An end-of-year note from Third Age

With cat pictures.

It’s not the holiday we hoped for. Trump’s already president for all intents and purposes. Or maybe Musk is. Their cabinet picks are set to burn down the government, and the revenge tour has begun. From the Senate to the FBI to giant corporations like Disney, those on the receiving end of Trump’s threats are already bending the knee. Have they not read Timothy Snyder’s 20 lessons for resisting autocrats? Lesson 1 is: Do not obey in advance.

As for those of us who worked to defeat Trump last fall, we’re pausing to rest and regroup. Walking in the woods, writing this blog, and spending time with family and friends are all restorative for me.

We’re also starting to talk about where we go from here: that is, how grassroots activists can make the most of the next two years, before the 2026 midterms provide the first real chance to swing the balance of power away from MAGA. I have some thoughts about this, and I’m working on a longer reflection that I’ll post early in the new year.

Meanwhile, I’m getting on a plane for Toronto tomorrow morning to spend Christmas week with my daughter and her husband – and their three cats. Those pampered creatures are enjoying the newly purchased nursery furniture, which they seem to think was acquired for their benefit. Along about March, they’ll be in for a rude surprise.

I wish you all a peaceful and relaxing holiday and look forward to continuing this conversation in the year ahead.