Vox Populi, our weekly live chat about the week’s events begins tonight at 7:00 pm PT. Hope to see you then!
AdLib8 hours ago
Even though it’s the 4th of July, Vox is happening tonight especially because fighting for our democracy just became more urgent than ever, with Republicans in Congress kneeling to their cult leader to turn this nation into a brutal dictatorship owned by the wealthy. Hope to see you here!
AdLib8 hours ago
Hey CL!
AdLib3 hours ago
Hi! I will be here as close to 7 as I can make it! Just checking to see if we’re on. Happy 4th – and it IS STILL OURS!!!
choicelady
3 hours ago
Very cool! And yes, we still have the spirit of our founders!
AdLib3 hours ago
Hi – anyone else here who isn’t popping up?
choicelady
2 hours ago
Hey CL!
AdLib2 hours ago
Hi, Ad!
choicelady
2 hours ago
I think it’s just us.
AdLib2 hours ago
How is your 4th? We had a decent if not spectacular dinner.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Laid back 4th for us, we were out of town for a week, I wasn’t feeling great, doing well today. We had turkey burgers that were delicious.
AdLib2 hours ago
Low key 4th even though it’s the first one after Congress voted to destroy our country.
AdLib2 hours ago
Repubs in Congress, that is.
AdLib2 hours ago
Sounds good. We had hot dogs, only time I do them, and they were good. Did 3-bean salad and macaroni salad, and both were very good. I’m NOT a good cook now we are grain free so always am amazed when things are good!
choicelady
2 hours ago
Yup – they sure the hell want to. And I will never understand that.
choicelady
2 hours ago
That sounds tasty to me!
AdLib2 hours ago
I love turkey burgers, so that sounds yum
choicelady
2 hours ago
Read today nobody is buying US grain. So I think we really need to plan to hoard all we can for our families and communities. America is going into the toilet.
choicelady
2 hours ago
The way Repubs are so gung ho about destroying the lives of Americans as Trump is, makes me concerned they’re not worried about paying for it in the next election…so do they expect not to have to win re-election?
AdLib2 hours ago
Well, states run the interim elections. Not much bozo can do to stop elections of Congress and local officials.
choicelady
2 hours ago
CL – But if other countries aren’t buying US crops, doesn’t that mean there’s going to be a huge surplus here and lower prices…until farmers go out of buisiness?
AdLib2 hours ago
Now we have some inkling of what got corrupted 2024, they can run eagle eyes on machines.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Ad – Yup. That’s what I fear. How 1929 started – ag crisis.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Add in tariffs, and we have a WINNAH! Recipe for disaster. So we are talking about keeping cash in the house in case the banks stop w ATMs.
choicelady
2 hours ago
I think the big losses are commodity crops. Truck garden crops are losing from lack of farm labor.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Yep, I am far from a panicker but I have looked into buying a small safe to keep real cash at hime.
AdLib2 hours ago
home
AdLib2 hours ago
Yup. Agreed. but keeping cash at hime would definitely fool burglars.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Hey TW, just unblocked you from wrong password attempts. Try again.
AdLib2 hours ago
Heh!
AdLib2 hours ago
Hime sweet hime.
AdLib2 hours ago
Hey! TW is here! We talked last week, but at the end I got sidetracked w a homeless need, and stiffed him for about 10 minutes.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Hime is where the loot is.
choicelady
2 hours ago
And the WSJ wrote that the “wonderful” jobs numbers coming out from Trump’s govt are fake.
AdLib2 hours ago
When WSJ outs you, you’re toast.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Did WSJ endorse Trump this time?
choicelady
2 hours ago
Yes, I read last week’s Vox between the two of you. Sorry I couldn’t make it.
AdLib2 hours ago
TW!!!
choicelady
2 hours ago
Hey TW! If at first you don’t succeed!
AdLib2 hours ago
Hey everyone sorry I’m late but I’m here
twilson117
2 hours ago
Glad to see you. I didn’t get to tell you that at the end last week I got sidetracked by a homeless crisis and couldn’t tell you. Ugh. But you’re here, and we’re very glad to “see” you.
choicelady
2 hours ago
So, just putting this out there. I have no doubt that Trump will use his burgeoning ICE gestapo to occupy polling places around the country to intimidate people, especially peaople of color, from voting on Election Day.
AdLib2 hours ago
It’s been a wild week and we are seeing democracy dying a slow death with the idiot in charge.
twilson117
2 hours ago
I can even imagine ICE Gestapo grabbing Latino voters at polling places and detaining or arresting them even though they’re citizens.
