What Now?

What Now? That's the question millions of angry, frustrated, concerned citizens should be asking themselves. We're at a fever pitch right now, so how do we channel this energy to make a difference?

Robert Reich (robertreich.org) offers a list of ways to resist Trump (The First 100 Days Resistance Agenda). Or you can check out Dailyaction.org : "It’s perhaps the easiest and most targeted progressive campaign out there: You just text the word DAILY to the number 228466 (or ACTION), and you’ll get a text message about an urgent progressive issue in your area, based on your zip code. If you want to act, you listen to a short recorded explanation on it and from there, you’re routed directly to your member of Congress or senator to weigh in.

“In 90 seconds, you can conscientiously object and be done with it,” reads the Daily Action website. “You can make the phone calls when you’re walking to the bus stop, or waiting in line for your morning latte. One touch of the phone and you’re done.”

Is calling your legislator effective? Here is a link to an article on the value of calling: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/us/politics/heres-why-you-should-call-not-email-your-legislators.html?_r=0

There are many local and national movements:
Swingleft.org - Take back the House
Justice Democrats - funding challenges to "corporate" Democrats
Runforsomething.net - Helping Progressives under 35 run for office
Womensmarch.com/100/  - 10 actions in 100 days
Moveon.org - Join the resistance
Now.org - Fight Back Challenge
Plannedparenthood.org  - Care. No matter what.

Please share organizations' contact info and resistance ideas via all channels and platforms: texts, emails, phone, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
#makeadifference

“We must learn that passively to accept an unjust system is to cooperate with that system, and thereby to become a participant in its evil.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

The Surveillance Game

Our new CIA Director, Mike Pompeo, supports "public surveillance." A few years ago, thanks to patriot Edward Snowden, we learned that the NSA was illegally spying on its citizens. 

Here's a new game we can all play while having loads of fun. Below is a list of words flagged by the NSA. Using these in an email supposedly gets you monitored more closely. The new game is, "How many words can you use in a totally innocent manner yet get suspected of being a possible terrorist by your own government?" I'll go first, underlining words from the list:

To avoid eavesdropping and domestic disruption, I slink like a ninja to my basement, to pretend to watch the white noise  of the Weekly World News when in reality I'm enjoying the pink noise of my new porno video. It's a fetish video about some redheads from Harvard named Stephanie, Daisy, Jasmine, Julie and Janet. It appears their favorite veggie is KIWI. The actor who stars has the odd name of Bubba the Love Sponge. He dresses in Armani and BOSS but looks like Elvis, wears sneakers,  and has a package the size of a halibut. It is a very explicit video, filmed through a keyhole. While watching it I began to wank with such force that it produced a rapid reaction of nuclear proportions.

 Your turn.

The short list:

