So, there’s this website and downloadable pdf called Invisible: A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Agenda. It’s where “former congressional staffers reveal best practices for making Congress listen”
It’s pretty dandy y’all should check it out
Also take a copy of The Activists’ Handbook by Aidan Ricketts which is an incredible book and a great stater for anyone who is brand new to practical activism and needs a helping hand on how to start in a safe, responsible and practical way
If a free press has any hope of surviving the next 4 years, we need the journalists covering Trump to send a clear message: If Trump blacklists or bans one of you, the rest of you need to stand up. Instead of ignoring Trump’s bad behavior and going about your business, close ranks and stand up for journalism.
So in case you missed it, because this kind of weirdness is easy to miss at its entry point, the WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY stood in the briefing room today and actually tried to insist that the 2017 inauguration was the most attended ever, and that the media were irresponsibly lying about it.
Here’s the problem: whole segments of the population who saw this report broadcasted live, with no critical analysis of it or proof to the contrary, believe it.
This is not gonna be about one day or one march, y’all. Stay calm, stay focused, create small and manageable goals, but stand up for yourselves, for others, and for reality. Every. Day.
This link explains in better detail the strategies being used by the Trump administration and how to best combat against them
Unfollow him. Starve him of attention. Drive down his ratings. When he or his minions appear on TV, change the channel.
Strategy #2: Seek the Truth
Keep close tabs on what Trump does to America and the world, but rely on news source(s) that will rigorously fact-check his every utterance. Follow only credible outlets that are willing to call out a Trump lie when they encounter one. Avoid those that repeat his falsehoods as if they were true, or give his minions a platform for lies and the “Three Ds.”
Strategy #3: Fight Back
Boycott and tweet out the companies sponsoring irresponsible platforms, so they are held accountable for their actions. Take a look at Sleeping Giants. It provides a do-it-yourself approach to influencing companies that advertise on “hate news” sites. Most of the businesses you challenge will be grateful to hear from you because a computer algorithm chooses their ad sites. Literally, these companies don’t know what they’re doing. The strategy works for “fake news,” too.Throughout the campaign, Trump’s strategies produced ratings that were a media bonanza. Not any more. Remember that your time and your clicks translate into money for media outlets.
TL;DR: “For eight years, American colonists fought to win freedom from Great Britain. Every citizen has a duty to preserve and protect it.”
Isn’t this a form of gaslighting?
Yes it is. This is the very definition of gaslighting.
Trump plans to cut the National Endowment for the Arts so now more than ever keep artists, the theatre community and creators in your thoughts and support them whenever you can.
It’s a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the American elected to take his or her place. It’s a letter meant to share what we know, what we’ve learned, and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land, and the leadership of the free world.
But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.
Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I’ve pulled strength. I’ve seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers – and found grace in a Charleston church.
I’ve taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I’ve seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I’ve seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I’ve seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other.
I’ve seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I’ve seen our future unfolding.
All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work – the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there’s an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.
I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.
And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ ‘We shall overcome.’
Yes, we can.
And if you’d like to stay connected, you can sign up here to keeping getting updates from me.
Y’all might remember that I had you guys sending postcards to Gus and Charlie, because Gus was fighting cancer, and losing kind of badly. Gus was 7 years old when he died on September 29th, just prior to what would have been his 8th birthday.
My friend Sasha held her son as he died and then carried him to a hospital, so that at some point in the future no parent will have to deal with this. In his death, Gus may have provided answers to the questions his incredibly rare and deadly form of cancer brings to the table.
Gus was only able to make to almost-but-not-quite 8 years old because of the ACA. He was able to experience things and live as full a life as possible and learn about dinosaurs and go to school (he was diagnosed young, prior to even entering school) and make friends – because of the ACA. His mother and father were only able to afford a service and cremation because his ACA-compliant insurance paid the bulk of the bill. They were only able to continue financially caring for their youngest son Charlie (who just turned 7 years old…yesterday, I think) and keep themselves in food and housing rather than going bankrupt…because of the fucking Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
With her permission, I have posted this here, because I want people to know exactly how badly Republicans will be screwing children, and their grieving parents, over if they repeal the ACA.
For Gus, who never made it to 8; for Sasha and her husband, who lost their son; for Charlie, who lost his brother –
For all of the other parents and lost children who are and were in the same boat –
We can’t let Republicans do this. We need to step up to the plate. Because they – Sasha and Gus and everyone like them – can’t.
Steel Phoenix Studios 