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Latest 100 posts by date. Posts are organized with the date of a book or article, not the posting date. However, events are set with the posting date, then they expire after the event’s date.
- Next General MeetingWednesday, March 11th from 7-8:30pm Join us in person in Portola Valley.
- 2026-03-28 NO KINGS 3 Only Love is Stronger than HateTime: Saturday, March 28, 2 – 4pm PDT Location: El Camino Real and Jefferson Ave, Redwood City, CA 94062 About this event No Kings 3 is on March 28. Thousands will be out along El Camino across the Peninsula showing outrage at the administration, the illegal ICE actions, taking health care from millions to give tax breaks to billionaires, taking away rights from women over their own bodies, protecting pedophiles–the list goes on. Courage is contagious as we take back the House and Senate AND OUR COUNTRY! We will meet once again at El Camino and Jefferson in Redwood City … Continue reading 2026-03-28 NO KINGS 3 Only Love is Stronger than Hate
- 2025-06-14 No Kings Day – Palo Alto (past event)
- 2026-02-13 Portola Valley: Work Party for Making “Know Your Rights” Kits (past event)Indivisible Portola Valley has made about 5000 Know Your Rights Kits and aims to make 3000 more at this work party at a private residence. These photos or videos may be downloaded and used freely for non-commercial purposes or by bona fide media services, provided that the photographer and Pro Bono Photo are credited whenever they are used. (ProBonoPhoto.org/PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME). The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ The photographer at this event was Sonny Mencher. For more information about Pro Bono Photo photographers, see http://www.ProBonoPhoto.org/Who-We-Are.
- 2026-02-08 Santa Clara: ICE Protest at the Super Bowl (past event)A protest of the actions of ICE and the Trump administration more generally, held near Levi Stadium while the Super Bowl game was taking place there. These photos or videos may be downloaded and used freely for non-commercial purposes or by bona fide media services, provided that the photographer and Pro Bono Photo are credited whenever they are used (ProBonoPhoto.org/PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME). The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ The photographers at this event were Sammy Braxton-Haney, John Weekes, and Nate Love. https://www.probonophoto.org/2026/8Feb26SantaClara-ICESuperbowl
- 2026-02-08 Redwood City: Protest ICE before the Super Bowl (past event)A protest of ICE timed for the morning of the Super Bowl. Redwood City, corner of Jefferson Ave. and El Camino Real. These photos or videos may be downloaded and used freely for non-commercial purposes or by bona fide media services, provided that the photographer and Pro Bono Photo are credited whenever they are used (ProBonoPhoto.org/PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME). The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ The photographers at this event were Sonny Mencher and Don Rasmussen. https://www.probonophoto.org/2026/8Feb26RC-ICESuperbowl 2026-02-08 Santa Clara: ICE Protest at the Super Bowl A protest of the actions of ICE … Continue reading 2026-02-08 Redwood City: Protest ICE before the Super Bowl (past event)
- 2026-02-07 ICE Out for Good Protest (past event)These photos or videos may be downloaded and used freely for non-commercial purposes or by bona fide media services, provided that the photographer and Pro Bono Photo are credited whenever they are used (ProBonoPhoto.org/PHOTOGRAPHER’S NAME). The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ The photographers at this event were Jillian Lovett, Zach Lovett, and Jesse Kornblum Saturday, February 7, 3 – 4:30pm PST Location: Gateway Plaza, 790 W El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040 We will peacefully gather to stand up to this MAGA regime of bullies for billionaires that is destroying … Continue reading 2026-02-07 ICE Out for Good Protest (past event)
- A community organizer’s guide to Signal group chatsKey privacy settings and best practices. by Stevie Bonifield Publisher: The Verge Recommended by Bruce R and EFF With ICE and CBP roaming the streets, united community action is more important than ever right now — from local mutual aid groups to school safety patrols. Known for its privacy features and end-to-end encryption, the Signal messaging app has become a popular platform for organizing these community groups. Signal can be a great tool for private messaging, but it’s at its best if you know how to use all the privacy options. Not all of these options are automatic or even … Continue reading A community organizer’s guide to Signal group chats
- Bruce Springsteen – Streets Of Minneapolis
- 2026-01-17 – NO WAR ON VENEZUELA (past event)The photographer at this event was Sonny Mencher. The photographer retains copyright to the photos or videos. This is a CC-NC-BY-4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ https://www.probonophoto.org/2026/17Jan26RedwoodCityNoWar Time Saturday, January 17 11am – 12:30pm PST Location El Camino at Jefferson 1250 Jefferson Ave, Redwood City, CA 94062
- A Call to Freeze ICESuspend all ICE activities pending judicial review of their methods. By: Antonia Scatton Publisher: Reframing America There are many, many demands we can make about ICE including reforming it, replacing it with something better, or at minimum, repealing the recent massive funding increases. But those take time. We need action now. We need to call for an immediate suspension of activities, an appropriately named “freeze,” to stop the harm right now. A temporary freeze is a good place to start. It is both drastic and reasonable. WHAT: Our Demands More Reframing America articles
- ACTION HUB – Click on photo to learn more!Pressure Reps to Act! Attend Protests! Attend Town Halls Promote Constructive Conversation Stay Informed & Avoid Disinformation Support Pro-Democracy Organizations and Litigation
- The Greatest Sentence Ever WrittenIsaacson explores the origins of the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence:“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”• He breaks down the historical context, showing how Jefferson drafted it and Franklin and Adams edited it.• The book highlights how those words shaped the American Dream and remain relevant in today’s polarized times. Ali Velshi interviews Walter Isaacson Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Keep Your Guard UpKnow Your Rights By ACLU Last month, the Bay Area braced for a surge of National Guard soldiers and federal immigration agents. Although Trump ultimately called off the troops, in the short time Border Patrol officers were here, they fired flash-bang grenades at peaceful community members and shot a pastor in the face with a pepper ball. The unprovoked violence was a chilling glimpse of how future immigration raids could unfold here. That’s why we can’t become complacent. Be prepared and know your rights in case federal agents show up anywhere in our region: This is from the ACLU’s Know … Continue reading Keep Your Guard Up
- This Is the Way You Beat Trump — and TrumpismBy Ezra Klein Publisher: New York Times (PDF Archive)
- Autocrats vs. Democrats“A history, an analysis, and a set of prescriptions for the greatest geopolitical challenge of our time: the threat to the democratic world posed by China and Russia.” —Anne Applebaum, author of Autocracy, Inc. “A monumental account of contemporary geopolitics”—Francis Fukuyama, author of Liberalism and Its DiscontentsFrom New York Times bestselling author and former ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul comes a bold, clear-eyed look at how the autocracies of China and Russia are challenging the current global order, and how America’s future depends on successfully confronting this threat.
