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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Today we are focused on these six actions:

Stand with Ukraine over Russia: https://tinyurl.com/2khn59cr

Pass bill on unmasking ICE and displaying clear ID here: https://tinyurl.com/bp8cau82

Tell them to call for Hegseth's resignation: https://tinyurl.com/5b65awxk

Demand answers about Trump’s visibly deteriorating health: https://tinyurl.com/sk9xm38v

Support discharge petition to force vote on ACA tax credits: https://tinyurl.com/w23tnvxm

Help us push for an investigation into the Epstein scandal HERE: https://tinyurl.com/4pfh2p4f

Here's my interview with Rep. Eric Swalwell: https://www.dworkinsubstack.com/p/live-with-eric-swalwell-writing-americas

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Clarissa Sr, American Grandma's avatar

🌟🇺🇸 “When Democracy Wasn’t a Police State”

We remember a time,

not too long ago,

when Main Street could blossom

and small shops could grow.

When government’s message

to neighbors was clear:

“Start up your dream—

we’ll help, not interfere.”

But then came the tariffs,

the taxes in disguise,

that jacked up the prices

on everyday buys.

They rattled our markets,

they rattled our town,

till factories shuttered

and wages fell down.

He picked fights with allies

who’d long stood beside,

where many have family

and kin they still pride.

He snarled at our partners,

he fractured our trust,

turning teamwork to tantrums

and friendship to dust.

Then visas got tangled

in red-tape and fear,

with five years of socials

to sift and to smear.

Tourism suffered,

farms lost their hand,

students and nurses

were stalled at the land.

From boardwalks and diners

to bright concert lights,

the jobs slowly vanished

like stars in bad nights.

It hammered our teachers,

our clinics, our art,

the everyday engines

that once drove our heart.

Yet one line of business

kept growing in size—

more ICE, more informers,

more watchful cold eyes.

Bounty-hunt biceps

and cages and gates,

more boots and more badges,

less hope in our states.

But we, older watchers,

recall something great—

when “democracy”

didn’t mean “police state.”

When laws still had limits,

and rights had a space,

and neighbors felt welcome

in our common place.

So we talk to our children,

we share what we know,

we lift up the voices

that truthfully show

How policies hurt us,

how cruelty spreads—

and how we can choose

better paths instead.

With comments and resharing,

with facts we relate,

we’ll guard the America

that once felt less late.

For a freer tomorrow

is still ours to make—

when we stand up together

for a non–police state. ✨🇺🇸

#ResharingBrigade #GrandparentsForTruth #IndyMedia #ProDemocracy #SupportUkraine #SupportPalestine #SupportAfghanVets

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Lisa's avatar

Your poetry resonates so much as a grandchild, who is now a grandmother, remembers from her own poet grandmother. Thank you for sharing this. I weep for my grandchildren and the people who are so ignorant of what is going on in America.

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Ms Jonington's avatar

Unlike Noem who was woefully unprepared for the smackdown she took yesterday, I was so ready to read today’s great news!

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BEpiper's avatar

Loving how you wove this together!

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Thanks for reading!

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Margaret Paul's avatar

Corporate media will only do real and truthful reporting about The Evil One and his henchmen when the billionaires owning the media are getting hurt in their pocketbooks. They have no honor or morals.

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Tracy Kohlbeck's avatar

Or when we have laws forbidding private interests owning media.

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Robot Bender's avatar

Perhaps limits on how many media outlets can be owned by one person or company, including the use of shell companies.

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Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

You’re absolutely right, and it used to be that way. There used to be an active antitrust law and enforcement.

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Lisa's avatar

That was broken up by the Republican party years ago for "reasons". Trace it back to one party.

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Randy S. Eisenberg's avatar

And of course someone needs to tell them to “bite my shiny metal ass.”

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

What's the problem with "private interests owning media"? In bygone days many media outlets -- especially newspapers -- were owned by "private interests": individuals who were usually very much involved with the outlet they owned. As I see it, the big problem is with mega-corporations owning multiple outlets, and buying up smaller outlets to increase their reach.

