How Do You "Fight The Good Fight"

This is what I had intended for my "Never Mind" thread. Sorry about that.

Taking my lead from the Great Civil Rights Icon John Lewis, I support my Anti-MAGA/Pro-Democracy beliefs in a number of ways. If you care to share, how do you support those ideals that are important to you?

During the past few months, I have partiicipated in four protest marches. Next month, I will join in another nation-wide protest.

Since the age of 21, I have voted a Democratic ticket in every election that came my way.

I contribute funds to those issues, individuals and organizations that support my beliefs.

I fly the U.S., California, U.S. Navy, and Pride flags from our front porch (but not usually all at once).

I express my opinions as best I can on this website.

In public, I always present myself as a strong Queer Man

And wherever life takes me, I challenge crap in every form.



"Fight The Good Fight" !!

Updated On: 9/15/25 at 06:07 PM

"I'm less judgey than I used to be. Not everyone can afford to donate to charity, and if people need to fly to a vacation destination for the purposes of self-care, so be it."

Jay, as I told you in a post last Christmas, you don't have to donate money to charity to make a difference. Volunteering time to help is more rewarding IMO than handing somebody a check. I gave you a few examples of what I have done. I currently volunteer for the local Humane Society. I have helped build homes with others through "Habit for Humanity" and have served meals to less unfortunate people on Thanksgiving. There are plenty of opportunities and you just need to make time; it is well worth it IMO.

"Just having a sense of morals and teaching those around you how to be a good person. That's enough."

The most important roles I have had in life is being a good husband and father. I believe I have been a good role model for my children, and I am proud of the adults they are now. I have tried my best to be a great partner in our marriage and like most men I married "up" -lol

By bringing attention to information like this:

Although there have been detainees who have died in detention, and at least 3 victims of accidental death trying to flee being captured by ICE, this is the first example I am aware of where an unarmed victim was intentionally shot at, and resulted in the death of the victim by an ICE agent.

Source: https://www.newsweek.com/ice-shot-chicago-silverio-villegas-gonzalez-2129559

"Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez was shot dead in the Chicago suburb of Franklin Park on Friday after he 'resisted arrest, attempted to flee the scene and dragged an ICE officer a significant distance with his car,' the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement. His family have since revealed that Villegas-Gonzalez died 'shortly after he dropped off his sons at school'.

The incident came just days into the Trump administration's ramping up of immigration enforcement efforts in Chicago under Operation Midway Blitz."

Source: https://chicagoreader.com/news/ice-shooting-silverio-villegas-gonzalez-franklin-park/

"Security footage near the scene in Franklin Park, as reported by CBS News, shows two plainclothes agents approaching a silver sedan that had been blocked from moving by an unmarked SUV. The sedan eventually reverses away from the two agents, and the officer on the passenger side points his firearm at the vehicle.

As Villegas-Gonzalez drives away from the agents—not toward them, as DHS claimed—the agent on the passenger side aims his weapon at the back of Villegas-Gonzalez’s car. Two gunshots can be heard in a separate security video. The second agent is not visible during the shooting, and it remains unclear which agent fired their weapon."

Source: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/09/16/investigate-death-of-mexican-national-during-ice-stop

"[...] CCTV footage that has emerged does not show Villegas-Gonzalez’s car driving at or hitting law enforcement officers. In the footage, two officers stand on either side of Villegas-Gonzalez’ vehicle as he reverses away from the officers. One of the officers appears to hold onto the window frame on the driver's side, moving backward with the vehicle, and then forward as the vehicle drives out of frame of the CCTV camera. It is unclear why the ICE officer moves with the vehicle or whether he is being dragged."

Source: https://abc7chicago.com/post/franklin-park-ice-shooting-illinois-officials-demand-release-video-deadly-officer-silverio-villegas-gonzalez/17817702/

"The family of Villegas-Gonzalez told ABC7 he was a father from Mexico, working at a restaurant in the Portage Park area, and has been in the United States for decades."

Updated On: 9/16/25 at 01:43 PM

I've done the "Hands Off!" and "No Kings" protests, as well as attended (2) Town Halls sponsored by my State Representative. I also attended the "Good Trouble" protest/tribute for John Lewis in July.

I don't feel like they are effective, because they don't result in any kind of change.

Trump and his administration do not care what citizens think. Trump only finds joy in the kind of violence MAGAs displayed during the Jan. 6th insurrection.

I attend them because I find comfort in the sense of community that happens when we're all together for a common purpose.

Even if they don't result in noticeable change in government practices, people SHOULD attend because visibility in large numbers DOES hold value.

I had hoped to participate in our local NO KINGS gathering on October 18, but have had a bit of a health setback. Husband and his friend will be there, however. Estimates nationwide are for a huge turnout.

Anyone here participating?

Sutton Ross said: "I am!

Excellent!

Sutton Ross said: "Having a completely MAGAt free environment with people that are good, rational, sane, and intelligentwill be absolute heaven."

The gentleman who was the founder (or one of the founders) of INDIVISIBLE was on the Rachel Maddow Show discussing Saturday's nationwide protests. I can't quote him exaclty, but basically he said "While you are protesting, remember to also have fun".

So, have a "fun" protest. And don't pay attention to the filthy BWW trolls who continue to try to disrupt these conversations.

For Sutton Ross:

The gentleman I mentioned is a co-founder of INDIVISIBLE (the group, or one of the groups, organizing this NO KINGS protest). Right before 3:45, he says, in part, "it's gonna be fun". As serious as these events can be, it's also thrilling to gather with like-minded neighbors for the purpose of doing our best to not let these MAGA thugs destroy our democracy.

Sutton Ross said: "I blocked the 5 MAGAts "

I've seen the term MAGAt before, without really knowing what the "t" stands for. Just did some googling, and DUH, finally get it. TOO funny (and appropriate).

Sutton Ross said: "Ignore, block, don't acknowledge, etc."

I took your advice this morning and did my first block. It's gonna be a great day. Thanks!

The stock market is not and will never be "the economy." The market also boomed under Biden once the COVID recovery kicked in and Republicans complained nonstop about the economy.

And Trump can act in authoritarian, dictator, or King-like ways but not get everything he wants. That's what it means to be part of a country whose government has some remaining semblance of checks and balances among the three branches of government.

Had Biden or Obama imposed unilateral tariffs, the sole power to do so resting with Congress except in extraordinary conditions, or killed people repeatedly at sea in international waters with a "trust me they're bad" explanation, Republicans again would have howled for days.

True conservatives, independents, and progressives found much to peacefully protest and unify around this weekend and will continue to do so.

Updated On: 10/19/25 at 07:43 AM

I wasn't able to do our local "No Kings" protest, but I believe the total numbers participating were over 25,000.

A Harvard professor was on The Rachel Maddow Show a couple of days after the nationwide protests. As best I understand, she said that movements like this are more likely to result in actual change as the number participating grows. That would be 12M participants. More than 7M protested peacefully this weekend. I don't know yet when the next protest is planned.

We just have to keep protesting and increasing our numbers until 12M people hit the streets in one event. If 7M of us can join for this important purpose, then surely 12M can come together, as well. Our beloved democracy is worth it.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT !!

Sutton Ross said: "It was an incredible day for us here. Congratulations to all who were there in mind, body, or spirit!"


This was the first "No Kings" event for my neighbors, a married couple in their 40s. They texted me halfway through to let me know that they had unexpectedly been overwhelmed by emotions that they couldn't describe, but that had brought them to "happy tears".

I can totally relate.