Protests with cartoon characters are good but protesters have not recognized the ongoing criminal felony insurrection led by Trump. What’s happened in America has not been recognized as an insurrection by Americans, Democrats in government, and the news media but is fully understood by Trump, Republicans and six justices on the Supreme Court and was planned in PROJECT 2025. The authoritarian war attacking Americans redefined as enemy combatants, is defined in federal law (18 U.S. Cod e § 2383) as criminal actions of insurrection in language that is clear and easy to understand:
“Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.”
Trump, Republicans, and six justices on the Supreme Court are conducting an illegal insurrection that began on January 6, 2021, and continues in 2025. The existential threat to democracy and the rule of law emerged in 2025 and the root cause of the threat is the weak legal system which includes the federal legal system. The weak federal legal system includes the Supreme Court which is now controlled by Trump and the wealthy. The weak federal legal system enabled Trump to install a fascist autocracy and cover up the Epstein sex crimes including those involved.
Will the weak federal legal system stop Trump? No. The states controlled by Democrats must act to stop Trump using the legal system in the states which is protected and given authorization by the Constitution.
From January 6, 2021, through 2024, the weak federal legal system enabled the illegal election of Trump who should have been convicted of the felony crime of insurrection and imprisoned. Trump should have been prevented from being on the ballot in 2024, but Section 3 of the 14th Amendment that prohibited him from holding office was not enforced by the corrupt Supreme Court. In 2025, Trump is exploiting the weak legal system to engage in his many illegal actions such as illegally ignoring court orders, illegally canceling funding authorized and directed for specific purpose by Congress, illegally creating and collecting tariffs, and illegally putting military into city streets with false claims of “fighting crime”. Trump has renamed the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of War, and is raging war against Democrat controlled states and cities.
Don’t listen to the news media to understand what happened to America, and why democracy is not working. “We the people must save democracy.
Read my Post #4 in the series, Creating Solutions to Core Problems in America, The Weak Legal System Destroys Democracy.
The desire for fascism by our Power Elite has not faded since the 1930's. There is always a cadre of megalomaniacs that want an authoritarian nation. To establish this, they needed to convince the electorate that democracy is inferior to fascism. tRump has gladly provided the propaganda to accomplish this. We are in a slow motion coup d' etat.
Humor breaks rigidity. It gets people out of binary/2-dimensional thinking and allows people to envision real options. Rigidity creates anxiety which is a tool of authoritarianism. When anxiety is lessened through humor, it makes it harder to create a forced choice. One of things the current president does well is create forced, binary choices. I've been saddened to see the media parrot this in how often they frame what's going on. Between the chicken and Jimmy Kimmel, I feel like things are shifting in a better direction. We can laugh. It doesn't have to be like this. We'll see if the laughter and shifting spread. I would expect a move to create a duality, though the joy after a "win" like Middle East (Premature, but he's claiming it) often leads to a letting down of the vigilance and guard. The other strategy I wish we'd see more of is referring to Stephen Miller and Russell Vought as President Miller and President Vought. They have influence because they are so unseen and labeled advisors. I think they need to be spotlighted for what they are really doing to raise awareness and create tension.
I will be wearing my clergy garb. I will also carry a sign and will have a bit of humor in it. I am a pacifist who believes non-violence has great power. I also believe that I do not want to force or push others to believe in Christianity the way I do. We need the plurality of many faiths. Part of my reasoning for participating in No Kings on October 18th is my desire to resist the heresy known as Christian Nationalism. I will gladly defend the right to freely choose which faith or non faith guides ones life. I will also stand a fight (non-violently) for truth. I believe that to be God's call upon my life.
All, hail the Portland Chicken! A brilliant answer for what ails us. Mock them, scorn them, make Kristi Noem look as ridiculous as she is. Protest peacefully and creatively on Oct. 18. Make 'em laugh! Make 'em laugh! Make 'em laugh! Thanks for this, Ruth.
It is about time that we stop being defensive about antifa. We should proudly say we are anti fascist and pro democracy. If you are against antifa you must be pro fascist and let them know it
I love these costumed cuties so much. What utter brilliance to be dancing and cavorting before ICE. Outside-of-the-box thinking that has them wondering how to even respond. :`)
(while "Googling" for information about the KKK after reading Heather Cox Richardson's piece about October 12, 2025 which included some information about the KKK and the origins of Columbus Day)
a 1968 master's thesis introduction states the following:
"The objective of this paper will be to show that the Klan in
Wisconsin was mainly a "paper tiger" and that during its short
life it was constantly frustrated by poor leadership, graft, and
a public that was unwilling to respond favorably to its philosophy.
While in many states the Klan had great success in dominating
political events, the Wisconsin Klan failed generally."
Love the notion of "coordination games."
Love the ideas of having/ using whimsy and humour during protests
thank you Ruth Ben ghiat for bringing forth the truth in these trying times
Protests with cartoon characters are good but protesters have not recognized the ongoing criminal felony insurrection led by Trump. What’s happened in America has not been recognized as an insurrection by Americans, Democrats in government, and the news media but is fully understood by Trump, Republicans and six justices on the Supreme Court and was planned in PROJECT 2025. The authoritarian war attacking Americans redefined as enemy combatants, is defined in federal law (18 U.S. Cod e § 2383) as criminal actions of insurrection in language that is clear and easy to understand:
“Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.”
