Author: Bruce R.

A timeline of Donald Trump’s many (alleged) crimes and convictions

Buckle up: there’s a lot to get through

By Jennifer Savin

Publisher: Cosmopolitan

Recommended by: Steve G.

It’s hard to believe that Donald Trump has only been back in office for a year, given the relentless news cycle he seems so obsessed with commanding (once a reality star, always a reality star?). From ordering especially high numbers of thuggish ICE agents into states that voted for his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, to belittling allies in Europe (much to the delight of Russia’s President Putin), Trump sadly shows no signs of ending the chaos that is impacting the lives of millions the world over.

So, what has Trump actually been accused – and convicted – of over the years? Here’s a timeline recapping the key cases…

(Note: As of early 2026, no further criminal trials involving Trump are scheduled to take place while he is president, although appeals and civil enforcement actions remain ongoing.)

Read the Article

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 ICE

Suspend all ICE activities pending judicial review of their methods.

By: Antonia Scatton

Reframing America

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

  • FREEZE OPERATIONS pending LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW: Immediately suspend ICE activities and have agents withdraw to their local base. All out-of-state agents conducting “surge” activities should be returned to their home states until further notice.
  • DETAINEE STATUS REPORT: No more “disappearing” people.
    • List and account for every person detained or arrested by ICE and where they are now (including whether those detained were/are U.S. Citizens, people following the legal immigration process, previous status as a humanitarian parolee, DREAMers, long term residents with no record of violent crime, etc.)
    • Every detained person must have the ability to contact their families and access legal representation and a fair and timely hearing.
    • Assess the conditions of all detention facilities and assure that all detainees are being held under humane and legal conditions.
  • INCIDENT REPORT: No more extrajudicial violence.
    • Immediate inventory of all incidents involving shootings, beatings, injury, death, use of chemical weapons, as well as confrontation, investigation and/or arrest of protesters, legal observers, or U.S. citizens.
    • Review the legality of above incidents and whether they violate constitutional rights, specifically the First, Fourth and Tenth Amendments of the Constitution.
    • All cases of illegal arrest and use of force and/or violation of Constitutional rights should be referred to appropriate jurisdictions for prosecution.
  • OPERATIONAL LIMITS:
    • ICE must only arrest specific persons using judicial warrants. No racial profiling. No arrests in schools, churches, or medical facilities. ICE must not enter private homes or businesses without search warrants.
    • ICE is not to conduct non-immigration-related law enforcement.
    • DHS/ICE must provide and commit to clear definitions as to who is eligible for arrest on immigration law violations and why, such as record of being convicted of a violent crime or having crossed the border outside legal border crossings and being ineligible for the asylum process. DHS/ICE must provide and commit to clear definition of who is not eligible for arrest.
    • DHS/ICE must agree to crystal clear terms of engagement and use of force: when agents are allowed to stop people, ask for identification, or draw and/or use weapons including vehicles, guns and chemical weapons.
    • All arrests must be carried out with respect for due process and the Constitutional rights of suspects.
    • Agents must not wear masks. Agents must identify themselves; with their name, department/division and badge number clearly visible. Vehicles must be clearly identified as ICE or DHS. Agents must use body cameras at all times.
  • ENFORCEMENT AND RIGHTS OF OBSERVERS:
    • DHS and ICE must agree to these terms before resuming operations. Concrete consequences of violating these terms must be laid out in advance and enforced.
    • Protesters and legal observers must be provided clear definitions of their rights and responsibilities. Constitutional rights to protest and observe must be respected. We need clear definitions of what does or does not constitute “interfering” with federal agents. Consequences of clearly unlawful interference should be clearly defined in advance and proportionate, not a free pass for extrajudicial violence or murder.
    • DHS/ICE must defer to and coordinate with state and local law enforcement. Agents should not operate without the approval of state leadership. Local law enforcement must be able to supervise activities and stop any violations. DHS and the FBI must share all evidence of incidents and work with state and local law enforcement on all investigations.
Read Full Article

More Reframing America articles

ICE OUT FOR GOOD (past event)

SAT JAN 10TH /REDWOOD CITY 11-12:30

Murder in Minn/2 shot in Portland/35 died in custody

SIGN UP for Redwood City El Camino and Jefferson 11-12:30

Sign Up

PLEASE JOIN TO SAVE LIVES

Anti Ice packets will be passed out.

to mourn Renee Good murdered in Minneapolis, 2 people shot in Portland, 35 people who have died in custody, children separated from their parents, people kidnapped off the streets with no reason, thousands held in inhumane conditions.

If We Burn

The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution

by: Vincent Bevins

Publisher: PublicAffairs

Recommended by: Bob B. – Vincent Bevins presents “a more nuanced picture of the 3.5% rule, with data showing that mass protests don’t always lead to the change that protestors want.”

From 2010 to 2020, more people participated in protests than at any other point in human history. Yet we are not living in more just and democratic societies as a result. Acclaimed journalist Vincent Bevins carried out hundreds of interviews around the world, guided by a single, puzzling question: How did so many mass protests lead to the opposite of what they asked for?

The result is a stirring work of history that connects events in a dozen countries and reveals that conventional wisdom on revolutionary change is gravely misguided. From the so-called Arab Spring to Gezi Park in Turkey, from Ukraine’s Euromaidan to student rebellions in Chile and Hong Kong, Bevins provides a blow-by-blow account of street movements and their consequences, recounted in gripping detail. In this groundbreaking study of an extraordinary chain of events, protesters and major actors look back on successes and defeats, offering urgent lessons for the future.

