Ask yourself: If Putin was running our country (he kinda is), exactly what would he be doing differently?
These stories about Brandon Wright and Don Lemon: Is there anything more fundamental, more important to the greatness of the United States than the 1st Amendment? Now, if you speak your mind, you're in danger of being in shackles and sent to a foreign prison. Or shot and killed.
On another note: I found the Jack Smith testimony to be disturbing. Not because of him (although he was too polite), but because the GOP demonstrated again, that when the cameras are on, they are nothing more than a performative group of feces throwing monkeys, not looking for any sort of truth, but rather looking to be the featured soundbite on Fox News.
Meanwhile, 5 year old kids are being cuffed, parents are being dragged out in their pajamas, and people are being tear gassed. All because Daddy lost Minnesota last November.
There used to be something called "Godwin's Law": "He who invokes Hitler first, loses". Well excuse me, but Hitlerism is sweeping over our country. And the next coming attractions are 1) The Insurrection Act; 2) An attempt to cancel the elections.
They are trying to beat us down and shut us up through fear. They are hoping we will be so overwhelmed and exhausted from trying to survive that we’ll just slink away.
I know you won’t back down and that is why every Saturday morning I stop whatever I’m doing and read your Covfefe.
G’mornin’, Olivia!! Thanks so much for that round-up. I enjoy your succinct, yet inclusive writing and your thoughtful remarks.
I’m also afraid for you, but I know you’ll use whatever “fuel” you experience to sharpen your perceptions and not allow intimidation to slow you down one bit!
Stay warm wherever you are. I’m in Tulsa awaiting Round 2 of this wicked storm. So far, so good. We’re hunkered down.
Current temp at 9:16 CST is 9 degrees with a wind chill of -7!!
That’s some cold ish right there. Have 3 dogs here if I need them. 😉
For myself I’ve often felt that my commentary might be targeted. While my Substack has limited exposure, my opinions are enhanced and expanded through comments on many of the Substack writers to whom I subscribe. I will not be silenced nor should we put up with the ongoing attacks on free speech by a freewheeling dictatorship that ignores our Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
Brillaint breakdown of the honeypot playbook. The fact that theseoperation s are being weaponized to kill dissent rather than catch actual misocnduct is chilling. I've seen firsthand how careers can vanish overnight when surveillance gets mixed with selective editing, and the Brandon Wright case really shows how slippery this slope is. The scariest part might be how quickly institutions fold when pressured even when no actual workplace violation happened.
James O'Keefe is another nasty little man who's built a career out of secret recordings and selective editing, all in service of his rightwing paymasters.
Thank you, as always Olivia de la Frontera ❤️. The bit about the young lady pulled my heart-strings too, and so glad “an Underground Network of Care” came to her rescue. They are about to become a real-life line for many going forward. To that, I recently discovered The People’s Community - it takes one through the nuts & bolts of how it can be done. It’s down-to-earth and encouraging. Keep going!
Thanks Olivia: Wage cut, for federal workers, farm hands , Less overtime and minimum wage protections. Texas minimum wage $7.25 per hour. How in hell is one going to survive on that. It is a slow process by the Heritage Foundation to erode the major unions. You will work overtime but will be paid the going rate. No more time and a half or double time. The middle class will be gutted and we will become a third world country. Oh yes another thing . It appears the USA has two classes of citizens, the ICE gestapo agents and the rest of the citizens are just domestic terrorists. Step out of line folks and we will execute you.
I miss seeing pics of your photogenic furry friends, Ringo & Stevie — were they camera shy for once? Need puppy luv to help so much rotten news go down!
Olivia - I have forwarded your newsletter to many. Observations from today:
Item #1 – You figured this was going to happen. I can see this jet surrounded by fighter jets in the air which should make most Americans nauseated. Cute in Healthcare, jobs, etc., most Americans can see through this. The 250-year celebration (if you want to call it that) will be marred by Nationwide rallies, including “No Kings”. HONESTLY MANY AMERICANS ARE EMBARRASSED AND DON’T CARE – I FOR ONE WILL NOT BE CELEBRATING
Item #2 – The optics were perfect for the sycophants as Don Lemon (1) A reporter who left CNN and continues to talk against the regime, (2) African-American, and (3) a gay man. These people are so disgusting. If you watch Don, he is not an agitator but simply reporting; he was also quite cordial.
