No Kings weekend! I was a little concerned when I saw the date. Marcy 28 is early to plan an outdoor demonstration at this latitude, as years of frozen Opening Day Tigers fans can tell you. And to be sure, it was chilly. But the sun was out and the sky blue and I put my T-shirt over my longjanes and sweater, and was fine:
No sign this time; the shirt would have to do. The Grosse Pointe crowd was hundreds strong, on both sides of Mack Avenue, and pretty much a reflection of the area — older, white, pushing strollers and walking dogs. After I got my steps in walking both sides of the street, look who I ran into:
Kate, collecting signatures for Abdul el-Sayed, the most progressive Democratic gubernatorial candidate.
From there, I headed to Clark Park in Detroit for one of that city’s demonstrations. Very different vibe there. Younger, leftier, more interested in, what’s the word? Intersectionality. There were lots of tables for Palestinian rights, labor rights, etc. Buy a keffiya and support the cause, etc. The main reason I went to this one was to meet a friend, contribute to the headcount and then repair to one of the dozens of great Mexican restaurants in the neighborhood. It’s important to stand up to injustice, but you gotta leave time for lunch.
As always, the signs were great. Here’s one man’s opinion of the top 10 nationwide, and I agree. Especially the one about Tiger Woods. Timely!
Speaking of which, I’m torn between human empathy for an obviously troubled and drug-addicted mess of a human, and the guy who is dating Don Jr.’s ex, accepted the Medal of Freedom from Trump and seems to be on Team MAGA. You know what I mean? On the one hand, get him some help (again) and on the other? Fuck that guy.
Funny, the things you learn when you look up a Trump, in this case Don Jr.’s ex, Vanessa:
Trump Jr. had proposed to her with a US$100,000 ring (equivalent to $165,000 in 2025) that he had received as a gift from a jeweler in exchange for proposing to her in front of paparazzi outside of the jeweler’s store at the Short Hills mall in New Jersey.
And still she said yes. The whole family, pieces of shit to the last one.
While we’re on trivial subjects like this, check out what our tax dollars are buying (and don’t give me any crap about how it’s “privately funded.” That’s only how much the president will stuff in his pockets) on the White House grounds. The specs on this new “ballroom” are insane. There are steps that lead nowhere, sightlines disrupted, etc. And what’s more:
As recently as October, the president was still increasing the ballroom’s capacity, the kind of decision needed at the concept stage. And the White House has said it plans to begin building in the spring, a timeline that would mean construction documents would have to be prepared even as the design was still under review. (Before a judge demanded in December that the project seek review by these two commissions, the administration appeared poised to skip them entirely.)
He ruined the Rose Garden, is in the process of turning the Treaty Room into another guest bedroom (for who?!) and now has dug up the walkway on the Colonnade between the executive offices and the residence. He’s putting down black granite, having already fucked it up with that stupid “presidential hall of fame.” I hope he slips and falls and smashes his skull on it. Maggots will likely pour out.
OK, then. I seem to be losing my cheerful mood, post-protest. Gotta finish the taxes and do a few other chores. Later, all.
Deborah said on March 29, 2026 at 2:57 pm
The stairway to nowhere is odd and the double set of light and view blocking columns are even weirder. My husband says a room as big as the ballroom can easily have a 40 ft tall ceiling and not seem off, but the fact that the room is that large is off. Why is it that large? What is its function besides ordinary ballroom stuff? When they put up tents for events previously were they that large that a ballroom of that size is warranted? The aggrandizement of the place is so wrong for the American idea of democracy.
Are they going to hold wrestling matches in there?
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nancy said on March 29, 2026 at 3:32 pm
There’s a long string of Twitter or some other platform posts by a woman who looked up a bunch of publicly available data and believes the real reason for the ballroom is the installation of an underground data center that can survive anything. FWIW.
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john (not mccain) said on March 29, 2026 at 4:21 pm
My pipedream is, if we ever have a real president again, that the ballroom becomes the gold (heh) standard for homeless shelters in the US.
Or just tear down the whole White House and start anew. You can’t get trumpstench out.