Buy

Website

Keep Your Guard Up

Know 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 Your Rights page.

Saving Our Democracy (past event)

Oct 23, 2025 5:30-10pm

Working 32 years as the US Congresswoman for our district–Anna Eshoo will share her wisdom for our fraught times. She (among countless other programs) brought electric trains to the Peninsula, fought for AI regulations before we even knew what AI was, established the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a new agency dedicated to biomedical research. The Senate in August ’25 voted to keep it funded–a break from Trump and RFK Jr who wanted it defunded. It gives grants for high-impact health research & development.

Additional speakers

JoAnn Loulan member Indivisible Portola Valley, co-founder of Democratic Messaging Project & Local Majority. Activist for 53 years.

Genavieve Koenigshofer youth activist, Executive Director GENup, encouraging students take charge of their education.

COMMUNITY organizations will be there for you to join & support

YES on 50, Swing Left, Indivisibles, Feminist Majority, Vote Riders, Its Blue Turn, Central Valley Matters, Democratic Messaging Project, learn how to register people to vote & many more

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saving-democracy-a-community-conversation-tickets-1677311797739

(address and agenda on registration—doors 5:30—Speakers 7:00)

 

Ground Truth

Rebuilding trust to win elections—one conversation at a time

Ground Truth is an innovative, people-powered canvassing program that’s helping Democrats win back power by reimagining how we talk with voters.

  • Get trained to have meaningful, deep-listening conversations with voters
  • Knock doors or make calls in your closest swing district
  • Help win control of both chambers of Congress by engaging voters earlier and more effectively
For more information

See also:

Swing Left

No Kings 2 – Sam Liccardo

by 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 Sallam

by 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 Cordell

by 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 Fair

by Bruce Rafnel

Location: 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

Event Program

The Shadow President

How Russell Vought became Trump's Shadow President

by Andy Kroll

Publisher: ProPublica

From 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 agencies to a standstill. In early October, after Senate Democrats refused to vote for a budget resolution without additional health care protections, effectively shutting down the government, Vought became the face of the White House’s response. On the second day of the closure, Trump shared an AI-generated video that depicted his budget director — who, by then, had threatened mass firings across the federal workforce and paused or canceled $26 billion in funding for infrastructure and clean-­energy projects in blue states — as the Grim Reaper of Washington, D.C. “We work for the president of the United States,” a senior agency official who regularly deals with the OMB told me. But right now “it feels like we work for Russ Vought. He has centralized decision-­making power to an extent that he is the commander in chief.”

Read Article

(Archive)

Watch: “We Want the Bureaucrats to Be Traumatically Affected”

Reimagining Democracy (past event)

Day: Tuesdays
Dates: Oct 7—Nov 11
Time: 4:00—5:00 pm (PT)
Location: Online
Cost: FREE
Additional Info:
All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing at a later date.
Status: Get Tickets
As part of its free public programming, Stanford Continuing Studies is proud to present the second annual Reimagining Democracy, a weekly speaker series produced with the Office of Community Engagement and the Stanford Democracy Hub, featuring leading scholars from centers and initiatives across campus that include:Center for Revitalizing American Institutions (RAI), Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL), ePluribus Stanford Initiative, Freeman Spogli Institution for International Studies, Hoover Institution, Stanford Center for Law and History, Stanford Civic, Liberal, and Global Education (COLLEGE) Program, Stanford Constitutional Law Center, Stanford Journalism Program, Stanford Civics Initiative, and Stanford Constitutional Law Center

This six-part series, hosted by Dean Debra Satz and Professor Larry Diamond, brings together leading Stanford scholars to help us understand the moment: from the questions we’re asking ourselves about democratic decline to the ideas we have for democratic resilience and restoration.

Note: You only have to register once to receive the weekly Zoom link and reminders.

SCHEDULE & SPEAKERS

Session 1: Democracy in Crisis?
October 7, 2025

Francis Fukuyama, Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Director of the Ford Dorsey Master’s in International Policy, and Professor, by courtesy, of Political Science

Session 2: Constitutional Crisis?
October 14, 2025

Bernadette Meyler, Carl and Sheila Spaeth Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Research and Intellectual Life and Professor, by courtesy, of English and of Comparative Literature

Jud Campbell, Professor of Law and Helen L. Crocker Faculty Scholar, Stanford Law School

Session 3: Media in Crisis?
October 21, 2025

James T. Hamilton, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Hearst Professor of Communication Director, Stanford Journalism Program

Janine Zacharia, Lecturer, Communication

Session 4: Restoring Our Political Parties
October 28, 2025

Didi Kuo, Center Fellow at the Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies

Session 5: Restoring the Civic Purpose of Higher Education
November 4, 2025

Dan Edelstein, William H. Bonsall Professor of French and Professor, by courtesy, of History and of Political Science

Session 6: Restoring Faith in Our American Institutions
November 11, 2025

Condoleezza Rice, Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution and the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy

SERIES HOSTS:

Larry Diamond is William L. Clayton Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Mosbacher Senior Fellow in Global Democracy at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), and a Bass University Fellow in Undergraduate Education at Stanford University. His research focuses on global trends affecting freedom and democracy, and US and international policies to advance democracy and counter authoritarian influence. He was the founding co-editor of the Journal of Democracy, and he remains a consultant to the National Endowment for Democracy. Among his books is Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency. His new co-edited book (with Sumit Ganguly and Dinsha Mistree) is The Troubling State of India’s Democracy.