AdLib2 hours ago
Ad – no doubt, but this is the interesting twist – there is a hot line for active duty military that is FLOODED with calls from those wanting to know how to deal with ILLEGAL ORDERS. Something is definitely up in a GOOD wy.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Without a doubt Ad without a doubt
twilson117
2 hours ago
Here is where the ONE thing that words is needed – old white ladies and clergy at those polling sites. We seem to be the two metrics even ICE is afraid to bash.
choicelady
2 hours ago
the WORKS –
choicelady
2 hours ago
that works.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Well I truned another year older this month so I have an excuse 
twilson117
2 hours ago
TW – Happy Birthday!!!
choicelady
2 hours ago
And another poll confirms that the opinion people have about the country and Trump is positive if they don’t follow the news, strongly negative if they do. So all these ignorant, self-centered morons are wholly oblivious to how this country is being cemented into fascism BECAUSE they only care about themselves and their own amusements instead of their neighbors and their society. I do despise those people.
AdLib2 hours ago
In Spanish it’s Feliz Cumpleanos – happy years you’ve accomplished. I live that WAY more than “getting older”!!
choicelady
2 hours ago
Thank you CL
twilson117
2 hours ago
Congrats TW!
AdLib2 hours ago
I am working w a woman on BlueSky to find decent papers that report the truth. They may be smaller, but they are well followed.
choicelady
2 hours ago
I LIKE that more
choicelady
2 hours ago
Fumble fingered typing is the pits.
choicelady
2 hours ago
As long as I’m sitting upright and talking in cogent sentences I think I’m doing fine.
twilson117
2 hours ago
CL – I think we need a coalition with clergy and old white ladies to lead marches and ring around polling places in 2026.
AdLib2 hours ago
As they say, “You’re on the right side of the dirt.”
choicelady
2 hours ago
CL you got that right. 
twilson117
2 hours ago
That is what I’m trying to get going. I do NOT want it to be Black women – they’ve paid the price and are NOT immunce.
choicelady
2 hours ago
CL – The Philly Inquirer seems to be one of the remaining good guys of journalism.
AdLib2 hours ago
immune
choicelady
2 hours ago
choicelady
2 hours ago
Ad – they ARE. They are owned by a non profit foundation NOT a corporation.
choicelady
2 hours ago
I’m also looking at small town papers. After the “assassination” attempt, the Butler Eagle had stuff not reported nationally.
choicelady
2 hours ago
At the same time, I read another article about a Trump supporting Latino man whose wife was kidnapped by ICE…and he still says he supports Trump! If that woman gets free, she better divorce her husband immediately! Can you imagine? Loving Trump more than caring about your wife being kidnapped? Is there anything more convincing that these are brainwashed members of a cult?
AdLib2 hours ago
That’s insane.
choicelady
2 hours ago
California Man Still Flies Trump Flag After ICE Detained His Wife
AdLib2 hours ago
Ad that is what dictators get people to do,
twilson117
2 hours ago
TW – yup. I can’t understand that at all.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Indeed! But now that Repubs passed this nightmare bill, so many Trump cultists will be destroyed by all the cuts to the safety net programs they depend on in Red States especially.
AdLib2 hours ago
Ad that is just plain stupid there is nothing more one can say.
twilson117
2 hours ago
Well, on the GOOD front, the work Sen. Dems did w the Parliamentarian got the non budget policy crap out. Eliminated the ‘law’ that would make Trump immune from all courts. Got a block on the sale of fed lands to private entities. Several other rancid issues. I have a list but can’t remember them all. They did GREAT work on those.
choicelady
2 hours ago
TW – It transcends stupidity, it is cultism, loving the cult leader more than your wife. It’s mental illness.
AdLib2 hours ago
CL – That’s great news indeed! This budget disaster is so terrible but it could’ve been so much worse.
AdLib2 hours ago
TW – I saw today that NOBODY is buying US wheat. This is a disaster economically, and I think the US is going to crash soon. So I recommend keeping a significant CASH supply at home if that’s not normal for you. You just never know. We are going to do it. ATMs maay not be OK. Credit cards may not work.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Ad as I’ve said to you before I cannot argue your point about it being a cult it’s the only reasonable explanation on can come up with
twilson117
2 hours ago
I am pleasantly surprised to see many people on Bluesky and elsewhere respond with fight and defiance as opposed to depression and defeat. The majority of the country is clearly with us and against Trump, hence my concern that Trump and Repubs intend to thwart the will of the people in 2026, they know they will be thrashed otherwise.
AdLib2 hours ago
The only good news is that midterms are STATE controlled not federally so. Not much he can do to stop the voting. CA does it by mail, and not a lot go to the polls
choicelady
2 hours ago
CL – Explain that to me, why would the economy crashing cause credit cards not to work?
AdLib2 hours ago
Hi gang!
pinkpantheroz
2 hours ago
PPO!!! Happy 4th when you SHOULD BE HERE. Sorry we went fascist on you.
choicelady
2 hours ago
PPO is the house break out the good stuff folks
twilson117
2 hours ago
Hey PPO!!!
