A few weeks ago I was traveling and got to see two valued friends who have both been Trumpers for years. One very politically involved in DC the other a frequent golfer at MaraIago. love them and we know we are not on the same side here but we have kept our loving friendships alive and I have gently questioned and prodded for years. On this vacation both of them let it slip that they have abandoned Trump... inside I was ecstatically gleeful and oh so happy. I did not gloat or even make a big deal of their careful admits to a change of heart. Hang in there with your friends ... hope springs eternal.
I'm having a very hard time staying connected with the Trumpers in my circle. Previous political gaps were not so huge and, to me, these are insurmountable. Glad to hear your friends woke up.
I will say that I don't think you can fix stupid.... both of these friends are smart women and I knew all along they had good hearts... I think they also have always trusted my heart and my intellect... so that much trust and respect allowed me to believe that someday we would find the way forward. My big fear was that if they did not see the light of Trump 2.0 that I might lose the respect I had for them as people. They will alway be conservative... and I am a centerist so there is not a huge gap there..... but Trump is actually not conservative... look at the deficit he will be leaving our children!!! I am so grateful they found the path of reason.
I am not a centrist, so as I said, the gap is huge. Two couples have religious reasons (Catholics - abortion, Jews - Israel) but the third person is a well-educated retired L.A. district attorney so I can see no reason. I'm not specifically ditching them, but I haven't been motivated to talk to them either.
I get it... sometimes you just need to "prune the peeps" as it becomes clear that there just isn't enough common ground to hold the relationship together.
I'm not sure if I "need" anymore shares as this is awesome! Well I do indeed need more shares as for now I have none to share and it's shares like this that keep me motivated!
Thank you Pat... It was a wonderful and expected change in both friends... one has a husband who was in congress and thought Trump was so nice... till he wasn't. Even then I did not really know where she stood until this visit. The change in heart of these 2 was a gift from God.... as I kept thinking our friendships would shatter under the weight of all this. Also I dragged my husband to our first protest way back when the Tesla Takedowns started... he begrudingly came with me and then felt the energy too... now we make signs for other people so "not having a sign" doesn't become an excuse... the energy in these protests is almost universally positive... have only had one person flip me off so far! Hang in there!!
I was so humbled by their actions. While I did donate to help victims I'll be honest I had mixed emotions...folks have to understand there are consequences to the way they vote. But then it seemed some folks did indeed want better warning systems and the elected official said no.
We have been having a weekly protest by the Burlington MA ICE field office and it's been growing in numbers each week. Seeing all my old friends and making new ones. Inspired by an immigration lawyer who confirmed that our being there is affecting what happens in the building. He was expecting his client to be detained but they ended up leaving together. ICE probably wishes their office wasn't in the middle of a normal office park next to the mall in the middle of suburbia where there are so many regular people there to see us. Also, we have 100% reclaimed the American flag.
Pat,I’ve been wearing messaging t’s for several years and it often sparks a conversation.I’ve honestly never had a single,negative response.I’m in Florida,all MAGA legislators and a “constitutional” sheriff…the one who said (peaceful) protesters would be “graveyard dead”. Several thousand showed up for No Kings after he bloviated that message.
Yes in many ways I do. I am so thankful for the internet and being able to commune with like minded persons. Substacks are a lifeline. I can't afford to be a paid subscriber to many but there are several that allow comments for those of us who can't afford a subscription and I don't know if the folks doing those substacks know just how much that means to us.
This morning my 79-year-old neighbor and I were talking about all the immigrant families in L.A. who are experiencing financial hardship, especially in the community where I volunteer. A little while later she returned to my house and handed me a check for $500 with the "pay to the order of" section blank. She asked me to give it to a family in need. It made my heart soar.
Oh my goodness that is remarkable!!! No one in maga will ever understand how one's heart can soar from such an act of kindness. I'm so thankful to be on the side that does!