Waihopai, INFOSEC, Information Security, Information Warfare, IW, IS, Priavacy, Information Terrorism, Terrorism Defensive Information, Defense Information Warfare, Offensive Information, Offensive Information Warfare, National Information Infrastructure, InfoSec, Reno, Compsec, Computer Terrorism, Firewalls, Secure Internet Connections, ISS, Passwords, DefCon V, Hackers, Encryption, Espionage, USDOJ, NSA, CIA, S/Key, SSL, FBI, Secert Service, USSS, Defcon, Military, White House, Undercover, NCCS, Mayfly, PGP, PEM, RSA, Perl-RSA, MSNBC, bet, AOL, AOL TOS, CIS, CBOT, AIMSX, STARLAN, 3B2, BITNET, COSMOS, DATTA, E911, FCIC, HTCIA, IACIS, UT/RUS, JANET, JICC, ReMOB, LEETAC, UTU, VNET, BRLO, BZ, CANSLO, CBNRC, CIDA, JAVA, Active X, Compsec 97, LLC, DERA, Mavricks, Meta-hackers, ^?, Steve Case, Tools, Telex, Military Intelligence, Scully, Flame, Infowar, Bubba, Freeh, Archives, Sundevil, jack, Investigation, ISACA, NCSA, spook words, Verisign, Secure, ASIO, Lebed, ICE, NRO, Lexis-Nexis, NSCT, SCIF, FLiR, Lacrosse, Flashbangs, HRT, DIA, USCOI, CID, BOP, FINCEN, FLETC, NIJ, ACC, AFSPC, BMDO, NAVWAN, NRL, RL, NAVWCWPNS, NSWC, USAFA, AHPCRC, ARPA, LABLINK, USACIL, USCG, NRC, ~, CDC, DOE, FMS, HPCC, NTIS, SEL, USCODE, CISE, SIRC, CIM, ISN, DJC, SGC, UNCPCJ, CFC, DREO, CDA, DRA, SHAPE, SACLANT, BECCA, DCJFTF, HALO, HAHO, FKS, 868, GCHQ, DITSA, SORT, AMEMB, NSG, HIC, EDI, SAS, SBS, UDT, GOE, DOE, GEO, Masuda, Forte, AT, GIGN, Exon Shell, CQB, CONUS, CTU, RCMP, GRU, SASR, GSG-9, 22nd SAS, GEOS, EADA, BBE, STEP, Echelon, Dictionary, MD2, MD4, MDA, MYK, 747,777, 767, MI5, 737, MI6, 757, Kh-11, Shayet-13, SADMS, Spetznaz, Recce, 707, CIO, NOCS, Halcon, Duress, RAID, Psyops, grom, D-11, SERT, VIP, ARC, S.E.T. Team, MP5k, DREC, DEVGRP, DF, DSD, FDM, GRU, LRTS, SIGDEV, NACSI, PSAC, PTT, RFI, SIGDASYS, TDM. SUKLO, SUSLO, TELINT, TEXTA. ELF, LF, MF, VHF, UHF, SHF, SASP, WANK, Colonel, domestic disruption, smuggle, 15kg, nitrate, Pretoria, M-14, enigma, Bletchley Park, Clandestine, nkvd, argus, afsatcom, CQB, NVD, Counter Terrorism Security, Rapid Reaction, Corporate Security, Police, sniper, PPS, ASIS, ASLET, TSCM, Security Consulting, High Security, Security Evaluation, Electronic Surveillance, MI-17, Counterterrorism, spies, eavesdropping, debugging, interception, COCOT, rhost, rhosts, SETA, Amherst, Broadside, Capricorn, Gamma, Gorizont, Guppy, Ionosphere, Mole, Keyhole, Kilderkin, Artichoke, Badger, Cornflower, Daisy, Egret, Iris, Hollyhock, Jasmine, Juile, Vinnell, B.D.M.,Sphinx, Stephanie, Reflection, Spoke, Talent, Trump, FX, FXR, IMF, POCSAG, Covert Video, Intiso, r00t, lock picking, Beyond Hope, csystems, passwd, 2600 Magazine, Competitor, EO, Chan, Alouette,executive, Event Security, Mace, Cap-Stun, stakeout, ninja, ASIS, ISA, EOD, Oscor, Merlin, NTT, SL-1, Rolm, TIE, Tie-fighter, PBX, SLI, NTT, MSCJ, MIT, 69, RIT, Time, MSEE, Cable & Wireless, CSE, Embassy, ETA, Porno, Fax, finks, Fax encryption, white noise, pink noise, CRA, M.P.R.I., top secret, Mossberg, 50BMG, Macintosh Security, Macintosh Internet Security, Macintosh Firewalls, Unix