The cinematic term "bookends" seems more than adequately displayed, one decade into Trump's production of "America In Love With Hate".
Or maybe he's just going with what worked so well on the Golden Escalator at this point when he's so very desperate for a "win", and all else is incidental...to him.
I think I can safely say that none of this is incidental to us.
Lori can you help us understand what we all know is that Trump isn’t really behind the thought process of all that is happening. He can’t even read the morning reports.
How can we stand against men in the background who are running everything? And have the money and power to do as they please to Americans?
You're absolutely right to saythat Trump isn’t the architect here, Ruth Ann — he’s just the figurehead, the amplifier.
We don't need to match the billionaires behind him dollar for dollar or power for power. But we do need to match them in their coherence and clarity. We need to refuse to be divided, refuse to be baited into despair or spectacle, and choose instead to act with strategy and care.
They operate best when we are confused and overwhelmed. So staying grounded, informed, and connected to each other matters so much. It may feel small, but it’s the exact opposite of what they want. Because clarity spreads, as does courage, and once people start seeing the game, they will stop playing it on the regime’s terms.
Yes, this system has been built in the background over time, but we’re not behind anymore. We’re awake to it now — and that can change everything.
No, not everything. We are still polarized, and we will remain polarized as long as half of the white population continues to rely on Fox News and social media for information. They are the ones afraid (of losing their socio-economic standing), and have surrendered political power in their hope that Trump will protect them. What Trump is counting on now is for us to react in anger, thereby increasing the fears of his supporters and legitimizing his assault on constitutional due process. We must be proactive, but as you rightly point out, also very cautious.
Without trying to "speak for" Lori, I think her point is that our being awake, aware, prepared, and level headed *will* change everything. And *that*, in turn, changes everything. A matter of believing it prior to seeing it rather than the usual, clichéd, "I'll believe it when I see it."
My thoughts is that EVERYONE at a protest sit down, and be quiet. Hold up your signs proudly. But don’t block any sidewalks, driveways, parking or roads. Don’t yell at passerby’s. Especially don’t use profanity. No confrontations with ANYONE. If we stay 100% legal and peaceful, any agitators will be easy to pick out. Let them get arrested, then follow up and prove they were there to instigate for the other side.
That’s a good and necessary question, Bevereley, and the honest answer is: it depends. On your health, your responsibilities, your town and state. On how high the risks are where you are, and how visible you’re willing — or able — to be.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer anymore. Not in this climate. Some people will show up in person. Some will support from the sidelines. Some will sit this one out because the risks are too high — and to be clear, that doesn’t make their commitment any less real.
As for your suggested approach, it’s a thoughtful one — calm, clear, and hard to be misrepresented. But the real challenge is going to be getting everyone on the same page. That kind of coordination usually has to come from the organisers themselves, and even then, there’s no guarantee.
Still, it's great you’re thinking strategically — it’s exactly what this moment needs.
I think this is what a lot of us need to hear. Because it did make my heart race and adrenaline pump when I heard the initial news. Remaining grounded and present, not acting on impulse is what we need to do. Staying connected and staying the course. If we all go crazy, end up in some unknown or local detention center.....or worse....we can't do what we need to do. And If we pull away from fear, you're absolutely right, we can't do what we know we need to do.
Yes — exactly this, Beth. That adrenaline spike is completely human. It’s what our nervous systems are built to do when things feel dangerous and uncertain. But what you’ve said here is the key: we can’t afford to act from that place alone.
Staying present doesn’t mean pretending it’s not serious. It means knowing what’s at stake and choosing to meet it with care, not getting swept up in the chaos. Because you’re right — if we burn out, get swept up, or pulled off track by fear, we can’t keep doing what actually matters.
We need each other steady, clear, and still moving. That’s how we'll make it through this.
Self regulate ,if we can…learn how if we can't. Some folks,who like myself have mental health issues that make that difficult. Everyone should do this, but especially those who struggle with mental health (like myself), all of this might effect us a little more intensely.
Self care is super super important. I know I have to do whatever I can to remove myself from all of this and all my responsibilities, regularly to do something that brings me peace. Even if only for 5 min a day. Doom scrolling doesn't count 🫣🤣
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
I'm not very techy Linda, but it's my understanding that you can change any time. You go into Settings on your account, click on "Your Time Starts Now" under your Subscriptions, and that will take you to my subscription page. There you'll see the plan you're on, click "change" and then choose to pay annually.
I don't know what happens next because I've never done it myself, but I assume that Substack just changes you to annual at the end of your current billing cycle.
Let me know how you get on. If you've any issues, I'll do what I can to sort them out with Substack for you.
In a very collegial and appreciative way, I believe you are “over-worried” about the Constitutional Convention set of issues and “under-worried” about this military deployment. This is the hostile insertion of an occupying military force into a jurisdiction whose elected officials don’t want them there. It’s bad. (See David Frum’s Atlantic article today to the effect that this is a dress rehearsal for suspending the midterms.)
That said, your framework for how protest becomes criminalized was really spot on in front-running this.
