So, what's the plan? What's your plan?

[indusurb]

A couple of days ago Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff and Nosferautu family member, went on Fox and declared the Democratic party to be a "domestic extremist organization." This isn't just more bullshit rhetoric from the Goebbels in charge, this is an exacting label that, if it is followed through, would see the party eliminated, its assets seized, members arrested and more, all thanks to Bush boy's EO 13224, which has never been rescinded.

While unprecedented in US history, elimination of opposing parties is rather common throughout the history of dictatorships. In fact it is one of the first things done on the road to complete control, demonizing and then eliminating opposing political parties. Hitler, Mussolini, Franco and many more have gone down this well trodden path. So it's not like this is a brand new idea. This concept of Democrats as terrorists has been bandied about for years now, both among real life gatherings of MAGA's, Tea Partiers and such ilk, but even more prominently on the wrong side of the web, sites like Free Republic, Flopping Aces, Conservative Cave, etc. There, it's just bluster, keyboard warriors spouting shit, screaming into the night. But when an administration official like Miller pops off about it, that's different. At best it's a trial balloon that gets shot down by the "saner heads" heads in the administration. At worst, it's a warning of things to come.

I'm not going to take the time to argue whether this will actually come to pass, personally I think there's about a fifty-fifty chance either way. I've seen this sort of shit spouted off and nothing comes of it, I've also seen this sort of shit spouted off and then actually become reality. What I am here to put forward is that we all need to prepare, both on an organizational and personal level, because if the worse comes about, we're not going to have much time to react before we find ourselves hunted down. First, they'll come for the Party itself, and any prominent members there of. Then for Party adjacent organizations, big donors, web sites like this one, folks at the ACLU, GLAAD, etc. Then they'll start coming for individuals, folks like you and me. They'll be bringing the full power of they police, military and surveillance state. It won't matter if you're a registered Democrat or a liberal non‐ affiliated, all will be lumped in together. Went to a No Kings protest where your picture was taken? You'll be on the list. Have any shade of brown skin? On the list. Member of the LGBTQ community? On the list. And that list will go on and on and on, because once these hounds are let loose they will be, literally and figuratively, out for blood.

So the time to prepare and act it now. Decide if this indeed becomes a reality whether you're going to fight, run or hide, and prepare accordingly. If you're a member of any liberal or Democratic organization that keeps member files and information, set up a self destruct switch on your computer, and paperwork. Think of as many monkey wrenches as possible to slow things down. There's a reason that the Holocaust was much more ineffective in France than in Poland, one man monkey-wrenched the tabulation machines of the time, preventing an accurate census, and screwing up railroad timetables.

On an individual basis, be prepared, keep your passport up to date, keep a bug out bag if you're going to flee. If you're going to fight, think the French resistance, or even the White Rose. If you're going to hide, there will be no shame in denouncing the party, just don't betray your fellow humans. Whatever you decide, prepare accordingly now.

I know, I know, this sounds alarmist, I too think it's absurd to think about. But we're living in increasingly dangerous times. A year ago who would have thought the military would have been on the streets of LA and DC with more to come. Let's just hope that this was just a trial balloon that gets shot down, but meanwhile go ahead and prepare, just in case. Because we're not safe anymore, none of us.

But first, go do whatever it takes to relieve your stress and anxiety, because I know this is a heavy topic. Me, I'm off to walk the dog.

[leftstreet]

1. Good grief n/t

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Alligator Alcatraz is closing soon, and Lisa Cook is still on the Fed board of Governors

Trump is not omnipotent, and the states and the people are not powerless.

[indusurb]

3. And troops are still on the streets of LA and DC, with more coming to other cities.

And ICE is still disappearing legal residents and even US citizens to God knows where. Complacency in times like this can be deadly.

Who were the first victims of the Holocaust? Hitler's main political opposition, the Communist Party

It can happen here,

[Fiendish Thingy]

16. Sorry to hear that you've bought the mythology

I still firmly believe Trump is not omnipotent, and the states and the people are not powerless.

[indusurb]

26. I've not "bought the mythology, I've studied history

Specifically the history of authoritarian regimes, even wrote my senior college thesis on the topic. They all seem to follow certain patterns, take certain steps. That is what we're seeing out of theTrump administration now.

Look how far we've gone down that dark road now. Were you thinking, even just six months ago, that we would have the military in the streets of our cities? That thousands of innocents would be disappeared?