I was in Quebec a couple of weeks ago on vacation and toured the Citadelle in Quebec City. The wonderful guide mentioned that so many American visitors had come through apologizing for the current U.S. Government, but he said that for Canadians, they really don't blame the American people ... at least not the ones traveling to Canada. He said they assume if you're in Canada on vacation, you're not on the side of the current regime. Then, I saw a short tourism ad put out by the Quebec Townships where an American checks into a hotel and the clerk asks where he's visiting from. When he replies, sheepishly, "I'm American," the man and the viewer expect things to go badly. But the hotel clerk walks around the desk and gives him a big hug. It gives me hope that other people in the world are sympathetic to what those of us who did not vote for this abomination in the U.S. are going through!
OMG this almost made me cry. I'll be going to Canada on my yearly vacation to Nova Scotia next week and I fully expect to kiss the ground when I get there.
I am one of those people who stands on an overpass with various messages spelled out with giant letters. We bring US flags to wave, too! This and lots more is being organized by our Northern Virginia-based Indivisible group. We are just across the river from DC.
We're also holding weekly over sign holding on overpasses in northern NH. It's a lot of fun. Feels good and the honks and waves make every second worthwhile.
Thank you so much for this!!! Many of us for various reasons cannot do anything like this but really wish we could so we have to live sort of vicariously through you, and your actions mean so much to us!
I joined a group to protect my neighbors and I was devastated to miss a call to respond to a potential ICE action. But when I looked I saw that tens of people in my small town answered the call right away. If all we have is each other, that is a lot.
It's good news like this that I think we all need to hear. The mainstream media never reports it so we don't think anyone is doing anything and that can make us weary which is just what maga wants. Thanks for sharing!
I live in southeast Texas about five hours from Kerrville. My community lost five young people in the flood. I have friends in other towns nearby who have lost relatives and friends. As crappy as Texas politics can be, our people always pull together in times like these. ALWAYS!! I keep reading that we need strong communities to hold off authoritarianism. We’ve got that!
Oh my gosh I am so, so sorry. If there is ANYTHING this community can do to help please let me know and I'll post it in the newsletter. email me! hijesscraven101@gmail.com
I am so sorry and am thinking of you and your community. I have cousins who lost a beloved camp counselor in the floods and reading their words about what she meant to them hurts my heart. I am so glad you have community coming together at this devastating time.
Sadly it is those in power who should be helping who are telling you you are not enough. It has always been the community that comes together no matter the nature of the catastrophe rain, hail, snow, etc.
Tuesday I was sitting with a friend whose great nieces (twins) were flood victims and died in their first sleep-away camp experience. The impact has devastated family across the country. I can't imagine the sense of loss and devastation for those of you living within this tragedy.
In very RED Brevard County, FL, I started an Indivisible chapter in February which garnered 12 first-meeting attendees. Today we have a list of over 300 members. And yesterday, we received a much-needed $100 donation to support our efforts! If anyone wants to fan the flames of our fledgling pro-democracy group, please donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/indivisiblepb1323187942
Thank you,Signe! I’m in Brevard and just donated.I’ve been calling our MAGA legislators(almost daily),protesting,wearing messaging t’s for several years( with not a single,negative comment!) +. We’re also the only home in our MAGAhood of almost 700 with progressive yard signage, of course along with our American( and Ukranian/Canadian) flag .🇺🇸
A million thanks to you! Here in Woodstock NY we rally and protest weekly. We also have a Buddhist group that has met weekly for years. It’s called a sangha and I highly recommend it to anyone. It’s not a religion. It’s a place where we support one another - encouraging us to live in the present, accept the feelings that come and go, and accept the impermanence of all we experience. That group made me very happy this week ( in spite of *** giving me hives 🥴)
We would be happy to help any community organize one. There are so many musicians eager to be invited to participate. It's a draw, and the speakers are a mix of electeds, professionals, and some retirees with expertise who are following their fields. The politicians are always LATE!! So we get to sing extra songs.
I think our weekly "Singing for Sanity" Resistance rally is doing something similar. Giving people a weekly place to come, be together, sing, learn, & act. The best part is when the program ends, no one leaves! www.wethepeopleweds.org
Feels like it lowers our blood pressure, which gives us more courage and energy.
