2025 - 2026

[H2O Man]

"I'm not sure everything can be explained. Some things you either understand, or you just don't. Maybe the goal should be to teach respect for other people, even if you don't fully understand them.”
Onondaga Chief Paul Waterman, 2001


My cousin and went to a meeting with a staff member of our Representative in the House today. It made for a fairly lengthy drive, and thus I am rather tired as I type this. So if this has more errors than usual, that is why.

There were six other citizens at the meeting. They were all about the same age as my cousin and I. All active in Democratic Party politics. They raised solid points, that were about much the same type of concerns one reads on DU:GD every day. There was a little confusion among two regarding the role of a politician's staff and those involved in a campaign, but this was easily cleared up.

There were questions regarding how to improve communications between our Representative's office and those he represents. This includes use of the local media. Most of the local newspapers and radio stations are owned by republicans. They have we sites. I suggested that the local party headquarters should be providing information on how citizens can influence and make proper use of the media. It is not just the politician's responsibility – it is something citizens must do so that the public is aware of what our Representative is doing.

I spoke about a number of things that are important to me. I noted that everyone of us was saying we want our party to get behind – actually, beside – others such as Rep. Jasmine Crockett and AOC, and hammer home the message that this administration is toxic. One gentleman spoke about encountering people who say that both parties are corrupt.

I said to counter that before the 2026 elections, we need Democrats to press the issue to make insider trading by those in office and their families illegal. Everyone agreed. I think that I did pretty well. After the meeting ended, people came up to shake my hand. One woman hugged me. And most important, two people asked me to write down the books and authors I had quoted.

The small group of friends I work with keep in almost daily contact, gearing up for 2026. Everyone should be.

H2O Man

[Saoirse9]

1. I love it!

I'm so glad you're making an impact. We need much more of this. Wish I lived near you.

[H2O Man]

3. Thank you!

As you know all too well, being able to stop talking is not one of my virtues. (grin) So when one gentleman, who was very intelligent and well-informed, raised his palms and said, "For the life of me, I don't know how anyone can support him," I tried to hold my tongue. I kind of did. I said that he should listen to linguist John McWhorter tell about how and why the felon developed the communication style he has.

He said the felon can't complete a sentence. I said to compare the number of words in his vocabulary today to 2016. He has become restricted, yet his style remains much the same. Then I stopped talking as others spoke up. I could have said more. Much more. Because attempting to hold my other thoughts in likely posed a risk of my having a stroke, so on the hour's drive home, I conversed with myself. But you strike me as an easy target, so here goes ......

The great heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles used to do self-hypnosis in the dressing room before fighting in the ring. I could mention others, but as you know, Ezzard beat the great Joe Louis. So what I'm about to say isn't against hypnotism, a multi-layered exercise that can be used in a beneficial way.

However, like most everything, there are both good and bad potentials for even the lower level, which we can correctly view as "programming." In basic training for our military, for example, it is a good thing. Yet the amount of influence this administration can inflict into the troops' mindset is toxic. For when those subscribing to a group programming can be led astray, bad things are always the result.

Fifty-five years ago, the media reported that Manson had hypnotized his followers, programming them to be killing machines. Later, Jim Jones programmed his followers. And on and on. How? By repeating the same phrases, over and over, day after day -- exactly as the felon does. It's on purpose, and much like Erich Fromm's study in pre-nazi Germany showed, it draws in one third of the population. Another third were anti-nazi, and a third opted to ignore a growing threat. That is a dangerous balance. It's about where we are in elections here, I should add.

Some might not think of it this way, of course. But without some social influencing, we would not have distinct cultures. Without the toxic programming, the country would not be suffering from the maga infection. Yet we are not helpless. We have to learn to make better use of the tools of the trade. Our elected representatives have a responsibility, and so does each person at the grass roots level. Together, we will turn this around.

[Saoirse9]

7. So the orangutan is hypnotizing all the morons

Great. Can we un-hypnotize them?

I cannot believe the number of people I run into who actually believe what they read or hear on Fox and other murdoch owned media companies.

I had to block a cousin yesterday or the day before who had no appreciation for being mocked about his love for that hideous orange thing he voted for. That block was 30 years in the making. This particular cousin has been a pain in my ass that long.

[H2O Man]

9. Yes.

Not all of them, of course. Rubin used to say that humans are machines, and compared the programmed to lawn-mowers. (I prefer "organic machines that eat meat and shit," as someone said to me a few months back.)

