Every Saturday folks appear at the Haywood county courthouse in Waynesville- deep southern Appalachia-- 120-150 turn out and the reception from passing cars is overhwelmingly positive! We had 700+ on April 5 and expect at least that many June14..So the resiistance is growing- don't mourn- organize!
This news from Haywood County is worth noting. The NC media need to report on this. If it is as described, it may auger a real political shift in an important swing state.
Thanks for this report, Steve. I have been a regular at the Friday Tesla protests in Raleigh. The turnouts for the protest have been fairly consistent but the responses from passing motorists in the form of honks and thumbs up have grown each week. The middle fingers from the MAGAheads have remained about the same. Those people are unbelievable.
The Friday protests will continue on Glenwood Avenue but not immediately in front of the Tesla dealership. Some of the other merchants have complained that they have lost their customary Friday traffic. The organizers are respecting that and are moving the location slightly. Consider joining the Glenwood Avenue protest on Friday afternoons from 4-6. You can sign up at this link. You will be notified of the new location. https://www.mobilize.us/durhamcountydemocrats/event/766727/?referring_vol=10166672&share_context=dashboard-event-details&sharer_role=2
I AM outraged ! I call my two worthless senators practically every day and will go to Tillis office in an hour to protest his cowardly retreat into MAGA world. I’m not giving Murphy any money but I will support Democratic candidates in NC I know many who are just as furious. And I know some really stupid trumpers. The outrage is here
Annie, I was at the Tillis protest on Friday. I did not realize that there was another one today. I would have been there. Will there be regular protests at the Federal Bldg (named after Terry Sanford!) on New Bern? I hope so. We should hold Tillis's feet to the fire. I find Tillis more maddening than useless Ted Budd whose staff cannot be bothered to respond to the messages on his feedback form. One wonders if they even keep track of the phone calls.
Thomas, most people are just going about their daily business until Trump’s policies hit them where it hurts: their pocketbooks and wallets. Then they will care
The outrage is building. Only in so far as the damage being done starts to affect people individually and personally. Anger is building. There will be huge demonstrations June 14th. I fear it will not be enough to change anything meaningfully. MAGA and Project 2025 (Russell Vought) have implemented bulldozers and ramrods against our Democracy. I fear we will need to literally lay down our bodies in front of the annihilation. In which case we will have lost most of which we most cherish. The Constitution.
You have to understand that we all grew up in a country that let us live peacefully and that followed the rules. Midst of us have never dealt with a situation like this before, and I’m guessing that most of us think this is going to right itself. It isn’t, but that means expecting our thinking to do a 180.
The people who are not paying any attention because their input comes from a pulpit or Fox will not budge until they feel the consequences up close and personal.
Amen, too. I want to grab Trump supporters and the disengaged or apathetic others by the shoulders and shake them into this horrible reality. But then I am perceived as the ranting relative with TDS. The low information voters who decide elections are busy with their lives. They will turn against Trump if and when they feel economic pain from what they perceive are his policy decisions. https://open.substack.com/pub/jimbuie/p/why-trump-won-in-2024-some-insights?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=7j6hq
Every day is like living in a nightmare from which I can't wake up. But I don't think you've got the pulse of all Americans. I, for example, have been calling and writing different congress people as well as Tillis and Budd and Foushee. I call other states' congress people before office hours so I can just leave messages. Lots of us are showing up for rallies and there's a big one on June 14 in little ole Pittsboro and across the nation. I have contacted news agencies. I have urged Democrats to run ads on TV like T-rump is doing, and ridiculous Hudson. I am horrified by CBS & 60 minutes getting squashed in a frivolous lawsuit because the owner of Paramount wants to sell it. Free speech down the tubes. Yes, lots of Americans are watching sports and tuning out, but not all of us. Chris Murphy was inspiring when he spoke in Saxapahaw to a packed and sweaty crowd--we are all here at a time when a self governing democracy of 250 years is under attack and we can try to save it. It's mind blowing the damage already done, and I know some of the Republicans in congress I've contacted are as indifferent as that woman who said we all gotta die some time when people at her town hall said people will die with the cuts to medicaid--and already are with USAID cut off--but I'm doing what I can even if the media isn't screaming enough about Vought taking the illegal mining of our data from Musk and DOGE, Project 2025 in full force and Republican controlled Congress not doing its job letting TACO president grab power they have a constitutional duty to handle!
And the environmental damage of this administration is atrocious. Gutting the Clean Air and Water Acts, among many injustices will hurt Americans every where. Cutting subsidies for sustainable energy, which is now cheaper and much better for America than fossil fuels, while keeping subsidies for oil and gas is backwards. Nuclear is the most subsidized of all, and nuclear waste is dangerous. I could go on...
Recently, I spoke to a few people who no idea what is happening. Not a clue. It was shocking. Their reaction was 'Really? That's not good.'. So not only are we dealing with the cultists, there's a whole other group who are oblivious.