- RetributionThe must-read new book from Jonathan Karl, the author of New York Times bestsellers Tired of Winning, Betrayal, and Front Row at the Trump Show In Retribution, Jonathan Karl’s unparalleled access brings us behind closed doors deep inside the White House and presidential campaigns, revealing the extraordinary moments that ended one man’s presidency and brought another back to power. This is a story of unprecedented political plot twists, showing what happened behind the scenes as political fortunes fell and rose again, and as a new team coalesced around President Trump with the goal of creating an entirely new world order. From President Biden’s shocking withdrawal and … Continue reading Retribution
- Community Conversation – October 23, 2025With Anna Eshoo and Genavieve Koenigshofer Listen to retired US Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and Genavieve Koenigshofer, Executive Director of GenUP, speak at the amazing event organized by IPV leader, JoAnn Loulan, with video by Bruce Rafnel.
- No Kings 2 – Parade & FairStanford University journalism students made this video of the Parade up Embarcadero to the Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park. The video includes IPV organizer JoAnn Loulan speaking about how important it is to VOTE YES ON PROP 50!
- No Kings 2 – Sam Liccardoby Bruce Rafnel Location: Palo Alto, CA; 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Rinconada Cultural Park. Organizers Event Program: https://tinyurl.com/u8wmfprf
- No Kings 2 – Heham Sallamby Bruce Rafnel Location: Palo Alto, CA; 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Rinconada Cultural Park. Organizers Event Program: https://tinyurl.com/u8wmfprf
- No Kings 2 – Ladoris Cordellby Bruce Rafnel Location: Palo Alto, CA; 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Rinconada Cultural Park. Organizers Event Program: https://tinyurl.com/u8wmfprf
- No Kings 2 – Democracy FairLocation: Palo Alto, CA; 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Rinconada Cultural Park. IPV videographer, Bruce Rafnel, prepared this 47-minute video showing many of the activities and speakers at the Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park. Bruce’s coverage includes the closing program featuring retired CA Supreme Court Justice La Doris Cordell, Hesham Sallem of Stanford, Congressman Sam Liccardo, and many Indivisible collaborators. Organizers
- The Shadow PresidentFrom the wholesale gutting of federal agencies to the ongoing government shutdown, Russell Vought has drawn the road map for Trump’s second term. Vought has consolidated power to an extent that insiders say they feel like “he is the commander in chief.” What Vought has done in the nine months since Trump took office goes much further than slashing foreign aid. Relying on an expansive theory of presidential power and a willingness to test the rule of law, he has frozen vast sums of federal spending, terminated tens of thousands of federal workers and, in a few cases, brought entire … Continue reading The Shadow President
- How To Not Lose Your Sh!tby and Publisher: Let’s be honest: this year has been a bit of a dumpster fire. Here at Red Wine & Blue, we’ve been hearing women in our community say they’re not sure how to make a difference — at least, not without totally losing their shit. So we decided to tackle that question head-on with a brand-new podcast. It’s simply called How To Not Lose Your Sh!t and it’s hosted by our very own Katie Paris and LaFonda Cousin. Katie, our founder, has worked in political organizing for most of her career. LaFonda, our Chief People Officer, is a … Continue reading How To Not Lose Your Sh!t
- Mobilize.orgYou can “filter” for events near you. You can also filter for the “type” of events or meetings. Where are some current political events near you? Mobilize is a good place to start. https://www.mobilize.us/ From Mobilize’s About page: Power to the People Mobilize is your go-to destination for people-powered movements. We provide nonprofits, labor unions, political campaigns, and grassroots organizers the tech needed to create a more just, inclusive, and democratic world.
