There are now reports that some Democratic members of Congress are planning to boycott the inauguration. It is totally understandable why they would consider passing up what, under normal circumstances, would be a celebration of democracy and the peaceful transfer of power.
Suggestion:
Democrats and other patriots could transform it into a protest. They could carry signs reminding the American people that Trump is an ethical nightmare and a criminal. They can even cause a peaceful disruption when he attempts to lie about preserving and protecting the Constitution.
One could also follow up the inaugural ceremony by remaining at the Capital after Trump leaves to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who were injured or died as a result of the January 6th insurrection that he incited. And they could also incorporate a memorial to Martin Luther King Jr., whose holiday coincides with Inauguration Day.
“Land of the Brave” where dear liberty was crowned, We once stood united, our wills tightly bound. Through the smoke of battle, our ancestors espied That freedom’s a flame, but it can flicker and die. From the ashes of conflict, we forged our resolve, In confronting the tyrants, our spirits evolved. With courage we faced those who twisted the truth, Promises that gush like the Fountain of Youth.
Yet now in the shadows, the voices grow loud, With pledges painted in palettes of the proud. Cloaked in assurance, with menace beneath, The gloss of populists who thrive on our beefs. “Remember,” they say, “the past is a guide;” But complacence makes civic duty slide.
We gather our banners, but forget what they mean, As we march to the rhythms of a con man’s scheme. The lessons grow dimmer as visions in fog; While strongmen encroach, we sit like boiling frogs. With fervor they promise to serve and protect, But a chain on the soul is what they project.
So heed history’s warnings, the lessons they give, For freedom’s a choice, not a passive way to live. In the face of the storm, let our voices unite; For the fight isn’t over, we must keep our rights. To honor the fallen, please open your eyes; For sake of the nation, let wisdom arise. Together we’ll withstand, but divided we’ll fall; For our future to last, we must give it our all.
It’s true! It’s true! History made it clear. The turnout just went through the roof this year.
The race was changed just a few months ago here: Summer and the fall turned out really hot, And there’s no lower limit to the gloom here In Kamalat.
Slacking off was a no-no through November. Vote ended November fifth on the dot. With no stop, campaigned till the vote was over In Kamalat.
Kamalat! Kamalat! I know it sounds a bit bizarre, But in Kamalat, Kamalat That’s how depressed we are.
The ballot count began just after sundown. By morn, the Donald’s smirk did reappear. In short, there’s simply not A more disheartening spot For freedom-lovers everywhere than here In Kamalat!
Where have all our freedoms gone? Long time passing Where have all our freedoms gone? Long time ago? Where have all our freedoms gone? The Boss has snatched them every one Oh, when will we ever learn? Oh, when will we ever learn? Where have all liberties gone? Where have all the guardrails gone? Long time passing Where have all the guardrails gone? Long time ago? Where have all the guardrails gone? They’ve taken our rights every one Oh, when will we ever learn? Oh, when will we ever learn? Where have all privacy gone? Long time passing Where have all human rights gone? Long time ago? Where will our hopes and dreams go? They may not ever show Oh, when will we ever learn? Oh, when will we ever learn?
🎵Where Have All the Flowers Gone?The Kingston Trio
In this land where justices toy with might, A ruling’s been cast in ancient light, Where king and president can entwine, And ambition subverts Founders’ design. The Court, with corrupt intent and a sneer, Has penned a future so very drear, Where winner wears both crown and pin, And scales of justice shift and spin. A President with sole sovereign sway, Would leave precedents in disarray, Where once were checks and balances tied tight, There would reign a Chief of singular right. No longer bound by common chains, The leader’s will like thunder reigns, Just as savants of the past foretold: A realm where honors, favors are all sold. The one who wins November’s race May lead the land with little grace, And hold high a scepter in one firm hand To bring the Constitution to an end. Yet in this time of wayward scheme, The People’s voices, often shunned, scream That for freedom and rights to be upheld Our Democracy’s foes must be expelled. So observe with care, and mark this hour, As power’s scope grows vast and dour, Every wannabe tyrant’s acts so bold Must be soundly beaten ten million fold.
Narrator: This, as you may recognize, is a map of the United States and there’s a little town there called Trumpsville.
On a given morning not too long ago the rest of the world disappeared and Trumpsville was left all alone. Its inhabitants were never sure whether the world was destroyed and only Trumpsville left untouched, or whether the village had somehow been taken away.
