I'm in CA and just lost my house to the Eaton Fire. I have my political donations on autopilot so I'm in the fight every month, even when I'm a tad occupied elsewhere. I'll try to do one thing every day also.
I'm also a Red Cross disaster volunteer. I couldn't deploy in person to Helene, but I did reunification remotely for FL after Hurricane Milton. Many of my local Red Crossers deployed to NC for Helene.
Thank you. We're still rebuilding roads, clearing debris, and doing search and recovery. The unofficial death toll is over 4000 for western NC and eastern TN.
The specifics for what qualifies as a 'storm related death' are ridiculous.
The man who was on oxygen, whose road was buried so no one could get to him and he died before they could - is not considered a 'storm related death'.
Also know that people swore FEMA wasn't here - and they have been since about ten days after the storm hit. They have been visiting homes, putting down trailer homes, running information centers, etc.
They've been good. And several of the FEMA workers, after doing their regular job, would volunteer to help the search and rescue - then recovery teams.
National Guard was here for a long time. Samaritan's Purse, Cajun Navy, World Kitchen - they've all been here, doing so much.
OMG I am so very sorry, and a "tad occupied" is an incredible testament to your character. A dash of humor in what must be unimaginable turmoil and sadness. Sending lots of love to you and your neighbors and their neighbors and theirs and theirs
so so sorry... sending love and hugs as best as I can from Northern California... there are some here who know and have felt what you are going through... stay safe
Much love to you Margaret. My husband is from Glendale & I'm a native Angelino, living in a far away state. We both feel the pain of those we will always call neighbors. At least we know LA has built and rebuilt many times before. Blessings and hang in there.
So sorry Margaret. My husband and I lived in Altadena for 8 years until 2013. We moved back to the PNW. Our old home a d neighborhood is now ash. We are so heartbroken for our old community s d friends s d neighbors.
This is sent from a red part of red Nebraska I thank you with my whole heart- top, bottom, and middle, with every breath I take I am with you!
So, from a farm son, farmer, husband, father, ex-county commissioner, lawyer, and judge, you have my support with love, affection, admiration, and the learned activism you foster!!
There are lots of us! Some have to build the courage up. My observation is another few weeks of what we have witnessed and it will be go baby go! Hope & determination to move forward.
I'm thinking that all of us in the red states need to communicate that much more with our elected officials and with the blue state officials as well so they cannot forget we are here.
This Seattle boy (even with small-town & rural Aussie roots) can't imagine what politics feels like anywhere that the GOP has dominated within the last 40 years, but thanks you all for holding out.
But if this maniacal cabinet actually mobilizes the military to suppress protests or strikes, I have to admit I'll probably try to flee to Australia or Portugal.
As I sat down to read this I thought “Dang I’m tired.” I’m soul-weary from nearly week of Trump and body weary from bathing and putting young grandsons to bed. But your words energized me. One action item per day. I can do that! LFG
Tell your State Senator you’ll support the abortion ban when they genetically identify the father and hold him financially responsible for 50% of all child rearing costs until age 18. And while you have his attention, demand that Viagra and Cialis (or their generic substitutes) require an office visit and be forbidden to be distributed through the mail.
Did you see that planned bill in Tennessee? The one, looking to regulate the ‘spilling of seed’?
Great, isn’t it? It should be right up your street: If the Republicans flood the zone with horrible laws, then the Democrats can reciprocate with stuff, which shows the absurdity!
(For the avoidance of doubt - that bill is not intended as a serious bill)
Where I read it, they gave a link to the bill. Which then gave the name of the senator, who had introduced it and then it was just a quick check on Wiki.
There are so many people posting sh*te, that I have developed a good bit of skepticism, especially when the ‘fact’ quoted is awfully convenient for their point of view: As someone once said, everyone can have their own opinion but they’re not entitled to their own facts.
