Natalie, I appreciate the points you make. I heard about the study of national protests and the evidence which shows that when the number of people protesting becomes 3.5% of the total population, this is when they result in major change. The “No Kings” protests across the nation in June produced a massive turnout... approximately 5 million people. The population of the US is 340 million. 3.5% of that number is approximately 12 million. So, a little more than twice as many people would have to participate in the “No Kings”protests scheduled for October 18, 2025 in order to reach the magic number of 3.5%.
We all remember the energy that was on display all across this nation on June 16. Protests were not only peaceful, but joyful. We realized that there were so many others who wanted to show their love for this country and to celebrate our freedoms together. On October 18, Americans will again have the opportunity to gather together and use their voices. There will be new voices; many more of us who have only recently realized that our beloved democracy is being trampled on, and the power of the people will prevail...to the tune of 12 million.
Something else is happening that makes me believe democracy will not only survive, but will rise up stronger and better, are the outstanding, courageous men and women in state and federal government who are making their voices heard: names like Slotkin, Murphy, Booker Crockett, Goldman, Whitehouse, Schumer,Schiff, Warnock Warren, Kaine, Padilla, Sanders, Jefferies, DeLauro, the brave Democrats in the Texas house, particularly representative Talarico, and finally Mallory McMorrow, Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker.
I know there are others, but these are the ones of whom I’ve heard and seen the most. They are bright lights that will show us the way out of this darkness. I can’t think of this group of people (and certainly there are more) NOT know that this democracy will prevail.
I agree with your sentiment regarding Tucker Carlson.
By blaming the 2 party system solely for the rise of authoritarianism in the US, I think you are ignoring a very important factor, Citizens United and the influence of dark money in our politics. It may be that a 2 party system is more susceptible to corruption than a multi party system, but it’s the corruption that is killing us.
Kimmel is not the only one being fired. Check out this story about the firing of a Texas A&M professor after a student objected to course content on gender identity:
Thank you for this insightful piece. I would argue that we learned all we needed to know about Trump with the Access Hollywood tapes. He has contempt for women and will harass them (or worse), and because he is rich and famous, he thinks he can do whatever he wants and get by with it. What else did we need to know? It's astonishing how no further revelation of his venality caused people to fall away from supporting him.
Brendan Carr was concerned about our trust in the media as though we’re like MAGAs, not smart enough to compare sources. Also, we can read.
Understand Carr is a Catholic, really Catholic. Having grown up guided by 15 years of the Catechism, I know not to blindly trust priests…remember Father Porter.
This is all true and scary. The reaction of MAGA to various comments about the Kirk killing is our Reichstag moment. It is a fabricated crisis which is being used to demonize the left and take more power. Just like the Nazis did in 1933. Hopefully America’s 250 years of democracy and the millions who continue to believe in its importance will prevail and the result here will be different.
The phrase "Trump's cult of personality" always makes me stop for a minute, because it is true. Yet that personality is so abysmally self-centered, petty, and unpleasant that it is hard to imagine anyone wanting to be around him, much less following him. To some extent I can understand that certain politicians kowtow to money and short-term self interest (as opposed to protecting the future of our country and the world). That is depressing enough. But the overwhelming callousness of throwing away policies that save millions of lives worldwide as well as actively making healthcare much more difficult to obtain in this country, while gleefully destroying the environment that enables all life...
Thank you for this insightful article. I thank you, Heather, for holding up the truth for democracy and for stating the danger we are facing. In 1965 I demonstrated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act. I am now 83 and have black in-laws and grandsons. We are at risk of losing the hard-fought freedoms and gains made over the last 60 years. It breaks my heart daily to feel the injustices and wrong doing against our neighbors and fellow Americans.
Read Ari Berman latest wide-ranging big piece on the full scope of vote suppression and reports from the Brennan center and then look closely at when you are optimistic projections that there is likely to be free and fair elections that will allow Democrats to win back the house and the presidency.
I can see that what we have observed about this administration severely hurts America, our Bill of Rights, our freedom of speech, freedom to protest, freedom of the press, due process, freedom of religion, rule of law, freedom over women's bodies, etc. I see how this dictatorship is forming despite public protest, despite well-crafted speeches, op-eds, blogs, etc. What are we going to DO about it? I encourage a peaceful, non-violent, firm NO to the spoiled, vengeful president, and encourage companies, universities, judges, government entities that have not yet capitulated to refuse to budge. If we act as firm, united parents toward a screaming toddler, we could get somewhere. The screaming will get louder at first, and then he moves on to a different attack in another area. All the while, he is avoiding his responsibility in befriending and engaging in abusive criminal behavior with a convicted sexual predator. Threats don't work, if we don't let them work. Put on some head phones and keep calm. I am appalled that my alma mater caved in. How much money was involved in the cave-in? Keep in mind this person belongs in jail, and it's waaaaaay past his jail time, as Jimmy Kimmel said.
