The idea behind Musk's attack strategy is the blunt the point of the spear. Make an example, whatever it takes, of the leadership of any opposition. Thanks to all Troublemakers, especially Valerie , who I also heard on NPR. Standing proudly forward pushes the point deeper, but more importantly, inspire others.
The idea of a decentralized movement is the most viable way forward. It leaves much room for evolving and creating new and expanding waves of action. As this administration moves ahead with ever more ruthless and indiscriminate destruction, the ranks of those who have personal grievances will grow exponentially, and they will not all be from the liberal side. As the base erodes the rest will crumble.
Of course, this is meaningful only in the conflicts among humans. The true balancing of accounts is only beginning, and no human will have a say in that.
Thank you, Patrick and Val, for putting yourselves on the line, speaking out, sharing...and having courage which we must all have at this time. The People United cannot be brought down, that is much more important than fear. You are both great role models.
Just after the inauguration when people complained about the H1B visas continuing, Felon Mush said something like,'Back way off, and f*ck your face'. We say that now to him.
Thank you for sharing this! It gave me hope today when I was feeling low. I look forward to listening to the interview on DN (which I used to produce, btw!).
Stop calling him the richest man in the world. Let’s go with “biggest welfare queen” “loudest Nazi with money” “largest nepo baby” any thing that he might find insulting or gets under his skin a lil… richest man sounds like he’s done something with his life, he hasn’t
“If we can’t show our opposition to what the government is doing, we are living in a dictatorship. If we are criminalized for calling out the rich and powerful for their illegal actions, that is a dictatorship. I don’t want to live in a dictatorship
Shared. Risking putting a target on my back by doing so, I suppose, but I don't care. As Adam Kinzinger has repeatedly and loudly said, go ahead Don, make my day and give me 50 times as much influence. Either that or SHUT UP!
THAT GOES QUADRUPLE FOR YOU, Elon! That is, if your sorry little illegal alien behind is literate enough to read this.
Give ME, and all of us 50 times as much influence.
Hey I just got off the #takedowntesla call and it was fantastic! I wanted you to know Patrick that it was your piece that got me there. Keep up the good work!
And also: choosedemocracy.org has an excellent page on what makes boycotts effective, and a key piece is having clear demands. So far I haven’t seen any clear, concrete demands in any of the messaging for this movement. And I think I’ve looked everywhere - the website, the bsky feed, the flyers they’re asking ppl to download and distribute at protests, the Guardian article and DN interview. Is it that:
1) Musk steps down from DOGE?
2) DOGE is dissolved and Musk never has a role in the administration again?
3) All federal workers illegally fired are rehired immediately?
4) USAID immediately rehabilitated?
5) all of the above?
I love that this movement is decentralized, but/and that means we need new technologies and processes for decision-making. Can organizers create a way to vote on this? Or hold an organizers-only meeting to build consensus for demands? Could the tech guy on the call build a voting platform?
Thank you, Patrick! Somehow I missed your reply but my heart is warmed to know that this idea is getting to the right place! I had another idea as we near 3/29 - what if organizers asked people at the protests for their input/votes? I think it would be a huge gift to the people to remind us all what real democracy looks like, versus the elections bought by billionaires, corporations, and skewed by Russian bots and hackers.
the most effective way to deal with Tesla is the marketplace reality: the Tesla car is far inferior to the Chinese BYD, which can now take a 300-mile charge in less than 15 minutes, which is made better than the Tesla, & which is very much cheaper.
the principle factor is quality of engineering, not labor. much of Tesla is produced in China. & most of the labor in both cars are now taken up with robotics.
Tariffs may protect Tesla in the US for a while. but worldwide, as an actual product, Tesla cannot compete. spread the word!!!
The protests definitely are having an impact on Tesla sales. And you’re right about BYD, which is also true of other companies rising in China. Musk undermined his own market, which leans progressive. I was driving behind a Model Y the other day. The owner had an “Elon sucks” bumper sticker. On a semi-related note, it seems the Trump ascendancy is a manifestation of the Calvinist side of the U.S. with a vengeance. I read your “America Born and Reborn” many years ago in which you depicted our history as a swing between Calvinist and native elements. Do you see an equivalent swing back to the native side coming soon?
Okay so I own a Tesla Model 3. It took me a lot of effort to save up the money to purchase an eco friendly vehicle that is not polluting the planet. Now I get told to sell. Okay. So who purchases the vehicle? Won't they also be getting told to sell, so there's actually no market. And the poor person who bought an EV with the best of intentions is getting penalized. It doesn't actually hurt Musk whatsoever if I do sell, just me who is losing about 60% of the value of the car.
I acknowledge this is a tough situation for many. It does affect Musk and Tesla when the market is flooded and resale value goes down. As you note, you can only recover about 40% of the value. Different people are in different economic situations and may be challenged to absorb such a loss. Best I can say is follow your own best instincts.
