Nov 30, 2025

BBC Obeys in Advance

Rutger Bregman, a Dutch author and historian, accused the BBC of censorship by deleting a phrase from his lecture.  Bregman had described Mr. Trump as the “most openly corrupt president in American history.”

Trump is already threatening to sue the BBC for between 1 and 5 BILLION dollars over editing a previous speech of his.  The BBC has insisted it did not defame Trump and that it would not settle any lawsuit with him.

Click here to see this short video.

BBC officials told Bregman that the line was being scrutinized by its lawyers in the United States and officials at the highest levels of the broadcaster. The day before the lecture aired on BBC Radio 4, he was told it had been edited out.

“They did say a legal situation played a role.  They said this wouldn’t have happened if I did the lecture three months ago. That’s why I feel quite confident in saying they are bending the knee to authoritarianism,” said Bregman.

Bregman also said he had worked extensively with a team of BBC producers and editors to hone the four lectures.  “This is not me standing behind a lectern and free-styling,” he said. “Every word was measured; every word was thought about.”  The lecture, “is exactly about the cowardice of today’s elites, about universities, corporations and, yes, media networks, bending the knee to authoritarianism.”   

So, the BBC just bent the knee on a lecture that talks about the dangers of bending the knee.  

In Timothy Snyder's book, On Tyranny, the first lesson for fighting authoritarianism is Do Not Obey in Advance.  The BBC just obeyed in advance.  I highly recommend that book, by the way.  The illustrated version is the best. It's quite easy to read, yet profound.  




These are the twenty lessons from On Tyranny,
but you really need to read the book to fully understand these points.


Read More 




Who to Contact

Your opinion only matters if you let someone know!  The more people who speak up, the more meaningful our opinions will be.  Tell them - DON'T OBEY IN ADVANCE!

Note:  My postcard will emphasize the words that were deleted from Bregman's lecture - Trump is the “most openly corrupt president in American history.”


BBC Studios 
10351 Santa Monica Boulevard
Suite 250
Los Angeles, CA 90025

BBC Studios Americas Inc
1120 Avenue of the Americas
5th Floor
New York, NY 10036-6700


MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.  

Nov 29, 2025

Hendrick Motorsports Selling Vehicles to ICE

I don't intend on doing business with any company that supports ICE.

Hendrick Motorsports is selling vehicles to ICE.  The August contract was procurred "with a noncompetitive proposal process, because Hendrick Motorsports had told ICE they could provide the vehicles immediately."  The contract was for 2.25 million, but fox news has reported the final cost for 25 Tahoes came to 1.5 million.  I tend to view fox as a questionable source.

Hendrick Motorsports is headquartered in Charlotte, yet they supported ICE as it terrorized citizens in Charlotte under operation "Charlotte's Web".  At least 130 people had been taken into Border Patrol custody, federal officials said the morning of Monday, Nov. 17.  


Rick Hendrick



Hendrick Motorsports’ owner, Rick Hendrick, has donated hundreds of thousands to national Republican groups and Republican lawmakers.

Trump and Melania talk with Richard Childress,
Rick Hendrick and Jack Roush,
prior to the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd

ICE is expected to spend $100 million for 1,000 custom wrapped vehicles, according to an August request for proposals document.

Rick Hendrick owns one of the top teams in NASCAR with Hendrick Motorsports. He also owns Hendrick Automotive Group, which is the largest privately held car dealership group in the US.  It has over 100 franchises in 13 states and over $13 billion revenue in 2024. 

Read More 



Who to Contact

Your opinion only matters if you let someone know!  The more people speak up, the more meaningful our opinions will be.

Hendrick Motorsports
4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28262


Hendrick Dealerships in GA:

Rick Hendrick Toyota Sandy Springs
6475 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford
4490 S Lee St, Buford, GA 30518

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Atlanta
3277 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096

Rick Hendrick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Duluth
2473 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth, GA 30096

Rick Hendrick Buick GMC
3244 Commerce Avenue, Duluth, GA 30096

391 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan, GA 30265

See addresses for more Hendrick dealerships HERE  (HendrickCars.com) 



MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.  

Nov 18, 2025

Marjorie Taylor Greene - sorry for taking part in the toxic politics.