Let's briefly look at the 'roll' I would say that Tucker Carlson is now "playing". (yeah.. "playing" per the plan). We all view TC as a part of the present bullshit-administration.., don't we? And so do the MAGA's.. TC is one of them. So if TC is heard saying the things he has been saying lately, then TC is speaking for them 'the MAGA's' so obviously then, the MAGA's are FOR what TC is saying and it's the Democrat.. "the Democrat" who is on the wrong side of things. Meaning, TC's speak makes the R's sound like the defenders of liberty and use Democrat (s) are the ones ruining things for everyone. To me, TC is pulling the same act that Trump does. And, so relatively innocently that we are sucked in by it. TC is not t be trusted, is all I will leave you with. We are being shit on, per course. Can't you see it?
Particularly since there's evidence that what made DJT throw ketchup was actually the next bit, where Kimmel made fun of DJT himself by showing the ballroom clip.
That is why I support Marc Elias' work with Democracy Docket which litigates for voting rights and free and fair elections. Other groups, such as Public Citizen, the NAACP, and the ACLU do as well. Find a group and support their work. I also a member at The Contrarian, where any profits go into Norm Eisen's legal work with Democracy Defenders. I also recommend Democracy Forward, whose latest lawsuit is a Freedom of Information request to release all communication from the FCC to the broadcast groups. We can give up hope or we can work for change. I choose the latter.
I am hoping and predicting that Kimmel will not accede to any demand that he apologize. As he absolutely should not. He has more support and a bigger following now than ever, and I believe he will find a way to use it, and leave ABC in the dustbin.
Natalie, I appreciate the points you make. I heard about the study of national protests and the evidence which shows that when the number of people protesting becomes 3.5% of the total population, this is when they result in major change. The “No Kings” protests across the nation in June produced a massive turnout... approximately 5 million people. The population of the US is 340 million. 3.5% of that number is approximately 12 million. So, a little more than twice as many people would have to participate in the “No Kings”protests scheduled for October 18, 2025 in order to reach the magic number of 3.5%.
We all remember the energy that was on display all across this nation on June 16. Protests were not only peaceful, but joyful. We realized that there were so many others who wanted to show their love for this country and to celebrate our freedoms together. On October 18, Americans will again have the opportunity to gather together and use their voices. There will be new voices; many more of us who have only recently realized that our beloved democracy is being trampled on, and the power of the people will prevail...to the tune of 12 million.
Something else is happening that makes me believe democracy will not only survive, but will rise up stronger and better, are the outstanding, courageous men and women in state and federal government who are making their voices heard: names like Slotkin, Murphy, Booker Crockett, Goldman, Whitehouse, Schumer,Schiff, Warnock Warren, Kaine, Padilla, Sanders, Jefferies, DeLauro, the brave Democrats in the Texas house, particularly representative Talarico, and finally Mallory McMorrow, Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker.
I know there are others, but these are the ones of whom I’ve heard and seen the most. They are bright lights that will show us the way out of this darkness. I can’t think of this group of people (and certainly there are more) NOT know that this democracy will prevail.
I agree with your sentiment regarding Tucker Carlson.
So depressing
By blaming the 2 party system solely for the rise of authoritarianism in the US, I think you are ignoring a very important factor, Citizens United and the influence of dark money in our politics. It may be that a 2 party system is more susceptible to corruption than a multi party system, but it’s the corruption that is killing us.
Kimmel is not the only one being fired. Check out this story about the firing of a Texas A&M professor after a student objected to course content on gender identity:
https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/15/texas-am-professor-firing-melissa-mccoul-academic-freedom/
The dean and the department head were also demoted.
The story includes other instances.
I would like to see tracking on how academic freedom is being denied at universities nationwide.
Remember that Charlie Kirk's "Professor Watchlist" invigorated this trend.
Thank you for this insightful piece. I would argue that we learned all we needed to know about Trump with the Access Hollywood tapes. He has contempt for women and will harass them (or worse), and because he is rich and famous, he thinks he can do whatever he wants and get by with it. What else did we need to know? It's astonishing how no further revelation of his venality caused people to fall away from supporting him.