“Whenever the President considers it necessary to use the militia or the armed forces under this chapter, he shall, by proclamation, immediately order period the insurgents to disperse and retire peaceably to their abodes within a limited time.”
THIS MEANS;
The President MUST ISSUE a formal proclamation to disperse BEFORE DEPLOYING troops under
Title 10 §254.
Why is NO ONE reporting this.
This HAS NOT BEEN DONE!
This key fact is immensely important and MANDATORY. Without a proclamation, Trumps deployment of US troops is ILLEGAL.
I know, D.S., I understand your frustration — the formal proclamation came after the deployment.
"Why is NO ONE reporting this." For myself, I can only say that it's so challenging navigating what's in front of us, that I can only give the rearview a swift glance.
“Whenever the President considers it necessary to use the militia or the armed forces under this chapter, he shall, by proclamation, immediately order period the insurgents to disperse and retire peaceably to their abodes within a limited time.”
THIS MEANS;
The President MUST ISSUE a formal proclamation to disperse BEFORE DEPLOYING troops under
Title 10 §254.
Why is NO ONE reporting this.
This HAS NOT BEEN DONE!
This key fact is immensely important and MANDATORY. Without a proclamation, Trumps deployment of US troops is ILLEGAL.
Trump is not the one directing the show. There are many and it is chaos. He is however "the head of the snake" so to speak. Do with that what you will and know that the king is mad and without clothes and those who follow are the same.
Hi Lori, I was pleased to see you’d taken time out from your day off and were able to give everyone some clear headed advice.
Though I’m watching this unfold from Europe and am freaking out, I can only imagine what it feels like there. Your wise words will help keep folks focused, watching closely as this plays out in real time.
Thank you. This helped me regain my footing in what felt like a building sandstorm in my mind, where things where starting to swirl out of control.
Thank you again for what you do; your calm, steady words are reaching and helping many more than you know.
You're welcome Kemi. I’m really glad it helped you find you're footing, and grateful you’re here.
The cinematic term "bookends" seems more than adequately displayed, one decade into Trump's production of "America In Love With Hate".
Or maybe he's just going with what worked so well on the Golden Escalator at this point when he's so very desperate for a "win", and all else is incidental...to him.
I think I can safely say that none of this is incidental to us.
Thank you, Lori.
Yes… none of this is incidental to us. I really appreciate you naming that and I’m so glad you’re here, still tuned in, still thinking it through.
(And you're welcome. 🙏)
Lori can you help us understand what we all know is that Trump isn’t really behind the thought process of all that is happening. He can’t even read the morning reports.
How can we stand against men in the background who are running everything? And have the money and power to do as they please to Americans?
You're absolutely right to saythat Trump isn’t the architect here, Ruth Ann — he’s just the figurehead, the amplifier.
We don't need to match the billionaires behind him dollar for dollar or power for power. But we do need to match them in their coherence and clarity. We need to refuse to be divided, refuse to be baited into despair or spectacle, and choose instead to act with strategy and care.
They operate best when we are confused and overwhelmed. So staying grounded, informed, and connected to each other matters so much. It may feel small, but it’s the exact opposite of what they want. Because clarity spreads, as does courage, and once people start seeing the game, they will stop playing it on the regime’s terms.
Yes, this system has been built in the background over time, but we’re not behind anymore. We’re awake to it now — and that can change everything.
No, not everything. We are still polarized, and we will remain polarized as long as half of the white population continues to rely on Fox News and social media for information. They are the ones afraid (of losing their socio-economic standing), and have surrendered political power in their hope that Trump will protect them. What Trump is counting on now is for us to react in anger, thereby increasing the fears of his supporters and legitimizing his assault on constitutional due process. We must be proactive, but as you rightly point out, also very cautious.
Without trying to "speak for" Lori, I think her point is that our being awake, aware, prepared, and level headed *will* change everything. And *that*, in turn, changes everything. A matter of believing it prior to seeing it rather than the usual, clichéd, "I'll believe it when I see it."
If that makes sense.
The importance of peaceful protest can not be exaggerated. Stand loud and proud but don't throw bricks, please. Let the authorities be the bad guys.
The individuals who set the car on fire and threw rocks at cars may have been paid to do this. They must be investigated.
I think there are plenty of agent provocateurs in place. This was evident to me during the BLM demonstrations in major cities.
I thought about that too. But who could be trusted to investigate?
So do we protest or not?
My thoughts is that EVERYONE at a protest sit down, and be quiet. Hold up your signs proudly. But don’t block any sidewalks, driveways, parking or roads. Don’t yell at passerby’s. Especially don’t use profanity. No confrontations with ANYONE. If we stay 100% legal and peaceful, any agitators will be easy to pick out. Let them get arrested, then follow up and prove they were there to instigate for the other side.
Just my thoughts.
That’s a good and necessary question, Bevereley, and the honest answer is: it depends. On your health, your responsibilities, your town and state. On how high the risks are where you are, and how visible you’re willing — or able — to be.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer anymore. Not in this climate. Some people will show up in person. Some will support from the sidelines. Some will sit this one out because the risks are too high — and to be clear, that doesn’t make their commitment any less real.
