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    22Jul, 2025
    The High Cost of the Spotlight

    How Trump’s Own Cameras Keep Betraying Him

    Fame is a tricky currency. It inflates egos, fuels ambition, and—if you’re not careful—documents every lie you’ve ever told. Donald Trump understood this early on. Long before reality TV or presidential campaigns, he paid the National Enquirer to publish salacious stories about his affairs. This wasn’t just about scandal—it was a calculated move to promote his name, his wealth, and his image to the masses.

    From those early tabloid gambits to gold-plated elevator announcements, Trump has relentlessly built a persona fueled by spectacle. However, when your life is a performance, every slip, contradiction, and untruth becomes permanent record. For a man obsessed with image, this has become a haunting reality.

    Chasing Fame, Forgetting Consequences

    Donald Trump didn’t stumble into fame—he pursued it relentlessly. From The Apprentice to a presidential campaign launched amid golden elevators, Trump has built his persona on bold declarations and brash theatrics. Yet, he never seemed to grasp that cameras don’t just capture moments—they preserve history.

    Fame isn’t free. It holds receipts.

    Lie #1: “I Don’t Know Who She Is”

    In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll and defaming her afterward. Trump denied any relationship, claiming not to know her.

    Photographic and testimonial evidence show Trump and Carroll socialized publicly for years. The inconsistencies in his statements severely damaged his defense.

    Lie #2: “I Never Asked for Loyalty”

    Then-FBI Director James Comey testified Trump asked for “loyalty” in 2017 before firing him. Trump denied this, but multiple accounts and the released testimony support Comey’s claim, fueling the Mueller investigation.

    Lie #3: “The Election Was Stolen”

    Trump claimed widespread voter fraud in 2020, but his Attorney General William Barr stated the DOJ found no evidence of fraud affecting the election outcome.

    Additionally, transcripts and interviews reveal Trump privately admitted he lost the election.

    Lie #4: “I Took the Pandemic Seriously”

    Trump publicly downplayed COVID-19, but secretly admitted to Bob Woodward that the virus was dangerous and deadly.

    The Epstein Files: The Ultimate Lie of Denial

    Trump’s shifting stories about Jeffrey Epstein contradict decades of photos and flight logs showing their close association. Epstein’s “black book” and various investigations place Trump in Epstein’s circle multiple times.

    Trump’s claims the “Epstein Files” are a hoax clash with an overwhelming body of evidence.

    When Fame and Lies Collide, Cameras Become Prosecutors

    Trump’s decades-long relationship with Epstein, documented extensively in photos and public records, stands as a monument to the perils of chasing fame without accountability. His repeated lies are desperate attempts to rewrite history under the unforgiving glare of media and public scrutiny.

    Yet many older articles exposing these lies have vanished from mainstream platforms. This pattern reveals Trump’s influence over media channels, where controlling the narrative is as important as shaping it.

    The cameras don’t lie—but if the footage disappears or the stories vanish, does the truth get a chance to live?

    Final Thoughts: The Price of the Spotlight

    There’s a high cost to fame lived in front of cameras: every lie, every misstep, and every denial remains on permanent display. For Trump, this cost is credibility, legacy, and trust.

    The Epstein files are the culmination of a lifetime of carefully constructed falsehoods, exposed in vivid detail. In a world where cameras never stop rolling, the truth is both the most dangerous adversary—and the ultimate judge.

    Closing Thoughts: When Media Control Silences Truth

    Over the course of writing this editorial, I sought to back every claim with credible, publicly accessible sources. However, I repeatedly encountered broken links, missing pages, and 404 errors from major news outlets. These vanished articles are more than inconvenient—they reveal the immense power that Trump and his allies wield over media narratives.

    By quietly erasing evidence, restricting access, and influencing platforms, they attempt to shield their stories from scrutiny. This makes uncovering truth harder, but not impossible. It also shows why it is critical to preserve and share verified facts widely before they disappear.

    Below is a list of key articles and sources I initially tried to reference, now mostly unreachable, highlighting the ongoing battle between transparency and media control.

