Category: defending democracy

Great News! Venkata Vasamsetty Is Coming Home to Cary

August 25, 2026

I’m so happy to share the recent announcemnt that a court has ordered the release of Cary resident Venkata Vasamsetty, who has been detained by ICE for the past two weeks. For the background on this issue, please see my post yesterday: https://blissfullu.com/2026/08/24/speak-out-about-ices-illegal-and-inhumane-detention-of-a-north-carolina-pastor-and-a-wake-county-school-teacher/ Here is the update from the Facebook page of the Cary NC … More Great News! Venkata Vasamsetty Is Coming Home to Cary

Speak Out About ICE’s Illegal and Inhumane Detention of a North Carolina Pastor and a Wake County School Teacher

August 24, 2026

First, let me state the obvious: writing about the out-of-control Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency that is sending out undertrained agents with dangerous weapons and their superiors’ permission to ignore US laws and the Constitution, does not bring me bliss. But the idea that speaking out against their policies and operations may help change … More Speak Out About ICE’s Illegal and Inhumane Detention of a North Carolina Pastor and a Wake County School Teacher

After No Kings During the Day, Settle In for Earth Hour Tonight

March 28, 2026

So, after 12 million or so of us save US Democracy by showing up at one of the more than 3,000 No Kings rallies today, Saturday, March 28, we might feel like deserve to have a night off. But I’m afraid we still have work to do. Once we’ve rescued American Democracy, we need to … More After No Kings During the Day, Settle In for Earth Hour Tonight

I Hope You Will Join Us in the No Kings 3.0 Protest this Saturday, March 28 to Enact the 3.5% Rule

March 23, 2026

In Cary, NC, we have a weekly protest as part of a bunch of protests known as Freedom Friday. It is held at our downtown (intersection of Academy Street, Kildaire Farm Road, and Dry Avenue) by the Cary Arts Center, the Cary Downtown Park, and the Cary Regional Library. I’ve been going when I can, … More I Hope You Will Join Us in the No Kings 3.0 Protest this Saturday, March 28 to Enact the 3.5% Rule

We Are Living “Wag the Dog”

March 1, 2026

Graphic by the 50501 Movement at https://substack.com/@50501/note/c-221078413 The State of the Union address was just on Tuesday night. President Trump stated that if Iran tried to again create new nuclear weapons after Operation Midnight Hammer destroyed the existing ones (supposedly) “Can’t let that happen.” But he didn’t say anything that made it sound like Iran … More We Are Living “Wag the Dog”

Motivational Music Monday: Storge Edition

February 23, 2026

Ever since the Loving Forward Together rally organized by Rev. William Barber on Valentines Day, I’ve been all about the Storge. That even was all about pursuing progressive political activism but with love instead of hate, with positivity instead of negativity. Rev. Barber asked us what we love enough to fight for, rather than asking … More Motivational Music Monday: Storge Edition

Upset About the Videos You Saw Coming Out of Minnesota This Weekend? Here is What to Do About It NOW!

January 26, 2026

First, a question…do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that when I type the letters “em” into my search engine, it defaults to the link to the Email Me page of my senior US Senator? I had such a juxtaposition this Saturday. I was basking in the glow of watching … More Upset About the Videos You Saw Coming Out of Minnesota This Weekend? Here is What to Do About It NOW!