Steve Stranov
LightNews LightNews
banner
sstranov.bsky.social
Steve Stranov
@sstranov.bsky.social
130 followers 73 following 460 posts
Creator of the Article Five audio drama. Retired engineer. Now it's old Jeeps, outdoors, Tai Chi & martial arts, campfire musician, family man. And, oh yeah, writing.
Posts Replies Media Videos
sstranov.bsky.social
The photo is tiny and tells the story by itself, so here's a clearer picture.

"Reagan seated at left; presumably back of Bolan's head seen center left; Rupert Murdoch seated center right; Roy Cohn standing at right." 01/18/1983 (Wiki Commons)

Roy Cohn trained young Trump in the Dark Arts.
November 6, 2025 at 4:05 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
I looked around for a calendar that showed days worked in the House. The official ones look like there's business every day, and we all know that isn't true. So I constructed my own, using an icon for all those extra recess days.
Calendars for Sept Oct Nov with an icon of Trump and Epstein holding hands on the non-working days. Brought to you by Congressional Republicans.
November 4, 2025 at 4:12 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
For 7 months I’ve been posting my support for impeachment.

I tell stories, so I’ll tell you one about our current situation and the likely near future. This is to set the scene for re-introducing the impeachment subject.

In our story . . .
The time for effective use of impeachment has almost passed. Although Drump is still weak, his secret police grows stronger by the day. It’s only the regime’s incompetence that delays their firm entrenchment into the states. Once that happens (or SCOTUS allows deployment of the military), it’s game over. Write your own story of an election under martial law with a demented dictator. It’s not hard to picture ICE rolling up on black and brown people lined up to vote, or invading state offices to arrest “dissident” officials, or terrorizing election volunteers. Picture the FBI knocking at my door because I wrote this post or your door because you liked it. Some succumb to the “Wait for the midterms” delusion. In the 9 months since Drump became Pres, he nearly destroyed the rule of law, neutered the legislative branch, promoted terror in the cities, formed and uncaged a secret police, and gleefully looted the US Treasury. It’s 12 more months until the midterms. SCOTUS won’t stop him, except in narrow economic ways if he runs up against the oligarchy. Lower court rulings won’t stop him. At some point he’ll decide that they are too much of a nuisance and will start ignoring them completely. All of the people with guns work for him. Why should he listen to a bunch of lawyers? There are only three forks for Dem peaceful power. 1) The shutdown, which has power while the Rs think that someday they will be the minority (will need the filibuster). With rigged elections, they won’t be in the minority. Dems demand only healthcare with this power, so other Drump plans can continue. 2) The Epstein files must contain political kryptonite, given how far they’ve gone to cover them up (e.g. shutting down the House). Undoubtedly, there’s an army working to scrub Drump from these files. 3) Impeachment . . . Wait, you ask, what about mass demonstrations? What if we hit the magic 3.5%? - That won’t result in a Tooth Fairy rescue in this story. Drump is itching to unleash his dog…
October 29, 2025 at 12:46 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
Everyone who protested yesterday should write or call their Rep and urge them to support impeachment. I sent an email to my Rep today that takes a different tack. See what you think.

What will it take?

@citizensimpeachment.com
@fsfp.bsky.social
@georgewhitesides.bsky.social
Dear Congressman Whitesides: I have written several times soliciting your support for a resolution to impeach President Trump. I have also tagged you with discussion on this subject on social media. I have never received a reply from you or your office. I ask that you please consider one more question and provide an answer, even if it is "I don't know." The Constitution specifies 3 grounds for impeachment of a president: treason, bribery, and High crimes and misdemeanors. Treason is defined as levying war against the United States. The public statements and actions of the president and his "Secretary of War" and his use of US troops against American cities under pretext meet this definition. Bribery is defined as the offer or acceptance of something of value in exchange for an official action. The president's acceptance of an airplane and subsequent grant of extraordinary favors to a foreign country meet that definition, along with numerous other public transactions. High crimes and misdemeanors occur every day in full view of the public, but the most straightforward is his refusal to "take care that the laws are faithfully executed" as is his Constitutional duty. My question is this: What will it take? What will it take for you, personally, to introduce or support articles in the House? What does the president (or his administration) have to do that would be sufficiently horrible to overcome your reluctance? Are you waiting on Democratic leadership to say that it is OK? Is there some political threshold that has to be met for you to act? What can your constituents do to urge you across that threshold? Please answer, "What would it take?" either to me or with a public announcement. Then we will understand. Your Constituent,
October 19, 2025 at 8:34 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
Me too.
Button labeled "impeach" Text: In case of emergency impeach early and often.
October 15, 2025 at 10:44 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
Gotta admit, I had to do a double take to figure out what this was.
October 4, 2025 at 4:53 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
Terrorism has 1000 definitions. Compile them into a single sentence.