    404 Errors: Not So Silent Censors

    1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/04/trump-e-jean-carroll-photo-deposition/
    2. https://www.npr.org/2017/05/11/527595272/trump-asked-fbi-director-james-comey-for-loyalty-sources-say
    3. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/11/trump-comey-loyalty-238440
    4. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/barr-says-no-evidence-widespread-voter-fraud-2020-election-n1259685
    5. https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/15/politics/jonathan-karl-trump-abc-interview/index.html
    6. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/09/bob-woodward-trump-coronavirus/
    7. https://abcnews.go.com/US/times-trumps-appeared-epstein-files-doj-released/story?id=123848078

    By sharing this list openly, I emphasize that the battle to hold powerful figures accountable often includes a fight over which facts remain visible—and which are erased. Despite these obstacles, the truth behind the lies remains, waiting for those willing to seek it out.

    I hope you understand that this current President is a compulsive liar, who doesn’t take national security seriously. Just look at the reaction to “Signalgate”. It seems it’s all he knows how to do.

    -Judy T.

    21Jul, 2025
    Violence begets violence and other things to keep in mind

    Stokely Carmichael once said:
    “The problem with nonviolence is that we have never truly been violent.”

    He had a point when he said that. Although to me, the major hiccup with nonviolence was that we never really gave violence a fair shot—and history, with its twisted sense of humor, keeps nodding in agreement. I am in no way suggesting we become violent. However, when you look at all those times when “bad actors” took it upon themselves to spice up peaceful gatherings with a dash of uninvited violence against law enforcement, things go sideways fast. People who were just exercising their rights (legally, might I add) became targets immediately.

    Kent State: A Peaceful Protest Turned Tragedy

    Take, for example, the serene student protest at Kent State University on May 1st, 1970. It was all peace and love—until the National Guard thought it would be a stellar idea to turn a campus protest into target practice. The result? Four students dead and nine wounded.

    Let’s be honest: at the time those shots were fired, those infantrymen were about as threatened as a bear is by a goldfish. And later—big surprise—it turned out that opening fire was completely uncalled for. Why? Because “someone” threw a rock.

    We’ve Seen This Movie Before

    Here we are, years later, and it feels like we’re stuck in a rerun. With the number of actual threats to our rights out there, you’d think we’d have learned by now. You’d think we’d be smart enough to keep an eye out for those troublemakers who sneak into protests with the finesse of a bull in a china shop—just to get a rise out of law enforcement, then disappear and blame minorities.

    Because of course, it’s always easier to blame the Black and brown people who were just minding their own business. We need to be more observant, more attentive, and more diligent when it comes to participating. Always be aware of your surroundings. You may prevent a tragedy by doing so.

    The Usual Suspects

    From the more recent chapters of our history, it’s clear we’ve got guests at our peaceful protests who love nothing more than to provoke and then watch the chaos unfold. Would you believe—some of them are even cops in disguise? Or day-tripping white supremacists who thought it would be fun to turn a peaceful march into their own version of demolition derby during the George Floyd protests.

    Walk Carefully, March Smarter

    With this enlightening perspective, it seems our community needs to handle protest participation like handling a porcupine. When you do hit the streets, maybe do it with more caution. Thoroughly vet who you’re marching with. Vet the individuals you support. And for heaven’s sake, keep your own nose so clean it sparkles.

    Why? Because progressives are a finicky, nit-picky bunch. They’ll split their allegiances from an organization or individual because you personally turned 18 a month before your girlfriend in high school—or because you posted a pic in support of that person or group. You don’t want to be the reason for that crossfire—or get caught in it.

    – Shade B.

    19Jul, 2025
    Why PBS Needs Stephen Colbert Now

    In today’s media landscape, public trust is crumbling. Traditional fundraising models are falling short. Meanwhile, PBS continues to rely heavily on pledge drives and telethons to stay afloat. But what if there were a better way—one that merges entertainment, civic engagement, and fundraising power?

    It’s time to make the case for Stephen Colbert on PBS.

    Colbert Nation: A Loyal Audience That Gives

    Stephen Colbert has built something few entertainers ever achieve—a deeply loyal and action-ready fanbase. Known as Colbert Nation, this audience doesn’t just watch passively. They donate. They show up. They care.

    Back in 2010, Colbert raised over $773,000 for public school classrooms through DonorsChoose.org. Around the same time, when the U.S. Speedskating Team couldn’t afford to attend the Olympics, Colbert stepped in. His fundraising efforts helped send American athletes to the world stage.

    Additionally, let’s not forget the brilliance of his satirical Super PAC, Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow. Incredibly, it raised over $1 million, all while educating the public on how campaign finance really works. Colbert didn’t just entertain—he educated, activated, and transformed viewers into donors and doers.

    Through it all, Colbert proved that comedy can be more than entertainment—it can be fuel for civic action.