Security, VIP Protection, SIG, sweep, Medco, TRD, TDR, sweeping, TELINT, Audiotel, Harvard, 1080H, SWS, Asset, Satellite imagery, force, Cypherpunks, Coderpunks, TRW, remailers, replay, redheads, RX-7, explicit, FLAME, Pornstars, AVN, Playboy, Anonymous, Sex, chaining, codes, Nuclear, 20, subversives, SLIP, toad, fish, data havens, unix, c, a, b, d, the, Elvis, quiche, DES, 1*, NATIA, NATOA, sneakers, counterintelligence, industrial espionage, PI, TSCI, industrial intelligence, H.N.P., Juiliett Class Submarine, Locks, loch, Ingram Mac-10, sigvoice, ssa, E.O.D., SEMTEX, penrep, racal, OTP, OSS, Blowpipe, CCS, GSA, Kilo Class, squib, primacord, RSP, Becker, Nerd, fangs, Austin, Comirex, GPMG, Speakeasy, humint, GEODSS, SORO, M5, ANC, zone, SBI, DSS, S.A.I.C., Minox, Keyhole, SAR, Rand Corporation, Wackenhutt, EO, Wackendude, mol, Hillal, GGL, CTU, botux, Virii, CCC, Blacklisted 411, Internet Underground, XS4ALL, Retinal Fetish, Fetish, Yobie, CTP, CATO, Phon-e, Chicago Posse, l0ck, spook keywords, PLA, TDYC, W3, CUD, CdC, Weekly World News, Zen, World Domination, Dead, GRU, M72750, Salsa, 7, Blowfish, Gorelick, Glock, Ft. Meade, press-release, Indigo, wire transfer, e-cash, Bubba the Love Sponge, Digicash, zip, SWAT, Ortega, PPP, crypto-anarchy, AT&T, SGI, SUN, MCI, Blacknet, Middleman, KLM, Blackbird, plutonium, Texas, jihad, SDI, Uzi, Fort Meade, supercomputer, bullion, 3, Blackmednet, Propaganda, ABC, Satellite phones, Planet-1, cryptanalysis, nuclear, FBI, Panama, fissionable, Sears Tower, NORAD, Delta Force, SEAL, virtual, Dolch, secure shell, screws, Black-Ops, Area51, SABC, basement, data-haven, black-bag, TEMPSET, Goodwin, rebels, ID, MD5, IDEA, garbage, market, beef, Stego, unclassified, utopia, orthodox, Alica, SHA, Global, gorilla, Bob, Pseudonyms, MITM, Gray Data, VLSI, mega, Leitrim, Yakima, Sugar Grove, Cowboy, Gist, 8182, Gatt, Platform, 1911, Geraldton, UKUSA, veggie, 3848, Morwenstow, Consul, Oratory, Pine Gap, Menwith, Mantis, DSD, BVD, 1984, Flintlock, cybercash, government, hate, speedbump, illuminati, president, freedom, cocaine, $, Roswell, ESN, COS, E.T., credit card, b9, fraud, assasinate, virus, anarchy, rogue, mailbomb, 888, Chelsea, 1997, Whitewater, MOD, York, plutonium, William Gates, clone, BATF, SGDN, Nike, Atlas, Delta, TWA, Kiwi, PGP 2.6.2., PGP 5.0i, PGP 5.1, siliconpimp, Lynch, 414, Face, Pixar, IRIDF, eternity server, Skytel, Yukon, Templeton, LUK, Cohiba, Soros, Standford, niche, 51, H&K, USP, ^, sardine, bank, EUB, USP, PCS, NRO, Red Cell, Glock 26, snuffle, Patel, package, ISI, INR, INS, IRS, GRU, RUOP, GSS, NSP, SRI, Ronco, Armani, BOSS, Chobetsu, FBIS, BND, SISDE, FSB, BfV, IB, froglegs, JITEM, SADF, advise, TUSA, HoHoCon, SISMI, FIS, MSW, Spyderco, UOP, SSCI, NIMA, MOIS, SVR, SIN, advisors, SAP, OAU, PFS, Aladdin, chameleon man, Hutsul, CESID, Bess, rail gun, Peering, 17, 312, NB, CBM, CTP, Sardine, SBIRS, SGDN, ADIU, DEADBEEF, IDP, IDF, Halibut, SONANGOL, Flu, &, Loin, PGP 5.53, EG&G, AIEWS, AMW, WORM, MP5K-SD, 1071, WINGS, cdi, DynCorp, UXO, Ti, THAAD, package, chosen, PRIME, SURVIAC