TE卐LA owners can trade their TE卐LA's in for another brand. More and more automakers are building decent alternatives. Let's put Skunk Musk out of business for good.
My wife really would have liked to have a Tesla, but we now consider ourselves fortunate that the felon tipped his hand before it could be done. So it was a close call.
It could have very easily happened to us, and I think the word has gotten out - No Shaming Allowed, for those who got one. You and others, whose hearts are in the right place, are in a difficult enough spot as it is. Maybe a "cut your losses" community of some kind can be grown; don't really know what to suggest, but I appreciate your being open about it.
That is genuinely bad luck, and I appreciate your intent.
We bought a second hand Nissan Leaf a couple of years ago, as we were nervous about Musk and Tesla.
I have to confess to owning a six-year-old Powerwall (it was the only decent large domestic battery available then and does now have an "I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy" sticker) - when it dies we certainly won't be replacing it with another Tesla product (if there still IS a Tesla then!).
So you have my genuine sympathy.
At minimum, I'd suggest getting a fee stickers like mine - it may just allow you to keep the car without feeling bad (it actually kind of converts your car to a rolling advertisement AGAINST Musk).
But maybe you might need to cut your losses and sell now, as it could be all but worthless in a year or two. Hard to know...
So please accept my sincere sympathy and hope that you'll be able to find a solution.
I suspect that all of us, at some point, will be forced to stand up against The Orange Dick-Tater-Tot by putting our money where our mouths are and boycotting red state or red-minded companies. We all stand up together or fully fall into authoritarianism together.
That's the vast of companies. The easiest way to go is boycott the biggest ones - TE卐LA, Ama卐on, InYourFaceBook, Google, etc., or anything involving their C-Suites.
Anything involving Theil or Andreessen. Anything involving Charles Koch or Grover Norquist or the Walton family.
The idea behind Musk's attack strategy is the blunt the point of the spear. Make an example, whatever it takes, of the leadership of any opposition. Thanks to all Troublemakers, especially Valerie , who I also heard on NPR. Standing proudly forward pushes the point deeper, but more importantly, inspire others.
The idea of a decentralized movement is the most viable way forward. It leaves much room for evolving and creating new and expanding waves of action. As this administration moves ahead with ever more ruthless and indiscriminate destruction, the ranks of those who have personal grievances will grow exponentially, and they will not all be from the liberal side. As the base erodes the rest will crumble.
Of course, this is meaningful only in the conflicts among humans. The true balancing of accounts is only beginning, and no human will have a say in that.
Apparently MuskRat doesn't realize that a blunt spear hurts even more than a sharp one does - yet.
Thank you, Patrick and Val, for putting yourselves on the line, speaking out, sharing...and having courage which we must all have at this time. The People United cannot be brought down, that is much more important than fear. You are both great role models.
Val is the one who really is in the line of fire here. I'm speaking out in my small way.
I second that.
Keep up the important work, Trouble Makers!!!
Just after the inauguration when people complained about the H1B visas continuing, Felon Mush said something like,'Back way off, and f*ck your face'. We say that now to him.
Thank you for sharing this! It gave me hope today when I was feeling low. I look forward to listening to the interview on DN (which I used to produce, btw!).
Stop calling him the richest man in the world. Let’s go with “biggest welfare queen” “loudest Nazi with money” “largest nepo baby” any thing that he might find insulting or gets under his skin a lil… richest man sounds like he’s done something with his life, he hasn’t
Though I think the term “welfare queen” plays into rightist memes.
How about "Most Obscene Robber Barron of all time"?
At least he probably won’t be richest for long.
I think he already isn't, the poor baby.
Rachel Maddow calls him trump’s “biggest campaign donor.”
Thank you for ALL you do! Your Countrymen appreciate and Love you!
Val then hit the crux of the issue.
“If we can’t show our opposition to what the government is doing, we are living in a dictatorship. If we are criminalized for calling out the rich and powerful for their illegal actions, that is a dictatorship. I don’t want to live in a dictatorship
You hit it right here Val.
Shared. Risking putting a target on my back by doing so, I suppose, but I don't care. As Adam Kinzinger has repeatedly and loudly said, go ahead Don, make my day and give me 50 times as much influence. Either that or SHUT UP!
THAT GOES QUADRUPLE FOR YOU, Elon! That is, if your sorry little illegal alien behind is literate enough to read this.
Give ME, and all of us 50 times as much influence.
thank you for everything you do.
Thank for your courage, passion and commitment. I am very grateful❤️
Hey I just got off the #takedowntesla call and it was fantastic! I wanted you to know Patrick that it was your piece that got me there. Keep up the good work!
And also: choosedemocracy.org has an excellent page on what makes boycotts effective, and a key piece is having clear demands. So far I haven’t seen any clear, concrete demands in any of the messaging for this movement. And I think I’ve looked everywhere - the website, the bsky feed, the flyers they’re asking ppl to download and distribute at protests, the Guardian article and DN interview. Is it that:
1) Musk steps down from DOGE?
