Thank you for all of these resources. I will be supporting immigrants and my city today and will probably have to miss the subscriber Zoom.
I am letting go of the fear of stepping out of my comfort zone and standing up for the humans who are unable to stand up for themselves today. I may also be letting go of the place I have called home for the past 14 years (although I am not sure about this one).
Sending love, strength, and power out to all of you.
Thank you for this passionate essay Amber. It is powerful as it is the truth straight from your heart. We are in perilous times in our beloved country. But we are strong. We are made up of the native peoples and immigrants. Each bringing such joy and promise to the other if we will only listen to one another and bring our love to everyone, everyone. You didn’t label this essay as letting go and I think that is just right. We can hold onto our rage that we feel for the injustices being perpetrated on our beautiful neighbors and friends and let go of the hate that is so destructive to everyone. Thank you for your wisdom and your heart. ♥️
Two thoughts on these raids that I'd like to say good riddance too:
1. I have to report on ICE arrests for my job. It's soulcrushing and often leads to deep sighs. But what gets me are the photos they send- a group of ICE agents with their backs to the camera all holding one guy facing the camera.
It just reeks of cowardice and even though the press release notes all the terrible things the guy did, makes me feel sorry for the person being detained, being exploited like that.
2. And those stories like: Sara voted for Trump and wanted immigrants deported, but she didn't realize that meant Carol at the local diner would be detained. It's poor form to think people who don't vote the way you do are "stupid", but they literally held up signs at the RNC saying Mass Deportations Now. I'm sorry you had some vision of a bunch of tattooed Mexicans being chained together on a bus going back to Mexico and it's all been shattered but ughhh these people are so aggravating and we all have to pay the price.
Got my rant out of my system, looking forward to the zoom today.
Trying to let go of exhaustion and the feeling of helplessness. Sometimes it feels like he cast a spell and slowly is trying to suck the life out of all of us.
Thank you! You keep us well informed. You keep us honest. Please don’t stop. I appreciate today’s list of resources. Yes, Mr. Trump, we want to take our democracy back and make it safe again.
It’s always telling when a writer’s zeal for a cause outpaces their commitment to precision. This piece, while brimming with righteous energy, ultimately delivers more heat than light. The author’s sweeping claims about the scale of the raids and the alleged denial of due process are presented with the kind of certainty that would be impressive—if only it were matched by hard evidence or nuanced context.
For example, the article leans heavily on the emotional impact of the raids, conjuring images of a city under siege and law enforcement as oppressors. Yet, it offers little beyond anecdote and hearsay to substantiate the most serious charges. The repeated use of charged language—“cowardice,” “abuses of power,” “kidnapping”—may rally those already inclined to agree, but it does little to address the complexities of immigration enforcement or the realities faced by those tasked with upholding the law.
The author’s insistence on the economic and cultural indispensability of immigrants is, at its core, a noble sentiment. But when statistics are thrown around without citation—such as the claim that immigrants make up 35% of LA’s population—readers are left to wonder whether they’re being informed or simply persuaded. This lack of rigor undermines the credibility of the argument and invites skepticism about the author’s broader claims.
There’s also a whiff of self-congratulation in the way the piece positions itself as a voice for the marginalized, while glossing over the messy, often contradictory realities of urban governance. The author’s dismissal of “Hollywood elites” as a stereotype, even as they themselves are a well-known figure, feels less like a genuine critique and more like an attempt to inoculate against charges of privilege.
Ultimately, the article reads as though it was written for an audience already convinced of its conclusions. For those seeking a thoughtful, balanced analysis of the issues at hand, it offers little more than a well-rehearsed monologue. One is left to hope that future efforts might rise above the temptation to substitute passion for precision, and to offer readers more than just a familiar echo of their own beliefs.
What this ultimately comes from is not about a "resistance" to Trump or ICE. It is about cities that see themselves as above the "flyover states". They, the "influencers", from celebrities down to the tiktok stars, feel that should not have to abide by election results whenever politicians that they did not support are elected.
This is an expression of elitism we've always seen from cities across this nation. Especially from LA and Hollywood. LA, like NYC, believes itself to be independent from the "commoners" both within their respective states and the (again) flyover states. People that have the idea that their standing and influence automatically makes them all-knowing and perfectly informed. There isn't any statement that hides the air of elitism in the 'speaking down' pieces of these status quo figures who try to portray an image of not being a part of the corporate-entertainment-media alignment that always promotes Democrat no matter who.
Remember, every Republican president since at least Nixon has been labeled as "fascist" by mainstream media and Hollywood, and every Democrat president since Jimmy Carter has been portrayed as utter perfection and the best president since the prior Democrat. Americans see that and not fooled. We are in a new age now. One where the old media and entertainment order is being rejected. Even now, it is being actively rejected in LA as Trump is seeing a rise in support there also. Amongst what group is the higher rise in support in LA occurring? Hispanics and AAPI.
