The Wall Street Journal called it “Bruce Springsteen’s Lecture Tour,” writing that the Boss would “rather talk politics than play the hits.” That wasn’t my experience when I saw him in Washington, D.C. He played plenty of hits while also speaking passionately about his love for our country and his concerns about where we’re headed.
The concert brought people together. One of my favorite parts of the night was sharing it with friends, including Mary L Trump, whom many of you know as the author of The Good in Us here on Substack.
We occasionally reflect on the fact that we are “the better Trump and Vance”, Mary Trump and Joyce Vance, and that the country would be a lot better off (or at least a lot more fun) under our leadership than the current Trump and Vance. That was definitely how we handled seeing the sign in the video at the top of this post as we were heading into the concert.
After that, it seemed only right for us to get together for a Substack Live as part of my anniversary Autocracy, Democracy, and Kleptocracy series to discuss what the good Trump and Vance would be doing right now if we were the ones in office. (Hint: We would not be ignoring climate change or banning books instead of educating kids).
In a world where we spend so much time focused on the latest outrage, it’s easy to lose sight of what we could accomplish if the $1.776 billion slush fund the president wants to pay out to January 6 offenders were instead invested in mental health and addiction treatment, food security, or the expansion of solar and other alternative energy sources to reduce our dependence on oil.
The possibilities are endless, and so many important issues barely get a nod these days as Americans fight to preserve democracy—with the president of the United States as the opponent.
Mary and I will discuss this and more with you tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. ET. Mark your calendar now so you can bring your coffee along and join us in the morning. Let us know in the comments below if there’s anything you want us to discuss.
Love Springsteen's work, too. He's a REAL American. SAY ‘NO’ TO WAR! RESIST!
Sunday is Flag Day, Felon's birthday and a No Kings No birthday party
Posted by Pikes Peak 14115 on June 11, 2026, 9:10 pm, in reply to "True!"
Throw a party. Invite friends over for a toast. Do something big or small, and post it on social media.
For Church I arranged George M Cohan's You're a Grand Old Flag for the congregational sing, with an additional verse and chorus reflective of what the Christian perspective should be.
An occasional line in the second verse and chorus is exactly opposite what the felon demonstrates, and my hope is that causes the MAGA to question the path they're on.
102 You're A Grand Old Flag George M Cohan
There's a feeling comes a-stealing and it sets my brain a-reeling, When I'm list'ning to the music of a military band. Any tune like "Yankee Doodle" simply sets me off my noodle, It's that patriotic something that no one can understand. "Way down South in the land of cotton," melody untiring, Ain't that inspiring! Hurrah! Hurrah! We'll join the jubilee, And that's going some for the Yankees, by gum! Red, White, and Blue, I am for you, Honest you're a grand old flag.
You're a grand old flag You're a high flying flag And forever in peace may you wave You're the emblem of The land I love The home of the free and the brave Every heart beats true For the red white and blue Where there's never a boast or brag Should old acquaintance be forgot Keep your eye on the grand old flag
There's a calm that overwhelms me, and it comforts and protects me, When I'm singing in the service of my church. Any hymn like "In the Garden" calms my soul with Godly pardon, It's that Christian understanding that my sins were cleansed away.. In Jesus, there's no left or right, With love is how I choose to fight Hurrah! Hurrah! From sea to shining sea, To be free is how to be, by gum! Freedom for all! Not some! I am for you, Honest you're my Savior true!.
You are Jesus Christ, Who I'm honored to serve! And forever in peace may you lead! You're the Son of God, the Christ I love The Son of the Father above! Every heart beats true Where Beattitudes rule Where there's never a boast or brag In humble peace I serve my Lord! And love is my shining sword In humble peace I serve my Lord! And love is my shining sword
This begins with the chorus, then the verse, then the chorus again. Try it with the second verse and chorus MAGA's going home with an ear worm!
You can look away from a painting, but you can't listen away from a symphony
..mostly just the chorus. And where'd the religious part come from? The only other verse I saw was this:
I'm a cranky hanky panky I'm a dead square honest Yankee And I'm mighty proud of that old flag That flies for Uncle Sam Though I don't believe in raiding Every time I see it waving There's a chill runs up my back That makes me glad I'm what I am We've no flags but a million soldiers That's if we should need 'em We'll fight for freedom Hurrah! Hurrah! for every Yankee bar And old G.A.R Every stripe, every star Red, White and Blue Hats off to you Honest, you're a grand old flag
on June 11, 2026, 12:39 am