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T L Mills's avatar

The bigger the corporation the more easily it can be influenced by those in positions to approve--or not--mergers and acquisitions. End-stage capitalism requires companies and corporations get bigger and bigger. Even those who are very, very wealthy, court political favor so as to make and hoard as much of their wealth as they can. The gods forbid they are forced to pay fair taxes on their obscene, morbid wealth.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

Yada yada yada . . . "Private interests" covers all interests that aren't public. I know how big corporations work. I'm asking writers to be more specific about who they're talking about. I hope that's OK with you.

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Teri Gelini's avatar

This is true

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Cheryl Faye's avatar

Great idea!!!

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Lisa's avatar

The problem is that the oligarchs aren't getting hurt in their billionaire pocketbooks. Losing $10M means nothing. If I lost $10,000, it would mean everything to my way of paying bills. Money is a commodity they trade and have so much of it that it's not a worry.

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Runfastandwin's avatar

and even then, there's no way to really hurt billionaires financially.

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marcia schulz's avatar

Yes indeed

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Julie's avatar

1. I loved watching Kristi walk into traps, lie, and then get excoriated. I think she's toast and Trump will turn on her.

2. We need to get corporations and billionaires out of the media. The ONLY reliable news sources are independents like you, Scott. And I truly believe that you and others are crucial in this fight for truth and the preservation of democracy. Thank you!

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Joanne Steacie's avatar

Absolutely agree, Julie! I think Trump will turn on her too. He never has anyones back but his own! Loved seeing her tripped up by facts and truths! Yes we need the substack writers like Scott!

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Julie's avatar

Well said, Joanne!

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J Glaspie's avatar

When will F-o-x fans admit that they've been fooled?

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Julie's avatar

As long as they can fall back on willful ignorance...never. But we can always hope that some will see the light.

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MzNicky in East Jesus, TN's avatar

ha ha! love the Donny Dumpster image.

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

I thought that was very appropriate. 🤣😂

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Joanne Rossmassler Fritz's avatar

It says something that I prefer to see an overflowing trash can rather than the Felon’s face! Thank you, Scott!

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Lonnie Dai Zovi's avatar

the images that you use to cover ****** face are priceless. I try to hide his face (which appears TOOOOOOO often everywhere)with my hand but your pictures are perfect, What and how you write is awesome, too.

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Teri Gelini's avatar

Priceless and on point. I also loved it

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Sam Jones's avatar

Are we thinking maga is tired of all the winning yet?

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Mike Hammer's avatar

No winning, just whining.

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Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

You mean whining and MAGA is so filled with hate and love for the evil one that they can't see anything but the hate.

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Linnea Volkmar's avatar

I know the Trump women, Noem and Bondi are getting grilled but where are the men like Stephen Miller? He has apparently slithered hiding under a rock? Vance? Johnson and more? How about their leader? They need to be grilled like hot dogs in July. Let the trials begin. Lock them up!

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Ralph T's avatar
2dEdited

Exactly. The new requirements for tourism, where applicants have to provide their social media content, personal and work emails for the last 10 years (who keeps all that?), addresses and phone numbers of you and family for the last 5 years, etc., before being admitted to the US, has Nazi Stephen Miller's hands all over that.

He is evil and something needs to be done about stopping him.

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

Not to mention it will practically end tourism in this country.

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Ralph T's avatar
2dEdited

No doubt. Why would people risk their lives with a "vacation" here?

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Pam Birkenfeld's avatar

Which is already toast!

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Kayo's avatar

It should be no surprise that many foreign visitors will simply choose not to visit the US if this highly invasive search of their personal communications is a requirement.

Tourism industry, (starting with the World Cup), will lose big time.

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Clarissa Sr, American Grandma's avatar

🌟🇺🇸 “When Democracy Wasn’t a Police State”

We remember a time,

not too long ago,

when Main Street could blossom

and small shops could grow.

When government’s message

to neighbors was clear:

“Start up your dream—

we’ll help, not interfere.”

But then came the tariffs,

the taxes in disguise,

that jacked up the prices

on everyday buys.

They rattled our markets,

they rattled our town,

till factories shuttered

and wages fell down.

He picked fights with allies

who’d long stood beside,

where many have family

and kin they still pride.

He snarled at our partners,

he fractured our trust,

turning teamwork to tantrums

and friendship to dust.

Then visas got tangled

in red-tape and fear,

with five years of socials

to sift and to smear.

Tourism suffered,

farms lost their hand,

students and nurses

were stalled at the land.

