This week's Fool-on-the-Hill is NY Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer who recently said, “I have many jobs as [Senate] leader... and one is to fight for aid to Israel — all the aid that Israel needs,” Schumer said at a gathering of Jewish leaders and community members in New York. “I will continue to fight for it.,” he continued. “We delivered more security assistance to Israel, our ally, than ever, ever before.” We guess he means even after Israel was soundly condemned for genocide of Palestinians. But wait, there's more! "
Apple has removed an app from its App Store that uses crowdsourcing to flag sightings of US immigration agents after facing pressure from Donald Trump’s administration. IceBlock, a free iPhone-only app that lets users anonymously report and monitor activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers, was no longer available." CHN Action tells us: "this is part of a larger pattern of tech companies trying to curry favor with the Administration even before the inauguration, but communities are fighting back. They’re using platforms like ResistMap, which is built outside the app stores and beyond corporate reach." Go HERE.
Our Doublespeak of the Week comes from he who speaks no truth at all, so of course he calls his bullshit social network "Truth Social" [insert laugh track here]. One of his recent lame-ass doublespeak moments was picked up by Tipping Point: "The weather is what happens in your neighborhood this week. Climate is what happens to the planet over time. A cold day — or week — doesn’t erase a warming world, and every serious scientist knows it. In fact, climate change is fueling more extreme, more unpredictable weather, from record heat and megafires to heavier flooding and harsher storms. But instead of listening to experts, [His Malignancy] is escalating the danger with reckless rhetoric — calling people who tell the truth about climate change “environmental insurrectionists.” Remember J6? Who are the insurrectionists?
Yes, His Malignancy The Mad King (#NoKings), the lowlife Insurrectionist-in-Chief knows no shame and one of his latest posts on NoTruth Social makes that clear: He "posted a blatantly racist video clip portraying former President Barack Obama and the former first lady Michelle Obama as apes, but he insisted he had nothing to apologize for even after he deleted the video following an outcry. The clip, set to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” was spliced near the end of a 62-second video that promoted [fake] conspiracy theories about the 2020 election... It was the latest in a pattern by Mr. Trump of promoting offensive imagery and slurs about Black Americans and others....The clip was in line with Mr. Trump’s history of making degrading remarks about people of color, women and immigrants, and he has for years singled out the Obamas. Across Mr. Trump’s administration, racist images and slogans have become common on government websites and accounts, with the White House, Labor Department and Homeland Security Department all having promoted posts that echo white supremacist messaging. Pushback HERE.
Of course, His Malignancy doesn't care that "It's the Climate Crisis, Stupid" and his every move proves it. The NY Times informs us, "More than 60 large wind and solar farms under development on federal lands, such as Jackalope Wind, are being stymied. But the administration is also holding up hundreds of wind and solar projects on private land that require federal consultations. Many projects are facing potentially fatal delays, according to interviews with more than a dozen energy companies, industry groups and analysts." The present occupants in the White House are hopeless fossil fools and nuke boosters to boot. As for the world-wide climate emergency: "the United States is no longer a party to the Paris agreement on climate change, becoming the only country in the world to abandon the international commitment to slow global warming. The formal departure from the climate accord comes one year after President Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawal. Earlier this month Mr. Trump said the United States would also leave the United Nations treaty that underlies the Paris agreement, which was unanimously ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1992 and signed by President George H.W. Bush." History will remember the climate criminals in Washington. Real life villains. Enemies of the Earth.
On a lighter note we do have some Breaking News! "Last month, after Green Century [and others] spent two years pressing Bank of America to stop financing deforestation, the bank released new policies stating that companies driving deforestation won’t get their money. This is big news." Read the entire statement HERE. "Such a policy coming from the second largest bank in the U.S., and sixth largest bank in the world, means that companies seeking financing from Bank of America will have to protect the world’s forests to receive a loan for their operations." Hard to believe, yes? Stay tuned.