- 2025-10-18 – No Kings 2 (past event)For videos, see no-kings/ posts for Oct. 18, 2025 Join Indivisible Portola Valley and Indivisible Palo Alto On June 14th we had 5000 folks–let’s represent the people who can’t be there and let people know WE ARE NOT GIVING UP! That’s what the administration wants-WE DISSENT! Costumes! Signs! Families!
- The ONE THING You Can Do to Fight Fascism RIGHT NOWIf it feels like America is sliding deeper into darkness—with voter suppression, book bans, gag orders, and fear spreading daily—you’re not alone. The truth is, fascism thrives when good people hesitate, but democracy grows stronger when ordinary people take action. You don’t need the full roadmap to change the world; you just need to take the next best step. Even the smallest action—whether it’s organizing in your community, speaking out at a school board meeting, or showing up for your neighbors—can disrupt authoritarianism and build momentum for lasting change. In this video, I’ll share why action is the antidote to … Continue reading The ONE THING You Can Do to Fight Fascism RIGHT NOW
- Stop ICE Raids Alert NetworkThe Stop ICE Raids Alert Network lets you send and receive mobile alerts about nearby ICE activity whenever and wherever it occurs. No downloadable app required. StopICE works with technology already built into your phone. Send and receive mobile alerts via text message, or at stopice.net, from any mobile device with a tap of a button. Adjust your notification settings at any time to receive alerts within a certain mile radius of your neighborhood. Alerts are crowd-sourced by the public. This means alerts are sent directly by people from their communities.
- Beyond Left & Right
- International Center on Nonviolent ConflictThe website of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, has many links to resources, etc., including a comprehensive “resource library” of advice for activists and organizers, as well as material from scholars, the policy community, etc.
- What’s the Plan? With guest: Erica Chenoweth
- Noncooperation & Targeting Pillars of SupportThis handout describes some of the Pillars of Support. Each time a pillar institution yields to or supports the regime, the regime grows stronger. In contrast, noncooperation — refusing to do what is expected, disrupting the normal course of events, and withdrawing support from unjust or illegal policies — weakens the regime and creates cracks in its foundation of power. PDF Handout
- Trump’s Power & the Rule of Law (full documentary) | FRONTLINEFRONTLINE goes inside the showdown between U.S. President Donald Trump and the courts over presidential power. President Donald Trump’s allies, opponents and experts talk about how he is testing the extent of his power, the legal pushback and the impact on the rule of law.
- One Million RisingAcross the country, authoritarian forces are getting bolder and more dangerous. Trump and his allies are not hiding their agenda: mass deportations, rollbacks of civil rights, weaponized courts, and full-scale attacks on our democracy. We don’t have to wait until it’s too late. We can stop this. But it’ll take all of us—not just single days of mass action, but sustained organizing in our communities. That’s why this summer, we’re launching One Million Rising—a national effort to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation, as well as the basics of community organizing and campaign design. … Continue reading One Million Rising
- Saving DemocracySaving Democracy is that rare book that doesn’t simply diagnose the crisis our democracy faces, and the broader strategies that we must take to fight back…but it breaks it all down so that every reader understands the role she or he can play in their own lives. Buy
- Starts With UsBased on decades of research from Columbia University Professor and Starts With Us Expert-in-Residence Peter T. Coleman, Ph.D., the Finding The Way Out Challenge is designed to help shape new habits and norms for political tolerance and courageous compassion. Think of it as a personalized boot camp for building a healthier national culture and repairing broken relationships across differences. Latest Articles
- Crossing Party LinesOur story begins in 2016 with two groups starting independently of one another — on opposite coasts of the United States. Coincidentally, both founders chose the same name, “Crossing Party Lines.” Their shared vision led them to create a volunteer platform to unite Americans through warm and engaging conversations. Prompted by a time of unprecedented political polarization, these two visionaries, their energetic team of volunteers, and over 3,000 CPL members are uniting America one conversation at a time. Donations to Crossing Party Lines, Inc. are 501(c)3) tax-deductible. Latest Articles
- Braver AngelsBraver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the political divide. Through community gatherings, real debates, and grassroots leaders working together, we’re offering America what it needs to overcome the bitterness of our partisan divide. Donations to Braver Angels are 501(c)3 tax deductible Latest Articles
- Sibling Cities USASibling Cities USA facilitates cross-regional pairings of US cities to build deep relationships. IPV member, Bob Barrett, participated in the historic inaugural sibling cities pairing of Palo Alto, California and Bloomington, Indiana.
- Living Room ConversationsLRC connects people across divides – politics, age, gender, race, nationality, and more – through guided conversations proven to build understanding and transform communities. IPV is just getting started with Living Room Conversations. If you are interested in joining us for a conversation, please get in touch. Donations to Living Room Conversations are 501(c)3) tax-deductible.