You should have recognized this country in 2016, when 62.9 million people, including the huge majority of white people, voted for Trump, and if you still somehow had any doubts, they should have disappeared when 14.4 million MORE people voted for him in 2024, including even more white people. White people will not tolerate the idea of losing control of this country, and high-minded talk and ideas about the Constitution and equal rights and freedom are just things white people are willing to sacrifice to keep that control, because they think none of the abuses and cruelty we're seeing will be directed at them. We'll see if they're right, but so far they are, and as long as it's brown, poor people who aren't "real" Americans suffering from afar, white people may do a little hand-wringing, but they'll take it.
This country has been sedated for generations by the ever-growing accumulation of stuff and distractions. We have food to eat and screens to look at it. As long as we have those, there's no reason to really get worked up. Most of my family on both sides supported Trump the first time, and if anything, are even more supportive of him now. They have not wavered at all in that support. One side is rich, educated, and filled with self-described conservatives who fancy themselves intellectuals, and the other is poor, uneducated, and shamelessly MAGA. The value system they share is that there is nothing more important than making sure people don't get anything they don't think they deserve, and they'd rather people who do deserve go without if that assures it doesn't happen. The other commonality is a deep, deep loathing of democrats, progressives, liberals, or whatever you want to call them, to the point they are not considered human or worthy of having ANY power at any level. And, again, they're perfectly willing to suspend a few things here and there to make sure they're defeated.
I am outraged. But I am also resigned. I don't feel there's anything at all I can do. My representatives are Republicans, and I can call them until the cows come home. It will do nothing. I can march. It has done nothing. The party that should be the instrument of power strong enough to fight is feckless, disorganized, soft, and devoid of leadership that is seemingly barely more concerned about what's happening than the MAGAs themselves. Powerful law firms, corporations, and universities are surrendering meekly.
When Trump won this time, I felt none of the rage I felt in 2016. I just felt disgust and concluded this is a trash country that gets what it deserves, and nothing will change until there is massive, real suffering.
I agree with your thoughts regarding Dem leadership. You and I have been doing a lot of the same activities. Its kinda depressing.
I have decided, after a lot of thinking, to focus more narrowly. My latest activity is working with liberal judges campaigns. I figure our biggest problem is gerrymandering. I am hearing getting a majority liberal justices on NCSC is how to stop gerrymandering. Thats my focus.
I work at a major Home Improvement retailer down in Wilmington. Several days ago, I had an instance of seeing three Trump people on the same day. First, was when a man (probably 60ish) came in wearing a shirt that showed trump with his fist in the air after that assassination 'setup' (I feel that is what it was). The second, was a man wearing a MAGA hat. He passed a guy in a wheelchair. The guy in the wheelchair said 'Trump? Yeah buddy'! Both of those guys looked like they were into their 60s, as well. I agree that these people are like moths headed to a flame. I also share the opinion that they simply hate liberals so much that they are willing to cause themselves severe anguish if it means bringing pain and anguish on those who they don't like. It's a sad state of affairs that MAGA Americans are willing to destroy America for their hatred and bigotry.
Another excellent commentary Thomas and it completely says what do many of us feel every day. I don't know what is worse, the reasons for my outrage at Trump or his followers.
It has been about the independent voters for a long time (since we don't have a presidential election in which every vote counts equally because of the electoral college). Every Democrat I know is furious and appalled. Many of them are acting positively, e.g., writing/calling their representatives, attending town halls and protests at every opportunity. One of the little things I do is refer to the reconciliation bill as the GROSSLY UGLY BILL in all my communications. I think the next move needs to be the media calling out trump: he is using the same tactics against the populace that FASCISTS AND DICTATORS use to gain power. He wants power, which comes from money. It's all about the money to get him to the place he wants and he is making no bones about it. Tell it like it is!
I share your frustration, each day just blows my mind with the abuse of power. Of course the route to any relief in the short term lies with GOP congress, which is a waste of hope, it seems. I am convinced that as long as there is a Fox News America is in deep, deep trouble. Most of die-hard MAGA will only react to increases in cost of living, when granny's insulin goes sky high or unemployed red state free-loaders lose their Medicaid.
Benjamin Franklin famously said, "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."Thanks Mills for this pointing out.
A thriving democracy depends on engaged citizens. Politics should not be dismissed as spectacle but approached with vigilance, holding leaders accountable and demanding better governance. The pressing question is whether people will act before irreversible damage is done.
Cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, unchecked profiteering, and the exploitation of government assets for personal gain underscore the urgency. Taxpayer money is at stake, and now is the time to raise voices and demand accountability.
Every Saturday folks appear at the Haywood county courthouse in Waynesville- deep southern Appalachia-- 120-150 turn out and the reception from passing cars is overhwelmingly positive! We had 700+ on April 5 and expect at least that many June14..So the resiistance is growing- don't mourn- organize!