That sounds so good. Do you happen to know if there is a national listing of Singing for Sanity gatherings (I checked on google, but did not find it)? I'm in Ann Arbor, MI. Thanks!
The piece in the NYTimes this morning July 10 about YOUNG Democrats being mad and active. Both of those are terrific. We have many great candidates. This may improve after I am long gone but I know it will. In the mean time our cadre of postcard writers sends out between 300 and 500 postcards a WEEK. In election time, it I double that. Keep on keepin' on.
Yesterday, a St. Louis, MO Planned Parenthood had dozens of volunteer escorts, all dressed in rainbow-striped safety vests. In addition to the few that were staffing the entrance to the fenced parking lot, the others formed a veritable human wall alongside the fence in order to separate the patients from the (very few protesters) standing on the other side of the fence.
I am sort of right down the road from you (about 150 miles south down 44 and 63 in ultra red Texas County) and it truly lifts my spirits to see there are folks in MO who both feel safe enough to do something and do it. Thank you for sharing! I have health issues that prevent me from venturing out to St. Louis to participate in anything but, again, the fact that there are folks there just really helps me cope!
I get 20 or 30 robocalls daily about the Trump administration's beneficial changes to Medicare. The call asks me if I have Medicare A and B and I say "Yes" (actually I don't, but I like to string them along). The robo then says they will connect me with an "advisor" or someone similar who is a real human being in a call center in Peshawar.
The advisor always starts out with an intro and asks how my day is going.
I answer "Have you heard the news? That asshole Trump is cutting Medicare. Good luck."
Usually they hang up, but sometimes they laugh and/or agree and then I hang up.
No they are not the administration. I think they are trying to sell additional coverage. I get that many calls except on holidays.
I also receive many calls selling terminal expense insurance in order to spare my family the costs related to my demise. I usually respond with WHY? WHAT DO YOU KNOW THAT I DON'T KNOW?
Hadn't heard of this, but Dept of Homeland Security is using tax dollars to run ads praising Donald Trump for locking up pedophiles and other dangerous criminals. And then encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport. Heard it on an Iheart radio station in LA.
A few weeks ago I was traveling and got to see two valued friends who have both been Trumpers for years. One very politically involved in DC the other a frequent golfer at MaraIago. love them and we know we are not on the same side here but we have kept our loving friendships alive and I have gently questioned and prodded for years. On this vacation both of them let it slip that they have abandoned Trump... inside I was ecstatically gleeful and oh so happy. I did not gloat or even make a big deal of their careful admits to a change of heart. Hang in there with your friends ... hope springs eternal.
Wow! Amazing!
WOW!!! Now that is a wonderful, hopeful story. Thank you for persisting with your gentle prodding and with your love for your friends.
Grand Marais MN 65 people rallied at the Canadian border July 5 as part of the border to border ElbowsUp campaign. We made good trouble!
Wow, that would make my heart so happy!
I'm having a very hard time staying connected with the Trumpers in my circle. Previous political gaps were not so huge and, to me, these are insurmountable. Glad to hear your friends woke up.
I will say that I don't think you can fix stupid.... both of these friends are smart women and I knew all along they had good hearts... I think they also have always trusted my heart and my intellect... so that much trust and respect allowed me to believe that someday we would find the way forward. My big fear was that if they did not see the light of Trump 2.0 that I might lose the respect I had for them as people. They will alway be conservative... and I am a centerist so there is not a huge gap there..... but Trump is actually not conservative... look at the deficit he will be leaving our children!!! I am so grateful they found the path of reason.
I am not a centrist, so as I said, the gap is huge. Two couples have religious reasons (Catholics - abortion, Jews - Israel) but the third person is a well-educated retired L.A. district attorney so I can see no reason. I'm not specifically ditching them, but I haven't been motivated to talk to them either.
I get it... sometimes you just need to "prune the peeps" as it becomes clear that there just isn't enough common ground to hold the relationship together.
I'm not sure if I "need" anymore shares as this is awesome! Well I do indeed need more shares as for now I have none to share and it's shares like this that keep me motivated!
