Libby's Blog

Dear Friends: This blog is a little later than usual because I went to Scotland for my birthday and a meetup with some family and friends. It was a wonderful trip. Traveling is such a good way to get another perspective on things, especially when you are inclined, as I am, to delve into the local history of places when you visit. I’ve been struck lately by how many commentators and politicians use history as a way to explain and understand our current political situation.

Dear Friends: I wanted to let my readers know about a project I have been involved with over the past six months: The Abundance Elected Network. The Network is a national community of local elected officials who are committed to results driven governance and work to remove unnecessary barriers to getting things done. Often those barriers came about for a good reason long ago, but while they no longer make sense, they are difficult to remove or even see sometimes. And, they c

Dear Friends: I hope everyone has been able to take a little time to disconnect from the crazy world and recharge a bit with whatever holidays you celebrate, or just enjoy spring. The last week was particularly crazy. The fact that Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, and others on the far right criticized Donald Trump indicates just how crazy it was. Even they see that our President is unhinged. Keeping perspective on our history is so important to mental heal

Dear Friends: The regime’s horrors continue, but it is spring, which always helps me keep things in perspective, at least a little. And I’m looking forward to being part of one of the many No Kings III events nationwide this Saturday. But before I get to No Kings, I recommend that you check out the very positive perspective of Rebecca Solnit, which you can explore in The Interview podcast or read about in The Guardian. Many of my readers will likely be familiar with Ms.

Dear Friends: The pace of authoritarian efforts to destroy our democracy is picking up, and so is the pace of the Resistance, particularly in Virginia. Virginia has the potential to pick up 4 Democratic House seats with the April 21 referendum on redistricting. Virginia is uniquely positioned to fight back against the MAGA effort to gain an advantage in Congress through off-cycle redistricting. We must get every vote we can to pass the amendment. The Regime began this batt

Dear Friends: I hope Spring, which has arrived in Arlington at least (there are crocuses blooming in my yard) is lifting everyone’s hearts a little despite the continuing horrors from the Regime. Both Timothy Snyder and Rachel Maddow had good explanations for the unjustified attack on Iran. I’ve linked to Snyder’s substack here which lays it out well. One reason Snyder sets out for the war is Trump paying back favors which were really bribes (billions in crypto investments i

Dear Friends: Likely all of us have been starting to take steps to try to protect our on-line privacy. As more and more comes out about how tech companies are aiding and abetting the Regime, this is a good time to think even more about internet security and privacy. I am no expert at all, but more and more regular people who never thought they’d have to fear government surveillance are realizing nothing is safe. I’ve been doing what reading I can and talked to a number of peo

Dear Friends: I always find it very helpful to put what is happening into a bigger picture that helps explain why….and what might come next. If you are similar, I highly recommend this Ezra Klein podcast with Henry Farrell discussing “ weaponized interdependence ” and the speech of Canadian Prime Minister Carney at Davos. They talk about the post WWII world order where countries were economically dependent on the US. For decades it made the world richer and allowed the US

Friends: As you likely have heard, ICE murdered another person in Minnesota . Horrible to see. If you are ready for the storm and have really warm clothes, and want to show your outrage, we’ll be out on the Fairlington bridge at 3:00 PM today. My team just couldn’t stay home with this newest atrocity. Yours in peaceful resistance, Libby

Dear Friends: The Senate needs 60 votes to give more money to ICE before the end of this month. That means they need Democratic votes and our Democratic Senators have power. They’ve got to use it! We and our elected representatives have to do everything we can to stop the flow of money to ICE, the armed goons and thugs destroying our country. There is no going back to normal. There is no hoping we can wait things out until the November elections. The Regime’s attack on

Dear Friends: It’s been quite a week. ICE revealed itself for what it is: a secret police force designed to terrorize everyone and make sure that the mid-term elections do not happen….or at least they don’t happen in Blue cities and states. The cold blooded murder of Renee Good was horrifying. The Regime’s multiple lies – even though the videos showed and elected officials in Minnesota concurred that the Regime was lying – is even more chilling. Heather Cox Richardson said i

Dear Friends: I hope everyone has had a good holiday. I continue to be hopeful and inspired by the pro-democracy resistance efforts around the country, but this blog will not be particularly reassuring. I think we all were taken aback by the US attack on Venezuela and abduction of President Maduro. I could not figure out exactly why it bothered me so much (Maduro is a terrible person) until I listened to this excellent explanation by Heather Cox Richardson . I’ll summarize h

Dear Friends: I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays with family and friends. I’ve been lucky to be able to visit my older daughter and her family for a week. When the world is in chaos, family and friends can provide a sense of security and stability. Caring for my mother, now 97-1/2, is difficult at times, but family was always important to her as was taking pleasure in many small things like watching the world from her porch. She rarely complains about anything. I often

Dear Friends: We are entering the holiday season and hopefully everyone will have time for friends, family and a little recharging. Nevertheless ….the Resistance must continue. I highly recommend a change of pace for Black Friday: “We Ain’t Buying It,” organized by Indivisible . This movement is “focused on companies that are capitulating to the Trump administration and going along with their harmful, authoritarian policies. I’ll quote one of my Rush Hour Resistance team:

Dear Friends: What a great day Tuesday was for Democracy! It indeed feels like the tide is starting to turn ; that common sense and decency are returning to our politics. We can’t delude ourselves that the next several years will not be difficult and have many ugly moments. Autocracies are usually vicious but especially so when they see power slipping away. But, for the moment, let’s savor our many victories. I’ve asked Austin Locke, who runs this webpage to write the rest

Dear Friends: We are entering the difficult stage of the shutdown when SNAP benefits go on pause, not because there isn’t money, but because the Regime is preventing contingency funds for this purpose from being spent to try to, literally, starve us into submission. As the Washington Post reports : “ Forty-two million people — roughly 1 in 8 Americans — could see cuts or delays to food assistance as soon as Saturday (November 1) if the government shutdown continues… On Th

Dear Friends: I hope everyone enjoyed No Kings Day II . I was on our bridge and then went downtown. The day felt like one big block party, with a very serious purpose and great costumes. The gaiety and silliness were strategic and effective. I think the tide is starting to turn, which is not to say that things will change quickly or ever be the same as before this Regime. When a tide turns there is a time where nothing seems to be happening. You can’t quite tell if the

Dear Friends: I hope everyone has been enjoying the lovely last summer weather. As grim as the news is, there are a number of things to...

Dear Friends: Those of us in Virginia have a big responsibility going into November. The races for Governor, Lt. Governor and...

Dear Friends: Today’s blog is short. I wanted to make sure you were aware of two things you might do to resist the Regime. This Friday...