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Mark P said on March 29, 2026 at 4:40 pm
I think tearing the whole thing down, or at least the interior, is a good idea. The demolition foreman can talk about the orange stains on the toilet seats.
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DavidC said on March 29, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Right now, I’m leaning toward Mallory McMorrow for Senate. Haley Stevens seems like Elisa Slotkin. We already have one of those. Abdul el-Sayed seems like Jill Stein in that he’s only run for Governor or the Senate. He could have influence right now by running for State House or Senate but he doesn’t. I admit, it isn’t a perfect comparison. He’s never tried to play the spoiler, like Stein. But, build a track record. I’m sure he could win a State race. Do your time in the minors, then go to the show.
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Deborah said on March 29, 2026 at 5:47 pm
I don’t live in Michigan, but I think highly of McMorrow, she’s good in all I’ve seen of her.
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Peter said on March 29, 2026 at 9:29 pm
I was at the Chicago protest yesterday, and I was….a little disappointed. The turnout was definitely lower than October, and the enthusiasm of the earlier protests was a bit deflated. I did see one excellent sign: a Dora the Explorer saying: “I’m no cacti expert, but I know a prick when I see one…”
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Gretchen said on March 30, 2026 at 1:12 am
Who is the guy dating Don Jr.‘s ex?
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nancy said on March 30, 2026 at 7:58 am
Tiger Woods.
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Jeff Gill said on March 30, 2026 at 7:52 am
Licking County, Ohio just east of Columbus has seen a slow steady increase at our “No Kings” rallies, this one around 1,500. That in a county of just under 180,000 which was 73% Trump in 2024.
Oh, and no checks for anyone. But an elderly community leader I used to have immense respect for said on his page: “It seems that we are about to embark on the silly season again –“no kings” demonstrations again this weekend. I’ve noticed that these events seem to be scheduled during the warmer months — such a frivolous activity would probably not draw much support in the cold winter months. It also seems to be sad that they would protest Elvis, given that he is dead and has a lot of fans. Also seems rather sexist — what about queens; then you probably should consider jacks, aces, etc. But kids will be kids, I guess.”
One of his friends replied: “It’s also tax return season, so they have another reason to leave their parents basement to cash the check.” They can’t seem to agree on whether these are all foolish youth, aging boomers, paid demonstrators, or committed commies. Meanwhile, my wife who’d never attended a demonstration in her life has marched in all three so far here.
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nancy said on March 30, 2026 at 7:59 am
Jeff, that’s all they have. The signs get more clever each time, and all they can reply with is either “TDS,” “We still have no kings, so mission accomplished!” or “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
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alex said on March 30, 2026 at 11:57 am
Local media were previously underreporting turnout at our No Kings rallies, claiming around a thousand people or so, but this time they’re reporting turnout of 9,500. They also previously gave the local GOP chair a platform from which to take cheap shots at the demonstrators as paid hacks and crazies, but I didn’t see him getting any air time this time.
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Julie Robinson said on March 30, 2026 at 1:39 pm
Crowd numbers are notoriously difficult to estimate, but Orlando’s turnout was huge again, and Sarah led a big group singing resistance songs and marching. The permit didn’t have marching permission, but you’re allowed to march as long as it’s spontaneous–not planned ahead and not announced. You just start marching and others march along. Wink, wink.
Flipping the switch for the garbage disposal did nothing and it wasn’t electrical. Investigation showed it had rusted out and rotted the cabinet floor under it. Oh boy. We want to redo the whole kitchen but aren’t quite there yet. Our wonderful handyman* replaced it that same day.
*He’s so much more than a handyman and I need a better word. He was an architect in Colombia but has been unable to get licensing here. He can fix or build almost anything and is indispensable as we age.
Did anyone else see pictures of Paul McCartney performing this weekend? He’s 83 and allowed to age, but WTH has he done to his face? https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/29/entertainment/paul-mccartney-beatles-los-angeles-fonda
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susan said on March 30, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Julie @12 – looks like McCartney is growing an old man’s beard.
