I absolutely disagree with you. I think it was meaningful, particularly what he was saying was passionate and true and it got people’s attention, which is extremely important.
Ron, Any time a man (or woman) stands up and speaks the truth to power it is a significant moment. When a man speaks, passionately and honestly, for 25 hours on the travesties of the current administration, it far more than significant. It's the start of a shift in how we talk about what is happening to our country right now.
To what end? Is their only measurement of success is that others fail? (Elon Musk especially is open to and invites constructive feedback and criticism. That is the secret to all of his successes thus far.
What truth? Once Democrats and others try and fail to work with the President and for the American people, that will the time to resist. Until then the performances are as wearying (and predictable) as Monty Python's Argument Clinic.
I have to disagree with your original comment Ron - I obviously didn’t watch all 25 hours however the parts that I did see forms my opinion - what Cory Booker did set out to do is to “cause some good trouble” -
he didn’t get up and read the phonebook or green eggs and ham - he prepped for this he had people write thoughts that he could talk about - and I thought that his speech showed some passion and personal integrity and obviously determination to generate interest by extending his speech to the longest speech ever given in a filibuster, which was both a mental and physical challenge - I don’t share the view that what he did was a selfish act - I actually thought it was a genuine attempt at providing inspiration and leadership to get the Democrats motivation to fight Trump‘s insanity - the influence that politicians have are usually their words and when we can get Democrats to speak up and speak out against Trump‘s madness that’s one step in the right direction
It was meaningful to me. It wasn’t a gabfest. Senator Booker spoke the truth. He said Republicans were bowing to Trump because they’re afraid of Musk at the polls. He provided a much needed example of standing up to Trump when almost every public figure, institution, and corporation is crumbling. He embodied American grit of doing what’s hard for the right reasons. He may have been auditioning on some level, but it was genuine. He’s always been true to who he is, and I’ve been hoping he would rise to leadership. He’s someone whose values I respect. He’s someone I’m willing to follow. America needs him and other great people of his generation. His filibuster was meaningful. Your calloused, jaded comments did nothing to help America in this crisis and left you with the stink of arrogance.
I am glad that Ron was able to take in different information and change some of his initial skepticism. However, it was more than just words that Senator Booker spoke. I watched as much as I could and I heard a speech that was sincere, compassionate and sometimes angry that he distilled down to the most important argument. That this is a moral crisis, not Rs versus Ds, not right versus left, but right versus wrong and who we believe ourselves to be as Americans. To those being critical here, I ask if you agree with this, what are you yourself doing to meet this moment? We can complain all we want but if we rise as Senator Booker said, we can try to make a difference, strength is in numbers, and it’s for darn sure if we do nothing we can never make a difference. I, who always voted, but nothing more, have become an activist. I don’t like fundraising emails either, but I delete and go on with my “donation.” There are resources - .gov pdf downloadable files of every Senator, every Rep, their state their 5 digit “extension. “ Some smart federal worker made fonts different so you tell if they are a D or R or I at a glance. Top of page tells you area code 202-then 22- then that 5 digit ext. is their office, leave a message or sometimes a real staff member answers. I don’t call just my Senators I call several times/wk pick my issue, pick my Senators. Today I focused on the R Senators for reelection on 2026, among other things reminding them we don’t have to live in their state to impact their campaign, you can phone bank, etc. I joined my newly formed local Indivisible chapter- look them up, popping up all over this country. We have a growing great group -19 attendees first meetings December & January, Feb. 73, March 108, no room for others, and in April likely have that same good problem of outgrowing our space of 200. Look up 50501 - they have been organizing protest rallies monthly under the banner of 50 protests at 50 statehouses all on 1 day - 50501. There are rallies scheduled in cities across this country this Saturday April 5th sponsored jointly by both groups called Hands Off - indivisible has sign materials free to download and print - black circle with red slash mark and HANDS OFF whatever you want to say - Medicaid, veterans services, many others. In my local 20 mile radius there are 4 cities having them! The one I am part of is the biggest of the cities, around 500 registered attendees day before Senator Booker’s speech, today above 600! All I can say is get involved, the train is coming, get on board even if it’s just making phone calls from home.