Google's AI: Terrorism is the use or threat of violence against civilians, intended to instill fear and coerce a government or population, often to achieve political or ideological goals.

Also, it's been done before . . .
October 2, 2025 at 6:51 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
A simple reply you can make.
September 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
What to say to those who doubt . . .
September 30, 2025 at 5:11 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
The Article of Impeachment writes itself. No effort required. It's a great one for the long overdue first impeachment vote of Trump 2.0. I bet it would get a surprising amount of public support. NOW would be a good time to introduce it, @georgewhitesides.bsky.social

@citizensimpeachment.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
Challenge: Make a script to repeat to everybody you see that explains why the Rs own the shutdown. It has to be so simple that anybody can understand it. Here's my version:
WHY REPUBLICANS OWN THIS SHUTDOWN Branch of Government Party In Control President Republican Supreme Court Republican House of Representatives Republican Senate Republican Democrats do not control any branch of government. The Senate’s rules say 60 votes are required to stop a filibuster (allow a vote when the other side doesn’t want it), so Republicans can’t pass a bill alone. However, they can set aside this rule with a simple majority vote. They are doing that right now to approve Trump’s nominees. They want to avoid this because the death of the filibuster would curb their future power when they are the minority. You shouldn’t expect Democrats to make it easy for Republicans to establish a police state, wreck the economy, stomp on your rights and the rights of others, and defund your health care and the safety net in service of their billionaire donors.
September 30, 2025 at 6:06 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
45 year old Libertarian Party Party platform. VP candidate David Koch. Got 1% of votes. The Koch brothers went on to fund a spiderweb of dark money focused on control of the judiciary, especially SCOTUS. Primary tool: Federalist Society. Goal: Destroy govt agencies that regulate their companies.
September 23, 2025 at 5:08 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
This plus what's up with Epstein these days?
some dirty, some cute, some mean, some gentle, some mocking, some ironic, some dad, some stupid, some tasteless, some silly, some ethnic, some childish, some terrible, some stale, some one-line, some story, some memes . . . SINCE WHEN IN AMERICA YOU CAN’T TELL A PHUCKIN JOKE?
September 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
Welcome to Florida . . . and LA, and DC, and Chicago, and eventually, the rest of the country.

Impeach now!
“The wild and ruthless manhunt as exercised everywhere in towns and country, in streets, squares, stations, even in churches, at night in homes, has badly shaken the security of the inhabitants,” the official reported. “Everybody is exposed to the danger of being seized anywhere and at any time, suddenly and unexpectedly, and of being sent to an assembly camp. None of his relatives knows what is happening to him” German officer in occupied Poland to Hans Frank 1942
September 16, 2025 at 5:06 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
The last few days have been all doom scrolling: Kirk news, incessant far right propaganda, unconstitutional actions against speech and expression, and the usual oppression of the helpless. No discussion of a plan. Let's talk about what we CAN do: Epstein, impeachment, and the funding CR.
In case of emergency impeach early and often
September 16, 2025 at 1:17 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
Poor Grok.
September 15, 2025 at 12:46 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
I'm not really much of a graphic artist, but I've had this vision for a while and I can't get it out of my head.