Trump, Republicans, and six justices on the Supreme Court are conducting an illegal insurrection that began on January 6, 2021, and continues in 2025. The existential threat to democracy and the rule of law emerged in 2025 and the root cause of the threat is the weak legal system which includes the federal legal system. The weak federal legal system includes the Supreme Court which is now controlled by Trump and the wealthy. The weak federal legal system enabled Trump to install a fascist autocracy and cover up the Epstein sex crimes including those involved.
Will the weak federal legal system stop Trump? No. The states controlled by Democrats must act to stop Trump using the legal system in the states which is protected and given authorization by the Constitution.
Read my post.
https://williamlmiller.substack.com/p/how-to-stop-trump-republicans-and
From January 6, 2021, through 2024, the weak federal legal system enabled the illegal election of Trump who should have been convicted of the felony crime of insurrection and imprisoned. Trump should have been prevented from being on the ballot in 2024, but Section 3 of the 14th Amendment that prohibited him from holding office was not enforced by the corrupt Supreme Court. In 2025, Trump is exploiting the weak legal system to engage in his many illegal actions such as illegally ignoring court orders, illegally canceling funding authorized and directed for specific purpose by Congress, illegally creating and collecting tariffs, and illegally putting military into city streets with false claims of “fighting crime”. Trump has renamed the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of War, and is raging war against Democrat controlled states and cities.
Don’t listen to the news media to understand what happened to America, and why democracy is not working. “We the people must save democracy.
Read my Post #4 in the series, Creating Solutions to Core Problems in America, The Weak Legal System Destroys Democracy.
https://williamlmiller.substack.com/p/post-4-the-weak-legal-system-destroys
To learn more, read my recent post, Core Problems in America and the Barriers Blocking Solutions,
https://williamlmiller.substack.com/p/post-5-core-problems-in-america-and
The desire for fascism by our Power Elite has not faded since the 1930's. There is always a cadre of megalomaniacs that want an authoritarian nation. To establish this, they needed to convince the electorate that democracy is inferior to fascism. tRump has gladly provided the propaganda to accomplish this. We are in a slow motion coup d' etat.
Humor breaks rigidity. It gets people out of binary/2-dimensional thinking and allows people to envision real options. Rigidity creates anxiety which is a tool of authoritarianism. When anxiety is lessened through humor, it makes it harder to create a forced choice. One of things the current president does well is create forced, binary choices. I've been saddened to see the media parrot this in how often they frame what's going on. Between the chicken and Jimmy Kimmel, I feel like things are shifting in a better direction. We can laugh. It doesn't have to be like this. We'll see if the laughter and shifting spread. I would expect a move to create a duality, though the joy after a "win" like Middle East (Premature, but he's claiming it) often leads to a letting down of the vigilance and guard. The other strategy I wish we'd see more of is referring to Stephen Miller and Russell Vought as President Miller and President Vought. They have influence because they are so unseen and labeled advisors. I think they need to be spotlighted for what they are really doing to raise awareness and create tension.
I will be wearing my clergy garb. I will also carry a sign and will have a bit of humor in it. I am a pacifist who believes non-violence has great power. I also believe that I do not want to force or push others to believe in Christianity the way I do. We need the plurality of many faiths. Part of my reasoning for participating in No Kings on October 18th is my desire to resist the heresy known as Christian Nationalism. I will gladly defend the right to freely choose which faith or non faith guides ones life. I will also stand a fight (non-violently) for truth. I believe that to be God's call upon my life.
All, hail the Portland Chicken! A brilliant answer for what ails us. Mock them, scorn them, make Kristi Noem look as ridiculous as she is. Protest peacefully and creatively on Oct. 18. Make 'em laugh! Make 'em laugh! Make 'em laugh! Thanks for this, Ruth.
A woman who can gun down a puppy but not stand up to a chicken. Now there’s someone only Trump would want defending out country.
Portland "troops" -Disarm with Charm !
It is about time that we stop being defensive about antifa. We should proudly say we are anti fascist and pro democracy. If you are against antifa you must be pro fascist and let them know it
Great post given the times we are in. Authoritarians want the opposition to lose hope and end up in despair. People without hope do not resist.
I love the idea of laughing at those would be autocrats as a means to maintain hope and solidarity.
I love these costumed cuties so much. What utter brilliance to be dancing and cavorting before ICE. Outside-of-the-box thinking that has them wondering how to even respond. :`)
Ruth, this piece is so insightful. Thanks for posting this and all you do. You give me hope.
Bravo Portland, Oregon!
just came upon this:
(while "Googling" for information about the KKK after reading Heather Cox Richardson's piece about October 12, 2025 which included some information about the KKK and the origins of Columbus Day)
a 1968 master's thesis introduction states the following:
"The objective of this paper will be to show that the Klan in
Wisconsin was mainly a "paper tiger" and that during its short
life it was constantly frustrated by poor leadership, graft, and
a public that was unwilling to respond favorably to its philosophy.
While in many states the Klan had great success in dominating
political events, the Wisconsin Klan failed generally."
https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/18735/1968LEEG.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
I look forward to reading the paper.....but wanted to share what seemed to me to be a little bit of encouraging information about RESISTANCE.....
thanks for the link, from another Wisconsinite
Thank you, Ruth. A great post! Solidarity and humor.