- How to Have Constructive ConversationsWe must be willing to ‘talk about it’ Everyone in our democracy must be able to speak their minds about public issues. Speaking up needs to be safe, responsible, respectful and free. This includes airing differences, supplying facts, and explaining opinions and options. Even in conversations with people with whom we seem to agree, it’s important to air differences. This can be challenging, yet it’s worth it because we can learn from each other. Conversations with others who have very different perspectives, or whose views seem to be underinformed or based on inaccurate information, or different values, can be much harder. … Continue reading How to Have Constructive Conversations
- No KingsFor the latest information about No Kings events, go to this website: https://www.nokings.org About No Kings In June, we did what many claimed was impossible: peacefully mobilized millions of people to take to the streets and declare with one voice — America has No Kings. And it mattered. The world saw the power of the people. President Trump’s birthday parade was drowned out by protests in every state and across the globe. His attempt to turn June 14 into a coronation collapsed, and the story became the strength of a movement rising against his authoritarian power grabs. Four months later, … Continue reading No Kings
- Actor and Zen priest, Peter Coyote, on protest tacticsby Peter Coyote This Substack post was reformatted and posted on Facebook. Summary I’m watching the Los Angeles reaction to ICE raids with trepidation and regret. Three years ago I taught a class at Harvard on the “theater of protest”— designed to help people understand why so many protests turn out to be Republican campaign videos working directly against the interests of the original protest.
- Attack from WithinUPDATED EDITION: The MSNBC legal analyst explores the impact of disinformation after the 2024 presidential election—and what Americans can do before it’s too late. “A comprehensive guide to the dynamics of disinformation and a necessary call to theethical commitment to truth that all democracies require.” —Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny Disinformation—the deliberate spreading of lies disguised as truth, whether from opportunists on the far right, misinformed media influencers, or others—is fragmenting America more than ever before, pushing the nation toward extreme views, civil unrest, and violence. In this bestselling book, now with a new foreword by the author, Barbara McQuade … Continue reading Attack from Within
- How to Spot Deliberately Misleading -DISINFORMATIONCHECK THE SOURCE Use reputable sources such as established news organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies. Be wary of sources that are unfamiliar or have a history of spreading false information. VERIFY THE INFORMATION Before sharing information, check to see if it has been reported by multiple sources. If not, it may be false or misleading. LOOK FOR EVIDENCE Disinformation often lacks evidence or relies on weak or misleading evidence. Look for sources that provide strong evidence to support their claims. BE SKEPTICAL OF EMOTIONAL APPEALS Disinformation often uses emotional appeals to manipulate people. Be wary of information that tries … Continue reading How to Spot Deliberately Misleading -DISINFORMATION
- White Rural RageIn White Rural Rage, Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman explore why rural Whites have failed to reap the benefits from their outsize political power and why, as a result, they are the most likely group to abandon democratic norms and traditions. Their rage—stoked daily by Republican politicians and the conservative media—now poses an existential threat to the United States. INTERVIEW: Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman talk to Matt Lewis Media Washington Post – Review
- Thoughts on Aliens of Our CreationDo they work for us, or for themselves? By: Bruce Rafnel Publisher: Substack, Authentic Community Clearly, humans are causing climate change. But we have more problems than warming the planet. Even if we control the temperature by reducing our CO2 emissions, there are many other ecological problems caused by humans: deforestation, desertification, disruption of water cycles, plastic pollution, insect decline, fishery collapses, and fuel resource depletion. The list goes on and on. “It is no accident that the ruins of the world’s oldest civilizations are mostly in deserts now. It wasn’t desert before that.” Our human institutions are unwilling (or … Continue reading Thoughts on Aliens of Our Creation
- 4 tips for developing critical thinking skillsBy: Steve Pearlman, Ph.D Publisher: TEDx Talks, TEDxCapeMay “Critical thinking” increasingly stands as the most sought-after skill that has long been too fleeting to define. Employers rate it as a pinnacle skill, but one of which they see too little, and educators claim to teach it, but over half of Millennials recently failed a simple Mindedge critical thinking test. So, what is critical thinking? Analysis? Information literacy? Thinking outside the box? Informal logic? Problem-solving? Evaluating data? Decision science? What if all of our efforts to define critical thinking as above have been the core problem with teaching it? What if, … Continue reading 4 tips for developing critical thinking skills
- 2025-04-05 – HANDS OFF! Redwood City, CA (past event)
- A More Perfect UnionA New Vision for Building the Beloved CommunityBy Adam Russell TaylorRecommended by: BobPublisher: Broadleaf Books Thinking about alternatives is an important part of the One Million Rising training. In the words of the president of Sojourners, Adam Russell Taylor, whom I heard speak recently, to build a “more perfect union,” we need to be focusing on three priorities: Blocking, Bridging, and Building. We are focused a lot on Blocking bad things happening, but have little power to do that. In the future, we can work on Bridging, but that will take a very long time and will entail millions of … Continue reading A More Perfect Union
- In Trump’s Alternate Reality, Lies and Distortions Drive ChangeMr. Trump has long been unfettered by truth when it comes to boasting about his record and tearing down his enemies. But what were dubbed “alternative facts” in his first term have quickly become a whole alternative reality in his second to lay the groundwork for radical change as he moves to aggressively reshape America and the world.
- Democracy Requires Our CourageGov. J.B. Pritzker: “Tyranny requires your fear, your silence, and your compliance. Democracy requires your courage” Stand Together in Courage
- Some Actions That Are Not Protesting or VotingSome examples: ANTI-CRIMINALIZATION COMMUNITY DEFENSE/MIGRANT JUSTICE (Archive Link) This came from the Mutula Aid 101 course.
- How to Organize Our Way Out of the Trump-Musk PutschA plan to harness grassroots energy—and to hold Democratic leaders accountable. by Ezra Levin, Leah Greenberg Summary Indivisible founders, Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg, wrote this inspiring article for The Nation. Reviewed by Rachael Maddow.