AdLib2 hours ago
If there is a tight money supply, I’ve heard credit can also tighten. They can’t assume you can pay off your charges.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Hey PPO, do you have room in your new home for all of us if necessary?
AdLib2 hours ago
Happy 4th July to you all. I leave Monday for Ireland/UK/Thailand. No USA this year, for obvious reasons.
pinkpantheroz
2 hours ago
Amen, TW – only the GOOD stuff for our dear friend.
choicelady
2 hours ago
PPO we will miss you terribly, but that sounds a wonderful trip. Do you got directly to Ireland?
choicelady
an hour ago
PPO – Aw, you’re missing the opportunity to be among the first at Aligator Alcatraz.
AdLiban hour ago
Trump keeps lying about gas being at $1.98 I can tell you for sure it’s not that in my state.
twilson117
an hour ago
Ad!!! That is NOT a tourist spot. Yet.
choicelady
an hour ago
TW – business mags all say Trump is lying. I read them because they HAVE to tell one another the truth.
choicelady
an hour ago
TW – Gas is between $4-$6/gal here in LA.
AdLiban hour ago
Our gas here is still in the $4 range.
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad, yes I want to enjoy the humidity, hurricanes, flooding, mozzies and alligators, not to mention the pythons!
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
PPO will miss seeing this summer, but you made the right choice.
twilson117
an hour ago
PPO – better than “Jungle Land” at Disney. How fast can you run?
choicelady
an hour ago
I think PPO made a wise decision to pass on the USA.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – The bloodthirstiness of Repubs is kind of shocking, showing such glee at murdering harmless immigrants.
AdLiban hour ago
Cl that is all the man knows how to do
twilson117
an hour ago
CL, as fast as a snail with arthritis!
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
Ad – there was a PRAYER circle celebrating the passage of the bill cutting off the poor. CELEBRATING!
choicelady
an hour ago
PPO – Who hasn’t dreamed about living inside a reptile house?
AdLiban hour ago
PPO – best to do more training before arriving at Auschwitz Land then.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – The perversion of MAGAism has never been so blatant, they are bloodthirsty, hateful sadists, frothing at the mouth as they proudly scream about torturing and murdering non-white people.
AdLiban hour ago
Ad around here it’s in the $3 plus range, haven’t had to fill up yet but it will cost $60 bucks no matter what.
twilson117
an hour ago
Ad- Trump boasted how the 13th A. will let them dole out convicts (they aren’t ANY of them convicts) to farmers “who will own them”. THAT IS WHAT HE SAID.
choicelady
an hour ago
My tank holds 13 gallons so $3 would be way cool! We are $4.09 cash, more on credit.
choicelady
an hour ago
I will keep in touch from my travels when I can. in the meantime, stay safe, y’all and don’t get transported. I guess it hasn’t occurred to the MAGA Mob that the Mayflower Mob were illegal immigrants!
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
Did you see Lauro Loomer’s post about there being 45 million “snacks” for aligators? That is the entire Latino population in the US. She feels so comfortable calling for the genocide of all Latinos with Trump in power. Racist genocide of American citizens? And she is an official advisor to the US president!
AdLiban hour ago
PPO – I have Mayflower roots. We certainly were.
choicelady
an hour ago
Cl so he is going to reinstitute slavery
twilson117
an hour ago
CL – I can’t say I’m shocked that Trump’s plan for the US is to reinstate slavery.
AdLiban hour ago
Ad – we did see it. It’s absolutely vile. She’s competing to be Ilse Koch, the “Beast of Buchenwald”.
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad they all think what DeDumbass is doing is funny.
twilson117
an hour ago
NOBODY there is a convict. They’d be in prison. If they were, they finished their sentence. Being undocumented is a CIVIL issue not criminal. There is ZERO justification for any of that.
choicelady
an hour ago
In a sane world, there would be an announcement from thr ICC of charges against Trump and many of the creatures under him for crimes against humanity. But Trump has threatened the ICC too with US prosecutions and I think they’re afraid like so many institutions.
AdLiban hour ago
I think the ICC will do it. Have to get their convicting evidence, but this concentration camp will do it. ICC doesnt’ scare easily.
choicelady
an hour ago
I so hope that the mid-terms will overthrow the GOP, but after the convicted felon’s ‘re-election’, I’m not sure.
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
CL – Agreed but the MAGA fascists on the SCOTUS seem to want to allow Trump to start doing these horrific, unconcstitutional things then force those harmed to wait years to be protected.
AdLiban hour ago
We feel we’ve lived this for years, but it’s just 6 months. Things will come to pass, and if they indict him as they did Bush and Cheney, you will see him never go abroad again.
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad – don’t read that into this. They NEVER should have let the status quo stand while it’s reviewed by lower courts, but that IS normal. It will NOT take years.
choicelady
an hour ago
Never mind going abroad, I want to see him in jail!