Thank you Pat... It was a wonderful and expected change in both friends... one has a husband who was in congress and thought Trump was so nice... till he wasn't. Even then I did not really know where she stood until this visit. The change in heart of these 2 was a gift from God.... as I kept thinking our friendships would shatter under the weight of all this. Also I dragged my husband to our first protest way back when the Tesla Takedowns started... he begrudingly came with me and then felt the energy too... now we make signs for other people so "not having a sign" doesn't become an excuse... the energy in these protests is almost universally positive... have only had one person flip me off so far! Hang in there!!
Meeting a friend today, and a bit cautious about how it will go. Your story gives me hope for a good outcome.
Lynn I found it takes a fair amount of time and gentleness... good luck!!
When Mexico sends help to Texas, despite how the US has treated the country, it tells me there are still good people willing to do the right thing.
THAT WAS AMAZING! YES!
I wept when I saw that on Sunday evening. I reposted it and stated that I never knew I could simultaneously feel heartbroken and a full heart. ❤️🩹
Despite the fact that Gov. Abbott praised everyone from outside Texas who had come to help--except the Mexicans
I noticed this too. He is so disgusting.
Yes... I love this too!
I was so humbled by their actions. While I did donate to help victims I'll be honest I had mixed emotions...folks have to understand there are consequences to the way they vote. But then it seemed some folks did indeed want better warning systems and the elected official said no.
And a brilliant president of Mexico who is also a good person.
We have been having a weekly protest by the Burlington MA ICE field office and it's been growing in numbers each week. Seeing all my old friends and making new ones. Inspired by an immigration lawyer who confirmed that our being there is affecting what happens in the building. He was expecting his client to be detained but they ended up leaving together. ICE probably wishes their office wasn't in the middle of a normal office park next to the mall in the middle of suburbia where there are so many regular people there to see us. Also, we have 100% reclaimed the American flag.
This is incredible! Thank you for telling us!
This is great!!!! I live in a 99.999% maga area and genuinely fear retaliation if I do anything in public and I am so thankful for those who can.
Pat,I’ve been wearing messaging t’s for several years and it often sparks a conversation.I’ve honestly never had a single,negative response.I’m in Florida,all MAGA legislators and a “constitutional” sheriff…the one who said (peaceful) protesters would be “graveyard dead”. Several thousand showed up for No Kings after he bloviated that message.
You must feel very alone.
Yes in many ways I do. I am so thankful for the internet and being able to commune with like minded persons. Substacks are a lifeline. I can't afford to be a paid subscriber to many but there are several that allow comments for those of us who can't afford a subscription and I don't know if the folks doing those substacks know just how much that means to us.
Love this!
omg reclaimed the flag!!! I'm teary. Thank you.
(What ever happened to the day-of-action that was scheduled, called "take our flag back"?)
I plan to join you next week!!
Find me! I usually wear a wide dark brown brimmed hat.
Cheryl Johnson shared this:
“The Blue Triangle Solidarity campaign follows in the path of LGBTQ+ activists who reclaimed the pink triangle as a powerful symbol of defiance.”
On a recent Zoom call I attended, this group was brought to my attention: https://witnessattheborder.org/bluetrianglesolidarity
Love this, gives me hope. Thank you.
You go Girl!
This is FABULOUS!!!
Let's go, weekly protesters! 💪🙌
This morning my 79-year-old neighbor and I were talking about all the immigrant families in L.A. who are experiencing financial hardship, especially in the community where I volunteer. A little while later she returned to my house and handed me a check for $500 with the "pay to the order of" section blank. She asked me to give it to a family in need. It made my heart soar.
Oh my gosh that's incredible. And if you want the name of a very deserving church that would use that money for just that purpose let me know!
Please let me know. I'd love that resource.
Oh my goodness that is remarkable!!! No one in maga will ever understand how one's heart can soar from such an act of kindness. I'm so thankful to be on the side that does!
This brought happy tears to my eyes.
Wow, that's terrific. Thank you for sharing this.
My 77 year old sister holds a sign over a bridge once a week for 3 hours somewhere in VT. Pretty cool!
Amazing!
