting EVERY Republican. We need this election to be about Trump. We need to remind everyone that these Republicans all pledged fealty to Trump. These Republicans campaigned on the promise that they would do whatever Trump told them to do, and we need to remind every single voter about those promises.
Democrats are going to do OK in the next election. OK isn't really good enough. We need an overwhelming mandate, and to get that mandate, we need my neighbors to NOT support MAGA.
Has Canada’s Prime Minister read Joyce Vance’s “Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping Democracy?” He has certain made an important decision for Canada which many support. I hope he does well in moving forward. Gift article.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/22/world/canada/carney-trump-canada-tariffs.html?unlocked_article_code=1.7lA.Jjta.pEhP1ef0S8h7&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Robert, when you have a few minutes please visit my website: EthicalGovtNow.org and read my DECLARATION of INTERDEPENDENCE. Thanks and...Cheers!
Robert, thank you for coming (again) to VA and speaking at the Women's Summit. You had the full attention of the room - over 500 people! So many great points - but this: while we are out every week (or more) on our bridges and street corners, there are virtually no MAGA supporters (except the Kirk cult in VT) doing the same. Kudos to the VT protesters who have to live with the Cultists blaring music.
And I hope everyone has read Robert Reich’s and Heather Cox Richardson’s posts today, too. Between Robert and RR and HCR I had happy tears of hope, and was was really at a low point this week.
Robert! That was a great livestream!! And I so much, appreciate your positive outlook on all of this! Thanks
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Wonderful photos. Such tenacity is inspiring. ☮️
I am utterly heartsick when I think about the destruction of the rose garden, and the gleeful plans to commit violence to our national parks and monuments. From where I stand, this is the sickest of the sick: the arrogant pride in this regime's commitment to ignorance and its disdain for Nature's brilliant complexity; the nauseating immaturity of giving Her (our natural world) the middle finger. I mean, look at Robert's photos of the cosmos and tell me how powerful we are, how we can "control" the elemental forces around us. Hegseth can pump himself up with all the bluster and testosterone in the world, as can any of them, but in the larger scheme of things...? Praying for a blue tsunami.
Thank you, Louise, I feel the same. The hubris is astounding. And I think the whole MAGA-psychopathy, from top down, is a symptom for the way we, the whole culture, understand ourselves: separate from Nature. "I am" at the center of the Universe, everything else is an object. We don't realize that every dragonfly, elephant, dolphin is at the center of THEIR universe, which looks different from ours but is just as real.
How can Justice Roberts accept the continuing building of the trump MAGA ballroom when judges have said to stop - he destroyed part of the White House without permission - it amazes me that the Rs are saying NOTHING!!!!!
I am continually shocked that we are as a country accepting masked unmarked unbadged with unmarked vehicles ICE agents - what is to prevent thugs from doing the same thing. We have never had law officials with masks and no name badge - this is against everything our coulture stand for. I would not stop for anyone in all black in a black SUV - I would be scared they were thugs. How can we stop this illegal acceptance. How????? the only masked people I can recall were KKK and they were not law officials with the government behind them.
New subscriber having hard time leaving comments. I’ll see if ChatGPT can help.
OK.. looks like my comment got through. Disregard earlier comment.
I notice that Elon Musk is currently again friendly with Trump and MAGA. With all of their sinister world views and enormous wealth, I wonder if any plans for the post midterm elections have been identified.
It has been an interesting morning. I watched an interview with Robin Wall Kimmerer who advocates for respect for nature and science, to a report on Trump showing off his helipad, ballroom, and reports of opening up our National Parks to mining. The only thing I can take away from this is that there are good people who will continue to preserve our values and our heritage and once we take back the House and Senate we can start curbing any continued destruction. PS: Loved the Horse Head Nebula. You have an incredible camera Mr Hubbell.
Thank you, Lyons, Colorado: "Agent Orange has (got) to go!"