They were, on the other hand, sure of one thing—the cause. A monster had arrived in the village.
Just by using his mind, he took away justice, freedom, and morality, because they displeased him. And he moved an entire community back into the dark ages just by using his mind.
Now, I’d like to introduce you to some of the people in Trumpsville.
These are Judges Roberts, Thomas, and Alito. It’s in their courthouse that the monster presides.
These two are Sen. McConnell and Speaker Johnson.
And this is Ivanka, who probably had more control over the monster in the beginning than almost anyone. But one day she forgot. She began to speak aloud. Now, the monster doesn’t like her speaking so his mind snapped at her, and turned her into this smiling, vacant thing you’re looking at now. She speaks no more.
And you’ll note that the people in Trumpsville, USA have to smile. They have to think happy thoughts and say happy things because once displeased, the monster can wish them into Gitmo or change them into a Big Mac and fries.
This particular monster can read minds, you see. He knows every thought, he can feel every emotion.
Oh, yes, I did forget something, didn’t I? I forgot to introduce you to the monster. This is the monster. His name is Donny Trump.
He’s seventy-eight-years-old with a rakish, frat-boy face; grey-blue, guileful eyes; and a six-year-old’s mind. But when those eyes look at you, you’d better start thinking happy thoughts because the mind behind them is absolutely in charge.
Roberts: Howdy, Donny. Mighty good to see you today.
Donny: Mighty good.
Thomas: And it’s such a good day, isn’t it?
Donny: It’s a real good day!
Alito: What are you doing, Donny?
Donny: I made a stripper with three boobs. See her? (Glancing toward Ivanka)
McConnell: Yeah.
Johnson: Yeah, my, she’s a real fine one.
Thomas: I ain’t never seen a stripper with three boobs before, ‘cept in Total Recall.
Donny: I’ll make her dead now. I’m tired of playing with her. Be dead. Stripper, you be dead!
Alito: My, my, that’s real fine that you done that. That’s—that’s real fine, Donny.
Roberts: You’re a good boy, Donny.
All with Ivanka nodding: We all love you.
Narrator: We only wanted to introduce you to this singularly immune citizen—little Donny Trump, age not allowed to say, who lives in a village called Trumpsville, in a place that used to be the USA.
And if by some strange chance you should run across him, you had best think only MAGA thoughts. Anything less than that is handled at your own risk.
Because if you do meet Donny you can be sure of one thing—you have entered the Trump Zone.
Over at court, corruption was laid bare, A Big Kahuna’s deeds, foul and unfair. The evidence was piled, a mountain high, Yet dark shadows prowled beneath the sky. Overtones of power, glimpses of gold, Whispers of secrets, very long untold. The juror’s mind was a tangled maze, Caught in the web of societal craze. But as deliberation steamed the air, A silence soon fell, infused with despair. For justice, it would seem, had a price to pay, And thus morals and truth began to sway. One by one, members cast their vote, Their hearts heavy, their minds remote. Knowing the truth but fearing the great cost To defy the powerful who would be crossed. Guilty, guilty, guilty, his conscience cried, But “Not Guilty” sounded, as justice died. His verdict spoken, his duty done, The juror was thanked, the System had won. Given chance to do what’s right, he had failed; His sense of honor, self-worth had derailed. After all, what lesson had been learned? Oblige the powerful, or you’ll get burned. So he returned home to hide the shame Having been caught up in a sordid game. But just when guilt started to fade away, A hard knock came before the break of day. The juror opened his door, heart in throat, Perceiving a change of fate, a bad note. When the goons entered with hood and ties, He asked, “Why?” with incredulous surprise. “I voted ‘acquit’ and met his demands,” “You took too long, so now reach out your hands.”
Bigheaded leaders, bloated with their pride, Say they know best, hubris surging inside. Xerxes sunk at Salamis Blinded by self-centered, self-righteous ways, They lead the country to its darkest days. Alcibiades seduced by Sicily Their egos are inflated, minds closed tight, Refusing to receive reasoned insight. Hannibal zapped at Zama They march forward, with ignorance as shield, Blithe to disaster presumption may yield. Crassus crushed at Carrhae Their regiments trapped as they reach for fame With bombast ending in nothing but shame. Cornwallis yanked at Yorktown Wars they do wage and economies crash, Based on their words so pretentious and brash. Napoleon walloped at Waterloo But in the end, their downfall does draw near, As victims and foes no longer have fear. Hitler stomped at Stalingrad These cocky chieftains, delusions defied, Met defeat when resistance turned the tide. Putin kicked at Kiev… May their downfall serve as lesson to all Only vigilance will folly forestall.