Thanks, sister of Ellen! 🙏🏻
VERY VERY COOL!!! 😍
That's amazing! I wish I were in a safe place so I could do things like that but I am not.
I was in Quebec a couple of weeks ago on vacation and toured the Citadelle in Quebec City. The wonderful guide mentioned that so many American visitors had come through apologizing for the current U.S. Government, but he said that for Canadians, they really don't blame the American people ... at least not the ones traveling to Canada. He said they assume if you're in Canada on vacation, you're not on the side of the current regime. Then, I saw a short tourism ad put out by the Quebec Townships where an American checks into a hotel and the clerk asks where he's visiting from. When he replies, sheepishly, "I'm American," the man and the viewer expect things to go badly. But the hotel clerk walks around the desk and gives him a big hug. It gives me hope that other people in the world are sympathetic to what those of us who did not vote for this abomination in the U.S. are going through!
OMG this almost made me cry. I'll be going to Canada on my yearly vacation to Nova Scotia next week and I fully expect to kiss the ground when I get there.
So jealous! Have a wonderful SAFE trip and a great time with Papa Tom and all the family!
We're headed to Canada for vacation in a week. I can't wait.
I've seen that ad. We live close to the (QC) Eastern Townships. A lovely place on this planet to visit, the people are delightful.
Canada is beautiful all over! I love Quebec and the Canadian people!
ok... teary here!
Love this!
I am one of those people who stands on an overpass with various messages spelled out with giant letters. We bring US flags to wave, too! This and lots more is being organized by our Northern Virginia-based Indivisible group. We are just across the river from DC.
love it!
We're also holding weekly over sign holding on overpasses in northern NH. It's a lot of fun. Feels good and the honks and waves make every second worthwhile.
Thank you so so much!!!!
Thank you so much for this!!! Many of us for various reasons cannot do anything like this but really wish we could so we have to live sort of vicariously through you, and your actions mean so much to us!
I joined a group to protect my neighbors and I was devastated to miss a call to respond to a potential ICE action. But when I looked I saw that tens of people in my small town answered the call right away. If all we have is each other, that is a lot.
Oh my gosh! Incredible!
It's good news like this that I think we all need to hear. The mainstream media never reports it so we don't think anyone is doing anything and that can make us weary which is just what maga wants. Thanks for sharing!
I live in southeast Texas about five hours from Kerrville. My community lost five young people in the flood. I have friends in other towns nearby who have lost relatives and friends. As crappy as Texas politics can be, our people always pull together in times like these. ALWAYS!! I keep reading that we need strong communities to hold off authoritarianism. We’ve got that!
Oh my gosh I am so, so sorry. If there is ANYTHING this community can do to help please let me know and I'll post it in the newsletter. email me! hijesscraven101@gmail.com
Thank you! I just emailed you.
Thinking of you and your community with deep care
I am so sorry and am thinking of you and your community. I have cousins who lost a beloved camp counselor in the floods and reading their words about what she meant to them hurts my heart. I am so glad you have community coming together at this devastating time.
Sadly it is those in power who should be helping who are telling you you are not enough. It has always been the community that comes together no matter the nature of the catastrophe rain, hail, snow, etc.
I am so sorry. Holding you and your community in my heart.
I am so sorry for your loss, sending you and your community so much support.
Tuesday I was sitting with a friend whose great nieces (twins) were flood victims and died in their first sleep-away camp experience. The impact has devastated family across the country. I can't imagine the sense of loss and devastation for those of you living within this tragedy.
A young lady (25ish) drove by our protest on July 4 and parked her car to join us.
I love that!
In very RED Brevard County, FL, I started an Indivisible chapter in February which garnered 12 first-meeting attendees. Today we have a list of over 300 members. And yesterday, we received a much-needed $100 donation to support our efforts! If anyone wants to fan the flames of our fledgling pro-democracy group, please donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/indivisiblepb1323187942
This is AMAZING
Thank you,Signe! I’m in Brevard and just donated.I’ve been calling our MAGA legislators(almost daily),protesting,wearing messaging t’s for several years( with not a single,negative comment!) +. We’re also the only home in our MAGAhood of almost 700 with progressive yard signage, of course along with our American( and Ukranian/Canadian) flag .🇺🇸
Never.Give.Up.!