Democrats are being increasingly rejected by voters. Even in their strongholds.
Thank you for sharing your (always) compassionate and nuanced perspective so beautifully. Your words make a hard week less alienating.
Yes to good neighbors taking a stand. Yes to courage and kindness and calling out the duplicity and greed of the majority in power positions. We can and must change this.
I attended the No Kings protest in my neighboring town of Milford, where ICE unlawfully detained a high school kid just days ago.
Resist the Tangerine Tyrant.
Resist a man child who wants a big parade for his birthday.
I asked myself this morning before the event... Will a 79 year old toddler try to tweet while taking a tank ride???
Toddlers and greedy goons should not make decisions for anyone else.
I spent time in Los Angeles some years ago and enjoyed my interactions with the immigrants there. They were warm and friendly, and I was more at ease with them then I feel among my own people, mediocre white men. In fact, if we are going to get rid of people on the basis of the harm they have caused, I would get rid of white people, as they have harmed me the most.
I participate in a disability support website. Last year, I posted about my misgivings concerning Trump's reinstallation as President and was told it was "impolite" to bring politics into a forum like that. I am done being polite and have written two essays laying out the harm that Trump will do to the disabled community, whether it is characterizing us as parasites, or his cuts to the infrastructure that keeps us alive. Social niceties have no place in a time when our own government is the biggest threat to our well being.
For decades, the hardest part of my Buddhism path (I am a self-titled Grumpy Buddhist, and veer from the path regularly...) is the letting go of 'bigger' things (I'm good at letting go of other, littler issues), but letting go of my rage about and disgust with the Tramp administration's brown shirt resurrection is one of the hardest in my lifetime. Thanks for the reminder to at least keep trying. Gandhi's example of nonviolent protest is what we should aspire to, always, but the pull towards some kind of active action to protect what's happening to people is tough to temper.
Thanks for your thoughts, observations, and words on it all.
Well-written and thoughtful essay, Amber; you’re an excellent and persuasive analyst.
Thanks Ellen and thanks for being here with us today.
Thank you for all of these resources. I will be supporting immigrants and my city today and will probably have to miss the subscriber Zoom.
I am letting go of the fear of stepping out of my comfort zone and standing up for the humans who are unable to stand up for themselves today. I may also be letting go of the place I have called home for the past 14 years (although I am not sure about this one).
Sending love, strength, and power out to all of you.
We’ll miss you today Alison! Sending lots of love.
Thank you for this passionate essay Amber. It is powerful as it is the truth straight from your heart. We are in perilous times in our beloved country. But we are strong. We are made up of the native peoples and immigrants. Each bringing such joy and promise to the other if we will only listen to one another and bring our love to everyone, everyone. You didn’t label this essay as letting go and I think that is just right. We can hold onto our rage that we feel for the injustices being perpetrated on our beautiful neighbors and friends and let go of the hate that is so destructive to everyone. Thank you for your wisdom and your heart. ♥️
♥️♥️🙏🏻🙏🏻
Two thoughts on these raids that I'd like to say good riddance too:
1. I have to report on ICE arrests for my job. It's soulcrushing and often leads to deep sighs. But what gets me are the photos they send- a group of ICE agents with their backs to the camera all holding one guy facing the camera.
It just reeks of cowardice and even though the press release notes all the terrible things the guy did, makes me feel sorry for the person being detained, being exploited like that.
Example: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-ero-newark-arrests-illegally-present-venezuelan-wanted-overseas-homicide
2. And those stories like: Sara voted for Trump and wanted immigrants deported, but she didn't realize that meant Carol at the local diner would be detained. It's poor form to think people who don't vote the way you do are "stupid", but they literally held up signs at the RNC saying Mass Deportations Now. I'm sorry you had some vision of a bunch of tattooed Mexicans being chained together on a bus going back to Mexico and it's all been shattered but ughhh these people are so aggravating and we all have to pay the price.
Got my rant out of my system, looking forward to the zoom today.
!!!
Wow thanks for this Sam
That is no doubt crushing to the soul, but it’s good to have enlightened people like you on the inside of any industry. 🙏🏻
I received my postcard Thursday, thank you so much! I will carry it with me to the cematery.
Trying to let go of exhaustion and the feeling of helplessness. Sometimes it feels like he cast a spell and slowly is trying to suck the life out of all of us.
I feel this too. Thank you for sharing with us ♥️
Thank you! You keep us well informed. You keep us honest. Please don’t stop. I appreciate today’s list of resources. Yes, Mr. Trump, we want to take our democracy back and make it safe again.
" (I mean, God forbid someone speaks Spanish in Los Angeles.)"