    PBS Fundraising Could Be Transformed

    PBS is respected for its integrity, mission, and educational value. Yet year after year, it must rely on pledge drives to stay funded. Telethons are nostalgic but increasingly outdated. The audience is aging, and younger generations are tuning out.

    This is where Stephen Colbert could make all the difference.

    He’s not just a household name. He’s a trusted voice with a track record of mobilizing action. By bringing him to PBS, fundraising would no longer rely solely on nostalgia or repeated pleas for donations. Instead, the platform could evolve—modernize—while staying true to its public mission.

    To highlight that transition, it’s worth remembering how we got here.

    A Nod to Jerry Lewis — and a Way Forward

    Before digital fundraisers and online platforms, telethons were the gold standard. Jerry Lewis, in particular, set that bar. His decades-long commitment to the Muscular Dystrophy Association raised over $2 billion. More importantly, his marathon broadcasts became a cultural staple and showed America the power of performance-driven generosity.

    However, times have changed.

    What Jerry Lewis achieved through hours of emotional appeal, Stephen Colbert can now accomplish in minutes—using satire, sharp commentary, and digital reach. His presence on PBS could revive the spirit of those iconic moments, but with a voice and tone that resonate today.

    This isn’t a replacement for history. It’s a continuation—reimagined for the times.

    Bringing Colbert to PBS would breathe life into fundraising. He’s not just a celebrity—he’s a proven fundraiser, civic advocate, and national treasure. With his voice leading campaigns, telethons could shrink. Donations could rise. Younger viewers might tune in again, and a new generation could be introduced to the power of public media.

    A Chance to Say What Corporate Media Won’t

    Recently, CBS—like many corporations—buckled under political pressure. As a result, Colbert’s platform vanished. But he didn’t. He never backed down. He called out falsehoods, challenged propaganda, and stayed true to his values.

    PBS doesn’t need to follow in corporate footsteps. It has the power to elevate a truth-teller where others tried to quiet him.

    Colbert represents the very values PBS claims to champion: public service, education, humor, and integrity. This is more than a ratings boost. It’s a signal that PBS stands for something.

    His exact mix of intellect, humor, and moral clarity embodies the best of public broadcasting. Inviting him in isn’t just smart—it’s a statement of purpose.

    The Final Word

    Stephen Colbert has already proven his impact. Colbert inspires people to care. Amazingly, he raises millions for good causes. He teaches through comedy and moves audiences to act.

    Two birds, one stone.

    So, if you’re not ready to welcome him to PBS?
    Fine.

    Let’s just nominate him for President and see how quickly that rattles the fragile ego currently occupying the White House.

    Sources

    13Jul, 2025
    Our First Q&A – Trump’s Legacy

    Recently, someone asked me on my personal Bluesky account: What do I believe are the long-term consequences of President Trump’s time in office for our country’s political integrity?

    Let’s quickly define the word “integrity”:

    Trump’s legacy will shape American politics for decades. He didn’t invent division, but he pushed it into the mainstream. By breaking norms, he proved that misinformation and anger can win elections. His legacy will test our democracy in three big ways.

    First, extremism is now mainstream. Trump’s legacy gave far-right ideas a bigger stage. As a result, more candidates reject election results and use lies as strategy. Polarized primaries will keep fueling this. (Source: Pew Research Center, 2021)

    Second, our institutions are weaker. He attacked courts, elections, and the press. That playbook stays in politics. Future leaders may bend rules if no one stops them. (Source: Brookings Institution, 2022)

    Third, the public holds the line. Trump’s legacy makes clear: democracy only works if we defend it. Voters must demand truth, protect elections, and hold leaders accountable. (Source: Brennan Center for Justice, 2023)

    Trump’s legacy shows how fragile democracy is. Whether we let it crack further — or rebuild trust — is up to us.

    Thanks for asking me something other than if I am single or other personal questions that shouldn’t be asked right off the bat on a first message to someone. It is appreciated.

    If you wish to ask a question, feel free to tag me in a bluesky post or email me directly at: judy@rescueourdemocracy.com!

    Rescue our democracy, TOGETHER!

    Judy T.

    7Jul, 2025
    Subversive Nature

     If there’s anything we’ve mastered as people of color over centuries of systemic oppression, it’s the art of the clandestine hustle. Nothing like spending 400 years perfecting the craft of slipping through the cracks of institutions that were never designed for us in the first place. It’s practically a cultural heritage at this point, this inherited savvy to access the freedoms casually handed to others. Let’s just tap into that ancestral strategic finesse, shall we?