Brendan Carr was concerned about our trust in the media as though we’re like MAGAs, not smart enough to compare sources. Also, we can read.
Understand Carr is a Catholic, really Catholic. Having grown up guided by 15 years of the Catechism, I know not to blindly trust priests…remember Father Porter.
This is all true and scary. The reaction of MAGA to various comments about the Kirk killing is our Reichstag moment. It is a fabricated crisis which is being used to demonize the left and take more power. Just like the Nazis did in 1933. Hopefully America’s 250 years of democracy and the millions who continue to believe in its importance will prevail and the result here will be different.
The phrase "Trump's cult of personality" always makes me stop for a minute, because it is true. Yet that personality is so abysmally self-centered, petty, and unpleasant that it is hard to imagine anyone wanting to be around him, much less following him. To some extent I can understand that certain politicians kowtow to money and short-term self interest (as opposed to protecting the future of our country and the world). That is depressing enough. But the overwhelming callousness of throwing away policies that save millions of lives worldwide as well as actively making healthcare much more difficult to obtain in this country, while gleefully destroying the environment that enables all life...
Thank you for this insightful article. I thank you, Heather, for holding up the truth for democracy and for stating the danger we are facing. In 1965 I demonstrated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act. I am now 83 and have black in-laws and grandsons. We are at risk of losing the hard-fought freedoms and gains made over the last 60 years. It breaks my heart daily to feel the injustices and wrong doing against our neighbors and fellow Americans.
Read Ari Berman latest wide-ranging big piece on the full scope of vote suppression and reports from the Brennan center and then look closely at when you are optimistic projections that there is likely to be free and fair elections that will allow Democrats to win back the house and the presidency.
I can see that what we have observed about this administration severely hurts America, our Bill of Rights, our freedom of speech, freedom to protest, freedom of the press, due process, freedom of religion, rule of law, freedom over women's bodies, etc. I see how this dictatorship is forming despite public protest, despite well-crafted speeches, op-eds, blogs, etc. What are we going to DO about it? I encourage a peaceful, non-violent, firm NO to the spoiled, vengeful president, and encourage companies, universities, judges, government entities that have not yet capitulated to refuse to budge. If we act as firm, united parents toward a screaming toddler, we could get somewhere. The screaming will get louder at first, and then he moves on to a different attack in another area. All the while, he is avoiding his responsibility in befriending and engaging in abusive criminal behavior with a convicted sexual predator. Threats don't work, if we don't let them work. Put on some head phones and keep calm. I am appalled that my alma mater caved in. How much money was involved in the cave-in? Keep in mind this person belongs in jail, and it's waaaaaay past his jail time, as Jimmy Kimmel said.
Let's briefly look at the 'roll' I would say that Tucker Carlson is now "playing". (yeah.. "playing" per the plan). We all view TC as a part of the present bullshit-administration.., don't we? And so do the MAGA's.. TC is one of them. So if TC is heard saying the things he has been saying lately, then TC is speaking for them 'the MAGA's' so obviously then, the MAGA's are FOR what TC is saying and it's the Democrat.. "the Democrat" who is on the wrong side of things. Meaning, TC's speak makes the R's sound like the defenders of liberty and use Democrat (s) are the ones ruining things for everyone. To me, TC is pulling the same act that Trump does. And, so relatively innocently that we are sucked in by it. TC is not t be trusted, is all I will leave you with. We are being shit on, per course. Can't you see it?
Pretty bad/dumb joke? Anodyne, ordinary comedic political commentary. Fact based. Why are you qualifying the condemned speech in this way?
Particularly since there's evidence that what made DJT throw ketchup was actually the next bit, where Kimmel made fun of DJT himself by showing the ballroom clip.
Really good article - easy to read, comprehensible and persuasive. Thanks for this!
Love,
The American People.
My confidence in fair elections come next November and beyond is shrinking by the day.
That is why I support Marc Elias' work with Democracy Docket which litigates for voting rights and free and fair elections. Other groups, such as Public Citizen, the NAACP, and the ACLU do as well. Find a group and support their work. I also a member at The Contrarian, where any profits go into Norm Eisen's legal work with Democracy Defenders. I also recommend Democracy Forward, whose latest lawsuit is a Freedom of Information request to release all communication from the FCC to the broadcast groups. We can give up hope or we can work for change. I choose the latter.
I am hoping and predicting that Kimmel will not accede to any demand that he apologize. As he absolutely should not. He has more support and a bigger following now than ever, and I believe he will find a way to use it, and leave ABC in the dustbin.
He has 20.8 million followers on his You Tube channel for the show.