Extremely helpful and encouraging "to do" list. I especially liked how you encouraged us to talk with those prepared, and some of those not so prepared to talk about the issues facing us all. And the idea of a 'pod,' because after this weekend's rallies I can clearly see the mathematical goal of having 3.5% of us out there over and over and over again until this despotic regime is defeated. We're over halfway there in terms of numbers. And our boycotts are having real word effects, too. I am still thinking about the 4th, flags and etcetera. I haven't flown the flag since the first day of Donald Trump's first term. My neighbors are well aware of my political sentiments due to my flying of the Candadian, Ukrainian, Juneteenth, Native American day, etc, flags on related occasions, plus the couple of lawn signs nestled among my front garden offerings for their enjoyment. But so many at the NO KINGS rally I attended were carrying flags--I guess that's the point. I have a special American Flag, folded by two honor guard Marines on the occasion of my dad's burial at Quantico. It's in one of those triangular box frames and I couldn't bear to unfurl it. But maybe I'll make a plinth and set it out on the front stoop (we have stoops rather than porches, here) to honor Dad, my family's long service to this country, and myself as a not-so-proud, but still hopeful American. Thanks for the suggestion.
Yes definitely put your Dad’s flag out for people to see and respect . It’s an important message to send - that the sacrifices of our relatives (or our own ) provide the sacred ground for our beliefs and our protests.
Tears to my eyes. I actually could have carried my grandfather's, my uncle's, my dad's my cousin's and my brother's. And that's only the ones with fifty stars on them. My husband's dad was in the RAF, and by rights that ought to be on the honor roll, too.
Yes! I particularly love your point about reclaiming patriotism. Last year, I bought a shirt from the Faith Adjacent podcast shop that is a cartoon of Betsy Ross saying "I didn't sew this flag for you to be weird about it" and it captures my feelings perfectly. This year, I'm adding the Read Receipts "liberty and justice for all" shirt to the mix!
I’ve been sharing lots of fun pics with people I know who haven’t protested yet to plant some FOMO for the next protest. Every one I go to just try to bring a newbie!
Think one of those sign places does the yard sign that would say "With liberty and justice for all"? I need to that to outdo my neighbors (aka cult members with T signs all over their backyard) and their "Freedom" signage.
Re: your discussion with Adam Kinzinger, although I am happy with a lot of what he says and does, you and he lost me for good when he refused to acknowledge that ALMOST ALL of the domestic US political violence — and certainly the worst of it — is directly attributable to the repugnant garbage that continually spews from trump’s loathsome REPUBLICAN anus mouth. The bankrupt effort by republicans, including apparently this former congressman, at bothsidesism is horrifying. Kinzinger seems to think his position is fine because, hey, those Democrats will get around to being violent eventually. Time for him to face that only one political group has members who call for violence against politicians from the other party, which leads to their murders. The connection is straightforward and easy to make, and Kinzinger's cowardice is beyond appalling. Grounds for me to not take him seriously and to wonder whether he is being honest about what he really thinks. Fortunately, I had already cancelled my paid subscription to his substack.
Loved FIRED UP and Shannon! Her book is amazing and everyone needs to read it!
Also appreciate your encouragement around the 4th. My husband and I keep saying we need to take back the flag. We have a 1945 WWII Jeep that we drive around in parades and the neighborhood on Sundays. We've been yelled at in the past because people have thought we are MAGA. I now make sure I wear something that shows we are not...yesterday is was my Make America For Everyone Hat. Today I'm going to find all the patriotic stuff I can find for a 4th of July party in our backyard and because we are driving in the Rose White and Blue parade in The Rose Garden area of San Jose!
Full ham on the 4th! Love it! I keep thinking back to the Olympics last year and how much it moved me to see the U.S. athletes and fans - all different bodies and backgrounds and beliefs - so proudly waving the flag. So many strong and powerful moments and reminders that this flag is for all of us and I don't want to relinquish that. Would love to recapture the joy of those moments last summer.