Debra Satz serves as Stanford University’s Vernon R. and Lysbeth Warren Anderson Dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences, and is Professor of Philosophy, Political Science, and the Marta Sutton Weeks Professor of Ethics in Society. From 2008-2014, she also served as the faculty director of the Bowen McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society. Her research focuses on the meaning of equality and the role of markets in a democratic society. Among her many notable publications and teaching accomplishments, Satz recently co-authored Economic Analysis, Moral Philosophy and Public Policy (2016); received the Walter J. Gores Award (2004), Stanford’s highest teaching honor; was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2018); and piloted and co-led a new widely-attended course on “Democracy and Disagreement.”

How To Not Lose Your Sh!t

by Katie Paris and LaFonda Cousin

Publisher: Red Wine and Blue

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 wellness expert and yoga teacher on a mission to reimagine self-care. Every week, they’ll talk to experts and everyday women who are getting involved, building community, and feeling better in the process.

You can listen to our first episode with special guest Heather Cox Richardson on October 1st, with new episodes every Wednesday after that. If you’re already subscribed to the Red Wine & Blue podcast in your podcast player, you’ll automatically see new episodes each week here in your feed.

There are a lot of political podcasts out there already, and a lot of mental health and self-care shows too. What we want to do is reject that binary and explore how getting involved can actually be a form of not only caring for your community, but also yourself. We can’t wait for you to join us on a journey through self-care, politics, community, and tackling this difficult moment… together.

How to Not Lose Your Sh!t

Mobilize.org

Show SF Peninsula Events

You 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

  • Gather at 855 El Camino on both sides of El Camino—Town & Country Shopping Center AND the Stanford side cross street Embarcadero!
  • At 12:30 we will start our parade down BOTH sides of Embarcadero (on the sidewalk) to Rinconada Park for the Democracy Fair!

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 NOW

by Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin

Publisher: The Ripple Effect Institute

Recommended by: Bruce R.

If 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 despair and how you can start making a difference today, no matter your resources or time. History shows us that small acts, multiplied by thousands, topple regimes and create movements. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment or the “perfect” leader—your courage matters now.

A FREE GUIDE FOR PROGRESSIVE LEADERS READY TO CREATE LASTING IMPACT

How to Lead Change Without Burning Out

READ MY ESSAYS ON POLITICS AND ACTIVISM ON SUBSTACK

Stop ICE Raids Alert Network

Go To ICE Alert Site

Nation-Wide Mobile Alert System

by Sherman Austin

The 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.

Noncooperation & Targeting Pillars of Support

This 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) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE 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.

Continue reading Trump’s Power & the Rule of Law (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

One Million Rising

by Indivisible

Publisher: No Kings

Across 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. This is how we build people power that can’t be ignored. You’re invited to join us—and lead.

You can visit the site to see the recorded videos and access the training materials.

https://www.nokings.org/rise

Starts With Us

Based 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.

Find out more

Latest Articles

  • One Team in the Room: Young Texan Finds Hope in Bipartisan Push to Lower Health Care Costs
    When 20-year-old John Rickert walked into the third meeting of the Texas House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability on September 1, he expected the kind of political sparring he sees play out online every day. What he found instead was something rarer, and to him, far more encouraging. “For almost the entirety of the… The post One Team in the Room: Young Texan Finds Hope in Bipartisan Push to Lower Health Care Costs appeared first on Builders.
  • Dear Builders: My Husband Is MAGA, and I Don’t Like Who He Becomes When He Talks Politics
    By Alex Buscemi, Editorial Manager at Builders   Every week, readers write in asking how to navigate relationships strained by today’s political climate. Our “Dear Builders” series offers a little guidance for holding onto the people who matter, even when you don’t see eye to eye. This week’s email comes from a reader who loves… The post Dear Builders: My Husband Is MAGA, and I Don’t Like Who He Becomes When He Talks Politics appeared first on Builders.
  • 6 Reasons for the Texas Affordability Crisis
    By Alex Buscemi, Editorial Manager at Builders   Ask a Texan what’s keeping them up at night heading into November’s midterms, and you probably won’t hear much about the culture-war fight of the week. You’ll hear about the rent, property taxes, and insurance premiums that keep climbing. Affordability has taken center stage in this year’s… The post 6 Reasons for the Texas Affordability Crisis appeared first on Builders.
  • I Got My Friends Together to Talk Politics — Here’s How it Went
    By Alex Buscemi, Editorial Manager at Builders   I recently got some friends together for a Builders BBQ, where hosts are challenged to invite friends and family – including those who may see the world differently – to have those often-tricky political-to-politically-adjacent conversations over good food. Some of them were chomping at the bit for… The post I Got My Friends Together to Talk Politics — Here’s How it Went appeared first on Builders.
  • We’re Asking the Wrong Questions About Lindsay Clancy
    Conspiracy theories and gender war hot takes derail the conversation we should be having about postpartum care  By Alex Buscemi, Editorial Manager at Builders Lindsay Clancy is a Massachusetts mother who admitted to strangling her three young children to death in 2023 while in the grip of severe postpartum psychosis. As of this writing, the… The post We’re Asking the Wrong Questions About Lindsay Clancy appeared first on Builders.