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Julie Robinson said on March 30, 2026 at 2:41 pm
Susan, lol. I was thinking fillers and plumpers.
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Dexter Friend said on March 30, 2026 at 2:54 pm
There were 200 souls on the Williams County courthouse lawn but I had a birthday party at a Mexican restaurant in Sylvania for my Florida based daughter who with her husband flew up to see old friends and help their widow friend sell assets, an airplane, an old WWII era Jeep, and a massive weapons collection.
I have been calling insurance companies and “my” roofing company boss just inspected my house roof for hail damage…roof is OK, vinyl siding is shredded , total replacement needed.
Contractor coming in 30 minutes to measure it up. Company adjustor coming Thursday to write up his estimate of the damage. The hailstones from Thursday were still piled around my house until last evening. Big damned hailstones, egg-sized. My front yard looks like it is covered in potato chips…it’s the shredded siding from hail damage. I was in a Florida hailstorm 30 years ago in Kissimmee…our motel was adjacent to a Buick dealership…every car had the windows knocked out and had total roof and hood and trunk lid damage. This time, here, I only got shallow dents in the hood of the old F150 and the Honda was somewhat shielded and had no damage.
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Jakash said on March 30, 2026 at 6:42 pm
Peter @ 7 says that he was disappointed by the lower turnout in Chicago.
I’ll sheepishly note that my wife and I were among however many folks who went to the first 2, but didn’t manage to schlep downtown on Saturday, for several reasons. We did substitute attending a smaller gathering on a street corner in our neighborhood. I think there were more than a few who did the same, as there were numerous other smaller protests, which probably affected the turnout in Grant Park.
Wow, that sounds pretty bad, Dexter. I guess I’ve not paid much attention, but I’ve never heard about hail sticking around on the ground for 3 days. Sorry to hear that, but I’m glad the vehicles were okay, at least.
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Deborah said on March 30, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Oh come on, there’s a video rendering out showing the proposed Trump Presidential Library. Sorry but that’s a building that will never be built not in this country anyway. I don’t have a link.
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Jeff Gill said on March 31, 2026 at 7:42 am
But Eric said it was a “go”?
https://x.com/EricTrump/status/2038773279788331022
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Mark P said on March 31, 2026 at 11:01 am
AP tells us this morning that US “allies” in the Middle East are privately urging Trump to keep up the war with Iran until they are decisively defeated.
I’m sure they are going to volunteer to help.
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basset said on March 31, 2026 at 11:01 am
Nashville’s gathering overflowed a city park amphitheater that the parks website says will hold about 1200… overflowed it by a lot, probably close to double capacity.
We didn’t have a clever sign or anything, just milled around for awhile, but it did feel strange because I’d never participated in a rally like that, working in media and government for so many years I had to keep quiet about political issues.
Just missed the Kid Rock helicopter flyby, they were on their way to his house outside town for a friendly wave… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXtTJsnUpSY
Best sign we saw was Revelation 13:16, the verse about wearing the mark of the beast on their foreheads, printed over a pic of a MAGA cap.
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Little Bird said on March 31, 2026 at 11:35 am
THAT’S supposed to be a library? What, one kiosk sized space in the lobby while the rest is commercial space? The only books in it will those that praise him so a kiosk might be too big anyway.
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alex said on March 31, 2026 at 11:53 am
I sure miss living in Chicago. Way better political ads than anything we see here…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svuh7mIxukk
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Peter said on March 31, 2026 at 11:54 am
Deborah, you’re looking at the wrong website. Try http://www.djtrumplibrary.com – that site has a better handle on the situation.
Of course, I might be biased, because the site is administered by what I think is one of the best names for a design firm: bitterdrunkenarchitects.com
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Mark P said on March 31, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Peter, I see the confederate flags in the hall of the alt-right, but where are the swastikas?
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Dexter Friend said on March 31, 2026 at 1:52 pm
After years of missing bad weather, we are now having screaming warnings in red letter caps telling us to prepare a safe place because if we thought Thursday’s was bad, wait until 3:00 pm to 2:00 AM , sure to cause trees to topple, siding to be damaged, vehicles to be damaged by what? Oh yeah, more hail. I must have pissed off one Jesus.