Hey Jess! You drove right by us! FWIW, there are a lot more people who didn’t vote for trump than you’d think out in the woods up here, we’re just quiet people and don’t put out signs. Maybe not as many as there should be, but we do exist!
I have had similar thoughts about where could I go? I live in southeastern NC, a very rural area. My kids and grandkids all live in Florida. I have been a blue dot in a Red Sea for decades. I lived in Michigan and Ohio. Ohio used to have 2 Democratic senators. Now look who they have!! I’m going to have to figure out to do my part right where I am.
Ohio is terrible, in large part due to the Gerrymandering that exists ~ and the people of this state just voted to KEEP gerrymandering 🤦🏻♀️ as the status quo this past Nov, in part because our SOS was *allowed* to use completely MISleading language on the ballot!
Anyway, Nothing will Change, as long as the politicians in this state continue to choose.their.voters. instead of the other way around. 🙅🏻♀️😣
You are absolutely right. Ohio is beyond terrible. It used to be fairly progressive, but those days are long gone. I’d leave but you can’t pack up a family farm and there are 3 children and 6 grandchildren here, so here we stay. But we vote, and we donate time and money, and set an example of fair mindedness and decency, I hope.
I understand completely ~ same here, with children & grandchildren ~ at least I live in a suburb of Columbus, so there is more diversity of thought & culture ~ (but MAGA’s ugly head rears itself in these parts, too ~ too often for my liking, tho 😟)
I follow Pepperspectives ~ you may, as well, since he is Ohio-oriented.
[Btw, I am not a Democrat, I am center-left ideologically ~ but at this point, I can’t see ever voting for a Republican again ~ being in the 4th Q of my life, I just don’t see a the drastic change that is needed happening in my lifetime 😔]
I don’t see the change happening in my lifetime, either, and that saddens me. I’m in Union County, near Marysville, and it’s distressingly far right wing here. I do follow David Pepper. I also read The Rooster for a pretty hard core radical perspective on Ohio politics. The “reporter” is in the Statehouse cornering GOP lawmakers and occasionally making their lives miserable. He has a free newsletter and a paid one, and he’s on here with his thoughts. One of his newsletters had some interesting scoops on the Ohio State spring commencement speech fiasco. He filed a FOIA request for info on the speaker selection process. Unsurprisingly it involved money and cryptocurrency.
NW Ohioan here. So sad and then Mad to live here day in and day out. I want to flee to Chicago where our daughter lives, but who will ever change Ohio if we don’t stay??
My husband’s family populates NW Ohio ~ it’s painful to even just drive *through* the area on the way out of the state (especially during election season 🤯🥵) ~ yeesh! 🙄 I try not to go there, if at all possible. I feel for you!
We have to keep fighting the good fight! Best to you! 🕊️🙋🏻♀️
I moved from a blue zone to an all-red zone 6 months before the general in 2016. People were nice. No one cared or asked about political leanings. Four years later folks were angry, divided, and full of hate and blame. That's how Trump wins. Appealing to the lowest common denominator in people. I'm glad I'm in a red zone, I saw this coming long before those in the blue bubble did. I have had time to prepare. Missouri needs you much more than any blue bubble does. And yes we need those blue bubbles but we need blue folks in red zones more. We fight for our children, and their children and.... we change the world one mind at a time.
Thank you Jess. I met you at the Women’s Summit in VA last year and told you about our daughter who’s a nurse and single mom raising 3 kids in MO. You’re an inspiration and I’m standing with you all the way.
I’m a former Missourian who now lives in CA, but I happen to have a place near the Boundary Waters. If you need to get away, you are sincerely welcome there anytime. Thank you for all you do for my home state.
I also live in Missouri, have all my life. Fortunately I live in a district that is represented by a duly elected Democrat. I totally agree with you that we must continue to push back, no matter where we live, no matter who represents us. I agree we must do what we can on down ballot voting! Keep on doing what you're doing. Together we can make a difference!!!