These are all strategies and tactics to cause people to fail .. not to succeed or do better. Getting tired of the nonstop and obsessive attacks on our punk rock President is why we felt very certain by Jan 6th that even if The Establishment (as we old hippies used to call the Deep State) didn't rig the election, they most certainly would if they could.
(For the record I could not stand the man in 2016, and by 2020 and especially by 2024would have fought for him, even before the assassination attempts. And my change of heart was not inspired by Donald Trump. It was inspired by the actions and hyperbole of those who tried to destroy him. Think on this: even if consider "MAGA" Satanists, Satanists did not exist until the Holy Roman Empire began their raids into the Pagan forests to hunt them down. (No one wore crucifix inverted until they saw the reaction it garnered from the busybodies and tormenters .. or in modern terms - few if any Americans felt the slightest impulse to display the Nazi Flag war trophy brought back by our grandfather war heroes .. but if you ban such display, then many Americans besides myself will be obligated as Americans to do so .. to display a symbol of fascists for the same reason our family had fought them.
I caught a few snippets—honestly, once NFL training camps start, this stuff's getting buried faster than a preseason fumble. Ain’t nobody saving it in their Spotify “Essentials” playlist. Having said that, I certainly respect your point of view.
truth? There was much defamation and direct insults of accomplished public figures and civic spirits included. And no suggestions of his own to make DOGE work.
I listened to much of the speech and then skipped through it. Most of it was partisan, aimed at the 'resistance' Democrats, not acknowledgement of nor suggestions to assist or better achieve any of the very diverse, reform-focused, goals of the new administration (and those Americans who support them.) It seemed more aimed at continuing to dehumanize our President than to persuade Democrats to successfully work with him. In short, another fundraising speech.
You may not have noticed that as you suggest “Democrats to successfully work with him.” Is not anywhere near the agenda of this regime. Tell the folks Bob, how’s your 401K doing, or are you confident that if you receive it, your Social Security will hit your bank each month? I’m not! Or perhaps you have a business, is this tariff policy helping you? And then there is your characterization of DOGE as “very diverse, reform-focused, goals of the new administration.” Absurd.
No one dehumanizes Donald Trump better than Donald Trump!
Do you have any idea how the rest of the world sees the U.S.?
401K is actually up - slightly .. as I moved stuff to cash when Trump first announced his intentions, then moved some back (wish I had moved more) when he acted and sure enough the market panicked and I bought low .. so now slightly up overall. If I had not paid attention I would probably be ever so lightly down .. and dollar cost averaging would ensure I accumulated shares while they were on sale, to which I would likely have been oblivious.
You did well, good on you. It is extraordinary how much one reveals of themselves when given the opportunity. It is most telling more often than not. Our interaction has yielded all I need to know, thanks for the discourse.
I tend to think Sen. Booker’s speech was a great show, but that’s about all. Red meat for the faithful who really want to see some fight from the party. Will it be any sort of inflection point? Doubtful.
This is what I messaged my friends and family as we white knuckled another potential crippling blow by the mag fascists:
“Booker took a stand. That is commendable. You can’t fight these sons of bitches without money. That’s legit. Booker is a fucking hero here.”
What that didn’t express was being unsurprised by the immediate send money to Corey Booker now texts and emails. It’s like there can never be a Mr smith goes to washington now moment because everything is tied to fundraising.
The dems are in a fundraising pickle because they have missed the moment in their tepid timid capitulation to Trump. That hurts their box office.
And so I was left with a mixed feeling. He made great points and was passionate but in the 1 hour news cycle it almost felt quaint like Sesame Street; Corey there alone one democrat finally speaking up after what no one could imagine would happen so fast.
So I am grabbing for straws here like the rest of America knowing that only we can save us.
And I have say if this is the behind-the-scenes DNC effort to counter Bernie and AOC, Booker’s 25 hours was a record holder but still 2nd fiddle to the fighters I see in AOC and Sanders.
The score/outrage cycle is so fast this will only be a stat.
And when I heard anyone saying Booker for President I laughed out loud and thought it was preposterous ,and I am a true blue progressive .
Yelton didn’t stand on the truck for one day with a megaphone he stood on a truck with a megaphone, and broke the law for weeks and weeks.