Thus, arrogance does not a good plan make, Nor bluster when a nation is at stake.
Ever stick your head in a cutout To make it look that you’re strong?
A strategist had a winning formula: Attack Your Opponent’s Strength. This could be even more effective if your adversary’s main asset is nothing more than a con.
Many may desire an authoritarian, someone who will force the “elites” who mock them to listen, rouse fear and bring respect, and command the tide to retreat.
He claims he’s not a typical politician, but a “don’t mess with me” superhero, true preserver of the good old times. He would be an authentic strongman, your defender, always on your side.
Of course, he’s anything but that. He projects an image of success when in fact he’s a fake and shill, a bully and, like many bullies, a coward when facing real strongmen and the truth.
So retorts shouldn’t be wonky or preachy; they have to Go Straight for the Gut. Play up his lies and gaffs over and over. Don’t lie or nuance, but make use of facts in the starkest terms to Make The Contrast.
This country was launched under the bold premise of equality as penned in the Declaration Of Independence and established through the adoption of its Constitution to “form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” Has we lived up to this unprecedented promise? We call our national experience exceptional, implying we are on the right path. But are we?
In his State of the Union address delivered over the radio from the White House on Jan. 11, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt offered a blueprint for the future of the United States. He proposed a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race, or creed:
“The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation.
“The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation.
“The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living.
“The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad.
“The right of every family to a decent home.
“The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.
“The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment.
“The right to a good education.”
Suggestions:
To this visionary list, we should add:
The explicit right to vote and to be free from discrimination in the voting process.
A guarantee of equal legal rights for all U.S. citizens regardless of sex.
The right to marry whomever one chooses regardless of sex, race, ethnicity.
The right to be free from the threat of armed violence, which would require sensible regulation of all weapons.
Right to privacy in all communications unless an individual is explicitly offered (mandatory default option for all communications would be NO) and chooses to opt out of this right or is served with a search warrant.
After leaving office, many members of the Trump administration and staff have written books, conducted interviews, and even testified about the crimes and misdemeanors they witnessed in the White House. Some have also spoken about how they batted down Trump’s election lies—but they never went public with all the threats he posed during their tenure when it could have made a difference. The country needed courageous whistleblowers, but never got them.
Suggestion:
Prospective government office holders and staff members should be required to memorize their oath of office, and once in office periodically be tested to see if they still remember it and asked whether they are still upholding that oath.
This video speaks volumes on the serious political consequences of the cowardice of RepubilCON leaders and how they have abandoned their oath to defend the constitution and remained instead in their positions (!coarse language):
In his State of the Union address delivered over the radio from the White House on Jan. 11, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt offered a blueprint for the future of the United States. He proposed a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race, or creed:
“The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation.
“The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation.
“The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living.
“The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad.
“The right of every family to a decent home.
“The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.
“The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment.
“The right to a good education.”
Suggestions:
There is of course much work to do to implement FDR’s visionary list. While we are at it, the following should also be added:
The explicit right to vote and to be free from discrimination in the voting process.
The guarantee of equal legal rights for all U.S. citizens regardless of sex.
The right to marry whomever one chooses regardless of sex, race, ethnicity.
The right to be free from the threat of armed violence, which would require sensible regulation of all weapons (A well REGULATED Militia…).
The right to privacy in one’s home and in all communications unless served with a legal search warrant or explicitly offered (mandatory default option for all actions and communications would be NO) and chooses to opt out of this right.
Republicans often claim that the US is a republic and not a democracy. They use this argument to justify minority control of our institutions, primarily the Senate and House when they have majorities, and all presidential elections via the Electoral College. They believe that democracy implies “one person, one vote” which, if true, would keep them out of power.
Response:
The underlying premise of our polity starts with the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving THEIR JUST POWERS FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED.”
After the defeat of the British, the Founding Fathers worked out the details of our to-be-democracy and decided that it should take the form of a democratic constitutional-republic (even though it was limited at the time to being just free white males who could vote). However, the Founding Fathers were also concerned with protecting minority rights. These were not minority rights as we understand it today—protections for trans people, immigrants, etc., but the rights of the opulent.