Marjorie Taylor Greene is looking different, sounding different, and standing up in a way that is fascinating to watch.  MJT has a pretty bad track record so it's hard to watch what she is doing and saying without a healthy dose of skepticism, but if she keeps up this transformation, she might make some significant accomplishments.

On a personal note, I plan to praise her efforts for a number of reasons.  I also sent her a thank you for speaking up for the Epstein victims back in September.

The biggest reason is that trump's base is not likely to be swayed by what a liberal says.  But when another trump person speaks up against trump, they pay attention.  They listen more closely and might even think about the points made.  Marjorie is making some pretty good points.  They are points liberals have been making for a long time, but now the points are getting a bit more mainstream attention thanks to her.  

Another reason is that she is inspiring other politicians to speak up.  Not every Republican is in favor of the things trump is doing but they lack backbone, knowing that trump could end their career or endanger their lives and the lives of their family.  But now that MJT has broken the spell, others are timidly beginning to speak a tiny bit more honestly.

Also, I do believe (hope) in certain circumstances people can change.  It usually happens after they have a major personal experience.  I have a theory - I suspect MJT got a dose of what the trump boy's club thought of her (and women in general) when they refused to back her for a senate run.  Maybe she realized that even though she was a huge fundraiser for the party, they thought of her just as a useful tool, not somebody who could be taken seriously.  I think she sat on this for a week or two and got madder and madder and then came out swinging and looking like a completely different person.  I have no idea if my suspicions are correct, but I like that idea.  Also, now trump is trash talking her and putting her life in danger.  She is seeing what others have been facing due to "toxic politics" and she knows she played a part in it.  Rather than defending that, she's showing remorse.  That's a savvy move, but I hope it's genuine.  Politicians usually have motives that veer more towards power than morals, so time will tell.  Regardless, I will encourage her to keep it up.





From NPR -
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., once one of President Trump's strongest supporters in Congress, called his foreign policies "not America first positions" and said his recent attacks against her can "put my life in danger." Greene and Trump have traded barbs in last few days over the future of the Make America Great Again movement, raising new questions about the president's firm grip on the Republican Party.

When asked about her previous attacks against political opponents — such as in 2020 when she posted an image of a gun alongside a group of progressive Democratic congresswomen — Greene apologized.

"I think that's fair criticism," Greene said. "And I would like to say humbly I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic politics. It's very bad for our country."


Read More 

Marjorie Taylor Greene says Trump policies are 'not America first' in fight over MAGA ~ NPR.   This public rift between Greene and Trump marks a brewing fissure in the GOP. When asked what caused the break, Greene pointed to the battle over releasing documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "Unfortunately, it has all come down to the Epstein files, and that is shocking," Greene said.


Who to Contact

Encourage and praise good behavior if you want it to continue!!!

Marjorie Taylor Greene
2201 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5211


... and for good measure, why not send a note to Lauren Robert, who refused to be kowtowed even after being grilled in the SIT room (not a place you go for transparency) by trump and Patel and Noem and Bondi.



See Lauren Boebert Hauled Into White House Over Epstein Secrets ~ Newsworthy Women.  Representative Lauren Boebert, one of the few Republicans publicly pressing for the release of the Justice Department’s files on Jeffrey Epstein, was summoned to the White House Situation Room on Wednesday for what officials described as a “discussion on transparency.” The meeting — an unusual setting for a matter of congressional oversight — underscored just how politically fraught the renewed debate over Epstein’s history has become.

Lauren Boebert
1713 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-4761


MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else about this issue, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.  

Megyn Kelly in Hot Water Over Epstein Comments

Megyn Kelly is in the news (not in a good way) for comments suggesting that Jeffrey Epstein may not be a pedophile because he was only interested in girls in their teens.




The words that got Megyn in Trouble - “Like, he liked 15-year-old girls. And I realize this is disgusting. I’m definitely not trying to make an excuse for this. I’m just giving you facts, that he wasn’t into, like, eight-year-olds.”

Many people jumped on this statement, especially knowing that Megyn has a 14 year old daughter.