    First I want you to understand what the actual word “subversive” means.

    Subversive [adjective]

    Seeking or intending to subvert an establishment, institution, or system.

    With that you also have to understand the word Nature in this context.

    Nature [adjective form]

     being used in adjective form means an inherent quality, feature, or aspect.

    When you put the 2 words together you get a descriptive statement “Subversive Nature”.

    This usually is a tendency to destroy systems, establishments, or governments.

    Ok, now to the grit

    Now that we understand the terminology, let’s look at how it applies to our everyday lives. We have to use everything at our disposal to further our resistance when possible. For some the most radical acts of resistance start when deciding on the latte or the espresso in the corporate break room, while for others it’s choosing which cleaners to use before mopping the floor. In a security briefing I learned that the most dangerous person in any facility is the janitor. However by the same token, an executive assistant takes all the notes and does all the dirty work for the “executive” is equally dangerous. 

    Both have unlimited access combined with very little vetting, and no one questions what they are doing as long as the have a broom,or a clipboard, So, when you’re not too busy climbing the capitalist ladder or ensuring it’s sparkling clean, take a moment to channel your inner whistleblower. Document everything and relay that information to a reputable source. but do so anonymously so you can remain a viable resource. navigating this labyrinth might get a tad more complex with time, but let’s face it, what’s a revolution without a little inconvenience? After all, you’re not just gathering intelligence; you’re craftily weaving the very fabric of change. Go ahead, be the Rebel Without A Pause.

    Know all, trust few.

    In this battlefield, information isn’t just good, it’s the freaking gold standard. Leveraging the cracks and crevices of our circumstances to siphon off details, insights, and swaying decisions is the art of war in the modern age. Got someone meddling against your mission? Don’t cower from engaging them, keep your foes close but their secrets closer, drip-feeding them only scraps that won’t trip you up. But remember, this two-way street is lined with mines; they’ll be playing you just the same.

     Here’s a wake-up call: treat your allies with the same calculative coldness. Those cozy chatters willing to spill their guts at the drop of a hat? Yeah, they’re blabbermouths to the enemy too. 

    Malcolm Nance (Youtube Channel) and Andrew Bustamante (Youtube Channel) are  former CIA agents who now do freelance reporting and pod casts. I follow them on almost every platform of social media I’m on personally (Which is only 2) while I don’t agree with everything they say, the accuracy of the information they provide is influential, and if you understand nuance, you will understand them clearly.

    Never take unwarranted actions or risks

    We all know acting recklessly without any thought to consequences is the hallmark of sound strategy. However, If you can’t give a good reason for your actions, probably best to sit this one out, champ as to avoid that dreaded exposure— Keep your moves to what’s absolutely critical, because success is so much more likely when you’re not jumping on every shiny thing like a cat chasing a laser pointer. If things get to hot, just chill. Take up birdwatching, but study the flock you’re trying to blend in with. Eventually you’ll see a risk-free opening, but remember the goal is to protect your secret identity. And if things start to smell fishy, remember, it’s not giving up if you bail—it’s strategically retreating. There’s always another chance around the corner, because life is just brimming with low-risk opportunities.

    Be prepared to act and react accordingly and proportionately

    Before you take any action, preparation is a necessity. I know, I know – it sounds excessive, but trust me, planning every step down to the letter is critical for success. Allow for some flexibility and variance, sure, but having a basic plan to follow? That will almost always bump up your chances of success. Once you’ve got the patterns and behaviors down, mentally rehearsing will also help you get cozy with executing your plans and spotting where you need to tweak things. Keep in mind acting accordingly proportionately means removing one’s capacity to retaliate in every way shape and form. So what ever actions you take need to be planned out, thought through, and rehearsed, prior to any execution. You must have your resources, supplies, transportation, communication, backup plan and exit strategy in place and readily available to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, so you are ready when opportunities present themselves.

    This is your country, do not give it away freely or easily.

    For over 400 years, we have been warriors and peacemakers for our country. Imagine! People of color have been the underdogs, the scapegoats, and then risen as unbeatable, world-renowned American heroes. What a rollercoaster! And now, we’re stepping into an incredible era of opportunity.