Crossing Party Lines

Our 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. 

Find out more

Latest Articles

  • Thank you, America
    by Lisa Swallow
    What can conversations on the Camino teach us about democracy? From compulsory voting to citizen assemblies, people I met in Europe are watching the United States closely—and asking what it takes for ordinary people with different views to make decisions together.
  • Pull Up a Chair: Building CPL’s New Front Porch
    by Lisa Swallow
    There’s something about a front porch in summer: a place where visitors become neighbors and conversations linger a little longer. That’s the spirit behind CPL’s new website and Member Hub. They’re not simply new technology. They’re part of a larger effort to make Crossing Party Lines more welcoming, more participatory, and less dependent on any one person to keep it running.
  • The Gift of Spring — Renewing Curiosity
    by Lisa Swallow
    So many of us come to CPL carrying a kind of weary certainty — certain we know what the other side thinks, sure we know how the conversation will go. But when we stop being surprised, we stop being curious. And that, more than any single policy disagreement, is where connection goes to die. There … Read more
  • Curate a Better Feed: 5 Instagram Accounts That Help You Think Clearly in a Noisy World
    by Lisa Swallow
    Social media doesn’t have to be a source of stress, division, or misinformation — but only if we curate it intentionally. By following voices that promote clarity, compassion, and critical thinking, your feed can become a space for growth, not outrage. In this post, we’re sharing 5 Instagram accounts that will help you scroll smarter … Read more
  • We are Crossing Party Lines
    by Lisa Swallow
    What we do is get regular people together to talk about real issues with curious minds and open hearts. How we do it is by teaching and modeling the skills that allow us to… We are Crossing Party Lines. What we do is get regular people together to talk about real issues with curious minds … Read more

Braver Angels

Braver 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

Find out more

Latest Articles

  • ‘It absolutely changed my life’: How a conflict-ridden ‘dirtball’ became a legendary bridge builder
    by Braver Angels
    Growing up in the eighties, his family moved all around the Midwest as his parents chased down steady, blue-collar work: factory jobs, construction, truck driving, whatever could pay the bills. “We were always poor,” Wilk said. And whether they were in Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, or Minnesota, he often found himself on the outs. “It didn't matter which side of the tracks we were on,” he said. “It was always the wrong side of the tracks.” The post ‘It absolutely changed my life’: How a conflict-ridden ‘dirtball’ became a legendary bridge builder appeared first on Braver Angels.
  • ‘Braver Angels really helped me to see the humanity in people from the other side’: One high schooler’s journey to better political conversations
    by Braver Angels
    A native of Boulder, Colorado, Mia didn’t know many Trump supporters—and she was nervous to engage with them. “I was like, ‘Don't they hate women? Don't they hate black people?’” she said. “That was my initial belief because that's what I had heard about people who voted for Trump.” But she quickly realized she was wrong. During the first Braver Lens session, Mia was able to connect with conservatives in the group and recognize their points of commonality. “When we met, they showed their pictures, and explained their life stories, and I was able to see where our values overlap,” […]
  • How a Christian conservative found his way to Braver Angels
    by Braver Angels
    As a young man, Daniel’s father emerged from a broken, dysfunctional home looking for direction and found it while attending a Billy Graham crusade in Chicago. There, he “walked forward”—committing himself to Jesus Christ and changing the trajectory of his family. Not long after, he married Daniel’s mom, a Christian convert whose grandparents sought refuge in America after escaping pogroms in Europe. The post How a Christian conservative found his way to Braver Angels appeared first on Braver Angels.
  • Announcing Braver Angels Advisory Council
    by Maury Giles
    Twenty-three leaders who disagree on many things said yes to the same thing this month. They agreed to stand together, publicly, behind the idea that Americans can hold fast to their convictions while staying genuinely curious about the convictions of people on the other side. That's it. That's the commitment. For more than nine years, Braver Angels has reached people in every state in the union. The ones who've engaged have experienced something that surprises them every time: the relief of disagreeing without contempt, and the discovery that the person across the table is not who the feed said they […]
  • Happy National Volunteer Week!
    by Gabriella Timmis
    Braver Angels is powered by volunteers: everyday people who believe they have a role in bringing out the best in our country. And seeing our volunteers in action—giving their time and energy to bring together individuals who never dreamed they’d be in a room together—has buoyed me through all the political uncertainty. The post Happy National Volunteer Week! appeared first on Braver Angels.
  • Letter: Word choice crashes argument – Mountain Xpress
    by astillman@gmail.com
    As a member of Braver Angels , I appreciate a good, fair debate. Bill Branyon won that one, Carl. Better luck next time. — Fred Racey Asheville. 13 … The post Letter: Word choice crashes argument – Mountain Xpress appeared first on Braver Angels.
  • Community calendar – The Ely Echo
    by astillman@gmail.com
    This program is sponsored by Friends of the Library. The next Braver Angels Gathering will be on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. at the Ely Senior … The post Community calendar – The Ely Echo appeared first on Braver Angels.

Living Room Conversations

LRC 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.  

Find out more

How to Have Constructive Conversations

We 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. 

Basic Guidelines:

  • Be curious and listen to understand.
  • Show respect and suspend judgment. 
  • Note any common ground as well as any differences. 
  • Be authentic and welcome that from others. 
  • Be purposeful and to the point. 
  • Own and guide the conversation. 