The next day Megyn doubled down on what she had said and additionally spoke up in Trump's defense, “Now, every media outlet known to man is reporting on every word Epstein penned related to Donald Trump in a mad search to tie the president to the disgraced financiers’s sexual crimes. So far, it hasn’t worked,” she said. “But this is a pathetic and blatant piece of proof that these people don’t care at all about sex trafficking victims. The media cares about one thing and one thing only: getting Donald Trump.”



Read More 

There are a ton more articles out there but this one was the most complete one I read.  Most of the others I read seemed to be written by people who were spitting out details they had copied from other articles as fast as they could to meet a deadline and missing too much of the nuance to this story.



Who to Contact

The Epstein scandal is proving to be much bigger than most of us could have imagined.  The trafficking is obviously horrendous, the money involved is shocking, and the blackmailing power is a huge factor in what is happening in the world these days.  This is not just a United States story.  It goes way beyond our borders.  It's also a story about how the ultra wealthy believe they are above the law and the rest of us are objects to be used.   Anyone who tries to minimize the wrongdoing needs to be taken to task.

You can write to Megyn's Show directly -

Megyn R Kelly
c/o Devil May Care Media
129 West 29th #600N
New York, NY 10001

Note: Devil May Care Media is an independent media company founded by journalist Megyn Kelly, producing podcasts and other new media content with a focus on news, current events, legal, and cultural issues. 

OR - You can hit where it hurts and write to the top sponsors of Megyn’s podcast:

Sirius/XM
1221 Avenue of the Americas
35th Floor
New York, NY 10020

Atlantic Union Bank
1051 E Cary St 
Ste 1200
Richmond, VA  23219-4044

Tax Network USA
15760 Ventura Blvd #1400
Encino, CA  91436-3025

BP
501 Westlake Park Blvd
Houston, TX  77079-2604

Grand Canyon University
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017


MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else about this issue, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.  

Nov 12, 2025

Shutdown Part 3 - Focus on Kaine and Rosen

After seeing this video from Jolly Good Ginger, I plan to do a little more with Jackie Rosen and Tim Kaine.  You can also see this video on Instagram.  He has a YouTube Channel, but I couldn't find this video there.  He's also on TikTok, but I'm not.   I wish I weren't on Facebook or Instagram, but I have some necessary connections there.


In the video, he explains that he has information from a direct source on some behind the scenes happenings in the heated debate by Dems over the government shutdown.  He does a great job explaining the next steps in the procedure to get this shutdown ended and which of the rogue players might be swayed to change back - Tim Kaine and Jacky Rosen.  

Tim Kaine is said to have voted to end the shutdown because of the high number of constituent contacts he was getting from furloughed federal workers or those in danger of being fired.  If he hears equally from those dismayed over healthcare concerns, he could flip back.   Also, Jackie Rosen might be another likely to be swayed by contacts for similar reasons.

He recommends contacting Tim Kaine and Jacky Rosen- call, message on their gov page or leave a message on their social media profiles and let them know how upset you are about healthcare concerns and the loss of ACA subsidies.  

I didn't link all their social media pages but do a search on whatever platforms you use and you might find them.  

The last post from Tim Kaine on his Facebook page was Nov 4.  At the time of this post, it had 4.4K comments - most from people angry about him breaking ranks.  Jackie Rosen has some more recent posts on Facebook and the comments on all are ticking up as well.  I added my comments to the mix and will look on other platforms after I complete this post.   One wonderful comment on Jacky's Veteran's Day post - "Veterans are all about holding the line. You didn't do this. You voted to give up access to healthcare for millions of Americans. I know this isn't over and it certainly isn't too late for you to reverse your vote. Americans, including families of veterans, need those ACA subsidies. Now isn't the time to be rogue. It's time for you to protect your constituents. Change your vote then hold that line!"


Read More 




Who to Contact

Your opinion only matters if you let someone know!  The more people who speak up, the more meaningful our opinions will be.


term ends in 2030
202-224-6244
713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510


term ends in 2030
202-224-4024
231 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510


MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else about this issue, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

Nov 11, 2025

Shutdown Vote - part 2

The debate continues over whether the Democrats caving on the shutdown, without getting the very thing they claimed was their line in the sand, was a complete loss.  I have continued to read and listen to the points of those who say it's not so bad.  I am still just as angry today as yesterday.  



