The mold has to be broken. Democrats have been complacent too long. If our representatives aren't going to fight for us, they need voted out and replaced.
"Through the Kirk Mirror" asks a hard question: What happens when grievance, not hope, becomes the lens through which people see themselves and their country? Charlie Kirk’s politics didn’t just mobilize followers — it reshaped identity, turning reflection into distortion and weakening the fabric of democracy itself.
I'm a medical provider, with very little experience in politics. I'm doing the best I can to learn as much as I can! So much going on and so much to know. I know the difference between right and wrong, it's instinctual to some extent, and was taught to me by my parents. Nothing about this administration is good or ethical or right, that much I know. Very heartbroken about our country and how many people are on the other side, given how wrong this regime is. Very chilling and disturbing.
Michael and his Substack friends, among them Lev Parnas, Malcolm Nance, will combine their audiences to take the truth to new or unreached audiences.
Critically important.
But they all need higher numbers of followers and subscribers, voters, for impact. The more people learn the truth and are vested, the greater the impact of facts and these voices. We need, as Michael says, many millions.
That’s why “each one, reach one” is so important. Keep listening, ask relatives, friends, neighbors, veterans, garden clubs, anyone you can reach to add numbers to be effective. That IS action that means results.
These writers, speakers, can then tour, be on other media, and get more visibility, and those mean votes. Substacks are important, live interactions ahead. See also Lev Parnas.
I am very different from them. We do not necessarily agree on everything. But they are right, knowledgeable, and are working daily. (I follow Lev and Aaron Patnas partly also because I am a longtime Ukraine advocate.)
I can’t reach many people. But maybe you can. Each conversation will be informed by what you learn on here, if you did not know topics already. You will have support from this “family” on here.
I carry lists on index cards of factual and sane sources with links (on Substack, podcasts, BlueSky, etc.) that save people time. I hand them to people who want to know. I do it naturally, not forcefully. I talk about them so others overhear me 😂
Shout out to Michael for showing the faces of the listening viewers, because it's hard to grow real community when we are faceless and nameless. Shout out to Winterish for Ukraine! I stand with Ukraine! Shout out to Delores/Dolores, Gina and Graham! By the time that apathy turns to anger, it will be too late.
America IS slowly turning into Gilead. And, for those reading, please don't blame all Christians (This is NOT for Michael but those who lump a far-right faction with the rest of us). I DO see Michael's point about white, "Christian" male grievance. In the 60s, I knew wife-beating, "self-ascribed superior" men who attended church every Sunday. This current White Nationalist movement is not a true Christian movement (Do they know WHERE the Old Testament begins?), and if anyone that does not believe that they should study the New Testament and use it as a measuring stick. I heard a self-proclaimed MAGA say, "It's an eye for an eye", yet Jesus's mantra was "Turn the other cheek." Have their been movements (k*k, for example) CLAIMED to be Christian? Sure, we can claim to be whatever we want in a free society but that does not make it so. Many of us would consider their leaders "false prophets" and are warned repeatedly against them in the Bible; worshipping anyone or anything else is not Christian.
Very challenging times! I just keep moving forward as best I can, but I feel very nervous and scared about my future and the future of our country! Like many here, I don't know what to do and wonder what the path forward entails?? I keep protesting, speaking out, trying to get the word out, listening to others, reading the substacks, but feel like that's not enough. Need to organize and get together with other groups and I'm doing a little of that in my community, but not enough.
Every amendment is on the fucking chopping block with this asshole in the oval office.
The mold has to be broken. Democrats have been complacent too long. If our representatives aren't going to fight for us, they need voted out and replaced.
People need to wake up and start voting at the ballot box. ORGANIZE starts now.
"Through the Kirk Mirror" asks a hard question: What happens when grievance, not hope, becomes the lens through which people see themselves and their country? Charlie Kirk’s politics didn’t just mobilize followers — it reshaped identity, turning reflection into distortion and weakening the fabric of democracy itself.
https://thefiringline.substack.com/p/through-the-kirk-mirror-how-grievance
https://thefiringline.substack.com/p/through-the-kirk-mirror-how-grievance#IdentityPolitics #GrievancePolitics #TheKirkEffect #PoliticalViolence #DemocracyAtRisk
I'm a medical provider, with very little experience in politics. I'm doing the best I can to learn as much as I can! So much going on and so much to know. I know the difference between right and wrong, it's instinctual to some extent, and was taught to me by my parents. Nothing about this administration is good or ethical or right, that much I know. Very heartbroken about our country and how many people are on the other side, given how wrong this regime is. Very chilling and disturbing.
