It was a long and difficult year as President Donald Trump and his administration sought to push America into authoritarianism. But, they are losing — and we can get through this.
One is guardedly hopeful. Especially when there is no leadership after Trump … worse than no leadership under Trump. No matter what the Project 2025 Boyz want, without a figurehead it may very well sputter back into the unacceptable racism and bigotry it always was.
And a New Year's thank you for keeping us informed, and the expectation that this will continue. Your Substack is one of my Must Read pieces, even if I have to go back and find the ones where my busy day kept me from reading when fresh.
Thank you for describing the positives. They exist, and we need to recognize them not just to elevate our moods but to know what to keep focusing on and doing!!
Do you believe that ICE, CBP, and other goon-squad hoodlums will be noting with care Kavanaugh's appended "update" to his original "Kavanaugh stop"? If so, it could only come top-down, Miller > Noem >
Homan > Bovino, or the like, and frankly I don't see any immediate change from that lot on offer, nor any of the other Justices signaling some corrective action needed to prevent wholesale abuse of the 4th Amendment, as we see daily posted on social media.
Yes, Kavanaugh did include the operative word "interior" re: immigration enforcement and standards to employ, but ICE/CPB have extended the "100 miles from an international border" to country-wide thuggery, and when will that be reined in, if ever?
Well said. In the same spirit, as Americans celebrate 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, it's well worth taking the time to read about the words and deeds that helped secure our independence from tyranny and oppression. The words, deeds, diligence and perseverance of the people 250 years ago are relevant to today's battles to secure our independence from tyranny and oppression.
David McCullough, in his concise Pulitzer-prize-winning "1776," emphasized and illustrated how and why those people prevailed in their war. He ended "1776" with the following:
"Washington never forgot what was at stake and he never gave up. Again and again, in letters to Congress and to his officers, and in general orders, he called for perseverance--for 'perseverance and spirit,' for 'patience and perseverance,' for 'unremitting courage and perseverance.' "
Washington emphasized that "A people unused to restraint must be led, they will not be drove."
America's second most valuable general, Nathaniel Greene "foresaw as the war went on" that Washington "will be the deliverer of his own country."
"The year 1776, celebrated as the birth year of the nation and for [our] Declaration of Independence, was for those who carried the fight for independence forward a year of all-too-few victories, of sustained suffering, disease, hunger, desertion, cowardice, disillusionment, defeat, terrible discouragement, and fear, as they would never forget, but also of phenomenal courage and bedrock devotion to country, and that, too, they would never forget.
Especially for those who had been with Washington and who knew what a close call it was at the beginning--how often circumstance, storms, contrary winds, the oddities or strengths of individual character had made the difference--the outcome seemed little short of a miracle."
Thanks so much for your work. It has been an important part of my process for understanding the events of the last year, and for navigating the most hostile information landscape of my life. Yours is the among the most critical sources of information I have!
See my pinned post here https://x.com/blazintommyd - this is what the USA needs and what the USA doesn't have.
You realize of course that the Nazi fascist advocates * of the various Trumpster actions are going to use whatever 'defences' any opposition might impose **
IMHO the so called opposition - the Democratic Party, will use that , to go "Conservative" the kindler and gentler fascism variety.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* If they were right wing they would honor private property.
** if there actually is any opposition other than diverse individuals - most of whom can't afford to lease a lawyer and increasingly demanded are the "ornamental" type, as well.
Thank you for all your great work Chris. A sober and thoughtful post that reminds us why we must remain hopeful and never let fear and complacency rule the day. Here's to you and yours this new year.
I really needed this post today. Thank you, and wishing you a happy New Year.
One is guardedly hopeful. Especially when there is no leadership after Trump … worse than no leadership under Trump. No matter what the Project 2025 Boyz want, without a figurehead it may very well sputter back into the unacceptable racism and bigotry it always was.
And a New Year's thank you for keeping us informed, and the expectation that this will continue. Your Substack is one of my Must Read pieces, even if I have to go back and find the ones where my busy day kept me from reading when fresh.
Well said, Chris. Happy New Year.
Thank you, Chris, for keeping us focused. The work you do is in valuable to understanding our chaotic world.
Thank you for describing the positives. They exist, and we need to recognize them not just to elevate our moods but to know what to keep focusing on and doing!!
I feel like I want to say bless you, Chris. There are some positive signs and trends. We all have to just keep on in whatever ways we can.
Do you believe that ICE, CBP, and other goon-squad hoodlums will be noting with care Kavanaugh's appended "update" to his original "Kavanaugh stop"? If so, it could only come top-down, Miller > Noem >
Homan > Bovino, or the like, and frankly I don't see any immediate change from that lot on offer, nor any of the other Justices signaling some corrective action needed to prevent wholesale abuse of the 4th Amendment, as we see daily posted on social media.
Yes, Kavanaugh did include the operative word "interior" re: immigration enforcement and standards to employ, but ICE/CPB have extended the "100 miles from an international border" to country-wide thuggery, and when will that be reined in, if ever?
Thank you for this
needed post, Chris. An
excellent way to close
out this year and
prepare for the next.
Happy New Year Chris
to you, your family and 8
friends.
Happy New Year all you
other Law Dorks.
Well said. In the same spirit, as Americans celebrate 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, it's well worth taking the time to read about the words and deeds that helped secure our independence from tyranny and oppression. The words, deeds, diligence and perseverance of the people 250 years ago are relevant to today's battles to secure our independence from tyranny and oppression.
David McCullough, in his concise Pulitzer-prize-winning "1776," emphasized and illustrated how and why those people prevailed in their war. He ended "1776" with the following:
"Washington never forgot what was at stake and he never gave up. Again and again, in letters to Congress and to his officers, and in general orders, he called for perseverance--for 'perseverance and spirit,' for 'patience and perseverance,' for 'unremitting courage and perseverance.' "
Washington emphasized that "A people unused to restraint must be led, they will not be drove."
America's second most valuable general, Nathaniel Greene "foresaw as the war went on" that Washington "will be the deliverer of his own country."
"The year 1776, celebrated as the birth year of the nation and for [our] Declaration of Independence, was for those who carried the fight for independence forward a year of all-too-few victories, of sustained suffering, disease, hunger, desertion, cowardice, disillusionment, defeat, terrible discouragement, and fear, as they would never forget, but also of phenomenal courage and bedrock devotion to country, and that, too, they would never forget.
Especially for those who had been with Washington and who knew what a close call it was at the beginning--how often circumstance, storms, contrary winds, the oddities or strengths of individual character had made the difference--the outcome seemed little short of a miracle."
Thanks so much for your work. It has been an important part of my process for understanding the events of the last year, and for navigating the most hostile information landscape of my life. Yours is the among the most critical sources of information I have!
See my pinned post here https://x.com/blazintommyd - this is what the USA needs and what the USA doesn't have.
You realize of course that the Nazi fascist advocates * of the various Trumpster actions are going to use whatever 'defences' any opposition might impose **
IMHO the so called opposition - the Democratic Party, will use that , to go "Conservative" the kindler and gentler fascism variety.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* If they were right wing they would honor private property.
** if there actually is any opposition other than diverse individuals - most of whom can't afford to lease a lawyer and increasingly demanded are the "ornamental" type, as well.
Happy New Year to All ! I hope 2026 brings Trump down a notch or two... or out the door !!!
nice posting. People matter!
Thank you for all your great work Chris. A sober and thoughtful post that reminds us why we must remain hopeful and never let fear and complacency rule the day. Here's to you and yours this new year.
I believe we have enough positives to be encouraged.