💪💙
Thank you Kathy for the support and the ACTION! Well done! Keep up the good work. We're in this together.
WOW! That’s outstanding! 🇺🇸
A million thanks to you! Here in Woodstock NY we rally and protest weekly. We also have a Buddhist group that has met weekly for years. It’s called a sangha and I highly recommend it to anyone. It’s not a religion. It’s a place where we support one another - encouraging us to live in the present, accept the feelings that come and go, and accept the impermanence of all we experience. That group made me very happy this week ( in spite of *** giving me hives 🥴)
oh wow I'm going to see if there is. one here!
We would be happy to help any community organize one. There are so many musicians eager to be invited to participate. It's a draw, and the speakers are a mix of electeds, professionals, and some retirees with expertise who are following their fields. The politicians are always LATE!! So we get to sing extra songs.
I think our weekly "Singing for Sanity" Resistance rally is doing something similar. Giving people a weekly place to come, be together, sing, learn, & act. The best part is when the program ends, no one leaves! www.wethepeopleweds.org
Feels like it lowers our blood pressure, which gives us more courage and energy.
That sounds so good. Do you happen to know if there is a national listing of Singing for Sanity gatherings (I checked on google, but did not find it)? I'm in Ann Arbor, MI. Thanks!
We originated it. Sure you could pull people together and do one weekly in Arbor, a similar type of resource-rich community. Happy to provide info!
The piece in the NYTimes this morning July 10 about YOUNG Democrats being mad and active. Both of those are terrific. We have many great candidates. This may improve after I am long gone but I know it will. In the mean time our cadre of postcard writers sends out between 300 and 500 postcards a WEEK. In election time, it I double that. Keep on keepin' on.
You're incredible! Thank you! Do you have a link?
Gift link https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/us/politics/majority-democrats.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VU8.4aZG.H7FZnAdcZ9ce&smid=url-share
Yesterday, a St. Louis, MO Planned Parenthood had dozens of volunteer escorts, all dressed in rainbow-striped safety vests. In addition to the few that were staffing the entrance to the fenced parking lot, the others formed a veritable human wall alongside the fence in order to separate the patients from the (very few protesters) standing on the other side of the fence.
This is amazing.
I am sort of right down the road from you (about 150 miles south down 44 and 63 in ultra red Texas County) and it truly lifts my spirits to see there are folks in MO who both feel safe enough to do something and do it. Thank you for sharing! I have health issues that prevent me from venturing out to St. Louis to participate in anything but, again, the fact that there are folks there just really helps me cope!
Hello, neighbor! I’m glad the news brought you some support today. Sending much gratitude to you for keeping the faith, down there in Texas County!
I get 20 or 30 robocalls daily about the Trump administration's beneficial changes to Medicare. The call asks me if I have Medicare A and B and I say "Yes" (actually I don't, but I like to string them along). The robo then says they will connect me with an "advisor" or someone similar who is a real human being in a call center in Peshawar.
The advisor always starts out with an intro and asks how my day is going.
I answer "Have you heard the news? That asshole Trump is cutting Medicare. Good luck."
Usually they hang up, but sometimes they laugh and/or agree and then I hang up.
Makes my day.
OMG wild. 20 to 30 calls? REALLY?
Are they from the actual administration? I'd like to tell Judd Legum about this...
No they are not the administration. I think they are trying to sell additional coverage. I get that many calls except on holidays.
I also receive many calls selling terminal expense insurance in order to spare my family the costs related to my demise. I usually respond with WHY? WHAT DO YOU KNOW THAT I DON'T KNOW?
Hadn't heard of this, but Dept of Homeland Security is using tax dollars to run ads praising Donald Trump for locking up pedophiles and other dangerous criminals. And then encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport. Heard it on an Iheart radio station in LA.
Haha this is great!
😆🤣😂
CA bill AB715 was pulled from the agenda yesterday for lack of support - keep fighting the effort to stifle teachers from teaching facts in schools!
Ooh do you have a news article link?