- 50500150501 is a peaceful movement. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated. 50501 is a national movement made up of everyday Americanswho stand for democracy, and who stand against the authoritarianactions of the Trump Administration. The name 50501 stands for50 States, 50 Protests, 1 Movement. The 50501 movement is a grassroots effort, meaning it’spowered by everyday people, not by politicians or political parties.Most of the work happens at the local level, where volunteersin local city or state groups organize protests, advertise events,and handle logistics. These local groups are the lifeblood of themovement and exist both online and in-person.In addition … Continue reading 505001
- Voter ID Requirement CA PollPublic Opinion Strategies recently completed a survey of 800 likely voters in California. The survey was conducted January 19-22, 2025, and has a margin of error of ±3.46%. The memo below outlines some key findings from the survey. Support for a voter ID requirement enjoys broad, bipartisan support in California. From: Public Opinion Strategies
- OutragedWhy We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground By Kurt Gray Publisher: Pantheon It’s easy to assume that liberals and conservatives have radically different moral foundations. In Outraged, Kurt Gray showcases the latest science to demonstrate that we all have the same moral mind—that everyone’s moral judgments stem from feeling threatened or vulnerable to harm. We all care about protecting ourselves and the vulnerable. Conflict arises, however, when we have different perceptions of harm. We get outraged when we disagree about who the “real” victim is, whether we’re talking about political issues, fights with our … Continue reading Outraged
- DefyImagine living the life you want to lead, not the one you’re willing to accept. This profound but practical book offers clear steps to stop people pleasing and start living your truth. “A powerful book. If you’ve ever compromised your principles to please others, Defy will give you the will—and skill—to stand up for yourself.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again
- Today’s Edition Newsletter, Robert B. HubbellA reflection on today’s news through the lens of hope.By Robert B. Hubbell Recommended by Bob. Article Feed
- Indivisible Mid-PeninsulaBe a part of the movement to restore democracy in our countryCommunity Organized Activism Indivisible Mid-Peninsula is the local branch of Indivisible, encompassing the area between Menlo Park and Belmont on the San Francisco Peninsula. We welcome members from other areas as well! Our mission is to: Our goal is to create a community in which pro-democracy advocates find opportunities to engage and have an impact at whatever level works for them. We’re committed to taking action that will lead to a more perfect union, where “justice for all” is more than a platitude. We meet as a community on … Continue reading Indivisible Mid-Peninsula
- Photographic Evidence is DeadFake Image, Fake NEWS, Fake Trust. By: Turtle Engineer (AKA: Bruce Rafnel) Publisher: Medium, Slow Engineering We have now witnessed the death of almost 200 years of photographic (and other recorded) evidence. Images, videos, and audio recordings can now be easily faked or altered in ways that cannot be detected. Digital technology has made this happen. Analog media is continuous, so subtle modifications can be noticed. However, digital media has discrete bits that are not dependent on the bits around them. It is time to relearn what was so obvious to our ancestors: the SOURCE is more important than the … Continue reading Photographic Evidence is Dead
- Indivisible Palo Alto PlusDefend Democracy. Build Community. Have Fun. Indivisible Palo Alto Plus (IPA+) is a diverse, action-oriented community that works to defend democracy across the San Francisco Peninsula and beyond. We combine grassroots activism with joy, bringing together people of varied backgrounds and perspectives to stand against authoritarianism and to protect democratic values. We are committed to making positive change—one action, and one connection, at a time. Because tyrants hate it when we’re having fun, IPA+ meetings always incorporate playful activities that help us laugh and connect with each other. We believe that fun, joy, and laughter are essential to nourishing our … Continue reading Indivisible Palo Alto Plus
- Indivisible: A Practical Guide To Democracy On The BrinkIf there’s one universally accepted truth in the modern age, it’s that sequels suck. And Trump 2.0 will be no exception. Trump, Vance, and their MAGA minions feel vindicated by the victory of their bigoted, fascistic clown show of a presidential campaign. Trump takes office with a plan to institute the worst parts of Project 2025. He’ll be enabled by a judiciary packed with right-wing ideologues and a congressional majority stacked with MAGA foot soldiers. And he’s assembled a bloc of corporations and billionaires eager to do his bidding in exchange for tax cuts and corrupt favors. But he has … Continue reading Indivisible: A Practical Guide To Democracy On The Brink
- Freedom Over FascismFreedom Over Fascism hosted by historian, comms consultant, and activist Stephanie Wilson, investigates what it takes to rebuild power and freedom for people in parts of America dominated by MAGA extremists. Stephanie talks to authors, experts, historians, and officials.