Item #3 – will the regime fire our beloved Labor Secretary for her unscrupulous activities including here in Vegas, posing in her bathing suit with what looks like breast implants. She is a disgrace!
What a sin about that young girl afraid to leave her house. This is more common than you might think! Simple tasks...............................
Liked your post but take issue with "marred"; I can't think of a more appropriate way to celebrate the anniversary than by having masses of Americans standing up for their rights under the Constitution.
Davos was terrifying. Our Allies are abandoning us and they should. The Board of Peace is a Board of dictators. The UN does not need the “help” Trump is offering. What we are watching with honeypot tactics and goon squads is the destruction of democracy. Here in AZ, we have a Democratic governor, 2 Democratic senators, a Democratic AG and secretary of state. They all work tirelessly to hold the line. I am working to help those up for re-election. However, our Republican members of Congress are all Trump puppets and MAGA has a firm grip on this state. It’s frightening. Voting Blue in November is the only power we have left. Will SCOTUS stand firm against Trump’s inevitable challenge to the mid-terms?
The insanity in Davos was disturbing. That 'they' think that lies, lies & more lies in the moment will not come back to haunt them is grimly amusing. And the 'Greenland Deal' - more humiliation on the world stage for this nation as the toddler in chief smirks, not knowing or caring that the jokes on him. Perception, not reality is where this man lives.
I hosted a Danish exchange student in 2000. He served in the Danish military after he returned & was deployed to Iraq. When I hear DJT claim NATO or Denmark have done nothing for the US, it is a slap in the face. Needless to say my Danish friends feel more than betrayed.
I live in a blue state, WA, that will be targeted, although I live on the 'red' side. It is deeply disturbing to me that more citizens here are not paying attention to the implications of what is unfolding. The apathy, both-sideism, and the pats on the head that 'it'll be fine' defy the lessons of history.
That said, even in my rural community of 4500, in a red area, there are a few of us organizing, protesting regularly, getting prepared to protect and stand up for our hispanic neighbors & friends. We had over 100 people show up on 11/20 to create a line of lights along our main street. I'm a school board member and 56% of our students are hispanic in this district. This population does the heavy lifting that supports our agriculture & hospitality businesses. It breaks my heart that they are living in fear, among people who believe it is perfectly fine to 'otherize' and harm them. I also volunteer at our foodbank. Who knew that in such a small community so many were in such need. I also weep for the young girl who couldn't feel safe getting the basics she needed.
In rural communities, the 'koffee klatch ' is a thing. Almost always retired white males, they gather in restaurants and cafes. I see them in just about all the small towns I travel through around here. A lot of attitudes are formed, solidified & amplified in these groups which are mostly white, right leaning & affluent, if what I hear sitting at a nearby table is any indication. I'm wondering if I should start to join them. You know, change it up a bit.
None of the complacency or both sidesism or ignoring what's right in front of us should surprise anyone.
I'm an avid history follower and this is exactly what went on in Germany in the 30s. As peoples' neighbors were disappeared, they said nothing. They did nothing.
Couple years ago, I was working as a volunteer, taking elderly ppl to doctor appts. As I sat outside waiting for a woman I was helping come back out from her appt, I sat down on a bench and had a pleasant conversation with a couple other elderly folks.
They'd grown up in Germany, Leipzig specifically, and I asked about their WWII experience: "We didn't know" (about Jews being killed).
For F sakes: There was a concentration camp with ovens in Leipzig. Of course they knew.
What'd they think the smoke and stench was from? Roasting bratwurst?
In 20 years, how many Americans will profess ignorance? Even with everything on Hi Def TV, that WILL happen.
But the worst possibility is that no one will deny it because it will all have been normalized.
Excellent column, Olivia.
I'm not the first to say this, but:
Ask yourself: If Putin was running our country (he kinda is), exactly what would he be doing differently?
These stories about Brandon Wright and Don Lemon: Is there anything more fundamental, more important to the greatness of the United States than the 1st Amendment? Now, if you speak your mind, you're in danger of being in shackles and sent to a foreign prison. Or shot and killed.
On another note: I found the Jack Smith testimony to be disturbing. Not because of him (although he was too polite), but because the GOP demonstrated again, that when the cameras are on, they are nothing more than a performative group of feces throwing monkeys, not looking for any sort of truth, but rather looking to be the featured soundbite on Fox News.
