How does Bianco have the right to seize those ballots? There’s got to be some legal comeback to his actions from either the county or from the State of California! Why is it we suddenly have elections constantly being questioned, when we had 200+ years of nothing like this at all, until that lying, corrupt fraud showed up in our politics!
Christie...you’re asking exactly the right questions!
He got a warrant, which is what gave him the power to seize the ballots...but that doesn’t mean the action itself was proper. The state is already pushing back hard...so...there’s a real fight now over whether this was an ABUSE of authority.
And...yes...you also nailed it about the bigger PATTERN.
We didn’t used to live in a country where every loss turned into an election conspiracy. That changed...because doubt became politically useful...and we had/have the most corrupt president in history willing to kickstart it.
It fires up a base...keeps people pissed...and lets bad actors treat losing...as optional.
You’re seeing the real danger here, Christie. Well done.
I’m getting tired of every day being a new outrage by this malignant carbuncle and his cult! We will keep on pushing, but some days it’s harder than others! I made a play list of resistance songs and was listening to it on my way home from the market this afternoon…Neil Young’s BIG CRIME is good, but even after all these years I still love John Lennon’s POWER TO THE PEOPLE…time to revive that saying…it’s We The People, not them! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!
Jack… I saw an article the other day that I saved because I didn’t have time to read it right then. Can’t find it at the moment but I will. The headline was something like… ‘How California could end up with a Republican Governor.’ This sounds related.. is it?
I’m not going to sugarcoat my feelings about this just as you don’t sugarcoat the facts… of all the seriously frightening things you’ve written about lately.. this is right up there with the war in Iran. Different.. Yes, of course.. but this is freaking terrifying!!! I knew they’d stop at nothing but this feels different… like it could work. If not for 2026… although that’s possible… certainly by 2028. I know they’re aiming for the midterms because Trump and others are scared to death of impeachment.
Can we stop this? What do we do? I’m so damn tired of all of it.. just plain exhausted. I live in North Carolina and I can really see this happening here.
Thank you for drawing this to our attention and explaining it so thoroughly.
#Holdfast (I AM trying but it’s getting harder by the day/hour)
That article was almost certainly about California’s top-two primary problem: with a crowded Democratic field...two Republicans could theoretically finish first and second in June...and BOTH advance to November.
CalMatters has been warning about exactly that scenario...and AP noted the same fear in coverage of Bianco’s ballot seizure.
Yes...this feels different.
What makes it feel more dangerous is that this is not just rhetoric. It is a candidate for governor...using the AUTHORITY of his office to step into election machinery after his side LOST...while state officials warn it will undermine trust in elections.
That is a different level of escalation than “just” talking points on TV. Deeply concerning...without question.
Can we stop it? Yes...but...not by pretending it isn’t serious.
It gets stopped when people make these actions politically toxic...legally costly...and publicly visible.
Fortunately, state officials are already pushing back.
The other part is exactly what you’re doing now, Susan...paying attention...early... naming it clearly...and helping other people understand that this is not a normal process...it is a power move.
I want to say this part plainly: being exhausted does NOT mean you’re weak. It means you understand the stakes. The goal of this kind of escalation...is to make decent people feel overwhelmed...and a step behind. So even holding onto clarity right now matters. IT MATTERS A LOT.
You’re not overreacting. You’re seeing the direction of travel!
The appearance of criminality is pounding us hard these days with ICE, deportations, killing drug terrorists and the many lies they keep saying over and over and over again😑 Thanks for sharing your observations and insights on how these behaviors, words and actions are numbing and dulling our senses, instincts and minds. We cannot be silent and must keep resisting 💪💪💪#HoldFast
That appearance of criminality...repeated over and over...is part of how people get numbed.
It’s not always about proving the case. It’s about making the story feel true through repetition...spectacle...and fear.
You nailed it: we cannot allow that to become normal. Staying awake to it...REFUSING to just absorb the narrative...and continuing to SPEAK OUT... matters!
Escalation. Here’s a question. I live in a blue state and watch elections here carefully. What can I do about this issue in California? I will call Adam Schiff and Gavin Newsom. What else can you recommend?
That instinct of yours...to do something even when it’s not your state...is exactly how people push back on patterns like this.