It’s coming early…the wind is howling.
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Deborah said on March 31, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Yow, Dexter stay safe.
It hails a lot more often in Northern NM than anyplace else I’ve lived. It gets like snow covering the ground. So far I haven’t seen the pieces bigger than a quarter in diameter, but that’s pretty big. It’s usually in the late spring after our plants have all been planted and then things get shredded. We have a garage there so the car hasn’t been damaged, yet.
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Deborah said on March 31, 2026 at 4:07 pm
This is the architecture firm that designed the Trump Library building for that video https://bermelloajamil.com/ It probably hasn’t really been designed it’s just renderings of a building for the video. And that firm probably won’t really have the job of designing the actual building if there actually is one. They look like a shlocky company that doesn’t have that much built work to show and the stuff they have built looks pretty tacky. I certainly never heard of them before.
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Julie Robinson said on March 31, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Trump got a slap down from a federal judge, who ruled he has to get the blessing of Congress before construction on the new ballroom can be continued. Not that I think it will stop him, but I like it.
And apparently the US flag on the library video has 56 stars.
Now, in the miracles still happen category: five days after the hearing aid was lost we got a call from the medical facility that someone turned one in. It was his! And it still works! Costco did their cleaning thing and it seems to be okay. It’s the one good thing that’s happened here in the last 10 days, so I will rejoice.
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Bob (not Greene) said on March 31, 2026 at 5:07 pm
Not sure about the quality of Bermello Ajamil architecture, but one of its principals is a big Trump fan, as evidenced by this letter to the editor recently published in the Miami Herald:
“Freedom-loving Venezuelans worldwide received a New Year’s gift, courtesy of President Trump and the U.S. Army’s Delta Force, with the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. To do this without the loss of one American life is nothing short of spectacular.
The Trump Doctrine is sending a strong message to narco states, illegitimate governments and socialism wherever they exist. Satellite countries dependent on Venezuela’s crude oil, like Cuba and Nicaragua, are now on notice and next in line.
Notwithstanding this successful operation — transformational for the region — Democrats, progressives, left wing members of Congress and the mainstream media will likely fabricate narratives and find fault with anything Trump does. Defending Maduro will be a mistake. Trump deserves our kudos.
Willy A. Bermello, Coral Gables”
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Icarus said on March 31, 2026 at 5:20 pm
We were in Huntsville for a school field trip to the Space and Rocket Center on Friday and made a weekend of it. We thought about going to their No Kings Rally but it was late afternoon and our kids were already checkout out.
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Carter Cleland said on March 31, 2026 at 8:38 pm
DumbSHITLER.
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Carter Cleland said on March 31, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Waco Brother Dean Schlabowske singing Phil Ochs at the No Kings rally I co-hosted in Wilmette, IL. We collaborated on the added 3 verses.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QkVwrP1XuIxMV9tJVoAsGXf-CWyJBus2/view?usp=sharing
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Deborah said on March 31, 2026 at 10:26 pm
Now Trump says his presidential library is going to be a hotel.
And Kristi Noem’s husband is a crossdresser? Such hypocrites.
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Sherri said on March 31, 2026 at 10:39 pm
Tomorrow, Cecilia Wang of the ACLU will argue the birthright citizenship case before the Supreme Court. To me, it’s offensive that there’s even a case; birthright citizenship is clearly guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, any question about that was settled by the Court back in 1898 in US v Wong Kim Ark, and there’s nothing to argue about.
But the racist GOP hates immigrants, so here we are. Cecilia Wang knows whereof she speaks: she was born in the US to Taiwanese parents here on student visas. She’s a US citizen because of birthright citizenship. Obviously, I’d rather live in a country full of Cecilia Wangs than in a country full of Stephen Millers and Donald Trumps.
In any sane world, this would be a slam dunk 8-0 decision, but Alito, Thomas, and the MAGA justices don’t live in a sane world. Overturning birthright citizenship would be the end of what little legitimacy the court has remaining.
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