This news from Haywood County is worth noting. The NC media need to report on this. If it is as described, it may auger a real political shift in an important swing state.
Thanks for this report, Steve. I have been a regular at the Friday Tesla protests in Raleigh. The turnouts for the protest have been fairly consistent but the responses from passing motorists in the form of honks and thumbs up have grown each week. The middle fingers from the MAGAheads have remained about the same. Those people are unbelievable.
The Friday protests will continue on Glenwood Avenue but not immediately in front of the Tesla dealership. Some of the other merchants have complained that they have lost their customary Friday traffic. The organizers are respecting that and are moving the location slightly. Consider joining the Glenwood Avenue protest on Friday afternoons from 4-6. You can sign up at this link. You will be notified of the new location. https://www.mobilize.us/durhamcountydemocrats/event/766727/?referring_vol=10166672&share_context=dashboard-event-details&sharer_role=2
Good job folks
Amen. Thanks for articulating how I feel.
I AM outraged ! I call my two worthless senators practically every day and will go to Tillis office in an hour to protest his cowardly retreat into MAGA world. I’m not giving Murphy any money but I will support Democratic candidates in NC I know many who are just as furious. And I know some really stupid trumpers. The outrage is here
Annie, I was at the Tillis protest on Friday. I did not realize that there was another one today. I would have been there. Will there be regular protests at the Federal Bldg (named after Terry Sanford!) on New Bern? I hope so. We should hold Tillis's feet to the fire. I find Tillis more maddening than useless Ted Budd whose staff cannot be bothered to respond to the messages on his feedback form. One wonders if they even keep track of the phone calls.
Thomas, most people are just going about their daily business until Trump’s policies hit them where it hurts: their pocketbooks and wallets. Then they will care
The outrage is building. Only in so far as the damage being done starts to affect people individually and personally. Anger is building. There will be huge demonstrations June 14th. I fear it will not be enough to change anything meaningfully. MAGA and Project 2025 (Russell Vought) have implemented bulldozers and ramrods against our Democracy. I fear we will need to literally lay down our bodies in front of the annihilation. In which case we will have lost most of which we most cherish. The Constitution.
You have to understand that we all grew up in a country that let us live peacefully and that followed the rules. Midst of us have never dealt with a situation like this before, and I’m guessing that most of us think this is going to right itself. It isn’t, but that means expecting our thinking to do a 180.
There is a reason why we are regarded as stupid & lazy Americans by other countries. This is truly the epitome of it.
The people who are not paying any attention because their input comes from a pulpit or Fox will not budge until they feel the consequences up close and personal.
Amen, too. I want to grab Trump supporters and the disengaged or apathetic others by the shoulders and shake them into this horrible reality. But then I am perceived as the ranting relative with TDS. The low information voters who decide elections are busy with their lives. They will turn against Trump if and when they feel economic pain from what they perceive are his policy decisions. https://open.substack.com/pub/jimbuie/p/why-trump-won-in-2024-some-insights?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=7j6hq
Every day is like living in a nightmare from which I can't wake up. But I don't think you've got the pulse of all Americans. I, for example, have been calling and writing different congress people as well as Tillis and Budd and Foushee. I call other states' congress people before office hours so I can just leave messages. Lots of us are showing up for rallies and there's a big one on June 14 in little ole Pittsboro and across the nation. I have contacted news agencies. I have urged Democrats to run ads on TV like T-rump is doing, and ridiculous Hudson. I am horrified by CBS & 60 minutes getting squashed in a frivolous lawsuit because the owner of Paramount wants to sell it. Free speech down the tubes. Yes, lots of Americans are watching sports and tuning out, but not all of us. Chris Murphy was inspiring when he spoke in Saxapahaw to a packed and sweaty crowd--we are all here at a time when a self governing democracy of 250 years is under attack and we can try to save it. It's mind blowing the damage already done, and I know some of the Republicans in congress I've contacted are as indifferent as that woman who said we all gotta die some time when people at her town hall said people will die with the cuts to medicaid--and already are with USAID cut off--but I'm doing what I can even if the media isn't screaming enough about Vought taking the illegal mining of our data from Musk and DOGE, Project 2025 in full force and Republican controlled Congress not doing its job letting TACO president grab power they have a constitutional duty to handle!
Good job Joy!
And the environmental damage of this administration is atrocious. Gutting the Clean Air and Water Acts, among many injustices will hurt Americans every where. Cutting subsidies for sustainable energy, which is now cheaper and much better for America than fossil fuels, while keeping subsidies for oil and gas is backwards. Nuclear is the most subsidized of all, and nuclear waste is dangerous. I could go on...