"God has very little to do with this, Mister Scott (and Amber)."*
*One of my favorite quotes from a little show Lucille Ball produced almost 60 years ago. :P
It’s always telling when a writer’s zeal for a cause outpaces their commitment to precision. This piece, while brimming with righteous energy, ultimately delivers more heat than light. The author’s sweeping claims about the scale of the raids and the alleged denial of due process are presented with the kind of certainty that would be impressive—if only it were matched by hard evidence or nuanced context.
For example, the article leans heavily on the emotional impact of the raids, conjuring images of a city under siege and law enforcement as oppressors. Yet, it offers little beyond anecdote and hearsay to substantiate the most serious charges. The repeated use of charged language—“cowardice,” “abuses of power,” “kidnapping”—may rally those already inclined to agree, but it does little to address the complexities of immigration enforcement or the realities faced by those tasked with upholding the law.
The author’s insistence on the economic and cultural indispensability of immigrants is, at its core, a noble sentiment. But when statistics are thrown around without citation—such as the claim that immigrants make up 35% of LA’s population—readers are left to wonder whether they’re being informed or simply persuaded. This lack of rigor undermines the credibility of the argument and invites skepticism about the author’s broader claims.
There’s also a whiff of self-congratulation in the way the piece positions itself as a voice for the marginalized, while glossing over the messy, often contradictory realities of urban governance. The author’s dismissal of “Hollywood elites” as a stereotype, even as they themselves are a well-known figure, feels less like a genuine critique and more like an attempt to inoculate against charges of privilege.
Ultimately, the article reads as though it was written for an audience already convinced of its conclusions. For those seeking a thoughtful, balanced analysis of the issues at hand, it offers little more than a well-rehearsed monologue. One is left to hope that future efforts might rise above the temptation to substitute passion for precision, and to offer readers more than just a familiar echo of their own beliefs.
What this ultimately comes from is not about a "resistance" to Trump or ICE. It is about cities that see themselves as above the "flyover states". They, the "influencers", from celebrities down to the tiktok stars, feel that should not have to abide by election results whenever politicians that they did not support are elected.
This is an expression of elitism we've always seen from cities across this nation. Especially from LA and Hollywood. LA, like NYC, believes itself to be independent from the "commoners" both within their respective states and the (again) flyover states. People that have the idea that their standing and influence automatically makes them all-knowing and perfectly informed. There isn't any statement that hides the air of elitism in the 'speaking down' pieces of these status quo figures who try to portray an image of not being a part of the corporate-entertainment-media alignment that always promotes Democrat no matter who.
Remember, every Republican president since at least Nixon has been labeled as "fascist" by mainstream media and Hollywood, and every Democrat president since Jimmy Carter has been portrayed as utter perfection and the best president since the prior Democrat. Americans see that and not fooled. We are in a new age now. One where the old media and entertainment order is being rejected. Even now, it is being actively rejected in LA as Trump is seeing a rise in support there also. Amongst what group is the higher rise in support in LA occurring? Hispanics and AAPI.
Democrats are being increasingly rejected by voters. Even in their strongholds.
Thank you for sharing your (always) compassionate and nuanced perspective so beautifully. Your words make a hard week less alienating.
Yes to good neighbors taking a stand. Yes to courage and kindness and calling out the duplicity and greed of the majority in power positions. We can and must change this.
I attended the No Kings protest in my neighboring town of Milford, where ICE unlawfully detained a high school kid just days ago.
Resist the Tangerine Tyrant.
Resist a man child who wants a big parade for his birthday.
I asked myself this morning before the event... Will a 79 year old toddler try to tweet while taking a tank ride???
Toddlers and greedy goons should not make decisions for anyone else.
I spent time in Los Angeles some years ago and enjoyed my interactions with the immigrants there. They were warm and friendly, and I was more at ease with them then I feel among my own people, mediocre white men. In fact, if we are going to get rid of people on the basis of the harm they have caused, I would get rid of white people, as they have harmed me the most.
I participate in a disability support website. Last year, I posted about my misgivings concerning Trump's reinstallation as President and was told it was "impolite" to bring politics into a forum like that. I am done being polite and have written two essays laying out the harm that Trump will do to the disabled community, whether it is characterizing us as parasites, or his cuts to the infrastructure that keeps us alive. Social niceties have no place in a time when our own government is the biggest threat to our well being.
For decades, the hardest part of my Buddhism path (I am a self-titled Grumpy Buddhist, and veer from the path regularly...) is the letting go of 'bigger' things (I'm good at letting go of other, littler issues), but letting go of my rage about and disgust with the Tramp administration's brown shirt resurrection is one of the hardest in my lifetime. Thanks for the reminder to at least keep trying. Gandhi's example of nonviolent protest is what we should aspire to, always, but the pull towards some kind of active action to protect what's happening to people is tough to temper.
Thanks for your thoughts, observations, and words on it all.
Written extremely well with clarity and insight, Amber. Thank you.
Meanwhile, I early voted in the NYC Mayoral primaries.