Our Critter-of-the-Week is good news as well. We don't often agree with the New England Forestry Foundation when it comes to the protection and preservation of our forests but their recent guide to The Owls of New England’s Winter Forests is a welcome exception. The blog post begins: "Many of our beloved and bright-hued birds have migrated south for the winter, but that doesn’t mean New England is bereft of bird-related charms. The region’s owls spend the winter with us, and there’s really nothing more magical than hearing the hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo of a great horned owl calling through the forest on a cold, clear night." Never mind the timberspeak at the close of the blog post. Better yet, how "About Owl Prowl at World's End ? "Join us to learn about the owls that breed in Massachusetts! We will talk about how to identify owls by call, where to find them, and how owls can successfully hunt at night. We will take our skills to the trail and listen for owls on the paths of World’s End."
Our Quote of the Week will take us to the Bus Stop billboard:
"We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming. We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are. They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse. But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives."
– Gary Zukhav
On to the Bus Stop Billboard:
First Here's Indivisible Northampton — Swing Left Western Mass's complete daily listing of all the pro-democracy events in WMass: https://in-slwm.org/wp-content/uploads/Calendar/cal.html. If you're looking for an easy weekday way to jump into the climate movement, you'll love the State House Stand Out! We gather at the Massachusetts State House in Boston between 10 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Volunteers stand together for 2-hour "shifts," either outside or inside depending on weather, and talk with visitors and State House staff about the Climate Crisis.
Thursday February 12, 3pm. NO Immunity for Big Oil - National Organizing Call. No industry should be above the law. We must demand Congress protect our right to hold powerful corporations accountable and say NO immunity for Big Oil. Please reach out with any questions and I hope to see you there! REGISTER HERE (registration required).
Thursday February 12, 7pm. Resist and Reimagine: Lessons from MN on Fighting Authoritarianism. Don’t miss this critical conversation with labor and community leaders from Minnesota including special guest Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-5)! They’ll share practical lessons for fellow organizers on organizing in the midst of crisis, rapid response, economic solidarity actions, and how Minnesota’s experience can help other communities prepare to protect each other. RSVP here today.
Friday February 13, 6:30 p.m. "Deforestation, climate, and the future of the Amazon.” with Chris Neill at the Wendell Library, Wendell,MA The Amazon rainforest covers parts of nine countries in South America and is the Earth's largest tropical forest. Across these nations, Amazon loses an area of forest equivalent to more than half the area of Massachusetts each year. The majority of existing forest, and forest loss, occur in Brazil. Clearing, for both small holder and industrial-scale agriculture, is the main driver of forest loss. However, longer dry seasons, increasing droughts, and more fire now contribute to widespread degradation of forests that threaten to "savannaize" large areas of remaining forests.
Thursday February 19, 6:30pm Greening Greenfield presents “What Can We Learn from Beavers?” A talk by Professor Christine Hatch at 2nd Congregational Church, Court Square, Greenfield, MA
Wednesday February 25, 6:30 to 8:30pm. STEADY IN THE STORM - Invitation to a workshop on Affinity Groups (AGs). Create structures and relationships to build the future and fend off fascism! Come for a discussion among experienced AG members, those who are curious about them, and those who want to form one. Co-sponsored by Indivisible
West Quabbin and the Rabbit Run Responders affinity group of New Salem. Several brief readings will be provided before the event. Pre-Registration Link HERE.
Saturday February 28, 2:30pm. Heading for Extinction Talk (Robbins Library, 700 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA): This is an Emergency. Scientists say we have entered a period of abrupt climate and ecological breakdown. We have very little time to avoid societal collapse. In our Heading for Extinction Talk, members of XR will share the science, explore how governments and corporations are lying to us, and invite you to join the movement and help turn the tide. Humanity needs you! The talk will begin at 2:30 pm and lasts approximately 1 hour. It's interactive! There will be time for questions and discussion.
February 5 – March 26, 2026. How Trees & Forests Shape Our Climate, an eight-week, science-based course that explores how intact forests regulate climate through water cycles, biodiversity, and living ecosystem processes, while challenging the persistent myths driving unnecessary forest destruction. Entry fee. Go HERE.
Thursday February 5, Noon. "Tree Committees & Urban Forestry – Making Collaboration Work". Tree committees are a common platform for volunteers and professionals to share expertise and guidance on local urban forest management. Join Connecticut’s Urban Forestry Coordinator, Dr. Danica Doroski, as she draws from research and practice to inform these important collaborations. To attend live on 2/05/26 @ Noon (Eastern) and receive an ISA/0.5 MCA CEU at no cost, click here or visit www.joinwebinar.com & enter 719-727-803 (Space will be limited – all attendees should be prepared to join the live broadcast promptly)
Saturday February 7, 2 to 4pm. In Person Indivisigather! Come together with like-minded others to learn more about IN-SLWM - what we've been up to , what our plans are for this crucial upcoming year, and how YOU can get (even more?) involved! We'll have yummy refreshments, time to schmooze, time to take action and maybe even some swag and games! And, help grow the resistance by bringing a friend - or two! Go HERE.