How can we effectively navigate these varied circumstances? Here are five suggestions:

  1. It’s good to have a goal. You might want to learn about others’ perspectives and how they came to them.  You might want to express your own views and be taken seriously. It’s best to be civil and constructive. If there’s a downward spiral, it’s OK to take a time out.
  2. Establish a personal connection. Tell stories from your life and ask about theirs; look for common themes.  Ask, “I wonder…?”  or “I’m curious about…”   Note opportunities to bond and connect over shared experiences and interests. You also show respect when you ask: “What am I missing on this topic?  How can I learn something more about this?”
  3. When something you disagree about comes up, you might ask: How did you develop that viewpoint? What is your source of information?  What experiences shape your opinion?  Focus on personal stories and look for areas you have in common.  You might discuss values (e.g., caring, fairness, freedom, equality before the law, honesty).  Or you might explore overlaps in specific situations.  In what circumstances might one value take precedence?  Why?  We have a lot to learn from each other.
  4. Another approach is to get down to brass tacks and ask about democracy. Taking a suggestion from the book, How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide, by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay, you might pose a simple poll to them: on a scale of 1 to 10, with one being “I have no concerns about American democracy at all” and 10 being “American democracy is at the most serious risk in its history,” what number would you choose?  Why?  What might cause you to change your mind?  There could be genuine curiosity about their explanations without having to agree with their viewpoints.
  5. Find ways to work together on a project of mutual interest.  Schools? Performing Arts? Open Space? Fire Safety? This can demonstrate that democracy (e.g., disagreeing respectfully, setting rules and establishing fair processes, listening actively, etc.) can help produce wiser, fairer, more lasting, and more efficient outcomes.

Don’t Coerce. Listen First!

Beyond Conflict Institute reports “people perceive that the other side disagrees with them far more than is actually the case.”

So let’s find the courage to

  • GET CURIOUS! 
  • ASK QUESTIONS! 
  • LISTEN TO LEARN!
  • LOOK FOR COMMON GROUND!
  • We can always agree to disagree. 
  • If things get heated, take a break!

Check out these articles for more: 

Are we really as divided as we think? How dark forces are attempting to alienate us from our neighbours, The Toronto Star, April 25, 2023, by Frank Giustra

Yes, It’s Possible to (Gracefully) Talk Politics at Work, Harvard Business Review, October 30, 2020, by Raina Brands

Keeping It Civil: How To Talk Politics Without Letting Things Turn Ugly, NPR, April 12, 2019, by Caroline Kelly

No Kings

For 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, that movement roared back even stronger. On October 18, over seven million Americans joined 2,700+ events in all 50 states — a nationwide uprising 14 times larger than both of Trump’s inaugurations combined. What began in June as a single day of defiance has become a sustained national resistance to tyranny, spreading from small towns to city centers and across every community determined to defend democracy.

Now, President Trump has doubled down. His administration is sending masked agents into our streets, terrorizing our communities. They are targeting immigrant families, profiling, arresting, and detaining people without warrants. Threatening to overtake elections. Gutting healthcare, environmental protections, and education when families need them most. Rigging maps to silence voters. Ignoring mass shootings at our schools and in our communities. Driving up the cost of living while handing out massive giveaways to billionaire allies, as families struggle.

The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings — and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.

Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger. “No Kings” is more than just a slogan; it is the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, shouted by millions, carried on posters and chants, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.

Because this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants. It belongs to We the People — the people who care, who show up, and who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.

Resources

Signal and Whatsapp as Organizing Tools – Google Doc

Build Power Locally – Google Doc

Sustained Action Between & Beyond No Kings – Google Doc

No King YouTube Channel

No Kings: Vote Early Kickoff Call

Join us to learn more about the vision, urgency, and strategy behind the No Kings coalition’s early vote activation and election protection campaign and how you can get involved.