Yesterday, I made calls to the cavers. (See post here)  Several of them had full voicemails so I messaged them.  This morning, I decided to do more and wrote postcards.  There are more steps in cementing this deal and we need to remind politicians that they are meant to represent us all, not just billionaires and corporate interests.  

I'm providing the same contact info as yesterday PLUS mailing addresses. Use their web site link if you want to message them.  I'm also including the info to show which ones are retiring and what year the others are up for re-election.   Let them know what you think, whether you agree with my opinions or not.  

Read More 


The Real Reason Dems Caved on Shutdown Will Make You Want to Scream ~ New Republic. The message is as simple as it is disastrous: Democrats will do anything to stay in power, even if it means undermining the needs of their constituents.

The 8 Senate Democratic Caucus members who voted to end the shutdown - Politico.   There are few obvious threads connecting the group who broke the partisan impasse.

Democratic Party fractures in government shutdown fight, with anger running high - AP News. Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, which has organized hundreds of protests across the nation, said that nearly 8 in 10 of the group’s activists support primary challenges against “Senate Dems who cave on the GOP bill.”

It's unclear whether the two parties would be able to find any common ground on the health care subsidies before the promised December vote in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said he will not commit to bringing it up in his chamber.


Who to Contact

Your opinion only matters if you let someone know!  The more people speak up, the more meaningful our opinions will be.

term ends in 2030
202-224-4024
231 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

John Fetterman, PA - https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/
term ends in 2028
202-224-4254
142 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Maggie Hassan, NH  https://www.hassan.senate.gov/
term ends in 2028
(202) 224-3324 
324 Hart Senate
Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Jeanne Shaheen, NH  https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/
She's RETIRING.
202-224-2841 
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Angus King, ME  - https://www.king.senate.gov/
term ends in 2030
202-224-5344.  
133 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

He's RETIRING.
202-224-2152
711 Hart Senate Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

term ends in 2030
202-224-6244
713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Catherine Cortez Masto, NV  https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/
term ends in 2028
202-224-3542
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510


EXTRA CREDIT:

Chuck Schumer 
202-224-6542
322 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Ken Martin, DNC Chair 
202-863-8000
430 S Capitol St., SE
Washington, DC   20003

Jon Ossoff 
202-224-3521
317 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Raphael Warnock 
202-224-3643
717 Hart Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC   20510
"Senate Democrats were also mostly unwilling to speak up to defend Schumer’s move. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, even suggested that the party should be looking for new leaders in the coming years." - AP NEWS


MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else about this issue, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

Nov 10, 2025

Shutdown Vote - Still Time - CALL!!!

There's much talk about Dems ending this shutdown.  To me, it seems like the shutdown was all pain and no gain... a pointless Democrat folly.  I've heard just a few people say it was the right thing to do and not as bad as most folks think.  I listened to their thoughts with as open a mind as I could muster and found them unconvincing.  Having Dems do this AFTER the election where so many across the nation enthusiastically voted for Democrats, feels a bit pre-planned.  They had to wait.  They knew voters would be pissed.  They were right.  The shot down our enthusiasm.  



This note was posted on BlueSky today (Monday, Nov 10) - 


Who to Contact First

Your opinion only matters if you let someone know!  The more people who speak up, the more meaningful our opinions will be.


SENATORS WHO VOTED WITH REPUBLICANS

Tim Kaine, VA 202-224-4024

John Fetterman, PA 202-224-4254

Maggie Hassan, NH (202) 224-3324 https://www.hassan.senate.gov/contact/email
(mailbox full - go to her web page and leave a message.  Make up a name and email address. Feel free to use this mailing address and phone number: 500 Dunbarton Rd, Manchester, NH 03102  603 624 6455 - It's the Manchester Solid Waste Drop-Off Facility)

Jeanne Shaheen, NH 202-224-2841 https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/contact/contact-jeanne
(mailbox full - go to her web page and leave a message.  Make up a name and email address. Feel free to use this mailing address and phone number: 500 Dunbarton Rd, Manchester, NH 03102  603 624 6455 - It's the Manchester Solid Waste Drop-Off Facility)