You're the GOAT, Michael.
Just keep spreading the truth & being loud about it. That's how you'll hit a million subscribers.
It’s a very scary time in America.
I fear the midterms are too far off to wait for change then. So what can we do (legally) to turn this ship around.
Michael, if we are failing, then what do we need to do to turn this around? I'm so exhausted and feel so disillusioned too!
I do not speak for anyone but myself, but:
Re: action,
Michael and his Substack friends, among them Lev Parnas, Malcolm Nance, will combine their audiences to take the truth to new or unreached audiences.
Critically important.
But they all need higher numbers of followers and subscribers, voters, for impact. The more people learn the truth and are vested, the greater the impact of facts and these voices. We need, as Michael says, many millions.
That’s why “each one, reach one” is so important. Keep listening, ask relatives, friends, neighbors, veterans, garden clubs, anyone you can reach to add numbers to be effective. That IS action that means results.
These writers, speakers, can then tour, be on other media, and get more visibility, and those mean votes. Substacks are important, live interactions ahead. See also Lev Parnas.
I am very different from them. We do not necessarily agree on everything. But they are right, knowledgeable, and are working daily. (I follow Lev and Aaron Patnas partly also because I am a longtime Ukraine advocate.)
I can’t reach many people. But maybe you can. Each conversation will be informed by what you learn on here, if you did not know topics already. You will have support from this “family” on here.
I carry lists on index cards of factual and sane sources with links (on Substack, podcasts, BlueSky, etc.) that save people time. I hand them to people who want to know. I do it naturally, not forcefully. I talk about them so others overhear me 😂
You are not alone
Shout out to Michael for showing the faces of the listening viewers, because it's hard to grow real community when we are faceless and nameless. Shout out to Winterish for Ukraine! I stand with Ukraine! Shout out to Delores/Dolores, Gina and Graham! By the time that apathy turns to anger, it will be too late.
America IS slowly turning into Gilead. And, for those reading, please don't blame all Christians (This is NOT for Michael but those who lump a far-right faction with the rest of us). I DO see Michael's point about white, "Christian" male grievance. In the 60s, I knew wife-beating, "self-ascribed superior" men who attended church every Sunday. This current White Nationalist movement is not a true Christian movement (Do they know WHERE the Old Testament begins?), and if anyone that does not believe that they should study the New Testament and use it as a measuring stick. I heard a self-proclaimed MAGA say, "It's an eye for an eye", yet Jesus's mantra was "Turn the other cheek." Have their been movements (k*k, for example) CLAIMED to be Christian? Sure, we can claim to be whatever we want in a free society but that does not make it so. Many of us would consider their leaders "false prophets" and are warned repeatedly against them in the Bible; worshipping anyone or anything else is not Christian.
Shoutout to YOU! 👏🏻🌟
Congratulations on your new citizenship Michael.
My family is overwhelmingly Maga and I don’t see any signs of that changing.
Same here! I am like the only Democrat
Fun times.. luckily I have decades of black sheep of the family experience under my belt.. still wish they weren’t part of the cult though
And that’s despite the fact that they are mostly ultra Catholic and from northern Illinois, I guess the Pope is too woke..
What can we do??
Good question
https://therealmichaelcohen.substack.com/p/raw-and-unfiltered-e33/comment/156995004?r=8jnod&utm_medium=ios
Very challenging times! I just keep moving forward as best I can, but I feel very nervous and scared about my future and the future of our country! Like many here, I don't know what to do and wonder what the path forward entails?? I keep protesting, speaking out, trying to get the word out, listening to others, reading the substacks, but feel like that's not enough. Need to organize and get together with other groups and I'm doing a little of that in my community, but not enough.
Maybe they're the only ones who have jobs, eh ? I didn't let anything distract me from work.