    Right now, folks across the globe are getting it twisted. They think people of color in America are just kicking back, comfortable or indifferent to the whirlwind happening in our homeland. The narrative being spun to them non-stop? It’s a flashy, superficial reel showcasing sexual promiscuity, athletic prowess, entertainment genius, and financial whims—broadcasted so widely, it’s practically drowning us. But let’s clear the air: those facets have their moments of glory, sure. But when that’s all the world sees, it’s no wonder we’re struggling to be taken seriously. And let me tell you, being taken seriously is non-negotiable.

    Our every move needs to be strategic, captured, and shared far and wide, with tactful anonymity if needed. And if a plan doesn’t pan out? We play it cool publicly, dive deep into a strategic review behind the scenes, and come back stronger. We’ve seen it before: conservative media flipping the script, turning what should be a setback into a rally cry. They’ve mastered the art of turning the tide in their favor—proof that the right spin can make or break public perception. 

    When it comes to reshaping the narrative

    It’s time to get crafty—not just in how we change the story directly but in the subtle, everyday choices we make. Perhaps our wallets aren’t overflowing, but we can still be fierce in deciding where to spend our hard-earned cash. Choosing to support businesses that stand with our community isn’t just a statement—it’s a move towards the unity and strength we desperately need. In this pivotal moment, we must set aside old grievances and build bridges. Even a simple partnership, wisely chosen, is a step towards the monumental triumphs we’re aiming for. Let’s rise together, stronger and undeniably united!

    4Jul, 2025
    Independence Day: A Celebration That No Longer Feels Like Freedom

    I used to love Independence Day. It was my favorite holiday outside my Christian observances — Maundy Thursday and Easter anchor my soul, but the Fourth of July always lifted my spirit.

    I remember waking early to prep the yard. Lugging coolers packed with sodas and salads across dew-wet grass. The pop and hiss of the grill firing up. Kids darting through sprinklers while grown-ups lounged on folding chairs, sunburnt and smiling. At dusk, we’d pass out sparklers and gather on blankets to watch the night sky crackle with reds, whites, and blues.

    One year, I even got married on July 3rd — so our wedding night could end with fireworks. I wanted my own piece of that freedom, my own celebration of hope under a bursting sky.

    This Year, The Fireworks Feel Empty

    But this year, Independence Day feels empty. It feels stolen. The country those fireworks once represented doesn’t exist for millions of us anymore.

    How do you wave a flag for liberty when people can’t decide what happens to their own bodies? When our highest court rips away privacy and bodily autonomy while pretending they’re protecting freedom?

    How do you cheer for freedom when libraries face book bans, truth is scrubbed from history classes, and entire communities are told they can’t exist as they are? From drag bans to bathroom bills to hateful rhetoric, our LGBTQ+ neighbors are under siege — again — by people who claim to stand for “family values.”

    Well look at that! Our red, white, and blue being marred by orange…

    Hatred Has Found a New Home

    We used to call America a “melting pot.” We took pride in it — even as we tried to forget that this country was built on stolen land, on the backs of enslaved people, on broken treaties with Indigenous nations. We boasted that we welcomed “the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

    Now, hatred has found a home here again — loud and unashamed. People of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ families, the unhoused, the poor, the sick, the veterans who served — all branded expendable by a regime that would rather import wealthy South Africans to replace the very people America once promised to lift up.

    That’s the plan: swap out the dreamers for the donors. Trade community for cruelty. Strip away the melting pot and serve up a gated community for the powerful few.

    Independence Day For Whom?

    So today, I sit here — alone, like so many others — wondering: who is Independence Day really for now? Who gets to claim freedom? Who’s invited to the backyard cookout?

    It’s not me. It’s not the single mom choosing between rent and groceries. It’s not the kid too scared to come out at school. It’s not the immigrant who crossed oceans for hope only to find a locked door. It’s not the veteran sleeping in a tent while billionaires buy up farmland for profit. It’s not the seniors who are being threatened to lose everything, that they already paid for.

    France’s 2025 gift for our Independence Day…This is what people voted for…the world to see us ashamed.

    I Am Ashamed, But I Am Not Done

    I am ashamed of this America. Ashamed that hatred is now policy. Ashamed that we are watching rights crumble while we clap for fireworks. Ashamed that our leaders lie to our faces and dare call it freedom.

    But I am not done with her. Not yet.

    Independence was never given to us. It was fought for. It was defended. It was demanded — and it must be demanded again. So I won’t light a sparkler tonight. I will light something bigger in my heart: the will to stand up, to speak out, to remind us all that freedom is not a promise — it’s a fight.