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
CL – Sure hope you’re right. Trump will of course mass pardon all Repubs from all of these crimes but that doesn’t extend to the ICC and a forward looking Dem president in 2028 should absolutely support the ICC prosecutions of Trump et al. Seems quite sensible to do that, then Dems aren’t using government to prosecute them, even though it would be absolutely justified.
AdLiban hour ago
PPO – Agreed!
AdLiban hour ago
Ad – if the judges slap Noem and Bondi et al. with CIVIL suits, they CAN be jailed AND that is NOT pardonable by Trump.
choicelady
an hour ago
I think it’s time for hardball with the minions. Especially Noem.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL we are at a pivotable time in our current history and there are far too many people who refuse to acknowledge it. I would proffer we are in modified version of autocracy already.
twilson117
an hour ago
Ad – if Trump is indicted by ICC, and he DOES go abroad, may there be “honeypot” operatives luring USSS agents away from him so he can be nabbed.
choicelady
an hour ago
TW I would not argue that.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – The problem is, courts can’t stop crimes from being committed, the legal process only starts its slow roll after crimes have been committed against innocent people. Trump’s insane flooding of criminal EOs allow him to commit violence and crimes against people and courts can only try to catch up but add on the lengthy court process with all the appeals and delays, he will never be prevented from instigating more cruelties against more people any day he chooses.
AdLiban hour ago
My real fear is that faux progressives see this as their big chance. But they are idiotic and have ZERO plans other than “tax the rich” which is not helpful fighting fascism. We are splitting the Left. How deeply? No one knows
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad – courts CAN issue injunctions broad enough to thwart similar stunts. I hope they do.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – Isn’t that only for contempt that judges can put Trump’s people in jail?
AdLiban hour ago
Ad – for CIVIL, yes. But that would cool a ton of jets. High bail, demands for compliance, lousy conditions – minions may start defecting rapidly.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL what I feel is happening is Trump has to his staff to just ignore the courts and do what he tells them and that is what they are doing essentially giving the courts the middle finger.
twilson117
an hour ago
Did you know SCOTUS in one month, May-June said citizens (anyone) can SUE both cops and federal LEOs and that the videos, witnesses around the context are admissible? The cop one ws 9-0 in favor. Start suing ICE successfully, and THAT will slow things WAY down.
choicelady
an hour ago
Lovely to see ytou for a little time. See u again soon. Love to all. P
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
TW – they CAN be arrested and jailed on civil contemp. Local law can do it, and non DOJ can pursue it.
choicelady
an hour ago
GREAT to see you PPO!!! Have a grand winter. Is racing done for the season?
choicelady
an hour ago
PPO take care
twilson117
an hour ago
CL – The Dem party is hobbled for many reasons including the establishment Dems turning on young Dem voters by trying to bury Mandami with islamophobic lies and propaganda. I have been disgusted with people like Gilibrand, Swallwell, and Jeffries attacking or undermining Mandami with false accusations.
AdLiban hour ago
CL while I understand that it doesn’t seem to be deterring them at all.
twilson117
an hour ago
Ad – that’s NOT true about older Dems. Nadler is for Mamdani, Jeffries is fine with him now, several others. The shit stuff was Gilibrand, and I have always disliked her volatility.
choicelady
an hour ago
Nope. Racing is on today, but packing instead.
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
Safe travels, PPO!
AdLiban hour ago
TW – it hasn’t happened yet. The judges need to start demanding arrests for non compliance.
choicelady
an hour ago
pinkpantheroz
an hour ago
Well, I can see that as a need! Have a wonderful trip!
choicelady
an hour ago
CL I agree,
twilson117
an hour ago
CL – That’s great news about citizens prosecuting LEO.
AdLiban hour ago
Ad – that’s state AND federal.
choicelady
an hour ago
If ICE tries to weasel out, both ends are covered. If they claim they are neither, then they’re REALLY sunk because they are totally vulnerable. What this also did was KILL Trump’s intent to give all levels of law enforcement absolute immunity. THAT is now impossible.’
choicelady
an hour ago
“Top House Dem Hakeem Jeffries demands socialist Zohran Mamdani ‘clarify’ his defense of ‘intifada’ chant”
And the fact is, because I read the transcript, Mandami said NOTHING about supporting a global intifada.
AdLiban hour ago
Ad – and Mamdani and Jeffries talked. Jeffries got his concerns answered, and they are fine.
choicelady
an hour ago
Jeffries learned that from Mamdani. He needed clarification, got it, all is well.
choicelady
an hour ago
We should all be VERY wary of “what we read in the paper”. I found one supposed news story was total fiction. AI will be the death of truth if we aren’t vigilant.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL you are correct about the abuse of AI
twilson117
an hour ago
“Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) appeared on CNN to declare, “I don’t associate myself with what he has said about the Jewish people,” though he failed to specify anything offensive Mamdani had supposedly said. In an even more outrageous incident,”
AdLiban hour ago
So if Mamdani wins and can actually govern, it gives us ammo to insist the pontificators in Congress actually produce. If he can’t? Well, it’s NYC. Maybe NOBODY can.
choicelady
an hour ago
I always bring the receipts.