Monday February 9, 7pm. Growing Climate Resilience: The Charles River Regional Tree Planting & Protection Plan Virtual via Zoom. Join our webinar to learn about CRWA's 2025 Regional Tree Planting & Protection Plan for the Charles River watershed, highlighting the recommendations for communities to protect, maintain, and grow our tree canopy.
Tuesday February 17, All Day. National Day of Direct Action. FLARE and Citizens’ Impeachment are teaming up for a national day of action. Where Your representative’s office. “On February 17th, 2026, we will hold organized meetings with congressional offices in their home districts. This is an opportunity to show directly to their face that their constituents demand better. We will not be satisfied with empty promises. We want leaders who will honor their oath and do their job: Defending the Constitution by impeaching Donald Trump.” Website: citizensimpeachment.com
Wednesday, February 18, 6 to 7 pm. Please save the date for a Zoom meeting to discuss updates related to this last round of MA solar and regulations and guidelines, and how things are going in our towns. Also there are bills in the legislature that would help us a lot and you can support them. As we have done in the past, we will compile a list of ideas for your written comments, and will send that out to you before the March 13th deadline.
Sunday February 22, 2pm: In Conversation with Chuck Collins about his new book: Burned by Billionaires: How Concentrated Wealth and Power Are Ruining Our Lives and Planet (published Oct 2025) & implications for the fight to stop the proposed private jet expansion at Hanscom or Anywhere. Interview by Diane Proctor, Concord-Carlisle League of Women Voters. At Concord Public Library, in person & remote. Collins will discuss his book and how its focus intersects with the proposed private jet expansion at Hanscom. More details and RSVP form to come soon!
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m. – noon. MA Public Information Sessions (Virtual) The Clean Energy Siting & Permitting team will hold two virtual information sessions to review the draft guidelines and answer questions. Both sessions will be held via Zoom.
Register for the Feb. 24 session
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 6 – 8 p.m. MA Public Information Sessions (Virtual) The MA Clean Energy Siting & Permitting team will hold two virtual information sessions to review the draft guidelines and answer questions.
Register for the Feb. 25 session
Wednesday March 4, 7pm: SPJE Webinar with Dr. William Moomaw on how trees are critical to biodiversity and carbon sequestration & implications for the proposed private jet expansion at Hanscom and its 20 acres of threatened trees. More details and RSVP form to come soon!
Friday, March 6, 12 - 1 p.m. Massachusetts Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy Roadmap is entering
its next phase. [See. Above ] Preliminary Findings Webinar #2 Register HERE.
Sunday March 8, 12 to 3pm. Tesla Takedown Boston. Massachusetts State House • 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133. On March 8th, we're coming together to celebrate 1 year of #TeslaTakedown and to let the world's greediest man know that we're here to hold him accountable for the harm he has caused. Elon Musk is destroying democracy around the world, and he's using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it. Tesla shareholders just approved a trillion dollar package for Elon. But whether he gets it is up to all of us. Elon's trillion depends on hitting huge benchmarks. We're coming together at Tesla facilities to make sure he never reaches them. Go HERE.
Monday March 23, 7pm Climate Action Now monthly gathering via Zoom. Climate justice organizing while fighting fascism: From Minneapolis to Manila. Go HERE
Saturday March 28, All Day. No Kings Day 3 History is on our side. On June 14, 2025, five million people rose up to say “No Kings.” On October 18, 2025, seven million more made it unmistakable: America does not do dictators. On March 28, we rise again — stronger, broader, and more united than ever. Every No Kings event is rooted in nonviolent action. We de-escalate conflict, act lawfully, and never bring weapons. When People Power United says “fight,” we mean fierce advocacy — never violence. Our work is grounded in peaceful protest, free speech, voting, and collective action to defend our rights, freedoms, and democracy. Go HERE.
That's all folks......except remember to listen to your Mother!