It was a sad but beautiful day yesterday, January 21, 2017, as hundreds of Womens Marches took place around the globe. I assume the one here in Indianapolis was not much different than any other; there were feelings of anger, frustration, resolve, commitment and strength. In me it produced a sense of melancholy flawlessly depicted by the photo on the left.

“If I were to remain silent, I'd be guilty of complicity.” 
― Albert Einstein

The Second Coming

Turning and turning in the widening gyre   

The falcon cannot hear the falconer; 

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; 

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, 

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere   

The ceremony of innocence is drowned; 

The best lack all conviction, while the worst   

Are full of passionate intensity. 

Surely some revelation is at hand; 

Surely the Second Coming is at hand.   

The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out   

When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi 

Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert   

A shape with lion body and the head of a man,   

A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,   

Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it   

Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.   

The darkness drops again; but now I know   

That twenty centuries of stony sleep 

Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,   

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,   

Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

W.B. Yeats

The Official Inauguration Drinking Game

Barring a late re-entry into the picture by the Sweet Meteor O'Death – a candidate who among independents was polling even with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton last year – Trump will be sworn in as president of the United States Friday.

At night, when he climbs out of whatever wrench-tightened contraption he uses to keep his gelatinous pink hulk from spitting the seams of his suits, Trump will lay his head in chambers once occupied by the likes of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Kennedy.

It is a good bet that the first time he has occasion to use the toilet, he will, with great satisfaction, tell us about it in a tweet. He may even rate the experience. If you think that's not possible, remember all the things you might have thought were impossible prior to the beginning of the 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump says he began working on the speech three weeks ago in Fort Lauderdale. He even posted a picture of himself "writing" it. He's dressed in a suit and tie and frozen in an action pose with a pen and a legal pad, which must be his idea of what writing looks like.

If you're taking the day off, or even if you aren't, you may want to drink heavily during this moment in our anti-history. If that's your plan, we're here to help, with Donald Trump inauguration speech drinking game rules. 

Recommended beverage: White Russian

Without further ado, here we go. Drink every time:

1. Trump deploys the "pinchy fingers" rhetorical maneuver, holding his hands out to his sides and waving them back and forth with Spaghetti-Oed mini-fingers. Make it a double if he uses his trademark "high-fives (or high-tens) the invisible ghost in front of him" move. 

2. Trump berates or insults a media outlet, or gloats about one that is dying or dead. 

3. Mike Pence holds a fake smile for 30 consecutive seconds. We have someone monitoring this, so I'll be tweeting it out if we have confirmed instances. 

4. Trump name-checks a celebrity, or references The Apprentice. 

5. Trump praises someone who until recently was a political enemy. Jager shot for Paul Ryan. 

6. Trump doubles up a modifier, i.e. "many, many" or "very, very." 

7. The crowd chants "Lock her up!" 

8. Trump makes preemptive excuses for his incipient failures. This could mean just about anything, including long excoriations on the "mess" and "disaster" his predecessor left for him to clean up. 

9. Trump references the popular vote vs. the Electoral College. Double if he claims he would have won the popular vote if he'd wanted to. 

Source:http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/the-official-donald-trump-inauguration-drinking-game-w461859

Feel Safe Now?

When the former Texas Governor, Rick Perry, was offered the position of Secretary of the Department of Energy he quickly accepted, believing he was going to be a global ambassador for the oil and gas industry. Only later did Perry realize that the bulk of the agency's mission "...is devoted to maintaining, refurbishing and keeping safe the nation's nuclear stockpile."

As a candidate for President in 2012, Perry proposed the elimination of the Energy Department, although he couldn't remember its name. Perry stated, "They've never created one bit of energy, the best I can tell."

