The Hits Keep On Coming
SCOTUS adds to the chaos
In normal times (like a year ago), the three of us would stop everything in anticipation of the May and June decisions from the Supreme Court. In this sixth month of the second Trump regime, the word “normal” needs to be retired.
In the last week, the city I live in became the site of a military occupation (6,000 National Guard troops plus 700 Marines have now been called in to protect one square mile of downtown Los Angeles). I got to participate in one of the largest US protests since the civil rights era, while Dear Leader’s DC birthday parade was a big fat flop. Masked ICE goons continue to wreak havoc throughout the country, sweeping up whoever they can find (including elected officials who just happen to be Democrats). A self-described Christian pastor is the suspect in a horrific string of shootings that killed Minnesota’s Democratic state Speaker of the House…
And once again, we have to check social media every morning to find out if we have yet started World War III.
So it would not be surprising if you did not hear about yesterday’s terrible ruling in United States vs. Skrmetti, upholding Tennessee's law that denies gender-affirming care for minors (hey, this is NOT just gonna harm trans kids, although that seems to be the point.)
Yes, we had something to say about that - and a lot of the rest.
What We’re Reading and Viewing This Week
While mainstream media focuses on the horse race and circus, independent journalists are digging deep into what’s going on beneath the surface. And it’s not pretty.
Democracy Docket covers the fight to save our rights straight from the mouth of attorney Marc Elias. Karoli flagged this clip as a must-see.
Adrian Carrasquillo at the Bulwark has been doing some amazing reporting on the immigration front. He says that the occupation of Los Angeles was something that was always going to happen:
Journalist Gil Duran’s newsletter, The Nerd Reich, covers tech, and the billionaires who believe they should be running the world - and are actively seeking to destroy our democracy. This week’s conversation with author Karen Hao and investor Roger McNamee made my hair stand on end.
What’s going on with Iran? You don’t wanna know. But Malcolm Nance thinks maybe you should.
It’s hard to believe that the No Kings Day events occurred less than a week ago. And I’m getting used to the fact that they don’t get the coverage that they deserve - especially the ones in rural, red parts of the country. Michelle Hornish’s activist newsletter always lifts my spirits.
Find more terrific independent news sources here.
One More Thing
It’s Juneteenth, so I leave you with a reminder that this dark time we are experiencing is not forever. At least, so long as we keep fighting.