Welp. We're all still here and ICE hasn't invaded Indianapolis the same way that they have invaded Los Angeles, right? I mean that counts for something.

Seriously -- I start every event the same way -- some basic functional stuff, then the good and the bad. So ...

FUNCTIONAL STUFF

If you're in the back then, well, you're going to have trouble hearing. What you can do though is use your phone -- we live stream every event to Facebook and YouTube so if you go to those sites, you can listen in on your phone.

THE GOOD

As I said, we are all still here.

And this is still America. An interviewer recently reminded me of the power of America and that while we have issues -- I'd say MASSIVE ISSUES -- as of today, we aren't in Soviet Russia. And that counts for something.

Other good things:

1. IMPD has continued to be of huge service to the local political community. They continue to do a great job and I would ask that everyone please treat them with respect. Yes there can be bad police folk but they keep providing protestors with huge amounts of support.

2. The local press -- whether corporate or independent -- is amazing. Whether it is RTV, WishTV, our local Fox affiliate, Gannett or an independent like Ted Coats or Bubble Assassin, all of the press have done an amazing job getting the stories written. Now I know they don't always get out there but that's a management issue. The reporters come out and do their job -- and we appreciate them.

THE BAD

And the bad -- it is bad. I suspect that you have seen the footage out of Los Angeles where soldiers are kitted out like they are in Somalia or the hills of Afghanistan.

The new spending bill for ICE spends $170 billion over the next 10 years. Now that means that these bastards are planning on being in office for 10 years. HELL TO THE NO.

And don't even get me started on the THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL which is a piece of legislation that is going to leave a far reaching mark on America. But -- and here is something good -- it mostly doesn't impact us until 2027 or later. And that means one powerful thing:

WE CAN DAMN WELL STOP IT.

MY CLOSING

I'd like to close by reading something that one of my people sent me on the Fourth of July picnic -- after I will note -- she left because "I knew you'd make me read it". So, SassyPants, this one is for you. I'm not going to read it to the several hundred people at our picnic -- I'm going to read it to the likely thousand plus people here.

First they came for the trans kids,
and I stood up—
because my child is brave,
and I will never let them stand alone.

Then they came for the disabled,
and I stood up—
because my aunt had Down syndrome,
and my grandparents signed love with their hands.

Then they came for the immigrants, the poor, the different,
and I stood up—
because justice has no borders
and love has no language but truth.

Then they came for the librarians, the teachers, the healers,
and I stood up—
because I’ve worked those front lines,
and I know what it means to care.

Then they came for the truth, the books, the memory—
and I stood up—
because silence is surrender,
and I will not bow. I will build.

And when they came for me—
I was already standing.
With all of you.