Well said. I'm a Seattle boy; our state's Governors, AGs, and Senators Cantwell & Murray have never given MAGA an inch. But that doesn't excuse me from adding my voice to shouting down any of these smug tyrants & liars when they pretend they have a mandate.
I'm in CA and just lost my house to the Eaton Fire. I have my political donations on autopilot so I'm in the fight every month, even when I'm a tad occupied elsewhere. I'll try to do one thing every day also.
I’m so sorry to hear this, friend. Please take care of you first.
I'm surrounded by several communities of care, plus good insurance. I can afford to keep donating. I don't have the brain cells to do much just yet.
Hang in there, Margaret.
I'm in western NC where my town was devastated by Helene.
Community is what saved me - what keeps saving me. Thinking of all of you and knowing how hard it all is.
I'm also a Red Cross disaster volunteer. I couldn't deploy in person to Helene, but I did reunification remotely for FL after Hurricane Milton. Many of my local Red Crossers deployed to NC for Helene.
The volunteers were amazing. Thank you and your fellow workers.
My heart breaks for you TK... sending love and best wishes
Thank you. We're still rebuilding roads, clearing debris, and doing search and recovery. The unofficial death toll is over 4000 for western NC and eastern TN.
The specifics for what qualifies as a 'storm related death' are ridiculous.
The man who was on oxygen, whose road was buried so no one could get to him and he died before they could - is not considered a 'storm related death'.
There are so many. It's hard.
The capacity of the capitalist system to protect profits and oppress people is astonishing. Thankfully, we have each other.
Oh, that’s just terrible!
A friend said yesterday, that the red cross was not here in n.e. Tennessee. Is there any official report on people/$$ that has been sent here?
Also know that people swore FEMA wasn't here - and they have been since about ten days after the storm hit. They have been visiting homes, putting down trailer homes, running information centers, etc.
They've been good. And several of the FEMA workers, after doing their regular job, would volunteer to help the search and rescue - then recovery teams.
National Guard was here for a long time. Samaritan's Purse, Cajun Navy, World Kitchen - they've all been here, doing so much.
I don't know. I only follow my local county/town info. I'd suggest you do that.
That is unconscionable! I am so sorry for all the people affected in my home state of NC and for those in California! Please take care!
OMG I am so very sorry, and a "tad occupied" is an incredible testament to your character. A dash of humor in what must be unimaginable turmoil and sadness. Sending lots of love to you and your neighbors and their neighbors and theirs and theirs
I'm so sorry, Margaret!
so so sorry... sending love and hugs as best as I can from Northern California... there are some here who know and have felt what you are going through... stay safe
You are an inspiration. Go Margaret Go!!!
Much love to you Margaret. My husband is from Glendale & I'm a native Angelino, living in a far away state. We both feel the pain of those we will always call neighbors. At least we know LA has built and rebuilt many times before. Blessings and hang in there.
What an example you are! And an inspiration!
🫂
I’d like to add my hugs and best wishes to what the others have already written. If there’s anything else we can do, will you let us know? Please?
Oh man. Sorry to hear you have to deal with this. Tough.
Terribly sorry, Ms. Worry about you first. We got this until you recover!!
My heart goes out to you and yours. I hope you all are safe. You need to take the time to heal as much as you can.
So sorry Margaret. My husband and I lived in Altadena for 8 years until 2013. We moved back to the PNW. Our old home a d neighborhood is now ash. We are so heartbroken for our old community s d friends s d neighbors.
Oh, man, I am so sorry. But also, you're making e cry too. Thank you.
I am so sorry for you. My heart goes out to you.
This is sent from a red part of red Nebraska I thank you with my whole heart- top, bottom, and middle, with every breath I take I am with you!
So, from a farm son, farmer, husband, father, ex-county commissioner, lawyer, and judge, you have my support with love, affection, admiration, and the learned activism you foster!!
Keep up the good fight. You are so appreciated!!!