Angus King, ME 202-224-5344.  https://www.king.senate.gov/contact
(mailbox full - go to his web page and leave a message.  Make up a name and email address. Feel free to use this mailing address and phone number:  434 Harold L Dow Hwy, Eliot, ME 03903.    207 439 5574 - It's Shipyard Waste Solutions)

Dick Durbin, IL 202-224-2152. https://www.durbin.senate.gov/contact

(no voicemail, due to high call volume no one will take call.   - go to his web page and leave a message.  Make up a name and email address.  Feel free to use this mailing address and phone number:   1420 W 41st St, Chicago, IL 60827      773 584 4750  - It's LRS Chicago Packers Waste Service, Dumpster Rentals, & Portable Toilets)

Jacky Rosen, NV 202-224-6244

Catherine Cortez Masto, NV 202-224-3542


EXTRA CREDIT:

Chuck Schumer 202-224-6542

DNC Chair 202-863-8000

Jon Ossoff 202-224-3521

Raphael Warnock 202-224-3643



MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else about this issue, check the CONTACTS PAGE. 

ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to more resources you will find helpful.  

Nov 5, 2025

Clay Higgins Tells SNAP Recipients to Stop Smoking Crack

Millions of Americans reply on SNAP benefits to help them get enough food to survive. But due to the government shutdown, SNAP benefits have stopped.  We have a full on food crisis.  (to donate or get help, see - Food Insecurities Resources)  

The response of Clay Higgins, Republican Representative of Louisiana's 3rd District, who will never have to worry about missing a meal is incredibly tone deaf and callous. 

His post on X (just hours before SNAP benefits were set to run out) -



 
$4200 per household is $80 a week.  For a household.  Let that sink in.  What do you spend at the grocery store each week?  Also, I wonder how often Higgins does the shopping for his family.  I wonder how well he'd eat if he had to rely on the food in his pantry for a month.

Also, the "stop smoking crack" remark is a jab meant to reinforce stereotypical ideas that anyone receiving SNAP is just a freeloader.  


Challenging misconceptions about work and assistance: (Source: Legal United States)
  • There is a persistent narrative that most SNAP recipients are unemployed or dependent on government aid without contributing to the workforce. However, data consistently show that the majority of work-capable adults on SNAP are employed for at least part of the year. This reality challenges the stereotype of non-working recipients and reframes the program as one that supports working families struggling to make ends meet.
  • Recognizing SNAP as a supplement, not a substitute:
  • SNAP often functions as a critical supplement for households that already have income from employment. Many working families rely on SNAP to bridge the gap between low wages and the rising cost of essentials like housing, healthcare, and transportation. Rather than discouraging work, the program helps stabilize food security for those who are already part of the labor force but whose earnings fall short of basic living expenses.
  • Reflecting the realities of the modern labor market:
  • Many SNAP recipients are employed in sectors characterized by low pay, unpredictable hours, or seasonal work—such as retail, hospitality, food service, and home care. These jobs often lack benefits, consistent schedules, and opportunities for advancement, making financial instability a persistent issue even for those working full-time. SNAP provides a safety net that allows families to manage through periods of reduced income, job loss, or fluctuating work hours without facing hunger.
  • Informing fair and effective policy design:
  • Policymakers debating stricter work requirements or eligibility rules should recognize that most SNAP households already include workers. The issue is not a lack of willingness to work but rather the unstable and low-paying nature of many available jobs. Effective policy should focus on improving access to stable employment, fair wages, and childcare—factors that directly influence both work participation and food security.

From The Jacobin - 
...70 percent of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid users in their study were full-time workers, with 90 percent of them in the private sector. A significant number of them worked in restaurants and department or grocery stores.

Surprise, surprise — Walmart ranked among the top four employers whose workers relied on Medicaid and SNAP. As Eli Rosenberg broke down in the Washington Post, in nine states alone, Walmart had 14,500 employees on SNAP and 10,350 on Medicaid. Other top offenders included McDonalds, Dollar Tree, Amazon, Burger King, and FedEx.