Prepare for contingencies or not, that's up to you. But we are, as a nation, in new and dark territory, and things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.

[CTyankee]

44. I think you are right to be worried. I agree with your assessment of our situation.

It is better to worried but we have to have a plan going forward.

[PufPuf23]

45. Trump is a symptom and a useful face for the evil seeking to destroy egalitarian life.

Last edited Thu Aug 28, 2025, 07:11 PM - Edit history (1)

In the immediate, the narcissist Trump is flooding the zone.

Too many are apathetic or want to retain their social position.

Others see benefit to their personal biases and wants.

You are not beyond mythology.

[Trust_Reality]

20. It appears to me that Stephen Miller has great admiration for Hitler based on his ideas and behavior.

Interesting.

[marble falls]

23. And it is being fought on every front. Our leaders need to be more like the Govenors of CA. IL and MD ...

... more like AOC, Bernie Sanders, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Elizabeth Warring, Jeremy Raskin and others and quit being so damn polite to people that want to kill us, disenfranchise us, exile us, jail us.

[indusurb]

29. And what have those people truly accomplished?

Study your history. Once an authoritarian regime takes hold of a country, only four things will loosen its grip, a revolution, the collapse of the state, economic or otherwise, plague or natural disaster, or a major war. Speaking pious platitudes or dashing off cutting memes won't accomplish a thing

[RockCreek]

47. Well, we do have the climate going bat sh-t crazy

However, I would bet that is used to strengthen the regime in really odious ways. I don't think it is likely to lead to it falling. These evil people and programs feed off chaos and destruction.

[Johnny2X2X]

6. Alligator Alcatraz will be reopened

Some little judge isn't going to stop this, there are other judges who will leave it open.

[Fiendish Thingy]

18. The rulings were two weeks ago

And interestingly, no appeals court has issued a stay of either of the rulings pending appeal, so the camp is being closed.

That is very unusual, especially in Florida.

Trump usually gets a stay pending appeal the same day as an adverse ruling, and DeSantis has proven quite adept at circumventing rulings he doesn’t like.

I wonder why this was different?

[marble falls]

24. Jurisdiction is everything.

[MaineBlueBear]

25. Guessing money was the reason

Usually is

[ancianita]

27. Right.

A federal judge -- U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams (Obama) issued the order, halting the detention center's operations -- and ordered the closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" on August 22, 2025, citing violations of environmental law and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) due to the lack of required assessments before construction and operation. This is what's different.

The lawsuit was filed by environmental groups, including Friends of the Everglades, and tribal leaders who argued the facility threatens the Florida Everglades and its ecosystems

The ruling mandates that no new detainees be sent to the facility and requires the state and federal government to remove existing detainees and all infrastructure within 60 days. While the state and federal governments have appealed the ruling, they are complying with the order, and the facility is rapidly emptying.

Though the ruling's been appealed to the 11th Circuit, the 11th is known for backing environmental law, so having only 60 days to do it, that's why they're emptying out the camp even before the 11th Circuit rules.

[indusurb]

30. And yet the people remain in custody

With new detention centers being built and opened.

[ancianita]

32. They are. The angle on shutting down the FL camp was environmental.

True, the detainees are moved to other camps. Don't know if they're more likely to get access to lawyers or not, or perhaps be part of an existing class action, but at least they're not in the ungodly heat of the Everglades wilderness.

The Archbishop of Miami and his motorcycle group have been holding prayer vigil protests outside that camp for a while now, and it might have had some influence on the consciences of FL Catholics who'd spoken up about swinging their pro-life votes against Republicans.

[indusurb]

34. True, they're not in the Everglades now

But then again, they could be in Texas, or Arizona, which aren't much better. Worse yet, they could be in El Savlvador, or Libya, or South Sudan, or the new hot destination, Uganda.

The point is, that thousands of innocents are still in the custody of the Trump regime. Prayer vigils won't do the trick, and from what I've seen, right wing Catholics will put up with a lot so long as the government keeps abortion access illegal.

[ancianita]

37. I hear you. And we'll probably never get the truth out of NHS about where they now are.

You're right about prayer vigils. The point of those was to awaken the conscience of others. I'm not for Catholics forcing any of their beliefs on anyone, and they do enough harm through their stupid voting to cause their own suffering, anyway. They suffer the unintended consequences of their bad judgment and misguided trust.