    So if you feel alone tonight, know you are not. If you feel ashamed of this America, know you are not alone in that either. The dream isn’t dead. But it is up to us to resurrect it.

    Happy Independence Day — if you can find it. If not, help me build it back.

    -Judy T.

    P.S. Please comment below, sharing your favorite 4th of July memory!

    References

    22Jun, 2025
    🕰️ Was War with Iran Planned Since February?

    A Timeline from Map to Missiles

    A theory…

    When Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Donald Trump in February 2025 and reportedly showed him a map of Iranian nuclear sites, it raised eyebrows. Now, with missiles flying and American forces engaged, it looks more like the first move in a long game. Here’s a step-by-step timeline of how this conflict may have been coordinated from the start:

    📆 Timeline: From “Intel Briefing” to U.S. War Entry

    📍 February 4, 2025 – Netanyahu Shows Trump the Map

    • Netanyahu meets Trump at the White House.
    • He presents intelligence visuals and satellite maps of Iranian nuclear development.
    • Sources later confirm he urged Trump to act before Iran became untouchable.

    🤝 April 2025 – Diplomacy or Delay?

    • The U.S. opens a 60-day negotiation window with Iran.
    • Publicly, Trump pushes for a “peaceful deal.”
    • Privately, Israeli forces prepare for military options, possibly with U.S. coordination.

    ❌ June 9, 2025 – Iran Rejects the Deal

    • Trump announces Iran’s refusal of the multinational offer to limit uranium enrichment.
    • The diplomatic window closes. Pressure builds.

    🚨 June 11–12, 2025 – Red Alert Mobilization

    • The U.S. pulls embassy and civilian staff from key embassies in the Middle East.
    • Israel receives quiet approval to move forward.
    • Operation Rising Lion enters final prep.

    💣 June 13, 2025 – Israel Strikes

    • Israel hits nuclear and military sites in Iran.
    • Trump calls it “a sovereign decision,” neither endorsing nor condemning.

    🟥 June 17–18, 2025 – Trump Greenlights Further Israeli Strikes

    • Trump reportedly tells Netanyahu: “Keep going.”
    • U.S. surveillance and logistics quietly support Israel.

    🔥 June 20, 2025 – U.S. Directly Enters the War

    • Trump orders U.S. air support and drone strikes to “protect regional allies.”
    • American aircraft strike Iranian radar and anti-aircraft positions.
    • This marks the U.S. official entrance into the war.

    🧠 What This Timeline Tells Us

    This wasn’t spontaneous. This was planned, paced, and politically packaged. The map Netanyahu handed Trump may have been the opening move in a playbook months in the making.

    While the public was distracted by political theater, the machinery of war was turning.

    🚨 Now What?

    We’re in a war we didn’t debate. We’re in a war that wasn’t transparent. We’re in a war that may have been pre-approved months ago.

    If we don’t speak out, we’ll get dragged deeper.

    🎙️ Use Your Voice — Submit to Rescue Our Democracy

    At RescueOurDemocracy.com, we provide a platform for:

    • ✍️ Writing & op-eds
    • 🎨 Political art & protest graphics
    • 🎧 Podcasts & recorded commentary

    đź“Ą We are always accepting submissions. Use your voice before they silence ours.

    đź“Ś Sources:

    21Jun, 2025
    The President’s War Powers: What You Need to Know Right Now

    He has now led the nation into war with Iran—an action he may initiate unilaterally for 30 days—aligning the United States with escalating violence rather than diplomacy, without meaningful debate, transparency, or regard for public opinion.

    This moment demands that we understand the War Powers Resolution of 1973—a law meant to limit exactly this kind of unchecked presidential action. But does it really work?

    What Is the War Powers Resolution?

    The War Powers Resolution (or War Powers Act) was passed to prevent presidents from dragging the country into war without Congress’s consent. It requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops into conflict.

    Once troops are deployed, the President can only keep them there for 60 days without Congress’s approval. After that, the troops must come home unless Congress authorizes continued military action.

    Why Isn’t This Law Enough?

    In theory, the War Powers Act should protect democracy by ensuring elected representatives decide on war. In practice, presidents from both parties have sidestepped or challenged it.

    They delay notifications, use vague language, or claim Commander-in-Chief authority to bypass Congress. Meanwhile, Congress often fails to assert its power.

    The result? The President can effectively wage war—like with Iran—without meaningful public debate or approval.