We know …our right to vote wasn’t given. It was won by people who marched, sat in, stood in line for hours in the rain, and risked everything so we could stand here today. Every generation before us fought for it. And now it’s ours to carry forward.Show More
No Kings: Vote Early Kickoff Call
No Kings: Vote Early Kickoff Call
Join us to learn more about the vision, urgency, and strategy behind the No Kings coalition’s early vote activation and election protection campaign and how you can get involved. We know our right to vote wasn’t given. It was won by people who marched, sat in, stood in line for hours in the rain, and risked everything so we could stand here today. Every generation before us fought for it. And now it’s ours to carry forward.
Rise Up, Sing Out - A Concert for the First Amendment. An Evening to Build Community.
Rise Up, Sing Out – A Concert for the First Amendment. An Evening to Build Community.
The next 250 starts with us. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we have a choice about what story we tell. We can let strongman politics and corruption define the moment. Or we can make the story of America about people coming together — across race, background, identity, belief, and community — to defend our rights and build a future rooted in people power. On June 14, we rise up, we sing out, and we keep organizing. While the Committee for the First Amendment leads and hosts …
Good Trouble Lives On Mass Call: Solidarity with the South
Good Trouble Lives On Mass Call: Solidarity with the South
Sixty years after the fight for voting rights began on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, we are back in Alabama because the attacks on our communities are escalating, and we refuse to slow down. This Saturday, May 16th, the No Kings coalition is supporting “All Roads Lead to the South” in holding an emergency national day of action. We will stand in nonviolent solidarity against the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act and the coordinated effort to disenfranchise Black voters across the …
Callais Decision: Rapid Response Call
Callais Decision: Rapid Response Call
Join the No Kings Coalition as we break down the ins and outs of the Callais decision, what this means for you, and the future. You will hear from leaders from LDF, ACLU, and clients from the case.
Ojo con ICE: Entrenamiento para Entrenadores, Derechos de las Personas Inmigrantes
Ojo con ICE: Entrenamiento para Entrenadores, Derechos de las Personas Inmigrantes
El abuso utilizado para ejecutar las leyes de inmigración nos pone en peligro a todos y especialmente a las personas no ciudadanas. Esta sesión nos dará las herramientas para entrenar a otros en temas básicos para que conozcan sus derechos como el derecho a permanecer callado, el derecho a rehusarse a ser registrado, y el derecho a grabar a ICE y a otros oficiales de la ley. También compartiremos mejores prácticas para reducir los riesgos al ejercer nuestros derechos. — No Thrones. No …
Eyes on ICE: Train the Trainer - Immigrants' Rights
Eyes on ICE: Train the Trainer – Immigrants' Rights
Abusive immigration enforcement poses a threat to us all but places non-citizens at particular risk. This session will equip participants to train others on core Know Your Rights topics such as the right to remain silent, the right to refuse to consent to searches, and the right to record ICE and other law enforcement officials. We will also cover best practices for reducing risks when exercising rights. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. On October 18, millions of us are rising again to show …
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Actor and Zen priest, Peter Coyote, on protest tactics

by 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.

Continue reading Actor and Zen priest, Peter Coyote, on protest tactics

How to Spot Deliberately Misleading -DISINFORMATION

by Indivisible PV

CHECK 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 to appeal to your emotions rather than your reason.

BE AWARE OF YOUR OWN BIASES

We all have biases that can affect how we interpret information. Be aware of your own biases and try to approach information with an open mind.

THINK CRITICALLY

Ask questions, look for evidence, and consider alternative explanations.

Check Facts @:

POLITFACT

THE TRUST PROJECT

FACT CHECK

SNOPES

BBC VERIFY

FACT CHECKER (Washington Post)

REUTERS FACT CHECK

DUKE REPORTERS LAB

White Rural Rage

The Threat to American Democracy

by Tom Schaller and Paul Waldman

Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks

In 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

Buy

Thoughts on Aliens of Our Creation

Do 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 unable) to address these problems with real solutions. We created these institutions—corporations and governments, most notably—but we seem unable to control them. They have morphed into alien entities that now control us.

The smallest effective human-powered unit is a community, not an individual. However, tight, effective communities have been hobbled. It is time to relearn how to build communities, and then to do the work of taking back our government. At the same time, large organizations can be reformed or broken up, with non-violent actions, to remind them that they exist for humans, not themselves.

Read article

Authentic Community feed

4 tips for developing critical thinking skills

By: 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, instead of using our brains to devise conceptions of critical thinking, we eliminated the noise and revolutionized a way to teach people how to think better by tracing critical thinking back to its core evolutionary survival mechanisms?

What are the basic survival skills for all organisms?

  1. Perceive their environment
  2. Sense danger vs. reward
  3. Decide between danger and reward
  4. Act on the decision

Warren Reads 100 Acts of Trump Corruption Into Congressional Record To Mark 100 Days of the Trump Administration

“[I]nstead of following through on his promise [to lower costs], Trump and his administration have paved the way for the president, his top officials, and his billionaire buddies to personally feed at the trough of government corruption.”

“That’s 100 corrupt acts in 100 days. Americans deserve accountability. We need to fight back—all of us.”

by: U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)

Washington, D.C. – On the 100th day of this Trump administration, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) read 100 reports of corruption from President Trump’s term so far into the Congressional record. 

Senator Warren pointed to all the ways President Trump, his family, and associates like Elon Musk have used the presidency to enrich themselves, give favors to donors, and made it more difficult to hold him accountable for corruption. 

Transcript: “One Hundred Days, One Hundred Acts of Corruption”
U.S. Senate Floor
April 29, 2025

As Prepared for Delivery

Senator Elizabeth Warren: So here we are: one hundred days; one hundred acts of corruption.

Today, I’m reading into the congressional record 100 reports of corruption from Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. When he ran for office, Trump promised repeatedly that he would lower costs “on day 1.”  But instead of following through on his promise, Trump and his administration have paved the way for the president, his top officials, and his billionaire buddies to personally feed at the trough of government corruption. 

So, count with me: In just one hundred days, Donald Trump, his family, and his Administration have:

See the List

A More Perfect Union

A New Vision for Building the Beloved Community
By Adam Russell Taylor
Recommended by: Bob
Publisher: 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 one-on-one relationships.

Buy

In Trump’s Alternate Reality, Lies and Distortions Drive Change

Condoms for Gaza? Ukraine started the war with Russia? The president’s manipulations of the truth lay the groundwork for radical change.

by Peter Baker

Publisher: The New York Times

Mr. 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.

Read Article

Some Actions That Are Not Protesting or Voting

Some examples:

ANTI-CRIMINALIZATION

COMMUNITY DEFENSE/MIGRANT JUSTICE

Click Here for the Full List

(Archive Link)

This came from the Mutula Aid 101 course.