Meanwhile, 5 year old kids are being cuffed, parents are being dragged out in their pajamas, and people are being tear gassed. All because Daddy lost Minnesota last November.
There used to be something called "Godwin's Law": "He who invokes Hitler first, loses". Well excuse me, but Hitlerism is sweeping over our country. And the next coming attractions are 1) The Insurrection Act; 2) An attempt to cancel the elections.
All of this!! Could not have said it better.
Update: Man shot and killed by ICE today in MN
I think i read he was shot in the back
We live in a police state.
So, another week of corruption and retaliation.
They are trying to beat us down and shut us up through fear. They are hoping we will be so overwhelmed and exhausted from trying to survive that we’ll just slink away.
I know you won’t back down and that is why every Saturday morning I stop whatever I’m doing and read your Covfefe.
Stay safe!
I am not criticizing you at all. You're on the right side of this mess.
But I'm gonna take a chance here and at the risk of incurring your ire say you can do more
I frequently see people saying "I'm resisting as hard as I can", but in most cases all they're doing is reading and commenting on sites like this.
People: Please do more.
Volunteer for a candidate, donate if you can, work to register voters, contact Dem leaders in your legislative district and ask how you can help.
Again, I don't know you and maybe you ARE doing some of these things. If so, thank you.
You are right. I could do more. We could all do more.
And yes, you don’t know me. Nor do I know you.
We don’t know each other starting point in this journey of resistance and activism. Nor do we know which path or at what point we are.
Mike, continue fighting and helping others find their path with information on how to stay involved and strengthen the resistance.
G’mornin’, Olivia!! Thanks so much for that round-up. I enjoy your succinct, yet inclusive writing and your thoughtful remarks.
I’m also afraid for you, but I know you’ll use whatever “fuel” you experience to sharpen your perceptions and not allow intimidation to slow you down one bit!
Stay warm wherever you are. I’m in Tulsa awaiting Round 2 of this wicked storm. So far, so good. We’re hunkered down.
Current temp at 9:16 CST is 9 degrees with a wind chill of -7!!
That’s some cold ish right there. Have 3 dogs here if I need them. 😉
Warmly,
Cherae
For myself I’ve often felt that my commentary might be targeted. While my Substack has limited exposure, my opinions are enhanced and expanded through comments on many of the Substack writers to whom I subscribe. I will not be silenced nor should we put up with the ongoing attacks on free speech by a freewheeling dictatorship that ignores our Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
Brillaint breakdown of the honeypot playbook. The fact that theseoperation s are being weaponized to kill dissent rather than catch actual misocnduct is chilling. I've seen firsthand how careers can vanish overnight when surveillance gets mixed with selective editing, and the Brandon Wright case really shows how slippery this slope is. The scariest part might be how quickly institutions fold when pressured even when no actual workplace violation happened.
James O'Keefe is another nasty little man who's built a career out of secret recordings and selective editing, all in service of his rightwing paymasters.
Thanks for your words Olivia - you give us hope.
I look forward to each Saturday morning Covfefe! Today's column was excellent!
Thank you, as always Olivia de la Frontera ❤️. The bit about the young lady pulled my heart-strings too, and so glad “an Underground Network of Care” came to her rescue. They are about to become a real-life line for many going forward. To that, I recently discovered The People’s Community - it takes one through the nuts & bolts of how it can be done. It’s down-to-earth and encouraging. Keep going!
(https://thepeoplescommunity.substack.com/)
Thanks Olivia: Wage cut, for federal workers, farm hands , Less overtime and minimum wage protections. Texas minimum wage $7.25 per hour. How in hell is one going to survive on that. It is a slow process by the Heritage Foundation to erode the major unions. You will work overtime but will be paid the going rate. No more time and a half or double time. The middle class will be gutted and we will become a third world country. Oh yes another thing . It appears the USA has two classes of citizens, the ICE gestapo agents and the rest of the citizens are just domestic terrorists. Step out of line folks and we will execute you.
I miss seeing pics of your photogenic furry friends, Ringo & Stevie — were they camera shy for once? Need puppy luv to help so much rotten news go down!
