Rome fell. Why? Many reasons but I’ll give you my semi-educated opinion: Economic mismanagement and overspending, internal political corruption and instability, invasions/overextending their soldiers and ability to recruit…all which contributed to the decaying fabric of their social structure. Hmm.

“The further a society drifts from the truth, it will hate those who speak it.” -George Orwell, 1984

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” -FDR

To fly and stay aloft, it takes both wings and the body of the bird. One wing may direct at times, but ultimately, the center, the body, must hold.

Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations- recommended reading on stoicism. “There is nothing manly about rage. It is courtesy and kindness that defines a human being.”

James Madison has been on my mind lately. If you haven’t read and reread the Federalist Papers, there’s is no time like the present. Check out no. 47.

The last time DC was “occupied” by an army was the War of 1812.

Some days I feel like we are living through a twisted reenactment of the late 19th century on drugs. I just want to take all of my money out of the market, hide it, and bury my valuables. You know the feeling … when a tsunami is coming?

It’s coming…if you’re in swing states, it’s past time to protect your elections from Felon & Friends voting integrity interferences.

I've known and admired J.B. Pritzker for years. He is a true warrior for democracy. I think you will enjoy watching this conversation as much as I did recording it. youtu.be/wwxFVHCTvAA

KEEP PUBLIC LANDS PUBLIC. Call your US Senators: 202-224-3121

m.youtube.com/watch?v=6yDi... Pop culture moment from the “Upside Down:” What many of us have been pondering. (And) What many of us can’t afford to ponder.

Pattern holds— blatant disregard for Constitution. Will Congress grow a pair? Or, is the MAGA majority beholden to their blackmailer-in-chief? Ugh. Emotional outburst. I’m sure we are all there.

This is so true. But it is not just MAGA … folks who haven’t paid attention or didn’t pay attention in high school history have told me the same thing.

Wow! This Is So True….

Gov. Kathy Hochul on NYC Comptroller Brad Lander’s arrest: “It’s bullshit.”

It was not only a day to reject Kings in SE Louisiana, it was also election day for 5 Louisiana parishes to decide who would represent them on the Soil & Conservation Board. People were turned away & directed to vote at other locations, including other parishes, because of ballot shortages.

Listen to Obama: "I'm asking you to believe not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours." We are the ones that we have been waiting for. #NoKings

Hate begets hate and violence begets violence. Another example of how a leader’s hateful example can poison and lead to violence in Minnesota today. Prayers for John Hoffman and Melissa Hortman and their families.

Gearing up for my elderly relatives to move in, my savings to go to their health care (bye Medicaid) and children to no longer be considered dependents after age 7…so many implications 🤦‍♀️ WTFs daily.

Anyone want to make a “homegrown” shirt and sell it? Proceeds benefits National Immigrant Justice Center…

Keep downplaying the protests at your own peril. Keep threatening Americans. The protests will only get bigger. Trump is hated. Musk is hated. The political winds have shifted. People are fed up. This is only the beginning.

April 3,2025 was a day of destruction — tornadoes and tariffs. Nature is a great foreshadower, isn’t she?

Remember when I wrote about watching progressive Southern cities? Hehehe. Y’all just wait.

TN and other deep red states are the testing grounds…

I studied history for years, focusing on the Southern US, and then had the privilege to tell stories about the South and its people. As we move through this revolutionary time period (and by that I mean incredible time of change), I am watching progressive Southern pockets closely. You should too.

Playing lots of Les Mis and reading.

Revered Dr. William Barber: "A dictator is not a dictator unless we bow!" via @maddow.msnbc.com tonight. #ncpol

This.

Mary Kay Andrews posted a video to Instagram today saying it’s time. “We need to use our outside voices.” Only a writer could say what we need to do so perfectly. What does your outside voice look like?

The US tried high tariffs and ‘America first’ policies in the 1930s. Here's what happened next.: Donald Trump has hit the 30-day pause button on imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but is proceeding with slapping 10% tariffs on Chinese imports, and tariffs on the EU are still on his agenda.…

"A president can’t just create a new federal agency via executive order — that can only happen through an act of Congress. Then what is DOGE?" www.democracydocket.com/analysis/the...

I want to give a shout out to my undergrad history, lit, government and philosophy professors. You helped me read the tea leaves. Grad J-school professors- you forced me to continue to seek. Living though the past 10 years and what’s yet to come would be even harder without a liberal arts education.

I have elderly family members who rely on Medicaid. Do you? If these cuts happen, elder care will change. They won’t get the meds and cere the need or women will quit the work force. Families won’t have the income they need to make ends meet. Elder care jobs will be lost..all for greed.

Bought 10 copies from Bookshop.org to share around town =)

This. Worth the read.

How about “No taxation without representation?“ The Musk regime is claiming the right to take our money without heeding the laws made by our elected representatives.

Almost two weeks ago, I found out I was one of 40 people getting laid off from NBC News. Those who know me know I’ve wanted to go independent for a long time. Later this month, I’m launching @spitfirenews.com. We need journalism that is louder than ever. spitfirenews.com/p/an-introdu...

Numbers don’t lie. No landslide. No mandate.

On a Sara B kick - this one says it all. 💗 m.youtube.com/watch?v=LWMB...

We are not going to sit around while you go ahead and desecrate our constitution, or you look at the laws that have been passed into law and say, never mind, we'll just ignore that.

We the people. We the people. We the PEOPLE. Never forget.

A message of encouragement from @aoc.bsky.social from those feeling despair (as Musk tramples the 🇺🇸 government): “We outnumber them — authoritarians are like the Wizard of Oz, they rely on their PERCEIVED power, not their actual power. You can resist. Full: www.instagram.com/reel/DFqgcQb...

Mood. m.youtube.com/watch?v=eR7-...

So Trump signed an executive orders to make the Sovereign Wealth Fund

It’s not hard to connect the dots …

JFC! These boys are the tech bros Muskrat has used to hack into our government data bases at treasury, USAID, Social Security & more! If you're on Social Security, these hackers now have your personal records And since Trump³⁴ can pardon them, what legal remedies do we have? Outrageous!

Meanwhile www.bbc.com/news/article...

www.techdirt.com/2025/01/31/e... This shines some more light on elmo and the master plan. None of it is in our best interest. He's a bigger security risk than the felon himself! Pay attention! And share information! Knowledge is power.