When The Lights Go On Again
No time like the present to start planning for the Nuremberg Trials, the Sequel
with Penny Nickels
The lights will go on again; there is no doubt. They always do. For the time being, however, we are in deep — up to our eyeballs, in fact. As Trump blows up the entire world, as it is his right to do (according to Samuel Alito), we’re going to have to come up with some ways to keep sane. I’m recommending you stay closer than ever to those you love and focus on taking care of one another. And by all means, stay away from those people, and quit spending money. For god’s sake, it all goes to Jeff Bezos, and other evil sons-of-bitches, who will use it for bad things, plus you’re going to need every penny (😂 — pun intended) for groceries. The situation at the grocery store… It’s only going to get worse.
Time to get small and do what animals do when they are injured or threatened. Hide in your hovel. Stay safe.
There is no time like the present to start planning for the United States’ version of the International Military Tribunal, aka The Nuremberg Trials. My coffee klatch and I anticipate this will take place in Washington, D.C., though we had considered holding the trials at Mar-a-Lago, another fitting location. In the end, however, we all agreed that more (and better) seating was needed, as well as plenty of space for the judges, witnesses, and evidence presentation systems. Add to that the layout, lighting, and acoustic challenges at Mar-a-Lago, all of which make it a less-than-desirable venue for a trial streaming live. The 17 crystal Stras chandeliers imported from Czechoslovakia in the Grand Ballroom (each valued at around $250,000) were far too dim, and the opulent gold leaf ($17M worth) on the columns, ceiling, walls, cherubs, figurines, mirror frames, and other decorative elements in the room would have caused massive glare, in addition to being a huge distraction from the task at hand. Then there are those gawdy marble floors that would have caused a harsh acoustic environment, and huge pillars would have blocked the view for many attendees. We’ll save this venue for another event that is sure to sell out: the looting of MAGA-a-Lago. After the throngs take the place apart, we’re having the entire property razed and turned into a public park.
For a tribunal, camera and light crews want a more stolid setting — a simple backdrop where the faces of ruthless predators lined up in the dock are the primary focus. We estimate that 336 million Americans will be watching the trials, and we want them trained on every facial expression, every word spoken, every piece of evidence presented. We want them to see these people for who they really are. No distractions, no MAGA makeup, no spray tans, no hair extensions, no false eyelashes, no touching up of dark roots, and plain clothing. Imagine that, if you will, and try not to snicker.
The most obvious venue for these trials: The Trump-Kennedy Center. Of course the previous name would be restored prior to the tribunals, though perhaps in a shortened version — The Kennedy Center — this being most fitting as the venue will serve more as a hall of justice than a performing arts center, at least until the victims of the Trump regime have their day in court and the American economy can once again support the arts.
THE AMERICAN TRIBUNAL VENUES
THE GERMAN TRIBUNAL VENUE
THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THE NAZIs
The evidence against the Trump Administration, GOP, Supreme Court, Project 2025, The Heritage Foundation, assorted MAGA influencers and media, oligarchs, et al., is UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Hey! We are working hard at pulling together all the evidence, and it is vast. There will be the Epstein files, video footage and photos of conditions at the detention centers and CECOT, videos of children who were separated from their parents at the border and housed in cages, as well as stats on how many of those children were not successfully reunited with their families. There will be lists of the death tolls from COVID, USAID, Gaza (U.S. weapons and funding helping to kill 72,000 Palestinians), vaccine-related deaths, SNAP-related malnutrition stats, deaths caused by the lapse in ACA benefits, gun violence deaths and injuries, deaths and hardships caused by DOGE cuts, deaths from environmental deregulation, and much more.
Fortunately, a number of watchdog organizations and the press have been keeping track of everything, starting from Trump’s first term, when the atrocities began:
☠️ Firearm Violence in the United States / John Hopkins, Bloomberg School of Public Health
☠️ Statistics on gun violence / Brady: United Against Gun Violence
☠️ Tracking the Harm of DOGE Cuts / The Center for Law and Social Policy
☠️ President Trump’s Worst Offenses (first term) / Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
☠️ The Nine Worst Trump Scandals of 2025 / New Republic
☠️ Trump’s Bloody Hands / Choose Democracy
☠️ Trump Administration Deadlier for ICE Detainees Than Covid-19 / American Immigration Council
☠️ U.S. virus death toll tops 400,000 in Trump’s final hours / PBS
☠️ Trump Environmental Policies Killed Thousands / Bloomberg
☠️ Trump global aid cuts risk 14 million deaths in five years, report says / BBC
☠️ Death by a Thousand Federal Cuts / Milbank Quarterly
☠️ Trump’s anti-abortion policies are causing more abortions, suffering, and death / Population Connection
☠️ Trump’s anti-climate agenda could result in 1.3M more deaths globally / Guardian
☠️ Trump DOGE cuts caused 600,000 deaths this year / MS Now
☠️ Deaths, detentions, and deportations of American citizens in the second Trump administration / Wikipedia
☠️ The Deaths and Agonies of Trump’s Abortion Bans / New York Magazine
This ☝️ is just the tip of the iceberg. Donald is really giving Adolf a run for his money as far as this death toll thing is concerned. Pretty sure Adolf didn’t have this many deaths under his belt after only one year of totalitarian rule. Trump is winning yet again.