- Tyranny of the MinorityHarvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt offer a coherent framework for understanding these volatile times. They draw on a wealth of examples—from 1930s France to present-day Thailand—to explain why and how political parties turn against democracy. They then show how our Constitution makes us uniquely vulnerable to attacks from within: It is a pernicious enabler of minority rule, allowing partisan minorities to consistently thwart and even rule over popular majorities. Most modern democracies—from Germany and Sweden to Argentina and New Zealand—have eliminated outdated institutions like elite upper chambers, indirect elections, and lifetime tenure for judges. The United States lags … Continue reading Tyranny of the Minority
- The Joy of Talking Politics With StrangersElections are decided on front porches and phone calls across the country, one voter at a time. The Joy of Talking Politics with Strangers is a comprehensive guidebook that helps volunteers connect one-on-one with voters – our most powerful tool for winning elections. These conversations can also spark unexpected moments of empathy and even kinship with our fellow Americans. After 2016, volunteer Elizabeth Chur realized it’s up to ordinary citizens to protect our democracy. She started learning Spanish, began phone banking, and canvassed in California’s Central Valley, home to some of the nation’s most contested swing districts. By talking … Continue reading The Joy of Talking Politics With Strangers
- Why do we celebrate incompetent leaders?By: Martin Gutmann Publisher: TEDxTalks, TEDxBerlin Recommended by: Bruce R. “The evidence is clear that boring management matters.“–Raffaella Sadun Leader selection mistake: People often pick leaders because they make for a good “story.” Excellent leaders have boring stories because they have avoided the conflicts that make for a good story. We see leadership potential in people who: “since we reward people who are good in crises (and ignore people who are such good manager that there are very few crises), [people] soon learn to seek out (or reframe situations as) crises.”–Keith Grint
- Is the press trying to help elect Trump?Trump loses again, as Biden is cleared By: 🏛️ 🏛️L O L G O P Frame Lab advises 🏛️ responding to the special council report of Biden’s classified documents investigation by pointing out that Biden was cleared while Trump is still facing indictments. “The best way for the media to sell newspapers and clicks is to give Republicans what they want to hear, which drives liberals to hate reading, hate sharing, and even hate subscribing. By rebutting them, [we] spread and strengthen them. That’s how our brains work.”
- Always ‘Reframe’ Republican Talking PointsNEVER REPEAT LANGUAGE REPUBLICANS USE “Consider the phrase “tax relief.” The world “relief” frames the word “tax” as an affliction or form of suffering. We generally need “relief” from things that are painful or unpleasant…Another example: Consider the phrase “forced birth.” It frames abortion bans with a negative word, “forced,” which frames abortion bans as aggressively stripping women of their freedom.” Moral Warfare 101: Frames and Your Brain 🏛️, Frame Lab, February 5, 2024 “…when environmental issues are reframed in terms of the conservative value of purity – emphasizing the importance of keeping our forests, drinking water, and skies pure … Continue reading Always ‘Reframe’ Republican Talking Points
- Yes, Republicans really believe in starving kidsBy: L O L G O P Republican governors in 15 red states have refused to participate in this summer’s federal free lunch program, denying food to approximately 8 million kids. Frame Lab advises 🏛️ responding without mentioning welfare states or calling Republicans scrooges. Say instead, “Tate Reeves [Republican Governor of Mississippi] doesn’t want these kids to succeed. He doesn’t want them to have the same freedom as his kids enjoy. This isn’t just about punishing poor kids for being poor. It’s about taking away their opportunities.”
- AllSidesAllSides helps you get the full picture. AllSides is the standard for information integrity. By revealing bias and providing perspectives from all sides, we help people better understand the world — and each other. We believe information integrity requires: Information integrity is not only needed in news, but also in AI, businesses, schools, government, and throughout our daily lives. AllSides’ information integrity technologies and services help people and organizations get out of manipulative, one-sided, and biased information systems wherever they might be — in technology, news, companies, government, classrooms and beyond — so we can all see the full picture, … Continue reading AllSides
- A Warning About Donald Trump and 2024🏛️by The Editorial Board (New York Times) Summary “Mr. Trump does not offer voters anything resembling a normal option of Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, big government or small. He confronts America with a far more fateful choice: between the continuance of the United States as a nation dedicated to “the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity” and a man who has proudly shown open disdain for the law and the protections and ideals of the Constitution.” Publisher: The New York Times
- A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy🏛️With American democracy under threat, diplomat Dr. Richard Haass outlines ten habits to help citizens preserve democracy. Haass also explores real-life examples of Americans who are working towards strengthening democracy and renewing the spirit of a more informed and engaged citizenry. Premiered January 2, 2024 on PBS.
- HOPEHarnessing Our Power to End (HOPE) Political Violence Recommended by Bob B. Here is the link to a 2024 data-driven guide for communities across the United States on how to organize to counter political violence and intimidation. Minneapolis has been using these techniques among others that were developed in 2020 in response to George Floyd’s murder to show how to build a “mutual aid culture” of caring and courage. There are lots of practical suggestions with context that Indivisible chapters and others can use. ABOUT THIS GUIDE Harnessing Our Power to End (HOPE) Political Violence is a guide for communities … Continue reading HOPE
- Reframing AmericaChanging the way the American Left engages in the public debate.By Antonia Scatton Recommended by Bob. Article Feed
- Courier NewsroomCOURIER is a pro-democracy news network that builds a more informed, engaged, and representative America by reaching audiences where they are online with factual, values-driven news and analysis. COURIER’s local newsrooms provide Americans with news centered on the people and policies affecting their lives. Our reporting is primarily produced for the social media platforms and online channels our audiences spend their time on, with an emphasis on video, graphics, and skimmable newsletters to inform and engage our audiences in the ways they consume information today.