There are a few ways to channel that energy that actually have impact without burning you out:
1. Support the institutions pushing back
You already named Schiff and Newsom...that’s rock solid. You can also contact the California Attorney General’s office (Bonta), since they’re directly involved here. Even out-of-state voices matter when it comes to reinforcing that this has NATIONAL implications... not just local ones.
2. Elevate the SIGNAL, not the noise
One of the most effective things you can do is share clear...factual breakdowns...of what’s happening (like this situation) in your own networks.
Most people aren’t tracking this. Sad...but true. When they see it explained simply....“a sheriff seized ballots after losing”...it cuts through.
3. Support watchdog + election integrity orgs
Groups that focus on election protection...voting rights...and legal oversight operate across states. Supporting them (even just amplifying their work) helps create pressure where it COUNTS...courts, oversight bodies, and media.
4. Stay engaged locally as well
What you said about your neighboring county is key. These PATTERNS don’t stay contained. Keeping an eye on your own local officials...sheriffs...and election processes is one of the most practical ways to prevent this from spreading.
5. Pace yourself
This one matters more than people admit: you don’t have to carry all of it at once. The exhaustion you’re feeling...is part of the environment right now. Staying steady and consistent...beats the hell out of trying to respond to everything at full intensity.
You’re already doing one of the most important things...recognizing the pattern EARLY and taking it seriously!
Thank you for your specific suggestions!! I appreciate your logical, systematic thinking very much! I’m learning to pace myself and want my energies to be directed for maximum impact.
Jack, I hope at some point you can link up with Christopher Armitage (if you haven't already). Christopher seems familiar with the intel perspective, and has a rigorous framework for action. His basic premise is that there is a lot States can do to resist the regime. https://cmarmitage.substack.com/p/quick-reintroduction?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
The state-level angle is one of the FEW places where there is still real leverage...and people need more of that framework right now...not less.
What I like about that premise...is that it pulls people OUT of paralysis. It shifts the question from “How do we stop all of this at once?” to “Where does power still exist..and how do we use it?” That’s a MUCH more serious and useful way to think.
You're right...states matter enormously here. Law, litigation...administration...oversight... enforcement priorities... public communication...election protection...there is a lot that can still be done...if...leaders are willing to do it.
Excellent point! We need more people thinking at that level.
Holy crapoley. WHO elected this person to begin with??? What were these voters thinking electing as a sheriff a member of the Oath Keepers? This is the first problem, the electorate at one point thought he was a worthy candidate. And what judge gave him a warrant to count ballots HE IS ON??? There are plenty of things to worry about in this instance. Now, how do we combat this when most people just are not even paying attention?? #HoldingFast
I like to think they will understand abuse of power, but I just don't see it among the people I know. I have to explain it to them like they never studied WWII or the Civil War or really much of anything. Thanks for all you do to keep us informed.
I love mail-in voting in CA. I receive a notice when it's been received and then another when it's been counted. I'd like it even more if we could use the coded number on our ballot to look up whether our votes were tallied as they should have been (take a pic before you send it). That could be another layer of protection, assuming it's in the same database contributing to the totals.
CHP should arrest this sheriff for illegally confiscating ballots,
DE...exactly. That tracking is a BIG part of why California's vote-by-mail feels trustworthy...people can SEE their ballot move through the system.
Your gut is right...more voter-visible transparency builds confidence...as long as ballot secrecy stays protected.
As for Bianco, your anger makes total sense. Whatever legal cover he got...through the warrant process...this still feels like an ABUSE of power to a lot of people...because it shoved FORCE into a process that’s supposed to run on trust...rules...and chain-of-custody...not political spectacle/BS.
Escalation. It’s abuse of power. It is absolutely about controlling how people think about elections. It sows enough doubt in the validity of elections in order to normalize these kinds of actions. There is nothing “normal “ about this power grab.
One county over and one county up from mine, we have a nutter as sheriff. He’s one of the ‘constitutional’ sheriffs and tried some 💩 with an ‘investigation’ in 2024. He was slapped down but then accused the AG (who is a Dem female and does NOT play) of ‘usurping’ his investigation. He’s an election denier and about as far right as you can get. The really scary part? He was re-elected in a landslide.
The fact that this CA fellow is running for governor is frightening. I don’t understand why ppl aren’t up in arms and in a righteous rage. Voting is sacrosanct. If he wants to challenge, fine. If he wants a recount, fine. But this?? He needs to be slapped down in the strongest possible way and disqualified from the race. JMO.