    What Are the Real Risks When War Powers Are Enacted?

    War is deadly. But beyond that, unchecked executive war powers open doors to greater abuses:

    • Suppressing protests
    • Limiting due process rights
    • Curtailing freedoms of speech and assembly
    • Expanding secretive surveillance
    • Shutting down communications

    These are not hypothetical threats—they are documented realities when emergency powers pile up unchecked.

    What Can We Do?

    Our democracy depends on transparency, debate, and accountability. We need to demand that:

    • Congress immediately assert its constitutional authority to approve or reject military actions.
    • The President fully comply with the War Powers Resolution’s notification requirements.
    • The public stay informed and vocal—because public opinion matters.

    If we stay silent, war powers can become tools for unchecked presidential control—not protection of our security.

    The Bottom Line

    The War Powers Resolution exists to stop presidents from waging war on a whim. Yet today, it’s failing.

    We must hold our leaders accountable before our rights and lives become collateral damage. Understanding the War Powers Act—and demanding Congress enforce it—is essential to rescuing our democracy.

    If you want to join the fight for accountability and peace, Join our Storm @ RescueOurDemocracy.com and get involved!

    –Shade B.

    17Jun, 2025
    Killing Off the Poor to Replace Them with Controllable Pawns

    (This post has been redone, it was filled with to much anger and emotion and not enough facts)

    Killing off the poor to replace them with controllable pawns is not an exaggeration. It is a direct result of policies designed to dismantle our survival systems. These include cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI, the criminalization of homelessness, abortion bans like Texas’ SB 8, and the broader authoritarian vision behind Project 2025. Each move is calculated. Each one pushes us further toward a society where only the obedient are allowed to live with dignity.

    This is not a war on poverty. It is a war on the poor.

    The Strategy: Remove Support, Create Desperation

    This campaign doesn’t use bullets or bombs. Instead, it uses budgets, bureaucracy, and law to erase autonomy.

    When Medicaid is cut, millions lose access to life-saving care. Without medication, treatment, or therapy, illness becomes a death sentence for those already living on the edge.

    When SNAP benefits are slashed, hunger increases. Children go to school without breakfast. Elders skip meals. Parents juggle rent and groceries, forced into impossible choices.

    When SSI is weakened, people with disabilities are left without income, housing, or safety. They are made invisible—until their crisis becomes a criminal offense.

    When homelessness is criminalized, people are fined or jailed for sleeping outside—even when no shelter is available. Instead of offering homes, cities offer handcuffs.

    These actions are not accidental. They are intentional, interconnected methods to make the poor suffer until they submit—or die.

    The Parallel: Gilead Didn’t Begin With Violence

    Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale shows how dystopia starts quietly. Gilead did not seize power overnight. First, it eliminated women’s access to money. Then it dismantled healthcare. Eventually, it stripped individuals of their identity, autonomy, and choices.

    Gilead created strict social roles:

    • Handmaids were forced to bear children for the ruling class.
    • Marthas did domestic labor, kept obedient through fear.
    • Aunts enforced the rules, punishing dissent from within.

    What do these roles have in common? They depended on removing freedom. No one chose to be a Handmaid. They were given that title after everything else—income, rights, bodily control—was taken away.

    Today, policies like those in Project 2025 serve the same function. They do not declare war openly. Instead, they destroy the tools of independence—one policy at a time.

    Enforcing Control: Through Fear, Punishment, and Surveillance

    Control is easier when people are desperate. That’s why the systems replacing social safety nets are built on punishment.

    Consider Texas SB 8. It bans abortion after six weeks, and encourages citizens to report anyone helping someone get care. This isn’t just an anti-abortion law. It’s a surveillance strategy. It turns neighbors into informants. It erodes trust, isolates people, and makes them fearful to seek help.

    Meanwhile, trans and queer people are targeted across the country. Access to gender-affirming care is under attack. Medicaid bans trans-specific services. Children are denied life-saving medical treatment. LGBTQ+ people are criminalized, censored, and pushed out of public life.

    These attacks are not isolated. They are part of a larger agenda: one that seeks to make survival conditional. If you conform, you might be allowed to eat. If you obey, you might get medication. If you hide who you are, maybe they’ll let you live.

    Criminalizing Existence: Homelessness, Poverty, and Identity

    In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in Grants Pass v. Johnson that cities may fine or jail unhoused individuals for sleeping in public—even if no shelters are available. This ruling gives legal cover to criminalize the simple act of being poor and alive.