- Ad Fontes MediaAd Fontes Media is a public benefit corporation based in Colorado. Being a public benefit corporation means we are a for-profit business with a stated public mission, which is to rate all the news to positively transform society. Fundamentally, we want to help bring people together. Misleading, inaccurate, and highly polarizing media content has driven so many of us apart. This affects everything from our familial relationships to our ability to create legislative solutions to our biggest challenges. Ad Fontes is Latin for “to the source,” because at the heart of what Ad Fontes Media does is look at the … Continue reading Ad Fontes Media
- Builders🏛️Rise Above US vs Them. Be a Builder Recommended by: Bob B. – “Builders Movement, was launched by Starts With Us, and supported by Kind founder, Daniel Lubetsky.” Our mission is to overcome “us vs. them” thinking and solve problems together. We equip people to uncover hidden common ground and build on it – with lasting solutions that reflect the will of the people. Find Common Ground and Build Real Solutions Together If enough people 🏛️ adopt a Builders Mindset 🏛️, we can replace our toxic “us vs. them” culture with one of curiosity, compassion, courage, and creative innovation. It … Continue reading Builders
- Grand Bargain Project🏛️ Recommended by: Bob B. – “A nonprofit working to create large collaborative projects to promote consensus policies frameworks with details that could be enacted by Congress on the basis of broad acceptance within the country from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.” In a recent YouGov poll, 83% of citizens wanted lawmakers from both parties to make our package of 39 life-enhancing reforms “a priority.” These reforms would significantly advance citizens’ long-thwarted aspirations for: Greater economic opportunity and growth Schools that enable kids to reach their potential Effective & affordable healthcare Curbing the national debt Reliable, clean & affordable energy Fairer, … Continue reading Grand Bargain Project
- How to Know a Person🏛️The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks Summary Recommended by Bob Driven by his trademark sense of curiosity and his determination to grow as a person, David Brooks draws from the fields of psychology and neuroscience and from the worlds of theater, philosophy, history, and education to present a welcoming, hopeful, integrated approach to human connection. How to Know a Person helps readers become more understanding and considerate toward others, and to find the joy that comes from being seen. Along the way it offers a possible remedy for a society that is riven … Continue reading How to Know a Person
- Democracy Awakening🏛️At a time when the very foundations of American democracy seem under threat, the lessons of the past offer a road map for navigating a moment of political crisis. In Democracy Awakening, acclaimed historian Heather Cox Richardson delves into the tumultuous journey of American democracy, tracing the roots of Donald Trump’s “authoritarian experiment” to the earliest days of the republic. She examines the historical forces that have led to the current political climate, showing how modern conservatism has preyed upon a disaffected population, weaponizing language and promoting false history to consolidate power. With remarkable clarity and the same accessible voice that … Continue reading Democracy Awakening
- Heather Cox RichardsonLetters from an American 🏛️ Historians are fond of saying that the past doesn’t repeat itself; it rhymes. To understand the present, we have to understand how we got here. That’s where this newsletter comes in. I’m a professor of American history. This is a chronicle of today’s political landscape, but because you can’t get a grip on today’s politics without an outline of America’s Constitution, and laws, and the economy, and social customs, this newsletter explores what it means, and what it has meant, to be an American. These were the same questions a famous observer asked in a … Continue reading Heather Cox Richardson
- PrequelAn American Fight Against Fascism By Rachel Maddow Inspired by her research for the hit podcast Ultra, Rachel Maddow charts the rise of a wild American strain of authoritarianism that has been alive on the far-right edge of our politics for the better part of a century. Before and even after our troops had begun fighting abroad in World War II, a clandestine network flooded the country with disinformation aimed at sapping the strength of the U.S. war effort and persuading Americans that our natural alliance was with the Axis, not against it. It was a sophisticated and shockingly well-funded campaign to … Continue reading Prequel
- The Conspiracy to End America🏛️Former chief Republican strategist, Lincoln Project adviser, and bestselling author of It Was All a Lie, Stuart Stevens offers an ominous warning that the GOP is dragging our country toward autocracy—and if we don’t wake up to the crisis in our system, 2024 may well be our last free and fair election. INTERVIEW: Stuart Stevens talks to Brian Watt (KQED) at the Commonwealth Club
- The Divider🏛️ The Divider brings us into the Oval Office for countless scenes both tense and comical, revealing how close we got to nuclear war with North Korea, which cabinet members had a resignation pact, whether Trump asked Japan’s prime minister to nominate him for a Nobel Prize and much more. The book also explores the moral choices confronting those around Trump—how they justified working for a man they considered unfit for office, and where they drew their lines. I 🏛️NTERVIEW: Susan Glasser and Peter Baker on C-SPAN 🏛️ Review 🏛️
- Muffle MAGA’s MegaphoneSWING LEFT PENINSULA 🏛️ created these engaging videos to help spread the word effectively that things are better when Democrats are in office AND to counter MAGA Republicans’ anti-democracy messages. To Muffle the MAGAphone:
- Why Do Conservatives Fall For Fake News?Leeja Miller’s deep dive into how people fall for fake news. (28 min.) Why do conservatives fall for fake news? Is it just them, or are we all culpable? How did Americans become so susceptible to falling for disinformation? And what can we do about it??