Thank you for keeping us informed. I had not heard about this. How much more of this is out there and we never hear about it. As the ancient Chinese curse goes…. We certainly are living in interesting times.
That’s exactly how this spreads...not all at once...but... through local officials testing how far they can push, getting checked, then coming back louder and more defiant.
The fact that voters keep rewarding some of these people is part of what makes it so dangerous.
What looks fringe one year...starts getting treated as normal...the next.
Your line “voting is sacrosanct” gets right to the heart of it. Challenge results through lawful channels if you must. Ask for a recount IF there’s a basis. But...using the power of the badge to insert law enforcement into ballot custody AFTER the fact...is something else entirely.
Your last point is one of the most important: we only hear about a fraction of these episodes. That’s part of why I keep writing about them. People can’t connect the pattern if nobody is naming it.
It is in the back and forth of discussion on his threads account - timed at 7 hours ago. It is probably here somewhere too. He said "the state is pushing back hard" and trying to decide if this action is "abuse of authority".
How does Bianco have the right to seize those ballots? There’s got to be some legal comeback to his actions from either the county or from the State of California! Why is it we suddenly have elections constantly being questioned, when we had 200+ years of nothing like this at all, until that lying, corrupt fraud showed up in our politics!
Christie...you’re asking exactly the right questions!
He got a warrant, which is what gave him the power to seize the ballots...but that doesn’t mean the action itself was proper. The state is already pushing back hard...so...there’s a real fight now over whether this was an ABUSE of authority.
And...yes...you also nailed it about the bigger PATTERN.
We didn’t used to live in a country where every loss turned into an election conspiracy. That changed...because doubt became politically useful...and we had/have the most corrupt president in history willing to kickstart it.
It fires up a base...keeps people pissed...and lets bad actors treat losing...as optional.
You’re seeing the real danger here, Christie. Well done.
-Jack
I’m getting tired of every day being a new outrage by this malignant carbuncle and his cult! We will keep on pushing, but some days it’s harder than others! I made a play list of resistance songs and was listening to it on my way home from the market this afternoon…Neil Young’s BIG CRIME is good, but even after all these years I still love John Lennon’s POWER TO THE PEOPLE…time to revive that saying…it’s We The People, not them! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!
Jack… I saw an article the other day that I saved because I didn’t have time to read it right then. Can’t find it at the moment but I will. The headline was something like… ‘How California could end up with a Republican Governor.’ This sounds related.. is it?
I’m not going to sugarcoat my feelings about this just as you don’t sugarcoat the facts… of all the seriously frightening things you’ve written about lately.. this is right up there with the war in Iran. Different.. Yes, of course.. but this is freaking terrifying!!! I knew they’d stop at nothing but this feels different… like it could work. If not for 2026… although that’s possible… certainly by 2028. I know they’re aiming for the midterms because Trump and others are scared to death of impeachment.
Can we stop this? What do we do? I’m so damn tired of all of it.. just plain exhausted. I live in North Carolina and I can really see this happening here.
Thank you for drawing this to our attention and explaining it so thoroughly.
#Holdfast (I AM trying but it’s getting harder by the day/hour)
~Susan
Susan..yes...this is related.
That article was almost certainly about California’s top-two primary problem: with a crowded Democratic field...two Republicans could theoretically finish first and second in June...and BOTH advance to November.
CalMatters has been warning about exactly that scenario...and AP noted the same fear in coverage of Bianco’s ballot seizure.
Yes...this feels different.
What makes it feel more dangerous is that this is not just rhetoric. It is a candidate for governor...using the AUTHORITY of his office to step into election machinery after his side LOST...while state officials warn it will undermine trust in elections.
That is a different level of escalation than “just” talking points on TV. Deeply concerning...without question.
Can we stop it? Yes...but...not by pretending it isn’t serious.
It gets stopped when people make these actions politically toxic...legally costly...and publicly visible.
Fortunately, state officials are already pushing back.
The other part is exactly what you’re doing now, Susan...paying attention...early... naming it clearly...and helping other people understand that this is not a normal process...it is a power move.
I want to say this part plainly: being exhausted does NOT mean you’re weak. It means you understand the stakes. The goal of this kind of escalation...is to make decent people feel overwhelmed...and a step behind. So even holding onto clarity right now matters. IT MATTERS A LOT.
You’re not overreacting. You’re seeing the direction of travel!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Thank you, Jack!