ICED AMERICA
Alligators with ICE caps slavering over the statue of Liberty, with a sash that says AMERICA, on its back and bound to a rock.
September 6, 2025 at 10:30 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
I believe that President "Donald Trump leading the way" swore an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution, with his hand almost on a Bible. A "revolution" is the opposite. She just said that he is violating his oath, along with every single person at that table. Show this to the military.
August 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
I'm not buying the despair. The regime is not robust at all. It rests on a Jenga block of one tired, ignorant, demented old man. Pull that block & the whole structure collapses. The coalition that brought Trump to power & keeps him there is cemented by a cult that's personally loyal to him . . .
In case of emergency Impeach early and often.
August 25, 2025 at 11:54 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
In answer to the question "What do you do now?" Call your Representative. Tell them to introduce, support, or cosponsor impeachment resolutions against Trump now. Senate conviction (tho nice) is not the goal. United opposition against the regime and public exposure of his High Crimes are goals.
In case of emergency impeach early and often.
August 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
@georgewhitesides.bsky.social Why don't you get a piece of this adulation? This is what voters want to see. YOU have the power to bring-co-sponsor-support House impeachment resolutions right now. Don't worry about party disapproval or Senate conviction. Do what you can control!
signed, constituent
In case of Emergency, Impeach Early and often
August 19, 2025 at 1:44 AM
sstranov.bsky.social
This is an excellent summary. Since we're talking about history, I'll offer the attached strategies from 2500 years ago. Choose your own adventure, but most of all, make a plan.
The Case for Impeachment of President Donald Trump Reason #4: Wisdom from The Art of War Protestor violence in the struggle for the nation’s future is a key part of the regime’s plan as it provides an excuse for their violence and deploying the military. However, the language of battle applies to a political war and Sun Tzu’s principles in “The Art of War” from 2500 years ago still apply today. Why we must respond now: "Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life." / "The worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation." / "If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; whereas death is certain if you cling to your corner." Why the situation is not hopeless: "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” / "Opportunities multiply as they are seized." / "Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack." / "Great results can be achieved with small forces." Strategies to leverage: "If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared; appear where you are not expected." / "Thus, we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight; (2) he will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces; (3) he will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks; (4) he will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared; (5) he will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign."
August 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
After some re-calibration, I'm all better now . . .
August 11, 2025 at 11:16 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
Here's a suggestion as to what to do about it that includes that exact statement as one reason. Impeach early and often. Give the regime something to think about besides solidifying its power.
The Case for Impeachment of President Donald Trump Reason #1: Integrity – The President and Congress President Trump’s failure to uphold his oath of office to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States” is obvious to anyone who has even casually looked at news. His “high crimes and misdemeanors” accumulate by the day, including blatant public bribery, a high crime specifically named in the Constitution. The Constitution says Trump’s duty is to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed”. His actions are often the complete opposite of this. He takes care that his actions benefit himself, his supporters, and ideological extremists, with open disregard of the laws passed by Congress. In Trump’s dozens of executive orders he claims “authority vested in me as President by the Constitution…” The Constitution specifies the powers granted to the President. It was written to limit presidential power, not provide limitless power. The Constitution does not give a president the power to violate its own terms, override laws passed by Congress, or ignore rulings of any court, including the Supreme Court. Many of his executive orders do exactly those things. On December 3, 2022 (before he was re-elected), Trump posted: “A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.” On May 4, 2025, Trump, asked if he has to 'uphold the Constitution,' says, 'I don't know'. Under these circumstances, Representatives are bound by their oath of office. “I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”. Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he is a “domestic enemy” of the Constitution and their duty is clear. Use every means at their disposal to defend the Constitution, up to and including impeachment.
August 6, 2025 at 6:45 PM
sstranov.bsky.social
"There may be no single mass act of non-cooperation that everyone can participate in, that is more than momentary, and that paralyzes The Situation." I don't think that is true. Using the system exactly as it's designed, the people can force a reckoning. Deluge Congress with calls for impeachment.
Why Congress Should Support Impeachment of President Donald Trump Reason #3: Objectives Below is a list of goals that could be accomplished by the Democrats alone, plus the bonus effect of impeachment if a small handful of Republican Reps from mixed districts could be persuaded (by their constituents) to support the effort.. 1. Impede the normal course of business for the House which, at this point, consists of aiding the President by ramrodding partisan legislation to recklessly dismantle the structure, funding, and human resources of the United States Government. 2. Demonstrate to the country that the minority Party is willing to take risks and stand up to the regime using every peaceful means at their disposal. 3. Provide a peaceful cause for those in opposition to the regime to rally around, as an alternative to possible violent demonstrations as frustration with the regime grows among the populace. 4. Use the privileged impeachment votes as a platform to expose Trump’s High Crimes and Misdemeanors to the public, which should occupy many, many hours of floor time. Various Articles of Impeachment could be brought, such as the words of the Declaration of Independence, or focusing on emoluments, bribery, violations of law, or focus on failure to honor his oath of office, etc. Clearly the general public doesn’t know of many of these crimes. Their simplified presentation could serve as a vehicle to counter propaganda. 5. If a few Republican representatives joined, a third impeachment for Trump would dramatically emphasize to the country his unfitness for the office. If that happened, there could come a time when Republican senators become convinced that the Vice President is a better choice and Trump could be removed.
August 5, 2025 at 1:33 AM