Recently, I spoke to a few people who no idea what is happening. Not a clue. It was shocking. Their reaction was 'Really? That's not good.'. So not only are we dealing with the cultists, there's a whole other group who are oblivious.
Yes. I have had the same response from some. Totally cluless.
Kind of amazing really.
You should have recognized this country in 2016, when 62.9 million people, including the huge majority of white people, voted for Trump, and if you still somehow had any doubts, they should have disappeared when 14.4 million MORE people voted for him in 2024, including even more white people. White people will not tolerate the idea of losing control of this country, and high-minded talk and ideas about the Constitution and equal rights and freedom are just things white people are willing to sacrifice to keep that control, because they think none of the abuses and cruelty we're seeing will be directed at them. We'll see if they're right, but so far they are, and as long as it's brown, poor people who aren't "real" Americans suffering from afar, white people may do a little hand-wringing, but they'll take it.
This country has been sedated for generations by the ever-growing accumulation of stuff and distractions. We have food to eat and screens to look at it. As long as we have those, there's no reason to really get worked up. Most of my family on both sides supported Trump the first time, and if anything, are even more supportive of him now. They have not wavered at all in that support. One side is rich, educated, and filled with self-described conservatives who fancy themselves intellectuals, and the other is poor, uneducated, and shamelessly MAGA. The value system they share is that there is nothing more important than making sure people don't get anything they don't think they deserve, and they'd rather people who do deserve go without if that assures it doesn't happen. The other commonality is a deep, deep loathing of democrats, progressives, liberals, or whatever you want to call them, to the point they are not considered human or worthy of having ANY power at any level. And, again, they're perfectly willing to suspend a few things here and there to make sure they're defeated.
I am outraged. But I am also resigned. I don't feel there's anything at all I can do. My representatives are Republicans, and I can call them until the cows come home. It will do nothing. I can march. It has done nothing. The party that should be the instrument of power strong enough to fight is feckless, disorganized, soft, and devoid of leadership that is seemingly barely more concerned about what's happening than the MAGAs themselves. Powerful law firms, corporations, and universities are surrendering meekly.
When Trump won this time, I felt none of the rage I felt in 2016. I just felt disgust and concluded this is a trash country that gets what it deserves, and nothing will change until there is massive, real suffering.
I agree with your thoughts regarding Dem leadership. You and I have been doing a lot of the same activities. Its kinda depressing.
I have decided, after a lot of thinking, to focus more narrowly. My latest activity is working with liberal judges campaigns. I figure our biggest problem is gerrymandering. I am hearing getting a majority liberal justices on NCSC is how to stop gerrymandering. Thats my focus.
Don’t give up!
I work at a major Home Improvement retailer down in Wilmington. Several days ago, I had an instance of seeing three Trump people on the same day. First, was when a man (probably 60ish) came in wearing a shirt that showed trump with his fist in the air after that assassination 'setup' (I feel that is what it was). The second, was a man wearing a MAGA hat. He passed a guy in a wheelchair. The guy in the wheelchair said 'Trump? Yeah buddy'! Both of those guys looked like they were into their 60s, as well. I agree that these people are like moths headed to a flame. I also share the opinion that they simply hate liberals so much that they are willing to cause themselves severe anguish if it means bringing pain and anguish on those who they don't like. It's a sad state of affairs that MAGA Americans are willing to destroy America for their hatred and bigotry.
Another excellent commentary Thomas and it completely says what do many of us feel every day. I don't know what is worse, the reasons for my outrage at Trump or his followers.
It has been about the independent voters for a long time (since we don't have a presidential election in which every vote counts equally because of the electoral college). Every Democrat I know is furious and appalled. Many of them are acting positively, e.g., writing/calling their representatives, attending town halls and protests at every opportunity. One of the little things I do is refer to the reconciliation bill as the GROSSLY UGLY BILL in all my communications. I think the next move needs to be the media calling out trump: he is using the same tactics against the populace that FASCISTS AND DICTATORS use to gain power. He wants power, which comes from money. It's all about the money to get him to the place he wants and he is making no bones about it. Tell it like it is!
I share your frustration, each day just blows my mind with the abuse of power. Of course the route to any relief in the short term lies with GOP congress, which is a waste of hope, it seems. I am convinced that as long as there is a Fox News America is in deep, deep trouble. Most of die-hard MAGA will only react to increases in cost of living, when granny's insulin goes sky high or unemployed red state free-loaders lose their Medicaid.
Benjamin Franklin famously said, "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."Thanks Mills for this pointing out.
A thriving democracy depends on engaged citizens. Politics should not be dismissed as spectacle but approached with vigilance, holding leaders accountable and demanding better governance. The pressing question is whether people will act before irreversible damage is done.
Cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, unchecked profiteering, and the exploitation of government assets for personal gain underscore the urgency. Taxpayer money is at stake, and now is the time to raise voices and demand accountability.