I disagree with a couple of your points but 100% agree with the fundraising portion. DEMs are missing the mark with their fixation on fundraising. They need to DO things that matter without money attached. We can’t outspend EM, but clearly we don’t need to. What we need is a passionate, informed citizenry willing to do something. So Booker did the right thing to inspire people, especially (to your point) if he keeps doing those kinds of things.
Sidenote - Part of the problem with Josh Weil is he said the right kinds of things in his commercials, but I only saw one speech he gave outside of the money beg. There was no leadership to vote for.
"mag fascists"? Why would anyone trust someone who so casually dehumanizes their fellow countrymen. I have yet to meet or even hear from a "mag fascist" and I have searched for these mythical beasts. I am more likely to run across true public spirits who care enough to get off of their couch and engage in the public square, spirits similar to Air Force veteran and small business owner Ashli Babbitt.
This is what I messaged my friends and family as we white knuckled another potential crippling blow by the mag fascists:
“Booker took a stand. That is commendable. You can’t fight these sons of bitches without money. That’s legit. Booker is a fucking hero here.”
What that didn’t express was the disappointment by getting the immediate send money to Corey Booker texts and emails. And so I was left with kind of a mixed feeling about both Corey‘s need and Democrats need right now to fund raise because fundraising cratered for them because thwy missed the moment capitulating to *rump for too long.
So it almost felt to me like Sesame Street. Corey there alone, one democrat finally speaking up after what no one could imagine happening to our country so fast.
So I am grabbing for straws here like the rest of America knowing that only we can save us.
And if this is the behind-the-scenes DNC effort to counter AOC and Bernie, nah. The 1 hour news cycle is so fast this will be forgotten.
Yelton didn’t stand on the truck for one day he stood on a truck with a megaphone For weeks and weeks.
Ron, if Booker did nothing other than beat a record set by a segregationist, I’d consider it a victory. That Strom Thurmond was relegated to an asterisk by a Black senator makes the accomplishment all the more powerful. That he stole, if however briefly, the news cycle from Trump is a triumph. Does it mean more than that? Maybe, maybe not. Thurmond’s filibuster against civil rights was a failure. Ted Cruz’s 21-hour filibuster against Obamacare - a failure, too. But Booker gave full-throated voice to what has largely been a muted or targeted opposition. For that, good on him. History properly judged Thurmond wrong. We can only hope that when history records Booker’s speech, it will be remembered as having been delivered for the just cause.
I disagree with your cynical outlook, Ron . First of all Cory showed up, sacrificed his bodily comfort, and brought thought and heart to the occasion. I agree with him that we are at a moral crossroads. What’s going on is about right and wrong, not left and right. He brought real people into his speech, people many of us non-billionaires know, have been, or can identify with. I’m old now myself, but my sister and I cared for Mom until her death at 98. Dancing in the kitchen once a week with your aging parent is a gift money can’t buy. A precious, heart-felt gift for the giver and the gifted. My Mom was lucky that she had two adult daughters who shared her care and provided her with stimulation and socialization. Dad had died 27 years earlier. She was lucky to have health insurance by way of his pension rights and had her own meager social security after working for years as an RN. Nurses then didn’t make what they make now nor did they have pensions.
Ron- I agree with you. It was a publicity stunt. In my opinion, it only served to position Cory for 2028. I’m happy that the Dems are fighting the dismantling of our government and its safety net programs, especially at the VA and care for our Vets. But I’m afraid the Democratic party leaders still haven’t gotten the message on other issues that matter to millions of Americans.
I absolutely disagree with you. I think it was meaningful, particularly what he was saying was passionate and true and it got people’s attention, which is extremely important.
Ron, Any time a man (or woman) stands up and speaks the truth to power it is a significant moment. When a man speaks, passionately and honestly, for 25 hours on the travesties of the current administration, it far more than significant. It's the start of a shift in how we talk about what is happening to our country right now.
I hear you!
Elected Dems need to start live-feeding speeches and get people fired up. That is what Booker accomplished.
To what end? Is their only measurement of success is that others fail? (Elon Musk especially is open to and invites constructive feedback and criticism. That is the secret to all of his successes thus far.