January 30, 1933: the day Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, a position from which he dismantled Germany’s democracy and established a totalitarian government. January 20, 2025: the day of Trump’s second inauguration, after which he began dismantling the United States’ democracy and establishing a totalitarian government.
Back to my coffee klatch. You’re probably wondering, who are these folks? What qualifies them to take on this monumental task? These are my good friends and a few family members, namely Tom and Mary Ellen, Ursula, Amanda, John, Armand, Rose, Bob and Becca, Joni, Cheryl, Ash, Annette, Steve, Laura, and Shawn.
These great people are all of sound mind, news junkies, well-educated, hardworking middle-class folks across a range of ages. The common thread between all of us: no one sits on the fence. That is simply not acceptable in the current political climate. No longer do we have the luxury of splitting hairs on important issues or labeling ourselves “independents.” Either you’re pro-democracy, or you’re pro-fascism. Plain and simple. So, either get down to what needs doing, or go join George and Amal in Brignoles, France, and fuck you.
It was this group that had begun meeting during the first Trump term. This time around, we decided we had to put our heads together and start organizing the logistics for what we are calling the Citizens Democracy Restoration Council and Tribunal. There are certainly flashier, more rebellious names we might have taken on, but we think it prudent to keep a low profile as we’re planning some pretty heavy stuff. Homeland Security wouldn’t round up nice Minnesota folks in zip-up cardigans and Carhartt beanies who are simply “protecting democracy,” would they? Oh, yes, they most certainly would! They might even drag your ass out into the snow in nothing but boxers when there is a wind chill of -23°F.
The problem: no one out there seems to be up to the task of planning the next steps — not our members of Congress, not our governors, not any of the top talking heads. Not even Rachel Maddow. These folks are preoccupied with midterms, approval ratings, and viewership, and rightly so. Planning for a military tribunal — well, that is a lot to coordinate — so many tedious details. All of these people, the journalists, opinion columnists, bloggers, and influencers — they have their hands full trying to stay on top of the latest developments, an overwhelming task given the pace at which the Trump administration is dismantling the world order. It’s true, we need them to keep us informed, as this information is needed for the work that lies ahead. Time read up, listen up, then dig in. Cast aside your doubts and worries. There is no room for them.
Maybe start here, a great piece by Heather Cox Richardson (from yesterday) on the “major realignment of the global order”:
And this probably goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: something desperately needed to be done about the leadership void on the left. Or should I say the leadership abyss? Scary, that. Democratic leadership is something we plan to discuss at our next get-together. It’s time to start disseminating ideas — outside-the-box ones — and putting them out there. Everywhere. People need to quit thinking things like “The country isn’t ready for a woman,” or “He’s too heavy, people will take issue with that,” or “We can’t have a Muslim running our country.” Bullshit. Here’s some proof: Mamdani, Spanberger, Sherrill, Pritzker. We, the people, can have anything and anyone, as long as they are willing to take on Trump, the Project 2025 people, the GOP, and the gun lobby. Beautiful, capable, talented people come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and genders. Some of them are even Somali.
What characteristics do we need in our next leader, the person who is going to defeat Trumpism and restore our democracy? A negotiator, a provocateur, a military strategist, a diplomat, a charismatic, a pragmatist? We need to figure this out, like yesterday. Pretty sure Kamala is out of the question, as she all but disappeared after losing the presidential election. That told me everything I needed to know. There we were flailing in the wind after Trump was sworn in. And where was she? Nowhere important, that’s for sure. And Obama has been too busy bodysurfing, working on his washboard abs, and visiting exotic locales to help his country in any meaningful way. In our time of crisis, as our democracy is nearing an end, from Obama, we get only a few sound bites. WTF.
Newsom needs to focus on California, which may end up being its own country at the rate we’re going. Californians are going to need him to be their president. He also needs to quit wasting all of his political capital trolling Trump. Time to get serious, Gavin, if, in fact, you are ready to take this on. And when I say serious, I’m talking we’re-pushing-the-baby-out-now serious.
Pritzker is fantastic. Come on, folks, he gets things done, says exactly what needs saying, and he’s afraid of no one. But for some assinine reason, people can’t seem to wrap their heads around him as our next president. The same holds true for Gretchen Whitmer and the whole cast of amazing female political leaders in Michigan. They fucking kick ass. Besides Big Gretch, there’s Dana Nessel, Jocelyn Benson, Winnie Brinks, Mary Sheffield, Elissa Slotkin, Debbie Dingell, Hillary Scholten, Bridget Mary McCormack, Rosemary Bayer, Rashida Tlaib, and Kelly Breen. If you don’t know who these women are, shame on you. Get familiar, because all of them are amazing leaders and Democrats. What is it with Michigan women anyway? Something in the water? That would make sense, as there is a helluva lot of it there.