Mutual Aid 101: Solidarity, Survival, and Resistance

How to Organize Our Way Out of the Trump-Musk Putsch

A 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.

Continue reading How to Organize Our Way Out of the Trump-Musk Putsch

505001

50501 is a peaceful movement. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated.

50501 is a national movement made up of everyday Americans
who stand for democracy, and who stand against the authoritarian
actions of the Trump Administration. The name 50501 stands for
50 States, 50 Protests, 1 Movement.

The 50501 movement is a grassroots effort, meaning it’s
powered by everyday people, not by politicians or political parties.
Most of the work happens at the local level, where volunteers
in local city or state groups organize protests, advertise events,
and handle logistics. These local groups are the lifeblood of the
movement and exist both online and in-person.
In addition to local level organizing, national coordination
between 50501 groups allows us to establish cohesive messaging,
decide dates of action, and share resources. This coordination is
decentralized, therefore, 50501 has no true leadership

Link-tree
Visit Site

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Stand Up For Science

Recommended by: Stu W.

On May 29, the Office of Management and Budget posted a sweeping regulatory change that will end American science as we know it.

Add Your Comment before July 13

It’s time to fight back! Head to the SUFS Action Center to:

  • Learn how to write public comments
  • Submit YOUR public comment
  • Contact your Members of Congress
  • Learn how to talk about this new proposed rule and why it matters
Take Action NOW!
  • We all have benefited from scientific advances; these rule changes will destroy US science. (Simply stating opposition is worthwhile for the record)
  • Personal and family stories about medical advances: cancer, COVID, overall lifespan and quality of life
  • Importance of accurate weather forecasts
  • The rules will hinder or eliminate publication and collaborations, essential parts of the scientific enterprise in all fields.
  • Ideological political appointees should not have the power to arbitrarily terminate inconvenient research and overrule scientific peer review.
  • Congress appropriates money, and the executive branch cannot arbitrarily decide not to spend it.
  • Congress has some powers to stop this. Contact your reps and senators and simply state opposition to the rules changes. They will note your opposition; you do not have to write a long piece.

About Us

Stand Up For Science is a political activism organization dedicated to defending and advancing America’s scientific ecosystem, a cornerstone of democracy, freedom, and progress.

Founded in February 2025, we came together in response to the Trump Administration’s dismantling of our nation’s premier science institutions and escalating threats to the lives and livelihoods of Americans. We recognized these attacks for what they are: authoritarian power grabs.

We believe that science is the lifeblood of American democracy and freedom. With a bold strategy combining activism, messaging campaigns, grassroots organizing, and political advocacy, we’re mobilizing the fight for science and democracy, now and for generations to come.

Website

Voter ID Requirement CA Poll

Public 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.

  • Support for voter ID is both wide AND deep: 68% of Californians support a voter ID requirement, with a majority of voters (51%) STRONGLY supporting it.
Get the PDF

From: Public Opinion Strategies

Trump Administration Litigation Tracker

This project includes two tables that follow legal challenges to the actions from the Trump administration: the Lawfare Litigation Tracker and the Alien Enemies Act Proclamation: State of Play table.

Publisher: Lawfare

Recommended by: Bruce R.

The Litigation Tracker table tracks legal challenges to the Trump administration’s executive actions that deal with national security issues, as well as cases on behalf of the Trump administration to enforce them. You can sort the table by clicking the column titles and query keywords using the search box in the top left of the table. The table has the case name, what executive action is being challenged, the status of the case, and a summary of the litigation being brought. View an explanation of the statuses below.

The Alien Enemies Act Proclamation: State of Play table tracks the ongoing litigation challenging deportations under President Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act.

See the Table

The Lawfare Litigation Tracker Includes:

  • 239 active cases challenging Trump administration actions (this numbers consider a suit filed in district court and appeals that arise from the original suit as one case)
  • 21 suits by the Trump administration challenging state or local laws
  • 17 Supreme Court stays or orders to vacate lower court orders
  • 1 Supreme Court affirmation of a lower court order
  • 8 suits where judges ruled for the federal government in a summary judgment or by dismissing a suit
  • 9 suits where judges ruled against the federal government in a summary judgment or permanent injunction
  • 6 criminal prosecutions by the Department of Justice (Rep. McIver, former FBI Director James Comey, former National Security Advisor John Bolton, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Congressional candidate Katherine Abughazaleh)
Lawfare

Outraged

Why 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 in-laws, or arguments on the playground.

In this fascinating and insightful tour of our moral minds, Gray tackles popular myths that prevent us from understanding ourselves and those around us. While it is commonly believed that our ancestors were apex predators, Gray argues that for the majority of our evolutionary history, humans were more hunted than hunter. This explains why our minds are hard-wired to perceive threats, and provides surprising insights on the scientific origins of our values and beliefs. Though we might think ourselves driven by objective reasoning, Gray unveils new research that finds our moral judgments are based on gut feelings rather than rational thought, and presents a compelling reminder that we are more alike than we might think.

Drawing on groundbreaking research, Gray provides a captivating new explanation for our moral outrage, and unpacks how to best bridge divides. If you want to understand the morals of the “other side,” ask yourself a simple question—what harms do they see?

Buy

website

Today’s Edition Newsletter, Robert B. Hubbell

A reflection on today’s news through the lens of hope.
By Robert B. Hubbell

Recommended by Bob.