What truth? Once Democrats and others try and fail to work with the President and for the American people, that will the time to resist. Until then the performances are as wearying (and predictable) as Monty Python's Argument Clinic.
I have to disagree with your original comment Ron - I obviously didn’t watch all 25 hours however the parts that I did see forms my opinion - what Cory Booker did set out to do is to “cause some good trouble” -
he didn’t get up and read the phonebook or green eggs and ham - he prepped for this he had people write thoughts that he could talk about - and I thought that his speech showed some passion and personal integrity and obviously determination to generate interest by extending his speech to the longest speech ever given in a filibuster, which was both a mental and physical challenge - I don’t share the view that what he did was a selfish act - I actually thought it was a genuine attempt at providing inspiration and leadership to get the Democrats motivation to fight Trump‘s insanity - the influence that politicians have are usually their words and when we can get Democrats to speak up and speak out against Trump‘s madness that’s one step in the right direction
Fair points, thanks
Trump's "madness"? Wow.
It was meaningful to me. It wasn’t a gabfest. Senator Booker spoke the truth. He said Republicans were bowing to Trump because they’re afraid of Musk at the polls. He provided a much needed example of standing up to Trump when almost every public figure, institution, and corporation is crumbling. He embodied American grit of doing what’s hard for the right reasons. He may have been auditioning on some level, but it was genuine. He’s always been true to who he is, and I’ve been hoping he would rise to leadership. He’s someone whose values I respect. He’s someone I’m willing to follow. America needs him and other great people of his generation. His filibuster was meaningful. Your calloused, jaded comments did nothing to help America in this crisis and left you with the stink of arrogance.
No. It didn’t convince one person who voted for Trump to change their opinion.
I am glad that Ron was able to take in different information and change some of his initial skepticism. However, it was more than just words that Senator Booker spoke. I watched as much as I could and I heard a speech that was sincere, compassionate and sometimes angry that he distilled down to the most important argument. That this is a moral crisis, not Rs versus Ds, not right versus left, but right versus wrong and who we believe ourselves to be as Americans. To those being critical here, I ask if you agree with this, what are you yourself doing to meet this moment? We can complain all we want but if we rise as Senator Booker said, we can try to make a difference, strength is in numbers, and it’s for darn sure if we do nothing we can never make a difference. I, who always voted, but nothing more, have become an activist. I don’t like fundraising emails either, but I delete and go on with my “donation.” There are resources - .gov pdf downloadable files of every Senator, every Rep, their state their 5 digit “extension. “ Some smart federal worker made fonts different so you tell if they are a D or R or I at a glance. Top of page tells you area code 202-then 22- then that 5 digit ext. is their office, leave a message or sometimes a real staff member answers. I don’t call just my Senators I call several times/wk pick my issue, pick my Senators. Today I focused on the R Senators for reelection on 2026, among other things reminding them we don’t have to live in their state to impact their campaign, you can phone bank, etc. I joined my newly formed local Indivisible chapter- look them up, popping up all over this country. We have a growing great group -19 attendees first meetings December & January, Feb. 73, March 108, no room for others, and in April likely have that same good problem of outgrowing our space of 200. Look up 50501 - they have been organizing protest rallies monthly under the banner of 50 protests at 50 statehouses all on 1 day - 50501. There are rallies scheduled in cities across this country this Saturday April 5th sponsored jointly by both groups called Hands Off - indivisible has sign materials free to download and print - black circle with red slash mark and HANDS OFF whatever you want to say - Medicaid, veterans services, many others. In my local 20 mile radius there are 4 cities having them! The one I am part of is the biggest of the cities, around 500 registered attendees day before Senator Booker’s speech, today above 600! All I can say is get involved, the train is coming, get on board even if it’s just making phone calls from home.
These are all strategies and tactics to cause people to fail .. not to succeed or do better. Getting tired of the nonstop and obsessive attacks on our punk rock President is why we felt very certain by Jan 6th that even if The Establishment (as we old hippies used to call the Deep State) didn't rig the election, they most certainly would if they could.