From boardwalks and diners

to bright concert lights,

the jobs slowly vanished

like stars in bad nights.

It hammered our teachers,

our clinics, our art,

the everyday engines

that once drove our heart.

Yet one line of business

kept growing in size—

more ICE, more informers,

more watchful cold eyes.

Bounty-hunt biceps

and cages and gates,

more boots and more badges,

less hope in our states.

But we, older watchers,

recall something great—

when “democracy”

didn’t mean “police state.”

When laws still had limits,

and rights had a space,

and neighbors felt welcome

in our common place.

So we talk to our children,

we share what we know,

we lift up the voices

that truthfully show

How policies hurt us,

how cruelty spreads—

and how we can choose

better paths instead.

With comments and resharing,

with facts we relate,

we’ll guard the America

that once felt less late.

For a freer tomorrow

is still ours to make—

when we stand up together

for a non–police state. ✨🇺🇸

#ResharingBrigade #GrandparentsForTruth #IndyMedia #ProDemocracy #SupportUkraine #SupportPalestine #SupportAfghanVets

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Lonnie Dai Zovi's avatar

This should be a battle cry, or theme song.Lovely (yet sad)

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Lily's avatar

Ice Barbie lied and even walked out - and that's OK? Come Congress, Come on Bennie to refer perjury charges! And what about the idiot FBI guy? I don't know where Antifa is located! IDIOT

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Kayo's avatar

OMG that FBI guy was a stooge😁

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Joanne Steacie's avatar

Another truth, Linnea. Was wondering too! They need the same treatment. They are as bad. Especially I hate Miller! Vance is a fool!

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Marie Rudden's avatar

I have nothing but the highest respect and praise for Benny Thompson, always a hero. I thank him and Seth Magaziner and others for their research and thorough, data- based questioning of Kristi Noem. She is indeed a corrupt liar. ( besides being evil and a dog )shooter

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Linda Morway's avatar

I think they should bring Miller in front of these committees.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

That would be great Linda!

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Wis's avatar

Bennie Thompson is my new hero of the week! And just look at the earnest, fierce disapproval on his face - that alone should get noem shaking in her hooker boots!

This beautiful statement should be said to (or tattooed on) all of the cabinet, from the very top down: “Rather than sitting here and wasting your time and ours with more corruption, lies and lawlessness, do a real service to the country and just resign.”

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Joanne Steacie's avatar

That was so great, Wis! So good to see common sense and cutting thru the bullshit!

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Kat Hudy's avatar

Excellant reporting and great news Scott! Christie Noem deserved every truthful set-down she got and more. I would like them to do more of this to her and every one of Trumps cabinet clowns! They are all every bit as unfit as Trump.

As far as corporate media, their billionaire owners need to get with the program and protect the The Freedom of the Press. Trump won’t be here Forever. They need to remember that as Americans start to stop watching their News Sludge.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Thank you kindly Kat!

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

". . . if [the NY Times] had acted this way a decade ago we wouldn’t be in this mess." 100%. And I'm wondering if they've really learned anything.

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LiseAnn 🇨🇦's avatar

So should have the Washington Post.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

They were doing better before Bozo took over. I wouldn't be surprised if Katharine Graham and Ben Bradlee rose from the dead with history and justice on their minds.

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BEpiper's avatar

That image would be a marvelous cartoon. I can see them rising, each holding a sword, one with “justice,” the other with “history.”

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BEpiper's avatar

I hope Scott is maintaining a folder of all his best quotes.

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Pamela S.'s avatar

Benny Thompson is a treasure!

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Robot Bender's avatar

We could use a few hundred on him in the Legislative Branch.

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MzNicky in East Jesus, TN's avatar

“The power of Christ compels you!”

😄 I love it. Kristi Noem could certainly use an exorcism.

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Susan Niemann's avatar

The Trash Can over his face...😂😂 I know we have a long way to go to restoring some sense of sanity to this country but it feels like we are gaining. Benny Thompson, Delia Ramirez, and Seth Magaziner were brilliant. Just excellent! 💙💙💙

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Kim Nesvig's avatar

I concur with Bennie. It’s time for the resignation of Noem and every other member of the Trump Administration, up to and including Trump. It would be the perfect Christmas gift to America and the world.

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Scott Dworkin's avatar

Yes Kim!

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