The last two energy secretaries were physicist Dr. Ernest Moniz of M.I.T. and Dr. Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize physicist from Stanford. Rick Perry has a bachelor's degree in animal science and was recently a contestant on Dancing With the Stars.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/us/politics/rick-perry-energy-secretary-donald-trump.html?smid=tw-share&referer=https://t.co/Kf9V2NrAIZ&_r=0

May I Choose My Own god?

As we get ready to officially usher in our long national nightmare we must prepare to have others' religious beliefs thrust upon us. The separation of church and state clause has become inconvenient for the party that claims to so revere the Constitution. Our Vice President-elect, Mike Pence ("And I also believe that someday scientists will come to see that only the theory of intelligent design provides even a remotely rational explanation for the known universe.”) and the nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos ("There are not enough philanthropic dollars in America to fund what is currently the need in education…[versus] what is currently being spent every year on education in this country…Our desire is to confront the culture in ways that will continue to advance God's Kingdom.") appear ready to advance their religious agendas. I guess that is the difference between religious freedom (I can impose my beliefs on you) and freedom of religion as defined in the First Amendment of the Constitution (Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...

Are you as suspicious as I of someone who constantly reminds you what a Christian they are? Shouldn't we know them by their actions? To quote the late George Carlin, “Religion is like a pair of shoes.....Find one that fits for you, but don't make me wear your shoes.” 
If you're an irreverent heathen like me, here is a primer on embracing beliefs: “Suppose neutral angels were able to talk, Yahweh and Lucifer – God and Satan, to use their popular titles – into settling out of court. What would be the terms of the compromise? Specifically, how would they divide the assets of their early kingdom.
Would God be satisfied with the loaves and fishes and itty-bitty thimbles of Communion wine, while Satan was to have the red-eye gravy, eighteen-ounce New York Steaks, and buckets of chilled champagne? Would God really accept twice-a-month lovemaking for procreative purposes and give Satan the all night, no-holds-barred, nasty “can’t-get-enough-of-you” hot-as-hell-fucks?

Think about it. Would Satan get New Orleans, Bangkok, and the French Riviera and God get Salt Lake City? Satan get ice hockey, God get horseshoes? God get bingo, Satan get stud poker? Satan get LSD; God, Prozac? God get Neil Simon; Satan Oscar Wilde?”

- Tom Robbins

Matt Taibbi on his new book,Insane Clown President: 

Trump is the perfect modern American. He's a human consumption machine with no attention span, no self-control, no beliefs and no hobbies outside of sex, spending, eating and talking about himself. Nixon at least played the piano and read classics. He was an intellectual with a pig's heart. Trump is just the pig part.

The distance between the two men represents how far we've fallen as a nation in the last 40 or 50 years. Once we were merely rotten and evil on the inside. Now we even lack the depth needed to be two-faced, and our dark underbelly is also our shameless, dumb exterior.

During most of the last two years I thought the Trump campaign would just be an isolated episode of mass insanity on which we would someday be able to look back and laugh. It turned out to be something a lot darker and crazier than that. Insane Clown President is the story of how we got here, to the beginning of our next long national nightmare.

Your Health vs. Their Profits

Supporters of Scott Pruitt’s nomination to head the Environmental Protection Agency clearly believe the Oklahoma attorney general would be good for business. A climate denier and avowed foe of the agency he’s poised to head, Pruitt appeals to conservatives because he understands “that regulations affect our property rights, our ability to compete, and our livelihoods."

As Oklahoma Attorney General, Pruitt filed suit against the EPA challenging a regulation that limited carbon emissions from coal and oil-burning power plants that drifted into other states in the form of smog.

Conservatives groups complained about the estimated cost of implementation: $800 million. They chose not to consider that limiting emissions can amount to between $120 and $280 billion annually in health care savings.

Pruitt lost the suit when the Supreme Court upheld the regulation. But soon Pruitt will head the EPA and we will have a new Supreme Court.