Solidarity!
So good to see there are so many like-minded human souls
embedded in the Reds.
There are lots of us! Some have to build the courage up. My observation is another few weeks of what we have witnessed and it will be go baby go! Hope & determination to move forward.
I'm thinking that all of us in the red states need to communicate that much more with our elected officials and with the blue state officials as well so they cannot forget we are here.
This Seattle boy (even with small-town & rural Aussie roots) can't imagine what politics feels like anywhere that the GOP has dominated within the last 40 years, but thanks you all for holding out.
But if this maniacal cabinet actually mobilizes the military to suppress protests or strikes, I have to admit I'll probably try to flee to Australia or Portugal.
So appreciate you! 🥳
As I sat down to read this I thought “Dang I’m tired.” I’m soul-weary from nearly week of Trump and body weary from bathing and putting young grandsons to bed. But your words energized me. One action item per day. I can do that! LFG
LFG!
Tell your State Senator you’ll support the abortion ban when they genetically identify the father and hold him financially responsible for 50% of all child rearing costs until age 18. And while you have his attention, demand that Viagra and Cialis (or their generic substitutes) require an office visit and be forbidden to be distributed through the mail.
I agree that Cialis/Viagra TV ad gets under my skin every time. I say regulate Dick, Not Jane. My husband says “ you may be right.”
Did you see that planned bill in Tennessee? The one, looking to regulate the ‘spilling of seed’?
Great, isn’t it? It should be right up your street: If the Republicans flood the zone with horrible laws, then the Democrats can reciprocate with stuff, which shows the absurdity!
(For the avoidance of doubt - that bill is not intended as a serious bill)
When I first heard about it I thought it was real, I take things too literally.
When I first read about it I prayed it was real!!
Where I read it, they gave a link to the bill. Which then gave the name of the senator, who had introduced it and then it was just a quick check on Wiki.
There are so many people posting sh*te, that I have developed a good bit of skepticism, especially when the ‘fact’ quoted is awfully convenient for their point of view: As someone once said, everyone can have their own opinion but they’re not entitled to their own facts.
And so I check …..
Yes, exactly right !!!
I like your attitude. Loved your response about the Missouri abortion issue!
Yes, the GOP is all about state's rights just as long as the states don't pass anything they don't like.
Me too!
Me three!
Me four!
Agree. Perfection!
Hey Jess! You drove right by us! FWIW, there are a lot more people who didn’t vote for trump than you’d think out in the woods up here, we’re just quiet people and don’t put out signs. Maybe not as many as there should be, but we do exist!
I know you are there just like we are here. Solidarity, friend.
Or we put out signs and they’re stolen.
I have had similar thoughts about where could I go? I live in southeastern NC, a very rural area. My kids and grandkids all live in Florida. I have been a blue dot in a Red Sea for decades. I lived in Michigan and Ohio. Ohio used to have 2 Democratic senators. Now look who they have!! I’m going to have to figure out to do my part right where I am.
Ohio is terrible, in large part due to the Gerrymandering that exists ~ and the people of this state just voted to KEEP gerrymandering 🤦🏻♀️ as the status quo this past Nov, in part because our SOS was *allowed* to use completely MISleading language on the ballot!
Anyway, Nothing will Change, as long as the politicians in this state continue to choose.their.voters. instead of the other way around. 🙅🏻♀️😣
You are absolutely right. Ohio is beyond terrible. It used to be fairly progressive, but those days are long gone. I’d leave but you can’t pack up a family farm and there are 3 children and 6 grandchildren here, so here we stay. But we vote, and we donate time and money, and set an example of fair mindedness and decency, I hope.
I understand completely ~ same here, with children & grandchildren ~ at least I live in a suburb of Columbus, so there is more diversity of thought & culture ~ (but MAGA’s ugly head rears itself in these parts, too ~ too often for my liking, tho 😟)
I follow Pepperspectives ~ you may, as well, since he is Ohio-oriented.