Then there is Michelle Lujan Grisham, governor of New Mexico — she’s doing an extraordinary job and is totally dialed in to every issue that plagues our country. Check her out on Emily’s List if you’re unaware of her many accomplishments. Also at the top of my list are Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott. These astute businesswomen are generous and work hard to support great causes, and they are well acquainted with the broligarchy, an entity we are going to have to deal with head-on this next round. These are women who have successfully taken on two of the most powerful men in the world — their exes.
Then there are the numerous governors who have proven themselves in spades, and who, even more than our legislators at the federal level (who have, as of late, shown themselves to be totally ineffectual), are ready to take on the immense responsibility of repairing the damage Trump has done to our democracy. These politicians are already in charge of complex political institutions and have been handling all manner of logistical issues from roads and schools to state finances. Additionally, they have been sharpening their teeth by going toe-to-toe with the Republicans in their respective states. This would include NY Governor Kathy Hochul, AZ Governor Katie Hobbs, MN Governor Mike Walz, PA Governor Josh Shapiro, and KY Governor Andy Beshear. There are others.
And then there are the underdogs in the House and Senate. Time to focus our attention on the squeakiest wheels, and to ignore old-school Dems like Schumer and (dare I say) Hakeem Jeffries — who is a little too complacent for my taste. The pit bulls of which I speak are Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ro Khanna, Jasmine Crockett, Jamie Raskin, and Chris Murphy. There are others, but these are my personal favs. Anyone who is no longer in the fray or has been hiding in the shadows since the start of Trump’s second term can kiss my ass. We don’t need cowards. There is no room on the bus.
And we should be considering military leaders, judges, prosecutors, and people who have held important bureaucratic positions. Think Dr. Anthony Fauci, Jack Smith, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and others. 💡 Folks! Wake up! We need your ideas.
So we thought, what the hell, why shouldn’t our group take on the task of putting together the Citizens Democracy Restoration Council and Tribunal? Minnesotans are nothing if not organized and tenacious. This civil war needs fighters, and since the first major battle started right in our front yard (i.e., the murder of Renee Good), it seems we should get to throw the first punch. Renee was a kind woman, by all accounts, and a mother of three, and this unarmed woman was unceremoniously shot to death by an ICE agent for being “disrespectful.” Turned out that was the final straw for most Minnesotans, and for the rest of the country, too. No more Minnesota Nice for ICE. We are at war — Trump has made that abundantly clear. As of today, the Pentagon is readying 1500 infantry soldiers from the Army’s 11th Airborne Division in Alaska and 200 Texas National Guard troops for deployment to Minnesota. And Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a law from 1807. That means he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, to whomever he wants.
Like many of you out there, we are tired of sitting on our hands, and protests are only getting us so far. Believing we can do this thing, putting together the inevitable military tribunal, quantifying and displaying the destruction, thievery, and murder Trump and his people have committed — all of this digging up of facts, photos, and video footage, putting all things in order, then debating the logistics of the trials and potential punishments is giving us purpose and hope. We relish the idea of giving these sociopaths the due process they have so glibly denied everyone else, knowing that an avalanche of facts will bury them. They will eventually get the harsh punishments they deserve: life behind bars or perhaps death by firing squad, public hanging, or the guillotine — all the methods of capital punishment that Trump advocated for during his 2024 campaign tour.
Hope. Something none of us has felt since November 8, 2016. This project has given us wings.
And so we’ve begun the task of planning the final days for these horrible people — the Trump administration, the MAGA leaders, the Heritage Foundation, the religious right, the gun lobby, and the like. We believe that at some point, when food and healthcare become unattainable, and the basic needs of families can no longer be met, there will be a rebellion. It is inevitable. The details of that rebellion? Stay tuned.
Eventually, democracy will be restored, though some serious tweaks to the Constitution will be needed. In the meantime, the enemies of the American people will be gathered up and incarcerated in the detention centers they built, and those facilities will be run by the very people whose lives they had sought to ruin: immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community, Muslims, people of color, atheists, Democrats, medical professionals, teachers and journalists, and people whose loved ones died or were injured as a result of irresponsible public health policies, loss of food benefits or gun violence.
The worst offenders will, of course, be sent to CECOT in El Salvador.
Of course, I’m just thinking out loud. I know, this is just a fantasy, at least for now. But I thoroughly believe that people who know what they want get what they want. Let’s start by figuring out exactly what it is we want — come up with a vision for our country that goes beyond our seemingly unresolvable differences. Then, we need to quit fretting and start making things happen.
As Martin Luther King said, “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."
Let’s get down to work.
xo, Penny
Yes!
Thanks for the shout out to the badass women of MI! I don't need my emotional support honey badger with them around 😉