AdLiban hour ago
Swalwell and Mamdani are talking. Nadler is running interference on a lot of this.
choicelady
an hour ago
Did you see the phot of the Latino being arrested by ICE wearing a “Latinos for Trump” shirt? Total fake. But we all freaking bought it.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – Jeffries is not excused for stating publicly his concern about Mandami over BS rumors. They were lies and any responsible politician should have kept quiet and quietly spoken with Mandami to confirm the rumors were lies. Jeffries was wrong and divisive. I no longer trust him.
AdLiban hour ago
CL I didn’t see that but did read a piece about Candince Owens saying she is disappointed in Trump I just laughed
twilson117
an hour ago
I’m sorry – Jeffries had concerns and every right to express them. Dem leaders do not do anyone favors by shutting up. There are lots of questions. If Mamdani is too weak to address them, he’s worthless as mayor. NOBODY get coddled in politics.
choicelady
an hour ago
Jeffries breathed legitimacy into the lies by saying what he did. Irresponsible at the least.
AdLiban hour ago
CL – So if propaganda is put out saying a Dem is a sex offender, should Jeffries come out publicly to say he needs answewrs from the innocent Dem who has been slimed with false accusations? How is that responsible?
AdLiban hour ago
No it’s not. It’s a question. It got answered. THAT is his JOB. If it’s a lie, expose it. That’s on Mamdani and his campaign. We can’t give anyone a pass because that’s what was done for Trump. WE NEED TO KNOW. Now we do. Now that has been established.
choicelady
an hour ago
Well that’s what they did to Al Franken! What got done to Biden over Tara Reade. In the long run it helped Biden because people came forward w evidence AGAINST Reade. Nobody gave Al a chance.
choicelady
an hour ago
Asked and answered. But no suppression.
choicelady
an hour ago
We’re going to have to disagree on this, my dear friend, CL. Jeffries and the other Dems who appear threatened by Mandami and whose first instinct was to give credibility to the lies, at least as far as saying, “I need to hear answers from him about these lies that I am validating as legit concerns” is awful. This is a big part of the reason why the Dem party is polling in the 20s for approval. They are untrustworthy.
AdLiban hour ago
Obama got to be a master at this. He had a Rapid Response team to clap back immediately. One doesn’t have to get weighed down by lies. But if it’s not raised it festers and grows. And it makes the accused look weak and duplicitous.
choicelady
an hour ago
Well nobody KNEW they were lies, did they? HE DID TELL EVERYONE NOT TO VOTE FOR HARRIS. I’ve seen his text post on BlueSky. HE DID DO THAT.
choicelady
an hour ago
I think the 20 somethings are untrustworthy.
choicelady
an hour ago
There are more lies and racist attacks on Jeffries than ever on Mamdani.
choicelady
an hour ago
Schumer, Pelosi, Jeffries, etc. are not the future of the party. Young voters came out for Mandami because he wasn’t like the Dem Establishment who are afraid to be bold and speak unafraid about big changes to help the people. The Dem leadership has squandered the trust of Dem voters which is the only explanation for the party polling in the 20s. That can only be so low because Dem voters don’t believe in Dem leadership. We need new and brave leaders and those who immediately accept slime from MAGAs as potentially legit, are not the right ones Dems will rally behind.
AdLiban hour ago
Ooo – I think we just had a microquake!
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – Really? Didn’t feel a quake down here.
AdLiban hour ago
I know that, but neither are the young ones. I want someone with experience, stability, actual policies, and wisdom. The youth are the mostly ignorant ideologues. I make huge exceptions for Frost, Underwood, and a couple of others.
choicelady
an hour ago
IF it was a quake, it was tiny. It was qualitatively not our “usual” from the trains nearby.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL your point about Obama having a rapid response team is a good one. What is clear Repbugs are good at spreading lies, half truth and putting demos on defense I submit the dems need to get their act together because it’s only going to get worse.
twilson117
an hour ago
I do think Pelosi has lost it. Schumer not so much. He always had the personality of a wet washcloth, but he gets stuff done. I love Whitehouse and some of the others. I do not, across the boards, trust the young ones and NEVER the Squad.
choicelady
an hour ago
If Biden had Obama’s rapid response team, a lot of crud would not have advanced.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – Maybe we can agree that we need at least “younger” and more inspirational leadership like Frost, Crockett, etc., those who will brashly stand up to Repubs and push for big change. We can’t keep having the older or old Dem leaders trying to play by Marquis de Queensbury boxing rules while the MAGAs play by WWE wrestling rules. It’s ineffective, looks weak, and clueless.