[Btw, I am not a Democrat, I am center-left ideologically ~ but at this point, I can’t see ever voting for a Republican again ~ being in the 4th Q of my life, I just don’t see a the drastic change that is needed happening in my lifetime 😔]
I don’t see the change happening in my lifetime, either, and that saddens me. I’m in Union County, near Marysville, and it’s distressingly far right wing here. I do follow David Pepper. I also read The Rooster for a pretty hard core radical perspective on Ohio politics. The “reporter” is in the Statehouse cornering GOP lawmakers and occasionally making their lives miserable. He has a free newsletter and a paid one, and he’s on here with his thoughts. One of his newsletters had some interesting scoops on the Ohio State spring commencement speech fiasco. He filed a FOIA request for info on the speaker selection process. Unsurprisingly it involved money and cryptocurrency.
Wow, nope, nothing surprises me anymore! 🫤
Thanks for the tip about The Rooster ✔️ I will check it out! 📰😊🙋🏻♀️
NW Ohioan here. So sad and then Mad to live here day in and day out. I want to flee to Chicago where our daughter lives, but who will ever change Ohio if we don’t stay??
My husband’s family populates NW Ohio ~ it’s painful to even just drive *through* the area on the way out of the state (especially during election season 🤯🥵) ~ yeesh! 🙄 I try not to go there, if at all possible. I feel for you!
We have to keep fighting the good fight! Best to you! 🕊️🙋🏻♀️
Thank you! I have a community here that tries to resist-that’s the best we can at the moment.
I moved from a blue zone to an all-red zone 6 months before the general in 2016. People were nice. No one cared or asked about political leanings. Four years later folks were angry, divided, and full of hate and blame. That's how Trump wins. Appealing to the lowest common denominator in people. I'm glad I'm in a red zone, I saw this coming long before those in the blue bubble did. I have had time to prepare. Missouri needs you much more than any blue bubble does. And yes we need those blue bubbles but we need blue folks in red zones more. We fight for our children, and their children and.... we change the world one mind at a time.
Thank you Jess. I met you at the Women’s Summit in VA last year and told you about our daughter who’s a nurse and single mom raising 3 kids in MO. You’re an inspiration and I’m standing with you all the way.
It’s so good to see you here, friend
I, too, met Jess at the Women's Summit. Jess keeps me inspired!
Mary, what is the Women's Summit? Is there a website where I can get info for 2025 Summit? Many thanks!
It's run annually by Network NOVA and held in Northern VA near Tyson's Corner or Dulles Airport. https://networknova.org
Thanks so much!
I’m a former Missourian who now lives in CA, but I happen to have a place near the Boundary Waters. If you need to get away, you are sincerely welcome there anytime. Thank you for all you do for my home state.
Thank you, friend
You are so generous and thoughtful. Anything for Jess.
I also live in Missouri, have all my life. Fortunately I live in a district that is represented by a duly elected Democrat. I totally agree with you that we must continue to push back, no matter where we live, no matter who represents us. I agree we must do what we can on down ballot voting! Keep on doing what you're doing. Together we can make a difference!!!
Well said. I'm a Seattle boy; our state's Governors, AGs, and Senators Cantwell & Murray have never given MAGA an inch. But that doesn't excuse me from adding my voice to shouting down any of these smug tyrants & liars when they pretend they have a mandate.
You inspire me to try harder, speak louder. Thank You
Same here in Kentucky. Why leave? Imma stay here and fight the good fight. My city is blue. It’s a start.
Jess Piper: You are absolutely right about rural areas in one state resembling those in Missouri.
Hmmm. I wouldn’t TOTALLY give up on the Blue State relocation.
E.g., Governor JB Pritzker pledges to protect state residents— citizens and immigrants— and to league with other Blue State Governors.
I am keeping all options open, myself.
I find you to be an inspiration every day of my life
I love your strength! ♥️