Olivia - I have forwarded your newsletter to many. Observations from today:
Item #1 – You figured this was going to happen. I can see this jet surrounded by fighter jets in the air which should make most Americans nauseated. Cute in Healthcare, jobs, etc., most Americans can see through this. The 250-year celebration (if you want to call it that) will be marred by Nationwide rallies, including “No Kings”. HONESTLY MANY AMERICANS ARE EMBARRASSED AND DON’T CARE – I FOR ONE WILL NOT BE CELEBRATING
Item #2 – The optics were perfect for the sycophants as Don Lemon (1) A reporter who left CNN and continues to talk against the regime, (2) African-American, and (3) a gay man. These people are so disgusting. If you watch Don, he is not an agitator but simply reporting; he was also quite cordial.
Item #3 – will the regime fire our beloved Labor Secretary for her unscrupulous activities including here in Vegas, posing in her bathing suit with what looks like breast implants. She is a disgrace!
What a sin about that young girl afraid to leave her house. This is more common than you might think! Simple tasks...............................
Liked your post but take issue with "marred"; I can't think of a more appropriate way to celebrate the anniversary than by having masses of Americans standing up for their rights under the Constitution.
Davos was terrifying. Our Allies are abandoning us and they should. The Board of Peace is a Board of dictators. The UN does not need the “help” Trump is offering. What we are watching with honeypot tactics and goon squads is the destruction of democracy. Here in AZ, we have a Democratic governor, 2 Democratic senators, a Democratic AG and secretary of state. They all work tirelessly to hold the line. I am working to help those up for re-election. However, our Republican members of Congress are all Trump puppets and MAGA has a firm grip on this state. It’s frightening. Voting Blue in November is the only power we have left. Will SCOTUS stand firm against Trump’s inevitable challenge to the mid-terms?
Thank you for your continued dedication to bringing us truth in such a succinct manner. I am here every Saturday morning with enormous gratitude!
Stay safe and warm!
Always look forward to your Saturday pieces, have yet to be disappointed by one.
The insanity in Davos was disturbing. That 'they' think that lies, lies & more lies in the moment will not come back to haunt them is grimly amusing. And the 'Greenland Deal' - more humiliation on the world stage for this nation as the toddler in chief smirks, not knowing or caring that the jokes on him. Perception, not reality is where this man lives.
I hosted a Danish exchange student in 2000. He served in the Danish military after he returned & was deployed to Iraq. When I hear DJT claim NATO or Denmark have done nothing for the US, it is a slap in the face. Needless to say my Danish friends feel more than betrayed.
I live in a blue state, WA, that will be targeted, although I live on the 'red' side. It is deeply disturbing to me that more citizens here are not paying attention to the implications of what is unfolding. The apathy, both-sideism, and the pats on the head that 'it'll be fine' defy the lessons of history.
That said, even in my rural community of 4500, in a red area, there are a few of us organizing, protesting regularly, getting prepared to protect and stand up for our hispanic neighbors & friends. We had over 100 people show up on 11/20 to create a line of lights along our main street. I'm a school board member and 56% of our students are hispanic in this district. This population does the heavy lifting that supports our agriculture & hospitality businesses. It breaks my heart that they are living in fear, among people who believe it is perfectly fine to 'otherize' and harm them. I also volunteer at our foodbank. Who knew that in such a small community so many were in such need. I also weep for the young girl who couldn't feel safe getting the basics she needed.
In rural communities, the 'koffee klatch ' is a thing. Almost always retired white males, they gather in restaurants and cafes. I see them in just about all the small towns I travel through around here. A lot of attitudes are formed, solidified & amplified in these groups which are mostly white, right leaning & affluent, if what I hear sitting at a nearby table is any indication. I'm wondering if I should start to join them. You know, change it up a bit.
I'm not loving living in interesting times.
None of the complacency or both sidesism or ignoring what's right in front of us should surprise anyone.
I'm an avid history follower and this is exactly what went on in Germany in the 30s. As peoples' neighbors were disappeared, they said nothing. They did nothing.
Couple years ago, I was working as a volunteer, taking elderly ppl to doctor appts. As I sat outside waiting for a woman I was helping come back out from her appt, I sat down on a bench and had a pleasant conversation with a couple other elderly folks.
They'd grown up in Germany, Leipzig specifically, and I asked about their WWII experience: "We didn't know" (about Jews being killed).
For F sakes: There was a concentration camp with ovens in Leipzig. Of course they knew.
What'd they think the smoke and stench was from? Roasting bratwurst?
In 20 years, how many Americans will profess ignorance? Even with everything on Hi Def TV, that WILL happen.
But the worst possibility is that no one will deny it because it will all have been normalized.
This is madness Olivia. Thank you for your reporting.