AdLiban hour ago
But our MAIN issue in America is corrupt media. We screech about it all the time – and then believe every damned thing they write about Dems.
choicelady
an hour ago
I have no problem with Frost, Crockett, even, occasionally Jayapal. Underwood, Davis, some of the others. But I LOVE Patty Murray who is an understated attack dog. Some of the others. 40s and 50s is a good range for youthful energy and experience.
choicelady
43 minutes ago
CL – No argument on how our MSM has now become the “fake news” that Trump accused it of being. The corporate owners now twist the reporting to please him and muddle the truth. We have been betrayed by the media and it is disgusting.
AdLib43 minutes ago
Ad the dems need to stop bringing knives to gun fights. They need to understand that the MAGAs are not the typical republican they are use to. MAGA is not republican they call themselves that but there are noting more the wannabe usurpers of democracy. They do not want democracy the just don’t.
twilson117
42 minutes ago
But I will say, if Dems are such wimps why have they won 76-80% of ALL the state and local races since January? The FLIPPED OMAHA, for crying out loud! A Black mayor! NOBODY thought that would EVER happen. They are cleaning the floor on every level. We need to find out what they said, how they said it. THAT is success!
choicelady
42 minutes ago
“Bringing knives to a gun fight” really grates on me. We cannot be them. What we absolutely HAVE to do is get rid of the operatives, fund raisers, and old pundits. No more Axelrods, Carvilles, etc. But in Congress I think, after a false start, they have done ALL they could do as the voteless minority party.
choicelady
40 minutes ago
CL – No ageism here, just a fact that voters need to feel inspired to go out and vote and they are saying in polls right now that they are only discouraged by the current Dem leadership and upset with them in fact. Here’s how I see it, the current Dem leadership would be fine in “peacetime”. But as said in The Godfather, we are at war and need a wartime “consigliere”. These are the wrong people at the wrong time. We are in a fight for survival of our democracy and Schumer et al simply are not the brave and bold leaders Dem voters are craving now.
AdLib40 minutes ago
Scatz from HI has HOLDS on 300 Trump nominees. And he’s not letting go.
choicelady
39 minutes ago
CL if we are talking about state by state I take your point, but I believe we are addressing it from the DC level it sure seems like entirely different set of politics being played by the Repugs. It seems there is an entirely different game in DC than individual states.
twilson117
38 minutes ago
See – the “need for inspiration” is a falsehood. They need to know people for whom they vote have THEM in the center of their vision. Those winning elections are not flashy but STABLE. We MUST pay attention to that. They guy who flipped the PA state seat was not very interesting but ws REALLY good on issues. Don’t confuse glitz and competence. People want COMPETENCE and compassion for themselves as the cornerstone.
choicelady
37 minutes ago
We got glitz and dazzle. It wears gold sneakers.
choicelady
36 minutes ago
TW – Absolutely! Wholly agree, the current Dem leadership is understandably unsure about how to deal with a MAGA regime quickly dismantling our democracy. They keep reaching for the levers they would use in the past to deal with opposing Repubs who weren’t aggressively fascist and very little is working. But they keep going back to the same box of tools that worked “in the old days”. No, we need a new strategy, we need courage to attack Trump and Repubs in new and harsher ways. As I said, it’s like a boxer trying the same old boxing moves against a kickboxer. Won’t work and is discouraging to Dem voters.
AdLib36 minutes ago
Ad – there are no levers. The Dems are the minority party. No levers. NONE. They can do ONE thing in the Senate- block cloture. And the did that. They killed that horrid voting act. Only bill up. Then they can use the Parliamentarian which they did brilliantly, but that’s a majority vote issues as are appointments. So Schatz has holds on them. The will prevent cloture on any future bills. THAT IS ALL THEY HAVE. The House has NOTHING. Don’t blame DEMS – blame voters.
choicelady
33 minutes ago
CL – That’s not what I was saying. I’m saying that Schumer and Jeffreies are NOT succeeding at bringing the party together. I don’t know that they have the right sensibilities to make that happen in this MAGA era but aside from what I think, it’s clear in poll after poll that they are failing to do so. So what do we do? Hope that it doesn’t matter that they can’t accomplish that? Or do we look for others who at least want to try a different strategy? The Dem Party is foundering right now, is the solution to criticize those who recognize that and insist they salute the captains steering the ship underwater?