(For the record I could not stand the man in 2016, and by 2020 and especially by 2024would have fought for him, even before the assassination attempts. And my change of heart was not inspired by Donald Trump. It was inspired by the actions and hyperbole of those who tried to destroy him. Think on this: even if consider "MAGA" Satanists, Satanists did not exist until the Holy Roman Empire began their raids into the Pagan forests to hunt them down. (No one wore crucifix inverted until they saw the reaction it garnered from the busybodies and tormenters .. or in modern terms - few if any Americans felt the slightest impulse to display the Nazi Flag war trophy brought back by our grandfather war heroes .. but if you ban such display, then many Americans besides myself will be obligated as Americans to do so .. to display a symbol of fascists for the same reason our family had fought them.
But I digress.
I caught a few snippets—honestly, once NFL training camps start, this stuff's getting buried faster than a preseason fumble. Ain’t nobody saving it in their Spotify “Essentials” playlist. Having said that, I certainly respect your point of view.
Not true. It was riveting. I watched for as many hours as I could, and kept it on in the background at work.
He took a stand, spoke the truth, called out the bullshit and was seen by millions of people, here and abroad. It will not be forgotten.
truth? There was much defamation and direct insults of accomplished public figures and civic spirits included. And no suggestions of his own to make DOGE work.
I’m sorry, I will need you to explain your remark, can you do that?
I listened to much of the speech and then skipped through it. Most of it was partisan, aimed at the 'resistance' Democrats, not acknowledgement of nor suggestions to assist or better achieve any of the very diverse, reform-focused, goals of the new administration (and those Americans who support them.) It seemed more aimed at continuing to dehumanize our President than to persuade Democrats to successfully work with him. In short, another fundraising speech.
Or perhaps you would prefer to here it from Canada.
https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/Lg9Cc2pa
You may not have noticed that as you suggest “Democrats to successfully work with him.” Is not anywhere near the agenda of this regime. Tell the folks Bob, how’s your 401K doing, or are you confident that if you receive it, your Social Security will hit your bank each month? I’m not! Or perhaps you have a business, is this tariff policy helping you? And then there is your characterization of DOGE as “very diverse, reform-focused, goals of the new administration.” Absurd.
No one dehumanizes Donald Trump better than Donald Trump!
Do you have any idea how the rest of the world sees the U.S.?
Have yourself a look at an example:
https://youtu.be/QIK9vbQRwBQ
401K is actually up - slightly .. as I moved stuff to cash when Trump first announced his intentions, then moved some back (wish I had moved more) when he acted and sure enough the market panicked and I bought low .. so now slightly up overall. If I had not paid attention I would probably be ever so lightly down .. and dollar cost averaging would ensure I accumulated shares while they were on sale, to which I would likely have been oblivious.
You did well, good on you. It is extraordinary how much one reveals of themselves when given the opportunity. It is most telling more often than not. Our interaction has yielded all I need to know, thanks for the discourse.
I tend to think Sen. Booker’s speech was a great show, but that’s about all. Red meat for the faithful who really want to see some fight from the party. Will it be any sort of inflection point? Doubtful.
This is what I messaged my friends and family as we white knuckled another potential crippling blow by the mag fascists:
“Booker took a stand. That is commendable. You can’t fight these sons of bitches without money. That’s legit. Booker is a fucking hero here.”
What that didn’t express was being unsurprised by the immediate send money to Corey Booker now texts and emails. It’s like there can never be a Mr smith goes to washington now moment because everything is tied to fundraising.
The dems are in a fundraising pickle because they have missed the moment in their tepid timid capitulation to Trump. That hurts their box office.
And so I was left with a mixed feeling. He made great points and was passionate but in the 1 hour news cycle it almost felt quaint like Sesame Street; Corey there alone one democrat finally speaking up after what no one could imagine would happen so fast.
So I am grabbing for straws here like the rest of America knowing that only we can save us.
And I have say if this is the behind-the-scenes DNC effort to counter Bernie and AOC, Booker’s 25 hours was a record holder but still 2nd fiddle to the fighters I see in AOC and Sanders.
The score/outrage cycle is so fast this will only be a stat.
And when I heard anyone saying Booker for President I laughed out loud and thought it was preposterous ,and I am a true blue progressive .
Yelton didn’t stand on the truck for one day with a megaphone he stood on a truck with a megaphone, and broke the law for weeks and weeks.