2) DOGE is dissolved and Musk never has a role in the administration again?
3) All federal workers illegally fired are rehired immediately?
4) USAID immediately rehabilitated?
5) all of the above?
I love that this movement is decentralized, but/and that means we need new technologies and processes for decision-making. Can organizers create a way to vote on this? Or hold an organizers-only meeting to build consensus for demands? Could the tech guy on the call build a voting platform?
I’d say all of the above. Forwarded your suggestion.
Thank you, Patrick! Somehow I missed your reply but my heart is warmed to know that this idea is getting to the right place! I had another idea as we near 3/29 - what if organizers asked people at the protests for their input/votes? I think it would be a huge gift to the people to remind us all what real democracy looks like, versus the elections bought by billionaires, corporations, and skewed by Russian bots and hackers.
I would say 2 - 5.
Item 1 is made superfluous by item 2.
the most effective way to deal with Tesla is the marketplace reality: the Tesla car is far inferior to the Chinese BYD, which can now take a 300-mile charge in less than 15 minutes, which is made better than the Tesla, & which is very much cheaper.
the principle factor is quality of engineering, not labor. much of Tesla is produced in China. & most of the labor in both cars are now taken up with robotics.
Tariffs may protect Tesla in the US for a while. but worldwide, as an actual product, Tesla cannot compete. spread the word!!!
The protests definitely are having an impact on Tesla sales. And you’re right about BYD, which is also true of other companies rising in China. Musk undermined his own market, which leans progressive. I was driving behind a Model Y the other day. The owner had an “Elon sucks” bumper sticker. On a semi-related note, it seems the Trump ascendancy is a manifestation of the Calvinist side of the U.S. with a vengeance. I read your “America Born and Reborn” many years ago in which you depicted our history as a swing between Calvinist and native elements. Do you see an equivalent swing back to the native side coming soon?
Many thanks, brave people!
Anyone notice the frequency women are targeted for firings, defamation and blame gaming? And yet we rise! Kudos to Val 🙏
Stay strong!👍🙏
Okay so I own a Tesla Model 3. It took me a lot of effort to save up the money to purchase an eco friendly vehicle that is not polluting the planet. Now I get told to sell. Okay. So who purchases the vehicle? Won't they also be getting told to sell, so there's actually no market. And the poor person who bought an EV with the best of intentions is getting penalized. It doesn't actually hurt Musk whatsoever if I do sell, just me who is losing about 60% of the value of the car.
I acknowledge this is a tough situation for many. It does affect Musk and Tesla when the market is flooded and resale value goes down. As you note, you can only recover about 40% of the value. Different people are in different economic situations and may be challenged to absorb such a loss. Best I can say is follow your own best instincts.
TE卐LA owners can trade their TE卐LA's in for another brand. More and more automakers are building decent alternatives. Let's put Skunk Musk out of business for good.
My wife really would have liked to have a Tesla, but we now consider ourselves fortunate that the felon tipped his hand before it could be done. So it was a close call.
It could have very easily happened to us, and I think the word has gotten out - No Shaming Allowed, for those who got one. You and others, whose hearts are in the right place, are in a difficult enough spot as it is. Maybe a "cut your losses" community of some kind can be grown; don't really know what to suggest, but I appreciate your being open about it.
That is genuinely bad luck, and I appreciate your intent.
We bought a second hand Nissan Leaf a couple of years ago, as we were nervous about Musk and Tesla.
I have to confess to owning a six-year-old Powerwall (it was the only decent large domestic battery available then and does now have an "I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy" sticker) - when it dies we certainly won't be replacing it with another Tesla product (if there still IS a Tesla then!).
So you have my genuine sympathy.
At minimum, I'd suggest getting a fee stickers like mine - it may just allow you to keep the car without feeling bad (it actually kind of converts your car to a rolling advertisement AGAINST Musk).
But maybe you might need to cut your losses and sell now, as it could be all but worthless in a year or two. Hard to know...
So please accept my sincere sympathy and hope that you'll be able to find a solution.
I suspect that all of us, at some point, will be forced to stand up against The Orange Dick-Tater-Tot by putting our money where our mouths are and boycotting red state or red-minded companies. We all stand up together or fully fall into authoritarianism together.
That's the vast of companies. The easiest way to go is boycott the biggest ones - TE卐LA, Ama卐on, InYourFaceBook, Google, etc., or anything involving their C-Suites.
Anything involving Theil or Andreessen. Anything involving Charles Koch or Grover Norquist or the Walton family.
Trade it in for another brand. A lot of automakers are building decent electrics these days, from Ford to Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, etc.
Or, you could do what some other TE卐LA owners are doing and put a bumper sticker like "I bought this before Elon went nuts".
In fact, there's a whole new website dedicated to such bumper stickers: https://teslastickers.com
Disclosure:
I have absolutely no connection with this website whatsoever. I found it with a simple duckduckgo search (I don't use Google). Boycott Amazon too.