AdLib31 minutes ago
There is a transitional problem withing the democratic party I believe. There are some outstanding and I mean outstanding young bright articulate young democrats, who I think are being told the sit down and quiet by older dems but I also believe the older dems should give them fair hearing and listen to what they have to say. It is a delicate and difficult balance to achieve. Because for this reason I believe Dems for the most part have shown they have HONOR. Repugs laugh at honor believe it is a weakness and that comes from the head of their party Trump.
twilson117
30 minutes ago
The “business as usual” folks were the progs and most Dems voting for shutdown. SCHUMER saw the shutdown EO and knew it was the death knell. The EO proposed firing EVERY SINGLE PERSON in EVERY AGENCY AND DEPARMENT after 30 days. Defunded EVERYTHING including the COURTS. They were going to loot and kill every agendy, and Trump SAID shutdown would be a ‘year or two, maybe more’. Only two things funded? Police and military. As of shutdown, the USA was dead. Schumer knew it, said as awful as the CR was, shutdown was intolerable. NOBODY listened because the OLD PROCESS was “let it shut down, stick it to the GOP”. We would now not have a country. Just a plot of dirt.
choicelady
29 minutes ago
CL – You’re talking about process in Congress, I’m talking about leaders who try to rally the party OUTSIDE of COngressional process, holding rallies across the country, leading marches, connecting with the party regulars and making them feel that there is hope and we can take down these monsters. I see none of that kind of thinking in the current Dem leadership.
AdLib29 minutes ago
WHO told young ones to sit down and be quiet? They are not. They are outspoken and vibrant. And the limelighters are the same. NOBODY is shutting anyone up.
choicelady
28 minutes ago
Ad – this all started with people piling on Schumer for refusing to shut down and NOT listening to him. That’s where the “old fogey” crap started. Outside? Who is shutting anyone up? Nobody’s running for congress and the state and local election wins are younger people, 30s and 40s mostly. WHO IS SHUTTING ANYONE UP? I don’t see it.
choicelady
27 minutes ago
CL – Once again I have to ask, why do you think the Dem Party has such horrible polling if Dem voters are content with their leadership doing all they can do?
AdLib26 minutes ago
CL – I never said anything about anyone being shut up, TW mentioned that, not me. I said real leaders don’t just work on process and ignore the party’s voters, they go out and connect with them. They rally them. Schumer and Jeffries are not doing that. They are insulated from the Dem voters and Dems are upset about it.
AdLib25 minutes ago
The leadership isn’t holding town halls in red district because they’re freaking busy! But they aren’t stopping any of the people who ARE doing that and brilliantly. They are actually connecting w Red voters. Bernie is carefully going to places near his strongholds getting HIS cult for him and AOC and FUND RAISING ON THESE TOURS. FUND RAISING FOR HIMSELF!! But Swalwell, Murphy, and many, many others are out there doing the work in Red districts where the GOP won’t show up.
choicelady
24 minutes ago
Schumer and Jeffries don’t have the TIME, and the ONE time Jeffries did in Chicago to bring his book on “what is democracy” for kids to an inner city book store for community organizers, he was TRASHED for it.
choicelady
23 minutes ago
Schumer and Jeffries have tons of work to do, plans to make. Just because THEY aren’t out there means nothing since everyone else IS.
choicelady
22 minutes ago
Explain this: RCP Average 3/6 – 6/10 — 37.0 58.6 Spread -21.6. This is unprecedented at a time when the president and his party are in power and in negatives with the American people. Normally, the party out of power has good numbers but this is all messed up. The only thing that accounts for these numbers is Dem voter dissatisfaction with their party and leadership.
AdLib22 minutes ago
I take no interest in polls given how wrong they were. I look at VOTES. We do not pay enough attention to that – we don’t ask the winners of state and local races, “What did you say? What did you do?” We need to learn from them. NOT polling outfits that like media, want a horserace. So all the trashing of Dems by other quasi Dems is all media reports. But it isn’t stopping voters from voting locally for Dems.
choicelady
19 minutes ago
Jeffries was self-promoting his own book at a moment when Trump and Repubs were making major moves to harm the country. Is Jeffries only able to go out in the public when he has his own book to promote? Very discouraged about him.
AdLib19 minutes ago
He was ASKED by the Chicago group to BRING THAT BOOK and talk about it with the group. Coming to a Black community bookstore for a Black community even they asked for is being dismissed as self promotion and is being dismissed as invalid. AND upon that racism, we will DIE.
choicelady
18 minutes ago
CL yes there are those in the Dem party speaking up, and I do believe the younger Dems have been told to mind their manners, for me growing up that was sit down and shut up and know your place because grown ups are talking. And for the most part the young ones seem to comply, but when they see injustice the certainly do stand tall and call it out. I also understand the strategy that Dems employ to not be like Repugs, and for the most part it has worked, but things have changed in this political structure we are immersed in. And I just feel some of the senior leaders in the Dem party have adapted to it in a way that is effective.
twilson117
17 minutes ago
Bernie can fund raise but Jeffies can’t go to a community meeting upon request with the book HE wrote that they wanted?
choicelady
17 minutes ago
WHO beside David Hogg is being told to sit down and shut up? I don’t see it.
choicelady
16 minutes ago
CL – I don’t think it’s unreasonable for Dem voters, who are desperate to feel like they have something to hold onto as every institution in this country is being corrupted and destroyed, would want its party’s leadership to connect with them and give some reassurance. You are such a pro as an organizer, don’t you think the Dem Party should be organizing at least a little as groups like the No Kings/Indivisible folks are?