    Over 150 cities already have “sit-lie” or camping bans. Police sweep encampments, destroy personal belongings, and arrest people for asking for help. These policies don’t solve homelessness. They hide it, punish it, and use it as a warning.

    At the same time, anti-trans laws, anti-drag bans, and book censorship spread through legislatures. These laws say: conform, disappear, or be punished.

    What begins as budget cuts ends as a caste system. Those who have less are treated as less. Their needs are not just unmet—they are criminalized.

    The Endgame: Project 2025 and the Authoritarian Vision

    Project 2025, a comprehensive far-right playbook, outlines the future these forces want. It includes:

    • Purging government agencies of dissenting voices,
    • Defunding public health, housing, and social programs,
    • Replacing career civil servants with ideologically loyal actors,
    • Centralizing power in the Executive Branch.

    This plan would formalize the dismantling already underway. It’s not just about cutting services. It’s about replacing democracy with obedience.

    When people are hungry, sick, and surveilled, they are easier to control.

    When services are stripped away, people have fewer choices—and fewer chances to resist.

    We Still Have a Choice — But Time Is Short

    The strategy to kill off the poor and replace them with controllable pawns is working. It is not just policy—it is social engineering. Every Medicaid cut, every SSI reduction, every abortion ban, every criminalization of unhoused life is a brick in the wall they are building.

    But we still have a choice. We can speak. We can resist. We can build solidarity and expose the lies that mask this agenda as reform or morality.

    Now is the time to act. Not when the system becomes Gilead—but now, while the architecture is still being assembled.

    References

    1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicaid Enrollment and Access Data, 2024.
    2. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Report, 2023.
    3. Social Security Administration, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program Data, 2024.
    4. City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, 603 U.S. 520 (2024).
    5. National Homelessness Law Center, “Housing Not Handcuffs,” 2023.
    6. Texas Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), 2021; analyzed by the Center for Reproductive Rights and Harvard Law.
    7. Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale, 1985.
    8. The Heritage Foundation, “Mandate for Leadership: Project 2025,” 2023.
    9. Human Rights Campaign, 2024 State Legislation Tracker.
    10. National Low Income Housing Coalition, Criminalization of Homelessness, 2023.
    17Jun, 2025
    Responses from Senators

    Not all that long ago, I posted an open letter to our Senators, Grassley and Ernst.

    You can read it below.

    Open Letter to Senators Grassley and Ernst: Medicaid

    I would like to share with you, my responses.

    Let me tell you…they were both surprises.

    Joni Endst, really surprised me, because at the time, I thought maybe we could still get through to her.

    My thoughts are important? REEEAAAALLY, now? Perhaps she will really read the letter fully and give an actual response. But for now, I feel brushed off…as most Iowans do.

    HOLY IOWA COWS!

    Now here’s my huge surprise. My response from Chuck Grassley (Yes, I used his real name here and not my nickname for him, because he (or his team) was respectful here.)

    I feel that this wasn’t a blanket response. I feel that my letter was actually read. Perhaps because it’s displayed publicly on a site.

    Thank you Senator Chuck Grassley, for your response. I admit, I have been particularly hard on you and your grandson in the past because of frustrations with policies.

    I’d prefer calling you by your real name and not my nickname for you, please keep the rest of us in mind, before taking an ax to our healthcare and other needs. Otherwise, I will be honest with you, I will call you “Assley” again.

    Please note: He added links to help. I may differ with him A LOT. I have for many years. But I truly appreciate this olive branch he sent.

    Mistaken?

    I realize some people are going to give me grief for my appreciation that my letter was read and given answers and help listed.

    I wasn’t a Democrat until Trump’s first term. I had been Independent since I was 18 and got my first voter registration card.

    I don’t choose based on party…NORMALLY.

    But these aren’t normal times.

    Yes, I am pushing for Dems in the upcoming elections in 2026. We need to stop the damage and begin healing. This cannot be achieved with Drumpf sycophants in line to stomp on it.

    I may end up being Dem for life after this, who knows.

    But I will always acknowledge when a politician responds in a proper way and I will certainly amplify ten-fold if they acknowledge in a poor way.

    So here is my ask.

    From this time on, let’s refer to Joni, who wishes all the lower income brackets dead, without realizing that she won’t have the money or the poor people to prop herself on and take money from…

    I propose we ONLY refer to her as…

    JONI ENDST

    Pass it on.

    -Judy T.