Omg, Susan! I’m with you! This is freaking exhausting, and, yet, we’re here. Please keep it up. I’m with you 💙
I’m not going anywhere but I am tired. I’ll regroup and hang in here. Thanks 💙
I forgot to say “Escalation” most assuredly.
Also, I found that article and it not related but here it is if you or anyone else is interested:
https://share.google/YmKGvt0OO6112cZyP
Okay, Jack says this is related.
That was going to be my question...who approved the warrant?????
The appearance of criminality is pounding us hard these days with ICE, deportations, killing drug terrorists and the many lies they keep saying over and over and over again😑 Thanks for sharing your observations and insights on how these behaviors, words and actions are numbing and dulling our senses, instincts and minds. We cannot be silent and must keep resisting 💪💪💪#HoldFast
Diane...BINGO.
That appearance of criminality...repeated over and over...is part of how people get numbed.
It’s not always about proving the case. It’s about making the story feel true through repetition...spectacle...and fear.
You nailed it: we cannot allow that to become normal. Staying awake to it...REFUSING to just absorb the narrative...and continuing to SPEAK OUT... matters!
#HoldFast
-Jack
Thank you Jack for keeping us informed because we cannot rely on the mainstream media at this time 😢
Escalation
Escalation. Here’s a question. I live in a blue state and watch elections here carefully. What can I do about this issue in California? I will call Adam Schiff and Gavin Newsom. What else can you recommend?
BG...okay...this one is a bit long.
That instinct of yours...to do something even when it’s not your state...is exactly how people push back on patterns like this.
There are a few ways to channel that energy that actually have impact without burning you out:
1. Support the institutions pushing back
You already named Schiff and Newsom...that’s rock solid. You can also contact the California Attorney General’s office (Bonta), since they’re directly involved here. Even out-of-state voices matter when it comes to reinforcing that this has NATIONAL implications... not just local ones.
2. Elevate the SIGNAL, not the noise
One of the most effective things you can do is share clear...factual breakdowns...of what’s happening (like this situation) in your own networks.
Most people aren’t tracking this. Sad...but true. When they see it explained simply....“a sheriff seized ballots after losing”...it cuts through.
3. Support watchdog + election integrity orgs
Groups that focus on election protection...voting rights...and legal oversight operate across states. Supporting them (even just amplifying their work) helps create pressure where it COUNTS...courts, oversight bodies, and media.
4. Stay engaged locally as well
What you said about your neighboring county is key. These PATTERNS don’t stay contained. Keeping an eye on your own local officials...sheriffs...and election processes is one of the most practical ways to prevent this from spreading.
5. Pace yourself
This one matters more than people admit: you don’t have to carry all of it at once. The exhaustion you’re feeling...is part of the environment right now. Staying steady and consistent...beats the hell out of trying to respond to everything at full intensity.
You’re already doing one of the most important things...recognizing the pattern EARLY and taking it seriously!
-Jack
Thank you for your specific suggestions!! I appreciate your logical, systematic thinking very much! I’m learning to pace myself and want my energies to be directed for maximum impact.
Staying strong!
You're most welcome!
-Jack
Jack, I hope at some point you can link up with Christopher Armitage (if you haven't already). Christopher seems familiar with the intel perspective, and has a rigorous framework for action. His basic premise is that there is a lot States can do to resist the regime. https://cmarmitage.substack.com/p/quick-reintroduction?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Andrew...that’s a smart suggestion.
The state-level angle is one of the FEW places where there is still real leverage...and people need more of that framework right now...not less.
What I like about that premise...is that it pulls people OUT of paralysis. It shifts the question from “How do we stop all of this at once?” to “Where does power still exist..and how do we use it?” That’s a MUCH more serious and useful way to think.
You're right...states matter enormously here. Law, litigation...administration...oversight... enforcement priorities... public communication...election protection...there is a lot that can still be done...if...leaders are willing to do it.
Excellent point! We need more people thinking at that level.
-Jack
Holy crapoley. WHO elected this person to begin with??? What were these voters thinking electing as a sheriff a member of the Oath Keepers? This is the first problem, the electorate at one point thought he was a worthy candidate. And what judge gave him a warrant to count ballots HE IS ON??? There are plenty of things to worry about in this instance. Now, how do we combat this when most people just are not even paying attention?? #HoldingFast
Roberta...yes!. That’s what makes this so disturbing.