#makeadifference

Source: https://theintercept.com/2017/01/17/epa-under-scott-pruitt-could-cost-the-u-s-billions-in-additional-health-care-costs/

Freedom to Be

"And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual. This is what I am and what I am about. I can understand why a system built on a pattern must try to destroy the free mind, for it is the one thing which can by inspection destroy such a system. Surely I can understand this, and I hate it and I will fight against it to preserve the one thing that separates us from the uncreative beasts. If the glory can be killed, we are lost." - John Steinbeck (East of Eden, 1952)
#makeadifference

Women's March 2017

On Sat., Jan. 21, there will be a global protest : Women's March on Washington. Their mission:

 The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us - immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault - and our communities are hurting and scared. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.

In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.

We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all.

Source: https://www.womensmarch.com/

If you are interested in participating, here is a link for local marches:
https://www.womensmarch.com/sisters

For we cannot tarry here,
We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,
We, the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend,  Pioneers! O pioneers!

                   - Walt Whitman

Boycott L.L.Bean?

#grabyourwallet has added L.L.Bean to the list of companies to boycott because of an association with Donald Trump. Linda Bean, a member of the L.L.Bean Board of Directors, illegally donated $60,000 to a pro-Trump PAC. Is it fair to punish a company for the actions of one executive? Is it fair for Trump to tweet requesting his supporters shop at L.L.Bean? As Shannon Coulter (the founder of #grabyourwallet) suggested, removing Linda Bean from the Board would be an elegant solution. You may contact L.L.Bean to express your displeasure at 800.441.5713 or email them at outdoor.discovery@llbean.com.  #makeadifference

The Tyranny of Trump

The 15 Warnings Signs of Impending Tyranny

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

As tyrants take control of democracies, they typically:

1.  Exaggerate their mandate to govern – claiming, for example, that they won an election by a landslide even after losing the popular vote.

2.  Repeatedly claim massive voter fraud in the absence of any evidence, in order to restrict voting in subsequent elections.

3.  Call anyone who opposes them "enemies."

4.  Turn the public against journalists or media outlets that criticize them, calling them “deceitful” and “scum.” 

5.  Hold fewif any press conferences, preferring to communicate with the public directly through mass rallies and unfilitered statements. 

6.  Tell the public big lies, causing them to doubt the truth and to believe fictions that support the tyrants’ goals.

7.  Blame economic stresses on immigrants or racial or religious minorities, and foment public bias and even violence against them.

8.  Attribute acts of domestic violence to “enemies within,” and use such events as excuses to beef up internal security and limit civil liberties.

9.  Threaten mass deportations, registries of religious minorities, and the banning of refugees.

10. Seek to eliminate or reduce the influence of competing centers of power, such as labor unions and opposition parties.

11. Appoint family members to high positions of authority

12. Surround themselves with their own personal security force rather than a security detail accountable to the public.

13. Put generals into top civilian posts                

14. Make personal alliances with foreign dictators.

15. Draw no distinction between personal property and public property, profiteering from their public office.

Consider yourself warned.

Source: robertreich.org

Turn Up the Heat

Simple resistance is just a phone call away. Here are links to phone numbers of U.S. Senate and Representatives offices by state along with sample scripts. Make a difference with a simple phone call.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/1/13/1620094/-Time-to-turn-up-the-heat-Senate-staffers-are-complaining-about-the-avalanche-of-angry-calls?detail=email&link_id=2&can_id=9c34de2a6a457f5c57aef8886476a7f9&source=email-cartoon-trumps-intelligence-briefing&email_referrer=cartoon-trumps-intelligence-briefing&email_subject=cartoon-trumps-intelligence-briefing

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/01/03/1616776/-The-simplest-resistance-tactic-is-right-at-your-fingertips-and-it-only-takes-a-minute

#makeadifference
#grabyourwallet
#boycotttrump

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth.” 
― William Faulkner

Trump Resistance

If you're concerned about the environment, women's rights, guns, immigration, LGBTQ rights and civil liberties then meet the leaders of the Trump resistance:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/meet-the-leaders-of-the-trump-resistance-w460844

Boycott Inauguration?