Extremely helpful and encouraging "to do" list. I especially liked how you encouraged us to talk with those prepared, and some of those not so prepared to talk about the issues facing us all. And the idea of a 'pod,' because after this weekend's rallies I can clearly see the mathematical goal of having 3.5% of us out there over and over and over again until this despotic regime is defeated. We're over halfway there in terms of numbers. And our boycotts are having real word effects, too. I am still thinking about the 4th, flags and etcetera. I haven't flown the flag since the first day of Donald Trump's first term. My neighbors are well aware of my political sentiments due to my flying of the Candadian, Ukrainian, Juneteenth, Native American day, etc, flags on related occasions, plus the couple of lawn signs nestled among my front garden offerings for their enjoyment. But so many at the NO KINGS rally I attended were carrying flags--I guess that's the point. I have a special American Flag, folded by two honor guard Marines on the occasion of my dad's burial at Quantico. It's in one of those triangular box frames and I couldn't bear to unfurl it. But maybe I'll make a plinth and set it out on the front stoop (we have stoops rather than porches, here) to honor Dad, my family's long service to this country, and myself as a not-so-proud, but still hopeful American. Thanks for the suggestion.
Yes definitely put your Dad’s flag out for people to see and respect . It’s an important message to send - that the sacrifices of our relatives (or our own ) provide the sacred ground for our beliefs and our protests.
One of the most moving demonstrators I saw this past weekend was an elderly woman carrying her husband's flag.
Tears to my eyes. I actually could have carried my grandfather's, my uncle's, my dad's my cousin's and my brother's. And that's only the ones with fifty stars on them. My husband's dad was in the RAF, and by rights that ought to be on the honor roll, too.
May their memories be a blessing to us all, Leigh. <3
Loved all of this, and laughed out loud at "Go full ham on the 4th"
Yes! I particularly love your point about reclaiming patriotism. Last year, I bought a shirt from the Faith Adjacent podcast shop that is a cartoon of Betsy Ross saying "I didn't sew this flag for you to be weird about it" and it captures my feelings perfectly. This year, I'm adding the Read Receipts "liberty and justice for all" shirt to the mix!
As to Point Number 3, there are a lot of absolutely amazing, completely unhinged vintage USA gem sweaters on ebay.
I joined my local Democratic Committee this year because of encouragement from people like Emily, and Emily's book! Shannon is also super inspiring.
There's another newbie on the committee that looks to be around my age and I'd like to make friends with her! Wish me luck. 😊
I’ve been sharing lots of fun pics with people I know who haven’t protested yet to plant some FOMO for the next protest. Every one I go to just try to bring a newbie!
Think one of those sign places does the yard sign that would say "With liberty and justice for all"? I need to that to outdo my neighbors (aka cult members with T signs all over their backyard) and their "Freedom" signage.
Re: your discussion with Adam Kinzinger, although I am happy with a lot of what he says and does, you and he lost me for good when he refused to acknowledge that ALMOST ALL of the domestic US political violence — and certainly the worst of it — is directly attributable to the repugnant garbage that continually spews from trump’s loathsome REPUBLICAN anus mouth. The bankrupt effort by republicans, including apparently this former congressman, at bothsidesism is horrifying. Kinzinger seems to think his position is fine because, hey, those Democrats will get around to being violent eventually. Time for him to face that only one political group has members who call for violence against politicians from the other party, which leads to their murders. The connection is straightforward and easy to make, and Kinzinger's cowardice is beyond appalling. Grounds for me to not take him seriously and to wonder whether he is being honest about what he really thinks. Fortunately, I had already cancelled my paid subscription to his substack.
Loved FIRED UP and Shannon! Her book is amazing and everyone needs to read it!
Also appreciate your encouragement around the 4th. My husband and I keep saying we need to take back the flag. We have a 1945 WWII Jeep that we drive around in parades and the neighborhood on Sundays. We've been yelled at in the past because people have thought we are MAGA. I now make sure I wear something that shows we are not...yesterday is was my Make America For Everyone Hat. Today I'm going to find all the patriotic stuff I can find for a 4th of July party in our backyard and because we are driving in the Rose White and Blue parade in The Rose Garden area of San Jose!
Full ham on the 4th! Love it! I keep thinking back to the Olympics last year and how much it moved me to see the U.S. athletes and fans - all different bodies and backgrounds and beliefs - so proudly waving the flag. So many strong and powerful moments and reminders that this flag is for all of us and I don't want to relinquish that. Would love to recapture the joy of those moments last summer.