At some point...enough voters saw him as acceptable...or didn’t know their ass from their elbow...or...just didn’t care enough...to put him in power.
Yes...the warrant question matters too. A judge signed off, which gives it legal cover...but... NOT moral legitimacy or democratic wisdom.
Your last point is the heart of it. Most people aren’t paying attention until the damage is already underway.
That’s why translating moments like this into plain...UNDENIABLE terms matter so much.
People may not follow EVERY detail...but...they understand abuse of power...when it’s laid out clearly.
#KeepHoldingFast
-Jack
I like to think they will understand abuse of power, but I just don't see it among the people I know. I have to explain it to them like they never studied WWII or the Civil War or really much of anything. Thanks for all you do to keep us informed.
Escalation
Escalation
I love mail-in voting in CA. I receive a notice when it's been received and then another when it's been counted. I'd like it even more if we could use the coded number on our ballot to look up whether our votes were tallied as they should have been (take a pic before you send it). That could be another layer of protection, assuming it's in the same database contributing to the totals.
CHP should arrest this sheriff for illegally confiscating ballots,
DE...exactly. That tracking is a BIG part of why California's vote-by-mail feels trustworthy...people can SEE their ballot move through the system.
Your gut is right...more voter-visible transparency builds confidence...as long as ballot secrecy stays protected.
As for Bianco, your anger makes total sense. Whatever legal cover he got...through the warrant process...this still feels like an ABUSE of power to a lot of people...because it shoved FORCE into a process that’s supposed to run on trust...rules...and chain-of-custody...not political spectacle/BS.
-Jack
Escalation. It’s abuse of power. It is absolutely about controlling how people think about elections. It sows enough doubt in the validity of elections in order to normalize these kinds of actions. There is nothing “normal “ about this power grab.
Lori R... BAM. This is exactly it.
You nailed the mechanism. It’s not about PROVING anything...it’s about shaping perception.
Create enough doubt...REPEAT IT enough times...and suddenly...extreme actions start to feel justified… or...at least “not that crazy.”
An absolute power move.
Because...once actions like this start getting normalized, the line keeps moving. What felt unthinkable yesterday...becomes PROCEDURAL... tomorrow.
There’s nothing normal about it...and the fact that you can SEE that clearly...means you’re not getting pulled into the fog.
You’re tracking it exactly right, Lori.
-Jack
Thank you Jack. That means a lot to me.
Escalation
Escalation
Escalation.
Also, fuck .....
Escalation.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 ESCALATION!
Jack, this is a damn slippery slope.
One county over and one county up from mine, we have a nutter as sheriff. He’s one of the ‘constitutional’ sheriffs and tried some 💩 with an ‘investigation’ in 2024. He was slapped down but then accused the AG (who is a Dem female and does NOT play) of ‘usurping’ his investigation. He’s an election denier and about as far right as you can get. The really scary part? He was re-elected in a landslide.
The fact that this CA fellow is running for governor is frightening. I don’t understand why ppl aren’t up in arms and in a righteous rage. Voting is sacrosanct. If he wants to challenge, fine. If he wants a recount, fine. But this?? He needs to be slapped down in the strongest possible way and disqualified from the race. JMO.
Thank you for keeping us informed. I had not heard about this. How much more of this is out there and we never hear about it. As the ancient Chinese curse goes…. We certainly are living in interesting times.
Deb...damn right it's a slippery slope.
That’s exactly how this spreads...not all at once...but... through local officials testing how far they can push, getting checked, then coming back louder and more defiant.
The fact that voters keep rewarding some of these people is part of what makes it so dangerous.
What looks fringe one year...starts getting treated as normal...the next.
Your line “voting is sacrosanct” gets right to the heart of it. Challenge results through lawful channels if you must. Ask for a recount IF there’s a basis. But...using the power of the badge to insert law enforcement into ballot custody AFTER the fact...is something else entirely.
Your last point is one of the most important: we only hear about a fraction of these episodes. That’s part of why I keep writing about them. People can’t connect the pattern if nobody is naming it.
You’re seeing this very clearly!
-Jack
Well Jack did say the state is pushing back hard.
I’m not finding where Jack talked about the State pushback?
It is in the back and forth of discussion on his threads account - timed at 7 hours ago. It is probably here somewhere too. He said "the state is pushing back hard" and trying to decide if this action is "abuse of authority".