Accordingly, many of the Founders did notbelieve that the United States should be a direct democracy, which is how they understood happened in ancient Athens. They thought that that was very unstable and risky. Therefore, they established through the Constitution that elected officials would serve as representatives of the people, indirect but still founded as a democracy empowered by the will/vote of the citizens. Our government is not a republic as happened in ancient Rome. That “republic” which consisted of three parts (consuls, senate, and assembly) had only the assembly as a body elected by eligible citizens. Our Founders opted for means election based on the votes of citizens—walking and chewing gum at the same time.
Saving democracy is more important than any individual nonprofit’s cause. In a sense, the entire structure nonprofit sector serves entrenched interests by dividing groups of citizens along multiple, competing interests.
However, taking the example of religious organizations that have become blatantly political despite being legally obliged to be apolitical, nonprofit organizations should direct their members to become more political.
Once the nonprofit sector is collectively mobilized in this fashion, two or three prominent corporations that donate to malevolent causes could be targeted for boycott and therefore make resistance much more effective.
Gerrymandering is the practice of redrawing electoral districts to gain an electoral advantage for a political party. The concept is based on the fact that political affiliation of a citizen is public knowledge. Why is one required to make that information public? Actually, one is not required — one can register as “Independent” and not state which party one prefers.
Votes are considered private, yet voting habits can be predicted by looking at public records showing under which party an individual has registered. It takes away the privacy of voting if other people can make good predictions about how one will probably vote based on one’s voter registration. No one is allowed to see another person’s vote — why should they be able to see what party that person prefers?
Suggestion:
Make voter registration private and/or stop requiring people to state a party affiliation when they register. That would plug a huge security leak in voting privacy rights and make it impossible to gerrymander a district based on public voter registration records.
Nothing in politics is inevitable unless we allow it to be.
“An extreme political party [GQP] that makes it harder to vote and easier to die of gun violence is unfit to govern.” (Hakeem Jeffries)
Suggestions:
Vote, help organize, and donate.
Vote to make sure no Republicon wins public office. In spite of what they say, Republicons are only interested in power and in their own financial advantages.
The MAGAT, many of his cult, and their corporate and political supporters, who willfully reject facts and what is right to do, are morally asleep. To be “Woke” indicates intellectual honesty, being alert to the injustices in life, and is a badge of honor.
If by a “Liberal” they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people―their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties―someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a “Liberal”, then I’m proud to say I’m a “Liberal.”
Every Dem Down in Demville Liked Freedom a lot… But the Manch, who hailed from West Virginie, Did NOT! The Manch hated Freedom! The whole Freedom concept! Now, please don’t ask why. Just didn’t like the precept. It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right. It could be helping the poor made him uptight. But I think that the most likely reason of all, May have been that his heart was two sizes too small. Whatever the reason, his heart or his chems, He stood there on Freedom Eve, hating the Dems, Staring up from his mine with a sour, Manchy frown, At the warm lighted windows above in their town. For he knew every Dem up in Demville on high, Was busy now, opposing the Former Guy. “And now they’re out canvassing!” he snarled with a sneer, “November’s election! It’s practically here!” Then he growled, with his Manch fingers nervously drumming, “I MUST find some way to stop Freedom from coming!” For that Tuesday, he knew, all the Dem girls and boys, Would wake bright and early. They’d rush out to vote! And then! If they win! Oh, the Joy! Joy! Joy! Joy! That’s one thing he hated! The JOY! JOY! JOY! JOY! Then the Dems, young and old, would sit down to a feast. And they’d feast! And they’d feast! And they’d FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! They would push the Green New Deal, call Big Oil the beast. Something the Manch’s ego couldn’t stand in the least! And THEN They’d do something He liked least of all! Every Dem up in Demville, the tall and the small, Would stand close together, with Freedom bells ringing. They’d stand hand-in-hand. And the Dems would start singing! They’d sing! And they’d sing! And they’d SING! SING! SING! SING! And the more the Manch thought of this Dem FreedomSing, The more the Manch thought, “I must stop this whole thing!” “Why, for six decades I’ve put up with it now!” “I MUST stop this Freedom from coming! But HOW?” Then he got an idea! An awful idea! THE MANCH GOT A SINISTER, AWFUL IDEA! “I know just what to do!” The Manch laughed till he hurt. He would start to wear a No Labels hat and shirt!!!
There is no guarantee that a democracy will last forever. Past and recent history has shown how even democratically elected leaders can gradually subvert the democratic process to increase their power and that of powerful interests. Be vigilant and active!