It is important, for excample, that there be positive messaging -- along with some pointing out of the administration's attack on democracy and a civil nation. Now, I know many here dislike facebook. That's fine. But I know a lot of people who focus more on posting information on the felon, which tends to result in foolish arguments with our maga brothers and sisters. And I say "brothers and sisters" to remind myself of the insight of Martin Luther King, Jr.

In my opinion, it may be better to focus on things that make people think, in a non-confrontational manner. I figure all of my friends know where I stand. I do think cartoons that make people laugh at the felon are a great thing. But I try to focus on things ranging from artifacts to my itty-bitty buddies that know me as their grandfather.

For some reason, I've been getting requests to speak at various events. Suppose they are hard up these days. But at a recent event, which featured a few other speakers, I knew there was a mixed crowd there. So when it was my turn, I spoke about the things that Chief Waterman taught me about his people's influence on the Founding Father. I spoke about the Power of Ideas. That the Declaration of Independence does not talk about government -- it is about American citizens' rights.

I told the stories that Paul passed down about his oral history of his grandfather's grandfathers meeting with Founding Fathers in Albany and with Franklin and Galloway in their early attempts at a Constitution, then the Articles of Confederation, and then the Constitution. I backed up Paul's stories with quotes from several books ...... and again, people asked me to write down the titles and authors after the program.

Now back to our old school chums, family members, co-workers, etc, who are stuck in the maga. Paul also taught me the Power of the Good Mind. Obviously, I was an imperfect student, but I grasp quite a bit of it. It does require that one be Iroquois, or religious. Just as good of an evolving human being as they can. Now, we are not there yet. One must appreciate the Power of Ideas before they can more fully get what the Power of the Good mind requires. But it is the path that we ill use, no matter what one calls it, to begin to heal this country.

[Saoirse9]

13. Can you do an essay

On the Power of the Good Mind?

I bet people will love it.

[H2O Man]

14. That I could.

Who knows, really?

[cachukis]

2. Glad you participated.

My sense is my locals are not reaching out.
I donate and get requests from far afield. Not so much outreach locally.
Suggest seed money needs to be managed, not so much nationally, but by state, or district teams.
E Mailing lists don't take much more than a pitch and send.
Those lists must exist. Pay someone to pitch.

[H2O Man]

4. Thanks!

I try to support campaigns, but I ignore requests for financial donations in times when there are not elections. And a while back, I stopped donating to the DNC, and instead just give to the Democrats that I like. I know more people my age that have started doing the same. And we go door-to-door, and make phones calls for the Democrats in our area. Over the years, I've also worked with campaigns for our party's candidates outside of the area.

Though I am old and lack the energy I had fifty years ago and more, I plan to remain active between now and the 2026 mid-terms. It is essential that we make significant progress at every level. And we are in a position to do that, if everyone plays an active role.

[multigraincracker]

8. I think it all hinges on those mid-terms.

They will make or break our Republic. I’ve voted in every election and will keep doing it. Not wealthy at all but managed to stay debt free for the last 35 years. I can still kick in some funds, but not nearly enough.
Just downsized to a manufactured home in a new town. Have to join the local party and make new friends. Went great today and looks like I’m going to connect.
Hope and fear are a strange combination.

[H2O Man]

10. "a strange combination,"

indeed!

Way long ago, I used to get nervous before boxing matches. Not all of them, of course, but lots of them. The legendary trainer Cus D'Amato used to say that everyone feels fear. It might be boxing, it might be public speaking or anything else. He said that fear is an internal fire, and just as controlled fire heats a home, and uncontrolled fire destroys a home, so it is with people. One can learn to harness fear.

I consider my investing time in elections to be more important than donating money. I can't afford to give much money these days.

[spanone]

5. +++ K&R +++

[H2O Man]

6. Thank you!

I'm old enough to remember when a day like today wouldn't have tired me out. I might have considered it relaxing!

[3Hotdogs]

11. Yer congress critter wants to know how to get information to his constituents?

And there is frustration because the local media is owned by maggots?

Years ago, I used to get newsletters from my representative. They were "franked," meaning postage free. I'm sure the printing was free. Thing is, I haven't gotten anything from my representative since the last one died and was replaced by a Democrat who is running for governor in my state.


Dems in Congress need to communicate with their constituents. They need to go beyond telling us about the latest pothole they patched or whatever. They need to tell their constituents about the harm the Republicans can and will do.

[H2O Man]

12. Thank you.

It is my impression that previous to today, the staff thought he was doing good with e-mails. Yet most come from his campaign, and as noted above, when these contain requests for contributions, people tend to ignore them.

I do think it is also the responsibility of the grass roots to influence local media. More, it can be fun to engage in a coordinated campaign with other Democrats.