[Fiendish Thingy]

36. Thanks for the background- the big difference is no stay was issued pending appeal

My question is: why not?

The Trump administration often gets a stay pending appeal, but not this time, they appealed, but the ruling went into effect and they had to comply.

So much for the doomsayers who believe he is omnipotent and unchecked.

[ancianita]

38. Them's the facts of the law. As you say, the felon's not omnipotent.

[SergeStorms]

31. The everglades are on fire......

Southern Florida is a smoking hell right now. That might have a little, but certainly not all, to do with it.

[ancianita]

40. Yep. In August, South Florida feels like India.

I've always held to the heat theory of criminality, which mostly comes when it's hottest.

[marble falls]

4. I'm not going quietly if it comes to it. I will not go on my knees. I will be in the streets, I still have my street ...

... fighting shoes from the 60's and I have no fear. I have no panic, but my jaw is set, the one big thing I learned in the military. I am prepared for whatever comes.

I will not run away or shrink from it if and when it comes to it. I will not live in fear.

[Johnny2X2X]

5. These concentration camps are for Democrats

That's ultimately going to be their primary use, to lock up vocal Democrats.

People think that's overreaction, it's not, this is happening in this country right now.

[usonian]

7. We have power in numbers. A general strike is in order.

Most "leaders" are hiding under a rock.

Others are speaking out.

Unlike Nazi Germany, SOMEONE or ones will do the right thing and stop the coup in its tracks. The US has too long a history of bravery and standing up to tyranny.

Who? That's for "Who" to decide.

There's the true story of Stanislav Petrov, a Russian who received a launch code for a retaliatory missile attack. He alone correctly concluded that the alert was erroneous, preventing a nuclear disaster.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24280831

He did the right thing.

[mwmisses4289]

8. Could we please stop being dismissive of people who are raising very real concerns?

T and company are doing the very things people dismissed as "he can't do that" . He may (or may not) be following orders from Putin. Certainly he is emulating putin, un, orban and various others around the world who are alive today and whom he admires.
If this doesn't happen, great, it was just more bloviating from one of Ts sycophants. But if it does happen, what are you going to do?
It's kinda like hurricane season- areas prone to them don't get hit every year, but it's best to prepare as if one will come through every year.

[EdmondDantes_]

33. What's the line between real concern and fear mongering?

My opinion of what's a real threat and this a real concern is quite a bit higher than many in this thread. As of yet, nobody has presented either a real path for getting from Miller's insipid comment to internment camps. Not everything they say is a life or death comment and thinking that it is, doesn't help. They are doing actual things that we can actually help address now. You want to help with the rising cost of food, go donate or volunteer with a food bank. Donate to Planned Parenthood. Help raise funds for immigrants, especially the families left behind here who suddenly find themselves without income. Organize a protest campaign. Find a thing that is meaningful to you to do that helps and you can see the results in the short term.

And likewise, nobody has presented a real escape plan. If in theory Trump declared every Democrat a terrorist tomorrow, do you really think going to an airport with your passport would work? We shut down all air traffic after 9/11. Why wouldn't the government shut down all transit exits from the US? Germany pretty quickly barred Jews from leaving for example. Maybe you drive within walking distance of Canada/Mexico and cross in the middle of a field or have access to a boat, but I wouldn't assume in the worst case that you'd have any luck going to the airport or a train station.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

43. "As of yet,

nobody has presented either a real path for getting from Miller's insipid comment to internment camps. Not everything they say is a life or death comment and thinking that it is, doesn't help."

Thank you for your voice of reason.

I hate the hair on fire responses to some idiot saying or posting some idiotic comment. IMO, that is exactly what the MAGAts want from us: fear and panic and surrender.

[Irish_Dem]

9. We all need to start making plans.

It is time to face reality.

[Torchlight]

10. My plan for now is to get local Dems elected

in the face of strong opposition to the best of my ability. I don't know what the next river is or how wide, so I've no idea yet on which type of bridge structure would be most applicable. In the meantime, I'll do my best to get local Dems elected where and when I can.

[DownriverDem]

12. I carry my passport

all the time now. My driver's license doesn't expire until 2026 so I don't have a real ID yet. I will get it next year.

[Ilsa]

13. I had not heard sbout Miller's

declaration. I think you are wise to be concerned. Jewish academics, scientists and experts in their respective fields thought Hitler needed them too much to dismiss them to ghettoes and concentration camps. They were wrong.