‘TWAS fortune brought me to my “shithole” state, Taught my socialist soul to contemplate That Don’s a con, that he’s no Savior, too, A conviction I maintain and hold true. You see my Soros tribe with scornful eye, Say, “Antifa’s a diabolic lie.” But heed, MAGAs, this pinko, marked as Cain, Will never consent to a traitor’s reign.
Thank you much, your Councilnesses, for lending your ears; You seem in such a great rush to get out of here. I see your position is clearly stacked against Canyon, I just want to add my two cents before any decision. Yes, I concede some advantages in consolidation, But have you taken the following points in consideration: Our school has more than thrived for decades by itself, With the benefits of local control well-known and top-shelf. You can also see the great number of residents Who have come here to give their adverse testaments. Last, you should be aware if you persist in this fight Of the vast support we could rally for our plight. So to amicably resolve this David v. Goliath quandary I suggest a way to avoid showing the dirty laundry: By immediately desisting from this hare-brained scheme, Before Moraga’s brouhaha becomes the next internet meme. And wouldn’t you just be seen as a bunch of boobs, If your takeover ended up on TV and YouTube?
“I most definitely decline to respond to your question based on my Fifth Amendment constitutional protections with all due respect”
On halting Congress’s joint session On raising a privilege question On parleying with Hawley, Cruz, or Lee On consulting the Federalist Society On colluding with state legislators On concocting “alternate electors” On conspiring with turncoats like RoJo On caballing at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago On blocking votes from being certified On calling the violence “justified” On compensating election schemes On seizing Domain voting machines On stashing funds for “Stop the Steal” On pursuing a pardon deal On giving my age or home’s location On stirring a coup against the nation On plotting with Oath Keepers and Proud Boys On conniving other seditious ploys
I, most loyal MAGA, must thus entreat Once on the J6 committee’s hot seat!
Pundits struggle to find the right analogy to describe our political dilemma. One might be a well-known nursery rhyme. Humpty Dumpty. No, I am not referring to the current fragile, thin-skinned occupant of the White House, though it would be easy to see Donald Trump as the anthropomorphic, egg-shaped character of children’s books. Humpty Dumpty for me is the United States.
The history of the United States, from well before its establishment, has been a balancing act of controversy and even conflict over government, rights, economy, and culture. The nation was founded in large part on the removal and decimation of first inhabitants and the capture and enslavement of Africans. Capitalism, a system premised on balancing self-interest and greed, was blended in this country with mainly protestant religious views, and strong sense of white superiority.
Just like Humpty, our country is a sitting precariously on a wall. But our wall is not a support wall, but a divider between darkness and light. The growth of partisanship and particularly the public ascent of the radical right augur an inevitable crisis. Up-coming election may answer on which side we fall.
Through regions where savannas extend And mountains rise and rivers wend, A spirit stirred, a people yearned, For freedom’s flame to brightly burn. Amidst the rugged veldt’s embrace, Echoes of resistance grew apace; Voices raised in unity’s call, As dreams of liberation stood tall.
From Sharpeville to Soweto’s streets, Where courage toppled colonial seats, The drumbeat of a defiant throng Challenged injustice with righteous song. In the shadow of apartheid’s reign, Lessons of struggle were not in vain; For in the hearts of women and men, Seeds of sovereignty were born again.
With Madiba’s unwavering guidance And countless souls’ steadfast stance, A nation’s soul, once bound, arose, To claim its place, to allay its woes. Through trials fierce, through pain untold, South Africa’s new chapter does unfold, A kaleidoscopic quilt of hope and pride, Where franchise and prospects now reside.
Independence, hard-won and dear, Sounds today, a clarion loud and clear, For every child, for every soul, On South Africa’s evolving scroll. So let us cherish, let us heed, That nation’s history lesson as our lead, And strive for justice, strive for peace, To ensure that all find deserved release.
Is it greedy presidential hacks Or those barbaric Pentagon rats? My Uncle Sam proclaims he wants me But what really chases me up this tree? IRS comes knocking for some tax I comply for fear of seeming lax: Vietnam, Chicago still on fire But I stay at home with no desire Newspapers decry crime on the streets As nightly I hide beneath my sheets Midnight specials for Russian roulette It seems there is no other outlet I quietly sit sipping my tea While Tricky Dick spouts shit on TV But when I cry “Civic Robbery” I see that I stole myself from me.