Read More 

House Republican Tells Food Stamp Recipients to “Stop Smoking Crack”  ~ The New Republic ~ GOP Representative Clay Higgins—who, like most congressmen, receives up to $79 per day in meal comps—thinks SNAP recipients should shut up, stop complaining, and stop smoking crack.


Who to Contact

Your opinion only matters if you let someone know!  The more people who speak up, the more meaningful our opinions will be.



You can contact Clay Higgins at any of the following:

Washington, DC Office
572 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2031

Lafayette District Office
Chase Building
600 Jefferson Street, Suite 808
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone: (337) 703-6105

Lake Charles District Office
1625 Ryan Street, Suite C
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 656-2833


MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else about this issue, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.  

Nov 3, 2025

ICE Ads on Spotify, HBO Max, TBS, Pandora, Peacock and Hulu

Spotify and other streaming services are running ICE recruitment ads.  People are cancelling subscriptions.  Here are excerpts from a few articles on this subject - 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 





“Spotify is exploiting the work of artists to line their pockets while recruiting for ICE – a secret police force that is terrorizing American communities. Spotify is actively amplifying the Trump regime’s drive to authoritarianism.” - Ezra Levin, Indivisible’s co-founder and co-executive director

Indivisible is organizing its members to:

Cancel Spotify Premium subscriptions, today, until Spotify removes all ICE recruitment ads from its platform.
Engage in peaceful protest outside Spotify offices, studios, and major events to demand accountability.
Urge artists, podcasters, and labels to publicly denounce the ads and pressure Spotify leadership to stop profiting from Trump’s deportation machine.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 


While you are jamming out to music or watching your favorite show, you might suddenly hear a dystopian voice during an ad break: Are you ready to “join the mission to protect America” from undocumented immigrants who are “predators” and “dangerous illegals”?

In response to questions, Spotify told HuffPost in a statement, “This ad is part of a wider campaign from the U.S. government running across multiple platforms, including television, streaming, and online channels. Users can provide feedback on ads — such as liking or disliking them — to help manage their ad experience.” The company declined to answer questions about how many people have canceled their subscriptions over this ad.

⚠️ Beyond Spotify, HBO Max, TBS, Pandora, Peacock and Hulu are some of the popular streaming services that have run ICE ads, according to users listening to these ads or confirmed by the companies themselves.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


The new advertising push, which has faced intense online backlash, has followed the Trump administration’s investment of $30 billion to hire at least 10,000 more deportation officers by the end of the year, according to The Associated Press. “You took an oath to protect and serve, to keep your family, your city, safe,” the narrator says in some advertisements targeting local police officers. “But in sanctuary cities, you’re ordered to stand down while dangerous illegals walk free.”

“This is not a random glitch. It is the result of ad targeting that equates music preference with immigration status,” read the user’s note. “Your platform appears to be allowing (or enabling) ads that racially and culturally profile users based on the language of the music they enjoy.”

In August, DHS confirmed to The Independent that it would be running advertisements on YouTube, Max, Amazon Prime Video, X, LinkedIn, and other internet platforms. 

Earlier this month, the AP reported that ad-spends by DHS had topped $6.5 million, and that spots had been run in several major cities, including Seattle, Chicago, Washington, D.C, and Miami, aimed at recruiting local officers frustrated with their cities’ immigration enforcement policies.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Who to Contact

Your opinion only matters if you let someone know!  The more people who speak up, the more meaningful our opinions will be.

Spotify
45 W. 18th Street
New York, New York 10011
phone 646-837-5380

Time Warner Inc. – Home Box Office Inc.  (HBO)
1100 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 512-1000

Turner Broadcasting System, INC
1050 Techwood Dr Nw
Atlanta, GA, 30318-5604
Phone: (404) 827-1700

Pandora
2100 Franklin St
Suite 700
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 451-4100

Peacock
30 Rockefeller Plaza, Floor 19
New York City, New York, 10112
Phone: (212) 664-2711

Hulu
2500 Broadway
Santa Monica, California 90404
Phone: 310-571-4700


MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else about this issue, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.  

Nov 2, 2025

Great Gatsby Party at Mar-a-Lago As SNAP Runs Out

On Day 31 of the shutdown, Trump hosted an ostentatious "Great Gatsby"-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago.  This was hours before millions of Americans lost their SNAP  (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Roughly one in eight people in the U.S relies on the foot stamp program. That's 42 million Americans, more than 12% of the U.S. population, and includes 16 million children.    