AdLib15 minutes ago
Please, seriously, WHO is being shut up?
choicelady
15 minutes ago
CL – One would think that anyone in politicial leadership is mindful of optics and Jeffries having no clue that making his book part of his only appearance outside of DC doesn’t protray him as so politically sharp.
AdLib14 minutes ago
But when they do it, everyone trashes them for it. Do you not see the plan here? It’s obvious on BlueSky – a cadre of DSA types who demand things from leaders then trash them for what they do. Every Black woman on BlueSky has told us this is happening, and they are right.
choicelady
14 minutes ago
CL – Bernie is an ass for exploiting this moment in America to fundraise. That shows what a selfish jerk he is. I am dissatisfied with both him and Jeffries. At least put up an appearance of doing something solely to support the community with no personal stake in an appearance. How hard is that? Apparently, very hard for Dem pols.
AdLib12 minutes ago
Were not members of the ‘squad’ essentially told that on various occasions by Pelosi? She may not have used the words ‘shut up’ but from past articles I read that is what I got from it, It’s akin to getting ‘the look’ from your parents and the hurmp from your grand mother.
twilson117
11 minutes ago
HE WAS INVITED TO BRING THE BOOK BY COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS. The two faced position here is that it’s OK for BERNIE to actually FUND RAISE in what are supposed to be town halls, and he can’t meet community requests if it means selling his book in a Black owned bookstore? SERIOUSLY? Does that not feel a little racist here? Double standard? No other Rep or Senator is raising campaign funds at town halls, and no others have been invited to speak to community groups and to bring their book on democracy for the community kids. And yet – WHO is getting criticized? Mmm.
choicelady
11 minutes ago
I have no idea if the Squad was or not, but given how insufferably rude they have been over the years, I have no sympathy.
choicelady
10 minutes ago
And if it happened, it hasn’t been recent, and nobody is muzzled. NOBODY.
choicelady
9 minutes ago
CL – Generalizing everyone who is dissatisfied with the party and leadership as fringe is untrue and unproductive. I can’t stand the purist ultra leftists either and yet I too am dissatisfied with the Dem Party and leadership. Schumer admitted that while he had 3 months to work on a strategy before Trump was inaugurated, he didn’t do so! Lousy leadership whether a political party or a business leader, you always strategize for upcoming situations.
AdLib9 minutes ago
I will not argue that they have been rude, but so have their counterparts on the other side.
twilson117
8 minutes ago
That isn’t quite what he said. He like EVERYONE else had no clue this would happen so fast. He had three months to work on a strategy that didn’t work. It doesn’t fit the crisis. It’s like preparing for a hurricane but getting a tidal wave.
choicelady
8 minutes ago
Both of you – all that may have happened, but it is not NOW. And being “looked at” is hardly a fatal thing. I will say to you that you cannot claim the party has no legs when it is winning in race after race. I would posit that every single person who thinks they know what to do? Don’t. FIND OUT what is working so well locally. We can make NO judements until that analysis is done.
choicelady
6 minutes ago
In fact, business leaders have been strategizing constantly as Trump has made all his crazy tariff and financial moves. Many CEOs imported goods swiftly in larger volume once the tariffs were announced, strategizing how to help their companies deal best with the changing economic impacts. Imagine if a CEO simply didn’t strategize, knowing what was coming in 3 months, weakened his company due to that, then expected full support from his BoD despite his lack of planning and harming his company.
AdLib6 minutes ago
That is exactly the opposite of what is happening w Trump. Businesses are in CHAOS because yes, they made plans, bought inventory before January, and got SCREWED. Then bough high tariff stuff only to have them removed in a week. There is nothing businesses can do. Tariffs July 9? Well, maybe. Maybe not. NOBODY can keep up with this. And it’s JUST as bad in Congress. We expect Dems, the MINORITY party, to be magic. To be soothsayers. And they are floundering just like US business. THAT IS TRUMP’S PLAN.
choicelady
2 minutes ago
CL – Dems are winning local races because of their local party and local candidates. Dem leadership in DC has little to do with these wins. And that is not a good argument to keep in leadership that is not supported by the voters in the party. Let’s say that Schumer and Jeffries are doing everything right, they couldn’t do anything more than they are. But if Dem voters dislike them and their leadership anyway, shouldn’t the makority get a different leadership that they would support? Isn’t that democracy? But it is Dem congresspeople who choose the leaders, not voters and if the voters are unhappy but Dems in Congress feel a loyalty to the current leadership despite it alienating their party’s members, isn’t that a mistake?
AdLiba minute ago
OK – we have torn apart the whole magilla – and my cats are demanding food. So I’m bowing to my overlords. They rule. So good night. This discussion will keep on keepin’ on. Love to you both.
choicelady
a minute ago
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