I'm not sure I can leave with my grown, little family. I'm retired, with an adult disabled son. Leaving the USA may not be a workable solution.

[ancianita]

14. How do we prepare for fight? or flight?

I'm old enough to prepare for flight -- got a car and passport and other papers -- but not for a fight (though I don't own a gun I know how to use them, for all the good that'll do).

[Tumbulu]

15. I think this is very likely to occur- why do you think they have been attacking California in particular?

While I am grateful that Governor Newsom is standing up to the bullies on social media, what needs to happen is all the blue donor states need to create escrow accounts that all the Federal withholding taxes of citizens of each state go into - rather than directly to the US Treasury. And then the blue states use their financial leverage against the creeps. This may be illegal, or unprecedented, but that has not stopped their destruction machine.

At the same time each blue States National Guard needs to be re-titled as the State's Militia. Which is protected by the second amendment for this very purpose. And the funds in the escrow account get used to pay for them.

This is not a joke, this is a war. Pretending that it is not is as stupid as ignoring the right wing propaganda on the am radios for 40 years. Which created this disaster.

This of us who are blue in red parts of the country are all too aware of the violence that these people have been dreaming of inflicting on Democrats for generations now.

[Joinfortmill]

17. Yup. Been prepared for awhile now:

1. Passport
2. Bugout bag with important papers & cash
3. Circumstances may still determine if I skip to closest border, or I stay. I'm old, but I'm also pissed.

Stay safe.

[Trust_Reality]

19. "At the same time each blue States National Guard needs to be re-titled as the State's Militia. Which is protected ..."

At the same time each blue States National Guard needs to be re-titled as the State's Militia. Which is protected by the second amendment for this very purpose.

Sounds like a good move.

It appears to me that Stephen Miller has great admiration for Hitler based on his ideas and behavior.

[tinrobot]

21. Wife qualifies for citizenship in a European country

She's already applied and we'll know in a few months.

But the decision to leave is a heavy one. We'd have to leave behind our adult kids, friends, our home... everything.

[quakerboy]

22. Probably die

TBD if its on the street or in a camp.

In the meanwhile, i look for small opportunities to resist, and chances to join larger movements that might resist more effectively.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

48. I'll die

I’m disabled trans overweight , intelligent tats and pierces, not christian and on the left.
I got at least four markers the right wing hates, probably more.

If it gets so bad and I get forced to a camp I will off myself, quickly. I don’t want to give those Nazis the satisfaction.

Can’t torture or work a corpse to death.

I can’t take any more trauma got cptsd and dissociative disorder and it’s taken a lifetime of therapy to work it out.

Torture and being trapped by sociopaths will make me lose my mind forever. Then I dunno what.

[LuvLoogie]

28. My plan is to tell SM

To suck trump's mushroom

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

35. Maybe I'll dig up an old cookbook

[MorbidButterflyTat]

39. "...this is an exacting label that

...would see the party eliminated, its assets seized, members arrested and more..." etc., etc.

"But first, go do whatever it takes to relieve your stress and anxiety..."

Thanks, buddy.

[indusurb]

42. You're welcome!

Taking care of both your mental and physical health is always important, especially in these trying times. 👍

[MorbidButterflyTat]

46. Well

with the end of the world right around the corner, it helps to get drunk and watch a Southpark marathon til the bombs fly.

In a few hundred years the apes will take over, anyway.

[Kaleva]

41. I'm going to keep preparing for climate change

As a I’ve been doing for over 10 years now.

[mucholderthandirt]

49. My plan is to die on my feet, free. If it comes to that.

I have no passport. I have nowhere else to go. My kids won't leave, so I won't. I refuse to leave my boys here, alone, no matter what happens.

Even if we got passports, where would we go? Who would take us in? We're not scientists, or computer experts, or have any kind of skills anyone would want. I'm old, sick and have no savings. We're just working poor people. No country wants more of those, they have plenty of their own.

Many countries you could maybe get into aren't any better than here. They have unstable governments, or are on the verge of being just as bad, or worse, than what we're having here.

Frankly, the time to leave the US was forty years ago, before Reagan. It was easier to get into other countries, you could even sneak out of the country without a passport and hope to get unnoticed wherever you went.

It's a nice daydream, finding a sanctuary somewhere, with sane government and nice people, good climate, low cost of living. But it's only a dream.