As for your suggested approach, it’s a thoughtful one — calm, clear, and hard to be misrepresented. But the real challenge is going to be getting everyone on the same page. That kind of coordination usually has to come from the organisers themselves, and even then, there’s no guarantee.
Still, it's great you’re thinking strategically — it’s exactly what this moment needs.
I think this is what a lot of us need to hear. Because it did make my heart race and adrenaline pump when I heard the initial news. Remaining grounded and present, not acting on impulse is what we need to do. Staying connected and staying the course. If we all go crazy, end up in some unknown or local detention center.....or worse....we can't do what we need to do. And If we pull away from fear, you're absolutely right, we can't do what we know we need to do.
Yes — exactly this, Beth. That adrenaline spike is completely human. It’s what our nervous systems are built to do when things feel dangerous and uncertain. But what you’ve said here is the key: we can’t afford to act from that place alone.
Staying present doesn’t mean pretending it’s not serious. It means knowing what’s at stake and choosing to meet it with care, not getting swept up in the chaos. Because you’re right — if we burn out, get swept up, or pulled off track by fear, we can’t keep doing what actually matters.
We need each other steady, clear, and still moving. That’s how we'll make it through this.
💯
Self regulate ,if we can…learn how if we can't. Some folks,who like myself have mental health issues that make that difficult. Everyone should do this, but especially those who struggle with mental health (like myself), all of this might effect us a little more intensely.
Self care is super super important. I know I have to do whatever I can to remove myself from all of this and all my responsibilities, regularly to do something that brings me peace. Even if only for 5 min a day. Doom scrolling doesn't count 🫣🤣
I'm 100% with you on that, Beth. 🙌
Call. Write. Email. Protest peacefully. Unrelentingly.
Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
Yesss Megan — our very own spreadsheet superstar!🌟🙌
So glad you’re here. And thank you for the reminder — that spreadsheet really is worth its weight in gold. Please make good use of it, everyone.
Thank you Lori. This message needs to get out there before it’s too late. I will share this to everyone.
Thank you Linda. 🙏
This may seem like a stupid question but when can I change from monthly to annual?
I'm not very techy Linda, but it's my understanding that you can change any time. You go into Settings on your account, click on "Your Time Starts Now" under your Subscriptions, and that will take you to my subscription page. There you'll see the plan you're on, click "change" and then choose to pay annually.
I don't know what happens next because I've never done it myself, but I assume that Substack just changes you to annual at the end of your current billing cycle.
Let me know how you get on. If you've any issues, I'll do what I can to sort them out with Substack for you.
In a very collegial and appreciative way, I believe you are “over-worried” about the Constitutional Convention set of issues and “under-worried” about this military deployment. This is the hostile insertion of an occupying military force into a jurisdiction whose elected officials don’t want them there. It’s bad. (See David Frum’s Atlantic article today to the effect that this is a dress rehearsal for suspending the midterms.)
That said, your framework for how protest becomes criminalized was really spot on in front-running this.
Thanks for the work you’re doing…
Good suggestions. Makes sense.
TITLE 10 OF CHAPTER 13, § 254 CLEARLY STATES:
“Whenever the President considers it necessary to use the militia or the armed forces under this chapter, he shall, by proclamation, immediately order period the insurgents to disperse and retire peaceably to their abodes within a limited time.”
THIS MEANS;
The President MUST ISSUE a formal proclamation to disperse BEFORE DEPLOYING troops under
Title 10 §254.
Why is NO ONE reporting this.
This HAS NOT BEEN DONE!
This key fact is immensely important and MANDATORY. Without a proclamation, Trumps deployment of US troops is ILLEGAL.
I know, D.S., I understand your frustration — the formal proclamation came after the deployment.
"Why is NO ONE reporting this." For myself, I can only say that it's so challenging navigating what's in front of us, that I can only give the rearview a swift glance.
TITLE 10 OF CHAPTER 13, § 254 CLEARLY STATES:
“Whenever the President considers it necessary to use the militia or the armed forces under this chapter, he shall, by proclamation, immediately order period the insurgents to disperse and retire peaceably to their abodes within a limited time.”
THIS MEANS;
The President MUST ISSUE a formal proclamation to disperse BEFORE DEPLOYING troops under
Title 10 §254.
Why is NO ONE reporting this.
This HAS NOT BEEN DONE!
This key fact is immensely important and MANDATORY. Without a proclamation, Trumps deployment of US troops is ILLEGAL.
Trump is not the one directing the show. There are many and it is chaos. He is however "the head of the snake" so to speak. Do with that what you will and know that the king is mad and without clothes and those who follow are the same.
Hi Lori, I was pleased to see you’d taken time out from your day off and were able to give everyone some clear headed advice.
Though I’m watching this unfold from Europe and am freaking out, I can only imagine what it feels like there. Your wise words will help keep folks focused, watching closely as this plays out in real time.
Stay safe
This is excellent. Thank you!
its absolutely the insurrection .. stop with the spin and grt a grip