The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, pointed out the excesses and callousness of the ultra wealthy.  It's always been one of my favorite books.  I love the original movie as well.  This remark by Nick is my favorite quote from the book:


“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”

This NYT article is from 2020 and yet now, it's even more true -    A ‘Great Gatsby’ Quote Takes On New Resonance.   People critical of the president’s and other Republicans’ behavior have been sharing a line from the Fitzgerald novel about the wealthy characters whose “carelessness” harms everyone around them.   Apparently, even then, the famous quote was resonating.




Guests were seen wearing 1920s attire and there were hosts in flapper attire greeting the invitees, which included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ivanka and Tiffany Trump, and their husbands, Jared Kushner and Michael Boulos, Jeanine Pirro and a select circle of supporters.




The Responses -  



“The way he rubs his inhumanity in Americans’ face never ceases to stun me. He’s illegally refusing to pay food stamp benefits…while he throws a ridiculously over the top Gatsby party for his right wing millionaire and corporate friends.” ~ Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut

“Trump hosts a Gatsby party for billionaires while SNAP benefits expire for 41 million Americans today.  Tax the rich. Feed hungry Americans.” ~ California Rep. Ro Khanna

“It’s lavish Great Gatsby parties and polished marble bathrooms for Donald Trump. It’s empty fridges, tight household budgets, and layoffs for the rest of us. First, Trump sold out working families in exchange for tax cuts for his billionaire friends, and now he refuses to lift a finger to keep health care affordable for 22 million Americans and ensure 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, have food on their table. Last night, Trump made it even clearer that he doesn’t give a damn about anyone but himself and his wealthy friends.”  ~ DNC Chair Ken Martin

Responding to the criticism, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told The Independent that Democrats “are full of it.”

Read More 



Mar-a-Lago Guests Spill Tacky Details of Trump’s Gatsby Bash - The Daily Beast.   Details are beginning to emerge about Donald Trump’s opulent, out-of-touch Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago on Friday night.


Fury as Trump holds 'tone deaf' Gilded Age Halloween party as millions lose food aid ~ Raw Story. Critics couldn’t help but point out the irony of the theming of the party, based on the 1925 novel that offers a sharp critique of social and economic inequality seen during the Gilded Age in the late 19th century, which was fraught with corporate and government corruption.

Who to Contact

Some key Republicans could be contacted on this one. They are making it clear that this administration doesn't care about the working class and they are rubbing it in our faces.  They are blatantly tone-deaf, out-of-touch, and corrupt.

I used the Nick quote on the fronts of all 4 of my postcards.  



Marco Rubio
Secretary of State
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
(202) 456-1111

John Thune
Senate Majority Leader
United States Senate SD-511
Washington, DC 20510

Mike Johnson
House Speaker
521 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

I'm throwing in this one because she has been quite vocal lately and is not shying away from criticizing her colleagues - 

Marjorie Taylor Greene
Dalton District Office
P.O. Box 829
Dalton, GA 30722
Phone: (706) 226-5320



MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else about this issue, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.  

Eric Swalwell

Along with the cards I've been sending concerning the shutdown, SNAP, food insecurities, etc, I felt the need to send a happy note.  I chose Eric Swalwell.  Just like Gavin Newsom, he has been using Social media to post short videos.  I made the mistake of reading the comments under one of his, and oh boy, the maga crowd are really having their feathers ruffled over his ads.  

Swalwell has a mix of videos.  He is speaking up in a way that is getting online traction and since corporate media is basically trump tv now, social media is our best hope for getting our messages out.  I wrote Eric to thank him and urge him to keep it up.  

Here are some of his videos:

Note: Some of his videos contain colorful language but these days, who isn't cussing?  








MORE CONTACTS

If you want to write or call someone else, check the CONTACTS PAGE. Besides frequent contacts, this page also has links to help you easily find others - senators,  and representatives, of course.  There's also a link to a list of committees and their members, so you can target lawmakers who would have the most influence on an issue.

ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.  
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