- Peril🏛️ Woodward and Costa interviewed more than 200 people at the center of the turmoil, resulting in more than 6,000 pages of transcripts—and a spellbinding and definitive portrait of a nation on the brink. This classic study of Washington takes readers deep inside the Trump White House, the Biden White House, the 2020 campaign, and the Pentagon and Congress, with vivid, eyewitness accounts of what really happened. Woodward and Costa on Washington Post Live Read Review 🏛️
- Words that Win – The 3V Messaging FrameworkVALUES, VILLAINS, and VISION Communications consultant Anat Shenker-Osorio developed the 3V messaging framework. Effective 3V messages: As linguist George Lakoff says, “People vote based on values, connection, authenticity, trust and identity” – not lists of policies and facts. BAC’s 3V Messaging Library The Bay Area Coalition offers 3V statements on the critical issues of our time.
- January 6th Committee Report🏛️ “The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack has succeeded in bringing clarity and demonstrating with painstaking detail the fragility of our Democracy. Above all, the work of the Select Committee underscores that our democratic institutions are only as strong as the commitment of those who are entrusted with their care. As the Select Committee concludes its work, their words must be a clarion call to all Americans: to vigilantly guard our Democracy and to give our vote only to those dutiful in their defense of our Constitution.” Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
- Of Men and Boys🏛️“The problem with men is typically framed as a problem of men,” writes Reeves. “It is men who must be fixed, one man or boy at a time. This individualist approach is wrong.” Instead, he maintains there are structural problems, societal issues, that need to be addressed if men are not to become ever more lost, defeated and angry. Richard Reeves interviewed by Marisa Lagos on KQED Forum January 202c 🏛️
- State Legislatures Are Torching DemocracyEven in moderate places like Ohio, gerrymandering has let unchecked Republicans pass extremist laws that could never make it through Congress. by Jane Mayer Summary Even in moderate places like Ohio, gerrymandering has let unchecked Republicans pass extremist laws that could never make it through Congress. Publisher: The Atlantic Read Article 🏛️
- Thank You for Your ServitudeDonald Trump’s Washington and the Price of SubmissionBy Mark LeibovichPublisher: Penguin Press Recommended by Cindi “This is a really funny book.” Kara Swisher. Mark Leibovich’s unflinching account of the moral rout of a major American political party, tracking the transformation of Rubio, Cruz, Graham, and their ilk into the administration’s chief enablers, and the swamp’s lesser lights into frantic chasers of the grift…isn’t another view from the Oval Office: it’s the view from the Trump Hotel.
- Why We Did It🏛️In a bracingly honest reflection on both his own past work for the Republican Party and the contortions of his former peers in the GOP establishment, Tim Miller draws a straight line between the actions of the 2000s GOP to the Republican political class’s Trumpian takeover, including the horrors of January 6th. From ruminations on the mental jujitsu that allowed him as a gay man to justify becoming a hitman for homophobes, to astonishingly raw interviews with former colleagues who jumped on the Trump Train, Miller diagrams the flattering and delusional stories GOP operatives tell themselves so they can sleep … Continue reading Why We Did It
- Feel Good ActionUsing the power of social networks and digital media, we motivate individual and collective action to advance resilient communities, just societies, and a healthy planet. 95% of young people are on social media. Relationships, ideas, and images of our lives are shaped and shared on social media every day. In partnership with Feel Good Action, influencers are leading their followers to ACT.
- After The Fall🏛️At a time when democracy in the United States is endangered as never before, Ben Rhodes spent years traveling the world to understand why. He visited dozens of countries, meeting with politicians and activists confronting the same nationalism and authoritarianism that are tearing America apart. Along the way, he discusses the growing authoritarianism of Vladimir Putin, and his aggression towards Ukraine, with the foremost opposition leader in Russia, who was subsequently poisoned and imprisoned; he profiled Hong Kong protesters who saw their movement snuffed out by China under Xi Jinping; and America itself reached the precipice of losing democracy before giving itself a fragile second chance.
- High Conflict🏛️When we are baffled by the insanity of the “other side”—in our politics, at work, or at home—it’s because we aren’t seeing how the conflict itself has taken over. That’s what “high conflict” does. It’s the invisible hand of our time. And it’s different from the useful friction of “healthy conflict”. That’s good conflict, and it’s a necessary force that pushes us to be better people. Read Review 🏛️
- Insurgency🏛️NYTimes reporter, Jeremy W. Peters’ epic narrative chronicles the fracturing of the Republican Party. Insurgency is a fantasia-like story of a party establishment that believed it could control the dark energy it helped foment—right up until it suddenly couldn’t. How, Peters asks, did conservative values that Republicans claimed to cherish, like small government, fiscal responsibility, and morality get completely eroded? Read Review 🏛️ Buy 🏛️
- How Civil Wars Start🏛️Barbara F. Walter, a political science professor at U.C. San Diego, has spent over three decades studying civil conflict. Over the last two decades, the number of active civil wars around the world has almost doubled. Walter reveals the warning signs—where wars tend to start, who initiates them, what triggers them—and why some countries tip over into conflict while others remain stable. Drawing on the latest international research and lessons from over twenty countries, Walter identifies the crucial risk factors, from democratic backsliding to factionalization and the politics of resentment. A civil war today won’t look like America in the … Continue reading How Civil Wars Start