There are movements that suggest boycotting the Inauguration on TV to avoid feeding Donald Trump's "TV ratings" appetite. Unless you're a "Nielsen Family" your viewership has no impact on TV ratings. You may think it is your civic duty to watch and listen and/or you may think it valuable to remain aware of the obstacles you soon will face.

You can have an impact by participating in a protest. Here are links to planned protests by state, the biggest of which is The Women's March on Jan. 21: http://mindy-fischer-writer.com/2017/01/list-national-state-local-anti-trump-protests-planned-inauguration-week/;  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-march-on-washington-official-tickets-29428287801

Trump Boycott

For those interested in the Trump Boycott there is an updated list at https://grabyourwallet.org. You may also find them on Twitter (@shannoncoulter) and on Facebook (grabyourwallet). Much of the country may experience bad weather this weekend. If you need to fill up your gas tanks, please avoid doing so at any Exxon stations.

Booker Disappoints

While the Trump Administration exhibits naked greed, there are those who operate much more covertly. Sadly, Sen. Cory Booker may be one of those. A possible candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2020, Booker was one of just a few Democrats voting against a bill allowing Americans to purchase cheaper drugs from Canada under the guise of safety. Those drugs are manufactured and sold in the U.S.at much higher prices. Is it a coincidence that Booker has received more contributions (over $250K) from Big Pharma; more than any other Democratic Senator?

 To learn more: read https://theintercept.com/2017/01/12/cory-booker-joins-senate-republicans-to-kill-measure-to-import-cheaper-medicine-from-canada/

If you want to make a difference by expressing your disappointment and/or displeasure, email Sen. Booker (www.booker.senate.gov) or contact him via Twitter @Senbookeroffice.

It is so very easy to accept news as fact when it agrees with your own worldview. There are so many outlets for news and fake news that one can too easily be misled. Don't rely on just one source. A perfect example is the above story. I did more research and discovered there was more to the story:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/jan/18/other-98/viral-image-about-democratic-senators-and-big-phar/

There is a free app, Boycott Trump, available on iTunes and Google Play.

If you feel a need to do more than join the boycott, read "The First 100 Days Resistance Agenda" at robertreich.org.

Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Labor, Andrew Puzder, is CEO of CKE Restaurants, owner of Carl's Jr., Hardees, Green Burrito and Red Burrito. Puzder supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act; opposes an increase in the minimum wage; argued against eligibility for overtime pay; and criticized paid sick leave policies. I guess Puzder thinks fast food workers lead too cushy a life. 

In the past CKE has been accused of running highly suggestive ads. Puzder's response? “We believe in putting hot models in our commercials, because ugly ones don’t sell burgers.” 

If you're offended by this Trump supporter, perhaps you should include Carl's Jr., Hardees, Green Burrito and Red Burrito on your boycott list.

An anti-boycott response would be to suggest that minimum wage employees might lose their jobs if business declines. That is a legitimate argument although if demand increases in other fast food chains, they may need to hire more workers. But, yes, it is a difficult decision. And a personal one.

“You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” 
― Michelle Obama

Once the denial has faded and the anger has dissipated after the Nov. 8 election, the question arises, now what do we do? The incoming administration appears poised to use the Presidency as a platform to benefit financially while denying basic rights and freedoms to many. You can make a difference when you withhold your support by refusing to purchase any of the products with the Trump brand; by refusing to patronize any stores or online sites that carry the Trump brands; or by not purchasing products or services from businesses owned and/or operated by Trump apologists.

The #grabyourwallet movement started by Shannon Coulter lists stores that carry Trump brands such as Nordstrom, DSW and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Do such boycotts make a difference? Macy's and Shoes.com have dropped the Trump brands. Other companies and organizations have joined the boycott including ESPN, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Univision, NBCUniversal and Serta Mattresses.

Where you expend your purchasing power, combined with that of millions of other discouraged acquaintances, neighbors and friends, can make a difference. Please share the idea with others and recommend companies, businesses, organizations, products and services that should be included in the boycott.

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” 
― Robert F. Kennedy