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Indivisible Mid-Peninsula

Be a part of the movement to restore democracy in our country
Community 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:

  • Find ways to resist and slow the MAGA agenda
  • encourage and exert pressure on our local, state, and national elected officials to promote social justice and resist Trumpism
  • Unify and support communities under threat
  • Build a powerful grassroots movement to achieve electoral victories in 2026 and beyond

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 the 4th Wednesday of the month to learn ways to be effective in supporting those targeted by Trump’s policies and determine the most impactful actions we can take in our fight for democracy. 

Visit Site

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Podcasts

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The 10 Biggest Myths About Our Economy

By Robert Reich

Recommended by Steve G.

The 10 Biggest Myths About Our Economy

We cannot separate what has happened to working people over the last five decades from the dangerous lure of Trumpism.

To build a path forward, we must debunk these 10 destructive …myths about our rigged economy.Show More
The 10 Biggest Myths About Our Economy
The 10 Biggest Myths About Our Economy
We cannot separate what has happened to working people over the last five decades from the dangerous lure of Trumpism. To build a path forward, we must debunk these 10 destructive myths about our rigged economy.
Myth 1: "Economics is Objective" I 10 Economic Myths Debunked
Myth 1: "Economics is Objective" I 10 Economic Myths Debunked
We are told countless lies about economics. Enough. I’m launching a new 10-week series debunking economic myths. Here’s episode one:
Myth 2: "The Free Market " I 10 Economic Myths Debunked
Myth 2: "The Free Market " I 10 Economic Myths Debunked
PSA: When the powerful say they want a “free market,“ what they actually mean is a market controlled by corporations, Wall Street, and the wealthy.
Do the Rich Work Harder than Everyone Else? I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #3
Do the Rich Work Harder than Everyone Else? I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #3
No, rich people do not work harder than everyone else. Wealth doesn’t measure a person’s work ethic or what they deserve. It measures how well our economic system has been manipulated in their favor.
How Legalized Bribery Works in America I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #4
How Legalized Bribery Works in America I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #4
“Corporate political donations are free speech.” Give me a break. Corporate political donations are legalized bribery, plain and simple. Watch more Debunking videos now: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOLArO56vjuqAau4sUzeF4_KQmdMBBUCg
Why the "Free Market" Isn't Really Free I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #5
Why the "Free Market" Isn't Really Free I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #5
The rich would prefer you to believe that the free market is subject to the immutable law of supply and demand. Baloney! For years, the wealthy and powerful have manipulated the market for their own gain. There is nothing “free” about it.
The Lie That Costs Americans Their Jobs I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #6
The Lie That Costs Americans Their Jobs I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #6
My old boss Bill Clinton called globalization “the economic equivalent of a force of nature, like wind or water.” Here’s what I have to say about that. Watch the rest of my Debunking series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOLArO56vjuqAau4sUzeF4_KQmdMBBUCg
The Real Welfare in America I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #7
The Real Welfare in America I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #7
The Wells Fargo exec overseeing their customer account scam got a $125 million exit package. Meanwhile, most Americans who lose their jobs get only limited unemployment benefits. When I say we have socialism for the rich, harsh capitalism for the rest, this is what I mean. Watch the rest of my Debunking series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOLArO56vjuqAau4sUzeF4_KQmdMBBUCg
The Job Creation Hoax I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #8 | Robert Reich
The Job Creation Hoax I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #8 | Robert Reich
I’m so tired of people pretending the rich are “job creators.” Here’s who’s really creating jobs. Watch the rest of my Debunking series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOLArO56vjuqAau4sUzeF4_KQmdMBBUCg
You've Been Lied to About Inflation I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #9
You've Been Lied to About Inflation I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #9
Angry about airfares? Airlines merged from 12 carriers in 1980 to 4 today. Upset about grocery prices? 3 companies control 70% of grocery sales in 167 cities. Mad about drug prices? A handful of drug companies control the pharmaceutical industry. Monopolies are the problem. Watch the rest of my Debunking series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOLArO56vjuqAau4sUzeF4_KQmdMBBUCg
Is Economic Growth Always Good? I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #10
Is Economic Growth Always Good? I 10 Economic Myths Debunked #10
Think endless economic growth is always good? Think again. Watch the rest of my Debunking series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOLArO56vjuqAau4sUzeF4_KQmdMBBUCg
Why Did Some Support a Fascist for President? | 10 Economic Myths Debunked BONUS
Why Did Some Support a Fascist for President? | 10 Economic Myths Debunked BONUS
Trump isn’t the cause of all of America’s problems — he’s a symptom. He’s the product of years of stagnant wages, big money’s corruption of democracy, and a history rooted in racism. If we want to reduce the lure of authoritarianism – we need to address its root causes.

Photographic Evidence is Dead

Fake 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 content. “Do you trust or believe the source?” This can be a personal choice, but we no longer have the convenience of “socially accepted” sources.

Some technologies can “help” build trust, but they can all be compromised. We should never again put unconditional trust in any medium or technology.

Read Article

Indivisible Palo Alto Plus

Defend 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 spirits so that we can do the hard work of activism.

IPA+ is a recognized part of the Indivisible movement. We work with the national Indivisible organization and with other local Indivisible groups.

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Indivisible: A Practical Guide To Democracy On The Brink

If 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 no mandate for the staggeringly harmful agenda he’s about to unleash on the country. And together, we have the power to fight back — and win.

Resource Guide – Archive