I disagree with a couple of your points but 100% agree with the fundraising portion. DEMs are missing the mark with their fixation on fundraising. They need to DO things that matter without money attached. We can’t outspend EM, but clearly we don’t need to. What we need is a passionate, informed citizenry willing to do something. So Booker did the right thing to inspire people, especially (to your point) if he keeps doing those kinds of things.
Sidenote - Part of the problem with Josh Weil is he said the right kinds of things in his commercials, but I only saw one speech he gave outside of the money beg. There was no leadership to vote for.
"mag fascists"? Why would anyone trust someone who so casually dehumanizes their fellow countrymen. I have yet to meet or even hear from a "mag fascist" and I have searched for these mythical beasts. I am more likely to run across true public spirits who care enough to get off of their couch and engage in the public square, spirits similar to Air Force veteran and small business owner Ashli Babbitt.
Say her name.
Really? I'm on all the DNC and RNC fundraising mailing lists. I have only seen three. One asked for $3.
Messaging at scale costs money. Shall I share a Paula White fundraising email with you? Or 20? Or 30?
This is what I messaged my friends and family as we white knuckled another potential crippling blow by the mag fascists:
“Booker took a stand. That is commendable. You can’t fight these sons of bitches without money. That’s legit. Booker is a fucking hero here.”
What that didn’t express was the disappointment by getting the immediate send money to Corey Booker texts and emails. And so I was left with kind of a mixed feeling about both Corey‘s need and Democrats need right now to fund raise because fundraising cratered for them because thwy missed the moment capitulating to *rump for too long.
So it almost felt to me like Sesame Street. Corey there alone, one democrat finally speaking up after what no one could imagine happening to our country so fast.
So I am grabbing for straws here like the rest of America knowing that only we can save us.
And if this is the behind-the-scenes DNC effort to counter AOC and Bernie, nah. The 1 hour news cycle is so fast this will be forgotten.
Yelton didn’t stand on the truck for one day he stood on a truck with a megaphone For weeks and weeks.
Great comments. Thoughtful. Civil.
Can’t wait to see more
Ron, if Booker did nothing other than beat a record set by a segregationist, I’d consider it a victory. That Strom Thurmond was relegated to an asterisk by a Black senator makes the accomplishment all the more powerful. That he stole, if however briefly, the news cycle from Trump is a triumph. Does it mean more than that? Maybe, maybe not. Thurmond’s filibuster against civil rights was a failure. Ted Cruz’s 21-hour filibuster against Obamacare - a failure, too. But Booker gave full-throated voice to what has largely been a muted or targeted opposition. For that, good on him. History properly judged Thurmond wrong. We can only hope that when history records Booker’s speech, it will be remembered as having been delivered for the just cause.
All good points, my friend
"Lots and lots of words designed not to persuade voters to move from MAGA to Democrat but, literally, meant to just fill up time."
Tell me again how you didn't listen to the speech. I suppose reading children's books was better?
The fact that you don't know his intended audience shows me you did not even read excerpts of the speech.
I invite you to go back and do so. At least excerpts. That is if you are a patriotic American...
I disagree with your cynical outlook, Ron . First of all Cory showed up, sacrificed his bodily comfort, and brought thought and heart to the occasion. I agree with him that we are at a moral crossroads. What’s going on is about right and wrong, not left and right. He brought real people into his speech, people many of us non-billionaires know, have been, or can identify with. I’m old now myself, but my sister and I cared for Mom until her death at 98. Dancing in the kitchen once a week with your aging parent is a gift money can’t buy. A precious, heart-felt gift for the giver and the gifted. My Mom was lucky that she had two adult daughters who shared her care and provided her with stimulation and socialization. Dad had died 27 years earlier. She was lucky to have health insurance by way of his pension rights and had her own meager social security after working for years as an RN. Nurses then didn’t make what they make now nor did they have pensions.
Ron- I agree with you. It was a publicity stunt. In my opinion, it only served to position Cory for 2028. I’m happy that the Dems are fighting the dismantling of our government and its safety net programs, especially at the VA and care for our Vets. But I’m afraid the Democratic party leaders still haven’t gotten the message on other issues that matter to millions of Americans.